Managing a multicultural workforce and multicultural customers Essay

Managing a multicultural workforce and multicultural customers - Essay Example Managing a multicultural workforce and multicultural customers The functions of human resource management become more varied and complex when the customers and employees are located around the world. Apart from the factors such as technology, economic systems, legal frameworks and industrial relations, the cultural factors also assume great importance in the managing of a global workforce. And the most prominent manifestation of the cultural challenge is the diversity of modern workforce. Thus the human resource in all transnational business endeavors has become increasingly diverse in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, political views, physical abilities and psychological orientation. This essay aims to explore the thesis that efficient management of a multicultural workforce can serve as a pool of opportunities for businesses that cater to a multicultural customer base. The concept of culture is difficult to define in explicit terms. On a broad and generalized level, culture refers to the set of characteristics and features that defines a group and separates it from other groups. The famous social psychologist Florence Kluckholn has defined culture as â€Å"a patterned way of thinking, feeling, and reacting, acquired and transmitted mainly by symbols, and constituting the distinctive achievements of human groups, including their embodiments in artifacts.† The expert organizational scholar Geert Hofstede has described culture as â€Å"the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes one human group from another†.

Hip Hop's effects on violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Hip Hop's effects on violence - Essay Example The resulting new genre of music was raucous and disrespectful, using its own dialect to shout out an alternative lifestyle to the one that they saw in mainstream society. Since then interest in the movement has grown, and hip hop attracts unwavering support from millions of people across the whole world, but at the same time also it is heavily criticized for its focus on drugs, crime, and especially violence. It cannot be denied that violence lies at the heart of many hip hop lyrics, but the question that must be answered is what relationship hip-hop has to the real violence that occurs in the world’s cities today. Does hip-hop encourage that violence, or even cause it? Or can we see hip-hop as something that resists a greater violence that has been meted out to African Americans and other minorities for several centuries? This paper argues that the latter argument is more convincing, and that furthermore hip-hop has a potential to bring understanding between racial groups wh ich no other movement is likely to bring forward at the present time. The first matter to clarify is the nature of what we call â€Å"Hip-hop.† It is a type of music, involving spoken and sung texts and strong steady rhythms. Hip hop is not just music, however, it is a whole culture, embracing graffiti art, dancing styles, and even fashion. The typical hip-hop look consists of baggy pants, sneakers, and Malcolm X caps which are worn backwards (Smitherman, 1997, p. 3) There is also a tendency for women to sport elaborate hairstyles, expensive designer outfits, well-manicured nails and striking makeup. For men there is a preference for ostentatious jewelry and if possible also fast cars. These artefacts are symbols of power, and the stars of hip hop culture sport these trophies to indicate how successful they are and how far they have come from poverty. Some critics see these expensive trinkets as genuine indicators of status while others regard them as ironic quotations from m ainstream society, underlining rebellion and activism rather than consumerism and complacency: â€Å"Hip-hop’s triad of graffiti, dance, and rap are post-apocalyptic arts, scratches on the decaying surfaces of post-industrital urban America; they are not monuments to some romanticized ‘human spirit’, but fundamentally anti-monumental arts.† (Potter: 1995, p. 8) There is indeed something rebellious about hip hop. The body language of fans is often very insolent, with direct staring and head jerking, and many of the moves in the dance routines are quirky and acrobatic, drawing attention to the dancer and singling him out as a person to be admired. There is great loyalty amongst fans, and much is made of terms like â€Å"bro† which signifies brother and can be used both within racial groups and transcending these boundaries. When people think of hip-hop they think of instances where songs, or singers have been banned from radio stations because of offe nsive language, violent references and in particular criticism of the American state and its institutions. This is, however, nothing new, and from the hippies and the Beatles in the 1960s to the Sex Pistols in the punk era, posturing against authority is absolutely typical of youth culture. One aspect of hip-hop which is of great concern is the fact that it is often associated with gun culture and drug

The Power Of Identity Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Power Of Identity - Research Paper Example The Zabaleen are not paid or paid whenever the house owner feel like but somehow it is the only department that has no failures like the rest of the services in Cairo. This is because the Zabaleen perform their duties without fail and at before dawn making the service invisible but very efficient and almost free of charge. Peter Hessler wrote an article titled tales of the trash: a neighborhoodgarbage man explains modern Egypt. It was written as aletter fromCairo on the 13th of October 2014 issue. This paper will discuss six themes observed in the tales of the trash: a neighborhoodgarbage man explains modern Egypt. In addition, the paper will connect the identified themes to the lives of the people in the article. The six themes identifiedare religion, culture, inequality, self-determination, power and ego. This lettertalks about a man named Sayyid Ahmed who is a Zabaleen or garbage collector. He is illiterate and his only job is collecting garbage. He works for efficiently even without pay and thus provide a remarkably efficient recycling service in Cairo. He find many things in his work as a garbage collector and instead of finding out what they are on his own he enlists the help of the people with whom he collects their garbage. He does this because he is illiterate just like many people in Cairo. Furthermore, he has friends in high places who grant him favors when he runs into trouble. He is well mannered and whenever he is aguest somewhere he carries away his empties which are always beer bottles since he knows he will collect them the following day anyway. Thus he is a very curious man who yearns from people who are literate and learned like ambassadors. Religion can be defined as the structured assembly of beliefs that are used as guidance in the lives of human beings(Kunin& Miles-Watson, 2006). Religion is one of the pillars of many people lives in the

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS IN HUMAN RESOURCES CASE ASSIGNMENT 1 EMPLOYMENT LAW Essay

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS IN HUMAN RESOURCES CASE ASSIGNMENT 1 EMPLOYMENT LAW - Essay Example There have been a number of changes in terms of the industrial environment and employment laws due to the changes in terms of the global economic environment. It is the responsibility of the company to ensure that all human resources are managed and work in sync with the labor laws and employment laws. Here this plan includes detailed explanation of the changes in the laws and this will prove to be beneficial for the human resources team to deal with the various employment laws across the various locations. The next sections will deal with the changes in the employment and labor law. Changes in Employment and Labor Law: There have been a number changes and amendments in the employment labor laws. The subsections below detail these changes. a) Equal Employment Opportunity and Health and Safety Act: The government has implemented laws like EEOQ and OSHA in order to control issues like age and gender discrimination. All the states where the company operates including the two locations i n India follow the federal labor department regulation (The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). Here it has been set down by law that the countries cannot discriminate among employees based on the age, gender, nationality, race, color, or disability. Also, it is mandatory for the firms to provide the employees with sufficient health and safety benefits. Here it has been altered to ages of 18 to 55 (United States Department of Labour). b) Human Trafficking: One of the most recent changes in the employment law was the human trafficking. The issue of human trafficking has been intense and here people are forced to move out of their home or country and are forced to work for low or no pay at all (Students & Artists Fighting to End Human Slavery). This law has been revised and the law now states that people below the age of 18 if exploited for profits through different means like prostitution will be severely punished under the first degree punishments. Locations like India, I ndiana, Kansas and Florida do not allow people to be pressurized or manhandled to work without pay. India has taken a number of steps to help reduce the issue of human trafficking and the country has strengthened its human trafficking law to a great extent (Students & Artists Fighting to End Human Slavery). The state of Kansas has also included a strict penalty for human trafficking. It is crucial for the firms to be clear about the law and to pay the employees correctly based on the regulations set down by the employment law. c) Minimum Wages: The minimum wage has also been increased as of 1st January 2011 and now companies are expected to pay a minimum of $7.35 per hour (United States Department of Labour). However in terms of other locations like India and Tennessee there are no set minimum wages. d) Prevailing Wages: There have not been major changes in terms of the prevailing wages. The companies are expected to pay the fringe benefits and also the bonus activities as per the l ocal going rate (Employee Issues). The main change occurred in this employment law is related to the equal pay and fringe benefits for the private sector employees as the government sector employees are gaining. It is crucial for the company to provide the employees with the minimum wages and the prevalent benefits as per the different locations like Hawaii, Indiana, India and

Assignment 8 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

8 - Assignment Example It is a practice that helps organizations achieve their desires for products and services in a manner that realizes the value for their capital on the entire foundation in terms of creating remunerations to the organization, society and the economy at large while minimizing damage to the surroundings. It helps in creating markets for proper expertise and revolutionary solution. Sustainable procurement tries to attain the suitable balance between the three main components of development which includes ecological, communal and commercial factors (Abrams 45). A good number of businesses are turning to social responsibility by linking the similarities among the products and the services they offer and the problems that are occurring every day in their societies. For example, organizations providing health services may crop up with methods of offering medical support to the individuals who undercover with life assurance amenities. United Health Group is one of the key groups in the health assurance sector and services dominion operating to advance the spread of its influence by working hard to improve access to the medical concern for unmerited group of people, senior and low-income families and individuals (Thompson et al., 100-107 ). It is enthusiastically working together with stakeholders, supply agents, clients, non-governmental organizations and government agencies in an effort to unearth ways to today’s vast healthcare scheme crisis. The organization is also concerned with sharing its quantifiable facts with healthcare provid ers to assist in the improvement of the quality of supply chain so as to make sure Dell’s Guiding Principles and Procedures concerning social responsibility are in place (Amato, Sybil Henderson, and Sue 20). The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2009 published its guiding principles for social responsibility (Amato, Sybil Henderson, and Sue 34-45). They are of one’s free will to use and do not include

Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric Project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric Project - Assignment Example Also the submergence may lead to loss of homes, means of subsistence like agricultural, horticultural and even forest lands, where tribal have access to minor produces as well as for jhumming, and naturally will have traumatic effect on the affected population. Under such circumstances, it will be proper to take timely steps for planning rehabilitation and resettlement of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) to avoid any further disastrous incidents. Due to varied geomorphic character, complex tectonics, structure and soft sediment lithostratigraphy, and change in draw down, the impounded water is bound to cause unstable slope condition, especially in reservoir rim, particularly those in the limit of draw down. Thus, in the event of sudden draw down, major slide could develop. Simultaneously, reservoir water would act as the load drive, as is commonly found in the Himalayan Region, which may have a positive stabilizing influence too. It is therefore recommended that about 100 m above the reservoir rim is thoroughly investigated for site specific knowledge on failure mechanism and adequate protection measures, as explained, be planned at the pre-construction stage with tentative provision of shot crating, rock anchoring, carving out of slopes etc. Landslide activity would generat... eously, reservoir water would act as the load drive, as is commonly found in the Himalayan Region, which may have a positive stabilizing influence too. It is therefore recommended that about 100 m above the reservoir rim is thoroughly investigated for site specific knowledge on failure mechanism and adequate protection measures, as explained, be planned at the pre-construction stage with tentative provision of shot crating, rock anchoring, carving out of slopes etc. Landslide activity would generate rock boulders, silts and mud, but its effect is again dependent on the distance of occurrence from the project components. If the slide occurs much above the FRL direct impact would be less. However, some slides just at the periphery of the rim would add to the silt load / bed load. This impact on the project could be managed by arresting the potential slide zones through suitable engineering treatment measures, afforestation etc. However, the project shall have a separate provision for engineering geological studies to provide necessary treatment measures. Monitoring Gas Emission During construction / excavation of underground openings in the project site, emission of explosive gas may be encountered as the lithological sequence to be encountered is of tertiary age. Therefore, its adverse effect of damaging environment during construction period could be mitigated through early monitoring of the quantity and quality & concentration of the gas. For this gas detector and protective measures, as per underground construction / mining rule is to be kept and executed strictly. Monitoring of Change in Water Quality Provision for monitoring of change in water quality, both upstream and down stream, should be made. Seismic Risk, Hazard Monitoring and Mitigation

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s house Essay Example for Free

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s house Essay Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s house is all about women’s rights. We can infer from the theme of the novel that the author Henrik Ibsen was a strong Feminist as he created characters that fought for the rights of women. The central character of A Doll’s house, Nora fought for the same cause. Nora attempts to become a strong individual even though she was being locked in a male dominated world. Her husband Torvald’s dominating nature was the one that was preventing her from become self motivated. She appeared inexperienced, naive and vulnerable till the end when she surprised everybody by boldly leaving her husband and children to live an independent life. Nora’s world appeared to be so childish that the author has named it as a ‘doll’s house’. She appeared as an alien to the real world with no real world experience. She was even found humorous in few incidents. But we can see the same Nora being serious and trying to be superior as she says â€Å"one isnt without influence. This shows the feminist views of the character or the author. A Doll`s house speaks about women’s rights. Even though Nora is constructed as immature and silly, we can see that this nature is enforced by the society around her. However her true nature was destined to be revealed later. Nora is found to be an independent woman who was restricted within the ‘dollhouse’ by her husband. Her life was like that of a butterfly that is trying to get out of the cocoon to show its true colors. We can see Nora striving, throughout the play, and finally unveiling her original self. She is indeed a classical hero. She was submissive to her husband and was enthusiastic and smart. We can say that Nora was always right in her attitude as this was the best she can be towards her dominating husband. Towards the end of the play she discovered herself and took the big shocking decision to leave her husband and children for ever. The feminist ideologies of Nora were revealed in the end of the novel. She was found subordinate to her husband Torvald who believed that women are frail and can never make decision of their own. However finally Nora gets hold of her individuality and dares to take the great decision to abandon her husband and children. Nora’s great passion for life and her strong feministic beliefs stimulated her to take the decision of her life. She courageously broke away from the doll house that appeared as a prison for her all through these days. Nora was always under the care of someone, first with her father and then with her husband. Nora was a materialistic, impulsive and babyish. But Nora appeared as a bold woman in the final scene of the play. We can see Nora the classical hero walking out of her house in the final scene to live her life. All this makes us doubt whether she was pretending to be silly all through these days to adjust with the patriarchal oppression she was suffering from her husband Torvald. Nora finally becomes fully independent to renounce the false union of marriage and the burden of motherhood. She says â€Å"Never see him again. Never. Never. Never. Never see the children again. Them too. Never. never. Oh the icy black water! Oh that bottomless that -! Oh, if only it were all over! Now he’s got it he’s reading it. Oh, no, no! Not yet! Goodbye, Torvald! Goodbye, my darlings. † Nora was the upholder of women`s rights. She struggled against the selfish, stifling, oppressive and dominating attitude of her Husband Torvald and the society which he represents. Nora journey lead to her self-discovery as she fought against the exploitation of women by men. Torvald represents the orthodox society and Nora is the advocate of feminism. Torvald did not give any privilege to Nora and called her silly names throughout the play. He called her ‘squirrel’, ‘lark’, ‘little skylark’, ‘little songbird’, ‘little person’, ‘little woman’, and ‘little featherhead’. Torvald never forgot to use the word ‘little’ before these names. He considered her as ‘little’. He was also very possessive and always used ‘my’ before these names. Torvald never considered Nora equal to him. He thought she is inferior to him. The feminist beliefs of Nora rise up at last and she comes to know that she has been a foolish doll in a toy-marriage and walks out of her house slamming the door behind her and surprising Torvald. Nora was just considered like any other possession of Torvald. She was not given any humane privilege. The feminist beliefs of the author hated this attitude of Torvald and encouraged Nora to break away one day from the ‘doll house’. Nora recognizes her rights at last and is awakened. She stops pretending to be what she is not. She became a strong woman and takes control of her own destiny. Torvald considered his wife, children and status symbols and had a very narrow definition about marriage. He thinks that it is the duty of the wife to be good to her husband and children. She deems women as helpless creatures separated from reality and moral force. The author highlighted the self realization of the main character Nora and the way she becomes an example to feminist ideology. The novel thus becomes an extraordinary work in which a man portrays strong feminist ideologies. The attitude of Nora reveals the strong feminist views of the author. Nora always wanted to get out of the clutch of her husband as she says to Rank and Linde â€Å"I’ve the most extraordinary longing to say: ‘Bloody hell! ’† She finally gets out all her social and traditional commitments and obligations as become free as a hero. She is such a classical character that our hearts are with her even though she took the pitiless decision to leave her moral husband and innocent little children. She can be called as a hero as a fought for a good cause, the freedom for the weaker sex. The position of women in the 1800s, during the time of Nora was too low. They lived as housewives with no right to vote, own property, and make any significant transactions. Nora recognized her slavery and preferred to break away and live a life with freedom. It is nothing but her courage to fight against oppression made her the most admirable stage heroine of the century. What she has done is perfectly justifiable in the light is modern ideology and culture. She was just being a model to the women of modern days. She stepped into a wider world and making her husband understands that he is not the noble person that she expected him to be. She understands that she can no longer continue as a shadow of her husband. She turned out to be a classical hero in the contemporary male dominated society that oppressed women to the core and considered them as a second-class citizen.She just initiated an awakening and made a classical turn in history. Sources Ibsen, Henrik. ‘A Dolls House’. Introduction to Literature: Reading, Analyzing, and Writing. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice, 1990. Henrik Ibsen. Dolls House: The Wild Duck: The Lady from the Sea . J M Dent Sons Ltd, 1979. Marianne Sturman. CliffsNotes on Ibsens A Dolls House Hedda Gabler. Cliffs Notes, 2003. Egil Tornqvist. Ibsen: A Dolls House. Cambridge University Press, 2004. Henrik Ibsen A Dolls House and Other Plays. Penguin Classics, 1965.