To what extent do different approaches to change management facilitate or hinder organisational unification when companies acquire assets?

Abstract This paper describes three major approaches to change management, such as Kotter’s eight-step mode, Bridge’s transition model and Prosci’s ADKAR model. The focus on change management theories and leadership structure is important in order to provide viable recommendations to the top-management team at White Bird, whose performance with regards to change management is compared to the one of Perdue Farms. It has been also determined the most appropriate organisational structure for White Bird along with expanding the integration of employees and achieving adequate unification. Introduction The occurrence of change in the organisational context is an important precondition for business success. White Bird has tried to stabilise its integration processes within the formed holding (Cameron and Green, 2012). The recognition of applicable HR management issues is fundamental to provide properly structured orientation to the company (Hayes, 2010). The objective of this paper is to explore to what extent different approaches to change management facilitate or hinder unification when companies acquire assets. Comparative Case Study of White Bird and Perdue FarmsKotter’s Eight-Step ModelThe agriculture holding White Bird, which is based in Russia, is at a stage of integration and revitalisation of its HR management tasks. The process of managing business change in this organisation is fundamental to its improvement and growth. The acquisition of the organisation has led to the use of strong authoritative management (Cameron and Green, 2012). White Bird has been engaged in a process of applying crucial HR practices. In comparison, another company that operates in the agricultural sector in a developed country is Perdue Farms. This company, similarly to White Bird, relies on the implementation of change management theories in order to achieve a competitive advantage (Elliott, 2011). One of the change management theories that produce fast and effective results is Kotter’s eight-step model (Kotter, 1996). The focus of this theory is on the establishment of a sense of urgency, for ming a powerful coalition and developing vision. Both White Bird and Perdue Farms demonstrate the application of these principles of change management in their structure. White Bird is focused on ensuring a smooth change process, which includes the importance of making a relevant decision regarding the top-management team. Even though the present leadership style in the company is authoritative in nature, it could be beneficial for the organisation to develop another type competencies and leadership (Hayes, 2010). Participative leadership would provide a significant basis for the smooth integration of change management practices in White Bird. Participative or democratic leaders offer guidance to group members and allow input from other individuals in order to ensure a high level of motivation and creativity (Kotter, 1996). Perdue Farms has a flexible structure of leadership, which has contributed to the success of the company (Elliott, 2011).Bridge’s Transition Model of Change ManagementAnother change management theory that can be considered by White Bird is Bridge’s transition model, which provides a good understanding of what actually takes place when an organisational change occurs. Bridge differentiates between the processes of change and transition, implying that change is based on situational factors (Bridges, 2009). Therefore, the best organisational structure for this type of business would be a matrix structure, which combines elements of divisional and functional structure. As a result, the organisation of business activities would be properly completed considering the emphasis on dual management that would expand the decision-making skills of team members (Cameron and Green, 2012). A similar model has been applied at Perdue Farms, which has improved efficiency and reduced production cost to a significant extent (Elliott, 2011). White Bird can also maintain excellence in quality by integrating employees to corporate culture in order to create a single, unified organisation. It can be argued that White Bird should proceed in a manner that is consistent with its overall mission and objectives.Prosciâ€℠¢s ADKARModelThe change management model of Prosci, identified as ADKAR, can provide adequate orientation to the agriculture holding in terms of allowing change management teams to focus on achieving specific business outcomes (Hiatt, 2006). In general, ADKAR stands for awareness, desire, knowledge, ability and reinforcement. These elements have proved efficient to the functioning of Perdue Farms, whose performance can serve as a relevant example of successful change management initiatives for White Bird. The most significant benefit associated with Prosci’s model of change management is that it provides a clear direction for managers to manage change in accordance with the organisation’s competencies, corporate culture and orientation to change (Hayes, 2010). Elements of employee participation and engagement are important in the process of maintaining organisational change at White Bird. In addition, the organisation should be able to implement new skills and behaviou rs along with the necessity to sustain the change (Hiatt, 2006). In conclusion, it can be presented the argument that the approaches of Kotter, Bridge and Prosci to change management can facilitate the process of organisational unification. Conclusion This paper focused on the determination of the extent to which different approaches to change management can facilitate or hinder organisational unification (Cameron and Green, 2012). Such discussion took place with regards to the performance of White Bird compared to the one of Perdue Farms. It has been concluded that Kotter’s eight-step model, Bridge’s transition model and Prosci’s ADKAR can represent significant benefits to organisations in a process of change (Hayes, 2010). Such findings have important implications to the leadership orientation and business structure of White Bird. References Bridges, W. (2009). Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change. Philadelphia: Da Capo Press. Cameron, E. and Green, M. (2012). Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models Tools and Techniques of Organizational Change. London: Kogan Page. Elliott, S. (2011). Perdue Goes to the Farm with an Earnest Approach. The New York Times [online]. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/business/media/27adco.html?_r=0 [Accessed: 12 August 2014]. Hayes, J. (2010). The Theory and Practice of Change Management. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Hiatt, J. (2006). ADKAR: A Model for Change in Business, Government and Our Community. Loveland: Prosci Inc. Kotter, J. P. (1996). Leading Change. Watertown, MA: Harvard Business Press.

Did Black Nationalism hurt or help African Americans pursuit of civil Essay

Did Black Nationalism hurt or help African Americans pursuit of civil rights - Essay Example As far as the rights of African Americans are concerned, this nation is considered the most discriminated nation especially in the South American regions of the United States. There were several political struggles came forward time to time to bring reforms for the protection of civil rights of this group. Black Nationalism was a supporting struggle that expressed the racial awareness among those Africans living in America. The motto of this movement was to ensure the protection of black power. This move greatly assisted the African Americans in pursuing civil rights. The leaders of the movement offered the ways to combat racism. In early 1960s, this struggle became more active and popular in America. This was the year when the move became more advanced and a well known leader Malcolm X, argued that African Americans should focus to improve their lives in order to integrate in American environment in a better way. Black people should also defend themselves against communal difference s. 2. Describe the anti-lynching movement? Who lead this cause, what were their goals and what was the outcome? Anti-Lynching Movement was a popular movement launched to activate and protect the civil rights of the communities living in America. This movement came forward as a reaction against lynching which, basically, involved extra-judicial killings based on racism. Lynching was a very common practice in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. In the years 1890 to 1920, these killings reached at its peak. Extra-judicial killings were practiced to ensure white supremacy especially in the southern parts of America. According to an estimate of Tuskegee Institute, between 1882- 1968, 1297 whites and 3446 blacks were badly tortured and killed due to these racist controversies in America. Goals: The goal of this movement was to end up the violence that was a common practice in US against African Americans. This movement rose from the southern parts of United States. The thrust of the move was to ensure protection for the communal groups and this awareness had to spread among common people through education and legal amendments. It was the aim that the legal actions for communal equality would be made keeping in mind the federal legislation as well. Women played a great role in this movement. Leading Agents of the Movement: This movement was, particularly, leading by different organizations including the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching (ASWPL), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and the Council for Interracial Cooperation (CIC). Wells- Barnett was a great leader and supporter of this campaign. He was a renowned journalist. The brutality of lynching movement revolted so white people also started joining this anti-lynching campaign. Outcomes: Finally, in 1940s, lynching was declined and this was the positive outcome of anti lynching campaign. It is considered the prime battle against segregation and racism that finally took shape in a positive manner. 3. Who was A. Philip Randolph and what was his contribution to African American History? A. Philip Randolph was an African American labor who also led civil rights in United States. He was the most prominent among all other trade unionists that fought for the cause of ethnic equality. Randolph was born in Florida and in 1911; he left Florida and moved to New York. Later on, in very young age he joined Socialist Party. Randolph was a realist approach human and believed that African Americans could never gain political power and could never get political freedom until they would be financially strong. He

Tax Accounting II Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tax Accounting II Case - Essay Example Schneider as his tax professional in the latest filing of his income tax returns.1 The accountant may be considered to have knowledge of things done in the past about deducting the cost of artwork as part of deductible expenses. As to whether there could be tax assessment by IRS because of possibly underreported income due to higher reported expenses in the past, the same should be viewed as tax avoidance because there was really no intention to avoid or cheat on taxes. Moreover, it could be inferred from the case fact that claiming the cost of artworks as deductible business expense is allowed if treated or given as a kind of employee compensation.2 The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is that the former is legal as a way to reduce tax but the latter is against the law because there is an intention to defraud the government for the correct payment of taxes. In the case of Mr. Conor, he did not intend not to pay taxes, he claimed in good faith the cost artwork as business expense with the presumed knowledge of the accountant although the latter failed to object in previous years. In tax avoidance, which is a legitimate minimizing of taxes, the taxpayer should use methods approved by the IRS.3 Mr. Conor was only lacking in knowledge of method on how deduction could be made legitimate. Thus his CPA said that expense is allowed if given as employee compensation. It would have been tax evasion if Mr. Conor was not allowed at all to have claimed as expense the cost of artworks. The same would amount to reporting expenses that are not allowed and thereby understating income and the related tax. The fact also that half of the cost of artwork was now claimed in the latest tax return with the consent of the CPA should support the argument that the method used earlier was an allowed by and therefore a tax avoidance was more applicable than tax evasion.4 This researcher views that Mr. Schneider has not fully complied with the professional norms of

REPORT OF NURSING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

REPORT OF NURSING - Essay Example Initially, some relevant statistics on stress in America would be presented prior to expounding on the causes and effects, as required. The statistics on stress have been monitored by Stress in America where the results have been published in the official website of the American Psychological Association (APA) as patterns were reportedly decreasing, over the past five years, as shown in Figure 1, below: Likewise, the report revealed that â€Å"more than 9 in 10 (94 percent) adults believe that stress can contribute to the development of major illnesses, such as heart disease, depression and obesity, and that some types of stress can trigger heart attacks, arrhythmias and even sudden death, particularly in people who already have cardiovascular disease (92 percent)† (APA, 2012, par. 12). The health-related concerns have been proven to be triggered by stress factors as presented below: The causes of stress was clearly illustrated in Figure 2 as ranging from financial factors, work, the status of the economy, relationships, responsibilities in the family, health problems that affect one’s family members, personal health problems, job stability, costs of housing, and personal safety, in decreasing order. The statistics revealed that in 2011, people become increasingly irritable or prone to anger (42%); feels nervous or anxious (39%); are easily fatigued (37%); feels depressed or sad (37%); have manifested lack of interest or motivation (35%); develops headache (32%); tendencies to cry (30%); complains of upset stomach or indigestion (24%) and exemplifies muscular tension (24%). These all confirm that different causes of stress directly impact people, as manifested through the physical and health concerns, as identified above. American Institute of Stress. N.d. Stress, Definition of Stress, Stressor, What is Stress? Eustress? [Online]. Available at: http://www.stress.org/topic-definition-stress.htm [Accessed 13 March

The Analysis of the Poem To his Coy Mistress Essay

The Analysis of the Poem To his Coy Mistress - Essay Example However, the lovers have no such time. ‘Seize the day,’ or carpe diem, in Latin, is how the phrase is translated. However, it literally means, ‘pluck the day.’ One must take the day at its face value and use it to its fullest extent. In other words, seizing the day, we must not waste a moment and/or take it for granted at all. Friendship, however, was an altogether entirely different animal. Friendship is particularly an interesting theme which Shakespeare the depths of which he was able to plumb. Before one every gets into a love relationship or a marriage, it’s important to be prepared in one’s mind, and spirit, for a relationship. One needs to have confidence in one’s friendships first. Friends have to know how to love themselves. This may seem like a no-brainer, but loving oneself is the first step to learn how to love someone else. One should love oneself unconditionally, just the way one is. One must, ultimately, love oneself, firs t and foremost. It’s not being selfish, it’s not being self-centered; one must simply be convinced of the fact that everyone deserves love just as much as anyone else. Loving oneself encompasses so much more than just liking oneself. Additionally, one must earn how to love others. In addition to loving oneself, and being one’s own friend, one must also learn how to love other people. ... One wants to be an emotionally strong person. One should show that one is strong enough to handle relationships by conveying one’s sense of emotional maturity. One must come into one’s own by realizing what is the childish way to handle a situation, and what is the grown-up answer to a problem. Once one takes accountability for one’s actions as a fully-functioning human being, then and only then can one be completely emotionally honest with oneself as well as other people. Without this kind of strength and understanding, it will be difficult to be in a relationship that will last for any length of time. The main importance of this poem, and the factor ‘why we should care,’ is because this poem is a call from the past to recognize the elemental nature of human life: that life is short, and—whether we have friendships and/or lovers, we should learn to cherish both because time passes quickly and, at any rate, is most definitely passing by at a r ate that is faster than we might expect. At the end, climaxing, the poet Marvell clearly states, â€Å"Let us roll our strength†¦into one sweet ball/†¦tearing†¦Through the iron gates of life.†2 Then he talks about making the sun stand still, and yet make it run. Marvell has shown, in this poem, the various epochs of life, why lovers should ‘seize the day,’ and the true meaning of life—that we should live it fully because we never should take our days for granted because we don’t know when it will end. Marvell’s poem speaks to the beauty of nature, the everlasting wonder of love, and touches upon so many chords that strike within us. Ultimately, he touches our hearts by reminding us that

Demographics of Durango Local Coffee Houses Research Paper

Demographics of Durango Local Coffee Houses - Research Paper Example Durango is indeed a small city relative to the highly commercialized and highly populated cities in New York and California. Out of the 5492 households, 22.4% have children below 18 years old who are still living with them, 34.2% of the population are married couples that live together while those under the age of 18 compose 16.6% of the population, 26.1% of the population from 18-24, 27.2% from 25-44 years old, 19.4% aged from 45-64 and 10.7% aged 65 or older (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). In terms of income, only 7.3% of the population live below the poverty line, the median income for Durango households $34, 892 and the median income for families $50,814, while male are recorded to have higher incomes than females by a discrepancy of almost $7000 (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). Currently, there are five top local coffee shops in the city- Durango Joe's on College, Magpies Newsstand, Durango Coffee Company, Steaming Bean and Starbucks in Durango. I have done an individual study on these five local coffee companies to answer the queries regarding the demography of people who frequent these local coffee shops. To know their target customers is also one of the goals of the study. In addition to this, I have also observed the marketing strategies, specifically the advertising strategies that these coffee shops employ to attract their target customers, through direct observation and further research. Durango Joe's on College Starting the year with a bang was Durango Joe's, after its owner Joe Lloyd received the Entrepreneur of the year Award in January. Having a simple philosophy and goal of making each person's day alive with a cup of coffee, Durango Joe's branches are sprouting up all over the town to reach many of its customers (Durango Joe's Coffee). Durango Joe's has recently opened a branch in Farmington to add to its existing branches. Given my observations, Durango Joe's is frequented by diverse types of people specifically of females, who are at early age, particularly of 15-20, 20-25 and 25-30 age groups and with men who are at their late stage, 30-40,40-50 and 50-60 age groups. The younger women who visit the store are usually those who access the net for school or job requirements or who just want to enjoy the comfort and peace of the store. With available personal computers and internet access, these are possible for any consumer. These women are also the ones who usually bring in their books to the store and read while also enjoying a cup of coffee. This has been a habit among the young people especially the women and this explains the higher number of young women in Durango Joe's. Among the groups, older men at the age of 40-50 registered the highest frequency of Durango Joe's visit. The reason for this is that most of these middle aged men do come in groups, being friends or officemates. Durango Joe's has been the popular hub of this group of people who dine for precious chat and laughter. With the recently launched, online ordering, Durango Joe's is not just spreading market to diners but also to those who need instant coffee satisfaction away from retail locations. Magpies Newsstand What exactly makes the

A Postmodern Paradox Essay Example for Free

A Postmodern Paradox Essay A Postmodern Paradox Postmodernism, a paradox in itself, challenges conformity in countless ways. Taking place after World War II, this movement is mainly characterized by its rejection of social constructs and its challenges to traditional forms of philosophy, literature, art, and religious authority. Ironically, while it defied categorizing, it became a category itself. Nevertheless, this movement has had a profound impact on countless literary, cinematographic, art, and philosophic works. Two works that have been profoundly influenced by postmodernism includes Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Opponent, and the elm and book The Hours, by Michael Cunningham. While both works have been influenced by modernism in separate ways, they ultimately share its key themes: an abstraction of time, a rejection of reality, and a search for higher purpose. Through the use of postmodernism themes and literary techniques, both the movie and book were able to convey that absolute truth does not exist because it is relative, intricate, and blurred. Occurring in the post-World War II era, postmodernism can be considered an intentional departure from previously dominant modernist approaches such as scientific positivism, realism, constructivism, formalism, and tapestries. Through its emphasis and use of power relations, binary classifications, fragmentation, paradox, dark humor, rejection of reality, sociology, linguistics, and subjectivism it constantly attacks contemporary life, art, literature, philosophy, religion, and ethics. In addition, it is characterized by a rejection of reality, claiming that transmutable validity cannot exist since reality is limited by concepts like time and sexuality. It is able to achieve its unique goals in literature and film through numerous literary devices. In literature, there are several devices frequently used by southernism writers to convey some of the main ideas of the movement. Of these devices the use of fragmenting, dark humor, satire, paradox, allusions, mixed point of view and interruption of form are the most frequently used. These devices allow writers to deal with topics like the absurdity of moral, philosophical, political, and authoritative relativism; in addition, these devices provide for a blurring of classifications and boundaries of societal structuring. Ultimately, postmodernists desire to condemn contemporary life, reject reality, and accept relativity and complexity in indefinite answers. The movement of postmodernism came about through a series of meaner. An important factor that contributed to the development was that it followed World War II. Before the war, modernism dominated the current literature of the time. This movement involved rationalism, reason, the scientific approach, optimism for human potential, and a pursuit of absolutely certain knowledge. However, in the wake of both World Wars, the climate was set for postmodernism as confidence in human progress, autonomy, and optimism were destroyed in battle. This permeating and predominantly pessimistic aura of thinking exulted in a series of books, films, artworks, and musical pieces that rejected reality, worldly concepts like time, renounced identity, and questioned the purpose of life. These themes clearly reflect the toll that war had on society; many people desired to marginality the horrors of war in a rejected reality, ostracize human error through a pitiful purpose of existence through fragmented viewpoints. The wars essentially brought about a pessimistic form of modernism that relished in the repudiation of absolute answers; for postmodernists nothing could ever be easily or fully explained. As postmodernist ideals began to develop and conglomerate they were influenced by countless individuals. One extremely influential individual was Linda Hutchison. Hutchison, who wrote several postmodernist works like A Theory of Parody, expressed a great deal of interest in self-reflexive approaches to texts through parodies that both legitimate and subvert that which it parodies (Introductory Guide to Critical Theory). Hutchison also coined the term historiographer metrification, which describes literary texts that assert an interpretation of the past but are also intensely self- flexi; these texts allow a double process of installing and ironing, parody signals how present representations come from past ones and what ideological consequences derive from both continuity and difference (Introductory Guide to Critical Theory). With historiographer metrification, writers can speak constructively about that past in a way that acknowledges the falsity and violence of the past without isolating the present. Many other writers, artists, composers, and directors have had a significant impact on the evolution of postmodernism as well. Key incepts of postmodernism have also developed and evolved through the influence of society and individuals. For example the term kitsch or stratification, which can be defined as the reduction of aesthetic objects or ideas into easily marketable forms, has a more widely accepted definition adopted by famous postmodern philosopher Jean Baudelaire: The kitsch object is commonly understood as one of that great army of trashy objects, made of plaster of Paris [stuck] or some such imitation material: that gallery of cheap Junk?accessories, folksy knickknacks, souvenirs, emphases or fake African masks?which proliferate everywhere, with a preference for holiday resorts and places of leisure (Consumer Society 109-10). Jean Baudelaire also offered a definition for simulacrum, defining it as Simulation is no longer that of a territory, a referential being, or a substance. It is the generation by models of a real without origin or reality: a hyperbole. It is no longer a question of imitation, nor duplication, nor even parody. It is a question of substituting the signs of the real for the real (The Precession of Simulacra 1-2). Postmodernism, like any literary movement, was molded and defined by society and intellectuals involved in its progression. The profound impact postmodernism had on Kurt Evensongs Slaughterhouse 5, through its use of frame-breaking, criticism of worldly concepts like time and war, exploration or reality and truth, simulacrum, and rejection of reality, satire, allowed for the novel to express its ultimate renunciation of an absolute truth in exchange for intricate and indefinable answers. In addition, it was able to express key concepts of post modernism through its use of postmodern iterate devices; many of these concepts included a search for a higher purpose, a renunciation of social structuring, and a rejection of reality. By expressing these concepts, Opponent follows the postmodernist ideals of historiographer metrification, and questioning the absurdity of contemporary life and conventional viewpoints of society. Frame-breaking, the linkage of separate subplots in a novel to unify the intricacies of an entire plot, contributed to the postmodernist impact on the novel by individuality. Frame-breaking takes place in the novel through the employment of Opponent as three characters of differing importance: the narrator, the protagonist, and a supporting character. Through frame-breaking, Opponent demonstrates that even the recount of a war experience does not hold a simple plot; it consists of a web of intermingled plots, ideas, characters, events, and concepts; this adheres to the postmodernist principle of blurred lines of interpretation and absolute truth. In addition, frame-breaking allows for a loss of identity. The loss of identity occurs when Opponent represents an omniscient force narrating the story as he simultaneously lays protagonist Billy Pilgrim, and a seemingly inconsequential supporting character. Opponent as an omniscient force demonstrates the renunciation of religion in postmodernist ideals; Opponent plays god, yet he is as trivial as any other human being. Furthermore, by telling his own story in the perspective of Billy Pilgrim this demonstrates how war results in a loss of identity, or the adoption of an alias. Rather than personalizing the story in a first person perspective, Opponent distances himself from the horrors of his past. Finally, by including himself as a prison mate in Billy Pilgrims story, this demonstrates how in postmodernism, all identities consolidate; the man that represented god and the protagonist is nevertheless a supporting character in the larger plot of the story. By disparaging his ultimate role in the novel, Opponent demonstrates that people are all essentially equal in life and in death- thus a loss of individualism. Through the use of simulacrum, which involves replacing reality with a representation, Opponent is able to criticize worldly concepts like time and war. For instance, by using the simulacrum of Transformable for Earth, e criticizes the necessity of war. Transformable represents a conglomeration of ideals he believes are optimal in achieving peace. However, instead of directly stating those concepts, Opponent employs a narrative and symbolism; this allows for a rejection of reality while criticizing war. Time is also criticized through a simulacrum of time traveling. Through time traveling the distinctness of years is blurred and time loses meaning as it is muddled together. This criticism of time is a unique postmodernist concept that is closely related to the criticism of social structuring. As postmodernist writer, Opponent denounces the traditional concept of time and replaces it with a web of linked yet intricate events. Simulacrum is also used in the plot of Billy Pilgrims Journey; rather than telling the story in the first person perspective, Opponent ostracizes himself thus criticizing the worldly concept of individualism and identity. Contrastingly, he links all frames of the story in the end of the novel to demonstrate that personal identity is futile when people are all equal in life and in death. In addition the concept of death is abandoned as Opponent accepts omelet equality of the human identity. By employing a plot dedicated to the exploration of reality and truth, Opponent demonstrates that the world according to postmodernists is full of blurred lines, undefined edges, and complex networks of relationships. Not only does the novel in its entirety consist of three convoluted interwoven subplots made up of smaller subplots, but it contains episodes of irrationality and science-fiction. This mixture of reality and science fiction represents a renunciation of reality for a combination of philosophy and fantasy; further mistreating that reality does not exist in a state of definable truth, but in limbo higher purpose is an impossibly multifaceted path that nevertheless ends the same as all others do: everything is connected and personal identity is trivial. The Hours, written by Michael Cunningham and directed by Stephen Deadly, has been manifestly impacted by postmodernism through its use of fragmenting, stratification , satire, and renunciation of worldly concepts like death to express postmodern ideals like a loss of identity or interconnection of all things. Through expressing these ideals, Cunningham was able to reject typical social and literary construct and ultimately convey that answers are not simple or absolute. Frame- breaking is employed in the hours through the eventual amassing of all three subplots within the novel to demonstrate the interconnectedness of all human identities. The novel is formatted in three separate spheres to demonstrate how as humans search their lives for purpose, they are unable to see how individualism and identity are inane. The three plots are eventually connected through death- another worldly concept denounced by postmodernists. Through death, the characters become linked to one another and the reader becomes aware of their unity; this demonstrates how death provides enlightenment and is not solely the end of a life. Additionally, frame-breaking allows the criticism of the concept of time. All three subplots take place in completely different eras, yet they have profound impact on one another despite this detriment; this demonstrates that time is merely a concept, rather than an obstacle, and cannot overcome the unity of humanity identity. Stratification and loss of identity are expressed through a variety of literary devices n The Hours to demonstrate that superficiality and identity are ultimately trivial in life. Stratification most chiefly occurs in the novel and film when the concept of love is reduced to a party and flowers; this becomes a criticism of superficiality upon the death of Richard when the party goes to waste. It signifies that the superficial form of love was powerless and inconsequential to Richards death and that death encompasses all. In addition, both Richard and Virgins death represents a loss of identity in that his life and accomplishment were evidently meaningless to them. In he end, they chose the namelessness of death as their path rather than a quest for a higher purpose or discovery of self-identity. Their deaths are a demonstration of the interconnectedness of life in that both writers commit suicide, creating a full circle to the complex web of relationships. Postmodernism, contradicts itself in its essence. Yet its use of paradoxes, satire, criticisms of the conventional, and quest for answers have had a profound impact on the development of literature, art, and society. While postmodernism will be phase in the history of writing, it will not cease to remind rites to question the norm, look past what is conventional, and defy typical form and construction.