Impact Of Professional And Organisational Environments Social Work Essay

Impact Of Professional And Organisational Environments Social Work Essay This essay will illustrate and discuss The promise case study in relation to analysing the impact of professional and organisational environments on the situation, identifying which principles and sections from the AASW code of ethics are most relevant. In identifying sections of the AASW code of ethics this will allow for a discussion on whether or not the code was used to resolve the dilemma, and how might this be used to resolve the situation. The second part of the essay will discuss my personal values related to the professional values expressed in the code related to the situation and what difference exists between my own values and those of the code. By using these questions as basis in relation to The promise this will allow for reflection on how I would change my actions in retrospect, and should there be a different outcome justified alongside the AASW code of ethics. Abstract The promise Jane Smithers is a mother of 2 children who has been diagnosed with depression and subsequently paranoid schizophrenia. Jane has been temporarily admitted to an inpatient unit as an involuntary client. Jane has been uncooperative with her treatment but has concerns with what will happen to her children in the short term. Janes situation has come to the attention of Community Services as the school became concerned about their welfare. Following numerous visits from Community Services Jane has been persuaded to put her children in temporary foster care whilst undergoing treatment. Jane has regular contact with her children and the worker from Community Services has assured her that she will soon be reunited with her children. During her involuntary stay at the inpatient unit the treating doctor advised the Community Service worker that whilst Janes condition can be stabilised the impact of medication will make it hard for Jane to care for her children. Jane has been advised from the social worker that if she continues with her medication regime she will get her children back, yet Community Services is now looking at permanent care for the children. It has been suggested that social work takes place within an institutional framework of rights and responsibilities defined by the law (Banks, p.128). The impact of professional and organisational environment related to the case study requires a holistic approach to account for the connections between the services and client involved. Bowles, Collingridge, Curry, Valentine (2006, p.5) suggest to think about ethical practice in social work, we first have to consider what social work is, and the impact of the environment. The impact of the environment on an organisational and professional level is an important aspect in being able to identify and appropriately understand the issues faced. The professional and organisational environment effects on the situation can include, but not be limited to the legalities associated with mandatory reporting, accountability to management, dominant discourses associated with power structure related to the recommendations made by the service involved, Janes involuntary status and policy and procedures. Accountability to management is a major aspect in the professional sphere, Bowles et,al (206, p.32) argue that organisational policies and practices should not automatically be viewed as inimical to the needs and interests of the constituency it seeks to serve. Even though ethics plays an integral role in the helping profession, policies and practice continually have an impact on how situations are resolved. The systematic reasoning process is strongly driven by a medical framework which can assist in how an ethical dilemma can be approached and resolved. Banks (2006, p. 151) argues we as social workers need to be able to recognize that personal, professional, agency and societal values are interlocking, yet in tension. Actions and judgements based alongside ethical theories and principles are interlinked dimensions associated with the inclusiveness models of social work. Chenoweth and McAuliffe (2005, p. 90) suggest accountability is the ability to make decisions that can be clearly articulated and justified and take onto account the personal, professional, organisational, legal cultural and social contexts. In understanding the professional and organisational impact associated with Janes illness in retrospect of the doctors duty and the duty of community services, there is evidence that the discourses used within this framework is pervasive and can greatly influences how we as workers perceive what should and should not happen. With the recommendations made by the doctor based on the medical model framework it is evident that Beneficence associated with this case is about considering the benefits of treatment contrary to the risks and costs. The health professional regardless of the profession they are in, should have a duty of care to act in a way that benefits the client. As many treatments involve some degree of harm, the principle of non-maleficence would imply that the harm should not be disparate to the benefit of the treatment, in certain circumstances respecting the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence means failing to respect a persons sovereignty. Ridley (1998) argues that the principle recommends no particular kind of action, rather that our actions in general be consistent with one another. It has been argued that we as social workers may have conflicting duties, because different commitments have been undertaken that are incompatible with each other in a particular situation (Banks, p.125). In considering the foundations of the social work profession and the ethical dilemmas that we as social workers face the AASW code of ethics is a tool that we as social workers can refer to. In relation to the case study it is evident that in the pursuit of determination committed to the five basic values, human dignity and worth, social justice, service to humanity, integrity and competence that there is a contradiction in professional goals and objectives. Numerous sections and principles could be drawn upon in practices however the most relevant to this situation are, section 4 Ethical practices and Section 5 Guidelines for ethical decision making. Section 4 and 5 of the AASW code incorporates ethical behaviours which are expected of social workers in carrying out their practice responsibilities. Given the complexity of this case study ethical practice plays a large part not only for the social worker to ethically fulfil commitment to social justice but in also maintaining their professional integrity based on the conflicting issue that has been raised. The conflicting issue that has been raised for the social worker engaged in the case is that they have promised that Jane will have her children back, but without knowledge and informed consent Community Services is looking for permanent care for Janes children (section 4.2.2 conflict of interest). Section 4.2.3(2) involuntary clients is a major aspect of this case, as Jane was admitted as an involuntary client thus leading to the removal of her children. For a social worker where ever possible, clients must be notified regarding decisions about them and as a social worker it is evident that we need to beware of the impact and potential impact of oppression towards clients who are forced to undergo life altering changes without choices. The codes outlined above provide a strong argument in how to resolve the dilemma related to case study. The ethical practices provide a strong argument in how social workers can adequately maintain a strong client focus and ethical decision making skills. It is questionable though whether or not that all the services involved have been able to converse their feelings and their intentions regarding intervention and sustaining suitable provisions to assist Jane in dealing with her ongoing illnesses and care of the children. I feel that these codes were not used to resolve the dilemma as the intervention that is being contemplated does not coincide with client self-determination, commitment to social justice and professional integrity. The code of ethics could have been used to resolve the situation by taking into account the values and principles that underlie ethical practices and providing a foundation for ethical reflection and decision making by taking a holistic approach. The AASW code of ethics can also be used to determine the rights and demands of a client which can incorporate using appropriate channels to resolve issues such as the ethical dilemma in the case study. The AASW codes of ethics guides and directs an individual as a social worker through practice, particularly when the intent of the AASW code of ethics is to assist social workers to mutually and individually act in an ethical manner that can be accountable in the pursuit of the AASW professional aims. The personal values that I hold in relation to the AASW code of ethics outlined above requires the need for good judgement. Good judgement and values for me encompasses and open-mind, reflectiveness, situational awareness, and the ability to use systematic ways of thinking through ethical dilemmas. My personal values associated with the professional values expressed in the code, are closely linked with how I as a professional would work through the case but on a personal level how I would like to see a justified outcome based on these ethics. This case study entails numerous decisions to be made to justify the appropriate outcome that is best suited for all parties involved. The question that is raised for me is can services providers based on a medical model assume that an individual lacks the capability and autonomy to care for their children, based on their mental health diagnosis that can be treated with medications. Do we as workers have the power to make an individual oppressed , intervene and deem that this individual is vulnerable due to the side effects of the medication? Miley and DuBois (2007, p.32) argue that when social workers only focus on the clinical without regard to ensure a just or caring society, they abandon a core social work purpose and become unfaithful angels. There are minimal differences between my own values and that of the codes used in the AASW. The decisions that I draw upon in relation to the case study is influenced by my values that answer the question how do I as a social worker identify if there is a need for intervention, and what legal and ethical basis of obligations or duty is need to intervene based the principles of the AASW. With relation to the case study what I acted on was both my own values and professional values. This choice was influenced by working in the field of Mental Health which has led me to see individuals being able to effectively manage their children regardless of their mental health issues even those who rely on anti-psychotic medications to prevent relapse. Miley et.al (2007, p. 34) suggest the social workers code of ethics reflect a multi-dimensional view of change and rather than adopting a singular view we use the ethics of justice. In using reflection as a tool the actions that have been suggested in the case study is not the intervention that I would have chosen for Jane based on the AASW code of ethics and my own personal values and beliefs. The actions that I would change would include liaising with other services involved and I would not suggest to Jane that she would keep custody of her children if this was not the case. The basic standard of proficiency that is generally applied in legislation in relation to involuntary clients under the mental health law is a rational one. It requires us as the professional to think about does the individual have the ability to understand the decision that is being made including consequences of their actions. This situation for Jane should have an entirely different outcome. Based on ethical decision making where clients have limited decision making skills the social worker will provide adequate and appropriate information and liaise with other consulting professionals to coincide with the requirements of the law and other interested third parties. The third parties could include allowing family such as Kinship care for the children till Jane becomes well enough to look after the children.

Berkshire Hathaway Essay

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, that oversees and manages a number of subsidiary companies. The company wholly owns Geico, BNSF, Lubrizol, Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom, Helzberg Diamonds, FlightSafety International, and Netjets. It also owns half of Heinz and has significant minority holdings in American Express, Coca-Cola Company, Wells Fargo, IBM, and Restaurant Brands International. I have done a lot of research into Berkshire Hathaway and CEO Warren Buffet but have been unable to find a vision or mission statement. If I had to make up a vision statement that suitably fit Berkshire Hathaway it would be the following: â€Å"Berkshire Hathaway strives to be the best-recognized, most highly respected, and most influential conglomerate company in the world.† The mission statement would be: â€Å"To provide top of the line services that significantly increase the growth of the company’s agents and affiliates.† I believe this fits this company perfectly because Berkshire Hathaway is notorious for its ingenious investing and services all thanks to a man named Warren Buffet who started out acquiring businesses. Buffet is one of the world’s wealthiest men and a key influencer in the financial market. He is Forbes’ number 33 most powerful people and ranked among Time Magazine’s most influential people. His company was ranked number 1 in Barron’s 2013 ranking of the world’s 100 most respected companies, number 8 in Fortune Magazine’s 50 most admirable companies survey, number 18 in Harris Interactive’s reputation study of the 60 most visible companies, and Forbes’ fifth largest company in the world. In his 2013 letter to shareholders, Buffet spoke of his joy for working for such a successful company. He noted, â€Å"No CEO has it better; I truly do feel like tap dancing to work every day.† My vision and mission statement align appropriately with what Buffet has done and envisions for Berkshire Hathaway. Stakeholders: Internal- Board Members: Warren Buffet, Charlie Munger, Walter Scott Jr., Thomas S. Murphy, Howard Graham Buffet, Ronald Olson, Donald Keough, Charlotte Guyman, Bill Gates, Steve Burke, Susan Decker, Susan Decker, and Meryl Witmer. Shareholders: â€Å"We think of our shareholders as owner-partners, and of ourselves as managing partners.† –Warren Buffet Employees: About 302,000 full-time employees. External- Customers: All over the globe, predominantly in North America. Media: Perceive the company in a certain way. Subsidiaries: Geico, BNSF, Lubrizol, Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom, Helzberg Diamonds, FlightSafety International, ect. Communities: Omaha, Nebraska and other local communities.  Government: Local and Federal Governments.

Management Study Guide

1. We have covered a lot of material over the past two months. The final examination will consist of 10 short answer questions and 2 case study questions. The 10 short answer questions are similar in structure to short answer questions provided in the quizzes. Ensure you thoroughly read the case study provided with your final before answering the two case study questions. The exam counts towards 30% of your final grade and one cannot pass the course without completing the proctored exam.The examination is a closed resource examination; consequently, no books or notes will be allowed. You will have two hours to complete the examination. The final examination is comprehensive. It includes material in Chapters 1 – 20. 2. By providing this review, I hope to channel your preparation and study for the final examination to key areas concerning principles of management, but remember you are responsible for all the information covered since the beginning of class.One should ensure a co mprehensive knowledge of the Core Learning Objectives, delineated in each Weeks Overview, Objectives and Weekly Activities, sub section â€Å"The Objectives† and denoted by a light blue box with a black key in it. Key areas include the following: Know and briefly describe the five basic management functions. Planning – deciding what objectives to pursue during a future period and what to do to achieve those objectives.Organizing – grouping activities, assigning activities, and providing the authority necessary to carry out the activities Staffing – determining human resource needs and recruiting, selecting, training, and developing human resources Leading – directing and channeling human behavior toward the accomplishment of objectives Controlling – measuring performance against objectives, determining causes of deviations, and taking corrective action where necessary Define â€Å"management† and explain the managerial significance of â€Å"effectiveness† and â€Å"efficiency†.Management is a form of work that involves coordinating an organization’s resources – land, labor, and capital – to accomplish organizational objectives. Also known as getting things done through people List five methods that can used to train or develop employees. OJT – a rainee is shown how to perform the job and allowed to do it under the trainer’s supervision Job Rotation – also called cross-training, employee learns several different jobs within a work unit or department and performs each job for a specific period Vestibule – procedures and equipment similar to those used in the actual job are set up in a special working area called a vestibule.Classroom – most familiar method of training, methods are lecture, discussion, audiovisual methods, experiential methods, and computer based training. Computer-assisted – allows the employee to absorb information from a preset computer program and advance their knowledge in a self-paced format Understand and briefly describe effective management communication skills. Managers must give direction to the people who work for them – employees often perform their jobs poorly b/c they do not understand what is expected of them.Managers must be able to motivate people – ability to communicate to get employees excited about their jobs Managers must be able to convince customers that they should do business with them Managers must be able to absorb the ideas of others – must be able to understand and accept other people’s viewpoints Managers must be able to persuade other people – Describe four social responsibilities.Philanthropy and volunteerism – efforts to improved human welfare, time and money to charitable, cultural, and civic organizations Environmental Awareness – limiting the damage their operations cause to the environment Sensitivity to Diversity – Maintain an ethnically diverse workforce Quality of Work Life – Adopting policies that contribute to the quality of life for their employees, such as flex hours, on-site daycares, etc Describe and recognize legal and ethical responsibilities.Legal responsibility – responsibility of a business to comply with federal and state regulations that affect business operations Ethical responsibility – responsibility of a business to comply with its own set code of ethics along with ethical business laws Recognize when TQM would benefit an organization. Total Quality Management – management philosophy that emphasizes ‘managing the entire organization so that it excels in all dimensions of products and services that are important to the customer’ List three methods for training and developing managers.What are organizing work and structure? Organizing work – process of division of labor accompanied by an appropriate delegation of author ity; benefits of organizing work – establishes lines of authority, improves efficiency and the quality of work through synergism, improves communication Organizing structure – is the framework that defines the boundaries of the formal organization and within which the organization operates; Strategy, size, environment, organization and technology are factors that affect the organizing structure Recognize when MBO would benefit an organization.Management by Objectives (MBO) – philosophy based on converting organizational objectives into personal objectives; MBO works best when the objectives of each organizational unit are derived from the objectives of the next higher unit in the organization; it assumes that establishing personal objectives elicits employee commitment, which leads to improved performance Articulate and explain change and culture. Change – bringing about something different than the previous way or situation.In organizations, usually refe rs to technological, environmental or internal changes Culture – set of important understandings (often unstated) that members of a community share; ‘the way we do things around here’ Distinguish between mechanistic and organic organizations. Mechanistic – organizational systems characterized by rigid delineation of functional duties, precise job descriptions, fixed authority and responsibility, and a well developed organizational hierarchy through which information filters up and instructions flow down Organic – organizational systems characterized by less formal job descriptions, greater emphasis on daptability, more participation, and less fixed authority Assess and describe the importance of staffing. Employees are the most valuable asset to an organization. The goal of staffing is to obtain the best available people for the organization and to develop the skills and abilities of those people. Recognize the Herzberg two factor theory to employee motivation Herzberg’s 2 factor theory, aka motivation-maintenance or motivation-hygiene, is based off the idea that hygiene or maintenance factors, such as supervision, money, status, do not produce motivation but can prevent motivation from occurring.However motivator factors, such as achievement, recognition, advancement, provides true motivation. Discuss the international business environment in terms of management awareness, global competition, and strategic planning International trade consists of the exchange of goods and services by different countries. Compare and contrast the following three; basic planning, operations management, and strategic management.Planning – process of deciding what objectives to pursue during a future time period and what to do to achieve those objectives Operations management – short range planning done primarily by middle to lower level managers, it concentrates on the formulation of the functional plans Strategic management – analogous to top-level, long range planning; covers a relatively long period; affects many parts of the organization Define conflict and stress. What are some ways it can it be reduced?Conflict – overt behavior that results when an person or group thinks a perceived need of the person or group has been blocked or is about to be blocked Stress – mental or physical condition that results from a perceived threat of danger (physical or emotional) and the pressure to remove it Ways to reduce conflict/stress: Communication, shortening hours of direct contact with customers, special leaves (sabbatical), on-site exercise facilities, clearly defining employee jobs, flextime or telecommuting, early retirement programs, introducing changes gradually Assess and describe work teams.Formal work team – established and formally recognized by management, established to carry out specific tasks Informal work team – established by personal contacts and interaction s among people and isn’t formally recognized by management Quality circle – composed of a group of employees, usually 5-15 people, who are members of a single work unit, section or department. The basic purpose of a quality circle is to discuss quality problems and generate ideas that might help improve quality.Self-Directed – members are empowered to control the work they do without a formal supervisor Virtual work team – teams that use mainly technology-supported communication, with team members working and living in different locations Recognize when TQM would benefit an organization. Total Quality Management – management philosophy that emphasizes ‘managing the entire organization so that it excels in all dimensions of products and services that are important to the customer’Recognize and understand the implications of job enrichment, enlargement and rotation. Job enrichment – upgrading of the job by adding motivator factors Job enlargement – giving an employee more of a similar type of operation to perform Job rotation – a trainee goes from 1 job to another within the organization, generally remaining at each job from 6 – 12 months Each of these processes are used in attempt to solve motivational problems with employees Describe quality circle and recognize when there implementation may help an organization.Quality circle – composed of a group of employees, usually 5-15 people, who are members of a single work unit, section or department. The basic purpose of a quality circle is to discuss quality problems and generate ideas that might help improve quality. Benefits include increasing employee participation, encourage communication and trust among members and managers, inexpensive way to provide training, and solves problems Define, explain, and provide an example of operations control. Operations management – is the management of the production function in any organ ization;Describe the difference between leadership and management. Effective leadership in organizations creates a vision of the future that considers the legitimate long-term interests of the parties involved in the organization, develops a strategy for moving toward that vision, enlists the support of employees to produce the movement, and motivates employees to implement the strategy. Management is a process of planning, organizing staffing, motivating and controlling through the use of formal authority.Leadership is the ability to influence people to willingly follow one’s guidance or adhere to one’s decisions Management is a form of work that involves coordinating an organization’s resources – land, labor, and capital – to accomplish organizational objectives. Define the concept of synergy and how it relates to management of organizations. Organization improves the efficiency and quality of work through synergism. For example, synergism result s when three people working together produce more than three people working separately.Synergism can result from division of labor or from increased coordination, both of which are products of good organization. Synergy – occurs when individuals or groups work together to produce a whole greater than the sum of the parts. Evaluate and describe four characteristics common to all organizations. Group of people, working together, in some concerted or coordinated effort to, obtain objectives Describe at least three approaches or theories to motivate employees.Scientific management approach – based on the assumption that money is the primary motivation of people; if the monetary award is great enough, employees will work harder and produce more Equity approach – is based on the idea that people wanted to be treated fairly in relationship to others Reinforcement approach – is based on the idea that behavior that appears to lead to a positive consequence tends t o be repeated, whereas behavior that appears to lead to a negative consequence tends not to be repeated Recognize when â€Å"flattening an organization† may be appropriate Flatter organizations have fewer levels and larger spans of management at each level. Sometimes when forced to downsize, flattening an organization is resulted.

Literary Versatility And Legacy Of Dylan Thomas - 2387 Words

Popowski 9 Popowski Kristyn Popowski Literary Versatility and Legacy Dylan Thomas? mysticism, intense imagery, intriguing metaphors, and love for the English language and words sounds made him one of the most remarkable poets of the twentieth century. Thomas? Welsh community, life, struggles, family, and careers helped shape the meaning behind his literary works and influenced the uniqueness in his writings. All these factors put together created unique and versatile writings from Thomas that continue to intrigue readers to this day. Thomas was born on October 22, 1914 in the city of Swansea in Wales. He attended Swansea Grammar School, where his love for literature flourished. His father, the Senior English master at the Swansea Grammar School, exposed him to the literary world in his own household. Although Thomas had a unique interest and ability in writing, he had a typical childhood filled with nature and the outdoors. He spent a great amount of time at the seashore and at his aunt?s farm in Carmarthenshire. His ti me at his aunt?s farm inspired his poems ?The Peaches? and ?The Gardener.? He wrote for his school magazine, acted in plays, and had a talent for English class at school. Starting a young age, Thomas turned his problems, thoughts, worries, and a spiritual crisis into forms of poetry. In fact, he was more interested in his poetry rather than his school work itself.[endnoteRef:1] [1: Andrew Lycett, Dylan Thomas: A New Life (Great Britain: Weidenfeld