Abstract This paper takes a look at the process of public policy making. According to the paper, the policy making process that occurs in governmental organizations is a complex process that involves many organizations and entities, and is inclusive of several stages in the policy-making process. The paper further discusses the thesis of Charles E. Lindblom and Edward Woodhouse.
Outline:
Introduction
The Nature of Policy
Different Kinds of Policy Analysis How Perceived Problems gets on the Public Agenda
The Major Players in the Process The Decision-Making Processes Used to Adopt Policies
The Environment Within Which Policy Must Take Place
How Federalism Impacts the Policy-Making Process Assessment of the Process Using the Thesis of Lindblom and Woodhouse
From the Paper "Policy analysis is stated to have its limitations in the work of Lindblom and Woodhouse and the policy-makers are generally given too much advice or information which is incidentally extensive but does not offer a contrary or different point of view. Another limitation exists in the fact that while one group would hold that the correct action was taken yet another group would believe that the action was incorrect and this is based on individual reasoning. Stated is: "There runs a deep and wide river of information and opinion fed by many springs, from formal research projects to letters to the editor, some of which makes it way into the thinking of those with direct influence over policy." [p.15]"
This paper is an in-depth analysis of the motives of Ted Bundy prior to and during his serial murders. The analysis uses a sub discipline of Cognitive Theory- Information Processing theory to examine Bundy's motives prior to and during his murders.
2,600 words (approx. 10.4 pages), 7 sources, 2002, $ 78.95
Abstract This paper is an intensive examination of serial murderer Ted Bundy and the motivations behind his killing spree. In order to analyze this murderer, the paper uses a sub discipline of Cognitive Theory- Information Processing theory to examine Bundy's motives prior to and during his murders. It not only examines the man himself, but also looks at his victims, his family life and other environmental factors that may have led to his transformation.
From the paper:
"This cognitive representation of pleasure does not end with Bundy?s first sexually motivated encounter, instead, this becomes a continuum in which another stimulus is introduced. The third stimulus, which is the actual murder, essentially strengthens Bundy?s need and desire to rape and brutally sodomize women. Bundy?s predisposition to sexually violent behavior was finally released. By breaking the barrier, Bundy?s pathological processes overcame his inhibitions, which led him to crave more. Bundy had made the final decision to kill, solving his problem, he now lived uninhibited by any moral dilemma, and would keep murdering for the sake of self-gratification. It is really quite sickening to imagine that by mutilating, torturing, raping and murdering one could experience pleasure. Not only did Bundy experience great pleasure, but derived satisfaction and motivation to keep killing."
Tags:analysis, bundy, cognitive, information, murder, processing, serial, ted, theory
Abstract This paper ananlyzes the hypotheses presented in Robert Boyd and Peter Richerson's seminal work "Culture and the Evolutionary Process." The reviewer considers assumptions presented in the book which underline the relationship between science and culture in promoting human evolution. The paper also shows links between Boyd and Richardson and earlier research in the field. The reviewer concludes that the discussions and analyses in "Culture and the Evolutionary Process" uncovers explanations and generates further understanding of how humans and human society came about, and continues to develop in the present.
From the Paper "Boyd and Richerson provide two general assumptions that lead to their hypothesis, which posits that science and culture significantly influence each other in understanding the human evolutionary process. In the words of the authors, "process-oriented "scientific" analyses help us understand how history works, and "historical" data are essential to test scientific hypotheses about how populations and societies change" "
Abstract This paper provides an organization analysis focused on the IT department of Imperial Tobacco Canada. The paper explains that this company competes in the global market for loose-leaf tobacco, tobacco-related products including tobacco tubes and filters, relying extensively on an indirect channel of distribution serving North American markets. The paper also explores the primary competitive strategy for Imperial Tobacco, which is to concentrate on adding value to what is primarily a process-oriented good - tobacco and its byproducts. The paper concludes that using its present approach to managing Profit and Loss (P&L) at the product line level does not provide enough visibility into the true costs and expenses of the cross-functional strategy of package-to-order process. This paper contains illustrative figures.
Outline:
Description of the Company and Industry
Primary Competitive Strategy
Value 1 Models
Cross-Functional ProcessAnalysis References
From the Paper "This is a highly collaborative process internal to Imperial Tobacco specifically in the area of coordinating what types of tobacco will be available at specific seasons, taking into account demand from customers who have already placed package-to-order based orders earlier in any given year. Clearly this entire process requires an inordinately high level of collaboration and coordination both inside a company and with customers to ensure it successes. The point of how critical pricing management is throughout this entire process is clear, given how intricate and involved the cross-functional requirements are across the entire package-to-order process."
Abstract This paper presents a task analysis of a business case on Speedy Car Rental that proposes different information technology solutions to inefficient business processes. The paper looks at the reservation and return process and the competitive strategy for SCAR.
From the Paper "There are a variety of inefficient interfaces and processes in the operations of Speedy Car Rental SCAR. The rentals reservation payment and return processes are not interfaced in an efficient manner ..."
Tags: information systems, information technology, data flow, process flow, efficiency, productivity, customer satisfaction
Abstract The current IT Service Request system or flow of data is out of date, slow and too dependant on manual interaction such as management approval and outsource hand-off. This project re-engineers the processes of this flow creating a new IT Service Request management system that encompasses the data flow, process flow, automation through information technology and process ownership. Overall, the entire flow of IT service requests are visited to determine where unnecessary steps can be taken out, where steps can be shortened, and where steps can be automated.
From the Paper "The organizational structure of the company is in a traditional tall functional structure. The sub-organizations are split into their respective functional areas such as engineering, human resources, finance, manufacturing, information technology, etc. There are a total of three levels of business separations at the high level of company organizational structure.
The above shown organizational chart represents a sample of the high level corporate structure. At the first level resides the corporation. Next is the separation of independent businesses within the Raytheon Company structure. Finally, the last high level organization is the Business Unit which represents the specialized business areas within the major area of business. For example, Electronic Systems, Raytheon Company deals with all defense electronics technologies. Within the Electronic Systems business, there are several business units such as Missile Systems and Tactical. Within each business unit, there exists an entire structure of functional management. "
Abstract The paper discusses the idea behind the saying that 'you learn something new every day'. It looks to the school of psychology of cognitive psychology that examines processes such as problem solving, memory, and language and determines that there is some truth in the saying. The paper examines information processing and determines methods of processing and storing information.
From the Paper "Conventional wisdom says that 'you learn something new every day'. There is some truth in that saying. Every day our brains must process new information. Whether the new information is as simple as someone else's car being parked in the same space that we have been using at work, or as complex as scientific theories we are studying at school, our brains record, process, and store a myriad of unique bits of information on an ongoing basis. There are times when even the human brain needs assistance in the processes of cognition and memory. Most people use certain patterns of information process to aid in their own learning. As a college student who also holds down a job and who tries to maintain a personal life, I use several methods of processing information. I will use this paper to address my methods of processing and storing information."
Abstract The paper looks at influence processes that are related to how one dispenses one's authority when in a leadership position. The paper provides a comparison of three different managers' influence methods. The paper also argues that transformational leadership is an important and relevant leadership model that must be embraced by modern organizations.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Summary of Influence Processes Analysis and Comparison
Discussion Board: Transformational Leadership
From the Paper "Leadership depends on influence processes and concepts in order to guide a given organization. Without strong and well-developed influence processes, the leader must resort to coercive processes which are counter-productive and produce no lasting positive change. Influence processes involve no coercive types of influences but rather make use of positive influences such as motivation, compensation, and mentoring, among others, to affect positive change (Mathews, 2006). In this vein, leadership can be considered a process that use non-coercive power while as a property, leadership can be thought of as a body of characteristics which are most often attributed to those who are considered to be leaders or are in leadership positions. Thus, influence processes are related to how one dispenses one's authority when in a leadership position and the types of authority or power."
Abstract This paper discusses the view that personality development is a growth process which can successfully overcome and deal with socio-psychological and even physical impairment that may have a psychological impact and dimensions. The paper focuses on a specific subject whose disadvantageous experience at an early age played a subconscious role in the subject's self - perception and esteem later in life; but which was successfully overcome in the process of personality growth towards a more integrated whole.
From the Paper "There are two aspects that seem to be run concurrently in the analysis of the school years of development. The first, as mentioned, was the slight visual aspect which was rectified and therefore had no long-term effects. However, the second issue is a psychological one which was to have a greater impact; this was the feeling of inadequacy which was initiated by very high exceptions, coupled with a social and home environment which possibly demanded achievements that were unrealistic at the time. She states that; "Average grades are disasters for me. I have high expectations of myself." This is also evidenced by the statement by the subject that marks of 80 or 90 percent were not deemed to be sufficient by the subject's mother. While this was possibly a form of encouragement, it also served to add to an already sensitive level of low self-worth, which was to follow the subject into her two marriages. Throughout it must be emphasized that the subject shows an extremely laudable sense of resilience in the battle against this feeling of low esteem."
