Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Role of CSR and Sustainability-Free-Samples-Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Ethics, values, corporate social responsibility and sustainability plays an important role in an organization. Answer: Ethics, values, corporate social responsibility and sustainability plays an important role in an organization. The ethics, values, social responsibility and sustainability are considered as ethical standards for an organization. These guidelines are interconnected to provide a balance between economy and working environment (Klettner, Clarke Boersma, 2014). The below paragraphs elaborate on managing of ethical standards, going beyond organizations interests and managing of ethical standards are easy or challenging for managers in an organization. The ethical standards in an organization help to promote honest and valued relationships of employees with organization, clients and external stakeholders. The major ethical dilemmas faced by professionals in an organization are as follows. The first one is challenges in integrating ethics into organizational cultures and practices among employees. The second one is issues related to trust and integrity that are faced by businesses. The third one is diversity issues related to enforcing equal opportunities among the employees in the business environment (Zheng, Luo Wang, 2014). The fourth one is decision-making process should ensure fair decision making that protects customer rights and their beliefs. These ethical dilemmas should be taken care properly to contribute to business success. The various approaches taken by managers to employ in evaluating and deciding on ethical dilemmas are as follows. The first approach is to understand ethical behavior of employees to implement ethic s practices. The second approach is to keep documentation layout of expectations and guidelines for ethical standards. The third approach is to ensure that all employees who report to the manager understand the rules of ethical standards. The fourth approach is to make a set of framework to make right decisions in a situation of ethical dilemma (Guerci et al., 2015). However, there are some drawbacks of these approaches and that is important issues will arise that are not specifically addressed in the ethical standards code. The approaches taken by managers require them to promote ethics in organizations. The ways through which managers can promote ethics in organizations are as follows. The first step is to ensure that employees have respect for their managers. This step is critical as it helps to enforce business ethics in the organization (Huang Paterson, 2017). The second step is to set the tone through reward and punishment practices where employees do not oppose the guidelines given in the ethics code. This is done by having a strong leader in the team. The third step is to choose the staff carefully in the recruitment process. This is done through interviewing the staff on moral development, personal values and other behaviors. The fourth step is to train employees on ethical behaviors that they need in the business environment. The training process will help them to understand the ethical standards of the company. The fifth step is to take actions against any unethical behaviors in the business environment to prevent any future occurrences. This ensures that employees do not repeat their unethical behaviors. The sixth and final step is to give rewards to employees who follow ethical behaviors in the working environment. This will influence other employees also and they will also follow ethical standards (Neves Story, 2015). The challenges faced by managers while promoting ethics in their organizations are inadequate education and knowledge, inconsistencies in administration, lack of committed leadership and ineffective reward/punishment system. The ethical standards being sustainable in the organization and outside the organization has six basics and they are as follows. The first two are business continuity plan and risk management. The other two are responsibility, and conformance and compliance. The last two are performance and continual improvement (Schminke et al., 2014). The ethical standards being socially responsible in the organization and outside the organization has five basics and they are as follows. The first two are human resource management and risk management. The other two are relationship with suppliers and triple bottom line (people, planet and profit). The last two are presence in global market and reduced interference in businesses. The relationship between upholding ethical standards being sustainable and socially responsible is through economic, social and environmental factors (Wang, 2013). The combinations of these factors influence relationship between socially responsible and sustainability to up hold ethical standards in an organization. These factors are based on organizations regulations, norms, code of ethics and code of conducts. The achievements of organizations interests beyond the organization to wider community are as follows. The first one is increasing probability of behavior in people in certain ways towards organization (Shah et al., 2014). The second one is that good ethics will help employees to do right things in the right way. The third one is that code of ethics and code of conduct do not take away an individuals moral values from the duty of reason in the organization. The fourth one is that code of ethics can function as a statement that professionally expresses commitments to moral values. Thus, the above benefits will help to reach to the wider community. The implementation of ethical standards and being socially responsible are the factors which are faced by effective managers and they should be taken into account. The managers need to look after investments of resources, company integration and communication. These are the causes of the above factors that add to the challenges faced by the managers (Wu et al., 2015). However, managing of ethical standards and going beyond organizations interest are sometimes not valuable. This is due to legal issues faced by company because of government rules and regulations. Lack of business ethics among the employees due to competitive environment also contribute to the negativity of managing ethical standards. The relationship of employee with manager is also a concern if it is not in a good terms. Hence, there are negative points related to managing ethical standards in an organization. Therefore, from above paragraphs, it can be concluded that implementing, promoting and managing ethical standards in an organization is challenging. Managers face lots of challenges in managing ethical standards and going beyond organizations interest. This is due to different functioning and behavior of employees and internal working environment. Hence, managers should be able to manage the ethical standards in the work environment effectively for business growth. References Guerci, M., Radaelli, G., Siletti, E., Cirella, S., Shani, A. R. (2015). The impact of human resource management practices and corporate sustainability on organizational ethical climates: An employee perspective.Journal of Business Ethics,126(2), 325-342. Huang, L., Paterson, T. A. (2017). Group ethical voice: Influence of ethical leadership and impact on ethical performance.Journal of Management,43(4), 1157-1184. Klettner, A., Clarke, T., Boersma, M. (2014). The governance of corporate sustainability: Empirical insights into the development, leadership and implementation of responsible business strategy.Journal of Business Ethics,122(1), 145-165. Neves, P., Story, J. (2015). Ethical leadership and reputation: Combined indirect effects on organizational deviance.Journal of Business Ethics,127(1), 165-176. Schminke, M., Caldwell, J., Ambrose, M. L., McMahon, S. R. (2014). Better than ever? Employee reactions to ethical failures in organizations, and the ethical recovery paradox.Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes,123(2), 206-219. Shah, S. (2014). Corporate social responsibility: a way of life at the Tata Group.Journal of Human Values,20(1), 59-74. Wang, Y. (2013). FROM VIRTUE ETHICS TO VIRTUOUS CORPORATION-PUTTING VIRTUES INTO BUSINESS PRACTICE.PLATFORM: Journal of Media Communication,5(1). Wu, L. Z., Kwan, H. K., Yim, F. H. K., Chiu, R. K., He, X. (2015). CEO ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility: A moderated mediation model.Journal of Business Ethics,130(4), 819-831. Zheng, Q., Luo, Y., Wang, S. L. (2014). Moral degradation, business ethics, and corporate social responsibility in a transitional economy.Journal of Business Ethics,120(3), 405-421

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Chapter 5 great gatsby free essay sample

In Chapter 5 Nick organises a get together at his house for Gatsby and Daisy to meet again and Nick deliberately asks Daisy not to bring Tom. Once at Gatsbys house they endure an awkward greeting, but then Gatsby gives them a tour, displaying his possessions and takes particular care showing off his expensive, imported clothes. Fitzgerald uses Chapter 5 as an important turning point for Gatsby and Daisy, Fitzgerald uses setting to emphasis and focus on the relationship between them both and the change of scene. At the beginning of the meeting when they initially assemble there is a very tense and awkward atmosphere which can be seen when it says a pause; it endured horribly which further exaggerates how neither of them know what to say, or how to act with each other. Although once Gatsby invites Nick and Daisy to his house, you can clearly see Gatsby and Daisys relationship growing stronger. We will write a custom essay sample on Chapter 5 great gatsby or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Gatsby is immediately more confident and greets them with a bold greeting Oh, hello, Old Sport like he hadnt seen me for years This is returning to Gatsbys onstant repetition of old sport showing how he is back to his normal self. Fitzgerald could be doing this to show how Gatsby is more confident when he is in his own house and space. Hes more relaxed as hes surrounded by his own luxuries which you see him desperately try to impress Daisy with. You can see how Daisy warms to him as it nears the end of the night, Daisy is even sobbing at the beautiful shirts. Fitzgerald uses this to show how Daisy and Gatsbys relationship is reignited and also show us that Gatsby has these extravagant parties to share his luxuries. Fitzgerald uses weather and pathetic fallacy to carry us along the chapter and further exaggerate the fading awkwardness to a place where Gatsby and Daisy can relive their love for each other. At first Nick makes it clear that the day agreed upon pouring rain and he uses this visual senses throughout the chapter. The rain and Fitzgeralds negative use of pathetic fallacy create a negative tone before Gatsby and Daisy have met. This links to Gatsbys growing anxiety and stress before his first encounter with Daisy for so long. Fitzgerald continues to use exhausting and ragging language like the description of the man dragging the lawn mower and how the area was soggy and Whitewashed as Nick drives through it. Fitzgerald could be doing this to show how Nick is doing this as a chore, he feels he has to help Gatsby rather than wanting to. Although the fact he is still willing to help even though the weather seems to be persuading him to not bother could show how he himself wants to impress Gatsby by helping him out. Fitzgerald ominously foreshows their future relationship events and Gatsbys fate. This contrasts with the weather at Gatsbys house where it stops raining and Daisys dress gleamed in the sunlight. Fitzgerald uses the use of imagery from the weather to show two different outlooks, one of hopelessness to one of hope and potential through the sunlight. Fitzgerald also uses imagery to give the reader a proper insight into Gatsby and how he desperately wants to impress Daisy. When Gatsby first meets Daisy he is wearing a White flannel suit, silver shirt and gold coloured tie this represents how flamboyant Gatsby is. It implies that Gatsby doesnt think he can get Daisy purely on his ersonality so displays his wealth in the nope it will make ner tall in love with The fact that the suit is white and its only the shirt and tie that have colour and flashiness to them, could show us how Gatsby is Just a blank canvas and that its his processions around him tie and shirt that make him of interest. Another use of imagery for Gatsby is when Nick describes Gatsby to have dark signs of sleeplessness below his eyes illustrates how anxious Gatsby has been to meet Daisy that he hasnt been able to get it off his mind. This could show us how pivotal Fitzgerald makes this chapter, that it is the moment Gatsbys been waiting for and been so worried about. Fitzgerald also uses Nicks description of dialogue to give us an insight into Daisy, when she first appears Nick describes he voice as an exhilarating ripple this associates itself with the water that Gatsby looks across toward the green light in an earlier chapter. It also adds a very surreal and mysterious quality to her voice which could link to the fact that Daisy is Gatsbys dream, and its slowly emerging from the misty green light to an actual encounter ith his dream. Also the use of ripple and effect of water could show how Daisy is quite relaxed and quite unlike Gatsby who is feeling tense and stiff before they meet. This contrasts to Nicks later description that Daisy sobbed, muffled under thick folds which Fitzgerald could be doing to show how once they met instead of calming Daisy like it does Gatsby, it makes her uncomfortable and torn. Fitzgerald does this to emphasise how this chapter is the turning point, that both characters have significant changes throughout the chapter.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

personal finances Essays - Economy, Finance, Money, Personal Finance

1 - Financial Position: this area is concerned with understanding the personal resources available by examining net worth and household cash flow. Net worth is a person's balance sheet, calculated by adding up all assets under that person's control, minus all liabilities of the household, at one point in time. Household cash flow totals up all the expected sources of income within a year, minus all expected expenses within the same year. From this analysis, the financial planner can determine to what degree and in what time the personal goals can be accomplished. 2 - Adequate Protection: the analysis of how to protect a household from unforeseen risks. These risks can be divided into liability, property, death, disability, health and long term care. Some of these risks may be self-insurable, while most will require the purchase of an insurance contract. Determining how much insurance to get, at the most cost effective terms requires knowledge of the market for personal insurance. Business owners, professionals, athletes and entertainers require specialized insurance professionals to adequately protect themselves. Since insurance also enjoys some tax benefits, utilizing insurance investment products may be a critical piece of the overall investment planning. 3 - Tax Planning: typically the income tax is the single largest expense in a household. Managing taxes is not a question of if you will pay taxes, but when and how much. Government gives many incentives in the form of tax deductions and credits, which can be used to reduce the lifetime tax burden. Most modern governments use a progressive tax. Typically, as your income grows, you pay a higher marginal rate of tax. Understanding how to take advantage of the myriad tax breaks when planning your personal finances can make a significant impact upon your success. 4 - Investment and Accumulation Goals: planning how to accumulate enough money to acquire items with a high price is what most people consider to be financial planning. The major reasons to accumulate assets is for the following: a - purchasing a house b - purchasing a car c - starting a business d - paying for education expenses e - accumulating money for retirement, to generate a stream of income to cover lifestyle expenses. Achieving these goals requires projecting what they will cost, and when you need to withdraw funds. A major risk to the household in achieving their accumulation goal is the rate of price increases over time, or inflation. Using net present value calculators, the financial planner will suggest a combination of asset earmarking and regular savings to be invested in a variety of investments. In order to overcome the rate of inflation, the investment portfolio has to get a higher rate of return, which typically will subject the portfolio to a number of risks. Managing these portfolio risks is most often accomplished using asset allocation, which seeks to diversify investment risk and opportunity. This asset allocation will prescribe a percentage allocation to be invested in stocks, bonds, cash and alternative investments. The allocation should also take into consideration the personal risk profile of every investor, since risk attitudes vary from person to person. 5 - Retirement Planning: retirement planning is the process of understanding how much it costs to live at retirement, and coming up with a plan to distribute assets to meet any income shortfall. can leave your assets to family, friends or charitable groups.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Eggplant Domestication History and Genealogy

Eggplant Domestication History and Genealogy Eggplant (Solanum melongena), also known as aubergine or brinjal, is a cultivated crop with a mysterious but well-documented past. Eggplant is a member of the Solanaceae family, which includes its American cousins potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers). But unlike the American Solanaceae domesticates, eggplant is believed to have been domesticated in the Old World, likely India, China, Thailand, Burma or someplace else in southeast Asia. Today there are approximately 15-20 different varieties of eggplant, grown primarily in China. Using Eggplants The first use of eggplant was probably medicinal rather than culinary: its flesh still has a bitter after-taste if it is not treated properly, despite centuries of domestication experimentation. Some of the earliest written evidence for the use of eggplant is from the Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas, Ayurvedic texts written about 100 BC that describe the health benefits of eggplant. The domestication process increased the fruit size and weight of eggplants  and altered the prickliness, flavor, and flesh and peel color, a centuries-long process which is carefully documented in ancient Chinese literature. The earliest domestic relatives of eggplant described in Chinese documents had small, round, green fruits, while todays cultivars feature an incredible range of colors. The prickliness of the wild eggplant is an adaptation to protect itself from herbivores; the domesticated versions have few or no prickles, a trait selected by humans so that we omnivores can pluck them safely. Eggplants Possible Parents The progenitor plant for S. melongena is still under debate. Some scholars pinpoint S. incarnum, a native of North Africa and the Middle East, that developed first as a garden weed and then was selectively grown and developed in southeast Asia. However, DNA sequencing has provided evidence that S. melongena is likely descended from another African plant S. linnaeanum, and that that plant was dispersed throughout the Middle East and into Asia before becoming domesticated. S. linnaeanum produces small, round green-striped fruit. Other scholars suggest that the true progenitor plant has not been identified yet, but was probably located in the savannas of southeast Asia. The real problem in trying to resolve the domestication history of eggplant is that archaeological evidence supporting any eggplant domestication process is lackingevidence for eggplant simply hasnt been found in archaeological contexts, and so researchers must rely on a set of data that includes genetics but also a wealth of historical information. Ancient History of the Eggplant Literary references to eggplant occur in Sanskrit literature, with the oldest direct mention dated from the third century AD; a possible reference may date as early as 300 BC. Multiple references have also been found in the vast Chinese literature, the earliest of which is in the document known as the Tong Yue, written by Wang Bao in 59 BC. Wang writes that the one should separate and transplant eggplant seedlings at the time of the Spring equinox. The Rhapsody on Metropolitan of Shu, 1st century BC-1st century AD, also mentions eggplants. Later Chinese documentation records the specific changes that were deliberately wrought by Chinese agronomists in domesticated eggplants: from round and small green fruit to large and long-necked fruit with a purple peel. Illustrations in Chinese botanical references dated between the 7-19th centuries AD document the alterations in eggplants shape and size; interestingly, the search for a better flavor is also documented in Chinese records, as the Chinese botanists endeavored to remove the bitter flavor in the fruits. Eggplant is believed to have been brought to the attention of the Middle East, Africa and the West by Arabic traders along the Silk Road, beginning around the 6th century AD. However, earlier carvings of eggplants have been found in two regions of the Mediterranean: Iassos (within a garland on a Roman sarcophagus, ​the first half of the 2nd century AD) and Phrygia (a fruit carved on a grave stele, 2nd century AD). Yilmaz and colleagues suggest a few samples may have been brought back from Alexander the Greats expedition to India. Sources DoÄŸanlar, Sami. High resolution map of eggplant (Solanum melongena) reveals extensive chromosome rearrangement in domesticated members of the Solanaceae. Amy FraryMarie-Christine Daunay, Volume 198, Issue 2, SpringerLink, July 2014. Isshiki S, Iwata N, and Khan MMR. 2008. ISSR variations in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and related Solanum species. Scientia Horticulturae 117(3):186-190. Li H, Chen H, Zhuang T, and Chen J. 2010. Analysis of genetic variation in eggplant and related Solanum species using sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers. Scientia Horticulturae 125(1):19-24. Liao Y, Sun B-j, Sun G-w, Liu H-c, Li Z-l, Li Z-x, Wang G-p, and Chen R-y. 2009. AFLP and SCAR Markers Associated with Peel Color in Eggplant (Solanum melongena). Agricultural Sciences in China 8(12):1466-1474. Meyer RS, Whitaker BD, Little DP, Wu S-B, Kennelly EJ, Long C-L, and Litt A. 2015. Parallel reductions in phenolic constituents resulting from the domestication of eggplant. Phytochemistry 115:194-206. Portis E, Barchi L, Toppino L, Lanteri S, Acciarri N, Felicioni N, Fusari F, Barbierato V, Cericola F, Valà ¨ G et al. 2014. QTL Mapping in Eggplant Reveals Clusters of Yield-Related Loci and Orthology with the Tomato Genome. PLoS ONE 9(2):e89499. Wang J-X, Gao T-G, and Knapp S. 2008. Ancient Chinese Literature Reveals Pathways of Eggplant Domestication. Annals of Botany 102(6):891-897. Free download Weese TL, and Bohs L. 2010. Eggplant origins: Out of Africa, into the Orient. Taxon 59:49-56. Yilmaz H, Akkemik U, and Karagoz S. 2013. Identification of plant figures on stone statues and sarcophaguses and their symbols: the Hellenistic and Roman periods of the eastern Mediterranean basin in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry 13(2):135-145.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

My Management Philosophy Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

My Management Philosophy - Term Paper Example In this paper, I will analyze my management philosophy and how it has been influenced by my skills, experience, and knowledge of other theories. The first philosophy that I consider significant is the principle of efficient planning. Managers may accomplish very little or no realizations at all if they fail to plan. This is because the lack of a plan means that a person may do anything at anytime. Planning begins with the determination of desired goals because they guide managers in choosing strategies that help them realize these objectives (Covey, 2013). After determining the desirable aims, managers then carry out research to help them choose the best approaches to realize them; the investigation may be carried out through extensive reading to find out how other organizations perform their tasks or it may be through testing and analyzing of past experiences. The next step after choosing the strategy to apply is implementation that involves putting the strategies into practice to achieve the goals. Evaluation then helps leaders to determine the goals that they have achieved and those that they have failed to accomplish so that they may develop techniques of improving the results. My experience as a human resource manager has made me to value this philosophy because whenever the department fails to plan, it ends up achieving results that are below its capacity. Also the fact that human resource division deals with recruitment means that the department has to plan to determine the type of employees to hire and those that need to be fired (Drucker, 2008). The second philosophy is that efficient communication is vital for the success of managers in their career and also for organizations that aim at realizing high sales and returns (Drucker, 2008). Communication involves exchanging information with other managers, employees, and subordinate staff members. Charismatic leadership style advocates for both verbal and non-verbal communication. This

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Beyond the Apparent Meaning Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Beyond the Apparent Meaning - Research Paper Example Close and keen analysis of his works reveals the how the author builds the theme in the story. This paper will highlight the how the author develops the theme of moral obligation in the story ‘Magic Barrel’ and others. The ‘magic barrel’ is a fascinating literary piece that has received a lot of attention from literature scholars. The story centers on the Leo’s search for a bride, an assignment that he considers himself unable to handle and designates it tom Salzman, who specializes in matchmaking. The story highlights why Leo must embark on searching for a potential bride. Apparently, he had spent most of his years in rabbinical studies and having a wife at that juncture had the potential of improving his chances as a rabbi. At the time, a rabbi without a wife hardly found a congregation to shepherd. At twenty-seven, he realized that he urgently needed a bride but lacked the capacity to court one for himself because he had spent the preceding years c oncentrating on his studies and never found time to develop any social skills. These are the reasons that made him seek for the assistance of the matchmaker. The story progresses to describe the process that followed in the search for a bride. It becomes evident that Leo Finkle embarked on the venture because, it was an obligation for him to have wife, as a Jewish scholar. Although his initial motivation was entirely being able to meet the moral obligation required by Judaism, it turned out to mean much more. A rabbi had to have a wife prior to ordination, a factor that placed him in an appropriate position for him to understand the marriage institution complexities because he would have to give others counsel on such matters. Consequently, being bachelor placed a barrier for some potential rabbis because it proved them incapable of managing a congregation. Malamud uses Leo as reflection of religious moral obligations in the Jewish community. The zealous search that Leo indulges in reveals the depth and criticality of moral obligation. As Salzman made suggestions of potential brides for Leo, it became evident that his moral obligations influenced his decisions and opinions of the potential brides. He had moral standings that served to determine the would-be bride. In this context, Leo was acting in accordance to the Jewish law (Avery190). Having studied law for a long time, Korah laws defined his moral standings. As Malamud developed the story, he introduces a new perspective of moral obligation. As Leo Finkle absorbed himself in the search of a potential bride, he realized that he lacked the central value that defined an individual’s moral values. Although he strived to fulfill the religious moral obligations, he recognized that love for God had not moved him to theological law. In essence, love for God appeared to him as higher authority. Although being a rabbi involved helping others out of love, he lacked love for God and fellow humans. He recognize d his need for love and resolved to build the important attribute that would help him serve effectively. He understood the emptiness that surrounded a rabbi who lacked understanding of love. Upon realization of the fact that he needed love, he woke up to the reality that love was a stronger moral obligation (Malamud 167). In addition, Malamud used the opinion of Salzman to emphasize the value of adhering to moral obligations. As a matchmaker, he handled Leo’s case with a different approach. He intended to find him a bride that

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Problems with Using Nostalgia to Represent the Past Essay

The Problems with Using Nostalgia to Represent the Past - Essay Example The word ‘nostalgia’ originates from the terms ‘nostos’, which means ‘to return’, and ‘algos’, which means ‘pain’ (Trigg 2006, 53). Therefore, nostalgia has mostly been a representation of the ‘pain’ a person feels when s/he is not with his/her loved ones or away from his/her dear homeland. This essay discusses the potential problems with using nostalgia to represent the past. What is Nostalgia? The term ‘nostalgia’ plainly means ‘homesickness’ or ‘home-longing.’ In the book The Future of Nostalgia, Svetlana Boyn develops the two expressions of nostalgic sentiment, a ‘reflective nostalgia’, which â€Å"dwells in longing and loss† and a ‘restorative nostalgia’, which refers to ‘nostos’ and suggests to â€Å"rebuild the lost home† (Scott 2010, 45). It was Johannes Hofer who first used the word ‘nostalgia’ in 1688. Hofer enumerated several indications of nostalgia, namely, weakened senses, weakness, quickened heartbeat, insomnia, anxiety, sadness, etc. For Hofer, nostalgia is a physical illness caused by brain disorders (Naqvi 2007, 10). Between the 18th and 19th century nostalgia was assumed to be, to a certain extent, a psychosomatically illness brought about by internal struggles. Psychoanalytic accounts linking nostalgia to a childhood trauma and the desire to go back t o the mother’s womb were widespread throughout the 20th century (Naqvi 2007, 10-11). . On the other hand, counter to the disagreements on the roots of nostalgia there was strong agreement until the mid-20th century to categorise nostalgia as an illness. During this period nostalgia was specifically linked to depression. However, in the 1970s the meaning and image of nostalgia fully transformed. It was at this time that nostalgia shifted from a longing for home to a longing for time, specifically for the past. As a result, nostalgia started to be differentiated from ‘home-longing’ (Koneke 2011, 5). In addition, although nostalgia was previously interpreted from the point of view of the individual in the 1970s nostalgia turned out to be a sociological occurrence as well. Social scientists linked nostalgia to a perspective of demise in humanity, particularly a demise in morality and unity, and with a longing for peace, genuineness, and nature. This newly formed social viewpoint resulted further in the development of a new viewpoint on nostalgia, namely, a c ollective nostalgia (Koneke 2011, 5). Understanding the nature of nostalgia has actually been very difficult. Even though nostalgia was originally regarded to be a depressing or melancholic illness whilst it is currently rather regarded to be pleasurable, most professionals who have been looking at nostalgia have recognised that nostalgia involves favourable and unfavourable sentiments at the same time. In fact, nostalgia is largely regarded as a bittersweet feeling, a bipolar sentiment which merges pleasure with anguish, affection with pain, and happiness with sadness (Sprengler 2011, 14). Nostalgia’s bittersweet essence is largely either due to experiencing at the same time past pleasure and existing anguish, or to the problem of simultaneously longing to break away from the need to accept the present and into the past. Even though there is widespread agreement that nostalgia is a bittersweet emotion there is a certain debate, whether the happy or the melancholic aspects do minate. A number of scholars, particularly psychoanalysts, have deduced from case narratives that the central features of nostalgia are disillusionment, anxiety, and grief (Koneke 2011, 5-6). To sum up the