Soft Systems Methodology and Activity Theory (System Thinking) Essay

Soft Systems Methodology and Activity Theory (System Thinking) - Essay Example Whereas AT inspires theoretical thought in many disciplines – psychology, culture, information systems, education, and management, disciplines that generally apply strategies involving human activity. Many researchers have cited AT as being holistically rich when it comes to understanding how humans conduct activities together with the aid of advanced tools in very dynamic and intricate settings (Adebowale, 2010). The aim of this paper is to critically evaluate how soft systems methodology and activity theory can be used to understand organisational problems. As part of this objective, the essay will also compare and contrast the two approaches and discuss relative strengths and weaknesses. SSM has undergone various modifications and revisions to become more practical, flexible, and relevant to different disciplines and organisational problems. However, SSM’s suitability to various fields has remained the most important asset, one which has not required numerous modifications to remain relevant (Bell, 2013). In addition, SSM is currently used by people who lack a technical background but want to solve complex organisational problems. At the moment, SSM is applied in several main organisational settings or disciplines. For example, in performance evaluation, it is used to develop performance measures, quality assurance processes, and to monitor the organisation. In education, it is used in defining course designs, training requirements, causes of absenteeism and to analyse language teaching. It is also used in project management, personal life decisions, risk management processes, organisational strategy, and industrial tribunal cases (Bozalek and Ambi, 2014). The first stage often involves recognising, exploring and defining the problem in some way. Firstly, the organisation must decide what it is actually investigating. At this stage,

Contract Law Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Contract Law Questions - Essay Example Moreover, the purpose of equitable estoppel is to prevent an unconscionable exercise of rights by one party to bring about significant detriment to another party2. Therefore, for example, if a third party such as a consumer has suffered significant detriment as a result of the reliance on a promise made by a manufacturer, relief may be accorded by the Court on grounds of equity and prevention of unconscionable transactions. Equity will determine relief rather than formal contractual provisions and this position has taken precedence in several cases - equity has been acknowledged as a right that will provide relief for a party who has been wrong by the unconscionable exercise of a legal contractual party.3 This could be the basis that can be successfully used to circumvent the doctrine of privity in contract. There are certain separate contractual requirements that have been laid out for minors because the law classes them in the group of people who are mentally incapacitated and therefore incapable of entering into a binding contract with anyone. A minor may enter into contracts only for necessities such as food, clothing and other supplies, which do not include luxury supplies4. In the case of such items as well, a minor is not obligated to pay the full contractual price but may pay a lower price, which is reasonable.5 Therefore, applying this to Toby’s case, the catering of food items for a party cannot be strictly categorized under necessities and since Toby, as a minor, is considered by law to be mentally incapable of entering into a contract or of understanding the legal ramifications that accrue form contractual obligations, his claim that he does not have to pay is likely to hold good under the law.

BIOGRAPHY ON THOMAS JEFFERSON, INCLUDE HIS WRITINGS Term Paper

BIOGRAPHY ON THOMAS JEFFERSON, INCLUDE HIS WRITINGS - Term Paper Example He wanted to be remembered for the things people owed to him. His tombstone, which he designed for himself, read,† Here was buried author of declaration of American Independence, of the statute of Virginia for religious Freedom, and father of university of Virginia, Born April 2, 1743 O.S. Died July 4. 1826†, (Irelan,1888). Though, historians wanted to attach other triumphs as well, such as his expertise in linguistics, his distinction as an architect and an environmentalist, but readers of his life are well concurred with his own assessment.(Risjord,1994). MAJOR IDEAS: Thomas Jefferson promoted many philosophical theories such as natural rights, constitutionalism, which automatically leads to justice and democracy. He was a person who believed in equitable distribution of land. One of the major ideas of Jefferson were emphasizing on education’s importance in democracy. He extended the structure of educational system to four stages i.e., elementary school, grammar school, universities and lifelong learning. Jefferson was always known for his huge collection of books throughout the history. When the British burned the Library of Congress during the war in 1812, Jefferson was offered $23,950 for his 6000 volume library, which he agreed upon and sold. His uncountable efforts towards the development of educational sector are commendable. In 1819, he pressurized the Virginia legislature to employ a commission for the need of a university in the state. In 1825, University of Virginia was located in Charlottesville and accepted its first set of students in the year 1826. Thomas Jefferson took great pains for the establishment of University of Virginia. He not only designed the building and the whole campus himself, but also developed the syllabus and hired competent educationist at that time. He also coined the term aristocracy of merit, which signifies the importance of certain group of people who have unique tendencies. According to this, rewards are allocated to the best or those who have talents can rule the world.(Demille, ) Unfortunately, Jefferson’s view of education was limited to the Whites of the society. He also preached about the equality among human beings although he was one of the largest slaveholder, so apparently he excluded blacks or at least his own slaves from the territory of being considered as a human (Massner, 2008) He held an opinion that the states legislature should be the most powerful area due to this he was interested in writing the constitution of the state. EARLY LIFE Albemarle County Virginia, which was then called, Shadwell, was Jefferson’s birth place. He was born on 2nd April in the year of 1743. Thomas was Peter Jefferson and Jane Rudolph’s third child and eldest of the three sons. From Peter he inherited his energetic body and a love of mathematical subjects and a mind to formulate new ways of success and independence. After Peter’s death, Thomas was left with 5 acres of land and an established position and respect in the community (Malone, 1993). Due to his father’s inclination towards education, he had an opportunity of getting an excellent tutoring. He went to boarding schools and thus, excelled in languages. He took classes in William and Mary College at the age of seventeen in Virginia, where his majors were mathematics, science, philosophy, literature, rhetoric. He went to study law when

Accounting intangible asset Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Accounting intangible asset - Essay Example Unlike other accounting procedures which nevertheless aren't so simple either the accounting for the intangible can prove to be a gruesome activity. The most important reason as the term "intangible" might itself suggest that quantifying such an asset would literally mean rationale treatment to the asset which means it would be complete subjective of one to classify them Similarly, just as assets can be quantified and expensed by some definite amount, such can not be applied to the case of intangible. Therefore, it can be just as difficult for the regulatory authorities to come up with a standard which to act as a guideline specially in the case of accounting where considerable discretionary authority lies with the concerned organization.Organizations have over a long period of time argued over their respective accounting policies. To give a clearer picture of it all, let us just touch by as to what actually are intangibles. These might include franchises, brand names, patents and tr ademarks, knowledge asset. However all just mentioned are just part of one the category of intangibles and which might cause lesser problems then much more abstract category of it that is to say "Goodwill" or the difference of the price paid for business and the valuation for of all its assets less all its liabilities. RESEARCH'S VIEW OR THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: As clearly specified in the opening the intangibles can be classified as the (i) Identifiable (ii) Non-Identifiable They can be further recognized or go unrecognized as per accounting policies of the concerned organization. REGULATIONS: The most prominent regulations which were able to govern the intangible accounting for sometime was AAS 18 ASRB 1013. Moreover, from 1985 to 1989 Goodwill Accounting Policies were found in the following manifestation. Goodwill was capitalized and amortization was done systematically that is to say Systematic amortization. Goodwill capitalized and amortized. Amortization as an extraordinary item with Goodwill capitalization. Goodwill capitalized with as an asset and no amortization. Rather than amortizing as dangling debt, net goodwill obtained as cumulative deduction from shareholder's equity. A lump sum writing off of Goodwill as an extraordinary item . A lump sum writing off Goodwill against retained earnings and reserves Completely writing off Goodwill as a lump sum in the profit and loss account. Combination of both systematic amortizing goodwill together with a lump sum extraordinary write-off. Combination of both systematic amortizing goodwill together with a lump sum abnormal write off is also made. As taken earlier the two accounting standards AAS 18 and ASRB 1013 has certain implications as to how or to the extent to which the above mentioned categories can be applied as standard operating procedures for intangible assets. The regulations has allowed for allowed for write off only under certain conditions. If on acquisition the amount so acquired may be charged to profit or loss for that matter provided that it does not include goodwill. EMPIRICAL RESEARCH INSIGHTS: Evidence are clear as to the fact that from a period of 1985 to 1989 companies have increasing adopted to capitalization and amortization policy. Similarly, over the same period there has been noticeable and considerable decrease in accounting policy diversity as evidence suggest. Trademarks and trade names have had the greatest increase in the recoginition as identifiable intangibles. Despite the increase in companies adopting the policy of capitalization without any amortization, there has been a relative increase in the number of companies adopting the policy of lump sum extraordinary writoff. A smaller percentage has also adopted to a mixed policy as well.

Contract Law Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Contract Law Questions - Essay Example Moreover, the purpose of equitable estoppel is to prevent an unconscionable exercise of rights by one party to bring about significant detriment to another party2. Therefore, for example, if a third party such as a consumer has suffered significant detriment as a result of the reliance on a promise made by a manufacturer, relief may be accorded by the Court on grounds of equity and prevention of unconscionable transactions. Equity will determine relief rather than formal contractual provisions and this position has taken precedence in several cases - equity has been acknowledged as a right that will provide relief for a party who has been wrong by the unconscionable exercise of a legal contractual party.3 This could be the basis that can be successfully used to circumvent the doctrine of privity in contract. There are certain separate contractual requirements that have been laid out for minors because the law classes them in the group of people who are mentally incapacitated and therefore incapable of entering into a binding contract with anyone. A minor may enter into contracts only for necessities such as food, clothing and other supplies, which do not include luxury supplies4. In the case of such items as well, a minor is not obligated to pay the full contractual price but may pay a lower price, which is reasonable.5 Therefore, applying this to Toby’s case, the catering of food items for a party cannot be strictly categorized under necessities and since Toby, as a minor, is considered by law to be mentally incapable of entering into a contract or of understanding the legal ramifications that accrue form contractual obligations, his claim that he does not have to pay is likely to hold good under the law.

Accounting intangible asset Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Accounting intangible asset - Essay Example Unlike other accounting procedures which nevertheless aren't so simple either the accounting for the intangible can prove to be a gruesome activity. The most important reason as the term "intangible" might itself suggest that quantifying such an asset would literally mean rationale treatment to the asset which means it would be complete subjective of one to classify them Similarly, just as assets can be quantified and expensed by some definite amount, such can not be applied to the case of intangible. Therefore, it can be just as difficult for the regulatory authorities to come up with a standard which to act as a guideline specially in the case of accounting where considerable discretionary authority lies with the concerned organization.Organizations have over a long period of time argued over their respective accounting policies. To give a clearer picture of it all, let us just touch by as to what actually are intangibles. These might include franchises, brand names, patents and tr ademarks, knowledge asset. However all just mentioned are just part of one the category of intangibles and which might cause lesser problems then much more abstract category of it that is to say "Goodwill" or the difference of the price paid for business and the valuation for of all its assets less all its liabilities. RESEARCH'S VIEW OR THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: As clearly specified in the opening the intangibles can be classified as the (i) Identifiable (ii) Non-Identifiable They can be further recognized or go unrecognized as per accounting policies of the concerned organization. REGULATIONS: The most prominent regulations which were able to govern the intangible accounting for sometime was AAS 18 ASRB 1013. Moreover, from 1985 to 1989 Goodwill Accounting Policies were found in the following manifestation. Goodwill was capitalized and amortization was done systematically that is to say Systematic amortization. Goodwill capitalized and amortized. Amortization as an extraordinary item with Goodwill capitalization. Goodwill capitalized with as an asset and no amortization. Rather than amortizing as dangling debt, net goodwill obtained as cumulative deduction from shareholder's equity. A lump sum writing off of Goodwill as an extraordinary item . A lump sum writing off Goodwill against retained earnings and reserves Completely writing off Goodwill as a lump sum in the profit and loss account. Combination of both systematic amortizing goodwill together with a lump sum extraordinary write-off. Combination of both systematic amortizing goodwill together with a lump sum abnormal write off is also made. As taken earlier the two accounting standards AAS 18 and ASRB 1013 has certain implications as to how or to the extent to which the above mentioned categories can be applied as standard operating procedures for intangible assets. The regulations has allowed for allowed for write off only under certain conditions. If on acquisition the amount so acquired may be charged to profit or loss for that matter provided that it does not include goodwill. EMPIRICAL RESEARCH INSIGHTS: Evidence are clear as to the fact that from a period of 1985 to 1989 companies have increasing adopted to capitalization and amortization policy. Similarly, over the same period there has been noticeable and considerable decrease in accounting policy diversity as evidence suggest. Trademarks and trade names have had the greatest increase in the recoginition as identifiable intangibles. Despite the increase in companies adopting the policy of capitalization without any amortization, there has been a relative increase in the number of companies adopting the policy of lump sum extraordinary writoff. A smaller percentage has also adopted to a mixed policy as well.

Hindu religious architecture Essay Example for Free

Hindu religious architecture Essay In order to understand a kind of people and their behavior, it is important to understand their literature and art . Different people have different cultures and believe, but can sometime adapt to the cultures of those they come in contact with. In India, there have been many cultural developments that have taken place over several years. The rich cultural activities in India have been due to the influence of many settlers in the county. Furthermore, India’s culture has been enriched by the kind of language that people talk and the religion they practice. Indian Architecture The Hindu architecture reflects the influence of various regions and dynasties. â€Å"With the Islamic style concentrating only on monuments and the Hindu style being more religious, thematically, Indian architecture is indeed a celebration of creatively of unsung artisans who dedicated their lives to bring to life such wondrous pieces of enviable beauty†, (India Travel Agents, N. d). The Hindu temple was built with the concept of four compartments i. e. an entrance porch (the ardhamandap), the vestibule (antarala) and the Sanctum (garbhagriha). In some large temples, was addition of mandap with liberal transepts for size and splendor (India Travel Agents, N. d). The coming of the Muslims in India brought about several changes that had not been experienced in the Hindu religion. One thing that the Hindu religion was not accustomed too was the architecture of the tomb. The Muslims build the â€Å"tomb as a form made modest beginning with small canopies over the graves of Sufi saints and soon led to the erection of increasingly complex structures culminating in India, in the monumental mausoleums of the Mughal emperors (Nangia, 2001). The fusion of the cultures The most striking different between the Indo Islamic and the Hindu religion is the place of worship. The Hindus worship in the temple while the Muslims worship in the mosque. These different worshiping places precisely explain the different conciousness between the two communities. The temple building contains abode of mystery, the courts of the temple are open to light and air. It has got so many doorways which invites publicity. On the contrary, the mosque encloses a ‘phantasma’ of massive darkness with somber passages leading to the dim cells. These places of the mosque are jealously guarded (Nangia 2001). According to Brown (1975), another different that can be spotted between the temple and the mosque is that, it is not infrequently introspective, complex and indeterminate (Nangia 2001). Furthermore, there were other stinking differences in the architectural work of the two religions. In the Hindu religion the temple had various carvings but this was prohibited to the Muslims. The Muslims also had decorations of letterings on the mosque and the tomb while the Hindu did not have such decorations. Most of the architectural designs came because of the various believes that was excised between the two religions. For instance, the Hindu believed in reincarnation and therefore did not practice burying of the dead, rather they practiced cremation. References India Travel Agents (N. d): Indian Architecture retrieved on 20th Oct from http://www. india-travel-agents. com/cultural-heritage-tourism-india/architecture-heritage-tours/index. html Nangia. A (2001): Islamic Influence, retrieved on 20th Oct from http://www.boloji.com/architecture/00015.htm