The Market for Alcoholic Beverages, Questions and Answers

2 Questions to address: a) What do we know about the demand for alcohol, and how is this relevant to policy makers wishing to curb consumption? b) What can you determine about the supply of alcoholic beverages (in terms of industry structure)? How might individual firms hope to get ahead in this market? c) Explain, using diagrams, how individual producers in this industry might be affected by the price floor implemented in Scotland. What determines the extent to which they are affected? d) Why do you think the policy makers have opted for a price floor over a tax? The Market for Alcoholic Beverages It is stated in The Economist print edition (2013) that according to World Health Organization, â€Å"the global consumption of alcohol has been†¦show more content†¦If the firm sells more than Qo of beers, the profit will fall. Thus profit for the beer firm is area price P profit, B, C and P1 (shown in Figure 1.2b). We can get the value by getting Qo multiplied by difference in P profit and P1 (Profit = [P-ATC] x Q). In a long run, the beer firm can charge price higher than Average Total Cost and make profit. But certainly this will attract new firms to enter beer market (Hubbard et al. 5 2012). Therefore demand and MR will shift as new firms enter causing the first beer firm to break even. To avoid losing profits, Hubbard et al. (2012) indicate that firms need to convince customers that their product is indeed different through marketing. Scottish parliament imposed a price floor of 50 pence on hard liquor in May 2012. Price floor is â€Å"a legally determined minimum price that sellers may receive† (Hubbard et al. 2012). Figure 1.3 represents alcohol market when price floor is applied. Before price floor, area ABD was consumer surplus and area CE was producer surplus. As soon as price floor is inflicted, area B from consumer surplus is transferred to producers and area DE will become a Deadweight Loss. There is a deadweight loss because price floor has reduced the sum of consumer and producer surplus. Likewise, the price floor has caused the MB to become bigger than MC. In other words price floor will reduce economic efficiency (Hubbard et al. 2012). The extent where a firm is affected can be determined from theShow MoreRelatedOn-going Issues in the Anti-dumping Investigation911 Words   |  4 Pagesto the answer of Mr. Joseph Bosh , an officer of communication office of WTO whether the WTO has a purpose to reform the new definition of the like product which stated in article 2.6 of anti-dumping agreement, the answer was yes, he did agree that the definition for the time being is vague and ambiguous, so WTO has included about this issue in ongoing Doha round. 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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( Snap )...

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as the Food Stamp Program was created in 1964 by President Johnson. In order to get rid of the stigma that the name had, a law was passed changing its name to SNAP in late 20008. The purpose of the program is to help low income individuals and families by providing economic benefits to communities. SNAP is considered to be one of the largest program in domestic hunger safety net. Another popular program is the Community Food Projects (CFP) competitive grants. CFP was created 20 years in 1996; its sole purpose has been to fight food insecurity, which means people have had a consistent lack of access to adequate food by the lack of money they have. When it came to organizations and programs like these I always wondered how long does the benefits last are there any stipulations like there is when you apply for things like FASFA or scholarships? This paper will examine the start of each organization and the progress it has made since the start of it. The term safety net as is it’s referred to in this context means to catch America if they fall on hard times or any program that provides assistance to individuals or families. Like every great idea there is always a downfall to when that idea is no longer great. To me as a minority food stamps isn’t a foreign word; majority of my family are either on or use to be on food stamps. FSP is administered by the USDA and the amount of welfare you receive isShow MoreRelatedThe Food Stamp Program And The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program1161 Words   |  5 PagesFormerly known as the Food Stamp Program (FSP), The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition-assistance program and exists to protect low-income Americans from hunger and its associated consequences by increasing access to food. 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In addition, only two years later, that number climbed by a whopping 50% to overRead MoreThe Welfare Policies And Welfare Programs1232 Words   |  5 Pagesprovide for themselves and their children. Welfare Programs and Eligibility There are several welfare programs that are available to women in need of assistance that can be very beneficial in helping get back on track financially and become stable. Welfare programs are state regulated programs reserved for those who live under the minimum accepted income which is determined by each state government. Welfare benefits can fall under multiple different program umbrellas, all of which require certain elementsRead MoreSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food Insecurity, Dietary Quality, And Obesity Among Us Adults2012 Words   |  9 Pages Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a government program to help its participants buy food. 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The Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship DB Free Essays

My view of entrepreneurship is that you don’t need to have exceptional skills to be successful when you decide to start a business. All one needs to have is the desire to work in order to achieve his goals. According to my understanding of the word entrepreneur, it is a French word which means to undertake, so in business it is to start a business. We will write a custom essay sample on The Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship DB or any similar topic only for you Order Now To say that you must have superior qualities that a few have in order to be an entrepreneur is not only far fetched but also erroneous, I simply don’t agree with that kind of thought. Strategic planning is a direction or strategy that a business is going to follow in certain period of time. It is so important to a small business in because it keeps it on the edge of competition with big companies. A business with no strategy has no direction. Strategy outlines the direction of the business. Without a strategy it is difficult to achieve goals in a business and small businesses therefore ought to formulate viable strategies that can cope with competition and at the same time make the business focused in scope. To me strategic planning is a process that does not only requires good management skills but also it requires the will and commitment by all persons involved in order to attain the set goals. (McDonald, 2001) There are several factors that an entrepreneur should consider before choosing any form of ownership. There are: The risks involved which are normally high in entrepreneurship, purpose of the business, its goals, strategies for achieving each goal, a plan to implement each goal and the way of monitoring the implementation plan. Other   factors includes the influence one have in the running of the   business and one must also know the responsibility for debts, the amount of   tax payable to the government and the county or the local government, one must also know the   government policies of that particular business. A person must also consider the amount of profit to expect and the time he or she spends on that business. I disagree with educators who thinks that student in colleges should not engage in business, this is simply because the students engage in this for they have been taught its fundamentals and they cannot wait to put them in practice. Once students get the desired knowledge they become innovative and hence they cannot wait to test their skills as entrepreneurs. Research indicates that entrepreneurship should include innovations such as; new products, new production methods, new markets and new types of business among other innovations. In my own perspective wealth is created when such innovations are utilized since it results in new demand of commodities. The purpose of an entrepreneur is to build a lucrative, moral, and a sustainable business organization. I am of the opinion that one must adhere to factors such as: 1. Profitable business practices that satisfies and attract new customers, pay employees fairly and rewards innovation and diligence.2.Ethical business practices that include the protection the privacy of the clients and employee financial and personal information, to respect ethnic, political and religious backgrounds of the customers.3.Sustainable business practices that can withstand the dynamics of the world, these involves establishing markets not exploiting them, doing away with abusive working conditions and keeping   basic labor rights, replacing non-renewable energy sources with renewable energy sources, encouraging developing countries to improve labor and environmental standards amongst suppliers. (Cullen and Boteeah, 2005) Reference Cullen, J. and Boteeah, K. (2005) Multinational Management: A strategic Approach: 3rd Edition: Thomson South-Western; Mason McDonald, M. (2001): Marketing Plans: How to Prepare Them, How to Use Them. 4th Edition: London, Butterworth Heinenamm          How to cite The Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship DB, Essay examples

The Circulation Of Fake News In Election Campaigns †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Circulation Of Fake News In Election Campaigns. Answer: Introduction Fake news websites are generally hoax that pretends to be legitimate. These websites are known for spreading rumours among public for seeking false interest. Fake news articles are one that are intentionally and verbally wrong in nature. The main purpose of the article is to mislead the readers. The case study focus on the news articles having political implication in US 2016 Elections. The case regarding the FBI agent suspected in Hilary email leaks found dead in apparent murder-suicide. The report focus on origination of satirical website produced during the elections. The defunct website wtoe5news.com stated that Pope Francis has endorsed Donald Trumps Presidency during the election. Most of the articles were satirical in nature but shared million times on Facebook. There were certain websites that were developed purely for fun during the election (Allcott Gentzkow, 2017). Fake News during USA 2016 election Fake news article originates on several websites. Some of the website is developed to spread the fake news among people. These sites are named exactly like the original websites in order to fool the readers. The 2016 US election has provided with an endless incidences that focus on the fake news. US company Disinfomedia owns many fake news sites. It includes NationalReport.net, USAToday.com.co, and WashingtonPost.com.co. Paul Horner, a USA based producer ran a winning fake news site called National Report for years. During the 2016 election, the producer published news supporting Trump (Kaplan Haenlein, 2010). This came out to be main reason for supporting fake news. The reason behind running the fake news is pecuniary. The purpose is to draw attention of the readers towards the news to go viral on social media. This has significantly helped in drawing significant advertising revenue. This came out to be one of the main reasons behind the motivation for most of the producers. The te enagers in Veles, produced stories favouring both Trump and Clinton helped then in earning ten thousand of dollars. Paul Horner produced pro-Trump stories for gaining profit claiming to be individually opposed to Trump (Borden Tew, 2007) .The other reason for spreading the motivation. These fake news providers look for advancing favour to their favourite candidate. There are few who started the fake news website to help Donald Trumps campaign. Additional providers of right-wing fake news in fact say they recognize as left-wing and sought after to humiliate those on the right by naively circulating the false stories (Brewer Marquardt, 2007). There are two possible unobserved slates of the world that most probably represents the candidates on the right and left side. Media channels do get the signal for publishing news. They publish the news after checking on the facts. Each and every media house has a reporting strategy to publish the news. They have an option either to publish the correct news or to issue one with bias (McBeth Clemons, 2011). Consumers do receive utility through the news; firstly they want to know the actual news and secondly they are looking for the psychological utility. Consumers do choose the news that serves their maximum utility. Producers of the fake news are the organization with two distinguishing characteristics. They do not make any such investment in accurate report. Moreover they are not concerned with the market reputation. The purpose is to generate maximum number of click on the news headlines to generate more views. This fake news has a potential to add certain level of social cost (Br ewer, Young Morreale, 2013). Consumers have become more sceptical of legitimate news producers. It has become difficult for the consumers to distinguish in between the fake and real news. These factors do have a potential to reinforced equilibrium by supply-side responses. In case of a reduced demand for high-precision, low-bias reporting will reduce the incentives. All these negative effects of the trade off against any welfare gain have a high impact on consumers who enjoy reading fake news. This forms to be an important part in managing the news (Walgrave, Lefevere Nuytemans, 2009). The theoretical concept related to the fake news and its implication in influencing People during the election. The fake news is circulated through the online channels. These channels are having a long lasting impact on the mind of the voter. There are certain instances where the reader is unable to distinguish in between the real and the fake news. Social media channels do have a long lasting impac t/ Most of the news that arrives through these platforms does not contain any amount of evidence. The social media channels are being used as a tool to spread the fake news (Reilly, 2012). Majority of social media platform is used to spread fake news. There is no proper source cited while publishing news. There is no proper link that provide with authentication of the news that is available on the website. In bringing a change it is important to understand the changes that can affect the election. It has a long-lasting impression on the mind of the readers. The news is gathered with an intention to attract reading. For the purpose of generating fake interest in people, the news channel is creating wide interest by generating interest (Bennett, 2016). It was reported during the US elections that there were 100 of fake Facebook accounts that are operated from US. These accounts were intended to create fake among people. The USA election has created a wide spread impression in the mind of people by running fake news throughout the day. The fake news ads are detected is relatively small. It is due to the external influencing factors in order to manage the excess pressure that is created due to the external interference. The important factor is related to the coordination in between the various factors that have a long lasting impact in the mind of the readers. This is important from the point of view of removing the long-term impact on the mind of the people. It is important from the point of view of developing better opportunities in order to deal with the factors that has been influencing the different factors. There are majority of fake news factories that has been influencing the election in many ways. It is through these news ch annels that the interest of people is been getting influenced. The factors are affecting the votes of people during the election. The interest of people largely depends upon the individual interest during the process of election. Google has admitted the circulation of such news that is affecting the election and interest of people. The search giant has found the people for managing the interest of parties in the election. Fake news has a long lasting impact on the mind of people. It is though the websites that the news channel is circulating fake news in order to influence interest of people. This has significantly helped in drawing significant advertising revenue. This came out to be one of the main reasons behind the motivation for most of the producers. One of the reasons behind the issue is due to the ineffective process that is attached with the election (Metaxas Mustafaraj, 2012). Conclusion At many times, there is fake news regarding any incidence during election campaign. Most of the news is circulated comes from a place that has certain level of interest. This is common in each and every country. Not just in USA, but there are other countries as well that see such incidences, this do affect the people with littler information about the incidence. Such incidences can only be reduced if general awareness is created. This will help in creating awareness about the right news. Such websites need to be checked timely. This will help in gaining long-term interest of the political party in managing election. This is however important for generating awareness in order to reduce the ill-effect of such incidences. They do not make any such investment in accurate report. Moreover they are not concerned with the market reputation. The purpose is to generate maximum number of click on the news headlines to generate more views. This fake news has a potential to add certain level of social cost. Countries are taking strict measure to control such incidences and therefore urging people to be smart enough while going through news. It is important from the point of view of reducing the aftermath of such incidences. However, it is necessary to provide support to different incidences in order to gain long term interest of people and the political party associated. References Allcott, H., Gentzkow, M. (2017).Social media and fake news in the 2016 election(No. w23089). National Bureau of Economic Research. Bennett, W. L. (2016).News: The politics of illusion. University of Chicago Press. Borden, S. L., Tew, C. (2007). The role of journalist and the performance of journalism: Ethical lessons from fake news (seriously).Journal of Mass Media Ethics,22(4), 300-314. Brewer, P. R., Marquardt, E. (2007). Mock news and democracy: analyzing The Daily Show.Atlantic Journal of Communication,15(4), 249-267. Brewer, P. R., Young, D. G., Morreale, M. (2013). The impact of real news about fake news: Intertextual processes and political satire.International Journal of Public Opinion Research,25(3), 323-343. Kaplan, A. M., Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media.Business horizons,53(1), 59-68. McBeth, M. K., Clemons, R. S. (2011). Is Fake News the Real News?.The Stewart/Colbert Effect: Essays on the Real Impacts of Fake News. Ed. Amarnath Amarasingam. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. Metaxas, P. T., Mustafaraj, E. (2012). Social media and the elections.Science,338(6106), 472-473. Reilly, I. (2012). Satirical fake news and/as American political discourse.The Journal of American Culture,35(3), 258-275. Walgrave, S., Lefevere, J., Nuytemans, M. (2009). Issue ownership stability and change: How political parties claim and maintain issues through media appearances.Political Communication,26(2), 153-172.

The Use of Symbolism with “Young Goodman Brown” Essay Example

The Use of Symbolism with â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† Paper In â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†, Nathanial Hawthorne uses the literary device of symbolism as a means of conveying the theme of original sin existing in society, and within everyone. He brings his main character on a journey through a symbolic forest, using the imagery and connotations of the forest to give insight into the main character’s awakening to the evil surrounding him, the sin existent within the hearts of everyone around him, and within himself. Hawthorne’s use of symbolism leaders the protagonist into an awakening that evil is existent even in the most unexpected places, including the world immediately around him. At the beginning of the story, we see Goodman Brown naively admiring the world he lives in and his own way of life in Puritan society. He is reluctant to leave his home and his wife, Faith, and when he does he takes what he described as â€Å"a dreary road, darkened by all the gloomiest trees of the forest, which barely stood aside to let the narrow path creep through, and closed immediately behind†. We will write a custom essay sample on The Use of Symbolism with â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Use of Symbolism with â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Use of Symbolism with â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The character begins his awakening to the evil just beyond his front door at this point, represented by the dark forest that seems to envelope him, taking him to a point of no return away from the innocence of his life just moments before. In the forest, Goodman Brown encounters many people with whom he grew up respecting and admiring for their faith and righteousness, yet their appearance in the forest leads him to the realization that they have a sinful nature. The connotations surrounding the forest (the darkness, the unknown, the fear) lead us to this conclusion as well, as we see people in his life interact comfortably with the man representing evil and all gathering at â€Å"the communion† of their race, led by the strange man who seems like a symbol of Satan. It is obvious that at this point the author is trying to relay his view that all humans possess an evil side, and trying to convey a message about original sin because the man representing the devil resembles Goodman Brown’s father, a symbol of how it transfers from parent to child naturally. When Goodman Brown is cursed with the ability to â€Å"penetrate, in every bosom, the deep mystery of sin, the fountain of all wicked arts†, he is able to see the sin existing in all of the people he once esteemed. Yet, it was not only their sin he became aware of, but also that within himself. Early in the story we are shown the faith he had, represented by his wife, and how he clung to it, but as he comes to realize the condition of others he sees the same condition within himself. The ‘dark man’ brings him on a journey through the forest as a means of taking him away from that faith, and when his wife Faith shows up at the gathering in the woods as well, we see his resistance to sin wear down because he realizes that his faith and sin must coexist together within himself. During the congregation scene in the woods with the ‘dark man’ leading, Hawthorne describes the meeting place as â€Å"one extremity of an open space, hemmed in by the dark wall of the forest†, a place closed to the outside world beyond the trees. It is as if the author is using this smaller space in the forest as a representation of Goodman Brown himself, and the fact evil and his Faith exist together in the world as a means of showing us what the protagonist is discovering. In the story â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†, Hawthorne creates a moral allegory that uses the darkness and unknown nature of the forest to represent the new insight into human nature that Goodman Brown develops by the end of the story. He is described in the last paragraph as â€Å"a stern, sad, darkly meditative, and distrustful, if not desperate, man† from that point on. The author allows the reader to figure out for himself that the dark, dreary, gloomy forest was the symbol of evil within the world as a whole and when the main character could no longer ignore that, he could no longer enjoy the other side of his nature, or the good within anyone else within his life.

3 Major Changes Happening in Retail in 5 Years

3 Major Changes Happening in Retail in 5 Years Are you currently employed in a retail position or looking to find one? If so, and you’re in it for the long haul, you can expect to encounter some big changes across the industry in the next several years. This is due to a variety of factors- from technological innovation that’s reshaping how consumers purchase products, to changes in the global economy and individual spending habits. 1. Basic Industry TrendsHere are some of the basic trends that are expected in retail over the next several years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:Retail employment is projected to grow at a rate of 2 percent. This is slower than average, but opportunities will be available, largely due to the high employment turnover that’s characteristic of the industry.The greatest concentration of retail employment will be on the east and west coasts of the United States; the states with the highest employment levels will likely be California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. Places with the highest annual mean retail wages will likely be the District of Columbia, Washington, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.Industries with the highest levels of retail employment will likely be general merchandising stores, clothing stores, building supplies dealers, sporting goods and hobby shops, and car dealerships.2. Changes in Hiring ProceduresDo your memories regarding the retail positions you’ve held throughout your career involve walking into various stores, completing paper applications, and submitting it to an employee or manager? If so, then you can expect to notice a change in how hiring is done over the next few years. Expect the slow, old â€Å"paper and pen† application process, which often meant weeks of waiting for a response while mountains of applications were reviewed, to be replaced by a more computerized and efficient hiring process- from applying to onboarding and everything in between.Many of the components of hiring are b eing automated and shifting to computers, allowing for a faster turnaround time. Savvy and progressive-minded companies are realizing that satisfied and well-adjusted employees (from day one, when they’re still candidates) are crucial to their success, and are focusing on improving the â€Å"candidate experience,† which means making the hiring process as easy, transparent, and confusion-free as possible. Some are even embracing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen candidates and keep them updated throughout the hiring process faster and better than ever before. The ultimate goal here is for companies to attract and retain the best available talent to staff their teams, which will ultimately benefit their bottom lines and long-term success.3. Growth in E-CommerceThe shift in consumer purchasing and spending habits from brick and mortar stores to online shopping is undeniable- and has impacted every aspect of the retail sector, including job opportunities. As mor e people choose to shop online, expect to see less of a need for physical stores to connect with customers. As a result, we can expect to see a portion of the retail staffing needs of companies shift from in-store employment to online positions, including customer support, warehousing and inventory tasks, and more.Therefore, tech-savvy candidates with computer skills under their belts will likely have the best chances of obtaining the retail jobs of the future. If this sounds like you then you should be in good shape, but if your computer skills need some work then it might be a worthwhile investment to get them up to speed.There it is- a glimpse at some of the changes that you can expect to see in retail hiring and employment over the next 5 years. Use this information to help you prepare for the retail world of the future, and avoid any big surprises. Good luck!

Keurig's Decision to Implement DRM Technology In Future Coffee Brewers Essay

Keurig's Decision to Implement DRM Technology In Future Coffee Brewers - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that with Keurig planning to expand its coffee brewing business to new levels, they have seen protecting their digital rights as the main step to move forward as they keep off the third party from their operations. With competition also in place from its main rivals Treehouse foods and Rogers family company, how well Keurig survives with its new technology is yet to be seen as both competitors have sued Keurig for unfair competition for creating a monopoly. The great coffee war in 2014 is coming with Keurig taking that direction, third parties will not have a way in the coffee market as Keurig plans to take a monopoly position as they will not use their cheap coffee pods in the new machine. Keurigs chief executive officer claims that this will only boost the performance of their coffee market, meaning that the consumer will suffer from the increased coffee prices while innovation takes its new entry to the coffee market. This battle has eve n been transformed into litigation as Treehouse food sued Green mountain coffee the parent company of Keurig back in February this year claiming that Keurig has been involved in the unfair competition, in the market by creating a monopoly environment that would see the company drive many form the coffee brewing market. Another war is also coming as Rogers’s family company also considering litigation on the same. Jon Rogers claims that if Green mountain coffee is allowed to introduce the Keurig 2.0 machine with digital restrictions in it, this will amount to restraint in trade, and this would mean that Keurig 1.0 was the only brewer in the market. How this plays in the next coming months will be interesting to follow as the coffee giants battle it in the corridors of justice. The Keurig 2.0 with digital rights management will block unlicensed K-cup alternatives used by coffee brewers; it is of great importance to any big and historical company to protect its heritage by embrac ing the current technology.

Anti-Death Penalty Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Anti-Death Penalty - Research Paper Example As the paper outlines many imaginative and cruel ways of implementing the death penalty have been witnessed through time – from the guillotine to the garrote to firing squads to gas chambers to electric chairs -- before the more â€Å"humane† lethal injection has been made the manner of choice in countries that consider themselves civilized. However, there still are some countries in the world that use cruel ways of implementing capital punishment. Worse, these are for crimes that in many jurisdictions would not warrant the death penalty, or in some cases, any punishment at all. In Sudan, for example, a married person found guilty of adultery is executed by stoning; an unmarried person receives 100 lashes. In Afghanistan during the Taliban regime, a woman and a man were stoned to death in public using palm-sized stones for non-marital sex. The man died within minutes but the woman had to be finished off by dropping a large chunk of stone over her head. This paper will a rgue that the death penalty should no longer be used as a form of punishment. Four main arguments will be forwarded. First, the irrevocability of the death penalty means that there is no hope of correcting an injustice committed against a convict later found to be innocent. Second, it violates the principle of restorative justice, which should replace the principle of retributive justice. Third, it has been proven by empirical evidence that it in no way deters crime or helps in crime prevention. Fourth, racial biases affect any objective application of the death penalty law.  Human errors and frailty, as well as the lack of adequate forensic facilities in some countries, have led to many convictions that later turn out to be wrong. In a situation where the maximum penalty that may be meted out is life imprisonment, the State may still be able to provide reparation for an innocent man wrongly convicted. He will be allowed to go free and will even be given damages. In a country wher e the death penalty is legal, the finality of the sentence of death renders any mistake in convictions irreversible.  The problem is seriously considering that, according to a death penalty information website, "since 1973, at least 121 people have been released from death row after evidence of their innocence emerged. During the same period of time, over 982 people have been executed. Thus, for every eight people executed, we have found one person on death row who never should have been convicted."  This issue has generated widespread public outrage and is perhaps one of the more compelling reasons as to why the anti-death penalty advocates are gaining ground. Says Haines (125):  An analysis of newspaper coverage suggests that flawed convictions, in which possibly innocent persons either suffer or narrowly escape execution, are especially potent threats to public support for capital punishment. The injustice brought about by sending an innocent man to prison is magnified a th ousandfold by the horrific idea that such an innocent man might be wrongly executed. There can be no recompense that may be provided to the dead. In recent times, we have seen a paradigm shift from retributive justice, where a convict is made to pay for grievances to the community he belongs to, to restorative justice, wherein a recognition is made that a crime has been committed and a wrong has been done, but the convict is still a member of the community and is perceived as a human being with the capacity for reform.  

Auto-ethnography Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Auto-ethnography - Personal Statement Example From this paper it is clear that  relative to that short description about some of their prevalent traits, the reporter   can say that they have been significant influence to his life and character in multiple ways. Today, when he is troubled or required to make a crucial decision, the author reminisces and asks himself, ‘what would his parents do?’, depending on the situation. Some of the occurrences that molded him took place when he was young and even though some of them were sad, he learn a lot from them. After the author started going to school, his great-grandmother passed on and it hit his mother hard. In fact, she had an emotional breakdown that made everyone sad and sorry.  This essay stresses that his parents were very religious and at a tender age, the reporter adopted this as a familial habit but later on came to understand everything. He can remember listening to the Quran regularly as his parents took turns in reading it. Moreover, on Fridays, they wo uld watch Khotba on the television as a family. This habits act as a firm foundation to his beliefs as a Muslim. Additionally, his dad owned a farm and every week they would visit and engage in different activities. His favorite and most memorable moments were riding his bike and playing with the rabbits.  Based on the Islamic culture, gatherings and family events were significant to us as Muslims and a family. When possible, the reporter would attend gatherings with the extended family members every week and twice a year, have Eid celebrations.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Abstract The following dissertation focuses on a personal development technique called Continuing Professional Development (CPD). With the world of construction constantly changing, professionals in the industry need to keep up to speed with the changing elements of the industry nationally and internationally. This dissertation assesses the CPD process that the industrys institutions provide for members and assesses how CPD is carried out. It also looks at how beneficial CPD is to the professionals who participate and the company they work for. By the end of this dissertation the role of these institutions should be easily identifiable in professional development and how participation can give working professionals a competitive edge on-site and help them progress in their careers both in and outside their existing company. This dissertation also encapsulates the opinions of some of the professional members of the industry involved in CPD. It will assess how CPD has influenced them in their career and will make recommendations on how to refine the process. Introduction This chapter explains the core elements of the study which includes a definition, hypothesis, aims and objectives, parameters of study and research methodology. Definition of Topic The definition of CPD in general is continual learning, regardless of age or seniority, which focuses on professional competency in a professional role. Its aim is to improve personal performance and enhance career progression. Over recent years the benefits of structured CPD have been identified within the construction industry. To become a chartered professional under a construction based institution(e.g. the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB)) professionals must show they have been involved in a structured CPD process. Records must be maintained to show this before professionals may transgress. With the current economic climate, construction professionals need to keep their knowledge and skills to the optimum to ensure progression within their company and give them an advantage when looking for work elsewhere. CPD not only applies to the working professional but also to those unemployed who want to increase their chances when opportunities occur. Hypothesis CPD improves the performance and enhances the career progression of a professional in the construction industry. Aim of Dissertation The aim of this dissertation is to produce a piece of work that explains the process of CPD in relation to the construction industry. The dissertation will also assess the advantages of CPD; identify why it is important and how it can be improved. Objectives The objectives of this dissertation are to: Explain what CPD is in general and in a construction context. Identify which construction related professional institutes provide a structured CPD system for their members. Assess CPD within these institutes; compare advantages or disadvantages of each and recommend measures to improve their CPD systems effectiveness. Establish how important CPD is to each participants professional performance, development and career progression. Establish how important effective CPD is to a professionals performance and the company that employ them. Gather together the opinion of working professional in the construction industry on the benefits of CPD. Parameter of Study This study contains a general overview of CPD in terms of professionalism as a whole in any career path. It then focuses on CPD specifically in the construction industry and gives an in depth analysis of the role of professional institutes and its members who participate. It also identifies how important CPD is the construction industry today, both to the individual themselves and the company that employ them. Research Methodology There were a number of different methods of research used to complete this study including both primary and secondary research which are detailed below. Secondary Research: Books Various books were sourced both in the GMIT library and the online library of the CIOB. These books and extracts from books were used as a reference and for background information and reading. Some books covered CPD overall and others covered CPD specifically in the construction industry. Electronic Journals Official Reports Surveys Many of the reports and surveys read were carried out within the last decade in regard to the construction industry as well as CPD in other professions across the UK and in Ireland. These gave a good insight into CPD in other professions, what elements of CPD are important and in what direction CPD in construction is heading. Internet There was a mass of information available on the internet which contained both up-to-date and older material. Not all sources found were reliable, but pockets of valid information was uncovered throughout my research on the internet. Much background information was found which was helpful in getting different partys opinions on CPD and how it should be carried out. Many official websites were also useful in getting information on how CPD is provided to individuals by professional bodies both in construction and outside too. A lot of information was gathered through these sites to establish how CPD was made available to construction professionals. Primary Research: The four leading professional bodies in construction were chosen as the basis of my primary study. These include the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB), the Society of Chartered Surveyors(SCS), Engineers Ireland(IEI) and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland(RIAI). All four institutes have many members from various construction backgrounds and play a major role in the development of these professionals through CPD. Information on their CPD policy and practice was gathered and semi-structured interviews were then carried out with the relevant staff members of each institute to consolidate the information collected. Interviews were also carried out with members of the different institutes to get the receivers point of view. Format of Study This thesis will be carried out using the following chapter: Introduction to CPD In Chapter 2 CPD will be looked at in relation to the entire working world. CPD can be applied to any profession but also has similarities to the personal development of an individual. With the global economy rapidly evolving, new patterns of work and learning have emerged worldwide. Massive growth in sectors like information technology(IT) means that people working in that sector need to keep up with the changes or they will be left behind. The main purpose of continuing development personally is to maximise enjoyment of work and life. Therefore we need to be continually responding to the changing world around us. â€Å"Are you living to work or working to live?†(Megginson Whitaker, 2007) Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is based around the whole concept self-motivation and self management. It all depends on how motivated the participant is to learn about the career they are undertaking and can apply to any professional in the working world. It is particularly relevant to professions such as teaching, nursing and accountancy where ongoing learning is crucial.(Megginson Whitaker 2007) â€Å"The most precious asset any professional controls is knowledge of the discipline and the skill to apply it effectively. Over the long run it is more important to maintain the value of this asset than the office, the furniture, the computer hardware, or even the bank account.†(www.riai.ie/cpd Accessed 19/02/2010) History of CPD CPD has been around in various different forms for a long time. It is only over the past 25 years that CPD has been formalised and endorsed by professional membership bodies. Its history is as follows: 1850: Professionals met up in coffee houses to discuss practice and share notes 1984: Chartered Institute of Personal Development(CIPD) created a policy statement on CPD 1986: Construction Industry Council(CIC) defined CPD 1990: UK Inter-Professional Group(UKIPG 1977) CPD Forum set-up 1995: CPD becomes a requirement for all practicing CIPD Members 1999: CIC definition of CPD most commonly cited definition 2000: Institute of Professional Development(IPD) was granted a Royal Charter 2009: Aspirations to move from input to output and outcome-driven CPD schemes(Institute of Continuing Professional Development(ICPD) What is CPD? CPD is a process completed by the majority of professionals in the working world, either consciously or unconsciously. Its main purpose is to implement a system of continued learning and development separate to what they would learn through their daily work. Two definitions of CPD are as follows: â€Å"Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is the process by which individuals take control of their own learning and development, by engaging in an on-going process of reflection and action.†(Megginson, Whitaker, 2007) â€Å"The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities necessary for execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individuals working life.†(Construction Industry Council, UK, 1986) CPD has many functions in the role of a professional. It ensures the professional maintains a high level of competence in their field and has the up-to-date skills and knowledge to provide a competent service to their client or employer. CPD also has a knock-on effect which encourages further development in many areas. This process empowers the individual to achieve their goals and encourages them to look at their career progression from a wider perspective. Self-motivation is a key element in this process, where the individual is the main driving force behind this new learning. It is their own responsibility to develop themselves and is not up their manager or employer. If the individual has no desire to learn CPD is a pointless process. Feedback from a CPD survey in 2008 indicates that members see two key benefits in undertaking CPD: It helps them maintain their knowledge and skills, and maintain professional and ethical standards.(PARN CPD survey 2008) Need for CPD CPD has evolved from the individuals thinking that career progression not only relates to secure job within an organisation but by the skills, knowledge and experiences obtained by the individual. CPD is also needed to ensure working professionals are providing an adequate service to their clients and employers. Services such as advice must be given so that changes to the environment associated with the decision are taken into account. This ensures the client gets the best service available for the fee paid. Soon to be professionals also need to maintain an adequate amount of CPD to progress to the next stage towards becoming chartered in most organisations. This goes a long way to fulfilling their need towards becoming a competent professional. Core Concepts of CPD How is CPD different to other types of training and development? The learner is in control-the whole CPD process is self-driven and managed where learning outcomes are directly proportionate to the time and effort participant puts into the process. They must be self- motivated, which means the participant must want to continue learning to be successful no matter what position or profession. It can apply to most aspects of life-CPD can apply to life outside work as well. For example, personal development can be achieved through implementing some of the knowledge or skills to improve family communications etc. There is a regular plan, do and evaluate process involved, which sets achievable goals and reflects on work put in which can spurs on further development. CPD can be beneficial without the support of others in their working environment. All professionals can complete CPD regardless of working situation, whether they work for a company or are self-employed and deal directly with their own clients. Of course support from employer would be more beneficial but it is not essential as interaction is mostly between the professional body and individual. Although some employers incorporate CPD into the training and development programmes of all employees. Methods of Learning through CPD CPD revolves around the whole learning process and the methods with which learning is provided is a very important part of the process. These methods ensure professionals can improve their skills and knowledge and gain relevant experience. Formal, non-formal and informal methods of learning include any process relevant to a profession that improves skills, knowledge and the experiences of a professional. CPD activities can include in-house training, open learning, conferences, seminars, workshops, structured reading, self-study, presentations and being a coach or mentor. Structured Unstructured CPD: All CPD comes under the heading of structured or unstructured CPD. Structured CPD is where the learning outcomes are identified in advance of learning. This CPD does not have to be provided or accredited by the participants institution or professional body. Structured CPD covers any educational event or programme run by a recognised educational or professional institution. Structured CPD must also be accompanied by attendance records or a certificate to prove process has been successfully completed. Unstructured CPD is an unplanned CPD activity that can be completed at any time or anywhere at the participants discretion. Activities that qualify as unstructured CPD include personal study or development, peer review and other activities such as case studies that are not part of other course requirements. Reflection on both of these CPD learning methods is crucial before CPD can be recorded. CPD methods of learning do not necessarily need to be provided by a professional body. They can be provided by an employer or other organisation which then can be accredited by the body as a worthwhile process. Constant reading of up to date reports, journals, magazines, newspapers and reviews relevant to a specific profession is probably the most common method. Reading is a very easy way of learning if the reader has an interest in the subject and puts the effort in to focus and concentrate on what they are reading. It is a very efficient method as it can be resumed over the space of a few minutes and it does not entail the use of another individuals time. Time management is a massive element in any professionals working life where they are always working to tight schedule. This means they may only have a few minutes a day to set aside for CPD of which reading is the perfect filler. Conferences and the gathering of professionals at CPD events are a fixed way of delivering CPD to practicing professionals. These may take place every few months and give attendees a chance to catch up with fellow professionals and discuss relevant issues. They may exchange ideas or opinions and can get in touch with useful contacts which may be important in the future. Seminars and lectures are also common where a leader of a profession may speak or organise a talk on issues that are changing the roles and lives of a professional or the industry they work in. Experts in the field may be asked to explain some new issue and give an opinion on what should be done. It is very important for professional bodies to hold these gatherings as it can influence and guide the way in which professionals across the world carry out there work. With resources on the internet constantly being upgraded it has now become very beneficial to CPD. Information is now much more accessible to the professional in their workplace, this method of learning is commonly known as e-learning. Readable information does not necessarily need to be sent to the professionals workplace anymore as these sources are now regularly being uploaded on professional body websites which are available 24 hours a day. This means waiting times are virtually eliminated as most magazines, reports and other such information are now available on the internet. Videos of seminars, conferences and podcasts can now be easily accessed which means information can be dispersed quickly and accurately straight to the professionals computer. This is a major time saving method as travelling times are eliminated and a much wider audience can be reached at one time. Assessments can also be uploaded onto a professional bodys website immediately after learning has taken place or can be submitted by email at any time. Records are much more easily kept when communicating through the internet; most websites make records accessible to professional membership which makes reflection a lot easier too. Professionals can be trained through workplace training which trains a small group of professionals within a company(s) on a specific topic. This method encourages participants to get more involved and can increase their understanding of the topic. A full list of CPD activities may include: Open distance learning(the internet, video packages, slide/tape packages, correspondence courses) Private study including systematic study of appropriate literature or research, or even learning a relevant language Technical and professional conferences, lectures, seminars, workshops, study tours, technical visits and short courses Courses leading to professional qualification or academic awards Writing articles for publication Teaching(for those not at teaching posts) Practice(for those in teaching posts) Preparing papers and contributing to technical meetings and study groups Examining, tutoring or mentoring(www.ciob.org.uk-Accessed 26/02/2010) Professional Bodies CPD is crucial to the success of any working professional. One crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of CPD to a professional is the professional body that provides the platform for this new learning. The majority of professional bodies, such as the CIOB, are non-profit making organisations that are established to support their professional members. They work to try and satisfy the needs of a specific group of people who work in the same field. Professional bodies simply started out as a group of professionals who got together to discuss relevant issues in their field and share ideas. There are hundreds of these bodies and institutes set up all over the world dealing in a multitude of different professions and even ordinary jobs, from secretaries to project managers. Professional organisations aim to assist and direct their members on the road to success. This is achieved by providing the tools to sharpen the professionals skills and knowledge. Being a member means you have unlimited access to all the educational resources and services needed to continue your professional development. They provide members with information, training, education, tips, advice and strategies to assist them in reaching the height of their professional career. It gives many opportunities to mingle with fellow professionals and employers in their specific field which could be of benefit when seeking career opportunities. This is one major reason why professionals join these organisations, to be recognised by the body and their codes of practice. Membership indicates to the existing or future employers that the individual is dedicated and has ambition to succeed in their profession. Professional bodies are also there to promote professionalism in their industry and help push members to achieve the standards of excellence associated with their profession. They are committed to developing and maintaining standards and policies for education within their profession and can also push for social awareness and debate. Some organisations can even influence government and industrial policy decisions.(www.nightcourses.com) CPD within Professional Bodies CPD was originally developed as part of the main objectives set out by these organisations, to educate their members. This process evolved and continual learning was identified as a pivotal part of the education process. This identifies clearly with the last three decades or so where the world of business has changed dramatically in every aspect. Professionals can no longer be content with sufficient skills and knowledge at a point in time, but have to be continually updating them to have a chance of survival. Professional bodies can now satisfy these needs through the use of CPD. The following figures from a survey carried out in the UK by the Professions Associations Research Network(PARN) show how widely CPD is used. 85% of professional bodies have CPD Policies in place 20% compulsory schemes(increased by 3% since 2003) 20% obligatory 43% voluntary 14% mixed (PARN survey for the International Accounting Education Standards Board(IAESB)) Recording Assessing CPD There are a number of different ways in which CPD can be recorded and assessed. This a crucial part of the process which is being implemented more and more. Recording what is learned is beneficial to both the participant and the body who assess them. Input based CPD is the most commonly used system where CPD is measured by recording the amount of time put into the process by the participant through the amount of hours they put in. Most professional bodies regulate the number of hours a professional needs to put in to progress within the organisation. This system is not as accurate as some other methods as the effort put in by the participant cannot be assessed. Smaller bodies tend to have more input-based CPD than the larger bodies as fewer resources are needed to run the programme compared to other systems. Input-based schemes are most commonly used in health, finance, law, business and management, with professional bodies with regulatory responsibilities currently favouring input-based schemes. Output-based CPD is another common system where the participant is assessed on what they have learned through CPD over a period of time. A regular peer review is a common method of assessment where experienced members of the profession review what has been learned. CPD can be self assessed also where participants reflect on what they have learned and how this can be applied to their daily working lives. Professional bodies may also require their members to complete an assessment or report directly after learning and send it to their body so it can be assessed and recorded. Engineering, construction and media bodies use mostly output-based schemes to assess their members progress. 66% of professional bodies measure CPD 28% input based(60% in hours/ 24% in points/ 12% other) 20% output-based(competency-based/ reflective/ peer review etc) 17% combination More measurement in other countries like Australia Canada CPD Cycle The CPD cycle is similar to most other management cycles and contains four key elements planning, action, evaluation and reflection on action. The cycle can be entered at two points, reflection on practice and action, but always ends at evaluation no matter which starting point is chosen. Reflection on practice-The CPD cycle may start at this stage if you think that you need to learn something maybe by not knowing something that you think you should know or by identifying an inadequacy when completing your day-to-day job. What needs to be learned may often be identified by looking back to any experience in your normal day-to-day work where something stands out or has gone wrong. Reflection on practice can be as simple as a personal interest which you would like to follow up. â€Å"What do I need to learn?† â€Å"How do I know thats what I need to learn?† Planning-Planning is essential to any process carried out in business. It enables the objectives and targets of the CPD to be identified before the process begins and gives people involved a better understanding. By looking back over the previous cycle the individual can work out what needs to be learned and how they can go about learning it. To plan the relevant CPD to be undertaken the participant must be able to identify gaps between current and needed competencies. Personal Development Plans(PDP) are a good way to help you think about where you would like to be professionally in the short, medium or long-term. â€Å"When do I need to learn it?† â€Å"How important is it for me to learn it?† â€Å"How exactly am I going to learn it-what are my options? Action-The CPD cycle can start at action purely by chance through unexpected learning that has occurred without previous planning. This is called ‘unscheduled learning where the individual hadnt consciously set out to learn. Action can also play a part in ‘scheduled learningwhere the process starts back at the reflection stage. Schedule learning occurs where an area for learning is uncovered and a plan is put in place before action is taken. â€Å"What have I gained from this action?† Evaluation-Evaluation is always the last stage of the CPD cycle and is one of the most important. The aim of this stage is to identify if plans set out and actions taken delivered on what they were set out to achieve and how this learning has been applied. If the objectives were achieved then a full cycle has taken place. CPD may not impact on the individuals work immediately after learning has taken place. The specific CPD cycle can be completed at a later stage when knowledge is put into use. If the process has not or has only partially delivered then the participant has to decide whether learning set out still has to happen or whether the topic lost its relevance along the way. â€Å"Did I learn what I set out to learn?† â€Å"How have I applied what I have learned?†(www.uptodate.org.uk-Accessed 19/02/2010) CPD in Construction Introduction The need for CPD is widely acknowledged in the construction industry. There are three main parties that need to co-operate fully in order to extract the most from CPD, the professional themselves, their employer and the professional body they are a member of. All three have responsibilities to uphold to carry out successful CPD which will be discussed later in the chapter. Other parties that also play a part include the government and independent CPD providers. The Individual Professional Whatever CPD is being undertaken the individual professional is central and has full control over what is learned and how much development occurs. Motivation is key in this aspect, no motivation means minimal learning and development takes place. Professionals may be self-motivated through their own drive or ambition to achieve; this can also be linked to the personality of the professional. Their working environment and the people around them can have significant affect also on a professionals motivation or will to achieve. Construction like many other industries forces the professionals working within it to constantly improve and is never at a stand still. From the day a professional graduates their skills and knowledge is gradually being out-dated and need to be improved to keep up to scratch. Most professional bodies set up a framework for their members to work from but it is the individuals own responsibility to implement this framework appropriately. This framework sets out various techniques to plan, implement, review and evaluate CPD. The Employer The employer can be very influential on how effective CPD is on the professionals they employ. The employers mind set and understanding of CPD is crucial in facilitating professionals with an adequate environment to carry out CPD. There are many benefits to the employer who invests time and money into the CPD needs of their employees which are explained below. To have the optimum effect employer must encourage their professionals to part take in CPD both at the workplace and with other CPD providers. This may be achieved by allowing professionals time off during working on an ongoing basis to complete external training courses, in-house training and other CPD events. Employers co-funding of CPD is also important to show the professional that they are being backed by their employer and that there is no financial downside on the professional by completing CPD. The employees of a good company are one of its most important assets. Supporting professionals CPD reaps many benefits for the company as a whole in the long run. Professionals become more competent in their jobs, increasing job satisfaction, and have a wider knowledge of the overall construction industry. They can also boost the knowledge and skills they have in a specific field and learn more about other areas in which they have an interest in. This may give them an extra dimension when opportunities in that area occur. Through allowing professionals to be trained and advised outside of the company, a stead stream of fresh knowledge and techniques is constantly flowing into the company. These techniques and knowledge can then be passed down to other employees and used throughout the company. CPD Costs The cost of attending seminars can be offset, by certain practices and self-employed professionals, against tax as a business expense. Professional Bodies in Construction Professional bodies are the key to the advancement of any professional in construction. Without them there would be no base for the continual learning and development of professionals outside their workplace. They provide a suitable environment and many useful resources for professionals to increase their knowledge and sharpen their skills. Each institutions definition of CPD varies to some extent and their policies tend to go in line with their interpretation of what CPD is. However the majority agree that CPD is essential. CPD was applied to the construction area in the 1980s and has become a crucial part of all professions involved in construction. The affects CPD has on a bodys members depends on how well their CPD policy is structured and how well the policy is implemented. Both are vital factors and need to be assessed before and during implementation to ensure they impact successfully on members. The core group of four professional bodies, studied later, within the construction industry are all old and established institutes, but they are the professional bodies of a large percentage of Irish professionals in the industry today. They are all well over 100 years old, whether they were established in Ireland or established in Britain and an Irish branch formed. These four institutes cater for managers, engineers, surveyors of every kind and architects in construction, but may also accept various other professionals whose work relates to construction but are not necessarily linked to construction as a whole profession, lawyers or legal professionals are a prime example. Some professionals can interlink between institutes and become a member in both if the specific area they are working in is Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Abstract The following dissertation focuses on a personal development technique called Continuing Professional Development (CPD). With the world of construction constantly changing, professionals in the industry need to keep up to speed with the changing elements of the industry nationally and internationally. This dissertation assesses the CPD process that the industrys institutions provide for members and assesses how CPD is carried out. It also looks at how beneficial CPD is to the professionals who participate and the company they work for. By the end of this dissertation the role of these institutions should be easily identifiable in professional development and how participation can give working professionals a competitive edge on-site and help them progress in their careers both in and outside their existing company. This dissertation also encapsulates the opinions of some of the professional members of the industry involved in CPD. It will assess how CPD has influenced them in their career and will make recommendations on how to refine the process. Introduction This chapter explains the core elements of the study which includes a definition, hypothesis, aims and objectives, parameters of study and research methodology. Definition of Topic The definition of CPD in general is continual learning, regardless of age or seniority, which focuses on professional competency in a professional role. Its aim is to improve personal performance and enhance career progression. Over recent years the benefits of structured CPD have been identified within the construction industry. To become a chartered professional under a construction based institution(e.g. the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB)) professionals must show they have been involved in a structured CPD process. Records must be maintained to show this before professionals may transgress. With the current economic climate, construction professionals need to keep their knowledge and skills to the optimum to ensure progression within their company and give them an advantage when looking for work elsewhere. CPD not only applies to the working professional but also to those unemployed who want to increase their chances when opportunities occur. Hypothesis CPD improves the performance and enhances the career progression of a professional in the construction industry. Aim of Dissertation The aim of this dissertation is to produce a piece of work that explains the process of CPD in relation to the construction industry. The dissertation will also assess the advantages of CPD; identify why it is important and how it can be improved. Objectives The objectives of this dissertation are to: Explain what CPD is in general and in a construction context. Identify which construction related professional institutes provide a structured CPD system for their members. Assess CPD within these institutes; compare advantages or disadvantages of each and recommend measures to improve their CPD systems effectiveness. Establish how important CPD is to each participants professional performance, development and career progression. Establish how important effective CPD is to a professionals performance and the company that employ them. Gather together the opinion of working professional in the construction industry on the benefits of CPD. Parameter of Study This study contains a general overview of CPD in terms of professionalism as a whole in any career path. It then focuses on CPD specifically in the construction industry and gives an in depth analysis of the role of professional institutes and its members who participate. It also identifies how important CPD is the construction industry today, both to the individual themselves and the company that employ them. Research Methodology There were a number of different methods of research used to complete this study including both primary and secondary research which are detailed below. Secondary Research: Books Various books were sourced both in the GMIT library and the online library of the CIOB. These books and extracts from books were used as a reference and for background information and reading. Some books covered CPD overall and others covered CPD specifically in the construction industry. Electronic Journals Official Reports Surveys Many of the reports and surveys read were carried out within the last decade in regard to the construction industry as well as CPD in other professions across the UK and in Ireland. These gave a good insight into CPD in other professions, what elements of CPD are important and in what direction CPD in construction is heading. Internet There was a mass of information available on the internet which contained both up-to-date and older material. Not all sources found were reliable, but pockets of valid information was uncovered throughout my research on the internet. Much background information was found which was helpful in getting different partys opinions on CPD and how it should be carried out. Many official websites were also useful in getting information on how CPD is provided to individuals by professional bodies both in construction and outside too. A lot of information was gathered through these sites to establish how CPD was made available to construction professionals. Primary Research: The four leading professional bodies in construction were chosen as the basis of my primary study. These include the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB), the Society of Chartered Surveyors(SCS), Engineers Ireland(IEI) and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland(RIAI). All four institutes have many members from various construction backgrounds and play a major role in the development of these professionals through CPD. Information on their CPD policy and practice was gathered and semi-structured interviews were then carried out with the relevant staff members of each institute to consolidate the information collected. Interviews were also carried out with members of the different institutes to get the receivers point of view. Format of Study This thesis will be carried out using the following chapter: Introduction to CPD In Chapter 2 CPD will be looked at in relation to the entire working world. CPD can be applied to any profession but also has similarities to the personal development of an individual. With the global economy rapidly evolving, new patterns of work and learning have emerged worldwide. Massive growth in sectors like information technology(IT) means that people working in that sector need to keep up with the changes or they will be left behind. The main purpose of continuing development personally is to maximise enjoyment of work and life. Therefore we need to be continually responding to the changing world around us. â€Å"Are you living to work or working to live?†(Megginson Whitaker, 2007) Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is based around the whole concept self-motivation and self management. It all depends on how motivated the participant is to learn about the career they are undertaking and can apply to any professional in the working world. It is particularly relevant to professions such as teaching, nursing and accountancy where ongoing learning is crucial.(Megginson Whitaker 2007) â€Å"The most precious asset any professional controls is knowledge of the discipline and the skill to apply it effectively. Over the long run it is more important to maintain the value of this asset than the office, the furniture, the computer hardware, or even the bank account.†(www.riai.ie/cpd Accessed 19/02/2010) History of CPD CPD has been around in various different forms for a long time. It is only over the past 25 years that CPD has been formalised and endorsed by professional membership bodies. Its history is as follows: 1850: Professionals met up in coffee houses to discuss practice and share notes 1984: Chartered Institute of Personal Development(CIPD) created a policy statement on CPD 1986: Construction Industry Council(CIC) defined CPD 1990: UK Inter-Professional Group(UKIPG 1977) CPD Forum set-up 1995: CPD becomes a requirement for all practicing CIPD Members 1999: CIC definition of CPD most commonly cited definition 2000: Institute of Professional Development(IPD) was granted a Royal Charter 2009: Aspirations to move from input to output and outcome-driven CPD schemes(Institute of Continuing Professional Development(ICPD) What is CPD? CPD is a process completed by the majority of professionals in the working world, either consciously or unconsciously. Its main purpose is to implement a system of continued learning and development separate to what they would learn through their daily work. Two definitions of CPD are as follows: â€Å"Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is the process by which individuals take control of their own learning and development, by engaging in an on-going process of reflection and action.†(Megginson, Whitaker, 2007) â€Å"The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities necessary for execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individuals working life.†(Construction Industry Council, UK, 1986) CPD has many functions in the role of a professional. It ensures the professional maintains a high level of competence in their field and has the up-to-date skills and knowledge to provide a competent service to their client or employer. CPD also has a knock-on effect which encourages further development in many areas. This process empowers the individual to achieve their goals and encourages them to look at their career progression from a wider perspective. Self-motivation is a key element in this process, where the individual is the main driving force behind this new learning. It is their own responsibility to develop themselves and is not up their manager or employer. If the individual has no desire to learn CPD is a pointless process. Feedback from a CPD survey in 2008 indicates that members see two key benefits in undertaking CPD: It helps them maintain their knowledge and skills, and maintain professional and ethical standards.(PARN CPD survey 2008) Need for CPD CPD has evolved from the individuals thinking that career progression not only relates to secure job within an organisation but by the skills, knowledge and experiences obtained by the individual. CPD is also needed to ensure working professionals are providing an adequate service to their clients and employers. Services such as advice must be given so that changes to the environment associated with the decision are taken into account. This ensures the client gets the best service available for the fee paid. Soon to be professionals also need to maintain an adequate amount of CPD to progress to the next stage towards becoming chartered in most organisations. This goes a long way to fulfilling their need towards becoming a competent professional. Core Concepts of CPD How is CPD different to other types of training and development? The learner is in control-the whole CPD process is self-driven and managed where learning outcomes are directly proportionate to the time and effort participant puts into the process. They must be self- motivated, which means the participant must want to continue learning to be successful no matter what position or profession. It can apply to most aspects of life-CPD can apply to life outside work as well. For example, personal development can be achieved through implementing some of the knowledge or skills to improve family communications etc. There is a regular plan, do and evaluate process involved, which sets achievable goals and reflects on work put in which can spurs on further development. CPD can be beneficial without the support of others in their working environment. All professionals can complete CPD regardless of working situation, whether they work for a company or are self-employed and deal directly with their own clients. Of course support from employer would be more beneficial but it is not essential as interaction is mostly between the professional body and individual. Although some employers incorporate CPD into the training and development programmes of all employees. Methods of Learning through CPD CPD revolves around the whole learning process and the methods with which learning is provided is a very important part of the process. These methods ensure professionals can improve their skills and knowledge and gain relevant experience. Formal, non-formal and informal methods of learning include any process relevant to a profession that improves skills, knowledge and the experiences of a professional. CPD activities can include in-house training, open learning, conferences, seminars, workshops, structured reading, self-study, presentations and being a coach or mentor. Structured Unstructured CPD: All CPD comes under the heading of structured or unstructured CPD. Structured CPD is where the learning outcomes are identified in advance of learning. This CPD does not have to be provided or accredited by the participants institution or professional body. Structured CPD covers any educational event or programme run by a recognised educational or professional institution. Structured CPD must also be accompanied by attendance records or a certificate to prove process has been successfully completed. Unstructured CPD is an unplanned CPD activity that can be completed at any time or anywhere at the participants discretion. Activities that qualify as unstructured CPD include personal study or development, peer review and other activities such as case studies that are not part of other course requirements. Reflection on both of these CPD learning methods is crucial before CPD can be recorded. CPD methods of learning do not necessarily need to be provided by a professional body. They can be provided by an employer or other organisation which then can be accredited by the body as a worthwhile process. Constant reading of up to date reports, journals, magazines, newspapers and reviews relevant to a specific profession is probably the most common method. Reading is a very easy way of learning if the reader has an interest in the subject and puts the effort in to focus and concentrate on what they are reading. It is a very efficient method as it can be resumed over the space of a few minutes and it does not entail the use of another individuals time. Time management is a massive element in any professionals working life where they are always working to tight schedule. This means they may only have a few minutes a day to set aside for CPD of which reading is the perfect filler. Conferences and the gathering of professionals at CPD events are a fixed way of delivering CPD to practicing professionals. These may take place every few months and give attendees a chance to catch up with fellow professionals and discuss relevant issues. They may exchange ideas or opinions and can get in touch with useful contacts which may be important in the future. Seminars and lectures are also common where a leader of a profession may speak or organise a talk on issues that are changing the roles and lives of a professional or the industry they work in. Experts in the field may be asked to explain some new issue and give an opinion on what should be done. It is very important for professional bodies to hold these gatherings as it can influence and guide the way in which professionals across the world carry out there work. With resources on the internet constantly being upgraded it has now become very beneficial to CPD. Information is now much more accessible to the professional in their workplace, this method of learning is commonly known as e-learning. Readable information does not necessarily need to be sent to the professionals workplace anymore as these sources are now regularly being uploaded on professional body websites which are available 24 hours a day. This means waiting times are virtually eliminated as most magazines, reports and other such information are now available on the internet. Videos of seminars, conferences and podcasts can now be easily accessed which means information can be dispersed quickly and accurately straight to the professionals computer. This is a major time saving method as travelling times are eliminated and a much wider audience can be reached at one time. Assessments can also be uploaded onto a professional bodys website immediately after learning has taken place or can be submitted by email at any time. Records are much more easily kept when communicating through the internet; most websites make records accessible to professional membership which makes reflection a lot easier too. Professionals can be trained through workplace training which trains a small group of professionals within a company(s) on a specific topic. This method encourages participants to get more involved and can increase their understanding of the topic. A full list of CPD activities may include: Open distance learning(the internet, video packages, slide/tape packages, correspondence courses) Private study including systematic study of appropriate literature or research, or even learning a relevant language Technical and professional conferences, lectures, seminars, workshops, study tours, technical visits and short courses Courses leading to professional qualification or academic awards Writing articles for publication Teaching(for those not at teaching posts) Practice(for those in teaching posts) Preparing papers and contributing to technical meetings and study groups Examining, tutoring or mentoring(www.ciob.org.uk-Accessed 26/02/2010) Professional Bodies CPD is crucial to the success of any working professional. One crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of CPD to a professional is the professional body that provides the platform for this new learning. The majority of professional bodies, such as the CIOB, are non-profit making organisations that are established to support their professional members. They work to try and satisfy the needs of a specific group of people who work in the same field. Professional bodies simply started out as a group of professionals who got together to discuss relevant issues in their field and share ideas. There are hundreds of these bodies and institutes set up all over the world dealing in a multitude of different professions and even ordinary jobs, from secretaries to project managers. Professional organisations aim to assist and direct their members on the road to success. This is achieved by providing the tools to sharpen the professionals skills and knowledge. Being a member means you have unlimited access to all the educational resources and services needed to continue your professional development. They provide members with information, training, education, tips, advice and strategies to assist them in reaching the height of their professional career. It gives many opportunities to mingle with fellow professionals and employers in their specific field which could be of benefit when seeking career opportunities. This is one major reason why professionals join these organisations, to be recognised by the body and their codes of practice. Membership indicates to the existing or future employers that the individual is dedicated and has ambition to succeed in their profession. Professional bodies are also there to promote professionalism in their industry and help push members to achieve the standards of excellence associated with their profession. They are committed to developing and maintaining standards and policies for education within their profession and can also push for social awareness and debate. Some organisations can even influence government and industrial policy decisions.(www.nightcourses.com) CPD within Professional Bodies CPD was originally developed as part of the main objectives set out by these organisations, to educate their members. This process evolved and continual learning was identified as a pivotal part of the education process. This identifies clearly with the last three decades or so where the world of business has changed dramatically in every aspect. Professionals can no longer be content with sufficient skills and knowledge at a point in time, but have to be continually updating them to have a chance of survival. Professional bodies can now satisfy these needs through the use of CPD. The following figures from a survey carried out in the UK by the Professions Associations Research Network(PARN) show how widely CPD is used. 85% of professional bodies have CPD Policies in place 20% compulsory schemes(increased by 3% since 2003) 20% obligatory 43% voluntary 14% mixed (PARN survey for the International Accounting Education Standards Board(IAESB)) Recording Assessing CPD There are a number of different ways in which CPD can be recorded and assessed. This a crucial part of the process which is being implemented more and more. Recording what is learned is beneficial to both the participant and the body who assess them. Input based CPD is the most commonly used system where CPD is measured by recording the amount of time put into the process by the participant through the amount of hours they put in. Most professional bodies regulate the number of hours a professional needs to put in to progress within the organisation. This system is not as accurate as some other methods as the effort put in by the participant cannot be assessed. Smaller bodies tend to have more input-based CPD than the larger bodies as fewer resources are needed to run the programme compared to other systems. Input-based schemes are most commonly used in health, finance, law, business and management, with professional bodies with regulatory responsibilities currently favouring input-based schemes. Output-based CPD is another common system where the participant is assessed on what they have learned through CPD over a period of time. A regular peer review is a common method of assessment where experienced members of the profession review what has been learned. CPD can be self assessed also where participants reflect on what they have learned and how this can be applied to their daily working lives. Professional bodies may also require their members to complete an assessment or report directly after learning and send it to their body so it can be assessed and recorded. Engineering, construction and media bodies use mostly output-based schemes to assess their members progress. 66% of professional bodies measure CPD 28% input based(60% in hours/ 24% in points/ 12% other) 20% output-based(competency-based/ reflective/ peer review etc) 17% combination More measurement in other countries like Australia Canada CPD Cycle The CPD cycle is similar to most other management cycles and contains four key elements planning, action, evaluation and reflection on action. The cycle can be entered at two points, reflection on practice and action, but always ends at evaluation no matter which starting point is chosen. Reflection on practice-The CPD cycle may start at this stage if you think that you need to learn something maybe by not knowing something that you think you should know or by identifying an inadequacy when completing your day-to-day job. What needs to be learned may often be identified by looking back to any experience in your normal day-to-day work where something stands out or has gone wrong. Reflection on practice can be as simple as a personal interest which you would like to follow up. â€Å"What do I need to learn?† â€Å"How do I know thats what I need to learn?† Planning-Planning is essential to any process carried out in business. It enables the objectives and targets of the CPD to be identified before the process begins and gives people involved a better understanding. By looking back over the previous cycle the individual can work out what needs to be learned and how they can go about learning it. To plan the relevant CPD to be undertaken the participant must be able to identify gaps between current and needed competencies. Personal Development Plans(PDP) are a good way to help you think about where you would like to be professionally in the short, medium or long-term. â€Å"When do I need to learn it?† â€Å"How important is it for me to learn it?† â€Å"How exactly am I going to learn it-what are my options? Action-The CPD cycle can start at action purely by chance through unexpected learning that has occurred without previous planning. This is called ‘unscheduled learning where the individual hadnt consciously set out to learn. Action can also play a part in ‘scheduled learningwhere the process starts back at the reflection stage. Schedule learning occurs where an area for learning is uncovered and a plan is put in place before action is taken. â€Å"What have I gained from this action?† Evaluation-Evaluation is always the last stage of the CPD cycle and is one of the most important. The aim of this stage is to identify if plans set out and actions taken delivered on what they were set out to achieve and how this learning has been applied. If the objectives were achieved then a full cycle has taken place. CPD may not impact on the individuals work immediately after learning has taken place. The specific CPD cycle can be completed at a later stage when knowledge is put into use. If the process has not or has only partially delivered then the participant has to decide whether learning set out still has to happen or whether the topic lost its relevance along the way. â€Å"Did I learn what I set out to learn?† â€Å"How have I applied what I have learned?†(www.uptodate.org.uk-Accessed 19/02/2010) CPD in Construction Introduction The need for CPD is widely acknowledged in the construction industry. There are three main parties that need to co-operate fully in order to extract the most from CPD, the professional themselves, their employer and the professional body they are a member of. All three have responsibilities to uphold to carry out successful CPD which will be discussed later in the chapter. Other parties that also play a part include the government and independent CPD providers. The Individual Professional Whatever CPD is being undertaken the individual professional is central and has full control over what is learned and how much development occurs. Motivation is key in this aspect, no motivation means minimal learning and development takes place. Professionals may be self-motivated through their own drive or ambition to achieve; this can also be linked to the personality of the professional. Their working environment and the people around them can have significant affect also on a professionals motivation or will to achieve. Construction like many other industries forces the professionals working within it to constantly improve and is never at a stand still. From the day a professional graduates their skills and knowledge is gradually being out-dated and need to be improved to keep up to scratch. Most professional bodies set up a framework for their members to work from but it is the individuals own responsibility to implement this framework appropriately. This framework sets out various techniques to plan, implement, review and evaluate CPD. The Employer The employer can be very influential on how effective CPD is on the professionals they employ. The employers mind set and understanding of CPD is crucial in facilitating professionals with an adequate environment to carry out CPD. There are many benefits to the employer who invests time and money into the CPD needs of their employees which are explained below. To have the optimum effect employer must encourage their professionals to part take in CPD both at the workplace and with other CPD providers. This may be achieved by allowing professionals time off during working on an ongoing basis to complete external training courses, in-house training and other CPD events. Employers co-funding of CPD is also important to show the professional that they are being backed by their employer and that there is no financial downside on the professional by completing CPD. The employees of a good company are one of its most important assets. Supporting professionals CPD reaps many benefits for the company as a whole in the long run. Professionals become more competent in their jobs, increasing job satisfaction, and have a wider knowledge of the overall construction industry. They can also boost the knowledge and skills they have in a specific field and learn more about other areas in which they have an interest in. This may give them an extra dimension when opportunities in that area occur. Through allowing professionals to be trained and advised outside of the company, a stead stream of fresh knowledge and techniques is constantly flowing into the company. These techniques and knowledge can then be passed down to other employees and used throughout the company. CPD Costs The cost of attending seminars can be offset, by certain practices and self-employed professionals, against tax as a business expense. Professional Bodies in Construction Professional bodies are the key to the advancement of any professional in construction. Without them there would be no base for the continual learning and development of professionals outside their workplace. They provide a suitable environment and many useful resources for professionals to increase their knowledge and sharpen their skills. Each institutions definition of CPD varies to some extent and their policies tend to go in line with their interpretation of what CPD is. However the majority agree that CPD is essential. CPD was applied to the construction area in the 1980s and has become a crucial part of all professions involved in construction. The affects CPD has on a bodys members depends on how well their CPD policy is structured and how well the policy is implemented. Both are vital factors and need to be assessed before and during implementation to ensure they impact successfully on members. The core group of four professional bodies, studied later, within the construction industry are all old and established institutes, but they are the professional bodies of a large percentage of Irish professionals in the industry today. They are all well over 100 years old, whether they were established in Ireland or established in Britain and an Irish branch formed. These four institutes cater for managers, engineers, surveyors of every kind and architects in construction, but may also accept various other professionals whose work relates to construction but are not necessarily linked to construction as a whole profession, lawyers or legal professionals are a prime example. Some professionals can interlink between institutes and become a member in both if the specific area they are working in is