Thursday, November 28, 2019

Renewable Energy Wind Generating Plant for the Local Community

Introduction Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources. These sources are referred to as renewable due to their ability to naturally replenish themselves after being used (Twidell, 2006, p. 18). Approximately sixteen percent of the final energy consumed globally is from renewable resources. The renewable natural energy sources include wind, sunlight, geothermal, biomass, tides and rain.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Renewable Energy: Wind Generating Plant for the Local Community specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The problem associated with the usage of non-renewable energy resources is that they cannot be replenished as in renewable energy resources. This has led to concerns by all the stakeholders on the sustainability as they form the bulk of the energy sources of the world (Kaltschmitt, 2010, p. 101). The non-renewable energy sources will dwindle over time, which makes them expensive, as we ll as environmentally non-friendly. In contrast, renewable energy sources are sustainable over time as they replenish themselves, easy to use, less expensive and environmentally friendly. Therefore, a paradigm shift from non-renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources is necessary. In this course, it is estimated that the use of wind power is growing at a rate of approximately 30% annually worldwide (Sorensen, 2010, p. 224). The countries and continents most embracing renewable energy sources are the United States, Brazil, Asia and Europe. The main purpose of this project is to identify the most suitable renewable energy source to introduce to the local community. The project team is to carry out a feasibility study on the viable renewable energy sources to be introduced in the community. The project manager will be charged with overall oversight of the project. The assistant project manager will be in charge of two departments, which are the marketing and financial departm ents. The financial department will deal with all the financial aspects of the project, while marketing department will handle the marketing of the energy source in the society. Motivation The key drive for the project is to provide a clean and sustainable energy source to the local community where the company is situated. However, there are other stakeholders who the company must consider in its endeavors in order to meet its objectives and mission.Advertising Looking for report on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To find out the expectations and obligations of each stakeholder, it is necessary to undertake the research. Questionnaires and other techniques are used to determine their expectations and obligations. The first stakeholder is the public and community. A study on a sample of the community reveals the following expectations; a reliable, environmentally friendly and cheap source of energy. Most of the residents reveal that they would be willing to substitute their non-renewable energy sources with the renewable ones if they possess the above qualities. Based on this community need the project is initiated to meet it. The project is to obtain a license from the environmental regulation agency. The project must comply with all the legislations governing the use of renewable energy in the country. The other stakeholder is the AD chamber of commerce. The company will have to set up the required documents such as the articles of association to receive its certificate of operation from the chamber of commerce. The company will obtain its starting capital from the national bank. The bank will also handle the standing orders of the company. The payroll system of the company will be outsourced to the bank. The project will be obligated to guarantee financial health by a viable return on investment to payback the loans. Other stakeholders to the project include: research institute t o perform market trends, survey analysis and also research and development. Modern insurance company will provide employees with insurance in compliance with factory employee safety regulations. The trust fund of the company will cater for recruiting professionals for the project, providing additional funding, performing feasibility studies for the project and providing support and guidance to set up the business. Mediamax Media Company will help devise a marketing plan for the company and its products and lastly various vendors will supply equipments, materials and items required for the project. Solutions Review There are three solutions available to the company. They are those strategies that can be employed to provide a clean and sustainable source of energy for the community while guaranteeing the company a return on its investment.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Renewable Energy: Wind Generating Plant for the Local Community specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Wind The first option to the company is to set up a wind farm. Wind turbines with a power between five megawatts and six hundred kilowatts, considering the size of the wind farm, can be run by air flow (Twidell, 2006, p. 168). The power of the wind turbine will be determined by the speed of wind. The company will have to find an appropriate location for the wind farm. High altitude and offshore areas are preferable compared to inland locations, because there are higher wind speeds, therefore, resulting in higher energy levels. The benefits of using wind power include a stream of income for the company. The company will earn profit from the supply of the wind power to the community. The expected stream of income will be the discounted present value of income. Another benefit is clean and sustainable energy for the community. The community will also benefit from lower prices of electric power. Over the long run, the community will also benefit from lower levels of environmental pollution. The costs of the project are: the initial cost of obtaining the wind turbines and land to set up the wind farm. The company will also incur a cost from the interest payments on the loans to purchase the equipments and land. Another cost is the opportunity cost on the use of land for generation of wind power. The final costs that will be factored in are employee salaries and depreciation expenses on the equipment used in the wind farm. Solar Energy The second option available to the company is to set up a solar power generation plant. The company can acquire solar technologies to be used to generate energy and distribute to the community. They can also acquire solar technologies that they can set in peoples’ homes. This would be cost effective as they will not have to acquire land for setting the solar power generating plant. The benefits include: a stream of income for the company. The expected future flow of income will be the discounted present value of cash flow. The community will benefit from a cheap alternative energy, reduced environmental pollution and sustainable source of energy.Advertising Looking for report on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The cost includes: the initial cost of obtaining solar technologies, lost productivity by substituting non-renewable energy by solar power, opportunity cost of the resources used and depreciation expense on the equipments. Other costs include salaries to employees, interest payments on loans and lost production due to power outages during winter. Biofuel The company can set up a biomass processing plant to produce a variety of products such as bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas. The company will use raw materials such as sugarcane, vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled grease. The benefits are a stream of income for the company, cheap and environment friendly energy sources, sustainable energy resources and higher employment opportunities in the community. It will result in reduced emission of green house gases into the atmosphere in the long run. The costs of the project are initial capital to set up the plant and acquire raw materials, interest payments on loans, opportunity cost of the resources employed in production and depreciation expense on the equipments used in production. There are other miscellaneous costs such as salaries, operating expenses and the cost incurred in substitution. Decision Model The company will consider all the three options available to it. It will use the cost benefit analysis to make the decision. The option which has the most benefits relative to the costs will be taken by the company. The company will assign weights to the benefits and costs of each option. It will compare the score of each alternative available. Other variables will also be taken into consideration such as the community reception to the alternative energy source, the availability of raw materials and ease of assessing replacement parts for equipments used in the production process. Assigning weights to each option gives the following scores. The first option of using wind power gives a positive score. The weights of benefits obtained outweigh the weights of costs to be incurred. This generates a final positive score. However, there are other issues to consider, such as availability of high altitude or offshore areas in the community where more energy can be generated due to high wind speeds. The option to use solar power also generates a positive score. Assigning weights to benefits of using energy will outweigh the weights assigned to the costs. However, there are other issues to consider before choosing the option. The amounts of days and intensity of sunlight in the area, consider whether to set up a plant or set up the solar on the houses of the clients of the firm will be factored into the decision model. The third option also generates a final positive score. The gains that will be achieved from the use of biofuel will outweigh the costs associated with it. The project managers will therefore, address other factors to influence their decision models. They will consider the finances available to the company and accessibility to r aw materials to use in the biofuel plant. The project management chose to go with setting up a wind farm. They chose the option because of the availability of a high altitude area, which was a good site for the wind farm. The decision is also viable because of the availability of wind all year around, therefore it is a reliable and sustainable source of energy. The other alternatives were rejected on the grounds that sunlight was not a year round phenomenon therefore, not a reliable source of energy while biofuel was rejected due to the relative high cost of obtaining biomass for the plant and the high capital needed to start a biofuel processing plant. Most of the local people also supported setting up the wind farm as the area was unproductive and also due to the benefits of reduction in environmental pollution. Summary The decision to set up a wind generating plant is in line with the mission of the project to provide a clean and sustainable source of energy to the local communit y. The company will use three megawatts of wind turbines in the project. The project management team will be appointed to come up with all the critical activities to be carried out for the project to be completed. They will come up with the cost and time to take for the project success. The project meets the expectations and objectives of all the stakeholders. For the public and community, it meets their expectations of a clean, reliable and cheap source of energy necessary for them to adjust and adapt the new system (Kaltschmitt, 2010, p. 291). It is also within the legislations related to energy and environment according to the environmental agency. The project will also bring a good return on investment shown by the payback period of the project. Calculations show that through the expected streams of income, the project will be able to pay off its liabilities within the first seven years. The streams of income are calculated from demand projections and then discounting the net pr esent value of cash flows from the project. The project will also meet other stakeholders’ expectations for its success. The projects will receive certification from the chamber of commerce, the employees will be insured, and the funds will be provided to cater for support and guidance of the business and handle other issues such as recruiting exercises and carrying out of feasibility studies. Finally, the media company will market the project, the research team will do market analysis and also continuous development in the firm while the individual vendors will supply the project with equipments, materials and items needed for the project. The wind power project will meet the needs of all the stakeholders of the project. Implementation of the project is the last task of the project management team. Successful implementation will be crucial with them monitoring the project for continuous improvement in policies and procedure. Appendix Project Manager Task Time (months) Budget ($) Approval of logs of members periodical – Approval of budgets periodical – Coordination of duties periodical – Prepare quarterly reports 4 700 Assistant Project Manager Task Time (months) Budget ($) Monitor operation of departments periodical – Stand in for project manager periodical – Coordination of duties of departments periodical – Secure funds for project 1 – Financial Manager Task Time (months) Budget ($) Acquire funds 1 – Prepare budget 2 600 Prepare quarterly statements 3 300 Monitor use of funds by departments periodical – Marketing Manager Task Time (months) Budget ($) Manage advertisements periodical 2000 Consumer education 4 1500 Manage distribution 6 1200 Promotional campaigns periodical 1500 The project will be completed within the first year and performance of tasks must meet the budget. There are other tasks that are not listed, such as acquiring equipments and material and many other menial t asks. Swot Analysis This rivets a scrutiny of the strengths, disadvantages, opportunities and warnings to the project. The strengths to the project include: a receptive community that is adaptive to change its energy source, viable source of finance from the national bank, competent management team for the project, a good location for the wind farm and a competitive business environment for the business characterized by other supporting business such as banks, media companies and other firms. The weaknesses are those issues that may hinder the business from meeting its goals and objectives. The business may be exposed to risks when setting up the wind farm in the community. According to Bohm (2009, p. 19), lack of experience in the location of the business may be exposed to unforeseen risks that will distort future flow of income from the project. The risks include competition from other renewable energy sources, change in public opinion as related to renewable energy sources, maint aining a good public image of the company and having competent and motivated employees. The opportunities of the business include: continuous research and development by the research team. Research and development can lead to quality products and services offered to the consumer. It will lead to capturing of the market niche by the company. The threats that may hinder the success of the business include: change in public opinion due to the company’s failure to meet the demand of the society, change in legislation that the business may not be able to comply to and increased competition from other sources of energy such as non-renewable energy and other sources of renewable energy. The project management team will in-calculate the above analysis to best capitalize on the strengths and opportunities of the business will, at same time devising strategies to minimize the weaknesses and threats to the business. For the business to survive in the competitive and swiftly varying sett ing, the project managers should put in place mechanisms to continually adjust to the needs of every stakeholder, to ensure success of the company in the long run. References Bohm, A., 2009. The Swot Analysis. Grin Verlag, Munchen. Kaltschmitt, M., 2010. Renewable Energy: Technology, Economics and Environment. Springer, New York. Sorensen, B., 2010. Renewable Energy: Physics, Engineering, Environmental Impacts, Economics Planning. Academic Press, Massachusetts. Twidell, J., 2006. Renewable Energy Resources. Taylor Francis, London. This report on Renewable Energy: Wind Generating Plant for the Local Community was written and submitted by user J0nah 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.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Modernity and Revolution essays

Modernity and Revolution essays European culture during the 18th, and into the early 19th century could accurate be describe as a constant time of change. It was a fragile point in the history of Europe, due to constant revolutions of science and change, reformations of religion, improvement in mechanisms of production. With time continually going by new knowledge would be developed to discredit older, previously assumed and unempirical, thought. ( i.e. proof of the heliocentric theory) The role of the Monarchs began to decrease, Nobilities status wee being brought rather then born, yet the division in the classes was as present as always. The rich were still getting richer and the poor were left to be drain of all their money by continually high bread prices, and the main issue of taxation be held in the lower third in most countries. That is to say chief amounts of the tax collected (in France) was extracted directly from members of the 3rd estates income. (Perry 468) To accompany news trains of thought, there had to be an acceptance by the commons, the want or desire and for change and the willingness for change, is exactly the case in France and one of the main causes of the French revolution and more specially, the Bourgeoisie revolution. This will be discussed further in this paper. Also, along with new trains of thinking, as stated previously, came new mechanisms for facilitating greater changer, especially in agriculture. Yet, these changes lead to a swarm of new ideas for the improvement of machinery, that eventually lead the mass mobilization of the working force in what has been dubbed the Industrial Revolution. These situation are just two of many that occurred in this time period, yet the position of this paper is to describe, compare and contrast the two events previously mentioned, and conclude which of the events had a greater impact on the European culture, mainly in the respects of there affect of the modernity of Europe. It ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Value and Importance of Training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Value and Importance of Training - Essay Example They employ 2.2 million associates worldwide. With their ‘Every Day Low Cost’ strategy Wal-Mart has been able to become leaders in the retail sector. The company recognizes the contribution of its associates (Wal-Mart refers to its employees as associates) in the success of the company. The company since beginning believed in ‘bringing people up through the ranks’ (MMR, 2012). Associates that were keen to further their careers at Wal-Mart are regarded as potential management trainees. To support this, Wal-Mart had a well-established management training program and in the 1980s an increasing number of associated enrolled for the accelerated store management candidate program. Growth of Wal-Mart was so rapid that they had to go in for college recruitments in addition to its internal management identification and training program. Wal-Mart also has a reputation of high turnover of staff, which suggests that they need to motivate the staff to reduce attrition. H owever, associates need to have the knowledge and skills to serve, support and sell within their division (Wal-Mart, 2007). It is thus essential that associate learning is aligned to the business strategy of Wal-Mart. Training, for associates at Wal-Mart has to be specific to their area of responsibility. At the same time it must also prepare them for growth within the organization. Wal-Mart continually updates training and development programs and they adopted computer-based learning. However this has not been sufficient to motivate the associate to grow within the company. Wal-Mart needs to employ more effective training programs that could motivate and enhance performance of their associates. Training is fundamental in transforming the workforce but the training must start from the top and cascade down to the lower levels (Vermeulen & Crous, 2000). The best results are obtained when managers train their own people. However, for training to be effective it must be planned in a sys tematic manner. Training has to be ongoing not merely to meet the changes in technology but it also has to be relevant to the business environment in which the organization operates. In addition, training must be able to meet the future needs of the organization and should be organization-specific. Today it is no more sufficient to align training with the business strategy, especially as organizations employ young graduates. They need to fulfill graduate expectations as well (Connor & Shaw, 2008). Therefore, there has to be a shift from computer-based coaching. The efficacy of structured class-room coaching is debatable even if it is computer-based. Technology provides for alternate solutions including long-distance and e-learning approaches. The traditional programs curb creativity and do not encourage risk-taking (Cron et al, 2005). While technology is increasingly being adopted in training and development programs, it is necessary that such training is ongoing (Byers, 2005). Cons tant change in technology requires life-long learning. Change is inevitable in any business environment. Online training offers the flexibility and capacity to update the training instantly. This is not only a necessity as rapid change takes place in the business environment but it also adds to learner satisfaction. This enables the mature learners to avail of the training sessions at their convenience. Coaching activity in companies is declining which indicates that expected business benefits have

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Company Assessment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Company Assessment - Research Paper Example China, which is Nike's largest single sourcing country, employs more than 210,000 people and has over 180 manufacturers. The supply chain management was affected by the issues of unpaid wages, presentation of falsified documents, and underage employees. (Global Supply Chain Council, 2008) Nike tried to make sure that its code of conduct was followed by the Chinese manufacturers, in addition to Chinese laws. The official report released by Nike stated that labor-related issues such as hiring practices, inadequate grievance system for workers, falsified payroll records, and underage workers, were of great concern. (Global Supply Chain Council, 2008) When an identity check was carried out on 150,000 of Nike's workers in China, it was found that 167 employees were underage at the tie of recruitment and two of them were still underage. Paid wages were also not as per the raises mandated by the government. Moreover, the report stated that some of Nike's Chinese contract factories were playing tricks so they don't have to alter the wage levels. (Global Supply Chain Council, 2008) Nike is building a logistics centre in eastern China, which is to complete by the end of next year. This facility, like that in Jiangsu province, will be using high-tech conveyers and sorters for tracking and mobility of its products.Radio frequency technology will also be used to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Nike China is working hard to develop a state-of-the-art logistics facility and exhibit its expertise in supply chain management. It's also working to resolve labor issues, which leave a bad impact on company's reputation. Employing underage workers is the violation of international human rights and working laws. Moreover, many countries, such as USA are very particular about not doing trade of items that involve underage labor. This does not only harm company's prestige but also its revenues. (Gabe Perna, 2009 and Portland Business Journal, 2009) Recently, a Greenpeace report named "Slaughtering the Amazon" had identified different shoe companies that were held responsible for deforestation in the Amazon. Nike was one of them. Last month Nike announced its new leather policy of no sourcing from Amazon rainforest. It conducted extensive discussion with the suppliers and claimed that it is going to make sure that leather used in Nike products is not coming from Amazon rainforests. However, as there is no standard tracing systems a yet, the company cannot give a 100% guarantee. (Global Supply Chain Council, 2009) Nike has called its suppliers to develop a tracking system that would make sure that the leather used does not come from cattle raised in Amazon Biome. Suppliers are to come up with a transparent and traceable tracking system by July 1 next year. Incase suppliers fail to do so; Nike will extend the area outside of Amazon as its leather source. Suppliers are also required to become members of Leather Working Group by the end of this year. Nike is working with this group to create an industry standard traceability system. (Global Supply Chain Council, 2009) References Nikebiz, Company Overview, 2009, ,

Monday, November 18, 2019

Historical Communications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Historical Communications - Essay Example The rebus principle is one of the several principal types of pictographs that laid the foundation for the development of modern syllabaries. The rebus principle turns the sound into a symbol which then becomes part of more complex linguistic structures (Ong 86). At the level of rebus writing, â€Å"the symbol represents primarily a sound, and a rebus is a kind of phonogram† (Ong 86). As a result, the rebus principle shaped the basis for the creation of modern alphabetic systems by enabling individuals and societies to use pictures/symbols that signified particular sounds. A combination of those sounds would be used by those societies to describe complex notions. For example, the English word Milwaukee can be written down as a combination of the mill, walk, and key symbols (mill-walk-key) (Ong 86). This is one of the easiest examples of how the rebus principle works. Apparently, the rebus principle drove the subsequent systematization of sounds and their common representation i n written languages. With the help of the rebus principle a symbol denoting a particular concept could also be used in homonyms (WALS). The rebus principle facilitated the development and use of symbols denoting abstract notions, and gradually transformed into systemic and recognizable phonetic signs (WALS). The rebus principle was extremely common in the earliest Chinese writing, and today the Chinese and Japanese languages continue to rely on hybrid phonetic and syllabic structures. Simply stated, the symbols and pictograms used to denote complex notions gradually became a common pattern of representing those notions in writing. With time, the symbols and pictograms turned into phonetic signs to be used systematically in a particular writing language. The importance of the rebus principle for intercultural communications and understanding should not be disregarded. Better understanding across languages and language systems is one of the major benefits of the rebus system. For exam ple, persons speaking different dialects and being unable to understand each other can use the rebus principle to denote complex meanings through sounds (Ong 87). The rebus principle is of particular importance for the Asian languages, especially Chinese, since the Chinese characters are represented by exquisitely stylized pictures (Ong 87). Better understanding among different language groups can also drive the development of new symbolic systems: by using the rebus principle to understand each other; different language carriers can borrow the most convenient symbols and characters from a different language or dialect. Calling the alphabet â€Å"alphabet†: far-reaching linguistic implications The word â€Å"alphabet† signifies the starting point in the development of the basic and advanced language skills. Actually, every language is believed to start with an alphabet. In reality, however, the presence of an alphabet is the sign of language development and advancement . It is the result of numerous transformations and an important feature of contemporary language systems. Even the term â€Å"alphabet† has far-reaching implications for understanding its essence. By calling the alphabet â€Å"alphabet† (or alpha-beta), it is automatically implied that the alphabet reduces sounds to spatial equivalents and more analytic, manageable units (Ong 90). As a result, instead of having a

Friday, November 15, 2019

Three categories to Aging

Three categories to Aging 1. Introduction What is old? What is ageing? There are three categories for older adults ages, â€Å"young old†, â€Å"old old† and â€Å"oldest old† (Papalia et al., 2009). Young old is suggested as the age from 65 to 74; old old is suggested as the age from 75 to 84 whereas oldest old is suggested as the age of 85 and the above. Ageing is a natural process in which it can be described in two dimensions. Primary aging is the gradual, inevitable process of ageing. It is unavoidable. It occurs throughout years even with efforts/ technology which are used to help to slow the ageing process down. The secondary aging is avoidable, as it results from disease, abuse. For instance, having a healthy lifestyle might help to reduce the risks of entering secondary ageing or delay the entering. In a rapid developing society like Hong Kong, people seem to avoid talking about aging and view ageing as a negative process rather than a natural process. Therefore, ageism becomes one of the social problems in Hong Kong. Traxler has given the definition that if a person or a group of people who are subordinated because of the age by any means (e.g. action, attitude or by an institution) it would be classified as ageism. Ageing situation in Hong Kong According to the U.S. Census Bureau, International Database, the Hong Kong population pyramids 2010 has predicted that the dominant age group would be the 45-49 year-old people in which it would be close to 400 000 among the whole population in Hong Kong. The population of other age groups, 40-44 and 50-54 would be similar and close to the 45-49 group. By 2050, the leading age group would be the 80+ where the female 80+ population would get close to 700 000 while other age groups would remain similar and stay under 300 000 (National Master, 2003). The longevity is one of the possible reasons of the change of the population pyramids with the enhancement on medical technologies, the better prevention or prediction of diseases, the higher standard of living and so on. Ageing is unavoidable and it is an inevitable process for life. Because of this reason, I believe it is important to understand ageing in terms of theories and from that to develop possible solutions to tackle the problem or to smoothen the adaptation of the demographic changes in Hong Kong. Objectives The objectives of this paper are: (1) To overview aging and ageism in terms of different theories, (2) To offer some possible solutions to promote positive images of ageing 2. Theoretical Perspectives Disengagement Theory This is a psychosocial concept to state that older adults will gradually disengage in a society (The Medical Dictionary, 2009). They are said to be inactive and being uninterested towards their possible participation in the society. This theory has bias towards ageism and has given people the negative point of view of aging. Work/ job related disengagement When older adults retire, the primarily disengagement is caused by their functions in society. Some of them stop working when they retire and are said to be â€Å"non-functional† towards the working field. Some would continue their work (part time or full time). However, some older adults that wish to continue their work always suffer in difficult job-seeking process. Employability for them seems to be low or lower in Hong Kong. It might be possible that some of them have accumulated much experience and in return the current wages would not be satisfied for them. It would end up that retirement would become a transition for them with a reduction in their incomes. In contrast, some less educated older adults might not be able to compete with younger jobseekers. Such two diverse reasons could use to explain why the employability for older adults is low. Family relationship related disengagement One of the reasons of the demographic changes would be the delay of marriage and it could possibly delay the life-transitions (Harper, 2004). For example, entering late adulthood later than the expected age, there are people confusing about the term â€Å"middle age† in which they believe that middle age could mean people that are 65+ in age (Papalia et al., 2009)) Because of that reason, there is potential that older adults experience disengagement with their children who leave home. Alternatively, disengagement theory assumes that older adults have a tendency to get involve with people with similar ages forming a so called â€Å"homogenous group† (The Medical Dictionary, 2009). In my own point of view, I would believe that older adults are disengaging and from that new engagement is needed. While engaging with â€Å"new people† in which they are of similar ages with the older adults, they create or regain something that is meaningful or of value to them. There seems to be a contradiction between the assumption of the theory and its pessimistic explanation of ageing. In addition, there is also criticism for disengagement theory as it provides a negative point of view of ageing; it tends to reinforce the stereotypes of older adults. For instances, older adults are useless, inactive, withdrawn, etc (Palmore, 1999). Clinical Frameworks These are represented by medical, biological and naturalist theories. The main emphasize would be that the physical changes on the older adults. The physical changes are referred in term of biological perspectives. The nature of the framework seems not to be focused on the sociological perspective. However, the frameworks highlight a present change or sometimes viewed as an issue by people the higher life expectancies. Dozois has stated that the advancement of medicine have led to greater longevity. When people have noticed the change in proportion of older adults over the population in the last century, ageism is worsen (2006). People raise concerns and accentuate that older adults are non-productive. Non-productive in this case claims that older adults consume lots of resources but in return they do not contribute toward what they have consumed. The large number of non-productive people might affect the society (mainly the economic side) in which the vast majority people would con sider as a concern (Dozois, 2006) Relating such frameworks to Hong Kong, some people believe that the government would need to pay more attention to the aging society. As a result, the welfare system in Hong Kong might experience a high demand situation in the coming next 10 years onward while the Hong Kong population is changing. Simultaneously, when Hong Kong is facing so many different economic crises, the rapidly evolving economic relationships with China and other countries, ageing would serve as a factor that affects the Hong Kong economy. In the future, the government might need to increase tax rate when dealing with the large population of older adults who are eligible to applying the old age allowance (OAA) in Hong Kong as one of the social welfare services. Consequently, the society might put forward a more negative image for the older adults in Hong Kong. It is like a circular causality to boost ageism. Activity Theory In my opinion, activity theory is the opposite of the disengagement theory as it describe ageing in a much more positive viewpoint. It basically says that how a person is being constructed in two major focused sources, (1) What they do and (2) The roles they have in their lives (Roy and Russel, 2005). Similar to disengagement theory, activity theory claimed that people â€Å"give up† or â€Å"force to give up† roles as they age. When they retire from work, when they lose their partners, drop out of professional, clubs, unions and so on. Those are the parts that holding a person together as w whole. The sudden changes cause by the retirement might become the cue of why older adults would reduce their sense of identity. According to the humanistic theory, there are two selves, the actual self and the ideal self (Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 2009). The actual self is referred as how people understand one person in which the person recognize himself or herself from his/her surrounding and some personal perspectives. The ideal self is what the person wants himself or herself to be. The reduced sense of identity might be caused by the changing or losing of roles enlarge the discrepancy between the actual self and the ideal self. Roy and Russel suggest that activity theory should come to place that older adult should engage in activities (E.g. joining clubs or developing new hobbies). Older adults could develop new roles to substitute or replace those old and force-to-be-given-up roles. The theory has concluded the importance of late life activities in which to restore, maintain or enhance the well-being of the older adults (2005). Rather than pinpointing the negative impact of ageing like disengagement theory, the activity theory could be served as evidence on why there is a need to promote the community participation for older adults Exchange Theory The exchange theory simply states that people should end the relationship with another person if nothing can be gained or exchanged from that person. This theory has shown its capitalistic point of view. The assumption of the theory is that people operate in order to gain material or non-material rewards and also people would try to keep the gained benefits (Moberg, 2001). There are many exchanges in which that could affect ones 3Ps (3Ps are referred as power, prestige and possessions). The 3Ps are the three element derived from the social stratification. Social goods might not be concrete like material possessions, but also including other abstract items like psychological satisfaction and experiential pleasure (Moberg, 2001). Older adults that could afford their own living could have relatives that would want to rely on them and putting the relatives or family in a dependent situation. Accordingly, those older adults seem to keep their personal power in which they could influence on others as well as controlling their own activities with their affordability such as financial wealth. They provide e.g. financial support to the relatives in return to keep their power. Older adults that could not provide valuable things to their family or relatives might gain only little power within or outside the family. As they lose the power because of being a lower class, when they retire, they would find fulfilling the 3Ps as a hard process for them in which they are said to be oppressed because of social stratification. They would have nothing to exchange. Some hidden older adults in Hong Kong could well be a case of losing the 3Ps. 3. Possible Solutions to tackle the current situation Extend the retirement ages Providing chances according to the demographic changes There is no statutory retirement age in Hong Kong but people that turning to their middle age would find it hard to seek for a job, so do the older adults. To provide more changes and focus on promoting job opportunities for older adults could reduce chances for older adults to suffer in poverty and financial difficulties. Moreover, it can also extend the older adults engagement with the society and rejecting the clinical framework that older adults could not contribute to the society. Hopefully, it could help to change the biased perception of ageing and it might help Hong Kong to adapt the demographic changes. Information technology (IT) for older adults Getting older adults to involve Possible work could be done in IT with older adults that could serve as a diversification as it is society oriented or situational. With the support from the activity theory, there is a need to get the older adults to be involved. However, with the changing society, it has become a heavily technology-based society. Isolating the older adults might not be the best solution and it has also deteriorated ageism in Hong Kong. As a result, IT should be considered and be served as a tool to help the older adults to regain their identity in the society. Lets start with introducing two existing technologies: a. Personal Emergency Link One of the popular technologies that are related to older adults in Hong Kong would be the â€Å"Personal Emergency Link (PE link)†. Such technology has been used since 1996. The service operates by connecting the PE link users through a so-called advanced communication system to a 24-hour PE link centre. By pressing the portable remote trigger, the PE link users would be connected and be able to talk to someone in the PE link call centre. In addition, the medical history of the user would be saved within the PE link organisation database and would send to the hospital when there is an emergency. However, such service can only be used at home and only benefit to those that can afford or can apply for funding. This service is not universal and might act as a burden for older adults in Hong Kong. If such service could not cover the vast majority of older adults in Hong Kong, how do we evaluate the effectiveness of such service? Furthermore, as the PE link could only use at home, it cannot help when the older adults go out. It also requires the pressing action in order to help notifying the people in the PE link call centre. b. Global Positioning System Global Positioning System (GPS) is well-known among the mobile users as GPS is integrated into the mobile phone for ease of search different locations. Recently, there is investigation of GPS in Hong Kong. Assisted Global Positioning System based (AGPS-based) Elderly tracking system is being implemented in Hong Kong in an experimental level (Wong et al., 2009). Such system utilizes the mature technology GPS in order to track and position a person in outdoor environment. In this experimental stage, the tested older individual needs to carry the device out with them in which some of the participants would find it â€Å"awkward†. Further development of such technology is needed with possible integration of AGPS-based elderly tracking system within the mobile phone. In addition, there is a need to improve its usability in indoor settings (Wong et al., 2009). Both systems have shown how technology could help to improve older adults lives and there are many different assistive technologies to help improving older adults lives. But how we could make older adults participate in the IT-based communication society that is one of the dimensions that social worker should need to consider. It seems that the two technologies have their advantages and disadvantages; however they alert the society, the government or the people that it is very important to have careful planning when dealing with older adults. Whats more, sometimes, it is essential to change older adults perception towards ageing as well as the general public. To compete with the fast growing technology, the perception shaping towards â€Å"IT for older adults† would need to be studies to allow useful means of intervention. However, it takes time for the society to be â€Å"reshaped†. With the possible increasing uses of internet in the future, social security for older adults could become a concern. Older adults might become a target for crimes in which they might expose their personal information. A long-term approach of applying IT for older adults might be more suitable with proper education with any safety issues. There is always difficult to have a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of technology. â€Å"IT for older adults† might become a future trend in Hong Kong with the ageing society and the need of the evolving information society. However, the cooperation between the government, social workers, older adults and any other stakeholders would be challenging. It is important to understand and to update the knowledge while implementing programmes as well as developing some unique technologies for older adults in Hong Kong. Last but not least, to assess the possible issues or problems that could cause by the advancement of IT. Social workers should try to intervene in different levels and understand their responsibilities in helping older adults to establish social networks or their status in the information society. Referred to the social stratifications, the three elements are crucial and one of them would be the status. The status that would be established in the information society might have an important effect in confirming older adults social status in the society. Consequently, to redefine older adults as worthies as other people in different age group and to reduce the possible status declining situation. Micro level Counselling online, in which internet would become a platform for older adults to express their opinions and to find social worker to talk to. There is no doubt that some older adults tend not to seek for help from social workers as sometimes they believe that social workers are working for those that are in poverty or disables. Some older adults do not understand the nature of social work profession. By using IT, social workers might be able to develop a more diverse social function in the society. Mezzo level IT programmes for older adults could allow older adults to have access to computers and also to build up social networks through the use of computers as well as being involved in the classes satisfying the description of activity theory. In addition, older adults who join the IT programmes would exchange something of valuable to them, for example new relationship (friendships). Macro level Social worker might need to consider and assess the accessibility of IT to older adults. Because of that, social workers would need to understand and equip themselves with the up-to-dated technologies. In addition, there is a need for better communication between social workers and the Hong Kong government, because when the society is changing and developing into an â€Å"information society†, there is a need for the government to consider evolving the welfare. By developing welfare services with IT for the older adults, social workers might need to raise the importance of this new concept. Social Movement and Social Campaign Changing the stereotyped perceptions Following the previous part the macro level intervention for IT, social workers should act as a helping professional to help organising social movement to fight for the welfare for older adults. At the same time, they should highlight the importance of such movement or campaign to the government and the general public. It is not only the responsibility of the government to provide adequate resources to the older adults; it is also the responsibility for the society. The Hong Kong society seems to neglect the special needs of older adults with the limited facilities that the society has provided for older adults. I believe by changing the perceptions and consolidate the understanding of demographic change and ageing to the general public, the awareness could be raised. Social movement and social campaign could serve as a form of community education and a catalyst to influence policy development in Hong Kong. 4. Conclusion Theories help to explain ageism however they could also be served as an emphasis of ageism and providing the negative image of ageing. Social workers should always equip themselves with related theories to understand such inequality in a long term perspective. Furthermore, social workers should also have up-to-date information on such social phenomenon which allows them to integrate theories with current situations. Consequently, social workers would provide precise or related intervention. For this paper, one of the main conclusions is that social workers in Hong Kong should try to change the present negative perception of ageing for both the older adults and the general public as a primary step to solve ageism. Providing job opportunities for older adults, integrating older adults with IT as well as organising social movement and campaign could be some possible area in which social worker could work on cooperating with theories. 5. References Currey, R. (2008). Ageism in healthcare: Time for a change. Aging Well, 1(1), 16. Dozois, E. (2006). Ageism: A review of the literature . Alberta: Word on the Street Consulting Ltd.. Harper, S. (2004), Families in Ageing Societies A Multi-Disciplinary Approach. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 4th December 2009 from http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/0199251169.001.0001 Moberg, D. (2001). Aging and spirituality: Spiritual dimensions of aging theory, research, practice, and policy. Binghamton, New York: Haworth Pastoral Press. National Master (2003). Hong Kong Population Pyramid 1990 2050. Retrieved 1st December, 2009 from http://www.nationmaster.com/country/hk-hong-kong/Age-_distribution Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Fredrickson, B.L., Loftus, G.R., Wagenaar, W.A., (2009) Atkinson and Hilgards Introduction to Psychology (15th ed.). Thomson: Wadsworth. Palmore, E. . (1999). Ageism: Negative Positive. Springer Publishing Company. Papalia, D.E., Olds, S.W., Feldman, R.D. Gross, D. (2009). Human Development (11th ed.). McGrawHill, Boston Roy, H., Russel, C. (2005). The encyclopedia of aging and the elderly. MedRounds Publications. The Medical Dictionary. (2009). Disengagement Theory. Retrieved October 22, 2009 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/disengagement+theory. Traxler, A. J. (1980). Lets get gerontologized: Developing a sensitivity to aging. The multi-purpose senior center concept: A training manual for practitioners working with the aging. Springfield, IL: Illinois Department of Aging. Wolf, L. (1998). Ageism: An introduction. Retrieved 30th October, 2009 from http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/ageism.html Wong, A. K. S., Woo, T. K., Lee, A. T., Xiao, X., Luk, V. W., (2009). An AGPS-Based Elderly Tracking System. Retrieved 1st December, 2009 from http://www.ece.ust.hk/~vincentl/paper/3-agps-elderly-icufn.pdf Youth Rights Network. (2007). Ageism. Retrieved 30th October, 2009 from http://www.youthrights.net/index.php?title=Ageism

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

To Autumn Essay -- Literary Analysis, John Keats

John Keats, an English Romantic poet, is considered one of the most beloved of all English poets. His work is known for sensuous descriptions of the beauty of nature and deep philosophic questions that it often brought up. This can be observed in his six odes written in 1819. The complexity and profundity behind the poems are the reason that they are considered to be among Keats greatest works, although the last ode composed in the sequence, â€Å"To Autumn† seems to stand out from the others. â€Å"To Autumn† is particularly significant because Keats is able to improve his perception of beauty from his previous perception that is explored throughout the other odes. Although, in both the form and descriptive surface, there is nothing that is overly confusing or complex, it is very simplistic, this is part of what makes the poem so special. Keats makes full use of literary elements by personifying autumn to achieve vivid imagery and by using the concept of death as an a llegory to artistic creation. â€Å"To Autumn† has the ability to suggest, explore and develop the overall theme of beauty through the use of these literary elements without getting in the way of its simplistic surface. While the structure of the poem is very simplistic, there are a few interesting features worth nothing. â€Å"To Autumn† is three stanzas of eleven lines each, which corresponds to the length of the season of autumn, which is three months long. In each stanza, the first four lines follow a rhyme scheme of ABAB, but then it switches from line five to eleven, to a rhyme scheme of CDEDCCE. This can signify how Keats conveys his theme, the first part of the stanza serves to introduce the subject of the stanza, while the second part gives room to elaborate and develop the ... ...eated or old forms of beauty that will return. Also, even though the spectator of these beautiful art forms will eventually die, morality cannot stop someone from spending their time on Earth admiring nature and beautiful art forms. â€Å"To Autumn† was the final work that was produced by John Keats and it marks the end of his poetic career. This is an appropriate poem for Keats to end on, as he is finally able to escape the fantasy world, that he often turned to in previous odes, in order to make a connection within the real world. While keeping the structure of the poem simple, Keats personifies the seasons, to further express the warm images of autumn and the beauty that can be found in nature. While also learning through the passing of time and allegories to art, that the acceptance of morality does not destruct the appreciation of beauty but rather furthers it.