The Scottish Road Network Authority Research Paper

The Scottish Road Network Authority - Research Paper Example 1). Indeed, one basic hurdle to SRNA's senior management's decision to shift a long-standing and all-public service strategy of construction and maintenance to one focused on procurement and contracting out is SRNA's organisational culture. The proposed changes will inevitably lead to redundancies and an explosion in services outsourced. Expectedly, upper management's suggestions are met with great resistance as is shown in provided case. The case for change is, in fact, hard to 'sell' among staff given SRNA's senior management's practices evidenced in poor knowledge management strategies. This report argues that, in order for SRNA to diffuse and manage change effectively among staff, network-based, knowledge-sharing strategies should be put in place. Since devolution, Scotland has barely shifted away from a 'public sector mentality' (Lyall, n.d.). Resistance to propositions by upper management comes, therefore, as no surprise. Placed in a wider context, outsourcing public services - road building services included - is, in fact, a continuation of a set of policies enacted across all U.K. (Lyall). Indeed, just as outsourcing services has generated much opposition since introduction back in 1980's (Dodworth, M. & Constable, M., 2006), SRNA's staff's opposition to suggested changes is only symptomatic of such shift's main arguments: employee As a matter of fact, all three i... THE SCOTTISH ROAD NETWORK AUTHORITY: KNOWLEDGE SHARING 4 retention and rights, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and service quality (Dodworth, M. & Constable, M.; Hemson, 1998). As a matter of fact, all three issues are not only a U.K. concern but are spread about as much countries as can be wherever and whenever a case is made for outsourcing (Hemson). Indeed, one can hardly find a similar issue in which almost same concerns are voiced. In SRNA's case, Henry Irving's, Director General's (DG's), practice of surrounding himself with a narrow circle of senior executives adds a particular emphasis on SRNA's case for knowledge management in a wider context of an eminent change. More specifically, SRNA strongly speaks for a case of workplace power structure within which corporate culture as well as knowledge sharing strategies are defined, controlled and set by a minority cohort made up of a DG and a narrow circle of surrounding senior executives (e.g. Charles Hampden, Finance Director). Indeed, corporate culture has been increasingly emphasised as a definitive aspect of corporate style and performance (Schein, 2004; Willmott, 2003). According to McDermott and O'Dell (2001), corporate culture is the 'shared values, beliefs, and practices of the people in the organisation'. Put differently, an organisation's culture is an overarching framework within which all employees fall and are committed to (Willmott). That is, one way management holds sway over workplace power politics is to define how employees should adopt specific codes of conducts supposedly divorced THE SCOTTISH ROAD NETWORK AUTHORITY: KNOWLEDGE SHARING 5 from interpersonal, intradepartmental, and interdepartmental interactions.

CanGo Corporation Essay Example for Free

CanGo Corporation Essay CanGo does not seem to have any legitimate process flow charts, especially for its operations facility. Two floor plan layouts were drawn up. One for the current operation processes and one which shows the operation facility if CanGo invests and implements an ASRS (automated storage and retrieval systems). These two floor plans were referred to as flow charts. Flow charts consist of shapes and connectors which are labeled stating the flow of the processes, the decisions that can be made at specific stages, and outcomes of those decisions. Accompanying a flow chart would be the floor plan and written documentation outlining and explaining the entire process. Recommendation Classes Consulting recommends that CanGo draws up an actual flow chart, as well as the floor plans and written documentation explaining the processes in their operations facility. In addition, costs, financial effects (both current and future), and other details should be included for both the current operations system and the proposed ASRS and barcoding system. Having all of this documentation will show where improvements can be made and where costs can be cut. It will show and explain in detail the actual processes used for receiving, picking, and shipping. A floor plan will not take into account the actual details such as how long it take to pick books, how crowded it is on the operations floor, nor how the employees feel about the possible change. If, after creating this documentation, CanGo decides to go ahead with the new barcode and ASRS the flowchart will help in the creation and setup of the new systems. In addition, if financing is needed to install the new systems, having this documentation will show the lenders that CanGo has thought it through and can give details.

Comparing Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club and The Woman Warrior Essay

Comparing The Joy Luck Club and The Woman Warrior  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Amy Tan's immensely popular novel, The Joy Luck Club explores the issues faced by first and second generation Chinese immigrants, particularly mothers and daughters. Although Tan's book is a work of fiction, many of the struggles it describes are echoed in Maxine Hong Kingston's autobiographical work, The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts. The pairs of mothers and daughters in both of these books find themselves separated along both cultural and generational lines. Among the barriers that must be overcome are those of language, beliefs and customs, and geographic loyalty. The gulf between these women is sadly acknowledged by Ying-ying St. Clair when she says of her daughter, Lena, "'All her life, I have watched her as though from another shore'" (Tan 242). Ultimately, it falls to the daughters, the second, divided generation, to bridge the gap of understanding and reconnect with their old world mothers. The Joy Luck Club begins with a fable that immediately highlights the importance of language in the immigrant story. It is the tale of a hopeful young woman traveling from China to America to begin a new life. She carries with her a swan, which she hopes to present to her American daughter someday. The language barrier is exposed when the woman's good wishes for her future child are defined by the idea that this daughter of an immigrant will never know the hardships endured by her mother because she will be born in America and will "speak only perfect American English" (Tan 18). However, things do not turn out exactly as planned for the young woman. Her lovely swan is confiscated by customs officials, and her treasured daughter, now an adult, does in... ...Strategies of Authorship in Asian America. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2000. Huntley, E. D. Amy Tan : A Critical Companion. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998. Kingston, Maxine Hong. The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts. New York: Vintage International, 1976. Soderstrom, Christina. "Maxine Hong Kingston." Voices From the Gaps: Women Writers of Color. University of Minnesota. 11 Apr. 2001 <http://voices.cla.umn.edu/authors/MaxineHongKingston.html>. Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. New York: Vintage, 1991. Tavernise, Peter. "Fasting of the Heart: Mother-Tradition and Sacred Systems in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club." The Joy Luck Club Page. 1994 Home page. 11 Apr. 2001 <http://mindspring.com/~petert/tan.htm>. Verschuur-Basse, Denyse. Chinese Women Speak. Trans. Elizabeth Rauch-Nolan. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1996   

Research: Video Games Essay

Read the following introductions and select the best one for this report. Introduction A Introduction The purpose of this project is to introduce our group’s two conceptual designs. We have included the following sketches for each car: 3 dimensional view, elevation, plan, front, rear and interior view. Also, we have included a discussion of how the designs meet the criteria given in the project outline. The cars could be suitable for short trips in busy areas. Introduction B 1.0 Introduction With the rise in global warming and increasing pollution levels, it is becoming essential to find a viable alternative to the internal combustion engine petrol powered car. The aim of this project was to create two designs for a fuel cell powered car, the main criteria being environmental friendliness in terms of both emissions and materials. This report presents the designs for two such cars, each of which includes the following components: engine, fuel, wheels, accessories, safety features and materials. Car A is aimed at the upper end of the market, while Car B is a mid-range vehicle suitable for family use. A description of the design and an analysis of operational efficiency for each car are followed by a comparison of the two designs. Finally, the most cost efficient design is recommended. Select the best introduction for this report. How to Write a Research Paper Introduction One of the most important areas of any project is the research paper introduction that defines the standard and the quality of the project right from the very outset. You have to pack in lots of important information within a short space which can be difficult for students. Here are a few guidelines to help you write a proper introduction for the paper. Provide A Problem Definition: Your research paper introduction will be the first time that your problem is described and not just treated as a subject. It is very important that you are precise and compact in your definition. The sample introduction is not a place to write a complex thesis or go on about every single possibility associated in the problem. On the other hand, you cannot limit the problem to a few words. A proper research paper introduction should define the problem in one or two sentences through keywords that are essential to the context of the project. This is extremely important for scientific papers. Research Paper Introduction Example If you read about how to write a research proposal than these 2 next items will be easier for you to understand: Give A Structured Review: When you are writing your research paper introduction, you should be building it around a specific outline that provides an overall review of the paper. Your introduction would be different from an abstract in some aspects but it still needs to highlight all the possibilities of the project. If there are any primary limitations to your work, you can also mention that in brief within the introduction. Sometimes the final project can turn out a bit different from initial planning. It is advised to write your research paper introduction towards the end of your work so there are no contradictions with the conclusion. Include All The Proper Sources to a Sample Introduction: Some of the best research paper introduction samples include primary resources supporting the argument or research of the problem. You should search for similar resources from your local library and on the net to put on your paper. When you are mentioning a source, cross check it if is from a credible site and if the information is correct. It is better to develop a sample research paper introduction based on well known portals for sources rather than individual and independent websites. You should only mention those sources that closely highlight your specific theme of research. Sample Research Paper Introduction Introduction for a research paper Common Sample Introduction Mistakes: One of the many ways students mess up their research paper introduction samples is by making simple and common mistakes. The first thing to keep in mind is the word limit, usually restricted to fifty words. If you go on talking about the project, it should count as an error on your part so you need to be concise. You should also proof read your introduction quite a few times to avoid making any grammatical or sentence construction errors. Your research paper introduction should be optimized for keywords that are distributed in the main body of the project and deal with the essential context of research. Students focus a lot on content and guidelines but tend to ignore basic outlines of the introduction or abstract, getting lesser grades. If you work upon these research paper introduction guidelines, you would surely come up with a professional quality paper as your assignment. Author of an article. What impact does playing video games have on children or adolescents? The most widely used â€Å"positive† impact video games are said to have on children is that they may improve a player’s manual dexterity and computer literacy. Ever-improving technology also provides players with better graphics that give a more â€Å"realistic† virtual playing experience. This quality makes the video game industry a powerful force in many adolescent lives. However, numerous studies show that video games, especially ones with violent content, adversely affect a teen’s aggressive behavior. Part of the increase in aggressive behavior is linked to the amount of time children are allowed to play video games. In one study by Walsh (2000), a majority of teens admitted that their parents do not impose a time limit on the number of hours they are allowed to play video games. The study also showed that most parents are unaware of the content or the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating (see below) of the video games their children play. In another study conducted by Gentile, Lynch, Linder & Walsh (2004, p.6) â€Å"adolescent girls played video games for an average of 5 hours a week whereas boys averaged 13 hours a week†. The authors also stated that teens who play violent video games for extended periods of time show the following behaviors: 1. Tend to be more aggressive 2. Are more prone to confrontation with their teachers 3. May engage in fights with their peers 4. See a decline in school achievements. (Gentile et al, 2004). Another negative impact is that players are rewarded for their violent acts. The interactive quality of video games differs from passively viewing television or movies because it allows players to become active participants in the game’s script. Players benefit from engaging in acts of violence and are then able to move to the game’s next level. Gentile & Anderson (2003) state that playing video games may increase aggressive behavior because violent acts are continually repeated throughout the video game. This method of repetition has long been considered an effective teaching method in reinforcing learning patterns. Video games also encourage players to identify with and role play their favorite characters. This is referred to as a â€Å"first-person† video game (Anderson & Dill, 2000, p. 788) because players are able to make decisions affecting the actions of the character they are imitating. After a limited amount of time playing a violent video game, a player can â€Å"automatically prime aggressive thoughts† (Bushman & Anderson, 2002, p. 1680). The researchers concluded that players who had prior experience playing violent video games responded with an increased level of aggressionwhen they encountered confrontation (Bushman & Anderson, 2002). In a Joint Statement (2000) before the Congressional Public Health Summit, a number of American medical associations — the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry — caution parents about violence in the media and its negative effect on children. Their report states that exposure to violent media can elevate aggressive feelings and thoughts, especially in children. These effects on aggressive behavior can be long-term. Although fewer studies have been conducted on interactive video games, evidence suggests that playing violent video games may have a more dramatic influence on the behavior of children and adolescents (Joint Statement, 2000). Tips on managing your child’s media consumption Because of the popularity of video games, completely eliminating them from your child’s life might be difficult. But there are a number of suggestions for decreasing the negative impact that they might have on your child. Here are a few tips: * Know the rating of the video games your child plays (see below). * Do not install video game equipment in your child’s bedroom. * Set limits on how often and how long your child is allowed to play video games. * Monitor all of your child’s media consumption — video games, television, movies and Internet. * Supervise your child’s Internet use — there are now many â€Å"video games† available for playing online. * Take the time to discuss with your children the games they are playing or other media they are watching. Ask your children how they feel about what they observe in these video games, television programs or movies. This is an opportunity to share your feelings and grow closer with your child. * Share with other parents information about certain games or ideas for helping each other in parenting. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA). The major video game manufacturers created this board after concerned groups and parents applied pressure over the content of video games. Similar to the movie industry’s rating system, all major game companies now submit their new products for rating to specially trained raters at the ESRB. The ESRB rates over 1,000 games per year. The ESRB looks at a number of factors when rating games. In particular, it considers the amount of violence, sex, controversial language and substance abuse found in a game. Based on its developed guidelines, the ESRB then gives an age recommendation and content descriptor to each game submitted. The following are the rating symbols currently in use, according to the ESRB Web site. Early Childhood (EC): Content should be suitable for children 3 years and older and contain no objectional material. Everyone (E): Content suitable for persons ages 6 and older. The game may contain minimal violence and some â€Å"comic mischief.† Teen (T): Content suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Content is more violent than (E) rating and contains mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes. Mature (M): Content suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Content definitely has more mature sexual themes, intense violence and stronger language. Adults Only (AO): Content suitable only for adults and may contain graphic sex and/or violence. Adult Only products are not intended for persons under the age of 18. Rating Pending (RP): Game has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting a final rating. The ESRB Web site has more details about this rating system, as well as the â€Å"content descriptors† that are used in conjunction with the ratings on game packaging. The site is also useful for parents who want to search for the rating of a particular game. References Bushman, B. & Anderson, C. (2002). Violent Video Games and Hostile Expectations: A Test of the General Aggression Model. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28, 1679-1686. Gentile, D. A. & Anderson, C. A. (2003). Violent video games: The newest media violence hazard. In D. A. Gentile (Ed.), Media violence and children. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishing. Gentile, D. A., Lynch, P., Linder, J. & Walsh, D. (2004). The effects of violent video game habits on adolescent hostility, aggressive behaviors, and school performance. Journal of Adolescence, 27, 5-22. Joint Statement on the Impact of Entertainment Violence on Children: Congressional Public Health Summit. (July 26, 2000.) Available:http://www.aap.org/advocacy/ releases/jstmtevc.htm, Accessed 9/2004 Walsh, D. (2000). Interactive violence and children: Testimony submitted to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate. (March 21, 2000.) Available:http://commerce.senate.gov/ hearings/0321wal1.pdf (Acrobat), Accessed 9/2004 The gamer community had a near-miss this week in Ohio, when a 15-year-old boy collapsed after playing â€Å"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3† for up to five days straight. The Columbus teen was rushed to the hospital with severe dehydration, where he recovered, according to a report from TV station WCMH on Aug. 7. Players who delve too deeply into their electronic worlds can face various health risks, ranging from deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots, to severe dehydration. For instance, in July, a Taiwanese teenager was found dead after sitting for 40 hours in an Internet cafe playing â€Å"Diablo 3.† At the time, doctors speculated he died from a heart attack caused by a blood clot that formed during the long session. And last summer, a 20-year-old man from the U.K. died from a blood clot after spending 12-hour sessions on his Xbox. His father told â€Å"The Sun† newspaper, â€Å"He lived for his Xbox. I never dreamed he was in any danger.† [10 Easy Paths to Self Destruction] While these are extreme cases, they are a reminder that sitting at a computer or console for days, whether it’s for â€Å"World of Warcraft† or for work, isn’t healthy for anyone. But psychologists who study video games and kids say parents needn’t worry about the amount of time spent gaming, unless screen time starts to affect school, health or social life. (And, of course, a stint of tens of hours gaming is likely to negatively affect schoolwork and lead to social woes.) That said, researchers remain concerned about the effects of violent content in video games, which have been linked by many studies to aggressive behavior. Too much screen time? These days, screens of one kind or another occupy youth for 50 hours a week, a 2010 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation reports. â€Å"It’s a full-time job plus 10 hours of overtime, and that’s the average,† said Douglas Gentile, a psychologist and director of the Media Research Lab at Iowa State University. Video-gaming consumed nine weekly hours for teens, the Kaiser survey found, while a Harris Poll conducted for Gentile during the same period reported 13 hours a week spent gaming on computers and consoles. While some kids can shoot ’em up for hours, for others, too much time gaming leads to poor school performance. Recent studies have finally linked the cause and effect, showing that gaming displaces after-school academic activities such as homework and reading. A 2010 study from researchers at Denison University in Ohio, published in the journal Psychological Science, compared two groups of boys that had never owned gaming systems. They gave one group a system right away, but withheld games from the other group for four months. Boys who received the video-game system first had more teacher-reported learning problems and significantly lower reading and writing scores than the other boys. Problems in school are relatively easy for parents to fix: Limit screen time — of course, if you can get the controller out of his or her hands. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one to two hours per day in front of any electronics. Violent games and aggression What’s harder to control is violent content in video games. The Pew Research Center reported in 2008 that more than 90 percent of games rated as appropriate for children 10 years or older contained violence, including games rated â€Å"E† for everyone. (Most researchers define violence as the ability of a player to intentionally harm others in a game.) Now most researchers will agree that video games can help as well as harm. For example, educational games boost learning, and action games can improve vision and spatial skills. Video games have also been used successfully to teach children self-care skills for asthma and diabetes. And then there’s the primary reason people play video games: They’re relaxing. Gentile thinks the flickering screen and varying sound levels trigger a primitive brain response. â€Å"One of the reasons I think we find television and video games so relaxing is they provide the attention for you. It forces you to orient to the media. You don’t have to work to pay attention like you do in [a] classroom lecture,† said Gentile. But a preponderance of evidence links violent video games to an increase in aggressive behavior in teens. The behavior wasn’t violent crime, like school shootings, but small yet hurtful offenses like teasing, name-calling, rumor-spreading and fist fights. In a review of 130 studies of kids and teens, Iowa State University researchers found that violent video games increased the likelihood of aggression and decreased empathy. The meta-analysis appeared in 2010 in the journal Psychological Bulletin. [5 Ways to Foster Self-Compassion in Your Teen] Which teens are vulnerable? Of course, repeated exposure to violence in any environment has a deleterious effect, Gentile noted. â€Å"Seeing violence anywhere increases the risks that a child might become involved in aggression, whether as a perpetrator or a victim,† he said. But video games are phenomenal teachers. Players get immediate feedback and rewards for punishing competitors. And not only do games reward hostility, they train your brain to respond to real-life problems with aggression, research indicates. In fact, games can prime teens to react to slights with name-calling or pushing, instead of choosing to avoid confrontation. â€Å"So when I get bumped in the hallway, I don’t assume it’s an accident anymore,† explained Gentile. â€Å"What comes to mind first is to retaliate in some way. Those aren’t the only options you have, but we never think of them because what we see over and over in the media is ‘You killed my monster, now you must die.'† But psychologist Patrick Markey’s research suggests just some teens are susceptible to these effects. Markey found people withcertain personality traits — those who are highly neurotic, less agreeable and less conscientious — are those more likely to become hostile from gaming. The 2010 study appeared in the journal Review of General Psychology. â€Å"The truth of the matter is that most people can handle this media, but for some people with a select predisposition, these people might be a little more aggressive, more prone to an argument here and there,† said Markey, a professor at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. â€Å"The most interesting part is there is really no research that suggests video games have a different effect than TV or movies. It has empirically never been shown,† said Markey. â€Å"Any media is supposed to engage us emotionally, and video games are a form of media, a form of art even.† Recreational Gaming If all this hoopla surrounding a seemingly innocent pastime has you baffled, count me in. For people who view it as a source of entertainment, or even as a recreational activity, gaming spells out pure pleasure. Some may even wish to classify it as a brain workout. Human callowness is what leads us into making these hasty categories, for all that is pleasurable, is bound to suck our sanity in a whirlpool of addictions.  » When we speak of any recreational activity, we usually think of sharing, and online gaming is not too different. Gaming communities, at times, happen to be very closely bonded, with some interactions leading to lifelong relationships. Now, there certainly wouldn’t be this kind of outrage over youngsters bonding over sessions of football, isn’t it?  » Critics of gaming blame the overdose of violence that forms an integral part of certain games to the unruly behavior in players. But barring a few games, which indeed have a mature rating, the others do qualify as safe indulgences.  » Online gaming usually involves multiplayer games, and cooperation with partner players becomes an integral part of it. There is a distinct possibility of people bonding across countries and cultures, united by a common passion for gaming.  » One aspect which simply cannot be ignored is the positive effects of gaming on the player’s self-esteem. As the level of the games escalates, it calls for enhanced levels of skills, and surmounting these challenges gives the player a sense of achievement, and leads to confidence building.  » There are games which are meant to be enjoyed by the family, and when played together, they make for a few hours well-spent, and bring the members of the family closer, just as any other family activity would do.  » Games are looked at by some to be an outlet for their negative emotions. Pent-up frustration and anger makes way for a calmer mind when people play these games as a form of recreation, which otherwise would have had a negative effect on their relationships. Addictive Gaming So, where does it go wrong for online gaming, and why are they blamed for causing harm to young and old minds alike? The answer lies in the fine line which separates indulgence and overindulgence. It happens to people who blur the demarcation between games and life. When we think of gamers, the first image that comes to our mind is that of a nerd, holed up in a room, hunched up in front of a computer screen with fingers furiously tapping on a keyboard/joystick. These people have no clue whatsoever about what goes on around them; they lose all track of time, forget their hunger and personal hygiene, all for the sake of a mere game.  » The aftereffects of being excessive are for everyone to see. Since such people are usually isolated for extended periods, their confidence usually deserts them once they are not in the company of a computer. Frequent mood swings and temper issues are not unknown.  » Family members of such addicts are often heard lamenting about the amount of time these people give to their obsession, which strangely enough, makes them more rebellious.  » Lack of social interaction also leads to extreme awkwardness when they find themselves in the company of actual people. To say that they suffer from social phobias would not be an overstatement.  » Getting involved with the wrong kind of people online can inculcate wrong values in a person. They may refuse to respect people or use profanity, which leads them to be ostracized from society. At the very least, it does have some negative impact on their communication skills.  » As with any addiction, this one too will push players to cross any limit to protect their obsession. Parental interference in preventing this addiction is usually unwelcome, and we have had some disastrous examples of violence as a result of this.  » Certain games with their prejudiced notions on genders and races actually influence an addicted gamer’s mind. They tend to carry these prejudices into their real life, adversely affecting their existing relationships. Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-does-online-gaming-affect-social-interactions.html Question QUESTION: 1. Do playing online games affect the academic performances of your students? 2. What do you observe to the students who are very active in playing online games? What their behavior? 3. How will you work as a counselor to stop them in playing online games, or just to lessen it? 4. How do you handle students who are not motivated to study instead they choose to devote their attention in playing online games? 5. What do you think are the reasons why they get hook in playing online games? 6. As an educator, what are the positive and negative effects of online games to your students? 7. What will be the effect to them if they continue to play those games? ANSWER: Hi Harold, Many of the video games out these days are very well done. That includes online games. They can be very alluring and once you get involved they can be very absorptive. Many of them are fun and very realistic. They should be treated like any activity and done in moderation. They can be huge time wasters so anyone playing them should be aware of that. As a counselor I wouldn’t discourage playing games. I would ask the person how involved they are how they interact with them. If they spend too much time, I would advise they look at that behavior. If I had a student who what adicted to playing games, I would treat it like all adictions. People can get hooked into these games because they provide a challenge; they are very realistic; and they are an opportunity to â€Å"pour† yourself into something. The positives are that they are an excellent change of behavior if you need that. The negative are that someone can let them get out of control and control their life. They can spend too much time playing. They can loose sleep. They can get addicted. I do not believe there is any long-term affects to playing the game itself. They are very real but they are not reality. If someone confuses them with reality, they have a worse problem then playing the game and that should be addressed. The long-term affects might be the residual behavior arising out of abusing them such as addiction, sleeplessness, other social problems related to too much activity. If you need further info or clarification, please write again. Graig :>) ———- FOLLOW-UP ———- QUESTION: 1. In your own words, how do you define online games or video games? 2. what can you say to those people or students who are playing online games?observation about thier manners and behavior? Case For Several research studies have been conducted that indicate video game addiction is real in around 10% of gamers who meet criteria for video game addiction. Grà ¼sser et al (2007) found that pathological gamers differed from regular gamers in terms of daily time spent playing, and had higher â€Å"expected relief of withdrawal symptoms when gaming,† and higher â€Å"craving due to the expectation of a positive outcome of gaming.† These are all characteristics which mirror those of of substance dependence. Skoric et al (2009) showed that video game addiction is independent of simply how much time is spent playing, and how engaged children are with the game. In their study, addiction tendencies were negatively related to scholastic performance, while no such relationship was found for either time spent playing games or for video game engagement. A similar pattern of video game addiction being negatively related to scholastic performance was previously found in a separate study by Chiu et al (2004). Charlton’s (2002) factor analysis provided support for computer addiction as a unique concept. This research demonstrated the importance of recognizing the specific characteristics of computer addiction, rather than simply adapting measures of pathological gambling, which are likely to overestimate the occurrence of computer addiction. Recognition of video game addiction would allow support services to be integrated into community addiction settings, and specific training to be provided to staff. This is particularly important given the high incidence of concurrent disorders among those with video game addiction. Case Against Video game playing may have several advantages. Proficiency in video games can develop the self esteem of the player. It can develop eye-hand coordination, and can have other educational features. More sophisticated games can help players to develop other skills, and recent developments have built in aspects of physical exercise — although this may have limited appeal to gamers. The reality of popular culture is that we are more and more dependent on technology. A generation ago, computers were complicated and difficult to use, but modern computers are more user-friendly, and are relatively easy and enjoyable for the majority of people to use. Video games allow people to have positive experiences of using computers, that can provide transferable skills for using computers for a variety of purposes. Bearing in mind the potential positive effects of video game playing, to label the activity an addiction without sufficient evidence and interpretive guidelines about what constitutes addiction (as opposed to benign or positive game playing) could deter many children and their parents who could possibly benefit from video games. This would be a mistake. There is wide variation in video games, and although some appear to have harmful effects, particularly through the promotion of violence and other anti-social behaviors, this is a function of the content of specific games, rather than a characteristic of video games per se. Video games as a medium have equal potential to develop positive social skills, or to provide benign forms of entertainment — although these may not be as easily marketable to kids. As with other addictions, there is a risk that a label like video game addiction could be used too liberally, without paying attention to other concurrent or underlying conditions, such as attentional problems, autism spectrum disorders, depression and anxiety disorders. These conditions have different treatments which might more effectively help the excessive game player. And video game addiction is vulnerable to the same criticism that all behavioral addictions are — that addictions are a chemical problem resulting from the intake of addictive substances, not a pattern of behavior. Where It Stands The APA is not saying that video game addiction does not exist, nor that it is not addiction, but simply that they are looking at the issue and won’t make a decision until the next edition of the DSM comes out in 2013. In the same release in which they withdrew their recommendation that video game addiction be recognized, the APA expressed serious concern about the consequences of excessive video game playing in children, stating: â€Å"Psychiatrists are concerned about the wellbeing of children who spend so much time with video games that they fail to develop friendships, get appropriate outdoor exercise or suffer in their schoolwork. Certainly a child who spends an excessive amount of time playing video games may be exposed to violence and may be at higher risks for behavioral and other health problems.† Therefore, whether or not video game addiction is acknowledged as a real addiction, or even as a mental health problem in and of itself, the APA is clear that excessive video game playing in children can be unhealthy, and can lead to other problems.

Hedda Gabler Essay

Throughout the years people have developed an image of how a particular gender should act. In the play Hedda Gabler, the characters that are involved challenge and conform the gender stereotypes through verbal and non-verbal text. The author â€Å"Henrik Ibsen† has displayed characters such as Hedda Gabler and Julianne Tesman to challenge their stereotypical gender behaviors. Hedda Gabler, the play’s main character, challenges the common gender stereotype of a woman by portraying Gabbler as a person who has a thirst for being free. Gablers father, General Gabler is one of the main influences of her behavior challenging her feminine role. An example is ‘Tesman- â€Å"My old morning shoes, my slippers look! †¦ I missed them dreadfully. Now you should see them†. Hedda- â€Å"No thanks, it really doesn’t interest me†. This portrays Gabler showing no affection to Jorgen Tesman’s slippers. The way Hedda is not interested in Tesman’s slippers shows her little care for affection towards Tesman. This challenges the common gender stereotype because women are stereotyped to be affectionate and sensitive. Hedda Gabler is furthered portrayed by having masculine traits by non-verbal aspects of her character by having a pistol, Hedda-â€Å"[lifting the pistol and aiming] I’m going to shoot you, sir!† Brack- â€Å"No, no, no! Don’t stand there aiming that at me.† This quote represents the gun symbolically representing her masculinity and at this point, Hedda using it empowers her and used to gain some sought of power over Brack. The gun seen as a non verbal aspect of the play clearly representing Hedda Gabbler in a masculine way challenging the common stereotype of her gender. The gun, a phallic symbol, is Hedda projecting her masculinity. The way she always shows the gun, aiming it at Brack and talking about the gun to Tesman alarming him. Brack towards the end of the play blackmails Hedda about the death of lovburg and to avoid he being publically disgraced must tend to the will of Brack, â€Å"Brack-â€Å" Willingly every single evening, Miss Tesman. We shall have a very pleasant time here you and I† Hedda – â€Å"Yes that is what you are looking forward to isn’t, Mr. Brack? You as the only cock in the yard.† Hedda then kills herself representing her making sure Brack does not get the upper hand over her and gets the ultimate freedom from men trying to dominate her. Hedda Gabler also shown to hate thought of pregnancy rejecting the common gender stereotype. This is shown through a conversation between Julie Tesman and Hedda Gabler: Tesman – â€Å"Yes but have you noticed how plumped she’s grown, and how well she is? †¦ How much she has filled out on her travels?† Hedda – â€Å"I’m exactly the same as I was when I went away.† This quote represents that Hedda resents the idea of her being pregnant and will avoid the topic completely. Through this Hedda further rebels against her gender stereotype by not wanting to have kids which all women at that time where expected to have. She further rebels against this concept by ultimately her death by suicide. Through killing herself it shows the ultimate rejection of society’s expectation for a female and projects Hedda’s resent to conform. Julie Tesman is a character in the play that conforms to the female gender stereotype. Julie Tesman portrays this in the paly by constantly asking Tesman if Hedda is pregnant â€Å"Yes but have you noticed how plumped she’s grown, and how well she is? †¦ How much she has filled out on her travels?† which is important because she believes she should be. The fact that Julie Tesman serves Jorgen Tesman implements that she works for men a common female gender stereotype that women work for men. The fact that Julie Tesman will sacrifice everything for Jorgen shows her as mother figure toward Jorgen. Julie is seen as a mother figure, which shows that she is conforming to a female gender stereotype. In the play Hedda gabbler the author has created characters that challenge and conform to the common gender stereotypes. Hedda gabbler through being portrayed as masculine and always not wanting to be controlled sows how she challenges the female gender stereotype. Julie Tesman portrayed as a caring, old mother figure conforms to a female gender stereotype because of her show of affection, fragility and seen as a mother figure. Through the use of verbal and non-verbal aspects the author has projected these two characters to conform and the other to rebel against the common gender stereotype.

Free Essays on U.S.Terrorism

The United States has become the target of the most recent terrorist attacks because of it’s political involvement in the middle east. The United States has had involvement in the middle east ever since before the Gulf War which took place in the early 1990’s. Their involvement began in the early 80’s when they were called to help out Isreal, an ally which was being harrasses by Palestine. Their presence has been felt there since and the U.S. has acted like International Police. The presence of the United States has been felt in that region of the middle east since the 1980’s and has upset certain groups of muslims who do not want them there. The U.S. first became involved in the middle east when it finally recognized the Palestinian Liberation Organization (P.L.O.), an organization which was developed to help the Palestinians try to recover land that they lost when the country of Isreal was created in 1948. The United States foreign policy limited the P.L.O.’s success because it made of certain rules that the P.L.O. had to follow before the U.S. finally recognized it as being the representative of all Palestinian Arabs. The P.L.O. had to accept the existence Isreal as a state,withdraw troops from Isreal, and to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries. This did not set well with the P.L.O. They refused to accept Isreal as a state and in return the Americans did not regcognize the P.L.O. as an organization but stil kept troops there to try and keep the peace. This is where the U.S. first seen signs of terrorism. There were bombings, hi-jackings, and shootings directed at civilian targets by palestinians who claimed that their actions were political statements. The P.L.O. failed to condem the use of internations terrorist tactics andeven thought they do have a no tolerance policy towards terrorism. Since the Gulf War, ... Free Essays on U.S.Terrorism Free Essays on U.S.Terrorism The United States has become the target of the most recent terrorist attacks because of it’s political involvement in the middle east. The United States has had involvement in the middle east ever since before the Gulf War which took place in the early 1990’s. Their involvement began in the early 80’s when they were called to help out Isreal, an ally which was being harrasses by Palestine. Their presence has been felt there since and the U.S. has acted like International Police. The presence of the United States has been felt in that region of the middle east since the 1980’s and has upset certain groups of muslims who do not want them there. The U.S. first became involved in the middle east when it finally recognized the Palestinian Liberation Organization (P.L.O.), an organization which was developed to help the Palestinians try to recover land that they lost when the country of Isreal was created in 1948. The United States foreign policy limited the P.L.O.’s success because it made of certain rules that the P.L.O. had to follow before the U.S. finally recognized it as being the representative of all Palestinian Arabs. The P.L.O. had to accept the existence Isreal as a state,withdraw troops from Isreal, and to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries. This did not set well with the P.L.O. They refused to accept Isreal as a state and in return the Americans did not regcognize the P.L.O. as an organization but stil kept troops there to try and keep the peace. This is where the U.S. first seen signs of terrorism. There were bombings, hi-jackings, and shootings directed at civilian targets by palestinians who claimed that their actions were political statements. The P.L.O. failed to condem the use of internations terrorist tactics andeven thought they do have a no tolerance policy towards terrorism. Since the Gulf War, ...

silicon essays

silicon essays Silicon is an essential element in humans, found in significant concentrations in hair, bone, epidermis and dental enamel. It is also the second most abundant element on the earths crust, constituting about 28% by weight.(cite) Many foods and beverages, including certain vegetables, grains, rice, and beer have been shown to contain significant amounts of silicon. Silicone is a synthetic form of silicon and includes 40% silicon by weight. The silicones are synthetic polymers and are not therefore found naturally. They have a linear, repeating silicon-oxygen backbone akin to silica. However, organic groups attached directly to the silicon atoms by carbon-silicon bonds prevent formation of the three-dimensional network found in silica. These types of compound are also known as polyorganosiloxanes. Certain organic groups can be used to link two or more of these silicon-oxygen backbones and the nature and extent of this cross linking enables a wide variety of products to be manufacture d.(cite) The most important materials used in medical implants are fluids, gels and rubbers (elastomers) whose physical and chemical properties include, amongst others, a high degree of chemical inertness, thermal stability and resistance to oxidation. Silicone is used by many prosthesis, medical devices, and pharmaceutical products. The many silicone containing medical devices include artificial heart valves, artificial joints, Norplant contraceptive implants, pacemaker wires, and dialysis tubing. Of course silicone is probably best known for its use in breast implants. In 1992 the FDA pulled silicone-gel filled breast implants off the market as they were alleged to cause connective-tissue disorders such as systemic lupus erthematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma, a hardening of the skin.(cite) Recent studies have disproven this, showing that connective-tissue diseases were no more common in women with implants than thos...

Around the World in 80 Days Review

'Around the World in 80 Days' Review Jules Vernes Around the World in Eighty Days is a rip-roaring adventure story set primarily in  Victorian England but spans the world following its protagonist Phileas Fogg. Written with a cosmopolitan and open view of the world, Around the World in Eighty Days is a brilliant tale. Vivid in its descriptions, Fogg, a cold, brittle man, who slowly shows that he does have the heart of an Englishman. The book wonderfully captures a spirit of adventure that was bubbling around the turn of the century and is impossible to put down. The Main Plot The story begins in London where the reader is introduced to an incredibly precise and controlled man by the name of Fogg. Fogg lives happily, although a little mysteriously, for no-one knows the true origin of his wealth. He goes to his gentlemans club every day, and it is there that he accepts a wager to travel around the world in eighty days. He packs his things and, along with his manservant, Passepartout he sets out on his journey. Early on in his voyage, a police inspector begins to trail him, believing Fogg is a bank robber. After a reasonably uneventful start, difficulties emerge in India when Fogg realities that a train line he was hoping to take has not been finished. He decides to takes an elephant instead. This diversion is fortunate in one way, for Fogg meets and saves an Indian woman from a forced marriage. On his journey, Fogg will fall in love with Aouda and, on his return to England will make her his wife. In the interim, however, Fogg faces a number of challenges, including losing Passepartout to a Yokohama circus and being attacked by Native Americans in the Midwest. During this incident, Fogg shows his humanity by going off personally to save his manservant, despite the fact that this could well cost him his bet. Finally, Fogg manages to get back onto British soil (albeit by leading a mutiny aboard a French steamer) and seemingly in enough time to win his bet. At this point, the police inspector arrests him, delaying him just long enough to lose the bet. He returns home saddened by his failure, but brightened by the fact that Aouda has agreed to marry him. When Passepartout is sent to arrange the wedding, he realizes that it is a day earlier than they think (by traveling East across the International date line they have gained a day), and so Fogg wins his bet. The Human Spirit of Adventure Unlike many of his more science-based fiction stories, Jules Vernes Around the World in Eighty Days is interested in the capabilities of technology in his own time. The things that human beings can achieve armed only with a sense of adventure and an exploratory spirit. It is also a brilliant dissection of what it is to be English in the time of empire. Fogg is a brilliantly drawn character, a man who is stiff-upper-lipped and precise in all his habits. However, as the novel goes on the icy man begins to thaw. He begins to place the importance of friendship and love above his usual concerns of reserve and punctuality. In the end, he is willing to lose his bet to help a friend. He doesn’t care about defeat because he has won the hand of the woman he loves. Although some would argue it doesnt have the great literary merit of some novels written around the same time, Around the World in Eighty Days certainly makes up for it with its vivid descriptions. The undoubtedly a classic story is peopled with characters who will be long remembered. It is a breathtaking roller-coaster ride around the world and a touching view of an older time. Filled with the thrill of adventure, Around the World in Eighty Days is a wonderful story, written with skill and no short order of panache.

Risk & Value Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Risk & Value Management - Essay Example As the discussion highlights, political risk may be defined as the risk to the assets of an entity due to exposure to a political event. Political risks are related to a specific action from the government which can reduce the profitability of the firm. Political risks can be of 2 types – macro level political risk and micro level political risks. A macro level political risk is related to the general business environment of the country whereas a micro level risk is associated with the politics of a particular place and is site specific. The risk faced by AutoPlast is clearly a micro level risk. Due to the pollution caused by the chemical leak from the site and the fire outbreak; the resentment against the factory among local population is on the rise. This resentment can force the local administration as well as various political parties to take action against the factory .Possible risks include expropriation of property, repudiation of the contract for the factory and civil disturbance in the form of protests against the factory. The likelihood of the risk is medium as the factory has been in existence for the past 25 years. Although people may be angry due to the current issues but long term relationships will help the factory tide over the risk. Mitigation plans for this risk can be taking the political representatives into confidence; making the people aware of the contributions by the factory and working with the administration to ensure no future repeat of the disasters take place. AutoPlast faces economic ri sks due to two factors – one is the competition from cheaper products from Eastern Europe which places a question mark over the viability of the factory and other is the possibility of additional investment to safeguard the factory from further hazard.

IMAX CASE STUDY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

IMAX CASE STUDY - Essay Example Large screen formats are a relatively new concept and it offers a wide range of exciting opportunities. There are very few players in this segment and it is primarily dominated by IMAX which is in this business for a long time now. PESTEL analysis is done to understand the current situation. It has been established from PESTEL Analysis that technology is the most crucial factor for large screen formats. US is a tech savvy nation and hence this was the first market which was targeted by this industry. IMAX has developed superior technology in due course of time which provides a competitive advantage to it. With the growing popularity of movies like Avatar and Alice In Wonderland new players are lining up to take advantage of the opportunity. Vertical Integration is a prime charecterstic of this industry and IMAX’s biggest buyers Regal and APC are coming up with their own large screen formats. Next the report tries to identify the internal factors which affect IMAX. IMAX’s strength and weakness is established in this part. It is followed by understanding the opportunities and threats that IMAX has. Political: The Federal Communications Commission has plans to implement a National Broadband Plan ensuring internet for all (Hanchard, 2010).This would mean that pay per views would increase which might affect box office sales. Economical: America has been through the worst financial crisis. However it is on a recovery path with things getting back to normal. The per capita income of US in 2009 was $39,138$ (Bureau of Business & Economic Research, n.d.). US has the highest number of movie audience per capita of population which stands at 5.3 films each year. Out of this if people who didn’t watch atleast a movie in one year, then the figure goes to 8.6 films. Legal: Piracy is a major problem in US. Motion Picture Association of America estimated an annual loss of more than $3 billion because of piracy. The

MAKE UP SCHOOL POLICY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

MAKE UP SCHOOL POLICY - Essay Example It should also be noted that behaviour is one of the dominant discourses in schooling (Ball, Maguire and Braun 98). This public, high school, student behaviour policy aims at promoting high standards of behaviour to enhance a secure environment for all, which is orderly and safe. The behaviour policy contains the following elements. ... not use bad language Both students and school staff should respect each other The policy includes the major stakeholders of the school, and this includes; Students Teachers and Other School Staff Parents According to the policy, various stakeholders should perform the following roles as outlined; Principal Ensure that there is a safe and a peaceful atmosphere for both students and staff Implement and monitor this behaviour policy Ensure consistent disciplinary actions for those act contrary to this behaviour policy Teachers and Other Staff Take part in the implementation of the student behaviour policy and instil good behaviour among students Report cases of disruptive behaviour for punishment Students Follow the guidelines provided in the student behaviour policy and comply with directions Demonstrate respect for teachers, colleagues, and other staff, and should not engage in any form of misconduct Parents Offer support to schools during the student behaviour policy implementation T he school rewards and offers acknowledgment certificates to those who encourage good behaviour and discourage unacceptable behaviour. PART II: ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED SCHOOL POLICY An orderly learning environment is necessary for every school to enhance smooth learning, without interruptions. Student misbehaviour in high schools is a significant cause of learning disruptions. It should be note that student misbehaviour is an international concern. According to (The Guardian par 5), student misbehaviour disrupts lessons in sixty percent of the schools in world. Students enjoy classes where there is no disruption, but this is not always the case for some schools because of student misbehaviour. Student misbehaviour has led to negative consequences in the achievement of

Discussion Question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 18

Discussion Question - Essay Example A conjunction, disjunction, negation or ordering relation is all naturally available in practical examples so that it is basic to make use of this relationship. General approaches from duality can also be applied in order theory to Boolean algebras. The order dual of every Boolean algebra obtained by interchanging AND and OR is also a Boolean algebra. By interchanging 0 with 1, the law that applies to Boolean algebras can be changed into another valid dual law. Each Boolean algebra (A, AND, OR) produces a ring (A,,*) that defines a + b = (a AND b) or (b AND a) and a * b = a AND b. the 0 element of this ring matches the 0 of the Boolean algebra while the multiplicative identity element is the 1 of the Boolean algebra. a *a = a for all the rings in A. such rings are called Boolean rings. On the other hand, given a Boolean ring A, this can be turned into a Boolean algebra by the definition x OR y = x +y + xy and x AND y = xy. We can conclude that every Boolean algebra rises from a Boolean ring and vice versa. Goodstein

Memoir of Not a a Writer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Memoir of Not a a Writer - Essay Example It may be because I have more idea on how to construct and organize ideas that I learned from the authors of the pieces of literature that I read. My vocabulary also expands and it provides me a â€Å"feel† on the flow of thoughts. I must admit that my choice of reading is not always school related. But I do read. But even if they are not school related, it does not mean that they are garbage. It is just I read pieces of literature that interest me, not those that I am compelled to do so. Reading materials that are of interest to me are more engaging. And this deep engagement in reading helps me in my writing exercises. I noticed in writing essays that the composition gets better when I rewrite it or look at it the second or the third or fourth time. I noticed that my succeeding essays are better than the first and the most obvious improvement that I noticed is my remarkable improvement in organizing my thoughts every time I have to rewrite it. I get better in my choice of words and there are fewer noticeable mistakes. I also remember that when I wrote my succeeding essay, it was no longer as difficult as in the first essay. I think writing, and even the learning process in general that includes reading and analysis, is a process and also a learning exercise by itself. It is not different from learning how to play the piano or playing basketball. I am able to say this because every time I do it, I get better at it. Every time I try, I learn and discover new method and technique to improve my writing everytime I write an essay and that improvement becomes noticeable in the succeeding essay. The improvement is noticeable not only in the technical aspect of writing (such as subject-verb agreement, correct tenses, correct word form, syntax) but also in the organization of my thoughts. This becomes obvious in the essay with the smoother flow of thoughts and the absence of awkward transition of ideas.

Analysis of a Production chain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Analysis of a Production chain - Essay Example The stages are however not exhaustive. In spite of the goodness of the resultant globalisation due to spreading of the production chain across the globe, it renders labour a face-less force thus lacking in ethics and human values which are important ingredients for motivation. The objective of this paper is to examine what production chain is and how it has transformed over the years within the context of globalisation. The outline of the analysis will be definition of the supply chain, its components, and the production chain as one of them. An industry will be studied for the purpose of learning how a production chain will operate. Further, the purpose of the supply chain and how globalisation has impacted the production chain and the emerging ethical issues will also be examined. Supply chain describes or portrays the logistic flow of materials from front end to back end of a firm. At the front-end is the raw material supplier and at the back-end is the customer. In between, there are manufacturing, transportation and distribution. . The supply chain management aims at a seamless flow of materials through these links so that maximum efficiency is achieved through what is known as logistics. Supply chain has much to do with its management rather than knowing what the supply chain is since the links have been there ever since businesses started. Only it has now been scientifically stated as links mainly for the purpose of their management. As stated, it starts with raw material supplier who supplies material to the manufacturing firm which in turn transfers the manufactured product to the transporters known as logistical support who ultimately delivers it to the consumer through wholesaler and retailer. These are entities playing integral roles in supply chain of the manufacturer in the chain. For him, it is the flow of materials from front-end i.e the raw material supplier and back-end, i.e the consumer. In reality it is not as

Memoir of Not a a Writer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Memoir of Not a a Writer - Essay Example It may be because I have more idea on how to construct and organize ideas that I learned from the authors of the pieces of literature that I read. My vocabulary also expands and it provides me a â€Å"feel† on the flow of thoughts. I must admit that my choice of reading is not always school related. But I do read. But even if they are not school related, it does not mean that they are garbage. It is just I read pieces of literature that interest me, not those that I am compelled to do so. Reading materials that are of interest to me are more engaging. And this deep engagement in reading helps me in my writing exercises. I noticed in writing essays that the composition gets better when I rewrite it or look at it the second or the third or fourth time. I noticed that my succeeding essays are better than the first and the most obvious improvement that I noticed is my remarkable improvement in organizing my thoughts every time I have to rewrite it. I get better in my choice of words and there are fewer noticeable mistakes. I also remember that when I wrote my succeeding essay, it was no longer as difficult as in the first essay. I think writing, and even the learning process in general that includes reading and analysis, is a process and also a learning exercise by itself. It is not different from learning how to play the piano or playing basketball. I am able to say this because every time I do it, I get better at it. Every time I try, I learn and discover new method and technique to improve my writing everytime I write an essay and that improvement becomes noticeable in the succeeding essay. The improvement is noticeable not only in the technical aspect of writing (such as subject-verb agreement, correct tenses, correct word form, syntax) but also in the organization of my thoughts. This becomes obvious in the essay with the smoother flow of thoughts and the absence of awkward transition of ideas.

Honda in Europe Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Honda in Europe - Case Study Example The paper tells that the issue of cultural diversity, in regards to international marketing, is of utmost importance. It is, therefore, critical for Honda to treat the culture of each country in its own context. Furthermore, different countries from the European region have different cultural values, which significantly affect their thinking behaviors and actions. Honda appears to have made a grave cultural mistake while designing its global marketing strategy and, therefore, it will be very wise to understand the cultural practices and values of each country and design strategies that resonate the individual’s country’s culture. The poor performance of Honda in Europe has been thought to have resulted from the failure of the company to understand the culture of European countries and instead treating the market as a homogenous block. The differences amongst different European countries have been split between high-context versus low-context cultures – Honda ough t to design its marketing strategies to be in line with these cultural divisions, to enhance acceptability of its products in the respective countries. Ideally, Honda ought to have understood that the kind of advertisement that is suitable for low context cultures is different from that which is suitable for high context cultures. In essence, the advertisement for high-context culture should encompass an embedded approach where the weight is put on the general view and feel instead of providing the literal information.... In conclusion, it is not wise for Honda to market its products the same way in all countries because it is improbable that an advertisement intended for a low-context culture will work in a high-context culture and vice versa. Given that Europe is a multicultural block, Honda should take into account the two cultural segments when designing a market strategy. Is it wise for Honda to market its products the same way in every country? It is not wise for Honda to enter the global market with a similar strategy in every country because, actually, this is the mistake the company committed, in the past, leading to poorly performance in different regions especially in Europe. It is important to pay attention to various political, social and economic forces that influence business in different countries and design strategies that resonates to those factors. These factors are very essential because they are used to define the decisions to take when producing, selling and delivering products a nd services to consumers from different parts of the world. Honda should carefully assess the style, taste, culture and values and believes of its customers from different countries because these factors are essential when designing an international marketing plan. For instance, Honda should apply marketing mix that is unique to individual countries, based on factors such as language barrier, economic circumstances among many others. Socio- economic considerations, technically, are important factors that influence the company’s taxation, transport cost, people’s taste and needs as well as the competition from other companies. From the statistics, Honda is facing stiff competition from different regions, especially the

Inspectors questions Essay Example for Free

Inspectors questions Essay Eric is not even as caring as Gerald was, he abused his power as a man, taking advantage of her vulnerability and getting her pregnant. He then proceeded to try and make up for his wrong doing by stealing money from his fathers business to help support her. On finding out what he was doing, Eva refused the money and disappeared from Erics life forever.  Mrs Birling was the second to last to have her involvement with Eva Smith revealed by the inspectors questions. Being a lady married to a Birling she had already used her name to have herself made a chairman of a charity committed to helping women in trouble. As a last resort Eva had turned to this charity pleading for help. But after lying to Mrs Birling about her name, instead calling herself Mrs Birling. Mrs Birling was already prejudiced against her case, and made sure that Eva Smith received no help from the charity. She was in a position of social responsibility that she could abuse only thinking about her own name being used unauthorised. Priestly chose a wide range of ways that the Birling family affected Eva Smith, so that the audience could see how many different characters could be affecting someones life forever without their even realising it. These actions are such different scenarios for this encounter, but each has its own significance  The behaviour of each family member was under severe scrutiny by the inspector and the individuals actions were all up for judgement. Sheila for one had her happiness destroyed as well as her faith in her family. Each individual was not only under scrutiny by the inspector but by there family as well. There individual behaviours have an affect on Eva in different ways. Mr. Birling and Sheila left her without any form of occupation or income. Eric and Gerald both got involved with her emotionally and Eric left her pregnant whilst Gerald left her heartbroken. Mrs Birling, at the height of social responsibility, leaves her without a home, support, or any from of income, therefore by now she has no one to turn to and in her own opinion no other options but suicide. The Birling plot is superficial and Priestly has merely used this to alert others and get across his points about social responsibility. The inspector is only on one level, he can be seen as an inspector or on another level their own conscience to help make the family admit they are not perfect and do not think about the consequences of there own actions when interacting with others.  Once the Inspector leaves the house and the Birlings find out he was not a registered inspector, they assume because their reputation has suddenly been taken back to it original state that there is absolutely nothing to worry about. But Eric and Sheila are not so eager to forget and find their parents attitude amazing as well as become concerned that they have not learned anything from this episode. By revealing the involvement of the several characters the theme that social responsibility should not be abused is reinforced.  All other factors such as the inspector and Eva Smith can be forgotten but one fact remains and that is that all of them have been inconsiderate and selfish in their treatment of Eva Smith. Which could easily have resulted how the inspector described, a death by drinking disinfectant on the way to the infirmary.  So, priestly explores the issue of social responsibility using this theme and idea, which is reinforced, by the use of several characters under different circumstances. This play was written in 1945 within a week of world war two ending but set in the year of 1912. This was Priestlys way of expressing a sense of urgency which he thought necessary to pass on to society so that they would not forget what had just transpired and take heed. It is his way of expressing his socialist views.  To explore the issues of social responsibility within this play, Priestly has thought about the plot structure and how he has chosen to set out his dialogue. It is clearly divided into three acts. The first act is the initiation of the play. Its opens and immediately we are told who the characters are, the Birlings, where they are, in a large suburban house, and what they are doing, celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling to Gerald Croft Gerald I am going to tell you frankly, without any pretences that your engagement to Sheila means an awful lot to me.  We instantly establish that this is a seemingly perfect family that have a good and stable life. There is nothing here to warn us of the shock of the inspectors visit. In this first act we are soon informed a long with the Birlings and Gerald Croft that a young girl, named Eva Smith has committed suicide, by an inspector who arrives shortly after Mr.Birling issues advice to his children and son-in-law to be. Our attention is being focussed in on the Birlings and it also gets us thinking about how they both have affected someone so badly. So it is here that we begin to think about how they both should have been more socially responsible. There is nothing to allow the audience to be distracted from the central theme so there is no sub-plot; it is a very compact structure.

Essay --

Adolf Eichmann Imagine a life of hiding in fear from being killed and hunted down, which is what the Holocaust was. During the Holocaust everyone believes that Hitler is the one to blame. This is partially true, he does deserve most of the blame yet Adolf Eichmann shares some of it being one to help send over 6 million Jews to death in centration camps. It all started while Eichmann was a little boy. Adolf Eichmann was born on March 19, 1906 in Solingen, Germany. He and the rest of his family moved to Linz, Australia while Adolf was in Grade School. Believe it or not his best friend growing up was Jewish. His mother died while Adolf was at a young age and his father remarried promptly after. Adolf was the only one to fail out of his high school and not graduate of his family (Ruth 10-12). Adolf Eichmann’s father put him into a school to become an engineer out of desperation for his son to succeed. Adolf Flunked out of that school just as he had in high school. His family thought of him to be a disappointment. His father started a mining company and employed Adolf but he didn’t do well at that job either. Adolf’s father pushed him to excel but Adolf just had no desire to work. Adolf would soon leave the mining business and join the army rather than to stay and work for his father (Ruth 12-15). Adolf Eichmann joined the army in an effort to alleviate boredom but ended up getting bored. He thought that it was repetitive, doing the same thing every day, all day. He told his drill instructor that the only reason he was doing so well was because his father would not buy him some new gloves and he was angry because of that. His anger made him surpass the rest of the soldiers. Adolf was promoted to the Austrian Legion. The Austrian L... ...ny responsibility for his father's actions and is content with the penalty the trail gave his father. Ricardo was the youngest of Adolf's sons. (Coffee with Eichmann Ynet) Adolf Eichmann was found guilty of his crimes against Jewish people and was sentenced to death. Eichmann was hung on June 1, 1962. He was cremated and his ashes were put in the middle of the sea off the coast of Israel. His final words were very long. He talks about how he was just following orders which is true but that doesn't make it any more right to aid in the killing of over 6 million Jews. Eichmann said, â€Å"To sum it all up, I regret nothing." (Coffee with Eichmann (Ynet) Eichmann was truly evil and deserves a lot of the blame. He deported the Jews to the concentration camps. He was involved in sending over 6 million Jews to their death. He was a coward and fled the country after the war.

Creating Other Worlds in Fly Away Peter Essay -- Peter

Creating Other Worlds in Fly Away Peter  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the novel Fly Away Peter, David Malouf explores the individual’s ability to transcend the immediate, and create ‘other worlds’ of his or her own: "Meanwhile the Mind, from pleasure less, Withdraws into happiness: ...it creates,... Far other worlds..." Malouf uses the continuity of life to highlight the importance of the individual’s mind set against the meaning of human existence. Malouf’s three main characters, Jim Saddler, Ashley Crowther and Imogen Harcourt, are used to present Malouf’s themes in a unique and sensitive manner. Malouf also implies that fate is predetermined and beyond the control of the individual. The only escape route offered is through man’s imagination. "It is the human mind, the imagination which makes us special..." Malouf suggests life has a continuity, that there is a ceaselessness surrounding time and as a result, individual life is to be savoured. Malouf uses symbolism to represent life’s perpetuity. A prominent example of this is the migrational patterns of the birds in the novel. Birds continue regardless of time: "The timespan for them was more or less infinite.". When Jim marvels at the sandpiper’s ability to find its way across the world and back: "...because the [memory] was ... there... in the long memory of its kind." The constant reference to bird migration becomes a clear symbol of the idea of continuity. The concept of the continuity of life is also expressed by the association of humans and earth. The notion "...that the earth was man’s sphere...", occurs throughout the novel and represents re-growth and the idea that life goes on regardless of circumstance. Jim felt himself ‘dissolving’ into the earth when he ... ...he suggestion that fate is predetermined. Another example of this is the young officer who was hit leading his men onto the battle ground. He died with the look, "I wasn’t ready. Unfair!" Malouf shows that fate is predetermined. The only way the individual can escape it is by creating his own ‘imagined’ world. Fly Away Peter is unique in its presentation of universal and prominent themes. The significance of the individual, as opposed to the meaning of life, man’s ability to transcend the immediate, the continuity of life and predetermined fate are all examined in a sensitive and perceptive manner. Malouf crafts his three main characters to portray and develop the essence of his main themes. The most prominent of these themes is summarised by Malouf when he said: "We can and must transcend the conditions we find ourselves in, however terrible they may be."   

Factor That Affecting

Government Regulations – With the introduction of new workplace compliance standards your human resources department is constantly under pressure to stay within the law. These types of regulations influence every process of the HR department, including hiring, training, compensation, termination, and much more. Without adhering to such regulations a company can be fined extensively which if it was bad enough could cause the company to shut down. Economic Conditions – One of the biggest external influences is the shape of the current economy.Not only does it affect the talent pool, but it might affect your ability to hire anyone at all. One of the biggest ways to prepare against economic conditions is to not only know what's happening in the world around you, but also create a plan for when there is an economic downturn. All companies can make due in a bad economy if they have a rainy day fund or plan to combat the harsh environment. Technological Advancements – T his is considered an external influence because when new technologies are introduced the HR department can start looking at how to downsize and look for ways to save money.A Job that used to take 2-4 people could be cut to one done by a single person. Technology is revolutionizing the way we do business and not Just from a consumer standpoint, but from an internal cost-savings way. Workforce Demographics – As an older generation retires and a new generation enters the workforce the human resources department must look for ways to attract this new set of candidates. They must hire in a different way and offer different types of compensation packages that work for this younger generation. At the same time, they must offer a work environment contusive to how this generation works.

Manage Risk Essay

First of all, the aim of business is increasing of income. They should consider how to maintain existing regular income and to increase new revenue by the expansion. When the business is expanded, they should have enough research and money. The expand looks dangerous. For the safety, they need life guards who are strong swimmers and helpers to control houseboat in high winds. It has many interceptive problems for the expansion like climate and noise. For the success, they need equip tent, beach parasol and soundproof walls. Before making an investment in the expansion, they should consider with the profitability. ASSESSMENT TOOL 2 In Australia, federal and state laws protect you, your business and your customers from unfair trading practices and mishandling of personal information. These laws, together with industry codes of practice, help to ensure that your business operates fairly and competitively and that all consumers are adequately informed and protected. In tort law, a duty of care is a legal obligation imposed on an individual requiring that they adhere to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts that could foreseeably harm others. It is the first element that must be established to proceed with an action in negligence. The claimant must be able to show a duty of care imposed by law which the defendant has breached. In turn, breaching a duty may subject an individual to liability. The duty of care may be imposed by operation of law between individuals with no current direct relationship (familial or contractual or otherwise), but eventually become related in some manner, as defined by common law (meaning case law). Duty of care may be considered a formalization of the social contract, the implicit responsibilities held by individuals towards others within society. It is not a requirement that a duty of care be defined by law, though it will often develop through the jurisprudence of common law. Assessment tool 3: project Part1 Current risk management These are the three ways to control the risk of any loss: Insurance Loss prevention Contingency planning Nearly every warehouse operator has insurance. You need to recognize the significant differences in liability among logistics service providers, common carriers and wholesale distributors scope The place where raw material and/or finished goods are stored is referred to as warehouse or store. Generally, warehouse is structure or building design keeping in mind raw material and finished goods it is going to store. Therefore, warehouse management should be able to: Receive the purchase goods and entered upon the stock register. Inventory Accounting of raw material, work-in-progress or finished goods. Preservation of the inventory Ability to access goods whenever called upon. Appropriate record keeping through coding as to preserve goods and reduce obsolescence. Proper stocking of goods as ensure smooth handling. Political environment The political environment is a key component of the business environment that dictates greatly on the success of your home business. What happens in the politics of your country as well as that of other countries influences a lot your home business. Usually, the term political environment is used to refer to the nature of the political situation in the country where you are doing business or where you intend to do business. Economic climate A general characterization of the overall mood of the global economy or of a regional economy, which captures the status of the stock market, the perception of the economy by consumers, and the availability of jobs and credit. Business decisions such as hiring, borrowing, lending, and investment in new initiatives are often strongly influenced by the overall economic climate. Social Factors We all live in either a multicultural or self society so this means there are many factors that affect or direct our lifestyle. These factors are called social factors. some important social actors are: 1. Religion 2. Ethnicity 3. Family 4. Physical attributes 5. Economic Status 6. Education 7. Locality( Location) 8. Life Partner and children 9. Political System Legal factors Legal factors relate to new laws or directives governing how businesses behave. This can be in relation to other businesses, customers or the environment. For example, it is essential that all agricultural products are used safely. Syngenta seeks to meet and exceed the requirements of local and international laws for all the countries within which it operates. Policy context Climate change is a complex issue and responding to it requires the planner to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of information, advice, policy and legislation. By providing context and background, this section of the toolkit will help you make informed decisions about developing and implementing policy in this area. Critical success factor (CSF) is the term for an element that is necessary for an organization or project to achieve its mission. It is a critical factor or activity required for ensuring the success of a company or an organization. The term was initially used in the world of data analysis, and business analysis. For example, a CSF for a successful Information Technology (IT) project is user involvement. Stakeholder 1. Accountable – some stakeholders are accountable for the success of the entire project or a particular phase of the project, generally they are the departmental or divisional managers or; 2. Responsible – some stakeholders are responsible for the deliverables, generally they have been charged by management to provide a definitive outcome from the project; or 3. Consultation – some stakeholders are used as consultants like an Subject Matter Expert (SME); or 4. Informed – some stakeholders need to be kept informed, generally management who needs to know where their investment dollars have ended up or external parties. Stakeholder Internal Stakeholders Board members Former board members Staff members Former staff members Volunteers Former Volunteers Donors External Stakeholders Clients Community partners Members of groups served by our organization who are not accessing our services Leaders of color from nonprofit, public, or private sectors Stakeholders do not need to know everything about the technology or even the application. A high level overview with the understanding of what is being  delivered is sufficient. What stakeholders need to provide is a positive energy charge to lead the organisation through this project. Working with such stakeholders will provide the project with a boost of confidence knowing that the stakeholders are enthusiastic about this project. Given the right stakeholders in any given project, the success rate of the project will be much better than having stakeholders with judgemental bias whereby these stakeholders will reflect inappropriate reasoning compared with best practises as provided by the implementation team. This is a crucial step in applying the risk management process. Like many aspects of risk management, the identification of significant risks is often subjective and reliant on personal experience and judgement. For this reason, several heads will be found to be better than one during this phase of the process. It is therefore important that relevant operational staff be closely involved in identifying and/or confirming significant risks under each source category. PART 2 STRENGTHS The strengths listed below were identified in the business: The managing member of the business is committed, dedicated and passionate about providing warehousing and distribution services. The creditworthiness of the business owner The knowledge and skills demonstrated by the member The business has done a study of the market and identified potential customers for their business WEAKNESSES The identified weaknesses for ExpressX Warehousing and Distribution (Transportation) Services are as follows: The lack of highly specialized warehousing and distribution expertise within the business The lack of funding to source highly specialized technology is a weakness for the business The lack of a comprehensive marketing plan and strategy is another weakness The small workforce capacity may result in the business loosing out on lucrative warehousing and distribution opportunities OPPORTUNITIES There are numerous opportunities for the business in terms of Government assistance. The business is open to assistance from agencies such as Small Enterprise Development Agency, The National Youth Development Agency and many others Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment presents great opportunities for ExpressX Warehousing and Distribution Services There are opportunities for South Africans to export products. This may bring about a market for warehousing services as some goods need to be stored in a reliable warehouse prior to being exported The opportunity presented by SETA could open better avenues for learnership and development in the business Other opportunities include the growth in middle income groups as well as the increase in double income families THREATS There is a threat from well established competitors that have a solid goodwill The threat attributable to changes in the preferences and tastes of consumers The threat from substitute services The threat from new entrants as the barriers of entry are not too cumbersome Risks Description Mitigation of risks Finance risk The financial risk is observed from the fact that the contribution to be made the owner is considerably less as compared to the required outside borrowings that are to be sourced from banks in form of a loan. The business owner will retain at least 60% of the profits into the business. This will be done in the first year of operations so as to mitigate the risk within the short term. Market risk The market features well established competitors and therefore ExpressX Warehousing and Distribution (Transportation) Services will have to compete for market share. The market risk may also surface from the fact that most manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and other parties likely to utilize warehousing services already have in house warehouses and handle their own distribution. The business will seek assistance from small business support agencies such as the National Youth Development Agency for assistance with a comprehensive marketing plan and strategy. The marketing plan and strategy will help the business compete with greater strength and position it to attain a greater customer satisfaction rate. Human resource risk In terms of human resource, the risk may be a result of the business not being able to recruit the right employees and retain quality employees. High quality employees may prove to be costly to retain. The human resource risk will be mitigated by actively pursuing learnership and development activities. The business will seek assistance from SEDA for skills development. Operational risk The business might have capacity and equipment constraints as some goods for storage require special storage facilities. There may also be a risk of not being as efficient and effective due to lack of advanced logistics software and other technologies. The business will in the initial stages focus on storing merchandise that does not require specials storage facilities and then pursue advanced storage facilities at a later stage. The business will strive to source affordable support technologies. Part 3 What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already doing? What further action is necessary? Slips, trips and falls All staff may suffer sprains or fractures if they trip over debris or slip on spillages. Flooring kept dry and quality maintained. All staff trained to maintain good housekeeping standards and ensure stock does not project into gangways. Cleaner empties bins and removes loose debris daily. Pallets stored safely in designated area. Protective non-slip footwear supplied and worn. Suitable absorber to be made available for liquid spills. Staff to be trained to clean and dry any spillages immediately. Extra bins to be provided for waste material near loading bays. Operation of lift trucks Injuries such as fractures or, at worst, fatalities can be caused as a result of: the vehicle crashing into other vehicles and/or other objects; staff and visitors being hit by lift trucks; objects falling from lift trucks onto staff and visitors; lift trucks toppling over; people falling from the vehicle or parts of the vehicle; and being crushed by the mast All operators trained and competent for use of the lift truck. Trucks serviced regularly and examined by suppliers every six months. Drivers instructed to keep keys with them at all times System in place for refresher training of drivers. Gangways and aisles of sufficient space to enable lift trucks to load and unload from the racking safely. System in place to keep vehicles and pedestrians separated. Access to warehouse restricted to staff. Floor condition maintained on a regular basis, housekeeping standards maintained by cleaner and workforce. Warning signs located around the traffic route. Trucks have seat belts and roll cages. Supervisor to ensure truck drivers check trucks each day before starting. Separate pedestrian entrance(s) with protective barrier rail to be provided next to roller-shutter doors. Housekeeping standards and floor condition to be covered by a monthly inspection by manager and brief record kept. Strict requirement that only competent drivers may operate lift trucks to be explained to all staff. Disciplinary action to be taken against anyone involved in breaking this rule. Falling objects From racking and during movement A member of staff or any other person in the warehouse may suffer serious injury if struck by a falling object Racking is designed to be suitable for the loads carried and has not been modified. Staff report any damage to racking immediately. System in place to make sure defective pallets withdrawn from use immediately. Protective footwear used by all entering warehouse. Protective gloves provided to handle pallets. Sign fixed to racking stating maximum loads/configuration. Hazardous substances Vehicle exhaust fumes The fumes may cause staff eye irritation and respiratory irritation. Number of vehicles delivering materials is relatively low and exposure very limited; this prevents build-up of fumes. Drivers not allowed to leave vehicles’ engines running in warehouse. Roller shutter doors and warehouse windows open, where practicable, to assist ventilation. No further action required. Bleach and cleaning fluids Direct skin contact could lead to the cleaner getting skin irritation. The vapour may cause the cleaner to have eye irritation or breathing difficulties Cleaner made aware of safe procedures. Rubber gloves used. First-aid facilities (including eye wash) are readily available. Investigate availability of safer alternatives for cleaner. Recharging of forklift truck batteries – potential explosion by release of hydrogen, spillage of acid Burns or fractures from material ejected could affect any worker nearby at the time Batteries charged in designated bay that is well ventilated. Safe system of work used which includes provision and use of goggles and gloves. Potential sources of ignition controlled. Supervisor to monitor and ensure protective equipment is being worn. Falls from height Staff could suffer severe or even fatal injuries if they fell whilst climbing racking All staff are given strict instructions never to climb racking – monitored by supervisors Part 4 Suitable absorber to be made available for liquid spills. Staff to be trained to clean and dry any spillages immediately. Extra bins to be provided for waste material near loading bays. Supervisor to ensure truck drivers check trucks each day before starting. Separate pedestrian entrance(s) with protective barrier rail to be provided next to roller-shutter doors. Housekeeping standards and floor condition to be covered by a monthly inspection by manager and brief record kept. Strict requirement that only competent drivers may operate lift trucks to be explained to all staff. Disciplinary action to be taken against anyone involved in breaking this rule. Sign fixed to racking stating maximum loads/configuration To identify the hazards The manager then wrote down who could be harmed by the hazards and how. For each hazard identified, the manager recorded what controls, if any, were in place to manage these. She then compared these controls to the good practice guidance laid out in Warehousing and storage: A guide to health and safety and Essentials of health and safety at work publications. Where existing controls did not meet good practice, the manager wrote down what further actions were needed to manage the risk. Putting the findings of the risk assessment into practice, the warehouse manager decided who was responsible for implementing the further actions and when it should be done. She wrote this down and when each action was completed it was ticked off and the date recorded. The warehouse manager discussed the findings with the safety representative. They decided to review and update the assessment at least annually, or at any time when major changes to the workplace occurred. The warehouse manager gave out copies of the risk assessment to all members of staff.