Thursday, October 31, 2019

Roots of Constructivist Education Traced to Piagetian Theories Coursework

Roots of Constructivist Education Traced to Piagetian Theories - Coursework Example This project declares that the field of Education has much to be thankful for and that includes Jean Piaget. He has come up with complex theories that he was able to dissect for educators to understand and apply to their learners. His theories have great implications in curriculum design and understanding how children learn best. His work with Vygotsky in formulating the foundations of constructivism is now benefitting thousands of classrooms all over the world. It has been successful in gaining respect for children’s learning. A child learns best when he finds enjoyment in what he is doing, thus learning should be fun. This essay makes a conclusion that Piaget was someone who thought ahead of his time and present-day educators and learners are enjoying the fruits of his labor. His theories have opened a variety of alternatives in educational strategies. The effective teacher can discern which learning strategy would be most appropriate on a case-to-case basis. Imbedded in her are hidden agendas for making her students reach their optimum learning potentials and in effect, the development of a healthy self-esteem. She is aware that she is just an instrument in assisting the students to gain knowledge, and not the source of knowledge herself. She is on hand to ignite the spark of interest and motivation of her students. It is now up to the students themselves to turn that spark into a burning flame that would keep them fired up for more learning.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Rail car brake caliper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rail car brake caliper - Assignment Example Non-Ferrous metals are costly. Yield strength refers to the minimum tension that yields plastic deformations (Somaiya, Wieffering & Blaine, 2008). Tensile strength refers to minimum stress essential for the failure of the material. Fracture resistance is significant in measuring strain degree. Describes the resistance of a material to fracture and is measured using the aggregate energy contained in the material (Somaiya, Wieffering & Blaine, 2008). In the design of the brake caliper, toughness is important since strong materials absorb more energy compared to fragile ones. Tension tests include; static tension tests, which define the infringement point of the material and compression tests that determine the material’s reaction to crushing (Somaiya, Wieffering & Blaine, 2008). In general, tensile testing determines the strength and amount of stretch in the material. The failure point is the ultimate strength. Torsion test measures the relationship between stress-strain of a material. Hardness tests, which include Brinell hardness test, which uses a steel ball with enormous force. The applied weight for harder materials like iron and steel is about 3000kg while that of softer materials like aluminium alloys and copper is about 500kg (Somaiya, Wieffering & Blaine, 2008).Vickers hardness test is obtained by dividing force by the external area. Rockwell hardness test measures the penetration depth in the material to determine the hardness. Scratch test involves scratching harder materials to rank their hardness. Harder materials scratch the softer ones. Mohs hardness scale is applicable. Rebound test utilizes changes in potential energy to determine the hardness. Indentation tests utilize the impression of force on the material to test for hardness. Aluminum oxides make calipers abrasives that boost friction because of its low density. Steel filler recommended

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Examination Of The Motifs In Till Eulenspiegel Music Essay

Examination Of The Motifs In Till Eulenspiegel Music Essay After an unsuccessful premiere of the opera Guntram in 1894, Strauss was consistently looking for new material for an opera. It appears he became more concrete about plans for an opera after finding the Eulenspiegel material from the chapbook Ein kurtzweilig lesen von Dyl Ulenspiegel [an amusing reading of Dyl Ulenspiegel] from 1515. The opera libretto for Till Eulenspiegel remained only a sketch, but the symphonic poem became a triumph. Franz Wà ¼llner conducted the premiere in November 1895. He asked Strauss for a few programmatic explanations, but the composer restricted himself to enunciating the two Eulenspiegel themes at the beginning. Further, he said that it would be impossible to produce a programme for Eulenspiegel. So this time we will leave the audience to crack the nuts themselves the rogue hands out to them. 615. Up that ladder. See him hang, he is running out of breath, one last convulsion. Till, the mortal, is no longer In my work I have decided to focus on Till Eulenspiegel ´s melodic motifs and their interpretations presented by Mathias Hansen, Thomas Armstrong and Michael Kennedy (see bibliographical references at the end). I have compared and examined them in reference to points on which they agree or disagree and I have integrated my own ideas by implying text to the score. In the first few bars we can find disagreement between the different observations. Mathias Hansen writes that the six introductory bars do not play a role until the epilogue in bar 633. It is true that this introduction does not take over the function of a ritornello in the sense of a Rondeau, but I disagree with the claim that this once upon a time theme has a separate status in the story. The opening phrase is in a folk-lore character taking as back to the times when Till was a historical figure. The first half of Tills theme, starting in bar six, is hesitant, however the second, identical entry is confident and self-assured, as if Till was checking the scene before appearing. Das war ein arger Kobolt wrote Strauss himself under this phrase (He was a wicked Goblin) and the above musical example portrays Till according to Strauss description. Thomas Armstrong notices that prologue is based on the second Till theme in bar 46/47: By writing this theme in its simplest form, we can easily detect that the prologue is a conclusion of it: Hansen also notices the Till-chord, which is the dominant chord in bar 47/48 (related to C and leading to the F home key); further on, he shows the relationship between this chord and the Tristan-chord: written in another tone or interval position, the harmony of the Till-chord corresponds with the one from the Tristan-chord. Strauss: Till EulenspiegeWagner: Tristan und Isolde The section between bars 51 -111 Strauss uses for exposition of the Till themes. One interesting thing is noticed by Armstrong, who shows the appearance of the wicked goblin theme in bar 53, starting with the clarinet and continuing with the first violins, further developments takes place in bassoon and lower strings part. Hansen also refers to these theme in his observation on bar 63 (et sqq) where a compressing through a massive overlapping of the first part of the wicked goblin theme takes place. Hansen writes that the passage from bar 46 et sqq. is dominated by one motif Regardless of its meaning, it [material compression] tries to integrate approximately every note in the context relating to motifs. Such complexity, that tries to dissolve the contrast of primary and secondary material, of foreground and background of a piece, is emerging emphatically in Strausss way of composing Till  [1]  . Hansens dissolving of foreground and background material might be suitable for the passage he is describing; however, if we think of Strausss Don Quixote, which was written two years after Till, we can find a quite clear separation of primary and secondary material. Strauss even assigned the characters of the piece to instruments: there is Don Quixote, who is represented by the solo cello and his squire Sancho Panza, who is described by the solo viola and the bass clarinet. In Till Eulenspiegel the whole passage from bar 46 to bar 134 includes figures that imply use of verbal text; this musical narration finds the words and their meaning in the actual notation of the music; e.g.: Bar. 71 et sqq.: Till is ready for his first prank Bar. 81-85: But when? But where? Bar. 98 et sqq.: Tills zest for action Bar. 105-109: Till is thinking of a crude prank Bar. 111 133: Just you wait you bootlicker! War ten mal! (just you wait) This is when the first true episode takes place. Clarinets rush upwards, cymbal clashes and Till mounts a horse andà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦jumps! (137et sqq.) Riding roughshod through the market square as the beginning is presented in the string section: Strauss noted down in the score Away in seven-league-boots for bar 151 and 152 notes that depict that theme are assigned to the flutes, the oboes and the clarinets and refer these two bars to the first part of the wicked goblin theme. There is a pause in bar 154 when Till hides himself in a mouse-hole and carefully puts out his head. Armstrong explains the pause in bar 154 with the words: Till seems to be lost. I would rather say that the break has the character of Phew that was a near thing! Starting from bar 157 until 169 Till is again in the heart of a new adventure. Strausss note on that passage: He emerges in disguise as a priest, oozing unction and morality lets us expect a musical caricature. On the contrary, whatever the clarinet, the bassoon and the violas play in a folksong-way of simplicity it has nothing to do with open mockery or cautious irony. The repeated inclusion of the first part of the wicked goblin theme does not radiate the effect of a caricature. With his note The knave peeps out of [his disguise] at the big toe, Strauss must have meant the figure in bar 191: It is when D clarinet presents Tills second theme revealing who is under preacher disguise! The chromatic runs of the horn, trumpets and violins (bars 196 198) show how dangerous Tills practice of mocking religion is at that moment. 9 bars later a glissando in solo violin opens another adventure: Bar. 209 et sqq.: Till the cavalier, exchanging sweet courtesies with beautiful girls Tills horn theme is presented in a romantic way Till felt in love with one of the girls and the music is coated with harmonically richer material. When Till is mistreated by the girl, his themes stomp through the orchestra until the four horns seem to be shaking their fist at the world and this is when in bar. 287 288: He [Till] vows he will take revenge on all mankind The most promoted part of the tone poem starts here (bar 293 et sqq.). Strauss brings the rhythmical energy of the motifs into play. Till is amongst the Philistines whose motif is played by bass clarinet and four bassoons (bar 293 299). Tills horn motif is now played by strings as if Till was asking the pedagogues his questions; this is how Strauss puts it: After he has posed a couple of atrocious theses to the philistines, he leaves them to their fate dumbfounded. The music of this section portrays pointlessness of pedagogues calculations; They have been cornered by Till and left puzzled. Concerning the Philistines, a series of variations develops, in which the formative force is in the rhythmical richness of creation, some of them are composed as canonical variations: In the following passage Strauss tries to create a deceptive silence after the council of the Philistines decided to end Tills days. Till is waiting cautiously for revenge, he takes advantage of this situation and does more and more mischief, rather than trying to become an ordinary citizen. The first Till theme sounds again, Till reappears first in first horn in F in bar 429, then in bar 436 horn in D presents Tills theme enriching the tonality. Starting in bar 429 (et sqq) Till appears again for new pranks and these know no bounds anymore. Consumed by disappointments, he does not appear as a harmless humorist, but as a revengeful human being in a fools costume. It gives a feeling of wildness and in this broadening atmosphere Strauss develops an intensity and complexity of motives combinatory that is difficult to beat. Armstrongs description is also in this direction: The music is keyed up to a higher pitch of excitement than ever. Tills last stretch of development, some 140 bars in length, shows Strausss music in full and unhesitating flight.  [2]   Trying to describe this long passage, I would put the following words: Bar 410 to 429: There is a deceptive silence From bar 486: Till is very successful From bar 546 Till gets up to more and more mischief, he becomes more high-spirited, livelierà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦and even daredevil (bar 555 et sqq.) He feels like the lord of the world, even a god! (Bar 567 et sqq.) Fanfares in trumpets and horns: Straus puts an extra emphasis on this passage by expanding the brass section by three trumpets and an optional second quartet of horns. The boldness and arrogance of Tills behaviour is growing. He gets arrested and faces judges accusations (bars 573 581) accompanied by violent side-drum roll that lasts for fifteen bars. Till wants to keep his nonchalant attitude but starts to realize he has gone too far. The biggest penalty is given pictured in music by second Tills theme instrument D clarinet playing upward notes falling into major seventh chord (bars 615 616), when Till is going up the ladder to be hanged. This is when D clarinet reaches its highest A flat, holding it awhile and starts to move down, accompanied by the flute-trill (bars 619- 620) that describes Till running out of breath. This passage does not only sound like a sharp cry, though, it also portrays the breathlessness of Till. None of the authors specifies the epilogue. Kennedy refers the epilogue to Till himself: A gentle epilogue recalls the works fairy tale opening, as if to remind us, before he scampers away, that Till was not such a bad fellow.  [3]   Armstrong writes similarly: It is Tills characteristic tune with the devil taken out of it, so that it seems almost tender. This epilogue shows the composers insight at its keenest  [4]  . The epilogue recalls and extends Once upon a time version of Tills second theme (bar 632 et sqq). The atmosphere is similar to the one from the opening of the piece with it folk-lore narration and charm. In my opinion, Strauss composed the following content: Once upon a time, there was a foolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦he diedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦but through this story, he is still alive. Hansen and Werbeck have differing opinions about the form of Till Eulenspiegel. Hansen describes the form as follows: Basically, there are only two central events, and they are actually a combination of theme and motif those two of the hero, of which Strauss informs Wà ¼llner in his letter  [5]  . Walter Werbeck tries to explain the form more accurately: Strauss composes neither an authentic sonata rondo nor a traditional rondo chain  [6]  . The element of a rondo that is missing is ritornello, but if we see rondo as representation of two themes then we might be dealing with a variant of rondo in Till Eulen spiegel. Walter Werbeck continues: One could easily describe the first part of Till as a free variation form, or, preferably, as a form in which rondo and variation are combined as follows: A (Exposition); Aà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ² (market scene, variation 1); B (sermon scene, episode 1); A à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ²Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ² (love scene, variation 2); and C (Philistines, episode 2). Strauss also drew on principles of sonata form. As evidence we might cite especially the emphatic recapitulation of the initial horn theme in bar 429 that opens the second part of the piece.  [7]   Both Hansen and Werbeck divide the piece in the same way into two main parts. Whereas Hansen only tells us approximately where his second part starts, Werbeck gives us the exact bar number (429) of his division. Hansen is content with the division into two central events; Werbeck, however, tries to show that Till is undoubtedly much more than a sonata rondo. The composer combines sonata form, variations and rondo. These forms cannot be seen separately they overlap and penetrate each other to varying degrees. At some points the form of a set of variations dominates, sometimes as sonata or as rondo. Warbecks quotation As Till Eulenspiegel, the protagonist of the tone poem, resists societal norms by mocking them with continuous pranks, so does the composer thwart the expectations of those who want to pin him down to the norms of a rondo  [8]   seems to be especially appropriate here. Trying to fit Till into a rondo form, the following division makes sense: 1. Prologue and Exposition; bar 1-111, the fool is introduced 2. Variation I; bar 112-178, the upsetting of the market place 3. Episode I; bar 179-206, the mockery of the sermon 4. Variation II; bar 207-288, Till in love 5. Episode II; bar 289-409, the confusing of the professors 6. Recapitulation (Variation III); bar 410-594, Till goes on his way 7. Coda (Episode III); bar 595-632, Till is arrested and hung 8. Epilogue; bar 633-658 At this point I would like to summarise the themes of Till Eulenspiegel: The wicked goblin theme and its modifications: BASIC FORM: NARRATIVE: AS A CAPER: HE LIES IN WAITING AT A GALLOP RELIEVED, AT A SAFE PLACE IN LOVE AS AN OATH OF REVENGE IN A CONFIDENT WAY UP THE LADDER FURTHER THEMES: Till Eu len spie gel, till Eu-len-spie gel, Till Eu-len spie-gel NAMING OF TILL NEW PRANKS IN LOVE COURTING AGAINST THE PHILISTINES DECEPTIVE SAFETY MISCHIEVOUS Richard Strausss Till Eulenspiegel appears as a masterpiece in composers career. In this piece Strauss used yet the biggest orchestra with massive woodwind section and optional second horn quartet. It is in some way symbolical that after serious labour on Guntram Strauss composes such a spectacular work inspired only by a folk legend. Richard Strauss himself leads us well and truly to believe in something with his title Nach alter Schelmenweise in Rondeauform [after an old rascal manner in rondo form]. Whoever thinks that Strauss came to a compromise with the traditional form will notice quickly that any pattern is avoided. It is not the form of the rondo with the methodical; umpteen times reprise of the theme, the unity is reached by the consistent development of the melodical-thematical elements. These elements, which come in the most varying forms, in the bravest disguises and the rhythmical and harmonical transformations, are the two main themes. Strauss uses the specific sound character of an instrument in the score very carefully. This is what gives the whole tone poem the humorous colour. When the notes become alive, everything sounds so simple, natural and unconstrained. Strauss makes high demands on the musical intelligence of the musicians playing his works.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Reading and Writing Skills Essay -- Teaching Writing Education Essays

Reading and Writing Skills I remember when I started kindergarten. It was August 27, 1990. I’m still a little angry about that day because it was my fifth birthday and I still remember that I didn’t get to wear a crown on that day like the rest of my classmates did on their birthdays. I guess I didn’t get to wear the crown because it was the first day of school. But besides that, kindergarten was a really great year. In the mornings we’d go around the classroom to different stations and play different games, then we’d go to P.E., then lunch, and finally nap time. That was the year I learned how to count to one thousand. My teacher Mrs. Collins would sit with us and we’d count every morning. And every morning we’d count a little higher. She would also read to us. I don’t remember what we read but it was a great source of entertainment for me and I remember being very interested in what we were reading. I believe that that was what kept me interested i n reading series books when I was younger. Everything I chose to read from then on kept me interested and made me want to read more. That’s how my first year of grade school went. In first grade I learned how to read and write. My inspiration that year was my teacher Mrs. Garza. I remember thinking that she was the prettiest lady I had ever met (besides my mom) and I did everything I could to try to impress her. There were two different reading groups in my class. The better readers were the cardinals and all of the others were the robins. I was a cardinal. Mrs. Garza would sit with us and we’d read different stories and that was how we improved. I was definitely an over-achiever back then when it came to school. Reading was so interesting to me. .. ... greatest moment of achievement so far in life is graduating high school. There were days in high school that I didn’t know what my future held because I found many obstacles and didn’t know how I was going to overcome them. The greatest part about that was that despite how hard my work got and how much I hated reading and writing what was assigned, I still enjoyed reading what I liked in my free time and playing the piano. I also journaled. All of these things were a big part of my growing up in high school. I know that as I go through college I am going to reach many obstacles that arise. Already in my third week, I have had to read things that I’ve hated reading and I’ve had to put my opinions aside and do what is expected of me. I hope to expand my reading and writing skills as I continue to get an education and I hope to do what my teachers expect of me.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Socioeconomic Status

Research Paper Do to the circumstances of a person’s birth, their socioeconomic status of the family that they are born into can make them a victim of unfair treatment in life. Gender inequality is an innate characteristic of women. Women are the largest minority in America and they are of the female gender. Gender is the meaning of being a male or female in a society. Gender role refers to the attitude and behavior that is used when referring to male or females.Female gender has always been considered inferior to men. The attitude has always been that males were superior to females in their abilities, because they have strength, they are smarter and they have the ability to provide a better life. It is the belief that women take care of the home and children and the men go to work and earn the money. According to Sigmund Freud, he summed up in his famous idea the â€Å"anatomy is destiny†, which stated that females felt short changed because they do not have a penis.He concluded, that woman need to fulfill this envy by giving birth to a child. (pg. 190) Perpetuating gender inequality through values refers to jobs are automatically assumed to be gender specific. Fireman and Policeman are men only. Engineers, architects, project managers, doctors, etc. , are thought of as male orientated. However, women do very well in these areas. The value placed that men can do a better job is also considered a social attitude.The ideologies that have been set by society, even though it has been shown that male and female have equal capacity for learning and doing math and science, males have advanced in the workforce. After WW11, women stayed home and raised families. Men went to work and provided for the family. That has changed and since 2004 women make up 60. 5% of the workforce. However, they do not make the same money as men. pg 191) Race is a group of people distinguished from other groups by their origin in a particular part of the world. People are iden tified by the color of their skin, and the inequalities people experience follow directly from that identification. From this identification we have a social situation called racism. Racism is the belief that racial groups are inherently inferior to others.This situation has become a common experience for some and it justifies discrimination and inequality. Lauter (pg. 23) The race, ethnicity and quality of life for many people is a serious situation that needs to be addressed by society. We as a civilized society need to address the problems that so many people face. One of the very serious problems is wage disparity across gender, race and ethnicity. A study examines intergroup inequality and considering various channels through which gender, growth, and development interact it upholds the salience not only of equality in opportunities but also equality in outcomes. The matter of gender, race and ethnicity should not be a factor when people are trained and educated to do a job. Ro dgers & Seguino) A comprehensive profile of the ‘working poor' is presented using data from the 2003 Population Survey.The explanatory variables are the worker's occupation and the firm’s characteristics. The cost constraints comprising, on the one hand, the worker's family characteristics (notably family income), and, on the other, the costs to the worker of signals used by firms in making employment decisions. These include not only the cost of education but also what we call ‘discriminatory signals', e. g. gender, race, ethnicity and citizenship status. Gleicher & Stevans) The ideology that equal opportunity provides equal pay is false. There has been a glass ceiling for women, they do the same work as men but their pay and advancement is less. They experience discrimination with less training, promotions and hiring. (Lauter & Lauter) (pg 192) Each society has ideologies that justify stratification. It is up to our society and educators to teach people that eac h gender is capable of doing the same jobs if they are physically and mentally able plus have that desire. Due to this attitude women have not been advanced in the work place.They have been kept from monetary advancement and promotion. When businessmen speak eloquently about the â€Å"social responsibilities of business in a free-enterprise system†, they believe that they are defending free enterprise when they declaim that business is not concerned â€Å"merely† with profit but also with promoting desirable â€Å"social† ends; that business has a â€Å"social conscience† and takes seriously its responsibilities for providing employment, eliminating discrimination, avoiding pollution and whatever else may be the catchwords of the contemporary crop of reformers. In fact they are preaching pure and unadulterated socialism concepts.Businessmen who talk this way are sometimes considered puppets of the intellectual forces that have been undermining the basis o f a free society these past decades. (Friedman) The examination of the cultural and linguistic production of gender and of gender relations in society has had a serious impact on the study of labor history over the past twenty years. Work on the role of gender has linked culture and ideas to politics and policies and has shown how ideas about masculinity and femininity shaped notions of the wage, skills, and work, as well as labor and employer practices, union strategies, and labor struggles.The working class has not disappeared, but its contours and composition have changed dramatically. It is no longer overwhelmingly white, male, and heterosexual; it is female, black, and brown: its members’ sexuality is not always already defined. It is by incorporating into our work the intersections of these differences that we can create more powerful analytical tools for understanding the past and perhaps also the present. (Frader) In 1963, President John F. Kennedy, signed â€Å"The Equal Pay Act†. This bill was aimed at abolishing the wage disparity based on gender.This law was written to stop sex discrimination, paying employees of the opposite sex more money for doing equally the same job for equal work that the performance requires equal skill, effort and responsibility and which are performed under similar working conditions. This bill was to give equal opportunity in the workplace. When signing this bill, John F. Kennedy said, â€Å"Adds to our laws another structure basic to democracy† and â€Å"affirms our determination that when women enter the labor force they will find equality in their pay envelope. â€Å"Through the years America displayed a terrible attitude towards people of all races, foreign cultures and nationalities. I have seen many actions in the work place that I can look back on and realize there was discrimination. I am happy to say that I have seen change. In my last three jobs, I witnessed the equal and civil treatment o f my fellow employees. At the Unitarian church everyone was treated very fairly, not just the consideration of their race and gender, but also for their religious beliefs. The Unitarian Church has a very interesting concept.Most people that are Unitarians are not born to the religion, they are people that convert from other formal religions. Because of this situation, people need to express their beliefs and the Unitarian Church allows its members to share and experience each event. Every holiday was celebrated with pride and true enjoyment. They extended their programs to have social events detailing each ethnic and religious background. We celebrated Christmas, Hahnack and Kwanza. We were given information explaining each religion, how it originated, the beliefs and the ceremony.We also were given samples of the different foods served for these religious holidays. It gave us a feeling of unity and understanding which broaden our knowledge, social graces and respect for others. The most important part of this work environment was everyone was treated equally. The positions held, from office managers, secretaries, ministers, maintenance and grounds were held both by men and women. You were not judged based on gender or race, if you met the job qualifications you were interviewed and if you had the qualifications you were hired.I left the Unitarian Church with a heavy heart. I knew I would never meet such a wonderful, caring group of workers and volunteers in any future workplace. This was a unique experience which taught me more than my work requirements, it taught me about people. When I moved to Colorado, I worked for Level (3). This was a true corporate atmosphere, everything was done through emails and written communications. We were divided into teams with a team captain and every employee was treated with respect and graded on their true ability. Here too, people were hired on their qualifications.Gender and race were not part of the hiring program. Ther e were male and female engineers, project managers, technical support and even cable layers. My position ended when the Dot. com crash caused a huge layoff. My last position was in a small office, my employer was very respectful of each of us and we were all treated with respect and gratitude. The atmosphere was very different in that when there are only a few people, you become more involved on a personal level. I found the small office to be an okay experience, however, I think I would enjoy the atmosphere where there are more employees.The smaller office does not offer the opportunity for advancement and each person has their job and you become stagnant. The job market has changed in many areas in the past 15 years. I see more women and more diversity in the ethnic background of the employees being hired. There will always be room for improvement and change. A major change has been that more women have college degrees and they have excelled in showing stamina and strength. The te rm â€Å"glass ceiling† refers to the imaginary career barrier that impede’s a women’s ability to rise to the top rank of her profession.Today there really isn’t a â€Å"glass ceiling† because women are well represented in all professions. They are doctors, lawyers, judges, TV anchor women, journalist and women appointed to political positions. It is evident that anyone can attain the position of their choosing. It takes education, perseverance and determination. I am sure that there is still a negative attitude by some towards women and different ethnic groups. I think it will take a long time to see a complete change, and probably there will never be a complete change.We have many people that are raised and indoctrinated, whether it is from their nationality, up- bringing or religious beliefs that women only belong in the home. Some parts of the world, like the middle east, there is a cultural and religious belief that dictates the life of women. These changes for these women might take a 100 years to change. Living here in the U. S we have a broader view of how everyone should be treated. Because some people will never change, as women we have to keep moving in the right direction, looking for the right opportunity and seize the moment.My own life is a testament to the belief that a women belongs in the home raising the children and keeping the house. After a marriage of 30 years and divorce, I found myself in a very difficult position. Financially I was not prepared to take care of myself and I was frightened beyond comprehension. I also had my mother living with me, she had Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain). I realized that I had to take charge of my life and at 50, I made some serious decisions. Eventually I found a job with Level (3) and went back to school for my degree.With all my determination and perseverance I showed I was capable of taking responsibility and I was advanced within six months of hire. I believe th ere is opportunity and in today’s job world, women and people of different ethnic background can advance in life.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Resource Based View Essay

The mid-eighties witnessed the emergence of a growing body of work collectively labelled the resource and capability-based view of the firm (RBV). In reality, Resource Competence View (RCV) first adopted an â€Å"economic† orientation. Pioneer studies (Wernerfelt, 1984) , Barney, 1986, 1991, Dierickx and Cool, 1989, Peteraf, 1993) focused on the type of resources and competencies that could offer to its owner a sustainable competitive advantage. Therefore, resources and competencies approach first appeared as a theory of competitive advantage or a theory of â€Å"performance of the firm† (Argyres & Zenger, 2007). It is only recently, in the last 20 years that organizations have started using the resource based view approach on strategy. Nowadays, they view it as the most important key development in international business research and strategic management, an approach that gives a coherent vision based on a firm’s capabilities to help determine the strategic reso urces necessary for the firm’s survival and growth within a particular market place. As Hitt et al (2001) stated, â€Å"the resource based model assumes that each organization is a collection of unique resources and capabilities that provides the basis for its strategy and that is the primary source of return.†. It suggests that in order for a firm to sustain competitive advantage, it must not only have resources and capabilities but also have a firm control over it and they must meet certain basic criteria such as being: valuable, rare, inimitable and non substitutable such that it is impossible to be copied or replicated (VRIN). Although a resource based view strategy sounds like the better way to go, others have wondered if this approach is at all necessary or bring any more insight than the traditional understandings into a successful strategy to survive and thrive into a competitive market, strategy that will allow the firm to have a good competitive advantage. In this review, we aim to elucidate the concepts behind the resource based view strategy and its use by managers. Furthermore, we aim to elaborate on its advantages but also disadvantages moving on to a critical analysis of this emerging approach to strategy and competitive advantage from the point of view of well known authors such as M. Porter (1980,1985) who believes that external factors mainly contribute to a firm’s competitive advantage and Jay Barney (1991)  who criticizes the narrow approach of a resource based view on competitive advantage, mainly the homogeneity it gives to firms resources. RESOURCE BASED VIEW : A CRITIQUE The RBV has emerged after the industrial work of Michael Porter and Rick Perry , who stated that companies must achieve a competitive advantage based on external factors. In fact, the RBV suggests that differences in profitability between firms in the same sector are much more important than inter sector profitability differences which was its founding idea. The resource-based view (RBV) has become one of the most influential and cited theories in the history of management theorizing. It aspires to explain the internal sources of a firm’s sustained competitive advantage (SCA). Its central proposition is that if a firm is to achieve a state of SCA, it must acquire and control valuable, rare, inimitable, and non substitutable (VRIN) resources and capabilities, plus have the organization (O) in a place that can absorb and apply them (Barney, 1991a, 1994, 2002). This proposition is shared by several related analyses: core competences (Hamel & Prahalad, 1994), dynamic capabilities (Helfat & Peteraf, 2003; Teece, Pisano, & Shuen, 1997), and the knowledge-based view (Grant, 1996b). Given its elegant simplicity and its immediate face validity, the RBV’s core message is appealing, easily grasped, and easily taught. 1 FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF THE RESOURCE BASED VIEW :Models based on resources and skills, Resource Based View and Competence Based View The resources and competences are expressed through certain knowledge (know-how , know-machine ,distribute knowledge) Resources are defines as assets owned or controlled permanently by the firm to develop and implement its strategy. There are six types: Financial Resources : CAF, debt ratio, volume TR ; Human Resources : number of employees, qualification, experience,intelligence ; Physical resources : production sites and their geographical location, land,stocks ; Organizational Resources : information systems, ISO standards,  procedures,coordination mechanisms ; Technological resources : know-how, patents ; Reputational Resources : brand, reputation ; The approach based on the resources considers that the company more than the industry, constitutes the relevant level of analysis to explain the performance (Barney, 1991; Rumelt, 1984; Wernerfelt, 1984). The organization is rehabilitated as an actor ; the firms are able to accumulate resources and competences which are transformed into advantage on the competitors if they are rare, creative of value, non-substitutable and difficult to imitate (Barney, 1991; Dierickx and Cool, 1989) see figure 1. 5 tests to assess the strategic value of competencies: Figure 1. Barney J.B. (1991), Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage, Journal of Management, vol. 17, pp.99-120 The firm is not designed any more like a wallet of products or markets, but like a wallet of resources. It is not the customer requirements who determines the strategy, but the resources and competencies which the company possess : the competing advantage is to be sought in-house (See Table 1). Competencies indicate the organizational capacity to deploy the resources in the form of combination to achieve a goal, which implies the idea of a training by combining several resources. 2 A CRITIQUE OF THE RESOURCE BASED VIEW APPROACH The Resource based view approach has been subject to several critiques ,some of which suggest that it is a very limited model , very hard to apply and its variables cannot be clarified. All of these critiques could be faced with more explanations of the (RBV)’s variables,boundaries,and applicability. On the other hand, some critiques are threatening the (RBV) model, these critiques are concerned with the limitations of the defining two concepts of the (RBV) model which are : resources and value which entail some problems and affecting the explanations of a firm’s competitive advantage. These critiques could be categorized as follow : Studies argue that (VRIN) criteria is not essential to the understanding of SCA as (Kraaijenbrink et al) (2010) mention (Foss and Knudsin) (2003) arguing that it’s mainly uncertainty is one of the basics to achieve SCA , Furthermore, stating that other conditions simply additional . These comments suggest ‘ fundamental disagreement about the nature of markets , individuals , and resources and the roles these play in generating SCA (Kraaijenbrink et al, 2010). Individual’s, entrepreneurs, and manager’s judgement and models are not sufficiently recognized by the (RBV) to the critique which argues that the (RBV) limits the entrepreneurial and managerial skills. This critique outlines the importance of a firm’s environment whilst arguing that (RBV) is mostly focused inward and dismisses the external environment which is important for assessing the main strength and weaknesses of an organization , which essentially leads to achieving competitive advantage ; it also leads to the issue of value creation , and environmental assessment , internally and externally , are essential to value creation and strategic positioning. Connor (2002) argues that the (RBV) is limited to large firms (with significant market power) , furthermore, SME’s cannot be sometimes assessed by their resources when it comes to SCA resulting in their fallout of the (RBV) . Finally , adding that (RBV) applicability can , in most cases, relate to firms pursuing SCA. 1 PORTER’S FIVE FORCES (P5F) AND RBV On one hand, the RBV model supports the idea that a firm can sustain competitive advantage by having highly superior resources and these  resources are represented in the VRIN criteria . In other words, sustaining a competitive advantage depends on the ability to integrate a group of extreme resources to provide the firm with its leading position . According to Barney (1991,1994,2002) â€Å"RBV central proposition is that a firm is to achieve a state of SCA , it must acquire and control valuable, rare, inimitable,and non-substitutable (VRIN) resources and capabilities , plus have the organization (O) in place that can absorb and apply them† , which would lead the firm to earn a massive surplus. On the other hand, Micheal Porter believes that for a firm to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage it has to focus on its external environments, have a strategic positioning in its industry or intended industry and this strategic positioning is guided by five industry-level for ces namely; Entry barriers, Buyers bargaining power, Suppliers bargaining power, Threats of substitutes and Rivalry among existing industry. He specifies that finding a strategic fit within an industry gives a firm an edge over its rivals and can lead to a sustainable competitive advantage. A company can outperform rivals only if it can establish a difference that it can preserve (Porter, 2000) and how can you establish this difference? By deliberately choosing a different set of activities to deliver a unique mix of value e.g. Southwest Airlines, IKEA. However, It is clearly noticed that one of the big differences between both models (Resource based view and Porter’s five forces) is that they differ in the approach used. The RBV focus only on the firm’s resources but the P5F model is based on the industry itself. Another similarity between both views are the description of resources in the RBV that it’s inimitable matching the concept of threat of new entrants in P5F . Also the threat of substitute in the P5F model sounds similar to the attributive of resources that it is non-substitutable in the RBV. Both models put the concept of earning superior profits as an objective of any firm, similarly both agree that the way to achieve that surplus is by sustaining competitive advantage , but when it comes to how to sustain this competitive advantage they differ ; P5F SCA by gaining a high profit on the long-term , contrarily the RBV considers SCA by preventing rivals or competitors to acquire the same advantage . At some point, both RBV and P5F may look contradictory , in reality both complement each other when integrated . 2 JAY BARNEY AND RBV According to Barney,Mcwilliams & Turk (1989) it is stated that a sustained competitive advantage has been defined as to be an advantage obtained as a result of a firm’s strategy not being implemented by other firms as well but that cannot be replicated but point out the fact that it does not refer to â€Å"how long† that advantage is in fact sustained. Porter (1985) and Rumelt (1984) said that the basis for sustaining a competitive advantage in the market is to understand its sources. Porter mostly believes that focusing solely on external factors (opportunities, threats of new intrants,etc†¦) gives a firm better chances of reaching a sustained competitive advantage. For Barney (1991), the basis to sustaining a competitve advantage is by formulating a strategy that is based on internal strenghts but acquired through responding to external factors such that there is synergy between internal and external factors and thus heterogeinity and immobility to the firmâ€⠄¢s resources (Barney & Hoskisson, 1989). He argues that a firm simply cannot rely on the even distribution of its resources (same strategic capabilities, human and organizational capital (Barney,1991)) throughout the organization (focus that gives homogeinity and mobility of resources) to achieve a sustained competitive advantage as any other firm with the same resources can have the same competitive advantage in the market. Also, efficiency and effectiveness can be improved to the same extend and therefore the competitive advantage cannot be described as â€Å"sustained† (Barney,1991). However, it can be argued that an homogenous and mobile set of resources can also lead a sustained competitive advantage on a â€Å"first come, first served† basis where the firm that has access to distribution channels, develop good will customers and a positive reputation first gains a sustained competitive advantage as they would have established themselves before other firms had a chance to do so. Barney (1986) also highlights the concept of â€Å"Strategic Factor Market.† He explained that according to the strategy, strategic factor market in which the company must draw differ. For example, for an innovation strategy, the factor to consider may be the competence in research and development. He added that if the strategic factor market is not perfect, it will not be possible for a firm to extract superior economic performance. Barney is therefore concerned with allowing  the firm to distinguish themselves from others, and it sets up the theory of competitive advantage â€Å"sustainable†. This type of benefit resulting resources respecting the criterion called â€Å"VRIN† (resources must be: valuable, rare, difficult to imitate and imperfectly substitutable to provide the firm a sustainable competitive advantage). 3 ISSUES FOR PRACTICING MANAGERS IN ADOPTING THE RBV APPROACH Having looked at the critique of the RBV one can undoubtedly say that practicing managers may encounter some issues in adopting this approach. The RBV is a very complex approach. Thus to attain or maintain a competitive advantage managers must often and extensively simplify (Russo & Schoemake, 1989). Managers are often faced with the challenges of identifying, developing, protecting and deploying of firm’s resources and capabilities such that they can gain a sustainable competitive advantage over rivals. What are the criteria for identifying? Often times they ask what resources or capabilities do we have that rivals do not have or cannot immediately imitate and how can we achieve a sustainable competitive advantage with it. They run the risk of retaliation from rival firms which can render their competitive advantage static or useless as it is sometimes impossible for them to know the level or worth of their rivals resources or capabilities. What capabilities to develop, what resources to deploy are issues which can result to intra organizational conflicts among various departments in the firm. In adopting the RBV approach managers are likely to face a considerable uncertainty and ambiguity arising from shifts in buyers’ preference or taste, social values, economic and political trends, recent/ upcoming technologies, rivalry in the industry (competitive actions) etc†¦ (strategic management Journal Vol 14,1993). CONCLUSION REFERENCES Barney, J.B. 1991. Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage, journal of management 17:99-120. Barney, J.B. McWilliams,A. , Turk,T. 1989. On the relevance of the concept of entry barriers in the theory of competitive strategy. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the strategic managemt society, San Francisco. Lieberman,M.B, & Montgomery, D.B. 1998. First mover advantages, Strategic management journal, 9:41-58. Porter,M. 1980. Competitive strategy. New York. Free Press. Porter, M. 1985. Competitive advantage. New York. Free Press. Porter,M. 2000. What is Strategy? Harvard Business Review. Rumelt,R. 1984. Towards a strategic theory of the firm. In R. Lamb (Ed.), Competitive strategic management: 556-570. Englewoods Cliffs, NJ : Prentice-Hall. Wernerfelt, B. 1984. A resource based view of the firm. Strategic management Journal. 5:171-180.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

John Lennons Death essays

John Lennon's Death essays John Lennon was shot December 8th 1980 in New York by a man named Mark Chapman. As the limo pulled up and Lennon and his wife stepped out, Chapman pulled out a revolver and shot Lennon. With two bullets in the back piercing his lungs, a third. Shattering his shoulder bone, the fourth and fifth shattering his wind pipe. After shooting Lennon, Chapman sat on the sidewalk and read. Lennnon stumbled into the hotel bleeding to death. He was soonrushed to the hospital where doctors used every devide imaginbable to bring jogn back, but nothing worked. The official cause of death was shock produced by massive haemorrhaging, he lost 80% of his blood. There has never been a public trial, causing mystery about Chapman's motive. Chapman had a history of disillusuions starting from his early child hood. As a teen Mark heard the voices of "little people" that he believed lived in the walls of his bedroom. This disturbed mental state later lead Chapman to attempt suicide and be put in psychiatric counselling as he battled paranoid schizophrenia. Chapmans behavior was guided to the events of Dec. 8th by subliminal "clues" and special signs that he felt were ment for him through John's lyrics and music. Mark belivedhe was able to recieve these hidden messages that the rest of us could not. Through this he turned the murder of John Lennon into somewhat of an heroic act. The only question i have, could be simply summed up as "why?". I could probably read into it and learn more about the lyricsa that Mark Chapman had thought were intended for him, but there is still a whole side to it. A side in Chapman's brain that i supose none of us will ever understand. I can only see this as a very unfortunate acident that happened to Lennon, because Chapman"s mental state couldn't have been helped at the time, because in chapman's mind he had done the right thing. No one could have changed that thinking. John Lennon was a music legend. Had he st...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Dubois vs. Washington essays

Dubois vs. Washington essays Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois were among two of the most influential black leaders that strove to attain racial equality for African Americans during the early twentieth century. Although both Washington and Dubois sought to advance civil rights for African Americans, each stressed a contrasting philosophy as to how to achieve their goal (Taylor). Heeding the belief that blacks would be granted civil and political rights after gaining economic independence, Washington urged blacks to temporally set aside their desire for equality and work toward economic advancement. Washington captured this philosophy cleverly in the phrase: In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress (Harlan). He was thus of the belief that blacks should remain separate yet equal and promoted the temporarily acceptance of segregation in exchange for economic advancement (Salley). In accordance his philosophy, Washington also maintained that a vocational education, rather than a college education, was the quickest route to economic success for blacks. He held that the development of practical work skills would give blacks an upper hand in seeking employment (Taylor). To foster his beliefs, Washington founded the Tuskegee institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, which trained thousands of black people in industrialized trades such as farming, blacksmithing, plumbing, carpentry, and mechanics (Taylor). White America was largely in support of Washingtons philosophy, as they viewed his outward acceptance of segregation and his opposition to black militancy as a means of encouraging blacks to face their inferior social status. Whites therefore hailed Washington as a representative for all of black America in dealing with racial issues (Salley). Among the black populous of America, Washingtons philosophy was also well received. It was ac...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Approaches to Adult Learning

Approaches to Adult Learning Annotated Overview The focus of this writing will be on the themes of the assigned chapter readings for Week 6. These chapter reading from Learning in Adulthood: A Comprehensive Guide was in the following chapters: 8, 9, and 10. This paper will also include additional learning resources (media video and instructor’s notes) and will outline points of interests gained from their viewing and reading. Week 5 Annotated Chapter Assignment This week’s study involved our reading of three chapters, viewing two media videos and article reading. This paper will touch on the points of interest that resonated with me in my reading as well as thoughts that I explored from the supportive learning resources (media video and instructor’s notes). The paper will conclude with a summary/discussion of what was gained through this learning experience and discuss ways this learning can be implemented. Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning: A Comprehensive Approach Chapter 8 Theme The overall theme of this chapter highlighted an integrated approach to learning which shows the synergistic connection and combination of the mind, body, and spirit in learning called embodied learning. It also discussed the significance of learning through storytelling and heightened learning outcomes of narrative teaching. This section will address the points of interests that inspired to onto further study. Narrative Learning There are events that happen in our life which are unique. Some are uniquely dull and some can be uniquely exciting. However, the case each has a unique storyline that when told can help others to better understand and know something of the storyteller’s world that may lead to a significant discovery in their own. The writer points out that â€Å"Narrative knowing are not so much driven to find out more about the tangible outcomes of an event: its facts, logic and such, than they are about discovering meaning, and gaining under standing of the same event (Merriam, Baumgartner, the implications in the statement of one being personally involved in learning was spoken loud and clear throughout week six chapters. In reflecting on the theories and principles of transformative learning I can say that one of the enlightenments that I take away is through the means that transformative learning, one’s internal and external awareness is enhanced within that transformative learning experience. What I mean by that is, I learned that learning is more than just sitting in a room assimilating data. Cohen points out, that when one embodies the learning the learning experience, there is an opportunity created where any portion of the information being received can connect with meaning that initiates one’s conscious awareness that brings about a reflective moment which ushers in a revelation of one’s higher self. Transparently speaking, this reading brought up some thoughts that I had not previously co nsidered. Consequently, these three eye-opening chapters demand a deeper review and reflection on my part, if for nothing else than for the sake of growth through perspective changing and social enlightenment, which is the message I felt the writer was conveying within these three chapters. Incorporating Media and Instructor Notes The video, â€Å"New Approach to Learning† was an expose on the creator of Khan Academy. He is a former Hedge Fund analysis who started a free on line e-learning you tube website. This is a unique approach to sharing information with others that assister the self-directed learner supporting their ongoing learning settings. The presenter points out that his approach is simple and effective and attracts the attention of youth and adult learners around the world. The benefit of this approach to learning is that the learner can have ready access for a variety of learning event while learning at their pace. Mr. Khan points out that according to resea rch information the length of the content is at the right amount that facilities learning. The presenter also brought in a interviewee who expressed how this type of learning is a valuable asset to locations around the world that may not have access to any formal or informal means of education (Vantage Siam Co., 2011). The video, â€Å"Gen Y & New Approaches to Learning & Training† was interview centered on Generation Y and their approach to learning. The interviewee pointed out the demographic range of this new type of learner and the desires of the Gen Y group of learners to be taught in accordance to the technological society we live in. They want to be free in their ability to use the knowledge with the technology they have grown up with as compared to previous generations who did not have similar types of access. Both the interviewer and interviewee agreed that the responsibility of the teacher is to move away from former methods to incorporate this new desire for lear ning by making it easy for student involvement and encourages participation. This move will not only affect the present generation but it will prepare them for the upcoming one – Gen Z.(Award1956’s channel, 2010). The video, â€Å"Koren Alberich on New Approaches to Learning† was interview on three examples of learning using alternate reality games and virtual worlds. The interviewee explained how the games and worlds can be made to adapt to any environment and setting. Each can be structured to simulate desired learning outcomes. Two salient outcomes of these new approaches are: 1) the scalability. The environments and settings can meet any size of learning audience, 2) as for the use of virtual worlds they can be create real-time global location via internet that can bring global locations into one location (Clarey, 2011) Conclusion The overall thought of this week’s lesson has been an approach to learning that has helped me in synthesizing my lif e to what has been presented within these three chapters, as well to the previous lessons. Subjects like the principles of embodied learning with its lesson on spiritual and narrative learning are very insightful. I am a Pastor of a small congregation and I teach using the preaching method of expository preaching. After reading about narrative learning I have added storytelling as an element of preaching to help the listener gain a richer understanding of the content of my message. This is one example of how I have applied what I am learning. I believe that knowing and not applying what one knows means that knowledge remains as theoretical information. However, when that same knowledge is put into action then it takes on another essence, by becoming reality in the life of the one that has applied it. As I further reflect on what take away from the chapter dealing with Learning and knowing I now look at with I know and have learned through new lenses. Taking others perspectives, espe cially other cultures, will be hard to do. That is if one is not willing to, at the least, empathetically look at life from someone else’s perspective. I agree with the chapter writer concerning our western egotism when it comes to learning that inders us in that aspect. Our pride should not be the thing that keeps us from learning and knowing from other cultures. The truth is, in many cases other cultures have truly learned and know more than our does. Any barrier to intellectual growth must be overcome if we as a whole – world round – if we are to grow together. And as barriers, such as cultural pride and others come down that gives way to areas of growth in realms such as meaningful dialog brought about by the ethos of critical theory, as well as acceptance of ideals founded in postmodern and feminist perspectives. When approached with a mindset of open-mindedness, these theories and concepts are enlightening and the means of growth. Light makes things grow. Needless to say, I feel I have grown to have a deeper appreciation for what I have experienced thus far and look forward to what more is to come. References Award1956’s channel (Producer), & Award1956’s channel (Director). (2010, December 8,). Gen Y & new approaches to learning & training. [Video/DVD] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SXIdXMqeA Bohman, J., & Rehg, W. (2014). Jà ¼rgen habermas. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/habermas/#HabDisThe Clarey, J. (Producer), & Clarey, J. (Director). (2011, April 22,). Koreen olbrish on new approaches to learning. [Video/DVD] Foote, L. S. (2015). Re-storying life as a means of critical reflection: The power of narrative learning. Christian Higher Education, 14 (3), 116-126. doi:10.1080/15363759.2015.1028580 Merriam, S. B., Baumgartner, L., & Caffarella, R. S. (2007). Learning in adulthood (3. ed. ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Nemec, P. B. (2012). Transformative le arning. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 35 (6), 478-479. doi:10.1037/h0094585 Paul, & Pedersen. (1980). The cultural boundaries of education and non-eastern alternatives. 1 Retrieved from http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/014303438000100507 Qiufang Fu, Zoltan Dienes, Junchen Shang, & Xiaolan Fu. (2013). Who learns more? cultural differences in implicit sequence learning. PLoS One, 8 (8) doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071625 Vantage Siam Co., L. (Producer), & Vantage Siam Co., L. (Director). (2011, 15 July). New approaches to learning. [Video/DVD]

Friday, October 18, 2019

How Globalization Regimes Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

How Globalization Regimes Work - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that globalization as a phenomenon has received much attention for all the right reasons; reasons which have spoken a great deal on how economies have become bigger than nation-states in essence. This brings to light the notion of comprehending how globalization as a phenomenon has been instrumental in changing perceptions and beliefs, as it has highlighted the due role of economic strengths and the opportunities that have come up with the passage of time. Globalization has made the economists understand that they if they play their cards well; there is no one who can stop them from entering new market territories and zones on a global basis. What is required however is tact and a sense of planning on the part of the people who believe staunchly within the globalization regimes since they are the ones who bring value for the sake of the business enterprises, spread far and wide? When one studies the dictum of globalization in its truest sen se, there is comprehension in the knowledge that geographical distances do not matter as such. Since the entire phenomenon is built on the premise of bridging distances in more ways than one, the element of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics coming to the fore is a special one. This is so said because globalization has the potential within it to bring people from different walks of life together and thus involve and engage them in an ideology, a business route or a pattern for that matter. ...consumers, the better it is for them to bring about a collective good, which is for the well-being of the society in the long term scheme of things (Amoore 2002). Delving deep into what globalization essentially is, one needs to find out how the term was actually brought into action. This suggests how the world was termed as a global village, and how it has represented the 7 billion or so people on the face of this earth as one connected community. Globalization has made all of them come on a single platform, where business and trade linkages help each other connect so that there is collective good, which shall foster creativity and culminate in success for one and all (Sachs 2000). They feel wired and hence this linkage has helped their business realms to develop with the passage of time. What is even more interesting is the fact that globalization has dispelled the perils which used to exist in the yesteryears. It has made people realize how colonialism is not an acceptable phen omenon anywhere and not the talk centers on the premise of globalization, which is here for their own good. There are some critics who believe globalization is not an interesting phenomenon as it brings problems for the natives of a country and makes others feel that they are more powerful than the former. This is not entirely a correct disposition as it flawed in its entirety (Herod 1998). The role of globalization within governance is pertinent because if governmental authorities are not playing their roles well, then this would mean a lot of problems for the companies and business corporations which are trying to expand in different directions, around the world.  

Research paper about lululemon Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

About lululemon - Research Paper Example His early promotional approach was to offer yoga instructors free yoga pants just to get their feedback on the flexibility of the pant. One of the main objectives in Lululemon is the creation of a fun atmosphere and a healthy living at the same time aiming at designing end products that offer high performance, comfort and fit. The company has a market-oriented focus that helps it to offer products that are of high performance, generates customers trust and commitment from the company in supporting the customer. Lululemon price of yoga pants averagely goes for ninety-two dollars. Lululemon is a company that runs with profits. The company worked hard to maintain its level in the market, and its prices earn many profits. According to its website, Lululemon is striving its best to serve its shareholders to the best. An average of seventy percent of the company’s total revenue in business is estimated to come from yoga were selling. What the company aims at is selling and pricing tits products in a way that it earns a profit in the end. In addition, the company makes use of a mixture of value and prestige in pricing strategies in determining the cost of its products. The strategy used for pricing on the company products includes the strategy of value added pricing and prestige pricing. In value added pricing, the company spends a lot in trying to create additional values in its products through promotion. Prestige pricing happens through adding extra features for its customers on their apparel instead of trying to reduce the total cost of by reducing the features used and the material quality used in producing the yoga pants products. The use of unique features in manufacturing the yoga wears made by Lululemon, such as the use of natural substance clothing in production of yoga pants, helps in justifying the high prices of the Lululemon’s pants in the market. On the other hand, the company also employs the use of prestige in pricing

Product recognition Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Product recognition - Research Paper Example y designed to target the needs of the young generation who cares a lot about bad breath and, use different products to seek â€Å"freshness in breath.† Colgate Max Fresh is high-in-demand in Asian markets as compare to American and European markets. But, the brand can position itself in American and European markets successfully by associating itself with the activities especially for the youth to slowly make its place in the markets. The product is catered to meet the needs of the young generation who seek freshness and use multiple oral products to keep their breath fresh and clean. The product is segmented on the basis of age and gender. Mostly, young males are more conscious about their bad breath due to their smoking habits as compare to girls. Therefore, to reach this specific consumer group, the company has targeted the young males on the basis of â€Å"freshness†. Colgate Max Fresh owns a heavy market in Asia. But, due to high smoking habits of Europeans, the brand can have its potential growth in Europe as well. In America, the brand will enjoy a little attention as the Americans seek whitening of teeth over bad breath. Colgate Max Fresh has been introduced in the market in multiple flavors. The product is designed to target the youth. To penetrate in the market and in the minds of youth, it has associated itself with the brands such as iPods and other sports activities such as Kayaking. This association has helped the brand to develop its image of a brand which is specifically designed for the youth. To target more young consumers, the brand can also sponsor programs that are catered towards the young audience. The constant appearance of Colgate Max Fresh commercial on the TV channel will draw the young audience towards the product, hence, making a psychological effect on their minds. The brand can associate itself with MTV America and Europe to target more young consumers as they listen to music more than any other age group. Colgate Max Fresh has

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Safe work environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Safe work environment - Essay Example Visitors language should be checked for any harmful devises carried by him. Work stations are to be design to make the employees more comfortable as they would be working long hours sitting. The work station and the equipments like tables and chairs are to be designed to ease the pressure on the employees' body thus avoiding the stains and pains at various back parts. New employees are to be made known about the safety and security measures prior to their joining. They should be given a book let explaining about the privacy and safety policies for their kind reference. The parcels and other goods coming through courier service are to be checked at the ground floor security and should forward to their floors. If the goods are having some offense contents the objects are to be kept at the ground dispatch room and the consignee has to be called for cross check. An in-house doctor has to be placed at the work station for addressing concerns. Reference: Employee safety handbook, Office of research safety and office of risk management, Northwestern university, 2003 viewed on 21/12/2006 available at http://www.northwestern.edu/risk/EmpSafetyHandbook2003.pdf Safety tips,

DEATH TO INMATES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

DEATH TO INMATES - Essay Example On the same note, the security of prisoners and those who work in the prisons would be ensured because there would be some form of security system s within which activities within the prisons are monitored but not in a manner that interferes with the privacy of the prisoners (Payne, 2004). In case the security gadgets are put within the premises, the footage should be recorded because that would help to reduce bad incidences in the prisons. Such recordings would be used for investigations purposes and help reduce future incidences. However, that would have a high cost implications because those security budgets are expensive. Even though the gadgets are expensive, they should be bought nonetheless because of the benefits that have in reducing negative incidences. It does not make sense that mere convenience stores have such gadgets but prisons ran by government do not. The government can afford and should therefore buy them. Payne, B. (2004). The Electronic Monitoring of Offenders Released from Jail or Prison: Safety, Control, and Comparisons to the Incarceration Experience. The Prison Journal, 84(4), 413-435.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Science and Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Science and Technology - Essay Example Virtualization is one of the most essential concepts that will continue to play a dramatic role in the modern century. The problem that majority companies faced with the traditional IT infrastructure consists of several problems. One of the critical problems is the fact that it takes high energy costs. In addition, the traditional mainframe networks take too much space. Furthermore, the heat that is generated through these servers must be cooled. In fact, recent studies have found that organizations achieved on average an 18% reduction in their budget from cloud computing and a 16% reduction in data costs. Hence, virtualization should be embraced by organizations because it is cost-effective, flexible, and provides safe process of security protocols. Not only does virtualization allow corporations to be more â€Å"eco-friendly† but it also reduces costs which is crucial for success in the 21st century. Another main initiative that has been taken by both moguls is to introduce carbon .One of the high focal points that has been emphasized over the years as an alternative approach for energy source has been solar energy. A solar initiative can be a very robust solution that can be utilized for powering residential and industrial purposes. One of the many advantages that solar energy offer is substantial reduction in pollution since no waste product is yielded. The production of energy is being derived from use of fossil fuel. Another great facet that solar energy offers is the fact that it can harness electricity in remote locations. Undoubtedly, this provides flexibility and a seamless integration with the nation’s future technology roadmap. Embedding solar panels in remote location are cost-effective and can create a channel for an optimized energy production. The thought of an environment in which sun energy is utilized to power the communities and the nation’s infra structure can certainly be a reality. Although this innovative approach has been

DEATH TO INMATES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

DEATH TO INMATES - Essay Example On the same note, the security of prisoners and those who work in the prisons would be ensured because there would be some form of security system s within which activities within the prisons are monitored but not in a manner that interferes with the privacy of the prisoners (Payne, 2004). In case the security gadgets are put within the premises, the footage should be recorded because that would help to reduce bad incidences in the prisons. Such recordings would be used for investigations purposes and help reduce future incidences. However, that would have a high cost implications because those security budgets are expensive. Even though the gadgets are expensive, they should be bought nonetheless because of the benefits that have in reducing negative incidences. It does not make sense that mere convenience stores have such gadgets but prisons ran by government do not. The government can afford and should therefore buy them. Payne, B. (2004). The Electronic Monitoring of Offenders Released from Jail or Prison: Safety, Control, and Comparisons to the Incarceration Experience. The Prison Journal, 84(4), 413-435.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

The Coffee Crisis Essay Example for Free

The Coffee Crisis Essay To begin, The Coffee Crisis is about an acute coffee crisis and how it threatens millions of small coffee farmers around the world and is putting economic growth, as well as social and political stability, at risk in scores of coffee producing countries in Central and South America, Africa and Asia. In 2004, the governments of coffee producing countries were considering how to respond to the dramatic decline in coffee prices caused in part by a large increase in coffee production in Brazil and Vietnam. Coffee was the main source of income for roughly 25 million farmers, mostly small land holders, in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Coffee prices had hit 40 year lows in 2001 and had remained low since, resulting in real hardship for many farmers. A variety of alternative solutions had been suggested. (Gomez-Ibanez Quinlan, 2004) The International Coffee Organization was advocating increasing demand through programs promoting coffee consumption; the Inter-American Development Bank supported promotion but also thought some high-cost countries should get out of coffee, while the non-governmental organization Oxfam was pushing fair trade pricing. The coffee crisis is worldwide. It is affecting farmers in Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia. While the Arabica farmers in Costa Rica may be getting 40 cents per pound for their coffee cherries, the Robusta coffee farmers in Viet Nam are only receiving 15 cents a pound for theirs. Even the low cost producers are not benefiting from the current situation. This condition is created because the market place does not view coffee as a true commodity. It places premiums and discounts on both coffee types and coffee grades. While both markets may move up and down in tandem, the arbitrage, or spread between one Arabica and Robusta, does not give one farmer an economic competitive advantage over another. This fact tends to get glossed over in most economic discussions on the coffee crisis. Many analysts believe that oversupply is at the root of the present crisis. After the system of coffee export quotas (the International Coffee Agreement, or ICA), administered by the International Coffee Organization, collapsed in 1989, the regulation of coffee production and quality was left to each individual producer country. Almost immediately following the dissolution of the agreement, excessive quantities of coffee entered international markets, prices became quite volatile and the overall quality of the coffee began to decline. Many of the coffee producing nations, including Mexico, were simultaneously in the process of deregulating, privatizing, and otherwise liberalizing agricultural production and national agricultural institutions. This had the effect of exacerbating the uncertainties faced by coffee farmers at the end of the 1980s. The coffee crisis is structural. It was not caused by the cyclical nature of coffee agriculture that has produced the â€Å"boom-bust† cycles of the past. The change in the market place has been brought about by the concentration of buying power in the hands of a few firms that present coffee to the consumer as a â€Å"blended and branded† product, void of any links to type and grade. This has led to intense price competition for market share that has rewarded increased market share to low cost products in the short run at the expense of stability in the supply chain in the long run. Since the crisis is a structural problem and not a cyclical one, remedies are to be found by taking intervening actions. These actions would include a strengthening of coffee institutions, a realignment of market forces, a creation of suitable financial tools, and a promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. It must be emphasized that any direct market intervention, such as quotas or subsidies, would only be short term in effect and would not correct the structural problems. It must also be emphasized that what is required is a series of steps in a number of different areas, as no single step will produce the desired structural changes that are needed. The crisis in the coffee sector continues. Its impact cannot be understated, since coffee constitutes the livelihood of an estimated 25 million families around the world. In world trade, coffee is the second leading commodity, after petroleum. The worldwide coffee market spans some 71 countries, of which 51 are significant producers and 20 are key consumers. Prices have not kept up with production costs to the extent needed to make participation in the coffee business profitable for most producers, even though the crop year 2003-2004 witnessed a worldwide decrease in production. (Central America The Coffee Crisis: Effects and Strategies for Moving Forward, 1992) In coffee producing countries, which account for over 26% of world consumption, the situation is more diverse. In some countries, prices of coffee have fallen in local currency and consumption may therefore be stimulated. In Brazil, the largest coffee market among producing countries, the devaluation of the real has maintained prices of green coffee at pre-crisis levels. As a whole, consumption in these markets is not expected to suffer any major negative impact. The root cause of the coffee crisis can be linked to three factors: over production; under consumption; and market oligopoly. In short, these are all problems associated with the economics of coffee farming. Without resolution, they will lead to both social and environmental breakdowns. (Central America The Coffee Crisis: Effects and Strategies for Moving Forward, 1992). The crisis has been caused by a large increase in coffee production over the past several years by two countries Vietnam and Brazil. In the case of Vietnam, within ten years this country grew from a relatively insignificant producer to the world second largest – ahead of Colombia but behind Brazil, now producing well over 10 million bags annually and accounting for approximately 12% of world exports. (Central America The Coffee Crisis: Effects and Strategies for Moving Forward, 1992) To conclude, without economic remedies to the crisis, it is difficult to promote sustainable agricultural practices in coffee farming. While niche markets within the specialty coffee industry can provide some relief, the size of these markets makes them too small to be an effective solution. References: Central America The Coffee Crisis: Effects and Strategies for Moving Forward. (1992, July 19). Retrieved February 4, 2012, from Latin American and Carribean: http://web. worldbank. org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/LACEXT/0,,contentMDK:20606092~pagePK:146736~piPK:146830~theSitePK:258554,00. html Gomez-Ibanez, J. , Quinlan, S. J. (2004). The Coffee Crisis.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Risk Management For Huawei

Risk Management For Huawei HUAWEI is a well known company Providing Telecommunication business all over the world but risks cannot be ignored. The Purpose of this manual is to provide suggestion to handle the risks in the company functional areas The manual can be helpful in identifying the efficiency of the risk management system. Also can be beneficial in less attention risk areas. It will use the standards, policy and strategy of Huawei to identify the tools of the risk management system. The risk management should be parallel activity and must be well documented.For easy understanding the risk management system is divided in three Stages. Stage 1 Development of Strategy and vision for the risk management system with clear goals. This is beneficial for the awareness of the company employees. The engagement of the employees will increase the success of risk management. Risk aware culture will improve and work better of Risk management. This stage included the planning, roles and responsibilities, communication, resources and training of having level. Stage 2In stage2 the proposal for various areas are considered in risk management, which identify the responsibility of individual area and various kind of training is needed, a campaign should be create among the employes regarding risk management. Industry and market risk: Business: customer and market, product and innovation Operational risks: including Safety systems, Environmental risks, Human reliability, Organizational risk Financial risks: the risk associated to any form of finance (credit, market) Stage 3 In stage 3 identification of the process and the way of application in each individual area and the way to interwork build the process of risk management. Risk Identification: Manual in practical Statistics as input Risk Assessment:In the culture of the company the information about the risk management should be important part. Risk Response and Risk control. Proper Training of Risk analysis. To identify the need of training for the people whose responsibility is coordinating and implementing the risk management. The manual does not give direction for each area specifically, but will be the general guidance to need of implementation of risk management The responsible person in each area wil analyze and detailed knowledge That will make risk management successful. Competency Policy in Risk Analysis An organization may use a numerous methods and technique when risk mapping is implement . For risk analysis, there are a wide range of techniques used: HAZOP/HAZAN/FMEA/FTA Studies Statistical analysis of past incidents Consequence modeling Risk level Comprehensive Quantitative Risk Assessments Monte Carlo simulations Determination of individual/societal risks Determination of environmental risks In the light of the above manual personnel in the organization will have required experience for the described techniques. The policy will include evaluating the competence strength and weakness of the skills. It will also identify and shape the risks which apply to different people working in various departments.The realization of sophisticated methods used by experts. Creation of risk mitigation along with control plan with the option of implimintation. The input should be provided for the development of organization risk management system. Authorization of Risk Traning. The Managers working with other departments should be responsible for traning.Approval should be made by top management and ensure of the planning. .Relation to the market with competence considerations. Operational risks The risk factors may be caused due to deliveries and financial situation on the supplies side.one of the factor is long term dependency to supplier. Safety Regulations should be implemented. Production risk Risk Analysis Requirements Supplier risk Information Risk. Financial Risk. The Hauwei has made efforts to control Risks in its acatvities.Due to the expansion of the company internationally, new partners are entered and IT dependency increases new risks are created. Huawei has been affected due to currency inflation in the market. To mitigate these kind of risk arises from foreign currency exchange Huawei use cash equivalents, financial receivables, debt of short and long term. Types of Financial Risk Change in Currency conversion rate Interest rates Assets lost Economical risk . Management ReviewTo see status of the project and resource allocation management review is done. The analysis results of audits, preventive and corrective actions is done by management rivew.Due to management review some decisions can be made like increase resources:Imrovement in risk management process,machines,manpower etc The information management system can be introduced and be the out put for management review. . Some methods we can use: SWOT This technique is used on finding strength, weaknesses, opportunity and threats and then analysis of risk on the basis of our finding. In Huawei we keep on conduct SWOT analysis which can help in identifying and managing of risk.. Breakdown: Risk in break down is of great importance and should be checked regularly and preventive measure should be taken to minimize. Product Liabilities: liability like people must be kept into deliberation. Accept Risk Some of the risk may be of low importance and just accept without removing.The significant business risk may be formal and must be decided by senior managers. Avoid Risk Avoidance risk is to change business practices and no more exposed to specific risk. Transfer Risk To share some of the risk with other is called transfer risk we can take Insurance policy as a example. Risk management organizational levels Each member of the organization has to play a role in management system control,as it is the process dependent on the people.The role of individual people in risk control varies in organization .The most top management should define the rules for risk management and control.every body in the organization should have responsibility of controlling the risk. COMPTENCE ANALYSIS: Competence analysis in an organization can be done by interviewing the individuals or the teams and asses what needs to be done to improve the situation in order to minimize the risk of failure. In order to understand competence analysis we have to describe the level of competence so that we could compare the risks involved in different areas of the organization.A target framework derived from business strategies, plans, objectives and targets.Analysis of strategic requirements, gathered from the obtained framework. Covering all aspects of changes required regarding to that framework. Strategic, critical,declining and core competencies. Level of competence is different in different areas of an organization, depending upon the roles and responsibilities of the employees. We can make a competency model by dividing the organization into teams depending on their ability, experience and skills with more focus in the risk management area. In this way we will be able to see the important competencies in different departments. We split the competence levels into the following three: Low Medium High COMPETENCE MAPPING: Competence mapping is the process from which we can asses and determine the strength of workforce of employees to avoid any kind of risks. The employees play an important role in the success and development of an organization.We can use the competence mapping to identify the knowledge of the employees in risk management and then fill the gaps with the training. Competence mapping is a chart that shows the specification level. The present competence level and required level is marked in the chart with the diversified lines. The gap between the lines points out the required developments that must be addressed in the competence development plan. When the competence levels are evaluated, the competence mapping can be drawn. COMPETENCE GAPS: It is essential to define the competence gaps of the employers; because the performance of the employers depends in large part of skills of the employers. It is also very important for many organizations to define which skills, that the employers must have, are necessary for that particular area of the organization.Analyzing the Competence gap help us to identify which competence in risk management is needed for each employee. We can identify these gaps by comparing the current situation of the workforce and our future needs. If we have a rating between Current Requirements and Future Requirements and it is larger than the Competency that we posses that means we have a competency gap. This helps them improve and provide an environment for the implementation of risk management system. PLANNING FOR IMPROVED COMPETENCE SHORT RANGE AND LONGRANGE Risk management can not be seen as one time project, it has to improved and followed up all time. It is needed a plan for the improvement of the competence in order to make it works. Also it is very important to have a plan for improving the competence in a short and long range. After the evaluation of the risk management knowledge of the employees, the plan for the competence training short range will be developed. Once the competence gaps are found out, here are the required basic steps that must befollowed in order to develop a plan to overcome those gaps and to improve the competencies. Finding out the key skills required by the organization Evaluate the personals: To evaluating the personals and examine their levels in each of the relevant competencies. Requesting a feedback from stakeholders, colleagues and managers. Ordering and prioritizing the gaps: When it comes to focusing on closing the gaps, risk management department should choose the best option or way to cope it. It could beanother training class or a session with subject matters, reading for self-improvement subjects etc. Controlling the progress: The final step for the overcoming the competence gaps and improving them process should be monitoring the process that the risk department or committee have taken to increase the personnels competence levels. Once the committee is convinced that the target level for the personals is reached, they can close and improve the gap and move to the next priority area. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE COMPETENCE TRAINING IN RISK ANALYSIS SYSTEM Since the word competence is quite important for the job performance, the role of managers to do the planning and implementation of training process is very critical. So, they should be very careful before and during the training process, since their misunderstandings could lead up the unexpected risks.Creating a training material is important to be ensure that this training is delivered to the right personnel at the right time.It is undeniable that using competency training and competency assessment provide theorganization to reduce risk and to improve performance by developing competency frameworks. Below, there are rules that should be taken into account when creating or implementing a competence training system in a risk analysis system; It is important for employees to be able to actualize their performance what they have learned during the training process and to be encouraged to apply their thoughts and opinions into the real case. This will allow them to be clear and be more precise while they identify, evaluate and analyzing the risk. It is clear that competence training is used within the risk analysis system of an organization in order to increase efficiency of employees current job performance.Competence training system should be well integrated to risk analysis system so that the attendances are active participants and able to create solutions to reduce the risk of the organization during and after the training system.A risk analysis system can be well done by applying the competence training to risk committee.This can provide the employers a better understanding and gives some real ideas in the field of risk management. PLANS FOR SECURING THE COMPETENCE NEEDED There is a need of reviewing the strategy for securing the competence needed, A plan for spreading the information within the company has to be reviewed all the time through the internal trainings, job rotation, documenting all the work done from consultants working in the different areas and spreading the culture of sharing knowledge among the employees. The risk manager has to be working very close to the managers of each area to identify the key persons and not allowing that a gap occurs when the person leaves the company, jeopardizing the projects and products quality Securing the competencies for an organization can be guided by an integration approach that is measured by the organizations strategy. As an instance, for an organization, in order to secure the necessary competencies, some actions can be taken such as developing and involving new skills and competence in the right place and right time.Enriching the value of expertise of the organization by clearly identifying the strategicareas.Additional training for the development by ordering and prioritizing the training programs.After the competence are determined, identifying a competence development plan byutilizing from career planning, experts opinion, guidance for recruitment etc. EVALUATION OF TRAINING RESULTS The evaluation of the trainings demonstrates that if this training has a positive or negative or no impact on the risk area.After defining the risk areas and objectives in these risk areas, these objectives can be evaluated by using a post-training evaluation form. About the content, methods, materials and delivery of the training, the participants opinions can be asked and they can asked to ratetheir satisfactions about these titles. After gathering these risk evaluation forms andparticipants opinions, the training workshops about risk areas can be revised and performed again. In order to evaluate the impact of the training on defined risk areas, an impact monitoring exercise can be performed. This can involve sampling from random trainersevaluations about these training. These evaluations can be a questionnaire which was fulfilled by participants about the trainings. AUDIT OF THE COMPETENCE SYSTEM To audit the competence of the system, the standards, guidelines and procedures should be identified. Standards determine compulsory requirements for auditing and reporting. They can be auditors skills, knowledge or experience, etc. Also the auditors should use professional judgments in their application. The aim of guidelines is to explain how to obey the auditing standards. Apart from these standards, guidelines and procedures, an auditor would be going in search of addressing these issues to audit an organizations compliance with the competence.The organization should evaluate the impressiveness of activities taken to meet competence needs and to make certain the needed competence has been gathered.The organization can use many kinds of techniques and tools like role-play,observation, reviews of trainings and employment records, interviews, etc. for theevaluation method of effectiveness of activities.The organization should determine what competencies are needed by team performing work which affects quality.The auditor should determine the approach to define these competencies for organization.To control the quality characteristics of products or processes, the competent personnel should be assigned.The auditor may survey job descriptions, testing or official examination activities,records of management reviews, definitions of responsibilities and authorities, audit records, customer complains, process validation records, etc. to verify the competenceof personnel for the work. IMPROVEMENTS AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Improvement opportunities during an audit can be documented to make certain corrections.Also problems can be related with the specific compliance areas and business processes so that high risk areas can be identified easily.Corrective actions are steps which are taken to address existing non compliance and make improvements. These actions take care of actual problems which have been occurred. They define the cause of these problems and solve them by removing causes. These corrective actions can be defined as problem solving processes. Problem costs can be determined so that resources can be set aside to areas where the business would utilize them with best benefit. PREVENTIVE ACTIONS The organization should define the actions to remove the causes of potential non conformities in order to prevent their occurrence. These actions should be defined properly due to the effectiveness of potential problems. The process of preventive actions can be defined as :Define potential problems and their causes.Evaluate the requirement for preventive actions for these problems.Define and execute the action needed.Record the results of preventive action and review it.