Management Research Proposal Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management Research Proposal - Assignment Example Being able to increase profit margins has been one of the main points of interest among most shareholders (Moynihan 2012). Top managements of organizations have found themselves in the state of concentrating their attention towards profit maximization, as desired by shareholders. However there is one important aspect of management that need to be given attention by shareholders, management and other members of staff in an organization. Both non-profit and profit making organizations need to identify monitor and benchmark their operational activities. The progress of organizations can not just be measured in terms of profits made only but a thorough understanding of key performance factors has to be considered (Ngo 2013). Various assessment techniques need to be used by organizational management in determining the progress as well as impacts brought about by their operational activities. Managers ought to determine all relevant factors detailing the progress made by their organization (IÅŸÄ ±k 2013). Since the visions, missions and goals are aimed at outlining activities as well as offering guidelines on the desired actions to be undertaken by organizations, managers need to keep track of progress attained (Luo 2012). Therefore, this research proposal will seek to determine the need for organizational managers to embrace performance indicators in assessing the level of progress achieved (PopoviÄ  2012). The main reason leading to selection of the role of performance indicators towards success of business an organization was as a result of interacting with managers from different organizations. Most of them were concerned about identifying approaches that could enable them monitor the progress registered by their organizations as well as gauging achievements that can be clearly presented to both internal and external clients. Almost every successful business organizations apply performance indicators.

Laboratory Informstion System for Academic Medical Center Coursework

Laboratory Informstion System for Academic Medical Center - Coursework Example pag). Also, it is more convenient to use considering the speed and the volume of data available in the system (Robinson n. pag). Lastly, it facilitates more efficient project management: a single service provider gives more detailed, responsive, and coordinated action in times of system errors or even, in the regular maintenance of the system. B. An example of a fully integrated solution is the HNA Millenium  ®, a system built to automate electronic medical record, patient care ordering, review of resident orders, closed-loop medication management, health information management, and access management (Krishna 18). For its laboratory system component, it seeks to reduce the average turn-around time for laboratory and radiology reports (â€Å"The Gemini Project† 117). Diagnostic results are expected to be made available to the physician within seconds after verification. Another example of an integrated solution is Matrix’s Tafnit ERP system, a comprehensive solution fo r laboratory functions. It installs the â€Å"Autolab† LIS that is used to issue referrals and obtain data for billing (â€Å"Assuta Medical Centers† n. pag). ... pag). Scenario 2 Detailed Requirements Document i. Stakeholders The most essential initiative in an organization is to provide the needs of its stakeholders--for without them [stakeholders], an organization works as good as nothing. Incorporating radiology images into the Personal Health Record System would further advance this initiative and is expected to benefit various stakeholders. Below is the list of the prospective stakeholders with their corresponding needs: 1. Patients- More than anyone else, they are the ones who would want timely and easy access to services. Remarkably, patients today have low levels of tolerance for delayed or lost reports and films. Patients’ minimum expectation [that needs to be served] is to receive quickly generated, readily available, and reliable radiological reports (Thrall). 2. Referring physicians- As much as possible, physicians would like to have timely access to patient information. For decades, film handling and delivery systems for h ard-copy reports have frustrated physicians because of these systems’ inefficiency and poor reliability (Thrall). 3. Hospitals- Primarily confronted with severe cost-cutting pressures, hospitals seek to find cost-cutting measures: lowering the average lengths of stay, cutting the length of care-process cycle, as well as eliminating some unnecessary inpatient days. Interestingly, hospitals are eyeing on the radiology department to achieve the aforementioned objectives (Thrall). 4. Radiologists- Similar to physicians, these key stakeholders are also confronted with unreliable and inefficient hard-copy film management systems. A more improved infrastructure for practice-support and implementation of systems is vital for their tasks (Thrall). ii.

Continuum Of Care Outline Essay Example for Free

Continuum Of Care Outline Essay I. Introduction II. Stakeholders A. The â€Å"description of the roles of various stakeholders in the health care industry who are involved in the continuum of care† (University of Phoenix, 2015). 1. Who the patients are. 2. Who the employees are. 3. Who the payers are. 4. Who the providers are. B. â€Å"How the component contributes to or detracts from the overall management of health care resources† (University of Phoenix, 2015). 1. Is this a positive or negative affect? III. Services provided and employees’ role(s). A. â€Å"Discuss the services provided and how these services fit into the continuum of care† (University of Phoenix, 2015). 1. What services are provided? 2. How do these services fit into the continuum of care? 3. â€Å"The role of transitioning patients from one level of care to another in the health care continuum† (University of Phoenix, 2015). See more: 5 paragraph essay format B. â€Å"Description of the health care delivery components role in providing services† (University of Phoenix, 2015). 1. Who provides these services? 2. How the services are delivered. IV. Current and Future of Home Health Care A. What are the current trends and how they are changing? B. What the potential trends are. 1. How these potential trends will change delivery components and services in the future. 2. Accommodating for the future trends. V. The Characteristics of Integrated Delivery System (IDS) A. Health Care organizations. B. Community health. VI. Conclusion References University of Phoenix. (2015). Continuum of Care Presentation. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, HCS/235-Health Care Delivery in the U.S. website.

Staff Training and Development Essay Example for Free

Staff Training and Development Essay From a company perspective, training and development of company employees are essential for organizational operation. From an employee perspective, the same factor is critical for skill development and for career advancement. â€Å"The retention of valued skill sets, are important for continued business achievements† and as a supervisor it is important to continuously train and develop your staff’s skills (McClelland, 1993). As a supervisor of employees whose task is to assemble tuning devices that go into cell phones, it is important to investigate why the quality of work has diminished. Training, managerial development and training, and performance management are some factors that could be attributing to the decrease in quality of the tuning devices assembled by the employees. Trial and error will need to take place in order to determine if the lack of training has been contributing to poor quality work. The training of employees leads to â€Å"increased employee satisfaction, facilitates the updating of skills, leads to an increased sense of belonging and benefit, increased employee commitment to the organization, and strengthens the organization’s competitiveness† (McClelland, 1993). It also improves productivity efforts. â€Å"It is improbable to produce improvements in human performance without relying, to one degree or another, on training† (Asim, Waqas, Cheema, 2012). To determine if training should be necessary or required, it would be important for the supervisor to look back at past training modules and new processes. Employees may need retraining on assembling tuning devices and the importance of quality work ethics. Audits of employee training will focus on task evaluations, work practices, and methods in an attempt to address the problem that has been affecting the employee’s quality of work. Managerial training and development could also play a part of the employee’s quality of work. It is important as a supervisor to attempt to â€Å"improve managerial performance by imparting knowledge, changing attitudes, or increasing skills† (Dessler, 2011, p. 155). Improving managerial skills can assist with implementing ways to improve employee performance and development. As a supervisor, it is important to work on goals and to figure out which goals are not working for your employees. A supervisor needs to assess their management skills to see if it is hindering or affecting the employee’s work ethics. Feedback on employee knowledge or changes in quality need to further discussion with employees on a weekly base especially if there has been a significant decrease in the quality of work. Another factor that a supervisor must ask is how often appraisal performances are conducted and what affect that has been having on the employee’s work quality. Appraisals help the supervisor make â€Å"promotion and salary raise decisions†, it lets the supervisor develop â€Å"a plan for correcting any deficiencies† (the quality of tuning devices), and it facilitates career planning by â€Å"providing an opportunity to review the employee’s career plans in light of his or her exhibited strengths and weaknesses† (Dessler, 2011, p. 170). Creating an appraisal process can shine light on the current issue with the employee’s work quality. If the employees have not been given a goal and/or do not understand their job, it will affect productivity and the quality of work being performed. The supervisor’s appraisal process would reward productive employees and assist the professional growth and development of inexperienced and unproductive individuals. A quarterly appraisal can take place discussing the job description, the process of assembling tuning devices, previously determined goals and objectives; and ongoing observations and communications of performance. These quarterly appraisals provide information for the employees and can assist with assessing the causes of poor assembly of tuning devices. During the annual appraisal, if training or what was previously discussed in the quarterly appraisal has not improved the quality of work, then it may not be training and the Human Resources Department may need to get involved. One other factor not mentioned at the beginning is the potential of environmental change. As a supervisor, any new change in the work environment needs to be taken in consideration. Where there any new changes in assembling of tuning devices for the cell phones that was not covered or mentioned in training? Not all employees are ready for change and if not done correctly it can affect the quality of work. Asim, Waqas, and Cheema (2012) noted â€Å"employees thinking, acting and behaviors are important elements for consideration in order to achieve organizational change successfully†. A change may have been implemented that could be affecting the quality of assembling tuning devices. To improve the employees task to assemble tuning devices that go into cell phones training development, managerial development, performance appraisals, and monitoring change may need to be implemented. Constant monitoring of training and development will assess how the training succeeds. The supervisor will devote time to ensuring that employees get the training programs that is most appropriate for them given their existing skill sets. The supervisor will improve their managing skills and take into consideration any changes in the work environment that has been affecting productivity levels. Assessing these factors will assist in closing the gap between how the employees currently perform in their assembling work and how they need to perform to meet company objectives.

Miscommunication Is A Common Problem Information Technology Essay

Miscommunication Is A Common Problem Information Technology Essay Miscommunication is a common problem in most of the companies, and it has negative effects that may affect the company performance and employees. Researcher study seeks (a) to know what communication is and what its importance in the companies. (b) To know what the problems are when miscommunication happened. (c) To put solutions to resolve the problems. Researcher used secondary method to collect data by using survey distributed to the employees who work in Al Qudra Company. The survey questions are focused on communication ways that they use within the company and the reasons that lead to miscommunication between the staff and also by using Interviews with its manager related to the communication style within the company and how they face miscommunication results. Also researcher used primary method to collect data by using internet, books, and newspapers. Researcher use Literature review to emphasize her search by review pervious articles or reports. Data was collected within 4 weeks and 4 weeks to analysis the data. Finally researcher suggests some recommendations or alternative solutions to resolve the problems that come from miscommunication. Introduction Background of the Study Communication is one of the most effective ways to enhance organization performance, satisfy employees, and meet customer needs and wants. Communication could happened in two ways, it could be occur inside the organization between employers (managers) and employees (workers) and it could occur outside the organization between organizations workers and customers, traders, retailers. With good communication inside the company the employees will be able to know and understand what their jobs and roles exactly are and their performance will be more effective. In addition, good communication outside the company will increase the customers, retailers and traders loyalty and from that the company profits and reputation will increase too. In contrast, bad communication or not effective communication style inside or outside the company can lead to negative results. (condrat, 2009) http://www.suite101.com/content/effective-communication-at-workplace-a95815. There are two main ways for communication, first electronic communication through electronic mail, telephone, teleconference, voice mail message, and internet, second human communication through meetings, speeches, and interviews. (Svecz, 2010) http://www.suite101.com/content/basic-elementstips-to-build-effective-workplace-communication-a290104#ixzz1JcTjGq6s. Statement of the problem Miscommunication occurs when the managers who speak fail to communicate their ideas and requests to their employees or when the employees who listen fail to interpret the information. From that the problems at the company appeared where employees mistakes and confusions will increase while doing their jobs because they dont have enough information or misunderstand what are the exactly tasks should they do which lead to decline their performance and waste time and as result from that the companys profit will decrease. (condrat,2009)www.suite101.com: http://www.suite101.com/content/effective-communication-at-workplace 95815. Thus researcher focuses on this problem and tries to find out ways to reduce it. Objectives of the study The objectives of research study are: To review literature related to miscommunication. To know the problems and how it could be solved. To provide recommendations based on findings. Research Questions What is the important of effective communication at workplace? Is there any problem that companies could face during communication? When miscommunication could be occurring? What is the impact of miscommunication on the company and its staff? Limitation of the Study The researcher has been constricted her study in miscommunication at place of work and study its impact in the company performance and relationship among worker within the company in the UAE, taking Al Qudra Company in Al Ain city as a pattern of study and distributed the survey within the company. Significance of the study The main point of this study is to run interview with Al Qudra company manager and staff at Al Ain city in United Arab Emirates to determine when and how miscommunication at workplace occurs and to decide the impact of miscommunication on the company production and employees relationship inside (among workers) and outsides the company (suppliers, customers, traders) and give suggestions to overcome the impact of miscommunication which help the readers to be familiar with such these problems that could face the employees at work and how can deal with it. Definition of Terms Miscommunication: one unable to deliver his or her ideas and thoughts clearly or obviously to others. And also miscommunication is the one who receive the information (listener) analyze it improperly. Human communication: it is way to deliver the information to other people through conference, interview, dialogue, speech, and meeting. Electronic communication: it is electronic instrument that used to exchange a few words or communicate among people such as telephone, email, voice mail, etc. Internal communication: it is mean that the information is exchanged within or inside the organization between the workers to done the job required. External communication: it is meaning that the information is delivered and exchanged outside the organization with the customers, traders, vendor, or seller to persuade them to continue deal with organizations services and products or to explain something is not clear. Literture Review The literature that was used was Mortensens 1997 work Miscommunication  [1]  . In his work Mortensen cites various reasons why a conversation does not work, to name a few disagreement, distortion and misunderstanding. Many terms Mortensen cites are self explanatory (in that their meaning can be derived from their name alone e.g. lack of reciprocity), however the literature provides yet another framework by which miscommunication can be measured by. Mortensen sets out his theories in a clear and logical fashion, which in turn helped the development of the study. He cites six main ideas about miscommunication (implication, distortion, disruption, confusion, disagreement and misunderstanding) and this framework helped the study to also view miscommunication through these six main theories. In using this literature, a new focus for the dissertation was brought about in the sense of not only identifying miscommunication in the conversations but specifically a study into the miscommuni cation in the workplace and why this was happening. The literature that helped bring about this focus was Finchams 1982 investigation into hospital communication. In her investigation Fincham identified communication problems in the hospital and looked for ways to rectify this. In contrast to Finchams study this dissertation did not look to devise a solution to the miscommunication problems in the workplace, rather to examine the data against what should be expected from a workplace conversation, especially in the context of customer/employee interaction. Mortensen, C. D. (1997) http://www.lancs.ac.uk/search/index.htm?cx=015049136984008940906%3Aw6id2ed8vzwcof=FORID%3A10ie=ISO-8859-1q=miscommunicationsa=Searchsiteurl=www.lancs.ac.uk%2Findex.htm#1166 www.lancs.ac.uk/fss/courses/ling/ling201/res/diss/2004/towl08.doc Researcher noticed that miscommunication is familiar phenomena ages ago, and the way to get red of this problem is pretty obvious but, it need patience and need to talk and ask with a good attitude and show respects to other to respect you as well. Also being friendly with your colleagues makes them take your word to the positive side not the negative on as well. Methodology Researcher used secondary method to collect data by using survey distributed to the employees who work in Al Qudra Company. The survey questions are focused on communication ways that they use within the company and the reasons that lead to miscommunication between the staff and also by using Interviews with its manager related to the communication style within the company and how they face miscommunication results. Also researcher used primary method to collect data by using internet, books, and newspapers. Research means developed to supply answers to subsequent questions:   What is the important of effective communication at workplace? Is there any problem that companies could face during communication? When miscommunication could be occurring? What is the impact of miscommunication on the company and its staff? Population and Sample The population of the researcher study is 50 of male and female employee who work in Al Qudra Company. The survey distributed to the employees who work at Quadra Company in Al Ain and they are request to answer yes and no questions and other questions about communication ways that they use within the company and the reasons that lead to miscommunication between the staff. Instruments The first instrument the research used is survey which helps researcher to complete the research. The survey distributed to 50 employees who work in Al Qudra Company. The second instrument the researcher used is interview with the manager of Al Qudra Company Questionnaire   The questionnaire is distributed to 50 employees who work in Al Qudra Company which include two components: The first component is concerning general personal data for employees which are gander, age, nationality. The second component is concerning on communication ways that they use within the company and the reasons that lead to miscommunication between the staff. Interview The researcher used interview with the manager of Al Qudra Company related to the communication style within the company and how they face miscommunication results. Data Collection Procedures Researcher used three methods to collect data which are: Visiting personally Al Qudra Company at Al Ain branch to run interview with its manager by asking him number questions related to miscommunication at their company. Distributing survey to fifty employees who work in Al Qudra and ask them during their work time to answer the questions and then collect the survey paper again and examine the data according to their respond. Searching through internet, books, and articles for useful information that help researcher to collect accurate data and use it in her research via borrowing books from library and look through internet. Analysis of Data The researcher used Microsoft word and Microsoft excel program to make the table that contains the percentage result of the survey that shows the opinion of the employees working in Al Qudra Company . After that, researcher applied the chart according to the percentage result, to show the result as statistical graph. The following table and data chart showing their opinion in Miscommunications, how miscommunication affects their work efficiency and affects the whole company and its reputation. Also its showing the way to fix this problem and the suggested solutions from the employees them selves to fix it. And the basis researcher asked these specific questions is that researcher need to find the problem, try to solve it and get red of it when ever it happens again. Finding Results: Employees Response about Miscommunication in work place yes No Do you think that stress causes miscommunication? 76% 24% Do you think that dealing with non local colleagues causes miscommunication? 60% 40% Do you that the non cooperation between employees causes is miscommunication? 90% 10% Do you think that Threat of Favoritism causes miscommunication? 89% 11% Do you think that Criticism and backbiting between the staff causes miscommunications? 90% 10% Do you think that not getting a feedback causes miscommunication? 89% 11% Do you think that choosing the best medium reduces miscommunication? 69% 31% Do you think that being brief and getting direct to the point reduces miscommunication? 40% 60% Do you think that learning how to communicate reduces miscommunication? 80% 20% Do you think that miscommunication affects your work efficiency? 92% 08%Table 1. Results of surveying employees opinion in miscommunication. Data Chart Figure.1 Results of surveying employees opinion in miscommunication Conclusion Form what have discussed, researcher concluded that miscommunication in workplace always happens and its not something rare. The problem is caused by the people working there that mean that it could be solved in an easy way. Miscommunication is a problem that can Be solved By cooporation and Being frienly with your colleagues , so they can take every thing hold two meanings to the positive not the negative one. Summary To sum up what researcher have said in this topic , Miscommunication is a problem that can be sloved easily . resercher talked about the causes of the problem and the solutions too. Researcher made a survey that shows the opinions in miscommunication in worksplace and researcher alanlised the data and made the chart . Also , researcher made and interfew with the manager of the company and finally researcher concolded the ideas said above. Recommendation Researcher reccomands that the manager of the company should find a way to reduce the miscommunication in his company Because that may reduce the efficency of the work and the reputation of the company is gooing to Be Bad as well. Reducing the miscommunication means increasing the efficiency of work to success in the Business field. Researcher discover that miscommunication is one of tools that can destroy the business your working on . in addition, manager should relaize that fixing the miscommunication problem dont take much time to be solved . Bibliography 1- condrat, A. (2009, Feb 12). Effective communication in the work place. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from www.suite101.com: http://www.suite101.com/content/effective-communication-at-workplace-a95815 2- Svecz, A.-M. B. (2010, Sep 26). Basic Elements Tips to Build Effective Workplace Communication. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from www.suite101.com: http://www.suite101.com/content/basic-elementstips-to-build-effective-workplace-communication-a290104 3- Mortensen, C. D. (1997) Miscommunication London: Sage . Retrieved May19, 2011, Form : www.lancs.ac.uk: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/search/index.htm?cx=015049136984008940906%3Aw6id2ed8vzwcof=FORID%3A10ie=ISO-8859-1q=miscommunicationsa=Searchsiteurl=www.lancs.ac.uk%2Findex.htm#1166

The Relation between Dostoevsky and the Characters of The Brothers Kara

The Relation between Dostoevsky and the Characters of  The Brothers Karamazov "I'd die happy if I could finish this final novel, for I would have expressed myself completely."   This statement from the author of "The Brothers Karamazov" helps elucidate the underlying purpose and theme of one of the greatest masterpieces of world literature. Superficially, the novel deals with a horrifying parricide and how the supporting characters devised direct and indirect circumstances leading to the murder. Yet, the book delves deep into the human psyche and the soul--notably that of the author himself. The novel, as inferred from the aforementioned personal statement, may best be described as an autobiography of Dostoevsky filled with his beliefs, values, theories, and insights on a bestial world. Through the main characters-Ivan, Alyosha, Dmitri, Father Zosima, and Smerdyakov--one can perceive the different sides of Dostoevsky himself, good and evil. Not only does one see his characteristics through the protagonists and antagonists of the novel, but also his beliefs concerning life, religion, and love. Among his personal beliefs integrated with his fictitious characters include: faith in love over faith in miracles, the importance of suffering as a means of salvation, and the importance of the Russian "folk" and children in the coming 20th century. But despite Dostoevsky's overbearing presence in his masterpiece, one variable inevitably affects all of his characters as well as the entire living world--death. Thus, through the novel, he introduces us into his tormented mind and sou l, hoping to influence future generations in his beliefs of a better mankind, unafraid of the spectre of death that will crush the cowardly but unharm the s... ... see the soul of a man who carried vengeance in his heart, yet maintained a love for mankind characteristic of the biblical Job, whose suffering only brought more sympathy and blessings in the eyes of God. On an ironic note, Dostoevsky presented Alyosha Karamazov as a young man who would instill the love and spirituality to the innocent children needed to turn the backward country of Russia into a global power. These children did indeed change Russia 30 years later, not as spiritual lovers but as violent rebels in a communist revolution. They sought to free the peasants and laborers by theory, but in reality created a totalitarian state more powerful than even Peter the Great could have imagined. Now, the once powerful Russia lies wasted amidst the same poverty it dwelled in one hundred years earlier. Truly an ironic twist to the beliefs of a prophetic man.   

The beach :: essays research papers

Review from Los Angeles Times Book Review, 02/02/1997: "[A]rresting though no masterpiece....Garland's message is complex and acute. The self-indulgence of a generation of young Westerners--seeking isolated and well-funded paradises and ignoring the miseries and needs around them--can itself breed monsters. There is more than one kind of Vietnam....The reader's suspense in this intelligently conceived and often effective novel, may consist more in wondering what the author will do than in what his characters will do." -- Richard Eder Review from Times Literary Supplement, 10/18/96: "This exceptional first novel by...Alex Garland creates a picture of an ideal society gone awry through the heady conjunction of a secret beach on an island in southeast Asia and a cultural breadth of reference determined by pop songs, the Vietnam War, and Nintendo Gameboys." -- Giles Foden First Line: Vietnam, me love you long time. All day, all night, me love you long time. "Delta One-Niner, this is Alpha patrol. We are on the northeast face of hill Seven-Zero-Five and taking fire. Immediate air assistance required..." Publishers note The Khao San Road, Bangkok--first stop for the hordes of rootless young Westerners traveling in Southeast Asia. On Richard's first night there, in a low-budget guest house, a fellow traveler slashes his wrists, bequeath to Richard a meticulously drawn map to "the Beach." The Beach, as Richard has come to learn, is the subject of a legend among young travelers in Asia: a lagoon hidden from the sea, with white sand and coral gardens, freshwater falls surrounded by jungle, plants untouched for a thousand years. There, it is rumoured, a carefully selected international few have settled in a communal Eden. Haunted by the figure of Mr. Duck--the name by which the Thai police have identified the dead man--and his own obsession with Vietnam movies, Richard sets off with a young French couple to an island hidden away in an forbidden to tourists. The beach :: essays research papers Review from Los Angeles Times Book Review, 02/02/1997: "[A]rresting though no masterpiece....Garland's message is complex and acute. The self-indulgence of a generation of young Westerners--seeking isolated and well-funded paradises and ignoring the miseries and needs around them--can itself breed monsters. There is more than one kind of Vietnam....The reader's suspense in this intelligently conceived and often effective novel, may consist more in wondering what the author will do than in what his characters will do." -- Richard Eder Review from Times Literary Supplement, 10/18/96: "This exceptional first novel by...Alex Garland creates a picture of an ideal society gone awry through the heady conjunction of a secret beach on an island in southeast Asia and a cultural breadth of reference determined by pop songs, the Vietnam War, and Nintendo Gameboys." -- Giles Foden First Line: Vietnam, me love you long time. All day, all night, me love you long time. "Delta One-Niner, this is Alpha patrol. We are on the northeast face of hill Seven-Zero-Five and taking fire. Immediate air assistance required..." Publishers note The Khao San Road, Bangkok--first stop for the hordes of rootless young Westerners traveling in Southeast Asia. On Richard's first night there, in a low-budget guest house, a fellow traveler slashes his wrists, bequeath to Richard a meticulously drawn map to "the Beach." The Beach, as Richard has come to learn, is the subject of a legend among young travelers in Asia: a lagoon hidden from the sea, with white sand and coral gardens, freshwater falls surrounded by jungle, plants untouched for a thousand years. There, it is rumoured, a carefully selected international few have settled in a communal Eden. Haunted by the figure of Mr. Duck--the name by which the Thai police have identified the dead man--and his own obsession with Vietnam movies, Richard sets off with a young French couple to an island hidden away in an forbidden to tourists.