Organizational Behavior, Terminology and Concept Essay Example for Free

Organizational Behavior, Terminology and Concept Essay Various types of business are characterized by industry groupings, target clients and the line of services to achieve the tangible market value. The growth of industries is brought about by the significant change of consumer needs, transition of labor forces, commodity supply and emerging market modalities. This development poses the challenge to diversify the â€Å"business line†, in which the process involves organizational innovation as a â€Å"makeover† of getting in to a trendy business environment. This paper will discuss the organizational character to the type of a client-based services relating to hotel business. The Radisson As an overview, we have selected the Radisson Hotels and Resorts as the term of reference in discussing the topic on organizational behavior, terminology and concept. To cite a brief background, the Radisson is one of the world’s finest traveler’s hubs that cater the services of 395 hotels and resort franchises in 65 countries. Based on its business profile, the Radisson commits to â€Å"revolutionize† strategic operations, franchising, use of technology, sales and marketing, to achieve effective and competitive business enterprise (The Radisson, 2008). Organizational behavior The term â€Å"organizational behavior† refers to interactions of people within an organization. The interaction relate to the system of management and style of leadership focus at achieving the vision, mission and goals of the organization. To correlate, the Radisson has its structured â€Å"executive leadership† functions, such as (1) managing out-country or international franchising, (2) in-country management, and (3) specialized hotel management. Meaning, the executive leadership has its compartmentalized operational focus for its vision, mission and goals of â€Å"expanding global presence† (The Radisson, 2008). Organizational culture The â€Å"organizational culture† is also called as â€Å"corporate personality† that describes the character of an organization. This character is aligned or positioned to gaining the competitive edge of business, in a way the â€Å"projection† of business values is reflective of the quality of services from assimilating individual skills. This could be best exemplified by Radisson’s corporate framework on â€Å"service deluxe†, wherein the company generates proficient employees being strictly trained for efficient and effective guest-service that made the â€Å"corporate brand† for Radisson. Diversity A multi-cultural-racial working environment is defined as a workplace of diverse technical skills, talents, ethnicity, gender and beliefs. Thus, the diversity is an assimilating organizational strength when developed towards the company’s perspectives, in which the â€Å"inert† nature of diversity is motivated by focusing on human development. As cited, the Radisson’s human development framework focuses on workforce diversity by establishing a â€Å"multicultural development center† for employees to enhance self-confidence, promote dignity of labor, uphold equal treatment and respect, fair labor practices, increase sensible communication skills, and internalize business values. On the other hand, the employees are provided with comprehensive welfare and benefits aside from above industry-standard salary rates (according to position level and tenure of employment) productivity incentives and substantial pension plans (The Radisson, 2008). Communication The aspect of communication within an organization is crucial because it expresses or conveys the â€Å"life† of achieving the vision, mission and goals. Communication is patterned within the â€Å"structural system† of organization as an integral part of interpersonal interactions and establishing of common objectives or synergy. As mentioned above, the Radisson has critical focus on the diversity of workforce through human development framework and created the multicultural development center. One that can exemplify organizational communication is Radissons multicultural development centers innovative training component which consistently provide a â€Å"corporate forum† that is work-centered and employee-focused in order to further develop organizational sensitivity and responsiveness. Business ethics It says that business ethics is the business value. In other words, doing business must conform with the ethical standards or implementing judicious business practices that depicts a healthy organization. However, it may not only the â€Å"center† of business that is judiciously undertaken but harnessing the values of corporate responsibility, thus, reaching out the overall source of business. This kind of business ethics through rekindling corporate responsibility could be cited from Radissons â€Å"tradition of service through volunteerism and philanthropy to community causes†, such as the World Childhood Foundation was created as a global charity organization for child-victims of abuse (The Radisson, 2008). Change management According to Change Consulting, the change management is aim to implementing effective organizational method and system. To cite, the â€Å"change† is to control the flow of management that is exemplified by re-structuring the organization from top to bottom level of personnel, in which the process is also referred to as â€Å"streamlining† or revamp of workforce in line with the innovative implementation of programs or operations (Nickols, 2006). As change management is essentially characterized by â€Å"organizational restructuring† correlating to make effective the performance of business, the Radissons diversified business operation is perceived to be adopting the process of change management as it continue to innovate the â€Å"business culture† of efficient service and indicative of its vision, mission and goals for â€Å"expanding global presence†. Conclusion The contemporary transitions of industry trends pattern the organizational performance.  Several archetypes of enterprises have found to be encouraged by a holistic approach of assimilating the business venture with communities. Like Radisson, the process of diversified venture has dwell on developing the diverse workforce as one of its corporate responsibilities. Todays diversified businesses keep abreast to the development of global economies and societies in order to benchmark the performance of market values. However, the market values may not be beneficial to the overall perspectives of consumerism without the incentives of social response from the business sector. Thus, corporate governance is found to be essential as a â€Å"social investment† to the welfare of consumers, aside from the direct-service patronage. It may be then said that the overall discussions depicted in this paper is a pretext to the basic processes of organizational effectiveness that may draw impact to the industry and transformative values in the life of the organization towards a dynamically efficient workforce and socially secured workplace.

The Paradox of Prison-Based Economic Development in Rural America :: Free Essays Online

The Paradox of Prison-Based Economic Development in Rural America Introduction Whereas prison facilities were once viewed with aversion as threats to a community’s well-being, prisons today are the focus of competitive bids by rural communities desperate for economic stability. As non-metro economies deteriorated and prison populations exploded over the last two decades, rural America and prison facilities have developed a symbiotic relationship. This paper investigates whether prison-based economic development policies in rural America provide benefits that exceed their costs. Proponents of the prisons-as-development strategy contend that prison jobs offer better wages and create more stability than the few industries that remain in non-metro America. Yet, critics cite higher crime rates and reduced property values as the social externalities and economic drawbacks that result from prison siting. Impact studies of prison-based development strategies, although far from conclusive, suggest that the truth may lie somewhere in the middle. However, it is also clear that the varied impacts this strategy has, both good and bad, are rarely if ever considered in the prison siting process. Nonetheless, the prison-as-development approach continues as a tactic to create jobs and to bring hope to the struggling communities of non-metro America. Two Trends: Rural Economic Deterioration and Rising Prison Populations Prison siting as a form of economic development resulted from the convergence of two unrelated trends in America: the economic downturn in rural America and the increase in U.S. prison populations. Over the last several decades, economic distress was brought on to non-metro regions as family farms were consolidated and manufacturing industries found cheaper labor elsewhere; Almost all sources of well-paying employment drained out of rural America. The consequence, as Huling identifies, was that the poverty rate of working rural families actually increased in the 1980s (4). With demoralized populations and stagnant economies, non-metro America looked to all but vanish by the end of the century. One of the few economic development strategies that remained was the acceptance of generally undesirable industries and facilities to create jobs. Samara suggests that rural communities were â€Å"priced out of contests to attract manufacturers, as local development agencies in more prosperous areas offer[ed] aggressive packages of tax breaks, cheap loans, free land and more† (27).

Only in Vegas

Replicated natural wonders of the world, indoor man-made waterfalls, simulated pirate ship battles, a dolphin habitat, and indoor gondola rides are a few of the small attractions that place modern day Las Vegas as a hotspot on the US map. In fact, there are so many small attractions blended with large attractions that the experience of Las Vegas itself has become an attraction. Disregarding traditional methods and exploring outrageous ideas in the areas of engineering, architecture, and planning, this city has become a very accepted destination that has become a marketing phenomenon.For a city that is in the middle of nowhere, it has a made quite an impression on the people it draws. It is no surprise that this city has had a history of prosperity and boom. The first main draw of the area known as Las Vegas was water. Water was not in over abundance compared to other cities, but the mere presence of spring water was a marvel for that region of the Mojave Desert. In the late 1820†™s, explorers on the Old Spanish Trail went into unexplored areas searching for the very thing that area known Las Vegas had to offer them, water.Water in the area had produced vegetation, and Las Vegas apparently flourished with it. The presence of water positioned Las Vegas on the map of the Old Spanish Trail. It shortened the path between Santa Fe and Los Angeles, and became a marked location on this increasingly traveled route. This area is repeatedly referred to as an oasis: Las Vegas was named accordingly, as its meaning in Spanish is â€Å"The Meadows. † Minerals were rich in the area, and according to local government history, Mining began in the late 1800’s.This, the railroad boom in the 1900’s, and a man name William Clark led to railroads being placed through the prime spot of Las Vegas because of its location between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, the climate of the general area, and of course, its abundance of water and vegetation among the vast desert. Railroads required workers, and workers required the usual: a place to sleep, eat, and of course, drink and seek entertainment. This led to the earliest of saloons and markets, building toward a city.According to the City of Las Vegas government, â€Å"Las Vegas was founded as a city on May 15, 1905, when 110 acres of land situated between Stewart Avenue on the north, Garces Avenue to the south, Main Street to the west, and 5th Street (Las Vegas Boulevard) to the east, are auctioned off. † This auction allowed for more relocation of people into the town. â€Å"In 1911 a gas plant, power company, and telephone system were projected† (Durnke 263). Las Vegas was starting to grow. â€Å"The modern attitude of Las Vegas, along with the rest of the American West, favors more exclusiveness.In March, 1909, the Las Vegas Promotion Society was organized at a citizens' meeting attended by fifty persons at the Opera House. ‘ Its purpose, as stated in the opening res olutions, was to make known Las Vegas' resources and to encourage new enterprises and industries† (Durnke 264). Shortly after, a city government was formed, and railroads and mining continued. Later, in 1931, construction of the Hoover Dam began and led to a further influx of workers. The population was estimated according to Clark County records to stand around 8000 between the period of the completion of the Hoover Dam in 1935 and 1940.Water, convenience, and work led people into this city prior to 1931. Later, with World War II under way, many military installations were established in the desert due to its attractive resources, including its low-priced energy available from the Hoover Dam. Defense industry was started, and a further opportunity for workers emerged. After the war was over, the post industrial society took advantage of the amenities offered by Las Vegas, and the entrepreneurs did the same. Gambling had previously been around in many states. It managed to rec eive a discerning reputation in the public eye. There were moral issues, and scandals involved.States were hot and cold with respect to certain types of gaming and lotteries; this eventually led to prohibition in 1910. Nevada officially legalized gambling in 1931. This was at the time when the construction of the Hoover Dam began. Nevada capitalized on the expected tourism that the Hoover Dam would bring. They capitalized very well. Entrepreneurs saw the enormous returns on gambling as a great opportunity to develop casino and hotels. They did just that, and followed an immediate boom in tourism, especially from California, where gambling was illegal, but the desire to do so was very prominent.Profits from gambling funded the elaborate themes and designs of Las Vegas attractions. Service industries arose from their inevitable need, and the marketing of Las Vegas was underway. Tourism became the niche that Las Vegas acquired. In fact, the number of tourists according to the 2009 Exec utive Summary was just under 36. 5 Million in 2009, down 3% from 2008. This small drop in tourism appears to have been heavily due to decreases early in the 2009 year, and has actually risen in the past 4 months of 2009. While tourism has risen since 2000, the population has risen as well.In 2000, according to the US Government Census, the population for Las Vegas and the surrounding metropolitan areas was over 1. 3 million and it is estimated that the 2008 population was over 1. 8 million. In the City alone, the 2000 population was 478,434 compared to the 2008 estimate of 558,383. Tourism is the main focus of Las Vegas, and it has had problems along with solutions to ensure that tourism remains high. One of the largest problems with Las Vegas was not that tourism was very high, but extremely seasonal and high at only peak times. Las Vegas used a superior marketing strategy that ensured its survival in the non-peak season.The Las Vegas Convention Center was built to attract visitors during these seasons of slow times. This ensured services offered by businesses a year round opportunity. The attempt to build consistency was a success. Many factors allowed for the convention center to become an ideal site for conventions and seminars. Among these were the desire to be in Las Vegas, the climate, landscape, incentives, inexpensive flights, rooms and convenience of transportation. This strategy to maximize occupancy year round has led to an 81. 5% occupancy rate year round in 2009 alone.Furthermore, having consistent visitors has allowed Las Vegas to offer permanent entertainment and resident performers. This has additionally furthered tourism. Another problem that Las Vegas has encountered is the deterioration of its downtown. Las Vegas was built on money and ideas, as long as both are around, newer and better things will come. â€Å"In he nearly 50 years since Bugsy Siegel built the Flamingo Casino, Las Vegas has indeed become a place unlike anything ever seen b efore- a city relentlessly reinventing itself as a caricature of itself, constantly trying to out-Vegas Vegas† (Goodman 91).This was apparent in the downtown of Las Vegas and something needed to be done about it. The Freemont Street Experience was introduced, and brought some life back to downtown. â€Å"In a further attempt to conquer the elements, a 100ft-high-canopy, called the ‘celestial vault’ has been erected over the city’s main street as part of a downtown revitalization project† (Goodman 88) This revitalization is a strategy to attract more attention back to this area. Cheaper rates in different areas have allowed Las Vegas to target all groups of people based on income.They have more recently targeted the college crowd for spring break. â€Å"‘We've been getting a relatively younger crowd down here on Fremont Street because they're beginning to discover we're here,’ said Golden Gate owner Mark Brandenburg. ‘The Fremont S treet Experience is pretty much an all-night party scene with free light shows, music entertainment and it's really an attractive place for spring break’† (Hillgrove 1). More recently, in the past few years, Las Vegas has drawn a more significant of spring breakers than other years. Las Vegas is currently the top destination for travel booked through Travelocity's site, pulling in 9 percent of the tickets booked on Travelocity for March 14 through April 26. In February, Travelocity named Las Vegas one of the ‘Top Eight Value Destinations for Spring Break,’ citing a 5 percent drop in average airfare and a 34 percent drop in average daily room rates from last year. † (1) Much of the downtown area offers these low rates in an attempt to build occupancy and remain open. Downtown is not the boom that it once was, but it remains open and has more plans in the future to continue to do so.It is just one example nationwide what happens to older areas, when bet ter planned modern areas are given the opportunity to develop. â€Å"The next generation of architects would do well to look beyond themed architecture and ironic formalism and to examine the story unfolding behind the neon light. We need to think of our cities not as hollow shells, good only a settings for marketing a fictionalized past, but as places where we can build centers of prosperity for a real future and real people† (Goodman 94).It will be very interesting to see what is in store for the downtown area in the future. Las Vegas does not have as many urbanization problems as one would initially expect for a city with tourism exceeding 36 Million visitors per year. This is probably due to the numerous amounts of suburbs in conjunction with the numerous amounts of ongoing projects. They face problems that any city would face with a large amount of tourism, but they successfully have the money to tend to most immediate problems, or they have accepted them as a way of lif e.According to the 2009 Executive Summary, Clark County had gaming revenues of almost 9 Billion Dollars last year, with just over 6 Billion from the strip and downtown Las Vegas. Apparently the only problems are those that can’t be immediately fixed with money. Ironically, the same thing that the early explorers sought this land for is the same thing that may be its next problem. Water shortage has become an issue due to the large growth of the city. It is estimated that the city and suburbs will reach over 2 million permanent residents by 2020. To meet the looming water crunch, the city, along with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), proposes to build a 285-mile pipeline to haul groundwater from six valleys in eastern Nevada. The $2 billion project would mean sinking up to 195 production wells as deep as 1700 ft. below the surface to bring more than 50 billion gallons of water per year to the parched desert metropolis† (Hutchinson 1). This has been causing a de bate, and seems to be the biggest problem facing the city at the moment.The question will be whether pumping the water from the ground will be their best solution, or if it will see more heated debate. It seems that water may be the most valuable resource to the west in the near future. It will be interesting to see how a city this size will continue to grow with water shortages, and what lengths the city will go to for the purpose of ensuring this water supply. The city of Las Vegas has much to offer the rest of the world, and is very significant. It is well known across the world due to major publications, events, and movies that are based in Las Vegas.It is a place that can be easily recognized by its elaborate design, luminescent skyline of gorgeous hotels, and distinctive architecture. Las Vegas has set many trends and standards for gourmet dining, intricate theme based settings, and attractive shows. It sites â€Å"14 of the nations 15 largest hotels† according to the C lark County Government, and is also a very popular place to have anything from an inexpensive and quick wedding to one fit for a queen. It really is known as a place where anything can happen.Many other States have used the model of Las Vegas to design certain areas of their cities. The gaming model for instance has shown to be successful, and many new towns are opening up to lotteries and casinos simply to issue jobs and retain wealth for the education and the state and city. Ohio is an example of one of these recent candidates. This model is not only hoping to create jobs, but also influence and expansion of other service industries that can produce income and stimulate the local economies. Las Vegas is home of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, also known as UNLV.Las Vegas lies only 30 minutes from the Hoover Dam, a little over an hour to the Mojave National Preserve, 2 hours to Death Valley National Park, 3 hours to the south cove of Lake Mead, only 4 hours to Los Angeles, and roughly 6 hours to either the Grand Canyon National Park or Phoenix. If you are looking for an adventure, Las Vegas is a great hub to make the first stop on your excursion. Las Vegas is a city thriving on tourism built by money and gambling, but offers much more beyond the realm of casinos. It is an experience. I choose this city because it represents freedom and exploration in a natural form.One can go to Las Vegas and explore freely all it has to offer. One can explore not only the city, but the vast desert around with amazing national attractions waiting miles away. It is a way to experience the west in a fun and comfortable environment with so much perfection and beauty. I have experienced many trips to Las Vegas, and each was unique. I have taken trips for wilderness and exploration, others strictly for music or entertainment. I have gone on business; I have gone to visit friends and socialize. I have learned something about myself and loved it and every time.

What is Justice Humanism v. Law in Antigone Essay

Humanity is often faced with ambivalence towards law; at once, we find it a necessity in attempting to deal with a world which is constantly in some type of chaotic turmoil, and also as a glaring flaw in our society, which can at times result in more chaos than was originally had. This conflict is no more obvious than in Sophocles’ Antigone. Antigone, the character, represents half of the struggle between what the law says is just and what we inherently deem to be morally upstanding – Creon represents the opposing side which views law and power as the ultimate dictator of life’s unraveling. Though Antigone is ultimately thwarted, she is on the side of justice rather than blindly following the law. Antigone’s empathy while breaking the law†¦show more content†¦Not only that, but she is also able to recognize that her brother must also be buried properly in order to have an acceptable afterlife, so she usurps what has been arbitrarily set in place b y man and decides, based on her own morality and empathetic nature, to bury Polynieces. It is in this moment of selflessness that Antigone represents courage in the face of hardship, which only strengthens the notion of humanism as the ultimate ruler of just human behavior.(4) While Antigone represents a full devotion to humanism, her sister, Ismene, represents not only the rejection of it, but also passivity towards the notion of morality which, in a sense, is equivalent to Creon’s treachery towards what we hold morally sacred. Ismene has long been used as a symbol of both anti-politics and anti-humanism, which creates a dynamic plot by contrasting the cowardly fear to stand up for one’s concept of what is right with a brazen display of self-fulfilled justice. (2) What’s worse may be Ismene’s knowledge of her cowardliness and complete complacency, as seen when talking to Antigone about her plan to bury their slain brother when sharing her fear of punishment, Think how we’ll die far worse than all the rest, if we defy the law and move against the