Abstract
This paper analyzes the reward systems of Dane County Human Services and suggests improvement strategies, asserting that several direct causes of current problems are lack of funding, poor decision making, and bad budgeting. The paper discusses the similarities of how other states handle reward systems, and explains extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. The paper offers several suggestions for improvement, which are explained and detailed in steps. The paper concludes with the author's reflections on how the research process has enhanced his professional and interpersonal development.

Outline:
Introduction
Problem Identity
Analysis of Problem
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Rewards
Performance Measurements and Management
Communication and Decision Making
Possible Solutions
Solutions
Reflection
References

From the Paper
"I have researched and found that in other states, such as Texas, Atlanta, North Carolina, Chicago and New York, their reward systems are very similar to that of DCHS. It seems as though the current economic conditions did affect their Human Services Departments as drastically as it has for DCHS, but the leadership, decision making and budgeting were handled differently, therefore its impact on the budget for their reward systems was affected the least. These states had similarities in regards to successful alternatives that helped to bring in more funding into the organizations, therefore the distribution of the funding increased the budget for their reward systems, creating an increase in productivity, decreasing high turnover and job enlargements and producing satisfied employees. Their strategies included a mix of extrinsic rewards, creating intrinsic rewards. Some of these changes included: the addition of merit pay (a compensation systems that bases an individual's salary or wage increase on a measurement of the person's performance accomplishments during a specified time period). (Schermerborn, Hunt, & Osborn, 2008). They have also implemented gain sharing plans, which links performance and pay giving the employees the opportunity to increase earnings by sharing in productivity gains."

Tags:leadership, organization, reward, systems

Abstract
This paper discusses the nature of conflict and themes that form part of a summary of this ancient book of poetry. The writer shows why the Beowulf must fight his enemy Grendel, who is terrorizing another Dane family relative in a country far from his own, so that the reader can see how these ideas are meshed in a struggle that is not only religious, but has themes of conflict that produce a plot that is valiant and memorable.

Abstract
Using "Beowulf" as a basis, the paper discusses how and why great civilizations rise and then fall. The civilizations cited in the epic poem are the Spear-Danes and the Geats and why they were doomed to collapse.

From the Paper
"The civilizations of the Spear-Danes and the Geats, both of which are fully described in the epic narrative poem "Beowulf", were a warlike people who placed enormous value on physical prowess, victory in battle and successful conclusions to long-term feuds. The poem makes it clear that these two seemingly great civilizations were doomed to collapse largely because of the fact that they were far too focused on these exact characteristics. It will be argued herein that the very characteristics which made the..."

Tags:Beowulf, literature, kepic, Spear-Danes, Geats, civilizations

Abstract
This paper compares the epic poem, "Beowulf" and John Gardner's "Grendel." It specifically focuses on the plots and central actions of the two stories- the battle between Beowulf and Grendel in order to save the kingdom of the Danes from Grendel. The paper discusses how the main difference between the texts is the perspective in which they are written.

From the Paper
"In regards to the story of Grendel, as a monster consumed by hatred of the Danes, Grendel has clear reasons for this hatred, but the fact that he must take his hatred out by antagonizing them with devastation also results in his own demise by violent hands. As a monster, he is blindly systematically crippling and destroying the Danes as a people, but the only thing that can stop him will inevitably be a force outside the Danes who is strong enough to destroy him. Of course, this force is Beowulf. Strength can only be met by greater strength in battle, and a life of violence ends in death by violence; the cycle continues."

Tags:Danes, monster, action

Abstract
Intercultural management in Scandinavia is often underestimated. The Scandinavians seem to be located so close to Germany, that similarities in culture, behavior and business are assumed. The paper examines the reasons behind the conflict-ridden end to cooperation between Danes and Germans at Scandlines and why the European discount supermarket chain Lidl, which is of German origin, made losses of about 40 million Euros in Sweden. After examining these events, the paper then discusses the most significant differences of doing business in Scandinavia as compared to doing business in the rest of the world. The paper includes a number of tables and graphs.

Table of Contents:
List of Used Abbreviations
List of Tables, Figures and Illustrations
Preface
Introduction
Economic and Political Background
Basic Indicators in Comparison
Economic and Political Structure
Socio-Cultural Background
The Importance of the Scandinavian Welfare System
The Scandinavian Way of Life
The Cultural Life in Scandinavia
Family Influence
"The Law of Jante"
Models of Culture Specific Issues
Basic Assumptions of the Scandinavian Culture
The 4-D-Model of Hofstede
Intercultural Communication
Verbal Communication
The Greeting
The Exchange of Business Cards
Topics of Conversation
The Value of Gifts
The Working Environment
Para-Verbal Communication
Non-Verbal Communication
The Smile
Body Distance
Gestures
The Scandinavian Dress Code
Punctuality
Leadership and Decision Behavior
The Hierarchical Structure
The Decision-Making Process
Dealing with Criticism
Questionnaire: Intercultural Management in Scandinavia
Executive Summary of the Questionnaire
Selected Results of the Questionnaire
Conclusion
Appendix
References

From the Paper
"In Scandinavia the nuclear family is the centre of social structure. Most Families are small and nowadays marriage is not prerequisite to starting a family. There are many couples that live together without legalizing it with a marriage. In Sweden couples even get social or financial advantages when they live together as so called "sambo". Scandinavians raise their children to be independent and equally to the other sex. At the age of one they are mostly put into day care centers. Most of the Scandinavian parents work. On the one hand it is considered to be better for the children to learn how to socialize and to make friends instead of staying home, but on the other hand there are only few families in Scandinavia that could afford to maintain their lifestyles with only one salary. Later children mostly attend preschool classes and at the age of six or seven they are in full time compulsory schooling."

Tags:economics, politics, welfare, culture, society, communication, verbal, business, national, globalization, management, scandinavian, nordic

Abstract
This paper examines how James H. Morey's thesis, in "The Fates of Men in Beowulf", centers on how the Beowulf'- poet describes, or just as importantly, doesn't describe the deaths of the ruling kings in each of the three dynastic houses. In particular, the paper looks at Morey's contention that the Swedish and Geatish houses have most of their king's deaths related in a clear and convincing way and that the Danish house is the only one with a significant number of kings whose demises are ambiguous. Contrary to Morey's belief, the paper concludes that a close look at the specific examples of explicitly detailed deaths in both the Swedish and Geatish royals, makes it obvious that these two houses are guilty of the same kin-slaying that to Morey makes the Danes special.

From the Paper
"The Geatish house has an even more explicit depiction of kin-slaying in the example of Hrethel's eldest son Herebeald. The tale is related via Beowulf's speech before the dragon fight when he describes how the second eldest son of Hrethel, Haethcyn, hitting and killing his elder brother with an arrow. It is unclear whether or not this was a purposeful act, but the poet's description of it as "fyrenum gesyngad" paints it as deliberate, and malicious, act of violence."

Tags:fratricide, swedish, geatish, danish, succession

Abstract
This essay analyzes many of the biblical references made in the epic poem of "Beowulf". These biblical references are then compared to the context of the Old Testament. The paper seeks to determine whether or not "Beowulf" was originally told with Christian tone or if Christian elements were added during the influential time period that the Danes were going through at the time it was written down.

From the Paper
The latest version of Beowulf was translated from Old English and written by Seamus Heaney. It is the oldest known epic poem and takes place around 500CE in Denmark and Geatland, which is now southern Sweden. Beowulf is believed to have been first composed orally around 700CE and then written around 1000CE by monks of Anglo-Saxon decent. The British Isles were in rough shape after the conquests of the Romans, Germanic tribes, and the Vikings. The Anglo-Saxon's needed a heroic man of faith that represented strength, decency, and bravery and could also protect the Danes from evil. This man was known as Beowulf. Beowulf seemed to be the good, called upon by god to protect the Danes. There were frequent biblical references made throughout the context of Beowulf. Did these biblical references prove that the Anglo-Saxon's believed in a monotheistic god and had faith in Christianity or were these religious aspects added later in time?

Tags:beowulf, christian, christianity, heaney, influence, seamus

Abstract
The paper discusses that the novel, "Grendel", is a retelling of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf from the perspective of the antagonist i.e. Grendel. The paper says that the 1971 novel by John Gardner follows the life of Grendel but at the same time attempts to construct a deeper subtext by tackling issues such as the quest for meaning in the world, the purpose of man, and the fight between good and evil. The paper further states that the philosophical content of Grendel is undeniable; Grendel follows the changes that occur inside of him, and in doing so, formulates intelligent commentaries as to the two main perspectives on the world and the purpose of humanity, determinism and existentialism. The paper also states Grendel's war on mankind is waged as a result of his encounter with the dragon whose nihilistic view deeply influences Grendel. Grendel now feels enraged by the romantic view that the Danes have on the world, and their history of braveness and courage. The paper asserts the thesis that Grendel is an existentialist who tries to provide meaning to his life in an environment that is hostile to him.

From the Paper
"Grendel is an existentialist who tries to derive meaning from the world around him. Gardner himself explained, "What Grendel does is take, one by one, the great heroic ideals of mankind since the beginning and make a case for these values by setting up alternatives in an ironic set of monster values. I hate Existentialism." (Morace; Van Spanckeren: 67). Grendel starts out as a nihilist for whom everything is meaningless and devoid of real value. However, he yearns for meaning. His revolt is interior because he does not see himself as important since he in only an animal. Moreover, he gets angry at the sky for "ignoring" him. This is a stage of deep confusion for Grendel who is torn between his feeling that nothing is truly of importance in the world, and the awareness that no matter how many men he kills, he cannot break their spirits as they continue to rebuilt their castle. His inability to destroy their faith and morale angers him."

Tags:humanity, determinism, existentialism

Abstract
The paper explores why Denmark and not other countries took the risk of contradicting Germany. The paper relates the history of Jews in Denmark and portrays how the Danes refused, despite German pressure, to take measures against the Jews. The paper discusses how in most of European history, anti-Semitism was ingrained in many of the cultures, but in Denmark there was always a strong sense of civic equality that extended to the Jews and created an atmosphere of tolerance and respect. The paper acknowledges the unanswered questions regarding this terrible time in history for the Jewish people.

From the Paper
"In April 2004, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen accepted the Lyndon B. Johnson Moral Courage Award from the Holocaust Museum Houston honoring his country's World War II rescue of thousands of Jews from occupying Nazi forces. The award was given to Denmark for ''the miraculous action by people of all levels to save the Jewish population during the Holocaust.'' In Jerusalem, a boat-like monument signifies the 25th anniversary of the rescue of Danish Jewry, a school is named in Denmark's honor and many Israeli cities and towns have a street or square commemorating the heroism of the Danes. In addition, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem displays a small boat used to ferry Jews to safety in Sweden."

Tags:genocide, rescue, effort, equality, Nazis, gestapo

Abstract
This paper explains the message about suffering put forth in George Elliot's novel "Silas Marner". The paper explains that Elliot 's novel is about the horrible toll that suffering can exact on the individual and his personality-as well as the power of the positive experiences of kindness and love to reverse those effects and ultimately lead to redemption.

From the Paper
"When the reader first encounters the character Silas Marner, one notes the sad history of the man. We see that Silas is not much more than a hermit, working endlessly in a village not his own, exiled as a result of false accusations in his past, and wounded by the loss of his love to his false friend, William Dane (also his accuser). Thus, disheartened by life, as well as having lost faith in the justice of God and Man, he turns to the meager existence of work and wealth alone as the bedrock of his life. In fact, one sees from the tremendous lack of joy he experiences even from work as an indication of his profound disenchantment with all aspects of human existence. As Elliot writes, "Formerly his heart had been as a locked casket with its treasure inside; but now the casket was empty, and the lock was broken.""

Tags:existence, good, happy, honest, adverse, shallow, negative, despair, hermit, william, dane