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Knowledge Management Essay Example

Knowledge Management Essay Example Knowledge Management Essay Knowledge Management Essay Managing knowledge in an organization is a challenge that need analyse and time to realize. In this paper, we will act as if we were the knowledge managers of an organization. We will analyse the knowledge management system that are already in place, and try to improve it and implement new systems that could help them being more efficient in their work. In this case we will act as knowledge managers assigned to help Volvia and If, to better work with knowledge in their telephone operating departments. Since the work in the separate departments is rather similar and the two firms are owned by the same company we think it is a good idea to present solutions that is applicable on both firms. The material for the context is gathered through interviews with employees from Volvia and If. We try to present differences and similarities between the two firms, and then we present some knowledge management theories that might contribute to a successful implementation or development of knowledge management at the insurance firms. While we present the theories we will also identify what knowledge management work, intentionally or not, that is already done and what needs to be added to for fill the theories. Volvia is a car insurance firm that was founded 1959 in Gothenburg. It was the founder of Volvo, Assar Gabrielsson, who wanted Volvo to have an insurance firm of their own. Since the start Volvia has offered custom made insurances for Volvo owners, and further on Renault, Jaguar and Land Rover owners. Because of Volvias history and closeness to Volvo they have build a very good reputation. In May 2001 Volvia was incorporated into IF Insurances. Contentss Introduction3 Background3 Objectives3 Scope4 Strategic confederations with Cisco4 Current failings in TATA services5 Improvement on the weaknesses6 Conclusion8 References9 Introduction Background Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services. concern solutions and outsourcing organisation that delivers existent consequences to planetary concerns. guaranting a degree of certainty no other house can fit. Tata Consultancy Services is a taking planetary IT services. concern solutions. and outsourcing company with offices in 35 states and turning at over 30 per centum in gross footings for the last twosome of old ages. One key challenge originating out of the rapid growing in people intensive concern such as TCS has been ever-increasing demands on the IT substructure. ( World Wide Web. technetium. com ) Cisco Systems is a big corporation that produces computing machine networking merchandises and services. The Linksys trade name of consumer networking merchandises is besides an owned subordinate of Cisco Systems. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //compnetworking. about. com ) Cisco ( NASDAQ: CSCO ) is the world-wide leader in networking that transforms how people connect. communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at hypertext transfer protocol: //www. lake herring. com. It was decided by TCS that to spread out their commitments. they were to do a strategic confederation with Cisco without harming the long-run and short-run ends of each company. The purpose of this essay is to supply a practical attack with clear counsel for TCS and determination shapers in TCS. It shows how KM can enable an organisation to react efficaciously to the altering concern background and accomplish its strategic ends. Aims The TCS-Cisco partnership has been active since 2003. This partnership focuses on go-to-market activities for a scope of Cisco engineerings. including the following coevals datacenters ( Cisco Unified Computing Systems ) . advanced networking. security and coaction. It besides focuses on developing replicable go-to-market concern solutions leveraging cutting-edge Cisco engineerings like UCS. and TCS strengths in IT application services. IT substructure services and domain expertness in cardinal industry verticals. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www. technetium. com ) Scope Includes treatment of advice sing a strategic confederation with Cisco Discussion includes account of strategic confederation and points are raised in relation to knowledge direction. Continues to speak about the current failings in Tata Consultancy Services attack to knowledge direction. This subdivision is helped by many illustrations from external resources. Finally solutions on how these failings can be improved are been mentioned. Furthermore this subdivision is supported by many illustrations and the illustrations have been referenced. Strategic confederations with Cisco Strategic confederation is an understanding for cooperation among two or more independent houses to work together toward common aims. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www. businessdictionary. com ) It is a readying between two companies that have decided to portion resources to set about a particular. reciprocally good undertaking. A strategic confederation is less involved and less lasting than a joint venture. in which two companies typically pool resources to make a separate concern entity. In a strategic confederation. each company maintains its liberty while deriving a new chance. A strategic confederation could assist a company develop a more effectual procedure. spread out into a new market or develop an advantage over a rival. among other possibilities. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www. investopedia. com ) Investopedia explains Strategic Alliance’ For illustration. an oil and natural gas company might organize a strategic confederation with a research research lab to develop more commercially feasible recovery processes. A vesture retail merchant might organize a strategic confederation with a individual vesture maker to guarantee consistent quality and size. A major web site could organize a strategic confederation with an analytics company to better its selling attempts. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www. investopedia. com ) Knowledge Management can do a important difference between ongoing or successful ventures of any organisation in a universe of speed uping alteration. Knowledge Management provides the ability to link and collaborate complex thoughts expeditiously and can be good even to spread out when utilizing strategic confederations. To do Knowledge Management work in an organisation it must be grounded in the worlds of the concern demands and drivers. and aligned to the bringing of organisational aims. which this instance TCS requires for the enlargement of their organisation. It should non be seen as an optional or fringy activity but as portion of the organisational indispensable demand. embedded in their concern procedure. which is extremely relevant in their solutions. Current failings in TATA services Strategic confederation can do major jobs if non handled decently. As portion of the start of the confederation. TCS have to integrate Cisco’s Data Centre engineerings. with TCS’ industry-leading IT services. concern solutions and outsourcing. The pattern will concentrate on assisting clients develop next-generation virtualized information centres and achieve greater operational and energy efficiency. The companies will besides research new networking inventions to turn to the demands of big and little concerns for IT services. One of the chief concerns was over the alliance of short term and long term ends of both organisations and the value of strategic confederation in the current downswing in planetary markets. Most staff will necessitate developing to set to the new systems. The two companies want to hand in glove come up with and provide information engineering service solutions to clients that will assist their concerns build next-generation informations centres by taking advantage of the web as a platform. The two companies are spread out in a broad scope of states and due to this there are a batch of communicating issues. Tata Consultancy plans to construct a new engineering pattern focused on Cisco’s industry-leading informations centre networking and security solutions. The companies besides announced the formation of a Cisco Technology Lab at the TCS campus in Chennai. India. These all add up to extra costs but have to be done to develop staff into the new systems Cisco and TCS have to develop solutions that meet the substructure and web demands of planetary corporations. Both companies have to put in accomplishments development and preparation labs to supply an end-to-end solution to run into client demands. As portion of the new pattern. TCS will integrate Cisco’s Data Centre 3. 0 engineerings. with TCS’ industry-leading IT services. concern solutions and outsourcing. The pattern will concentrate on assisting clients develop next-generation virtualized information centres and achieve greater operational and energy efficiency. The companies will besides research new networking inventions to turn to the demands of big and little concerns for IT services. Customers are demanding greater dynamism from their IT substructure and application environment to turn to current challenges and to capitalise on chances whenever and wherever they emerge. said Mr. N Chandrasekaran. head runing officer and executive manager of TCS. This strategic confederation will take advantage of Cisco’s industry-leading informations centre networking solutio ns and TCS’ planetary web bringing theoretical account to assist our clients increase the efficiency and legerity of their IT operations. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //blog. topitconsultant. com ) Besides some concerns were about bettering operational efficiency and productiveness. enable concern legerity. and better endeavor cognition. Improvement on the failings The two organisations came up with a batch of schemes. that is program of action that channels the two organization’s resources so that it can efficaciously distinguish itself from rivals. accomplish typical ends. and accomplish higher public presentation. Directors develop schemes based on the organization’s strengths and failings. and rating of chances and menaces. The Managers chiefly do determinations about the firm’s activities. and the development and allotment of resources devoted to these. The TCS-Cisco strategic confederation enables end-to-end IT substructure services. united with confidence services. and IT application services enabling seamless system integrating of Cisco merchandises. Cisco and TCS program to develop go-to-market solutions that meet the substructure and web demands of planetary corporations. Both companies will put in accomplishments development and preparation labs to supply an end-to-end solution to run into client demands. Cisco has recognized the low-priced advantage of operating in India every bit good as high pool engineering endowment and expertness. Tata consultancy services already provide IT consultancy services to a big sum of states. The company offers some of the most complex applications and following coevals IT infrastructures in the universe. Tata consultancy services’ in-depth cognition of different concern spheres combined with its technological accomplishments makes it a a really competent organisation. One major betterment is that they use assorted schemes to better cognition direction they use three chief schemes or as they call it the three pillars of cognition management . which are people. procedure and engineering. In footings of people one of the cardinal values is larning and sharing. The company has introduced three enterprises to advance a greater learning civilization. First is the proactive employee battle plan which allows senior directors to hold face to confront meetings with employees across assorted maps and classs. The other enterprise has promoted a portion attention grow civilization and and bucked up persons to progress their ain thoughts and decide thoughts at local degree. Finally the last enterprise was professional excellence function sweetening ownership civilization personal growing employee and acquisition. Tata consultancy services has another preparation hub in add-on to others every bit good to further develop new recruits in different facets of package technology. quality systems and different engineerings which is a major betterment. The preparation included soft-skills development such as leading and teamwork. The trainers were drawn from different parts of the concern with important capable expertness and experience. Tata consultancy services have besides made preparation centres overseas in line with its planetary enlargement. Besides Tata consultancy services have developed a figure of ICT intercessions to increase cognition sharing. Some of the chief betterments to assist with the strategic confederation are to progress cognition. acquisition. and accomplishments development. Decision The intent of this essay was to reply the inquiries from the Tata Consultancy Services ( India ) instance survey. The essay started by adverting a short description of the history of the two companies. The treatment included advice sing a strategic confederation with Cisco. Two of the cardinal elements of this instance survey which were discussed. The current failings in Tata Consultancy Services with an attack to knowledge direction and the betterments that are made to extinguish these failings have been mentioned In the treatment. strategic confederation was explained by definition and illustrations provided every bit good to warrant. The advice to knowledge direction issues has been discussed. The planning and constructs are communicated and a elaborate reply is written to discourse facts with the usage of external beginnings and these have been referenced. Towards the terminal after all the points been considered. betterments with the associating to knowledge direction have been advised. As per the aims of this essay. the current failings in Tata Consultancy Services with an attack to knowledge direction and the betterments that are made to extinguish these failings are discussed. Mentions . 2013. . [ ONLINE ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www. technetium. com/resources/Pages/filterResults. aspx? topic=Services_Consulting A ; type=Case % 20Study. [ Accessed 16 April 2013 ] . Cisco Systems – About Cisco Systems Networking. 2013. Cisco Systems – About Cisco Systems Networking. [ ONLINE ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //compnetworking. about. com/od/cisconetworking/p/cisco-systems. htm. [ Accessed 16 April 2013 ] . IT Consultants’ Blog at TopITconsultant. com. 2013. IT Consultants’ Blog at TopITconsultant. com. [ ONLINE ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //blog. topitconsultant. com/category/TATA-Consultancy-Services. aspx. [ Accessed 09 May 2013 ] . Mohammad Masrurul. M 2012. An Overview of Strategic Alliance: Competitive Advantages in Alliance Constellations’ . Progresss In Management. 5. 12. pp. 22-31. Business Source Complete. EBSCOhost. viewed 9

Major Causes Of Air Pollution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Major Causes Of Air Pollution - Essay Example Urbanization also results in unhealthy waste disposal methods. This not only pollutes the air but also creates conditions for the spread of endemic diseases. Heavy industries are another contributor to air pollution. In the last two centuries, ever since the event of the Industrial Revolution, societies move away from being agrarian and embraced industrialization. Though there were advantages in terms of scale, speed and efficiency of production, the impact on the environment was overwhelmingly negative. Toxic sludge released by many industrial plants contaminates our rivers and plains, posing huge health risks. Likewise, the exhaust pipes of these plants release numerous toxic gases into the atmosphere, leading to air contamination. Environmental regulators are not able to check this form of air pollution. Hence, in conclusion, the problem of air pollution we are facing today is one of our own makings. As a society, we need to wake ourselves from complacency and address the issue with utmost expediency. Already, the effects of global warming are starting to change the natural climatic cycles in many parts of the world. The El Nino effect is one such example. We also need to abandon the culture of conspicuous consumption. Instead of aspiring to own luxury cars and SUVs, a greater reliance on public transportation and car-pooling must be adopted. As a society, we need to change our mindset toward embracing austerity. This again compounds the accumulation of greenhouse gas and further augments global temperature.

Artical review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Artical review - Essay Example The article further considers corruption within this organization, noting that it recently disclosed that it could find its company, or authorized signatures, for its Chinese subsidiary. These seals are necessary for the organization’s subsidiary to undertake any business in China. The article further considers the issue of shares and notes that shareholders did not purchase shares in the organization, but instead a United States company; the confusion arose because the original company incorporated in the United States to avoid Chinese business restrictions. While ChinaCast was the latest such occurrence of corruption, the article notes this is a frequent occurrence in China. Sino-Forest, a Chinese company based in Canada, was perhaps the most prominent such case. Sino-Forest was recently accused, by Muddy Waters Research of fraudulent activities and accounting practices. The subsequent investigation attested to no specific accounting fraud by did demonstrate a variable interest entity was in effect; this is the same situation that occurred with ChinaCast. Other elements of Chinese investment demonstrate that the ownership of assets can only be temporary. Yahoo recently found itself involved in a disagreement with Jack, the chairman of the Alibaba Group, after he used defensive tactics to transfer Alipay to a private company controlled by him. The issue was highly challenging as Yahoo owns a substantial stake in the organization, and his transfer of the company demonstrated that he was willing to go to extremes to ensure that he was the only purchaser of specific assets. Additionally there have been over 105 Chinese companies that have been delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange. While not all situations are involved in fraud, the article notes that the variable interest entity structure is one of the most prominent challenges for investors. Even Chinese companies that have gained prominence as an American investment outlets have

Leadership influence and report

Leadership influence and report 1.1 Introduction As senior material manager in a public bus company called Metroline Travel. I supervise a team of 15 Material managers across London. These personnel are the logistical team and their core responsibilities are the supply, storage and procurement of parts to engineering. The logistical hierarchy is illustrated in figure 1. Figure 1 Metroline Organisational Structure (Engineering Department) 2.1 Stakeholder Analysis Stakeholder analysis is a useful technique used to identify the key people within the logistical function framework. These key personnel are very important to the organizational structure because they have tremendous power and influence which affects my embarkation on this project, which involves extending me in terms of leadership and change. According to Mendelows matrix these can be grouped into 4 categories in figure 2: Figure 2 Mendelows matrix in Metroline Travel logistical function High Low C- Keep Satisfied D- Key Players A- Minimal Effort B-Keep Informed Low HighPower Level of Interest A- Engineering administration clerks B- Operation, Suppliers C- Finance department, Material Support Managers D- Engineering managers, Head of Purchasing, Engineering Director, Head of Manning and Training 2.1.1 My experiences of Leadership My life has been a journey. In 2000 I was employed with Her Majestys Armed Forces. I served for a period of seven years with the logistics corps, which I was responsible for both the national and international supply operation of my unit. I was authorised to organise and manage the handling of dangerous and hazardous goods and advanced air and shipping freight. I then moved on to serve with the bomb disposal units within the United Kingdom. Serving in the army not only required flexibility, but also enabled me to adapt rapidly to difficult environments and handle confrontational situations. As a Non Commission Officer; leadership was very task oriented where ones degree of leadership style and authority was determined according to rank. This experience has taught me to place substantial effort and commitment into my actions and work by being a focal point for solving all logistical problems day or night. 2.1.2 My experiences of change There have been many changes within my life. Leaving the Armed Forces was the biggest life changing decision I have ever made. I felt very uncertain about my life direction and decision after having joined the army at 20 years old. However, I needed more from my life; I wanted to accomplish more in terms of going back to university to get a degree. Further, I could not really study within the armed forces because of work constraints and time. But I took initiative and I have completed 80% training towards obtaining my degree. I have also seen changes made to other people in terms of new work procedures being introduced in my current workplace and the resistance that can sometimes occur as a result of these changes. Through those experiences; I realise change can have positive and negative personal effects. It can also affect other colleagues motivation and the business organisational culture. 2.1.3 My experiences of leadership and change I have experience change within different working environments, change such as having to work on a Saturday for 2 weeks because of a deadline and the Change Facilitator taking the initiative by effectively communicating the reasons for the change and their actions. Although the individual was the head of the department and did not have to work on the Saturday, turning up to work which to me (a subordinate) demonstrated leadership and the ability to make the change flow smoothly. On the other hand, I have also experienced poorly structured change by instructions; such as to change working practices without any consultations coming from directors who have lost touch with their employees and working environment. This type of leadership infuriates me and other staff and the change is always met with high resistance. 2.1.4 The key issues from me and my workplace My company is very unionised and after reading a few chapters of the developing a productive inquiry; I have started noticing positive and negatives things about myself and my workplace. I found that I am a bit timid within meetings with senior managers, although I have very good ideas about solving problems, I do not speak up and I have no idea why, which creates a level of personal uncertainty. Also within my workplace I have started looking at other managers leadership style, the good and the bad. For me to grow and improve as a manager; I would like to incorporate the good points within my current style with the support of the other managers. Organisation boundaryFigure 3 The key issues within my workplace Material managers Trade Union Working conditions Honesty Employment contracts Organisational culture Senior management support Support and Improve performance Senior material manager Other managers and departments Support Good points Good communicator Creditable by my actions Approachable Able to get the job done without conflict Economic factors Global credit crunch Slow rate of economic growth Political and Economic factors Government sending Review cuts Factors in outside the system in the Marco environment 2.1.5 The Importance of Leadership and Change to Me I believe from my past experiences, I have an understanding of the structure of leadership and change. In addition to learn more about leadership and change will enable me to become a better manager. In my work context; it will help me to become more people- orientated with the tools I learn from this course. In my personal life; the course will add points to my degree will enable career development and progression illustrated in figure 4 and mind map. Figure 4 The Importance of Leadership and Change to Me Leadership Improve my self-esteem and confidence Change and leadership Support and personal development Change and leadership Improve communication skills Leadership Motivate my team Change and leadership Being decisive about choices Leadership Networking Change and leadership Understanding the uncertainty and fear within me Change and leadership Challenging myself to try new ideas Change and leadership Setting the example and leading the way ME The beginning of my Journey with B204 mind map- (to be continue) 2.1.6 Opportunities to explore my Evidence Base Initiatives (EBI) My first thoughts on opportunities to explore as a possible basis for my EBI, illustrated in figure 4 (Developing Productive Inquiry P. 27) Inquiry Timeline Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Stores reorganisation 6 months Current organisational change program Will not be completed by end of course To improve performance and learning while practicing from tools and theories from B204 To choose a mentor Lack of support from other managers Researching universities to study my MBA 1 year My personal goal No growth over that period To use reflecting and research tools to make a choice Long timeframe to complete Searching for a new job in China 1 year My personal and situational goal High unemployment within China To learn a new culture Risk and uncertainty created by my decision to move Figure 4 my cycle of inquiry Action Stores reorganisation Researching universities to study my MBA Searching for a new job in China Series of consequences Evidence and Evaluation Gathering Information And Reflection I am currently looking at the best possible inquiry to focus on for my EBI, 2 are personal goals which are very important in my development and aspiration and 1 is work related which can improve my performance with support from my peers illustrated in figure 5 and 6 (Developing Productive Inquiry P. 16) Figure 5 possible inquiries to focus my EBI Searching for a new job in China I would like to life and work in China, its a very substantial decision. But I have the complete autonomy to make this decision. However this will change the way I interact with my friends and family, so I will seek advice from them Stores reorganisation Need support C- Finance department, Material Support Managers D- Engineering managers, Head of Purchasing, Engineering Director, Head of Manning and Training Researching universities to study my MBA I have the complete autonomy to make this decision. But I will need support from friends and family Figure 6 possible inquiries to focus my EBI Intrapreneurial Searching for a new job in China A very important project that will really stretches me, but this is very risky. Scaling Up Researching universities to study my MBA A significant project to undertake in terms of research and time Broadening Stores reorganisation Outside of current job description with this store project which I am trying out new skills 2.1.7 My questions about leadership and change I have an initial answer for these questions see appendix. However by the end of this course; I would like to answer these questions from my new learning reflections illustrated in figure 7 . 1. What makes a good leader? 2. What does a good leader do? 3. Is management the same as leadership? 4. Can I be a good manager or a good leader? 5. How do I know I am a good leader? 6. Can a good leader make good changes? 7. Is influence the same as power? 8. How can I improve my leadership skills and make positive things happen? Figure 7 my questions within the leadership and change context Leadership Change 1 2 3 4 7 5 6 Evidence Base Initiatives 8 3.1 Conclusion I started the introduction with a reflection from my past experiences in the army. I also highlighted features from my present employment. Both past and present jobs have a board understanding of various leadership styles and the change context. I have some leadership strengths. However, I still feel a very high level of uncertainty and fear of not being able to apply some of the tools and skills obtained from this course into my working environment. I hope I will have support of my work colleagues, other students, family and my tutor in order to improve personally and professionally as a leader. 1170 words 4.1 References Developing Productive Inquiry B204 Making it happen! Leadership, influence and change by Caroline Ramsey 2010 The Open University Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA

Eating Disorders and Image in Girl, Interrupted Essay -- Diseases, Dis

Fact and Fiction paper #2 Psychopathology Every single day women are faced with the questions of whether they are pretty enough, skinny enough, whether men are attracted to them, whether they can be loved or not, and whether people think they are beautiful. Images of â€Å"beautiful† females are plastered all over the media, commercials, Internet, movies, TV shows, ad campaigns, etc. In today’s society the â€Å"perfect female proportions† are nearly impossible for one to healthily obtain, but this does not stop women of all ages to going through impossible measures in order to be one step closer to what they consider â€Å"perfection.† For many girls all ages, shapes, sizes, around the world, eating disorders are becoming more prevalent for weight loss because of the fact that results occur much faster than a healthy weight loss regiment. Daisy Randone, a character in the movie Girl Interrupted played by Brittany Murphy, is no different. Daisy constantly compared her appearance and weight to those of TV actresses, women in the media and models, and found herself to be repulsive. Daisy constantly tried to hide her anorexia from friends, family, nurses and doctors. She soon saw herself developing a very severe case of major depression disorder because of the negative feelings she felt about herself, her life, and her relationships. Daisy’s eating disorder was much more apparent to others, that it masked her major depressive disorder that she was also currently struggling with. Throughout this paper I will discuss the following topics: 1. Daisy’s behavior and why I believe it reflects this particular disorder 2. The definition and explanation of what anorexia nervosa is. 3. The etiology of Daisy’s specific case of anorexia nervosa. 4. ... ...eatable, with the right time, effort, and tools one can overcome anorexia and learn to live a normal, healthy lifestyle, where they are happy and proud of their appearance and weight. Works Cited American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Levenkron, S. (1997). Treating and Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa. New York, NY: A Time Warner Company. Dryden-Edwards, R. (n.d.). Anorexia nervosa. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/anorexia_nervosa/article.htm dictionary.com. In (2009). HarperCollins Publishers. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stigma Hall, L. (1999). Anorexia Nervosa: A Guide to Recovery. Carlsbad, CA: Gurze Books. Treasure, J. (1999). Anorexia Nervosa: A Survival’s Guide. East Sussex, UK: Psychology Press Ltd.

Hamlet’s Characterisation Essay

The aspect of Shakespeare’s Hamlet that is most interesting to me is the playwright’s intimate depiction of Hamlet’s daily struggle againt the world. Through soliloquies and characterisation, we see that Hamlet’s world is a cold, political one, unreceptive to his grief, and this fundamental incompatibility is ultimately what creates and drives the play’s great drama behind his struggle, his murderous plot, uncertainty, and finally his thoughtful, accepting resolve at the end of the play. Early in the play we see this great incompatibility between Hamlet and his society emerging, as he, stricken with grief, is surrounded by cold political plotters. Shakespeare revels in his use of irony, as Claudius utters the oxymoron â€Å"lawful espials†, and Polonius, evangelising that â€Å"this above all else: to thine own self be true†, endeavours with â€Å"this bait of falsehood† to â€Å"by indirections find directions out† and thus â€Å"take this carp of truth†. Hamlet continues this tradition of fish-related metaphors in accusing Polonius of being a â€Å"fishmonger†, a claim which reflects his own struggle to comprehend how cold and contriving his society is. Hamlet even wonders how â€Å"a beast that wants discourse of reason would have mourned longer† than his mother, Gertrude, the â€Å"pernicious woman† whose â€Å"salt of most unrighteous tears† falls from merely â€Å"galled eyes†. That she could be â€Å"like Niobe† is a twisted classical allusion which adds to the sentiment of tension which Hamlet feels against his society, which, in the disillusioned wake of his grief, he has found is superficial and immoral, especially as â€Å"one may smile, and smile, and be a villain†, while â€Å"virtue itself of vice must beg† and â€Å"rank corruption†¦mining within†¦infects unseen†. Thus this great tension forms an integral part of the early part of the play and drives the drama which underlies Hamlet’s characterisation, and his struggle to find where he belongs in this morally void society. Hamlet’s soililoquy at the end of Act II reveals how this tension has acted upon his soul. He questions his own sanity, asking if it is, in fact, the â€Å"pleasing shape† of the devil, which â€Å"abuses me to damn me†. This particular tension between Hamlet and his world is what reveals several important character elements in Hamlet. That the Player could invoke such passion in such a superficial â€Å"fiction†, and â€Å"for Hecuba† at that, while Hamlet sits statically racked with indecision, is reflective of the superficiality which frustrates him and drives him to see imself as a â€Å"dull and muddy-mettled rascal†. It drives him inwards to consider what kind of person he is, and how best to resolve the tension which has evolved as a result of his society’s immorality. Yet as the soliloquy changes tone dramatically, and marked by Hamlet’s cry of â€Å"Oh, vengeance! †, the apostrophic appeal to Nemesis herself reve als an early attempt to break free from these chains of indecision and uncertainty set upon him due to his struggle. Thus the tension between him and his immoral peers is what ultimately produces this first change of heart, from â€Å"pigeon-livered† to the successful invocation of the mythical figure, the â€Å"rugged Pyrrhus†, out to â€Å"drink hot blood†, whom he struggled to portray and rehearse earlier in the scene. That the tension is so central to this first episode of self-realisation, and subsequent ascents to personal conviction, reflects how truly crucial his struggle and journey towards self-understanding is to Hamlet’s textual integrity. Hamlet’s obsession with death, beginning with the Act III soliloquy not long after, is another seeming affliction brought on by this grievous tension with the world around our hero. That the world could so easily forget a human life, and that this life was that of a king, brings on a deep sense of aporia for the young prince, as he struggles to reconcile the significance of life with the great ease with which it is forgotten when lost. His turn to â€Å"what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil† forms part of the plaintive introspection revealed by this soliloquy as he searches for truth, away from the â€Å"pangs of disprized love† for which he was informed that â€Å"to persever in obstinate condolement is†¦unmanly grief†. His obsession with death throughout the play and in this soliloquy is hence marked as a decided escape from the constant tension with his society and its many unknowable uncertainties, as portrayed by a play whose opening line is â€Å"who’s there! †. Death plays the role of the only certain, pure truth, as symbolised by the memento mori of Act V, the skull held in Hamlet’s hand which in all its graspable physicality and feeble perishability becomes a source of finality, and certainty for the young prince. His tension with society is characterised by great inaction and uncertain angst, but in death, all souls return to absolute dust. Whether they bear the â€Å"pate of a politician† or the â€Å"skull of a lawyer† is insignificant in this regard, for â€Å"e’en so†, even the great Alexander â€Å"looked o’ this fashion i’th’earth†. He finds great solace in the promise of this finality away from the contrarious moods of his â€Å"comrades†. This characterises the self-reckoning which ultimately leads him to his final resolvel and faith by which he stands ready to once more face his society and his fate, whatever it may be. With this sentiment he remarks â€Å"there is Providence in the fall of a sparrow†¦let be†. Lastly, Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship with the world reveal analogous tensions which manifest in different ways and provide interesting insights into the dramatic consequences of this tension. Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship is torn apart by Polonius’ meddling. Hamlet’s proclamation that â€Å"frailty, thy name is woman! † foreshadows the way that we soon see Ophelia being influenced to a great extent by her filial, obedient devotion to Polonius, so much so that, struggling to reconcile her personal integrity and her duty to her family, she descends into her own madness, â€Å"divided from herself and her fair judgment, without the which we are pictures, or mere beasts†. Polonius, the â€Å"fishmonger†, tells her that her love is that of â€Å"a green girl†, and her submission to such worldly expectations is what begets her destruction. Yet even in her insanity she finds a resolve which, though markedly more frenzied, mirrors Hamlet’s own. Her flowers are each symbols of denouncement of the court’s treacherous figures, whose â€Å"rue with a difference† Ophelia insists they must acknowledge for their most distressing actions. There is thus a great tension which arises out of the persistent degradation of the lovers’ relationship, and their final destruction at the hands of Laertes for Hamlet, and in the river for Ophelia. These elements are undeniably integral elements of the play which drive its enduring drama and converge to form a crucial part of Hamlet’s textual integrity. Thus we can see that the tension of the world, manipulative, cold and immoral, as it acts on the fundamentally honest, if perhaps naive prince, is the source of the great drama which underpins Hamlet’s struggle through the play to pit his own psyche against that of his peers. This tension time and time again proves to be central to a true consideration and understanding of Hamlet’s episodes of character evolution which sees him descend into the murky depths of his world’s uncertainty. It is only with the realisation and grasping of truth, whether he finds this in the finality of death or the power of fate, that Hamlet ascends once more to the safe anchorage of sanity and resolve, and finds the courage and conviction needed to face his society once more, and finally his death.