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Contextual Leadership The notion of contextual leadership is fairly new and began to emerge at the beginning of the new millennium. Osborn and colleagues (2002), for example, have pointed out that most leadership theories to date have neglected context as an important determinant of effective leadership. They argue that "leadership is socially constructed in and from a context where patterns over time must be considered and history matters. Leadership is not only the incremental influence of a boss towards subordinates, but most important it is the collective incremental influence of leaders in and around the system" (p.797). Accordingly, they call for a theoretical approach to contextual leadership that stability, crisis, dynamic equilibrium, and edge of chaos into account, which define context of successful leadership (R. N. Osborn, et al., 2002). The kernel of contextual leadership in leadership theory began to emerge as early as the 1970s. At the time, notions

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The Defense of Oahu Introduction As early as 1933, American peacetime policy included plans for the defense of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Along with Alaska and Panama, the island of Oahu was considered a peacetime strategic frontier the United states had to defend to provide minimum full security for the west coast. Oahu, the most populous of Hawaii's islands and the location of Pearl Harbor, provided the U.S. "a natural base for mobile defense forces protecting America from seaborne attacks from either west or southwest."[1] Oahu also served as a strategic location for mounting American seaborne offensive assaults on the enemy. Critical among the mobile defense forces referred to were the Navy's fleet of aircraft carriers, though only four were stationed in the Pacific. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, there was no unified command in Oahu, despite its recognition by U.S. officials as a primary strategic location in WWII. In 1924, Oahu Navy Admiral Wil

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Leadership Self-Evaluation Introduction Self-awareness is an important aspect of being a responsive and effective leader (London, 2002). How we see ourselves does not just influence the decisions we make within the organizations we lead but it also determines how others see us and respond to us. Insights into who we are and how we lead can be gained by systematic self-evaluation of our performance as leaders. Depending on the personal character traits of the person conducting the self-evaluation, this can be an insightful and productive process, or one that is marked by omission and dishonesty. 360-degree feedback can be used as an effective tool in assessing leadership style, strengths, and weaknesses (Lepsinger & Lucia, 2009). Significantly, as Eckert and colleagues (2010) have pointed out, results where observer ratings differ from self-observer ratings are indicators of "problematic leadership relationships, skills, or lack of self-awareness" (p.259). As

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Negative versus Positive Peace in Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia Peace Research today distinguishes between positive and negative peace. These concepts were introduced by Johan Galtung (Galtung, 1969, 1975, 1980; Webel & Galtung, 2007) and signify on distinctions regarding the quality of peace. Negative peace is thus simply defined as the "absence of violence" (Galtung, 1969, p.183), whereas positive peace is defined as entailing "social justice" (p.183) and cooperative structures. It is generally believed that positive peace is more sustainable than negative peace, as it is implicitly supported by democratic processes and characterized by the absence of structural violence (Galtung, 1969, p.189). The notions of negative and positive peace do not just refer to the domestic political situation of a country but can also be applied to regional inter-national contexts. However, as Kacowicz (1997, p.372) has pointed out, domestic and international peace are frequently clo

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Criminal Law and Constitutional Rights of Defendants Warrants and Warrantless Searches The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects individuals against unreasonable searches and the U.S. Supreme Court has stated that warrantless searches, even if probable cause is present, are per se, unreasonable. This was the finding in the case of Katz v. United States (1967) (Hall, 1992). Exceptions are made when it is impractical for law enforcement officers to procure a warrant or when there is explicit or implied consent to the search. Warrants may further not be required when facts and circumstances preclude any reasonable expectation of privacy. Hall (1992) identified other exceptions to the strict letter of the warrant rule, such as searches incident to a lawful arrest or required to ensure safety; inspections by customs, border, and airport officials; searches made with the consent of a suspect; searches of items that are in plain view; and searches of students' belongin

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Infamy Pearl Harbor, "a date which will live in infamy." Those words have become as immortal as the date itself, December 7, 1941. This succinct and memorable line marked a critical moment in American history. With those simple words, our nation's president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, established a retaliatory course of action that would rally a country and, eventually, end a war. An attack on American soil was a stab to the heart of every United States citizen. Pain and insult were felt by all. Roosevelt understood this. At the instant when Japan bombarded American soil without provocation, all eyes, ears, and hearts turned to their leader for guidance. President Roosevelt used Ethos, Pathos, and repetition effectively in his appeal to Congress and his fellow Americans to declare war on Japan. On December 8, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation and through this medium used his influence as President of the United States of America to g

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From the description of this family unit, I would recommend the use of Bowenian family systems, also known as "Intergenerational Family Therapy". It seems that since the death of her Husband, Janet's mother has been unable to express her emotions in a healthy way. Taking out her emotional turmoil on her grandchildren, she seems to be inadvertently causing anxiety and self-doubt in them. Intergenerational Family Therapy focu

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Introduction This report is concerned with the London-based organisation, Balfour Beatty Plc. Balfour Beatty is involved in four major areas of business: construction, engineering, railways, and investment. The paper will be specifically concerned with the challenges faced by the organisation in regard to globalisation. The impact of globalisation on Balfour Beatty will be analysed with reference to various aspects of management theory. It has been claimed that "the work of management is to create organizations that work, in the sense that they use resources to create value" (Boddy, 2008, p. 7). Managers seek to increase the value of their organisations' products and services because value is the source of consumer satisfaction as well as profitability. The assessment of Balfour Beatty's current status will be based largely on the use of SWOT analysis (i.e., the analysis of the organisation's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). Reference will also be made

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Constitutional Impact Introduction During the period of 1760-1820, working life in the America was shaped on a number of levels and in a number of ways by the framing of the United States Constitution. For example, in New England settlements agrarian conflict arose between those such as Henry Knox who hoped to validate dubious land claims going back to seventeenth-century "proprietary grants" and courageous settlers who justified their land holdings by "revolutionary patriotism" (Taylor 17). Many of what were known as the "leading men" - typically mill owners and traders - arose from the settler culture and became Jeffersonians, using state politics to help resolve the conflict (Taylor 18). In a like manner, Jeffersonians and the leading men served as champions of the settlers and patriotism. Such conflicts based on constitutional framing evolved laws such as the Betterment Act of 1808, a land reform act that placed valuations on land (Taylor 19). In this

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1. When it becomes clear that a new content area needs to be added to the curriculum, there are a number of ways that faculty can incorporate this content area into the curriculum. As Giddens et al. (2008, p. 200) point out, new content needs to be merged under a single program of study using a conceptual approach rather than a content-based one and incorporating new approaches to clinical education as well as web-based teaching. Merging tracks prevents duplication of material so that nursing students do not receive the same information in multiple courses. A conceptual approach makes it easier for students to grasp the new concepts. Unlike content-oriented approaches, the conceptual approach helps students develop critical thinking skills (Giddens et al., 2008, p. 201). When students learn new material conceptually instead of in the context of a cer

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Afghanistan The 1970s were, as now, a turbulent time in Afghanistan. Divisive politics, government corruption, hostility among religious factions, terrorist groups such as the brutal Taliban, and other factors led to a call for reform in the nation. The 1970s witnessed mounting political, economic and social ills in the country that many blamed on external factors such as foreign invasion and interference. In the 1970s, two political coups unfolded which, ultimately, witnessed the "People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA)" come to power, a government that installed a pro-Soviet regime in 1978 (Laurier 1). The Mujahideen guerilla insurgency continued to create instability in the nation, encouraging the PDPA to "invite the USSR to enter the country in 1979" (Laurier 2). The civil war that unfolded in Afghanistan ste

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Hip-hop's Betrayal of Black Women The hip-hop culture has been long associated with violent and misogynistic imagery, in spite of its tightly bound collective of both male and female artists and its notable fan base of both genders. In her article, Hip-hop's Betrayal of Black Women, author Jennifer McLune cuts to the core of the women hating culture admonishing women and fringe artists such as Common, Eve, and Talib Kweli, not to accept or support the misogynistic culture being emphasized by their musical brethren. McLune argues that simply offering "lip-service" protests about the negative imagery associated with this musical genre is more of a public relations ploy than an actual attempt to change the hip-hop culture and offer women the respect they deserve. Further, McLune implies that the current culture divides women against women and blacks against blacks, perpetuating the prejudice against these respective groups. The author offers a passionate and logical argument as to w

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Marriage and Divorce Introduction Marriage and divorce are both significant topics in contemporary life as they were in ancient times. Marriage and divorce are both topics included in the holy texts of three major religions; Judaism (Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures); Christianity (New Testament); and, Islam (Koran). Over time some positions on marriage and divorce has evolved with respect to these religions, but for the most part fundamental religious texts are still used to interpret the meaning of and rules related to marriage and divorce. Where marriage is concerned, theology scholar J.D. Douglas argues that all three religions share a similar perspective: "God's intention from the creation was that a husband and wife remain married for life" (1368). Despite this similarity, different views of marriage and surely quite distinct views of divorce exist among all three of these religions. All three of these religions shaped marriage and divorce in ways that were

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Cultural Diversity and The Whale Rider The Whale Rider is a 2002 film by Niki Caro set on the coast of New Zealand. It is about a small native tribe called the Whangara. These people believe that their history dates back more than one thousand years to one man called Paikea. He is thought to have reached their land by riding on the back of a whale after his canoe capsized. Thus, he was called the "whale rider". The entire Whangara society is based on this folklore. Paikea was considered to be the first Whangara chief and all Whangara chiefs following him had to be his direct descendants, and, in addition, must be first-born and male. The movie is set at a time when the current chief of the tribe, Koro, must find a new chief. He is an aging man and his sole purpose in life is to find a new leader for the tribe to succeed him. Given the heritage of this people, the chief would have to be a whale rider. This requires a very special person, so Koro's whole mission is to find that indiv

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Colonization of the Americas Introduction When English settlers arrived in North America, many viewed the New World as a land of vast resources ripe for the taking. The journal kept by Captain John Smith reveals his desire to "exploit Virginia for profit" (Early 5). While different American Colonies required ready supplies of inexpensive labor, those in the North often relied on the labor of large families. In the Southern Colonies, such as Virginia, the rise of agriculture and large-scale farming demanded large supplies of inexpensive labor. Indentured servants and poor whites filled some of this need, but the growing need for labor led to mass importation of large numbers of Africans as slave labor. The growth of the colonial economy and capitalism led to a greater need for large supplies of inexpensive labor. Slavery became a ready solution to this obstacle standing in the way of colonial economic development. As sociologist Elizabeth Martinez

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According to Lev Vygotsky's theory, there is a close relationship between language development and cognitive development. I have noticed this relationship between language and thought by observing the growth of my neighbor's daughter, who is currently three years old. Vygotsky claims that a child must have a "cooperative relationship with the environment and culture" for cognitive development to occur (Hulit, et al., 2011, p. 57). In the child I hav

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Jean Piaget (1896-1980) and Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) are psychologists who are known for their theories of language development and cognition. There are certain ways in which the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky are similar. However, there are many more ways in which their theories differ. Both theories are useful for understanding certain aspects of the relationship between thought and language development. However, Vygotsky's theory is somewhat more useful than Piaget's is. In regard to their views on cognitive development and language development, both Piaget and Vygotsky are "constructivists." In other words, they both believe that children construct knowledge in the process of exploring the world around them. Children cannot be simply "given information, which they immediately understand and use" (Powell & Kalina, 2009, p. 242). Rather than receiving knowledge in this way, children are "active agents" in their search for knowledge and understanding (Hulit, et al., 2011, p.

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Technology to Facilitate Group Communication Getting a group to communicate in a business setting can sometimes be a daunting task. Whether the complication is because of scheduling or simple shyness, a team leader may have a lot of work on their hands to create an environment for collaboration. "If your employees are not interacting effectively with clients, customers and each other, your business will suffer. Fostering effective communication among the members of your workforce is an important skill that all

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Evaluation Plan for Postpartum Hemorrhage The pre-delivery protocol for addressing the issue of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is intended to reduce the incidence of PPH emergencies as well as reducing the number of deaths due to PPH. Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed solution will be defined in this paper, along with variables to be assessed for evaluating project outcomes. In addition, the tools necessary for educating project participants and the assessment tools necessary for evaluating project outcomes will be described. In order to determine how well the pre-delivery PPH protocol remedies the problem with PPH in the labor and delivery room, a baseline will first have to be established to quantify how many PPH events occur there each year and how many of these result in the mother's death. The method for establishing the baseline will be to examine hospital delivery records for the past two years and tabulate the occurrence of PPH events and the number of these that led to maternal death. The variables that need to be examined in conjunction with this study include time from start of PPH event to when bleeding was stopped

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Disseminating Evidence for Postpartum Hemorrhage The results of the project on postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) can be disseminated to key stakeholders and to the greater nursing community in a variety of ways. The strategy in this project will be to disseminate the results to the key stakeholders by means of both verbal communication in the form of a post-project oral presentation and by written communication in the form of a brief report. For dissemination to the greater nursing community, the methods will include publication, podcasts, journal clubs, and the media. Key stakeholders will want and need to be informed about the project so that they can incorporate the new protocol into their practice. An oral presentation by one or more faculty members can acquaint stakeholders with the protocol and the project, desc

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Some problems exist that one should be aware of when evaluating statistics. When statistics are used in research, their use adds strength to the analysis of a problem. However statistics are manipulated easily because of their complexity. Issues can exist from the beginning of a study, such as data collection problems, to the final analysis of results. Within the present discussion, a variety of statistical issues will be examined from the start of a study to the conclusion, in order to gain a better insight into statistical evaluation. One issue to pay attention to is where the funding for a particular study came from. It is important to know who collected the data, and who analyzed the data. It is also important to know where the data was collected. This is vital information because if a researcher is attempting to discover something about a particular geographical region, studies that were conducted in other regions or smaller regions may not be useful or applicable. On the ot

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Sallie Mae makes a surprising comeback [bloomberg businessweek, May 23, 2011] Article Summary The SLM Corporation is known informally as Sallie Mae. The financial institution is was until last year, the principal student loan institution in the United States for providing loans for tuition and expenses that enabled a high proportion of the college students in the United States to pursue a college degree. Sallie Mae guaranteed loans by private lenders to college students. In 2010, federal legislation was enacted by the Congress and signed by the President that put Sallie Mae out of the college st

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Why people buy stock in bankrupt companies [Bloomberg businessweek, May 23, 2011] Article Summary Kary (2011) dealt with the phenomenon of investing in publicly traded companies that have declared bankruptcy. Such companies would appear (to most people) to be a poor choice as an investment vehicle. Kary (2011) pointed out however, that a surprising number of investor seek out such companies for investment. Investing in publicly traded companies that have filed for bankruptcy protection is especially surprising in that the only investment vehicle open to general investors is equity stock in such companies. In the event of dissolution, common equity stock holders are on the lowest ring of the corporate totem pole - behind government agencies, mortgage holders, secured cred

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Stocks (still) rule! why a couple of billionaires are bullish on equities [fortune, may 23, 2011] Article Summary In this article, Quick (2011) addressed to seemingly disconnect between the steady stream of "bad" economic and financial news over the past three years and the actions of an investor subset that she refers to a billionaire investors in pursuing equity stock investments in 2011. She wondered in the article, what it was that this investor subset saw in the global economy that others were not seeing, or if they were seeing those things they were misinterpreting them (assuming that the perceptions of the billionaire investor subset were (and are) correct. Quick (2011) was provided some objective reason

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1. Outlier is a term used in statistics to describe the phenomenon of numerical values or data that is distant from the other data obtained. In other words: "An outlying observation or outlier is one that appears to deviate markedly from other members of the sample in which it occurs" (Grubbs, 1969, p. 1). Outliers are significant in a number of ways and require specific investigation. As Grubbs has pointed out, an outlying observation "may be merely an extreme manifestation of the random variability inherent in the data" (1969, p.1). If a researcher finds this to be the case, the values should be treated like the rest of the values of the sample, without any specific adjustments. However, an outlying observation might also be caused by a significant deviation from the prescribed experimental procedure, or it might occur as the result of a calculation error. Accordingly, researchers have to make sure that the outliers were not caused by deviations from the prescribed e

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