Change in business world today

Change in business world today 1.0 Introduction Globalization, competitive pressure, and quest for productivity have been a major driver for change in business world today. Activities of people in the business world have led to different problems and interests within business cycle. Many companies used Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a framework to consider the interest of all stakeholders in the business environment. CSR contribution of many businesses can be viewed with different meaning and culture, in the United State is like charity model but in the EU member states, it is part of core business activities in a socially responsible manner for companies operating within Europe. United Kingdom (UK) governments policy on CSR was as a means to crack down on irresponsible business behaviours and to raise contribution of companies toward CSR above minimum legal standards. Many multinational companies operating in Europe make special annual CSR reports; companies like Tesco and Marks Spencer but some companies like Lidl do not account for it. Companies that make provisions for CSR pay serious attention to it and even compete with each other to show their contribution towards CSR, in order to display their commitment as responsible companies. They make sure that CSR is the pivotal point for their core business activities, which serve as a centre message to outside world. Moreover, their CSR capture the interest of all stakeholders (stakeholders- shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, business partners, pressure groups, and government) as appropriate. There is general controversy on CSR to be part of core activities of any organisation by leading scholars like British Economist David Henderson. Many multinational companies were seriously criticised with their CSR policy as an avenue for increasing profitability in long run. There are two sides to these arguments on CSR; the argument against CSR was that it is a new way of deceiving and exploiting people while the argument in favour of CSR was that it is a best way for a responsible company to give back to the society where it operates. Another problem associated with CSR campaigners like Friends of the Earth is that those who make effort to publish their CSR contribution annually (like Tesco) was not free of criticism like those who does not publish anything on CSR (like ISS UK). This raises major question in the mind of people; is there any acceptable threshold in place to determine companies contribution on CSR? It is very difficult for most of these multinational companies to convince public that their CSR contribution is solely for sustainable development without marketing motive behind it. However, the CSR contribution provides by ISS UK may have different motives attached to it base on implementation. Some of the CSR contributions of ISS UK can be viewed as a marketing tool because it create more marketing promotion for the company than the benefits derived from it by the beneficiaries. For example, ISS UK boldly prints their name on any goods given out either as charity or to their staff. The benefits that the company derive from this action in term of recognition and brand image outweigh its benefits to the recipients. Moreover, the company have moved far to convince the public about its CSR contribution as a pure sustainable development programme by joining Business in the Community (BITC) a leading responsible business organisation. 1.1 Aims The dissertation will critically evaluate the position of academic scholars regarding CSR contributions and the various reputation ratings, and outline different meanings attached to sustainable development. Moreover, it will examine the statistical relationship between CSR contributions and profitability of ISS UK. In addition, the dissertation will evaluate whether CSR is for marketing purposes or whether it is supportive of the strategy the organisation is taking towards sustainable development. The recommendations from the research study will be available to ISS UK, Department of Trade Investment, other governmental agencies with an interest, and to other institutions that need it for further research. 1.2 Objectives The following objectives will be undertaken: 1.2.1 To critically review literature on Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development 1.2.2 To examine the reputations rating in place, for companies based on their CSR contribution 1.2.3 To determine if there is statistical relationship between CSR contribution of ISS UK and their profitability 1.2.4 To anticipate if there is any appropriate percentage of ISSs pre-tax profits to be spent toward CSR 1.2.5 To critically evaluate if CSR contribution is more important for public limited company than private company 1.2.6 To make recommendations to ISS UK, the Department of Trade Investment, other governmental agencies with an interest, and to other institutions that need it for further research Bibliography: Baker, Mallen. â€Å"Corporate and Social Responsibility: What does it mean?† Retrieved from http://www.mallenbaker.net accessed on 20 October 09 Gunther, M (2003) Corporate Responsibility, Fortune Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.fortune.com accessed on 23 October 09 Orlitzky, Marc, Frank L. Schmidt, Sara L. Rynes (2003) â€Å"Corporate Social and Financial Performance: A meta-analysis† Organization Studies (London: SAGE Publications), 24, 2003. Retrieved from http://www.finanzasostenibile.it/finanza/moskowitz2004 accessed on 22 October 09 Williams, C.A and Aguilera, R.V (2008) â€Å"Corporate Social Responsibility in a Comparative Perspective† in Crane A, et.al (PDF). The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility

Countenance Evaluation Model

Robert E. Stake’s the â€Å"Countenance Model of Evaluation† in Education Evaluation is an important aspect of program development to come up with improvement plan to achieve competitiveness, depending on the judgment of the one who evaluates, or the evaluators. Education being complex is associated with contingencies with consideration to congruence (intentions and observations).This needs adequate scrutiny, rendering both cost measurement and estimation of outcomes since education is a crucial part of society and economy, and its greater effectiveness per unit cost is of high consideration, especially on a given resource constraint, is desirable (Mathison, 2005, p. 90). The so-called Countenance Model of Evaluation, formulated by Robert E. Stake, is a model focusing on the qualitative influences to the traditional quantitative designs, with judgment being maintained as the major function of the one who evaluates.The heart of this model is on the decisions that are com e up with during the evaluation. There are three important phases of program development where this model revolves: antecedent, transaction, and outcome. In the antecedent phase, the consideration is the environmental factors that might affect program outcomes. The effectiveness of the program during implementation is being considered by in the transaction phase on the other hand. When the program has already achieved completion, its effects are being examined in the outcome phase.The evaluation procedure must take into account both judgment and descriptions, both relying on quantitative and qualitative observations. The description may either be absolute or comparative (Snyder, Acker-Hocevar, and Snyder, 2008, pp. 167-168). The strength of this model is that it allows thorough evaluation since it requires the evaluator to give a description of the situations (events, activities, conditions, etc. ) before, during, and after the program implementation (Snyder, Acker-Hocevar, and Snyd er, 2008, p. 168). It is really a helpful feature of this model that it offers flexibility in operation.The approach is holistic in nature, rather than atomistic, with each part being emphasized. Factors are all given attention, with the importance of each factor imposed and selected to gain sensitivity (Burgess, Galloway, and Morrison, 1993, p. 36). References Burgess, Robert G. , Sheila Galloway, and Marlene Morrison. (1993). Implementing In-service Education and Training. Retrieved September 18, 2008, from http://books. google. com/books? id=t949AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA36&dq=countenance+evaluation+model+in+education&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U1p1htWqqCorrsxmE_4op-nJA40mAMathison, Sandra. (2005). Encyclopedia of Evaluation. Retrieved September 18, 2008, from http://books. google. com/books? id=sCibBf4Ni1QC&pg=PA167&dq=countenance+evaluation+model&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U3JfsrxoDJqDLQ-djt_50iTpK99vQ#PPA167,M1 Snyder, Karolyn J. , Michelle Acker-Hocevar, and Kristen M. Snyder. (2008). Living on the Edge o f Chaos: Leading Schools into the Global Age. Retrieved September 18, 2008, from http://books. google. com/books? id=nmv5mSHlXKQC&pg=PA90&dq=countenance+evaluation+model&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U2pfiSKzcKZz7laTIzdLnRjUjd31Q

What Was William Shakespeares First Play

Henry VI Part II was the first play written by Shakespeare. Although we cannot be certain when Shakespeare actually wrote the play, it is believed that this early history play was first performed in 1590-1591. Surprisingly, it is difficult to know which play was Shakespeares first because so little documentary evidence has survived. Scholars are forced to use historical events and contemporary diary entries to piece together a rough chronology, but the exact order of the plays has been in dispute – and perhaps always will be. Henry VI Plot The plays plot is driven by conflict --   the conflict between Henrys forces and those of Dauphin Charles, and the argument between York and Somerset, mirroring the struggle between Winchester and Gloucester in Henrys court. The message is that this court struggles and their trivial rivalries and internal rifts among the nobility can be as dangerous to England as the French soldiers. Henry grasps this truth when he talks about dissension as the worm eating away at his kingdom—but he is not able to put an end to the crisis. Henry VI reenacts Englands struggle to retain military and political control over French territories won by Henry V. The play depicts some of the events that transpired in the early reign of Henry VI, including fighting among the English lords and subsequent loss of half the French lands. Synopsis of Shakespeares First Play Henry VI    begins with the marriage of King Henry VI to the young Margaret of Anjou. William de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, aims to influence the king through her. Humphrey, Duke of  Gloucester, the regent of the crown who is very popular with the people, presents a significant obstacle. Queen Margaret competes with his wife, Eleanor, for dominance in the court. Eleanor is lured by an agent of Suffolk into practicing black magic to communicate with the dead and then gets herself arrested. Gloucester is mortified, but the demon she calls upon delivers some accurate prophecies regarding the fates of characters in the play. Gloucester  is then accused of treason and sent to prison, and then hes assassinated by  agents of Suffolk and the Queen. In the meantime, Richard, the Duke of York, who has a shaky claim  to the throne, schemes to make himself king. The Earl of Suffolk is killed by Walter the pirate and Richard of York manages to become an army commander to suppress a revolt in Ireland. York has Jack Cade led a rebellion that threatens the entire kingdom, so that he can seize the throne he declares war on the king in conjunction with his sons, Edward (the future King Edward IV) and Richard (the future King Richard II). The English nobility take sides, and the  Battle  of St Albans begins and The Duke of Somerset is killed by the future Richard III. Shakespeares Plays Our list of Shakespeare plays brings together all 38 plays in the order in which they were first performed. You can also read our study guides for the Bard’s most popular plays.

How to Write a Descriptive Paragraph

A descriptive paragraph is a focused and detail-rich account of a specific topic. Paragraphs in this style often have a concrete focus—the sound of a waterfall, the stench of a skunks spray—but can also convey something abstract, such as an emotion or a memory. Some descriptive paragraphs do both. These paragraphs help readers  feel  and  sense  the details that the writer wants  to convey. To write a descriptive paragraph, you must study your topic closely, make a list of the details you observe, and organize  those details  into a logical  structure. Finding a Topic The first step in writing a strong descriptive paragraph is identifying your topic. If you received a specific assignment or already have a topic in mind, you can skip this step. If not, its time to start brainstorming. Personal belongings and familiar locations are useful  topics. Subjects that you care about and know well often make for rich, multilayered descriptions.  Another good choice is an object that at first glance doesnt seem to warrant much description, like a spatula or a pack of gum. These seemingly innocuous objects  take on entirely unexpected dimensions and meanings when captured in  a well-crafted descriptive paragraph. Before you finalize your choice, consider the goal of your descriptive paragraph. If youre writing description for descriptions sake, youre free to choose any topic you can think of, but many descriptive paragraphs are part of a larger project, such as a personal narrative or an application essay. Make  sure the topic of your descriptive paragraph aligns with the broader goal of the project. Examining and Exploring Your Topic After youve selected a topic, the real fun begins: studying the details. Spend time closely examining the subject of your paragraph. Study it from every possible angle, beginning with the five senses: What does the object look, sound, smell, taste, and feel like? What are your own memories of or associations with the object?   If your topic is larger than a single object—for example, a location or a memory—you should examine all of the sensations and experiences associated with the topic. Lets say your topic is your childhood fear of the dentist. The list of details might include your white-knuckled grip on the car door as your mother tried to drag you into the office, the gleaming white smile  of the dental assistant who never remembered your name, and the industrial buzz of the electric toothbrush.   Dont worry about writing full sentences or arranging the details into a logical paragraph structure during the prewriting phase. For now, simply write down every detail that comes to mind. Organizing Your Information After youve compiled a lengthy list of descriptive details, you can begin assembling those details into a paragraph.  First, consider  again the goal of your descriptive paragraph. The details you choose to  include in the paragraph, as  well  as  the details you choose to  exclude, signal to the reader how you feel about the  topic. What message, if any, do you want the description to convey?  Which details best convey that message? Reflect on these questions as you begin constructing the paragraph. Every descriptive paragraph will take a somewhat different form, but the following model is a straightforward way to get started:  Ã‚   A topic sentence  that identifies the topic and briefly explains its significanceSupporting sentences that describe the topic in specific, vivid ways,  using the details youve  listed during brainstormingA concluding sentence that circles back  to the topics  significance Arrange the details in an order that makes sense for your topic. (You could easily describe a room from back to front, but that same structure would be a confusing way to describe a tree.) If you get stuck, read model descriptive paragraphs for inspiration, and  dont be afraid to experiment with different arrangements. In your final draft,  the details should follow  a logical pattern, with each sentence connecting to the sentences that come before and after it. Showing, Not Telling Remember to  show,  rather than  tell, even in your topic and concluding sentences. A topic sentence that reads, I am describing my pen  because I love to write is  obvious telling (the fact that youre describing your pen should be self-evident from the paragraph itself)  and unconvincing (the reader cannot  feel  or  sense  the strength of your love of writing). Avoid tell statements by keeping your list of details handy at all times. Heres an example of a topic sentence that  shows  the subjects significance through the use of detail:  My ballpoint pen is my secret writing partner: The baby-soft tip glides effortlessly across the page, somehow seeming to pull my thoughts down from my brain and out through my fingertips. Edit and  Proofread Your Paragraph The writing process isnt over until your paragraph has been edited and proofread. Invite  a friend or teacher to read your paragraph and provide feedback. Assess whether the paragraph clearly conveys the message you intended to express. Read your paragraph aloud to check for awkward phrasing or cumbersome sentences. Finally, consult a proofreading checklist to confirm that your paragraph is free of minor errors.