Topic: Information and communication technologies and organisational culture
1-Review the information and communication technologies available to People Professionals and how these can
or are used to improve working practices and collaboration. Focus on people professionals. E.g safety
imformation, communication etc.
2- Define what is meant by organisational culture and the importance of fostering an appropriate and effective
workplace culture.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Information and Communication Technologies and Organizational Culture
1. Information and Communication Technologies for People Professionals
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a vital role in enhancing working practices and collaboration for people professionals. These technologies provide a range of tools and platforms that enable efficient and effective communication, information sharing, and collaboration within organizations. Here are some examples of ICTs used by people professionals:
a. Communication Platforms: Tools such as email, instant messaging, and video conferencing enable seamless communication between people professionals and other stakeholders. These platforms facilitate quick dissemination of information, allowing for faster decision-making and problem-solving.
b. Collaboration Software: Collaboration tools like project management systems, shared workspaces, and document management systems enhance teamwork and cooperation among people professionals. These platforms enable real-time collaboration, version control, and centralized storage of documents, promoting efficiency and knowledge sharing.
c. Learning Management Systems: People professionals often utilize learning management systems (LMS) to deliver training and development programs to employees. LMS platforms provide a centralized hub for course materials, assessments, and tracking employee progress, ensuring continuous learning within the organization.
d. HR Information Systems: Human resources information systems (HRIS) automate various HR functions such as recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee data management. These systems streamline administrative tasks, enhance data accuracy, and improve the overall efficiency of HR processes.
e. Safety Information Systems: People professionals utilize safety information systems to manage workplace safety protocols, track incidents, conduct risk assessments, and communicate safety guidelines to employees. These systems help ensure compliance with safety regulations and promote a safe working environment.
The use of ICTs by people professionals significantly improves communication efficiency, collaboration, and access to critical information within organizations. It streamlines processes, enhances productivity, and supports better decision-making for people professionals responsible for managing employee-related matters.
2. Organizational Culture: Definition and Importance
Organizational culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, norms, behaviors, and practices that shape the work environment within an organization. It represents the collective mindset and identity of employees and influences their attitudes, interactions, and overall work experience. Fostering an appropriate and effective workplace culture is crucial for several reasons:
a. Employee Engagement: A strong organizational culture promotes employee engagement by aligning employees’ values with those of the organization. When employees feel connected to the organizational mission and values, they are more likely to be motivated, committed, and satisfied in their roles.
b. Productivity and Performance: A positive workplace culture fosters a supportive and collaborative environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and high performance. When employees feel valued, respected, and empowered, they are more likely to contribute their best efforts towards achieving organizational goals.
c. Talent Attraction and Retention: Organizations with a positive culture are more attractive to potential employees. A strong culture that emphasizes employee well-being, growth opportunities, and work-life balance helps attract top talent. Furthermore, a positive culture promotes employee loyalty, reducing turnover rates.
d. Adaptability and Change Management: An effective workplace culture promotes adaptability and facilitates successful change management. When employees feel psychologically safe to express their opinions and ideas, they are more willing to embrace change, contribute to innovation, and adapt to new challenges.
e. Reputation and Brand Image: Organizational culture impacts the external perception of an organization. A positive culture that values ethical practices, diversity and inclusion, and social responsibility enhances the organization’s reputation and brand image.
Creating an appropriate and effective workplace culture requires strong leadership commitment, clear communication of values, consistent reinforcement of desired behaviors, and employee involvement. Organizations that prioritize fostering a positive culture reap numerous benefits in terms of employee satisfaction, productivity, talent retention, adaptability to change, and overall organizational success.
In conclusion, information and communication technologies provide valuable tools for people professionals to improve working practices and collaboration within organizations. Simultaneously, fostering an appropriate and effective organizational culture is crucial for promoting employee engagement, productivity, talent attraction/retention, adaptability to change, and overall organizational success. By leveraging ICTs while nurturing a positive culture, organizations can create an environment conducive to employee well-being, growth, and achievement of strategic objectives.
