Motivating employees Essays - Human Resource Management,

Introduction Engendering the emotional energy of employees is the most difficult challenge facing organisational leaders worldwide. Several organisational behaviours can be attributed towards how successful a company will be. Motivation is a crucial aspect in many organisations and is also a key determinant in the triumph of a business. Motivation is defined as the process of initiating and directing behaviour, and willingness to exert high levels of effort to drive toward organisational goals, conditioned by the effort's ability to satisfy individual needs (Gabriel 1989: 224; Mathis & Jackson 2006: 79). Therefore, motivation is considered to be detrimental to the facets of management within the workforce, where the quality of work that people express is often a result of the motivation they possess. This essay will discuss the concept of motivation by focusing on content theories of motivation and its related theories through exploration of the variable nature of needs and expectations. Also, th is essay will discuss the importance of having a motivated workforce and how the application of these theories is pivotal in achieving staff motivation. Lastly, this essay will include an evaluation of Southwest Airlines, with particular emphasis on the links between motivation and value creation for the company, as well as staff satisfaction. Motivation The motivational process in management can be treated as a need satisfying process. Content theories of motivation are primarily concerned with the dynamics of employee needs, in which the Maslow hierarchy of needs and McGregor?s X and Y theory illustrate the vast scope of needs in motivational processes (Mullins 1996: 85). Maslow?s Hierarchy of Needs Sources of motivation can be arranged in a hierarchical structure. Maslow?s hierarchy of needs theory proposes that within every person are five needs that need to be satisfied. These include, from the bottom of the hierarchy to the top; physiological needs ? these include the bodies automatic efforts to function, safety needs ? protection from emotional and physical harm, social needs ? sense of belonging, esteem needs ? receiving of respect, confidence and strength and self-respect and self-actualisation needs. This theory asserts that individuals satisfy these needs in a step like process. Maslow (1943, cited in Mullins 1996 : 40) also suggested that once the low orders of the hierarchy we satisfied they were no longer motivators. These base level motivators are widely accepted as surviving in the world. Within each of these stages there is a vast range of needs that could fit into each category hence suggesting each individuals needs could be different and unique (Gabriel 1989: 2 24; Maslow 1943, cited in Mullins 1996: 40). X and Y Theory Various sources of motivation are accountable for energizing individual behaviour. McGregor?s X and Y theory is primarily a negative and positive view of employees respectively. Theory X assumes employees to be lazy and must be coerced to perform, and that lower order needs dominate individuals. In contrast, theory Y assumes that employees are responsible can exercise self-direction and that higher level needs predominate. In this way both Theory X and Y offer wide-ranging categories of needs, suggesting the needs for motivation are not predetermined, but rather unpredictable for each individual employee (McGregor 1960, cited in Mullins 1996: 41). A Motivated Workforce A successful organization is highly dependent on a motivated workforce. Motivation affects the output of an organization, which concerns both quantity and quality. For instance, an organization relying heavily on the efficiency of their production employees has to make sure that products are manufactured in time to meet deadlines. However, if employees lack the motivation to produce completed products to meet the deadline, then the organization faces dire consequences in reputation and profitability (Certo 2005: 281-282; Tosi, Mero Gabriel 1989: 227; Tosi et al. 2000:

The Gods of the Olmec

The Gods of the Olmec The mysterious Olmec Civilization flourished between roughly 1200 and 400 B.C. on Mexicos Gulf coast. Although there are still more mysteries than answers about this ancient culture, modern researchers have determined that religion was of great importance to the Olmec. Several supernatural beings appear and re-appear in the few examples of Olmec art that survive today. This has led archaeologists and ethnographers to tentatively identify a handful of Olmec gods. The Olmec Culture The Olmec culture was the first major Mesoamerican civilization, thriving in the steamy lowlands of Mexicos Gulf coast, mainly in the modern-day states of Tabasco and Veracruz. Their first major city, San Lorenzo (its original name has been lost to time) peaked around 1000 B.C. and was in serious decline by 900 B.C. The Olmec civilization had faded by 400 B.C.: no one is certain why. Later cultures, like the Aztec and the Maya, were heavily influenced by the Olmec. Today little survives of this grand civilization, but they left behind a rich artistic legacy including their majestic carved colossal heads. Olmec Religion Researchers have done a remarkable job of learning so much about Olmec religion and society. Archaeologist Richard Diehl has identified five elements of Olmec religion: a particular cosmos, a set of gods who interacted with mortals, a shaman class, specific rituals and sacred sites. Many specifics of these elements remain a mystery: for example, it is believed, but not proven, that one religious rite mimicked the transformation of a shaman into a were-jaguar. Complex A at La Venta is an Olmec ceremonial site which was largely preserved; much about Olmec religion was learned there. Olmec Gods The Olmec apparently had gods, or at least powerful supernatural beings, which were worshiped or respected in some way. Their names and functions - other than in the most general sense - have been lost over the ages. Olmec deities are represented in surviving stone carvings, cave paintings, and pottery. In most Mesoamerican art, gods are depicted as human-like  but are often more gruesome or imposing. Archaeologist Peter Joralemon, who has studied the Olmec extensively, has come up with a tentative identification of eight gods. These gods show a complicated mixture of human, bird, reptile and feline attributes. They include the Olmec Dragon, the Bird Monster, the Fish Monster, the Banded-eye God, the Maize God, the Water God, the Were-Jaguar and the Feathered Serpent. The Dragon, Bird Monster, and Fish Monster, when taken together, form the Olmec physical universe. The dragon represents the earth, the bird monster the skies and the fish monster the underworld. The Olmec Dragon The Olmec Dragon is depicted as a crocodile-like being, occasionally having human, eagle or jaguar features. His mouth, sometimes open in ancient carved images, is seen as a cave: perhaps, for this reason, the Olmec were fond of cave painting. The Olmec Dragon represented the Earth or at least the plane upon which humans lived. As such, he represented agriculture, fertility, fire and otherworldly things. The dragon may have been associated with the Olmec ruling classes or elite. This ancient creature may be the forebear of Aztec gods such as Cipactli, a crocodile god, or Xiuhtecuhtli, a fire god. The Bird Monster The Bird Monster represented the skies, sun, rulership, and agriculture. It is depicted as a fearsome bird, sometimes with reptilian features. The bird monster may have been the preferred god of the ruling class: carved likenesses of rulers sometimes are shown with bird monster symbols in their dress. The city once located at the La Venta archaeological site venerated the Bird Monster: its image appears there frequently, including on an important altar. The Fish Monster Also called the Shark Monster, the Fish Monster is thought to represent the underworld and appears as a frightening shark or fish with sharks teeth. Depictions of the Fish Monster have appeared in stone carvings, pottery, and small greenstone celts, but the most famous is on San Lorenzo Monument 58. On this massive stone carving, the Fish Monster appears with a fearsome mouth full of teeth, a large X on its back and a forked tail. Shark teeth excavated at San Lorenzo and La Venta suggest that the Fish Monster was honored in certain rituals. The Banded-Eye God Little is known about the mysterious Banded-eye God. Its name is a reflection of its appearance. It always appears in profile, with an almond shaped eye. A band or stripe passes behind or through the eye. The Banded-eye God appears more human than many of the other Olmec gods. It is found occasionally on pottery, but a good image appears on a famous Olmec statue, Las Limas Monument 1. The Maize God Because maize was such an important staple of life of the Olmec, its not surprising that they dedicated a god to its production. The Maize God appears as a human-ish figure with a stalk of corn growing out of his head. Like the Bird Monster, Maize God symbolism frequently appears on depictions of rulers. This could reflect the rulers responsibility to ensure bountiful crops for the people. The Water God The Water God often formed a divine team of sorts with the Maize God: the two are often associated with one another. The Olmec Water God appears as a chubby dwarf or infant with a gruesome face reminiscent of the Were-Jaguar. The Water Gods domain was likely not only water in general but also rivers, lakes and other water sources. The Water God appears on different forms of Olmec art, including large sculptures and smaller figurines and celts. It is possible that he is a forebear of later Mesoamerican water gods such as Chac and Tlaloc. The Were-Jaguar The Olmec were-jaguar is a most intriguing god. It appears as a human baby or infant with distinctly feline features, such as fangs, almond-shaped eyes and a cleft in his head. In some depictions, the were-jaguar baby is limp, as if it is dead or sleeping. Matthew W. Stirling proposed that the were-jaguar is the result of relations between a jaguar and a human female, but this theory is not universally accepted. The Feathered Serpent The Feathered Serpent is shown as a rattlesnake, either coiled or slithering, with feathers on its head. One excellent example is Monument 19 from La Venta. The feathered serpent is not very common in surviving Olmec art. Later incarnations such as Quetzalcoatl among the Aztecs or Kukulkan among the Maya seemingly had a much more important place in religion and daily life. Nevertheless, this common ancestor of the significant feathered serpents to come in Mesoamerican religion is considered important by researchers. Importance of the Olmec Gods The Olmec Gods are very important from an anthropological or cultural point of view and understanding them is critical to understanding Olmec civilization. The Olmec civilization, in turn, was the first major Mesoamerican culture and all of the later ones, such as the Aztec and Maya, borrowed heavily from these forebears. This is particularly visible in their pantheon. Most of the Olmec gods would evolve into major deities for later civilizations. The Feathered Serpent, for example, appears to have been a minor god to the Olmec, but it would rise to prominence in Aztec and Maya society. Research continues on the Olmec relics still in existence and at archaeological sites. Currently, there are still more questions than answers about the Olmec Gods: hopefully, future studies will illuminate their personalities even further. Sources: Coe, Michael D and Rex Koontz. Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. 6th Edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2008 Diehl, Richard A. The Olmecs: Americas First Civilization. London: Thames and Hudson, 2004. Grove, David C. Cerros Sagradas Olmecas. Trans. Elisa Ramirez. Arqueologà ­a Mexicana Vol XV - Num. 87 (Sept-Oct 2007). P. 30-35. Miller, Mary and Karl Taube. An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya. New York: Thames Hudson, 1993.

Risk Mangement and Worker Protection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Risk Mangement and Worker Protection - Essay Example Risk management involves procedures and measures that can be used to minimize or eliminate effects arising from risk. Risk management takes shape through certain various steps such as identifying the peril, analyzing and structuring methods toEvery business faces risks some which expose the business but they are controllable and predictable. Others are hard to control or to predict thus leading to uncertainty in operations of the business. Determining risk and controlling it is one of the most essential factors in risk management. Outlining certain measures and practices assists the organization to control risk if it is controllable or devising strategies to recover from loss due to unpredictable and uncertain risk. The management should ensure that proper measures are put in place to eliminate or reduce the effects of risk in the organization (Hopwood and Thompson, 2006). According to Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), health care and precaution measures should be i nstalled in the workplace to reduce effects of risk if it occurs. This means that risks such as epidemics should be reduced by application of measures that can reduce the spread of the condition if it occurs. For instance, if an epidemic like influenza occurs in the work place, the health care team should be quick to detect and suspect the pandemic from the patient. This should be followed by immediate healthcare delivery to the patient and placing the patient in an enclosed place to avoid spread.