High preformance work system in HRM (humen resource management)enhance Essay

High preformance work system in HRM (humen resource management)enhance the effectiveness of the orgnization - Essay Example Also, more involvement in the organization makes the employees more empowered leading to a more committed workforce which in turn affects the productivity and effectiveness of the organization. According to Kling (1995), training, which is the second component of HPWS makes the company more adaptable to changes and enables it to improve the quality of output that leads to the increase in profitability. The third component, incentives, motivates employees to come with "outcomes that are beneficial to themselves and the organization as a whole" (Brown 2006). This results in a more productive workforce and a more effective organization. There are also specific reasons why HPWS can enhance the firm's HRM, effectiveness, productivity, and profitability. There were studies that linked HPWS with 14.8% growth in productivity, 12.2% improvement in workforce innovation and 7.7% reduction in employee turnover (FAS). These increases in the significant aspects of the organization can have substan tial effects that enhance the organization's status. One specific reason is workplace participation. Since HPWS allows workers to participate in the decision making, a culture of decentralization and responsibility will be present in the workplace (Kling 1995). This can create job rotation and cross training that result in more job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism and employee turnover. Also, decentralization will allow more employee involvement. This is a good thing because better decisions will be made since the employees have direct involvement with the issues at the workplace, so they know exactly what to do (Kling 1995). Together with the knowledge of the management and the experience of the employees, the organization can come up with better decisions. There are also evidences that prove HPWS as successful in enhancing the organizations' productivity, effectiveness, and profitability. In 1995, Huselid and Becker conducted a study that would assess the strategic impacts of HPW S. They estimated that one standard deviation change in the firm's HPWS will lead to an increase in the firm's market value of $38,000-$73,000 per employee. On the other hand, a study by Scotti, et al., (2007) found out that for every one standard deviation increase in HPWS in the healthcare sector, the organization will show a 0.29 standard deviation in customer satisfaction. The study also found out that there is a strong relationship between employee perceptions and quality customer service. There is also a study by Bartel in 1994, as cited by Kling (1995), that concluded that training with HPWS increases a firm's productivity by 9 percent. In relation to this, Kling also reviewed a study by Holzer in 1993 that doubling the training will decrease scraps in production by 7%. Another one by Tyson and Levine (1993) concluded that employee participation and involvement is positively correlated with productivity. Cooke (1994), as cited by Kling (1995), found out that establishments in crease its value-added by 5% to 25% if the employees have incentive pay. According to FAS, the University of Limerick and University of Kansas, USA conducted a study and concluded that HPWS "can make a significant contribution to profitability, productivity and staff retention". The study found out that firms with progressive

Review Coursework for Rules for monetary policy questions

Review for Rules for monetary policy questions - Coursework Example However, the excessively high level of money circulating in the economy induces inflation. Conversely, the excessively low level of money circulating in the economy kills economic performance and induces deflation. Since the association between the money supply and other economic indicators such as the gross domestic product and prices level or inflation has become irregular, the money growth based policies have been unsuccessful (What is money supply? Is it important?, 2014). Adopting rules for the monetary policy is like suggesting that the economy regulators clearly understand all the variables within the economy and how they affect one another. The center stage for the formulations of rules for monetary policy is the interest rates and the economic output. It is currently clear that the performance of an economy is influenced by the performance of other institutions like the financial market, the capital market, and the financial institutions. These players add to the list of factors to be considered when formulating rules for monetary policy. The regulators have not been able to understand fully how the financial markets affect the economy, thus, controlling an unclear situation could cause damages. Therefore, the policy makers are reluctant to adopt rules for monetary policy (Swanson, 2014). Swanson, A. (2014). What the US could gain and lose from monetary policy rules. Retrieved from

Reflective Practice And Risk Essay

Reflective Practice And Risk Essay The purpose of this essay is to critically evaluate the following statement with reference to my own practice experience in working with risk. As social workers it is especially critical that we apply a resilience-lens, that is, a strengths-based practice approach (Saleeby, 2006, p.198). With the focus of this piece of practice on working with a family, this essay will predominantly explore the above statement from the perspective of a Children and Families placement. The essay will start with a brief outline of the practice experience that will be referred to and will then explore the concepts of resilience and strengths-based practice as well as risk assessment and risk management. The social, cultural and political concepts that shape practice in relation to risk management will also be explored. A reflective discussion of my practice will follow and this will incorporate the concepts of resilience and strengths-based practice as well as risk assessment and risk management and how this approach was utilised to complete BBs Pre-Birth Assessment. This discussion will also be set within a theoretical framework of reflection. The practice experience that will be referred to within this essay is the assessment process I undertook in order to prepare for the completion of a Pre-Birth Assessment which had been requested by the Community Ante-Natal Midwife. The completed Pre-Birth Assessment would be sent to the Local Authoritys Child Protection Officer. This was in line with the Local Authoritys High Risk Pregnancy Protocol. BB is 18 years old and pregnant with her second child. She lives alone in local authority housing in a small village. Her oldest child, CA, was at the time of the referral 9 months old. BBs partner, BA, who is aged 21, is currently in prison serving a two year sentence for Assault to Severe Injury. BA is not expected to get released from prison until October 2010. The Midwife was concerned that BB would find it difficult to cope with the new baby as well as her daughter and described BB as appearing to lack capacity in her understanding of responsibility of CAs health and welfare and the health and well-being of both herself and her unborn baby. The midwife also raised concerns about BBs mental well-being with respect to her partners long term prison sentence and in particular raised concerns that BB was finding it difficult to contemplate the birth of her second child without the support of her partner. The Midwife was satisfied that substance/drug misuse was not an issue with BB. The concept of resilience refers to a dynamic process of overcoming the negative effects of risk exposure, coping successfully with traumatic experiences and avoiding the negative pathways associated with risks. (Rutter, 1985; Luthar et al, 2000). From a developmental perspective, a pathway can become negative when circumstances lead to lower than expected progress or regression. Positive pathways occur as individuals or families overcome adversities. Turning points represent times when a pathway alters direction, such as when professional intervention enables a family or individual to start on or return to a positive pathway. (Hill et al 2007). Gilligan (2004) also suggests that three elements are seen as essential to understanding resilience which arises from a process and results in positive adaption in the face of adversity. Further to this, Fergus and Zimmerman (2005) argue that a key requirement of resilience is the presence of both risk and protective factors that either help bring about a positive outcome or reduce and avoid a negative outcome. In order to illuminate how resilience may operate, the key relationships in the lives of children and their families should be explored. The relationships the children and their families have with the wider world as well as their relationships with professionals should also be included in this exploration. (Gilligan, 2004). According to Hill et al (2007) many of the findings concerning resilience among young people as they move into adulthood are relevant to parents. The capacities and supports that assist their resilience also help them manage stresses arising from parental roles. However, much of the work on parent and family support has been based on the concept of coping and the development or building on the strengths of families facing difficulties rather than that of resilience (Pugh et al, 1995; Quinton, 2004). Nevertheless, as Hill et al (2007) point out successful coping equates to resilience (Hill et al, 2007, p.19). In order to identify and bolster strengths, as well as reduce risk Corcoran and Nichols-Casebolt (2004) consider how a risk and resilience ecological framework (Kirby and Fraser, 1997) can fit with social works emphasis on empowerment and the strengths-based perspective. Corcoran and Nichols-Casebolt (2004) put forward the ideas that the strengths perspective underlies the concepts of protective factors and resilience in which people are not only able to survive, but also triumph over difficult life circumstances. The ecological emphasis of the framework expands the focus beyond the individual to a recognition of systemic factors that can create problems as well as ameliorate them. (Corcoran and Nichols-Casebolt, 2004, p.212) In describing elements and principles of strength-based practice, Saleeby (2000) asks us to imagine an equilateral triangle. P at the apex stands for promise and possibility whilst C on the left represents capacities, competencies and character. R on the angle to the right symbolises resources, resilience and reserves. Taking into account the character and tenor of the helping relationship using the work of Carl Rogers (1951) by utilising respect, genuineness, concern, collaboration and empathy as well having useful and appropriate interventions can provide a context for the family and/or individual to confront the difficult and consider the future. Central to the strengths approach is to begin making an assessment of the assets, resources and capacities within the service user and equally within their environment e.g. household composition, extended family, neighbourhood and local amenities as well as access to community resources. (Saleeby, 2000; Corcoran Nichols-Casebolt, 2004). Further to this, professional assessment needs to focus on strengths as well as deficits, on protective as well as risk factors. (Werner Smith, 1992; Gilligan, 2001). What also needs to be understood, in terms of professional assessment is that protective and risk factors have been found to vary according to the type of adversity, type of resilient outcome and life stage. Also risk factors in one context may by protective in another. (Rutter, 1999; Ungar, 2004). Risk assessment should be understood as collecting information on the two key risk elements; these are known as the outcomes (also known as the consequences, harm or damage) and their likelihood (also known as chance or exposure) and to assess a risk both should be taken into consideration. (Carson Bain, 2008; Titterton, 2005). Risk assessment is also described as a systematic collection of information to identify if risks are involved and identifying the likelihood of their future occurrence. It can also be used to predict the escalation of the presenting behaviour as well as the service users motivation for change. (Calder, 2002) When considering outcomes Carson Bain (2008) argue that a risk assessment only requires from a legal, ethical and professional perspective to cover reasonable outcomes. The goal should be to include as much information, and as many considerations as necessary but to keep the decision as simple as possible. Including unreasonable outcomes quickly become counterproductive and thereby show poor practice. Further to this beneficial outcomes should also be taken into consideration. Risk assessment should also take into account that risk is being considered, and can be justified because its likely benefits may be more important than the possible harms. Quality risk assessment requires us to think about the amount of harm and/or benefits which might be achieved. When assessing likelihood Carson Bain (2008) suggest that the knowledge source and the quality of knowledge are variable. They advocate the adoption of the cognitive continuum model by Hammond (1978 cited in Carson Bain, 2008). This suggests that we should be able to distinguish six levels of knowledge. The lowest level being intuitive judgement next is peer-aided judgement where two or more people will share knowledge, experience and discuss assumptions and predictions. The third is system-aided judgement e.g. supervisor/manager aided. The final three levels relate to the quality of scientific and empirical research which may or may not be available. However, as Carson Bain point out the value of the cognitive continuum is that it reminds us that When making an assessment of likelihood we ought to use knowledge from the highest level, providing it is relevant knowledge. (Carson Bain, 2008, p.142) Therefore, when conducting an assessment, it is important that the nature of the interactions between the family and environmental factors are examined carefully, including both positive and negative influences and knowledge and meaning attached to them explored and weighed up with the family. What is useful in this respect is the use of grids and visual aids such as resilience/vulnerability matrix (Daniel Wassell, 2002), My World Triangle and genograms. The usefulness of these is enhanced when completed together with the service user. At this point it is useful to mention that there are two basic assessment tools used to assess risk. These are clinical which involves professional judgement, information from research on risk factors and constructs risk management as well as allowing intervention strategies to be tailored to situation. The other is actuarial and is based upon statistical calculations of risk and uses scales to assess parental dangerousness. This method does not allow for children and their families unique cluster of circumstances and also takes no account of child development theory. (Barry, 2007; Davies, 2008). Risk management is discovering and controlling the dimensions of the proposed risk into a plan to manage the risks; it is involved with implementing, monitoring, influencing, controlling and reviewing the risk decision. Risk dimensions are features of risk that could be influenced by the practitioner, for example the available (and the availability of) resources to manage the risk and uncertainty (Carson and Bain, 2008). Gurney (2000) defines risk management as processes devised by organisations to minimise negative outcomes and suggests that risk management moves along a continuum between control, legitimate authority and empowerment. Between the empowering and controlling ends of the continuum lie models of risk minimisation which seek to reduce harms and maximise benefits. (Manthorpe, 2000). However, in order to have good risk management we must be able to make effective use of all the dimensions of the risk assessment. Risk management suggest ways in which a decision may be best implemented. Different levels of resources may be applied. For example, the child who is perceived possibly to be at risk may be visited more frequently. People are an example of a major resource for risk management. The number of people being able to visit to check on a risk decision will be important but will be of little advantage if they are not sufficiently knowledgeable or skilled in identifying problems or opportunities and to make appropriate interventions. However, the availability of resources is money orientated and the availability of risk management resources in one part of the country (or neighbouring local authorities) could lead to a different risk proposal being assessed from that in another local authority that does not have those resources available. (Carson Bain, 2008) Webb (2007) identifies social work as operating within a risk society, that is, a society which views risk as something which should be managed and can be identified and eradicated. Since the beginning of the 21st Century there have been several reports regarding child abuse deaths and, as pointed out by Ferguson (1997), there are Few more disturbing phenomena in advanced modern society than the premature deaths of socially valued children who were known to be at high risk. (Ferguson, 1997, p. 228) Examples of high profile child death inquiry cases include Victoria Climbià © (2003), Caleb Ness (2003) and Baby P (2008). These are all very good examples of how the media and public blamed practitioners. The resultant media coverage of how risk assessment and risk management have failed along with demands for minimising risks and organisational and professional accountability have, over the years, constrained the role of a social worker. With respect to this Houston and Griffiths argue that Approaches to risk assessment and management in child protection have led to an emphasis on prediction, control and culpability. (Houston and Griffiths, 2000, p.1). Furedi (1997) argues that the worship of safety and the avoidance of risk make up the new moral order, an order which is prescriptive, intrusive and deeply anti-humanistic. From this perspective, concern about identifying risk is becoming more dominant than concern about identifying need in assessment and resource allocation in risk management. Avoiding risk is a difficult business which cannot be reduced to simplistic methods and rather than try to calculate the incalculable social workers should develop mutually trusting, respectful relationships with service users. Also this approach to risk assessment and risk management may deny the social worker empowering approaches which respond to need, focus on prevention and which more centrally tackle issues of poverty and social inequality. (Stalker, 2003; Ritchie Woodward, 2009). Further to this Ritchie Woodward (2009) point out that if social workers are preoccupied with high risk situations they are less likely to find the space to work either creatively or therapeutically. Additionally, the Changing Lives Report (2006) suggested that the social work profession had become increasingly risk averse. One of the key areas identified in Changing Lives was the need to develop a new organisational culture and approach to risk management and risk assessment which promoted excellen ce. (Scottish Executive 2006). In order to complete BBs pre-birth assessment I took into account risk factors and strengths which I had to analyse and reflect on. Calder (2002) offers a framework for conducting risk assessment by assessing all areas of identified risk and ensuring that each is considered separately e.g. child, parent and surrounding environment. To counteract the risk factors present family strengths and resources were also assessed, for example good bonding, supportive networks. I undertook research regarding parental resilience and according to Hill et al (2007) a vast array of research shows that parents in poverty or facing other stressors usually cope better when they have one or more close relationships outside the household and these are activated to give practical, emotional or informational support. In the case of BB she had a practical and supportive relationship with her mother as well as the support of her extended family which included her grandmother. BB also had a good relationship with BAs family and his mother in particular was a source of support for BB as she regularly took CA overnight. Whilst completing the assessment I centred my practice on the strengths-based perspective. As Saleeby (2000) explains the work of the strengths-based approach is the work of empowerment as both a process and a goal. As a goal, those who are empowered seek a firmer sense of purpose, self-esteem, the possibility of choice and connections to resources. As a process it is the collaboration between a social worker and a family or individual, working together on a mutual plan that will move them closer to their aspirations. Utilising a strengths-based practice with BB was important as she was finding it difficult to interact with the Community Health Visitor and Midwife. BB felt that she was a bad parent as she was not conforming to the routines the Health Visitor had recommended. BB also described how she felt that the Health Visitor was judging her and finding her wanting as a parent. Taking this conversation into consideration I realised that BB had no sense of self-efficacy, self-esteem or self-concept which Payne (2005) describes as resources that people have in order to cope. However, BBs strengths lay in the care of her daughter. She had a good bond with her daughter and was quick to attend to her needs. BB also had a routine in place with regard to mealtimes, naps and a bedtime routine. CA was also reaching her developmental milestones, had age appropriate toys and had the freedom of the living area. BB had also erected a baby gate to stop CA from gaining access to the kitchen and stairs. After a thorough analysis and supervisory discussions with my practice teacher I recommended that a Post-Birth Multi-Agency Conference not be convened. BB was happy to continue to work voluntarily with the Children and Families Area Team which would allow ongoing assessment and intervention. However, I recommended that a Post-Birth Multi-Agency meeting be arranged to discuss future interventions as I was aware that the birth of the new baby could be a future pressure on BB. I also recommended a further assessment take place when BA returns to the family home in October 2010. These recommendations were accepted by the Child Protection Officer at the Local Authority. In conclusion, Kolbs Reflective Cycle (1984) was useful in the reflection of my practice concerning BB as it allowed me to take into account Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice, particularly Section 4.1 and 4.2. This reflective cycle also helped me look at BBs situation holistically by looking at resilience and risk, strengths-based practice and risk assessment and management. On reflection I felt confident that I had used the resources available to me well, particularly research and knowledge and I could justify my risk decision if harm was to occur and would be able to explain how I came to my risk decision. Overall, I felt that my first practice was very much influenced by the negative issues associated with risk however, I believe that this placement allowed me to put risk, risk assessment and management into perspective and accepting that risk decisions should not be influenced by the blame-culture but from a balanced approach which takes into consideration beneficial outcomes. This will in the future enable me to better support service users. 2,998 words

Critical Analysis of Poes The Tell Tale Heart Essay -- Poe Tell Tale

Critical Analysis of Poe's The Tell Tale Heart The Tell Tale Heart is a story, on the most basic level, of conflict. There is a mental conflict within the narrator himself (assuming the narrator is male). Through obvious clues and statements, Poe alerts the reader to the mental state of the narrator, which is insanity. The insanity is described as an obsession (with the old man's eye), which in turn leads to loss of control and eventually results in violence. Ultimately, the narrator tells his story of killing his housemate. Although the narrator seems to be blatantly insane, and thinks he has freedom from guilt, the feeling of guilt over the murder is too overwhelming to bear. The narrator cannot tolerate it and eventually confesses his supposed 'perfect'; crime. People tend to think that insane persons are beyond the normal realm of reason shared by those who are in their right mind. This is not so; guilt is an emotion shared by all humans. The most demented individuals are not above the feeling of guilt and the havoc it causes to the psyche. Poe's use of setting, character, and language reveal that even an insane person feels guilt. Therein lies the theme to The Tell Tale Heart: The emotion of guilt easily, if not eventually, crashes through the seemingly unbreakable walls of insanity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On the surface, the physical setting of The Tell Tale Heart is typical of the period and exceedingly typical of Poe. The narrator and the old man live in an old, dark house: '(for the shutters were close fastened, through fear of robbers)'; (Poe 778). Most of the story takes place at night: 'And this I did for seven long nights-every night just at midnight?'; (778). The physical aspect is not the most important component of setting for this analysis. More important are the mental and emotional settings. This clearly explains the personality of the narrator. One can assume the narrator is insane. He freely admits to his listener that he is '?-nervous-very, very dreadfully nervous?'; (777). But he then asks, '?but why will you say that I am mad?'; (777). He also admits that, 'The disease had sharpened my senses?'; (777). If not insanity, what disease does he speak of? The reason for his actions was one of the old man's eyes: '?-a pale blue eye, with a film over it'; (777). This is easily recognizable to the reader as an eye with cataract on it. This is nothin... ...ust scream or die! -and now-again! -hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!-? 'Villains!' I shrieked, 'dissemble no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks! -here, here!- it is the beating of his hideous heart!';(780). These final two lines in the story beautifully demonstrate how language was used to show insanity being overturned by guilt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Three elements of literary work that truly sum up the theme of The Tell Tale Heart are setting, character, and language. Through these elements we can easily see how guilt, an emotion, can be more powerful than insanity. Even the most demented criminal has feelings of guilt, if not remorse, for what he has done. This is shown exquisitely in Poe's writing. All three elements were used to their extreme to convey the theme. The balance of the elements is such that some flow into others. It is sometimes hard to distinguish one from another. Poe's usage of these elements shows his mastery not only over the pen, but over the mind as well. Works Cited: Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Tell-Tale Heart." Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 7th ed. New York: Longman, 1999. 33-37.

Estimating Risk and Return

1. â€Å"Why is expected return considered forward-looking? What are the challenges for practitioners to utilize expected return? † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 246). Expected return is â€Å"forward-looking† in the sense that it represents the return investors expect to receive in the future as compensation for the market risk taken. The challenge is that practitioners cannot precisely know what the future holds and thus what the expected return should be. Thus, we create methods to estimate the expected return. 2. Describe how different allocations between the risk-free security and the market portfolio can achieve any level of market risk desired. † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 246). An investor can allocate money between a risk-free security that has zero risk (? =0), and the market portfolio that has market risk (? =1). If 75% of the portfolio is invested in the market, then the portfolio will have a ? =0. 75. If only 25% is invested i n the market, then the portfolio will have a market risk of ? =0. 25. The first example (? =0. 75) might be taken by a less risk averse investor while the second example (? 0. 25) illustrates the portfolio of a more risk averse investor. By allocating the investment money between 0 and 100% into the market portfolio, an investor can achieve any level of market risk desired. 3. â€Å"Compute the expected return given these three economic states, their likelihoods, and the potential returns:† Economic StateProbabilityReturn Fast Growth0. 3040% Slow Growth0. 5010% Recession0. 20? 25% Expected return = 0. 3? 40% + 0. 5? 10% + 0. 2? -25% = 12% 4. â€Å"If the risk-free rate is 6 percent and the risk premium is 5 percent, what is the required return? † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 47). Required return = 6% + 5% = 11% 5. â€Å"The average annual return on the Standard and Poor's 500 Index from 1986 to 1995 was 15. 8 percent. The average annual T-bill yield during the same period was 5. 6 percent. What was the market risk premium during these 10 years? † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 247). Average market risk premium = 15. 8% ? 5. 6% = 10. 2% 6. â€Å"Hastings Entertainment has a beta of 0. 24. If the market return is expected to be 11 percent and the risk-free rate is 4 percent, what is Hastings' required return? † (Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, 2012, p. 247).Use the capital asset pricing model to calculate Hastings' required return. Hastings’ required return = 4% + 0. 24 ? (11% ? 4%) = 5. 68% 7. Calculate the beta of your portfolio, which comprises the following items: (a) Olympic Steel stock, which has a beta of 2. 9 and comprises 25 percent of your portfolio, (b) Rent-a-Center stock, which has a beta of 1. 5 and comprises 35 percent of your portfolio, and (c) Lincoln Electric stock, which has a beta of 0. 2 and comprises 40 percent of your portfolio. (Adapted from Cornett, Adair, and Nofsinger, p. 248. ) 0 . 25? 2. 9 + 0. 35? 1. 5 + 0. 40? 0. 2 = 1. 33

It Strategy

B19 – IT Strategy Syllabus Start January 31, 2013 Ends April 25, 2013 Day and Time: Thursday 12-14 & 14-16 Instructors:Stefan Henningsson (sh. [email  protected] dk) Jonas Hedman (jh. [email  protected] dk) + guests Course Description This course uses the IVK Case Series to examine important issues in IT management through the eyes of Jim Barton, a talented business (i. e. , non-technical) manager who is thrust into the Chief Information Officer (CIO) role at a troubled financial services firm. The course follows Barton through challenges, mistakes, travails, and triumphs.We take this journey with him, commenting on and debating his choices and decisions. During his first year as CIO, Barton confronts issues related to skill and talent management; IT costs, budgets, value, and chargeback systems; priority setting and financial justification of IT investments; project management; runaway projects and underperforming vendors; security risks and crises; Web 2. 0 policies; com munications with other senior executives; vendor management; infrastructure standardization; support for innovation; and risk management. As Barton encounters these issues, we address them too, through associated readings.As we examine and critique both research and conventional management wisdom on these topics, we’ll derive a framework for managing IT as a business leader. Course Book The main text for this course is the book â€Å"Adventures of an IT Leader†, also called IVK after the company in the book. Adventures of an IT Leader Robert D. Austin, Richard L. Nolan, Shannon O’Donnell | Apr 21, 2009 Publisher: Harvard Business School Press (1 Mar 2009) ISBN-10: 142214660X ISBN-13: 978-1422146606 Among other places, the book is available from http://amzn. com/142214660X Obtaining Harvard Business School Publishing MaterialsSome of the readings in this course must be acquired online from Harvard Business School Publishing. You can access the site to download th ese materials here: https://cb. hbsp. harvard. edu/cbmp/access/17620259 At this site you will need to use a credit card to purchase copyrighted materials, which you will then download in PDFs and be able to print as is convenient. Please be sure to use this link, not the main HBSP website, so that you get the discount associated with the course. Course blog The course blog is the official source of information, where updates, session presentations, etc. ill be posted. http://www. itu. dk/courses/EB19/F2013/ Session 1: Introduction to the Case Method and the Course (Thursday, January 31, 12:00 to 12:00, ScrollBar) Reading (please read before class): â€Å"A Note on Case Learning,† HBS 899-105 (download/purchase from HBSP website) IVK 1 – The New CIO â€Å"Understanding Financial Statements† HBS 5238BC (download/purchase from HBSP website) Assignment Questions (think about and discuss with others before class): Consider the exhibits at the end of IVK-1; what do th ey tell you about the IVK Corporation’s business situation? Why has this company replaced its CEO?If you were Jim Barton, would you accept the CIO job offered by the new CEO? If he accepts, what should be his plan of action? What should he do first? Second? What would be your best single piece of advice to Barton if he decides to take the job? What should he watch out for? Where should he be careful? Session 2: Challenges Facing the New CIO (Thursday, February 7, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) *** IBM Guest Presentation *** Reading: IVK 2 – CIO Challenges IVK 3 – CIO Leadership IVK 4 – The Cost of IT Assignment Questions: How do you interpret the kid’s advice to Barton: â€Å"You need to know what you don’t know? †Davies predicts that Barton will be gone in a year; why does he say this? Do Maggie’s notes (exhibit at end of IVK-2) shed any light on Davies’ assertion? What should be Barton’s plan for reaching out to oth er CIOs and industry experts to gain expertise quickly about running an IT department? Whom should he talk to first? Do you agree with Ruben that IT is a â€Å"unique† business function, that it is different from other departments in the organization? What did Barton learn from his trip to the bookstore and subsequent night of studying? Session 3: The Value of IT (Thursday, February 14, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar)Reading: IVK 5 – The Value of IT â€Å"Zara: IT for Fast Fashion† HBS 604-081 (download/purchase from HBSP website) â€Å"IT Doesn’t Matter† HBS 0306B (download/purchase from HBSP website) â€Å"Dog Eat Dog† http://online. wsj. com/public/article_print/SB117735476945179344. html â€Å"The IT Productivity Gap† http://ebusiness. mit. edu/erik/Optimize/pr_roi. html â€Å"Zara: IT for Fast Fashion† Assignment Questions: How would you advise Salgado to proceed on the issue of upgrading the POS terminals? Should he upgrade to a modern operating system? Should the POS applications be rewritten to include any additional functionality?If so, what functionality? What benefits does Inditex/Zara get from its IT infrastructure? How difficult would it be for a competitor to acquire these same benefits? IVK Assignment Questions: What is the â€Å"right† amount for a company to invest in IT? How should Jim Barton respond to the CEO when he asks: â€Å"What is the ‘right’ amount for IVK to spend on IT? ’ What is the purpose of a â€Å"chargeback† system for returning IT costs to business units? Why implement such a system? As we learn in IVK-4, at IVK business units control all of the IT budget; what do you think of this arrangement?Should Barton try to â€Å"pull back† some of the budget that is allocated to business units, to create his own discretionary budget? How does IT create or enable the creation of value within a company? How should we value IT capabilities requi red to keep us in business, but that do not differentiate us from competitors (so-called â€Å"qualifiers† in the discussion in IVK-5)? Session 4: Managing Projects (Thursday, February 21, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading: IVK 6 – Project Management IVK 7 – The Runaway Project â€Å"Cisco Systems, Inc. : Implementing ERP† HBS 699-022 (download/purchase from HBSP website) Managing Project Uncertainty: From Variation to Chaos† by Arnoud De Meyer, Christoph H. Loch, and Michael T. Pich, MIT Sloan Management Review 42, 2, (Winter 2002); CBS Library Database: http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=bth&AN=5982685& amp;site=ehost-live&scope=site Cisco Systems Assignment Questions: Cisco was highly successful with its enterprise resource planning (ERP) effort. What accounts for this success? What were the most important things that Cisco did correctly? Did Cisco do anything wrong on this project? If so, what? Was Cisco smart or lucky wi th its ERP implementation?IVK Assignment Questions: Which side would you take in the debate between Henderson and Calder? What do you think of the approach that Davies seems to have used (judging from documents found by Barton) to managing uncertainty in projects? What should Barton do to get the IR initiative back on track? Should he fire NetiFects? How do you manage project problems you cannot anticipate? Session 5: Prioritization, Governance (Thursday, February 28, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading: IVK 8 – IT Priorities IVK 9 – Governance â€Å"Volkswagen of America: Managing IT Priorities† HBS 605-003 (download/purchase from HBSP website)Volkswagen of America Assignment Questions: What is your assessment of the new process for managing priorities at Volkswagen? Are the criticisms justified? Is it an improvement over the old process? Who controls the budgets from which IT projects are funded at Volkswagen of America? Who should control these budgets? How sh ould Matulovic respond to his fellow executives who are calling to ask him for special treatment outside the new priority management system? IVK Assignment Questions: Should Barton try to take control of the entire IT budget? Should he ask for a percentage of the overall budget to be placed under his control?Or should he try to fix the committee structure put in place by Davies? What should Barton do about â€Å"managing Beckworth? † Managing Williams? Session 6: Crisis and Damage control (Thursday, March 7, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) IVK 10 – Crisis IVK 11 – Damage http://www. nytimes. com/2011/01/16/world/middleeast/16stuxnet. html Symantec Internet Security Threat Report: Executive Summary April 2010 http://eval. symantec. com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_exec_summary_internet_security_threat_report_xv_04-2010. en-us. pdf Viruses and threats Questions: What type of malware is the Stuxnet, and how did it work?How did the Hydraq Trojan operate? Could it be a potential threat to IVK? IVK Assignment Questions: What is your assessment of how IVK handled the crisis during the event itself? Did they do a good job of crisis management? How would you recommend that Barton handle the analyst meeting? If you were on the team coming up with the strategy for the meeting, what guidelines would you suggest to Barton? Session 7: Communication (Thursday, March 14, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) *** Danske Bank Guest Presentation *** Reading: IVK 12 – Communication â€Å"The Lessons of ValuJet 592,† by William Langewiesch (March 1998) The Atlantic. ttp://www. theatlantic. com/issues/98mar/valujet1. htm â€Å"Ready to Acquire: IT resources for a growth-by-acquisition strategy†. To be distributed. IVK Assignment Questions: Which option for securing IVK in the aftermath of the attack would you choose? Would you recommend shutting the company down? If so, when? Do you agree with the CEO’s decision about what to disclo se about this possible hacker attack? How should Barton handle the CEO’s new tendency to offer him helpful but misinformed advice? How should Barton communicate with people outside the IT department to rebuild his and his department’s credibility?How frequently should he communicate with the CEO? With his peers? Should he rely on â€Å"The Doctrine of Completed Staff Work† as he formulates a communication strategy? Session 8: Emerging technologies and Sustainable IT (Thursday, March 21, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading: IVK 13 – Emerging Technology â€Å"Three strategies for Green IT† by Hedman & Henningsson http://www. computer. org/portal/web/csdl/doi/10. 1109/MITP. 2010. 141 (see also course blog) â€Å"Organizational self-renewal: The role of IS in developing organizational eco-effectiveness† by Hedman, Henningsson & Selander. 2012. To be distributed in class. Green IT TBDIVK Assignment Questions: How would you respond to Bernie Rubenà ¢â‚¬â„¢s three questions concerning possible action on the blog issue? What technology can IVK use to improve business? March 28: Easter Break Session 9: Outsourcing, Infrastructure, and Vendor Partners (Thursday, April 4, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading: IVK 14 – Vendor Partnering IVK 16 – Standardization and Innovation IVK Assignment Questions: Which vendor should IVK choose for the IR project? Which approach to an SLA? Service delivery model? How much technical expertise does a company like IVK need to keep in house if it plans to outsource much of it’s IT work?How can it retain expertise when most of the interesting work is being done by vendors? What information should a company like IVK ask for in a â€Å"Request for Proposal† (RFP) document? What questions should they ask a vendor to answer? Should the IR project implementation be â€Å"fixed price† or another sort of contract? Which approach should IVK take to infrastructure standardizat ion? Are IT standardization and innovation (or flexibility) in conflict in an organization like IVK? How do you interpret the kid’s story about the great man who went missing? Session 10: Managing Talent (Thursday, April 11, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading:IVK 15 – Managing Talent â€Å"Bridging the Gap Between Stewards and Creators† (download/purchase from HBSP website) Online Streaming Video: â€Å"Panel Discussion: The Organizational Dilemma of Stewards and Creators† http://www. uwtv. org/programs/displayevent. aspx? rid=4858 Assignment Questions: What should Carter and Barton do about the Ivan Korsky situation? Should Barton seek a technological way of monitoring what his employees are doing? Why or why not? Should IVK have a management system for identifying its top value people assets? If so, how might such a system work? How would it interact with training and skills development?Should Barton reorganize the IT function so that the best talent is in a central â€Å"shared services† organization available to the entire organization (rather than just a particular business unit)? What are the pluses and minuses of such an arrangement? What might Barton be able to learn from the way jazz ensembles work about how to manage top notch IT talent? Session 11: IT Risk Management (Thursday, April 18, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) IVK 17 – Risk IVK 18 – Looking Forward â€Å"The Evolution of Security† http://www. acmqueue. org/modules. php? name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=478 â€Å"CareGroup† HBS 303-097 (download/purchase from HBSP website) The Myth of Secure Computing† HBS 0306J (download/purchase from HBSP website) IVK Assignment Questions: What do you think of CEO Williams’s explanation of his actions in the aftermath of the crisis described in IVK-10? How should a company like IVK approach its cost and risk tradeoffs? CareGroup Assignment Questions: What caused the network outage at CareGr oup? Consider the lessons learned that Halamka enumerates at the end of this case—are these the right lessons? Has he missed any? Session 12: Mini-project presentations (Thursday, April 25, 12:00 to 14:00, ScrollBar) ***Mini-project presentations ***

Napleon and Wellington essays

Napleon and Wellington essays Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur, Duke of Wellington The careers of Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wellesley, 1st duke of Wellington, contrasted in many different ways. The manner in which both rose to glory was quite dissimilar. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica on August 15, 1769 and was thought to be the most formidable military commander since Alexander the great. He was a bright, charismatic child of noble background. As a boy, he was described as good willed and generous. At nine, through his fathers influence, Napoleon went off to military school in Paris at the expense of King Louis XVI. It was here that it was discovered that he had and amazing brain capacity and was considered a genius, yet nobody could imagine his success and all of the dead bodies he left in his wake for the sake of peace. Wellesley, on the other hand, was born on May 1, 1769, in Dublin and was also of noble background. As an adult, Wellesley would rise to rule the British empire, but as a schoolboy his future looked grim and lacked the genius that Napoleon possessed. His situation became so desperate that he was sent to military school, where his metamorphosis was astonishing. He found that he enjoyed the army and needed it to establish a career in life. He was given the title 1st Duke of Wellington due to his military successes. In school, Napoleon was always the leader and could always win at games due to his strategies and his impeccability at outwitting the other team. He was attracted to the military for a number of reasons and he had secret weapons such as his extraordinary intelligence. The military schools of Napoleon and Wellesley never engaged in competition so they never met. Napoleon graduated military school in 1785, at the age of 16, and joined the artillery as a second lieutenant. He studied firepower and trained in the artillery, which would help Napoleon become a genius in this field. Meanwhile, in 1787,...

Corporate Management Accounting Systems Are Inadequate For Todays Environment Accounting Essay Essay Example

Corporate Management Accounting Systems Are Inadequate For Todays Environment Accounting Essay Essay Example Corporate Management Accounting Systems Are Inadequate For Todays Environment Accounting Essay Essay Corporate Management Accounting Systems Are Inadequate For Todays Environment Accounting Essay Essay Corporations are now-a-days implementing distinguishable accounting system to keep its informations that helps organisation in specifying their immense informations in an effectual and efficient mode. In the big organisations accounting director can notavoid effectual accounting system beacuse it helps their corporation to do rational determinations, and can hold convenient entree. The ground that accounting systems are ineffective for today s environment because of the complexness of the immense information that is exemplifying each item. Corporation needs such direction accounting system that will carry through the demands of corporation with regard to the current environment. In fabricating industries natural stuff is purchased and transport in many of the parts. The continous transmutation rise this job because many of the states confronting job related to the external environemnt such as political, economical, technological, socialogical, and legal. In order to cover with this c omplex state of affairs the corporations must follow such acconting system that fulfill the demands of the organisation, and have easy entree of the system, which incur low cost. The large corporations are dependend on a alone extremely specialised which makes large difference for these organisations. Corporate direction accounting systems are unsubstantial for the current environment. In this epoch of progress or fast technological alteration, riotously planetary and domestic competition, and monstrous expension of information ongoing proficiency, direction accounting system is non accomodating appropraite information on order to put to death the control, merchandise costing and achievement appraisal undertakings of directors. The direction accounting system play an of import function it has the simple map in doing fiscal budget of each section and implement it in an efficient mode. These direction accounting systems are extremely expensive that is why corporation demand such system that incur low cost and carry through their demands. Most of the accoutning system charge on the monthly footing and corporation have limited entree in term of figure of uses.The corporation has to give preparation, initaiy the job will accour for few months, and corporation besides has to do certain that their employees will be feeling secure with this engineering. In order to manage this accounting system the corporations need specialized worker or single holding high potency in utilizing and managing the accounting package this is the ground organisation has to pass a batch on these direction accounting system. Now-a-day the cyber war is traveling on among different rivals the consequence is taking topographic point as hacking of the corporation informations, and the power failure occur in most of the states. The corporation should do certain that the consequence will be accurate and timely. Few jobs can be occur like unappropraite package or hardware which is non suporting the direction accounting system. The cardinal function of the direction accounting system is to do it simplier or quicker that can easy implemented in the organizaion to do its concern scheme. After implementing the easing acounting system the corporation has to pass on these tactics throughtout the corporation. The corporation is non holding appropraite control over the accounting system because they need specialised worker. It is really true that corporate direction accounting systems are unequal for today s environment. As we know this is the clip of rapid technological alteration, globalisation, active planetary and domestic competition, and really much spread outing information processing capablenesss, direction accounting systems are unable to supply timely information for procedure control, merchandise costing and public presentation assessment activities of directors. Accounting is non a coating in itself, other than a agency of accomplishing concern triumph. The function of accounting information inside an organisation foremost and first is to do easy development and execution of concern ploy. Under this vision, concern direction is a changeless procedure of a ) formulating schemes b ) Communicating these schemes all the manner through the organisation degree Celsius ) Budding and traveling out tactics to set into pattern the schemes and vitamin D ) increasing and implementing controls to look into the success of scheme in footings of accomplishing planned aims of the organisation. Accounting has a function to play in each one and every measure in the direction process described above. Internal Accounting system s focal point is narrowly on bring forthing monthly gaining narrative. And in malice of the extended resources giving to computing machine in monthly footing grosss composing, the development does non estimate the existent rise or drop off in economical value that has occurred during the period. Management accounting studies are of small helping in operation directors as they attempt to decrease cost and acquire better productiveness. Regularly, the studies cut down productiveness for the ground that they requires runing directors to waste clip trying to grok and explicate reported discrepancies so as to hold small to make with pecuniary and proficient world of their operations. By non given that seasonably and supplying information systematically and doing it effectual or by concentrating on part such as direct labor that are relatively undistinguished in today s production state of affairs, the direction accounting system non merely be up to snuff by giving appropraite informations to caput of the section but largely it disconcert its concentration from factors that are serious for doing productive alterations efficaciously. Management accounting system besides deteriorate to do available the accurate merchandise costs. Costss are dispersed to merchandises by naif and subj ective step, often direct labour based, that do non stand for the demand made by every industry on the house s supply, even if simplistic merchandise costing method are sufficient for fiscal coverage demands. The methods defer values for stock list and or cost of goods sold with the purpose of fulfilling external coverage and scrutinizing necessities. The methods analytically prejudice and falsify costs of single merchandises. The usual fiction costs systems consist for many of the organisation s normally show the manner to immense cross subsidies across merchandises. When such distorted information correspond to the lone available informations merchandise costs the danger exist for incorrect rapprochement of merchandise monetary value, and its merchandise beginning, merchandise mix, and reaction to rival merchandises. Tonss of houses give the feeling to be falling victim to the danger. As a concluding point directors seek understanding to the short-term circle on the monthly footing net income and loss statement. Management accounting system takes attention of many hard currency disbursement for as disbursals of the clip in which they are completed even though these spendings will profit prospect periods.

Autonomous Caregiver Following Robotic Wheelchair

Therefore we have to see non merely independent maps and user interfaces but besides how to cut down caregivers’ burden and back up their activities in a communicating facet. From this point of position, we have proposed a robotic wheelchair traveling with a caregiver side by side based on the MATLAB procedure. In this undertaking we discoursing about robotic wheel chair to follow a health professional by utilizing a microcontroller, Ultrasonic detector, computer keyboard, Motor drivers to run automaton. Using camera interfaced with the DM6437 ( Davinci Code Processor ) image is captured. The captured image are so processed by utilizing image processing technique, the processed image are so converted into electromotive force degrees through MAX 232 degree convertor and given it to the microcontroller unit serially and supersonic detector to observe the obstruction in forepart of automaton. In this automaton we have mode choice switch Automatic and Manual control of automaton, we use supersonic detector in automatic manner to happen obstruction, in Manual manner to utilize the computer keyboard to run wheel chair. In the microcontroller unit, hundred linguistic communication cryptography is predefined, harmonizing to this coding the automaton which connected to it was controlled. Robot which has several motors is activated by utilizing the motor drivers. Motor drivers are nil but a switch which ON/OFF the motor harmonizing to the control given by the microcontroller unit. Keywords:Code Composer studio,Robotic Wheelchair. Introduction Harmonizing to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , between the 7 and 10 % of the population worldwide suffer from some physical disablement. This nose count indicates that the most common disablement is motor, followed by sightlessness, hearing loss, rational, and linguistic communication. Many people who suffer from chronic mobility damages, such as spinal cord hurts or multiple induration, utilize a powered wheelchair to travel around their environment. However, factors such as weariness, devolution of their status, and centripetal damages, frequently limit their ability to utilize standard electric wheelchairs. This undertaking aims at developing—in coaction with applied scientists and rehabilitation clinicians—a paradigm of a multi-functional intelligent wheelchair to help persons with mobility damages in their day-to-day motive power, while minimising physical and cognitive tonss. In Existing system the control is utilizing computer keyboard or person has to assist in traveling the wheel chair and here we introduce a new technique in this we can track the caregiver’s organic structure orientation by sing its form so that the wheelchair can do a bend when the health professional is traveling to alter his/her traveling way. Based on these observations of the health professional, our wheelchair can travel with the health professional side by side. img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.001.png". Fig1. System Overview The coveted codification can be fed into DM6437 via CCS and consequence can be viewed in matlab. In the following subdivision, the execution of tracking algorithms will be presented. Section III proposes the algorithm with Davinci codification processor and robotic system. Decision is given in subdivision IV. Peoples DETECTION AND TRACKING Initially connect web camera to the processor. From the picture 2 back-to-back snapshot will be taken with 2sec hold. Both the images will be converted from RGB to grey. The obtained images will hold noise. In order to take the noise Weiner filter is used. Then the filtered grey image will be converted in to grey Binary Image in which ROI is separated. From the binary image Region belongingss will be extracted. In this undertaking major axis length and orientation are extracted. These belongingss will be compared for both the images. Based on the conditions, the bids will be sent to the robotic wheelchair through consecutive port. The stairss followed in algorithm is, First we take two images automatically one by one with some hold. Convert both colour images to grey images by utilizing rgb2gray bid. Use wiener2 filter for taking gesture fuzz in both images because object is in traveling place so camera generate blurred image. Convert that wiener filtered images to binary images. Apply regionprops technique to binary images for ciphering majoraxislength, orientation ( angle ) . Here we are utilizing both instances such as majoraxislength for ciphering length of image and orientation for angle of image. After acquiring place of object that will be automatically sended to embedded kit ( wheel chair ) through consecutive port utilizing consecutive bid. img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.002.png"/ Fig2. Detecting Region of Interest ALGORITHM WITH DM6437 AND ROBOTIC SYSTEM Therefore the generated matlab plan has been fed into the davinci codification processor. This is done by change overing matlab codification in to c codification. The generated degree Celsius codification will be injected in to the processor utilizing Code Composer Studio. img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.003.png"/ Fig3. DVM6437 with supplied electromotive force and USB connexion img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.004.png"/ Fig 4. MATLAB coding img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.005.jpg"/ Fig5. Connecting with CCS A Robotic constellation. The paradigm system can be implemented utilizing the TMS320DM6437 EVM board, the Robot, and a picture camera. The EVM board includes a DM6437 DSP with a UART consecutive port, composite picture inputs and end products, and many other peripherals. img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.006.png"/ Fig6. Robotic Circuit The EVM board can be mounted above the robotic system. A gripper can be built, to attach the picture camera to the system, and avoid camera quivers, that can be caused by the automaton ‘s motion. Maestro system. The maestro system includes the robotic faculty. Thus the TI DSP processor can be interfaced to robotic faculty by agencies of UART. The robotic system can be configured with 89C51, DC brushless motors ( 45 revolutions per minute ) , detectors for the obstructions sensing and UART for the external. This microcontroller enforce greater versatility with the option for Embedded Web waiter application, so that system can be monitored from the distant location. Therefore configuring the system utilizing UART would intend that the DSP would move as slave and it would the feed the boot information to the maestro device ( 89C51 ) , when they need information. Thus the maestro would have the picture information, sing which object demand to be tracked from the slave ( DSP ) and there by the coveted one would be tracked. Thus the presented algorithm would roll up the belongingss of the coveted object, which would voyage the slave for tracking. Based on the place of the Object ( Caregiver ) , the bids will be sent to microcontroller through the consecutive port. Depending on the standard bids, the action will be taken topographic point. The bids and it’s control action for automaton, is given in tabular array. TABLE1: DECISION MAKING TABLE BY ROBOT S.No Command Robot motion 1 4 Left 2 6 Right 3 8 Forward 4 5 Stop The relationship between the maestro and break one’s back device is depicted as province flow chart in the figure7 img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.007.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.008.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.009.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.008.png" img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.010.png" img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.008.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.011.png" img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.008.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.012.png"/ Fig7. Flow of mechanism between district attorney vinci and robotic system img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.020.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.019.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.018.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.017.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.016.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.015.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.014.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.013.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.021.png"/ Fig8. Robotic Wheelchair Prototype Decision In this paper, a new algorithm is presented, to do the wheelchair to follow health professional. The algorithm is verified for a set of picture. It reduces the physical work and caregiver’s burden. The proposed architecture has to be implemented. Mentions [ 1 ] Veenman, C. Reinders, M. , and Backer, E. 2001. Deciding gesture correspondence for dumbly traveling points, IEEE Trans. Patt. Analy. Mach. Intell. 23, 1, 54–72. Serby, D. , koller clemency, S. , AND Gool L. V. 2004. Probabilistic object tracking utilizing multiple characteristics. In IEEE International Conference of Pattern Recognition ( ICPR ) . 184–187. Comaniciu, D. , Ramesh, V. , Andmeer, P. 2003. Kernel-based object trailing. IEEE Trans. Patt. Analy. Mach Intell. 25, 564–575. Yilmaz, A. , LI, X. , AND Shah, M. 2004. Contour based object tracking with occlusion managing in picture acquired utilizing nomadic cameras. IEEE Trans. Patt. Analy. Mach. Intell. 26, 11, 1531–1536. Pashcog, G. 2001. Perceptually unvarying colour infinites for colour texture analysis: an empirical rating. IEEE Trans. Image Process. 10, 932–937. Canny, J. 1986. A computational attack to inch sensing. IEEE Trans. Patt. Analy. Mach. Intell. 8, 6, 679–698. HORN, B. AND SCHUNK, B. 1981. Determining optical flow. Artific. Intell. 17, 185–203. Kanade, T. , collins, R. , Lipton, A. , Burt, P. , AND Wilson, L. 1998. Progresss in concerted multi-sensor picture surveillance. Darpa IU Workshop. 3–24. Wren, A. Azarbayejani, T. Darrell, and A. Pentland, â€Å"Pfinder: Real-time trailing of the human organic structure, † IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, vol. 19, pp. 780-785, 1997. A. Monnet, A. Mittal, N. Paragios, and V. Ramesh, â€Å"Background mold and minus of dynamic scenes, † Oct. 2003, pp. 1305-1312 vol.2. [ 11 ] M. Irani and P. Anandan, â€Å"Video indexing based on Mosaic representations, † Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 86, no. 5, pp. 905-921, May 1998. [ 12 ] X. Gao, T. Boult, F. Coetzee, and V. Ramesh, â€Å"Error analysis of background adaptation, † vol. 1, 2000, pp. 503-510 vol-1 P.1 Autonomous Caregiver Following Robotic Wheelchair Therefore we have to see non merely independent maps and user interfaces but besides how to cut down caregivers’ burden and back up their activities in a communicating facet. From this point of position, we have proposed a robotic wheelchair traveling with a caregiver side by side based on the MATLAB procedure. In this undertaking we discoursing about robotic wheel chair to follow a health professional by utilizing a microcontroller, Ultrasonic detector, computer keyboard, Motor drivers to run automaton. Using camera interfaced with the DM6437 ( Davinci Code Processor ) image is captured. The captured image are so processed by utilizing image processing technique, the processed image are so converted into electromotive force degrees through MAX 232 degree convertor and given it to the microcontroller unit serially and supersonic detector to observe the obstruction in forepart of automaton. In this automaton we have mode choice switch Automatic and Manual control of automaton, we use supersonic detector in automatic manner to happen obstruction, in Manual manner to utilize the computer keyboard to run wheel chair. In the microcontroller unit, hundred linguistic communication cryptography is predefined, harmonizing to this coding the automaton which connected to it was controlled. Robot which has several motors is activated by utilizing the motor drivers. Motor drivers are nil but a switch which ON/OFF the motor harmonizing to the control given by the microcontroller unit. Keywords:Code Composer studio,Robotic Wheelchair. Introduction Harmonizing to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , between the 7 and 10 % of the population worldwide suffer from some physical disablement. This nose count indicates that the most common disablement is motor, followed by sightlessness, hearing loss, rational, and linguistic communication. Many people who suffer from chronic mobility damages, such as spinal cord hurts or multiple induration, utilize a powered wheelchair to travel around their environment. However, factors such as weariness, devolution of their status, and centripetal damages, frequently limit their ability to utilize standard electric wheelchairs. This undertaking aims at developing—in coaction with applied scientists and rehabilitation clinicians—a paradigm of a multi-functional intelligent wheelchair to help persons with mobility damages in their day-to-day motive power, while minimising physical and cognitive tonss. In Existing system the control is utilizing computer keyboard or person has to assist in traveling the wheel chair and here we introduce a new technique in this we can track the caregiver’s organic structure orientation by sing its form so that the wheelchair can do a bend when the health professional is traveling to alter his/her traveling way. Based on these observations of the health professional, our wheelchair can travel with the health professional side by side. img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.001.png". Fig1. System Overview The coveted codification can be fed into DM6437 via CCS and consequence can be viewed in matlab. In the following subdivision, the execution of tracking algorithms will be presented. Section III proposes the algorithm with Davinci codification processor and robotic system. Decision is given in subdivision IV. Peoples DETECTION AND TRACKING Initially connect web camera to the processor. From the picture 2 back-to-back snapshot will be taken with 2sec hold. Both the images will be converted from RGB to grey. The obtained images will hold noise. In order to take the noise Weiner filter is used. Then the filtered grey image will be converted in to grey Binary Image in which ROI is separated. From the binary image Region belongingss will be extracted. In this undertaking major axis length and orientation are extracted. These belongingss will be compared for both the images. Based on the conditions, the bids will be sent to the robotic wheelchair through consecutive port. The stairss followed in algorithm is, First we take two images automatically one by one with some hold. Convert both colour images to grey images by utilizing rgb2gray bid. Use wiener2 filter for taking gesture fuzz in both images because object is in traveling place so camera generate blurred image. Convert that wiener filtered images to binary images. Apply regionprops technique to binary images for ciphering majoraxislength, orientation ( angle ) . Here we are utilizing both instances such as majoraxislength for ciphering length of image and orientation for angle of image. After acquiring place of object that will be automatically sended to embedded kit ( wheel chair ) through consecutive port utilizing consecutive bid. img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.002.png"/ Fig2. Detecting Region of Interest ALGORITHM WITH DM6437 AND ROBOTIC SYSTEM Therefore the generated matlab plan has been fed into the davinci codification processor. This is done by change overing matlab codification in to c codification. The generated degree Celsius codification will be injected in to the processor utilizing Code Composer Studio. img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.003.png"/ Fig3. DVM6437 with supplied electromotive force and USB connexion img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.004.png"/ Fig 4. MATLAB coding img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.005.jpg"/ Fig5. Connecting with CCS A Robotic constellation. The paradigm system can be implemented utilizing the TMS320DM6437 EVM board, the Robot, and a picture camera. The EVM board includes a DM6437 DSP with a UART consecutive port, composite picture inputs and end products, and many other peripherals. img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.006.png"/ Fig6. Robotic Circuit The EVM board can be mounted above the robotic system. A gripper can be built, to attach the picture camera to the system, and avoid camera quivers, that can be caused by the automaton ‘s motion. Maestro system. The maestro system includes the robotic faculty. Thus the TI DSP processor can be interfaced to robotic faculty by agencies of UART. The robotic system can be configured with 89C51, DC brushless motors ( 45 revolutions per minute ) , detectors for the obstructions sensing and UART for the external. This microcontroller enforce greater versatility with the option for Embedded Web waiter application, so that system can be monitored from the distant location. Therefore configuring the system utilizing UART would intend that the DSP would move as slave and it would the feed the boot information to the maestro device ( 89C51 ) , when they need information. Thus the maestro would have the picture information, sing which object demand to be tracked from the slave ( DSP ) and there by the coveted one would be tracked. Thus the presented algorithm would roll up the belongingss of the coveted object, which would voyage the slave for tracking. Based on the place of the Object ( Caregiver ) , the bids will be sent to microcontroller through the consecutive port. Depending on the standard bids, the action will be taken topographic point. The bids and it’s control action for automaton, is given in tabular array. TABLE1: DECISION MAKING TABLE BY ROBOT S.No Command Robot motion 1 4 Left 2 6 Right 3 8 Forward 4 5 Stop The relationship between the maestro and break one’s back device is depicted as province flow chart in the figure7 img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.007.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.008.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.009.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.008.png" img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.010.png" img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.008.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.011.png" img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.008.png"/ img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.012.png"/ Fig7. Flow of mechanism between district attorney vinci and robotic system img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.020.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.019.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.018.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.017.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.016.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.015.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.014.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.013.png"img alt="" src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aaimagestore/essays/1209138.021.png"/ Fig8. Robotic Wheelchair Prototype Decision In this paper, a new algorithm is presented, to do the wheelchair to follow health professional. The algorithm is verified for a set of picture. It reduces the physical work and caregiver’s burden. The proposed architecture has to be implemented. Mentions [ 1 ] Veenman, C. Reinders, M. , and Backer, E. 2001. Deciding gesture correspondence for dumbly traveling points, IEEE Trans. Patt. Analy. Mach. Intell. 23, 1, 54–72. Serby, D. , koller clemency, S. , AND Gool L. V. 2004. Probabilistic object tracking utilizing multiple characteristics. In IEEE International Conference of Pattern Recognition ( ICPR ) . 184–187. Comaniciu, D. , Ramesh, V. , Andmeer, P. 2003. Kernel-based object trailing. IEEE Trans. Patt. Analy. Mach Intell. 25, 564–575. Yilmaz, A. , LI, X. , AND Shah, M. 2004. Contour based object tracking with occlusion managing in picture acquired utilizing nomadic cameras. IEEE Trans. Patt. Analy. Mach. Intell. 26, 11, 1531–1536. Pashcog, G. 2001. Perceptually unvarying colour infinites for colour texture analysis: an empirical rating. IEEE Trans. Image Process. 10, 932–937. Canny, J. 1986. A computational attack to inch sensing. IEEE Trans. Patt. Analy. Mach. Intell. 8, 6, 679–698. HORN, B. AND SCHUNK, B. 1981. Determining optical flow. Artific. Intell. 17, 185–203. Kanade, T. , collins, R. , Lipton, A. , Burt, P. , AND Wilson, L. 1998. Progresss in concerted multi-sensor picture surveillance. Darpa IU Workshop. 3–24. Wren, A. Azarbayejani, T. Darrell, and A. Pentland, â€Å"Pfinder: Real-time trailing of the human organic structure, † IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, vol. 19, pp. 780-785, 1997. A. Monnet, A. Mittal, N. Paragios, and V. Ramesh, â€Å"Background mold and minus of dynamic scenes, † Oct. 2003, pp. 1305-1312 vol.2. [ 11 ] M. Irani and P. Anandan, â€Å"Video indexing based on Mosaic representations, † Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 86, no. 5, pp. 905-921, May 1998. [ 12 ] X. Gao, T. Boult, F. Coetzee, and V. Ramesh, â€Å"Error analysis of background adaptation, † vol. 1, 2000, pp. 503-510 vol-1 P.1

God, the Great Chasm, and the Building of Bridges Assignment

God, the Great Chasm, and the Building of Bridges - Assignment Example Mentioning that the Muslims are serving a violent God because of their vicious approach towards other religions which is said to be a result of the violent nature of their God, the open letter counters that their God is also known as the Merciful, Just, Seeing, Loving and Gentle. This statement implies that the Pope should look at the Muslim God in the entirety of His character and not concentrate on just one aspect. Volf thinks that the open letter expressed a revolutionary idea when it mentioned loving God and loving your neighbors because Muslims were commonly viewed as hostile. In trying to identify with the Christian doctrine of loving God and loving one’s neighbor, the authors of the open letter who are Muslims, are saying that instead of finding the differences between the two religions, they should strengthen their similarities to bond themselves instead. In Pope Benedict’s subsequent comment about Islam, he backpedaled a bit from the position he took at Resensburg when he claimed that Christiand and Muslims alike are serving the same God. However, he also made clear his statements by reiterating the importance of loving God and loving one’s neighbor instead of resorting to

Function of Government in UAE Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Function of Government in UAE Economy - Essay Example Since then, UAE has witnessed great transformation into a modern state economy with high quality of life for its citizens (Mankiw, 2011, p. 651). There are no doubts in the fact that much of the credit for the same goes to the government and the policymakers who undertook such policy actions and steps to facilitate growth, employment, trade and investment (Ghareeb & Abed, 2010, p. 36). Almost 8 percent of the proven oil reserves of the world are under the control of UAE making it the sixth largest oil rich country in the world (Sayan, 2009, p. 135). They used the wealth earned from oil exports to build a more diversified and sustainable economic structure for their citizens and spent excessively on their development of country’s human resource. This is one of the reasons that when political insurgency and waves of revolution were spreading all over the Middle Eastern region and Arab World, UAE remained relatively very stable (Rostin, 2011, p. 55). This paper is an attempt to e xplore the various economic policies that the UAE government has employed in the past, present, near future in order to create employment, boost GDP, investment, and growth, tackle inflation, and manage international trade. Discussion According to the figures from the year 2010, the population of UAE was just over 8.2 million people and only 15-20 percent of these people were UAE nationals of Emiratis and the rest being foreigners from different parts of the world. In fact, the country has the highest net migration rate in the world of over 23. Furthermore, it is expected by the end of the year 2020, Emiratis will only make up 10 percent of the total population of UAE (Rostin, 2011, p. 55). This decreasing proportion of locals and natives in the country has forced the policymakers to create an Emiratisation program the focus on which remains to employ UAE nationals in an efficient and meaningful manner in private and public sector (Devlin, 2010, p. 25). This is important because alt hough the presence of talented and skilful emigrants is boosting the GDP of the country and the foreign direct investment in increasing employment opportunities but the wealth generated by these people usually go to their home countries in form of remittances and very little of the same is spent within the country (Campbell, 2005, p. 36). Furthermore, the nationals of the country are usually less educated, less trained, and skilful thus making it troublesome for the employers to provide them with work, which explains why they only make up 0.5 percent of the total employment force in the private sector (Sayan, 2009, p. 135; Mallakh, 2009, pp. 250-252). In order to solve this program, the government has enforced rules for corporations and companies to employ a certain percentage of UAE nationals. Moreover, the spending on the government on education and employee training is also increasing so that more and more Emiratis could take up jobs on merit in the future and the country could g ather a pool of business leaders for tomorrow (Gorgenlander, 2011, p. 205; Rostin, 2011, p. 55). Another important step taken by the authorities of UAE to facilitate investment, which would in turn create employment and boost GDP, was the creation of free trade zones. The country has over 20 free trade zones, Dubai Media City, Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Car and Automotive City Free Zone and Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone

International financial markets IP 1 Assignment

International financial markets IP 1 - Assignment Example This paper is an attempt to look into the differences that exist in two countries where Acme Corporation is considering establishing a Greenfield investment. These two countries are the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Well, it must be remembered that these two countries are totally different in several aspects that can really affect the decision of the corporation to venture into their markets. The UK is a member of the European Commission and is generally a developed economy with good and well managed sectors. On the other hand, Nigeria is one of the largest economies in Africa with a very large consumer population that drives economic growth. Trade and economic policies The UK prractices an open economy where trade liberalization and competition for free trade is highly cherished and encouraged. Any business is able to trade freely and invest competitively without any unnecessary restrictions from the government. One of the greatest concerns of the government here is to maximize the op portunities that exist for international trade in order to economically benefit the country. Well, this is after the recognition that trade enables countries to specialize in activities that enable them to fully explore and exploit their resources and strengths. This open economy system has enabled the UK to experience high economic growth rates over the years especially in the post-war era. The policy has also strengthened the UK’s consumer markert as corporations and businesses strive to stay competitive amid the challenges and realities of this age (Smith, 2010). Over the years the UK has been known as a haven of very favorable trade policies that enabled many of its firms go multinational. Even though this attribute has slightly been lost over the years courtesy of very high interest rates and the global financial meltdown, the government through the Bank of England has incessantly been trying to bring down the interest rates and increase the money supply in the banking s ystem with a view of restoring economic stability. Nevertheless it must be remembered that the trade policies in the UK are generally investor friendly and may not be much different from the US case. Nigeria is a developing economy grappling with the economic challenges that affect most countries in this category. However, it is a booming economy driven by its productive oil sector coupled with a very high population that creates a lot of demand for consumer goods and services. Even though the federal government of Nigeria recognizes the benefits of trade liberalization and the need to open up the market for international competition, challenges have always been realized. Like in any other developing country, the infant industries have to be protected from the stiff competition posed by foreign corporations. There also exists the common assumption that free trade can only exist under an ideal economic system which is always impossibility. Nigerian trade policies are driven under the auspices of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) that seeks to restore the economy of the country after several decades of economic instability that bedeviled the country (Olaloku, 2007). As such, the government has been trying to encourage capital inflows into the country through foreign direct investments. This is in a bid to reduce the country’s dependence on the oil sector by creating other sources of revenue. However, the federal gover

Essay about the play Our town Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

About the play Our town - Essay Example Again the play deals with another theme that since life is transient, traditions and values of life also undergo changes. In Act I, the stage that represents Gibbs and Webb families is largely inactive and lifeless because of the absence of daily activities. After the manager’s short description, daily activities begin on the stage. Throughout the whole play the milkman, the paperboy, Gibb’s family pantomime their typical activities and household chores. At the end of this Act, the audience comes to learn about the romantic affair between Emily and George. Act II mainly deals with George and Emily’s ceremony and also their retrospective details of their relationship in the past. The manager narrates how things change along the passage of time. He describes how George and Emily go to schools together. In the past years affection grew between the two through different events such as being elected class president, treasurer, baseball leader, etc. Now they are going to be tied with marital bond. George’s future father-in-law informs him about the change in the traditional view about a bride. He says to George that his father advises him to use his wife as property in order to be happy in conjugal life. But he did not follow his advice; he is happy in his conjugal life. It essentially reveals that traditional views change along the passage of time. Act III deals with the funeral of Emily who died in childbirth. It is the most heart-touching part of the play. It crucially contributes to the development of the theme that life is valuable and should live his or her life to the fullest. Emily’s spirit does not want to join with the dead. She wants to revive the most pleasing parts of her life. Only now, the audiences are aware of the value and pleasures of life. The primary themes of the play have been worked out by the use of different imagery and symbols such as â€Å"morning†, â€Å"natural

Oral Presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Oral Presentation - Essay Example Employers and other important officials are now giving priority to oral presentations and communication while recruiting fresh graduates. Although, a certain weight age is given to the written examination as well, more is judged from the person's speaking skills and the way of presenting him/herself. This has happened due to the growing number of researches that have told the gentlemen the successful formula of a successful individual. The biggest example of the employer's importance to verbal communication is the interview that is conducted twice of thrice along with the group discussion sessions that take place in many organizations in order to gauge the capabilities of these individuals while communicating with others. Therefore, as students, it becomes really important to get ready for these assessments of the future endeavors. In this enigmatic and ever-changing world, the qualities that one looks for in a person change rapidly. Over the past years, fluent communication has become more important, the pace has increased and so has the communication style. In the olden times, while the bureaucratic organizations still flourished, most of the communication was barred with formal written communication styles with much less importance given to individuality and self-expression. As times are changing, organizations are becoming more creative, so are the communication styles changing. Communication has become more creative and individualistic. In today's era, one of the most important qualities that is sought from the individuals is the ability to express oneself in their own special way. Is a person is not able to express themselves and their ideas to the concerned personnel; they lose their chance of success. The employers are giving more attention to a person's speaking abilities because it has been noticed that during a normal week of work, an employee would write less and speak more, present his or her ideas to the management, make contracts with other companies, conducting employee evaluations sessions and other sessions pertaining to office work; in short, a lot of talking. They also have to become part of formal and informal groups inside and outside the organizations where they have to prove their credibility in front of an audience without a pen or paper; a lot of communication with the help of speaking. Therefore, it is important that a person develops these habits at the right stage in time in order to excel in the later stages of life. It is also becoming more evident that as one moves up the organization, their speaking skills are given higher priority than their written skills. The reason for this is quite easy; as you move up the organization you assume the role of handling a larger number of employees under you. As the number of employees increase, more communication takes place verbally and one assumes the role of a leader of a large group of people. In such a situation, speaking rather than writing is more important as it communicates to the heart with the right kind of emotion which cannot be portrayed in the right sense through a piece of writing only (Leo, 2001). This brings us to the importance of fostering the culture of oral presentation to the university level

International financial markets IP 1 Assignment

International financial markets IP 1 - Assignment Example This paper is an attempt to look into the differences that exist in two countries where Acme Corporation is considering establishing a Greenfield investment. These two countries are the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Well, it must be remembered that these two countries are totally different in several aspects that can really affect the decision of the corporation to venture into their markets. The UK is a member of the European Commission and is generally a developed economy with good and well managed sectors. On the other hand, Nigeria is one of the largest economies in Africa with a very large consumer population that drives economic growth. Trade and economic policies The UK prractices an open economy where trade liberalization and competition for free trade is highly cherished and encouraged. Any business is able to trade freely and invest competitively without any unnecessary restrictions from the government. One of the greatest concerns of the government here is to maximize the op portunities that exist for international trade in order to economically benefit the country. Well, this is after the recognition that trade enables countries to specialize in activities that enable them to fully explore and exploit their resources and strengths. This open economy system has enabled the UK to experience high economic growth rates over the years especially in the post-war era. The policy has also strengthened the UK’s consumer markert as corporations and businesses strive to stay competitive amid the challenges and realities of this age (Smith, 2010). Over the years the UK has been known as a haven of very favorable trade policies that enabled many of its firms go multinational. Even though this attribute has slightly been lost over the years courtesy of very high interest rates and the global financial meltdown, the government through the Bank of England has incessantly been trying to bring down the interest rates and increase the money supply in the banking s ystem with a view of restoring economic stability. Nevertheless it must be remembered that the trade policies in the UK are generally investor friendly and may not be much different from the US case. Nigeria is a developing economy grappling with the economic challenges that affect most countries in this category. However, it is a booming economy driven by its productive oil sector coupled with a very high population that creates a lot of demand for consumer goods and services. Even though the federal government of Nigeria recognizes the benefits of trade liberalization and the need to open up the market for international competition, challenges have always been realized. Like in any other developing country, the infant industries have to be protected from the stiff competition posed by foreign corporations. There also exists the common assumption that free trade can only exist under an ideal economic system which is always impossibility. Nigerian trade policies are driven under the auspices of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) that seeks to restore the economy of the country after several decades of economic instability that bedeviled the country (Olaloku, 2007). As such, the government has been trying to encourage capital inflows into the country through foreign direct investments. This is in a bid to reduce the country’s dependence on the oil sector by creating other sources of revenue. However, the federal gover

Oral Presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Oral Presentation - Essay Example Employers and other important officials are now giving priority to oral presentations and communication while recruiting fresh graduates. Although, a certain weight age is given to the written examination as well, more is judged from the person's speaking skills and the way of presenting him/herself. This has happened due to the growing number of researches that have told the gentlemen the successful formula of a successful individual. The biggest example of the employer's importance to verbal communication is the interview that is conducted twice of thrice along with the group discussion sessions that take place in many organizations in order to gauge the capabilities of these individuals while communicating with others. Therefore, as students, it becomes really important to get ready for these assessments of the future endeavors. In this enigmatic and ever-changing world, the qualities that one looks for in a person change rapidly. Over the past years, fluent communication has become more important, the pace has increased and so has the communication style. In the olden times, while the bureaucratic organizations still flourished, most of the communication was barred with formal written communication styles with much less importance given to individuality and self-expression. As times are changing, organizations are becoming more creative, so are the communication styles changing. Communication has become more creative and individualistic. In today's era, one of the most important qualities that is sought from the individuals is the ability to express oneself in their own special way. Is a person is not able to express themselves and their ideas to the concerned personnel; they lose their chance of success. The employers are giving more attention to a person's speaking abilities because it has been noticed that during a normal week of work, an employee would write less and speak more, present his or her ideas to the management, make contracts with other companies, conducting employee evaluations sessions and other sessions pertaining to office work; in short, a lot of talking. They also have to become part of formal and informal groups inside and outside the organizations where they have to prove their credibility in front of an audience without a pen or paper; a lot of communication with the help of speaking. Therefore, it is important that a person develops these habits at the right stage in time in order to excel in the later stages of life. It is also becoming more evident that as one moves up the organization, their speaking skills are given higher priority than their written skills. The reason for this is quite easy; as you move up the organization you assume the role of handling a larger number of employees under you. As the number of employees increase, more communication takes place verbally and one assumes the role of a leader of a large group of people. In such a situation, speaking rather than writing is more important as it communicates to the heart with the right kind of emotion which cannot be portrayed in the right sense through a piece of writing only (Leo, 2001). This brings us to the importance of fostering the culture of oral presentation to the university level

Commercial Dog-Breeding Facilities Essay Example for Free

Commercial Dog-Breeding Facilities Essay Pet shops give many people the impression of happy, eager, and healthy puppies that are in desperate need of a home and family. Sometimes people feel bad for the animals stuck in the small cages and decide they’re going to save or rescue them. People who buy these animals don’t realize that they’re supporting the commercial dog-breeding industry. Commercial dog-breeding facilities treat animals as a product; they are concerned with quantity and the profit they’ll receive instead of quality and the animals’ health. These facilities need to be banned for three reasons: to prevent further health deterioration of the animals; to preserve the lowering of breeds’ genetic traits which result from unregulated breeding; and they give reputable breeders a bad name. Before we examine specific issues surrounding professional dog breeders, first we should define some terms and give a general background of the problem. Many people have heard about the animal cruelty behind puppy mills; however, they have no idea about commercial dog-breeding facilities. The term â€Å"puppy mill† is used to describe large-scale dog breeding operations that place income over the animals’ welfare. Puppy mills don’t breed responsibly and the conditions they keep the animals in are generally illegal. Commercial dog-breeding facilities are also large scale breeding facilities that place the well being of animals below making a profit, yet these facilities are subject to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulating and enforcing of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) laws and regulations. The USDA regulates the breeding facilities with the minimum standards for the animals’ health; these are the same laws that are used for chickens, cows, pigs and other animals, which are slaughtered. The law requires that each animal is provided with â€Å"adequate housing, handling, sanitation, nutrition, water, veterinary care, and protection from extreme weather and temperatures† (USDA Animal Welfare Act). The USDA does not have the funds or proper training to enforce these laws, so most commercial dog-breeding facilities continue to thrive while their animals are suffering. The USDA also does not have any regulations for the facilities if they sell directly to the public, which includes online sales. These loopholes in the system cause for an unbalanced, irresponsible, and unhealthy system of dog breeding. Having seen that commercial breeding in general is a problem, let’s examine the first specific issue, that of the deterioration of dogs’ health at these facilities. Commercial dog-breeding facilities don’t keep the dogs’ health in mind, even in severe and life threatening cases. When it comes to animals’ health in these facilities, there are government rules and regulations with punishments for violators and repeat offenders. Inspectors must visit commercial dog-breeding facilities at least twice a month; if there’s a violation, they file reports and give out punishments to those who have violated the laws. A May 2010 audit report filed by the United States Department of Agriculture uncovers the truth of inspectors’ visits to commercial dog-breeding facilities: â€Å"Expecting that the dealers would improve their standards of care, the agency chose to take little or no enforcement actions against most violators† (USDA Animal and Plant Health 10). Inspectors wouldn’t choose to give any stipulation to violators, even when they were repeat offenders. Inspectors never followed up visits to ensure that the proper changes were made, nor did they make the proper amount of check ups required per year. The conditions of commercial dog-breeding facilities are disgusting and irresponsible, and the dogs are not properly brought up and cared for. The May 2010 audit report filed against USDA inspectors mentions an Oklahoma breeding facility that had numerous dogs infested with ticks; pages 11 and 12 feature shocking photos of the dogs taken by the inspector. The breeder had no records of any medical treatment ever given to any dogs, and if a re-inspection were to be given then there would be no way of knowing if the animals were really treated or euthanized. The inspector cited the breeder for an indirect violation, despite excessive ticks being a direct violation in the Dealer Inspections Guide. He told the breeder to take only eight of the infested dogs to the veterinarian. The inspector didn’t require any documentation of the treatment nor did he indentify which dogs needed treatment, so there is no way to know what happened to the dogs in the pictures mentioned above (USDA Animal and Plant Health 11-12) The dogs kept for use as breeding stock live their entire lives in the small cages, being bred too early, too frequently, and for too long. These dogs generally have the most severe health and behavioral problems. Franklin McMillan, DVM, is well known for his studies on animals affected by trauma; one of his studies compared dogs that were used as breeding stock in commercial dog-breeding facilities to dogs owned by the general public. The dogs were put through the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), which rate many psychological behaviors and their intensity. The C-BARQ is given an average of two years after the breeding stock dogs have been in their adoptive homes, with 76 different breeds and both sexes included. The breeding stock dogs were compared to a sampling of the dogs owned by the general public by matching their breed, sex, age, and neuter status. This test was conducted to see if the breeding stock dogs do actually consistently â€Å"display persistent behavioural and psychological abnormalities† (McMillan, Duffy, and Serpell). The results confirmed that the former breeding stock dogs did indeed have considerably higher behavior problems. It’s often argued that dogs used in commercial dog-breeding establishments have psychological issues and this has now been confirmed by this study. The dogs that are used as breeding stock are forced to spend their lives solely for production of profit, and when they no longer can produce they are usually euthanized. Commercial dog-breeding facilities do not provide the dogs they keep with adequate care; they leave the facilities unkempt and dirty, and don’t allow the animals exercise. The dogs not only have physical side effects but also psychological ones after being in crowded cages isolated from human contact. The inspections that are supposed to make sure the facilities are keeping up with the USDA regulations provide no help for the situation. It’s a rare case to have inspectors following the Dealer Inspections Guide with follow-ups, citing when necessary, and issuing violations. The inspectors have many weaknesses; there was no enforcement against violators, the inspectors didn’t follow procedure, they rarely provided any documentation or evidence, and they delayed telling breeders to send suffering animals for treatment (USDA Animal and Plant Health). Commercial dog-breeding facilities don’t keep the breeding stock dogs or puppies in sanitary conditions or keep them healthy; this is a direct violation of USDA regulations. Now let’s examine the second major issue surrounding dog breeders, which is that they lower the standards of the breeds. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the largest purebred dog registry in the United States; people may pay up to thousands of dollars for purebred dogs that are AKC registered. The issue is that these AKC papers’ value is not what it seems; they do not guarantee that the dog is purebred, healthy, or within proper breed standards. Leslie LeFave, writer and dog enthusiast, states how breeders obtain AKC papers for their litters: Breeders send to AKC for a litter application. They then fill out this form with who the mother and father of the puppies are, with their AKC registration numbers, date of birth, and certificate number[†¦]The breeder then sends this paper work (litter registration) to AKC to add these puppies to their database and the breeder gets AKC papers and numbers for each puppy. No questions asked. (LeFave) The AKC papers only guarantee that an application was filled out and payment was received; the AKC does not check the breeders’ claims, including the breed, health, and number of puppies born. The AKC continues to hand out registration papers as the checks come in and more puppies are sold with AKC registered papers that don’t necessarily belong with them. Many people choose purebred dogs because of a specific look, and certain traits they desire in their companion. Commercial dog-breeding facilities’ only goal is to make money, so they will breed any dogs that match the certain looks typical of the breed without taking care to prevent diseases and inbreeding. This way of breeding only multiplies the chances of serious genetic disorders in each puppy and leaves the personality traits not even considered. LeFave explains how a responsible breeder chooses which dogs to breed: â€Å"Having quality dogs requires a breeder to invest money and time in their dogs. A good breeder does genetic health testing if available for their breed, and spends hours going over pedigrees and learning all they can about their breed.† No commercial dog-breeding facility cares about the long-term health of the animal; they will not check for serious diseases in the dogs used for breeding stock or in the puppies they’re selling. Commercial dog-breeding facilities are not responsible breeders; they produce unhealthy animals and deteriorate the breeds’ genetics and standards. Purebred dogs are more susceptible to genetic disorders because the large breeding facilities don’t take care to make sure the breeding gene pool is large, diverse, and free of the disorders common to which breed they’re breeding; therefore, many disorders carried, even those that are recessive, are amplified. Carrie Allan, a writer for All Animals magazine, has found in many studies that 30 to 70 percent of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (a small toy breed) will end up with Syringomyelia, a serious life threatening disorder. Syringomyelia is a disease in the spinal cord in which cavities fill with fluid near the brain; sometimes even the dog’s brain will swell past the skull. This is not uncommon for a purebred dog; they have many serious genetic diseases that the buyer is unaware of until their dog starts suffering. Commercial dog-breeding facilities do not screen for the common diseases or breed to prevent them. They are irresponsible, reckless, and create long-term problems with breed standards and traits. The third major issue with commercial dog breeding facilities is that their practices often bring disrepute onto reputable breeders. Responsible dog-breeders do exist, and they produce healthy and happy puppies that are true to their breeds’ standards. These breeders also know of the horrible situations commercial dog-breeding facilities keep their animals in, and they are also in the fight against them; they cause responsible breeders to lose more money, give them a bad name, and deteriorate the breeds of dogs they love. The law requires breeders to have kennel or vendor’s licenses, but many states and counties cut commercial breeding facilities breaks, not requiring them to have these licenses. The small responsible breeders, who only produce about twelve puppies a year, do not get any break, they must have licenses, and they must pay their taxes on the dogs. For example, in Ohio a report was given by Michael W. McKinney, the Public Information Officer for the Ohio Department of Taxation, on these vendors: â€Å"None of the 410 known dog breeding kennels in Holmes County with 11,033 dogs, including 41 with more than 50 breeding dogs each, have a vendor’s licenses.† (Allen). The state is not helping any small backyard breeder, but the large commercial ones, who should be required to have a license so that their dogs can be tracked and give an idea of their profits. When responsible breeders breed two dogs, they put a lot of effort into which animals they choose; they look at thei r family trees, they raise them in a suitable environment, and they make sure the animals are going to a home that’s a good fit. Purebred dogs have a significantly higher chance of carrying diseases, which is why good breeders make sure that the common diseases in the dog breed that they’re producing doesn’t end up in their litter. They have tests done to be sure the diseases aren’t present in the dogs they’ll breed; they make sure that the animals are healthy, then breed them, and also check each puppy before they sell them to ensure they’re healthy. For example, golden retrievers have a significantly high chance of developing hip dysplasia, a disease which causes improper developing of the hip joints, and a good breeder will prevent this as best as they can. Not only do puppies from reputable breeders have lower chances of carrying diseases, but also they are mentally healthier as well. When a dog is brought up in a family environment with daily exercise and its mother to raise it, it has a solid foundation to grow on. A dog that hasn’t been properly socialized can create many problems for an owner, which can include being aggressive to people and other animals. If the puppy were properly socialized then other people and animals would only be something the puppy has seen before and can coexist with. These breeders take a lot of time to make sure the puppies are brought up properly and don’t want to be associated with commercial dog-breeding facilities, which don’t provide the proper amount of care to their puppies. The reckless commercial dog-breeders give the wrong impression about the industry as a whole, and they cause high taxes for reputable breeders who aren’t doing it for profit but who want to see the breed they love thrive. Responsible breeders want their dog breed to be healthy as a whole; they don’t like having to see many beautiful, perfect dogs go to waste because of careless breeding, which produces a higher chance of disease in the breed. Large facilities make dog breeding seem like a product, while small, responsible breeders take great care to raise these animals for families. Commercial dog-breeding causes great stress and problems for responsible dog breeders, which are in it for the dogs, not a profit. We have seen that puppy mills and many large â€Å"government inspected† dog-breeding businesses produce ill dogs with degenerated breed traits and cast a negative light on the entire industry. Nevertheless, many people purchase puppies from these facilities because the canines are cheaper and the buyer feels he or she is â€Å"rescuing† the puppy, as if it were in a dog pound. Some people feel that commercial dog-breeding facilities may have negative sides to it but a responsibly bred purebred puppy is too expensive. Yes, many quality puppies can be up to thousands of dollars, and there is a reason for that. Responsible breeders don’t have a large-scale operation that shoots dogs out quick enough for a huge profit; they run their business out of their homes; they raise puppies with their family and put as much time and effort into breeding the right dogs as they do into raising them in the first weeks. The dogs from responsible breeders will not only have papers, but they’ll have papers that actually match up to them. These dogs will be healthy and of good genetic background, and that is what you’re paying for. If the problem is entirely money, then a shelter dog is the right choice; they are priced not for profit but for affordability and sustaining the shelters ability to stay afloat. From personal experience, I know that the local pound, Danville Boyle County Humane Society, a non-profit organization, provides animals at a very reasonable cost with many benefits for the owner. Not only is the buyer saving a life, but also all animals come spayed or neutered, de-wormed, with rabies vaccinations, and for dogs, they have the Bordatella vaccination (for kennel cough), and Distemper vaccination (for parvovirus). These vaccinations are for the most common diseases that leave animals at a very high risk of death. All of this is provided with your puppy for only $100, and for dogs and cats $75. Compared to the price of dogs from pet stores, online sellers and commercial breeders, that’s an unbeatable price, especially when they provide the animals already with proper health records. And many shelter animals are also purebred, not just mixes. A shelter is the perfect spot to go if you want an inexpensive and healthy animal. There is no reason for money to be the issue in acquiring an animal from a commercial dog breeding facility. If you don’t have enough, then a shelter or rescue organization is the perfect place, healthy and inexpensive. If you care about the background of the animal and want to show it, then dogs from a responsible breeder are much better suited for show; they will be able to provide you with a much better representation of the dog’s breed than a large scale breeding organization. You can see how those who believe that commercial dog-breeding facilities do not supply animals with the best living conditions, but provide them cheaper than reputable breeders are in the wrong. In the long run, dogs from large-scale facilities could end up with very expensive healthcare, having to buy a new dog, or even facing the heartbreak of being forced to euthanize it. Money is a big deal in our world right now, and buying a dog isn’t something that should add to that. Shelter dogs are cheaper, and dogs from good breeders are healthier, with much lower vet bills. In summary, commercial dog-breeding facilities are operations to produce maximum profit and leave the animals to fend for themselves; commercial breeders are leaving the important and necessary aspects of a good business behind. They are not making sure the animals involved are healthy and happy, they don’t mind when their â€Å"product’s† name is diminished, and they don’t care about other businesses, people, or animals harmed from their actions. Many of their dogs are euthanized, or have painful and serious diseases from their reckless breeding. Responsible breeders are getting a bad name from these facilities and shouldn’t be associated with them because they’re quite the opposite. And while buying a dog from a reputable breeder is more expensive than getting one from a puppy mill or online, the healthy dog will cause you much less in vet bills, and will be able to stick around till it’s old. Other options are shelter dogs, which are generally mixes and are much healthier dogs than purebreds, and rescue organizations, which can give you a cheap purebred with a much clearer background of where it came from. Commercial dog-breeding facilities don’t offer benefits to anybody involved in the industry; they provide unnecessary harm to many animals and people who don’t realize where their cute puppy actually came from. Not only are these facilities harming animals, but also our country as a whole, because they get tax breaks and are an unstable, unreliable industry that does shady work. These large-scale operations should be stopped and prohibited from business before more puppies are harmed, people are ripped off, and the country’s laws a re ignored. Works Cited: Allan, Carrie. â€Å"The Purebred Paradox.† Humanesociety.org. The Humane Society of the United States, May/June 2010. Web. 20 Mar. 2012. Allen, Laura. â€Å"Ohio Giving Commercial Dog Breeders a Pass on Taxes.† Animallawcoalition.com. Animal Law Coalition, 4 Oct. 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. LeFave, Leslie. â€Å"About AKC Registration Papers and Pedigrees.† Itsmagicmaltese.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. McMillan, Franklin D., Deborah L. Duffy, and James A. Serpell. â€Å"Mental Health of Dogs Formerly Used As ‘Breeding Stock’ In Commercial Breeding Establishments.† Applied Animal Behaviour Science 135.1/2 (2011): 86-94. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. United States Department of Agriculture. The Animal Welfare Act: An Overview. USDA. May 2006: n.p. Web. 13 May 2012. United States Department of Agriculture. Office of Inspector General. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Animal Care Program: Inspections of Problematic Dealers. Washington: USDA, May 2010. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.