Pros and Cons of the current Alcon IT management system Essay

Pros and Cons of the current Alcon IT management system - Essay Example Another major disadvantage of the management at Alcon is the autonomous operation of each of the business groups in the execution of their activities. They have adopted a culture of independent operation for each of the group and minimum cooperation among the groups. This leads to the independent execution of tasks from each group. Cooperation among different business groups in any organization helps in providing support and improves work handling. The position of Corporate Director of IT plays a vital role in the management hierarchy of the organization (Stair & Reynolds). Its long vacancy has affected the operation of the other groups below it in the hierarchy because they were operating without corporate governance. This put the organization at such a disadvantage that they had to create a new position to help with the situation. The decentralization of the management process can also play as a strength for the organization. This is in the sense that, with their own management of operations some groups will execute their operation better that others, hence singling out the poor performing branches. This can serve as a wakeup call for the improvement of the poor performing branches. The decentralization of operations also improves accountability in the dispensation and use of funds. With every branch allocated its own budget, accountability for the use of these funds in achieved more comprehensively The Alcan management also outsourced a lot of the work. This made then unaware of some of the workings and utilization of resources. The new enterprise architecture management system The vice president of Corporate Information Technology, Robert Ouellette had a vision of how he wanted to run the management at Alcan. After being brought on board, he performed an analysis and decided to come up with a new way of operation. His main target was to achieve cohesion and cooperation among the business groups. This was to be achieved at different levels. The new system, a lthough with advantages, did not come without a few setbacks. The main advantage of his system was development of better working relations among the departments. This helped improve work execution, although as a disadvantage, the lesser performing groups could easily go unnoticed, because their work seems complete. To tackle this, he made it a requirement, that in every team, the head of department and their officers were to report on the progress on their activities to higher management. This immensely improves accountability. The other major problem was the definition of roles in the management hierarchy. Due to unclear definition of roles, some activities were not properly executed. The advantage of Robert’s system is that, it clearly defines the roles of each position. Robert looked to reorganize the operations of the major braches in the organization. This was to be achieved by the implementation of the enterprise architecture. The architecture ideally centralizes operat ions and integrates the business activities of the organization with the IT infrastructure (Anderson). This greatly improves coordination among all the functions. This will lead to the creation of a centrally shared business center for the Information Systems within the organization. The disadvantage of this change is that implementation is mostly achieved at the management level; hence, the human resource at the

The Syndrome Of Colorectal Cancer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

The Syndrome Of Colorectal Cancer - Essay Example After getting the report of the medical test, John and his wife Carol learned that he was suffering from colorectal cancer. John was appalled at the diagnosis as he was completely unprepared for such a result. A doctor suggested him a surgeon who particularly dealt with such kind of diseases and offered hope towards fighting and surviving this grave disease. The surgeon explained the procedure of treatment and therapy that John needed to undergo before and after the surgery. After performing a surgery, the physician discussed the means in relation to the disease from which John was suffering. The physician broke the news to John that he was gravely affected with the high level of cancer in his abdominal. John undertook several tests to determine the accuracy of the statement made by the physician and found it to be true (Australian Government Cancer Australia, 2012). The joint report published by the ‘Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)’ and the ‘Australasian Association of Cancer Registries (AACR)’ focuses on delivering a thorough update regarding the changes in cancer endurance in Australia since 2001, when the first national cancer report was published. It delivers a trend statistics regarding the survival of persons affected by invasive cancer from 1982-1986 to 1998-2004, as well as analyzes the survival outcome in terms of age, geographic provinces, sex, and socioeconomic status. During the period of 1982-2004, the statistical reports concerning the frequency of invasive cancer in Australia provided an account of 1.6 million cases. This was the period when cancer-related survivals were examined in terms of their gender, age and period of treatment, as well as survival period, geographic provinces and socioeconomic status. Moreover, this report also provided the prevalence calculation regarding all the se aspects (Alteri et. al., 2011). In Australia, during 2007, the risk of colorectal cancer was identified at the age of 85 which was 10 for men and 14 for women. This risk was noticeable and increased from the age of 45.

Legalize it or not Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Legalize it or not - Essay Example This is because the illegal marijuana industry is very lucrative. It estimated that the marijuana illegal income in the United States of America is valued at between 20 billion dollars and 40 billion dollars (Abadinsky 75). This is a lot of money, but since using and selling of marijuana in the state is illegal, the drug dealers fail to disclose their income thus they do not file tax returns due to fear of being arrested. If the state would legalize marijuana, then it would be able to collect revenue from drug dealers hence improving the economy of the state. The war on drugs is very expensive. For example, it is estimated the over the years the war on drugs has cost both federal and state governments close to one trillion dollars, (Benavie, 54). That is close to twenty billion per state. This is a lot of money which can be used for other things such as investing in infrastructure. If the state of Arizona government would legalize marijuana then it would save a significant amount of the taxpayer’s money putting it into other uses such development of the state. A lot of people end up in jail as a result of using, selling or being in possession of marijuana. Most of these people are typically below the age of 40 years (Benavie 39). When in jail, these people are economically useless to the state and their society. If the drug would be legalizes in the state, these people who get arrested and jailed for either using or distributing would free thus providing a good work force to the state since they are young and energetic people. This will improve the infrastructure of the state as the young men will be employed by the state and development companies. Legalizing marijuana will also increase the states revenue since the government will tax the income of these people. Legalizing marijuana will turn its market into a perfect competition market, where there will be no barriers to enter or leave the market. This will replace the monopolies set

The Film Invictus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Film Invictus - Essay Example Right from the beginning of the film, it is clear that the subject of the process of human socialization as demonstrated in organizations, peers, and institutions apparently takes the central role in the film. It is quite evident that the film’s key focus is on apartheid. Apartheid has cut across many every organ of the government right from the institution of the president, institution of justice, institutions responsible for security, as well as other government organization that is key to delivering basic services to the country. The term apartheid was an Africaans that was commonly used to refer to a system of racial segregation that was enforced through the process of legislation by the then South African ruling party (National Party). During this period of time, the rights of the majority black South African Inhabitants were said to have been curtailed while the white supremacy was maintained. In essence, the word served as a policy of segregation, as well as political-e conomic discrimination against those who belonged to groups of non-European in the Republic of South Africa. According to this film, after Morgan Freeman gets leased from Prison and he is elected as the first black president of the South African Republic, he has many challenges following the post-Apartheid era. One thing that is quite striking to him is that to do with human socialization. Human socialization, in this case, refers to the racial divisions between the white and black South Africans who are affiliated with movements supporting racial segregation and are the cause of the day to day violence. The ill motive that the whites and the blacks hold towards each other is clearly demonstrated in the president’s security details, where the relations between the prior established white officers.

Suburban Sprawl (Environmental Issue) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Suburban Sprawl (Environmental Issue) - Essay Example These hazards being talked about refer not to only to body health issues but a rapid jump in mental health issues, prompting the former vice president of the U.S Al Gore to comment that the urban spread is like â€Å"cookie-cutter monster.†(Brooking Inst, 1998). While supporters of urban lifestyles contend â€Å"consumers prefer lower density neighborhoods and that sprawl does not necessarily increase traffic.† (Moore, Henderson, 1998). Nevertheless there is evidence that urban sprawl is one of the primary contributing factors to the specter of inner city degeneration. By pulling economic resources out of communities that are already existing and diffusing it into new and unconnected developments away from the current core, older communities get neglected and are led to ruin. These new developments are subsidized heavily to create newer roads, water and sewer infrastructure, new schools and enhanced spending on police and fire protection. While urban spread directly inf luences new lawns using ever more water and the use of chemical fertilizers as well as pesticides, it displaces native plants, which have not needed constant watering. It could be concluded that Sprawl wastes tax payers’ money With the population of the world exceeding 6 billion already and progressing toward doubling by the 22nd century, it is estimated that 95% of the new inhabitants of the planet earth will be living in urban areas. When compared to the fact that only 15% of the world lived in urban areas as recently as 1990, the task to manage urban sprawl is both vital and urgent. If not the exponential growth in urban dwellers combined with Socio-economical, geopolitical factors, with the certainty of limited land availability and in -efficient planning is certain to create cities that devour land used for other purposes historically directly influencing equally important aspects such as food security. Combating urban sprawl has two major forms of endeavor both, which i nclude detailed planning. â€Å"The first, the French/British/European tradition, considers urban planning a matter of public health and focuses on strong land- use regulation, public-sector investment, and civic design. The second tradition, born in North America, focuses on zoning and subdivision regulations within a context of strong private property rights† (Calthorpe, 2001)). Peter Calthorpe a New Urbanism thinker and architect illustrates the differences in these two styles by flavoring the European model a more ecological model and the North American planning model a more mechanically motivated model. The European model appears to be the antecedent to the concept called smart growth, and the other of developing efficiencies through zoning. The search for solutions to urban sprawl has given birth to various special-interest groups that promote a concept termed SMART growth at all levels federal, state, and local government. This might look nostalgic with a promotion of return to the city lifestyles of the last two centuries. Living in smaller apartments or smaller land plots with the emphasis on limiting transportation to bicycles or simply walking. Smart growth can be defined as the prevention of urban sprawl through meticulous planning with associated restriction to

Learning disability Essay Example for Free

Learning disability Essay Special education refers to the arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials, accessible settings, and other interventions designed to address the needs of students with learning differences, mental health issues, physical and developmental disabilities, and giftedness. Provision of special education is inferred from two provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Article II, Section 17 provides that the state must give priority to education, while Article XIV, Section 1 guarantees that this education be accessible to all: appropriate steps must be taken. School can be particularly challenging for children with special needs, including those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, who often experience poor academic performance, behavior problems, and difficulties with social interaction. The situation can be further complicated by the fact that there is no typical, predictable classroom style common to all children with special needs, for that matter. It can also be hard for parents to tell how much of any problem identified by a teacher falls into the normal range of a child development, for example how much is due to ADHD, and how much is due to coexisting problem such as learning disability, anxiety disorder, or disruptive behavior and others. Add to this fact that the public school system here in the Philippines may not have Individualized Education Program (IEP) that will meet the needs of these special children. In this study, the researchers will use different basic methods of assessing special education curriculum how it may be integrated into the mainstream or general education particularly in the Philippine public school system, without compromising quality of education.

Healthcare Illness Spain

Healthcare Illness Spain Healthcare and Health Policy in Spain Introduction Health care is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well being through the services offered by the medical, nursing, and allied health professions. According to the World Health Organization, health care embraces all the goods and services designed to promote health, including â€Å"preventive, curative and palliative interventions, whether directed to individuals or to populations†.(WHO, 2000). Health care policy shapes health care systems and helps determine accessibility, accountability and affordability. Knowledge of health care systems includes and understands the organization and environment in which nursing and health care is provided.  Healthcare in Spain in general has three main characteristics: ( Ferrandiz, 2003)First the Spanish health sector is mainly public both in terms of financing and delivery, about 80% is funded and provided by public institutions. Second, public insurance coverage of the general population is over 99.5% where only few groups of independent professionals and immigrants under special conditions are not covered by law. Third, is how the healthcare system financed? In Spain it is financed through general taxation. The National Health Service started in the 1940s wherein it is originally funded by social security, over the years they needed additional funding and this came from the general taxation. And now it is clear that 98% of the funding in Spanish healthcare comes from general taxation. The healthcare and health policy in UK is somewhat different from Spain. The comparison between the two countries is enumerated below. In the conclusion the writer will analyze the significance of having a good healthcare system and policy. Healthcare in Spain In healthcare Spain is said to be much better as compared with UK. Spain has a public health system which provides free or low cost health care for those contributing to the Spanish social security system and their families. The system also caters for retirees and includes those from other EU countries. The country has an excellent system of private medicine and this exists comfortably alongside the State system with both operated so as to complement each other. The Spanish health care system is rated ninth in the World by the World Health Organisation far above that of the UKs. In Spain there are two types of hospitals operating, one private and one operated by the state. The private hospital offers immediate treatment with patients being accommodated in single rooms. The state hospital offers the same convenience. Both hospitals pool resources to the benefit of private and state patient alike. Because of the comprehensive policies in Spain the health services for patient such as CT scan or laboratories are 40-70% cheaper than in UK. To equality among its citizens Spain has passed a law called law of quality and health cohesion. It means that by law the citizens have the right to enjoy the same health services including pharmaceuticals with the same conditions regarding social participation, accessibility, time, information, security and quality independently of where they live. And according to the ministry of health, this is their first great law of healthcare since the 21st century. In Spain there is a pharmaceutical policy that is now being introduced in UK. This has been existed in Spain for many years; it is one of approaching the local pharmacist for minor ills. Pharmacists have an excellent reputation for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment and are able to issue all but controlled drugs. In no time at all theyll have you feeling better. In Spain there are several ways to contact a doctor or have an appointment if you are sick. You can just text the word â€Å"Urgencias† to the telephone number 5013 and you will be informed of the waiting time before your appointment. This is very convenient especially for the elders. Another way to consult the doctor is thru the web. Healthcare system and policies in Spain is very much effective as compared to UKs healthcare system. In many ways it puts the UK health service to shame and refreshingly, there are never lengthy debates on television about it or do you hear of people complaining. Regarding their pharmaceutical policy, there are no prescription charges for drugs in Spain patients pay the full price and then claim back a significant percentage. However, those from the UK are somewhat surprised when they learn that most prescriptions cost far less than the UK prescription charge and surprised again when they learn at just how much can be reclaimed. One advantage of UK healthcare system is when a foreigner got sick. Although there is no right to state medicine in Spain for a foreigner, (unless on holiday and carrying the EU health card) it is often the case that those from the UK have enough contributions on their cards to permit state medicine up until the age of their retirement, when everything, including the cost of medications becomes absolutely free. The standard of medicine is very high in Spain, but it depends very much on location. Rural areas in Spain are being served only by a clinic- transferring patients out to hospitals as required. Good medicine will still be available but not as instantly. However, most inland locations favoured by foreigners are not too far from a good hospital and healthcare in Spain is something about which you need have no concern. Conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis and those affecting people in the middle to late age, are not the problem in Spain as compared to UK and colder Northern European countries. Climate definitely does seem to have a positive effect on health and well being in many cases. Of interest is the fact that depression is nowhere near as common in Spain as is the case in the UK. No doubt this is also concerned with the climate and bright sunshine. Conclusion A good and effective healthcare system and policy is important in every nation. Proper studies and approaches should be done to be able to lessen the burden of the sick people. The convenience of the patient and equality of treatment is important no matter you are in a private or state hospital. As shown above Spain healthcare system and policy are very much effective as compared to UK. The only advantage that UK has is on the policy about treating foreigners. In Spain people get sick people get well is their focus.    Reference: Spanish Health Care Service- Healthcare in Spain http://www.spanishpropertyco.com/Healthcare%20in%20Spain.html World Heath Organization Report. (2000). Chapter 1: Why do health systems matter?. WHO. Retrieved on 2008-03-08. Ferrandiz, J.M. (2003) The Spanish Health System : Reforms, Problems and Solutions, http://www.cnehealth.org/pubs/2003_05_15_ferrandiz.pdf