Managerial Skills Essay

In order for managers to be effective, they must have a clear understanding of whether different skills are important in their managerial role. In addition, managers must have a mutual understanding of the skills and responsibilities necessary for other managers across similar and different organizational levels and functions ([10] Kraut et al. , 1989). If these skills and responsibilities are not clearly understood, managers will neither be able to coordinate work effectively, communicate expectations, deliver feedback, nor be prepared for job transitions or other training and career development activities ([10] Kraut et al. , 1989). In short, understanding whether certain managerial skills are important to a manager’s job is essential. A number of researchers have investigated the roles, tasks, or activities of managers (e.g. [18] Mintzberg, 1973; [13] Luthans, 1988; [10] Kraut et al. , 1989). However, these studies are over a decade old, some more than two or three decades, and have not specifically examined skills. The world of work has changed since these studies, most notably due to organizational downsizing, technology, and the globalization of the workplace. Skills important to managers in the late 1980s and early 1990s may not be as important today. As times change, researchers should update important findings to determine if those findings are still applicable ([4] Cronbach, 1975), especially when considering that the skills and roles of managers need to be clearly defined and understood to effectively teach, select, develop, and promote these individuals in the workplace. Based on results of a study of more than 14,000 managers over two distinct time periods, this paper will highlight whether the importance of certain managerial skills changed over a 15-year time period, and determine which skills are needed at different organizational levels and across organizational functions from the opinions of managers themselves. Our main research question is, to what extent has the importance of certain managerial skills changed, or remained constant, over time, and whether certain skills are important based on organizational level and function. Studies of managers [18] Mintzberg (1973) provided one of the most influential works on managerial roles. Prior to his research, the roles of managers were understood to be embedded in a rigid functional approach of planning jobs, organizing staff, and leading personnel ([20] Pearson and Chatterjee, 2003). However, Mintzberg observed that managers worked at a much faster pace during which they were required to address a range of issues. The job of the manager required an ability to handle more complex roles than those described by classical management theory. Using a descriptive diary method to observe managers at work, Mintzberg identified ten roles of managerial work, which were divided into three categories: interpersonal roles, informational roles, and decisional roles. Expanding on [18] Mintzberg’s (1973) work, [10] Kraut et al. (1989) investigated the differences between managerial levels in the perception of role importance. They identified seven major factors of management tasks including: managing individual performance; instructing subordinates; planning and allocating resources; coordinating interdependent groups; managing group performance; monitoring the business environment; and representing one’s staff. Their findings also revealed distinct differences in role importance based on the level of the manager. For instance, first-level managers reported that managing individual performance and instructing subordinates were the most important set of activities in their job. However, as managers moved up the management hierarchy to the level of middle manager, the importance of these activities dropped and more focus was placed on tasks related to linking groups. The act of linking groups included planning and resource allocation, managing group performance, and coordinating interdependent groups. Executive managers took an even broader view of their job as evidenced by their high importance ratings related to monitoring the environment including business, economic, and social trends. The only commonality among the different managerial levels was the importance they placed on representing their staff; over 50 per cent of managers at each level rated representing staff of â€Å"utmost† or â€Å"considerable importance.† [13] Luthans’ (1988) research also examined differences between top and middle managers. However the focus was more on the distinction between the activities of an effective manager versus a successful manager. Effective managers were identified by a high level of performance in the unit they are responsible for, whereas successful managers were recognized by their rapid promotions within an organization. The activities that characterize effective managers included spending time on communication and human resource management, which can lead to long-term results. In contrast, successful managers spent more time on networking and aimed for short-term results. In addition to differences between levels, [10] Kraut et al. (1989) also compared managerial activities across the different organizational functions of marketing, manufacturing, and administration. For example, a greater percentage of marketing managers rated monitoring the outside environment more important when compared to other managers. Alternately, fewer marketing managers rated instructing subordinates as important when compared to managers in manufacturing and administration. Managers from all three organizational functions indicated that activities involving coordinating interdependent groups were important. The present study will attempt to expand on similar research such as those previously mentioned. First, this research examines managerial skills, which are much different than managerial roles, activities, or tasks. While past research has determined what roles or activities are important for managers and what tasks managers tend to spend much of their time on, this research attempts to determine what skills are important for managerial jobs. Second, this research will use opinions from practicing managers totaling more than 14,000 from two distinct time periods (1988-1992, and 2004-2006) to capture what skills have been important in the past, and determine whether those skills have changed in importance over time. In addition, this research will examine whether managerial skills are important across different organizational levels and organizational functions in the context of today’s work environment. The changing world of work The aforementioned research regarding the importance of managerial tasks, roles, and activities was conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. There is reason to believe that skills once deemed important for managers may have adjusted in relative importance since much has changed in the world of work since these studies. One can assume that the changes in the world of work may coincide with possible changes in the importance of different managerial skills. Organizations have become flatter and less hierarchical with fewer levels and more responsibilities ([2] Allen et al. , 2001; [16] McKinley et al. , 2000; [17] Miller, 1990). Also, organizational downsizing is commonplace due to the increasing need to reduce costs, to eliminate unnecessary levels of management, and to streamline operations ([5] DeMeuse et al. , 2004). As organizations become less hierarchical, there is reason to believe that the skills managers thought were important in the past may have changed in scope. Organizations also exist in a different environmental context than 15 years ago. Due to improved technology such as e-mail and the internet, changes have occurred in the way managers and co-workers interact. We have seen the emergence of the Internet as a major form of communication and e-commerce as a new source of business. Flexible work patterns and the ability to work in geographically dispersed teams is now a common reality in the workplace ([27] Wallace, 2004). These changes have cultivated the need for better communication, coordination, improved performance, team monitoring, and more interdependence and trust ([22], [21] Salas et al. , 2004, 2005; [28] Zaccaro et al. , 2004). Teams and organizations are increasingly becoming more global or virtual in nature. As a result, an awareness of different cultures and attention to multiculturalism and globalization is vital for the success of many managers. As organizations become more fast-paced and global, there is also speculation that the importance of different skills managers need may have shifted in scope. [7] Kanter (1989) argued that these rapid changes, spurred by technology and competitive pressures, have made traditional forms of organizing work obsolete. Managers may believe certain skills are important in order to be a partner with and empower employees to address business problems on their own and to work in cross-functional teams, which could be different than the skills believed to be important 15 years ago. Managers must fully understand their roles and responsibilities and become adept at a variety of skills to perform their job effectively ([1] Ahearn et al. , 2004; [6] Halbesleben et al. , 2003; [25] Stockdale and Crosby, 2004; [27] Wallace, 2004; [28] Zaccaro et al. , 2004). As previously mentioned, understanding the skills of managers is essential to coordinate work effectively, communicate expectations, deliver feedback, and for training and career development ([10] Kraut et al. , 1989). It is unknown whether the changes over the past 15 years that have occurred in an organizational and global context have also coincided with possible changes in importance of managerial skills over time. A recent case study reexamined [18] Mintzberg’s (1973) work 30 years after the original research by studying the pattern of behavior among four executives in Sweden ([26] Tengblad, 2006). The findings revealed that modern executives are more oriented towards working with subordinates in group-settings and focus more time on giving information rather than performing administrative duties. However, Tengblad noted significant similarities with Mintzberg’s original study, indicating that claims of the emergence of radically different managerial work may be exaggerated. However, due to the small sample size and lack of empirical data in that study, it is important that further work specifically examine the modern skills of managers with a wide range of managers and ample sample size. In other words, are the skills thought to be important to managers 15 years ago still important to managers in today’s work context? The present research will attempt to answer this question and provide relevant present-day information for managers and those who work with, train and develop them, by re-examining the importance of managerial skills across two distinct time periods and across both organizational level and function in the context of today’s work environment. Method Participants This research used data from two waves of managers engaged in a leadership development program from a leadership development provider in order to compare differences in managerial skills over time. The first wave consisted of 7,389 managers from the USA involved in a leadership development process between 1988 and 1992. The second wave consisted of 7,410 managers from the USA who were involved in a leadership development process between 2004 and 2006. Because of data housing and management issues, demographic data could not be given for the first wave of participants. However, aggregate biographical data from the leadership development provider from the time period of 1988 to 1992 revealed that leadership development participants in general were similar in terms of age, gender, race, education, and job status to those of 2004 to 2006. Demographic data in aggregate could be given for the 7,410 participants of the second wave. The average age of the managers in the second wave was 41.73 years old, 59 per cent were male, 86 per cent were white, 69 per cent worked in the private sector and 77 per cent had a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Managers came from over 60 organizational types (e.g. aerospace and defense, finance, communications, government, education) and over 1,300 companies. In addition, 999 managers (13.5 per cent) were first-level managers (forepersons, crew chiefs, section supervisors), 3,136 (42.3 per cent) were middle-level managers (office managers, professional staff, mid-level administrators), 2,197 (29.6 per cent) were upper-middle managers (department executives, plant managers, senior professional staff), and 1,078 (14.6 per cent) were top or executive level managers (chief executives or operating officers, presidents, vice presidents, directors). Measure Managerial skills . Data determining the importance of managerial skills was collected from SKILLSCOPE ®[1] a 360-degree instrument that assesses job related strengths and weaknesses. The instrument has 98 items that are organized into 15 skill clusters. These clusters represent 15 skills and roles managers need in order to be effective in their job which are part of Mintzberg’s three categories (interpersonal, informational, and decisional) and two other categories (personal resources and effective use of self). The conceptual basis for SKILLSCOPE ® is research which focused on managerial skills, roles and tasks (e.g. [3] Beggs and Doolittle, 1988; [8] Kaplan, 1987; [9] Kotter, 1982; [14] McCall and Kaplan, 1984; [15] McCall et al. , 1979; [18], [19] Mintzberg, 1973, 1990; [23] Sayles, 1979; [24] Stewart, 1976). As part of their leadership development process, managers chose which five of the 15 skill clusters were the most important for their current job. Table I [Figure omitted. See Article Image.] describes each skill cluster. Results A frequency count of the data revealed the skills that are most important for managers in their current job. Result show that both â€Å"Communicating information, ideas† (60.1 per cent of the managers in 1988-1992 and 63 per cent of the managers in 2004-2006) and â€Å"Taking actions, making decisions, following through† (59.7 per cent of the managers in 1988-1992 and 62.9 per cent of the managers in 2004-2006) were the most important skills across all managers. On the other hand, â€Å"Self-management, self-insight, self-development† and â€Å"Openness to influence; flexibility† were the least important for managers in 1988 through 1992 (8.6 per cent and 8.8 per cent respectively as one of the most important skills needed) and managers in 2004 through 2006 (10.9 per cent and 7.2 per cent selected respectively as one of the most important skills needed). Table II [Figure omitted. See Article Image.] shows a comparison between managers from 1988-1992 and managers from 2004-2006. Many of the skills were similar in importance for both waves of managers. However, there were three skill clusters with differences of more than 10 percentage points that should be noted. First, 39.9 per cent of 2004-2006 managers rated â€Å"Relationships† as one of five important skill clusters which was an increase from 29.4 per cent of managers in 1988-1992. Second, 33 per cent of 2004-2006 managers rated â€Å"Administrative/organizational ability† as one of five important skill clusters, a decrease from the 45 per cent of managers was from 1988-1992. Finally, 31.7 per cent of managers from 2004-2006 rated â€Å"Time management† as one of five important skill clusters which was an increase from the 19.7 per cent of managers in 1988-1992. The next set of analyses focused only on the 2004-2006 managers. Examining the results as a whole may mask important findings based on managerial levels. Consequently, we analyzed the importance of managerial skills across the four managerial levels for the present study, similar to [10] Kraut et al. (1989). Figure 1 [Figure omitted. See Article Image.] displays the importance rankings for each skill sorted by managerial level. â€Å"Communicating information, ideas† and â€Å"Taking action, making decisions, following through† were the two most important skills for all managerial levels with the exception of first-level managers. While â€Å"Taking action, making decisions, following through† ranked as the most important for first-level managers, â€Å"Knowledge of job, business† ranked as second-most important, followed by â€Å"Communicating information, ideas†. On the other hand, â€Å"Openness to influence, flexibility† was the least important to managers at each level, again with the exception of first-level managers who believed â€Å"Risk-taking, innovation† was the least important, followed by â€Å"Openness to influence, flexibility†. In general, the importance rankings were similar across managerial levels, though there are some notable exceptions. First, â€Å"Getting information, making sense of it; problem identification† was less important for top/executive-level managers (48 per cent) than for other managerial levels (each over 55 per cent). Second, as managerial level increased, so did the importance of â€Å"Influencing, leadership, and power†, (from 21 per cent of first-level managers to 45 per cent of top/executive level managers), and of â€Å"Risk-taking, innovation† (from 7 per cent of first-level managers to 22 per cent of top/executive level managers). Last, as managerial level increased, the importance of two managerial skills decreased, namely â€Å"Knowledge of job, business† (from 63 per cent of first-level managers to 45 per cent of top/executive-level managers) and â€Å"Time management† (from 42 per cent of first-level managers to 19 per cent of top/executive-level managers). In addition, viewing the results from all managers in aggregate may also conceal important findings based specifically on job function, as managers in different functions may have different managerial challenges ([10] Kraut et al. , 1989). In order to account for this, the present study mirrored the data analysis of the [10] Kraut et al. (1989) study in that the levels of management were equally weighted in each function so that no one managerial level would have statistical influence over the other managerial levels, and managers from marketing (n =282), manufacturing (n =253), and administration (n =489) would be selected. Due to the functional diversity of the sample of the second wave, managers from engineering (n =413), human resources/training (n =345), operations (n =916) and sales (n =518) were also examined. Figure 2 [Figure omitted. See Article Image.] provides the rankings for the skills of managers across job function. It is interesting to note that the pattern of skill importance is similar across functions. For instance, â€Å"Communicating information, ideas† was most important for marketing, human resource, and sales managers, while â€Å"Taking action, making decisions, following through† was the most important managerial skill for manufacturing, administration, engineering, and operations. In fact, across the seven managerial functions studied, these two managerial skills were among the top three in importance for each managerial function. On the other hand, â€Å"Openness to influence; flexibility† was the least important to managers across all functions except for managers in human resources, who believed â€Å"Energy, drive, and ambition† was the least important. Some managerial skills were rated similarly in importance across managerial functions. For instance, between 22 per cent and 27 per cent of managers across different functions believed â€Å"Coping with pressure, adversity; integrity† was important. Also, between 8 per cent and 13 per cent of managers thought â€Å"Self-management, self-insight, self-development† was an important skill to have. There was variability among the importance of some skills across managerial function. For example, â€Å"Administrative/organizational ability† was important for less than 25 per cent of managers in marketing, manufacturing, and sales, but was important for 58 per cent of managers in administration. â€Å"Getting information, making sense of it; problem identification† was less important for sales managers (39 per cent) than it was for engineering managers (65 per cent). Regarding â€Å"Managing conflict; negotiation† it is interesting to note that most managers rated it the same in importance (between 27 per cent and 31 per cent) except managers from marketing, where only 17 per cent of managers thought it was important. Managers in manufacturing (25 per cent) and engineering (26 per cent) ranked â€Å"Relationships† less important than human resources (51 per cent) and sales (52 per cent) managers. â€Å"Selecting, developing, accepting people† was important to some managers in manufacturing and sales (both 35 per cent), but was not as important to marketing managers (12 per cent). Discussion In total, 30 years after [18] Mintzberg’s (1973) original study, [26] Tengblad (2006) found that while some things have changed, managerial work has remained the same, despite changes in the world of work. In a similar fashion, the present research attempted to determine whether the importance of skills managers need in their job have shifted over a 15-year time period. Though many have commented on how the world of work has changed over the past 15 years (e.g. [2] Allen et al. , 2001; [5] DeMeuse et al. , 2004; [7] Kanter, 1989; [16] McKinley et al. , 2000; [17] Miller, 1990; [22], [21] Salas et al. , 2004, 2005; [27] Wallace, 2004; [28] Zaccaro et al. , 2004), the data of the present research suggests that despite the changes in the work environment, the importance of certain managerial skills is somewhat similar. For instance, what was believed to be important in 1988-1992 (i.e. â€Å"Communicating information, ideas† and â€Å"Taking action, making decisions, following through†) is still considered important for managers today. In addition, skills that were not thought of as important in 1988-1992 (i.e. â€Å"Self-management, self-insight, self-development† and â€Å"Openness to influence; flexibility†) are still not thought of as important for managers in today’s work context. Despite these apparent similarities, there are some noteworthy differences between what managers thought was important 15 years ago and what managers think is important today. First, â€Å"Relationships† seem to be more important now than for managers 15 years ago. [26] Tengblad (2006) hinted at this with the finding that executives are concentrating more today (than 30 years ago) on working with others in a group setting. The increased importance of this skill cluster coincided with the changes in the organizational context that managers today must face. The use of communication technology, such as e-mail, and the existence of geographically dispersed teams require managers to be more deliberate in the effort they devote towards forming and maintaining relationships. The nonverbal cues that aid in face-to-face communication cannot be relied on in virtual relationships. By acknowledging and facing the challenges presented by these new forms of communication, managers can successfully execute their job requirements. In addition, the flattening of organizational hierarchies has forced a higher level of coordination and collaboration between peers. As more and more people work in an environment structured around the work team, the more likely a focus on building relationships will be encouraged. For instance, more time is devoted to interdependence and trust in a team setting ([22], [21] Salas et al. , 2004, 2005; [28] Zaccaro et al. , 2004), where ultimately, building relationships is necessary. [26] Tengblad (2006) found that executives are indeed focusing less time on administrative duties, and [7] Kanter (1989) also revealed that organizing work was becoming obsolete with changes in the environment. In a similar fashion, the present study found that â€Å"Administrative/organizational ability† seems to be less important today than it was 15 years ago. One of the reasons could correspond with the recent trend of the flattening of organizations. Organizations have become more streamlined, and responsibility has become more spread out in the organization. In effect, managers do not have a hierarchical structure to manage. The administrative tasks that were needed in more hierarchical structures 15 years ago are not needed as much in the present work context. The advent of technology has also facilitated many organizational processes that were once paper-based. More and more companies have converted to computer-based processes (i.e. online recruiting and staffing) that have minimized the necessity to focus one’s skill on administrative or organizational duties. â€Å"Time management† appears more important now than it was 15 years ago. The reasons why could coincide with changes in the work context. Technology now enables people from around the world to work in real-time, to contact people instantly, and work more quickly. E-mail has replaced mail and fax. The use of cell phones and electronic devices such as â€Å"blackberries† has also increased. At the same time, employees are focusing on creating balance between their professional lives and their personal lives, attempting to get work out of the way faster. Employees and their managers therefore must focus on time management now more than ever. The differences in importance rankings of managerial skills we observed between managers at different organizational levels confirm previous findings in the literature. [10] Kraut et al. (1989) found that some managerial roles are considered important at each level, but the degree of importance may be contingent on a particular level. In the present study, â€Å"Influencing, leadership, and power† and â€Å"Risk-taking and innovation† showed an increase in importance ranking as managerial level increased. Both of these skills are indicative of senior levels of leadership. As a manager takes on more responsibility, it is critical to the manager’s success that the manager’s focus shifts to meet the new demands of the job. Also important to note, some managerial skills differ in importance depending on managerial function and relevance. For instance, â€Å"Administrative/organizational ability† is more important to managers in administration than it is for any of the other functions because administrative ability is inherent in the administrative function. â€Å"Getting information, making sense of it; problem identification† is more important for engineering managers than it is for any of the other functions because working with information and problem identification is particularly relevant for engineers. â€Å"Communicating information and ideas† and â€Å"Risk-taking, innovation† are more important for managers in marketing than any of the other functions because those with a marketing background must be able to communicate and be innovative. Finally, â€Å"Relationships† is more important for managers in sales and HR than any of the other functions because sales and HR functions are dependent on forming and building good relationships. In effect, some skills are important to different managerial functions because of relevance of the specific organizational function. Practical applications Determining what is important for managers at each level and each function is crucial to coordinating work effectively, communicating expectations, and facilitating training and career development activities ([10] Kraut et al. , 1989). Relying on past (or outdated) information about the importance of certain managerial skills, roles, tasks, or activities could hinder effective work coordination, communication, and effective training and career development. Hence, â€Å"updating† this type of information may help managers in their work and development, even if it is to simply validate or reinforce previous findings. Imagine the challenges managers face if relevant information about the importance of certain skills in their jobs were not correct or outdated. If information from previous research from the 1970s or 1980s is still used for coordinating work activities and it has not been updated, managers may be concentrating on different or unnecessary skills that are no longer relevant. This could greatly impede their work, their advancement, and ultimately, their success. Moreover, managers may not be taught the appropriate skills for the present-day work environment that is needed to succeed if training and development relies on outdated information. For instance, [11] Lipshitz and Nevo (1992) detailed research of the competencies of effective and ineffective managers whose activities and practices aided the design of training and development programs. Knowing which managerial skills are important for different managerial levels and functions would definitely bring knowledge to improve training and development programs. Because of their rated importance, the data suggests that managerial training and development in today’s world of work may need to keep focus on communication and decision-making, decrease focus on administration and organization ability, and increase focus on enhancing relationships and the concept of time management. In addition, these findings may help those in selection and in succession planning; knowing that certain skills are important at different levels and functions can help determine what type of manager is needed at each level or each function. For instance, time management may be a skill set that is necessary particularly for first-level managers and not top-level executives, and hence, first level managers should have that appropriate skill for the job. Administrative/organizational ability may be important for managers in the administration function, and those in succession planning or selection for managers in that particular function should keep in mind that information, along with relevant information from any job analysis or competency model. Limitations and future directions There are some limitations to this study. First, asking managers to choose five of 15 skill clusters that are important to their current job does not provide the level of detail that could be obtained by evaluating the importance of each cluster using other methodologies. In the present study, a skill cluster is either among a manager’s top five most important or it is not. Therefore, the data does not permit an assessment of how much more important the top five skill clusters were than the ten skill clusters not selected. In addition, the data did not allow us to assess any relative ranking among the top five skills. As a result, it would be useful to assess the importance of clusters, competencies, roles, skills, or abilities using a Likert-type scale in the future. In this manner, researchers could examine to what extent each cluster is important to managers. Also, examining what managers believe are the most important skills for their job may not yield the same findings as asking what their direct reports or supervisors consider important. Future research should investigate what direct reports and supervisors of managers think are important skills for managers to acquire a more global perspective of managerial competencies, similar to those acquired through competency modeling (e.g. [12] Lucia and Lepsinger, 1999). Also, asking similar questions to managers outside the United States would bring more information about the importance of managerial skills across cultures. Combining the quantitative approach of evaluating to what extent a variety of skills are important for managers along with more qualitative methodologies of on-the-job observation and interviewing to assess competencies should create a more comprehensive picture of â€Å"today’s manager†. Finally, any future research should capture the demographic data for the sample across successive waves. Without knowing more about the sample composition for the first wave of data, it is not possible to ascertain whether changes over time are due to differences in organizational structure or function, differences in individual jobs represented by the sample, or differences in workforce composition. Therefore, explanations of changes cited in our findings may be due to structure changes and changes in technology or they may be due to changes in workforce demographics (i.e. aging baby-boomers). The best this research can conclude is that shifts in the importance of certain managerial skills have coincided with changes in the context of the world of work. However, with the present research data set, having a large sample of more than 7,000 managers with similar aggregate demographic data for each time period may tend to lead to more generalizable results than would a sample of a lesser number of participants. The world of work has changed over the past 15 years. Results of this study revealed that managers today feel the need to concentrate more on building relationships and time management skills and focus less on administrative and organizational ability. However, many of the skills managers thought were important to their job in the late 1980s and early 1990s are somewhat similar in importance from the opinions of managers in the first decade of the 2000s, particularly skills concerning communication and decision making. To answer the original research question, much like [26] Tengblad (2006) found, despite noticeable changes in the world of work, while some managerial skills shifted in importance, some managerial skills remain as important today as 15 years ago. The importance of these managerial skills not only coincided with the changes in the work environment, but also are context dependent based on managerial level and function. For instance, though time management has increased in importance over the years, managers at lower levels (i.e. first-level managers) seem to believe time management is more important to their job than those at higher levels (i.e. top- or executive-level managers). In essence, one should take note not only of how the importance of certain skills change over time, but also, that certain skills believed to be important for managers at one particular level or function may be more or less important for managers at other levels or other functions. 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(1988), â€Å"Mintzberg revisited: a study of chief executive officers†, Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 9 No. 6, pp. 17-21. 4. Cronbach, L.J. (1975), â€Å"Beyond the two disciplines of scientific psychology†, American Psychologist, Vol. 30, pp. 116-27. 5. DeMeuse, K.P., Bergmann, T.J., Vanderheide, P.A. and Roraaf, C.E. (2004), â€Å"New evidence regarding organizational downsizing and a firm’s financial performance: a long-term analysis†, Journal of Managerial Issues, Vol. 16, pp. 155-77. 6. Halbesleben, J.R.B., Novicevic, M.M., Harvey, M.G. and Buckley, M.R. (2003), â€Å"Awareness of temporal complexity in leadership of creativity and innovation: a competency-based model†, The Leadership Quarterly, Vol. 14, pp. 433-54. 7. Kanter, R.M. (1989), â€Å"The new managerial work†, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 67, pp. 85-92. 8. Kaplan, R.E. (1987), The Warp and Woof of the General Manager’s Job, Tech. Rep. (27), Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC. 9. 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(1979), The Looking Glass Inc. ® Simulation, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC. 16. McKinley, W., Zhao, J. and Rust, K.G. (2000), â€Å"Sociocognitive interpretation of organizational downsizing†, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 25, pp. 227-43. 17. Miller, D.B. (1990), â€Å"Organizational, environmental, and work design strategies that foster competence†, in Willis, S.L. and Dubin, S.S. (Eds), Maintaining Professional Competence: Approaches to Career Enhancement Vitality, and Success throughout a Work Life, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, pp. 233-48. 18. Mintzberg, H. (1973), The Nature of Managerial Work, Harper & Row, New York, NY. 19. Mintzberg, H. (1990), â€Å"The manager’s job: folklore and fact†, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 68, pp. 163-76. 20. Pearson, C. and Chatterjee, S. (2003), â€Å"Managerial roles in Asia: an empirical study of Mintzberg’s role formulation in four Asian countries†, Journal of Management Development, Vol. 22, pp. 694-707. 21. Salas, E., Sims, D.E. and Burke, C.S. (2005), â€Å"Is there a ‘Big five’ in teamwork?†, Small Group Research, Vol. 36, pp. 555-99. 22. Salas, E., Kosarzycki, M.P., Tannenbaum, S.I. and Carnegie, D. (2004), â€Å"Principles and advice for understanding and promoting effective teamwork in organizations†, in Burke, R.J. and Cooper, C. (Eds), Leading in Turbulent Times, Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA, pp. 95-120. 23. Sayles, L.R. (1979), Leadership: What Effective Managers Really Do†¦ and How They Do It, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. 24. Stewart, R. (1976), Contracts in Management, McGraw-Hill, London. 25. Stockdale, M.S. and Crosby, F.J. (2004), The Psychology and Management of Workplace Diversity, Blackwell Publishers, Malden, MA. 26. Tengblad, S. (2006), â€Å"Is there a ‘new managerial work’? A comparison with Henry Mintzberg’s classic study 30 years later†, Journal of Management Studies, Vol. 43, pp. 1437-61. 27. Wallace, P. (2004), The Internet in the Workplace: How New Technology Is Transforming Work, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY. 28. Zaccaro, S.J., Ardison, S.D. and Orvis, K.A. (2004), â€Å"Leadership in virtual teams†, in Day, D.V. and Zaccaro, S.J. (Eds), Leader Development for Transforming Organizations: Growing Leaders for Tomorrow, Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ, pp. 267-92.

Indoor Plumbing and Public Sanitation in Developing Countries Essay

The porcelain throne, the pot, the pooper, the potty, the latrine, the toilet. That is something we don’t give much thought to, unless something is wrong with it. What about the shower or the sink? How often to do you go to your sink to get a glass of water and wonder â€Å"Am I drinking someone’s poo? Will it be clean today or will I get sick? † I know for myself, I rarely give this any thought at all and I can honestly say that I have never worried that my drinking water would be contaminated by feces. However, for many around the world, this is a constant concern. Many today either don’t have access to clean water or don’t have access to very much water at all. They openly defecate, as well as drink, cook, and bathe in contaminated water. This causes several life threatening diseases and illnesses. I will discuss the water and sanitation issues in under developed countries, as well as what is being done to improve these situations. Early one December morning in Boise Idaho, I woke up to an especially cold day. I tiredly scuffled myself to my bathroom, went pee and when I went to flush my toilet, nothing happened. Still slightly asleep and confused, I tried a couple more times to get it to flush. Still nothing happened. Frustrated, I opened my tank and found that there was no water in it at all. I thought that that was strange, so I checked my faucet. I turned the handle and no water came out, I quickly checked my shower and kitchen sink next. I had no water at all. Realizing that I had to work in a few hours and I had no way to shower, brush my teeth or clean up in any way, I became quite irate. I called my management company and apparently pipes had frozen in most of their properties. After this experience I started thinking about my reaction and how there are countries that don’t have access to clean water ever. Though I think that the reaction that I had would have been the same for any person living in the U. S. , I don’t know if it was as big of a deal as it felt like in the moment. I didn’t die from not having water for one day, I wasn’t forced to defecate in my front lawn or drink from a sewer. I didn’t get sick and I didn’t even have to go the entire day without a shower. In fact, I didn’t have to go even a couple of hours without access to water. We, in America, are so used to having constant access to clean water and indoor plumbing that if we have to go an hour without it, it’s as though our entire world is crashing down. We rarely give thought to those in underdeveloped countries that lack access to clean water at all. There are approximately 7 billion people living on earth today. There are about 2. 6 billion people today that don’t have a toilet or access to one (Yamaguchi). That is about 40% of the world’s population! That is a huge number of people without toilets. Here in America, there is not a single home that does not have a toilet. Even the homeless have constant access to restroom facilities and clean water. I had a conversation with a friend of mine that works with the homeless on a daily basis to see what the situation was like for the homeless in America in regards to restroom access and sanitation. I asked him if any of the homeless people that he worked with were ever forced to openly defecate or go without a shower. He informed that the only ones that did that were never forced to, but they did it by choice. He also told me that many that are homeless are on Medicaid, so if they get sick they can just go to the doctor. This is quite different from developing countries, where people die all the time from not being able to afford medical care. Developing countries not only lack affordable medical care but they have very limited ability to prevent the spread of illness, such as those caused by exposure to fecal matter (Yamaguchi). However, in America we have sewage systems and plants that filter and treat our sewer water. In Los Angeles there is the Hyperion sewage plant that processes enough fecal matter to fill three Rose Bowl Stadiums every day (Yamaguchi). That is just in Los Angeles, what about the rest of the U.  S.? It is mind boggling to think about how much is processed. Now let’s look at India, a country that has significantly grown economically, however is still severely lacking proper sanitation systems. According to UNICEF, about 600 million people in India are without access to a toilet (â€Å"World Toilet Day 2012†). That is more than half the population of India. Instead of using a toilet, they openly defecate wherever they can. Many use the Yamuna River (Yamaguchi), the largest river in the Ganges of Northern India. The result has been a severely contaminated water source. The river has literally turned black and bubbles from the methane gases. The shores are not only polluted with fecal matter but trash as well and yet still the people are using the water from the river (Yamaguchi). I think many American’s reaction to this would be â€Å"Gross† or we might generalize and think that Indians are just unsanitary people. Is that really the case, though? The people living in underdeveloped countries are rarely living in unsanitary conditions by choice. Many are ignorant to proper sanitation practices and/or are living in conditions where they have no access to clean water. In the urban slums of New Delhi, people are defecating anywhere they can; in the middle of the streets, next to rail road tracks, or just feet from where they eat, drink and sleep. The water they are using to cook, drink, and bathe with is water from a sewer (Yamaguchi). About 1000 children die every day from diarrhea (Bajait, Thawani). This lack of proper sanitation systems is exposing these children and adults to fecal matter on a daily basis, which is causing diseases like Typhoid, Cholera and other severe illnesses linked with diarrhea. Is this the fault of the individual or the fault of their governments? In my opinion, both are at fault. Though developing countries have very little access to informational services, I do believe that it falls in the hands of the individual to get informed and I believe that it is the responsibility of the government to provide the services required to inform its people on proper sanitation, as well as provide a clean environment to live in via sanitation systems. This lack of toilets, which results in a lack of clean water, is obviously a very big problem. So what is being done about it? In 2001 Jack Sim founded the World Toilet Organization. This organization is dedicated to improving the world’s toilet and sanitation situation. They make toilets that are affordable for those living in impoverished conditions. Jack Sim also works with governments of developing countries and small organizations to help provide toilets to those in need. One of those small organizations is run by Bapak Sumadi in Indonesia. Sumadi is a major leader in Indonesia in providing the public with toilets and teaching the importance of public sanitation. Together their goal is to end open defecation (Yamaguchi). Though the changes and effects are small, they are not insignificant. The conditions that these people are forced to live in, is truly a crisis. Thousands die every day from not having proper sanitation systems. The invention of the toilet and sewage systems has not only given us a way to get rid of our feces, but it has provided us with sanitary conditions which keeps our water clean and reduces the chances of contracting diseases. No matter who you are or where you live, everyone deserves to have access to a toilet and clean water. The question now is; what more can be done? Should the government help provide better access to toilets and sanitation systems? What about other countries? Do we hold any responsibility in helping these developing countries? In my opinion, yes we do. One scholarly journal, in reference to David Hemson, stated â€Å"†¦ regular water supply to the rural poor is both a constitutional requirement and a social necessity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Phaswana-Mafuya 298). I think it is imperative that we learn to help one another, so that we can grow together rather than grow apart. I know the next time that I use the restroom, take a bath, or even just get a glass of water; I will be grateful for all that I have and that I don’t have to worry about what I am drinking or bathing in. What about you?

An Introduction To Sequences In Mathematics English Language Essay

An Introduction To Sequences In Mathematics English Language Essay This is an introduction to sequences. In mathematics, that is, discrete mathematics have learned about sequences, which is an ordered list of elements. The sequences is about arrangement of objects, people, tasks, grocery items, books, movies, or numbers, which has an ‘order’ associated with it. Like a set, it contains members and the number of terms. This members is called elements or terms and the number of terms is also called the length of the sequences. Sequences having a natural numbers. There are all even numbers and odd numbers. This usually defined according to the formula: Sn = a, function of n = 1,2,3,†¦a set A= {1,2,3,4} is a sequence. B = {1,1,2,2,3,3,} is though the numbers of repeating. There are specific sequences that have their own formulas and methods for finding the value of terms, such as arithmetic and geometric sequences. List of numbers, finite and infinite, that follow some rules are called sequences.P,Q,R,S is a sequences letters that diff er from R,Q,P,S, as the ordering matters. Sequences can be finite or infinite. For this example is finite sequence. For example of infinite is such as the sequence of all odd positive integers (1,3,5,†¦.). Finite sequences are sometimes known as strings or words, and infinite sequences as streams. The empty sequence ( ) is included in most notions of sequence, but may be excluded depending on the context. In this topic means sequences, there are covered about indexing, operation on sequences, sequences of integers, subsequences, increasing, decreasing, nonincreasing, nondecreasing, sigma notation, and pi notation. Besides that, in this topic also discuss about changing the index and limit in sum. Background A sequences was created by Leonardo Pisano Bigollo (1180-1250). Pisano means â€Å"from Pisa† and Fibonacci which means son of Bonacci. He known as by his nickname, Fibonacci. He was born in Pisa which is now part in Italy, the city with the famous Leaning Tower. He p layed important role in reviving ancient methematical skills, as well as making significant contributions of his own. He was known for a great interset in math. Because of the Fibonacci Series, He is most known. A series of numbers approaching nature reality. For example, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 233, 300, 377, †¦The sum of the 2 preceding numbers are from each succeding number. Fibonacci was a member of the Bonacci family and traveled all around the Mediterranean as a boy. He traveled with his father who held a diplomatic post. To excel in solving a wide variety of mathematical problems, His keen interest in mathematics and his exposure to other cultures allowed Fibonacci. Fibonacci is probably best known for discovering the Fibonacci sequence. Besides that, A sequences is also was created by Leonardo Fibonacci. He is the Italian mathematician. He also known as Leonardo of Pisa, documented the mathematical sequences often found in nature in 1202 in his book, â€Å"Liber Abaci† which means â€Å"book of the abacus†In the sequences, each number is sum of two numbers, such as 1 + 1 = 2, 1 + 2 = 3, 2 + 2 = 4, and so on. That sequence can be found in the spirals on the skin of a pineapple, sunflowers, seashells, the DNA double helix and, yes, pine cones.

(Marriage and Family) - No Matter What Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

(Marriage and Family) - No Matter What - Essay Example strategies for creating and sustaining safety in a relationship, and is specifically focused on the marriage relationship, from a primarily Christian Baptist perspective. Abraham Maslow’s theory suggests that safety is a priority need, right after we satisfy the basic needs of the body. Until safety needs are met, a person is not motivated to develop social belongingness, status and self-satisfaction, and to develop their highest potential (abraham-maslow.com, 2008). Applying that theory to marriage, the most primary need, right after establishing and consummating a legal union, is to cultivate safety in the relationship. If one or both partners do not experience the relationship as being safe, then there is no motivation for maintaining the connection, no motivation to have a family and define accomplishments, no reason to struggle toward developing into something extraordinary. When deficiency needs are unmet, growth cannot be prioritized (abraham-maslow.com, 2008). One foundation for a healthy relationship, in which safety prevails, is to develop a relationship with the right person. This necessitates having a close relationship with Jesus Christ, and recognizing the leading of the Holy Spirit. God has a plan for everyone’s life. If we live according to that plan, then we have a major motivation for building a healthy relationship, and safety is imperative in a healthy relationship. If both partners are tuned in to God, then the relationship has a safety-encouraging container. The Bible has given instructions and role models for having a good marriage relationship. The husband is placed in a leadership role, being the head of the house, and women are expected to support his authority. However, men are told to honor and love their wives, so leadership is not an excuse for bossiness, selfishness or abuse. The Song of Solomon provides a model for the importance of healthy sexuality, and Proverbs indicates that the woman whose value is beyond

Sexual Harassment in the Work Place Research Paper - 1

Sexual Harassment in the Work Place - Research Paper Example sue caused by different factors arising from the socialization, power, and politics among others, making the harassment sometimes to be inevitable in many occupations. Sexual harassment used to be a key concern in government and state related jobs, but due to the rising cases and poor measures to control the issue in both public and private employment areas, the governments had to step in to protect the victims and enforce order. Sometimes co-workers, managers, and employers find themselves in compromising and violating situations, because they overlook the harassment and its impact in the workplace. There are many things, unwanted pressure, looks, feel, touches, verbal, non-verbal, and physical communications and actions that would create sexual harassment, either intentionally or unintentionally that would provide the legal definition of a harassing conduct. Title VII is enforced by the (EEOC) Equal Opportunity Employment Commission that has built up large body of regulations and g uidelines, which avails the legal meaning of harassing behavior and lays out the standard to be followed by courts, and enforcement agencies in handling sexual harassment charges (ICRC factsheet 1). As part of a social context in working environments, employees get to socialize better, which could have either a positive or negative effect in the long run. As a benefit, it improves team work and support in job performance; sometimes the relationships go beyond the work domains and employees could get married and have families of their own, since there are few or no such laws that restrict them. Similarly, the law works to ensure integrity and morality in workplace, such that if the employee is not willing to engage in a sexual relationship with his or her co workers, employers, supervisors,... This paper approves that business sexual harassment training programs and establishment of complaints committees, possibly outside the line of management, with gender equality and expertise in leading and counseling people is required by law in the business level, Businesses consist many rules and regulations that govern the employees and management. However, some of those rules are optional and may not be strictly enforced; instead the federal, state, labor, and international laws require establishment of some policies such as in sexual harassment, which should enforce and comply with the requirements of the law. Businesses regardless of the size have to option but to deploy such policies, because they are part of the necessary policies regulated by the law. This report makes a conclusion that workplace sexual harassment affects individuals psychologically, and their behavior in their social lives and in the workplace. It is a problem that puts indirect pressure on the people to terminate their jobs, due to the hostile working environment and when control measures are lacking. In some cases, it causes trauma to individuals making them unable to perform their roles, due to emotional and physical stress. It also demoralizes the workers involved and may cost them their self esteem. The international, federal, state, and business rules and regulations put measures to define, prohibit, and control sexual harassment among other discriminations, which must be enforced through set procedures and institutions in filing complaints and seeking protection. The employer and their employees also have responsibilities in administering and complying with the laws in solving sexual harassment disputes.

Local Revision Worksheet Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Local Revision Worksheet - Coursework Example The first and third paragraphs of the essay are long. Consider revising them to the right length. Practice perfecting paragraph lengths throughout the essay. Consider reorganizing the entire essay to achieve uniformity in the paragraphs. Every paragraph should address a single concept (Driscoll and Brizee 1). Concept analysis in the paper is excellent as well as the provided supporting evidence. Limit the length of each quotation because lengthy quotations completely demean the main idea. The third and sixth paragraphs of the essay have lengthy quotations that require revision. Paraphrase some of the quotes to enhance the good flow of ideas within a paragraph. Moreover, distribution of the ideas should be uniform, to avoid chances of having multiple ideas in one paragraph. A range of one to two ideas is sufficient for each paragraph. Paragraph Transitions Although a paragraph addresses a single concept, it is fundamental to attain transition from one idea to another (Driscoll and Brizee 1). There are a few paragraph transition words and phrases used throughout the paper. Paragraph transition enhances flow in any scholarly academic writing. Apply specific words and phrases develop transitions using proper word choice. Transitional words are mostly conjunctive adverbs and include different words: accordingly, meanwhile, also and finally that are fundamental to enhance proper transition. Other examples of transitional phrases: in addition, of course, and for instance, are applicable to achieve paragraph transition.

Long Term Care Insurance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Long Term Care Insurance - Essay Example There are many reasons why retirees have suddenly started to consider the worth of long term care insurance policies. The main reason is however the dramatic increase in the insurance premiums. Buying insurance policies for long term care is basically gambling where risks, cost, and benefits can be calculated. These policies are not like the other insurances where the costs and risks are low but benefits are high; such as fire insurance. The insurance policymakers use tactics to sell their insurance policies by touting scary advertisements about probabilities of seniors spending life in nursing homes. Where the insurance premiums are too high, the benefits are comparatively lower. With insurance premiums of about $2500 annually, 60 year olds and other Americans do not purchase the insurance.The second main reason is due to several misconceptions that Americans have about long term care and insurance policies. The lack of awareness programs have led to many misconceptions which were h ighlighted during several surveys that took place recently on why Americans won’t buy long term care insurance. The biggest misconception that people had was that Medicare is going to cover their long term care. The truth is it does not due to the current system of long term care, the benefits provided by Medicare and Medicaid has reduced. Many Americans also believe that they are too young to buy long term care insurance while others also believe that long term care is already included in their health insurance policy.

TNT Express Scenario Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

TNT Express Scenario - Assignment Example Review the issues involved in the strategic planning process of TNT.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In terms of saving the planet, this will be possible with the recent introduction of less carbon emission engines. As time goes by, more and more companies are coming up with cars that save in terms of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. There has also been an introduction of electric powered cars; however, they are not fully designed in terms of efficiency as most of them have a problem when it comes to battery power.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is possible for them to be a leading company in the freight business as more and more people are now in a position to make purchases through the net and ship to them. They should tap into the upcoming e shops that are established daily and offer cheap but efficient services to its potential customers. They can also talk to the already established e shops to expand its services to them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to gain customers and add value to the business, they need to focus on customer satisfactory first. This is through ensuring that there are no loop holes in the system and have a great 24/7service to all its customers. Updating the customer about his/ her shipment will make them trust you that all is well and you care more about them than the money they bring in.

Practicing Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Practicing Theory - Essay Example Surname Viet, Given Name Nam is 108 minutes long and was directed, edited and written by Minh-ha. The film, although based on Vietnamese women, has not been made in Vietnam; the motive behind which accentuates the issues that Minh-ha raises. The essence of notion behind the film is the about the nature of documentaries and interviews. The film raises some hard-core questions about the issues reverberating behind the curtain of what is apparent. It addresses cultural values in the light of identity and popular memory. The film explores the Vietnamese woman and the role she has played in the historical context of the Vietnam War and the role she continues to play in the modern society. It attempts to bring to surface the nexus of how real and enacted characters blur the reality, and how drastically different can documentaries be from real life. She has intricately portrayed the nuances of fictional elements that become imbued in documentaries featuring actors instead of the real people . The end result is a sensual melodrama of courage and perseverance of the Vietnamese women embedded in a beautifully crafted multilayered depiction of interviews and documentaries. In her films, Minh-ha frames a richly ambiguous connection with ethnography, while highlighting the cultures of suppressed groups by digressing from the typical traditional techniques of ethnographic film (Petrolle and Wexman 178). Surname Viet, Given Name Nam has been shot in both black and white and in color and it contains printed information as well. The film makes use of many dramatic conventions like freeze frames. Stop-motion footage has been used extensively in the start of the film. The director uses techniques that focus the audience’s attention to one part of the screen. At many times in the movie, the camera is shaky and focuses on the hands of the interviewees, stressing upon the point that Minh-ha is

Chapter 13 case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Chapter 13 case study - Essay Example There are various suggestions and ideas that may be provided by different persons, who support such media technologies. One of these suggestions is the creation of awareness on the existing of the new technology. The other is re-branding of the packaging materials used by Hanks i.e. use of packaging materials that indicate the use of these new PDA’s and the technology used by customers. These ideas can be combined owing to the fact they are basically meant to facilitate the incorporation of the new modes of operation into Hank’s Greenery system. Hank’s anticipation of the associated advantages of using the technology is realistic. The use of Information Systems in any business is usually associated with various benefits i.e. improved communication among employees as well as improved customer service provision. These are realistic advantages; however, there are usually certain disadvantages that may be experienced with the implementation of new operational systems in any organization. Research indicates that such systems may take time before they are completely adopted in the operational system of any

Education and School Uniform Essay Example for Free

Education and School Uniform Essay Pupils all around the world have worn school uniform for many years. Many schools in Japan, France, USA and Israel, oblige pupils to come to school with a uniform. Wearing school uniform has advantages and disadvantages which I will present in my composition. On the one hand, the school uniform is very important. It is imporatant because it shows that a student belongs to a certain school. When a student wears a shirt with the schools symbol, everyone knows where the student studies, a thing which may help to create a feeling of belonging and school pride. Moreover, the school uniform saves money. Students sometimes judge other students by their outward look. Therefore, many students spend much money on clothes in order to be more popular. When everyone wears the same uniform, the students dont need to spend much money to buy expensive brand names. In addition, school uniform saves time in the mornings because you dont have to think much about what to wear. In addition, schools claim that school uniform is important for good education because pupils need to obey a certain dress code, a thing that helps the students be prepared for the army and any other framework. On the other hand, some pupils claim that wearing a school uniform hurts their individuality and self-expression. They claim it deprives them of the right to wear whatever they want. After all, they are still children and at this age there should be more room for self expression. As far as saving money, some pupils claim that the school uniform doesnt save money because they need to buy additional clothes to what they already have. Therefore, they think it is not necessary and should be cancelled. To conclude, in the light of the above, school uniform has advantages and disadvantages. I strongly believe that the school uniform is necessary and has benefits. However, I think that each school should design its school uniform from time to time and let pupils and teachers decide on it.

Black Bourgeoisie Essay Example for Free

Black Bourgeoisie Essay E. Franklin Frazier’s Black Bourgeoisie was more prophetic than many realized. Frazier, who addressed the burgeoning black middle class, expressed concern about the intra-class conflict vis-a-vis socioeconomic status of black folks. Frazier notes that the black middle class was in a rush by the 1960s to assimilate. During the Harlem Renaissance, even W. E. B. Du Bois â€Å"strategically included white judges on panels for their black literary competitions, in hopes that white approval would add luster to black achievements. † This shift that occurred was not a mass or universal one. The black middle class was still small and would not be catapulted until after the advent of Affirmative Action. According to the perspective of E. Franklin Frazier, the â€Å"Black Bourgeoisie† played an important role among American Negros for decades. Frazier’s study led him to the significant of â€Å"Negro Business† and its impact on the black middle class. Education was a major social factor responsible for emergence of the Black bourgeoisie. By fact, the net total number of the free Negroes in the first generation topped out at 37,245 with an estimated accumulation of 50,000,000 in real and personal wealth before the civil war. Free Negroes in southern cities undertook businesses in skilled labor such as carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, wheelwrights, bricklayers, butchers, and painters. The failure of the Freedmen’s Bank contributed to the slow development of the black middle class when Blacks put all their money into the Black banks and when they went under only forty percent of deposits were returned. Occupational differentiation is the change in work field for the Black class. A small professional group making up three percent of all workers had gradually become differentiated from the majority of Blacks. Occupational differentiation had proceeded slowly because Blacks were accustomed to the agriculture field and not only until the migrations to the North were had had they introduced to the industrial centers. In addition the Depression played a role in slowing up the process. Black-owned businesses are primarily service establishments simply because of the refusal on the part of white establishments to provide personal services for Negroes. The debate over true liberalism among blacks still exists. I have found the upper black middle class to be far more conservative and less active towards civil rights and social policy of late. I am concerned that the black bourgeoisie is willing to shift its focus away from the liberalism that put them in their position for racial acceptance. I believe integration is vital to a liberal society as noted by my neighborhood, friends, and place of employment; however, I do not think the black middle class should play the conservative card that carries with it values, attitudes, and behaviors that do not represent progress for all minority groups. Sure 90% of blacks vote in a solid block for the Democratic Party, but that block is not as tight as it used to be.

Is Character Education is more important today?

Is Character Education is more important today? Is Character Education is more important today than ever? Weve become a society that has not been taught basic moral values. We constantly see in the news that character is set aside for the feeling of the moment. Anger, jealousy, hatred, and selfishness are instead placed center stage and acted upon. The time has come to bring character to the forefront again and raise the moral values we have as a society, and as individuals. Is it to late to start teaching character? No, No matter what the circumstances, or who is involved, everyone can benefit from character education. Both children and adults will see positive changes in their lives when this character education program is followed. With it, we have a working society of self-controlled, respectful individuals, who think before they act and consider the consequences of their actions before deciding what direction those actions will take. Students will then make the right choices. The idea of introducing citizenship in middle school in my opinion is more important than a core curriculum requirement. The understanding of citizenship for middle school students will help students develop a perceptive of what it means to be a responsible member of a community. Many students do not correlate their own behaviors and how it affects their own community. The lessons within the unit will help students to reflect on their own ideologies of citizenship. Also the lesson plans will force students to think about how they can change their behavior to become better citizen in their own communities. Citizenship education helps students understand what it means to fit in to communities. Citizenship education engages students because it provides students an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences. Teaching citizenship to our students in the middle schools will ensure that students can contribute to the quality of life in their communities. Citizenship education is needed to help recreate the equilibrium that citizenship and community mean the same to all within the community. As middle school student move forward in their academic careers many aspects of life will be revealed to them. Racism, sexism, peer acceptance, religion, and crime are a few issues that middle school students will deal with in their communities. Also many communities are filled with poverty, drug abuse, and apathy towards education and these are the very communities that many of our students will come from. Students who understand the meaning of what a good citizen is will learn to become more tolerant, understanding, and sympathetic to other people and their individual needs. Students will realize that they have rights and responsibilities as citizens in their communities, which could lead to better opportunities for the students and their communities. The personal, cognitive, and social development of students are the focal point of middle school communities; citizenship education must be included for the future of our students. As a teacher I want my students in my social studies class to have the knowledge, skills, and understanding of what a good citizen can accomplish. I want students to want a better future, appreciate different cultures, and develop a social conscious that helps them make better decisions that will result in non violent solutions. There is no uncertainty that there must be some form of citizenship education. Students are given basic information about citizenship without being given opportunities to apply lesson learned in the real world. As a future social studies teacher it is important to teach the idea of citizenship in a lecture but its more important to show students how becoming a good citizen can change their future and their communities future as well. The reason I choose this topic of citizenship education is that it is fun and informative for the students. It is a great way for students to participate in their own education progress. The activities in the unit plan will require the students to become more engage in the activities and truly apply the lessons learned from the activities in their own communities. Most of the activities will be revolved around literacy and discussion groups. This will help students who may not do well in their English class get another opportunity to develop writing skills without the pressure of writing being the focal point of the activity. The activities in the unit allow the students to learn, and understand the concept of being a good citizen. The final activity offers a service learning piece for the students to enjoy. I do not think students can fully understand a concept without applying the lesson learned in the classroom to real life situation. I want my students to be emotionally vested in the opportunity to help someone, and become a good citizen in their communities. The service learning activity will give many students a chance to be apart of a new environment where everyone is making good choices for themselves and the community. The activity will also require students to synthesis all of the information they have learned in the unit, and put it together to formulate their own idea of what a good citizen can do for a community. This will help them when reflecting on the experiences of the service learning piece, because they will be able to connect the lessons in the classroom to their behavior in their com munity.

AIDS and Heterosexuals in the Australian Essay -- homosexual, health,

Study Overview The study entitled From complacency to panic: AIDS and heterosexuals in the Australian press, July 1986 to June 1988 (Lupton, 1992) reports on the preliminary findings from a content analysis of AIDS news coverage in Australian press from June 1986 to July 1988. When revealing the preliminary varying ideologies in press, Lupton stresses the importance of evaluating how the popular media selects and presents news according to societal interests. Lupton (1992) seeks to point out the common situation in Australia that most people lies on information reported by the media rather than by health professionals. She continues to use this study to illustrate if media reporting has a significant impact on shaping public attitudes and behaviour. Her study expresses a concern that the popular press has increasingly resorted to publishing false and sensational stories related to human health without factual evidence that often results in provoking panic within audiences. In order to create AIDS i nto a media sensation for the audiences, newspapers have long inclined to entertain and misinform readers by putting its blame on promiscuous heterosexuals, homosexual men, and intravenous drug users. The view of Lupton (1992) is in accord with this idea and she further seeks to explore if it applies to the Australian press in this study. The study undertakes a content analysis with all articles mentioning AIDS in Australian newspapers published between 1986 and 1988. The research demonstrates that the press generally helps the amplification to reporting AIDS as a spread to heterosexual population by supporting the first public health information campaign called the ‘Grim Reaper’ campaign (Ibid). The ‘Grim Reaper’ campaign used horrible... ...er concern towards heterosexuals in press reporting and failure of increased level of hostile treatment are worth being applied to Lupton’s study in particular (Goode and Ben-Yehuda, 1994). Bibliography Hansen, A., Cottle, S, Negrine, R., Newbold, C. (1998) Mass Communication Research Methods. Basingstoke and London: Macmillan Press Ltd Goode, Erich and Nachman Ben-Yehuda (1994) Moral Panics: The Social Construction of Deviance. Oxford, UK: Blackwell. Lupton, D. (1992) From complacenct to panic: AIDS and heterosexuals in the Australian press, July 1986 to June 1988 in Helath Education Research Theory and Practice. 7(1): pp9-20. Lupton, D. (1994) Moral Threats and Dangerous Desires: AIDS in the News Media. New York: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Summer, C. (1979) Reading ideologies: an investigation into the Marxist theory of ideology and law. London: Academic Press.

Miles Davis Essay -- essays research papers

The Electric Miles Davis Born in Alton, Illinois, Miles Davis grew up in a middle-class family in East St. Louis. Miles Davis took up the trumpet at the age of 13 and was playing professionally two years later. Some of his first gigs included performances with his high school bandand playing with Eddie Randall and the blue Devils. Miles Davis has said that the greatest musical experience of his life was hearing the Billy Eckstine orchestra when it passed through St. Louis. In September 1944 Davis went to New York to study at Juilliard but spend much more time hanging out on 52nd Street and eventually dropped out of school. He moved from his home in East St. Louis to New York primarily to enter school but also to locate his musical idol, Charlie Parker. He played with Parker live and in recordings from the period of 1945 to 1948. Davis began leading his own group in 1948 as well as working with arranger Gil Evans. Davis’ career was briefly interrupted by a heroin addiction, although he continued to rec ord with other popular bop musicians. 1955 was Miles Davis’ breakthrough year. His performance of "round midnight" at the Newport Jazz Festival alerted the critics that he was "back". Davis form a quintet which included Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, and John Coletrain. In 1957 Davis made the first of many solo recordings with the unusual jazz orchestrations of Gil Evans, and he wrote music for film by Louis Malle. In 1963Davis formed a new quintet including the talents of Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Wayne Shorter. The late 1960s sound Davis playing with a variety of talented musicians. Davis retired during the mid-‘70s due to severe ailments and an automobile accident. He returned in 1980 making new recordings and expensive tours. He received an honorary doctorate of music from the New England Conservatory in 1986 in honor of his long-standing achievements. Davis’ playing Incorporated many styles, from bop to modal fusion. Oftentimes Davis was the victim of negative criticism because of his adopting sometimes unpopular styles of music, but he is most respected for being one of a few jazz musicians who continually took the music to newer and more creative heights. The musical events Miles Davis created during his so-called electric period (1969-1975), are acts of constant exploring in c... ...und producers argue they are sparing us from," says Teo. For a future re-issue, it would be terrific if Columbia restored the entire sets and give us a four CD package. We also need the complete live sets excepted from Live-Evil. These moments are important enough in Miles’ progression and the music of these nights is deserving of reaching the public. And the considerable legions of Miles fanatics are willing to dish out the money. In addition to his playing and nurturing of excellent talent, Miles Davis was quite remarkable in his rare ability to continually evolve. Most jazz musicians generally performed their style early on and spend the rest of their careers refining their sound. In contrast Miles Davis every five years or so would forge ahead, and do to his restless nature he not only played bop but helped found cool jazz, hard bop, modal music, his own unusual brand of the avant-garde and fusion. Jazz history would be much different if Davis had not existed. If Miles Davis had retired in 1960, he would still be famous in jazz history, but he had many accomplishments still to come. In 1991 Miles Davis passed away, he was 65. Jazz lost a man that was more than a god.

Independent Spirit Essay :: essays research papers

There can be a difference between a dependent and independent spirits. Independent spirits can be found in everyone and how your independent spirit can help others.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A person with an independent spirit can take care of him or herself. Being a person with an independent spirit can be good: set your own rules and regulations, do jobs and chores whenever you want to, and do whatever you feel like doing. With an independent spirit, you have a lot of freedom. But with a dependent spirit, a person would have limitations and restrictions. A child would have a dependent spirit, relying on his or her parents to help guild and nurture. But, with a dependent spirit, a person wouldn’t feel the effects of an independent spirit. An independent spirit would have the stress to work for a living, take care of any children, and payoff bills and other deductions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Everyone has an independent spirit. Some haven’t found it yet, some used it in his or hers everyday life, and some don’t even know that they have one. Young children would be an example of a person who hasn’t found it. An adult uses it everyday to get by, to take responsibility for his or hers actions and words. And a person lack abilities to take care of him or herself wouldn’t know if he or she had an independent spirit, because he or she may have had special attention at a young age, all the way to adulthood, but didn’t know how.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With your independent spirit, you can teach and help people how to find their independent spirit. It can help others by going through daily routines. By doing this, he or she can get a feel on how to take care of him or herself.

Greek and Roman Humanities: Roman Games Essay

1) Explain the purpose and importance of the games in Roman society. Please use examples from the website to illustrate your points. The games in Roman society evolved from religious observances and religious rites, the purposes of which over time became lost to the Romans themselves. By the time the religious rites had evolved into theatrical performances and the circus, the importance of the games to Roman society had become very much like the importance of sports and entertainment in modern American society. The Romans enjoyed the spectacle of the games, gambled on them, developed complicated rules and had entire economic networks built into the games. Although â€Å"at first the games of the early Roman republic had religious significance,† (Games) the later games were † purely for entertainment† (Games). The influence of the games ran from the highest to the lowest levels of Roman society. Attendance at the games was considered a right of a Roman citizen and each of the games, such as chariot racing or gladiators had loyal fans and expert â€Å"critics† — when it came to something like chariot racing, â€Å"The public adored the top drivers. They were quite literally comparable to modern day sports stars. † (Games) 2) Considering the brutal nature of what took place in the Colosseum, what impact do you think the games had on the morality of the average Roman? Although the games were very violent and often brutal, they were far more popular for the Romans than the more refined entertainment of the theater. The story told by the playwright Terence shows just how popular the brutal entertainments were in Roman society; when: â€Å"a festival held in honour of the deceased Lucius Aemilius Paulus in 160 BC. Terence’s comedy The mother in law was being staged and all was going well, when suddenly someone in the audience was heard saying that the the gladiatorial fights were about to begin. Within minutes his audience had disappeared† (Games). I think it is likely that the games’ influence on Roman society was to make it more difficult for sophisticated entertainment to get mass attention much as it is in modern society. More people watch pro wrestling and NASCAR than go to the ballet or buy books of poetry. The overall Roman culture was probably a bit de-sensitized to violence like our own culture. 3) Many people believe that modern America is a mirror image of ancient Rome during the imperial era. How does our entertainment – choose any type you wish – compare to the types offered in ancient Rome? What parallels are there? What differences exist? Please use examples from the website and your personal experience to illustrate your points. Much of American entertainment relies on violence as much as the Roman games. There are many violent movies, violent video games, and violent television shows. The big difference is that American culture uses purely theatrical and make-believe violence whereas Roman society actually performed violent acts up to and including violent murder and torture. Most violent entertainment in modern society does not involve lethal force nor does it include wide-spread betting on the probable death of people. In Rome, † quite naturally, there was a huge amount of betting surrounding the races† (Games) and this is much different than in modern society where corporate sponsors use the athletes to promote International conglomerates rather than emrely betting on them. 4) In your opinion, which group of people – Romans living in the imperial era or modern Americans – are more depraved? Please use examples from both the website and your personal experience to illustrate your points. In my opinion, the Romans were far more depraved than modern Americans. Not only for the bloodshed against humans that they enacted for entertainment, but for their wholesale murder and abuse of animals: â€Å"tigers, panthers and lions were let out of cages to be confronted in long and dangerous chases by armed gladiators. Bulls and rhinoceroses were first brought to a rage, much like in a Spanish bullfight, before they were met their hunters† (Games). Additionally, the Romans were so depraved, they staged mock-wars and actual crucifixions for entertainment. Work Cited Anonymous, â€Å"The Games† www. roman-empire. net 5th July 2007. http://www. roman-empire. net/society/soc-games. html 2 pages 1 source MLA Log on to the following web site: http://www. roman-empire. net/society/soc-games. html and read about the Roman games and their importance in Roman society. After you have completed the reading, respond to the following: 1) Explain the purpose and importance of the games in Roman society. Please use examples from the website to illustrate your points. 2) Considering the brutal nature of what took place in the Colosseum, what impact do you think the games had on the morality of the average Roman? 3) Many people believe that modern America is a mirror image of ancient Rome during the imperial era. How does our entertainment – choose any type you wish – compare to the types offered in ancient Rome? What parallels are there? What differences exist? Please use examples from the website and your personal experience to illustrate your points. 4) In your opinion, which group of people – Romans living in the imperial era or modern Americans – are more depraved? Please use examples from both the website and your personal experience to illustrate your points.

October Sky

Michelle Thompson October Sky September 30, 2012 Professor Bejtlich The movie October Sky is about Homer Hickam who was inspired to build a rocket and never gave up until his dreams became a reality . Entrepreneurship is a career path that doesn't always prove to be an instant success. Entrepreneurship is a field that involves determination, passion, vision, and the power to succeed. If there were anyone who can relate to these qualities, it would be Homer Hickam.Growing up in a small mining town called Coal wood, West Virginia. Homer is a teenage boy with only one future in sight; to work in the local coalmine like his father which he blatantly refused. However in October 1957, everything changes when the first artificial satellite, Sputnik goes into orbit. With that event, Homer becomes inspired to learn how to build rockets. Unfortunately, most of the town and especially Homer's father felt that they were indeed wasting their time on trying to build a rocket.Only one teacher in th e high school understood their Intention and their potential for growth and lets them know that they could become contenders in the national science fair with college scholarships being the prize. Using the qualities needed in an entrepreneur such as innovativeness, Homer displays them all and does it splendidly. Homer Hickam was a teenage boy from a mining town in West Virginia called Coal wood. He inspired to build rockets when he seen the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, streak across the stars.With his friends and the local nerd, Homer sets out to do just that but with many errors and trials his Creation was borne. Along with the town, Homer's father thought they were wasting their time with their rockets. He wanted Homer to be a coal miner just like everyone else but Homer knew he didn't belong there. As time went on, some people from town became interested in seeing the homemade missiles launch into the sky. The boys became popular and were known as the â€Å"Rocket boysà ¢â‚¬  around town. Homer Hickam had to overcome many obstacles to get to where he wanted to be.He had to work around his father’s expectations for him to work in the mines. He had to push past his brother’s shadow to create his own legacy. Finally he had to overcome the expectations of growing up and working in the mines of Coal wood West Virginia. John is the manger so to speak of the Coal wood mine. He is a hard man with expectations for Homer to work in the mines and to grow up the same way as he did. He doesn’t like the fact that Homer is an exception to the other people in Coal wood.Homer doesn’t really think that his father cares about him or what he does with his rockets. There is a scene in the movie when John throws out all of his son’s rocket books and tools because he thinks it is a worthless â€Å"hobby â€Å"as he calls it. He finds his father does care about him and what he does by two things that happened. First, when Homer and hi s friends are building the launch pad, he asks his dad for some cement to use for the base. At first his father says no and then tells him there is some cement left over from a new driveway the company just built.Second, his father comes to watch Homer and the Rocket Boy’s last rocket, Homer lets his dad push the button to launch the last rocket. An Entrepreneur, according to Merriam-Webster, is one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. Though Homer Hickam doesn't start to build his own company or firm, he does organize and manage his dream to build a successful rocket. Going through numerous metal tubes, fuses, rocket models, and launching sites, Homer and his friends worked together, despite the criticism and doubt from Homer's father and the rest of the town.Homer and his friends began building a rocket for the science fair, and like entrepreneurs, went into the idea of taking a risk. None of the teens were guaranteed success, however; everyone still put forth so much effort. That in itself is admirable in any individual, especially entrepreneurs. Every person has a desire to be successful. However, many people do not possess the attributes that are required in order to be successful in their lives. Success is not something that is given to just anyone. Instead, success must be earned.Success does not come easy. Success requires a person to have determination in order to be successful. In the movie, October Sky, Homer was determined to reach his goals. Everyone and everything seemed to go against Homer, like any entrepreneur, Homer and his friends not only tackled the topic of risk, but also the idea of teamwork. When starting any new business, venture or idea that isn't solo by taking this course in entrepreneurship I am increasing my chances for success by learning all the different ways of building and running a business by

Social Philosophy Has Its Place in Social Work Practice

Social work as a discipline concentrates on theoretical and philosophical positions such as social justice, equality, and empowerment and these may be described as â€Å"philosophies of social work†. (Mackie, 2007) Historically during social works early years, moral concerns laid the foundations for the development of social work and the principal values of the profession, with particular emphasis on the significance of individual worth and dignity and service to humanity (Bisman, 2004).Many of our contemporary professional social work values and ethics have been constructed on the basis of Kantian and Utilitarian philosophies and although mutually they are considered as alternatives; both theories of are based on the assumption of the human being as a freely acting individual and indeed the philosophies share and hold the following approaches: †¢ The moral value of individual persons as autonomous rational beings; †¢ The universality of values and principles; †¢ The possibility of deducing moral ‘laws’ through rational reflection; †¢ The goal of individual liberty; freedom and emancipation and in the just ordering of a society.Human rights and social justice are clearly draw from Kantian and Utilitarian social philosophies and today are regarded as fundamental principals in the practice of social work (Banks 2001). In this paper the author will consider what social philosophy is and what effect if any it has on social work practice in 2011/2012. Political philosophy is influenced by social philosophy which in turn has an impact on the work has carried out by social workers ‘a rigid demarcation between political and social philosophy is impossible, and social philosophers, have influenced recent political philosophy.Social philosophy also deals with philosophical issues relating to institutions such as the family, religion and education. (Bunmin, 2004) Philosophers observed that the development of human behaviour wa s shaped by their social environment and mainly competitive in nature. From these philosophical origins collectivism grew into what we now know as collectivistic or socialist theories Kantian deontological ethics is a principle-based ethics wherein reason is central. Reasons motivate or predispose action. Gray, 2010)Kant’s ethical theory is grounded in the respect owed to individuals because they are rational moral agents. As social workers we work with service users to determine ‘what is the right thing to do’. Reasons are seen as more reliable when making moral judgements than emotions. This is not to say that Kant overlooks the importance of emotions, merely that they do not give the moral agent reason for action. Moral motives are attached to moral principles that lead people to do the right thing. (Gray, 2010) Autonomy and freedom are two absolute values for Kant.He believed that since people were rational beings, they had the ability to create universal law s and follow them. Furthermore, people were self-regulated by their own rules/laws because they were free to determine for themselves without laws imposed by others. Thus, the two notions of autonomy and freedom were identical in Kantian theory and interdependently connected (RHODES, 1986). In contrast with other theories on ethics, such as hedonism and utilitarianism, Kant believed that the purpose of ethics was not to teach people to reach for their personal happiness.On the contrary, ethical living for Kant was achieved at the cost of our urges and instincts. However it is necessary for individuals to be aware of their own personal needs and wills. Concerning social work ethics, the Kantian ethic of self-determination is one of the most important ethical commitments of the social work profession. Social workers are educated to intervene in human lives in a way that their actions preserve the right of all humans to determine for themselves.Self-determination is a fundamental value that entails us as social workers to respect the person and encourage the person to act for themselves(Parrott, 2008). Based on the dual focus of the Kantian theory in autonomy and freedom, the ethic of self-determination reflects a belief that everyone is a rational being who can decide on their own about what is good or bad. Therefore, a rational being can also understand the meaning of punishment when their actions infringe on the freedom and the autonomy of others (Clark, 2000).Furthermore, social workers are also committed to act with respect for one’s dignity, and this also demonstrates Kantian thinking and its absolute ethical obligation to see every person as an end and not as a means (Rhodes, 1986). However social workers need to be conscious, that self-determination in practice may be unclear and can be seen as ‘professional ideology—an inter-related set of values and ideas. The concept is derived from a number of ideas and values outside social work, but it appears to have little direct relevance to social work in practice. (SPICKER, 1990) Kant’s principle of respect for persons, which is very relevant for current social work is as an end in itself, and is tied to his view of individuals as rational beings with autonomy and the capacity to exercise choice (Gray, 2000). It is this condition of human agency that sets the object of moral requirement in place and places limitations on our actions. It is precisely this view of the individual that social work adopts. It leads to attention being paid to responsibility as the flipside of duty or obligation and to ethical decision making as a rational activity.The classic utilitarian’s believe that the ultimate good is something that most people actually desire, such as happiness or pleasure. Specifically, the doctrine of ethical hedonism and most of the modern utilitarian’s take pleasure as the ultimate goal to which we should aim. In its simplest form, utilitariani sm states that in any situation where there is a moral choice, which is likely to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people or the least harm to the world as a whole.Therefore, everyone ought to obey the laws that ensure the balance between the good for the individual and for the society as a whole (Rhodes, 1986; Clark, 2000) However focusing on a utilitarian outlook loses sight of the individual and their values and the riots that took place in England over the summer highlights this. The government â€Å"blamed a â€Å"broken society† for the wave of rioting and looting that spread through London http://www. guardian. co. k/social-care-network/2011/dec/09/live-reading-the-riots-social-careand there was a loud national outcry to deal robustly with the people that that took part in the riots and to give them sanctions like i. e. eviction from social housing, loss of state benefits, jail sentences However there were no considerations made for individual s and rhetoric like ‘social fight back’ gave such a combative position from the government. The summer riots emphasised the need for social workers to adhere to the GSCC codes of practice and to hold fast to ethics and values that under pin the discipline in the face of the moral panic.As emphasised by Theresa May’s and David Cameron recent speeches â€Å"The riots weren't about protests, unemployment, cuts,† she said. â€Å"The riots weren't about the future, about tomorrow. They were about today. They were about now. They were about instant gratification. Because all the riots really come down to was money. † â€Å"Parts of the state and its agencies had become demoralised from a moral collapse that has seen children without fathers and alienated, angry young people. The riots were not about race or poverty, but about behaviour and moral breakdown and people without proper boundaries. http://www. guardian. co. uk/social-care-network/2011/dec/09/l ive-reading-the-riots-social-care This highlights the challenge that social workers face in contemporary social work, as ‘agents of the state’ how do we work with these service users and empower them to make their own decisions when the current government belittles their frustrations and dismisses the inequalities that they experience on a day to day basis and ignore their feelings of powerlessness, voicelessness and under-representation.The government outlook does not take into consideration the evidence which suggests that rioters were generally poorer than the country at large. Analysis of more than a 1,000 court records suggests 59% of the England rioters come from 20% of the most deprived areas of the UK. Other analysis carried out by the Department for Education and the Ministry of Justice on young riot defendants found that 64% came from the poorest fifth of areas and only 3% from the richest.This viewpoint makes it difficult for service users to not regard socia l workers with an air of suspicion ‘social workers have always been viewed by some people, on the far left of the political spectrum, as part of the social problem because they are agents of the state. This perspective sees social workers’ role as a sop for the poor and the marginalised by a brutal capitalist system. (Okitikpi, 2011) Although this may be difficult for some service users, ultimately as part of their code from The British Association of Social Workers (BASW, 2002): â€Å"social workers have a duty to†¦ ring to the attention of those in power and the general public, and where appropriate challenge ways in which the policies or activities of government, organisations or society create or contribute to structural disadvantages, hardship and suffering or militate against their relief (BASW, 2002, Section 3. 2. 2. 2. a. ). This a code that social workers adhere to as many social workers were initially motivated to join the profession by their desire to w ork for social justice and to have direct helping relationships. Cree, 2007)study reinforces the point that practitioners see their role as being that of an enabler and facilitator working alongside people. The entrenchment of user-involvement in all areas of the profession has also done much to reinforce practitioners’ perception of the centrality of the caring aspects of their role. A greater emphasis should be placed on social workers to practice feminist ethics ‘feminist ethics of care attempts to provide a more complete view of morality and ethics in social work of care’ (Gray, 2010).This eschews more abstract ethical perspectives and requires social workers to look at themselves and their capacities for empathy, courage and compassion. Virtue theory insists that it’s misguided to expect reason to be able to establish some infallible moral doctrine which is compulsory and often counter to human nature and emotions. Perhaps morality is not about confor ming to rules, but more about being trained to see problematic situations in a moral way. Morality may not be the rational control of the emotions but, more appropriately, the cultivation of desirable emotions (Phoca, 1999). Hugman, 2005)argues there is a growing interest in placing emotions at the heart of ethics. The helping relationship is one where the emotional content is often silent in the discussion of ethics. Feminists regard this approach as reductive in its presumptions about the overriding importance of duties and obligations, and rules and principles in moral behaviour. This implies that social workers keep clients’ confidence, for example, merely because it is their duty to do so. For feminists, there is much more to morality than this we keep confidentiality because we care about our clients. Gray, 2010) Social workers are bound by the GSCC codes of practice; there is an obligation to have regard for inequalities within society and to consider the many forms of discrimination service user’s encounter on a regular basis. Discrimination is explained by Thompson (2007); he describes discrimination with the use of his Personal, Cultural and Structural (PCS) model; the Personal refers to the psychological characteristics of discrimination and how such personal experiences impact upon our attitudes; Cultural makes reference to perceived societal norms – our shared socially