REPORT TASK Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

REPORT TASK - Research Paper Example Furthermore, it has the capability to act as a remote control for the phone or certain cameras. As of today, the Pebble Smartwatch has over 1000 applications in its own Pebble app store. This innovative device marks a big stepping stone in today’s engineering technology. Many companies always discover new ideas and gimmicks to sell products, and also try to invent new systems that are compatible with other devices such as Bluetooth control and media servers among others. Pebble watch is a manifestation of an original and creative idea in innovation and merging of technologies. The Pebble Watch’s design is based on a concept by Eric Migicovsky. Eric, a Canadian engineer, is one of the leading inventors below 35 years today. Story behind the watch’s invention goes that Eric loves cycling. Besides that, the designer loved smart electronic devices. While cycling, his smartphone would either ring or vibrate inside his pocket, necessitating him to temporarily abort his wheeling only to check the phone. Bored with such disturbance, Eric decided to design a smart wristwatch that can be wirelessly linked to a smartphone. While in his dorm room, Eric gathered a few electronic parts and assembled a prototype that would later become one of the greatest inventions in wristwatch technology. Pebble watch is not the only island in the ocean of smartwatches. In the recent past, leading electronic companies produced wrist watches installed with GPS features that can track distance during running exercises. This shows that inventors within the watch category are interested in developing wrist watches that can do more things than just tell time. Expectedly, Pebble watch can do a myriad of activities, some of which remain inconceivably associated with a small wristwatch. As acknowledged earlier, the watch supports approximately 1000 applications from various categories including entertainment, health and education.

Business Communication - My Role Model in Career Essay Example for Free

Business Communication My Role Model in Career Essay Mr. Mahbub Hossain, my line manager of my previous office, is my role model for my career path. He is the CSM (Customer Service Manager)of Joydebpur branch, Brac Bank LTD. In brief, he is getting MBA from IBA along with his job. Was graduated from DU (Finance), prior that he took places in both HSC SSC examinations. As I worked with him, I found many good qualities in him. By times, I took him as a role model as his qualities impressed me. I am going to point out two of them which is leadership quality and secondly, quick decision (appropriate) making ability. As I have seen him closely, I found all the qualities that a leader should have. He guided the team successfully to achieve the organizational goal. He teamed us up too strongly cheered us to act spontaneously to meet up the goals. He used to take initiatives for cheering us up. So that we never been tired in meeting our business targets. Theory says, a leader has to have seven qualities, but I found more in him. Out of the theoretical ones, his friendly caring attitude made us believe that we are not only team players, even more than that. Personal recognitions helped a lot to follow his leadership willingly, not only for his designation. His interpersonal communication skill ability of finding out team members strength or weakness made him a successful leader. I found him always remain calm in critical situations and controlled tactfully. Always stand with subordinates against all odds (from outside) is remarkable. His keen knowledge and prompt decision making ability is an effective quality for any career. I always found him deciding with the best option. Some of his effective decisions saved potential losses. He even made critical decisions over the phone in instant. His knowledge on current issues, updating about the recent changes made him up to this standard. We people learn from the surrounding. I passed a long time with Mr. Mahbub inside as well outside of our office. I try to adapt these two qualities in me. I wish to be a leader like him as my team members also think like that we are in a team, not like a orderer follower relation. To get leadership quality like him I try to spend more time with him. Whenever we meet, we share our ides. I am gathering theoretical data as I can even exceed his leadership quality. It was said, â€Å"Leaders are born, not made. † But recent studies proved that these leadership qualities can be developed to a great extent. I attended a training program at Briddhi with him (arranged by our organization), which was meant for mid level managers and up comers. Finding out colleges ability seems tough to me. I found this as my area of developments. At any stage of career I should be prompt in making quick decisions with accuracy. As I said just ago, I discuss about every issue with him. If there is any situation I have to decide anything at once, I let him know about the issue and exchange ideas for improvement scopes. Knowledge gathering is a key to professional success. Thats why, I get myself admitted MBA here. I am studying here with hope, I can implement these theoretical knowledge at my workplace. I read a lot of articles written on banking FI (Financial Institutes). Current issues mostly published on web or newspapers. For making myself up to date about, I go through them. Internal circulars helps a lot to updating myself.

Reducing Space Exploration Will Not End Poverty :: Space Exploration Essays

Space exploration has advanced a lot through the last years. Specially in the Cold War, where the United States and the Soviet Union competed between them and invested a lot in this field. Since then, U.S.A. kept on with this project of sending ships into outer space and exploring through the endless universe looking hopefully that something would appear. Millions are spend in these projects, but are they really worth it? Millions of people are living in poverty, starving to death, and this imperialist countries couldn’t care less for them, and are spending huge amounts of their budget on sending some space ships to vague across the universe. As if this could make a difference. They only feel superior by being the only ones who once stuck a flag on the useless little moon we have near us. These countries should reconsider this. By doing this they make us think that there are no problems, so why not? - Lets expand to other planet. But, this imperialist mind they have is what makes them take these decisions. They only want to be the best and if the rest is worst, even better. Maybe their country is fine, low rates of unemployment, people are happy and proud of being part of this developed power of the first world, but meanwhile, while they send space ships to Jupiter, there are other countries who can’t even have access to Internet, and there are millions of people who can’t take home a piece of bread to feed their starving family. Do you think this is fair? Well, I don’t. I think that the capitalist world in which we live in has made the line between the rich and the poor wider, and it will continue to be like this as long the system remains the same. As the rich become richer, the poor become poorer. And I’m not only talking about this case in particular, it happens all the time. Wealthy people have the resources to multiply their money, but poor people have to manage with picking up cartons from the streets because they don’t have any education or resources to obtain their food through other way. And the N.A.S.A built the new and ultra modern space ship which costed US$ 93,124,235 millions of billions of dollars and burned in the air causing the death of all he triplets who god only knows what they were doing there.

Personal Narrative: Fate :: essays research papers

I gazed out the window, amazed at how the sun rose from the horizon and illuminated the dimly lit car. It was the beginning of August but my teeth chattered violently as I sat against the cold seat. My grandfather was wise to insist that I change from my bathing suit before we left from our annual trip in Atlantic City, New Jersey, however, my sister and I choose to spend our last minutes merrily wadding in the ocean. A feeble yawn escaped my lips as I felt the cold penetrate through the flimsy blanket and make my clothes cling to my skin. I was going home. I had anticipated the trip all summer long and now that it was over, I wanted one more swim, one more ride, and one more delightful taste of fluffy cotton candy. It was time to go back to the reality of an unhealthy grandma and the fear of death. My grandma was an alcoholic and I had grown used to the numerous trips to the hospital and the promises of change with the apologies of regret. Day after day, she would sit in the old flower-patterned wooden chair drinking the forty-ounce beer, which she weakly tried to obfuscate in the wrinkled brown paper bag. At the innocent age of eleven, I knew about the evil brown elixir that she tried to conceal and the smell of it made my nostrils flare and stomach churn in repulsion. The silence in the car became deafening as the reality of what awaited me at home became translucent. The doctors would do as they always did, give her advice, the number to a rehabilitation center and she would come home with a cry of redemption. After a week of abstinence and several incidents of violence, she would sooth her emotions with a drink. In order to regain composure she needed divine intervention and the support of her family. Unlike most of the members of my family, I still believed that she was capable of recovery but I was also slowly losing faith in her. Before we left for New Jersey, she had learned that her liver was failing and she had no more chances to rectify her life. She had to stop. Through my tired eyes, I observed a feathery white cloud float across the sky and obscure the radiant sun. We were almost home and I could not get the haunting thoughts out of my head.

Analysis of ‘Ceremony’ By Leslie Marmon Silko Essay

If Native American community adopts the ethics of white traditions that regards them as less than human being, they begin to look down on themselves. In ‘Ceremony’ Leslie Marmon Silko visibly represents this dual bind sociology called internalized domination. ‘Ceremony’ is one of the most reflective and touching works of Native American literature, a story that is itself a ceremony of curative. Tayo, a World War II experienced person of combined lineage, comes back to the Laguna Pueblo stipulation. He is intensely frightened by his experience as a hostage of the Japanese and later offended by the negative response he came across from his community. Only by throwing himself in the Indian past can he can set in motion to get back the harmony that was taken away from him. Masterfully written, full of sober magnificence of Pueblo saga, ‘Ceremony’ is a use of lasting power. ‘Ceremony’ deals with the gender roles of three women are significant to the development of a character named Tayo who is half-white and half-Indian. These three women are Tayo’s birth mother, Auntie, and Old Grandma. His mother left him when he was four years old and that began his sense of emptiness and abandonment. She could not bear to raise a child that brought the reservation shame by her mistake. Auntie raised Tayo and was the mother figure he lacked. She had no problem accepting to take him, but only to conceal the shame of her younger sister. Auntie was always hesitant toward Tayo as he was not her real son and was also a half-breed. For Tayo, this only added to his feeling of displacement and emptiness. She would give her affection and attention to her real son Rocky, but would let Tayo just sit there alone. After the war Auntie nursed him because he was all she had left after Rocky got killed. He would wake up crying after dreaming about how much Josiah had loved him and always hugged him when he was a little child. Now he realized that there was no place left for him and he would never find peace. Auntie may have been a mother figure to him, but to Tayo she was just someone who looked after him. Old Grandma, unlike Auntie, does accept Tayo and wants what is best for him. When Auntie rejected the idea of a medicine doctor because he’s not full blood, Old Grandma got angry and said that he was her grandson and why should she care what they say anyway. She has been around for many years and doesn’t worry about what other people will say about Tayo or about their family. The significance of Montano to the novel, Ceremony is very powerful and vital to the recovery of Tayo. She lives up in the rim rock and is in touch with the earth and her surroundings in every way. Being torn between the white world and the Indian world is what leaves Tayo feeling invisible and hollow inside. Montano helps him to become more in touch with his Indian side and to feel the strength and power from the earth. She teaches him the importance of certain plants, flowers, and ceremonies and how they are significant to Indian culture and survival. Tayo falls in love with her, and through his love, he begins to feel alive again. He realizes that he does have a place and that he is not invisible to everyone and to his surroundings. When he is not with her, instead of the nightmares, she fills his dreams. He woke up one night and thought about the overpowering love he felt for her. He shed tears filled his eyes and the ache in his throat ran deep into his chest. Tayo no longer feels like a walking shadow, but finally a real person with feelings and emotions. It is through Montano that he discovers himself and ultimately is able to deal with being a half-breed in a changing world. When she finally leaves him, he is able to go on living and remembering all that she taught him. Conclusion: I really enjoyed this story. It was a great portrayal of how family might mistreat you just because you are a little different than them. Sometimes people can’t deal with the fact that a family member is only half of the race that they are. I would definitely recommend this book to others, especially to anyone who feels that they are secluded and have no friends just because they are bi-racial.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In ‘Ceremony’, the main character, ‘Tayo’ have to come to terms with himself and his near environment upon his come back from World War II. He is distressed from a sort of post disturbing anxiety disorder which has affected him bodily as well as psychologically due to the fact that he has lived as a prisoner of war in Japan. As a result, he must deal with all of the terrible memories when he comes back to stay with his family on the Laguna Pueblo reservation in New Mexico. To complex his problems, Tayo is half Native American and half Caucasian, so he should also deal with the extra pressures of the double culture. He is torn between the Native American world and the white world, and is unable to feel a secure refuge or belonging. Tayo’s friends and family think that they know the personality of and cure for Tayo’s sickness and depression; though it is only the Native American formal procedures which will really help him. He needs to observe the junction of life and actually realize the cyclical nature of his feelings and measures that he has faced. With the help and good judgment of Old Betonie, Tayo ultimately finds harmony in the Native American ceremonial even surrounded by all of the contradictions currently in America. In Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko exposes the many contradictions present in America today. Be it the government’s policies concerning Native Americans, the American model of courage, or the history which the children study in their classrooms, America is full of sarcasm and paradoxes. These inconsistencies do not in any way cut down the magnificence of America as a country, but to a certain extent serve to remind its people that we do not at all times keep in mind those who helped us turn out to be what we are at present. Silko’s novel is a legendary reminder for Americans to recognize our first true nationalized custom and keep in mind that the Native American tradition is still alive and well today. Silko has demonstrated that America has made blunders in the history, but undoubtedly has the power to put right those mistakes today. References Silko M, Leslie â€Å"Ceremony† Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Rep edition (March 4, 1986). ISBN-13: 978-0140086836

Palindrome Definition and Examples

Palindrome Definition and Examples A Palindrome is a type of word play in which a word, phrase, or sentence reads the same backward or forwardsuch as Madam, Im Adam.   Semordnilaps (the word palindromes in reverse) are words that spell other words when spelled backwards (for example, star/rats, drawer/reward). Aibohphobia is the palindromic term for an irrational fear of palindromes. Palindrome Examples popdeedkayakcivicradarleveldeifiedrotatorrepapertestsetracecarredividerdetartratedtattarrattat(James Joyce, Ulysses, 1922)Wassamassaw(from an American Indian name for water, a swamp outside of Summerville, South Carolina)A man, a plan, a canalPanama!Able was I ere I saw Elba.Too badI hid a boot.Do geese see God?Murder for a jar of red rum.Drab as a fool, aloof as a bard.Go deliver a dare, vile dog![Caption below a cartoon of a family sitting around a dinner table; the boy is speaking]Mom, Dad, sisIm not like youIm not a palindrome.(Paul Karasik, The New Yorker, January 21, 2013)Norma is as selfless as I am, Ron.(attributed to poet W.H. Auden)Gateman sees name, garageman sees name tag.Some men interpret nine memos.Go Hang a Salami! Im a Lasagna Hog!(title of a book on palindromes by Jon Agee, 1991)Doc: note, I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness. I diet on cod.(James Michie, New Statesman, May 5, 1967)Once you notice that decaf backward is faced, it is but the work of a moment to invent the indignant complaint of a coffee drinker confronting the absence of regular coffee: I faced decaf! I!! The same process yields a tailors cranky opinion (Knits stink!) and a travel agents apology to a volcanologist: Avalon? No lava . . .(Ellis Weiner, Mind Games. Smithsonian, April 2008) T.S. Eliot, top bard, notes putrid tang emanating, is sad. Id assign it a name: gnat dirt upset on drab pot-toilet.(Alastair Reid)Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era? Demetri Martins Palindromes for Specific Occasions A FATHER TRYING TO CONNECT WITH HIS ESTRANGED SON BY OFFERING HIM SOME PIZZA:Son, Im odd. Dominos?A DIALOGUE BETWEEN A MAN AND HIS YOUNG SON. THE MAN IS TRYING TO TEACH THE BOY THE NAME OF A PIECE OF FRUIT AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SINGULAR AND PLURAL:Son, say a papaya.Papayas.No s.  A SCIENTISTS REACTION TO WHAT HE FINDS IN A PETRI DISH.P.U.! Organisms in a group.(Demetri Martin, This Is a Book. Grand Central, 2011) The Longest Palindromes Malayalam, the native tongue of the people of Kerala, is the longest palindromic language-name. The credit of the longest palindromic place-name goes to Kanakanak, which is near Dillingham, Alaska, USA. The 19-letter Finnish word saippuakivikauppias, meaning a dealer in caustic soda, is the longest known palindromic word. . . .The first palindromic sentence in English appeared in 1614: Lewd did I live evil I did dwel. (O.Abootty, The Funny Side of English. Pustak Mahal, 2002) The Language of Magic For the most part finding palindromic words or composing palindromic phrases and sentences is a form of light entertainment. Some devotees display great ingenuity in finding long palindromes covering more than one sentence. In the past, however, palindromes have figured in the language of magic, and many have taken reversibility to be significant.(Barry J. Blake, Secret Language. Oxford Univ. Press, 2010) Dylan Thomass Semordnilap The first minister chuckled as he pointed out how [Dylan] Thomass fictional village in Under Milk WoodLlareggubspelled out something rather rude backwards. That shows the devilment of the man.(Steven Morris, Dylan Thomas Centenary: South Wales Gets Ready to Welcome the World. The Guardian [UK], January 5, 2014) Roger Angell on the Darker Side of Palindromes [T]hat night, shortly after four, I began with the words. In a few minutes, I found gulp plug (something to do with bass fishing) and live evil, and sailed off into the best sleep I had enjoyed in several weeks. The next night brought straw warts and repaid diaper, and, in time, a long if faintly troubled snooze (ezoons). I was delighted. My palindromic skills improved rapidly, and soon I was no longer content with mere words. . . . One morning, after a mere twenty minutes of shut-eye, I met my wife at the breakfast table and announced, Editor rubs ward, draws burro tide.Terrific, she said, unenthusiastically. I dont get it. I mean, what does it mean?Well, you see, I began, theres this editor in Mexico who goes camping with his niece, andListen, she said. I think you should take a phenobarb tonight. You look terrible.(Roger Angell, A Day in the Life of Roger Angell. Viking Press, 1970) Etymology:From the Greek, running back again Pronunciation: PAL-in-drome

The legitimate economy Essay Example

The legitimate economy Essay Example The legitimate economy Essay The legitimate economy Essay A huge reason for trying to regulate the financial market is to stop financial crime. This is caused by the human nature of greed. However it is aided by three other factors, weak governments, poor national financial regulation and corruption. One of the biggest causes has become more reported since the disaster of 9/11 which is terrorism. The terrorist need to be funded and are doe largely through illegal gains. The effect of financial crime is quite severe, it can diminish the reputation of a countries financial sector desecrating its economy. National security can be threatened with an increase in criminals using the market for illegal purposes. Interest rates can be unstable due to the high integration of capital markets. Finally it reduces tax revenues through underground economies, competes unfairly with legitimate business organisations, damages financial markets and disrupts economic development. The FSA are concerned with 3 main types of financial crime, money laundering, fraud and dishonesty, and market misconduct such as insider dealing. One of the biggest financial crime problems is money laundering, this is defined as: The methods criminals use to hide and disguise the money they make from their crimes9 In other words it is the way that criminals make it incredibly hard to trace their monies origins back to anything illegal. This process can be done in small or large ways and has been made easier by the development of technology and its use in the global financial market. In 1920 the American Mafia found that they could do this in large amounts through starting legitimate businesses such as launderettes or slot machine companies. In todays society it is possible to transfer huge amounts of money in seconds all around the world through many different accounts and transactions. Each transaction makes it harder to trace the origins of the money. 10 It is currently estimated that the amount of money that is laundered world-wide makes up 2. 5% of the worlds gross domestic product (GDP). This constitutes to between an amazing 590 billion dollars to 1. 5 trillion. The lower figure would be the equivalent to Spains economic output per year. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) reported these figures. The process of money laundering comprises of three different sections. The first is placement, the second layering and lastly integration. Placement was discussed in the case of Crown v Duff11. The placement is the break up of large sums of money into smaller amounts. Layering is where the criminal engages in a series of transactions to disguise the money from its source. Integration is where the money has re-entered the legitimate economy. Obviously the easier it is to launder money the more that will be laundered. The FATF was set up as an inter-governmental organisation, which aims to develop and promote policies to combat money laundering. Currently the FATF has 31 members. Money laundering was to be tackled by many different institutions in the UK. The police would obviously be close to the acts of criminals, which would include money laundering. However the police only deal with minor offences, major cases are passed on to specialised agencies such as MI5 and MI6. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is an independent governmental institution, which prosecutes for serious or complex fraud. The SFO was established in 1988 after trials, just after the FSA 1986, however it was created by the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (CJA). The flaw with the SFO is that it only investigates fraud of over 1 million pounds and so can be avoided if the money laundered is anything below this limit. The National Criminal Service (NCIS) works on behalf of the police and other law enforcers and is one of the special organisations mentioned above. The Economic Crime Branch was developed as a specialist division of NCIS primarily dealing with economic offences, such as money laundering. This was created after the FSMA 2000 but obviously not a bi-product of it. However the organisation would work closely with the FSA, this was greatly received news as John Abbott, the director of NCIS stated: This important agreement reflects the increasing focus on anti-monetary laundering activities that NCIS has long supported. 12 Since the FSMA the FSA have produced a Handbook of Rules and Guidance. This Handbook is like a code of conduct that all financial business organisations must follow or risk losing their licence of trade issued by the FSA itself. In respect to money laundering, all business organisations and individuals that carry out a regulated activity must be assessed to be competent, honest and is financially sound. Once authorised, the FSA supervise the financial businesses to make sure, among other things, that suspicious transactions are reported and that precautionary procedures are implemented effectively. All of the procedures are highlighted to the firms in the newly issued Code of Market Conduct and those firms that are found not to be following the code can have a financial penalty given to them or could even lose their authorisation of trade. Further powers are given to the FSA in respect to criminal activities through the Criminal Justice Act 1993 and the Money Laundering Regulations 1993. The FSA have powers of enforcement including the power to interview and seize documents. The FSA decide which cases to investigate through a policy of risk taking, they take in to consideration the impact the cases have on the regulatory objectives set be FSMA and the general principles of good regulation. However, the FSA has to consider the Human Rights Act 1998, stemmed from the European Convention on Human Rights, to ensure that they are not acting illegally. The SIB was given both legislative and administrative powers and supervised the numerous SROs and Recognised Professional Bodies (RPBs) within the financial market. The SIB gave licenses to the business organisations to trade in the UK financial economy but it was the RPBs who regulated the policies of the professional organisations such as the Law Society and Lawyers. The SIB was designed to combine self-regulation and statutory regulation covering a wider scope than had been seen previously. The FSA 1986 also supported for standard and administrative criminal sanctions, affording civil remedies to investors who suffered a loss as a result of contravention of its provisions, or those of sub-ordinate rules and regulations or the corresponding provisions of SROs. The CJA 1993 and the MLR 1993 aided the SIB in prosecuting those who knowledgeably or negligently aided in the process of money laundering. The labour party decided, as well as other reasons, that the process of regulation was expensive as well as the fact that there had been at least two major scandals in the 1990s which was evidence enough to suggest that the system was flawed. The FSA was created with its statutory objectives and its immense powers to regulate more of the financial market than ever before, making some people wary of making the institution too bureaucratic or unaccountable. The FSMA gave the FSA many of these powers creating the legal framework to support such a large organisation. It ensured that not only was the FSA the body to authorise and supervise but also to prosecute. The FSA would be able to work closely with other organisations such as the Serious Fraud Office. The FSA claimed that, in relation to money laundering: We will be doing more work across the whole financial sector to assess the effectiveness of firms money laundering controls and customer identification procedures. 13 However, statute helped the SIB to do exactly the same thing, the difference being that the FSA has complete control over the process including request or suggestions of new legislation to aid it in the fight against money laundering. Phillip Thorpe, MD of the FSA stated: the new act will for the first time give us new powers to instigate criminal prosecutions and to fine firms where their arrangements fail to come up to standard14 In conclusion, the SIB was on the right track in relation to money laundering; it identified where the problems could / would be and tried to enforce a Code of Conduct to ensure that financial organisations were operating at a standard that ensured that money laundering would be very difficult. However, the SIB lacked the powers necessary and werent able to supervise all parts of the financial services. There were many pieces of legislation made to aid the SIB such as the CJA and the MLR but neither allowed the SIB to enforce directly without going through the SROs. The FSA have been given more scope and enforcement as well as prosecution powers than the SIB ever had. The FSA is able to work with other organisations to ensure that they can meet objectives that the SIB lacked. However, I believe that the FSA could not be in such a powerful position without the aid of the SIB. The reason for this is because the SIB created a hierarchy that allowed self-regulation and had the policies to deal with money laundering but was unable to put itself into practice because of the lack of power and direct communication with the financial market. The FSA has been able to take the powers from the HM Treasury and the SIB who allowed the SROs to be abolished. The SROs wouldnt have been able to prepare the financial market in such a way as if the FSA came into force in 1986. To summarise, I think that the FSA 1986 or the SIB was a preparatory stepping stone in the evolution of financial services regulation and the FSA wouldnt be in the position it is now to deal with financial crime if this evolution had not occurred. However, the effectiveness of the FSA is yet to be determined and ultimately only time will show evidence of success or failure.

Employee Surveys Challenges

Employee Surveys Challenges Introduction Managers in the modern organizations have come to the realization that the use of surveys in evaluating employee satisfaction, performance, development, and improvement is inevitable (Nankervis, Compton, Baird, Coffey, 2011). Based on this, surveys are often employed whenever feedback is needed from employees regarding their happiness, the strengths of the firm, weaknesses of the organization, and the best ways to improve.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Employee Surveys: Challenges specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, surveys play a critical role in revealing the exact position of the company from the employee perspective. Employee surveys are questionnaires that are designed and are distributed to organizational workers to enquire about certain information, especially data related to performance and satisfaction. They should always be designed carefully in order to capture the specific informa tion that will be of help to the employer. Surveys do not have specific answers since their major aim is to capture employee opinions and views. This article investigates the feasibility and the value of employee survey. In this regard, the paper analyzes the achievements of an employee survey in the organization, as well as its application. The use of the instrument is often associated with certain challenges. This article looks at some of these challenges, including the costs, risks and the difficulties of administering the instrument. Studies show that challenges faced when administering an employee survey are manageable. This paper will summarize some of the ways through which the challenges can be mitigated. Even though employee survey has a number of challenges, it also has some potential benefits when delivered in most desirable way. The article will analyze the potential benefits of employee survey as well. Finally, the paper will assess the effectiveness of the survey admin istration, particularly in matters related to ethics and professionalism. Achievements of the Employee Survey The use of a survey has a number of achievements, but if only administered in the best way. The instrument is considered a standardized tool that is employed in collecting critical information from organizational workers with the sole purpose of improving performance. One of the achievements of the survey is its ability to offer information that permits the management to focus its energies on improving a number of programs and processes in the organization. The results of the survey are usually taken through a rigorous data analysis process, which enables feedback to employees. Through the tool, the organization avoids unnecessary conflicts that might impede productivity and development of employees (Mitra, Gupta, Shaw, 2010). For instance, the organization might drop one of the programs after engaging employees in an extensive interview using surveys.Advertising Lo oking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More If the organization implements the program without consulting employees, the results might affect the performance of entire firm. In fact, some workers might decide to quit the organization, citing dissatisfaction as one of the major reasons. The organization is advised to post the results of the findings on the company website to allow review. This would be considered one of the ways of ensuring feedback and effective communication with workers. For the organization to achieve the desired results through surveys, a clear method of questionnaire administration should be followed. Scholars suggest that two major survey administration practices exist, which include communicating the purpose and the significance of the survey, as well as reminding employees the process. For ethical reasons, the firm should at all times inform various stakeholders the major aims of the survey, the main purpose, the procedure to be followed in administering it, and the reason why each employee should participate in the exercise. Based on this, the organization is advised to employ a number of media channels I disseminating information, such as the use of bulletin boards, short email messages, and employee meetings. The concerned unit should pass information in advance to give workers amicable time to prepare for the survey. In conducting surveys, many organizational members are often reluctant to take part in the exercise since they fear victimization. Some managers might develop the habit of criticizing employees for their views. In this regard, the management is advised to communicate with employees informing them that the management is simply concerned with the summary of the results and no employee will be accused of giving a divergent view. To achieve the desired results, the fielding of the survey is critical. This implies that all steps of surve y administration should be followed. The sample should be drawn and the survey needs to be assembled in time before proceeding to collect data. Supplying questionnaires using emails is recommended since it is considered cheap and reliable. The response rate should be checked on weekly basis to ensure that employees are taking part in the exercise. Some groups might not engage in the survey owing to a number of reasons. In this case, they should be reminded quite often. If the response rate is poor, data collection phase should be extended to allow many employees to participate in the exercise. Studies show that response rates tend to increase after the fourth and the fifth weeks, but only if the management keeps on reminding participants.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Employee Surveys: Challenges specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Finally, the management should explore some of the ways of improving participation in order to achieve the desired goals. After the survey, the management should always establish the number of employees who never participated in the exercise, as well as some of the reasons that made the not participate in the survey. This will definitely improve future response rates. Employees have a tendency of thinking that the results of the survey would not be used to bring any form of change hence they do not see any need of participating. Others simply think that the study is not important in any way while some believe the results of the survey will never be communicated to them. Challenges Encountered when Conducting Employee Surveys Gunningham and Sinclair (2011) refer to employee survey as an attitude or opinion survey since its major aim is to facilitate upward communication, even though an effective structure is needed to make this happen. In this regard, the survey questions must be prepared carefully and some of the mechanisms of response processing must be set up in a dvance. Some surveys might perhaps be highly structured while others are often narrowly targeted meaning that their aim is to address a single issue. Challenges faced when collecting information using surveys depend on the scope and the range of the survey. Research shows that the broader the range of the survey, the greater the hazards. Collecting opinions of employees on job satisfaction and general performance of the organization is beneficial in the sense that pertinent information is provided regarding the working conditions, compensation, remuneration, relations, communication, and administration. All these come with a number of risks that the organization must be prepared to tackle. The system employed in administering a survey is one of the challenges that affect the achievements of employee survey. Some organizations choose to design questions that aim at collecting information related to payment, satisfaction, and communication at the same time. One of the methods of admin istering such a survey is assembling employees and requesting them to fill the questions. Alternately, questionnaires can be distributed to individual employees. The two methods have challenges that must be addressed to ensure that the intended results are achieved. Since some employees might be opposed to the survey, they might decline to respond to the online questionnaire. This would affect the response rate, which has a direct impact to the outcome of the survey. Based on this, the organization is advised to assemble employees when it comes to filling the questions.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Even though this method is considered effective, it has some challenges as well. Holding meetings affects the productivity of the organization since many hours are spent filling the questions. Some employees might be reluctant to respond freely due to the presence of their bosses. Literacy level is another issue that affects the validity of the survey because not all employees have similar levels of education. The survey must collect views of all employees, irrespective of age, gender, educational level, and marital status. The major problem associated with educational level of employees is interpretation of questions. There is no guarantee that employees will construe statements in the same way. The management is advised to consider the academic levels of employees in questionnaire wording. Employee expectation is another challenge that the management has to deal with when conducting a survey on the attitudes and opinions of workers. In this regard, managers are advised to consider convincing employees that the survey is meant to bring positive change before embarking on data collection. In many cases, Wright (2008) suggests that surveys are used for regulatory reasons, but not to address problems that employees face. An employee feels frustrated in case his or her expectations are not fulfilled after the survey. Such an employee might not participate in future surveys. In an organizational set up, it is rare for the management to believe that a problem exists. The survey is often conducted to establish whether employees are comfortable with their positions in the organization. In some scenarios, the survey might reveal serious problems, which might force the management to bury the findings of the survey. In this case, the organization will have wasted valuable time and resources in commissioning a program that will not be used to improve performance. Costs, Risks, and Potential Difficulties of Using a Survey The process of designing, assembling, and dissemin ating the questionnaire is tiresome and extremely expensive. The organization must plan adequately for the exercise for better results to be achieved. The cost of the survey depends on the sample size, which means that the larger the sample size, the higher the cost of conducting a survey. In most cases, the use of surveys in testing employee satisfaction is not effective because managers might decide to hide the results and apply their own solutions, which might not address the major issues facing employees. One potential risk is that the organization might perhaps proceed to draft policies based on the results, yet employees lacked truthfulness when responding to questions. This might end up straining the operation of the organization since wrong policies will be drafted. Many employees are often reluctant to give negative answers even if they are assured that they would not be victimized. The results of the survey might not be of any help to the management meaning that resources will have been wasted on dubious projects. For this problem to be resolved, the management should be genuine and guarantee employee safety since a number of them are mindful of their positions. Benson and Brown (2011) suggest that it is always difficult for managers to accept the fact that their leadership skills are inaccurate. This implies that they will tend to reject all results that criticize their managerial skills. Based on this, the top management should exercise impartiality and exercise professionalism by accepting criticism. Managers should be informed that criticism helps them in developing their careers in a number of ways. If not well administered, surveys can generate a potentially antagonistic working atmosphere whereby the relationship between managers and employees is worse. Benefits of the Survey Through the survey, feedback and action planning is possible. The senior management should develop a tendency of sharing information with other stakeholders, particularly the union officials to prevent any discontent. In this regard, the use of intranet and email in information circulation within the organization is highly recommended. If the information is considered sensitive as far as organizational goals and objectives are concerned, the management is advised to convene a meeting with employees to iron out some of the thorny issues. At all times, the management needs to engage the union officials in discussions to establish the major areas of improvement (Chew, Horwitz, 2004). The survey allows the development of an action plan, which should take place at all levels. First, the top management should design an action plan that will act as a blue print to other organizational units. In the modern organizational behavior, it is advisable to push action planning to the manager level implying that each unit manager should have a unique way of handling employee dissatisfaction using surveys. Conducting a survey before implementing a policy allows con sultation with union representatives. An organization that conducts surveys will always embrace participative leadership style, which is known for its effectiveness. Organizations have an opportunity of conducting a study using focused group discussion guide after establishing through survey that employees have issues that need to be addressed urgently. The organization will have adequate time to plan and delve deep into the major problems that employees face in the organization. Strong policies on how to improve can be designed in case employees are engaged in the process. Ethical and Professional Issues in Conducting Employee Surveys Ethics and professional must always be considered when conducting employee survey. In fact, the credibility of results is influenced by ethical and professional considerations. One of the ethical issues to be considered is communication, which implies that the management must inform employees the exact date, time, and the purpose of the survey (Hmelo- Silver, 2004). Again, the results must be communicated to employees, irrespective of the outcome. The management should not try to hide the results, even if they are implicated. Doing this would be exercising professional codes of conducts. Finally, the organization must consider cultural issues when trying to extract valuable information from employees. Each employee should be given adequate time to fill the questionnaire without harassment and intimidation. References Benson, J., Brown, M. (2011). Generations at work: are there differences and do they matter? The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(9), 1843-1865. Chew, I., Horwitz, F. (2004). Human resource management strategies in practice: Case-study findings in multinational firms. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 42(1), 32-55. Gunningham, N., Sinclair, D. (2011). A Cluster of Mistrust: Safety in the Mining Industry. Journal of Industrial Relations, 53(4), 450–466. Hmelo-Silver, C. E. (2004) . Problem-Based Learning: What and How Do Students Learn? Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 235-266. Mitra, T., Gupta, N., Shaw, J. (2010). A comparative examination of traditional and skill-based pay plans. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 26(4), 278-296. Nankervis, A., Compton, R.L., Baird, M., Coffey, J. (2011). Human Resource Management: Strategy and Practice. Cengage Learning: South Melbourne. Wright, C. (2008). Reinventing Human Resource Management: Business Partners, Internal Consultants, and the Limits to Professionalization. Human Relations, 61(8), 1063-1086.

Biology Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Biology - Article Example The study of microbiology also highlights the problems with regard to the biodegrading of toxic and other minerals present in the environment that are harmful to the plants, animals, apart from human beings. While biotechnology seeks to solve the problems faced in medicine, agriculture etc., and the microbiology is its branch that helps in the identification of the virus or fungie responsible for such problems. The study of microbes helps us to study the reactions that occur in higher organisms. Therefore, while studying the molecular level genetic engineering, the contribution of microbes in research for biochemical and molecular genetics has been increasing remarkably....(microbiology) This pertains to the study of cells and the method of interaction of cellular components that are responsible to promote life processes. While the study of this topic would include the synthesizing of DNA and RNA, it also helps in the research to find the mechanism for differentiation of a single-celled egg into a complex multi-cellular organism. For studying the concepts of biotechnology or genetic engineering, the detailed knowledge of cell and molecular biology is very important. The biologists concerned with this relevant topic use its results and findings to study the principals of protein synthesis, enzymology, organelle structure and function and cell ultra-structure, among other areas. Speaking in simpler terms the molecular biology is the science that transcribes the genetic material into RNA and then translates it into protein, as this helps us to know the mysteries surrounding this field in a better manner. As most of the work in microbiology can be quantified, we are now witnessing the off-shoot of this in bioinformatics and computational biology as some call these as the interface of this particular topic and the computers....(molecular) Biological techniques have been taken to such heights that

American Criminal Justice and Terrorists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

American Criminal Justice and Terrorists - Essay Example This has gathered momentum and sanctity after the declaration of the global war against terror. The law does not allow physical power to force a terrorist to give out the secrets that he or she might be withholding. Whether it is the special purpose jails like Guantanamo Bay in Cuba or some many others elsewhere, it has been held invalid by various courts simply because no charges were filed on many of them. If the cases were to go to Military tribunals, violence could become the way of life. On 29 June 2006, the US Supreme Court4 ruled that the Guantanamo prisoners can not be tried by military tribunals. This was a land mark judgment and a major setback to the Bush Government. This also upholds the fact that the courts are having a different idea when it comes to trying the terrorists or as the US Government calls them, 'unlawful combatants'. And the courts find it 'hurting their conscience' when confessions are taken from people unethically, using torture which is either locally manufactured or outsourced.

Trade unions in the workplace can only have a negative impact on Essay

Trade unions in the workplace can only have a negative impact on productivity. Discuss - Essay Example An analysis of the above definitions reveals that a trade union must be: Allen Flanders (1970) says that the major functions of trade unions are ‘Regulation’ which is of government role, whose essence lies in rule making. As Flanders (1970) says â€Å"Union restrain the exercise of managerial authority in deploying, organizing and disciplining the labour force after it has been hired.† Thus trade unions are considered not merely as economic organizations, but also as political institutions directed towards wresting control over managerial authority and moral institutions, which will uplift the weak, and downtrodden and render them the place, the dignity and justice they deserve. Trade unions, everywhere, as organizations undertake a variety of activities termed as economical, political, social psychological, cultural etc. All these activities could be broadly put into three major categories such as collective bargaining or negotiations, industrial action and legal actions. Collective bargaining/ negotiations: Unions as representative of workers organizations bargain with employers or various such issues such as wages, allowances, bonus, hours of work, reinstatement etc. The unions have secure bargaining power by statute and bargaining is done with the presence of the third party. Industrial action: Industrial action implies action like strikes and different methods of protest. These types of industrial actions like striking naturally lead to loss of production and disturbing the industrial peace. Worldwide unions resort to these activities to achieve their goals to safe guard the interest of their members. Legal actions: The unions also involve themselves in the legal actions. First of all unions have interest in getting certain laws enacted by the legislature. The purpose of these labour laws is to enhance the interest of the workers. Then, the unions are also

Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 3

Assignment - Essay Example The company’s management is not market oriented and lagging behind market changes is dangerous for any particular company. The paper attempts to look at basic management concepts and their effective application in the daily running of a company. The basic definition of management is getting work done by others. Comprehensively management can be described as a set of functions that are directed at the efficient and effective utilization of resources for the achievement of set organizational goals. The difference thus arises in the management of the Royal Store that violates the definition of management, as its management does not adhere to any set functions. Effectiveness in the running of a business organization refers to the making of right decisions and successfully implementing them. It also means the accomplishing of tasks that are helpful in achieving organizational objectives. On the other hand, efficiency in a business entity refers to getting work done with the use of minimum effort, expense, or waste. Efficiency entails the use of resources available to an organization in the most cost-effective way. Effectiveness and efficiency in any business organization contribute to productivity.... The difference thus arises in the management of the Royal Store that violates the definition of management, as its management does not adhere to any set functions. a) Relationship Between Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Productivity Effectiveness in the running of a business organization refers to the making of right decisions and successfully implementing them. It also means the accomplishing of tasks that are helpful in achieving organizational objectives. On the other hand, efficiency in a business entity refers to getting work done with the use of minimum effort, expense, or waste. Efficiency entails the use of resources available to an organization in the most cost-effective way. Effectiveness and efficiency in any business organization contribute to productivity. This forms one of the major arguments of Taylor on the issue of productivity. Productivity entails the performing of assigned duties in the manner that is required. In any company, the measurement of productivity is imp ortant in relation to the resources employed, which include labor, time, and monetary resources against the total output. Effectiveness and efficiency establish a base in measuring productivity in any organization. The Royal Store in its business activities exhibited lack of efficiency and effectiveness in its management leading to the productivity falling below the owner’s expectations. The company in its efforts to boost productivity should employ several of Fayol’s principles on successful management. The first principle they can inculcate is the unity of command. The principle means that any organization no matter how large it is should

Decision tree Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Decision tree - Essay Example So far the example fabric has met PPF’s essential performance standards but additional testing will illustrate if it can attain their maximum specification. Decision hypothesis is a logical and systematic strategy to the analysis of decision making. A fine decision is one that is oriented on logic; reflects on all accessible data and potential alternatives, and the quantitative strategies of data. In terms of the expected values calculated, and consequent decision, it does not matter if costs are to the left of amount or vice versa; though rationally the costs are incurred prior to the site acquisition revenue is earned so it generates more sense to put expenses to the left of amount. Clearly nothing will be achieved if PPF management decides not to go on with the project what he needs to find to decide to drill is an EV for this act that is greater than $0. The EV for drilling is $140k so he should drill. When p (abandoned) = 0 this means the likelihood of it failing to acquire the site and make profit is 1 (i.e. certain) and from the pertinent section of the decision illustration it can be observed that the EV is 1 x -$- Â £14.8.M In case of p (maximum) = 1 then there are two potential it can be possible to buy Curie site or delay decision making and maintain Faraday site. These double events are equally exclusive and comprehensive so must add up to 1. To attain this one must normalize the probabilities of buying the Curie site and expanding Faraday site to make them add up to

Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 3

Assignment - Essay Example The company’s management is not market oriented and lagging behind market changes is dangerous for any particular company. The paper attempts to look at basic management concepts and their effective application in the daily running of a company. The basic definition of management is getting work done by others. Comprehensively management can be described as a set of functions that are directed at the efficient and effective utilization of resources for the achievement of set organizational goals. The difference thus arises in the management of the Royal Store that violates the definition of management, as its management does not adhere to any set functions. Effectiveness in the running of a business organization refers to the making of right decisions and successfully implementing them. It also means the accomplishing of tasks that are helpful in achieving organizational objectives. On the other hand, efficiency in a business entity refers to getting work done with the use of minimum effort, expense, or waste. Efficiency entails the use of resources available to an organization in the most cost-effective way. Effectiveness and efficiency in any business organization contribute to productivity.... The difference thus arises in the management of the Royal Store that violates the definition of management, as its management does not adhere to any set functions. a) Relationship Between Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Productivity Effectiveness in the running of a business organization refers to the making of right decisions and successfully implementing them. It also means the accomplishing of tasks that are helpful in achieving organizational objectives. On the other hand, efficiency in a business entity refers to getting work done with the use of minimum effort, expense, or waste. Efficiency entails the use of resources available to an organization in the most cost-effective way. Effectiveness and efficiency in any business organization contribute to productivity. This forms one of the major arguments of Taylor on the issue of productivity. Productivity entails the performing of assigned duties in the manner that is required. In any company, the measurement of productivity is imp ortant in relation to the resources employed, which include labor, time, and monetary resources against the total output. Effectiveness and efficiency establish a base in measuring productivity in any organization. The Royal Store in its business activities exhibited lack of efficiency and effectiveness in its management leading to the productivity falling below the owner’s expectations. The company in its efforts to boost productivity should employ several of Fayol’s principles on successful management. The first principle they can inculcate is the unity of command. The principle means that any organization no matter how large it is should

Capital Punishment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Capital Punishment - Research Paper Example The arguments in favor and against capital punishment is growing day by day. Even some of the most civilized countries like America has no problems in executing hardcore criminals. However, majority of the religions argue against capital punishment. Religions are of the view that it is ethically or morally wrong to take the life of a person. According to religious point of view, all the living things and nonliving things are the creations of the God and only the God has the authority to take back the lives he created in this world. On the other hand, many atheists and sociologists are of the view that capital punishment is necessary to save the life of innocent people from the threat of antisocial elements. In their opinion, if the execution of one person may save many lives, then it should be implemented without any worry or concern. I have conducted two interviews; one with a Christian priest who argues against capital punishment and another with a sociologist who argue in favor of capital punishment in order to get more insights about this controversial topic. This paper analyses arguments in favor and against capital punishment based on those interviews and ethical theories with respect to this topic. Arguments against capital punishment based on the interview with a priest In response to my questions about the morality of capital punishment, the priest has told me that human do not have the authority to take a life which he is unable to create. In his opinion, the secrets behind life before birth and life after death are still unknown to the people even after huge advancements in science and technology. Human abilities have limitations in understanding the mission of God. According to the priest each person is sent to this world with a mission by the God and doing something against the mission of the God is unethical. In reply to the Priest’s arguments, I asked him; â€Å"Is it ethical to allow the criminals to take the life of others freely?. He r eplied that punishment is necessary for avoiding criminal activities however, the essence of punishment should be correction rather than vengeance. â€Å"Capital punishment never allows a criminal to change his behavior as in the case of other forms of punishments†(10 Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment, 2010). He told me that life term is more acceptable than capital punishment since it prevent us from committing the same mistake as committed by the criminal. The priest strengthened his argument with the help of some of the existing laws in America. He has pointed out that â€Å"American criminal justice system believes that â€Å"partisan advocacy of both sides on a case will promote the ultimate objective that the guilty be convicted and the innocent go free† (Ferdic et al, 2008, p.37). He has pointed out that the chances of executing an innocent person because of circumstantial evidences or fabricated evidences are more and in such cases, nobody can return the lif e of that person even if he has found to be innocent later. In order to substantiate that argument, he has quoted the facts published by Van den Haag. â€Å"In a recent survey Professors Hugo Adam Bedau and Michael Radelet found that 7000 persons were executed in the United States between 1900 and 1985 and that 35 were innocent of capital crimes† (Van den Haag, 1986). In other words, 35 innocent people lost their lives because of capital punishment. He has pointed that the essence of American criminal

The Blind Side Essay Example for Free

The Blind Side Essay Belonging is a sense of enlightenment felt when an individual gains an understanding of themselves in relation to others and society. Once the characters belong to their family and to themselves, belonging to society and the rest of the world becomes easy. â€Å"Looking for Alibrandi† by Marlina Marchetta and the film â€Å"The Blind Side† directed by John Lee Hancock, both show how each character gains an understanding of themselves and their family therefore leading to them to belong to society. Throughout the novel, Josie’s perceptions of herself and Nonna’s relationship undergo a significant transformation. Initially, Josie does not feel she belongs to her Nonna because of the limitations she places on her. It is only at the end of the novel that Josie learns the true heart-ache and suffering her Nonna went through for her mother. Marchetta uses the intimate feel of a diary to relate to the story of the three women bound by strong ties of family. It shows how each of the women belongs to each other and it also shows the barriers to their relationships. Linear Structure gives the book a strong sense of continuity and ensures a steady pace of the story line. At the beginning of the novel Josie says â€Å"She drives me crazy. Sometimes I have to grit my teeth sometimes to control myself†, showing that she does not feel she belongs to her Nonna. Towards the end she states â€Å"I cried because I was loved by two of the strongest women I would ever meet in my lifetime†. The discovery that she does truly belong to her Nonna encourages Josie to be her own person and to live her life emancipated from any rigid stereotypes that are barriers to belonging. Once she belongs to her Nonna, she then realises she belongs to herself, making belonging to society easier. Cultural identity is a very strong factor in Josie’s life. At first it is a barrier to her belonging to society and she rails against it as being old-fashioned and sexist. She realises towards the end of the book that her culture has made her who she is and what she is capable of becoming. Throughout the novel her references to her culture are often sarcastic or mocking. Josie asserts light heartedly that without the Italian tendency for being chatty and loud â€Å"Telecom would go broke†. Marchetta uses humour to show how Josie speaks with the voice of today’s youth and she speaks of issues that are contemporary and with which readers can relate to. Initially, at school especially, she feels victimised by her race and doesn’t belong. She is bitter and resentful to those not like her and often resorts to physical abuse in response to ‘wog’ insults. â€Å"Simply because like religion, culture is nailed into you so deep you can’t escape it†. This conveys that even though sometimes Josie wishes she wasn’t Italian that makes her who she is. After she learns to accept that towards the end of the novel, she starts to belong to herself and to her culture and then making it easier to belong to her school. At first Josie does not feel as if she belongs to her family, however she comes to a realisation that her culture isn’t a barrier to her belonging; she can then belong to herself and to society. Just like Josie, Michael Oher realises that his race isn’t a barrier to belonging to his family, he belongs to himself and he becomes accepted in society.

The benefits and risks of Outsourcing

The benefits and risks of Outsourcing In this chapter, an introduction of research background is given and the objectives and scope of the research are described. In addition, a general overview of research methodology will be introduced. Finally, a brief overview of the dissertation structure is given in order to present an overall picture of the research undertaken. Background of research: Outsourcing is one of the fast growing aspects with a spending of US$ 3.7 trillion worldwide in 2001 (Clott, 2004). The latest survey conducted by Cap Gemini, Georgia institute of technology, SAP and DHL, it is clear that the usage of third party logistics (3pl) services continues to grow in Latin America, North America, Western Europe and Asia-pacific (Cap Gemini, 2006). Due to globalisation and rapid growth in information technology organisations are eager to develop competitiveness and responsiveness to customers (Matteo, 2003). Lieb and Randall (1996) defined 3pl to a more detailed extent; in particular, the term third-party has been explained more clearly. The third party logistics is defined here as: A company which supplies/coordinates logistics functions across multiple links in the logistics supply chain. The company thus acts as a third-party facilitator between the seller/manufacturer (the first-party) and the buyer/user (the second-party)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. The functions the functions performed by the third-party can encompass the entire logistics process or selected activities with in that process. (p.51). Today many international logistics providers, including freight forwarders, customhouse brokers, ocean and air carriers, promoting themselves as third party logistics providers as they can provide more services for the movement of international freight. Liebs survey clearly tells that one third of large manufacturing companies in us use third party logistics services and over 60 percent of these firms used these services for above five years (Lieb, 2007). The close relationship between shippers and carriers could be a benefit for third party providers. One thing is confirmed that, nearly all large multinational companies make use of third party logistics providers (Maltz, 2004). Research problem: From many researchers point of view (Lee, 2004), Indian 3pl providers are still in an undeveloped state. So it might be difficult for them to survive in the Indian market competing with the foreign players. This research will review the traditional Indian distribution system and analyze the contemporary situations of both Indian and foreign companies like Pantaloons, Reliance, Subhiksha and Wal-Mart. In 2005, India was forecasted as the greatest consumer market opportunity, receiving highest foreign direct investment (FDI) (Mitra, 2005). The third party logistics in India accounts nearly a quarter of its transportation industry and expected to grow over $ 125 billion by 2015 (Srinath, 2006). Currently India sits atop the global retail opportunity. Indias retail industry, the 9th largest globally and valued at $ 330 billion (Kilgore et al. 2007). Reliance, a $ 12 billion giant enterprise run by Mukesh Ambani, plans to open an additional 4000 stores and hypermarkets with a target of $ 22.3 billion in sales by 2012. Wal-mart currently sources goods of worth over $ 1.5billion from India, yet to gain access to sell those products in India. So Wal-Marts joint ventures with Bharti will open doors for multi brand hypermarkets and shopping villages. One of the best approaches to gain competitiveness and improve customer service levels is the firms logistical capability. To be competitive, the companies have to deliver the products quickly and for lower cost. Logistics service providers gain momentum after the successful and efficient distribution network of Wal-Mart (Maltz, 2004). On the other hand, pantaloon is currently Indias largest retailer with more than 140 stores. Its also planning to spend $ 1 billion to open 100 big bazaar stores country wide. The Tata group, which runs lifestyle stores and star India bazaar, also opened an electronic goods shop in Mumbai last year. Tata group is planning to open 30 stores by the next year (Sahey and Mohan, 2006). Behind this growth, logistics infrastructure is the main backdrop of the countrys growth. Logistics costs in India are 13 percent of GDP compared with 8 percent in the U.S. Indian logistics is combination of road transport companies, railways, air freight companies, ports and shipping companies, as well as 3pl companies. 3pl market in India is least developed and its growth is about 20% per annum. If the logistics costs can be reduced from 13% of GDP to 8% of GDP, then the savings would be approximately $ 20 billion. This change will reduces the prices of Indian goods by 4.3% making them more competitive globally. The 3pl revenue and cargo handling volume registered growth rates of 18.25% and 20.33% respectively in 2003-2004 (Mitra, 2005). Retail opportunity opens the doors to reach Indian customers more effectively. Hindustan lever, a subsidiary of Unilever and the coca cola company are extremely successful penetrating in India. The rural population in India is almost 60%. Deliverin g products to those rural people is most difficult task due to the poor transportation and infrastructure facilities. In this situation both the companies above mentioned are successful with their distribution system through logistics service providers to reach each and every part of the country. So all the issues related to transportation infrastructure have badly affected the logistics network in India specifically in terms of lead time and costs. Anyway, a host of policy changes underway is expected to bring some positive revolution in the Indian transportation environment. In the past few years Indian government focussed on the infrastructure development. The main initiative under this project is the national high way development programme. It will connect all the metros and act as east-west and north-south corridor. So this will boost road transportation in India and good news for the logistics services providers in the country and also for the organisations to reduce costs by using 3pl providers (Mitra, 2005). Aim and objectives: The purpose of the research is to understand how third party logistics service providers can develop competitive advantage and improves the service levels of supply chains in Indian retail industry. The objectives of the study can be summarized as: To understand the current situations of Indian domestic 3pl providers To develop the competitive strategies pursued by the Indian 3pl providers To find out the impact of the use of the 3pl services on costs, customer satisfaction. On the other hand, the following research questions are designed for the achievement of the above research objectives. What kind of distribution systems do the Indian 3pl providers have? What kinds of logistics services are Indian 3pl providers providing? What competitive situation are the Indian 3pl providers facing? What kinds of competitive strategies are the Indian 3pl providers pursuing to achieve competitive advantages? Literature review: The supply chain: The process which integrates coordinates and controls the movement of goods, materials and information from a supplier to the end customer through a series of intermediate customers is called the supply chain. It bridges the gap between core business aspects of supply and demand. So the supply chain management is the management of buying/sourcing, making, moving and selling activities in a timely manner. Supply chains today are very slow, costly and do not deliver particularly good value to the end customer. Todays markets are much more demanding and information driven with small product cycles, more choice for customers and consumers and increased competition. Costs need to be cut down out of the supply chain and efficiencies increased, as business relationships within the chain shift and competitive advantage becomes harder to come by. The process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow and storage of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information flow from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements. Third party logistics (TPL): The growth of high competition and complex business conditions force organizations to pursue competitive advantages and re-engine their business constantly. Outsourcing logistics to a 3pl provider has been considered as an effective strategy for companies to high service performance and lower operating cost. Lieb and Randall (1996) defined 3pl to a more detailed extent; in particular, the term third-party has been explained more clearly. The third party logistics is defined here as: A company which supplies/coordinates logistics functions across multiple links in the logistics supply chain. The company thus acts as a third-party facilitator between the seller/manufacturer (the first-party) and the buyer/user (the second-party)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. The functions the functions performed by the third-party can encompass the entire logistics process or selected activities with in that process. (p.51). The basic characteristics of 3pls are to provide customised services and to handle multiple activities, which involve warehousing, distribution, transportation, inventory control, material handling, packaging and inspection (Bolumole, 2001). Here are some of the services offered by 3pls in the present market, according to Sowinski (2005): Dedicated contract transportation and transportation procurement. Inventory management Logistics management and consulting Freight audit and consulting Shipment tracking and tracing Reverse logistics and value added services TPL providers are nothing but supportive supply chain members. Lambert (1998) defined these supportive members as companies that simply provide resources, knowledge, utilities or assets for the primary members of the supply chain. The new level of usage of 3pl has been defined as logistics alliances. Bagchi and Virum (1998) define logistics alliances as: A long-term formal or informal relationship between shippers and logistics providers to render all or a considerable number of logistics activities for the shipper. (p.193). Under this alliance, 3pl users and providers treat each other as long-term partners. By identifying the characteristics of 3pl providers in various stages, Berglund et al. (1999) suggest that there have been three phases of development of the 3pl participants. The first phase started from 1980s, with the presence of traditional logistics providers, with the activities involved only transportation or warehousing. The second phase started from 1990s, when a number of network players such as DHL, TNT and FedEx started their logistics services. The third phase started from late 1990s, when a number of players from other areas like information technology, started working with the original logistics providers. In recent years with the dynamic changing and development of supply chain management 3pl providers have moved their focus to strategy development (Hertz Alfredson, 2003). 3pl providers have started to support logistics operations through value-added services and supply chain solution service, which creates abundant opportunities for companies to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction (Knemeyer et al., 2003; Lieb, 2005). In addition to the services mentioned above, other services offered by 3pl providers, are known as value-added services. These are the services that add a lot of additional value to the products being distributed (Rushton et al. 2000). The major value added services has been summarized by the authors as follows. Specialist or niche service, where the operation is specifically designed for a particular products. Time reliable services, which are setup to support the just-in-time (JIT) operations of major manufacturers. Assembly, which is fulfilled by third-party distributor. Repacking, this is another area of value-added development, like a torch together with battery. Refurbishment: in the light if current environmental legislation many manufacturers have endeavoured to re-engineer their products so that parts from some used products can be reused in new products. Packaging return: collect packaging for reuses or disposal. (p.62). A research conducted recently by Hertz and Alfredson presented the strategic development of 3pl providers (Hertz Alfredson, 2003). According to Lai (2004): There are four types of 3pl providers from the resource based view of the firm. Each type of provider exhibiting different service capabilities and service performance. Also different types of logistics service providers adopt different service strategies to respond to different market segments Logistics outsourcing is simply a make-or-buy decision based on cost efficiency by increasing competitiveness and complexity (Christopher, 2005). A company may pursue logistics outsourcing for the following reasons, Own lack of logistics experience Desire to focus on core competency Difficulty in maintaining communication and information technology up to date Sahay and Mohan (2006). Outsourcing can give a company proper access to resources, equipment and management expertise which may count a worth of billion dollars (Clott, 2004). Outsourcing not only allows an organisation to achieve goals like cutting delivery times and ensuring accurate shipments, but also promotes competition among service providers and motivating them to continue renewing their services. Currently a growing interest on outsourcing has been mentioned by massive writings in scholarly journals and popular magazines. The terms outsourcing, third party logistics and contract logistics sounds the same. Traditional logistics activities such as transportation, distribution, warehousing, inventory management, order processing and material handling have been given less importance (Mitra, 2005). There is a need to develop competitive advantage and providing better customer service effectively and efficiently. This can be possible only through contract logistics (Razzaque and Sheng, 1998, updated reference). Third party logistics and customer service: Sadler (2007) defined logistics customer service as: the process of providing goods, information and services to customers in a way that both creates customer satisfaction and is cost-effective to the shipper (p.71). Customer service has been treated as essential factor in marketing strategy and it creates added value for both their companies and customers (Christopher, 2005). Customer service is a key way to gain competitive advantage. To compete in this corporate world, companies must provide high levels of logistics services to their customers. Based on a survey conducted by Bolumole (2001) identifies the nine most important aspects of customer service as follows. On-time delivery Order accuracy Price No product damage Ease of order placement Customer enquiry handling Quality Availability Order status information Regarding the high levels of customer service, Sadler (2007) suggest that: the economic aim point of customer service level is a little below 100%, beyond this level, the extra benefit to customers is vastly outweighed by the huge extra cost of inventory, hours of opening, staff training and salary, etc (p.72). Gaining competitive advantage through 3pl: Third party logistics (3pl) can be an effective way helping companies to achieve competitive advantages. The main objective of logistics management is to drive the companies in achieving sustainable competitive advantages through improved customer service and lower costs. Overall 3pl providers can provide a major source of competitive advantages. In other words, a position of gaining superiority over competitors (Christopher, 2005, p.6). Rushton et al. (2000) proposed that companies can achieve competitive advantages through 3pl providers. First, companies may compete as a service leader, which means to gain an advantage over their competitors by providing a number of key logistics service elements to differentiate itself. Meanwhile, the companies may compete as a cost leader where it is trying to utilize its logistics resources to offer the service or product at lowest possible price. Some logistics leverages for pursuing the two competitive advantages have been summarized as follows. To achieve value/differential advantage To achieve cost/productivity advantage The logistics leverage Tailored service Distribution channel strategy Reliability Responsiveness Information Flexibility The logistics leverage Capacity utilization Asset turn Co-makership/schedule integration Low inventory Low waste Table: The two different approaches to gain competitive advantages. Source: Rushton et al. (2000, p.33). Christopher (2005) summarizes that: The source of competitive advantages is found firstly in the ability of the organization to differentiate itself, in the eye of the customer, from its competition and secondly by operating at lowest cost (p.6). Competition is always at the core of the success and failure of the firm. A companys competitiveness can be derived from achieving either a cost advantage or a value advantage, or both of them. The relationship of cost and value between a company, its competitor and its customers, named the Three Cs relationship is illustrated below. Customers Assets and utilization Cost differentials Assets and utilization Value Needs seeking benefits at acceptable prices Value Company Competitor Figure: competitive advantage and the Three Cs Source: Christopher (2005, p.6). However, a most successful company would seek a competitive position depending on attaining both costs and differentiation advantages. Christopher emphasizes the last step that how to take the company to the top right of the matrix can be the biggest challenge to logistics providers. The occupation of the position of cost and service leader means the company has achieved both service and cost advantages. Service leader Cost and service leader High Commodity market Cost leader Value advantage Low Low High Cost advantage Figure: logistics and competitive advantage Source: Christopher (2005, p.10). The three possible ways for companies to accomplish their competitive strategies are internal activities, acquisitions and strategic alliances. On the other hand through mergers and acquisitions of other possible business may meet their competitive strategy requirements. The major participants in the logistics alliances are manufacturers, retailers and logistics service providers or third party logistics providers. A strategic alliance allows a company to take advantage of what it does well and enables it to seek partners who have strengths in other areas (Bagchi Virum, 1998). Supply chain integration with third party logistics providers: The present trend of most of the modern companies is to outsource their logistics activities to third party providers. This is a type of alliance, many of the firms implementing to achieve competitive advantage in the market place (Ratten, 2004). In the recent years just-in-time (JIT) process has gained momentum, which promoted outsourcing. The term integration refers to the degree to which individual parties work together in a cooperative manner to achieve acceptable outcomes (Ratten, 2004). Approaching the third party logistics providers comes under the wider arc integration. 3pl providers encompass a wide range of supply chain services including firms outsourcing, material management and distribution responsibilities (Frohlich and Westbrook, 2001). Nowadays 3pl companies are playing more number of roles in extended supply chains such as after-sales support, customer service and reverse logistics (Srinath, 2006). 3pl providers have transformed the roles of distribution centres from storage facilities to channel assemblies by taking care of some repair jobs that do not have sent back to manufacturers (Maltz, 2004). Relationships among TPL providers and members of supply chains: Nowadays the relationship between supply chain management and third party logistics service providers has gained some momentum. Here its necessary to discuss how to fill the gaps in understanding of how third party logistics providers should offer their services more effectively to their assigned supply chains. The supply chain is, The network of organisations that are involved, through upstream and downstream linkages, in the different processes and activities that produce value in the form of products and services in the hands of the ultimate customers. -Christopher (2005). The supply chain is a chain consists of networked companies from raw material producers for the consumption of end users. According to Jarzemskis (2006), a TPL provider is An agent middleman in the logistics channel who enters into a temporary or longer term relationship with some other entity in the logistics channel Most of the logistics services are purchased on a contract basis (Maltz, 2004). Based on the research by Bhatnagar and Viswanathan (2000), successful partnerships in logistics can be achieved by triadic relationships. Order lead time of grocery retailers in the Indian markets: in a survey of Indian retail industries, Chandra and Sastry (2004) found that 98% of the firms dispatch their goods through a contract with trucking companies, while 11% of them only have their own fleet of trucks and 36% of these firms use third party logistics(3pl) service providers for transportation. The economy is expected to grow at 10% over the next 10 years in the sectors like chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textile, retail and fast moving consumer goods. The Indian retail giants Reliance and Bharti announced large retail projects in collaboration with Wal-Mart. Also Reliance considering establishing large warehouses in Thailand to take advantage of low cost sourcing from Southeast Asia. On the other hand food and grocery retail players like Subhiksha established more than 600 new retail stores in India (Chandra Jain, 2009) Logistics is an important process that minimises costs and improves customer satisfaction (Christopher, 2005). The Indian retail industry is worlds fifth largest one. All retail sectors in India are not purely organised. Especially the retail sector is growing very fastly at a pace of 25-30% annually. This sector is projected to grow from Rs. 35,000 crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 109,000 crore by the end of 2010 (Mitra,2005). Here the author is going to examine the retail operational efficiency at the secondary distribution level by measuring the performance of Indian food retailers logistics operations in terms of order lead time. Order lead time is the time between the customers placing an order and receiving the goods (Srinath, 2006). Here both the suppliers and logistics service providers need to understand two certain types of lead times. The first one, inbound lead time is the time between the orders placed by the depot and the delivery of goods by the suppliers. On the other hand out bound lead time refers to the time depot and the company stores (Maltz, 2004). According to smith and sparks (2004), logistics has been facing many major changes in the Indian food retail sector including increase in the average size of stores, introduction of new retail store formats (petrol station shops) and the increase in the range of own brand food products 3pl operations in India: The greater utilization of third party logistics (3pl) in Indian companies is expected to rule the retail markets in the future years. Its predicted to rise from US $ 1.5 billion in 2008 to US $ 4 billion in 2012. Strategic analysis of 3pl markets in Indian retail sector shows that the market earned US $ 28.1 million in 2005 and predicted to be US 89.8 in 2012 (Kaur, 2009). The Indian economic growth has recorded significant development during the past several years. According to the survey conducted by Lieb in 2007, six of the CEOs were asked to identify the best suitable industries which will offer good results for the future of 3pl services usage in India. Four of them suggested automotive industry and three of them rated high technology. On the other hand retailing and pharmaceutical industry were preferred by two of them. According to Lieb: Long trip times for relatively short transportation distances make a turnaround of vehicles impossible and increases the cost of domestic transportation. Congestion, toll road blocks and local tax make proper planning and timing, and central distribution structures impossible. Inwarding process: This process is to ensure smooth movement of stock and merchandise from warehouse, vendors and any other location to shop floor, updating the inventory and subsequently be available for sale. Goods are received according to the Stock Transfer Note (STN) issued by the warehouse. Every morning the Warehouse Incharge prints the mail from SCM support, which gives the details of the merchandise which is scheduled to reach the store (e.g. Goods in transit report). Based on the information the Warehouse incharge to allocate space for the in transit merchandise do all follow ups for goods in transit. Inform the respective Department Managers about the merchandise scheduled, so that floor space for the same can be created, if required. Delivery vehicle arrives at the store warehouse. Security personnel to receive the supporting documents and handover the same to the warehouse personnel undertaking the Inwarding. Document set is checked by warehouse personnel to ensure it contains a Stock Tra nsfer Note (STN) in duplicate and an outward gate pass issued by the dispatching warehouse. An authorised LR copy incase the goods delivery vehicle is a private transporter. Security at stores will sign the gate pass and write manual IRN (Inward Register Number) on gate pass. Security personnel to check the vehicle to ensure the seal on the cargo area are intact and secure. If any of the above documents are missing the staff should inform the Warehouse Manager, and the same should be entered in the discrepancy register. Warehouse Manager to inform the dispatching warehouse in charge and try to resolve the issue, and receive the missing documents by the next day. Under NO circumstances, the merchandise should be inwarded, in variance to the above. Outwarding: This process is to ensure smooth movement of stock and merchandise stores to warehouse, vendors and any other location and updating the inventory. This process starts when Front End Category / Category / store logistics creates a STO for the transfer of merchandise. This process ends when the Store receives goods receipts details from the receiving site. This process is triggered when the Front end Category/Store Logistic Person/Retail Category identifies products to be sent back to CDC or Vendor. Any returns from the Store should be process oriented. There may be various reasons for returns like Defects sent back to the warehouse, due to excess inventory, non- moving stocks, Interstore transfer, back to vendor, Products replaced completely for the customers having same defects or products partly replaced for the Customers, excess material in the Store received as Backup Stocks in Original Packing Condition and Materials might be received directly by the Warehouse from the Customers as replacement where the Warehouse should ensure that it is duly packed and bar coded in proper conditions. Returns to Vendors to be made as per the terms and conditions agreed with the Vendor. If delivery is going from the Store, the product needs to be properly packed in corrugated cartons, after doing a Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) at Store level one day in advance and be certified by the DM/Warehouse Incharge. Any outwarding to be done only after the permission is given from the FEC and store manager and the supply chain team to be kept in the loop. (Vaidyanathan, 2005). Drivers for 3pl usage in India: Even though the reasons for outsourcing and the activities involved may vary from one company to another, the basic driving factors are the same. In India, Sahay and Mohan (2006) classify the reasons that drive Indian organizations to outsource logistics into three categories. The primary factor is the concern regarding cost that focuses on logistics cost reduction. The second one is focus on core competencies, access to unfamiliar markets and corporate restructuring. The third issue is associated with improving supply chain efficiency, which will cover improving customer services, increasing inventory, driving productivity improvements, achieving flexibility in operations and improving return on assets. The primary drivers in the beginning were to reduce costs and release capital. But nowadays its to increase market coverage, improve the customer service level or increase the flexibility towards the changing customer expectations (Skjoett-Larsen, 2000). Facilitate Re-engineering Strategic flexibility Outsourcing Concentrate on core business Reduce cost Figure: driving factors of outsourcing. Source: Taglisapietra et al (1999) p.4 It is one of the top reasons for outsourcing researched by the outsourcing institute (2000). According to Lankford Parsa (1999): Reengineering is the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in critical, contemporary measures of performance, such as cost, quality, service and speed. (p.23). Outsourcing not only allows enterprises to grab the benefits of structural changes, but also allows them to take advantage of reengineered world-class providers. Elements for successful 3pl relationships: A successful partnership is like a successful marriage, which requires hard work from both the parties involved. Both the parties must understand each others needs and should be compatible with the values. Bagchi Virum (1998) identifies that information sharing is crucial for successful relationship between providers and users. The main elements of long-term successful relationships are compatibility, understanding of partners business needs, open communications, commitment, fairness, flexibility and trust. Based on case studies, Bagchi Virum (1998), identify six factors to the successful third-party relationships. Customer satisfaction is the key point of the relationship in all efforts. Customers need to clearly point out their needs and wants. Then its the turn for providers to understand these needs and acquire the capabilities. People are the important assets in an alliance. Also they should be well trained and motivated individuals

Stuttering :: Biology Essays Research Papers

"IIIII Can Can Can't Heeeelp It: Stuttering to the Truth" "Stuttering is something the stutterer does, not something he has, because of something he is." --Wendell Johnson Can you imagine not being able to introduce yourself without struggling to pronounce your own name? What would your life be like if you had to battle every time you said "hello"? How would you feel if a mob of security guards surrounded you at Wal-Mart because an employee had mistaken you for being mentally ill ((1))? These are just a few scenarios that 42-year-old Kurt Salierno, a carpenter and minister from Atlanta, encounters everyday. Salierno has a stuttering disorder, which more than 3 million people in the United States and 55 million people around the world struggle with daily. Salierno describes his problem as similar to being trapped in a glass capsule; "I can see out, but there's no way to get out" ((1)). Salierno's feelings and views about what he experiences raises some interesting questions. What is reality like for a person with a stuttering disorder? Is the "I" that is trapped inside the capsule representative of the self that he cannot express due to his disorder? Internally, Salierno is conscious of the words, which he wishes to express. However, Salierno is seldom able to produce these words externally. Does a stutterer create his or her own reality within his or her mind? To the stutterer, does independent experience become reality? With reference to the philosophical thought e xperiment about the tree falling in a forest, does a stutterer make a sound if no one can hear him or her make that sound? Stuttering is a neurological disorder of communication, from which the normal flow of speech is disrupted by repetitions (neu-neu-neuro), prolongations (biiiii-ol-ooogy), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. Rapid eye blinking, tremors of the lips and/or jaw, or other struggle behaviors of the face or upper body may accompany speech disruptions ((3)). Why does stuttering worsen in situations that involve speaking before a group of people or talking on the phone, whereas fluency of speech improves in situations such as whispering, acting, talking to pets, speaking alone, or singing ((1))? In ancient times, physicians believed that the stutterer's tongue was either too long or too short, too wet or too dry. Therefore, practitioners from the mid-1800s tried surgical remedies such as drilling holes into the skull or cutting pieces of the tongue out to eliminate stuttering ((1) ).