Human Infrastructure of Toyota Production System

In order to produce world-class, quality automobiles at competitive price levels, Toyota has developed an integrated approach to production which manages equipment, materials, and people in the most efficient manner while ensuring a healthy and safe work environment (Toyota web page). The Toyota Production System is built on two main principles: Just-In-Time† production (the manufacturing and conveyance of only â€Å"what is needed, when it is needed, and in the amount needed), and â€Å"Jidoka. (to the ability to stop production lines, by man or machine, in the event of problems such as equipment malfunction, quality issues, or late work). Underlying this management philosophy and the entire Toyota production process is the concept that â€Å"Good Thinking Means Good Product. † From the systems perspective, the human infrastructure is a set of processes and structures within TPS. Key elements of that human infrastructure are: a. Effective utilization of every member’s time. b. Total participation at all levels . Encouragement of ingenuity Toyota has developed a system where the human infrastructure works harmoniously with the rest of the operating system. Some of the attributes of Toyota’s human infrastructure are intensive training, rapid problem solving skills, and teamwork. The expectation was that problems will be solved promptly, completely, and systematically. A review of the Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky, Plant case indicates the above key elements of human infrastructure were evident at various degrees. TMM did receive intensive training from TMC, starting a year ahead of plant opening, one-on-one, as well as having TMC trainers remain in Kentucky for a few years. However, as indicated in the case, team member’s time was not always effectively utilized. In some tasks, such as when a car had a seat problem the team leader pulled the andon cord to signal Ok and then tagged the car to alert Quality and moving the car to the Code 1 clinic area to see if the problem was correctable there. This process does not present value added and is in contradiction to Jidoka principles. As Friesen found out on his walk between Final 1 and Final 2, the workers interviewed only knew of a few seat incidents, which was contradictory to the data posted at work stations. This indicates very little involvement of the workers in the root cause investigation. The majority of defects indicate missing parts and material flaws. Application of the â€Å"Five Whys† exercise could very well indicate a supplier issue. The TMM case does not mention of any instance where team member ingenuity was encouraged or demonstrated in solving any of the prevailing issues that are causing the Andons. The only instance where the group leader, Shirley Sargent, had reported the problem with the rear seat hook, months had elapsed and she yet had to receive an explanation or participate in possible solutions. Another issue that would need to be investigated and analyzed is the steady increase, and disparity of Andon pulls between the 1st and 2nd Shift Rear Seat teams. This could indicate that non-standardized procedures are used or training deficiencies among the teams. Doug Friesen is correct in applying Jidoka in â€Å"going and seeing† the problem. There are key elements of the human infrastructure, such as: active encouragement of ingenuity, and worker participation in the solutions, that would help in the solutions. Also, a seat supplier kaizen is in order to identify NVA tasks, analyze the effectiveness of pulling problem cars off line for repairs, and prepare for the needs for the additional 18 seat variations expected for the Japan and Middle East markets.

Han Dynasty and China Essay

1 paragragh China experienced the fall, absence, and eventually the re-establishment of imperial authority while Confucianism prevailed through all levels of society from the period of 100-600 C. E. The history of China has often been a history of periods of political unity interrupted by periods of political division. During the classical period from 100 C. E. to 600 C. E. , the Chinese experienced the Han dynasty which was an initially strong and efficient dynasty, until it had a gradual decline and eventually collapsed. This led to a long period of chaos and finally reunification again. During this time of unification, division, and reunification, many cultural and political changes occurred while other cultural patterns and ideas persisted. 2nd China in 100 CE was under the Han rule which had begun in 202 BCE. Under the Han dynasty the rulers created an efficient and well governed empire. The Han expanded China hundreds of miles to the west, north, and south and had many innovations such as the expansion of the Great wall. The people followed the teachings and values of Confucianism. They were so strong that they have lasted throughout the centuries of Chinese history and is still well-known today. The Chinese civilization lived in a patriarchal society and Confucius teachings created a guide to how a good family should live. Patriarchy was a continuity for Chinese civilization during the classical period. Many of his beliefs and values survived and withstood many changes to come 3rd Towards 200 CE things began to change and the Han dynasty began to fall. It first began with the bureaucratic system, it was becoming more corrupt with unqualified officials, etc. , and the political structure of China started to fall apart. Peasants became poorer and diseases started to spread causing many to die. The nomads kept trying to invade and the unstable government didn’t do much to push them back. This ultimately led to the Han’s demise. 4th When the Han dynasty fell in 220 CE, China was left in a state of turmoil for about 300 years called the â€Å"Warring States Period. † At this time China’s cultural unity was endangered by the spread of Buddhism. Luckily for China’s streak of continuity, the three century period of chaos ended with the rise of the Song/Tang Dynasties, which would also revive Confucianism. This was also one of China’s continuities, the rising and falling of dynasties which remained in China’s history for centuries. During the Warring States period, the Great Wall became divided between kingdoms and was poorly defended so nomads invaded and overtook the northern plains. Trade and city life declined, technology ceased, and intellectuals wasted away. In 589 CE the Song Dynasty was created which began to revive the country which had been in turmoil for so long. Bureaucracy was reinstated which a scholar gentry administration. By the time the Song era ended China was well on its way to becoming a stable nation again. 5 During the classical era, the Chinese civilization underwent major changes in their government. Despite the nomadic invasions that occurred, they remained strong and united. This was probably because China had a very solid social and political system that was based off of Confucianism and rulers who unified the Chinese culture. The cause of change in China’s government in the classical era can be due to the weakened government plus the nomadic invasions being the final blow in destroying the Han dynasty. Confucianism kept China together, socially. Despite the many changes that took place between 100 C. E. to 600 C. E. , China always leveled out culturally and kept their cultural continuity due to Confucius and how his teachings united China.

Corporate Strategies The good and the bad Assignment

Corporate Strategies The good and the bad - Assignment Example This is done by comparing prominent corporations and their strategies, and evaluating the results achieved in order to determine the actual success of the relevant Corporate Strategies. When looking at strategy as an academic field, it becomes clear that it is a relatively new academic discipline. Yet the concept of strategy has an important and high level background arising from the decisions and actions used by military organizations. Historically a countries military decision maker's was well equipped to design battle field strategies in order to gain the upper hand in a battle. This they done by exploiting the weaknesses of the enemies and the opportunities that offer itself during a battle in order to give an army a competitive edge that could ensure a victory. The earliest academic basis for strategy was provided by the fields of economics and organizations theory with relation to the management function. Economic theory emphasizing rationality, predictability and similarity did not fit well with the principals of strategic management, but it did provide an avenue for the beginning in the exploration of the role of management choices and decisions, which was seen as a strategic function. Academics such as Fredrick Taylor (scientific management), Max Weber (Bureaucratic Organizations), and Chester Barnard (administrative functions and the organization as an open system) provided important knowledge about efficient and effective organizations and the role managers played (Coulter. M. 2002. p15). During the late 50's and 60's was a time of questioning the traditional methods of customs and practices, even in management practices. The old ideas of set management principals was gradually being replaced by more contemporary ideas, based on the principal that every organization was different in its functioning, performance and available resources. Although strategy was not yet a separate area of study, a definite framework started emerging that could be used for further exploration and development of organizational strategies. Three books written in the 60's helped to establish organizational strategies as a separate academic field. These were Alfred Chandler's Strategy and Structure (1962); Igor Ansoff's Corporate Strategy (1965): and the Harvard textbook Business Policy: Text and Case (1965) by E.P Learned, C.R. Christensen, K.R Andrews, and W.D. Guth (Coulter. M. 2002. p15). Organizational strategy became an excepted academic field in the 70's and 80's, as scholars studied organizations, managers and their relevant strategies. During this time a dichotomy developed between academics trying to understand how strategies was formed and implemented (process researchers), and those seeking to understand the relationship between strategic choices and performance (content researchers). What became a well accepted fact was that companies with well formulated corporate strategies aligned throughout the business and implemented with vigor and purpose could ensure a huge competitive advantage. An excellent example is two of the retail industries largest competitors Wal-Mart and Kmart, both trying to dominate the market since 1962 when they were

Molecular Aspects of Conservation Genetics Essay - 1

Molecular Aspects of Conservation Genetics - Essay Example Scientific genetic approaches have made it easier to identify the cryptic species in particular taxa, and thereby have conservational significance. To achieve a positive result on conservation efforts, especially those linked to an individual species, an in-depth study of the taxonomy is mandatory (Mace 2004). However, since extracting taxonomical evidence based on morphological characteristics of birds has been a â€Å"taxonomic-headache† (Howell and Webb. 1995), a designed systematic molecular approach is a much better alternative. Neotropical parrots belonging to the genus Amazona have been treasured for their capability to mimic human sounds and their beautiful plumage. However, most Amazona species parrots are under threat of extinction except Amazona farinosa, also known as the Mealy Amazon which is prevalent in parts of both Central and South America. Wenner et al conducted a study to evaluate and validate the taxonomy of A.farinosa species complex by employing analytical methods such as complementary analysis and multiple genetic loci. DNA sequence data from mitochondrial and nuclear introns were extracted from sources like frozen tissues, bone and toe pad extraction and were used to understand and analyse the relationship between the five sub-species of A.farinosa. In the mtDNA data set, 110 sites were variable while about 96 of the sites were parsimony informative. Unique haplotypes were identified and joined to estimate the percentage of relation between the haplotypes. Three distinct haplotypes clust ers and a minimum of 11 mutational steps were recognised. Phylogenies constructed using maximum-likelihood (for both individual as well as concatenated gene regions) and Bayesian method showed the existence of two negatively monophyletic clades- Central American clade and South American clade. The genetic distance recovered between both

International view of economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International view of economics - Essay Example The primary factor to conceptualize would be the fact that every country pursues business differently. Laws affect the ways in which business is conducted from region to region and country to country. Negotiations are never conducted exactly as they would be where you have pursued such actions in any city, in any state in whichever country from which you originate. Knowledge and understanding of how others conduct business is an incredible advantage toward the understanding of global managerial economic situations. For example, where the deal is always the single most important consideration to Americans, the details and the way those details are ironed out would be more important for Europeans and Asians. This is where cultures clash in the board room. Something many who are experienced in global economic management would state unequivocally. David C. Korten in his discussion with the National Council of Churches explains that "We presently live under two competing systems of global governance: The Bretton Woods institutions and the United Nations. The former is primarily aligned with the corporate interest and the latter is primarily aligned with the human and natural interest." (Korten, David. C.; Global Economics; June 2003.) The problem with these competing systems of global economic governance is that they never meet in the middle.

Challenges Facing the Gulf Cooperation Council Thesis Proposal

Challenges Facing the Gulf Cooperation Council - Thesis Proposal Example The council members criticized the world’s failure to take action on Syria’s current situation. The council condemns Iran’s interference in its internal affairs. Divergent views by GCC member states make it intricate for them to achieve a unified decision with regards to Syria. For instance, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have openly supported the opposition forces in their struggle against Bashar al-Assad’s regime (Ehteshami, 2013). All GCC member countries want better relations with Iran, yet condemn it for interfering with its internal affairs. Iran is suspected to support opposition protests in Bahrain (Rashwan, 2012). GCC neighbors are going through a difficult political transition such as Yemen. Other nations like Jordan are strategically located in relation to the Gulf region. As such, Jordan is included in the security calculations of the Gulf region. Nevertheless, Jordan is subject to pressure from Israeli. This leaves Jordan at the state of economic cris is (Masters, 2013). The diverse experiences that GCC neighbors are going through make it hard for them to achieve a unified decision.   The research seeks to explore aspects of the GCC council and its decision-making mechanisms. The research also seeks to examine the state of countries neighboring the GCC member states. These are such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Jordan   International relations study gained momentum in the 19th century following world war two. Three schools of thought emerged in a bid to explain the international system. These are liberalism, realism, and constructivism. However, realists and liberalists are the prominent schools of thoughts explaining international relations. Realism sees international relations as being founded on selfish motives where individual states seek power.

Carrefour in Indonesia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Carrefour in Indonesia - Essay Example Carrefour, with it’s headquarter in Levallois-Perret, Paris, France, is a chain of retail business, having more than 12,500 outlets, serving 100 million customers over 30 countries worldwide. Carrefour was created by Marcel Fournier and Denis Defforey on 3rd June 1959 when they opened the first Carrefour (means crossroads in French) retail outlet at the convergence of five roads in Annecy, near Paris. Over the past 40 years, Carrefour has grown into the largest retail group in Europe and China and second in the world in terms of revenue and sales figures after Wal-Mart. It has built a reputation as a retailer that offers the most variety and freshness at reasonable low prices rather than bargain – basement value. It is currently operating in four main grocery store formats: hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience and hard discount stores (Current News: Indonesia-Opening of the 35th Hypermarket, 2007). In 2000, Carrefour, Sears and Oracle created the first worldwide onli ne marketplace called GlobalNetXchange for retailers connecting 50,000 suppliers, partners and distributors (Duran, 2005, pp.1-5). Carrefour was the first international retailer to establish its presence in Asia in 1989, when it entered in Taiwan through a joint venture with Uni President Enterprises Corporation. Gradually, Carrefour extended its distribution network in thirteen Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Thailand, Hong-Kong, Korea, Singapore and Japan. and Japan. The retail giant, Carrefour, entered in Indonesian retail market in October, 1998 when it opened its first retail unit in Cempaka Putih, a sub-district of Central Jakarta (Duran, 2005, pp.1-5). Carrefour entrance in Indonesian retail market involved a number of factors. The following few section briefly discusses the factors which resulted Carrefour operation. It also highlights the progress made by it since 1989. Important Factors Involved in Carrefour Operation in Indonesia Following are few important factors that had played major role in setting up of Carrefour operation in Indonesian retail market. 1. The liberalization of retail trading: Indonesia offers a good market potential for modern retailers. In March, 1998, the Indonesian government issued the SK Meninvest/No. 29/SK/1998 and Keppres No.99/1998 policy letters and effectively opened its wholesale and large-scale retail trade to foreign investment, lifting most of its restrictions. Although some retail sectors were reserved for small-scale enterprises under another 1998 decree yet large and medium scale enterprises that wish to invest in these sectors, were given the option to enter the market through a partnership agreement with a small-scale enterprise, although this may not require a joint venture or partial share ownership arrangement. Since Carrefour already had its presence in Asian market hence it took the liberalization step as an advantage started to expand its retail network by setting first retail outlet in Cempaka Putih a subdistrict of Central Jakarta (Indonesia, 2005, pp. 73-76). 2. Carrefour Strategy and Indonesian Potential Market: Carrefour follows very specific strategy before entering a new market. It assesses few parameters of target market before launching its operation. In doing so, it follows a few criteria including: - Small-scale retail rationalization and reorganization has not progressed. - Large-scale chain supermarkets are absent from the market. - Potential competitors that carry specialty items like household electrical appliances and clothing are absent from the market. - Large amounts of retail space can be attained at low cost. - Laws and regulations governing large-scale retail operations are "developer friendly". Carrefour followed the same market entering strategy and made all assessment

Financial Accounting Analysis term projuct Paper

Financial Accounting Analysis projuct - Term Paper Example The findings are presented in a tabular format supported by comprehensive discussion of results. The horizontal analysis of Balance Sheet does not show any worrying trends or majorly fluctuating balances from 2011 to 2012. Inventories remain at the same level and while there is 12.84% increase in Property and Equipment it is offset by the 16.78% decrease in the Cash and Cash equivalents. Other large changes include an increase in Goodwill, decrease in Long term loan which is offset by an increase in the current portion of the Long term loan. The horizontal analysis of the balance sheet is set out below: The horizontal analysis of the Income Statement also does not show any worrying trends from 2011 to 2012. The Sales have increased by 1.8% but that is due to a corresponding increase in the Cost of Sales which has increased by 2.14%. The net earnings have increased by 3.3%, this is due to the fact that other income has increased and the financial costs have decreased during the period. The horizontal analysis of the income statement is set out below: The vertical analysis of the income statement for the years 2011 and 2012 set out below shows all balances as a percentage of sales. As illustrated the cost of sales and other expenses have both increased as a percentage of sales, even though minutely. This is worrying because ordinarily the cost of sale should be kept in line with sales. Conversely the net income is 2.09% of sales in 2012 and 2.03% in 2011. There is a slight increase, which all in all is a positive sign for the entity (Rajasekaran, 2011). Looking at the trends in the past five years’ financial statements of the company, it can be seen that the net sales have been increasing steadily for the past four years. The increase in sales for this year has been less than those compared to previous years, 1.6% from over 3%. The cost of

Managing information centre in health sector Essay

Managing information centre in health sector - Essay Example The comparison of information management in the health sector as compared to any other organization leads us to notice that apart from the very ‘importance’ of information management and the urgent ‘need’ of it in the health sector it works pretty much in the same way. The health sector competes within itself with various institutions just like any other organizations, the aim is to increase the efficiency or to increase the value of the work done at a lesser cost, and most of it is a duplicate of what other organizations employ. But what is different is the mass sharing of information in a productive manner in order to improve social health overall and speed up the diagnosis to treatment ratio. While other organizations mostly share a major part of their information within itself out of competition, the health sector doesn’t. All of its focus is on the treatment of the patients and of course, the revenue generated regardless of which medical organiza tions do not hold back crucial information. What currently the information management centers are focusing upon is termed as a paradigm shift which may be elaborated by saying that the main effort is upon providing better quality at a relatively lower cost. A specialist in this particular area, Joel Barker (1992) states about paradigm that it is: A set of rules and regulations (written or unwritten) that does two things; (1) it establishes and defines boundaries; and (2) it tells you how to behave inside the boundaries in order to be successful.

Intellectual Property Law Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Intellectual Property Law - Research Paper Example With mounting pressures by judicial criticism, intellectual property was regulated under common law and the Statute of Monopolies enacted in 1623 rendered illegal all monopolies except those for a defined term of years; this forms the basis of modern patent law (World Intellectual Property Organization, p.1). The exact origin of intellectual property law is still unknown. However, it is a fact that, terms like intellectual property was used during the initial half of seventeenth century in Britain. The history of intellectual property rights in the modern era started in Germany in 1867. North German Confederation is believed to be the first country which formulated intellectual property laws in the modern era. â€Å"The North German Confederation first used the term â€Å"intellectual property† in 1867, providing for legislative protection in its constitution†(Furst). Since then, intellectual laws evolved in different forms at different parts of the world. Different cou ntries have different types of intellectual property laws. ... Copyright is a form of protection provided to the authors of â€Å"original works† and includes such things as literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual creations, both published and unpublished. Copyright does not protect ideas. It only protects the specific and original expression of the idea (Pipers) For example, Windows is the operating system developed by Microsoft. It should be noted that plenty of people, including Bill Gates, worked on the development of Windows operating system. This product is protected with the help of copyright laws. It is illegal to use pirated copies of Windows on computers. Even in China, Microsoft succeeded in winning some cases with respect to copyright violation of its products. â€Å"A local court in Shanghai ruled that Dazhong Insurance must pay Microsoft 2.17 million yuan ($317,900) as compensation for using pirated Microsoft software, NetEase.com reported†(Stan) â€Å"Patents are used to protect new pro duct, process, apparatus, and uses providing the invention is not obvious in light of what has been done before† (European Generic medicines Association). It should be noted that new products are developed only because of the huge efforts undertaken by somebody. Once a new product is developed, it is easy for others to copy it. In other words, leaders and followers are in the market. Leaders always generate new ideas and innovate new products whereas followers try to copy those ideas and innovations. In order to avoid such illegal copying, all new products and services developed by somebody can be protected with the help of patent laws. Patent rights are usually given only for a particular period of time. The owner of a patented product should disclose the innovation to the

Media Censorship Essay Example for Free

Media Censorship Essay In this assignment I will be looking over whether or not the state and/or federal government have the right to censor what we watch, listen to or come in contact with looking more closely at video games and if they have the right to control censoring them according to the articles of confederation. The rights of the federal government and state governments have really nothing to do with them†¦ or should have nothing to do with them. I believe it should go back to what is the constitutional right of the people and what is the right of any government agency according to the constitution. Lets break down the constitution to its bare bones and there we will find the purpose of the government and their responsibilities. There are a lot of things in the constitution but you can break it down into just 6 parts. Form a more perfect union: the first colonies weren’t united when first arriving but soon found that there is strength in unity or being bound together to help each other like an alliance if you will, hence the constitution Establish justice: For a democratic union or government to work and thrive in must have justice within it. Provide for the common defense: A basic system of defense had to be established for defending ourselves against our enemies and foreign threats Secure blessings of liberty: We were built on the idea and principle of individual freedoms and liberty, but boundaries needed too be made to ensure that nobody would infringe on those rights, liberties or freedoms. Promote general welfare: This made the government provide systems and services that were for the public good or wellbeing. Insure domestic tranquility: Government must provide order within the people so there will and can be domestic peace. It also has to keep these people, who know nothing about living or being democratic, from going into anarchy. This says it all and I think can play a large role in our issues with censorship. In June of 2011 the Supreme Court took a stand on voting down California’s request to ban sales of all violent video games to minors. It was shot down 7-2. They turned it down because they said it violated the minor’s rights under the 1st and 14th amendments. In my opinion I think it would be very difficult for a state or even a federal government to control what is allowed to be seen and not seen especially when it comes to things like media and even more so in terms of video games. What I view as too violent isn’t going to be the same as what someone in congress might view as violent. That being said it is the governments job to ensure domestic tranquility. I think the bottom line is media is everywhere and if we censor things like video games and other sources of media to minors if they really want it they are going to get it be cause in this tech savvy world we live in if its illegal and u want it you’re going to find it.

Key To Success For Implementation Of IMC

Key To Success For Implementation Of IMC The emergence of integrated marketing communications (IMC) has developed into one of the most significant example of growth and expansion in the marketing discipline (Kitchen, 2003). It has influenced acting and thinking among companies but also state owned companies, authorities and political parties, all facing the realities of rivalry in an open economy (Smith, 1996). Today, integrated communications has developed into an expansive discipline that links marketing to a number of other grounds, including corporate culture, corporate design, corporate communication and public relations (Christensen et al., 2008). IMC has received significant interest in both the practitioner and academic communities, since the beginning. The interest played to IMC is largely a purpose of its strong appeal which makes good sense. Its been more than a decade since the concept was first introduced but however most major businesses have yet to fully apply the ideas contained in the IMC. In fact Schultz, et. al. (1992) state that recognition of IMC has not been as rapid as they thought. The benefits of IMC that Smith et al. (1999) identified are the following: All of the market communications are controlled and managed by the IMC. IMC ensures that brand positioning, personality and messages are conveyed to each part of communication which are delivered from a single reliable strategy. It is said that Relationship Marketing strengthens a bond of devotion with consumers which can also protect them from the competition. It is a great advantage to keep a consumer for life. IMC can increase the sales by extending messages across numerous communication tools to generate more ways for consumers to be aware of the product and to make a purchase. IMC reduces duplication in photography and graphics as they can be shared in advertising and exhibitions. A single agency is used for all communications so the agency fee is reduced or even if many agencies are used, time is as meetings get all the agencies together for strategic planning or briefings. Thus, it decreases workload and stress levels. Successful IMC campaign needs to find the firm a correct mixture of promotional techniques and tools that define their tasks and the level to which they should be used, and manage their use appropriately. IMC helps in making the communications effective and efficient amongst companies through various concepts such as customer focus, customer empowerment, brand resonance, immersive marketing and emotional bonding. If correctly implemented, the IMC plan could collect data and implement response based on the previously gathered data. Marketing communications derived from the consumer need is able to build value into the service or product and divide it from the competition in the customers minds. BARRIERS TO IMC IMPLEMENTATION Marketers appear to be tired when it comes to modifying the change and investment in their approach to marketing communications. The discussion concerning what marketing communications can be predictable to accomplish has been going on for very long ( Ambler, 2000). In the middle of the rising identification that advertising; mostly in the grown markets mainly carries out a reminder purpose focused largely on protecting the existing market-share. Both the agencies and clients have challenges in generating and implementing the efficient communications agenda. All areas of the diverse marketing communication business carry on to face instability among the media, declining audience and the internet (Douglas, 2003). All this are making the companies reconsider the blend of marketing communication tools with consequences for the usual mass media which may not be capable to gather the wants of the 21st century customers and find their market shares wear down despite of the synergies occurr ing from tactical associations in the media business (Davis and Craft, 2000). Another concern is regarding the advertising practitioners where an occurrence of inside-out idea and practice overcomes (Kitchen and de Pelsmacker, 2004). There are various tactical subjects of concern in the broader discussion concerning the development of IMC along with the long term involvement to marketing practice and theory (Gould, 2000). Duncan (2005) advocated the tactical forecasting and examining of brand relationships is who as well said that priority ought to be given to their most important consumers. But, so far, there is very little proof of purchaser value being resolute by any segment of IMC (Garber and Dotson, 2002). In spite of huge investments, the relationship amongst the multiplicity of IMC and customers is not well understood. Though, observed evidence of the effects of mixtures of media, like print advertising and television (Jin, 2004) is rising. According to the consumer driven strategy, IMC is the main organization of all the brand contact points. Different levels exist, where such integration takes place. The different levels would be the following. Level 1 Tactical co-ordination Level 2 Redefining the scope of marketing communication Level 3 Application of IT Level 4 Strategic and Financial Integration Key to success for implementation of IMC IMC is a theory that must be implemented logically and simultaneously at all levels and functions of a corporation. Marketing functions and Public relations are not the only programs that are integrated which makes the company an example of IMC (Low, 2000). The key tip is to be careful of companies with strong marketing cultures, because topics like corporate reputation will take a back seat to the provincialism of brand management (Pettegrew, 2000). Functional and Structural issues must become a critical part of any effective IMC series. Of particular importance is beginning with a communication czar who will become the principles and evangelist of the IMC implementation attempt (Reid, 2005). Any IMC program must be personalized to the unique character of a particular organizational culture. For an IMC program to work successfully, it must reflect the distinctive culture in which it must function well. EXAMPLES: In spite of the demand, the IMC premise fails to take into account the way most companies are structured and functioned. Many corporations that are believed to be examples of IMC; fail to maintain the IMC principles on a company basis. The examples of Nike and Proctor Gamble will disclose that neither of these companies are functionally or structurally integrated public relations and employee communications with their marketing roles. NIKE Nike- the athletic footwear and attire manufacturer, has been cited as an example of IMC excellence and marketing. In a cover story from Fortune, (Hamel, 1997) states: Ask Nike- CEO Phil Knight what he likes to do best, and he does not falter a beat, he likes to break things. then in the 1980s, he turned his booming athletic shoe corporation into a marketing machine, saturating the airwaves with drastic commercials that highlighted emotion rather than the product. Schultz, et. al. (1992) publicized Nikes success in their IMC book: The thinking behind IMC is that every statement logo, price, promotion, label, distribution should be created to help convince the intention of the competitive advantage. Duncan and Caywood (1996) also include Nike among several companies that have been tremendously successful and based on observation, they are doing brilliant jobs of integrating their communication labors. Nikes breaking the marketing rules of the athletic footwear business which has come at a cost paid by its worldwide company reputation. Given these setbacks, one could argue that Phil Knights tactical wisdom for Nike is more alike to original advertising and horizontal integration than true IMC. There is a little proof that Nikes victory was achieved by the tactical management of all messages and media used by an organization to jointly influence its perceived brand value (Keegan, Moriarty Duncan, 1992). There are missteps that suggest Nikes marketing communications which may not be so ideal. For example, in 1997, Nike followed its patently bold and brash in your face marketing formula in an attempt to gain market share in an international soccer (Thurow, 1997). In Spain, an overwhelmingly Catholic nation, Nike introduced a commercial of Satan and his demons playing against a team of Nike endorsers. Spain refused to allow the commercial to air during primetime. Nike also placed an advertisement in Soccer American magazine saying: Europe, Asia and Latin America: Barricade your stadiums. Hide your trophies. Invest in some deodorant, as Asia and Latin America have been crushed. So will Europe. The world has been warned (Thurow, 1997). And finally, Nike ran an ad on British TV featuring a controversial French soccer player who detailed how spitting at a fan and insulting his coach had won him a Nike contract. Far from having an insight into the soccer market from the customers point of v iew and gaining ground against rival Adidas, Nike garnered a scathing editorial in the International Federation of Football Associations newsletter. Another recent evidence that says Nike is hardly the quintessential IMC company. Nike groped and allowed accusations of child-labor sweatshops in Asia that subcontract the manufacturing of Nike shoes to fester. In 1999, a team of journalists went to document the conditions for themselves, but Nike shut the factories. Prior to this series of incidents, widely published news stories detailed incidents in which poor children in the inner-city were robbing, stealing and seriously injuring peers to obtain expensive Nike shoes such as Air Jordans. Publicly Nike ignored these charges for years. Considering these two incidents, there was a genuine public relation crisis where any company engaged in lawful IMC could have anticipated before it became a crisis. Instead, Nike just kept on marketing until crisis overwhelmed it. Nikes power as an IMC example is, at best overstated. Harris (1998) argues: That master marketer of our times, Phil Knight, likes to point out that while an ad page in Sports Illustrated costs $150,000, no amount of money can buy the front cover where swoosh-bearing athletes appear with great frequency. The omnipresent swoosh has a 90 percent-plus awareness among consumers, enabling it to stand alone. Many seasoned public relations professionals are quick to admit that companies that live by extraordinary market exposure can also die by the same token. In a recent effort to distance itself from its public relations problems, Nike first tried to eliminate its swoosh from its marketing campaigns and replace it with a kinder-friendlier marketing approach that emphasizes fair labor practices, the global community and environment. PROCTER GAMBLE Procter Gamble (PG) is considered by academic scholars to be a world-class marketing company and is said to stand 6th in Fortunes Most Admired Companies 2010 list (Wikipedia). Similar to the Nike brand, PG possesses some of the most particular brands in the world like Tide detergent, Duncan Hines cake mix, Jiff peanut butter, Crest toothpaste and Cover Girl cosmetics. It also has dominant market share with many of its leading brands. Even though, PGs marketing command has a record of external internal communication mistakes suggestive of Nike. PG openly misused both the Rely Tampon crisis and allegations that their packaging sign recognized the companys satanic links. It was said that PG lost face openly and separated employees when it was exposed that the company had phone-tapped a few staffs they had assumed of revealing business information. This was followed by a job of dealing with some of the physiological effects of its new replacement, Olestra. Without bearing in mind the public comeback, they allowed their scientists to name the release of Olestra, anal leakage (Henkoff, 1996), raising an additional sign of public controversy. Recently, PG shot itself in the business reputational base again. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) declared to the media that PG anticipated to meet its earnings forecast for the end of the quarter. Few weeks later, new CEO, Durk Jager was forced to declare to the same media that they had incorrectly over-estimated their periodical income and that the business would fall very short of its periodical earnings forecast. Over the following week, the companys stock fell sharply as financial markets and shareholders lost faith in the respected company. The Board of Directors of PG then fired Mr. Jager. New CEO, A.G. Lafley must now try to recover the market share and end the defections of many of the companys finest and brightest to the hi-tech industry. Regardless of Harris (1998) categorization to the opposite, these exemplars explain just how far away PG has been working from the essential IMC state of speaking to all stakeholders with a single voice (Schultz, et. Al., 1992). THE PROBLEM WITH IMPLEMENTING AT THE HIGHER LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT Nike and PG do a wonderful job with the marketing side of IMC without incorporating their employee and public relation functions, their company reputations have suffered. IMC theory has given a short shrift to the organizational barriers that often avoid companies from implementing IMC effectively. BARRIERS BETWEEN THE COMPANIES [NIKE AND PG] I have argued that two companies Nike and Procter Gamble, fall far short of the IMC model. Neither company has effectively integrated its many communication functions seamlessly. Both companies are very strong in terms of marketing, but they remain weak in employee communications, public relations or both. The question is, how do companies like these miss the IMC mark? The answer would be to a great level in their organizational structures. Both- Nike and PG are marketing organizations, organized around product marketing. PG demonstrates a brand management association where both staff and line functions are positioned within a companys various brands or products. While, PGs organizational structure has developed over the years, staff communication functions such as public relations and employee communications are organized around and directly support each brand or group of brands. Brands get the most resources and use huge internal influence. Beginning in June 1999, PG undertook a new organizational proposal that created a unit called Global Business Services providing a centralized staff support service across all of its Global Business Units (GBUs). Prior to this idea, each brand unit had its own communication staff functions with little company-wide centralization and control. While Nike uses another form of organization, its purpose and structure still highlight marketing its products and services. CEO- Phillip Knight is Nikes marketing chief and until its recent reputational woes, exemplified its bold approach to the market (Thurow, 1997). Most of the marketing decisions are made by the heads of these business units without the kind of teamwork and central planning required by IMC. Staff communication functions like investor relations, public affairs and human resources have traditionally played support roles. CONCLUSION The concept of IMC is a good one but it only exists at lower level management and not the higher level management and reasons for it are very clearly stated in the passage above.

Static And Dynamic Spectrum Allocation Computer Science Essay

Static And Dynamic Spectrum Allocation Computer Science Essay As the requirements of the wireless services keep growing, the number of variant wireless standards increases, which consequently imposes increasing stress on the fixed and limited radio spectrum. However, extensive measurements reported indicate that large part of licensed bands is in low utilization, as show in Figure 2.1. Spectrum utilization is strongly depended on place and time. Fixed spectrum allocation wastes resources. [1] Figure .1 Spectrum Utilization Nowadays applications require more bandwidth for better services. Electromagnetic spectrum, however, is a kind of limited natural resource as well as water and crude oil. Recent studies noted the poor utilization of traditional exclusive spectrum assignment. An intuitional way to improve the sparse usage is to allow an unlicensed user to access the resource during idle time. We can improve efficiency by allowing unlicensed users to exploit spectrum whenever it would not cause interference to licensed users. 2.2 Spectrum Assignment Policy: Why A fixed spectrum fraction is assigned to licensed holders on a long term basis for large geographical regions. Figure 2.2 show fixed spectrum assignment to different standards. Figure 2.2 Spectrum Assignment policy According to Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this exclusive assignment limits the usage and results in many spectrum holes, also called white space. It shows most traffic over wireless network concentrates on particular frequency, in particular region, at particular time while a significant amount of the spectrum remains unused. Throughout the whole spectra, utilization varies from 15% to 85% in frequency, time and geographic domains. Much worse is that, 90% of the time, certain portions of licensed bands are unoccupied. As users demand for better quality of services and higher data rate, efficient spectrum usage is becoming a critical issue. [2] 2.3 Static and Dynamic Spectrum Allocation: There has been numerous protocol standards on the wireless spectrum that rely on a static spectrum allocation policy under which each licensed spectrum band is statically assigned to the specific licensed service and its users. Once a spectrum band is assigned to a certain service, its allocation is not allowed to change. However, a new concept of dynamic spectrum allocation has become necessary to overcome critical limitations of the traditional static al location scheme. Recent studies have shown that the use of static spectrum allocation has degraded spectral efficiency significantly. Moreover, current standards cannot guarantee the prevention of unexpected interruptions by wireless network users. To alleviate these problems, FCC has recently suggested a new concept of cognitive radio networks (CRNs) that serves as a framework in realizing dynamic spectrum allocation. It requires the enhancement of current PHY and MAC protocols to adopt spectrum-agile features. The basic idea of s pectrum agility is to allow secondary users (SUs) or unlicensed users to access licensed spectrum bands as far as they do not produce undesirable interference with the licensed users. To achieve this goal, SUs must monitor each channelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s usage pattern by its PUs to identify spectrum holes or opportunities to exploit. Whenever SUs find a channel that can be utilized without interfering with its PUs, it can be assigned to and will be shared by the SUs. The SUs are also responsible for monitoring returning PUs on the channel they are currently using so as to promptly vacate the channel in such a case. [3] 2.4 Unlicensed Spectrum: There are two major advantages of using unlicensed spectrum. First, there is no requirement to register for using the spectrum and its deployment is very fast and cost effective as well. Second major advantage of using unlicensed spectrum is that it is shared among users which is indeed useful for wireless systems in which devices can dynamically change its position like notebooks, cell phones, etc. It would not be practical to require the owners of a portable device to acquire a license that covers every place they may ever wish the system to operate. Fixed applications that transmit sporadically or at fluctuating rates can also make more efficient use of unlicensed spectrum; when one is not transmitting, another can. It has been shown that cellular systems could carry significantly more traffic if they shared spectrum dynamically, provided that competing firms are willing to adopt cooperative strategies that serve their common interest. Metropolitan area networks carrying bursty da ta traffic could expect even greater efficiency gains, if competing networks can be motivated to adopt such techniques. [11] 2.4.1 ISM band: The industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands were originally reserved internationally for the use of RF electromagnetic fields for industrial, scientific and medical purposes other than communications. Figure 2.3 shows spectrum of ISM band. [13] Figure 2.3: ISM Band There are many factors which raises interest for using these bands such as time consuming standardization. Also, there is no requirement of registering the users using these bands, no particular restrictions on users for their usage and users can use the products anywhere at any place. There is no license fee for this band and the devices using these bands are cost effective. Many wireless communication standards are aimed to use unlicensed ISM band because it is easier to coexist with existing wireless networks than to assign a new separate empty spectrum. Currently most of spectrums for wireless communication are saturated. There are heavy interference and competition in ISM band because many wireless devices flow into this frequency area. On the contrary, spectrums of TV broadcasting, digital TV and wireless microphone tend to inactive depend on devicesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ location or time. In TV broadcasting, the spectrum is busy in TV broadcasting hours, but no one can use the spe ctrum when broadcasting signs off. Also TV spectrum is changed in compliance with localization. The 2.4 GHz ISM band has become particularly popular in last few years such as household and virtually all commercial buildings are likely to have equipment that operates in this band. Applications include wireless LANs, Bluetooth and infrared devices for short range communication and for Advanced Traveler Information and Management Systems like door openers for garage, home audio system, cordless phones, remote control, etc. 2.5 Wireless Regional Area Network (IEEE 802.22): IEEE 802.22 Working Group came in to being in November 2004 with a purpose of making a standard for wireless regional area network (WRAN) capable of using cognitive radio technology. According to its technical specifications, 802.22 WRAN systems will operate on the VHF/UHF TV bands ranging from 54 MHz to 862 MHz. The target of WRAN is to provide wireless broadband access with the average coverage radius of 33 km and can go up to 100km. The main target is to make unlicensed access to unused TV spectrum. In particular, 802.22 WRAN systems will be able to sense the spectrum, identify unused TV channels, and utilize these channels to provide broadband services for fixed wireless subscribers. While doing so, they must make sure that there is no undesirable interference with licensed users. Figure 2.4 shows the WRAN standards and application.[8] Figure 2.4: WRAN IEEE 802.22 is a standard for Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) which uses unused spectrum (spectrum whole) in the TV frequency spectrum on a non-interference basis. This standard is developed with the intent to give broadband internet coverage in rural areas with acceptable performance comparing with performance of DSL and cable modems. The television spectrum was selected for this application due to its propagation characteristics. Cognitive radios will reuse TV spectrum in an opportunistic way by detecting if the channel is occupied before using it. 2.6 Summary: Due to the rapid growth of wireless services, various wireless standards have been developed which are becoming a cause of major stress in fixed and limited spectrum. However fixed spectrum results in low utilization of spectrum resources as per the spectrum assignment policy. Now days, applications require more spectrum for efficient services. The fixed spectrum is not convenient for these services. Therefore, this problem can be improved efficiently by allowing unlicensed users to exploit spectrum whenever it would not cause interference to licensed users. The fixed spectrum policy that relies on a static spectrum allocation policy under which each licensed spectrum band is statically assigned to the specific licensed service and its users and its allocation is not allowed to change. In order to solve this issue a new concept of dynamic spectrum allocation also known as unlicensed spectrum policy has become necessary to overcome critical limitations of the traditional static allocation scheme. To make this concept more efficient, a new technology called cognitive radio technology has been developed. The basic idea behind this technology is to allow secondary users (SUs) to access licensed spectrum bands as far as they do not cause any harmful interference with the primary users (PUs). The unlicensed spectrum has two major advantages i.e., one is they are fast and cheap in deployment and other is unlicensed spectrum is shared. As sharing is essential for wireless networks, many wireless communication standards are aimed to use unlicensed ISM band because of complete absence of user restrictions and it is easier to coexist with existing wireless networks than to allocate new empty spectrum. Cognitive radio technology is being used in WRAN developed by IEEE 802.22 working group give broadband services in rural areas having the performance statistics comparable to DSL and cable modems by utilizing white spaces on non-interference basis.

One Soldier Staring Death in the Face :: Interview Essays

One Soldier Staring Death in the Face War is full of violence and death. This violence and death causes severe emotional trauma. I myself cannot imagine what war is like, or what it is like to have someone I love go off to war. I know I'm lucky because of this. When a loved one goes to war, they may die, they will be scared, and they will be gone. Worst of all, their fate is unknown. Any person that loves another, whether it be a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend, will feel sorrow when seeing that loved one go to war. I have seen some of the horrors of war retold in movies, books, pictures, interviews, and television. To me, war is also interesting. The History Channel has always sparked my attention especially WWII specials. I have read Just and Unjust Wars by Michael Walzer and On War and Morality by Robert Holmes. These books have given me philosophical viewpoints of Just War Theory and Pacifism. Just War Theorists believe that war can be justified with a just cause for the war and fighting humanely. Pacifists believe that war is immoral and cannot be justified by any means. After both of these reading I gained many new viewpoints on war, but I still remained uncertain about war. To help solve this dilemma I interviewed a person with first hand experience in war. I believe that interviewing an actual war veteran is the most effective way of learning about war. Brooks Henderson Jr. (277806) of the United States Marine Corps, Third Defense Battalion is a veteran of WWII. He entered the Marine Corps on November 26 1939, in hopes of becoming a Marine Guard of the American Embassy in China. Instead he was among the first Marines to step on Midway Island in 1940 to fortify the island for a possible war in the Pacific. Next he was sent to Pearl Harbor. There he remained in the Marine barracks and trained, specifically with the U.S. 90mm. Anti-Aircraft Gun and the U.S. Army Bofors. The 90mm shoots a twenty-one pound shell in any direction at a distance of 13,500 yards at twenty-eight rounds a minute (Kirk and Young 263). The Bofors are a much smaller anti-aircraft gun that is fully automatic but has no tracking system; the operator has to aim and shoot, unlike the 90mm that had data and a controller to help aim. One Soldier Staring Death in the Face :: Interview Essays One Soldier Staring Death in the Face War is full of violence and death. This violence and death causes severe emotional trauma. I myself cannot imagine what war is like, or what it is like to have someone I love go off to war. I know I'm lucky because of this. When a loved one goes to war, they may die, they will be scared, and they will be gone. Worst of all, their fate is unknown. Any person that loves another, whether it be a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend, will feel sorrow when seeing that loved one go to war. I have seen some of the horrors of war retold in movies, books, pictures, interviews, and television. To me, war is also interesting. The History Channel has always sparked my attention especially WWII specials. I have read Just and Unjust Wars by Michael Walzer and On War and Morality by Robert Holmes. These books have given me philosophical viewpoints of Just War Theory and Pacifism. Just War Theorists believe that war can be justified with a just cause for the war and fighting humanely. Pacifists believe that war is immoral and cannot be justified by any means. After both of these reading I gained many new viewpoints on war, but I still remained uncertain about war. To help solve this dilemma I interviewed a person with first hand experience in war. I believe that interviewing an actual war veteran is the most effective way of learning about war. Brooks Henderson Jr. (277806) of the United States Marine Corps, Third Defense Battalion is a veteran of WWII. He entered the Marine Corps on November 26 1939, in hopes of becoming a Marine Guard of the American Embassy in China. Instead he was among the first Marines to step on Midway Island in 1940 to fortify the island for a possible war in the Pacific. Next he was sent to Pearl Harbor. There he remained in the Marine barracks and trained, specifically with the U.S. 90mm. Anti-Aircraft Gun and the U.S. Army Bofors. The 90mm shoots a twenty-one pound shell in any direction at a distance of 13,500 yards at twenty-eight rounds a minute (Kirk and Young 263). The Bofors are a much smaller anti-aircraft gun that is fully automatic but has no tracking system; the operator has to aim and shoot, unlike the 90mm that had data and a controller to help aim.

Why Do Girls Cut? Essay -- Psychology

Why do people hurt themselves? In a journal article from the American Journal of Psychotherapy, Louise Ruberman notes that about 2.1 million teens suffer from nonsuicidal self-injury, or NSSI. Young women between the ages of 14 and 18 years old take part in NSSI due to poor development of the relationship with their mothers, childhood abuse, and psychiatric disorders. Although there are multiple ways of causing injury to oneself, cutting of the skin as a means of self-mutilation is said to be the most common (Ruberman 119). We will start out by examining the problems that occur during the relationship development between a mother and a daughter at a young age. Gender role identity and body image are directly related to the relationship a young girl has with her mother while she is growing up. During the young ages, a girl needs to feel accepted and positively identified by her mother in order to be happy with her femininity. Mothers play a very important role in helping young girls establish their self-esteem, because a young girl’s first role model is most often her mom (Daniluk & Usmiani 47). If this relationship somehow goes astray, the young girl may easily form a negative body image of herself. Behaviors of self abuse often occur right around the age of puberty, and the reaction to a negative self-esteem may result in NSSI and cutting. According to Ruberman (120), girls who choose cutting as their means of self-injury are using their skin as a â€Å"canvas† to cut open and obtain some control over their own body. This behavior is derived from the lack of control they feel they posses. Ruberman (120), states in her artic le that a mother’s job is to stand by her daughter as she grows from birth without interfering with her own fea... ...ans of communication when less intense strategies have failed, such as yelling or speaking. All in all, the decision to take part in self-punishment is highly influenced by the behavior of others as we are growing up. Works Cited Glassman, L. H., Weierich, M. R., Hooley, J. M., Deliberto, T. L., & Nock, M. K. (2007). Child maltreatment, non-suicidal self-injury, and the mediating role of self-criticism. Behaviour Research & Therapy, 45(10), 2483-2490. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2007.04.002. Ruberman, L. (2011). Girls who Cut: Treatment in an outpatient psychodynamic psychotherapy practice with adolescent girls and young adult women. American Journal Of Psychotherapy, 65(2), 117-132. Usmiani, S., & Daniluk, J. (1997). Mothers and their adolescent daughters: Relationship between self-esteem, gender role identity.. Journal Of Youth & Adolescence, 26(1), 45.

Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith: Two Legendary Classical Blues Artists Essay

The blues emerged as a distinct African-American musical form in the early twentieth century. It typically employed a twelve-bar framework and three-lined stanzas; its roots are based in early African-American songs, such as field hollers and work songs, and generally have a melancholy mood. The blues can be divided into many sub-genres, including Classical, Country, and Urban. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the careers of two of Classical blues most influential and legendary singers: Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. Ma Rainey, considered by many to be the â€Å"Mother of the Blues,† was one of the first pioneers of the classical blues style. She sang with a deep, rich, and quite often rough contralto voice while the voices of her contemporaries a generation later were more harmonious. Rainey was an important figure in connecting the Classical blues, largely female dominated, with the predominately male Country blues.1 Born Gertrude Pridgett in Georgia in 1886 to parents who had both performed in the minstrel shows, she was exposed to music at a very early age. At the age of fourteen, she performed in a local talent show called â€Å"The Bunch of Blackberries,† and by 1900 she was regularly singing in public.2 Over the next couple of decades, she worked in a variety of traveling minstrel shows, including Tolliver's Circus and Musical Extravaganza, and the Rabbit Foot Minstrels; she was one of the first women to incorporate the blues into minstrelsy. It was while working with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels that she met William Rainey, whom she married in 1904; together, they toured as â€Å"Ma and Pa Rainey: Assassinators of the Blues.† By the early 1920s, she was a star of the Theater Owners' Booking Agency (TOBA), which were white-... ...line of Smith's career – and in Classical blues, in general – was due to changing trends in music. Classical blues was out, and Swing was now the music of choice. Smith, however, was determined to make a comeback. She began performing again, this time labeling herself as a Swing singer. But before she could re-establish herself as a household name, she passed away from injuries caused by an automobile accident. It was not until some years after her death that her music began to be popularized again. Her recordings with Armstrong became popular among jazz musicians and had great influence on singers such as Billie Holiday, who often listened to Smith's records for inspiration. Frank Sinatra held her in high esteem, and Janis Joplin often emulated Smith's voice in her singing. Bessie Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1939.

A Gender Gap In Math Achievement Education Essay

Is There a Gender Gap in Math Achievement and How Can We Explain It?For many old ages the position has been that there exists great difference between the academic public presentation of between work forces and adult females, and particularly within the countries of scientific discipline and mathematics. This gender disparity in instruction within the US has been studied extensively by legion bookmans who have tried to detect if so there are unconditioned capablenesss in both sexes that make them hold differences in public presentation in scientific discipline and mathematics. The claims reported by Spelke ( 2005 ) are that few adult females show the endowments required in the Fieldss of scientific discipline and mathematics, hence there are fewer adult females within these Fieldss. The other position is that the sex differences in these Fieldss are due to the familial base which makes adult females have a smaller intrinsic attitude towards scientific discipline and mathematics. One such survey was carried out by Lawrence Summers when he was at the Harvard University. In his survey he tried to detect if there were any unconditioned capablenesss in both sexes that determined how they performed in both their faculty member and professional Fieldss in scientific discipline and technology. Apart from this research there are a many more researches that have been carried out to mensurate by how much or if there is any biological differences between the sexes that make them execute different in mathematics and scientific discipline. This paper shall discourse the being of the gender differences that drives the differences in public presentation in scientific discipline and mathematics of work forces and adult females. It is critical to understand the grounds why the difference in gender has been attributed to the cause in the differences in public presentation in scientific discipline and mathematics. This paper shall look into these differences that cut across all age groups, from the school traveling to the college pupils. It has been proposed that the differences that are seen in both adult females and work forces in public presentation in scientific discipline and mathematics have been associated with the differences in gender. Despite the progresss in the modern western universe there still exist strong societal cultural influences on perceptual experiences of gender and gender functions. Work force and adult females have been made to specify themselves on the footing of the distinguishable psychological and behavioural sensitivities that are associated with the biological maps. Therefore this sensitivity will drive work forces and adult females to act different, execute different undertaking s and do different picks. It is the definition of the individual in footings of maleness and women's rightist that drives them to act ad think as they do. With such thought in head, it becomes progressively hard to hold uniformity in public presentation in work forces and adult females at work and in faculty members. Marini, ( 2010 ) showed that so the greatest influence of this difference is the societal and cultural fluctuations that contribute to the sex differences. In her research biological differences do to some extent affect the behaviour and functions of the sexes, but it is the societal facets that have the greatest part to these differences. The societal structural agreement has made adult females and work forces base their thought and cognitive abilities on biological differences ( Baker & A ; Jones, 2006 ) . This so means that we are normally under the influence of our societal and cultural assignments that define who we are and what we can or can non make. The American society has defined and stratified the functions of the gender. It is this assignment of functions by the society that influences the grade to which the sexes addition and command the resources they have. Often our society has been specifying functions and responsibilities of the sexes based on gender class, for this ground gender differences exist within this society. The society has a strong influence on how work forces and adult females perform in scientific discipline and mathematics because it defines what function, responsibility or assignment is to be fulfilled by each ( Marini, 2010 ) . The adult male in society is superior to the adult females and is assigned tougher functions and responsibilities ; he is seen as the supplier, defender, more bright and has higher rational facets than the adult females ( West & A ; Zimmerman, 2007 ) . It is this societal facet that has given the adult male a male advantage and accordingly expected him to execute better at scientific discipline and mathematics. For this ground the instructors will handle male childs and misss otherwise in scientific discipline and mathematics categories. The ground being such countries of academic survey have been held as hard and ambitious, and merely the work forces can accomplish such feasts ( Baker & A ; Jones, 2006 ) . The instructor will so do the male child feel they need to execute good in these countries and will give their attending and resources to them. On the other manus the instructor will give the miss the perceptual experience that it is non incorrect for them to neglect in the topics, because the instructor does no anticipate them to execute good in these topics. Such positions are still woven elaborately in society where the society and the household influence the type of calling and profession work forces and adult females would take. In Marini ( 2010 ) , adult females are frequently encouraged to take up academic classs and topics that would take them in fostering callings of nursing, instruction and secretarial. Such callings and professions were seen as befitting adult females and give adult females a opportunity to take attention of her household. Mean while the Fieldss of scientific discipline and engineering are left to the work forces, this is because they are perceived to hold the rational capableness to manage the complex mathematics and advanced thoughts behind the Fieldss. It is being noted that there is increased diminution in the differences in scientific discipline and mathematics callings and professions between the genders as we find more adult females within these Fieldss. Recent research workers have shown that while the construction within the these Fieldss have changed with more adult females being found at the helm of such countries, there is still gender stratification in the high school degree, this can be found within surveies like ( Leahey & A ; Guo, 2001 ; Entwisle, Karl & A ; Olson, 2004 ; Spelke, 2005 ; Gallagher & A ; Kaufman, 2005 ; Baker & A ; Jones, 2006 ) . This difference in gender public presentation has been attributed to the perceptual experience that male childs and misss receive different attendings from their instructors in mathematics categories. This has created the gender spread within the academic Fieldss in America that have driven the differences in public presentation in scientific discipline and mathematics. The survey by Leahey and Guo ( 2001 ) tried to demo the extent of the gender differences in mathematics and particularly the different countries like geometry and logical thinking. It has been found that there is a male advantage for those pupils traveling to college within the field of mathematics. In their research they showed that males have a higher public presentation in mathematics in the high school degree and particularly in the college entryway test. The ground why this has been tested is because the high school mathematics has been the key to the pick in faculty members in the college degree and accordingly affects subsequently pick in profession. The ground why the American society has seen important differences in occupational segregation and gender socialisation in the populace sector is due to the gender differences in mathematics public presentation. In Leahey and Guo ( 2001 ) we find that this occupational segregation begins in high school mathematics where the scholastic aptitude trial ( SAT ) mathematics is performed better by male than the female. This is the same for the American College Test ( ACT ) mathematics subdivision that is performed better by the male. The same position is held by Entwisle, Karl and Olson ( 2004 ) , who have argued that the being of this disparity has been the cause of the differences within the callings and professional Fieldss. In their analysis it is the differences in the experiences of the male and female that is a beginning of the difference in public presentation in mathematics. The thought is that due to the school environment, male childs and misss will execute otherwise in these topics. They tried to demo this difference existed based on a comparing on simple as compared to the high school experience. In their survey they discovered that the experiences the male childs and misss had while in school affected their public presentation in mathematics. This experience was driven by the school environment where the instructors, disposal, parents and other pupils determine the public presentation in scientific discipline and mathematics. The pupils have been seen to be under the influence of their parents on the pick of topics, calling and accordingly public presentation. A parent who teaches their kids that they failed in scientific discipline and mathematics and hence does non anticipate the kids to make any better is a factor. Teachers who besides have biased positions towards misss and scientific discipline and mathematics besides drive down the public presentation of such misss. In the school state of affairs equal force per unit area is besides a major driver of public presentation in scientific discipline and mathematics. Entwisle, Karl and Olson ( 2004 ) merely showed that there were experiences from the school and vicinity resources that affected the development of mathematical accomplishments in the pupils. In their survey they revealed that there were contextual facets in the environment that affected the mathematical accomplishments in the male childs more than those in the misss. Male childs are able to react more to the resources in the vicinity than misss can, I the procedure they develop different accomplishments than the misss. Such accomplishments obtained from their milieus have been associated with the mathematical competence of male childs. The ground being that boys spend more of their clip in the vicinity than misss ; hence they are able to pull experience from their milieus than misss. This is because the society limits the geographic expedition capablenesss in misss while it encourages male childs to research more. This is the same position that is held by West & A ; Zimmerman, ( 2007 ) that shows that the Sociocultural facets influences male childs to research their environment more so the misss. Male childs are given the freedom to research and play around the vicinity, while misss were encouraged to remain at place. It is this geographic expedition that helps boys to develop better spatial and numerical abilities that see them execute better in mathematics. The experience within the vicinity and their milieus assist them farther develop their spacial accomplishments more than misss. Spatial accomplishments can merely develop if one is able to pattern them frequently, where the best country to make so is in the field. This difference in accomplishments is besides explained by Leahey and Guo ( 2001 ) , who showed that both misss and male childs have different mathematical accomplishments. Males have an advantage over misss in certain mathematical countries like their ability to quantitatively ground and do usage of spacial visual image abilities ( Gallagher & A ; Kaufman, 2005 ) . This same spacial accomplishments and concluding capablenesss are obtained by the male childs from their environment in which they are allowed to play in. since the misss do non hold the same equal playing field their logical thinking and spacial accomplishments are non good developed like those of the male childs. The same explains why males have better mathematical logical thinking and geometry accomplishments than misss. Leahey and Guo ( 2001 ) besides supported Entwisle, Karl and Olsonaa‚Â ¬a„?s ( 2004 ) theory with the determination that it is at the simple degree that these accomplishments are developed . The conducive factor is the socialisation procedure that the misss and male childs go through as they develop and learn at the simple age. Apart from socialisation the differences in mathematics public presentation has besides been associated with the cognitive differences in males and females. It has been argued that it is these cognitive differences that have enabled work forces to execute better at mathematics than adult females. Spelke ( 2005 ) associated this knowledge to the ability for work forces from the beginning to concentrate on objects that make them able to larn mechanical systems. As was seen by other surveies, Spelke ( 2005 ) besides supports that the spacial, concluding and numerical differences in work forces give them the ability to manage mathematical jobs. This is the 2nd factor that affects the cognitive differences between work forces and adult females. Another decisive factor is the variableness of the knowledge of males that give them that border needed in mathematics. It has been propose that the ground males perform better in mathematics is due to the sensitivity for them to larn about objects and the mechanical interactions in them from an early age. This sensitivity tends to do the adult females to switch towards larning about people and their emotional interactions. This interaction is seen more in ulterior life at the ages of school traveling kids instead than in babies ( Spelke, 2005 ) . This can be attributed to the socialisation of the kid that will do them levitate towards their gender assigned drama playthings and play subjects. Spelke ( 2005 ) proved that when speech production of the difference in knowledge there is no pronounced differences between babies. These disparities can be explained by the factors that are at drama when male childs and misss are developing. It is a complex state of affairs if knowledge is to be associated with the differences in mathematical public presentation of male childs and misss ( Gallagher & A ; Kaufman, 2005 ) . Given the same experience misss and male childs will get the same accomplishments and cognition in mathematics, demoing that knowledge and biological temperament has nil to make with the differences. This can merely be explained by Williams, Birke and Bendelow ( 2003 ) where the factors at drama are the implicit in interplay of biological capablenesss and environmental influences. This interplay of factors is the determiner of how the cognitive and accomplishments abilities in mathematics of work forces and adult females develop and accordingly differ. It is the society that has the greatest impact on the differences between male childs and misss public presentation in mathematics. The socialisation interactions of both male childs and misss are the ground why their cognitive abilities develop different signifier each other. Towards this terminal, Williams, Birke and Bendelow ( 2003 ) supports old surveies that have shown that the socialisation procedure is the predominate determiner of the differences in public presentation in mathematic. They have shown that there exist different interventions for both male childs and misss in our society from the place, school and workplace. In the procedure our gender is under the influence of civilization, where gender functions and responsibilities are defined by the same civilization. The position is that it is the societal statements that fuel scientific positions that so there are gender disparities in spacial and cognitive abilities of the sexes. Harmonizing to West and Zimmerman ( 2007 ) , it is the facet of work forces and adult females making gender functions and seeking to carry through gender that gives the differences in accomplishment in mathematics. The facet of seeking to be gender gives the work forces and adult females the ability to develop competences and recognize productivity that is based on the societal restraints. The societal construction thrusts worlds to hold a perceptual experience, interactions, and accomplishments that are based on societal complexnesss. This societal facet influences the unconscious determination by may adult females to go forth scientific discipline and mathematics callings and take up other Fieldss. Such societal complexnesss define how adult females and work forces perceive themselves in footings of their calling and professional development. The outlook of those who engage stop up in the Fieldss of scientific discipline and mathematics is that they have to set in more hours in the office, where they have to hold flexible agendas that can react to the eventualities of their occupations. Within his model, the callings in scientific discipline and mathematics will drive them to demo a continued attempt in their life rhythm, where the head is invariably working on jobs during and after working hours ( Summers, 2005 ) . The image promoted is that such callings drive work forces and adult females to demo a high degree of committedness to the work. For this ground, many work forces are ready to give this committedness with fewer adult females preferring to take up callings that can give them clip for the household. With such a perceptual experience in topographic point many misss wil l pay less attending to mathematics as compared to the male childs, giving the differences in public presentation ( Summers, 2005 ) . This societal perceptual experience of what one should anticipate if they follow a certain field has been one of the drive forces behind the differences in public presentation of work forces and adult females. Work force from an early age are expected to carry through their masculine functions as the suppliers and defenders. For this ground, the inclination is that work forces will take up callings and professions that can reflect this. Like was seen in West & A ; Zimmerman ( 2001 ) and Marini ( 2010 ) . These pigeonholing functions are still present in modern America and have been described extensively by Summers ( 2005 ) as the cause of the pick of callings by adult females. Such gender stereotyping besides influences how work forces and adult females perform in mathematics and scientific discipline. With a deficiency of involvement in scientific discipline and mathematics as a calling for the adult females, many will non set much attempt in these academic countries. Their involvem ent will be in the societal, linguistic communication and art faculty members where they excel and seek to hardly acquire a base on balls in the scientific discipline and mathematics countries. Often the society will wonder and inquire at adult females who excels in these Fieldss, with remarks to the consequence that she is tough being directed to her. It is the gender societal concepts that have shaped the perceptual experience of misss of scientific discipline and mathematics and have influenced their public presentation in these countries. As we develop our perceptual experience of gender is shaped by the society that defines who we are, what we can make. Therefore the differences in public presentation in male childs and misss mathematics and scientific discipline are under the influence of the societal cultural factors. These have in consequence created an environment where capablenesss and abilities are limited by the socially assigned gender functions.

Concept-mapping software Essay

Indeed, should it be of necessity or required for students to evaluate, collate and compute data in all work prescription in class, important machinery to achieve this must be recommended as part of the needed gadget. (Zardoya, 2001). Business researchers are similarly concerned with the question of whether or not the introduction of information technology leads to increased output, excellent evaluation in reasoning and advantageous edge of counterparts (Al-Gahtani, 2003). ICT – this is an acronyms for Information and Communication and technology, constituting system hardware and software that enhance data resource for use in many applications. Internet inclusive with provision of world wide web. (Clark et al. , 2005). That is, we need to shift focus from robotic use of technology. The quest should rather be innovative ways of information technology to massively enhance the gains and ease of studies at all levels(p. 4). Overall, CACSR makes provision for students through interaction with the surroundings. This possibly ensure a sustained focus at the same time educating students on skills as they read expository text passages (Kim et al. ,). Studies have shown that â€Å"educational technology that includes dictionary components has been used successfully to promote literacy skill development among elementary school students† (Fry & Gosky, 2007). In analyzing the study, a researcher suggested that writer’s with back up soft copy in CD-ROM provides more strategy towards enhancing the problem of elaboration from close by tutor. The soft copy leaves the students independent of the teacher to a greater extent than none (Fry & Gosky). QuickSmart is a computer-assisted program designed to improve the self-improving ability of students who are face with challenges of grabbing problem most expecially in their mid-year at school (Graham & Bellert, et al. , 2007,). Based on an information –analyzing point of intuitive processings, QuickSmart was intended to be a elaborated dealings with attention on the primary learning skills needed to do well in assimilating classroom instruction. (Graham & Bellert, et al). It is a Concept-mapping software, or webbing, in that students are permitted to build up strategic maps with the aid of specific programs (Marchinko, 2004,). Concept-mapping software has been used in middle school science classes for example, to help students juxtapose the similarities and differences in plant and animal cells, and in writing class to help students brainstorm. Teachers also use concept-mapping software to give a clue or insight in the direction of the lesson (Marchinko,). The KidTools computer programs as also an electronic performer. It is an aiding technique that focus on behavior and academic performance support software for students with studying default (Miller & Fitzgerald, 2007, p. 13). A cognitive-behavioral modification program, KidTools is one of several programs with increased usage recorded within the last two decades owing to their efficacy reports over time (Miller & Fitzgerald. RockSim is a rocket design program for middle school science class, which â€Å"takes students along the path of technology that enhance the design of their own rockets and simulation performance (Wilson, 2005,). Finally, BodyFun on its own is a computer game that perfectly educate on nutrition and other health awareness (Geiger, et al. , 2002,). In a test of BodyFun among the middle class of school age, the resource and the technical requirements of the schemes is high, in addition to its acceptability among the study environment, it gives a good result (Geiger & Petri, et al. ,). Education is feeling pressure to respond to a mandate to improve the engagement-level of classrooms, due to surveys which repeatedly find middle school students especially characterize traditional classes as cold (Taylor & Duran, 2006, p. 11). Overall, most classrooms continue to implement instructional practices. The practice has the main essence of textbooks studying and facts cramming with subsequent commitment to memory (Taylor & Duran,). As a result, many researchers have called for a move from the usual teaching to a constructive approach in methods (Taylor & Duran, p. 11). In most classes, this entails increasing the students’ abilities of inquiry, and this can be enhanced through implementation with the most suiting instruments (Taylor & Duran, p . 11). One teacher reports that her middle school students have become mastery of executing video projects and slide shows, this demonstrate they have learnt (Crawford, 2005, p. 2). InFocus projectors produced a difference that was similar to that of darkness and light with improved class presentation and involvement (Crawford, p. 1). Studies have shown that students who use computers to write reports recorded a higher performance compared to those who do not attempt the use of computer (Taylor & Duran, 2006, p. 10). One study found that teachers who made regular use of PowerPoint presentations felt more confident in their ability to teach and assist students’ competence in using multimedia projection and even other similar method of sophisticated learning (Taylor & Duran, p. 13). Video streaming is another technology being used in some classrooms (Whitaker, 2003), while some K-12 classrooms are even experimenting with robotics activities to enhance student the convergence of literacy instruction (for example) with Internet technologies is fundamentally reshaping the nature of literacy instruction as teachers seek to prepare children for the futures they deserve engagement in lessons (Williams & Ma, et al. , 2007, p. 201), although most reports on the usefulness of robotics is anecdotal in nature and evidence is still required to demonstrate the effectiveness of using robotics in achieving study aims (Williams et al. , p. 201). Now, many believe that â€Å"† (Witte, 2007, p. 93). A threaded discussion group is a series of rotations on a subject (Grisham & Wolsey, p. 651). The study found that through threaded discussion, student engagement was increased. This was because an environment found more friendly were self created and fits appropriately with other peers. Therefore each of them have equal dominion of the conversation (Grisham & Wolsey, p. 649). Though acknowledging that one of the serious drawbacks to the Web is that students often become lost trying to navigate through â€Å"data smog† (Trotter, 2004, p. 1). The MyAccess program is an internet oriented writing scheme that expressly rewards write-up and supplies correct instruction for students at a middle school in Georgia (Ullman, 2006, p. 76). The program was found to not only relieve teachers much of their paper correcting burden, but also to have permitted immediate report even in more detail that scores it a preferred quality of writing (Ullman, p. 76). Another project reported in the literature was the creation of a website which supported students and average school teachers drawing out a convergence between science and literature within the limited surroundings (Howes & Hamilton, 2003, p. 454). WebQuest is another â€Å"powerful instrument† for teachers to use in improving the engagement level of students in their class (Lipscomb, 2003, p. 154). Though relatively new, stakeholders in education are praising its value and facilitate more use (Lipscomb, 2003, p. 153). The important pedagogical purpose of a WebQuest is that it provides tangible experience for students, both with the technology and in the subject matter being explored (Lipscomb, p. 154). More recently, other schools are experimenting with the use of blogs, or web logs, to enhance learning. Witte (2007) pushed for establishment of blog discussion method on the present inter-school network in order to further engage students in learning (p. 95). Witte (2007) decided that blogs were an important go-between among class and students when he found out that, while some students indicated some interest in the period of writing and homework, they were reported, by their parents, to be â€Å"on the computer writing essays and poems for hours each night† (Witte, p. 92). A theory was devised as to why diffusion was so slow, with explanations centering on methods used by farmers in generating information on discoveries, and how they direct this in helping their appropriate usage (Rogers, p. 14). Diffusion theory can help educators understand why technology is and is not adopted in classrooms (Surry, 1997). Other researchers have adopted the diffusion model to counteract the increasing consciousness about how discovered instructive materials have been rendered fallow (Minishi-Majanja & Kiplang’at, p. 4). Indeed, Al-Gahtani’s (2003) literature review revealed 75 articles in which perceived attributes were measured, with the overall result being that agreement and comparative merit attained highest ratings when they were instituted. Complexity was on the other hand negative on its procedural acceptance (p. 59). While determinists can be either utopian or dystopian (Marx, McCluhan and Toffler versus Ellul, Orwell or Luddites), all determinists see technology as an independent force out of human control. The equally view technology as the sole engine of social change (Surry, 1997, p. 6). In education, developer-based theory results in top-down technology-based reform initiatives such as Goals 2000, which target the diversity of educational change through proposition of a new system with improved hybrid (Surry, p. 7). Overall, â€Å"the instructional development process† is of the assumption that technological improved hybrid will suffice the only condition necessary to attract participation of innovative practices. (Surry, p. 7). Adopter-based theoreticians such as Ernest Burkman are prone to point out situations where a technologically superior innovation was rejected by users because of the strength of â€Å"human, interpersonal and social factors†. These factors play an importance role in adopting proposed technological superiority† (Surry, p. 11). Another by-product of adopter-based theory is the study of revenge effects, which occur when new establishments, movements and organisms react with real in a factual but unforeseen situation (Surry, p. 11). Indeed, prediction and accounting for likely results to be caused by an innovation is an integral component of many â€Å"adopter-based diffusion theories† (Surry, p. 11). Large scale market forces such as sector growth, volatility and concentration of markets have also been of use in acceptance of technology (Park et al. , p. 1480). Subjective norm is another strong construction developed along this line of research. Subjective norm is defined as an individual’s believe that perhaps exist in contrast to other people. Subjective norm has been shown to strongly influence adoption of technology, especially if use is mandatory and not voluntary (Park & O’Brien, et al. , p. 1480). All of this feeds into instruction through the lens of constructivism, or the belief that learning happens in a deliberate effort to construct a â€Å"public entity†, be it the simplest of task where resources are in abundance or a more complex assignment (Williams & Ma, et al. , 2007). In this context, technology is used in education to create a system whereby that enhance â€Å"study by making† and â€Å"study by design† (Williams & Ma, et al. ,). Various programs along these lines include efforts to have children design computer games, and promote studying with â€Å"programmable bricks† (Williams et al). Thus, from the constructivist point of view, the availability of computer systems in learning rooms does not attach huge significance as presently being in used (Sheumaker & Slate,). Integration of computers is deemed successful only when students learn with the computer system and not the reverse (Sheumaker & Slate, et al. , p. 3) Finally, reinforcing this model is the ecological model of technology integration in education. According to this model, technologies are only acting in a social settings, incorporated within the events of learning processes (Kupperman & Fishman, 2002,). Through the use of new tools we develop new literacies, and from use or non-use are discovered as being â€Å"full, subsidiary or un-involving class members (Kupperman & Fishman,). Mention of the word â€Å"actor† enlists actor-network theory into these models as well. According to this model, the social globe is materially diverse and consists of a interconnected chains of animate and inanimate participants who only interact and negotiate for rules imposition through series of deliberations and alliances (Samarawickrema & Stacey, 2007). In order to have their way, these various actors may use bargaining, lobbying, subtle computation and at the extreme, violence (Samarawickrema & Stacey,).

Moral Theory of Kant Essay

Immanuel Kant is a German deontologist in the eighteenth century. He believed that the only test of whether a decision is right or wrong is whether it could be applied to everyone. Would it be all right for everyone to do what you are doing? If not, your decision is wrong. Kant sees that people ought not to be used, but ought to be regarded as having the highest intrinsic value. From here, I see that Kant believes that the intrinsic value of an act determines what is morally right or morally wrong. The intrinsic value always accompanies the act, for example, if A is intrinsic to B, then it is no accident that B exhibits A. In ethics, Kant tried to show that doing one’s duty consisted in following only those principles that one would accept as applying equally to all. Kant brought up that the consequences of our acts are not always in our control and things do not always turn out as we want. However, he believed that we can control our motives, and the motive to do what is right gives an act its moral worth. For actions to have moral worth, good will and good act in accordance with duty are required. Kant believed that the good will is the right motive. Good will is to will your maxim to be a universal law or universally valid and accepted. Having a right intention is to do what is right or what one believes to be right just because it is right. Kant believed that acts done from the motive of duty are the only ones with moral worth. For example, you borrow money from a friend, and your options, or maxims, are to either return the money, or not to return the money. To return money is of good will, and if you choose this to be your maxim, you are in accordance with duty. Not to return money, if put into a universal law, nobody ever returned the money, and everybody broke their promises, there would be no promises, and the act is not in accordance with duty. So the act of not returning the money has no moral worth and is morally wrong. There are two different types of imperatives, according to Kant, hypothetical imperative and categorical imperative. an imperative is simply a form of statement that tells us to do something.