Designing a balance scorecard for the american university in the Essay - 1

Designing a balance scorecard for the american university in the emirates - Essay Example An American University aims to open an affiliate in the United Arab Emirates. However, in order to ensure effective establishment and development of this University, the management needs to develop a comprehensive strategic framework such as Balanced Scorecard. However, there is limited knowledge and understanding of how to apply this framework to educational sector as Balanced scorecard model is mainly applied in commercial sector (Karathanos & Karathanos, 2005). The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of how the framework of a balanced scorecard can be applied to the education sector. Based on the research findings it will be possible to design a balanced scorecard for educational institutions at University level. Furthermore, this paper aims to develop some recommendations in relation to the American University in the United Arab Emirates. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a framework used for tracking and measuring performance. Robert Kaplan and David Norton have introduced the BSC in the early 1990s as a new way for organisations to measure their performance in a comprehensive and integral way. Before, organisations relied only on financial indicators in order to monitor their achievements (Bakhtiari, et al. 2012). However, Kaplan and Norton have expanded this approach, offering a more balanced system. This system is comprised of four major perspectives: financial perspective, customer perspective, internal processes perspective, and learning and growth perspective (Bakhtiari, et al. 2014). All these perspectives have causal relationship among performance indicators and performance measures should be linked to the results (Sudirmann, 2012). The financial perspective is viewed to be the primary perspective of any commercial activity. The primary goal of any commercial activity is to generate revenue and create wealth for its shareholders. The companies set financial goals and develop strategies how to achieve

The Black Death 1348-1350 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Black Death 1348-1350 - Research Paper Example Epidemics similar to the Black Death have followed over the centuries. The Great Plague of 1665 was also akin to the Black Death and led to the deaths of around 15-20 percent of the populationi. The controversies around the Black Death’s causes and effects bring out the historical significance of the pandemic in more than one way. Causes The deaths during the second pandemic (The Black Death) were brought about by an epidemic which entailed appearance of sore swelling of lymph nodes in different parts of the human body (especially armpits and groin). High fever followed this and caused deaths rapidly. The epidemic was supposedly caused by black rat fleas and popularly known as the Bubonic plague. The initial belief about the endogenous nature of the Black Death does not hold true in the modern time. Rather, scientists have detected some external pathogen, a rod shaped bacteria called Yersinia pestis as the responsible factor. A Swiss biologist Alexandre Yersin identified this in 1894, much after the plague had mercilessly cut down the population of Europeii. Yersin also concluded that rodents and insect vectors spread this bacterium amongst human beings. The particular flea which causes this disease is known as xenopsylla cheopisiii. Despite the differences in opinions amongst historians, they agreed on some common points while analyzing the factors behind the Black Death. During the High Middle Ages, Europe was undergoing a persistent population growth along with almost disease-free society. Apart from this, innovations and advancements in technological and agricultural fields, Europe also managed some political stability which brought about a decrease in invasion. This provided a perfect environment for the increase in population from 25 million to 75 million (from 950 to 1250) and a rapid urbanization or development of townsiv. Despite all, a majority of wealth came from the land and its produce. The advancements made in agricultural techniques led to improvements in soil and seed quality and therefore, brought about better cultivation. The Medieval Europe reached the peak of development during 1200-1250. From 1250 onwards some changes took place and environmental or climatic changes were significant among these. According to historians understanding these changes were important to observe the impact on pre-modern society. The movements of glaciers and pollens indicate an improvement in this respect till early thirteenth centuryv. This situation of â€Å"little optimum†vi enabled all round development in political, social and economic arenas. But the environment grew colder gradually and this affected agriculture. Even trade was hampered and hence supply of foodstuffs became scarce. High fertility rates and continuous population growth worsened the situation. The surplus in food production built over the years began to fall. While the environment grew colder and wetter, a severe Malthusian crisis emerged in Europe which w as growing economically poorvii. Food prices also began to increase and conditions of peasants worsened under pressure from the landlords. However the population of peasants began to increase owing to low mortality rates and absence of any killing disease. Crop failures and famines pursued. As food crops became scarce, people began to live more on livestock. Unhealthy eating habits

Contemporary Human Resourse Management Research Essay

Contemporary Human Resourse Management Research - Essay Example While professionalization of the HR practice has been encouraged through certification programmes such as CIPD, the HR specialists need to add to their attributes to become worthy of the label of being a professional. A model of growth, contribution and enjoyment is what the HR specialists need to focus on. Challenges for the HR specialists Driven by numerous internal and external forces, HR management has expanded its activities from functional and administrative tasks to more strategic functions and aligning its functions and activities with the strategic goals of the organisation. A strategic partner should be able to create a positive impact on the organisation’s performance. The process view of HRM also known as HR system strength or HRS focuses on how the HR function communicates with the employees, not on what it communicates (Rebeiro, Coelho & Gomes, 2011). The HR practitioners are responsible for overall performance in two ways. They shape the skills, attitudes and be haviour of the entire workforce in the organisation which in turn impacts the organisational performance. Again, the HR practitioners can also have a direct impact on performance by creating structural and operational efficiencies which facilitates the organisation to implement strategies consistent with their goals. This approach requires a strategic fit between the HR practices and the organisational strategy for enhanced performance. HRS has a direct impact on improving behaviour. When messages are communicated to the employees in a clear, consistent and distinct way horizontal fit has been achieved. Organisational culture also impacts the outcome of HR practices. Thus, HR practices and their outcome cannot be considered in isolation because several factors contribute towards its success or failure. Realizing the challenges posed by the changed business environment, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reframed its professional standards and introduced the concept of the â€Å"thinking performer† (Higgins & Zhang, 2009). The â€Å"thinking performer† is an ideal HR practitioner that adds value to their organisation as they are capable of and constantly willing to challenge the way things are executed. The â€Å"thinking performer† is a â€Å"strategic activist† who has the capability to challenge the status quo and demand more from what is currently being delivered by the people in the organisation. CIPD has been attempting to upgrade the personnel management towards strategic issues. This has become essential in light of the fact that most HR practitioners do not engage in strategic issues or challenge how things are being done. However, this too has to be handled in a way that other employees do not feel estranged if the entire focus is shifted towards strategic issues. This is perhaps what Pook (2001) means when he contends that HR development and organisational development are intertwined. People make a n organisation and their knowledge and capabilities are a resource that has to be used for achieving strategically defined results. Much of the business generating activity also depends upon employee loyalty and identification with the organisation. In other words people are both drivers and inhibitors of change and development. Therefore attracting and retaining the right

Charismatic Leadership Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Charismatic Leadership Theory - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that while charismatic leadership theory constitutes one of the major leadership theories, there is a great degree of variety in what research identify as the core elements of this theory. It follows that a multi-perspective approach must be implemented in articulating the various aspects of this leadership model. Charisma was first considered as a construct within a sociological context by the theorist Max Weber who considered it in relation to large-scale change enacted by skilled and mystical individuals in times social crisis; this is notable as Weber’s initial characterization of this theory considered it as requiring both a special individual, as well as an external crisis situation for the core of the charismatic process to occur, Later theories would emphasize less the external circumstances, as the charismatic traits of the leader and their followers. In terms of leadership, the theory was advanced by Conger and Kanungo who considered it in terms of a number of personality factors, including strategic vision and articulation, and sensitivity to environmental context. Since this precedent, charisma has been used and developed as a leadership theory in a variety of contexts. There are a variety of charismatic leadership theories, influenced by Weber’s original articulation of the concept, that incorporates psychological theories as key elements in the leadership model.

Eulogy for Willy Loman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Eulogy for Willy Loman - Essay Example We got married and I became his legal, and beloved wife all his life. We had two children who happened to be both boys. Our sons are named Happy Loman and Biff Loman. Happy is a businessperson and Biff Loman who is a good athlete and is the late Willy’s eldest son. The deceased was a brother to the late Ben. My brother in law Ben was an elder brother and a mentor to my husband. The late Willy was an industrious man who worked under Howard Hagner as a salesperson for a period of 34 years. He worked through the vicissitudes of his employment with meager wages, and tirelessly tried to ensure that we educated our two sons and offered necessary guidance when it came to our sons’ future success and prosperity. When he met his death, he was always on board since his job involved a lot of travelling to different cities. He was mobile, traversing the country also lived in Boston where we had another house. In spite of being regarded a non realist, I knew my husband liked people and was liked back by our neighbors among them Charlie and will be remembered for he was fond of playing cards. He maintained good relations with his employer and enjoyed in the greatest bit his work. Willy was a loving husband and greatly loved by his wife Linda. He was a father with resolute and strong stand on matters that pertain to our sons irrespective of being viewed not to be in touch with realism. Before he met his death, my husband was involved in a series of unexplained accidents unt il the recent one that ultimately killed him. He always survived these accidents. However, before the final accident, he uttered decisive words just before he left the house. He was upset and mentioned to me something related to his funeral attendance and how it will have a multitude. These words he told me, are those that today make his death presumed a suicide. Nevertheless, my husband died on road carnage just like he previously did but the latter was severe and

Financial institutions and markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Financial institutions and markets - Essay Example There are a number of benefits of OBS activities that a given bank can reap. It has been mentioned earlier that the bank is required to make a committed, which it is expected to honor. As a consequence, the bank charges some amount of fee while making this commitment. This fee charged by the bank charges constitutes the initial benefit of the off-balance-sheet activities to the bank. The structure of the normal interest rate is also applicable to the commitment if it is a requirement that the bank honors this initial commitment. This happens as the normal interest rate structure moves onto the bank’s balance sheet. However, the need to use either equity or deposits in funding the asset is an operation that the bank avoids. This is due to the fact that the original commitment by the bank never appears on the balance sheet. Possible additional deposit insurance premiums as well as reserve requirement balances are thus avoided by the bank as the bank improves its stream of earnin gs. A bank may encounter some risks while engaging in OBS activities, with the borrower’s credit risk being the primary risk on the bank’s asset’s side. On many occasions, until the borrower encounters a credit-worthiness altering financial situation or problem, the borrower does not utilize the bank’s commitment. The other risk is the negative impact that the movement of the off-balance-sheet activities into the balance sheet has upon the foreign exchange and rates of interests of the bank. Off-balance-sheet mortgage-backed securities were created and also held during the financial crisis by the largest FIs. However, these are some associative losses with regard to these securities, which lead to the acquisition, failure and bailout of some of these FIs. Additionally, the world’s economic as well as financial systems almost experienced some melt down. Based on

Shrek & Donkey Essay Example for Free

Shrek Donkey Essay In traditional fairytales Ogres are man eating beasts, the prince usually rescues the princess, they marry and live happily ever after. How do the makers of Shrek use presentational devices to reverse this tradition, to reveal the ogre as good and the prince as evil? Shrek is obviously not a stereotypical fairytale because of its language and the features of the characters. The characters arent what they seem to be. Shrek is an ogre who is supposed to be bad and cruel, they are uncivilised just like the ogre in Jack and the beanstalk; he chases Jack saying fee fie foe fum; I smell the blood of an Englishman. The princess is supposed to be in distress and desperate to be saved. They have a beautiful voice which is supposed to attract the prince and they are normally scared and not demanding at a stage of crisis. The prince which in this case is Lord Farquaad is supposed to be kind, charming and his main job is to rescue and marry the princess. In Shrek the whole idea of a fairytale has been turned around by making the ogre Shrek the good guy the Lord Farquaad the bad guy and Princess Fiona not a damsel in distress. The filmmakers use a different technique to make the ogre seem good and the lord seems bad. To make this successful they used language, camera shots at different angles and special effects such as sounds and light effects. The film starts of with a traditional beginning with the usual once upon a time, there was a lovely princess. But she had an enchantment upon her of a fearful sort that could only be broken by true loves kiss. She was locked in the highest room in the tallest tower, guarded by a terrible fire-breathing dragon. Many brave knights tried to free her from this dreadful prison, but none prevailed. So she sat in her tower and waited for true love, and true loves first kiss. and the soft slow music in the background. Shrek then rips that page and wipes his bottom saying, like thats ever going to happen, with a Scottish accent. He then bangs the toilet door and then you notice a change in music and atmosphere. There is a sought of rock and roll music which suggest to the viewers that Shrek is not going to be a movie that they had expected it to be like. This is the first clue given to us about what the story is going to be like. This opening breaks all the rules of fairytales because in Cinderella, sleeping beauty and snow white they all have a similar beginning. Once upon a time there lived a princess who the fairytale kept to a same rhythm and only if the princess sang then there would be a change in sound. They all had the same story line; the princess is either put to sleep or locked away by a witch or someone evil. The prince is handsome and is only there to fight the dragon or any evil creature to save the princess they kiss, marry and live happily ever after, the witch or the evil person is either killed or locked the end. But Shreks opening is original and something new for the viewers eyes. The part when Shrek says, like thats ever going to happen starts the turning point in this story. By the time the introduction music is over the viewers know that they are not fated for a conventional story. When the villagers come to attack Shrek he just stays calm and tells them, Now ogres, theyre much worse. Theyll make a suit from your freshly peeled skin. Theyll shave your liver, squeeze the jelly from your eyes. Actually, its quite good on toast. This bit tells us that Shrek is bad and that he will kill all these innocent people. But then we see a change in the character because he says, This is the part where you run away. This shows us that Shrek is good and this is quite odd because they are supposed to be evil. When the donkey approaches Shrek roars at him and tries to intimidate him, the donkey is not frightened but instead he laughs at him saying, Wow, that was really scary and if you dont mind me saying, if that dont work, your breath will certainly get the job done, cause you definitely need some Tic Tacs or something cause your breath STINKS. This shows that Donkey is not afraid of Shrek and that he has the courage to tell the big ogre about his negative things. Donkey is immediately liked by the audience because of his sense of humor. Donkey can see straight through Shrek and knows that he would not hurt anybody. The audience also finds this out when he saves Donkey from the guards, this shows us that Shrek has a heart and is not like normal ogres are; man-eating beasts. The Donkey irritates Shrek by following him to his house and then criticizing a place, Whoa. Look at that. Whod wanna live in a place like that? which is supposed to be Shreks home, That would be my home. Donkey then tries to reverse things around by saying, Oh and it is LOVELY. You know, youre really quite a decorator. Its amazing what youve done with such a modest budget. I like that boulder. That is a NICE boulder. This shows that Donkey would do anything to stay with Shrek and he is a funny character who can be loved by anybody. He then intimidates him by running in his house and peering in the window. After Shrek allows him to stay for one night he starts says, Thank you! Oh this is gonna be fun! We can stay up late, swap manly stories and in the morning, Im making waffles. But in the end he stays outside the house because Shrek does not want him to stay. This makes us feel sorry for Donkey and at this bit we sympathize on him making him feel venerable and not care for the ogre feelings. We think that Shrek is rude and selfish for not sharing his house for one day with Donkey.