University of Maryland University College
DMBA 610 / Section 9045 / Individual Research Paper 1
Critical Thinking
This paper, examination, report, or the section thereof for which I have indicated responsibility, is my own work. Any assistance I received in its preparation is acknowledged within the report or examination, in accordance with academic practice. For any data, ideas, words, diagrams, pictures, or other information from any source, quoted or not, I have cited the sources fully and completely in footnotes and bibliographical entries, as required. Furthermore, I certify that the material was prepared by me specifically for this class and has not been submitted, in whole or significant part, to any other …show more content…
“There will inevitably be communication and culture clash issues which will only further costs”. 10) Privatization and outsourcing violates the Pendleton Act of 1883 which was “established to protect government employees from illegal termination or demotion” (Wikipedia, n.d., p. 1).
Step 3: What words or phrases are ambiguous? (Browne & Keeley, 2012, Chapter 4)
According to Browne & Keeley, “ambiguity refers to the existence of multiple possible meanings for a word or phrase” (Browne & Keeley, 2012, p. 41). Ambiguity results whenever a word or a phrase can have more than one distinct and valid meaning and can usually be eliminated through extra information. In the memo there are several ambiguous words and phrases that require further explanation. 1) The Governor states that privatization will result in “approximately” $250,000.00 per year in budgeted personnel costs. What does approximately mean? Is it plus or minus $5,000.00, $10,000.00, $50,000.00? The word approximately does not give a clear picture of the projected savings. 2) The Governor promises union members will be offered “similar positions” in other departments as they arise through attrition. What does the Governor actually mean by similar positions? The word similar can be interpreted in many different ways and requires further clarification. 3) Ms. Ford states that privatization is an “assault” on our union and