Performance Measurement

Introduction The utilization of performance measurement systems is often recommended to facilitate the strategic implementation of projects and enhance organizational performance. Since its advent, various organizations have endeavored using performance measurement systems (PMS) to facilitate operations, offer corrective measures, and spearhead the achievement of competitive advantage.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Performance Measurement specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Emirates Airline is amongst such organizations that consider performance measurement as a procedure for enumerating success and efficiency is diverse ways. The PMS provides a set of advantages that quantify the efficacy as well as the efficiency of the Emirates Airline activities. Literature claims that there are five performance measurement systems namely the enhancement and productivity measurement system, performance pyramid system, the performance prism, tableau de board, and balance scorecard. However, this report defines and explains the performance measurement system of Emirates Airline. That is, the circumstances in which the organization finds itself or the issues Emirates Airline is facing regarding its business and PMS. The report discusses the current successes and problems regarding the delivery of high quality services and products. Lastly, the report offers recommendations that would enable Emirates Airline to improve its current performance management system. Methodology According to Hall (2010), in order to investigate and write a report on the PMS of Emirates Airline, qualitative research method was used while most data or information were gathered from secondary sources. The necessary research data was gathered across the study population through sampling strategy. A research technique dubbed as survey method was used while content analysis was applied to analyze data. The secondary research data a nd information accrued from literature search on staff interviews including managers, supervisors, and junior employees of Emirates Airlines. Most of the PMS information used in this report is readily available from the company’s reports, journals, newsletters, investor information, and bulletins. Besides, the information on the PMS of Emirates Airline was obtained through internet search and documentary analysis. For instance, a preview of the documentary analysis, internet search, and report on the previous interviews conducted to the Emirates Airline management and staffs were done to obtain the required information.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Performance Measurement System: Literature review Scholars and non-scholars describe performance measurement systems as procedures for measuring both the usefulness and efficacy of the assumed activities. Such systems h elp in comparing the expected outcomes with training goals intended to give improved results (Hall, 2010). Over time, PMS have evolved to meet the demands of organizations and different stakeholders. In fact, PMS has been implemented by most organizations to stimulate education and motivation, improve priorities and decision-making, enhance deliberate discussion, assist in the clarification and formulation of strategies, as well as improve, manage, and assess performances based on different factors intended to generate profits (Hall, 2010). The implementation of the PMS in various organizations has been on a steady increase over the past few years. In fact, most organizations believe that PMS cannot only assist them in delivering value and quality services to their stakeholders, but also to other interested parties owing to the pressure mounted on them by such undertakings. As a result, several organizations like the Emirates Airlines heavily invest in the maintenance and improvemen t of PMS. From the research point of view, the strategy, operations, and accounting scholars have scrutinized the impacts of PMS on organization performances and operations. A study by Tiessen and Scott (1999) emphasizes on the PMS effect on group performance whereas Hall (2010) conducted a study on how PMS affects performance and behavior of organization employee. With respect to the use, implementation, and design of PMS, researches have conducted broad investigations on the success of the PMS. However, no agreement has been reached yet on the real effects of PSM implemented by organizations. In fact, the occurrence and comprehension of the effects of performance measurement systems on corporations has not been incorporated in any study hitherto. According to Rousseau (2006), to sustain the organizational based initiatives and improve the PMS, it is essential to integrate the research knowledge in this field. In fact, a preview of the existing practical evidence on the performance measurement system conducted integrates our understanding of the outcomes of PMS. The literature provides several acknowledged theories to explain the effects of performance measurement systems. The attribution theory illustrates how the multi-criterion presentation measures influence the course of decision-making by most managers (Hoffman Schiff, 1996). Besides, the neo-institutionalism adopted by Malmi (2001) explains the consequences of decisions made while employing the PMS in an organization. Assorted systems of performance measurement have been identified with a description of each focusing on the key purposes and components of such systems (Speckbacher, Bischof, Pfeiffer, 2003).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Performance Measurement specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A number of researchers emphasizes on the effects of type A PMS that are utilized when evaluating organizational performance or informing the management decision-making. This type of performance measurement system comprises of the pecuniary and non-financial performance measures that are explicitly or implicitly associated with the organization strategy. Nevertheless, the scholars assessed and asserted that the results of type B PMS are employed to appraise organizational performance and inform managerial decision-making. Besides, this type of PMS explicitly demonstrates the rapport amid the effects and causes of measures as well as embraces the non-financial and monetary performance measures connected to the strategy (Ittner, Larcker Meyer, 2003). The type C PMS as indicated by most researchers concentrates on the results of performance measurement systems that are applied when evaluating the administrative and organizational performance or informing decision-making. Often, this occurs devoid of relating the performance evaluation outcomes to the fiscal rewards. The type C PMS include the explicitly or implicitly n on-monetary together with the financial performance measures associated with the strategy. Lastly, Speckbacher, Bischof, and Pfeiffer (2003) typology has looked into the type D effects of PMS that influence the monetary reward employed when evaluating the managerial and administrative performance or informing decision-making. Such a performance measurement system includes the non-fiscal and the pecuniary performance measures that are related to the strategy. The Emirates Airlines Background The Emirates Airline is the world’s quickest developing airline corporation. The aviation impacts of this global airline corporation keep on reshaping the worldwide changes in business, tourism and transport. The Emirates is an eco-tourism founder that operates the largest fleet in the airline industry. The Emirates airline company appears to be one of the pioneers of DDCR (Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve) that is two hundred and twenty five square kilometers (225 km2). The organization is a global enterprise that in combination with the Dnata does business in more than seventy-six nations (The Emirates Group, 2012). The commitment of the corporation to create a sustainable future relies on the stability of its performance. As part of the shared vision and corporate initiative, the Emirates Airline aspires to work together as a group to effect organizational changes. Conversely, the corporation has all round groundbreaking initiatives and techniques that prove its balance towards responsibility. At both ground and air, the Emirates Airline takes impressive steps to lessen aircraft emissions through initiating modern fleets like Boeing 777 and Airbus A380. Therefore, as the company goes forward, the Emirates Airlines continues to provide the novel fleets in air. The Emirates perception of eco-efficiency underlies its programs of sustainability.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These include offering supplementary ground services using a small number of vehicles, flying extra cargo and passengers with little fuel, and doing superfluous business with dismal paperwork. The development of environmental performance hardly has any bound at the Emirates Group. Hence, the Emirates Airline balances its business with the environment to overcome the challenges that might accrue. Indeed, this is possible through the support of global staff, the current zeal, and a review of the past performance. Content The utilization of performance management systems is often suggested to assist in the implementation of policy and enhancement of corporate performance (Davis Albright, 2004). Emirates Airline is often faced by the challenge of environmental emissions on both air and ground. Over the years, the company has strived to take steps towards the mitigation of these impacts on the environment. However, to achieve the objective, Emirates Airline engages performance measureme nt partners to ensure there are balanced performances as a corporate initiative. The management sets the goals to ensure a shared vision of how the company in collaboration with partners can effect change while ensuring the stakeholders get maximum gains from their investment. Emirates’ management utilizes financial and non-financial performance measures directly related to the company’s business strategy. The company uses balanced scorecards (BSC) and multi-criteria key performance indicators to deliver value not only to the stakeholders, but also to all other stakeholders. The company believes that this approach will assist in performing the task. However, as will be demonstrated later, the company does not fully use BSC to address all its business aspects. Emirates contemporary engages marketing practitioners that demonstrate their input to corporate performance. Such engagement includes the collaboration with Wavetec and GE Aviation. In its effort to ensure better financial performance that will benefit all the stakeholders, the company reported that via its A380-800 versions, it would present petroleum economy of 3.1 liters per 100 passengers’ kilometers. The Engine Alliance GP7200 engines characterize the versions. The company reported that the engines would save half a million liters of petroleum per airplane per year. Literature shows that this is facilitated by the use of â€Å"Flextracks† program. The program ensured the planning and optimization of path value and load dynamics. The effectiveness of the technology is reported through the performance efficiency devices attached on the aircrafts. Report indicates that this can be demonstrated on screen to the stakeholders. The company further invested in â€Å"Tailored Arrivals† program after realizing that â€Å"Flextracks’ could not effectively report the performance to the stakeholders due to its complex nature. The Tailored Arrivals facilitate the up- link ing of the airplane en route with air travel control. The program first determines the velocity of the plane and journey summary from the air onto the airstrip. The strategy facilitates the acceptance by crew in order to fly an uninterrupted fall summary that saves gasoline and emissions. In 2007, specialists in the United Arab Emirates from the principal private and administration organizations indicated that lack of appropriate application of performance management instruments was hindering the development of public and private organizations. The revelation led Emirates’ management to react to the news. Consequently, the company sought to implement a strong set of performance management systems that would be comparable to the international benchmarks. Nevertheless, to facilitate the move, the company engaged the services of Wavetec in managing the flow of customers in thirty different locations worldwide. Wavetec facilitates the provision of queue management solutions. The system involves a full end-to-end solution that facilitates the management of all the management needs of customers. The system utilizes the reporting and management software. The software has the capabilities of monitoring the progress in all the company’s offices globally. The operation is done from the company’s headquarters in Dubai. The centralized coverage software helped the company to standardize and monitor the services in all the locations that are connected to Wavetec. Most important is the capacity of the system to facilitate the availability of data that is eventually used by the human resource function of the company to assess the performance of individual employees in these locations. Further, the system allows the managers with endless opportunities to demonstrate to the stakeholders and shareholders the performance of the company in overall as per the needs of the company. An example of such needs included the company’s branded kiosk. Such kiosk s appeared tailored to equate the company shade as well as its idea. The use of Wavetec has significantly changed how reporting of performance management is done at Emirates. All the offices powered by Wavetec have a customized smart liquid crystal-display touch-screen kiosk. The kiosk has over twenty classes for customers to choose. Indeed, this implies that by the time the customer is called to the service counter, the company representative is already fully prepared to serve the customer in advance. The response time by the representative can also be monitored from the headquarters. The smart kiosk has the capacity to recognize and classify customers. The aspect facilitates priority calling. Wavetec facilitates the display of ticketing information. Alongside the information, there are diverse promotional communications and advertising on the screens. These are based on the needs of the company. The provision of the reporting system facilitates the observation of the progress in a ll the connected offices globally. However, to augment the centralized reporting system, Emirates has the live manager dashboard. Actually, this indicates live data about active staff and counters. Information about customers who have been served or waiting is displayed including the service time and waiting time. The information is displayed using graphical and tabular trend data. Wavetec offers web-based secure reporting with manager access control for diverse organizational ranks. The reports can be accessed from anywhere around the world. The performance measurement tool is critical for Emirates as it facilitates the management of customers visiting the facilities. The PMS facilitates the effective allocation of the workforce in any of the offices worldwide. Literature indicates that this is particularly important as it facilitates the decreasing of waiting times of the clients. In fact, the PMS helps in leveling and assessing the value of services offered in each of the preset administrative center. The appraisal and characterization of the major employees’ performance factors are facilitated by the Wavetec system. The information generated by the structure is essential for administrators as it prompts proficient allocation of the existing assets to ensure the reduction of clients’ real as well as the alleged waiting period. The strategy helps to augment client familiarity. The control panel directly underscores all the inconsistencies in the setting that could present delays and other grounds that could generate troubles to consumers. The review and modernizing performance measurement systems regards the innovation of the accounting systems. According to Manibo (2007), this is achieved through Activity-Based Costing as well as the expansion of non-expenditure performance assessment. The non-cost performances are not explicitly economical but are continuously demanded by consumers. The operational factors that usually urge the expansion of o ne side of PMS of the non-cost in the airline industry are twofold. One portion is associated with environmental turbulence in terms of unpredictability and frequency of changes. The other portion is associated with managerial complexities that are presented by change in strategies founded on cost-leadership to those based on customization. The portion increases the competition between companies and requires very complex management. The second portion influences the PMS of Emirates Airline. The claim is founded on the fact that the company seeks the adaptation to the value strategies. The company has been changing the plans from the depiction derived from the administration and outlay assessments to that anchored in the quantification of generated worth, hence non-expenditure productivity. The outcome happens via the consideration of the performances not from the point of view of trade-off where some performances are given a priority to the disadvantage of others. However, these pas sages jointly pursue the performance outcomes at different levels resulting to performance compatibility. Considering value in addition to the traditional financial performances, Emirates management settles on a market-client orientation. Since the traditional financial performances are measured through Return on Investment, they consider a long-term period in which to assess the satisfaction of the clients. With respect to measurement and management, the Emirates PMS innovations affect both its macro and micro corporate aspects. Meyer claims that this means the spreading of work enlargement and teamwork that effectively transfer the concentration on individuals to group performance. The approach is not entirely effective as it ignores some aspects of the efficient PMS. In this approach, the performance evaluation is not entirely important with regard to the premeditated standards but to the sustained improvement to be attained. Conversely, the Emirates PMS model falls within the st rictly hierarchical mock-up. The model is characterized by cost and non-cost performances. The model appears amassed at dissimilar stages pending the conversion into the profitable and fiscal parameters. The model connects the performance of the company with Return on Investment. This presents challenge to the management, as it does not radically formalize the levels of measures. The level of measures should include the simplicity of description of the measure object. The description involves the detection of the phenomena to be measured and the recognition of the measurability. Further, it involves the selection of the best metrics and the recognition of the comprehensibility. The compatibility with the existing measures is essential to the recognition of the receiver or user. Norton (1992) claims that to make Emirates current performance measurement system effective, it is important to have ease in the personalization of the roles for the outcome presented by the measure. However, this calls for the Balanced Scorecard (BSC). The performance measurement system is the best-known system. Developed by Kaplan and Norton (1992), it is a multi-breadth framework for the description, implementation and management of corporate strategy across all corporate levels. Through a logical structure, it links ideas, intentions and measures to the corporate strategy. BSC presents a corporate view of a company’s overall performance. BSC complements conventional financial performance measures with key performance markers. The foundation stone for BSC includes the financial standpoint, customer standpoint, internal processes, alongside learning and growth. The Emirates performance measurement system concentrates on customer perspective and internal processes. These leave the BSC incomplete as financial, learning, and growth perspectives are not explicitly addressed. The monetary position hardly responds to the inquiry seeking to know the manner in which the company ought t o appear to the stakeholders in order to thrive monetarily. The perception is concerned with productivity. Although Emirates’ financial standpoint addresses the capital-employed proceeds, and venture returns, it hardly falls short of addressing the economics of value addition. The learning and growth standpoint of Emirates fails to address the approach used in realizing corporate mission and the strategy for upholding the corporation’s capacity to transform as well as progress. These limitedly address how the company will ensure the sustainability of the environment considering that the company plays a role in air pollution through emission of carbon dioxide from its fleet. When addressing environmental issues, the company has changed the on-board china previously. The strategy was aimed at reducing the weight of airplanes that assists in the saving of gasoline and diminishes the greenhouse gas emissions. The company removed over 115 tons of outdated chinaware. These w ere replaced with new and lighter china. Part of the old china was used to build a synthetic bed for the re-establishment of Gulf pearl oyster population off the coast of Dubai. The company BSC also fails to address the internal processes exhaustively. In view of this process, it is expected that a company will respond to the subject regarding the venture to undertake in order to be profitable so that it will meet the stakeholder like clients and commercial demands. The perception involves the interior practices, which the management should pursue to generate the maximum influence on the purchaser contentment while realizing the corporate monetary standpoint. Regarding this perspective, Emirates Airline engages in processes that seek to meet the satisfaction of its customers in specific locations globally. The company achieved this by engaging the services of Wavetec systems to ensure customer satisfaction. The performance measurement system offered by Wavetec addresses the employee s’ responsibility in handling customer needs, but hardly offers feedback and employee appraisal. In role understanding, job satisfaction, and performance measurement system, it is evident that the systems influence the degree at which the individuals understand their roles in corporate settings (Franco-Santos, Lucianetti, Bourne, 2012). When considering the current situation at Emirates, the research by Burney and Widener (2007) is vastly relevant. The effective adoption of BSC assists in the provision of job-relevant information. In turn, this minimizes the employees’ perception on role disagreements (incapacity to accomplish work expectations brought by mismatched demands) and role vagueness (ambiguous information regarding work duties, power and tasks). Lack of complete adoption of BSC by Emirates does not help mitigate role conflicts as individuals view immediate managers as obstacles to their appraisal and eventual promotion. The individuals at the company are ev aluated using less than ten performance measures. The element that is considered the most important by the management is the employees’ ability to satisfy customers. The relationship between Emirates’ performance measurement systems and the supply of work-relevant information is relatively less important to managers with moderate experience (about 8 years) than it is for managers with low (about 2 years) or high experience (about 20 years). Moreover, it is also important for the management to realize that BSC reduces responsibility ambiguity when it is used to determine salary. There has been criticism regarding BSC. However, it is imperative for Emirates to consider the system given that it has the widest market penetration. The system covers performance at several levels starting from personal level to the small business unit, and corporate levels. The approach has been adopted by many organizations worldwide. The design and substance of the approach meet several man agement requirements. In fact, Silk (1998) approximates that more than 60 percent of Fortune 1000 companies in the United States have had familiarity with BSC. BSC is inherently a non-static list of measures. In fact, it is a logical framework for addressing, implementation and alignment of multifaceted change plans. BSC is also essential for the management of strategy-oriented organizations. Scholars claim that this integrates the plan and corporate entity mission into actions and ideas that form the diverse sections illustrated below. The implementation of the plan is then supervised through an internal The above is the four perspectives performance measurement structure with predetermined goals, drivers and indicators grouped into every of the four standpoints. A suitable BSC ought to entail a blend of direct factors or productivity enhances and the product events called delay factors. Nonetheless, it is imperative for a company to have all the four standpoints, and involve both lag and lead indicators. For Emirates, lag indicator enhances turnover. The lead indicator would entail the ticket order execution time. Although there is a correlation between the four standpoints, Emirates Airline fails to recognize this important aspect. Progress in corporate education and development paves way for the expansion of interior commercial practices. However, this is followed by the development in customer perspectives. After that, the improvement of fiscal actions subsequently follows. Notably, although this is used for the measurements in non-financial areas important for the prediction of future financial performance, it is not highly considered at Emirates. The performance measuring systems at Emirates is not of satisfactory kind. In the marketing perspective, companies achieve their goals by satisfying the clients effectively and efficiently. The strategy is a procedure of quantifying action with measurement being the process of enumerating while action leading t o performance. In the case of Emirates and within the context of performance measurement systems, effectiveness would mean the extent at which clients’ needs are met. Efficiency would be a measure of how the resources are cost-effectively utilized to provide a specific level of customer satisfaction. The importance of this is not only that, two essential dimensions of performance are identified but also that it underscores the verity that there can be interior and exterior reasons for following a particular strategy. For example, in Emirates’ case, one of the quality-associated dimensions of performance is service reliability and customer satisfaction. In the effectiveness perspective, attaining an advanced level of service reliability may lead to customer satisfaction. In view of efficiency, it may lead to the reduction of costs incurred by the company through diminished field failure and timely response to customer concerns as maybe observed through the Wavetec. Expe rts in the UAE have previously lamented that most companies in Dubai including Emirates lack the appropriate knowledge in performance measurement. They added that managers are aware of the BSC during the evaluation of performance but often uses it without proper understanding. This puts a dent on the publicity of Emirates, as performance measurement system used by the company is considered incomplete, as it does not serve all the stakeholders of the company. The experts insisted that while the company focused mainly on the financial side of the BSC, other evaluating performances are equally imperative. Scholars and experts who consider the performance measurement system insufficient to address all the important aspects of the company have scrutinized the company. Thus, it is important for the company to review the performance measurement system it currently uses as it has been criticized by many quarters as incomplete. According to Hall, to illustrate the importance of complete BSC application by Emirates, the Assistant Director of Development Maryam Al Hammadi described how the very effective computerized performance management system was vital and significant in achieving the goals of the Dubai Municipality for social projects as well as attaining its financial goals. The expert described how the computer system would allow Emirates to recognize low performing areas and units timely to facilitate remedial measures (Manibo, 2007). This would include the involvement of the employees for appraisal as opposed to the current system where employees are only evaluated based on their delivery of services to the customers. The current performance measurement system used by Emirates, the Wavetec Enterprise Queue Management Solution (EQMS), focuses on two sections of the solution. These include the section that addresses the concerns of the company customers. The section is meant to ensure that the customers feel relaxed and well catered for in order for them to associ ate the derived quality with the company’s brand. The other area is interested in the company staff. The solution seeks to ensure that the staffs in all the global offices spend utmost time giving customer service. The time should also be used to deliver care that is compliant with quality standards. There should be minimal obstruction by assignments that can be handled by the Wavetec technology. This illustrates that the Wavetec technology has been partially successful as it significantly considers the welfare of the customers while considerably ignoring the interests of the employees who deliver the services. Failure by the company to put the interest of the employees has been detrimental to the financial performance of the company. Recommendations Given that BSC cannot be an isolated performance measuring system since it shares contribution with other systems and generates outputs for others, it is important to integrate it with other corporate performance measuring system s. These systems may include the accounting system and strategic planning. This strategy will help Emirates to compare its own competitive position with competitors to whom it loses customers and employees. It will also be able to check on the achievement of its corporate goals. The learning and growth standpoint of Emirates fails to address how the vision of the company would be achieved and how to sustain the company’s ability to change and improve. Hence, it is imperative for Emirates to adopt a management-by-process approach that highlights crosswise organizational performances as opposed to the solitary-function performances. The approach will be fundamental, as it will seek to engage and inspire all the employees assessed. References Davis, S. Albright, T. (2004). An investigation of the effect of balanced scorecard implementation on financial performance. Management Accounting Research, 15(2), 135-153. Franco-Santos, M., Lucianetti, L. Bourne, J. (2012). Contemporary performance measurement systems: A review of their consequences and a framework for research. Management Accounting Research, 23(2), 79-119. Hall, M. (2010). Do comprehensive performance measurement systems help or hinder managers’ mental model development? Management Accounting Research, 33 (2-3), 141-163. Hoffman, L. R. Schiff, A. D. (1996). An exploration of the use of financial and nonfinancial measures of performance by executives in a service organization. Behavioral Research in Accounting, 8(2), 134. Ittner, C. D., Larcker, D. F., Meyer, M. W. (2003). Subjectivity and the weighting of performance measures: evidence from a balanced scorecard. The Accounting Review, 78(3), 725-758. Kaplan, R. S., Norton, D. P. (1992). The balanced scorecard – measures that drive performance. Harvard Business Review, 70(1), 71-79. Malmi, T. (2001). Balanced scorecards in Finnish companies: A research note. Management Accounting Research, 12(3), 207-220. Manibo, M. (2007). Exper ts lament lack of proper use of performance management in UAE. Retrieved from https://www.uowdubai.ac.ae/ Meyer, C. (1994). How the right measures help teams excel. Harvard Business Review, 95-103. Rousseau, D. (2006). Is there such a thing as ‘evidence based management’? Academy of Management Review, 31(2), 256-269. Silk, S. (1998). Automating the balanced scorecard. Management Accounting, 79(11), 38–44. Organizations and Society, 24(3), 263-285. Speckbacher, G., Bischof, J., Pfeiffer, T. (2003). A descriptive analysis on the implementation of balanced scorecards in German-speaking countries. Management Accounting Research, 14(4), 361-388. The Emirates Group (2012). Balancing our performance. Environmental Report, 1-85. Tiessen, P. Scott, T. W. (1999). Performance measurement and managerial teams. Accounting, This report on Performance Measurement was written and submitted by user Richard Morton to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Performance Measurement

Eusebius Ecclesiastical History Book Review Essays

Eusebius Ecclesiastical History Book Review Essays Eusebius Ecclesiastical History Book Review Paper Eusebius Ecclesiastical History Book Review Paper History of the Christian Church Title: Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History; Complete and Unabridged; Translated by C. F. Cruse Biographical citation: Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History; Hendrickson Publishers: Peabody, Massachusetts; 1998. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History is a historical record of the primitive Christian church for the first three centuries that began with the birth of Jesus Christ going through the time of Emperor Constantine taking power in the Roman world leading up to the Council of Nicea. Eusebius’ work was completed in A. D. 324. Part of this historical record included many of the Christian doctrines. Eusebius’ thesis statement could be stated in his purpose for writing the book that encompassed two parts: 1) Record the ecclesiastical history beginning with Jesus Christ through the apostles in the formulation of the church that focused on the writings and teachings of these apostles and other Christian leaders at that time in contrast to the heretics who were trying to corrupt the church by false teachings; 2) Record the historical devastation that took place in the Jewish nation following the death and resurrection of Christ followed by the martyrdom of Christians at the hands of those in opposition to Christianity. The author’s thesis, the book’s table of contents and my reading of the subsequent chapters lead to the conclusion that all three parts logically relate to one another as Eusebius begins his work starting in a chronological fashion giving much detail to each point. This book was divided into ten books within the larger work itself numbering one through ten with an additional book before Book Nine entitled The Book of Martyrs. The entire work of Eusebius within the eleven books consisted of 264 chapters. In Book One, Eusebius gives the historical data in support of the birth of Christ quoting the Scriptures and secular authorities who affirm and attest to this historical fact. Jesus Christ’s trial and subsequent crucifixion were given. Interaction between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ was given by Eusebius. What I found most interesting in this book was a translation given by Eusebius from the records of Edessa in which Jesus and King Agbarus had written correspondence (chapter 13). I had never heard of this until I read this book. Eusebius seems convinced that this is authentic. Book Two gave the accounts of the early Christian martyrs (Stephen and James the Just – Jesus’ half-brother). The church is organized in Jerusalem and then dispersed due to persecutions. Eusebius heavily references the work of Philo. Eusebius presents good biographical information on James the Just (chapter 23). This book concludes with the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem. Book Three gives the horrific account of the destruction of Jerusalem by heavily referencing and quoting Josephus. Eusebius comments on the heresies that are now starting to come into the church that needs to be refuted. Early church fathers Irenaeus, Clement, and others are referenced as they refute these heresies. Eusebius comments several times on the residence and place of death of the apostle John being at Ephesus (chapters 1, 20, 23, 31). Papias is referenced (chapter 39) in which the millennium is discussed. Eusebius disagrees with Papias’ view on the millennium being a literal reign of Christ on the earth. Book Four gives more reviews of heresies taking place; churches in Rome and Alexandria are established. Eusebius comments heavily on Dionysius of Corinth along with the writings of Theophilus and Philip of Gortyna. Chapters 14 and 15 are devoted to the life and martyrdom of Polycarp. In chapter 26 there is a listing of the Old Testament books. Book Five is a detailed account of Christians persecuted for their faith. The historical account of Blandina’s martyrdom was particularly moving due to her being a young female (chapter 1). Eusebius provides the succession of Roman bishops that came from Irenaeus. Of particular interest to me was chapter 20 in which Eusebius provides the historical link between Polycarp and Irenaeus. The book ends with Paul of Samasota’s heresy in which the deity of Jesus is denied (chapter 28). Book Six is a lengthy discourse on the life of Origen that included his biography in addition to his numerous works. It is chapter 8 that gives us the historical account of Origen’s self-castration. In chapter 25 Eusebius mentions the tradition that was handed down to him when he states that it is upon Peter that the church of Christ is built. This is roubling for Protestants in their view of the Roman Catholic claims. Book Seven is a continuation of persecutions and new heresies coming into the church (Sabellianism – modalism). Paul of Samasota is refuted by Malchion. Many of the people that we are introduced to in this book were personal associates of Eusebius. Eusebius argues against an earthly millennial reign of Christ in his opposition to Nep os in chapter 24. Book Eight is a continuation of persecutions on the Christians throughout the region. The evil of Maxentius and Maximian were painfully detailed in their hatred of Christ and His followers. It is between this book and Book Nine that The Book of Martyrs is inserted. In The Book of Martyrs, Eusebius seems to have in mind the non-literal view of the millennium again when he mentions the â€Å"heavenly Jerusalem† (Heb 12:22) in chapter 11. Book Nine brings the reader up to the time of Constantine as the decrees against Christianity are revoked. Those leaders that persecuted the Christians are now coming to their own deaths. In Book Ten, chapter 4, Eusebius presents a strong defense of the deity of Christ. Chapter 5 sums up this book with Christians being given the freedom to worship. Eusebius didn’t directly raise any questions in his historical treatise. Many statements were made as if based upon fact. It can only be assumed by the reader that Eusebius either verified the accuracy of the account or claim or that the tradition passed down to him was satisfactory enough to include it in his Ecclesiastical History. Eusebius relies heavily on the historical accounts of other notable men before and during his life. This would include Philo, Josephus, Origen, and others. Long quotations from Josephus were given throughout the early part of the work in reference to the perils of the Jews. Eusebius takes Josephus’ account as reliable and accurate. Eusebius seems to give an unbalanced amount of attention to Origen especially in Book Six. Many of the other church fathers were either not mentioned or only briefly referenced. It would appear that Eusebius had a personal bias of Origen being the greatest of the church fathers despite the unorthodox teachings and doctrines that Origen held (universal salvation, the pre-existence of spirits, etc. ). Eusebius’ detailed personal accounts of persecution to individuals and the eans by which they were tortured seems to captivate Eusebius’ interest. Much of this work reads like Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, which came much later in history. Maybe it could be said that Eusebius’ account of horrific torture and persecution accounts inspired Foxe’s work that came later. Eusebius is highly critical of the Roman government and its tyranny on Christians. Eusebius is a Christian historian so naturally o ne would expect a scathing presentation of this ungodly empire that inflicted severe persecution on the Christian church and its people for over three centuries. Eusebius is a Christian of strong orthodox faith, which is readably noticed from the beginning of his work to the conclusion. In modern times Eusebius would be considered an ultra- conservative. His theological and ideological bias would today be considered in favor Roman Catholicism with Eusebius’s position on the millennium not being literal, Holy Communion is the literal body and blood of Jesus, and the Christian church being built on the apostle Peter. Eusebius’ book offered new discoveries for me that I had never heard mention before (written correspondence between Jesus and Agbarus, relationship of John-Polycarp-Irenaeus, etc. . For the reader that had never studied any church history this work would be a recap of many accounts from the Bible gospels that the Christian would be familiar. Heresies, the demise of the Jews in Jerusalem, persecutions and martyrdoms at the hands of the Romans, and Christian doctrine welcome the novice of Christian history in this work by Eusebius. Eusebius personally knew many of the people that he wrote about in the latter years that were covered in the book. This added strength to the validity of Eusebius’ report and claims. Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History can be a difficult book to follow depending on whether the reader is reading an abridged or unabridged translation of Eusebius’ original writing. The historical account is thorough and technical in places. Many parts of the book leave the reader sitting in suspense as one is taken back in time to the persecutions of individual Christians at the hands of infidels who despise Jesus Christ. One is moved to compassion and a sense of awe-struck respect for those Christians who stood fast and resolute in their faith at the vicious hands of their captors. Much of this information is repetitive throughout the book. Several accounts listed in the book are covered repeatedly throughout the various books and chapters (the residence and death of John the Apostle at Ephesus, etc. ). Eusebius gives special attention to people that would in otherwise never be mentioned outside a work like the one he produced. Other notables in church history prior to A. D. 324 were barely mentioned in regards to the amount of writing that the individual contributed to the Christian faith and community (Tertullian, etc. ). Eusebius provided the Christian reader with a magnificent account of the life and times of the primitive Christian church from the Incarnation of Jesus Christ all the way until A. D. 324 which brought the church to its first council to affirm the deity of Jesus Christ against the heretics who claimed that Jesus Christ was not truly God in substance, essence, and nature with the Father. Eusebius’ thesis statement at the beginning of the book was fulfilled in its purpose at the conclusion of his work, which Christians today and for all times can be thankful.

Alcoholic beverage Essay Example for Free (#2)

Alcoholic beverage Essay ? The book ,The History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage is a book dedicated to beverages and there impact on cultures and civilizations. Tom Standage’s intent for this non-fiction novel was to show six insignificant products that we see, use or have heard of in everyday life and bring them into a different light. Showing how they have sculpted our cultures and ways of life in the modern world. These six products were beverages ; beer, wine , spirits, coffee, tea, and coca-cola. These drinks affected more than just the diet of people it changed their societies and ways of living. Standage’s theory is that each one of these drinks brought on a new cultural stage. Each beverage showing different eras and how the beverage of that time impacted their way of life eventually impacting ours. Starting with beer in the first civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Then going to wine with Greece and Rome and spirits in the colonial times with Europians and eventually getting to America. Next, their was coffee that started in the Arab world traveling throughout Europe and finally Coca-cola which started selling its drink in America and out broke to throughout the rest of world. His intent was to show the history of the world in which humans were not nomadic in the view of six different drinks. Standage presented his thesis in a very interesting and intriguing way throughout this novel. There are six main Chapters in this book ;Beer in Mesopotamia and Egypt, Wine in Greece and Rome,Spirits in the colonial Period, Coffee in the Age of Reason, Tea and the British Empire, and Coca-Cola and the Rise of America. Each main chapter has two mini chapters in them for example in the chapter Tea and the British Empire the two mini chapters are ; Empires of tea and Tea Power. Standage’s writing mostly focased on the beverages causes and effects in the different areas and lands they were most popular and developed but he would add things about the people of these times and their way of living. He also added some traditions that we have in today’s culture that were created in ancient times such as clinking glasses together for good health and happiness before drinking a glass of beer. His book shows how six measly little drinks changed humans from nomadic people who were hunter- gatherers to people who lived in cities and developed writing, government and farming. Standage showed the history of the world in six drinks hence the title A History of the World in Six Glasses. Most everyday people would think these drinks were Sarah Bedell 9/4/14 A. P. World History Mrs. Spampinato The History of the World in Six Glasses : Book Review The book ,The History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage is a book dedicated to beverages and there impact on cultures and civilizations. Tom Standage’s intent for this non-fiction novel was to show six insignificant products that we see, use or have heard of in everyday life and bring them into a different light. Showing how they have sculpted our cultures and ways of life in the modern world. These six products were beverages ; beer, wine , spirits, coffee, tea, and coca-cola. These drinks affected more than just the diet of people it changed their societies and ways of living. Standage’s theory is that each one of these drinks brought on a new cultural stage. Each beverage showing different eras and how the beverage of that time impacted their way of life eventually impacting ours. Starting with beer in the first civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Then going to wine with Greece and Rome and spirits in the colonial times with Europians and eventually getting to America. Next, their was coffee that started in the Arab world traveling throughout Europe and finally Coca-cola which started selling its drink in America and out broke to throughout the rest of world. His intent was to show the history of the world in which humans were not nomadic in the view of six different drinks. Standage presented his thesis in a very interesting and intriguing way throughout this novel. There are six main Chapters in this book ;Beer in Mesopotamia and Egypt, Wine in Greece and Rome,Spirits in the colonial Period, Coffee in the Age of Reason, Tea and the British Empire, and Coca-Cola and the Rise of America. Each main chapter has two mini chapters in them for example in the chapter Tea and the British Empire the two mini chapters are ; Empires of tea and Tea Power. Standage’s writing mostly focased on the beverages causes and effects in the different areas and lands they were most popular and developed but he would add things about the people of these times and their way of living. He also added some traditions that we have in today’s culture that were created in ancient times such as clinking glasses together for good health and happiness before drinking a glass of beer. His book shows how six measly little drinks changed humans from nomadic people who were hunter- gatherers to people who lived in cities and developed writing, government and farming. Standage showed the history of the world in six drinks hence the title A History of the World in Six Glasses. Alcoholic beverage. (2017, Feb 23).

Assessment 3 Training project (K) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assessment 3 Training project (K) - Essay Example Not only this, it might also be use to introduce varied types of inventive and technologically advanced products and services thereby fascinating wide array of customers. As a result of which, the range of profit margin and total sale of the organization might get enhanced thereby boosting its recognition to a certain extent among other existing contenders (Schneier, 1994). Due to these above mentioned reasons, training programs are offered high concentration as it might increase the skills, attitudes, working behaviors and performance of the executives or managers of a hospitality sector. As best attitude and working behaviors are the two prime requisite of the top managers of a hospitality industry (Saks & et. al, 2010). In a hospitality industry, excellent behavioral skills and attitude are extremely essential for the human resource manager or top management employees as analyzed from the interview of their departmental heads. This is because; the top management employees act as the backbone of an organization operating in hospitality segment (Janakiraman, 2007). These employees are not only responsible for recruiting experienced and talented staffs within the organization of Hilton Al AIn but also liable to offer all sorts of required or desired facilities to the customers residing in the hotel. This is done, in order to enhance the quality and quantity of the services thereby amplifying the brand image and reputation of the brand in the market among many other rival players (Davenport, 2005). Apart from this, with the help of these training programs, the human resource manager might successfully introduce the new staffs with the other co-workers or co-members of Hilton Al AIn hotel (Martin, 2006). As a result of which, the interpersonal relationships of the employees get enhanced thereby amplifying the inner skills and talents to a certain extent. Along with this, proper orientation program might enhance the coordination among the top

Research Proposal Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Proposal - Research Paper Example Prior to instigating any changes however, it is important to determine the perceptions, understanding and experiences of employees within the current appraisal system. In light of the research question, what constitutes an effective performance appraisal needs to be determined first, in order to appreciate, identify with and empathise with staff perceptions. Personal development is a necessary element for both personnel and organizational benefits, and performance appraisals are the best means of identifying the training needs of staff, as well as being a systematic mechanism for evaluating the standards of staff performance, determining salaries and advancements and detecting any factors that impinge on staff effectiveness. An effective appraisal system is one that considers cultural values (Feng, Foster & Heling), that is perceived by staff as being fair and acceptable, that is a reciprocal cooperation between staff and management and one that is appropriate to daily duties (Durais ingam & Skinner, 2005). Such a system fosters staff satisfaction and motivation. A number of factors other than performance appraisal methods must be considered when developing a new and effective system; other factors that might explain staff perceptions of personal appraisals are fairness and cultural awareness. Kavanagh, Benson & Brown (2007) discuss theoretical support for performance appraisal processes and explain that such support is evidenced in ‘control theory and social exchange theory’ (p.134). Process control theory proposes that staff perceptions of fairness are related to the degree of control each employee is able to employ within the process (Konovsky, 2000, p.493 cited in Kavanagh, Benson & Brown, 2007). Social exchange theory on the other hand, refers to ‘relationships that entail unspecified future obligations’ (Kavanagh, Benson & Brown, 2007, p. 134), wherein the way management treat employees is of significance. Fairness therefore, may be perceived in relation to the amount of control an employee has within the process and the way in which their appraiser handles the process. Any organization or company in England today would have employees from a diverse range of ethnic and racial backgrounds, and XXX is no exception. Such diversity impacts to a great extent on the appropriacy of the way in which the performance appraisal is carried out and therefore requires deep consideration as to how best accommodate diversity among the staff of XXX. As stated earlier XXX’s system of appraisal is based on the rating method which involves numerically rating a list of factors such as output and quality of work; such a method is easy to develop and administer but is also very subjective (Acas, 2003). There are a number of other appraisal methods available and each needs to be considered in relation to the findings ascertained within this study and before making any necessary changes. One such performance appraisal is base d on narrative reports, wherein the manager or supervisor is required to write a report or essay on what they consider as the strengths and weaknesses of a staff member; headings may be provided but subjectivity is imminent and results depend very much on the capabilities of the writer (Acas, 2003). Comparisons with objectives is another method of performance appra

Analysis of Computerisation at Pizza Hut Essay Example for Free

Analysis of Computerisation at Pizza Hut Essay In the economics of industrial society, the purpose of the computerization of the workplace is to replace labor with machines, thereby reducing the unit cost of production while increasing both productivity and efficiency. Instead of hiring twenty workers to accomplish one task, an employer can simply buy one machine to do the same task faster and more efficiently; less resources are invested while much more output is generated. In general theory, the introduction of technology into the workplace spurs economic growth and prosperity, resulting in the creation of more and better jobs, higher wages and an increased standard of living. However, when looking at specific data and analysis, it becomes apparent that each level of worker is distinctly affected by the computerization of the workplace. Pizza Hut Pizza Hut is one of the flagship brands of Yum! Restaurant Int. which also has subsidiary businesses and famous brands like KFC, Taco Bell, AW and Long John Silver’s under one brand umbrella. It is the world’s largest pizza chain more than 13,000 restaurants across 97 countries. Pizza Hut increases his operations in last five years. In India, Pizza Hut has 143 restaurants across 34 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Banglore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune and Hyderabad. Great taste and quality, variety of pizzas and trademark dining experience have made it possible for the company to for double-digit growth and scale up its presence to its current size. With a 27 per cent market share of the eating-out market and over 70,000 footfalls per day across the country Pizza Hut started its business from India in 1996, and opened its first restaurant in Bangalore. Pizza Hut maintained significant growth and acquires a maximum share of pizza market and sustained growth rate of above 40 per cent per annum. Pizza Hut operates through 95 outlets across 24 cities in India which gave employment nearly 5000 people by the end of 2009. When entering the delivery-segment of the pizza industry, Pizza Hut opted to use a computerized Customer Answering Service that would field all the calls from a particular area and then electronically send orders to the closest delivery-only units. Thus customers would only have to call one number and not have to talk to individual delivery unit managers. Pizza Hut believed that this system would reduce the costs needed for maintaining separate workers who would answer the phone at each unit. However, this system had several problems in its initial installation such as orders being mixed up and other inefficiencies. As a result, Pizza Huts reputation was damaged as consumers lost patience and faith in the company; this allowed Dominos, Pizza Huts main competitor to increase its market share.

The Peopls Princess Essay example -- essays research papers

The "People's Princess" Diana Frances Spencer was born July 1, 1961, at Park House near Sandringham, Norfolk. She was the youngest daughter of three (Sarah b. 1955 and Jane b. 1957), and she had a younger brother Charles (born 1964). Her parents were Viscount and Viscountess Althorp, now the late (8th) Earl Spencer, and the Honorable Mrs. Shand-Kydd, daughter of the 4th Baron Fermoy. Earl Spencer was Equerry to George VI from 1950-1952, and to the Queen from 1952-1954, when he married Diana's mother. Her parents separated in 1967 after her mother left her father for another man, and the marriage continued to dissolve until 1969 when the divorce was made final. Diana's father won custody of the children. The continued to live with their father at Park House, Sandringham, until the death of her grandfather, the 7th Earl Spencer. In 1975 the family moved to the Spencer family house at Althorp in Northamptonshire in the English Midlands. After her grandfathers death, her title in turn changed to Lady Diana Spencer. Diana's father remarried Raine, Countess of Dartmouth in 1976. Lady Diana was educated first at a preparatory school, Riddlesworth Hall at Diss, Norfolk, and then in 1974 went to a boarding school, West Heath, near Sevenoaks, Kent. At school she showed a great talent for music, dancing, and domestic science. Though she never excelled academically, she was recognized at West Heath with a special award for service in 1977. People described her as "a girl who notices what needs to be done, then does it willingly and cheerfully." Diana left West Heath in 1977 and went to finishing school at the Institute Alpin Videmanette in Rougemont, Switzerland, which she left at the Easter term of 1978. The following year she moved to a flat in Coleherne Court, London. For some time she looked after the child of an American couple, and she worked as a kindergarten teacher at the Young England School in Pimlico. Diana and her siblings, growing up at her father's house on the royal estate at Sandringham and the family home at Althorp, knew the royal family from a young age, with Charles' younger brothers Edward and Andrew as playmates. Although their families had known eachother for many years, Diana... ...rincess's coffin on its return journey. Upon arrival, the coffin, draped with a Royal Standard, was removed from the aircraft and taken to a wating hearse by a bearer party fromt he Queen's Colour Squadron of the RAF. The coffin was then taken to a private mortuary in London, so that the necessary legal formalities could be completed. Shortly after midnight, it was moved to the Chapel Roal in St. James's Palace, where it lay privately until the funeral on Saturrday September 6, in Westminster Abbey. Following the funeral, the coffin was then take to the family estate at Althorp for a private burial. The Princess was buried underground on an island in the centre of an ornamental lake. Since their relationship became public in August, Diana and Fayed had been quite happy to let the press capture moments of tenderness and passion. Their last day together was reportedly typical of the romance-- supper at the two-star restaurant in the Ritz Hotel, which is owned by Fayed's father, then a night at a private villa across the Seine River. But the couple never got there, and Diana's hope for a discreet weekend in Paris with her new companion ended in tragedy.