Acc 509. Springfield Express Essay

Springfield Express is a luxury passenger carrier in Texas. All seats are first class, and the following data are available: Number of seats per passenger train car 90 Average load factor (percentage of seats filled) 70% Average full passenger fare $ 160 Average variable cost per passenger $ 70 Fixed operating cost per month $3,150,000 a.What is the break-even point in passengers and revenues per month? b.What is the break-even point in number of passenger train cars per month? c.If Springfield Express raises its average passenger fare to $ 190, it is estimated that the average load factor will decrease to 60 percent. What will be the monthly break-even point in number of passenger cars? d.(Refer to original data.) Fuel cost is a significant variable cost to any railway. If crude oil increases by $ 20 per barrel, it is estimated that variable cost per passenger will rise to $ 90. See more:Â  Social Satire in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay What will be the new break-even point in passengers and in number of passenger train cars? e.Springfield Express has experienced an increase in variable cost per passenger to $ 85 and an increase in total fixed cost to $ 3,600,000. The company has decided to raise the average fare to $ 205. If the tax rate is 30 percent, how many passengers per month are needed to generate an after-tax profit of $ 750,000? f.(Use original data). Springfield Express is considering offering a discounted fare of $ 120, which the company believes would increase the load factor to 80 percent. Only the additional seats would be sold at the discounted fare. Additional monthly advertising cost would be $ 180,000. How much pre-tax income would the discounted fare provide Springfield Express if the company has 50 passenger train cars per day, 30 days per month? g.Springfield Express has an opportunity to obtain a new route that would be traveled 20 times per month. The company believes it can sell seats at $ 175 on the route, but the load factor would be only 60 percent. Fixed cost would increase by $ 250,000 per month for additional personnel, additional passenger train cars, maintenance, and so on. Variable cost per passenger would remain at $ 70. 1.Should the company obtain the route? 2.How many passenger train cars must Springfield Express operate to earn pre-tax income of $ 120,000 per month on this route? 3.If the load factor could be increased to 75 percent, how many passenger train cars must be operated to earn pre-tax income of $ 120,000 per month on this route? 4.What qualitative factors should be considered by Springfield Express in making its decision about acquiring this route? 5.

Interview Topic: Cultural Differences Between Austrian and Indian

Interview-Guide Topic: Cultural differences between Austrian and Indian employees/managers. Dear Interviewee, We are primarily interested in your personal experiences, and all questions are to be seen as related to you! †¢Name : Birgitt †¢Native Country (indicate any double citizenship): Austria †¢Gender: Female †¢Country(ies) visited: South America, Asia, Europe and Australia †¢Age : 25 Q1: Explain generally where the greatest differences between Austrian and Indian worklife are to be found. There are generally more Indians employed for a job that is usually done by only one Austrian.Time perception is different. I think Indians have more working hours. Q2: How do you feel that your country is different than other countries? I like it because India is a country that is still in transition and is very dynamic. In Austria the development seems to be limited already. Q3 : What can you point out as being the most important cultural difference between an Indian a nd Austrian/European ? -Perception of cleaness is different -People in India seem to be more laid back -The importance of religion is higher in general Man are more dominant Q4 : What stereotypes do people in your country generally use to describe the following groups (don't describe your own people if listed below): * The Americans: stupid, fat and superstitious * The French: arrogant, unfriendly and not willing to speak English * The Germans: punctual and boring * The Indians: nodding with there head a different way, funny and lazy Q5 : When you travel abroad, do you think that these preconceptions are justified (on a scale from 1 to 5)? 1 (In general Yes) 2 3 – sometimes yes, sometimes no. !!!!!!! 4 5 (Not at all) Give examples: Q6 : How do you perceive the professional communication between foreign (Austrian/European ) and Indian employees? -Formal -Friendly, small talk on the beginning -Showing strong interest about the other country -Indians more friendly, Austrians mor e focussed and harsh Q7: How do organizational principles in India differ from Austrian ones? Indians like to foresee everything and plan in advance, Austrians more flexible in plan making (short time) Q8 : In the business world, would you say that: The level of responsibility given to people is linked to: (several answers are possible) * their position in the company ? my answer * the number of years spent in the company * their age * their sex * other: -The boss of a company: * is hard to reach * can be reached easily ? my answer * needs to have authority * doesn't try to appear powerful Q9: In your society, information is generally transmitted ? * directly, through explicit messages, so as not to waste time. ? my answer * indirectly, through many unspoken messages. other: Q10: How are foreigners accepted in India? Do you have experiences concerning expatriates and their acceptance by Indian employees? I don’t have experience but I was told that they integrate foreigner pre tty fast Q11: How important is the topic of religion in daily worklife in India? Really important, in Austria it is not. Q 12: Would you say that your country is rather turned towards Individualism or Collective/group spirit (on a scale from 1 to 5) 1 (Individualism) ? very individualistic 2 3 4 5 (Collective/group spirit)Q13: Rank the following concepts from 1 (positive) to 5 (negative) depending on their positive or negative value in your society? * clearness: 1 * saving one's face: 4 * frankness: 3 * working in group: 2 * personal pride: 3 * competition: 3 Q14: The tendency to change companies or jobs in india is: * high * low * other: don’t know Q15: As far as time organization, people in india: tend to do * do just one thing at a time ? my answer * do several things at once * other: tend to be * very punctual * rather punctual * rarely on time ? my answer * never on time other: tend to * strictly follow what they have planned to do * modify their agenda and therefore pos tpone what they have planned ? my answer * other: Q16: How important is money in India? Do you have the feeling that bargaining is important in India ? Money is not that important in India as it is in Austria, but bargaining is more important than in Austria Q17 : Do you have any ideas on how to solve problems of Austrian companies in India? Being patient and adopt to the culture, slow down a bit and introduce clear rules and make clear that they have to be followed 8 : How would you generally describe an Indian? Do you think that Indians and Austrians/European overlook the cultural differences or are they aware of them? Indians are laid back on the one hand but also very committed to things like religion and family. They are very helpful and not that selfish as Europeans. I think that Europeans are aware of the cultural differences but still cannot get a feeling of it till they are actually visiting India. ? Please feel free to add your own suggestions and comments on this topic or on the survey itself? Thank you for taking part in the survey?

Financial Report Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Financial Report - Case Study Example The group also has a specialized value driven service provider as Schindler Marine which has been involved in providing consultancy services and mobility solutions for ships since 1980s. It is based in Italy and also has operations in Miami, Florida. Its consulting activities and customized solutions cover all stages from planning and designing vessels to installation of escalators and elevators. Furthermore, this company also provides repairing, maintenance and modernization services to its valuable clients which include major cruise liners mainly operating in Europe (Schindler, 2008). ALSO Holding AG (ALSO) is the company's subsidiary which provides services in information and communications and produces consumer electronics for both wholesale and logistics sectors. ALSO is operating in different European countries and under a different name. The company faces strong competition from companies such as KONE (Finland), Otis Elevator (Farmington, CT) and ThyssenKrupp Elevator (Germany) (Hoovers 2009). In addition to these there is competition from numerous Asian companies based in Japan and China. The company has a strong brand which is recognised and accepted by customers worldwide. The company has a global presence through 1,000 representative offices and subsidiaries operating in different countries which make it well organized group with conviction ensured by the head office. Three major strengths of the company have been identified which are reliability, mobility and innovation leader. The reliability of the company has been mainly driven from the quality of its products and services. The company has a team of technicians and engineers who are involved in the process of design newer technologies and products which cater to a large number of customers in different sectors. These products are designed in such a way that customers and general public can have a sense of safety. The company has issued its corporate citizenship report which is aimed at providing safety precautions to millions of customers who use Schindler manufactured elevators and escalators. The company has implemented e-monitoring diagnostic tools to assists in trouble shooting. This allows companies technicians to respond to customers' problems in a short period of time. Employees of the company are also its strength involved in development of technology The company's operations are spread out globally and well integrated with its head office in Switzerland. The company is operating in almost 100 countries across 6 continents and has been successfully able to compete against its competitors to generate high value sales. This could be observed from the following graph which clearly indicates the geographical dispersion of sales of both divisions of the company. From this it can be seen that 79% of ALSO's sales are from company's contracts outside Switzerland. Similar its elevator and escalator division makes most of its sales in EU markets, North America and Asia. In this way the company

Innovation & Change Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Innovation & Change - Case Study Example s that bring about a positive change to various aspects of the company such as its production levels, economic stability as well as growth in the particular market it is situated in (Davila, Epstein & Shelton, 2006). The activities that take place when trying to achieve these changes can be seen as the product of innovation by the company. It is especially essential for individuals dealing with innovation to realize the various methods and approaches that can be taken when dealing their implementation and management. The identification of these approaches allows a manger to select the most appropriate approach for their company and as a result enhance the chances of success a company has at attaining their objectives. The relationship between innovation and change comes into play as a result of the effects that a particular action may have on a company (Fichter, 2009). It also brings about the question of how important a role innovation plays in the growth of a company and whether this growth can be achieved minus the involvement of innovative approaches applied by the mangers. In order to fully answer these questions, one has to look at a particular company and the innovative implementations involved when looking to promote a positive impact on the organization (Heyne, Boettke & Prychitko, 2010). An industry that can be used to further expound on this concept is the vehicle industry with a leading company such as Toyota being the topic of the study to determine the role that innovation plays in the growth of a company. It should be noted that despite the fact that innovation is an important element in itself, the management of these innovations determines the success that an individual is able to enjoy in the resulting outcome. There are various ways that innovation can be considered important in regards to the development and growth of a company. The key aspect that plays a role in this essentialness is the point that an organization cannot remain stagnant in

Reflection paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 28

Reflection paper - Essay Example As a proponent of conservative ideologies, Burke opposed the actions of revolutionaries. He maintained that the revolution was likely to cause anarchy and, therefore, presented the threat of terror (Burke 1). Burke maintained that subjects should surrender to established authorities with minimal opposition. It is imperative to maintain the institutions and uphold established order in the society. In Burke’s view, the French destabilized the very institutions that upheld order while justifying their claims as the search for equality. He asserts that France â€Å"disarmed its cabinets of princes of its most potent topics through tyrannous distrust† (Burke 1). Consequently, the French initiated instability and corruption. In defense of conservative ideologies, Burke supported the English form of governance. The English form of governance was a form of monarchy set by rule of law. It was not an absolute monarchy considering English form of governance consisted of a balance between the king’s control and rule of law. Similarly, Burke did not support absolute democracy for fear of control that emanates from the tyranny of the popular numbers. Tyranny and control by majority, in Burke’s view, would not form a perfect form of governance. Marx had earlier established the historical background of the middle-class population. He notes the importance of describing plight of those working for daily wages, usually considered as low class persons or industrial workers (Marx, Engels and McLellan 1). He starts by describing the reality regarding the living status of the proletariats as only able to live depending on the availability of livelihood jobs. He establishes that work mechanization renders this group jobless and vulnerable. Exploitation of proletariat is cyclic, starting at work and extends to the bourgeoisie landowners, bringing about an open revolution. He also notes that apart from the

Importance of language in communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Importance of language in communication - Essay Example Language plays a main role in communication. To eliminate ethnic conflicts, it is important to understand the importance of language in communication. For me, communication does not only involve what we say, but also how we say it. Once, my mother hired a maid, who was from some other ethnic background. Although she understood English, and spoke a little too, we had to adjust our verbal, vocal, and body language, in order for her to understand what we told her to do. We had to choose words that she understood. We had to adjust the pitch, articulation, and resonance of our tone, which suited the level she was at. We also had to adopt some body language, like we had to use hand gestures for the maid to better understand what we said. This way, she understood us better, and we succeeded in overcoming the language barrier in communication. Tannen, Deborah. Sex, Lies and Conversation; Why Is It So Hard for Men and Women to Talk to Each Other? The Washington Post, 1990. Web. 11 Dec 2012.

The 180 Day Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The 180 Day Plan - Essay Example The overall focus for this phase is to teach students appropriate behavior for the classroom. For September, the focus is on instruction. During this month, students are being introduced to the expectations of their teacher and their school. The teacher's role during this month is to instruct students in appropriate classroom behavior. A management strategy that is essential during this month is to teach only the skills that students need to progress, such as how to transition or how to turn in work. A recommendation that the plan has for teachers is to organize the classroom to decrease the chances of disruptive behavior. For October, the focus is on reinforcing and strengthening skills taught during the previous month. Teacher's should continue to teach desired behavior, but they should spend more time helping students establish appropriate patterns for their behavior. The teacher's role during this month is to review rules with students and preteach expected behaviors that student s continue to struggle with. A management strategy for this month is to not only reinforce students who follow classroom rules, but to also reinforce them for other appropriate behaviors. ... A management strategy for this month is to upgrade instructional procedures and increase the amount of time for practicing daily skills, for students who are not consistently meeting the teacher's expectations. A recommendation that the plan has for teachers is to begin to increase the standard for acceptable performance. Instead of reinforcing students each time they follow a classroom rule, the teacher should reinforce students who comply with the rules in difficult circumstances or for longer periods of time. The retention phase takes place during the months of December, January and February. The overall focus for this month is to help students master behavioral skills and academic competencies so that they can become independent learners. For December, the focus is to help students gain mastery over material, but maintain appropriate school and classroom behavior. The teacher's role during this month is to teach and reinforce independent and self-reliant behavior in the students. A management strategy for this month is to reinforce students who are trying to perform independently. A recommendation that the plan has for teachers is to look for students who are showing appropriate, independent behavior and reinforce them heavily. January can be a difficult time for students and teachers. Students have been on winter break for weeks and some may forget expected behavior or they may not retain material that they learned during the previous year. For January, the focus is to reintroduce previously learned rules and routines while, at the same time, helping students to regain their mastery of the academic content they learned the previous

Operations and Information Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Operations and Information Management - Essay Example This was a significant and big expansion by the retail shop moving towards becoming a huge retail chain in the country having its stores across in all the main places. MobUlike also had its two stores in Italy which gave the chance to Smartz to spread its business even in Europe. Through this report using various theories and aspects the importance of usage of new IT strategies like ecommerce in the business expansion and its benefits are been seen and understood. Along with this the importance of information management system for a company in its process improvement is been studied which gives a clear understanding over what and how IT system helps in growth of a particular company. The particular retail chain Smartz sells smartphones and its accessories. This company is looking to grow its chain widely across the country and trying to reach every customer by providing the best facility and good products and a good price. The company owner has looked to take up packaged software’s from commercial vendors to interconnect the whole process of Smatrz, MobUlike and also the end consumers in all aspects. The acquisition of MobUlike by Smartz is a big change in the business process for the company. The company is looking to take up the process of ecommerce to reach the end consumer which is a big step towards the growth as the ecommerce usage in the country has grown a lot and that to at a rapid pace (Doyle, 2001, pp.34-45). Business process management is basically the process involved in management of the overall business in an efficient way as per the requirements of the client or the customer to achieve the customer satisfaction by fulfilling their needs and wants. In this case the owner Imran needs to manage the process of both Smartz and MobUlike and integrate them along with launching the ecommerce process (Golden, 2005, pp. 65-72). The It systems in both the companies are different as a result the integration of

White People and American Citizen Essay Example for Free

White People and American Citizen Essay The short story â€Å" How it Feels to be Colored Me† was written in year 1928 by Zora Neale Hurston who grew up in Eatonville, Florida. Zora grew up in an predominantly all black town. She had begun to realize the differences between blacks and whites at the beginning of her teens. Zora only had contact with the white people who passed through her town. These people who passed through Eatonville, Florida usually were going to Orlando or coming from Orlando, Florida. I believe the main reason why the story was written was to focus on the differences between black and white people. When Zora Hurston states â€Å" I have no separate feeling about being an American citizen and colored. I am merely a fragment of the Great Soul that surges within the boundaries. My country, right or wrong. † I believe she’s describing her feelings of being an American citizen and being colored. She does not have separate feelings of either. Zora seems to accept her identity for being colored and an American citizen. I think Zora is trying to achieve dignity/pride in America as an American. Zora doesn’t want to harp on the past Nor does she want the actions of others to affect her. Zora believes that she is an American citizen whether she’s black or white and everyone has the same rights. How It Feels to Be Colored Me Analysis by Terissa7. N. p. , n. d. Web. 15 June 2014. . â€Å"How it Feels to Be Colored† The short story â€Å" How it Feels to be Colored Me† was written in year 1928 by Zora Neale Hurston who grew up in Eatonville, Florida. Zora grew up in an predominantly all black town. She had begun to realize the differences between blacks and whites at the beginning of her teens. Zora only had contact with the white people who passed through her town. These people who passed through Eatonville, Florida usually were going to Orlando or coming from Orlando, Florida. I believe the main reason why the story was written was to focus on the differences between black and white people. When Zora Hurston states â€Å" I have no separate feeling about being an American citizen and colored. I am merely a fragment of the Great Soul that surges within the boundaries. My country, right or wrong. † I believe she’s describing her feelings of being an American citizen and being colored. She does not have separate feelings of either. Zora seems to accept her identity for being colored and an American citizen. I think Zora is trying to achieve dignity/pride in America as an American. Zora doesn’t want to harp on the past Nor does she want the actions of others to affect her. Zora believes that she is an American citizen whether she’s black or white and everyone has the same rights. How It Feels to Be Colored Me Analysis by Terissa7.

Managing Food Allergies and Intolerances in the Hospitality Sector Essay Example for Free

Managing Food Allergies and Intolerances in the Hospitality Sector Essay A food allergy is the response of the body to a food or protein the body perceives as injurious and therefore produces antibodies (Eigenmann, 2009). Highly popular are allergies towards nuts, eggs or seafood. The symptoms can vary from swelling of the throat or mouth, skin reactions, noxious feeling, breathing difficulties or even collapse (Busky, 2012). Intolerance on the other hand is the reaction when the body is not able to deal or digest a kind of food because the body misses or cannot produce certain enzymes. Most commonly known are lactose and gluten intolerances which are coeliac disorders. Triggering a malabsorption of several nutritional ingredients the sufferer has to deal with indigestion, mild abdominal (stomach) pain, bloating, occasional changes in bowel habit, such as episodes of mild diarrhoea or constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss or even vomiting (National Health Services). All these symptoms give high restrictions during daily life and require careful attention. Further the term of anaphylaxis appears quite often in the context of food allergy. Anaphylaxis describes an extreme form of imunsystem reaction to a chemical contact with of a substance of the sufferer within the environment. It impinges on the whole body and can in worst cases lead to an anaphylactic shock which often causes death (National Health Services). The British Allergy Foundation stated that in 2012 up to 21 million people in the UK are affected by food allergies and that almost 10 million of them are suffering from more than one allergy. They further estimated that by the year 2015 almost 50 per cent of the Europeans will suffer from an allergy. These facts are already allowing an insight into the importance of the topic in the hospitality industry and its uprising as a contemporary issue of increasing significance. In the following section some general information and research and three food allergy organizations will be presented more in detail. The topic will be presented with a detailed view on the approach in restaurants. The key findings will be evaluated and summarized in the conclusion. Discussion General Information Allergens in food are not always labelled and indicated on product or menu items. Further as per the findings of Pratten and Towers (2003) there is high education and training for hospitality workers in terms of food hygiene and preparation but with no deeper focus on handling food allergies. Eating out therefore becomes a difficult challenge especially for families. Especially, after reviewing a study of Cathy A. Enz on behalf of the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly in 2004. Her findings show that for restaurant managers and owners the level of concerns regarding food allergies lays only with 3,3 % (out of 100%) and is ranked on the sixed position out of eight criteria (see appendix, exhibit 1). As per Allergykids. com four in ten UK school children have an allergic condition. Hence the parents have to control and watch after their children much more to ensure their well-being. The founder and CEO of Allergyeats. com, Paul Antico states â€Å"First and foremost, I’m a dad of kids who have food allergies. I understand the concerns of parents and know what it’s like to be constantly on guard. † Adding to this statement, seven out of ten sufferers say their allergy has an adverse effect on their lives (Allergykids. com, 2012). This is clearly showing the impact on the hospitality and the need for adaption in the service offer. Within the issue of Food Allergies there have been several approaches to ease and make the topic more valid and accessible on the consumer as well as on the service providers ‘point of view. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act One step was the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of the second of August of 2004 which came into effect on the first of August 2006. It obliges manufacturers to label and indicate common allergens like nuts or milk on their product on a clear and comprehensible way (Food and Drug Administration, 2004). Whereas it is questionable if the consumer can be assured by this with correct labeling. The Food and Drug Administration is randomly inspecting different food packaging for the allergen label but it is shady if some products might just slip through and give wrong indications for the consumer. Nevertheless nowadays there is a wide range of products (for example in a supermarket with an average of 50,000 products (Google Answeres)) and most of them are food items. Therefore the control of all packaging becomes a heavy challenge. However the first step is the mplementation of such a law. Regarding the fact that the Act is in effect since 2006 it can be estimated that products have been relabeled over the years and especially new products introduced the allergen label by entering the market. The Gluten Free and Allergy Free Passport The Gluten Free and Allergy Free Passport organization are â€Å"Educating the World about Food Travel since 2005† (GFPassport, 2012). The below graph is showing their approach to necessary communication between restaurant and allergy sufferer: Fig. 1 Gluten Allergy Free Passport, 2012 On both sides, on the guest perspective and the restaurant perspective there should be previous education. The Guest, in this case the allergy sufferer needs to assess his comfort level by for example talking to the wait staff. After identifying the eating options the guest conducts the pre planning and starts the interaction with the restaurant. Communication the guest? s needs and specifications are crucial and the first step in the interaction. Ordering the meal and receiving it, the guest should provide feedback about his experience. At the same time not only the guest has to be cautious, the wait staff and the cooks have to understand the guest needs and facilitate the specification ordered by fully ensuring safety for the guest. After the meal is delivered the staff should follow-up not only for the well-being of the guest but also to apply critical feedback. The Chef? s Card To ease this communication between the customer and the restaurant some organisation like the Allergy Free Table LLC company introduced a useful tool. The company is trying to educate and provide information in that area. But not only the provision of important information about allergies and intolerances, facts and figures, problems and risks is their aim but they also giving solutions to make daily life for allergy sufferers easier. One of their approaches is the Chef? s card. It is similar to a business card indicating the allergy of the consumer, the degree of the allergy and the actions to be taken in case of an allergic reaction. Example of Layout of Chef? s Card: Fig. 2: Allergy Chef? s Card (Allergy Free Table, LLC, 2012) The Allergy Free Table LLC.  Co provides sample cards and individual adjusted templates which are provided for free download and print out on their website. This approach is widely spread and having a look through the World Wide Web a lot of positive comments regarding this idea can be found. On the forum for Food Allergy Support, members are commenting â€Å"We go out eat a lot and we use the Chef? s Card [†¦]†, â€Å"[†¦] the cards are useful [†¦]† or â€Å"[†¦] Im all for chef cards! [†¦]†. Further there can be services found other online services as SelectWisely. com which is providing Chef? Card with the focus on people travelling and therefore translating them in the respective language. From the customer and the restaurants perspective the Chef? s Card is an effective approach to this serious issue. The customer receives the feeling to be taken more serious with the special demand. Further for example the wait staff have something to hold in the hands, which can be handed over to the kitchen staff and results in more security as the level of miscommunications is narrowed. Particularly while travelling the Chef? Card is relieving the customer from feeling stressed eating out as well the restaurant obtains a clear guideline to handle the guest conveniently and most important safely. To sum up the approach of the Chef? s Card is an innovative approach which eases the concern of food allergy issues in restaurant for both parties. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Despite many online communities (e. g. the Allergy Free Table LLC. Co) are providing information the most popular one might be the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) are calling themselves the â€Å"most trusted source of information† and can record over 22,000 memberships in the year 2012 (FAAN, 2012). The network is funded by the annual membership fees, donations and charity events like the yearly FAAN Walk for Food Allergy. They are committed to increase the awareness of the impact and implications of Food Allergies, the provision of education for young and old, advocate further research into the topic. The FAAN offers programs like the â€Å"[emailprotected]† program which is a package including nformation material as well as implementation and management strategies for schools (FAAN, 2012). Moreover they understood that â€Å"Eating away from home can pose a significant risk to people affected by food allergy. Research suggests that close to half of fatal food allergy reactions are triggered by food served by a restaurant or other food service establishment† (FAAN, 2012). So they are approaching restaurateurs directly and are calling up on more training for hospitality staff: â€Å"Education, cooperation, and teamwork are the keys to safely serving a guest who has food allergies. All food service staff – including restaurant managers, servers, and kitchen staff – must become familiar with the issues surrounding food allergies and the proper way to answer guests’ questions. Further, they must know what to do if an allergic reaction occurs. † The network emphasises on cooperation between the restaurants and customers to ease the barriers and to diminish the risks for allergy sufferers while eating out. The handbook for training of hospitality staff is only one of the collections of information which is provided for free on the FAAN? s homepage. Reviewing the amount of information which is available especially online restaurateurs should no longer hesitate to implement the handling of food allergies as an inherent part of their standards and policies. Much information is available for free and some managerial strategies and ,of course training sessions, will cost some money. Nevertheless this undertaking is not too difficult as food safety and hygiene procedures are already applied in gastronomic enterprises. As shown above the need for an extension to allergy concerns from the customers? side is omnipresent. Although that the adaption of this issue will cost time and money in return target markets and customer acquisition will be promoted. The Trend of Labelling Menu Items Food labelling is only mandatory for products coming from the manufacturer, so those which are e. g. bought in supermarkets and grocery shops. This labelling format has been improved by the Codex Alimentarius by the Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization in 2003 also adapted by the European Parliament and one year later in the USA. It regulated that foods triggering ensitive reactions have to be labelled. Current discussions about having restaurants to label their menu items are on-going but â€Å"[†¦] the restaurant industry argued that mandatory labeling would be a significant burden on most restaurants, the majority of which are small businesses that do not have the technical ability and/or knowledge to provide and publish such data† (Pizam, 2011). Restaurants mostly object menu labeling. Small businesses only produce in small amounts and menu items change frequently which would imply additional financial expenditures on the menu design. Further restaurants are arguing that the demand for labeled menus is not high enough. Attempts with calorie and fat indications mostly failed in past years. The demand for low calorie and low fat items in comparison to the conventional products was not high enough (Din, Zahari, Otham, Abas, 2012). It is questionable if this failure of menu indications is significant in the debate about labeling menus for allergy sufferers (Pizam, 2011). The quoted arguments are comprehensible but the extreme defensive attitude should be dropped. The request for menu labeling must not be a generalized demand but a compromise could be formed. Restaurants could have some additional menus indicating a detailed description of the menu ingredients. Other than that the restaurant might be able to guarantee that the cook on shift knows all its products and ingredients. This could be done by narrowing the amount of suppliers, brands and by maintaining the supplier for basic products. Maintaining loyal to a supplier as a plus would reduce purchase costs as restaurants receive better prices with long-term contracts. Conclusion Concluding from the findings the issue of food allergies in restaurants will be of increasing concern in the following years. Therefore there is every indication to find common approaches and standards to build up a convenient interrelation between customers and restaurants. The customer, most of all, needs to develop the trust to the restaurateur of being served in a serious and safe manner. The presented concept of the Chef? s Card is a recommendable and effective way to ease the communication for the special requirements of an allergy sufferer. Further the restaurant can handle the conveyed responsibility with more secureness and assurance. As the research has shown labelling the menu to needs of allergy sufferers is still in heavy discussion. Nevertheless a common standard should be introduced in order for the restaurant to clearly follow any special requests. To conclude in the future an overall standard is required in restaurants. Procedures should be extended and the implementation of allergy handling should be a standard for all gastronomy venues. The load of information is immense and the accessibility is there. Hence restaurants have little excuse too not implement some new strategies in their procedures. Although staff turnover is very high in the hospitality sector which is complicating the demand for additional training, hygiene and food safety instructions are mandatory for all hospitality staff. So why not extend and cover the issue of food allergies at the same time. Consequently restaurants could be labelled as being trained in allergy concerns and customers can easily choose to eat out.

Experienced Negative Life Events

Experienced Negative Life Events Proposition no. 6 which states that A person who experienced negative life events can still be able to attain mental wellbeing relates to axiom 2 Positive and negative life events affect mental wellbeing and axiom 3 (A mentally healthy person functions effectively thus feels happy and satisfied) since it implies that using appropriate coping and adaptation skills against the many negative life events, minor, major or extreme life events, the older person still has a great chance attaining mental wellbeing, to be able to function normally despite physical and cognitive decline therefore making the older person happy and satisfied. During the normal process of aging, the older people encounter stressors or negative life events that may trigger both appropriate and distorted emotional responses. Two of the most stressful unplanned life events include declines in health and loss of loved ones. It may result to distress and a sense of helplessness due to physical deterioration in function, such as blurred vision and hearing difficulty; adjustment and difficulty after retirement, resulting to loss of financial independence, feeling of emptiness for lack of life goal, etc.; social isolation, and feelings of out of touch with the world owing to the rapid changing environment; loss of confidence and self worth; misconception that family members and society no longer respect them; and a sense of loneliness as adult children leave the family. In addition, chronic strains may also impact the older adult; for example, strains within the community, in relationships, or in the older persons immediate environment are all str essors. Most older people are able to adapt to these changes and maintain their well-being by utilizing and organizing their personal and environmental resources. These include coping skills, social support, and maintaining a sense of control. A mentally healthy older adult has the ability to interact positively with internal and external environment, can adapt and cope up from the negative life events. As the World Health Organization (2001) defines mental health as the state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities. He can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community (Tameside and Glossop, 2011). According to Ebersole, et.al (2004), it is difficult to define mental health of an elderly because the differentiation of personality throughout the life span is escalating which may have resulted to idiosyncratic and sometimes eccentric adaptation in late life. As the person grows older, faced with particular situations, it accentuates a certain aspect of personality and appearance which make the person uniquely himself because he is strengthened with the accumulation of life experiences. Such personality characteristics maybe negative like being crusty, disagreeable, grouchy or grumpy which is however considered adaptive. A good example would be a cantankerous old man who utilizes his coping skills against with his severe illness and stoically protecting others from awareness of his pain might be manifesting a mentally healthy person. Therefore, Ebersole, et.al (2004) best described mental health in elderly as being measured by the capacity to cope effectively with relationships an d environment and by the satisfaction experience in doing so. If the environment provides the potential for mental health, then the only criterion for mental health is the persons response to the environment. The same connotation given by Zanden, et.al (2000) as he identified two (2) elements of mental health namely: (1) From a social perspective, mental health involves peoples ability to function effectively in their social roles and to carry out the requirements of group living; (2) From a psychological perspective, mental health involves a subjective sense of well being such as happiness, contentment and satisfaction. Moreover, the qualitative study of Moyle, et.al (2010) about Older people maintaining mental well-being through resilience is a good example of a mentally healthy older adult who is able to manage and cope well with the adversities. The older people in the study identified their negative life changes categorized by the following four themes: 1) Social Isolation and Loneliness, 2) Social worth, 3) Self-determination, and 4) Security. When the researchers asked the older-participants to discuss strategies that they used to maintain well-being through resilience, their responses were categorized under six themes. These are: 1)Keeping active; 2)Relationships; 3)Community connections; 4)Practical coping; 5)Emotional coping; and 6) Spiritual coping. Physical activities, mentally stimulating activities and meaningful activities are the identified activities of the participants inorder to be always active which enhance mental health and well-being. They reported keeping mentally active through continued learning, new interests or novel activities, as well as mentally stimulating games and through volunteering. Older people also identified that the more challenging activities can enhance well-being by giving a sense of accomplishment and achievement. Another approach which the participants expressed is being involved and maintaining healthy family contacts because this relationships could enhance well-being in older people just like the active and frequent presence of grandchildren. In addition, when participants felt able, taking on a caregiving role was another way maintaining well-being through relationships. The other strategy reveals the strength of community connections for maintaining well-being. Older people report that the ir health is maintained through continued and constant contact with all age groups and members of the community. For many participants, the key is to interact as part of the wider community and not isolating oneself according to age group. Another category of approaches used by older people in order to maintain well-being were those which used practical based coping strategies to minimize the effects of aging on well-being. The participants reported using practical focused coping strategies such as setting goals or planning for the future. This also includes financial planning and creating budgets to maintain financial security. While for other participants, actively minimizing responsibilities is one way to maintain well-being. Utilizing emotional coping strategies is another approach to enhance mental wellbeing. While distraction and occupation were considered to be important ways of maintaining wellbeing others reported altering goals or standards according to ones age as a way to maintain well-being. Comments frequently centered on being realistic and reasonable when considering the limitations and expectations of later life. For others not focusing on age and acceptance of older age were key approaches to assist in sustained well-being. However an important aspect of acceptance was not to give up on doing things that are enjoyable because of aging such as to think positively or maintain a sense of humor. The final approach highlights spiritual strategies used by some older people in order to maintain well-being. In a study of quality of life and Jewish older people in South Africa, over half of the participants felt that as they grew older, religion played an increasingly important role in their lives. Self-concept as mentioned in proposition no. 4 is an important factor that would help view the negative life events positively resulting to better coping skills. Self-concept is also evident when older person comments on major events in his life, he was engaging in a special form of reminiscence called life review calling up past experiences with the goal of achieving greater self-understanding. Older adults who participate in counselor-led life review report increased self-esteem, greater sense of purpose in life, and reduced depression. At the same time, when they relate about themselves, elders have accumulated a lifetime of self-knowledge, leading to more secure and complex conceptions of themselves. Their autobiographical selves emphasized coherence and consistency, despite physical, cognitive, and occupational changes. So when an older adult who shows firm and multifaceted self-concept which allowed for self acceptance is a key feature of integrity. Moreover, a flexible, optimistic approach to life, which fosters resilience in the face of adversity, is common in old age. Being resilient, the elderly gain in agreeableness, becoming increasingly generous, acquiescent, and good-natured well into late life. Agreeableness seem to characterize people who have come to terms with life despite its imperfections- greater acceptance of change an attribute the elderly frequently mention as important to psychological well being. When asked about dissatisfactions in their lives, many older adults respond that they are not unhappy about anything. Acceptance of change is also evident in most elders effective coping with the loss of loved ones, including death of a spouse. The capacity to accept lifes twists and turns, many of which are beyond ones control, is vital for adaptive functioning in late adulthood. Most older adults are resilient, bouncing back in the face of adversity especially if they did so earlier in their lives. And older persons heightened capacity for positive emotion contributes greatly to their resilience (Zanden, 2000). Therefore, if the older adults are recalling past positively revealing a lifetime of self-knowledge, leading to more secure and complex conceptions of themselves and is resilient have arrived at a sense of integrity and they would feel whole, complete, and satisfied with their achievements. They have adapted to inevitable triumphs and disappointments and realize that the paths they followed, abandoned, and never selected were necessary for fashioning a meaningful life course. Another measure for the older adult to consider inorder to successfully adapt and manage negative life events is for him to take initiatives in doing activities. This relates from the study of Steverink, Lindenberg and Slaets (2005) who define taking the initiative as the ability to take initiatives or to be agentic (self-organizing, proactive, self-reflecting and self-regulating). This ability, although closely related to self-efficacy, Deci and Ryan (1995) considered taking the initiative to be a separate ability, because the belief in ones competence is not automatically linked to the motivation to use ones competence. Thus it is hypothesized that taking the initiative with regard to important resources, as opposed to being or feeling passive, dependent or fatalistic, is necessary for the achievement and maintenance of wellbeing. With aging, as a consequence of losses in resources, together with decreasing opportunities and challenges, there may be a decline in the rate and range of self initiated behavior and an increase in dependency (Baltes 1996). The general construct that has been the focus of most research on this aspect of adaptive behavior is autonomy vs dependency. For example, it was found that nursing home residents who experienced greater autonomy reported less depression and higher self-esteem, life satisfaction, meaning in life, general health and psychological adjustment (Vallerand and OConnor 1989). Similarly, in nursing home residents, Kasser and Ryan (1999) found out that greater autonomy in daily activities predicted decreased mortality over a 1-year period. The initiative of the elderly to be always active and involved in social activities prevent mental depression. This way, it avoids the elderly population from thinking negatively and becoming pessimistic which contributes to health problems especially mental illness. However, the elderly should not limit itself to social activities, but he should be involved in variety of resources called multifunctionality. Well-being is about being emotionally healthy, feeling able to cope with normal stresses, and living a fulfilled life. It can be affected by things like worries about money, work, your home, the people around, and the environment. Well-being is also affected by a feeling of having control of your life, feeling involved with people and communities, and feelings of anxiety and isolation (Coggins Cooke, 2004). Axiom number 2 stresses then that there are multifunctional resources/factors, internal or external that would influence the person to reach and attain mental wellbeing. Nieboer, A. Lindenberg, S. (n.d.) described multifunctional resources as the resources or activities or factors that serve multiple aspects of wellbeing (e.g. social and physical wellbeing) simultaneously and in a mutually reinforcing way. Because of this mutual reinforcement, multifunctional resources are of special importance for the realization of wellbeing. Therefore, the ability to maintain or regain multifunctional resources is important for wellbeing in ageing. A spouse, for instance, is often a multifunctional resource. Interacting with a spouse fulfills the need for affection, and at the same time fulfills the need for activation. Another example of multifunctionality is having dinner (fulfilling the need for food) with friends (fulfilling the need for affection). With aging added by Riley and Riley (1994), there may be a decline in multifunctional resources and activities, due to the loss of a partner or close friend, and also because of a decrease in opportunities to part icipate in occupational and other formal settings. Such settings often offer opportunities for multifunctionality through interaction with colleagues and by performing tasks that yield reinforcing physical and social rewards. Because multifunctional resources or activities are hypothesized to yield more overall wellbeing than unifunctional activities or resources, the loss of these opportunities is therefore expected to have a particularly negative impact on wellbeing. Moreover, it is often hard to substitute or compensate the loss of a multifunctional resource. For instance, the loss of a spouse and subsequent widowhood, which is a common experience in later life especially for women, often has a broad impact on different aspects of wellbeing, because the loss of the spouse often involves the loss of other relationships as well. Other empirical evidence for the importance of multifunctional resources or activities for overall wellbeing is found in studies that show both higher leve ls of wellbeing and increased longevity in older people who remain socially active and productive (Nieboer Lindenberg, n.d.). However, it is believed that if these multifunctional resources and strategies have been taught and develop at an early stage then obtaining mental wellbeing would not be difficult to attain. An elderly who has a loving, close family relationship and full support from them from childhood to adulthood, the elderly will have a positive outlook in life thus living a fulfilled, happy and contented and complete life will eventually reach the stage of integrity hence attain mental wellbeing. Investment of behavior is another factor inorder to attain mental wellbeing. This relates to the famous adage which states continue doing good because in the end you will reap a harvest full of blessings would also mean doing something good in your life even in the earlier stage of life is an investment behavior which resulted to increase longevity. The investigation made by Steverink, Lindenberg and Slaets (2005), found that the investment of behavior is important for achieving stability in resources and the maintenance of wellbeing in the longer term. Therefore, it is hypothesized that a certain amount of investment behavior is important for the realization and maintenance of wellbeing, even with increasing age and a declining time-horizon. Without investment behavior there will be a decline in resources and wellbeing. With aging, this ability may decline as a consequence of a decreasing time-horizon and the loss of external resources and opportunities. It has, indeed, been found t hat older individuals become ever more present-oriented, and have a less extended future perspective than younger people in general. Yet, when older individuals are able to maintain a certain amount of investment behavior, this clearly will have a positive effect on their overall wellbeing. For example, proactive prevention activities in older people have positive consequences for longevity, as well as for indicators of subjective wellbeing. Although there are only a few studies that have investigated investment behavior in aging individuals, other studies have closely examined related aspects of future orientation and planning in older people. It has been found that older people who maintain a future orientation, and also plan for the future, report higher levels of life satisfaction (Prenda and Lachman 2001). Moreover, Isaacowitz and Seligman (2002) supported that a positive future orientation was found to predict affective adaptation (Nieboer Lindenberg, n.d.). Furthermore, there are more coping and adaptation strategies that can be used inorder to attack negative life events as reflected in axiom 2. The measures/strategies discussed previously were indeed a good tips inorder to maintain mental health more especially if the older adult is optimistic, with positive self-concept and self-esteem, he can easily face the negative life events with confidence, happy and contentment. Axiom no. 3 (A mentally healthy person functions effectively thus feels happy and satisfied) will never be difficult to attain if the elderly views aging positively despites its cognitive and physical decline, this will never be a hindrance inorder to attain happiness and life satisfaction as measurements of mental wellbeing. It was never true that attaining mental wellbeing means having no diagnosed illness nor physical disabilities, what is important is the development of ones potential, work productively and creatively, how strong and positive relationships are built with others, and how to contribute something to the economy. As Baltes Baltes (1990) accentuates that successful aging, is not based on den ial of real losses in functioning in the last stage of life but rather it encourages older people to optimize the capacities that remain while compensating for inevitable losses. A report of Mroczek Kolarz (1998), documented that older adults do not appear unhappier compared to middle-aged or younger persons even though they experienced declines in physical health, deaths of peers and spouses, and other objective rigors that accompany aging (Baltes Baltes, 1990; Brandtstadter Greve, 1994; Filipp, 1996; Staudinger, Fleeson, Baltes, 1998). As a result of hardships in life, it was expected that they would have lower levels of happiness but it was not so. Their well-being seems to be unaffected by the adverse contexts brought on by the aging process (Borgatta Fbss, 1979; Cameron, 1975; Haug, Belkgrave, Gratton, 1984; Herzog, Rodgers, Woodworth, 1982; Larson, 1978; Schulz, 1985). Also, Zanden, et.al (2000) cited that Erikson during his late adulthood, demonstrated a life of ego in tegrity. At age 87, he continued to publish books relating to old age, his last work found out that some older adults live hopeful, productive lives, despite failing health and alertness; while others were relatively robust, although sometimes giving in to loneliness, narcissism, and despair (Woodward, 1994). The Social Production Function (SPF) Theory explains the two (2) types of older adults. According to the theory, success in obtaining the goals of affection, behavioral confirmation and status for social well-being, and comfort and stimulation for physical well-being resulted to subjective wellbeing. People have their own multiple means for achieving these goals by using a variety of means or resources simultaneously, should there be a case in which their goals cannot be achieved, they will build buffers against the loss of subjective wellbeing, although people have differences in buffer formation but people are resourceful in substituting across different life-domains and diff erent forms of well-being. This is confirmed from the study of Steverink (2001) among older adults (Nieboer Lindenberg, n.d.). Relating it to the observation of Erikson some older adults though relatively robust but still give in to loneliness, narcissism and despair, this maybe due to how they deal with their negative life events, how they make use of their coping and adaptation skills, or their buffer system or multifunctionality resources. The implication of the above scenarios portray that the negative life events were never considered as obstacles in attaining mental wellbeing. When appropriate skills are used in attacking adversities in life, there is a great chance of achieving happiness and life satisfaction. As Field (2009) expresses in his words mental wellbeing is not simply as having absence of diagnosed illness, disability or dissatisfaction but the individual must acquire social qualities of confidence, optimism about the future, a sense of influence over ones own destiny, and the social competences that promote satisfying and supportive relationships with other people. It also critically involve the resilience needed to deal with hard times whenever they occur inorder to function effectively so that by then happiness and life satisfaction are possible to reach. Therefore, mental wellbeing involve happiness or contentment, caring for and about others, and the capacity for creative and productive work. Theory Generated As the individuals grow old, people encounter challenges, stresses or adversities in life such as negative life events, it maybe in the form of major, minor or extreme life events. These life events have great impact to the lives of every individual especially on the desire of achieving functioning effectively, happiness and satisfaction or otherwise known as Mental Well being during the late stage of the peoples lives. The theory on Attainment of Mental Wellbeing is being developed because of the belief that despite those negative life events, the individual still manages to adapt and cope from those stressful events thus function effectively and shall have satisfied and happy lives. However, there is no best formula in attaining mental well being because it is believed that there are factors that will act as a barrier in attaining mental wellbeing and at the same time there are also factors that would help mold the individual to have good mental health in order for the person to be fully develop in combating against those negative life events. The study is anchored on the Social Production Function (SPF) Theory which will explain why people is still fairly satisfied with their lives even when they lack important resources such as a paid job or a spouse (Nieboer Lindenberg, n.d.). The same observations made by Erikson when he interviewed older Americans because he found out that some older adults opted to be lonely, narcissistic and desperate though they are relatively in good health. SPF theory asserts subjective wellbeing is ordered hierarchically. The general universal goals which are at the top: Overall subjective wellbeing consists of physical and social wellbeing; then followed by universal instrumental goals (for social well-being, three universal instrumental goals are specified: status, behavioral confirmation, and affection and for the production of physical well-being, two universal instrumental goals have been distinguished: comfort and stimulation (Wippler 1990)) and the lowest level is the layers of means cal led resources. In achieving the overall subjective being, one has to work on it, starting from the lowest level inorder to attain the universal goal. If an older person lacks the necessary resources like work, due to retirement, this doesnt mean its the end of the world. The theory suggests that the older person should make use of a buffer system or multifunctionality resources as their coping and adaptation skills. There is still a big chance to achieve the higher goal which is the attainment of mental wellbeing, hence the theory on Attainment of Mental Wellbeing is being developed. The proposed theory on Attainment of Mental Wellbeing is applicable to all individuals across several lifespan, specifically, among the institutionalized older adults in Por Cristo and in the city and provincial jails (elderly inmates) of Butuan City. The theory suggests basing on the SPF theory, that inorder to battle against their negative life events will make use first of the lowest level of resources before going up to the next level until they will be able to attain mental wellbeing. The theory further suggests that these resources are factors that would affect or influence the person on the extent of his effort, belief, perceptions, coping and adaptation skills towards the attainment of his mental wellbeing. This theory will be tested to determine if the following propositions are true among the institutionalized older adults in Por Cristo and in the city and provincial jails (elderly inmates) of Butuan City: Proposition 1: Mental wellbeing is an optimistic person. Proposition 2: Parents and families have important role in the early initiation of secure attachment to the life of a child influences in the attainment of mental wellbeing across life span. Proposition 3: Several factors and/or resources that work collaboratively inorder to help promote in the attainment of mental well being. Proposition 4: A person with healthy self-concept and positive self-esteem towards life events can attain mental wellbeing. Proposition 5: A person who fully understands the meaning of life with strong sense of spirituality has attained mental wellbeing. Proposition 6: A person experienced negative life events can still be able to attain mental wellbeing using better coping skills and adaptation Conceptual Framework The proposed theory on attainment of mental wellbeing is taken from the idea related to the effect of life events towards the attainment of mental wellbeing and in which there are several factors that will influence the process in the attainment of the goal. Figure 1 illustrates the schematic diagram on the proposed theory called the theory of attainment of mental wellbeing. It shows the independent and dependent variables. Life events surrounded with the influencing factors signify the independent variables, while the effect called the dependent variable is the attainment of mental wellbeing. Mental wellbeing or wellbeing is defined as a dynamic state, in which the individual is able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others, and contribute to their economy (Foresight Report, 2008) while mental health is a state of wellbeing in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work ATTAINMENT OF MENTAL WELLBEING productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community (Word Health Organization, 2007). Both mental health and wellbeing is the core elements of the over-all health which means if his health condition is marked with alteration in thinking, mood or behavior resulting to either distress, impairs ability to function or both (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) is a manifestation that the older person has not attained mental wellbeing which might result to mental health problems such as depression, suicide, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ There are two (2) elements of mental health namely: (1) From a social perspective, mental health involves peoples ability to function effectively in their social roles and to carry out the requirements of group living; (2) From a psychological perspective, mental health involves a subjective sense of well being such as happiness, contentment and satisfaction. Therefore, mental wellbeing is measured in terms of functioning effectively, happiness and contentment or life satisfaction. However, attaining mental wellbeing is not an easy journey because all of us will always encounter different life events. Life events are described as a significant occurrence involving a relatively abrupt change that may produce serious and long-lasting effects. It is considered as stressor in the life of a person because the demands on the person exceed the resources available to meet those demands (Schwarzer, Schulz Berlin, 2001). For older adults, it will be in a form of retirement, death of a spouse or children or friends, lost of income, change of living environment, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ These life events can threaten the wellbeing of an individual thats why life events are most often considered as obstacles in reaching the goals. However, depends on the persons capability to face the different life events. The influencing factors that will help attain mental wellbeing can be in form of intrinsic and extrinsic or promotive and preventive factors. Intrinsic factors are the core characteristics needed inorder to easily attain mental wellbeing, such as optimism, self-concept, self-esteem, meaning of life and spirituality. These core characteristics help the individual views the life events positively and produce a direct effect on the attainment of mental wellbeing such as optimism, self-concept, self-esteem, meaning in life spirituality. While the promotive and preventive factors refer to the environmental factors which has indirect effect in the attainment of mental wellbeing, this includes: parental care, like exercise, healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ These factors influenced the individual on the proper choice of coping and adaptation skills when faced with life events especially the negative ones. Older adults must continue to engage in activities, socialize, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ despite their health condition right now. Problem Generated The study aimed to determine the life stories of institutionalized older adults relating to the essence of mental well being in relation to the different life events they encountered. Specifically, it sought answers from the following problems: To identify the significant life events they encountered from childhood up to the present and how they cope up and adapt with that experiences. To determine the different factors that influence their mental wellbeing causing them to be able to surpassed their negative life events. To explore the essence of mental well being and if they have attained it despite the condition/situation of their life right now.

Torvald Helmer of Henrik Isbens A Dolls House :: A Dolls House Essays

Torvald Helmer of Henrik Isben's A Doll's House In Henrik Isben's A Doll's House, he makes the observation that women in contemporary society posses no independent self unrestricted from the male's image of them; Isben accomplishes this through the character relationship between Torvald Helmer and his wife Nora. Henrik Isben sought to show the psychological complexity of realism underneath the surface of a typical urban bourgeoisie or professional class family. Thus in doing so, brings out the central conflict between the idealistic Torvald and this underlying theme demonstrated through Nora. Ultimately, it is because of Torvald's completely inflexible and self-righteous attitudes towards life and his moralistic values, that Nora is driven from her role of submisiveness in his game of male dominance to seek her own identity. Hel. (walking about the room). What a horrible awakening! All these eight years-she who was my joy and pride-a hypocrite, a liar-worse, worse-a criminal! The unutterable ugliness of it all! For shame! For shame! ...(62) It is only when she has found this sense of a self that she had been denying and sacrificing all these years, that she can truly begin to love others. Hel. Before all else you are a wife and a mother. Nora. I don't believe that any longer. I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being just as you are-or, at all events, that I must try and become one. (68) This game which she had been playing with her father before, and now with the close-minded Torvald, she finally realizes, is the "Dolls House" she's been living in for all her life, never finding out who she truly is. Nora. But our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll wife, just as at home I was Papa's doll child; and here the children have been my dolls. I thought it was great fun when you played with me,

The death penalty :: essays research papers fc

The Death Penalty There are many crimes that are being committed through out America, burglary, car theft, rape, pick pocketing, and murder. There are many different forms of â€Å"murder†, manslaughter (killing someone without it being previously thought out); vehicular manslaughter (hitting someone with your car and killing them) and other forms of accidental deaths may be thought of in the same sense of â€Å"murder†. The death penalty applies to the murders that are committed violently (murders that are done on purpose). The way to prevent some of these violent murders is to use the death penalty more. Some people say that the death penalty is cruel, unjust and it is in moral. I feel that the death penalty, if it was in forced, would be a deterrent for crime. There are many strengths and weaknesses surrounding the death penalty. There also have been many arguments in favor of the death penalty. In the state of Pennsylvania, a person that commits first degree murder with eighteen aggravating circumstances is able to be sentenced to death. The lethal injection is the means that is used when someone is sentenced to death. There is no real age specified to how old somebody can be before they are sentenced to death. As of July 1, 2001 there was 246 people on death row, 155 (63%) were African American, 75 (30%) were white, 15 (6%) were Latina and 2 (8%) were Asian. A July 2001 Harris Poll founded about four of ten American (42%) felt that capital punishment deters people from committing murders. On the other hand about five of ten American (52%) believed capital punishment does not have much effect. In 1976, when the death penalty was reinstated nearly six of ten (59%) thought capital punishment was a deterrent, compared to just over three in ten (34%) who thought it wasn’t. (Pg 74 The Death Penalty in America) Some of the strengths of the death penalty are that it does not allow violent murders back onto the streets, it deters crimes from would be murders, and it gives comfort to families of murdered victims. By using capital punishment on violent murders it prevents them from reentering society and having a chance to commit a violent act again. If capital punishment was handed down as a punishment then other criminals would think again about committing murder. The death penalty also gives comfort to the families of murdered victim’s by not allowing them (criminals) back onto the streets free to commit another murder.

Cultural Awareness Essay

The world as humans know it is getting smaller and smaller due to globalization and technological improvements. The two has made it possible for people from various cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds to communicate, work together and travel from one country to another half a world away easily. When people meet, they also bring their cultural background with them. This makes it essential for people to have cultural awareness and understand cultural diversity. Cultural awareness is the recognition and acceptance that people are all shaped by each one’s own unique and specific cultural backgrounds (Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing [CCDA], 2006). Cultural awareness is the sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity or the fact that people from various cultures have different values, beliefs and traditions. Different histories and traditions result in culturally-prescribed particulars on how people should perceive and relate with other people. A person is culturally aware when he or she celebrates the world’s colorful cultural richness and assortment instead of discriminating against other cultures, especially against minorities. Cultural awareness is being able to see through the lens of another culture and the openness to understand another culture instead of simply labeling it weird or â€Å"wrong† in view of one’s own culture. Having cultural awareness is essential in facing the technology-dependent world’s unseen cultural challenges. One technological development that has been very beneficial for people is the Internet. Through the Internet, people can communicate and share information regardless of time and distance. It has even allowed for the existence of virtual classrooms or online education wherein one can share classes without any physical meeting. Technology has brought people closer; however, the fact the no one can see and determine the race or background of other people lays a hidden trap. Without knowing that they are talking to someone from another cultural background, people can easily alienate others and be called a racist because of their insensitivity to another. Being culturally aware, having the capacity to understand and appreciate the rich cultural diversity, is thus essential for the success of this computer-mediated communication because it increases one’s sensitivity to the non-physical and non-vocal communication styles of people. Cultural awareness keeps one from making generalizations and informs one about appropriate communication styles (CCDA, 2006). Finally, cultural awareness generally promotes an atmosphere of respect for everyone regardless of culture. References Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing. (2006). Cultural awareness. Retrieved March 13, 2009 from http://www. culturaldiversity. com. au/Default. aspx? tabid=81

Communication Modes

Communication There are other types of communication that are beyond the four basic types: face-to-face communication, spoken communications that is transmitted electronically, personally addressed written communication, and impersonal written communication. There is also visual communication. Visual communication is visual display of information, like maps, photos, signs, symbols and designs. Television and video clips are the electronic form of visual communication.An employee that has performed in an outstanding, above-the-call manner would be given a face to face meeting, which may include a company-wide email or a public presentation to show appreciation. Face to face communication will project the sincerity and honesty of the employee’s hard work. They will be able to visualize the verbal and non-verbal cues of the manager. The public presentation of appreciation would also show other employees how hard work is rewarded in the workplace, and be a motivator for high produ ction; including a more cohesive feeling of teamwork throughout the company.The use of a company-wide email would allow other employees to see that hard work can be rewarded by public recognition. In order to capture the attention of the employees receiving the email the salutation of â€Å"Dear Company XYZ Team Member,† to give it a more personal and endearing feel. The most effective method to communicate a new policy on the use of cell phones would be impersonal written communication. The down-side of using this type of communication is that since it is not personally addressed to the receiver they may not read the email.If the employee does not read the email and is in violation of the new cell phone policy; it is ultimately the employees’ responsibility to stay current on new policies and procedures instituted within the company. In the event that an employee is found violating the new policy a face-to-face meeting would occur. This would include at the least a ve rbal reprimand or according to company policies the level of reprimand that is required. An employee that is repeatedly late for work always requires a face-to-face eeting. There is no other form of communication that is effective in this situation. The employee must be able to see the verbal and non-verbal cues of the manager conveying the seriousness of the employee’s employment. The manager should find out what is the root cause of the employee’s non-compliance with the attendance policy. The employee could be having timing issues with a babysitter; the employee could be oversleeping due to a second job, or not leaving home in time to allow for potential traffic issues.The manager would be required to reprimand the employee according to company policy, which could be an oral warning up to and including termination, depending on the magnitude of the attendance policy violation. An employee that has a child that has been injured should always communicate face-to-face. The manager should go to the employee’s workspace and ask him/her to come with them to their office or other private space.This cannot be communicated over the phone; even if the manager is off-site they should call and appoint another member of the management team to convey the message to this employee. References Batson, T. R. , & Neff, B. J. (2007). Business ethics: Sunday ethics — Monday world. Marion, Ind. : Triangle Publishing. R, A. (n. d. ). Four Types of Communication. Buzzle. Retrieved October 28, 2012, from http://www. buzzle. com/articles/four-types-of-communication. html

John Locke of Poor Reform and Workhouses Essay

The reading for this week addresses Locke’s understanding of the relationship between the poor and the capable citizens in society. He stated explicitly in his second treatise on government, the importance of work and labor in order to assess a person’s worth. Locke believes that man is not meant to be idle and that the purpose of existence is to live in the image of God and work towards a life of moral bounds and labor upon the earth making it more beneficial to all those who enjoy its benefits. During the century that Locke is writing, about 50-70% of the population is extremely poor. There seemed to be no freedoms unless the institution of waged labor came into question. Waged labor during this time was not much better than being a slave and in many ways is just an extension of slavery. In order to combat the growing problem of the poor in the England cities, Locke proposes the idea of workhouses which would be the equivalent of reform schools. In these institutions, young people of the poor or incapacitated nature would learn tangible skills that they can then use in their homes or that they could use in order to attain a job. Education is very important to Locke because it is one of the main differences between rich/ able bodied and the poor. In my opinion, it is because of the lack of extensive education that the numbers of poor during this century in English history skyrocketed instead of declining as more jobs and resources became available. According to Locke, a major factor in the high numbers of poor is the fact that they are simply idle or lazy and do not want to work hard in order to attain money or land. For some citizens, things of this nature come automatically due to inheritances and things of that nature and presents Locke with a parallel of poor with no means of moving up and the rich with any intent of sharing the wealth and / or knowledge. Rather than poor people, idleness seems to be the root of all evil and the proposal of the English workhouses serve as a remedy to that problem. The sort of public school training that they would provide would give them the opportunity to learn skills that would be used in waged labor so that the poor could be re-entered into society. When referring to the issue of how to address the poor, Locke states that at some point everyone must be trusted to govern themselves and that all able-bodied men are made so by being able to be taught to be good, virtuous, and hard working. Other than spinning and knitting and things of that nature the papers of the purpose, structure, and ends of the development of workhouses does not discuss the formal education of the subjects with regards to curriculum. Because there cannot be accommodations made for any member of society all people should be treated on relatively equal bounds and all should have the opportunity to labor and work in order to combat idleness which is the devil’s playground. I think an important aspect of Locke’s philosophy is the idea that children are property of the public and it is the public’s responsibility to make sure that they have the means to train and educate them so that they will grow up to be able-bodied virtuous citizens. This concept holds true today in that in the United States children are required to go through school until a certain age in order to ensure that they will be able to contribute to society at large.

High school student drop out Essay

The increasingly high rate of school dropout is worrying all the stakeholders in the education sector including parents, teachers and the government. This is because these people are aware of the challenges that will face students who drop out of school. Although leaders have called on communities, families and schools to make efforts to ensure that students remain at school, the rate at which the students drop out of school is still high. It is therefore important that we analyze the problem with a view of understanding it better, so that we may know how to resolve it once and for all. see more:research paper about tardiness The number of students who complete school in the US has been steadily declining over the years. In fact, over the last decades, this figure has only increased in seven states. In ten states, the percentage of students who did not complete school was 8% or higher, which reflects a disturbing trend. US is currently ranked tenth among the countries in the world which have the highest school completion rates. When a country that is considered to be the superpower is ranked tenth on school completion rates, this shows that there is a major underlying problem. Factors that contribute to the high school student drop out rate. Family cohesion and background. This is one of the major reasons why students drop out of school. Students who come from families where there is violence, abusive homes or poor parental relations have higher chances of dropping out of school, compared to those who come from stable homes. This is due to the fact that such children are more likely to have stress and depression because of the problems that they have. They are also likely to start abusing drugs at an early age, which may contribute to their dropping out of school. Statistics also show that children who come from single parent families are also more likely to drop out of school than those who have both parents. This situation is linked to low self esteem as well as problems that children who come from single parent families face. Early pregnancy. Early pregnancy is a major challenge for young girls, and is a contributor to their dropping out of school. This situation is compounded by situations where the young girls’ families are not financially stable, or cases where the boy responsible for the pregnancy is either unwilling or unable to support the girl. Many young girls who face this situation usually take breaks to give birth, but fail to return to school due to various reasons. The girls who are not financially well off are forced to drop out of school to take care of their children, while others fear going back to school due to stigmatization. School violence. This is a factor that is increasingly contributing to the dropping out of school by students. School violence has increased in the recent past, and takes various forms. It might take the form of serious security breaches that involve use of deadly weapons, like was witnessed in the 1999 Columbine high school massacre (Rosenberg 2008). It may also take the form of bullying and harassment of students by fellow classmates. Both these forms of violence have the potential to create fear to actual victims, and may discourage them from attending school. In these cases, there is genuine fear for their lives and they may drop out of school. Employment. Poverty or general unemployment of members of the family may make students drop out of school. This is because the students may be forced to work in order to support their family. In these cases, the students may not have adequate time to study due to the responsibilities that they have. Employment opportunities may not only be available to the students who are not well off financially. Some students come from financially stable families but look for employment opportunities so that they might save money. These students are also likely to drop out of school since it is difficult to work and study at the same time. Psychological or personal characteristics. There are certain characteristics that students may possess, which may make them drop out of school at an early age. These may be either physical or psychological characteristics. Psychological characteristics may include low self esteem, mental illnesses, depression and stress, among other problems. In case students have these problems and they are either not addressed early enough, or these students lack learning facilities that accommodate their unique needs, they are highly likely to drop out of school. According to Kenneth (35-39), students may also face physical disabilities that hinder the learning process. Such include blindness, deafness or other physical disabilities. If such students also lack facilities that can handle their needs, they are also likely to drop out of school. Substance abuse. According to David and Wayne (4-8), students who engage in substance abuse have very high chances of dropping out of school. Students who abuse alcohol or other hard drugs such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine or other drugs are likely to drop out of school. This is due to the disciplinary problems that they are likely to face in school as well as the fact that such drugs hinder the learning capabilities. Such students are unlikely to perform well in school, and this has the effect of demotivating them. They are also more likely to face stress and depression, and all these factors work to increase their chances of dropping out of school. Perceived loss of value of school diplomas. The modern business environment has become very competitive, and this is attributed to globalization. Success in the modern world is increasingly based on merit and job performance. Employers are nowadays looking for very high academic qualification when recruiting employees. In this regards, high school diplomas are generally perceived to have lost value, and students need to pursue further education so that they might get employment opportunities in this competitive business environment. Some students therefore opt to drop out of school and pursue other interests due to this perception. Such interests include drama, movies, modeling or the music industry. However, what most students are not aware of is that one has to have basic education in order to be successful in these fields. High school education acts as a platform for pursuing further education and building a career. Limited number of counselors. Statistics point to the fact that the average number of students who are served by a single counselor is 500. In high school, the average number of students served by a single counselor is 285. These counsellors have many tasks to accomplish and have very little time to interact with students. According to Jill (311-317), students who are about to drop out of school may therefore not find someone to talk to and get advice regarding the situation. This is also compounded by the fact that most of these students have poor relations with their parents, since teenagers and parents usually have communication problems. Students therefore opt to drop out of school due to lack of advice on the consequences of making this decision. Solutions to these problems. Counseling. Most students may reverse their decision to drop out of school if they are advised on the consequences of making this decision by someone that they trust. In most of these cases, counselors are the best people to advice the students since there are young counsellors who understand the problems that these students go through. The government should ensure that there are enough counselors to serve all students. Sometimes students may be depressed and they only need someone to share their problems with. When they are unable to find someone, they take drastic steps like dropping out of schools. Counselors will advise students that education is very important for success in life. Safety. The government and all education stakeholders should also ensure that the school environment is safe for all people. There should be adequate controls that prevent and deal with security breaches, either involving deadly weapons or bullying. Some problems like bullying may appear to be petty and they are ignored in most academic institutions. However they are serious problems that should not be ignored, since they have high psychological impacts on the victims. When students can feel safe in the school environment, they will look forward to going to school to learn. After all, these students spend most of their time in schools, and once they feel that they are unsafe, they are likely to drop out of school. Family problems. According to Gail (211-216), it is evident that family problems is a major factor that contributes to dropping out of school. It is a very sensitive issue considering that there is a limitation to which strangers may involve themselves in family matters. It is however imperative that problems such as violence and abuse are reported to the authorities, and these will be addressed through the relevant laws. These problems cannot be condoned, since once students are not comfortable in their own homes, it will be difficult for them to concentrate in class and learn. Other family issues such as parental and child conflict should be addressed through dialog, either between the school administration and the individual families, or through counseling by qualified professionals. This dialog will enable the underlying problems to be identified and solved, so that the children may stay in school. Early pregnancy. This problem is best solved by preventing the issue, rather than addressing it after it has occurred. The young people should be told about the consequences of early sex, especially unsafe sex. These students should be made to understand that in addition to the risk of pregnancy, there is also a risk of contracting STIs such as HIV/AIDS. However, one a girl becomes pregnant, she should be allowed to stay in school until the time to give birth, after which she is given a break. She should resume school after giving birth, as this is very important. Counselors and parents should play a crucial role in guiding girls who are undergoing this experience. The government should also set up funds to help girls who are pregnant and do not have the resources to take care of the baby, and go back to school. Facilities for the handicapped. The government has a crucial role of ensuring that there are learning facilities that will take care of the needs of students who face either physical or mental disabilities. There should also be enough teachers who have been trained on how to take care of the needs of these students. This will ensure that these students learn just like their peers, and that they have equal opportunities in life. Value of diplomas. The stakeholders in the educational sector have a crucial role to play in publicizing the value of the high school diplomas. There should be regular talks between these stakeholders and the students regarding the issue. Students should be made to understand that although the modern world has become very competitive, it is imperative that they obtain at least the high school diploma. The reason is that the diploma acts as a platform in acquiring further employment opportunities and joining a profession. Employment. The government should enforce the laws that bar the employment of young people who are below the legal age. It should also hold regular forums with employers regarding employment of young people with a view of regulating the hours that they work. The employers should also be made to insist that young employees pursue education, since this will be the platform for promotions and advancement in the careers. This will enable that the young people who work have enough time to study. Conclusion and recommendation. The stakeholders in the education sector should join hands in ensuring the the drop out rate drastically reduces, and that each child knows the value of education. The solutions to the problems that have been discussed above should be implemented, so that this objective may be achieved. Above all, students should be made to understand that the high school diploma is a platform for opportunities in life.

Acropolis Museum

Acropolis Museum The (new) Acropolis Museum opened its doors to the public in June 2009 and is an important reference point for culture and consequently for the cultural law. The location of the museum, as well as the way of the exhibition practice, aims at collecting, protecting, studying, highlighting, and displaying the monuments of the sacred rock of Acropolis at national and international level. It is a museum specially dedicated to the monuments of the Acropolis. Among its missions, the museum focuses on making accessible to its visitors, scientists, and anyone interested the world-class archaeological treasures. It contributes to the promotion of historical and archaeological knowledge, aesthetic cultivation, creative thinking, and -in general- modern perception of classical education. The purpose of the Museum is to coordinate all its functions according to the visitor and his expectations. The institution seeks in many ways to make the guest a real shareholder in its research programmes for interpretation and understanding of the exhibits. The organization is an element that proves the museum orientation in the modern form of communication of the cultural institutions focusing on the visitor. Cultural organizations play a crucial role in our society, economy, and cultural life of every country. In an environment that is particularly competitive and difficult, all the cultural institutions should search for ways and tools to make themselves sustainable. Undoubtedly, communication is a fundamental function of museums and above all with the public. It should transmit and provide with information, messages, and experiences in a clear and effective way to different and diverse audiences. Through communication, the public image of the organization is also determined. The Acropolis Museum gives emphasis on its communication strategy. It includes the Front of House Department whose role is to ensure the smooth reception of the audience and flow of visitors, create a hospitable environment, and provide high-quality services. The Communications and Promotion Department is responsible for supporting and promoting the museum in Greece and abroad. Development and protection of the museum’s successful external communication include -among other things- the official website, Facebook page, Youtube channel, web newsletters, publications, written communication with the wide public and the media. This case study The Parthenon Gallery fully reflects the content of the organization as its architectural structure and exhibition practice aims at the balanced relationship between the museum and monuments of Acropolis and; the unique ability of visitor to connect comfortably and in a multiple ways the architectural sculptures with the ancient temple where they come from. The relationship of the building with the surrounding area is one of the biggest advantages of the exhibition.

Policies Needed to Improve Healthcare Quality Research Paper

Policies Needed to Improve Healthcare Quality - Research Paper Example In turn, many Americans are hurting since the medicine-linked care system is also suffering. The major contributors of the problems within the healthcare systems include poor training of the clinicians, ineffective delivery of care and poor quality of the services offered (Chassin and Robert, 1998). In accordance to John M. Luce, Andrew B. Bindman and Philip R. Lee (1994), healthcare quality has always been measured using various ideologies and facts. These facts include taking note of fundamental aspects in the healthcare sector. These things encompass taking note of patient’s satisfaction, therapeutic procedures involved and diagnostic methods applied. History has it that healthcare’s low quality may have its roots way back in the 19th century. Whereby, during this time, medicine sector in America was in the control of profit making institutions. Moreover, under the same organizations, the medicine world was disorganized and lacked high standard quality. In light of this, an organization was pioneered to retrieve ownership and control of the medicine sector from the profit-minded organizations. This organization was known by the name American Medical Association. In the early 1900s, a man by the name Ernest Codman saw it fit to make contacts with treated patients to inquire of their satisfaction with the healthcare services. However, many ignored this action and led to the increased poor quality of the healthcare sector. In addition to his call for inquiry of the satisfaction, Codman also made various suggestions that would help salvage the deteriorating healthcare quality. However, just like before, most people in the healthcare sector ignored and led to the increasing low quality of the medical services. These suggestions included organization of the hospital staff, tracking and keeping medical records, forming medical rules and regulations and making supervised diagnosis. Over the