The environmental management

The environmental management Environmental Management is a very important component of sustainable living. The interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary nature of Environmental Management enables it to solve the complex environmental problems (pollution, erosion, flooding, deforestation, desertification, just to name but a few) that essentially characterize our landscape at the local regional and global scale. To better understand these problems, the discipline draws on a wealth of expertise in both concepts and approaches from the natural or physical and social sciences to develop this interdisciplinary. This essay seeks to explore the nature of environmental management and in particular, attention is drawn on the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinarity of environmental management. The environmental problems we face today are many and varied. From pollution, erosion, flooding, deforestation, desertification, to climate change- all present themselves in very practical terms and as such environmental management is more important than ever before. However, the field has been the subject of wide criticism. For instance Bryant and Wilson (1998) criticized the field as a result of the limitations in the understanding of root causes-political, economic or cultural issues. There is no generally acceptable definition of the subject environmental management. This is partly due to its broad scope and in part of the diversity of specialism (Barrow, 1999). However, attempts have been made by several authors to define environmental management. For example, Riordan (1995); Barrow (1999); Wilson and Bryant (1997); Bryant and Geoff (2009), have all made substantial effort to define Environmental Management. Environmental management has been defined as both a process and a field of study (Wilson and Bryant 1997). In his book, Barrow (1999 p. 5) presented an overview of some definitions of Environmental Management. Like Environmental Management, definitions and interpretations of interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity abound in literature. For instance, Klein, 2004; Tress and Tress, 2001; Tress et al., 2005; Jones and Macdonald, 2007; Evans and Randalls, 2008; and Wesselink, 2009. In its simplest sense interdisciplinarity is an integrative research approach that transects many disciplinary boundaries with a common goal and the aim of production of new knowledge and theory (Tress et al., 2005). As a process, Environmental Management, according to (Wilson and Bryant, 1997 p.7) can be defined   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"as a multi-layered process associated with the interaction of state and non-state environmental managers with the environment and with each other. Environmental Managers are those whose livelihood is primarily dependent on the application of skill in the active and self conscious, direct or indirect, manipulation of the environment with the aim of enhancing predictability in a context of social and environmental uncertainty. † While the term state will include state officials such as Department of the Environment, DoE, and Department of Environment Food and Rural Agriculture, DEFRA, just to name a few, non-state, on the other hand includes environmental NGOs, farmers, transnational corporations(TNCs), hunter-gatherers. In this light, environmental management is a process not exclusive only to large national and international environmental actors but inclusive to a range of predominantly local level environmental actors (Wilson and Bryant, 1997). On the other hand, Environmental management, as a field of study, evolved with the growing concern about environmental degradation in the late 1960s and early 1970 (Bryant and Geoff, 2009; Wilson and Bryant, 1997) after post industrialization. According to Barrow (2006: 24-26) Environmental Management as a field can be subdivided into the following: â€Å"sustainable development issues; environmental assessment, modeling, forecasting and hindcasting;corporate environmental management; pollution recognition and control; environmental economics;environmental enforcement and legislation; environment and development institutions and ethics; environmental management systems and quality issues; environmental planning and management; assessment of stakeholders involved in environmental management; environmental perceptions and education; community participation for environmental management/sustainability; institution building for environmental management/sustainable development; biodiversity conservation; natural resources management; environmental rehabilitation/restoration; environmental politics; environmental aid and institution building†. While the list is not exhaustive, partly because Environmental Management is relatively a nascent discipline (Barrow, 2006) and is still evolving, its broad scope is readily appreciated at a glance, as it tends to techno-centric problem solving approach rather than reactive approach. Table 1 highlights some distinguishing features of traditional environmental management as it were during its early evolution and at present. Referring to interdisciplinarity, the interdisciplinary nature of environmental management is more than just integration. It is essentially a modern way of thinking that involves identification, definition as well as interpretation of studies with the view of proffering practical oriented solutions to environmental problems (ORiordan, 1995). Again, Transdisciplinary studies according to Tress et al. (2005) involves the integration of both academic and non-academic participant (stakeholders) to research a common goal with the creation of new knowledge and theory. It is explicit from the definitions above that interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity are both integrative, in that new knowledge and theory is created. However, a distinguishing element is that transdisciplinary research combines interdisciplinarity with a participatory approach (Tress et al., 2005) Traditional Environmental Management Modern Environmental Management Largely top-down approach Bottom-up approach Management was authoritarian participatory and much more integrative Short term plan Long term plan and therefore sustainable Exploitational in approach Emphasizes stewardship rather than exploitation. Tends to be reactive Tends to be proactive and participatory Disciplinary, at best multidisciplinary Interdisciplinary, or even holistic in approach State centric Non state factors involved in the process of EM Influence of natural science discipline Shift from the natural science to social science Tress and Tress (2001) introduced a transdisciplinary landscape concept. The transdisciplinary landscape concept, according to Tress and Tress (2001) is based on five dimensions: the spatial entity, the mental entity, the temporal dimension, the nexus of nature and culture, and the systemic properties of landscape. The significance of collaboration in interdisciplinary and trandisciplinary research in the understanding of human-environment interaction cannot be overemphasized. Although environmental management takes its root from the natural science, however there seems to be a shift from the natural science to social science (Bryant and Wilson, 1998). Figure 1 as shown in the appendix depicts the profound influence from the social sciences and again, in the words of Wilsons and Bryant (1997, p 17) Environmental Management operates at the intersection of a range of disciplines and subdisciplines. From the foregoing, It is obvious that Environmental Management is increasingly becoming interdisciplinary and applying a great deal of transdisciplinarity approaches. For example, Wesselink (2008) and Potschin and Haines-Young (2005) have emphasized the importance of applying transdisciplinarity in their studies of land use planning and landscape ecology respectively.. While the environmental problems we face today are many and varied both in scope and complexity, no one discipline can effectively provide the knowledge adequate enough to fully understand nor solve them (Tress and Tress, 2001). Modern approaches of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinarity in Environmental Management can be a panacea of all local to global environmental ills. This notwithstanding, more powerful and robust tools are needed for dealing with the problems of scaling and uncertainty which are crucial in the human-environment interaction at all scale. It is the position of this essay, therefore, that while the search for a strong and robust tools continues in order to mitigate, control and prevent environmental problems, active consultation and collaboration with local communities is a necessary ingredient for sustainable solution. References Barrow, C. J 1999. Environmental Management: Principles and Practice. Routledge, London. Barrow, C. J. 2006. Environmental Management for Sustainable Development. 2nd edition. Routledge, London. Bryant R.L and Wilson G.A 1998. Rethinking Environmental Management. Progress in Human Geography 22(3) pp 321-343 Evans, J. and Randalls, S. 2008 Geography and Paratactical Interdisciplinarity: Views from the ESRC-NERC PhD studentship programme. Geoforum 39 pp 581-592 Jones, P. and Macdonald, N. 2007. Getting it wrong first time: building on interdisciplinary research relationship. Area 39(4) pp 490-498. ORiordan, T. ed 1995 Environmental Science for Environmental Management Longman Scientific Technical, England. Potschin, M and Haines-Young, R. 2006. Rio+10, Sustainability Science and Landscape Ecology. Landscape and urban planning. 75, 162-74. Phillipson, J. and Lowe, P. 2009 Barriers to Research Collaboration across disciplines: scientific paradigms and institutional practices. Environment and Planning 41, pp 1171-1184 Klein, J. T. 2004 Prospects for Transdisciplinarity. Futures 36 pp 515-526 Tress, B and Tress, G 2001 Capitalising on Multiplicity: A Transdisciplinary Systems Approach to Landscape Research. Landscape and Urban Planning 57, pp 143-157 Tress, B., Tress, G.,Fry, G. and Opdam, P. 2005 eds. From Landscape Research to Landscape Planning: Aspects of Integration, Education and Application. Springer, Netherland. Wesselink, A 2009. The Emergence of interdisciplinary Knowledge in Problem-focussed Research. Area 41 (4) pp. 404-413. Wilson, G. A and Bryant, R.L 1997. Environmental Management: New Directions fot the Twenty-First Century.UCL, London

Compare the Function of Formats and Locations in Retailing Essay

We printed two different job application forms, job descriptions and person specification for Nando’s and Topman we then compared the forms and found some similarities and some differences to them. Topman and Nandos application form Differences: They were set up very differently Topman had a variety of rhetorical questions which underneath it, they were answered for you whereas Nandos did not use any rhetorical questions just information about the restaurant. Nandos have added a bit of colour to their form whereas Topman have not. Topman’s application form was much more detailed as it tells you how to apply, there top level supervisors, visual merchandising assistants etc†¦ In contrast to Nandos which does not include all these points and facts about their business. Comparisons: both application forms give information about the business such as what will be expected from you when you start working there and what you will learn from the job. Person specification Differences: Again on the Person specification form a lot more colour and images have been used in Nandos form whereas Topman have not added any images or colour. On Topmans form the information is given out in bullet points in contrast to Nandos were no bullet points are used. Topman have gave all there information a heading which is more clear to people, Nandos have just gave out different types of information without no heading. Nandos have stated the age they expect the employee to be in contrast to Topman. Comparisons: Both forms have said what they expect from the employee.

Factors affecting Talent Planning Essay

There are many different factors that affect an organisations approach to attracting talent and are both internal and external factors. Some examples of internal factors are the size of a business. A larger business would find it much easier to source this could be because they are more well-known to the public and they would also be more financially able to advertise a post to get a larger range of applicants. Recruitment policies also have an effect ie recruiting from internal sources and external sources can affect the recruitment process. Generally recruitment through internal sources is preferred because own employees know the organisation and can fit well into the culture. The Image of the company has influence on the recruitment process. Good image of the company earned by the actions of management helps attract potential candidates. Managerial actions like good public relations can help earn image. Image of the job also has an affect such as better salaries and good working conditions are considered the characteristics of good image of a job. Also, promotion and personal development policies of an organisation also attract potential candidates. Some examples of external factors are Demographic factors; employees have a big influence on the recruitment process. Demographic factors include, age, sex, literacy, economic status etc. Labour market conditions have an affect ie supply and demand of labour is a huge importance in affecting recruitment process. If the demand is for more than one particular skill recruitment will be relatively easier. Unemployment situation has an effect. When the employment rate in an area is high, the recruitment process tends to be simpler. The number of applications is higher which makes it easier to attract the best qualified applicants. With a low rate of unemployment, recruiting process tends to become more difficult. Labour laws that cover working conditions, compensation, retirement benefits. This report identifies and assess factors that affect an organisations approach to both attracting talent and recruitment and selection. It also identifies and explains benefits of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce, describes methods of recruitment and methods of selection. Factors that affect an organisations approach to attracting talent For an  organisation to attract talent successfully, as part of the talent planning policy it needs to identify and assess what factors affect its approach to attracting talent. For example: 1. Economic Environment – An organisation needs to consider what money is available to spend and this will depend on the current climate at the time. This in turn, will have an effect on how and where the company advertises externally, in addition to the salary and benefits offered. 2. Laws – There are laws that affect the way an organisation attracts talent. For example; the Equality Act 2010 protects again discrimination and affects how the organisation words adverts, application forms, job description, person specifications and questions asked during interviews. Wording must not be discriminative and this can be done by ensuring it does not contain personal prejudice, is not being objective, unfair or showing less favourable treatment for an unlawful reason e.g. Age, gender or disability. 3. Branding – A company with a good reputation, is more likely to successfully attract the right talent to its organisation. To do this, an organisation relies heavily on being perceived as being known as a good employer and needs to take a proactive approach by offering career development, in addition to remuneration and rewards. 4. Culture – The culture of the organisation can be part of what keeps employees engaged and makes the organisation differ positively from competitors. For example, an organisation may be friendly or collaborative – something that new talent†¦

Five Steps to Verifying Online Genealogy Sources

Many newcomers to genealogy research are thrilled when find that many of the names in their family tree are easily available online. Proud of their accomplishment, they then download all the data they can from these Internet sources, import it into their genealogy software and proudly start sharing their genealogy with others. Their research then makes its way into new genealogy databases and collections, further perpetuating the new family tree and amplifying any errors each time the source is copied. While it sounds great, there is one major problem with this scenario; namely that the family information that is freely published in many Internet databases and Web sites is often unsubstantiated and of questionable validity. While useful as a clue or a starting point for further research, the family tree data is sometimes more fiction than fact. Yet, people often treat the information they find as the gospel truth. Thats not to say that all online genealogy information is bad. Just the opposite. The Internet is a great resource for tracing family trees. The trick is to learn how to separate the good online data from the bad. Follow these five steps and you too can use Internet sources to track down reliable information about your ancestors. Step One: Search for the Source Whether its a personal Web page or a subscription genealogy database, all online data should include a list of sources. The key word here is should. You will find many resources that dont. Once you find a record of your great, great grandfather online, however, the first step is to try and locate the source of that information. Look for source citations and references—often noted as footnotes at the bottom of the page, or at the end (last page) of the publicationCheck for notes or commentsClick on the link to about this database when searching a public database (Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com and FamilySearch.com, for example, include sources for most of their databases)Email the contributor of the data, whether it be the compiler of a database or the author of a personal family tree, and politely ask for their source information. Many researchers are wary of publishing source citations online (afraid that others will steal the credit to their hard-earned research), but may be willing to share them with you privately. Step Two: Track Down the Referenced Source Unless the Web site or database includes digital images of the actual source, the next step is to track down the cited source for yourself. If the source of the information is a genealogy or history book, then you may find a library in the associated location has a copy and is willing to provide photocopies for a small fee.If the source is a microfilm record, then its a good bet that the Family History Library has it. To search the FHLs online catalog, click on Library, then Family History Library Catalog. Use place search for the town or county to bring up the librarys records for that locality. Listed records can then be borrowed and viewed through your local Family History Center.If the source is an online database or Web site, then go back to Step #1 and see if you can track down a listed source for that sites information. Step Three: Search for a Possible Source When the database, Web site or contributor doesnt provide the source, its time to turn sleuth. Ask yourself what type of record might have supplied the information you have found. If its an exact date of birth, then the source is most likely a birth certificate or tombstone inscription. If it is an approximate year of birth, then it may have come from a census record or marriage record. Even without a reference, the online data may provide enough clues to time period and/or location to help you find the source yourself. Step Four: Evaluate the Source and Information It Provides While there are a growing number of Internet databases which provide access to scanned images of original documents, the vast majority of genealogy information on the Web comes from derivative sources - records which have been derived (copied, abstracted, transcribed, or summarized) from previously existing, original sources. Understanding the difference between these different types of sources will help you best assess how to verify the information that you find. How close to the original record is your information source? If it is a photocopy, digital copy or microfilm copy of the original source, then it is likely to be a valid representation. Compiled records—including abstracts, transcriptions, indexes, and published family histories—are more likely to have missing information or transcription errors. Information from these types of derivative sources should be further traced back to the original source.Does the data come from primary information? This information, created at or close to the time of the event by someone with personal knowledge of the event (i.e. a birth date provided by the family doctor for the birth certificate), is generally more likely to be accurate. Secondary information, by contrast, is created a significant amount of time after an event occurred, or by a person who was not present at the event (i.e. a birth date listed on a death certificate by the daughter of the deceased). Primary information usual ly carries more weight than secondary information. Step Five: Resolve Conflicts Youve found a birthdate online, checked out the original source and everything looks good. Yet, the date conflicts with other sources youve found for your ancestor. Does this mean that the new data is unreliable? Not necessarily. It just means that you now need to reevaluate each piece of evidence in terms of its likelihood to be accurate, the reason it was created in the first place, and its corroboration with other evidence. How many steps is the data from the original source? A database on Ancestry.com that is derived from a published book, which itself was compiled from original records means that the database on Ancestry is two steps away from the original source. Each additional step increases the likelihood of errors.When was the event recorded? Information recorded closer to the time of the event is more likely to be accurate.Did any time elapse between the event and the creation of the record that relates its details? Family bible entries may have been made at one sitting, rather than at the time of the actual events. A tombstone may have been placed on the grave of an ancestor years after her death. A delayed birth record may have been issued dozens of years after the actual birth.Does the document appear altered in any way? Different handwriting may mean that information was added after the fact. Digital photos may have been edited. Its not a normal occurrence, but it does happen.What do others say about the source? If it is a published book or database rather than an original record, use an Internet search engine to see if anyone else has used or commented on that particular source. This is an especially good way to pinpoint sources which have a large number of errors or inconsistencies. Happy hunting!