The Role of Training Professionals in Organizations

Introduction The ever changing global economy calls for new innovations and strategies in organizations in order to maintain competitive advantage. These include training and development of the human resource to enhance productivity and overall business performance (Cappelli 2000).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Training Professionals in Organizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Organizations are taking huge risks by investing heavily on human resource training and development. Business executives view innovation as one of their top most challenges. Many studies have found out that training and growth is the main tool for breaking new ground bringing changes in an organization (Gronn 2002). Discussion High performing organizations nowadays are acknowledging the significance of using best training and development systems to improve their competitive advantage in the industry. Training and develop ment of the human resource is a critical factor in any organization if the value and potential of the human resources are to be harnessed and grown. Many studies have underscored the apparent correlation between a soundly designed and strategic training and the overall success of the organization (Cappelli 2000). The general image of the industry and workers is also influenced by the level and quality of training and development. In our contemporary business climate most companies are faced with stiff competition for their quality staffs (Gronn 2002). Human resource experts asserts that companies which invests heavily training and development benefits from enriched working environment with low level of staff exodus as well as enhanced productivity and organizational performance (Kuchinke 2001). The intention of this essay is to examine the role of training professionals in today’s business, to deliver innovations. The study also explores how Australian organizations have deve loped innovations in their training and development programs to maintain organizational success and competitive advantage in the industry.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Training professionals and development of the human resources ensures sustainable competitive advantage and retention of high quality personnel in an organization (Wexley Latham 2002). Professional training guarantees stability and productivity in a company. It achieves this by helping employees to improve on their capacity and helps them adapt to new technologies and organizational changes (Wexley Latham 2002). According to Miller (2010), training professionals assists in changing employee’s behavior and competency in their work. Willingness of the employees to embrace changes in an organization is influenced by numerous factors such as organizational structure, performance evaluation system, and organisation’s culture among others. Integration of the above elements and change initiatives can easily be achieved through professional training (Miller 2010). According to Langbert (2005) expertise acquired through professional training not only helps in getting accustomed to the new technology but also contributes to new innovations. Professional training facilitates the acquisition of new ideas and solutions to organizational challenges. Training team during the early stages of initiative is always capable of advising the top management on the best possible solutions to the current or looming problem (Kuchinke 2001). Training professionals also helps to prepare workers for the change. Most of the activities carried out in the training department are parallel with the change team. By the time the executives make an announcement about the change, those who have undergone professional training would already be familiar with it. This gives workers confidence, trust and belie f (Miller 2010). Training professionals improves vision of the top management. Most managers are great visionaries except that they do not translate their visions into observable variables. Professional training thus plays an important role in articulating goals and objectives of an organization by acting as a vehicle for communication and leading change (Gronn 2002). In addition, this training professional ensures top management remains visible in an organization. They become visible by participating and involving themselves in the training activities and programs of an organization (Kuchinke 2001).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Training Professionals in Organizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the major obstacles to innovations and change in many organizations is complacency by top management. They usually turn to training department only in the times of emergencies and after making major decisions. Training professional ensures continuity by integrating training with daily operations of the organization (Gronn 2002). These helps employees to understand markets dynamics, identify major obstacles and opportunities, and encourage sustainable solutions to the organizational problems. Training professionals applies top-down approach to leadership, which has been proven to be most effective in the contemporary businesses. Each and every members of an organizations is given chance to participate in the training process and implementation of organizational goals and objectives (Gronn 2002). A study conducted by Scully (2005) found out that small firms are more likely to conduct training in an informal technique with larger companies applying a well-designed and strategic approach on training. Training professionals are strategically aligned with the overall mission and goals of the company. Training takes place in a framework of corporation between all the stakeholder s in an organization. These trainings are designed and delivered with the objective of helping the employees achieve organizational as well as personal goals. This type of training increases involvement of the management and the general employees in organizational matters thus creates a sense of ownership of the training and learning among the staff (Scully 2005; Cappelli 2000). Strategic approach used in professional training and developments are more targeted, quantifiable and effective. Increased flexibility in terms of delivery of training accommodates participant’s different styles of learning as well as their lifestyles. Training professional assesses the reaction, learning, behavioral change and valued added to the organization. Evaluation of the training interventions helps organization to establish the strength weaknesses of the training development approach used in an organization (Cappelli 2000). National Australia Bank is the largest financial institutions in the country and has massive market capitalization and customer base. National Bank of Australia is based in Melbourne and has in excess of 25000 staff in eight hundred branches, one hundred and eighty business banking centers, and over a hundred of agribusiness sites, and three main contact centers. The bank has developed an integral infrastructure to support self-driven, staff development initiative. National Australia Bank in collaboration with the Microsoft Company built a portal known as Academy Online, which has helped the bank to deliver virtual learning and human resource development. Academy online is inline with the banks new approach to professional training. Academy online offers courses that are directly related to the bank’s strategic plans and human capital programs (Blount, Tanya Paula 2002).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Academy online has created a legacy where employees take individual responsibility for their own development and ambitions. Academy online recognizes the fact that employees’ level of training and development varies considerably in accordance with each and every individual. Therefore, Academy online ensures equity in access to formal and informal training among the bank’s employees. This online solution to professional training and human resource development has also enhanced communication and collaboration among the staff (Blount, Tanya Paula 2003). Common wealth Bank of Australia is the second largest Bank in Australia. This bank operates beyond the borders of Australia and is found in other Asian countries in Europe. The bank is offering numerous financial services ranging from asset management, financial transactions, broking services, superannuation among others (John 2001). Initially, the bank used to rely on leadership seminars or retreat to improve the skills and competence of its professionals. Currently, the bank has blended its formal and informal learning including off-site seminars and retreats with on the- job training and coaching (Blount, Tanya Paula 2002). Common wealth Bank of Australia has also not been left behind in the use of technology in training and development of its human capital. The bank embraced a blend of DDI web based classroom training and OPAL for on the job training and coaching. The bank embarked on this blend of training to economize use of funds in training, minimize employee’s time off the job, and to acclimatize employees to learning through self directed technological methods. The challenge posed by the use of technology in training professionals is that learner needs to put more effort in order to learn, relate and use the new skills and concepts acquired during the training (Blount, Tanya Paula 2002;Scully 2005). The two major financial institutions in Australia have embraced new technology in their training approaches and human resource development programs. This is because of their massive number of human capital and extends of operations. Use of technology has significantly reduced budgetary allocations for training in the two financial institutions and employees’ times spend off the job. The only difference in the approach between the two institutions is that National Australia Bank is focused more in online training while Common Wealth Bank of Australia blends its approach to achieve optimal results (Zuboff Maxmin 2002). Australian financial institutions on the other hand have developed a technological infrastructure to support self-driven, staff development initiative. These institutions operate beyond the border and have massive human capital. Use of technology training and human resource development not only saves money but also the time off spend by workers off the duty. Online training portal used by these organizations ensures that individual employees take responsibility for their own development and personal ambitions. Use of technology guarantees equitable access to training among the employees and also improve on the communication and collaboration among the staff. The challenge posed by the use of technology in training professionals is that learner needs to put more effort in order to learn, relate and use the new skills and concepts acquired during the training. Conclusion Training professional plays an integral role in the new innovation and overall organizational change. New innovations and strategies are the major tools in achieving competitive advantage in the ever-dynamic global economy. However, professional training designs and approaches have to be in line with the organization’s vision and mission. Approach used should also take into consideration the views and opinions of all the stakeholders in an organization. Strategic approach used in professional training and developments are more targeted, quantifiabl e and effective. Increased flexibility in terms of delivery of training accommodates participant’s different styles of learning as well as their lifestyles. References Blount, Y., Tanya, C., Paula, S., 2002. Implementation of Electronic Commerce and Human Resource Management Strategies in an Australian Retail Banking context. Proceedings of the Seventh Collector Conference on Electronic Commerce. Melbourne, VIC; Faculty of Informatics, University of Wollongong. Blount, Y., Tanya, C., Paula, S., 2003. Employee development strategies in the b2cbanking environment: two Australian case studies. Melbourne: Deakin University press. Cappelli, P., 2000. A market-driven approach to retaining talent. Harvard Business Review. Gronn, P., 2002. Distributed leadership as a unit of analysis. The Leadership Quarterly. John, Q., 2001. The ‘People’s Bank’: the Privatization of the Commonwealth Bank and the Case for a New Publicly-Owned Bank. Australian Options. Miller, N. , 2010. Leading workplace innovation and change. Brave new role. Scully, M., 2005. Bystander awareness: Skills for effective managers. In Ancona, D., Kochan, T., Scully, M. Van Maanen, J. Westney, and D.E. Managing for the future: Organizational behavior and processes. Cincinnati, OH: Southwestern. Wexley, K., Latham, G., 2002. Developing and training human resources in organization, 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Zuboff, S., Maxmin, J., 2002. The Support Economy why Corporations are Failing Individuals and the Next Episode of Capitalism. New York: The Penguin Group. This essay on The Role of Training Professionals in Organizations was written and submitted by user Milo Higgins to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Francisco Pizarro, Spanish Conqueror of the Inca

Francisco Pizarro, Spanish Conqueror of the Inca Francisco Pizarro (ca. 1475–June 26, 1541) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador. With a small force of Spaniards, he was able to capture Atahualpa, emperor of the mighty Inca Empire, in 1532. Eventually, he led his men to victory over the Inca, collecting mind-boggling quantities of gold and silver along the way. Fast Facts: Francisco Pizarro Known For: Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca EmpireBorn: ca. 1471–1478 in Trujillo, Extremadura, SpainParents: Gonzalo Pizarro Rodrà ­guez de Aguilar and Francisca Gonzalez, a maid in the Pizarro householdDied: June 26, 1541 in Lima, PeruSpouse(s): Inà ©s Huaylas Yupanqui (Quispe Sisa).Children: Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui, Gonzalo Pizarro Yupanqui Early Life Francisco Pizarro was born between 1471 and 1478 as one of several illegitimate children of Gonzalo Pizarro Rodrà ­guez de Aguilar, a nobleman in Extremadura province, Spain. Gonzalo had fought with distinction in wars in Italy; Franciscos mother was Francisca Gonzalez, a maid in the Pizarro household. As a young man, Francisco lived with his mother and siblings and tended animals in the fields. As a bastard, Pizarro could expect little in the way of inheritance and decided to become a soldier. It is likely that he followed in his fathers footsteps to the battlefields of Italy for a time before hearing of the riches of the Americas. He first went to the New World in 1502 as part of a colonization expedition led by Nicols de Ovando. San Sebastin de Uraba and the Darià ©n In 1508, Pizarro joined the Alonso de Hojeda expedition to the mainland. They fought the natives and created a settlement called San Sebastin de Urab. Beset by angry natives and low on supplies, Hojeda set out for Santo Domingo in early 1510 for reinforcements and supplies. When Hojeda did not return after 50 days, Pizarro set out with the surviving settlers to return to Santo Domingo. Along the way, they joined an expedition to settle the Darià ©n region: Pizarro served as second in command to Vasco Nuà ±ez de Balboa. First South American Expeditions In Panama, Pizarro established a partnership with fellow conquistador Diego de Almagro. News of Hernn Cortà ©s audacious (and lucrative) conquest of the Aztec Empire fueled the burning desire for gold among all of the Spanish in the New World, including Pizarro and Almagro. They made two expeditions from 1524 to 1526 along the western coast of South America: harsh conditions and native attacks drove them back both times. On the second trip, they visited the mainland and the Inca city of Tumbes, where they saw llamas and local chieftains with silver and gold. These men told of a great ruler in the mountains, and Pizarro became more convinced than ever that there was another rich Empire like the Aztecs to be looted. Third Expedition Pizarro personally went to Spain to make his case to the king that he should be allowed a third chance. King Charles, impressed with this eloquent veteran, agreed and awarded Pizarro the governorship of lands he acquired. Pizarro brought his four brothers back with him to Panama: Gonzalo, Hernando, Juan Pizarro, and Francisco Martà ­n de Alcntara. In 1530, Pizarro and Almagro returned to the western shores of South America. On his third expedition, Pizarro had about 160 men and 37 horses. They landed on what is now the coast of Ecuador near Guayaquil. By 1532 they made it back to Tumbes: it was in ruins, having been destroyed in the Inca Civil War. The Inca Civil War While Pizarro was in Spain, Huayna Capac, Emperor of the Inca, had died, possibly of smallpox. Two of Huayna Capacs sons began fighting over the Empire: Huscar, the elder of the two, controlled the capital of Cuzco. Atahualpa, the younger brother, controlled the northern city of Quito, but more importantly had the support of three major Inca Generals: Quisquis, Rumià ±ahui, and Chalcuchima. A bloody civil war raged across the Empire as Huscar and Atahualpas supporters fought. Sometime in mid-1532, General Quisquis routed Huscars forces outside of Cuzco and took Huscar prisoner. The war was over, but the Inca Empire was in ruins just as a far greater threat approached: Pizarro and his soldiers. Capture of Atahualpa In November 1532, Pizarro and his men headed inland, where another extremely lucky break was awaiting them. The nearest Inca city of any size to the conquistadors was Cajamarca, and Emperor Atahualpa happened to be there. Atahualpa was savoring his victory over Huscar: his brother was being brought to Cajamarca in chains. The Spanish arrived in Cajamarca unopposed: Atahualpa did not consider them a threat. On November 16, 1532, Atahualpa agreed to meet with the Spanish. The Spanish treacherously attacked the Inca, capturing Atahualpa and murdering thousands of his soldiers and followers. Pizarro and Atahualpa soon made a deal: Atahualpa would go free if he could pay a ransom. The Inca selected a large hut in Cajamarca and offered to fill it half full with golden objects, and then fill the room twice with silver objects. The Spanish quickly agreed. Soon the treasures of the Inca Empire began flooding into Cajamarca. The people were restless, but none of Atahualpas generals dared attack the intruders. Hearing rumors that the Inca generals were planning an attack, the Spanish executed Atahualpa on July 26, 1533. After Atahualpa Pizarro appointed a puppet Inca, Tupac Huallpa, and marched on Cuzco, the heart of the Empire. They fought four battles along the way, defeating the native warriors every time. Cuzco itself did not put up a fight: Atahualpa had recently been an enemy, so many of the people there viewed the Spanish as liberators. Tupac Huallpa sickened and died: he was replaced by Manco Inca, a half-brother to Atahualpa and Huscar. The city of Quito was conquered by Pizarro agent Sebastin de Benalczar in 1534 and, apart from isolated areas of resistance, Peru belonged to the Pizarro brothers. Pizarros partnership with Diego de Almagro had been strained for some time. When Pizarro had gone to Spain in 1528 to secure royal charters for their expedition, he had acquired for himself the governorship of all lands conquered and a royal title: Almagro only got a title and the governorship of the small town of Tumbez. Almagro was furious and nearly refused to participate in their third joint expedition: only the promise of the governorship of as-yet undiscovered lands made him come around. Almagro never quite shook the suspicion (probably correct) that the Pizarro brothers were trying to cheat him out of his fair share of the loot. In 1535, after the Inca Empire was conquered, the crown ruled that the northern half belonged to Pizarro and the southern half to Almagro: however, vague wording allowed both conquistadors to argue that the rich city of Cuzco belonged to them. Factions loyal to both men nearly came to blows: Pizarro and Almagro met and decided that Almagro would lead an expedition to the south (into present-day Chile). It was hoped that he would find great wealth there and drop his claim to Peru. Inca Revolts Between 1535 and 1537 the Pizarro brothers had their hands full. Manco Inca, the puppet ruler, escaped and went into open rebellion, raising a massive army and laying siege to Cuzco. Francisco Pizarro was in the newly founded city of Lima most of the time, trying to send reinforcements to his brothers and fellow conquistadors in Cuzco and organizing shipments of wealth to Spain (he was always conscientious about setting aside the royal fifth, a 20% tax collected by the crown on all treasure collected). In Lima, Pizarro had to fend off a ferocious attack led by Inca General Quizo Yupanqui in August of 1536. The First Almagrist Civil War Cuzco, under siege by Manco Inca in early 1537, was rescued by the return of Diego de Almagro from Peru with what was left of his expedition. He lifted the siege and drove off Manco, only to take the city for himself, capturing Gonzalo and Hernando Pizarro in the process. In Chile, the Almagro expedition had found only harsh conditions and ferocious natives: he had come back to claim his share of Peru. Almagro had the support of many Spaniards, primarily those who had come to Peru too late to share in the spoils: they hoped that if the Pizarros were overthrown that Almagro would reward them with lands and gold. Gonzalo Pizarro escaped, and Hernando was released by Almagro as part of the peace negotiations. With his brothers behind him, Francisco decided to do away with his old partner once and for all. He sent Hernando into the highlands with an army of conquistadors, and they met Almagro and his supporters on April 26, 1538, at the Battle of Salinas. Hernando was victorious, while Diego de Almagro was captured, tried, and executed on July 8, 1538. Almagros execution was shocking to the Spaniards in Peru, as he had been raised to nobleman status by the king some years before. Death For the next three years, Francisco mainly remained in Lima, administrating his empire. Although Diego de Almagro had been defeated, there was still much resentment among late-coming conquistadors against the Pizarro brothers and the original conquistadors, who had left slim pickings after the fall of the Inca Empire. These men rallied around Diego de Almagro the younger, son of Diego de Almagro and a woman from Panama. On June 26, 1541, supporters of the younger Diego de Almagro, led by Juan de Herrada, entered Francisco Pizarros home in Lima and assassinated him and his half-brother Francisco Martà ­n de Alcntara. The old conquistador put up a good fight, taking down one of his attackers with him. With Pizarro dead, the Almagrists seized Lima and held it for almost a year before an alliance of Pizarrists (led by Gonzalo Pizarro) and royalists put it down. The Almagrists were defeated at the Battle of Chupas on September 16, 1542: Diego de Almagro the younger was captured and executed shortly after that. Legacy The cruelty and violence of the conquest of Peru is undeniable- it was essentially outright theft, mayhem, murder, and rape on a massive scale- but it is hard not to respect the sheer nerve of Francisco Pizarro. With only 160 men and a handful of horses, he brought down one of the largest civilizations in the world. His brazen capture of Atahualpa and decision to back the Cuzco faction in the simmering Inca civil war gave the Spaniards enough time to gain a foothold in Peru that they would never lose. By the time Manco Inca realized that the Spanish would not settle for anything less than the complete usurpation of his empire, it was too late. As far as the conquistadors go, Francisco Pizarro was not the worst of the lot (which isnt necessarily saying much). Other conquistadors, such as Pedro de Alvarado and his brother Gonzalo Pizarro, were much crueler in their dealings with the native population. Francisco could be cruel and violent, but in general, his acts of violence served some purpose, and he tended to think his actions through much more than others did. He realized that wantonly murdering the native population was not a sound plan in the long run, so he did not practice it. Francisco Pizarro married Inà ©s Huaylas Yupanqui, the daughter of the Inca emperor Huayna Capa, and she had two children: Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui (1534–1598) and Gonzalo Pizarro Yupanqui (1535–1546). Pizarro, like Hernn Cortà ©s in Mexico, is honored sort of halfheartedly in Peru. There is a statue of him in Lima and some streets and businesses are named after him, but most Peruvians are ambivalent about him at best. They all know who he was and what he did, but most present-day Peruvians do not find him much worthy of admiration. Sources Burkholder, Mark and Lyman L. Johnson. Colonial Latin America. Fourth Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.Hemming, John. The Conquest of the Inca. London: Pan Books, 2004 (original 1970).Herring, Hubert. A History of Latin America From the Beginnings to the Present. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962Patterson, Thomas C. The Inca Empire: The Formation and Disintegration of a Pre-Capitalist State. New York: Berg Publishers, 1991.Varon Gabai, Rafael. Francisco Pizarro and His Brothers: The Illusion of Power in Sixteenth-Century Peru. trans. Flores Espinosa, Javier. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1997.

Listening assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Listening assignment - Essay Example The trumpet was played at the fast notes which please the ears of the listener. It added a new modern touch to the typical jazz composition. The addition of drum compliments the soloist in creating the composition while keeping in mind the beats of drum. On the other hand, the addition of piano in making a new bebop composition made a huge difference. It made the typical jazz tune more modern and harmonious. In my point of view, the entire composition and setting of the instruments made this solo performance a classic masterpiece which is melodious as well as it gave a new meaning to bebop style in jazz. Starting off with slow beats and then gradually reaching the point where the sounds and composition as well as the instrumental collaboration mesmerize the hearts and souls of the listeners. All I can say that the composition is melodious with a soulful performance by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie

EPS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

EPS - Essay Example All in all, Pinterest provides a healthy, interactive platform where buyers and sellers interact via pictures which are indeed more powerful than words. Also, the team at Pinterest can get a hands-on understanding of the customers who use it which it can use in future to generate useful customer insights for businesses. It can, therefore, become a powerful customer database where customers’ tastes, preferences, buying habits, lifestyle and personality can be examined through the content they upload (Falls). The next potential big thing is Dropbox. The reason why it is considered the next big thing is that they are profitable. The company started by the provision of a paid cloud storage service and with the growing number of subscribers, it is increasingly likely that individuals will surpass the storage limit which shall enable the company capitalize on its premium paid service (Barret). A major reason why it is likely to become a big hit is that it is enabling users meet their storage needs in today’s multi device world. Considering how devices have become disposable and users switch to a new device each year, it allows customers to have a wireless, virtual, safe backup of all their data. Finally, the new virtual marketplace – TaskRabbit, according to me, shall also be a big hit. The platform allows time starved consumers to get people to work for themselves through just a few clicks. The company is gradually expanding its market in order to avoid the chicken and egg issue. It will be particularly useful for organizations that do not have a minute to spare for daily errands. TaskRabbit’s system is very well organized which is demonstrated by their targeted city-wise marketing

Postcolonial Criticism Has Embraced Cultural Studies Essay

Postcolonial Criticism Has Embraced Cultural Studies Essay After the end of World War II, there occurred a large-scale process of decolonization of the territories subjugated by most of the imperial powers (Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium). Postcolonial literature and criticism arose both during and after the struggles of many nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere for independence from colonial rule. The 1950s and 1960s saw the publication of seminal texts of postcolonialism: Aimà © Cà ©saires Discours sur le colonialisme, and Frantz Fanons Black Skin, White Masks. In 1958, Chinua Achebe published his novel Things Fall Apart. George Lammings The Pleasures of Exile appeared in 1960 and Fanons The Wretched of the Earth followed in 1961. In his book Postclonialism: A Very Short Introduction, Robert Young regarded that the founding moment of postcolonial theory was the journal the Tricontinental, which initiated the first global alliance of the peoples of the three continents against imperialism (Young 16-17). E. ii. Main aims of the theory Postcolonial criticism has embraced a number of aims: most fundamentally, to re-examine the history of colonialism from the perspective of the colonized; to determine the economic, political, and cultural impact of colonialism on both the colonized peoples and the colonizing powers; to analyze the process of decolonization; and above all, the contestation of forms of hegemony, and the articulation of political and cultural identities (Young, White Mythologies, 11). Early voices of anti-imperialism stressed the need to develop or return to indigenous literary traditions so as to restore their cultural heritage eclipsed by the imperial domination  [1]  . Other prominent voices, such as Said and Spivak, have advocated a deconstructive critique of Western discursive formation of knowledge in order to attain their own political and Acultural ends. However, recent voices, led by Homi Bhabha, have embraced the notion of hybridity as a space of cultural articulation and negotiation. E. iii. Scope and projects The scope of postcolonial discourse extends over the domains of gender, race, ethnicity, and class. Indeed, it might be an oversimplification to treat either the colonizer or the colonized as homogeneous entities, which can somehow be mutually opposed. Such a rigid division undermines the fact that both class exploitation and gender oppression function in both the West and in colonized nations (Young 8-9). Hence, postcolonial discourse has been associated with ethnic studies of various minorities in Western societies such as African-American, Native American, Latin American, and womens studies. All of these discourses have challenged the main streams of Western philosophy, literature, and ideology. In this respect, it has become a common project to question and revaluate the literary and cultural canon in Western institutions. The 1960s saw left-wing uprisings against the elements of liberal humanism: Western democracy, the Enlightenment rationalism, objectivity, and individual auton omy. This reaction against the Western mainstream tradition was fostered largely by the emergence of French literary theory, which insisted that the text was an indirect expression and often a justification of the prevailing power structure. This structure was inevitably a hierarchy in which the voices of minorities, women, and the working classes were suppressed. In fact, the appeal to timeless truths in the Western literature, which is presumably claimed as universal in its scope and purpose, has always transcended historical, economic, and political contexts. Such claim reveals the extent to which Eurocentric representations of the Self, resting on the Enlightenment project of rationality, progress, civilization, and moral agency, were constructed on a binary opposition to various forms of Otherness, which are founded on polarized images such as superstition, backwardness, barbarism, and moral incapacity. E. iv. Recent developments in the postcolonial theory Saids landmark work Orientalism appeared in 1978. More recent works include The Empire Writes Back (1989) by Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin and Gayatri Spivaks The Post-Colonial Critic (1990), as well as work by Abdul JanMohamed, Benita Parry and most importantly Homi Bhabhas The Location of Culture (1994). In his book White Mythologies, Robert Young sees postcolonialism as continuing to derive its inspiration from the anti-colonial struggles of the colonial era. Anti-colonialism had many of the characteristics commonly associated with postcolonialism such as diaspora, transnational migration and transcultural identities. Ashcroft, Griffiths, and Tiffin also use the term postcolonialism in a comprehensive sense to cover all the history impacted by imperialism from the moment of colonization to the present day, which is a form of continuity between the colonial and postcolonial periods. Most of the exponents of postcolonialism have regarded the trio: Said, Spivak and Bhabha, as the most influential theorists of what has become known as postcolonialism  [2]  . Their works have largely been at the center of various contemporary postcolonial debates. Saids Orientalism is generally regarded as having inaugurated the field of explicitly postcolonial criticism in the West. He argues that the Western representation of the Orient was produced by the imaginative geography of Western scholarship and has been instrumental in the colonization and domination of non-Western societies. Postcolonial theory reverses the historical center/margin direction of cultural studies. Critiques of the metropolis and capital now emanate from the former colonies. Moreover, Homi K. Bhabha has questioned the binary thought that produces the dichotomies-center/margin, white/black, and colonizer/colonized-by which colonial practices are justified. The work of Gayatri C. Spivak has focused atten tion on the question of who speaks for the colonial Other and the relation of the ownership of discourse and representation to the development of the postcolonial subjectivity. Nowadays, postcolonialism offers a fundamental critique of the ideology of colonial domination and at the same time seeks to subvert the essentialist thought that produced conceptual as well as economic divides between West and East, civilized and uncivilized, First and Third Worlds. In this respect, postcolonial theory has brought fresh perspectives to the role of colonized peoples- their wealth, labor, and culture- in the development of modern European nation states. While postcolonial criticism emerged in the historical moment following the collapse of the modern colonial empires, the increasing globalization of culture, including the imperialism of multinational capitalism, suggests a continued relevance for this field of study. E. v. Delimitation of postcolonial theory Postcolonial theory, as any other theoretical approach, has conceptual boundaries and limitations. Although it offers a theoretical approach that highlights the importance of examining the present colonial legacies, most of the early literature in postcolonial theory has emerged from the decolonized world of the twentieth century that theorizes mostly from the British imperial discourse. Thus, for the most part, it has not only overlooked the (post)colonial texts written in native languages, but also created a kind of postcolonial canon that has so far reinforced and maintained the supremacy of the colonizers language that has served as a tool for colonialism and imperialism. According to Wail Hassan and Rebecca Saunders, Anglophone postcolonial studies have sustained British literature as a frame of reference (18). Therefore, only Commonwealth Anglophone writers are introduced to English departments, while writers who write in their native languages are neglected. As a result, Anglo phone postcolonial literature is a highly selective field [] [that consolidates] the argument that Anglophone postcolonialism has become a mimic canon that functions effectively to reinforce neocolonial hegemony (Hassan and Saunders 18). Nevertheless, the use of english  [3]  as the language of expression makes the postcolonial works available to a wider audience and, thus, gives voice to ex-colonial subjects (Subaltern/Other) to speak for themselves and restitute the agency of self-representation. According to Ashcroft, through using E/english, colonized people have subverted the tropes by which they have habitually been marginalized, and, ultimately, have permanently influenced even the educational disciplines by which those tropes were perpetuated (Ashcroft, On Postcolonial Futures, 2).

Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism Essay

The Chinese are the among the cultures to whose lives and philosophies are greatly influenced by their religion – Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. These three school of thoughts basically deal as to how the Chinese live in harmony, not only among themselves but with nature as well. Among the three schools of thought, Buddhism is the only one which did not originate in China. Hence, it differs with Confucianism and Taoism in as much as it deals with the human being alone and his suffering. Nonetheless, although it is different from Confucianism and Taoism, it is admittedly not in conflict with these two but rather it reinforces the concepts and tenets of the two schools of thought. Buddhism primarily believes in reincarnation (nirvana) and affirms the fact that life is â€Å"suffering† and that â€Å"desire and craving† are the causes of suffering. In order to attain happiness, one has to overcome his cravings and desires, hatred and complaints. Although Buddhism was not originally from China, it has nonetheless gained widespread popularity over the centuries. At the start, Buddhism and the Chinese native religions vastly varied. Buddhism reinforced reincarnation while the native Chinese believed in single life only. Secondly, Buddhism insists that in order to achieve the state of Nirvana, one has to give up or leave society and enter the celibate and homeless life of a monk or nun while the Chinese placed great emphasis on the family and its continuance of descendants. Furthermore, Buddhism does not believe in the existence of the soul compared to the native Chinese who believe in earthly and heavenly souls and lastly, while Buddhism reiterates the independence of the monastic community, native Chinese religions insist that all institutions whether religious or secular are under the government. Eventually though, Buddhism adjusted to Chinese society and vice versa. Hence, the Chinese came to believe in reincarnation and believed that their deceased relatives became ancestors. Because Buddhism propagated the belief of reincarnation and the Chinese came to believe in it, it was able to bring together the development of a series of ideas regarding heaven and eternal happiness and that they could be reborn into different levels. Hence, modern Chinese society used Buddhist temples as the centrepiece of worship and study. It also made Buddhists the key players in funerals by taking over the burial and remembrance of the deceased. Wealthy and affluent Chinese make sure to have Buddhist monks during funerals because their presence more or less became an assurance of a good rebirth. Moreover, a deceased’s name place in a spirit plaque inside the temple meant that he or she is part of the daily Buddhist prayer. Gleaning from the history of Buddhism, the religion took different paths. Originally, it was an individualistic religion wherein one is responsible for his own progress in the path to nirvana. Thus, it entails that the believer has to enter the monastery and become a monk, with the aim of abandoning their desires. This is done by not doing any work and was only supported through begging and donations from the community. But the Chinese found this path to be very difficult and soon â€Å"easier paths† took form. The Chinese are known for their excellent health and long life. This is also attributed to Buddhism. With the separation from the original form of Buddhism came the Tantric form of Buddhism which stresses the total involvement of the body, mind and speech in the search for enlightenment and nirvana. As the doctrine of the karma took hold and fabricated itself into Chinese society, out came new types of behaviour that can be attributed to the Buddhists. The Chinese began to practice seated meditation and make offerings to images. They also adapted the Buddhist rites of confession and consecration. While Buddhism mainly seeks to promote the belief of reincarnation and karma, it was also able to alter the world of the Chinese in terms of materials by introducing new objects, symbols and rituals. The practice of making donations to the Buddhist monks in order to ensure their good rebirth also became adapted. Hence, inspite of its belief that in order to achieve Nirvana, one has to abandon all worldly and material things, Buddhism today especially in Chinese society encourages donations even at such huge amounts to the extent that the donor fails no reluctance for giving such to a supposedly celibate and austere community all for the sake of ensuring good karma and Nirvana. There is one basis for this practice: the monks relied mainly on the donations of the community. Aside from donating for the monks’ clothing and food, donors are also encouraged to make material offerings to Buddha such as gold, topaz, silver and crystal. Devotees are also encouraged to make images of the Buddha. While the Chinese are known for their frugality, they nonetheless place great importance in the splendour of Buddhist practices and images or objects. As can be seen, the Chinese value images of the Buddha that are made of precious stones and metals. Unlike Christians who use wood or clays for their images and icons, Chinese Buddhists believe that Buddhist deities must be given such images as their expression of respect. In summary, although Buddhism maintained the belief and practice of austerity and celibacy in order to attain eternal happiness and enlightenment, Chinese society in practice contradicts the tenets of Buddhism. This may be attributed to the fact that Buddhism adapted the culture of the Chinese instead of the other way around. Therefore, even though monks promoted and practiced austerity, they nonetheless encouraged their believers to give material wealth to the monastic community as security for their â€Å"rebirth†.

Environmental issues Essay

It was not yet realized by the public the seriousness of the environmental problems we face if not for the issue on global warming. Dozens of organizations, many of them with international memberships, are now working on everything from saving wildlife to developing new sources of energy. But pollution, energy consumption and economic growth are independent problems. Effective programs for dealing with one of them often aggravate the others. For example, devices that clean automobile exhaust and reduce air pollution also decreases fuel economy, thereby using up our limited reserves more rapidly. Similarly, banning the burning of household trash reduces air pollution but increases environmental pollution, as land, animals and scenery are sacrificed for strip mines and oil wells, and the wastes produced by the fuel are dumped into the environment. On the other hand, ignoring the need for more energy retards the economy, thereby increasing unemployment and possibly reducing food product ion. Nature is fighting back against the abuses we have inflicted upon it! Due to human carelessness that damaged the environment, many communities are now suffering from environmental crises. The air that you breathe contains gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide in certain amounts. But many people live in areas where the air contains pollutants that are harmful to their health. Air pollution is a common problem in congested and urban areas (The Washington Times 2006, p.26). Food, air and water needed for life’s processes which the environment provides unfortunately contain harmful substances called pollutants. The presence of air, water and soil in the environment is of waste materials or pollutants which the environment cannot handle, degrade, disperse or diffuse so that it becomes unclean and unhealthy is called pollution (Colla 2002, p.125). Â  There are four general types of pollution, namely: 1. Air Pollution – It is an undesirable change in the physical and chemical characteristics of air. Industrial plants, motor vehicles, indiscriminate throwing and burning of refuse everywhere make the air polluted. Cigarette smoking contributes to air pollution, most especially in enclosed places. Foul smell from waste and methane gas emitted through the combustion of refuse contributes to the problem of air pollution (Kemp1994, p.23). Prolonged exposure to air pollution may cause/aggravate respiratory and other diseases as well as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. 2. Water Pollution – this results when water contains more harmful substances such as harmful bacteria and poisonous chemicals, than it can naturally get rid of. The dumping of domestic and industrial wastes into the rivers, canals, and other water bodies causes pollutants to be introduced into waterways. Frequent flooding which carry topsoil and sewage into the water supplies pollute the water, too. Sugar mills, distillers and mining firms without proper waste disposal systems are among the principal polluters of the nation’s waterways. Soap and water detergents produce enormous persistent layers of suds on the surface of receding waters. Substances such as harmful bacteria and poisonous chemicals are likely to cause gastro-intestinal diseases, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, infectious hepatitis, food poisoning and even death. Mercury in sea water is absorbed by tiny plants that provide food for small fish, which is eaten by a larger fish. When they are eaten by men, mercury is deposited in the kidneys and brain which may cause death when accumulated (Kemp 1994, p.23). 3. Land Pollution – This takes place when harmful substances are introduced into the soil making it unable to sustain plant life. Dumping areas are breeding places of disease carriers such as flies, rodents, mosquitoes and cockroaches. Uses of excessive amounts of fertilizer, pesticides and other toxic chemicals can destroy the ability of the soil to self-generate. They deplete the nutrients, harden the texture, and increase toxicity, making the soil less productive. Other causes of land pollution are atomic fallouts and mine tailings which poison agricultural lands. Toxic residues from the accumulation of chemicals in the land can cause cancer and other diseases (Kemp 1994, p.24). 4. Noise Pollution (Persistent noise) – This refers to the presence of too loud, too sudden or very unpleasant sound that becomes an assault to the body causing mental or physical harm. The roaring of motor vehicles, grating sound of jackhammer, squeaking of tires, screeching brakes, blaring television sets, radios and stereos and even loud shouting are some types of dangerous noises when one is continuously exposed to them. Noise pollution affects not only the ears but also directly or indirectly impairs the mind and the whole body. Directly, it can cause deafness; indirectly, it may lead to increased heart beat and high blood pressure that eventually cause cardiovascular disease (Kemp 1994, p.24). Most pollution is caused by man, pollutants will increase as population grows, and hence, minimizing the production of pollutants and managing its proper disposal must be the goal of every human being. But the air pollution must be given extra attention by the government, society and each individual to protect people from this environmental danger, not only for ourselves but for future generations. Air Pollution, Environmental Hazard There are five basic pollutants of air are carbon monoxide, sulfur oxide, hydrocarbons (organic compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon) and small particles that float in the air (Jordan 2005, p.12-20). Sources of Air Pollution 1. Automobile exhausts The poisonous carbon monoxide in the air comes from automobiles. Nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons are also produced as by-products of engine combustion. The more vehicles there are on the road, the greater is the possibility of pollution. Unleaded gasoline and some anti-pollution automobile parts cut down the amount of pollutants in the air. But transportation vehicles are still a major cause of air pollution. 2. Industry Industries are responsible for the second largest amount of pollution in the air, next only to vehicles. Fuels that are used in some industries may give off large amounts of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide and harmful particles of dust and ash. Sulfur oxide is made when fuels containing sulfur like coal are burned. Certain industrial processes may give off more of one pollutant than another. This depends on the kind of fuel used and the product that is being made. 3. Individuals People pollute the air in many ways. Each time a person smokes a cigar/cigarette, the air is being polluted when he burns trash, air pollution is increased. More pollution is added when he uses wood for cooking or to keep warm during the cold months or cool during the hot months. Effects of Air Pollution 1. Respiratory disorders If you have breathed polluted air, the eyes may water, the nose may run and a cough may develop. Serious illnesses are likely to happen to people long exposed to polluted air. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema and lung cancer are common in air polluted areas. Cigarette smoking is closely related to the development of long cancer. Heart diseases, especially heart attacks occur more in places where there is a high level of carbon monoxide in the air. 1. Accidents Vehicle accidents happen more often in places where air is polluted. These accidents may be caused by poor visibility in the polluted air. Or they may be caused by increased exposure to carbon monoxide. People with watery eyes, headaches and breathing problems often find it hard to drive in air polluted areas. 2. High economic cost The government may spend billions of pesos per year to control air pollution. However, little has been done by the government to control air pollution due to the struggling economy and the low economic growth. The United States spends around 4o billion dollars a year to control air pollution. The cost of air pollution is about 200 dollars per year for each person. Air pollution can also add to the rusting and corrosion of vehicles and machinery. Even farm crops may be harmed or stunted in growth by air pollution. There is a way out of this trap. In a word, it is sacrifice. The fact that there is no way both to clean up the environment and conserve natural resources without changing the life-style of people in the industrialized nations. The challenge is that of motivating people to make the necessary changes now, before a worldwide disaster forces much more difficult adjustments upon us. Preventing of Air Pollution Everyone needs to care more about the problem of air pollution. Car exhausts and air conditioning systems can be checked at regular times and kept in good working condition. Air conditioners, if not working properly, may give off harmful hydrocarbons. Vehicles should not be allowed to idle for more than a few minutes because idling lets carbon monoxide escape in the sir. Use of public transportation would also lower the number of vehicles on the road and in return would also lower air pollution. Strict laws on transportation and industry must be enforced. Instead of burning trash, it should be allowed to decompose in pits. The decomposed materials can be utilized as fertilizer for plants and at the same time minimizes smoke in the air. Stricter laws on cigarette smoking should also be enforced. The end result of this is lesser lung and heart ailments and cleaner atmosphere (Cline 1992, p.35-37). Political Action The real problem comes from the wealth the power of the opponents of environmental protection. On the local level, environmentalist face rich land developers who can make large campaign contributions to the politicians who decide what land may or may not be developed. At higher levels of government, environmentalists face even more powerful foes: multinational corporations that stand to make big profits from despoiling the environment. Included here are some of the most powerful corporations in the world, such as petroleum and mineral companies that want to sink wells and mines in fragile wilderness areas, the manufacturers that spew pollutants into the air and water, and the firms that sell products such as polluting automobiles and unsafe pesticides. Such corporations have spent hundreds of million dollars to persuade the government not to outlaw their destructive activities (Diehl, p.20-21). The environmentalists and the concerned public simply do not have that kind of money. If we are to preserve the natural environment for ourselves and the generations to come, two things must be done. First, a stronger educational campaign must be launched to make more people aware of environmental problems. Second, more ordinary citizens must join together and become involved in the political action necessary to strengthen anti-pollution laws, increase the enforcement effort, and protect our natural resources. Conserving Resources There is no doubt that our existing resources can be used far more efficiently. It is possible for a large-scale, multiple-stage recycling program to be introduced in imitation of natural ecosystems. To take a simple example, garbage could be used as fuel to run the mills to make recycled paper, the wastes from which could be burned as fuel. Similarly, it is possible that community water districts will some day become closed systems, meaning that the water would be used again and again, never being discharged into an ocean or river. Some factories already have such closed systems (Sarewitz 2000, p.55). It is possible to envision larger closed systems designed so that no industrial material would ever be discarded as either waste or pollution. Energy conservation can also stretch our natural resources. Insulating homes, driving smaller cars at slower speeds, riding trains and buses instead of driving cars, recycling the heat used in factories, and restricting the manufacture of energy-wasting gadgets are obvious ways of eliminating waste. The immediate task is not to develop technologies that are more energy sufficient; the challenge is to find ways or persuading people to use the conservation measures that are already available. Better Technology A growing number of scientists and concerned citizens are coming to see solar system as the best answer to the world’s energy problems. Solar power units use the endless supply of energy from the sun, are nonpolluting, and pose no threat of radiation or explosion. Other promising approaches use specially prepared ponds of water to trap solar energy or mirrors to concentrate it on a single location, where it can be used to generate electrical power (Tennesen 2004, p.85). Limiting Growth Technological solutions are attractive, but it is doubtful that they alone can resolve the environmental crisis. It is often argued that industrial growth is necessary to create new jobs for a growing population. The argument that economic growth is necessary to eliminate poverty and create a more egalitarian society is also misleading. Despite decades of rapid economic growth, the industrialized nations continue to show enormous inequalities of wealth and power (1991, p.12). Conclusion The environmental crisis does not mean everyone should return to hunting and gathering; the world’s current population is too large to even consider such an idea. Keeping a clean environment is the responsibility of the government, society and each individual. Today, air pollution must be given extra attention to protect people from this environmental danger. All of us must have aknowledge of this environmental menace. The young generations today, like us, crave for the total preservation of our natural resources, earnestly begging to put an end to wastage and preserve the natural wealth intended by our Mother Earth for the future. Yes, there is still gleaming hope to save our Mother Earth from total destruction. There is still a chance to regain the lost paradise we unscrupulously abused. We must do our part to make this world a safer place to live in, not just for ourselves and our neighbors but our future generations. The will to dynamic implementation to this urgent call lies in your strong and sustainable support, giving once more Mother Earth a chance to care for our lives now and in the future generations.