What it Takes to Become an Oracle Database Administrator Research Paper

What it Takes to Become an Oracle Database Administrator - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that an Oracle database administrator needs to be a certified database administrator from some institute. A formal training course is the most suitable way for a database administrator to develop the knowledge of Oracle database administration. There are many oracle-training institutes present all over the world, which provide good training in data administration using Oracle. â€Å"An Oracle DBA is one who is professionally trained to work on several of Oracles software products, utilities, and tools†.  An Oracle database administrator needs to be experienced and proficient in handling large amounts of data. Oracle is one of the largest software companies, which designs software products that can be used to manage different business activities in an appropriate way. A database administrator must be skilled in using those software products. Another important skill that an Oracle database administrator must possess is the problem-solv ing skill. The administrator must be able to solve day-to-day problems related to management of different business processes. Apart from problem-solving skills, an Oracle database administrator must have a science and mathematics background because both of these subjects assist an administrator in using the Oracle software products in an effective way. The knowledge of science and mathematics is extremely important for the Oracle database administrators as it helps them deal with different software products effectively. A degree in computer science will also be very helpful for the people who want to become Oracle database administrators.

To What Extent Did Ivan Vyshnegradsky and Sergei Witte Industrialize Essay

To What Extent Did Ivan Vyshnegradsky and Sergei Witte Industrialize 19thcentury Russia - Essay Example Others state that the minister intelligently participated in joint stock companies achieving his state of wealth. Born from parents of the priestly family, the minister graduated from college and thought mathematics and mechanics in a military institution. St Petersburg educational institution is where the minister lectured. Ivan rose to the position of state council in the year 1886. In the year 1887, he became finance minister of Russia. The minister pursued various policies and objectives. Some of his objective in the policies of the ministry increase government interfering with private railways. Some of these policies include the nationalization of the least performing railways. The other important activity of the minister was the preparation of monetary reforms (Alston 904). The other important policy sought by the ministry includes the settlement of the budget deficit. The ministry was also proactive in providing support to domestic industries in the country. When the name of Sergei Witte comes to discussion, various qualities of him take form. The man was a highly influential individual in policy making in Russian. Sergai was at the helm of the ministry during the first Russian revolution. As a minister during that period, the Russian minister saw the abolition of serfdom. The power of the minister was even higher with his relation with reign of Nicholas II. He devoted his life to the adherence of absolute Monarchy. The Minister had an approach to some moral qualities. On the other hand, the leader had a great wealth of wisdom. After his appointment to the ministry, Sergei became the most influential member of the government. His ministry had a positive inferential that is the reason he was successful. On the other hand, the minister implemented a number of reforms in the ministry of Finance. Some of his policies saw the transforming of the economy. The minister was able to transform the economy from a dropping level to a stable scale. The other

Meaning of life Essay Example for Free

Meaning of life Essay Aristotle’s account of motion can be found in the Physics. By motion, Aristotle (384-322 BCE) understands any kind of change. He defines motion as the actuality of a potentiality. Initially, Aristotle’s definition seems to involve a contradiction. However, commentators on the works of Aristotle, such as St. Thomas Aquinas, maintain that this is the only way to define motion. In order to adequately understand Aristotle’s definition of motion it is necessary to understand what he means by actuality and potentiality. Aristotle uses the words energeia and entelechiainterchangeably to describe a kind of action. A linguistic analysis shows that, by actuality, Aristotle means both energeia, which means being-at-work, and entelechia, which means being-at-an-end. These two words, although they have different meanings, function as synonyms in Aristotle’s scheme. For Aristotle, to be a thing in the world is to be at work, to belong to a particular species, to act for an end and to form material into enduring organized wholes. Actuality, for Aristotle, is therefore close in meaning to what it is to be alive, except it does not carry the implication of mortality. From the Middle Ages to modern times, commentators disagreed on the interpretation of Aristotle’s account of motion. An accurate rendering of Aristotle’s definition must include apparently inconsistent propositions: (a) that motion is rest, and (b) that a potentiality, which must be, if anything, a privation of actuality, is at the same time that actuality of which it is the lack. St. Thomas Aquinas was prepared to take these propositions seriously. St. Thomas observes that to say that something is in motion is just to say that it is both what it is already and something else that it is not yet. Accordingly, motion is the mode in which the future belongs to the present, it is the present absence of just those particular absent things which are about to be. St. Thomas thus resolves the apparent contradiction between potentiality and actuality in Aristotle’s definition of motion by arguing that in every motion actuality and potentiality are mixed or blended. St.Thomas’ interpretation of Aristotle’s definition of motion, however, is not free of difficulties. His interpretation seems to trivialize the meaning of entelechia. One implication of this interpretation is that whatever happens to be the case right now is an entelechia, as though something which is intrinsically unstable as the instantaneous position of an arrow in flight deserved to be described by the word which Aristotle everywhere else reserves for complex organized states which persist, which hold out in being against internal and external causes tending to destroy them. In the Metaphysics, however, Aristotle draws a distinction between two kinds of potentiality. On the one hand, there are latent or inactive potentialities. On the other hand, there are active or at-work potentialities. Accordingly, every motion is a complex whole, an enduring unity which organizes distinct parts. Things have being to the extent that they are or are part of determinate wholes, so that to be means to be something, and change has being because it always is or is part of some determinate potentiality, at work and manifest in the world as change.

Communication In An Organization Management Essay

Communication In An Organization Management Essay Communication in an organization is significant and its continuous effectiveness is fundamental for the seamless integration of its internal publics into the organization. Ferguson (1999), suggests that communication priorities must be capable of responding to the requirements of both external and internal audiences. Apparent communication channels echo the well being of an institute. Clampitt (1991) suggests that effective internal communication helps to improve an organizations success. Clampitts proposition is consistent with Heaths (2001) observations that effective internal communication leads to increased productivity, satisfied clients and maintenance of the organizational structure. Furthermore, Clampitt and Downs 1993 cited in Hargie and Tourish (2000) suggest that organizations benefit a lot from improved internal communication. This includes improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, higher quality of service and products. Organizations also experience increased levels of innovation, fewer strikes and reduced costs of operation and high staff turnover. Taylor (2005) summarizes the benefits of effective communication in the acronym as, SUCCESS defined as follows: S- stronger decision making and problem solving; U-upturn in productivity; C-convincing and compelling corporate materials; C-clearer, more streamlined work flow; E-enhanced professional image; S-sound business relationships; S-successful response assured (p. 11). . For an organization to assess the effectiveness of its internal communication based on its employees attitudes about the firm, it needs to conduct a communication audit (Argenti, 2009). Therefore, the assurance that effective internal communication systems exists is vital to the success of any organization. This ensures that all the objectives undertaken by an organization are clearly understood by its employees. A communication audit Scott (2007) defines a communication audit as an indicator used in a particular time to help an organization assess its current communication practices and also to show how effective they are. She suggests that a communication audit can also be used to identify areas with problems such as frequent misunderstandings, information blocks, information gaps, information duplication or misrepresentation. McGann (2010) suggests that, a communication audit is a snapshot of the organizations communications programs, practices and activities. A communication audit will inform you on what is working, what is not working and what needs to be changed or improved in terms of communication within the organization (p. 1). According to Hargie and Tourish (2000), communication audits have been used to identify and reward good practice and at the same time help organizations to manage crisis and improve business performance. Snyder and Morris (1994) cited in Hargie and Tourish (2000) observe that there is a positive correlation between the employee perceptions of communication and job satisfaction which in turn correlates to the overall organizations effectiveness. This can be achieved by the results of the communication audit. Seitel (1995) states that, organizations utilize communication audits to analyze the perception of its constituents, evaluate the readership of its communication, annual reports and newsletters which are the vehicles of the organization. Further, the author suggests that, communication audits provide the organization with important information on how to solve problems like employees working at cross-purposes, uneven communication workloads and benchmarks against which public relations programs can be applied and measured in the future. The author concludes that, a communication audit will determine the communications systems which are being used by the organization, which are the most effective and if the information that is being transmitted by the organization is regarded as adequate by its recipients. This study is an internal communication audit of the CDF Board and Secretariat which aims to determine the effectiveness of the communication systems used within the organization. History of CDF in Kenya In the recent past, the government of Kenya has created a number of alternative windows to allow allocation of resources directly to devolved government units in response to the needs to ensure equitable development at the grassroots. For instance, there has been substantial increase in resources committed at the constituency level and the local government units. When President Mwai Kibaki was in opposition he introduced a motion in parliament that sought to have funds devolved at the grassroot level, however the motion was defeated by the then head of state President Daniel arap Mois government. In the year 2003 when H. E Mwai Kibaki took power, the Ol-Kalao Member of Parliament Hon. Eng. Karue having been a member of his party, brought the motion again to Parliament seeking the funds to be devolved at the grassroot level and it was passed. Constituency Development Fund (CDF) became operational in 2004 with an annual budgetary allocation of a minimum 2.5% by the central government to each of the countrys constituencies. The fund aims to address imbalances in regional development. It targets community projects at the constituency level, particularly those aiming to combat poverty. It also provides individuals at the grassroot the opportunity to make development choices that maximize their welfare in line with their needs and preferences. Some of other notable devolved funds in Kenya include the Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF), the Roads Fund, Constituency AIDs Fund, the Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF), Women Enterprise Fund, Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Rural Electrification Programe Levy Fund (REPF), Free Primary Education Fund (FPEF) and the Constituency Education Bursary Fund (CEBF). The over-arching goal has been to improve the development outcomes by involving local communities in the decision-making process and management of projects (CDF Board Strategic Plan, 2010-2014). During the period of CDF existence, the fund has registered substantial achievements and has greatly contributed in transforming the lives of Kenyans. The researchers observations are that, the impact of the fund is widespread that in all corners of the country one can never miss a project which has been financed from the CDF kitty. They include the improved infrastructure especially in the rural areas in the form of rural access roads, education and health facilities. The fund has enabled many students to access education through bursary. In addition it has enabled locals to build capacity at the grassroot level through empowerment in participation in project management through various committees. CDF has received a lot of media attention both positive and negative despite the fact that it has brought a paradigm shift in most of Kenyas rural areas in terms of development. However, just like any other noble idea, the Fund has had its own share of challenges ranging from mode of financing, accountability to the public, political interference in identification of projects, approval and implementation of the projects, low level of awareness among communities on the operations of the fund among others. However, Gikonyo (2008) observes that CDF has been a great success despite the challenges faced by the fund. This idea has been seconded by New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) as it acknowledges the Fund as one of the best innovations in Africas development and as a result many countries are seeking to adopt the CDF model. By law, the CDF is controlled by the Member of Parliament of a constituency. This amount is then shared among all the constituencies on an established formula that factors in equality and the poverty levels of each constituency. Thereafter, the onus of disbursing and ensuring the constituencies use their share of the money efficiently and accountably falls with the CDF Board and Secretariat. This body was established under CDF (Amendment) Act 2007 section 5 (CDF Board Strategic Plan, 2010-2014). However, this Board and Secretariat is charged with the overall responsibility of managing the Funds and reporting to parliamentary Constituency Fund Committee (CFC) on its usage. The Board activities are also coordinated by a Secretariat based at its headquarters in Nairobi County. The CEO to the Secretariat is also the Secretary to the Board and the chief accounting officer to the fund. The CDF Board and Secretariat just like any other organization is believed to have communication channels in place. These communication channels play an important role of information dissemination from one person to another. However, they need to be evaluated so as to give the guidelines based on what is working, what is not working and what needs to be changed. The communication channels used by organizations include memos, telephone, emails, newsletters, website, notice board, suggestion box, meetings, annual reports and face to face. In this study the researcher will provide a credible baseline of the actual status of communication in the CDF Board and Secretariat with its internal publics. Problem statement Good internal communication is supposed to ensure low staff turnover, high quality of service and goods, improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and reduced cost of operation. For an organization like CDF Board and Secretariat good internal communication is critical because it will ensure seamless integration of its internal publics. Staff retention is important to ensure such a young organization has officers long enough to understand, establish and concretize its mandate to ensure it serves the purpose for which it was established. A look at the CDF Board and Secretariat website indicates that several senior officers have left the organization in a period of one year. Although no exit interviews were conducted to establish the reason for their departure, poor internal communication, according to Hargie and Tourish (2000) is a major cause of high staff turnover. These authors further suggest that an organization should conduct a communication audit between five and seven years or after any major change in the organization. This enables the organization to realize what is working and what needs to be changed in terms of communication. The high staff turnover at the CDF Board and Secretariat in the long run would increase the operation costs of hiring and training new staffs regularly and also paint a negative image of the organization. This study therefore aims to investigate whether the CDF Board and Secretariat has effective internal communication and whether poor communication could have contributed to challen ges like high staff turnover. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to conduct an internal communication audit of the CDF Board and Secretariat and to analyze the effectiveness of its communication channels between the CDF Board and Secretariat and its internal publics. Objectives of the study General objective The general objective of this study is to carry out an internal communication audit of the CDF Board and Secretariat and to establish what communication styles are in place, how they work and the perceived effectiveness of the organizations communication. Specific objectives of the study will be: To establish the communication systems used to communicate amongst the internal publics of the CDF Board and Secretariat. To verify the effectiveness of the communication systems in meeting employees information needs. To establish employees perception on the relationship of internal communication to job satisfaction and employee retention. To document the strengths and weaknesses of the existing communication practices and propose a way forward. Research questions The issues that this study will address include:- What are the communication systems that are used to communicate among the internal publics of the CDF Board and Secretariat? What is the perceived effectiveness of communication amongst the internal publics? What is the employee perception on the relationship of internal communication to job satisfaction and employee retention? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the existing communication practices at the CDF Board and Secretariat? Rationale/ significance of the study This study will help the organization to develop possible solutions to communication problems if they will arise and also help the organization to avoid other forms of crisis including high staff turnover. The study findings could also be adopted by the government of Kenya as a basis of developing a comprehensive policy framework for internal communication among public institutions in Kenya. Such a policy would ensure smooth flow of information on government policy and directives among the public servants, which would translate to better service delivery to the public/citizens. Further, the study finding will contribute immensely to the body of knowledge in the country, and help scholars and practitioners better understand the subject of internal communication. At the completion of this study, the researcher will provide significant recommendations concerning communication issues from the research findings which will be useful to the organization. This will help the CDF Board and Secretariat to improve its internal communication systems for better and more effective internal communication within the organization. Assumptions of the study The following are the basic assumptions of the study. That CDF Board and Secretariat has got communication systems that can be audited. That the CDF Board and Secretariat employees will be truthful in responding to the research questions. That the CDF Board and Secretariat will allow the participation of its internal publics in this study. That the CDF Board and Secretariat will provide relevant information to the researcher. Limitations and delimitations In this study the researcher will focus on the internal publics of the CDF Board and Secretariat who include the CEO, the staff and the Board members. The researcher will not extend the study to the external publics. In addition, some employees may opt to withhold information due to fear of victimization. This is because most of the information that flows within the CDF Board and Secretariat is classified. To delimit this, the researcher will assure the respondents that the information provided will only be used in this study. In addition, most of the Board members do not report to the Secretariat head office on a daily basis; they only meet on several occasions in a month. To delimit this, the researcher will make arrangements to have the interviews with the Board members when they are at the head office. Scope of the study The research will be conducted at the CDF Board and Secretariat head office which is situated at the junction of Uhuru Highway and Haile Selaisse Avenue at Harambee Sacco Plaza 10th floor in Nairobi. The study will restrict itself to the audit of communication of the internal publics of the CDF Board and Secretariat which includes the CEO, Board of Directors, management staff and subordinate staff. Definition of terms Communication audit Is a snapshot of the organizations communication programs, practices and activities which inform the organization on what is working, what is not working and what needs to be changed or improved in terms of communication within the organization (McGann 2010). For the purpose of this study a communication audit will mean a gauge which helps the organization to analyze its perceived communication to its publics. CDF Board and Secretariat Is the body which has been mandated by the Government of Kenya to manage constituency funds and report to the Parliamentary Constituency Fund Committee on the usage of the funds (CDF Board Strategic Plan, 2010-2014). For the purpose of this study it shall remain one and the same thing. Communication systems: These are the communication networks which help in the flow of information from one level of employee to another. For the purpose of this study it shall remain one and the same thing. Effective communication: Fielding (2006) defines effective communication as the management of flow of information, this means from the sender, the message itself, the channel, the receiver and the feedback. Collins (2009) defines effective communication as the practical guidance on using communication vehicles and tools. For the purpose of this study, effective communication will mean transfer of information and understanding between the sender and the receiver. Internal publics: Broom (2009), refers to internal publics as the employees including managers and people being supervised. Lundblad and Stewart (2005) define the internal publics as the individuals / groups in the employ of the organization. Seitel (1995) says that the internal publics are the publics who are inside the organization though they vary from one organization to another, depending on the nature of the organization. For the purpose of this study the internal publics will be the CEO, the Board of Directors and the employees of the CDF Board and Secretariat. High staff turnoverà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Staff retentionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. Summary This chapter covered the introduction and background to the study, defined a communication audit, and gave a brief history of CDF in Kenya, CDF Board Secretariat. Problem statement, objectives of the study, justification of the study and operationalization of terminologies has also been done in this chapter. The next chapter will cover the literature review, the role of corporate communication in conducting a communication audit, theoretical, and conceptual framework. Chapter two: Literature Review Introduction This chapter reviews a literature on communication audits and related concepts. Key topics covered include: the role of corporate communication in conducting audits, empirical studies of internal communication audits, and the process of communication in organizations. Others include internal publics, and barriers to effective communication, communication systems, employee information needs and the theoretical and conceptual frameworks of the study. Communication audits Communication audits have been used as indicators to help organizations assess their current communication practices and show how effective they are. They are used to identify areas with problems such as frequent misunderstandings, information blocks, information gaps, information duplication or misrepresentation Scott (2007). More importantly, the communication audits provide a snapshot of the organizations communication programs, practices and activities. In addition, they act as a tool which helps one to know what is working, what is not working and what needs to be changed or improved in terms of communication within the organization McGann (2010). Contribution of communication audit to organizational success Downs and Adrian (2004) say that there is a tendency of organizations paying attention to communication only after a problem/crisis has occurred. The organizations need to overcome this behavior by conducting a communication audit periodically. Knowing the problem early enough saves image, time and reputation. They add that, organizations have got the responsibility to monitor the effectiveness of the messages they send to the employees because the survival of the organization depends on the employees ability to exchange and coordinate the information they are receiving. However, the authors point out that communication is not the only challenge experienced by organizations. Organizations need to have accurate impression of what their internal publics think of them, how they receive and transmit messages. This amounts to the importance of auditing communication in an organization (Hargie Tourish, 2009). For an organization to know how effective their communication is perceived based on employees attitudes it needs to conduct a communication audit. The results of the communication audit will guide the communication practitioners to formulate the right internal communication programs for the organization (Argenti, 2007). According to Hargie and Tourish (2000) organizations that conduct communication audits enjoy a long running performance in the marketplace. This means that the results of the audit will help the organization to avert chaos like misunderstandings, misrepresentation of staff, strikes, high staff turnover and poor performance. Furthermore, they suggest that the communication audits have been used to identify and reward good practice and at the same time help the organization to manage crisis and improve business performance. This idea concurs with Clampitt (1991) and Heath (2000) who say that as a result of conducting communication audits organizations have experienced increased productivity, employees job satisfaction and a positive maintenance of organizational structure. According to Hargie and Tourish (2009) organizations that have conducted internal communication audits have experienced high performance from their employees because there is a correlation between high performance and existence of effective internal communication programs. This idea concurs with Hicks and Gullet (1988) who say that there is a positive correlation with the openness of communication channels between the subordinate and the supervisor. The openness of communication channels can be realized as a result of communication audit where employees engagement and commitment to work become more significant. For instance, Arnold (1993) conducted a study of internal publics of General Motors in the United States of America. In his findings, a staff turnover rate of 30% in 1989 went down to 12% by 1991. In addition, the companys bad debt percentage went down from 3.2% to an average of 0.4% per month. The role of corporate communication in conducting a communication audit According to Cornelissen (2011) corporate communication practitioners have a role to act as intermediaries between the organization and its stakeholders, and he refers to this process as boundary spanning. Kitchen (1997) defines boundary spanning as the mechanism used by organizations to gather and analyze data about their environment. He insists that the public relations practitioners/boundary spanners play an important role of strategic decision making. This idea is consistent with Tripathi (2009) who says that the boundary spanning function of corporate communication is supposed to help the management to gather information through conducting a communication audit, interpret it from its environment and represent the organization to its publics. Steyn and Puth (2000) however, refer to the boundary spanning role as the mirror/delicate and important function of the corporate communication practitioner. Likely (2003) cited in Barker and Angelopulo (2007) says that the corporate communication has got the role to provide information for the evaluation of the internal environment of the organization. The evaluation of the communication will help the organization to identify strengths and weaknesses of the organizations communication and the management will be able to provide the input to the development of communication strategy. Empirical studies of internal communication audits At Daystar University some scholars have carried out studies on communication audit to assess the impact of communication channels in organizations. Ndegwa (1996) conducted an audit among Daystar University students. In her findings the study found that students received most of the information concerning the university from the weekly newsletter known as infospot and during chapel. In addition, students expressed a desire to get more information in general and at the same time they also felt that there was need to improve the physical environment in the university. This audit was important to the university as the institution has increased the channels of information dissemination to the students. Wamba (1999) conducted a study on public relations audit of selected publics of the Kenya Wildlife Service. In her findings majority of the respondents stated that the organization meant what it said when it made an important announcement. This was in line with employee management relations. On the issue of employees complaints being taken seriously by the management 61% of the respondents agreed that they were rarely looked into. This shows that the management did not care much about the needs of the employees. On the issue of communication from the management, 70.6% of the respondents agreed that the management was interested in telling them what they thought staff ought to know rather than what staff wanted to know. Ngugi (2004) carried out a communication audit of the internal publics of Kenya National Library Services. About 63.8% of the respondents stated that they would like to receive information from management. A small fraction of 1.3% of the respondents stated that they received information from the communication department. About 57.5% of the respondents stated that they had never heard about an internal news letter as much as it had been available. According to the study, the Kenya National Library Services had a policy guideline on forwarding issues to the management, but according to the respondents departmental heads did not forward their issues to the management (Ngugi, 2004). Pokumensah (2011) carried out a communication audit of the internal publics of the Elris Communication Services Limited. In his findings about 88% of the lower level employees received most of the task oriented information from their supervisors. This explained that the network for task oriented was top down. Another 80% of the lower level respondents states that they share task oriented information with their colleagues. This indicated that the horizontal communication happened among the employees of the same level of organizational structure (Mounter, 2003). In conclusionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The process of communication in organizations Communication is a continuous process of exchanging verbal and nonverbal messages. A message must be conveyed through some medium to the recipient. It is essential that this message must be understood by the recipient in same terms as intended by the sender and a response given within a time frame. Thus, communication is a two way process and is incomplete without a feedback from the recipient to the sender on how well the message is understood by him. According to Hicks and Gullett (1988) most organizations have taken communication for granted. They assume that if an individual can read, write and speak they are communicating. However, communication is not just speaking, reading and writing; rather it is the transfer of information and understanding from the sender to the receiver. According to Watson and Hill (2000) communication includes five key factors that include the initiator, the recipient, the vehicle, the message and the effect. However, they argue that the communication process, sender, message and receiver are all subject to a multitude of cues which are likely to influence the message. Taylor (2005) suggests that as a communicator it is important to ensure that your message is understood, and stimulates the recipient to take appropriate action. Communication can be affected by the context in which it takes place. This context may be physical, social, chronological or cultural. The sender chooses the message to communicate within a context. Second is the sender / encoder a person who sends the message. A sender makes use of symbols (words or graphic or visual aids) to convey the message and produce the required response. For instance, a training manager conducting training for new batch of employees. Sender may be an individual or a group or an organization. The views, background, approach, skills, competencies, and knowledge of the sender have a great impact on the message. The verbal and nonverbal symbols chosen are essential in ascertaining interpretation of the message by the recipient in the same terms as intended by the sender. The third component is the message which is the key idea that the sender wants to communicate. It is a sign that elicits the response of recipient. Communication process begins with deciding about the message to be conveyed. It must be ensured that the main objective of the message is clear. Fourth is the medium which is the means used to exchange / transmit the message. The sender must choose an appropriate medium for transmitting the message else the message might not be conveyed to the desired recipients. The choice of appropriate medium of communication is essential for making the message effective and correctly interpreted by the recipient. This choice of communication medium varies depending upon the features of communication. For instance, written medium is chosen when a message has to be conveyed to a small group of people, while an oral medium is chosen when spontaneous feedback is required from the recipient as misunderstandings are cleared then and there. Fifth is the recipient / decoder who is the person for whom the message is intended / aimed / targeted. The degree to which the decoder understands the message is dependent upon various factors such as knowledge of recipient, their responsiveness to the message, and the reliance of encoder on decoder. Last but not least is feedback which is the main component of communication process as it permits the sender to analyze the efficacy of the message. It helps the sender in confirming the correct interpretation of message by the decoder. Feedback may be verbal (through words) or non-verbal (in form of smiles, sighs, etc.). It may take written form also in form of mem os and reports among others (Management Study guide -Online). Internal publics Grunig (1992) suggests that the employees who are the internal publics of an organization are the most important strategic publics of an organization. He further says that their communication should be part of an integrated and managed communication program. However, Baskin, Aronoff Lattimore (1997) argue that identification of the key publics by the organizations is important for the survival of the organization. Internal publics are the active publics of the organization and seek and process information about the organization or an issue of interest to an organization (Grunig, 1992). Importance of effective internal communication in organizations According to Hamilton and Parker (1993) organizations are made up people and the decisions made on a daily basis are likely to affect the organization, customers, other workers and even the destiny of the organization. This idea makes internal communication to be an important aspect of the organization because it is through communication the organization can gain and offer the information needed to its publics which enables them to make successful decisions. Miller (2006), however, says that internal communication helps the organization to answer the following questions; what information needs to be communicated to the publics? When should it be communicated? Who will be in charge of communicating to the public? How will the information be communicated? Millers proposition is consistent with Katz and Kahns (1966) observations that effective internal communi

Essay --

There is a higher incidence of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in Black women than in White women. This is possibly related to lower socioeconomic status, their lifestyle and prior undiagnosed preexisting hypertension. Black women have greater risk of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and preeclampsia than nulliparous White women. Irwin D et al. researched the relationship between race and risk of hypertension disorder of pregnancy in a cohort of active duty military women. Researchers assessed the sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics of Black and White women. It is explained from the results that White women are more likely to be married (75% vs 56%), over the age of 35 (3.4% vs 1.6%), were higher ranked officers (9% vs. 2%) and had education post high school (21% vs 17%). Moreover, it was also suggested that nulliparous have higher risk of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (Relative risk (RR)= 2.2, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=1.8 ,2.7), Transient gestational hype rtension (RR= 2.0, 95% CI= 1.5, 2.7) and preeclampsia (RR=2.8, 95% CI=2.0,3.9). Among parous women thi...

The Cave and the Matrix Essay -- Plato Republic Matrix Movie Philosoph

The Cave and the Matrix Movie critics and philosophers alike agree that the movie â€Å"The Matrix† is indeed based upon certain Platonic themes from Book VII of The Republic. In this story entitled "The Allegory of the Cave," he describes a dark underground cave where a group of people are sitting in one long row with their backs to the cave's entrance. Chained to their chairs from an early age, all the humans can see is the distant cave wall in from of them. The shadows of statues held by unseen ‘puppet handlers’ reflect on the walls from the light of a fire that is also out of sight of those in the cave. The theme of the allegory is that their reality is a poor copy of the real world. According to Plato, our world is nothing but shadows, imperfect manifestations of the forms. Similar to the prisoners of the cave, the humans trapped in the matrix (the cave) only see what the machines (the modern day puppet-handlers) want them to see. They are tricked into believing that what they hear in the cave and see before them is the true reality that exists. Furthermore, they accept what their senses are telling them and they believe that what they are experiencing is all that really exists--nothing more. The movie not only incorporates these same ideas, the story line of the movie parallels that of the allegory. The most important character is who Plato calls the â€Å"Philosopher† or the â€Å"Intellectual.† In the allegory, Plato hypothesizes that one of the prisoners eventually be rel... The Cave and the Matrix Essay -- Plato Republic Matrix Movie Philosoph The Cave and the Matrix Movie critics and philosophers alike agree that the movie â€Å"The Matrix† is indeed based upon certain Platonic themes from Book VII of The Republic. In this story entitled "The Allegory of the Cave," he describes a dark underground cave where a group of people are sitting in one long row with their backs to the cave's entrance. Chained to their chairs from an early age, all the humans can see is the distant cave wall in from of them. The shadows of statues held by unseen ‘puppet handlers’ reflect on the walls from the light of a fire that is also out of sight of those in the cave. The theme of the allegory is that their reality is a poor copy of the real world. According to Plato, our world is nothing but shadows, imperfect manifestations of the forms. Similar to the prisoners of the cave, the humans trapped in the matrix (the cave) only see what the machines (the modern day puppet-handlers) want them to see. They are tricked into believing that what they hear in the cave and see before them is the true reality that exists. Furthermore, they accept what their senses are telling them and they believe that what they are experiencing is all that really exists--nothing more. The movie not only incorporates these same ideas, the story line of the movie parallels that of the allegory. The most important character is who Plato calls the â€Å"Philosopher† or the â€Å"Intellectual.† In the allegory, Plato hypothesizes that one of the prisoners eventually be rel...

Saint Anselm

Saint Anselm is a well known religious, philosophical, and theological figure in Canterbury, England and a significant contributor in the Catholic Church. He had a strong faith in the Holy Scriptures in relation to truth which then became his basis of his work and life. In addition, he stressed the existence of God through reason. For him, it is important to see beyond things and concepts with deep obscurity through enlightenment and wisdom (Southern, 1962). Despite the criticisms he received, it is undeniable that Saint Anselm is worthy of studying in the fields of theology, psychology, and philosophy. In this research, the life, works, influence, and impact of Saint Anselm’s contributions are discussed in details. Saint Anselm in his early life Saint Anselm (1033–1109), an Italian-born English philosopher and theologian of the medieval times, was born in the city of Aosta, Piedmont near the border between Italy and France and he died in of Canterbury, Kent, England. Saint Anselm’s family was known to be well off and noble. His father, Gundulph, who was a Lombard by birth, was a person having a harsh character and intense temper. Ermenberga is the name of Saint Anselm’s mother. She was virtuous, religious, and prudent. When Saint Anselm has reached fifteen years of age, he decided to join a monastery, but his father was reluctant in supporting his desire in entering a religious life. Due to disappointment, Saint Anselm has developed psychosomatic illness, which he was able to overcome. However, he has lost his interest with his studies for a long time and he also became more carefree in living his life. It was a difficult time for Saint Anselm to bear the challenges he had for his mother died during that time. t became even worse when his father’s violent character became too unpleasant and unbearable. Saint Anselm at Bec After his student life at Burgundy, Saint Anselm left home in 1057. Later, in 1059 he explored France and started to think about joining a religious life in the Benedictine monastery at Bec, Normandy. The reason why he entered the monastery was because he was inspired by the famous countryman and theologian named Lanfranc, a prior o f the Benedictine Abbey of Bec. He then became Lanfranc’s disciple and companion in the monastery and he finally joined in 1060. Years later, he was twenty-seven years old then, he lived in Avranches and then entered the abbey as a novice. He studied about the works of Saint Augustine for ten years. However, he wrote nothing about his early life, ideas and the things he learned for he spent most of his life in praying and meditating. Although he wrote the De Grammatico, in which he discussed questions that were semantical in nature, and investigated regarding the concepts of possibility and necessity, this work did not have much influence (De grammatico, 2007). In 1063, Lanfranc became the abbot of Caen and Anselm the elected prior of Bec. Saint Anselm served as a prior for fifteen years. Lanfranc became an archbishop of Canterbury in 1070 while Saint Anselm became an abbot in 1078, the year when Herluin, the warrior monk who was the founder and first abbot of Bec died. Anselm’s fame was not only because of his association with Lanfranc but because of his care about the monks, his sensitivity to their needs and the things around him, and his intuitive mind. It was the time of Saint Anselm’s leadership when learning was improved in Bec and its high standard for learning was became popular even to foreign students. This achievement has brought Anselm in close contact with ecclesiastical affairs in Europe. His public life brought his way to be recognized by William the Conqueror who favored Anselm’s effort and initiative in serving the people. Lanfranc eventually died and King William consecrated Saint Anselm as the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093. He was then considered as one of the most influential Christian thinkers during that time. He was the Archbishop until 1109. Conflicts and political issues Anselm continued living a spiritual life since he became the Archbishop of Canterbury but he was involved in a series of disputes with the king and also with his successor regarding investiture, the primacy of spirituality, and papal jurisdiction. Anselm gave absolute obedience to God and he almost despised politics and mediocrity. The king also unlawfully and took the revenues of the see until he died. In addition, Anselm was not able to recognize Wibert who was supported by Rufus. They were both the anti-pope which Anselm has fought against them. It resulted to a conflict and other issues that made Anselm to exile in 1097. After a year, Anselm decided to resolve the quarrel with the King so went to Rome to seek counseling from his spiritual father. However, it was not easy for him to leave for the king almost did not give him permission to leave. Saint Anselm’s later life Anselm received praise from the Urban at the Siege of Capua and from Count Roger I of Sicily’s troops of Saracen. However, however, Urban did not fully involve in the dispute between Anselm and King William. A great council at Bari asked Anselm to defend the doctrine of the procession of the Holy Ghost against the representatives of the Greek Church. When Henry I became the king in 1100, Anselm returned to England but in 1103 he exiled for the second time due to his refusal to compromise of both king and archbishop in the Concordat of London. Around 1107, Pope Paschal defended about the Double Procession of the Holy Spirit and explained to the king that Anselm’s positions have been modified which resulted to a victory of the Catholic Church over spiritual jurisdiction. However, King Henry remained in control when it comes to the appointment of bishops and abbots. The last two years of Anselm’s life was spent in serving as the Archbishop in England until he died on the 21st day of April in 1109. King Alexander VI canonized Anselm in 1494 (Scholasticism, 2004). He was considered the Doctor of the Church in 1720 (Saint Anselm, 2004). Saint Anselm in the late 11th century Saint Anselm’s life motto is about searching for the meaning and understanding by believing or turning into faith. His main undertaking was to seek reason in order to be enlightened about the content of belief (Southern, 1962, pp. 1-13). He is famous with his ontological proof about God’s existence, which is based on the belief that whatever the mind can conceive can be achieved or realized in reality. Anselm’s first work alludes to unbelievers with the Cur Deus Homo. This lead him to compose his memorable phrase, credo ut intelligam, which is translated in English as â€Å"I believe in order that I may understand† This was included at the end of the opening prayer of his Proslogion in which he discussed his argument regarding the existence of God. Anselm’s work on the Cur Deus Homo in England in 1094 was the time when the societies of France, England, Burgundy, and Normandy, were having an exhilarating event that was related to the First Crusade (Asiedu, 2001). Saint Anselm’s credo presents a statement of belief suggesting that understanding requires someone to believe. Anselm’s opposite belief with Aquinas is the result of the different worlds they were exposed to. Augustine had a rich experience with other religious traditions and he lived most part of his life in participating. On the other hand, Anselm lived his life by trying to maintain everything that is good and keeping his spiritual life. The peace and solemnity at the monastery provided Anselm much time in constructing his intellectual edifice with symmetry and balance. He did not have much knowledge or formal schooling about other religions and religious traditions. His writing about the unbelievers must have been the outcome of his notion that pagans who do not believe in a supreme being like God in the Holy trinity whom he believes in or, perhaps, some non-Christians existed in the Western society before the end of the eleventh century. Anselm’s reference to the pagans and even the Jews proves that he was knowledgeable that they could object Christian teachings such that they might defend the Law in the Old Testament and that they may negatively respond to Jesus’ preaching in the Gospels (Asiedu, 2001). Although Anselm's ontological argument regarding the existence of God has influenced Descartes and Hegel, Saint Thomas Aquinas rejected it (Misner, 2000). The term â€Å"ontological proof† was first applied by and Emmanuel Kant in his arguments between the seventeenth and the eighteenth century. Anselm demonstrated the existence of God with his popular credo that anything which can be conceived can be achieved and it can exist in reality (Delio, 2003). On the contrary, Aquinas believes that it is possible that some people not capable of understanding some concepts or ideas. Rather, cognition occurs or one understands since an individual serves an instrumental role in the act of cognition. He contends that in order for an individual to understand, it should be first encountered or perceived by the senses to become known or exist in the mind (Dougherty, 2006). Saint Anselm as founder of scholasticism Saint Anselm is considered as the â€Å"Father of Scholasticism† for he emphasized reasoning, argumentation, clear-mindedness, openness, and terseness with humility. He was not after judging those who cannot understand but he emphasized that there is no such thing as impossible to understand. As an example, Anselm developed technical vocabulary of expressions for his theological and philosophical thoughts (Hopkins, 1976). Scholasticism, which focuses on faith and reason, is a philosophy and theology of Christianity in the Western countries in the Middle-Ages. Reason was used to deepen the Christian believers’ understanding and to give rationalization to faith (Scholasticism, 2004; Dougherty, 2006). Philosophers who influenced Saint Anselm Aside from Lanfranc who inspired Anselm’s way of thinking Saint, other earlier Christian philosophers who influenced Anselm’s thoughts were Augustine, Aristotle, and Boethius. Saint Anselm was influenced Saint Augustine who argues that truth exists. Although Anselm articulated the need for redemption in an exclusive way, it was Augustine who first drew a strict correlation between Incarnation and redemption (Delio, 2003). Saint Augustine also contends about the rule of truth in a proposition which makes it true. Boethius worked on puzzling relationship between Creation and Incarnation and believed about Christ having been human regardless of the history of Adam and his sin (Delio, 2003). Like Saint Augustine, Saint Anselm believes about the issue that the world has existed and it forever exists. However, Anselm mentioned about Aristotle only once (Wilks, 1994). In fact, his little knowledge about Aristotle was based on the works of Boethius. Saint Anselm believes that the mystery of the Holy Trinity was not about being the product of cognitive speculation but it is actually about praise and worship in order to strengthen Christians’ faith. There are some modifications about the claims of Augustine in Anselm’s exploration of the doctrine of the Trinity as Monologion or one God in three different persons (Fortin, 2006). Saint Anselm’s contributions Saint Anselm has also contributed to pedagogical studies. The first children’s literature was basically intended for instruction. In the Middle-Ages, Saint Anselm, together with Saint Aldhelm, Aelfric, and Venerable Bede wrote school textbooks in Latin. Some of these texts were eventually used in English and American schools (Children's Literature, 2004). Anselm’s paradoxes on mercy are also significant concepts for policy makers to consider. The first paradox focuses on justice from a normative point of view in relation to the various strands of retribution, a noncomparative justice that centers on a particular person whose punishment does not depend on others. This implies that a strategy for mercy must be based on the public's commitment to various strands of retribution. The second paradox poses a dilemma in which mercy is subject to discretion from a comparative point of view where fairness and equality should be attained even in a diverse community. It suggests that a strategy for mercy must adopt equal application of the law for individuals (Misner, 2000). To be in existence means being within God’s love. The creations and God’s salvation are mentally distinguished from each other but they cannot be separated. Salvation is of God’s unconditional and unlimited love for his Creatures. Anselm believes that salvation from within the context may be limited in but God’s justice is an extension of His enduring love, forgiveness, and caring. God's mercy and justice are determined to restore beauty and harmony to His creation fro God is ultimately good. Even Christ teaches his followers to never stop forgiving others and asking for forgiveness because these are necessary in eradicating the burden of guilt or other hurt feelings that could serve as barriers to happiness. In effect, some laws give pardon to those who plead guilty and sorry for their sins or crimes with the promise to become better individuals. There are instances that people will be attracted in doing crimes if they know they will be forgiven but there are other means to overcome this problem. Constructive punishment can be more effective in reducing crime rates because criminals would realize their wrongdoings, pay for them in a positive way and they will learn how to improve their life and function effectively in the society instead of continuously committing crimes after they are forgiven. Saint Anselm’s impact on other philosophers Many of the Eastern thinkers viewed Incarnation based on the cosmic point of view while Incarnation was seen to impact on juridical and moral aspects as Christology was developed in the West. The later was influenced by the satisfaction theory of Anselm which was supported by saint Thomas Aquinas (Delio, 2003). This theory emphasizes suffering and death of Jesus as a means of salvation. Aquinas argued that reason could possibly lead a person to great spiritual truths and could help him to understand those truths that he accepted on faith (Scholasticism, 2004). God wants the people to realize that death, pain, suffering, and sacrifice in a better perspective. Because He loves His Creations, He wants the people to promote and bring peace to each other to prevent internal and external conflicts within organizations or families. Saint Bonaventure and John Duns Scotus were influenced by Anselm. They both provided a dynamic, inclusive, and broad understanding about Incarnation. Bonaventure and Scotus recognized Anselm's satisfaction theory in relation to the primacy of Christ. As a result, Anselm was able to attain a level of theological achievement. They were able to effectively articulate and understand profoundly the concept of Incarnation, which serve as the underpinning framework God’s love as the reason for His Creations. Scotus provided an explicit explanation regarding the primacy of Christ while Bonaventure described a primacy of the mystery of the fullness of Christ (Delio, 2003). Bonaventure views Creation and Incarnation as significant factors in the primacy of Christ although in the absence of specific doctrine. It is through Bonaventure that made Catholics and other Christians that Christ is the cente of the universe. Bonaventure opted for the traditional solution of Anselm. In Breviloquium (1255) Bonaventure adopted Anselmian’s position in Incarnation and perfection. People were intended to recognize that the noble perfection of the universe in which he emphasizes not only satisfaction but also Incarnation as part of the cosmic fulfillment. As Bonaventure wrote: â€Å"It is in the Word that we discover the perfection of that greatness of heart which brings all reality to its consummation and completion, since the figure of the circle attests to the perfection of bodies both in the macrocosm and in the microcosm†¦ Indeed, God is simply the first. And the last among the works of the world is man. Therefore, when God became man, the works of God were brought to perfection. † (Bonaventure, 1989, pp. 73-74. ). Richard Southern affirms Anselm’s concepts about Christ’s death. First, it is considered a divine appeasement instead of condemning an innocent person for to pay for other’s sins. Christ’s death was not a mishap but a significant event that strengthened His relationship with God, just like restoring the harmony of creation. Second, Southern appreciates the moral validations of this event for it brought liberation from sins and reconciliation for improved relationship between God and the people. Third, it reflects the real and various human experiences for salvation through Christ. Salvation and biblical symbols are deemed important to be integrated and appropriated through the kinds of Christian practices (Cahill, 2007). Salvation was made possible when God the Father offered Jesus to save the sinners who ask for forgiveness, repent, and do penance. This is the most significant means of demonstrating God's love for humanity. In response to God’s love, Jesus calls His followers to love their neighbors by being generous, charitable, kind, forgiving, understanding, empathetic, honest, and just at all times and in all places. This classical salvation theory is emphasized in Saint Anselm’s theory of satisfaction (Haight, 1994). God’s act of love or Jesus' redemption can be best interpreted in modern day activities which were seen in Jesus’ public ministry. If only people would live in accordance to His teachings and examples, promote and practice love, live each day like it is Christmas, and keep a spiritual life, the world will be peaceful and people would learn to care not only to humankind but also to other Creations and the environment. Anselm stressed the role of our mind in making things possible. It is, indeed, true that we can achieve whatever we can think of if we start acting on it and doing the right steps toward the attainment of our goals. Conclusion Saint Anselm’s family background did not anticipate his career but it was his powerful thinking that brought him to a religious life. He did not have a perfect life during his youth and he also experienced challenges. However, he did not allow the negative experiences to ruin his life. Instead, his pursuit in entering a monastery came true when he left and traveled across places. His life and work were influenced mainly by Lanfranc, Aristtole, and Boethius. Although Anselm’s concepts about intelligence and knowing were rejected by Saint Thomas Aquinas, they agree about the satisfaction theory and about the primacy of Christ as the center of the universe. Anselm is famous about the importance of belief in understanding things that has not been conceived. He wanted the people, especially the unbelievers or those he wanted to convert to Christianity to understand the content of their belief by having faith and finding reason to avoid uncertainties. Anselm’s first initiative was to enable the believers to search for reasons in the Christian belief before they are able to profess their faith to their prospect converts or unbelievers. Contemporary thinkers like Bonaventure and Scotus also supported Anselm’s Christology. They have contributed to the centrality of Christ and made it clearer for modern readers to understand about Incarnation and redemption through good reasoning and faith. They also emphasized the mystery of the fullness of Christ. The acceptance of Saint Anselm’s teachings marks the Church’s official teaching regarding the correlation between the sin and salvation and the Incarnation and redemption. Anselm’s work is not only significant in the religious and spiritual life of Christian but also in improving decisions in the social and political contexts. Placing Christ as the center of people’s life and recognizing the love of God for His Creatures are likely to produce positive results. Anselm’s contributions are important for they favor human life in promoting good in the intellectual, emotional, personal, and spiritual aspects of a person.