Change Theory Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Change Theory - Assignment Example Some of those steps include; unfreezing, refreezing and changing. Based on the nature of change that needs implementation, I believe it is an ideal theory, which can enable the changes to be effectively implemented. Thus, to ensure that the new technique of reporting is effectively implemented with positive results, I settled for a participative leadership style to steer the team to embrace the change in question efficiently. The reason why this leadership style stood out from the rest in ensuring the said changes are implemented is because it is involves the whole team thus denoting a democratic notion whereby each member feels his/her opinions are respected. This style requires all the team members to participate actively in decision making by airing out their views, before the final decision is communicate by the participative leader (Burke, 2010). Therefore, this will tend to boost the morale of the team members in ensuring the new changes are successfully fully implemented since they will be part of the decision-making body. In addition, the participants will develop a sense of contentment since they will view the democratic nature of this leadership style being ideal as each and every opinion that they propose will be considered hence forming a portion of the final decision that will be implemented. That notwithstanding the participative leadership style will ensure a positive response to changes by the team members as they will not reject those changes since they are part of the team that came up with the decisions thus it will be their obligation to embrace them since it is their own making. Thus, this having been said it is prudent to say that the changes will be positively implemented successfully since it will be a common initiative of the whole team rather than an individual’s making (Burke, 2010). The Kurt Lewin theory of change is ideal in implementing this

Alternative sources of energy Essay Example for Free

Alternative sources of energy Essay There are several alternatives of energy that can provide renewable energy. Renewable energy is usually generated from the natural resources such as wind, sunlight, rain, geothermal heat and tides. Some of the renewable technologies range from wind power, solar power, biomass, hydroelectricity and biofuels for transportation, (Chiu et al). Biofuel This can broadly be defined as liquid, solid or gas fuel that is derived from recently dead biological materials mostly the plants. It is thus distinguished from the fossil fuel that is generated from the long dead biological materials. Biofuels are theoretically produced from a biological carbon source. Photosynthetic plants are the most common source of biofuels since different plants as well as plant derived materials are all used in the biofuel manufacture. Use of biofuels is common in Asia, Europe and also in America, (Anselmo, P. , Badr, O). The use of this renewable biofuels does provide increased energy security and independence from the petroleum since it is a renewable source of energy. Various issues that form part of the recent debates on the use or no use of biofuels include; the fuel versus food debate, effect on oil price, carbon emission levels, sustainability, soil erosion and deforestation, its impact on available water resources, the potential of poverty reduction, human rights issues, its price, its efficiency and energy balance and the comparison of the centralized versus the decentralized models of production, (Powlson et al). The greatest challenge in the use of biofuels is the conversion of biomass energy to liquid fuels that can be transported. The two most common strategies that re employed include; 1. Growing of sugar crops such as sugar beet, sugar cane or starch such as maize/corn and then employ a yeast fermentation process to produce ethanol (ethyl alcohol). 2. Growing of plants such as soybean, oil palm and algae that do naturally produce oil. These oils can be directly burned in diesel engine since heating of oils reduces their viscosity or they can further be processed chemically to produce biodiesel. A good example is the conversion of wood as well as its byproducts into methanol, woodgas or ethanol fuel, (Batistella et al). First generation Biofuels This refers to biofuels that have been made from starch, sugar, vegetable oil or even animal fats by employing the conventional technology. Grains or seeds such as wheat when fermented into bioethanol are the basic feedstock used in the production of first generation biofuels. Sunflower seeds are also used to yield vegetable oil that is used in biodiesel. The feedstock used for the first generation biofuels have even found their way to the human and animal food chain and has thus been criticized for the diversion of human food into the production of fuels a move that has potentially caused food shortages as well as increase in food prices, (Chiu et al).. Though the quality of obtained oil for use as fuel maybe lower, vegetable oil can be used in some of the old diesel engines that were equipped with the indirect injection system though only in warm climates. In most of the instances, vegetable oil has been used to manufacture biodiesel that is diesel engine compatible especially when blended with the conventional diesel. An advantage to this is that most of the used vegetable oil is being processed into biodisel though it is also worth to note that such companies as Wartsila, MAN B W Diesel and Deutz AG do make engines that are fully compatible with vegetable oil, (Warabi et al). Biodiesel In Europe, this forms the most common biofuel. It is a liquid that is similar in composition to mineral diesel and is produced through the process of transesterification from fats or oils. It’s chemically regarded as FAME (fatty acid methyl (or ethyl) ester. Methanol (or ethanol) and sodium hydroxide are mixed with oils and the chemical reaction that results produces glycerol and biodiesel (FAME). For every ten parts of biodisel produces, one part of glycerol is also produced. Some of the feedstocks used to produce biodiesel include rapeseed, soy, jatropha, mustard, mahua, flax, palm oil, sunflower, field pennycress, hemp and algae, (Shah, P. S. , Suppes, G. J). When mixed with the normal mineral diesel, biodiesel can be burnt in any diesel engine. Most people have been able to run their vehicles purely on biodisel and have not reported any problems though in circumstances of lower temperature, it has the tendency of becoming viscous/thick and some vehicles may thus require a fuel line heater. Most of the vehicle manufacturer taking a precaution on this give out a 15% recommendation of biodiesel that is blended with mineral diesel though most of the newer diesel engines are being made in such a manner that they can run on with 100% biodisel without having to alter the engine, (Schumacher et al). In the US, the rate is not the same as in Europe since more than approximately 80% city buses and commercial trucks in USA are on diesel. It can thus be said that the US market for biodisel is one that is growing at a very slow rate, (Chiu et al) Bioalcohols Through the action of enzymes and microorganisms in the fermentation of starches or sugars, alcohols such as ethanol which is most common and the less common ones such as butanol and propanol are produced. Biobutanol is now regarded as a direct replacement for gasoline since it can be directly used in gasoline engine just as biodisel is used in diesel engines, (Dasari). Ethanol the worldwide common biofuel. Methods used in the production of are enzyme digestion. It can be used some of the petrol engines to act as a replacement for the commonly used gasoline or can as well be mixed to any percentage with gasoline. Worth noting is that most of the currently existing petrol automobile engines can run with a mixture of up to 15% bioethanol and gasoline/petroleum. Also a mixture of ethanol and gasoline has higher octane thus implying that the engine does run more efficiently and even burn hotter. Another advantage is that a mixture of ethanol and gasoline is recommended as a winter oxidizer in high altitude air so as to minimize the atmospheric pollution, (Emerson). The disadvantage of using ethanol as a form of fuel is that it has less energy content and thus it would take more fuel to cover the same distance as compared to the conventional diesel. It is also highly corrosive to the fuel systems, aluminium, rubber hoses and gaskets and combustion chambers. Though an ethanol powered aircraft has already been developed, Embraer EMB 202 Ipanema, it is illegal to use alcohol containing fuels in aircraft. Ethanol is also not compatible with the marine fiberglass fuel tanks as it makes them leak and for the 100% ethanol vehicles to be used, the normal engine has to be modified. It is also a great disadvantage to note that it is not possible to transport corrosive ethanol in the normal petroleum pipelines and thus a more expensive system that would involve stainless steel tank trunks would definitely increase the energy and cost consumption to deliver it to the customer, (Dasari). Less motivating is the net energy gained. When all the energy consumed in cultivation, farm equipment, planting, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides, irrigation systems applied, harvesting and transport, processing and transport to the fuel terminals when also considering the fact that ethanol has lower energy content, the net energy value that is delivered to the consumer is very small, (Shah, P. S. , Suppes, G. J). To counter these challenges of bioethanol, some of the manufactures make flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV’s) that do run on either petrol or bioethanol and even up to the 100% bioethanol mark. These kinds of vehicles have an exhaust oxygen sense system that is designed to adjust the computers system and thus the fuel injection system accordingly. Unfortunately, this leads to increased acquisition cost as well as maintenance cost. When maintenance of the FFV is needed, pollution emission increases and efficiency falls despite the ratio of the mixture. Worth noting also is that the FFV combustion engines are increasingly becoming more complex impacting directly on cost both of maintenance and reliability. Alcohol does also mix with water beyond blending well with petroleum and thus there is the potential of ethanol fuels absorbing environmental moisture despite being dried. Conclusion Countries such as United States of America are searching for alternative sources of energy and the USA aim is to replace the 75% imported oil with alternative energy sources by the year 2025, (Ramos, L.  P. , Wilhelm, H. M). The difficult task for the world is to weigh the advantages as well as disadvantages of alternative sources of energy in comparison to the conventional diesel. It should not be forgotten that the main source of ethanol for use as a biofuel is from corn yet the world is experiencing food crisis. It thus appears that there yet more that the world has to streamline in order to enjoy fully the benefits of biofuel.

Questions Regarding Balance Sheets And Assets Finance Essay

Questions Regarding Balance Sheets And Assets Finance Essay The first type of financial asset is in the form of a claim that is kept against the earnings or the money of a firm or even a household or the Government for that matter. It is also of the form of a certification, or a receipt, a legal file or one that it maintained as a database in the computer. A financial asset is now used in accordance with the technology that has developed of late. In many cases where the traditional approach is still being used, it is also of the form of currency. The relative importance of the financial assets has changed over the past five years with the use of improved technology that the world has. There are easier sources of transportation as compared to what used to be in initial times. The financial assets can be increased in diversities because their physical form is not all that important. They do not depreciate as it used to be one of the restrictions about five decades ago. Now that the amount of securities have changed over the past many years, it is sensible to include more number of financial assets. This is because there never used to be market forces like equity, debt and derivatives in the initial days. As the options of making money through financial assets have increased so much over the past five decades, there is more number of people interested in the same. The primary risk associated with different forms of securities as a representation of financial asset is different. For examples, the debts are of high risk for the company as they have to be paid at the earliest and the equity is of highest risk for the investors as they would be paid last. (Types of financial assets, 2010) Question 10. What is meant by a off- balance sheet activity? What are some of the forces responsible for them? Off-balance sheet activities are those activities that are associated with the savings of a business which are not inclusive of loans or deposits. These activities are known to generate a good level of fees but at the same time, the liabilities or the assets that they produce or generally contingent in nature and they do not appear in the balance sheets without having the distinction of an actual asset or a liability which has a value or a cost associated with it. There are many examples of the same. Some of them include interest rate swaps, commitments in loans, resources that are associated with the selling of assets etc. The forces behind the off sheet activities are as follows: Improvement in Security Increment in Globalization Advancement in technology Innovation in the field of finance Deregulation Question 11. How does one distinguish between an off- balance sheet asset and an off balance sheet activities liability? All those entities of businesses, households and even Governments that are representation of resources which would be of a future benefit are included amongst the off-balance financial assets. It indicates a positive signal even though it is not included in the balance sheet. The benefit with the off-balance asset lies in the fact that it is not included in calculating the taxes of the firm. These are some of the items that are not mentioned in the balance sheet but would certainly require a future payment to be made. There are many examples of the same. They are litigation; guarantees issued by firms for a better performance in the future, renegotiation especially that done with the Government. The above mentioned off-balance sheet assets and liabilities can be differentiated on the basis of the positive and the negative returns that they are bound to give in the future. Even though they are not mentioned in the balance sheet, an experienced personality in finance can make a distinction based on the future prospects. (Off-Balance Sheet Liability, 2010) Question 12. What are the main off balance sheet activities undertaken by commercial banks? Due to the level of risk involved in the current financial markets, major commercial banks and even non-banking institutions, foreign institutions, and also many commercial banks have now started to use a number of ways of making non-traditional earnings as a source of income. So, there are many loan commitments and others as mentioned that are being used so as to make incomes. Amongst the mentioned activities, the major ones that are now being used predominantly by the commercial banks are as follows: Interest Rate Swaps (SWAP) This is a particular type of contract that is used to swap the rate of payment of interest from fixed to variable or even vice-versa. So, whenever there is a requirement to change a fixed rate of interest stream to that including a variable rate of interest stream, this commercial activity is adopted. The risks that are associated with the swaps is measured in terms of the swap in the rate of interest to the total assets of the company. One would generally consider a negative relationship between the measurement of swap and the rate of interest. Question 14. What is the difference between economies of scale and economies of scope? Economies of scale deals with the change in the output as compared to the cost incurred. It must be acknowledged here that the economies of scale estimates the fact that the output can be more than doubled for having lesser than double cost incurred by the firm. There is also a contradiction which is mentioned as the fact that diseconomies of scale mean to double the output would require more than doubling in the cost. Hence, economy of scale is basically a function of the production as a measurement of the cost incurred in the same. As far as economies of scope is concerned, it deals with the fact that of two firms work in a joint manner, then the concerned output would be more than the sum of the output when two forms work individually. This takes into count the fact that a joint production would require only the work of a few laborers which when working in individual forms would only interfere with the jobs of the others. So, in other words the economies of scope notifies the total amount of resources for a particular joint firm is lesser than the individual firms which are only associated with spoiling the job. The terms say that it is always better to work as joint firms rather than individual firms so as to make maximum profits. The only fault that comes along is the risk that follows. So, the cost of economies of scope just involves the risk of working together. If this can be minimized, firms should work together. Question 19. How do small bank activities differ from large bank activities? Small banks are basically involved in raising funds for businesses of a smaller level. These banks are mainly concerned with the investment of the form of foreign corporate investment, trade finance, facility of transactions internationally, and also foreign real estate. As far as the larger banks are concerned, they are basically involved in raising funds for businesses and also for registration with the Government authority of that country. Equities and debts and issues and then making sales of the same in the market are all done by the larger banks. Initially, the investment banks were indulged in more or less selling of securities but now they are also concerned with mergers and acquisitions. These banks did not deal with the general public in the past but now they have been doing that ever since the point of equality developed with the development of technology. Question 20. How has the performance of the commercial banking industry changed in the last decade? The performance of commercial banks has changed drastically over the last many years. Initially, the commercial banks would simply be engaged in investment banking. But the conditions have changed drastically ever since. The reason for the same is that it also includes the functioning of underwriting, being an intermediary between investment in public and an issue of securities amongst them. They have also started to be engaged in mergers and acquisitions even with the corporate organizations, they have also started to act like brokers for the clients in other financial institutions and banks. The commercial banks have therefore started to use the change in technology much to their benefits and also of those of the clients. So, they have made it extremely easier for the general public with the introduction of the facilities as has been mentioned.

The Development of Behavioral Psychology Essay -- science, J.R. Angell

The human mind and the way humans behave have been primary topics of study amongst historians for many years. Studies have been conducted in different professional areas to gain knowledge and understanding of humans, in an attempt to control behavior. The study of human behavior is known as behavioral psychology or behaviorism. The goal of early behaviorists and functionalists was to bring about a more reliable psychology. The behaviorists believed they would achieve this goal by excluding introspection and focus on the study of behaviorism. This evolution was achieved with help from the zeitgeist, behaviorist, and organizational psychology. This paper will discuss J.R. Angell and his prediction of the shift in psychology from introspection to behaviorism, the persons and idea’s helped to carry out the shift, how the zeitgeist supported the shift, and how the development of industrial psychology played its part in the shift. On what did Angell base his opinion? J. R. Angell was a psychologist and educator, who studied under John Dewey and William James. Angell worked as a psychology instructor at the University of Minnesota. It was at this university that Angell formed a psychology department in 1905 (Schultz and Schultz, 2012, p.294). Schultz and Schultz (2008) wrote: J.R. Angell at the University of Chicago, perhaps the most progressive of the functional psychologists, predicted that American psychology was ready for greater objectivity. In 1910, he commented that it seemed possible that the term consciousness would disappear from psychology, much as the term soul had disappeared. (p. 293) Behaviorism, which contended to end structuralism without compromise, was underway when Angell made his 2008 statement. J.R. Angell is su... ...or individuals. Conclusion Psychology has grown from the founding of behaviorism. Many individuals and ideas played a big part in setting the atmosphere for behaviorism to be widely accepted. Zeitgeist of that time period had also contributed to the acceptance of behaviorism. Therefore, when Watson came on the scene, it was not difficult for his ideas to be accepted. Even organizational psychology had its role by showing one can apply techniques in every aspect to bring change. Works Cited Buckley, K. W. (1989). Mechanical Man: John Broadus Watson and the Beginnings of Behaviorism. New York: The Guilford press Goss, A. E. (1961). Early behaviorism and verbal mediating responses. American psychologist, 16(6), 285-298. Schultz, D.P. & Schultz, S. E. (2012). A history of modern psychology, (10th Ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

Agression :: science

Agression There are different reasons why a person may act aggressively towards other human beings. The person may act this way because of his culture or the way he was brought up in society. The person does not, however, act this way based on instinct alone. Aggression is a molded, learned behavior. A human being must have both environmental and instinctual factors in order to display aggression. Some of a person's natural instincts are to desire food, reject certain things, escape from danger, fight when challenged, sex desire, care for the young, dominate, and to accept inferior status. The combination of instincts and environment determines a person's behavior. This is based on the theory that everything human beings do would have to be learned from other human beings. Aggression must be learned; it is not simply there from birth. Rather than being an uncontrollable instinct, a person's behavior is something that is taught to him. For example, a newborn baby is breathing because it is an involuntary reflex. On the other hand, a father may tell his young son to beat up the school bully who is picking on him. As a result, the boy is taught to deal with the situation by using violence. In order for an individual to display aggression, it must be driven by an instinct interacting with that person's surroundings. McDougall defines the word instinct as "an inherited or innate psycho-physical disposition which determines its possessor to perceive, and to pay attention to, objects of a certain class, to experience an emotional excitement of a particular quality upon perceiving such an object, and to act in regard to its particular manner, or, at least, to experience an impulse to such action." This definition basically explains that people have different reactions for different stimuli. Therefore, an individual is prone to act a certain way when he is stimulated to do so from his surrounding environment. For example, the Eskimo does not have an innate instinct that allows him to survive in his climate. He is taught to work with his people in order to survive when he is very young. When people are brought up in a society, they learn certain customs and traditions. These customs are usually taught to them because it's part of their society's way of life, even though some of the customs may seem cruel and repulsive to others. For example, cannibalism is abhorrent to us, but in some primitive cultures, to eat an enemy is to gain his or her strength.

Middle Eastern Religious Perspectives on Software Piracy :: Computers

Middle Eastern Religious Perspectives on Software Piracy Introduction Illegal software (pirated, illegally copied, etc) in the Middle East is a rampant problem. It is estimated that 74% of software in Lebanon is illegal, while 37% of software in Israel is illegal1. The lack of intellectual property laws has been sited for the problem; even with these laws being introduced it might not resolve the issue. Though joining the World Trade Organization (as many Middle Eastern countries have recently done) forces the countries to officially recognize copyright law will this affect the citizen’s view of copyright? Religion is a fundamental part of the Middle East with some countries laws derived from religious text. I believe by analysis of religious texts and law I can hope to gain perspective into the views on software piracy. I will focus on Jewish law and Islamic Fatwas. Once the religious perspective on copyright is derived I will analysis if the religious perspective holds up to general ethical analysis. My goal is not to judge (e.g. say co pying of software is wrong therefore those who copy software are bad), but rather gain insight into the religious perspectives towards software piracy. Jewish Law (Torah) 'Torah' has the following meanings2: 1. A scroll made from kosher animal parchment, with the entire text of the Five Books of Moses written in it by a sofer [ritual scribe]. This is the most limited definition. 2. More often, this term means the text of the Five Books of Moses, written in any format, whether Torah scroll, paper back book, CD-ROM, sky-writing or any other media. Any printed version of the Torah (with or without commentary) can be called a Chumash or Pentateuch. However, one never refers to a Torah Scroll as a Chumash! 3. The term 'Torah' can mean the entire corpus of Jewish law! This includes the Written and the Oral Law, which includes the Mishna, the Midrash, the Talmud,

Era of Good Feelings DBQ Essay

Throughout the course of history many campaigns and elections have changed and been influenced by the time period surrounding them. The participation in political campaigns and elections in the United States between 1815-1840 greatly changed due to the significant effects of the War of 1812. As a new era formed as a result of the war, change in our nations politics did too. This new era known as â€Å"the era of good feelings† paved the way for change within our nations elections and campaigns. Just as it had united the voters of America in the beginning, its decline resulted in a growing show of sectionalism in the voters throughout the country.The years following the War of 1812, marked the beginning of a influential era in history. The â€Å"Era of Good Feelings† directly resulted in the cease of the Federalist party, therefore leaving only one major party present throughout the nation. Since only one party stood, not much tension existed throughout Americas voters. Unity among voters however, did not last very long, just as the era had rapidly begun it came to and end as well. The election of 1824 marked a very significant election in history. Four candidates had arose from the one-party system still well intact.These four candidates were John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and William Crawford. Since none won electoral majority the decision went to the house of representatives, where Clay used his influence to get Adams elected shortly after becoming president Clay is appointed as Secretary of State. This is well known as the â€Å"corrupt bargain†. Two elections later the successor of Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren states as written in document C â€Å"we can only restore a better state of things, by combining General Jackson’s personal popularity with the portion of old party feeling yet remaining†.Here he explains how he a future president, would like to follow the example of a very common man who was widely kn own as a war hero. This presents us with one of the first changes that took place concerning elections. The presidency of Andrew Jackson soon became well known since he had changed the game. Jackson did not come from a very highly educated family, he was a common man who had appealed to the people and won their votes. An additional policy of Andrew Jackson was his â€Å"spoils system† in which he hired trusted and loyal friends for his cabinet.This was a huge change to the system and to the traditional cabinets former presidents had. The former presidents had usually kept the previous representatives in their cabinet whereas Jackson only had loyal supporters as shown in the Democratic Party Ballot in document D. Thus, Jackson’s presidency could be negatively impacted since he would have an all biased cabinet that didn’t have an opposing view. This view can sometimes be necessary since the opposing ideas can benefit the people of the nation.A further action Presi dent Jackson takes concerning voter participation in the Presidential elections is extending the eligibility requirements in the voters. An example of this is shown in document A, the percent of eligible voters rose as the years went on. This brought huge change to the elections since now the presidential candidates had to address an even larger population of voters, contrary to how the population of eligibility was in the 1920s. Many men who did not own property in the 1920s or weren’t considered educated enough would not meet the requirements and therefore couldn’t cast a vote in the elections.Document B presents us with a great example from an excerpt from the proceedings and debates of a convention in New York. It is stated â€Å" we are no longer to remain plain and simple republics of farmers, we are fast becoming a great nation with great commerce, population.. †. Here we see how the people at the convention have realized how rapidly their nation is expan ding and how they have began to gain some equality such as a expanded voter eligibility.In summation, concerning the participation in elections in the United States, change was definitely brought about between 1815 and 1840. Regarding participation in campaigns, much change was brought about as well. Under the presidency of Andrew Jackson a new party began to form. This party, known as the Whigs, arouse as opponents of Jackson. They did not like his presidential actions, specifically they did not like that he had vetoed the bill to re charter the national bank.Document F presents us with the start of the Whig party rise. Frances Trollope, an English novelist and writer, states â€Å" Mr. Adams was out-voted for no other reason, that I could learn, but because â€Å"it was best to change† â€Å"Jackson forever! † was screamed from the mouths both drunk and sober till he was elected†. Here we see an unhappy voter who did not support Andrew Jackson or his voters. T hese are the people that joined together and formed the Whig party. With the rise of a second party system, campaign participation had changed.Now, contrary to before there was an opposing party that could sway the votes of other presidential candidates. Since two parties now had opposing campaigns media was on the rise as shown in the graph of document G. It shows us the number of different news papers published in the United States from 1775 to 1835. In 1775 only 31 had been published by 1789 it had increased to 91 and by 1835 only 60 years later 1,200 different newspapers were being published. This immense variety of news papers informed the people of America the views of each candidate throughout their campaign.In the years before this newspapers and media had not played such an important role in the politics and the peoples lives, many people in small populated places began to be more in tune to the campaigns. Lastly document I presents us with a cover of the â€Å"Hard Cider and Log Cabin Almanac† of June, 1840. This cover shows the first Whig representative to run for president along with his vice president as a running mate. This was a great change in the campaigns since now posters like these could be used in favor of the candidate supported in the place or against the candidate that was not supported there.In sum, concerning participation in campaigns, change was a major factor throughout the years 1815 to 1840. In conclusion, its clear to see that as time progresses, new eras and time periods change as well as influence the participation in the campaigns and elections. From the years 1815 to 1840 many new changes were made to the system of elections as well as to the way that voters became informed of the changing campaigns. Throughout history the face of many campaigns and elections has changed regarding the time period they took place in.