Leadership in the Team

Capability to manage a team effectively is one of the main qualities which any employee seeking success needs to possess. However, the position of a leader requires many outstanding skills, and it may be very challenging at times. According to Sun Tzu, Chinese General who lived in the 5th century B.C., â€Å"when one has all 5 virtues together: intelligence, trustworthiness, humanness, courage, sternness, each appropriate to its function, then one can be a leader†. The combination of these qualities can very rarely be seen in people’s characters, therefore not everybody can be a good leader. Leadership means the ability to influence other people and guide them to the success. During many centuries it has been believed that the key to success in a team lies in the skills of the manager. No company can remain on top unless it has an outstanding manager who guides it into the right direction. The task of leading 3 members of the team in a philanthropic organization with 1 million dollars capital is very challenging, and it requires the leader to have deep understanding of the tasks which are set before the team. In order to manage the team efficiently, first of all I need to get a full idea of the characters of employees in the team. It’s very important to understand the group members from the very beginning, and become a part of their group. All the members of the team have similar working skills because they all have worked in the consulting field for a long time. Since A.T. Kearney consulting company has very high requirements for its employees, there is no need for me as a leader to worry about the employees’ knowledge and capability to perform. They are all very knowledgeable in the consulting field. They all have lots of experience in consulting companies and government. Besides, all the employees have very good communication skills, outstanding problem-solving skills, creativity and capability to learn new things fast which are all required in consulting. However, the task of the leader is to manage the team in such a way that all the skills which the members of the team possess turn out applied at their maximum. This task is very complicated because â€Å"building the winning team requires more than just hiring a bunch of talented people. It means hiring people who will work well together. It means developing a shared vision and commitment. It means physically bringing people together in formal group meetings for open discussion of broad-based issues. It means encouraging positive, informal interactions between group members. It means instilling a â€Å"winning† attitude throughout the organization. It means watching for and quickly trying to reverse team-building problems such as jealousy, cynicism, and defensive behavior.† /www.businesstown.com/ My task of building a winning team is not easy to achieve because I need to show to members of the team first my capability of being a leader. The team needs to know that they are managed by a strong leader who is able to guide them to the success. The members of the team need to perceive me as a leader, even though some of them may be even more experienced than me in the field of consulting. However, through showing my undoubtedly good leadership skills, brilliance, good knowledge of consulting, deep insight, setting correct and realistic goals for the members, choosing right forms of motivation for them, I can become a leader against whom they will not rebel but will want to cooperate with. The most important issue in managing the team is choosing the right form of motivation for them. Since all people are different, all the employees in the team need different forms of motivation. For some employees, only money works, and they don’t get motivated by any other benefits. For others, there is nothing more important than social recognition of their efforts. Other employees will care about the possibilities of future promotion in case of their successful performance. Therefore, in order to manage the team effectively, the first task to do is to define where the needs of employees fall in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. After some communication with the members of the team it was easy to discover that out of three employees two are very ambitious. They have a very high need of esteem. They need to be praised for the work they do, get recognition from senior-level management, be aware about the possibilities of their future promotion, and fulfill tasks which require lots of responsibility, like consulting the largest and the most important clients of the company. These employees are very experienced in the consulting field, they have already made large contributions into the company’s success, and therefore they can be motivated only through getting more and more complicated tasks to fulfill. The third member of the team is not as success-oriented, and he is not as experienced. He is rather knowledgeable in consulting but he doesn’t seek promotion because he is quite happy with his present work. Therefore, he can be motivated by money awards and praise for his work because his needs fall into the category of belonginess and love. The next step of successful management of the team is defining relationships between employees, and making a sociogram which identifies the types of interactions within the social network. Without the knowledge of interactions between the employees, there is no way to manage the team effectively. In order to manage the members of the team, it’s useful at times to apply the approach of influencing some members of the team through other members. It’s necessary to identify the member of the team who has the strongest influence on other members because teams are usually aligned to such employees. The last step of managing the team is choosing the leadership style. In order to manage the team effectively, the leader can apply the following styles when managing the team: supporting, directive, coercive, â€Å"transformational leadership† styles. Each of them has special recommendations for usage in different situations. For example, supporting and â€Å"transformation leadership† styles are very efficient in situations when a new leader comes into the organization, and seeks to establish warm relations with all the members of the team. Directive and coercive styles can work only in the teams which welcome this style and are ready to fulfill all the management’s assignments. However, nowadays such employees are quite rare, therefore, in my work, it’s necessary to combine the styles. I should be supportive in many situations but I should also be directive in certain issues when I know that I’m providing the most efficient policy. It’s very difficult to make the team function effectively, but this task can be achieved through the right choices of employees’ motivation and leadership style. The field of consulting requires a leader with good communication skills, able to provide success-oriented policy, capable of solving all the possible problems which may arise in the team. Due to my strong leadership skills, good analytical skills, capability to achieve all of the goals I set for myself, I can guarantee success to the team I’m managing.                                 

George Orwell’s novel Essay

George Orwell’s novel 1984, has been the center of much discussion since it was first published in 1949. A novel about a dystopian society that is ruled by a government with supreme power called Big Brother, 1984 raises a lot of curiosity about censorship and how secure freedom of speech really is for those who supposedly have it. Orwell uses the novel’s main character, Winston, as the vessel for carrying his message about censorship. Winston works for the Ministry of Truth, rewriting historical texts to suit the needs of a sect Big Brother called, the Party. History in Oceania must be censored so that it appears Big Brother has been and will always be there to watch over the citizens. Winston believes Big Brother’s ways to be unethical and illegal purchases a diary to record his personal thoughts, even though he knows such actions are considered to be thoughtcrimes. If he is caught, he will be severely punished. Though Winston has the desire to rebel, he is able to stifle his individuality and personal desires quite well. His act, however, becomes more complicated after he meets a beautiful, dark-haired girl named, Julia. Because personal relationships are not appropriate, Julia gives Winston a note she has written in which she proclaims her love for him. Because love, like everything else in Oceania, is censored, Winston and Julia develop their relationship in secret. They eventually move into an apartment together and things seem to go smoothly. Both Winston and Julia feel that Big Brother has too much control over the lives of the citizens. Citizens are not allowed to think for themselves, fall in love, nor are they allowed to experience natural freedom of expression. The lovers are able to put aside their fears of being caught in order to experience the intense passion that often comes with falling in love. Things, however, eventually take a turn for the worse and the lovers are discovered. The discovery, is in part, due to Winston’s fatalistic nature. He becomes unnecessarily risky and carries with him intense paranoia that they will eventually be caught. Due to the novel’s grim ending that involves Big Brother prevailing over the hero, Winston, 1984’s messages stay with the reader for hours, in part, because extreme forms of censorship have existed in earthly historical societies and in many societies today. Examples of past instances of harsh and extreme censorship include the Inquisition, and the Holocaust. During both of these horrific historical events, people were denied some right of expression. During the Inquisition, people were denied the right to choose their religion. For many, that basic right is similar to the right to love, which the citizens of Oceania were denied. The Catholic institution, like Big Brother, attempted to convert heretics or kill them for their disobedience. The Nazi party was also similar to Big Brother. Members of the party could not imagine speaking out against Hitler’s regime for fear of being killed or punished. The Nazi party, like Big Brother, made use of propaganda, and children who were easily influenced. Such propaganda is, in a way, a form of censorship because it promotes an idea that plays into the desires of a major organization, making it seem better than the alternative. When these historical examples are taken into consideration, it is easy to imagine why Orwell’s warning of extreme censorship is still valid in today’s society regardless of its technological advancements. Making Orwell’s message even more appropriate, however sad and unfortunate, are examples of such censorship today. Because censorship is still an issue today, the novel resonates with readers. Everyone experiences censorship often, perhaps on a daily basis. People may feel the need to censor themselves at work, home in front of children or parents, in class, etc for fear of being judged harshly or hurting another’s feelings. Another common example of modern censorship is keeping one’s sexual orientation a secret. Many feel the need to fall in love in the shadows like Winston and Julia because of what society may think of them. Sadly, today’s society is also responsible for many hate crimes every year. Many also keep journals and diaries like Winston in order to express their most private thoughts, dreams, desires, and fears. Because Winston is like so many normal people in today’s society, his character is very successful. Like Winston, the average person, when faced with something they feel is wrong or inappropriate, feels powerless to make a difference. I, for one, relate to his secret note-taking, his hidden relationship, and the urge to overcome society’s censorship because I still believe in the freedom of expression that supposedly exists in America. However, I, like Winston, am powerless to make any real change, so I succumb daily to desires that are not my own. The strength of Winston’s character alone makes 1984 a novel to stand the test of time. Or, perhaps it will be a book to be burned if censorship in our society continues to prevail.

Wayexplain How the Relationship Between an Organisation’s Structure and Culture Can Impact on the Performance of the Business

Character Analysis As we all known that the characters leading peoples’ behaviors and thought. In terms of characters influenced by environment and nurture, on the one hand, people do not believe that characters will affect when their make decision, one the other hand, characters will also determine peoples’ job position or the levels of life in the future. Now, let us talk about why characters are important in our life. Regardless of you believe that or not, characters are your label and when you fall in trouble or something happened that characters will make you predict your act.Even you are meeting new people, through the details when you are taking about that will help you making the levels about the person quickly. In fact, all of the details are reflect of peoples’ characters so that we are making character analysis everyday. In this essay I would like talk about my own characters and analysis it. Initially, I will talk about my own positive characters. By the way, my name is Mouzhi-young and my name was given to me by my grandfather. He want to me become an intelligence and ambition person. Of course, young is my family name.I am an easy-going man and I pleasure help others. When my friends get in trouble I always the first man is selected to. On the other hand I think my good quality consist by will power. The thing that I am decided I never give up. That means I will try my best to do. Sometimes my friends think I am a paranoia. Contrary, I also have some negative characters. Partly because of my name, my parents want to me become a useful and successful man so that they have too much wish for me. When I was a child, they ask for me attend a lot of course in the free time.I do don’t know why am I have to spend so much time to study. Then, I guess I hate study and I absolutely acknowledge that the real things are do what you want to do. So I guess I am an idealist. The reason is I do don’t care about others mind and I just care about myself. I won’t put myself in trouble. I think it is not selfish and it is the prefect way to protect myself. Similarly, I pleasure help my friends and I always do that. It is sometimes I just don’t know how to deal with the relationship with other people so that I make the opposite way to do that is try to diminish communication with others.There is important example about myself that I don’t feel like make other people clearly know about me. By my side, I afraid that other known about me too much on account of I am not good at explain and I also hate explain. I never ever try to know about others secrets, so I am wish other people would give me a free. After that, I guess I am too emotional and sensitive. I will profile every thing in my life. It is means I crazy about figure everything it out. g

OUTLINE ON ARAB AMERICANS AND JEWISH AMERICANS Assignment

OUTLINE ON ARAB AMERICANS AND JEWISH AMERICANS - Assignment Example migrating to the United States during the 19th century because of two major reasons that I have identified (Caught in the Crossfire: Arab Americans | PBS, n.d.). First of all, like all the other ethnic groups that went to the United States, Arab Americans came seeking for better opportunities. This was caused because of the wars and economic hardships in some Arab countries specifically two major crippling blows: the opening of the Suez Canal that slanted world traffic from Syria to Egypt that made other competitors in the silk industry have easy access in competing with the Lebanese silk industry; and when the Lebanese vineyards were invaded by phylloxera. iii.Another reason for Arab American’s emigration would be personal advancement. This is especially because they were experiencing religious persecutions, and the lack of political and civil freedom because of the oppressive Ottoman regime (NITLE Arab World Project, n.d.). ii. To be able to escape persecution. They first arrived in New Amsterdam, a Dutch-owned colony then without any Jewish community. At first, they were refused admission because they were seen to be the blasphemers of Christ until they were able to prove that they are loyal and economically productive residents that they were welcomed to live and work in New Amsterdam (The Jewish Americans. Jewish Life in America | PBS. n.d.). For Arab Americans, they established the American- Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee which is responsible for defending rights of people of Arab descent and promote their cultural heritage even when they are in a foreign country (About Us - American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. n.d.). Aside from that, the Arab American Institute, which is a non-profit organization, was created to encourage the direct participation of Arab Americans in political and civic life in the United States (About the Institute | The Arab American Institute. n.d.). For the Jewish Americans, the â€Å"Jewish American Heritage Month† now

Blending learning and ICT systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Blending learning and ICT systems - Essay Example It is has been applied to help meet the needs of the large number of students and teachers, and has been a vital component of the most successful integration of the uses of ICT. This kind of learning offers a real opportunity for the creation of learning experiences. These opportunities can ensure that right learning objectives are achieved and the right place for each and every person involved. This is not just at their places of work, but also in schools and by extension even at their homes (Willems, 2013, p.29). The most important question about this system of learning is on how to mix the two approaches in order to be able to obtain an effective course and training. The fundamental points that would guide this process include: the definition of the content of the curriculum to be covered; definition of the parts of the content to be performed in the traditional way and that which should be covered using the ICT systems, and the definition and extent of the ICT tools and techniques to be implored (Dias, Diniz & Hadjileontiadis, 2013, p.59). Having worked out these aspects, blended learning would allow for the maximization of the course effectiveness and this would be through matching the best methodology for each of the verified and defined course parts. Face-to-face classes, a typical traditional methodology, and technique, would be suited for classroom activities such as coaching, feedback on activities, exercises and paper-based tests. These often require the physical and social interact ion between the students and their teachers for them to be effective (Dias, Diniz & Hadjileontiadis, 2013, p.63). E-learning, on the other hand, works better for such activities that include application exercises, interaction between the students themselves, online coaching, chats and instant messaging and online feedback and assessment. The use of these techniques requires some computer based training and the application of such systems as iPods for the

Abortion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 10

Abortion - Essay Example According to Rank’s Persuasion Mode, the persuaders on the two position take the schemas of intensify and downplay. (Hitchcock, David, and Bart, 15) In the January, 20, 2014 article written by Jeremy W. Peters, though the headline of the paper suggests that â€Å"Both sides of the abortion issue expressed their views at the last year’s March for Life in Washington†, the emphasis has been laid on Pro Life. The expression presented is that â€Å"there will be a demonstration of the annual anti-abortion, and should the demonstrators need a lift after the demonstration, then they may hope on the free shuttle that would be provided by the republican. From these preceding connotation my The New York Time columnist, clearly, it would be said that the writer is using intensify. Emphasis is created in how supporters of the abortion are not just getting support from significant party like Republican, but also with the benefits presented. In the subsequent paragraph, the writer makes statements that create intensity in the weaknesses of the position presented by Jill Cowan of Los Angeles Times. According to the commentary by Jill Cowan, the column is presented with the Headline: â€Å"State allows Hoag Hospital to refuse elective abortion†. Jill notes that Hoag Hospital had successfully managed to impose the ban on abortion considering that they had made a partnership with the Catholic healthcare providers, and considering that they must also appreciate the demands of the State, they will have no option but to refer their clients to other places where they can get abortion services. In relation to what was presented by The New York Times, it sounds clear that the Los Angeles Times is presenting some issue which evidently does not appreciate the health of the mother. New York Time has tried to intensify the weakness of the position taken by Los Angeles Times in this case. According to the theory of Rank’ s Model, the

APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS - Essay Example The proponent will discuss concisely the research aims and objectives. Next to this, the proponent will show related and significant literature that may add up insight to the subject of the research. Then next to this will be the discussion of research methodology. It is through this that the proponent will detail the needed structure in order to work out the research and obtain substantial information. The other important part will be data analysis. It is through this that the proponent will analyse the data gathered in order to come up with important information as the main contribution of the entire research. Finally, ethical issues would also be included in the research. This is to ensure that the entire research process is conducted with strong emphasis on ethical considerations so as to come up with Research Aims and Objectives In this section, the proponent will discuss in general what the research is all about. Thus, the proponent will present the general aim of the research and that this research is in line with the investigation on how the channels of communication with employees might be improved in a multi national organisation. Next to this, the proponent will discuss a little background about the importance of communication in an organisation that especially deals with manpower. This will give substantial idea on the proposed objectives of the study. The following discussion is considered the background of the study that will serve as opening thoughts as far as the introduction of objectives is concerned. Communication is important because it is through this that an organisation will succeed in dealing with employees and all other aspects in the operation. Communication is one of the most important applications in the operation because it is having this that every detail in the operation will substantially be implemented. For instance, if the vision is not clear among employees, then the company will end up being hopeless in achieving its objectiv es may it be in the short-term or long-term run. In fact, communication both in its verbal and non-verbal forms is important in the operation on a daily basis because there is a real need to do so in order to interact with employees, customers and everyone in an organisation. Thus, it is important that the most effective and efficient channels of communication should be chosen especially in a multi-national companies. The only possible way to effectively improve the channels of communication that are integrated in the multinational company is to evaluate it in the first place. Such evaluation should be essentially done among the users. Thus, it is important that this study must emphasise that one of the best options is to conduct evaluation on the current channels of communication used in a multinational company. Thus, the following objectives should be included in the research process. 1. To choose a multinational company where channels of communication will be evaluated. 2. To eva luate the channels of communication in that certain organisation based on the employees feedback. 3. To evaluate the channels of communication based on their accuracy and efficiency. 4. To present a detailed conclusion and recommendation on how the channels of communication in a certain organisation might be improved. The above objectives imply that the general objective for this research is to actually choose an organisation to be

Risk Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Risk Management - Assignment Example It boils down to the fact that individuals and business mangers will always have to make decisions with limited information, in an environment of near uncertainty. Statistical tools like the decision tree can be used to make some comparisons between different courses of action (Module 9, p.2.). All possible choices for a particular project can be listed with probabilities of occurrences of outcomes for each choice. Different scenarios within each outcome are also assigned probabilities. For each choice- outcome- scenario combination, profitability estimates can be made. This will give a rough comparison for profitability for the different choices. Understanding consumer perception of risk will help sellers to formulate appropriate pricing strategies (p.3.). For consumer durables, extended warranty and assurance of prompt service will fetch a higher price. Managers in a privately owned firm can afford to take higher risks with better understanding by the top management. He may go for an option with potential for very high returns, though chances of its occurrence may be very low. Understanding the different types of auctions will help the manger to quote appropriate prices for his products (†¦p.6.). Performance based job security and remuneration will help curb actions aimed at individual advantage and help reduce moral hazard (†¦. P.5.). To overcome the problem of asymmetric and hidden information, techniques of signaling and screening can be employed (p.6.). By making selective offers, customers can be made to reveal their preferences. So, today’s manager is better equipped with tools to analyze available data and make more logical

Labor Standards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Labor Standards - Essay Example However, overtime compensation may be offered based on the agreement. On the other hand, Nonexempt can be described as an arrangement where employees are entitled to overtime compensation and minimum wage as outlined in the Fair Labor Standard Act. An executive exception can be said to be the benefits that accrue to individuals based on their positions in an organization. Subsequently, administrative exemption refers to favors that people enjoy for holding administrative posts in an organization such as the supervisors. Profession exemptions are exclusions that individuals get due to some expertise power. The WTPA became effective in 2011 and was mainly constituted to ensure that wages for workers are safe. The WTPA obliges employers to provide new workers with a written notice of wage rates and the formal payment dates. The US government realized that most employers were not ethical in disbursing wages to workers. In essence, several cases arose regarding wage theft and, therefore, there was a need to formulate a legislation that provide a solution to such issues. The law is of great interest to my company in that it provides an oversight of the legal repercussions that might happen once wage theft is reported to the relevant

Body Atlas Essay Example for Free

Body Atlas Essay Last meeting, we watched a film called body atlas. The film was about human body, bones, heart, blood, skin, reproductive system, and etc. It gives us a basic understanding of the parts and function of different systems in the human body. For example, the heart, it keeps our body alive because it pumps blood all around our body that contains oxygen. Heart has the main role of blood circulation in the body. Another important part of the body is the blood. It carries substances like nutrients such as amino acids and oxygen to the other parts of the body. It also contains white blood cells which are vital for the body’s immune system. From the film, one that strikes me the most was the reproductive system and how babies are made. We’ve all know the basic idea on how to make babies – man meets woman, they both get naked and have sex, and nine months later, a baby pop out. But from the film we’ve watched, it shows the step by step process on how the egg cell and sperm cell meet and how is the baby created inside the body. When a man ejaculates, despite the millions of sperms cell produced and released , only one can fertilized an egg. If an egg cell meets up with a healthy sperm on its way to the uterus, the two can join and begin the process of creating a new life. The first 12 weeks of pregnancy, known as the first trimester, abound with changes and growth in the unborn baby. It takes up to two weeks for the process to be completed for you to become pregnant. In the 3rd week, sperm and egg come together to create a zygote. In the fifth week, though the unborn baby is less than 1/4-inch long, her brain, heart, spinal cord and other vital organs begin to form. The babys circulatory system also begins the first stages of development. Sixth and seventh week, Some of the babys basic facial features are now visible during the sixth and seventh weeks, and his heart begins pumping blood. Eight week, with legs and arms growing longer and fingers beginning to develop, also develops an upper lip and nose, and the nipples and eyes are visible. Ninth and tenth week, Bones begin to form in your babys arms, which now bend at the elbows. The babys toes also start developing, and his eyelids and ears continue to be formed. At the 10th week, your babys  head gets rounder, the neck begins to develop and the eyelids close to guard the eyes. At the 11th week, the baby ends the embryonic period and enters the fetus stage. The fetus begins to develop external genitalia. In the final week of the first trimester, the baby grows fingernails. After that, a new life begins.

Transformational And Charismatic Styles Of Leadership

Transformational And Charismatic Styles Of Leadership This paper investigated the qualities of great leaders, and examined specifically the characteristics of transformational and charismatic leaders. The analysis discovered that people of all levels within an organization need to be motivated and a great leader provides that foundation. The study revealed transformational and charismatic leaders have similarities and differences yet both can be exceptionally effective. A discussion on the qualities of great leaders and issues of leadership in general was offered followed by a discourse on transformation and charismatic leadership. An example was offered of a real-world experience of the author to illustrate the leadership styles. Finally, a conclusion was given to highlight and synthesize the main points of the paper. Introduction It is not enough to be a good or even a great manager to be a great leader. A leader must inspire, motivate, and possess key qualities that allow them to rise above the politics of the moment and keep the long-term view for optimal outcomes of their particular venture. The situations of Fortune 500 CEOs, and those of the leader of a local food bank, may vary in terms of financial statements, stock options, dividends, and clientele. However, what does not differ is the spark of a great leader, those particular qualities that make people want to follow and support the vision of the leader. While there are many differing ideas of what constitutes leadership, most would agree that regardless of the various theories, what makes a good leader can mean the success or failure of an organization or venture (DuPrin, 2004). Leadership is often the first line of problem-solving in many situations. Schools, government, even social media all do better depending upon the expertise of the leaders in charge. Most people want to follow, not lead. However, for those Churchills, Pattens and Kennedys that history has given the world, one can sense that without these key leaders and their unique qualities, the world would likely be much different. Common sense dictates that leadership is not only necessary, it is desirable. People want to know that someone competent is in charge. Yet, what defines competence, and how it is achieved and practiced, is a field of much study. While people demand and desire great leaders, they also tend to have reservations at the same time. One can see the deleterious effects of following a leader with the right qualities, but the wrong agenda. For example, Hitler was a leader, who abused his power and harmed millions of people. Extreme religious fanatics, while exhibiting leadership and getting people to follow them, also abused their power, subjecting their followers to atrocities (Charles Manson), and even death (Jim Jones and Jonestown). Luckily, great leaders have additional desirable qualities, that being to foster and nurture the safety and well-being of those they intend to lead. Leadership, therefore, is a relationship, not a thing. It is defined by the willingness of someone deciding to follow another. Indeed, leadership is a concept that happens among people in the leader/follower relationship. Without the consent of the follower to follow, there is nothing to lead. A question, then, is what causes a person to follow another person? The answer is found in part in the qualities that define a great leader, those certain characteristics that make and motivate others to follow them and their agenda. A great leader, in general will possess certain qualities. Key to being successful is the quality of effectiveness. There are eleven noted qualities of what makes an effective manager and four key principles that make an effective leader. The table below summarizes the eleven qualities of an effective manger: Command of Basic Knowledge Professional knowledge Sensitive to events Analytic Social skills and ability Emotional Resilience Proactive Creative Mental Agility Balance Learning Habits and Skills Self Knowledge (Pedler, Burgoyne, Boydell, 1944). While these elements as noted above are quite important for good management, a good manager does not necessarily make a good leader. (DuPrin, 2004) To be an effective leader, key characteristics are required. When asked, what is leadership, people tended to answer in one of the four main categories. Power: the ability to have people follow your agenda. Persuasion: the means to motivate. Vision: a leader provides the vision. Empowerment: a leader enables and empowers others to do their bidding. Generally, the conception is that a leader uses power in a non-coercive manner, to will people to engage in cooperative endeavors, in order to pursue the vision that rises above the self-interest of the follower (Bolman Deal, 1991). While the discussion of basic leadership fundamentals is important, the discussion will now turn to the types of leadership styles, focusing in on what is known as transformation leadership, and charismatic leadership. Transformational Leadership Transformation al leadership is a style where leaders not only widen the interest of their followers; they also tend to elevate those interests. This is accomplished through developing awareness of the vision and mission of the organization, and garnering acceptance of those purposes (DuPrin, 2004). In addition, transformational leaders motivate followers to go beyond their platform of self-interest, instead embracing a new paradigm of concern for the good of others. Transformational leaders employ the tools of vision, courage, motivation, charisma, and concern for the follower. Their vision is broad, their interest are those of the group, their mission is long-term and met through inspiring others to follower (Bass, Atwater, Avolio, 2008). The following diagram illustrates the dynamics and characteristics of a transformation leader: Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe,  John Alban-Metcalfe,  Margaret Bradley,  Jeevi Mariathasan,  Ã‚  Chiara Samele.  (2008). In short, a transformational leader is positive, has the long-term view in mind, and inspires people. Charismatic Leadership A charismatic leadership style differs from a transformational leadership style in one very key way: the charismatic leader uses personal characteristics in addition to general perceived characteristics in order to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. In addition to being masterful communicators, they build trust, and motivate people through channeling their own personal energy, excitement, and confidence onto the people they lead (DuPrin, 2004). They possess all the qualities of a transformation a leader, and can lead and inspire through their own devices of personality and charm. The charismatic leader motivates people to follow their agenda through ongoing personal contact, whether through training sessions, web meetings, motivational retreats, and consistent development of vision and goals that are effectively transmitted to their followers. The following diagram demonstrates the elements of a charismatic leader: (Ulrich, Zenger, Smallwood, 1999) Examples of famous charismatic leaders are Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy, Richard Branson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Mahtama Ghandi, among many others, and not all are positive models. Leadership implies power. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely; such was the sentiment given by Lord Acton in 1883, in a letter he wrote to a friend. The concept was that leadership implies two main things: power, and the responsibility to use that power. Not all great leaders in history have been able to follow that axiom. Charismatic leadership, while an area of scholarly study, is also a real life concept. Once again, it should be noted that leadership is not a thing, not an item, it is a relationship based on an implicit relationship between leader and follower. Charisma, or charm, with its attendant energy, zest, irrepressibility, and constant motion, is an addictive quality to follow in a person, especially a person on charge: a leader. A charismatic leader runs the risk of being narcissistic, exploitative, and basically dangerous (Beyer, 1999). Such is the flavor difference between a transformational leader and a charismatic leader: the ability to get people to do what you want them to do based upon the leaders personal characteristics. Personal Experience: Combining Transformational and Charismatic Leadership Styles I would like to relate the experience of being a Lead Instructor and Technology Team leader. The background for this position stems from an unguided evolution from interested student, to job-seeker, lead instructor, to team leader. Additionally, the experience was not one that I initially sought. I did not want to be a lead instructor, or lead of anything. It just happened. I was in my twenties when I began working in education. My career began as a data control clerk and grew into a teaching position. My work ethic and knowledge spoke for itself and a friendly discourse arose between me and my principle. Eventually, I was offered a position as a Lead Instructor for the computer department which turned into a position as head of the Technology Department. On reflection, I can see that different factors came into play that influenced this course of events. 1) I was a motivated employee; 2) My work was exemplary, 3) I had an intuitive style for dealing with students of varying backgrou nds; 4) Students that I taught were inspired and motivated, and said so; 5) Scheduling and project management came naturally to me; 6) I had a sincere desire to teach, and do it well; 7) I was accessible, flexible, and ambitious. While these factors are not exhaustive, they do point to a leadership style that incorporates elements of transformational leaders and charismatic leaders, which to my great surprise I seem to possess. I motivated my students; they believed in themselves and hence produced good works. The outcome of this evolution has shaped my life forever. Not only did it lead to a lead role in the Technology department, it has prepared me for higher level positions that will be sought in the future after earning a higher degree in education. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to develop leadership skills and intend to search for ways to motivate people, manage projects, and produce good outcomes. Conclusion Leadership is something people need, and even subjectively desire. It connotes an implicit contract between the leader, and the follower. Without the consent of the follower, there is not leader. Qualities that comprise a good leader are those that the person will employ in the leader/follower relationship, such as being knowledgeable, trustworthy, accessible, and confident, among others. Leadership is inherently a concept of relationship, and leadership styles have evolved to attempt to capture that relationship, based on the setting and demands of the particular situation. Leaders are not machines. They are people and people are uniquely different from each other. Leadership is also a field of study, where styles and characteristics are plugged into matrixes, quantified, qualified, and verified. Such is the nature of leadership. Two styles of leadership are transformational and charismatic leadership. One could reasonably argue that charismatic leadership is the flashy cousin of tr ansformational leadership. Both styles incorporate a method of inspiring others, producing trust, sharing a common vision, and creating success for the organization or venture. Dangers linger in any relationship where one party holds power and the other party gives it. Any student of leadership, must recognize that tripwire, and assiduously avoid it through correctly recognizing the dangers that abuse of the power can bring.

Risks Involved with The Human Genome Project Essay -- Argumentative Pe

Risks Involved with The Human Genome Project The man in the black suit solemnly steps out of the car. His wife scrambles to catch up with his swift pace. She offers an encouraging tone or two, but the man doesn’t listen. He plunges through the brass, a genetically altered combination of the common bush and grass species, both eyes set on his house. The next-door neighbors dash over to interrogate the deserted wife. The neighbors appear instantaneously in hot pink, plastic body suits, with tanks of oxygen attached to their backs. (This elaborate outfit, for those who may not know, is a common protection against identity impersonation. The decoding of the human genome inadvertently supplies criminals with an ideal method to steal another person’s identity; identity thieves need only a single cell from a person to detect everything about him or her. Body suits, in addition to setting a fashionable trend, safe-guard against this possibility by trapping all cells within the suit itself.) The wife struggles to suppress a deluge of tears as she warmly hugs her plastic encased neighbors. She briefly relates the day’s events. Her husband lost the court case. He was accused of harboring the gene for prostate cancer, and after a simple genetic test, the accusation was confirmed. Her husband had twenty-four hours to move into a quarantined house, located in an abandoned section of the city. He would live there indefinitely with other potential prostate cancer victims. By isolating all people predisposed to prostate cancer, officials hope to eliminate prostate cancer from the gene pool. The wife is purely devastated that reality is manifesting itself so harshly in her life. The neighbors attempt to console her, but they are quite reli... ...tter than another. It can be difficult to discern where exactly the comparisons should cease. The Human Genome Project deserves to have a few cautious skeptics. A breakthrough of this magnitude needs to be carefully examined before assimilated into our culture. Yet, at the same time, this breakthrough has become the very epitome of engineering feats for mankind. My mixed feelings parallel an exemplary quote from The Meaning of It All: Thoughts of a Citizen Scientist by Richard Feynman. â€Å"Trying to understand the way nature works involves a most terrible test of human reasoning ability. It involves subtle trickery, beautiful tight ropes of logic on which one has to walk, in order not to make a mistake in predicting what will happen† (15). Work Cited Feynman, Richard P. The Meaning of It All: Thoughts of a Citizen Scientist. Reading: Perseus Books, 1998.

Classroom Management Plan :: essays research papers

Management Plan Attendance: You are expected to be at all rehearsals and all events. During band camp, attendance is extremely important because you will miss that day’s new material, and may have to be written out of the show. It is very difficult for new members to make up what they have missed. Any conflicts should be handled IMMEDIATELY! ALSO Since the band functions as a single unit and not a group of individuals, Band performances are diminished by even a single absence. Hence, you will be at ALL band rehearsals and performances. It is the responsibility of the student to notify one of the Directors IN ADVANCE with a note or a phone call from the parent or guardian. Each request will be evaluated individually. Forged Excuses will be referred to the Principal’s office for disciplinary action. Unexcused absences from rehearsals will result in dismissal or other punitive measures. This will be considered on a case by case basis by the Band Director. Travel: We travel to events together and we return together. If a parent wishes to make other arrangements, they must submit a written note to one of the Band Directors, IN ADVANCE. The only exception is at the conclusion of an event; the parent must make personal contact with one of the Directors to verify that they are in attendance and will take responsibility for their child. Otherwise, students will ride the bus. Driving yourself, traveling with a friend, non-immediate family member, boyfriend, girlfriend, or neighbor is unacceptable. When in doubt, ask a Director. Other Guidelines To Note: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bus conduct will be exemplary at all times. The bus driver’s instructions must be followed. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Only personal radios, tape, or CD players with headphones will be allowed. You must be seated at all times. Do not kneel or stand on the seats. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wear the correct designated clothing under your uniform. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The buses will be kept clean. All riders are responsible and no one may leave until it is clean. Uniform Care and Maintenance: Band uniforms typically cost $350 to replace. You are expected to return the uniform in the same condition it was issued. Replace all parts of the uniform neatly into the garment bag. In the Stands: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  No one will play their instruments unless instructed to do so. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Everyone will have their own music lyre with them. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Recently graduated band members may not distract, socialize, or sit with the band or color guard unless permitted by the band staff.

Love :: essays research papers

It's a crazy thing to do, really. That two young people should together reach out and take hold of their future in this way--should determine that, come what may, it will be a future together--can hardly make sense. Unless, perhaps, God makes sense of it for us. For the miracle and the mystery of marriage is that God permits us to exercise just a little of his own creative power--to determine this one thing about our future: that it will be a future together. And having permitted us to be as creative as he himself is, God then asks us--and invites us--to learn also to be as steadfast and faithful as he is. What might God hope to accomplish through such a crazy invitation? God has in mind to get something done in us and to us. Stanley Hauerwas, who teaches theology and ethics at Duke Divinity School, and who almost never fails to be provocative, once wrote that the most basic law of marriage could be stated in a sentence: "You always marry the wrong person." He went on to explain: "The one thought to be Mr. Right turns out not to be. Ms. Right tends to show up after marriage. But the adventure of marriage is learning to love the person to whom you are married.... Love does not create a marriage; marriage teaches us what a costly adventure love is." He's deliberately made the point a little provocatively, but it is nonetheless true. Of course, for anyone who is married, it is true that you may not be married now to the person you once thought you were marrying. Five years from now, or ten years from now, the person sitting next to you won't necessarily be the person you thought you were giving yourself to. So if marriage requires us to choose just exactly the right person ... well, we're in very big trouble. The target keeps shifting. Marrying means promising to be faithful to someone who may keep changing. And so, the church does not ask today, "Christopher, do you love Hannah?" but rather, "Christopher, will you love Hannah?" "Hannah, will you love Christopher?" Marriage, therefore, exists not primarily to make us happy but to make us holy--though in the long run, of course, there can be no happiness apart from holiness. But it's holiness that God is after. And so in marriage God goes to work on us--begins to teach us what it means, what it will require of us, to love even just this one person as God loves each of us, with steadfastness and faithfulness.

Dementia: How and Whom Does It Affect?

Running Head: DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 1 Dementia: How and Whom Does it Affect? Liberty University COUNS 502 B-23LUO Instructor: Dr. Richard Pace Shelly M. Becker March 5, 2013 DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 2 Abstract Although dementia is often viewed as an â€Å"old person’s disorder, its effects ripple down in many directions such as family, caregivers, finances, and the healthcare system, leaving behind many unanswered questions and confusion for all. The purpose of this paper will be to answer some of these questions, so that a better understanding of dementia will be possible.By doing so through research already performed, articles written on the subject, and information found in books written by experts in the fields of gerontology, developmental disorders (neurological), and dementia specifically, the average reader will be able to define dementia, understand basic concepts and theories of causation, explain the progression of this disorder, and fully appreciate the potential and real effects this disorder has on the individual, caregivers, costs (both for the individual and society), and lastly, learn coping strategies to help all affected make the best out of a debilitating disorder of the brain.Keywords: dementia, gerontology, neurological, developmental disorders, caregivers DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 3 Dementia: How and Whom Does it Affect? Introduction Although dementia is often viewed as an â€Å"old person’s† disorder, it affects ripple down in many directions such as to family, caregivers, finances, and the healthcare system, leaving behind many unanswered questions and confusion for all.Based on research and information reported by experts in many fields, this paper will explore the different aspects surrounding dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s Disease, with the goal of helping the average person to better understand this debilitating disorder, become more familiar with how it af fects everyone, and lastly, make available to the reader techniques and strategies that could benefit the afflicted, their caregivers, and medical professionals dealing with patients suffering from dementia. It is safe to say that everyone does, or will, know someone in their lifetime that has dementia.One reason for this is the rapid growing numbers of elderly as a segment of global population. According to Chop and Robnett (1999): Baby boomers first turned 50 in 1996, and since then, every 7 seconds an American will turn 50 until the year 2014. In addition, growth of the older than 65 cohorts will continue to increase as baby boomers began turning 65 in 2010. It is estimated that y 2030, 22 percent, or 70. 2 million, Americans will be older than the age of 65. Even more astonishing, those over 85 years of age are the fastest growing segment of our DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? population. They are expected to triple in size between 1986 and 2030, and be nearly seven times larger in 2050 than in 1980! (pp. 2-3) The rapid growth of this age group is not only being seen in America, it is occurring globally. In addition to the baby boomers now becoming â€Å"of age†, [quotation marks added] other factors contributing to the larger numbers of elderly, are the advances in the fields of medicine and in technology. It was not too long ago that the average life expectancy was around â€Å"45 years of age in 1900†, according to Chop and Robnett (1999), â€Å"increasing to 76 years in 990†(p. 48). Because dementia is more commonly diagnosed in the elderly, we will be experiencing an increase in numbers of diagnoses. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a greater percentage of the elderly are being affected by dementia, but more likely that this is a reflection of the greater number of elderly surviving to the age that onset is more likely to occur. This in turn will increase the probability that each of us at some point in our lives w ill be affected by this disorder, whether it is through a family member, friend, co-worker, or ourselves.In light of the above, it is more important now than ever, to bring about a greater awareness and understanding to all so that we may better be prepared to meet the needs, at all levels, of this rapidly growing group of our elders. Types and Symptoms of Dementia One of the areas that is of concern, and that research is being aimed at, is the need to find an accurate diagnostic tool(s) that can definitively diagnose dementia in its early DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 5 stages. As we age, there is a natural decline in many areas of our functioning and/or appearance.We often see changes in physical capabilities such as balance, strength, and we see changes in our sight, hearing, and general appearance, (hair color, we become shorter, or develop wrinkles). And yes, there are often changes of decline in cognition as we age, changes in comprehension, memory, or clarity of thou ght. In the past, we thought, as a society, that this was normal aging, all of it. Grandma was senile and that was the way life progressed. As stated earlier, our life expectancy was much shorter and we often did not see the final stages of dementia, therefore we didn’t view the decline in these areas as abnormal.The early stages of dementia often mimic the natural decline in some people of their senses. With medical advances, and longer life spans, we began to see that some people didn’t experience this deterioration in the same way. Some people live to be 100 and are still alert and in control of all their functions!! So to answer the question, are individuals with dementia normal? Should we all be afraid that the longer we live, the less capable we will be in living life? The answer is no. â€Å"Progressive severe loss of memory-routinely forgetting conversations or that one ate at a particular restaurant-and impaired thinking abilities are not a normal part of agi ng.Rather, such problems may be signs of a dementia-loss of brain functions due to an organic cause. Dementia is a generic term that includes a host of symptoms related to brain failure. There are several causes of dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause. † (Kuhn, 1999. p. 11) Dementia is not a disease. It is a condition caused by a number of diseases. Currently, it DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 6 is estimated that more than 4 million, to as many as 7 million, people in the United States have dementia and more than 14 million people will be demented by the year 2050. (Levine, 2006. p. 6) The following is a list of the different types of dementia found in the DSM-IV-TR, Fourth Edition (2000): Alzheimer’s; Vascular Type; Type Due to HIV Disease; Dementia Due to Head Trauma; Dementia Due to Huntington’s Disease; Dementia Due to Parkinson’s Disease; Dementia Due to Pick’s Disease; Dementia Due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease; Dementia Due to Other General Medical Conditions; Substance-Induced Persisting Dementia; Dementia Due to Multiple Etiologies; and Dementia Not Otherwise Specified (p. 147).The common feature of these different types is memory impairment. Depending on the etiology, the other features of each vary. For example, with AD, the progression is very slow, lasting 8-10 years or longer, resulting in death. On the other hand, in Vascular Dementia, the onset is abrupt with rapid changes in functioning occurring versus slow the progression of symptoms. Also, early treatment of hypertension and vascular disease may prevent further progression, whereas in AD there is no way at this time, to prevent its progression.For the purpose of this paper there are too many different types of dementia, and their symptoms vary, making it impractical to discuss them all. Therefore, because Alzheimer’s is the most common of the types, the following discussion will be limited to its main features . (Hoffman, 2009. ) Alzheimer's was first described in 1906 by a German neurologist named Dr. Alois DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 7 Alzheimer. During that time period, as was pointed out earlier, the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease were viewed collectively as senility. What Dr.Alzheimer found when he performed an autopsy on a woman of 51 years of age was what we call today beta-amyloid plaques between neurons and bundles of protein threads within the neurons. These were the same as what were found in the brains of the elderly who were considered senile and just getting old. It wasn't until the 1960's that these were understood to be intrinsic to a brain disease, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and that the symptoms of AD were not a normal part of aging, but rather were due to the diseased brain failing and dying off in part due to these plaques and tangles. pp. 2-5) This was not the only organic feature found as a part of AD. The discovery of certain mutant genes present in those suffering from AD, led to evidence of a genetic cause that places one at higher risk. In cases like this, the onset of AD occurs between the ages of 30-50 yrs. This is referred to as early-onset AD, as it occurs between the ages of 30-50 years old. Late on-set AD, typically occurs after the age of 65. Other factors that increase the risk of AD are (Hoffman, 2009, p. 50) high blood pressure, diet, diabetes type 2, women are slightly higher at risk, as well as (Feldman, 2000, p. ) African Americans and Hispanics being at higher risk than Caucasians. (Andersen, Kessing, Korner, Lauritzen, ; Lopez, 2007). Also, disorders such as depression or delusional disorder increase the chances of developing AD (p. 628). Again, the risk factors are there, but little is known as to why how, or if they will affect the outcome of developing AD, or not.So much research has been going on over the last 20 or so years, which has DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 8 increased the understanding of AD t remendously. But being able to have a way to detect AD in its earliest stages at this time, is still not possible. The goal of this intense research is that we may be able to use the information learned thus far, like the presence of tangles and plaques, the body's inability to be able to circumvent their build up in the brain, to find a way to stop the progression of AD before the symptoms are too many, and/or re unable to be stopped. So much more needs to be learned before we reach that point. Nevertheless, advances in the field of medicine and in technology are so amazing and rapid. The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI's}, and other high tech instruments that are now available to view images of the brain and how it functions, will hopefully lead to answers soon for the victims of AD and other types of dementia, and for their families. The areas that are affected for the individual with AD are many. The most devastating is the affect on memory.There is a normal amount of mem ory loss in most of us as we age. The difference for somebody with AD is that it begins to interfere with their ability to perform daily activities and continues to progress as time moves forward. It can be compared to the disease model of addiction. Something becomes an addiction when it interferes with your life on a daily basis, and it exhibits progression. AD is difficult to diagnose in its early stage. The individual and family members usually notice that something is different, but it doesn't get addressed at this point.This could be for many reasons such as fear, denial, and /or just being plain uninformed about AD. The first 2 or 3 years seem to be a gradual decline, in the short term memory especially DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 9 at first. (Kuhn, 1999. ) The brain is so amazing that as humans, we learn to compensate for deficiencies when we have them. (p. 43) For example, someone who has head trauma from an accident and loses some speech can often, with therapy, retrain the brain in another area to relearn how to speak. This applies to AD also.Because of the progression though, this can only be done for so long. After around 2-3 years, the decline in memory, and the effects that this has on other areas of functioning, begins to spiral down at a faster rate. As the brain cells die and the neurons and synapses no longer are working, the person will begin to forget names, places, events, how to use the telephone, where they are, and eventually who they and their loved ones are anymore. In the beginning, the individual is often aware of what is happening, and this will cause a reaction, of course.Their past coping skills, their support system, and their spiritual beliefs concerning life and death, will all influence how they will handle what is happening to them. Often some grieving will occur both in the individual, as well as those close to him. There is the knowledge of impending death, but in addition, now the family members watch as the p erson literally dies away in front of them. And for the afflicted, they grieve as they see themselves losing their sense of self and not knowing how they now will fit into the world ( Feldman, 2000).During the stage of development known as adolescence, one’s cognitive and emotional advances lead to being able to form relationships with others, think abstractly, which aids in the development of spirituality when trying to find one’s identity, and to perform executive functions such as making plans, organizing, projecting oneself into the future mentally, and following steps in an DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 10 order to achieve something (pp. 385-389). All of this leads to a loss of being able to relate to others which can lead to isolation and depression and anxiety at times. Levine, MD. , 2006). Other areas of the person that diminish in capability are language, visual-spatial perceptions, such as depth perception which can interfere with walking for example , as well as getting lost. Behavior is also affected and can be seen when impulses and socially acceptable boundaries are no longer relevant, or controllable because of a lack of comprehension, or they are just forgotten, leading to inappropriate actions or speech. In the late stage, the person is no longer even recognizable as the loved one once known.They become incontinent, unable to feed their self, talk, walk, or interact in any way (pp. 45-47). Effects on Family, Caregivers, and Society Little has been done to study the effects of dementia on children in the families where a parent has been diagnosed with early-onset AD. One study performed in the Uk by researchers Spector, Stott, and Svanberg, in 2009, looked at 12 children under the age of 18. They found that overall, the burden of caring for a parent with AD has a negative impact on their relationships with peers, on their schoolwork and achievement goals, and often led to emotional difficulties.The children often felt that it was their responsibility and downplayed the whole situation. They often felt a loss of their parent and that they were now taking on the role as the parent. Grieving was common. A positive outcome was the possibility of the experience leading to higher self-esteem due to the fact that it DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 11 showed the resilience within them to adapt. One finding was that the children had little, to no support system, or anyone to talk to. Their peers had no clue and support groups were / are not set up and available.This would be one way to assist these children. Another would be to educate the school system and train counselors to assist children, who are acting as adults in situations like this (p. 740). According to Harris and Keady (2008), in their study of selfhood in patients with early-onset, the loss of self is often more complex and unique to each family than in those with late-onset. This possibly is due to the fact that between 30-50 years old, o ne’s self-identity has many active components they must face losing such as their work identity, sexual identity, and family identity (p. 437).Some of these may overlap with patients of late-onset AD, but most often they don’t. This area of research is very scarce and in need of more studies so as to be able to help this group of families find strategies to better cope as they work their way through this situation â€Å"The most common form of caregiving relationship in dementia is between spouses or partners† (Clare, van Dijkhuizen, Pearce, & Quinn, 2008, p. 770). Often an adult child takes on the role of caregiver. In all instances, the stress of caring for a loved one with AD is usually very stressful and leads to feelings of depression, anxiety, confusion, and even anger.As an adult child caregiver, the parent-child roles get reversed and this can create uneasiness for both parties. In the early stage of AD, the sources of frustration and stress come more fr om having to learn how to cope with the changes that are required to be a caregiver, such as free time to relax, socialize, etc. Also, the fact that little DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 12 information is provided about the condition(s) to families and caregivers makes it more difficult to know what to do and when.Not knowing what to expect next can be a stressor in itself. Not only is there a negative impact on the mental condition of caregivers, but there is also a negative impact on their health. Looking at the overall picture, the story looks grim. Life is full of challenges and not only can they strengthen us to learn new ways to adapt and cope, but they are God-given opportunities to connect at a level so deep with another being, and then use that connection to hopefully relieve some of their suffering and pain.Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect throughout life and at this final life span stage, those who have AD and are losing everything to the d isease, deserve to be treated in such a way that they too may be able to die with dignity. Society in Western Culture often has a negative overall view of old age. If you are non-productive, and unable to care for yourself, many take the view that you are worthless and a drain on society. This is turn influences the decisions made by politicians and government about how this huge group of elderly will be cared for.Seeing the elderly as negative is called ageism, and it is alive and well like many other ‘isms’ of today. The problem now is that the reality of issues concerning healthcare, financial assistance and housing options for the elderly, especially those who are ill with AD and/or other types of dementia, are no longer concerns of the future. These need to be addressed now in order to truly benefit this fast growing cohort and the future for us when we also reach this stage of life. DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 13 ConclusionWe now know that dementia is a condition that is caused by underlying diseases such as vascular disease. It is not a normal part of aging and it has genetic component, as well as a malfunction in the brain that causes the buildup of tangles and plaques which kill the neurons, cells, and synapses in the brain. This all leads to the symptoms which slowly rob a person of all their faculties, resulting in death. The effects on the patient are many and can create depression, anxiety, and frustration over what is happening to them. It also has effects of the family members and the caregivers.The majority of these effects seem to be negative (depression, anger, isolation, and illness). But they can also be positive, such as satisfaction and increased affection toward the patient, or higher self esteem due to doing the right thing and being responsible and loving. In our society, we all have to come to grips with our attitudes toward the aging. The enormous numbers of those over 55 can’t be ignored any longer. In creased awareness of AD and its symptoms will hopefully create motivation for creating and developing programs to assist in teaching strategies and coping skills for caregivers.Another avenue for change is creating groups to advocate for national healthcare that will then assist in making healthcare available to those with AD and to the elderly as a whole. And last, continuing research to search for a way to diagnose AD in its early stage with the hope that we can then provide ways to treat the symptoms and possibly slow down the progression of AD. The more knowledge we have, the more empowered we are to make changes. The focus should be on all pulling together to make a difference in the lives of those suffering with DEMENTIA: HOW AND WHOM DOES IT AFFECT? 14AD in their â€Å"Golden Years† instead of enjoying this last stage of life and being able to feel content as we self reflect and pass on our wisdom and/or truths we have learned about life as we complete our passage thro ugh this last stage of existence. Running header: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 1 DEMENTIA AND ITS EFFECTS Shelly Becker Liberty University Introduction to Human Development COUN 502 B-23 LUO Dr. Richard Pace March 6, 2013 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 2Berman, C. W. , & Becker, M. F. (2010). Transference in Patients and caregivers. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 64(1), 107-114 Retrieved February 4, 2013 from http:/search. ebscohost. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu: 2048/login. aspx-? direct=+ rue &db=a9h&AN=48973816&site=ehost-live&scope=site The topic of transference is relevant to all therapeutic relationships. The caregiver and recipient of care are seen as being in such a relationship, which then implies that trans- ference is at high risk of occurring.The article explores counter-transference as well, and how if not dealt with, this can have a negative effect on the overall relationship, and its therapeutic outcome. Braun, M. , Scholz, U. , Bailey, B. , Perren S. , Hornung, R. , & Martin, M. (2009). Dementia care-giving in spousal relationships: A dyadic perspective. Aging & Mental Health, 13(3), 426-436. doi: 10. 1080/13607860902879441 This article investigates the various effects of care-giving for spouses diagnosed with dementia on both the caregiver and the recipient.Previously, the data compiled mostly came from the caregiver only. This study differs in that it takes into account the feedback from both parties to get a better picture of the overall effects on the dyadic relationship. By doing so, hopefully this will lead to new insights and more effective interventions for a better outcome as the article points out. Castelli, I. , Pini, A. , Alberoni, M. , Liverta-Sempio, O. , Baglio, F. , Massaro, D. , & Nemni, R. (2011).Mapping levels of theory of mind in Alzheimer’s disease: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 3 a preliminary study. Aging & Mental Health, 15(2), 157-168. doi: 10. 1080/ 13607863. 2010. 513038 This article specifically deals with how Theory of Mind (To M) is understood in relation to dementia and various forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s. When neuro-imaging is explained as the basis for learning in cognitive early stages of development, it is easier to understand how it might fit in with dementia and Alzheimer’s.In very simplistic terms, neuro-mirror-imaging underlies ToM and if this is no longer functional in the aging brain, it could explain to an extent, the symptoms exhibited in these brain disorders which in turn could lead to more effective interventions. Clare, Li, Dijkhuizen, M. , Pearce, A. , & Quinn, C. (2008). The experience of providing care in the early stages of dementia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Aging & Mental Health, 12(6), 769-775. Retrieved February 8, 2013 from: Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhostMany families, and patients with dementia, are given little to no information on Dementia, especially the early stages of it. It seems that very little is known about the early sta ges. This article is looked at from the point of view of the care-givers and how they interpret the situation and subsequently the care they give to the patient, who is often their spouse or parent. The relationship to the â€Å"patient† prior to the onset of dementia influences the perceptions and actions of both the caregiver and recipient.All of this is reflected in the article. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 4 Diagnosis. (2011). Annals of Internal Medicine, 154(11), 5-8. Retrieved on February 8, 2013 from: http://search. Ebscohost. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu: 2048/login. aspx? Direct=true & db=a9h & AN=62807891 & site = ehost-live 7 scope = site This article is very informative with respect to the importance of early detection of dementia as well as an accurate diagnosis of dementia.The effects of longer life spans in the field of medicine are discussed. We now have to deal with a much longer, and complex unfolding of the aging process than say 50 years ago. What can we do to imp rove diagnostic capabilities of trained medical professionals so as to be able to provide timely and accurate information and treatment interventions so as to increase the outcomes of successful? Harris, P. , & Keady, J. (2009). Selfhood in younger onset dementia: Transitions and testimonies. Aging & Mental Health, 133), 437-444. oi:10. 1080/13607860802534609 Very interesting article! Most often dementia is thought of as only an â€Å"old person’s† disorder. This article indentifies 5 areas of self and discusses how they are affected by the onset of dementia and other brain degenerative disorders, specifically with regard to the younger people if effects (ex. ages 40-67). Personal testimonies were gathered from those afflicted and then carefully interpreted and grouped and validated to reach the conclusions drawn. The results on the self are very informative!ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 5 Korner, A. , Lopez, A. G. , Lauritzen, L. , Andersen, P. K. , & Kessing, L. V. (2008). Delusional disorder in old age and the risk of developing dementia-a nationwide register-based study. Aging & Mental Health, 12(5), 625-629. doi: 10. 1080/13607860802343118 The distinction between delusional and demented is discussed. Questions such as if being delusional is a reliable predictor of future dementia were posed, as well as looking for the connecting factor(s), if any, between the two disorders.Symptomology was discussed and the importance of medical professionals being well-versed in this, so as to be able to correctly diagnose, offer appropriate treatment, and increase the chances for predicting future disorders in a fairly reliable fashion. Spek, A. A. , Scholte, E. M. & Van Berckelaer-Onnes, I. A. (2010). Theory of Mind in adults with High Functioning Autism (HFT) & Asperger Syndrome. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 40(3), 280-289. doi: 10. 1077/s10803-009-0860-y ToM is explained in detail s to how it applies to the two disorders mentioned in the title. The reason I chose to include this article was because it gave a very good historical view of Theory of Mind as well as explained how it is seen as being the ‘possible missing link† between normal cognitive functioning and the functioning of brain disorders like HFA and Aspergers, as well as dementia and Alzheimers. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 6 This article gave me a broader understanding of ToM and its applications. This article also included applications to theories of religion, philosophy, and life in general.I found it very useful and enlightening and intend on researching it much more in depth in the future! Svanberg, E. , Scott, J. , & Spector, A. (2010). ‘Just Helping’: Children living with a parent with young onset dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 14(6), 740-751. doi: 10. 1080/1360786100371374 With the onset of dementia in younger patient, under 67 or so, the children of this group have been forgotten in the research. I believe this is due in part to th e numbers of this group are small in comparison to the overall age of onset.This has left the families and children, as well as the patient with little information and or helpful interventions aimed at them specifically. These children, as pointed out in the article, suffer effects in their schooling, social lives, and their overall description and responsibilities expected of them in their previous roles as children. Often now they must act as if the ‘parent’ and the ‘parent’ as if the child. The study was helpful in understanding this group better and its implications for the adolescent or younger child.Tremont, G. (2011). Family Care-giving in Dementia. Medicine & Health Rhode ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 7 Island, 94(2), 36-38. Retrieve February 2, 2012 from: http:// search. ebscohost. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu: 2048/login. aspx? direct=true & db=a9h & AN=58104122& site=ehost-live&scope=site This article centered around care-giving when the caregiver was a family member of the patient. Most often this was the spouse, then the adult child.The factors that ere isolated were gender, type of relationship (married, parent/child), age, and the general feature of the relationship prior to the onset of dementia. For example, was the marriage controlled by one or the other more, or was it considered to lean toward equality? Did the spouse take on characteristics of the parent prior to onset of dementia? Were there built up resentments? Was this true for either the caregiver and/or the recipient? If it is an adult child, how did the relationship while growing up play into the current care-giving situation?These types of questions are important to all concerned for many reasons. A lot of this article is pertinent to my paper. Running Head: REFERENCES 1 Dementia: How and Whom Does it Affect? Liberty University HSER 502 B-23–LUO Dr. Richard Pace March 5, 2013 REFERENCES 2 REFERENCE LIST American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Stat istical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. 2000). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. Berman, C. W. , & Becker, M. F. (2010). Transference in Patients and caregivers. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 64(1), 107-114 Retrieved February 4, 2013 from http:/search. ebscohost. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu: 2048/login. aspx-? direct=+ rue &db=a9h&AN=48973816&site=ehost-live&scope=site Braun, M. , Scholz, U. , Bailey, B. , Perren S. , Hornung, R. , & Martin, M. (2009). Dementia care-giving in spousal relationships: A dyadic perspective.Aging & Mental Health, 13(3), 426-436. doi: 10. 1080/13607860902879441 Castelli, I. , Pini, A. , Alberoni, M. , Liverta-Sempio, O. , Baglio, F. , Massaro, D. & Nemni, R. (2011). Mapping levels of theory of mind in Alzheimer’s disease: a preliminary study. Aging & Mental Health, 15(2), 157-168. doi: 10. 1080/ 13607863. 2010. 513038 Chop,W. C. , & Robnett, R. H. (1999). Gerontology for the Health Care Professional. P hiladelphia: F. A. Davis Company. Clare, Li, Dijkhuizen, M. , Pearce, A. , & Quinn, C. (2008).The experience of providing care in the early stages of dementia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Aging & Mental Health, 12(6), 769-775. Retrieved February 8, 2013 from: Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost REFERENCES 3 Diagnosis. (2011). Annals of Internal Medicine, 154(11), 5-8. Retrieved on February 8, 2013 from: http://search. Ebscohost. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu: 2048/login. aspx? Direct=true & db=a9h & AN=62807891 & site = ehost-live 7 scope = site Feldman, R.S. (2001). Development across the Life Span. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Foundation, Inc.. Froemke, S. , Golant, S. , & Hoffman, J. (2009). The Alzheimer’s Project Momentum in Science. New York, N. Y. : Public Affairs. Harris, P. , & Keady, J. (2009). Selfhood in younger onset dementia: Transitions and testimonies. Aging & Mental Health, 133), 437-444. doi:10. 1080/13607860802534609 Kuhn, David, MS W. (1999). Alzheimer’s Early Stages. Salt Lake City, Utah: Publishers Press. Korner, A. , Lopez, A. G. , Lauritzen, L. , Andersen, P. K. & Kessing, L. V. (2008). Delusional disorder in old age and the risk of developing dementia-a nationwide register-based study. Aging & Mental Health, 12(5), 625-629. doi: 10. 1080/13607860802343118 Levine, R. A. M. D. (2006). Understanding and Preventing Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders. Lanham, Maryland: Rowan & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Spek, A. A. , Scholte, E. M. & Van Berckelaer-Onnes, I. A. (2010). Theory of Mind in adults with High Functioning Autism (HFT) & Asperger Syndrome. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 40(3), 280-289.REFERENCES 4 doi: 10. 1077/s10803-009-0860-y Svanberg, E. , Scott, J. , & Spector, A. (2010). ‘Just Helping’: Children living with a parent with young onset dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 14(6), 740-751. doi: 10. 1080/1360786100371374 Tremont, G. (2011). Family Care-giving in Dementia. Medicine & Health Rhode Island, 94(2), 36-38. Retrieve February 2, 2012 from: http:// search. ebscohost. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu: 2048/login. aspx? direct=true & db=a9h & AN=58104122& site=ehost-live&scope=site

Collusion

Collusion is an agreement between two or more parties, sometimes illegal and therefore secretive, to limit open competition by deceiving, misleading, or defrauding others of their legal rights, or to obtain an objective forbidden by law typically by defrauding or gaining an unfair advantage. [citation needed] It is an agreement among firms or individuals to divide a market, set prices, limit production or limit opportunities. [1] It can involve â€Å"wage fixing, kickbacks, or misrepresenting the independence of the relationship between the colluding parties†. 2] In legal terms, all acts affected by collusion are considered void. [3] | In the study of economics and market competition, collusion takes place within an industry when rival companies cooperate for their mutual benefit. Collusion most often takes place within the market structure of oligopoly, where the decision of a few firms to collude can significantly impact the market as a whole. Cartels are a special case of e xplicit collusion. Collusion which is not overt, on the other hand, is known as tacit collusion. How is OPEC a collusive oligopoly? Answer:OPEC is a collection of oil exporting countries. Oligopoly – Industry that is controlled by a few major players (firms or countries) Collusion – When industry leaders secretly agree to limit quantities of production. This will guarantee the colluders a higher price for their product OPEC meet to discuss the quantity of oil they will allow onto the world market. This is collusion. Because the OPEC members are the main suppliers of oil they are said to be an Collusion and Cartels by David A. Mayer One of the blessings of competition is that it leads to lower prices for consumers.For the producer, however, this blessing is a curse. Low prices often mean low profits. Given a choice between competition and cooperation, profit-maximizing firms would more often than not prefer cooperation. Regardless of what you learned in kindergarten, yo u do not want the businesses you buy from to cooperate. You want them to compete. Adam Smith, the father of modern capitalism, warned that nothing beneficial comes from the heads of business getting together. In the United States, firms are forbidden from cooperating to set prices or production.The abuses of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century trusts were the impetus for the â€Å"trust-busting† of President Theodore Roosevelt. With the Sherman Antitrust Act and later the Clayton Antitrust Act, the government prohibited outright collusion and other business practices that reduced competition. Prior to OPEC, world oil prices were mainly under the control of the Texas Railroad Commission. With the rise of OPEC came a shift in power from U. S. producers to the oil states of the Middle East. Even though it violates the law, businesses from time to time will collude in order to set prices.Colluding firms can divide up the market in a way that is beneficial for them. Th e firms avoid competition, set higher prices, and reduce their operating costs. Because collusion is illegal and punishable by fine and prison, executives at firms are reluctant to engage in the practice. The meetings of business leaders are almost always in the presence of attorneys in order to avoid the accusation of collusion. Forming Cartels Businesses that collude may form cartels. A cartel is a group of businesses that effectively function as a single producer or monopoly able to charge whatever price the market will bear.Probably the best-known modern cartel is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. OPEC is made up of thirteen oil-exporting countries and is thus not subject to the antitrust laws of the United States. OPEC seeks to maintain high oil prices and profits for their members by restricting output. Each member of the cartel agrees to a production quota that will eventually reduce overall output and increase prices. OPEC is bad news for anyone that enjoys cheap gasoline. Fortunately for consumers, cartels have an Achilles heel.The individual members of a cartel have an incentive to cheat on their agreement. Cartels go through periods of cooperation and competition. When prices and profits are low, the members of the cartel have an incentive to cooperate and limit production. It is the cartel's success that brings the incentive to cheat. If the cartel is successful, the market price of the commodity will rise. Individual members driven by their own self-interest will have an incentive, the law of supply, to ever-so-slightly exceed their production quota and sell the excess at the now higher price.The problem is that all members have this incentive and the result is that eventually prices will fall as they collectively cheat on the production quota. Cartels must find ways to discourage cheating. Drug cartels use assassination and kidnapping, but OPEC uses something a little more civilized. The single largest producer in th e cartel is Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia also has the lowest cost of production. If a member or members cheat on the cartel, then Saudi Arabia can discipline the group by unleashing its vast oil reserves, undercutting other countries' prices, and still remain profitable.After a few months or even years of losses, the other countries would then have an incentive to cooperate and limit production once again. * Definition: OPEC stands for The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. It is an organization of 12 oil-producing countries that effectively control the world's oil. OPEC members pump out 42% of the world's annual supply, controlling 61% of exports. This situation isn't likely to change, since these 12 countries hold 80% of the world's proven oil reserves. For these reasons, OPEC's decisions are critical to countries that depend on oil imports.What Does OPEC Do? OPEC states quite plainly that its goal is to manage the world's supply of oil. It does this to make sure its mem bers get what they consider a good price for their oil. Since oil is a fairly uniform commodity, most of its consumers base their buying decisions on nothing other than price. What's a good price? In the past, OPEC said it was around $70-$80 per barrel. If prices drop below that target, OPEC members agree to restrict supply to send prices higher. Otherwise, they would wind up increasing the supply to make more national revenue.By competing with each other, they would drive prices even lower. This would stimulate even more demand, and OPEC countries will run out of their most precious resource that much faster. When prices are higher than $80 a barrel, oil-producing countries would naturally want to produce more to bring in extra national revenue. However, if they did that, they increase supply, lowering the price. Instead, OPEC members agree to produce only enough to keep the price high for all members. Furthermore, if prices are too much higher than $80 a barrel, then other countri es have the incentive to drill more expensive oil fields.Sure enough, now that oil prices are closer to $100 a barrel, it's become cost effective for Canada to explore its shale oil fields, and for the U. S. to use fracking. As a result, non-OPEC supply has increased. OPEC's second goal is to reduce oil price volatility. That's because, at current prices and rates of production, OPEC countries have enough oil to last for 113 years. In addition, oil is expensive to produce. For maximum efficiency, oil extraction must run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, closing facilities could physically damage oil installations and even the fields themselves.Ocean drilling is especially difficult and expensive to shut down. Therefore, it's in OPEC's best interests to keep world prices stable. For example, in June 2008, prices spiked to $143/barrel. OPEC responded by agreeing to produce a little more oil, which brought prices down. However, the global financial crisis brought oil pric es down to $33. 73/barrel in December. OPEC responded by reducing the supply, helping prices to again stabilize. A slight modification is usually enough to restore price stability. OPEC also adjusts the world's oil supply in response to crises and shortages.For example, it replaced the oil lost during the Gulf Crisis in 1990. Several million barrels of oil per day were cut off when Saddam Hussein armies destroyed refineries in Kuwait. OPEC alos increased production in 2011 during the crisis in Libya. The Oil and Energy Ministers from the OPEC members meet twice a year, or more if needed, to coordinate their oil production policies. Each member country abides by an honor system, agreeing to only produce a certain amount. However, if a country winds up producing more, there really is no sanction or penalty.Furthermore, each country is responsible for reporting its own production. Therefore, there is room for â€Å"cheating. † On the other hand, a country won't go too far over i ts quota, since it doesn't want to risk being kicked out of OPEC. Despite its power, OPEC cannot completely control the price of oil. In some countries, additional taxes are imposed on gasoline and other oil-based end products to promote conservation. More importantly, oil prices are actually set by the oil futures market. Much of the oil price is determined by these commodities traders. For more on this, see Why Are Oil Prices So High?OPEC Members OPEC members are Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Venezuela. Saudi Arabia alone produces enough oil to materially impact the world's supply. For this reason, it really has more authority and influence than the other countries. Here's a ranking of production by member: 1. Saudi Arabia – 9. 311 million barrels/day. 2. Iran – 3. 576 mb/d. 3. Venezuela – 2. 881 mb/d. 4. Kuwait – 2. 659 mb/d. 5. Iraq – 2. 653 mb/d. 6. UAE – 2. 565 mb/d. 7. Niger ia – 1. 975 mb/d. 8. Angola – 1. 618 mb/d. 9. Algeria – 1. 162 mb/d. 10. Qatar – . 734 mb/d. 11.Ecuador – . 5 mb/d. 12. Libya – . 489 mb/d. (Source: OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin 2012) Many non-OPEC members also voluntarily adjust their oil production in response to OPEC's decisions. In the 1990s, they learned that increasing their own production to take advantage of OPEC's restraints meant oil prices stayed low, restricting profits for everyone. These cooperating non-OPEC members include Mexico, Norway, Oman and Russia. OPEC History In 1960, five OPEC countries formed an alliance to regulate the supply, and to some extent, the price of oil. These countries realized they had a non-renewable resource.If they competed with each other, the price of oil would be so low that they would run out sooner than if oil prices were higher. This first meeting was held September 10-14 1960 in Baghdad, Iraq. The five founding members were Iran, Iraq, Kuw ait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. OPEC was registered with the UN on November 6, 1962. (Source: OPEC Frequently Asked Questions) Article updated March 13, 2013 The acronym OPEC is short for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Through its 12 member countries, the group controls nearly 80% of the world’s crude oil reserves and about 45% of its worldwide production.This makes it extremely influential in the market for crude oil and its derivatives, like gasoline and diesel fuels. OPEC member countries include: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Most of these countries rely on oil prices to sustain their 408 million combined inhabitants. Consequently, OPEC was designed to unify petroleum policies, ensure price stability and facilitate market efficiency. The Origins of OPEC OPEC was originally started by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela in the 1960s.While their initial o bjectives were reasonable, OPEC was soon labeled a cartel by many Western countries, given its practice of adopting output rationing in order to maintain certain price levels. Similarly, its political motivations have also contributed to its image. In 1973, OPEC became infamous for its oil embargo that punished the United States and Western Europe for its support of Israel against Arab nations in the Yom Kippur War. The resulting shortage led to limits on gas available at gas stations and eventually a worldwide economic recession that saw high unemployment and inflation.OPEC’s Declining Influence In the 1980s, OPEC suffered from a six-year decline in oil prices due to reduced demand and over-supply that led to a glut in the world market. While OPEC lost its unity during the 1980s and early 1990s during the Gulf War, oil prices recovered after the September 11th attacks against the United States and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan. As of 2011, OPEC continues to publish recommended production quotas designed to increase the price of oil, but member countries aren’t as keen as they used to be on compliance.For instance, one Saudi Arabian official told the New York Times that the country would meet the market’s demand, presumably despite any quotas from OPEC. OPEC Finally Reaches an Agreement In December of 2011, OPEC reached a new agreement on production quotas for the first time in three years. Output from the 12 member states was set at 30 million barrels per day, which was roughly in-line with the supply at the time. The result in the financial markets after the announcement was a muted 1. 8% decline in crude oil futures.OPEC leaders also discussed how to handle the decreased production from Libya after the fall of Moammar Qaddhafi. Shortly after the supply cut, Saudi Arabia stepped in and increased production, which was met with distaste from Iran and Venezuela. The matter was resolved by temporarily eliminating country-specific qu otas until a June 2012 meeting. OPEC’s Influence on Investors While OPEC hadn’t agreed on production targets for some time, primarily due to Saudi Arabia’s opposition, the organization did manage to set a new production target in late-2011 of 30 million barrels per day, which was largely in-line with current production.The agreement could mean more cohesion among its membership and additional quotas imposed down the line. Those trading in the crude oil or derivative markets since the 1970s are very familiar with OPEC’s influence on pricing. If the organization can agree on set prices, their control over a large portion of the market enables them to significantly influence prices. Until 2011, this was largely a non-issue given Saudi Arabia’s opposition to any limits. Key Takeaway Points * OPEC began in the 1960s as a way to control oil prices in countries where oil was a primary source of livelihood for citizens. OPEC turned political in the 1970s a fter the oil embargo and member disagreements hurt its power throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. * While OPEC has struggled with member cohesion, the organization has managed to strike an agreement in late-2011 and will meet again in June of 2012. Definition Collusion occurs when firms in a market chose an optimal level of output for that market in order to maximize total industry profits (Baye, 2006). Collusion typically occurs in the oligopoly market model when the number of firms are few as opposed to many.This can simply be explained by the fact that when firms are working together, the more firms that have to work together the harder it is to make everyone happy. See Wiki page about oligopoly for further information: http://mbaecon. wikispaces. com/oligopoly%26nbsp%3B. See Wiki page about monopolistic competition to see why collusion is more difficult with many firms: http://mbaecon. wikispaces. com/monopolistic+competition. Monitoring the agreement This can be seen in that f irms must monitor one another such that their collusion agreement is kept.This can be accomplished by monitoring the other firms in the collusion agreement. There comes a point at which because there are so many firms in the agreement that the costs of monitoring the other firms outweighs the benefits from the collusion agreement. This monitoring can be seen by the formula n*(n-1) where n is the number of firms in the agreement. If there are six firms in agreement there must be 30 (6*(6-1)=30) monitors to keep everyone aware that all the firms in the agreement are holding to the terms. As the number of firms increase in the market the number of monitors increases dramatically.How collusion occurs The first way collusion occurs is that firms will meet and agree not to steal each others customers, and if one firm tries to steal anothers customers there will be retaliation. This form of collusion is called explicit collusion. Another way firms collude may not involve physically meeting or talking at all. Overtime firms may reach a nonverbal understanding that they will leave each other alone, but if one firms tries to steal customers there are consequences. The second form of collusion just discussed is called tacit collusion.Tacit collusion occurs when the behaviors of the players in the market are learned. If you try to steal customers and get attacked back, eventually your firm will probably stop trying to steal customers. On the other hand if you lower prices in order to steal customers and there is no retaliation, or the retaliation is not effective, tacit collusion will not occur. Legality Collusion is considered illegal within the United States, European Union, and Canada. Collusion falls within the category of antitrust laws/competition laws. These are laws that prohibit anti-competitive behavior and unfair business practices.These laws make certain practices illegal because they hurt the businesses, consumers, or both, typically violating standards of et hical behavior (wikipedia-antitrust, 2006). Tacit collusion because of the fact that it is the learned behaviors of the players in the market is much more difficult to enforce, because specifically there has been no formal agreement, because of this tacit collusion can and does occur today. Questions: Which is not a form of collusion? A. ) The behaviors of a competing firm in the same market of a second firm are learned. B. Two firms meet and agree not to steal one another's customers. C. ) If an agreement has been reached to not steal one another's customer has been breached, retaliation will occur. D. ) One firm lowers prices to compete against another when there was no agreement against it. Answer: D. ) This is just the normal game of business that occurs every day. There is no collusion because one firm is lowering a price without specific knowledge or an understanding that there will be repercussions or action taken or not taken because of this action. In a finite number of gam es collusion will be more likely to occur: A. On the second to last turn. B. ) From the beginning. C. ) Once a tacit understanding of business practices has been reached. D. ) Will not occur because there is no effective punishment method that can be used. Answer: D. ) Will not occur because there is no effective punishment method that can be used. This is because of the ending nature of the finite number of games to be played. Each period the players in the game know what the last period will hold, and because they know the last periods outcome, the second to last game is the last game.It is because the second to last game is now the last game that once again the players know how each member of the collusion will act because there is no punishment that can be effective. This continues on until the first game being played, and each member of the collusion knows that each member will cheat, so collusion will not occur. Sustained collusion is more likely to occur when firms know: A. ) their rivals. B. ) who their rivals customers are. C. ) when their rivals deviate from the agreement. D. ) All the above. Answer: D. ) All the above.This are all reasons why a sustained collusion is more likely to occur. The last reason not listed is that firms must be able to successfully punish rivals for deviating from the agreement. A small firm with 1 outlet and a large firm with 10 outlets decide to collude, the small firm: A. ) is at an advantage because they only have to focus on the big competitor. B. ) is at an advantage because they are now â€Å"safe† from the big competitor. C. ) is at a disadvantage because they have to monitor more locations then the larger firm does. D. is at a disadvantage because they have less bargaining power when the â€Å"contract† needs to be renegotiated. Answer: C. ) is at a disadvantage because they have to monitor more locations then the larger firm does. This is because economies of scale exist within the monitoring act. Th e larger firm only has to monitor the one outlet of its collusive partner. The smaller firm has to monitor the larger firms 10 outlets, which most likely will cost more and be a larger percentage of the â€Å"savings† associated with the collusive agreement.