Abstract
"This paper examines the philosophical concept of the paradigm, taking under consideration Erving Goffman's dramaturgical paradigm as evidenced in a study at the Ritz-Carlton. Philosophical terminology such as paradigm, philosophical framework, ontology, axiology, rhetoric, and methodology is defined, and the Ritz-Carlton scenario is described in terms of Goffman's dramaturgical paradigm. A high-level outline is included.

Tags:paradigm, paradigm shift, Kuhn, Crotty, Goffman, social research, Ritz-Carlton, dramaturgical paradigm

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the period of the European Renaissance was a very critical one in terms of the transition between medieval and "modern" Europe, but few scholars seem to agree on exactly what constitutes the Renaissance as such or the precise period in which it began and ended. The writer notes that the concept of the paradigm shift as first put forward by Thomas Kuhn is one which can be fruitfully applied to any analysis of this period, as long as we keep in mind that the complexity of the era leaves it open to multiple potential paradigm shifts.

From the Paper
"Of course there are some commonly accepted and well-established events and dates, but it may be that the very complexity and creative tumult of this period contributes to the ambiguity about its full scope and nature. In fact, its very "exuberance" is probably one strong defining characteristic of the Renaissance, but this too is a subjective term and not easily pinned down."

Tags:renaissance, paradigm, history

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses Walter Fisher's narrative paradigm theory (NPT) of communication and applies it to the recent firings of United States attorneys by the Department of Justice. The writer also looks at the humanistic aspects of Fisher's theory.

From the Paper
"The Narrative Paradigm Theory (NPT) was advanced by Walter R Fisher as a simple explanation of how all communication forms are narrative meaning that humans communicate in order to tell stories or to give a report of an event or events. A receiver of stories and their messages overt as well as covert or embedded in symbols and signs judge the validity of the message with respect to their own belief and value systems."

Tags:narrative paradigm theory, politics, Walter Fisher, communication, NPT

Abstract
This well-researched paper defines the term 'research paradigm' as system of beliefs, values and techniques which are shared within a group or community. The writer of this paper focuses on research paradigms as a method of looking at the world while providing a specific foundation for researchers to understand what is going on around them. The writer contends and explains why paradigms are discernible by different sets of beliefs which are acquired from philosophical assumptions about the nature of reality. This paper focuses on both the positivist and interpretivist forms of paradigms as they relate to the field social science and research. Positivist paradigms stress significance and disposition while the interpretivist form of paradigms focus on substance and situation.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Social Science Research and Natural Science
What is a Paradigm?
The Positivist Paradigm
The Interpretivist Paradigm
Alternative Perspectives
Paradigms and Methods
Paradigms and the Research Proposal
Conclusions
References

From the Paper
"Pragmatists acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of each tool. They recognize not only that science affects decision-making but also politics, ignorance, intuition, habit, and prejudice. They also understand the limitations--recommendations are tentative and of a probabilistic nature. Miles and Huberman comment that "we believe that all of us, realists, relativists, critical theorists, are closer to the center, with multiple overlaps." A growing body of social research takes a stand somewhere between the two schools of thought. Eclectic researchers recognize that no piece of social research can be entirely objective, since no researcher is value free. Even in an overtly rigorous quantitative, head counting study, some implicit decisions have already been made as to which heads are worth counting. Eclectic researchers can be more flexible in designing the research process."

Tags:sociology, social, science, research, philosophy

Abstract
This paper discusses the peace paradigm in terms of realism, power, conflict resolution, and social change. The paper explains the role of a paradigm, outlines the peace paradigm strategies used to obtain peace and presents a definition of power. Gives specific examples.

From the Paper
"One of the approaches to the peace paradigm is through the study of the role played in obtaining peace through the exercise of power and coercive tactics. According to Lynn-Jones realism is usually regarded as a dominant and somewhat monolithic approach in the study of international relations. Within the realist approach there are divisions between offensive and defensive realism. Offensive realists argue that the international system tends to foster conflict and aggression, that security is scarce and international competition and war..."

Tags:political science, conflict resolution, realism, power

Abstract
This discussion focuses on the theory of narrative paradigm looking at
when and why the theory developed and how it has been researched. The author examines the theory in detail, discusses the views of the rational world paradigm, summarizes what scholars believe to be true about the paradigm theory and gives suggestions for future research in this area.

From the Paper
"The Narrative Paradigm theory was created in the 1970's by Walter Fisher. (Narrative Paradigm Theory, n.d) Fisher created the theory because he felt that the rational world paradigm did not take into consideration the need for the narrative form of communication. Fisher asserts that the rational world paradigm only took into consideration the argumentative nature of communication a theory that was made famous by philosophers such as Aristotle. (Narrative Paradigm Theory)
Many experts in the field of communications assert that narratives play an important role in communication; Fisher reasoned that any type of communication is actually a form of storytelling. (Fournier 2002) Fisher's theory contends that human beings are animals whose ability to reason is based own our ability to tell stories. (Fournier). The following paragraphs will discuss Fisher's theory in detail and provide some insight into the methods that he used to produce this theory."

Tags:storytelling, Fisher

Abstract
This paper reviews Dunning's article entitled "The Eclectic Paradigm of International Production: A Restatement and Some Possible Extensions" which takes a look at international business. In particular, the article focuses on the increasing importance of a strong grasp of market and production fundamentals, further offering some meaningful insight for international managers and executives to follow. The intent of the author is to establish a more accurate paradigm in which trade, commerce, and transaction costs can be understood by executives in international business.

From the Paper
"International business increasingly requires a strong grasp of market and production fundamentals. Dunning, in his article entitled, The Eclectic Paradigm of International Production: A Restatement and Some Possible Extensions, offers some meaningful insight for international managers and executives to follow. The intent of the author is to establish a more accurate paradigm in which trade, commerce, and transaction costs can be understood by executives in international business. Perhaps the best way to fully grasp what Dunning is proposing is to explain one of the more traditional economic models that he intends to..."

Tags:dunning, review, international

Abstract
The paper argues that the confusion about leadership stems from a misunderstanding of the concept itself; leadership is not a functional layer that overlies business; it is defined by, and emerges from, business itself. The paper contends that business is the paradigm that determines the details of leadership. The paper asserts that this argument, while radical, has the advantage of explaining why there is so much disagreement over leadership, and also explains why different kinds of organizations flourish under different kinds of leaders (and vice versa). Therefore, this paper argues that there are not five or six characteristics of leadership but, potentially, thousands of characteristics depending on the underlying business paradigm. The paper further argues that these characteristics are not innate but are themselves generated by the business culture to which leaders have been exposed.

From the Paper
"As Adams (1997) argues, "Leadership is an intangible quality with no clear definition." (p. 287). This essay will argue that the confusion about leadership stems from a misunderstanding of the concept itself. Leadership is not a functional layer that overlies business; it is defined by, and emerges from, business itself. Business is the paradigm that determines the details of leadership. This argument, while radical, has the advantage of explaining why there is so much disagreement over leadership, and also explains why different kinds of organizations flourish under different..."

Tags:leadership, management, culture

Abstract
This paper examines the theory of paradigm shifts developed by Thomas S Kuhn in "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions". It then applies the concept outside the sciences.

Abstract
It presents historical examples such as Einstein and Darwin. It also explores current paradigm shifts relating to cloning, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and stem cell research.