Contingency Theory of Leadership

Question: Discuss about the Contingency Theory of Leadership. Answer: Introduction: Management is crucial factor in attaining organizational success. Over the years, a number of theories have been enveloped for identifying the best possible approaches of management. However, all of them were successful in addressing certain aspects of management and leadership. A conclusive approach to deal with all kind of managerial threats is yet to be developed. Hence, identifying the best possible strategy of management is a matter of discussion of the scholars since a long time. Where the traditional approaches supported certain structured ways of managing people in an organization, the relatively modern approaches advocates flexibility and change in the management procedure according to the situational demands. Here, in this essay, the author has presented an argument by focusing on both the supporting and opposing opinions for the claim that there is only one best way to manage. He/she has concluded the essay with the summery of both the arguments and with his/her idea shape d from the discussion. Discussion in favour of the comment: As discussed by Mondy and Martocchio (2016) the practice of management includes leading people for optimum utilization of the resources. Hence, a number of strategies have been developed for obtaining the best possible solution in this regard. Over the years, a number of theories have been emerged to identify the best way of managing the people and organizations. As mentioned by Bratton and Gold (2012) one of the most popular theory of management is the Bureaucratic management. The complexity of the modern organizations demands a hierarchy of authority, task specification and formal structure. The Bureaucratic management provides all these facilities to the organizations and helps in managing it in an efficient way (Mondy and Martocchio 2016). Most of the modern organizations like Walmart follow this particular management and they are becoming significantly successful in the operational and organizational processes. Hence, Ozmen (2013) supports and argues in favour of this management process as the best management means. On the other hand, as mentioned by Gavetti et al. (2012) the Behavioural theory of management states that the way of managing people and utilizing their best potential is to providing them psychological stimulus of being singled out, involved and made to feel important. The modern companies like Google or the Virgin group has included this management style by opting for an employee-oriented policy that has made them one of the best service providers in their related field. Hence, Westphal and Zajac (2013) have supported this particular management style as the best way to managing people. Thus, various scholars have supported the idea that opting for a certain specific strategy can be the best potential solution for the management challenges. Discussion opposing the comment: However, as argued by Fiedler (2015) in the modern world of uncertainty, no particular management model can be identified as the best management way. They have stated that an organization which is not flexible enough to introduce changes in the management according to the situation and the behavioural aspects of the employees. As per the situational leadership or the situational management theory suggested by Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersey, the manager of an organization needs to adjust his style of managing people according to the development pattern and organizational objectives (Bates 2014). Thus, they have advocated the claim that no management procedure can be identified as the best management style. On the other hand, as argued by Fiedler (2015) the contingency model of management, talks about upholding an approach of flexibility and adaptation of variety of ideas and principals, according to the businesss requirements. This theory of management itself supports no fixed method of leading or managing the people. As supported by Mondy and Martocchio (2016) in the modern aspect of management, a manager has to address a cross-cultural context with a number of socio-political and technological changes. Hence, opting for a fixed method of leading only limits the potential of utilizing the resources. Hence, they argue that no one way can be the best way of management. In the practical context, the management style of Steve Jobs in Apple can be identified as the flexible management procedure that changed as per the environmental requirements (Isaacson 2012). Moreover, as discussed previously, the complexity of the modern organizations calls for the bureaucratic management. However, Mondy and Martocchio (2016) argues that this management procedure creates a rule-based environment, which hampers the motivation and productivity of the employees. Hence, with a formal management procedure the modern organizations need to introduce policies suggested by the behavioural theory of management (Bell et al. 2015). As opined by Bratton and Gold (2012) amalgamating two or more strategic management procedure provides a great level of competency to the organization in the context of addressing various internal and external threats. On the other hand, as mentioned by Gavetti et al. (2012) the utilization of the behavioural approach of management can create some organizational issues. As this theory puts concentration over the need satisfaction of the employees, clashes in different needs may occur. Moreover, the idea that need satisfaction is the main m otivation of work can create threat to the health of the employees (Ozmen 2013). Hence, it is important to lay down formal policies, specified job roles and task structure for better management of the employees. Thus, Bratton and Gold (2012) have supported the idea that no management process can be .utilized singularly for making optimum utilization of the resources and the lead people to achieve the organizational goals. Conclusion: Hence, from this above argument it can be identified that there are several supporters of the idea that there are only one best way of management. However, a non-flexible attitude towards management can create a threat to the modern organizations as they are operating in the cross-cultural and a significantly volatile business environment. On the other hand, flexibility in the management pattern and opting for the style best suited to the given situation is more likely to assist the top-executives in successfully address the ever changing threats in the business world. Hence, in this uncertain world, no management procedure can be identified as the best possible model of managing people. References: Bates, C., 2014. A study of situational leadership theory. Journal of Radix International Educational and Research Consortium, 3(11), pp.1-7. Bell, R.L., Kennebrew, D. and Blyden, L., 2015. An Increasing Utility for the Early Management Theories: An Exploratory Study. International Journal of Management and Human Resources, 3(1). Bratton, J. and Gold, J., 2012. Human resource management: theory and practice. Palgrave Macmillan. Fiedler, F., 2015. Contingency theory of leadership. Organizational Behavior 1: Essential Theories of Motivation and Leadership, p.232. Gavetti, G., Greve, H.R., Levinthal, D.A. and Ocasio, W., 2012. The behavioral theory of the firm: Assessment and prospects. The academy of management annals, 6(1), pp.1-40. Isaacson, W., 2012. The real leadership lessons of Steve Jobs. Harvard business review, 90(4), pp.92-102. Mondy, R. and Martocchio, J.J., 2016. Human resource management. Human Resource Management, Global Edition. Ozmen, D., 2013. Post-Bureaucracy and Post-Bureaucratic Culture in Public Administration. International Journal of Management Sciences and Business Research, 2(3). Westphal, J.D. and Zajac, E.J., 2013. A behavioral theory of corporate governance: Explicating the mechanisms of socially situated and socially constituted agency. The Academy of Management Annals, 7(1), pp.607-661.

Breezing Up Winslow Homer Essays - Breezing Up, Winslow Homer, Sea

Breezing Up Winslow Homer The 1873 masterpiece Breezing Up, by Winslow Homer located in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC is an oil on canvas painting that measures 23 3/13 X 38 1/6 in.. The primary subject of this painting is a man with three boys in a small wooden sail boat that is moving along with what appears to be a fairly choppy sea. At the center of this painting is the stern of the sail boat. The oldest of the boys is sitting on the high end of the stern with his knees up and his bare feet planted flat on the deck in order to keep him from slipping down into the water. This image forms a powerful triangle in the center of the painting. The boy?s use of only one hand on the tiller line combined with his relaxed posture suggest that he is very much at ease with his responsibility of steering the boat. His face is only visible in a semi-profile view which exposes his chin, left cheek, and eye socket. These features are well defined against thick layers of puffy clouds which are lingering over the water. Like the others in the boat he is facing away from the setting sun which causes the light to reflect off the back of his long sleeved shirt and hat. Just to the boy?s right is the man in the boat who is presumably the father of the boys. His seated position below the deck allows the viewer only to see his face shoulders, arms, and hands. His red long sleeved shirt is the brightest color in the painting, and his calloused hands show strength as he holds the halyard firm in the cleat with a fully extended arm. Of the four people in the boat he is the only one with a troubled look on his face. According to David Prown this is a very common characteristic in Homer?s work. He says: Although the adults of Homer?s world seem isolated, his children frolic together in a cheerful world of laughter and mutuality. For Homer, growing up seems to imply a loss, a fall from paradise, removal from happy, carefree innocence and high spirits to a serious, lonely existence in which each man is an island unto himself. (Prown 86) This is the perfect description of the expressions of the people in this painting. The children are clearly relaxed and content, but the father has an expression that suggests that he has something weighing heavy on his mind, and that he is receiving only temporary relief as he relaxes on the water with his sons. The other two boys are relaxing up towards the bow of the boat. The older of the two is stretched out across the deck covering the width of the bow with his leather shoes hovering inches over the water. The youngest of the boys is sitting up right on the deck with his feet resting inside the boat and he has a pleasant look of deep thought on his face. Clearly all of these boys are relaxed and content with their surroundings. Numerous fish inside of the boat suggest that this group has had an afternoon of fishing and recreation. They are not dressed for serious fishing, so there is a good chance they are out there strictly for leisure. A building off the bow on the distant shore is barely visible, and combined with the long shadows of the setting sun, it seems that they are heading home. Homers soft blue sky and puffy white clouds take up 2/3 of the canvas, leaving only the bottom third for the water and the horizon. The sky is completely empty except for a lone gull who?s wings are lit up by the sun as is hovers directly in line with what appears to be a tiny illuminated sail of another boat on the very distant horizon. Homer also has an uncommon ability to recreate curves just as they would appear in nature. He uses this ability to capture the shape and form of the rolling waves in the sea, by even more than that he uses it to capture the human experience. The use of the sunlight as it reflects off the cloths of the people in the boat adds to the realistic nature of this painting. The wrinkles of white cotton shirts of the boy?s are accented brilliantly as the sun illuminates and caused shadows on different parts of their arms. The four people in this painting express more with their body language that they do with their facial expressions. Particularly the curve of their backs is evidence of their state of relaxation. In the children there is no evidence of tension in their bodies.

John Haigh essays

John Haigh essays Murder is usually a very gruesome subject. However, it is also a very interesting subject, especially in the case of John Haigh who managed to evade the criminal justice system for many years on end. Although he was a murderer he was also one of the greatest criminal masterminds of all time. Haigh entered this world on the twenty fourth of July 1909. He was born into a religious family and grew up a content child. Everyone who knew him said he would grow up to be a perfect gentleman. However, as Haigh began to grow up he joined a gang of youths and appeared in court on several occasions. Finally, in 1934 he was sent to prison for theft. Being a man of optimism, Haigh viewed prison as a temporary setback, and vowed to gain knowledge during his time there that would be useful to him when his sentence ended. To fulfil his vow, he read many books and in one book came across a particular passage that intrigued him. The Passage was entitled Corpus Delicti and Haigh convinced himself, after reading the passage several times that murder could not be proved without a body. During the long months he spent in prison, he became positively obsessed with murder. Whilst in prison, he worked in the tin factory and obtained sulphuric acid from his workstation. He did this to test his theory on destroying an animal bone structure. Haigh believed that if he could entirely dissolve an animal bone structure there would be no body and therefore he could not be found guilty of murder. His unfortunate volunteers were the mice he caught in his cell. Sadly for five unsuspecting people he found his theory to be correct. When Haigh was released from prison, he had not lost his appetite for murder, quite the contrary. He immediately began demonstrating psychopathic behaviour. He came upon his fist victim by pure luck. He was William McSwan, a childhood friend of Haighs who had the misfortune of meeting Haigh in a ...

Answer the questions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Answer the questions - Research Paper Example In other words, the term ‘paradigm shift’ is used to show a considerable change in a basic model or perception. Nanomachines are still an emerging field of technology. Governments and large corporations are spending huge sums on research and development in the field of nanorobots. The first stream of research is nanomedicine that aims to utilize nanobots for cellular level operations. An example is the work by the Harvard and MIT researchers who attached chemotherapy drug to nano-particles which are able to identify cancer cells and release the drug into them. Another area is the use of robot organisms for space and planet exploration and colonization. For this purpose, Symbrion and Replicator projects are going on under the Seventh Framework Program of the European Union. Also, efforts are undertaken to incorporate distributive intelligence, programming and control. The success of this research will lead to the development of nano-swarms which are capable of computing and collaborating intelligently. In the field of molecular computing, researches are taking place in two directions. The first direction is using DNA computers to analyze the human genome with the intention to get accurate data that can be utilized for medical diagnosis. The second direction is the application of evolutionary computation to molecular evolution. An example is the application of the genetic algorithm to molecular evolution. Mills’ utilitarianism is based on the ‘greatest happiness principle’. According to him, one should select such an action that offers the greatest degree of happiness to the greatest number of stakeholders. The first argument against Doomsday Argument is the posteriori observation that claims that the chances for the extinction of a dominant species like humans are less than once in a million years. Another argument is that the people of a heavily populated future are not yet alive. So, it is not

5.8 Ghz Laptop Based Radar System Research Paper

5.8 Ghz Laptop Based Radar System - Research Paper Example This project will involve carrying out a series of experiments during the implementation of the Radar kit. Some of the experiments will include measuring the speed of passing cars. This system contains design slides, circuit schematics with a high resolution image. The MATLAB is installed in the laptop and a code is used for every stage of the experiment. The Radar system has 3 different modes it uses to operate which include Doppler, time and range. The system contains the modulator1 which produces linear ramp to regulate the pin in the OSC1. The modulator 1 makes the system one of the most complicated radar. The linear ramping plays an important role in the system of causing OSC1 to produce a linear FM chirp. This chip transmits and receives with the desired set magnitude. The system also uses a power supply and battery pack which consists of 2 battery packs and 12VDC power analog circuits. The battery packs are 4 AA batteries with each of them producing 6V and 12V. The report also indicates the bill of materials for all equipment needed in the making of this Radar system to enable proper budgeting. This is an important aspect because being a student, they issue of finance cannot be overlooked under any circumstances. The Radar system is important because of its efficiency especially because it uses modern technology. This makes it very effective because it has a high frequency of 5.8GHz and has clear images. The reason behind choosing this project is that a laptop-based radar sensor system is capable of measuring Doppler, range and it is also able to form synthetic aperture radar images. Its frequency of 5.8GHz is different from others and the idea is new in the industry. This new idea is meant to bring revolution the sector of producing laptop that have high frequency and with improved

The Samarco Dam Collapse

The Samarco Dam Collapse The Biggest Brazilian Environmental Disaster Introduction    When a natural catastrophe happens, it always catches the attention of people around the world. Therefore, this research was the place where information was collected about the greatest environmental disaster that occurred in the history of Brazil, which affected the lives of many Brazilians. This report aims to show the damage caused to the population and the environment, besides the neglect of these large companies with the population Methodology This report is constituted of research and collection of information of news, and informative reports about the biggest environmental disaster in the history of Brazil. The Disaster On November 5, 2015, the greatest environmental disaster occurred in the history of Brazil. This tragedy occurred at the small historic town of Mariana in the interior of the state of Minas Gerais. The Fundà £o dam, which was the responsibility of the mining company Samarco, failed, causing the leakage of approximately 62 million cubic meters of mud from the tailings, a huge tsunami In total 19 people died, hundreds of buildings were destroyed and left families homeless. The largest volume leakage of material dumped by dams of mining rejects of all time, also caused the pollution of the Doce river and environmental damage that extended to the states of Espà ­rito Santo And Bahia. (O Globo,2016) The village that was destroyed by the mine collapse (The Argentina Independent,2016) The mudslide tsunami reached 39 cities in three Brazilian states. As a result of this disaster more than 11 tons of fish were killed. The fauna and flora in the Rio Doce Basin became even more vulnerable. Ecosystem and species already threatened by predatory activities, impacts from industry, agriculture and mining are now at risk of extinction.(O Globo, 2016) The Results Samarco is controlled by Vale and the Australian company BHP Billiton, which accounts for 2% of the world production of pellets (steel balls used in steel production), is also one of the largest exporters in Brazil. (News.com.au, 2016) The Fundà £o dam used the hydraulic landfill system. The preliminary reports showed that the main hypothesis for the accident, according to experts, is that a liquefaction (process has occurred, rather than Ejecting, retaining water), leading to the transformation of the sand into mud and a sudden variation in the internal pressure of the tailings deposit, making it unable to contain the waste. Shortly before the accident, the University of Sà £o Paulos Seismology Center (USP) recorded four small earthquakes. (O Globo, 2016) Almost a year after the disaster, a re-issue was announced with the possible causes of the breach of the reservoir, BHP commercial director Dean Dalla Valle said there is no evidence that anyone had put production ahead of safety or reason to believe that someone from BHP had indicated that the dam was in danger. The purpose is to determine the cause of the failure and not blame, (News.com.au, 2016) said Dalla Valle, denying that BHP or Vale had information about the prospects for a disaster. Youre not hiding any of it its there for all to see. (News.com.au, 2016) In the report, it was found that the rupture of the dam was caused by structural defects that prevented drainage. Despite the results, Samarco denies irregularities. It is clear that despite the results presented the company remains concerned about its own profits rather than being worried about predicting future disasters. According to The Argentina Independent, the 76 pages of the report showed that the dam rupture was caused by problems in the drainage project. Furthermore a small earthquake on the day the dam also could have accelerated the failure, according to the report. Besides that a separate police investigation also accused mining company Samarco of intentional misconduct, claiming the company ignored signs that a dam was at risk of collapse. Samarco has already been fined 250m reals ( £64m) by Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) and 112m reals ( £28m) by Semad (Minas Gerais state governments environment agency). (News.com.au, 2016) Conclusion Even the disaster had occurred in the Rio Doce basin affecting a small part of a country as big as Brazil the disaster is far from over for the people living in those places. Douglas Krenak explains: Those affected continue to suffer, public health is precarious, The social system is precarious, its going down, this tragedy is creating problems now and it will create more in the future( The Argentina Independent, 2016). Although this story is far from over, what is expected to be responsible for the damage to the population and the environment. So that in the future the companies will invest more in the development of new technologies in their works foreseeing a greater security so that disasters like this one never happen again Bibliography The Guardian (2016, October15) Samarco dam collapse: one year on from Brazils worst environmental disaster Retrived February 27,2016, from:https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/oct/15/samarco-dam-collapse-brazil-worst-environmental-disaster-bhp-billiton-vale-mining O Globo(2016, November 11) Maior desastre ambiental do Brasil, Tragà ©dia de Mariana deixou 19 mortos Retrived February 27,2016, from:http://acervo.oglobo.globo.com/em-destaque/maior-desastre-ambiental-do-brasil-tragedia-de-mariana-deixou-19-mortos-20208009 The Argentina Independent(2016, april 7) The Forgotten Tragedy: Revisiting Brazils Worst Ever Retrived February 28,2016, from:http://www.argentinaindependent.com/currentaffairs/analysis/revisiting-brazils-worst-ever-environmental-disaster/ Insurance Journal(2016, august 30) Brazil Mine Disaster Caused by Poor Drainage Design of Tailings Dam: Report Retrived February 28,2016, from:http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2016/08/30/424781.htm News.com.au(2016, september 1) BHP on fatal Brazil dam burst report: Were not hiding any of it Retrived February 29,2016, from:http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/bhp-on-fatal-brazil-dam-burst-report-were-not-hiding-any-of-it/news-story/562524fb559f21f4180b171da7009098

Jehovah’s Witness Study Notes

Jehovah's Witnesses was first started by Charles Taze Russel in Pittsburgh around 1870. What led Charles Russel to first start the denomination was when he tried to convert an atheist to Christianity and ended up being converted instead, not to atheism but to agnosticism. Important Religious Beliefs Witnesses rely on the authority of the Bible when they live their day to day life. They believe that the bible is a gift from God that tells humans about what God is like, how to cope with problems, and how to please God. Jehovah’s Witnesses affirm full inspiration of the bible by God and the preservation if its copies over the centuries. Jehovah’s Witness have a special translation if the Bible called the New World Translation Witness believe in only one God. They stress the fact that God has revealed his personal name to humanity, which is Jehovah. Jehovah, in the book, has a spirit body and lives in heaven, but sees all things. While Christians believe that Jesus was â€Å"fully God, fully man†, Witnesses teach that Jesus was not God, but God’s first official creation. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that that they: Teach the truth about God, provide a model of a perfect life for people to follow, and he sacrificed his life to set humans free from sin and that his crucifixion was not on a cross but a upright stake. Customs and Practices Jehovah’s Witnesses baptize those of age who have made a decision to join the faith. Baptism is done by full entrance in water. After one is Baptized they are to include regular attendance at Kingdom Hall meetings and evangelism. Witnessing and Evangelism is the most know to other religions, it is done door-to-door. Witnesses who are employed full time (and are known as Kingdom publishers) devote 100 hours each month to witnessing. Paid employees of the Watchtower Society who are expected to spend about 150 hours per month on evangelism. Jehovah’s Witnesses hold religions services in buildings called Kingdom Halls (could be rented). There are no crosses displayed inside or outside the Kingdom Hall. Holy Books Jehovah’s Witness have a special translation if the Bible called the New World Translation. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, there are six volumes between 1950 and 1960. Membership Today Since 1995 the Watchtower society have quickly become less encouraging. Similarities and Differences Both religions believe in only one God and both live lives that are guided by a book, the bible. Differences include that Witnesses must advertise their practice and attend meetings 3 times a weeks, while Catholics are free to live the lives they feel are best suited for them.