Alhajry English Unit 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Alhajry English Unit 4 - Essay Example Additionally, people get jobs but still prefer to further their education without inconveniencing their employers. Online learning thus comes in handy to such group of learners who tailor their timetable to their convenience (Wyldeck 22). The current increase in online learning has had myriad effects on both the learners and the learning institutions. Currently, universities strive to diversify their course and have online learning capabilities in a bid to tap on the global market. Additionally, learners have more convenience as they overcome some of the challenges previously presented by the need to travel to schools and classes in order to attend classes. They cut on costs but still obtain the same quality education (Wood 61). Part II: Contrast Online schools thus refer to schools that offer their services over the internet. Such schools have several similarities and differences with the traditional schools where learners would have to confirm their physical attendance. In both the schools, teachers have a definite curriculum that guides the nature of every course. The curriculum provides the concepts taught, the mode of teaching, the type of assessment and the duration of the course. The curriculum is therefore a fundamental tool in schools that helps facilitate the teaching and learning process. Additionally, in both cases, there are the learners and the teachers and the two maintain an effective interaction that improves both the learning and teaching process. Among the underlying differences between the two is that online schools do not require a physical address and physical classrooms since the teachers interact with their learners from different regions. The teachers thus interact with their students on the internet through video conferencing and share study materials through electronic mail services offered by service providers on the internet. The interaction among learners and their teachers is more intense in the traditional schools since the two h ave unlimited access of each other. Online schools on the other hand restrict interactions among the parties since they incur connection charges that may be costly depending on the prevailing policies in the different countries. Part III: Define I am an introvert, a personality feature that has caused me several opportunities since people do not understand me easily. Introverts are people who do not socialize easily with others. Unlike extroverts who would easily interact with others, introverts would always seek to win the trust of their colleagues before they begin constructive interactions. Extroverts therefore maintain smaller social circles but base heir interactions and social circles of trust and mutual understanding. As an extrovert, I demand a lot of attention from my peer. Unfortunately, not everyone I interact with will always have the patience to develop a relationship capable of developing trust (Upi?ts 11). Extroverts are not weak as commonly perceived given their with drawn personality, such people may exhibit shyness but they have strong personalities and often make good communicators. The personality trait results from the upbringing of an individual and may often depict low self-esteem. Parents should therefore develop their children from younger age by exposing them to

Team Data Collection Essay Example for Free

Team Data Collection Essay BIMS, Ballard Integrated Managed Services, Inc. is a corporation specializes in the services of food and housekeeping to corporations and institutions. The general manager, Barbara Tucker, has noticed that over the last four months the turnover rate has shot up to 64%. Not only is the turnover rate higher than usual, but also employees seemed unmotivated to do their job. There are more employees walking around doing nothing and more employees not doing their job well enough, resulting in complaints from the hospital administration in which they are working. Debbie Homer, HR manage, has developed an employee survey instrument to try to identify why employees are leaving and why each employee is no longer motivated. Overview Ballard Integrated Managed Services, Inc, BIMS, has a turnover rate of 64%. There is normally a high turnover rate; however, this is a big increase over the last four months. Barbara Tucker is concerned about this increase along with sick days more frequently used and employees wasting time instead of doing their assigned jobs. The cost of replacing workers and the lost hours due to sick time and malaise is causing BIMS to lose profits. Barbara Tucker agreed to allow Debbie Horner to conduct a study on workers satisfaction. Debbie Horner is a HR manager with experience in conducting such a study. Debbie Horner created a survey that focused on work conditions, shift hours, quality of training, pay levels, job security, and demographics. Debbie Horner hypothesized that the high turnover rate would correlate with the level of job satisfaction. Instrument for Data Collection The instrument to gather the data will be a 10 question work related survey and a four question demographic section. This survey will be given to all non-management employees. The 10 work related questions are given a numerical value starting at one for very negative to five being very positive, giving Debbie Horner a quantitative statistic. The four demographic questions will require a direct answer giving Debbie Horner a qualitative result. Types of Data The way the data is being collected is by handing out satisfaction surveys to the staff. The staff is to answer the questions based on a numerical scale  in reference to their satisfaction levels. The types of data being collected are quantitative data as well as qualitative data. The survey can gather more information as well as what is being collected, such as gender group and age range. This would fall under the qualitative data section. The results alone would be considered qualitative data. Level of Measurement There are different levels of measurement by which data can be classified. For this situation, the ordinal level of measurement would be useful for measuring the data. Ordinal measurement scales are for relative ranking and ordering the attribute into different categories. One benefit of using an ordinal scale over a nominal scale is ordinal scales more information and more precise data. The support for the office is Sally. She has been given the responsibility and the task of data entry, made some errors where she put in the number six instead of five for the rankings but was very accurate in the amount of time an employee has worked for the company. From these results, one could see differences in the employees that have worked here several years and those who have not. One can also see the difference in someone who is in a management position and someone who is not. Code the Data and Clean the Data In the case of the BIMS research survey the data is coded in terms of numbers. The spreadsheet created has been done so with all of the responses placed in a numerical data set. The spreadsheet has the question numbers at the top of the sheet and then following the lines of the data set the number responses file down the sheet. If there was any data missing when the information was entered, the decision  was made to just enter a zero. After entering the data, it must be reviewed to catch any errors. Cleaning the data is done with basic steps. Of course the data is imported from the source, but there should always be some backup involved in order to keep the integrity of the data. In some cases the next step would be manipulation or spellchecking. This depends on what kind of data is involved. However, in this case spell checking is not necessary, but manipulation is. For instance with manipulation, they may have to add a column or two, or even add a zero randomly for missing data. Below is numbers 6-10 on the data set, the data has been cleaned up by changing the number 6 to the number 5 thus correcting the errors Sally made. Where a question wasn’t answered a zero was added to indicate missing data. Conclusion Understanding that there was a need to increase productivity at Ballard Integrated Managed Services, Inc., information on how to increase productivity was an important plan to implement. It was the responsibility of the Human Resources manager, Barbara Tucker, to ensure that methods were used to observe the employees in their operative positions to find out why there was such an increased turnover rate. After collecting all of the quantitative data, there was a clear connection between the employees overall job satisfaction, and customer service. One of the most important components of Barbara’s management efforts was the use of a survey. The survey provided critical information that led to an increased effort in changes from upper management. The satisfaction survey provided critical clues as to the overall performance of employees. There were even some data issues that included opinions from employees who had been on the job for more than five years. Using survey tools are important to the overall  productivity of employees and upper managerial staff. Often times, employees may find it difficult to communicate with direct supervisors because they may be intimidated; however, developing the ability to express themselves through employee satisfaction surveys, they may feel more relaxed and open to further discussions. In summary, customer satisfaction surveys can provide critical information about what the market needs and what your company may need in order to move forward.

Latvian Jews and the Holocaust :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Holocaust seemed as if it was one mans (Adolf Hitler) determination to exterminate all Jews in Europe, but in fact this is not completely true. The Holocaust was the determination of many men and woman of different backgrounds and languages. One of which is the people of Latvia. During WWI, the was was no less disruptive to the Jews than to anyone else. They were and used for both Capitalist exploitation and Communist conspiracy. During WWII they were beaten, killed, and/or imprisoned mercilessly in camps throughout Europe, not excluding the two camps in Riga, Latvia.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Latvian Jews had a long history. In 1897 the census for Latvia, just before WWI, reported a combined number of about 200,000 Jews. At this point, Riga held about 33,000 Jews. Since Kurland became a duchy of Poland in the sixteenth century, Jews of Luthuanian Poland moved north. There, even though, routinely reguarded as outsiders, having to pay taxes and fees and fines, Jews prospered and expanded themselves in number. They engaged in commerce of every variety including leasing, brokering, and peddling. Jew were goldsmiths, brandy distillers, artisans, tradesmen, and even sometimes hired as tax collectors. Jews were the ceter of economic life. They controlled exports of cereal, flax, eggs, and timber. Tanneries, sawmills, and banks were often owned by Jews, even clothing factories and stores were owned and operated by mostly Jews. Most well known doctors and lawyers and entertainers were Jewish, but of the 5,921 civil servants, only 21 were Jews. Around fifty percent were involved in commerce and trade, as opposed to the one percent of Latvians. This was because most Latvians were engaged in agricultural production. Jew also lived mostly in the city and town areas and created strong Jewish communities. After WWI, when the census was done again in 1925, Latvia had only counted for 95,675 Jews, less than half of pre-WWI. Now the aggrivated nationalist mind was getting very dissoriented by what had happened after Soviet annexation, the people were seeing the Jew and Bolshevism as one and the same, and as before, estermination was the only answer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The massacres of Jews began immediately after the Soviet counterattcks on June 29, 1941, before German police and officials even arrived. In Daugavpils, all Jews between the ages of sixteen to sixty were called to the down town square where they were assembled and incarcerated. At one of the main streets in Riga, Bear Slayer Street (the bear stands for the Russians) were the two Riga ghettos.

Research the German Car Industry †BMW Essay

Within this dossier I am going to research the German Car Industry, firstly I am going to give a little background history to Germany, then Berlin where the person will be based to work for BMW. Then finally I will tell the person about BMW, their history and his/hers role within the company. I have decided to use a 50/50 approach to this dossier by this I mean 50% will be on the country i.e. Germany and Berlin and 50% will be on the company. I have chosen this because I feel, and will explain throughout this piece of work that it is very important to know the ways and the customs of a country as well as the industry in which you are going to work. I will try through this piece of work to help the person ‘settle’ in quicker and be comfortable of his/her surroundings. If someone feels happy in his/her surroundings then this should spread into his/hers work life and by focusing more on the country I feel this could happen quicker than usual. About Germany Population: 82,057,000 Size: 357,021 kmà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Adjacent countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland Highest point: Zugspitze (2,962 m) – 31% of the country is covered with forests Coastal line: 2,389 km Life expectancy: 77 years (Men – 73 years; Women – 80 years) System of government: The Federal Republic of Germany is a democracy with a liberal free-market economy, freedom of religion and freedom of the press. Germany is a member of the European Union (EU). Capital: Berlin (3.47 million inhabitants) 16 States in the Federal Republic: Baden-Wà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rttemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia Railway system: 43,966 km Freeways and roads: 633,000 km Bicycle tracks: 40,000 km Federal and national waterways: 10,000 km Sea water routes: 23,000 kmà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Time zone: In Germany, clocks are set to Central European time. From the end of March to the end of October (summertime) they are put forward one hour. (Source: German tourist office) Economy Overview: After the fall of the Berlin Wall, progress towards economic integration between eastern and western Germany is clearly visible, yet the eastern region almost certainly will remain dependent on subsidies funded by western Germany until many years to come. The staggering $390 billion in western German assistance that the eastern states have received since 1990 – 40 times the amount in real terms of US Marshall Fund aid sent to West Germany after World War II – is just beginning to have an impact on the eastern German standard of living, which plummeted after unification. Assistance to the east continues to run at roughly $100 billion annually. Although the growth rate in the east was much greater than in the west, it will take 10-15 years for the eastern states to match western Germany’s living standards. The economic recovery in the east is led by the construction industries which account for one-third of industrial output, with growth increasingly supported by the service sectors and light manufacturing industries. Eastern Germany’s economy is changing from one anchored on manufacturing to a more service-oriented economy. Western Germany, with three times the per capita output of the eastern states, has an advanced market economy and is a world leader in exports. The strong recovery in 1994 from recession began in the export sector and spread to the investment and consumption sectors in response to falling interest rates. Western Germany has a highly urbanized and skilled population that enjoys excellent living standards, abundant leisure time, and comprehensive social welfare benefits. It is relatively poor in natural resources, coal being the most important mineral. Western Germany’s world-class companies manufacture technologically advanced goods. The region’s economy is mature: services and manufacturing account for the dominant share of economic activities, and raw materials and semi manufactured goods constitute a large portion of imports. Read more: Swot Analysis of BMW Current Issues in Germany Currently, Germany is facing post reunification economic problems caused by a number of factors including the flow of refugees into Germany, the flow of East Germans leaving to West Germany, and the poor economic conditions left in East Germany by the Communists. In the East, the unemployment rate remains at about 18%, despite efforts to lower it. Within the political arena Germany remain to be one of the fieriest opponents to the war on Iraq and diplomatic relations between themselves and the USA and Britain and have hit a low point, but given time and talking these issues will be resolved. Germany has changed a lot since the end of the Second World War. This is a country that lay in ruins, the majority of its infrastructure was destroyed, millions of its citizens were killed and its economy was in tatters. However nowadays nearly 60 years after the war Germany brought itself back into world economics. Germany remains to be one of the main players in global economics, its many industries i.e. the car industry have lifted it from the depths of recession to become a strong economy. About Berlin Located in the north-east of Germany and with a population of 3.5million, one third is covered by woodland, parks and waterways. Despite efforts to become a city of the future, Berlin has also made every effort to preserve its history. Berlin is home to the largest construction project Europe has seen since World War II, the city is redefining itself. The construction of the Berlin Wall on Aug 13, 1961 set the seal on the city’s division and separated its people. The city celebrated on Nov 9, 1989 when the Berlin Wall was torn down. After the reunification in 1990 Berlin became residence of the Federal Government, which held its first plenary session in the redesigned Reichstag on Apr 19, 1999. The Reichstag with its new glass dome became an attraction for both Berliners and tourists from all over the world. The new millennium was celebrated with a magnificent party at the Brandenburg Tor. A lot has changed in Berlin since then. And Berlin will keep changing. Museums Berlin’s museums present art works of international appreciation. More than 170 museums invite to see collections of the world culture such as the Pergamonaltar or the bust of Nofretete, painting works from Giotto and Breughel over Caspar David Friedrich and Picasso to contemporary artists. Spectacular new buildings like the Filmmuseum or the Jewish Museum and the reopening of great museums like the Old National Gallery enhance the fascinating range of Berlin’s museums. Nightlife Night owls with stamina can also give their undivided attention to the interesting range of pubs around Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg. The area consists of a great number of restaurants and bars where everyone can meet the stars of television or Berlin’s culture and political scene. Here is the melting pot that combines symbolically the former west and the new centre to a harmonic construction. Especially the younger crowd is attracted to the Pariser Straà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½e. At this location you will find taverns, bars, American diners, Mexican restaurants and very modern and stylish discos. During the summer life concentrates on the street in form of many chairs and tables that invite us to rest. In the middle of this street the well-maintained Ludwigkirchplatz with its rich areas of green providing a relaxing shadow is located. For someone who is going to live in a strange country it is important if they make themselves aware of certain customs within that country or a certain part of the country i.e. Tipping in a restaurant the bill you receive at a hotel, restaurant, cafe or bar often includes a service charge already. A tip is an indication of your satisfaction – 5% is average, whereas 10% indicates exceptional service. Tip taxi drivers about 5%, and porters and others who assist you with baggage one Euro per item. Berlin is one of the liveliest capitals in the world; it has huge volumes of history attached to it German Car Industry Germany is the birthplace of the automobile – in 1887 Karl Benz designed a couch fitted with an internal combustion engine, and the modern car was born. In 1901 Germany was already producing 900 cars a year; today the total is as high as 10 million. The industry employs about 1.26 million people, and over half of all the cars produced in Germany are exported. Today Daimler-Chrysler, the result of the merger between Daimler-Benz, Germany’s largest manufacturers of cars, and the American Chrysler Corporation, is the third largest car manufacturer in the world. The names of the car companies tell interesting, often personal stories. For example, when August Horch designed his first car, another car manufacturer operated under Horch’s name, so he was forced to find a new name for his company. He selected the Latinised version of the German word Horch, listen, and came up with Audi. Mercedes was originally the name of an early Daimler sports car – it was named after a client’s daughter. The car industry has remained one of the pillars of the German economy. Currently about 1.26 million people are employed in the car industry. In 1998 5.73 million cars were produced and 3.27 million of these were exported. Daimler-Benz is the largest of the three major players, Volkswagen being the second and BMW the third. The car industry is, however, facing the biggest changes since the introduction of mass production. With ever changing markets and fluctuating economies mass production in the old sense may be on its way out. Cars that are not sold quickly turn into huge losses for their company. This may be avoided by introducing more flexible production systems. The idea is to produce cars according to customer’s wishes and, more importantly, when they want to buy them. This idea is based on BTO (built-to-order) systems. In Germany about 60% of cars are built according to orders placed directly or indirectly with the factory. The next step, mass customisation, would suit both customer and manufacturer. The problem is to develop a production system that can adapt quickly to a changing demand and supply at a lower cost. Together with American and Japanese car makers Volkswagen is involved in the so-called â€Å"3DayCar† project which tries to apply the mass customisation model initiated by the computer manufacturer DELL to the car industry. Considering the size of German car manufacturers like Volkswagen and Daimler-Benz, these new production methods may mean major changes on a huge scale. Another change is the increasing size of car manufacturers. The five leading corporations worldwide are General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota and Volkswagen. The worldwide overproduction of cars and fluctuating markets has meant that all five have been involved in a number of acquisitions and mergers in order to consolidate their position as global players. DaimlerChrysler is now said to be interested in Mitsubishi Motors and Volkswagen in BMW. German Car Exports to Ireland In the year 2000 about 25% of all new cars bought in Ireland were of a German brand. (55.160 vehicles). The largest number of imports, 37 700 cars, were by Volkswagen. BMW BMW, which stands for Bayerische Motoren-Werke, started off as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. After the First World War the production of these engines was forbidden by the Peace Treaty of Versailles. BMW therefore began to manufacture motor cycles. Later on BMW bought a company which was licensed to produce a car called Dixi. The cars sold very well despite the economic downturn of the late 1920s and when the licence expired BMW started designing their own models. The company began building six cylinder cars and sporting models. With every new model BMW introduced went a sporting model since taking part and winning races was the best publicity a car manufacturer could get. During the war the company received large orders to build aircraft engines. Because of its contribution to the arms industry of the 1930s and 40s the BMW plants were banned from production for three years after the Second World War. Two of the company’s plants, in Berlin and Eisenach, were in the Russian sector and later were nationalised by the East German government. The factory in Munich remained, but since it had only produced motor cycles car production did not start until 1951. For a while the company tried to both mass-produce as well as develop prestigious models which put it under considerable financial strain. In 1959 BMW nearly went bankrupt but managed to keep going. Between 1955 and 1962 the company produced Isetta cars under licence. This led BMW to work with Italian designers which proved to be very successful for the company. A major reorganisation of the company took place in the early Sixties under the auspices of major shareholder Herbert Quandt. The success of these changes allowed BMW to built bigger cars and offer a more comprehensive range in the following years. In today’s competitive markets the quality of the marketing and advertising of a product is just as important as the quality of the product itself. An example of this is the latest advertising campaign by BMW in the US. Instead of TV and cinema ads BMW financed five short films which can be viewed on the internet. The films are made by internationally renowned directors and are part of a series called The Hire. All films feature a chauffeur and his car, a BMW. Guy Ritchie’s film, the first of the series, stars Madonna and was an immediate success. Since the start of the US campaign three months ago (May 2001) six million people have viewed the films and BMW is now considering a similar project in Germany. Surveys showed that most potential customers are far more likely to surf the internet than to look at TV or magazine ads. The campaign, which is typical for so-called Image-Advertising, indicates that the perception of a car is nowadays as important as the actual product, if not more so. (www.goethe.de) BMW Group worldwide mission statement is: â€Å"To be the most successful premium manufacturer in the industry.† What is BMW (GB) Ltd’s turnover? 1996 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1,239,000 1997 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1,400,000 1998 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1,478,000 1999 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1,580,000 2000 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1,511,000 2001 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½1,966,000 2002 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½2,350,000 (Source: www.bmw.com) BMW (Bavarian Motor Works) began life as a manufacturer of aircraft engines during World War I when it built a reputation of reliability and excellence. In 1923, BMW built its first motorcycle and in 1928, its first motorcar – a version of the Austin Seven built under licence. Production Range. With a workforce of approximately 2,700 employees, the Berlin Plant builds up to 400 motorcycles of the R, K and F Series a day. Also manufacturing camshafts, brake discs and track control arms for BMW’s various car models, the Berlin Plant is an important supplier for other locations within the BMW production network. Human resource policy The human factor is the No. 1 criterion in determining a company’s relative success. Accordingly, we see our associates not as a cost factor, but instead as an essential performance factor. This is especially true because any human resources policy that is not oriented towards the associate will always lead to negative cost effects in the long run, thus proving uneconomical. As a future-oriented company, we seek to pursue an exemplary, creative and associate-oriented human resources policy, making significant contributions to business success through our human resources activities. The human resources policy of the BMW Group is an integral feature of our overall corporate policy in both strategic and operative decisions. What are the BMW Group brands? BMW The BMW brand stands for one thing: sheer driving pleasure. Sporting and dynamic performance combined with superb design and exclusive quality MINI The MINI brand wins hearts and turns heads. MINI is part of a lifestyle that is cosmopolitan and confident, ready for everything. Rolls-Royce Uncompromising concentration on quality is a matter of course. The Rolls-Royce fascinates through unique solutions in detail BMW Ltd applies selection processes for both internal and external applicants which ensure the appointment of the highest quality staff. Special selection events are designed to give applicants every opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities in a variety of relevant activities and to learn as much as they can about the organisation and the role they are applying for. BMW Ltd actively encourages its employees in the development of their careers Generally, vacancies will be advertised internally and wherever possible a current member of staff will be recruited into a position. Only if an internal appointment is not possible will BMW consider external recruitment. BMW Ltd operates an equal opportunity policy BMW Ltd offers all employees (Head Office and Dealer Network) the practical support, advice and training opportunities to encourage personal development, aligned to the achievement of corporate objectives. The BMW Centre for Development team helps employees to select and undergo the most appropriate training programme for their needs. Requirement is assessed annually during the appraisal process Managers are expected to interact regularly with their team and this process is formalised through â€Å"Portfolio† where managers and employees review performance together every November covering the following areas: * Review of performance against agreed objectives * Establishing objectives for the forthcoming 12 months * Identification of individual training and development needs Planning actions to build on strengths address weaknesses and plan career development. BMW offer an extensive induction programme which includes one or two days where the person is allowed to talk to fellow workmates on an informal basis. New workers are put into groups and set a task i.e. finding certain places within the factory. They are also assigned a mentor for 12 months this is so if they have any problems they can go to this person and hopefully they can sort it out, usually the new worker doesn’t use the mentor for 12 months it’s normally for the first month or so. BMW Ltd applies selection processes for both internal and external applicants which ensure the appointment of the highest quality staff. Special selection events are designed to give applicants every opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities in a variety of relevant activities and to learn as much as they can about the organisation and the role they are applying for. BMW Ltd actively encourages its employees in the development of their careers BMW Ltd offers all employees (Head Office and Dealer Network) the practical support, advice and training opportunities to encourage personal development, aligned to the achievement of corporate objectives. The BMW Centre for Development team helps employees to select and undergo the most appropriate training programme for their needs. Requirement is assessed annually during the appraisal process. Courses available to staff include: Management Sales After sales Technical Dealer Service Managers are expected to interact regularly with their team and this process is formalised through â€Å"Portfolio† where managers and employees review performance together every November covering the following areas: Today BMW has various production plants in Germany, Austria, South Africa and the USA as well as sales offices in Asia and Mexico. Apart from cars and motor cycles the group is involved in the production of aircraft engines. Cars, however, account for nearly 75% of the company’s sales. Company’s operations also include software (softlab GmbH). Due to recent changes in the car industry there has been speculation about a possible merger between BMW and another car manufacturer, but the Quandt family who owns about half of the BMW shares has downplayed such speculation. In the beginning of 1994 BMW bought 80% of the shares in the Rover Group. The company later on sold Land Rover to Ford and Rover Cars to Phoenix Consortium. BMW is known for its production of passenger and Formula 1 cars as well as motor cycles. In the year 2000, BMW sold 830 000 cars, 74 000 motor cycles and employed 93 000 people. BMW are and will continue to be one of the largest car manufactures in the world, producing top of the range vehicles for years to come and being a credit to Germany is what BMW is all about. Bibliography www.goethe.de excellent site provides very good history on the car industry within germany and also that of bmw www.btm.de Another very good website, very helpful, will post out brochures to you about germany and getting around Berlin. Would be very good to a person who has never visited germany www.germanytouristoffice.de A good site offering details on accomdation within Germany, although does lack in the fact that it could be more helpful with regards to providing maps etc of germany www.guardian.co.uk Provides good history articles on various car manufacteurs in germany www.geographic.org Provides excellent maps first of Germany then of Berlin, its different regions etc. www.aboutgermany.org Good website providing information on different festivals that happen in Berlin, also features tips on how to live to in Germany Dossier German Car Industry

Rawls Theory of Justice Essay

A contemporary philosopher, John Rawls (1921-2002), is noted for his contributions to political and moral philosophy. In particular, Rawls’ discussion about justice introduced five important concepts into discourse, including: the two principles of justice, the â€Å"original position† and â€Å"veil of ignorance†. Rawls most famous work is, A Theory of Justice (1971) gives an introduction to this body of thought and he emphasises the importance justice has on governing and organising a society. The problem arises by defining what the term means theoretically. One of two definitions can be used, the first being definition based on ones merit or lack thereof. This â€Å"merit theory† of justice uses merit to decide how an individual of the society will be treated based on the contribution to the society. The other is the â€Å"need theory† of justice where is it assumed every individual should help those in need or who are less privileged. Attempting to balance the demands posed by these rival theories, Rawls maintained that inequalities in society can only be justified if they produce increased benefits for the entire society and only if those previously the most disadvantaged members of society are no worse off as a result of any inequality. An inequality, then, is justified if it contributes to social utility, as the merit theory asserts. But, at the same time, Rawls argued, priority must be given to the needs of the least advantaged, as the needs theory asserts. Thus, differential rewards are allowed to the advantaged members of society but not because of any merit on their part. No, these rewards are tolerated because they provide an incentive for the advantaged which ultimately will prove beneficial to society (e. g. , taxing the advantaged with the goal of redistributing the wealth to provide for the least advantaged). Original Stand Using â€Å"the original position† and experimental thought where agents behind â€Å"veil of ignorance† choose principles to govern society. Rawls argued that two principles serve to organize society, the â€Å"liberty principle† and the â€Å"difference principle. † He rooted the original position in and extended the concept of â€Å"social contract† previously espoused by Hobbes, Rousseau, and Locke which made the principles of justice the object of the contract binding members of society together. In addition, Rawls’ advocacy of treating people only as ends and never as means rooted his philosophical speculations in and extended Kant’s categorical imperative. According to Rawls a society is a venture between free and equal members for the purpose of mutual advantage. Cooperation among members makes life better because cooperation increases the stock of what it is rational for members of society to desire irrespective of whatever else its members may want. Rawls calls these desires â€Å"primary goods† which include among others: health, rights, income, and the social bases of self-respect. Rawls noted that there would be disagreement when deciding how the burden would be shared amongst the people. Rawls responded to this challenge by invoking the original position, in which representative members of a society would determine the answers to these difficult questions. That is, absent any government, the representatives would rationally discuss what sort of government will be supported by a social contract which will achieve justice among all members of society. The purpose for this discourse would not be to justify governmental authority but to identify the basic principles that would govern society when government is established. The chief task of these representatives would not be to protect individual rights but to promote the welfare of society (1971, p. 199). To this end, the representatives do not know—are â€Å"veiled† from—which place in society they will occupy. In addition, every factor which might bias a decision (e. g. , one’s tastes, preferences, talents, handicaps, conception of the good) is kept from the representatives. They do, however, possess knowledge of those factors which will not bias one’s decision (e. g. , social knowledge, scientific knowledge, knowledge identifying what human beings need to live). From this original position and shrouded by a veil of ignorance about their place in society, Rawls argued the representatives ultimately would select the principle of justice rather than other principles (e. g. , axiological virtues, natural law, utilitarian principles) to organize and govern society. While individual members of society oftentimes do act in their self-interest, this does not mean that they cannot be rational about their self-interests. Rawls argued that this is precisely what would occur in the original position when the representatives operated from behind the veil of ignorance. Freed from focusing upon one’s self-interest to the exclusion of others’ self-interests, the society which the representatives would design determines what will happen to its members and how important social matters like education, health care, welfare, and job opportunities will be distributed throughout society. The idea is that the representatives operating from behind the veil of ignorance would design a society that is fair for all of its members because no individual member would be willing to risk ending up in an intolerable position that one had created for others but had no intention of being in oneself. Rawls claimed that the representatives to the original position would invoke the principle of rational choice, the so-called â€Å"maximin decision rule. † This rule states that an agent, when confronted with a choice between alternative states of the world with each state containing a range of possible outcomes, would choose the state of affairs where the worst outcome is that state of affairs which is better than the worst outcome presented by any other alternative. Rawls’ example of two persons sharing a piece of cake demonstrates how the maximin decision rule works in actual practice. Suppose there is one piece of cake that two persons want to eat. They equally desire to eat the cake and each wants the biggest piece possible. To deal with this dilemma, both agree that one will cut the cake while the other will choose one of the two pieces. The consensus derived guarantees that the cake will be shared fairly, equating â€Å"justice† with â€Å"fairness. † Two Principles of Justice The first is the liberty principle that states that each member of society has an equal right to the most extensive scheme of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system of equal liberty for all. Accordingly, each member of society should receive an equal guarantee to as many different liberties? and as much of those liberties? as can be guaranteed to every member of society. The liberties Rawls discussed include: political liberty (the right to vote and to be eligible for public office); freedom of speech and assembly; liberty of conscience and freedom of thought; freedom of the person along with the right to hold personal property; and, freedom from arbitrary arrest and seizure. In contrast to some libertarian interpretations of utilitarianism, Rawls did not advocate absolute or complete liberty which would allow members of society to have or to keep absolutely anything. The difference principle requires that all economic inequalities be arranged so that they are both: a) to the benefit of the least advantaged and b) attached to offices and positions open to all members under conditions of fair equality of opportunity. If this is to occur, Rawls argued, each generation should â€Å"preserve the gains of culture and civilization, and maintain intact those just institutions that have been established† in addition to putting aside â€Å"in each period of time a suitable amount of real capital accumulation. † Rawls is willing to tolerate inequalities in society but only if they are arranged so that an inequality actually assists the least advantaged members of society and that the inequalities are connected to positions, offices, or jobs that each member has an equal opportunity to attain. In the United States, this scheme is oftentimes called â€Å"equal opportunity. † The inequalities Rawls discussed include: inequalities in the distribution of income and wealth as well as inequalities imposed by institutions that use differences in authority and resRawls is willing to tolerate inequalities in society but only if they are arranged so that any inequality actually assists the least advantaged members of society and that the inequalities are connected to positions, offices, or jobs that each member has an equal opportunity to attain. In the United States, this scheme is oftentimes called â€Å"equal opportunity. † The inequalities Rawls discussed include: inequalities in the distribution of income and wealth as well as inequalities imposed by institutions that use differences in authority and responsibility or chains of command. The reason the representatives in the original position and operating from behind the veil of ignorance would agree upon the difference principle is not due to the existence of a social contract but to ethics. That is, members of society do not deserve either their natural abilities or their place in a social hierarchy. Where and when one was born and the privileges and assets afforded by one’s birth is a matter of sheer luck. It would be unfair, Rawls contended, were those born into the least advantaged of society to remain in that place if all members of society could do better by abandoning (or redistributing) initial differences. According to Rawls, this is what ethics? according to the standard of justice? demands and, in the United States, this is the basis of what is oftentimes called â€Å"affirmative action. † The representatives would agree. The liberty principle must always take precedence to the difference principle so that every member of society is assured of equal basic liberties. Similarly, the second part of the difference principle cited above (b) must take priority to the first part (a) so that the conditions of fair equality of opportunity are also guaranteed for everyone (1971, p. 162). Thus, the two principles of justice, the liberty principle and the difference principle, are ordered because society cannot justify a decrease in liberty by increasing any member’s social and economic advantage. Reflecting Rawls’ interest in political philosophy, the liberty and principle and the difference principle apply to the basic structure of society (what might be called a â€Å"macro view†)? society’s fundamental political and economic arrangements? rather than to particular conduct by governmental officials or individual laws (what might be called a â€Å"micro view†). The liberty principle requires society to provide each citizen with a fully adequate scheme of basic liberties (e. g. , freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, and due process of law). The difference principle requires that inequalities in wealth and social position be arranged so as to benefit society’s most disadvantaged group. In cases where the two principles conflict, Rawls argues the liberty principle must always take precedence over the difference principle. One example that applies Rawls’ theory of justice involves how one would become a lawyer in the society designed by the representatives in the original position and operating from behind the veil of ignorance. This example also indicates how and why inequalities would exist in that society. In the original position and operating from behind the veil of ignorance, representatives organize society to be governed according to the liberty principle and the difference principle. In that society, any member of society can become a lawyer if one possesses the talent. So, a young woman discovers that she possesses the talent and interest to become a lawyer and decides that this is what she wants to do in her life. But, to get the education she actually needs to become a lawyer requires an inequality. That is, less fortunate people must help pay for her education at the public university’s law school with their taxes. In return, however, this young woman will perform some very important functions for other people? including the less fortunate? once she becomes a lawyer. At the same time, however, the lawyer will make a lot of money. But, she is free to keep it because she has earned it. At the same time, she will also pay taxes to the government which, in turn, will be used to provide needed programs for the least advantaged members of society. The issue of equitable pay also provides a practical example that clarifies how Rawls’ theory of justice can be applied (Maclagan, 1998, pp. 96-97). Noting that the principle â€Å"equal pay for equal work† is eminently fair in concept, Maclagan notes that not all work is equal. What is really needed in society is some rational basis to compare what sometimes are very different occupations and jobs, especially when this involves comparing â€Å"men’s work† and â€Å"women’s work. † Typically, the criteria used to compare dissimilar jobs quantifies work requirements as well as the investment individuals must make to attain these positions. In addition, the amount of skill and training required, the potential for danger and threat to one’s life, the disagreeableness involved in the work, as well as the degree of responsibility associated with a job all figure prominently when making such calculations. In actual practice, however, making comparisons between dissimilar jobs is an immensely difficult undertaking, as Maclagan notes, citing as an example the difficulties management and labor both confront in the process of collective bargaining. Collective bargaining involves ethics because each party declares what the other ought to do. When these differences are resolved through a consensus, a â€Å"contract† provides the basic structure by which the members of that society (called the â€Å"corporation†) will organize and govern themselves for a specific period of time. Coming to agreement upon a contract—like Rawls’ concept of reflective equilibrium—requires both parties to the collective bargaining process to align their principles and intuitions through the process of considered dialogue and mutual judgment. Furthermore, the contract? like Rawls’ difference principle? tolerates inequalities in pay but only as long as the least advantaged enjoy equal opportunity and their situation is protected if not improved. What is noteworthy about Maclagan’s example is that the parties are not in the original position nor do they operate from behind a veil of ignorance. Instead, they have to move toward those positions if they are to adjudicate their differences amicably and for the benefit of both. The critics†¦ Since its first publication in 1971, Rawls’ work has received some begrudging if not respectful criticism. Some have asked which members of society constitute the â€Å"least advantaged†? For his part, Rawls identified these people generally as unskilled workers and those whose average income is less than the median income. What Rawls failed to address, however, is the plight of those who may be the truly least advantaged members of society, namely, those citizens of some permanently unemployed underclass, who depend entirely upon government largesse to subsist (e. g. welfare), or whose racial or ethnic origins condemn them to permanent disadvantage. The critics ask: Should not their plight be considered more important than those who possess more of society’s benefits? Furthermore, in so far as Rawls states the difference principle, it appears that inequalities are permissible but only if they better the lot of the least advantaged members of society. However, cr itics note, that position is inconsistent with Rawls’ claim that the representatives to the original position must not take an interest in anyone’s particular interests. The logic fails if preference must be given by those in the original position to the least advantaged. Lastly, Rawls’ critique of utilitarianism, his embrace of egalitarianism, and the actual effects of the difference principle combine in such a way that his philosophy can be construed to advocate political agenda with Marxist overtones. That is, in actual practice Rawls’ theory would redistribute society’s benefits away from the â€Å"haves† to the â€Å"have nots† with little or no concomitant bearing of society’s burdens. Economists, for example, note that Rawls has neglected to consider the market forces unleashed in a capitalist society where seeking one’s self-interest is arguably the primary motivating principle. These critics argue that even the least advantaged, if they so choose, can take advantage of the minimal benefits society offers them by virtue of citizenship. Through education, persistence, and hard work, the least advantaged (or, their children in the next generation) will be able to participate more fully in enjoying the benefits as well as in bearing the burdens of membership in society. The critics ask: â€Å"Is this not what has happened to waves of immigrants to the United States during the past two hundred years? † In light of these criticisms, Rawls modified the principles of liberty and difference. Pondering the question of social stability, Rawls considered how a society ordered by the two principles of liberty and difference might endure. In Political Liberalism (1996), Rawls introduced the idea that stability can be found in an overlapping consensus between citizens who hold diverse religious and philosophical views or conceptions about what constitutes the good to be sought. As with Maclagan’s (1998) collective bargaining example, this â€Å"overlapping consensus† is found in their agreement that justice is best defined as fairness. In Justice as Fairness (2001), Rawls introduced the idea of public reason, that is, the reason possessed by all citizens which contributes to social stability, a notion he first detailed in The Law of Peoples with â€Å"The Idea of Public Reason† Revisited (1999).