Moral Theories in Health Care Free Essays

Desai pinky HSC601:-Healthcare Policy and Medical Ethics Date: – 10/06/2009 Question 2: What moral theories are the most important in the healthcare reform debate? The four moral theories which have been refereed in the book satisfy one or the other aspect of the ethical analysis and also keep the foundation for further analysis. However no theory satisfies all the relevant criteria. All the four theories have pointed out their ways and means to reach a decision which is correct and ethically considered. We will write a custom essay sample on Moral Theories in Health Care or any similar topic only for you Order Now All the theories have reached some of the goals in the common like autonomy, privacy, beneficence yet with different perspectives. The utilitarian mainly focuses on the value of the well being, which is analyzed in the terms of the pleasures, happiness welfare, preference satisfaction whereas the Kantianism believes that the morality is grounded in reason, duty rather than the sympathy, emotions. This indicates that the person have to act not only in an accordance with but for the sake of the obligation. Utilitarianism is divided into two: – the rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism. The rule utilitarian considers the consequences of adopting certain rules whereas the act utilitarian disregards the level of the rules and sticks only to the principle of the utility. Thus the advantage of the rule utilitarianism is that it considers the parameters like justice, beneficence and laws and legal rights which lacks in the act utilitarianism. Kantianism mainly rotates around the following objectives. According to Kant â€Å"maxim† is the moral worth of an individual’s action that depends exclusively on the moral acceptability if the rule on which the person acts. Since the maxim applies to every individual that performs the similar act in the similar condition it has been declared as an universal law. The second objective of the Kantianism is the â€Å"categorical imperative†, which stresses the importance of the what must be done irrespective of our desires and the final objective of the Kant theory is the autonomy which typically refers to the judgments and actions one can take with their own will. However the importance of the autonomy is that if and only if the individual knowingly act in accordance with the universally valid moral principles that pass the requirements of the categorical imperative. In the utilitarian theory the major flaw is immoral preference and actions. Even if the individual performs the act to produce the overall utility for everyone but if accidental the greatest possible utility is not achieved then the action will be wrong and it will be considered against the act. According to this theory the individual should perform the act in such way that it provides benefit to the most of the people regardless of their feelings and preference of their opinion. This has led a question that an individual should have to consider every action and their consequence before implementing this theory. Additionally one has to take into account the proposed alternatives before performing the action as any unexpected results would prove utilitarian theory wrong and unethical as it was not able to provide the benefit to the society. Another major flaw with this theory is that difficulty in defining the line between morally obligatory actions and supererogatory action. The heroic donation of the bodily parts such as an kidney to save another person life is unethical. Whereas with Kantianism the main flaw is the duty is given prime importance neglecting virtue, emotion. But these motives do count morally. Another major flaw is the conflicting obligation. It generally arises from a single moral rule rather than from two different rules, since it fails to take into account the consequence of the one situation, it becomes even more difficult when a conflicting condition arises at the same time. Both the theory attempts to explain the moral principles but have different viewpoints to guide the individual towards ethical analysis. The utilitarian’s considers the act to be morally valid if the results produced provide maximal values in terms of happiness or pleasure. It holds that actions are right or wrong according to the balance of their good and bad consequence. If the actions have more good consequences then it is morally appropriate and if the actions have more bad consequences then it morally inappropriate. Since this is based on the individual context, this theory cannot be universally accepted and merely depends on the situational analysis. As the utilitarian lacks the universal set of rules which defines morality, hence one has to analyze the situation individually. In outweighing the benefits of the good or bad consequences to attain the maximum utility and also considering the alternative consequences makes this theory bit complex, tedious and time consuming. Whereas Kantianism is based on the autonomous and maxim. One has to perform the duty at his will without considering the whether the consequences are favorable as he is imbibed to perform the duty which is otally contradictory to the utilitarian theory. From the analysis it seems that it is more logical theory and has a set of universal rules which has been widely used in the health care reforms and in the healthcare industry. From the above analysis , Kantianism theory seems to be more appealing to me but when the healthcare reforms are involved I feel every theory has their positives and negatives and should be included in the healthcare reform debates as ever y pieces of theory has a lot to provide to the health care reforms. How to cite Moral Theories in Health Care, Papers

Starbuck Organizational Culture †Sample Assignment Solution

Question: Suggest the key elements of Starbucks organizational culture that contributes to its success in a global economy. Indicate managements role with creating and sustaining the organizational culture. Assess the effectiveness of Starbucks management decisions in providing innovative offerings for its customers (e.g., WiFi, style of coffee, etc.) in order to achieve its current competitive marketplace advantage. Provide support for your rationale. Determine one (1) key management competency that a successful manager at Starbucks is likely to have. Indicate one (1) way in which this particular competency is a good fit for the organizational culture. Evaluate Starbucks ability to achieve long-term sustainability as a global leader in the coffee industry without the organizations CEO, Howard Shultz. Answer: Characteristics of Starbucks Organizational Culture The most significant characteristic of Starbucks organizational structure is its decentralized decision making process. Starbucks has split its organization into three separate districts so as to be able to handle the operations more effectively and keeping the clients pleased. Starbucks employs a matrix organizational structure which uses channels of communication. This type of structure is a very effectual way of utilizing all the communication channels. In fact structure of the organization is one of the pivotal points of its success. The matrix organizational structure helps the organization to better serve their customers. It focuses on particular region and managers are made to oversee each and every region. The current organizational structure of Starbucks is hybrid one. It encompasses horizontal structure, geographical structure and functional structure. Once the organizational culture has been established such people are recruited in the organization whose values match those of the organization. The selection process is such that it prioritizes on selecting such employees who can perform the job efficiently and can and at the same time the candidate must also fit into the culture of the organization. Starbucks Innovative Offerings for Customers Starbucks has introduced many innovations throughout its history which has contributed significantly to its success. These innovations are both coffee based as well as non-coffee based. In fact Starbucks is popular for its innovative use of technology. It provides free and unlimited Wi-Fi at its stores. Thus it may serve as a meeting place and also as a makeshift office for the customers. Starbucks also uses social media in order to allure customers by providing an online space to the clients to submit feedbacks as well as ideas and experience. In 2009 Starbucks launched its first app, myStarbucks app. This app enables the customers to access a store an get information about the coffee which is being sold at Starbucks. In fact Starbucks has launched a digital customer loyalty program in the year 2011. By use of the digital media Starbucks has made its presence felt all over the globe and has also succeeded in enhancing the customer experience. My Starbucks Idea Website has also prove d to be a great success. Research reveals that since the beginning of its digital based innovation Starbucks has grown at a rate which is double of its peers in the industry. Apart from these non-coffee based innovations it has also introduced some coffee based innovations which has given the company an edge over its competitors. It has added new items to its menu so as to entice customers. In a nutshell we can say that the managerial decision of Starbucks to constantly introduce innovations in their services to the customers is one of the reasons behind its immense success. Management Competency so as to suit the culture at Starbucks One of the key management capabilities a manager at Starbucks is likely to have is the ability to manage diversity. Starbucks is known worldwide for its recognition of diverse cultures. In fact the company promotes diversity as strategy for its competitive growth over its competitors. In order to achieve this goal the managers at Starbucks play a vital role. One of the objectives of Starbucks is to create a culture which respects and values diversity. Their strategy is to be become leaders in diversity. Thus it is very essential for manager at Starbucks to possess the quality of managing diversity. In the absence of this quality it would be difficult for a manager to survive in Starbucks. In order to achieve this goal it is expected that the managers would not treat the employees (known as partners in Starbucks) differently based on their difference of ethnicity or race. Managers should be devoted to the cause of promoting diversity so as to be able to fit in the culture of the organ ization. It is the role of the managers to make sure that all the members are aware that the organization values their diversity related efforts. Success of Starbucks without Howard Schultz The leadership style adopted by Howard Schultz i.e. the present CEO of Starbucks is both charismatic and transformational leadership. Howard Schultz is the main reason behind the present success of Starbucks. After having taken the role of CEO in 1987 he made Starbucks a global brand. In 2000, he stepped from being the CEO. Again in 2008 he came back as the CEO as the business of the company had gone down. The company initially seemed to be health upon the retirement of Schultz. But the fortunes of Starbucks was lost without Schultz. So Schultz had to return in 2008. He replaced the then CEO and took over charge of Starbucks as the CEO in 2008. With the comeback of Schultz the company regained its lost fortunes. Now Starbucks is one of the most successful names in the global coffee industry. Now I would analyze the traits of transformational leadership and try to evaluate whether Starbucks would be able to sustain its name as one of the leaders in the global economy in future sans Howard Schultz. One of the main characteristics of transformational leadership style is that the leader who adopts such style makes the followers believe in the goal and themselves. The followers are not dependent on the leader. Even if the leader leaves in the midst of the project the followers develop the ability to complete the project themselves. Transformational leaders have the capability of becoming the mentors of the followers. The followers can identify with the transformational leaders and may perform even in the absence of the leader. The followers of a transformational leader are self sufficient. Thus we may say that though the leadership style of Howard Schultz is transformational this aspect is missing and that is the reason why the company experienced downfall in the absence of Howard Schultz. In order to be able to achieve long term success without Howard Schultz, it is essential that Schultz make his employees self sufficient to achieve the goal. If this trait of transformational leadership is demonstrated by Schultz then Starbucks would be able to succeed even without him.

George Robert Twelves Hewes, Shoemaker to Revolutionary Essays

George Robert Twelves Hewes, Shoemaker to Revolutionary Alfred E. Young chronicles the events of a shoemaker?s life in The Shoemaker and The Tea Party to portray how the life of a poor shoemaker, with an ambition to improve his social status, shaped his opinion of the Revolution. In 1835, Young?s subject, George Robert Twelves Hewes, was believed to be the last surviving participant in the Revolutionary War. ?His memory itself became my subject,? Young writes as he pieces together historical records and two biographies dictated by Hewes near the end of his life (xii). Young recognizes that Hewes? memory of his involvement in political events was influenced by his years, personality and social class. Hewes was born in Boston and forced into the trade of shoemaking at the young age of fourteen as a result of his father?s death. Even though it was not a desirable way to start out in life, Hewes had little choice. ?Shoemakers, moreover, were low in status (15). Hewes? own father and uncle had struggled to improve their social class. They had sought the assistance of a rich merchant only to later see themselves as ?very laborious artisans who managed their trade with good skill, only to be ruined by a wealthy, arrogant merchant? (18). Even though this occurred before the young George Hewes was born, the resentment and contempt his father held toward the wealthy merchant must have made an impression on the young George. As a shoemaker apprentice, Hewes worked under a harsh master. He was often hungry, dressed poorly and occasionally whipped for his mischief. From this early age, Hewes disliked being treated as an inferior because of his poverty and lack of education. ?The memories of his childhood and youth that Thatcher elicited were almost all of defying authority (20). From an early age, Hewes?s behavior suggests he had a strong will and an independent mind. Even though his situation was less than ideal, Hewes finished his apprenticeship in 1763. Hewes struggled as a shoemaker, built a shop and married at age twenty-six. His wife was the daughter of a poor church sexton and brought him no dowry. Similar to his own father, Hewes often found himself in trouble for debt. At one point, he was imprisoned for being unable to pay his debts. Hewes? debt was for a suit to wear when he pursued his future wife. This emphasizes the pride of the man and also his desire to better himself. Sadly, Hewes was unsuccessful at establishing financial wealth and remained financially poor throughout his life. Hewes was disappointed and humiliated when his height disqualified him from being eligible to join the military. ?Anatomy is not destiny, but Hewes? short size and long name helped shape his personality? (17). Hewes demonstrated a sense of humor and pride toward the attention his long name brought him. Later, as a father, Hewes chose equally long, amusing names for two of his sons. ?One son was named Eleven, and the last born, George Robert Twelves Fifteen? (69). During 1765-1766, the first big activity in Boston occurred around the Stamp Act. This is the event that involved many of the working people. The Stamp Act was an act of Parliament to impose taxes on the colonists and it infuriated the colonists. The British ultimately repealed the Stamp Act because of the protests, but they insisted that they had the right to pass new trade regulations and new tax laws. To the knowledge of Alfred Young, Hewes was not active in the Stamp Act demonstrations even though he was a member of the working class. Hewes? personal memoirs of the revolution begin around 1768, when Great Britain sent thousands of soldiers to keep order in Boston. Hewes began to notice Britain?s unfair treatment of the colonists and reacted to occurrences that he personally witnessed on the streets. He watched a soldier hit and rob a woman. He repaired shoes for a British captain, and the captain refused to pay. As a result of Hewes? protests, an innocent soldier, not the captain, was whipped as punishment. Hewes was appalled that he had caused an innocent man to be whipped. As a child, ?Hewes was punished often, but if

Gangsta Rap And Violence Essays - African-American Culture

Gangsta Rap And Violence Essays - African-American Culture Gangsta Rap And Violence Stacey Hawkins English 2 sec. 34 11-21-96 Gangsta Rap and Violence Go Hand in Hand Mr. Officer, I want to see you layin' in a coffin, sir, from The Chronic and F- the police, from N.W.A., are few lyrics from the music genre gangsta rap. This kind of music is being sold to young children without any thought of concern. When many children listen to this kind of music they think that was being said in the songs is not wrong or against the law. The lyrics in many songs contain violent and explicit lyrics that usually talk about killing someone along with sounds of gunshots in the background. It is also music that refers to women as bitches, whores and sex-dispensing hos(Saunders B29). Gangsta rap has been criticized and debated over for its graphic sexual content, violent imagery and misogyny. When rappers were asked why they refer to women as bitches and hos their replies were similar. Snoop says, that it is just for the women who are like that and if you're a real women, you're classy and elegant. Those lyrics wouldnt necessarily affect you. Youd just groove to the music (Farley 78). Richard Shaw, Bushwick Bill, says: I call women bitches and hos because all the women I've met since I've been out here are bitches and hos. When asked, at the [National Association of Black Journalists] convention, what he calls his mother he says, I call her a 'woman', but I'm not f-ing my mother. If I was f-ing you, you'd be a bitch. He then apologized for what he said to the reporter. (Raspberry A21) If you don't give a f- about a bitch/ Then you're rolling with the row, are lyrics from Doggystyle. If all people were to think like this what respect would women have. Some say, if we don't have respect for our women, why should anyone else? (Raspberry A21). Do these rappers think that they own women and can treat them any way they want to. If this is the way some people think, that the own women and can dis respect them then what footsteps are the children going to follow in. Young children and adults, 14, 15 and 16 years of age, who listen and memorize these rap songs think that it is acceptable behavior. Gangsta rap is hardly the only source of violence, but it is a potent one. Not only is the music violent but the rappers lifestyle is also. Many rappers have rap sheets and young people see that and say, hey, their rich and money talks. Today most young people think that if a person is rich and famous they can get away with anything. Not all rappers have run-ins with the law, but the ones that do are very well known. Tupac Shakur, who recently was murdered this year, has had many run-ins with the law. Shakur was arrested for aggravated assault, charged with shooting two off duty police officers in Atlanta in 1993, but the charges were later dropped. He was accused of beating a limousine driver in Los Angeles and found guilty of threatening a fellow rapper with a baseball bat in Michigan. He was also found guilty of sexual abuse in 1994 and was serving time up to 4 years in prison (Sims E3). In some raps he glamorized the life of a gangster and fun gunplay. He lived the life tattooed on his stomach, Thug Life, and died doing it. Gangsta Rap has attracted a high-profile of enemies and no one may ever know who really killed Tupak. The police are still not sure of who shot and killed Tupak, but they think that it may have been linked to Death Row Record's ties with rival gangs. There are no witnesses who can identify the driver or shooter in the Cadillac that pulled up next to Tupak and driver, Marion Knight. Calvin Broadus, better known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, was arrested in 1993 on murder-conspiracy charges. He pleaded not guilty and was acquitted. He also has a police file that Hawkins 3 identifies him as a member of Long Beach Insane Crips, a notorious street gang (Cheevers A1).

Health Care in the USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Health Care in the USA - Essay Example Authorities to transmit overt health messages, such as those for AIDS prevention, immunization, or family planning, may use the electronic media. Perhaps more significant are advertisements (for insecticide, beer, soft drinks, automobiles, powdered milk, cosmetics, and other items of commerce) and programmatic content depicting supposedly admirable people and their lives and activities. Emulation of such models may have rapid and profound health consequences, both good and bad. Moreover, decades ago, the medium is often the message, and the mere presence of the radio or television receiver may lead to significant changes in personal or group behavior, independent of the nature or content of the broadcast messages. Most commentators ascribe the great decline in mortality in countries like US that were developing during the 18th and 19th centuries to improved nutrition, water supply, excreta disposal, and housing; legislation to control employment of women and children; and public health services in the broad sense. There seems to be a common misconception in the world that Health Care Services in US have monolithic socialized medicine systems under which a person need only appear on a hospital doorstep to be showered with free services. Perhaps equally widespread is the idea, promoted by television pictures of starving hordes, "such is not the case in the United States, where not all Americans are covered by health insurance" (Shi, L. & Singh, D., 2004, p. 2). Neither of these extreme images is accurate. While often useful, comparative studies have their limitations. On a superficial level, comparative health services research can uncover statistics on the numbers of facilities, physicians, hospital beds, and so on; on money and other resources put into the system; and on the number of patient visits or immunizations given over a certain period of time. It can also illustrate certain structural relationships within systems, such as the organization of divisions of a health department or the regionalization of hospitals, health centers, clinics, and dispensaries. Pages of tables and charts can be prepared in such studies, but skill and care are needed to draw correct conclusions from these data. There are two basic problems: (1) what the data show and (2) what they do not show. "Health care is a continuously evolving process impossible to describe adequately in an instantaneous snapshot, any more than a single frame can exemplify a long and complex motion picture" (Frick, K., Jensen, P.L., Quinlan, M. and Wilthagen, T, 2000, p. 86). The fact that a system for health care exists does not necessarily mean that it functions according to design or that it is used, or used appropriately, by the people whom it is intended to serve. The official health care system is not necessarily the health care system, because it has several parallel systems. Persons may by necessity (= lack of access) or by intent (= distrust) circumvent the official system. Indeed, in some parts of the US only a minority of the population may make use of official health services, preferring to consult pharmacists, healers, or others whose services are not recorded on government charts and tables. Whereas the elements of a system, and the resources put into it, can be counted and described, t he output or product of the system, in terms of improved health, is impossible to measure and may even defy estimation. Attitudes, motivations, and policies cannot be indicated on an organizational

Wal-Mart Stores Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Wal-Mart Stores - Essay Example The company was incorporated On October 31, 1969, as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Sam Walton died in 1992, since then the Company has progressed tremendously, transforming from being just the largest American retailer to securing the top spot as the largest company of the world on Fortune 500 list. (Lichtenstein, N. (2006). Business: The CEO of Wal-Mart U.S. believes that tremendous oppertunitunies are waiting to be seized by growing the Company through setting up Walmart ExpressTM and similar new formats in urban as well as minority areas of the United States of America. Walmart has a total of 4,700 retail stores in American, making it the America’s largest retailer. Site to Store ®, Fed-Ex Site to Store ® and Pick up today ® are Walmart’s leveraging innovations which ensures shopping flexibility for customers. Walmart offers web services across 15 countries which do not require the physical presence of the store to provide large discount services. The Company aims to o rganize its web efforts and meanwhile expand the services to many other countries of the world. The professional leadership of Walmart stores is fully prepared to launch financial plans to strengthen important financial issues regarding growth, returns to shareholders and leverage. Profit: Wal-Mart began as a dream which was nurtured with determination, passion and the desire to expand and resulted in being one of the most successful ventures in the American history. Like always, a strong solid financial performance was delivered by Walmart in the fiscal year 2011.Walmart’s net sales showed an increase of 3.4 % and therefore the net sales were increased to $419 billion. In addition, the overall operating income increased by 6.4%. Hence, the operating income was increased to $25 billion. The Company’s diluted earnings from continuing operations showed a rise of 12%, thus increasing the diluted earnings to $4.16 per share. The company, through dividends and share repurch ases was able to return $19.2 billion to its shareholders. The great results of the fiscal year of 2011, reflects the strong basis of its underlying business and the ability to deliver shareholder value. The success of Walmart is due to the fact that it strives hard to maintain a momentum in areas of success, while simultaneously work on weak areas to bring a change. Business Environment: Warlmart owns a total 8000 retail stores worldwide whose global sales are approximately $400 billion annually. Wal-Mart team proposed the idea of forming a supercenter in low income community area near Los Angeles in 2004. The idea behind the construction of large discount supercentre in Inglewood was to introduce the Californians with Wal-Mart’s supercentre project. Due to the consistent efforts of the Walmart team, the Company is the greatest positioned retailer of the world. Wal-Mart Supercenters were first established in the early 1980s and are characterized by a full grocery line and ma ny specialty departments which offer products at large discounts. Thus, accomplishing Wal-Mart’s mission which states: â€Å"We save people money, so they can live better.† The company now intends to expand its supercenters and introduce new formats across many countries of the world. (Fishman, C. (2006). Economy: The 4,700 Wal-Mart departmental stores across America have provided employment to more than 1.3 million individuals. However, the Company is blamed for causing serious economic impacts such as net loss of jobs. Some economists believe that a single

Biodiversity of the Pacific Islands Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biodiversity of the Pacific Islands - Essay Example The wildlife trade is one factor in this decline, particularly an improvement in transport facilities has made it possible to ship animals and plants and products derived from them anywhere in the world. Wildlife trade is a highly profitable business and involves a wide variety of species with millions of animals and plants traded each year to supply the demand for pets, ornamental plants, furs, skins, leather and timber, and articles manufactured from these materials. Incredibly, the wildlife trade is second, in monetary terms, only to the drug trade, and perhaps the arms trade. The annual average trade in wildlife products is estimated at around five billion US dollars.   The Impact of Deforestation   The effects of deforestation are quite evident all across the Pacific islands and indeed across all world cultures. However, perhaps the area which is most devastated is the island of Papua New Guinea. Current estimates of forest destruction are hard to come by but in the late 1980's the forest was being lost at a rate of 21,000 - 22,000 ha per year (Hurst, 1990; Mullins, 1994). Forest product production has increased from 300,000 cubic meters in 1969 to over 1.7 million cubic meters in 1989. Most of these exports are in the form of logs, so Papua New Guinea misses out on any "value added" component that would result if timber were milled locally. Foreign investors, mainly Japanese, Malaysian, Korean, and Chinese, dominate the timber industry. In the late 1980's local timber companies only had rights to one-fifth of the available logging concessions (Barry, 2000).   The Pacific forests are rich in wildlife. Placental mammals, marsupials, birds, and reptiles abound. Doubtless, there are a lot of species that have not yet come to scientific attention. There are 650 species of birds, 500 of which are confined to the forests (Hurst, 1990).