Alabama Department of Corrections Research Paper

Alabama Department of Corrections - Research Paper Example Introduction Alabama Department of Corrections is the agency responsible for the confinement of convicted inmates in the state of Alabama (Donal, 9). Throughout the history of the agency, it operated a farming system where the prisoners were deployed to the farms as laborers. This effectively ended in 1870, from when the prisoners were rendered idle. The agency seeks to confine, manage and rehabilitate the inmates, while providing them a suitable environment and eventually re-introducing them into the society (Donal, 11). Planning in this agency is made through the publication of monthly plans and statistical reports. Through planning, the department of planning and research produces an annual fiscal report, develops monthly management reports and prepares and analyses models for projections of the agency operations (Donal, 22). The agency evaluates the states and the national correctional standards and aligns their standards to these requirements. The agency has a research and plann ing division that oversees the planning functions of the agency. The accounting division is responsible for making the projections of the agency’s annual operational budget. These two divisions are the ones responsible for all the planning, publication and release of the reports prepared by the agency. All the reports have to be analyzed and approved by the higher departmental authority before they are released (Donal, 17). Discussion Problem solving and decision making in the agency follows a well pre-determined procedure. At the helm of decision making is the commissioner of the agency, who is responsible for most of the decisions affecting the agency, including the appointments to key positions of the agency (Donal, 34). It is the authority of the commissioner to determine the qualifications of the deputy commissioners, associate commissioners and other employees of the agency. Subject to the laws issued by the state and the federal government, the commissioner then appoin ts some individuals to fill in these positions. The commissioner is also bestowed with the decision making regarding the appropriate divisions that the agency should have (Donal, 45). Decisions regarding the operations of the divisions are made by the respective divisional directors. While the accounting division’s director determines the budget for the annual operations of the agency, the research and planning division determines the reports that should be published. However, all the decisions made by the divisions and their directors are subject to the approval of the higher office of the commissioner (Donal, 38). The agency follows well laid bureaucratic models of human relationships, where by one individual is answerable to the other depending on the position they hold in the agency. For example, an associate commissioner of the agency will serve in the positions as required by the commissioner of the agency (Donal, 50). Another example of such bureaucratic relationships is that of the deputy commissioners and the commissioner. The commissioner determines what role the deputy commissioners are to undertake in the agency. He also determines the roles that the employees of the agency should play (Donal, 52). Yet another demonstration of the bureaucratic nature of the relationships in the agency is the procedures that reports should follow before they are r

Succesion Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Succesion Planning - Essay Example Instead, companies should take time in studying the competencies and personality characteristics of individual employees. This will help in clarifying the roles of each job level. However, such studies are costly and time consuming to most organization; hence they are done in a hurry and incorrectly. The second disadvantage is the cloning syndrome, where managers in the organization tend to pick people like them. The replica of the incumbent is a great mistake as an organization seeks a new direction. Thirdly, the focus is narrowed in succession planning. Succession planning limits leaders in an organization to focus internally on prospective employees who can join the managerial team. Candidates outside the company with great potential are not considered. In most companies, the candidates chosen are those direct to top leaders. They are viewed as having the required potential. This boosts career development for the internal employees but does not fulfill the company’s best in terests. In most circumstances, when filling a managerial post, an external candidate would be the best to bring along new skills to the team. Fourthly, it can have negative effects on motivation. Succession planning if not handle carefully can be disastrous to the organization. Other employees may conclude those selected are favored. The outcome will be lack of motivation among the rest of the workforce. Fifth, it may result in family rivalries. In small organization run by family members, it can be tough when making succession plans. In most cases, if an individual child is favored by the parents, the rest will oppose and this results in disastrous effect. This is because it can bring down the organization. Sixth, succession planning can cause organizational structure changes. Succession planning sometimes happens before the organization gains its stability. Leaders will be forced to alter and develop organizations to be able to tackle current business challenges. In

In what ways did 20th century conflicts, however broadly defined, Essay - 1

In what ways did 20th century conflicts, however broadly defined, change the nature of Western introspection - Essay Example Many writers, philosophers and thinkers in general were disillusioned and this was reflected in their art and writings. In this paper, I would be discussing how conflicts in the 20th century affected Western introspection with the main idea being conflicts made people focused more on the darker side of the human soul particularly in the inherent desire for violence. As a result of this investigation, there was a profound desire to expose it and make people realize that these events occurred but should never be repeated. An increasing sense of national awareness and nationalism led to many events that eventually culminated into two world wars having the intensity and scale never seen before and claimed millions of lives. The Germans, proud of their race and superior technology and eager to replace the United Kingdom as the dominant global power, precipitated the two world wars. France, Britain, United States, Italy, Russia and other nations were to become involved in the wars that would eventually change the notion of violence and inhumanity. (p. 61) The intensity of the fighting and the efficiency of armaments exposed many people to scenarios replete with violence and inhuman tendencies. ... Auschwitz and many other concentration camps provided many macabre scenes of death. Jews and other non-Aryan races were made to undergo experiments, forced to do labor and eventually exterminated by different methods in the hope of determining which is the most efficient (p. 63). The darker side of humanity made its presence fully known. Nevertheless, the prisoners of concentrations were not the only one severely traumatized. Soldiers and civilians alike saw their comrades and loved ones lose their life and limbs by efficient bombs, bullets and knives all directed to them by living and breathing humans also. Randall Jarrell painted a picture of how dehumanizing the war was with the death of a gunner by flak and the washing of his remains out of the turret like nothing happened (p. 62). Through the writings of survivors, we come to know of a world where violence prevailed and where humans plunged themselves into the darkness of their soul. What the world wars were able to do was to destroy any preconceived and romanticized notion of prosperity, justice, humanity and equality. Nevertheless, it became a catalyst for individuals like Jean Paul Sartre (p. 71-73) and Erich Maria Remarque (53) to take a more proactive role in exposing the evil capacities of human beings and to make them remember the atrocities of war. The crucial experience of war and captivity enabled Sartre, Remarque and other writers of this period to build a positive moral system and express it thru literature. The stage in human history where the two wars occurred changed Western thoughts about armed conflicts and made them appreciate on diplomacy. Many nations became more conscious of the need for peace and strived to achieve some semblance of it. More importantly, it made thinkers ponder

Mark Pinsky religious comparing to the movie Finding Nemo Essay

Mark Pinsky religious comparing to the movie Finding Nemo - Essay Example n of the world of Walt Disney in order to assess the ways in which the philosophies have formed a value system and informed culture, through children, on how to values into human experience. However, in the postmodern world some of the concepts that originated the Disney belief system have been challenged as prejudices and stereotypes are being broken and a new system of acceptance through intellectual assessment of the gray areas has begun to emerge. Through an examination of the film Finding Nemo, the theories that Pinsky has presented can be assessed and understood, while addressed through the postmodern cultural constructs that are challenging the good and evil paradigm. The history of Walt Disney is constructed from myth, the propagation of which is intended to extend the brand in order to build the business end of his career. Despite the incredible talent with which Disney created his world, he also had the business sense to understand that through image, his world could become an empire. Therefore, it is the myth of the man that is as important as the fantasies of the stories. The myths even extend to a ‘resurrection’ myth as there is a belief that he has been cryogenically preserved for the day when he will be revived by future advances in science. An analytical take on the nature of religion can be seen through a dual purpose structure in which belief and power are achieved by spreading philosophy in order to perpetuate the status of a leader. Power has come from the economic success of the company, the branding successful to the point of the construction of a socially mythic set of icons that promote consumption. Belief, through the Disney experience can be appreciated through two different sets of concepts. The first can be observed in the belief that is seen through the eyes of small children as they watch the magic of Disney animation, their trust in the sweetness, villainies, and triumphs of the characters building a sympathetic resonance that

Case analysis Montego Bay Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case analysis Montego Bay - Essay Example In order to protect her store and keep her employees motivated, she agrees with Theresa Daley, operations director for Montego Bay, to test a new computerized scheduling system, which is expected to reduce payroll costs and improve productivity. Mahoney learns that the new system has several benefits; however, she is also weary that this system will disrupt the collegial and productive work environment she had created in the store. A careful examination of the business’ status shows that Mahoney, as a manager, has failed to create and maintain a working environment that motivates her employees. Motivation amongst employees improves the quality and productivity of work, since employees are triggered to work towards achieving a common goal. This paper describes how Mahoney can create a working environment that will motivate her employees by examining some theoretical perspectives on motivating employees. The Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is one of the theories that managers apply to create a working environment that motivates workers. This theory describes how people fulfill a range of personal needs in the context of their work. Maslow postulated that there is a common pattern of needs identification and satisfaction, which many people follow in the same sequence (Kaufman, 2004). According to this theory, a person has to satisfy the low-level needs (physiological and safety) before he or she pursues upper-level needs (social, esteem and self-actualization). Most employees usually have problems articulating what they want from a job. Mangers should, therefore, offer different incentives to workers so as to help them identify and satisfy each need in turn, and progress up the hierarchy. Mahoney, as the store manager, should recognize that her employees have different needs, and not all are motivated in the same way, and all do not move up the hierarchy at the same pace (Kaufman, 2004). Her duty is to adapt and change her style to fit the employees†™ needs, other than forcing them into something they are not. In addition, she has to test different techniques with every employee in order to determine which ones are considered effective, and which ones are not. The employees should be encouraged to follow their own self interests, which motivate them to pursue higher level needs and improve the quality of work. The workers should be motivated to higher levels of individual commitment and personal expectations. As an employee progresses though an organization, his employer should supply opportunities to satisfy high level needs on Maslow’s pyramid (Montana & Charnov, 2008). Another important theory of worker’s motivation is Herzberg’s motivator –Hygiene theory. Herzberg suggested hygiene factors, which do not create or motivate satisfaction and â€Å"motivators†. These include interpersonal relations, salary, supervision, working condition, and company policy (Montana & Charnov, 2008). Accordi ng to this theory, absence of dissatisfies can create job dissatisfaction, but their presence does not create or motivate satisfaction. Herzberg, therefore, established from a data that motivators are elements that enrich a person’s job. He came up with five motivators, which were strong determiners of job satisfaction: responsibility, achievement, advancement, recognition and the work itself. The hygiene factors constantly produce only short-term changes in job performance and attitude,

Career Development Plan Part 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Career Development Plan Part 4 - Essay Example This paper analyses the new compensation plan at InterClean Corporation. A well structure compensation plan reduces employee turnover and increases corporate profits since it provides adequate incentive for an employee to increase their productivity. The old InterClean had a sales staff that got awarded a sales commission for the sales an employee obtained. This system force the employee to think about individual results, since the salesperson pay would increment based on his/hers achievements. Since the company offered simple product this was a viable strategy. This no longer applies to the new business model the company is implementing. Teamwork is now more important than ever and long term satisfaction of the customer is a strategic focus that must be pursed in order to achieve customer retention. In the solution based business follow up contracts with the clients generated a lot of income for the enterprise. There are two types of rewards systems that cam be used by a company. These two types of rewards are intrinsic rewards and extrinsic rewards. Intrinsic rewards are positively valued work outcomes that the individual receives as a result of work outcomes, while extrinsic rewards are positively valued work outcomes that are given to an individual or group by some other person or source in the setting (Schermerhorn & Hunt & Osborn, 2003). The total compensation plan the company will offer has to satisfy the needs of both the employee and the firm. The firm does not want to establish a plan that does not encourage professional development and teamwork. The new compensation plan the company will offer to its salespeople will be profit sharing plan with a group merit pay element as well as other individual incentives. In a profit sharing plan a company contributes a portion of its pre-tax profits to a pool that will be distributed among the eligible employees (Hr-guide, 2008). The profit sharing at InterClean will be calculated

Cat in the Rain Essay Example for Free

Cat in the Rain Essay Cat in the Rain is a short story about an American couple on vacation to Italy. They are in their first year of marriage. The husband has a dismissive attitude towards the wife and the wife always wants more. In the story the couple has a lot of selfishness going on in their relationship. The husband ignores his wife’s needs and the wife and the wife is not satisfied with her husband. The theme of this story has a lot to do with loneliness in the couples’ relationship. In this story the American couple is trapped in their hotel room with nothing to do because of the raining weather. The husband wants to read and ignore his wife. So the wife is looking out the window and sees a cat crouched from the rain. She wants to go downstairs and get the cat. She tells her husband about it and he shrugs it off. The wife goes down herself and the story talks a lot about how she likes the inn keeper. I find that this part of the story most affected me when the husband ignored his wife’s wants and needs. She really wanted that cat because it was something for her to do and feel good about. Her husband obviously doesn’t satisfy her which makes her feel lonely and the cat would keep her company. The wife in this story wants to feel appreciated and loved like any other woman would. Being married for their first year is beginning to be hard for them. Hemingway tries to tell about a first marriage of a couple he once knew and how hard it is for some to always keep that happiness. Couples always have disagreements but should never feel alone. A husband should not ignore his wife’s needs and in this story that is what he does instead of trying to satisfy his wife. Close to the ending of this story the wife was not able to find the cat. She came back in the hotel room very sad. She tries to tell her husband but he does not listen. She starts complaining about what she wants to change about herself. She wants â€Å"her hair to be long so she can brush it† and she wants a cat. The husband can only say that he likes things the way they are. He tells her to shut up. He does not care what the wife’s needs are or what she wants. He does not want to listen and he just wants to read which is what he wishes she would do. This part of the story really interested me because I could not get as to why the husband doesn’t respond to what she asks for. The wife desperately wants attention and he is not giving it to her. The story of the American couple explains a lot about how the wife tries to get attention from the husband. Hemingway talks about a cat but behind that cat this story means more. The lack of attention her husband gives her may make her feel that she is restricted on expressing herself and keeps most of her feelings inside. The cat stays compact to stay dry outside, which is how the wife feels she has to be with her husband to make him happy. She hides herself constantly from him. In this story it relates to her as American wife and never tells her name. This kind of says that she is nothing but an American wife which is exactly how she feels. Hemingway had a unique way of telling the story but the way he told it had a lot of meaning to it. He showed the couples loneliness in a different way.