Intercultural Views With Appiah And Kimmel Cultural Studies Essay

Intercultural Views With Appiah And Kimmel Cultural Studies Essay Have you ever agreed with two pieces that were the same but so different? These are the type of feelings one may have after reading the Piece Moral Disagreement by Kwame Anthony Appiah and the piece Gender Class, and Terrorism by Michael S Kimmel. Appiahs article is very open minded and grounded. Appiah (2006) focuses on moral theory within culture. Appiah argues that formative denotation of culture is ultimately preceded by the intellectual interchange. Kimmels piece focuses on gender and culture. He looks at the small details in gender and terrorism that are similar. I believe that Both Kimmel and Appiah give valid points on intercultural ethnic understanding, cultural diversity and historic taboos to back up arguments on culture; however Appiahs philosophy is more useful on the aspect of understanding culture than Kimmels. Both Kimmel and Appiah focus their piece on intercultural arguments. Kimmel talks about Timothy McVeigh, a racist white supremacist and the Taliban policy that he believes both have intercultural taboos. He said Their anger often fixes on others-women, members of minority groups, immigrants, gay men and lesbian (p. 451). Kimmel believes theses terrorist want to re-masculinize men and feminize women. Appiah focuses on the cosmopolitan view of different cultures and societies. He talks about taboos within our cultures and our gender. Appiah is very realistic on his philosophy that cultures may never agree but we need to understand them. Appiah expects disagreements within intercultural communication; for example, he says, and the most fundamental level of disagreement occurs when one party to a discussion invokes a concept that the other simply doesnt have (p.380). Kimmel is trying to pinpoint evidence, and he gives an example of intercultural tactics that could explain the motivation of terrorist acts. For example, Kimmel links Timothy Mcviegh and the terrorists of September 11 in the same class. He says, Virtually all were under twenty-five, educated, lower middle class or middle class, downwardly mobile (p. 451). Kimmel gives his reader intercultural resources and information to help pin point what to look for in a terrorist through culture. Appiah has a more open mind with culture. He uses the concepts thick and thin: thick means detailed and thin represents universal. Appiah would most likely recommend to Kimmel that we will never realize or understand all of the different taboos within culture. Kimmel and Appiah have a realistic understanding of cultural diversity. Appiah uses emphasis on cross-cultural conversation as a mean of promoting mutual understanding. Appiah uses a realistic example: to apply the concept of rudeness, for example, you have to think of the act youre criticizing as a breach of good manners or as lacking the appropriate degree of concern for the felling of others. I say, thank you ironically, when you accidentally step on my foot, implying that you did it deliberately. Thats rude. Thanking a person, without irony, for something that hes done for you isnt (p. 380). Kimmel argues that cultural diversity that opposes globalization and the spread of western values can lead to violence. He quotes, the resulting anger is naturally directed first against their rulers, and then against those whom they see as keeping those ruler in power for selfish reasons (p. 452). Both authors could agree that we have a lot of differences within our humanity. Appiah shows historic examples of taboos within his Ghanaian background, while Kimmel gives the reader valid sources of taboos within culture. For instance, Appiah shares the different family kinship in the Akan society in Ghana. He says, Consider the abusua, this is a group of people related by common ancestry (p.381). Appiah then explains that your membership in the abusua depends only on who your mother is, your father is irrelevant. This is a great example of the many cultural differences that would be weird or un-moral to western culture; however, I believe that Appiah would want his reader to try to understand there is no right or wrong way. Kimmel gives examples of the hate that is brought in by anti-globalization politics. He quotes Peter Mardsden, has observed that the Taliban is a desperate attempt to keep out that other world, and protect Afghan women from influences that could weaken the society from within (p.452). Both Appiah and Kimmel show great examples of cultural d ifferences. Overall both authors have strong arguments, however I believe that Appiah philosophy is more useful for one to understand culture. Kimmel and Appiah both point out a lot of differences within cultures, but Kimmel focuses on small details within cultures to pinpoint or understand terrorist acts with globalization. Appiah shows the reader examples of the differences between cosmopolitans and Universalist. He says cosmopolitans suppose that all cultures have enough overlap in their vocabulary of values to begin a conversation. But they dont suppose, like some Universalists, that we could all come to agreement if only we had the same vocabulary (p. 387). Appiah then backs up his argument by showing an example of a journalist interview. He says a journalist interviews a foreign dictator, someone who is known for his abuses of human rights. (Journalist) She speaks differentially, frequently calling him your Excellency (p. 387). He then sums his point up by saying is this politeness or is i t a craven abdication of the journalist obligation to press for the trust? Can it be both? If it is politeness, is it appropriate, in these circumstances, to be polite? Appiah successfully uses strong examples to back up his argument stating that politeness, morals and taboos differ for us all; while Kimmel uses a universal approach that Appiah would categorize as thin. Appiah has a stronger piece with stronger evidence that makes his piece more understandable for the reader, while Kimmel has some evidence that is weak. A Kimmel quote, (Mohammed Atta) was he gay? Was he a repressed homosexual, too ashamed of his sexuality to come out? Such innuendoes are based on no more than a few circumstantial tidbits about his life. He was slim, sweet-faced, neat, meticulous, a snazzy dresser (p.452). Such allegations are irrelevant because there is no strong evidence to prove any homosexuality. He also brings an example of Adolf Hitler he quotes He argues that any of Hitlers policies-such as the killing of longtime colleague and avowed homosexual Ernst Rohm, or even the systematic persecution and execution of gay men in concentration camps-were, in fact prompted by a desire to conceal his own homosexuality (p.453). Again there is no concrete evidence to prove any homosexuality with Hitler. Hitler was a sick disturbed terrorist whom kill thousands that were not gay so how could we know any difference of his killings. Overall both authors brought different arguments from a different prospective on culture. Being that Appiah is a philosopher, he brings knowledge, values, and wisdom, within fundamental problems in his argument. Kimmel, a sociologist, he argued with the study of human behavior. I would recommend both pieces to any reader who would like to look at different theories, but I would highly recommend Appiahs piece because it is reasonable and clear on human intercultural civilization.

Disease in the News

The article Tuberculosis in Africa- Combating an HIV-Drive Crisis is written by a Dr. Richard E. Chaisson, a medical doctor and Dr. Neil A. Martinson, deputy director for the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa (Chaisson and Martinson, 2008 ). According to the biography sketch of Dr. Chaisson listed at the website of CREATE (Consortium to Respond Effectively to the AIDS TB Epidemic), Dr.  Chaisson is a professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and is currently a director for the Center for Tuberculosis Research and the Clinical Preventive TB Services in Baltimore City Health Department (Consortium to Respond Effectively to the AIDS TB Epidemic 2008). He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts and studied medicine from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1982 (2008). From then on, Chaisson interned at the University of California, interning at the Moffitt Hospital. (200 8).Previous to his current position at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Chaisson was the director for the AIDS Service of Johns Hopkins Hospital (2008). He also served as attending physician in the AIDS Division of The Medical Service in San Francisco General Hospital (2008). Likewise, he has written more than 50 case reports, peer and non-peer reviewed articles on topics concerning HIV and tuberculosis (2008). Needless to say, his educational and professional background [in tuberculosis and AIDS] make him a credible source for this article which focuses on tuberculosis and AIDS.On the other hand, Neil Martinson, as stated earlier, is a deputy director for the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at a university in South Africa (Chaisson and Martinson, 2008). Aside from his, Martinson is a Research Associate for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, JHU Center for TB Research (Consortium to Respond Effectively to the AIDS TB Epidemic 2008). Martinson’s credential as listed from the CREATE website s tate that Martinson took up his bachelor’s degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, obtained his Membership of the Faculty of General Practitioners (MFGP) in College of Medicine in South Africa (2008).Furthermore, he completed his post- doctorate studies at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health (2008). Prior to his present position, Dr. Martinson served for the Johannesburg Community and the Johannesburg Urban Environmental Management (2008). He has since co-written peer-reviews research articles and non peer-reviewed publications on AIDS, focusing primarily of the South African health status (2008). While Dr. Chaisson’s fortes are tuberculosis and AIDS, Dr. Martinson’s strong points gear towards AIDS and South Africa.This makes Drs. Chaisson and Martinson credible in writing such article. Tuberculosis in Africa- Combating an HIV-Drive Crisis appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine on its Volume 358 (Chais son and Martinson 2008). The journal is a weekly medical journal publishing review articles and medical research findings on areas such as â€Å"immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology, kidney disease, oncology, pulmonary disease, rheumatology, HIV and infectious diseases† (New England Journal of Medicine, 2008).The article tackles the growing tuberculosis outbreak in Africa, a dangerous disease driven yet another perilous epidemic in the nation- AIDS and how it is being dealt with (Chaisson and Martinson, 2008). The article starts off by stating that Africa is facing the â€Å"worst tuberculosis epidemic,† one that is driven by the HIV prevalence (Chaisson and Martinson, 2008). The authors cited a World Health Organization (WHO) data affirming the status of tuberculosis incidence in African nations (29% of total global cases) (2008).It also exclaimed, based on two separate studies, that tuberculosis is the â€Å"most common coexisting cond ition† in deaths occurring in people with AIDS (2008). Said studies were published in 2002. The article was written just this year, in March. While the studies proved to be useful in preparing the article, this reviewer feels that the assertion would have been more forceful had the authors included studies that are up to date. For one, the WHO citation came from a 2007 WHO report. It is without a doubt, an updated report.The impact is still fresh. The article talks of a prevalent epidemic so it is rather important to have supporting data that are latest. Earlier studies would only serve as basis for comparison. In the article, the authors explained how tuberculosis and HIV are associated (2008). The explanation is simply stated and since this article is intended for a medical journal, this critic thinks that the explanation is written well, no beating around the bush. Instead, the elucidation is done matter of fact.There is no need for supporting statement or evidence since th e article is targeted for those in the field of medicine. Hence, an explanation like this is something that they know of well. They probably memorize it. Since the disease is focusing only on Africa, the authors are able to provide a national perspective on the epidemic. Figures culled from Africa-related studies are enumerated, making it plain for the readers to realize that that this article is about Africa related incident alone.The focus is Africa so the authors did not include statistics from other countries. This provides a clear focus on the subject. The authors also explained how the nation is dealing with the epidemic. They said that while NGOs have helped tremendously in solving Africa’s health plague, a huge chunk of the money is allocated from HIV and not for tuberculosis. There is no supporting evidence to back this statement. Hence, this reviewer believes that this bold statement would have made more impact had the authors gave further corroboration.However, thi s critic also believes that this would have been difficult to make. Funding agencies would probably just state that they are donating money to help Africa solve its health problems and that would encompass HIV, tuberculosis, etc. A donation is still a donation and any help extended should be received with gratitude. Perhaps, it would have been easy if further studies regarding HIV-driven tuberculosis deaths are published. By then, prospective donors would be the first to extend their arms in funding.The authors enumerated ways on how Africa could deal with this dilemma – taking on new strategies regarding its health care system. They also cited WHO’s intervention. Additionally, they listed a study conducted in 2005 on the impact of antiretroviral therapy involving HIV infected patients in Brazil. This is promising, especially for those directly involved with the African health care system. It is good that the authors included this recent development for it would be som ething that Africa could look into.On the whole, the article is well-written. It is easy to read. The organization of data is presented in a way that the readers, technical or non-technical, would be able to follow it. Furthermore, the authors are two authorities in their respective fields and that alone makes them credible in writing such piece. The statements (majority) are backed with supporting evidence. They did not claim on how to eradicate the outbreak. They merely provided suggestions, again with evidence, on how it could be done.

Life And Work Of Louis Kahn Architecture Essay

Louis Kahn was one of the most celebrated personalities of the twentieth century Architecture. The impact that he made with some of his plant was so singular that he was justly compared with Corbusier and Mies Van Der Rohe. Louis Kahn ‘s work made immense impact specifically on the younger coevals who were more willing to seek out the non-traditional manner of planing edifices. Louis Kahn genuinely believed that all designers should boom for alone excellence which would assist them do an ever-lasting impact on the society, as seen by the plants of Greeks and Eygpt. Keeping this end in head, Louis Kahn devoted his full calling in seeking flawlessness and pursing excellence. Louis Kahn ‘s best plants are located in India, US and Bangladesh and by the way they were produced in last two decennaries of his calling. His works represent precise integrating and assembly of construction, a soundless esteem for stuffs and visible radiations, a dedication to classical geometry, and a great trade of concern for human values. Louis Kahn was considered a puzzling mind or more like a philosopher who wanted to convey out alteration in the field of Architecture. Background Born in 1901 in Estonia, Russia, Louis Isadore Kahn is considered to be one of the most influential designers of the 2nd half of the 20th century throughout the universe. Louis Kahn migrated to the U.S. along with his household in his early old ages ( in 1905 ) . After finishing his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1924, Louis Kahn started his calling as a draftsman and subsequently worked as caput interior decorator in several other houses in Philadelphia. He besides worked in the offices of Philadelphia ‘s prima designers, Paul Cret ( 1929-1930 ) and Zantzinger, Borie and Medary ( 1930-1932 ) . In the latter half of 1930 ‘s Louis Kahn served as a private adviser to the Philadelphia and The United States Housing Authority. His cognition in modern architecture expanded when Kahn worked with European emigrants Alfred Kastner and Oskar Stonorov. In the early 1940s Louis Isadore Kahn associated with Stonorov and George Howe, with whom Louis Isadore Kahn desi gned several wartime lodging undertakings. Kahn was non merely an American designer, but was besides an pedagogue and philosopher. Until 1947, Kahn had worked with a series of spouses, after which, Kahn set up his independent/private pattern. It was during this twelvemonth, that Kahn besides began with his influential instruction calling atA Yale University as Chief Critic in Architectural Design and Professor of Architecture ( 1947-1957 ) and so at the University of Pennsylvania as Cret Professor of Architecture ( 1957-1974 ) .Significant ELEMENTS OF DESIGNKahn wanted to redefine the bases of architecture through a re-examination of construction, signifier, infinite, and visible radiation ; since his earlier work abstained from the international manner modernism. Earlier plants of Kahn had a traditional international manner of architecture. However someplace in the center of his calling, Kahn turned his dorsum on this traditional attack and pursued invention by redefining the usage of construction, light, signifier and infinite. â€Å" Louis Kahn described his pursuit for meaningful signifier as a hunt for â€Å" beginnings, † a religious resource from which modern adult male could pull inspiration † . It is widely believed that Louis Kahn, who was so a Resident Architect at the American Academy in Rome, was highly impressed by the amazing architectural efforts of Greeks, Egyptians and the Romans and this triggered the alteration in his attack of planing the edifices. Other experts believe Kahn was besides influenced by the portion of Philadelphia where he grew up. There were many factory edifices with big Windowss. These brick constructions were really solid. This industrial design is evident in several of Kahn ‘s early plants. The impact of this European experience can been seen in Louis Kahn ‘s latter works. The work undertaken by him in last two decennaries of his life demonstrated a sincere desire to make a sense of topographic point, showcased the true side of construction, and demonstrated the successful application of Platonic geometry rules. Louis Kahn must be credited for re-introducing assorted constructs which most of the modern designers had deserted like centralised infinites, utilizing extended geometric rules and showing solid mural strength. Kahn ‘s edifices are admired for outstanding usage of geometric forms and implementing Platonic geometry rules which creates brilliant experience for the users. Louis Kahn is credited in re-defining modern architecture in more than one ways. For e.g. Kahn was known to appreciate the visual aspect and feel of different stuffs that he used in his work. Kahn is besides known to hold used brick and concrete extensively and his advanced use of these stuffs demonstrated his endowment to the universe. Kahn realised the importance of sunshine and was extremely impressed by its use in Egyptians and Greek plants. Hence Kahn ‘s plants demonstrates wide-scale execution of sunshine through different sorts of interesting Windowss and gaps. Egyptian works besides inspired Kahn to utilize extended geometric forms and hence we find many of his edifices taking form of squares, circles or trigons. Louis Kahn ‘s vision on how an designer can do difference to his design can be seen from the maestro ‘s ain words. â€Å" A edifice is like a human, an designer has the chance of making life. The manner the brass knuckss and articulations come together make each manus interesting and beautiful. In a edifice these inside informations should non be put in a mitten and hidden. Space is architectural when the grounds of how it is made is seen and comprehended. †Examples OF PROJECTS WHERE ELEMENTS OF LOUIS KAHN DESIGN WERE IMPLEMENTEDAll these elements of design doctrine can be seen in all the plants of Louis Kahn get downing from his first mature work – the add-on to the Yale University Art Gallery ( New Haven, Connecticut, 1951-1953 ) . This is considered to be Kahn ‘s first architectural chef-d'oeuvre where one can see that much prominence has been give to the structural inventions demonstrated by hollow tetrahedral concrete ceiling and floor slab system , which was a mater-piece, a antic design of puting the mechanical and electrical systems. Kahn ‘s brilliant artistic sense can be seen from the design of the triangle-shaped stairway which sits in a rounded concrete shell, specifying the servant infinite to be distinguished from the served infinites of the edifice. Richards Medical Research Building at the University of Pennsylvania ( 1957-1965 ) and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies ( LaJolla, California, 1959-1965 ) demonstrated brilliant usage of infinites and is the chiefly responsible for the beginning of the phrase ‘served and servant infinites ‘ . Kahn applied his rules to make chef-d'oeuvres, which made a great trade of sense to the use of infinite and visible radiation. His edifices, like the Yale Art Gallery extension ( 1951-53 ) or the Trenton Boathouse in New Jersey ( 1954-59 ) or even the Richards Medical Towers in Philadelphia ( 1957-62 ) , create amazing effects with the alteration in visible radiation, all possible due to the intelligent usage of infinite and visible radiation. As a consequence, the user gets an wholly different experience of working in the edifice during different times of a twenty-four hours. By building Salk Institute in La Jolla, California ( 1959-67 ) , Kahn created another chef-d'oeuvre which had inordinately animating sequence of edifices. Richards Medical Towers – This edifice demonstrates many cardinal elements of Louis Kahn ‘s architecture. All these elements have been used before by other designers but non all at the same clip. Through this construction, Kahn demonstrates the application of retainer and served infinites, overcomes the job of in sufficient lighting and more significantly integrates signifier, stuff, and procedure. As stated by Romaldo Giurgola and Jaimini Mehta, â€Å" Richards Medical Towers represents a important turning point in modern-day architecture. † Salk Institute in La Jolla – This peculiar edifice emphasizes the rule, â€Å" Keep it simple and strong † . Through this edifice, Kahn has achieved amazing usage of infinite, may it be the infinite available for Laboratories where research is conducted, or may it be the office infinite where thoughts arise. This institute shows a fantastic coaction of head and action. The edifice ‘s beautiful concrete surfaces guarantee precise particularization and brilliant experience. The construction is created in such a manner that it takes attention of the demand to envelop specific infinites and does non trust on a general envelope to cover such specific infinite. Paul Heyer, described the cardinal tribunal of the edifice in a really artistic manner. â€Å" The cardinal tribunal, as a typical Kahn-like infinite of shimmering bluish H2O, a set indicating toward the ocean typifying what human enterprise can carry through at one graduated table with geometric lucidity and im portant but modest deliberation, to give to the graduated table less expanse of the ocean, here the Pacific, a affecting gesture. † Louis Kahn was known for his ability to make heroic architectural constructions that showcased human graduated table. He preponderantly used brick and bare concrete as his edifice stuffs and he used extremely refined surfaces like travertine marble for reenforcing the textures. ( http: //www.answers.com/topic/louis-kahn ) Beyond its functional function, Louis Isadore Kahn believed architecture must besides arouse the feeling and symbolism of dateless human values. Louis I. Kahn attempted to explicate the relationship between the rational and romantic duality in his â€Å" form-design † thesis, a theory of composing articulated in 1959. In his personal doctrine, signifier is conceived as formless and immeasurable, a religious power common to all world. It transcends single ideas, feelings, and conventions. ( http: //architect.architecture.sk/louis-isadore-kahn-architect/louis-isadore-kahn-architect.php ) Built-in to Kahn ‘s impression of dateless signifier in the devising of important architectural infinites is the function of natural visible radiation. Louis Isadore Kahn described construction as the giver of visible radiation. For several undertakings located in hot cheery climes, such as the U.S. Consulate in Luanda, Angola ( 1959-1962 ) . the meeting houses of the Salk institute, the Indian Institute of Management ( Ahmadabad, India, 1962-1974 ) , and the National Capital at Dhaka, Louis Isadore Kahn developed visually dynamic sunblocks. Great walls with diversely shaped gaps shield interior suites from the rough visible radiation. The evocation of a wall in ruins suggests an ancient portion Louis Isadore Kahn ‘s handling of visible radiation is a cardinal subject in two unfulfilled temple undertakings, Mikveh Israel ( Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 1961-1972 ) and Hurva ( Jerusalem Israel, 1967-1974 ) every bit good as in one of his greatest works the Kimbell Art Museum ( Fort Worth, Texas. 1966-1972 ) . In the art museum, light enters through narrow slits in the concrete cycloid vaults and is diffused through the gallery insides, which are rich with travertine and oak. Kimbell Art Museum – This Louis Kahn ‘s chef-d'oeuvre in Fort Worth is a beautiful presentation of outmost flawlessness which can be compared merely to the plants done by the Greeks. Kahn used all the tools and available resources with such perfection, that it produced a edifice which had all the constituents working in a sychronized manner and the system as a whole worked absolutely. It is hard to happen any edifice that does non use the stuffs decently and this one is no exclusion.INSPIRATION FOR OTHER ARCHITECTSLouis Kahn ‘s doctrine and extraordinary work has had influence on quite a figure of modern-day designers. Tadao Ando, in his early mid-twentiess, took intiative and travelled throughout Japan, Europe, Africa and the United States for his architectural surveies. He ne'er took any formal preparation in the field of architecture. He would analyze architecture by detecting the existent edifices and reading books of celebrated designers such as Le Corbusier, Mies Van der Roher, Louis Kahn, etc. After he had gathered plenty cognition through his journey across different states, he started his ain pattern. When asked about specifying his manner of architecture, Tadao had one time said that, â€Å" To me, walls are the most basic elements of architecture, and in all my plants, visible radiation is an of import factor † . The Benetton Communications Research Center ( Italy ) and the Naoshima modern-day art museum, ( Japan ) showed that Tadoa Ando was genuinely divine and has learned a batch from the plants of Louis Kahn. Renzo Piano ( born in 1937 ) completed his graduation in architecture in 1964 after which he worked in his household concern. From 1965-1970, Renzo Piano worked in the offices of Louis Kahn ( Philadelphia ) and ZS. Makowski ( London ) . Along with Renzo Piano, another celebrated designer who was greatly influenced by Louis Kahn was Richard Rogers. Renzo Piano met Richard Rogers at the Expo'70 in Osaka and both instantly realized that they had common involvements. One of the most celebrated undertakings of Renzo Piano & A ; Richard Roger is that of Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris. The edifice was designed in such a manner, as if it were turned ‘inside-out ‘ , with the services seeable on the outsides of the edifice doing the interior of the edifice ‘light and airy ‘ . Therefore, this edifice can be said to be made on the similar BASIC construct which Kahn had applied old ages earlier in the Arts Centre where because of his theory of ‘served ‘ and à ¢â‚¬Ëœservant ‘ infinites, immense services canals rose up through the edifice. Hence, it can be safely concluded that Renzo Piano and Richard Roger were both influenced by Louis Kahn. Architect Norman Foster is another celebrated personality influenced by Louis Kahn. Foster happened to analyze Masterss in architecture in America at a clip when Louis Kahn was planing the extension at the Yale University. Geting influenced by Kahn ‘s designs and doctrine, the two designers have besides ended up planing the universe ‘s most exciting edifices. For illustration, Norman Foster ‘s ‘Hongkong and Shanghai Bank ‘ undertaking demonstrates Louis Kahn ‘s influence on Norman Foster. Another designer inspired by Kahn is James Stirling. Stirling was known for his ‘experimental attack ‘ , which meant that he was non committed to one peculiar manner. Besides, this attack meant that Stirling was ready to seek out new thoughts and that decidedly reflected Louis Kahn ‘s quality of planing. Stirling ‘s earlier undertakings for Oxbridge stressed more importance to the construct than to the artistic and useful demands. Due to this experimental attack and stiff attachment to concept, Stirling was frequently criticized for non following architectural rules.

Case Study The Top Management Team - 1565 Words

Toshiba seemed to be a very successful company with high profits for about seven years in a row. However, during this time a scandal was occurring where the upper management team members pocketed millions of dollars. Toshiba practiced unlawful accounting practices and over estimated their future profits. This scandal is an example of improper use of internal control and the misuse of the path-goal theory by over stating goals, which management knew employees would not be able to accomplish without using some type of loophole to top management benefits. This scandal started in 2008 and was exposed in 2015, according to Investopedia (2015), all under two different CEOs. Over a course of seven years, Toshiba over estimated their profits by $1.2 billion and carefully rearranged their loses and expenses so they would not count against them (Boyd, 2015. Carpenter, 2015). The top management team would â€Å"set impossibly high profit target, †¦ called ‘challenges’† and made sure that all the mangers understood how important it was to meet these goals, otherwise the company would be â€Å"under-performing† (Boyd, 2015). Some might question why the employees of Toshiba did not come forward and say anything about the new and impossible â€Å"challenges† they were being required to meet. This question is easily answered when one looks into the organizational culture of Toshiba and Japan’s work culture. As explained in J. Boyd’s article, one of their strongest employee’s values is â€Å"loyalty to theShow MoreRelatedCase Study : Job Management1284 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: UNIT TWO CASE STUDY 1 UNIT TWO CASE STUDY 6 Unit Two Case Study ? Nice Manager Michelle Kinyungu Kaplan University GM501-01: Management Theories and Practices II Dr. Carrie A. O?Hare January 19, 2016 Unit Two Case Study ? 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