Alliant Energy Case Study Free Essays

1. Who are the main players (name and position)? William D Harvey, Chairman and CEO of Alliant Energy Jamie Toledo, head of supplier diversity program- Alliant Energy 2. In what business or businesses and industry or industries is the company operating? Energy/Utility- Alliance provides electricity and natural gas service 3. We will write a custom essay sample on Alliant Energy Case Study or any similar topic only for you Order Now What are the issues and problems facing the company? That diversity within the workforce and supplier base does not meet corporate core values and goals (to create and retain/maintain a diverse workforce/supplier base, and place women in positions not traditionally held by women, still need more ethnic diversity) in order to maximize their abilities Employees are confused about Alliant’s definition of diversity Employees’ perception of diversity (affirmative action, work attitudes, job satisfaction) 4. What is the primary problem for the company/organization in this case? That diversity within the workforce and supplier base does not meet corporate core values and goals 5. Why have the problem (s) you cite emerged? Identify the causal chain (the events or Circumstances that caused the problem-Some will be Internal Weaknesses, others EXTERNAL Threats). Employees’ perception of diversity (affirmative action, work attitudes, job satisfaction— external threat, people come to the workplace with preconceived notions regarding diversity. Employees confused about definition of diversity- Internal cause by lack of training and lack of understanding regarding management’s expectations 6. What are the characteristics of the industry that the company is in and how is the Industry changing over time? Not typically an industry that includes many women, and is not located in an area of the United States that is particularly diverse. Industry is continuously growing as the need for energy increases, thus more people will need to be hired and more suppliers will be needed. The marketplace is full of many different ages, races, and religions. An organization with employees that reflect these different groups will be more successful in serving consumers because their workforce reflects the diversity of the marketplace 7. What is the firm’s strategy for differentiation, enabling them to compete within the context of their industry? According to Jamie Toledo, having diverse suppliers leads to new perspectives and creativity, it supports local communities, and ensures diverse businesses have fair opportunities. In addition, having a diverse workforce enables the company to understand the marketplace and increases the company’s chances of succeeding . What are possible solutions to the problems you have identified? Continue to communicate senor managements’ commitment to diversity, explain the benefits of diversity, active participation of employees in the training, create an internal diversity council 9. What are the advantages and possible disadvantages of your solution(s)? Advantage: more training and m ore continued reinforcement typically leads to more involvement and awareness, employees now know the definition and of and benefits of diversity at it applies to their jobs and company. Possible disadvantage: the scripted training may reinforce stereotypes. All day, mandated training may lead to some employees not grasping all the elements of the training 10. Are there any possible problems with your suggested recommendations? What contingencies need to be accommodated? Training may be too scripted, not enough employee involvement†¦. Solution= include more informal forums or guest speakers. Could also spread the scripted training over the course of multiple days. How to cite Alliant Energy Case Study, Free Case study samples

Prometheus Bound Immortality Essay Example For Students

Prometheus Bound Immortality Essay A monologue from the play by Aeschylus NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from The Dramas of Aeschylus. Trans. Anna Swanwick. London: George Bell and Sons, 1907. IO: I know not how I can deny your wish,So in clear word all ye desire to knowThat shall ye hear;Yet am I ashamed to tellWherefore on me, forlorn one, burst the stormHeaven-sent and whence this forms disfigurement.For evermore would nightly visions hauntMy virgin chambers, gently urging meWith soothing words;O damsel, highly blest,Why longer live in maidenhood when theeWait loftiest nuptials? For by passions dartInflamed is Zeus for thee and fain would shareThe yoke of Kypris. Spurn not thou, O child,The couch of Zeus, but to the grassy meadOf Lerna hie thee, to thy fathers herdsAnd cattle-stalls, that so the eye of ZeusFrom longing may find respite. By such dreamsFrom night to night still was I visited,Unhappy one; till, taking heart at length,My night-born visions to my sire I told.Then he to Pytho made a herald sentAnd to Dodona; seeking to be taughtHow best, by deed or word, to please the gods.But they returned, announcing oraclesOf riddling import, vague and hard to spell.At len gth to Inachos came clear response,By voice oracular commanding himFrom home and father-land to thrust me forth,At large to range, as consecrate to heaven,Far as earths utmost bounds. Should he refuse,From Zeus would come the fiery thunderbold,And his whole race extirpate utterly.Then yielding to such Loxian Oracles,He drove me forth, and barred me from his home,Against his will and mine; but, forcefully,The curb of Zeus constrained him this to do.Forthwith my shape and mind distorted were,And horned, as ye behold me, goaded onBy gad-fly, keen of fang, with frenzied boundsI to Kerchneias limpid current rushd,And found of Lerna. Then the earth-born herdsman,Hot-tempered Argos, ever dogged my steps,Gazing upon me with his myriad eyes.But him a sudden and unlooked-for fateDid reave of life; but I, brize-tortured, stillBefore the scorge divine am driven onFrom land to land; the past thou hearest; nowIf thou canst tell my future toils, say on,Nor, pity-moved, soothe me with lying tales,F or garbled words, I hold, are basest ills.

Nature versus Nurture

Introduction The human race has elicited many unrelenting controversies concerning the different aspects of its existence. These controversies often yield debates that sometimes develop from simple arguments aimed at understanding individual behavioral differences to become politically motivated disputes over distributive justice and societal power (McLeod par. 12).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nature versus Nurture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A prime example of this nature of debates is the debate on whether nature or nurture has a greater bearing on the development of the diverse individual behavioral differences that exist. This age-old debate neither shows any indication of ending soon nor identifying which of the two factors has more influence on behavioral differences. Researchers and scholars have conducted numerous studies over the same, but the have not settled this debate. This paper seeks to ex plore this debate in the light of a recent article that appeared in The Wall Street Journal, â€Å"Nature vs. Nurture: New Science Stirs Debate How Behavior Is Shaped; Who’s an Orchid, Who’s a Dandelion†, in a bid to establish what it adds to already existing body of literature on this controversy. A Synopsis of the Article The article in question, Nature vs. Nurture: New Science Stirs Debate How Behavior is Shaped; Who’s an Orchid, Who’s a Dandelion, featured in The Wall Street Journal on September 16, 2013 with Jonathan Rockoff as the author. The article opens by noting that researchers are moving closer to explaining how nature rather than nurture has more influence on human behavior as the extent of individuals’ sensitivity to external influences varies based on the biological composition of their nervous system (Rockoff par. 3). As such, some individuals are more susceptible to external influences than others are. Individuals that are m ore susceptible are termed as ‘orchids’ while the less susceptible types are termed as ‘dandelions’ (Rockoff par. 3). A baffling finding is that orchids will perform very poorly in adverse environments, but they will thrive under optimum conditions in contrast to dandelions (Rockoff par. 5). This observation was confirmed by a 2010 study in the Journal of Child Development, which showed children performing poorly under fighting parents, but became best performers under a happier home life. A study by the National Academy of Sciences also supports this position by asserting that under adverse economic conditions, environmentally sensitive mothers (orchids) were very harsh with their children, but under better economic circumstances, they parented their children better than non sensitive mothers (dandelions) (Rockoff par. 7).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Th ese findings have escalated the nature-nurture debate once again, but even so, a lot remains unknown over environmental susceptibility, and thus it is tentatively arguable that people have both orchid and dandelion traits to varying degrees. Critics have faulted the evidence provided noting that a more rigorous study is necessary. However, despite such calls from critics, an analysis of 15 studies, which incorporated up to 1200 children as conducted in 2011 by Dr. Van IJzendoorn among others, confirmed that dopamine production in an individual had a bearing on environmental susceptibility (Rockoff par. 20). An Analysis of the Article This article, like other literature on the nature-nurture debate, explicitly outlines the dilemma that researchers and other experts in the field of psychology find themselves in over the issue. Proponents of each side conduct their studies and attempt to pitch their side as the most influential on behavioral development. However, every time a researche r does this, critics find gaping holes in the explanations offered just like in this article. Eventually, the debate remains hanging in the balance without a clear concept of the side that has more influence on behavioral development. This article argues in favor of biological determinism by presenting empirical evidence from several studies, which seems to make it reputable, but critics refute it on the grounds of the credibility of the evidence presented. For instance, it is noted that orchids are susceptible to environmental influence, but the type of influence they are susceptible to is not specified. Assuming that they are susceptible to every form of influence that comes their way would be erroneous as noted by one of the critics (Rockoff par. 17). Personally, I do not agree with the research findings in the article because even though the studies were conducted, they do not present adequate ground for researchers to make the conclusions they made. It is true that dopamine mig ht influence environmental susceptibility as concluded in the article. However, the study also needed to specify the kind of susceptibility it influences because without this element, it follows that all orchids in the same surroundings are supposed to manifest identical traits. Concisely, the findings of the studies are incomplete and are thus unacceptable.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nature versus Nurture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The significance of this article insofar as the field of psychology is concerned stems from the fact it stimulates the minds of researchers towards an idea that might have eluded them for a long time. It points out the significance of dopamine in influencing environmental susceptibility among individuals. Though this point does not comprehensively explain how biological determinism plays a bigger role in dictating behavior, it begins to outline how the genetic code of an i ndividual affects how s/he interacts with the environment. In essence, it begins to indicate that nature does not influence behavior, but it determines how the individual interacts or s/he is affected by the environment. In this sense, both genetic composition and the environment interact to determine behavior. This perspective concurs with studies conducted by Evans (423-51) to determine the influence of the physical environment on behavior. The studies were conducted to find out the influence of noise, crowding, and the quality of housing and neighborhood on the behavior of children. The study of the influence of noise on behavior revealed that children’s reading abilities and cognitive development are adversely affected by noise through delays in the ability to read and interfering with long-term memory respectively. The studies also found out that teachers in noisy environments become more exhausted, irritable, and impatient with learners, thus affecting the cognitive dev elopment of learners. These studies clearly indicate that the physical environment has a significant bearing on the behavioral development of an individual. This assertion stems from the fact that noise had an effect on the students as well as teachers and crowding had an effect on both the child and the parent. The effect of these environmental factors on the child is magnified by the fact that the child is subjected to the direct influence of the factors coupled with the indirect influence that come from the influence of these factors on the teacher or parent. It is noteworthy to point out that though several children may be subjected to the same noise levels and same extent of crowding, their behavior patterns cannot turn out to be exactly similar. This observation implies that even though the environment may influence behavior as established by these studies, it can only do so depending on every individual’s unique personal characteristics. The effect of the environment i s the same on all, but the behavior of every individual will remain different even if there were some similarities. This assertion means that the influence of the environment combines with an individual’s unique trait to yield a certain behavior pattern. This aspect points to the flaws in the study by Evans (423-51) because it fails to consider that the same environmental factors can still yield different behavior patterns within a group.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion This paper sought to explore the article on Nature vs. Nurture by Rockoff in a bid to find its placement within the body of literature on this debate in the field of psychology. The article endeavors to pitch biological determinism as being superior to environmental influence insofar as behavioral development is concerned. A 2010 study in the Journal Child Development and a study by the National Academy of Sciences both espouse the idea that some individuals are more susceptible to environmental influence than others are as aforementioned. The article, like other literature on this subject, only adds to the confusion that already exists since critics of the studies that were cited in the article rightly refute the findings on the grounds of their credibility and authenticity. A careful consideration of the ideas espoused by the article and opponents of such ideas shows that the environment acts on an individual’s innate abilities to produce a unique pattern of beha vior for every individual. Works Cited Evans, Gary. â€Å"Child Development and the Physical Environment.† Annual Review of Psychology 57(2006): 423-451. Print. McLeod, Saul.  Nature Nurture in Psychology – Simply Psychology,  2007. Web. Rockoff, Jonathan. Nature vs. Nurture: New Science Stirs Debate – How Behavior Is Shaped; Who’s an Orchid, Who’s a Dandelion, 2013. Web. This essay on Nature versus Nurture was written and submitted by user Jorge Winters to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

15 Quotes Exploring the Complex Father-Son Relationship

15 Quotes Exploring the Complex Father-Son Relationship Dads and sons have a complex relationship.  As  Frank Herbert said,  What is the son but an extension of the father? Fathers try to pass on to their sons the knowledge of what it means to be a man and to be successful in life. Most fathers raise their boys based on their own experiences with their fathers, for better or worse. Former President George H.W. Bush It’s much worse to read criticism about your son than yourself. Johann Schiller It is not flesh and blood but the heart, which makes us fathers and sons. Aldous Huxley Sons have always a rebellious wish to be disillusioned by that, which charmed their fathers. George Herbert One father is enough to govern one hundred sons, but not a hundred sons, one father. Marlene Dietrich A king, realizing his incompetence, can either delegate or abdicate his duties. A father can do neither. If only sons could see the paradox, they would understand the dilemma. William Shakespeare When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry. Walter M. Schirra, Sr. You dont raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, theyll turn out to be heroes, even if its just in your own eyes. James Baldwin If the relationship of father to son could really be reduced to biology, the whole earth would blaze with the glory of fathers and sons. Robert Frost The father is always a Republican toward his son, and his mothers always a Democrat. Relationship Between the Father and His Teenaged Son The need to emulate the father seems to dissipate when kids reach adolescence. The rebellious hormones want nothing of the old mans wisdom. Most young teenagers want to distance themselves from their fathers. Relationships that were built with a bond of love and trust become strained  and withdrawn. Most fathers remain distant when their kids are growing, to avoid a clash of personality. Is this normal or a trend towards growing family discord? On the TV sitcom Home Improvement, starring Tim Allen. In one of the episodes, Wilson makes a wry comment: Parents are the bone on which children sharpen their teeth. What Im saying is that when a boy is young, he worships his father and in order for the boy to become a man, hes got to see his father as a fallible human being and stop seeing him as a god.   The cold war can continue well into the adult phase of the childs life  until he himself becomes a father. Sooner or later, the cycle of life allows the new father to reminisce his childhood days and recount the innumerable ways his  father showered love upon him. American actor James Caan once said, I never saw my dad cry. My son saw me cry. My dad never told me he loved me, and consequently, I told Scott I loved him every other minute. The point is, I’ll make fewer mistakes than my dad, my sons hopefully will make fewer mistakes than me, and their sons will make fewer mistakes than their dads. And one of these days, maybe we’ll raise a perfect Caan. Fathers and Sons Can Share a Bond Through Fun Activities Fathers who nurture their sons through projects and activities have a strong and healthy relationship. Usually, fathers and sons enjoy the same activities, whether fishing or football. Find an activity that suits you and your sons. You could choose to go camping with your son. Or consider teaching the young boy basic techniques of golf. If football is your first love, share anecdotes and funny stories with your boys  while catching up on the action on Super Bowl. These quotes about fathers and sons reflect on the wonderfully complicated relationship between boys and their fathers. On Fathers Day, help every father and son reach out to each other through these loving words. Alan Valentine For thousands of years, father and son have stretched wistful hands across the canyon of time, each eager to help the other to his side, but neither quite able to desert the loyalties of his contemporaries. The relationship is always changing and hence always fragile; nothing endures except the sense of difference. Confucius The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them. Ralph Waldo Emerson, (on the death of his son) My son, a perfect little boy of five years and three months, had ended his earthly life. You can never sympathize with me; you can never know how much of me such a young child can take away. A few weeks ago I accounted myself a very rich man, and now the poorest of all.

Media history research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Media history research paper - Essay Example Five categories of media were used in the interview namely sound recording, radio, television, movies, and print. Each category would be discussed later on in the paper together. (Name of interviewee) owned a magnetic tape and tape recorder which he used for listening to his favorite tracks. It was found in his living room. He also had a phonograph which he got from his grandfather. He said he was fascinated with the phonograph since it was the very first recorder ever invented. On top of that, Benjamin Franklin was the one who started it all so he appreciated so much the presence of the phonograph from his grandparents’ home before he got the phonograph. During the 1940s according to him, the famous songs were Run Rabbit Run and Were Gonna Hang Out The Washing On The Siegfried Line  by Flanagan and Allen, Lili Marlene  by Anne Shelton, Jukebox Saturday Night  by Glenn Miller & his orchestra, The Blackout Stroll  by Joe Loss & His Band, Aint Nobody Here But Us Chickens   by Louis Jordan & His Tympany 5 and Youre Driving Me Crazy by Charlie & his orchestra. Radio was still popular way back in the 1940s according to (name of interviewee). Television was already gaining popularity but many people still preferred to listen to the radio. He was able to remember how radio became a free medium and turned the music industry to the next level because more advertising can be done while people can freely enjoy the music. Some companies even did not allow their start to appear on radio. He also observed how the recordings became not very popular and lost some profits because of the booming business in radio. The interviewee cannot forget how the radio started in 1940 so he even shared some significant events: FM radio was demonstrated for the FFC the very first time, Fireside chat was broadcasted on National Defense and National Security and Charles de Gaulle, a general and

Big Problems in Chinese Popular Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Big Problems in Chinese Popular Culture - Essay Example Moreover, bulk production tactics helped China to provide employment to thousands of Chinese people. Another interesting factor is that the one child policy implemented by China helped them to control the population growth up to certain extent. China’s economy is the largest in Asia it may become the largest in the world in the near future itself. Albert Keidel (2008) has pointed out that â€Å"China’s economy will surpass that of the United States by 2035 and be twice its size by mid- century† (Keidel). Amidst all these positives, it is a fact that unemployment problems in China is growing at a steady rate and the government failed to implement any effective measures to counter it. Unemployment rate in China is around 11% at present which is creating serious problems with access to housing, education, and basic social services. This paper analyses questions such as; How college graduates and peasant workers deal with unemployment in China; What advantages and disadvantages does each group hold and How do crime and corruption, along with social stability and mobility play a role in the PRC today etc. Even though the unemployment rates are coming down, it should be noted that more than 230 million people in China are still jobless. In other words, statistics are not providing the actual depth of the unemployment problems in China. â€Å"What confronts the young generation of today is structural unemployment, mostly resulting from a mismatch between the conditions and nature of jobs and the skills and expectations of the young generation† (Litao & Yanjie, p.i). The expectations of the current youths in China with respect to employment are high. Unlike the old generation, they are not ready to work in hard working labor sectors such as the construction fields or manufacturing sectors. They are looking for white collar jobs and it is difficult for the Chinese

Why Did Eastern Europe Fall Under Communist Rule In The First Place Essay

Why Did Eastern Europe Fall Under Communist Rule In The First Place - Essay Example om potential capitalist oppression, providing assistance to the flourishing communist parties in central Europe and ensuring dictatorship of the proletariat in the conquered nations. In fact, most of the East European nations were willing to be part of the communist regime as they sought better security, protection and peace under the Soviet Union. This paper seeks to explore the various reasons and favourable conditions that contributed to Communist rule in Eastern Europe. Many of the Eastern European nations that suffered under Nazi occupation saw communism â€Å"as the best safeguard against the possibility of a revival of fascism in the future†; besides, â€Å"many of the Eastern European countries were liberated from Nazi Germany by the Russians† and â€Å"countries like Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary were in extreme financial hardship and communist policies would definitely have been attractive to them† (Communism after 1945: Background 2010). Similarly, many of the Eastern European countries expected a stable government under the Soviet governance which would make them powerful economically and politically. In the same way the Soviet forces were successful in developing a popular sentiment for socialism and communism (which was brought out by the demolition of Nazi and Fascist forces) in East Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Poland and they were immensely assisted by socialist movements such as the Soci alist Unity Party of Germany, the Hungarian Working Peoples Party, the Romanian Workers Party and the Polish United Workers Party in these countries. Brown (2010), in this respect, states that the Eastern European nations might have been attracted by the six essential defining characteristics that governed communism: â€Å"its political organisation: the monopoly of power of a Communist party and rigid discipline and strict hierarchy within that party†, â€Å"its centralised, command economy (with prices and output targets fixed