Monday, September 30, 2019

Encountering conflict Essay

â€Å"Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means,† this quote by Ronald Regan shows that conflict is an inevitable part of society. Conflict is a fundamental part of life and is always present for every individual throughout their everyday life. Encountering conflict means to face or handle conflict and the ways in which we go about trying to resolve it. Different types of conflict can be local, national, religious, political, economic or cultural. There are a number of reasons why conflict occurs; difference in beliefs, morals, religion and values, fear and unmatched expectations. Conflict has a number of different causes, consequences and ways it can be resolved. Individuals are entitled to their own opinion, which often causes dismay to others. Conflict is a huge part of social experiences which allows us to learn and grow. The nature of conflict shows that conflict can either push people away or bring them into having a closer, more comfortable relationship. Many people try to avoid conflict and try to find a way around it – even if this isn’t the right thing to do. Without conflict in a relationship can mean individuals cannot express their true opinions, thoughts and feelings for example; when an argument in the family arises, without the skills to negotiate and deal with the conflict, there will never be a positive outcome. Conflict comes in many different forms- political, religious, interpersonal, family, all of these deals with issues that arise due to difference of opinion or belief and are an inevitable part of human life. There are a wide range of causes as to why conflict occurs. Whether big or small, conflict is usually cause by a difference of opinion. Some cases of conflict are extremely small and harmless- a fight with your sibling about ‘who gets the bathroom first’ or an argument with friend, others can be more serious and potentially life threatening like war and murder. Causes of conflict that involve family, friends or in the workplace can be explained by personality clash, competition or even just a misunderstand ing. As subjects like politics, religion and culture are sensitive issues to which individuals can be very opinionated about; conflicts that occur can have a big impact- negative or positive. When conflict arises from these more serious issues it can be caused by difference of opinion from a leader, a desire for power or a countries disagreement with their political party. Although conflict can allow people to express their views and work co-operatively with others, the  negative effects can often be permanent in cases of war or murder. No one deals or reacts to conflict in the same way- every person handles it differently. How a person reacts to conflict shows a sense of their identity and perception of one’s self. Many people shy away from conflict and aim to avoid it at all cost. Others confront it in a way that allows it to be resolved. For example, when a disagreement in the workplace occurs, will an individual express their opinion even if it means an argument? Or will they conform and agree with whom is involved? Or when a physical fight breaks out, will an individual stay calm and collected? Or will they retaliate and fight back. Reactions to conflict expose ones personality and limitations which is important as part of everyday life. Examples of severe conflicts where many lives have been lost are usually well known historical events. The conflict in Northern Ireland showed how difference of political views can cause major conflict and ultimately death and destruction. This conflict was primarily a political one due to the constitutional state of Northern Ireland – the Unionists wanted Northern Ireland to remain a part of the United Kingdom and the Protestants who wanted to leave the United Kingdom and join a united Ireland. This conflict lead to the loss of 29 innocent lives and proved what conflict can do when dealt in the wrong way. Conflict needs to be resolved in order to move forward. When dealing with conflict in domestic places- home, school, work- it is usually easy to overcome. The most effective way to solve these issues is to negotiate and find some sort of ‘middle ground’ that both parties agree on. By solving conflict effectively can allow you to grow socially and emotionally. Resolving conflict can improve someone’s understanding, group cohesion and self-knowledge which is essential as you move on through life. In cases of war and the ‘Omagh bomb’ conflict can sometimes not be resolved; the loss of innocent lives cannot be brought back and the destruction and psychological trauma cannot be reversed. In saying that, in order to move on, a negotiation or agreement must occur for a conflict to be resolved and help people involved to deal with the consequences of the conflict. Ultimately, conflict is a part of being human and cannot be completely avoided. We must learn to deal with conflict and be able to respond to it in an appropriate manner. According to M Esther Harding, â€Å"Conflict is the beginning of consciousness,† from which we can gather that conflict will always arise due  to a person’s opinions, beliefs and values. Although conflict can have serious negative consequences, it can provide realistic and achievable positive outcomes which allow you to develop as a person and gain extremely important knowledge which you will value as you go through life.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Beauty: Analysis of the Idea of Beauty

Beauty: Analysis of the Idea of Beauty Is beauty only skin deep? What role, if any, does society play in the views of beauty? Does body modification enhance or detract from a person’s beauty? What role does the idea of beauty play in a person’s life? The idea of beauty is something that has changed over generations, and is something that is constantly evolving to this day. The idea of beauty is shaped by media interaction, societal views, and also engaged in by body modification whether that modification be piercing, tattooing, extreme dieting, plastic surgery, or otherwise. Do we, as a society, overvalue the idea of beauty? People use various practices to shape their bodies into culturally defined ideal physiques, and media both construct and reinforce beauty ideals. † (Jackson & Lyons, 2012) Beauty is defined by the culture a person lives in, grew up in, and is shaped by throughout life. The idea of beauty is never the same for any person, but can have similar c haracteristics. The media, which is a conduit of the social norm, defines beauty everyday and many feel the need to change themselves in order to fit this idea. â€Å"Within contemporary Westernized cultures there is a pervasive interest in practices aimed at altering the human physique.Such practices, which include cosmetic surgery, bodybuilding, dietary modification, exercise regimes, and eating disorders, signify a cultural fascination with (a pursuit of) the ‘perfect’ body. † (Jackson & Lyons, 2012) Some people dedicate their entire lives for the quest to find their ideal of beauty, to become that ideal and to fall into what is deemed as beautiful by societal standards set in place. But is this correct? Is the ideal of beauty presented by the media, and interpreted by the viewer, correct? Are people motivated to modify their bodies because they are dissatisfied with the image of their body? Body image dissatisfaction is pervasive in America. We believe this d issatisfaction may motivate many persons to undergo cosmetic surgery,† indicates David Sarwer, assistant professor of psychology in psychiatry and surgery at the Center for Human Appearance. â€Å"Many persons hope that cosmetic surgery will help them feel better about their appearance, which, in turn, may promote other psychological benefits, such as improved self-esteem. † (USA, 1999) Many people turn to plastic surgery to modify their bodies because they want to be thought of as beautiful, whether it be by themselves, another person, or society as a whole.Some people can even take drastic measures and develop unhealthy mental conditions which would make them undergo plastic surgery in a desperate attempt to â€Å"fix† themselves. â€Å"Extreme body image dissatisfaction can be a symptom of body dysmorphic disorder, a psychiatric condition defined as a preoccupation with a slight defect in appearance that leads to excessive concern and interruption in daily fu nctioning. † (USA, 1999) But by going through such extremes, is a person really gaining beauty or are they really demolishing what was already beautiful in the first place?Is being dissatisfied with their body, because of the ideals of beauty pressured onto individuals by society, really a reason to change their image through such a drastic measure as plastic surgery? If body modification through plastic surgery is used to capture that â€Å"ideal beauty†, then what about other forms such as piercing, tattooing, carving, or otherwise? Are those deemed acceptable ways to encompass that idea of beauty presented by society? â€Å"Rumbling through the biker culture and punk, piercing gradually shed its outlaw image and was mass marketed to the impressionable by music videos, rock stars and models. (Leo, 1995) Such extreme forms of body modification are presented by the media and societal pressures to be acceptable, fashionable, and â€Å"in style†. As such, many peo ple leap at the idea to become beautiful through such extreme measures. â€Å"Fashions and fetishes. [†¦]Some ask for dramatic piercings to enhance sexual pleasure, to seem daring or fashionable, to express rage, or to forge a group identity. [†¦]Piercing is part of the broader â€Å"body modification† movement, which includes tattooing, corsetry, branding and scarring by knife. It's a sign of the times that the more bizarre expressions of this movement keep pushing into the mainstream. (Leo, 1995) But is that all there is to it? Media has deemed such body modification to be acceptable, and society has agreed that it is an idea of beauty. The arguments for, and against, the idea of beauty presented by the media, accepted and enforced by society, and the extremes at which people can go to gain that ideal beauty can be found everywhere. Is beauty only skin deep? Do we, as a society, overvalue the idea of beauty? Media can incite people to what ideal beauty is. Societ y enforces these views and pressure people into fitting it.Body modification is used by many to gain that idea beauty. But in the end, is that ideal beauty of the skin and body correct or even worth it? References: JACKSON, J. , ; LYONS, T. C. (2012). The perfect body: Men and women negotiate spaces of resistance against beauty and gender ideologies. Women's Studies Journal, 26(1), 25-33. USA, T. (1999, February). Focusing on body image dissatisfaction. USA Today, 127(2645), Leo, J. (1995, 7 23). The ‘modern primatives'. U. S. News. Retrieved from http://www. usnews. com/usnews/opinion/articles/950731/archive_032505. htm

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Republic Polytechnic Case Study Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Republic Polytechnic Case Study - Assignment Example Implementation of an ERP in any organization involves a life cycle from the decision to adopt it to successful roll out, with discernible implementation phases as characterized by the key stakeholders, typical activities, associated challenges and outcomes. Four broad phases can be discerned based on this framework. They are planning, configuration, testing and actual implementation (Kumar, Maheshwari and Kumar 2003, pp. 795). Other authors present the phases as involving planning, implementation, stabilization and improvement (Markus and Tanis 2000, pp.173-207: Shanks et al. 2000, pp. 2). In the case of Republic Polytechnic’s ERP, the latter framework is seen in action thus forming this paper’s line of discussion.The first stage that was undertaken in RP’s implementation of the ERP is planning. RP needed an Enterprise System that was able to support two considerations. These include their problem-based learning pedagogy and their commitment to an IT strategy tha t would render the campus paperless for faster, efficient and cost-effective processes. RP set out on an outsourcing path for the vendor of an enterprise-wide e-learning management system that would provide a package which could suit RP’s mission and strategic direction. All relevant stakeholders were involved in finding such a vendor, flexible enough to allow for the heavy customization that was necessary for RP’s strategy, to be rolled out dubbed LEO (Learning Environment Online). This step involved two representatives from RP.... o allow for the heavy customization that was necessary for RP’s strategy, finally leading to settling on Wizlearn Pte Limited and their Academic Version 7 package. Post-purchase tailoring was the next step aimed at customizing the vendor’s product to RP’s needs in the system to be rolled out dubbed LEO (Learning Environment Online). This step involved two representatives from RP. These are OAA (Officer of Academic Affairs) and OIS (Officer of Information Systems) and an external IS team from the vendor all of whom liaised together and held discussions that finally resulted in a heavily customized product plan ready to be rolled out. The next phase after the planning part was actual implementation of the settled upon system, done a few weeks before the opening of the school term. The system that was rolled out provided an optimum system for RP and her staff although it was not exactly like they had envisioned as it had not accommodated all their views. Stabilizati on was the next phase for the system. Although the roll out had determined that there would be no need for training of RP staff, it was still necessary to provide basic training on the core features of the LEO. In a similar fashion, the students were trained on a basic general IT course and then given a few lessons on the core features of the LEO by the facilitators. The last phase of RP’s implementation of their ERP was improvement. This involved addition of the features that had been suggested in the planning stage but had been left out in implementation. More improvements on the ERP were based on suggestions from three sources; the top management, the facilitators and the development team itself, with additional suggestions being drawn from the students. The LEO manager determined which improvements

Friday, September 27, 2019

Sustainable Development with Specialisation on Environment and Research Proposal

Sustainable Development with Specialisation on Environment and Agricultural Development - Research Proposal Example ?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 4.2 specific aims and objectives†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..5 5.0 background and significance†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 6.0 methodology†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....6 6.1 Population and study sample†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.6 6.2 Data collection†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..6 6.3 Data analysis†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7 Name: Instructor: Task: Date: Sustainable Development with Specialization on Environment and Agriculture 1.0 Introduction Sustainable development involves meeting today’s obligation without diminishing the chances of future generations being in a position of meeting their own. Additionally, sustainable development is a path on which we follow to meet our obligations. Agriculture, for instance, when practicing it, one needs to consider the impact it has on the environment. Moreover, agriculture has to be practiced without compromising the chances of future generations practicing it on the same environment (Brandt and Uwe 190). Several factors contribute to the sustai nability of the environment with regards to agriculture. These factors include the ecological impact, economic viability, social justice and cultural appropriateness. Agriculture has a unswerving link with the environment. For this reason, one can only talk of sustainable development when the issue of environmental conservation has been addressed. In order to achieve sustainable development with regards to the environment and agriculture, externalities that have a negative impact on the environment and agriculture have to be eliminated (Alam 84). 2.0 Sustainable Development Overview Sustainable progress requires a functioning ecosystem, a society that is cohesive and an environment that is healthy. Similarly, it stresses on the importance of being flexible to future shocks even their magnitude and probability is unknown or uncertain. Sustainable development affects humans in several dimensions, for instance, monetary efficiency, ecological impacts and the social growth (Gechev 2). H owever, in this case, we are examining the environmental influences of sustainable progress in agriculture. Similarly, sustainable development should not undermine the very fabric of the social and economics systems. However, in this case, agriculture relies on ecological system. For this reason, the viability of sustainable growth assessed from the angle of environmental influence. 3.0 Problem Statement 3.1 Overview Many people in the world currently rely on agriculture as a source of their livelihood hence sustainable development in the agricultural sector has to consider the imposed impact and future consequences of these developments. Similarly, efficient methods of food production have to consider the impact on the environment hence they should not destroy it, and they should be socially acceptable in the community. Due to the major global differences in agricultural practices, there cannot be one way or one remedy for sustainability (Lichtfouse 3). It takes different variation s with place and place. Each society has to

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Discussions, Findings, Recommendations, Conclusion Assignment

Discussions, Findings, Recommendations, Conclusion - Assignment Example This is the reason as to why HCT as an organisation must strive to ensure that there is an articulate and rigorous criterion of recruiting, hiring or firing of the employees. It goes without saying or mentioning that the amount or type or creativity given by a tutor is directly dependent and related to the acumen or quality of the hiring officers. For instance, if the human resource department of an organisation does not consider merit and quality in hiring of people, then the direct output of the hired people would also be relatively less (Huselid, 1997). Secondly, the age of the hired people or staff must be favorable in the sense that the hired people must be able to serve the organisation for a long period of time before they retire or resign. In other words, the staff hired ought to be young, trainable and flexible to the changing demands and requirements of technology. Intuitively, the strategies implemented and fronted by the human resource department must be favorable and sufficient enough to accommodate the long run aim for HCT (about 2015). For instance, the employees being recruited ought to be well versed and equipped with technological skills and acumen since the world today has revolutionized along technology and all the happenings in the society must centered on. Intuitively, if the staff or employees hired are technologically aware, they would extend that skill and talent to the student who would be more productive to the society. In simple terms this refers to the fact that the students who would come from HCT would exhibit a higher level of productivity since they would be equipped by the necessary and requisite skills of technology which are relevant in the society. Accordingly, the working relationship between the students, support staff and the teaching staff must be favorable and good so as to allow for free flow of ideas. This is to say that the human resource

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Competitive Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Competitive Strategy - Essay Example South African Breweries had acquired Miller Brewing Company in 2002 and had become SABMiller. The third task is to explain the implications of its current strategic position for the future of SABMiller. Finally the paper will recommend the strategies that South African Breweries (and SABMiller) should follow in the coming years. South African Breweries was started in 1895 mainly to cater to the growing mining population in Johannesburg, what is now South Africa. Throughout the existence of the company, it has recorded consistent growth through entry into new markets and acquisitions. The company could also survive the turbulent period of the two World Wars and the eventual abolition of apartheid. In 1962, the company found a new domestic market segment when the government lifted a long lasting prohibition of alcohol consumption by blacks. The company had also entered into other diverse fields such as safety matches, glass making, hospitality, gaming, and textiles. The company also followed its strategic plans by rapidly expanding into Eastern Europe and other developing economies in Asia like China and India. It has presence in markets located in Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America and Europe. SABMiller has more than 200 types or brands of beer and employees nearly 60,000 by the parent company alone. Its breakup of revenue according to markets and type of business is given below. Competitive Strategy: According to the famous management theorist and author, Michael Porter every large organization will have two sets of strategies. One is for expansion of its business referred to as competitive strategy and the other for the survival and growth of the organization as a whole referred to as corporate strategy. (Porter 1998, 117). Competitive strategy is easy to conceive in the mind but difficult to define, because of the sheer diversity in different forms of businesses, markets and the type of leadership or

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Adolescence and the Internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Adolescence and the Internet - Essay Example This use of the Internet has created interest in researchers. Studies on the impact of the Internet on the welfare and development of adolescents have resulted. The focus of these studies has been on the manner of use by the adolescents and the potential risk of exposure to anonymous communication, from within or outside the adolescent group. The findings of these studies have raised concerns over the negative impact of the use of the Internet. This article by Elisheva F. Gross attempts to negate these concerns. It focuses on the positive aspects of the adolescent use of the Internet. Additional topics explored are motives for use of the Internet, actual online behavior and strategies for the prevention of online dating. The article by Elisheva outlines the three propositions that were the result of earlier studies. These are that gender predicts usage; the Internet may lead to social isolation and depression and the tendency to use anonymous identities by adolescents. She attempts a comparison of these propositions with the findings of her research into the online behavior of adolescents. The main thrust of the argument of Elisheva against these propositions is that they are based on particular empirical studies or case-based questions. Such methodologies lead to biased and inaccurate research findings. In support of her contention, she uses more focused and specific research. She further argues that the spread of the Internet provides enhanced scope for communication. Evidence from her research leads Elisheva to conclude that there is no corroboration of the earlier findings. Thus her research causes her to refute the earlier findings and instead suggests that there is a similarity in use of the Internet irrespective of gender.  

Monday, September 23, 2019

Irish organizations' strategic Diversity management plan Assignment

Irish organizations' strategic Diversity management plan - Assignment Example Irish music on the other hand has also attained fame worldwide as Irish tunes are recognized by various diverse societies making Irish music stand out. Hospitality is a key element that establishes and shapes perceptions of people. People coming from diverse backgrounds merge on different occasions owing to the effects of globalization today, and how one remembers one another depends on the hospitality of the person. Many people have opted for Irish citizenship as a result of their great hype of hospitality which is said to be learned by Irish people from their ancestors2. The director of the film â€Å"Braveheart† reported how easily he managed to get access to Irish land and performed his tasks without troubles owing to the nature and hospitality of Irish people. To promote their culture, beliefs, ideologies and to motivate and educate the younger generation with the philosophy of Irish culture, a festival is held in Irish known as the ICONS (Irish Connections) festival3; it is an optimistic way for new people from diverse localities to experience what the Irish have to offer. The world we reside in today is globally connected, we tend to relate and compare to societies all around the world4. In such an environment, â€Å"Managing Diversity† is becoming popular not just as a concept but as a theoretical course in many different universities across the globe. Different societies have different norms and values and judge actions accordingly. Diversity is beneficial as it ensures the best outcome and efficiency, however, it comes with a cost; a manager of an organization needs to be well aware of management tactics as to manage people from various cultures. This concept is vital for multi National organizations who employ thousands of people all around the world from different ethnicities. Since these people come from different places, they tend to think differently and often their opinions will differ with their counterparts, in such situations wi thin organizations, it may lead to chaos and worsening reputation. Thus, companies such as Unilever and P&G tend to employ the best graduates from top most business schools for management of their staff. Irish people themselves are said to be open minded and flexible, with great regard to hospitality. However, this hospitality may be pertaining to certain occasions; there are times when every human being exhausts on its capability and goes off the page. Thus, just by looking at the culture of Irish people one cannot conclude they will likely make good managers who will be fully capable of managing diverse cultures and issues. Managing diversity is not as easy as it sounds; people are properly trained to handle tough situations for both the environment and the organization. Generally, Irish people are famous for hospitality. The likelihood that Irish people will not indulge in conflicts with people from diverse culture is high, but within organizations at Ireland or let’s say events at Ireland where different people from diverse localities come together meet, they might not be from such a friendly culture as Irish and hence may end up indulging in conflicts. Irish managers have to take a lot into account for the organization or for the community as a whole. If one talks about an Irish organization’s strategic Diversity management plan, it is important to ask a few questions like5: Do we actually have diversity? What

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Enhanced Learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Enhanced Learning - Essay Example that is required from the students, the mentors motivates students to practice the enhanced learning activities likely to obtain those understandings, also the examination tasks express students what actions are needed of them. It also tells the teachers how well the goals are being met (Carneiro). Additionally, the use of strategies throughout daily routine to remember numerous facts and concepts needed is important for all. Strategy builds an important area of enhanced learning experience. They help in organizing information into designs and motivate objective based learning. The intellect of a human brain is selective. It tends to recall information that creates an unforgettable design. The development of enhanced learning requires some critical aspects like: The application of enhanced learning can be widely used in various fields, especially subjects which require substantial amount of research work and understanding of facts. For instance, the field of geology. Field trips are an important part in the study of geology as it helps the students to gain a complete understanding of the complexities involved in the study. For example, they offer the student with a practical perceptive of spatial geometrics of structural and sedimentary features. Some findings may require additional research work and may require visiting different areas as well. The structure of the earth, its origin and different types of buried fossils are found with research and exploration. Through enhanced learning practices which have been described above, field trips can be made more useful and supportive in the learning outcomes of the participants. Such as enhanced learning by the utilization of field simulators and documenting learning in the field trip. As we all know geology is a field of exploration and experimentation. The more one investigates on the findings, the more interesting and adventurous the study becomes. Hence, enhanced learning procedures allow the students and all

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Learning Team IRAC Brief Essay Example for Free

Learning Team IRAC Brief Essay Learning Team B was tasked to study the IRAC method of case study analysis, and select one legal case from a current event that has taken place within the past two years relevant to this week’s objectives. After selecting a current case, Learning Team B prepared a case brief using the IRAC method. Learning Team B selected the United States v. Jones case, which was decided January 23, 2012. Learning Team B was also tasked to provide an explanation of how the legal concepts in the United States v. Jones case could be applied within a business managerial setting. The government issued a warrant to place a Global Positioning System on the personal vehicle of Jones to track any unlawful behavior. For 28 days, the government monitored the vehicle and â€Å"it subsequently secured an indictment of Jones and others on drug trafficking conspiracy charges† (United states v., 2012). The issue is that a violation of the Fourth Amendment may be in question. The question in this case is whether or not the vehicle that was fitted with the GPS is considered real or personal property. Also how is the vehicle subject to government surveillance only on public property? Could the vehicle be subject to the real or personal property laws protected under the Fourth Amendment? The question remains if the vehicle can be searched using the GPS only part of the time. The court’s ruling still does not clearly define what the fourth amendment covers as real or personal property. The definition of the Fourth Amendment is not completely clear on exactly what the real or personal property is defined as or if it is reasonable expectation of privacy as defined by society or a court of law. The law â€Å"protects reasonable expectations of privacy, but the Supreme Court has refused to provide a consistent explanation for what makes an expectation of privacy ‘reasonable’† (Kerr, 2007, p. 503). The Fourth Amendment can be applied to a business managerial setting by protecting workers rights to privacy somewhat. Any use of work property, including e-mail and Internet is subject to inspection by the company. There is a reasonable expectation of privacy in the workplace if an employee has an office. If the employee is in the  front of the work environment conversations or anything in plain view can be subject to police search. According to â€Å"Surveillance Self-Defense (2013), â€Å"A big question in determining whether your expectation of privacy is ‘reasonable’ and protected by the Fourth Amendment arises when you have ‘knowingly exposed’ something to another person or to the public at large† (Reasonable Expectation of Privacy). If a person is exposes intended personal information or property to a third party that reasonable expectation of privacy is no longer valid. The â€Å"Fourth Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights,† and the â€Å"Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments of the United States Constitution.† The â€Å"Fourth Amendment protects the rights of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures† (Gatewood, 2013, p. 1). The government can use â€Å"GPS to track an individual movement† if they believe a crime have been committed. If law enforcement wants to obtain a warrant for â€Å"a GPS device to be installed† on an individual car, he or she must be able to convince a judge that a crime has been committed. They must also provide the judge with information about the place that will â€Å"be searched, and the† individual â€Å"or thing to be seized† (Hughes Burton, 2013, p. 1). In this court case, â€Å"the agents obtained a warrant, but they did not comply with two of the warrants restrictions. First, they did not install the GPS device within the 10-day period that was required by the provision of the warrant.† Second, the â€Å"GPS device supposed to be installed in the vehicle in the District of Columbia, as required by the condition of the warrant.† The â€Å"government installs the GPS device on the vehicle in a public parking space in Maryland† (McKenzie, 2002, p. 1). According to McKenzie (2002), â€Å"the vehicle is an effect as the term is used in the Amendment, and this is a violation of the Fourth Amendment.† An organization that use any form of GPS device on an individual vehicle would be violating the Fourth Amendment.† The â€Å"Fourth Amendment† was implemented to safeguard the rights of citizens, and to make sure that his or her â€Å"privacy is not violated† in any way (McKenzie, 2002, p. 1). A public management can â€Å"conduct a mixed-motive search of an employer’s workplace, seeking to discover evidence of worker misconduct, as well as evidence the worker has committed a crime.† For example, a â€Å"search of a computer of a worker who has been downloading child pornography implicates both personnel misconduct and criminal concern.† â€Å"Courts assessing whether to apply the O’Connor reasonableness standard or the more traditional Fourth Amendment probable cause and warrant requirements of these mix-motive searches have applied O’Connor, reasonableness standard.† Certainly, â€Å"as explained by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, O’Connor’s† objective of â€Å"ensuring that an efficient workplace should not be frustrated simply because the similar misconduct that violates a government management’s rule, and it is also illegal† (Koster, 2007, p. 1). A community employer can conduct searches related to the workplace â€Å"such as to find a missing file or to investigate workplace misconduct,† in compliance with the â€Å"Fourth Amendment without probable cause or a warrant.† A job-related search is â€Å"constitutionally† allowable â€Å"as long as they are reasonable expectation of privacy.† Furthermore, â€Å"even if the search does infringe on a worker’s reasonable expectation of privacy, the search will deemed reasonable in accordance with the Fourth Amendment it is justified as its inception and permissible in scope† (Koster, 2007, p. 1). In George Orwell’s 1984, the citizens of the dystopian, totalitarian country of Oceania are subjected to a grim reality of constant government surveillance. In difference, technology is necessary to fulfill Orwell’s nightmare is far closer to fact than fiction. For example, the smart phone while using its GPS function is an indispensable component for numerous road trips; this global device has many of the same capabilities as 1984 feared telescreen. In the United States v. Jones, the Supreme Court of the United States concluded that police violated the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution when they attached the GPS-enabled tracking device to the defendant’s vehicle and used it to monitor the car’s movements for 28 days (Maryland Law Review, pg. 998). Jones highlights two uniquely prescient  concerns: The impact of modern information-sharing technology on individual privacy, and what limits ought to be placed on Law enforcement from using such technology unrestricted by physical boundaries (Maryland Law Review, pg. 999). The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the lower court and held that without a warrant, the installation of the GPS tracking device constituted an unlawful search under the Fourth Amendment (United states v., 2012). The government had argued a person did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy on public streets but the U.S. Supreme court rejected this argument. The U.S. Supreme court ruled a person does have a reasonable expectation of privacy on public streets regardless of how the GPS tracking device is placed on the person’s vehicle. The U.S. Supreme Court also ruled that today’s surveillance technology is very advanced but still creates a physical intrusion into a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy protected under the Fourth Amendment (United states v., 2012). This ruling is very important in today’s business world as technology rapidly advances. The current generation of workers is very comfortable with advanced technology but still have the basic expectations of privacy that workers had 20 years ago. Companies can track email conversations, locate company smart phones using GPS technology, locate, and monitor routes of company vehicles, and even video tape activity at their locations. It is important that an organization brief and ensure each employee acknowledges the reasonable expectation of privacy policies. If a company issues a smart phone to an employee and employ GPS tracking on the phone, the employee must be informed his or her smart phone will be monitored. If a company installs GPS tracking devices on their vehicles the driver of that vehicle must be informed his or her route and movement is subject to company monitoring at all times. If a company video monitors its employees, employees must sign an acknowledgment under standing their movement with the organization is monitored and recorded during the business day. Advanced technology is a tool to reduce fraud in the workplace but cannot violate an employee’s right to privacy under the Fourth Amendment. References Gatewood, J. (2013). It’s raining Katz and Jones: The implications of United States v. Jones- A case of sound and fury. Pace Law Review, 33(2), 683-715. Retrieved from http://Web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com George Orwell Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1988, The Evolving Fourth Amendment United States vs. Jones, The information cloud, and the right to exclude, Ber An Pan, 1993 Hughes, T. Burton, C. (2013). Police GPS surveillance on vehicles and the warrant Requirement: â€Å"For a while I’ve been watching you steady†. American Journal Of Criminal Justice, 38(4), 535-550.doi:10.1007/s12103-012-9185-z. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com Kerr, O.S. (2007, November). Four Models of Fourth Amendment Protection. Stanford Law Review, 60(2), 503-551. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224069628?accountid=35812 McKenzie, D. (2002). What were they smoking?: The Supreme Court’s latest step in a long Strange trip throu gh the Fourth Amendment. Journal of Criminal Law Criminology, 93(1), 153. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com Koster, P. R. (2007). Workplace searches by public employers and the Fourth Amendment. Urban Lawyer, 39(1). 75-84. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.comezproxy. Apollolibrary.com Surveillance Self-Defense. (2013). Retrieved from https://ssd.eff.org/your-computer/govt/privacy U.S. Supreme Court, (2012). United states v. jones (No. 10–1259). Retrieved from website: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf

Friday, September 20, 2019

Overview Knowledge Based Economy Malaysia Commerce Essay

Overview Knowledge Based Economy Malaysia Commerce Essay Knowledge is defined as information combined with experience, context, interpretation, and reflection (Davenport et al., 1998). Knowledge defined as objects, concepts that are assumed exist around in people in same interest areas. Knowledge is commonly distinguished from data and information (Zack, 1999). Data is a kind of raw data which does not directly meaningful. Raw data refers to a collection of numbers, characters, images or other outputs from devices to convert physical quantities into symbols, which are unprocessed. Such data after further processed by human will become meaningful which is information. In addition, knowledge is result from interpreted information, understandings of combination of data and information, expertise, and skills which acquired by a person through year to year experiences. Further, knowledge can be tacit or explicit (Lave Wenger, 1991). For tacit knowledge, it is personal, context-specific knowledge that is difficult to formalize, record, or articulate, it is stored in the heads of people (Tiwana, 2000). Tacit knowledge is not available as text, it is difficult to express to others. It involves human personal beliefs, experiences, and values. For explicit knowledge is that component of knowledge that can be codified and transmitted in a systematic and formal language, documents, database, webs, e-mail, charts, etc (Tiwana, 2000). In contrast, explicit knowledge is more precisely and formally articulated, it can be transferred to others in a relatively straightforward manner. Explicit knowledge considers is the most important factor of production in knowledge economy. What is the knowledge economy? A knowledge-driven economy is one in which the generation and exploitation of knowledge play the predominant part in the creation of wealth (United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry, 1998). Knowledge economy also defined as economy of knowledge which focused on the production and management of knowledge. From the past, neo-classical economics has only focused on production of labour and capital as their main factor. Nowadays, neo-classical economy getting transform into knowledge-based economy by start replacing capital and energy into information and knowledge as their primary wealth-creating assets. In the words of Dr. Mahathir: In our pursuit towards developing the K-economy, knowledge has to replace labour and capital as the key factors of production in our economy. The challenge for Malaysia is to develop this knowledge amongst our citizens so that our success will be due to the contributions of Malaysian talents and knowledge workers (Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Putrajaya 8 March 2001 advertisement in the New Straits Times 13-04-2001). As we enter the 21st century, Malaysias economy is currently changing into knowledge based economy since announcement a long term project called Vision 2020, which was a plan turn Malaysia to a fully developed country and knowledge rich society through the development of ICT sector. According to Mahathir some have wondered why 2020 and not some other year. As a doctor I am attracted to the optometrist measurement of vision; 2020 indicates 100 per cent good vision in both eyes. Our 2020 vision for Malaysia implies this clear vision of where we want to go and what we want to be (Mohamad, 2007). To achieve the objectives of Vision 2020, shift Malaysia economy into knowledge-based economy to increase rapid rate of economy growth and enhance international competitiveness is very important. The knowledge based economy will be the main key point to strengthen Malaysias capability to innovate, create and design own indigenous technology, develop and launch new products in the market. In addition, the knowledge will be key factor contribute to Malaysias economy growth and able to achieve sustainable gross domestic product growth rate as well. Moreover, our previous prime minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad said during the Eight Malaysia Plan period, we will be faced with even greater challenges from globalization and liberalization as well as the rapid development of information and technology. We will have to shift the growth strategy from being input-driven towards one that is knowledge-driven (Abdulai, 2004). Therefore, Malaysia has integrated the development of Knowledge-Based Economy concept into its new vision policy in order to achieve our Malaysia Vision 2020. Malaysian were encouraged to improve the quality of education and training to learn highly skilled and knowledgeable manpower in order to support the development of a knowledge-based economy. To develop a Knowledge-Based Economy as a strategic move to raise the value added of all economic sectors and optimizing the brainpower of the nation: and 2). strengthening human resource development to produce a competent, productive, and knowledgeable workforce. (Abdulai, 2004). Besides, Malaysia government has been high involved in this process shift Malaysia towards Knowledge-Based Economy by set up institutions, infrastructures, and infostructures that will help move the country towards a KBE with the launching Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and National IT Agenda (NITA) organized by Malaysia government. The objectives to launch this project is formulate strategies and promote the utilization and development of IT, the key enabler of a knowledge-based economy by create an ideal IT and multimedia environment as well as enable Malaysia to be in the mainstream of activities necessary to attract knowledge workers, technopreneurs and high-technology industries. Furthermore, there are some academic researchers studying Knowledge Management and Knowledge-Based Economy development in Malaysia. A major effort is the book Malaysia and K-economy (2001) by a number of academics of the Multimedia University of Malaysia. Also, a number of local studies on some ICT developments which related innovative practice are also reported in the Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Economics and Business Conference 2002 (UPM). There is also a paper measures knowledge-based economy achievement through the skilled labor contributions to Malaysian manufacturing sector productivity growth (Elsadig et al, 2003). This studies trying to prove that Knowledge-Based Economy really contributed to a developed country in various sectors development such as manufacturing sector, ICT sector. As we know, the transformation towards Knowledge-Based Economy is started in Malaysia. Many organizations realize the important knowledge that will affect an organization operation future. Knowledge will play important role factor of affect organization production rather than the labour workforces, capital. Nowadays, knowledge management is not just used in ICT government sector, it also widely used in private hospitality industry. In this service industry, knowledge is very important in order to provide latest information which customer require immediately. With knowledge, they able to help customer solve difficult problem in limited time constrain due to every minute of time is equal to money of customer. In addition, we know that some industries have facing high turnover work force. Recruit new staff to take over the job position is not always the effective way. Therefore, they are only depending on past documentation which is explicit knowledge left by previous staff. Yet, it is difficult to transform tacit knowledge into documentation as references for future used. Thats why the important of learning knowledge management there are. There is an example in below: In an industry where there is highly turnover, knowledge management also helps bring our staff up to speed quicky and we achieve the learning processes documented and disseminated quickly. (Cherly, 2008). As the growing demand for knowledge-based products and services is changing the structure of the global economy, the role of knowledge in achieving competitive advantage is becoming an important management issue in all sectors. The gap between a companys market value and its tangible asset value is widening; the key variable explaining this gap is a firms stock of knowledge. Unlike land, labor, and capital the economists traditional, finite factors of production knowledge and ideas are infinite economic goods that can generate increasing returns through their systematic use (Kim Mauborgne, 1999). Though there little consensus as to what knowledge actually is, many do accept that knowledge is a primary competitive factor in business today (Dzinkowski, 2000). A survey conducted by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) shows that the top executives of both the Canadian Financial Post 300 firms and US Fortune 500 firms view knowledge resources as critical for a firms success. Discussion Knowledge is defined as information combined with experience, context, interpretation, and reflection (Davenport et al., 1998). Knowledge is commonly distinguished from data and information (Zack, 1999). Knowledge is believed and valued on the basis of the meaningfully organized accumulation of information through experience, communication, or inference. Knowledge can be viewed both as a thing to be stored and manipulated and as a process of simultaneously knowing and acting that is, applying expertise (Blackler, 1995). Instead, Knowledge is not only embodied in goods and services, particularly in high technology industries, but also it is a commodity itself, manifested in forms such as intellectual property rights or in the tacit knowledge of highly mobile key employees. Knowledge includes information how the way to interact as individuals as community. Knowledge unlike land, labor, and capital the economists traditional, finite factors of production knowledge and ideas are infinite economic goods that can generate increasing returns through their systematic use (Kim Mauborgne, 1999). It is a public good and sharing with others involves zero marginal cost. Though there little consensus as to what knowledge actually is, many do accept that knowledge is a primary competitive factor in business today (Dzinkowski, 2000). In addition, technology breakthrough based on knowledge creates technical platforms that support further innovations and drive economic growth (Bank Negara, 1999). The table below w ill show the framework categories of knowledge: Picture1 As the growing demand for knowledge-based products and services is changing the structure of the global economy, the role of knowledge in achieving competitive advantage is becoming an important management issue in all sectors. Therefore, the rapid creation and dissemination of knowledge and information is very important to the organization. If knowledge is not properly maintained, information could become misconstrued or vanish all together. When information is stored within individual minds, the maintenance of this knowledge becomes more complex. The retrieval and distribution of information are the most important aspects of organizational memory. Individuals must be motivated in order to retrieve and communicate information. A major problem within many organizations is the fact that employees view knowledge as a method of securing their jobs and are reluctant to share their knowledge with others. Nowadays, many organization and enterprise are realizing how important to make maximu m use of knowledge among their staff. These knowledge can be database knowledge, work past experiences, human knowledge based. It is hard to keep track of and make use of all of the parts knowledge. The organization interest to know what are the knowledge assets and how to use and manage this knowledge asset to get high return in the future. Most of the organization in Malaysia only focused on labor, capital and tangible asset as their primary knowledge assets. They are loses sight of knowledge Management as their primary important knowledge assets. Only, few organizations fully realize the benefits from highly valued knowledge. However, organizations getting change, evolution, view knowledge management as part of their business strategy. Due to organization found that, to success in increase competitive marketplace is fully depends on the quality of the knowledge by how to apply it in the business process. Knowledge management has also been described for its possible role in creating sustained competitive advantages for organizations (Grant, 1996; Johannessen Olsen, 2003; Lado Wilson, 1994). Such as apply knowledge on low cost leadership strategy by the way of cut cost, lower the product price, reduce or eliminate steps in the manufacturing process that are unnecessary or duplicated process cycle in order to have a unique characteristic to differentiate form the competitor. This is the way how to apply knowledge in cost leadership strategy and differentiation strategy into business field to gain competitive advantages in the competition marketplace. Knowledge management not only the benefits of reduced co sts and cycle time, but also develop valuable knowledge that anticipates of future buyer/seller behavior. Besides, knowledge management apply on innovation-based differentiation strategy to create new innovation product to able differentiate from competitors to gain competitive advantages. However, there is a challenge of deploying the knowledge assets of an organization to create competitive advantage such as the marketplace is increasing competitive and the rate of innovation, knowledge should be evolve and process at even faster rate by an organization in order to catch up with the trend of the market. Moreover, knowledge takes times to experience and acquire. An organization does not have enough time to provide this kind of knowledge management training and increase formal knowledge management to the staff. Leading loss of knowledge due to staff retirement earlier is one of the reasons. The experience from the retire staff may not be transfer the tacit knowledge to the fresh staff. It is difficult to request experience staffs turn their tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge which is documentation form for references use in future. Sometimes, changing in strategy direction may result in the loss of knowledge in a specific area. For instance, a subsequent reversal in policy may then lead to a renewed requirement for this knowledge, but the employees with that knowledge may no longer be there. A variety of factors have been shown to have an important effect on the ability of organizations to acquire sustained competitive advantage, including the relative capability development of a firm (Johannessen Olsen, 2003), and a firms ability to differentiate its products (Johannessen Olsen, 2003; Teece et al., 1997). Research on KM and competitive advantage has emphasized description, rather than empirical study KM can lead to such an advantage (Holsapple Singh, 2001; Ndlela Toit, 2001). The current competitive environment is driven largely by the emergence of the knowledge society, where as Drucker has described (Drucker, 1992), organizations move from productivity based on make and move to one based on knowledge and service. The emergence of this knowledge era is radically changing what creates value in organizations, whereby the long-term viability and prosperity of an organization increasingly depends on its managements ability to leverage the hidden value of its intangible assets. Resource-based has emerged as a key competitive priority in many organization activities including corporate strategy (Clemons, 1991), information technology capability (Mata, Fuerst,Barney, 1995), and KM. Resource-based is defined as the resources and capabilities possessed by competing firms that may differ, and these differences may be long lasting (Barney, 1991; Rumelt, 1984; Wernerfelt, 1984). From the resource-based perspective, knowledge management researchers have identified various KM related resources that serve as potential source of competitive advantage. For example, Gold et al. (2001) notes that technological resource, structural resource, and cultural resource are rate and firm specific and therefore likely to serve as sources of organizational capability. Along with competent KM skills, Lee and Choi (2003) point out that the relationships between knowledge enablers (culture, structure, people, and technology) and organizational performance. Likewise, in fostering research agenda of knowledge management, Grover and Davenport (2001) and Okunoye and Karsten (2002) describe the strategy, structure, culture, and technology as the primary sources of its business growth and improved competitiveness. Furthermore, an organizations with strong social KM resources are able to (1) integrate the KM and business planning processes more effectively, (2) develop reliable and innovation applications that support the business needs of the firm faster than competition, (3) predict future business needs of the firm and innovate valuable new product features before competitors. The social KM resources ability to encourage the multifaceted activities associated with the successful implementation of knowledge management has been found to be a key distinguis hing factor of successful firms (Lee Choi, 2003). In fact the wide difference in competitive organizational and economic benefits that companies acquire from KM has been attributed largely to their social KM resources (Lee Choi, 2003; Miller Shamsie, 1996). KM resources are complex to gain and difficult to imitate when there is individual. To achieve competitive advantage through Knowledge Management, organizations have also learned how to combine effectively their KM resources to create an overall KM capability. Conclusion We were more understanding about what Knowledge is, how knowledge important to contribution economy growth, how knowledge management benefits to the organizations and how knowledge management may be appropriately viewed as an organizational capability. Before we started, we have done many researches about what actually Knowledge-Based Economy is. We also found out how Malaysia started to change towards Knowledge-Based Economy, what is the main factor to have this Knowledge-Based Economy evolution. Since introduction of the Seventh Malaysian Plan (1996-2000), it is the effort towards shifting Malaysia to a knowledge-based economy. Thats why it is important to understand the readiness of Malaysian higher educational institutions to support knowledge-based economy. In addition, the contributions to the development of the Malaysian Knowledge-based economy have come largely from the government policy makers, management consultants and businesspersons. It proved that knowledge play an important role to change our country, society from traditional to knowledge-based. In conclusion, the challenge of globalization and a knowledge-based era has made it vital for Malaysia to move towards a Knowledge Based Economy. Knowledge Based Economy will present the ways to achieve sustainable rapid growth and remain globally competitive in the medium and long term and it will brings up our country towards Vision 2020 and turn Malaysia to a fully developed country and knowledge rich society.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

A Chioce Made Easy Essay -- essays research papers fc

A Choice Made Easy Choosing educational software for children is certainly not an easy task. Because so many options are available, it is easy to be overwhelmed by all the vividly colored packages, the intriguing characters, and fantastic claims of academic enhancements. How in the world does one actually choose? Fortunately, all is not lost. A software package is available, which truly encompasses those qualities, and does so without assaulting the purchaser’s pocketbook. My Personal Tutor by Microsoft, is a budget sensitive, educational enhancement package for childaren, with exciting graphics and an incredible academic framework. For this reason, a recent review of this program stated that â€Å"Microsoft has made a great contribution to children’s learning† (Dr. Toy). In fact, My Personal Tutor is the best choice of children’s educational software.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The activities in My Personal Tutor facilitate learning in vital academic disciplines. Because of the technological advancement of our society, today’s students require more strength in critical thinking, reading, and math skills than ever before. This three CD set is dedicated to enhancing skills in those areas. For example, in Turru’s Sea Quest, the student further develops thinking skills in order to advance through the game format. By solving unfinished sentences, analyzing and completing number or shape patterns, challenging memory with matching, and matching analog compared to digital time, the child assists Captain Scratch in setting free the endangered sea creatures. In another CD, Sam’s Hide & Seek, the child strengthens reading skills in a virtual museum, with six separate rooms where the child plays interactive word games or reads stories in order to help Sam find his friends. However, the word games are not simple mindless entertai nment. For instance, by solving incomplete sentences a story emerges. During this process, an amusing, vividly colored picture is painted depicting the story the child is creating. In another challenging exercise, the student reads stories and answers questions relating to the story content in order to gain points, thereby fostering comprehension. Finally, in a third CD, the child’s world becomes an incredible space station where the goal is to help a new friend, Spy, capture alien stowaways. In Spy’s Space Station, traditional math of the p... ...osoft is the best choice of children’s educational enhancement software. Works Cited Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products for 1998. San Francisco, CA. 1999. Microsoft Kids Page. Redmond, WA. November 17, 1998. Outline Thesis: My Personal Tutor is the best choice of children’s educational software. I. The activities in My Personal Tutor facilitate learning in vital academic disciplines. A. In Turru’s Sea Quest, the student further develops thinking skills. B. In Sam’s Hide & Seek, the child strengthens reading skills. C. In Sky’s Space Station, traditional math is transformed into exciting activities. II. Through well-designed game objectives, My personal Tutor generates long term interest. A. All the activities are designed as a means to an end. B. The goals are met methodically through a sense of teamwork C. The interactive characters are encouraging throughout the challenge. III. Parents can feel confident that the purchase of this set is a cost- effective enhancement to the child’s education, as well as an excellent source of reinforcement for vital social skills. A. The price is only $14.95 after the rebate. B. My Personal Tutor is not limited to academics only.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Analysis of Neuromancer by William Gibson :: Neuromancer Essays

Analysis of Neuromancer by William Gibson  Ã‚         William Gibson's Neuromancer sets tone 'postmodern science fiction' or 'cyberpunk science fiction.'   According to the author of "Science Fiction and the Postmodern," John R. R. Christie, postmodern requires that humans take the associations of everyday life and transform them into something different (39).Sarah also claims that Neuromancer follows the cyberpunk category.Unlike other science fiction books that we read in this class, Gibson's story takes place everywhere in this planet, starting from Chiba in Japan, Istanbul, Paris and Vancouver in Canada.   These familiar settings make Gibson's story more understandable and believable.      Gibson's Neuromancer reveals itself as apostmodern science fiction contrasting postmodernity and humanism by setting the story in familiar places.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story begins at one of the bars in Chiba, Japan.   This bar is where only foreigners (gaijin) come to drink the Japanese beer, Kirin.   In fact, these types of bars existed in Japan even when ten to twenty years ago.   Gibson used many specific names of places and companies' names in the story.   For example, Tokyo Bay, Shinjuku, and even minor city, Sendaiwere used with less description to make readers feel that the places are common in our life; it is not strange like the city in The Martian Chronicles.  Ã‚   Throughout the book, Gibsonused existing companies' names, such as; Fuji Electric Company, Mitsubishi-Genetic, Hilton Hotel, and Sony.   Melissa thought that this setting is representative of what American percieve to be what they can expect in the future. Gibson's setting uses glo bal level and includes minor cities such as Sendai, Istanbul, and Vancouver, to show this story could take place anywhere.From our perception, these cities are far from relating to science or technology development.   The traditional science fiction writers usually set their stories in the major cities of the United States or other well-known technologically-developed countries.   The author of "Preface from Mirroshades,"Bruce Sterling noted that "Cyberpunks aim for a wide-ranging, global point ofview," (347).   Gibson's Neuromancer proves this notion by setting his story in worldwide.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cyberpunks or postmodern science fiction writers create their story into our everyday life and make it more real.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Online Innovation :: essays research papers

Project overview: There is a great need for a full service and price competitive on-line meat shop. At this point, we may explain our company nature before and after go online like from â€Å"Blick and Mortar† to â€Å"Click and Mortar†? If we combine this need being met with the feel of shopping at a real â€Å"home town† meat shop our competitive advantage will be far greater than that of our competitors. There are very few alternatives for on-line meat shops. There are notch stores such as Bisonmeat.com that ships bison meat at a premium and targets only a small demographic. Also, there are full product providers like Iowameats.com. However there prices are wildly out of line compared to a â€Å"home town meat shop.† Should we emphasize our low cost of operation and production, which cause our low price offered? It is clear the on-line community is underserved in this area and it is evident that there is much room for growth and profitability in the on-line meat market industry. Value proposition: What we propose is a partnership with local meat shops in the US to achieve maximum shipping savings and product quality. Is this partnership including Delivery Service Company? Since we’ll offer free shipping to customers, we may need to mention about long term relationship or contract with Delivery Company. Practically, we won’t survive if we need to pay high for each shipment, isn’t it? We believe that we can offer the same meats at the same price as walking into the store and picking it off the shelf by offering subscriptions to our customers and creating a commission based service fee to the vendors. The subscriptions and commissions from the vendor (individual customer?) would be our revenue. The vendor would profit by name recognition on the site, increased sales from on-line purchases, and only pays in return for sales. Since we will be working with a â€Å"home town meat shop† we will have a competitive bundle of satisfactions.

Monday, September 16, 2019

The Importance of Documentation

The Importance of Documentation Documentation: Material, printed or electronic, that provides official information or evidence or that serves as a record. Why is documentation important? Without it there would be no record of anything. Humans have been documenting and recording important information for centuries. Information from inventory lists to details of wars, weather reports, past civilizations, and census data. As a non-commissioned officer having documentation when required is important in many aspects of my duties at work and even at home.At work there are medical files and profiles, leave paperwork, ammunition requests, forms for vehicle repairs, parts requests, dependent documents†¦ the list goes on and on but each document is important for its own unique reasons. Without medical files there would be no documentation of injuries or illnesses and what was done to treat them. What if the issue reoccurred? A physician would need the details of past treatments and medica tions to determine what the current treatment should be.A medical profile is an important document for showing proof of health or injury related limitations or restrictions to avoid causing the issue to worsen. Without properly completed and filed leave paperwork a soldier’s leave request would be denied. Other paperwork ignored or improperly completed can result in mission failure, delayed repairs, etc. Dependent documents are imperative to ensuring eligible family members receive the benefits entitled to them. The NCO Creed: No one is more professional than I.I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a noncommissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as â€Å"the Backbone of the Army. † I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the military service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety. Competence is my watch-word. My two basic responsibilities will always be ppermost in my mind — accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a noncommissioned officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike. I will exe rcise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders! As an NCO, as a leader of soldiers, it is my responsibility to set the standard.It is my responsibility to be the example and demonstrate that which I expect from my soldiers. Leadership, competence, responsibility, and accountability are the foundation of successful operations within the United States Military. That ability to train, prepare and lead men into combat has been a defining characteristic of our military for hundreds of years. The importance these skills cannot be underestimated. Leaders apply these skills to ensure a successful mission. Since the revolutionary war, men have been dedicating their lives to the freedom of our country.These men were part of a team that received orders from leaders about how to overcome the enem y of the day. Today’s enemy is much harder to find, but the skills needed to succeed are easily to found here within the ranks of the United States Military, the thousands of men and women giving their best to lead soldiers. The words of the NCO Creed state clearly the responsibilities of the Army’s NCO leaders and the importance of these responsibilities is beyond measure. This country’s leaders have been teaching about leadership for quite some time.As General George Washington expressed more than 200 years ago, serving as a Soldier of the United States does not mean giving up being an American citizen with its inherent rights and responsibilities. Soldiers are citizens and should recognize that when in uniform, they represent their units, their Army, and their country. Every Soldier must balance the functions of being a dedicated warrior with obedience to the laws of the Nation. They must function as ambassadors for the country in peace and war. When speaking to officer candidates in 1941, then General of the Army George C.Marshall said, â€Å"When you are commanding, leading [Soldiers] under conditions where physical exhaustion and privations must be ignored; where the lives of [Soldiers] may be sacrificed, then, the efficiency of your leadership will depend only to a minor degree on your tactical or technical ability. It will primarily be determined by your character, your reputation, not so much for courage—which will be accepted as a matter of course—but by the previous reputation you have established for fairness, for that high-minded patriotic purpose, that quality of unswerving determination to carry through any military task assigned you.Soldiers need to be able to have faith in their command to do what is right for the soldier and the country. Command is about sacred trust. Nowhere else do superiors have to answer for how their subordinates live and act beyond duty hours. Society and the Army look to commanders t o ensure that Soldiers and Army civilians receive the proper training and care, uphold expected values, and accomplish assigned missions. Having a â€Å"good† commander is vital for unit cohesion and success. In Army organizations, commanders set the standards and policies for achieving and rewarding superior performance, as well as for punishing misconduct.In fact, military commanders can enforce their orders by force of criminal law. Consequently, it should not come as a surprise that organizations often take on the personality of their commanders. Army leaders selected to command are expected to lead beyond merely exercising formal authority. They should lead by example and serve as role models, since their personal example and public actions carry tremendous moral force. Soldiers need to work in a positive environment. Many will argue that aggressive leadership inspires more work.While this may be true, the motivating factors within soldiers of such a leader are going to be less personal than those found within a soldier who respects and values his leader’s guidance. How important is character in those trying to lead? The answer is of course that character is the defining element in a successful leader. Three major factors determine a leader’s character: values, empathy, and the Warrior Ethos. Some characteristics are present at the beginning of the leader’s career, while others develop over time through additional education, training, and experience.It is essential to success that Army leaders lead by personal example and consistently act as good role models through a dedicated lifelong effort to learn and develop. The Army cannot accomplish its mission unless all Army leaders, NCOs, soldiers, and civilians accomplish theirs— whether that means presenting a medical profile upon request, filling out a status report, repairing a vehicle, planning a budget, packing a parachute, maintaining pay records, or walking guard duty . The Army consists of more than a single outstanding general or a handful of combat heroes.It relies on hundreds of thousands of dedicated NCOs, soldiers, and civilians—workers and leaders— each doing their part to accomplish the mission. Each of their roles and responsibilities may differ, but they are no less important in reaching the goal. Every leader in the Army is a member of a team, a subordinate, and at some point, a leader of leaders. The Army relies on it’s NCOs to be capable of executing complex tactical operations, making intent driven decisions, and who can operate in joint, interagency, and multinational scenarios.They must take the information provided by their leaders and pass it on to their subordinates. Soldiers look to their NCOs for solutions, guidance, and inspiration. Soldiers can relate to NCOs since NCOs are promoted from the junior enlisted ranks. They expect them to be the buffer, filtering information from the commissioned officers an d providing them with the day-to-day guidance to get the job done. To answer the challenges of the contemporary operating environment, NCOs must train their Soldiers to cope, prepare, and perform no matter what the situation.In short, the Army NCO of today is a warrior-leader of strong character, comfortable in every role outlined in the NCO Corps’ vision. NCO leaders are responsible for setting and maintaining high-quality standards and discipline. They are the standard-bearers. Throughout history, flags have served as rallying points for Soldiers, and because of their symbolic importance, NCOs are entrusted with maintaining them. In a similar sense, NCOs are also accountable for caring for Soldiers and setting the example for them. NCOs live and work every day with Soldiers.The first people that new recruits encounter when joining the Army are NCOs. NCOs process Soldiers for enlistment, teach basic Soldier skills, and demonstrate how to respect superior officers. Even after transition from civilian to Soldier is complete, the NCO is the key direct leader and trainer for individual, team, and crew skills at the unit level. NCOs have other roles as trainers, mentors, communicators, and advisors. When junior officers first serve in the Army, their NCO helps to train and mold them. When lieutenants make mistakes, seasoned NCOs can step in and guide the young officers back on track.Doing so ensures mission accomplishment and Soldier safety while forming professional and personal bonds with the officers based on mutual trust and common goals. â€Å"Watching each other’s back† is a fundamental step in team building and cohesion. An NCO is a direct leader, giving leadership that is face-to-face or first-line leadership. This leadership occurs in organizations where subordinates are accustomed to seeing their leaders all the time: teams and squads; sections and platoons; companies, batteries, troops, battalions, and squadrons. The direct leaderâ €™s span of influence may range from a handful to several hundred people.NCOs are in direct leadership positions more often than their officer and civilian counterparts. Direct leaders develop their subordinates one-on-one and influence the organization indirectly through their subordinates. To ensure that I as an NCO, in a direct leadership role, positively influence and guide the soldiers around me, I have the responsibility, the obligation, to convey the example of the ideal soldier. Character, a person’s moral and ethical qualities, the ability to determine what is right and gives a leader motivation to do what is appropriate, regardless of the circumstances.An informed ethical conscience consistent with the Army Values strengthens leaders to make the right choices when faced with tough issues. Since Army leaders seek to do what is right and inspire others to do the same, they must embody these values. As a non-commissioned officer having documentation when it is need ed is important in many aspects of my duties at work but more than that it is important for me to set an example for the soldiers looking to me for guidance.

Protrayal of Australian Landscape and Character

How has the Australian Landscape been used to portray and show the development of Australian Character? Refer to 2 Texts. As a person that calls Australia home, I have seen and heard many criticisms and descriptions of this land that were observed from foreigners. Although there are aspects that create the image of Australia such as the people and the natural fauna, the main and central idea that represents our home are her deadly and awe-inspiring environments and landscape. Australia’s character is built upon first impressions.As most people rely on their sight, their first impressions are from visual perspectives. The environment of which they arrive in or have experienced from media depend largely on what they see, thus making the Australian landscape of vital importance in creating the â€Å"Australian Character. † Due to the fact that we rely on sight, this also includes our limitless imagination; and the key to imaginations are words. Description, tone and the fe elings portrayed through words are the cause of imaginations and perceptions and because the iconic images of Australia are the landscapes we tend to include them in our portrayals.Written languages have been around for centuries, it is a way of communication and as informed so are images. The comparison for the development of Australia flows easily with words and is therefore usually portrayed in texts, other forms of literature and in songs. It goes into more depth. It is a detailed way to represent the character of Australia. There are many text examples, of which use the Australian landscape to portray the development of Australia such as poems like â€Å"My Country† and â€Å"The Fierce Country† and lyrics in the Advance Australian Fair.The poem â€Å"My Country† by Dorothea Mackellar is a famous Australian poem, well-known for the descriptions based upon Australia’s landscape. The poem contains many words related to landform such as â€Å"sweeping plains†, â€Å"ragged mountain ranges† and â€Å"wilful lavish land,† all in which have an adjective to accompany it. This creates allows us to imagine these depictions in the same perspective as the authors, which gives us a clear view to what she is talking about.The way Dorothea used symbolic words to describe Australia’s landscapes, helps us to grasp the concept of Australia’s character. A sample of this would include the contrasting effects in the verse: â€Å"I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, Her beauty and her terror – The wide brown land for me! † Here the words symbolise and infer many characteristics that may bring out feelings. There are many ways to interpret Australia’s character through this.For example, the â€Å"sunburnt† gives me the idea of being durable and tough as well as the c olour of red, the â€Å"land of sweeping plains† keeps me thinking of being broad/wide and productive as plains contain fertile soil and the â€Å"ragged mountains† produces the personality of being persistent and being able to stand her ground through many years. Additionally, â€Å"her far horizons† perceives calmness, the â€Å"jewel sea† shows that Australia is rich, valuable and holds substance still to be discovered and the contrast in the line â€Å"her beauty and her terror† indicates that she is diverse.By reading through this verse of the landscape, it overall gives Australia the characteristics of being strong, durable, dynamic, tenacious, relaxed and unique and therefore portraying Australia’s characteristics. Another poem is Douglas Stewart’s, â€Å"Fierce Country. † In this case, the uses of landscapes are used constantly through the poem, in a way forcing us to think about only landscapes throughout the whole thi ng. He uses many personifications such as â€Å"the sun glares down on the stones and the stones glare back†, â€Å"red stones leap with fire† and â€Å"where the mirage still watches with glittering eyes. This enables us to think of this country as a living organism, which gives us an easier way to create Australia’s character and personality. The use of landscapes mixed along with personification also assists our interpretation as we are human and have experienced or seen these personified actions before, hence strengthening the concept through the whole poem and is a way in which the Australian landscape has been used.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Explain Why Trotsky Did Not Become the Leader of the Ussr

Explain why Trotsky did not become the leader of the USSR After Lenin’s death in 1924 the Bolsheviks (although not out rightly stated) were in need of a new leader. The power struggle occurred from 1923-1929 and eventually Stalin effectively became the leader of the USSR due to many reasons, including the weaknesses of Trotsky. Trotsky had not been a Bolshevik initially – he converted from the Menshevik party in 1917. Therefore some of the party members doubted him as 100% trustworthy.Within the Civil War, he had created and led the ‘Red Army’ which was still very strong, and they feared that if he had the power to do so, Trotsky would use the Red Army to begin a violent coup and take over the whole country himself. On top of this, Trotsky himself hadn’t tried to build up support within the party and consequently after Lenin’s death when the party were in debate as to how the country should be run Trotsky had a difficult time trying to put for ward his ideas as many supported Stalin.In fact Trotsky had widely underestimated Stalin as a contender for the party’s leadership. He had regarded him as inferior, which may have been true if looking at intelligence, however Trotsky’s arrogance blinded him as his disregard for anyone less intelligent than himself again lost him support, whilst Stalin was gaining it throughout the judgements he put forward and the allies he was creating. In hindsight it is clear that this self-importance was Trotsky’s major downfall at this time because not only was he disliked but it caused him to make some crucial errors of judgement.Most significantly the decision with Stalin to not publish Lenin’s final testament, in which it was proven that Lenin disliked Stalin and believed he had too much power and couldn’t be trusted. It is clear that had this been publicised at the time Stalin would have struggled enormously to become the leader with the criticism of a pop ular leader before hand. However it condemned Trotsky as well and although his would’ve most likely had minor effect, he chose to keep his pride.This may have been partly because Trotsky wasn’t as driven as the other leaders in wanting to take over the party as he believed that as a Jew there would be prejudice against him as a leader due to anti-Semitism in Russia. Therefore he didn’t push himself forward. Overall Trotsky did not become the leader of the USSR because he didn’t have much support within the party and his lack of tactics and drive didn’t make him a strong contender. Both of these weaknesses were highly influenced by his self absorbed personality.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Components of Supply Chain Management (SCM) Essay

The main elements of a supply chain include purchasing, operations, distribution, and integration. The supply chain begins with purchasing. Purchasing managers or buyers are typically responsible for determining which products their company will sell, sourcing product suppliers and vendors, and procuring products from vendors at prices and terms that meets profitability goals. Supply chain operations focus on demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management. Forecasts estimate customer demand for a particular product during a specific period of time based on historical data, external drivers such as upcoming sales and promotions, and any changes in trends or competition. Using demand planning to develop accurate forecasts is critical to effective inventory management. Forecasts are compared to inventory levels to ensure that distribution centers have enough, but not too much, inventory to supply stores with a sufficient amount of product to meet demand. This allows companies to reduce inventory carrying costs while still meeting customer needs. Moving the product from warehouses or manufacturing plants to stores and ultimately to customers is the distribution function of the supply chain. Supply chain integration refers to the practice of developing a collaborative workflow among all departments and components involved in the supply chain to maximize efficiencies and build a lean supply chain. 2 Walmart’s Method of Managing the Supply Chain Walmart has been able to assume market leadership position primarily due to its efficient integration of suppliers, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution to stores. Its supply chain strategy has four key components: vendor partnerships, cross docking and distribution management, technology, and integration. Walmart’s supply chain begins with strategic sourcing to find products at the best price from suppliers who are in a position to  ensure they can meet demand. Walmart establishes strategic partnerships with most of their vendors, offering them the potential for long-term and high volume purchases in exchange for the lowest possible prices. Suppliers then ship product to Walmart’s distribution centers where the product is cross docked and then delivered to Walmart stores. Cross docking, distribution management, and transportation management keep inventory and transportation costs down, reducing transportation time and eliminating inefficiencies. Technology plays a key role in Walmart’s supply chain, serving as the foundation of their supply chain. Walmart has the largest information technology infrastructure of any private company in the world. Its state-of-the-art technology and network design allow Walmart to accurately forecast demand, track and predict inventory levels, create highly efficient transportation routes, and manage customer relationships and service response logistics. 3 Benefits of Efficient Supply Chain Management Wal-Mart’s supply chain management strategy has provided the company with several sustainable competitive advantages, including lower product costs, reduced inventory carrying costs, improved in-store variety and selection, and highly competitive pricing for the consumer. This strategy has helped Walmart become a dominant force in a competitive global market. As technology evolves, Walmart continues to focus on innovative processes and systems to improve its supply chain and achieve greater efficiency. How to Manage the Bullwhip Effect on Your Supply Chain The goal of any supply chain is to get the right selection of goods and services to customers in the most efficient way possible. To meet this goal, each link along the supply chain must not only function as efficiently as possible; it must also coordinate and integrate with links both upstream and downstream in the chain. The keystone for a lean supply chain is accuracy in  demand planning. Unforeseen spikes in demand or overestimations of demand stimulate the supply end of the chain to respond with changes in production. Production and supply issues then impact the consumer end of the supply chain and the effects ripple up and down the chain. This is often referred to as the bullwhip effect. 1 What Causes the Bullwhip Effect? Supply chain management is a complex process. There are several issues that can lead to the bullwhip effect and those issues can be exacerbated by delays in transmitting information, and a lack of coordination up and down the supply chain. Some causes of the bullwhip effect include: Consumer demand swings Natural disasters that disrupt the flow of goods and services Overcompensation when addressing inventory issues Ordering processes, such as order batching, can also contribute to thebullwhip effect. Organizations may accumulate larger orders before processing them in an effort to reduce costs and create transportation economics. They may also wait to place larger orders to benefit from lower prices offered during a promotion. Demand forecasting manipulation is another cause. By padding the forecast to compensate for possible errors, the organization loses sight of true customer demand. Customers can also contribute to the bullwhip effect by engaging in shortage gaming during periods of short supply by purchasing more than they need. Additionally, customers taking advantage of liberal return policies can create problems with developing accurate demand forecasts. 2 How to Minimize the Bullwhip Effect The first step in minimizing the bullwhip effect is to understand what drives customer demand planning and inventory consumption. Lack of demand visibility can be addressed by providing all key players in the supply chain  with access to point of sale (POS) data. Suppliers and customers must then work collaboratively to improve both the quality and frequency of information communication throughout the supply chain. They may also choose to share information through an arrangement such as vendor-managed inventory (VMI). Eliminating practices that introduce spikes in demand, such as order batching, can also help. The higher order cost associated with smaller or more frequent orders can be offset with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and computer aided ordering (CAO). Pricing strategies and policies can also help reduce the bullwhip effect. Eliminating incentives that cause customers to delay orders, such as volume transportation discounts, and addressing the causes of order cancellations or reductions can help create smoother ordering patterns. Offering products at stable and fair prices can prevent buying surges triggered by temporary promotional discounts. Special purchase contracts can be implemented to encourage ordering at regular intervals to better synchronize delivery and purchase. 3 Adopting Supply Chain Management Best Practices Using sound chain management processes and systems will result in the efficient flow of goods from a raw stage to the consumer while enhancing ROI for the company. Reviewing case studies and other resources detailing best practices can suggest opportunities for improvement. Adopting successful practices such as Walmart’s use of cross docking, or Dell’s process of bypassing the middle man by offering made-to-order computers directly to customers, can contribute to a lean supply chain and minimize the bullwhip effect. Reducing the bullwhip effect requires a thorough evaluation of organizational policies, measurements, systems, and practices. Based on the positive implications an efficient supply chain can have on costs, sales, profits and customer satisfaction, it’s an undertaking well worth the investment and effort.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Faith Healing and the government should it be protected or monitored Dissertation

Faith Healing and the government should it be protected or monitored - Dissertation Example (1)Is refusal of medical treatment to children due to parents’ religious beliefs a valid and legitimate decision? (2) Can faith healing be considered as viable medical approach? To clarify further these questions the following sub-questions are addressed: Is the practice of faith healing a religious right? Should faith healing be protected by the state? Is faith healing, as practice, be considered as child abuse and first-degree murder when parents avoid using western medicine on a treatable illness and their child eventually dies? Is faith healing similar with placebo effect? The research used qualitative research for its research methodology and employed documentary analysis, group discussion, and reflection journal for its method. Some of the findings of the research are: (1) Religious belief and faith healing are the same even if the two concepts are closely connected. (2) Faith healing is not a viable form of health care service. (3) There is need to clarify further the n otion of religious belief, since, there is ambivalence in its understanding. This ambivalence affects Court decisions regarding parental decisions refusing medical treatment for their child. Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 5 1.1.Background of the Study 6 1.2. Research Questions 8 1.3. Objective and Aims of the Research 10 1.4. Significance of the Study 11 1.5.Assumptions of the Study 11 1.6. Theoretical Framework 12 1.7. Definition of Terms 13 1.8.Structure of the Dissertation 15 Chapter 2 On Religious Beliefs and Refusal of Medical Treatments 16 2.1. Introduction 16 2.2. Religious Beliefs: A Search for its Meaning 18 2.2.1. A View of Religion 19 2.2.2. On the Idea of God: A Very Brief Elucidation 26 2.2.3. Spirituality 28 2.2.4. On Religious Beliefs: An Attempt to Definition 31 2.3.1. Parental Decision and Religious Belief: Parental Control 34 2.3.2. Free Exercise Clause: Parental Decision and Refusal for Medical Treatment 36 2.3.4. On the Other Side: The State and Parens Patria 38 2.3.4.1. The Clash: The British Approach 40 2.3.4.2. The Clash: The American Approach 41 2.4. Some Observations 42 Summary 43 Chapter 3 On Faith Healing 44 3.1. Introduction 44 3.2. Faith Healing: A Brief History and Its Definition 46 3.2.1. Faith Healing: Its Definition 48 3.3 Faith Healing and the State 50 3.4. Faith Healing and Placebo Effect 51 Summary 53 Chapter 4 Research Methodology 54 4.1.Introduction 54 4.2. Research Design 54 4.3. Research Methodology 56 4.4. Research Approach 57 4.5. Method of Data Collection 57 4.6. Ethical Consideration 60 Chapter 5 Findings and Discussion 63 5.1. Introduction 63 5.2. The Findings 63 5.2.1. A Conceptual Understanding of Religious Belief 64 5.2.1.1. Religious Beliefs, Validity, and Decision-Making 65 5.2.1.2. Religious Beliefs, Decision, and Legitimacy 66 5.2. Faith Healing: A Healing Alternative? 67 5.2.1. Faith Healing: Alternative Health Care 68 5.2.2. Faith healing and Placebo 69 5.3. Discussion 70 Summary 73 Chapter 6 Conc lusion and Recommendation 74 6.1. Conclusion 74 6.2. Recommendations 76 References 77 List of Figure Figure 1 p. 12 Figure 2 p. 25 Figure 3 p. 29 Figure 4 p. 31 Figure 5 p. 55

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Project Management 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Project Management 2 - Essay Example When cell phones go off due to battery issues, important lines of communication are broken, which, in turn influences our economy negatively. The human charger will not only mitigate but also eliminate the problem. In addition, the human charger will be cheaper as the only requirement for its operation is the body of a human being. The second project I will bring to the fore is the flying car. Many a times, a lot of time is wasted in unending traffic jams that would rather have been used more creatively to build the economy. The flying car will revolutionize air travel by saving on costs for traveling by planes. The third project that I would wish to bring to the front line and ensure its growth and implementation is the intelligent window. The intelligent window employs an electrical glaze on windows that can be converted into heat energy to warm houses during the winter season. This revolutionary project will help save on the sumptuous sums of money spent on warming homes during the winter season. Additionally, the glazing darkens significantly during the summer to reduce the amount of heat getting into houses. My fourth project that I would like to see prosper is the eye tracking system pioneered in Sweden. The eye tracking system lets users control computers using only their eyes. This system makes the computer mouse a redundant tool to use when it comes to controlling computers. In addition, it makes it easy for someone to control a computer without physically having to move which saves on time. In conclusion, all the projects I wish to actualize are workable and achievable if succinct measures are taken in their execution. These projects, once executed, will make work much hassle-free for humans thus ensuring that time is expended on other more important