Understanding And Framework Of Project Management

1) Providing specification of actions at various stages of the process and for various functions. PMBOK helps all members of the organization or the project management team to perform their function effectively. Under normal circumstances, one department of a company may response for a specific process in one way while other department implements different steps. PMBOK provides a framework to every department so that every unit can efficiently focus on their part of project. 2)Providing an understanding and framework of project management. Processes and methods of PMBOK are documented each step of the way. This documented steps make it easier for people who may be not familiar with specific process in a particular project. 3)Providing the basis for educational programs. In a project, a team is assembled to execute the project. Since employees come from different work environment and experience, there is a graduate learning process of the job and cross dependencies, which is a high cost for the project. PM methodologies helps people to form uniform skills to work on different projects. 4) Removing real world complexity by focussing on what is specific to project goal achievement. In the real world there are lots of information which may interfere the real resources we need in a project. Models such as PMBOK or PRINCE2 help people to identify the information and make them focus on the project goal. 5) Providing a simpler expression of the rules and relationships between theShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Project Management Competencies And Their Importance1288 Words   |  6 Pagesanalyze the importance of project management competencies to obtain a successful career in the field. The problems addressed in this analysis are to gain an understanding of the project management competencies needed for successful implementation in any industry given. The analysis contributes to research and practice in two ways. The first is the identification and reporting of project management competencies and their importance. Secondly, the analysis proposes a framework that would provide an organizationRead MoreThe Importance Of Project Management Competencies And Why They Are Important1324 Words   |  6 Pagesanalysis the importance of project management competencies to obtain a successful career in the field. The problems addressed in this analysis are to gain an understanding of the proj ect management competencies needed for successful implementation in any industry given. The analysis contributes to research and practice in two ways. Firstly, I identified and report on project management competencies and why they are important. Secondly, the analysis proposes a framework that would provide an organizationRead MoreBusiness Strategy And Project Management1653 Words   |  7 Pages1. Srivannaboon.S, Milosevic.Z.D (2005). A two-way influence between business strategy and project management. According to the authors Srivannaboon.S, and Milosevic.Z.D (2005), the alignment of project management with the corporate strategy is critical to achieve the company’s short term and long term goals. The main objective of project management is to guide the company towards its goals within the set time frame and cost. In today’s globalization, business leaders are facing many challenges fromRead MoreA Report On The Cyber Security1320 Words   |  6 Pagescomputing is aimed at reducing the security threats in cloud environment. The project involves building a knowledge base to establish comprehensive research plans for automotive cybersecurity and develop enabling tools for applied research in this area. It is aimed to research the feasibility of developing minimum performance requirements for automotive cybersecurity. PROJECT PURPOSE/JUSTIFICATION BUSINESS NEED/CASE The project has been created to improve the security considering the wide range of threatRead MoreProject Governance1193 Words   |  5 PagesProject governance is the management framework within which project decisions are made. Project governance is a critical element of any project since while the accountabilities and responsibilities associated with an organisation’s business as usual activities are laid down in their organisational governance arrangements, seldom does an equivalent framework exist to govern the development of project’s capital investments ( Sharma, Stone and Ekinci 2009 ). Project Governance extends the principleRead MoreThe Cloud Security Market Services1463 Words   |  6 Pagescloud computing is targeted to reduce the security threats in cloud environment. This project involves in creating a knowledge base to establish comprehensive research plans for improvement in cybersecurity and for developing tools that will work efficiently in this are a. The primary aim is to research the feasibility to develop minimum performance requirements in cybersecurity to perform efficiently. PROJECT PURPOSE/JUSTIFICATION BUSINESS NEED/CASE In today’s global, digital world, data rulesRead MoreObjectives Of A Research Project Management1697 Words   |  7 Pagesconstruction project management, and then suggesting ways in which such findings could help stakeholders to determine on whether BIM will be suitable and beneficial or not for their proposed projects and then take decision either to use BIM or not based on their convictions. Objectives of the research 1. To find out what BIM stands for, how it has evolved over the years and its connection with project management. 2. To find out the situations of the construction industry in management of projects withoutRead MoreApplying Project Management Body Of Knowledge1205 Words   |  5 PagesWhen applying project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) when designing a contractual framework for a Division within the community college environment, several barriers exist when creating an effective and efficient specialized training contractual model. Through reflective reasoning and the review of former contracts, the Division identify and create a best practice system which will require gathering past and present-shared knowledge of those who have encountered the same challenges with contractualRead MoreManaging Time On Track With Sponsors1316 Words   |  6 Pagesthat is the main reason for failure of many IT projects. Earlier companies used to follow traditional project management ways like water fall model to handle the projects. But as requirements are changing very frequently, we need to be ready t o act quickly to changes in the requirements in order to keep project on track with sponsors’ requirements. We need to focus on following areas in order to close the project successfully. Control Scope: Project scope gives complete information about what areRead MoreTaking A Step Back To Juran’S Steps Once The Concept Of1215 Words   |  5 Pagesdefinition of goals have been accepted by the sponsors there must be a determination of how to implement the quality management plan. Once the plan is accepted there must be steps taken to facilitate this plan to staff who will be responsible for the execution of the tasks and activities that will uphold the plan. Once the implementation has taken place and the quality management plan is actively in place for the organization there will be a need to mature the level of quality within the organization

The Development of Ancient Greece through Philosophic...

The Ancient Greeks founded for western culture a basis of understanding and appreciation of wisdom that still carries substantial influence in modern times. During this time, the need for understanding became predominate as humankind readied themselves to begin looking beyond religion and mysticism for answers upon the fundamental principles in life. Although, the pre-Socratics focused more toward a material aspect on the physical nature of things, Socrates and his disciples established an influential analysis into philosophy as the modern world knows it today, which spurred into stoicism, epicureanism, skepticism, and Neoplatonism during the time. This analytic foundation provides the basis for today’s metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic. This revolution of thought began with the pre-Socratics. Initiated by Thales of Miletus, others who followed him (Anaximander, Anaximenes, Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Damon, Xenophanes, Parmenides, Zeno, Empedocles, Anaxagoras, Leuci ppus, and Democritus) renounced the naivety of mysticism to question the processes of nature. Aquisitioning the elements of earth, water, fire, wind, and the void to categorize their discoveries the pre-Socratics are responsible not only for philosophical development, but math, physics, astronomy, biology and most other natural sciences. Although Thales encouraged this movement of thought, Anaximander (Thales’ pupil) gains recognition as the first writer of philosophy and Pythagoras gave philosophyShow MoreRelatedSemantics: Linguistics and Meaning1886 Words   |  8 Pagesunderstand it becomes more and more pressing. Semantics is also at the centre of human mind – thought processes, cognition, conceptualization – all these are strongly connected to the way in which we classify and convey our experience of the world through language. Semantics can be defined as a branch of linguistics; it is an area of study parallel to, and interacting with syntax and phonology. While syntax and phonology study the structure of expressive possibilities in language, semantics studiesRead MoreEssay on Islam and Science2729 Words   |  11 Pagesdiscovery and development for Muslim scholars. The Arabs at the time assimilated the ancient wisdom of Persia and the classical heritage of Greece, as well as adapting their own ways of thinking (Hitti 363). The Islamic ability to reconcile monotheism and science prooves to be a first time in human thought that theology, philosophy, and science were coordinated in a unified whole. Thus, their contribution was quot;one of the first magnitude, considering its effect upon scientific and philosophic thoughtRead Morehistory of philosophy5031 Words   |  21 PagesIslamic Platonic Scholastic Periods Ancient Medieval Modern Contemporary Literature Aesthetics Epistemology Ethics Logic Metaphysics Political philosophy Branches Aesthetics Epistemology Ethics Logic Metaphysics Political philosophy Social philosophy Lists Index Outline Years Problems Publications Theories Glossary Philosophers   Philosophy portal v t e The  history of philosophy  is the study of philosophical ideas and concepts through time. Issues specifically relatedRead MoreUnderstanding Conflict Through Sociological Perspective Essay5342 Words   |  22 Pagesï » ¿Understanding Conflict Through Sociological Perspective Table of Contents 1. Acknowledgements 2 2. Table of contents 3 3. Introduction 4 4. Objectives 5 5. Research Methodology 5 6. What is Conflict? 6 7. Works of Karl Marx 9 8. Conflict of interest 12 9. Conflict perspective in sociology 13 10. In classical sociology 14 11. Modern approaches 17 12Read MoreParmenides and Heraclitus5510 Words   |  23 PagesPolemarchus and his followers. The author explains how Socrates enters into a philosophical dialogue with several different individuals who attempt to set down a firm definition of justice. Socrates then sets out to test and challenge their definitions through his method of questioning and counter-examples in an attempt to arrive at a more secure definition of justice, that which cannot be refuted. From the Paper Cephalus first raises the idea of justice with Socrates and then passes the debate onRead MoreThe Marijuana Growers Guide9909 Words   |  40 Pagesmellowgold.com/grow As far as we are aware, it s the only place online to find it, please distribute this file freely. - Mellow Gold Staff CONTENTS Foreword Preface History and Taxonomy of Cannabis [1] Cannabis and Ancient History [1.2] Cannabis and American History [1.3] Cannabis and: Species or Varieties [1.4] Cannabinoids : The Active Ingredients of Marijuana [2] Cannabinoids andRead MoreTheater As An Actor And Makes You Better?5195 Words   |  21 Pagesstage, and I do hope to continue these bright and wonderful experiences as I matriculate through the adventures of life, and hope one day to become something great in my life maybe not in theater maybe just behind the scenes but I just never know. The Primary Tenets of Aristotle were simple but yet very serious, they stood on the ground of many principles. The Good Character, Good Character is developed through practice of everyday living and becomes better over time as it is practiced. â€Å"The sequenceRead MoreA Picatrix Miscellany52019 Words   |  209 Pagesan epitome of this often disorderly book. A glance at the table of contents is enough to show that the sequence of chapters is erratic and closer inspection reveals that the scope of individual chapters is far wider than appears at first sight. Philosophic doctrines (which, according to the author, are the basis of the talismanic art), theory of magic, astronomical, astrological and physical lore, extensive directions for the practice of the art, and accounts of the peoples by whom it is employedRead Morewisdom,humor and faith19596 Words   |  79 Pagescommonly be regarded as a deficiency in humor to search for a definition of humor.†6 He did, however, see i t as linked to humility, which enables us to perceive our own failings, the gap between what we aspire to be and what we actually are. A philosophic encyclopedia declares that the most dominant theory of humor is one that deals with such gaps, that which does not fit—the incongruous. More specifically, it sees humor â€Å"as a response to an incongruity, a term broadly used to include ambiguity,

The Legality, Morality, and Social Responsibility Free Essays

string(235) " In a society where chaos and disorder prevails, ethics offers an appropriate solution because it provides moral values, principles, norms, and ideals, which humans should adhere to as standard practices of human conduct and behavior\." The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23rd, 2010. The Act is a daring attempt by President Barack Obama to reform the healthcare system in the United States. The new healthcare reform act is historical because of its scope and size. We will write a custom essay sample on The Legality, Morality, and Social Responsibility or any similar topic only for you Order Now Opponents to the healthcare act state it is an attempt to increase the size and power of the federal government and it is one of â€Å"the largest tax increase in the history of the world,† despite it being almost equally in size to President Clinton 1993 tax increase (â€Å"‘Obamacare’ isn’t the largest†, 2012). There is an abundance of questions surrounding the new healthcare act ranging from the constitutionality of Act to the ethical and moral ramifications of such wide sweeping legislation. This paper will attempt to answer some of these questions as they pertain to healthcare provider Florida Blue. We will also explore how Florida Blue is transitioning as a company under these new laws and their role as a socially responsible company in the community. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court rendered a final decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act. According to (Cavico Mujtaba, 2008) this was possible due President Lincoln’s leadership, implementing the legal system; it was restored to be more liberal, justified, and democratic. The idea is that every law enables the government of the people, by the people, and for the people to make laws that befit the people. The constitution was effectively written to allow for flexibility. The new provisions would allow families and small business owners the ability to make choices that work best for them. The power of the government is divided into three branches judicial, executive, and legislative. In order for a bill to become law, all three branches of government must approve it. That separation of power is what does not allow one branch from becoming more powerful than any of the others. Under the law, the new â€Å"Patient’s Bill of Rights† gives the American people the stability and flexibility they need to make informed choices about their health. (Obama, 2013) The main purpose of President Obama’s bold healthcare reform was to address the affordability and quality of health care as well as to curb the growth of healthcare spending in the United States. Many of the provisions in the Affordable Care Act are aimed at fixing these major issues facing the U. S health care and insurance industries. In the idea of not only helping the people to consider and obtain health insurance. The group agrees that the law is constitutional and should be addressed, in most countries there are laws stating that you much have health insurance and based on your income you get it for free or you pay a very small amount. The United States has waited a long time to enact this law and should be enforce. Despite evidence to the contrary, explained in the joint dissent the Chief Justice named Roberts, along with 4 other Justices Breyer, Ginsberg, Kagan, and Sotomayor upheld Obamacare’s â€Å"penalty imposed upon individuals’ failure to purchase federally-approved health insurance (the Individual Mandate) as within Congress’ taxing power. † A majority of the Court held that the Constitution’s Commerce Clause did not grant Congress the power to institute an individual mandate. A significant portion of the law’s Medicaid provision was partially overturned as an unconstitutional coercive federal spending condition imposed on the states. Instead of entirely striking down this provision, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is prevented from withholding current Medicaid federal spending to those states who decide not to participate in Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion. (Teller, 2012). Whether Obamacare was upheld as a proper exercise of Congress’ taxing power or through the commerce power is simply a distinction without a difference. The law as it was before the Supreme Court decision is virtually the same as it was afterward. But, as a matter of legal precedent and technical legislating, such a determination is monumentally important in terms of how future cases of congressional power will be decided, as well as how bills are crafted for consideration. The Chief Justice’s opinion recognized the long-standing history of Congress attaching conditions upon states in exchange for receiving federal funding under Congress’ Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 spending power. 17 The legitimacy of this power â€Å"†¦ rests on whether the State voluntarily and knowingly accepts the terms of the contract,† since the â€Å"Constitution has never been understood to confer upon Congress the ability to require States to govern according to Congress’s instructions. †18 When â€Å"pressure turns into compulsion, the legislation runs contrary to our system of federalism,† (Teller, 2012). Florida Blue, the largest health insurer in the state of Florida, had to reinstate 300,000 policies in order to meet the new Affordable Healthcare Act requirements. Florida Blue is attempting to offset many of these costly new healthcare requirements, which now include things such as maternity/newborn care, mental health services, substance abuse services, and emergency services. These services will now be covered by individual and small market plans. Under this new law anyone the government determines can afford healthcare, and does not purchase it by 2014, may have to pay a fine. This fee will be referred to as an individual responsibility payment, individual mandate or penalty. The Supreme Court of the United States has determined the Affordable Care Act, and its provisions, are constitutional and have upheld the legality of the act. Therefore a discussion regarding its legality would be mute. However, the ethical ramifications of the act are worthy of noting and discussing. Ethics is one of the five branches of philosophy that deals with human character and how humans conduct themselves in society. Humans have the freedom of doing various activities that may benefit them, ethics is essential because it defines their character and conduct. In essence, ethics systematically assesses human activities in an attempt of establishing whether they are right or wrong. In a society where chaos and disorder prevails, ethics offers an appropriate solution because it provides moral values, principles, norms, and ideals, which humans should adhere to as standard practices of human conduct and behavior. You read "The Legality, Morality, and Social Responsibility" in category "Papers" According to (Cavico Mujtaba, 2008), the goal of ethics is to understand the epistemology of human conduct and character so that it can define the best ways in which humans can co-exist and attain the real meaning of life. In this view, ethics enables humans to regulate their conduct and character in order to be more in line with the moral values, norms, ideals, and principles that society cherishes and upholds amidst chaos and confusion. To define and expound ethics, diverse philosophers have come up with theories and models such as utilitarianism, deontology, pragmatic ethics, and postmodern ethics. Hence, this term paper seeks to use utilitarian theory and model in assessing whether it is moral for Florida Blue to implement President Obama’s health care reform act. Utilitarian theory is the dominant ethical theory that philosophers and ethicists apply when analyzing human conduct and character. John Stuart Mill is one of the pioneers and proponents of utilitarian theory. Fundamentally, utilitarian theory belongs to the category of consequential theories that assess morality based on the consequences of an action. According to Mill (2010), rightness or wrongness of an action is dependent on its consequences rather than the nature of the action. On this assertion, utilitarian theory rejects the assessment of morality based on the actions. Hence, utilitarian theory assumes that human actions have no morality in themselves unless assessed using their consequences. Cavico and Mujtaba (2009) argue that an action is morally right if its consequences are good, and it is morally wrong if its consequences are bad. Hence, the consequences of an action are central in determining if an action is right or wrong. The utilitarian theory also assesses the degree of morality or the extent to which an action is right or wrong. According to the utilitarian theory, for an action to be morally right, it must generate greatest happiness or pleasure to most people and cause the least pain and harm (Mill, 2010). In this view, the theory does not only assess the degree of morality basing on the consequences, but also assesses morality basing on the number of people that gain happiness or experience pain. In the examination of utilitarian theory, (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009) state that the consequence of an action should be good and beneficial to most people in the society. In this view, utilitarian theory requires consideration of action’s consequence and the number of people that experience happiness or pain. Thus, an action is morally right if its consequences are good and beneficial to most stakeholders, and it is morally wrong if its consequences are bad and harmful to most stakeholders. The use of the utilitarian model in the assessment of human actions provides a quantitative way of analyzing morality. The utilitarian model apportions numerical values to goodness and badness of an action’s consequences. The goodness of an action has a positive scale of 1 to 5 (1 to 5) while the badness of an action has a negative scale of 1 to 5 (-1 to -5). Zero is an intermediate value on the scale, which shows that actions’ consequence is neither good nor bad to a specific stakeholder. The utilitarian model quantifies the degree of pleasure and pain, which are consequences of an action (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009). Therefore, the term paper utilizes the utilitarian model in establishing if it is moral for Florida Blue to implement the Affordable Health Care plan. 1. The act that the term paper seeks to evaluate using the utilitarian model is whether it is moral for Florida Blue to implement the Affordable Health Care plan. 2. The following are the stakeholders that the implementation of the health care reform affects, both directly and indirectly. a) The government The foreseeable good is that the government will improve general health of the population, and thus enhances the health of the nation. However, the foreseeable bad consequence is that the cost necessary to sustain health care reforms may not be sustainable in the end. b) Health care system The foreseeable good of the health care reforms is that the health care system will offer improved quality of healthcare services (Rosenbaum, 2011). Given that quality of healthcare services depend on many factors, the foreseeable bad is that the quality of care may deteriorate with time. c) Florida Blue The foreseeable good of the health care reform in Florida Blue is that it will increase the number of patients and thus improve its growth. However, Florida Blue may not be able to satisfy the demands of the patients. d) Insurance companies If Florida Blue implements health reforms, the foreseeable good is that it will provide a competitive environment for insurance companies. The foreseeable bad consequence is that the insurance companies will increase insurance premiums. e) Healthcare providers and working environment The foreseeable good of the health reforms is that it will improve competence, remuneration packages, and the working environment of healthcare providers. Since the number of patients will increase in Florida Blue, the foreseeable bad consequence is that healthcare providers will have to perform extra duties to serve all patients. f) Patients The foreseeable good among patients is that they will receive quality services that they have been unable to afford. Nevertheless, the foreseeable bad consequence is that the quality of healthcare services offered to patients may deteriorate with time. g) Citizens and society Since health care reforms legally require citizens to acquire health insurance coverage, the foreseeable good is improved health and lifespan of the people. However, the foreseeable bad consequence is that the cost of health insurance may increase and become unaffordable to many people. Quantification of Good and Bad Consequences Stakeholders Foreseeable Good Foreseeable Bad a) The government +5 -2 b) Health care system +4 -3 c) Florida Blue +3 -3 d) Insurance companies +5 -1 h) Healthcare providers +3 -3 e) Environment +4 -2 f) Patients +5 -2 g) Citizens +3 -3 h) Society +4 -2 i) Total 37 -22 Conclusion The assessment of the act of implementing the affordable health care plan in Florida shows that it has more good than bad. Since the good consequences of implementing Obama’s health care reform outweigh the bad consequences, from the utilitarian perspective, it implies that the act is moral in the case of Florida Blue. The utilitarian analysis shows that Florida Blue should implement health reforms to improve healthcare services that it provides to all stakeholders. Another major ethical work exploring is the Kantian Ethical Principle. Kantian ethics originated from the German philosopher Immanuel Kant. It revolves around his work—Groundwork (or Foundation) of the Metaphysics of Morals (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009). The basis of Kant’s work was reason. Kant deduced that reason is the source for morality. To Kant, morality relied only on human reason. His definition and elaboration on morality excluded conscience, law, and utility. According to Kant, to be moral is to be rational (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009). Morality and rationality must coexist; therefore, morality consists of acting rationally. It must be noted, however, that rationality must be employed to arrive at a moral conclusion. The intellectual use of reason, or â€Å"intellectualism†, is a form of egoism and does not serve a purpose toward morality (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009). In comparison to the utilitarian approach, the Kantian approach does not take into account happiness when deciding morality. Kant deduced that dignity and worth were not fulfilled from a sense of happiness, but rather from the ability to reason. After all, it can be argued that the human ability to reason is the only differentiation from other species. Happiness, or the lack there of, is not an appropriate measure for morality. In summary of Kantian ethics, it is not arriving at a moral conclusion that is the challenge (any rational human can do that), it is possessing the self-control to follow through with what is right, regardless of consequences. The Categorical Imperative is the principle which Kant called the â€Å"supreme ethical principle† (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009). A categorical imperative regards certain actions are absolutely vital, regardless of desires or end result. The rules that surround moral conduct are, according to Kant, absolute. Kant went on to create a â€Å"test† to discern between moral and immoral actions. His categorical imperative must satisfy three conditions, without exception. The three conditions that an action must have to be moral are as follows: 1) the action must have the possibility to be made consistently universal, 2) it must respect rational beings as ends in themselves, and 3) the action must stem from and respect the autonomy of rational beings. Kant concluded that by satisfying the aforementioned conditions, the question of morality would be unaffected by consequences, personal gain, and compulsions. Instead, any rational human being would be able to rationalize the morality of actions by fulfillment of his three tests. In determining the morality of the Affordable Care Act using Kant’s Categorical Imperative, the main point of focus will be the morality to the intended benefactors (United States citizens and legal residents) from the law. The first test forces one to ask oneself: can the Affordable Care Act be applied universally? For argument’s sake, â€Å"universally† implies throughout the United States for this analysis. Furthermore, satisfaction of the first test eliminates any individuals from regarding themselves as â€Å"special. † Rather, nobody is exempt from the moral â€Å"law. † The Affordable Care Act will require U. S. citizens and legal residents to obtain healthcare. Healthcare for all U. S. citizens and legal residents can be consistently universal. Furthermore, with proper planning, the idea behind the Affordable Care Act can be sustained. Currently, the U. S. has many uninsured pockets of people that are unable to get a routine medical exam without a hefty fee. Although there are caveats in the Affordable Care Act, it can be applied overall to the majority of the population. The Kantian tests for determining morality disregard â€Å"privilege. † Instead, by applying universal healthcare, a rational person can deduce that everyone obtaining healthcare is logical and consistent. The first test is satisfied. Kant’s second test is called the â€Å"Kingdom of Ends† test. This test works to further eliminate the possibility of immorality by taking into account the human condition. Kant states that,†each people must be treated by every other person as an end† (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009). Again, we are forced to reexamine whether the Affordable Care Act treats each person with â€Å"dignity and respect and as a valuable and worthwhile entity. † The current state of healthcare denies various groups of people the ability to obtain medical care. Through his second test, Kant holds the intrinsic worth of human beings as an undeniable truth. Thus, by existing as a human, one has an unconditional value. Because a rational human would be able to identify their own intrinsic value, so would they be able to identify that value in others. The Affordable Care Act extends healthcare coverage to individuals that would previously have no viable options. In addition, it minimizes discrimination by encompassing groups of people that have consistently gone without healthcare coverage. By expanding Medicaid to 133% of the federal poverty level, alone, the government is extending its recognition of intrinsic worth to those that have been previously disregarded. The â€Å"Kingdom of Ends† test is centered on human dignity; by extending healthcare coverage, the U. S. government has empowered more individuals to be free to make a choice of what medical services to pursue. Although the implementation of the Affordable Care Act may result in higher costs to the public, the self-interest of individuals is not a basis for determining morality. Rather, the freedom, empowerment, and recognition of intrinsic worth provided by the activation of the Affordable Care Act satisfies the second test. The final test is deemed the â€Å"Agent-Receiver Test†. This third test allows for further dissection of an act. The use of the â€Å"Agent-Receiver Test† in relation to the Affordable Care Act is extremely relevant and allows for a more black-and-white approach by further stripping any vested self-interest. A rational person must be able to accept the action or rule, regardless if they are the agent (giver) or receiver of the action or rule (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009). Would an individual accept the Affordable Care Act whether they were supplying or receiving the benefits? In this case, there are stereotypically many white collar, upper middle-class U. S. citizens that oppose the act because of the implied rise is costs for themselves. However, a rational person would be able to remove their selfish motive by analyzing it from the point of view of the receivers. Say the individual was, instead, an uninsured, 20-something pregnant woman barely living above the federal poverty line, would they still oppose the act? The Affordable Care Act allows healthcare to become more impartial to people using it. The â€Å"Agent-Receiver† test, thus, proves the act moral. Analyzing such a complex act, such as the Affordable Care Act, does present exceptions and caveats as it is currently written. The overall basis behind the creation and implementation of the act aims to value more humans and increase dignity and self-worth. By removing individual motive and self-interest, the Kantian model for determining morality strives to decide morality based on impartial tests. After reviewing and applying the three tests to the Affordable Care Act, we have found it is moral. The theory of ethical emotism is centered on feelings and emotions (Cavico Mujtaba, 2009). David Hume is credited as one of the most important contributors to the idea of the emotist theory. The theory is ethical emotism lies on the other side of ethical theory spectrum from the Kantian model. In the Kantian model, reason is the basis for morality, but in ethical emotism, reason is merely a tool employed to help one judge morality. In ethical emotism, the act itself is not used to decide morality, rather the feelings from the act are what is important. Morality is viewed as a purely emotional response and is, therefore, extremely subjective under this theory. Although ethical emotism is, on the surface, a rather simple measure of morality, it often overlaps with ethical relativism and utilitarianism. The concepts behind ethical emotism can be laid out simply. If one has positive emotions towards an act, the act is deemed moral and good. If one has negative emotions toward an act, that act would be deemed immoral or bad. In terms of the morality surrounding the Affordable Care Act, ethical emotism can present some consequences that will not allow for a sound moral conclusion. First and foremost, this theory relies heavily (entirely) on emotions and emotions may be very subjective. When employing the emotist theory, the Affordable Care Act must be analyzed from the perspective of each group affected and/or involved. Because of the subjectivity of emotions, different groups of people will feel different ways, thus, creating the large possibility of different moral conclusions. As an example, a 24 year old, recent college graduate, in an entry level, minimal salary position may feel positively about the act because they can be under their parents’ insurance for an additional two years. The implementation of Affordable Care Act is moral in this instance because of the positive feelings felt by the receiver. However, five years later, this same individual may be earning a higher income, invested in real estate, and covering their own health insurance with no assistance—their feelings may have changed. The aforementioned individual likely has negative feelings regarding the Affordable Care Act because of higher taxes. In this sense, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act is immoral. The changing of one’s feeling is a big consequence of the ethical emotism theory. Since individuals will deem the Affordable Care Act moral or immoral based on their own individual feelings, reaching a general and standardized consensus is impossible. From the prospective of those becoming eligible for obtaining healthcare, the act is likely moral. Those individuals have not had or have lost the opportunity to make decisions about their health and are feeling extremely positive about the act. On the other hand, individuals who have had no problem covering their healthcare insurance costs could have feelings of disapproval towards the Affordable Care Act. In their case, the act is seen as simply a probable increase in their own taxes. Moral conclusions are subjective under the ethical emotism theory and must be addressed individually. Many different theories can be used to help decipher morality, especially on large-scale issues like the Affordable Care Act. However, each theory must be maximized, while taking into account the consequences that accompany each train of thought. The above theories discussed use various criteria to determine morality. However, ethics and morality become an even greater point of focus when applied to real world scenarios. Ethics and morality must transcend their place as theories of study and come into play in our current world. In the case of Florida Blue, it is certain they will have to embrace the Affordable Care Act if they want to continue as a functioning healthcare provider. As the company will likely continue to grow in size and influence, they will likely take a closer look at their role within American society. It is becoming a common trend among many high stature corporations to integrate a humane tactic into their company’s strategic plans. Companies are beginning to give back to the community, while in return noticing the positive reaction consumers are developing towards their product especially when they see the company’s brand is perceived in a positive and philanthropic light. Now more than ever before, corporations have taken notice of the increased benefits being perceive as a positive, giving company can bring such as an increased rate of profitable. This sincere act of kindness, which no company is legally liable to fulfill, is what we call social responsibility. Social responsibility is the act of an entity to provide a need for the community. When a corporation takes the initiative to create a solution for society, they are deemed as a socially responsible firm. The organization is not necessarily the last resort or the only solution to the problem, however the corporation takes ownership of the need and the responsibility for creating a solution for a particular problem their consumers face. The success factors and formulation of fulfilling the act of a socially responsible entity, quoted by (Cavico Mujtaba, 2008), according to Banks, a few reasons for being a socially responsible firm is by â€Å"1) obtaining a â€Å"social license† to operate from key stakeholders, 2) ensuring â€Å"sustainable competitiveness,† 3) creating new business opportunities, 4) attracting and retaining quality investors and business partners, 5) securing cooperation from local communities, 6) avoiding difficulties due to socially irresponsible behavior, 7) obtaining government support, and 8) building â€Å"political capital. † Florida Blue, formerly known as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, is a not-for-profit health insurance company that strives on social responsibility. In preparation for the Affordable Care Act, Florida Blue has prepared several different tools for consumers to utilize to educate themselves about the new law that will eventually have an effect on everyone in the U. S. Florida Blue has created a Health Care Reform eBook that can be downloaded on any tablet. This eBook is constantly being updated as changes are continuously being made to the law. Also, to ensure they are doing their due diligence as an educational source for the community, the app is available in English, Spanish and Creole. According to Florida Blue CEO, Pat Geraghty, between the 16, soon to be 18, Retail Centers across the state the company will have organized over 3,000 Health Care Reform seminars by the end of the year. As a socially responsible company, these tools Florida Blue has put tremendous amounts of effort into creating, are not only available to Florida Blue members, but they are available to the general public. Whether you are insured with another company, not insured at all, or insured with Florida Blue, the organization prides on being a tool for Floridians to turn to in reaction to this new law that has many consumers dumfounded. In addition to being accessible by any member of our community, all of these tools are complimentarily available to the consumer market. Florida Blue has been in preparation for Health Care Reform since 2006 when they opened their first Retail Center. With the Affordable Care Act implementing a new focus gearing towards individual plans, and steering away from the well-known and accustomed group plan, Florida Blue has built these Retail Centers to accommodate selling to the individual rather than selling to the employer (â€Å"Health Insurance Companies†, 2013). These Retail Centers offer the face-to-face experience that consumers need and allow health care shoppers and customers to build a relationship with one individual agent that they can rely on and come back to time and time again with any questions and concerns. In addition to face-to-face Retail Centers, there is a FloridaBlueHealthCareReform. com website that anyone can visit, a Health Care Reform hotline facilitated by employees trained to specialize in the Affordable Care Act, and customers can also call into any Retail Center and talk to any sales or service consultant over the phone just as you would meet with them in person. In any recommendation of social responsibility it would be a wise business decision for a company to partake in socially responsible acts. As (Cavico Mujtaba, 2008), state, â€Å"business also gains an improved public image by being socially responsible. An enhanced social image should attract more customers and investors and thus provide positive benefit for the firm. † For a company to engage in community affairs in order to enhance the level of success it would be somewhat foolish not to participate in socially responsible acts in an effort in improve your company’s prosperity, while achieving greater good for consumers. Overall, is it a legal requirement for companies to be socially responsible? No. Is it implied that companies should partake in some type of social responsibility to enhance the well-being of the community in order for them to be considered a moral organization? Yes. It is solely up to the discretion of a corporation and their shareholders whether they determine to provide a socially responsible contribution for their consumers, but more than likely it is in their benefit to give back to the community they operate in and engage in socially responsible acts. To be perceived in a positive manner, generally has a positive return on investment for the company and their shareholders. It is simple to determine that being socially responsible has a positive impact on all parties involved in the act. As mentioned earlier in this paper, the legality of the Affordable Care Act, and its implementation by Florida Blue, has been deemed legal by the Supreme Court. Ethical analysis of the Affordable Care Act and Florida Blue using the Utilitarian and Kantian ethical theories have all proven both the Act, and the implementation of the Act by Florida Blue, to be ethical. It was also shown that using the Ethical Emotism theory for such a complex matter would provide mixed results and no definitive answer would likely ever be reached. Florida Blue continues to develop tools that help explain and guide the average consumer through the new healthcare process. By providing information to all consumers-not just their clients, holding fairs and encouraging face-to-face contact, they are continually shaping the public’s perception of their company and attempting to show the public they are committed to assisting them regardless of whether or not they are members. It would be in Florida Blue’s benefit to continue to show good will and become further engaged in the neighborhoods where they operate. It is our opinion that Florida Blue will continue to grow as they now have access to new groups of people seeking insurance. How to cite The Legality, Morality, and Social Responsibility, Papers

Technology is taking over the World free essay sample

We are currently in a technological age. Electronics are now used to complete everyday tasks from cooking to even cleaning. In the kitchen, there are refrigerators that keep vegetables crisp and can tell what the weather forecast for the week is. Everyday vacuum cleaners now have the latest in â€Å"cyclone technology† and some can even clean a house while one takes a nap. However, no one area has utilized technology as much as primary and higher educational systems. No longer do classes have chalkboards, rulers, and textbooks. They have been replaced for smart boards, projectors, tablets, e-books, and a variety of other gadgets. This use of technology, for the most part, is a benefactor for the students because they are able to attain a much richer education and understand concepts better than before through hands on exercises. However, relying solely on technology without human input may result differently. Distance learning is an ineffective and unsecured substitute to a physical college/university because they don’t provide the long-term knowledge or hands on experience that prepares students for post-secondary careers or relationships. We will write a custom essay sample on Technology is taking over the World or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Even though technology is a large part of society today, interactions with real life people, through verbal communication is ideal to obtain a happy and successful life. Distance learning is mainly completed through the computer and rarely allows for a student to gain the proper communication skills needed to succeed after the class. In a job interview they look for strong communication skills, as well as an educated background. On the job, a keyboard and screen Asari 2 can’t be used to convey ones thoughts and ideas. Another natural part of life, creating social bonds, requires an individual to communicate with others. This can’t be practiced when a glass screen separates two people, miles away from each other. These valuable skills can only be gained through a classroom environment where people talk and ideas are put out and either accepted or debated by peers, as I have come to learn. Last semester I took a blended CPR and first aid class. There were a total of 5 classes and the rest of the course was completed online. The task at hand was to teach my self how to save a person’s life by reading an entire textbook and taking some tests online. The physical classes were all rushed because we were covering over 100 pages in two hours. In a class where the gained knowledge is intended to be used for practical use, it becomes very hard to do so when there is an insufficient amount of hands on experience. Reading about bandaging an appendage or stopping a wound is not the same as having a physical bandage in your hand, going around a person’s limb, learning the effective movements and techniques. I remember little bits and pieces still, but a large amount of information has already been lost in a matter of months. The reason for this is because everything was learned in a matter of days instead of being spread out like an ordinary class. The information was stored in the short term part of the brain rather than long term sensory motor area where physical interactions are placed. Because of this, I’m not able to use a lot of information learned in future instances of danger. Similar negative feelings of online classes are portrayed by writers of higher position around the nation. Some people tend to have very strong emotions toward this subject and end up writing literary pieces that get published. Suzanne M. Kelly and Marilyn Karras, both well recognized writers, point out some very important differences and benefits of a traditional university education. Kelly speaks about the physical characteristics of some students in her class that can’t Asari 3 be seen online. By seeing actual students, there is an indirect learning that can’t be acquired through a computer. Kelly states â€Å"what does it do to our discussions when bodies are hidden behind computers and software-when the sensuous classroom is lost† (178)? When discussing about societal issues, it’s a huge benefit to see an actual class that is a small representation of the larger population. Having tangible things to compare is always better than a digital substitute. Karras on the other hand speaks about the difference between online courses and physical classes. The main differences she describes is, â€Å"a university education involves, among other things, debate, discussion and an exchange of ideas among classmates and professors, both inside and outside the classroom† (Karras 180). This tie’s directly with the fact that online classes don’t provide enough verbal communication to succeed in times of physical contact. Taking online courses will not have as much, if any, verbal communication as the regular class setting. However in most cases, online classes may provide a better opportunity for ideas to be shared because shy students don’t have to actually speak; ideas trapped in the shy minds of some geniuses would be free and expressed to the rest of the world. This would only be a temporary release of ideas, but it could create very interesting chats online. Many students have experienced and possibly been drawn in for that fact. Students choose to take online courses for various reasons. One large part of the population is parents who have kids to take care of. They believe it’s impossible to attend a traditional class because of time restraints. While they may argue that distance learning is a better option because they allow for a more flexible schedule, many colleges, such as MC, have adjusted their systems to accommodate for people in similar scenarios. One adjustment is the times classes are offered. From around eight in the morning to eight at night there are classes offered to allow students to take it at a reasonable time and fit their busy schedule. Some classes Asari 4 are even offered during weekends if weekdays tend to be overly hectic. Another program created provides childcare while the parent is in class. If the main problem, the child, is taken care of, why should it stop someone from learning in a classroom setting? Having an instructor during tests allows for security from test fraudulency as well as a better understanding of the subject. Other benefit of being in a class is the control the professor has on the timeline. This rigid time frame is sometimes required for some students to take initiative and complete an assignment. Aside from not having enough security, online courses have grown to be the lazy mans way out of an actual class. While some people have legitimate reasons, colleges have become more understanding and adaptive towards those people by providing flexible hours and added programs for childcare. Even though online courses may provide some short-term benefits like freely flowing ideas, minimal transportation costs, and ease of access, in the long run it’s a hindrance to the progression of a student as a fundamental member in society. If the majority of the population decided to take online courses, the nation would be filled with unresponsive, socially awkward individuals. They may have the necessary knowledge, but will never be able to truly express themselves in an acceptable manor. The art of speaking will be lost to a world filled with brightly lit screens.