Honor Who to Protect?

GBB/GCB 1033 Management and Organizational Behavior Case Study 1 January 2013 Semester Honor Who To Protect? Don Riles, insurance claims adjuster, has the day off. He is playing with his 4-year-old daughter Erica when the telephone rings. At the other end of the line, Don's supervisor, apologizing for interrupting his time off, pleads for his help. Will Don please visit a woman in his neighborhood who has made claims for bodily and mental injury resulting from a car crash with a person insured by Don's company? The woman has consented to a visit from their adjuster to assess the injuries to her nose and mental state. Apparently the crash has caused her to relapse into a condition of paranoia and manic depression, previously stabilized. ) The claims adjuster in charge of the case has called in sick—scheduling the appointment has been difficult. Will Don please fill in? Don agrees readily, but asks if he could bring his daughter—it is their day together while his wife wor ked. Don's supervisor gratefully assures him that bringing the little girl along is no problem. When Don arrives at the woman's house, he discovers no one at home, so he and his daughter wait in the car.Eventually, the woman arrives, parks, and emerges from her car, at which point Erica cries happily, â€Å"It's Miss Anderson! † â€Å"Who is Miss Anderson? † asks her father with surprise. Miss Anderson turns out to be Erica's daycare teacher. Don conducts a short interview with the woman on the front steps of her home, satisfying himself that she does indeed have some facial injuries and that she is taking prescription medicine for her mental problems. Following the interview, Don realizes that he has a real dilemma. Insurance ethics mandates that claims investigations are completely confidential.An insurance professional with knowledge of a claims case is expected to keep silent and to refrain from using the knowledge for personal benefit. On one hand, to uphold his i ndustry's code of ethics, he is not to discuss or act on the information he has received about Miss Anderson's situation. On the other hand, he does not want his daughter under the care of a person who is undergoing treatment for mental illness and who might be dangerous. Don's wife is also an insurance claims adjuster, working for a separate company. Still, even if Don tells her, she is bound by the same professional code of ethics. What should Don do?

The difference between incidence and prevalence data

Statistical data can enhance insights by establishing the relationship of events or factors to a population. However, the value and validity of these insights depends on the researchers’ skill in using data available for their research. Therefore there is a need to understand the distinctions and uses of these data to be able to develop insights regarding the population or set of information. One example understands the difference between incidence and prevalence data. By understanding characteristics unique to each, researchers will be able to use them appropriately and effectively.DistinctionsIncidence refers to the probability that an individual will be fall under a constraint within a given period of time (Casella & Berger, 2001). In epidemiology, this refers to the chances that an individual will contract a specific in a particular time period. The rate of incidence is computed as a factor of the population susceptible to the constraint. Prevalence, on the other hand is d efined as the probability that a constraint given a population (McClave & Sincich, 2006). Extending the definition to epidemiology, this refers to the likelihood of an individual in a population to acquire the disease. Its rate is derived from dividing the number of diagnosed cases over the total population.The distinction between the two sets of data is based on the time and population it refers to. Incidence has a time frame or range while prevalence only considers the current data or data at a specific time. With regards to population, incidence is measured based on a constraint, usually defined because of its vulnerability to the diseases, whereas prevalence considers the whole population. If prevalence data is diminished, it means that disease is being eradicated versus in incidence where diminishing values only indicate the degree by which medical interventions are able to treat the disease (Bertoni et al, 2004). Furthermore, prevalence is the cumulative measure of incidence a s of the time period which can differ significantly from incidence values (Casella & Berger, 2001).UsesIncidence data is often used when studying new and or short-term events. The data is independent from data gathered from other time periods, measuring only the newly diagnosed cases and does not consider populations who still have the condition or disease. As a measure of success in medical intervention, it measures the rate of success of treatments of the disease’s symptoms. They are often utilized when conditions being studied are curable or when symptoms can become absent or in studies periods of vulnerability for a disease (Bertoni et al, 2004). Thus, in the study of respiratory sensitization and allergy n due to reaction enzyme producing plant, incidence data was used because the focus of the study the significance of exposure and host factors to employee reactions (Larsen, 2007). Incidence rates will better measure this relationship since the production of the enzymes that produce the sensitivity is seasonal and the population is limited to the employees who are exposed to the plants.Prevalence data in contrast is used more for long-term studies. As mentioned, it is a cumulative measure and therefore considers new and old diagnoses. It is often used in chronic illnesses or conditions whose symptoms will always fall under the constraints characterized for it. There is a presumption of the continuance of the disease or condition and the date is used often in conjunction with periodic measures.Thus, in the measure of effectiveness of vaccination against Hepatitis A in north-eastern Italy, prevalence data were used because the concern was the success of the preventive measures for drug users in low prevalence areas: the measure is not among the population the cases that will be reported and the comparison of data is annually (Lugoboni et al, 2005). Prevalence studies will better develop insights to the success rate of the intervention, in this case v accination against Hepatitis A, because vaccination implies that focus is on the non-occurrence of the condition and at the same time, the focus is not short-term.ReferencesBertoni, Alain G., Hundley, W. Gregory, Massing, Mark W., Bonds, Gregory Denise E., Burke, L. and Goff, David C. Jr. (20004). Heart Failure Prevalence, Incidence, and Mortality in the Elderly With Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 27: 699.Casella, George and Berger, Roger L. (2001)Statistical Inference, 2nd Edition. London: Â  Duxbury PressJohnsen, A. I. C. R. , Frickmann, J. and Mikkelsen, S. (2007). Incidence of respiratory sensitisation and allergy to enzymes among employees in an enzyme producing plant and the relation to exposure and host factors. Occup. Environ. Med., 64: 763 – 768.Lugoboni, Fabio, Quaglio, Gianluca, Pajusco, Benedetta, Foroni, Blengio, Maurizio Gianstefano, Talamini, Giorgio, Mezzelani, Paolo and Des Jarlais, Don C. (2005). Prevalence of hepatitis A among drug users in north-eastern Italy: Is vaccination necessary in low prevalence areas? Eur J Public Health, 15: 464 – 466.McClave, James T. and Sincich, Terry (2006). Statistics,10th Edition. by New York: Prentice Hall

New Product Development for Marketing Essay

Competition used to be between firms of same size and same capabilities, today the situation has changed and we can see competition between what is considered small and big firms and form different countries. The world is more globalized and flatter and big numbers of firms have equal resources and mean of production. According to Thomas Friedman there are reason behind a flatter world and reduced gap between firms in different countries (Insourcing, outsourcing, off shoring and supply-chain†¦). The concept of triple convergence is an addition reason for world flattener, the first convergence is when all ten flatteners work together to create a flatter, global playing field; the second convergence adopts new habits like moving from vertical to horizontal mean of creating value, in other words we must understand the process of new technology internally in a firm before the outcome reach the consumers, and finally the third convergence is the introduction of new people and tools in the production process and leads to more competition and connection between peoples. Out of clutter find simplicity, from discord find harmony and in the middle of difficulty lays opportunity† (Einstein). All entrepreneurs and CEOs are reacting to the changes in the world in recent years and the flattening of the world; it is clear that small and big firms are running after economic growth but can they do it without change in their core ideology? What must firms do to stay in business in a flat world? There is evidence today that all kind of firms and big companies are almost using the same technologies, markets and research innovations; this would lead to a competition between small and local firm and other international firms and even competition between countries. â€Å"What is unique about the flat world is the degree to which individuals, or small groups, can now act and compete globally† (Friedman 2005 p 447). Innovation comes from creating an environment that encourages people to stretch their imagination and turn the ideas into finished goods and services. These characteristics (technology, innovation and market studies) will allow the small firms to act big by implementing what you are imagining. The best example of a local or regional firm and competing with multinational firms is Aramex; the first package delivery service in the Arab world. When Fadi Ghandour the founder and current CEO of Aramex started the company, there was only one service parcel delivery operating in the Middle East and it was DHL. How Aramex became a competitor to DHL? They ecide to approach American companies like FedEx and offer them to be their delivery service in the Middle East in order to beat DHL because Aramex knows the Arab markets more than Airborne express and they started the delivery with the partnership of small delivery firms from Egypt to turkey and Saudi Arabia and lately to Iran and Pakistan, so as a result Aramex created its own network. In addition Aramex adopted Airborne system (computerized tracking and tracing system, unified language, and quality standards); as a result Aramex dominated the parcel delivery service in the Arab world. When DHL acquired Airborne and Aramex was left alone with no system to use, so they developed new one with the help of Jordanian software and industrial engineers and depend on the web and real-time tracking and tracing. Now the small company step up to replace Airborne due to an effective global network, by focusing on a specific market and serving it with high quality service with lower time and costs. Now Aramex is considered a flat company, according to Ghandour every worker in the company has a computer with e-mail and internet access so he can know what is going on without many reports from senior managers. He also said: â€Å"I was big locally and small internationally and I reversed that†. Aramex has benefited from the flattening of the world by leveling the economic field and breaking trade to barriers, any company in the world can compete globally. Oligopoly market used to show us a market with a dominant firm and others described as follower and mostly considered small firms; the dominant firm can set a low price and make it difficult to small firms to compete and sometimes force them to leave the market. When world become more flat according to Friedman, small firms can compete with bigger ones and the competition is not only small against small and big firms against each others. The main reasons behind the reduction of the gap between small and big firms are: technology, innovation, Insourcing, and market niche. These will help small firms to reduce costs and increase quality and prevent big firms from enjoying economies of scale and putting barriers to entry; the example of Aramex is an inspirational closing thought; one of a small Arab company that made it big in the world platform:

Orientalism in Heart Of darkness Essay

It is common to divide the world in the West and the East. This division has been used to differentiate two parts of the world that are inherently not alike either in cultural, social, political or economical aspects. However, historically, both regions of the world have been tied in one way or the other. Even though technically speaking Africa is not west of Europe, during the 19th century, African colonies were highly appreciated for their wealth and for slave trade by the European powers, a relation similar to that of the Asian colonies had with Europe, and so in that perspective we can say Africa is part of the Orient. The clash between the imperial powers and Africa eventually led to the submission of the latter and therefore created a particular point of view from where Europeans understood Africa and the relation they had with it. This mode of relating to their colonies and the cultural depictions made by Europeans were later given the term Orientalism by Edward Said. This clash of civilizations and the interplay between colonialist and natives from the colonial viewpoint, or in other words, their Orientalist prism, is one of the themes that Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness develops. Conrad displays the consequences of a society attempting to impose itself on another, illustrating the personal tragedy of an individual who lives through this clash. Orientalism is based on the attempt to incorporate the Orient as a new resource, either cultural or economical, being something different and exotic to the Western standards. Historically, the western men have been determined by their desire to embark on voyages to new worlds; worlds that are to bring prosperity to the society these men belong to so that society can progress and grow. That is how often times, when western men do this; the potential consequences of carrying these enterprises are not questioned. These consequences are far-reaching and inescapable too all fields of knowledge, both practical and theoretical, not because they are born from great colonizing projects, but because the imperialist adopts the same mindset to manage the colonies and to know about the colonies. In Said’s words: â€Å"†¦For Orientalism brings one up directly against that question—that  is, to realizing that political imperialism governs an entire field of study, imagination, and scholarly institutions—in such a way as to make its avoidance an intellectual and historical impossibility† (Said, 1977) The western man accepts the influence of this relation when he relates to the orient in this imperialist manner, considering that even though the 19th century colonies were established for economic and trading purposes, such as the ivory trade, the relation extensively transcends the economical. By such relation, new doors are opened in many aspects, since a clash cultures that are completely different leaves both parties at odds and in a position where neither one knows exactly how to act. Said studies â€Å"†¦ Orientalism as a dynamic exchange between individual authors and the large political concerns shaped by the three great empires—British, French, American—in whose intellectual and imaginative territory the writing was produced.† (1977). Clearly, Said intends to focus his study of Orientalism on how the authors of the literature produced in colonial times were affected by the political and economical ideas of their time. Therefore, there is room to apply Said’s ideas to Conrad’s work mentioned earlier, which deals exactly with the same themes. Conrad as an author is influenced by the Orientalism and thus tries to portray this concept in his literature. Within the frame of Orientalism, stands out the idea that western society will never be able to feel equal to the oriental one, simply because they are different altogether. However, it is accepted that they can influence each other. Thus, the work of Conrad, even though it is not more that his own feeling and portrayal of imperialism, does entail within itself a particular message. The Heart of Darkness shows the character of Marlow as an explorer hired by the Belgian Crown who goes travelling around the African colonies, questions his reality and what happens in that continent. He sees the misery of the colonized people and at the same time the misery of the Europeans colonizers, who get transformed in selfish, violent and wretched beings. In certain way, Marlow happens to witness the worst of human beings. He says: â€Å"†¦You know I hate, detest, and can’t bear a lie, not because I am straighter than the rest of us, but simply because it appals me. There is a taint of death, a flavour of mortality in lies— which is exactly what I hate  and detest in the world— what I want to forget. It makes me miserable and sick, like biting something rotten would do.† The experience of this expedition makes Marlow reflect on many things and makes him realize his own annoyance for the world he is experiencing. However, this annoyance, and the impossibility of making any change in the world he is into, causes him suffering. Moreover, he sees the colonized who are invaded and who feel alienated in their own land. The world that is shown through Marlow’s eyes goes to show that the human being who witnesses and who is part of this clash of cultures is the victim of a tragedy. This tragedy is at the basis of the concept of Orientalism since it presupposes the superiority of the imperial power as a race or nationality. This is precisely what Marlow sees. He sees the imperialist who controls everything just because he was born in Europe and he sees the subdued native who is not really sure of what it is happening since he does not naturally work under the codes he is ordered to follow. Thus, it is illustrated the impossibility of a true and genuine understanding between both worlds. The Orientalist prism is constructed around this impossibility, which will always be present, either in a very concrete affair such as commerce, or in a more abstract one, such as intellectual debate. Both the Orientalist and the Imperialist see the Orient with western eyes alone, and try to understand and to use the Orient for their own selfish, utilitarian motives, as if it were some new scientific invention from which the Western can get benefitted from. This tragedy, which Marlow lives in the flesh and that begins with the death of Kurtz and the feelings of loneliness of his mistress, is the one that Said seeks to change. â€Å"†¦I should like also to have contributed here is a better understanding of the way cultural domination has operated. If this stimulates a new kind of dealing with the Orient, indeed if it eliminates the â€Å"Orient† and â€Å"Occident† altogether, then we shall have advanced a little in the process of what Raymond Williams has called the â€Å"unlearning† of â€Å"the inherent dominative mode?’† (Said, 1977). Evidently, Said comments this with a touch of irony, since he knows that trying to eliminate something i nherent is impossible by simple logic. The â€Å"dominative mode†, being something inherent to the human being, is  impossible to eradicate from their nature. Both Said and Conrad speak about the tragedy of Orientalism in their own ways. Said argues that Orientalism entails inevitably Imperialism and the necessity of subjugation of a culture. So Orientalism it is based on interpreting the Orient in a simplistic and functional way for the West. On the other hand, this same tragedy of subjugation is what Marlow encounters in Africa. He understands that the parameters of European supremacy remain always unmet by the natives. Works Cited Said, E. (1977). Orientalism. London: Penguin.

Reading the world ideas that matter, Third Edition Assignment

Reading the world ideas that matter, Third Edition - Assignment Example This association of children drawn from different races sharing a common pursuit of knowledge is important in achieving racial unity. Children learn to share their strengths to solve problems together than to focus on their natural racial differences.â€Å"Children should be surrounded with things of nature which have their own educational value. Their minds should be allowed to stumble upon and be surprised at everything that happens in today’s life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  There is an emphasis on natural settings and surprise of knowing that are brought out in this quote. It is important Tagore encourages the importance of practical learning by arousing curiosity in children. When children learn through nature, there are surprised life’s happenings. Therefore, a curiosity in learning is created. This curiosity stimulates the brain to find out things and explore their world. These sources help us to learn several aspects of life among them education and democracy. A critical awa kening is encouraged in me and the general society where teachers and learners are encouraged to embrace practical education. As a learner, I have additionally, learnt the importance of nature in a child’s learning process as well as the role of nature in stimulating a critical mind. Finally, education is among the best ways of fighting racism and a tool for achieving unity.The classmate argues that parents should not dictate on the passions of their children and that the future would be great if people passionately worked on their passions.

Music During Renaissance And Reformation Periods Essay

Music During Renaissance And Reformation Periods - Essay Example The English Renaissance is considered to extend from the early sixteenth to the early seventeenth century, and refers to a cultural and artistic movement in England. The Reformation is a period that overlaps with that of the renaissance. The English Reformation started in the reign of Henry VIII. (1509 – 1547 A.D.) with England breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church based in Rome. This was brought about by Henry VIII, who insisted on divorcing his first wife, Catharine of Aragon, who could not bear him a male heir, to marry Anne Boleyn. Divorce was not permitted by the Church, due to which the king took this extreme measure, of taking the church’s power as well on himself. His subjects were also not happy with the church’s clergy and priests, who were fraudulent. The Pope’s power was ended, and Henry VIII became the the Supreme Head of the Church in 1534, and the country continued to be Catholic.

Week One Discussion Questions (Mgt-437) Project Management Essay

Week One Discussion Questions (Mgt-437) Project Management - Essay Example A project’s focus looks at the strategic tilt of the business as the project gives the indication whether or not the success will be achieved for the different business entities and how the same will shape up the future realms of the business in the long run. 2. What is a project life cycle? How do project life cycles differ among organizations? To what degree does the structure of the project life cycle used by the organization affect the project manager’s job? Explain your answer. A project life cycle is a series of steps that are taken in order to reach the end goal within a project itself. It is important that a project life cycle is apparently drawn in order to assist the project team members in understanding the work domains. Project life cycles differ amongst organizations because they depend upon the nature of the project work, their deadline requirements that need to be taken care of and the stakeholders who will be directly or indirectly affected by the project in essence. The project manager’s job is seriously affected by the project life cycle because it makes him wait for certain activities to end before he could align the other project deliverables. The need for understanding the time glitches and work requirements is essential for a project manager in order to deliver value. A project stakeholder is a person who is directly or indirectly affected by the project’s results. Some examples of project stakeholders include the people who have invested heavily within the project’s domains as well as those who remain within the background but are linked with the project on a very constant basis. The stakeholders of a project are also comprised of the people who will be affected by the outcome of a project in the long run. When stakeholders are not identified and addressed early on in the project, the projects get affected by such incidents in a very