Tour Operations Essay Example for Free

Tour Operations Essay Aim and purpose The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ understanding of the dynamic and challenging world of tour operations and for them to appreciate the variety of tour operators’ products and services. Learners will gain knowledge of how tour operators plan, sell and administer a package holiday programme and will also develop practical skills to plan and cost a package holiday. Unit introduction Every year millions of people turn to tour operators to provide them with holidays to all corners of the world. In this unit learners will explore how tour operators link with different types of travel and tourism organisations to provide a wide range of holiday experiences. They will see that tour operators must respond to legislation and external influences, and also face many challenges in the constantly changing travel and tourism sector. Learners will investigate these challenges and the ways in which tour operators respond to them. Tour operators are at the forefront of the travel and tourism sector, constantly seeking out new destinations and holiday experiences to satisfy the ever-demanding and ever-changing needs of today’s holidaymakers. Different types of tour operators will be identified and learners will examine how they develop an extensive portfolio of products and services to meet differing customer needs. Whatever their size, tour operators must work through the same processes when planning, developing, selling and operating their holiday programmes. These different functions will be examined and time scales identified. Learners will find that tour operators compete in a commercially sensitive environment and they will identify how commercial considerations inform many of the business practices. Practical skills will be developed in the planning and costing of a tour operator’s package holiday, allowing learners to appreciate some of the commercial decisions to be made in this competitive industry. Learning outcomes On completion of this unit a learner should: Understand the tour operations environment Know the range of products and services offered by tour operators for different target markets Know how tour operators plan, sell, administer and operate a package holiday programme Be able to plan and cost a package holiday. Unit content 1 Understand the tour operations environment Links with other component industries: travel agents; transport providers; accommodation providers; providers of ancillary products and services eg insurance, car hire; horizontal and vertical integration Links with trade and regulatory bodies: The Travel Association (ABTA); Federation of Tour Operators (FTO); Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO); UKInbound; Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Legal framework: EU Package Travel Regulations; consumer protection eg Trades Description Act, Consumer Protection Act, Disability Discrimination Act; contract law; licensing eg Air Transport Operators Licence (ATOL) External influences: environmental eg hurricanes, floods; political eg terrorism, strikes. taxes; economic eg currency fluctuations, price of oil; social eg UK demographics, exploitation in host country; technological eg internet, computerised reservation systems Challenges: eg dynamic packaging, distribution channels, integration, budget airlines, maintaining market share, trend towards independent travel, responsible tourism 2 Know the range of products and services offered by tour operators for different target markets Tour operator categories: outbound; inbound; domestic; specialist; mass market Products and services: components of standard package; tailor made; range of destinations; accommodation choices; transport options; ancillary products and services Target market: eg families, couples, solo travellers, specific age groups, special interests, people with specific needs 3 Know how tour operators plan, sell, administer and operate a package holiday programme Planning: research; forecasting; product development; methods of contracting; costing the package; data input; timescales Sell: brochure production; pricing strategies; distribution eg travel agents, internet, direct sell; promotions eg advertising, sales promotions, sponsorship; reservations; commission; late sales Administer: confirmations; rooming lists; passenger manifests; errata; cancellations; amendments; travel itineraries; ticketing Operations: consolidations; load factors; over-bookings; transport operations; duty office; UK and overseas resort liaison; health and safety; emergency situations; crisis management; quality control; customer service (pre-, during and post-holiday); excursion sales Commercial considerations: maximising profitability; links to different planning, selling, administrative and operational functions 4 Be able to plan and cost a package holiday Plan: destination; transport; accommodation; excursions (included, optional); activities; additional services Cost a package holiday: using load factors; mark-up or profit margin; currency conversions; fixed costs; variable costs Assessment and grading criteria In order to pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the learning outcomes for the unit. The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the level of achievement required to pass this unit. Assessment and grading criteria To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show that the learner is able to: To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner is able to: M1 discuss the impact of challenges facing tour operators To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass and merit criteria, the learner is able to: D1 evaluate the effectiveness of tour operators in responding to challenges facing the sector recommend, with justification, how a selected tour operator could expand its range of products and services for its current target market or adapt its range of products and services to appeal to a new market. P1 explain the tour operations environment and the challenges it faces P2 describe the products and M2 analyse how a selected services provided by different tour operator’s portfolio categories of tour operator of products and services for different target markets meets the needs of its target market(s) D2 P3 outline how tour operators plan, sell, administer and operate a package holiday programme, identifying commercial considerations plan and cost a package holiday for inclusion in a tour operator’s programme [CT 1, CT 2, CT 3, CT 4, CT 5, CT 6]. M3 explain ways of maximising profitability during the different stages of planning, selling, administering and operating a package holiday. P4 PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal, learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate effective application of the referenced elements of the skills. Key IE – independent enquirers CT – creative thinkers RL – reflective learners TW – team workers SM – self-managers EP – effective participators Essential guidance for tutors Delivery It is likely that learners will have already identified the role of tour operators when examining the structure of the UK travel and tourism sector in Unit 1: Investigating the Travel and Tourism Sector. A simple recap would be useful and this could be achieved by asking learners to produce their own definition of tour operators and a summary of their role within the sector, perhaps producing a diagram that highlights their position within the  structure. Holiday brochures will help learners to identify how tour operators link with other component industries when providing and selling holiday packages. Links with trade and regulatory bodies and the legal framework could be researched in small groups, culminating in short, informal presentations. Vertical and horizontal integration can be a difficult concept for some learners and they will benefit from being given simple definitions, followed by practical tasks using the internet and holiday brochures to research one of the large in tegrated organisations. Findings could be presented in the form of a diagram and could then be compared with one of the integration charts that are produced from time to time by the trade press. Tutors will need to explain how the travel and tourism sector is constantly changing (which is why textbook models of integration are likely to be out of date). Learners will need to read the trade press regularly in order to keep abreast of changes of ownership and takeovers. Tutors could initiate a debate or discussion on the impact of integration to determine whether integration is a good or bad force within the sector, and about the challenges integration creates. Research activities could be developed to examine external influences including environmental, political, economic, social and technological influences. Hurricanes, the credit crunch, unemployment and terrorist activities are just a few occurrences that can present significant challenges for tour operators. A noticeboard could be created in the classroom to display any topical events or issues. Learners need to appreciate that there are hundreds of different tour operators, falling broadly into the categories of outbound, inbound, domestic, mass market and specialist. Learners, in pairs or small groups, could research to identify tour operators within each of the categories, and the range of products and services they offer. The internet is an excellent source of information, as are holiday brochures; however, tutors should discourage indiscriminate collection of holiday brochures. Learners will find that most tour operators have products and services that target different market segments and this will be reflected in some of the accommodation, travel, destination and ancillary services choices provided. Learners need to understand that all tour operators, whether large or small, carry out the same functions when planning, selling, administering and operating the holiday package. Larger tour operators may  have separate departments to carry out a particular function whereas a very small tour operator might have just one person responsible for a range of functions. A practical task could involve learners organising a college trip and relating the activities they carry out to the functions of tour operating. A visit to a large- or mediumsized tour operator would be very beneficial so that learners can see how tour operators work and how the different functions are carried out. Additional tutor input on planning, selling, administration and operations will be required. Activities using case studies can reinforce understanding of aspects such as different methods of contracting, currency considerations and pricing strategies. It is essential that learners develop a sound understanding of all functional areas. Discussions are to be encouraged to help learners appreciate commercial considerations, the difficulties tour operators have in making a profit and to identify ways in which profit can be maximised within the planning, selling, administrative and operational functions. In preparation for assessment, learners will need to practise designing and planning a package. Working in groups to a specific brief, they could practise by planning a college trip. As part of the planning, they would need to consider transport options, type of accommodation and board basis, excursions and activities. Each group could present their proposals to the class and vote on the most interesting proposals. Tutors should explain the terms ‘load factor’, ‘mark up’, ‘profit margin’, ‘fixed costs’ and ‘variable costs’ and then work through simple costing exercises to show how these terms are used. When learners have understood the process for costing a package, exercises should be designed to put this into practice. Tutors may need to devise additional exercises before learners become confident in working with these calculations.

Develop Workplace Sustainable Policy Management Essay

Develop Workplace Sustainable Policy Management Essay Developing sustainable policies in workplace means to create green environment in office and other thing remain the same that are profit and people. We should thing about the Green environment week in this we should trained our employees to how we can create sustainability in office through training and green environment seminars Communicate workplace sustainable policy The top management issue official notification to all the employees to attend the Green Environment Week and middle management should pay their part and focus to communicate the real meaning to Green Environment Week. Implement workplace sustainable policy After training and seminar management keep that in their employees mind and should tell them the importance of this policy and middle management should implement the policy. Review workplace sustainable policy Implementation After all steps the final stage of this is to evaluate the implementation of the policy and check the results and show this to all the employees that how much important and how much beneficial that is for the company. Activity 1 A). What are three main things businesses should do in order to sustainable future? Making safe and healthy products Treating the workers fairly protect the environment B). How can company reduce waste and pollution? Describe in three ways Develop Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) department Building Schools Using waste to reproduce the helpful material The CSR department planting business and the rest of the company doing business Carbon neutral carpet C). Traditionally when have most companies taken action to change their approach to the environment? When company loss their customer, environmental scandal, abuse labor and produce toxic products D). How does corporate social responsibility work positively towards sustainability? In this video two topics that were conduct into the Corporate Social Responsibility in the parts of living and operational conditions. The first part of study meant to explore and explain corporate policies and planned to instigate social responsibility in the working situation and employment. Two precise issues point out in the study. The second part of the study aimed to develop corporate participation in local society and economic renewal; and the encouragement of environmentally satisfactory practices. The video concludes that CSR is a process not a product. Activity 2 A). List of three most powerful pieces of legislation that present the Australian framework for business sustainability and environment protection Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy Heritage and Environment is supporting business growth and profits through environmental projects that boost efficiency Functioning with business is a key function of the OEH strategy for gets better the sustainability of business in NSW. B). What is the prime purpose of each Act. The Primary purpose of each ACT is following. www.environment.gov.au The department is in charge for implements Australian Governments policy to take care our environment and our Heritage, and to encourage a sustainable way of life. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 It provides us a legal structure to defend and handle national and international vital Fauna, Flora, Ecological communities and important Heritage places. http://www.climatechange.gov.au/ It will safeguard the environment, sustain our people and support our financial system. The Clean Energy Act 2011 It sets out the method that Australia will introduce a carbon price to reduce Australias carbon pollution and move to a clean energy future. National greenhouse and energy reporting act 2007 This Act provide for the reporting and distribution of information associated to greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas projects, energy production and energy consumption, Clean Energy Regulator It is an autonomous body under Australian Government and set up by this ACT. The Clean Energy Regulator will administer new and existing regulatory schemes including the: Mechanism Carbon Pricing Carbon Farming Initiative program applications Australian National Registry of Emissions Units National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme, and Renewable Energy Target. Comcare Australia Comcare works to reduce the human and financial costs of workplace injuries and disease in the Commonwealth jurisdiction. http://www.ret.gov.au/energy/efficiency/eeo/about/Pages/default.aspx This program encourages the large energy using businesses to improve their energy efficiency. It does this by requiring businesses to identify, evaluate and report publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities. http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/pages/default.aspx The primary responsibility of improving work health and safety and workers compensation arrangements across Australia Work health and safety Act 2011 This Act to address issues identified during the implementation of the new WHS laws. Fair work Australia Act 2009 It is the national workplace relations tribunal. It is an independent body with power to carry out a range of functions relating to: the safety net of minimum wages and employment conditions Enterprise bargaining Industrial action Dispute resolution Termination of employment Other workplace matters. Industrial benchmarking Australian centre for sustainable business and development Accelerate sustainable development by proving the business case for sustainability and Profitable business that is good for the world. Australian Sustainable Business Group It helping organizations deal with the substantial and rapidly changing environmental, and greenhouse laws and helping them to become more sustainable Banksia environmental foundation Achieving a Sustainable Australia Recognizing and rewarding environmental excellence Promoting best practice principles contributing to action-learning and education Boral Ltd It provides the construction material whose do not affect the environment Forum for the future It is a non-profit organization working globally with business and government to create a sustainable future. Global reporting initiative To make sustainability reporting standard practice by providing guidance and support to organizations Sustainable business education case studies The Local Government Association of NSW and the Shires Association of NSW represent 152 general purpose councils, 12 special purpose councils and the NSW Aboriginal Land  Council. Sustainable business Australia It is a business think tank and advocacy group promoting commercial solutions to environmental challenges, SBA member companies collectively influence policies to create clean, green business opportunities and help to shape the next great technological era. Implementation toolkits It provides business assistance and advice, strong technical knowledge and scientific capabilities. By integrating the services of the Departments partner agencies we have a stronger capacity to support NSW industry and businesses in creating jobs and leveraging investment. C). Describe what actions businesses must take to comply with each piece of legislation. Businesses must think about these: Take Social responsibility Green Environment Employees benefits Government Regulation Organizational Structure Labor Laws Environment protection steps Business Educational studies Recycling waste Fair work Activity 3 A). Explain what product Stewardship is Product Stewardship is a conception where the Environment, Health, and safety security centers on the product itself and everybody concerned in the lifetime of the product is called leading to take up liability to decrease its Health, Environmental, and protection impacts. For manufacturer, these include planning for paying for the recycle or the disposal of product to end of it valuable life. This may be achieve in parts by re-designing products to use less injurious substances and to be more long-lasting, reusable and ecological and to build products from recycled equipment. For retailer consumer it means captivating a dynamic role in ensure the correct disposal or recycle of an end of life goods. B). Explain who product stewardship related to waste management The Local harmful Waste Management Program endorse product stewardship philosophy as a management strategy because in the present waste management organization, all the liability for managing toxic goods fall to local government and rate-payers, even if they do not use the goods. The manufacturers who design and market the product are not the part of the recycling organization. Product stewardship program require producer to collect, finance, transport and correctly dispose of their goods at end of life. Product stewardship program is being implemented in many countries like Canada, Asian, Europe and many parts of the countries including Australia. Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011(QLD) (31 of 2011) (ACT) gives a chance to make significant improvement in waste resource management. The Act gives a mixture of mechanisms within a frame that seek to support waste reduction and resource recovery and thereby reducing the impact on environment of waste even as promote sustainability. C). What legislation and regulates product Stewardship. The Product Stewardship Act 2011 gives the frame to efficiently manage the environmental and health of people and safety impacts of goods, and in exacting that impact related with the disposal of goods. The frame includes voluntary and co-regulatory and compulsory product stewardship. The way of the legislation deliver on an answer promise by the Australian Govt. under the National Waste Policy, this was agreed by governments in NOV 2009 and authorized by the Council of Australian Governments in August 2010. Activity 4 A). What EMS will cover Environmental issues and opportunities to be addressed by EMS Environmental and business results with their benefits Establish aims, scientific measures and objectives, and related milestones. Get management promise to EMS, describe EMS resource needs, and categorize EMS leaders Existing plan, program, procedure, process, and tools important to the EMS Identify improvements to attain EMS objectives Assign job for developing enhanced or developing new procedure, process, and tools. Identify personnel affected by EMS, define responsibilities, and communicate responsibilities EMS related training needs responsibilities and schedule. Evaluate EMS project performance Top management Review progress, identifies adjustments, and confirms commitments. B). What legislation, codes and practice and industry standards it will comply with Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 Product Stewardship Act 2011 The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) The Australian Industry Standard Australian accounting standards Fields of Research (FOR) classification Research Fields, Courses and Disciplines (RFCD) classification Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) classification Labor law C). how will be responsible for its management Manager himself responsible for its management or Leader of the EMS and Department of CSR and top management how finalize it D). how it will follow product whole of life principles The green environment always helps to product whole of life principles it will also helps to this approach. E). what you will do to communicate the EMS to all stakeholders- internal and external Internal stakeholders always knows the importance of EMS and I can also communicate this to my honorable stakeholders, doing this we will improve the management by direct communicate the lower staff and remove hesitation, collect the real information it will help in other problems, labor also happy with us and they knows that company will do something for them. I will tell External stakeholder that people like us for this EMS and it will increase the market share and profit and build brand name or company name less toxic products make customer happy and increase our sales revenue and investor love to invest in our company it will increase our business. Activity 5 Research the green offices and describe five ways you can create a more environmentally friendly working environment. The hype of going to be green you have already started to replace family unit cleaners with organic ones and using a petrol car to a hybrid car but why we stop at office? Green office means to make your offices environment friendly and sustainable. Green Office is to aim to support employees across the world to make little change to their working practice to positively affect the environment. It raises knowledge of important green matters, as long as office employees with the realistic advices and tools and give help to create a extra sustainable method of working. Five ways that helps us to make friendlier working environment. Use Soy-based ink (Soybeans ink) Remove waste of Vending Machine (Coffee Machine) Cut Down Transportation (Carpools Matching Service) Less use of lights Less use of papers if office, use Networking to share documents

Triple Bottom Line Concept and Its Benefits for Businesses

Triple Bottom Line Concept and Its Benefits for Businesses Introduction The concept of Triple Bottom line is just a popular concept that has been applied in the understanding of social duties among companies that are looking forward for the incorporation of non monetary values in their businesses. Its notion has become of much fashion in management, investing and management over the last few years. It has been explained that the ultimate success of corporations ought to be measured not just by the use of traditional financial bottom line, but need also to be measured by on the ethical and environmental factors. In fact most individuals have accepted that, organizations have a lot of responsibilities to their stakeholders to have responsible behaviors. In addition, it is also true that, it is not possible for firms in the long run to be successful if they disregard key stakeholders interests. Its apparent novelty lines in the contention of its supporters that the overall attainment of duties to the society, clients, employees as well as suppliers should b e either calculated or audited and even report presented just like financial performance of public firms have been for over a century now, (Bowen, 1953). As a matter of fact, TBL can not be taken as if it is an award, certification or even an accreditation that can be earned, but it is a continuous process that just helps companies to keep on ensuring that they are working towards greener business, as well as the demonstrating to the local community that, they are not just working towards enriching themselves, but also to the common good. Its major aim is to ensure sustainable development strategy. Literature review Historical Perspective The origin of triple Bottom Line dates back in 1990s, when the management thought accountability started using the phrase in its work. In 1997, the phrase got currency with 1997 publication of British edition of John Elkingtons Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business (Elkington, 1998). As a matter of fact, there were very few literatures on it, and many individuals thought that, Elkington coined the idea. However, after its publication, it has spread just like bush wire. It has been embraced and promoted by different organizations like the Global Reporting initiative and accountability by applying its concept in corporate world. Not being taken as a surprise, most firms accounting firms have incorporated the concept in an approval way when offering services that help companies that want to audit or even measure their additional bottom lines. In the same way, there have been sizable portion of industrial investment that have been devoted their energy din the processes of screening firms on the foundation of their environmental as well as ethical/social undertakings. As a matter of fact, most of them use 3BL language. Not only companies, but different governments, government departments as well as political parties have also been well represented in the increasing documentation of those proposing the fact. The Triple Bottom line was originally inspired by Patrick Urbanist, who came up with similar ideas at the start of 20th century. These concepts depends much on the triad of folk, work, and place, which encouraged the use of a multifaceted approach to policy and economic analysis (Robertson, 1992). At the later stage, in a similar function, the aspect was adopted by both environmental and business theorists. In particular, the most renown theorists was Elkington, with his intention of coming up with an approach to social/ethical responsibility that was far much practical for business managers and leaders. This is based on the fact that, it does not regard or even water down the social/ethical as well as environmental values of much more ethical business. There have been a number of different appr oaches have been trying to come up with a very better metrics, that are far much helpful in the calculation of a triple bottom line since that time. Some of such approaches have been considered legislation in some parts of the world, for instance, Oregon and Minnesota States in the United State. Other nations or countries include Australia. Essentially, the aspects of TBL were just an attempt of introducing a paradigm of accounting to the social environmental domains. Originally, the concept was just introduced as a tool of corporate tool of business. As an effect, individuals wonder if during its introduction, the notion was that the phrase would be picked and applied universally as it is now. To some extent, the phrase is not as new as such, this is based on the fact that, the concept just applies accounting knowledge to what was formally called corporate social responsibility. Sometimes back, lots of companies used to scorn the notion of Triple Bottom Line reporting systems; currently, there are those who have taken its task fully. Its effects have been experienced in the positive flow on their suppliers. Since chains of supply are also accountable to the companys performances, they are also scrutinized well in the Triple Bottom Line audits. The best examples in U.S are some big box stores which are greening up their actions, and as an effect, demanding their suppliers to use less packaging. Elements of Triple Bottom Line Concept The elements of Triple Bottom Line include profit also called Economic value, people (Social values) and the planet (Ecological value.) this is according to the description provided by Sustainability influence by 200th century Urbanist Patrick, in his notion of folk work as well as place. Ecological values (planet) One of the elements that make up Triple Bottom Line concept is ecological values. In its sense, it refers to environmental practices that are sustainable. The Triple Bottom Line company struggles itself to ensure that it has benefited the natural order as much as it could, or at least to the level that it will not harm and curtail environmental effects. A Triple Bottom Line endeavor ensures that it has reduced its ecological footprint by considering other factors. This is usually done through; careful management of its energy consumption as well as the non-renewable. This usually goes hand in hand with the reduction of waste manufacture, along with rendering waste products less toxic before disposing them din a safe and legal manner. The phrase Cradle to grave is uppermost in the thoughts of TBL manufacturing businesses which typically conduct a life cycle assessment of products to determine what the true environmental cost is from the growth and harvesting of raw materials to manufa cture to distribution to eventual disposal by the end user. Accompany that considers A triple bottom line, does not in any way produce harmful products, or even destructive products for instance, weapons, chemicals that are toxic or even batteries that contain heavy metals that can be termed as dangerous (Giddens, 1995). In the current times, the expenses involved during dumping of non-degradable products or even toxic waste products, is very high. As a result, are borne financially by different stakeholders like for instance, Governments and environmentally by those individual who reside near the dumping site and also elsewhere. According to the thinking of A triple bottom line, an industry which engages itself in the production as well as marketing a product which will at one point create a waste problem, should never at any cost be provided with an easy ride by the society as a whole, even the government should never provide any incentive on it. It will be considered more equitable for all businesses that involves themselves and sales products which might be taken as problematic, or might cause some troubles in future, , need to bear part of the expenses of its ultimate disposal. Practices which can be considered as being ecologically, for instance, overfishing activities or any other activity that in one way or the other tries to endanger the depletion of some resources are all avoided by A triple bottom line company. In most cases, environmental sustainability is a more profitable course for investors in the long run. However, arguments stated that it is much expensive to be environmentally sound are often specious when the course of the business is analyzed over a period of time. Generally, sustainability reporting metrics are better quantified and standardized for environmental issues than for social ones (Porter 1998). There are a number of respected reporting institutions as well as registries, are under existence, for instance, the Global Reporting initiative, institute for sustainability, CERES, as well as the institute for sustainability, among others. The reality so far is that, practice or companies that that create a lot of economic wealth, but do not at any cost prevent the deletion of natural resource, eventually can be considered as sustainable triple bottom line. This is based on the fact that, at one single time, the product or organization, will at one time lacks natural resources to continue its operation. In addition, it has been proved that, operations that do not factor at any level environmental costs of production sends false signals to customers and government. If in any case a business entails in the externalization of business environment, in most cases consumers tent to believe that, the cost of producing such a product is much lower than reality, due to lower prices for instance, demand tents to be higher. Tipple bottom line Sustainability, looks forward in addressing such like issues. Profit (economic value) This can be termed as the economic value that is usually created by any organization after the deduction of all expenses of any input, even after the exclusion of tied up capital. As an effect, it differs much from the traditional accounting definitions of what the profit is. Originally within sustainability framework, the concept of profit is supposed to be seen as being the real benefits that the host community enjoys. It is presumed to being the economic impacts that an organization might have on its economic environ. This in most cases is confused with the limited to the internal profit made by a company or organization (which nevertheless remains an essential starting point for the computation) (Matt, 2010). As an effect, the original Triple Bottom Line approach can not in any way be interpreted as being traditional corporate accounting profits on top of social and environmental effects, except when the profits of other entities have been included as social gains. Just as any other element of Triple Bottom Line, the point of profit includes net profits or losses. All business practices that leads to the creation of both environmental social advantages, but ends up losing money, is considered as not being sustainable in any way. This was not based on the fact that, at one point the business might lack its operations funding. As a result, the Triple Bottom Line does not have any intention of excluding profit incentive from operations. It exists to balance the profit incentive with the costs of production decisions that are often externalized: (Matt, 2010) both environment and social bills. Those proposing sustainability Triple Bottom Line initiative, explain that operations that in one way or the other, but only create costs similarly not suitable are unsustainable as well. People, (social value) This refers to the and fair and beneficial business operations towards labor and the community and region under which the firm carries its activities. A Triple Bottom Line firm aims at benefiting many constituencies; by ensuring that it does not endanger any group neither destroys it. Part of the profits gained from finished product marketing back to the original raw materials producer. As a matter of fact, Triple Bottom Line business never uses child labor and will always monitor contracted firms for the exploitation of child labor. Such firms will also pay better salaries as well as maintaining safe working conditions, along with tolerable working hours. They also look forward to giving back to the community, by contributing to its growth with things like health care and schools. The quantification of such bottom line is new, subjective and often problematic, Fine (1991). Theories and Opinions According to Michael Porter, economy is just a social construct. This is based on the reason that, it is as an effect of policies, institutions as well as interactions that makes up the society. Secondly, the meaning of economy and what it is, originates from narratives made by society members. In this manner, the economic bottom line is not separable from social issues, including societal issues. According to Michael Porter, both economic and social issues cant be separated at a cost; this is based on the fact that it is far much difficult to for anyone to reject the fact that, the relationship between economy and society are different. It has been found by economists that, economic processes that increases competitiveness, and better financial bottom line, results to long-term social trade off. It is true that, through the erratic nature of innovation, improved forms of production are developed but their Adoption is hindered by the lack of supporting services and infrastructure once abundant but no longer Available. (Porter 1998) On the same note, economic efficiency might result to other forms of social stresses. This is especially when advantages of higher efficiency is not distributed equally. At this very point at any time, for instance, many producers of vegetables across U.S may be arguing that, the current chain of supply arrangements gives rise to non-producers in the chain of supply for instance, processors and retailers capturing and never passing on the interests of the efficiency that is gained by producers. At this point for instance, this in most cases occurs when economic notions those results to social equity are in facing head on each other. On the other hand, constructivist school sociologists like Grove-White (1997), and Fine (1991), have brought the point that; natural environment by itself is already a human construct. Cultural groups have led to the construction landscapes as their own reflections. Any form of change in environment has been associated with social along with cultural symbols. According to Finer, the definition of a group has been renegotiated to refer to the conception and definition of what the environment is. Constructivists have therefore give TBL different meanings, for instance, the existence of environmental factor will not exist unless socially constructed. As a matter of fact, the environment can be given collective meaning depending on the collective social affiliations that are attributed to them. This is because, in one way or the other, the environment can be considered as being inseparable from the sociology. Though such like statements are philosophically challenging, but they make sense when individuals start translating personal perceptions into shared point of views. For example, to different individuals, a river might be a source of water, to another person, source of beauty while to the rest might view it as recreation source. Secondly, environmental issues in most cases reflect social interaction. This is based on the fact that, scholar have even stated that the environment by itself is constructed by socio-culture. It has been argued by White-Grove that problems as a result of environment are just physical phenomena. environmental problems and issues which society recognizes at any one moment are shaped and determined by processes of human judgment and social negotiation, even in their very definitions (White-Grove 2011). This view has been has been supported by other researchers like Woodhills who has concluded that In the recent past, there have been calls for the addition of fourth bottom line on the Triple Bottom Line, that will be based on culture however, individuals have argued that, this will just increase a fourth leg to a concept that is in many ways flawed, it does provide a lead to defining some pragmatic ways of dealing with the flaws (Spiller Lake 2003). This call has attracted a lot of attention to the effects that accumulated stresses that are currently measured by TBL. Globalization has played a major part in the TBL concept development; however, the paradox that has come with globalization is that, it has resulted to greater global integration of both national and regional economies and cultures, it accentuates, rather than minimizes, the significance of the local context for innovative activities (Acs et al 1996). At first such like contradiction was referred to as glocalization. This paradox has a very strong suggestion of regionalism, and calls for collective practices at local levels trying with a lot of effort to challenge the point of globalization, but on the other hand, it tries accommodating it to enhance competitive advantage. This kind of advantages is in most cases just a very complex mix of issues which under Triple Bottom Line framework. In addition, the issue of glocalization tends to explain the way forward. First and foremost, it tries to integrate factors that underlay the TBL, other than accumulating credits along with deficits that make up bottom lines that tent to have greater meaning to those individuals who tent to live the events other reporting them, (Bowen, 1953). Application, Impact and Discussion Positive Impacts The company might experience increased income and market share. This suggests that, managers believe that, their organizations have the ability of benefiting a lot from the Triple Bottom Line efforts. Market share impact also indicates that the management believes that, both customers and stakeholders have responded positively to the action. As a fact, managers will be seeing economic value; cause, it can help in cost saving along with incomes from new markets and innovation opportunities. There is also increased employee retention after Triple Bottom Line (TBL) implementation. Having stronger sustainability is helpful in the retention as well as recruitment of better talents. Research has shown that, employees kin U.s prefer getting lower salaries but work with responsible institutions. Managers look at increased societal support as being an advantage to TBL. This sis based on the fact that, the local society influences firms operation license. When firms engage in societal activities, like addressing community problems and engaging in social impacts, it is presented as a good citizen corporate and partners. As an effect, managers view this as a chance of opening dialogue door and positive stakeholders. The TBL implementation also assists in the avoidance of legal issues, and angering special interest teams while encouraging good publicity. Managers look at increased societal support as another positive impact of TBL. Companies that provide support to society, impact their environment beyond the firms boundaries. Activities like development of education and health system, leads to a reduced risk. This means that, when organizations implement TBL, they become safer enterprises, hence, to them, funds procurement is much easier. As an effect, an organization might use such positive impacts for the creation of a framework that rewards practices and decisions made by its management for the support of sustainability along with TBL. In general, TBL leads to the hiring of top talent, higher retention of top talent, increased employee productivity, reduced manufacturing expenses, reduced expenses at commercial sites, increased revenues and market share, reduced risk, and easier financing (Willard, 2002). As shown in figure 1 bellow. Figure 1 organizational advantage to TBL from: ttp://www.ccl.org/leadership/pdf/research/tripleBottomLine.pdf Negative Impacts Division of labor is one of the characteristic of rich societies, and a major reason that leads to massive accumulation of wealth. This then leads to the point that organizations contributions are majorly to the welfare of the community din all areas when managers are focusing on what they can do best, for the benefit of all. Sat the time, business is satisfying the society, TBL is then thought to be very harmful, as it diverts business attention far from its main goals and values. For instance, just like charitable organization like Red Cross are not expected to handle environmental issues. As an effect, mangers have to know that they are not required to concentrate on concerns outside companys main objective, given that the enterprise is not doing any harm to the environment or people. The concern for social and environmental issues is hardly found in poor communities, it is only a concern for richer societies. As an effect, application of TBL acts as an example of choices available to the citizens of a society made wealthy by businesses attending to business (Willard, 2002). As an effect, the creative attention to only business makes the business to contribute effectively to the betterment of all society angles, like social, environmental as well as economic. Though socially responsible managers will say that is harmful to the society, however, TBL pressurizes libertarian managers to a mechanism that might or might not be the best option. It is not ethical to force businesses to undertake duties that are outside there core area of concentration. This is so particularly in areas that the firm does not harm either the environment or people in any way. In the implementation TBL, most managers face the difficulty of achieving global agreement on simultaneous policy that might render such like measures found in TBL at the best advisory, hence unenforceable. For instance, individuals might not be willing to face depression or recession with the aim of replenishing lost ecosystem. One of the major shortcomings of TBL framework application is capability of being applicable in monetary-based economic system. Since there has been never and still there will be no single way in monetary terminologies that can be used to measure society and environment as there is with profits. TBL does not allow mangers to get the sum of all three bottom lines. Due to this, it is far much difficult for managers to recognize the benefits of TBL implementation in the firm. Mangers implementing TBL have been criticized by the TBL left wingers on the fact that, this method is just an attempt by otherwise exploitative corporations to avoid legislation and taxation and generate a fictitious people-friendly eco-friendly image for PR purposes (Giddens, 1995). Application of Triple Bottom Line Concepts in Management It is being applied as an accounting and reporting tool as promoted by Elkington. This application has gained rapid adoption especially among global organizations that are looking for ways to enhance their image a good global citizen. For instance, Shell was amongst the first firm in the United States. Many organizations have ended up hiring the Consultancy Organization Sustainability by Elkington, in developing tools that assists in their accounting for their progress against TBL (Shell International, 1998). The process of developing TBL into a framework unto which firms can make a presentation of their performance accounts, has ended up promoting flurries of studies, money and consultancy firms. The goodness is that, all of them are on the way of improving the tools and processes involved. As a matter of fact, the global Reporting Initiative has been established with the objective of providing central concentration for such like activities, and also setting some international stand ards for reporting sustainability. This application of TBL reporting has gained its application in various public sectors as well as smaller entrepreneurs. The concept of TBL has introduced the factor of measurement in the management of organization as urged by Elkington. He explained that what you cant measure, you are likely to find hard to manage (Elkington, 1998). It happened that, he was a fervent believer that, it is very much possible to use Triple Bottom Line in the process of measuring progress. However, Elkington acknowledges two0n major challenges. The first challenge is that, the process of accounting for social dimension, there is a problem. This does not concern how measure social attributes. He continued that, amongst the challenges of Triple Bottom Line agenda, he notes that, when we include the social and ethical dimensions of sustainability, the range of sustainability-related Issues and impacts grow dramatically (Elkington, 2004). He ends up concluding that, the second challenge faced by TBL model is the development of an approach that measure progress din a way that is very much integrated across the Triple Bottom Line. However, lots of those carrying out social studies have criticized Elkington ideas that TBL has been applied in some sort of decision algorithm mechanisms. Such researchers have argued that, the decisions that revolve around sustainability and natural resource management need to concentrate on issues that can count, other than being based on things that can be counted (Vanclay, 2003). There are other researchers who have noted some difficulties in the adoption of framework that leads to decision making systems that incorporates social dimension. In attempting to develop social indicators we encounter immediately the problem that the communities whose health in which we are interested do not resemble the sorts of stable and self-regulating systems we find in nature (Lockie Jennings, 2003) Such like criticism and other reservations were all raised at a workshop that was discussing and debating the Use of Triple Bottom Line concept as a means of incorporating social dimension into other policies along with processes of decision making for Australia. On of the major conclusion that this workshop came up with was that, developing Triple Bottom Line indicators is just one of the operation in a broader process. On the other hand, the subject of identifying indicators is a very important output. This is based on the fact that, it will help organizations make reflections on their overall strategic goals, as the process proceeds well beyond that first step. The process of reporting TBL results to engagements with stakeholders in the creation of new circuits of knowledge exchange, as well as communication. The ongoing monitoring as well as reporting of TBL indicates that it has the capability of developing a new phase of organizational reflection (Elkington, 2004). Apart from t hat, it also leads to the exchange that regards to the quality of measures under use and the performance target that have been put in place. As a planning and reporting tool, the manner in which TBL has been used, is just seen as being a mare approximation of complex aspects for instance, sustainability. This has been taken to be much true in the case of its uptake by organizations. For any company to count for global aspects, for instance sustainability would need a detailed as well as complex analysis of the companys interaction with ecological systems, societies, habitats, resources as well as habitats. In the light of all other firms past as well as present effects don the similar systems. In its place, it can be used during categorizing different matters that can be connected to sustainability pursuit, with an objective that, the organization has the power of monitoring the effects of its activities concerning these issues. Appropriate Strategies and Recommendations The TBL needs a much focused commitment through long term strategic thinking, alignment, planning as well as implementation. When firms propose a certain corporate sustainability, the difficulty encountered depends on the process of incorporating TBL principles onto operations of an organization. There are two aspects which organizations have to consider ensuring successful integration of TBL along with company strategy is that; sustainability needs a lot of innovation. The second point is that, sustainability strategies have to be customized. Studies have found that, the organization size has no effect on whether it wants to incorporate TBL. Consistent with major recommendations of 2003 workshop on social dimension of TBL in rural Australia, I advocate greater concentration on the process of TBL reporting as a way of encouraging the ability of addressing sustainability change. As a matter of fact, there should be a set of criteria which ought to be used in the evaluation of TBL with the major aim of improving TBL outcomes. Organizations need to implement an iterative learning cycle. This will ensure that organizations planning are but on collaborative change reflections that will be seen after an operation by the company in the past. At the core of these operations, should be the opportunity that allows stakeholders engagement in company operations, on both external and internal, (Elkington, 2004). Another recommendation is that, when considering how different activities can result to sustainable future community, I recommend that, TBL reporting need to be promoted by companies. This is based on increasing degree of experience and resources to enable organizations handle TBL reporting dealings. Provided with some of the inherent constraints with organizational-based TBL reporting, it is much clear that organizations need to take TBL as an adaptive long-term adaptive management. This should not be seen as a quick fix, but it needs the development of means of monitoring how organizations, activities are contributing to particular TBL sustainability and the reflection on performance evaluation that ensures that all targets are concentrated upon most significant issues not just those that are most expedient, and that its efforts are addressing these effectively.

Great Literature - What Makes it so Great? Essay -- Expository Definit

Great Literature - What Makes it so Great? What is "great" literature? What makes it so great? Who decides it is great? And, most importantly, why should people read it? The answers to these four questions tell their own story, the story of the grandest works ever written. Great literature is what has stood the test of time. This time frame can be as long as many thousands of years, and as short as twenty. What is important is that the piece of literature has been thoroughly analyzed and scrutinized, studied and talked about, criticized and scoffed at--and still survives. From the essay "What is a Classic?" from Aerie Books Ltd. an excerpt reads, "They've set aside that word [classic] solely for books that have passed the test of time, that really are among the best works of their kind ever written" (Aerie Books Ltd. 295). Time is the most important factor contributing to a book's greatness. What makes great literature "great" is the feelings, emotions, and philosophical reflection that the reader experiences, long after having read the piece....

Identity and Self-Esteem: A Look at Self-Verification in African Americ

Individuals are born into families, races, cultures, and countries, but have little awareness of their individuality as very young children. The psychological sense of being separate individuals from their families or caretakers appears to be of little importance until they recognize themselves as separate selves. This is true for all human beings in all cultures, but for races or cultures who have been marginalized, having a separate identity and gaining self-esteem appear to play an even more important role. This essay will look at African American literature from a psychological perspective. From Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs to Zora Neale Hurston's Delia in "Sweat" to James Baldwin's John in Go Tell It On the Mountain, group and individual identity, in conjunction with a high level of self-esteem, are critical factors in determining the successes achieved by individuals and literary characters in the African American literary tradition. Without this sense of group identit y, individual identity, and self-esteem, the African American character becomes like Richard Wright's Bigger Thomas and can not survive. Self-esteem is an important component of human growth. Abraham Maslow's psychological theory argues for a hierarchy of needs composed of a pyramid of five levels. "Beyond the details of air, water, food, and sex, he laid out five broader layers: physiological needs, needs for safety and security, needs for love and belonging, needs for esteem, and the need to actualize the self, in that order. " (Boeree) Maslow argued that few reach the highest level of self-actualization. According to his research, only about 2% of the population reach that level, and most of those were historical figures-Albert Einstein, Ab... ... Abstract. Douglass, Frederick. "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass." African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Nellie Y. McKay. New York: W. W. Norton, 1997. 302-368. Drake, Kimberly. "Rewriting the American self: Race, gender, and identity in the autobiographies of Frederick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs." Melus. Winter 1997. Vol. 22, Issue 4, p. 91. Full text article. Jacobs, Harriet. Incidents In the Life of a Slave Girl: Written By Herself. Ed. and Intro. Nell Irvin Painter. New York: Penguin, 2000. Parsons, Richard D., Stephanie Lewis Hinson and Deborah Sardo-Brown. Educational Psychology: A Practitioner-Researcher Model of Teaching. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2001. 80-81. Wright, Richard. Native Son. New York: HarperPerennial, 1998.

Grieving in Amber by Eavan Boland :: essays research papers

Eavan Boland’s poem â€Å"Amber† was published in the Atlantic Monthly in December of 2005. This poem starts off sad, talking about a death of a friend and how grieving seemed to last forever. Boland shows us this through lines one through five. It then goes on saying that if you think of all the good memories that the grieving process will pass and you can be happy when thinking about the lost friend. Boland’s poem â€Å"Amber† is showing us that grieving shouldn’t last forever and that memories can take away the horrible feelings and bring happiness when thinking about a lost loved one. In the first five lines Boland presents the death of a friend and the writer is grieving â€Å"through seasons and centuries† (line 4), or in other words they are having a hard time getting over the grieving process. She then changes the mood by saying â€Å"On this fine September afternoon† (6). By putting the word â€Å"fine† in she is showing us that grieving is over. She starts talking about an ornament of amber that she is holding and that her friend gave this to her. By saying this she means that her friend gave her all of these memories and she is â€Å"holding† them, or keeping them in her memory. This ornament is the symbol of the memories the writer has of her lost friend. Then the writer is explaining that she has only memories because â€Å"The dead cannot see the living† (11) and vise versa. Boland then brings three images of seeds, leaves and feathers to our minds to present them as memories of a lost friend. In the middle of the poem Boland describes these â€Å"memories† by saying â€Å"as it fell and fell,† (15 and 16). By using â€Å"it† this shows that all of these memories are clumped together as one which makes them stronger. After this she goes on by saying â€Å"which now in a sunny atmosphere seem as alive as they ever were† (17 and 18). This is saying that the memories now bring bright and happy feelings and they seem alive because the memories are so strong that they seem as if they are real. When the writer refers to a Baltic honey this is referring back to the ornament of amber and how she was holding it in her hand, as if memories could be held. She then goes on to tell us a little about the friendship.

Building Community within Organizations

It is already given that the one constant thing in life that nobody can stop is change. This proven fact is applicable much more in the world of running a business organization. In order for the company to strive and compete in the industry it is involved in, there is the necessity for it to instill, from time to time, alteration in company policies, in the framework of its organization and almost in all of the aspect of its whole structure.When situation like this happens, the changes in the policies of the company — be it retrenchment or simple adaptation of new operational procedures or even technology – the most affected by this change is the frontline of the operation. These people are those who belong to the rank-and-file officers and staff members of the firm. Moreover, if the change in policy is a major one that affects the whole member of the organization, intelligent skills and knowledge is a necessary tool so that everyone can cope up with it.The question tha t underlies this statement is: â€Å"What are the effective actions that the employees and leaders alike should do so to counteract the negative side effects of the change and also to parry the blows to their personal and organization’s well-being. † Members of the organization would surely experience the change while it takes place and this call for an intelligent and effective style of leadership and communication on the part of the management.From the vantage point of the employee who is affected through loss or change in the policy of the company, he should have coping mechanism to avert the negative impact of the change. And from the vantage point of the management, good leadership is needed so as not to alienate the workforce and make the changes have a slight impact in them. Ways of Coping from the Vantage Point of Employee Since it is inevitable that a company or an organization will apply changes in its company policies mainly to keep abreast with the stiff co mpetition in the market, every employee of any firm should have a coping mechanism in the light of this.It is them best to follow the advice of the team of Sparks, Baret and Lehndorff (2000) who said in order to bring out the best in anything or everybody, one must know more than the work required of him. Using this advice to avert any catastrophic effect of any change happening in an organization, the employee will have something to fall back on to if ever the alternation in the company policy will deem his position and role in the organization is no longer needed.To go more deeply in this very effective mechanism of averting and coping with the changes happening in a company, the employee, if he knows more than the work he is performing for the company, will have a place to go to if ever his position will be deemed no longer needed by the firm. A good example of this is when an order delivery boy knows how to cook or function in the kitchen of the restaurant he is working for. Bes ides knowing how to drive a delivery van this employee may also participate in the kitchen in preparing food for example during the lull moments when there is no delivery.If ever the times comes when the company will phase out its delivery service and this means the driver will no longer be in need by the company, that employee, because of his experience in working in the kitchen, can be absorbed by the kitchen department so as to lessen the impact of the change in the policy of the firm. Thus saying, this means that an employee should make it to himself to know more about the company that he works in. By knowing different kinds of work in a particular organization, the problem of being absorbed by different department will be not a hassle or a problem.This also avert the point where in the employee can lose his job and part with the organization. Furthermore, if the employee knows many things or have various experiences in various kinds of work, the event of losing an organization or his job will, in a way, not a problem for him. As they say a man of jack of all trades is better than being just a master of one. In an event that an employee is retrenched because of organizational policy, he will not have any trouble finding another work even if the new job is not related to the previous job that he used to perform.Using the set example above, a driver of a delivery van for example may be retrenched for any possible organizational or policy change happening in his company. But since he knows also how to be a mechanic or a helper in the company he used to work with, he may find another job in another firm as a mechanic or even just a helper in the kitchen. Giving this example, it is thus cannot be over emphasized the need for an employee to know more than what he does in his particular organization.Even though this knowledge regarding another line of work is not related to his present job, the use of this may come in the future considering that his tenure in the company is not permanent or changing according to the policies of the management. Transition from Job Loss Wilson (2004) said that when someone is faced by a major loss like being fired or terminated, that person will experience an expected series of sequence of emotions known as Kubler-Ross stages.These grieving emotions will start at denial, bargaining, anger, despair and finally, acceptance. A person who suffered a job loss does not usually experience these emotions in this sequence. They may come in different variation, yet understanding the sequence of this emotional stage can help the person bounce back from the traumatic experience of losing his job. Nevertheless, this is not just the whole picture of the situation that the person must know to pull himself back from a major loss.It is also important to know the four truths as Wilson (2004) enumerated them: †¢ Most people who experience career losses feel like you do †¢ There will be predicable stages in your career transition †¢ As an adult, you will continue to grow and change †¢ There really is a best way to approach finding a new job Wilson (2004) added that by exploring these four truth about a job loss will help create for a person a more realistic expectation.And by doing so, there is likely that the person will slide in the â€Å"paralyzing isolation, frustration, or depression† which usually comes after a major set back like a job loss. Doing and understanding these four truths then will be a capital for that person to create a tremendous opportunity in finding a new job or a career. Leadership During the time of change in company policy and transition from the old process of working to the new one, leaders act as catalysts of change. They are necessary member of the organization since they shoulder the strength of the company in general.Leaders have the ability to set and influence the point of view and opinions of their subordinates. As Philips & Schmidt (2004) said it is therefore not at all surprising that for a long time every organization and corporation are spending big amount of money just to enhance their worker’s skills on leadership. In this light, in an event when a company has set it organizational system it is therefore important that there is a leader, characterized as having transformational skills, to support these changes.This quality of leadership is necessary if not crucial for the company itself since the skills of these people have the capacity to help motivate the working spirit of the employees affected by the change. Moreover, transformational leaders help the organization shift from the old system to the new system when a major change takes place. One of the advantages of having a transformational leader when a change takes place in an organization is the given sensitivity he already has for those who either will be affected by the change or to those who will lose their jobs.Considering that this kind of leader n o longer has control over the retrenched workers or employees, his quality of being aware to the effects of the changes will greatly help those who are left behind to continue their work. Awareness about the effects what happened to the organization will be the ground on which this leader will lead his subordinates to continue being motivated doing their jobs. The good thing about this kind of leader is that he is aware that many, if not most, of the employees will surely lose their enthusiasm to work for the company.Knowing this, the leader then can initiate open communication with his subordinates about what is the real goal of the change and therefore erase the doubts in the mind of the employees that the organization is not really there for them. What is even more effective about this kind of leader is that he knows that he is there to stand before his employees and workers as somebody to be emulated upon. Whatever his actions and attitude towards change will surely be the gener al sentiments of those who fall under him.In this light, changes may take place inside the organization yet the transformational leader will always lessen their impact on the working ethics and habits and also motivation of the workers. References Philips, J. and Schmidt, L. , (2004). The Leadership Scorecard. Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, UK. Sparks, L. , Baret, C. & Lehmdorff, S. (2000) Flexible Working in Food Retailing: A Comparison Between France, Germany, Great Britain and Japan. London: Routledge. Wilson, D. G. (2004). Back in Control: How to Stay Sane, Productive, and Inspired in Your. Sentient Publications, US