Winning is the only thing :: essays research papers

Randy Roberts and James Olson in their book, Winning is the Only Thing: Sports in America since 1945, explored the world of sports since the end of World War II. Their book covers the many aspects of sports, from the athletes and management to the fans and the media. The authors first make clear differences in the way people viewed sports before the war and how they did after the war. The book talks a lot about the astounding transformation of sports in America during the post war era. The objective of sports before world warII matched up to the original idea of such games. Athletes, for the most part, â€Å"played â€Å"to do just that- every sports as their hobbies (Roberts, Olson xi) games were intended to be fun for the players; and just as a board game of â€Å"candy land,† sports were activities in which the game was on the court, field, diamond, or whatever the â€Å" game board† was. The minds of people were filled with war and the everyday challenges of life (xi). Thus, people found sports to be a way of escape from all that they faced fans as well as athletes. However, in a matter of a few years the entertainment of sports changed dramatically. After World War II, it could be said that Americans put their identity, worth, and security in sports. They felt the need to stand up to the world to show them who their country was and what it stood for. â€Å"Americans came to take sports very seriously, and they watched and played for the highest economic, politic, and personal stakes†(xii).other countries began to represent themselves through sports as well; and, in a sense, the war continued though the means of these â€Å"games.† Especially in the Olympics, whole countries fought to win and be seen as the superior. Sports was a way of, not only representing pride in the athletes, but also a way of showing the world who its government, communities, families, and all that America stood for. Roberts and Olson describe athletes during this era as national soldiers of sport (19) as in the defeat of war, when America lost in the name of sports, it was in no way gone unnoticed by the majority of the country. For America, losing many of the medals during the 1960 Olympic games was a reason to make excuses for such an unfortunate happening of the country(22.

“Born To Run” by Christopher McDougall Essay Essay

In Christopher McDougall’s â€Å"Born to Run† a lot has been written about the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico and their almost superhuman ability to run hundreds of miles over rugged terrain while suffering little in the way of fatigue or injury. It appears that the Tarahumara are the last members of the human race to live up to our true evolutionary potential. You could chalk up their success to a lack of junk food, stress and the evils of 21st century society, or perhaps they have been somehow genetically endowed with endurance abilities that the rest of us lost at the beginning of the Industrial Age. We learn that this seemingly lost ability is actually alive and well in the strangest places and people. In â€Å"Born to Run†, McDougall tracks down members of the reclusive Tarahumara Indian tribe in the Mexican Copper Canyons. After being repeatedly injured as a runner himself, McDougall marvels at the tribe’s ability to run ultra-distances (over 320 km) at incredible speeds, without getting the routine injuries of most American runners. The book has received attention in the sporting world for McDougall’s description of how he overcame injuries by modeling his running after the Tarahumara. He asserts that modern cushioned running shoes are a major cause of running injury, pointing to the thin sandals called huaraches worn by Tarahumara runners, and the explosion of running-related injuries since the introduction of modern running shoes in 1972. Alongside his research into the Tarahumara, McDougall delves into why the human species, unique among other primates, has developed traits for endurance running. He promotes the endurance running hypothesis, arguing that humans left the forests and moved to the savannas by developing the ability to run long distances in order to literally run down prey. If you look at humans from a physiological point  of view, we are an upright biped, a body type that would make us very vulnerable to attack on the plains of Africa. There is no physiological advantage that we have that can exploit in order to hunt and be successful, apart from the ability to run long distances. Running, for the Tarahumara is integral to their societal structure and even the way in which they run, in strategic formation in respect to social rank, improves their endurance and their speed, as well as having incalculable benefits on their fitness, mental well-being and social health. The fact that in the Tarahumara society, clinical depression, greed, crime, war, violence, domestic abuse, as well as a host of modern illness such as cancer and heart disease is virtually unheard of. The Tarahumara lives to a ripe old age and is extremely happy in doing so. The greatest race the world has never seen refers to the Copper Canyon Ultra marathon but it could equally refer to the Human Race, and its history of development which is intertwined with running. Running helped make us who we are, and it IS who we are, it is one of the purest expressions of our humanity and deserves its place as so. When it comes to going ultra-distances, nothing could beat the Tarahumara not a racehorse, not a cheetah, not even an Olympic marathoner. Very few outsiders had ever seen the Tarahumara in action, but amazing stories of their superhuman toughness and tranquility have drifted out of the canyons for centuries. One explorer spent 10 hours crossing a mountain by mule while a Tarahumara runner made the same trip in 90 minutes. One reason the Tarahumara squeeze so much mileage out of their feet is because they don’t baby them. The Tarahumara add strength to their stride from childhood by passing a wooden ball with their feet as they race through the woods. Keeping the ball in play means lunging, backpedalling and twisting all movements that later translate into powerful, economical self-propulsion. Your body needs to be shocked to become resilient and for the Tarahumara, that’s just daily life. They step into the unknown every time they leave their caves because they never know how fast they’ll have to  sprint after a rabbit, how much firewood they’ll have to haul home, or how tricky the climbing will be during a winter storm. Before the Tarahumara run long, they get strong. Personally I think the Tarahumara Indians motive people to do their best in running. At least I know they have motivated me to do better in my events in Track and Field. And with this in mind I can see improvement and so have my coaches.

The, Wildlife, And The Natural Land, By Henry David Thoreau

Just years after the Industrial Revolution, a time at which engineering and the economy became the main concerns of the population, many of the American people forgot the importance of the land that provided the resources that sustained them. In a time where there was believed to be nowhere but society to reside in, few refuted the idea that the wilderness was really so uncivilized. In his 1845 memoir, Henry David Thoreau describes his experiences living in a quaint cabin, â€Å"in the wilderness†, alongside Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts. Presenting his findings of being self-reliable, Thoreau depicts what his life was like alone in the woods with only nature to ease one’s mind and solitude to provide company. With detailed†¦show more content†¦He accordingly conveys this idea by stating that society only believes in intrinsic value and only once one can seclude themselves from the portrait of society can one come to find instrumental value. Continuing with his descriptions of the Walden Pond during winter, Thoreau presents the idea of overconsumption and sustainability throughout the book. While observing the ice cutters at Walden Pond, Thoreau comments on human effort to exploit nature, arguing that the actions are in vain as nature regenerates much faster than it can be threatened, which is very debatable due to the knowledge that there is only a finite amount of resources on the planet. Thoreau thoroughly believes in his idea of self-reliance and states that there are only four necessities that should determine one’s ability to survive: food, shelter, clothing, and fuel, many of which he believes nature provides graciously. This refutes the idea that prosperity is dependent widescale economic surplus. Thoreau makes his argument clear, writing that any attempt at luxury is likely to prove more as a hinderance that an aid to one’s individual improvement as in Economy when he writes â€Å"Most men, even i n this comparatively free country, through mere ignorance and mistake, are soShow MoreRelatedHenry David Thoreau : Idealism And Existentialism1311 Words   |  6 PagesIdealism and Existentialism consolidate together in Henry David Thoreau’s work, Walking. His ethic is no other than of a man that has come to his full- senses, seeing the world from the most narrow space that society have to offer, he expanded that space and went into a journey that every man should take, a journey of self-discovery and understanding of nature. Thoreau’s Walking solves the question that we all may consider of doing before making an action. How to do it? is described in Walking,Read More Back to Nature in Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Essay2031 Words   |  9 PagesIn Walden, Henry David Thoreau explains how a relationship with nature reveals aspects of the true self that remain hidden by the distractions of society and technology. To Thoreau, the burdens of nineteenth century existence, the cycles of exhausting work to obtain property, force society to exist as if it were slumbering. Therefore, Thoreau urges his readers to seek a spiritual awakening. Through his rhetoric,Thoreau alludes to a rebirth of the self and a reconnection to the natural world. TheRead MoreClimate Change Is A Serious Problem1028 Words   |  5 Pagesearly 19th century. Writers such as Henry David Thoreau, Waldo Emerson, and James Fenimore Cooper shared their love of nature in their writing. Philosophers also joined in like John Muir. T he U.S. Forest Service in 1905, directed by Gifford Pinochet, saw nature as something to be utilized; but only if resources were not wasted. He kept the generation of today and tomorrow in his actions. Others, such as Aldo Leopold believed that humans should manage the land, but in a way that it does not harm itRead MoreAn Open Letter to Roderick Nash on Island Civilization Essay829 Words   |  4 Pagesabilities. Humans can not be the only thing that is hurting the Earth. When you really think about it, Earth goes through a lot of natural disasters, which cannot be controlled. According to an activist, Tim Haering, â€Å"Tsunamis, floods, volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, disease nature kills more than we kill each other.† Earth throws in all of these natural disasters to destroy what is hurting it. It also helps the Earth regenerate. Nash blames humans for Earth’s wounds, when that is entirelyRead MoreThe Great Expansion Of The 20th Century Essay1666 Words   |  7 Pageswater for its rapid growth. In all this great expansion of aqueducts and dams, concerned citizens like John Muir proclaimed that more must be done to protect the majesty and beauty of California before it is all gone. Inspired by the writing of Henry David Thoreau, which published Walden, a landmark book on the topic of environmentalism, and his years exploring and camping in the Sierra Nevada wil derness, Muir began to gather like-minded scientists and thinkers in San Francisco. Efforts by Muir and theRead MoreFirst Along The River - Short Answer Take Home Exam1243 Words   |  5 Pagesthey were bestowed with God given rights to occupy, exploit, and colonize the land. Secondly, the colonial European attitude of popularity and influence was the ideas of Enlightenment thinking. 3. Native Americans controlled their environments by burning forested areas inhabited by elk, deer, and turkey to facilitate hunting. Also, Native Americans burned fields to remove their old stock in order to cultivate the land more smoothly. 4. A few people in the 19th century who rejected the exploitationRead MoreThe Mountains Are Calling By John Muir Essay2619 Words   |  11 PagesThe Mountains are Calling Scottish born â€Å"John of the Mountains† impacted the way National Parks are viewed today. As a wee lad, John Muir had a keen fixation on his natural surroundings. Conversely, his father Daniel was vehemently opposed to any contact with the world outside of their garden. Ironically, the family’s abrupt move to America would set the stage for his son John to blossom into the renowned naturalist he is remembered as today. While attending college in Wisconsin, John was exposedRead More Wilderness: History and Value Essay3244 Words   |  13 PagesAmericas relationship with its wilderness lands. Many of the nations first European arrivals brought with them very Puritanical views regarding the appropriateness of order and disorder as well as fundamental Christian views (Kropf, 1997). In their minds, the unsettled and unestablished lands of the New World symbolized lack of order and therefore the absence of God. Along with disorderly lands there existed native inhabitants who, because they had not subdued the land-putting it to strict agriculturalRead MoreEnvironmental Protection and Free Trade Coexisting Essay2055 Words   |  9 Pagesrealize that we have now created the way of life which cannot be had by everyone due to the enormous amount of energy which it requires. For example, it would be impossible for all humans to own and operate cars because there are no longer enough natural resources to provide the energy necessary for this commodity. Free trade has an underlying basis of individual liberty, and implies two symbolic freedoms (Audley, 21). The first being a â€Å"cost-less solution to expanding the human scale,† meaningRead MoreEstablishment Of The Environmental Protection Agency2358 Words   |  10 Pagesled to the passage of landmark legislation in the 1970s that protected natural resources, restored degraded areas, and protected the population of the US from poor water quality and bad ambient air conditions. The acts passed in the 1970s had an immediate impact on American society, and their reach continues through this day. On April 22nd, 1970, the American public gathered in the streets to celebrate clean air, water, and land. Congressmen in Washington D.C. halted their activities to be their constituents;

Should Marijuana Be Legal Essay - 1261 Words

In this country, there are parents of sick children driving across state lines, breaking state and federal law by transporting medical marijuana. The drug is legal in several states for personal use, and 23 states for medical use. This does not change the fact that it is still a federally illegal drug under the Federal controlled substances act. There are stiffer penalties for being caught with even a small amount of marijuana, than those given to murderers and rapists. The federal government has the right to come into your home and arrest you for an ounce of marijuana, even for medical use. A first offence possession charge, for any amount of the drug is a $1,000 fine and 1 year in prison. Cultivation of the plant, even for personal use will give you 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. It has been viewed by some to be a wonder drug. And yet it remains misunderstood and vilified. Marijuana has been touted as being 100 times safer than alcohol, which is legal. Per the CDC, excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths each year in the United States from 2006 – 2010, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 30 years. From 1999 to 2014, more than 165,000 people have died in the U.S. from overdoses related to prescription opioids. Marijuana related deaths are much lower. Trauma from vehicle accidents or other trauma is the prime cause of marijuana related deaths. The long-term effects have not been studied. Unlike other new drugs bought on theShow MoreRelatedShould Marijuana Be Legal?1609 Words   |  7 PagesMs. Fingarson English 11 March 9th, 2017 Junior Research Paper: Marijuana Should Be Legal. According to world recognized American Scientist Carl Sagan â€Å"the illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insights , sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world†. These are just some of the benefits of Marijuana along with many others. All you have been taught about cannabis inRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal?1060 Words   |  5 PagesMedical Marijuana Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United Sstates (Wagner).. Marijuana is commonly used becauseThis it is because marijuana is easy to get and doesn’t have the visibly dangerous effects that other drugs like cocaine and heroine have. However,But does that mean marijuana is harmless to the human body? There are some people and studies that believe it is harmlessso. Sanjay Gupta, MD, Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN, wrote the following: â€Å"Frequent marijuana useRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal?986 Words   |  4 Pages smoking pot in California, is legal. On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, California became the fifth state to legalize the recreational use of pot. By a margin of about 56% to 44%, voters passed Proposition 64. With its passing, California is now among states like Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska who have also legalized marijuana. â€Å"Marijuana could become quite the cash crop† said Richard McGowan, a professor at Boston College and expert in the field of marijuana legalization. While many peopleRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal?1230 Words   |  5 PagesCannabis Can The marijuana movement is more prevalent now than ever. Just recently, two other states have joined Colorado and Washington in the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana. On the other hand, the state of Florida did not pass the bill to approve medical marijuana. Although more and more states have begun to see the benefits in legalizing marijuana, many states maintain the view that smoking marijuana is criminal despite the many advantages it poses. Marijuana offers medical andRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal?997 Words   |  4 Pagesof the topics; write a thesis statement and complete the introduction 1. Marijuana should be legal, because it is harmless, and it is an effective medicine for many kinds of diseases. - Marijuana should be legal due to its variety of health benefits - Marijuana is an effective medicine for many kinds of diseases - Marijuana legalization would help boost the economy Thesis Statement: Why shouldn’t marijuana be legal due to its variety of health benefits, its effectiveness for combating manyRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal?864 Words   |  4 PagesCannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine. Marijuana smoking remains the most prevalent form of illicit drug use in the United States and has even been legalized medicinally in twenty-four states. Four of these states, including Colorado and Washington, have legalized marijuana for recreational use. This means that it is treated like a controlled substance, like alcohol or tobacco, and anyone theRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal?1630 Words   |  7 PagesMarijuana has been a hot topic of conversation over the last few years, as some states in America have legalized it medically and recreationally. By discussing the legal aspect of marijuana, the economic benefits, medical usage and how marij uana affects the family, we can see the positive and negative impact that marijuana has on sociology. Except for a few select states, marijuana usage, sale and distribution of marijuana is in some manner illegal. As a result, there is immense legal considerationsRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal?1610 Words   |  7 PagesSince the very first day marijuana began dominating our country over 30 years ago, federal control of the drug has been the topic of an continuing arguments. Marijuana is a crushed up blend of dried out herbs, seeds and stems of the plant cannabis. Most people inhale it in the shape of cigarettes for pleasure and relief. Should marijuana be made legal? Advocates of the drug argue that there are multiple medical advantages and that tobacco and alcohol are far more harmful for us than the drug itselfRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal? Essay1261 Words   |  6 PagesMarijuana is safer than tobacco and alcohol, more beneficial and healthier too. Marijuana, unlike tobacco and alcohol, never causes serious illnesses like cancers of the lungs, throat, and mouth, cirrhos is, dementia, or anything else. In actuality, medical marijuana is used to treat cancer cells. â€Å"The earliest use of cannabis as a medicine is attributed to the legendary Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, who is thought to have lived around 2700 BC.. Cannabis sativa is thought to have been grown for at leastRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal? Essay965 Words   |  4 PagesShould Marijuana Be Legal? In order to start a discussion about whether marijuana should be legal, we must first begin with the history of marijuana. How long has marijuana been around? The earliest recorded use of marijuana is from the island of Taiwan off the coast of mainland china over 10,000 years ago in the Stone Age (Marijuana, 2014). They wove their clothes and made their shoes from hemp. The first paper was made from a combination of crushed hemp fibers and mulberry tree bark. This

Terrorism Terrorism Is The Reason For Such Events

Before terrorism can be discussed in this paper, it must first be explained. Terrorism is the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. In other words, terrorism is the reason for such events like 9/11. You may think to yourself, why would the events of 9/11 happen in the first place? Well the answer may be a little tricky. First, the 9/11 attacks were a series of four coordinated attacks by the Islamic group Al-Qaeda on the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks involved suicide attacks used to target symbolic United States landmarks. Four airplanes, were hijacked by 19 Al-Qaeda members to be flown into buildings. Two of the planes were crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Within 1 hour and 42 minutes, both towers collapsed, with debris and the resulting fires causing partial or complete damage to all other buildings in the World Trade Center complex, including the World Trade Center tower, as well as significant damage to 10 other large structures. A third plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia. This led to a partial collapse in the Pentagon s western side. The fourth plane initially was steered towards Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, because its passengers tried to overcome the hijackers. In total, the 9/11 attacks took the lives of 2,996 people and caused at least $10 billion in property damageShow MoreRelated The Media’s Support of International Terrorism Essay1742 Words   |  7 Pagestheir voices vanish from Jerusalem.   The fear of terrorism grows and Roman repression grows along with it, this in turn leads to the people of Jerusalem to revolt in 70 AD (Miller V).   If this attack had been made in some dark alley with no spectators would the people react the way they did?      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The marketplace of old Jerusalem, can be compared to the media of today. What better place to get the public informed about your reasons and purpose for attacks than the news.   AlbertRead MoreTerrorism and the Media1629 Words   |  7 PagesTerrorism and the Media Terrorism has played a role affecting civilization for a hundred of years. The acts of violence have aims and objectives which intend on being achieved by the perpetrators themselves, or by the organizations that support these acts. With the aid of the present day media, acts of terrorism are now becoming designed to grasp the attention of the entire world and compel a terrorist organizations message into the spotlight for the whole world to look at. Reasons and purposeRead MoreTerrorism Is A Major Criminal Act922 Words   |  4 PagesTerrorism is a major criminal act that effects a mass majority of people. Terrorism can be anything. Former terrorism acts include the Oklahoma City bombing, the major September 11th attacks on the world trade center, and one of the most recent terrorist acts being the Boston Marathon bombing. Terrorism does not discriminate. Anyone can be a victim of a terrorist attack. This statement is proven true in the multiple accounts of Terrorism going on in the Middle Eastern countries, however America alsoRead MoreThe Effects Of Terrorism On Terrorism And Terrorism944 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Terrorism â€Å"The history of terrorism is a history of well-known and historically significant individuals, entities, and incidents associated, whether rightly or wrongly, with terrorism,† (History of Terrorism). The history of terrorism is a long bloody road. One of the bloodiest of acts of terrorism in the early years, was the reign of terror. In which, the Jacobin leader, Maximilien Robespierre, executed 40,000 people. Newspapers coined the word â€Å"Terrorism† as a way of describing RobespierreRead MoreThe Effect of Terrorism Because of Technology1366 Words   |  6 PagesTerrorism is the use of violence, usually against â€Å"non-combatants† , in order to try and achieve political change. Terrorism has been extremely influential in recent decades, stemming from the post World War Two era by exploiting the new advances in the changing world arena, which has triggered states to amend their political agendas to try and focus more attention on the matter of terrorism. Using the dimensions of the world arena and how these have evolved, it is clear that terrorism reflects theRead MoreTerrorism Change Over The Years970 Words   |  4 Pages Terrorism Change Over the Years Throught the years terrorism have drastically changed our point of view of the world. In the 20th century terrorist did not have that much of technology to work with including aviation. Now a days they have more methods and forms to attack countries and states. A brief definition of terrorism is a use of violence acts to scare people in an area as a way to achieve political goals. Terrorism is the cause of many wars throughoutRead MoreTerroism1408 Words   |  6 PagesTerrorism Paper Stacy McCarson CJS/235 July 2016 Viviyonne Lee Terrorism Paper Terrorism is a critical issue that the world faces today. The stressful part is not knowing when an attack will happen and the location. Terrorism not only effects the people but the government as well because its purpose is a political reason. According to  Federal Bureau Investigation   Ã‚  (2016), â€Å"Terrorism is the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidateRead MoreEssay Types of Terrorism873 Words   |  4 Pages Terrorism in the United States has taken a big step since 9/11. After 9/11 there have been more and more police officers working. There are a lot or terrorist groups around the world but there are also motivational terrorist. The word terrorism does not really have a straight forward definition because there is different form of terrorism. The types of terrorisms that is around that people know are state sponsored terrorism, dissent terrorism, terrorists from left and right, religious terrorismRead MoreThe First W ave Of Terrorism1740 Words   |  7 Pagesdebate on the concept of â€Å"new† and ‘old’ terrorism, where ‘new’ terrorism phenomenon is predominately linked with ‘religious’ terrorism. David Rapoport, also known as one of the most well known founding figures of terrorism studies, joined UCLA in 1962 as a political theorist and later he became a founder and editor of Terrorism and Political Violence (UCLA). The idea of religious terrorism coincides with Rapoport’s (2004) theory on the waves of modern terrorism, especially the fourth wave. RapoportRead MoreTerrorism is not a derogatory moral classification; rather, it is a mode of warfare1600 Words   |  7 PagesTerrorism is not a derogatory moral classification; rather, it is a mode of warfare. Terrorism is a tactic, yet it is a term used derogatorily to describe a certain group of people because of events in the recent past. Because of a sweeping generalizations about those that commit act of terrorism, terrorism has been turned into a â€Å"dirty† word to describe people, instead of the act that the word actually defines. Why do people decide to use terrorism as a derogatory moral classification? What causes

The Future Of Hierarchical Management Structures Free Essays

string(118) " Creativity in Organizations There are several factors affecting creativity that have been identified by researchers\." Introduction In the 21st century, organizations have seen the need to adapt to changes taking place in the business environment (Tidd Bessant, 2011). One of the factors that has prompted change in organizations is the shifting economy. Currently, there is a shift from an industrial economy to a knowledge driven economy (Brown Osborne, 2012). We will write a custom essay sample on The Future Of Hierarchical Management Structures or any similar topic only for you Order Now The current competition between companies has changed and is more inclined to creativity than prices of goods and services. The nature of work within organizations is also transforming from repetitive pre-arranged tasks to tasks that are more cognitive and spontaneous. This also applies to the managing styles and employee expectations. Effective adaptation to these inevitable changes requires companies to encourage a creative and innovative organizational culture (Singh Waddell, 2004). There are many organizations that are being run by the hierarchical management structure, which is characterized by strict adherence to chains of command (Daft Marcic, 2010). This limits the flexibility of an organization by slowing down decision making processes. As a result, such structures limit creativity in organizations (Bilton Cummings, 2010; Tseng, 2011). With the future expected to have a higher demand on creativity and change management, it is highly likely that hierarchical organizational structures shall be replaced by structures that emphasize more on innovation and creativity. Despite the increase in the focus on creativity and innovation, it is difficult to abolish the hierarchical structure. While some companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Google stand out for having abolished hierarchical management structures, such traditional organizational approaches still remain appropriate for many companies. It is difficult for current hierarchies to self-destruct. Whether such structures shall be replaced by an innovative and creative culture in the near future is a subject of debate. In this regard, this paper discusses whether in the near future, management in organizations shall involve nurturing of creativity and innovation, which shall reduce hierarchy in organizations. Some of the areas that are covered in relation to this include changes in the global economy, factors affecting innovation in the workplace and change management in organizations. Changes and Shifts in the Global Economy According to Henry and Bruin (2011), there is an on-going shift from a traditional knowledge economy to a creative economy. Creativity, in this context, can be defined as the process by which novel ideas are created. Not long ago, creativity was confined to arts like photography, music and painting. However, many companies have started to realize that creativity can also be applied in business, albeit, in a manner that is somewhat different from that of arts and humanities. Whilst creativity in business is about developing new ideas, it also involves solving issues that affect the business operations innovatively (Burkus, 2013). The current fast moving economy has made companies push their efficiencies to the limit so as to keep up with the market competition and ensure effective delivery of goods and services to clients. To overcome the limits that knowledge based organizations have in delivering quality and satisfaction to clients, many companies are opting to differentiate themselves from their competitors by becoming innovative and creative (Brown Osborne, 2012). An example can be drawn from the use of technology over the years. For most companies, getting ahead of the competition simply required the acquisition of the latest technology that existed at the time. For instance, the invention of computer technology revolutionized record keeping, communication and other operations. Organizations that acquired and utilized this technology gained an edge over their competitors. However, the accessibility of computer technology has become easier with time and currently, almost every company utilizes it. Therefore, being ahead of the competition in business has shifted from simply acquiring computer technology to acquiring and utilizing it in a way that is creative and unique in the industry. This is points out to the fact that lack of creativity in present-day organizations can be detrimental to organizational performance. Technological development, globalization forces, increased competition, market demand and expectations have all led to the growi ng interest on nurturing employee creativity in the workplace. Some of the companies that have been known to nurture creativity and innovation include Apple, Facebook, Microsoft and Google. Even during the past recession period, entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley continued to establish start-up companies founded on creativity. According to Dervitsiotis (2011), the success of Apple has been achieved by recognizing the crucial role that innovation plays in present day businesses. To attain its business objectives, Apple Inc hires employees that are dedicated to creating innovative and unique products. With reference Jobs’ interview published in The New Yorker by Surowiecki (2011), the company has maintains its competitiveness in the computer industry by designing products that are user friendly to a wide range of customers. Some of these products include the iPod and iMac computer that were innovatively manufactured and advertised, making Apple to stand out among its competitors. As companies recognize the need to be creative in the design of their products and services, they have also realized the importance of creativity in their management. According to Von Held (2012), effective management of a creative workforce requires motivation and inclusion. Companies ought to create a culture or environment that allows employees across all ranks to feel important by encouraging them to make contributions towards organizational development. One of the ways in which this has been achieved is through encouraging open horizontal communication structures. Whereas the trend has been towards a creative and innovative work environment, critics have pointed out several setbacks that creativity and innovation can cause in an organization. One typical characteristic of innovation is the fact that it involves taking risks, which may even threaten the existence of the organization. In addition, outcomes of innovative ideas or changes within the organization are usually unknown. Whilst some innovative ideas have positive revolutionary outcomes, there are also chances of failure (Henry Bruin, 2011). Failed innovations may be detrimental to organizations, especially if the innovation involved high costs. Factors to be managed to Enhance Creativity in Organizations There are several factors affecting creativity that have been identified by researchers. According to Andriopoulos and Lowe (2000), organizational creativity is affected by the organizational culture, organizational environment, management styles and structures, skills and resources. Amabile et al. (2004) argued that creativity is influenced by employee motivation, management practices, organizational resources and group characteristics. Other factors affecting individual creativity include personality, IQ levels, capabilities and dispositions, among others. This section explains how management of these factors can enhance creativity and innovation at the workplace. Employee Motivation Researchers have established that for employees to be innovative in the organization, they ought to have the passion and drive to do so. Employee motivation can increase their passion for innovation if it is managed appropriately. As argued by Daft and Marcic (2010), employee motivation is a complex issue that is influenced by social, biological, emotional and intellectual factors. Therefore, there are several strategies that have to be effectively managed so as to keep employees motivated and encouraged to be innovative. One of the strategies that can be used by corporations to increase employee motivation is communication. While vertical communication that characterizes hierarchical management structures may be ideal in some situations, innovative organizations thrive more on horizontal communication structures (Tidd Bessant, 2011). It is necessary for the organization’s management to frequently communicate with its employees on the organization’s vision. In addition, organizations also need to recognize and reward individual innovative contributes towards the overall good of the company. Rewards motivate employees to compete constructively and as a result, encourage innovativeness and creativity. Organizational Resources According to Yazdani et al. (2011), employees are among the most important resource in the organization. Therefore, innovative organizations ought to hire employees that have the personality and intelligence needed to make creative contributions. . a classic example of a creative individual was Einstein, who made contributions in various fields are . In addition to his contributions to Physics, it is documented that he had interests in visual arts (Runco, 2010) . Other traits that human resource managers need to look for when hiring include mental flexibility, originality in thinking self-confidence and the will to take risks. Time and financial resources also have an influence on the creativity or innovation in an organization. These resources ought to be managed effectively because their availability can either support or suppress creativity of employees (Amabile et al., 2004). Organizations need to establish a â€Å"threshold of sufficiency† within which these resources can positively contribute to creativity. Once this threshold is set, companies can be able to avoid allocating either insufficient or too much time and financial resources. Organizational Environment and Culture The conduciveness of an organizational environment for creativity can be gauged from the levels of employee participation, employee freedom of expression and experimentation and other creativity stimuli available within the organization (Amabile et al., 2004). One organization that has effectively managed its culture and environment to encourage creativity among employees is Google. For instance, the company offers social amenities to employees that are not offered by other companies. These include cafe stations that offer free food for employees, rooms for exercising and entertainment rooms where employees can play several games. Whilst these amenities do not directly contribute to the profitability of the company, they create an environment that allows them focus more on their contribution towards that growth of the company without thinking about how they will cater for these needs while at work. Hierarchical barriers at Google are limited, encouraging employees to work closely and learn from each other regardless of their positions in the firm. Therefore, creating an ideal organizational environment, keeping employees motivated and allocating resources that are within the threshold of sufficiency for creativity are among the ways of encouraging creativity and innovation among employees. The Change Management Process With the inevitability of change in present day organizations, several researchers have established steps that ought to be undertaken in managing change. Reasons that necessitate change include the need to overcome challenges that are posed by the dynamism of the business environment (Kotter, 2007). The need for organizations to effectively manage change is drawn from the fact that it may affect several business stakeholders that include suppliers, employees, customers and distributors. Whereas good change management procedures and practices are likely to improve the brand position of the company, poor change management is likely to adversely affect its performance. Anderson and Anderson (2010) point out that some of the impacts of poor change management include reduction in morale among employees and a drop in the company’s competitive capability. Kotter (2007) suggested an eight-step model of managing change in an organization. In establishing this model, he identified the errors that are commonly made by leaders in initiating change and based his change management model on these errors. The eight steps presented in the table below. Table 1: Kotter’s Change Management Process Step of ManagementExplanation 1.Establishing urgencyThis involves the creation of a sense of urgency within the organization to motivate involved parties to start the change process. 2.Forming a powerful spearheading coalitionInvolves identification of organizational members to form a cross-level team that is capable of leading the rest of the company in implementing the identified change. 3.Development of the change strategyInvolves formulating a strategy for implementing the change process. This should consider all the factors influencing the change process. 4.Communicating the change strategyThe change vision should be presented to all organizational members and stakeholders that will be involved in the process. The most effective communication paths ought to be used to ensure speedy and efficient message delivery in the organization. 5.Elimination of barriersThis involves empowering a broad based action that removes barriers to the change process and targets certain elements of change in the transformation of the organization. 6.Generating short-term winsThis is achieved by setting short-term goals that contribute to a larger long-term goal. Short term wins can be generated by rewarding employees who contribute towards meeting the short-term goals to keep them motivated. 7.Consolidating the short-term gainsCredibility from several sort term wins is collected to create a bigger change. Here, a reinvigoration is brought to the process. 8.Anchoring changes into the organization.Involves reinforcement of transformations made to be part of the organizational culture. This enables the change to be passed on in case of a change in the management or when employing new members of staff. Adapted from Kotter (2007) Even though Kotter’s approach has been approved by many researchers, critics have pointed out some flaws associated with it. For instance, O’keefe argues that it assumes that changes are one-time processes that promise stability if managed meticulously. However, the existing global uncertainty does not give an assurance that the intended goals of the change will be attained (O’Keefe, 2013). According to Anderson and Anderson (2010), effective change management benefits individuals and the overall organization. It benefits individuals by enabling them to maintain or improve their morale and performance before, during and after the change process. It also increases the acceptance of employees to the change process (Andriopoulos Dawson, 2009).Benefits of change management to the organization include enabling it to respond effectively to client demands even during the change process. It also enables the company to assess its performance by comparing its state before and after implementation of the change. Ineffective change management, on the other hand, can distort the transition of the company from its old state to the intended new state. With reference to Kotter’s eight steps, inefficient change management may cause the process to stick in one of middle stages. Therefore, it is important for organizations to ensure that they avoid negative impacts associated with the change process by ensuring that it is managed effectively. Conclusion This paper has presented an in-depth discussion on the need of change and innovation in present-day organizations. While the hierarchical structure of management has several benefits, the need for organizations to adjust to the current dynamism in economic and social conditions has prompted many companies to go for management techniques that nurture creativity and innovation. Some of the organizations that have attained high levels of success through encouraging innovation and creativity include Apple and Google. The shift in the global economy from knowledge to creativity has also been extensively discussed, which also explains why hierarchical management structures are likely to be less evident. Among the factors that have to be effectively managed to enhance creativity are employee motivation, the organizational culture and the organization’s resources. Steps to be undertaken in managing change as suggested by several researchers have also been extensively discussed. References Amabile, T. M., Schatzel, E. A., Moneta, G.B. Kramer, S.J., 2004. Leader behaviors and the work environment for creativity: perceived leader support. Leadership Quarterly , 15(1), pp.5-32. Anderson, D. Anderson, L?. A., 2010. Beyond Change Management: How to Achieve Breakthrough Results Through Concious Change Leadership. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons. Andriopoulos, C. Dawson, P., 2009. Managing Change, Creativity and Innovation. London: Sage Publications Ltd. Andriopoulos, C. Lowe, A., 2000. Enhancing organisational creativity: the process of perpetual challenging. Management Decision, 38(10), pp.734-42. Bilton, C. Cummings, S?., 2010. Creative Strategy: Reconnecting Business and Innovation. West Sussex: John Wiley Sons. Brown, K. Osborne, S?. P., 2012. Managing Change and Innovation in Public Service Organizations. Oxford: Routledge. Burkus, D., 2013. 10 Practices from the Most Innovative Organizations. [Online] Available at:http://www.creativitypost.com/business/10_practices_from_the_most_innovative_organizations [Accessed 3 November 2013]. Coy, C., 2013. Office hierarchies – which one is best for your business{viewed on 28th November 2013} available from http://www.cornerstoneondemand.com/blog/office- hierarchies#.Updr99KshsI Daft, R.L. Marcic, D?., 2010. Understanding Management. Mason: Cengage Learning. Dervitsiotis, K.N., 2011. The challenge of adaptation through innovation based on the quality of the innovation process. Total Quality Management Business Excellence, 22(5), pp.553-66. Von Held, F., 2012. Collective Creativity: Exploring Creativity in Social Network Development as Part of Organizational learning. Munich: Springer. Henry, C. de Bruin, A?., 2011. Entrepreneurship and the Creative Economy: Process, Practice and Policy. Glos: Edward Elgar Publishing. Hinks, G., 2013. The failure of ‘hierarchical’ management structures. [viewed on 28th November 2013] available from http://www.financialdirector.co.uk/financial- director/feature/2282581/the-failure-of-hierarchical-management-structures Kottler, J., 2011. Hierarchy and network: two structures, one organization. Harvard Business Review. {viewed on 28th November 2013} available from http://blogs.hbr.org/2011/05/two-structures-one-organizatio/ Kotter, J.P., 2007. Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail. Harvard Business Review, pp.1-10. Kreitner, R. Cassidy, ?C. M., 2011. Management. Mason: Cengage Learning. Lawrence, J., 2013. Conflict in the matrix – the challenges of moving away from hierarchicalstructures. {Viewed on 28th November 2013} available from http://www.hrzone.com/topic/strategies/conflict-matrix-challenges-moving-away- hierarchical-structures/139398 O’Keefe, K., 2013. Where Kotter’s 8 Steps Gets it Wrong. [Online] Available at: http://www.executiveboard.com/communications-blog/where-kotters-8-steps-gets-it-wrong/ [Accessed 3 November 2013]. Runco, M.A., 2010. Creativity: Theories and Themes: Research, Development, and Practice. Oxford: Elsevier. Singh, M. Waddell, D?., 2004. E-business Innovation and Change Management. London: Idea Group Inc (IGI). Surowiecki, J., 2011. How Steve Jobs Changed. [Online] Available at:http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2011/10/17/111017ta_talk_surowiecki [Accessed 3 November 2013]. Tidd, J. Bessant, J?., 2011. Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons. Tseng, S.-M., 2011. The effects of hierarchical culture on knowledge management processes. Management Research Review, 34(5), pp.595-608. Yazdani, B.O., Yaghoubi, N.M. Giri, E.S., 2011. Factors affecting the Empowerment of Employees. European Journal of Social Sciences, 20(2), pp.267-74. How to cite The Future Of Hierarchical Management Structures, Essay examples

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The model needs one-time data entry which enables a fast and accurate processing of the data. SAP is based on three-tier client/server model. The anatomy of SAP R/3 is as follows, (1)SAP presentation server, (2)SAP application server and (3)SAP database server. Presentation server: The presentation server is actually a program named sapgui. exe. It is actually installed on a user’s workstation. To start it, the user double-clicks on an icon on the desktop or chooses a menu path. When started, the presentation server displays the R/3 menus within a window. This window is commonly known as the SAPGUI or the user interface. The interface accepts input from the user in the form of keystrokes, mouse clicks, and function keys, and sends these requests to the application server to be processed. The server sends the results back to the SAPGUI which then formats the output for display to the user. We will write a custom essay sample on Report on Erp Review at Sundram Fasteners or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Application server: An application server is a set of executables that collectively interpret the ABAP/4 programs and manage the input and output for them. When an application server is started, these executables all start at the same time.When an application server is stopped, they all shut down together. The number of processes that start up when you bring up application server is defined in a single configuration file called the application server profile. Each application server has a profile that specifies its characteristics when it starts up and while it is running. For example, an application server profile specifies. ?Number of processes and their types. ?Amount of memory each process may use. ?Length of time a user is inactive before being automatically logged off. Database server:The database server is a set of executables that accept database requests from the application server. These requests are passed on to the RDBMS (relation database management system). The RDBMS sends the back to the database server, which then passes the information back to the application server. The application server in turn passes that information to your ABAP/4 program. There is usually a separate computer dedicated to house the database server, and the RDBMS may run on to computer also, or may be installed on its own computer. Defining an R/3 system:The simplest definition of an R/3 system is â€Å"one database†. In one R/3 system, there is only one database. To expand the definition, R/3 is considered to be all of the components attached to that one database. One R/3 system consists of one database server accessing a single database, one or more application server and one or more presentation servers. By definition, it is all of the components attached to one database. During an implementation, there is usually one system (or one database) assigned to development, one or more systems designated for testing and one assigned to production.The term R/3 system landscape denotes a description of the number of systems within an SAP installation and how they are designated, such as development, test, or production. The SOP tool (SAP sales and operations planning module) executes the planning procedure for sales, purchase, inventory and forecasts at different levels of production based on plant capacity, storage of materials etc. SOP data such as (1)Period units (days, months, years), (2)Characteristics (company code, plant, materials) and (3)Key figures (sales forecast, purchase and inventory) are contained in the information structure.