Treatment of the Kurds by Saddam Hussein: History

Treatment of the Kurds by Saddam Hussein: History 1. Background Saddam Hussein was the President of Iraq for nearly a quarter of a century, from 1979 to 2003. The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 and deposed Saddam Hussein after defeating his military forces in a bloody and expensive war. The former dictator is currently in captivity and facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The country is still under the occupation of the USA and its allies and is going through very difficult times, a period of violence, political turmoil and economic deprivation. Iraq has undergone intense political turmoil, debilitating and prolonged wars, economic deprivation and internecine strife for nearly three decades. The country has an overwhelmingly Arabic Muslim population, who belong to two religious sects, the Shias and the Sunnis. In addition to these two groups, the Kurdish people, who are Shias by faith, but not Arabs, inhabit the north of the country. The Kurds have been in constant conflict with Saddam’s Ba’athist government for many years over religious and political issues. There have been numerous allegations of violent and extensive persecution of the Kurds, including the use of chemical weapons and nerve gas, by government forces. Thousands of Kurds have supposedly been killed and buried in mass graves by the army during Saddam Hussein’s regime; the atrocities against Kurds is one of the main crimes against humanity for which he is facing trial. The focus of the dissertation specified to the researcher, as part of academic course requirement, is to investigate and analyse the factors responsible for the treatment of the Kurdish population by the Iraqi regime under Saddam Hussein. It is a topic of immense social and political significance and a properly thought out and well conducted research assignment might well provide a fresh perspective on the issue and be of help to social scientists and academia. 2. Definition of Research Issues The successful conduct of this research assignment and the preparation of the dissertation will be influenced by a proper appreciation and handling of the different issues needed for carrying out relevant and ethical social research. The topic under investigation is evocative and contemporaneous. It is difficult for involved people and external observers to be impartial and objective about the issue, considering the enormous amount of material generated by media and other observers. Saddam Hussein, after years of dictatorial rule, appears to be a man condemned by popular perception, his statements in court considered to be no more than the ranting of a cornered and beaten megalomaniac. A perusal of recent media reports in the western press show him in the worst possible light and very little appears on the positive sides of his character or his regime. The website â€Å"Saddam Hussein’s Philanthropy of Terror† (2004) and many similar ones refer to him as â€Å"The Butcher of Baghdad†, (Murdock, 2004) among other pejoratives. Saddam Hussein has had an extraordinarily long term as President of Iraq. The western media and the US government, especially during the term of Ronald Reagan, have supported him in his war against Iran after the deposition of the Shah. His conflict with the west commenced with his attack on Kuwait 1990 and ended with his defeat and deposition in 2003. It is of immense importance to thus define the various issues of the research assignment. These will need to deal with the political and religious affiliation of Saddam Hussein and the Ba’athist regime, the religious, political and social differences between the Iraqi regime and the Kurds, the nature of the atrocities carried out on the Kurds and the reasons for these atrocities. The research issues, framed as questions can thus be as detailed below: What were the political and religious affiliations of Saddam Hussein and the Ba’athist Party? What were the religious, social and political differences between the Iraqi regime and the Kurds of Iraq? What was the nature of atrocities carried out by the Iraqi regime on the Kurds? What were the reasons for the carrying out of these atrocities? A specific articulation of the issues will thus enable the researcher to focus on the core issues involved in the dissertation, conduct the investigation and gather evidence accordingly. Social research involved the interaction between ideas and evidence. Ideas help social researchers make sense of evidence, and researchers use evidence to extend, revise and test ideas.(Ragin, 1994) 3. Research Methodology The research methodology to be used for particular assignments depends, to a great deal on the inclination and affinity of the researche for particular techniques available within the broad framework of rules followed for social research assignments. The importance of secondary research is essential for an assignment with such a broad canvas, encompassing, inter alia, social mores, religion and politics, dominant and inferior groups, repression and atrocities. A number of books, texts, journals and magazines on Saddam Hussein, Iraq and the Kurdish issue are available in hard and electronic format, many of which are listed in the bibliography. It will be essential to peruse these texts, in reference with the research issues to arrive at findings generated from information available in secondary sources. The appropriate research methodology for the purpose of this assignment needs to take care of the discussed facts and be tailored accordingly. An article on â€Å"Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Social Research† by Nedra Kline Weinrich, first published in 1996 details a methodology, wherein a balanced and well thought out mix of quantitative and qualitative research techniques could well be the most appropriate methodology for conducting this assignment An examination of the quantitative and qualitative paradigms will help to identify their strengths and weaknesses and how their divergent approaches can complement each other. In most cases, researchers fall into one of the two camps, either relying exclusively upon objective survey questionnaires and statistical analyses and eschewing warm and fuzzy qualitative methods, or using only qualitative methodologies, rejecting the quantitative approach as decontextualizing human behaviour. However, it is widely accepted that each approach has positive attributes and that combining different methods, if handled properly, can result in the best of both techniques. (Weinrich, 1996) Research techniques used for quantitative analysis aim to achieve objective results and eschew subjective interpretation. The respondents are generally selected through random sampling in a statistical manner aimed at achieving a response from the selected sample, which will be representative of the total population. Qualitative research methods are vastly different and concentrate on working with smaller groups known as focus groups. These focus groups are selected with great care but later subjected to intensive questioning and interviewing by trained researchers who are very well versed in qualitative techniques. It is the job of these researchers to ensure that their respondents are able to provide them with subjective and interpretative data, which would have never come out with quantitative techniques. There are however some techniques wherein it is possible to integrate qualitative and quantitative methods in research. In the first approach, qualitative methods contribute to the development of quantitative instruments, such as the use of focus groups in questionnaire construction. The second model consists of a primarily quantitative study that uses qualitative results to help interpret or explain the quantitative findings. In the third approach, quantitative results help interpret predominantly qualitative findings, as when focus group participants are asked to fill out survey questionnaires at the session. In the fourth model, the two methodologies are used equally, in parallel to cross-validate, and build upon each others results. †¦ may operate under one or more of these models; the approaches are not mutually exclusive. (Weinreich, 1996) It is felt that integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods will lend depth and clarity to this research assignment. Using multiple approaches can be time-consuming, labour-intensive and expensive, but also possibly the most productive. In addition to obtaining information from primary sources like official websites and journals, the researcher also proposes to carry out a detailed questionnaire based survey of 20 Iraqis for obtaining primary information on the key issues. The respondents can be sourced with the help of the Iraqi embassy. It is anticipated that there will not be much difficulty in obtaining agreeable respondents once the purpose of the study and the research credentials are clarified. As the sample population is not very large the questionnaires will have to focus on the research issues and on obtaining a qualitative response. This could be done either by framing 20 open ended questions focusing on research issues or by using 20 questions with multiple choice answers. Multiple choice questions will allow respondents to chose their response from a set of answers and be useful in preparing a tabulated response. The researcher is in favour of using a range of leading open ended questions but will have to use excellent interviewing skills, either personal or outsourced to get authentic responses. The code of ethics will be followed strictly both during the framing of the questionnaire and the conduct of the interviews. The right of the respondents to privacy and confidentiality will be strictly observed as well as their wish to answer questions. The findings of the primary research and the findings obtained from a study of the secondary literature will need to be matched and cross tallied for support or contradiction to arrive at logical supported findings and thence to conclusions. 4. Limitations of Study A number of constraints could arise during the course of the dissertation that could in some ways affect its final quality. The researcher has already started reading the data available from secondary sources and does not anticipate any problems to arise from unavailability of secondary data. However the possibility of missing out on some important information due to lack of time or knowledge does exist. The researcher proposes to interview 20 people to obtain responses on issues relevant to the matter under investigation. This is still a grey area as no respondents have been finalised yet but the researcher does not anticipate much difficulty in obtaining these responses. The subject proposed for investigation has multiple has multiple perspectives, evidenced by the large number of theories. The study will require time and perspicacity for a proper and acceptable result. The researcher proposes to make sincere efforts to examine the issue from different perspectives. The availability of more time would have possibly thrown up more data and a larger primary information sample leading to more accurate data for analysis and solutions. Bibliography Crano, W. D., Brewer, M. B. 2002. Principles and Methods of Social Research. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Kazemzadeh, M. 1998. Thinking the Unthinkable: Solving the Problem of Saddam Hussein for Good. Middle East Policy, 1(1), 73-86. Kelsay, J. 1993. Islam and War: A Study in Comparative Ethics (1st ed.). Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=26085894 Murdock, D, 2004, â€Å"Saddam Hussein’s Philanthropy of Terror† Retrieved October 23, 2006 from www.husseinandterror.com Palys, T., Lowman, J. 2001. Social Research with Eyes Wide Shut: The Limited Confidentiality Dilemma. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 43(2), 255. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=5001041487 Ragin, C, 1994, Constructing Social Research, Pine Forge Pr, ISBN: 0803990219 Rezun, M. 1992. Saddam Husseins Gulf Wars: Ambivalent Stakes in the Middle East. Westport, CT: Praeger. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=107022508 Simons, G. 1996. Iraq From Sumer to Saddam (Second ed.). Basingstoke: Macmillan. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=97576434 Zinger, I., Wichmann, C., Gendreau, P. 2001. Legal and Ethical Obligations in Social Research: The Limited Confidentiality Requirement. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 43(2), 269. Weinrich, N.K., 1996 Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Social Marketing Research, Social-Marketing.com, Retrieved October 21, 2006 from www.social-marketing.com/research.html

Quality of Work Life Essay

Employees at any level many time experience a sense of frustration because low level of wages, poor working conditions, unfavourable terms of employment, inhuman treatement by their superiors & the like whereas managerial personnel feel frustrated because of alienation over their condition of employment , interpersonal conflicts, role conflicts, Job pressure , lack of freedom , absence of challenging work, etc. QWL means different things to different people, J. Richard & J. Loy define QWL as † the degree to which members of a work organization are able to satisfy mportant personnel needs through their experience in the organization. † In the search for improved productivity, manager & executives alike are discovering the important contribution of QWL. Hackman & suttle describe QWL from varied viewpoints. From a professional view point , it refers to industrial democracy, increase workewrs participation in corporate decision making , or culmination of the goals of human realations. In terms of management perspective, it relates to a variety of efforts to improve productivity through improvements in the human , rather than he capital or technological inputs of production. From standpoint of the characteristics of individual workers , it refers to the degree to which members of a work organization are able to satisfy important personal needs through their experience in the organization. From the unions, perspective , it is a more equitable sharing of the income and resources of the work of organization, and more human & healthier working conditions. DIMENSIONS OF STUDY : Quality of work life improvement are defined as any activity which takes place at very level of organization which seeks greater organizational effectiveness through enhancement of human dignity and growth a process through which the stockholders in the organization management, union and employees- learn how to work together to better to determine for themselves what actions, changes & improvements are desirable and workable in order to achive twin & simultaneous goals of an improve quality of life at work for all members of organization & greater effectiveness for the company and unions. Trade union claim that they are responsible for the improvements in various facilities to workers hereas management takes credit for improved salaries, benefits & facilities. However, HR manager has identified specific issues in QWL. Klott Mundick& Schuster suggested major QWL issues. They are: (1) Pay & Employment on permanent basis: Good pay still dominates most of the other factors in employee satisfaction. Various alternative means for providing wages should be developed in view of increase in cost of living index , increase in levels & rates of income tax & profession tax. QWL must be build around an equitable pay programs . in uture more workers may want to participate in the profits of the firm. Employment of workers on casual, temporary, probationary basis gives them sense of insecurity. On the other hand , employment on the other basis gives them security & leads to higher order QWL. (2) Occupational Stress : Stress is a condition of strain on one’s emotions, thought process ; physical condition . stress is determined by the worker’s abilities & nature and match with the Job requirements. Stress is cause due irritability, offering prestigious designation to the Jobs, providing well furnish amp; decent work places, offering membership in clubs or association , providing vehicles, offering vacation trips, or means to recognize the employees hyper- excitation or depression unstable behaviour, fatigue, stuttering, trembling psychometric pains, heavy smoking & drug abuse. Stress adversely effects on employee’s productivity. The HR manager, in order to minimize the stress has to identifiy, prevent ; tackle the problem. He may arrange the treatment of problem with the health unit or provide some stress buster activities during the hectic work schedule. 3) Organizational Health programs : Organizational health programs aim at educating employees about health problems means of maintaining ; improving health etc. These programme covers drinking and smoking cessation ( if it is affecting the productivity of employee ) , hypertension control , other forms of cardiovascular risk reduction, family planning etc. Effective implementation of these progrme results in reduction in absenteeism, hospitalization ,disability, excessive Job turnover ; premature death. It should also covers relaxation, physical exercise , diet control etc. 4) Alternative work schedule : Alternative work schedule including work at home , flexible working hours, staggered hours , and reduced work week, part time employment which may be introduced for the convenience ; comfort of the workers as the work schedule which offers the individual the leisure time , flexible hours of work is preferred. 5) Participative Management ; control of work : Trade unions and workers participation in management and decision making improves QWL . workers also feel that they have control their work, use their skills ; make a real contribution to the Job if they re allowed to participate in creative and decision making process. (6) Recognition : recognizing the employee as a human being rather than as a labourer increases the QWL . Participative management , awarding the rewarding systems , congratulating the employees for their achievement , Job enrichment, offering prestigious designation to the Jobs, providing well furnish and decent work places,offering membership in club or associations , providing vehicles , offering vacation trips, or some means to recognize the employees . (7) Congenial Worker- supervisor Relation : Harmonious supervisor- worker relations give the worker essence of social association , belongingness, achievement of worker results etc. This in turn led to better QWL. 8) Grievance procedure : workers have a sence of fair treatement when the company gives them opportunity to ventilate their grievances and represent their case succinctly rather than settling the problems arbitrarily. (9) Adequacy of resources : Resources should match with stated objective ; otherwise , employee will not be able to attain them . This results in the employee dissatisfaction and lower QWL. 10) Seniority ; meri t in promotions : seniority is generally taken as the basis of promotion in case of operating employees . Merit is considered as the basis for advancement for managerial people whereas seniority cum- merit is preferred for promotion of ministerial employees. The promotional policies ; activities should be fair 7 Just in order to ensure higher QWL. (11) Welfare Benefits : Since workers are now better organized , educated ; vociferous, they demand social security ; welfare benefits as a matter of right which were once considered a part of bargaining process.

Forward the Foundation Chapter 23

5 â€Å"Dad,† said Raych with some concern, â€Å"you look tired.† â€Å"I dare say,† said Hari Seldon, â€Å"I feel tired. But how are you?† Raych was forty-four now and his hair was beginning to show a bit of gray, but his mustache remained thick and dark and very Dahlite in appearance. Seldon wondered if he touched it up with dye, but it would have been the wrong thing to ask. Seldon said, â€Å"Are you through with your lecturing for a while?† â€Å"For a while. Not for long. And I'm glad to be home and see the baby and Manella and Wanda-and you, Dad.† â€Å"Thank you. But I have news for you, Raych. No more lecturing. I'm going to need you here.† Raych frowned. â€Å"What for?† On two different occasions he had been sent to carry out delicate missions, but those were back during the days of the Joranumite menace. As far as he knew, things were quiet now, especially with the overthrow of the junta and the reestablishment of a pale Emperor. â€Å"It's Wanda,† said Seldon. â€Å"Wanda? What's wrong with Wanda?† â€Å"Nothing's wrong with her, but we're going to have to work out a complete genome for her-and for you and Manella as well-and eventually for the new baby.† â€Å"For Bellis, too? What's going on?† Seldon hesitated. â€Å"Raych, you know that your mother and I always thought there was something lovable about you, something that inspired affection and trust.† â€Å"I know you thought so. You said so often enough when you were trying to get me to do something difficult. But I'll be honest with you. I never felt it.† â€Å"No, you won over me and†¦ and Dors.† (He had such trouble saying the name, even though four years had passed since her destruction.) â€Å"You won over Rashelle of Wye. You won over Jo-Jo Joranum. You won over Manella. How do you account for all that?† â€Å"Intelligence and charm,† said Raych, grinning. â€Å"Have you thought you might have been in touch with their-our-minds?† â€Å"No, I've never thought that. And now that you mention it, I think it's ridiculous. With all due respect, Dad, of course.† â€Å"What if I told you that Wanda seems to have read Yugo's mind during a moment of crisis?† â€Å"Coincidence or imagination, I should say.† â€Å"Raych, I knew someone once who could handle people's minds as easily as you and I handle conversation.† â€Å"Who was that?† â€Å"I can't speak of him. Take my word for it, though.† â€Å"Well-† said Raych dubiously. â€Å"I've been at the Galactic Library, checking on such matters. There is a curious story, about twenty thousand years old and therefore back to the misty origins of hyperspatial travel. It's about a young woman, not much more than Wanda's age, who could communicate with an entire planet that circled a sun called Nemesis.† â€Å"Surely a fairytale.† â€Å"Surely. And incomplete, at that. But the similarity with Wanda is astonishing.† Raych said, â€Å"Dad, what are you planning?† â€Å"I'm not sure, Raych. I need to know the genome and I have to find others like Wanda. I have a notion that youngsters are born-not often but occasionally-with such mental abilities, but that, in general, it merely gets them in trouble and they learn to mask it. And as they grow tip, their ability, their talent, is buried deep within their minds- sort of an unconscious act of self-preservation. Surely in the Empire or even just among Trantor's forty billion, there must be more of that sort, like Wanda, and if I know the genome I want, I can test those I think may be so.† â€Å"And what would you do with them if you found them, Dad?† â€Å"I have the notion that they are what I need for the further development of psychohistory.† Raych said, â€Å"And Wanda is the first of the type you know about and you intend to make a psychohistorian out of her?† â€Å"Perhaps.† â€Å"Like Yugo. Dad, no!† â€Å"Why no?† â€Å"Because I want her to grow up like a normal girl and become a normal woman. I will not have you sitting her before the Prime Radiant and make her into a living monument to psychohistorical mathematics.† Seldon said, â€Å"It may not come to that, Raych, but we must have her genome. You know that for thousands of years there have been suggestions that every human being have his genome on file. It's only the expense that's kept it from becoming standard practice; no one doubts the usefulness of it. Surely you see the advantages. If nothing else, we will know Wanda's tendencies toward a variety of physiological disorders. If we had ever had Yugo's genome, I am certain he would not now be dying. Surely we can go that far.† â€Å"Well, maybe, Dad, but no further. I'm willing to bet that Manella is going to be a lot firmer on this than I am.† Seldon said, â€Å"Very well. But remember, no more lecture tours. I need you at home.† â€Å"We'll see,† Raych said and left. Seldon sat there in a quandary. Eto Demerzel, the one person he knew who could handle minds, would have known what to do. Dors, with her nonhuman knowledge, might have known what to do. For himself, he had a dim vision of a new psychohistory-but nothing more than that. 6 It was not an easy task to obtain a complete genome of Wanda. To begin with, the number of biophysicists equipped to handle the genome was small and those that existed were always busy. Nor was it possible for Seldon to discuss his needs openly, in order to interest the biophysicists. It was absolutely essential, Seldon felt, that the true reason for his interest in Wanda's mental powers be kept secret from all the Galaxy. And if another difficulty was needed, it was the fact that the process was infernally expensive. Seldon shook his head and said to Mian Endelecki, the biophysicist he was now consulting, â€Å"Why so expensive, Dr. Endelecki? I am not an expert in the field, but it is my distinct understanding that the process is completely computerized and that, once you have a scraping of skin cells, the genome can be completely built and analyzed in a matter of days.† â€Å"That's true. But having a deoxyribonucleic acid molecule stretching out for billions of nucleotides, with every purine and pyrimidine in its place, is the least of it; the very least of it, Professor Seldon. There is then the matter of studying each one and comparing it to some standard. â€Å"Now, consider, in the first place, that although we have records of complete genomes, they represent a vanishingly small fraction of the number of genomes that exist, so that we don't really know how standard they are.† Seldon asked, â€Å"Why so few?† â€Å"A number of reasons. The expense, for one thing. Few people are willing to spend the credits on it unless they have strong reason to think there is something wrong with their genome. And if they have no strong reason, they are reluctant to undergo analysis for fear they will find something wrong. Now, then, are you sure you want your granddaughter genomed?† â€Å"Yes, I do. It is terribly important.† â€Å"Why? Does she show signs of a metabolic anomaly?† â€Å"No, she doesn't. Rather the reverse-if I knew the antonym of ‘anomaly.' I consider her a most unusual person and I want to know just what it is that makes her unusual.† â€Å"Unusual in what way?† â€Å"Mentally, but it's impossible for me to go into details, since I don't entirely understand it. Maybe I will, once she is genomed.† â€Å"How old is she?† â€Å"Twelve. She'll soon be thirteen.† â€Å"In that case, I'll need permission from her parents.† Seldon cleared his throat. â€Å"That may be difficult to get. I'm her grandfather. Wouldn't my permission be enough?† â€Å"For me, certainly. But, you know, we're talking about the law. I don't wish to lose my license to practice.† It was necessary for Seldon to approach Raych again. This, too, was difficult, as he protested once more that he and his wife, Manella, wanted Wanda to live a normal life of a normal girl. What if her genome did turn out to be abnormal? Would she be whisked away to be prodded and probed like a laboratory specimen? Would Hari, in his fanatical devotion to his Psychohistory Project, press Wanda into a life of all work and no play, shutting her off from other young people her age? But Seldon was insistent. â€Å"Trust me, Raych. I would never do anything to harm Wanda. But this must be done. I need to know Wanda's genome. If it is as I suspect it is, we may be on the verge of altering the course of psychohistory, of the future of the Galaxy itself!† And so Raych was persuaded and somehow he obtained Manella's consent, as well. And together, the three adults took Wanda to Dr. Endelecki's office. Mian Endelecki greeted them at the door. Her hair was a shining white, but her face showed no sign of age. She looked at the girl, who walked in with a look of curiosity on her face but with no signs of apprehension or fear. She then turned her gaze to the three adults who had accompanied Wanda. Dr. Endelecki said with a smile, â€Å"Mother, father, and grandfather-am I right?† Seldon answered, â€Å"Absolutely right.† Raych looked hang-dog and Manella, her face a little swollen and her eyes a little red, looked tired. â€Å"Wanda,† began the doctor. â€Å"That is your name, isn't it?† â€Å"Yes, ma'am,† said Wanda in her clear voice. â€Å"I'm going to tell you exactly what I'm going to do with you. You're right-handed, I suppose.† â€Å"Yes, ma'am.† â€Å"Very well, then, I'll spray a little patch on your left forearm with an anesthetic. It will just feel like a cool wind. Nothing else. I'll then scrape a little skin from you just a tiny bit. There'll be no pain, no blood, no mark afterward. When I'm done, I'll spray a little disinfectant on it. The whole thing will take just a few minutes. Does that sound all right to you?† â€Å"Sure,† said Wanda, as she held out her arm. When it was over, Dr. Endelecki said, â€Å"I'll put the scraping under the microscope, choose a decent cell, and put my computerized gene analyzer to work. It will mark off every last nucleotide, but there are billions of them. It will probably take the better part of a day. It's all automatic, of course, so I won't be sitting here watching it and there's no point in your doing so, either. â€Å"Once the genome is prepared, it will take an even longer time to analyze it. If you want a complete job, it may take a couple of weeks. That is why it's so expensive a procedure. The work is hard and long. I'll call you in when I have it.† She turned away, as if she had dismissed the family, and busied herself with the gleaming apparatus on the table in front of her. Seldon said, â€Å"If you come across anything unusual, will you get in touch with me instantly? I mean, don't wait for a complete analysis if you find something in the first hour. Don't make me wait.† â€Å"The chances of finding anything in the first hour are very slim, but I promise you, Professor Seldon that I will be in touch with you at once if it seems necessary.† Manella snatched Wanda's arm and led her off triumphantly. Raych followed, feet dragging. Seldon lingered and said, â€Å"This is more important than you know, Dr. Endelecki.† Dr. Endelecki nodded as she said, â€Å"Whatever the reason, Professor, I'll do my best.† Seldon left, his lips pressed tightly together. Why he had thought that somehow the genome would be worked out in five minutes and that a glance at it in another five minutes would give him an answer, he did not know. Now he would have to wait for weeks, without knowing what would be found. He ground his teeth. Would his newest brainchild, the Second Foundation, ever be established or was it an illusion that would remain always just out of reach? 7 Hari Seldon walked into Dr. Endelecki's office, a nervous smile on his face. He said, â€Å"You said a couple of weeks, Doctor. It's been over a month mow.† Dr. Endelecki nodded. â€Å"I'm sorry, Professor Seldon but you wanted everything exact and that is what I have tried to do.† â€Å"Well?† The look of anxiety on Seldon's face did not disappear. What did you find?† â€Å"A hundred or so defective genes.† â€Å"What! Defective genes. Are you serious, Doctor?† â€Å"Quite serious. Why not? There are no genomes without at least a hundred defective genes; usually there are considerably more. It's not as bad as it sounds, you know.† â€Å"No, I don't know. You're the expert, Doctor, not I.† Dr. Endelecki sighed and stirred in her chair. â€Å"You don't know anything about genetics, do you, Professor?† â€Å"No, I don't. A man can't know everything.† â€Å"You're perfectly right. I know nothing about this-what do you call it?-this psychohistory of yours.† Dr. Endelecki shrugged, then continued. â€Å"If you wanted to explain anything about it, you would be forced to start from the beginning and I would probably not understand it even so. â€Å"Now, as to genetics-â€Å" â€Å"Well?† â€Å"An imperfect gene usually means nothing. There are imperfect genes-so imperfect and so crucial that they produce terrible disorders. These are very rare, though. Most imperfect genes simply don't work with absolute accuracy. They're like wheels that are slightly out of balance. A vehicle will move along, trembling a bit, but it will move along.† â€Å"Is that what Wanda has?† â€Å"Yes. More or less. After all, if all genes were perfect, we would all look precisely the same, we would all behave precisely the same. It's the difference in genes that makes for different people.† â€Å"But won't it get worse as we grow older?† â€Å"Yes. We all get worse as we grow older. I noticed you limping when you came in. Why is that?† â€Å"A touch of sciatica,† muttered Seldon. â€Å"Did you have it all your life?† â€Å"Of course not.† â€Å"Well, some of your genes have gotten worse with time and now you limp.† â€Å"And what will happen to Wanda with time?† â€Å"I don't know. I can't predict the future, Professor; I believe that is your province. However, if I were to hazard a guess, I would say that nothing unusual will happen to Wanda-at least, genetically-except the gathering of old age.† Seldon said, â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"You have to take my word for it. You wanted to find out about Wanda's genome and you ran the risk of discovering things perhaps it is better not to know. But I tell you that, in my opinion, I can see nothing terrible happening to her.† â€Å"The imperfect genes-should we fix them? Can we fix them?† â€Å"No. In the first place, it would be very expensive. Secondly, the chances are that they would not stay fixed. And finally, people are against it. â€Å"But why?† â€Å"Because they're against science in general. You should know this as well as anyone, Professor. I'm afraid the situation is such, especially since Cleon's death, that mysticism has been gaining ground. People don't believe in fixing genes scientifically. They would rather cure things by the laying on of hands or by mumbo-jumbo of some sort or other. Frankly it is extremely difficult for me to continue with my job. Very little funding is coming in.† Seldon nodded. â€Å"Actually I understand this situation all too well. Psychohistory explains it, but I honestly didn't think the situation was growing so bad so rapidly. I've been too involved in my own work to see the difficulties all around me.† He sighed. â€Å"I've been watching the Galactic Empire slowly fall apart for over thirty years now-and now that it's beginning to collapse much more rapidly, I don't see how we can stop it in time.† â€Å"Are you trying to?† Dr. Endelecki seemed amused. â€Å"Yes, I am.† â€Å"Lots of luck. About your sciatica. You know, fifty years ago it could have been cured. Not now, though.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Well, the devices used for it are gone; the people who could have handled them are working on other things. Medicine is declining.† â€Å"Along with everything else,† mused Seldon. â€Å"But let's get back to Wanda. I feel she is a most unusual young woman with a brain that is different from most. What do her genes tell you about her brain?† Dr. Endelecki leaned back in her chair. â€Å"Professor Seldon do you know just how many genes are involved in brain function?† â€Å"No. â€Å"I'll remind you that, of all the aspects of the human body, the brain function is the most intricate. In fact, as far as we know, there is nothing in the Universe as intricate as the human brain. So you won't be surprised when I tell you that there are thousands of genes that each play a role in brain function.† â€Å"Thousands?† â€Å"Exactly. And it is impossible to go through those genes and see anything specifically unusual. I will take your word for it, as far as Wanda is concerned. She is an unusual girl with an unusual brain, but I see nothing in her genes that can tell me anything about that brain-except, of course, that it is normal.† â€Å"Could you find other people whose genes for mental functioning are like Wanda's, that have the same brain pattern?† â€Å"I doubt it very much. Even if another brain were much like hers, there would still be enormous differences in the genes. No use looking for similarities. Tell me, Professor, just what is it about Wanda that makes you think her brain is so unusual?† Seldon shook his head. â€Å"I'm sorry. It's not something I can discuss.† â€Å"In that case, I am certain that I can find out nothing for you. How did you discover that there was something unusual about her brain-this thing you can't discuss?† â€Å"Accident,† muttered Seldon. â€Å"Sheer accident.† â€Å"In that case, you're going to have to find other brains like hers-also by accident. Nothing else can be done.† Silence settled over both of them. Finally Seldon said, â€Å"Is there anything else you can tell me?† â€Å"I'm afraid not. Except that I'll send you my bill.† Seldon rose with an effort. His sciatica hurt him badly. â€Å"Well then, thank you, Doctor. Send the bill and I'll pay it.† Hari Seldon left the doctor's office, wondering just what he would do next.

Volkswagen and Porsche - 3950 Words

Volkswagen and Porsche - Corporate Finance Case study: Mergers Acquisitions of listed companies by Joachim Hà ¤cker What is the macro view of this case study? Small fish tries to eat big fish (financial figures are end of 2005 and rounded): VW: Market cap: â‚ ¬16 bn Book value: â‚ ¬24 bn Cash and cash equivalent: â‚ ¬8 bn (+â‚ ¬4 bn marketable securities) Porsche: Market cap: â‚ ¬11 bn Book value: â‚ ¬3.4 bn Cash and cash equivalent: â‚ ¬3.6 bn VW Porsche case study – by Joachim Hà ¤cker Seite 1 What is the macro view of the case study? What is the agenda of this presentation? What is the agenda of this presentation? 1. Basic understanding: Basic understanding: How did the small fish try to eat the big fish - the takeover†¦show more content†¦VW Porsche case study – by Joachim Hà ¤cker Seite 12 Phase 1: Porsche might acquire VW: What are the threats and caveats SWOT analysis, Porsche takes over VW VW Porsche case study – by Joachim Hà ¤cker Seite 13 Phase 2: Edging towards the 30% mark (November 2006) Co Coinciding with the announcement of its 18.5% minority share (September 2005), Porsche (Sep announced that the scope of its engagement with VW would not, in any case, come to require issuance of a mandatory offer to the other shareholders: Fifteen months, that very thing happened! To accomplish this, Porsche did not buy VW shares directly: Instead, it (again) acted through options. This way, Porsche effectively â€Å"sneaked† its way to the 30% mark within one year. The initial 8.5% share was increased to 21% plus, and in November 2006, the company exercised VW common stock options at around 4%, with holdings totaling more than 25%. Two days later Porsche’s share increased to 27.4%. VW Porsche case study – by Joachim Hà ¤cker Seite 14 Phase 3: Crossing the 30% hurdle According to the German Stock Corporation Act, when Porsche crossed the 30%-threshold, to the German Stock Corporation Act when Porsche crossed the 30% Porsche was bound by contract to submit a bid to the other shareholders for the remaining ordinary and preference shares. PorscheShow MoreRelatedPorsche : The Invention Of The Volkswagen Beetle Essay1787 Words   |  8 PagesPorsche was co-founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, with his son and son-in-law, Anton Pià «ch, father of VW Chairman Ferdinand Pià «ch. The founder of the company is Dr. Ferdinand Porsche. He was born in Bohemia and went to school to be an engineer. By the 1930 Dr. Ferdinand Porsche had created his own engineering and design firm in the name DR. ING... Porsche KG. Porsche was also an Engineering Office. Porsche was a firm that later sold design and engineering services to other carmakers. In theRead MoreThe Financial Performance And Condition Of The Porsche Se Group1370 Words   |  6 PagesSince then Porsche has grown into a thriving company that is associated with the beautiful sports cars they produce. Porsche SE Group is an automobile manufacturing company that produces vehicles under the Porsche brand and also produces a variety of brands that fall under the Volkswagen umbrella of the company. Porsche’s has grown into one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world. Throughout this paper, we will assess the financial performance and condition of the Porsche SE Group,Read MoreFinancial Report Of The Business Company Porsche Essay1461 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction This essay will provide a financial summary of the business company Porsche. Information such as the company’s history, products, and major competitors will be highlighted. The financial performance and of Porsche will also be explored. A SWOT analysis will be provided to describe the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Porsche. Based upon the information gathered for the analysis, an assessment on the quality of the decisions made by the company will be establishedRead MoreWhy Volkswagen Will Race Ahead Of Auto Peers 864 Words   |  3 PagesVolkswagen (VLKAY), world’s third-largest automaker behind Toyota (TM) and General Motors (GM), has been an exceptional performer in the automotive industry, gaining 158% over the last five years. Although the U.S. is one of the Volkswagens smaller markets, it is a top seller in the Europe and China. As the company aspires to become the global industry leader by 2018, here are a few reasons to back up its ambitiou s claim. European auto industry poised for a rebound Europe’s beleaguered auto industryRead MorePorsche short squeeze1746 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Executive Summary In 2008, the largest â€Å"short squeeze† in the history, done by Porsche’s CFO to acquire control over Volkswagen through option contracts, had caused a huge loss for multiple hedge funds and investment banks in Germany. And meanwhile in 2007, until the beginning of 2008, TCI and 3G, 2 UK-based hedge funds, violated SEC disclosure requirements, hiding their objective to takeover CSX Corporation by entering into equity total return swaps with numerous investment banks. CSX was aRead MoreThe Volkswagen Beetle1215 Words   |  5 PagesThe people#8217;s car #8211; generically, Volkswagen in German #8211; is almost as old as the automobile, and the type was familiar in Germany long before the advent of the Volkswagen. Usually these #8220;popular#8221; cars were minimal cars, though size and simplicity did not necessarily bring them within the reach of the ordinary man in the street. Henry Ford did build a successful universal car, to sell at a low price, but his Model T with its 2.9-litre engine was by no means a smallRead MoreBusiness Plan For Grow Porsche Over The Next Three Years Essay1244 Words   |  5 PagesThis essay will prepare a strategic plan to grow Porsche over the next three years. The company’s history, products, and financial performance will be highlighted. A future-oriented SWOT analysis will be provided to describe the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Porsche. Based upon the information gathered for the analysis, a strategic plan using calculations for improving the business will be determined. The essay will conclude by discussing the measurements of success and additionalRead MoreTaking a Look at Volkswagen820 Words   |  3 PagesStrengths Global presence. Volkswagen is conducting its operations in more than 150 countries worldwide and is expected to become the worlds best and biggest auto manufacturer by 2018. Volkswagen manufacturing operations, for its cars, are currently being conducted in more than 100 plants across the globe. Other than General Motors and Toyota, no other automotive company has the resources available to compete with Volkswagen in terms of global presence. Strong brand portfolio. volkwagen possessesRead MoreBacklash Against The Launch Of The Porche Cayenne1679 Words   |  7 PagesLAUNCH OF THE PORCHE CAYENNE Porsche Core Customers The introduction of the Porsche Cayenne had angered the current Porsche owners. These current owners are worried that the Porsche Cayenne would mark the end of the Porsche that they once knew. To Porsche owners, the concept of an SUV is too different from the other cars in the Porsche family. They want Porsche to retain its performance sports car heritage through designing only sport car models that are fitted to the Porsche brand image. FurthermoreRead MorePorsche And The Sport Car Industry Essay1646 Words   |  7 PagesThe situation Porsche was founded in 1931 by Fernand Porsche with his son and son in law (Anton Piech the father of VW chairman Ferdinand Piech). Porsch started as a firm that sold design and engineering services to other carmakers. Porsche produces VW beetle in 1934 and the first branded sports car (the Porsche 356 series) in 1948 after ww2. In 2007 was the world’s most profitibale automaker on a per unit basis with a production of just 100,000 automobiles annually with an average revenue of

Should College Be Free - 893 Words

Recently in the media, there has been a debate on whether or not college should be free. Images of students rallying and protesting can be often seen in the news. They are in favor of making college free. I disagree and feel that college should not be free. People would be more likely to fail because there would be no financial consequence, the financial burden would be passed on to taxpayers who wouldn’t even benefit from it, and it would not be fair to those who work hard through earning scholarships and serving in the military. College should not be free, because many students strive for success due to the fact that it cost money for them to attend college. Attendance in grade school was mandatory and there was no cost to attend. A motivating factor for kids to go every day was because not doing so would be illegal. One of the reasons that attending college costs money is that it is not mandatory to attend. Eliminating college tuition would increase the chances of students failing because they would lose anything by doing so. Only 56 percent of the students who enter America’s colleges and universities, graduate within six years, while only 29 percent of students who enter two-year programs complete their degrees within three years (Waldron). Making college free would only increase this statistic. European studies have concluded that students who pay more in tuition, apply greater effort and have a higher chance of graduating on time (Ng). Many believe that giving aShow MoreRelatedShould College Be F ree College?848 Words   |  4 Pages Free College Why are not more people going to college? One obvious answer would be cost, especially the cost of tuition. But the problem is not just that college is expensive. It is also that going to college is complicated. Free college is not just about cultural and social, neither economic. It means navigating advanced courses, standardized tests, and forms. It means figuring out implicit rules-rules that can change. College graduates have higher employment ratesRead MoreShould College Be Free? Essay1520 Words   |  7 PagesShould college be free? A current universal problem poses this question. In today’s world, full of public education standards that hold students maybe too high and in a generation bogged down by student debt, this issue qualifies as a problem more than many are maybe even willing to admit. While the prospect of free college proposes excellent ideals such as a stronger and smarter generation, no student loan problems, and a higher educated society, the truth may a ctually lie in the reality thatRead MoreShould College Be Free College?1614 Words   |  7 Pagescandidates because of his belief that tuition and cost of living at public colleges and universities should be free. Free college has become one of the most talked about policy proposals on the campaign trail, but questions surround the policy, such as how it would work, how much it would cost and how it would affect students (Rhatican). Most colleges bundle their prices in terms of tuition and fees. In 1995, tuition for private colleges was around 14k, for Public out of state it was around 7k and for publicRead MoreShould College Be Free College?1688 Words   |  7 Pagesto cover the costs? Free college is now brought up as a debate whether or not students should receive free college tuition while attending college. Some individuals would like this idea, but I am definite the taxpayers would not like it or support it. If the government cannot afford what they are in debt with now, I am quiet uncertain how adding free college would help the debt go down. I am sure that the government would find some way to get their money back from allowing free tuition, or twice theRead MoreCollege Should Not Be Free876 Words   |  4 Pagesmake public college tuition free. A recent movement to federally mandate college funding has struck the interest of the lower, impoverished members of society. However, if college tuition were free it would be unfair, unregulated, and cost-ineffective in the long run. What does free really mean? Does it include just tuition, or room, board and books? Also, would it be completely free? Someone has to pay something somewhere down the line. There is no way to make college completely free. It would beRead MoreShould Colleges Be Free? Essay1186 Words   |  5 PagesShould colleges be free in America? It is a question that is more relevant today than ever before. As education is one key factor that determines the nation’s fate going forward, this question is worth debating. Making free college education may sound good theoretically but requires herculean efforts to make it practically possible. The main question is whether such program be effective in the long run or not? If, yes how long will the government able to support these costs and from where? Are tuitionRead MoreShould College Be Free844 Words   |  4 PagesShould college be free? Posted on  May 8, 2011  by  writefix Should college education be free, or should university students be required to pay tuition fees? Some countries have free education from kindergarten to university, while  students in other countries have to pay  at every step of the way.  This essay will look at some of the reasons for this difference  at university level. Free third level education has several advantages. First of all,  everyone can attend, so the gap between rich and poorRead MoreCollege Should Be Free759 Words   |  3 Pages Should the cost of earning a college degree be free? Some students,parents, and educators say that it is morally wrong for a child to spend their entire life going to public school for free and having them to just turn around and pay for college. The students, parents, and educators all would agree that the cost of obtaining a college degree should indeed be free. Those who are against this issue believe that the students themselves or their parents who are financially able should pay for someRead MoreShould College Be Free?1907 Words   |  8 PagesShould College Be â€Å"Free† in America? As many young millennials rally behind Bernie Sanders and his outlandish claims of free public college for all, others sigh and shake their heads in disapproval. Are these college students really entitled to free higher education? Is it every American’s unalienable right to have a college education? Despite the recent push for free college in the United States, the economic burden and drop in personal responsibility it would create proves that colleges shouldRead MoreShould College Be Free?1916 Words   |  8 Pagesthroats since elementary, I am planning to attend college. My sisters and I being the first generation in our family to attend college, everything is a little scarier. Nothing scared me more than seeing the cost of the tuition. My parents dropped out of college after one year because they didn’t put the work in to get scholarships, and tuition was too much. My oldest sister is in her third year of college and is already planning to come out of college w ith $70,000 debt, because she is in a private school

The Character of Mrs. Norris in Mansfield Park - 1136 Words

The Character of Mrs. Norris in Mansfield Park For any character there are three main ways of learning about them. Firstly, how the character themselves thinks and behaves. Secondly, how other characters respond to the character. Lastly, how the author discusses the character is very revealing. Each of these views of Mrs. Norris is provided by the author. Mrs Norris is only related to Mansfield Park through her sister, Lady Bertram. While she may not have managed to make the affluent marriage that her sister did, there is no doubting her love of money. Sir Thomas Bertram provides an income for Mrs Norris husband, a member of the clergy. This enables them to live in comfort and in close proximity to the house at Mansfield†¦show more content†¦Yet, once she sees a way of making herself seem charitable and generous, Mrs Norris is keen to establish contact with Mrs Price once more. Her wish to be involved in every aspect of her familyà ­s life conflicts with her standing on her sisters marriage to a Lieutenant of the Marines, but this does not seem to bother her. The language that Mrs Norris uses is very persuasive and there are few ways of overriding what she says. Even those who are close to her are shown not to expend much effort arguing with her. In her attempts to persuade Sir Thomas to take Fanny Price, she declares: [I] would rather deny myself the necessaries of life, than do an ungenerous thing. She is indifferent to others protests and has an answer to everything. Mrs Norris is presented as the sort of person who believes herself to be liked by all, but is actually hated by most. Mrs Norris has no qualms about favouring her niece, Maria, and also no worries about stirring relations between all three of her nieces at Mansfield Park. Rather than admonishing her nieces prejudices against their less fortunate cousin, she explains that Fanny is to be pitied and once more wastes no time in praising her nieces accomplishments: You must not expect everybody to be as forward and quick at learning as yourself. The superficiality of the praise perpetually being given to theShow MoreRelatedMansfield Park Marriage Analysis1556 Words   |  7 Pages Marriage as a Dubious Goal in Mansfield Park Jane Austen’s 1814 novel Mansfield Park begins and ends with the topic of marriage. In this regard it seems to fit into the genre of the courtship novel, a form popular in the eighteenth century in which the plot is driven by the heroine’s difficulties in attracting an offer from the proper suitor. According to Katherine Sobba Green, the courtship novel â€Å"detailed a young woman’s entrance into society, the problems arising from that situation, her courtshipRead MoreBritish Social Class in Mansfield Park by Jane Austen1742 Words   |  7 PagesMansfield Park is a complete socially oriented novel. In this novel Jane Austen closely describe the everyday life of rural middle class society, its gaieties and hardships, describing a distinct system of moral and social principles influencing people’s lives in that period, women status in the system and female life expectations. In the novel Austen shows the efforts of some trying to break the predetermined limitations in order to improve their social class and rank. Austen pointed out the socialRead MoreJane Austen s Influence On Society3452 Words   |  14 Pagescritics have analyzed the characters in her novels as being comparable to people Austen actually knew in her lifetime. Moreover, critics say that Austen transcribed her own self through most of her main heroines, whether it was how she actually acted, or what she desired to be like in real life. However, not many critics have touched on the importance of the aunt-figure that is present throughout Austen’s novels. Most aunts throughout her novels, although not major characters, prove to be some of theRead MoreJane Austen s Mansfield Park1008 Words   |  5 PagesJane Austen’s Novel, Mansfield Park, published in 1814, has caught the eyes of many readers after being published. It had many different themes that depict different aspects of a society. The focal point of this novel is on a character named Fanny Price, who is conflicted from two different societies. At the beginning of the story, Fanny heads off to live with the Bertrams family. As she is living with the Bertrams, she encounters another family who has different perspectives on life and moralsRead MoreEssay about The Search for a Home in Jane Austens Mansfield Park2072 Words   |  9 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Jane Austens Mansfield Park is a novel obsessed with home and family.   It begins a story of one family, three sisters, and quickly expands to a story of three families, the Bertrams, the Prices, and the Norrises.   Family upon family is added, each one growing, expanding, and moving until the novel is crowded with characters and estates.   An obsession with movement creates an overall feeling of displacement and confusion.   Fanny Price is moved from PortsmouthRead MoreFanny in Jane Austens Mansfield Park Essay2191 Words   |  9 Pagesamp;#8216;MANSFIELD PARKamp;#8217; Mansfield Park has sometimes been considered as atypical of Jane Austen as being solemn and moralistic. Poor Fanny Price is brought up at Mansfield Park with her uncle and aunt. Where only her cousin Edmund helps her with the difficulties she suffers from the rest of the family, and from her own fearfulness and timidity. When the sophisticated Crawfords (Henry and Mary) visit the Mansfield neighbourhood, the moral sense of each marriageable member of the Mansfield familyRead MoreFanny Price: the Heroine of Mansfield Park Essay1107 Words   |  5 Pagesof Mansfield Park Jane Austins Mansfield Park is not widely accepted by critics. The novels criticism is due to the heroine, Fanny Price. Since Fanny does not encompass the conventional characteristics of a heroine (charm, wit, and beauty), critics hold the opinion that she is passive, week, and boring. Ironically, Austins goal was to demonstrate that superficial charm and wit are nice, but there are more important characteristics such as discipline, morality, and depth of character (MooreRead MoreVenturing into the Writing of Jane Austen1114 Words   |  4 Pagesabout marriage, and went more into her life and the way she chose to live it. After learning how she lived and about her life I Watched the BBC version of Mansfield Park, just to get a hold of what Mansfield Park really is. After the movie was done I had a discussion about it comparing to the PBS version of Mansfield Park. Then Compared Mansfield Park to Persuasion followed by Sense and Sensibility, all of which have an important source of silence which leads to Feminine power. Fanny Price, Anne ElliotRead MoreMary Wollstonecraft and Education for Women Essay1742 Words   |  7 Pagesprovided the lifeblood of society, this meant women were more like observers than participants, which fuelled Wollstonecraft’s battle against women being governed and contained by a society they were never allowed to be part of. Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park was written at a time when men and women had very different existences within society, it was empirical that both male and females fulfilled the expectations of their specific sex. Men were privileged as the dominant gender, free to shape andRead MoreEssay on Sexuality and Desire in Jane Austens Mansfield Park3059 Words   |  13 PagesSexuality and Desire in Jane Austens Mansfield Park      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a letter to her brother dated 1814, Jane Austen boasted about a compliment she had received from a friend on her most recent work, Mansfield Park: Its the most sensible novel hes ever read (263). Austen prided herself on creating literature that depicted realistic characters and honest situations, but perhaps more importantly, she strove to create fiction that was moral and instructional as well as entertaining. So what

Employee Resourcing Working within the Legislative Framework

Question: Task 1 - Define flexible working within the legislative framework within the EU, and Critically discuss the implications , both legally and with regards to good practice, when recruiting staff to work flexibly. Relevant examples must be given to support the answers. Task 2- (a) Critically evaluate the impact of the flexible working hours upon the organization (Sysdoc Group) used in the case study, and its employees' performance. Examples must also be used to collaborate the answer. ( b) Draw conclusions and make any relevant recommendations that may be of benefit to Sysdoc Group and to employers considering implementing similar flexible working practices. Answer: Introduction It can be said that increasing as well as elasticity of functioning time is one of the major as well as important element of the European employment strategy. Therefore, it can be stated that the enterprises must become further elastic in regards to counter to the unexpected changes in command as well as adapt to several new and innovative knowledge and stay in a location to innovate continuously to linger spirited (Ajuria et al. 2012). This particular research work would focus on defining flexible working within the legislative framework within European Union and discussing the implications. Apart from that, the research work would try to evaluate the impact of the flexible working hours on the selected organization Sysdoc Group. Moreover, the performances of the employees would be addressed as well and at the end of the study, some of the effective recommendations would be provided. Defining flexible working within the legislative framework within European Union Workplace flexibility can be defined as the potentiality to have some control over when, how and where work is properly accomplished. European board has stated that workplace flexibility takes into account working hours along with working place and working practices (Dancaster 2014). Therefore, it can be said that there exist a variety of short as well as long term provisions and practices that accumulates under the umbrella of leave, purchased leave along with special leave, study leave and bereavement leave as well as career breaks. However, in a nutshell it can be said that flexible working provides the employees of an organization the flexibility on their working conditions and this help them to keep balance between work life and personal life (Dipoppa and Gutkin 2013). In European Union , it has been seen that it is not only the parents who necessitate flexible working, present demographics as well as an ageing populace and one in six workers have the eldercare responsibilities and demand flexible working hour (Equality-law.co.uk 2016). In the current years, the government has started to acknowledge the consequence of work-life equilibrium concerns by introducing a variety of laws in order to support the employees. Apart from basically obeying with the legislation, several companies are beginning to recognize the compensation of trying to assemble the demand of flexible functioning (Allen et al. 2013). However, it is important to mention that the public sectors have comparatively better reputation than the private sectors for flexible working practices, but there are some areas where the policies are not properly taken up (Dancaster 2014). The right to request flexible working is comparatively new idea and provide the employees the authority to request a change to their working pattern and for that purpose, the request is required to consider deeply by the employers. Part time working, flexitime, occupation allocation, condensed hours, home working, V time and Term-time working are some of the most common working requests (Dipoppa and Gutkin 2013). Dancaster (2014) has started that the hours and times populace work have forever been a core subject to modify, but the pace of this transform at present are more rapid than ever due to some crucial reasons. The CEO of the company sysdoc has always focused on flexibility culture and has embraced such ac culture where the employees enjoy flexibility in their working place. The company focuses on flexible location, flexible hours, flexible patterns and flexible rostering system (Anderson 2015). Euromonitor International, Bank of England and Mediamath are some of the companies that have incorporated flexible working hour in their working culture. All these industries are entirely different in terms of their size and industry; however, they have some common features in terms of flexibility. Unibet, Equal Experts and Holiday Extras as well are also in the list and these all takes into account flexibility in their working curriculum (Anderson 2014). This is because of the facts that customers at present expected to have goods as well as services obtainable outside the conventional functioning hours and the organizations want to match their business requirements with the style their employees work. Most importantly, the individuals want to achieve a comparatively better equilibrium between work and the home life. In this part, it is required to mention the statutory approaches to the work place flexibility (Equality-law.co.uk 2016). In UK, there are some specific laws that are explicit laws to the employees caring for their children or the needy adults. It has been found that in different nations this takes form of the part time work throughout parental abscond and an alternative not easily obtainable to the UK parents. In UK, elastic working statutes were introduced in order to increase labor force participation, especially for the mothers and to address the short term as well as long term labor shortages. However, it is required to mention that the gender impartiality has not been the preliminary inspiration for the flexible working commandments with some exceptions of the Nordic counties and the Netherlands (Equality-law.co.uk 2016). It has been seen that the UK benefits from the widespread tendency data on the elastic working and this is comparatively much fewer the case in other nations and prepares a cross country contrasts of the impact of dissimilar laws complicated. In this regards, it is important to say that several UK surveys have shown that the availability of flexible work options has significantly amplified since the proper prologue of Right to Request and this is unbeaten in opening admittance to the flexible working options that do not lead to diminution of remuneration (Galea et al. 2014). In UK, it has been seen that the workers in the administrative jobs are less expected to appeal for the condensed hours and when they do, they are less liable to be successful. Therefore, it can be stated that the flexible working statutes are considering one of the key roles in changing this, but this is required to be carried by broader strategy events to confront working time norms in the senior places of the organization (Hrning et al. 2015). It can be found that in absence of the well developed workplace instruments for dispute resolution, more UK employees turn to the tribunals. This point is required to analyze from the gender equity point of view and it can be found that the increased flexibility in the working hours must be rated positively in as much as more individualized working hours can assist the workers to resolve their work compulsions and the personal life (Healy 2014). At the time of recruiting the staffs in the workplace, the organization must be legally clear to the concerns of work flexibility. The statutory right to request for flexible working was introduced in UK in the year 2002, permits succeeding employees to apply to their concerned managers for some certain changes to their terms and conditions of employment connecting to their hours, times or the location of the work. However, it is important to mention that as practically designed, the right applied to the inadequate categories of the workers with the parental as well as thoughtful responsibilities (Kapelyushnikov et al. 2012). The Children and Families Act of 2014 extended the right to all the employees with 26weeks continuous employment. Therefore, it is easily understood that the flexible working is considered as one of the means of enabling the employees of an organization to balance their personal and the working lives as well benefiting the employers in terms of the workforce recruitment. These reasons have encouraged the continuing addition since 2002 of the right to request flexible working has been greatly carried by several commerce organizations and are subject to extensive supporting agreement (Leslie et al. 2012). Critically evaluating the impact of flexible working hours upon Sysdoc Group and the performance of the employees In order to analyze the impact of flexible hour on the organization as well as the performance of the employees, Sysdoc Group has been taken into consideration. Sysdoc group is a leading management consultancy who has been specialized in change management along with business method expansion and proper administration of knowledge. The companionship has adopted a customer centric approach and thus has tapped into a team of highly capable consultants, who have been looking for more flexible employer (Limited 2015). It can be said that although Sysdoc group does not have a specific policy on the flexible timing, rather it has a range of measures in order to support proper work life balance like value-based recruitment strategy, recruiting for attitude as well as training for the specified skills, extensive part time working taking into account the senior managers of the company along with encouraging the work life balance amongst all the existing staffs. Moreover, the company has included the goals of life along with the professional goals in case of the performance appraisals (Limited 2016). The management of the company often says that it often exceed the expectations of the clients whilst making sure that the counselors accomplish proper work life equilibrium. Moreover, working unnecessary hours are tried to keep at the smallest level. Nevertheless, it is identified that is one of the notable two way procedure and desires for flexible working timings, which must be unbiased against the requirements of the commerce. Recent report has found that the company Sysdoc has been delighted to receive a prestigious award for being one of the top 30 employers for the working families UK (Ngui et al. 2014). At the company, it can be found that the company has gradually developed a set of values along with a proper work culture that embraces the full person, identifying the importance of retaining them and enhancing the talent within the company. Syndoc group look for the people who fit in with company culture as well as share the values. In the part timing working facility, the company tries to facilitate the working whenever it is possible and this has found that it is normally augments successful completion of the projects of the company. In case of work life balance, it can be seen that half of the employees of the company have said that they had taken time off with full company hold up, for the family procedures outside of the working place (Noon et al. 2013). Google, John Lewis and Microsoft are some of the leading organizations that have embraced flexible working hours in their curriculum and thus the employees in these organizations are highly satisfied with their work experience (Anderson 2014). One of the major parts of the company is that the company gives pressure to none of the consultants to work on any of the projects that takes them away from the families. If the consultant is required to choose that option, them the company helps the entire family to move to the client location. In case of performance appraisals, the company Sysdoc encourages both the professional and the individual accomplishment by ensuring that the company is well aware of the life goals and the ambition of the concerned team. From the company profile, it can be said that while there is a formal equal chances as well as the diversity policy and Sysdoc does not have a written flexible working policy (Pedersen and Lewis 2012). The management of the company has demonstrated that at the time of working with the potential clients, the company focuses at several different ways of delivering their projects and this takes into account the building a multi talented team that successfully accommodate the companys flexible working by the consultants. Therefore, it can be stated that the management of the company is well aware of maintaining workplace flexibility and this enhances the performances of the employees and the company enjoy a growth in their business (Wallace et al. 2015). It has been observed that Sysdoc is obstinate that 60 hour weeks are not compulsory to distribute any particular projects productively and a senior consultant plays one of the major roles on every project in guaranteeing that it is distributed in line with the set values of the organization along with the rigorous principles of presentations. Therefore, it can be easily seen that the company focuses on flexible working hours within the legislative framework within the European Union. However it has been seen that the company has failed to maintain the flexible hour policy and this has hampered the productivity of the employees to a large extent. Apart from that, it has been found that the company helps in moving the entire family to the client location and this is one of the major causes of disappointment among the employees of Sysdoc group (Wetherly and Otter 2014). Conclusion and recommendations After looking at defining the flexible working within the legislative framework, it has been found that this is one of the leading topics to discuss. Moreover, to understand the topic more clearly, Sysdoc Group has been taken into consideration. It has been observed that the company has embraced many policies to maintain flexible working hours for the employees. However, some of the policies of Sysdoc have affected the employees and this part is thus required to revise. The company is required to adopt some alternative policies rather than arranging for the families of the consultants to move to the client location. Apart from that, the company has failed to keep their policies and practices related to flexible working and this has hampered the reputation of the company. 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