Stress Management and Work Performance in the UK (HR)

What is the objective of the investigation? In this study, the researcher was interested in investigating the relationship between stress management and workplace performance in the United Kingdom. This research was motivated by the recent reports that there has been an increasing concern by human resource managements over the need to manage stress among employees.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Stress Management and Work Performance in the UK (HR) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Various organizations within the United Kingdom have set aside some resources to help fight workplace stress as one of the ways of improving performance. These organizations have been keen to ensure that their employees have as minimal levels of stress as can be possible (Harrington 2001, p. 79). This motivated the researcher to launch an investigation if there was a relationship between stress management and work performance amon g employees. The research was based within the country among employees of varying ages, races and academic levels. The goal of the study is to establish the relationship between stress management and work performance and the best approach to manage stress to meet organizational goals. The following are some of the specific goals that the researcher had when commencing this research. To determine the primary and secondary causes of stress. To evaluate the impact of stress management on employee performance at the workplace. To determine the best methods of stress management. This way, the researcher would be able to determine if it is worth committing a lot of resources and time in managing stress in the workplace. It stress management have a direct positive impact on workplace performance then it is important that organization gives it enough focus in order for them to improve efficiency. How have I gone about the study? As was explained in the methodology of this dissertation, th e researcher used both the primary and secondary sources of data. As Brotherton (2003, p. 118) says, a researcher cannot claim to conduct a research from scratch given the massive studies conducted in various fields in the contemporary world. As such, any piece of research will always be an advancement of already existing pieces of research. This makes secondary sources of data very important. The researcher used these secondary sources of data to help develop a base for this research. Unlike data gathered from primary sources, secondary sources of data proved to be very important because it is an already processed data. The researcher was able to gather the theoretical perspective of this research from the secondary data.Advertising Looking for assessment on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The primary data played an equally important role. As Boss (2002, p. 78) says, a research cannot be considered to be complete until the researcher can come up with his or her own empirical analysis that would confirm or reject what the secondary sources of data says. It is the primary data that will authenticate the research, otherwise such a research may just be considered as a critique of literatures. For this reason, the researcher went to the ground and gathered data from the sampled respondents. The data was gathered using questionnaires which were developed by the researcher after developing research proposal. The questions used were both open ended and closed ended. While open ended questions gave the respondents freedom to give their answers based on their wider knowledge of the question, closed ended questions were relatively easy to code during the analysis process. The researcher used SPSS in analyzing the data (Maxwell Steele 2008, p. 366). This enabled the research to generate regression and correlation of various variables in the research. This enabled the researcher to reject the null hypot heses that were developed. Why did I follow this particular route? This research used quantitative research in arriving at the findings. Quantitative research is a kind of study that utilizes figures to arrive at certain conclusions (Huczynski Buchanan 2007, p. 56). In this regard, the research took the form of a survey, whereby the researcher identified the sample and posted questionnaires to them. In this research, there was need to compare the relationship between variables in order to establish cause and effect. The researcher was interested in knowing how different factors (independent variables) stress management (dependent variables), and how this would then affect workplace performance. This demanded for a method that would be objective and able statistically to generalize the findings. Quantitative method was found to be the most appropriate method to use in this research.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Stress Management and Work Performance in the UK (HR) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Quantitative research involves systematic empirical study of a phenomenon by use of statistical tools (McClurg 1999, p. 25). Its main objective is always to employ mathematical theories and models in developing its generalization (Freund Carmeli 2003, p. 710). Therefore, quantitative method would help in this research. It would enable the researcher test the hypotheses put forth for validity and allow the use of a sample as a representation of the entire population. It would help the researcher to use the data to compare the performance of specific employees in their workplaces, and the way they manage their stress and how the management helps them in managing their stress. The quantitative method would also help in knowing if there is any relationship between the performance of the employees at workplace and stress management. Although qualitative methods was traditionally used in social science and would be appropriate in this research, it is not able to give empirical support for research hypothesis. Qualitative methods explain why a given pattern of events has taken place the way they have (Buick Thomas 2001, p. 308). On the other hand, quantitative methods explains what and when of a phenomena. Ethnographic research and phenomenology as approaches of qualitative research would have been appropriate. Ethnography would help in investigation of culture at the workplace that may increase chances of stress among employees (Denzin Lincoln2011). Phenomenology would have helped investigate realities that should be addressed by the management in order to successfully manage stress at the workplace. Due to these reasons qualitative method was not employed in the research and the researcher opted for quantitative research. What principles govern my choices? As mentioned above, the researcher wanted an approach that would enable empirical analysis of data. This would hel p in validation of the secondary data that was reviewed in chapter two of this research. The decision to collect data from across the races, sexes, ages, levels of and education was to help determine the social groups that are at greater risk of getting affected from stress.Advertising Looking for assessment on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This would enable policy makers within various organizations in the United Kingdom to know how to approach each group when it comes to stress management (Lazarus 1966, p. 78). This decision was also based on the fact that there is need to be all inclusive because in the current society prohibit any form of discrimination on whatsoever basis. What assumptions have I made and what were my justifications? In every research, there is need to develop some assumptions in order to make a research process a reality. Assumptions are always very important when dealing with social sciences. As Belanger (2011, p. 89) says, in pure sciences, it is possible for the researcher to manipulate organisms in the research to fit into the desired condition. However, this is not possible when dealing with social sciences. This is because in social sciences, the subject of the researcher is a human being. It is almost impossible to manipulate human being when conducting a research. For this reason, it is i mportant to make some assumptions. In this research, it was assumed that stress is the major cause of poor employee performance at the workplace What results did I obtain? From this research, the result did confirm the fact that stress management has a direct positive impact on performance at workplace. It was confirmed that the best way of managing stress in the workplace is by identifying the source. When the source of this stress is identified, it becomes possible to address it by eliminating the source. This is a sure way of ensuring that all the negative symptoms of stress to not affect the effectiveness of the employees in the workplace. It was also confirmed in this research that lack of stress management among employees in some institution in the United Kingdom has negatively affected the performance of such institutions in various fronts. Will this research solve the problem? The research has revealed a lot of facts about stress management. From this research, it has come o ut clearly that for the management to be in a position to succeed in their undertaking, they must fight stress among their employees. This research has given a number of ways through which stress can be managed at workplace for firms within this country. Are the analyses sound? The validity of the analysis done in this research has been confirmed. The decision to use quantitative analysis was partly motivated by the need to have a method that can be verified empirically. This makes the results obtained in this research valid. They can be used by policy makers within the scope defined in this research. List of References Belanger, C 2011, Our World: United Kingdom, Cengage, New York. Boss, P 2002, Family stress management: A contextual approach, Sage, Thousand Oaks. Brotherton, B 2003, International Hospitality Industry: Structure, Characteristics and Issues, Butterworth-Heinemann, New York. Buick, I Thomas, M 2001, Why do middle managers in hotels burn out? International Journal of Contemporary Management, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 304-309. Freund, A Carmeli, A 2003, ‘An Empirical Assessment: reconstruct model for five universal forms of work commitment’, Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol. 18 no. 7, pp. 708-725. Harrington, J. M 2001. â€Å"Health effects of shift work and extended hours of work.† Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 58, no. 1, p. 68-72. Huczynski, A Buchanan, D 2007, Organizational Behavior: an introductory text, Prentice Hall, Harlow. Lazarus, R 1966, Psychological Stress and the Coping Process, McGraw-Hill, New York. Maxwell, G Steele, G 2008, ‘Organizational commitment: a study of managers in hotels’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 15 no. 7, pp. 362-369. McClurg, N 1999, Organizational commitment in the temporary-help service industry’, Journal of Applied Management Studies, vol. 8 no. 1, pp. 5-26. This assessment on Stress Management and Work Performance in the UK (HR) was written and submitted by user Caitlyn Byrd to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

U.S. History - The Nations Growth in the 1900s essays

U.S. History - The Nation's Growth in the 1900's essays While trying to improve our nations economy, businesses have not ameliorated because of one important backbone of our country, the farmers. Farmers face problems with farming due to droughts, prairie fires, high temperatures, grasshoppers, and locust storms. At this time, the value of the crops decreased due to an overproduction of goods. The farmers have tried to max production rates, but there were too many amounts of the same crop causing the value of the crop to go down. Since the value of the crop decreased, the demand for the crops will go down. For example, the cost of the wheat fell from $0.91 (1883) to $0.69 (1886). Farmers became poor because it is harder for the farmers to sell their crops (lower demand on crops) Also, transporting their crops to the market also costs money. The farmers tried to transport their crops by railroads, but the railroad owners tried pooling, which they charge more for short hauls than long hauls. A group of railroad companies would get together, increase the freight rates, and make railroad transportation more From the result of farmer complaints about railroad fees, congress passes a new law to regulate interstate commerce. It limited the railroad regulations within the state borders. The Interstate Commerce states that, all railroad charges must be reasonable and justified without pooling, rebates, and higher rates for short hauls than long hauls. Railroad companies were required to publish their railroad rates and their annual financial reports to the federal government. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) enforced the railroad laws. The ICC is made of five members appointed by the president to do the job. However, the ICC could not stop the unfair railroad rates ...

Case study dealing with depression

Case study dealing with depression Depression is one of the most common and widespread psychiatric disorders in the UK. Of over 5000 British residents, approximately 5.9% of males and 4.2% of females suffer from depressive illnesses (Based on DSM-IV criteria) (Ohayon, 1999). Consequently there has been much emphasis on implementing techniques and psychotherapy to solve these issues and find effective treatments for depression. This essay will explore, psychodynamic and CBT therapy, in treating depression. There are clear disparities between these two forms of therapy in regards to their theoretical underpinnings as well as the arguments both for and against their effectiveness in treating depression. Throughout this review particular attention will be paid to the similar features which run through both approaches in order to gather a much more conclusive view regarding psychotherapy in the treatment of depression. The essay will begin by briefly outlining depression and discussing the development of psychotherapy in treating it. After this, psychodynamic therapy which is one of the most traditional psychotherapeutic methods of dealing with depression will be explored, in order to gather an understanding of its views on solving the problem of depression. Before moving on to compare this too, the much more modern and focused intervention CBT, developed by Beck (1979). After each approach has been outlined the essay will go on to critically evaluate each approach, firstly in terms of its empirical grounding in research before moving on to gather an understanding of the arguments regarding their theoretical grounding. Before finally going on to conclude as to what is the best option for dealing with such a common and problematic condition. Depression is a condition which is characterized by negative moods and unpleasant states of mind which can undermine our ability to function normally (Gilbert, 2007). In some cases people are born with a predisposition to depression through neurological disorders . However, for many others, depression is likely to occur as a consequence of changing life circumstances. (Hollon, Thase, & Markowitz, 2002) For many years clients were effectively treated with medicines such as anti-depressants. However, the stigma and the side effects that are associated with this medication, mean that many patients diagnosed with depression are reluctant to use them. A survey carried out by Priest, Vize, Roberts, Roberts and Tylee (1996) used questionnaires and interviews to discover the lay person’s beliefs and attitudes to pharmaceuticals as treatment of depression. The study found that 78% of the 2003 participants from across the UK, regarded antidepressants as negative and addictive. This demonstrates that the general public are still very sceptical about using medication as a quick fix to their depression. (Priest et al, 1996) Psychotherapists believe it is addressing the central psychological underpinnings of depression which is essential to long te rm recovery. (Gilbert, 2007) One of the first alternative forms of treatment was psychodynamic therapy. Psychodynamic therapy is based on the belief that that the majority of mental functioning occurs in our unconscious. Jacobs (2004) explains that, according to Freud the structure of the psyche is constructed from birth, and therefore the child’s relationship with significant others in the early years of their life, notably their mother and father, are vital to the individual’s future developments.

Easyjet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Easyjet - Essay Example However, there are several areas that may be pointed out where the aim and objective behind provision of this site is not being satisfied and its full potential is not being harnassed, thereby undermining the potential market that exists for easyjet services. One of the first aspects that easyjet needs to look into is the fact that its B2B link is not clearly visible on the home page. The home page is crammed with several links, of which the B2B link is so small that older viewers who need glasses or those with any kind of visual disability may completely miss the access point. As Jakob Nielsen (1999) points out in his book on designing a good website, simplicity is one of the most vital aspects of designing a website, because the design of a page forms the most visible part of the webpage (p 2). He recommends splitting the material into several pages, but ensuring that each page provides a solid amount of content in a simple, easily viewable form. From this perspective, if easyjet is targeting the business community through its website, then one of its first priorities should be to separate out some of the information on the home page into other pages. For example, the information on airport parking or To/from airport can be included within other pages. There are too many navigation links on this one home page, but the one relevant to the business company is in a very small font and is lost among the other links. Moreover this link is not bolstered with any kind of graphic enhancement at all, therefore first of all the access point must be made more visible and included in a larger font. If it is to stand out on the page, then the link must be bold and highlighted and can be placed separately on one side of the page. Another aspect that must be borne in mind when opening such a cluttered page is the fact that download time will be much more because there are so many links on the one page. This is why simplicity in the page design is of utmost

Austism, Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Austism, - Research Paper Example But it is known that it affects the information processing in brain by the alteration of nerve cells. Autism has a strong and complex genetic basis, but is unclearly explained as either rare mutation or rare combination of common genetic variants. In Autism spectrum disorder (ASDs) there are three recognized disorder namely Autism disorder, Asperger syndrome, and Pervasive development disorder. Autism disorder (also called â€Å"classic† autism): It is referred by impaired social interaction & communication and by restricted & repetitive behavior. (CDC, 2011) Asperger syndrome: It is referred with delays in cognitive development and language. This is a miler version of autism and generally the problems of language and intellectual ability improves over time. (CDC, 2011) Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also called â€Å"atypical autism†) It is referred when both the above mentioned disorders (Asperger syndrome, Autism disorder) does not meet the full set criteria. For eg. Rett's Syndrome (RTT). This has limited effects as compared to a full fledged autism (CDC, 2011). Some of the people suffering from Autism are able to live a regular life, while some require a special back up.

Achieving Competitive Advantage Essay Example for Free

Achieving Competitive Advantage Essay What roles do traditional process management duties of planning, organizing, and controlling play in project management, if any? Answer: The traditional managerial duties of planning, organizing, and controlling all apply to project management. Project managers must be technically well versed, proficient at administrative functions, willing and able to assume leadership roles, and above-all, goal oriented. The project manager is the person most responsible for keeping track of the big picture Diff: 2 Section: 1. 1 What Is a Project? Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag. Reflective 4) Why is project management challenging? Answer: Projects present challenges for a number of reasons; by their nature they are often dramatic departures from the routine process-oriented work that employees are accustomed to. Projects face budget, time, and resource constraints and these resources must often be marshaled from across the organization. Diff: 2 Section: 1. 1 What Is a Project? Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 5) Why are projects important? Answer: Todays businesses face a set of pressures that make projects crucial in helping an organization achieve its strategic goals. These pressures include shortened product life cycles, narrow product launch windows, increasingly complex and technical products, the emergence of global markets, and an economic period marked by low inflation. Diff: 1 Section: 1. 2 Why Are Projects Important? Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 6) What changes in the business environment have necessitated a greater use of project management skills? Answer: Todays businesses face a set of pressures that make projects crucial in helping an organization achieve its strategic goals. These pressures include shortened product life cycles, narrow product launch windows, increasingly complex and technical products, the emergence of global markets, and an economic period marked by low inflation. Diff: 2 Section: 1. 2 Why Are Projects Important? Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 7) Why is project management considered an excellent training ground for future senior executives in many organizations? Answer: One of the unique aspects of projects is their unique blend of technical and behavioral challenges. The technical side of project management requires managers to become skilled in project selection, budgeting and resource management, planning and scheduling, and tracking their projects. The behavioral side of project management requires project managers to bring together individuals from across the organization, mold them into a team, manage conflict, provide leadership, and engage in negotiation and appropriate political behavior. Diff: 2 Section: 1. 2 Why Are Projects Important? Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 8) Describe the activities that occur at each stage of a project. Answer: Stages in a projects development are referred to as the project life cycle, which consists of conceptualization, planning, execution, and termination. In the conceptualization stage the scope of the work is determined, necessary resources are identified, and important organizational stakeholders signed on. In the planning stage all detailed specifications, schematics, schedules, and other plans are developed. Individual pieces of the project are broken down, individual assignments are made, and the process for completion is delineated. During the execution phase the system is developed or the product is created and fabricated. Termination occurs when the completed project is transferred to the customer, the projects resources are reassigned, and the project is formally closed out. Diff: 1 Section: 1. 3 Project Life Cycles Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 9) Where in the project life cycle are the intensity level of resources and client interest at their highest? Why is this the case? Answer: The intensity level of resources peaks during the execution phase of the project life cycle. The actual work is performed during this phase, so the commitment of financial, human, and technical resources peaks at this time. The level of enthusiasm or concern expressed by the projects intended customer peaks in both the conceptualization and termination phases. The client is initially very interested because they provide input on the goal and specifications of the project. Project work moves out of the conceptual phase to a more internal mode and the clients interest wanes until the project nears delivery. At this point the clients interest peaks again as they prepare to receive the completed project and all the associated benefits. Diff: 2 Section: 1. 3 Project Life Cycles Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 10) Rank the determinants of project success from most important to least important and justify your rankings. Answer: Answers with regard to ranking may vary since, for example, circumstances may dictate that time is an overriding concern at the expense of quality and cost. The determinants of project success are: conformance to budget, schedule, performance specifications, and client acceptance. Time – Projects are constrained by a specified timeframe during which they must be completed; they are not supposed to continue indefinitely. Cost – Projects must meet budgeted allowances in order to use resources as efficiently as possible. Performance – Projects are developed in order to adhere to some initially determined technical specifications. Performance measurement means determining whether the finished product operates according to specifications. Client acceptance – Projects are developed with customers in mind; their purpose is to satisfy customers needs. If the completed project meets all internal criteria but does not satisfy the customer, then the project has not been a complete success. Diff: 3 Section: 1. 4 Determinants of Project Success Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 11) Discuss the internal and external measures of project success. Answer: The determinants of project success are the internal measures of time, cost, and performance and the external measure of client acceptance. Time – Projects are constrained by a specified timeframe during which they must be completed; they are not supposed to continue indefinitely. Cost – Projects must meet budgeted allowances in order to use resources as efficiently as possible. Performance – Projects are developed in order to adhere to some initially determined technical specifications. Performance measurement means determining whether the finished product operates according to specifications. Client acceptance – Projects are developed with customers in mind; their purpose is to satisfy customers needs. If the completed project meets all internal criteria but does not satisfy the customer, then the project has not been a complete success. Diff: 1 Section: 1. 4 Determinants of Project Success Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 12) Describe the elements of the Atkinson model of project success. Answer: The Atkinson model incorporates the input of all stakeholders in assessing project success. Stakeholders are all groups that are affected by a project, for example, employees, customers, end users, the community, suppliers, etc. The Atkinson model begins with the traditional iron triangle of time, cost, and performance and adds considerations of the benefits accrued by organizational end external stakeholders. Diff: 2 Section: 1. 4 Determinants of Project Success Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 13) One model of project success offered in the chapter looks beyond the current project into the future. Comment on the elements of this model and their impact along the timeline from project completion to well beyond this point in time. Answer: This framework was proposed by Shenhar, Levy, and Dvir and contains in chronological order, the elements of project efficiency, impact on the customer, business success, and preparing for the future. The immediate measure of success is efficiency, that is, have the project budget and schedule been achieved? More important, have the customer needs, technical specifications been met? Next, has the project achieved the commercial success that was hoped for? Finally, has the project opened new markets or new product lines, helped develop new technologies, or developed new skills for the organization? Diff: 2 Section: 1. 4 Determinants of Project Success Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 14) What are project management maturity models used for? Answer: Project management maturity models are used to allow organizations to benchmark the best practices of successful project management firms. Project maturity models recognize that different organizations are currently at different levels of sophistication in their best practices for managing projects. Diff: 2 Section: 1. 5 Developing Project Management Maturity Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 15) Describe the spider-web methodology for displaying project management maturity and present any five components of project management practice that can be displayed using this technique. Answer: A spider-web diagram (or radar chart) derives its name from its visual similarity to a spider-web, consisting of some number of spokes connected by concentric rings. The spokes represent the components of project management practice that the organization chooses to measure. The rings represent levels of achievement for each of the components. Diff: 2 Section: 1. 5 Developing Project Management Maturity Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 16) Describe the project management characteristics of firms that reside at the lowest levels of the ESI, SEI, Center for Business Practice, and Kerzner maturity models and characteristics of firms that reside at the highest levels of these models. Answer: The lowest level of each model is occupied by companies that have no clear sense of project management. There is no common project management language within these companies and management processes, if any exist, are ad hoc. Firms occupying the highest level of project management maturity are project savvy; having progressed beyond simply applying project management to processes. These firms actively explore ways to continuously improve project management techniques and procedures. Diff: 3 Section: 1. 5 Developing Project Management Maturity Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 17) What are the three levels of the generic project management maturity model and what are the characteristics of a company at each level? Provide examples of organizations at each of these levels and support your choices. Answer: The lowest maturity level of the generic model is reserved for companies that have an ad hoc approach to project management. There is no common language for project management and little support for project workers and the projects. At the moderate maturity level, the organization has defined practices, some training programs for project management and organizational support dedicated to these efforts. At the high maturity level, the process of project management is institutionalized and there are continuous improvement efforts underway from one project to the next. Example organizations will vary. Diff: 3

To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: Discrimination and Prejudice :: Kill Mockingbird essays

Discrimination and Prejudice  in To Kill A Mocking Bird  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Discrimination and prejudice were very common acts in the early and middle 1900's. Prejudice in this book is displayed by the acts of hate and misunderstanding because of someone's color. People of color were the majority that were treated unfairly. During this time in the southern states, black people had to use separate bathrooms, drinking fountains, sections in restaurants, churches, and even go to separate schools. Although much of the discrimination was directed towards blacks, there were plenty of accounts towards impoverished families by those that had money. Discrimination is prevalent when people that are different are called names. Some people thought blacks were automatically dumb because of their color. They weren't allowed to do anything but menial tasks (such as chopping wood) and hard labor because they were thought too dumb. The novel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee has numerous accounts of racism and prejudice throughout the entire piece. The novel is set in the 1930's, a time when racism was very prevalent. Although bigotry and segregation were pointed in majority towards blacks, other accounts towards whites were also heard of, though not as commonly. There are acts that are so discreet that you almost don't catch them, but along with those, there are blatant acts of bigotry that would never occur in our time. Lee addresses many of these feelings in her novel. One subtle example of discrimination the reader sees is the treatment of Calpurnia, a black woman, the housekeeper/nanny for the Finch family. Although she is treated fairly, it is obvious that she is considered to be on a lower social level than the Finches. She calls Scout ma'am and Jem sir, although these are titles usually reserved for elders. "Hush your mouth, sir! When you oughta be hangin' your head in shame you go along laughin'. If Mr. Finch don't wear you out, I will - get in that house, sir!" When Atticus takes Calpurnia to Tom Robinson's home, she has to sit in the back seat so as not to appear as Atticus's equal. She does not eat at the same table with the Finch family although she has been a part of it since Jem was two. She is clearly loved by the family but by no means is she their equal. "I said come here, nigger, and bust up this chiffarobe for me, I got a nickel for you.