Leadership and Organizatioinal Change Research Proposal

Leadership and Organizatioinal Change - Research Proposal Example Background to the Study Leaders are critical in change process given the role they play in the entire process. Leaders, for example, develop vision and strategy for the organization, create the need for change, identify new approaches to adopt, and even empower employees to take part in change process (Seidman and McCauley, 2011, p.47). As a result, leaders are critical to the success of change process. However, modern organizations due to internationalization and globalization have people from different cultures, backgrounds, ethnics, and so on. Given that, these people have to work together and help organizations achieve their goals, best ways have to be found on how well such people from diverse cultures can work together for the good of the organization. This therefore requires leadership teams of organizations to identify and implement the best strategies in order to establish cross-cultural teams that help organization achieve its goals. Although there is growing literature con cerning the positive role cross cultural teams plays in enabling organizations realize goals (Voutsas, 2011, pp. 116-117) there is little literature concerning how leadership teams can participate in establishing the most effective cross-cultural teams. Statement of the Problem Due to numerous dynamics in the environment, business managers and leaders have found change to be inevitable. Organizations have found out that having a heterogeneous workforce in globalized world is unavoidable. As a result, more and more people from different cultures are likely to work together in one organization. Due to this, organizations’ leadership has to find the best ways of establishing and managing effective cross-cultural teams in order to achieve objectives of the organization. Purpose of the Study The aim of this study is to establish the appropriate ways organizational leadership can take part in establishing effective cross-cultural teams in an organization. This will be achieved thro ugh analyzing a number of international firms that have heterogeneous workforce. Objectives The objective of the study is to identify and analyze strategies used buy firms to establish effective cross-cultural teams. The understanding is that organizational change can effectively be carried out through the input of cross-cultural teams. Research Questions This study will be guided by the following research questions: What strategic role can cross-cultural teams play in change management of an organization? How can organizational leadership create and sustain effective cross-cultural teams? Hypothesis Effective cross-cultural teams should promote good: communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, leadership, and collaboration, which in turn are likely to results into effective organizational change. a) Independent variable The independent variable to be studied includes the function of cross-cultural teams in an organization. b) Dependent variable The dependent variables to be studied include skills with regard to communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationship, leadership, and

The Role of Japan of World War ll Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Role of Japan of World War ll - Essay Example Japan started a war with China in 1937. In an effort to end the war of Japan against China, President Roosevelt shut off American trade with the Japanese, which made Japan more aggressive than before. The Japanese increasingly continued to look for strategic resources and raw materials southwards. However, the United States stood firmly, in Japan’s path. The United States pacific fleet at the Pearl Harbor was the only threat force with the capacity of challenging the Japan’s navy (Black, 2003). The American bases located at the Philippines also threatened the contact lines linking the East Indies and Japan islands. Every oil tanker heading to Japan had to pass through American-held Luzon. From these constraints, the Japanese war plans emerged. In analyzing this assignment, the assignment will discuss the role played by Japan in World War II. Based on this, background information on Japan that triggered the World War II will be discussed. In addition, the outcome of the war will also be discussed. Japan stood ready to overcome the whole South Asian Peninsula and the Dutch Indies, which was rich in oil. This planned conquer was as a result of Japanese lacking raw materials for its growing industries (Williams, 2005). The desire to conquer the Dutch Indies and the South Asian Peninsula angered the United States and an embargo developed between Japan and the United States. Negotiations targeted at ending the differences between the two countries failed since the countries were at odds with each other. The United States used force to make Japan withdraw from war against China and renounce alliance with Italy and Germany in 1940 (Williams, 2005). The Japanese were against the move by the United States; Japan was secretly planning an attack on the Philippines, Hawaii, and Guam. In 1941, the Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor, which was viewed as a desperate action by Japan to escape from an earlier choice imposed by the United States.

United Arab Emirates Essay Example for Free

United Arab Emirates Essay In his article titled â€Å"United Arab Emirates† Sulayman Najm Khalaf gives an interesting overview of the UAE, one of the richest and most prosperous countries in the world. He briefly covers a wide range of subjects that concern the way of life of the Emirati society and vary from the country’s location and geography, its history, ethnic and social composition, political institutions, social welfare, the history of economic development, urbanization to the family life of its citizens, religion, child rearing, education, eating habits, etiquette, etc (Khalaf). Khalaf’s brief account of gender roles and statuses in the Emirati society now make me see the role of women in the country’s social, political, religious, or artistic life in a slightly different way. Although it is a well known fact that Emirati women, like women in many other Muslim countries, do not have the same rights and opportunities as men regardless of whatever the country’s government officials may declare, I did believe they had a greater influence on many aspects of social life and better access to the country’s politics than they actually have. I was also surprised to learn that in spite of the high ratio of the number of educated women in the UAE and their impressive performance in schools and universities, most of them tend to get married early, instead of taking the existing career opportunities, and actually choose to dedicate themselves to raising children and managing domestic affairs. I wrongly believed that the current status of women in the UAE was somewhat approaching the status of women in Western countries. In his article Khalaf describes some aspects of the special relationship between four principal social classes existing in the United Arab Emirates on the one hand, and between the Emirati nationals and the immigrants on the other hand. I was not aware of the high importance which is attached to the division of the nationals into social classes, their roles in â€Å"Page # 2† the Emirati society, and particularly the obvious impossibility for their members to move from a lower social group to a higher one. The article also changed my beliefs about the existence of equal opportunities for the citizens of the United Arab Emirates. Despite apparent openness and equality that I believed were typical of the country, and also tolerance for other ethnic or religious groups, now I am quite aware of the visible existence of gender discrimination and discrimination against other cultural or religious groups which, what is particularly shocking for a Westerner, are overtly encouraged by the state. As far as discrimination against the immigrants is concerned, now that I have read Khalaf’s article I am inclined to believe that the incomers are tolerated in the UAE not out of a sense of Emirati hospitality that is often advertised abroad, but because the country needs them and their low paid labor and services. This can be substantiated, for example, by the fact that the nationals that are just a minority group representing only 20% of the population are favored by most state laws or business regulations (Khalaf). Despite being a multiethnic society, the UAE grants privileges to and appears to protect the interests of only one ethnic group reserving other groups for a sustainable but nonetheless a relatively decent, by local standards, existence. It can be thus concluded that equal opportunities as we understand them in the West simply do not exist in the United Arab Emirates. The author explains that apart from Islam which is the country’s official religion foreign incomers can open and attend their own places of worship, too. But, as he emphasizes in the article, the majority of immigrants are of Asian or Arab descent following Islam. Khalaf does not mention, for example, how many, if any, practicing Christians or Buddhists as well as their churches or temples there are in the country. It would be also interesting to find out more about how the UAE regulates the inflow of immigrants from the much poorer countries of the region. Little does the author say about certain aspects of the country’s â€Å"Page # 3† political life, for example, how the president and his deputy are elected and by whom, how the judiciary is formed, etc. REFERENCES: 1. Khalaf, S. N. United Arab Emirates. Retrieved April 17, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_gx5228/is_2001/ai_n19144272

Improving Operational Effectiveness and Customer Service

Improving Operational Effectiveness and Customer Service Case Study: Improving operational effectiveness and customer service at Gant Logistics 1.0 Introduction Nowadays, the term of â€Å"logistics† has become a necessary word relate to the normal life. Many logistics business has developed rapidly. In this report, the Gant Logistic is the company which is buyout a business logistics business to make up of the current new business. There is no doubt as a new business establish as the difficulties will come out. The purpose of the report is to analyse what kind of problem that Gant Logistics faced up, what kind difficulties need to be overcome. The aim of this report is help the initial business become developed faster and improved the disadvantages. Furthermore, the report will analyse the scope of the business. Overview of logistics information systems and technologies. 2.1 Essential features Logistics management is very important for achieve an efficient and customer-oriented logistics service of a logistics company. It is a part of supply chain, it plans, implement and controls the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, materials and any information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customer requirements. It contains materials management, cannel management, and distribution and supply-chain management. Logistics automation is another feature of an efficient and customer-oriented logistics service. It is the application of computer software, to improve the efficiency of logistics operations. The industrial machinery can easily identify products by transmitted through radio frequency and is usually used in RFID tags, sometimes by bar code. The supply chain management system enables the business to meet the demands of their customer more effectively and efficiently. It can helps companies to process orders much more quickly and effectively to ensure customer needs are addressed quickly. It is also provide company lowers cost, improved collaboration, give cycle times, response to conflict. The Customer Relationship Management is very important to maintain customer-oriented logistics service because is support the effective management of customer relationships and lifecycle, from initial lead right through to after sales activity. Microsoft Dynamics CRM is good to use in Gant Logistics Ltd. Because it turning Microsoft Outlook into a single center that can organize customers data, offering familiarity, functionality and flexibility in management of communications. It helps company increase efficient of customer service. Using Enterprise Resource Planning systems is another essential feature of an efficient and customer-oriented logistics service. It integration across all business process, make business more efficient, faster and less error, enhanced productivity, increase overall performance and quality reports and performance analysis, it also integrate with supplier and customer systems enhance full visibility and efficiency across the business supply chain. Allow customers to track their parcels, delivery fast, customer service and delivery couriers attitude are also the essential features of an efficient and customer-oriented logistic service. Modeling and management of decision making, tracking and tracing are include in the information system, which is very important as well. It gives essential data and consolation in each step of the interaction among logistics services and the target station. A well-developed transportation system is also the essential features of an efficient logistics ser vices. Without a good transportation system, logistics could not bring its advantages and will decrease the efficient and customers. It also will cost a lot to the company. 2.2 Main types of information systems As Gant Logistics Ltd is a new business, it is important and necessary to set up two key elements that help the business developed which are operational efficiency and customer orientation. Although the two elements has been organised, the business still need an efficient information system and technologies to organise. The term of information system is connect the relative information to support the business decision making and control in organisation (Management information systems 2015, Pxxi). The Gant Logistics business is focus on logistics and transport, so supply chain management systems will be one of the information systems that improve the business more effectiveness. Another system to support market function is decision support system and enterprise resource planning system. Supply chain management system is the active management which maximise customer value and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage activities (Robert 2011). The main function for supply chain management is transformation, movement and storage of goods and materials. For Gant Logistics the operational efficiency is the key element to grow business, during the process movement of the product has to be organised well, appropriate timing, check goods quality and quantity, and organise quick delivery process is the components for operational efficiency. Unsuccessfully and inappropriate communication would drag the business to failure. Therefore, timely communication and technology-enabled visibility lead business to organise production correctly and modify the potential problem. Logistics business 3.0 Recommendations 3.1 Information systems and technologies 3.1.1 Inventory management system Inventory management system is to scan inventory items, for example, feature licenses and hardware components. Hardware components are installed in the routing platform, both of part and serial number. Feature licenses enable software features to run on a routing platform. It is advisable for Gant to introduce inventory management software into its inventory management system. It will maintain a timely track of orders, inventory levels, shipments and other items. As for certain products, which might be sold together at most time, or are more popular in the market, it can be grouped by inventory management software and be placed together (Barbosa Musetti, 2010). Considering potential market and delivery destination, inventory management software placed all the products near the delivery area, in order to speed up daily operation of warehouse, which is beneficial for manufactures, distributors, wholesalers and retailers. Inventory management system will contribute to the optimization of warehouse and distribution centers. Since Gant has a number of distribution centers in 11 locations and deliver various products such as fast-moving consumer goods and domestic appliance. It is difficult to find out the exact goods listed on the inventory order. Introduction of inventory management software will increase the efficiency of keeping and picking up of products. Inventory management software enables Gant to manage and automate track the receipts, adjustments, transfers and stock counts in the warehouse. 3.1.2 Third-party logistics Third-party logistics refers to the supply chain including both its own suppliers and outsourced suppliers, to fulfill its overall objectives. It requires for an integrated operation both in warehousing and transportation services, which can be scaled and customized in accordance with the changeable market conditions, such as additional demands for goods and materials. Once there is an integration of procurement or production of goods, the company shall call the third-party logistic providers for help (Helo Szekely, 2005). It is a particular operation in the overall supply management, including raw material provision, warehousing and transportation. Fuel cost is a major cost element for Gant’s business, with an annual fuel bill in excess of $60 million. It operates distribution centers in 11 locations across Australia and utilizes a fleet of 182 trucks. It is essential for Gant to reduce its fuel cost and increase its operational efficiency. Third-party logistics allows Gant to transfer its pressure to third party and enjoy a cost saving. There are 3 main types of third-party logistics providers, which are asset based, management based and integrated providers (Cheng Phillips, 2011). It is advisable for Gant to choose the third one, in order to maintain flexible operation, reduce capital commitment, save both cost and time. 3.1.3 Customer-oriented model Unlike former strategic goals in logistic system, which emphasizes greatly on profitability and market share, customer-oriented model highly value customer service in the entire supply chain. The Quick Response is the key to success of the customer-oriented model. Gant shall recognize customers’ changeable demand and react to it as soon as possible. Quick Response requires for a closer cooperation among all the participants in the supply chain, including manufacturers, deliverers, wholesalers, retail sellers, etc, so that the cost of customer service are able to be reduced to the minimum. Gant shall gain the key information on customer’s demand in time and make the most of it in the supply chain. Modern logistic technologies shall be introduced to the logistic system, such as EDI (Hazen Byrd, 2012). Customer-oriented model are carried out through out the overall logistic processes. It requires for redesigning in manufacturing operations, good partner relations in negot iation, shorter periods in delivery, timely information sharing in communication, fast transport and TQM obligations. It is of great significance for Gant to set up customer-oriented model, for the reason that it helps the company to boost sales volume and cut costs, which is good for all the participants in the supply chain. 3.1.4 Drivers monitoring system All the trucks in Gant shall be equipped with console-mounted cameras. Cameras are able to track the drivers’ eyes behavior, when they are driving. When drivers are found to nod-off, they will be alarmed through Bluetooth earpiece. With a customized sound or gentle vibration, drivers will be waked by this driver fatigue alarm. In addition to that, sensors shall be embedded in the truck seat, which are able to measure electrocardiography of drivers, known as ECG (Gruenwald, 2013). Sensors are able to measure drivers’ heart rate variability, so that assess the stability of drivers heart rate, from beat to beat. When drivers are tired or sleepy, their heart rate will slow down greatly, which will be detected by the sensor. This information will also start up driver fatigue alarms in the truck. It is necessary for Gant to introduce cameras and sensors in their logistic system, for the reason that it is to resolve serious issue of driver fatigue. These technologies will enab le Gant to carry out real-time monitoring on driver’s healthy and efficiency, as well as to eliminate the negative impact brought by driver fatigue as much as possible. 3.2 Schedule for implementation Time Strategy Operations 1st year Inventory management system Inventory management software Drivers monitoring system Sensors, cameras, alarms 2nd year Customer-oriented model Quick response in all the processes 3rd year Third party logistics Integrated providers 4.0 Conclusion Gant is a new company formed from the management buyout of a transport and logistics business. There are a couple of issues in its current operation, such as high fuel cost and low operation efficiency. Strategies shall be set up to deal with these issues, such as set up inventory management system and drivers monitoring system, introduce customer-oriented model and select third-party logistics providers. There is no doubt that a series of difficulties will be met during Gant’s development in logistics system. It is necessary for Gant to keep a timely record and share information with its partners, in order to quick response to the changeable market condition. 5.0 References Barbosa, D. Musetti, M. (2010), â€Å"Logistics information systems adoption: An empirical investigation in Brazil†, Industrial Management Data Systems, vol. 110, no. 6, pp 787-804. Cheng, L. Phillips, J. (2011), â€Å"Geographic information system applications in supply chains†, International Journal of Business Research, vol. 11, no. 5, pp 131-136. Gruenwald, H. (2013), â€Å"Logistics software from a logistic management and management information systems (MIS) perspective†, Information Management and Business Review, vol. 5, no. 12, pp 591-597. Hazen, B. Byrd, T. (2012), â€Å"Toward creating competitive advantage with logistics information technology†, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 42, no. 1, pp 8-35. Helo, P. Szekely, B. (2005), â€Å"Logistics information systems: An analysis of software solutions for supply chain coordination†, Industrial Management Data Systems, vol. 105, no. 1, pp 5-18. Management Information Systems, 2015, introduction to information systems, 1st end, Heather Gray,Issa, Grame, Indrit, Kelly,Brad and Hugh, viewed 28 May 2015, Vitalsouce bookshelf ebook database. Robert , H 2011, â€Å"What is supply chain management?† The Supply Chain Resource Cooperative, viewed 28 May 2015, http://scm.ncsu.edu/scm-articles/article/what-is-supply-chain-management>. http://www.scs.org/pubs/jdms/vol2num2/Kustra-Ganapathy-pp71-86.pdf

Invisible Man :: Literary Analysis, Ralph Ellison

Ralph Ellison uses symbolism in the first chapter of Invisible Man to illustrate the culture in which he lived and was raised. In the chapter, entitled â€Å"Battle Royal†, Ellison intends to give his graduation speech to the white elite of his community. However, before her can deliver said speech, he is forced to perform humiliating tasks. The use of symbols is evident throughout â€Å"Battle Royal† particularly with regard to the Hell imagery, power struggle, and the circus metaphor. The setting of the chapter is significantly symbolic. The story takes place in a luxurious ballroom, which Ellison has masterfully transformed into Hell. This is the smoker. The men in the audience are â€Å"smoking black cigars† (1255). The room was â€Å"foggy with cigar smoke† even though the room is described as large and has a high ceiling (1255). The narrator also gives these men animalistic qualities that essentially revealing them to be savages. They are seen â€Å"wolfing down food† (1254). Later, they â€Å"run laughing and howling after [the dancing woman]† (1257). Although far less of a ravenous image, the narrator even compares the perverted old man to an intoxicated panda. The narrator also describes them as having â€Å"red faces† (1259). In this characterization the men seemingly have all the characteristics of demons in Hell. The Hell image is advanced further when the fighters are blindfolded. The narrator explains, â€Å"..now I felt a sudden fit of blind terror.† (1257). When the fight begins, he adds, â€Å"[t]he smoke had become thicker and with each new blow it seemed to sear and further restrict my lungs. My saliva became like hot bitter glue.† (1258). The men demonstrate their authority over him and his classmates. A prime instance of this is the dancing woman. The ten fighters were positioned in the front of the ballroom. Then the woman was exhibited, all eyes were on her. She was completely naked, except for her makeup and a tattoo of the American flag. Her face was â€Å"heavily powdered and rouged†¦ [her] eyes hollow and smeared a cool blue.† (1256). She represents America, and therefore freedom. The men in the audience even though they are just as fixated as the fighters, have more control. In their society, they are allowed to look at a white woman. The fighters however, are black, and therefore are supposed to suppress any thoughts regarding her so they do not get killed. This display also serves to rob them of some of their masculinity.

Th Future of Hip Hop Essay -- Hip Hop Music, Total Chaos

From its conception in the 1970's and throughout the 1980's, hip hop was a self-contained entity within the community that created it. This means that all the parameters set for the expression came from within the community and that it was meant for consumption by the community. Today, the audience is from outside of the community and doesn’t share the same experiences that drive the music. An artists’ success hinges on pleasing consumers, not the community. In today's world, it isn’t about music that rings true for those who share the artists' experiences, but instead, music that provides a dramatic illusion for those who will never share the experiences conveyed. This has radically changed the creative process of artists and the diversity of available music. Most notably, it has called in to question the future of hip hop. In Total Chaos, Jeff Chang references Harry Allen, a hip hop critic and self-proclaimed hip hop activist. Harry Allen compares the hip hop movement to the Big Bang and poses this complex question: â€Å"whether hip-hop is, in fact a closed universe-bound to recollapse, ultimately, in a fireball akin to its birth-or an open one, destined to expand forever, until it is cold, dark, and dead† (9). An often heard phase, â€Å"hip hop is dead,† refers to the high occurrence of gangster rap in mainstream hip hop. Today’s hip hop regularly features black youths posturing as rich thugs and indulging in expensive merchandise. The â€Å"hip hop is dead† perspective is based on the belief that hip hop was destined to become the model of youth resistance and social change. However, its political ambitions have yet to emerge, thus giving rise to hip hops’ criticisms. This essay will examine the past and present of hip hop in o... ... in which the expansion never ends, but all vitality is lost. The past shows us that hip hop has transformed and evolved; it doesn’t have to end and it doesn’t have to lose its momentum. Works Cited Chang, Jeff. Total Chaos: The Art and Aesthetics of Hip-hop. New York: BasicCivitas, 2006. Print. Farley, Christopher J. "Rapper Nas Says Maybe Hip Hop Isn't Dead After All." Wall Street Journal, 20 May 2010. Web. Merwin, Scott. "From Kool Herc to 50 Cent, the Story of Rap -- so Far." Pittsburgh Post- Gazette, 15 Feb. 2004. Web. Nas. 2006. â€Å"Hip Hop is Dead.† Hip Hop is Dead. Def Jam Recordings. Nas. 2006. â€Å"Hope.† Hip Hop is Dead. Def Jam Recordings. Rose, Tricia. The Hip Hop Wars: What We Talk about When We Talk about Hip Hop - and Why It Matters. New York: BasicCivitas, 2008. Print. Williams, Saul. 2004. â€Å"Telegram.† Saul Williams. Fader Record Label.

Renaissance history

â€Å"Renaissance is a term with a variety of meanings, but is used widely in discussion of European history. Renaissance originates from the Latin word â€Å"Rinascere† and refers to the act of being reborn. It is believed that during the time from about 1400AD to around 1600AD, Europe was reborn. Originally the term Renaissance only referred to the time when man rediscovered the knowledge of the ancient Greeks and Romans. However, modern historians have realized these rediscoveries were also crucial to the formation of modern culture. The term Renaissance is now used to indicate all the historical developments that have inspired the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of modern history. Thus, the term Renaissance has now taken on a more significant meaning: not only does the Renaissance mean the rebirth of knowledge, but also represents a step from the past and a leap towards the future. The Renaissance overlapped the end of a period in European history called the Middle Ages. During this time, the great accomplishments of the ancient Greeks and Romans had been largely, though not entirely forgotten. With the ending of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance great cultural movement arose. Beginning in Italy, the new Renaissance spirit spread to England, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and other countries. In Italy during the 14th and 15th centuries certain scholars and historians began to display a remarkable new historical self-consciousness. They believed their own time was a new age, at once sharply different from the barbaric darkness which was imagined had occurred in the centuries before. They grew to believe that there was more to be discovered about mankind and the world, than medieval people had known. The Italians are very eager to rediscover what clever Greeks and Romans had known in ancient times, as well as making their own intelligent attempts to understand the world. This renewed interest in the world and in mankind is called Humanism. Humanism was the most significant intellectual movement of the Renaissance. Humanism during the Renaissance received its name from one of the earliest concerns of the humanists: the need of a new education curriculum that would empathize a group of subjects known collectively as the ‘Studia Humanitatis† involving grammar, history, poetry, ethics, and rhetoric. However, this new education curriculum conflicted directly with the traditional education, which involved logic, science and physics, and often sharp clashes occured between the two educators. However, more was at stake than the content of education. The traditional education was intended chiefly to prepare students for careers in medicine, law, and above all theology. To Renaissance humanists this seemed too narrow, too abstract and too exclusively intellectual. They proposed a system of education that centred on the general responsibilities of citizenship and social leadership. Humanities essential contribution to the modern world is not found in its concern with ancient knowledge, but in its new attitude of flexibility and openness to all the possibilities in life. With people receiving education-involving leadership, they began to gain more confidants. More people began to reject ideas about science put forward by the ancient Greeks and began to search for the truth. They realized that the Greeks† ideas were often intelligent, but also often wrong. Many people still did not want the old ideas disapproved, and threatened scientists to stop having new ideas. However, this did not stop many brilliant scientific inventions being produced at this time. A great scientist of the Renaissance was the Polish student Nicolaus Copernicus who developed the theory that the earth was a moving planet. He is considered the founder of modern astronomy. In Copernicus† time, most astronomers accepted the theory the Greek astronomer Ptolemy had formulated nearly 1400 years earlier. Ptolemy stated that the Earth was the centre of the universe and motionless. He also stated that all the observed motions of the heavenly bodies were real and that those bodies moved in complicated patterns around the Earth. As the church supported Ptolemy theory no one dared to challenge it until Copernicus. Copernicus believed Ptolemy†s theory was too complicated. He decided that the simplest and most systematic explanation was that every planet, including the Earth, revolved around the sun. The Earth also had to spin around its axis once every day. Copernicus couldn†t prove his theory, but his explanation of heavenly motion was mathematically strong and was less complicated than Ptolemy†s theory. The later work of later scientists such as Galileo Galilei helped to prove that Copernicus† theory was correct. Galileo was a Florentine physicist, philosopher, and inventor, whose name became the chief emblem of Renaissance science and of ensuing technological revolution. In 1609, he heard that the rulers of Florence and Venice were searching for someone who could invent an instrument that made distant objects appear closer. Galileo set to work to construct one, and within a few days he had finished, naming it a telescope. During the winter, he turned his telescope to the sky with startling results. He announced that the moon surface was quite similar to earth†s – irregular and mountainous; the Milky Way was made up of a host of stars; and the planet Jupiter is accompanied by at least four satellites. The electrifying effects of these discoveries were amazing. They showed the human senses could be aided artificially to discover new truths about nature, something that neither philosophy nor theology had previous contended with. However, most importantly Ptolemy†s astronomical theory was impossible. Galileo had proven Copernicus theory correct. Galileo had great importance upon the history of ideas. The Renaissance produced many important people who invented or theorized very important advances in history. They all became strong symbols of revolt against the forces of authority, whilst the Renaissance flourished with the power of question. The Renaissance period provided modern culture with a variety of advances in technology, art, science and most importantly it gave mankind confidence. The ancient civilizations, in particular the Greeks and Romans, laid the foundations for civilizations and the Renaissance added the most important ingredient; the ability to ask why. It is appropriate to use the label ‘Rebirth† to describe European history in the 15th and 16th centuries.