Can the concept of security be defined should it be Essay

Can the concept of security be defined should it be - Essay Example In addition, while there is an agreement on the broadening agenda of security, incriminate expansion of the concept, hinders intellectual coherence of the concept and the security field. More importantly, the remaining importance of the question of war and violence under international anarchy cannot be ignored. This paper begins by questioning what security is and identifying its conceptual difficulties. This includes an examination of conflicting theories in Security Studies. Secondly, the narrow concept of security defined by traditional theory developed during the Cold War is discussed. Thirdly, proponents in favour of extending the concept of security in more detail are examined as well as the different dimensions of security challenging traditional concepts. Fourthly, limitations arising out of indiscriminate expansion of the concept are examined. Fifthly, a critical analysis of contemporary discourse which comes across as Eurocentric will be conducted. In this regard, the need for the strong and the weak in the same context is suggested. Finally, a conclusion is provided suggesting that relational thinking should be applied to security studies. Introduction Security studies dramatically developed in response to the development and spread of nuclear weapons and the corresponding conflicts between two superpowers during the Cold War influencing the growth of international relations (IR) theory. After World War (WW) II, the nuclear arms race between the US and the former Soviet Union produced myriad strategic concepts characterized by the balance of power, bipolar world, containment and deterrence comprising the major issues during the Cold War. Realist theory emerged dominating IR, displacing the earlier emphasis on international law and organisations. Rational problem solving emphasizes scientifically calculating interest, cost and the best alternatives. The central question for strategists during the Cold War was how states could states could use weapons of mass destruction as policy instruments, given the risk of nuclear exchange (Walt, 1991, p.214). Cold War security discourse therefore required a reflection of the immediate reality and as a result, historical and cultural contexts were largely ignored or relegated to low politics. For example strategic theory failed to satisfactorily explain theVietnam War as there was little attention to Vietnamese cultural context and instead relied on expectations that the Vietnamese adversary would conform to academic models (Kolodziej, 2005, p.23). With the collapse of the former Soviet Union and thus the end of the Cold War, low politics gained currency, commanding the adoption of a new concept of security by expanding on the traditional concept. Thus, in 1994 the UNDP advocated for a transition 'from nuclear security to human security' which included issues such as ‘hunger, disease and repression', and 'protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions'. In 1995, the International Commi ssion on Global Governance recommended that international security must be reconceptualised to direct attention ‘to the security of people and the planet.' In other words, difficulties for mankind generally or specific communities are now conceptualized as security risks. Changes in the past have resulted in changes in conditions and thus have corresponded with changes relative to the concept of securit

A PERSPECTIVE OF SKILLS NEEDED BY MODERN PROJECT MANAGER TO AVOID Dissertation

A PERSPECTIVE OF SKILLS NEEDED BY MODERN PROJECT MANAGER TO AVOID DELAY PENALTIES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS - Dissertation Example They face a number of challenges that revolve around construction issues such as time constraints, workforce considerations, safety and continually shifting nature of work. They also face non construction related challenges such as government regulations, legal issues, socio-political pressures and environmental concerns. It is thus important to find out how we can raise the efficiency of project managers to enable them in managing projects effectively and avoiding delays in the implementation of the project plan and in turn avoiding delay penalties. This research thus sets out to identify the skills lacking in project managers that result in failure to avoid delays in construction projects. The research question is thus – What are the skills needed by modern day project managers to avoid delay penalties in construction projects? The findings of this study will help in providing an insight into the skills needed by project managers to avoid delay penalties in construction proj ects. The research involved a questionnaire survey of 100 project managers in Kuwait. The survey findings showed that lack of experience, leadership skills, project planning skills, communication skills and knowledge related to contracts and project management are the major skills lacking in project managers. This calls for a more integrated approach towards developing their skills. Recommendations have been discussed. The research suffers from small sample size, lack of specificity to Kuwait, and bias due to no tests of significance. Acknowledgment I would like to thank everyone who gave me a hand to accomplish this research, and many thanks to my academic mentor – Mr. Tony Phillips. I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who have provided support, allowed me to quote their remarks and assisted in editing, proofreading and design. This research is the epitome of great efforts exerted to bring about such fruitful output. Last but not least, I appreciate and no t to forget the great help and the full support I received from my parents and my wife. Table of Contents List of Figures 7 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 8 Chapter 1 9 Introduction 9 1.1. Status of the Construction Industry in Kuwait 9 1.2. Construction Delays 13 1.3. Challenges of Construction Projects 13 1.4 Problem Statement 15 1.5. Aim and Objective of the Research 16 1.6. Rationale and Need for the Study 17 1.7. Significance of the Study 18 Chapter 2 20 Literature Review 20 2.1. Project Managers – Skills and Characteristics 20 2.2. Complexities of Project Management in the Construction Industry 24 2.3. Challenges Faced by Construction Project Managers 37 2.4. Research on Causes of Delays in Construction Projects 41 Chapter 3 46 Research Methodology 46 3.1. Type and Design of Research 46 3.2. Data Collection Methods 47 3.3. Analysis Methods 51 3.4. Ethics 52 3.5. Relevance of this Research to Project Management in Kuwait 53 3.6. Justification for Chosen Research Meth od 53 Chapter 4 55 Analysis of Data 55 4.1. Demographics, Education and Training 56 4.2. Understanding of Project Management 58 4.3. Holding Consultants Responsible for Penalties and Contractors for Delays 58 4.4. Knowledge Related Aspects 60 4.5. Skills that are Lacking 62 4.6. Problems of