Loss of Identity in the Techno-Culture Essay -- Clubbing Partying Tech

I began my inquiry into the "techno-sublime" by keying the term "techno-sublime" into Googe to see if the term had been coined before. Whilst there was no exact match, the first site that opened was http://www.sublime.net.au/chillout.html, 'The Chillout . clubbing is a planetary experience'. I had long been interested in the event of the techno-dance party, that total awesome experience where there is a collapse of individuality and a loss of individual boundaries as "I" become part of the collective techno-experience. It was uncanny to find myself at this site in search of the "techno-sublime" and yet it was precisely this exstasis or loss of identity in the face of the awesomeness of the techno-experience that was central to my understanding of the experience of the techno-sublime.[1] Ben Malbon's (1999) study, Clubbing: Dancing, Ecstacy and Vitality, has proved invaluable in providing support for my elaboration of the techno-sublime. Whilst Malbon's thesis is different from my own, the responses of some of his respondents as well as his own diary entries have become very important in supporting my thesis that there is a loss of identity or estasis within the particular experience of techno-culture that is clubbing. Thus in a diary entry, titled '4 a.m. - lost for words, lost in time and space, just lost.', Malbon writes: We all seemed to want the music to take us over; to become us in some way.. Clubbers were losing it all over the place ... people are just so close to each other; proximately and emotionally.. The intensity of this fusion of motions and emotions was almost overwhelming. (Malbon 1999:xii) This diary entry, in particular, speaks of an experience in which his sense of identity and rationality is subsum... ...nd vitality, London: Routledge. Newman, Barnett (1948) 'The Sublime is now' in Harrison, C. Wood, P. (ed) (1994) Art in theory 1900 - 1990: an anthology of changing ideas, Oxford, Blackwell: 572-574. Nye, D.E. (1994) American Technological Sublime, Cambridge Mass: MIT Press. Storr, A. (1992) Music and the Mind, London: Harper Collins. Notes [1]I had begun my inquiry into the techno-sublime by arguing that in creative practice there occurs a particular flux that I have termed "working hot". When one is working hot, I have argued, the performance produces a dynamical relation where the work of art performs rather than represents. In this space, or state, I argued there is exstasis, or a loss of identity. [2] My elaboration of the techno-sublime has been informed by Christine Battersby's and Barbara Freeman's theorization of the feminine sublime. Loss of Identity in the Techno-Culture Essay -- Clubbing Partying Tech I began my inquiry into the "techno-sublime" by keying the term "techno-sublime" into Googe to see if the term had been coined before. Whilst there was no exact match, the first site that opened was http://www.sublime.net.au/chillout.html, 'The Chillout . clubbing is a planetary experience'. I had long been interested in the event of the techno-dance party, that total awesome experience where there is a collapse of individuality and a loss of individual boundaries as "I" become part of the collective techno-experience. It was uncanny to find myself at this site in search of the "techno-sublime" and yet it was precisely this exstasis or loss of identity in the face of the awesomeness of the techno-experience that was central to my understanding of the experience of the techno-sublime.[1] Ben Malbon's (1999) study, Clubbing: Dancing, Ecstacy and Vitality, has proved invaluable in providing support for my elaboration of the techno-sublime. Whilst Malbon's thesis is different from my own, the responses of some of his respondents as well as his own diary entries have become very important in supporting my thesis that there is a loss of identity or estasis within the particular experience of techno-culture that is clubbing. Thus in a diary entry, titled '4 a.m. - lost for words, lost in time and space, just lost.', Malbon writes: We all seemed to want the music to take us over; to become us in some way.. Clubbers were losing it all over the place ... people are just so close to each other; proximately and emotionally.. The intensity of this fusion of motions and emotions was almost overwhelming. (Malbon 1999:xii) This diary entry, in particular, speaks of an experience in which his sense of identity and rationality is subsum... ...nd vitality, London: Routledge. Newman, Barnett (1948) 'The Sublime is now' in Harrison, C. Wood, P. (ed) (1994) Art in theory 1900 - 1990: an anthology of changing ideas, Oxford, Blackwell: 572-574. Nye, D.E. (1994) American Technological Sublime, Cambridge Mass: MIT Press. Storr, A. (1992) Music and the Mind, London: Harper Collins. Notes [1]I had begun my inquiry into the techno-sublime by arguing that in creative practice there occurs a particular flux that I have termed "working hot". When one is working hot, I have argued, the performance produces a dynamical relation where the work of art performs rather than represents. In this space, or state, I argued there is exstasis, or a loss of identity. [2] My elaboration of the techno-sublime has been informed by Christine Battersby's and Barbara Freeman's theorization of the feminine sublime.

Gender and Video Games Essay

The current development in the literature concerning videogames and gender constitutes the formulation of perceptions of how not only game developers but also players establish their individual and collective identity in this process. Their relationship then corresponds to creating specific norms and principles that seek to identify specific ideas concerning their representation of reality and also their ability to capitalize on existing genres for cultivating game play and the issues related to acceptance of existing norms. Due to this, to better understand the relationship circumventing around video games and gender, fair amount of analysis must be made not only in its ability to represent the gaming public but also in the impact it creates towards taking the issue into a bigger picture as it relates to the construction of social norms and roles. Assessing Video Games and Gender Indeed looking at previous literature studies, it can be seen that misrepresentation remains apparent especially among the representation of gender in video games. Here, common patterns of male masculine figures and characters continue to dominate different platforms and games. Such idea remains to be seen particularly, during the earlier times wherein there is a corresponding depiction of players that are relatively male and ultimately dominate both the primary and secondary characters. Here, Williams, Martins, Consalvo and Ivory (2009) study highlights these apparent trends by arguing that â€Å"the most popular games are less representative than the typical game produced by developers, indicating that players also play a role in the cycle of creation and consumption† (p. 828). Similarly, such actions then establish the formation of implications relating towards both businesses and gamers alike. Given the constant marketing and exploration of new strategies to expand the level of gamers within a specific platform, there are indeed restrictions that this gender bias and formulation of games create. It necessitates not only hindering the potential appeal of these games towards consumers but also induce common means for limited appreciation and also shortage in sales. These dynamics in turn necessitate a constricted response to the ever growing number of patrons of video games as it encompasses the majority of participants and involve other actors who also place emphasis in their capacity for media to exhibit their common associations and relationship within the platform (Williams, Martins, Consalvo, Ivory, 2009). Opening up Patterns for Diversity and Change Assessing the validity of how video games embrace diversity, careful analysis needs to be made in the manner that video games seek to portray and outline the views concerning the gaming culture. Since social symbols often connote this process to be a male/masculine endeavor, earlier platforms somehow inhibit female participation in such activity and more often than not associated with male roles and tendencies (Williams, Martin, Consalvo and Ivory, 2009). However, this started to change as new designs and models have been introduced to cater to the changing perceptions of gender roles related to video games and adherence to the objectives to transcend over common representations that platform has over male and female responsiveness. Recognizing the current needs for embedding gender equality within the video game platforms, many game developers now seek to apply these strategies in the formulation of new titles that seek to connote better ability for people to utilize their perception of themselves within a particular game. This brought about significant changes as designers brought into consideration diversity and equal representation of male and female roles in the process. This dynamics then consolidated better means for outlining not only significant areas related to the overall game play but also in the appeal it gives towards different individuals regardless of their racial and gender associations (Brandtzaeg and Heim, 2009). Seeing this, the study by Jansz and Vosmeer indeed offer a good analysis of how the game ‘Sims 2’ address these changing trends and outline the evolution of gaming from a masculine and male dominated genre to a more lax and diverse area that induces common connections between masculinity and femininity. By using this game as an example, the study was able to highlight significant changes in these perceptions and was able to ascertain common ideals shaping and furthering opportunities accounting to how diversity serves as an instrument in merging the idea of gender and video games together. To complement this process, it takes into account creating video games that are not only responsive to the needs of gamers but also reach out towards their ability to utilize connections over the roles specific characters play. Here, Jansz and Vosmeer (2010) argues, â€Å"developing gender and games theory requires more detailed insight into the mutual shaping of game content, game play, and gender identities† (p. 247). By collaborating on these three aspects accordingly, the ability of growth of video games have indeed showcased a reality that is more conducive and responsive to the needs of individuals by offering a variety of platforms wherein interaction and associations remain possible. Videogames, Violence, and Gender Roles Another precept shaping the understanding concerning the idea of videogames and gender is the corresponding perceptions and roles it provides participants. Since this element is one part of media, it is through this that representations about culture and gender roles are provided among individuals regardless of age, race, or cultural affiliations. These dynamics in turn necessitate both positive and negative responses in terms of the establishment of identity and formulation of specific patterns of behavior innate within the characterization of primary and secondary characters in a particular game. In essence, there continues to be a relationship in the way individuals ascertain their preferences in games with their innate social behavior and ability to denote a particular response to each theme of a video game played (Brandtzaeg and Heim, 2009). Seeing these diverse variations concerning the ability to extract experiences and ideas from video games, it then presents the formation of specific behavior and inputs depending on the themes provided. Such actions then result in current diversity of games available in the market today. As Brandtzaeg and Heim (2009) argue, â€Å"the new electronic gaming landscape is complex, and consists of a vast array of choices in different game content genres tailored towards a range of user profiles in regards to highly different interests and content preferences† (p. 71). These in turn result in the formulation of specific behavior that equally shapes an individual’s personality and the manner that each one seeks to equate this in the formulation of their identity and role within social institutions. Associated with the formulation of gender roles, there are also instances of video games promoting violence as themes in its platforms. Such dynamics then necessitate impact on individual behavior as they try to ascertain specific tendencies towards the acceptance of violence to be a social norm and apparent in different scenarios and environment. Though research and literature may argue differently concerning this stance, it also goes to show the impact that video games can provide towards the inducement of violent and aggressive tendencies among gamers. Here, it is what Kim refers to as desensitization of violence within video games genre and points out its impact not only in the formulation of gender roles but also the acceptance of its role within the development of a player’s identity (Kim, n. d. ). Under this process, there continues to be new developments happening in video game technology that aides the desensitization of violence among consoles. These in turn contributes to further exposure and creates a real-life scenarios wherein players experience an almost-real setup where violence as a theme is depicted. Here, Kim (n. d. ) argues that â€Å"as video games become more sophisticated, there is a wide range of input devices at various levels of realism – from pushing keys on a keyboard to a turning wheel to drive or actually shooting a gun† (p. 5). Such realities then brings about the question of how such games provide the means to explore means to correspond the manner to ascertain violence, videogames and gender. It does take into account the value of how these themes permeate within choices and ability to partake in the gaming experience of individuals. By establishing these relationships, it can help analyze the formulation of behavior as well as how it corresponds to the nature of furthering opportunities to extract behavioral responsiveness on the part of individuals who partake in such endeavor. (Jansz, and Vosmeer, 2010). To conclude, the idea of gender and video games have undergone an expansion of literature that takes into account its development from a more conservative and masculine-oriented dimension towards the creation of games that seeks to highlight and induce elements of diversity. By taking account of these areas, it was able to consolidate better means to reach out towards different gamers and allow better means for access among people. Though there may still be corresponding bias views concerning gender, it was able to construct a new playing field wherein new games are able to cater towards the dynamic needs among gamers. Alongside this development, there is also the corresponding perspective of shaping new means to carry out effective means to extract gender roles among players. These elements manifest in the themes and perceptions utilized by individuals who participate in such endeavor. One element that can be seen in these areas is the corresponding violence that video game creates. Though there are contrasting views in the impact on human behavior, it plays a crucial role in establishing analysis in its association with the interplay of social norms and roles through the spectrum of perceptions and choices of video game genres. References Brandtzaeg, P. B. and Heim, J. (2009) Children’s Electronic Gaming Content Preferences and Psychosocial Factors: Is there a connection? Nordicom Review. 30 (2), pp. 69-86 Jansz, J. , Avis, C. and Vosmeer, M. (2010) Playing The Sims 2: An exploration of gender differences in players’ motivations and patterns of play. New media and Society. 12 (2), pp. 235-251 Kim, O. T. Effects of Violent Video Games on Desensitization: The Role of Gender, Previous Exposure, and Input Device. Williams, D. , Martins, N. , Consalvo, M. and Ivory, J. (2009) The virtual census: representations of gender, race, and age in video games. New media and society. 11 (5), pp. 815-834

Fast Food And Its Effects On America - 1546 Words

Fast Food in America We don t walk. We overeat because we ve made it easy to overeat. We have fast-food joints on every corner. By the way, the we is all of us. It s not the government. It s all of us doing this together.†(Mehmet Oz). Fast food has been affecting Americans lives since the 1919’s and 1920’s where the first fast food restaurant originated. They were called AW in 1919 and White Castle in 1921. More than 3 million cases of obesity in America happen a year. Over time the frequency of fast food restaurants increased and became more common in people’s lives. Big fast food franchises such as McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy s, and Pizza Hut have changed the world and not in a great way. Over 3 million cases of diabetes happen in a year and an estimated 17.5 million people died from CVDs in 2012, representing 31% of all global deaths. Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood. Fast food is food that can be prepared quickly. It is easily and quickly sold in restaurants and snack bars as a quick meal or to be taken home. Obesity is the condition of being grossly fat or overweight. Cardiovascular conditions are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Many people suffer from these diseases and it becomes a negative impact in their lives. Fast food causes diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions. Fast food causes diabetes. MarijkeShow MoreRelatedInformative Speech- Fast Food Essays865 Words   |  4 PagesFast Food Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about fast food in the United States and its effects. Central Idea: The history of fast food, the effects of eating fast food, and its effect on the United States. Introduction I. Anywhere you go, there is a good chance there will be a fast food restaurant nearby. A. It’s the easy way out of cooking dinner, or grabbing something fast because you didn’t have time to make anything. B. 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The CBSNews.com Staff states that â€Å"the all-American meal is a hamburger, fries, and a Coke or a shake.† These foods are some of the worst for the human body. People do not know just how high their intake of carbohydrates, sugar, trans and saturated fats, sodium, and calories is when consuming these foods. Carbohydrates are in almost all kindsRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic in America Essays1082 Words   |  5 PagesAmerican’s are obese because of poor food choices, over-eating, genetic disposition, lack of exercise, or the environment which one lives, while others blame it all on fast-food chains and restaurants. Throughout my research I have come to find a lot of facts and statistics about fast food consumption causing obesity. Statistics show that without a doubt the United States is the most obese country in the world. 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Plato and Aristotle on Women Selected Quotes

Plato (~425–348 BCE) and Aristotle (384–322 BCE) are arguably the two most influential Greek philosophers in the development of western Eurasian civilizations, but among their differences was one that impacted the way women are treated even today.   Both believed that social roles should be assigned to each individuals nature, and both believed those natures were driven by an individuals psychosomatic makeup. They agreed on the roles of slaves, barbarians, children, and artisans, but not about women. Plato vs. Aristotle Based on his writings in the Republic and most of the Dialogues, Plato was seemingly open to the potential equality of men and women. Plato believed in metempsychosis (essentially reincarnation), that the human soul was sexless and could change genders from life to life. It was only logical that, since souls are immutable, they bring the same abilities with them from body to body. Accordingly, he said, women should have equal access to education and politics.   On the other hand, Aristotle, Platos student and colleague at the Academy in Athens, believed that women were fit only to be the subjects of male rule. Women have the deliberative part of the soul, he said, but it isnt sovereign in nature: they are born to be ruled by men in a constitutional sense, as a citizens rule other citizens. Human beings are the union of body and soul, he said, and nature has designed the female body for one job: procreation and nurturing.   Below are quotes in English from the Greek works of both philosophers. On the Relations of the Sexes Aristotle, Politics: [T]he male, unless constituted in some respect contrary to nature, is by nature more expert at leading than the female, and the elder and complete than the younger and incomplete. Aristotle, Politics: [T]he relation of male to female is by nature a relation of superior to inferior and ruler to ruled. Aristotle, Politics: The slave is wholly lacking the deliberative element; the female has it but it lacks authority; the child has it but it is incomplete. Plato, Republic: Women and men have the same nature in respect to the guardianship of the state, save insofar as the one is weaker and the other is stronger. Plato, Republic: A man and a woman who have a physicians mind (psyche) have the same nature.   Plato, Republic: If women are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same things.†Ã‚   History of Animals vs. the Republic Aristotle, History of Animals, Book IX: Wherefore women are more compassionate and more readily made to weep, more jealous and querulous, fonder of railing, and more contentious. The female also is more subject to depression of spirits and despair than the male. She is also more shameless and false, more readily deceived, and more mindful of injury, more watchful, more idle, and on the whole less excitable than the male. On the contrary, the male is more ready to help, and, as it has been said, braver than the female; and even in malaria, if the sepia is struck with a trident, the male comes to help the female, but the female makes her escape if the male is struck. Plato, Republic, Book V (represented as a dialogue between Socrates and Glaucon): Socrates: Then, if women are to have the same duties as men, they must have the same nurture and education? Glaucon: Yes. Socrates: The education which was assigned to the men was music and gymnastics. Glaucon: Yes. Socrates: Then women must be taught music and gymnastic and also the art of war, which they must practice like the men? Glaucon: That is the inference, I suppose. Socrates: I should rather expect that several of our proposals, if they are carried out, being unusual, may appear ridiculous. Glaucon: No doubt of it. Socrates: Yes, and a ridiculous thing of all will be the sight of women naked in the gym, exercising with the men, especially when they are no longer young; they certainly will not be a vision of beauty, any more than the enthusiastic old men who in spite of wrinkles and ugliness continue to frequent the gymnasia. Glaucon: Yes, indeed: according to present notions the proposal would be thought ridiculous. Socrates: But then, I said, as we have determined to speak our minds, we must not fear the jests of the wits which will be directed against this sort of innovation; how they will talk of womens attainments both in music and gymnastic and above all about their wearing armor and riding upon horseback! Glaucon: Very true. Socrates: Yet having begun we must go forward to the rough places of the law; at the same time begging of these gentlemen for once in their life to be serious. Not long ago, as we shall remind them, the Hellenes were of the opinion, which is still generally received among the barbarians, that the sight of a naked man was ridiculous and improper; and when first the Cretans and then the Lacedaemonians introduced the custom, the wits of that day might equally have ridiculed the innovation. Glaucon: No doubt. Socrates: But when experience showed that to let all things be uncovered was far better than to cover them up, and the ludicrous effect to the outward eye vanished before the better principle which reason asserted, then the man was perceived to be a fool who directs the shafts of his ridicule at any other sight but that of folly and vice, or seriously inclines to weigh the beautiful by any other standard but that of the good. Glaucon: Very true. Socrates: First, then, whether the question is to be put in jest or in earnest, let us come to an understanding about the nature of woman: Is she capable of sharing either wholly or partially in the actions of men, or not at all? And is the art of war one of those arts in which she can or can not share? That will be the best way of commencing the inquiry, and will probably lead to the fairest conclusion. Sources and Further Reading Aristotle. The History of Animals Vol IX. Ed. Thompson, DArcy Wentworth. Internet Classics Archive, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 350 BCE. WebBrown, Wendy. Supposing Truth Were a Woman...: Platos Subversion of Masculine Discourse. Political Theory 16.4 (1988): 594–616. Print.Forde, Steven. Gender and Justice in Plato. The American Political Science Review 91.3 (1997): 657–70. Print.Padia, Chandrakala. Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau and Hegel on Women: A Critique. The Indian Journal of Political Science 55.1 (1994): 27–36. Print.Plato. The Role of Women in the Ideal State. The Republic, Book V. Ed. Dorbolo, Jon. Oregon State. 380 BCE Web.Smith, Nicholas D. Plato and Aristotle on the Nature of Women. Journal of the History of Philosophy 21 (1983): 467–78. Print.Wender, Dorothea. Plato: Misogynist, Paedophile, and Feminist. Arethusa 6.1 (1973): 75–90. Print.

The Life Of Edgar Allan Poe - 1666 Words

The Life of Edgar Allan Poe â€Å"Poets are shameless with their experiences: they exploit them.† ― Friedrich Nietzsche The life of Edgar Allan Poe s was short and mysterious - just like the lives of the heroes of his stories. And like his fictional heroes, Poe was passionate about painful, strange, gloomy existence of the human soul. The contradictory and unstable, inclined to extravagant whims and binges, he seemed to have decided to match the romantic stereotype of the suffering hero, taken prisoner of self-destruction. Without a doubt, he was a genius: a poet, novelist, critic, and editor, one of the first US professional writers who were earning money exclusively†¦show more content†¦Allan was guided by a sense of duty rather than a love to the boy, which has never been legally adopted. But his wife Frances Allan fell in love with a boy. Thanks to her, little Edgar learned what is a mother s love, which was missed in his childhood. Men s relation with women always plays an important role in men s lives. Life of Edgar Allan Poe was not exclusion. Moreover, it influenced on his works too. For example, the famous poem â€Å"The Raven† has an image of a woman Lenore. It is difficult to say who was a prototype of the lost woman for Poe. First woman whom he lost in his life was mother, Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins. It is better to say – which he never really knew. Later Edgar Allan Poe had a deep need to have close relations with women who could play the role of mother to him. They were Frances Allan, Mrs. Stanard, the mother of his friend Richard, who became a â€Å"substitute-mother† to him; Mrs. Maria Clemm, his aunt who became his mother-in-law; her daughter, Virginia, who became his â€Å"wife-mother†; Mrs. Shew, his physician-nurse; Mrs. Whitman, the poetess he tried unsuccessfully to marry; Mrs. â€Å"Annie† Richmond, the married woman he deeply loved but could not have for a wif e; or Elmira Royster Shelton, former childhood sweetheart (Benton, 1-2). Poe tried to find the image of the lost mother in all these women during his life, but, as we can make a conclusion from â€Å"The Raven† poem, he understood it was impossible. â€Å"Nevermore† – the Raven said. We cannot be

Challenges for Mobile Banking Services free essay sample

Banking transactions over the mobile phone are usually performed either by sending a SMS to the bank or by using mobile internet. When you send a SMS requesting a financial transaction, it travels to the SMS center of your cellular service provider and from there it goes to the banks system. Then, you receive the response that is sent by the bank via the service provider, all within a few seconds. Mobile Banking Services Nowadays, banks have come up with a range of mobile banking services for reducing their cost of operation and providing more easily accessible and faster services to you. You can use your mobile banking facilities to inquire about the updates of your balance, statement request, details of the last few transactions and management of pension and insurance policy. In addition to these, you can request the bank to activate alerts, if a threshold limit is crossed, or to set a minimum balance alert. Mobile banking has also made fund transfer, both national and international, quite simple and fast. You can order or request a check book and card, and pay bills with the help of mobile banking. It can also give you the facility of carrying out cash deposition and withdrawals. Some other services of mobile banking include portfolio management services, personalized alerts, notifications on security prices, mobile recharging, monitoring of term deposits, etc. You can also receive online updates of stock prices and even perform stock trading. Classification of the Services There are generally two ways to classify mobile banking services. The first method classifies the banking services as Push or Pull, depending on the originator of a service session. If the bank sends information as per the already agreed rules, then it is categorized as Push. An example of Push is a minimum balance alert, when your balance goes below a particular amount. On the other hand, when the bank sends information as a response to the request sent by the customers, it is termed as Pull. So, if you request the bank to send a statement for the last few, say 3 or 5 transactions, then it is a Pull based service. The second classification of mobile banking services depends on the nature of transactions. So, if you request the bank to send a bank statement, then it is a inquiry-based service, while a request for fund transfer is a transaction-based service. Benefits of Mobile Banking Mobile banking services are not only beneficial for the customers but for the banking institutions as well. These services can significantly lower the operating cost of banking institutions by reducing the dependence on costly call centers. They can also lower the frequency of errors that are usually committed in paper based payments. As mobile banking is a cost effective innovation, it can considerably reduce the financial risk associated with starting a new business initiative. It can also enable banking institutions to closely monitor their new campaigns. Besides this, it can provide a new avenue for selling their products like insurance packages and other banking services. On the other hand, mobile banking helps customers by ensuring the fast processing of their banking transactions. As any kind of financial transaction is immediately reported to the customers, they can easily monitor and detect any error in transactions, or any unauthorized transactions. Today, the mobile and wireless market is one of the fastest growing markets. However, a lack of trust and general awareness have been observed among the people when it comes to mobile banking services. Therefore, it is essential to address issues like security of the banking transactions that are executed from a distant place and transmitted over the air. Besides this, it is also important to ensure the security of financial transactions, if the device is stolen by hackers. If these concerns are properly addressed, then it would help increase the popularity of mobile banking by instilling a sense of trust among the customers. Growth of Mobile market .â€Å"Of 6 Bnglobal population, only 1 Bnhave bank accounts while 4 Bnnowown a mobile† . Over60% of world’s population has a mobile. Penetration of mobile while use of cash globally Mobile services not only offer a new, convenient channel for existing customers of banks, the technology will also provide access to 3 Bnstrong global unbanked population . Mobile payment users worldwide ? 73 million in 2009, up 70. 4 % from 2008 . Mobile payment users gt;190 MM in2012, which is over3 % of total mobile users worldwide a level considered as mainstream† . Rise in Mobile payment penetration (2009 to 2012) North America –From 1. 7 % to 3 % Western Europe –From 0. 9 % to 2. 5 % Asia/Pacific Japan –From 2 % to 3. 8 % Eastern Europe, EMEA and Latin America gt; 3 % Mobile Banking Services Mobile banking can offer services such as the following: Account Information 1. Mini-statements and checking of account history 2. Alerts on account activity or passing of set thresholds 3. Monitoring of term deposits 4. Access to loan statements 5. Access to card statements 6. Mutual funds / equity statements 7. Insurance policy management 8. Pension plan management 9. Status on cheque, stop payment on cheque 10. Ordering check books 11. Balance checking in the account 12. Recent transactions 13. Due date of payment (functionality for stop, change and deleting of payments) 14. PIN provision, Change of PIN and reminder over the Internet 15. Blocking of (lost, stolen) cards Payments, Deposits, Withdrawals, and Transfers 1. Domestic and international fund transfers 2. Micro-payment handling 3. Mobile recharging 4. Commercial payment processing 5. Bill payment processing 6. Peer to Peer payments 7. Withdrawal at banking agent 8. Deposit at banking agent Mobile banking in Saudi Arabia While mobile financial services have been adopted widely, they have yet to be utilized heavily in Saudi Arabia. This lack of use is all the more curious, given the high rates of mobile phone ownership exist side by side with generally minimal access to formal banking in the Kingdom. This presents an opportunity for banks, potentially allowing them to both expand their consumer base and assist the needy in their communities. Three questions should dictate whether Saudi banks adopt mobile financial services: could banks utilize mobile financial services, would they benefit those companies, and should Saudi Banks adopt such services? According to study has been done by KPMG about 67% of the Saudis are looking forward for mobile banking services in the kingdom. This percentage ranked Saudi Arabia as number one country in for the most promising market for mobile banking. According to Tariq Al-Sadhan the managerial partner of KPMG, the new generations of smart phones has enhanced the opportunity in this business and encouraged the customers to look forward to mobile banking. However it’s now up to the banks to get over the obstacles and ensure the reliability and security of the service. Furthermore these study shows how promising the future of this service and the opportunity for the banks. Challenges for a Mobile Banking Security This is the biggest challenge for banks. And what make it even more challenging is the perception of online business for the Saudis. Security of financial transactions, being executed from some remote location and transmission of financial information over the air, are the most complicated challenges that need to be addressed jointly by mobile application developers, wireless network service providers and the banks IT departments. The following aspects need to be addressed to offer a secure infrastructure for financial transaction over wireless network : 1. Physical part of the hand-held device. If the bank is offering smart-card based security, the physical security of the device is more important. 2. Security of any thick-client application running on the device. In case the device is stolen, the hacker should require at least an ID/Password to access the application. 3. Authentication of the device with service provider before initiating a transaction. This would ensure that unauthorized devices are not connected to perform financial transactions. 4. User ID / Password authentication of bank’s customer. 5. Encryption of the data being transmitted over the air. 6. Encryption of the data that will be stored in device for later / off-line analysis by the customer. Handset operability There are a large number of different mobile phone devices and it is a big challenge for banks to offer mobile banking solution on any type of device. Some of these devices support J2ME and others support SIM Application Toolkit, a WAP browser, or only SMS. The desire for interoperability is largely dependent on the banks themselves, where installed applications (Java based or native) provide better security, are easier to use and allow development of more complex capabilities similar to those of internet banking while SMS can provide the basics but becomes difficult to operate with more complex transactions. Scalability Reliability Another challenge for the CIOs and CTOs of the banks is to scale-up the mobile banking infrastructure to handle exponential growth of the customer base. With mobile banking the banks need to ensure that the systems are up and running in a true 24 x 7 fashion. As customers will find mobile banking more and more useful, their expectations from the solution will increase. Banks unable to meet the performance and reliability expectations may lose customer confidence. There are systems such as Mobile Transaction Platform which allow quick and secure mobile enabling of various banking services Application distribution Due to the nature of the connectivity between bank and its customers, it would be impractical to expect customers to regularly visit banks or connect to a web site for regular upgrade of their mobile banking application. It will be expected that the mobile application itself check the upgrades and updates and download necessary patches (so called Over The Air updates). However, there could be many issues to implement this approach such as upgrade / synchronization of other dependent components. Challenges -Security concerns, inadequate ‘ecosystem’and undefined areas in banking regulationsremain challenges for m-payment (Gartner) -Development of a standard protocol that will enable money to be send across different networks in a seamless way (Citi along with Swift, is looking for more flexible protocols that will span different providers –Michael Knorr, MD, GTS, Citigroup) -Mobile remittance services interoperabilitywith other payments applications -The biggest challenge is to gain subscribers onfidence and persuade them to use mobiles forsensitive financial transactions -Deciding upon the right business models, handing revenue settlements, designing and offering new user interfaces, and integrating technology -From a cost perspective, the main drivers are the investmentin the technology platform and the SMS/data access fees. Since it is likely that the former can be based to a great extent on the Internet platform, mobile banking can in fact be a way for banks to extend the value of existing investments. Operating service costs, which include SMSand data access fees paid to telecom operators, have been decreasingsteadily in recent years Factors for Success in M-Banking -With mobile internet at the precipice of mass adoption, banks that will succeed in making the most of their m-banking offers must act fast! Developing innovative technology solutions that are efficient, secure, andcost-effective while understanding the customers growing desire for personalization andreal-time access are the dual tracks to successful next generation Mobile Banking -Mobile Payments processors that are going to be the most successful are the ones that are willing to adapt to various regions and various countries andcustomize their solutions to those countries -Organizations that succeed will be those that balance the strengt hs of technology with those of business(including its influence in the market and market rules) and are faithful to the core economics of the business

Leadership / Management in Organizations

Abstract Today it is apparent that there is need to understanding true leadership styles due diversification in employment patterns. The discipline of management seems to be surrendering its role to that of leadership. The style of leadership is a main concern over employees’ and eventually organization’s performance. A highly performing leader steers activities to expected heights but this requires strong leadership style.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Leadership / Management in Organizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Leadership is guidance or assistance procedures mainly concern with the way people create rapport, communicate and live by the significances for life (Hargreaves, 2003). According to Hargreaves (2003), for a leadership style to be effective, it is imperative to share control values. The process of leadership or management is considerably complex due to differences on anticipated results or expectations among the staff. People have different believes, synergy or energy levels, expectations, experiences, and technological advancements among other aspects. The differences bring about superimposing experiences, thus placing very high expectations and challenges to a leadership style. Management lacks measurable elements or factors to meet expectations. Thesis Statement â€Å"Analysis of necessary skills required for successful management within an organization† This paper is an analysis of strategies required to implement management policies and the procedures for effective governance, as well as its implication to future performance. It is an analysis of the employee behavioural patterns in relation to the style of management and lastly it analyzes the available perspectives into controlling performance. Objective/significance of the study The main objective of the paper focuses on analysis of policies and procedures required to enforcing p erformance and it is equally an analysis of the developmental problems associated with styles of management in an organization. Another significance of the study focuses on the global approach towards management. The paper also forms an analysis over other probable choices in the subject matter beside the academically documented material. It is the analysis of what determines good guidance through utilization of the new professionally suggested measures to enhance employee performance. Hypothesis Are managers enhancing the proper mechanisms required to monitor, guide, encourage and evaluate employee performance? There are various ways of addressing or eliminating the social problems regarding management. Methodology/Procedure of the study The literature reviews will enable better understanding of the topic. Analysis of literature in the research over the chosen topic enhances and quantifies the research as a study topic and prepares for respondents. Information collected therefore t abulates and ranks the findings to broad areas and helps to narrow the scope to the objectives of the study analysis. The analysis then draws the conclusion from generally analyzed data in the literature review.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Literature review The adherents to a chosen style of leadership have a quality control perspective. Good leadership avails chances of interactive participation of all members in the organization regardless of their status: age, gender, cultural difference, and experience by categorizing issues with respect to matters of concern. According to Miller (2008), this is a healthy leadership approach because it enables the employees and other members of the organization to critic or compels the leaders with competitive views and opinions, of which is important for the organizational goals since they assist in validation and keeping t he leader in a lane of reality. In line with MacMillan, (2000) dynamic dialogue cools any conflicting contemplations and maintains the cooperation between the involved parties. Position of leadership styles in the organization One key factor that is evident today is the need to search for and understand leader. The main reason behind the abolition of the eminent traditional styles of administration concerns presentation. These performance levels are unattainable only when the involved groups lack trust of their leaders. Trust is a pre-requisite aspect of leadership that call for those in charge to portray honesty and show concern or care for their followers’ needs and thoughts, but at the same time remain accountable over their deeds (Booyeen, 2008). Secondly, the leader ought to honour commitments and pronouncements. Respect is an inevitable aspect of leadership in which case the leader ought to respect the opinion of others and respond to their requests amicably and respect ably owing to the thought that differences of opinion is an eminent sign of progress. Lastly, it is important for the leaders to have a set of values, which their followers can identify with or connect to such as courageousness, reliability, integrity, competence, honesty, altruism, and fairness (MacMillan, 2000). According to Hargreaves (2003), trust is like a pillar that runs through every aspect of leadership thus ensuring its success. People will take a considerable amount of time to trust and thus the leader should have great consistent efforts over honest style of leadership. Distinction between leadership and management Historically, the managers dominate most of the governance styles. The main differences lie between various supreme approaches to services. Managers have a value of results while leaders value relationships among members. There is high regards over positions in management while this is not evident in leadership.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Leadership / Management in Organizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The leaders take reputed high risks compared to the managers and are personal, caring and avoid copying the rules of others (Heifetz, 2004). On the other hand, traditionally the manages will often conform to existing rules and want to ensure protection of the status quo over change, thus making the leaders more innovative and ready to change for the better (Heifetz, 2004). The leaders’ style of guidance is non-functional thus inspiring and motivational compared to the management style of functionally analyzing, evaluating and solving problems from a personal perspective. Unless the managers are ready to embrace this kind or governance, then the system will always fail. The leadership hierarchy restrains the flow of unnecessary information, poor policies of the firm, agendas that conflict governance as well as pressures for the need to conf orm thus making the style incredibly difficulty over the provision of overall directions (Mathias et al, 2007). According to Heifetz (2004), the issues of leadership in organizations have revolutionized due to introduction of diversification, and therefore the reference of leadership made over the decades concerning the ability to hold top management positions has become obsolete. Today the top management positions and their functions are still in common usage, but current trends indicate that people have discoveries concerning the distinction between managers and leaders. The process of exercising leadership skills, styles and qualities has a different meaning of providing a vision and influence of those led into realization of coexistence and sharing of thoughts. From an analytical or professional point of view, it is possible to define the leadership style of governance as the ability to have considerations of various aspects in the organization such as age, gender, performance, experience and energy differences, characterized by an emphasis over good relations. In this situation, the leader is a good listener who is approachable and friendly. This style entails openness thus enlisting the mental trust among those involved. Secondly is the ability to engage a leadership behaviour that directs an organization and assists in defining goals, structure and style of execution (Hargreaves, 2003).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Current leadership styles Today the technological change has made the organizations to become more dynamic and therefore the leadership styles of focusing attention has equally become vibrant, on-going and very important procedures. It is important for a leader to have good solid knowledge and approaches to combat the organizational differences as well as engage continuous and alternative choices that steers organization forward in terms of development (Hargreaves, 2003). One of the most fundamental issues concerning leadership involves the ability to communicate effectively. A good leader must be in a position of convincing people on how to focus on the ideas perceived to be important and developmental and cater for each group. The methods and styles of communication lack good definition in most organizations. Every leader has a personal way of pronouncement, which varies from formal to casual in both written and spoken forms. The main aim eventually is the consistency and ability to attract attention and peoples’ actions. Today the successful leaders realize that there exists no single method of behaving. The leaders must read a group’s situation and come up with the most appropriate leadership behavioral pattern to combat the situation at hand. This is the only right and most appropriate procedures for the leaders because it enables the groups involved to fit the competency level. Conclusion Leadership styles have a close connection to behavior. In the assessment of a group’s leadership needs, there is need to translate skills to communicative behavior. For instance, if a leader finds that a certain group needs strong guidance, it is then wise to suggest direction, make different assignments, and possibly vet unrealistic suggestions. Leadership skills calls for one to find and balance the member’s thought, support viable decisions, and give authority to act. All the leadership styles have a strong basis on communication, and not skills, experience, lack or personality. The connection between group members brings about cooperation, and unique leadership styles that solve group problem effectively thus making the group to become more effective (Miller, 2008). A good or efficient group only requires a small, early but strong guidance to become and remain productive. References Booyens, S.W. (2008). Introduction to Health Service Management. South Africa. SA: Juta and Company Ltd. Print. Heifetz R A. (2004). Leadership without Easy Answers. London, Harvard University Press. Print. Hargreaves, A. (2003). Teaching in the Knowledge Society. New York, NY: Teachers’ College Publishes. Print. MacMillan, R. B. (2000). Leadership succession: Cultures of teaching and educational change. New York, NY: Routledge/Falmer Publishers. Print. Mathis, R, L., Jackson, J. H. and Elliott, T. L. (2007). Human Resource Management. Thomson Southwestern Publishers. Print. Miller, C. (2008). Cultural Diversity is an Opportunity. Web. This research paper on Leadership / Management in Organizations was written and submitted by user Cameron B. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.