Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Why is it so difficult to assess and evaluate the likelihood of Essay

Why is it so difficult to assess and evaluate the likelihood of terrorist attacks, both within the United States and throughout the world - Essay Example terrorist attacks in the United States made the government and counter-terrorist organizations realize the urgent and efficient need of counter-terrorist tactics and methodologies for the protection of their public, leadership and infrastructure. Governments of countries all across the world are emerging with modern and effectual strategies. However, certain hindrances are faced during the process of terrorist risk assessment and evaluation. The paper highlights such problems. Terrorists have used a variety of tactics over a period of time to bring about fear in the minds of general public or any particular group of people. Hence, it would be safe to say that terrorists aim to cause a psychological impact significantly. Common tactics employed by terrorists are bombings, biological and chemical attacks, environmental attacks such as hazardous waste disposal and other tactics such as hijacking, kidnapping, sabotage and arson (Duncan et al 313). International counterterrorism efforts include not only state-to-state co-operation but also multilateral co-ordination such as through Interpol. However, it has been observed that Interpol, international police agency, effectiveness has been restricted due to particular reasons. It is poorly funded and the quantity of staff is also not enough limiting its effectiveness. Moreover, Interpol is not allowed to involve in political issues (Duncan et al 315). The separation of Interpol from politics makes counterterroris m a difficult procedure as most of the terrorist attacks are related to political issues and circumstances. The European Union also developed a similarly acting agency called as Europol. Although Europol works effectively in controlling drugs and human trafficking, the counterterrorism efforts are still lagging behind. Europol requires political, technical and financial enhancement and development to tackle terrorist organizations or activities (Duncan et al 315). One of the major problems faced by the

Monday, October 28, 2019

Evening MBA and Online MBA Essay Example for Free

Evening MBA and Online MBA Essay During my undergraduate studies and my work experiences, I have achieved a number of significant accomplishments that have prepared me for the W.P. Carey MBA. As part of my undergraduate studies, I did an internship at Stora Enso’s Wisconsin Rapids paper mill. My capstone project at the mill involved designing and installing an operator information display, which required me to utilize the services of an interdisciplinary team. For my senior project during my undergraduate studies, I was part of the engineering enterprise team, which expanded my knowledge on business and product development. After graduating college, I joined the United States Air Force, which provided me with a wealth of leadership opportunities. I have held several leadership roles both at the Air Force and afterwards in civilian jobs. While in the Air Force, I was given the opportunity to be the squadron physical fitness leader. I was responsible for the physical training of 200+ personnel and their tests. As part of this duty, I designed a special training program for personnel that were not successful with their tests. As such, I was able to effectively and successfully train staff using the training program I had developed. My superiors at the Air Force were instrumental in mentoring my development and leadership skills, and provided me with the opportunities to lead various projects. These experiences pushed me to improve my supervisor abilities. With this knowledge, I have had great success leading small teams of enlisted personnel in various projects and roles. After separating from the Air Force, I transitioned to the civilian world to further develop and strengthen my skill set. During that time I worked for Dynetics and developed test plans for a variety of military projects. Following development, I would lead a small team to run the tests and write up the findings. This experience improved my technical writing and detailed planning skills. Following a move to Phoenix, I accepted a position with General Dynamics. I was involved in supporting different functional areas such as test and development, while at the same time I expanded my knowledge of program management. I am confident that with my academic potential, team-working abilities, innovative spirit, and leadership skills, I will add significant value to the W.P. Carey MBA program. Essay Question #2 How will the W. P. Carey MBA help you achieve your personal and professional goals? Please reference any area of emphasis you plan to pursue and discuss your career goals after the MBA program. During my time in college, I did an internship at a large paper mill. Observing various roles in the company I realized my ideal position required getting a MBA. By the time I graduated from college, I already had some experience in company management through our schools engineering enterprise program. With seven years of experience now, I have gained expertise in technology and leadership. However, my experience has been limited to operating as a team member in an established organization. Now I would like to understand industry from the viewpoint of a project manager. I want to learn how to manage a technical program from conception to implementation. A MBA will provide me these skills through learning modules, case studies, and projects with fellow students and interactions with peers from assorted professional backgrounds. During my MBA studies, I plan on taking the supply chain management area of emphasis. The ability to understand how the pieces integrate into the whole, combined with my pre-MBA experiences, will set me up to be able to excel in roles as the project manager or team lead. To reach my career goals, I need time-proven business knowledge and practical exposure to all areas of business disciplines, such as management fundamentals, marketing, operations, and most importantly, supply chain management that will complement my engineering experience. The W.P. Carey MBA program is my top choice because of its top-ranked Department of Supply Chain Management. Whereas the core courses will give me a good groundwork of business fundamentals, courses such as â€Å"Management of Technology/Innovation and â€Å"Project Management are in my area of interest. W.P. Carey will provide me with the academic foundation and network that I need to realize my career ambitions. I am positive that with my academic potential, group skills, and leadership potential, I will add significant value to any employer. Essay Question #3 Please address any weaknesses in your W. P. Carey MBA application or provide additional information you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. Concerns to be addressed may include past academic performance or GPA, work experience and/or GMAT scores. The biggest weakness on my MBA application is my college GPA. When I was an undergraduate student I did not fully appreciate the work level that was required to truly excel in my studies at Michigan Technological University. However, if you take a closer look at my GPA throughout my undergraduate years of study, you can see that that there is progressive improvement from the beginning of the year as I got acclimated. Moreover, there is also a positive trend in my grades from my third year of studies up to graduation. There were two main reasons for this shift in my grades; firstly the classes became more focused and specific, which allowed me to excel in these courses, and secondly, I matured during my course of studies. The improvement in my studies was reflective of the successful completion of the engineer-in-training exam, which was obtained at the end of my undergraduate degree. Even though I vastly improved during my undergraduate program of study, I realized that my GPA would continue to be a deterrent for my future goals. To acquire the necessary discipline and expand my skills and knowledge, I joined the United States Air Force. Upon joining the Air Force, I went to Officer Training School, and learning from my previous mistakes at college, worked exceptionally hard. As such, I excelled and graduated Officer Training School in the top ten percent of my class, earning several honors along the way. My time in the United States Air Force was instrumental in expanding my skills in leadership, self-discipline and planning while implementing the knowledge I had gained as part of my undergraduate study. After the Air Force I worked in several challenging jobs, where I was responsible overseeing multiple projects and personnel. I have excelled in every project I have worked on, and my attitude is vastly different to how it was back in the early years of my degree. My college and work experiences have prepared me for the W.P. Carey MBA. Likewise, my GMAT scores demonstrate my future academic potential should this application be viewed favorably.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Rock And Roll :: Music

When Rock arrived on the music charts in the 1950's, a merging of African-American and White music, it made a huge impact on society. As a general rule I am not heavily into music, but I was drawn to Rock for some inexplicable reason. It is just the music I like. This genre will be difficult to write about because the origin of Rock is unclear; there are traces of Rock's style back into the 19th Century. It is also a very broad subject and I will have to compress a lot of information into as few pages as possible. Be that as it may, Rock is, in my opinion the best music genre on the charts. There is so much information on Rock that I will have to have questions I want to find the answers to about the music. My first question will be, "What instruments are commonly used in a rock band?" This will not be hard to answer as it is a very easy question that has a definite answer. The next question will be, "Who were the first artists to produce Rock music?" This is also an easy question were I will discuss the first Rockers. Continuing on, my next question will ask, "How was the term ‘Rock and Roll' created, and by who?" This may turn out to be a hard question to answer because I am sure there a multiple answers. "Has Rock become more or less popular since its inception?" will be my next question. For this question I will have to look for a survey or poll of some type and present its data. My final question will be, "How has the Music been changed over the years and who changed it?" This will also be an easy question, albeit a long answer. For that question I will be referring to Alternative and Grunge Rock, my preferred form of the music. For my information I will mainly be using the internet. I also may get some of my answers from a dictionary or encyclopedia. My main sources on the internet will be the online encyclopedia at wikipedia.org, and anything I can find at google.com. I will also be asking my father who is more into classic rock, but a fan none the less. He has been listening to rock since the 60's when he was about my age.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Porter

Michael five forces model Rivalry among competing Firms: this is usually the most powerful of the five competitive forces. The strategies pursued by one firm can be successful only to the extent that they provide competitive advantage over the strategies of other firms (Grobler 2009) ? Due to China’s incredibly high FDI rate, more and more companies are investing into Chinese businesses and strengthening them in both their domestic markets and also on the global front. With the ever increasing growth of their domestic markets it will only be a short while before they become the dominant market leader, if in this span of 30 years they could rise from nothing to 4th largest in the world then it shows what impact they really had and still have on the global economy. Potential entry of new competitors: whenever new firms can easily enter a particular industry, the intensity of competitiveness among firm’s increases. ?When new firms become strengthened through investments, they become direct competitors of the leaders in that industry. . g. A new Chinese innovation in the television industry grows rapidly, they will be direct competitors against any television firms based in China, for example LG and Sony Bargaining power of consumers: when consumers are concentrated, large or buy in volume their bargaining power represents a major force affecting intensity of competition in an industry (Grobler 2009) ? This goes for actual customers(public) and b2b businesses, because those that buy the larger quantities would get the cheaper rates no doubt, however in China how will that be decided? Will it be their size, market share, sales or Return on capital employed. Potential development of substitute products: in many industries firms are in close competition with producers of substitute products in other industries. ?As mentioned throughout this article, the Chinese have the ability to imitate anything, this factor will never disappear especially if Chinese firms enter European or American markets, how those manufacturers would react to the Chinese developments are unimaginable. Bargaining power of suppliers: the bargaining power of suppliers affects the intensity of completion in an industry, especially when there are large number of suppliers, when there are only a few good substitutes’ raw materials or when cost of switching materials is especially costly (Grobler 2009) Porter’s five forces will only be effective if it is done in a stable environment, it is done to see how attractive the industry is and if it is worth starting a new venture in that environment. Porter’s generic strategies †¢Cost leadership †¢Differentiation †¢Focus Cost leadership: Cost leadership means having the lowest per-unit (i. . , average) cost in the industry that is, lowest cost relative to your rivals. This could mean having the lowest per unit cost among rivals in highly competitive industries, in which case returns or profits will be low but however higher than competitors Or, this could mean having lowest cost among a few rivals where each firm enjoys pricing power and high profits Notice that cost leadership is defined independently of market structure. Differentiation: Differentiating the product offering of a firm means creating something that is perceived industry wide as being unique. It is a means of creating your own market to some extent. There are several approaches to differentiation: †¢Different design †¢Brand image †¢Number of features †¢New technology A differentiation strategy may mean differentiating along 2 or more of these dimensions. Focus: Here we focus on a particular buyer group, product segment, or geographical market. while low cost and differentiation are aimed at achieving their objectives industry wide, the focus or niche strategy is built on serving a particular target (customer, product, or location) very well. Note, however, hat a focus strategy means achieving either a low cost advantage or differentiation in a narrow part of the market. For reasons discussed above, this creates a defendable position within that part of the market. Risks of doing generic strategies Cost leadership †¢Requires continual capital investment because newer innovations cause older creations to become obsolete. †¢When focusing solely on making affordable low cost products, it can cause firms to be blinded to product changes that are needed. Ie. Quantity over quality †¢When costs do begin to increase it narrows the differences between competitors and advantage is ultimately lost For China, the main risk that would affect them the most is when focusing solely on quantity, especially because of their expertise in manufacturing they could lose sight of changes that need to be done to better sales. However, China does have the leading number of R&D departments, even though they might not be as innovative as the Japanese or South Koreans, they have the ability to imitate anything they produce which is why they play a major role in globalization, they can imitate anything except fresh air as they say. Differentiation Customer loyalty becomes too large to hold because of the cost differentiation between low cost firms and differentiating firms. †¢The consumer or buyer’s need to differentiate falls away because of price increases. †¢Imitation decreases perceived differentiation This area is where China are dominant, because they have the influence of causing differentiation to fail, because if the product looks the same, and does the same thing, the n why would they ever go for the more expensive, and thus Chinese markets prosper because economies of scale have brought their price down dramatically. This is also when manufacturers have to start looking for alternative suppliers because they now have to compete with China which is not an easy task, and in doing so, it almost definitely forces them to go global. Focus †¢When companies market to niches only they already take the risk of not completely satisfying a demographic segment and with other companies finding alternatives ways to better their market share eg. FDI or R&D labs, they face the risk of dissolving. On its own focus strategy’s should not be attempted by almost any kind of company, its main purpose is to satisfy a small group of consumers at a time, and if this is not the aim of the business then they are going to fall extremely short on their company vision. Books Grobler, W. (2009) Business strategy, CTI Education Group, Johannesburg. Johnson, G. scholes, K. Whittington, R. (2008) Exploring corporate strategy, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Abdominal Aortic Aneursyms Essay

Aneurysms were first described by the 16th century anatomist and physician Vesalius, who believed they were simply a widening of the vessel (Collin et al 2009). An abdominal aneurysm (AAA) is a condition in which the abdominal aorta (a large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdominal, pelvis and the lower limbs) becomes large and ballooning leading to the development of several symptoms. The condition more often occurs in males compared to females. It occurs more frequently in above the age 60. When the aortic aneurysm is larger than size, it is more likely to rupture causing life-threating problems. This is a medical emergency requiring critical care. This complication is present in about 20% of the people affected with AAA. Another complication with AAA is aortic dissection in which the innermost membrane of the blood vessel ruptures due to the intense pressure causing blood to be filled within the wall of the artery. The exact cause of the disorder has still not been unders tood clearly, but several risk factors may be present including:- See more:Â  The 3 Types of Satire Essay * Hypertension * High cholesterol levels * Obesity * Emphysema * Genetic factors * Smoking (Albright JL. 2006 & Hallett JW. 2008) Individuals affected with AAA initially may not have any symptoms. Symptoms of the condition usually develop suddenly due to rupture of the wall or breakage of the innermost wall. Sudden rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm, often without prior medical warning, is the 13th leading cause of morality in the US (Li, Z 2006). Some of the symptoms that can develop in AAA include:- * Abdominal pain (which may be severe, consistent and radiates to the legs, groin and the buttocks region) * Pulsations in the abdomen & palpitations * Nausea and vomiting * Anxiety and agitation * Abdominal rigidity * Cold and clammy skin * Presence of the abdominal mass * Excruciating pain in the limbs and back, when the AAA ruptures * Fatal outcomes in the case of ruptured AAA(Albright JL. 2006 & Hallett JW. 2008) When the AAA is small in size (less than 5 centimeters), no treatment is required. Antihypertensive may be needed to prevent any further complications from developing. Besides, if the individual has any risk factors that can worsen the condition, it needs to be rectified immediately (such as giving up smoking, weight reduction, lowering cholesterol levels, etc.). Periodic evaluations have been recommended to ensure that any risk can be identified and immediately taken care of (Albright JL. 2006 & Hallett JW. 2008). Surgery is required if the AAA is larger than 5.5 centimeters in size, as the risk for rupture or dissection is present. The Aneurysmal defect is repaired by inserting a surgical graft. This can be performed by two method namely the conventional approach or the endovascular approach. In the conventional approach, general anesthesia is utilized. A surgical incision is made below the breast bone, the aneurysm defect identified, and the graft material sutured in position. The entire procedure takes about 5 hours and a stay of at least a week in the hospital is required. The second approach is the endovascular stent grafting in which regional anesthesia is administered and a catheter is introduced through the femoral artery present in the groin region. This catheter contains the stent graft. It is gradually guided into position using imaging techniques. Once it is position, the stent graft is opened ensuring a stable blood flow. The procedure takes about 3 hours can require a stay of about 3 days in the hospital (Albright JL. 2006 & Hallett JW. 2008). Several imaging techniques play a very important role in diagnosing and treating AAA. These include ultrasound, CT scans and angiography. Abdominal ultrasound is one of the preferred examinations for AAA. Ultrasound of the abdomen is also required following convention surgery to monitor the repaired AAA closely. It is usually performed as an initial imaging modality due to several factors including:- * Portability * Absence of ionizing radiation * Low costs * Easy availability (Radvany MG. 2006) Angiography involves administration of a contrast media into the femoral artery present in the groin region and then taking X-rays to determine the condition of the abdominal aorta. It is very useful before conventional and endovascular surgery for planning. It also seems to be very useful in the case of aortic dissection. However, angiography also carries a few risks including:- * Damage to the artery * Hypotension * Infection of blood vessel * Embolism and clot formation * Bleeding and heart attack (Bentley-Hibbert S. 2007 & Radvany MG. 2006). If the abdominal ultrasound and AAA greater 5 centimeters, than a CT scan of the abdomen is required. The CT scan can better help to plan the surgical intervention as the images provide a lot of detail (including involvement of the renal arteries, size of the aneurysm, amount of calcification, presence of mural thrombi, etc.). The accuracy of CT scans is said to be 100%. They provide a lot of details regarding the size of the aneurysm and also about distal and proximal issues. CT even with contrast media cannot be utilized to study dissection aneurysm or the presence of the extent of mural thrombus. They are also required following endovascular graft surgery for a period of 6 months as a post-procedural follow-up measure (Radvany MG. 2006). MRI scans of the abdomen are required when the side-effects of the contrast media used in other techniques could be potential damaging to the patient (in case of kidney or liver problems) or when radiation is contra-indicated. The images provide a lot of detail and are accurate. However, MRI cannot be performed in individuals with cardiac pacemakers. CT and MRI scanning also have other advantages including:- * Provides details regarding extent of involvement * Determine involvement of major blood vessels (Radvany MG. 2006) Reference list Albright JL. Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Medline Plus. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000162.htm Accessed October 20, 2012. Bentley-Hibbert S. Aortic angiography. Medline Plus. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003814.htm Accessed October 26, 2012. Hallett JW. Aneurysms. 2008. The Merck Manual. Available at: http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec03/ch035/ch035b.html Accessed October 26, 2012. Li Z. Effects of blood flow and vessel geometry on wall stress and rupture risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Journal Of Medical Engineering & Technology [serial online]. September 2006;30(5):283-297. Available from: Computer Source, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 24, 2012. Radvany MG et al. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Diagnosis. E-Medicine. 2006. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com/Radio/topic1.htm Accessed October 24, 2012. Woodrow P. Abdominal aortic aneurysms: clinical features, treatment and care. Nursing Standard [serial online]. August 17, 2011;25(50):50. Available from: Advanced Placement Source, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 24, 2012.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Physics of Star Trek essays

Physics of Star Trek essays Star Trek is a show that has been fascinating audiences for years with impressive devices like holodecks, transporters, and warp drive. But could any of these things ever really be used? According to physics, some of the devices are theoretically possible, but probably not practical. Scotty understood that physics is a rule that cant be broken, even if the shows producers did not. He told Captain Kirk numerous times "But I canna change the laws of physics, Captain!". One of my favorite things about Star Trek has always been the holodeck. In the show, the holodeck works by using tons of holo-diodes in the walls, ceiling, and floor of the holodeck. The sense of touching an object is created by force fields, and a replicator is used for creating things like food and smells to perfect the experience. In reality, a holodeck would work in much the same way. In fact, a very small version of a holodeck has already been created by researchers at MIT's famous Media Lab. Its about the size of a sugar cube and can create fully animated, high quality pictures. A couple of students even threw in a force field, so that now using a small pen, you can actually touch and manipulate the hologram. There are now ideas about how to build a holodeck style room, very similar to the one on Star Trek. Rooms like this would be invaluable to simulate dangerous or difficult situations. The rooms probably wouldnt be used for entertainment anytime in the near future because they would be way to expensive. Another one of my favorite things on Star Trek is the transporter. Cast members are able to travel large distances instantly. They simply step on the teleported pad then a couple of switches are turned on, some sparkly light appears along with bad 60s sounding special effects music, and the next thing you know the character is magically at their destination. But the really cool thing is that scientists are already exp...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Where is the Love by The Black Eyed Peas essays

Where is the Love by The Black Eyed Peas essays The following critical interpretation of popular culture is based on the song Where is the Love by the Black Eyed Peas, which was written in 2003. An interpretation of the message that the author is trying to convey in the song is the idea that there is massive discrimination and hatred among people in the United States. Furthermore, the song suggests that US citizens are ignorant of the world around them and that love, which can be viewed as human kindness and civility in the context of this song, is lost among people. To continue, the song argues that the government, along with popular media, is manipulating the populous into thinking that the world we live in is a safe place; all the while hiding what the US government is doing around the world. For example the bombings of Al Shifa Pharmaceutical Plant in Sudan, the aspirin factory bombed in 1998 by the Clinton Administration. The song discusses issues such as terrorism, U.S government hypocrisy, xenophobia, warmongering, sexual/religious intolerance and the inherent greed of the capitalist ideal. Moreover, the song asks a fundamental question as the title suggests Where is the Love? The lyricist proceeds to make his argument by starting the song with analysis of how people lost their morals and respect for each other which leads to xenophobia and intolerance in general. Moving on, in the second half of the song, the writer makes the argument that any form of racism, xenophobia, is the cause for terrorism, especially the events of September 11 2001. The third half of the song, the lyricist writes about the wrongdoing of modernization in the world and how capitalism spreads animosity and selfishness rather than values of humanity to the public. Therefore, the authors presumption that the world has lost love towards humanity and respect for others including religion is based on the arguments that firstly, that disrespect leads to discrimination, ...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Mezhirich - Paleolithic Ukraine Mammoth Bone Settlement

Mezhirich - Paleolithic Ukraine Mammoth Bone Settlement The archaeological site of Mezhirich (sometimes spelled Mezhyrich) is an Upper Paleolithic (Epigravettian) site located in the Middle Dnepr (or Dneiper) Valley region of Ukraine near Kiev, and it is one of the best-preserved sites of its type excavated to date. Mezhirich is a large open-air site where several mammoth bone huts with hearths and pit features were used between about 14,000-15,000 years ago. Mezhirich is located approximately 15 kilometers (10 miles) west of the Dnieper river in central Ukraine, located on top of a promontory overlooking the confluence of the Ros and Rosava Rivers, 98 meters (321 feet) above sea level. Buried beneath about 2.7-3.4 m (8.8-11.2 ft) of calcareous loess were the remains of four oval to circular huts, with surface areas of between 12 to 24 square meters (120-240 square feet) each. The dwellings are separated from one another between 10-24 m (40-80 ft), and they are arranged in a V-shaped pattern on the promontory top. Mammoth Bones as Structural Material The main structural elements of the walls of these buildings are stacked mammoth bone, including skulls, long bones (mostly humeri and femora), innominates, and scapulae. At least three of the huts were occupied at approximately the same time. About 149 individual mammoths are believed to be represented at the site, either as building material (for the structures) or as food (from refuse found in nearby pits) or as fuel (as burned bone in nearby hearths). Features at Mezhirich About 10 large pits, with diameters between 2-3 m (6.5-10 ft) and depths between .7-1.1 m (2.3-3.6 ft) were found surrounding the mammoth-bone structures at Mezhirich, filled with bone and ash, and are believed to have been used as either meat storage facilities, refuse pits or both. Internal and external hearths surround the dwellings, and these are filled with burnt mammoth bone. Tool workshop areas were identified at the site. Stone tools are dominated by microliths, while bone and ivory tools include needles, awls, ​perforators, and polishers. Items of personal ornamentation include shell and amber beads, and ivory pins. Several examples of mobiliary or portable art recovered from the site of Mezhirich include stylized anthropomorphic figurines and ivory engravings. The majority of animal bone found at the site are mammoth and hare  but smaller elements of wooly rhinoceros, horse, reindeer, bison, brown bear, cave lion, wolverine, wolf, and fox are also represented  and were probably butchered and consumed on site. Radiocarbon Dates Mezhirich has been the focus of a suite of radiocarbon dates, primarily because while there are numerous hearths at the site and an abundance of bone charcoal, there is almost no wood charcoal. Recent archaeobotanical studies suggest that taphonomic processes which selectively removed wood charcoal may be the reason for the lack of wood, rather than reflecting deliberate bone selection by the occupants. Like other Dnepr River basin mammoth bone settlements, Mezhirich was first thought to have been occupied between 18,000 and 12,000 years ago, based on early radiocarbon dates. More recent ​​Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates suggest a shorter chronology for all mammoth bone settlements, between 15,000 and 14,000 years ago. Six AMS radiocarbon dates from Mezhirich returned calibrated dates between 14,850 and 14,315 BCE. Excavation History Mezhirich was discovered in 1965 by a local farmer, and excavated between 1966 and 1989 by a series of archaeologists from the Ukraine and Russia. Joint international excavations were conducted by scholars from Ukraine, Russia, the UK, and the US well into the 1990s. Sources Cunliffe B. Upper Paleolithic economy and society. In Prehistoric Europe: An Illustrated History. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1998. Marquer L, Lebreton V, Otto T, Valladas H, Haesaerts P, Messager E, Nuzhnyi D, and Pà ©an S. Charcoal scarcity in Epigravettian settlements with mammoth bone dwellings: the taphonomic evidence from Mezhyrich (Ukraine). Journal of Archaeological Science, 2012, 39(1):109-120. Soffer O, Adovasio JM, Kornietz NL, Velichko AA, Gribchenko YN, Lenz BR, and Suntsov VY. Cultural stratigraphy at Mezhirich, an Upper Palaeolithic site in Ukraine with multiple occupations. Antiquity , 1997, 71:48-62. Svoboda J, Pà ©an S, and Wojtal P. Mammoth bone deposits and subsistence practices during Mid-Upper Palaeolithic in Central Europe: three cases from Moravia and Poland. Quaternary International, 2005, 126–128:209-221. Alternate Spellings: Mejiriche, Mezhyrich

Saturday, October 19, 2019

HRM on International context Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

HRM on International context - Essay Example It can be noted that Germany labour systems have been characterised by collective agreements where the workers agree on collective bargaining instead of embarking on industrial action to press for more wages. However, the issue has been to test to see if MNCs and larger national fast food employers would respond to sectoral level bargaining as well as the extent of effectiveness of the German system of statutory employee representation in practice. Thus, the research mainly focused on these two groups of industries in Germany particularly McDonalds which has dominated the Germany food industry for many years and its labour relations practices. According to the research, the industrial relation in Germany are characterised by collective representation where industrial action is not advocated. Most unions are affiliated to the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) which by far is the largest and most important federation. In 2001 after mergers, there were six unions affiliated to DGB with the most important mergers taking place between service sector unions to form the new service workers union where the union representing the food, catering, drink and tobacco industries did not take part. Collective agreements negotiated at sectoral levels are legally binding but this excludes other companies in Germany. Focus in this case is on the fast food industry in Germany which broadly includes motorway service stations, retail sector restaurants and airport restaurants excluding hotels and other â€Å"leisure† sector. McDonalds tops the Germany food service sector in terms of turnover. Management at McDonalds believed that wor ks councils and collective agreements with unions would seriously undermine its system and this attracted criticism. However, the company later capitulated to pressure. However, the 1952/1972 and 1976 Acts do not apply to McDonalds because it has retained US registration in the state of Delaware. There are few

Friday, October 18, 2019

The Automobile Industry Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Automobile Industry - Assignment Example BMW began off as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. In the year 1918 following the end of World War 1, the Versailles Armistice Treaty forced the company to cease the business of aircraft engine production. It thus changed the line of business to start producing motorcycles in the year 1923, and later automobiles in 1928 when the treaty’s restrictions began to be lifted. The very first car successfully produced by BMW and which actually propelled the company’s automobile business was known as Dixie. It debarked again to the production of engines for aircraft in the 1930s producing engines such as BMW 132, BMW 801 and BMW 003. The Quandt family has since the year 1959 owned a controlling stake of 46% of the company’s stock and the rest is public. BMW bought Has Glas Company in the 1966 and in 1992 acquired a controlling stake in Designworks USA and went on to fully acquire the company in 1995. BMW also acquired the Rover Group for six years and sold the group off to the Phoenix Consortium as it was making losses. It retained the rights of building the new Mini brand which entered the market in 2001. The company’s long-serving lead designer Chris Bangle left in 2009 and his place was taken by Adrian Van Hooydonk. BMW bought the Husqvarna Motorcycles. In 2012 Bavaria Motor Works was listed by Forbes as world’s most reputable company. The Forbes ranking system bases a lot on the willingness of people to buy, invest in, work for and recommend the firm to others. 60% of the Forbes raking points is driven by the perception of people about the company while 40% is the perception of the company’s products. Specializing in the production of automobiles, the BMW Group has earned itself brand recognition as the worlds most successful. The group runs with three major brands, MINI, BMW and Rolls-Royce all of which are targeted for different market segments. The company has for a long time continued to be among the major players in luxury automobile section and registering consistent sales growth even with the crisis in the European markets.  

Why gas prices are so high in America Speech or Presentation

Why gas prices are so high in America - Speech or Presentation Example The rising fuel cost has compelled people to drive less. The rise in the prices of gas has resulted in a change in the American life style. (Keen and Overberg) The price rise resulted in a trade deficit in the country as it rose to 15 percent in January 2011. (U.S. trade deficit rose 15% in January on higher oil prices) Texas the second largest state in US experienced a steady rise in the gas prices. The latest data available shows that in the year 2011 the oil price in the state of Texas showed a slow but decreasing trend, where the retail gasoline price has changed from $3.727 per gallon on the 23rd of May 2011 to $3.589 per gallon on 6th June 2011. But considering the same month last year that is in 2010, the gas price has increased by 0.976 dollar per gallon. Houston the largest city of Texas has also experienced an escalation in the price of gas by 1.023 per gallon in 2011 from that of the previous year. (Retail Gasoline Historical prices)

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Means of Company's Driving Superior Shareholder Value Coursework

Means of Company's Driving Superior Shareholder Value - Coursework Example I introduced the balanced scorecard which is a performance report based on a broad set of both financial and non-financial performance measures as the best strategic management accounting tool to be employed in the current business environment today. I also focused a bit on how shareholders could align their interests with those of shareholders since present compensation plans such as the granting of stock options to CEOs have been unable to motivate managers to create value for shareholders. I therefore recommended that managers should be compensated based on the amount of shareholder value that they generate and that it is also necessary for managers to be evaluated based on the amount of long-term economic value that they generate since evaluating them based on short-term performance measures can make them be myopic and as a result engage in short-term activities to generate higher short-term results for the short-term financial performance measures.Today, the current business env ironment has become characterized by the importance of the investor and the drive for shareholder value. Shareholder value is the value of a firm minus future claims (debt). Shareholder value is given by taking the net present value (NPV) of all future free cash flows to the firm plus value of non-operating assets minus future claims (debt). Non-operating assets include marketable securities, excess real estate and over-funded pension plans, whereas future claims include interest bearing long-term and short-term debt, capital lease obligations, under-funded pension plans and contingent liabilities. Only when a firm earns a return on invested capital (ROIC) above the cost of capital can that firm be said to be creating economic shareholder value.  Ã‚  

King Lear by W. Shakespeare and A Brave New World by A. Huxley Essay

King Lear by W. Shakespeare and A Brave New World by A. Huxley - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that irony, or what happens when something is said, or done, and what happens is the opposite of what was supposed to happen is found in â€Å"King Lear† by Shakespeare, and â€Å"A Brave New World† by Albert Huxley, in more than one place, and in more than one form. In King Lear, a King that does not wish to be King any more splits his kingdom between his three daughters and then attempts to retire. Unfortunately, in splitting his kingdom, he has made a big mistake and must accept the penalty that comes with it. Joining the Lear family is the Earl of Gloucester, with his two sons, Edgar and Edmund, one who is the legal heir to the house, and the other that wants it because he thinks he should have it. In A Brave New World, society is no longer brave, or new, or true to each other. Instead, it has been replaced with a system that, from top to bottom, ensures only the good of what is known as the world-state, but not any one pe rson in it. Throughout both of these stories, there is what is known as spoken irony, or a character saying something opposite of what was meant as they were saying it. There is also irony in different situations when what actually happens is the opposite or different from what someone set out to do. Finally, there is also dramatic irony, when the characters end up doing something that may come back to haunt them. Irony happens right away in the first scenes of King Lear in the form of dramatic irony when Lear commits a rather large error that will cost him dearly.... Though the words of the other two daughters could be used as verbal, or spoken, irony in this case, it is the interaction between Cordelia and Lear that puts the biggest irony on the scene. Dramatic irony happens again right after this when Edmund, the bastard son of Gloucester, schemes to have what he feels he deserves. He says, â€Å"Wherefore should I stand in the plague of custom/and permit the curiosity of nations to deprive me/for that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines lag of a brother?† (I.ii. 2-6). Edmund plans to take what he wants, even though he is not the rightful heir, and now everyone reading knows this, but everyone else around him in the play has not been informed. Another example of dramatic irony happens in A Brave New World. Linda, the mother of the savage, tells Bernard and Lenina that her son had a father named â€Å"Tomakin† (Huxley 182). Huxley even tells the readers that â€Å"Yes, Thomas was the D.H.C.’s first name† (Huxley 182). The readers know, then, that the Director actually fathered a child. He had been seen almost from page one telling students and new workers to the central hatchery â€Å"for you must remember, in those days of gross viviparous production, children were always brought up by their parents and not in state conditioning centers† (Huxley 38). It is ironic that the Direct of the Central Hatcheries actually had sex with emotional involvement and fathered a child when he claims that the whole process is â€Å"gross† and a thing of the past. Situational irony, or a situation in which the opposite effect happens than intended, occurs so many times in both of these stories that examples must be chosen, and not listed.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Means of Company's Driving Superior Shareholder Value Coursework

Means of Company's Driving Superior Shareholder Value - Coursework Example I introduced the balanced scorecard which is a performance report based on a broad set of both financial and non-financial performance measures as the best strategic management accounting tool to be employed in the current business environment today. I also focused a bit on how shareholders could align their interests with those of shareholders since present compensation plans such as the granting of stock options to CEOs have been unable to motivate managers to create value for shareholders. I therefore recommended that managers should be compensated based on the amount of shareholder value that they generate and that it is also necessary for managers to be evaluated based on the amount of long-term economic value that they generate since evaluating them based on short-term performance measures can make them be myopic and as a result engage in short-term activities to generate higher short-term results for the short-term financial performance measures.Today, the current business env ironment has become characterized by the importance of the investor and the drive for shareholder value. Shareholder value is the value of a firm minus future claims (debt). Shareholder value is given by taking the net present value (NPV) of all future free cash flows to the firm plus value of non-operating assets minus future claims (debt). Non-operating assets include marketable securities, excess real estate and over-funded pension plans, whereas future claims include interest bearing long-term and short-term debt, capital lease obligations, under-funded pension plans and contingent liabilities. Only when a firm earns a return on invested capital (ROIC) above the cost of capital can that firm be said to be creating economic shareholder value.  Ã‚  

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Gardner's Multiple-Intelligences Theory Research Paper

Gardner's Multiple-Intelligences Theory - Research Paper Example The theory identifies nine fundamental traits of intelligence, namely spatial, mathematical, kinesthetic, linguistic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, existential and naturalistic intelligence. (Smith, 2002, 2008). Gardner never claimed that the traits of intelligence are limited to the ones he identified. Brief explanation of these types of intelligence is as follows: Spatial intelligence is concerned with the imagination. Artists are typically equipped with such an intelligence. Linguistic intelligence makes it easy for an individual to memorize difficult vocabulary and interpret thoughts into words. People with technical accuracy of thoughts have mathematical intelligence. They are good at calculations. People with quick physical reflexes have a high kinesthetic intelligence. They are good at tasks requiring physical exercises. Some people compose very good songs and have a nice taste for music and hence excel in this field. They are equipped with sufficiently high musical intelligence. People with good interpersonal intelligence level are social and have management skills. Their social circle is large. Others who are introverts have a sound understanding of their own self and have inclination towards philosophy. They have a high intrapersonal intelligence level. People who stay close to nature and appreciate it have a goof level of naturalisti c intelligence. Existential intelligence allows an individual to comprehend and interpret infinity. The Multiple-Intelligences Theory has acquired mixed reviews of the philosophers and educationalists. Although the theory has not met with great success, there are many who acknowledge the theory proposed by Gardner as presenting the matter in a broader spectrum. The approach adopted by Gardner, is indeed realistic and mature in that it identifies nearly all traits of intelligence and explains why, some people with a high IQ are not good at performing certain tasks that their counterparts with lower

Monday, October 14, 2019

Food Cart Businesses Management Practices Essay Example for Free

Food Cart Businesses Management Practices Essay A. Environment * Linis Ofis Program Translated as â€Å"clean office†, this internal program is an integrated approach to solid waste management in support of the Philippine Government’s Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003). It deals with waste segregation by instilling in SMC employees the 4R discipline – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover. It aims to educate its workers to value their environment by practicing segregation, collection, reuse and recycling of disposable waste in the workplace. SMC’s Head Office Complex located in the Ortigas Center hub provided three waste receptacles placed in strategic spots for food scraps or compostable waste, recyclable items (such as plastic bottles and aluminum cans), and nonrecyclable items or disposable waste (such as plastic and tetra-pak containers). This is also being implemented in SMC’s other facilities nationwide. A separate chest of drawers is provided in each department for solid waste with market value, such as used bond paper, magazines, newspapers and empty ink cartridges. The program generated P26,000 from the sale of recyclable materials on its first month, and an average of P12,000 per month. It has also helped in reducing the amount of solid waste, which normally finds its way to landfills and dumpsites, and easing up on manpower in the collection of waste. * Task Force Hangin Task Force Hangin is responsible for helping plants comply with the Clean Air Act. The word â€Å"hangin† means â€Å"air†. The Task Force is composed of representatives from CTS-EMG, CTS-Engineering, Corporate Planning and Development, and Corporate Purchasing Unit. It is tasked to pinpoint the best available fuel and control technology for the plants’ fuel burning equipment. It conducted numerous studies and came up with recommendations to utilize low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) and scrubbers as the most effi cient options for solving the problem, and maintain the level of sulfur content in its fuel to about 0.7%S. It also studied the range of fuel cost that determines when LSFO fuel is advantageous to use versus scrubbers, and when a plant needs to shift from LSFO to scrubbers. The study enabled the Task Force to guide the plants in their compliance efforts. All SMC-owned plants are expected to institute the necessary actions congruent with the Clean Air Act. The u se of electric heaters at the Mandaue Glass Plant’s furnace reduced the consumption of bunker fuel oil and the generation of combustion flue gas. B. Human Resources * Benefits Program Employee Protection – Employees are entitled to sick leave benefi ts that will provide fi nancial security even if they have lost the ability to earn in times of sickness or injury. Time Off With Pay – Employees are also entitled to leave benefi ts that will allow for the continuity of their wage earnings even if they are on vacation or have to attend to emergency matters requiring their presence. Health Care – The Corporation provides a comprehensive medical program for employees and their dependents to protect them against the financial burden that comes with illness or injury. Flexible Loan Facilities – The Corporation offers an interestfree loan facility that is tailored to address the various fi nancial needs of the employees. Its fl exibility lies in the loan purpose, amount, and guidelines. Educational Program – This helps meet the fi nancial requirements of employees who desire to pursue further studies. It includes loan facilities for the educational needs of employees’ dependents. Rice and Clothing Allowances – The Corporation provides a monthly sack of rice to each rank-and-fi le employee. Employees also receive a clothing allowance for their proper work attire. Insurance and Death Benefits – Financial assistance is extended to the bereaved family to help defray expenses incurred as a result of the demise of the employee or an immediate family member of an employee. * Employee Relations Sports and Recreation – The program aims to nurture camaraderie and unity among the employees through various sports activities, such as basketball, bowling, aerobics, street dancing, gym workout sessions, volleyball, etc. The Corporation tries to meet the employees’ varied sports preferences. There are also interest clubs being formed for enthusiasts of golf, running, taekwondo, etc. Summer Outing – The Corporation provides a yearly venue for employees and management of each division to interact with one another’s families in an informal environment marked by fun and games. Songfest – This is an annual nationwide search for employees who have exceptional talent for singing, a common trait among Filipinos. Employee Service Awards – The annual recognition program honors employees for their years of service to the Corporation. Baratillo – The monthly event allows employees to purchase various San Miguel products at discounted prices. The venue is the Head Office Complex, and employees from other SMC units and offices come to take advantage of the reasonable offers. Christmas Tiangge – Employees are given the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial spirit by selling various products during the two-day event. It is held regularly at the Head Office Complex in November before the onset of the Christmas season to allow employees and their families and friends to purchase their Christmas presents early. C. Customer Relations, Productivity and Quality * Customer Care Center By setting up this Center, SMC re-affirms its responsibility to its customers. Advancements in information technology make it possible for the Corporation to establish a more personal communication link with its customers. The integrated SMC Customer Care Center provides alternative channels for easy access and fast response to varying types of customer needs and requests. The Center supports SMC’s businesses in strengthening customer relations, and indirectly market share as well. It is manned by a professional staff using superior technology and employing innovative solutions to ensure customer satisfaction and capture product loyalty. Walk-in customers who may prefer face-to-face interaction feel welcome amidst the Center’s warm atmosphere. The Center’s call handling services take care of both inbound and outbound calls, providing information on the quality, pricing, distribution and availability of a product or service, while operating as a call center. It also handles order taking, telemarketing, sales campaign, promotion of new products, and customer satisfaction surveys. Electronic customer linkages come through e-mail, faxes and SMS (short message services). The Center’s integrated setup makes it easy for SMC’s operating divisions to link up with it for their customer and product concerns. D. Corporate Governance * Compliance System In adherence to corporate principles and best practices, the Chairman of the Board designated a Compliance Officer reporting directly to him. As the position denotes, he is responsible for seeing to it that the organization complies with the provisions in the manual. The Board of Directors is responsible for the long-term success of the Corporation and its sustained competitiveness, consistent with its trusted role exercised in the best interest of the Corporation, its shareholders and other stakeholders. Forming working committees within the Board fosters open discussion, keeping Board members informed, and allowing them to become more sensitive to shareholders’ interests. * Disclosure System All material information are publicly disclosed. These include earning results, Board changes, and shareholdings of directors. The Corporation established an Investor Relations Unit to disseminate timely information to shareholders. SMC practices consistency, accuracy and timeliness in the delivery and communication of information and data. The Unit coordinates with the Compliance Officer and other SMC divisions in effectively communicating with stakeholders. * Monitoring and Assessment Each committee reports to the Board of Directors. The Compliance Officer established an evaluation system to determine and measure compliance against the manual’s guidelines.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

A History of Rome and Julius Caesar

A History of Rome and Julius Caesar Report Plan Introduce: Caesar Battle at Alesia Gallia/Europe Report Important Caesar to Rome o Caesars army Vercingetorix o Tribe/prince Gaul history The siege at Alesia and army strategy The Gaul attack Picture of army attack strategy Final battle Map Conclusion New territory of Rome Culture change in Europe Pacere svbjectis, debellare svperbos To show mercy to the conquered and subdue the proud (Aeneid 6.847-853- Virgil.) 1. Introduction This report deals with the historical events that happened during the time of the Roman Consul Caius Julius Caesar (Caesar). It will first look at the important battle at a town called Alesia. It will then describe the battle that took place under the command of Caesar and his opponent Vercingetorix. It will describe some of the unique military strategy used. Finally some conclusions will be drawn about how this historical event had influenced how Europe looks today. 2. Methodology Information in this report is taken from both books and from three websites. The websites were found using Google searches. Websites were checked to guarantee the information was reliable. Books 1. Title: De Bellum Gallicum (in English it is called Commentaries on the Gallic War) It is a collection of 7 books written by Caius Julius Caesar, Roman General, politician and author (12 Jul. 100 BC, 15 Mar. 44 BC). There is an additional one, number 8, written by Aulus Hirtius, soldier, historian, Roman Consul (90 BC 43 BC). Websites Livius.org Livius is a website on ancient history written and maintained since 1996 by the Dutch historian Jona Lendering. It started on a different URL; the present one has been in use since 2000. The website is not for profit; with a couple of exceptions that have been indicated, you can use every photo and text, provided that you refer back to Livius and do not make profit either. Arsbellica.it ArsBellica is an Italian website, also translated in English to permit foreign students to draw from these precious studies, it belongs to Marco and Luca Maurino. These authors document historys battles for their own website and they collaborate with few of the most important universities in Italy. ThoughtCo.com Is a famous international website owned by Neil Vogel. The website debates about several topics like politics, history, maths, religion, sports and much more. It is run by a staff of experts who give the chance to freelance writers to send in their own articles, and after a meticulous review, these articles can be published. 3. The two Generals: Caius Julius Caesar ( July 12/13, 100 B.C. March 15, 44 B.C.) Was one of the most important men of all time. He was known as a brilliant military General, and he took part to form the first triumvirate. The first triumvirate was a political alliance between three consuls in the late Roman Republic: Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Licinius Crassus. Caesar was the first Roman to land in Britain, and he unified the Gaul after its insurrection. During the siege of Alesia, Caesar had ten legions available (V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV), for a total of 60,000 soldiers (ThoughtCo.com, 2017). Picture of Caesar (Ancient History et cetera, 2015) Vercingetorix (82 BC 46 BC)   Ã‚   Vercingetorix is the name that meanswho won 100 battles. He was the Gallic Prince of the Arvernis tribe. During the Gallic war he was   able to gather most of the Gallic tribes in one single impressive army, with himself leading as the General. During the siege of Alesia he had 70,000 soldiers in the citys walls and 240,000 as relief army, situated outside the Roman camp (Thought.com, 2017). Picture of Vercingetorix (Ancient History Encyclopedia, 2014) 4. 58-51 BC, Gallia Cisalpina In 58-51 BC, in territory Gallia Cisalpina (commonly known today as France and part of Belgium), the Roman Consul Caius Julius Caesar (Caesar), ran an intensive military campaign in the region of Gaul. The nature of Caesars tactics, and the style of his battlefront during this period was one of the most bloody during Caesars military career. Within the hill town of Alesia, Caesar and his legions were getting closer to the battlefield that would eventually mark the event as one of the most remarkable military victories in history. This is because the battle that was fought in Alesia involved military strategies which tested Caesars abilities as a leader. He had to find ways to manage numerous traitor-tribes, revolts, and small rebellions. Managing these were important because Caesar knew that if the Gallic tribes formed an alliance against him, the Roman legion may not continue to maintain their rule in the region. (GreatMilitaryBattles.com, 2009) 5. The siege In 52 BC., Vercingetorix, after the battle of Gergovia, thought that it wasnt the right moment to engage in a royal battle against the Caesars army, so therefore he withdrew to the walled Mandubii town of Alesia. Placed on a hill and encircled by river valleys, Alesia was in a strong defensive position. Once nearby Alesia Caesar had to decide the best way to make his attack. Instead of launching a frontal assault, he decided the better strategy was to lay siege to the town, by surrounding the town and waiting for them to surrender. To make sure that Alesia was away from any sort of rescue, Caesars army built a circumvallation wall. Provided with ditches, watchtowers, and traps (such as stimuli, lilies, and tombstones) the wall ran for roughly 15 km. During the endeavor to build the wall by the Romans, Vercingetorix was sending small groups of cavalry with the aim to disturb the Romans work and also to try to kill as many Roman soldiers as possible. Wondering if a possible relief army in Vercingetorix could help, Caesar decided to erect a second wall, in slang contravallation, that was long about 21 km (ThoughtCo.com, 2017). Picture of the circumvallation and contravallation walls at Alesia (Ancient World, 2015) After three weeks of siege, at the end of September, the people in the town were starting to starve. Because of this, Vercingetorix decided to try to assault the Roman camp from the city, with the assistance of the relief army that arrived the day before under the lead of Commius (one of Vercingetorixs army generals), attacking from outside the Roman camp. Both attacks were contained by the Romans, so the Gauls attacked again in the next day, this time with the help of the darkness. When Commius thought that it was the right moment to break through the Roman lines, Mark Anthony and Gaius Trebonius cavalry gave a great proof of their valour keeping the position assigned to them by Caesar. From inside, Vercingetorix was also attacking, but the surprises element was lost due to the need to fill in the Roman trenches before moving onward (ThoughtCo.com, 2017). 6. The final battle The Gauls attack. After one month and a half of the siege, the Gauls decided to concentrate their forces in one last attack. The target was the Roman camp of Mount Rea, the farther from Alesia but even the more difficult to defend, because the landscape of the territory had poor visibility. Inside the citys wall, the remains of the army of Vercingetorix   decided to support the final attack from inside the lines. After 7 hours marching and 5 hours rest, the Gauls launched a devastating charge beginning a bloody hand-to-hand fight. Right away the Roman Tribunes needed reinforcements, so Caesar decided to send 6 military units (cohorts) from the south camp, next to the Mount Flavigny. Vercingetorix saw this move, and he sent quickly a charge to the camp that had just been deprived of a relevant number of troopers. After Caesar gave the order to get the 6 cohorts back to defend the camp from the assault of Vercingetorix, Caesars situation was getting dramatic and he decided to dismount his horse and start to fight with   his comrades. Once the legions of Caius Fabius and Decimus Brutus had recognized the General by his red cloak fighting on their side, they found new energies starting to fight harder (Arsbellica.it, 2015). Picture of army camps and attack directions (arsebellica.it, 2015) Caesars last move. After the 6 cohorts were arrived back to the camp of Mount Flavigny, south of Alesia, Caesar had to rush to the north, to Mount Rea, where the outside army of Vercassivellauno (Vercingetorixs army general) was charging the Roman camp with about 60,000 men. In his way up to the north encampment, Ceasar collected as many horsemen as possible (the Germanic auxiliary cavalry were the best knights of that time), and 4 reserve cohorts. Caesar knew it was his last chance, so he gave his last order: he sent the Germanic cavalry ahead following the entire perimeter to reach Mount Rea, run around it and take the attacking Gauls with surprise by their back. It was a pretty dangerous move because he had to deprive himself of the horsemen for at least two hours, the time to run to the north of Alesia and run around the enemy. In the meantime, Commander Labienus was holding the situation difficultly, waiting for Caesar and relief forces. When the Roman General arrived, he became conscious of the situation. The factions were so mixed that wasnt even possible to thrown an arrow without the risk of hit their own comrades. The legions were in great suffering, but fortunately, as Caesar expected, the Germanic   auxiliary horsemen arrived at the right moment to slaughter the Gauls from rear. Caesar wrote in his book like below: Nostri, omissis pilis, gladiis rem gerunt. Repente post tergum equitatus cernitur. Cohortes aliae adpropinquabant: hostes terga vertunt. Fugientibus equites occurrunt. Fit magna caedes (Ours, renouncing javelins and held the gladii. Suddenly appears behind (of the enemy) our Cavalry. The other cohorts are pressuring, enemies extend their backs. The riders chasing the fugitives. There is a great slaughter ). (CAESAR, De Bello Gallico LXXXVIII, 5-7; arsbellica.it, 2015) Picture of army camps and fleeing directions (arsebellica.it, 2015) The effect of the Caesars last move did not kill the biggest part of the enemy army, but the withdrawal of 60,000 men had increased the fear of the other Gauls who collapsed in panic. After 50 days of siege and their last card played, the Gauls did not manage to break through the Roman defenses. Later on, Vercingetorix yielded to Caesar (arsbellica.it, 2015). 7. Historical results With the repression of the Vercingetorix riot, Rome would finally annex the region of Gaul as Republic Province. This was a significant victory which changed the culture in Gaul. This victory may have other several results. The Romans, after this victory and the following conquest of Britain (England), increased their possession, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, until the North Sea. This property began the fusion of the Celtic people with the Latin ones and the merger of their cultures was be the beginning of the Romance culture of Provence, the courtly poetry and the Carolingian cycle poems. Despite the rising of a new culture, another one was dying out: The Celts. A thriving and old civilization that survived only in the farther and beautiful Island of Ireland.   (arsbellica.it, 2015). 8. References Caesar C.J. (2009). De Bellum Gallicum. Newburyport MA: Focus Publishing. Livius.org. (2014). Alesia (52 BCE).   Retrieved from http://www.livius.org/articles/battle/alesia-52-bce/ Ars bellica. (2015). Assedio di Alesia. Retrieved from http://www.arsbellica.it/pagine/antica/Alesia/alesia.html Kennedy Hickman for ThoughtCo. (2017). Gallic Wars: Battle of Alesia. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/gallic-wars-battle-of-alesia-2360869 Ancient World. (2015). The siege of Alesia 52 BC. Retrieved from http://www.antickysvet.cz/25994n-oblehani-alesie-52-pred-n.l. Ancient History et cetera. (2015). Barry Strauss on the Assassination of Caesar. Retrieved from  http://etc.ancient.eu/interviews/barry-strauss-on-the-assassination-of-caesar/ Ancient History Encyclopedia. (2014). Vercingetorix. Retrieved from http://www.ancient.eu/image/2399/

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Violence in Schools Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Education Essays

Violence among youth, especially in schools, is one of American society's most pressing concerns. It is also a source of controversy. While no recent nationwide study of the real extent of youth violence is available, small-scale and regional studies indicate that youth violence is increasing, at least slightly. In addition, youth, like adults, are now more frequently using guns instead of fists to settle disputes. Youth violence had once been thought to be an urban public school problem; a consequence of poverty and family dysfunction, but stable suburban and rural communities are now also experiencing it, as are private schools. While early intervention is absolutely necessary to help prevent violence, I believe all school operations and staff must be directly involved to effectively reduce the crime. There is sometimes a contradiction between school policies and practice. Many districts and schools have comprehensive regulations for dealing with violence, but enforcement may be uneven or lax. This creates a situation where teachers do not feel supported when they impose discipline, students do not feel protected, and the violence- prone think they will not be punished. Conversely, administrators express dismay that teachers do not enforce policies in their classrooms. Despite these inconsistencies, many promising types of anti-violence strategies have been devised by government, communities, and schools. Most have originated in urban areas, where youth violence was first identified. Elementary education training in anger management, impulse control, appreciation of diversity, and mediation and conflict resolution skills can help prevent youth from engaging in violence as they mature. Early discussions about the negative consequences of gang membership, and providing children with positive ways of getting personal needs met, can protect them from future gang recruitment efforts. Educating young children about the use of guns is also valuable, since accidents have happened as a result of children's naivete about their danger. Even more than violence prevention in general, effective anti-gang strategies require establishment of a positive school climate, good communications and security, a staff trained in crisis intervention, and a coordinated effort. They also require that schools not only acknowledge a gang presence, but that they ... ...ruptive students. Since at-risk students respond positively to personal attention, teachers can help youth resist violent impulses and the lure of drugs and gangs by offering them extra help with their schoolwork, referrals, informal counseling, or even just a sympathetic ear. In all communities it is likely that sometimes anti-violence work will be compromised by lack of resources and time, and that even the most dedicated individuals will feel frustrated. Early evaluations of well-organized programs suggest that success is possible, though; and statistics demonstrating an increase in youth violence, however slight, indicate that more effort is necessary. Works Cited: Ascher, Carol. Gaining Control of Violence in the Schools: a View from the Field, New York: ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, 1994. Hill, Marie Somers. Creating Safe Schools: What Principals can do, Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 1994. Rubel, Robert J. The Unruly School: Disorders, Disruptions, and Crimes, Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1977. Walker, H. M. Antisocial Behavior in School: Strategies and Best Practices. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub. Co., 1995.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics †F-16 Modular Mission Computer Application Software

About the Company: Although they are a global security and information technology company, the majority of Lockheed Martin’s business comes from U. S Department of Defense and Federal Agencies. In fact, they are the largest provider of IT services, systems integration, and training to the U. S Government. The remaining portion of Lockheed Martin’s business is comprised of international government and some commercial sales of products, services and platforms. Lockheed Martin’s operating units are organized into broad business areas – Aeronautics: $11. billion in 2008 sales includes tactical aircraft, airlift, and aeronautical research and development lines of business. Electronic Systems: $11. 6 billion in 2008 sales includes missiles and fire control, naval systems, platform integration, simulation and training and energy programs lines of business. Information Systems & Global Services: $11. 6 billion in 2008 sales includes C4I (stands for â€Å"Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence†), federal services, government and commercial IT solutions. Space Systems: $8 billion in 2008 sales includes space launch, commercial satellites, government satellites, and strategic missiles lines of business. Something about the F-16 – The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight, daytime fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. Over 4400 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976 and it currently serves in the air forces of 25 nations. About the Software: The Aeronautics division of LM’s, based in Fort Worth, Texas has used the OMG’s MDA to develop Application Software for the F-16 Modular Mission Computer. This software is cross-platform compatible and has highly increased productivity and quality. Just as the highly demanding environment of avionics software development and the MMC (Modular Mission Computer) itself. What is the MMC? The Modular Mission Computer is a cost-effective MLU (Mid – Life Update) for the F-16, which combines advanced computing capabilities for both weapons and avionics in a single high performance system. Developed by Raytheon (Lockheed Martin’s F-16 team), it replaces three computers with one superior system, reducing weight by 55%, volume by 42% and power by 32%. What is OMG’s MDA? OMG (Object Management Group) – since 1989 – is a non – profit computer industry consortium. Their board of directors represents most of the organizations that shape, enterprise and internet computing today. Their membership includes hundreds of organizations, most of them representing virtually every large organization in the computer industry and many smaller ones. MDA (Model Driven Architecture) is a modeling standard, which along with UML (Unified Modeling Language), enable powerful visual design, execution and maintenance of software and other processes, including IT Systems Modeling and Business Process Management. When and why was this software developed? The MMC upgrade was a part of the MLU process of the F-16. When plans of replacing the F-16 (in operation since 1979) with its successor in 1999 stalled, they decided to modernize the aircraft, which became the MLU (Mid –Life Update). Part of this modernization process was developing software with cross – platform compatibility. The goal should be to provide cross-platform compatibility of Application Software despite any Implementation, or platform specific, changes: that is, changes to the Hardware Platform, the Software Execution Platform, or the Application Software Interface {draw:frame} The development Process – The F-16 MMC team originally used traditional CASE tools with an OO modeling notation to specify the software before manually coding it in Ada (Language extended from Pascal). When they migrated their development to Kennedy Carter’s iUML tool, they gained the ability to use a UML action language which made their UML models executable. They could then test their UML models to verify their intended behavior before hand-coding the implementation. More recently they have used Kennedy Carter’s iCCG product to specify, in eXecutable UML, an Ada code generator which can automatically generate 100% of the Ada implementation. By this means they guarantee that their UML models are entirely platform independent and portable across any future platform. {draw:frame} eXecutable UML Modeling: Overview xUML models are a complete representation of the problem space (not a top-level or preliminary design) Modeling is performed using a Unified Modeling Language (UML) representation Modeling makes use of a precise Action Specification Language (ASL) and is therefore executable (providing early validation of the models) Each xUML model is a Platform Independent Model (PIM), that is, completely implementation-independent (i. e. independent of the hardware platform, the software execution platform, and the application software interface) _Design Tagging: _Overview Whereas xUML modeling is platform- independent, Design Tagging is platform-specific (i. e. pecific to a particular Application Software Interface) Platform-specific design decisions (only those needed to support code generation) are made during Design Tagging, and are represented with design tag values that are applied to the xUML models The most standard implementation is always assumed by the code generator, such that only exceptions must be tagged Design Tagging is overlaid on (not embedded in) the xUML models, such that it may be included or excluded Desi gn Tagging: Specifying the PIM to PSM Mapping {draw:frame} Automatic Code Generation: Overview Automatic code generation is simply an extension of the code generation technique used for simulation of the eXecutable UML models on the development platform, this extension being for the target (embedded) platform The code generator is developed within the same environment as the application software using the same eXecutable MDA strategy {text:list-item} Nearly all implementation-specific design tasks (all but the design decisions represented by design tag values) are performed by the code generator, not the software developers Advantages of the eXecutable MDA Approach Increased Quality The majority of software developers are isolated from implementation details, allowing them to focus on a thorough analysis of the application space Maintenance of the application source code is eliminated, while maintenance of the xUML models is ensured Defect injection (and the resulting rework) is reduced by automating the software phase in which most defects are injected {text:list-item} Increased Productivity Rework is reduced Early validation through simulation reduces rework {text:list-item} Higher quality implementation (due to automation) reduces rework Software development span time is reduced by automating the implementation phase Application Software development schedule is reduced by at least 20% The code generator, not each software developer, performs the majority of implementation-specific design tasks 40-60% of physical source code Cross-Platform Compatibility One Application Software xUML Model database may be reused (as is) on any platform for which a mapping is defined (i. e. a code generator is developed) xUML models are compatible with any hardware platform, any Software Execution Platform, and any Application Software Interface xUML models are compatible with any implementation language References: Dr P. J. Wright, Lockheed Martin Success Story: 2002, http://www. omg. org/mda Lauren E. Clark, Power point presentation, F-16 Modular Mission Computer Application Software: 2001, Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lisa Hsu, Paper – F-16 Modular Mission Comput er (MMC), 2006, Raytheon Company

Thursday, October 10, 2019

The Details on Security Change After 9/11

The word â€Å"cliche† is sure to have been used hundreds if not thousands of times for the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in September 11, 2001 or commonly known as 9/11. The meaning of 9/11 first on the domestic scene is that America joined the ranks of those that suffered the brunt of terrorism for decades such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. America lost â€Å"its innocence† since this terrorist incident is of greater magnitude compared to the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993 or in terms of the socio-political impact, it really brought home the message that â€Å"no one is safe.† On the global scale, 9/11 meant that even a superpower or the â€Å"only superpower† can fall prey to a low-intensity type of warfare known as terrorism. It prove that such an act can affect economic and market outputs considering that it weakened the stock exchange and flights were cancelled for a few days throughout the United States. 9/11 also redefined the meaning of terrorism and â€Å"holds lesson for other states, not just America, by demonstrating the U.S. resolve and ability to remove regimes that harbor or sponsor terrorism, 9/11should have strengthened the deterrent message to governments that would contemplate aiding terrorists. (Knopf, 2002)† It showed that whether it is state-sponsored terrorism or ideological group-led terrorism like Al-Qaeda, governments and nations of the world must unite to battle this modern-day organized plague. In response to 9/11, the U.S. government implemented the Patriot Act of 2001 or completely known as â€Å"†Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001. This piece of legislation contains sections that defines and effects controls and measures in the fight against terrorism such as: Enhancing domestic security against terrorism; International money laundering abatement and anti-terrorist financing; Removing obstacles to investigating terrorism; Providing for victims of terrorism, public safety officers and their families; Increased information sharing for critical infrastructure protection; Strengthening the criminal laws against terrorism; and Besides the Patriot Act, 9/11 brought about the existence of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through House Resolution 5005 and whose major mandate is to prevent terrorist attacks within and reduce the vulnerability to terrorism of the United States. Since DHS became the focal point of the U.S. response to terrorism some major government agencies were transferred to the DHS. One of the major outputs of the DHS is coming out with the National Response Plan (NRP) in December 2004 (DHS, 2004). The NRP â€Å"is an all-discipline, all-hazards plan that establishes a single, comprehensive framework for the management of domestic incidents. It provides the structure and mechanisms for the coordination of Federal support to State, local, and tribal incident managers and for exercising direct Federal authorities and responsibilities. (DHS, 2004)† Having been aligned with the National Incident Management System (DHS, 2004), the NRP had more 32 signatory government departments and agencies. Although it is an incident response plan, the NRP carries policies â€Å"to protect national security, coordinates the activities of the other members of the law enforcement community to detect, prevent, preempt, and disrupt terrorist attacks against the United States. This includes actions to prevent, preempt, and disrupt specific terrorist threats or actual incidents that are based upon specific intelligence or law enforcement information. (DHS, 2004)† Although brought out in general terms, the new security measures in place gives a signal to the domestic marketplace that vigilance and stricter enforcement of security rules is already in place. Trade and commerce with the United States became more stringent especially in terms of cross-border access between U.S., Mexico and Canada. On the whole, the effectiveness of the change security posture after 9/11 is being met on two fronts. One group agrees with the measures believing that it really curtails terrorist activities. On the other hand, another group declares that starting with the Patriot Act, then the rise of the Department of Homeland Security and the implementation of the National Response Plan, all these are questioned due to their singular and collective effects on rights, freedom and liberties Americans enjoy. But as in any history of the United States, the debate or division brought about by the new security measures in effect is always welcomed since this is one of the true tests of democracy – when two or more groups agree to disagree. Five years after 9/11, the full measure of the efficacy of the security policies and methods in place can only be truly gauged when a future major terrorist incident can be prevented and the perpetrators captured – only then can some of the â€Å"questionable human rights violation measures† can be vindicated! But for now, we can only â€Å"hope and pray† that such incident will not happen again or else another event that would live in infamy would be in our midst.

Whole Foods Market Case Questions

1. What are the chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing? Is Whole Foods' strategy well matched to market conditions in the food retailing industry? The chief element of the strategy that whole food is pursuing is providing the finest quality of products in the market that is free from preservative and other genetically engineered products that reduce the quality of being organic. They promote the vision of the whole food, whole people, and the whole planet. Whole food market is focus to extend their market to get dominant position in both the local and the international market through increase the amount of stores itself and acquisition. For high demand from customer and higher profit margin than normal food, Whole food's expansion and quality control market strategy was well matched to recent developments and conditions in natural and organic goods segment of food retailing industry. 2. Do Whole Foods Market's core values as presented in case Exhibit 3 really matter? Are they â€Å"real † or just cosmetic window dressing? Have Whole Foods' core values contributed to the company's success? Explain/support. The 7 core values are very important. It guides the company on how to achieve the company mission â€Å"bringing the highest quality products to satisfy the consumer†. The core values are also real. Through these 7 core values, the company link their own profit and growth to customer benefit, bind their suppliers with win-win partnerships and try to create an interests community involving all their stakeholders. For example, to implement the first core value â€Å"selling the highest quality natural and organic products available†, the company set â€Å"nutrition, freshness, appearance, and taste † quality standard and abundant principal categories to supply thousands of organic food and gourmet products in their store. All these value can directly deliver to customer, better satisfy their needs and lead to success in product quality and variety. 3. Based on the financial statement data in case Exhibits 9, 10, and 11, how well is Whole Foods Market performing? From E9 statement of operations, sales eventually increased 1 billion every year from 4.7 billion 2005 to 8.03 billion 2009. However, the net incomes were kept in the scale between 114 million to 203 million these years due to the increasing input of store contribution. This situation matches the expansion activities of their business operations. Then, combine with the data from E10 Return on stockholders' equity 9.02% 7.60% Working capital(in thousand) 371356 -43571 Long term debt-to-equity ratio 0.65 0.80 Long term debt-to-capital ratio 0.28 0.36 The long-term debt largely decreased from 08 to 09 which is the main difference between the 2 years. In E11, the cash provided by operation activities in 09 is more than 08 and 07. And outside the business Whole Food also have investment activities. The company was trying to earn extra profits from exchanging securities. In 07, it earned 198343 thousands; in 08 it didn't earn anything, then in 09 the company didn't have any investment activities on exchange securities. 4. How well is Whole Foods Market performing from a strategic perspective? Does Whole Foods enjoy a competitive advantage over its 3 chief rivals â€Å"Wild Oats, Fresh Market and Trader Joe's? Whole Foods Market is performing exceptionally well from strategic perspective. Whole Foods Market is performing well by increasing their locations and markets. The company has made strategies for its stores, their location, and Whole Food's product line, the design of the stores, the product quality, and marketing and for providing their customer most satisfactory service. It follows the strategy of team based management for store operations. It also offers compensation and rewards to its employees. It has also made strategies that are feasible for the purchasing and distribution of items. All these strategies are in accordance with the company's requirement and thus the company maintains a competitive advantage over its rivals due to its sustainable implementation of strategies for achieving its goals and managing the company. It acquired one of its biggest rivals Wild Oats in 2007. The company's strategy has helped it in gaining the d position in the market. 5. What recommendations would you make to John Mackey regarding the actions that Whole Foods' management needs to take to sustain the company's growth and financial performance? Whole Food was very successes on decreasing their long-term debt level while keeping their profitability and increasing sales. However, through it kept expansion through opening new stores and acquisition, the net income is not enough for big change like enter into a new area. So, I suggest Whole Food may extend their service, such as adding a fast food to go window or even a dining area in their store to better utilize their urban metropolitan store location and cooking ability. The costs of food service just need to develop the new recipe and change the store wouldn't too much but can attractive more customers.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Project Mgmt Discussion Topic - Week 3.2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Project Mgmt Discussion Topic - Week 3.2 - Essay Example However, the system has been criticized in various ways because of the fact that it may not offer long term solutions to sustained increased performance. In the first place, the system plays an important role by making the members to increase their efforts in order to get more benefits. This is a good move since the team ends up achieving more. However, one of the disadvantages is that the system does not create and sustain intrinsic motivation (Emerson & Loehr 2008). For this reason, some members often do not put their best in the work because they are not motivated by the incentives they receive. In most cases, the attention often shifts to those that do best and not encouraging those that do not. In this case, the mode of motivation can affect work relationship between the members of the team (Emerson & Loehr 2008). The manager needs to ensure that the method he uses elicits maximum intrinsic motivation from its members. In as much as the project has to succeed from achievement of its set targets, it does not need to achieve them at the expense of its workers; instead, it needs to ensure that the attained results are celebrated by all members because of their combined efforts and effective motivation

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

An examination of the role of inter-professional practice in Essay

An examination of the role of inter-professional practice in contemporary social work - Essay Example al., 2011). An effectual inter-professional collaborative practice in healthcare system in social work generally takes place when health workers, belonging to diverse professional backgrounds, work collaboratively with the families, patients as well as the communities for the purpose of offering superior quality care to the patients (Collin & et. al., n.d.). There are certain imperative facets of an effective inter-professional collaboration or collaborative practice that include open communication, equality of available resources and the subsistence of autonomy where a poor form of inter-professional collaborative practice can impose adverse impacts upon the quality of care rendered to the patients through social work (Royal College of Nursing, 2007). One of the important skills required in inter-professional collaborative practice to enhance the quality care for the patients is Inter-Professional Education (IPE). IPE is typically described as the students or the members engaged with several professions, either linked with social or healthcare backgrounds. This particular inter-professional collaborative practice facilitates effectual collaboration among the health workers and enhances health outcomes through their shared information or skills (AAMC, 2011). It has been apparently observed in this context that IPE offers a capability to share effective skills as well as dynamic knowledge between different professionals and facilitates better understanding regarding shared values. It also enhances respect amid different professionals’ in terms of responsibilities associated with healthcare (Bridges & et. al., 2011). An effective inter-professional collaborative practice is typically regarded as one of the indispensable const ituents of a better social work practice. In this context, it can be stated that the social or healthcare workers should remain much confident in

Monday, October 7, 2019

Why do some international joint ventures succeed whereas others fail Essay

Why do some international joint ventures succeed whereas others fail - Essay Example Hence owners can disagree on the international venture’s goals making the performance of the venture more difficult to define and measure than performance of conventional organizations. Therefore, dissolution of international joint ventures (IJVs) signals not only the failure of the joint venture but also a realization of agreed goals by involved partners. Various scholars draw upon various contextual and internal factors organised in various theoretical perspectives to explain instability and failure of international joint ventures. First, the study considers benefits of conceptualising IJVs as cooperative or expedient collaboration and secondly draws on the distinctions to examine differences between instability and failure theories through structural and processual lenses. International joint ventures as cooperation experience instability from factors that erode trust, commitment, forbearance and other similar partnership qualities. For instance, a venture that lacks compli mentary with the partner is bound to be unstable; moreover, the same applies to ventures associated with significant partner differences regarding values, identities, goals, interests and practices (Salk and Shenkar, 2001). The perspective of selecting the wrong partner reduces the possibility of developing trust, which compromises cooperation making the venture vulnerable to instability. Another view conceptualises IJV as transitional organization, whose initial structure and internal dynamism create inevitable tendency to instability, which results in dissolution (Peng and Shenkar, 2002). The approach presumes that partners engage in IJVs with expedient motives seeing the partnership as a short-term instrument for serving their competitive self-interests by exploiting other partners’ weaknesses or gaining at the expense of other partners. Within this view, one variant stresses structural factors to explain imminent instability of IJVs and the other theorises instability and failure as products of internal political processes. Early influential approaches emphasise the need for parent partner to establish appropriate governance structures because when expedience prevails, IJV pose great risks to the parents like the loss of technical or strategic capabilities to opportunistic behaviour (Noe, Rebello, and Shrikhande, 2002). Most scholars are persuaded that that dominant equity control by one parent likely leads to venture success since benefits are associated with the unitary control framework (Hauswald and Hege, 2003). Similar to equity shares, which have gained dominant management control associated with the success of IJV, equal division of management control is associated with inter-parental disputes, instability and failure. Hence, structures suggest IJV’s destiny avails itself in control structures established in the original bargain. However, another complementary perspective argues that venture instability is a process dev eloped by paren ts in the lifetime of the IJV. As competition for competence, the IJV process involves multiple ‘micro bargains’ between parents as each seek to acquire the strength to exploit weaknesses of the other, the processual approach accentuate the significance of bargaining power as each manoeuvre within the IJV structure to augment its control and attain its ends (Hamel, 1991; Inkpen and Beamish, 1997). Acquisition of knowhow appears to the central aspect in joint ventures, besides joint ventures seem to be temporary in nature since there is no competition where optimal contracts are used. Moreover, duration of joint ventures relies on the

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Karl marx Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Karl marx - Essay Example He intended to help the readers understand the kind of pain that these classes were being placed into by the rule that had been established in France at the time, and how the dictatorship failed to notice the plight of the commoners, which further led to a pitfall in the politics as well as economy of the country. Through his writing, Marx tried to help the people to understand that even a commoner could come to terms with the entire situation and circumstance and play the rightful part of a hero by lifting the pressure that the lower classes had been engulfed into because of the rule that persisted in the country at the time. It was leading to a major deterioration in the economy’s cycle, not to forget the happiness factors of society at large. One of his most famous quotes help to provide readers of the Brumaire with Marx’s views on an individual’s life within society at the time in France. ... anxiously conjure up the spirits of the past to their service and borrow from them names, battle cries, and costumes in order to present the new scene of world history in this time-honoured disguise and language.† By this, Marx means to throw light on how the rise of Bonaparte led to a downfall of the people and how the country suffered on the basis of their societal aspects because of harsh and unfair decisions taken by a single man. This quote means that a man has a destiny to follow, and thus he must follow the path of his life with respect to the same, while creating new opportunities for himself. Most people are under the impression that whatever is in store for them will happen eventually, however a man must try and create solution for himself to live his life with ease and peace. Life throws a number of situations and circumstances towards a person during his lifetime, and these are the opportunities that a person perceives. He must have the ability to figure out on his own what must be done in a given situation because otherwise he might end up regretting and hurting himself as well as others around him. According to Marx following a set tradition laid down by ancestors was not the way by which life was meant to be lived. He writes that it is this tradition that weighs people down in the present as they are hell bent on trying to imitate the lives that their forefathers had undergone. Even though some men try and break free from such a historical presence present in their lives, they somehow fall short at the very last moment as the past catches up with them and weighs them down. A man must be strong in his will and determination to be able to live a life for himself despite whatever he must have gone through earlier, or despite whatever hardships his family