Functionalist Views on Religion Essay

The functionalist view of religion stems from Durkheim who said that society is like the human body. He argued that that religion reinforces collective conscience that leads to a unity within society as a whole and that each member of the society is joined in solidarity, therefore it acts as glue. It does so by reinforcing social norms and values that bring the community together. It allows people to accept that society is about more than just the individual. However this can be questioned as western societies such as Britain are becoming increasingly secular. This means that they don’t believe in religion as much, and therefore how can religion act as a collective conscience. People are turning to science as a way of life, theories which head down the evolutionary approach. It suggests that the theory is out of date. Malinowski looked at the psychological function of religion. This looked at when things such as funerals and divorce occur. Religion acts as an act of hope which allows individuals to feel at ease when they are increasingly stressed out. They are brought together like a community within things like a funeral because it allows the individual to grieve but collectively with active members of the family and church/synagogue/mosque etc. At times of uncertainty and stress, religion helps people to gain control of themselves again, and community acts like funerals progress that. This is supported by the study of the Trobriand Islanders. The fisherman had a number of prayer rituals which they performed before going out to sea. They did this as a group of individuals to have a sense of a belonging to a community of fishermen. They would not perform these then they were sailing because of safety. Malinowski suggested that the threat of the open sea to them, was like a threat to the stability of their community and therefore they had to perform those prayer rituals to prevent that from happening. However Marxists would criticise this and say that actually religion teaches people social control. And actually when people have grieved at a funeral it doesn’t allow them to fully express their grief, they are socially controlled into â€Å"getting over it† which is morally wrong. Parsons agreed with Malinowski and Durkheim, but went further and suggested that religion provided answers to unanswered questions about the meaning of life, and about things like death, it also prevented anomie. He agreed that religion promotes social solidarity, and agreed that it helps in times of stress. EG during the Second World War, people began to gather together in churches as a community as a source of comfort. Bellah suggested that there were functional alternatives to religion known as â€Å"civil religion†, which brought whole countries together regardless of their faith but on behalf of a civil religion. He suggested that instead of religion facing secularisation it is facing transformation into isms such as Americanism. Uses religious images to promote national identity, EG in America having â€Å"God bless America† on coins or the Queen’s coronation in Britain. It is an act that allows the country to come together without questions of ethnicity, gender, religion etc. The functionalist theory of religion benefits wider society and the individual through marriage, bar mitzvahs, christenings, pilgrimages to Mecca/Lourdes, praying the holy books – Quran, Bible, Torah, and things like hymns. Religion helps to bring communities together and also helps individuals who may not feel wanted, welcomed into religious practices. However, contemporary examples suggest that religion doesn’t bind people together at all; in fact it allows the complete opposite. For example, in Northern Ireland there is conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants, which suggests that religion doesn’t help equality between religious groups. And as functionalism is a consensus theory it is doing the actual opposite – allowing conflict. Functionalism has been criticised because of today’s multicultural society. Theorists such as post-modernists are questioning whether religion can actually integrate a multi-faith society, where lots of small groups have different religious views. They would agree that Durkheim’s view of religion was accurate for a primitive society but not for a complex society such as today. Many other theorists have criticised functionalists and their theories about religion. Marxists would argue that religion oppresses groups of women and the poor, so how can religion benefit the individual or society. If an individual is being separated due to his/her gender and class then how can religion allow them to fit into a community when the elites would look down upon them. People recognise that Bellah’s approach of civil religion begins to overcome the problem, but again can something like Americanism be considered as a religion, especially if there is no belief in he supernatural? Some people would argue that religion is spread as a plan to spring hatred on one group of people. It benefits one group but puts down another. Today’s example would be of Pastor Terry Jones, wanting to burn the Quran. He brought about this plan to make Muslims angry, and therefore how can a group of Muslims be part of a community when someone in a position like his can provide such hatred for another religious group. It goes back to the question of integrating a multi-faith society. Granted that the church proposing this was small, but sometimes minority influence has an impact which is why it was all over the media. This provides evidence that religion isn’t able to benefit society or an individual because certain groups are always made to feel alienated, from a mainstream trend. To conclude, religion is inevitably able to help people in terms of crises, and does prevent anomie, but on the other hand it does allow for social cohesion to break down, as hatred for religious groups grow subtly in countries.

Is the Customer Really King? Essay

The marketing world, much like the financial world, has been in considerable flux. But one thing seems fairly clear, and it has to do with the shifting balance of power between the companies that produce the goods, the retailers that stock and distribute them, and the consumers who are counted on to buy what’s provided. For a good many years, the world largely belonged to the manufacturing and marketing powerhouses that dominated consumer demand through the twin powers of promotion and product development: They sold, you bought. But a few decades ago, there was a sea change in which power transitioned to the retailers. The major retailers controlled what was featured in the stores and what appeared on the shelves and thereby determined what was available for the shopper to buy. Marketplace control went from Procter & Gamble and Sony to Walmart and Best Buy. But now we’re told that we’re in an entirely new age — the â€Å"new normal† — when neither the manufacturer nor the retailer is in charge. Today, the story goes, the customer finally runs the show. There’s a good deal of evidence in support of this. Not too long ago, mighty Walmart reportedly was forced to reinstate about 300 items that the company had eliminated from its shelves in an attempt to streamline its operations. Walmart shoppers apparently weren’t pleased with the disappearance of some of their favorite brands, and they let the company know it. The lesson learned, in the words of former CEO Lee Scott: â€Å"Rule No. 1 in retail, don’t aggravate your customer.† Of course, Walmart isn’t alone in recognizing the need to pay closer attention to customers, whose loyal patronage can’t simply be assumed. Other retailers are also responding to the emergence of the newly empowered consumer. For example, Walgreens announced a renewed emphasis on â€Å"customer centric retailing,† redesigning up to 3,000 of its stores to make them easier to shop and more enjoyable for their shoppers. In the words of one leading industry advisor, retailers today have to take a different approach; they must â€Å"focus on exactly what the customer wants.

OOAD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

OOAD - Essay Example This new booking system will provide facility to computerize the record of the booking of customers into function (event) rooms or bedrooms; and ensures that a room is made available for further bookings as soon as it is vacated. This new system will be implemented to provide the reception more enhanced services. Through this overall customer services will improve that is the main aim in any business. This system will be based on the centralized databases system that will be used to record and manage daily working and management. This system will present a more enhanced working and handling of the overall booking and reservation of the hotel rooms and halls. This system will comprise the client and admin levels. The client system will run at reception to provide the receptionist help regarding the dealing and customer management. This level of the system will allow to reserve, relies, pay and check the overall room’s status and activities. The level will also generate customer slip for the payment. The admin level of the system will be handled by the administration. This level will be used to access the daily working, room’s status and profit. Here management will also be able to draw the daily monthly or any periodic reports. In this section I will present the main use cases of this system. This way of system design will provide a better overview of the system activates and responses. I have used smart draw for the drawing of this uses cases diagram. This section is about the analysis of the use-case model that drives other models in object-oriented analysis and design. The object-oriented technique with Unified Modeling Language is initiated by the system stakeholders as well as the working actions those are required. To demonstrate the on the whole behavior we build up use case model. This way of system modeling presents the indispensable circumstances in which user uses and interacts with the system and generate important

Product launch plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Product launch plan - Essay Example Plus, three different sauces are being offered with different levels of spices and seasoning which will again attract more people with different tastes. It is meant to be a snack which is as good as a meal and can be eaten while on the road as it is easy to carry and the sauces also come in proper packing which makes it all the more easier for consumers to utilize it. The target audience is 12-55 years old people, because the sauces act as customization thus making the chicken pie acceptable for more. Creating awareness about chicken pie will be extremely important and can be done so by advertising on radio, TV and paper and via internet. Plus, it can be introduced by giving it as a combo with most utilized product of McDonald’s. Different advertisements will be needed for different regions of the world. These will be made as per the cultural differences, for example advertisement for USA will be different from that of Saudi Arabia. Then there is direct marketing and web marketing which creates even more awareness, especially in the teens and young adults. Nowadays, forums like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter can be used in order to attract a great deal of customers worldwide. The packaging and the look of the product should be appealing; the chicken pie can have webbed structure on top of it instead of plain coat of flour. Also, it can be packed in a nice cardboard box which is colorful and relates to the pie. Moreover, the sauces can be given in a nice plastic cup with a good lid so that it can be carried around without the fear of getting leaked. Another factor that should be kept in mind is affordability. It is important that it is affordable for people of all ages. For this, the size can be kept medium and the chicken pie can be charged at an affordable cost. Thus, in order to make chicken pie successful, it is important to address different age groups and people from different regions through a variety of advertisements, direct marketing and

The Goal to Eliminate Economic Inequality Assignment

The Goal to Eliminate Economic Inequality - Assignment Example Although the focus of one country may vary from another, economists and government policymakers continue to work on policies to achieve these goals. The goal to eliminate economic inequality is one of the many established objectives focused not only within a single economy but also the whole world. Economic inequality is seen in both microeconomics and macroeconomic level. In a microeconomics perspective, it is evident through the occurrence of unemployment. Unemployment is perceived as a basic cause of inequitable distribution of income in an economy resulting in some group of citizens facing poverty while others enjoying abundance. On the other hand, inequality in a macroeconomics perspective is observed as nations differ in their endowment of economic resources. Some nations are endowed with abundant economic resources while others are left to suffer from their very minimal amount of resources. From both perspectives, we end up having two groups when we talk about our people or na tions of the world. Economic inequality results in poverty creating the divide between the rich and the poor. Poverty hinders economic growth and development. It is the root of the cause of problems such as health problems, economic distress, unemployment, and more importantly hunger. That is mainly the reason for economists and government policymakers all over the world to establish ways on alleviating if not completely eliminating poverty. With economic growth and development, there will be rising outputs and income; people are more able to meet their needs and wants. This also results in improved quality of life as greater opportunities are provided without sacrificing other opportunities and pleasures. A nation experiencing growth and development can resolve socioeconomic problems better and undertake new programs to alleviate poverty more readily without impairing existing levels of consumption, investment and public goods production (McConnell and Brue, 132). The level of econ omic growth and development of a country also reflects its position in the world economy. Countries are categorized as either developed or developing - the first being wealthy and the latter being poor. The wealthy group was composed of most of the Western European countries, Canada and the United States. Inhabitants of these regions lived (and still lived) in great affluence and consumed a large part of the world’s resources. The other group - Latin America, Asia, and Africa- was poor, underdeveloped and contained almost 75 percent of the world’s population (Appleyard and Field Jr, 381). World Bank characterized countries according to their incomes. In its annual World Development Indicators in 2000 and World Development Reports in 1999/2000, countries are grouped as low- income economies, lower-middle-income economies, upper-middle-income economies and high-income economies (World Bank, 251). Economists and government policymakers, especially those in developing coun tries began to look for reasons to explain this disparity and for ways to eliminate it. Poverty creates the disparity that is experienced by the people from developed and developing countries. There is a need to realize and address the issue of poverty especially in the continent of Africa. William Easterly worked on a paper entitled â€Å"Can the West Save Africa†

Argumentative Research Paper On Whether or Not Gay Marriage Should be Essay

Argumentative Research Paper On Whether or Not Gay Marriage Should be Permitted - Essay Example Consequently, the idea of free-will and links to contraception will be addressed in refutation to the proponents of gay-marriage. Views on sexual morality have varied greatly over time and by different cultures and religions alike. Different religions have different codes of sexual morality which regulate sexual activity or assign normative values to certain sexually-charged actions or thoughts. The views of religions and religious believers range widely, from holding that sex and the flesh are evil and that many forms of sexual expression should be prohibited and punished, to the belief that sex is the highest expression of the divine and should not be regulated by social mores. Those who oppose gay marriage do so with vehemence because it is not simply that they would rather not see it exist, but rather that they regard homosexual marriage as a supreme moral and social evil. The religious opposition cannot merely be dismissed as containing no grounds for debate, as it is important to understand the true extension towards their views. Christian groups, for instance, claim that the Bible regards homosexual conduct as sinful. (Sidlow & Henschen, 102) Specifically, there are teachings in the Bible that reflect this notion that surround a comparison between adultery and fornication. First, there is adultery, which in the natural sense is the sexual intercourse of a married person with someone other than his or her own spouse. It is condemned in both the Old and New Testaments. (Exodus 20:14; I Cor. 6:9, 10) Secondly, there is fornication, which is the illicit sex acts of unmarried persons, which is likewise forbidden. (I Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; Ephesians 5:3) The difference between adultery and fornication is the aspect of being married. Thus, both sexual acts in marriage, or not, are considered forb idden due to their promiscuous nature, which is directly associated to homosexuality because it's sexual acts, in marriage or not, is still a sin. Moreover, homosexuality is directly referred to by the Apostle Paul, who declares that homosexuals: "shall not inherit the kingdom of God", (I Corinthians 6:9; 10) Also, homosexuality is an illicit lust forbidden by God, as he said to His people of Israel: "Thou shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them". (Leviticus 18:22) Moral sin is produced by the rebellion against God and since homosexuality and its acts are viewed as an "abomination", then through Christian LAST NAME, 3 religious values, it is a sin and therefore should not be permitted as a sacrament of marriage. Like Christian religions, Muslims also teach that marriage is a sanction between a male and a female. One of the principles of Islamic Jurisprudence says that: "The default state of all things is lawfulness until some evidence shows otherwise." (Syed, Web/Online) Relations between men and women do not follow this general principle and in fact are opposite to it. The principle is that: "Relations between men and women are forbidden until some evidence shows otherwise." (Syed, Web/Online) Since homosexuals are unable to procreate, Muslims continue to reject its validity as a marriage and

Venture Idea Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Venture Idea - Essay Example Clients can still visit the truck and place an order (face-face transaction). The services can be initiated using online platform, but finalizing of the services will require a discussion with the client. Currently, most Americans have become too busy trying to make ends meet, thus time to prepare food for themselves or the family has become limited. Therefore, this gap has created an opportunity for this venture to be implemented and be successful. Demand for healthy food has been on the rise due to the increased lifestyle diseases such as cancer, obesity et cetera. Weekdays when most people are on work the demand for the food is at maximum, thus best returns are realized. The future for this venture is brighter as day goes-by. The growing population and health conscious clients will definitely demand healthy food, and this will create an opportunity for the business to expand. New trucks will be purchased to enhance service

The history of cremation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The history of cremation - Essay Example "With the advent of the Bronze Age -- 2500 to 1000 B.C. -- cremation history moved into the British Isles and into what is now Spain and Portugal. Cemeteries for cremation developed in Hungary and northern Italy, spreading to northern Europe and even Ireland. In the Mycenaean Age -- circa 1000 B.C. -- the history cremation became an integral part of the elaborate Grecian burial custom." (Cremation History). By the time of Homer in 800 B.C., cremation turned out to be one of the most dominant modes of disposition and it became popular for reasons of health and expedient burial of slain warriors. Cremation was widely practiced during the time of the Roman Empire, i.e. 27 B.C. to 395 A.D. and the elaborate cremation urns containing cremated remains were found from this period. During the middle ages, cremation was forbidden by law all through Europe and it was used as a means of punishment for heretics by authorities. However, there were cases of mass cremations which were performed out of necessity during the times of contagious diseases, war etc.

Racial Profiling Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Racial Profiling - Research Paper Example It should be noted that there are many organizations which advocate for human rights and all individuals must be respected whether they come from a minority group or a dominant group. The idea that an arrest is made based race or ethnicity is only an indication that those countries or people in that nation still practice racial discrimination which is a bad concept. When the law is being implemented it must be implemented equally on all people in the society and should not be seen to lie on one side. People or different races have rights and when their rights are violated it becomes not only an issue in that country but also raises international concerns. Racial profiling as a problem It has been seen that racial profiling is any action initiated by the law enforcement agencies whether the police or any other group that is mandated with the authority to enforce the law that is based on race or ethnicity or even the nationality of an individual rather than by looking at the behavior o f that individual or any other information that may lead to the suspect who committed a crime or offence. The idea that because a given race is present in a given place means that they are the ones engaged in criminal activity is rather absurd and should not be tolerated (Tomaskovic-devey, 2009). ... George Bush once said in 2001 in his address that racial profiling is a bad idea and America will work to ensure that it is stopped. He noted that though there are many good police officers out there are a few who are still practicing the vice and they will not be tolerated and measures will be put in place to stop these abuses (Ryberg, 2011). Racial profiling is still a huge problem in the United States law enforcement agencies and especially the police. The police have said that racial profiling is a good concept. That it is both effective and necessary. They say that crime is higher in some communities and not in others especially those that have a minority population existing among them. They argue that the minority population is the one that engages in crimes and that to ignore that fact just because of the moral implications behind it is unprofessional and morally wrong. (Glover, 2007) Many other scholars have argued against this saying that the presence of a minority group in the population does not necessarily mean that they are the ones engaged in the criminal activity. The dominant group may also be responsible for the criminal activity and because they know that the minority group will be accused they hide and only perfect their plans making it even harder to recognize them. The causes of racial profiling are very clear. Scholars argue that the prevalence of this issue is based on poor reasoning from the police officer. They argue that because the cock crows every morning and we see the sun rise does not mean that there is a correlation between the two. Thus because there is crime in a given area and there is the presence of a minority group does not

DVD or Digital Versatile Disc Essay Example for Free

DVD or Digital Versatile Disc Essay There are a lot of new media technologies around today and more are being invented each day. DVD is one of the most recent developments and is getting more and more popular each day. DVD stands for the term Digital Versatile Disc and is generally like a CD but can store a lot more data on it. Due to the size of DVDs they can store a whole film on one disc, the quality of these films is really good and the sound can be amazing. They can also store large amounts of extras like deleted scenes from the film, extended scenes and documentaries. DVDs are the replacements for both VHS and CD due to the fact that you can now buy music DVDs and the main use of DVD which is for the storage of films. You can now also buy recordable DVDs and DVD writers so you can now record things from the television and put it onto DVD. Due to these facts DVD has become the fastest growing consumer electronics technology of all time. There are three main types of DVD; these are DVD-Video, DVD-ROM and DVD-Audio. DVD-Video was created to meet the requirements of the film industry by having great picture and great sound on one disc. DVD also offers features like surround sound, extras and different viewing angles. DVD-Video is now the fastest growing consumer electronics technology of all time. Several thousand titles and millions of players are now in use around the world, with annual sales of players and discs doubling each year. DVD-Video players were launched in Japan in November 1996, in the USA in March 1997 and in Europe in 1998. Since then DVD-Video has grown faster than any other consumer electronics format in all these regions. DVD-Video has started to replace VHS as the format of choice for pre-recorded movies, both retail and rental. With the introduction of recordable versions DVD-Video is now set to replace the VHS for home video recording and playback of pre-recorded video. DVD-Video have been set certain requirements to stick to by the Motion Picture Studio Advisory Committee which is based in Hollywood, just about all DVDs released follow these requirements but not all of them, it is not a legal requirement, and it is just a general recommended specification, these are: 135 minutes on one side of a single disc (covering 99% of all movies). Video resolution better than Laserdisc (LD). CD quality surround sound for true home cinema listening. 3 to 5 languages (audio) per title on one disc 4 to 6 subtitles per title on one disc Pan-scan, letterbox and widescreen formats Parental lockout features Copy protection Compatibility with existing CDs Chapter division and access (like Video CD) Manufacturing cost similar to current CD costs. A format called VCD (Video Compact Disc) was tried but did not fulfil the requirements as the sound was not very good and the playing time was not very good either as some films were too long for the disc. Most DVD-Videos also include extras that cannot be included on a VHS, such as biographies, directors commentary, making of the movie etc. An increasing number include DVD-ROM content, which can range from links to relevant websites to a full game based on the movie. The use of websites can allow the disc to be used in different ways with updated text and graphics information on the website complementing the video on the disc. There is also a change in DVD types between countries. You get certain DVDs types in certain countries and they call these regions. You use region 2 in UK and region 1 in America, there are also other regions for other countries. Yet you can buy Multi-Region DVD players which can play all regions of DVD. DVD-ROM Drives are just a sort of DVD player that is attached to a PC like a CD-ROM Drive. They can be used to store games, programs and any computer data. This can be an advantage because it enables you to be able to store massive applications or lots of smaller applications. Modern Game consoles also use DVD-ROM drives for example Microsofts X-Box and Sonys PS2 so they can have more realistic and sophisticated games. The Technical Working Group, representing the computer industry, listed the following requirements for a DVD-ROM specification for multimedia, games and other computer applications.

Glanbia Company Management and Organisation Structure

Glanbia Company Management and Organisation Structure The author has been asked to write this report on behalf of Kilkenny and Carlow education and training centre. The author has used secondary sources throughout this report. This report is in three sections the first section gives a brief history of Glanbia its legal form its current size and location around the world, and the products it produces. The second section describes the administration functions of an office and describes three pieces of equipment used to carry these functions. The third section gives a brief overview of three pieces of employment legislation. Glanbia meaning pure food in Irish has its roots in the Irish co-operative movement. In the 1960s many small co-operatives joined together, realising the benefits of increase scale and having greater diversification. Waterford Co-op Society was formed in 1964 with Avonmore Creameries formed two years later in 1966. With the introduction of European milk quotas in 1984 growth in domestic opportunities were restricted. Waterford Co-op Society and Avonmore Creameries both recognised that to expand they would have to look outside Ireland and the best way to fund this expansion was through a stock market flotation. Both were floated on the Irish Stock Exchange in 1988. With the capital raised leading to business expansion outside of Ireland. A number of small cheese plants in the USA being the basis of Glanbia marketing leading US Cheese business today. On 4 September 1997, Avonmore Foods plc and Waterford Foods plc merged to form Avonmore Waterford Group (AWG) plc. The combined entity wa s the fourth biggest dairy processor in Europe and the fourth biggest cheese producer in the world. In 1999, the business was rebranded and the name changed to Glanbia plc. Organisation and Legal Form   Ã‚   Glanbia is a private sector business enterprise, being floated on the Irish Stock Exchange on 4 September 1997. It was known then as Avonmore Waterford Group (AWG) plc and being renamed Glanbia plc in 1999. Size and Location Glanbia registered office is located in Glanbia House Kilkenny; it employs over 6,000 people across 32 countries and their products are sold or distributed in over 130 countries with an annual turnover of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬3.6 billion. Their major production facilities are located in Ireland, the US, the UK, Germany and China. They have four segments; Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Global Ingredients, Dairy Ireland and Joint Ventures Associates. Their shares are listed on the Irish and London Stock Exchanges (symbol: GLB). Products Glanbia has a wide range of nutrition sports brands, Glanbia Performance Nutrition (GPN) is the number one global performance nutrition brand portfolio comprising Optimum Nutrition, BSN, Isopure, thinkThin, Nutramino, ABB and trusource, each with its own brand essence. It has also a wide range of dairy brands Dairy Ireland is comprised of two businesses. Consumer Products is the leading supplier of branded consumer dairy products to the Irish market and long-life products for export. Agribusiness supplies inputs to the Irish agriculture sector and is the leading purchaser and processor of grain and the leading manufacturer of branded animal feed in Ireland. Audit Committee The Audit Committee is responsible for assessing the Companys financial arrangements, as well as reviewing the design and implementation of internal control and risk management. It also agrees the approach and scope of the internal and external audit and keeps under review the objectivity and independence of external auditors. Two main functions of the Audit committee is the review of financial statements and external auditors, which involves monitoring the integrity of financial reports and assessing the efficiency of the internal and external audit process. The second main function would be the reviewing and implementing the companys risk management systems. Mainly assessing the principal risks that would threaten the companys business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity. Nomination and Governance Committee The Nomination and Governance Committee is responsible for hiring individuals with the knowledge, experience and management skills needed to expand the business and deliver its strategic objectives. Two main functions of the Nomination and Governance Committee are recommending new appointments to the board of directors. The second would be the forward planning in the succession to the board. Remuneration Committee The remuneration committee has responsibility for putting in place a remuneration strategy, that is designed to meet the companys strategic business ambitions and that attracts new talent and delivers long term sustainable shareholder value. Two main functions of the remuneration committee, one is to review the executive salaries and benefits. The second would be to seek approval the annual incentive targets. Group Management Committee The group management committee is responsible for delivering the companys annual business plan and strategic priorities. Two main functions To research and analyse the potential markets for products to be sold. To develop the growth of the company business, through strategic investments, and also with strategic acquisition or alliance with other complementary businesses. Group finance director The finance director has the responsibilities, for managing the department financial strategy ensuring the company delivers on key financial goals. To achieve these goals involves assessing both external and organic investment opportunities, cash conversion through improved working capital management and moderate business sustaining capital expenditure. Leveraging the companys activities in order to improve cost structures utilising shared services, procurement, IT and maintaining the capital structure with an implicit investment grade credit profile. Group HR and Corporate Affairs Director Is responsible for man power planning, addressing any issues raised by employees, reviews HR operating model to ensure it is meeting the strategic goal of acquiring the talent needed to maintain companys goals. Making sure there is a comprehensive succession and people talent review of senior leadership. Developing a comprehensive Code of Conduct to support commitments to ethical business practice, The administrative function involves the collecting; storing and processing of data. The collecting of data involves many things such as reports, minutes of meeting, enquires, quotations, prices lists, invoices to name a few. Storing of data depends on the nature of the data; the law requires the storing of data in a specific manner and a specified period of time especially the keeping of accounts for tax purposes. Data can be stored on computers or hard copies in a filing cabinet. Processing of data can involve converting the data into more manageable chunks of information such as charts, spreadsheets or PowerPoint presentations. Which are used, for the benefit of better understanding of the information in order to make important decisions within an organisation. Equipment Computer -nearly all employees in an office have a desktop computer these days. Software such as Microsoft word and Excel can be used for many office tasks such as storing and processing of information, and email is used for communication within the office and outside communications. Fax machine used for sending documents, diagrams and pictures. Linked to the telephone line it is a quick and easy way of communicating. You can send and receive documents with a push of a button. The advantage is that it takes a physical document and transmits it in physical form to the receiver, it is a scanner, modem and printer all in one. Photocopier every office has a photocopier for the purpose of copying and printing of documents. Modern photocopiers can resize documents and scan documents. They can connect wirelessly; they can have multiply functions like fax. You can produce anything from A4 and A5 stapled, saddle-stitched booklets to hole-punched, stapled 50-sheet presentations. Some copiers can print documents on a mixture of paper formats, such as heavier stock for covers and dividing sheets, or coloured paper for specific sections. A photocopier can create lots of copies in a short space of time. Workplace Legislation    Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 The key aim of this act is to place broad obligations on employers, employees and the self- employed in relation to safety, health, and welfare matters in all areas of the work place. With the emphasis being on preventing workplace accidents and ill health from occurring by focusing on workplace hazards and putting appropriate precautions in place. Employers are obliged to provide a safe place of work by putting in place safe systems of work, the appropriate training, supervision, appropriate clothing and equipment, emergency plans and welfare arrangements. Employers are required to prevent any inappropriate behaviour that may put the safety, health and welfare of their employees in jeopardy. Employees are obliged to have reasonable care for the safety of others, by making sure that equipment supplied for their safety are used properly, and all machinery, tools are used correctly. They have a required duty not to be under the influence of drink or drugs in the workplace. They are also required to undergo reasonable medical or other assessment if requested by their employer. Employment Equality Acts 1998 2008 The key aim of these acts is to prohibit discriminatory practices in the workplace environment. They prohibit both direct and indirect discrimination. The employer has to give equal access to employment, conditions of employment, training and promotion, and like pay for equal work. Direct discrimination is defined as treating one person in a less favourable way than another person has been or would be treated because of their gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race and membership of the traveller community. These acts also create the Equality Authority which works towards the elimination of discrimination in employment, promotes equality of opportunity in matters the legislation applies to and supplies information to employers, service providers, individuals, trade unions and the legal profession in relation to the Equality Acts. Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 The key aim of this act is to protect workers under eighteen, it sets the minimum age for entry into employment and limits the working hours and provides rest periods and prohibits night work. An employer is required to obtain a birth certificate if employing anyone under the age of eighteen and get written permission from parent or guardian before employing anyone under the age of sixteen. An employer must also keep a record of workers under the age of eighteen. Glanbia is a very organised and efficiently run company with an annual turnover of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬3 billion. References (n.d.). Retrieved Feburary 2017, from www.vikingdirect.ie. (n.d.). 2015_Annual_Report. Glanbia. About us. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2017, from Glanbia.com. (n.d.). Glanbia_AR2014. Keenan, à . (n.d.). Essentials of Irish Business Law. Gill and Macmillan. Our Heritage. (n.d.). Retrieved from Glanbia.com.