Harold Washington Library

Harold Washington Library Abstract The largest library in Midwest is Harold Washington Library Centre that confirms to both traditional and postmodern elements of designing. The building is a neat amalgamation of traditional motifs from mythology and culture of Chicago and Midwest as well as postmodern architectural styles.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Harold Washington Library specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The building is different in its construction and design from its contemporary library buildings due to its incorporation of both designing and not just that of functionality as is done in most modern buildings. This paper discusses architectural design of the building in detail. The libraries being built in the 21st century are, according to Terry Webb, â€Å"more than just a repository of information and knowledge, and epitomizes a higher aspiration that is fundamental to civilization and its persistence.† (Webb 5) In other words, modern day library construction is moving beyond just technical requirements of construction. Traditionally architectural designs of libraries had entirely reflected upon the practicality and functionality aspect of the building, completely doing away with the designing aesthetics. Therefore, such public buildings have been designed with â€Å"preeminence of function and significance in a construction virtually devoid of pleasing form.† (Webb 7) Library designing is essentially designing of the interior space area such that there is a distinct reading area, circulation area, stacks area, etc. It has also been suggested that the simplest and most efficient shape for a library building is a rectangle (Webb 7). Classical architecture of libraries usually has a fortress like appearance with heavy bronze doors and small often-barred windows (Webb 8). However, this has changed considerably with the advent of the modern libraries built in the 21st century. Libraries today has become more post modern in their orientation, with a lot of stress being put on the aesthetics of designing than simply catering to the functional requirements of the building. This paper discusses the background and building of one such example of modern day library. It is the Harold Washington Library Centre (HWLC) at Chicago built in 1990-2 is the main library of the Chicago Public Library (Watkin 682). The paper first provides a brief description of the background of the location and culture surrounding the building. Then provide an understanding of how it was built and in the end understand how it would have been built had it been built today. This paper presents a detailed architectural review of the modern library and its importance to architecture.Advertising Looking for research paper on architecture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More HWLC is a monumental building and was commissioned as a part of th e renewal of the urban landscape of the city. The designer of the building was Thomas Beeby of Hammod, Beeby, and Babka (Watkin 682). After refurbishing the Chicago Cultural Center in 1977, it was found that the building was outgrowing its collection (Becker). Then pursued a long debate on the contraction of a new library building in the city but was derailed due to lack of funding. Ultimately, in 1983, the then mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington, supported the construction of a new central library (Duff 91). Then in 1988 a designing competition was held that drew five entries and was eventually shortlisted to two designs – that of Hammond, Beeby, and Babka, and Helmut Jahn’s (Plootnik 565). The later was not selected because the design was consider too expensive a project. Figure 1: Harold Washington Library, Chicago (Harold Washington Library) In 1986, Harold Washington offered two square blocks for the construction of the library (Duff 91). The designing of the lib rary was done under a lot of enthusiasm of the city dwellers for construction of a well-designed building. The designing competition was conducted under the specification that the construction of the project should not exceed $144 million and the area under construction should be 700,000 square feet. The construction of the project began with funding from the state and private funding, the construction of the library began that covered an entire block. It is the largest public library in the world and is named after the mayor who supported its initiation, Harold Washington (Watkin 682). The library is located at the south end of Chicago loop (Watkin 682). It was built in 1991 and $195 million was spent in its construction (Knox and Belcher 62). The building is approximately of 750,000 square feet (Watkin 683). The next section of the paper presents the culture that prevailed during the construction of the library. The building exemplifies the words of its pioneering initiator Harold Washington: â€Å"With the same adventurous spirit of Jean Baptist DuSable when he founded Chicago, we are going to do some great things together.† (Duff 91) Chicago city has a rich tradition in urban architectural landscaping. When the city was almost destroyed in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, the city was rebuilt with the help and inspiration of architects like William LeBaron Jenney, John Wellborn Root, Louise Sulivan, and so on (Duff 91). The city has a rich architectural heritage and the HWLC is yet another addition to it. Basic information available regarding the construction of HWLC is as follows:Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Harold Washington Library specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More SEBUS group designed the building and its construction was finished in 1991. The size of the building is 756,640 square feet and the cost of construction was $144 million. There are 2337 readers’ seats available in the library and 70.85 mile shelving space. The library houses 2,000,000 books and 8,585 periodicals. The building is built in 10 storeys and at the top has an intriguing winter garden. The building is essentially a postmodern architecture with an equal blend of Chicago’s traditional architectural heritage and modern architecture. The building is highly functional and has a space of 520,000 square feet without the winter garden (Plootnik 565). The building is located in the Loop area of Chicago that has a skyscraper clad urban landscape. It houses some of the most famous architectural works as well as works of outdoor art like that of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, etc. This area is culturally rich with the art and music school of Chicago located in the area. The next section enumerates on the exterior and interior designing of the exterior and interior of the building. The building is a blend of contemporary and old architectural elements. The exterior design of the library is presumably inspired from other Chicago landmark buildings like the Rookery, Monadnock buildings, and Auditorium in the Loop neighborhood (Duff 92). The bottom of the building is made of granite blocks and it has large arched doorways. The windows are set in natural bronze frames (Duff 92). The ornamental base is similar to that of the Auditorium Building in Chicago. The maximum of the exterior is made with red brick. The prevalence of use of granite at the bottom of the building and use of red brick for exterior walls is representative of the Beaux-Art style of the nineteenth century. Further adaptation from this style is heavy use of adornment of the exterior walls and dominant axial symmetry (Schulze and Harrington). The main aim of the designers was to make the building similar to the grand civic buildings of the classical western civilizations. That is why the building has a monumental presence in the city. The arched windows are five storey tall breaks the monotonies of the red brick walls. They break the walls on three sides of the building. The windows are linked with cast stone ornamentation (Harold Washington Library). The arched windows are similar to the work of Sullivan, Root, and Daniel Burnham on the three buildings present in the Loop that are the Auditorium building, the Rookery and the Monadnocks (Duff 92). The flatter expanse of the red brick wall is small, rectangular windows that are linked together with cast stone ornamentations. This technique used by the designers is reminiscent of Chicago’s Revival Movement. The granite bottom blocks and the brick walls were divided using wall decorations that were sculpted in the form of â€Å"Ceres and ears of corn† (Schulze and Harrington). The western faà §ade of the library is different from that of the other three Chicago buildings. This is due to the use of modern elements and material in its construction. On the western side of the building, facing the Plymouth, is made of glass, steel and aluminum. The pediment attic is also made of glass, aluminum and steel components enhances its modernistic look.Advertising Looking for research paper on architecture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Therefore, this sense of designing bears close resemblance to the Mannerist style (Schulze and Harrington). The western part is done with continuous glass curtain wall with dark green aluminum frames. These ascend to the cornice and the pediment made of glass on the tenth floor. The top of the building has a cross-axial roof and is centered in the skylight for the Winter Garden (Duff 92). The roof is ornamented with numerous foliates. To these five cast mental owls each of fourteen inches painted in green would be added to match the ornamentation of the building designed by Raymond Kaskery and Kent Bloomer had designed painted aluminum acroteria. The acroteria on the Congress Parkway shows seedpods signifying natural bounty of the Midwest. Owl is used in the ornamentation of the building top, as it is the Greek mythological symbol of knowledge. The figures shows the owls perched in the acroteria foliage. The ornamentation of the library is truly used as a revival can vas for the his tory in the building. The designer wanted to revive the classical architectural history of Chicago as well as blend in the aesthetics of postmodern architecture. The iconography used in the buildings represents Midwest and Chicago. The â€Å"head of Ceres† who is the â€Å"roman goddess of grain† are present in the medallion on the wall along with â€Å"ears of corn† that represent prairie type of agriculture prevalent in Midwest (Schulze and Harrington). The â€Å"cornice railing† on the ninth floor of the building that marks the uniformity of the building heights as proposed in the 1909 â€Å"Plan of Chicago† by Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett (Schulze and Harrington). Further, it also has the Windy City Man installation high on the faà §ade that is self-explanatory in its significance. The public door of the buildings leads the visitors to the lobby. The northern entrance leads to the lobby that has brown, orange, and pink lines to ascent the walls. The corridor leads to the south of the lobby or the Central Hall. The Central Hall can be reached through all the three public entrances. This is similar to the classical design of a central hall. It is a three-storey hall. The hall’s floor is laden with marble and from its center, the lower laden auditorium of the library consisting of 385 sitting arrangements is available. This can be seen though the center space of the central hall. And the ceiling also has a circular open area through which the children’s library on its top is visible. The floor is stacked with large collection of artwork that are visible on the walls, floors, and ceilings of the hall. The hall also includes the mosaic Events in Life of Harold Washington by Jacob Lawrence in the floor. The other areas of importance like the auditorium, the main exhibition hall, meeting rooms, etc. are easily accessible through the central hall. The building has a square footage area of 75000 square foot. Ev en though the building is huge and complex in its architectural design, visitors to the library find is least difficult to find their way around. All the floors within the building are accessible through escalators or elevators. The second floor of the buildings has the children’s library names Thomas Hughes Children’s Library. This section is the largest collection of children’s books in the Midwest. The children’s library has a size of 18,000 square feet of space. The children’s library also has a theatre for puppet shows and magic performances (Duff 92). From the third through the eighth floor are the core HWLC. These are connected through en elevator and a centrally placed elevator. These floors hold the sections for the four subject divisions of the library. The users of the library can browse through the library collections, research, or use other services like inter-library loan, etc. these also have computer assisted references, language le arning center, reading machines for blind people, and learning center for adults (Duff 92). Figure 2: Design and layout of the library, (Duff 92) The reading room of the library is monumental. The public space is done in â€Å"marble, terrazzo, bronze, and maple† to match the elegance of traditional libraries (Duff 93). The space is designed to give out the feeling of scholarly, comfortable, and relaxed atmosphere, but not overbearing. The ambience of the room is derived more out of the layout and design of the room, and due to the use of light colored raw material in construction of the interiors and the use of indirect lighting. The furnishings in the reading room are made of natural maple wood. The plastered walls are painted in a light shade of gray that runs throughout the building. The Turkish and Italian marbles used on floors, countertops, and wainscots are mainly used in light colors. The carpeting and the terrazzo too are done in soft colors. The indirect pendant li ghts with light colored tiled ceilings are considered good for both reading and preservation of books. Almost all the books in the library are shelved in open stack shelves. On the eastern part of the library, there are 50 smaller reading areas for the library users. There are ten reading rooms with ample of natural lighting from the large arched windows running along the State Street. Further, this section also has eight refurbished patron tables from the old Chicago Public Library of 1897 (Duff 93). There are one-storey alcoves that provide a quieter study area using maple carrels for the patrons. The ninth floor houses the Winter Garden that provides the most spectacular effect to the architecture of the HWLC building. It is an atrium with lots of sun light filtering though the glass ceiling. The patrons can read or can relax in the garden. This also allows for private parties or events at night. The garden is filled with olive trees and ivory covered walls. The administrative bl ock of the library is on the tenth floor overlooking the garden and is attached by a bronze-railed bridge connecting the north and south halves of the building. On the north, side of the Winter Garden is the Harold Washington Archives that is led through the double doors. On the other side of the winter garden are the colorful murals from Chicago artists. This leads to the professional section of the library with the section of science, and history. On the side of the building overlooking South Loop is the public restaurant. There is also a lounge on the ninth floor, the laboratory for preserving the books, and Special collection department (Duff 94). The HWLC is a combination of the traditional architectural form with modern functionality. However, if the library had to be built with the modern perspective in mind, the building would have looked similar to the Seattle Central Library or the Picture Book Museum at Iwaki City. The HWLC library confirms to both design and functionalit y. But design has a greater predominance with lots of ornamentation and stress on detailing works. However, modern library design would be more minimalistic in nature will less stress on ornamentation, and more space. The library space, as perceived by many, is believed to be a stuffy space. Therefore, proper use of space, light, and air is important to remove the stuffy feeling. This element is found missing in the HWLC library, that has a more dominance traditional walled concept of the library. The reading room of HWLC is found to be large though walled from all sides, with light gray walls that make the rooms morose to some extent. However, a reading space with lots of light filtering though glassed walls would provide a great respite for readers, as they would be in constant connection with the external world and the stuffiness of the books all around can be removed. Therefore, the functions of the library should dictate what the look of the building should be rather than desig ning the looks and then fitting in the functions. A modern building would use less of the classical material like marbles, red bricks, granite, etc. The library building in a modern sense would use materials like concrete, glass, and aluminum. However, a particular blend of modernity and traditional architectural form in the exteriors can become confusing. One simple usage of this blend can be in allowing the exterior of the building resemble a traditional classical architectural design, while the interior being designed to attain optimum functionality through modern minimalistic style. However, a mix of both in the exterior as well as in the exterior creates a confusion of designs. Becker, Lynn. Sleekness in Seattle. 2006. Web. Duff, John B. The Harold Washington Library Center. Library Journal (1991): 91-96. Print. Harold Washington Library. Harold Washington Library Center. 2011. Web. Knox, Janice and Heather Olivia Belcher. Chicagos Loop. San Francisco, CA: Arcadia Publishing, 2002. Print. Plootnik, Art. Chicago to Build nations largest municipal library. American Libraries August 1988: 565-66. Print. Schulze, Franz and Kevin Harrington. Harold Washington Library Center. 2003. Chicagos Famous Buildings. Web. Watkin, David. A history of Western architecture. London: Laurence King Publishing, 2005. Print. Webb, Terry. Building libraries for the 21st century: the shape of information . North Carolina: McFarland, 2000. Print.

Learn Proper French Pronunciation With Liaisons

Learn Proper French Pronunciation With Liaisons Part of the reason that French pronunciation and aural comprehension are so difficult is due to liaisons. A  liaison  is a phenomenon whereby a normally  silent consonant  at the end of a word is pronounced at the beginning of the word that follows it. Examples of Liaisons The sound files below show words such as  vous  (you), which have a silent s at the end, unless they are paired with a word like  avez  (have). When this occurs, the s is pronounced at the beginning of the following word, creating a liaison in French. In each instance, the words on the left contain a silent letter at the end; the words on the right show how the usually silent letter at the end of the word is pronounced at the beginning of the following word, creating a liaison. The word or words are followed by a transliteration to help you pronounce the terms and phrases as you hear them. French Word With a Final Silent Consonant Liaison vous [vu] vous avez [vu za vay] ont [o(n)] ont-ils [o(n) teel] un [uh(n)] un homme [uh(n) nuhm] les [lay] les amis [lay za mee] Pronunciation Key Use this pronunciation key as a guide to help you get the most out of the previous sound files. a   fathere   bedee   meetu   fool(n)   nasal n In addition, consonants in  liaisons  sometimes change the pronunciation. For example, an s is pronounced like a z when it is used in a liaison. Liaison Rules The basic requirement of a  liaison  is a word that ends in a normally silent consonant followed by a word that begins with a vowel or  mute h. This does not mean, however, that all possible liaisons are necessarily pronounced. In fact, the pronunciation (or not) of liaisons is subject to very specific rules, and liaisons are divided into three categories: Required liaisons (Liaisons obligatoires)Forbidden liaisons (Liaisons interdites)Optional liaisons (Liaisons facultatives) If you are a beginner, study just the required  liaisons  and forbidden liaisons, as these are the essential. If youre more advanced, study all three sections. It may be boring, but your pronunciation and ability to communicate at different levels of formality will improve dramatically. Liaison vs.  Enchantment There is a related phenomenon in French called  enchaà ®nement  (linking). The difference between enchaà ®nement and  liaisons  is this:  Liaisons  occur when the final consonant is normally silent but is pronounced due to the vowel that follows it (vous  vs.  vous avez), whereas  enchaà ®nement  occurs when the final consonant is pronounced whether or not a vowel follows it, such as  pour  vs.  pour elle, which translates as for vs. for her. Note that  enchaà ®nement  is simply a phonetic issue, while the pronunciation of  liaisons  is based on linguistic and stylistic factors. Additionally, scan the pronunciation chart below to see how various letters are generally pronounced in French liaisons. Letter Sound D [t] F [v] G [g] N [n] P [p] R [r] S [z] T [t] X [z] Z [z]

How does the discourse of sports punditry differ from Sports Essay

How does the discourse of sports punditry differ from Sports Journalism Address the key themes and differencesaround pundits and sports journalists in sports reporting - Essay Example Sports discourse is usually discussed with regard to social, political, cultural and economic factors. Discourse discussion is mainly provided with examples from printed sources in order to show how national identities influence on sports events (Boyle, 2006, a). Both sports texts and events were chosen for discussion in this research. On the one hand, the idea of interconnection of politics and sports journalism can’t be underestimated, especially in the modern world, where sport is another tool in the hands of ‘all-mighty people’, which they use as PR move. If television and journalism are considered to be two main spheres of cultural production, then discourse of sports journalism shouldn’t ‘dumb the culture down’ (Oates, Pauly, 2007). In accordance with the definition provided by Boyle (2006, b): â€Å"Journalism stands accused of sacrificing accuracy for speed, purposeful investigation for cheap intrusion and reliability for entertainment.† Unfortunately, sports journalism highlights sensations and not sports events; presents celebrities and not achievements. Sports journalism is on market. Its main goal is to satisfy the needs of customers. Thus we are to blame no one but ourselves for a shift in sports accents from sports events and achievements to a kind of so ciety column. Critics explain this change from the point of view that sports journalism has always existed next to entertainment and lifestyle journalism. Abrams (2009) claims: showbiz and sports columns in the Sun and the Mirror are preferred by the readers most of all. Nevertheless it is possible to note that these two newspapers are focused on ‘nonserious entertainment’. An interconnection of sports journalism and politics can be exemplified by the sports news coverage of London’s 2012 Olympic bid or England’s hosting of the 1996 European Football Championships. These

Psychology, Anthropology, and Sociology applied Essay - 1

Psychology, Anthropology, and Sociology applied - Essay Example The way these conflicts are resolved determines the individual’s ability to learn, to get along with others, and to cope with anxiety. Romantic relationships are governed by the concept of the Development of Attachment or the strong affectionate tie we have with special people in our lives that leads us to feel pleasure when we interact with them and to be comforted by their nearness in times of stress. When we establish a sense of attachment for someone special, we produce a romantic relationship. In order to make our societal and cultural lives better, we must focus our attention on Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, which focuses on how culture, the values, beliefs, customs, and skills of a social group, is transmitted to the next generation. These concepts allow us to produce healthier relationships with other, romantic attachments, and better societal and cultural lives. Anthropology is important in producing better relationships with others, better romantic relationships, and better societal and cultural lives. Through participant-observation, Anthropologists are able to study many areas of human beings. Through these studies, they focus on family unit, family culture, and race to get a better understanding of these elements. Relationships become better because we are able to learn how past relationships affect our present relationships. Learning from historical examples is a good way of establishing a healthy relationship, which produces romantic ties with the individual who the person is intertwined. Societal and cultural ways become better because Anthropologist focus on understanding past cultures and societies. This research allows them to link past cultures and societies with present cultures and societies. It gives them an understanding of why and how people in present societies have a common link with past societies. Past cultures tend to t ransmit through present cultures because someone in the past taught their

Common Sense Summary Essay Example for Free

Common Sense Summary Essay Summary of Thomas Pains Common Sense Thomas Pain believed strongly in supporting the colonies for colonial independence. The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth, says Thomas Pain. He believed that not only the country should be involved but of at least 1/8 part of the globe. He illustrates in his article that a new era for politics has struck which leads to a new method of thinking. Pain also shows that reconciliation with Britain is not the answer. He states that America will flourish as much or more without Britain. Pain also illustrates how people think that Britain is protecting them. He responds saying that Britain was only thinking of Britains own interest instead of thinking of the interests of the colonies. Pain concludes in his article four of why they must show their declaration for independence. First he states that Britain and the Colonies may quarrel forever. Secondly he states that France and Spain want help the colonies unless they rebel and fight. Thirdly he states that they should be considered rebels and unite to fight the British. Fourthly they will send out to foreign courts published documents that state miseries that they have endured and the peaceful methods they used in return.

Women Essay -- Persuasive, Violence Against Women

This investigation is roasted in the hypothesis that although the world has changed and modernized, and laws for the protection of minorities have increased, even the penalties for the violation of human rights are more severe; but the female figure are still victims of abuse, discrimination, and violence around the world. To test this hypothesis we will consider three Journals. The first Journals subject is â€Å"HONOUR": CRIMES, PARADIGMS, AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. By Simone Cusack, & Rebecca J Cook. (2007). This talks about violence against women in the Muslim world. The second journal subject is CURBING FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION. By Gender & Behavior (Dec 2010). Discussing the concept and practice of mutilation on women. And the last subject is THE GUATEMALAN FEMICIDE: AN EPIDEMIC OF IMPUNITY. By Velasco, Natalie. (2008). And talk about women that have been raped, mutilated, and brutally murdered in Guatemala. To start we were talking about the first journal, â€Å"HONOUR": CRIMES, PARADIGMS, AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN by Simone Cusack, & Rebecca J Cook (2007). And this one talks about a project that was done in the center of Islamic(CIMEL), and Middle Eastern law and center of human rights protection (INTERIGHTS); and thus to investigate the crimes of "Honor" and violence against women. Crimes of â€Å"Honor† which basically describes how Muslim women are punished for their families or community members because they considered to be dishonored by the victim. The authors of this manuscript also want to investigate how the legal system are linked with the crimes of "Honorâ€Å", and how to combat this probl... ...According to statistics 13% of the women who reported abuse in their homes unfortunately they were killed days after. The journal makes several recommendations to the Governor of Guatemala, such as giving a public condemnation of the murderer and hijackers, procedures of research showing violence, create a database that shows people who have Disappeared, the laws has to be more stringent about the rules against violence of women, Finally, have to be placed rules do not allow women violence. In conclusion I must say that unfortunately the hypothesis was proven with the help of different Journals, and unfortunately governments, regional and society must change the hard rules that dominate women and not allowed them to grow in the society; on the contrary these laws limiting their personal and moral development.

Ethics and Social Responsibilities of Business Essay

The emergence of management as a distinct and identifiable activity in the modern era has had an important impact on the society with which it developed (Massie 1995). Till the early days of the twentieth century, organizations were predominantly concerned with their respective profit-maximizing activities. However, this singular intention of profit maximization of business farms was protested by the social activists during the later half of the 20th century. They pointed out that, since the organizations drive their business from the society, the former must possess some obligations towards the interests and welfare of the later. The concept of business ethics and corporate responsibility gained immense importance after the publication of Bowen’s Social Responsibilities of Businessman in the year 1953. Bowen opines that business corporations should have certain responsibilities towards the society in which it operates. Often business ethics and its social responsibilities are regarded as their â€Å"science of conduct† (McNamara).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ethics is the study of morality and standards of conducts (Fred and Richard, 480). The term ‘ethics’ is, in generally, used to refer to the rules and principles that define right and wrong conduct. The study of ethics is of immense importance in international management because ethical behavior in a particular country may be considered as an unethical practice in other countries. Ethical behavior of business has become an important aspect in today’s corporate environment. Even in the United States, trading scandals, bribes etc. have gained considerable media exposures and have aroused public concern regarding ethical practices in international business management. Corporate business ethics is primarily concerned with honesty, truth and justice and should consider several aspects like the expectations of society, fair competition, public relations, consumer autonomy, social responsibilities, adherence to the rules in the operating country, and so on. An organization should be always responsible in creating an environment that fosters ethical decision-making. Corporate social responsibility is seriously considering the impact of the company’s actions on society. In the views of Andrews, social responsibility means the intelligent and objective concern for the welfare of society that restrains individuals and corporate behavior from ultimately destructive activities, no matter how immediately profitable and signifies the positive contribution to human betterment. Social responsibility contends that the business organizations are responsible to all the interest groups with which it interacts. All the interests groups such as employees, customers, suppliers, government and society should be given importance equal to that of the shareholders of the respective companies. Thus, ethical and social responsibilities signifies that the management should pay attention to the welfare of the workers, consumers’ needs and safety, the interests and rights of creditors, government’s rules, regulations and policies, and the obligations of the organization towards society as a whole. Thus, in other words, â€Å"Corporate social responsibility indicates the management’s commitment towards upholding the interests of direct stakeholders and to behave in an economically and environmentally responsible manner† (Davis and Robert, 1975). Ethical and Social Responsibility of Corporate Organizations Corporate organizations which are concerned about business ethics and corporate social responsibility need to identify various interest groups which may influence the functioning of a firm and which, in turn, may be affected by the firm’s decisions. In fact, business enterprises are primarily responsible for the well being of six major interest groups which are discussed hereunder one by one: Protecting Shareholders’ Interests The most important responsibility of business organizations is to protect the interests of its shareholders. The shareholders provide the core resource – the capital – that enables an organization to operate and grow. They expect the management to use the capital judiciously and operate the business in an efficient way that would ensure a healthy return on their investment, both through dividends and through increase in stock value. Shareholders should be provided with adequate and timely information about the functioning of the organization. Protecting Employees’ Interests Employees are the biggest assets of the organizations. In the early days, managers regarded employees merely as one of the factors of production and denied them the right to obtain an equal distribution of income. But, with the passage of time, the situation has changed in a considerable way. Now, it is absolutely mandatory for the management to protect its employees’ interests. Government laws and regulations have now define the responsibilities of the employer – ensuring equal employment rights for men and women, offering timely pensions and other retirement benefits, and providing and maintaining a secure and healthy working environment. To protect the interests of employees, management must Treat the employees as the basic pillars of the organization. Develop administrative processes that promote cooperation between employers and employees. Foster a harmonious work atmosphere by adopting a progressive labor policy. This includes allowing the participation of workers in management, creating a sense of involvement, and improving the working conditions and living standards of workers. Provide fair wages (not merely the one determined by the market forces of demand and supply) and other financial benefits to workers to keep them motivated. Fair selection, training and promotion based on quality and merit – without any discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, religion, physical appearance and so on. Protecting Customers’ Interests In the recent times, great attention is delivered to the customers. In the age of cut-throat competition, business firms have rightly begun to realize the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with the consumers. The growth and development of consumerism has compelled the organizations to become more aware of their duties and responsibilities towards the customers. â€Å"The most successful businesses put the customer first, instead of the investors† (Mackey). Business firms should fulfill their obligations to their customers by Charging reasonable prices for their products. Ensuring the provision of standardized and quality goods and services. Ensuring the easy availability of goods and services, so that customers do not have to spend too much time and energy in procuring them. Abstaining from unethical practices like hoarding, profiteering or creating artificial scarcity, misleading advertisement and so on. Refraining from deceiving customers by making false or misleading claims. Protecting Creditors and Suppliers’ Interests All the inputs productions are provided by the creditors and suppliers in the form of raw materials and capital. Hence, the management must take proper care in fulfilling its obligations towards the former. This can be done by: Creating a long-term and healthy business relationship with them. Making prompt payments to creditors and suppliers. Providing them with accurate, relevant and needed information. Protecting Society’s Interest Organizations function within a social system and draw their resources from this system. Therefore, they have certain obligations towards society. The management of business organizations can fulfill their obligations toward society by preserving and enhancing the well-being of the members of society. Management can do so in the following ways: Using its technical expertise to solve local problems. Setting socially desirable standards of living and avoiding unnecessary and wasteful expenditure. Playing an important role in civic affairs. Helping the society in events of national calamity, famine, war, and so on. Providing basic amenities, healthcare and education facilities, thus creating better living conditions. Establishing development programmers for the benefit of economically weaker sections of  the society. Protecting Governments’ Interests In any country, the Government provides the basic requirements for the survival and growth of business organizations. Most of the rules and policies which the government imposes are mainly in the favor of the businesses. Hence, the business, in turn, must have certain obligations to the business: Be law-abiding – respect the rules, procedures and policies of the government Pay all taxes and other dues fully, timely and honestly. Not bribe government employees and officials to obtain favors for the company. Not try to use political influence in its favor for own interests. Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility In the modern era, the expectations of the consumers and the society have immensely changed and, resultantly, modern corporations have become much aware of their ethical and social responsiveness. However, opinions vary from scholars to scholars as to whether business should possess much, at least any, ethical and social responsibilities. Disadvantages The motive of any business is to maximize its profit. However, much ethical values and social responsibilities may act against this objective. Any investment (or loss) incurred by the business as a result of good social or ethical behavior are adjusted by increasing the selling of its products. Hence, â€Å"the motive would be socially less desirable than in the days before when business were concerned with social responsibilities† (Friedman 1970). Business derives immense power through its social involvements and ethical behavior. This power is generally derived from the government or through other political means. This increment in power can lead to corruption and even conflicts with customers, governments and the society as a whole in the subsequent times. Generally, business people lack the required skills to deal with the problems outside the organization. Social responsibility can be an excess burden of duty to them. Advantages Social involvements and strong ethical behavior boost up the image of the business corporations in the eye of the customers. Being socially responsive, business can increase the number of its loyal customers. A favorable public image helps the business to attract more employees, customers and investors. By being socially responsible, business organizations can easily avoid the attention of regulatory agencies and earn government’s trust; resulting in increasing flexibility and independence in their mode of operations. Businesses can increase conservation of natural resources by being socially responsible. For example, Items that were considered as waste before (like empty soft drink cans and plastic bottles) can be recycled and profitably used again. Society and business are equally benefited if a symbiotic relationship exists between the two. Instead of allowing high rate of unemployment leading to social crisis (which may ruin business operations in subsequent periods), businesses can rather be the source of employment in the economy for qualified and eligible people. Conclusion It is beyond any iota of doubt that every civil citizen must possess some moral or ethical values and responsibilities for the society in which he lives. Business organizations, considered as ‘artificial people’, therefore, should have the same values incorporated in it. Obviously, there are certain principles which is directed against this conclusion, but it is a cardinal truth that business corporations must â€Å"behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large† (Holme and Watts). References Bowen, H.R. (1953), Social Responsibilities of the Businessman, Harper & Row, New York, NY Corporate Social Responsibility: Evolution of a Definitional Construct: Carroll Business Society.1999, pp. 268-295 Davis, K. and Robert, L. B. Business and Society, Environment and Responsibility, Revised   Edition, Tata McGraw Hill Book Company Inc. New York, 1975 Friedman, M. The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profit, New York   Times Magazine, 13 September, 1970 Kuhn, J.W. Issues and Analysis, Values in a Business Society, Harcourt Brace Jonanovich, New York, 1968 Holme, L and Watts, R. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development,â€Å"Making   Good Business Sense† – http://www.mallenbaker.net/csr/CSRfiles/definition.html Joseph, L. M. Ethical and Environmental Foundations, Essentials of Management, Fourth Edition, Thirteenth Indian Reprint, Prentice-Hall of India, New Delhi, 1995 Mackey, J. (adapted from) Rethinking the Social Responsibilities of Business, October 2005   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.reason.com/news/show/32239.html McNamara, C. Complete Guide to Ethics Management: An Ethics Toolkit for Managers http://www.managementhelp.org/ethics/ethxgde.htm Richard, M.H. and Fred, L. Ethics and Social Responsibilities, International Management, Third Edition, McGraw Hill International Editions, 1997 Stehi, S.P, Dimensions of Corporate Social Performance, An analytical Framework,   California Management Review, Vol. 17, No. 3, 1975, p. 58 – 64 The International Seminar on Social Responsibilities of Business: (as quoted by Mukharji, P.B. Social Responsibilities of Business, p. 9

Business and Administration Hint and Tips Essay

Plagiarism – learners are reminded that plagiarism is not acceptable under any circumstances and that learners who persist on plagiarising work could be removed from the course. If you wish to use other information you have researched beyond the course materials: 1. Make sure it is additional to the Business Administration course material. 2. Make sure it supports/is relevant to your answer. 3. Quote the source. The main thing to remember when constructing each answer is to be as robust as you can. Try to include as much relevant detail from the learning materials as you can. It is very important to use your own words. The following information should be helpful to you. If you have any queries get in touch with your tutor using v-mail. Section 1 Q2. As well as the learning materials the website http://smallbusiness.chron.com/information-technology-business-success-4019.html gives some good information regarding the benefits IT can bring to a business. Section 2 Q1. Why is it important that you know what you are required to research and having a date to have the research completed by? If you didn’t have either of the above what could be the possible outcome? Q2. This question is in three parts which all need to be answered fully. Break your answer down into the areas of research, organising & reporting information. How would you conduct your research? The information you collected how would you organise it? How would you present your findings? Q3a. This question also needs to be answered in three parts. How is information archived? How would you retrieve the information you have archived? If the information is no longer required how is it disposed of? Q3b. Are there any legal requirements that relate to the storing of information? Is there any specific legislation relating to the industry you currently/have worked in? Section 3 Q1. Why is it important that documents are fit for purpose? Think about the structure, the content of the document & what impression will it have or the person reading the document. Q2. Complete all sections of the table. Consider would a business letter be used? When are formal reports used? When would sending an email be appropriate? Section 4 Q1. It is worth considering the 5 P’s for this question proper planning prevents poor performance. Without proper planning how would the document appear? Q2a. Would you be the only person to check a document is correct? Are there tools you can use on a computer to check the spelling & grammar of documents? Q3. Why is it important that personal information does not fall into the wrong people? What could happen to the company if this happens? Q4a: You need to give the different types of documents that can be produced from notes and describe how these documents would look. What information would you expect to find on a letter for example? Q4b: When taking notes to produce a document what things need to be considered? Why are you taking notes? What type of document is to be produced from the notes e.g. business letter, formal report. Is it important that the notes are clear & there is sufficient detail in the notes?

Influence of advertising on me and other people Essays

Influence of advertising on me and other people Essays Influence of advertising on me and other people Essay Influence of advertising on me and other people Essay Advertising today has a lot to do with almost everything in my life and other peoples everyday lives. Anywhere you go you come across some kind of advertisement, whether it is on the billboard, schools, television, public transportation like trains, bus, inside magazine and so on. It surrounds us everyday, everywhere, all the time. It has a large influence on me and most people in the world and should be limited. I believe that advertisement has a great influence on the type of clothes I wear. Televisions and posters show models wearing different clothing. The ads for Calvin Klein, H/M, Levi, Dress man are some of the examples. When models put on this kind of clothes and look good in them, I get the feeling that the clothes must be made good. And I also get another feeling that if I get to consume any of the clothes advertised it look as good on me as they did on the models. Advertising has an influence what other people eat. There are ads for hotdogs, hamburgers, ice cream, beer and the list keeps going. The people at McDonalds and Burger Kings sell all these at a relatively reasonable price which makes everyone longing to eat at these places. Of course, with all this, people forget the negative effects of eating this fast food. Take an example of the Big Mac and fries, the body consumes more calories if u eat it than as one would get if she/he eats pasta and salads. People keep on eating more calories than they need through constant advertising. Advertising in most cases tends to be persuasive and should be limited. It changes ones attitude. Ads like that of lens way saying that take three pay for two force people to buy them even though there was no need. This is creating a want where there is no need which is a waste of resources (money). Many ads aim to entertain the consumers. I think ads should aim at providing product information and convincing consumers, not amusing them. Some people dont buy certain products just because the company doesnt take them seriously. The Nissan ads of the car changing into different animals, well the fastest of the animals can convey the fastest of the car at times but how about the changing? because it quite obvious that a car can never change into anything else more so an animal. There another ad by ford with a monkey in the trunk, the monkey? What do monkeys have to do with cars? These ads make people laugh and feel good about the products but the generally lacks perfect information about the products. With these ads I strong argue that ads should be limited. In conclusion, I would like to say that advertising influences the way everybody lives everywhere all the time. The clothes I wear, and the types of food people eat are all a result of advertising. They tend to be persuasive instead of providing genuine information about the product being sold.

Barracuda Facts

Barracuda Facts The barracuda (Sphyraenidae spp) is sometimes portrayed as an ocean menace, but does it deserve such a reputation? This common fish found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans as well as the Caribbean and Red seas, has threatening teeth and a habit of approaching swimmers, but its not the danger you might think. Fast Facts: Barracuda Scientific Name: SphyraenidaeCommon Name: BarracudaBasic Animal Group: FishSize: 20 inches to 6 feet or moreWeight: Up to 110 poundsLifespan: Varies by species; giant barracudas live up to 14 yearsSpeed: Up to 35 miles per hourDiet:  CarnivoreHabitat: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, Caribbean and Red SeasPopulation: UnknownConservation Status: Not Evaluated Description Even if youre new to  fish identification, youll quickly learn to recognize the barracudas distinctive look. The fish has a long, slender body that is tapered at the ends and thicker in the middle. The head is somewhat flattened on top and pointed in front, and the lower jaw projects forward menacingly. Its two dorsal fins are far apart, and its pectoral fins are positioned low on the body. Most species are dark on top, with silver sides and a clear lateral line that extends from the head to the tail on each side. The barracudas caudal fin is slightly forked ​and curved on the trailing edge. Smaller barracuda species may max out at 20 inches in length, but the larger species can achieve a startling 6 feet or longer in size. Is there anything more unnerving than being approached by a fearless fish with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth? Barracuda have big mouths, with long jaws and a characteristic under-bite. They also have a lot of teeth. In fact, barracuda have two rows of teeth: an outer row of small but sharp teeth for tearing flesh apart, and an inner row of long, dagger-like teeth to firmly grasp its prey. A few of the barracudas teeth point backward, as an extra aid for securing squirming fish. Smaller fish are mercifully swallowed whole, but larger fish are efficiently chopped to pieces in the hungry barracudas jaws. A barracuda can open its mouth wide enough to snatch just about any fish it encounters, from a tiny killifish to a chunky grouper. Image Source/Getty Images Species The name barracuda doesnt apply to one specific fish, but rather an entire family. The Sphyraenidae is the group of fish known collectively as barracuda. The species most people picture when thinking of a barracuda is probably the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), a commonly encountered fish. But the worlds oceans are full of all kinds of barracuda, including the pickhandle barracuda, the sawtooth barracuda, and the sharpfin barracuda. Some species are named for the area where they are found, like the Guinean barracuda, the Mexican barracuda, the Japanese barracuda, and the European barracuda. Habitat and Range Most species of barracuda live in near-shore habitats, such as seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reefs. Theyre primarily marine fish, although a few varieties can tolerate brackish water at times. Barracuda inhabit the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and are also commonly found in the Caribbean and Red seas. Diet Barracuda have a diverse diet, preferring small tunas, mullets, jacks, grunts, groupers, snappers, killifishes, herrings, and anchovies.  They hunt mainly by sight, scanning the water for signs of prey as they swim. Smaller fish are most visible when they reflect light and often look like shiny metal objects in the water. This, unfortunately, can lead to misunderstandings between barracuda and humans in the water. A swimmer or diver with anything reflective is likely to get an aggressive bump from a curious barracuda. The barracuda isnt interested in you, necessarily. It just wants to sample the object that looks like a shiny, silverfish. Still, its a bit unsettling to have a barracuda come barreling toward you, teeth first, so its best to remove anything reflective before getting in the water. Behavior A barracudas body is shaped like a torpedo and made for cutting through the water. This long, lean, and muscular fish is one of the fastest creatures in the sea, capable of swimming up to 35 mph. Barracuda swim almost as fast as the notoriously speedy mako sharks. Barracuda cant maintain top speed for long distances, however. The barracuda is a sprinter, capable of bursts of speed in pursuit of prey. They spend most of their time swimming slow enough to survey for food, and only accelerate when a meal is within reach; they often swim together in small or large schools. Reproduction and Offspring The timing and location of barracuda spawning are not as yet well-documented, but scientists surmise that mating takes place in deeper, offshore waters and probably in spring. Eggs are released by the female and fertilized by the male in open waters, and then are dispersed by currents.   Newly hatched barracuda larvae settle in shallow, vegetated estuaries, and leave the estuary when they have achieved a length of about 2 inches. They then stay in mangrove and seagrass habitats until they are about one year old.   Great barracuda have a lifespan of at least 14 years, and they typically reach sexual maturity at two years (male) and four years (female).   Fotosearch/Getty Images   Barracudas and Humans Because barracuda are fairly common and inhabit the same waters where people swim and dive, the chance of encountering a barracuda is quite high. But despite their proximity to people in the water, barracuda rarely attack or injure humans. Most bites occur when the barracuda mistakes a metallic object for a fish and attempts to snatch it. The barracuda isnt likely to continue biting once it realizes the object in question isnt food. Barracuda attacks are rare and almost never fatal. Those teeth will do some damage to an arm or leg, though, so victims usually require stitches. While smaller barracuda are generally safe to eat, larger barracuda can be ciguatoxic (poisonous to humans) because they consume larger fish with higher toxin loads. At the bottom of the food chain, toxic plankton known as Gambiendiscus toxicus attaches itself to algae on the coral reef. Small, herbivorous fish feed on the algae and consume the toxin, too. Larger, predatory fish prey on the small fish, and accumulate a higher concentration of the toxin in their bodies. Each successive predator accumulates more toxins. Ciguatera food poisoning is unlikely to kill you, but its not an experience youll enjoy. The biotoxins cause gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiovascular symptoms that persist for weeks or months. Patients report hallucinations, severe muscle and joint pain, skin irritation, and even a reversal of hot and cold sensations. Unfortunately, theres no way to identify a ciguatoxin barracuda, and neither heat nor freezing can kill the fat-soluble toxins in a contaminated fish. Its best to avoid consuming large barracuda. Sources Family Sphyraenidae – Barracuda. Fishbase.org, 2012.Martin, R. Aidan. Record-Breakers: Hauling Bass. Biology of Sharks and Rays. ReefQuest Center for Shark Research, 2003.Bester, Cathleen. Sphyraena barracuda: Great Barracuda. Florida Museum, University of Florida.Lawley, Richard. Ciguatoxins. Food Safety Watch, January 30, 2013.Olander, Doug. The Perils of Ciguatera: Will your next fresh-caught fish dinner be a toxic time bomb? Sport Fishing Magazine, May 5, 2011.

Pesticides Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Pesticides - Essay Example Pesticides would also ensure that stored food, especially cereals, stay for long periods without any destruction from probable pests. However, the consequence of this is devastating. The chemicals used in the pesticides, though not poisonous to man on instant use, would accumulate in the body, posing risks such as developing such deadly diseases like cancer. Levine (2007) says that pesticides are not harmful to human beings, but excessive use of foods that have elements of the chemicals are harmful to the body. The danger may not be instant, but the negative impact would surely come. Genetically modified foods are equally unsafe. The fact that they increase food productivity notwithstanding, the modification makes them unsafe. This modification interferes with the normal arrangement of the DNA in the food. The body depends on the food we eat for various processes. By taking in food that is genetics modified, chances are that the body might assimilate this manipulated genetics, a fact that can result in a person giving birth in abnormal children. Pesticides and genetically modified foods should completely be