Improving Organizational Performance Essay Example for Free

Improving Organizational Performance Essay Celsey Evans, of Airdevils, has hired Peter Mallow, of Dream Teamworks, to address the problems currently existing in and affecting the Airdevils Company. These problems consist of dissatisfaction among customers, less wins at award ceremonies, a high turnover rate, and low job satisfaction among employees. Surveys, amongst other factors, determined that job dissatisfaction is particularly high among the stunt performers. With the stunt performers as the target group of the study, Celsey and Peter will identify the reasons for psychological underpinnings of low job satisfaction in the company. Using motivational and behavioral approaches and making adjustments to the core reasons for employee dissatisfaction will help Airdevils attain the status that they seem to have lost. Determining the underlying causes, implementing interventions, creating a team for preparing innovating stunts, and reducing stress among employees are the keys to catapulting Airdevils back to the status it deserves. According to the JDI and JIG (survey) scores for Airdevils’ employees the stunt performers are the least satisfied in general, but all of the employees are dissatisfied below acceptable levels in Promotion (infrequencies) and Pay (too low). Supervision and Work are also low with stunt performers but higher than â€Å"good† among other employees. If one were to rely on this information alone, one would determine that pay and promotion needs to be examined and adjusted. Further information provided, blogs and profiles, show that there are issues with ‘holier than thou’ attitudes among E8’s, less time at home with family members, low salaries, and drudge routines. After examining these factors one can determine generally that the main cause of low job satisfaction among stunt performers at Airdevils is that the stunts lack exciting challenges. Because the members of Airdevils performing teams were put into hierarchal positions, they were placed into spe cialized stunt routines. This created a more rigid organizational structure. * Though the budget does not allow a perfect overhaul to Celsey’s organization, many interventions can be chosen to be simply delayed. Recommended for the Airdevils immediately are allow participation in open competitions, entering in a new line of stunts, rotation in industry meets, and offering performance-based incentives in salaries. Allowing performers to perform outside work and cross-training are factors that should be considered quickly. After implementation of these interventions there proves to be a marked increase in the company’s performance and there is an improvement in job satisfaction. * In the next phase of the reorganization, Celsey wants to create a group of three people to begin preparing innovative stunts for the regular customers of the Airdevils. Should this idea work well, the customers will like the plans and will want to spend extra money for stunts consultation. In this case, the Airdevils will form a stunts consultancy division. Given seven excellent candidates for this three person team the three chosen by Dream Teamwork’s for Celsey’s team are Cari, Charlie, and Alverta because of their combined work experience, enthusiasm for the job, personalities, and high probability of achievement. Applying this decision is successful. The mixture of experience, high skill levels, and high emotional stability prove to be an excellent combination to make a powerful team for the Airdevils. * In the next phase, Dream Teamworks helps Celsey choose what measures should be taken by the Airdevils to reduce stress among the support crewmembers. After considerations of the measures available to the Airdevils those that would most benefit the company and its staff are relaxation training, stress-inoculation training, software training, modifying team structure, offering transportation services, establishing a code of conduct, and allowing a flexi ble work schedule. These are the best measure possible to reduce stress levels among crewmembers. The results are lower absenteeism, less stress, more teamwork, more personal time with family, and a better ability to cope with stressors from work (Britt Jex, 2008). Absenteeism, turnover, job performance, and counter-productive behavior can be addressed through motivation. Based on the situation illustrated in the simulation the theories of employee motivation that could be used by Celsey and the management team of the Airdevils team to tackle issues are need-based theories, cognitive process theories, self-determination theory, and job-based theories. A need-based theory such as need for achievement would be an effective place to start. Need-based theories propose that achievement and power are needs evoked by different stimuli in the environment (Britt Jex, 2008). Maslow’s need hierarchy does explain that the higher one gets on their hierarchy pyramid, from physiological to self-actualization, the more content a person becomes. This could explain why Airdevils has a need to reorganize their corporation. Making employees content in more factions of their lives makes more productive employees. ERG is another needs-based theory that could be considered. ERG allows for the possibility that the stunt performers in the Airdevils may be regressing because their needs at the most basic level of their work are not satisfied. They are too concerned with the issues that the they may have with the redundancy of the routines and personality issues. Also, they are not allowed to experiment and show their own individuality and true colors and feel as thpugh they are failing to live up to their potential. Need for achievement theory is another that could be considered for this situation. Those who have consistent distinguishing characteristics of perso ns who have a high need for achievement can describe many of the stunt performers at Airdevils. These characteristics include the tendency to set moderately difficult performance goals, seek feedback, and work long hours because they absorb themselves in work (Britt Jex, 2008). Goal-setting, Control, and Equity theories and behavioral approaches are just some examples of further applications that can be studied for this case. Many theories could be applied to the Airdevils’ situation. Should Celsey and Peter go through each of the theories that could be applied to their situation, they may find that each theory will touch on a subject currently adversely affecting the company and its profits. Through examining them all, they could reach conclusions on correcting behaviors throughout the company. Knowledge of human behavior, cognition, and affect can be used to enhance relationships in the workplace. Understanding how people interact with each other and why can help management can place people together in teams accordingly. It can also prepare the company for behavioral changes among the employees. This knowledge can help solve problems, create stress free workplace environments, and create productive and powerful teams. Employee workplace stressors can be reduced by organizations. By paying attention to the results of surveys, blogs written by employees, and general complaints throughout the company any organization can come to understand what particular stressors affect their particular employees. Clear definitions of job titles and descriptions of jobs would assist an organization from having role stressors. Workloads should be studied and divided amongst employees according to ability and pay to alleviate workload stressors. Independent control over their own workloads could be considered. For example, in regard to Airdevils, allowing more team members freedom to decide on adjustments to routines could reduce stress levels there. Alleviating interpersonal conflict by teaming like members together is one way that companies like the Airdevils can control stressors. Reducing organizational constraints is another example. In the case of the Airdevils’ organizational constraints, they do not allow their employees to participate in open competitions or rotate in industry meets. Releasing these constraints could strengthen the organizations relationships with their employees as well as relieve some of the stressors they face. Perceived control and work-family conflict are further stressors that should be examined. Making adjustments to schedules, pay, and employees behaviors will relieve many organizational conflicts and stressors and benefit the company greatly. Job security, layoffs, mergers and acquisitions are not currently affecting Airdevils but do affect other organizations. Stress management training, adjusting work schedules, providing telecommuting options, offering family-friendly benefits, and offering health and fitness programs are further ways that an organization can combat stress among its employees (Britt Jex, 2008). Careful consideration of each aspect by the organization will ensure that they can make informed decisions regarding each stressor. After analysis of survey, employee blogs, and paying attention to the behaviors of its employees, Celsey and Peter can make the changes that Airdevils desperately needs to survive and grow. The company has a superb foundation and understands that changes must be made to achieve success. By applying studying and understanding employees’ behaviors, cognition, and applying relevant theories Dream Teamworks and Airdevils can create a prospering work environment for Airdevils’ employees and will find more satisfied employees, be subject to less turnover, win more awards, and satisfy customers better than they ever have. Reference Britt, T. W., Jex, S. M. (2008). Organizational psychology: A scientist-practitioner approach. (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons

The Human Genome Project Essay -- Genetics Science Biology Essays

The Human Genome Project The Human Genome Project is a long-term project by international scientist to develop detailed genetic and physical maps of the human genome. Researchers are engaged in locating and identifying all of its genes and establishing the sequence of the genes and all other components of the genome. This monstrous task has the potential to dramatically increase our understanding of human evolution and variation, and perhaps most importantly†¦human disease. The success of the Human Genome Project also poses potential societal problems. Some genetic disorders will be detectable long before there will be treatments available for them. Controversy could also arise over reproductive issues. For example, people may consider terminating pregnancies for reasons of genetic makeup, or if there is social pressure to limit reproductive rights or genetic grounds. Issues of genetic discrimination and confidentiality in the insurance industry and employment also must be addressed. The Project In 1988, a committee organized by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy developed an action plan for the Human Genome Project. In 1990, a five-year joint research proposal was submitted to Congress, and in October 1990, the Human Genome Project officially began. The project has been organized and supported primarily by the DOE and the NIH, which established working groups to address genome mapping, computational analysis to handle databases, and the social, legal, and ethical implications of the human genome research. Congress funds the project through the National Center for Human Genome Research at the NIH, which in turn awards grants and contracts to U.S. investigators. Additional funding from Con... ...of the "human being," absolutely outweigh the negative factors. I do believe however that a certain level of education should begin to inform individuals about the project and the results to come, and perhaps fewer problems will result. References Patenting the Human Genome: The Lancet Oct 2, 1999 p1135 The Human Genome Project and Gene Therapy: A genetic counselors perspective Journal of Prenatal & Neonatal Nursing, Dec 1998 p16 The Code Breaker: Discover, May 1998 p44 Genetic Sampling: big brother, or big science? Public Health Reports:Jan-Feb 1998 p71 The Human Genome Project: http://www.ornl.gov/TechResources/Human_Genome/home.html Some Other Useful Web Sites Center Site NIH Human Genome Program http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/HGP/ DOE Human Genome Program http://www.er.doe.gov/production/ober/hug_top.html Genome Database http://gdb.org/

Investigating Water Potential of Swed

eInvestigating water potential of swede The aim of our experiment was to investigate the water potential of swede and then use our results to help us determine the water potential of plant tissue. This overall flow of water from a dilute area of high water potential to a more concentrated solution of low water potential across a partially permeable membrane is called osmosis.I predicted that the swede cylinders which are put in a test tube with a low potential of sucrose solution would become turgid because the water molecules that are present in the swede will move away from an area of higher potential of water molecules to an area that has a lower potential of water molecules, this means that the swede sample will gain mass and become full almost to an extent where it is ready to burst.The swede samples that are going to be put in a test tube with a high potential of sucrose solution will become flaccid because the swede cylinder will have a higher potential of water molecules and so these molecules will diffuse into the sucrose solution as it has a lower water potential, this means that the potato sample will shrivel and loose mass. Equipment * Plant tissue such as swede * 1M sucrose solution * Distilled water * Boiling tubes * Cork borer size No. 5 or 6 * Scalpel, white tile and ruler * Boling rack tube to hole six tubes * Measuring cylinders * 10cm cubed syringes Chemical balance * Tweezers * Labels or Chinagraph pencil/OHP pen * Bungs to fit boiling tubes * Paper towel for blotting To ensure that our experiment gave us the best possible outcome of results and to make sure that we carried out the experiment safely we were extra cautious with the type of equipment we used and how we used it. If we used more than one swede we made sure that the swede was of the same brand and roughly the same size this helped to reduce any errors in our results. We took care with any glassware and cutting equipment that we used to reduce the risk of anyone getting injured.Th ere were quite a few factors in the experiment that we controlled, for example we put stopper caps on the test tubes to stop the solution from evaporating. Also we used a syringe when measuring the amount of sucrose solution to make sure that we put the exact amount that we needed in each test tube. A top pan balance to 2. d. p was used which meant that our results were more accurate. We also made sure that our experiment was fair by only changing one variable which was the concentration of the sucrose solution and then keeping every other variable the same. ) Prepare a series of six sucrose solutions using 1. 0M sucrose and distilled water to give a range of 0. 0 – 1. 0M 2) Measure 25cm cubed of each sucrose concentration into separate boiling tubes and label with the appropriate molarity 3) Cut six cylinders from a swede using the cork borer. Trim to remove any skin and cut to the same length. 4) Dry the swede cylinders by rolling in a paper towel – the same number o f times for each cylinder. For each of the six sucrose bathing solutions, weigh a cylinder on the top pan balance. In a suitable table record its mass against the appropriate solution molarity. ) Using forceps place each cylinder into the correct sucrose concentration and insert the bung 6) Leave the swede cylinders in the test tube for an hour 7) Remove each cylinder from the tubes in the same order that they were put in. Roll each cylinder in a paper towel – the same number of times as in step 4. Reweigh and record the new mass in your table against the correct bathing solution 8) Calculate the change in mass for each cylinder 9) Draw a graph of your processed results showing the intercept. Now work out the water potential value using a calibration table or curve. Join the points with straight lines and do not extrapolateM| Water (ml)| Measurements before (g)| Measurements after (g)| Overall % change| 0. 0| 25| 2. 09| 2. 28| 9. 09| 0. 1| 22. 5| 2. 00| 2. 15| 7. 50| 0. 25| 1 8. 75| 1. 89| 2. 05| 8. 47| 0. 5| 12. 5| 2. 09| 2. 18| 4. 31| 0. 75| 6. 25| 1. 90| 1. 90| 0| 1| 0| 2. 16| 2. 03| -6. 02| Our results show us that there is negative correlation between the potential of sucrose solution and the mass of the swede samples decreases, we know this because on our graph we can see that overall the gradient of the line is decreasing which shows that as the potential of the sucrose solution gets higher the average mass of the swede sample decreases.An explanation as to why some swede samples gained mass and others lost mass is because if the swede samples are placed in a test tube with a low potential of sucrose solution then the water molecules in the sucrose solution will pass through a partially permeable membrane to the swede sample and if the potato samples are placed in a test tube with a high potential of sucrose solution then they will do the opposite and the water molecules in the swede sample will move to the sucrose solution.There may be some limit ations with our results because the recommended time to leave the swede cylinders in the test tube with the sucrose solution was for an hour but we were unable to leave them in there for that long and so that may be the reason why there are some anomalies in our results.If I was to make improvements to the experiment then I would have took a few more mass measurements for each sample so that my results are more reliable, I would also carry out the experiment on two different substances for example eggs and courgettes so that I am able to study whether osmosis takes place in the same way and I would compare where the two different equilibrium points are.From my results I can say that my hypothesis was correct because my results show me that the swede cylinders which were put in sucrose solution that was of a low potential became flaccid because the water molecules in the swede moved into the sucrose solution and the swede cylinders that were placed in sucrose solution of a high poten tial became turgid because the water molecules in the sucrose solution moved to the potato. In the future to study osmosis further i will keep the concentration of sucrose solution the same but place the test tubes in different environments to see whether this will affect how osmosis will take place.

Chuck Closes Life and Book Review Essay - 1686 Words

Chuck Close was born on July 5, 1940, in Monroe, Washington, and grew up in the blue-collar town of Everett. He earned his B.A. from the University of Washington, Seattle, in 1962, and two years later his M.F.A. from Yale University, and taught art classes at the University of Massachusetts. Close was married to Leslie Rose for more than four decades and together have two daughters. The couple first daughter, Georgia Molly, was born in 1973, and Maggie Sarah in 1984. He has lived with Prosopagnosia, a disorder that impaired the ability to recognize faces, but not objects. It would be this disorder that would shape his career as a photorealist, doing close-up as a way to remember and recognize his subjects including his friends. Chuck Close†¦show more content†¦They say that through time people change the way they see things and lately my taste for art has changed. Today I no longer root for Goliath, but instead for David. In today’s art world we could probably say tha t without trepidation that Chuck Close is our David. Close had to overcome many obstacles to reach his success. He had to deal with many disabilities and a life-threatening stroke that almost killed him, but instead he used those obstacles in his life as a motivation to accomplish his goals both as an artist and individual. Although I was somehow familiar with the artist I had never read anything in length about him. I decided to make a selection of books of the artist in order to learn more about the artist. The books that I selected would inform and delight those who want to know more in depth about the artist career and private life. One of the most interesting books written about Chuck Close is Chuck Close: Work (Prestel Publishing, $85). This book is fascinating both because Christopher Finch, an artist, author, and former associate curator for the Walker Art Center, and his close relationship wrote it with the artist. Finch first encounter with Close was at the Walker Art Center. Their first