Monday, September 30, 2019

Problem of Stereotype Essay

Stereotypes may lead ineffective communication when we communicate with strangers. Our stereotypes tend to be activated automatically when we categorize strangers and when we are not communicating mindfully (see von Hippel, Sekaquaptewa, & Vargas, 1995). We, therefore, unconsciously try to confirm our expectations when we communicate with strangers. Our stereotypes constrain strangers’ patterns of communication and engender stereotype-confirming communication. In other words, stereotypes create self-fulfilling prophecies. We tend to see behavior that confirms our expectations even when it is absent. We ignore disconfirming evidence when communicating on automatic pilot. When we communicate on automatic pilot, we do not cognitively process all the information about others that is available to us (Johnston & Macrae, 1994). Generally, the greater our cultural and linguistic knowledge, and the more our beliefs overlap with those of the strangers with whom we communicate, the less the likelihood there will be misunderstandings. To increase our accuracy in making prediction, we must try to understand which social identity is guiding strangers’ behavior in a particular situation. And to be effective in communication with strangers, we must keep our minds open and be mindful. Since stereotypes are a natural product of the communication process, they influence the way we process information. Stereotyping is the result of our tendency to overestimate the degree of association between group membership and psychological attributes. While there may be some association between group membership and psychological characteristics of members, it is much smaller than we assume when we communicate on automatic pilot. When we communicate on automatic pilot, we interpret incoming messages on the basis of the symbolic systems we learned as children. Besides, our processing of information is biased in the direction of maintaining the preexisting belief systems. We remember more favorable information about our ingroups and more unfavorable information about outgroups (Hewstone & Giles, 1986). So we tend to process information that is consistent with our stereotypes and our stereotypes

Sunday, September 29, 2019

The Story of Tom Brennan Quotes

Story of Tom Brennan quotes: 19 -â€Å"Sudden death, sudden death fellas. † 26 –â€Å"that was the thing I couldn’t get my head around – there would be a tomorrow, and a day after that, and a day after that. The world went on regardless of how I felt. † 71 –â€Å"All we could do was stand around†¦ Watching Finn and a machine that heaved and clicked with each breath it took for him. † 101- â€Å"I changed my clothes cause Finn’s blood was on my jeans and jumper, but I can still smell him on my skin, especially my hands though I was washed them a hundred times. 116 –â€Å"That’s all right, she whispered. How about you saying grace tonight? † 120 –â€Å"And if you’d asked me then what I thought, I would’ve said nothing or no one could take that away from us. † 124 –â€Å"like I said, that was a low point. † 128 –â€Å"Being a team player, you should have k nown better. † 132 –â€Å"Give him my love. She whispered. Tell him I’m always thinking of him. † 134 –â€Å"Didn’t they realise we weren’t like everyone else here? † 139 –â€Å"Tom, he swallowed. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry you had to leave the Billi. I’m so, so sorry. † 148 –â€Å"You could be Finn. 152 –â€Å"Talking about a waste. † 154 –â€Å"Fair? Kath yelled. Fair! † 157 –â€Å"One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind. Cause today, for my family, that’s what it was like. † 167 –â€Å"You know, today I’m going to the Hill Deli to buy one of their home-made lasagnes. I hear they’re delicious. † 183 –â€Å"When I walked into the school gates†¦ no one turned to look at us. No one pointed, no one whispered behind their hands. † 185 –â€Å"I felt lighter. I no longer had the bu rden of carrying a secret. And the consequences – well there was none. 185 –â€Å"At least she liked watching the footy show. We’d have a good laugh over that. Sometimes she wasn’t too bad. † 210 –â€Å"†I know it hurts Tom†¦ but we can’t undo what’s done. Bennie’s is giving you a chance and, as pathetic as it may seem to you, it’s still a chance. † 217 –â€Å"We’d reached the top of the ascent. I’d made it up without even realising. † 260 –â€Å"Blue upon blue which was what our families had become – sad, angry, guilt ridden, confused, lost. Blue or for some of us black. † 283 –â€Å"That was the morning Tom Brennan came back forever. †

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Advantage of technical-vocational courses Essay

THE RESEARCHERS WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR PROFOUND gratitude to the persons who by their contributions have helped them to make this research with the guidance of their inspiring teacher, Mrs. Guiselle De Gusman Avila who widened their knowledge about Technical-Vocational courses, to their friends, Francis Abainza, Christian Palma who gave them more information and the other persons that give their ending support, and especially to their beloved parents Mrs. Clarita B. Bulawan and Carlos B. Bulawan, Mrs. Ma. Teresa c. Federizon and Mr. Jaime B. Federizon Sr. For their support morally, spiritually, emotionally and  physically. INTRODUCTION Severalstudentsinourpresentgeneration Desire to have their own respective courses. There are two main courses program, Technological – Vocational courses and professional courses. But the researchers’ situation, Technological-Vocational courses is more advantages than Professional courses. ThisstudyaimstodiscusshowTechnological Vocational courses are more advantage than other courses offered, especially to the graduating students and job seeking people. The scope ofthisresearchis allabout the advantages of Technological – Vocational courses, its characteristics , its branches of courses, how to  enroll and also the importance. In gathering the data needed for this study, the researchers made an interview with some person/students who are studying in Technological–Vocational schools. The researchers also conducted survey in schools, surfed the internet and got Information in public libraries and resources. I. What Technological – Vocational courses is Vocational education (also known asvocational education and training or VET) is an education that prepares people for specific trades, crafts and careers at various levels from a trade, a craft, technician, or a professional position in engineering, accountancy, nursing,  medicine, and other healing arts, architecture, pharmacy, law etc. Craft vocations are usually based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation. It is sometimes referred to as technical education as the trainee directly develops expertise in a particular group of techniques. Technical Education, instruction in a skill or procedure, usually of a mechanical type, and at a level between that of the professional scientist or engineer and that of a skilled craftsperson. Technicians support scientists and engineers by designing, developing,  producing, and maintaining machines and materials. The work of a technician is more limited in scope than that of a scientist or engineer and is commonly considered practical rather than theoretical in its orientation. A. What Are Its Characteristic Vocational education may be classified as teaching procedural knowledge. This can be contrasted with declarative knowledge, as used in education in a usually broader scientific field, which might concentrate on theory and abstract conceptual knowledge, characteristic of tertiary education. Vocational education can be at the secondary, post-secondary level, further education level  and can interact with the apprenticeship system. Increasingly, vocational education can be recognized in terms of recognition of prior learning and partial academic credit towards tertiary education. Inindustry,jobsfortechniciansrangefrom those that are narrow in scope and require relatively limited technical understanding, such as the routine inspection of parts, to those that require a considerable level of mathematical, scientific, and applied technological ability, such as engineering aide, instrumentation technician, draftsperson and tool designer. The growing field of computer technology is providing many  new employment opportunities for technicians. B. What Are Its Importance THE IMPORTANCE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION THAT IS imparted by specialized educational and training institutions, whose mission it is to prepare individuals for the demands ahead and prepare them to become independent experts and deliver their knowledge that they have acquired through various training programs. We find situations where many people may have the experience but not the qualification or the qualification but no experience so this then becomes a catch 22 situation and certain specialized fields lack the right candidate to fit the correct job role. It is very important to recognize that in today’s economy vocational jobs are becoming more and more important. This is why vocational education programs are essential to individuals looking to secure good career prospects in particular industries. C. How to Enroll in Technical-Vocational courses 1. Requirements Attendingtech-vocationalopensup opportunities for new experiences, learning and careers. Applying and acceptance to a tech-vocational school starts the process. Some vocational schools require only a few items to apply, while others stipulate many different types of enrollment forms and submissions. A successful  application requires that you fulfill the tech-vocational requirements. To enroll in a tech-vocational course you may contact the tech-vocations school for additional requirements. 2. Processes In vocational-technical education, production training alternates with theoretical instruction. The most effective combination of theoretical instruction and practical training is established for each field of specialization. In secondary vocational-technical schools, about 40 percent of class time is devoted to general subjects, 20 percent to special subjects, and 40 percent to production training. In technical schools and standard  vocational-technical schools for secondary school graduates, the proportions are 10, 20, and 70 percent, respectively. II. Factors That Encourages Students to Enroll In Technical – Vocational School A. Popularity Vocational-technical education became an independent stage of vocational education in the developed European capitalist countries during the second half of the 19th century. In the United States, this took place after World War 1(1914–18), when there was a sharp drop in the influx of skilled workers from Europe. B. Willingness The vocational-technical educational institutions exploited the labor of adolescents and often  employed insufficiently skilled workers as masters. In many cases there was no program of instruction, educational supplies were limited, and the students were given no theoretical knowledge. However, students have their own opportunity to select their own willing courses. C. Advantages Vocational courses and vocational training might equip you with the skills necessary to enter a particular profession, but their value is still far less compared to an honors bachelor degree or other types of academic degrees. It is usually backbenchers and dumbos – students with lesser merit and limited diligence who take  up vocational courses, normally after failing to find a seat in any university. Before taking up any vocational course, it is advisable to properly and thoroughly research the field and find out which particular skills and qualities your potential employer is searching for. Only then should you enroll in a vocational course in a reputed college. III. What are The Advantages of Technical – Vocational Courses A. Fast Employment Vocational courses are skill focused and impart practical knowledge to pupils that make them employable. The inclusion of practical on the job experience and work related projects provides valuable training and  real life experience which come in handy for securing jobs. In short, vocational courses are employment friendly. B. Enjoy To Work Technical-Vocational courses are reliable to work within even if you are willing and interested too much to your course. C. To Improve Skills Even though when you are working, one such thing is improving, not only your mind but also your skills. It is known as upgrading your natural talent. D. To Get High Salary Studentswho attendvocational schoolsaccredited by the Department of Education are eligible to receive financial aid from the U. S. government. Some students are  even eligible to receive grant money that does not need to be repaid. Vocationalschools arebeneficialbecause they often charger lower tuition than colleges and universities. High-school students who attend vocational classes through their high schools often enroll in the vocational program free of charge. E. They Can Go Abroad Some agencies offered jobs from abroad. So that worker can go work to other countries. F. They can Get Experiences Graduates of a vocational school program are equipped to enter the job market armed with marketable career skills. These skills can lead to higher-paying jobs and greater job satisfaction. AccordingtotheU. S. DepartmentofEducation, training at a vocational school can lead to a degree, diploma or a certificate in an industry-specific program, such as automotive technology or cosmetology. Potential vocational school candidates should make sure that the school of their choice offers the appropriate licensure needed for an entry-level position in their desired field. CONCLUSION Theresearchersconcludethata Technical-Vocational course is more advantages than professional courses. The impact of technology on occupations, the tendency of employers to set higher educational requirements and the need for employees with  specialized training have made vocational preparation imperative. Part-time programs are essential in order to provide occupational mobility among workers and to overcome the effects of job obsolescence. Bibliography Brown, P. and Hesketh, A. (2004) The Mismanagement of Talent: Employability and Jobs in the Knowledge Economy. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Brickman, William W. â€Å"Vocational Education. † Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. Brickman, William W. â€Å"Technical Education. † Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. Brodhead, C. W. â€Å"Image 2000: A Vision for Vocational Education. â€Å" VOCATIONAL EDUCATION JOURNAL 66, no. 1 (January 1991):22-25. O’Connor, P. J. and Trussell, S. T. â€Å"The Marketing of Vocational Education. â€Å" VOCATIONAL EDUCATION JOURNAL 62, no. 8 (November-December 1987):31-32. Silberman, H. F. â€Å"Improving The Status of High School Vocational Education. â€Å"EDUCATIONAL HORIZONS 65, no. 1 (Fall 1986): 5-9. Reeves, Diane Lindsey â€Å"CAREER ACADEMY TOOLKIT†. Raleigh, North Carolina: Bright Futures Press, 2006. MLA Style: â€Å"vocational education. † Encyclop? dia Britannica. Encyclop? dia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclop? dia Britannica, 2012.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Movie Indusrty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Movie Indusrty - Essay Example The colleges offer specialized courses where students are imparted with skills relative to their interests. Professionals with perfected skills make the movie industry more reliable (Lumet, 2003). Secondly, education enhances growth of skill. To become a good actor or actress, one needs to work hard towards perfecting his/her performance. Talent is important for an actor or actress and school only enhances the individual’s ability to take a part and be it. It assists a person to perfect his act. To become a good director, one also needs to be a good manager as they are supposed to manage the movie making process. Directors supervise everything from the financials of the casting and shooting to the actors and actresses, until the movie is completed and is ready for viewing. Producers require a good eye for detail. They need to be well trained in the arts. To be a good producer, he or she should be a good decision maker and a prompt thinker. There are other professions in the movie industry as it is in other industries, such as accountants, business managers, talent scouts and agents (Goldman, 2007). The movie industry is a billion dollar industry and more often than not, professionals give back to the communities in terms of donations, scholarships and even inspiration. There are other ways in which the educational sector benefits but these are among the direct benefits (Medavoy & Young, 2010). In conclusion, it is right to note that the movie industry has benefited most from the educational sector and will continue to do so as more breakthroughs in arts and science come about. The educational sector will also continue to enjoy kick backs from the movie industry as it produces more and more professionals for the movie

Thursday, September 26, 2019

EEO Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

EEO Law - Essay Example However, testimony illustrated that other employees had huge bonuses within the recession that were even greater than the entire salary of Wilson. Employment policies or practices that are applicable to everyone irrespective of sex are illegal if they have negative impacts on other employees of a given sex. Autozone violated the EEO law prohibiting employment discrimination based on disability. Individuals are entitled to basic rights and freedoms in terms of selection and fair treatment during employment exercises. The United States government works on the policy in providing equal opportunities through the federal employment of all persons. The other goal is to prohibit discrimination across employment exercises based on religion, race, sex, color, handicap, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or parental status (Gutman,   Koppes  and Vodanovich 123). The policy promotes broader realization of various equal employment opportunities based on continuing affirmative programs of executive agencies and departments. The equal opportunity policy applies to all departments and is of the integral components of personnel practice and policy aspects. Subsequent inclusions are the advancement, development, treatment, and employment of people with disability in federal government opport unities as permitted by

The nurses role as a cultural broker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The nurses role as a cultural broker - Essay Example Nurses as cultural brokers had a role to build an understanding of the cultural factors and awareness of the different communities they serve and of the many ways in which such factors influence communities and the community members. It is not a must for a Cultural Broker to be a member of a particular cultural background or community. However, it was a requirement for them to have a history and experience with different cultural groups for which they serve as brokers. They needed to respect and trust the community they are working for, have knowledge of the community’s values, beliefs, and health practices of different cultural groups. It is equally important for them to have a clear understanding of the traditional and indigenous wellness and healing networks of that particular community for them to be effective middlemen. Nurses as cultural brokers ensure that individuals’ values customs and spiritual beliefs of an individual are respected accordingly. The nurses also ensure an individual receives information that is accurate, sufficient and culturally appropriate manner on which to base consent for care and treatment. The final role was to navigate the health care delivery and the community’s supportive systems (Parker, 2001).

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Trends - Essay Example A vivid example of this is that many book lovers now choose to buy books online rather than purchasing them in bookstores. This development has led to the demise of bookstore chains like Borders, the second largest book retailer and a boost to digital retailer Amazon. (Osnos, 2011). Education will also have to reinvent itself. Traditional classroom lectures will eventually find itself being replaced by virtual learning environments. Teachers will rely more and more on available software that will enhance the learning process and increase the motivations of children to learn new things. One business where one will see a tremendous boom is the outsourcing market. Numerous companies are beginning to realize that outsourcing decreases costs significantly without necessarily reducing efficiency and productivity. In the music industry, one can envision a decline in the business of record labels. Feinberg believes that the trend now is simply to download music through the internet or what he terms as â€Å"digital sharing† (2009). Few people are buying original CDs of recording artists because downloading music through the web is free. It is also easier to share music nowadays using the latest technology such as Ipods and Iphones. Indeed, man’s needs are changing with the changing times. With these changes come new trends and with these new trends come new business opportunities. One may see the demise of some industries but one also expects that these industries will eventually be replaced by new industries which adapt to the advancing technologies of mankind. Feinberg, J. (2009, August 18). What will record labels look like in the future? Retrieved August 8, 2011, from pbs.org: http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2009/08/what-will-record-labels- look-like-in-the-future230.html Osnos, P. (2011, July 26). The end of Borders and the future of the printed word. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Analysis of a history book Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis of a history book - Essay Example God, according to Joshua, sent down these afflictions â€Å"to rebuke us and our posterity, and to teach us by the memory and reading of them that they were sent upon us for our sins.† (Joshua Para IV). Also, towards the end of his Chronicle he reminds the reader that he wants his writing about the events of pestilence of war to serve â€Å"as a reminder to those who endured them, and for the instruction of those who shall come after us, that, if they please, they may be enabled to become wise through these few things which I have written† (Joshua Para LXXXVI). Being a Christian, he believes that all the troubles that befell the Christian Roman Empire were caused by the sins of the people, and should serve as an illustration to St. Paul’s words that â€Å"When we are chastened, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." (Joshua IV). His tone is similar with regards to the war that took place between the Persians and the Romans; he refers to the Persians as the â€Å"rod of God† (Para V) as they were merciless when they took over the Roman territory and ill treated the people who they captured. What is interesting is that the author does not feel that it is through any fault of the emperor Anastasius that this war was caused, who he praises as the â€Å"all-ruling and believing emperor† (Joshua Para VI). Joshua states that the war came about due to certain events in the past, which he describes in his Chronicle (Joshua Para VII-XVIII). Even when writing about the immediate precursors to war (Joshua Para XIX-XXIV), the blame, he feels squarely rests with the Persians and not the Romans. Though, of course, the fact that the people were engaged in, what he terms, sins has something to do with a reason for the outbreak of war. With regards to the war and its events, of course, he was not a party to all that

Monday, September 23, 2019

Legal Education Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Legal Education - Personal Statement Example I intend to join for a master's degree in law, to further expand my knowledge base on the subject. Law is comparatively a new discipline in the university and an emerging interest is being shown in this field recently. In the post globalization era, with its advancements in various fields, age old concepts are becoming obsolete and there is a rising awareness of human rights, as well as the rights to a fair trial and defense, are becoming highly significant in nations across the world, including Saudi Arabia. Hence I expect that at this juncture if I pursue my higher studies in law, I will not only be able to attain a good job but also will be able to contribute greatly to my nation and my people.I understand that imparting justice to everybody irrespective of race, religion, gender, and nationality is a noble duty. Every human deserves to receive justice and I will make sure that I can intervene whenever I see injustice in the society and protect the rights of my fellow citizens. By pursuing a master’s degree in law, I will be able to gain adequate knowledge and skills in this subject, which I can use for practical application when I take up law as a profession. Besides, I will also be able to teach the coming generation who will be interested in studying this subject.My final ambition is to attain a Ph.D. in law in the long run. Once I obtain a post graduate degree, I will be able to get a good job in this field, where I can gain the practical experience which will broaden my skills.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

A Definition of Collaborative vs Cooperative Learning Essay Example for Free

A Definition of Collaborative vs Cooperative Learning Essay I have been searching for many years for the Holy Grail of interactive learning, a distinction between collaborative and cooperative learning definitions. I am getting closer to my elusive goal all the time but I am still not completely satisfied with my perception of the two concepts. I believe my confusion arises when I look at processes associated with each concept and see some overlap or inter-concept usage. I will make a humble attempt to clarify this question by presenting my definitions and reviewing those of other authors who have helped clarify my thinking. Collaboration is a philosophy of interaction and personal lifestyle whereas cooperation is a structure of interaction designed to facilitate the accomplishment of an end product or goal. Collaborative learning (CL) is a personal philosophy, not just a classroom technique. In all situations where people come together in groups, it suggests a way of dealing with people which respects and highlights individual group members abilities and contributions. There is a sharing of authority and acceptance of responsibility among group members for the groups actions. The underlying premise of collaborative learning is based upon consensus building through cooperation by group members, in contrast to competition in which individuals best other group members. CL practitioners apply this philosophy in the classroom, at committee meetings, with community groups, within their families and generally as a way of living with and dealing with other people. Cooperative learning is defined by a set of processes which help people interact together in order to accomplish a specific goal or develop an end product which is usually content specific. It is more directive than a collaboratve system of governance and closely controlled by the teacher. While there are many mechanisms for group analysis and introspection the fundamental approach is teacher centered whereas collaborative learning is more student centered. Spencer Kagan in an article in Educational Leadership (Dec/Jan 1989/1990) provides an excellent definition of cooperative learning by looking at general structures which can be applied to any situation. His definition provides an unbrella for the work cooperative learning specialists including he Johnsons, Slavin, Cooper, Graves and Graves, Millis, etc. It follows below: The structural approach to cooperative learning is based on the creation, analysis and systematic application of structures, or content-free ways of organizing social interaction in the classroom. Structures usually involve a series of steps, with proscribed behavior at each step. An important cornerstone of the approach is the distinction between st ructures and activities. To illustrate, teachers can design many excellent cooperative activities, such as making a team mural or a quilt. Such activities almost always have a specific content-bound objective and thus cannot be used to deliver a range of academic content. Structures may be used repeatedly with almost any subject matter, at a wide range of grade levels and at various points in a lesson plan. John Myers (Cooperative Learning vol 11 #4 July 1991) points out that the dictionary definitions of collaboration, derived from its Latin root, focus on the process of working together; the root word for cooperation stresses the product of such work. Co-operative learning has largely American roots from the philosophical writings of John Dewey stressing the social nature of learning and the work on group dynamics by Kurt Lewin. Collaborative learning has British roots, based on the work of English teachers exploring ways to help students respond to literature by taking a more active role in their own learning. The cooperative learning tradition tends to use quantitative methods which look at achievement: i. e. , the product of learning. The collaborative tradition takes a more qualitative approach, analyzing student talk in response to a piece of literature or a primary source in history. Myers points out some differences between the two concepts: Supporters of co-operative learning tend to be more teacher-centered, for example when forming heterogeneous groups, structuring positive inter- dependence, and teaching co-operative skills. Collaborative learning advocates distrust structure and allow students more say if forming friendhip and interest groups. Student talk is stressed as a means for working things out. Discovery and contextural approaches are used to teach interpersonal skills. Such differences can lead to disagreements. I contend the dispute is not about research, but more about the morality of what should happen in the schools. Beliefs as to whast should happen in the schools can be viewed as a continuum of orientations toward curriculum from transmission to transaction to transmission. At one end is the transmission position. As the name suggests, the aim of this orientation is to transmit knowledge to students in the form of facts, skills and values. The transformation position at the other end of the continuum stresses personal and social change in which the person is said to be interrelated with the environment rather than having control over it. The aim of this orientation is self-actualization, personal or organizational change. Rocky Rockwood (National Teaching and Learning Forum vol 4 #6, 1995 part 1) describes the differences by acknowledging the parallels they both have in that they both use groups, both assign specific tasks, and both have the groups share and compare their procedures and conclusions in plenary class sessions. The major difference lies in the fact that cooperative deals exclusively with traditional (canonical) knowledge while collaborative ties into the social constructivist movement, asserting that both knowledge and authority of knowledge have changed dramatically in the last century. The result has been a transition from foundational (cognitive) understanding of knowledge, to a nonfoundational ground where we understand knowledge to be a social construct and learning a social process (Brufee, Collaborative learning: Higher Education, Interdependence, and the Authority of Knowledge, 1993). Rockwood states: In the ideal collaborative environment, the authority for testing and determining the appropriateness of the group product rests with, first, the small group, second, the plenary group (the whole class) and finally (but always understood to be subject to challenge and revision) the requisite knowledge community (i. e. the discipline: geography, history, biology etc. ) The concept of non- foundational knowledge challenges not only the product acquired, but also the process employed in the acquisition of foundational knowledge. Most importantly, in cooperative, the authority remains with the instructor, who retains ownership of the task, which involves either a closed or a closable (that is to say foundational) problem ( the instructor knows or can predict the answer). In collaborative, the instructoronce the task is set transfers all authority to the group. In the ideal, the groups task is always open ended. Seen from this perspective, cooperative does not empower st udents. It employs them to serve the instructors ends and produces a right or acceptable answer. Collaborative does truly empower and braves all the risks of empowerment (for example, having the group or class agree to an embarrassingly simplistic or unconvincing position or produce a solution in conflict with the instructors). Every person, Brufee holds, belongs to several interpretative or knowledge communities that share vocabularies, points of view, histories, values, conventions and interests. The job of the instructor id to help students learn to negotiate the boundaries between the communities they already belong to and the community represented by the teachers academic discipline, which the students want to join. Every knowledge community has a core of foundational knowledge that its members consider as given (but not necessarily absolute). To function independently within a knowledge community, the fledgling scholar must master enough material to become conversant with the community. Rockwood concludes: In my teaching experience, cooperative represents the best means to approach mastery of foundational knowledge. Once students become reasonably conversant, they are ready for collaborative, ready to discuss and assess,. Myers suggests use of the transaction orientation as a compromise between taking hard positions advocating either methodology. This orientation views education as a dialogue between the student and the curriculum. Students are viewed as problem solvers. Problem solving and inquiry approaches stressing cognitive skills and the ideas of Vygotsky, Piaget, Kohlberg and Bruner are linked to transaction. This perspective views teaching as a conversation in which teachers and students learn together through a process of negotiation with the curriculum to develop a shared view of the world. It is clear to me that in undertaking the exercize of defining differences between the two ideas we run the risk of polarizing the educational community into a we versus them mentality. There are so many benefits which acrue from both ideas that it would be a shame to lose any advantage gained from the student-student-teacher interactions created by both methods. We must be careful to avoid a one-size-fits-all mentality when it comes to education paradigms. As a final thought, I think it behooves teachers to educate themselves about the myriad of techniques and philosophies which create interactive environments where students take more responsibility for their own learning and that of their peers. Then it will become possible to pick and chose those methods which best fit a particular educational goal or community of learners.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Pizza Hut and Dominos in India

Pizza Hut and Dominos in India In case study the topic is pizza wars which happen in India in 1996 when Pizza Hut Dominos come in India. Until that there is no M.N.C. company in Pizza industry in India. So each company wants to make more profit and its right in India. For this each company launch new product and new skims for took over the second company. So pizza hut relied on its USP of dining experience , and Dominos USP was 30 minute delivery frame. For customer satisfaction both company change their recipes according to Indian culture. And Dominos also made a toll free telephone service. Both the company started in India with only one outlet but Dominos had 101 outlets in April 2001. And Pizza hut also start with only one outlet but it had 19 outlets in 2001. Dominos entered in India with an franchise agreement with Vam Bhatia and open its first outlet in Delhi. Pizza Hut also opens its first outlet in Delhi. At that time Indian wants very low price products but both of these company make costly products but very soon they relished it and make according to customers choice. By competition they gave many discounts and customers enjoy it. Then Dominos become more popular than Pizza Hut so Pizza Hut start following Dominos and make Spicy Paneer and Chicken Tikka. It opens a pure vegetarian restaurant at Ahmadabad. For attract people it make a 12 Pizza Rs 265 and Dominos decrease price and offered a large Pizza of Rs 129/-. After this sales of Dominos pizza was increase. HISTORY OF DOMINOS:- Dominos Pizza, Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. estlistid in 1960, Dominos is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States. Now it has nearly 8500 corporate and franchised stores in 70 international markets and all 45 U.S. states. Dominos Pizza was sold to Bain Capital in 1998. Dominos menu features pizza, pasta, oven-baked sandwiches, wings, boneless chicken, salads, breadsticks, cheese sticks, and a variety of dessert items. In 1960, Tom and his brother, James, purchased a small pizza store in, Michigan. The deal was secured by a US$75 down payment. In 1965, the first Dominos Pizza franchise store opened in Ypsilanti. The company logo was originally planned to add a new dot with the addition of every new store. By 1978, the franchise opened its 200th store. In 1975, Dominos faced a lawsuit by Amstar Corporation, maker of Domino Sugar, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition. On May 2, 1980, a federal appeals court found in favor of Dominos Pizza. In a 2009 survey of consumer taste preferences among national chains, Dominos was last tied with Chuck E. Cheeses. In December that year, Dominos announced plans to entirely reinvent its pizza. It began a self-flogging ad campaign in which consumers were filmed criticizing the pizzas quality and chefs were shown developing the new product. The new pizza was introduced that same month, and the following year, Dominos 50th anniversary, the company acquired J. Patrick Doyle as its new CEO experienced a historic 14.3% quarterly gain. The success was described by Doyle as one of the largest quarterly same-store sales jumps ever recorded by a major fast-food chain. PRODUCTS:- Dominos tapped into a market trend toward bite-size foods with spicy Buffalo Chicken Kickers, as an alternative to Buffalo wings. The breaded, baked, white-meat fillets, similar to chicken tenders, are packaged in a custom-designed box with two types of sauce to heat up and cool down the chicken. In August 2003, Dominos announced its first new pizza since January 2004, the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza. The product launch also marked the beginning of a partnership with the National Cattlemens Beef Association. Dominos continued its move toward specialty pizzas in 2006, with the introduction of its Brooklyn Style Pizza, featuring a thinner crust, cornmeal baked in to add crispness, and larger slices that could be folded in the style of traditional New York-style pizza. In 2008, Dominos once again branched out into non-pizza fare, offering oven-baked sandwiches in four styles. Early marketing for the sandwiches made varied references to its competition, such as offering free sandwiches to customers named Jared, a reference to Subways spokesman of the same name. The company introduced its American Legends line of specialty pizzas in 2009, featuring 40% more cheese than the companys regular pizzas, along with a greater variety of toppings. That same year, Dominos began selling its Bread Bowl Pasta entree, a lightly seasoned bread bowl baked with pasta inside, and Lava Crunch Cake dessert. Dominos promoted the item by flying in 1,000 cakes to deliver at Hofstadter Bluffs Visitor Center. HISTORY OF PIZZA HUT:- Pizza Hut entered India in 1996, and opened its first restaurant in Delhi. It has maintained an impressive growth rate of over40 per cent per annum. Pizza Hut now has about 100 restaurants; and employed nearly 4,000 people by end of 2004. It has invested about US$ 25 million in India; this is over and above investments made by franchisees. Its Brands Inc is the owner of the Pizza Hut chain worldwide. A Fortune 300 company, Yum! Brands own Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, AW and Long John Silvers restaurants worldwide. Yum! Generated more than US$ 25.9 billion in worldwide sales in the year 2003-04, and has more than35,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. Market share in INDIA: Pizza Hut is believed to have close to 50 per cent market share of the organized pizza-retailing segment market share in India. Financial performance According to an survey of Financial Express, the market size of the pizza segment is around US$ 87 million and currently growing at the rate of 15 per cent to17 per cent per annum. According to Pizza Hut sources, most of their outlets are financially successful encouraging further expansion. In India, the average investment for each outlet is US$ 275,000-335,000 and is borne by the franchisee. Factors for Success Offering value food, Employing economies of scale, Pizza Hut has made its offerings more affordable. Its delivery offer of US$ 4.4 for four personal pan pizzas has been very successful. They have recently introduced a range of vegetarian personal pan pizzas for US$ 1.1. Most Pizza Hut restaurants are located in the metros and smaller metros. Pizza Hut is consolidating its position by opening more restaurants in the metros where it already has a presence as well as opening outlets in new markets. Moving beyond metros According to company sources, Pizza Hut is moving beyond the metros and foraying into 12 to 13 new markets including Trichy, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Thiruvananthapuram and Pondicherry to increase penetration. Aggressive marketing and tie-ups with local and popular brands. Pizza Hut has increased its visibility by launching a well-received TV campaign aimed at the young crowd. It has formed partnerships with recognized brands such as Nestle and Pepsi. Developing the local supply chain. The local supply chain for Pizza Hut was developed by Yum! And currently 95 per cent of the ingredients they use are locally produced. They now import very few specialty items like pepperoni. Leveraging the India Advantage International brand with an Indian heart Pizza Hut is one of the first international pizza chains with purely vegetarian dine-ins at Chow patty (Mumbai), Ahmadabad and Surat, which also serve Jain menus. Pizza Hut has even opened two all-vegetarian restaurants in the western state of Gujarat to cater to the Jain religious community. Because their members prefer not to eat at places where meat is served. Offering more than the international menu International food chains typically offer only a few localized products in other parts of the world. However, Pizza Huts local menu is as large as the international one. According to Pizza Hut, the Indian food heritage is very rich, and hence Indians like local flavors. The Tandoori range of pizzas. Indigenous sourcing of raw materials Pizza Hut has reduced costs through indigenous sourcing of raw material. It has tied up with a local company Dynamics Dairy Industries Ltd (DDIL) for sourcing mozzarella cheese. CASE ANALYSIS What Management Concept(s) or Issues are highlighted in this case? Ans. In this case Why did the company face these issues? Could the resolution of these issues be done in a different manner? What do you learn from this case? 4. Are you aware of any other company that may have faced similar issues? How did that company resolve those issues?

Friday, September 20, 2019

Challenges In Automating Tanzania Academic Library Information Technology Essay

Challenges In Automating Tanzania Academic Library Information Technology Essay The main aim of this paper is to establish the cultural challenges of automating academic libraries in Tanzania. It is evident that many libraries, especially in the developed countries are using automated libraries to retrieve data, hence save space, time and increase efficiency in their daily activities. While there are some automated libraries such as that of the University of Dar es salaam, majority are operating still manually. This paper starts with introducing the paper and defining academic library, automated library, automated librarian and moves forward in identifying some eight cultural challenges that act as a stumbling block to the automation of Tanzanian libraries. Amongst those are poor reading culture, inadequate capital, availability of services, poor infrastructure, lack of ICT skills, lack of management support and the donor funded dependency syndrome. It ends with a conclusion on how best to overcome these stumbling blocks. Key words: Challenges, automated libraries, academic library Introduction In discussing automating Tanzania academic libraries, stumbling blocks in various forms surface, including social, cultural, academic, economic, and infrastructural, to mention a few. As for this paper however, it is intended to highlight the cultural challenges facing the automation of academic libraries. It has to be noted that there are twenty eight academic libraries across Tanzania, in both public and private universities (TLS, 2012). Most of these libraries are operated manually, with few remotely automated. In his paper, Kasulwa (2008), stated that 15 Universities are already in the process of automating their libraries. Out of those, only the University of Dar es salaam seemed at that time to have completed automating its library. This paper tries to address the cultural challenges that are a result of this and provides recommendations on how to overcome these challenges in order to move to a more futuristic library. In understanding the academic library, it has to be noted that this type of library is generally located on the campuses of colleges and universities and serve primarily the students and faculty of that and other academic institutions. Some academic libraries, especially those at public institutions, are accessible to members of the general public in whole or in part. Academic libraries are libraries that are hosted in post-secondary educational institutions, such as colleges and universities. The main functions of an academic library are to provide resources and research support for students and faculty of the educational institution. Specific course-related resources are usually provided by the library, such as copies of textbooks and article readings held on reserve (meaning that they are loaned out only on a short-term basis, usually a matter of hours). Academic libraries offer workshops and courses outside of formal, graded coursework, which are meant to provide students with the tools necessary to succeed in their programs. These workshops may include help with citations, effective search techniques, journal databases, and electronic citation software. Workshops organized by academic libraries assist students in acquiring skills needed in their academic endeavors and in the long run in their occupations, in many cases knowledge otherwise not acquired in classrooms. Depending on the nature of the task that the student or user in general has for the library, an academic library offers both, a quite study place and in some libraries, a discussion area. In North America, Europe, and other parts of the world, academic libraries have become more automated. As a result, users have a variety of choice in selecting their reading resources between printed and digital information as per need (Dowler, 1997). In many libraries, academic institutions have subscribed to electronic journals databases, providing research and scholarly writing software, and usually provide computer workstations or computer labs for students to access journals, library search databases and portals, institutional electronic resources, internet access, and course- or task-related software (i.e. word processing and spreadsheet software). They are increasingly acting as an electronic repository for institutional scholarly research and academic knowledge, such as the collection and du ration of digital copies of students theses and dissertations, heading towards what we call: the futuristic library (Anunobi et al, 2012). Tanzania is making an effort in automating the library services in all its libraries through training, aiding libraries with computers and building the capacity of staff and other stakeholders. The Tanzania Library Association supervises these activities and facilitates them through welcoming paper presentations, hosting workshops and training. Defining the automated library 2.1 The Automated Library An automated library is a robotically controlled device designed to load and unload removable cartridges without operator intervention. Cartridges are imported to and exported from the library. They are loaded and unloaded automatically. The archiving and staging processes use a site-defined scheme for allocating the number of drives to use. Automated libraries are also known as media changers, jukeboxes, robots, libraries, or media libraries. The term automated library can be used to describe a library where all tasks are carried out automatically. Computer programs substitute for the intellectually demanding tasks that are traditionally carried out by skilled professionals. These tasks include selection, cataloguing and indexing, seeking for information, reference services, and so on. The common theme is that these activities require considerable mental activity, the type of activity that people are skilled at and computers find difficult. A good examples of automated library is that of the University of Chicago, that has spent over $80 million on the Joe and Riko Mansueto Library, that is unique and handy to its end users and staff. Instead of filling the library hall with books and journals full of dust, the Mansueto library houses its contents fifty feet below the ground. Students and anyone who wants to check out a book searches the online catalog for the item and fills out a request form. A library attendant then tells the system to retrieve the book, prompting the robotic aspects of the library to take over. The books are retrieved by a robotic arm which returns the storage bin containing the book or item. This is different, in that it reduces lounging around in the library here, everythings much more efficient and quick making a request and picking up the book can often take less than 10 minutes, depending on where the student is on campus. View the video below to get a better idea of how the Mansueto Library does things differently. Its another very smart usage of robotic technology, one that wouldnt be out of place in Japan, where new robo-tech gadgetry seems to make waves every other day. 2.2 The automated Librarian A librarian, the person who looks after the storage and retrieval of information was previously professionally trained and educated to deal with information in a wide variety of formats and settings (WordiQ, 2010). Today, in the automated library, the librarian is expected to helps users to navigate into the voyage of internet and evaluate information efficiently. Librarian offers a helping hand for users to find out the required piece of information and to use it for personal and professional purposes (BLS, 2011). Due to the advent of Internet, World Wide Web and proliferation of online catalogue, the role of librarian has been changed. Now he is more efficient and has new roles as intermediary, facilitator, end-user trainer/educator, web organizer designer, researcher, interface designer, knowledge manager/professional and sifter of information resources (Rao Babu, 2001). Librarian should be knowledgeable in a variety of information sources and follow the new trends and advanceme nts in computers, media and publishing (Careeroverview, 2011). Cultural Challenges in automating Tanzanian Libraries The challenges of automated libraries vary from country to country, while in some instances there are some similarities. Kamba (2011) identifies challenges in Nigeria as being ICT illiteracy, ICT awareness and lack of ICT framework. Muller (2005), identifies challenges facing special libraries in South Africa as being trend change, adding value to the special library, inadequate education on library information service, lack of or inadequate proper benchmarking and lack of succession plan. As for cultural challenges in Tanzania, this paper identifies six major challenges as discussed in the sections hereunder: 3.1 Poor reading culture of many university/college students A survey conducted by the daily news paper in 2011 at the St. Augustine University of Tanzania, reported a poor tendency of individual reading at the library, which resulted to poor assignments and research reports and in some instances even duplication of research reports. It revealed statistics of 60 percent of students enter the library for assignments and research, and 85 percent of those who do visit the library study books that are relevant in their respective courses only. As a result, the language proficiency is low, the research papers have low quality and the theory of I can read has preceded I do read. According to their survey, some students complete their three years in college without having visited the library at all. While this is an example in one university, experience reported in research and surveys reveal that the case is almost similar in many other universities across the country. 3.2 Inadequate Capital This comes in four forms. Inadequate economical, cultural, social and institutional capital. The economic capital is in terms of financial implications in an attempt to get connected, purchase of a computer, train responsible staff and students, build a user friendly infrastructure for the automated library and the likes. Cultural refers to knowledge acquired through cultural expression learned from the family socialization and education institutions. With these statistics, the uneducated outweigh the educated, posing a serious challenge on how the former influence the later in decision making and studying habit. Social means the social networking and relationships benefits one can get from participating in certain library networks and databases related to lending books, journals, papers and research. As for institutional capital, they include issues that mediate all of economic, political and social life. These include bodies that enable and support the initiatives to bring the Inte rnet access. Inadequate capital results into poor libraries with minimum automation, poor staff with little qualification for automated libraries and poorly developed students with limited resources for their education. 3.4 Availability of Service In their survey on service providers, the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA), showed that by June 2010, only 46 (67%) out of 68 ASLs were found operating, 20 of them (30%) were not traced and 2 (3%) were not operational. Out of 46 operational licensees only 38 (83%) of them provide internet service. As a result, availability of service to end user is limited, often unreliable. Hence, even if libraries were to use their services, the library services quality would still be in jeopardy. Uncertainty in availability of services acts as a stumbling block in learning, using and communicating in an automated library environment. 3.5 Infrastructure Barrier Infrastructure includes a shared, evolving, open, standardized, and heterogeneous installed base and by as all of the people, processes, procedures, tools, facilities, and technology which supports the creation, use, transport, storage, and destruction of information, Pironti (2006). The notion of information infrastructures, introduced in the 1990s and refined during the following decade, has proven quite fruitful to the Information Systems (IS) field. It changed the perspective from organizations to networks and from systems to infrastructures, allowing for a global and emergent perspective on information systems. Information infrastructure is a technical structure of an organizational form, an analytical perspective or a semantic network. If some of the component of the automated infrastructure doesnt operate the way it should, then other parts are affected. In Tanzania, if the staff are not well equipped, then they are in no good position to assist students, while if the students dont understand on how to use the infrastructure, then the staff and equipment will not be of any use. Should the staff and students understand the computer and automated equipment, but lack computers and or electricity, then that acts as a stumbling block. Should everything be in order but the service provider are on and off, again it affects the operation of the automated library. Unfortunately, in most of the academic libraries in Tanzania, one of the above mentioned or more are off-order, hence acting as stumbling blocks to the library. 3.6 Inadequate ICT skills Most of the ICT staff and end users lack the proper know-how in usage of ICT equipment. Shortage of computers and low computer student ratio, lead to some students not touching computer for all the three years in their academic endeavor. As a result universities find themselves with graduates who have no skills. Even the staff lack adequate environment to display their talents and use their talents. 3.7 Lack of Management Support Though the library is at the center of any academic institution, the management has not been supportive to modernizing and automating their services. This is often a result of minimal funds, low enrolment, never-ending priorities and ever increasing competition, resulting to investing more in marketing, bettering remuneration and modernizing buildings. 3.8 Donor Funded Dependency Syndrome By definition, donor funded dependency syndrome also known as aid dependence can be defined as a situation in which a country cannot carry out its activities without the assistance of funding and expertise. It is a national pandemic, and has spread in all sectors of the country, academic institutions not exempted. Waiting for sister-colleges to donate computers, printers, books, experts in automation, construction, tools, laboratory equipment and so much more. This again acts as a stumbling block in that in kills creativity on how best to utilize available resources and work on automating their libraries hence save space, time and increase efficiency. Conclusion The significance of automating academic libraries can never be overlooked. The heart of the academic world lies in the library and if that is not updated, operated in an efficient and professional manner, the quality of the product from the local universities will be jeopardized. Running campaigns on significance of automating libraries, providing ICT training to librarian, academic staff and students and building a user friendly infrastructure that can facilitate the smooth running of an automated library will place Tanzania in a better situation academic wise and will assist it to work hand in hand with other universities across the world.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Nanotechnology: Global Prospects and Possible Introduction in Nigeria’s

Nanotechnology can be defined as the study of the manipulation and application of matter on a molecular scale. According to Wikipedia, it generally deals with developing materials or other structures possessing a size of at least one hundred nanometers. The concepts of nanotechnology were considered fiction until December 29, 1959 during a talk entitled â€Å"There’s plenty of Room at the Bottom† by physicist Richard Feynman at an American Physical Society meeting at the California Institute of Technology. In this talk, Feynman described a process by which individual atoms and molecules can be controlled and manipulated. The term, â€Å"Nanotechnology† was coined over a decade later by Professor Norio Taniguchi. It wasn’t until 1981, with the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope and the atomic force microscope that could â€Å"see† individual atoms, that contemporary nanotechnology began (National Nanotechnology Initiative n.d). It is difficult to envision how small nanotechnology is. An illustrative example given by the National Nanotechnology Initiative is; a sheet of newspaper is one hundred thousand nanometers thick. This kind of size is extremely small and cannot even be seen by the typical microscopes used in high school science classes. Although the study is a new one, nanoscale materials have been in use for centuries. The colors of the stained glasses of medieval churches built hundreds of years ago were created by alternate sized gold and silver particles. The artists then did not know the process they employed to create those works of art. Today’s scientists on the other hand are discovering a variety of ways to exploit the science and its enhanced properties like higher strength, lighter weight and so on. The impending ... ...ll also be in the application stages of the study. â€Æ' Works Cited â€Å"Nanotechnology 101†. National Nanotechnology Initiative. n.d Web. 29 May 2012. http://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101 â€Å"Nanotechnology† Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d Web. 29 May 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology Dr. Ayman El-Fatatry. â€Å"Defense Applications† Systems Engineering Innovation Centre n.d PDF file. 29 May 2012 Admin. â€Å"Nanotechnology in Medicine - Nanomedicine† UnderstandingNano. n.d. Web. 29 May 2012. http://www.understandingnano.com/medicine.html Joseph, Tiju and Mark Morrison. â€Å"Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food†. European Nanotechnology Gateway. May 2006. Print. 29 May 2012. News Agency of Nigeria. â€Å"Government of Nigeria approves nanotechnology plan† August 13, 2007. Web. 29 May 2012. http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=2364.php

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Loyset Compère Motets (Orlando Consort) :: Composer Music Musical Musician Essays

Loyset Compà ¨re Motets (Orlando Consort) Loyset Compere, an accomplished yet not very well-known composer of the 15th century, has been neglected as a figure in musical history. Historians through the ages have somehow left him out of most of their writings. Therefore, as modern researchers and discoverers, we have very little resources from which to gather information about Compere. In fact, even his date and place of birth are argued upon by historians. Thus, our study is limited to what we see on the pages of his music and what we glean from the music we hear (MCD 1490, Carapetyan). It is believed that Compere wrote some motets for the French Royal court during his years there. Among these motets was the canon Asperges me Domine, a beautiful four-part canon in 4ths. It was written sometime between 1500-1505, although the exact date is not known for sure. This was towards the end of Compere's life when his experience as a composer was at its peak (Carapetyan and Finscher 255). The canon was a popular musical form of this period; however, a canon in 4ths was not. There are many aspects of this piece that make listening to it fascinating. The following pages will explore the intrigues of Aperges me Domine including its structure and its ties between music and text. Asperges me Domine is broken up into three sections, each section starting with a solo chant from the superius voice. After the chant, each section then continues with a canon starting in one of the four voice parts. The first section, which we will call section I, starts with the opening chant and ends with a strong cadence on measure 18. It uses six overlapping phrases to express the first sentence of text. The first canon starts with the bassus voice, but the starting voice changes throughout the piece. However, each canon, throughout, is sung at the fourth. There are four strong cadences, m. 2, m. 5, m.10, and m. 18, each marking the end of a thought in the text. There are also many other places that exhibit a kind of pseudo-cadence where the modern ear expects to hear a resolution, and the resolution is reached; however, movement among the middle parts nullifies the effect of the cadence. For example, in m. 12, the superius and the bassus parts seem to reach a cadence point, but the tenor and alto parts continue to move catching the listeners attention away from the cadence point.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

The basis is the desire to achieve purity of views on life

Primitivism is one of the greatest events in European Art, which appeared in the beginning of XX century as a result of interest of professional artists to traditional creative works of nations of Africa, America and Oceania, to city and peasant folks and to children creative works as well.The basis is the desire to achieve purity of views on life, which is the feature of consciousness, unspoilt by civilization. Besides the fact that primitivism was one of the leading art tendency of are in XX century, it determined stylistics of many different directions (such as expressionism, surrealism, etc) and became the integral part of their language of expression.The very term â€Å"primitivism† is also used in respect of so-called naà ¯ve art, it means to creative works of artists, who didn’t receive proper education, but who became participants of common art process (for example, French painter Henri Rousseau, Yugoslavian painter Ivan Generalich, etc).The main characteristic s of this art can be formulated by following words: â€Å"freshness and spontaneity of perception and creation†¦ real and non-affected naivety, life-asserting optimism and colorful folk, spontaneous pleasure of â€Å"amazement† and perception of environment, naturalness and organic of realism, possessing not only visibility but the essence of subject and event†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Ostrovskiy, â€Å"About City Art Folk† – Soviet Fine Art’74, M., 1975, pp. 308-309).The main characteristic of primitivism is program simplifying of art. To crystallize, to clear the emotion you can also by way of simplification, some kind of idealization of subjects. Henri Russeau exhibited his paintings together with other impressionists.The naà ¯ve, childish judgment helps to clear up the final essence, to take away details which make the things more difficult and revulsive.This sincere impulse which is common to folk art receives art importance and status of the modern crea tive method. We need to add that primitivism helped to combine new art directions with folk traditions (outrage of clear color, figuration and ornaments) and with children painting, which is so dear to the heart of any person (paintings of P. Klee and some other German expressionists).Still, to tell the truth, approach of primitivism to masses is quite phantom in many respects: even folk art nowadays seems to consist of two layers: professional sees it in a different way. In fact, primitivism (especially one which approaches to children painting) is stylistic masking of expressionism.For example, paintings of genius Austrian expressionist Oscar Kokotka remind folk pictures only for specialists. M. Shagal has significantly simplified images of bourgeois which are closer to symbolism. The elevated style of his paintings show contrast with so-called illusive reality of provincial town because of his sketchiness of the painting.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Implementation of a Health Program

The â€Å"American Cancer Society† has come up with â€Å"Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention† (American Cancer Society, 2008, pp. 1 – 11). The purpose of the aforementioned is to â€Å"reduce the risk of cancer† through â€Å"healthy food choices†, as well as, â€Å"physical activity† (American Cancer Society, 2008, pp. 1 – 11).The guidelines provided addresses questions of countless individuals who are quite confused by â€Å"several studies or news reports† which are not usually peer-reviewed or not really â€Å"official† (American Cancer Society, 2008, pp. 1 – 11).Although answering the questions would help greatly, this program of the â€Å"American Cancer Society† should still undergo a process of implementation so that people will be motivated to look deeper into the guidelines, as well as, to practice them in order to â€Å"reduce the risk of cancer† (American C ancer Society, 2008, pp. 1 – 11).Before these guidelines are to be fully implemented, there are certain factors needed to be considered (American Cancer Society, 2008, pp. 1 – 11). Some of these factors are the following: 1) leading the implementation; 2) time frame; 3) staff qualifications; 4) staff responsibilities; 5) training; 6) supervision/support; 7) funds; and 8) advocacy (American Cancer Society, 2008, pp. 1 – 11).Leading the ImplementationIt is very important to assign an individual to â€Å"lead the implementation† (Illness Management and Recovery, 2003, pp. 1 – 6). The leader should be well aware of the program or guidelines and should have mastered all aspects of the guidelines (Illness Management and Recovery, 2003, pp. 1 – 6). He or she should also be supported by those in a higher position, as well as, respected by the subordinates (Illness Management and Recovery, 2003, pp. 1 – 6).Time FrameAfter a leader is chosen fo r the implementation, â€Å"time-frame† should also be settled (Illness Management and Recovery, 2003, pp. 1 – 6). This entails the time needed in training those who will play a role in the implementation of the program (Illness Management and Recovery, 2003, pp. 1 – 6). For instance, three months is required to extensively educate and motivate the individuals who will play a part in the implementation (Illness Management and Recovery, 2003, pp. 1 – 6).

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Renaissance, Its Impact on English Literature

Chuddar Devil Ala University, Sirs (Established by the State Legislature Act 9 of 2003) Department of English [pick] Syllabus for M. A. English (Previous and Final) under University Centre for Distance Learning (SCUD) M. A. English Previous Appear History of English Literature Paper II Study of Drama Study of Poetry Paper Ill Paper IV Study of Novel Paper V: Phonetics, Linguistics and LET Paper I History of English Note: h Literature The candidates are required to attempt five questions in all. Besides question No. 10 in Section C which is compulsory, the candidates shall attempt two questions each room sections A and B.All questions carry equal marks. Total marks for the paper are 8. Total marks for the paper are 80. Note: for Paper Setters 1 . The question paper will consist of three sections I. E. Section-A, B and C. There shall be Ten questions in all. There shall be one question with internal choice on each of the nine chapters prescribed in sections A and B. However, Q No. 10 i n section C is compulsory. 2. Background Reading section aims at testing the candidates' understanding of important books/authors/trends/movements/submerges related to this paper.The section will carry one compulsory question of 16 marks requiring the candidates to show acquaintance with any four of the six given items. The candidates are expected to write a paragraph of about 150 words on each of the four items they attempt. Book Prescribed: A New History of English Literature by IBM S Day,Entwined: Dobra Publications, 2006. Section A: Chapter 1-5 Section B: Chapter 6-9 Section C: Background Reading The Baroque Sensibility, Utilitarianism, Victorian Compromise, Women Writers up to Seventeenth Century, Gothic Novel, Pre Raphael Movement, Impressionism, Images, Novel of Ideas, Freud and his Impact on literature.Suggested Reading: . David Daisies: A Critical History of English Literature Volvo. 1-4. 2. Compton Rickets: A History of English Literature 3. ‘for ‘vans: A Short History of English Literature 4. Eulogies and Canadian: A History of English Literature 5. Margaret Durable: The Oxford Companion to English Note:The candidates are required to attempt five questions in all. Besides question No. 10 in Section C which is compulsory, the candidates shall attempt two questions each from sections A and B. All questions carry equal marks. Total marks for the paper are 80. Shall be ten questions in all.There shall be one question with internal choice on each of the nine Units prescribed in sections A and B. However, Q No. 10 in section C is compulsory. Section A Unit I Unit II unit Ill unit Unit V Christopher Marlowe: Dry. Faustus William Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare: Hamlet Ben Johnson: The Alchemist Richard Brinkley Sheridan: School for Scandal Section B Unit VI Bernard Shaw: Pygmalion Unit VII TTS Eliot: Murder in the Cathedral Unit VIII Samuel Becket: Waiting for God John Osborne: Look Back in Anger Mystery and Morality plays, University Wits, Seneca and the Elizabethan Tragedy,Historical plays of Shakespeare, The Way of the World, Duchess of Mall, Elizabeth Griffith, Epic theatre, Jean Genet, Comedy of Menace. 1 . Already Nicolle: History of English Drama 2. Already Nicolle, A History of Restoration Drama 1660-1700 3. A. C. Bradley: Shakespearean Tragedy 4. M C Breadroot, English Dramatic Form: A History of Its Development 5. Nicholas Green, Singe : a Critical Study of His Plays 6. Nun. Ellis Former: The Jacobean Drama: An Interpretation 7. Raymond Williams: Drama from Ibsen to Breech 8. David Pennington deed: Twentieth Century Interpretations of Hamlet 9.Scubas, Karakas, T S Eliot the Dramatist. Paper Ill Study of Poetry 1. The question paper will consist of three sections I. E. Section-A, B and C. There each of the nine Units prescribed in sections A and B. However, Q No. 10 in section C is compulsory. Unit I . Chaucer: Prelude to Canterbury Tales John Done: The following poems from The Metaphys ical Poets, deed unit 2. Helen Gardner (penguin) are prescribed: â€Å"The Good Morrow', â€Å"The Flea†, ‘The Sun Rising†. The Connotation†, â€Å"A Valediction- For bidding Mourning†, â€Å"The Sixties†, â€Å"Better My Heart, Three Person's Unit 3. John Milton: Paradise Lost (Book 1)Unit 4. Alexander Pope: The Rape of the Lock Unit 5. William Wordsmith:: ‘Itinerant Abbey'. To The Cuckoo†, â€Å"The Solitary Reaper†, â€Å"Daffodils†. â€Å"Ode on Intimation of Immortality', â€Å"Ode to Duty', â€Å"Uniting†. Unit 6. John Keats: : â€Å"Ode too Nightingale†. Mode on a Grecian Urn†, â€Å"Ode on Melancholy', â€Å"To Autumn. â€Å"To Psyche†, â€Å"La Belle Dame Sans Merck†. Unit 7. Robert Browning: The following poems are prescribed: â€Å"Evelyn Hope†, â€Å"My Last Duchess†, â€Å"The Last Ride Together†, â€Å"A Grammarian's Funeral†. â€Å"Porp hyry's Lover†, â€Å"Rabbi Ben Ezra†. Unit 8. Matthew Arnold: The following poems are prescribed: â€Å"Scholar Gipsy†.Dover Beach†. â€Å"Shakespeare†. â€Å"The Death of Sahara†. â€Å"Growing Old†, â€Å"Life and Thought† Unit 9. WEB Yeats: The following poems are prescribed: â€Å"The Two Trees†. â€Å"The Tower†, â€Å"The Song of the Happy Shepherd†. â€Å"Sailing to Byzantium†, â€Å"Lead and the Swan†. Background Reading: Robert Burns. William Blake. Elizabeth Browning. Modern British Poetry between the Wars, Modern Poetry after World War II. Symbolism, † The Rime of the Ancient Mariner†. Thomas Gray. Oliver Goldsmith. 1 . James Reeves: A Short History of English Photometry- 1940 2. Joan Bennett: Five Metaphysical Poets 3. CM Bower: Romantic Imagination 4.M. H. Abram: English Romantic Poets: Modern Essays in Criticism 5. G. H. Hartman: Wordsmith's Poetry, 1787-1834 6. Sidney Cob in: Keats 7. Ian Jack: Augustan Satire 8. Hugh Walker: Satire and Satirists 9. F. L. Lucas: Ten Victorian Poets 10. B. Raja. deed. : John Milton 11. Hellcat Smith: Elizabethan Poetry 12. Jay Martin: A Collection of Critical Essays on The Wasteland: Twentieth Century Interpretations. Daniel Defoe: Robinson Crusoe Henry Fielding: Tom Jones Jonathan Swift: Guilder's Travels Jane Austin: Pride and Prejudice Sir Walter Scott: Ivanhoe Second B Unit VI Emily Bronze: Withering HeightsUnit VII Charles Dickens: Great Expectations Unit VIII George Eliot: Middleware Unit IX Thomas Hardy: The Mayor of Sturbridge Section C: Industrial Revolution, The Chartist Movement. Darning's Concept of Evolution and its impact on English Literature, Anthony Trollope, Mrs.. Elizabeth Seashell. Pamela. Robinson Crusoe. Benjamin Disraeli. John Banyan's Pilgrim's Progress. 1. F. R. Leaves: The Great Tradition 2. David Cecil: Early Victorian Novelists 3. E. M. Forester: Aspects of the Novel 4. W. C. Booth: The Rhetoric of Fiction 5. Raymond Williams: The English Novel from Dickens to Lawrence 6.Terry Galleon: The English Novel: An Introduction 7. Lionel Trilling: The Liberal Imagination 8. Diana Neil: A Short History of the English Novel Paper V: Phonetics, Linguistics and LET Unit I History of English Language: Old English, Middle English and Modern English, Influence of other languages on English Unit II Phonetics and Phonology 1: Speech Mechanism, Phonemes and Classification of Sounds of English RPR. Unit Ill Phonetics and Phonology 2: Syllable and its structure, word accent, Intonation, Phonetic transcription Unit IV English Morphology: Inflectional and derivation Morphology, Morphological analysis of English words.Unit V English Syntax Unit VI LET in India: A Brief History, Role of English, Difficulties of Indian Learners of English Unit VII Methods and Material: Grammar Translation Method, Direct Method, Communicative Language Teaching, Audio Lingual Method Unit VIII Stylistics Uni t IX English Literary Terms Section C : Received Pronunciation, Intonation and its Functions, Weak Forms, Immediate Constituent Analysis, Cohesion and Coherence, Language Varieties, Cognitive and Emotive Meaning, Competence and Performance, Transformational-Generative Rules, Second Language Acquisition. Para linguistic Features.Krishna Monitor Theory of Second Language Acquisition. 1 . J D O' Connors: Better English Pronunciation (Cambridge: Cambridge University press. 2000) 2. Peter Roach: English Phonetics and Phonology (Cambridge: Cambridge University 3. Seth' and Domain: A Course on Phonetics and Spoken English (Prentice Hall) 4. David Crystal: Linguistics (Harmonistic: Penguin, 1971) 5. S K Verna and N Swordsmanship: Modern Linguistics (New Delhi: 01 1989) 6. AC Bough and T Cable: A History of English Language (4th Edition) 7. B Strange: A History of English (London: Methuen. 1970) IV Stylistics 8. B Leach and M.Short: Style in Fiction (London: Longing. 1981) 9. P Cole and JELL Morgan: deed. Syntax and Semantics (Volvo. 3,9. 11). (New York: American press. 1975) 10. Steven Davis: deed. Pragmatic: A Reader (Oxford: PUP, 1991) 1 1 . Jack C. Richards and Theodore S. Rogers: Approaches and Method in Language Teaching Description and Analysis (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995) 12. K Catgut: A Critical Study of Methods and Approaches (New Delhi: Harmon Publishing House 1998). MA English Final Paper VI : Literary Criticism and Theory Paper VI': American Literature Paper VIII : Indian English Literature

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Ford Motor Company: Supply Chain Management and Strategic Fit

This report covers the performance of Ford Motor Company over the past 10 years and analyzes the results of its â€Å"One Ford† business plan. The main question this report answers is whether Ford’s resent actions match the supply chain strategy of the new plan. There is also a short comparison between Ford and it closest competitor in the United States, General Motors. Data was collected from different sources such as, annual and quarterly reports, company websites, organizations such as the United Nations, along with independent sources.This data was review and non-financial and financial computations were performed to see it if Ford’s overall performance had improve since the implementation of â€Å"One Ford† and the assignment of new management. The results show that the company has made improvements to it performance both financial and quality based off forecasting, employee efficiency, contribution and cost margins, net income, and higher prices dema nded for their products. Table of Contents Industry Overview In their industry report, First Research (2011) describes both the United States and global automobile manufacturing industries.The industry in the United States is comprised of about 200 companies . In 2010, two of the larger manufactures, Ford and General Motors, had combined annual revenues of approximately $235 billion & . The automobile manufacturing industry is a global industry with players from several major countries. Some of the larger global companies based outside the United States include Toyota (Japan), Volkswagen (Germany), Hyndai (South Korea), Peugeot (France), Fiat (Italy), and SAIC (China) .Although these manufacturing companies are  foreign based a few have manufacturing facilities inside the United States. Some of these include Honda, Nissan and Toyota . While other manufactures have facilities here in the United States, Ford and General Motors have located facilities in other countries. Companies th at locate facilities in foreign countries are attempting to maximize profits by taking advantage of lower labor costs, locate near suppliers and customers, and lower tariffs and other taxes. There are other challenges that are faced by the automobile manufactures besides the distance between their facilities and customers.These challenges include world economic conditions, fuel prices, regulatory standards, and the amount of loanable funds available to consumers . To combat macroeconomic issues such as these, firms must find other ways to increase profitability. Ford Motor Company is one of the automobile companies that has been able to do just that. Ford Motor Company Brief Overview, Products and Services The following information was compiled from Ford Motor Company’s 2010 Annual Report (2011) and www. Ford. com. Ford Motor Company manufactures and distributes automobiles across six continents, employs about 164,000 people at approximately 70 plants.The major bands manufact ured by Ford Motor Company are Ford and Lincoln. Ford Motor Company also owns approximately 30% of Mazda that is located in Japan. Besides automobiles, the company also sells parts and offers financial and repair services for their products to the consumer. In its car segment the Ford brand offers economical and sports cars, and a sedan. The economical cars include the Focus, Figo, Fiesta, and Fusion. The sports car and sedan are the Mustang and Taurus, respectively. MSRP of these cars rang from just over $13,000 to almost $26,000.The SUV and crossover segment includes the Escape, Flex, Explore, Edge, Kuga, Expedition, and the EcoSport. MSRP for these two types of automobiles from Ford ranges from $21,000 to $38,000. Ford brand also has a truck line that includes the F-Series, Ranger, Transit Connect, Super Duty, and E-Series Wagon. MSRP for the truck line ranges from $18,000 to $29,000. Ford Motor Company also has a domestic luxury car segment. The Lincoln brand of automobiles incl udes sedans, crossovers and an SUV. The sedans include the Town Car, MKZ, and MKS. These cars range from $35,000 to $47,000, MSRP.The crossovers include the MKX and MKT and range in MSRP from $40,000 to $45,000. Lincoln’s SUV is the Navigator and starts at an MSRP of almost $58,000. Ford Motor Company’s Changes in Their Supply Chain Strategy Over the past decade Ford Motor Company has had its financial ups and downs and had not been able to maintain a stable net income (See graph below). To combat this problem in the middle of the last decade Ford made some management changes to try and improve their industry position. They addressed supply chain efficiency problems that the company was facing.Some of the needed changes included closing plants, retooling, building flexible manufacturing facilities, and contracting with new logistics firms. The plan to make the transformation was coined â€Å"One Ford† . â€Å"In September of 2006 William Clay Ford, Jr. was name d CEO of the Ford Motor Company. . In Liker and James’ journal article (2011) they noted that Ford brought in Allan Mulally whose job it was to use borrowed monies to bring Ford Motor Company back to a more stable and profitable state. Mulally had to decide where to use the borrowed $23 billion and where to cut cost.To help with this he appointed Derrick Kuzak, former vice-president of Europe’s product development. Kuzack was appointed as the vice-president of global product development . To combat cost Ford has closed approximately ten of its facilities since 2006 . In addition to closing facilities, Ford had to pare down supplier to bring all of its production facilities and products across the globe into alignment. In 2010 James Tetreault, vice-president of North American manufacturing stated, â€Å"[it was] expensive to maintain separate product and supply chains† .The company in 2006 started working on standardizing the architecture of the all it body panel s, vehicle plat forms, die designs and processes . In addition to making manufacturing changes Ford addressed it logistics problems in the United States. From 2000 and into 2009 Ford had used United Parcel Services (UPS) as its logistics partner for transporting both inbound and outbound inventory . Since then, Ford contracted with Penske to be its logistic partner. Penske works with Ford not only in the United States but also in Europe, South America, and United Kingdom .In addition to internal process challenges, there are other internal and external challenges that the automotive industry faces. External Challenges to Ford’s Changes In the middle of all of its changes Ford Motor Company had many different challenges besides its, financial and process changes to make the â€Å"One Ford† concept work. First, it had communication issues from upper levels to lower levels, and they could not get past â€Å"improvements† fully implemented. Second, relationships wit h vendors needed improvement. Third, the world was about to enter into a recession starting in 2008.Even though the world’s GDP was falling, there was continuous inflation all over the world. Finally, iron ore price continue to rise even during the recession. In their case study, Liker and Morgan (2011) said information dissemination was described as â€Å"hand grenades† and â€Å"scud missiles. † To improve this, two types of meetings were started inside the company. First, were the â€Å"Skip-level† meetings that allowed engineers and upper level management to communicate. Second, they had â€Å"All-Hands† meetings twice a year where the entire organization gathered to discuss the status of the improvements.Liker and Morgan (2011) also quoted Mulally as saying â€Å"supplier were treated like enemies† and not partners of Ford. To fix the battles between Ford and its suppliers â€Å"a process of dialogues between matched pairs of Ford engi neers and buyers in purchasing who were responsible for the commercial side of working with suppliers† was put into place . This can help the buyers know what, how much, and when supplies are needed, and hopefully this will increase the supplier confidence in the processes at Ford.Shortly after Allan Mulally came on in 2006 the world was about to enter into a recession that some news reports were saying could be the next Great Depression. According to a United Nations, World Economic Situation and Prospects 2010 report, the rate of growth for GDP in most, if not all, countries began to decline in 2007 and actually entered into declines sometime in 2008. Although GDP was falling, inflation continued without any period of dis-inflation, meaning that prices were still on the rise but just at a slower rate .See the two graphs below for a graphical view of the United Nations data. These results show that the cost of living (prices) were still on the rise, but the amount of producti on (income) is in decline between 2007 and 2009. This makes it harder for consumers to purchase products like automobiles. Even with the upturn in the economies between 2009 and 2010, there is still a likelihood that people are going to be reluctant to purchase expensive durable goods. Unfortunately for the automobile industry its greatest commodity is steel.Over the past ten years world iron ore prices have been on the rise, except for a dip in prices between mid-2008 and the first quarter in 2010 . â€Å"About 98% of iron ore is used to make steel† . These price increases will drive the price of inputs for the car industry up because everything from the nuts and bolts, engine, frame and body panel, on most cars, are made from steel. Higher input prices means either lower gross profits and/or higher prices to the final consumer. The graph below shows the price changes of iron ore from 2001 until the end of 2010.Ford’s Forecasting, Inventory, Transportation, and Revenu e Management To compete, keep cost down, be profitable, and stay in business Ford has had to address the fore mentioned internal and external issues even after getting its â€Å"Ford One† plan in place. To do so it appears that management has addressed the forecasting, inventory, transportation, and revenue management functions of their operations. First, Ford had to address its forecasting so that it would not over or under produce its product to a level that would be detrimental to profitability.Second, inventory and transportation was outsourced to capitalize on the knowledge inside a firm that specialized in logistics and also had the physical resources. With an improvement of the first and second topics in this section the third topic’s, revenue management, tasks are made much easier. After a review of the company’s quarterly reports from 4Q 2007 to 3Q 2011 and the 2001 to 2010 annual reports, it can be determined that Ford uses historical quantitative info rmation in its aggregate forecasting. Some of this information is not automobile industry specific but macroeconomic information that affects sales inside the industry.It appears that Ford’s aggregate demand forecast uses historical data and the macroeconomic information for world production forecasting and then they base their production off of recent market share percentages they control. Ford also recognizes that there is seasonality to its customers purchasing patterns and adjust projection levels. In the notes of the â€Å"Outlook† section of the 1Q 2008 report (2008) Ford commented that â€Å"results generally have been stronger in the first half of the year, with the first quarter being the strongest† .After having forecast errors in 2008 and 2009 that totaled 1.9 million units, Ford’s forecast for 2010 was only off 149,000 units worldwide. As addressed earlier, Ford had shifted its logistics in 2010 from UPS to Penske Logistics. Penske claims that they have lowered Ford’s domestic plant inventory by 15% with the use of Order Dispatch Centers (ODC) and training suppliers on a uniform set of carrier procedures . With the ODCs Ford’s suppliers were no longer delivering to the plant facilities but to the ODC where supplies were cross-docked. This was done because Penske found that delivery trucks were traveling at 50% capacity and crossing routes.Penske now reports that â€Å"most trucks are at 95% capacity when they depart for a plant . On their website, Penske states that they have setup other logistical functions to streamline Ford’s transportation portion in its supply chain activities which include information technology and finance management systems. Their information technology system communicates schedules and shipment information up and down the supply chain and the finance management handles all of the freight bill payments, claim processing and resolutions throughout the supply chain .We have al l seen the ads on television and in newspapers that start around October and run through the end of the year. The manufacturers and dealers give them titles like â€Å"Year End Blowout† and â€Å"Year End Clearance. † The specials they are running are to clear out the previous year models. These sales are a form of revenue management used to increase sales during the upcoming holiday months when consumers are more focused on Christmas and vacations. Specifically, it is a form of dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing is used to sale inventory that is becoming less valuable as time persists .Ford is one of those automobile companies that partake in such pricing practices. They also offer discounts to consumers that finance through their Ford Motor Credit Company. Visit Ford’s website www. fordspecialevent. com and you will see the special interest rates, some even at 0%, and rebates that are offered on select units from the previous year models to help move them off of the dealer lots. This type of sales practice is an example what happens with an inventory push system. The Performance and Financial Results of â€Å"One Ford†After just over three years from when Alan Mulally took the helm as CEO for Ford Motor Company, how have they performed? To determine if Ford’s changes have actually worked we can look at several metrics. First, we will look at the aggregate forecasting numbers from 2008 to 2010. Next, the utilization of employees that are working in the automobile sector of Ford will be analyzed. Finally, we will look at some financial performance numbers to see if the plan has had an effect on Ford’s bottom line. Ford’s forecasting has greatly improved over the past several years.When forecasting, an organization, such as Ford, must take into account its existing inventory and base its production forecast on expected demand that exceeds inventory. In 2008 Ford had forecasted that it would produce just over 4. 5 m illion units, but actually produced only 3. 8 million. Sales that year totaled 5. 5 million units. This means that the annual forecast had an error of 1. 7 million units. In 2009 the total production forecast was 3. 7 million units, but the actual production was 4. 6 million. Sales in 2009 were almost 4. 9 million units. That’s a forecast error of -247 thousand units.In 2010 Ford’s forecasting improved even more. Production was forecasted at 5. 4 million units, but actual was 5. 6 million units, and sales were 5. 5 million units. This results in a forecasting error of 149 thousand units. Ford has lowered its forecasting error by more than 10 times from 2008 to 2010 (See chart below). It has also lowered its mean average deviation between quarters from 1Q 2008 to 4Q 2010 a total of 367 units (See chart below). These kinds of results could show that Ford is moving from a push to a pull type of inventory control system.Since 2003 Ford has reduced the number of employees t hat are in their automobile sector. Along with a reduction of employees, the implementation of the above discussed â€Å"One Ford† plan to improve and standardize production processes has had a positive effect on the company’s financial performance. Between 2003 and 2010 employment went from approximately 279,000 down to 157,000, a reduction of 44%. But with this reduction in employment, production per employee rose from 24. 1 to 35. 2 or 46%. The increased number of units per employee has had a positive effect on the company’s revenues from auto sales and gross profit margin.Revenue from the sale of automobiles per employee has risen 53%, $495. 56 million to $759. 75 million. The total employment at Ford has dropped from 328,000 down to 164,000. This includes both the manufacturing and service sectors of the company. The effect on total net revenue per employee has increased from $501. 75 million to $786. 3 million or 57% from 2003 to 2010. See the graph below for a depiction of the above employee utilization and contribution results. Now we will look at how Ford’s change in their business model has affected the unit contribution and cost, and gross profit margin of the company.The average contribution per unit between 2001 and 2010 was $18,668 and $21,593, respectively. That is an increased contribution of 16% per unit. In 2001 the average cost to produce one unit for Ford was $18,324. This rose to a high of $23,558 in 2007, but the company was able to reduce this cost back down to $18,908 in 2010. The percentage reduction in cost per unit from 2007 to 2010 is 16%. The negative correlation between contribution and cost per unit has a positive effect on the gross profit margin for the company. Ford’s gross profit margin from 2003 to 2010 increased 100% from 6% to 12%.That is after dipping to lows of -4% and 1% in 2006 and 2008, respectively. See the below graph to see how the changes in Ford’s operations has affected the above mentioned financials. To analyze the total effect the â€Å"One Ford† plan has had on the company’s bottom line let us look at the revenue and income side of the financials. First, we need to take into account that the world has been in a recession since about 2008. This has had an effect on the total sales and revenues that Ford has experienced over the last several years, and the difference between 2001 and 2010 results are $160 billion and $129 billion, respectively.To understand how the changes (One Ford) have affected the net income for the company we must look at the trend between sales and cost of goods sold. Starting in 2006 the cost of goods sold for Ford trended downward, as did total sales and revenue starting in 2007, but in 2009 there started to be a change between the rate of growth between sale and cost of goods sold. The rate of growth from sales increased at a faster pace than cost of goods sold. From 2008 to 2009 the change in sales was a re duction of 19%, and the cost of goods sold fell by 22%. Between 2009 and 2010 sales rose 15% while cost of goods only increased by 6%.These differences are a result of the above mention average contribution and cost per unit. Other changes that could be making this difference are the outsourcing of its logistics and relations with suppliers. These increases in gross profits from operations have been enough to offset the reduced revenues (22%) from the financial sector and have resulted in a 141% increase in net income between 2009 and 2010. (All of the above employment, production and financial data was collected from annual and quarterly reports published by Ford Motor Company and can be found on their website, www.Ford. com, and the Securities and Exchange’s website, www. sec. gov. ) Comparison of Ford and General Motors Performance To compare General Motors to Ford Motor Company we will look at worldwide sales revenues, cost of goods sold, and net income. In its 2010 Annua l Report (2011), General Motors claims to lead Ford in worldwide sales . This is true, in the number of units sold. In 2010 General Motors did out sales Ford by almost 2. 8 million units.This has been the trend even back to 2004 where the difference was in General Motors favor at 2.2 million units. Even when it comes to some financial performances General Motors has the advantage. In 2010 average unit cost for a General Motors unit was $14,200 dollars and Ford’s average unit cost was $18,900. That is a difference of $4,700. Between 2006 and 2010 General Motors was able to reduce their average unit cost by 28%. Ford only reduced its average unit cost by 19% in the same period. The big differences that gives Ford the advantage between the two companies are the average gross profit per unit and the net income.Ford is able to demand a higher average price, $21,600 versus $16,100, than General Motors. This has given Ford the advantage in net income with a difference of almost $1. 9 billion in 2010 alone. Plus, Ford has done this all without a bailout from the United States government like General Motors. Conclusion Over the ten years this report covers, Ford has been able to make major improvements in its operations. It has been able to make architectural changes to the body assembly and tooling that makes their production facilities more flexible.Penske was able to come in and reduce waste in the inventory and logistics that was not found by their previous logistics company. The big hurdle that Ford overcame was the implementation and communication issues they had in-house and with suppliers. With all of these changes Ford has been able to alleviate some of the financial woes it was experiencing several years back. Finally, the result of the automobile sector and the total company shows that Ford Motor Company as a whole is moving in the right direction with its â€Å"One Ford† plan. Ford Motor Company: Supply Chain Management and Strategic Fit AbstractThis report covers the performance of Ford Motor Company over the past 10 years and analyzes the results of its â€Å"One Ford† business plan. The main question this report answers is whether Ford’s resent actions match the supply chain strategy of the new plan. There is also a short comparison between Ford and it closest competitor in the United States, General Motors. Data was collected from different sources such as, annual and quarterly reports, company websites, organizations such as the United Nations, along with independent sources. This data was review and non-financial and financial computations were performed to see it if Ford’s overall performance had improve since the implementation of â€Å"One Ford† and the assignment of new management. The results show that the company has made improvements to it performance both financial and quality based off forecasting, employee efficiency, contribution and cost margins, net income, and higher pr ices demanded for their products.Industry OverviewIn their industry report, First Research (2011) describes both the United States and global automobile manufacturing industries. The industry in the United States is comprised of about 200 companies. In 2010, two of the larger manufactures, Ford and General Motors, had combined annual revenues of approximately $235 billion & . The automobile manufacturing industry is a global industry with players from several major countries. Some of the larger global companies based outside the United States include Toyota (Japan), Volkswagen (Germany), Hyndai (South Korea), Peugeot (France), Fiat (Italy), and SAIC (China) .Although these manufacturing companies are foreign based a few have manufacturing facilities inside the United States. Some of these include Honda, Nissan and Toyota . While other manufactures have facilities here in the United States, Ford and General Motors have located facilities in other countries. Companies that locate faci lities in foreign countries are attempting to maximize profits by taking advantage of lower labor costs, locate near suppliers and customers, and lower tariffs and other taxes. There are other challenges that are faced by the automobile manufactures besides the distance between their facilities and customers.These challenges include world economic conditions, fuel prices, regulatory standards, and the amount of loanable funds available to consumers . To combat macroeconomic issues such as these, firms must find other ways to increase profitability. Ford Motor Company is one of the automobile companies that has been able to do just that. Ford Motor Company Brief Overview, Products and Services The following information was compiled from Ford Motor Company’s 2010 Annual Report (2011) and www. Ford. com. Ford Motor Company manufactures and distributes automobiles across six continents, employs about 164,000 people at approximately 70 plants.The major bands manufactured by Ford M otor Company are Ford and Lincoln. Ford Motor Company also owns approximately 30% of Mazda that is located in Japan. Besides automobiles, the company also sells parts and offers financial and repair services for their products to the consumer. In its car segment the Ford brand offers economical and sports cars, and a sedan. The economical cars include the Focus, Figo, Fiesta, and Fusion. The sports car and sedan are the Mustang and Taurus, respectively. MSRP of these cars rang from just over $13,000 to almost $26,000.The SUV and crossover segment includes the Escape, Flex, Explore, Edge, Kuga, Expedition, and the EcoSport. MSRP for these two types of automobiles from Ford ranges from $21,000 to $38,000. Ford brand also has a truck line that includes the F-Series, Ranger, Transit Connect, Super Duty, and E-Series Wagon. MSRP for the truck line ranges from $18,000 to $29,000. Ford Motor Company also has a domestic luxury car segment. The Lincoln brand of automobiles includes sedans, c rossovers and an SUV. The sedans include the Town Car, MKZ, and MKS. These cars range from $35,000 to $47,000, MSRP.The crossovers include the MKX and MKT and range in MSRP from $40,000 to $45,000. Lincoln’s SUV is the Navigator and starts at an MSRP of almost $58,000. Ford Motor Company’s Changes in Their Supply Chain Strategy Over the past decade Ford Motor Company has had its financial ups and downs and had not been able to maintain a stable net income (See graph below). To combat this problem in the middle of the last decade Ford made some management changes to try and improve their industry position. They addressed supply chain efficiency problems that the company was facing.Some of the needed changes included closing plants, retooling, building flexible manufacturing facilities, and contracting with new logistics firms. The plan to make the transformation was coined â€Å"One Ford† . â€Å"In September of 2006 William Clay Ford, Jr. was named CEO of the F ord Motor Company. . In Liker and James’ journal article (2011) they noted that Ford brought in Allan Mulally whose job it was to use borrowed monies to bring Ford Motor Company back to a more stable and profitable state. Mulally had to decide where to use the borrowed $23 billion and where to cut cost.To help with this he appointed Derrick Kuzak, former vice-president of Europe’s product development. Kuzack was appointed as the vice-president of global product development . To combat cost Ford has closed approximately ten of its facilities since 2006 . In addition to closing facilities, Ford had to pare down supplier to bring all of its production facilities and products across the globe into alignment. In 2010 James Tetreault, vice-president of North American manufacturing stated, â€Å"[it was] expensive to maintain separate product and supply chains† .The company in 2006 started working on standardizing the architecture of the all it body panels, vehicle pla t forms, die designs and processes . In addition to making manufacturing changes Ford addressed it logistics problems in the United States. From 2000 and into 2009 Ford had used United Parcel Services (UPS) as its logistics partner for transporting both inbound and outbound inventory . Since then, Ford contracted with Penske to be its logistic partner. Penske works with Ford not only in the United States but also in Europe, South America, and United Kingdom .In addition to internal process challenges, there are other internal and external challenges that the automotive industry faces. External Challenges to Ford’s Changes In the middle of all of its changes Ford Motor Company had many different challenges besides its, financial and process changes to make the â€Å"One Ford† concept work. First, it had communication issues from upper levels to lower levels, and they could not get past â€Å"improvements† fully implemented. Second, relationships with vendors need ed improvement. Third, the world was about to enter into a recession starting in 2008.Even though the world’s GDP was falling, there was continuous inflation all over the world. Finally, iron ore price continue to rise even during the recession. In their case study, Liker and Morgan (2011) said information dissemination was described as â€Å"hand grenades† and â€Å"scud missiles. † To improve this, two types of meetings were started inside the company. First, were the â€Å"Skip-level† meetings that allowed engineers and upper level management to communicate. Second, they had â€Å"All-Hands† meetings twice a year where the entire organization gathered to discuss the status of the improvements.Liker and Morgan (2011) also quoted Mulally as saying â€Å"supplier were treated like enemies† and not partners of Ford. To fix the battles between Ford and its suppliers â€Å"a process of dialogues between matched pairs of Ford engineers and buye rs in purchasing who were responsible for the commercial side of working with suppliers† was put into place . This can help the buyers know what, how much, and when supplies are needed, and hopefully this will increase the supplier confidence in the processes at Ford.Shortly after Allan Mulally came on in 2006 the world was about to enter into a recession that some news reports were saying could be the next Great Depression. According to a United Nations, World Economic Situation and Prospects 2010 report, the rate of growth for GDP in most, if not all, countries began to decline in 2007 and actually entered into declines sometime in 2008. Although GDP was falling, inflation continued without any period of dis-inflation, meaning that prices were still on the rise but just at a slower rate .See the two graphs below for a graphical view of the United Nations data. These results show that the cost of living (prices) were still on the rise, but the amount of production (income) is in decline between 2007 and 2009. This makes it harder for consumers to purchase products like automobiles. Even with the upturn in the economies between 2009 and 2010, there is still a likelihood that people are going to be reluctant to purchase expensive durable goods. Unfortunately for the automobile industry its greatest commodity is steel.Over the past ten years world iron ore prices have been on the rise, except for a dip in prices between mid-2008 and the first quarter in 2010 . â€Å"About 98% of iron ore is used to make steel† . These price increases will drive the price of inputs for the car industry up because everything from the nuts and bolts, engine, frame and body panel, on most cars, are made from steel. Higher input prices means either lower gross profits and/or higher prices to the final consumer. The graph below shows the price changes of iron ore from 2001 until the end of 2010.Ford’s Forecasting, Inventory, Transportation, and Revenue Management T o compete, keep cost down, be profitable, and stay in business Ford has had to address the fore mentioned internal and external issues even after getting its â€Å"Ford One† plan in place. To do so it appears that management has addressed the forecasting, inventory, transportation, and revenue management functions of their operations. First, Ford had to address its forecasting so that it would not over or under produce its product to a level that would be detrimental to profitability.Second, inventory and transportation was outsourced to capitalize on the knowledge inside a firm that specialized in logistics and also had the physical resources. With an improvement of the first and second topics in this section the third topic’s, revenue management, tasks are made much easier. After a review of the company’s quarterly reports from 4Q 2007 to 3Q 2011 and the 2001 to 2010 annual reports, it can be determined that Ford uses historical quantitative information in its aggregate forecasting. Some of this information is not automobile industry specific but macroeconomic information that affects sales inside the industry.It appears that Ford’s aggregate demand forecast uses historical data and the macroeconomic information for world production forecasting and then they base their production off of recent market share percentages they control. Ford also recognizes that there is seasonality to its customers purchasing patterns and adjust projection levels. In the notes of the â€Å"Outlook† section of the 1Q 2008 report (2008) Ford commented that â€Å"results generally have been stronger in the first half of the year, with the first quarter being the strongest†.After having forecast errors in 2008 and 2009 that totaled 1.9 million units, Ford’s forecast for 2010 was only off 149,000 units worldwide. As addressed earlier, Ford had shifted its logistics in 2010 from UPS to Penske Logistics. Penske claims that they have lowe red Ford’s domestic plant inventory by 15% with the use of Order Dispatch Centers (ODC) and training suppliers on a uniform set of carrier procedures . With the ODCs Ford’s suppliers were no longer delivering to the plant facilities but to the ODC where supplies were cross-docked. This was done because Penske found that delivery trucks were traveling at 50% capacity and crossing routes.Penske now reports that â€Å"most trucks are at 95% capacity when they depart for a plant . On their website, Penske states that they have setup other logistical functions to streamline Ford’s transportation portion in its supply chain activities which include information technology and finance management systems. Their information technology system communicates schedules and shipment information up and down the supply chain and the finance management handles all of the freight bill payments, claim processing and resolutions throughout the supply chain .We have all seen the ads on television and in newspapers that start around October and run through the end of the year. The manufacturers and dealers give them titles like â€Å"Year End Blowout† and â€Å"Year End Clearance. † The specials they are running are to clear out the previous year models. These sales are a form of revenue management used to increase sales during the upcoming holiday months when consumers are more focused on Christmas and vacations. Specifically, it is a form of dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing is used to sale inventory that is becoming less valuable as time persists .Ford is one of those automobile companies that partake in such pricing practices. They also offer discounts to consumers that finance through their Ford Motor Credit Company. Visit Ford’s website www. fordspecialevent. com and you will see the special interest rates, some even at 0%, and rebates that are offered on select units from the previous year models to help move them off of the dealer lot s. This type of sales practice is an example what happens with an inventory push system. The Performance and Financial Results of â€Å"One Ford†After just over three years from when Alan Mulally took the helm as CEO for Ford Motor Company, how have they performed? To determine if Ford’s changes have actually worked we can look at several metrics. First, we will look at the aggregate forecasting numbers from 2008 to 2010. Next, the utilization of employees that are working in the automobile sector of Ford will be analyzed. Finally, we will look at some financial performance numbers to see if the plan has had an effect on Ford’s bottom line. Ford’s forecasting has greatly improved over the past several years.When forecasting, an organization, such as Ford, must take into account its existing inventory and base its production forecast on expected demand that exceeds inventory. In 2008 Ford had forecasted that it would produce just over 4. 5 million units, b ut actually produced only 3. 8 million. Sales that year totaled 5. 5 million units. This means that the annual forecast had an error of 1. 7 million units. In 2009 the total production forecast was 3. 7 million units, but the actual production was 4. 6 million. Sales in 2009 were almost 4. 9 million units. That’s a forecast error of -247 thousand units.In 2010 Ford’s forecasting improved even more. Production was forecasted at 5. 4 million units, but actual was 5. 6 million units, and sales were 5. 5 million units. This results in a forecasting error of 149 thousand units. Ford has lowered its forecasting error by more than 10 times from 2008 to 2010 (See chart below). It has also lowered its mean average deviation between quarters from 1Q 2008 to 4Q 2010 a total of 367 units (See chart below). These kinds of results could show that Ford is moving from a push to a pull type of inventory control system.Since 2003 Ford has reduced the number of employees that are in thei r automobile sector. Along with a reduction of employees, the implementation of the above discussed â€Å"One Ford† plan to improve and standardize production processes has had a positive effect on the company’s financial performance. Between 2003 and 2010 employment went from approximately 279,000 down to 157,000, a reduction of 44%. But with this reduction in employment, production per employee rose from 24. 1 to 35. 2 or 46%. The increased number of units per employee has had a positive effect on the company’s revenues from auto sales and gross profit margin.Revenue from the sale of automobiles per employee has risen 53%, $495. 56 million to $759. 75 million. The total employment at Ford has dropped from 328,000 down to 164,000. This includes both the manufacturing and service sectors of the company. The effect on total net revenue per employee has increased from $501. 75 million to $786. 3 million or 57% from 2003 to 2010. See the graph below for a depiction of the above employee utilization and contribution results. Now we will look at how Ford’s change in their business model has affected the unit contribution and cost, and gross profit margin of the company.The average contribution per unit between 2001 and 2010 was $18,668 and $21,593, respectively. That is an increased contribution of 16% per unit. In 2001 the average cost to produce one unit for Ford was $18,324. This rose to a high of $23,558 in 2007, but the company was able to reduce this cost back down to $18,908 in 2010. The percentage reduction in cost per unit from 2007 to 2010 is 16%. The negative correlation between contribution and cost per unit has a positive effect on the gross profit margin for the company. Ford’s gross profit margin from 2003 to 2010 increased 100% from 6% to 12%.That is after dipping to lows of -4% and 1% in 2006 and 2008, respectively. See the below graph to see how the changes in Ford’s operations has affected the above menti oned financials. To analyze the total effect the â€Å"One Ford† plan has had on the company’s bottom line let us look at the revenue and income side of the financials. First, we need to take into account that the world has been in a recession since about 2008. This has had an effect on the total sales and revenues that Ford has experienced over the last several years, and the difference between 2001 and 2010 results are $160 billion and $129 billion, respectively.To understand how the changes (One Ford) have affected the net income for the company we must look at the trend between sales and cost of goods sold. Starting in 2006 the cost of goods sold for Ford trended downward, as did total sales and revenue starting in 2007, but in 2009 there started to be a change between the rate of growth between sale and cost of goods sold. The rate of growth from sales increased at a faster pace than cost of goods sold. From 2008 to 2009 the change in sales was a reduction of 19%, and the cost of goods sold fell by 22%. Between 2009 and 2010 sales rose 15% while cost of goods only increased by 6%.These differences are a result of the above mention average contribution and cost per unit. Other changes that could be making this difference are the outsourcing of its logistics and relations with suppliers. These increases in gross profits from operations have been enough to offset the reduced revenues (22%) from the financial sector and have resulted in a 141% increase in net income between 2009 and 2010. (All of the above employment, production and financial data was collected from annual and quarterly reports published by Ford Motor Company and can be found on their website, www.Ford. com, and the Securities and Exchange’s website, www. sec. gov. ) Comparison of Ford and General Motors Performance To compare General Motors to Ford Motor Company we will look at worldwide sales revenues, cost of goods sold, and net income. In its 2010 Annual Report (2011) , General Motors claims to lead Ford in worldwide sales . This is true, in the number of units sold. In 2010 General Motors did out sales Ford by almost 2. 8 million units.This has been the trend even back to 2004 where the difference was in General Motors favor at 2.2 million units. Even when it comes to some financial performances General Motors has the advantage. In 2010 average unit cost for a General Motors unit was $14,200 dollars and Ford’s average unit cost was $18,900. That is a difference of $4,700. Between 2006 and 2010 General Motors was able to reduce their average unit cost by 28%. Ford only reduced its average unit cost by 19% in the same period. The big differences that gives Ford the advantage between the two companies are the average gross profit per unit and the net income.Ford is able to demand a higher average price, $21,600 versus $16,100, than General Motors. This has given Ford the advantage in net income with a difference of almost $1. 9 billion in 20 10 alone. Plus, Ford has done this all without a bailout from the United States government like General Motors. Conclusion Over the ten years this report covers, Ford has been able to make major improvements in its operations. It has been able to make architectural changes to the body assembly and tooling that makes their production facilities more flexible.Penske was able to come in and reduce waste in the inventory and logistics that was not found by their previous logistics company. The big hurdle that Ford overcame was the implementation and communication issues they had in-house and with suppliers. With all of these changes Ford has been able to alleviate some of the financial woes it was experiencing several years back. Finally, the result of the automobile sector and the total company shows that Ford Motor Company as a whole is moving in the right direction with its â€Å"One Ford† plan.