The UK Line Managers When Adopting Human Resource Development Strategies Free Essay Example, 1750 words

It is quite important that the line managers of modern day organisations are observed to follow the strategies that are designed by the HRD of the organisation, playing a vital role in the implementation of the strategies, rather than getting involved in the development process of those initiatives. Contextually, the major roles that line managers are often observed to perform are associated with the deliverance of appropriate performance appraisals, rendering training and developmental guidance, practising effective communication and motivating their staff among others. From a critical perspective, it can be stated that line managers of modern day organisations need to possess five major competencies and skills which can be used to enhance the efficiency of HRD within the organisation (James-Sommer, 2008). Few of the major skills and competencies of line managers have been discussed hereunder. As a matter of fact, leadership skills play a major role for a manager to effectively exe cute the HRD functions along with other various managerial functions within the organisation. When assessing the leadership competencies of the UK line managers, it has been observed that such skills act as an effective tool for these professionals particularly during the implementation of strategies focused on managing and increasing the performances of their workforce. We will write a custom essay sample on The UK Line Managers When Adopting Human Resource Development Strategies or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page The employee engagement skills of the line managers encompass their commitment towards organisational goals and performances of the workers to their respective roles and responsibilities.

Essay on Solar Energy - 2485 Words

Solar Energy nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Solar energy is the most ancient kind of energy found on earth, for it is as old as the sun. quot;Solarquot; means from the sun. The earth is only one of the many planets which is bathed in the suns overflowing energy. Every second the world receives 95.8 trillion watts of power†¦just think about that for a minute. Think about how much power the earth just received in the time it took you to read this sentence? It is well beyond the amount of power used in one day. It has the potential to satisfy all our energy needs forever without ever having to use the pollutive fossil fuels ever again. quot;The problem however, does not lie in the limited source, as do fossil fuels, but in harnessing†¦show more content†¦In the 1690s an Italian scientist invented a solar furnace that was so hot it could shatter a diamond, one of the hardest substances on earth (Asimov 119). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The real question around the beginning of the 19th century concerning solar energy was quot;could the sun produce electricity directly?quot; The main motivation behind this desire was that electricity could be stored in a battery, and used later. It would not be necessary to use the device in the sunlight. All inventions failed, until Frank Shuman, an engineer from Pennsylvania finally made a breakthrough. He built an experimental plant that used black troughs covered in glass with a few inches of water. When exposed to the sun, the water got very hot, causing it to circulate and power an electric generator. His data was so convincing that he got financial backers and built the worlds first solar electric power plant in Egypt. However, the Eastern Sun Power Company went out of business even though it was using free fuel. It didnt produce enough electricity for the area that it used, 14,000 sq. ft of sun-collecting land (Zweibel 48). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In 1954 Bell Laboratories invented the first photovoltaic (or solar) cell, made from the semi-conductor silicon, and other elements. It was the first way to convert sunlight directly into electricity. When the space program was launched in the 60s, itShow MoreRelatedThe Energy Of Solar Energy1687 Words   |  7 Pagesanalyses of solar energy deployment contained in the Word Energy Outlook, Energy Technology Perspectives and several IEA Technology Roadmaps. It aims at offering an updated picture of current technology trends and markets, as well as new analyses on how solar energy technologies for electricity, heat and fuels can be used in the various energy consuming sectors, now and in the future. If effective support policies are put in place in a wide number of countries during this decade, solar energy in its variousRead MoreSolar Power And Solar Energy1255 Words   |  6 PagesSolar energy is capable of providing a cleaner energy than most forms of ener gy generation, and solar energy is able to be generated economically. Solar energy reduces the amount of harm to the environment from energy generation, by providing a cleaner alternative. Solar energy also provides jobs for construction and installation of solar powered technologies. The cost of installing solar panels can vary greatly, but its long term benefits outweigh the costs. Typically a solar panel system isRead MoreThe Solar Of Solar Energy1637 Words   |  7 Pagesin solar energy has been growing in recent years. Solar energy is abundant, clean and renewable. There are two main methods to tap solar energy, i.e. with PV cells and with solar collectors. The former converts sun light directly to electricity while the latter collects the solar thermal energy (heat) to be used for various applications. Solar collectors have been in existent for many decades. Their usages are experiencing resurgence in the recent years due to the interest in renewable energy sourcesRead MorePreserving Our World with Solar Energy900 Words   |  4 PagesSolar energy is a way to restore and preserve our world. How wonderful it would be to use the suns energy to heat and cool our homes, power out cars and run the electricity to light our houses. This concept is getting close r to reality all the time. Solar energy is expensive on a large scale, but running lights and small appliances are now inexpensive. Small calculators and lights that are solar powered are accessable to everyone. God commissioned his children to take care of the earth in GenesisRead MoreThe Ethics Of The Solyndra Solar Energy Panels1174 Words   |  5 PagesFounded by Dr. Chris Granet in 2005 Solyndra Solar, based in California was a corporation that produced solar energy panels. They manufactured cylindrical shaped solar panels, and they were unequaled in the business, the corporation as well offers an assortment of additional solar merchandises, most solar engineering corporations use flat plates and was labeled as old-fashioned compared to the Solyndra’s PV Solar structure. Consumers preferred the solar merchandises of the Solyndra since they integratedRead MoreSolar Of Solar Thermal Energy1901 Words   |  8 Pages Solar Thermal Energy â€Å"Even if we didn t have greenhouse gases, were going to have to move away from fossil fuels, as we re going to run out. They re finite, where as solar and wind are infinite.† - Ted Turner. Solar panels use the energy that comes from sunlight to give power. Low-temperature panels are flat plates generally used to heat things such as pools. Medium-temperature panels can also be flat plates but they are used for heating water and / or air for residential and commercial useRead MoreRenewable Energy And Solar Energy921 Words   |  4 Pagesrenewable energy . Most of these renewable energies depend in one way or another on sunlight. Wind and hydroelectric power are the direct result of differential heating of the Earth s surface which leads to air moving about (wind) and precipitation forming as the air is lifted. Solar energy is the direct conversion of sunlight using panels or collectors. Biomass energy is stored sunlight contained in plants. Other renewable energies that do not depend on sunlight are geothermal energy, which isRead More solar energy Essay586 Words   |  3 Pages Solar Energy All life on Earth depends on energy from the sun. Solar energy is the source of energy for photosynthesis. It provides the warmth necessary for plants and animals to survive. Scientists have found a way to use God’s natural light towards the advantage of our daily lives. The affects of this idea revolutionary, results of solar power could lead to a more modernized society and efficient economy. Solar energy is a term that usually means the direct use of sunlight to produceRead MoreThe Solar Of Solar Energy1316 Words   |  6 Pagesterawatts of energy. Solar cells offer a means to harness this energy by converting solar energy into electrical energy. While some may argue that solar energy is an inconsistent energy source, research is being poured into creating more efficient solar cells so that when light is incident on the solar cell, the solar cells operate at their highest possible efficiency levels. Currently, the most efficient solar cells convert 34.5% of sunlight to energy. With innovations like floating solar farms, suchRead MoreThe Solar Of Solar Energy1321 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Photovoltaic Solar Energy Throughout history, mankind had always wonder the mysterious secrets of nature with an attempt to make a replica of its magnificent work. Solar photovoltaic energy is the process to convert sunlight into electrical power as energy; imitating the process of photosynthesis that plants create to survive. Photovoltaic energy is not something recently discovered, it actually goes over 160 years The basic science was first discovered in 1839 but the pace of advancement

The Competitive Advantage of Nations Free Essays

WHAT IS THE DIAMOND MODEL? DESCRIPTION The Diamond Model of Michael Porter for the competitive advantage of Nations offers a model that can help understand the comparative position of a nation in global competition. The model can also be used for major geographic regions. TRADITIONAL COUNTRY ADVANTAGES Traditionally, economic theory mentions the following factors for comparative advantage for regions or countries: 1. We will write a custom essay sample on The Competitive Advantage of Nations or any similar topic only for you Order Now Land 2. Location 3. Natural resources (minerals, energy) 4. Labor, and 5. Local population size. Because these 5 factors can hardly be influenced, this fits in a rather passive (inherited) view regarding national economic opportunity. CLUSTERS Porter says that sustained industrial growth has hardly ever been built on above mentioned basic inherited factors. Abundance of such factors may actually undermine competitive advantage! He introduces a concept called â€Å"clusters† or groups of interconnected firms, suppliers, related industries, and institutions, that arise in certain locations. These clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions in a particular field. They grow on locations where enough resources and competences amass and reach a critical threshold, giving it a key position in a given economic branch of activity, with a decisive sustainable competitive advantage over others places, or even a world supremacy in that field. Porter says clusters can influence competition in three ways: †¢They can increase the productivity of the companies in the cluster. They can drive innovation in the field. †¢They can stimulate new businesses in the field. Some well-known examples of Clusters are USA/Silicon Valley (computers), Netherlands/Rotterdam (logistics), India/Bangalore (software outsourcing), USA/Hollywood (movies), France/Paris (fashion). According to Porter, as a rule competitive advantage of nations is the outcome of 4 interlinked advanced factors and activities in and between companies in these clusters. These can be influenced in a pro-active way by government. INTERLINKED ADVANCED FACTORS FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE 1. The Strategy, Structure and Rivalry of Firms. The world is dominated by dynamic conditions. Direct competition impels firms to work for increases in productivity and innovation. 2. Demand Conditions. If the customers in an economy are very demanding, the pressure facing firms to constantly improve their competitiveness via innovative products, through high quality, etc, will be greater. 3. Related Supporting Industries. Spatial proximity of upstream or downstream industries facilitates the exchange of information and promotes a continuous exchange of ideas and innovations. 4. Factor Conditions. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Porter argues that the â€Å"key† factors of production (or specialized factors) are created, not inherited. Specialized factors of production are skilled labor, capital and infrastructure. â€Å"Non-key† factors or general use factors, such as unskilled labor and raw materials, can be obtained by any company and, hence, do not generate sustained competitive advantage. However, specialized factors involve heavy, sustained investment. They are more difficult to duplicate. This creates a competitive advantage, because if other firms cannot easily duplicate these factors, they are valuable. THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN THE DIAMOND MODEL OF PORTER The role of government in the Diamond Model of Porter is to act as a catalyst and challenger; it is to encourage – or even push – companies to raise their aspirations and move to higher levels of competitive performance. They must encourage companies to raise their performance, to stimulate early demand for advanced products, to focus on specialized factor creation and to stimulate local rivalry by limiting direct cooperation and enforcing anti-trust regulations. THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF NATIONS Porter introduced this model in his book: â€Å"The Competitive Advantage of Nations†, after having done research in ten leading trading nations. The book was the first theory of competitiveness based on the causes of the productivity with which companies compete. Instead of traditional comparative advantages such as natural resources and pools of labor. This book should be considered obligatory reading for government economic strategists. It is also highly recommended for corporate strategists that are interested in the macro-economic environment of corporations. How to cite The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Essay examples

Caribbean free essay sample

The value of the Caribbean colonies to Europe came to be in their sugar production. After the European explorers realized that the Caribbean was not naturally rich in gold and other precious metals; they were desperate to find other ways in which they could use these islands to benefit themselves. After several failed attempts to grow crops such as tobacco and cotton (on a large scale), the Europeans realized that sugar had a greater potential to be sold in Europe than any other crop, and in itself was a Goldmine waiting to be uncovered.The Portuguese had already successfully grown and produced sugar on limitations in SAA Tom and Madeira, but on a relatively small scale in comparison to how great it would eventually become. They took these techniques with them when they began to colonies the north east (Performance) of Brazil. Although sugar production increased, it still remained a very expensive product because the Journey from Brazil to Europe was very long and Brazilian sugar wa s taxed in a way that West Indian sugar never was. Therefore the demand still remained low because only the rich could afford to buy sugar.On these plantations In So Tom and Brazil, a slave workforce was employed. In So Tom, the workforce was initially made up of poor Europeans sent there to work. Unfortunately, they died out because they had no resistance to tropical diseases such as malaria. Captured Africans were then readily used because of their built up immunity to these diseases. When production first began in Brazil, the native Indian population was used as their work force. However, due to a combination Of disease, malnutrition and inability to do such hard labor, the native population began to die out and new labor was required. African slaves were once again imported from the West coast to Brazil. They proved to be resilient workers and coped better with the hard labor. The British soon realized that the Caribbean had a similar climate to that of Brazil and sugar cane was well-suited to growth in those regions. It was easy for them to acquire lands in the larger islands because the Spanish had lost interest in them and not realized their potential; therefore little effort was spent defending them. To be a profitable commodity, sugar had to be produced on a large scale and this meant that production had to be a 24 hour procedure.Time was an important factor in reduction. The cane had to be harvested at certain times and then processed immediately otherwise the quality of the juice extracted would decrease and the sugar yield would be less. This 24 hour process meant that the sugar mills required constant attendance. Poor white laborers were first employed because they could easily be lured there with the promise of land, after they had fulfilled their work contracts. Unfortunately, this proved to be a problem because most Of the land was already taken up as part of the sugar plantation and there was very little left to reward the white indentures with.At this time, British North America was beginning to develop as a result of tobacco being grown there on a large scale and of a better quality. The white indentured work force began to migrate there instead of the Caribbean because the promise of land was more a reality. North America Sis large continent and there was more land available to give to them. The climate there also suited them more because it was similar to that of Europe. Most importantly, the mortality rate was significantly lower.The Dutch noted this need for a new Orca, and as African slaves were already being used in Brazil, they began to sell them to the British and later the French. African slaves were the perfect work force. They were strong, resistant to the tropical diseases and most of all, they were cheap. Sometimes they cost nothing at all because the Europeans themselves began to raid African villages and didnt need to trade with the North African Muslims to acquire them. In 1 655, the British took over Jamaica from the Spanish and started to develop it as a sugar-plantation colony.It soon overtook Brazil in sugar production. This large scale production meant that sugar was more widely available and thus became cheaper. An entirely new taste for sweetness manifested itself as soon as the means to satisfy it became available, and sugar contributed in the seventeenth century to the widespread consumption of new commodities]2 For quite some time, the British dominated the trade in sugar production. Genoa, Venice and Antwerp were the key points of trade and distribution. A lot of money/capital was being generated through the colonization of new lands and trade between the nations.Therefore businessmen ere looking for ways to invest their money to make profits. They had seen h owe successful the British were with sugar production and were very willing to invest in that same market. They funded French and Dutch colonizers who also wanted reap the benefits of sugar production. The French colonized larger islands such as SST. Dominion (modern day Haiti), Martinique and Guadalupe. As more sugar plantations were being introduced to more islands, the competition between European nations Was becoming fiercer. It was now a race to see who could produce more sugar, in a shorter period of time, for the best price.As sugar production steadily increased, this in turn steadily increased the need for African slave labor to cope with the demands of the market. This C]love affair with sugar meant that Europeans were intensely dependent on African slave labor to supply their needs. Sugar cultivation and production became a year-round process in the Caribbean for two reasons. First, it allowed the intense work of harvest-time to be spread out over a number of months; thus increasing the yield. Second, it kept the slaves constantly occupied with mindless, hard labor which left them with little time or energy billion.Rebellion was never far from the minds of the Europeans because at the height of sugar production, African slaves far outnumbered the white planters. They knew that should the slaves band together, they could quite easily overthrow and an exorbitant amount of money would be lost. This was particularly a problem for the British settlers. Between 1 640 and 1713, there were seven slave revolts in the English sugar plantation islands, in which many Europeans and Africans Were killed. Jamaica then became the breeding ground of revolt. Slaves escaped to the mountains and proved virtually impossible to recapture because of their location.There were fewer problems with slave revolts in islands like Barbados, Antigen and SST. Skits/Nevis because there were fewer places to run to. However, this was unimportant because Jamaica was their biggest supplier of sugar and slave revolts decreased sugar production. The French soon bypassed the English to become the largest producers of sugar in the world in the mid seventeenth century. In Haiti alone, they had over 450000 slaves working on approximately 250 plantations and hey produced hundreds of thousands oftener of sugar each year.However 1791, the French were to fall to an even worse demise than the English in Jamaica. Following a slave revolution, the French were completely driven out of Haiti. This left a large hole in the world supply of sugar and it sparked sugar production in Cuba by the Spanish, who had recognized this opportunity to capitalist. Sugar production there eventually rivaled that of Haiti in its heyday. In conclusion it can be said that the world demand for sugar fuelled the need for slaves in the Caribbean.However, this demand proved to be the demise of reduction, for eventually the huge numbers of slaves revolted and this decreased sugar production. The success of sugar production was solely dependent on resilience Of African slaves. This irrevocably linked them so that wherever slaves were present, so too were sugar plantations.