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Microbiology for Developing the Culture and Storing

Question: Examine about a man with a careful injury after a prosthetic hip position? Answer: Presentation Suitable lab practices...

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Microbiology for Developing the Culture and Storing

Question: Examine about a man with a careful injury after a prosthetic hip position? Answer: Presentation Suitable lab practices can spare lives and improve the personal satisfaction (Hakim et al., 2014). For this situation, in the event that suitable assortment, security and culture conditions were kept up then the patient would not have endured rehashed episodes of agony. This report examines the ideal practices in the lab which can help keep up the supervision principles. Example assortment convention The example assortment convention ought to be followed, the sort of example ought to be perceived, after assortment the example ought to be shipped in the proper compartment. In the medical clinic, the assortment condition ought to be looked after (Crouch, 2014). For this situation, the joint suction assessment was performed with alert which uncovered overcast synovial liquid. Lab wellbeing Individual and expert degrees of lab security ought to be kept up in the lab to guarantee that each example that comes in for testing is tried appropriately, no contaminant is blended all the while, and the individual playing out the test isn't influenced by the disease. For the situation talked about, hypertension, rankle on the injury and shady synovial liquid uncovers that either a steady disease is there or injury has not recuperated appropriately. Culture Condition The nature of the way of life ought to be kept up to guarantee exact outcomes. Ecological components must be thought of while building up the way of life and putting away the way of life. Causative Agents Diseases can be caused because of various microorganisms. For this situation, bacterial contamination was not found in the gram recoloring report, yet the nearness of rankles on the injury shows that there was some unidentified irresistible operator at work. The proceeded with torment and delicacy of the careful injury may show contamination or unhealed injury. Pathogenesis The disease can spread from the working theater or the home condition of the patient if there should arise an occurrence of contamination after medical procedure. The disease can get moved from the contraption, garments or groups of people through tears, cuts, and wounds. Treatment The diseases can be treated by careful and non-careful procedures. The method of treatment relies upon the seriousness of the contamination, the impact of the disease and the normal outcome. Anticipation Deterrent measures are taken to guarantee that careful injuries are avoided contaminations. The injury is kept spotless and ensured consistently. End Illness control and anticipation isn't a simple activity. All the more critically, contaminations after medical procedure ought to be kept away from or rewarded appropriately. References Squat, R. D. (2014, August). Fortifying security in the lab through an arrangement of exercises in the initial four semesters of the science educational program. InABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY(Vol. 248). 1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA: AMER CHEMICAL SOC. Hakim, J., Matenga, J., Borok, M., Mandinger, N., Ndemera, B., Taziwa, A. (2014). SIDE LAB MANUAL.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Earthquakes and Moving Plates essays

Seismic tremors and Moving Plates expositions One day in my first year science class, I felt the ground moving as though there has been a blast. Before long, I was under the table feeling like I was on a pontoon out in the ocean. Regardless of the sentiment of nausea I was energized and felt favored to encounter the tremor since it was something extremely uncommon. From that second, how the quakes happen and what causes them to change all around went to my nearby consideration. Be that as it may, as a result of the staggering consequence of seismic tremors, here and there it is not entirely obvious the genuine reason for the quakes yet rather center around the harm brought about by the tremors. It is critical to comprehend both the reason for a seismic tremor and how it influences human life just as how to be set up so as to limit the mischief. Numerous individuals know or knew about plate tectonics and its effect on the world. Truth be told, the plate structural is the primary main thrust for seismic tremors happening far and wide. At that point, it is critical to see how the moving plates create quakes. The world's surface, lithosphere, is an inflexible shell, and underneath the lithosphere, there is a hot asthenosphere which finds a feeble spot in the lithosphere to rise (Louie 1). This convection procedure permits the lithosphere to move. At times, the constantly moving plates spread separated from one another, push against one another, or slide along close to one another, making a flaw (Lassieur 19). At the point when the plates advance toward one another, for example, southern Alaska where the Pacific plate is subducting underneath the North American plate, the Earth's biggest seismic tremors, the 1964 Alaskan quake for instance, are commonly framed (A.S.G. 1). For the most part, plates that are moving ceaselessly from one another are arranged in the profound seas and create generally shallow seismic tremors (A.S.G. 2). In instances of the plates sliding by one another, for example, San Andreas deficiency in California, the development may cause many harming quakes. However,... <!

Monday, August 17, 2020

Questions about Blogging

Questions about Blogging Yesterday, a prefrosh friend of mine sent me this Facebook message: I hate to bug you with a blog-related question, but you seem to be the best person to ask. Im considering applying to be a blogger, but Im concerned about the time commitment. My on-campus job is 6-10 hours per week, and I plan on continuing studio art, photo, and dance. I got into F/ASIP and entered the lottery for advising seminars (and may apply for one of the learning communities). Im hoping to do a spring UROP, too. Im pretty organized with academic work, but I still cant gauge how much time everything will consume. Do you think that, even if I got the position, being a blogger would be kind of overkill? I really love the whole concept of the blogs, but I dont want to ruin someone elses chances if my applying isnt appropriate. Many thanks, and hope youre enjoying the rest of your summer! After a little consideration, I sent back this response: During my first semester at MIT, on the academic side of things, I took four science classes, a six-unit advising seminar, and F/ASIP. As far as extracurriculars go, I was involved in student government, MURJ, Assassins Guild, Medlinks training (which was basically my Friday evenings), and other smaller commitments in addition to blogging. Not to mention I had just joined a fraternity, so I spent a lot of time at our house, getting to know my brothers, learning my fraternitys history, and that sort of thing. If you check my blog archive, youll notice that I blogged a lot more during the spring semester than in the fall. And its not because I was less involved in student activities, or spent less time with friends, in the spring. Its because I spent a lot of time during the fall just trying to find my feet, establish my place, and figure out what I really wanted to get out of this crazy, amazing Institute. And to some extent, Im still working on figuring that out. But I certainly knew a lot more in the spring than I did in the fall. My point is, your first semester is pretty much the designated time for you to explore MIT to its fullest, to test the boundaries of what you can do and be involved in. As you go through MIT, youre going to gain a better and better understanding of how to prepare for your classes and your tests and your p-sets, how much time everything is going to take, and generally how to balance work and play. As I said once before, the transition from high school to MIT is not a straight line its a step function. Everyone has their own limits, their own preferred balance between sleeping, studying, and socializing (pick two); and youll figure out what works best for you as you go. Sometimes you end up dropping a club or activity because you turn out to not be quite as interested in it as you thought you were (Ive done this) or that simply takes too much time (Ive done this too). And thats okay. You cant do everything but you definitely can do enough. So, basically, dont worry about the time commitment for blogging, because while its significant, its not that much and its very flexible based on when you have time to blog. The reason why youre asked to put a list of extracurriculars on your blogger application is because, in my opinion and experience, the Admissions Office is looking for diverse people who represent a broad range of MITs multi-faceted culture. One of the secrets about blogging is that it doesnt necessarily have to be your first priority. After all, the idea is that youre going to be blogging about your life at MIT and for that to happen, you need to have a life worth blogging. Ultimately, blogging is part of my play. Its a joy and, quite simply, a privilege for me to share my life with all of you on these blogs, to answer your questions to try and make the admissions process just a little less mysterious, a little more human. And I wouldnt have it any other way. In addition to this direct question, Ive seen quite a few prefrosh discussing the blogging application and related topics with their friends. While most of you seem to have everything under control, I have noticed a few common questions, so hopefully I can help clear those concerns up. If you have any questions of your own, feel free to ask in the comments (anonymously is fine) and Ill update this entry accordingly. How did you feel when you were applying to be a blogger? In a word, terrified. I know thats a weird reaction, but its true and the reason was because thats how much the blogs meant to me. During my senior year of high school, after I had visited MIT for the first time, the blogs became my lifeline back to Boston. Reading the blogs enabled me to feel like I was still connected to campus like I was already a part of MIT. I applied to be a blogger because I wanted nothing more than to be able to give back to the blogs, to help other students fall in love with MIT in the same way I did. Hopefully Ive done an okay job. :) Who picks the new bloggers? As has become tradition, the blogger selection committee will include Matt and this years senior bloggers: Laura and Lulu. Others might be involved as well, but their identities are a tightly-held secret. ;) So what role do you have in this process, Paul? Absolutely none. Ill continue to read the blogs of prefrosh that Ive befriended over the past few months, but thats it; I wont be sending Matt my recommendations or anything like that. And while I wont read your application for you, Im more than happy to answer any questions you might have about being a blogger or about the process itself. Ive just started the blog that I plan on submitting. Do I still have a chance? Yes! I started Emergent the personal blog that I ended up submitting as my portfolio a mere two weeks before the blogging application came out. So dont worry about it. And while I would encourage you guys to all be as prolific as you can, quality is much more important than quantity. Where have all the aardvarks gone? Good question, I wish I knew.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

The Truth Behind The Myth - 1471 Words

Lauren Gualdino Midterm Paper ENGL 225 DLA Professor Tuncel The Truth Behind the Myth Greek literature can be looked at as being indispensable when trying to understand the past. Many scholars have spent great lengths of time studying and interpreting the different works that have come to be most identified as Greek literature. In many of these works they can be looked at as having fairytale-like qualities in the way that magic and folklore is intertwined into historical perspectives. History plays an important role in greek literature, it breathes life into stories that have come to be so widely read and known, that the line between truth and myth has become blurred. Dating back to as early as 900 BCE many of the Greek literature works were not written down, such as the poems of Homer. They were told orally, passed on like a campfire story. Homer authored both The Iliad and The Odyssey. The Iliad is the story of the Trojan war, while The Odyssey is about Odysseus’ ten year adventure home from the war. â€Å"The story of the Trojan War, the Bronze Age con flict between the kingdoms of Troy and Mycenaean Greece, straddles the history and mythology of ancient Greece and inspired the greatest writers of antiquity† (Trojan War, history.com). Homer’s poem paints a very vivid picture when it comes to his recount of the war. He describes in great detail how the war went on for ten years and how the great Odysseus rose to be the greatest warrior of his time. There areShow MoreRelatedWhat Is the Difference Between Myth and Theory?1326 Words   |  6 Pagesthe difference between myths and theories? Well that’s an easy question to answer isn’t it; myths involve fiction while theories involve facts, we should not make any parallels between science and superstition. There, we’ve answered the question, or have we? Although many people will agree that myth and theory are two totally different things, I would debate that the line between the two is much thinner than one would think. In fact in some cases the lin e is inexistent and myths make up theory, justRead MoreFoundations of Mythology870 Words   |  4 Pagesthe word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, â€Å"It’s a myth† mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words. The statement â€Å"It’s a myth† to me means that it is not true or not fully true. There may be some truth but there is some false information added to the story. Myths- the rich rewards awaiting questioners willing to approach myths from numerousRead MoreAnalysis Of The 12 Labours Of Hercules980 Words   |  4 PagesThe twelve labours of Hercules is a myth because it is a story passed down all the way to today’s generation, making it be a traditional tale. Hercules is originally a Roman god; however, it is similar to the Greek’s version of Heracles. This myth is originally from the Latin language--which is typically used by the Romans. The twelve labours of Hercules was originally written by Peisanders and was then lost in 600 B.C. Hercules was born a demigod with supernatural powers that established the patternsRead MoreAnalysis Of Archeology : My Own Words, It Is The Study Of The Past Through The Things889 Words   |  4 PagesArcheology: in my own words, it is the study of the past through the â€Å"things† that were left behind by those who came before us. I think everyone can agree there is something fascinating about picking up an old knife or pot of clay and wondering what life was like when it was created. It seems like it is no surprise that so many people could easily believe legends of a lost city or of great giants ruling the earth long ago. Such legends seem to only add to the mystery and wonder of the past. HoweverRead MoreTeamwork Myth808 Words   |  4 Pagesstart to question many of the lessons we were taught as a child and we find them to be nothing but a myth. Our textbook describes at least six-myth involving teamwork and we will identify why it is a myth and the actual reality in teamwork. Our textbook describes the following as myth regarding teamwork and there is some truth to each of the myths but that doesn’t mean it’s completely true. The first myth states that ‘teams are harmonious people’, which mean that people in a group compromises their needsRead MoreDiving Into the Wreck877 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"Diving Into The Wreck†, Rich’s well crafted imagery and use of an extended metaphor helps to develop a powerful theme. In this poem, Rich suggests once people go through a traumatic experience they tend to hide behind a false memory they create in order to protect themselves. In order for people to completely heal themselves, they must be willing to go back into the memories they have suppressed. By taking this journey, they can reclaim what beauty was lost and put to rest the damage thatRead MoreMy Naked Truth : I Am Passionate About Self Care911 Words   |  4 PagesMy Naked Truth: I’m passionate about self-care. I want to break down the negative ideas that exist when it comes to building healthy self-care habits. It makes me sad that even today self-care continues to be misunderstood by so many. How often have you felt guilty when you have prioritised your needs? Women can experience this more than men given the caregiver role attached to them in society. Given the skewed and ‘wishy-washy’ ideas that exist when it comes to self-care it’s no wonder that manyRead MoreEssay about Homosexuality is a Choice Rather than Genetics749 Words   |  3 Pageschoice rather than genetic? To answer this question well start off by revealing some myths of homosexuality. The next part will explain the difference between a behavioral trait and a genetic trait. Finally Ill end be unveiling the truth behind the homosexual gene. There are many things that the homosexual activists say are true, but those truths are merely myths in need of correction. The first of these myths says homosexuals are normal, healthy, everyday people, but on the contrary they areRead MoreEssay on Adrienne Richs Diving Into the Wreck1075 Words   |  5 Pagesrole of the hero and the strategy for success in her second schema. In the second schema the hero goes on a journey where she discovers her true identity, both female and male. The hero prepares for the journey into the sea by reading the book of myths, collecting a camera and knife, and putting on a diving suit. The diver is alone, unlike Jacques Cousteau, who had a team to accompany him on his dives. She brings a camera because she will find things on her dive that she does not want to forget.Read MoreExplaining Diversity Essay1090 Words   |  5 Pagesbiological factors are the main determinants of individual behavior. This theory is greatly reliant on a culture looking for a direct cause and effect relationship between the genetic makeup of humans and social ability. Like this belief, the Origin Myth in Malanowskis Magic, Science, and Religion explains how a certain Indonesian culture, namely the Trobrianders, explains their creation by using stories, experience and presentation. They argue there was an underworld world previous to life on Earth

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

25 Active Adjectives for Your Résumé

In the United States, distance learning at the college level has some advantages but also some disadvantages that are pertinent to your ability to get the job you want with your online degree. It  becomes especially important for graduates of distance learning institutions to take steps to overcome this deficit when applying for a job. Your rà ©sumà © is where youll start. Deficits the Rà ©sumà © Can Help Overcome Employers often have some reservations about hiring graduates of online institutions—an attitude confirmed by a doctoral research study, The Market Value of Online Degrees as a Credible Credential, as well as by reports in U.S. News World Report,  The New York Times,  and elsewhere. The research study and news reports indicate that some reservations about distance learning graduates are simply the consequence of a lack of familiarity with the quality of education some online institutions offer—a reservation probably exacerbated by the well-publicized downfalls in of a few online degree institutions in recent years, especially the widely reported failure of The University of Phoenix. Beyond general (and sometimes not fully informed) objections to online learning by corporations considering new hires, there are some recurrent specific objections in the research study and news reports that you will need to address, including: Objections to degrees from unaccredited institutions;Objections to degrees from unfamiliar institutions;The belief that science and engineering (and some other) courses require hands-on classroom experience unavailable online;The absence of the kind of social experience available in brick-and-mortar institutions that prepare students for corporate employment—especially experience working in teams. How to Overcome These Deficits in Your Rà ©sumà © Here are some of the things you can do in your rà ©sumà © to combat these perceived deficits. Make it easy for whoever reads your rà ©sumà © to believe in the validity of your institution. Theres no one right way to do this but consider footnoting the first mention of your institution with a short but specific reference to its government accreditation. Dont simply supply the U.S. Department of Educations general website. Report concisely on the specifics of the governments accreditation of your particular institution. In no more than a sentence or two, differentiate your institution from others of lesser repute. If your institution has some famous alums, mention one or (at most) two.  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹ Briefly—this is the most important word to remember when drafting your rà ©sumà ©Ã¢â‚¬â€point to whatever you can that establishes that while your institution may not be widely known, its an institution thats been in business for a while and is widely respected. If youve had other kinds of hands-on experience (and many distance learners have) state this early in your rà ©sumà © to dispel the idea that your online degree hasnt provided you with real-world experience. Make it clear youve had other experiences related to your field that are equally valid. Show that youre comfortable and experienced working with others, either in some program that your online institution provides or through your life experiences. Help your rà ©sumà ©Ã‚  reviewer understand your strong points by using a few adjectives that point them out. Strong Resume Adjectives You are: DeterminedHardworkingDiligentTrustworthyA team playerMotivatedReliableA self-starterLoyalStudiousAttentiveConscientiousIndustriousPersistentDynamicEnergeticEnterprisingEnthusiasticAggressiveConsistentOrganizedProfessionalMethodicalSkillfulPassionate

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Organizational Implications of Robotics Free Essays

string(84) " that support the robots that affect the putrescence of o†sanitation†s\." Forecasts of how many robots will be used In 1990 I- the u-led States range between 75,000 and 150,000 (Hunt Hunt, 1983). Little Is known, however, about how Individual employees react to the Introduction of robots or about the changes needed In organizations to support robotics. Our research focuses on â€Å"deterrents†g the human side of robotics–how Individuals react to robots, how and when organizations should be modified to support robotics, and what effective strategies are for the Implementation of robotics. We will write a custom essay sample on The Organizational Implications of Robotics or any similar topic only for you Order Now The Robot Institute of America defines a robot as a programmable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move objects through variable programmed motions to perform a variety of tasks (Robot Institute of America, 1982). Two characteristics differentiate taboos from most other forms of automation: multiple task capability and programmability. The robots used most frequently in U. S. Factories today, in jobs that involve moving material, welding, drilling, or spray painting, are called level To’ first-generation robots. Researchers are now in the process of developing taboos, known as level II or second-generation robots, with more sophisticated sensing and thinking capabilities. For example, a level II robot that is capable of identifying the location of parts of different shapes and sizes is currently bee†g developed. Other examples of level II robots include those that mine underground coal seams, detect gas leaks, or perform sophisticated I†speciation tasks. Ares and Miller (1983) provide a good description of the current and expected future capabilities of robotics. 2 1:1 this paper. E first develop a GE:learn framework for’ the effects of robots I:altitudes and We I:electorate from our field studies of the implementation:l of robotics as well as from other field studies f the Impact of robotics our general framework. The methodology and results of our field studies are described in greater detail In Argots, Goodman, a:old Cascade (1983) a:old Argots and Goodman (1984). We co nclude the paper with suggestions for researchers who are analyzing the Implementation of robotics and with recommendations for managers who plan to utilize robotics In their organizations. A General Framework The use of robotics may have a profound effect on the organization of work a. ‘old on the productivity of tessellations. Robots typically require :lee skills of both reduction and technical support personnel and require closer l:alterations among functional areas (Argots. Goodman, Cascade, 1983). Robots may displace some Technology Assessment, 1984). Robots may also enable organizations to be more flexible by decreasing set-up times associated WI the product changeovers. Moreover, robots may enable organizations to achieve greater consists:LLC I:l the quality of their products (Ares Miller, 1983; Guest, 1984). In this section, we develop a general framework for anticipating these effects of robots on individuals and organizations s well as for predict:leg the conditions under which the use of robots will enhance organizational performance. Organizational Performance L â€Å"l order to present our general framework, we first must discuss the concept of organ:location:ala performance. Organizations can be thought of as consisting of three basic components–people, etc†Ã¢â‚¬ logy. And structure. 3 It is the compatibility between† these three basic comps†e†TTS of organ†Tioga:l’s that determined†sees their Performa†CE (Alleviate, 1965; Emery Trust, 1973). Organizational performance is a complex variable with multiple dimensions (Goodman Pen†inns, 1977; Katz Kahn, 1978). Examples of performance criteria that are critical in the manufacture:leg environment are productivity, product quality, manufacture:leg flexibility, absenteeism, turnover, and employee motivation and well-bee:leg. These criteria may vary in importance over time and to different constituencies. For example, sales and marketing departments may place a higher premium on manufacturing flexibility than other functional areas because it enables the organization to adapt to customers’ needs in a timely fashion. Similarly, manufacture:leg flexibility may be ore important in early than in late stages off product’s life cycle (Kaplan, 1983). Further, these performance crib terra are likely to be interrelate Ted, sometimes complex ways. For example, employee motivation may be positively related to work unit productivity under conditions of uncertain:let that occur, for example, when a machine breaks down, while employee motivation may have little effect on the productivity of capital-I:latencies firms under route†e or programmed condo actions (CB. Goodman, 1979). Similarly, productivity, at least measured I† the short tune, may be negatively associated with manufacture:leg flexibility. The complexity of the concept of organizational performance suggests that understanding the impact and effects of :lee technologies requires an appreciation of the interrelationships among the elements of organizations. It also suggests the †deed for exam†I:leg multiple performance criteria a:old the trade-offs among them. Further research is :leaded to identify how the I†duration:l of robots will affect the elements of an organization a:old the conditions under which these elements may be 4 compatible. He few exists†g meme†kcal studies of the of robots (Argots, Goodman, Cascade, 983; Argots Goodman†, 1984; Office of Technology Assessment, 1984) and thee-ethical work on Job design, o†generational SST†structure, o†generational effective†sees, a†d the introduction of change enable us to sug gest what these effects a†e likely to be and when the use of †boots is likely to e†ha†CE manufacture†I†g pee†finance We want to emphasize that us’†g robots does not automatically imply certain consequence†sees for organizations but rather it is the interplay between characteristics of the technology, the manner in which it is I†traduced, the organization’s structure, For example, some companies p†ovoid little training of† their robot operators and design the Jobs of operators such that they have little autonomy and are very dependent on technical support staff. Other comma†sees provide more trait†ins for their operators, design more autonomy into their Jobs, and expect them to be actively involved in patriotism†g the operation of the robots. Our sense is that the latter approach to design†ins the operator’s Job results in more motivated operators and a speedier and smoother implement†taxation than the boomer. The technology in each approach is the same. It is the supporting organizational arrangements that are different. Thus, the use of robots does not determine certain consequences for organizations. Instead it is the relationship between characteristics of the robots, the people who operate and maintain the robots, and the organizational arrangements that support the robots that affect the putrescence of o†sanitation†s. You read "The Organizational Implications of Robotics" in category "Papers" I†dividable Employees We †owe turn to what is known about how the I†durationâ €  of â€Å"O bots typically affects individual employees I† organ†actions. The I†duration† of robots usually changes the skills and Job activities of I†dividable employees. In our study off plant in the metal-working industry, the introduction of a robot that performed material handling activities caused a shift in the robot operators’ Jobs from primarily manual to primarily mental activities (Argots, Goodman, Cascade, 1983). The Office of Technology Assessment (TOT) reports a similar change with the introduction of welding robots in the automobile industry: the introduction of the robots removed some of the physical demands from the Jobs of human operators (TOT, 1984). Thus, the introduction of robots in both studies had a positive effect on employees’ work environments: the robots assumed some of the very physically demanding tasks otherwise performed by humans. At the same time, both studies found that the introduction of robots had certain negative effects on employees. Operators in our study reported that they experienced more stress and less control after the robot SASS introduced (Argots, Goodman, Cascade, 1983). Similarly, the TOT report indicates that direct production employees felt less control with the introduction of the welding robots, because their Jobs were now tied to an assembly line (TOT, 1984). Repair supervisors in the TOT report also experienced greater stress upon the implementation of robots, apparently due to the pressures of maintaining a complex and highly integrated production system (TOT , 1984). Based on previous research, we expect that if the I†transduction of robots leads to employees experiencing less control over their work environment, then they will be less satisfied, less motivated, and experience more stress upon the introduction of new technologies (Blabber, 6 1964; Hack† Lawyer, 1971; Hickman Lolled, 1975; Sutton Kahn, in press). We also expect that systems that are very complex or characterized by low reliability will be associated with increased stress (Bright, 1958; TOT, 1984). The experience of variety and feedback on the Job promotes employee well-bet†g (Hickman Lolled, 1975). If the use of robotics affects the variety and feedback employees experience, then we expect corresponding changes in their satisfaction and motivation. Along these lines, the TOT report I†dictates that mat†tenancy introduction of welding robots: the maintenance workers’ Jobs were characterized by greater variety and more challenge (TOT, 1984). The introduction of robotics typically changes the skill requirements of both production and technical support personnel. As noted earlier, the use of robots usually shifts operators’ Jobs from manually-oriented to mentally-oriented activities. If these changes are compatible with employees’ skills and preferences, employees will feel more satisfied and less stress with the change. Strategies are suggested later in this chapter for maximizing the fit between employees and their Jobs and for designing the Jobs of employees, both direct and indirect, who must interact with robots. The manner in which robots are implemented may also affect employee reaction to the change. Coco and Fresh’s (1948) classic study indicates that introducing change n a participative fashion increases the likelihood that employees will react positively to change. Other researchers have also stressed participation as a key variable in determining the extent to which employees react positively to change (Cotter Schlesinger, 1979; Deteriorate al. , 1983). While employees I† the two organizations we studied did †to participate at all in any decisions surrounding the I†transduction of the robots, employees at both organizations desired more that† they actually had (Argots, Goodman, Cascade, 1983; Argots Goodman, 1984). The discrepancy between how much influence they actually had and how much they desired was especially pronounced at the second organization we studied, possibly because the organization was unionized and had a tradition of employee participation. While employees desired more influence, they acknowledged that the implementation of robotics is a complex activity requiring technical expertise that they generally do not possess. Hence, employees did not expect a great deal of influence in decisions regarding robotics. They did feel, however, that they had some expertise, especially concerning work processes and machines in their department, and that they should be involved in socio† related to their areas of expertise. Another dimension of the implementation process is the method organizations use to communicate with employees about the introduction of robotics. Organizations may use a variety of communication mechanisms, including talks by the plant manager, meetings with first-line supervisors, and demonstrations. L† our research, we examined how effective employees rated the various communication sources their organizations used to introduce robotics. Our results indicate that demonstrations of the operation of robots are [dated by employees as most effective or increasing their understanding of robots (Argots, Goodman. Cascade, 1983). This result is corroborated by the finding that the demonstration had a greater impact on employees’ beliefs about and attitudes towards robotics than any other communication source the organization used (Argots Goodman, 1985). 8 How employee motivation, satisfaction and stress affect the performance of firms using robotics remains an open question. Teethe is a growing sense in the business literature that these human resource issues are critical too firm’s ability to compete that using robotics and other programmable automation in ways that enhance employee well-being leads to increased organizational efficiency (TOT, 1984). Consequently, it is important that we identify the conditions under which employee motivation, satisfaction, and stress affect the overall performance of firms using robotics. A† interesting hypothesis developed from previous research is that these human resource variables affect the overall performance of work units when nonprogrammer situations occur, for example, a machine breakdown or the introduction of a new product (CB. Goodman, 1979). Under routine operating conditions, human motivation and attitudes †ay have little effect on the performance f robotics systems. That is, human resource variables may matter more when tech. †eulogies are first being implemented, when new products alee being introduced, To’ when unexpected problems arise than when systems are operating routinely. Organizational Structures In addition to affecting individual employees, the introduction of robots may also change the basic structures of organizations–communication within and between departments, decision-making responsibilities, role relationships and the like. In our study, we found that the introduction of a robot led to increased interactions teen production and technical support personnel from engineering and maintenance. Studies of other technologies similar to robots, such as numerical control machines, report similar increases in interaction among production, engineering, and maintenance groups (Williams Williams, 1964; TOT, 1984). 9 The use of robotics also has the potential to chaw:leg collation:lisps between production a:old markets:leg groups is:lace robots may reduce the time it takes to change from one product to another. This potential could e:label organizations both to accommodate a more varied product mix a:old to response:old more easily to customer demands. Although we have :lot yet witnessed a:AY empirical evidence of modified relationships between production and marketing due to the introduction of robots, these changes might occur as more robots are put on line and linked in integrated systems. There is some evidence that the use of advanced automation on the factory floor may enable organizations to centralize production scheduling decisions (TOT, 1984). This may reduce the need for technical experts who schedule production as well as eliminate scheduling tasks from supervisors’ Jobs. Similarly, intelligent robots that perform inspection tasks may reduce the requirement for facial quality control staff. Indeed the use of intelligent robots may lead to fewer hierarchical levels within organizations as well as too smaller number of direct production workers (Cherty, Dunked, Jordan, Miller, 1984). This is because intelligent systems alee capable of performing many activities, both manual and mental, traditionally performed by supervisors and certain support staff as well as by direct production workers. There are already examples of organizations where the use of programmable automation has led to the elimination of one layer of supervisors Chem.., Sisley, Liker, Earthman, Thomas, 1984). At the same time, the use of intelligent robots may require more individuals with expertise maintaining and programming robots. R Thus far, we have focused on describing how the use of robotics is likely to change these structural changes may be associated with improved manufacturing performance. As noted earlier, the use of 10 robotics typically I†creases the I†trepanned†CE of activities performed by member’s of different functional groups. He†CE the use of robotics usually requires more interaction among these functional areas. We have observed companies where the increased interactions went extremely smoothly, a†d all groups were motivated to cooperate in the implementation of the †ewe technology. We have also observed companies where the increased interaction was characterized by hostility, impede†g the implementation. What differentiates these two situations? In their analysis of interdepartmental conflict in organizations, Walton and Dutton (1969) discuss the conditions under which interdenominational relationships are characterized by conflict. These conditions include: a reward structure that emphasizes the performance of separate roofs; asymmetric interdependence in which one group is more dependent on the other; communication obstacles such as different locations or specialized languages; and aggressive individuals. Applying these findings to the implementation of robotics provides insight in predicting when the increased interactions required by the use of robotics are likely to be smooth and when they are likely to be confliction. If a company’s reward structure emphasizes the putrescence of separate groups, we expect the introduction of robotics to be characterized by conflict. This might occur, for example, if production groups are threaded according to short-term efficiency figures while engineering groups are rewarded for the number of †ewe equipment pieces they introduce. Asymmetric interdependence is also likely to contribute to conflict. This situation characterizes most introductions of new technology where, at least in certain stages of the implementation, production is more dependent on engineering for hardware and software then engineering is dependent on production. The effect of asymmetric needs on conflict is 11 moderated by the company’s reward system. A reward system that emphasizes the performance of operate groups will only amplify the conflict potential of asymmetric interdependence. Instead, a reward system that has a more global and long-term orientation may foster cooperation and reduce the potential for conflict caused by asymmetric interdependence. When the functional groups that must interact to implement new technology are located in different areas or use different terminologies, conflict is likely to surround the process. Conversely, if the different groups are located near each other, sit in on each other’s meetings to understand each other’s goals and constraints, and use a common language, then we expect the interactions required by the introduction of robotics to be more graceful. Finally, the nature of people who play key roles in the introduction, such as the lead engineer, affects the level of conflict. When key positions are occupied by . †aggressive, authoritarian individuals concerned primarily with their own careers, the probability of conflict increases. The behavior of these individuals also will be affected, of course, by the company’s reward sys tem. †other structural issue raised by the implementation of robotics concerns the balance between centralization and decentralization in a organization. Current How to cite The Organizational Implications of Robotics, Papers

Monday, May 4, 2020

Grace Nichols is a Caribbean poet Essay Example For Students

Grace Nichols is a Caribbean poet Essay Grace Nichols is a Caribbean poet. She was born in Georgetown in 1950 and grew up in a small village on the Guyanese coast. In 1977 she moved to the United Kingdom as an act of independence and to experience a different type of culture. She wanted to escape the Caribbeans long history of violence, invasions and slavery. Grace came to Britain seeking an identity, however through her poetry she shows that she will always be proud of her heritage and that her heart lies in the Caribbean. The issue of cultural identity is very important to her, as she feels torn between two cultures. She is searching for something which feels natural to her. Caribbean life is natural to her however, after spending so much time in the UK, going back home would be strange. The three poems link together sharing memories of childhood in the Caribbean and memories of adulthood in the U. K. The poems follow a cycle of life. The first talks of childhood- Praise song for my mother, the second of adulthood- Fat black woman, and the third, of death- Tropical death. The language she uses represents the attitude of the people from the country. For example, Creole is a free-speaking dialect- not restricted by punctuation or spelling. This represents the Caribbean and its laidback, un-restricted attitude whereas Standard English has to be carefully constructed and its restricted format represents the English culture. There is a good example of the varied dialects in her writing in her poem Fat Black woman. An example of Creole is and de weather so cold. But she later goes on to say frozen thin mannequins which is an example of Standard English. Praise song for my mother shows positive colours of the Caribbean all the way through. It uses images to compare her mother with features of the Caribbean. The poem admires her mother for bringing her up and loving and caring for her. She later admires her for giving her freedom and letting her go. She is not inhibited or stifled. She is natural with her feelings and emotions. Standing alone is giving a positive image also. The layout of the poem resembles childhood. Three simple stanzas all beginning with you were. The poem is full of colourful Caribbean references. It has a different structure to the other two poems as it has almost half the amount of words. She has also fused her childhood memories with her adulthood, which emphasizes her cultural struggle. The poem is written from a childs point of view. Grace Nichols poetry shows clearly her search for her cultural identity. The negative imagery of the U. K and positive of the Caribbean shows she prefers her home country and feels more comfortable there. Fat black Woman is a poem that attacks the stereotypical views of the English people. The title itself is an attack on the stereotypical image of a Caribbean woman. The poem shows a fat black woman who goes shopping to find that all the clothes are too small for her. As she enters the shops, the sales girls frown upon her. The poem gives a negative view of the U. K from the very beginning as it starts Shopping in London winter, a real drag for the fat black woman. This immediately gives a negative view in terms of weather but she continues to give negative views when she moves on to colour. London is made to sound unwelcoming and bad weather is a recurring image throughout all of the poems. Nothing bright and billowing to flow like breezy sunlight is a line that suggests that in the Caribbean there would be colourful clothes as it is a bright and colourful place; not dull and stormy like the U. K. .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 , .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .postImageUrl , .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 , .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864:hover , .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864:visited , .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864:active { border:0!important; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864:active , .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864 .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue25ad5dfa2dbfcc98ea2daf5a430c864:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Pope, Swift and the age of reason EssayThe simile like breezy sunlight appears to be referring to the type of clothing she is looking for but, on closer inspection, this relates to the rhythmic, slow paced but comfortable Caribbean lifestyle. Nichols comments on Britains obsession with appearance and her words suggest the sale girls are shallow and only see her for her size. De pretty face sale gals exchanging slimming glances. Emphasis on size is repeated because British stores generally only cater for thin women and only employ those with good looks and nice bodies. The fat black woman feels she is getting nowhere, like she will never fit in. She is still confused as to why she came to Britain à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" all this journeying and journeying for what? On the surface this line appears to relate to the shopping trip, going from store to store. However, what she is really trying to say is that traveling all the way to Britain did not get her anywhere and if anything, made her unhappier. To Nichols, the British are cold and impolite and their smiles are false. Look at the frozen thin mannequins fixing her with grin. Use of assonance here creates a cold, sharp tone. Grace Nichols also uses ambiguity in this poem. For example, she writes the choice is lean- nothing much beyond size 14. This line is referring to the variety of clothes as well as stating that the stereotypical British woman has a lean body. It also shows again the stereotypical views of the English, as clothes beyond a size fourteen are hard to get because they make their clothes for thin people. This joke at the end is written to make you feel sorry for the fat black woman. Tropical death is another poem about a fat black woman who wants a Caribbean funeral, not an English one. The title gives us instant contrast. Tropical shows warmth, colour, and happiness whereas Death shows coldness and sadness. As in the previous poems there are also contrasting descriptions of Britain and the Caribbean. Everything about Britain is negative and cold in this poem making the colourful and lively Caribbean sound much more appealing. The poem uses an abundance of Creole and Standard English. She describes an English funeral as a polite hearse withdrawal to show that the emotions are controlled and stifled whereas a Caribbean funeral is considered a celebration. We know this by the line a brilliant tropical death yes, written in Creole. No quiet jerk tear wiping is a quote that shows she doesnt want people to hold back at her funeral also, monosyllabic words describing a stereotypical Brit at a funeral creates a mocking effect. The line some brawl represents the Caribbean lifestyle. It shows how she wants a fuss made at her funeral-some excitement at the celebration of her life. First night third night nine night, repetition here emphasizes how long she wants the wake to go on for; also it imitates the rhythmical beat of the Caribbean steel drums and of a heart. The lines are also shortened, making them stand out and again, creating a slow rhythm. More than anything, the fat black woman wants to return home to her motherland and family, In the heart of her mothers sweet breast and she wants the protection of her Caribbean roots, In the shade Of the sun leafs cool bless. She now knows what she wants and where her cultural identity lies. The poem is concluded with confirmation of her longing to return home as it ends with a simple yes. From studying the poems it is clear that Grace Nichols is a troubled and confused woman, searching for somewhere she truly belongs. It is evident throughout her poetry that she isnt where she wants to be as Britains culture differs intensely with that of the Caribbean.

Sunday, March 29, 2020

Buddhism In America Essays - Spirituality, Mindbody Interventions

Buddhism In America The stresses and intensity of modern American society have influenced many people to adopt and adapt the principles of Buddhism and other Eastern religions. Some recent statistics from the US department of Health and Human Services show that 75% of the General Population experiences at least "some stress" every two weeks (National Health Interview Survey). Half of those experience moderate or high levels of stress during the same two-week period. It is common knowledge that stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and other illnesses in many individuals. Stress also contributes to the development of alcoholism, obesity, suicide, drug addiction, cigarette addiction, and other harmful behaviors. It was reported that tranquilizers, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications account for one fourth of all prescriptions written in the US each year. With so many mental health problems, it is almost reassuring that Eastern religions are steadily growing. Buddhism On The Move Eastern religions have been practiced in Asia and the Subcontinent for thousands of years longer than Christianity. Buddhism, a main religion of Asia has been practiced in Tibet for Millennia. Buddhism, Zen and Hindu were first introduced to the western world in 1893 at the World Religions Conference in Chicago. The Dalai Lama represented Buddhism and D.T. Suzuki represented Zen. However, Eastern religions went relatively ignored until 1959, when the Chinese invasion of Tibet left 1.3 million Tibetans dead and 6,000 Buddhist monasteries destroyed. Tibetan refugees escaped to bordering countries and some fled farther to the US and Europe. Those who fled remembered how the Buddha taught his enlightened disciples to continue to spread his teachings. "With the Chinese Invasion of Tibet, it was as if a dam had burst; suddenly Tibetan wisdom began to flow freely down from the roof of the world and to the West...and there to fulfill the prophecy come Westerners looking for guidance and eager to develop their own spiritual lives and transplant the flowering tree of enlightenment to their own lives."(Das, 29) The first westerners to begin to adopt Eastern principles were often people on the fringes of society or in the avant-garde of the arts, literature, and philosophy. The beatniks in the 50's, the Hippies in the 60's and 70's. Evidence of eastern thought in the writings of Jack Kerouac, Hippies ? George Harrison and the Beatles studying with the Maharishi Mahesh Yoga. Richard Albert turned his name to Baba Ram Das. In our society today, it seems like everyone knows someone into Eastern religion. From businessmen to politicians to celebrities individuals are joining meditating groups while still maintaining ties to their traditional faiths to "wet their feet" in more satisfying and less materialistic lives. "At retreats you're likely to find yourself sitting next to a stockbroker or a therapist or a retired social worker who may or may not claim to be Buddhist."(Wood, 3) "Unlike the rush of mostly younger Americans to Buddhism that occurred in the 1950's and 1960's, the new ranks include a larger percentage of seekers over 50"(Wood, 2). Now in the West we see many variations of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Zen, such as Mahayana, Pali, and Vajpareena. Our new, multi-religious land that combines Eastern and Western religion can be described as "the scientific West arriving at something like the fusion of the Confucian cultivation of virtue through the bonds of family and community, Taoist laissez-faire and yearning for nature, and Buddhist compassion for man's need for Nirvana."(Layman, 80) We have adapted religions in many ways to fit our lives. "Buddhism in America is characterized by great diversity, with both conservative and liberal trends within the same sect and denomination of course, differences in furnishings and hairstyles are superficial, and are either tangential or irrelevant to the Buddhist system of beliefs and basic way of life. But fundamental and widespread changes in American Buddhism are occurring. Its priests and adherents are recognizing that Buddhism must be shown to have relevant approaches to the problems which plague American Society. Accordingly, sermons and lectures delivered by the clergy are making less use of illustrations recounted by ancient Buddhist saints and are becoming more applicable to everyday living in modern American society."(Layman, 32) As a result, "The ancient religion of Buddhism grows even stronger roots in a new world, with the help of the movies, pop culture, and the politics of repressed Tibet." (Van Biema, 1) Because of the inroads that eastern religions have made in our country there is an increase in personal reform via retreats, "sanghas" ? a circle of friends who regularly meditate together, and self-help groups. We are

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Electricity Safety Research Paper Example

Electricity Safety Research Paper Example Electricity Safety Paper Electricity Safety Paper Essay Topic: City Lights 1. Introduce electricity.  2. Why is electricity dangerous? a) Relationship between current and voltage.   b) How a person completes a circuit.  3. Why is electricity useful?  4. How can you avoid accidents?  5. How can you help someone who got a shock?  6. How do we practice safety at home and school?  At home electricity runs the lights, television, toaster and more. Electricity is a form of energy. Energy is power, the power to do and move things, and to make things work. Electricity is made up of atoms. An atom centre includes at least one proton and neutron. At many a least one electron travels around the centre of the atom at a huge amount of speed. The movement of electrons produces electricity. There are many ways of finding electricity or getting electrified. There are also many kinds of electric types, for example static electricity. To learn about static electricity you have to learn about the nature of matter. In other words, what is all the stuff around us made of?  If you walk across a rug, and reach for the doorknob you will receive a static electric shock. Or, if you come inside from the cold, pull off your hat and all your hair stands on end. You will also receive an electric shock. The movement of electricity is very dangerous. If electricity travels through you, you could easily, seriously get hurt or even die. Electricity can travel through you, if you touch an electric circuit and the ground at the same time; you become electricitys easiest path.  You can avoid these kinds of accidents by keeping all electrical appliances away from water. This is because water is a great conductor of electricity. Another way to avoid is to make sure your hands are dry when you are about to anything electrical. An additional way to avoid electrical accidents is to not use water when putting out an electrical fire. However you should use a multipurpose fire extinguisher. A current is the flow of electrons. A voltage calculates how much energy the light bulb takes up, by calculating the energy before it reaches the bulb and after. The relationship between a current and a voltage is that both calculate electrons but in a different way. A current calculates the flow of electrons. However a voltage calculates the amount of electronic energy the bulb takes up.  For electricity to travel where we need it to travel, there must be a complete circuit of electricity. A circuit is like a circle. To complete a circuit you first need to connect one end of each wire to the light bulb base. Then you tape one free wire end to each end of the battery. In this experiment you need a cell battery, a volt light bulb, a light bulb base, masking tape, and a strand copper wire. Electricity is useful as I have written before that it runs the lights, television, toaster, and more. Its hard to even imagine what your life would be like without it. The more you know about how electricity works. The better you can keep yourself, your friends, and your family safe!  You receive an electric shock when an electric current enters your body. You can help someone when they get a shock in many ways. You can help someone who gets an electric shock by either shutting off the source of electricity if you can without hurting yourself. You can use a non-conducting object like a wooden broom if you need to break the connection between the person and the current. After you get that person no longer in contact with the current, check the persons breathing. If its rapid, irregular, or stopped, have someone else call emergency. If the person is fine look for burned skin, if he/she has no burned skin it could still be deep and painful in the inside.  You can practice safety at home by replacing frayed wires, when you are outside, especially after a storm, watch out for broken poles and downed wires, and make sure appliances are turned off when not in use. You can also practice safety at school by teachers teaching you. You could also practice safety at school by keeping a fair distance away from fire or electricity or even electric wires while doing an experiment and it is not turned off. Bibliography www.sciencemadesimple.com.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

How does John Lewis profit sharing with their employees benefit the Literature review

How does John Lewis profit sharing with their employees benefit the company - Literature review Example When the employees get the feelings of ownership, they increase their contribution toward the business profitability. The profit sharing approach works best when the business and the management educate the employees in understanding the business challenges hence work hard to get solutions. There are two way communications that create a hardworking culture; employee involvement and flat management (Melton, Smith & Yates 2008). In this strategy, the employer provides the employees cash and bonuses. The employer pays the workers extra money depending on either their individual level of performance or the company’s performance level. The management will have to deduct the extra payment as an expense but will pay income tax from that amount (Latta 2005). A company can also award the performance-based incentive in the form of deferred compensation plan. In such a strategy, the employer will add a bonus amount to a pension scheme followed by a deduction of the contribution. The employee will then have to pay the income tax that the contribution amounts to when he/she receives the money from the trust. Various researches indicate that cash reward strategies give better productivity motivation than the deferred compensation plans. The difference is explained by the immediacy resulting from the positive behavior reinforcement (Hallman & Rosenbloom 2003). The last method that a business can use in this strategy is the stock option. Developing companies can use this process, but should be in markets that are growing fast. The company awards the employees the opportunity to buy shares at a specified period at a set price. The employees wait until the company executes the plan in order to start getting the benefits. The company offers stock option as a bonus to employees for inclusion in the profit sharing plan (Gitman & Joehnk 2005). One of the major benefits of this strategy is that it is cheap and flexible while implementing. The employer can

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Facebook Influence Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Facebook Influence - Research Paper Example und to have an influence on the personality, as people have learnt to share the happenings of their life, their state of mind, mood swings and vent out their stress and hard feelings, without having to wait for a live audience or an opportune time. Spending time on Facebook is also found to be a way of overcoming the shyness and inhibitions posed by direct communication methods. It is a way of opening up a person’s personality, making him/her more socially overt and expressive. This is done to the extent of revealing private information, but for the widely published consequences of disclosing such data (Aral, and Walker 337-41). An analysis of the site brought forth the proposition that female users are more influenced by it and consider Facebook an essential part of their daily routine as compared to their male counterparts. The social well-being of women is influenced by the usage of Facebook, as they feel more related to their distant friends and relatives through the site. This is all the more true in case of people in single and divorced status. Another vital observation on the influence of Facebook is that it is leading to a wave of networked progression of culture, interactions and connections (Aral, and Walker 337-41). These factors are in turn making way for a certain amount of uniformity among the users, as social networking has become a vehicle for dissemination of behavioral modes and

Monday, January 27, 2020

Acer Company: Overview and Analysis

Acer Company: Overview and Analysis 1.0 Acer company profile Acer Incorporated is a Taiwan-based multinational electronics manufacturer. Its product includes laptops, desktops as well as servers and storage, personal digital assistance (PDA), peripherals, peripherals and e-business services for government, business, education, and home users. Acer is the third largest computer manufacturer in the world behind HP and Dell. The company also owns the largest franchised computer retail chain in Taipei, Taiwan. Acer was founded by Stan Shih, his wife Carolyn Yeh, and a group of five others as Multitech in 1976. The company was renamed Acer in 1987. It began with eleven employees and US$25,000 in capital. Initially, it was primarily a distributor of electronic parts and a consultant in the use of microprocessor technologies, but over time it began to develop as a PC manufacturer. The global headquarters is located in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. Acer began its foray into laptops with the purchase of Texas Instruments mobile PC division in 1997. In 2000, Ac er spun off its manufacturing operations as Wistron Corporation, to focus on sales and marketing of their core brand. Acer grew worldwide while simultaneously minimizing its labour force by identifying and using marketing strategies that best utilized their existing distribution channels. By 2005, Acer employed a scant 7,800 people worldwide. Revenues rose from US$4.9 billion in 2003 to US$11.31 billion in 2006. Acers North American market share has slipped over the past few years, while in contrast, European market share has risen. On August 27, 2007, Acer announced plans to acquire its US-based rival Gateway Inc. for US$710 million. Acers chairman, J.T. Wang, stated that the acquisition completes Acers global footprint, by strengthening our US presence. In January 2008, Acer announced that it had acquired a controlling interest of 75% of Packard Bell. The Acer 4Group is a family of four brands Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell and eMachines. This unique multi-brand strategy allows each brand to offer a unique set of brand characteristics that targets different customer needs in the global PC market. Today, the Acer Group still strives to break the barriers between people and technology. Its one of the worlds top 3 companies for total PC shipments, is No. 2 for notebooks. 4The successful mergers of Gateway Inc. (October 2007) and Packard Bell Inc. (March 2008) by parent company, Acer Inc., completes the groups global footprint by further strengthening its presence in the U.S. and Europe. Gateway was founded by Ted Waitt in 1985 in an Iowa farmhouse with a US7$10,000 loan guaranteed by his grandmother, a rented computer and a three- page business plan. Today, Gateway has grown into one of Americas best- known PC brands. The brand 7received national acclaim in 1991 when it introduced its distinctive cow-spotted boxes, a tribute to its farming heritage. In early 2004, Gateway acquired eMachines, and later 7moved its headquarters to Irvine, California. In October 2007, Gateway was acquired by Taiwan-based Acer, and the combined entities now comprise the third-largest PC Company in th e world. EMachines, one of the 14worlds fastest growing PC brands, was acquired by Gateway Inc. in March 2004. Marketed to families seeking reliable machines for everyday use, eMachines brings the PC to any and every home in need. 14It remains a stand-alone brand sold through leading retailers, e-tailers and channel partners in the U.S. and selects international markets. 5Packard Bell is one of the rare ones. The brand was born in 1926. In the 1920s and 1930s when radio was all the rage, Packard Bell emerged as a popular brand of console radios with a reputation for elegant design.  The first Packard Bell television sets were launched in 1948, just as the TV revolution was sweeping the world. Fast forward to the end of the 1980s, Packard Bell entered the personal computer market in 1987. It 5pioneered the use of the PC in the home, transforming an unfriendly but useful office tool into a friendly, indispensable feature of todays modern home. The Acer Group CEO and Acer Inc. Chairman, J.T. Wang is tasked with overseeing the groups global competitiveness. Since he assumed chairmanship in 2005, Acer Inc.s consolidated revenues grew from US$9.7 billion to US$14.1 billion in 2007. As the worlds No. 3 vendor for total PCs and No. 2 for notebooks, Acer has set its next goal on becoming the worlds No. 1 notebook vendor. Wangs promotion to Acer Group CEO in June 2008 will ensure smooth integration following the successful mergers of Gateway and Packard Bell and future growth of the group. Wang 17holds a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University and an Executive MBA from Taiwans National Cheng-Chi University. He and his wife have two daughters. 2Gianfranco Lanci, president of Acer Inc. since 2005, assumed duo responsibilities as the company CEO in June 2008 an acknowledgement of his outstanding management. Under his performance-driven leadership, Lancis focus is to enhance the Acer Groups presence globally under a new multi-brand strategy following the recent acquisitions of Gateway and Packard Bell. After Lancis appointment 12as managing director of Acer Italy in 1997, he 12immediately began consolidating the channel- and partner- relations at all levels. His commitment to brand promotion has made Acer the No. 1 ranking notebook brand in Italy since 1997. 2In 2003 Lanci was appointed president of Acers International Operations Business Group, allowing him to be directly involved in the Pan-American market. The designation confirmed Acers acknowledgement of his outstanding channel management and marketing activities, as well as the key role he played for Acers success in EMEA. 3ISO Management System Acer is an ISO 9001 and 14001 certified company, meaning their quality control and environmental management systems meet international standards. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was established in Geneva, Switzerland in February 1947 with the goal to pro mote standardization of related activities in all countries around the world. ISO9001 is primarily concerned with quality management and fulfilment of customer demands for quality. ISO 14001 is primarily concerned with the voluntary establishment of environmental management systems (EMS) specially suited to each company. Each EMS should work to achieve sustainable management through voluntary and sustained improvement of environmental performance by means of pollution prevention and proper management. Acers Quality Policy 18Acers quality policy places an emphasis on delivering zero-defect, competitive products and services to customers on time. The motto proud to serve, proud of Acer shows our commitment to providing professional services. Acer Environmental, Health and Safety Policy As a global IT company focused on marketing and service, Acer endeavours to achieve balanced development in economy, environment and society. They are devoted to environmental protection. 2007/2008 Environmental Objectives The 5 environmental objectives are EMS, Green Product Development, Product Recycling and Treatment Services, Green Supply Chain and Strengthen Environmental Communication Platform. Social Welfare 8Founded in July 1996, the Acer Foundation was established through donations from personnel of various depa rtments throughout the company. Acer Foundations mission is threefold: research and develop technology and management; cultivate talents; and reward and promote service. Strategic Sponsorships Acer has always believed that sports and technology share the same ideals: strength, passion, competitiveness, coherence, skill and the determination to overcome new challenges. Their ability to identify strategically- favourable alliances has also helped make our brands recognized outside the IT industry. Acer has sponsor several events such as the Olympic, Scuderia Ferrari, F.C. International Milano and Yamaha Factory Racing Team. 2.0 Porters Analysis The Porters 5 forces is a simple tool but powerful enough to understand where powers lies in a business situation. Porter have introduce that 5 forces that is 6the bargaining power of customers, the threat of the entry of new competitors, the threat of substitute products, the intensity of competitive rivalry and the bargaining power of suppliers. The bargaining power of customers means the ability of the customers to put the firm under pressure to change the price of the goods and also affects the customers sensitivity to price changes. The customer bargaining power will be high when there a large volume of customers buying the product means theres is concentration of buyers, if these large group of buyer stop buying the product the company will be making a loss of the market share will also making a loss in the profit. The second factor would be the product is undifferentiated and can be replaces by substitutes means the customer can buy the same product from the other manufacturer . Acer substitute would be hp and Dell and Lenovo because they do manufacturer laptop and desktop. But Acer has come out with a very unique line of product that is the Acer Timeline Series, this series offer the screen size from 13.3 inch to 15.6 inch. The threat of the entry of new competitors means the barriers of entering into the industry. There are several things the company needs to be considering before going into any industry that is the high exit costs, interrelated businesses and customer loyalty. There will be high exit cost due to a lot of machinery need to be setups for manufacturing laptop and desktop all this setup need a large amount of money and when the manufacturer tends to leave the business it will lost all of this capital and asset unless he decide to sell those machinery to the other company this well lower down the exit cost. Interrelated businesses means there will be other manufacturer doing the same product as you are manufacturing, means they will be your competitor in the market. Customer loyalty means customer would like to stay with the brand they are using at the moment, this may be the company is doing a really good in after sales service. For example their product like Acer has a 3 year warranty for the laptop, while others rand doesnt provide this service for their customer. The threat of substitute products means the customer can find the product that almost has the same function with your company product. This may be due to the product you are selling is too expensive or the price is not reasonable thus making the customer to buy the product from other manufacturer. The other factor may be current trends now days people like to follow on the latest trend or so called fashion. Acer has come out with the trendiest laptop that is thin and long life time for the battery that can up to 8 hours. That is the Acer Timeline Series it does not only have 8hours of battery life, it also ultra thin that less than 1 inch, that makes conv enient for people to bring along anywhere, it also has multi gesture touch pad which can used like a mouse and also has a HD(high definition) which is as high as 16:9. We can see how it looks like in appendix 1 for the Acer Timeline Series. The Acer Timeline Series will cost from RM 2,000.00 to RM 3,250.00. Even though Apple has come out with the Macbook air but it still doesnt get a lot of attention due to it expensive price its price starts from RM 5,599.00 to RM 6,799.00 and it does not have a long battery life. By referring to appendix 2 we can see how a Macbook Air looks like. Sony has recently launched on 10th November 2009, but it price starts from RM 3,999.00 to RM 5,299.00. We can see how the Sony VAIO X looks like in appendix 3. Overall from the price review Acer Timeline Series still leading ahead of Macbook Air and the Sony VAIO X due to the price. The intensity of competitive rivalry in most industries the intensity of competitive rivalry is the major determinant of the competitiveness of the industry. By sustaining in the market a manufacturer has to make improvement or come out with new products that the other manufacturer does not manufacture or the product can be environmental friendly because now people want things that can reduce rubbish or wastage. Thus this will lead to a high barrier to exit. Acer has been doing this through manufacturing the Acer Timeline Series that allows a long battery life up to 8hours. Acer notebook pc market share in Europe increased in the third quarter of 2004, versus 11.4 percent in the third quarter of 2003. The bargaining power of suppliers is described as the market inputs. Supplier bargaining power will be high when the market is dominated or monopoly by one or a few suppliers. Thus when the supplier refuse to supply goods to the manufacturer the whole manufacturing process will stop. For example Acer main processor supplier will be AMD and Intel. If both of these suppliers simultaneously increase their pric e and Acer has no choice either to continue to buy the processor from them. This will lead the product of Acer to increase the price due to more expensive on processor if this happens consumer will tend to buy other brand of laptop or desktop thus Acer has loss part of its market share. To mitigate the power of supplier is to build win-win relationships with suppliers or arrange to use multiple suppliers. By making a win-win situation we can pay advance payment or pay the debt on time. 3.0 Limitation of the Porters analysis In the Porters analysis it has introduce the 5 forces that is the 6bargaining power of customers, the threat of the entry of new competitors, the threat of substitute products, the intensity of competitive rivalry and the bargaining power of suppliers. Michael Porter 5 forces analysis mostly focus on company external competitive environment. Below are the ways that can be used to overcome the limitation of Porters 5 forces. We can use SWOT analysis to overcome the limitation of Porters 5 forces, SWOT analysis is a strategic planning used to estimate the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats involves in a business operation. It involves specifying the objective of the business operation or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving that objective. When the company has identified their strength they will put more effort to manufacturing or the best good. While the company have known or indentify the weakness they w ill correct it. Thus SWOT analysis will be used in decision making because it can 21provide a good framework for reviewing strategy, position and direction of a company or business proposition, or any other idea.  The strength of Acer is the support sales activities by understanding their customers businesses better and, able to keep fully up to date on their competitors business structure, strategy and prospects and qualify prospective partners and suppliers. PEST analysis can be used to overcome the limitation of Porters 5 forces. PEST stands for political, economic, social, and technological. PEST is a scan of the external macro-environment in which the firm operates. PEST analysis is a useful tool for the company to understand market growth or decline, and as such the position, potential and direction for a business. PEST analysis is a business measurement tool. Based on Acer strong research capabilities it allows them to determine the needs of their customers and their expectations. PEST analysis and market research findings can segment the market and develop cost effective ways of reaching them. This ultimately translates into strengthening Acer position in the market place and displacing competitors. The third way to overcome is the product life cycled (PLC) is 25a new product progresses through a sequence of stages from introduction to growth, maturity, and decline. Product life cycled is developed by Raymond Vernon. After a product moves through all these stages, its pricing, promotion, packaging, and distribution are re-evaluated and changed if required to prolong its life the life span of the product in the market. We can see how a product life cycle will go in the appendix 4. By preventing his product to fall at decline stage, Acer has a plan that is to upgrade his existing laptop into window 7 or by upgrading its storage volume this allow it to keep in trend with the latest window in the market. Value chain analysis is a concept from business management that was first described and popularized by Michael Porter in his 1985. Value chain analysis states how businesses receive raw materials as input, add value to the raw materials through various processes, and sell finished products to customers. By referring to appendix 5 will see the process of value chain analysis. Value chain analysis will help the company to specifically analyze and help create to a competitive advantage. Value chain is a very useful way to deliver maximum value to your consumer and to maximize the value of your product in the market. Acer has making a very wise decision that is by providing its product to have a 3 years warranty, thus customer will prefer to buy Acer because it has a longer period of warranty compare to other brand of laptop. Benchmarking will also be another way to provide solution for the Porters 5 forces. Benchmarking is the process of comparing the business processes and performance metrics including cost, cycle time, productivity, or quality to another that is widely considered to be an industry standard benchmark. There are 4 keys steps involving in the application of benchmarking that is understand in detail existing business processes, analyze the business processes of others, compare own business performance with that of others analyzed and implement the steps necessary to close the performance gap. Acer has used the benchmarking for role of key performance such as quality, distribution, supply chain management and pricing. The last way that I can mention to overcome or give solution is the six sigma. Six sigma is a business management strategy originally developed by Motorola. Six Sigma seeks to improve the quality of process outputs by identifying and removing the causes of defects and controlling variability in manufacturing and business processes. By using the six sigma theory Acer has give a three year warranty on its laptop, this is to give confident to the customer that their lifespan is longer than other brand laptop. 4.0 Conclusion Acer is a laptop and computer manufacturer The Company owns the largest franchised computer retail chain in Taipei, Taiwan. Acer is an ISO 9001 and 14001 certified company, meaning their quality control and environmental management systems meet international standards. Porters 5 forces are a tool that helps company to understand the business environment more. The 5 forces are bargaining power of customers, the threat of the entry of new competitors, the threat of substitute products, the intensity of competitive rivalry and the bargaining power of suppliers. Acer has used these 5 forces to gain the competitive advantage, gaining the market share, and how to provide a win-win relationship with the supplier. Since Porters 5 forces does not really cover all the information that a company need, we have to used other analysis such as SWOT analysis, PEST analysis, product life cycled (PLC), Value chain analysis ,Benchmarking and six sigma . By using this analysis we can overcome the limita tion of Porters 5 forces. Focusing Oriented Counsellor: Career Development Reflection Focusing Oriented Counsellor: Career Development Reflection Dvonne Loring The following essay is a reflective piece on my growth as a Focusing oriented counsellor over the course of the semester. It will document my introduction to focusing as a subject, my experience as a Focuser and as a companion and the evolution of each throughout the semester. In addition, my understanding of the process and the development of my own existing skills and the acquisition of new skills will be stated. A final reflection on my relationship with Focusing as the subject draws to a close will also be included. Over the course of the semester, I have consolidated my understanding of Experiential Focusing, the concept of the felt sense and how they contribute to therapeutic healing. I began this subject with no knowledge of Focusing whatsoever. The idea of bringing my awareness and entering the body was daunting for me as I operate on a very cognitive level. Learning that experiential Focusing is a gentle process oriented approach to therapy that invites the utilization of the body’s rich wisdom to facilitate therapeutic change (Cornell, 1996) helped ease some of my subject related anxiety. I learnt that to access this inner knowledge, a person’s awareness is shifted inside and navigation is done with the enigmatic felt sense as a guide, rather than intellectualizing (Purton, 2007). The felt sense is the quintessential concept of Focusing and one of many key aspects and principles developed by Eugene Gendlin. It is important to note however, Gendlin did not invent Focusing, it is a natural skill that he discovered (Cornell, 1996). It took me some time to really grasp what the felt sense was as it is not an emotion nor a body sensation or an altered state. A felt sense is a subtle, whole body sense of a complex situation (Gendlin, 1996). The more I attuned to and became aware of my own felt senses through experiential practice, where I learnt how to describe it rather than interpret it, the deeper my understanding became of the subject as whole throughout the semester. I had to learn that it was about feeling, not analyzing (Purton, 2007). What Focusing does is it accesses the felt sense which draws from a place of emergent unconscious process that is ready to be put under the light of consciousness. It draws from the vast realm of knowledge from the edge of awareness and channels it into transformational potential through in the moment experiencing. Focusing allows us to dip below the surface of the explicit into the implicit (Silverton, 2014). Thus with the use of the Focusing process and the felt sense, I began to realize I was learning how to help clients engage with their feelings and facilitate here and now experiencing, which is the key to successful therapy (Purton C, 2007). The Focusing process helped me release the angst I was experiencing about being a Focuser, and it also helped me with the struggle I was experiencing towards the subject itself. The idea of being a Focuser initially triggered some dim anxiety in me. I was concerned about what I might come across inside. Learning how gentle Focusing is however, and welcoming whatever arises (Gendlin, 1996) as well as understanding that the Focusing ‘procedure involves the maintenance of a comfortable distance’ (Purton, 2007, Pg. 46) was reassuring for me. I began using the experiential practice sessions where I was the Focuser as an opportunity to explore my existing and very present resistance to the actual subject and its content. There was always something in me that was stopping me from fully embracing the subject matter. With use of the Focusing process, I was able to enter my body with that as my issue and get a full body sense of it. Simply being with my felt sense caused a felt shift – a moment of movement (Purton, 2007). Having this experience on several different occasions was uplifting for my relationship with the subject and also empowered me as a Focuser. It helped me understand that encouraging clients to know they are the experts will motivate them to ask, interrupt, ignore or even to simply have a voice when something does not feel right for them in a session. They have choice and are allowed to communicate their preferences about what they need from their therapist as a Focuser and from the process, as it is th eir process (Leijssen, 1998). In doing this, they have an opportunity to achieve a real sense of self-autonomy as I did, which is what this non-directive process empowers clients to accomplish (Purton, 2007). My understanding of the importance of presence strengthened my ability to be a companion. Being in the role of the therapist, I wanted to execute my learning soundly and accurately. I wanted to have the Focusing attitude which embodies presence, gentleness and the ability to be vulnerable (Leijssen, 1998) and to also employ facilitative language with the use of appropriate reflections and invitations rather than questions. I learnt that the philosophy behind this approach highlights that the focusing process is not a technique but a way of being; it is an attitude to embody (Purton, 2007). I had to learn how to facilitate the process while personifying the Focusing attitude; it was a matter of finding the delicate balance between the two so that the Focuser perceives the empathy and acceptance that is being offered to them (Purton C. , 2004). Whenever I was in the process and my mind became cluttered with the theory and how to execute the skills I was learning whilst trying to hold s pace for the Focuser, I would remind myself to just be; my being was much more therapeutic than my doing. Bringing my awareness to my Focuser became an anchor for me. Ironically, in my attempts to perfect my ability to be a Focusing-oriented counsellor, I was in fact pushing myself further away from the most important thing which was my presence (Purton, 2007). What I learnt to remember is that all of this takes place in the present moment (Silverton, 2014). By being with my client and putting my trust in being guided by their process reminded me that I was not the expert which in effect liberated me as a companion. I was able to consolidate my understanding of the Focusing process which was helpful for some of the difficulties I came across in my practice. Gendlin’s six step process helped me grasp each stage. The process incorporates (1) Clearing the space, (2) Felt sense, (3) Handle, (4) Resonating, (5) Asking and (6) Receiving (Purton, 2004). I found clearing the space a valuable method that can be used on its own or within the Focusing process, as a tool for stress reduction (Purton, 2004) through creating appropriate metaphoric distance. This practice can become a wonderful friend, offering a path to self-knowledge (Silverton, 2014). My experience with the process illustrated to me I was confident leading my Focuser in and coming out. Inviting a felt sense to emerge and getting a handle were the most difficult steps as it was hard initially for me to differentiate when my Focuser was describing ‘something’ or a ‘part of them’ as a pose to when they had discovered a felt sense. Sometimes an entire session would be checking in with the Focuser to see if a felt sense was going to emerge. With further practice, Gendlin’s steps became more of a guide for me. The process follows the material of the Focuser therefore the process cannot be rigid. The Focusing process is actually quite simple, but I found the complexities as a companion lie in the multitude of complex processes that include the language, terminology, how to reflect, how to invite and how to create the right amount of distance in order to follow the unfolding process with the Focusing attitude. Being aware of the subtle nuances of the Focuser in their tone, mannerisms and gestures was also important as in these are avenues to intricate possibilities for moving forward (Fleisch, 2009). The more I grappled with the process, the more I was able to identify areas for further improvement in my practice. In doing so I was learning how to deepen the client’s awareness to their own embodied knowledge (Fleisch, 2009). This subject gave me an opportunity to consolidate existing skills and develop a set of new skills. Core person-centred conditions such as presence, unconditional positive regard and empathy are all essential in the Focusing process. I gained further experiential practice as a companion at grounding myself with presence, holding space and meeting my client’s with unconditional positive regard. Despite majority of my Focuser’s having their eyes closed during their process, I would still mirror their non-verbal communication, as this helped me to remain present and was helpful in my attuning process. Once I had a reasonable theoretical understanding of the Focusing process I had to master the acquisition of new skills such as facilitative language used to support presence and to stay with the emerging process at hand. Reflecting is important as it helps the client know they are being understood. Reflections should follow the Focuser and their felt sense as this is the the rapist’s attempt to grasp what the client is experiencing by repeating back exactly what they are trying to say (Gendlin, 1996). It is done with a soft and gentle tone of voice which came quite naturally for me, and always precedes an invitation. I definitely found invitations were much more effective in accessing felt senses than asking questions. Questions run the risk of deviating from presence, and shift the client back to a cognitive level of thinking. Invitations encourage a friendly attitude towards the felt sense (Gendlin, 1996). Focusing is a constant intervention with its consistent checking in and checking back. By strengthening these existing and new skills, my facilitation to help clients to attend wholly personal issue improved. Thus they can open up fresh perspectives and new insights which is what Focusing offers (Silverton, 2014). My relationship with Experiential Focusing has grown over the semester as it coincides with my beliefs about what therapy encompasses. I respect the Experiential Focusing approach in that it is non-directive and follows the guided process of the Focuser. It really reinforces my true belief in every human being’s ability to self-actualise and my role as a Focusing-Oriented counsellor within the holistic framework aids in facilitating this. I deeply resonate with its gentle approach and how through presence, a client can feel heard, met and have their existence validated but to also have the opportunity to listen to and potentially build a relationship with their felt sense (Silverton, 2014) to access their own empowering knowledge. Focusing sees an individual in process, not as a problem or pathology. Rather diagnosing and curing, Focusing gives a person the opening to be and to allow. This was affirming for my learning and development as an aspiring person-centred, holistic co unsellor. The bulk of my learning in this subject came experientially. Cognitively it was a struggle to understand, but I found my inner understanding of fundamental Experiential Focusing concepts grew tremendously through actually participating in or observing the process. The more I understood what the felt sense was and became aware of my own, the more the comprehensive the theory became for me. Thus, Focusing taught me how to deal with ambiguity and vague ideas, and gave me the ability to simply sit with them. It comes as no surprise that the hard to recognise notion of the felt sense is hard to grasp in contrast to our social context where there is huge pressure in our technological culture to know (Silverton, 2014). We have lost trust in our bodies and our feeling (Cornell, 1996), forgetting that the body has sophisticated understanding and Focusing gives a means of accessing that. With Focusing being process-oriented means it is fluid. It can adapt to people varying a great deal in bein g able to sense what is going on in their bodies (Purton, 2004), ‘letting that which arises from the Focusing depths within a person define the therapist’s activity’ (Leijssen, 1998). This is at the core of person-centred methodology and my personal beliefs. Through theoretical learning and experiential practice, I have gained insight and deepened my self-awareness through participating in the Focusing process as a Focuser, observer and a companion. These have all contributed to my growth as a Focusing-Oriented counsellor over the semester, all of which have been essential for my learning as a holistic counsellor. I have embarked on a learning journey to have a comfortable relationship with strong feelings, to acknowledge them and listen to them using the Focusing method, and I now have the ability to invite a client for an opportunity to do the same. Focusing offers a safe and contained environment to access and explore the felt sense which has its own depths of meaning (Gendlin, 1996). By encouraging felt experience as a whole, one gains admission to an abundance of emotional self-healing. Bibliography Cornell, A. W. (1996). The Power of Focusing. Oakland: Raincoast Books. Fleisch, G. (2009). Right in Their Hands: How Gestures Imply the Bodys Next Steps in Focusing-Oriented Therapy. Person-Centred and Experiential Therapies, 173-188. Gendlin, E. (1996). Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy. A Manual of the Experiential Method. New York: The Guilford Press. Leijssen, M. (1998). Focusing Microprocesses. In L. W. Greenberg, Handbook of Experiential Psychotherapy (pp. 121-154). New York: The Guilford Press. Purton, C. (2004). Person-Centred Therapy: Focusing-Oriented Approach. London: Palgrave Macmillian. Purton, C. (2007). The Focusing-Oriented Counselling Primer. Ross-on-Wey: PCCS Books. Silverton, S. (2014, October). How to Think Like a Poet and Make Better Decisions. Retrieved from British Focusing Association: http://www.focusing.org.uk

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Enron Versus Bombay Politicians Essay

On August 3,1995, the Maharashtra state government of India, dominated by the nationalist right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP), abruptly canceled Enron’s $2.9 billion power project in Dabhol, located south of Bombay, the industrial heartland of India. This came as a huge blow to Rebecca P. Mark, the chairman and chief executive of Enron’s international power unit, who spearheaded the Houston-based energy giant’s international investment drive. Upon the news release, Enron’s share price fell immediately by about 10 percent to $33.5. Mark sprang to action to resuscitate the deal with the Maharashtra state, promising concessions. This effort, however, was met with scorn from BJP politicians. Enron’s Dabhol debacle cast a serious doubt on the company’s aggressive global expansion strategy, involving some $10 billion in projects in power plants and pipelines spanning across Asia, South America, and Middle East Enron became involved in the projec t in 1992 when the new reformist government of the Congress Party (1), led by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, was keen on attracting foreign investment in infrastructure. After meeting with the Indian government officials visiting Houston in May, Enron dispatched executives to Indian to hammer out a â€Å"memorandum of understanding â€Å"in just 10 days to build a massive 2,015-megawatt Dabhol power complex. New Delhi placed the project on a fast track and awarded it to Enron without competitive bidding. Subsequently, the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) agreed to buy 90 percent of the power Dabhol produces. Tow other U. S. companies, General Electric GE) and Bechtel Group, agreed to join Enron as parents for the Dabhol project. In the process of structuring the deal, Enron made a profound political miscalculation: It did not seriously take into consideration a rising backlash against foreign investments by an opposition coalition led by the BJP. During the state election campaign in early 1995, the BJP called for a reevaluation of the Enron project. Jay Dubashi, the BJP’s economic advisor ,said that the BJP would review all foreig n investments already in India, and â€Å"If it turns out that we have to ask them to go ,then we’ll ask them to go.† Instead of waiting for the election results, Enron rushed to close the  deal and began construction, apparently believing that a new government would find it difficult to unwind the deal when construction was already under way. Enron was not very concerned with local political sentiments. Enron fought to keep the contract details confidential, but a successful lawsuit by a Bombay consumer group forced the company to reveal the details: Enron would receive 7.4 cents per kilowatt-hour from MSER and Enron’s rate of return would be 23 percent, far higher than 16 percent over the capital cost that the Indian government guaranteed to others. Critics cited the disclosure as proof that Enron had exaggerated project costs to begin with and that the deal might have involved corruption. The BJP won the 1995 election in Maharashtra state and fulfilled its promise. Manohar Joshi, the newly elected chief minister of Maharashtra, who campaigned on a pledge to â€Å"drive Enron into the se a,† promptly canceled the project, citing inflated project costs and too high electricity rates. This pledge played well with Indian voters with visceral distrust of foreign companies since the British colonial era. (It helps to recall that India was first colonized by a foreign company, the British East India Company.) By the time the project was canceled, Enron already had invested some $300 million. Officials of the Congress Party who championed the Dabhol in the first place did not come to rescue of the project. The BJP criticized the Congress Party, rightly or wrongly, for being too corrupt to reform the economy and too cozy with business interests. In an effort to pressure Maharashtra to reverse its decision, Enron â€Å"pushed like hell â€Å" the U.S. Energy Department to make a statement in June 1995 to the effect that canceling the Enron deal could adversely affect other power projects. The Statement only compounded the situation. The BJP politicians immediately criticized the statement as an attempt by Washington to build India. After months of nasty exchanges and lawsuits, Enron and Maharashtra negotiators agreed to revive the Dabhol project. The new deal requires that Enron cut the project’s cost from $2.9 billion to $2.5 billion , lower the proposed electricity rates , and mak e a state-owned utility a new percent partner of the project. A satisfied Joshi, the chief minister, stated:† Maharashtra has gained tremendously by this decision.† Enron needed to make a major concession to demonstrate that its global power projects are still on track. The new deal led Enron to withdraw a lawsuit seeking $500 billion in damages from Maharashtra for the  cancellation of the Dabhol project Please write a two-page essay to discuss the following points. 1. Discuss the chief mistake that Enron made in Indian 2. Discuss what Enron might have done differently to avoid its predicament in India. You can look through the mini case and also search the related materials online in order to prepare the essay, but be sure to specify the information sources in the end of essay.