British Airways Employment Relations Analysis Management Essay

British Airways Employment Relations Analysis Management Essay One of the largest industries in the global market is the airline industry. The airline industry is part of a business environment that constantly changes because of rapid technological development and the high competitiveness between the airline companies. Even though the influence of technology is more powerful than before it sometimes takes over the power of the workforce in companies, by changing the work structures and jobs descriptions, people will always be the principal factor in the development of companies because of the fact that without people, technological advantages would not be fully exploitable. That is why employment relations are so important for the company’s wealth and future development. Advantages of healthy employment relations are improvement in productivity, better company performance and also problems in workplaces are easier to be resolved. Additionally, extra resources and support are provided to management, employers and the unions on situations that occur within the workplace. One of the largest companies in the airline industry that comes to mind while discussing employment relations is British Airways. BA is one of the largest Airline companies in the world and the largest in the United Kingdom, flying to over 550 destinations worldwide. Since the founding of the company, the increasing levels of market share and company development have been common to the eyes of the owners and the CEO’s of the company over the years. BA employs approximately 40.000 people worldwide. Therefore good employment relations are essential if the company wants to avoid industrial action that will interrupt its operations. As we will see in the following chapters, BA has not only got problematic employment relations but the current situation of the company might be proved fatal to the company’s future. 2.0 EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS KEY FACTS It is not a simple procedure when trying to give a definition to what employment relations is. According to Ed Rose, employment relations is the†regulation of the employment relationship between employer and employee, both collectively and individually, and the determination of substantive and procedural issues at industrial, organisational and workplace levels.† (p.6 Ed Rose. 2001). According to Ed Rose and the definition above, we can see that employment relations is essential for companies in order to keep the relationship between the employer and the employee in harmony urging the workers to work on a top level, in order for the company to have a positive outcome and fulfil the goals set by the company. A balance between the needs of an employer and employee will conclude into a good relationship and in its turn maximize productivity, the workplace environment will be more pleasant, the opportunity for employees to develop their skills further will be increased as well as job satisfactions and they will gain more job security if the relationship is good as a r esult of voice initiatives. According to Salamon (2000), â€Å"a trade union is any organization, whose membership consists of employees, who seek to organize and represent their interests both in the workplace and society and, in particular, seeks to regulate the employment relationship through the direct process of collective bargaining with management†. It can be argued that the above definition describes with some accuracy what â€Å"Traditional British Industrial relations† is all about. In other words British Industrial relations have traditionally been constructed as revolving around the institutions (company and unions) and processes (collective bargaining).

Gattaca Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gattaca - Essay Example Supported later in the late 19 th century it became a serious scientific study then failing as a science in WWII when Nazis used eugenics to support the extermination of entire races, arising then severe ethical questions regarding "the survival of the fittest." (eugenics,2007) But because the quest for perfection has always been latent in human beings and organizations, in late June 2000, the press announced that a joined project between the public and private sectors had completed the map of human genome. When the two team leaders for both sectors where interviewed about the future of human engineering and specifically about "Designer babies" by paying customers, they both laughed in unison and responded; "Mostly what people want is offspring who are good looking smart, talented in one way or another and easy to get along with. The day when such complexities could be managed is not just a long way off, it will probably never arrive for a simple reason; Genes are not alone in determ ining such characteristics; the same genes in a different environment will yield a different personality."

Discuss the role of technology in translation and its effect on the Essay

Discuss the role of technology in translation and its effect on the translation process - Essay Example Early researchers (Weaver 1949; Booth 1953; Dostert in IBM 1954) were excited about MT for its technological potential. They marveled at the prospect of one day automating translation thereby providing an alternative to human translation. Translators, on the other hand, felt their craft was being undervalued and depreciated. They retaliated with feelings of fear and anxiety. As it became evident that machines would not soon take the place of human translators, attention shifted to forms of computer-assisted translation (CAT) technology. Kay (1980) and Belby (1982) in particular motivated research for computer aids to assist the translator. Books by Bowker (1998) and Somers (2003) contain articles about many aspects of computer technology for translation while Astemuhl (2001) and Bowker (2002), as well as parts of Sofer (2004), target the professional translator interested in acquiring the necessary technological skills. In addition to an increased focus on computer assistance for translators, the rise of globalization further increased the need for efficient computer support in view of making translation quicker and more cost efficient. One the best examples is Sprung (2000). The change in focus from replacing to assisting translators marked the beginning of a shift from technology-centered to human-centered applications in the translation industry. Whi le a theoretical framework has been well been documented by psychologist Donald A. Norman (1998), truly human-centered technology has yet to come. Considering the changes the translation industry has experienced over the past 50 years, the objective of this paper is to asses the role of the technology in translation and its effect on translation process. In this context I will start by defining machine translation (MT) and computer-assisted translation (CAT), evaluate their impact on translation process and finally will discuss Toredo as a means to complete my translation project that I recently done. Computer-based translation technology roughly falls into two categories, Machine Translation (MT) and Computer Assisted Translation (CAT). Broadly speaking, MT is "the application of computers to the task of translation texts from one natural language to another". MT is mostly associated with stand-alone systems that seek to automate the entire translation process. CAT, on the other hand, are software programs designed to assist or aid the human translator by automating certain translation sub-processes such as terminology search and the reuse of previous translations. MT and CAT have no clear-cut boundary but rather belong to a continuum with varying levels of computer automation and human involvement. This process has been illustrated in the figure 1 below. Toady a translator working with word processing software and assessing various electronic resources such as online dictionaries may still be considered to producing 100% human translation. The key criterion is whether any part of the target text is automatically generated. There are many computer tools available to translators and almost as many ways to classifying them. Some tools consist of generic applications that have been adopted in many areas including the translation industry. Others focus specifically on the needs of translators and offer ways to run the business and support the

DB 4 Carminsl Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

DB 4 Carminsl Justice - Essay Example To that end, significant research is being conducted to find out ‘what works’ to end the cycle of recidivism. In recent years, various strategies have been tried. During the next ten years we must capitalize on what we have learned, and use the hard-earned tax-payer money that we are spending in ways that will be both cost-beneficial and socially responsible. (Maurer, Susan L. 2001). Crime control must be examined in relation to the community roots of social problems like poverty, unemployment, drugs, and inadequate housing. Penal reform should be planned in relation to societal reform in areas like education, economic opportunity and racial equality. We need a new paradigm for sentencing and corrections. The continued reliance on imprisonment is costing society a tremendous amount of money, wasting lives, and doing little to prepare offenders to be successful in the community. To face these challenges, three steps should be taken: 1) Create a task-force to examine corrections. 2) Study the problems. 3) Prepare an action-oriented strategic development plan, to ensure that critical problems will be addressed. Among the basic theories relating to criminal justice and its relation to individual rights and social control, is community justice or restorative justice. Restorative justice is future-oriented, focuses on restoration for the victim and society, and is less expensive for the taxpayer. Victims have historically been left out of the criminal justice process. Only recently have programs been started to assist victims and ensure that their voices are heard throughout the process. Also, taxpayers do not have to spend large amounts of money to punish and incarcerate non-violent offenders, who represent little risk to their communities. Restorative justice emphasizes that they should â€Å"make right† the harm that they

Health Care Crisis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Health Care Crisis - Research Paper Example Each country has some rules and regulations that govern the health care system and they have to be adhered to. The universal health care has three tasks in each member of the society. It covers the following in every individual. The first one is the person who is to be covered with the system. Secondly, the services that the system has to offer to that person. Lastly, the total cost when carrying the person. In most developed countries, the universal health coverage is of much helpful to the residents. This has been made true, by the primary funds the government of these countries gets through the local residents. The government imposes tax to the residents and this becomes revenue to the country and which ensures that the country’s health care system achieves its goals. Also, some countries get funds the merchants and private sectors. The Soviet Union was the first one to establish the health care system in early 1937 and it was well redistributed towards its rural areas. Despite that America is among the wealthiest countries in the planet, it does not have universal health coverage unlike other developed countries. This is true because of some reasons or rather facts that have hindered America from diversifying its economy from universal health coverage which is a bit cheaper. Historically, the United States has never had a labor party which becomes successful. The low income earners in the United States were able to buy in most parts of the country. Land mobility was also encouraged and the middle class were also able to own the properties. This led to totally acquiring free land or quasi free land in most parts of the America. Consequently, a large number of the middle working class owned land in the United States, unlike in most parts of the planet where the land was owned by rich people. This resulted in failure of the labor party since there was no need of one voice to push for equity among the America’s

Emerging Business Themes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 2

Emerging Business Themes - Essay Example It has a more than 7,500 restaurants in the United States and over 5,600 restaurants in 97 countries. (Yum! Brands, 2009). Social Media is defined as "a group of Internet-based applications that are build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content† (Kaplan Andreas M., 2010) . Pizza Hut, which started spreading as a franchise restaurant has evolved over a period of time keeping pace with the latest developments. Needless to say, that its diverse delivery format required huge investment in technology. Now, it is also investing in Social Media technology to keep up with its customers like many other ‘brands [which] are rushing to keep up with consumer behavior’ (Peter Kim, 2009). Pizza Hut is still testing grounds when it comes to social media technology. To find out what the customers want to hear, they engage in conversations with customers over the social media sites. It has initiated various campaigns targeted at increasing its online presence. It has marked its presence on Facebook and Twitter and is offering ‘hot’ deals to the users of these websites. However, a well defined marketing strategy regarding its social media networking is yet not in place. Pizza Hut has set its communication goals as – 1) giving people an engaging and fun way to find news and information from Pizza Hut, and 2) creating two-way relationships with our customers, built on trusted conversation. (Fuller, 2009) Probably its communication goals led Pizza Hut to announce its intention to hire an intern for managing its Twitter account. Although this piece of news was intended to establish camaraderie with the generation using Twitter, it gathered a lot of criticism from marketing gurus who thought it was a bad idea to let an intern handle an international brand on an international platform. (Evans, 2009) While social media technologies represent exciting new opportunities for

Investment Management Essay Example for Free

Investment Management Essay Both hedge funds and mutual funds are â€Å"pooled† instruments, but there are more differences than similarities between them. Three kinds of differences are going to introduce in the following part which are strategy, risk and reward. Strategy: The hedge funds managers have fewer limits to deal with, they can sell short, use derivatives and use leverage, and otherwise, they can also change the strategy significantly if they think it is appropriate. The mutual fund managers cannot be as flexible as hedge fund managers. In case they changes the strategy of the fund, the may be accused of â€Å"style drift†. Risk: As hedge funds are managed much more aggressive than the mutual fund, they can take speculative positions in derivative securities and have the ability to short sell stocks. This will obviously increase the leverage and the risk of the fund. Mutual funds are the opposite of the hedge funds, taking highly leveraged positions is not allowed and managers should take solid strategy to make the funds safe. Reward: Hedge funds take an aggressive strategy which has high risks to seek absolute returns (it means they want to produce positive return no matter what the market performance is). Mutual funds are managed relative to an index benchmark which means their return is steady because they are judged on their variance from that benchmark. 3. Arbitrage opportunity 3. 1 According to the case study, during the IPO of Ubid, there is only 20% equity offer to public, and remaining 80% will distribute to CC’s shareholders after 6 months. The arbitrage opportunity is appear because if we own CC’s share that we will receive Ubid’s share after six months. In that reason, we should form a portfolio which combines long position of CC and short position of Ubid. In Dec 9, there was 10,238,703 CC’s share outstanding and 9,146,883 Ubid’s share outstanding. However the 80% of Ubid’s share will distributed to CC’s shareholders after 6 month of IPO. In that reason, we can assume that 80% of Ubid’s share is subjected to CC’s share. (10,238,703? 80%)/9,146,883=0. 715 If we have long position on 1 share of CC, we should take 0. 715 short position of Ubid’s share. 3. 2 Based on the output in section 3. 1, the arbitrage opportunity has arise when we have 1 long position on CC’s share and 0. 15 short position on Ubid’s share. Therefore we need short sell the Ubid’s share and buy CC’s share. Assume that we buy 1 share of CC and short sell 0. 715 share of Ubid. After 6 months later. In addition, after 6 months, the 80% Ubid’s share will distribute to CC’s shareholders, therefore, after 6 months we have 1 share of CC will receive 0. 715 share of Ubid. Subject to 1 s hare of CC, we have 0. 715 share short position of Ubid. In that reason we will have a portfolio that combine 1 long position of CC and 0. 715 short position of Ubid. The total payoff of portfolio is sum of payoff in both position is: Price of CC after six month price of CC + 0. 715? price of Ubid. As we mention before, our return is the total payoff of portfolio. According to the equation of payoff of portfolio, even the price of CC is drop to Zero, we also will generate positive return which is price difference between Ubid and CC, and this is our minimum return Price difference of Ubid and CC is 0. 715? 35. 6875-22. 75=2. 767 and the initial margin is 50% for long and short position, therefore the capital required is 50%? 2. 75+50%? 35. 6875=29. 22. The minimum rate of return is 4. Risks in arbitrage The arbitrage means that investors find temporary risk-free profit from misprice at inefficient market. Therefore, arbitrageurs will face risk lower than other investors. However, some of risks can limit arbitrageur to seek risk free profit. Firstly, arbitrageurs need to bear the fundamental risk. Although arbitrageurs can eliminate unsystematic ( firm-specific) risk by portfolio diversification, they cannot mitigate systematic risk which arises from market contracture. This lead to some of bad news or policies can cause negative effects on fundament value and arbitrageurs’ profits. Thus, the fundamental risk can limit arbitrageurs to invest in inefficient market. Secondly, noise trader risk will limit arbitrage. High percentages of noise traders who make irrational investment of decision in market will lead price and risk level to be different with expected level for arbitrageurs, and cause misprice to be reduced. Thus the profit of arbitrage will be limit by noise trader risk. Finally, arbitrageurs will also face high implement cost. Implement cost includes commission, bid-ask spread, price impact, short sell cost and identification cost. High cost will cause arbitrageur loss interest on seeking misprice in inefficient market.