Extrinsic Motivation Essay

Extrinsic motivation is directly driven by external factors, as opposed to the internal drivers of intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation drives me to do things for tangible rewards such as money or pressures, rather than for the fun of it. In a workplace this motivation would be the most used because most people work for money. I am employed at the Corcoran State Prison and this is an extrinsic motivation because I get paid to watch and protect inmates and control any possible hostile situations. One way where my occupation wouldn’t apply as an extrinsic motivation, but as an external regulation, is if I was forced to put myself in harm’s way for another co-worker in potential danger or inmate in potential danger for the sake of my job. Extrinsic motivation is based on reward; thus, the level of motivation is based on the level of rewards that are received. Extrinsic motivation applies in most workplaces throughout the world; including the Corcoran State Prison where I am employed as a correctional officer. In my situation, I must protect others to get paid. I must get to work on time and do my job correctly in order to keep making money and to keep my job. For example, many times we do cell extractions because of an inmate being disruptive or he might have a weapon. So we go in and remove him. Also, with even simpler tasks like making sure cells are locked or that everything is fine on the yard. It is part of the job and is something I do to get paid. However, there are many situations where my job becomes a greater risk to my well-being than others. Problems that I’m forced to do, that I don’t get paid extra for, and isn’t in my job entitlement. A situation where extrinsic motivation wouldn’t apply is if I was forced to be motivated to put myself in danger to defend the facility, other inmates, or my co-workers. Other circumstances even cause me to defend and protect myself. There can be situations where an inmate may pull out a weapon on me, and I would now be forced to defend myself. This isn’t listed in my job criteria but, I am involuntary responsible to handle the condition properly. Also, my co-worker may be held hostage with a deadly weapon and I must try with all my will to save this person’s life from this antagonistic state. Again, this wouldn’t be in my profession standards but I’m counted on by others throughout the facility. In addition, there could be a brawl out on the yard and I would be forced to go out and put myself in danger and save the lives of possible defenseless inmates or guards and put a stop to the fight. I could risk getting injured severely, or even die. These are examples of not extrinsic motivation but, external regulations where I’m forced to do without getting paid any extra and it is not in my employment title. The situation where extrinsic motivation does not apply is an enormous problem. This poses threat to the employees of the prisons and also the families of these people. This problem disrupts the work force tremendously. If things aren’t changed, then the state prisons will continue to lose money because of the deaths of employees and will lose productivity. However, I don’t believe this problem can be fixed. State prisons give inmates a lot of privileges that are not deserved for what they have done. If these state prisons remain to let these inmates have privileges than, external regulation becomes a greater risk. Creating new theoretical motivations that will help the work place and its employees is crucial and will have positive effects on both personal satisfaction and on productivity. In the Corcoran State Prison, the inmate population is overfilled creating an even greater hazard to the employees. When a prison is overpopulated inmates get put I the gym. They tier bunks and leave hundreds of them to live there. This prison has five buildings where they store inmates and five yards. If more building and yards were created, this would reduce the risk on employees and create more jobs. Also, the prison gives incentives to people with good behavior, but if the Corcoran State Prison condensed the number of inmates allowed to work, it would help the danger risk of employees. The more employees that work, the more that have access to unsafe tools and kitchen knives. These are a couple of examples that would help create safer environments for employees without affecting the overall mood of inmates throughout the prison. When privileges are taken away from inmates, they tend to become angrier which poses an even greater threat to society when they are released from prison. So, there has to be a certain line drawn to where we don’t take too much creating hostile environments for the society and to where we don’t give too much creating a threat to the employees. This can be a possible double edged sword if not figured out properly. Extrinsic motivation refers to motivation that comes from outside an individual. The motivating factors are external, or outside, rewards such as money or grades. These rewards provide satisfaction and pleasure that the task itself may not provide. However, in many cases, external regulation becomes a huge motivation in the Corcoran State Prison where I am employed. Where extrinsic motivation applies is that I am paid too work there and protect others. Where extrinsic motivation doesn’t apply in situations at work, I am forced to do objectives beyond my job entitlement. This is an on-going problem that must be fixed with new theoretical models of motivation like creating more building and yards for overpopulation in the prison and reducing the number of inmates allowed to work. Every employee of Corcoran State Prison works there to get paid. So, every employee is motivated by extrinsic motivation. However, when tested with external regulation the degree of motivation is based on the level of rewards that are received.

Pnb Project Report

Research Project on Application & Management of Information System in Punjab National Bank IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF MASTER’S DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY (2008-2010) Submitted by: Pratik Jain — 0781563908 Northern India Engineering College (N. I. E. C), Delhi Under the valuable guidance of: Mrs. Shaveta Kumar (Faculty, N. I. E. C) Subject: Information System Management Course Code: MS-205 Submitted on: 30 17 November, 2009 AcknowledgementThis formal piece of acknowledgement is an attempt to express the feeling of gratitude towards people who helped me in successful completion of research project. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mr. B. D Sharma (branch manager, PNB), for his constant co-operation. He was always there with his competent guidance and valuable suggestion throughout the pursuance of this research project. Special thanks to Mrs. Shaveta Kumar, my internal coordinator who guided me to work honestly and to give valuabl e suggestion for improving my work.Above all no words can express my feelings to my parents, friends all those persons who supported me during my project. I would also like to thank almighty God for his blessings showered on me during the completion of project report. INDEX | | | | | |S. NO |Sub Topic |Topic Name |Page Number | | |S.NO | | | |1. |Acknowledgement |2 | |2. |COMPANY PROFILE | | | |1. |Origin – Punjab National Bank |4 | | |2. |Profile |5 | | |3. Vision and Mission |6 | | |4. |Financial Performance Comparison |7 | |3. |INFORMATION SYSTEM IN PNB | | | |1. |History of Information System in PNB |8 | | | |1. 2000- The Beginning | | | | |1. b 2001-2003- Long Term Strategy | | | | |1. c 2004-2007- Growth | | | | |1. d 2008- Rural Initiative | | | | |1. 2009- 100% CBS Implementation | | | |2. |Other Banking Applications |12 | | | |2. a Straight to Processing (STP) | | | | |2. b Depository Setup | | | | |2. Bank Mate & EDI | | | |3. |PNB IT Setup |13 | | | |3. a S ystems | | | | |3. b Network Design | | | | |3. Storage, WAN & Connectivity | | | | |3. d Security Systems | | | | |3. e Hardware & Software Resources | | | |4. |Organizations Other Computing Resource |15 | | | |4. Payroll TPS | | | | |4. b Online Assistance | | | | |4. c Account Opening – MIS | | | | |4. d SPNS, RTGS & Mobile Alert Service | | |4. IMPACT OF INFORMATION SYSTEM | | | |1. |Finacle’s Impact |16 | | |2. |Impact on Employees, Customers |17 | |5. |Available Alternatives |18 | |6. |Conclusion |19 | |7. Suggestion |20 | |8. |References |21 | Company Profile – Punjab National Bank Origin Established in 1895 at Lahore, undivided India, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has the distinction of being the first Indian bank to have been started solely with Indian capital.The bank was nationalized in July 1969 along with 13 other banks. From its modest beginning, the bank has grown in size and stature to become a front-line banking institution in India at pre sent. |[p|A professionally managed bank with a successful track record of over 110 years. | |ic| | |] | | |[p|Largest branch network in India – 4668 Offices including 432 Extension Counters spread throughout the country. |ic| | |] | | |[p|Strategic business area covers the large Indo-Gangetic belt and the metropolitan centers. | |ic| | |] | | |[p|Ranked as 248th biggest bank in the world by Bankers Almanac, London. |ic| | |] | | |[p|Strong correspondent banking relationships with more than 217 international banks of the world. | |ic| | |] | | |[p|More than 50 renowned international banks maintain their Rupee Accounts with PNB. |ic| | |] | | |[p|Well equipped dealing rooms; 20 different foreign currency accounts are maintained at major centers all over the globe. | |ic| | |] | | ProfileWith its presence virtually in all the important centers of the country, Punjab National Bank offers a wide variety of banking services which include corporate and personal banking, industria l finance, agricultural finance, financing of trade and international banking. Among the clients of the Bank are Indian conglomerates, medium and small industrial units, exporters, non-resident Indians and multinational companies. The large presence and vast resource base have helped the Bank to build strong links with trade and industry.With over 38 million satisfied customers and 4668 offices, PNB has continued to retain its leadership position among the nationalized banks. The bank enjoys strong fundamentals, large franchise value and good brand image. Besides being ranked as one of India's top service brands, PNB has remained fully committed to its guiding principles of sound and prudent banking. Apart from offering banking products, the bank has also entered the credit card & debit card business; bullion business; life and non-life insurance business; Gold coins & asset managementsbusiness,setc.Since its humble beginning in 1895 with the distinction of being the first Indian ba nk to have been started with Indian capital, PNB has achieved significant growth in business which at the end of March 2009 amounted to Rs 3,64,463 crore. Today, with assets of more than Rs 2,46,900 crore, PNB is ranked as the 3rd largest bank in the country (after SBI and ICICI Bank) and has the 2nd largest network of branches (including three overseas offices).PNB has always looked at technology as a key facilitator to provide better customer service and ensured that its ‘IT strategy’ follows the ‘Business strategy’ so as to arrive at â€Å"Best Fit†. The bank has made rapid strides in this direction. Along with the achievement of 100% branch computerization, one of the major achievements of the Bank is covering all the branches of the Bank under Core Banking Solution (CBS), thus covering 100% of its business and providing ‘Anytime Anywhere’ banking facility to all customers including customers of more than 2000 rural branches.The bank has also been offering Internet banking services to the customers of CBS branches like booking of tickets, payment of bills of utilities, purchase of airline tickets etc. Towards developing a cost effective alternative channels of delivery, the bank with more than 2150 ATMs has the largest ATM network amongst Nationalized Banks. With the help of advanced technology, the Bank has been a frontrunner in the industry so far as the initiatives for Financial Inclusion is concerned. With its policy of inclusive growth in the Indo-Gangetic belt.The Bank has launched a drive for biometric smart card based technology enabled Financial Inclusion with the help of Business Correspondents/Business Facilitators (BC/BF) so as to reach out to the last mile customer. The BC/BF will address the outreach issue while technology will provide cost effective and transparent services. The Bank has started several innovative initiatives for marginal groups like rickshaw pullers, vegetable vendors, dairy far mers, construction workers, etc. The Bank has already achieved 100% financial inclusion in 21,408svillages.Backed by strong domestic performance, the bank is planning to realize its global aspirations. In order to increase its international presence, the Bank continues its selective foray in international markets with presence in Hongkong, Dubai, Kazakhstan, UK, Shanghai, Singapore, Kabul and Norway. A second branch in Hongkong at Kowloon was opened in the first week of April’09. Bank is also in the process of establishing its presence in China, Bhutan, DIFC Dubai, Canada and Singapore. The bank also has a joint venture with Everest Bank Ltd. EBL), Nepal. Under the long term vision, Bank proposes to start its operation in Fiji Island, Australia and Indonesia. Bank continues with its goal to become a household brand with global expertise. Amongst Top 1000 Banks in the World, ‘The Banker’ listed PNB at 250th place. Further, PNB is at the 1166th position among 48 In dian firms making it to a list of the world’s biggest companiesscompiledsbysthesUSsmagazines‘Forbes’. Punjab National Bank continues to maintain its frontline position in the Indian banking industry.In particular, the bank has retained its NUMBER ONE position among the nationalized banks in terms of number of branches, Deposit, Advances, total Business, operating and net profit in the year 2008-09. The impressive operational and financial performance has been brought about by Bank’s focus on customer based business with thrust on SME, Agriculture, more inclusive approach to banking; better asset liability management; improved margin management, thrust on recovery and increased efficiency in core operations of the Bank. Vision and Mission Vision To be a Leading Global Bank with Pan India footprints and become a household brand in the Indo-Gangetic Plains providing entire range of financial products and services sssssssunder one roof† Mission â€Å"Ba nking for the unbanked† Performance Comparison over the years [pic] During the FY 2008-09, the bank achieved a net profit of Rs 3,091 crore, maintaining its number ONE position amongst nationalized banks. Bank has a strong capital base with capital adequacy ratio at 14. 03% as on March’09. As on March’09, the Bank has the Gross and Net NPA ratio of 1. 77% and 0. 17% respectively.During the FY 2008-09, its’ ratio of priority sector credit to adjusted net bank credit at 41. 53% & agriculture credit to adjusted net bank credit at 19. 72% was also higher than the respective national goals of 40% & 18%. Information System in PNB History of Information System at PNB 2000 – The Beginning In March 2000, the penetration and use of IT was not very high at PNB. PNB was relying on manual processes to collect, store, and analyze business data. Its retail branches were not connected and it was difficult for management to understand business drivers and impediment s.This situation made it difficult for PNB to provide optimum customer service and resulted in lost opportunities. Manual operations were also costly to support. The bank used seven different software, which ran on 13 different flavors of UNIX, on standalone PCs. The 500-odd branches were not networked and only 35 percent of the bank's business was computerized. The overall expertise in IT among users was low. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) issued a directive to the bank to computerize at least 70 percent of its business by December 2000.This prompted the bank to work out a strategy to tackle the daunting task in the short period of time. At that time there were various factors which caused a barrier in implementing an Information System for centralized banking. These weaknesses were:- †¢ Different Unix OS used in different branches. †¢ Different standalone financial applications on PCs at different branches. †¢ Lack of interoperability due to disparity in sys tems. †¢ Limited expertise on the software packages currently deployed. †¢ Most branches did not have a proper LAN in place.PNB hired a consultant and devised a two-pronged plan of action. The plan comprised: †¢ A short term goal – To meet the CVC deadline of 70 percent computerization. †¢ A long term goal – To create a dependable core banking infrastructure and build a nationwide network to connect different branches to the core infrastructure. PNB chose a product from a company called Nelito. It was a DOS-based, ‘Partial Branch Automation' application. Standalone versions were chosen since there weren't LANs in place, and deployment of LANs at branches would take so long that the CVC deadline couldn't be met.The interface was simple in design, and thus easy for the bank personnel to use. The bank requested CVC for an extension of the deadline and was granted time till March 2001. By March 2001, 70. 60 percent of the bank's business was compu terized. 2001-2003 – The Long Term Strategy In the long-term, PNB wanted a technology that would consolidate all its business resources and sustain the bank's future growth. It also wanted to create its own network, which would play a vital role in its success. Three consultants were appointed to review technology options for long-term adoption.The verdict of the consultants was to deploy a centralized core banking architecture. On 30 March 2001, the bank used the services of Infosys for the deployment of Finacle. A core team was selected, which would be the heart of the project. Infosys trained 200-odd personnel from a core team over six months. The core team modified and customized the package according to its specific needs. As the time passed besides making a mark in terms of revenues, the bank— among the few technology-savvy PSUs—set up examples for other banks, especially PSUs in early of this decade.Institute for Development and Research in Banking Techno logy (IDRBT), a division of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), presented PNB with the award for excellence in banking technology in 2002. This was quite an achievement considering that the technology transformation started only two-and-a-half years back at PNB. In March 2000, the bank had only 36 percent of its businesses covered on computers, as against 84 percent in 2002. PNB purchased servers, security infrastructure, and storage equipment and decided to house it in its own central data center in New Delhi.A lot of infrastructure from Cisco has been used to build the data center. In April 2002 the bank rolled-out Finacle in 7 branches as a pilot venture. This was done because the bank had seven different application packages, and it wanted to ensure smooth migration of the data into Finacle. By mid May 2002, all data from other software was successfully migrated into Finacle and by end of year, the number of locations has increased to 12. As far as the centralized core banking syst em is concerned, PNB has a data centre at the corporate office and all these 12 centers have an extension to that data.This system enables an individual having an account in any of our branches to conduct transactions/operate the account from any of these 12 branches. 2004-2007 – The Growth Stage In 2004, India's National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) nominated Punjab National Bank (PNB) as the best user of technology in its sector. The bank continued to spread the technology to more of its branches and centers. The adoption of Core Banking Solution not only ensured standardization of products, but also enabled quick launch of the new and innovative financial products ensuring sufficient lead time to market it.The core banking solution offered seamless platform for integrating various such initiatives and also reduces the cost of transaction, thereby offering financial products at an affordable cost. On May 27,2004 Punjab National Bank (PNB) has intr oduced Loans and Advances Data Desk for Evaluations and Reports, (LADDER), a computerized management information system for rationalization of returns, asset classification and provisioning, credit monitoring and NPA management. The implementation of the system comprised two modules. The first module would require branches to capture data on borrowal accounts as a | |one-time activity with transaction updates at periodic intervals. | |   | |The second module for implementation of the software envisages collection of information on the loan accounts from the stage of receipt of | |application to disbursement of sanctioned loans. | | |With the implementation of this system, manual collation of a large number of loan-related returns become redundant and branch staff | |concentrated on business development and objective monitoring of asset quality. | 2008 – Rural Initiative Infosys Technologies Ltd (Infosys) and Punjab National Bank (PNB) in 2008 announced that PNB has chosen Finacle from Infosys to power its core banking initiative for rural banking deploying Finacle across PNB’s six Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) covering 1300 branches.Punjab National Bank took lead in business excellence and commitment to customers by providing core banking coverage to its 4850 service outlets. Due to the remoteness of rural branch locations, there were issues such as connectivity of branches for operational ease, centralization of data, and enhancement of customer service as well as innovation in banking products. Moreover, all this is needed at a substantially lower cost for RRBs as their operations were relatively less complex. Finacle from Infosys recognized this need of RRBs and adapted its industry leading core banking solution to suit the requirements of these institutions.PNB management selected this platform to transform and standardize the operations of its RRBs. A majority of Indian banks were already ahead in terms of adoption of new age technology. Ex tending the benefits of technology to RRBs helped sponsor banks in not just priority sector lending but also present an additional business avenue with tremendous potential. Finacle enabled RRBs to better manage audit processes, adhere to statutory compliance, enhance internal MIS requirements and offer customers competitive services on par with commercial banks. 2009 – 100% CBS ImplementationIn Feb, 2009 India's second largest public sector bank, announced that it has completed 100 per cent core banking implementation at its 4604 branches and extension counters through the FinacleaUniversalaBankingaSolutionafromaInfosys. The bank implemented industry-leading Finacle CBS across its operations running a flexible and scalable database platform from Oracle and innovative and cost-effective Sun SPARC enterprise serversafromaSunaMicrosystems. Finacle has enabled the bank to consolidate and centralize its operations, improving branch efficiency and productivity per employee.Consoli dation has also resulted in reduction of revenue leakage and cost, while increasing ease of technical support and maintenance at branches. The solution's scalability has also enabled the bank's scalability to be the best in the countryawithatheanumberaofapeakatransactionsaata3. 5amillion. Further, the bank has covered all the branches under CBS platform including extension counters. As a result, 38 million PNB’s customers are enjoying the facility of â€Å"one bank – one account†. In addition, the bank has intended to build a data center capable of handling business of 6000 branches and 1 lakh terminals.The bank was awarded â€Å"IBM green award† for adopting environment friendly technology for data warehouse implementation during the year. Other Banking Applications The banking major also introduced a number of value added services like ATMs, Tele-banking, SMS banking, mobile banking and Internet banking, remote access facility through its website, etc. under a license from RBI to launch Internet banking. The bank also enabled customers to avail of the Straight to Processing (STP) facility. The biggest advantage of STP is that if a person with an account in Delhi deposits a cheque in Chennai, his account in Delhi gets updated the same day.PNB’s team has also customized this package to suit the typical requirements of a public sector bank. â€Å"As PNB handles huge number of government accounts—public provident fund, deposit of income tax, deposit of different duties and treasury payments, PNB had to customize it and also built a module for government businesses into this package. The bank also has a depository set-up (to store dematerialized share certificates) at its corporate office in New Delhi and another in Mumbai. Customers owning shares and bonds can deposit them at these depositories after which the hard copies are destroyed.The bank, on the other hand, keeps a digital copy of all these documents. Thus, one d oes not have to bother about the loss of paper, or a signature that does not match and so on. Customers can now instruct the bank at any point of time to transfer these securities. Another very interesting development with PNB is its contract with Indian Railways. It is putting up an ATM machine at the New Delhi station’s reservation office, which is going to be a interface between the Railways’ server and the bank’s server.Once this is functional, customers can collect their tickets from the ATM machine and the payment can be made using credit or debit cards. Once this is successful and the interface is done, the bank plans to enable all their ATMs across the country on this platform. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is another technology initiative that the bank has taken up. It has entered into an agreement with the Customs department wherein the Customs’ server is connected with the bank’s corporate office server, which is further connected to several branches of PNB and also to importers.Thus, whatever duties are required to be deposited with the Customs department can be debited from the importer’s (read customer’s) account automatically. The pilot project for this has already been carried out and the bank plans to introduce this service soon. The PSU has also introduced bilingual software known as Bank-mate. With the help of this software one can generate reports in Hindi and also can get his/her passbook in Hindi. This is already in operation at around various branches and PNB is also getting orders for this package from other banks. PNB’s IT SetupPNB also has a number of applications running on its network like any other Financial Institution. The bank has standardized all its platforms on UNIX operating system and RDBMS on Oracle. Other OS like Microsoft’s windows 2000/ XP are also enabled in centers. As far as the hardware platform is concerned, PNB has Sun Microsystems’ Web serv ers at the data centre. Apart from this, they are also using Compaq, IBM and Xeon servers. At some locations, the bank is still using DOS machines to run some of their ATMs. Systems Before deploying the core banking architecture, PNB used servers which were NT-based, from IBM, and from other vendors.The bank conducted benchmarking tests for Finacle on various server platforms. And it was satisfied with the performance of Sun's hardware on Solaris. Sun's Fire servers, Solaris OS, and Oracle's RDBMS are now in use. Network design Cisco has tied up with PNB to evolve the network design and implement a nationwide network backbone to connect all its offices. Cisco will assist the bank in understanding and implementing the various technologies associated with the project. The converged network infrastructure allowed PNB to standardize the applications and software needed to provide the banking services.The various branches are connected to the data center using new-world routing and switc hing technologies. Storage systems The bank has followed RBI's storage requirement guidelines. Provisions have been made to store transaction data for around 10 years. In some cases, data is stored permanently. Around 164 Sun enterprise class servers are used in DAS architecture. The total capacity is of multiple TBs. The Sun hardware uses an in-built storage management tool. Later look over a storage management application from VERITAS. WAN and connectivity 101 branches of the bank were on a WAN in 2000.The bank put 500-odd branches on the WAN in 2002, and in three years the WAN had 2000-odd branches. The bank tried a number of connectivity options. 802. 11b wireless connectivity was installed in five branches to begin with. The bank then explored the option of leased lines and used connectivity from MTNL and BSNL. It also used Bharti's leased line between Mumbai and Delhi. The bank also used Reliance Infocomm's fiber optic backbone along with the leased lines in locations where th e optic fiber does not reach. PNB had appointed HCL Com-net to carry out 24Ãâ€"7 monitoring of the countrywide network.There's a live link between HCL and PNB's IT head office. The network is monitored remotely and can also be viewed at the bank's IT facility, where a separate monitoring system is used. Security Systems Security was especially important because the bank could afford no compromise. The security architecture had to be robust, reliable, and scalable to meet current and future needs. Cisco was chosen as the service provider who could meet these stringent requirements. The bank uses a range of security products like Firewalls and IDSs from Cisco for its security needs in its LANs and WAN.All data transactions between its routers and switches are encrypted. It has appointed Ramco Systems as the security integrator. The security integrator is responsible for the complete security infrastructure and is answerable for any security breach or lapse. The bank appointed securit y administrators. VeriSign provided the necessary Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to the bank for secure transactions. Software Resources PNB is using various software’s for its operational activities for its smooth and efficient running, the Software used by PNB include:-  ¬ Microsoft office 2003 Acrobat Reader  ¬ Bank-mate  ¬ Attack Filters: – Spyware, Trojan, VoIP etc.  ¬ Protocols: – IP, VLAN, DNS, HTTP, FTP, TCP, TELNET, UTP etc.  ¬ Operating System’s:- UNIX, Solaris, Windows NT, 2000 Server, XP etc..  ¬ Databases: – MS Access, MS SQL, Oracle, FoxPro. Hardware Resources To fulfill the requirement and as per compatibility with software these hardware are used:-  ¬ HCL, IBM etc Desktops,  ¬ Printer  ¬ NT Based servers from IBM,  ¬ Sun’s hardware for Solaris,  ¬ Network Cards.  ¬ Routers, Scanners etc†¦ Organizations Other Computing Resources Payroll Transaction Processing SystemPayroll TPS, which is a typical accounting transaction processing system found in PNB. A payroll system keeps track of the money paid to employees. The master file is composed of discrete pieces of information (such as a name, address, or employee number) called data elements. Data are keyed into the system, updating the data elements. The elements on the master file are combined in different ways to create reports of interest to management and government agencies and to send paychecks to employees. Management notices the record of the employee’s efficiency to work and may declare added bonus or other incentive.This report is checked and approved by the branch manager after which cheque is issued to the employee. Online Assistance PNB provides its customers online assistance by providing i-banking, online complaints, providing them information about various products and services. These complaints and assistance are processed by customer care services executive. Account Opening In account opening the MIS is used, every information about the customer is recorded like their name, address, account, type of account, account information, their sample signature, these helps in Identification of customer instantly and creating a database at faster rate.This includes the filling of KYC and AC forms. SPNS (Shared Payment Network System) Swadhan, the first SPNS launched in Mumbai by IBA. The banks that participate on this network could issue the cards to customers for transacting on networks. RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) RTGS System is a payment settlement system that minimizes the credit risk in the prevalent cheque clearing system. Under RTGS the funds are settled on a near real time basis across Banks in different locations.Bank offers this immediate electronic fund transfer facility to RTGS enabled bank branches across through the country its designated RTGS enabled locations. Mobile Alert Service The clients now have the facility to subscribe to Mobile Alert Service for receiving alert s on registered mobile phone numbers instantly after the funds are pooled. Impact of Information Systems An information system is there to empower its users. A database simply provides data, but an information system is all about providing the best information the user needs to do their task more effectively.It also takes into account that different users doing their own specific tasks may need to see their information presented in differing ways. The benefits of an information system follow when the user can quickly access, understand and respond correctly to that information. The implementation of Information Systems in PNB and other financial institutions had a vast impact on the Employees (the way they work), Customers, The industry & Government. The system provides information on the past, present and project future and on relevant events inside and outside the organization. Finacle’s ImpactFinacle core banking solution is a comprehensive, integrated yet modular business solution that effectively addresses the strategic and day-to-day challenges faced by banks. It is highly parameterizable providing that much-needed flexibility to adapt to a dynamic environment. The solution has an integrated CRM module enabling banks to offer a rich and differentiated value proposition to customers. The layered Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), STP capabilities, web-enabled technology and 24 X 7 operations ensure multi-channel, multi-country and multi-currency implementations.The functionality-rich modules in the solution provide banks with a varied palette of features to continuously innovate on their product and service offerings. With Finacle core banking solution, banks can meet the challenges of managing change, competition, compliance and customer demands effectively. †¢ Differentiated Product Spread Finacle core banking solution offers an unlimited palette of features for banks to design and deploy products for varying market segments.The product bu ndling capabilities of the solution offers a wide range of possibilities for banks to create products with innovative features. The facilities provided for differential pricing, channel rules and customization through Finacle Studio – the scripting engine, empower banks to continuously innovate and extend their suite of products, across segments. †¢ Agile Operations The Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) enables the IT team at the bank to effect changes without touching the base code, ensuring lesser vendor dependency and faster adaptability to changing business conditions. Robust Cross-sell Framework The CIF and CRM capabilities in Finacle offer a unified view of the customer across the entire solution and across multiple back-end applications, enabling the bank to view the customer from a completely informed angle. This empowers banks to effectively manage customer relationships and aggressively explore cross-sell opportunities. †¢ Increased Operational Efficienc ies and Productivity Finacle core banking solution supports business events automation and process orchestration, thus eliminating manual tasks and reducing process time.The elimination of error and data redundancies also results in increased branch productivity. Straight through Processing (STP) abilities enhance reduction in turnaround and processing time, increasing output and enabling speedy completion of tasks. The multilingual web-based single repository of information enables remotely located bankers to collaborate and transact seamlessly. Impact on Employees Information System serves employees with user friendliness, easy storage and access of data, removal of redundancies, fastening up of the processes and providing up of multiple views at same time.In beginning the issues were mostly cultural. Most staffers were used to working in a manual environment, and some had worked in standalone environments. In the new networked environment, personnel at the node/counter didn't act ually ‘see' the transactions updating in the various account books. This gave rise to a number of queries and suggestions from personnel. It took around six-eight months for the personnel to felt that the environment ‘change' had done them good, and they were used to working on the systems. Other Available AlternativesThe Indian banking sector is slowly coming of age and hand grooming this sector is the banking solution market, which has carved a name for itself in the global arena. Not to forget the pro-active government reforms that are helping the Indian banking market reach greater heights and adding glitz and glamour to Indian economy as a whole. Other then Finacle from Infosys there are various available alternatives for which the banking industry and financial institutions can opt. These are:- †¢ Office Accounting Professional 2009 †¢ SAP ERP Financials †¢ Tally 9: Financial Accounting and Inventory Management Software †¢ Flexcube – â₠¬Ëœi-flex solutions’ Hyperion Financial Management – System 9 While in past i-flex solutions’ flagship product Flexcube has been rated the #1 banking product in the world by UK based IBS, an independent banking solutions rating vendor, but Infosys Technologies’’ Finacle doesn’t took long enough to overtake Flexcube. But now a day’s SAP ERP programmes are giving a tough competition to Finacle. Conclusion A management information system is a system or process that provides the information necessary to manage an organization effectively. MIS and the information it generates are generally considered essential components of prudent and reasonable business decisions.This report starts with the Punjab National Bank with overview of PNB followed by history of information system and the steps taken by PNB to be effective in banking industry by using information’s technology. Information Technology (IT) innovations in the last few years have changed the landscape of banks in India. Today, IT seems to be the prime mover of all banking transactions. Electronic and Information Technology together are bringing a swift change in the way banks operate, especially offering better delivery channels and customers’ friendly services.Anywhere banking, telebanking, mobile banking, net banking, automated teller machine(ATMs), credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, call centers, CRM, data warehousing have totally transformed the banking industry. Today almost all the major banks in India like ICICI Bank, UTI Bank, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, ABN Amro, SBI and PNB are offering online services to their customers. ATMs have emerged as the most favored channel for offering banking services to the customers in the world.One of the biggest benefits that the bank has derived out of IT has been the tremendous saving on recruitment front—the bank has not recruited more staff even while the business and work pressure s have gone up five times. Consequently, PNB’s profitability has also increased. To train users the bank has set up more than 15 computer training labs across the country. It explains all the TPS how the transactions are made by the bank, using of these TPS from the new events such as account opening, new allowances etc†¦ to the routine work including cash and payments record, updating of records, payroll and the processing of the complaints.These TPS holds all the activities from the manager and employees to the customers. The report discuses the inbound and the outbound logistics and relate all the processes of TPS used in the bank with the Information System is enabling the bank to provide the quality and satisfactory services to their customers. Suggestions The bank is using information system efficiently and it has increased the customer satisfaction, efficiency, data storage, fast data retrieval. But to improve more and regarding future success of PNB here are the some suggestions. The bank must update Hardware to get maximum performance from Information Systems in order to allow the IS to procure the least amount of system resources it requires for functioning.  ¬ The bank should update all their software, networks etc to keep information system up to date for competitive edge, customer satisfaction.  ¬ Steps should be taken to increase the safety & to avoid the unethical practices like phishing.  ¬ Need for improved training for using Information Technology and tools to employees.  ¬ Intra firm communication should be improved.References Websites:- http://www. networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml http://www. expresscomputeronline. com/20021202/banks7. shtml http://www. business-standard. com/india/news/pnb-to-implement-loan-data-software/151819/ http://www. financialexpress. com/news/pnb-in-networking-pact-with-cisco/64296/ http://www. pnbindia. com/ http://netpnb. com/ Books:- PNB Vision 2007-2008 Zonal Training Centre Gui de. ———————– (The name you can bank upon) All Banks Average Punjab National Bank (Performance Chart) (Amount in Rs Crore)

Breast Is Best Essay Research Paper Breast

Breast Is Best Essay, Research Paper Breast Is Best Breast eating non merely provides the perfect nutrient and nutrient bringing system for babies, it is besides the most household friendly pick a new female parent can do.# 8220 ; Human breast milk contains at least one hundred ingredients non found in cow # 8217 ; s milk and that can non be precisely duplicated in commercial expression # 8221 ; ( Eisenburg 3 ) . As a babe grows and alterations, chest milk automatically individualizes itself for each baby. The foods in chest milk alter themselves to suit the babe # 8217 ; s demands. Breast milk is more easy digested than cow # 8217 ; s milk or expression. # 8220 ; The sum of protein in female parent # 8217 ; s milk ( 1.5 % ) is lower than in cow # 8217 ; s milk ( 3.5 % ) ( Brockport 1 ) , doing it gentler on the baby # 8217 ; s tummy. Soy milk expressions are even further in composing from what nature intended. Brockport besides points out that # 8220 ; an baby that has been breast fed is less likely to go fleshy and it lower s the opportunity of fleshiness later in life # 8221 ; ( 2 ) . Virtually no babe is allergic to breast milk, while # 8220 ; beta-lactoglobulin, a Smith 2 substance contained in cow # 8217 ; s milk can trip an allergic reaction which can be life endangering # 8221 ; ( Denmark 1 ) . Some suspect this to be the cause of certain instances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Denmark states that # 8220 ; for every 87 unnaturally fed babes who die from SIDS, merely three chest Federal babes die from SIDS # 8221 ; ( 1 ) . Nursed babes are about neer constipated because of the easier digestibleness of chest milk. Breast fed babes are less likely to endure from gripes, gas, and inordinate ptyalizing up. They besides seldom have diarrhea-since chest milk seems to destruct some diarrhoea doing beings and to promote the growing of good vegetations in the digestive piece of land, which further discourages digestive disturbance. Large sums of Na are hard for a babe # 8217 ; s kidneys to manage. Breast milk contains one-third the mineral salts of cow # 8217 ; s milk, therefore doing it soft to the kidneys. There is less phosphoric in chest milk every bit good. The higher P content of cow # 8217 ; s milk is linked to a reduced Ca degree in the expression fed infant # 8217 ; s blood. Breast Federal babes are far less likely to go sick during the first twelvemonth than expression fed babes. # 8221 ; The transportation of immune factors in chest milk and in the pre-milk substance, foremilk, provides partial protection. Every clip chest fed babies suckle at their female parent # 8217 ; s chest from the first clip to the last ; they are acquiring a healthy dosage of anti-bodies to bolster their unsusceptibility to Smith 3 disease # 8221 ; ( Eisenburg 54 ) . One recent survey suggest # 8221 ; there may besides be a reduced hazard of childhood malignant neoplastic disease in chest Federal babies # 8221 ; ( Eisenburg 55 ) . Breast Federal babes are well-fed since chest eating plants by supply and demand. The more the babe nurses the greater the female parent # 8217 ; s milk production. Overall, babes that are breast Federals have less wellness jobs than babes that are unnaturally fed. # 8220 ; They have three times fewer ear infections, five times fewer urinary piece of land infections, five times fewer serious unwellnesss and seven times fewer allergic reactions. Babies who are fed mother # 8217 ; s milk entirely, for at least their first 26 hebdomads, are six times less likely to develop lymphoma ( a type of malignant neoplastic disease ) in childhood, and babes breast fed for at least one twelvemonth are merely half as likely to develop diabetes # 8221 ; ( Sears 41 ) . Breast milk can get down a life-time of good wellness for a babe. As grownups, people who were breast Federals have: less asthma, diabetes, fewer tegument upsets, fewer allergic reactions, lowered hazard of bosom onslaught due to take down cholesterin degrees, fewer ulcers, less Crohn # 8217 ; s disease, and protection from certain chronic liver diseases. Breast milk encourages proper development. It promotes # 8220 ; good jaw development # 8221 ; , which has an advantage to proper tooth development and alliance, and # 8220 ; active usage of oral cavity and lingua while breast-feeding encourages proper address development. Switch overing babe from right to go forth arm Smith 4 while feeding promotes balanced oculus musculuss # 8221 ; ( Dermer 1 ) . In add-on, Dermer states that # 8220 ; breast milk enhances structural development of the oculus and allows growing and development of babe # 8217 ; s encephalon and cardinal nervous system ( 2 ) . Recent surveies show higher IQ tonss for chest Federal kids, straight correlated with the length of clip they were breast Federal. Aside from the nutritionary, physical, and mental advantages of chest eating, the chest fed baby tends to be happier and more confident. Obvious are the chest eating advantages to the baby, but what about for the female parent? When a female parent chest feeds her babe, they bond. The skin-to-skin contact and interaction promotes adhering and enhances understanding and credence. A survey from a underdeveloped state found that when chest eating rates were increased among female parents with a important forsaking rate, fewer of these female parents abandoned their babes. Breast eating besides encourages feelings of peace, satisfaction, relaxation, and intimacy. Immediately after birth, the babe # 8217 ; s sucking causes perennial explosions of oxy-toxin to be released which in bend contracts the womb. This protects the female parent from postpartum hemorrhaging every bit good as assisting the womb to return to its normal size, which finally aides the female parent in returning to her pre-pregnancy weight. Mothers who breast provender are at a lower hazard for chest malignant neoplastic disease. Eisenburg tells us that # 8220 ; adult females nursing for a lifetime sum of two old ages lower Smith 5 their hazard before climacteric by 40 per centum. Nursing for six old ages lowers their hazard before climacteric by 66 per centum, and seven old ages of nursing lowers the hazard of chest malignant neoplastic disease throughout a adult female # 8217 ; s life-time to about zero # 8221 ; ( 55 ) . Breast eating besides lowers the hazard of other malignant neoplastic diseases such as ovarian and uterine malignant neoplastic diseases. On a lighter note, allow us non bury God # 8217 ; s natural chest augmentation which enhances the chests appearance far more dexterously than any sawbones # 8217 ; s manus.# 8220 ; Breast eating entirely, without solids or addendums, delays the oncoming of ovulation and monthly catamenial rhythms # 8221 ; ( Dermer 1 ) , which contributes significantly to household planning and child-spacing. In making this, the female parent is practising the lactactional amenorrhoea method which is over 98 per centum effectual in forestalling gestation the first six m onths postpartum. The degree of protection T biddy decreases in relation to the strength and frequence of suckling. In Senegal, where female parents breast provender for an norm of 19 months, and in Bangladesh, where female parents breast feed an norm of 31 months, births are at least two old ages apart. The child-spacing consequence of chest eating is particularly relevant to adult females for whom contraceptive method is unaffordable, unavailable, or unacceptable. Breast milk is readily available and convenient, no bottles to warm or formula to blend. In contrast, trust on bottle-feeding is peculiarly hazardous for households with low incomes and limited entree to clean H2O and fuel. Too Smith 6 frequently, taint occurs when bottles can non be decently sterilized, and malnutrition consequences when babes are bottle-fed liquids such as diluted juices or teas. The economic sciences of breast-feeding are besides of import to see. Breast- feeding saves households clip and money that would be spent on buying infant expression, bottles, wellness attention, and fuel. For illustration, # 8220 ; the mean cost of feeding a six-month old babe is eight hundred and 55 dollars for one twelvemonth # 8221 ; ( Brockport 3 ) , utilizing powdery expression. Concentrated and ready to utilize expressions be even more. This is equal to at least the mean family # 8217 ; s monthly per capita income in many developing states. On the norm, households spend two hundred dollars in wellness attention claims for the norm one twelvemonth old unnaturally fed babe. Because chest Federal babes are healthier than those who receive chest milk replacements, households save clip and money that would be spent on visits to wellness practicians and on buying medical specialties. In short, breast eating enables households to accomplish great autonomy, therefore cut downing their dependence upon commercial ( and interior ) merchandises. The painstaking individual should besides be sensitive to the effects chest eating has on the environment. Breast eating is ecologically sound since it uses merely renewable resources and produces merely biodegradable wastes. In Smith 7 contrast, bottle-feeding utilizations non-renewable resources such as Sn, plastic, glass and Si, and produces non-biodegradable wastes and pollution. Furthermore, while chest milk is produce locally and on demand, bottle-feeding merchandises are frequently transported considerable distances by transnational companies. Eisenburg points out that # 8220 ; Artificial milk involves ; overgrazing of land by cowss, usage of chemical fertilisers to turn the soy, usage of valuable environmental resources for expression production, packaging and transporting of the merchandise, usage of H2O and fuel in commixture and heating the merchandise, waste disposal of the tins, bottles, accoutrements, cartons, etc. Artificial eating additions social and personal wellness attention costs and harmfully effects the environment # 8221 ; ( 56 ) . Harmonizing to the Surgeon General of the United States, 30 to forty per centum of new female parents start off chest feeding their babes. The official end of the Surgeon General # 8217 ; s office is to duplicate the figure so that 70 five per centum of new female parents are breast-feeding. The adult females least likely to breast provender are low-income adult females. Unfortunately, these are the really adult females who are most likely to go corpulent after gestation and whose babes could most profit from the long-run wellness benefits of chest eating.# 8220 ; Ever since Eve put Cain to suckle for the first clip, breast-feeding has Smith 8 been coming of course to female parents and neonates. Right? Well, that is non ever the instance, at least non right off # 8221 ; ( McGough ) . Eisenberg would hold to this statement. Although nursing does come of course, he believes # 8220 ; It comes of course a small later for some female parents and babes than others # 8221 ; ( 58 ) . Sometimes there are physical factors that hamper those first few efforts ; at other times it # 8217 ; s merely a simple deficiency of experience of both participants. Whatever might be maintaining the babe and the chests apart, it won # 8217 ; t be long before they are in perfect sync, every bit long as the female parent doesn # 8217 ; t give up foremost. Some of the most reciprocally fulfilling breast-baby relationships begin with several yearss of fumbling, failed attempts, and cryings on both sides. As a first clip female parent I can associate to challenges of larning to breast-feed. I have a healthy, smart, good adjusted ( non to advert beautiful ) babe miss. I contribute a big portion of those qualities to breast-feeding. I was a chest babe myself, and upon larning that I was pregnant, I had really small vacillation in make up ones minding if I would follow in my female parent # 8217 ; s footfalls. I did extended research on the pros and cons of breast-feeding and came up with really few cons. I feel that chest eating my girl was the first and most of import gift I could give her, aside from love. The satisfaction that I received from nursing her far outweighs any incommodiousnesss that I might hold incurred. The comfort of cognizing that she was acquiring the best, most Smith 9 alimentary nutrient possible is an indefinable one, and the intimacy that we portion because of it is invaluable. Although I was merely able to nurse her for five months, I would non merchandise the experience or the benefits for anything. I hope to be able to nurse my following kid for a twelvemonth. Obstetricians, baby doctors, nurse-midwives, even makers of infant expression agree that breast-feeding is best. No affair how far engineering progresss, there will ever be some things that Mother Nature does best. As Oliver Wendell Holmes the Elder said over a century ago, # 8220 ; A brace of significant mammary secretory organs has the advantage over the two hemispheres of the most erudite professor # 8217 ; s encephalon in the art of intensifying a alimentary fluid for babies # 8221 ; ( 58 ) . Smith 10 Brockport. # 8220 ; Advantages of Breast-feeding # 8221 ; . hypertext transfer protocol: //www.acs.brockport.edu/~bb1368* . Page 1-3. Denmark.. # 8220 ; Breast-feeding for Good Health # 8221 ; Advertisement. Department of Health and Human Services. July 1999. Dermer, Alicia. # 8220 ; Breast-feeding: Good for Babies Mothers and The Planet # 8221 ; . hypertext transfer protocol: //medicalreporter.health.org* . page 1 A ; 2. Eisenburg, Heidi E. Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway. What to Expect the First Year. New York: Workman, 1996. McGough, Patrick. Telephone interview. 13 July 1999. Sears, William. # 8220 ; Ensuring Baby # 8217 ; s Health. # 8221 ; Rearing. January 1998.

Reviewing Progress Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reviewing Progress - Essay Example Listening has more to do with the mind that the ear. These changes were necessary to make because if a person does not readily listen to his peers, subordinates, higher ups etc. he will never benefit from what they are trying to say to him. A person should always listen more than he speaks. These changes have made me a successful learner because they enable to keep other's point of view before what I think and then evaluate them in a sensible and unbiased manner. It is important to listen in this world of business because if you do not listen and keep on talking, you will give away more information about yourself and your company than you intend to and others who are clever enough to keep quiet and listen to you will catch the hints from what you are saying and find an advantage from what they have heard from you. Moreover, listening in the workplace is so important if you want to learn better and be a good employee. All the time, your boss, your subordinates and your customers will be trying to tell you something. If the listening skills are developed well, it would get easy for you to accommodate everyone and solve their problems, answer their queries. Being a good listener opens ways for you to hit bright ideas for your company, the project you are working on etc. 3 Identify the transferable skills which you have as you have studied B200 and suggest how they will be of use in future study or other aspects of your work. The listening skills that I have developed in this course will be very useful to me in my future study as well as other aspects of my work because this has helped develop an important aspect of my personality and I can rely on it to help me grow more in my educational career as well as my professional career. The listening skill, once developed, helps a person throughout his life because a bad listener always fails to take the utmost advantage of every opportunity that comes his way. In future study, the listening skill will be very helpful to help me listen to my teachers in other courses and understand what they are trying to educate me about. I will not just hear them; rather I will listen to them. Moreover, in other aspects of my work, it will help me communicate better with my peers. PART B 1 Describe one activity you undertook during which you practiced your discussion skills The activity that helped me practice my discussion skills is that of negotiation. There was a negotiation activity that I took part in and in which I had to negotiate with a second party about this problem that we were both facing regarding contract terms etc. in the activity, I played the Head of the union of workers that existed in the company whereas the other party was the top management of the company. The top management was not ready to raise the wages of the workers of the union and I, being the Head, had gone to talk to them and negotiate the matter in a way through which desirable results can be brought out in favor of both the parties. In this activity, first both parties were given a time of five minutes to practice

Critical Analsysis Paper on Black Panther Party Essay

Critical Analsysis Paper on Black Panther Party - Essay Example Police brutality was a national issue especially among the black community in the United States in the years preceding 1966 thus leading to the formation of the party. The party sought to arm civilians thereby equipping them in order to monitor the behavior of law enforcement agencies. Police killings and arbitrary arrests became a major concern in the country. Such tendencies continued even after the formation of the party a feature that enhanced the development of the party throughout the United States. The party’s rapid development enhanced brutality against the police a feature that compelled the Federal Bureau of Investigation to devise ways of countering its effect with the view to ending it. Under the leadership of Edgar Hoover, the FBI formulated a system that sought to use police harassment, dedicated surveillance, perjury and infiltration to overcome the party. The tactics later succeeded thereby culminating in the disbandment of the party. Police brutality against the black community heightened as the FBI waged war against the party. Police reigned both terror and repressions against the black community with most confrontations between the African American population and the police ending up in deadly police shootouts. On April 6, 1968 for example, the police killed a 17-year-old boy, Bobby Hutton in West Oakland. The police had set Hutton’s house ablaze thus forcing the teenager to run out of the house only to run into a fire of bullets. The police shot the young boy ten times in a portrayal of the intense brutality the police employed. Two days after the murder of the boy, the police killed Martin Luther King who was beginning to change his stance from non-violent ways of addressing oppressions to radical alternatives (Bloom and Waldo 76). On August 5, 1968, the police killed three panthers at a gas station in Los

Self Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Self Analysis Paper - Essay Example This is particularly more prevalent in male-dominated industries, such as the transportation industry, where I have been working for a long time. Others believe that an aggressive female manager will experience backlash, but not in my case, specifically when I work with men (Brescoll, 2011, p.626). As a result, when I work with the opposite sex, I act like a man who is more aggressive in expressing and negotiating my arguments and ideas. On the contrary, when I work with women, I am less aggressive and more empathetic. I prefer keeping peace than expressing aggressive ideas when dealing with women. Thus, I follow a double-standard approach when dealing with coworkers. Upon realizing my double-standard gender behaviors, I have become aware that my strengths are my long experience in working with men, which makes me aware of their non-verbal and verbal language and my ability to project a strong image that can elicit respect from men, although I do need to improve on my ability to be firm without necessarily being masculinized in the process. Being in the transportation business for so long, I know how to â€Å"read† and respond to men. I agree with Kimmel (2009) that some men continue to preserve masculine identities, where they believe that they must be the primary breadwinners and decision-makers in their families (p.326). I know who among my coworkers are traditional in this way and who are more liberal, which is seen in how they speak and interact with men and women, including female managers. This knowledge allows me to adapt to male egoism and how I can reduce their anxiety of being under a female manager. Another source of strength o f mine is that I can gain the respect of male subordinates. I do this through my masculine style of management, where I am direct in my rules and expectations and firm in my rewards and punishment measures. Despite these strengths, I do believe that I need to work on a more balanced gender management identity. I

Physical Activity and Academic Performance Essay

Physical Activity and Academic Performance - Essay Example As social psychology is the study of human behaviour in social contexts, much of the investigation into the factors that contribute to exercise and sport behavior, and the understanding of the relationships among these factors have been conducted by applying theoretical approaches from social psychology (Biddle and Nigg, 2000). This sociological approach to social psychology examines the effects of personal experience, meanings, language, culture, ideology, and the material or physical environment on the 'lived experience' of individuals in those contexts and, in particular, their relationships with others. The key unit of analysis in this approach tends to be representations, stereotypes, and cultural images and how they relate to people's construction and interpretation of the meaning they attribute to themselves and others on the basis of these broad social influences (Biddle and Mutrie, 2001). Many prominent athletes and coaches believe that although sport is played with the body, it is won in the mind. If psychological intervention improves physical performance, there can also be possibility that physical activity could also improve mental performance. This gives rise to the question as to whether regular physical activity improves mental performance and related academic achievements in academic settings including those for young learners. This question has validity from the social perspectives since if relevant evidence can be gleaned from the research articles; this can generate a means to improve academic achievement through promotion of regular physical activities including sports in the academic settings (Bodin and Hartig, 2003). Research Hypotheses In recent years, a great deal of research evidence has accumulated to show that regular physical activity is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits (Mutrie, 2002). Despite this suggestion and many circumspective evidences, there is reluctance to take up physical activity in the academic settings and even of started, there are problems in maintaining it. Data suggest most adult populations do not engage themselves in regular physical activities, and even if they begin, they do not continue or pursue exercise on a regular basis. These suggest not only that lack of physical inactivity is a growing concern for many communities but also that intervention campaigns are required to promote exercise initiation and adherence (Marcus and Forsyth, 2003). It has been observed that interventions of this magnitude present with formidable barriers. Implementation of these need behavior changes, since it is frequent finding that despite feeling refreshed or invigorated follow ing exercise, many fail to continue to it. On the contrary their effects on young school going population had been inadequately researched. It is pertinent to consider that behavioral interventions can best be begun early on, and thus it would be worthwhile to find evidence whether physical exercise could be

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 20

History - Essay Example The magnitude of this case was clear from the onset as the burden of proof was left in the hands of top government legal practitioners. No greater expectation was put on the side of the petitioner, Mr. Lochner, whom many thought, would lose. The case was about the working environments in the bakeries and Mr. Lochnerhad been fined by the court for extending the working hours for his employee thereby bridging the rules stipulated by the state. The working hours in the bakeries were to be not more than 10 hour a day averaging to about 60 hours a week (Bernstein, 2005). However, Mr. Lochner argued his case based on individual contract and that the state policing power had no rights in interfering in such private issues. The Supreme Court ruling on this case would spark serious indifference that would be felt over a long period (Bernstein, 2005). The sitting judges of the Supreme Court at that time lead by Justice Peckam who declared their decision voting 5-4 in support of the case (Bernstein, 2005). They argued that the contracts in the bakery were a matter that would be derived from the Fourth amendment. The Fourth Amendment stipulated that "All men are by nature free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring and possessing and protecting property: and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness (Bernstein, 2005)." The ruling cited supported the ruling by arguing that the state had no right in how an individual entered into a contract. This was in reference to a previous case in 1897 between Allgeryer and Louisiana in which the liberty of contract clause was due applied (Bernstein, 2005). This was mainly geared to put off the foreign investors from the competition with the already bakeshops in the state. Their decision would later be termed as judicial activism in favor of individual interest and the supporting economic liberty while depriving

Company Law, Business Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Company Law, Business Law - Essay Example Adam does have several options that he can choose should he decide. Adam can decide to accept the decisions of the board of directors and understand that they do not need the approval of shareholders for certain high-value transactions. The magnitude of special resolutions will determine whether the board of directors would have needed the approval of the shareholders. Further, Adam has the option as a stockholder and a member of the general public to trade his shares publicly, or he also has the option of selling his shares of the company to the majority of the shareholders who agree with the special resolutions that were implemented by the board of directors. In the case of First American Bank v. Shivers, Robert W. Shivers, a shareholder, voted against a merger agreement with FABM Acquisition Bank. He and his fellow shareholders comprised less than the number of bank shareholders needed to defeat the proposal. Adam also has the right to propose questions to the board of directors r egarding the two recent special resolutions. ... Further, Anton does enter into a contract with a local computing company that is operated by one of his friends. During the business transactions, Anton receives a laptop computer and gives it to his son as a birthday present. Samantha is very satisfied with the quality of her new IT system; however, she does discover that Anton has received a laptop computer, and has given it to his son as a birthday present. Samantha should confront Anton about the situation with the laptop computer, and instruct him that he cannot personally give merchandise to his family and friends that have been acquired within the business. Samantha should also instruct Anton to retrieve the laptop computer that he has given to his son. Anton should return the laptop computer of the local computing business if it was given to him as a favor because the company is operated by one of his friends. If the laptop computer was given to Anton for company use, then he still needs to retrieve the laptop computer, and i t needs to be used by Samantha's company for business use. In the case of IBG Insurance Services Corp v. Superior Court - No. 3153400 (Cal. Ct. App. 2002), Robert Zieminski, a senior executive for IBG Insurance Services Corporation, violated the "electronic and telephone equipment" policy statement of the company when he accessed certain explicit websites from his computer at work. He used two computers, one computer at home and one computer at work. When he was caught accessing certain websites from his computer at work, IBG demanded that the computer that Zieminski was utilizing at home be returned. However, Zieminski explained that his wife and children were utilizing the computer at home for personal

Consequences of Water Scarcity Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Consequences of Water Scarcity - Research Paper Example Water scarcity effects can clearly be analyzed from this group of people i.e. from North Africa. The first issue we look at is the impact on the economy. Africa being a continent that is not much into industrialization, its economic backbone is therefore agricultural based which is directly affected by water scarcity. Plants need water to survive which can be administered to them through rainfall or irrigation. This means that agriculture as an economic sector use close to 78% of all water consumption in Africa. Apart from food which is normally grown for consumption by a family, there is also surplus that is normally sold for income not forgetting the cash crop industry that sees most European and Asian countries use the same in the processing industries from coffee to cocoa. With water shortage this chain is clearly broken with the end results being detrimental not only for Africa as a continent but to the end user consumer who may be subjected to prices that are inflated due to a higher demand for a scares commodity. The United nation commission for Africa noted that since a large percentage of Africa as a continent relies heavily on rainfall fed agriculture, global warming has a direct impact on it. Thus a structure has to be established to encourage irrigation as an alternative and since the machinery required for irrigation is expensive the world in general will have to be subjected to higher charges on commodities that initially were in their price range (UN Economic commission for Africa). The other issue that stands out is the environmental preservation as affected by water scarcity. We know very well that for an economy that is somehow able water scarcity is usually talked through use of boreholes and sinking of wells. In most parts of northern Kenya (Africa) there has been an increased number of sinking of wells and boreholes sponsored by non-governmental organization. This they say is one way of helping the indigenous communities from migrations in search of water. In as much as it is for a good cause, there have been reports of sinking grounds in those areas. Just like in the state of Denver Colorado, the effects are real. This is due to the fact that when water is drained out the soil particles and rocks are coalesced closer together as a result of spaces left by the drained water. In as much as it is not a great concern in the East African country, its effect in places like Denver is catastrophic since buildings become unstable in sinking soils meaning that engineers have to take into account such calculation to avoid disasters in the future. This has seen the state adopt the use of recharge basins which have been dug into the sandy grounds of the area. This allows collection of water during rainy seasons and from surrounding rivers that tends to seep into the ground with time allowing for replenishment of the groundwater that initially had been drained out for use. These means that the environmental preservation is somehow conserved which reduces the effect of sinking of grounds that is associated with grounds that have been drained off their water. (Thirst cities: water management in a hanging environment). As we have seen, the scarcity of water affects a third of the world’s population. Thus there is prone to be stresses in relation to available water resources which may see human conflicts arising from the

The Disappearing Ozone Layer Essay Example for Free

The Disappearing Ozone Layer Essay The Ozone Layer extends from twelve to thirty miles above the surface of the earth. Oxygen in the presence of sunlight forms Ozone. It acts as a barrier to the carcinogenic ultraviolet radiation that is emitted by the Sun (Ozone Layer, 2005). The Ozone molecule consists of three Oxygen atoms. It is unsafe to inhale and most of it is to be found in the stratosphere. It absorbs a particular band of ultraviolet radiation, from the Sun, that has a wavelength between of 280 to 320 nanometers. This ultraviolet radiation known as UV – B causes great harm to the DNA of living organisms (Ozone Depletion , 2006). The Ozone layer is destroyed by the Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, which were previously used in refrigerants and cleaning agents, and other Ozone Depleting Substances or ODS that, are used in fire extinguishers. The chlorine in the CFCs is released when the Ultraviolet light splits them and these halogen atoms destroy the Ozone by combining with the third Oxygen atom in the Ozone molecule. Subsequently, this molecule combines with a free Oxygen atom to release the halogen atom which again breaks up another Ozone molecule. One halogen atom destroys around a hundred thousand Ozone molecules (Fahey, 2003). The main halogens that cause the depletion of the Ozone Layer are Chlorine and Bromine. Due to exposure to sunlight the halogen source gases are converted into halogen gases that are highly reactive. For instance, chlorine based gases get transformed to ClO or chlorine monoxide and bromine based compounds change to BrO or bromine oxide. In addition, chlorine and bromine atoms are also formed which are highly reactive and cause untold damage to the Ozone Layer (Fahey, 2003). The depletion of the Ozone Layer is not uniform and there is considerable variation with latitude. Due to the extremely high Ozone losses in the Antarctic region the loss is at a global maximum there. The next highest losses transpire in the Northern Hemisphere. The air that has been depleted of Ozone spreads from the Polar Regions. The depletion in the tropical regions is the least because of the fact that reactive halogen gases are present in very small quantities (Fahey, 2003). Further, a seasonal variation has also been noticed in this Ozone Layer depletion process. In the Southern Hemisphere, there is not much of a variation in the process and the amount of depletion is around six percent. However, in the Northern Hemisphere, the variation between winter and summer is from four percent to two percent respectively (Fahey, 2003). Atmospheric Ozone is of three forms the good form, the bad form and the natural form. Good Ozone is the Stratospheric Ozone that protects humans, animals and plants from UV – B radiation. Bad Ozone occurs near the surface of the Earth due to chemical reactions and human activities that produce polluting gases. Industrial activity and the consumption of fossil based fuels cause an increase in bad Ozone (Fahey, 2003). The natural form of Ozone is one of the constituents of a clean atmosphere and if there had been no human activities on the surface of the Earth then Ozone would have been observed at the surface of the Earth and in the troposphere and stratosphere. Ozone extracts other naturally and manmade gases in the atmosphere (Fahey, 2003). Realizing the gravity of the situation, twenty countries became signatories at Vienna to a treaty agreement in 1985. This treaty was named the Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and it was decided to protect the Ozone Layer from the depredations of human activities. Subsequently, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was ratified in 1989 (Fahey, 2003). This Protocol implemented controls on the developed and developing countries in respect of the manufacture and utilization of chemicals that were instrumental in causing a depletion of the Ozone Layer. These measures were further strengthened by the 1990 London Amendments to the Protocol, which made it mandatory to reduce the production and consumption of such substances. The directives of the Montreal Protocol have proved to be successful to some extent. With increasing depletion of the Ozone Layer the Ultra Violet Radiation reaching the surface of the Earth increases (Fahey, 2003). UV – B radiation causes non – melanoma skin cancer. In the United States of America skin cancer cases are increasing tremendously. The situation is very serious with twenty percent of the residents developing skin cancer. The fatalities from this disease alone are one per hour in the US (Health Effects of Overexposure to the Sun, 2006). Moreover, UVB causes actinic keratoses and premature aging of the skin. Keratoses or lesions occur on the face, upper limbs and neck of individuals. These can lead to squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, UVB brings about a loss in the transparency in the eye lens or what is commonly termed as cataract. Millions of Americans are afflicted by this malaise every year and the expenditure this incurs is of the order of several billion dollars. Further, such radiation causes the degeneration of the macula or that part of the retina where visual perception is at its best. Another grave problem created by such radiation is the impairment of the immune system of the human body (Health Effects of Overexposure to the Sun, 2006). The government of the state of Mississippi being seized with this extremely serious problem posed by UVB radiation has implemented several measures. In this state a large number of air-conditioning and refrigerating units are employed. Some of these refrigerants are Freon 12, Freon 22 and R – 12. By 1995, the production of R – 12 was completely stopped and new substances like HFC – 134A are being used in its place. The government has prohibited the release of Freon into the atmosphere and Freon is being sold only to certified technicians. All air – conditioning and refrigerant equipment has to be thoroughly inspected in order to ensure that the leakage of Freon into the atmosphere is minimized (Moore Kimbrough, 2007). A team of scientists, led by Dr. Yang, of the Georgia Institute of Technology, analyzed data collected over a quarter century. This data had been collected by NASA and NOAA or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since, 1979 there had been a drastic depletion of the Ozone Layer. However, in 1997 a reversal in this trend was observed. This was in no small measure due to the proper implementation of the Montreal Protocol. This had prompted Yang and his team to conclude, after extrapolating from the available data, that the Ozone Layer would be restored to its 1980 status by the year 2050 (NASA, NOAA Data Indicate Ozone Layer is Recovering, 2006). However, till such time, it is imperative for people to take abundant precautions. Some of these are the avoidance of the midday sun in summer, protecting the eyes from direct sunlight by wearing sunglasses that filter out Ultra Violet Radiation and eschewing the use of aerosols and CFCs. In addition, liberal use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor or SPF of 15 or more, protective clothing and wide – brimmed hats have to be utilized, especially in the case of children. This is due to the fact that the skin of children is much more sensitive than that of adults. Moreover, every effort should be made to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 10 am to 4 pm.

Sociology and Psychological Prejudice Essay Example for Free

Sociology and Psychological Prejudice Essay The following are some of the key definitions and terms used in this article. Tele-Health, Tele-Medicine, Teaching and Education, Tele-Medicine Information, Hospital Primary Care Networks, E-Readiness, Hard Technologies, Information Communication Technologies Infrastructure, Technology Adaptation, Technology Adoption, Transportation Modality. b) Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Davis, 1986, 1989) is an adaptation of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975; Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980). Initially Telemedicine, may be determined or measured by the End-Users willingness to embrace and utilize a new or adaptation of existing technologies for specific application to telemedicine, in preference to an old technology (Davis, 1989). And later on focusing on a number of inter- and extra-organizational variables, Igbaria, Zinatelli, Cragg, and Cavaye (1997) made a number of interesting discoveries relative to computing utilization. For them the external components were (a) internal computing support, (b) internal computing training, (c) management support, (d) external computing support, and (e) external computing training. c) Overview of the France healthcare system Modern France has one of theâ€Å"universal† health care systems in the world and is a leader among European nations. It offers a â€Å"high quality services and is easily accessible at the same time†. In France, every employed individual, regardless of the level of employment, is covered by a national health insurance plan known as securite sociale (Social Security). The French health care system is mainly financed by social insurance but there is also a significant supplementary insurance. C. 1 Telemedicine Systems in France. During the 1960’s, France experienced significant growth in the use of telephone and radiophone consultations for health care purposes. This growth led to the creation of the SAMU (Service d? Aide Medical d? Urgence) in 1968 and the SAMUR (Service Mobile d? Urgence et Reanimation), which represented important milestones in the history of telemedicine in France. Since the late 1990’s to date, France, being one of the co-founder of the European Community, implemented a number of programs that have catapulted France into the forefront of Telemedicine, not only in Europe but worldwide. France has taken many steps to extend telemedicine applications. Given all that France has accomplished in the area of Telemedicine, it is inconceivable that further advancements will be tempered only by advances in medical technology. d) The U. S. healthcare system. Perhaps, driven by the â€Å"market-oriented economy of the U. S. , the U. S health Care System is a â€Å"blend of public and private involvement in the delivery of health care services† (Shi and Singh, 2004). The health care system in the U. S is financed through (1) Voluntary payers for those who can afford to pay for health care services; (2) A Multi-payer system that includes premiums or general taxes. At this level there are health care insurance services that provide coverage for most employees and their immediate dependants; and (3) Government sponsored (Medicare and Medicaid) – where many that are â€Å"under-insured† or â€Å"un-insured† rely mainly on this netting to cover basic health care services. D. 1 Telemedicine Systems in the U. S. In the 1970’s telemedicine received a tremendous boost from manned space-flight program when Lockheed Missile and Space (now Lockheed Martin) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) doctors demonstrated that they provide health care services to people with severe health problems, but who had difficulties accessing health care services. In 1990, Maritime Health Services (MHS), based in Seattle, Washington, initiated a program that allowed medical officers on board fishing trawlers to communicate directly with shore-based physicians as needed, around the clock (Zundel, 1996). However there are three basic areas of telemedicine that are worthy listing: (a) NASA’s Telemedicine applications with terrestrial based applications; (b) Telemedicine application in Disaster Response; and (c) Telemedicine in the area of Home Health Care. 3. YOUR THOUGHTS RECOMMENDATIONS As per our article, French has better telemedicine service than USA because French takes short time to approval of new technology and USA more focus on efficacy of device while French focus on safety. In rural area of USA, telecommunication and information infrastructure is requiring for success delivery of telemedicine, Georgia State is best example of that. So, in USA, try to make fast approval of new medical device and technology. Also, some other recommendations are * Teaching health care professionals using appropriate telecommunication systems * Research designed with a view to harmonize training schemes or research programs for telemedicine * Raise the special fund to develop telemedicine. * Develop better communication network in rural area and teach people how to use them. * Telemedicine is best way to transfer medical service in rural area and isolated communities. * Connect all hospitals and allow to access each other patient’s treatment 4. AREAS OF ADDITIONAL RESEARCH Use of Telemedicine as an extension of a doctor’s medical practice is more readily accepted in France, where there are no credentialing issues. A doctor may physically be located in Paris while he remotely guides surgical procedures in other parts of France without having to acquire appropriate credentials in that remote area. Credentialing of civilian health care personnel is easily overcome. Further research is necessary in this area. France, and Europe in general, will continue to make greater strides in the deploying telemedicine application more than the U. S. due in part to the shorter time it takes to approve medical technologies. Further research is necessary in this area.

A History of Dance Through the Ages

A History of Dance Through the Ages Dance and communications How dancers have related and communicated with their environment throughout  time. Please write about the change of dance and communications using examples  of primitive and tribal communities, and throughout biblical societies, to the  present day how this form of spiritual and natural form of communication with  a connection to the natural environment and (the divine) has been lost due to  Industrialisation and become a commercial form of communication. (Add aspects of  dance as a healing method and dance and communications). ABSTRACT This project carries out an investigation on how dancers have related and communicated with the environment throughout time. The importance of dance in religious and magical gatherings is probably older than its use for recreation and entertainment. There is little doubt in many scholars mind that for the primitive man, dance was integrated in everyday activity expressing every kind of conceivable emotion; from the hunter dancing around his prey, to the prospect of war against another tribe and to the ritual ceremonies performed in dedication to the Gods. It was only as a result of when more difficult social and economic structure; (invasions and urbanisation) did dance become commercialised as a source of entertainment. Table of Contents (Jump to) CHAPTER 1:   Introduction Project Aims Project Objectives CHAPTER 2: History of Dance Dance Dance in the Bible Ancient Egypt Ancient Greek Mythology The Christian era Oriental Dancing Ancient Belly Dancing Evaluation of Ancient Dance CHAPTER 3: Tribal Dance Kerala Bangladesh Tribal Dance Anlo-Ewe Tribe The Sun Dance ABAKUA Tribes in existence today CHAPTER 4: Development of Dance Muslim Influence The Gypsy Movement Shugendo and nomai Dance Persian Heritage Black Dance Australian Dance CHAPTER 5: Effects of industrialisation Africa Changes in Western Societies CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.1 Project Aims History shows that dance was used as an expression of how our ancestors would communicate with the divine. It was used as a fundamental part of life in healing, worship, family and connection to the natural environment. The use of dance in religious and magical gatherings is probably older than its use for recreation and entertainment. Research has shown through ancient archaeological findings how dance was an essential part of everyday life. It was only when industrialisation and urbanisation emerged did it now became a commercial form of communication. The aim of this project is to investigate how dance was used as a method of communication throughout biblical societies, to this present day using primitive and tribal communities as examples. This project explores the history of dance from ancient to modem and how dance has changed dramatically due to industrialisation, highlighting whether any of these tribal dances are still in existence today, died or have been transformed with society 1.2 Objectives Introduction to the meaning of dance in history and how it has changed through modernisation. Look into ancient tribal societies and how they lived their lives. A look into biblical societies, how dancing was used as an expression of joy, thanksgiving and enhancing their relationship with the divine. Provide information on how primitive and tribal communities used dance as a spiritual method to connect with the natural environment. The foundation of modern dance and whether any of it has derived from old tribal sacred dance that related to the communication of the divine. How the natural form of dance used for communicating with the natural environment has been lost due to industrialisation becoming a commercial form of communication Finally, a conclusion of whether dance in its natural form still exists in some parts of the world and how its being preserved through commercialisation, CHAPTER 2:  HISTORY OF DANCE 2.1 Dance Dance can be described as artistic form of non communication or to move in a graceful or rhythmical way. Its origins are lost in prehistoric times, but, from the study of many primitive tribes and ancient cultures, both men and women danced as a form of spiritual release intertwining the environment and the divine. History shows that there are two types of dances that evolved as cultures developed; Social dance and spiritual dance. Social dances are those used on occasions that celebrated birth and commemorated deaths whilst magical or religious dances were used as an active worship to communicate with the Gods as well as to cure the sick. In religious dance, the medicine men of primitive cultures were believed to have powers that invoked the assistance of a God and were both feared, respected and were considered by many to be the first choreographers, or composers of formal dances. 2.2. Biblical dance The bible is known as the sacred writings of the Christian religion which tells the faith and history of ancient Israel. It dates back many centuries ago and is believed to be the eldest book that dictates how the first human beings from this world lived their lives. In this book, dance is said to play a prominent role in communication and the expression of emotions to the divine. The bible was originally written in Hebrew, Greek and some bits of Aramaic language which resembles Hebrew. Some of the original Hebrew words in the Old Testament were kheel or khool meaning to twist or writhe, raw-kad meaning to jump or stamp and kaw-rar meaning to whirl. In the New Testament, the Greek term kheh-om-ahee means a circular motion. Like other historic religions, dancing was used to communicate with the divine Many biblical passages show how the people of Israel danced as expressions of happiness, gratitude, and praise for the higher being: Ladies dancing in the vineyard to celebrate the yearly festival – Judges 21:21-23 Jephtah’s daughter dancing and playing the tambourine judges -11:34 Miriam led dancing and singing and praise to the lord – Exodus 15:20-21 David danced before the ark of the lord to honour the Lord†¦ King David dancing and jumping around in his sacred dance – 2 Samuel 6:14-23 The bible emphasises dancing only to be used as a religious rite that was to be practiced for joyful occasions, national feasts and victorious battles. Males and females usually danced separately, not as form of courtship which is now seen in the modern society. Any form of dance not used for the glorification of the high being was regarded sinful. The only records in the bible of dancing for social entertainment were those of ungodly families who spent their time in luxury who’s end was believed to eventually come to a sudden destruction (Job 11:11-13); and the dancing of Herodians which led to the murder of John the Baptist. (Matthew 14:11) Hebrew words that have meanings related to physical movement were translated into English as rejoice. Every instance of dancing in the bible that was acceptable was done in worship and in praise to the God of Israel. It was a way to express the emotions and keep in contact with the divine one. 2.3 Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was the birth place of one of the world’s first civilisations. This advanced culture rose 5,000 years ago. It thrived for over 2,000 years and so became one of the longest lasting civilizations in history. Dance was an essential part in ancient Egyptian culture. According to Wendy Burk, [1] it evolved from the simple rituals used by hunters to find their prey. Performing the dances was believed to help in later hunts. A leader, called a priest-dancer, was responsible for seeing that the dances were performed correctly so that the hunt would be successful. Eventually these dances were separated from their ritual and became an art of their own. This development paralleled the emergence of Osiris as Egyptian’s most important God. He was the symbol of a more developed civilisation on Earth, and belief in him guaranteed everlasting life. Dance was a crucial element in the festivals held for Osiris. These occurred throughout the year—in the summer, for instance, when the river Nile began to rise and the corn was ripening, and in the fall on All souls night—the ancient ancestor of Halloween. Egyptian art shows that Men and women never danced together, and the most common scenes depict groups of female dancers were often performing in pairs. Dancing within the ancient Egyptian culture could be spontaneous as were orchestrated for religious festivals: â€Å"All the people of all the dwellings of the court heard (of the coronation of Hatshepsut); they came, their mouths rejoicing, they proclaimed (it) beyond everything, dwelling on dwelling therein was announcing (it) in his name; soldiers on soldiers [], they leaped and they danced for the double joy in their hearts.† James Henry Breasted Ancient Records of Egypt, Part Two,  § 238 As true in most primitive cultures, music was a part of these celebrations but not as important as the dancing itself. Egyptians had developed stringed, wind and percussion instruments as well as different sorts of whistle and harms in order to communicate with their Gods. 2.4 Ancient Greek mythology Research shows that dance was used by the Greeks to honour their Gods and therefore used it for religious, fellowship and worshiping ceremonies. They believed the Gods offered this gift to some selected morals only who in return taught the dancing to their fellow men. The following exerts that talks about the origins of dance comes from H.B. Cothherhills book on Ancient Greece who’s extensive research talks about the origins of dance in ancient Greece. â€Å"Every fifth year the birth of the twin deities was celebrated with magnificence, amidst a great concourse, vividly described in the ancient hymn to Apollo: ‘hither gather the long-robed Ionians with their children and chaste wives. They wrestle, they dance they sing in memory of the God. He who saw them would say they were immortal and ageless, so much grace and charm†¦ † Ancient Greece: A sketch of its Art, Literature and philosophy Book by H.B Cotterill, Goethe, Milton, Virgil; Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1913 In the classic Greek song, Apollo, another one of the Gods who is son to Zeus is regarded as the dancer. Zeus is regarded as the the God of medicine, music and poetry. In a Greek line Zeus himself is represented as dancing. In an ancient province in Greece known as Sparta, Apollo was worshipped through the Gymnopaedia festivals and celebrations. They were performed by young boys, mature men and old men who focused on performing in a very dignified manner. As well as for religious ceremonies, dance was also used for education. It was thought to promote physical health and encourage education positively. Aristotle, a famous philosopher in Greek history, born in Greece (384-322) B.C, studied philosophy, taught that education should be a blend of music and gymnastic training in order to improve moral training. Socrates who also is an ancient philosopher in Greece said that dance should be taught even more widely than it already was. He said that those honouring the gods most beautifully in dance were those who were the best in war; he claimed that to sing and dance well was to be well educated. As with the Jewish festivals described in the bible, Greek dances were not based on the relationship between men and woman but were either performed either my males or by the females. 2.5 The Christian era As the Christian faith grew, along came dramatic rituals to be used for prayer. It came along with the Latin mass were dance was included along with the music and drama. Performed were what was known as miracle plays, mystery plays and morality play that taught the Church’s lesson in a theatrical manner. It became a form of entertainment rather that just part of a ritual practice. Both dance and song were used to communicate and express a full range of emotions. Other dances that evolved in the era were the sword dances that were performed in Germany, Scotland and Western Europe. This was most likely due to the Vikings. Sword dances link the swords to form a pattern or lock and in some dances a man enacts a ritual beheading. 2.6 Oriental dancing In various parts of Asia, traditions of dance date back to many thousands of years. Most theatrical dance forms of Asia were performed originally as parts of religious worship. Many folk dances also developed in Asia, but modern social dances reflect western influences. In some Asian dances, slight movements of the upper body, especially facial expressions and hand gestures communicate the message of dance. Many dances describe through gesture a historical event, a legend or a myth. One particular dance in the Hindu religion that showed expression of spirituality and deep commitment to the environment is known as the Bharata Natayam. This dance was originally performed in the temples of India and combines rhythmically complicated dancing with Hindu legends told in a song. The dance has been described: â€Å"†¦an offering of one self to the divine used by the devotee to connect with the supreme† Vasanthi Srinivasan: Teacher of the Bharata Natayam This particular type of dance dates back to second century AD., and was performed by young women who were offered to the Gods of the temple. According to Vasanthi Srinivasan, this type of dance fell into dispute with Islamic law which came about as invasions from the Muslim community who outlawed it. The Bharata Natayam was originally used to pay homage to the Gods but as a result of invasions, it now emerged as a state art form and has never left the hearts and minds of the Hindu people. [2] Despite the modernisation of the Bharata Natayam, the dance still shows its dedication and honour to the natural environment and divine in its movement. â€Å"Before the dance starts, the earth on which it is to be performed is sanctified. And since dance is like trampling on the earth, the dancer asks permission of the mother earth to trample on her. In this way, the dance bears similarities to other native and indigenous dances. The dancer dances in her bare feet out of respect for mother earth.The Bharata Natayam is a narrative type of dance. The dancer uses hand and body gestures put to music to tell a story. The stories are traditional ones based on nature and human emotion. There are two primary texts from which the stories are drawn: the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Mahabharata is about two fighting cousins, similar to the Greek Iliad. The one who brings about resolution is the Lord Krishna. The Gita, a special chapter in the Mahabharata representing the song of the Lord, is an elaboration of a moral code.† Mei-Lin Stichbury Dance in the Hindu scriptures show how the manifestation of the whole universe was brought into existence by the dance of the supreme dance Nataraja. It is part of a sacred temple ritual were they pay homage to the divine. The temple dance had now evolved to what is known as the Hindu classical dance however as shown in the Bharata Natayam, still preserves many ritualistic ideology of Hindu worship. China The ‘Sun Chia Chai’ one of the first most significant forms of Dance found in ancient China. Archaeological findings show pictures of dancers that were in the middle of a mimetic process connected to their hunting. Early writings show how dancing was incorporated within every aspect of Chinese culture since the beginning of civilization. As described by Yaron Moargolin, many can still feel the spirit of the ancient dances. In those, the dancers describe the course of the stars in the sky and bring the idea of heaven. In the dance known as the â€Å"yangoo† we can see the great movements of the dancer’s hands and legs which express the admiration to the universe. Those mimetic expressions has developed during the passing years and become an important part of everyday life in china. The dance was inspired by everyday relations between the regular Chinese man and his emperor, his friends or his body. It became very physical and after a while the classic dance came out of this. Until now, we saw only the happiness and joy in the ancient dances, but there were also bad feelings as fear and evil, which were expressed through dances. It was a war inspiration. http://www.israeldance.co.il/dance By Yaron Margolin Ancient paintings and pottery show that there are believed to have been two types of dances that emerged, one being the military dance, this dance is highlighted with dancers holding their sticks full of feathers. There were also amour, flags, hunting and fishing equipments that were used in the dance. The second kind of dance was the religious dance to communicate with the earthly surroundings and to honour the environment. These worship dances were believed to have been developed through hunting. [3] 2.5 Ancient Belly Dancing Belly dancing is a very ancient form of dancing. It retains its connections to the cycles of nature, the celebrations of fertility and light. It started out just as the many other historic dances began, a religious rite, it then evolved into folk art and through modernisation turned into a form of lascivious and entertainment. Belly dance is identified by swaying hips, undulating torso and articulated isolations employed in a range of dynamic and emotional expressions. The focus is on isolated movements of individual parts of the body with little notice given to footsteps. During its history, belly dancing was performed as a separate dance between the sexes. To them, women were the goddesses who created the mystery of life through their bodies. The rolling of the stomach imitates birthing contractions and the kneeling of the floor is similar to how women of more earthly, primitive cultures would squat to give birth rather than lying on their backs in a hospital bed [4] 2.7 Evaluation of Ancient Dance Dancing was sacred to the people who performed these acts. It was mainly used in worship rites. and served as a meditating force between people and the world of Gods. Prehistoric people made up religious dancing to gain favour of their Gods. In many of these cultures, dancing provided on of the most effective and personal methods of communication. It was used to express feelings such as joy, anger or happiness without saying a word CHAPTER 3: TRIBAL DANCE A tribe can be described as a unit of socio-political organisation consisting of a number of families, clans or other groups who share a common ancestry and culture and among whom leadership is typically formalized or neither permanent. For many tribes, dancing was very much their way of life, where each tribe has its own distinctive dance traditions that were interwoven with life. In some secret societies in Africa, a special initiation dance is known only to its members. When new members learn the dance, it represents their acceptance into the group. This chapter explores how tribes used dancing as an effective way of communication and whether any of these tribes still exist in our society today or have been lost due to the forces of industrialisation and modernisation. 3.1 Kerala Kerala is now known as a popular holiday resort state in India, however early archaeologist findings show that the first citizens of Kerala were hunter-gathers. These people still inhabit the mountains of southern Indians today. The next race of people in Kerala is believed to be the Austriches. The Austric people of Kerala are of the same stock as the present-day Australian Aborigines. They were the people who laid the foundation of Indian civilizations. They also introduced snake-worship in Kerala. Traces of such worship and ancient rites have been found among the Aboriginal tribes of Australia. Austric features can still be seen fairly and clearly among the people of Kerala today The tribal inhabitants of Kerala are believed to be about two hundred thousand years old. There are roughly about 35 different types of tribal chiefs among them. Centuries have failed to change them completely. They have been described as â€Å"A unique example of communities in isolated existence, still preserving their life, customers and manners almost untarnished by the advancing waves of urban civilization. Though adapted to different dialects and customs, their artistic expression evidently reflects the distinct, secluded and primitive social structure and nature of people and it still survives as virile as state as ever in the tribal hamlets of the hilly tracts.† http://www.kalakeralam.com/visual/tribaldance00.htm The tribes of Kerala have its own distinct dance traditions, like all tribal arts the dancing is the most direct expression of the innermost spirit. One type of ritual dance performed by is known as the Gadhika. The performance can be done as a ritual for having the safe delivery of a child. It begins with the principle performer invoking Lord Shiva for his help to cure the patients. Central to the belief is that a person falls sick when the Gods are angry. The participants of the dance involve both sexes whose function is to welcome both the Gods and Goddesses. 3.2 Bangladesh tribal dance Tribal dance in Bangladesh regions were based on their customs and beliefs. Before they will go on a hunt, hunters would draw pictures of their prey and dance in a body imitating a hunt. The hunter for example will dance around his prey and even at times donned the fur of his prey. With the evolution of society, human activities have undergone many changes resulting in different dance styles. Tribes in Bangladesh that still exist include the Santals, Oraons, Murongs and Chakmas. They live in the hilly regions of Bangladesh and although some changes have taken place in the livelihood and religious beliefs they still tend to follow their ancestors in various religious and cultural festivals. The Garos tribe perform their dance through what is known as a Nokma, [5] which is pleasing to the leader of the community. The dance is intended to express joy. A dance known as jariyali is also quite common in this region. The technique of picking fruits from the trees has been converted into a dance by the Garos. Dances are even based on the daily lives of pigeons. Thus, one dance shows how pigeons collect their food, feed and fondle each other. The Chakmas are known to celebrate a religious fair called the Mahamuni. At the beginning of the festival the statue of Mahamuni (the great sage) Buddha is placed at the temple. Then the young men and women perform together in a dance which is inspired by deep devotion. In addition, dances are performed by Chakmas [6] to have a good harvest and rainfall, and sometimes just for entertainment. The dance arranged for rainfall is participated not only by young people, but also by the older members of the community who come forward with full pitchers to spray water on the young ones A dance popular by the Oraon tribe is the karam dance which is performed on the occasion of planting and harvesting. It’s possible for this dance to last for a number of days and nights. Also the jhuma dance is performed for harvesting and the increase growth of crops. It is a unique and integral part of their social life. It begins with the dancers paying tributes to the god of crops with the dancers raising their hands and kneeling down to express their love and devotion to the Gods and Goddesses. [7] Through the dance they beseech the God to make them happy throughout the whole year to let them have better crops and to prevent them from various epidemics. Tribal dances for the Bangladesh people were traditionally performed without any stage, makeup room, lighting etc. They were mainly to pay homage to the Gods and communicate through the environment. The musical instruments used could merely be a pair of bamboos. Television and tourism have had an impact on tribal dancing, and stage, musical instruments, lightning and makeup have all become made more elaborate. 3.1 Anlo-Ewe Tribe The Anlo Ewe tribe is based in the southern east of Ghana in Nigeria. They are believed to have settled there in the 15th century (1474). For this tribe, dance drumming is an integral part of community life and an important necessity in the pursuit of the collective destiny, perhaps essence of their shared experience. For the Anlo-Ewe Tribe everybody must participate in dance. According to CK Ladzekpo Non participation amounts to self excommunication from society as a whole and carries with it severe consequences in a similar manner as non performance of some civic obligations in other cultures of the world. The most severe penalty for non participation is to be denied a proper burial. Receiving a good burial is extremely important to the Anlo-Ewe. In contrast to other societies of the world that demonstrate the importance of having a good burial by buying funeral insurance from commercial funeral homes, the participation of the Anlo-Ewe in the collective and shared experiences of the community is the only insurance towards receiving the proper burial. CK Ladzekpo http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/anlo_ewe.htm This describes how essential it is for the Anlo-Ewe tribe to belong to a good dance group as way of communicating its social culture with other members. An old Anlo-Ewe proverb translates â€Å"You should join a dance group before you die.† Dances such as this are a non profit venture as seen in western society. [8] You don’t receive monetary compensation in the manner that hired musicians or dancers receive. 3.4 The Sun Dance On of the most sacred ceremonies practiced by the north American Indians is known as the Sun dance. This ceremony was practiced by many different tribes but shared many things in common, such as dancing, singing, experience of visions, vows and for some tribes self torture. Those who participated in the dance would have believed to have a sense of well being, contentment and harmony with the environment. Animals such as buffalos and eagles were also incorporated in the ceremony to act as the communicator between man and the spirit. â€Å"Common elements of the Sun Dance ceremony involves a pledger who makes a vow to perform the dance as a result of a dream or vision, a sweat lodge purification, the building of the Sun Dance lodge, smoking the sacred pipe, and the actual dance itself†¦Participants dances while gazing at the sun and blowing eagle-bone whistles, while attached to the sacred pole by thongs and skewers through chest the muscles and pulled outwards until the muscles tore free. The original sun dance was an occasion when all the tribe would gather to reaffirm their basic belief about the universal and the supernatural through ceremonies, words and symbolic objects.† The Native American Sun Dance Religion and ceremony Philip M. White The buffalo was the symbol of life, some attached the buffalo’s skull to their back. This form of self torture was considered highly honourable to the participants. The dance was a celebration of the generative power of the sun. It was important to their spirituality and a significant part of their life. It was only after intervention from the American government they banned the dance as it was seen insignificant to the new life of the west and they were repulsed by this new form of self torture inflicted. There were many who tried to bring the sun dance back to its original form and meaning but have not been successful. 3.5 ABAKUA Dance The term Abakua dance comes from a secret society in Cuba. The Abakua tradition relates back to the African slaves brought to Cuba in the 18th century. The Abakua society was founded in Havana Cuba by the Efik, a subgroup of the Ibibio tribe. Their dance consists of basic motives: self expression and physical release. One of the most basic motives of dance is the expression and communication of emotion. These motive forces can be seen not only in the spontaneous skipping, stamping and jumping movements often performed in moments of intense emotions, but also in the more formalised movement of â€Å"set† dances such as tribal war dances of festive folk dances. Yvonne Daniel (Rumba Dance and Social Change 1995, p36) describes the legacies in secret society coming from Africa being transported, replicated and transformed to a certain extent to fit the social environment of Cuba. Their dancing often re-enacts stories of mysterious beings who communicate through postures and gestures and the use of spirit masks. Here the emotions help generate emotions as well as communicate them through to others. The Abakua dance (founded October 2000 by Franke Martine) company try’s to portray this in their performances. They are made up of both dancers and drummers, the percussion marking out of the rhythm helps intensify the emotion. Frequently the dancers take turns performing, and there is usually a great deal of informal communication among the members of the stage. 3.6. The Tribes in existence Present in our society today, there are a few tribes who keep their dance culture of paying homage to the Gods and divine. There are also some who use it as an aspect of healing and the preparation of a hunt. Despite all this, it does not seem to be an essential way of life as it was used during those times. Many have now been marked to entertain and impress the public. The next chapter will now attempt to investigate these chang