Monday, January 27, 2020

Airline and Airport Management: Motivation Theories

Airline and Airport Management: Motivation Theories Introduction This report will analyse the changing world of work and how it has changed a lot recently. The writer will also examine the trends and issues that have affected and may affect the aviation industry both present and in the future by using real world examples, theories to approach a valid conclusion. Motivation Theories Maslows hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper. A Theory of Human Motivation, which he subsequently extended to include his observations of humans innate curiosity. Understanding what motivated employees and how they were motivated was the focus of many researchers following the publication of the Hawthorne Study results (Terpstra, 1979). Five major approaches that have led to our understanding of motivation are Maslows need-hierarchy theory, Herzbergs two- factor theory, Vrooms expectancy theory, Adams equity theory, and Skinners reinforcement theory. According to Maslow, employees have five levels of needs (Maslow, 1943): physiological, safety, social, ego, and self- actualizing. Maslow argued that lower level needs had to be satisfied before the next higher level need would motivate employees. Herzbergs work categorized motivation into two factors: motivators and hygienes (Herzberg, Mausner, Snyderman, 1959). Motivator or intrinsic factors, such as achievement and recognition, produce job satisfaction. Hygiene or extrinsic factors, such as pay and job security, produce job dissatisfaction. Vrooms theory is based on the belief that employee effort will lead to performance and performance will lead to rewards (Vroom, 1964). Rewards may be either positive or negative. The more positive the reward the more likely the employee will be highly motivated. Conversely, the more negative the reward the less likely the employee will be motivated. Adams theory states that employees strive for equity between themselves and other workers. Equity is achieved when the ratio of employee outcomes over inputs is equal to other employee outcomes over inputs (Adams, 1965). Skinners theory simply states those employees behaviours that lead to positive outcomes will be repeated and behaviours that lead to negative outcomes will not be repeated (Skinner, 1953). Managers should positively reinforce employee behaviours that lead to positive outcomes. Managers should negatively reinforce employee behaviour that leads to negative outcomes. Organisational Culture When together all employees or the group of people work to achieve the organisational goal, the organisations are become operational and successful. Therefore, organisational change is possible only when employees of the organisation understand the need for change, buy-in the idea of change, are motivated towards the change, and express their interest (McGuire D. Hutchings K., 2006; Beer M. et al, 1990). Other researchers (e.g. Tichy, 1983) acknowledge the frustration that managers feel when their organisations do not respond to elaborately analyzed plans, where there is a lack of interaction between decision and action. Teamwork Teamworking also offers the employees the opportunity to meet their social needs, as identified by Maslow. (Surridge, M., Gillespie, A. p199) When working in teams there are many people that may have different views and opinions, also not forgetting personalities. Different views are not a problem as such but the expression of views can be a problem. Many people unintentionally may say or do things that may affect certain members by making them upset or even generally uncomfortable. Good communication does not indicate being able to stand on stage and just tell the public a message. Leadership is about having a set of values and believing in them, but it is also having foresight, knowledge and intuition, especially about people. Leaders can not expect others to believe in them if they do not believe in themselves. (Malpas M., 2006 cited by Porter K. et al, 2006) Leadership is about listening to people, supporting and encouraging them and involving them in the decision-making and problem-solving process. (Levine S. and Crom M., 1994, cited by Holbeche L., 1998) The Four Basic Leadership styles: Autocratic This is often considered the classical approach. It is one in which the manager retains as much power and decision-making authority as possible. The manager does not consult employees are they allowed to give any input. Employees are expected to obey orders without receiving any explanations. The motivation environment is produced by creating a structured set of rewards and punishments. Bureaucratic leadership is where the manager manages by the bookÂÂ ¨ everything must be done according to procedure or policy. If it isnt covered by the book, the manager refers to the next level above him or her. This manager is really more of a police officer than a leader. He or she enforces the rules. Laissez-faire The laissez-faire leadership style is also known as the hands-offÂÂ ¨ style. It is one in which the manager provides little or no direction and gives employees as much freedom as possible. All authority or power is given to the employees and they must determine goals, make decisions, and resolve problems on their own. Democratic The democratic leadership style is also called the participative style as it encourages employees to be a part of the decision making. The democratic manager keeps his or her employees informed about everything that affects their work and shares decision making and problem solving responsibilities. Communication Skills According to Stephen Covey, communication is the most important skill in life. This is no less true for managerial efforts to invest everyone from the total corporate environment toward change, in these demanding times, on behalf of their organisational life (Kotter, 1993, 1996, p. 3 and Mainelli, p. 1). Managements ability to generate trust in the sensibility of their vision- the power of which can only be unleashed when those involved in an enterprise or activity have a common understanding of its goals and direction- including employees and customers (Miller p. 219 and Kotter, 1996, p. 85). Waltslawick et al. conclude: 1. Meanings are not transferred- they are created in the minds of the perceivers, 2. Anything is a potential message, 3. The message perceived is the only one that counts, 4. Interpersonal messages have content and relational components, 5. Communication interaction can be either symmetrical or complementary, 6. Effective communication is hard work (Axley, 1996, pp. 53-63). More over (Daly et al., 2003) Internal communication is important in communicating change. Others focus on the constructional phases of change, where communication is vital to mutual understanding of the problems organisations have to face in order to meet the challenges, and need to change (Bennebroek Gravenhorst et al., 1999). Technology in the workplace Technology in the 21st century has advanced in many ways, people in many organisation use technology to work and communicate. In todays society people dont like to wait to get checked or served, this could include paying bills, topping up payment cards, shopping etc. The writers own workplace at the airport bmibaby have brought 10 new kiosk machines where passengers can check themselves in, this is more useful for passenger who are carrying hand luggage only and can check in at the machines and prints of their boarding pass and head straight to departures without even queuing up for the check in agent to check them in. Work Related Stress The writer works with airline bmibaby at the airport is most definitely stressful. As the writer own personal experience in everyday work a lot goes on at work, staff have to work together as a team making sure that everything is done on time and passengers are correctly checked in and board the flight on time without causing any disruptions. Alternatively, increased flexibility, responsibility, and learning opportunity in todays workplace may offer workers greater potential for self-direction, skill development, and career growth, leading to reduced stress and increased satisfaction and well being. Assessed online www.direct.gov.uk/work_related_stress PESTEL ANALYSIS The PESTEL framework categorises environmental influences into six main types: political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal. (Johnson and Scholes, 2002) BMIbaby PESTEL Analysis (P)olitical EU expansion Severe security measures and restrictions Climate protection charge French government support for national carriers New EU regulations (E)conomic Fuel price increases EU expansion Europe: cars and taxi hires (S)ocial Increasing travelling lifestyles Increasing business travels Market increase (T)echnological Technology expansion Low fuel consumptions Internet competition Internet online sales (E)nvironmental Noise level controls Green house carbon emissions (L)egal Allegations of misleading advertising Illegal subsidies from airport Conclusion For effective change management process, good communication between management and staff is imperative. In order to keep competitive advantages and to minimize fundamental effects of political and economical disturbance, the continuous change is required but this should be taken place with the involvement of each and every member of staff. In the process of decision making, if employees are taken into confidence and are convinced about the required change while taking them on board in decision making process, they would as a part of change management process adhere and admire the change. On the other hand, if they are left disconnected and arent motivated about this change process, subsequently their spirit and enthusiasm will go down. List of References Dale, G., (2007) Btec National Travel and Tourism Book 1. Oxford, Heinemann Directgov Workplace Stress http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/HealthAndSafetyAtWork/DG_10026604 Fyall, A and Morgan, M (2009) Marketing in the Travel and Tourism. Oxford, Heinemann Page 88-90 Holbeche L. (1998), Motivating People in Lean Organizations, Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann. Nicholson, I., (2001). Giving Up Maleness: Abraham Maslow, Masculinity, and the Boundaries of Psychology. History of Psychology, 2, 79-91 http://www.essortment.com/all/leadershipstyle_rrnq.htm Porter K., Smith P., Fagg R, (2006) Leadership and Management for HR Professional Leadership and Motivation at work Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. New York: Surridge. M., 2005. AS Business Studies. 2nd edn. London: Hodder Arnold. Trade Unions, 2010 Available at: https://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/unions_main.cfm Turban, Efraim (2002), Electronic Commerce: A Managerial Perspective, Prentice Hall, Vroom, V. H. (1964). Work and motivation. New York: Wiley. Wahba, M.A. Bridwell, L. G. (1976). Maslow Reconsidered: A Review of Research on the Need Hierarchy Theory. Organizational Behaviour and Human Performance 15, 212-240

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Arachne EC

Earache From Ovoid's Metamorphoses, Earache remains a relevant myth in all its forms. The Myth of Earache provides both a spiritual almost religious moral baseline as well as an origin for a common household creature. In the myth, Earache- a talented weaver, challenges the weaving skills of Palls (also known as Athena). Intrigued, Athena weaves her tapestry and â€Å"Earache weaves hers in reply'. (Book VI: 103-128, http:// Ovid. Lib. Virginia. Due/trans/Metamorphose. HTML). Even Athena has to admit that Earache is the greatest weaver and in anger ruins her tapestry.Earache in shame kills resell, and is resurrected by Athena to live her life as a spider so that she can continue to weave. (Book VI: 129-145) This myth serves several purposes specifically to Greek culture. Firstly, it reminds those who revere the Greek Gods; that they are not only all powerful but that they have the same nature as humans do. Athena is human in the sense that she is jealous of the work of Earache. She t hen returns from Jealousy to show Earache compassion and love by resurrecting her to weave forever. In a religious way is an example of the condemnation of suicide within organized religion.All religions address suicide differently, but nevertheless it is addressed. The other common theme being that those within religious stories that choose to challenge a God/ Goddess in any way, never come out triumphant. It reminds those reading that the Gods are all powerful and always will be. This myth also creates an origin story for the word â€Å"arachnid† for spiders, a household creature. This helps the myth survive and makes it relevant to cultures across the world including my own, linking something that everyone knows, and everyone has seen to an origin and a person.Suddenly, those scary eight-legged little monsters are a piece of a woman's soul. They weave for the woman that bore them. When a small child is about to squash the spider and their loved one stops them and tells the m the story of Earache. The creature that Earache is turned into, directly reflects her as a woman. Firstly, the talented weaver is resurrected as a creature that weaves to survive. Secondly, after she has hung herself to end her life, she is turned into a creature that hangs onto the material that extends her life. She must now live from the art that caused her to take her own life.Besides teaching readers an example of hubris, the story teaches the importance of not boasting. When Athena is warned of the young woman's challenge, she gives her a last chance to learn some humility. The woman continues to boast and ignores the ominous warning. The practical piece of this myth is that it would be, could be told to children because it teaches so many warnings. It is fairly easy to imagine the matriarch or patriarch of the family sitting down the small proud child and telling them the story of Earache, and letting their eyes brighten as they relate and understand the story in all its po wer and meaning.The reason most myths and stories remain in a culture is usually centric to religion. Nearly every culture on the planet has some form of organized religion. The reason that stories linked to religion carry on, opposed to others is that they draw people together. These ideologies are passed among family members, on through generations and create links between families. This is part of the reason that other stories, not religiously based do not survive. They remain in families, changing over time, never chronicled and decomposing slowly over time.Build a big enough religious following and your stories will live forever. I find many of these stories including Earache's fascinating but slightly dramatic. Killing yourself over a ripped tapestry is a bit over the top. The phrase â€Å"crying over spilt milk† comes to mind. I understand the stories purpose as a lesson but wonder whether there wasn't a less severe way to get the point across. This specific story will live on because its namesake creatures are a household critter. I wonder if people see spiders and think â€Å"if only Earache wouldn't have challenged Athena.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Maeketing Plan for Batik Products

Understand the role and function of marketing in a variety of market and organizational contexts. ? Critically evaluate and utilize marketing research data and methods to a given market situation. ? Understand and apply the principles of organizational and environmental audits to inform marketing strategies, decisions and objectives. ? Develop and justify a marketing plan and mix for a given target market. You have been just appointed as International Marketing Manager by a local Sri Lankan firm that is aspiring to take the Company to the international market to take advantage of growth opportunities.Your Managing Director is also concerned about the limited growth potential of your market (Sri Lanka). Your main task, as defined by your Managing Director, is to propose an International marketing plan to enter the most potential market i. e. that offers the greatest growth potential in the next two years. Your key task Propose an International Marketing Plan to take your Company to an overseas market of your choice.Critically justify your recommendations by providing clear justification for selection of markets to enter on a priority basis. 1. You will need to conduct a critical market analysis using relevant facts and figures. You will need to quantify the market potential or potential of the overseas marketing opportunity using facts and figures. (20 marks) 2. Use Segmenting, targeting and positioning elaborate how you intend to provide competitive advantage for your brand in the overseas market of entry. (40 marks) 3.Critically elaborate how changes in the marketing environment in your chosen market of entry (relative to your home country) will affect your Company and how you recommend changing or adopting your marketing mix to take advantage of the opportunities in the selected market? (20 marks) 4. Critically provide a profitability forecast for your marketing plan. Clearly indicate implementation dates, and budget requirement to deliver on the marketing ob jectives you will set as part of your marketing plan for the next two years. (20 marks)

Thursday, January 2, 2020

The Tragic Hero Of Antigone By Sophocles - 1075 Words

In the words of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, â€Å"A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.† Thus, according to Aristotle, the tragic hero must be able to discern how his actions caused his demise. The tragic hero has a tragic flaw, known as hamartia, recognizes that this flaw contributes to his misfortune because of an error in judgment, but is nonetheless deserving of sympathy. Creon, the hero of the drama Antigone by Sophocles, fulfills this definition. He exhibits hubris, his flaw of excessive pride, comprehends how this flaw has caused his suffering despite his good intentions, and is ultimately worthy of the reader’s sympathy. Creon’s excessive pride leads to several mistakes on his part, as well as his downfall as a leader. He creates a law of the state that goes against the law of the gods. Creon, the king of Thebes, decrees that Polyneices shall not be buried or mourned because he deems him a traitor to the state. Although the gods deem that all men should be properly buried, Creon avers, â€Å"Polyneices, I say, is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him; he shall lie on the plain, unburied; and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like† (169 - 172). Antigone defies this decree because she holds the laws of the gods above that of the state. Antigone declares to Creon, â€Å"Your edict, King, was strong,/ but all your strength is weakness itself against/ The immortal unrecordedShow MoreRelatedThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Antigone1835 Words   |  8 Pagesbecome a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.† Ari stotle believed that a tragic hero was one who was noble by nature yet endowed with a tragic flaw or hamartia. This hero is oftentimes more dignified than us average people, but his/her* personality and character traits make their stories relatable. Over the course of his life, different virtues are revealed, but they eventually exhibit an imperfection which leads to his inevitable downfall. In Sophocles s tragic play of Antigone, Oedipus’sRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Antigone876 Words   |  4 Pagesunlike figures found in mythology with such tales as Sophocles’ Antigone.They do what they believe is beneficial or right despite the adversity they will meet. Sometimes their fight results in their death. This is true not only of Antigone, but also of Abraham Lincoln. While Abraham Lincoln may not be considered a tragic hero he is similar to Antigone because both were fulfilling a divine order. Antigone is the title character of Sophocles’ Antigone. She is the daughter of Oedipus, who coupled withRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Antigone1056 Words   |  5 Pagesthe title of tragic hero in the play Antigone Author by Sophocles. I would like to start off by saying that it will be very challenging for me to have the passion that I usually have. But I will still stand in front of you. As I said before I am here to argue the title of tragic hero in the play Antigone. I could see that some of you are confused by the word tragic hero. No need to concern for I will tell you. The great Aristotle was one of the earliest men who defined a tragic hero. His descriptionRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Antigone1805 Words   |  8 PagesOne of the authors at the forefront of Greek tragedies was Sophocles. One of Sophocles most famous pieces of work is, Antigone. Written in 440 B.C in Athens, Greece, Sophocles uses this play to dramatize a series of events that unfold s when pride becomes more important than loyalty to family. Controversy still remains today of whom the tragic hero of Antigone is, but some scholars believe that Antigone herself is the tragic hero. Antigone goes past conventional expectations to stand up for her brotherRead MoreSophocles Antigone - The Tragic Hero1306 Words   |  6 PagesThe Tragic Hero in Antigone Being a human incorporates drama. It is part of living in society, and often inevitable. In theatre, successful drama plays use timeless issues that can still be found present in most civilization. Amongst the seven Sophocles’ plays that managed to survive 25 centuries in complete form, lies one of the most famous tragedies in human-history, Antigone. The main controversial conflict in this historically-influential play is the importance of divine law versus man-madeRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Antigone1521 Words   |  7 PagesAn Aristotelian tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgment that ultimately leads to his or her own destruction. An example of a true Aristotelian tragic hero is Creon from Sophocles’ play, Antigone. Creon is the tragic hero because he goes through the five stages of a tragic hero which leads to his destruction. His tragic flaw is him being afraid to admit that he has made a mistake. He is too proud of his power and his a bility to make laws which leads to his son and wife committingRead MoreThe Real Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Antigone3370 Words   |  14 PagesCarlberg English 102 9 December 2014 The Real Tragic Hero in the Play Antigone A tragic hero according to Aristotle is someone who is of high nobility, and has a major internal character flaw. That flaw will eventually by the characters ultimate demise which is most likely death. If their demise doesn’t end in a death the tragic hero usually goes through a catharsis. The most common flaws of a tragic hero are hubris, pride, and stubbornness. Tragic heroes can be found throughout most tragedy themedRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Antigone Essay1357 Words   |  6 Pagesdraws on the emotions of the audience is to get them to relate to the tragic hero, and that is why it was so important for a tragedy to have a proper one. Antigone features the perfect example of a hero in a tragedy. In Antigone, King Creon is the tragic hero since he is adherent to a moral mean, he is life-like, he exhibits a tragic quality which results in a plot reversal, and ends in a moment of lament. Creon is the ideal tragic hero, since he’s morally upstanding but not blameless at the same timeRead MoreEssay on Creon as the Tragic Hero of Sophocles Antigone997 Words   |  4 PagesCreon as the Tragic Hero of Sophocles Antigone   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Who is the true tragic hero in Sophocles Antigone?   This question has been the subject of a great debate for numerous years.   Equal arguments exist that portray Antigone as the tragic heroine in the play and Creon as the tragic hero.   Aristotle, in his study of Greek drama entitled Poetics, provided the framework that determines the tragic hero of a work.   Though Antigone definitely possesses the characteristics and qualities thatRead More Creon is the Tragic Hero in Sophocles Antigone Essay627 Words   |  3 Pages Creon is the Tragic Hero of Antigone nbsp; When the title of a play is a characters name, it is normally assumed that the character is the protagonist of the play. In Sophocles Antigone, most people probably believe Antigone to be the tragic heroine, even after they have finished watching the play. It may be argued, however, that Creon, not Antigone, is the tragic character. When we examine the nature and concept of the Greek Tragedy and what it means to be a tragic character, it becomes