Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Introduction This paper is based on the topic of globalization of logistics and supply chain management. It explores the topic using Wales as a case study. The paper is divided into two parts namely part one and part two. Part one is an overview of the current rail system in Wales.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Logistics and Supply Chain Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Part two is a comparison of the proposed high-speed rail and an integrated transport system. At the end is a conclusion which provides a definite solution to the client. The main issue in the paper is that the Welsh government wants to improve its transport infrastructure for transporting people and freight. It is, however, not decided on whether to build the proposed high-speed rail or set up an integrated transport infrastructure. On the one hand, the high-speed rail is expected to reduce the time used to transport people and freigh t between various cities in the United Kingdom, which would attract new investors. It is also expected to enhance efficiency of the supply chains. On the other hand, focusing on the high-speed rail at the expense of the other modes of transport would be counterproductive because trains are not the only means of transportation in Wales. As the consultant, I have addressed these issues in my analysis of the situation and the implications of the various options which are available to the client (the Welsh government). In the review, I have used different theoretical frameworks such as gap analysis and the theory of absolute advantage to illustrate the arguments. I have argued that the proposed high-speed rail is not adequate to deal with the challenge of poor transport infrastructure in Wales and as a result, there is need for an integrated transport system which would link the entire transport infrastructure in Wales.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The reason is that an integrated transport system would have more benefits than the proposed high-speed rail. Discussion Part one Gap analysis is a situation in which organizations ask themselves the questions of ‘where are we’ and ‘where do we want to be.’ It is very useful for managers because it helps them to focus on the real issues which affect their organizations. It also enables the managers to come up with the proper means of realizing their desired outcomes (Franklin 2006). In an effort to fill the gaps in organizations, managers use differentiation and positioning (McLoughlin Aaker 2010). According to Thompson and Martins, differentiation has to do with enhancing the popularity of products or services among the customers. For an organization to claim that it has differentiated its products and services, it has to ensure that it provides extensive details about the uniquene ss of its products or services. Many organizations engage in differentiation of their products and services for various reasons. However, economic analysts have argued that the whole idea of differentiation is to increase the competitiveness of organizations. Differentiation has the potential of influencing consumer behavior by ensuring that consumers understand what is unique about different products or services (Thompson Martin 2010). According to Armstrong and Kotler positioning is a strategy which complements differentiation. It has to do with using various strategies like product distribution and production of unique products with low prices to build an identity of a particular Company in the minds of consumers (Armstrong Kotler 2009).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Logistics and Supply Chain Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In many cases, positioning is done after differentiation so as to sta bilize and retain the positions of the differentiated products or services. It also ensures that organizations retain their competitive advantage in any given market. The current rail system in Wales is outdated since it was established many years back when the population of Wales was relatively small. At the time when the rail system was established, globalization had not taken effect and as a result, the demand for transport services was very low (Kendall Cole 2006). However, with the advent of globalization, there has emerged the need for people to move frequently from one point to another in different parts of the globe. Due to globalization, the business environment has become more competitive than ever. According to Scholte, the drivers of globalization include advancement in information and communication technology, improvement of transport infrastructure, and liberalization of trade and immigration policies (Scholte 2005). Due to globalization, people from different countri es are able to work anywhere in the world, irrespective of their cultural orientation. Through globalization also, people are able to study, marry, and stay in any part of the world (Cole 2005). Globalization has also enabled different cultures to coexist peacefully without cultural prejudice. The interaction of people in different spheres of life has made them to appreciate their cultural differences, a situation which has greatly reduced instances of racism and ethnicity (Chrysanthopoulos 2010). Due to its outdated status, the current rail system lacks the capacity to handle huge volumes of freight. It is also not suitable for transporting people because it is too slow compared to other modes of transport such as road and air.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In some cases, the current rail system makes firms to miss business opportunities due to the inability of the rail system to deliver goods on time. It also makes the supply chains of many firms to be inefficient, which increases the cost of production (Lan Unhelkar 2006). This situation is threatening the stability of the economy of Wales because many firms have threatened to relocate their businesses in other countries or cities which have efficient and reliable rail transport. As a result, there is need to upgrade the current rail system so as to restore the confidence of investors and attract others. That is why the high-speed rail has been proposed. Once in place, the high-speed rail would not only attract new investors to Wales, but it would also enable the existing firms to expand their businesses due to increased efficiency. It is essential to mention that the objective of multinational firms is to get access to cheap factors of production, such as raw materials, capital, la nd, and labor. The reason is that the cost of these factors of production varies from one country to another (Johnson, Scholes Whittington 2010). Consequently, the high-speed rail would enable the firms in Wales to get access to these factors of production. The interest of the Welsh government is to ensure that there are no barriers which restrict investors from getting opportunities to invest in Wales. However, the outdated rail system is a hindering factor to the growth of the economy of Wales. As a result, the high-speed rail would expand the economy of Wales and enhance growth. It would also have a multiplier effect in form of enhanced social and economic well-being of the citizens of Wales. For instance, many firms would be able to make huge profits due to reduced cost of transport. As a result, they would increase funding to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. Different scholars have written about the concept of CSR. According to Carroll, CSR is generally used to explain the relationship between businesses and their environments. The reason is that almost all organizations operate in dynamic social, political, economic, and natural environments. CSR, therefore, looks into how businesses interact with these environments, either positively or negatively. Different scholars have come up with various components of CSR. However, the elements which are mentioned by many scholars include the ethical, regulatory, philanthropic, and legal components. When an organization establishes a business in any given society, the people in that society usually have different expectations from the business. While some expect to purchase goods and services at low prices, others expect to be employed by the organization. There also those who expect the organization to operate in manner which does not raise questions as far as quality of products and services are concerned. These concerns comprise the ethical component of CSR (Carroll, 1979). Due to the reduced cos t of transport, the firms in Wales would make huge profits. As a result, the tendency of the firms to engage in unethical behavior would be minimized. According to Aras and Crowther, the regulatory component has to do with abiding by all regulations which are established to protect shareholders, investors, and customers from unethical business practices. It also has to do with ensuring that organizations maximize their profits and minimize their operation costs with the aim of making more profits. Once organizations generate more profits, they are expected to increase the salary of employees because employees are essential stakeholders in the success of organizations (Aras Crowther 2010). The reduced cost of transport would enable the firms in Wales to generate more profits than before, which would enable them to take care of the interests of shareholders and customers. The legal component has to do with compliance to various laws and regulations which have been established in diff erent jurisdictions to govern all businesses and ensure that they operate legally. For example, there are laws and regulations which touch on protection of the environment, respect of employees’ rights, and production of quality products. The philanthropic component has to do with charity work. It is based on the argument that businesses must give back to the communities where they operate. There are many ways of giving back to the community. Some of them include initiating programs which directly benefit the community through provision of health and education services to the less fortunate in the community (Carroll 2008). The high-speed rail would enable the firms in Wales to generate more profits than before and as a result, they would be able to pay the various taxes to government authorities. Rail transport has been successful in many countries. In China, for example, there are modernized rails which are used by electric trains. These trains have made transport in China n ot only reliable but also cheaper than in other countries which do not have electric trains. Since the trains are powered using electricity, they move fast and are able to reach their destinations within a short time. Wales should, therefore, borrow the example of China and boost its economy and social well-being of its people through the high-speed rail. Part two Rail transport is a very reliable mode of transporting heavy goods. The reason is that the cost of transporting heavy goods using rail transport is usually less than the cost of transporting them using road transport. Transporting heavy goods using road transport also makes the roads to wear out too fast. When that happens, governments incur a lot of expenses in repairing the roads, which negatively affects the economy of countries. As a result, rail transport is not only cheap, but it is also durable because it does not require frequent repair like roads (Lysons Farrington 2012). In terms of conservation of the environme nt, rail transport is better than road transport because trains do not emit a lot of carbon dioxide like vehicles. Carbon dioxide is associated with greenhouse gases which lead to global warming. Rail transport is not affected by adverse weather conditions like road transport. For instance, when it rains heavily, vehicles may be unable to move due to flooding or poor visibility. Rail transport is also better than road transport when it comes to connecting with different countries. The reason is that there are more railway lines which connect countries than roads and as a result, firms are able to import goods in bulk from other countries and transport them using rail transport. Rail transport is also more secure for transporting containers carrying valuable goods than road transport. Even though the high-speed rail would have various benefits to various stakeholders, it might not provide long-term solutions to the problem of poor transport infrastructure in Wales. As mentioned earli er, rail transport is just a part of a wider transport network and as a result, the high-speed rail would need to be complemented by other modes of transportation such as air, sea, and road. An integrated transport system would have a higher economic value than the high-speed rail. It would also be more sustainable than the high-speed rail because it would provide various options for firms to transport their goods, labor, and raw materials. Using an integrated transport system lowers the cost of transport in a given sector or country. The reason is that in an integrated transport system, each mode of transport transports what it is capable of transporting. In other words, the transport infrastructure is not strained. Allowing each mode of transport to transport what it is capable of transporting enables firms to avoid the risks which are associated with transporting goods using the wrong mode of transport. For example, rail and sea are suitable for transporting heavy goods while roa d and air are suitable for transporting light goods and people. An integrated transport system also increases the competitiveness of a country. According to the theory of absolute advantage, competitiveness refers to the ability of a country to take a share of foreign markets. For countries to become competitive, they aim at exporting more than what they import. In fact, the theory of absolute advantage states that the objective of any country is to export almost everything and import nothing. However, it is almost impossible for any country to achieve this objective. Using an integrated transport system produces higher returns than using one type of transport such as rail. The reason is that an integrated transport system relies on public and private infrastructure. For example, a government of a country may authorize private companies to operate commuter services. It may also authorize them to operate cross-border transportation of commercial goods. At the same time, the governmen t may operate air and sea transport services. This combination enhances efficiency and maximizes productivity of different sectors of the economy. In addition, an integrated transport system has the benefit of enabling people of different social and economic status to get access to transport. For example, the elderly, the sick, and the disabled may be uncomfortable when they travel in a train. However, they may be comfortable when they travel in a vehicle because it enables them to reach their destinations within a short time. In any country, there are people of different economic status. Some are low-income earners, while others are high-income earners. The low-income earners may not be able to afford air transport, but they may be able to afford road transport. As a result, having an integrated transport system makes life comfortable for everybody because people use the type of transport which they are able to afford. Further to that, an integrated transport system is associated w ith minimal energy consumption. The reason is that each mode of transport uses a different type of energy. For example, some trains use electricity while vehicles use fuel. Relying on one type of transport may put pressure on a particular type of energy. For example, if a country relies on road transport alone, it means that the consumption of fuel in that country is higher than in a country which relies on several modes of transport. As a result, there is minimal pollution of the environment in a country with an integrated transport system (Mangan, Lalwani Butcher 2008). From the above discussion, it can be argued that the transport industry plays a vital role in enhancing the economic and social well-being of people in any country. It is therefore essential for governments to ensure that they have integrated transport systems which are reliable and sustainable. Sustainability addresses the issue of how resources are utilized. Economic analysts have argued that there is need for c ountries to utilize their resources in a sustainable manner so that the future generations would not face shortages of crucial resources. Utilisation of resources in a sustainable manner is the basis of sustainable development. The concept of sustainable development has gained popularity in recent years (Rugman Collinson 2006). In the transport industry, the reliance on high-speed rails is not sustainable as reliance on integrated transport systems. According to Elkington, sustainable development must emphasize on economic and social development as well as protection of the environment (Elkington 1994). As a result, it is unethical for corporations to be driven by utilitarianism. According to Sher, utilitarianism focuses on maximizing profits irrespective of the effects of the maximization. According to utilitarians such as Jeremy Bentham, any outcome which is desirable is also justifiable. It means that the means of arriving at a particular end are not as important as the end itse lf. An outcome is, therefore considered as good if it makes many people to be happy (Sher 2012). For example, if an organization is able to increase its profits by exploiting its employees by overworking them, then the act of exploitation is justifiable as long as the employees do not complain. If a legal action produces outcomes which do not make many people to be happy, then the action is not ethical. On the other hand, if an illegal action makes many people to be satisfied, then the action is not only ethical but also morally acceptable. Utilitarianism has the danger of destroying the values in a society. There is, therefore, the need of governments to enforce regulations which govern ethics in the society as well as in business. Utilitarianism makes many firms to use unethical means to generate profits. For example, some firms have been accused of giving false information to shareholders regarding the number of profits generated in a year with the aim of denying them their divid ends. Other firms have been accused of failing to pay taxes to the relevant government authorities. These practices are not only unethical, but they also compromise the ability of any country to realize sustainable development. Conclusion Based on the above discussion and analysis, I would advise the Welsh government to set up an integrated transport system comprising of road, rail, air, and sea transport. The reason is that for the proposed high-speed rail to be effective, it needs to be complemented by the other modes of transport. The integrated transport system would also be more sustainable than the high-speed rail. The Welsh government, therefore, needs to set aside resources for upgrading all the other modes of transport in Wales. For instance, it needs to expand the existing roads and build new ones. It also needs to expand the ports and the airports. The integrated system would not only boost the confidence of multinational corporations, but it would also attract other inve stors to invest in Wales. As a result, the economy of Wales would realize an exponential growth. The growth would have multiplier effects such as creation of employment opportunities, reduction of pressure on various energy resources, and increased competitiveness of Wales in international trade. Reference List Aras, G Crowther, D. 2010, A handbook of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility series, Gower Publishing Ltd, Farnham. Armstrong, G Kotler, P 2009, Marketing. An introduction, Pearson Education Company, Prentice Hall. Carroll, A.B 1979, ‘Three-dimensional conceptual model of corporate social performance’, Academy of Management Review, vol.4, pp.497-505. Carroll, A.B 2008, A history of corporate social responsibility, Oxford university press, Oxford. Cole, S 2005, Applied transport economics, Kogan Page, London. Chrysanthopoulos, M 2010, Cultural diversity and education, Lap Lambert Academic Publishing, New York, NY. Elkington, J 1994, ‘T owards the sustainable corporation: Win-win-win business strategies for sustainable development’, California Management Review, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 90-100. Franklin, M 2006, Performance gap analysis: human performance improvement, ASTD Press, Alexandria, VA: Johnson, G, Scholes, K Whittington, R 2010, Exploring corporate strategy: text and cases, Prentice Hall, FT. Kendall, S Cole, S 2006, Wales and the Atlantic arc: developing ports, wales transport research centre, Kogan Page, London. Lan, Y Unhelkar, B 2006, Global integrated supply chain systems, Idea Group Publ, cop, Hershey, PA. Lysons, K Farrington, B 2012, Purchasing and supply chain management, Pearson Education Limited, Prentice Hall. Mangan, J, Lalwani, C Butcher, T 2008, Global logistics and supply chain management, Wiley, Malden, MA. McLoughlin, D Aaker, D 2010, Strategic market management: global perspectives, Wiley, Hoboken, N.J. Rugman, A.M Collinson, S 2006, International business, Prentice Hall, FT. S cholte, J.A 2005, Globalisation: A critical introduction, Palgrave Macmillan, Great Yarmouth. Sher, G 2012, Ethics: essential readings in moral theory, Routledge, New York, NY. Thompson, J Martin, F 2010, Strategic management: awareness and change, Cengage Learning, South Western. This essay on Logistics and Supply Chain Management was written and submitted by user Haley Pennington to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Strategic Analysis (SWOT and BCG Matrix) of Apple Inc The WritePass Journal

Strategic Analysis (SWOT and BCG Matrix) of Apple Inc Introduction Strategic Analysis (SWOT and BCG Matrix) of Apple Inc IntroductionWhat is Strategic Management?Definition:  Strategy Formulation:Strategy Implementation:Strategy evaluation:History Apple Inc:Vision Statement of Apple:Explanation of Vision Statement:Mission Statement of Apple:SWOT Analysis of Apple Inc:Apple SWOT AnalysisStrength:Weaknesses:Opportunities:Threats:BCG Model:RECOMMENDATIONS:FOR COMPANY:FOR OTHERS:CONCLUSIONRelated Introduction In this project I am going to describe the Strategic and Marketing Plan of Apple Inc, Which is the biggest consumer electronics provider in the world. It provides wide range of consumer electronics in the market like MAC computers, IPOD, I Phone, LAPTOP, IPAD.   It has about 49,400 employs and over 240 Retails Store all around the world wide out of it 218 are in US and 24 in UK rest in other countries. I personally think that before studying the strategy of any organization we need to understand the basic of Strategic Management like What Strategic Management is? What is Strategic Management? Strategic Management is nothing else but plans defined by the management of an organization to achieve a long term goals which are predefined and monitored towards reaching the organization’s goal. The steps that are taken till now are being monitored to make sure that they have been carried out in the most efficient manner possible to achieve organizational predefined goal as described in the mission statement  which directs the  strategic management  process. Definition:   â€Å"The on-going process of formulating, implementing and controlling broad plans guide the organizational in achieving the strategic goods given to its internal and external environment† This is an ongoing process which keeps changing according to the circumstances and requirements of the internal and external environments but it keeps moving towards to achieve its predefined organizational goal. Strategic Management is comprised of its three main processes which manager of an organization has been familiar with. These Processes are as given below. Strategy Formulation Strategy Implementation Strategy Evaluation Strategy Formulation: Strategy formulation means a strategy formulate to execute the business activities. Strategy formulation Includes developing:- Vision and Mission (The target of the business) Strength and weakness (Strong points of business and also weaknesses) Opportunities and threats (These are related with external environment or   the business) Strategy formulation is also concerned about setting  long term goals and objectives, generating alternative strategies to achieve that long term goals and choosing particular strategy to pursue. The considerations for the best strategy formulation should be as follows: Allocation of resources Business to enter or retain Business to divest or liquidate Joint ventures or mergers Whether to expand or not Moving into foreign markets Trying to avoid take over Strategy Implementation: Strategy implementation requires a firm to establish annual objectives, devise policies, motivating employees and allocate resources so that formulated strategies can be executed. Strategy implementation includes developing strategy supportive culture, creating an effective organizational structure, redirecting marketing efforts, preparing budgets, developing and utilizing information system and linking employee compensation to organizational performance. Strategy implementation is often called the action stage of strategic management. Implementing means mobilizing employees and managers in order to put formulated strategies into action. It is often considered to be most difficult stage of strategic management. It requires personal discipline, commitment and sacrifice. Strategy formulated but not implemented serve no useful purpose. Strategy evaluation: Strategy evaluation is the final stage in the strategic management process. Management desperately needs to know when particular strategies are not working well; strategy evaluation is the primary means for obtaining this information. All strategies are subject to future modification because external and internal forces are constantly changing. History Apple Inc: Apple Inc formerly known as Apple Computer Inc which provides corporate Server, MAC OS Systems and   Operating System.   Apples core product lines are the iPhone, iPod and Macintosh System. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozaniak, The founder of Apple has created the Apple Computer on 1st April 1976 and integrated in the company on 3rd January 1977, in Cupertino California. It has driven the Computer manufacturing market for more than two decades. Mr. Steve Jobs who was expelled in 1985 was return as CEO of the APPLE Inc in 1996 with new Ideas and corporate philosophy. With introduction of successful IPod Player in to 2001 Apple has again proved itself as a Market leader in consumer electronics.   Latest era of extraordinary success of the company is in iOS based Apple products like I Phone, IPod slim, I Pad and now I Pad 2. Now a day’s Apple is a biggest technology corporation in the planet with the profits of more than $65 billion. It has about 49,400 employs all over the world. Fortune Magazine most Admired company in United State in 2008 and in the world in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Apple has over 240 Store all over the world and the bifurcation of these store in different countries are as below. Vision Statement of Apple: Man is the creator of change in this world. As such he should be above systems and structures, and not subordinate to them. Explanation of Vision Statement: Apple lives this vision through the technologies it develops for consumers and corporations. It strives to make its customers masters of the products they have bought. Apple doesn’t simply make a statement. It lives it by ensuring that its employees understand the vision and strive to reach it. It has put systems in place to enable smooth customer interaction. It has put objectives in place to continuously move forward; implemented strategies to fulfil these objectives; and ensured that the right marketing, financial and operational structures are in place to apply the strategies. Mission Statement of Apple: â€Å"Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.† corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=aaplscript=1800layout=7#corpinfo2 SWOT Analysis of Apple Inc: Although participation in such activities may add value, they may not be a source of competitive advantage. Ultimately, the value, rarity, inimitability, and/or organization (VRIO) of an activity or resource determine its sustainability as a source of competitive advantage. Within this context, we can identify a firm’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). In SWOT analysis Strength and Weaknesses are depends on Internal factors and Opportunities and Threats Depends on External Factors of and Organization. SWOT analysis is useful in decision making about the organization going for any new or existing project. Apple SWOT Analysis Strength: iTunes Music Store is a excellent source of revenue, especially with the iPod and the accessibility on Windows platform. Apple Computer are expert in  Developing own software and hardware. Apple’s niche audience provides the company with some lagging from the direct price  competition. Giving a  face-lift  to desktop and notebook lines.   technology can be used to improve product awareness and sales. Low debt- more maneuverable. Apple Computers have good brand loyalty. Partnership with Intel Computers in 2006 – Present. Strong Research   Development  Department. Weaknesses: Weak relationship with Intel and Microsoft. Weak presence in business arena. The product  life cycle  of Apple products are very small for that reasons revenues are more depend on launch of new products and   services. Weak presence in markets other than education and publishing. Slow turn around on high demand products. Apples market share is far behind from major competitor Microsoft. In past the relationship between Steve  jobs  and employee were not good which result in reputation loss. Opportunities: Increase in  worms and viruses  on PCs so the  antivirus solution  can be developed by Apple Large population (Gen XY) which are extremely individualistic and name brand conscious.   The ties of apple other companies are weak, Apple can develop good relationship for joint ventures Downloadable music and MP3 players are highly marketable. The  online sales  of computer are increasing with rapid speed. The laptop market growth is high; Apple Computers should focus to develop new models to cater the need of customers. Threats: Companies not seeing Apple as compatible with their software. Apple   facing strong  competition  from Dell, HP, Sony and Toshiba in laptop segment. Downloading free music from other online source without paying cost is common it may impact the iTunes sales. Apple software, Cell phone and hardware are expensive as compared to other competitors such as Dell. The  long lasting  recession may impact the sales of the company due to higher prices of the products and services Microsoft launched Microsoft Vista, Windows 7 which is gaining market share. The switching in technology is very fast BCG Model: Boston Cusnsulting Group (BCG) model is a technique developed by BRUCE HENDERSON of the Boston Cunsulting Group in early 1970’s. According to this technique businesses or products are classified as low or high performers depending upon their market growth rate and relative market share. It is very useful tool to identify the product line of an organization. BCG model classified in four main. 1.)  Ã‚  Ã‚   Star   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2.)   Cash Cow   Ã‚  Ã‚   3.)   Question Mark   Ã‚   4.) Dog                                                                                                                                          Ã‚   RECOMMENDATIONS: FOR COMPANY: Lowering the cost of products and maintaining the same quality standards Can form joint – ventures Knowledge Management More number of retail stores for easy access Continuous innovation to expand FOR OTHERS: Does not compromise on price for quality Choose the products based on individual needs Be unique and different    CONCLUSION I feel that Apple must focus on several key aspects to continue to grow and succeed. They must continue a stable commitment to licensing, push for economies of scope between media and computers, and become a learning organization. Apple apparently made a commitment to licensing. Although it should continue, Apple may want to consider other forms of strategic alliances. An equity strategic alliance may offer Apple the opportunity to obtain additional competencies. An effective way for a company like Apple to accomplish this would be in the form of a joint venture. Apple should continue pushing the new line of media-centric products. Meanwhile, Apple should not lose focus on its computers. Macintosh computers were 39% of Apple’s sales in 2005. (Burrows)This very innovative company exploits its second-mover position. In the future, they will need to continue innovating to expand the boundaries of both media and  computers

Images of the disabled and the aged in modern Japanese novels Essay

Images of the disabled and the aged in modern Japanese novels - Essay Example The novels are contradictory in that while Oe represents a nuclear family, Ariyoshi depicts a Japanese family with all the three generations living together, however, the transition, though slow, towards a modern society is shown through protagonist’s thoughts. The two novels thus can be compared through their depiction of Japanese families. We shall first discuss ‘A Personal Matter’ by Oe Kenzaburo. Nobel Laureate Oe Kenzaburo (received Nobel Prize in 1994), is a famous novelist who first entered the literary scene in 1958. Despite his initial successes, the real international reputation came to him with ‘A Personal Matter’, a story written with the perspective of a young father, Bird, who has to deal with the fact that his child is a â€Å"monster†. The story draws inspiration from Oe’s personal experience. Oe’s son, Hikari, was born with a severe brain-damage disorder. The story is almost an outlet for Oe to show how he dealt with various feelings when he had to decide about his own â€Å"monster’s† future. No doubt, he chose the protagonist’s way. Bird is a rebellious character to begin with (maybe that is what makes him choose the right path in the end); in the opening chapter, Oe shows how Bird thinks that a child is like a â€Å"cage†. Bird thinks that marriage itself is a cage but with a child, that open cage is now shut down. With his skeptical view of marriage and child, a brain-damaged child proves an ultimate shock. He just cannot believe that his own child is a â€Å"monster†. He is afraid to raise the child; he pities him and resents him. His conflicted emotions that arise as the child’s father and as a normal human being leads the events in the story. Bird goes through feelings of disgust to acceptance in the novel. Initially Bird wants to kill the baby, something that even Oe contemplated for Hikari. When he finds himself unable to do that, he thinks of allowing the child to die a natural

Human resources management (Employee Recruitment PRACTICES) SESSION Essay

Human resources management (Employee Recruitment PRACTICES) SESSION LONG PROJECT 1 - Essay Example The company was started with the mission of providing its customers with best products and services at reasonable prices. The company’s signature states its main aim and clearly highlights what the company has to offer to its customers – ‘Save Money. Live Better’. Wal – Mart’s focuses on its main values – Respecting individuals, Service to the customers and Striving for excellence (Wal-mart, 2008). Wal – Mart has over 971 discount stores, 2447 supercentres, 132 neighbourhood stores and 591 Sam’s club in the US at present. The company has seen immense growth and is spread over 14 countries with a total of almost 2.1 million employees. The company’s profits have been enormous. Wal – Mart has recorded revenues of over $378,799 million as of the year end January 2008. The company mainly earns its revenues from the United States; however it does face a lot of competition from both the local as well as the global retailers (Money Central, 2008). Wal – Mart holds such a high number of personnel in terms of their employee details. This is not an easy task and requires a high level of expertise. Wal – Mart realises that it is essential to have good people at work is a very essential aspect of every business. According to Lee Scott the CEO of the company, "To grow, we have to attract and retain good people" (Retail Merchandiser, 2003). With the increased globalisation and the increases expansion of Wal – Mart worldwide, the CEO believes that the rising standards and needs of this is clearly seen on the need for excellent quality employees. Wal – Mart’s chairperson also mentioned that the company provides for jobs to everyone across the globe with a choice of flexibility where the person can decide how much they want to do, i.e. either work in a small town and be content or move to a more faster and competitive metro. The company basically provides for

The Effective Manager Cw3 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Effective Manager Cw3 - Coursework Example The mangers are responsible for the optimum utilization of resources in order to achieve the goals of the organization. Management is a set of activities which is directed towards the resources of the organization with a aim of achieving the required goal in an effective and efficient manner. In general a successful organization comprises of both effective as well as efficient mangers. In the competitive world managers tends to face new as well as interesting and challenging situations. The average working time is about 60 hours per week and has a huge demand place upon the mangers time and at the same time faces complexities due to globalization, completion, government regulations and other uncertainties. The job role of a manger is unpredictable and filled with challenges but it is also filled with opportunity which has the potential to make difference. Good managers have the potential to bring in success in the organization (Griffin, 2011, p.4). ... The quality and effective management styles of the mangers can determine the organizational culture, productivity of the staff and success or failure of the organization (Francis, 2012). Characteristics of Effective Management An effective manger is one who makes the right decisions and successfully implements the decisions. However there are many different characteristic that a manger should posses for the effective working of the organization. But according to me the most important characteristic for a manger should be a good team player and time management should be the next important characteristic for an effective manger. A team builder can be defined as a person who is strong and provides the required substance which holds the team together towards achieving the set goals and objectives (Francis, 2012). At the same time effective time management skills are important for mangers to perform the task. I would like to emphasis more on the aspect of time management. Literature defin itions With respect to the definition of time management, there are many different definitions as per different authors. However most of the authors referred to Lakein (1973) who said that time management involve a process which determines the need sets the goals which are to be achieved, planning and prioritising the task which are required in the process of achieving the goals. Therefore according to Elacqua and Jex, 1999; Davis, 2000; Macan, 1994, 1996; Macan et al., 1990; Mudrack, 1997) time management has been referred to as a technique used to manage time; a technique which can be used for effective use the many different task which are required Orpen, (1994) Slaven and Totterdell, (1993); Woolfolk & Woolfolk, (1986); according to

The central limit theorem

The central limit theorem The Central Limit Theorem The central limit theorem is the second fundamental theorem in probability after the ‘law of large numbers. The‘law of large numbersis atheoremthat describes the result of performing the same experiment a large number of times. According to the law, theaverageof the results obtained after a large number of trials should be close to theexpected value, and will tend to become closer to this value as more trials are carried out. For example, a single roll of afair diceproduces one of the numbers {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} each with equalprobability. Therefore, the expected value (E(x)), of a single dice roll is (1+2+3+4+5+6) à · 6 = 3.5. If this dice is rolled a large number of times, the law of large numbers states average of the result of all these trials known as the sample mean , will be approximately equal to 3.5. = 1Nk=1Nxk≈Ex=3.5 If the number of trials was to further increase, the average would further approach the expected value. So in general, as N→∞, →Ex This is the main premise of the law of large numbers. The central limit theorem is similar to the law of large numbers in that it involves the behaviour of a distribution as N→∞. The central limit theorem states that given a distribution with a mean (ÃŽ ¼) and variance (ÏÆ' ²), the samplingdistribution of the mean approaches anormal distributionwith a mean (ÃŽ ¼) and a variance (ÏÆ' ²N) as N, thesample size,increases. In other words, the central limit theorem predicts that regardless of the distribution of the parent population: Themeanof the population of means isalwaysequal to the mean of the parent population from which the population samples were drawn. Thestandard deviationof the population of means is always equal to the standard deviation of the parent population divided by the square root of the sample size (N). Thedistribution of means will increasingly approximate anormal distributionas the size N of samples increases. →X~N(ÃŽ ¼, ÏÆ'2N) (This is the main consequence of the theorem.) The origin of this celebrated theorem is said to have come from Abraham de Moivre, a French born mathematician who used the normal distribution to approximate the distribution of the number of heads resulting from many tosses of a fair coin. This was documented in his book ‘The Doctrine of Chances published in 1733 which was essentially a handbook for gamblers. This finding was somewhat forgotten until the famous French mathematicianPierre-Simon Laplacerevived it in his monumental work‘Thà ©orie Analytique des Probabilità ©s, which was published in 1812. Laplace was able to expand on de Moivres findings by approximating the binomial distribution with the normal distribution. De Moivre Laplace But as with de Moivre, Laplaces finding received little attention in his own time. It was not until the nineteenth century was at an end that the importance of the central limit theorem was discerned, when, in 1901, Russian mathematicianAleksandr Lyapunovdefined it in general terms and proved precisely how it worked mathematically.A full proof of the central limit theorem will be given later in this document. One may be familiar with the normal distribution and the famous ‘bell shaped curve that is associated with it. This curve is often found when presenting data for something like the heights or weights of people in a large population. Where ÃŽ ¼ is the mean . When the central limit theorem is applied, the distribution will approach something similar to the graph above. However, the amazing implication The central limit theorem explains why many non-normal distributions tend towards the normal distribution as the sample size N increases. This includes uniform, triangular, inverse and even parabolic distributions. The following illustrations show how they tends towards a normal distribution:

Oran: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly :: essays research papers fc

Oran: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Oran, peaceful and unprepared, is overcome by Bubonic plague. Separation, isolation and indigence become the common lot of distinct characters whose actions, thoughts and feelings constitute a dynamic story of man imprisoned. Prior to the closing, people went about their business as usual, almost oblivious to the plague. When Oran was shut off from the world, its residents had to adapt to the new conditions of life. Men reacted to the terrible visitation in different ways, according to their beliefs and characters. I believe their reactions were based on their personality and their experience during the plague. Each react to the circumstances of the plague in a unique way, and emerge from the plague with his own new perspective of life and its values. The residents of Oran are as travelers on a long, straight, boring road. They came upon the plague as a traveler comes upon an unexpected fork in the road. Some veer left, some right. A few are unaffected by (or unaware of) the fork in the road, and proceed straight ahead with their lives with very little change in habit. These persons lift themselves above the desperation and focus their actions on the grueling responsibility of making life better for themselves and others. The greatest affliction the citizens of Oran suffer when visited by the plague is not fear but the sense of separation, the loneliness of exile, the pain of imprisonment. The plague has an affect on most everyone in Oran. Some become better people, some worse. Grand, Rambert and Paneloux are all markedly changed afterward. Dr. Rieux and Tarrou are virtually unaffected. Cottard undergoes but a temporary metamorphosis. Monsieur Cottard is a criminal hunted by the law. A silent, secretive, plump little man, he comes to Oran to hide from prosecution. M. Cottard is basically a man lacking in morals, drive and direction, a, " a traveling salesman in wines and spirits." He tries unsuccessfully to hang himself when life seems hopeless. Prior to the plague, he had an aloofness and mistrusted everyone. When the plague descends upon the city, he develops an altruistic side. He sets out to help people. He becomes more amiable as the plague progressed through the population. He tries to take control of his life but becomes discouraged by circumstances. Rather than dealing with the circumstances effectively, he allows them to dominate his life. When the plague passes, and his philanthropic efforts are outmoded, he looses his humanitarian side and starts randomly shooting. The plague gave him only a temporary suspension from prosecution and the plague had

Teacher who changed my life

Teacher Life is unexpected experience, so full of surprises that nobody knows what will happen the very next moment, especially when you meet a person who has the ability to change your life in complete way. Most of us have met a teacher during our lifetime in school that made a difference and touched our lives in some way to make it better and to open our eyes for success. I remember when the first day of high school started. I was very nervous and stressed, scared to the point that I didn't want to be at the school.I had six classes that I had to attend that day. At the end of the afternoon, I walked in my last class and it was Social Studies. I usually don't like this subject but the teacher started to change the way I thought about social studies. Her name was Mrs.. Jennifer Smith she impressed me the way she was confident, and she told us about her story from high school to college and the success that she gained over the years of studying also the fears that she had. The bell r ang, and the class is over. I stayed after class to talk to her about how I feel and how stressed I was about school.She was very nice and she welcomed me. She said â€Å"I'm here for you anytime â€Å". I introduced myself to her , and I told her how lonely I felt being in school and that I had no one to talk to which make me feel really awkward, plus that wasn't everything I was afraid of. I was worried about my classes too because they seemed a little hard. We talked for about an hour. She was a very good listener. She gave me a lot of advice that I needed at that time, and she told me to come to her whenever I feel like I need someone to talk to. I came back home really happy and confident.Everything I felt earlier had disappeared. My homework was perfectly done, and I was excited to start my next day of high school and meet Mrs.. Jennifer again. Years of high school was about to be over. Mrs.. Jennifer walked me to senior year even though I had one class with her. Through tho se three years she taught me a lot of stuff. She made from me a man for life, she opened my eyes for a bright future, and made me feel so special, but that wasn't everything. When senior year started, I were in need of help and I went to her.I wasn't sure if I'm going right after I graduate from high school I will go right after to college and I really wanted to know if I did the right thing or not. She gave me the best words that actually convinced me to decide what I should do after graduation. She said â€Å"through the years that I knew you, I have always seen you as a successful guy that has good head on his shoulders, I want you to go to college and prove to yourself and to me and everybody that you will never fail or take a step back† Mrs..Jennifer has changed my whole life, because of everything she did for me and that I actually listened to her advice. She played the part where I choose to attend college and look forward to be successful as I made a promise with her. Mrs.. Jennifer wasn't Just a teacher for me, but she was like a mother who really cares about her son, and she wanted to see me in a good place all he time where I can find the happiness and Joy in my life. That's how I see her in my eyes.Maybe that could be Just a little about how I feel about her because she is indescribable person to me. I will never forget the experience that I had with her and what she taught me through high school years. Sometimes people appear in our lives suddenly, and they flip it upside down. They change us for better ones, and that's what Mrs.. Jennifer did for my life. I couldn't be more thankful than any day in my life for having her. She shaped my life in Just a way that should be shaped.

There once was a day when politics

There once was a day when politics was about quick witted men speaking directly to the constituency. The Last Hurrah by Edwin OConnor is about the end of those days in Boston. The mayor of Boston is running for one last term as mayor. This is the tale of that race and of Frank Skeffingtons life in politics. OConnor uses comic relief through out the book to tell an entertaining story of how American politics really operated. Frank Skeffington is a seventy-two year old man and a veteran in politics. He is now the mayor of Boston and was governor for two terms in a row. Because he held office as governor, many people still refer to him as governor. He is a devote Irish Catholic whos wife had an early demise, and so he was left with a son and daughter. He does not have a good relationship with his children because his life is consumed with politics. He is an average man who spends his spare time reading poetry. He built his political life upon personal contact; he is well respected and has an irresistible charm. Skeffington is an orthodox democrat who loved to win, but he loved the fight to win more. Some say Skeffington is financially corrupt and becomes morally corrupt in his pursuit of power. Skeffington was not going to run in the election but changed his mind. At first he said it was because he wanted to, but then later explained it was because he felt there was not any good candid! ates and he did not want to leave the city in the hands of a weak mayor. Kevin McCluskey is young, vibrant lawyer who decides to run for mayor. He is also an Irish Catholic democrat who everyone seems to like. He is a good man who does not drink or smoke and spends every morning in church. In a television broadcast, there was a picture of the Pope in the background. As a lawyer, he did not win many cases. McCluskey is very family-oriented and he brings his family along on a...

Free Essays on How To Change A Tire

How To Prevent And Change A Flat Tire One of peoples' worst nightmares is having a flat tire and chances are, it will happen to each one of us at some point in our lifetime. If we are lucky, there will be someone around who both knows how to change a tire and is willing to help us. If not, we are faced with finding a phone and summoning the help of a professional, or changing the tire ourselves. In most cases, hiring a professional can prove to be somewhat expensive, so it would be beneficial for each of us to know how to safely and effectively change a tire. Some problems exist simply because people are unaware of the correct tire changing process. They will often find themselves with a spare that has gone flat or is low in air pressure. Or when everything appears to be in order for changing a tire you find that parts of the jack or some tools are missing. Having a flat tire can be a nuisance, however, the following process will help you to prevent a flat and instruct you how to change one if needed. The first thing you should remember is to check the pressure in your spare tire each and every time you check the tires which are on your vehicle. Spare tires can lose pressure just as easy as the tires you are using. As rule of thumb, tires should be checked a minimum of once a month. When you check the pressure be sure to also check for any irregular wear patterns or any other non-conformities. When the pressure is low, add air as soon as possible. A tire gauge is a handy and inexpensive item to carry in your glove box since one is not always available at all air stations. Also check the depth of the tread of the tires. This can be done easily by using an ordinary penny. Simply stick the penny into the grooves of the tires headfirst. If the top of Lincoln’s head is above the tread rubber the tires should be replaces as soon as possible. Next check the tire changing tools in the trunk of your car. Most times these ... Free Essays on How To Change A Tire Free Essays on How To Change A Tire How To Prevent And Change A Flat Tire One of peoples' worst nightmares is having a flat tire and chances are, it will happen to each one of us at some point in our lifetime. If we are lucky, there will be someone around who both knows how to change a tire and is willing to help us. If not, we are faced with finding a phone and summoning the help of a professional, or changing the tire ourselves. In most cases, hiring a professional can prove to be somewhat expensive, so it would be beneficial for each of us to know how to safely and effectively change a tire. Some problems exist simply because people are unaware of the correct tire changing process. They will often find themselves with a spare that has gone flat or is low in air pressure. Or when everything appears to be in order for changing a tire you find that parts of the jack or some tools are missing. Having a flat tire can be a nuisance, however, the following process will help you to prevent a flat and instruct you how to change one if needed. The first thing you should remember is to check the pressure in your spare tire each and every time you check the tires which are on your vehicle. Spare tires can lose pressure just as easy as the tires you are using. As rule of thumb, tires should be checked a minimum of once a month. When you check the pressure be sure to also check for any irregular wear patterns or any other non-conformities. When the pressure is low, add air as soon as possible. A tire gauge is a handy and inexpensive item to carry in your glove box since one is not always available at all air stations. Also check the depth of the tread of the tires. This can be done easily by using an ordinary penny. Simply stick the penny into the grooves of the tires headfirst. If the top of Lincoln’s head is above the tread rubber the tires should be replaces as soon as possible. Next check the tire changing tools in the trunk of your car. Most times these ...

ASSIGNMENT - List relevant regulations for information security in an

- List relevant regulations for information security in an industry segment of your choice. Healthcare (HIPPA) - Assignment Example Innovation can generally be defined as changing or creating more effective and efficient processes, products and ideas that increase the likelihood of business succeeding. For the business, innovation could mean implementing new ideas, creation of more dynamic products and improving the already existing products. Businesses that employ technology create more effective and efficient work processes and have better performance and productivity (Brotby, 2009). Technology can catalyze the growth and success of the business and enable the adaptation of business in the marketplace. For a business to compete strongly in the market, the ability to come up with new strategies, products or even services play an important role in ensuring that the business forge onwards. This creativity is usually deemed to produce products of higher quality, smarter and more enticing to the clients (Cuff, 2014). In this study, however, we discuss the impact of technology as far as regulation for information security is concerned. In the healthcare security, technology has an undisputable crucial role to play, otherwise known as the Electronic protected health information (ePHI). However, ePHI is run by the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which specifically focuses on safeguarding it (Khansa, Cook, James & Bruyaka, 2012). All the entities covered by the HIPAA, which includes a number of federal agencies must comply with the security regulation; which primarily deals with the safeguarding of the confidentially, integrity and the presence of ePHI as outlined in the security rule or regulation. Some of the regulations covered by the HIPAA for information security are outlined below (Khansa, Cook, James & Bruyaka, 2012). The first one is the security standards or the general rules. This is an explanation of all the requirements

Use of Communication Skills to Facilitate Therapeutic Relationships Essay

Use of Communication Skills to Facilitate Therapeutic Relationships - Essay Example In psychiatric setup, the nurse aims at helping the Client to become independent and establishing confidence. Williams& Irurita (2004), states that disclosure is the cornerstone for this relationship to be effective and also for the achievement of self-disclosure. There is need for trust, intimacy, effective relational communication and the assurance of confidentiality (Popoola et al 2012). According to Cull (2012), the Nurse uses their communication skills to understand human behaviors and personal growth so as to ensure Client’s growth. Communication enhanced through an emotional supportive enquiry. The nurse aims to familiarize themselves with the Client and their situation. This can be done through listening, taking notes, clarifying and checking perceptions. It is important to confirm that one has understood what the Client needs. This can be achieved through reflective conversation, reflecting feelings and silence. Thereafter, the Nurse should lead the conversation. Focus should be on the Client’s ideas, expression and feelings and the nurse should be friendly but not a friend to the client. This line needs to be clearly drawn by the nurse. It is important that the Client should be safe, confidential, reliable and consistent with the existing boundaries. For these to happen, the nurse should be genuine, empathetic and positively regard all Clients re gardless of their mental state. Genuineness in this case is the self awareness of the Client’s feelings as they arise in the relationship and the ability to communicate them when necessary. This works to build trust and further prompt the client to open up. The Nurse should be capable of empathy.