Baseball Essay Research Paper Baseball is going free essay sample

Baseball Essay, Research Paper Baseball is traveling down the drain. Don # 8217 ; t inquire why, merely beckon adieu, Baseball WeeklyBlame it on the juiced baseball. Blame it on the juiced participants. Blame it on the shriveling work stoppage zone. Blame it on the shriveling pitching endowment pool. Blame it on the easy-to-hit new ballparks. Blame it on the easy-to-see baseball. Blame it on all the new chiropteran companies. Blame it on all the belowground steroid usage. # 8220 ; Hell, blame it on planetary heating, # 8221 ; Toronto Blue Jays director Jim Fregosi says. # 8220 ; We # 8217 ; re faulting all these damn home runs on everything else, so why non? # 8221 ; Welcome to the epoch when major conference baseball games start looking like your childs # 8217 ; T-ball games, when Jermaine Dye and Tony Batista become family names, and when we yawn at 40-home tally seasons. Just wondering, but sing that Fregosi, 58, was a six-time All-Star who hit 151 calling home runs, how many would he hit in today # 8217 ; s environment? # 8220 ; I wouldn # 8217 ; t want to guess a conjecture, # 8221 ; says Fregosi, who saw 180 tallies scored in the Blue Jays # 8217 ; recent 10-game homestand, # 8220 ; because the figure would sound farcical. # 8220 ; But you can # 8217 ; t even compare participants from the past anymore. You # 8217 ; ve got to judge the participants by decennaries, non their overall stats. # 8220 ; You look at the Hall of Fame, and there are cats today who are in there who hit 140 home runs and drove in 700, 800 tallies. # 8220 ; You do that now, and you # 8217 ; d acquire laughed out of Cooperstown. # 8220 ; It # 8217 ; s a different game, a different time. # 8221 ; Nowadays, we # 8217 ; re seeing things we neer thought possible. Merely a hebdomad ago, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada became the first teammates to hit home runs from each side of the home base in the same game. Mo Vaughn, Tim Salmon and Troy Glaus of the Angels became the first three to hit place tallies in an frame twice in the same game. The Minnesota Twins, who hit merely 105 home runs all last season, hit six in one game. Kevin Elster of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who retired and didn # 8217 ; t even play last season, hit t hree home runs in one game. Jermaine Dye has hit 38 home runs in the last seven months # 8211 ; eight more than Hall of Famer George Brett hit in any season. And the St. Louis Cardinals, who hit merely 58 home runs in 1986, hit 55 place tallies in April, binding the 1947 New York Giants for the most place tallies in a month in the NL. Where will it halt? Will it halt at all? # 8220 ; To me, Aaron Sele ( of the Seattle Mariners ) says it all, # 8221 ; Fregosi says. # 8220 ; You look at his ERA the last four old ages # 8211 ; 5.32 ERA, 5.38, 4.23, 4.79. And he # 8217 ; s one of the top free-agent hurlers in the game. # 8221 ; If a hurler put up those sort of Numberss in Fregosi # 8217 ; s clip, he # 8217 ; d be released, non doing $ 7 million a twelvemonth. Then once more, Fregosi says, one expression at history should hold shown us this would go on. # 8220 ; Look back, when did ( Roger ) Maris and ( Mickey ) Mantle hit all of those home runs? # 8221 ; Fregosi asks. # 8220 ; Right after enlargement. # 8220 ; And these home runs being hit now? Right after enlargement. # 8220 ; You # 8217 ; re seeing hurlers rushed to the large conferences now who might hold good weaponries, but have no thought how to flip yet. # 8221 ; There # 8217 ; s no demand to look past last Saturday # 8217 ; s game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros for grounds. Everett Stull, doing merely his 3rd big-league start, walked nine hitters. Reliever Matt Williams followed and walked five more, giving the Brewers a franchise-record 14 walks, including 25 in two games. And immature Astros starting motor Scott Elarton felt right in topographic point when he walked eight hitters in merely 4.1 innings and was pulled with a 10-3 lead. Can anyone outside the metropolis bounds of Atlanta, besides Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez, pitch any longer? Does anyone attention? # 8220 ; They # 8217 ; ve got to make something, # 8221 ; Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan told us this wint er. # 8220 ; They # 8217 ; ve got to make something for the hurlers. Raise the hill. Make something. The discourtesy now is merely excessively much. # 8220 ; I # 8217 ; ve neer seen so many 10-run games in my life. # 8221 ; Even the ace batters are get downing to kick. Dodg Ers All-Star left fielder Gary Sheffield used to be proud of a 30-homer season. Now, if he hits 30 home runs by the All-Star interruption, he’s wondering if he still has a shooting to do the All-Star squad. Sheffield isn’t shy at calling one ground for the onslaught: steroid-induced musculus. He wouldn’t mind seeing proving for steroids to level the playing field. ( See Dugout Direct, Page 24. ) Then once more, when you build ballparks designed to play place tally derby every twenty-four hours, and turn the Houston Astros’ place field from a pitcher’s park into a place tally haven, what’s a hurler to make? And if it’s non tough plenty for hurlers to last in ballparks that are merely 307 pess down the lines, some hurlers say even the balls are harder and slicker this twelvemonth – and the black printing of the commissioner’s logo on the ball is much easier for the batters to pick up than the old pale blue printing. â€Å" The balls are decidedly oilskin, † Northerners five-time Cy Young victor Roger Clemens says.† I don’t cognize if it’s the people doing the ball or what, but it’s a batch harder to grip.† But who has clip to even see the ball, much less examine them, with the rate they’re winging out of ballparks? An norm of 2.57 place runs a game flew out of Parkss in April, compared to last April’s 2.22, in what became a record twelvemonth for place tallies. And this is merely April. Wait until it gets hot and the ball truly starts jumping. â€Å"I can’t explain it, † says Batista, who already has hit eight home runs this twelvemonth for the Blue Jays and has hit 39 in the last seven months. â€Å"For me, it’s merely a affair of acquiring playing clip. I knew one time I got the opportunity, I could hit homers.† Yeah, but at this rate? â€Å"Hey, a batch of cats hit home runs now, † he says. â€Å"I merely desi re to be one of them.† The problem is that anyone and everyone non merely are hitting home runs, but besides hitting the ball 425 pess to the opposite field. It used to be that Mets catcher Piazza was one of the few power batters in the game capable of traveling deep to the opposite field, but now even the somewhat built shortstops and 2nd basemen are making it, excessively. â€Å"This is the damnedest thing I’ve of all time seen, † former Cardinals director Whitey Herzog says. â€Å"The game has changed so bloody much. The ball is juiced, the hurlers don’t use the inside half of the home base and the batters look like NFL linemen.† Well, if nil else, at least the AL hurlers, with the exclusion of the interleague games, are spared the incubus of holding to flip at Enron Field in Houston. The Astros’ new ballpark has become every hitter’s phantasy, with 46 home runs hit in the first 12 games. Several Cardinals’ participants have spread the intelligence throughout the conference that it makes Coors Field look like a pitcher’s park. â€Å"We name it Home Run Field, non Enron Field, † Astros pitcher Jose Lima says. â€Å"Last twelvemonth, we couldn’t wait to acquire place. This twelvemonth, we don’t want to come place. It’s scary.† Astros one Shane Reynolds says: â€Å"You can’t expect to see games like you’ve seen pitched for ( 35 ) old ages in the Astrodome. Those yearss are gone.† While hurlers continue to kick, directors rip out their hair and batters sprint to the batter’s box, fans appear to love place tally derby. Attendance is up once more, and baseball is anticipating to put a record. Television evaluations are solid, and the advertisement vaulting horse is strong. So although baseball would love one twenty-four hours to extinguish the designated batter regulation in exchange for increasing the roll to 26 participants, and several g eneral directors are in favour of raising the hill to 14 inches, baseball is in no haste to impart a assisting manus to the hurlers. â€Å"I don’t like seting regulations or altering regulations, † commissioner Bud Selig says. â€Å"I know we did it in ‘69, but I’d instead non make that.† So acquire used to it, folks. The long ball is here to remain, everlastingly ingrained in the new epoch of baseball tradition. Bibliography it was from longball.com

In Past Centuries, Angola Was Among The Areas Most-devastated By The S

In past centuries, Angola was among the areas most-devastated by the slave trade. In recent decades, it has been afflicted with wars. However, in both eras, much of the violence was driven by powerful external forces. This is because Angola, with an abundance of oil and other resources, could develop into a very prosperous country if led and controlled by the right power. In 1975 Angola was released from colonialism by Portugal. This pivotal event in history sparked the beginning of a massive conflict between many of the key players in world power. These key players included the United States, Cuba, China, and the Soviet Union. After reading three separate accounts of the crisis in Angola (U.S. Senate hearings led by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a personal memoir by 1975 Assistant Secretary of State Nathaniel Davis, and a biography entitled In Search of Enemies: A CIA Story by John Stockwell), I have come to several conclusions. Although these three men all held important positions in the U.S. government, multiple contradictions exist in their chronologies of events. Of the discrepancies I found, all of them put Stockwell in opposition with Kissinger and Davis. I believe this is due to his position in the Central Intelligence Agency, where the greater availability of information was his advantage. Moreover, since all three accounts agree that the U.S. involvement was essentially a covert operation led by the CIA, I feel the account written by Stockwell was the most valid of the three. When looking at the differences in chronologies, it is necessary to start from the beginning of the conflict. The first difference I found dealt with CIA involvement in Angola. Stockwell, "an experienced, senior CIA case officer" (Stockwell, 31), marked early July 1974 as the start of CIA support. In July 1974 the CIA began funding Roberto without 40 committee approval, small amounts at first, but enough for word to get around that the CIA was dealing itself into the race...During the fall of 1974 the CIA continued to fund Roberto, still without 40 committee approval... (Stockwell, 67). However, Davis describes that covert support did not begin until much later. Shortly thereafter (his appointment on March 11, 1975), William G. Hyland, the director of the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research, told me that a $300,000 program of covert support for the veteran Angolan liberation fighter, Holden Roberto, had been approved that past January by the Forty Committee... (Davis, 110). Kissinger also noted this $300,000, which was given to Holden Roberto, was the first U.S. aid to Angola. ...We did not feel that our national interest was sufficiently involved in the struggle within Angola...therefore, we only made a grant of $300,000 which, at most, will get bicycles, office equipment, and aid political efforts of the FNLA... (Angola, 26). This contradiction is most-likely due to the differences in position between the three men. Stockwell was an important CIA official and had access to more classified information at an earlier time. The second inconsistency I found dealt with the U.S. military support in Angola. Stockwell insisted throughout his book that the U.S. was spending millions of dollars on arms for the conflict. ...8 million, released on July 27, was allocated primarily for the shipload of arms and for the procurement of airplanes to haul material from Kinshasa into Angola...On August 20, an additional 10.7 million was authorized for more arms, aircraft, mercenaries, and maintenance of the liberation forces, (Stockwell, 206). Stockwell also reported that by December 1975 the CIA was still lying to Congress about arms and advisors in Angola. At this time, Kissinger was not reporting anything remotely close to a U.S. arms build-up. In fact, he suggested that a military-type involvement was out of the question. Angola is an African problem and should be left to Africans to solve; foreign military involvement only escalates and prolongs the warfare there... (Angola, 10). In comparison, Davis spoke of a similar American view on foreign military involvement in a memo he submitted to the State Department representative of the Forty Committee. ...Covert intervention (military) would not serve larger U.S. interests...an attempted intervention could not be kept secret...a covert intervention would have to be so circumscribed as to fall between stools in any case-while the other side could escalate at will, (Davis, 113). Again, due to the availability of classified CIA information, Stockwell knew of massive U.S. military support while Kissinger and Davis were unaware

How to Get Connections Without Going to Networking Events

How to Get Connections Without Going to Networking Events However you feel about networking, it works and it’s necessary. If you hate networking events- whether you’re antisocial, shy, or just really tired of that scene- chances are you avoid going to them as often as you can, and when you do go, you’re probably not at your best. The good news is, most events are probably not worth your time anyway. People at events are often distracted, excited, and dealing with their own social anxiety. And just throwing business cards around doesn’t really do much for building quality relationships- it just gets you quantity of potential contacts, which doesn’t necessarily convert. What you’re after is quality. And you can easily achieve that without going to events.Here are a few strategies for how to get connections in other, better ways.Talk About Your ProjectsYou’re working on an exciting and challenging new project. Why not ask friends and colleagues if they know anyone who would be particularly suite d and/or willing to answer a few questions you may have about some unbelievably cool aspect of your project- or just one with which you’re not quite yet superstar familiar? Benefits: instant icebreaker, friends-of-friends connection, personal intro, and built in reasons to follow-up. Just be careful you only use this when you have a project or problem worth implementing the phone tree for.VolunteerVolunteering is a great way to meet people, particularly ones with similar values and interests. And it pads out you resume as well. Try to pick something that has at least some tangential connection to your industry or field- that way the people you meet are more likely to be able to help you down the line.Use Social Media with SavvyIt’s right there waiting for you and you can do it all in your pajamas. Start with LinkedIn- that’s what it’s for. There are over 400 million people on the site, and almost all of them for the same reason: to build their networks. C heck out the â€Å"Professionals Like You† tab, a virtual meet-up for people in similar situations and industries. Check out your peers, and send the occasional cold (but carefully personalized!) outreach message. Let people know you’re looking to build up your network and to recommend anyone they know that might be in your industry. Also try joining groups or chats or webinars. You’ll never know who you might meet.Reach Out to Who You KnowYou can beef up your network simply by talking to people you already know. That’s way less daunting. Milk your friends, colleagues, and connections for anyone they know who might be a good fit for you, or vice versa. Get their contact info, and, voila! You just networked. And on the bright side: you have a better intro to them than you would if you just sidled up at the hors d’oeuvres table.

The Impact of Social Media in US Elections.6 Research Paper

The Impact of Social Media in US Elections.6 - Research Paper Example Being a social network, application of social media has spread with a high momentum because of social interconnectivity that links friends and relatives. The Diffusion of innovation theory explains the trend that the social media has adopted and offers a basis for forecasting its future orientation. According to the theory, invention gains popularity and commands the society’s attention until a time when such attention fades. Rogers, the theory’s developer, proposed four stages that are expected of the social media, and its effects on US elections, in the future. The first stage of the model involves adoption by a small section of the society, innovators, who are willing to venture the innovation immediately after its development. The population section embraces possible risks that may discourage others. Following the innovators’ initiative is the adoption of a technology by early adopters whose population is higher than that of innovators. The population segment identifies leaders who do not need persuasion into a technology’s application and are flexible to implementing innovations. A larger percentage of the population into an innovation is the early majority who relies on evidence of the technology’s effects before adoption and an approximately equivalent proportion, the late majority, follows them. New users of the innovation then reduce as the model gets into the laggards’ phase (Boston University 1; Baran and Davis 282). The model therefore offers an insight into the possible trend and effects of the social media in the United States and two perspectives apply. If the people who adopt the social media technology at its earlier stages continue with its application then a cumulative impact can be derived over time because the social media will have a continually expanding audience. This however identifies the role of determining the media’s ability to retain users. Established rate of users’ retention also offers a basis for understanding trend of application and knowledge of the current stage of the innovation, based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory. The model’s variability with time can then offer insight into the future effects of social media on the elections. The theory further suggests an innovation’s effect of diminishing old media forms as the society adopts a new media application (Boston University 1). Shaw’s curve of the old media also offers a basis for understanding the trend in effect of the social media on US elections. Like in the diffusion theory, Shaw explains that an innovation gains popularity until a maximum level of audience before the number starts to decline and the time for the cycle depends on the scope of a preceding innovation or a newly developed innovation. Development of a better innovation may for example facilitate the cycle as the society moves to operate the new development. These concepts therefore offers the basis fo r understanding possible trends of the effect of social media on the elections that can be forecasted with knowledge of previous innovations and speculations of development of new applications for mass communication. Existing data over internet use that indicates high percentages suggests that application of the social media for communication is in advanced stages of the diffusion theory model. Application beyond 60 percent of the adult population indicates possibility of a late majority stage

Globalization and International Relations Essay

Globalization and International Relations - Essay Example However, since globalization, the global economic environment has undergone tremendous changes. According to Devetak and Hughes (2008, p. 34), globalization connects nations through a global network, and it assists a nation to get access to foreign markets and customers. Since the nations got ranges of benefits from globalization, governments adopted a liberal approach towards international trade. As Slaughter & Swagel (1997) point out, the removal of trade barriers promote import and export activities by which a government acquires foreign investments (IMF). In order to take advantages of liberal international trade laws, a number of corporate global giants spread their business across the globe; this practice greatly promoted international relations. For instance, Starbucks Coffee Company transplanted its business operation from the United States to China. The improving unemployment rates in third world countries can also be clearly referred to the fruitful effect of the globalizat ion. The global interconnectedness helped these nations to attract more and more investors to complete their capital accumulation process successfully. In addition, multinational companies started their production activities in developing and underdeveloped countries and this practice created ranges of employment opportunities in those countries. Globalization has also intensified the immigration processes. Even though the ultimate cause of immigration is not globalization, this concept has considerably increased the number of immigrants (‘Migration and globalization’). Before the 21st century, traveling from one’s home country to a foreign destination was expensive and time consuming. In addition, inter-communication between countries was... This essay approves that the productive elements of globalization contributed to the development of a new technological era that restructured the living standards and business concepts of the modern world. The increased application of technology in productive activities also augmented the volume of production. It was necessary to employ more and more workers in order to efficiently operate machineries and other technical systems. This situation also created wide ranges of job opportunities for skilled individuals. Similarly, even technologically underdeveloped nations got access to improved technologies as a result of globalization and this situation in turn improved international cooperation. The explosive growth of information technology (IT) is one of the major outcomes of globalization and industrial revolution. Globalization has also intensified the immigration processes. Even though the ultimate cause of immigration is not globalization, this concept has considerably increased the number of immigrants. This report makes a conclusion that globalization has greatly added value to international relations as this concept facilitates international trade transactions. Increase in export and import trade encourages nations to function cooperatively. The globalization also amplified immigration by which nations could resolve their staffing shortage issues. Moreover, developments in IT sector have greatly restructured the ways nations communicate today.

The Impact Of Globalization On Employment Commerce Essay

The Impact Of Globalization On Employment Commerce Essay Globalization has in no doubt affected the way people work. It has resulted into radical and rapid changes that call for adjustments in employment policies of different organization. This report presents a report on the effect of globalization on employment policies. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi is going to be used as our case where its employment policies are going to be highlighted with special considerations on how this affect it industrial relations. The report begins by describing what is meant by globalization followed by a brief analysis of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, its employee profile and its achievements. The report will the highlight the impact of globalization on employment strategies followed by a close examination of what effects dual labor has had on the banks industrial relations. Grievance procedures of the company and how it relates to the UAE law is going o be captured too with special consideration on how the bank makes its employees aware of these procedu res. The conclusion will contain three personal recommendations on what should be done to put the bank at par with other financial institutions in the region and the world. The concept of Globalization With the world becoming a global village based on modern advancements in technology, trade political, socio-cultural norms and world economies, the forces of change are so strong to an extent that all aspects of life call for adjustments. This phenomenon is referred to as globalization (Bentolila Gilles, 2003, p. 56). It involves a process that leads to transformation of local and regional cultures into international or global ones thus unifying a society and making it work together as one. This has culminated into establishment of international economies through trade, flow of capital, investment, migration, and technology flow and its effects. Traditional barriers maintained by governments are the main victims of the trend as people are forced to abandon the restrictions and actively engage in different affairs at an international stage. Ways of doing business have not been spared by globalization either. The force has called for adjustments in different business field s especiall y in human resource. Employment policies have been adjusted to fit the modern world requirements of the labor market in order to attain any targets of an organization. Organizational behavior places labor as one of the most important factor that determines performance (Holley et al. 2008, p. 11). This paper seeks to highlight the impact of globalization on employment strategies with further emphasis shifting to mitigatory mechanism that are employed to face off challenges that might come with this. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates is going to form an evaluation platform for this research and thus we will be able to establish and understand the grievance procedure in place in the company and its impact on industrial relations. Grievance procedures are simply the protocols that employee and employer follow in order to address employee problems amicably and satisfactorily. Company information Based in the Arab world, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi is among one of the most competitive financial institutions that has committed much of its efforts to competitively serve both local and international customers. Under its chief executive Mr. Michael H. Tomalin and board chairman H. E. Nasser Ahmed Khalifa Alsowaidi, the bank has managed to scoop several top awards for its services, the most notable one being 2011 award given by Thompson Reuters and complinet recognizing the bank as the most recognized international compliance officer as presented by john garret, the groups general manager and chief compliance officer (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). The bank also boasts of being the owner of the best investment product. It was the best arranger and best financial information provider via the internet. These awards together with many others are associated to the banks employee commitment to its vision that fosters on the future recognition of the bank as the worlds best Arab bank. These successes are also expressed in the banks mission to provide its customers with exceptional services that create products and delivering services of enduring value which, will help its customers grow. The bank has a set of values that are in no doubt behind its efficiency in providing quality services to its customers. Some of these values are the need to understand customer needs, teamwork, being accessible around the clock, withholding the value of stakeholders, recognizing people as its greatest asset and thus safeguarding their interests and acknowledging the need to be loyal to its heritage and maintaining a positive global outlook (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). The bank has also made a few pledges to its customers which includes recognizing them, understanding their needs, listening t o them, dedicating its energies to serving its customers and eventually grow with them. By analyzing these pledges, there is a clear indication that good and well motivated employees are key to achieving them. It is worthy to acknowledge that unless the bank has an elaborate grievance addressing procedure, all of its mission and vision cannot be realized. The bank has some of the best employee focused attention which is greatly supported by good employment policies. The bank employment policy first recognizes its employees as the most valuable asset and goes ahead to provide the most rewarding working environment and compensation packages that allows them advance their careers. This has made the bank the biggest employer among other commercial banks with its employees coming from all over the world. Other employment policies of the bank focus on Emiratization which simply means attracting the most qualified nationals of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by providing a successful and a well rewarding banking career. Pre-employment training is also embraced by the bank employment policies which also create room for employees to seek further training while still working. This come in form of time allowances for various new training programs (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). Training of potential employees is among the banks employment policies which seeks to absorb freshly graduated students from different academic fields thus creating a window of diversifying strategies which do not have to come from business scholars only. Globalization has a lot of influence on employment prospects of the bank. Despite the fact that the government is encouraging Emiritization (employing more UAE citizens), the bank has 61 percent of its employees from outside UAE with only 39 percent being UA E citizens by 2010. Out of this number, 60 percent are female. Impact of globalization on employment strategies Globalization and Job security Globalization has brought about a very fierce competition in employment. This is because through globalization, there is massive migration of highly trained professionals who are seeking lucrative careers (Bentolila Gilles, 2003, p. 59). National Bank of Abu Dhabi is among top ten in the list of the most secure banks in the world. It has also attracted many professionals from different parts of the globe. This has come along with a lot of job insecurity as any employer is likely to opt for the most qualified. Security of tenure has declined and jobs have become less permanent. The net effect of this is the emergence of non-standard form of employment such as temporary and part-time employments. This has lead to adjustments in banks employment policy which is now shaped to accommodate all forms of employment forms. Employee turnover characterized by workers mobility has also increased leading to notable changes in worker- employer relationships within the banks workforce. Employees have in many occasions expressed their reservations to dispensable employment agreements with most of them working in fear of losing their jobs uncertainly. This greatly affects employees who have not yet had an opportunity to upgrade their educational backgrounds thus reducing their employability. However, the bank has made a provision in its employment policies grievance procedure to offer training opportunities for it employees which is supposed to help them advance their career. Globalization has come with a lot of technological changes and just like any other bank, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi needs to employ people with the most recent skills in technology. Though the bank has not had to send people packing based on modern skills acquisitions and technology awareness, most job quits have been voluntary where employees go back to training institutions for further training (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). Globalization also comes with a lot of competition from other competitors thus effecting job security of employees. Companies have in many occasions laid off some of its staff to cut down on costs of doing business and in order to face competitors with a least expensive and efficient workforce. The bank has at point succumbed to forces of globalization such as those to call for outsourcing of labor. This involves employing workers from different parts of the globe without necessarily allowing them enjoy normal employee benefits such as security of tenure. This has further made jobs more insecure as outsourced labor might be just as effective as original. This has also resulted in a change in the banks employment policies which have also shifted to outsourcing and training it employees on probation before full engagement. Effects of Low skilled workers on employment policies The level of education possessed by workers has in a big way influenced their employability at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi. It is evident beyond any reasonable doubt that only the best trained workers are securing lucrative careers with the most reputable companies. The bank emphasizes on its quest to tap the best and most skilled professionals from across the world, a fact that is boosted by the globalization era. Although the banking sector has not experienced much layoff due to under qualified staff, the situation has it that most original or traditional employees are being outdone by recently graduated people thus putting their employability at risk of being lost. Technology plays a major role in evaluating qualifications as it is one of the most powerful forces globalization reckon with. Employment policies have therefore been adjusted to enable the bank acquire the most qualified individuals or still by offering a training package before being employed. Education does not on ly affect employability but also earning. Being a leading financial institution, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi employs the best candidates for different jobs right from the management to subordinate (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). This implies that the institution is only ready to pay highly to the best employees and therefore pushing off least qualified individuals. Studies show that lowly ranked jobs that require low academic qualifications are going to less competitive environments with more competitive environments taking on the best. Employment strategies of the bank have not depicted any form of bias on locals and foreigners. The only disparity comes from the governments policy to have the number of UAE nationals working in local institutions increased. The bank has responded to this positively by increasing UAE nationals working in it from 36 percent in 2009 to 39 percent in 2010 (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). This move has however not caused a lot of changes in its employment policies since the exte rnal world offers the best compared to the local labor market. Effects of Globalization on Sweatshop Exploitation Toxic Imports Globalization has by a great way encouraged the import of cheap labor especially form countries suffering from unemployment but with good educational back grounds. This means that the employees of this nature are highly qualified but willing to take on low paying jobs and at the same time work for long hours (Bentolila Gilles, 2003, p. 63). This phenomenon is normally associated with developed countries or those perceived to be rich. UAE is no exception as it has some of the best institutions recognized globally such as the National Bank of Abu Dhabi. This bank has also fallen prey to this problem as most of its workforce (61 %) come from outside UAE. Although this cannot be directly associated with foreigners being cheap to hire, it is true that dealing with local or native employees is more technical compared to foreigners. The law has put down very robust and complicated policies that aim at protecting its citizens from exploitation. This may in one way or the other influence the banks employment policy status of absorbing more foreigners to work there. The bank is also at risk of importing toxic labor as incompetent workers could be imported. This kind of workers are believed to be interested short time benefits and are therefore likely to put in extra efforts to achieve their short term objectives and thus becoming toxic not only to future company prospects but also to the labor market. This is one of the major reasons the government of UAE has put it mandatory for employers to have at least 40 percent of their employees to be UAE nationals. This move is aimed at embracing the future endeavors of the national economy and the countrys future in general. Although sweetshops may have a positive effect on a firms profits, critics argue that there is a more negative effect in the future prospects of a company since its public image could be tempered with thus demeaning its performance. Locals are also likely to give a cold reception to the bank and withdraw their trust from it thus jeopardizing its operations in the region. Sweetshop and toxic workers also pose as a risk to original employees by reducing their job security because they are cheaper to hire. His is another challenge the National Bank of Abu Dhabi is facing as a result of it employing a huge number of foreigners who are recognized almost equally by UAE labor laws. Globalization and technology Among the achievements attained by the National Bank of Abu Dhabi is being in the forefront in implementing highly technology based services. This is in line with what globalization comes with especially in information technology. The bank won the best mobile transaction and the best prepaid card categories from the smart card awards in the Middle East region. This indicates that the bank has a better chance of surviving in the world of technology thus attracting more customers (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). However, the bank is equally faced with challenges that come with this. Technology applications call for a reduction of the labor force as it permits performance of different tasks without involving any people. Technological globalization also calls for job cuts across all sectors especially in low profiled jobs such as auditing and networking. This occurrence has forced the bank to adjust its employment policies to match the current conditions by cutting down the number of people it employs each year. The use of technology has obviously affected the way the bank employs people be it from the UAE or the Diaspora. Dual Labor Market and its impact on industrial relations issues in the bank The United Arab Emirates has experienced a lot of changes in trade in the recent past. It has become a major commercial center with the economy becoming more diverse and dynamic, serving as a major re-exporting center in the Middle East and other parts of the world like Africa. The emirate has attracted a lot of attention from investors simply because it has very few logistical costs which make business operations easier. This has lead to an increase in financial activities due to improvements of business in various industries such as tourism, transport and banking among many others. Such changes in any economy will in no doubt attract a lot of people who will be willing to work there. This notion is further guaranteed by the international chain of events and changes in the way people do business. Globalization has come along with a dual labor market effects which includes effecting changes in industrial relations issues of many organizations. This phenomenon is believed to divide the labor market into two namely primary and secondary sectors. These sectors are either identified with high or low value added workers or along formal and informal sectors. A gap between locals and foreigners exists in the National Bank of Abu Dhabi as much as job levels are concerned (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). This is evident from the way the bank has left short term employment to foreigners as these comes with no or little promotions to higher positions. The secondary sector of the dual market best explains this. Wages offered are deterred by the market forces and therefore subject to change whenever economic drivers change. This kind of jobs is also characterized by low level skilled workers, low earnings, impermanence, easy entry and low returns basing on ones experience. The Natio nal Bank of Abu Dhabi has in many occasions advertised such jobs outside the country and especially on the internet. This implies that the most preferable source of these workers is the Diaspora. Although the bank is ranked as one of the best employers basing on what it offers to its employees as salaries, workers who fall under secondary sector of dual labor market receive the least payments. This effect is as a result of the dynamism experience by the world labor markets as a result of globalization. Dual labor market theories assert that immigration of workers is as a result of economic globalization and effective penetration across boundaries by potential employees (Holley et al. 2008, p. 52). Therefore, this is a major effect of globalization of employment policies o the National Bank of Abu Dhabi as it employs 61 percent of its employees from outside the country. International trends of migrations by workers are controlled by labor demands from modern civilization. Industrial relations of the bank have therefore been affected by these changes prompting the bank to seek cheap labor from all over the globe. Dual labor conditions in the Middle East are still so much prevalent as a result of low numbers of local professionals which encourages foreigners come looking for jobs in the emirate. The net effect is that foreigners have the largest employee stakes in most UAE based organizations. The grievance procedure in place in the company and its impact on industrial relations A grievance is defined as any form of discontent affecting an organizations performance and thus can be termed as either being legitimate, unvoiced, oral, written or even ridiculous. If this situation is not correctly addressed, it may lead to a very poor relationship between the employees and the management. Such conflicts are very detrimental to any organizations performance and thus very injurious to customers who depend on such institutions. An organized form of settling these matters of employee dissatisfaction is referred to as grievance procedure. Whether unionized or not, all companies are required by the UAE law to have a well established grievance procedure. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi is no exception as it has established good communication mechanisms courtesy of its human resource department. The bank allows it employees to join labor unions in the country (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). By so doing, the bank expects to receive all grieving matters concerning its workers who happen to be from UAE and the Diaspora. Staff awareness is highly regarded as the bank organizes several conferences among its employees with special consideration of both local and imported workforce. These conferences employ a few variations in addressing employee grievances because of other organizational structures of the bank since the needs of different workers are varied or distributed along the general spectrum of employee grievances. For instance, other workers might be complaining of salaries while other could comfortable with what they earn but not with the working environments they are subjected to. Different institutions have different grievance procedures which involve a series of successive steps. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi has made it clear to its workers of the four steps it expects it follow which are; Holding discussion conferences among its aggrieved workers in presence of a supervisor and if possible a representative from the workers union. Hosting of constructive meetings between the middle management and their counterparts in the worker union. Top management then meets to address the grievances together with the top union leaders with both parties being formally informed by their juniors of the previous meetings The fourth and the last step involve an arbitration process that involves close scrutiny of the problems. It is from this dialogue that workers are expected to have their grievances addressed. Since employees could be having different demands especially in salaries and other remunerations for local and foreign employees, the bank has different panels that take care of each side separately (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). Grievance procedures are equally upheld by the labor laws of the United Arab Emirates. According to University of Pennsylvania; Middle East Research Institute (1985, p. 67), the law has undergone a series of transformations since effects of globalization started taking place. The federal law number 9 of 1980 is the most commonly used piece of legislation when it comes to labor matters. This law defines who an employee is with the most important point for this research being that it does not discriminate employees by their places of origin. Therefore, we can say that the laws go along with what the National Bank f Abu Dhabi employment policies that allow it employ much of its employees from outside the country (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). Termination of employment as a solution to a worker-employees crisis is also embraced by the UAE labor laws. This law focuses on the need to have an employee pass a test in whatever job they apply for. The law allows a six month probation period under which an employer is allowed to dismiss a potential employee if he or she fails to fulfill all the requirements. Comparing this with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi employment policy, this law seems to go hand in hand with the presence of temporal and non-standard employment status such as contracts and internships (The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 2011). This opportunity is mostly beneficial to an employer as this allow him or her to terminate employment without giving terminal employment benefits. These grievances laws do not address the biases in nationality of employees. It recognizes anybody legally allowed to work there as any other employee. The only disparity found in labor laws of UAE based on nationalities is the clause that recognize the use of Arabic as the official language of writing and keeping records. The law however allows the use of other languages in writing but still maintains that Arabic prevails in any situation therefore calling for documentation in different languages as long as Arabic remains official. The law also requires an employee to engage constructively with his or her employer for negotiations before any final decision is made. The employer is required to present his or her grievance to the employer in writing (failure to which no steps can be taken) and followed by meetings to discuss the claims (University of Pennsylvania; Middle East Research Institute, 1985, p. 69). The law also allows employees to file appeals against employer decisions which might not be necessarily correct. The law is not seen to favor the UAE nationals per se but it is seen to encourage institutions to employ the locals. The government has embarked on a very serious campaign to increase the number of UAE nationals in what it calls Emiritazation the only distinction seen between foreign and local employees. Procedural addressing of employee grievances by the National Bank of Abu Dhabi by engaging them in discussions matches the law provision for informal settlement of these conflicts. The law allows employer and employee to solve their issues by themselves without necessary going through the law. Basing on such procedures used by the bank in addressing its employee grievances, it is correct to say that the bank concurs with the labor laws of UAE. These laws have had a positive impact on both employer and employees as they allow them solve their differences on a neutral platform. The UAE has generally adapted the international standards of grievance procedures. This decision has resulted in employees of the bank settle for it. The procedures seem to be all inclusive as the deal with all types of grievances that may arise, a reason that may be behind the acceptance of the procedure by most if not all employees. Conclusion Globalization has come along with many changes especially in the labor markets. Companies have been forced to adjust their employment policies to match with the modern global demands. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi is one of such institutions that are faced by challenges that come with globalization. The overall effects as found out include changes in labor markets which permit export of labor to other countries. This is proved by the fact that 61 percent of the banks employees come from outside UAE. This pressure has caused a change in employment policies especially in seeking the most qualified individuals. High influx of employees into the country has made the bank embark on a thorough training program before formal employment. This has helped in sieving out under qualified employees. The UAE laws on labor are also conversant with the new trends of labor as dictated by globalization. It recognizes foreigners just like it does to locals although it advocating for higher numbers of UAE nationals working in local firms. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi has a well established grievance procedure. It caters for some of the most notorious hitches of its employees by calling for dialogue with its employees. This offers an opportunity to informally solve any problem and thus avoid affecting its performance and public image. Although industrial relations of the bank have been affected by the changes in the labor market, the institution maintains its quest of the best employees by tapping the best talents through its thorough training programs. This has enabled it maintain a sound relationship with its employees thus retaining its leading position in the region and the world as the best financial institution. Basing on what has happened and what is likely to come, I would recommend the following actions to the institution in order to maintain and improve its local and international image. Avoid any policy adjustments that are likely to create a bias between locals and foreign employees. This is because the word is changing at a very rapid and steady rate implying that the future call for more integration. Any attempts to embrace such moves will make the bank more local and thus repel international attention. Focus on employee affairs interested programs such as training. This should be done by coming up with training packages such as refresher courses. This will in no doubt boost the companys grievance procedure. The government should also come up with labor laws that are suitable and matches todays trends of doing business. As much as the government would wish to advocate for better employment status of its citizens, it should bear in mind that the world is changing meaning the firms even in the UAE will succeed when putting on a global face. It should encourage a competitive process like calling for acquisition of better academic skills which will obviously address the issue without being detrimental to any sector of its economy.

Brief Look at Emma by Jane Austen :: Emma Jane Austen Literature Essays

Brief Look at Emma by Jane Austen Mr. Frank Churchill was one of the boasts of Highbury, and a lively curiosity to see him prevailed, though the compliment was so little returned that he had never been there in his life. Now was the time for Mr Frank Churchill to come among them; and the hope strengthened when it was understood that he had written to his new mother on the occasion. "I suppose you have heard of the handsome letter Mr Frank Churchill has written to Mrs Weston? Now, it so happened that in spite of Emma's resolution of never marrying, there was something in the name, in the idea of Mr Frank Churchill, which always interested her. Emma spoke with a very proper degree of pleasure; and fully assented to his proposition of Mr Frank Churchill and Miss Smith making their party quite complete. Then turning to Isabella, who had not been attending before -- "You must know, my dear Mrs Knightley, that we are by no means so sure of seeing Mr Frank Churchill, in my opinion, as his father thinks. Emma, in good spirits too, from the amusement afforded her mind by the expectation of Mr Frank Churchill, was willing to forget his late improprieties, and be as well satisfied with him as before, and on his making Harriet his very first subject, was ready to listen with most friendly smiles. Mr Frank Churchill did not come. Emma was not at this time in a state of spirits to care really about Mr Frank Churchill's not coming, except as a disappointment at Randalls. What has Mr Frank Churchill done, to make you suppose him such an unnatural creature?" If Frank Churchill had wanted to see his father, he would have contrived it between September and January. It is Frank Churchill's duty to pay this attention to his father. Mr Frank Churchill to be making such a speech as that to the uncle and aunt, who have brought him up, and are to provide for him! -- Standing up in the middle of the room, I suppose, and speaking as loud as he could! -- How can you imagine such conduct practicable?" I can imagine, that if you, as you are, Mr Knightley, were to be transported and placed all at once in Mr Frank Churchill's situation, you would be able to say and do just what you have been recommending for him; and it might have a very good effect.