Financial Analysis Exercises and Questions Essay

Financial Analysis Exercises and Questions - Essay Example Practice 2-14 Expanded Accounting Equation Assets Liabilities Capital Stock Retained Earnings Case A $20,000 $ 8,000 $ 8,500 $ 3,500 Case B $16,000 $ 9,000 $ 5,000 2,000 Case C $57,000 11,000 14,000 32,000 Case D 46,000 30,000 20,000 ($4000) Exercise 2-6 Balance Sheet Preparation Simon Company Balance Sheet as on December 31, 2006 Assets Liabilities and Owners' Equity Cash $ 179,750 Liabilities Accounts receivable 123,000 Accounts payable $62,500 Supplies 3,750 Mortgage payable 479,500 Land 130,000 Building 418,500 Owners’ equity* 313,000 Total assets $855,000 Total liabilities and owners' equity $855,000 *Owners’ equity (01/01/06) $210,000 Less: Distributions to owners during 2006 $(21,750) Add: Net Income $124,750 Owners’ equity (12/31/06) $313,000 Exercise 2-8 Income Statement Preparation Beckstrom Corporation Income Statement For the Year Ended December 31, 2006 Revenues $ 384,000 Less: Expenses Advertising expense 15,000 Supplies expense 46,000 Rent expense 10,000 Utilities expense 3,000 Salaries expense 61,000 Miscellaneous expenses 4,400 Income before tax 244,600 Less: Tax (30%) 73,380 Net income $171,220 Exercise 2-9 Cash Flow Computations 1. Net cash flow provided (used) by operating activities Cash receipts from: Customers $270,000 Less: Cash payments for Wages Utilities Advertising Rent Taxes 82,000 3,000 4,000 36,000 67,000 Net cash flow provided (used) by operating activities $78,000

Marine Finance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marine Finance - Assignment Example Research – Mainly concerned with providing research work on marine industry. The Shipping Industry The shipping industry comprises of the largest marine sector. However there has been a decline in the shipping industry since 1974. This can be primarily attributed to cyclical developments which got worse with the structural changes in the shipping industry and the world trade that made adjustments a time consuming and complex process. The extreme changes in the revenues, cash flows and values of assets during the present financial crisis have bought in difficulties in the regular order of financing shipping companies. While bank loan will continue to be an important source of finance, the newly regulated environments are forcing the shipping banks to shift their risk from balance sheet to capital markets through instruments of loan securitization. Due to this shipping company will look for capital markets as a source of external debt. Risk management will be a key issue in the shipping companies under the current situation. The other changes witnessed by the shipping industry is that traditionally it was structured by function and performance but now it is undergoing drastic changes as traditional functions are now merged with number of other services. Another major change witnessed by the shipping industry is involvement of the government in its ownership, operation and regulation. Thus the shipping industry has evolved over time from traditionally being an owner operating, free trading, and unregulated industry towards a public oriented, highly regulated and institutionalised industry (Frankel, 1987, pp. 1-15). Role of Financial Management in Risk Mitigation of shipping Industry The shipping industry encounters a number of risk namely changes in equity prices, interest rates, exchange prices, commodity rates and the changing freight rates. The risk of the changing freight rates will be discussed at length in this section. This is a kind of marketing ris k the shipping industry faces on a regular basis. The freight rates historically have proved to be very volatile. The effect of unpredictable geo-political events and slow adjustment of supply to demand has resulted in drastic changes in the freight rates. In financial management the best used risk assessment model is the Value at-Risk Approach. It was developed by JP Morgan’s Chairman Dennis Weatherstone. In this approach he asked his staff to provide him with one page report on a daily basis popularly known as the â€Å"4:15 report† which indicates the risk and potential loss in the next 24 hours in the bank’s portfolio. The approach used the estimates of standard deviation and correlation between the returns of different traded equipments. General methodologies of estimating the Value at Risk Approach are analytical methods, Historical Simulation and Monte-Carlo Simulation. This very approach is used in the assessment of freight rate risk in shipping industry . This approach first considers freight rates as risk factors which are assumed to follow random walk and are modelled using stochastic processes. These stochastic processes reflect some of characteristics of freight rate dynamics. The cash flow forms the key measurement of risk. For

Relationship Between Australia and Southeast Asia

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The Justification of Morality and Why You Should Act Morally :: Morality Morals Controversial Issues Essays

The Justification of Morality and Why You Should Act Morally 1. Introduction In this paper I wish to consider the following related questions: (i) Can a system of morality be justified?; (ii) Why should one act morally?; (iii) How can others be persuaded to act morally? Clearly none of these questions is new, and moral philosophers have proposed a variety of responses to them over the centuries without reaching any general agreement. Nevertheless, because these questions are fundamental to any practical application of moral theory, it is worthwhile to continue to reflect upon them. For Jewish, Christian and Muslim societies, the justification of morality is the Word of God as expressed in the Bible and Koran. Given an authoritative text containing basic moral premises, the appropriate method for obtaining rules of conduct is a process of logical deduction from those premises to conclusions. However, if we focus our inquiry on European and American societies in the present century, the decline of belief in religious authority has undermined thi s approach to moral theory for many people. This monumental change-for morality-may be attributed to many factors. An increase in multicultural studies has emphasized the wide variety of beliefs that human beings hold, which may have led more people to doubt that any one of them is authoritative. A number of writers over the years have commented on the correspondence of specific religious beliefs with one's society of birth, again leading thoughtful individuals to question the authority of their childhood religious beliefs. As a general sociological observation, one can point to a positive correlation between increasing educational level and a diminished belief in the authority of religious texts. When thoughtful persons reject religious authority as the basis of morality, it becomes necessary to find another basis for moral beliefs. One of the few statements about contemporary moral philosophy which is unlikely to encounter opposition is that no moral theory enjoys wide acceptance. At present the most widely discussed theories of morality in the British-American literature are utilitarianism, deontology and social contract theory. The well known utilitarian approach to ethical (note 1) decision making was proposed by Jeremy Bentham in his Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789) and elaborated by John Stuart Mill in several books, e.g., Utilitarianism (1863). In Chapter 1, Bentham defines utility as that which "tends to produce benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness (all this in the present case comes to the same thing)".

Provide support to maintain and develop skills for everyday life Essay

Skills for everyday life allow people to do the things that meet their daily needs. These are also known as activities of daily living that have a direct affect on any individual’s health and well-being. It is often thought that care workers look after people by doing things for them. Another approach is to do things with people. Today care workers should work in partnership with individuals and groups of individuals. Partnership is about working together as equals in order to : -Support the individual to make as many decisions about their care as possible -Support the individual to do as much for themselves as possible. Activities of daily living – skills that directly affect an individual’s everyday health and well- being Partnership – working together as equals. Working in partnership can maintain and develop individual skills . Care workers can still involve the individual even when doing things for them. They consider individual needs when maintaining skills for everyday life. Doing things for individuals: Providing too much care can make people’s problems worse: – Individuals can lose skills they once used – Individuals do not learn new skills -Individuals do not regain skills they have lost. Read more:  Outline Agreed Ways of Working That Relate to Managing Pain and Discomfort At different stages of life individuals might have different health problems that affect their skills for everyday life.Being aware of the activities of daily living helps care workers understand the problems that individuals might have. Problems with everyday living skills: -Physical health ( Feeling unwell such as with a fever leads to tiredness and inability to carry on with the usual activities of daily living. -Learning disabilities (An individual with learning disabilities might take longer to learn new everyday skills) -Mental health (An individual with mental health problems might neglect themselves so they do not eat and drink) People may not be strong enough to dress themselves or prepare their own meals. -Physical disability (Some physical disabilities prevent individuals  going shopping unsupported) -Social isolation (An individual who is lonely is less likely to communicate with others) Care workers can develop their understanding of an individual’s condition and how best to work in partnership to maintain, regain and develop their skills.If a condition prevents an individual from using skills of everyday life, the result can have a significant impact on the person’s quality of life. The effect of conditions on everyday skills: -Pain -Inconvenience -Isolation -Humiliation -Distress -Discomfort

Elementary Examination Type Examples

David, Alyssa Marie L. EDUC05A BEEd/A34(Miss Oharrah Mae Bernardez) SCIENCE III Test I: Multiple Choice: DIRECTION: Encircle the letter of the correct answer. 1. ) These foods are the energy-giving foods. a. ) Go Foodsc. ) Grow Foods b. ) Glow Foodsd. ) Junk Foods 2. ) These foods are the body-building foods. a. ) Go Foodsc. ) Grow Foods b. ) Glow Foodsd. ) Junk Foods 3. ) These foods are the regulating foods. a. ) Go Foodsc. ) Grow Foods b. ) Glow Foodsd. ) Junk Foods 4. ) Unhealthy foods belongs to ____________.a. Go Foodsc. ) Grow Foods b. ) Glow Foodsd. ) Junk Foods 5. ) Chicken, egg, fish and meat are ___________. a. ) Go Foodsc. ) Grow Foods b. ) Glow Foodsd. ) Junk Foods 6. ) Fruits and vegetables group belongs to ___________. a. ) Go Foodsc. ) Grow Foods b. ) Glow Foodsd. ) Junk Foods 7. ) Which of the following foods does NOT belong to the group? a. ) Cheese Curlsc. ) Apple b. ) Bananad. ) Eggplant 8. ) Which of the following statements is TRUE?a. ) Man can live without food c. ) Food is not important to man b. Man cannot live without foodd. ) Food doesn’t give energy to man 9. ) Glow Foods makes our bones ___________. a. ) grow tallerc. ) be attentive b. ) be strongd. ) be active 10. ) Grow Foods helps young children __________. a. ) grow tallerc. ) be attentive b. ) be strongd. ) be active 11. ) Go Foods keeps us ___________. a. ) alert and activec. ) sleepy and tired b. ) grow tallerd. ) strong 12. ) Man takes food to have the needed __________ to be able to do activities. a. ) boredomc. ) attention b. ) energyd. ) friends 1

Women of Power in Ancient Egypt essays

Women of Power in Ancient Egypt essays Ancient Egypt was a mixture of military strength, religious complexity, and divine rule. Out of this blend of deified rulers and economic prosperity come two of the most influential women in history. One was to become the pharaoh in a time where women were merely domestic counterparts to active kings. The other was to become consort and partner to the unorthodox Akenhaten, during his monotheistic worship of the sun god Amen in the town of Armarna. Though both women were very prominent during their life time, each faded into obscurity after their deaths due to the Egyptians natural dislike of all things unconventional. Only to be rediscovered and romanticized by Egyptologists during the late 1800s to early 1900s. Nefertiti is commonly referred to as the beautiful one and is always seen as a partner to her husband. On the other hand, Hatchepsut, the more influential and powerful of the two, is known as the only Female Pharaoh to fully act out the part including having a queen consort a nd spends her reign trying to justify her political position. Nefertiti, born a member of Egypts elite, was married as a young girl to [Ahkenaten]... By the age of 30 she had borne at least 6 children and had transformed herself into a semi-divine being (Nefertiti 3). She was very demure in the early years of Ahkenatens reign, and was portrayed as the supporting wife and companion to Ahkenaten, as she calmly sat behind him in much of the tomb reliefs from this time period. She steadily increased in prestige to become the female compliment to Ahkenatens position as the Beautiful Child of the Disc (Nefertiti 76) and her position became closely connected as a symbol for fertility. Although she is never portrayed as pharaoh, she steadily continued to handle more important duties as the reign of Ahkenaten progressed. These included religious ceremonies (previousl...

The True Story Of A Black Youths Essays - Mark Mathabane

The True Story Of A Black Youths Essays - Mark Mathabane The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa Mark Mathabane I. Main Characters A. Johannes (Mark) MathabaneKaffir Boy revolves around Johannes for the simple reason that he is the author of this book. Growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa was especially hard for Johannes. Johannes is very smart and graduated at the top of his class during his 13 years of schooling in apartheid South Africa. Johannes has had a lot of courage and perseverance throughout his life. B. Jackson MathabaneJohannes's father came from what is now the so-called independent homeland of the Vendas in the northwestern corner of the Transvaal. Johannes's father tried desperately to support his family, but in times of dire need, he backed away and depended on alcohol and abusive behaviors. Johannes's parents met and married in Alexandra on March 21, 1960. C. MotherJohannes's mother came from Gazankulu, the tribal reserve for the Tsongas in the Northeastern Transvaal. She is a very loving and devoted woman. D. Johannes's siblingsJohannes has five sisters and one brother. His sisters names are Florah, Linah, Maria, Merriam, and Linah. George was his only brother. E. Ellen MabasoEllen was the mother of Johannes's mother. She was a humble woman who bore four children: Uncle Piet, Aunt Bush, Uncle Cheeks, and Johannes's mother. she had a statuesque figuretall, limber, and ebony colored complete with tribal attire and multiple anklets, beads, earrings and bracelets. She could easily been a chief's daughter. Her friendly, brown eyes had the radiance of pristine pearls. She was the most beautiful woman Johannes had ever seen. She worked six days a week, from seven to five, mowing lawns, raking leaves, clipping hedges, watering plants, sweeping driveways, cleaning yards and pruning trees for white people. F. Mr. BrownMr. Brown was one of the few people in the yard where the Mathabane's lived with the equivalent of a high-school education. He was a bus driver for PUTCO, but he also operated a moving service that transported people and goods between Alexandra and the tribal reserve of the Vendas. G. Mrs. SmithMrs. Smith was Granny's employer. She was a short, slender woman with silver hair and slightly drooping shoulders. Granny was the Smith's gardener. H. Clyde SmithClyde is the son of the woman who Granny works for. He is a young boy who is somewhat of a snob. As he grows, he learns to like Johannes and they become friends. I. ScaramoucheScaramouche was a self-employed painter. He was also one of the best tennis players among people of color in Johannesburg. An excellent coach, he was well connected in white and black tennis circles. He agreed to be Johannes' coach. Scaramouche turned out to not only be a great coach but a confidant and a surrogate father. He was firm and demanding but not authoritative and stifling. Instead of teaching Johannes his style of play, he let Johannes acquire his own way. J. TomIn June of 1972, Johannes met Tom. He is a lanky Zulu tennis player. He was very harmless-looking K. Wilfred HornWilfred married to Norma. He respects black people and owns a tennis ranch in Halfway House called Barretts. He was a German immigrant. L. Arthur AsheArthur Ashe was a Negro tennis player that Johannes admired very much. he condemned apartheid and did not pretend he was a white man erroneously painted black. Arthur always appeared calm, cool, and collected, even when he was surrounded in a sea of white faces. M. DavidDavid was the number two singles player on the tennis team. He was soft-spoken, politically sensitive, and a brilliant Zulu student whose love for the English language exhaled Johannes's. Johannes and David frequently exchanged books, did English homework together, read prose and poetry together, trained together, and sat on the same seat during tennis trips. David was the first close friend Johannes ever had. The only difference between David and Johannes was that David was a womanizer. N. HelmutHelmut was a short, brown-haired bespectacled white man with a barrel chest. He was always dressed in flashy clothing. He came from a small town in Germany and was working for a German company in South Africa only a few months before he met Johannes. He turned out to be a horrible tennis player, but good practice

How to Play Beach Ball Buzz, an Icebreaker Game

How to Play Beach Ball Buzz, an Icebreaker Game Have a little beach fun without leaving your classroom! The game of Beach Ball Buzz can be as exciting as you choose, depending on the questions you write on the ball. Its a perfect game to use as an ice-breaker to get to know new people and a fun way to pass the hot summer months. The questions are all up to you, so you can make them related to a specific topic or make them completely frivolous and fun. Group Size Large or small groups can play Beach Ball Buzz, which only requires a minimum of two people. Applications The game can be used as part of the process of making introductions with a new class or at a meeting, it can be used as an energizer after lunch or a long discussion, or as stress relief during test prep. Time Needed Plan for the game to last about 30 minutes. Materials Needed You’ll need a permanent marker and a large blow-up beach ball- the classic type with the colored sections that you can find at most stores, especially in the summer. Instructions Make a list of questions you’d like your participants to answer. Blow up the beach ball and write a question or two on each section of the ball. To play the game, toss the ball around the room. Whoever catches it gives their name and answers the question in the section under their left thumb. Sample Personal Questions What is the funniest movie you’ve ever seen?If you were a cartoon or comic character, who would you be?What is the worst thing you’ve ever tasted? Did you swallow it or spit it out?What one thing have you kept forever that you really should throw away?What’s your greatest pet peeve?If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you?Who is your favorite person and why?If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?What was your first car and did you love it or hate it?Who is the most famous person you’ve met?Describe your fantasy vacation.If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?What is your song and why?How do you celebrate your birthday?What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?If you could be any animal, which would you choose and why?What was the worst day of your life? Why?Create a slogan for your life. Sample Questions for Professional Settings Who was your favorite teacher and why?What was the most memorable thing you experienced in college?What gets you up in the morning?Share three things about you that you think no one here knows.Share something you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.Whats your most important challenge currently?How much money would you need to walk away from your job?If you could go back in time, would you have chosen a different path?What would you like to accomplish this year?What is the most important goal that you want to accomplish during your lifetime?What worries you most about work?What excites you most about work?What is your most underutilized talent?Whats the single most important word that youd like to hear from your boss?What would you like to be remembered for? Debriefing No debriefing is necessary unless the exercise is part of a lesson or the questions are related to a discussion topic in some way.

Ethical issues in the service industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical issues in the service industry - Essay Example The main problem in this article is why the airplanes from the same company are operating with less fuel in their engines. There is a fuel policy which is posing an ethical issue hence risking the life of hundreds of passengers who fly with Ryanair airplanes. Even though the Irish Aviation Authority noted that most of the aircrafts left their destinations with more than the required fuel reserves, the ethical issue remains why the pilots waited for the 30 minutes minimum landing alarm from the plan. It is argued that this poses a threat to the customer’s lives. It is also argued that all the three planes that made emergency landings made their mayday landings when their fuel was less than the final reserve (Massey, 2012). The pilots were in ethical dilemma on whether to make their landings or not but they argue that declared their emergencies according to the EU safety regulations which require emergency landings in case the fuel runs below the reserve elevel. The solution is going to be applied based on the ethical issues which require that the airline upgrades its safety standards. The airline industry is one of the industries where safety is the most crucial thing. This is because most of the accidents regarding airplane have always resulted to 100% loss of life and property worth millions of money. It will therefore raise questions why an airline would have more than its three airlines making emergency landings due to shortages of fuel in their planes. There will need to be a review of the airline fuel policy in order to ensure that the planes do not run out of fuel while in operations. There would also be the need to review the price policy for the airline industry as it may not relate to the type of quality the customers are paying for. All this is aimed at ensuring that the company is avoiding ethical issues in relation to safety of its passengers. The Spanish government was forced to make an

Wal-Marts employees Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Wal-Marts employees - Essay Example Given its big size and rapid expansion, Wal-Mart increasingly sets the standard for wages and benefits through the U.S. economy. Considering its market influence, the company sets the standards of what retailers pay to their workers. The problem is; this pay is not satisfactory enough for retail workers. It is interesting to note that for a company which averages $6.6 billion annual profit, the average hourly worker at Wal-Mart earns barely $18,000 annually (Karen, 602). Wal-Mart most of the time forces employees to work overtime without pay. Supervisors are pressured by company headquarters to keep payroll low, regularly deleted hours from time records and reports. As stated by Jennifer McLaughlin-one of the company’s employees-40% of the employees opt not to receive coverage under the company’s medical plan, which costs up to $2,844 annually. The company was also faced with sex discrimination lawsuit whereby it was accused on favoring male as compared to female when i t comes to promotions and equal pay (Karen, 605). In order to fight for their rights and to make their voices heard, workers launched a massive drive to organize a union at Wal-Mart, demanding better wages and working conditions. To counter the union drives, Wal-Mart’s management responded to the union drive by trying to stop workers from forming the union. This was against the federal labor law and in several accessions, the company had been declared guilty of interrogating workers confiscating union and firing union supporters by the National Labor Relations Board. For the company, the formation of the union will is a violation of the company’s policy (Singh and Neeraj, 65). To protect the bottom line Wal-Mart is as aggressive at fighting off unions as it is at cutting costs. The employees approached by co-workers about joining a union were scared to talk.  

Exercise 6-1 Remote Power Mower System Assignment

Exercise 6-1 Remote Power Mower System - Assignment Example They can be used electromagnetically and the relay can only be used a number of specified times before the cycle fails. Relay allows low power light duty switch to actuate the starter circuit without using directly to the starter (Scwalbe 144). If the mower start circuit does not contain a relay, heavy duty wiring will have to be wired to the start switch, or it would potentially pose a fatal shock hazard and also prone to electrical arcing. It also includes embodiments to provide use in all seasons, including a spreader, wagon, detaches, trimmer, and a slow blade. The remote control mower allows the operator to stay far away for the sake of injury prevention. The deliverable in a work breakdown structure is divided into tasks and components put together to achieve it. In our case, the project is made up of two main parts which are the Remote Control Unit and the Vehicle Unit. These two units are found at the first level and the breakdown of the units goes into the second and third levels. Moreover, there are other such units which are the core of the project and cannot be placed in the second or third level (Scwalbe 154). Level two is made up of deliverables that are clearly tangible and recognizable. The other levels consist of activities and tasks that build up on the project. The remote control unit is used in controlling the Remote Power Motor System (RPM) through the use of different components. The key project milestones are put together in level two of the project. In this case, we put together the following sections: Training, Budget Control, Data Management and Project Management. These sections must be implemented using a bottom up approach. The Project Manager is responsible for the control and overall supervision of the project. Therefore, he/she is in charge of project management which is placed at level two of the project. Other essential services that should be placed at level two include data management, budget control and training.

GMCs Hummer Vehicle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

GMCs Hummer Vehicle - Essay Example The realist considers Hummer for its practical purposes, and will therefore make use of the vehicle's off-road prowess. The discerner is a connoisseur for the finer things in life, who appreciates Hummer's status, but is unlikely to go off-roading. The conqueror is a successful person who wants people to know it, who appreciates Hummer for its exclusivity and attention grabbing looks. The fourth type of buyer is the adventurer, who wants to take the Hummer off-road. (Amazing Cars - Magazine) By analyzing the percentage of the population that has these qualities, Hummer's U.S. target market segment is males between the ages of 25 and 64 who earn over $100,000 per year. ANALYSIS Demographic Information: "Hummer's target market segment cannot be very large because of the high price of the vehicle, which can be in excess of $90,000. Hummer must gear its marketing strategies towards this small group of individuals."1 Hummer's market segment consists of males between the ages of 25 and 44 who earn over $100,000 a year. This demographic group consists of Generation X'ers and some of the Baby Boom generation. These males are looking for specific vehicles that are geared towards luxury and status. According to 1999 census data , in the approximation of 40,698,000 males between the ages of 25 and 44, only 2,011,000 of them earn enough money to purchase a Hummer. This would give Hummer a market base of over 2 million consumers. This market segment is growing because of the change in this base from 2005 to 2006. The number of males within this age group who earned over $100,000 was 1,730,000 in 2004. That reveals a growth rate of 16% in one year. Also, you can infer that the number of people in general who can afford a Hummer is increasing due to the low unemployment rate, and the steadily growing U.S. economy. 1 ANALYSIS Demographic Information Hummer's sales would continue to grow due to the increase of its market segment coupled with the fact that the company is preparing to release new models that may cater to a whole other marketing segment. Cultural Trends, Attitudes, Values of Target Market The outlook on the buying attitudes of Hummer's target market remains robust in the future. The demand for luxury items has been steadily growing for the past couple of years. With the existence of a bull market, and a steady increase in national prosperity, today's high-income individuals have a healthy demand for luxurious goods and services. The SUV market in general has been steadily increasing over the past five years. According to American Demographics , forecasters estimate that 49% of the new vehicle market will be that of light trucks in 2005, and light truck sales will be greater than that of car sales in 2005. Today's consumers stress safety over other attributes when buying vehicles, which show the increase in demand for SUV's, which are proven to be safer than most cars in crashes. Also, American Demographics' study revealed that empty nest baby boomers are not moving towards sedans, but towards SUV's. Another value of today's consumers is in styling. Today's SUV's have been appealing to consumers because of their current styling blend of ruggedness and beauty. The image factor is also big in analyzing consumer trends. Consumers have a liking for

Supply Chain Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Supply Chain Management - Assignment Example The increased focus on environmental sustainability greatly assists the organization to gain greater public acceptance, which in turn leads to improved profitability and turnover. Similarly, enhanced efficiency is a key feature of the Hsuh’s supply chain. As one understands from the company website, the company has a potential group of employees who are experienced in various supply chain activities. This favorable workplace environment aids the organization to ensure smooth and uninterrupted flow of its different supply chain tasks (Hsuh Ta Corporation Group). The computerized supply chain helps the company to promote effective information sharing and keep its various operations integrated and connected. In addition, the firm has great access to potential financial reserves, and therefore there would not be any delay in production or transfer of finished commodities to the delivery point due to lack of funds. Stock inventory, another KPI of supply chain, gives some crucial information about the operational efficiency of the company. The firm avoids issues associated with under-stock and over-stock of goods. Hence, the Hsuh management has developed improved mechanisms to ensure that there is optimum level of inventory in stock to meet the business needs properly. In addition, the organization is particularly watchful about the dreadful effects of the out-of-stock performance on the business. The management believes that an out-of-stock situation would adversely impact customer satisfaction and loyalty and consequently the company may fail to regain consumer trust. Likewise, the company is committed to maintain adequate levels of throughput, which indicates the actual rate of production. This is necessary to make sure that consumer needs are met adequately and to expand the business landscape in line with the changing

From the perspective of UN peacekeeping operations, was the Essay

From the perspective of UN peacekeeping operations, was the humanitarian intervention in Libya justified - Essay Example Considering both the views listed above and the situation that existed in Libya during the unrest, an important question arises: was humanitarian intervention justified? By considering the systematic violation of human rights by the regime, the aggravating refugee situation and the rampant anarchy, do the UN protocols really reflect changes in international politics? In addition to this, does it justify the need for humanitarian intervention in such a way that the needs of the country are met without negative impacts such as exploitation? Did the situation in Libya really necessitate UN humanitarian intervention? And do the rules and regulations laid down by the UN justify military intervention in Libya under international law? As a result of these questions, the underlying factor that stands is whether there is need to justify the UN Humanitarian Intervention in Libya. In this paper, I shall review the problem statement in order to understand the background of the situation. Review of the various literatures concerning humanitarian intervention with a focus on the United Nation shall then be carried out. I shall then develop a testable hypothesis which will then be tested to show a causal-effect relationship. Problem Statement This research seeks to find out whether UN peace keeping protocols are in compliance with international law on matters regarding military intervention with a focus on the Libyan civil unrest. The research intends to justify the military operation carried out in Libya based on the provisions of the United Nations Security Council charter as well as international law. On February 2011, protests began in Libya to oust the government of Muammar Gaddafi. The protests were part of a bigger revolution that was taking place in most of the Islamic nations at the time including Tunisia, Egypt and Syria (Pargeter, 2012). Gaddafi unleashed his military force on his quest to crush the rebellion. After this, the rebellion spread rapidly throughout Lib ya and soon Gadhafi lost hold over most of the eastern part of his country. On 26th February 2011, the United Nations Security Council adopted the resolution 1970 calling upon member states to: ensure that no arms exchange took place across their borders to Libya, freeze assets owned by Gaddafi and those in his government allied to him, and to facilitate humanitarian aid in Libya (Cheslow 2012). The resolution however did not ratify the use of military force in Libya. Due to increasing fighting and an increase in oppression of Libyans by Gadhafi’s loyalist, a multistate coalition began military operations on 19th march 2011 (Noueihed 2012). Air strikes against army tanks and bases were carried out thereby frustrating the efforts of Gaddafi’s forces to bring the country to heel. International law generally proscribes that nations should apply the doctrine of non-intervention when dealing with intervention of parties within the territory of a sovereign nation. Von Hippel (1995) defines intervention as the use of coercive tactics to direct a given nation to take a particular course that it would not have likely taken and may involve military action by a foreign power in a domestic conflict. Intervention may take other forms than military

Supply Chain Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Supply Chain Management - Assignment Example The increased focus on environmental sustainability greatly assists the organization to gain greater public acceptance, which in turn leads to improved profitability and turnover. Similarly, enhanced efficiency is a key feature of the Hsuh’s supply chain. As one understands from the company website, the company has a potential group of employees who are experienced in various supply chain activities. This favorable workplace environment aids the organization to ensure smooth and uninterrupted flow of its different supply chain tasks (Hsuh Ta Corporation Group). The computerized supply chain helps the company to promote effective information sharing and keep its various operations integrated and connected. In addition, the firm has great access to potential financial reserves, and therefore there would not be any delay in production or transfer of finished commodities to the delivery point due to lack of funds. Stock inventory, another KPI of supply chain, gives some crucial information about the operational efficiency of the company. The firm avoids issues associated with under-stock and over-stock of goods. Hence, the Hsuh management has developed improved mechanisms to ensure that there is optimum level of inventory in stock to meet the business needs properly. In addition, the organization is particularly watchful about the dreadful effects of the out-of-stock performance on the business. The management believes that an out-of-stock situation would adversely impact customer satisfaction and loyalty and consequently the company may fail to regain consumer trust. Likewise, the company is committed to maintain adequate levels of throughput, which indicates the actual rate of production. This is necessary to make sure that consumer needs are met adequately and to expand the business landscape in line with the changing

Fast Food Nation Essay Example for Free

Fast Food Nation Essay As American as a small, rectangular, hand-held, frozen, and reheated apple pie.? (p. 3) Far from being a run of the mill expose on calories and fat grams in fast food, Fast Food Nation is a hard-hitting critique of the industrialization of America? s and, later, the world? s food supply. The consequences of this industrialization have far-reaching effects on working people around the world. Fast food chains are at the pinnacle of a giant food-industrial complex that controls the nation? s food supply. Schlosser begins with some thumb nail sketches of fast food?s ? founding fathers.? None of today? s fast food giants were started by large corporations. They were all started by people of very modest means. Harland Sanders is a good example. He ? left school at the age of twelve, worked as a farm hand, a mule tender, and a railway fireman. At various times he worked as a lawyer without having a law degree, delivered babies as a part-time obstetrician without having a medical degree, sold insurance door to door, sold Michelin tires, and operated a gas station . . .. and at the age of sixty-five became a traveling salesman once again, offering restaurant owners the secret recipe? for his fried chicken. The first Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant opened in 1952 . . . . Lacking money to promote the new chain, Sanders dressed up like a Kentucky colonel? (p. 23). But despite the modest beginnings of Harland Sanders, William Rosenberg (Dunkin? Donuts), Dave Thomas (Wendy? s), Thomas S. Monaghan (Domino? s) and others, they have created giant empires that brutally exploit millions of underpaid workers across the globe. Next, Eric Schlosser describes how McDonald? s and others market to children. Many of these companies have cradle-to-grave? advertising strategies.? Apparently, brand loyalty? may begin as early as age two. Indeed, market research has found that children often recognize a brand logo before they can recognize their own name? (p. 43). Under the heading ? mcteachers and coke dudes,? Schlosser describes the cradle-to-grave strategy that fast food chains use to market to children. This strategy reaches new highs (or lows) all the time. Not content to market ?to children through playgrounds, toys, cartoons, movies, videos, charities, and amusement parks, through contests, sweepstakes, games, and clubs, via television, radio, magazines, and the Internet, fast food chains are gaining access to the last advertising free outposts of American life? ( p. 51) public schools. In 1993, District 11 in Colorado Springs became the first school district in the U. S. to have ads for Burger King inside their schools and on their school buses. However, the school district netted little from this, gaining only $1 per student. In his next chapter, entitled ? Behind the Counter,? Schlosser describes the life of a young woman of sixteen by the name of Elisa, who gets up at 5:15 in the morning to get out the door by 5:30. She and the manager arrive at work, and for the next hour or two, they get the place ready. The two of them turn on the ovens and grills and get the food and supplies, cups, wrappers, styrofoam containers, and condiments, for the morning shift. They get frozen bacon, frozen pancakes, and frozen cinnamon rolls from the freezer. Plus, they bring out frozen hash browns, frozen biscuits, and frozen McMuffins. Then they get packages of orange juice mix and scrambled egg mix. The restaurant opens at seven and for the next couple of hours Elisa and the manager work alone, taking all the orders. Later, as more customers arrive, so do more employees. Elisa works the counter from breakfast through lunch. She then walks home after standing for seven hours at the cash register. Totally wiped out, her feet hurting, she plops in front of the tv and gets up the next morning at 5:15. The entire fast food industry seeks out teenage, part-time (no overtime, please), unskilled workers like Elisa, because they? re willing to accept low pay, are cheaper than adults, and are easier to control due to their inexperience. Although recently, middle class teenagers are shunning jobs at McDonalds and Burger King and are being replaced by poor immigrants and the elderly (The New York Times, January 8, 2001). ?The labor practices of the fast food industry have their origins in the assembly line systems adopted by American manufacturers in the early twentieth century? (p. 68). In a restaurant assembly line, tasks are broken up into small, repetitive bits requiring little or no skill, while machines and operating systems do the things that require timing and training (p. 69). In addition, the fast food industry generally pays minimum wage, moreso than any other industry. The result has been that the real value of laborers? wages have fallen for the last three decades. Worse yet, the industry almost never pays overtime. Bonuses for managers at many fast food restaurants are tied to holding down labor costs. The result being that many workers are forced to wait until the restaurant gets busy before punching in. Workers are forced to do clean-up after they? ve punched out. One Taco Bell employee ? regularly worked seventy to eighty hours a week but was paid for only forty? (p. 75). Taco Bell has been sued for this in a number of states. The fast food industry is not alone in doing this kind of thing. Wal-Mart is being sued in 28 states for forcing workers to work off the clock, as reported by Steven Greenhouse in his expose ? Suits Say Wal-Mart Forces Workers to Toil Off the Clock,? in the June 25, 2002, New York Times. To add insult to injury, the status of fast food workers is so low that customers feel justified in heaping abuse on them. This writer was once told to his face that ? Your job is so simple that a monkey could do it.? Another customer grabbed me and ripped my shirt when he didn? t get a ? Jimmy Special.? There was no ? Jimmy Special? on the menu, nor did I know it was a sandwich. Incidents like this are so common that web sites are devoted to them. If low wages, no benefits, low status, and hard work are not bad enough, more restaurant workers are murdered on the job in the U. S. than are. police officers. Most restaurant crime is committed by current or former disgruntled employees. Out of the frying pan and into the fire If the life of a fast food worker is bad, workers in the meatpacking industry have it much worse. In 1961, two former Swift Co. executives, Currier Holman and A. D. Anderson, started Iowa Beef Packers better known as IBP. Over the course of twenty years, these two lead the meatpacking industry back to the days of Upton Sinclair? s The Jungle. IBP created ? a mass production system that employed a de-skilled workforce, . . . put its new slaughterhouses in rural areas . . . far away from the urban strongholds of the nation? s labor unions? (p 154). In 1970, the IBP broke its labor unions with the help of La Cosa Nostra, and the stage was set for sweatshop heaven. At a ConAgra slaughterhouse in Greeley , Colorado, the workers mainly come from Mexico, Central America, and Southeast Asia. Base pay is $9. 25 per hour; when adjusted for inflation, thats one-third lower than the same plant paid forty years ago (p. 160). The annual turnover rate is 400%. On average, a worker quits or is fired every three months. But ? far from being a liability, a high turnover rate in the meatpacking industryas in the fast food industry also helps maintain a workforce that is harder to unionize and much easier to control? (p161). Meatpacking is now the most dangerous job in the United States. The injury rate in a slaughterhouse is about three times higher than the rate in a typical American factory. Every year, more than one quarter of the meatpacking workers in this countryroughly forty thousand men and womensuffer an injury or a work related illness that requires medical attention beyond first aid? (p172). However, there are big incentives not to report injuries. ?The annual bonuses of plant foremen and supervisors are often based in part on the injury rate of their workers? (p175). The main cause of the high injury rate is the speed of the disassembly line. The list of the injuries is long and bloody. But, speaking of speed, it? s the speed of the disassembly line that? s one of the major causes of food borne illness from E. coli 0157:H7. The other major causes are crowded feedlots and industrial-size hamburger grinders. The stomachs and intestines of cattle, where the E. coli 0157:H7 live, are still removed by hand. This job takes about six months? practice to do well. But with high turnover and the high speed of the line, it? s not done well. Twenty percent of cattle can have their guts spilled onto the carcasses being processed on the line, which can then contaminate many others (p. 203). This willful disregard for the consumer? s health is all done in the name of profits. But, because capitalism lives by the profit, for the profit, and of the profit, decades go by, Republicans then Democrats rule, but still little or nothing gets done. However, if not for the sake of profit, the whole meatpacking industry could be cleaned up in just six months, yes, just six months! This according to David M. Theno, the man who cleaned up Jack in the Box after its outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 in 1993 (p. 210). If there? s one big weakness in Fast Food Nation, its while correctly criticizing the Republican? s support for agribusiness, he seldom attacks the Democrats. Eric Schlosser acknowledges this himself in an afterword. ?In retrospect, I could have been more critical of the Clinton administration? s ties to agribusiness. Had I devoted more space to the poultry industry, for example, I would have examined the close links between Bill Clinton and the Tyson family? (p. 277). Both the Democrats and Republicans are tools of big business. Only a system based on human need, and not on profit, can clean up our food supply and guarantee the well-being of workers. And that system is socialism! I strongly recommend that everyone who is for social justice read this book. It? s an eye-opener even for someone like me who? s worked in restaurants for 23 years. The article above was written by John Pottinger, and first appeared in the October issue of Socialist Action newspaper.

Analysis of Dell: Resource Based Views (RBV)

Analysis of Dell: Resource Based Views (RBV) Under RBV, focus is put on whether Dell can identify and configure its unique cluster of internal strategic resources and capabilities [Henry P.127]; [Collis and Montgomery, 1995, Stalk et al., 1992] to achieve a competitive advantage in its markets to maximize profits. According to Barney (1991), to generate competitive advantage, a resource must be valuable, rare, costly to imitate and non-substitutable that can enable the firm to obtain full benefits of the resources to realize a competitive advantage. In the computer market, we can basically identify Dells good customer service and support, production efficiency [Resource-based theory: creating and sustaining competitive advantage By Jay B. Barney, Delwyn N. Clark, P.135, Oxford University Press, 2007], competitive product price, partnership and cooperation with different business all contribute to its success. However, the most significant attribute that make it outperform its competitors is its organisational capability in operations and supply with its direct model, which can basically be divided into direct sales and direct supply. Direct sales Dell is a pioneer in the market to sell computers by going direct to customers, bypassing the resellers. For home customers and small businesses, it sells products directly through internet, telephone or e-mail; whereas for large corporate and institutions, it sells products directly by their sales team using one-to-one contract. Direct Supply Dell applies a build-to-order manufacturing system in which it orders only the components that its customers need, thereby maintaining low level of inventory [P.189 Ch13, Direct from Dell]. Dell has established close relationships with suppliers, which enable it to enjoy many of benefits of vertical integration like constant supply of raw materials and lower factor costs. By having suppliers hubs located near the manufacturing plants and an efficient supply chain with the use of i2 Supply Chain software, Dell can have any components it needs shipped to the plant directly and easily. [Mergers Acquisitions By J. Fred Weston, Samuel C. Weaver, 2001 P.56]; Dell: Building a World-Class Supply Chain Solution, http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/10/17/101709_i2dell.pdf]. This enables Dell to fully and efficiently serve various orders from different customers. With the help of Dells well-known logistic system, Dell can ship the finished product within 48 hours after a customer place the ord er. Core Competence of Dell Although strategists have distinguished resources from capabilities and have different definitions for core competences [Strategy P.252], the simplest idea is that resources and capabilities that meet the four criteria of Barney (1991) become a source of core competencies. [Strategic Management Competitiveness and Globalization, 2006 Nelson] Core competence is formally defined as the set of firm-specific skills and cognitive processes that give rise to the [med- to long-term] competitive advantage. [McGee and Segal-Horn (1997) also cited in Strategy analysis and practice]. Is Dells capability in operations and supply with its direct model (CDM) a core competence to it? According to Prahalad and Gary Hamel (1990), to be a core competence, at least, the attribute has to: (1) provide potential access to a wide variety of markets; (2) make a significant contribution to the perceived consumer benefits of the end product; (3) be difficult for competitors to imitate. Firstly, CDM changes the traditional way of selling through resellers. It attracts a large group of customers that would have bought standard product and then separately do the customization to buy products from Dell straightaway. This is especially important to business customers who need specialized configuration and software. Moreover, CDM does not only apply to PC but also other product like server and laptop and other products. Therefore, CDM facilitates Dell to enter different markets in which customers requires customization. Secondly, CDM does bring a lot of perceived consumer benefits. Enjoying customized products is probably the best one. Besides, the build-to-order manufacturing system enables it to virtually eliminate excess cost tied into buying too many components and speed up its configuring and delivering process. [Direct from Dell] Moreover, compared with other competitors (e.g. Gateway) that continuously deliver massive stocks into warehouse, Dell can cut the cost by (1) getting rid of middleman and distributors; (2) preventing frequent adjustment of inventory level and sales staff; (3) reducing inventory costs and related overheads; and (4) preventing problems raised by unsold, obsolete products. Customers are thus benefited by getting lower product price and enjoying the latest available technologies from their new product this is supported by the much higher turnover rate in Dell than its competitors (107times compared with HPs 8.5 times in 2004).   Thirdly, it is hard for other competitors to imitate Dells CDM because they cannot replicate Dells resource combination due to the existence of social complexity and causal ambiguity [Henry P.140] Moreover, if they go direct, they may undercut their retailers and then violate the distribution channel contracts they have signed. [P.7 How Dell Does it] Furthermore, by using CDM, Dell has maintained a database of customers purchasing pattern for further targeting. By now, Dell is able to forecast customers demand with 75% accuracy to address them far better than its rivals. Implication As this distinctive CDM that developed internally and are enhanced as it is applied [Parahalad and Hamel, 1990] gives Dell a sustainable competitive advantage in mid to long term over its competitors, it is a core competence to Dell. In this dynamic computer market where the business environment changes frequently, it is more likely that internal resources and capabilities can provide a secure foundation for Dells long-term strategy. Using RBV, CDM can be identified as one of the most important key resources factors as it is a unique and difficult-to-emulate configuration of skilled practices and that lies at the root of the competitiveness of a firm. [St Andrews][Harvard], and it should be exploited by appropriating in the long term. However, in the short term, Dells CDM may somehow hinder its recovery as the worlds largest PC manufacturer. This is because if the demand for PC in corporate market (which accounts for 80% of Dells revenue) increases in a very short period of time due to the economic recovery, component costs may be driven up, giving Dell a disadvantage in comparison with other PC producers that may have large stock on hand. [http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/18779.html] Therefore, Dell should relatively procure more components or make an agreement with its suppliers to reduce such effect. References Ed. Law, J. (2009). resource-based view. A Dictionary of Business and Management, Oxford Reference online, Oxford University Press, viewed 29 December 2009. [online] Mahoney, J.T. and Pandian, J. R. (1992). The Resource-Based View Within the Conversation of Strategic Management. Strategic Management Journal, 13(5), 363-380 Fahy, J. and Smithee, A. (1999). Strategic Marketing and the Resource Based View of the Firm. Academy of Marketing Science Review. 1999 Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management. 17(1). 99-120. Prahalad, C.K. and Hamel, G. (1990). The core competence of the organization. Harvard Business Review, 68(3). 79-91 Henry, A. (2008). The Internal Environment: A Resource-Based View of Strategy. In Understanding Strategic Management, pp. 125-148, Oxford University Press, New York. Holzner, S. (2006). How Dell Does It Using Speed and Innovation to Achieve Extradinary Results, pp. 1-30, McGraw-Hill, Acworth Berry, M.M.J. and Taggart, J.H. (1994). Managing technology and innovation: a review, RD Management, 24(4), p.341-53 Brooks I. (2000). Business Environment. In: Brooks I., Weatherston J. eds. The Business Environment: challenges and changes. 2nd Edition. Harlow : Financial Times/Prentice Hall, Ch.1, p.13 Monck, C.S.P., Porter, R.B., Quintas, P. and Storey, D.J. with Wynarczyk. P. (1988). Science Parks and the Growth of High Technology Firms, London: Routledge. Morrison M. PEST/PESTLE Analysis Tool and Template-The Environment Scan. [Online]. (http://www.rapidbi.com/created/the-PESTLE-analysis-tool.html). (Accessed 28th Oct 2008) http://www.library.uq.edu.au/training/citation/agps_6.pdf http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199288304/henry_ch05.pdf http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dkLtQyAe45gCprintsec=frontcover#v=onepageq=f=false http://www.s-as-p.org/files_papers/Robert%20Chia.pdf (st Andrews) http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/788157_751308121_739446696.pdf (untitled in mms) http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/18779.html http://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/operations/Dell%20Supply%20Chain%20Management-Operations%20Case%20Study.htm http://www.amsreview.org/articles/fahy10-1999.pdf http://www.gaebler.com/Dell-Direct-Model-to-Success.htmareerbuilder.com/ http://onwinning.blogspot.com/2007/11/resource-based-view-and-core.html

Science as Savior and Destroyer in The Victorian Age Essay -- Literatu

Science as Savior and Destroyer in The Victorian Age      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"The Victorian age was first and foremost an age of transition.   The England that    had once been a feudal and agricultural society was transformed into an industrial    democracy† (Mitchell, xiv).   Just about every aspect of Victorian daily life, from    education to cooking to religion and politics, was changing.   â€Å"The Victorian age in English    Literature is known for its earnest obedience to a moralistic and highly structured social code of    conduct; however, in the last decade of the 19th century this order began to be questioned†Ã‚   (It is    my Duty).   In celebration of   industrial achievements the Great Exhibition of 1851 became a    showplace for the world to witness England’s superiority in modern technology.   The exhibit    was â€Å"seen by some six million visitors; in some periods the daily attendance was well over    100,000† (Mitchell, 8).   The new railway system brought the curious visitors from all over the    country.   The next few years would see the construction of the subway system, electric    lights, telegraph and telephone, steamships and electric trams.   Along with the increasing    reliance on technology, the medical field would also share their discoveries with the    world.   The fear of disease would prompt hygienic standards and germ theories.   The    wealthy’s obsession with health beliefs and practices are manifested in their fear of    disease.   This obsession with health is taken to the extreme in the form of Dr. John Harvey    Kellogg and his belief in â€Å"biological living, which included a meatless diet, a ... ... is my Pleasure.†Ã‚   19th Century Victorian Monstrosities.   Essay Two.   Ã‚   http:www.itech.fgcu.edu/faculty.rtotaro/ Mitchell, Sally.   Daily Life in Victorian England.   Westport, CT:   The Greenwood Press. 1996.   Reed, John R.   The Natural History of H. G. Wells.   Athens, Ohio:   Athens University Press.   1982 Stevenson, Robert Louis.   The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.   1886.   New York:   Dover Publications, Inc.   1991. Wells, H. G.   Experiment in Autobiography:   Discoveries and Conclusions of a Very Ordinary Brain (Since 1866).   1934.   Boston:   Little, Brown and Company.   1962. Wells, H. G.   The Island of Dr. Moreau.   1897.   New York:   Bantam Books, 1994. Wells, H. G.   The Time Machine.   1895.   New York:   Dover Publications, Inc.,   1995. Wilde, Oscar.   The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1890.   New York:   Dover Publications, Inc. 1993.   

Transformation of Global Technology :: essays research papers

The increase in the flow of information between nations has proven to be a critical part of the developing international community. Deficiencies in this field have lead to the ill-preparation by the United States during the Bombing of Pearl Harbor and the attacks on the World Trade Center in September 2001. In both cases, critical data was received from surveillance instruments but was not acted upon expediently enough to avoid disaster. With the transition from a state-based threat to non-state terrorist organizations, the need for more thorough scrutiny then before has become paramount to the national security of the United States. When the term â€Å"global surveillance† is mentioned, it is usually referring to what has been deemed â€Å"signals intelligence.† This is the analysis of the target’s communication signals and it consists of four distinct parts: collection, processing, analysis and dissemination. In 1952, President Truman established the National Security Agency (NSA) with the dual responsibilities of providing information security for the U.S. government as well as organizing and obtaining intelligence information. Most recently, a global communications cooperative between the U.S. and the U.K. known as ECHELON, has been implemented to collect national security intelligence and spread critical information to its members. This program monitors commercial communications both over phones lines as well as the internet. In 1978, the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was passed which limited the wiretapping of â€Å"U.S. persons† for national security purposes. This legislation developed out of concerns that the United States was abusing its power to unjustly listen to citizens’s conversations. In order to avoid the dissemination of personal as well as national information, cryptography can be implemented to specifically keep unwanted viewers from tampering with internet and mail transactions.

Related literature and studies Essay

This chapter contains the researched review done by the proponents about the related ideas regarding the social networking. The critique of both related studies and literature that are related to the present study. A. Related Literature Matt Mickiewicz (2010) stated that, Social networking refers to the act of building networks of people on specific websites. Social networking takes place among people who share something. A social networking site is just a means for building these social networks. These sites are made up of some web representation for each network member a list of their links or interests, and some kind of ‘hook’ or gimmick to set that particular site apart from the crowd. Social networking sites are web-based, and offer their users the ability to link and build networks freely. Members interact with email or private messaging using that site’s servers. (http://www.askdeb.com/blog/internet/what-are-social-networking-sites/) The present research is similar in a sense that members of the site interact with each other. It will help us to know the latest news update about the school and the upcoming program that were going to held. In the other hand, the school will also inform if th eir followers or the students are interested in the program or activities that the school prepared. Like Mickiewicz stated, a social networking refers to the act of building networks of people. According to usability expert Jakob Nielsen (2011) whose user-experience research firm Nielsen Norman Group today with easy-to-use social networking tools now fully entrenched and very popular inside corporate intranets a trend that took off last year a resultant new trend has emerged. Employees are sharing more of their knowledge more effectively and with more co-workers than ever before. Knowledge management has moved from being a clichà © to being a reality. Employees are the ultimate knowledge resource, and the winning intranets provided features to transform their behavior into manageable knowledge. In particular, organizations used social networking a natural inside the enterprise to give employees practical and simple ways to communicate with one another and even change the way work is  done at the organization. (http://www.hr.com/en/communities/jakob-nielsen-study-enterpriseintranet-social-ne_girm9g7z.html) The current research is different in a sense it is referring only to the communication of the employees in a certain organization. While in our website, we are much particular to the communication between school officials and students. One of our objectives is to enhance communication among students, faculty members, and school official and other empl oyees. Tom Geismar (2005) found out that, when it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them. The present research is similar in a sense that the purpose of the website is to build socialization between members. Their common interests is that they are in a same community, same school which they are united. As Geismar stated, socialization may include reading profile pages of other members or even contacting with them. So the purpose is the same, we want to improve communication between students and make it easier for them to get information. We use Social Networking Websites because it is commonly used and more popular. According to Larry Brauner (2007), Social networking sites have each a unique protocol and don’t usually provide members with practical how-to advice to help use their sites effectively. They let us figure out the how-to on our own. To increase your number of connections, connect directly to as many other members as you can, especially well-connected members. You can send direct connections messages or emails whenever you wish. Join discussions in group s by posting or commenting when you have something valuable to add, but don’t spam the discussion board or post anything inappropriate. The current research is different in a sense that it is easy to use. Even though we don’t provide such guides to use the site, it’s easy to figure out what’s and how’s because it is user friendly. And also, the members don’t have to connect or add as many friends as they could just to have larger connections, it’s not like Facebook or Friendster. The members will interact with each other by creating post or leaving comment. Mark Zuckerburg (2007) stated that, there’s confusion around what the point of social networks is. A lot of different companies characterized as social networks have different goals some serve the function of business networking, some are media portals. What we’re trying to do is just make it really efficient for people to communicate, get information and share information. We always try to emphasize the utility component. What we figured is that if we could model what those connections were we could provide that information to a set of applications through which people want to share information, photos or videos or events. Social networking sites not serves as a community, or trying to build a community but trying to make new connections. The present research is similar in a sense were both aiming communication between people, to get information and share information. Members can share photos, video sot link to other members but not privately, it will be visible to all the members. Especially the events that will happen or will going to held by the school. It is the perfect location for posting announcements and sharing information. B. Related Studies Yong Yeol Ahn (2007) stated that the Social networking services are a fast-growing business in the Internet. However, it is unknown if online relationships and their growth patterns are the same as in real-life social networks. The Internet has been a vessel to expand our social networks in many ways. Social networking services (SNSs) are one successful example of such a role. It provides an online private space for individuals and tools for interacting with other people in the Internet. It help people find others of a common interest; establish a forum for discussion, exchange photos and personal news, and many more. The current research is different  in a sense that their Social networking services provide users with an online presence that contains shareable personal information, such as a birthday, hobbies, preferences, photographs, writings, etc. While our Social networking services offer features of convenience that help users form and maintain an online network with other us ers. We aim to develop a networking site that only focus to the event and other news that is happening in the school. Jawad Laraqui (2007), found out that an Online social networks are not a new phenomenon. They have evolved slowly into their current form as the popularity of the Internet increased, and as technical advances allowed services to support more complicated feature sets. In the 90s, the fledgling online communities were either easy to maintain message boards or static â€Å"homepage† style web sites hosted by extremely large companies. As technology became more inexpensive it made hosting more advanced social networks with more complex feature sets financially feasible for small companies. The present research is similar in a sense that we are both aiming a social network that has advance features or a unique one that will satisfy the needs of the people. We are going to develop a website that is exclusively for the students and employees of the school. Our school should be competitive to the innovation and enhancement that our technology seeking. Indeed, over the last decade, innovation in this space has always come from small startups. Peter Druschel (2007) stated that, unlike the Web, which is largely organized around content, online social networks are organized around users. Participating users join a network, publish their profile and any content, and create links to any other users with whom they associate. An in-depth understanding of the graph structure of online social networks is necessary to evaluate current systems, to design future online social network based systems, and to understand the impact of online social networks on the Internet. The present research is similar in a sense that the resulting social network provides a basis for maintaining social relationships, for finding users with similar interests, and for locating content and knowledge that has been  contributed or endorsed by other users. The only difference is that only the authorized personnel can edit or have the full control of the networking site. It is for the security and for the privacy of the users. Jasper A. Schelling (2007) studied that, most of the larger social networks share the same properties. User created profiles that describe characteristics, likes and dislikes, combined with a photo, a public friends list of mutual contacts, some form of messaging between users. Some form of blogging and the possibility to upload pictures and music. Looking at these technologies in retrospect it’s easy to see that the current social networking websites combine several of the older communication services. One of the major deficiencies with the current implementations in social networking services is their complete disregard of a hierarchy of social contacts. The current research is different in a sense that, though hierarchy might actually be too strong a word to describe the distinctions that people make in their social contacts, people make distinctions in their social interaction that drive how they interact and communicate with them. In our website we are more particular to the comments and suggestion of the users, especially to the students, their suggestion is a big help to the school administration for the improvement of the school. According to Fred Stutzman (2007), Social network websites enable individuals to represent their social networks in a computer-mediated context. While the exact value and meaning of the social connections represented in online social networks is variable there are distinct connections between the social networks represented in a computer-mediated context and the real world of the many narratives exploring use and outcomes of social network websites, perhaps the most common explores the public sharing o f personal identity information. Over the past four years, social network websites have achieved strong market penetration with a wide range of participants.

Gagne’s Eight Distinctive Types of Learning

To complete this assignment, you will need to fill in the following boxes:1. In the first box you will identify one of Gagne’s Eight Distinctive Types of Learning. 2. In the next box you will provide a description of the Learning Type you identified. 3. In the last box you will discuss how this Learning Type does or does not apply to you and your learning. 4. Repeat steps until all Eight of Gagne’s Distinctive Types of Learning are identified, described, and discussed. Each description and discussion should be substantive and requires a minimum of 3 sentences per response.Save this document and type directly onto the document and into the boxes. The boxes will expand to accommodate what you write. Submit as an attachment to the appropriate drop box.Gagne’s Eight Distinctive Types of Learning Description of the Learning TypeDiscuss how this does or does not apply to you and your learning Signal learning(p.79)An individual learns to make a general, diffuse response to a signal. This is the classic conditioned response of Pavlov. Thus meaning an emotional response. (p.79) Signal learning does apply to me because I do more times than none respond in an emotional state. I respond in a way of how I am feeling at any given time. If I am upset, I would answer in a aggressive way.Stimulus-response learning (p.79)The learner acquires a precise response to a discriminated stimulus. What is learned is a connection Thorndike) or a discriminated operant (skinner), sometimes called an instrumental response (Kimble). This meaning, learning is voluntary controlled, it’s a desire. (p.79) Stimulus-response learning applies to me because I am always willing to learn. Life is all about learning new things and that’s why I am back in school because I need better in my life and the only way to get better is make choices to learn more. I  make the choices to learn.Chaining (p.79)What is acquired is a chain of two or more stimulus-response connectio ns. The conditions for such learning have been described by Skinner and others. It’s a linked sequence. (p.79) Chaining applies to my learning because you must get all the necessary information to help with the things you have learned in my life. Learning is like steps and some are linked together and others may not be. I learn the way that is best for me.Verbal association (p.79)Is the learning of chains that are verbal; Basically, the conditions resemble those for other (motor) chains. However, the presence of language in the human being makes this a special type because internal links may be selected from the individual’s previously learned repertoire of language. (p.79) Verbal association does not really pertain to me because I am more a hands on person. I like to see what I am learning instead of hearing it. I feel I learn better if I have an illustration to reference back to. Multiple discrimination (p.79)The individual learns to make different identifying respon ses to as many different stimuli, which may resemble each other in physical appearance to a greater or lesser degree. Responses to a series of similar stimuli that differ in a systematic way. (p.79) Multiple discrimination does not really apply to me because, if I’m understanding it right it would distract me with learning multiple things at the same time. I like to learn one thing then move on to the next so I don’t forget what I learned. Concept learning (p.79)The learner acquires a capability to make a common response to a class of stimuli that may differ from each other widely in physical appearance. He or she is able to make a response that identifies an entire class of objects or events. It forms the basic of the ability to generalize, classify. (p.79) Concept learning does apply to me, I am always wanting more out of learning. I feel developing and having the knowledge of many things is a great benefit  to have throughout life. Learning new skills is important . Principle learning (p.79)In simplest terms, a principle is a chain of two or more concepts. It functions to control behavior in the manner suggested by a verbalized rule of the form. â€Å"If A, then B,† which, of course, may also be learned as type 4. (p.79) Principle learning does apply to me because In my current job I just became supervisor of my shift. Principle learning allows me to know the rules are different, yet it still allows me to adapt to the all the rules and perform my job. Problem solving (p.79)Problem solving is a kind of learning that requires the internal events usually called thinking. Two or more previously acquired principles are somehow combined to produce a new capability that can be shown to depend on a â€Å"higher-order† principle. (p.79) Problem solving defiantly applies to me. I am a brain stormer and I like to have a set idea of what each situation will bring. I like to make sure each situation is resolved and taken care of in a timely manner. As a supervisor, problem solving is on my job description.

Moments of dramatic tension Essay

Choose two scenes which you consider to be particularly interesting moments of dramatic tension. Write about why they are especially dramatic and why they are important in the play  For this essay I am going to concentrate on the scene at the end of act one in ‘A View from the Bridge’ by Arthur Miller. In the previous scene Eddie, the main character, has just been to see Alfieri, a lawyer who once represented Eddie’s father and also the narrator for this play, for legal and moral advice on what to do. Eddie is confused and needs someone to kick him in the right direction. I know this because Alfieri said that â€Å"his eyes looked like tunnels†. Eddie feels that Rodolfo is gay and is only after his passport. Another reason Eddie is confused is that he loves Catherine too much. Alfieri has just told Eddie that there is nothing that Eddie can do apart from go to the Immigration Bureau or accept the situation and be happy for the two. This leads into this essay’s scene. It is set in the apartment and opens with Catherine talking about Marco and Rodolfo’s trip to Africa. I believe that the tension begins to grow when Eddie dismisses her excitement. I think this because I believe Eddie is trying to not think about Rodolfo so is saying ‘so what if they have’. It is obvious that Eddie really is interested when he says â€Å"How long that take you, Marco†. Eddie is directing this conversation at Marco and has taken Rodolfo out of the conversation. This shows that Eddie does not like Rodolfo and would rather not think of him. The conversation then carries awhile the tension decreases and the entire family is now into the conversation. Eddie then belittles Beatrice in front of everyone. Beatrice never knew that sardines could not be caught with a hook. I think that this the tension increases with this. Eddie and Beatrice’s relationship has not been smooth lately and this didn’t help.  To release the tension Eddie comes up with a joke. He says that oranges are green and are painted to give them colour. Rodolfo then belittles Eddie by saying pointing out the obvious and saying that lemons are green. I believe he did this because the one of the themes of the book is family loyalty and I think he said this to get revenge for Beatrice. This causes the tension to develop more. Eddie does not want to even talk to Rodolfo let alone be disrespected by him. The tension is then released by Beatrice who changes the topic. This conversation too caries on for sometime and Eddie makes another joke. Eddie says â€Å"they count the kids and there’s a couple extra than when they left?† Rodolfo then says that it is stricter in Italy than it is in Brooklyn. Eddie gets offended by this because Rodolfo is saying that American girls (e.g. Catherine) are easier. I believe that the dramatic tension at this point is higher than any part before it. Miller shows the tension by writing stage directions for Eddie to rise and pace up and down. There is then a conversation between Eddie and Rodolfo. Eddie is comparing Rodolfo and Catherine’s relationship to how one would be in their town in Italy. Beatrice takes Rodolfo’s side in this argument as she knows where it is going. Marco takes Eddie’s side as he doesn’t want any trouble. Marco also tells Rodolfo off and it is clear that Marco wants this argument to end. An argument begins between Beatrice and Eddie then. They are arguin g whether a person is safer during the day or at night. The tension is still on ‘high alert’ when Catherine asks Rodolfo to dance deliberately to annoy Eddie and show him that nothing will come between the two’s relationship. Rodolfo decides not to as he knows that he has already pushed Eddie enough but eventually gives in.  Once again Beatrice lowers the tension by changing the topic. The focus goes back to fishing and it is soon revealed that Rodolfo can cook. Once Eddie hears about it he talks and implies Rodolfo’s homosexuality but Rodolfo takes it as a compliment. Catherine says that he could get a lot of money with these skills and Eddie agrees with her. Eddie says that if he had the skills he would be no where near the waterfront. The tension is rising again as Miller then wrote that Eddie was â€Å"unconsciously twisting the newspaper†. Everyone knows what he is doing so he carries on the speech. While he is talking the newspaper rips in half. I think that this gets everyone nervous and the scene gets more tense. I believe that it signified Eddie getting an idea in his head, like a light bulb above someone on TV when they get an idea. He asks Marco if he wants to go to see a fight next week. He also asks Rodolfo trying to see his reaction. Boxing is a masculine sport and he thought he was asking a ‘woman’. Catherine believes that Eddie is being nice now so she goes to get some coffee. At this point of the scene I think that it is not as tense as it just was but I think that everyone is still nervous. Eddie and Rodolfo then begin to spar and I believe that the audience are now at the edge of their seats waiting to see what will happen. Everyone is impressed thinking that Eddie is making the effort to try to like Rodolfo, but then Eddie comes with a trick attack and lands a blow on Rodolfo. It then becomes clear what Eddie’s intensions were, he wanted an excuse to take his anger on Rodolfo out. Rodolfo does not want to make anything worse so he says that it didn’t hurl him and only surprised him. The tension once again is high and Rodolfo asks Catherine to dance to annoy Eddie. He is sayin g that nothing will get between Catherine and his relationship. Marco then comes and sits a chair in front of Eddie. He challenges him to lift to it from the bottom with one hand. Eddie thinks that this will be easy but soon finds out that it isn’t when he fails. Marco then lifts it above his head to show that he is stronger. Until now Marco had always been on his side by apologising for his brother, Rodolfo, but Eddie has now lost his only supporter. The tension rises as they stare at each other and Marco smiles. Another thing that adds tension here is the stage directions. They say that Marco held the chair ‘like a weapon’. This creates tension as it shows that Marco is threatening Eddie. The scene finished with the tension very high and with Eddie physically threatened. In this scene Arthur Miller has used many ways to show the tension rising. One of these was writing the stage directions. This creates visual images which are really important as they stress the tension; it shows the reader what the audience sees and also shows the tension. Another way he showed the tension was by making the sentences longer. This slows down the pace of the play and created tension. Another way he shows tension is by adding pauses. These add silence and make the audience/reader want to know what happens next. It also gives a moment for the tension to rise.