Potential Problems with Performance Appraisals free essay sample

This paper looks at the inherent problems of performance appraisals and offers ways to avoid them. This paper examines the use of performance appraisals in the workplace. The three building blocks of performance appraisal are trait based, behavioral based, and rate based, all offer The author evaluates these three methods, and how they are affected by the habits of the supervisors conducting appraisals. From the paper: An organization should be able to teach their supervisors the proper techniques for rating and having the appraisals implemented with high ethical consideration. ?Managers, as well as, subordinates, are concerned about the politics and lack of fair treatment, honesty, and truthfulness within a performance review? (Axline, 1996, 44). To give an accurate representation of the performance an employee accomplishes two things should be done. One is that management should require appraisers who give poor ratings to document an outline procedure for improving performance and/or initiate termination. We will write a custom essay sample on Potential Problems with Performance Appraisals or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

Chemical Composition of Black Powder or Gunpowder

Chemical Composition of Black Powder or Gunpowder Black powder is the name given to the earliest known chemical explosive. It is used as a blasting powder and a propellant for firearms, rockets, and fireworks. The composition of black powder or gunpowder is not set. In fact, several different compositions have been used throughout history. Heres a look at some of the most notable or common compositions, plus the composition of modern black powder. Black Powder Basics Theres nothing complicated about the formulation of black powder. It consists of charcoal (carbon), saltpeter (potassium nitrate or sometimes sodium nitrate), and sulfur. Charcoal and sulfur act as the fuel for the explosion, while saltpeter acts as an oxidizer. Sulfur also lowers the ignition temperature, which increases the combustion rate. Charcoal is used instead of pure carbon because it contains incompletely decomposed cellulose. It has a much lower autoignition temperature. Black powder made using pure carbon will ignite, but it wont explode. In commercial black powder preparation, potassium nitrate or another nitrate (e.g., sodium nitrate) usually is coated with graphite (a form of carbon). This helps prevent electrostatic charge build-up, reducing the chance a stray spark will prematurely ignite the mixture. Sometimes black powder is tumbled with graphite dust after it is mixed to coat the grains. In addition to reducing static, the graphite reduces moisture absorption, which could prevent gunpowder from igniting. Notable Black Powder Compositions Typical modern gunpowder consists of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur in a 6:1:1 or 6:1.2:0.8 ratio. Historically significant formulations have been calculated on a percentage basis: Formula Saltpeter Charcoal Sulfur Bishop Watson, 1781 75.0 15.0 10.0 British Government, 1635 75.0 12.5 12.5 Bruxelles studies, 1560 75.0 15.62 9.38 Whitehorne, 1560 50.0 33.3 16.6 Arderne lab, 1350 66.6 22.2 11.1 Roger Bacon, c. 1252 37.50 31.25 31.25 Marcus Graecus, 8th century 69.22 23.07 7.69 Marcus Graecus, 8th century 66.66 22.22 11.11 Source: The Chemistry of Gun Powder and Explosives

A Critical Analysis of N.T. Wright New Perspective of Paul on Research Paper

A Critical Analysis of N.T. Wright New Perspective of Paul on Covenantal Justification - Research Paper Example Being a self admitted proponent of a number of aspects that result from the New Perspectives put forward by Paul, Wright distinctly shares a number of similarities with fellow advocates E.P Sanders and James Dunn however, Wrights arguments carry their own weight and unique undertone. In recent times however, Wright has received a large amount of criticism especially with regard to the doctrine of justification2. This is the issue which will be examined in this discussion and will be addressed by examining the origin and development of the New Perspective of Paul,2) Justification in N.T. Wright and its Relation with the Adamic, Abrahamic and New Covenant and 3) Carry out a Critical Analysis on NT Wright Covenantal Justification from Reformed Scholars. By the end of this paper, it is hoped that the reader will have a clear understanding of the weakness of the covenantal view approach to justification by contrasting strengths within the disputed justification. In recent years, there has been a distinct change in the views touching on Pauline Theology with a growing number of evangelicals endorsing what is being referred to as the New Perspective on Paul which makes a significant departure from the Reformation focus on justification based on faith alone3. Some of the most popular spokesmen for this new view are E.P Sanders and James D.G Dunn. While having slight differences in the manner in which they defend the New Perspective, all of these scholars have seemingly adopted an argument referred to as covenantal nominism which essentially provides a role to salvation to the works of Moses’ law4. Among the numerous contributions to Pauline theology E. P Sanders stands as one of the most distinct. Heavily influenced by historical-Critical ideologies, Sanders argued that Paul’s Christology is distinctly unclear and conflicting. For instance on Rom 1:3-4 Sanders argues that while the reader of the passage might be led to believe

Role Of Women In Arabic Society Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Role Of Women In Arabic Society - Assignment Example Women in the Arab society are discriminated against especially in institutions such as marriage and areas such as inheritance and divorce. Women are not allowed to own property in some classes. Divorce will always almost favor the men and women end up suffering from the outcome of the divorce. Women in this society are considered a source of evil, social disorder and anarchy, and deception. This consideration is adopted by the prevailing religious ideology. Therefore, the society has created a certain standard of morality that stresses values and norm associated with traditional ideas of motherhood, wifehood, and femininity for the woman (Barakat, 1993). The woman in the society has been relieved of all financial responsibilities that the family might require. These responsibilities are the duties of the father who is seen as the provider of the family. A lot of changes have been witnessed throughout the world in regards changes in the family set up and socio-economic trends. The Arab community has also witnessed major changes especially towards how the woman is viewed in the society. Many women are being educated in the Arab community. This has allowed women to be involved in jobs in the public sectors in contrast to the traditional household women. Education Has made a lot of women to be providers of some of the families and has gained economical independence from the men. The changes in Arab society have begun to undermine traditional roles, relationships, and values within the Arab family.

To Explore Feminist Counselling taking into critical consideration Essay

To Explore Feminist Counselling taking into critical consideration both the overarching theoretical ideas and practice skills - Essay Example As per (Chaplin,1999,pg.5 ) â€Å"Feminist counselling is profoundly social and polite as well as personal and individual†. Feminist counselling is about bringing in a social change where woman to could act, think and move freely. Feminist counselling has a different approach unlike traditional approach which move away from a notion that females are responsible for sexual assault. As commonly represented among feminist theorists, the first wave is often originated from liberal feminists† (Ross ,2010,pg .4 ) On the other hand , in this counselling there is an acknowledgement of power relation in society, acknowledgment of inappropriately oppressed clients and their strengths, healing women through their journey and encourage more equitable relationship with opposite sect in the society. In feminist counselling, women counsellors from various backgrounds, races, sexual orientation, abilities are involved to handle all kind of woman problems. In feminist counselling ,different kind of theories, techniques and approaches are used to attain best results. The feminist counselling has been a movement progressed with the support and ideas of many prominent figures. Some of the main contributors to feminist counselling are Judith Worell, Pam Remen, Sandra Bem , Laura Brown, Jean Baker Miller and many others. However, there was much criticism from other women regarding its concept and intention. In this movement there is no one particular founder but many women figures like Judith Worell, Pam Remen , Sandar Bem. Carol Gilligan, Carolyn Enns,Laura Brown,Lillian Comas-Diaz and Olivia Espin had a major role to play. So, the feminist counselling has been an invention of many women who were fighters and they wanted equality and freedom for women. The major focus of feminist counselling is to empower woman and make their life potential and contributing to the society. It focuses on cultural, political, social

Environmental Kuznets Curve definition and usage

Environmental Kuznets Curve definition and usage The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is a pragmatically, relationship that is assumed to trace the pollution path followed by countries as their per capita gross domestic product (GDP) grows and describes the relationship between per capita income and indicators of environmental degradation (Unruth and Moomaw, 1998). In the infant stages of development, the levels of some pollutants climb with increases in per capita income, while at advanced levels of development, environmental degradation follows a downward trend as income per capita is moving upwards. These results give rise to a bell shaped curve relating economic growth to environmental degradation, redolent of the relationship hypothesized by Kuznets (1995) between economic and income inequality (Nahman and Antrobus, 2005). The concept of EKC came out in the early 1990s with Grossman and Kruegers (1991) path-breaking study of the potential impacts of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). Origins of the EKC The environmental Kuznets curve is a hypothesized relationship between different indicators of environmental degradation and income per capita. At first stages of economic growth degradation and pollution increase, but further than some level of income per capita, the movement reverses, so that at high-income levels economic growth leads to environmental improvement. This means that the impact of environmental indicator is an inverted U-shaped function of income per capita (David, 2003) In other words, the distribution of income becomes more asymmetrical in early stage of income growth and then the distribution moves towards greater equality as economic growth continues (Kuznets, 1955). This liaison between income per capita and income inequality can be represented by a bell-shaped curve. This is viewed as an empirical phenomenon known as the Kuznets Curve (Dinda, 2004). The link between per capita income and income inequality is shown on Figure 1(refer to appendix) Criticism and drawbacks of the Kuznets Curve The Kuznets Curve has helped in studying the relationship between environmental pollutants and GDP of countries but it does have drawbacks too. Even Kuznet (1955) himself indicated that the Kuznets Curve Theory is not a perfect one and the relationship between income inequality and economic development cannot be assumed. He also declared that lot information in the paper has been speculated and thus further research work must be carried out. The reason behind the development of the Environmental Kuznets Curve Since the last decades, the increasing threat of global warming and climate change has been of major continuing concern. Organisations such as the United Nations have been trying to diminish the unfavourable impacts of global warming through intergovernmental and binding accords. After immense negotiations, the agreement namely the Kyoto protocol was signed in 1997. This protocol has the objective of reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) that cause climate change. The Kyoto protocol recognises limitations to environmental pollutants and necessitates a timetable for realisation of the emission reductions for the developed countries. During 2008 2012 periods the demands reduction of the GHG emissions to 5.2 % lower than the 1990 level. In 2005 it came into force: 178 states have signed and approved the protocol since April 2008 (Halicoglu, 2008). Greenhouse gas emissions particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, are considered to be the core causes of global warming. Consequently, to pre vent global warming a number of countries have signed the Kyoto Protocol and agreed to diminish their emission levels. Galeotti and Lanza (1999) indicated that some developing states refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol based on the argument that the industrialisation and development process should be subject to no constraints, particularly for energy production and consumption. One probable foundation for this position is the belief that while pollution increases with growth in GDP, it happens a point where pollution goes down. This view calls for a careful analysis of the relationship between economic growth and pollution. This relationship is obviously very complex as it depends on numerous different factors such as: The countrys size, The sectoral structure, including the composition of the demand for energy, The vintage of the technology, The demand for environmental quality, The level and quality of environmental protection expenditures. Shafik (1994) reports that the relationship between economic growth and environmental quality has been a source of great disagreement for a lengthy period of time. On one side it has been observed that greater economic activity unavoidably leads to environmental degradation and finally to possible economic and ecological collapse. At the other side is the view that those environmental nuisances worth solving will be tackled more or less automatically as a consequence of economic growth. Previous to 1970, there was a conviction that the raw materials consumptions, energy and natural resources were growing at the same pace as economy grows. In the early 1970s, the Club of Romes Limits of Growth view (Meadows et al., 1972) was brazen about the concern for the accessibility of natural resource of the Earth. They argued that the finiteness of ecological resources would prevent economic growth and advocated for a solid state economy with zero growth to avoid striking ecological circumstances in the future. This view has been criticised on both hypothetical and empirical grounds. Experimental works shows that the ratio of consumption of some metals to income was falling in developed countries during the 1970s, which brings divergence with the predictions set out in the Limits to Growth view (Maleness, 1978). Natural environment not only provide natural resources important for economic development but also execute the vital function of supporting life, if man persist to exp loit environment recklessly, then it would not be able to sustain life any longer. Environmental Kuznets Curve definition and graphical illustration The EKC follows the name of Nobel Laureate Simon Kuznets who had remarkably hypothesized an inverted U income-inequality relationship (Kuznets, 1955). In the 1990s economists detected this relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. Since then this relationship is known as Environmental Kuznets Curve. According to the EKC theory as a country develops, the pollution increases, but after reaching a specific level of economic progress (Y*) pollution begin to decrease as in figure 2. The EKC hypothesis suggests that environmental degradation is something unavoidable at the first stage of economic growth, so a developing country is forced to tolerate this degradation in order to develop. The x-axis symbolize the economic growth which is measured by GDP per capita and the y-axis represents the environmental degradation which is measured by many different pollution indicators such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, deforestation etc. The shapes of the Environmental Kuznets Curves. The relation between income and environmental pressure can be sketched in a several ways; firstly one can distinguish monotonic and non-monotonic curves. Monotonic curves may show either mounting pollution with rising incomes, as in the case of municipal waste per capita or decreasing. But, non-monotonic patterns may be more probable in other cases and two types have been recommended, namely inverted-U and N-shaped curves. The pattern discovered in experiential research depend on the types of pollutants scrutinised and the models that have been used for inference. Four speculative opinions are presented in favour of an inverted-U curve for (local) air pollutants, which can be listed as: Positive income elasticitys for environmental quality, Structural changes in production and consumption, Rising information on environmental consequences of economic activities as income rises and More international trade and more open political systems with increasing levels of income (Selden and Song 1994). Others, for example Pezzey (1989) and Opschoor (1990), have argued that such inverted-U relationships may not hold in the long run. They anticipated a so-called N-shaped curve which demonstrates the same pattern as the inverted-U curve initially, but beyond a certain income level the relationship between environmental pressure and income is positive again. Delinking is thus considered a temporary phenomenon. Opschoor (1990), for example, argues that once technological efficiency enhancements in resource use or abatement opportunities have been exhausted or have become too expensive, further income growth will result in net environmental degradation. Despite these considerations empirical evidence so far has been largely in favour of the inverted-U instead of the N shaped relationship (de Bruyn et al., 1998). The shortcomings of EKC analysis A number of critical studies of the EKC literature have been published (e.g. Ansuategi et al., 1998; Arrow et al., 1995; Ekins, 1997; Pearson, 1994; Stern et al., 1996; Stern, 1998). Theoretical critique This section discusses the criticisms that were raised against the EKC on theoretical (rather than methodological) grounds. One of the main criticisms of the EKC models is the assumption that environment and growth are not interrelated. In simple words the EKC hypothesis assumes no feedback between income and the pollution of environment. Fare et al., (2001) refer that due to the non-availability of actual data on environmental quality is the major restriction of all EKC studies. Environmental quality is something that is not measured accurately. Therefore, a guide of environmental quality, which could be a better measurement, should be developed and used to examine the EKC hypothesis. According to Ekins (2000), consideration in assessing the strength of the estimation is the reliability of the data used. However, there is little sign that the data problems are serious enough to shed doubt on the basic environment-income link for any particular environmental indicator, but the results in fact imply that this might be the case. Stern (2004) draws his attention to the mean median problem. He underlines that early EKC studies showed that a number of indicators: 2 SO emissions, x NO, and deforestation, peak at income levels around the current world mean per capita income. A hasty glimpse at the available econometric estimates might have lead one to believe that, given likely future levels of mean income per capita, environmental degradation should turn down from the present onward. Income is not yet, normally distributed but very skewed, with much larger numbers of people below mean income per capita than above it. Hence, this shows a median rather than mean income that is the relevant variable. Another problem related with the EKC studies is the little attention that has been paid to the statistical properties of time series. Very few studies in the past investigated the presence of unit root in time series of variables used to investigate the validity of the EKC. 2) Econometric critique Stern (2004) in a survey argues that the econometric criticisms of the EKC fall into four main categories: heteroscedasticity, simultaneity, omitted variables bias, and cointegration issues. Perman and Stern (2003) investigate the data and models for unit roots and cointegration respectively. Panel unit root tests designate that all three series log sulfur emissions per capita, log GDP capita, and its square have stochastic trends. Results for cointegration are less definite. About half the individual country EKC regressions cointegrate but many of these have limitations with incorrect signs. Some panel cointegration tests point out cointegration in all countries and some accept the non-cointegration hypothesis. However, even when cointegration is found, the form of the EKC relationship varies radically across countries with many countries having U-shaped EKCs. In case there is a common cointegrating vector in all countries it will be strongly rejected. Coondoo and Dinda (2002) carried out an analysis for Granger Causality between CO2 emissions and income in various individual countries and regions. In general model that emerges is that causality runs from income to emissions or that there is no significant relationship in developing countries, while in developed countries causality runs from emissions to income. Still, in every case the relationship is positive so that there is no EKC type effect. Data and Time Series Properties To study the relationship between the GDP of Mauritius and the C02 emission in Mauritius the annual data that are being used are; total C02 emission from 1976 to 2008, the real GDP from 1976 to 2008, and the population of Mauritius from 1976 to 2008. From these sets of data it can be clearly seen that while population and C02 emission has been increasing, during these years the real GDP has been fluctuating a bit. In mid 1970s after the independence there has been a lot of development and transformation in our country. Our economy was diversified and more jobs were created. Furthermore we received more foreign aid. By the late 1970s our economy deteriorated a bit mainly due to the increase in petroleum price in the world market and this lead to less government subsidies and devaluation of our Mauritian Rupees. Then by late 1980s the economy experience steady growth and also a high level of employment, declining inflation and more domestic savings. This period was also marked by the boom in the sugar industry. Though the development slowed down in the 1990s there was a gradual development of the local financial institutions and at the same time our domestic information telecommunication industry boomed. By the start of the 21st ce ntury there our financial services sector became a very important pillar of the economy with an increasing number of offshore enterprises. Finally our economy developed a lot due to the seafood processing and export during the last 10 years.

The Impact of Teaching on Students Essay -- English Writing Teacher St

A number of people whom I have heard recount their former school days with an overall sense of calm or detachment have been moved to more intensity when speaking of their experiences with writing. Their stories either enthusiastically celebrate the encouragement and praise offered by teachers who facilitated their self-confidence and pride, or are miserable tales that depict feelings of humiliation, disappointment and failure. A closer look at these two extremes is imperative as we consider teaching writing and the impact of that teaching on the students. While listening to recollections of English classes, I have found that it is not unusual for the stories of a single individual to weigh as heavily in one direction as the other. One of the reasons I feel strongly about this issue is that it mirrors my own experiences as a returning student. Like the others with whom I’ve spoken, I have been applauded by some teachers and judged harshly by others. Comments on my papers have ranged from, â€Å"An outstanding essay. I enjoyed reading it immensely,† and â€Å"This is one of the best papers I’ve gotten in years. I shared it with a colleague of mine,† to â€Å"Who ever taught you how to write?† and â€Å"What? What? Cut, cut, cut. So wordy. Not more backfill!† A simple explanation might be that disparaging comments were directed at early writing and praise at later work, but that is not the case. What then can be the reason? Inconsistent work, of course, or perhaps the incongruity can be explained by the subjectivity inherent in the judgment of writing, particularly when contrasted with a more systematic assessment tool like multiple choice tests (there is subjectivity even in these, as regards wording and interpretation of the questions, but that is ... ...ucating Other People’s Children.† Cross-Talk in Comp Theory: A Reader. Ed. Victor Villanueva, Jr. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 1997. Elbow, Peter. Writing Without Teachers. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. Emig, Janet. â€Å"Writing as a Mode of Learning.† Cross-Talk in Comp Theory: A Reader. Ed. Victor Villanueva, Jr. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 1997. Murray, Donald M. â€Å"Writing as Process: How Writing Finds Its Own Meaning.† Learning By Teaching. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 1982. 17-31. Originally published in Timothy R. Donovan and Ben W. McClelland, eds. Eight Approaches to Teaching Writing. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 1980. Perl, Sondra. â€Å"Understanding Composing.† College Composition and Communications 31 (1980): 363-369. Reprinted in Gary Tate, Edward P. J. Corbett and Nancy Myers, eds. The Writing Teacher’s Sourcebook, 3rd edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. 149-154. The Impact of Teaching on Students Essay -- English Writing Teacher St A number of people whom I have heard recount their former school days with an overall sense of calm or detachment have been moved to more intensity when speaking of their experiences with writing. Their stories either enthusiastically celebrate the encouragement and praise offered by teachers who facilitated their self-confidence and pride, or are miserable tales that depict feelings of humiliation, disappointment and failure. A closer look at these two extremes is imperative as we consider teaching writing and the impact of that teaching on the students. While listening to recollections of English classes, I have found that it is not unusual for the stories of a single individual to weigh as heavily in one direction as the other. One of the reasons I feel strongly about this issue is that it mirrors my own experiences as a returning student. Like the others with whom I’ve spoken, I have been applauded by some teachers and judged harshly by others. Comments on my papers have ranged from, â€Å"An outstanding essay. I enjoyed reading it immensely,† and â€Å"This is one of the best papers I’ve gotten in years. I shared it with a colleague of mine,† to â€Å"Who ever taught you how to write?† and â€Å"What? What? Cut, cut, cut. So wordy. Not more backfill!† A simple explanation might be that disparaging comments were directed at early writing and praise at later work, but that is not the case. What then can be the reason? Inconsistent work, of course, or perhaps the incongruity can be explained by the subjectivity inherent in the judgment of writing, particularly when contrasted with a more systematic assessment tool like multiple choice tests (there is subjectivity even in these, as regards wording and interpretation of the questions, but that is ... ...ucating Other People’s Children.† Cross-Talk in Comp Theory: A Reader. Ed. Victor Villanueva, Jr. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 1997. Elbow, Peter. Writing Without Teachers. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. Emig, Janet. â€Å"Writing as a Mode of Learning.† Cross-Talk in Comp Theory: A Reader. Ed. Victor Villanueva, Jr. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 1997. Murray, Donald M. â€Å"Writing as Process: How Writing Finds Its Own Meaning.† Learning By Teaching. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 1982. 17-31. Originally published in Timothy R. Donovan and Ben W. McClelland, eds. Eight Approaches to Teaching Writing. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 1980. Perl, Sondra. â€Å"Understanding Composing.† College Composition and Communications 31 (1980): 363-369. Reprinted in Gary Tate, Edward P. J. Corbett and Nancy Myers, eds. The Writing Teacher’s Sourcebook, 3rd edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. 149-154.