The structure of Tourism Industry Essay Example

The structure of Tourism Industry Essay Section 1 Introduction to the structure of Tourism Industry In this report, the structure of the current industry will be examined, according to Holloways model. According to Holloways there are four main sectors from both Private and Public Sector. They are Producers, Tour Operators and Brokers, Travel Agents and the Tourist (Holloway 1994:58) Producers We will write a custom essay sample on The structure of Tourism Industry specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The structure of Tourism Industry specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The structure of Tourism Industry specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Producers can exist from both Private and Public Sector. Public sector bodies tend to be particularly dominant in certain sectors of the attraction business, including museums, historic sites, galleries, theatres and leisure centers, for example. (Horner, S., Swarbrooke J., 1996: 280) Private Sector companies are particularly important players in certain sectors of the attraction business such as theme parks and industrial tourism (Horner, S., Swarbrooke J., 1996: 281) Producers consist of accommodation, carriers and man made attractions. Accommodation is, by a long way, the largest and most ubiquitous sub sector within the tourism economy. With few exceptions, tourists require a location where they can rest and revive during their travels through, or stay within, a tourism destination. (Cooper et all, 1998: 313) Transportation for tourism is an essential element of the tourist product in two ways: it is the means to reach the destination and it is necessary as a means of movement at the destination. Increasingly, as transport is viewed as part of leisure, the journey is at least as important as the destination itself. (Cooper et all, 1998: 271). Man made attractions, homes, ancient monuments, activity centres, theme parks and catering facilities are produced to serve tourists. Integration The term of integration is an economic concept to describe formal linking arrangements between one organization and another ( Cooper et all, 1998: 251) Vertical integration is the merging or acquisition of one organization with another or the development of a strategic alliance with another organization at a different level of the industry/distribution chain. It can be forward or backward vertical integration (Adopted from lecture notes) Horizontal integration is the merging of acquisition of one organization with another or the development of a strategic alliance with another organization on the same level of the chain of distribution or develops a new product which would become located on the same level(Adopted from lecture notes) Tourism has so much integration because of the benefits that can be obtained through integration and because tourism industry itself has highly competitive nature.First af all integration allows the added advantage of improved control over the quality of the product (Holloway 2002: 85) The benefits of the horizontal integration could be the expansion of the market share in existing markets, the reduction of levels of competition, the expansion into new markets provision of complementary products. Verticals integration benefits could be the control over access to and the cost of supplies and the control over distribution. Tourism as a service and its service product characteristics The four product characteristics are: * Intangibility * Perishability * Inseparability * Heterogeneity In Tourism, consumers often dont purchase products but services. It is difficult to use your senses to make a purchase decision because the service experience will be defined after the decision has been made. The service could be defined intangible when a customer receives a confirmation or a ticket by delivery after the purchase has been made. Also, sometimes in Tourism Industry, travelers make a decision according reputation. For example customers will obviously prefer the Holiday Inn instead of a guest house! The most intangible the product is, the greater interest for the marketing department to make as more as tangible they can. Perishability sometimes can lead to problems for many marketing departments in Tourism. The particular time when the customer is booking a ticket the service is manufactured at the same time as it is consumed. If the organizations staff is not present at the purchase time the opportunity is lost! Inseparability means that the customer often comes into direct contact with the services providers. If they dont do their job in a particular way in order to satisfy the customers needs, means a bad reputation to the organization. But also the opposite; the better the staff is the better reputation obtains. Finally, heterogeneity may cause problems but also to be a benefit for the organization. In a multi location hotel company one branch might be a bad reputation for the whole organization or a really good branch to save the reputation of the organisation. Nowadays the services of the Tourism Industry have changed in the way they are sold. Airline companies, train companies, travel agencies are selling their products on line through internet. The purchase of a ticket or a package holiday can be completed through internet. Introduction of Picnic Airways Picnic Airways is a privately well growing owned company, located within the transportation sector of the Tourism Industry. According to Holloways model, air, rail, sea and road transport are part of the carriers/transportation sector of the Industry. Section 2 Introduction Picnic Airways flies to five different destinations (Frankfurt, Munich, Parma, Pisa, Prague, and Rome. The expectations of the company is to expand its routes into Eastern Europe (Balkan Countries, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Yugoslavia). Some of these countries are going to join European Union such as, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Slovak Republic and Czech Republic. It would be useful to investigate the effect of these countries, which are going to join E.U., on Picnic Airways. There are many implications to operate the flights to these countries, externally (macro environment) and internally (micro environment). The Macro Environment The macro environment is made up of societal forces that can not be controlled by organisations. They can only try to anticipate them and respond to them as effectively as possible. (Horner S., Swarbrooke J. 1996: 106) We are going to consider these factors by using a PESTLE analysis which refers to political, economical, socio cultural, technological, legal and environmental factors that affect Picnic Airways. Section 2.1 Political Issues Europe is clearly in a period of rapid political change, which is of great significance for the European tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors (Horner S., Swarbrooke J. 1996: 108). The European Commission affects tourism in a wide variety of ways EC Package Travel Directive * The activities of its directorate DG XXIII * Projects such as European Development Fund * EU campaigns, policy and strategy at a European Union level, such as, the Green Paper on Tourism Policy * The implementation of the single market * The deregulation and liberalization of air fares * And the single European currency. (Horner S., Swarbrooke J. 1996:108). Section 2.2 Economic issues At the European level the key economic factors are increasingly those which are being influenced by the actions of the European Commission. They include: * Plans to abolish duty free sales between member states by the end of the decade(which is already implemented) * The idea of harmonizing sales taxes, both in terms of the rate and the goods and services on which they are levied * Deregulation and liberalization of markets that have been largely regulated by individual national governments, such as air travel. Also the single currency within the European Union. The tourist flows between member states, which have always been influenced by currency exchange rates. For example, the number of British visitors to France fell between 1992 and 1995 as the pound fell in value against the Franc fort from around 9.5 in summer 1992 to 7.40 in spring 1996. (Horner S., Swarbrooke J. 1996:112). All these measures could be threat to airlines such Picnic Airways. Section 2.3 Sociological Issues These can be divided into several categories, namely: * Demographic factors, in other words, those concerned with population structure in terms of characteristics such as age, sex, religion, race, education and birth, death and fertility rates. * Social concerns crime, health and environmental issues * The emerge of distinctive subcultures within societies, that share certain values and perhaps characteristics as consumers. (Horner S., Swarbrooke J. 1996:113). An AIDS epidemic threatens to explode in some of eastern Europes ex-Soviet bloc states if nothing is done to counter economic and social factors helping the disease to spread, a study said Wednesday. According to figures included in the report, HIV infection is running at 53.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Ukraine, 17.3 in Belarus, 12.9 in Poland and 10.8 in Moldova. Poverty and lack of social cohesion is rife in some countries in the region struggling to transform centrally planned structures into market-driven economies since the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is not only economic reform which will determine the future, said the study. Social reform is essential, and this means addressing fundamental inequalities. (Agence France-Presse October 13, 1999) Alcohol consumption and psychosocial factors on health is being conducted in random samples of men and women aged 45-64 selected in Russia (city of Novosibirsk), Poland (2 districts of Krakow) and the Czech Republic (2 cities) three countries of Central and Eastern Europe undergoing rapid social and economic transition.(http://www.ucl.ac.uk/easteurope/hapiee.html) Section 2.4 Technological Issues Technological factors can be divided into several categories, namely: * Operational categories * Communication technologies * Transport technologies * Product technologies (Horner S., Swarbrooke J. 1996:118). Picnic Airways extended its number of aircraft from 4 to 8. That is a technological operational betterment of the company. As Picnic Airways is a low cost airline is better to relay on internet bookings like Easy Jet, because it is a good way to keep the costs low. Through Internet it will be the best way to attract passengers from Eastern Europe instead of branches in all the countries of Eastern Europe. Section 2.5 Legal Issues Legal issues include holiday entitlement health and safety issues, consumer protection and advertising. The Eastern European countries are of the poorest countries in Europe. The fact that they are going to be members of the European Union will improve the living standards the wages for the citizens. These countries will be conformed according to the EU law and regulations. Eastern Europe will be leaded to demand for tourism development. Section 2.6 Environmental Issues Environmental factor include issues like pollution and land use. The land use will be increased because of the new airports and the expansion of the old ones. The pollution will also be increased because of the fuels from aircrafts and air traffic Section 3 The Micro Environment To examine the Micro Environment, SWOT analysis will be useful. We are going to examine the Strengths the Weaknesses the Opportunities and the Threats that Picnic Airways face. As a basis for the companys planning further understanding of the organisations place within its market can be gained from a detailed consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of its current operations, and from scanning the various environment influences for threats and opportunities( Laws E., 1991:78) Section 3.1 Strengths Strengths are normally expressed as inherent current advantages, whether by earlier strategic decisions or historic good fortune. Strengths may exist in an organisations market / product portfolio and its operations in relation to competitors. Products with increasing shares of markets predicted to grow are obviously strengths. (Middleton V.T.C., Clarke J., 2001: 206) 1. Picnic Airways was able to attain considerable financial backing from financial investors. That means that the company will not face economical problem with purchasing new aircrafts, with employing more staff for aircrew and at the new destinations airports. Also there is not a problem for paying fees to the airports. 2. Hub airports like Heathrow and Gatwick are congested because host all airways companies. Picnic airways operates from East Midlands Airport which is uncontested and there will be no problem. Section 3.2 Weaknesses Weaknesses ranging ageing products in declining markets to surly customer contact staff, must also be clearly identified. Once identified, they may be subject to management action designed to minimize their impact or to remove them where possible. (Middleton V.T.C., Clarke J., 2001: 207) 1. Picnic Airways offers only a small number of destinations. Six destinations (Frankfurt, Munich, Parma, Pisa, Prague and Rome), only in three countries. 2. By operating the company from only one airport, East Midlands Airport, is limiting the potential market of customers. Section 3.3 Opportunities Opportunities in a marketing context may arise from elements of the business under direct control, such as a particular product or process, or a particular set of staff competencies. They may also arise from shifts in the external environment, which a firm may exploit. (Middleton V.T.C., Clarke J., 2001: 208) 1. Deregulation and liberalization of the skies would be an opportunity for Picnic airways because Eastern Europe will join the European Union in 2004. 2. Also the reduction in fuel prices constitutes an opportunity 3. New operational technologies, like smart cards are really vital for the company. Section 3.4 Threats Threats may be presented by internal elements within the businesss control or by external events such as exchange rate changes, rising oil prices or acts of international terrorism. (Middleton V.T.C., Clarke J., 2001: 208) 1. Due to the regulation and liberalization of the skies there will be an increased competition. 2. One of business biggest threats is the two other low cost airline companies, Easy Jet and Ryanair. These two companies would be able to drive away Picnic Airways because of the brand loyalty these companies have produced, if they would want to expand their business into the market of Eastern Europe. Section 4 Conclusion Concluding the findings of PESTLE and SWOT analysis it is worth for Picnic Airways to expand into the new market of Eastern Europe. It is a great opportunity because no famous airline company is established in Eastern Europe.

Geology Test Essay Example

Geology Test Essay Example Geology Test Paper Geology Test Paper Which seismic waves compress and expand rocks in the direction the waves travel? P Waves What kind of plate boundary occurs where two plates grind past each other without destroying or producing lithosphere? transform fault boundary Why do earthquakes often cause damaging fires? Earthquake vibrations can break gas lines, water lines, and electrical lines Tensional stresses commonly cause which of the following? Normal Faults What volcanic feature is illustrated at A in Figure 10-2? Continental Volcanic Arc What type of plate boundary resulted in the volcanic activity illustrated in figure 10-2? oceanic-continental convergent boundary A fault in which the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall is a ______. a normal fault What type of volcano is built almost entirely from ejected lava fragments? cinder cone The particles produced in volcanic eruptions are called __________. pyroclatic material What feature is labeled A in figure 10-17? pipe What type of volcano is illustrated in Figure 10-17? composite cone A tectonic plate consists of ________. the crust and uppermost mantle Which of the following can be produced at an ocean-continental convergent boundary? continental volcanic arc Earthquakes are usually associated with _____. faults What is the most abundant gas associated with volcanic activity? water vapor An earthquakes epicenter is _________. the place on the surface directly above the focus The Richter magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the _________. measurement of the amplitude of the largest seismic wave Which of the following factors helps determine whether a volcanic eruption will be violent or relatively quiet? composition of the magma, temperature of the magma, and amount of dissolved gases in the magma The broad, slightly dome-shaped volcanoes of Hawaii are _________. shield volcanoes Faults in which movement is mainly horizontal and parallel to the trend of the fault surface are called _________. strike-slip faults In Figure 3-1, what process or processes would be occurring in the part of the rock cycle labeled E? compaction and cementation In Figure 3-1, what type of rock should occur in the part of the cycle labeled B? igneous According to the theory of plate tectonics, __________. the lithosphere is divided into plates The Hawaiian Islands were formed when the Pacific Plate moved over _________. a hot spot A tsunami can occur when there is vertical movement at a fault under __________. the ocean floor Overall, which seismic waves are the most destructive? surface waves What forms when one oceanic plate is forced beneath another plate? a subduction zone When an earthquake occurs, energy radiates in all directions from its source, which is called ______. focus The supercontinent in the continental drift hypothesis was called _________. Pangaea Through which Earth layer are S waves NOT transmitted? outer core One kind of evidence that supports Wegeners hypothesis is that _________. fossils of the same organism have been found on different continents Which of the following is NOT one of the three types of rock? magma The Himalayas in South Asia are an example of what type of plate boundary? convergent continental-continental boundary Where is the energy source that drives the processes that form igneous and metamorphic rocks? earths interior Most of the active volcanoes on Earth are located in a belt known as the _________. Ring of Fire What is the name of the major strike-slip fault in California? San Andreas Fault According to Figure 8-1, when will the first P wave be received, if an earthquake epicenter is approximately 1800 kilometers from the seismic station? 3.5 minutes after the earthquake According to Figure 8-1, what is the distance between the seismic station and an earthquake epicenter, if the first S wave arrives 4.0 minutes after the first P wave? 2500 kilometers What are the primary factors that determine whether a volcano erupts explosively or relatively quietly? composition of the magma, temperature of the magma, and amount of dissolved gases in the magma Describe how an igneous rock becomes a sedimentary rock. Igneous rock is weathered and eroded by natural processes. The eroded/weathered particles are deposited and start the process of compaction and cementation over time. List three lines of evidence that supported the hypothesis for continental drift. 1. continental drift coastlines of opposite continents seem to match2. matching fossils fossils of similar species are found on opposite continents3. rock types similar mountain ranges, rivers, etc are found on opposite continents Compare and contrast the movements and forces on a normal fault and a reverse fault

Patron and Patronize

Patron and Patronize Patron and Patronize Patron and Patronize By Maeve Maddox Someone in my Facebook feed posted this about an aging celebrity who has recently published a book: â€Å"Don’t buy her books and don’t patron her movies.† I’d never seen patron used as a verb. Patronize is the verb commonly used to mean: â€Å"to frequent or support as a customer.† For example: I have patronized The Brown Derby since its inception and have always found the food to be second-to-none. A Web search turned up many examples of the unconventional use of patron in this sense. Here are two examples: The owner is very racist and I REFUSE to patron this place.   My wife and  I refuse to patron movie  theaters on Thanksgiving or Christmas.   Not surprisingly, the most common source of this nonstandard use of patron is social media. What did surprise me is that I found patron used as a verb in some British news sources. It was, however, used in the context of a well-known person agreeing to act as spokesman for a nonprofit enterprise: Lambeth Palace told The Times: â€Å"Since taking office in March this year, the Archbishop has received many kind invitations to patron a large variety of charities and good causes. –The Telegraph. Celebrity Piers Morgan to patron cat rescue centre –Bristol Post The prince has also agreed to patron Daresbury’s sister site at Harwell, Oxfordshire. –Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News. The noun patron derives from pater, the Latin word for father. In Latin society, a patron was a protector, someone who looked after the well-being of a former slave or other dependent. The feminine form was patrona. (A matrona was simply â€Å"a married woman.†) The earliest documentation in the OED of the verb patronize to mean, â€Å"to act as a patron towards† is dated 1593. The use of patron with this meaning has three 17th century citations, and one by Dickens in the 19th. (The use by Dickens is probably meant to be humorous: â€Å"Why am I to be Patroned and Patronessed as if the Patrons and Patronesses treated me?†) The first modern citation for patron used as a verb to mean â€Å"act as patron† is dated 1954, and this use is still rare even in Britain. In my unscientific browsing of British newspapers, I found that constructions like â€Å"agreed to serve as patron† outnumber constructions like â€Å"agreed to patron.† In addition to its meanings of â€Å"protection and support,† patronize has acquired a negative connotation. Human nature being what it is, the beneficial act of patronizing a good cause is often accompanied by an overt attitude that the donor is superior to the recipient. As a result, â€Å"to patronize† has become a synonym for â€Å"to condescend.† condescend (verb): to assume an air of superiority (as to one inferior or less fortunate) Here are some examples of patronize in this sense: How do you feel when people patronize your religion? Candidate In Iowa Makes Patronizing Offensive Comments About Women Voters Dont patronize me, she  said  heatedly. Im not one of your witless lady friends. Patron as a verb meaning, â€Å"serve as a spokesperson for a worthy cause† may catch on. Such use would serve to distinguish the act of serving as a spokesman from the less altruistic meanings of patronize. On the other hand, patronize is just one of many English words that have different meanings according to context. It’s the sort of thing one is expected to learn in English class. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Royal Order of Adjectives 30 Baseball Idioms30 Nautical Expressions

People in Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

People in Religion - Essay Example Senior Tibetan monks receive information during meditation which helps them to track down the new Dalai Lama. They have an indication of who is going to be the next Dalai Lama and after verification through their secret set of criteria, they take him away. Familiarity with the same possessions of the previous Dalai Lama is considered a confirmation of the reincarnation. The reincarnation takes place a few years after the death of the previous Dalai Lama. A Dalai Lama has a short lease of life as a childhood before he is taken away from the family and plunged into endless ceremonies and an intensive education (Richardson, 1962). Dalai means ocean and Lama is the Sanskrit equivalent of Guru and hence Dalai Lama means a spiritual teacher (Wikipedia). The present Dalai Lama was educated in Lhasa in a 1000-room palace surrounded by doting monks who educated him in subjects like philosophy, medicine and metaphysics (NYTimes, 2007). Although the present Dalai Lama is defined by his Tibetan identity his roots were firmly anchored in reality (Chopra, 2001). He believes that all human beings have an equal right to happiness and freedom from suffering but money should not be a part of the definition of success and happiness (Dalailama, 2006). The world is undergoing transformation and the Dalai Lama emphasizes that one way of being diligent is to pursue knowledge. The freedom campaign that he is pursuing is based on non-violence. One must always maintain truth because that alone will fill a person with a sense of pride. Dalai Lama is an advocate of non-violence and believes the truth, courage and determination should be the weapons for liberation (CNN, 2001). Dalai Lama is considered the most skilled and successful of all religious leaders; he is tolerant and informed and can enchant anyone at the very first instance but he is intent upon forcibly subjecting the world to its law. Religion and history are not separated from one another in the Tibetan world view, nor

Criminal justice process for a felony criminal charge filed in a state Research Paper - 2

Criminal justice process for a felony criminal charge filed in a state court - Research Paper Example he criminal justice processes in the various states in the country are constitutional and run efficiently with the view to providing justice to all the parties involved as discussed in the essay below. Investigation is the preliminary stage in the process. After the victim of a felony files a charge at a state court, the police begin carrying out an extensive investigation with the view to constructing a case. The process of investigation may always require search warrants coupled with warrants of arrest whenever necessary (Porto, 2009). The police investigate the nature of the felony and interview witnesses. This way, they gather adequate evidence and record eyewitness accounts of the crime. Evidence and witnesses are vital in proving the guilt of a suspect. While carrying out the investigations, the police must uphold the rights of everyone involved including the suspect. The police can interview everyone and search every place they deemed appropriate. However, they must do these lawfully often-seeking search warrants from the courts in order to search the premises of a suspect. After carrying out an extensive investigation, the police determine a probable cause, which then instigates the arrest of the suspect. Probable cause is the reason the police have to believe that a suspect could have committed a crime. They take the suspect into holding as he or she awaits the court. The law enforcers can arrest a suspect either in a public space or in private where they must always have a warrant. After arresting a suspect, the constitution demands that they must charge the suspect in a court of law within the first forty-eight hours or release the suspect. The process of arresting a suspect is equally systematic with the police upholding the constitutionality of the entire process. An arresting officer must identify himself to the suspect. In some cases, the officers may require a warrant. Additionally, the officer must read out the Miranda rights to the suspect.

Student Nurses Perceptions of Gender Essay Example for Free

Student Nurses Perceptions of Gender Essay Though they may be half a world away, nursing schools in India face problems similar to those in the United States when it comes to recruiting men. The results of this research of nursing students in Pondicherry, India, may surprise you. by S. Sridevy, B. S. N. , M. S. N. , M. A. , M. Phil. †¢ RSS †¢ Print †¢ E-mail †¢ Comment †¢ MN 2011 Spring [pic] Though they may be half a world away, nursing schools in India face problems similar to those in the United States when it comes to recruiting men. The following study sought to discern the opinions of 78 senior nursing students studying in and around Pondicherry, India, regarding gender roles in their field. It aimed to determine the following: 1. Whether nursing students have different opinions of what professional roles male and female nurses should occupy. 2. Whether gender affects the image and status of the nursing profession. The results of the survey indicated that most of the nursing students prefer men to occupy administrative or teaching positions. Additionally, there were statistically significant results between female and male students perceptions surrounding the effect of males on the image and status of nursing. These findings may impact local nursing education recruitment programs for both men and women, and perhaps the health service organization as a whole. Men in nursing Though they still represent a slim minority, men are increasingly pursuing careers in nursing, attracted by abundant job opportunities, good salaries, and the opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives. This is in no small part due to the fact that the nursing profession has worked for years to dispel misconceptions surrounding men in this female-dominated field. What is interesting about todays perceptions of gender in nursing is that until the days of Florence Nightingale in the late 19th century, nursing was a male-dominated profession. 1  Nightingale considered nursing a suitable job for women because it was an extension of their domestic roles. Her image of the nurse as nurturing, domestic, humble, and self-sacrificing became prevalent. Qualities associated with women, like compassion and dependency, align with those often attributed to nurses. 2  In modern times, the social construction of the role of a nurse has typically meant a caring, hardworking woman. Nursing, in the span of Nightingales lifetime, became identified as a profession deeply embedded in the female gender. 3 On the other side of the gender divide, men who enter nursing may still face questions about their masculinity or sexuality. Sociologists describe sex role socialization as instrumental for men and expressive for women. The characteristics of instrumental socialization include aggression and the ability to compete, lead, and wield power to accomplish tasks. Expressive socialization includes learning to nurture and be sensitive to needs of others. Many female dominated positions, including nursing, have difficulty attracting male recruits. This can be attributed in part to issues such as status and pay, but also to the gender stereotyping of the profession. Although the number of males in nursing has increased in recent years, the underlying feminization of nursing is still an important issue.   Persistent and outdated gender stereotypes are a big part of the problem. [pic] Today, men still only make up between 5%–10% of the nursing workforce in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Although its a small percentage, todays statistics actually represent an over 20% increase in the number of male nurses in the past two decades. 5There are many supposed reasons for the lack of men in nursing. For example, if a mans peers consider nursing emasculating, he has a disincentive for becoming a nurse. Another reason suggested is the lower economic status associated with the nursing field. 3  However, the most commonly proposed reason is that men are less likely to enter jobs associated with women than women are to enter those positions traditionally held by men. Despite the obvious disproportion of male nurses to all men, studies have also shown men are overrepresented in senior nursing posts. 2  They achieve promotion more quickly than women at all levels of the nursing hierarchy above the entry-level positions. This could be attributed to the vast difference in the number of female nurses who work part time, compared to part-time male nurses. Some researchers suggest that managers perceive part-time female staff to be less attached to their careers. 7  Studies have consistently reported that one of the major reasons for womens slower progress in nursing is the number and length of career breaks taken, particularly to have children. One such study indicated that women were 10 times more likely than men to have taken a career break to care for children.   Furthermore, male nurses may be thought to bring stability to the nursing profession, which had always been considered at the mercy of marriage and motherhood, reflecting hidden advantages for men and disadvantages for women. 1 Study specifics Participants were assured informed consent and confidentiality. All students received an explanation of the study before introduction of the questionnaire, and only those who agreed to participate continued. Students names were not sought in the questionnaires and their confidentiality was respected. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed were female and 38% were male. The first part of the survey included socio-demographic data, while the second part asked students about their perception of males in nursing and the effects of recruiting males to the field. The third section asked students about their perception of gender stereotypes. Questions included: 1. How do you feel about men in nursing? 2. Do you think nursing is a womans job? 3. Do men and women differ in their professional role? What do you think are the suitable work places and positions fit for male nurses? 5. What do you think of the effect of men on the image of nursing? Male nurses as perceived by both genders Most of the female students and nearly half of the male students chose emergency units as the most suitable area for male nurses. Nearly 42% of the female nurses preferred men to work as instructors in nursing schools after graduation. There were significant differences between both genders perceptions about the nursing positions men should occupy after graduation. While 48% of the female students considered men as staff nurses, most of the male students said they should occupy administrative (40%) or teaching posts (38%) after graduation. Significant differences were also found between the female and male students perceptions regarding the effect of males on the image of nursing. When asked if men improve the image of nursing, 54% of the female respondents agreed, compared to 90% of the male respondents. Cultural values, a lack of understanding about what nurses really do at work, and the way nurses are portrayed in popular media highly affect the public image of nursing. The results of the survey show that male students prefer administrative/instructional positions after graduation. In contrast, female students said they more often preferred men to assume staff nurse positions. While there are difficulties for men working in female-dominated professions, male nurses tend to have a faster and more straightforward career progression than their female counterparts. Male students exhibited gender role tension about nursing, as 43% considered nursing a female profession. Some research reports numbers as high as 82% of male high school students would not choose nursing as a career, believing it should be a female-only profession. 9, 10) Conclusions and recommendations The results of this study indicate that nursing continues to be seen as a female-dominated profession, especially by male students, despite the ever-increasing number of men in nursing. Stereotypical notions of gender roles possibly affect male students desire to occupy administrative positio ns after graduation, though further studies are needed. Nursing as a profession can only benefit from a talent pool drawing a proportionate number of men. Nursing schools, health care organizations, and the media should continue to advocate for the profession, portraying positive images of the field and male nurses. A community education campaign to improve the image of nursing could also be initiated. To emphasize a nurses role identity without any gender segregations, school educators should encourage students to manage gender-related problems.

Grading the Grading System :: Free Essays Online

Grading the Grading System My formal, institutional education began in kindergarten while my dad was stationed at Fort Carson, an Army base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I don’t remember too much from kindergarten, other than the fact that I found it to be very boring. My first report card reflected that my progress was satisfactory in all of my subjects, with the exception of cooperating with my peers where I was categorized as being in "need of improvement". I don’t quite remember why I was evaluated this way, nor do I think that this grade had much impact on my admission to college or the way my parents raised me, but I do find myself wondering what the criteria may have been to achieve a mark of "satisfactory." What was the point of this report card? In retrospect, I perceive this incident to be my earliest introduction to the educational system. My performance in school would be represented by the marks I would receive on my report card. At the end of kindergarten, my dad was relocated to Fort Devens in Massachusetts, and I continued the next twelve years of my education in rural New Hampshire. As I progressed through the school system, report cards started to hold more meaning. They became a symbol of my success as a student and, to a degree, my success as a person. I received straight A’s throughout the first few years and I anxiously looked forward to fourth grade when my outstanding grades would be recognized by having my name in the newspaper under the heading of "high honor roll." Aside from a couple of exceptions, I maintained my desired place on the "high honor roll" list throughout my middle and high school years. Most of my friends felt the same way, and very often, when an assignment was handed back, we would look at the grade on each other’s papers before we would even be concerned with our own. The competition was intense, but unspoken. And the educational system quietly confirmed our strat egy. I had a 4.01 GPA entering my senior year of high school. I was proud of this and determined to keep, if not raise, it. AP classes in our school were weighted on the GPA scale; an A was worth 5 instead of 4. With hard work, I could apply this system to my benefit. That is, until Maureen Grady, my AP Calculus teacher, obstructed my goal of graduating with a perfect GPA.