Is Abortion Morally Right - 943 Words

Abortion is a major topic of debate in today s society. Politics, doctors, and many others discuss this topic regularly. Is abortion morally right? Should it be allowed? Abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. There is generally two major sides on this topic; for or against. There has been a lot of research done on both views looking at the sociological effects. Throughout history abortion has been a controversial topic. In the early 1800s women healers and doctors would perform abortions regularly. Abortions were done using knitting needles, coat hangers, dangerous solutions such as lye, or ingesting strong drugs. In 1973 The supreme court case Roe V. Wade determined that the constitution protected the right for women to get abortions without political interference. In 1803, Britain first passed anti-abortion laws. In 1880 almost all abortions in the United States were illegal except for ones in which it would save the mother s life. During the 19th century abortion was viewed as a sin. This was a period in which humanitarian reform was trending. In the 1890s there was an estimated two-million abortions a year, compared to todays half a million. There are two essential components to every social problem; the objective condition and the subjective concern. An objective condition is a condition of society that can be measured or experienced. A subjective concern is the concernShow MoreRelatedIs Abortion Morally Right or Wrong907 Words   |  4 PagesIs Abortion Morally Right or Wrong Kirstyn Fletcher PHI 103 Informal Logic Anthony Biduck October 26, 2011 What About it is Considered Moral or Unmoral? This subject is probably one of the top five most controversial subjects in the world today. Is it immoral to kill an unborn child? Do we have the right to choose what grows in our bodies before it becomes a citizen in America? Will God punish you for killing a person? So many questions go into this type of situation of what’s morally rightRead MoreIs Abortion Morally Right Or Wrong?1833 Words   |  8 Pagesdefines abortion as â€Å"a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the fetus.† Although that statement seems clear cut, there is a lot of controversy over whether or not abortion is a morally permissible thing to do. Those who refute abortion claim that it is the a violation of a fetus’ right to life. However, the opposite view is that forcing a woman to have a baby is a violation of the right to her own body. The question ultimately comes down to more than whose right is moreRead MoreA Defense Of Abortion By Judith Thomson1678 Word s   |  7 PagesWhat takes precedence; an unborn fetus’ life or its mother’s right to her body? Anti-abortionist argue that the life of an unborn fetus has priority, and thus abortion is morally impermissible as it violates the fetus’ right to life. In her article â€Å"A Defense of Abortion†, Judith Thomson argues that abortion is morally permissible under the certain conditions where the rights of the fetus fail to surpass a mother’s right of choice. For the sake of her argument, Thomson allows the assumption thatRead MoreAbortion : The Morality Of Abortion1442 Words   |  6 Pagesthe morality of abortion, or the ending of a pregnancy without physically giving birth to an infant. Often times abortions are categorized into either spontaneous, a natural miscarriage; induced or intentional, which is premeditated and for any reason; or therapeutic, which albeit intentional, its sole purpose is to save the mother’s life. It seems however th at moral conflicts on issue mainly arise when discussing induced abortions. In general, people universally agree it is morally wrong to kill anRead MoreThe Abortion Debate Over The Rights And Wrongs Of Intentionally Termination A Pregnancy Before Normal Childbirth1458 Words   |  6 PagesThe abortion debate deals with the rights and wrongs of intentionally termination a pregnancy before normal childbirth, killing the fetus in the process. Abortion is a very painful topic for women and men who find themselves facing the moral dilemma of whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. It s one of the most polarizing moral issues - most people are on one side or the other, very few are undecided. Everyone agrees that adult human beings have the right to life. Some people would say that theRead MoreMarquis vs. Warren in the Case Against Abortion1298 Words   |  6 Pagesdetermining if abortion is morally permissible, or wrong including; sentience of the fetus, the fetuses right to life, the difference between adult human beings and fetuses, the autonomy of the pregnant woman, and the legality of abortion. Don Marquis argues that abortion is always morally wrong, excluding cases in which the woman is threatened by pregnancy, or abortion after rape, because fetuses have a valuable future. Mary Anne Warren contends that late term abortions are morally permissible becauseRead MoreAbortion : An Argument For A Pregnancy Before Normal Childbirth1153 Words   |  5 PagesTerm Paper: Abortion Generally, abortion means the intentionally termination a pregnancy before normal childbirth. Now, the topic abortion is worldwide endless intentionally termination a pregnancy before normal childbirth. The debate mainly focuses on the rights and wrongs of the result of abortion which kills the fetus. It s one of the most opposing moral issues. Most people are on the side whether totally agree or totally disagree, negligible people are the middle liner. Pro-abortion groups, whoRead MorePractical Ethics, By Peter Singer, The Modern Bioethical Philosopher1469 Words   |  6 Pagesweighted. According to Singer, a being’s interest should be weighted on the basis of the properties of the being and never on the basis of its affiliation to some abstract group (Peter n.p). The book studies a wide array of ethical issues including abortion, sex, race, ability, infanticide, political violence, the moral status of animals, obligation to assist others, overseas aid, species, embryo experimentation, and euthanasia (Review of Practical Ethics n.p). In assessing the lives which are pleasurableRead MoreEssay about Using Utilitarianism to Address Abortion1286 Words   |  6 Pagesdefining act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism, use both standpoints from a rule utilitarian and an act utilitarian to decipher their responses to abortion, and investigate both claims to come to a conclusion if or if not utilitarianism is adequate enough arg ument to address abortion. First the definition of utilitarianism is, â€Å"An act is morally right if and only if it does more to improve overall happiness than any available alternative† (Farley). Overall happiness can also be used interchangeablyRead More`` A Defense Of Abortion `` By Judith Jarvis Essay1552 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: Is it immoral to have an abortion? Abortion is the process of stopping a pregnancy through the removal or killing of the fetus. Dan Marquis is adamant that abortion is wrong and that the fetus is a full human being that deserves to live while, Judith Jarvis Thomson would say that should the mother decide to terminate her pregnancy it is her body and her right. However, what if there was a third side to this already complicated issue? I argue that abortion itself is amoral and that circumstances

Human Rights Abuse on the U.S.-Mexican Border Essay

Human Rights Abuse on the U.S.-Mexican Border Between 1993-97 there was a 72% increase in funds provided to the Immigration and Naturalization Services. The INS has a mobile uniformed division responsible for policing the US-Mexican border called Border Patrol. With such a dramatic increase in just four years it is obvious that the border area is a pressing concern to the US government. The Border Patrol conducts inspections of travelers, regulates permanent and temporary immigration into the United States and maintains control of the US borders, which amount to 8,000 miles. They also identify and remove persons who have no lawful immigration status in the United States. The border patrol works hand-in-hand with the INS to ensure†¦show more content†¦There was more travel for laborers who resided in Mexican territory yet worked daily in the US. With the excessive passing over the border comes more illegal immigration. Tremendous pressure is put on the Border Patrol to prevent the illegal immigrants from successfu lly coming to the United States. The Human Development Report states the definition of human rights, as the rights possessed by all persons, by virtue of their common humanity, to live a life of freedom and dignity. They give all people moral claims in the behavior of individuals and the design of social arrangements and are universal, inalienable and indivisible. Human rights express our deepest commitments to ensuring that all persons are secure in their enjoyment of the goods and freedoms that are necessary for dignified living. Human rights belong to all people, and all people have equal status with respect to these rights (UNDP 2000). With human rights is the right to freedom. -Freedom from discrimination in any form under any circumstance -Freedom from fear, such as threats to personal security, torture, arbitrary arrest, and other violent acts -Freedom from injustice and violations of the law and the freedom of thought and speech and to participate in decision-making and form associations These are individual freedoms that are granted to every human being. They are not arguable and are not outranked in power.Show MoreRelatedReasons Behind The War On Drugs1365 Words   |  6 Pagesreasons behind the war on drugs between the Mexican government and the drug cartels in Mexico and examine the impact of this conflict on Mexico and on US National Security. Drug Trafficking or any other illegal activity related to drug Cartels and gangs pose an imminent threat to the Mexican governance because of the corruption and the violence they generate. Illegal drugs affect not only Mexico but also the U.S in terms of trafficking and consumption. The Mexican government has always taken many initiativesRead MoreMexican Border Problems Essay825 Words   |  4 PagesMexican Border Problems The U.S.-Mexico border region is one of the most dynamic in the world. It extends more than 3,100 kilometers (2,000 miles) from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, and 100 kilometers (62.5 miles) on each side of the international border and is marked by high concrete fences in the west and a broad shallow river in the east when it reaches Texas. The region includes large deserts, numerous mountain ranges, rivers, wetlandsRead MoreThe United Statesstrategy For Combating Drug Trafficking Across Their Shared Border1521 Words   |  7 Pagestrafficking across their shared border. The State Department’s current position on the situation is to to support continued cooperation with Mexico and collaborate on strategies to increase security and create policy measures that strengthen the rule of law. The State Department divides the United States’ strategy for combatting drug trafficking into four strategies: targeting cartels and their operations, aiding the Mexican government in their efforts, improving border security to efficiently facilitateRead MoreIllegal Immigration and Equal Rights Essay example1627 Words   |  7 PagesIllegal Immigration and Equal Rights Should immigrants receive the same tolerances that other minority groups have received in the past decades? Should their struggle for equal rights over- shadow the fact that immigration laws are ignored? Pro Amnesty and Anti-Immigration groups have different opinions about these issues The immigration laws that exist in the U.S are not the problem, the problem exist with the people who refuse to enforce them because they contrast the immigrant’s struggles withRead MoreBracero Movement1324 Words   |  6 Pagescountless Mexicans into the U.S.. They were known as Braceros, which were Mexican laborers that were allowed into the United States for a limited period of time as a seasonal agricultural worker. The Bracero movement was well related to the California Gold Rush because numerous Mexicans headed North across the American border because they thought they would gain mass fortunes in the United States. Even though the Bracero Movement caused countless problems, it also led t o many successful human rights actsRead MoreIllegal Immigration Should Not Invest Or Enforce On Current Method Of Border Security Essay1579 Words   |  7 Pagesbooming in an unprecedented rate in the U.S. since the late 1990s. To absolve this matter, border security has been enforced throughout the entire country with the objective to reduce the entry of illegal immigrants across the border, wherein such acts to do so has been initiated such as the mass deportation of illegal immigrants, increasing security in national border and screening. This whole initiative has reduced the number of immigrants living in the U.S. However, current findings have provenRead MoreBorders Are One Of The Most Pervasive Topics In Contemporary1720 Words   |  7 PagesBorders are one of the most pervasive topics in contemporary politics, and whether people are aware of it or not, borderlands history has greatly influenced the perceptions and attitudes that are held towards borders today. Rhetoric toda y is focused on keeping immigrants out, winning the war on drugs, and bringing the United States back to its original glory (which in fact, was not glorious, but rather put white men on a pedestal). Borderlands history reminds us that immigrants are going to crossRead MoreThe North American Free Trade Agreement1237 Words   |  5 Pagesand to turn the United States, Mexico and Canada into the world’s second largest trading bloc after the European Union. Many people from Mexico believed that the trade agreement would undercut Mexican farmers with cheap U.S. food imports and worsen the inequality between the two countries. A struggling Mexican economy received an initial boost from foreign investment related to NAFTA. But the economic crisis was caused in part by the political instability that Mexico has been known for, a drop in foreignRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Crossing The Wire 1366 Words   |  6 PagesHispanics, mostly Mexicans, are not being treated equally because of their different culture and lifestyle and people need to treat them fairly and enforce laws against discrimination. In the book, Crossing the Wire, Hobbs displays what a Mexican has to go through when they are crossing the border to the United States for a good cause. Hispanics have been discriminated ever since the Mexicans gained independence in 1821 from Spain. In recent years African Americans have been receiving the most attentionRead MoreThe Connection Between Western Capitalism And Mexican Femicide1614 Words   |  7 PagesGlobalized Violence: The Connection Between Western Capitalism and Mexican Femicide Globalization: a process of interaction between the social, economic and political systems of different nations, a process powered by international trade and investment. Some assert that globalization encourages the spread of more â€Å"enlightened and egalitarian† Western values and international tolerance, while others believe that this phenomenon harms more than it helps and fosters an uncontrolled and abusive economic

Ethics and Engineering Essay Example For Students

Ethics and Engineering Essay A professional engineer, doctor, lawyer, or teacher should have a well-rounded education, which teaches the technical expertise of the field, but alsoinstructs the whole human being about the pleasures and responsibilities ofbeing a contributing member of society.The most important part of any career is training. If you want tobecome anything from a cook to an astronaut, it is important that you know howto do your job. Education is key to be able to do a job. But, for certainprofessionals, such as engineers, doctors, doing the job right may include a lotmore than what they were taught, or could be taught, in any school. Theseprofessions must also learn how to be responsible to the public. People in suchjobs must be instructed on the responsibilities of being a contributing memberof society. Most professionals feel their duty is to serve their client, or to dotheir job to the best of their ability. Unfortunately, this is not good enough. When a persons profession or the product of their work will involve the public,that person should also be responsible to the public. The only concern of anengineer cannot be to make a bridge as sound as possible in a certain budget. If the people are to be crossing over this bridge, an engineer must alsoconsider if it is possible to truly make this bridge safe within the allottedbudget. He must not think purely of the technical aspects of the bridge making,but of the human side. Statements like Is it safe? should be replaced by Isthe bridge safe enough? Whenever ones work involves the public, one must beconcerned for the publics health and safety. Professionals today must make judgement calls that were never requiredof them before. They must decide whether what is good for science andtechnology is good for humanity. There must be a certain responsibility to anexpert for what they have created. As an example, look at Albert Einsteinsresearch in nuclear physics. After realising that a nuclear weapon was possible,he was going to stop research. However, considering the result of his actionshe continued and created an item that killed thousands of people. He came tothis decision after deciding that if the United States did not develop thisweapon first, then Germany would, probably killing hundreds of thousands more. This was a moral dilemma that no one should face, but professionals do faceother moral dilemmas every day. Should a lawyer defend a guilty man for tentimes the normal fee? Or should an accountant alter some numbers to make it morefavourable for the company that his brother owns? These are all tough questions,and are difficult decisions for one to make, but they must be addressed. To bea contributing member of society dictates that one should do this, but onesmorals or ones finances dictate something else entirely. Nothing can beentirely correct for either side in these matters. Rather, it is a balance gamewhere the professional himself must decide how they are going to tip the scales. The ability to communicate with others is fast becoming a requirement inevery job. Professionals such as lawyers and accountants have to deal withpeople every day. But increasingly other specialists, such as engineers orscientists, must deal with unions, management, citizens, and special interestgroups. Being able to recognise and address the issues of all of these groupswhile still doing the best job possible takes some very skilful judgement calls. It is a delicate balance and takes practice. Increasingly now, people arerequired to do this without any formal training and little experience in suchmatters. To be fair to society, maybe one should lean towards the unions orthe municipalitys side of an issue. To keep ones job and to keep unnecessarycosts down low, one should take the companys side. So what side should onereally take? No one can be sure, but the decision will be left up to theprofessional, and so they must be given guidance on how to face these issues. Aprofessional must be trained in skills outside their trade. .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 , .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .postImageUrl , .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 , .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5:hover , .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5:visited , .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5:active { border:0!important; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5:active , .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5 .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u33b3ec928d357f38140b1e5953249ca5:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Atomic Bomb EssayKnowledge and responsibility are two things that should go hand and hand inprofessionals decisions. Public health and safety concerns, moral decisions,and the ability to communicate are all required of a contributing member ofsociety. Better training is required to prepare future professionals for thesesituations. Category: English

Red Star China Case free essay sample

Unicord PLC Group A Florida Atlantic University Professor: Dr. Hemant Merchant Emerging Markets MAN-6728 February 15, 2010 Problem/Decision Dr. Juanjai Ajanant, a special advisor to Unicord PLC’s board, has been tasked with deciding the best strategy to take Unicord out of receivership. Unicord, as a relatively young company, was a leading tuna processor and one of the â€Å"shining stars† of Thailand. As a top tuna exporter, the company had shown year over year growth since its inception in 1978. It appears that their challenges began soon after the purchase of Bumble Bee in 1991. In four short years, Unicord quickly spiraled downward and seemingly out of control. By 1995, the founder and CEO, Dumri, was challenged by surging debt, plummeting share value, significant losses, creditors demanding repayment and falling per capita consumption; faced with these failures, Dumri committed suicide. Without a CEO and VP of Finance providing direction, Dr. Ajanant must determine the causes for the rapid demise of such a promising company and identify what information he needs to decide if a turn-around strategy is possible. We will write a custom essay sample on Red Star China Case or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Fundamental Causes The two primary reasons for Unicord’s demise were the acquisition of Bumble Bee along with its deal structure and the dolphin controversy. A secondary cause was related to their senior leadership. Although, leadership can be an ambiguous cause, there were some senior level decisions and management style that accelerated the downfall. Without the acquisition of Bumble Bee, Unicord could have been a healthier and stronger company today. From a strategic perspective, the acquisition made sense given Unicord’s growth stage and the state of Thailand’s government and economy. The problem began with the purchase price and the structuring of the debt. Unicord was permitted to purchase a company twice its size because Chase Manhattan and Sutro banks were responding to Thailand’s economic momentum. All parties were hedging their bets that the conditions were perfect for continued growth to cover the debt even though the American tuna industry was based upon high volume and low profitability. Thailand demonstrated its willingness to embrace free market ideals, the baht was gaining value and Thailand’s inflation was decreasing. The Thai government wanted global investment and had recently relaxed financial restrictions and deregulated their financial sector. With Thailand’s Board of Investment’s approval, the deal was structured in US dollars. By the middle of 1994, the baht was loosing its strength, forcing creditors to demand a restructure because the debt was quickly becoming un-serviceable. In 1995, Bangkok Bank required repayment of its $113 million by year end. Prior to the Bumble Bee acquisition, Unicord, as a supplier, was sheltered from the tuna-dolphin controversy and boycotts that had existed for years. At the height of the controversy, in 1990, Bumble Bee admitted to lying to and deceiving the public by labeling its cans as â€Å"dolphin safe† when their processes were still six months away from actually delivering truly dolphin free tuna. The damage to the brand and the industry resulted in reduced profit margins and a dramatic decline in US consumption, thereby increasing the US rivalry. Bad decisions by Unicord’s senior leadership magnified the problems. To recover from Bumble Bee’s dolphin controversy, Dumri, aggressively cut prices to increase market share. When Unicord’s market share increased, he invested additional money to increase Thai production. Dumri was short sighted in realizing that he was potentially gaining ground in a shrinking market where actual per capita consumption continued to fall. In 1992, Bumble Bee lost $40 million most likely from pricing its products lower than its production cost. By 1993, the debt surged to $200 million. In July, when financial leadership was most needed, Unicord’s VP of Finance Vichet Bunthuwong resigned and the position remained un-filled, leaving the company without direction. Bumble Bee had almost 100 years of deep tradition and relationships, yet Unicord did not address the cultural differences between the companies. For instance, the senior management team of Bumble Bee often ignored Dumri’s contradicting hierarchal style of management. When Dumri wanted to close the Puerto Rican operations, his directive was ignored. One of the strategic reasons for buying Bumble Bee was to leverage their US distribution network. There was no indication that the integration was successful at creating distribution synergies and reducing costs. These types of production â€Å"misses† would just continue to diminish the bottom line. Analysis Unicord’s demise can be attributed to three primary causes; the acquisition of Bumble Bee Tuna, purse-seine fishing techniques, and actions and reactions by senior leadership. The rationale to purchase Bumble Bee was obvious at the time to Unicord; to become an â€Å"American† company and lessen the current trade regulations between the U. S and Thailand, to help the company diversify and stabilize its supply of raw materials, find ready buyers for its line of white meat products, push products into the American market, and have gained efficiencies from Bumble Bee’s Puerto Rican manufacturing plant. All combined, the acquisition would allow Unicord to become the world’s largest tuna canner. Unicord founder and CEO Dumri Konuntakiet built his company on three primary convictions; Thailand was central to prime tuna fishing, the Thai Board of Investment offered many incentives to the fishing industry, and low wage demands from Thai workers. However, Unicord’s desire to become a global power took the company away from its convictions on which it was built. Acquiring Bumble Bee was the answer for Unicord to become that power. BBBumble Bee was the third largest American producer of tuna at the time of Unicord’s acquisition. The largest American producer, H. J. Heinz’s Star Kist initially offered to purchase the company but the sale was disallowed as it was determined the purchase would hinder free competition of the American companies. This opened the door for Unicord to purchase Bumble Bee, which was twice the size of Unicord. The purchase also occurred at a time Thailand desired to become an emerging market leader in the global economy. The purchase was approved by the Bank of Thailand and landed President Dumri as one of the countries prominent businessmen. But, were there indications that the Bumble Bee acquisition would not be the best move for Unicord? The American tuna industry was in transition mode; profits were decreasing and existing canneries were moving operations away from the continental U. S. Bumble Bee’s reaction to the dolphin controversy was to reduce prices to increase market share. In the short run, it worked. Market share in the U. S. increased from 17% in 1989 to 25. 7% in 1992. Production in Thailand increased to spur on the increased market share. However, what was overlooked was the consumption of tuna was falling at a faster rate than Bumble Bee’s market share was increasing. The company was losing money, as was Bumble Bee’s primary competitors Chicken of the Sea and Star Kist. Despite its financial troubles and losing $40 million money in 1992, Unicord announced it would list Bumble Bee on the NYSE. Company losses surged to $200 million in 1993. By now, the public, creditors, and business analysts lost confidence in Unicord. There were no public relations, pricing methods failed, and the bottom line was sinking fast. Dumri Konumtakiet’s hierarchical management style was not accepted by Bumble Bee leadership. There was no sense of control of the company. Bangkok Bank was also demanding Unicord repay its $113 million debt by the end of 1995 due to the ongoing fall of its share price. Unicord was not structured in a manner to survive turbulent times. Ownership changed three times over a two year period and there was no direction from top level management. After Konumtakiet’s death in 1995, Unicord went into receivership. Alternatives Unicord, facing a need to revive itself, has a few alternatives. The basic choice the company must make is if it should attempt to retain Bumble Bee or to try to sell it. If the company chooses to retain Bumble Bee, issues such as management culture would need to be addressed. Under the leadership of Dumri, all decisions had to be approved by him. This level of control had met with resistance from Bumble Bee executives who believed that the company could behave independently due to its familiarity with the competitions and culture of the American market. This was further compounded with three ownership shifts at Bumble Bee over three years. Under this alternative, Unicord might attempt to stabilize this relationship, and allow Bumble Bee to function with autonomy. This could lead to the company reviving itself by allowing Bumble Bee management to make decisions based on their knowledge and experience. However, due to Bumble Bee’s deception in regards to its â€Å"dolphin-safe† policy, the company had lost some of its own credibility. As such, the company, regardless of management decisions, has already lost market share. In direct opposition with this first option for Unicord decision makers is another alternative where Unicord could try to force Bumble Bee to follow Dumri’s directives, which is to shut down its Puerto Rican operations and send the profits over to the parent company. This action might give Unicord the weight to pay their debts. However, this option might meet with the same previous non-compliance from Bumble Bee management, which would not aid Unicord’s situation. Or this action could lead to un-forecasted consequences, leaving Unicord without a profit and without the Puerto Rican operations. An additional alternative would be for Bumble Bee to turn away from the United States, which has had a decline in tuna consumption and views the company in a negative light. Attention could be focused on the European market. The disadvantages of this alternative, though, is that Unicord’s original rationale for the acquisition of Bumble Bee is rendered useless, as the company would still be obliged to follow European trade regulations and tariffs. Another viable option for Unicord would be to sell Bumble Bee. Prior to its own acquisition of the company, Pillsbury had many bidders for Bumble Bee, including Star Krist, one of its largest competitors. As such, Unicord could attempt to sell Bumble Bee to one of its competitors and attempt to leverage its own heavy debt situation. This would also be an advantageous situation for the purchasing company as it would enhance its own market share. Of course, this would result in a loss of that market share for Unicord. Unicord could also try to sell Bumble Bee to one of its competitors in Thailand, ThaiUnion Manufacturing Company or Ta Kong Food Industries, who may be interested in acquiring the company for the same reasons that Unicord has made the acquisition. However, with decline in tuna consumption in the United States and Unicord’s history with Bumble Bee, the Thai companies might be not interested in pursuing the same model. A further option for Unicord would be for the company to reassess its financial position, and try to restructure its debt. This plan could be difficult, however, due to the high debt burden carried by Unicord. A final dire action would be for the company to seek and file for protection under Thai bankruptcy laws, and attempt to liquidate. This option would entail essentially giving up on the company. Recommendations It is clear that for the large part Unicord’s demise can be attributed to the acquisition of Bumble Bee and the fall out flowing from that decision. If Dr. Juanjai wants to resuscitate Unicord the first step he needs to take is to sell Bumble Bee. Unicord’s management also needs to be re-structured and the company should develop a smart marketing campaign to re-introduce Unicord to the world. The first step in reviving Unicord is to sell Bumble Bee. Granted the environment for selling may not be the best, but Dr. Juanjai needs to get Bumble Bee off his hands if he has any hope of revitalizing Unicord. Realistically, the chances of getting what they paid for Bumble Bee is slim, so Unicord will need to decide what they are willing to take for Bumble Bee and actively seek out potential buyers. Konuntakiet, as the CEO and founder of apparently made all the major decisions for Unicord. When Konuntakiet committed suicide he left his company in disarray. Prior to his death the VP of finance and friend resigned and that position remained unfilled. The fact that such a major position in the company was not filled shows serious managerial issues. Clearly Unicord’s management system needs to be restructured. Perhaps without Konuntakiet this restructuring will be accomplished far easier and less painful. Unicord’s main line of business is still the canning and processing of tuna fish. The company markets tuna fish under its own name and under other brands worldwide. Marketing Unicord as an ethical and environmentally friendly company in Europe and Asia can only enhance its image. Even in Thailand there is probably a loss of confidence in the company. Consequently, though the company is financially strapped a smart marketing campaign is essential in turning the company around.

Needs Analysis Essays

Needs Analysis Essays Needs Analysis Paper Needs Analysis Paper Essay Topic: 8th Grade Needs Analysis Name: Course: Date: Survey question was introduced by creating a baseline of how often teachers believed students should be checking their work. By first understanding this, it would allow a determination If there was In fact a difference between students actual reviewing would be if students are unfamiliar with how to check their work. By determining which skills the teachers deem to be the most productive when practicing their computation, the teachers will then be able to create a vertical alignment where instruction is built on those review skills. This would provide students with a foundation where their knowledge can be increased without the troubles of having to learn a new way to review. Typically the reverse operation would be done in order to check for the correct answer. However, if there is an issue in the basic computation it would hinder students being able to check their work. This was the reason why students were also given survey questions and were interviewed. Students would be asked how often they check their work and they would also identify their self-efficacy in computation of problems with decimals. If there is a need in that students do not check their work and if they do not feel competent in completing the problems with decimals, then it would dictate a need to retrace the material. Surveys and interviews were given to students due to their speed and their ability to quickly assess where a need was. Data Analysis Techniques Used The first survey question asked the students about the percentage of the time they reviewed their work after completing a math problem. The answer choices included: teen 0-20 percent, between 20-40 percent, between 40-60 percent, between 60-80 percent, and between 80-100 percent. Table 1 Percentage of Time Students Reviewed Work Percentage of Time Reviewing Work (%) Respondents 2 3 4 5 0

Spanish Verbs of Remembering and Forgetting

Spanish Verbs of Remembering and Forgetting The most common Spanish verbs of remembering and forgetting are recordar and olvidar, respectively. Verbs For Remembering and Forgetting Recordar: Here are some examples of recordar in use. Note that it is conjugated irregularly, following the pattern of - in other words, the of the stem becomes. Recuerdo que nuestro equipo era impresionante. I remember that our team was incredible. ¿Ya no recuerdas cuando eras un nià ±o? You still dont remember when you where a child?Firefox no quiere recordar mis contraseà ±as. Firefox doesnt want to remember my passwords.No recuerdo donde fue mi primer beso. I dont remember where my first kiss was.Siempre te recordaremos. We will always remember you. Etymology:Recordar comes from the Latinrecordari, meaning to remember. Interestingly,recordar is a cousin of the wordcorazà ³n, meaning heart, as the heart has been thought of as the center of memory and emotions. False-friend alert: Except in poor translations from English, recordar is not used for meaning to record. Verbs used for that purpose include anotar (to write down) and grabar (to make a sound or video recording). Acordarse de: Also commonly used for to remember is the reflexive verb acordarse followed by the preposition de. As you might have guessed, acordarse is also a cousin of corazà ³n. It also is conjugated following the same pattern as recordar. Me acuerdo de la brisa que nos acariciaba. I remember the breeze that would caress us. ¿Por quà © a veces nos acordamos de lo que soà ±amos y otras veces no? Why do we sometimes remember what we dream and other times we dont?La respuesta corta a la pregunta es no, no se acordaron de nosotros. The short answer to the question is no, they didnt remember us.No quiero acordarme de ayer. I dont want to remember yesterday. Rememorar: Spanish does have a cognate of remember, rememorar, but it isnt used very often, and then usually to refer to an event being memorialized or recognized: Presidente Correa rememorà ³ la masacre del 2 de agosto. President Correa remembered the Aug. 2 massacre. Olvidar: Olvidar is the only verb in common use that means to forget. It sometimes is used in the reflexive form, often in the phrase olvidarse de, which can (but doesnt always) suggest deliberate forgetting. In some areas, olvidarse without the de is common. Los Spurs olvidaron el estilo que los habà ­a distinguido. The Spurs forgot the style that had distinguished them. ¡Ayà ºdame! Olvidà © mi contraseà ±a de Hotmail. Help! I forgot my Hotmail password.No voy a olvidar nunca mi visita a Mlaga. Ill never forget my visit to Mlaga.Me olvidarà © que fuiste mà ­o y que ahora te perderà ©. Ill forget that you were mine and that now I will lose you. ¿Por quà © nos olvidamos de fechas importantes? Why do we forget important dates? ¡No olvidemos lo nuestro! Lets not forget whats ours! Often olvidarse can function like gustar, in that the thing forgotten becomes the subject of the verb, and the person(s) who forgot becomes the indirect object: Es un video que no se te olvidar nunca. Its a video youll never forget. (Literally, its a video that will never be forgotten to you.)Un dà ­a se me olvidaron las llaves del carro. One day I forgot the car keys.Se me olvidà ³ el coche en el autolavado y cerraba a las 6. I forgot the car in the car wash and it closed at 6. Etymology: Olvidar comes from the Latin oblitus, forgetful, making it a cousin of English words such as oblivion and oblivious. Sources Sources used in this lesson include  Fotolog.com, Devocionalies Cristianos, Internetizado.com, Isaac Arriola, La Voz de Galicia, Soyunalbondiga.com, Mi Rincà ³n del Alma, Taringa.net, Tenisweb, Terra.com, Ubuntu-es.org and  3wilio.

Non-Invasive Ventilation in Severe Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) Literature review

Non-Invasive Ventilation in Severe Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) secondary to an Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pul - Literature review Example Figure 3: Kaplan-Meier plot showing cumulative survival following the initiation of NIV (Chung et al., 2010) 18 Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is among the leading global causes of chronic morbidity and mortality, being listed as fourth leading cause of death worldwide (British Lung Foundation, 2007). It accounts for approximately 30,000 deaths each year in the United Kingdom (UK) , with more than 90% of these occurring in the over 65 age group "in 2004" (Healthcare Commission, 2006). The prevalence of the disease is expected to rise in coming decades and it is projected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020 (Murray and Lopez 1997). A disorder with chronic airflow limitation, the definition of COPD now gaining acceptance defines COPD as â€Å"a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal; inflammatory response of the lun gs to noxious particles or gases† (GOLD, 2010). Three general types of lesions are associated with COPD: emphysema, small airways inflammation and fibrosis, and mucus gland hyperplasia (Senior & Anthonisen, 1998). Excessive decline of lung function in patients with COPD leading to hospitalisation and death due to COPD is associated with presence of chronic mucus hypersecretion (Vestbo & Lang, 1996). Tobacco use is definitely the major risk factor for COPD defined by pack-year or cumulative dose, besides other risk factors such as age (Blanchette et al., 2011), familial tendencies, childhood respiratory diseases, (Senior & Anthonisen, 1998) and occupational exposure (Tomas, 2011; Blanc et al., 2009) Up to 20% of COPD patients admitted to hospital present with respiratory acidosis (Plant, 2000), characterised by deterioration in gas exchange, along with tachypnoea, dyspnoea, and crepitation (Brochard, 2000); as was observed in the case studied by the author. Studies have recomme nded the use of Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in such cases of exacerbations of COPD (Dikensoy et al., 2002). However, there are controversies to selection of patients who may be considered eligible and may actually benefit from NIV due to methodological factors. Patients with exacerbations of COPD who are not likely to respond to conventional support therapy and those in which NIV can be used for averting the needs of invasive mechanical ventilation can be selected for administration of NIV (Garpestad et al., 2007). Besides severity of exacerbations and respiratory acidosis, several other factors such as individual characteristics, timing of intervention, skill of operating

Definition of Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Definition of Art - Essay Example It communicates not only the artist ideas but also its emotion. It is largely based and facilitated more by intuition than reason as the receiver is more dependent on the experience and feeling evoked by the art. While art can be interpreted by logical reasoning as what was impressed to the spectator, the experience, however, is still subjective and relative to the interpretation of the receiver. Such, while the intellectual faculty is stimulated by the impression of a particular art form, it still appeals largely on emotion. And unlike the Scientific subject, art is generally organized in accordance with the technique or medium rather than the specialization of knowledge. Artistic technique refers to the degree of fluency of the artist in rendering the art through a medium. For example, with regard to its classification according to the medium, art can be categorized as the performing arts or literature. With regard to other media such as the material or component in rendering the a rtistic by-product, it can also be classified as â€Å"painting† in reference to the medium of paint of rendering the artistic impression. Art also requires a loftier sense of ability or mastery of its medium. It can be the well-versed articulation and adept use of a language to impart meaning and substance that moves the readers. That mastery of the language, whether it be the creative style or the originality of the approach of rendering the thoughts, or a combination of the two, has been best exemplified by the works of William Shakespeare as it enables the reader to grasp his meaning while regurgitating the manner it was conveyed with words. The fluency of technical execution can also be construed as art and even a requirement as manifested in Leonardo da Vinci’s works. For art is subjective and relative to the experience of its viewers, making the judgment about its value can be difficult. The quality or value of art is difficult to determine for the criteria of w hat makes good or bad art is also relative; whether it is the technical fluency of the artist or the intent and impact of the art to its receiver determines a good or bad art is difficult to say. Perception differs from one person to another. But regardless of its subjectivity, it is commonly agreed that what is not aesthetically satisfying cannot be considered as an art. Aesthetic satisfaction is not only confined to beauty, however; gory and horrible images that are intended for social or thought-provoking intention can also be considered as art although its prime motivation is not the aesthetic pursuit. The classic example to this would be Pablo Picasso’s Guemica (1937) In the twentieth century,  where he utilized arresting cubist  techniques and unembellished  monochromatic oils, to portray the dreadful result of a contemporary bombing of a small, ancient Basque town. Even blasphemous rendering can still be considered as an art as exampled by   Andres Serrano's  Piss Christ  (1989) where a photograph of a cross which is considered holy to the Christian religion, depicted  Christ's sacrifice and final suffering in a manner that is immersed in the artist’s own urine.  Ã‚  

Greek Mythology and Heracles Family Essay Example for Free

Greek Mythology and Heracles Family Essay The Greek heroes Heracles, Jason, Perseus and Theseus are all intriguing characters of Greek mythology. They each portray many different qualities and compare and contrast each other. For example the fact that Heracles was constantly a target of Hera and Theseus a target of Medea links them as characters. Also, Heracles frees Theseus from the chair of forgetfulness which also makes them similar. Even further, Perseus is from the city of Argos which happens to be where Heracles’ family is from as well. Another similarity between Heracles and Theseus is that they attack the Amazons together and both tend to rid the lands of certain monsters. Heracles also worked together in the Argonaut crew with Jason. All these heroes also tend to share great physical strengths and capabilities to defeat their enemies. These four heroes also differ from each other. Jason seemed to be portrayed as somewhat of a weaker character and Perseus seemed to receive much more help from gods and goddesses, even by Heracles, more than the other heroes did. It may have been because they favored him more. Another distinguishing feature is that Heracles was an average human being before he became immortal. As far as how each hero handles their quests, all four of them seem to mentally be prepared for each quest. They tend to each focus on the task at hand. For example, Heracles labors to catch a deer that is lightning fast; he perseveres for a year before he catches it. They all seem to show dedication and patience to each mission. However unlike Theseus who picks more dangerous routes, maybe for more of a mental challenge, Perseus does not seem to be as mentally focused but more on the physical side of things. Perseus is more physical and does not have to use as much intellectual thinking because he is gifted by nymphs and gods that give him the right tools to succeed on his quest. Heracles stands out as a physical hero since the day he was born by having to fight off the snakes that Hera sent his way and the fact that most of the twelve labors were aimed for his failure yet he succeeds. Another impressive success was the cleaning of the Augean stables by means of diverting 2 rivers. Each of these four heroes has honorable qualities that drives them in their quests and make them compare and contrast to each other.

Animal Rights, Human Wrongs vs. The Damned Human Race Essays -- Englis

Animal Rights, Human Wrongs vs. The Damned Human Race â€Å"Animal Rights, Human Wrongs† by Tom Regan and â€Å"The Damned Human Race† by Mark Twain are more similar than different. Both of the authors are informing the readers about the mentality of some human beings in regard to animals. One of the authors, Tom Regan provides several examples of the tactics man uses to harm animals. Mark Twain’s method compares so called lower animal to the human being. In both stories, the way that man treats animals is injustice. Tom Regan tells how human beings have developed a more advance technology that will kill a whale in the matter of minutes. When the whale is captured, he fights and struggles with the crew men until his death. The whale is used for things as small as candle wax, perfume, soap, oil, pet food, margarine, and fertilizer. The rest of the remains are disregarded. An innocent animal is killed to provide man with unnecessary products. Similar to the whale, Mark Twain discovered a case when buffalos where hunted and wasted. Some hunters organized a buffalo hunt to eat and for entertainm...

Lincoln Electric Student Example

The way a company organizes and manages its workforce has increasingly become a source of competitive advantage Summers, 1 994), and for Lincoln it is no different. Lincoln Electrics competitive advantage is their most positive aspect revealed in the assigned case study that is embodied through its rewards system and human resource management techniques, along with quality management techniques Of value innovation and continual cost reductions to make Lincoln so successful, even through hard economic times. Competitive advantage has contain ally shifted over time.What is an advantage today may not be tomorrow; however, it seems that in the assigned case study that Lincoln Electric has created a system that makes the intention nearly irrelevant (Prefer, Whatnot, & Essentialness, 1995). Competing in an industry that is highly price-competitive and where price variations on standard items amounts to only one to two percent it immediately creates a realization that to sustain continual h igh performance, Lincoln Electric must have a business model built on creating a continual competitive advantage (Lincoln Electric, 1994).A competitive advantage is formed when a firm can add value through a strategy that isn't being simultaneously implemented by a competitor or is able to do so where another firm has failed to duplicate the benefits of such strategy Assonance's, 2008). The human resource techniques used at Lincoln Electric are a major key to its success and are what has helped drive Lincoln Electrics ability to gain a competitive advantage and continual high performance.It is suggested that there are sixteen different elements that help a company achieve a competitive advantage through its people to include: incentive pay, high wages, employment security, selectivity in recruiting, employee ownership, information sharing, participation and empowerment, promotion from within, training and skill development, symbolic egalitarianism, wage compression, names and job re design, cross-utilization and cross-training, long-term perspective, measurement of the practices, and overarching philosophy (Summers, 1994).From the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric, nearly every one of these techniques is being utilized, especially incentive pay, high and cross-utilization/ cross-training. One of the basic functions of Lincoln Electrics management system is a incentive-based compensation for employees (Houses, 1995). The incentive system is a key driver/ element used at Lincoln Electric that drives the employee's high productivity (Brown, 1992).In the case study, it is revealed hat Lincoln incentive pay system utilizes four elements that are suggested to be vital to success: it eliminates raises based upon seniority or cost-of- living, places everyone on some form of incentive pay, gradually increases the pay percentage, and it utilizes quality and customer satisfaction (Brown, 1992). The incentive system at Lincoln Electric rates employees on output, qual ity, dependability and ideas/ cooperation (Harris & Klein, 1993). Throughout this case study, we see fact after fact indicating the importance of the piecework pay incentive system utilized at Lincoln Electric (Harris &Klein, 1993) and how it keeps the employees motivated. One example shown in the case study is the interview with Jimmy Roberts, a 47 year old drill press operator, who stated that the bonus distribution plan along with biweekly pay Were the reasons for such high productivity (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Pay at Lincoln Electric is industry leading, and hourly shop workers with a high school education can earn around ninety thousand dollars a year between hourly pay and incentives/ bonus pay (Harris & Klein, 1993) and this has helped form a company with a highly motivated workforce (Schuler &MacMillan, 1984). Tying into the reward compensation system, beyond the piece-work pay, is the ability to obtain additional wages through knowledge sharing/ suggestions. According to t he case study, the value of suggestions for improvements results in recommendations for high performance scores that ultimately determine an individual's incentive bonus amount (Lincoln Electric, 1994). This type of system of â€Å"pay-for-knowledge† promotes investment in firm-specific human capital that has helped improve organizational productivity though a workforce that is both multi;skilled and flexible (Guthrie, 2000).A study conducted by Guthrie (2000) revealed that the pay systems that were primarily â€Å"skilled based† (primarily incentive based plans) were far less likely to have employee turnover than those jobs that were group based (strictly wage based plans), thus reinforcing the elemental need to gain a competitive advantage (Summer, 1994) such as that seen at in the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric.Tying into this concept of a reward compensation system is the notable fact mentioned in the case study that Lincoln Electrics employees earn nearly twice as much a year as other factory workers in the Cleveland, Ohio area Lincoln electric 1994). This accounts for the second element that Lincoln Electrics management meets in creating a competitive advantage. Lincoln Electrics wage system, part from hourly pay and part from the previously mentioned incentive pay, meets the need of Masses,/s (Theory Z) hierarchy need of self-actualization (an individual's need for success) (Harris & Klein, 1993).Since this is the last step on Mascots hierarchy this indicated that all other needs are met below it as well (Harris & Klein, 1 993) and since Lincoln Electric meets its employees needs they feel no urgency to leave the company which leads us into the third key human resource element that creates a competitive advantage for Lincoln Electric: long-term, stable employment (summers, 1994). Lincoln Electrics quality management utilizes a continual practice of long- term employment security that has also been a key element of its competitive success (Katz, 1998).Motivating employees can take many forms and the difference between some of the best managed companies versus other companies is their individual methods of implementing their accompanied management techniques (Harris & Klein, 1993). In this case study it mentions that Lincoln Electric has not laid anyone off since World War II (Lincoln Electric, 1 994) which encompasses part of the accompanied management technique of motivating through superb human resource management (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Additional proof is given of a stable workforce in the case study showing that turnover is less than four percent for employees who have been on the job for eighteen months or longer (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Not laying anyone off for over forty years and the use of a guaranteed employment policy has created a waiting list of applicants at Lincoln Electric since nineteen hundred ND thirty-three (Harris & Klein, 1993).There are negative consequences of down (right) sizing, using contingent work forces, minimizing labor costs, outsourcing, and temporary/contract workers (Stevens, 2001 ) which Lincoln has managed to avoid through its practice of guaranteed employment. The use of this policy has created a proclamation that people are Lincoln most valuable assets (Stevens, 2001) which is reinforced by the founding principles of the company that after the customer the employee is the second most important person, even above the stockholders (Lincoln Electric, 1994).The fourth element that is observed in the assigned case study is that of its Lincoln Electrics selective job placement/ recruitment processes. Competitive pressures, greater recognition of human resources as a potential source of competitive advantage, and changing workforce demographics have made the hiring process more vigorous than ever for management (Boswell, Rolling, Lupine, & Monomania, 2003).The case study of Lincoln Electric reveals a company policy of promotion from within since ninet een- forty-four, that external hiring is only permitted for entry-level positions, and hat final selection of job candidates is made by the hiring supervisor after a committee consisting of the Vice Presidents and supervisors interview candidates and is approved by the personnel department (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Harris and Clinker (1993) give an additional account to the process in that it is a very vigorous one where each applicant is first screened by personnel and then is interviewed by four vice presidents who must all agree on the applicant. Each applicant is judged on their desire for success, evidence of dependability, and skills valuable to the current job (Harris &Clinker, 1993). It is suggested that management circles for a long time have known that promoting from within is good for employee morale and further more is beneficial to the company since the employee is already familiar with the ins-and-outs of the company and is well acclimated to its overall culture (Hoist & Klein, 2002).Since opportunity for promotion or advancement appears to be an important driver of attraction it is evident that this conceptual element is very apart of the Lincoln Electric accompanied management process that has helped it to maintain a competitive advantage (Boswell, et al. 2003). This also covers the element of promotion from within Summers' (1994) sixteen elements to promote a company's competitive advantage. Another competitive advantage element that is evident in the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric is the promotion of employee ownership.First the Company promotes an employee stock ownership plan that has resulted in employee ownership of fifty percent of the common stock with seventy-five percent of the employees participating in the program (Lincoln Electric, 1994). A project at HP experimented with the use of stock payments as an incentive here it stock was offered for meeting completion dates and the ending result was that the project was completed six months ahead of time (Beer, Cannon, Baron, & Dailey, 2004).While a survey at the conclusion of the experiment revealed that seventy percent of the employees felt they would have worked just as hard on the project without the incentive program, sixty percent of the employees surveyed recommended that incentive programs be used with other projects at HP (Beer, Cannon, Baron, & Dailey, 2004) providing further support that stock ownership can promote growth and a competitive advantage as a whole.Second the case study on Lincoln electric reveals that employee ownership is utilized through idea sharing and employee suggestions (Lincoln Electric, 1994). This point focuses on employee ownership as well as information sharing, and the participation and empowerment of Summers' (1994) sixteen factors that help a company's competitive advantage. From the earliest years of the company James Lincoln encouraged employees to be involved and promoted an employee â€Å"Advisory Board† that has met every two weeks with the Chief Executive Officer (Lincoln Electric, 1994).It is suggested for employees to remain engaged and productive that their input be respected by management which encourages employees to participate in decision- making and creates a sense of belonging, thereby increasing their engagement and participation in future growth Of the company (Marko's & survived, 2010). Empirical evidence in a study of advisory boards backed the theory that advisory boards help promote growth in at least a small way with eighty-three percent stating that it was at least somewhat effective to very effective and only seventeen percent stating it was a waste of time (Morsel & Poster, 2002).Additionally a number of studies have found positive relationships between employee engagement (such as Lincoln Electrics employee Advisory Board) and increased organizational performance (Marko's & Survived, 2010). It is apparent that the advisory board suggestions have had an influence on Lincoln Electrics success, with nearly where fifty out of two to three hundred suggestions are implemented on a monthly basis (Harris & Clinker, 1993).Supplemental support can be made in the fact that Lincoln Electric continually reveals dividends to stock holders that exceeded eleven dollars a share and eave reached nearly thirty dollars per share (Lincoln Electric, 1994). A more subtle, yet still evident, element of Lincoln Electrics quality management that promotes a competitive advantage is its promotion of training and development. Harrington (1998) states that to maintain a company's most valuable resource, its people, training is necessary.Reality is that no company can maintain high performance without a knowledgeable workforce. In the Lincoln Electric Case study production workers are given a short on-the-job training when first hired, sale agents, already college radiates, are given on-the-job training in the plant, which helps them sell products and reduce welding costs, followed by a period of work and training at one of the regional sales offices (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Giving employees appropriate training to perform their job functions increases core skills and knowledge which in turn increases their confidence allowing them to work with very little if any supervision (Marko's & Survived, 2010). This may be evidence as to why Lincoln is able to retain high performance while first line supervisors generally supervise any. Veer up to a hundred employees with animal interaction as stated in the case study (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Previous studies have shown that training has a positive impact on organizational performance and is associated with a company's productivity and profitability (Hansson, 2007). An empirical study, utilizing four different mathematically tested models resulted in a the coefficient of the â€Å"training variable† that remained positive through all four models giving evidential proof that company training is linked t o higher performance on a accompanied level (Danville del Valley, ?Engel Aster Castillo, Rodriguez-Treated, 009).Additionally the case study points out that Lincoln Electric created a welding school in nineteen-seventeen on the recommendations of the Advisory board that is still in existence today, adding to continual education and the ability to learn and understand the company's primary products that revolve around the welding industry (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Saba, a Lincoln Electric Vice president, is quoted at the conclusion of the case study stating â€Å"Management has encouraged education, technical publishing, and long range programs that have resulted in industry growth, thereby assuring racket potential for The Lincoln Electric Company' further emphasizing Lincoln Electric commitment to training and knowledge that has help it maintain its high performance over the years; an element made in Summers' (1994) key elements to maintaining a competitive advantage.Symbolic egali tarianism, while not defined directly, is definitely revealed in the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric. Many firms that are known for achieving and sustaining a competitive advantage have some form of an egalitarianism environment according to Prefer, Whatnot, & Essentialness (1995). Symbolic egalitarianism is promoting equality; it is a way of signaling o both the internal and external environment that the company has comparative equality (Prefer, Whatnot, & Essentialness, 1995).In the case study there is mention of one cafeteria where both blue collar and white collar employees all eat in the same cafeteria and there are no reserved parking spaces either, even one of the vice presidents has to park on the far end of the parking lot when arriving late one morning after giving on off-site speech that morning (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Another company who also utilizes both Of these same characteristics is ANNUM where the executive dining room was laminated, everyone eats togeth er and there are also no â€Å"reserved† parking spaces (Prefer, Whatnot, & Essentialness, 1995) both signs of egalitarianism.Symbolic egalitarianism helps promote a competitive advantage because there are no status distinctions to overcome and information/ ideas are more free-flowing (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995). Another way Lincoln Electric promotes competitive advantage that has helped them maintain high performance is through their lack of a corporate structure. While, it is pointed out within the assigned case study that at one point business school researchers created an organizational chart, management felt it was disruptive and no formal chart is used within the company today (Lincoln Electric, 1994).Also, the aforementioned employee stock purchase plan can also be considered a form of symbolic egalitarianism. There is evidence cited by companies showing that employees believe the existence of such stock ownership plans and other profit-sharing plans do in fact promote egalitarianism within their company (Moran, 2010). Empirical evidence also suggests that open office layouts encourage and facilitate inter- class interaction by reducing both status differentials and physical barriers (Moran, 2010).The case analysis alludes to the old plant of Lincoln Electric that runs like â€Å"clockwork† because of integrated layout and non-exclusivity of the design which helps to additionally support the fact that Lincoln Electrics high performance through competitive advantage is obtained through use of symbolic forms of egalitarianism. Wage compression is somewhat interpreted in the assigned case analysis on Lincoln Electric.At Lincoln Electric base pay is deemphasized and the reward pay system is emphasized more greatly, as seen in the fact that some employees make up to ninety thousand dollars a year on base wages that anger no more than nine to sixteen dollars an hour (Harris & Klein, 1993). Even at sixteen dollars an hour at forty hou rs per week for fifty-two weeks of pay that only amounts to roughly thirty-three-thousand dollars a year at the top and for those on the low end (nine dollar an hour) that's roughly on nineteen-thousand a year.This means that someone making ninety thousand dollars a year at Lincoln Electric earns only twenty to thirty-seven percent of their pay from hourly pay and anywhere from sixty three to eighty percent of their pay from the compensation system. Since workers from new hires to hose close to retirement are all condensed into a base salary range between nineteen and thirty-three thousand dollars this signifies that there is in fact wage compression at Lincoln Electric with emphasis on pay being directed towards the piecework pay system.According to the case study incentive pay has actually averaged ninety percent of pay since nineteen hundred thirty-four and the average worker makes just over sixteen dollars an hour which is about two dollars better than the average manufacturing wage in Cleveland, Ohio (Lincoln Electric, 1994). One Of the benefits of Wage compression is that it fuels high performance commendations; people are not constantly worried about their compensation, whether they are getting paid enough, and are not continually focusing on re-bargaining their pay scale (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995).A 2002 study investigated wage dispersion and training in Europe finding that training was more frequent when wage compression was higher (Hansson, 2007) emphasizing the earlier point of Lincoln Electric promotions of training. This study shows direct relation between wage compressions and training revealing that workers are more knowledgeable and well trained hen wages are compressed, both pointed out in the Lincoln Electric case study.The overall De-emphasis on pay through wage compression helps employees focus more on organizational goals and creating meaningful colleague relationship that work towards organizational success, producing higher overall performance (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995). Other elements included in Summers' (1994) key elements to maintaining a competitive advantage, which is the prime component of Lincoln Electrics abilities to maintain continually high performance are: teams and job redesign and cross-utilization and cross-training.Teams and job redesign, as well as cross-utilization/ cross-training aren't really focused on within the case study assigned on Lincoln electric however it is an essential element in today's ever changing global environment (Limit, T;KC, Kemp, 2008). According to Harrington (1998) Lincoln Electric does invest heavily in cross-training employees in many different aspects in an effort to make employees more valuable to the company.While the case study did not mention anything about cross-training another case study points out that at Lincoln Electric nearly everyone must complete the welding program; since it is the Meany's main product line and to graduate from t he program a requirement is that the attendee must materialize a recommendation of how to innovate the product (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995). Long-term perspective and measurement of practices were not directly pointed at within the assigned Lincoln case study either but are implied within it.Lincoln could not have the long-term, high performance it has had without looking to the future and continually reengaging itself to measure its standards of practice. Overreaching philosophy is another topic not directly it upon in the case analysis of Lincoln Electric but this philosophy is one of bringing everything together. Various things from sales, to training, to production, to finance are all discussed within the analysis and this underlining principle is a must for any company to succeed, because if the left hand and right hand don't work together then little can get accomplished.Beyond these competitive advantage elements described there are a few other notable items reveal ed in the case study that promote Lincoln Electrics continued high performance over the years to include: value innovation, costs deduction, avoiding an employee union workshop, and no long-term debt (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Value innovation is essentially the simultaneous pursuit of differentiation and low cost (Leave, 2005).The case study shows instances of Lincoln Electric differentiating itself from the competition in the advancement of its small motors as well as its contribution in the welding Inner-Shield process. Additionally, it is mentioned within the case study that cost reduction programs are in place around many areas including shipping, cost reductions around material procurement and purchasing, accountability o reduce scrap, energy conservation, and maintain overall initial product quality (Lincoln Electric, 1994) which all contribute to providing low costs, high quality products to end consumers.It is noted that value innovation can occur anywhere within a company's activities to include: products, services, delivery, costs, pricing, and the business model itself (Leave, 2005). Another minor item that can be considered minor contributions to the high performance of Lincoln Electric in the case study is the avoidance of employee unions.In the assigned case study James Lincoln was quoted as eying that Unions selfishly attempt â€Å"to better its position at the expense of the people it must serve† but understood that it was a â€Å"natural reactions of human beings† to counter the abuses of management with abuses of their own and emphasized that labor and management are â€Å"not warring camps; they are parts of one organization in which they must, and should, cooperate fully and happily' (Lincoln Electric, 1 994); a founding management strategy that has warded off any attempt for employees to unionize.Strong evidence is supported suggesting that higher union coverage within a company educes investment opportunities and are more c apital intensive than those firms that are Nan-unionized (Brogans, Deere, & Tracy, 1994). Avoiding union of the labor force has allowed Lincoln Electric to avoid these capital intensive investments. Finally management's ability to keep the company running with no long- term debt accrual is evident in the assigned case study on Lincoln Electric that has helped to contribute to their high performance.When there is an unexpected shortfall of cash flow within a company empirical studies have shown that there is a significant negative price reaction for outstanding debt ND equity (Achieve & Easter-wood, 1997). Additional empirical studies show that firms that secure more debt tend to record lower earnings within that fiscal year and the year following (Achieve & Sisterhood, 1997).In the assigned case study it is noted that risk associated with Lincoln Electric stock is minimal because the company has little debt in capital structure, extremely stable earnings year after year which encour ages investments in the company, until nineteen-eighty Lincoln Electric borrowed no money, and currently liabilities consist mainly of accounts payable and short-term accruals (Lincoln Electric, 1994). These practices have helped the company maintain high performance as cash flow is available to keep the company running, like a â€Å"well-oiled machine†.The number Of things Lincoln Electric does that helps drive its high performance seems almost endless. More than sixteen different quality management elements that help drive Lincoln Electrics competitive advantage have already been identified. The key to any business is the ability to adapt and change; this has helped Lincoln Electric maintain the high performance demonstrated in the assigned case study. Even some of the aforementioned topics, such as training, could always be improved upon.Having an understanding of certain potential weaknesses observed in the case study will allow for recommendations to be made that can aid in Lincoln Electrics continued high performance levels. Recommendations for Continued Success Lincoln Electric is no doubt innovative in its management techniques but there are a number of concerns that are addressed throughout the assigned case study including: incentive system, education and advancement, and employee power. While each of these has been represented as the LincolnElectrics strengths, it is recognized that a company maintains a competitive advantage though readdressing the source of the competitive advantage (Prefer, Hating, & Essentialness, 1995), or in other-words' realign company strategy to maintain competitive advantage as markets change. A simple change in economic or industry conditions can change a company's source of competitive advantage (Consonants, 2008), even when certain management practices have been uncontested in the past.In the assigned Lincoln Electric case study this was evident during the three year recession room nineteen-hundred eighty-one to nineteen-hundred eighty three when sales plummeted thirty percent one year and then another sixteen percent the proceeding year, and through strategic adaptive change the company prevailed without laying off one single worker (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Recent uncertainty has surfaced in regards to the supply of finances with the sub- prime crisis of 2008 (Assonance's, 2008) along with a changing global economy over the past two decades promote additional need for companies to remain flexible and adaptive.It is recommended that focus of restructuring Lincoln Electrics management practices around these three key areas will help Lincoln Electric remain adaptive to future cyclical changes: . Incentive system – Wages, Bonuses, & Benefits There are a few key indicators within the case study on Lincoln Electric that point to some concern over the current wage and incentive pay systems. Based on the contradictions even within the case study it is surprising how successful Lincoln ince ntive pay system has been in the past.The case study point outs that, while the past percentage of bonus pay has resulted in high compensation, employees expressed concerns that the bonuses arena rising n accordance with profits and that today's workforce is sharing in a bonus pool that is higher than in the last few decades (Lincoln Electric, 1994). Expectancy theory predicts that bonus pools that are based on a predetermined percentage will be more effective and empirical studies have proven that when a bonus pool is set as a percentage of company revenue it significantly increases revenue and thus the money allocated to the bonus pool (Long, 2000).Based on this study it is recommended, that to maintain the current employee satisfaction and to allow employees greater access to refit sharing, that Lincoln Electric create a formula for profit sharing where a pre-determined mathematical formula will levy the size of the bonus pool so that employees have a guarantee of the percentage that they will receive to help improve moral.

Scientific Method Research

This hypothesis will require research proving or disproving the question of mental illness causing a person's chance of becoming homeless to increase. I will first locate an area with a high volume of homeless individuals, as this research will include all genders and races. The participants of this study will include individuals who has suffered from any type of mental illness or had to undergo any form of psychiatric treatment. The next step would be to collect actual information showing current homeless rates and if at all possible, records indicating mental illness.I will also collect information from local homeless shelters and single-room housing programs in order to determine the availability of resources to the homeless. Food banks or kitchens will also be a great research aid, as these institutions provide free meals at no charge to these individuals, and lastly, make an attempt to gather information from a face to face conversation with people who are actually living on the streets. This method would probably be the most difficult, but if there is a hot meal involved, a survey, or form of questionnaire can be administered prior to receiving a meal with minimal force used to complete.To maximize participation, incentives such as gift cards or even a free night stay at a local motel may suffice. After my critical data is collected, I will create individual files with information consisting of dates of contact, as well as all pertinent information collected via questionnaires or face to face interviews in order to form tables and spreadsheets, showing common traits shared amongst these homeless individuals, then generate a separate table showing personnel suffering from mental illness. It is at this point in which these findings will be compared and thoroughly analyzed.This information will be presented in charts or graphs to show certain similarities between all variables. Research findings should be accurate and valid, if not, a new hypothesis concerni ng the issue of homelessness will be generated and studied again. However, if findings are true, this information may become beneficial to local community activist who serve the homeless population, as well as the mentally ill, and may provide the mental health professionals a clearer understanding of the relationship between mental illness and homelessness.This may lead to the question, how money who is mentally incapacitated can learn to sustain a healthy career and provide a living for themselves, or a family without medical attention. Ultimately, this information can be used to improve local programs within the community, or even inform congressmen to take better action responding more appropriately to the needs of the homeless population who are mentally ill. References Campaign for Mental Healthcare [http://www. Calypsos. Org/publications/access/homelessness. HTML] Corporation for Supportive Housing [http://www. Cash. Org/index. CFML? Obfuscation=page. Vicarage;paged

Free Essays on Mao Zedong

Mao Zedong was born in a small village named Shaosan, (Music Mountain) in Dec. 1893. His family name Mao means, â€Å"hair† and his given name Zedong means â€Å"Anoint the East.† As a leader, his anointing of the East left an odd birthmark on China’s politics and her people. That mark later transformed into a scar which will never leave Chinas history. Terrill constantly refers to the duplicity that controlled Mao’s personality, the monkey and tiger, Terrill calls it. Resembling a yin and yang that is deeply embedded in Chinese thought. This balance which is professed in one of his maxims â€Å" walk on two legs ,† born enlightenment through the gun. Terrill aims to the mark of China’s political instability and fractured regional warlord regimes that controlled them, as the springboard that Mao needed to complete the recipe for revolution. During 1911 Sun Yat-sen was the leader of the Chinese nationalist party and in control of the south. General Yuan had control of the north. This same year a revolution carried out by Sun led to a treaty between north and south which expelled the current Manchu emperor and placed General Yuan as president of the new Republic of China in 1912. During this time Mao was a young student interested in politics. He joined Sun’s nationalist army for a short stint of six months. Mao then went to college and finally after some strange times there he graduated. He spent a lot of time in Changsha’s library where he studied economics and the writings of a revolutionary from the west, Karl Marx’s and Communism. There he met other intellectuals of radical communist thought who helped form the Chinese Communist Party. On May 4, 1918 there was a demonstration of people against the western form of government, and for the new radical Marxist Communism. Later referred to as the May fourth incident it set the ball rolling for Mao and the CCP. Mao soon became a full time Party worker. He wrote... Free Essays on Mao Zedong Free Essays on Mao Zedong Mao Zedong was born in a small village named Shaosan, (Music Mountain) in Dec. 1893. His family name Mao means, â€Å"hair† and his given name Zedong means â€Å"Anoint the East.† As a leader, his anointing of the East left an odd birthmark on China’s politics and her people. That mark later transformed into a scar which will never leave Chinas history. Terrill constantly refers to the duplicity that controlled Mao’s personality, the monkey and tiger, Terrill calls it. Resembling a yin and yang that is deeply embedded in Chinese thought. This balance which is professed in one of his maxims â€Å" walk on two legs ,† born enlightenment through the gun. Terrill aims to the mark of China’s political instability and fractured regional warlord regimes that controlled them, as the springboard that Mao needed to complete the recipe for revolution. During 1911 Sun Yat-sen was the leader of the Chinese nationalist party and in control of the south. General Yuan had control of the north. This same year a revolution carried out by Sun led to a treaty between north and south which expelled the current Manchu emperor and placed General Yuan as president of the new Republic of China in 1912. During this time Mao was a young student interested in politics. He joined Sun’s nationalist army for a short stint of six months. Mao then went to college and finally after some strange times there he graduated. He spent a lot of time in Changsha’s library where he studied economics and the writings of a revolutionary from the west, Karl Marx’s and Communism. There he met other intellectuals of radical communist thought who helped form the Chinese Communist Party. On May 4, 1918 there was a demonstration of people against the western form of government, and for the new radical Marxist Communism. Later referred to as the May fourth incident it set the ball rolling for Mao and the CCP. Mao soon became a full time Party worker. He wrote...

3 Parallel-Structure Problems

3 Parallel-Structure Problems 3 Parallel-Structure Problems 3 Parallel-Structure Problems By Mark Nichol Each of the following sentences has an organizational flaw. A discussion of each is followed by a suggested revision. 1. People who are successful at careers in fashion design are hardworking, detail oriented, and love apparel. Each of the three qualities of successful fashion designers must be preceded by a verb, or they all must share one- or the first two must be connected by a conjunction in order to share one. Here, hardworking is supported by are and apparel follows love, but â€Å"detail oriented† is orphaned. The sentence must be restructured so that â€Å"detail oriented† shares are with hardworking: â€Å"People who are successful at careers in fashion design are hard working and detail oriented and love apparel.† (â€Å"People who are successful at careers in fashion design are hard working, are detail oriented, and love apparel† is also correct, but the first two qualities are closely related as terms that refer to aptitudes as opposed to the attitudinal quality of an interest in attire, so sharing of a conjunction seems more appropriate.) 2. Gluten has been blamed for everything from weight gain, bloating to mood issues such as depression. A list of factors must be organized as a list or a spectrum, but this sentence, although it is constructed to express a range of several factors, mixes the approaches. For consistency, the factors should be separated by prepositions only, without punctuation: â€Å"Gluten has been blamed for everything from weight gain to bloating to mood issues such as depression.† 3. Site users can be matched by location, gender, age, sexual orientation, and they’re encouraged to post a photo and personal description. The independent clause that follows the conjunction and is not part of the list in the preceding independent clause, which requires and before the final item in that list: â€Å"Site users can be matched by location, gender, age, and sexual orientation, and they’re encouraged to post a photo and personal description.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Grammar Test 1English Grammar 101: Verb MoodPredicate Complements

Is it possible for the architect of one culture to design for another Essay

Is it possible for the architect of one culture to design for another - Essay Example There are many architectural features which are inherent to different religions. But do the architect's faith and the style of the building designed always coincide The purpose of the paper is answering the following question: is it possible for the architect of one culture to design for another Are there such examples in the history of architecture 2. Interosculation of cultures, including religious, occurs rather often throughout history. "Initial attempts at training the Ottoman architects in contemporary building techniques and European styles were made in 1801, at the new Imperial College of Military Engineering. The first foreign instructor commissioned to teach young Muslim architects was probably the British architect, W.J. Smith" (1). So, in early 19th century (and even earlier) began the interaction of Ottoman and European architectural traditions that is very important for architectural development in the West (Christian culture) and in the East (Muslim culture basically). "The effects of Westernization upon the Ottoman Architecture commenced with the changes seen in applied decoration... Ottoman architects reinterpreted Western influences on the Ottoman manner" (1). As we see, interosculation of architectural styles leads to changes in architecture which can be very important. "More modern examples can be seen in th e works of Antonio Gaudi, the great Spanish architect who studied Islamic art and architecture and even incorporated its themes into Spanish church buildings, such as the school he built for a convent in Ejica, Spain" (2). So, Antonio Gaudi, transforming the main features of Islamic architecture for the European and Christian one, could use it designing church buildings. "Islamic architecture has influenced European culture even more than it has American culture, as is evident in Venice on Italy's Adriatic coast" (2). Interosculation of cultures gives the beginning of original architectural styles having features of both Christian and Islamic cultures, so it is not surprising that it can be possible for the architect of one culture to design for another. "In the mid-1920s, developer Glen Curtiss bought land north of Miami and built an entire city of Moorish buildings. Under Curtiss' plan, nearly every building in Opa-locka, Fla., had a dome and minaret. It became known as "the Baghd ad of the South" (2). This example also tells about interaction of two religious cultures in architecture. "The history of Islamic architecture will always be intertwined with the US, Europe and other continents Even during the Crusades Europeans who went to the Holy Land were changed by what they saw in Egypt, Syria and other countries" (2). Throughout the history of the Middle Ages Arabian influence on the European architecture was especially high. During the Crusades Europeans firstly touched to Islamic architecture and culture having apprehended its main features and canons. During the Arabian seizure of Spain Islamic architectural elements became widely spread in Europe in spite of differences between

BMW Entrepreneurial Structure Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

BMW Entrepreneurial Structure - Case Study Example The BMW Company can attribute most of its success to the strategy and the culture of the company and its orientation towards investing in new innovations. The company is largely based in Germany where a more beauracratic corporate culture is more dominant, but the BMW Company adopts a rare and interesting philosophy for the corporate culture which revolves around entrepreneurship. The company is ready to invest in research and development projects which focus on management as well as physical innovations to support its products and its image in the market. "BMW's 106,000 employees have become a nimble network of true believers with few hierarchical barriers to hinder innovation. From the moment they set foot inside the company, workers are inculcated with a sense of place, history, and mission. Individuals from all strata of the corporation work elbow to elbow, creating informal networks where they can hatch even the most unorthodox ideas for making better Bimmers or boosting profits ." (Edmondson, 2006) Moreover the people at the BMW Company do not have all the answers to the questions, and neither do they claim to do so. Instead they are pound to mention that they work towards determining all the correct questions so that the best possible solutions can be accurately determined. In interview with Laura Mazur, the CEO of BMW Helmut Panke mentioned that "'the most important role of senior management, not just the chief executive, is to understand that the brand isn't just a label that you can put on and take off. A brand is something that has to be authentic and has to be tied into the corporate culture of an organisation,' he explained. Panke discussed the company's unremitting focus on its premium brand approach, and why nothing is allowed to dilute it. He was adamant that success derives from three points: a strong brand, products that live up to what the brand stands for, and a corporate culture that fits into both of them." (Mazur, 2003) 2. Describe the challenges that BMW face in their organisational environment. The challenges that are faced by the BMW Company in their organizational environment pertain to the establishment of the corporate culture in the different regions of operations for the company and training the new recruits and employees to develop as per the corporate culture of the company. BMW has taken significant pointers and strategies from Japanese automobile manufacturers when it comes to managing the company and establishing a kaizen and entrepreneurship based culture and business procedures at the company. The company has been successful in implementing the corporate culture highlighting innovation and entrepreneurship in Germany, but the operations of the company in the UK at oxford and in the US face discrepancies. The US automobile industry is more oriented towards bureaucracy as the beauracratic and classical theories of management derived from the industry as apparent form Henry Fayol and Ford. In such an environment operating with an entrepreneurial and innovation bas ed culture has been a problem for the BMW operations in the US as well as on the UK. Other challenges that the company

Marketing cases Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing cases - Essay Example The main macro-economic factors that influenced the Target’s performance during that period were the economic and social conditions that existed among the consumers. Due to the economic recession in 2008, there was a high unemployment level and an increased inflation, which had a direct connection with the sales outcome of the company. Along with this, the purchasing power of the consumers began to deteriorate due to the decline in the income of the sizable households. With the company’s products being viewed as expensive ones, it further impacted Target’s revenues. However, Walmart showed a far better growth due to its cheaper prices strategy hindering the Target’s upscale products. The Target’s â€Å"pay less† strategy was a risky one as it has to sustain its high-quality. That is, even while coping up with the changing economic conditions and its consumers’ attitude, it needs to focus on quality. However, it has successfully managed to overcome through the recession crisis and have switched towards a hopeful direction with this new strategy. Despite the high unemployment and increased inflation, Target takes an optimistic view in improving its sales through its new launches such as mini-grocery stores and up-and-up. By focusing on its ‘pay less’ part, Target has certainly pursued a best strategy by retaining the quality of its products even while emphasizing on the discount part. Expanding the advertising campaigns before focusing towards lower prices should have been the alternate strategy for Target during their decline in sales and revenue. As the company was keen on offering one stop shopping with lowered prices and improving the store’s infrastructure, it did not have enough time to analyze the consumers’ tendency towards their products, thereby missed formulating effective advertising strategies. Once they found the

Non Destructive Testing In The Aerospace Industry

Non Destructive Testing In The Aerospace Industry Since several years, technology has been improved tremendously and is still in a need for advancement due to the increasing growth of demands. In todays economy structures must remain for operation for such longer period than originally anticipated. The ageing effect on these structures is becoming significant. Non-destructive testing  (NDT) is a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage  Because NDT does not permanently alter the article being inspected, it is a highly-valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and research. Common NDT methods include  ultrasonic,  magnetic-particle,  liquid-penetrant,  radiographic and  eddy-current testing. NDT is a commonly-used tool in  forensic engineering,  mechanical engineering,  electrical engineering,  civil engineering,  systems engineering,  aeronautical engi neering,  medicine, and  art.(3) The development of Non destructive testing examines the techniques to verify the conditions of these structures and these developments are focused on extending the cost of maintenance of the existing structures. History: It may be said that NDT has been used from ancient times. The audible ring of a Damascus sword blade would show the indication of the strength of the metal in combat. This technique was also used by the early blacksmiths. They used to listen to the ring of different metals being shaped. The same technique was also used by early bell makers. Visual testing had been used for many years for a wide range of applications. Heat sensing was used to monitor thermal changes in materials and sonic tests were performed years ago(1). NDT by far is a visual testings which is the oldest mankind testing, this was used for visual checking knifes. The first use of NDT was done by a English man S.H.Saxby . who used compass for finding cracks in gun pipes in 1868.With a long established history in non-destructive testing (NDT), producing its first UV meter in the late 1960s (as Levy West Laboratories), AST is the market leader with the Levy Hill MkVI meter. NDT is well known as a part of industrial procedures, but it is also of importance in examinations of a more general interest in everyday life. In the aerospace industry, NDT can make the difference between life and death. Aircraft components are inspected before they are assembled into the aircraft and then they are periodically inspected throughout their useful life. Aircraft parts are designed to be as light as possible while still performing their intended function. This generally means that components carry very high loads relative to their material strength and small flaws can cause a component to fail. Since aircraft are cycled (loaded and unloaded) as they fly, land, taxi, and pressurize the cabin, many components are prone to fatigue cracking after some length of time. Even parts that are loaded well below the level that causes them to deform can develop fatigue cracks after being cycled for a long time. Cracking can also occur due to other things like a lightning strike. Aircraft have some protection against lightning strikes but occasionally they occur and can results in cracks forming at the strike location. The historical development of NDT is outlined for each technique. The second oldest method was the Acoustics it has been used by ancient time when man started making the pottery vessels. Table1. Table below shows a list of some of the key events in the chronology of NDT. (1) Year Chronology of Early Key Events in NDT 1800 First thermography observations by Sir William Herschel 1831 First Observation of electromagnetic induction by Michael Faraday 1840 First infrared image produced by Herschels son, John 1868 First reference to magnetic particle testing reported by S.H. Saxby, by observing how magnetized gun barrels affect a compass 1879 Early use of eddy currents to detect differences in conductivity, magnetic permeability, and temperature initiated by E. Hughes 1880-1920 Oil and whiting technique, forerunner of present-day penetrant test used for railroad axles and boilerplates 1895 X-rays discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen 1898 Radium discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie. 1922 Industrial Radiography for metals developed by Dr. H.H. Lester. 1927-28 Electric current induction/ magnetic field detection system developed by Dr. Elmer Sperry and H.C. Drake for the inspection of railroad track. 1929 Magnetic particle tests/ equipment pioneered by A.V. deforest and F.B. Doane. 1930 Practical uses for gamma radiography using radiumwere demonstrated by Dr. Robert F. Mehl 1935-40 Penetrant techniques developed by Betz, Doane , and deForest 1935-40 Eddy current developments by H. C. Knerr, C. Farrow, Theo Zuschlag, and Dr. F. Foerster 1940-44 Ultrasonic test metod developed in United States by Dr. Floyd Firestone 1942 First Ultrasound flaw detector using pulse-echo introduced by D.O. Sproule 1946 First portable ultrasonic thickness measuring instrument, the Audigage, was introduced by Branson 1950 Acoustic emission introduced as an NDT method by J. Kaiser Mid 1950s First ultrasonic testing immersion B and C scan instruments developed by Donald C. Erdman From the late 1950s to present, NDT has seen many developments, innovation, and growth. The roots of non-destructive testing began to take form prior to the 1920s. In the 1920s there was an awareness of some of some of the magnetic particle tests, the visual test and also X-radiography. Prior to World War II, design engineers were content to rely on unusually high safety factors which were usually built or engineered into many products. In addition, there were a significant number of catastrophic failures and other accidents relating to product inadequacies that bought the concern for system and component quality to the forefront. (1) Background History of Individual Testings: Magnetic Particle Test: Saxby used a magnetic compass to locate the defects and in homogeneities in gun barrels in 1868. Herring in 1879 obtained a patent in United States for the defection of defects in railway lines using a compass needle. Deliberate studies were carried out by A.V. de Forest in 1928 and 1929 of the use of magnetic particles for non-destructive testing of ferromagnetic materials. In 1936, Unger and Hilpert described in a patent in Germany at where the inspection of aircraft engine parts, engines for fatigue cracks are developed rapidly and the magnetic particle testing was made mandatory. The real breakthrough for magnetic particle testing came, in 1960s these methods was further greatly developed by C.Betz. Radiography: Wilhelm.Conrad. Roentgen discovered X rays in 8 November 1895 when it was observed by him that fluorescent glow of crystals on a table near the cathode ray tube. Later the penetrating radiations were characterized systematically which are emitted by cathode ray tubes. These represent the very first radiographs taken in 1896. He conducted a test on his own hunting rifle. Radiograph of the rifle showed some defects in the material and was the start of industrial radiography. Penetrant Test: It is a simple and effective method of examining surface areas for defects, cracks and discontinuities. Rubbing of carbon black on glazed pottery is one of the early surface inspections. Later on in 1940 magnetic particle method was introduced which is more sensitive. Many of the earlier developments were carried out by Magnaflux, IL USA. In 1942 it introduced Zyglo system where the fluorescent dyes were added to the liquid penetrant. The methods were formerly called The oil and whiting method and were used by the huge locomotives in the beginning of the 20th century.(13) Ultrasonic testing: Richardson proposed Echo ranging detection of objects at sea in 1912. Later, Lavengin developed a source of ultrasonic waves by using the piezoelectric effect with quartz crystals between steel plates. Future on experiments was carried out by Boyle and by Wood by using quartz piezoelectric transducers. The most simple and quick method came up in 1940 by Firestone. The method avoided many of the problems which were associated with standing wave formation. Then in 1942 Firestone was the first to use his own method for the sonar. The two German brothers H and J. Krautkramer did a lot of research of method and contributed for the development of method. Since their time method has gone through several phases of development. Eddy Current Test: Jean-Bernard Leon Foucault is generally credited with the first clear demonstration of eddy currents, by showing that electrical currents are set up in a copper disk moving in a non uniform magnetic field. Hughes is considered to have been the pioneer in using Eddy currents to inspect the metals. Eddy currents are also known as Induced currents which can only exist in conducting materials.(13) The use of NDT methods took place during the Second World War started from the testings of submarines and airplanes. During these years the use of NDT is seen in the inspection of nuclear power plant components, pressure vessels and car parts. Aim: To investigate the use of various NDT methods in industry. Objectives: To Conduct research on NDT and its applications To identify key components of an aircraft, where likely hood of crack is high. To test the components with appropriate NDT methods. To perform penetrant test to identify the cracks in a gear. Initial Plan As the project initiates with the major task of carrying out the background reading and researching, great amount of time has to be required to collect information about project. A great deal of time has been spent on background reading. Project requires thorough knowledge on NDT in aerospace and its classification. A detailed background reading has been done to understand the concept of NDT. Background reading has also been done on different types of NDT testings and its classifications. A detailed study has been done on the history of NDT. Background Reading: Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Non-destructive testing is the process by which materials, components or assemblies can be inspected without affecting their ultimate serviceability. It offers some important advantages over destructive testing processes such as mechanical testing. A destructive test must necessarily be on a sample basis. This is acceptable in many cases: to check that a batch of material is within specification, for example, or as a sample check on a large number of identical components. But a sample destructive test may not be feasible for a small number of high value components and in critical cases a 100% inspection may be required. Because of this, one key role of NDT is in assuring the quality of many manufacturing processes. NDT can also be used to test components which have been subjected to service conditions. A welded structure can be inspected to detect fatigue cracking. NDT results can further be used to aid decisions on the need for and timing of repairs. Suitable techniques, correctly applied, can be used to measure the depth of a fatigue crack. This, coupled with knowledge of the system stresses, the toughness of the material and the fatigue crack growth rate, can be used to determine if a cracked component can be left in service until the next planned overhaul period. These twin roles of NDT ensure that the technology will continue to play a fundamental role in materials testing.  Aircrafts are designed to withstand a certain amount of damage from cracking and corrosion without cause for concern, and NDT inspectors are trained to find the damage before it becomes a major problem.  The rigorous process used to design aircraft either allows for a certain amount of damage to occur before a part fails, or in many cases, a part can fail completely and performance of the aircraft will not be affected. The job of the NDT inspector is to find the damage while it is within acceptable limits.(5) Role of NDT Non destructive testing can be taken place at any transportation industry. The main aim is to consider the over view of all the terms of NDT and its applications and also to consider research on the optical methods. This is considered to be one of the important terms in the project. Another term is to do research on the optical methods which are implemented on the aircraft parts. (12) Types of methods: The number of NDT methods that can be used to inspect components and make whether the measurements are large and continues to grow. Researchers continue to find new ways of applying physics and other scientific disciplines to develop better NDT methods. However, there are six NDT methods that are used most often. These methods are visual inspection, penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, electromagnetic or eddy current testing, radiography, and ultrasonic testing. These methods and a few others are briefly described below. (12) Visual and Optical Testing (VT)   Visual inspection involves using an inspectors eyes to look for defects. The inspector may also use special tools such as magnifying glasses, mirrors, or bore scopes to gain access and more closely inspect the subject area. Visual examiners follow procedures that range from simple to very complex. The principle behind Visual testing is the use of reflected or transmitted light from test object that is imagined with the human eye or other light-sensing device. VT finds its application in many industries ranging from raw materials to finished products and in-service inspection. VT can be inexpensive and simple with minimal training required. It has broad scope of uses and benefits. However VT can only evaluate surface conditions. Also effective source of illumination is required. (1) Penetrant Testing (PT) Test objects are coated with visible or fluorescent dye solution. Excess dye is then removed from the surface, and a developer is applied. The developer acts as blotter, drawing trapped penetrant out of imperfections open to the surface. With visible dyes, vivid colour contrasts between the penetrant and developer make bleed out easy to see. With fluorescent dyes, ultraviolet light is used to make the bleed out fluoresce brightly, thus allowing imperfections to be readily seen. (6) Figure1: Figure illustrating a simple Penetrant testing (8) The principle behind PT is that a liquid containing visible or fluorescent dye is applied to the surface and the fluid enters the discontinuities by capillary action. PT finds its application in virtually any solid non-absorbent material having uncoated surfaces that are not contaminated. PT is relatively easy and materials are inexpensive. It is extremely sensitive and very versatile. Also minimal training is required. Discontinuities can only be found on the surface. The surface condition must be relatively smooth and free of contaminants. (1) Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)HYPERLINK http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/MagParticle/cc_mpi_index.htm   This NDE method is accomplished by inducing a magnetic field in a ferromagnetic material and then dusting the surface with iron particles (either dry or suspended in liquid). Surface and near-surface imperfections distort the magnetic field and concentrate iron particles near imperfections, previewing a visual indication of the flaw. (6) Figure2. Figure illustrating the basic concept of Magnetic Particle Testing (9) The principle behind MT is that the test particle is magnetized and fine ferromagnetic particles are applied to the surface, hence aligning at discontinuity. MT finds its application in all ferromagnetic materials, for surface and subsurface discontinuities. It can be used in large and small parts. MT is relatively easy to use. Equipment and material is usually inexpensive. MT is highly sensitive and fast compared to PT. However in MT only surface and a few subsurface discontinuities can be detected. The test can be only done on ferromagnetic materials. (1) Electromagnetic Testing (ET) or Eddy Current Testing Electrical currents are generated in a conductive material by an induced alternating magnetic field. The electrical currents are called eddy currents because they flow in circles at and just below the surface of the material. Interruptions in the flow of eddy currents, caused by imperfections, dimensional changes, or changes in the materials conductive and permeability properties, can be detected with the proper equipment. Figure3: Figure illustrating Eddy Current Testing (10) The principle behind ET is that localised electric fields are induced into a conductive test specimen by electromagnetic induction. ET finds its application in virtually all conductive materials. All conductive materials can be examined for flaws, metallurgical conditions, thinning and conductivity. ET is quick, versatile, and sensitive. It can be no contacting. Also it can be easily adaptable to automation. However variables must be understood and controlled. (1) Radiography (RT)HYPERLINK http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Radiography/cc_rad_index.htm   Radiography involves the use of penetrating gamma or X-radiation to examine parts and products for imperfections. An X-ray generator or radioactive isotope is used as a source of radiation. Radiation is directed through a part and onto film or other imaging media. The resulting shadowgraph shows the dimensional features of the part. Possible imperfections are indicated as density changes on the film. Figure4: Figure illustrating the basic principle of Radiographic Testing (11) The principle behind RT is that a radiographic film is exposed when radiation passes through the test object. RT finds its application in most material, shapes and structures. RT is the most widely used and accepted volumetric examination. RT can used only on limited thickness based on material density. Also there is a possible threat of radiation hazard.(1) Ultrasonic Testing (UT)HYPERLINK http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Ultrasonics/cc_ut_index.htm   It uses transmission of high-frequency sound waves into a material to detect imperfections or to locate changes in material properties. The most commonly used ultrasonic testing technique is pulse echo, wherein sound is introduced into a test object and reflections (echoes) are returned to a receiver from internal imperfections or from the parts geometrical surfaces. Figure5: Figure illustrating the basic concept of Ultrasonic Testing (11) The principle behind UT is that high frequency sound pulses from a transducer propagate through the test material, reflecting at interfaces. Most materials can be examined if sound transmission and surface finish are good and shape is not complex. UT provides precise, high-sensitivity results quickly. Thickness information, depth, and type of flaw can be obtained from one side of the component. (1) Work to date As suggested by the project plan, the entire duration of the project is distributed variably as required by different tasks commencing from the basic research and reading. According to the project plan the research was done on few NDT techniques and some of the techniques are still under research, along with types of methods and its techniques. Necessary Future Work A more detailed and precise study of non destructive testings in aero industry is to be done. Project requires identifying various testings in Aerospace industry. A detailed study should be done on techniques and testings of NDT in Aerospace industry. A precise study of industrial applications and research should be done on optical methods. Key components of an aircraft should be identified and finally components may be tested by appropriate NDT methods. The main project work to be done is perform a Dye Penetrant Testing to identify cracks on gear. Dye penetrant inspection  (DPI), also called  liquid penetrant inspection  (LPI) or  penetrant testing(PT), is a widely applied and low-cost inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). The penetrant may be applied to all non-ferrous materials. The main steps in Liquid Penetrant Inspection which are intended to be performed on the gear may be: Pre-cleaning: The test surface is to be cleaned to remove any dirt, paint, oil, grease or any loose scale that could keep the penetrant out of a defect. Application of Penetrant: The penetrant is to be then applied to the surface of the item which is to be tested.   Excess Penetrant Removal: The excess penetrant is to be then removed from the surface. Application of Developer: After excess penetrant has been removed a white developer is to be applied. Inspection: The inspection is to be done using visible light with adequate intensity for visible dye penetrant. Post Cleaning: The test surface is then to be cleaned after inspection and recording of defects. Summary It is clear that NDT has advantage from other inspection techniques as it does not make any changes to the article. It is a highly-valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and research. NDT is very useful in order to detect cracks in materials of magnitude in micrometers. (2) Its aerospace application includes detection of cracks caused due to corrosion, fatigue and their synergistic interactions. Crank shafts, frames, flywheels, crane hooks, shaft, steam turbine blades and fasteners are some of the components which are more vulnerable to fatigue so regular inspection is necessary via NDT method. Typical components which are inspected using NDT method by manufacture in order to maintain quality are turbine rotor disc and blades, aircraft wheels, castings, forged components and welded assemblies. One of the NDT methods is Eddy current technique which can be used to check tube, bar and wire and also this method is automatic and highly sophisticated.(3) It can be said that NDT method has to be carried out in order for the aircraft to operate safely during service time and avoid any accidental damage due to fatigue and corrosion.(2) In this report, a detailed explanation of NDT testings and techniques are explained. The uses of NDT in different industrial applications are explained and a precise study on optical methods is done. According to the project plan, next task would be to conduct research on NDT applications. List of Tables Table1: Table showing a list of some of the key events in the chronology of NDT List of figures Figure1: Figure illustrating a simple Penetrant testing Figure2. Figure illustrating the basic concept of Magnetic Particle Testing Figure3: Figure illustrating Eddy Current Testing Figure4: Figure illustrating the basic principle of Radiographic Testing Figure5: Figure illustrating the basic concept of Ultrasonic Testing