GM Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

GM Strategy - Essay Example The emergency of the low cost Japanese made cars compounded the difficult situation of competition which was already taking a toll on General Motors. Various global changes also took place in the motor industry such as new technological innovations, new marketing strategies that specifically focused on meeting the interests of the customers among other factors. In response, GM invested heavily in its endeavour to keep pace with these global changes. However, the major setback that hampered its efforts was the aspect of bureaucracy resulting from hundreds of divisions within the company which made it difficult to have focused, well coordinated operation systems. During its heydays, GM used to pay very high benefit packages since it was very profitable especially during the mid 1970s when it dominated the US markets. However, due to changing global trends especially the emergency and ultimate dominance of other rival competitors such as Toyota and Nissan, GM has lost some of its competitive advantages to these rivals. Compared to Toyota, GM pays as much as $35 for pension benefits whilst Toyota pays around $11, which gives it a cost advantage of about $1500 a car contrary to GM’s position. GM has to charge less premium than its strongest competitors hence it sells its vehicles at a loss. GM is now in a predicament of continuing paying high benefits to its workers against the backdrop of losses owing to the union laws that are a bit stringent such that it cannot abruptly cut these benefits to meet the global trends nor simply layoff some of the workers. It seems GM’s revenues are higher than those of Toyota but at the end of the day Toyota has higher earnings as a result of the fact that GM spends more money on operating costs and other expenses. GM makes more cars than it can profitably sell which means that it would end up selling at a loss. In fact it is no longer getting profits from its

Importance of Homework Essay Example for Free

Importance of Homework Essay Homework, as I understand, is a practice and review of lessons learned as part of your studies, not an instrument that forces students to relearn an entire lesson,” comments Dr. George Roberts, a renowned psychiatrist and professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Roberts does not believe in assigning students enormous amounts of homework because he considers it unnecessary and a waste of time. However, not all school boards concur with Dr. Roberts, since they perceive homework as an essential part of education and learning. Most people will agree that homework is an essential part of education, but the question is, how much homework should be assigned on a daily basis? Everyone may have different opinions on how much homework should be assigned, but here is my stance on the situation. I believe that the homework load that teachers can assign should be limited so that students will not accumulate too much stress, get enough sleep, and have more free time to enjoy their hobbies and spend with their family and friends. First of all, extremely exorbitant amounts of homework have been causing stress in many teenagers. What comes to mind when you think about stress? Competitions, performances, or homework? Amazingly, homework is one of the top stress providers for students. 13 out of 100 teenage suicides are related to stress buildup at school, specifically from the large amounts of homework. Excess homework has even been proven to cause an increased maturing rate of hair, also known as the graying of hair. I’ve had my own experiences of stress caused by homework, and they weren’t too pleasant.

Reflection in a Stranger Essay -- Essays Papers

Reflection in a Stranger Being on a college campus, you are surrounded by many different kinds of people. Whether you get to know them personally or you just know the familiar faces, some of those people will remind you of friends at home, family members, neighbors, and even yourself. This is what I have experienced here at UVM. I have met so many people that have certain characteristics that remind me of the friends from home whom I miss dearly. But most of all, it is the people I see that remind me of myself that impacts me the most. It is well known that eating disorders are a problem in our society, and college campuses are a place where that problem is magnified a bit. Not to say that all the girls I am thinking of have eating disorders; a few do, and the others are maybe on the verge. But it is seeing these girls where I see myself, and it makes me cringe inside. I don’t even know how the disease got a hold of me. That is one of the mysterious things about anorexia nervosa, it kind of creeps up on you. I was always tall and thin growing up. I never really thought about my weight or my body for that matter. I was always active in different sports, and never thought I needed to lose weight. When I entered high school I continued playing basketball and running track. But in high school these sports were more competitive. I wasn’t a great basketball player, but I wanted to be. I began to train during the off season, especially for basketball, playing every day in the summer. And the work paid off, I made the varsity basketball team my sophomore year, and also placed seventh in the state track meet running the 300 meter hurdles. But that only caused me to set more expectations for myself. The varsi... .... They need to find a person they trust that can convince them that they need help. And they need to see it inside themselves that they have a problem. What bothers me just as much is seeing girls trying all these diets to lose weight, when they really don’t need to. It just reminds me of how I got sucked into an addictive behavior, which started in that same way. There are a few people on campus that I have met and grown close with that I have talked to about their eating problems. I told them my story and told them that if they ever need anything to just ask. I told them how I recovered and how it is a long process and it is really up to you. And I told them I know how it feels to be in that situation. I only hope that they will find it in themselves to accept the help offered to them by their friends and family, and understand that they are not alone.

Rabbit Proof Fence Essay

Physical journeys involve the movement of a person from one place to another. They provide opportunities for travellers to extend themselves physically, intellectually and emotionally as they respond to challenges and learn more about the world around them. This concept of physical journeys can be clearly seen in the texts â€Å"Rabbit-Proof Fence† by Phillip Noyce and â€Å"A Horse with No Name† by America. Both texts use a number of methods and technical features, to represent the journey and the impact of its result. The film â€Å"Rabbit-Proof Fence† tells the story of 3 Aboriginal girls (Molly, Daisy and Gracie) who travel on foot across 1500km of inhospitable Australian outback to be reunited with their family, after being forcibly removed by the Australian government. It has been represented as a physical journey of epic proportions, an act of survival and a quest for freedom, as the girls lead by Molly, overcome various obstacles. Such as surviving without food, water or shelter in the harsh Australian bushland, while navigating their way home via the rabbit-proof fence and cleverly outsmarting their tracker. The primary setting of the text is the physical landscape of outback Australia over which the girls embark their journey. This landscape is used throughout the film to represent the progression of the girl’s journey through its changing terrain, emphasising the distance they have travelled and the hardships that they have had to face. Their lack of freedom on the journey is represented visually through the juxtaposition of point of view shots of the landscape through the bars of imprisonment, when they are being sent away. This contrasts the previous scenes where an aerial shot is taken of them roaming freely, in their vast and spacious environment. In effect it symbolises they oppression that they feel and creates an understanding of the importance of the journey to the girls. The use of other film techniques such as slow motion, the playing of indigenous Australian music and close-up shots of their faces during the girls travels emphasis their physical and emotional displacement as a result of the journey. Also as the film is seen through the eyes of Molly we are aware of the importance of the journey to her through her continuous determination, as well as the impact it has had on her through her gradual deterioration and exhaustion. The film relies on the conventions of realism to represent the physical journey undertaken. The hardship of the journey is illustrated through a series of images, including a heat haze-where they are dragging their feet through the sand, them digging desperately for water and Molly carrying Daisy, as she cannot continue any longer. This physical journey has resulted in individual learning and growth and an understanding of the world. This is particularly evident through the character of Molly. As a result of this journey, she has discovered many things about herself, her spirituality and her identity, as well as the world she lives in, and her place in it. In the song â€Å"A Horse with No Name† a story is told about a man travelling by himself through the desert on a horse. He is exploring the world, and discovering things about himself and life without the interruptions that society and its people bring. The theme of physical journey has been reinforced by the consistent rhyming pattern of ABAB throughout the song. As it flows, it progressively reveals his story and reinforces the impact it has had on him. The concept of physical journey has also been achieved through the choice of words that reveal his inner feelings and motifs. Evidence of this is in the line â€Å"in the desert you can remember your name, cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain†. This indicates he is on the search for his identity and to escape from society, which inturn represents the physical journey as a quest for spiritual growth and change. Throughout the journey the man looks many aspects of nature and life, these have had an impact on him physically due to the harsh climate of the desert and emotionally due to the sadness he feels in the face of death. This is illustrated through the use of figurative language in the lyrics and shows the impact and reality of the journey. The metaphor â€Å"the ocean is a desert with its life underground, and a perfect disguise above† represents and adds depth to the theme of physical journeys resulting in discovery and an understanding of the world. The extensive use of visual features and imagery such as â€Å"the sky with no clouds†, and the â€Å"red hot desert sun† coupled with the precise attention to descriptive detail, offers a realism to the experiences on his journey and the impact that this journey has made in his life. In conclusion, in both â€Å"rabbit-proof fence† and â€Å"a horse with no name† the concept of physical journeys is represented as a way by which people learn about themselves and discover the world around them, and will often result in spiritual growth.

Adolf Hitler biography

Adolf Hitler Childhood of Adolf Hitler Hitler as an Artist Hitler as a Soldier in World War I Entry into Politics Hitler comes into Power Hitler starts World War II Death Bibliography * Adolf Hitler http://History1900s. about. com/cs/hitleradolf/p/hitler. htm(Retrieved 16-04-2013) * Hitler Facts http://History1900s. com/od/hitleradolf/a/Hitler-Facts. htm(Retrieved 16-04-2013) * Adolf Hitler http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler Adolf Hitler was born on 20 April 1889 in Braunau am Inn, Austria.He spent his childhood in Austria. His parents were Alois (1897-1903) and Klara (1860-1907) Hitler. He was the fourth of six children. The family relocated quite a few times- 1984, the family relocated to Leonding, in 1897 they moved to Lambach and a year later, they permanently relocated back to Leonding. In 1902, when Hitler was 13, his father passed away and his mother had to take care of the family. Times were tough and Hitler decided to quit school at the age of 16 and never returned. Hitler dreamed of becoming an artist. o in 1907 and again in 1908, he applied to the Vienna Academy of Art but was denied entrance both times. At the end of 1908,his mother died of breast cancer. After his mother’s death, Hitler spent 4 years living on the streets of Vienna, selling postcards of his work to make money. To avoid serving in the Austrian army, Hitler moved to Munich, Germany in May 1913. Hitler volunteered to serve in the German army once the war began. Hitler survived 4 years of World War I, during which he was awarded 2 Iron Crosses for bravery.He sustained 2 injuries during the war-in October 1916 and October 13 1918, which caused him to go temporarily blind. After the war, many in Germany felt betrayed by the government. In 1919, Hitler was working for an army organization in which he was checking up for local political groups. While spying, he joined a group and became the 55th member called the German Worker’s Party and soon was leading it. In 1920 , the party’s name was changed to Nationalist Socialist German Worker’s party(the Nazi Party).In November 1923, Hitler was arrested for the failure of his sudden actions to take over the government of Germany. He was released 9 months later. After getting out of prison, Hitler was determined to build up the Nazi Party in order to take over the German government legally. In 1932, Hitler was granted German citizenship. In July 1932, the Nazi party won the elections making it the controlling political party in Germany. Hitler had enough support to become President but he lost the election to Paul von Hindenburg.A year later Hindenburg died and Hitler took over. After legally gaining power in Germany, Hitler began putting those who disagree with him in concentration camps and blaming all of the people’s problems on Communists and Jews. Without hurting anyone, Hitler was able to take over Austria in 1938 without a battle. When Germany attacked Poland on 1 September 1 939, other European Countries could no longer stand aside and watch-World War II began. Hitler slowly removed Jews from the German Society.However the Nazis made Jews to work as slaves and work for them. Hitler is considered as one of the most evil people on History because of the Holocaust. (A destruction by fire). On April 29 1945, Adolf Hitler married his long-time mistress, Eva Braun and wrote both his last will and political statement. The following day on 30th April 1945, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun commited suicide. On his Last will he wrote: â€Å"I am doing this only to avoid suffering and defeat. †

Effects of Eminem on Rap and Black Culture essays

Effects of Eminem on Rap and Black Culture essays The Effects Of Eminem on Rap and Black Culture The popularity of Marshall Mathers III, a.k.a. Eminem, in todays rap culture is undeniable; with his Marshall Mathers LP selling 1.76 million copies in its first week after release and The Eminem Show selling 285,000 copies on its first day. (mtv.com) Since his entry into a predominately African-American art form, Eminem has been thrust into the spotlight, and has done more than just live up to expectations, gaining countless loyal fans and even more bitter enemies along the way. Among the enemies is Raymond Benzino Scott, a rapper and co-owner of The Source, the largest Hip-Hop magazine in the country. Recently, Benzino released a song aimed to attack Eminem, entitled Pull Your Skirt Up. The lyrics attacked Eminems race, along with his street credibility and skill as a rapper. Eminem wasted no time answering back, releasing The Sauce, an attack at the magazine and Benzino, in which he states that he did not start the battle, but he will finish it; furthermore Nail in The Coff in, an attack aimed solely at Benzino, takes shots at his age, business practices, and promotion of his nine year old sons rap career. While Benzino insists that his opinion in no way reflects the opinion of the magazine, every issue since the beginning of this feud has included at least one article aimed to attack either Eminem or another artist on his record label, Shady Records. The most recent was aimed at 50 Cent, the newest addition to Shady Records, who currently has the one of the top selling albums in the country. The magazine has also begun to print a comic strip in every issue that illustrates the evil powers that have taken over rap (Eminem, Shady Records, and Dr. Dres Aftermath Record.) And the good forces (black rap artists) are fighting back to take over what is rightfully theirs. The ...

Free Essays on Suv Safety

The Path to Safety I drive a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra. It’s getting quite old and I will soon be looking for a new car. One type of car I want to look at is a Sport Utility Vehicle. I am attracted to the roomy interiors and higher rides that are commonly found in SUVs. Also, my friends and my parents think that they are safer than other cars because they are heavier and ride higher. Safety is a big concern of mine and I have wondered my friends and family are correct. I decided to do some research to answer the question: Are SUVs safer than other cars? SUV sales have skyrocketed since 1980 at about 250,000 sales per year to now at about three million sales per year. The Ford Explorer was one of the most popular SUVs of the 1990’s and helped boost the craze for SUVs. Currently there are about 73 different models of the popular vehicle and account for 25% of the new car market. An SUV is basically a light or medium truck molded into a new shape because most SUVs are built on truck chassis. Trucks are built to withstand off road terrains so they have a higher ride and more rigid chassis and is why SUVs are higher off the ground. Since most SUVs have a higher ride, they have a higher center of gravity. This makes them more prone to rollover which is one reason that makes SUVs more dangerous than other cars. Rollover deaths increased nearly 10% from 2001 to 2002 which was the largest increase out of any other type of vehicle. SUV rollover accidents account for a small amount of car crashes. Only 3% of accidents are from SUV rollovers but the shocking number is in the deaths. SUV rollovers cause 30% of vehicular deaths. Furthermore, because of the way SUVs are built, the government classifies them as light trucks or medium trucks. This means they are held to less stringent safety standards than other passenger cars. SUVs that weigh more than 6,000 pounds are held to weaker standards for side impacts a... Free Essays on Suv Safety Free Essays on Suv Safety The Path to Safety I drive a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra. It’s getting quite old and I will soon be looking for a new car. One type of car I want to look at is a Sport Utility Vehicle. I am attracted to the roomy interiors and higher rides that are commonly found in SUVs. Also, my friends and my parents think that they are safer than other cars because they are heavier and ride higher. Safety is a big concern of mine and I have wondered my friends and family are correct. I decided to do some research to answer the question: Are SUVs safer than other cars? SUV sales have skyrocketed since 1980 at about 250,000 sales per year to now at about three million sales per year. The Ford Explorer was one of the most popular SUVs of the 1990’s and helped boost the craze for SUVs. Currently there are about 73 different models of the popular vehicle and account for 25% of the new car market. An SUV is basically a light or medium truck molded into a new shape because most SUVs are built on truck chassis. Trucks are built to withstand off road terrains so they have a higher ride and more rigid chassis and is why SUVs are higher off the ground. Since most SUVs have a higher ride, they have a higher center of gravity. This makes them more prone to rollover which is one reason that makes SUVs more dangerous than other cars. Rollover deaths increased nearly 10% from 2001 to 2002 which was the largest increase out of any other type of vehicle. SUV rollover accidents account for a small amount of car crashes. Only 3% of accidents are from SUV rollovers but the shocking number is in the deaths. SUV rollovers cause 30% of vehicular deaths. Furthermore, because of the way SUVs are built, the government classifies them as light trucks or medium trucks. This means they are held to less stringent safety standards than other passenger cars. SUVs that weigh more than 6,000 pounds are held to weaker standards for side impacts a...

Information Technology Management Degrees and Careers

Information Technology Management Degrees and Careers An information technology management degree, or IT management degree, is a type of postsecondary degree awarded to students who have completed a college, university, or business school program that focuses on teaching students how to use computer software and systems to manage information. After completing the program, students should be able to find technology-based solutions to important business and management problems.   Types of Degrees There are three basic options for students who are interested in an information technology management degree. A bachelors degree is typically the minimum for most jobs in the information technology management field. Advanced jobs almost always require a masters or MBA degree. Bachelors Degree in IT Management: A bachelors degree in IT management is ideal for students seeking entry-level positions in this field. However, many information technology managers choose to earn a bachelors degree in information science, computer science, or information systems management instead. Regardless of the degree name, most bachelors programs take four years to complete and consist of general education courses combined with specialized courses in information technology and business management.Masters Degree in IT Management: A masters degree in information technology management or a related field is a requirement to work at some companies. It is especially recommended for advanced positions. A masters degree usually takes two years to complete once you have earned a bachelors degree. While enrolled in a masters program, you will study advanced topics in information technology. You will also take business, management, and leadership courses.Doctorate Degree in IT Manageme nt: The highest degree that can be earned in this area is a doctorate degree. This degree is well-suited for students who want to teach or perform field research. It can take anywhere from four to six years to earn a doctorate degree.​ Choosing a Program When choosing an information technology management program, you should first look at schools that are accredited to ensure you find a quality program with degrees respected by employers. It is also important to choose a school that has an up-to-date curriculum that focuses on the skills and knowledge you want to attain. Finally, take time to compare tuition, career placement rates, class size, and other important factors. Read more about choosing a business school. Information Technology Management Careers Students who earn an information technology management degree typically go on to work as IT managers. IT managers are also known as computer and information systems managers. They may be responsible for developing tech strategies, upgrading technology, and securing systems in addition to overseeing and directing other IT professionals. The exact duties of an IT manager are dependent on the size of the employer as well as the managers job title and level of experience. Some common job titles for IT managers include the following. IT Project Manager: Sometimes known as an IT Director, an IT project manager heads up a specific technology project. They may be responsible for managing upgrades and conversions. IT project managers typically have one or more IT professionals who report to them. They usually have at least a bachelors degree along with several years of experience.IT Security Manager:  An IT security manager is usually responsible for overseeing network and data security. They may help to develop, implement, and monitor security protocols. Entry-level positions may require only a few years of experience.Chief Technology Officer:  A CTO designs and recommends new technology for a business or organization. They typically report to a CIO but may have more technical expertise. Many CTOs began as an IT director or project manager. Most have 10 or more years of experience in the IT field.Chief Information Officer: A Chief Information Officer (CIO) helps to develop and oversee technology strategy for a b usiness or organization. They are the decision makers. CIO is an advanced position and typically requires at least an MBA along with 10 or more years of IT experience. IT Certifications Professional or tech certifications are not absolutely required to work in the information technology management field. However, certifications can make you more attractive to potential employers. You may also earn a higher salary if you have taken the required steps to become certified in specific areas.

Myan Indians Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Myan Indians - Essay Example Mayan Indians were well developed and highly skilled in the artistic jobs such as pottery, carvings, drawings and ceramics. Some carvings, sculptures, stucco reliefs and murals are found from the ruins of the Mayan civilization that represent the art of the Mayan civilization (Coe 65). The artistic pieces found are indicative of the artistic skills of the Mayan Indians. The human figures carved on stones and colors used for depicting the civilization and culture of people look so beautiful and refined that the development of arts at that time appears much better than ours. Mayan Indians also attached their names with their created artistic pieces in order to inform the viewers about their art and talent (Demarest 43). Mayan architecture is also very famous like its art. The towering pyramids with steps are regarded as the most influential architecture of Mayan civilization (Sharer and Traxler 42). Caves with carvings are also a distinctive feature of the Mayan Indians. The caves such as Jolja cave, Cave of the Witch, Candelaria caves and many others are famous for their architecture and designs (Demarest 49). Plazas, palaces, ball courts, observatories and temples are found in their architectural designed buildings. Roads were also present attaching cities together. The buildings also went through several amendments as with changing rulers, the designs also got amended according to new instructions. The architecture as a whole can be considered as reminiscent of a great civilization (Coe 78). The buildings and constructions made by the Mayan Indians are depictive of their skill at architecture and design. The Mayan civilization was quite developed as they had their own writing system. They used to write with animal hair brushes and their writing was black in color with red highlighting (Demarest 59). In the writing system, the Mayan Indians usually used phonetic symbols and glyphs in order to

Comparing West German Women and East German Women's Economic and Research Paper

Comparing West German Women and East German Women's Economic and Social Statuses Before and After Unification - Research Paper Example Restrictive policies especially the race of women in economic field and family positioning has formed a fundamental base into study of human rights. Like many world countries had assumed their government bureaucracies, Germany was languishing in self destruction and struggle for self actualization. The contrasting policies have shaped the current Germany society, which forms the thesis of this research paper. East versus West Germany women: before and after unification Introduction Four decades (1949-1989) after Second World War, Germany was split into two countries. This period brought unequalled experiences concerning the effect of policies and institution on gender and work between the two states (Ruspin, 2002). The communist Germany Democratic Republican (GDR) of the east, and the Western Federal Republic (FRG-Federal Republican of Germany). Just like the division in the country, the two sides had diverse philosophies. This paper explores the contrasting policies of the East Germany- a side, which lived in socialistic domain of a central economy, communist employment, and embracing family welfare. For the western side, this research further clarifies on the conservatism approach they embraced. A controlled welfare for the people, a multiparty congress, and market economy was what defined this side of Germany. This division had far-reaching consequences not only in the state affairs, but also the family was as well affected. While West Germany confined their women into selective rules, the Eastern counterpart valued and recognized paid labor for both genders. In this respect, the Western side had confined working into men alone (Fasang, 2011). Work discrimination was highly evident affecting women to a larger degree. One extend of socialist dictatorial political system with a planned economy and the pluralist democratic system operating in a market economy, their social status was not that valued. The decade is fiercely characterized by effects it caused to family and the women in particular. For example, the paper analyses how family life in East Germany was affected by cultural heritage of the bourgeois family, unyielding labor policy and the free socialist society. Despite their policies embracing a considerable modernity and gender equality, freedom was still limited. Gender equality, integration on occupations and the division of labor at home was more

Personal Development Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Personal Development Plan - Essay Example By becoming responsible, one develops leadership qualities and is capable of making decisions according to requirements. Time management skills allow the individual to conduct multi-tasking and reap high benefits from conducting tasks in minimum time (Stephenson and Weil, 1992). The graphs depicted in MS Excel will allow the overall scenario to be analyzed in a consistent manner. The stated goals will be achieved by developing a proper plan and accordingly by setting objectives for achieving the goal. The timeline needs to be designed and by maintaining log entries the path towards achieving the goals can be accomplished (Megginson and Whitaker, 2003). The resources that may be required for achieving the goals are reading books about leadership and learning how to become responsible, attaining seminars and workshops for time management skills and lastly learning The timeline excel tool through a tutor or any computer institute. The progress of the skill development can be measured through practical experiences such as managing time in between different projects, working out on MS Excel and analysing the decision making capability, and lastly ensuring that all work is undertaken with full responsibility. The time scale and action plan will depict the success achieved in developing the goal.  During the final years of the degree program, the results would be evident about the success of professional development goals.  Ã‚  

Scottish society since 1914 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Scottish society since 1914 - Essay Example In these Wars, Scotland actually is a country engaged in a debate to determine if the aforementioned event is necessary. Scotland actively participated in every event that would somehow determine the fate of the eventual European colonizers. Moreover, The pre-war debates and development of policy had left much about the nature and form of welfare to be decided (Levitt, 1988, p.104). However, one cannot deny the fact that Scotland on that time was oppressed by other English nations- the state experienced unfair competitions on trade as they experienced low salary compared to their counterparts and the goods and services that were provided by this country was paid at a lower price. Being engaged in such activities, the economic side of Scotland was set aside while they are focusing much on the tactics rather than the welfare of the people. In this case, people of different classes aiming for social change "indirectly" ruled Scotland. Ofcourse, mixture of different classes would eventually give birth into an ideology and belief of "oneness" that would later be their uniting force in the next few years. Who would have known that such occurrences would turn this nation into one of Europe's largest financial centers. During the time interwar, the Scottish while experien... Let's take a closer look at the depression it suffered during the inter-war era. During that time, the Scottish people have only a few options on their employment. The armed force is perhaps the only thing that provides employment during that time. During these wars, while other European country were busy expanding their territories and scope, Scottish people has other things in mind- to develop a sense of oneness and to meet the challenges of the future Scotland. "In a relatively short space of time, the Scottish working class went from being one of the most highly organised working classes in the history of industrial capitalism, to a fragmented one as yet barely able to defend its economic and political interests" (Knox, 1995). Dealing with the present-day society of Scotland would further draw each one who wishes to have this study in their interwar experience. Their niche, in the business world has led them into a distinction, which other countries in the United Kingdom failed to do such a feat. The 1980s saw an economic boom in the Silicon Glen corridor between Glasgow and Edinburgh, with many large technology firms relocating to Scotland. The discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970s also helped to transform the Scottish economy (wikepedia 2006). Perhaps, this is an indicator that the said state is in demand of providing services that are vital to the growth ouf European countries. Scottish were pressumed as "enemies" of most of the English people during the early years of the war and even before the war. However, they made a remarkable move by excelling on intelligence in the armed forces, Industry and economics which paved the way for

Communication & Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Communication & Change - Essay Example At the same time, authors are quick to point out that the Web has immediately gotten intertwined with its numerous spheres of application in social, political, cultural, and other realms, which on one hand were boosted by the possibilities that communicative Internet technologies offered, and on the other hand themselves contributed to the formation of the Web as we know it today. At this point we can find in the article some interesting observations of the mentioned peculiarities of the Web. For one, we are made aware that the content of the Web actually consists of ephemeral and permanent features. The Web is ephemeral because the permanency of its content is not guaranteed, and even if the permanency is pursued the content has to be constantly recreated for this purpose. However, the Web can be thought of as permanent due to the fact that in order to be conveyed Web content must be in a permanent form, which is not the case for example with live radio and television translations.

Scottish society since 1914 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Scottish society since 1914 - Essay Example In these Wars, Scotland actually is a country engaged in a debate to determine if the aforementioned event is necessary. Scotland actively participated in every event that would somehow determine the fate of the eventual European colonizers. Moreover, The pre-war debates and development of policy had left much about the nature and form of welfare to be decided (Levitt, 1988, p.104). However, one cannot deny the fact that Scotland on that time was oppressed by other English nations- the state experienced unfair competitions on trade as they experienced low salary compared to their counterparts and the goods and services that were provided by this country was paid at a lower price. Being engaged in such activities, the economic side of Scotland was set aside while they are focusing much on the tactics rather than the welfare of the people. In this case, people of different classes aiming for social change "indirectly" ruled Scotland. Ofcourse, mixture of different classes would eventually give birth into an ideology and belief of "oneness" that would later be their uniting force in the next few years. Who would have known that such occurrences would turn this nation into one of Europe's largest financial centers. During the time interwar, the Scottish while experien... Let's take a closer look at the depression it suffered during the inter-war era. During that time, the Scottish people have only a few options on their employment. The armed force is perhaps the only thing that provides employment during that time. During these wars, while other European country were busy expanding their territories and scope, Scottish people has other things in mind- to develop a sense of oneness and to meet the challenges of the future Scotland. "In a relatively short space of time, the Scottish working class went from being one of the most highly organised working classes in the history of industrial capitalism, to a fragmented one as yet barely able to defend its economic and political interests" (Knox, 1995). Dealing with the present-day society of Scotland would further draw each one who wishes to have this study in their interwar experience. Their niche, in the business world has led them into a distinction, which other countries in the United Kingdom failed to do such a feat. The 1980s saw an economic boom in the Silicon Glen corridor between Glasgow and Edinburgh, with many large technology firms relocating to Scotland. The discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970s also helped to transform the Scottish economy (wikepedia 2006). Perhaps, this is an indicator that the said state is in demand of providing services that are vital to the growth ouf European countries. Scottish were pressumed as "enemies" of most of the English people during the early years of the war and even before the war. However, they made a remarkable move by excelling on intelligence in the armed forces, Industry and economics which paved the way for

Carbon tax and Cap-and-Trade Schemes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Carbon tax and Cap-and-Trade Schemes - Essay Example In defining cap and trade system, a government literally puts a cap or limit on the overall level of carbon pollution. As the cap declines each year, it cuts industrial green house emission to the limit of regulation. This way, the government creates and distributes pollution quotas, which in turn create an incentive for industries alike to reduce their emissions (Andrew 64). In comparing the two taxes, the cap-and-trade tax has more certainty than the carbon tax. The cap and trade tax in terms of certainty can be achieved as it sets firm limits on the acceptable amount of emissions, thus achieving the desired outcome in reduction of emissions. This scheme has been used for decades by the United States to reduce emissions responsible for acid rain. By using the cap and trade system has reduced acid rain forming by half. As for the carbon tax the amount of emissions depends on the rise and fall of energy. For this reason many industrialized countries have used carbon taxes to disco urage fossil fuel and promote clean energy. For example, in Sweden carbon tax has been estimated to cut emissions by 20 percent enabling the country to achieve 2012 target under the Kyoto protocol . Carbon tax creates a fixed incentive to curb emissions since it can fix price of the carbon emissions. In assessing the cost or damage associated with each unit in pollution and the cost associated with controlling pollution. In essence its essential for the tax level to be right, if the tax is too low then the industries and households may opt to pay tax other than reduce omissions. On the other hand, if it’s set too high then the cost may indirectly impact profits, jobs and the end consumers. Cap and trade lacks price certainty since emissions permit prices may fluctuate from year to year depending on the demand for energy. This means that while the maximum pollution quantity is set in advance trading price on permits

History Of Ordnance Corps Essay Example for Free

History Of Ordnance Corps Essay The Ordnance Corp is one of the oldest branches of the Army, established May 14, 1812. The U. S. Army Ordnance Department established from The Revolutionary War. General George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army, appointed Ezekiel Cheever to provide ordnance support to army in July 1775. Until 1779, all the armies had Ordnance personnel moving with them. They were civilians and Soldiers, served as conductors for maintenance ammunition wagon and arms. Each conductor led five to six armorers who repaired small arms. In 1776, Board of War and Ordnance was created. In 1777, the first Ordnance facilities were established at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the first arsenal and armory operations at Springfield, Massachusetts. Other arsenals and armories were also established at Harpers Ferry, Philadelphia, and Watertown. On May 14, 1812, the Ordnance Department was organized by Congress. The Ordnance Department was responsibility for arms and ammunition production, acquisition, distribution, and storage for the war. In 1832, the Ordnance Corps had new responsibilities for researching and development of field services. Good work of the Ordnance Department continully to developed and tested during the Mexican War. The Mexican War became the foundation for the massive logistics. During the American War, the Ordnance Corps was really tested and developed. The Ordnance Corps brought massive procurement of weapons and supplies, and providing field support for fast moving armies. In 1898, Spain War, the Ordnance Corps first deployed overseas and provided close-combat support. During World War I, the Ordnance Corps mobilized and developed weapons systems, organized Ordnance training facilities, and established overseas supply depots. In World War II saw dramatic expansion of the Ordnance mission of production, maintenance and training. In both Korea War and Vietnam War, the Ordnance Corps provided supplies and maintenance, and was active in the development of rockets, guided missiles and satellites. In modern U. S. Army Regimental System, the Ordnance Corps is organized under the whole branch concept. The Chief of Ordnance serves as the Regimental  Commander, and the Office Chief of Ordnance serves as Headquarters Ordnance Corps. The Ordnance Corps will be always supporting the development, production, acquisition and sustainment of weapons, ammunitions, missiles, electronics, and mobility to supporting combat power to the U. S. Army. The insignia of the Ordnance Corps is yellow color metal shell and flame. The Shell and Flame is considered the oldest branch insignia in the U. S. army. The Shell and Flame had been used by European armies before its adoption by the U. S. army. In fact, it is still used by European armies. This insignia was assigned to the Ordnance Corps in 1832. The branch colors are crimson and yellow. At first, the Ordnance Corps had a red trail, like Artillery. In 1851, Crimson was assigned to the Ordnance Corps. Then in 1902, it was changed to black and scarlet color. Then finally, in 1921, crimson and yellow were assigned to the Ordnance Corps again. The Act of May 14, 1812, recognized the Ordnance Corps. In 1936, the army Institute of Heraldry redesigned and standardized version of the Shell and Flame. Redesigned Shell and Flame remains the current version.

Gender differences in the criminal justice system

Gender differences in the criminal justice system The Corsten Report (2007) on women in the criminal justice system states that ‘equal outcomes require different approaches’. Critically consider this statement with reference to research and practice. In order to demonstrate that equal outcomes for women do require different approaches within the criminal justice system, this essay intends to look at the behavioural and situational differences between female and male offenders. It will highlight the inadequate facilities available for female prisoners. It will also look at the historical differences between crimes committed by males and females and the growing trend of women involvement in drug offences. This essay will also examine the status of mental health of women within the criminal justice system and explore if this issue is more prevalent amongst female offenders. ‘Women and men are different. Equal treatment of men and women does not result in equal outcomes.’ (Corsten Report, 16: 2007) According to Covington and Bloom (2003) numerous feminist writers have demonstrated and documented the patriarchal nature of our society and the variety of ways in which the patriarchal values serve masculine needs. ‘Despite claims to the contrary, masculinist epistemologies are built upon values that promote masculine needs and desires, making all others invisible’ (Kaschak, 11: 1992). Women are often invisible in the many angles of the correctional system, and this invisibility can act as a form of oppression. Most prisons and institutions are not specific to women’s needs. For example, mother and baby units are limited within the prison system. The UK government website reports that there are only seven prisons within the UK that provide this service. This service may be detrimental to a mother bonding with her child. Another consequence of limited mother and baby units is that the mother and child will be separated and this may result in the child being placed with a relative, or in some cases the care of the state. The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) highlighted inadequate services for women within the prison services in Northern Ireland. Ash House is Northern Ireland’s only female prison and holds up to seventy-one women. This is situated within a predominately male prison. Covington and Bloom (2003) argue that there are numerous areas in which day-to-day practice in the criminal justice system ignores behavioural and situational differences between females and male offenders. Probation officers may have to consider the situational differences between female and male offenders. For example, recommending a custodial sentence for a pregnant woman may have long term emotional implications for both mother and child. It is important to note that an understanding of the distinction between sex differences and gender differences, are relevant to practice within the criminal justice system. According to Covington and Bloom (2003) sex differences are biologically determined, however, gender differences are socially constructed. They are assigned by society and they relate to expected social roles. However, do crimes committed by men differ from crimes committed by women? The Ministry of Justice statistics 2011 state that women are more likely to commit crimes such as shop lifting and theft, while men are more prone to violent crimes. Pat Carlen (1998: 10) notes that women’s imprisonment ‘incorporates and amplifies all the anti-social modes of control that oppress women outside prison’. According to Scraton and Moore (2006) what persists is the failure within the criminal justice system to accept that women’s crimes are different to men’s, committed in different circumstances. The National Prison Survey (1992) supports the argument that ‘the economic, ideological and political conditions in which most women break the law are different to those in which most men commit crime and that, therefore, they pose less of a threat to society and could be safely punished in the community.’ (National Prison Survey, 1992). However, some commentators claim that there is an increase in some violent and drug offences committed by women. According to Corsten Report (2007) despite an increase in some violent and drugs offences by women, the nature and seriousness of women’s offending has not, on the whole, been getting worse and the disproportionate increase in the women’s prison population over the last ten years is more likely the result of courts using custody more frequently for women for less serious offences. The Corsten Report (2007) states ‘the majority of female offenders have committed non-violent offences and present little risk to the public’ (Corsten Report, 16: 2007) In light of the complexities involved regarding women receiving custodial sentences, should the criminal justice system be more lenient towards women? Nicolson and Bibbings (2000) claim that several penal reformers have been less concerned about whether or not gender factors actually do affect a woman’s chances of receiving a custodial penalty, and more concerned to argue that, for a variety of reasons, gender considerations should shape sentencing and that women in particular should not receive prison sentences, unless their crimes meet certain criteria of ‘dangerousness’ and/or ‘seriousness’. However, Nicolson and bibbing (2000) argue that the central concept implicit in this argument is not gender, but risk, that is, ‘the degree of threat posed by the offender’ (Nicolson and Bibbing, 78: 2000). If risk should be a major criterion for the imposition of a custodial penalty, it is arguable that it is a criterion that should be applicable in the cases of men, as in the cases of women. Practitioners within the probation service have a duty of care to all members of society. Therefore if a woman poses a risk to society it would be considered appropriate by the probation service to recommend a custodial sentence to prevent risk and protect society. A main argument put forward in regards to differential treatment for women in the criminal justice system is based on assumptions that there are hierarchies of role worth. ‘Women, as mothers, have especially important roles to play in relation to the upbringing of children and that the damage done to children when their mothers are in prison is, in most cases, far too high a price to pay to achieve an appearance of formal equality of punishment between male and female offenders.’ (Nicolson and Bibbing, 80: 2000) The Corsten Report (2007) claims that the home and children define many women’s lives. To take this away from them when it may be all that they have causes huge damage to women. ‘Many women still define themselves and are defined by others by their role in the family. It is an important component in our sense of identity and self-esteem. To become a prisoner is to almost become a bad mother.’ (Corsten Report, 20: 2007) On the other hand, this argument depends on the value assigned to certain social roles. According to Nicolson and Bibbing (2000) it could equally be applied to any categories of worker seen to perform life enhancing work or scarce skills, for example, doctors, nurses, fathers as breadwinners, all carers and various more. Therefore, this argument cannot be allowed to remain gender-specific. Hollin and Palmer (2006) state that by examining criminal statistics, it is evident that women are less likely than men to commit crime, to be involved with the criminal justice system and to serve a custodial sentence. According to the Ministry of Justice criminal statistics (2011) there were 351,150 court proceedings involving females and 1,139,135 involving males. In regards to custodial sentencing; in 2011, a lower proportion of women in comparison to men, whose pre-sentence report recommended immediate custody went on to receive this sentence (84% of women compared to 90% of men). This research indicates that statistically, men are more likely to commit crime. The Corsten Report (2007) further analysed risk within women’s role in the criminal justice system and claim that many women involved in the system present a far greater risk to themselves. They have been recognised as more ‘troubled’ than ‘troublesome’. ‘Many have a history of being subjected to serious sexual or other violent abuse. Many are themselves ‘victims’ in whose favour the government is committed to rebalance the criminal justice system’ (Corsten Report, 17: 2007). The argument highlighted by the Corsten Report (2007) is that many women in prison have suffered sexual and domestic abuse, therefore, the state should spend more time seeking out and punishing the crimes of sexual and violence that are routinely committed against women, rather than punishing those women whose criminal lifestyles have often been prompted by their past experience with their criminal tormentors, who still remain unpunished for their crimes. This could have implications for social work practice. Therefore, past experiences should always been taken into consideration when making recommendations within a probation report. Sexual and domestic abuse may feature to a higher degree in the case of female offenders. This should be highlighted and taken into account when making recommendations. None the less, not all victims of sexual crimes are female and we also need to consider young people of all genders. Nicolson and Bibbing (2000) argue that recent research indicates that high proportions of young people who end up homeless, in state care or penal custody have had serious crimes committed against them by adults, who will never be brought to trial. The same research suggests that ‘these adult depredations often occasion their young victims’ first steps into criminal trouble’ (Nicolson and Bibbing, 79: 2000). Nicolson and Bibbing (2000) argue that recent research indicates that high proportions of young people who end up homeless, in state care or penal custody have had serious crimes committed against them by adults, who will never be brought to trial. The same research suggests that ‘these adult depredations often occasion their young victims’ first steps into criminal trouble’ (Nicolson and Bibbing, 79: 2000). Nicolson and Bibbing (2000) conclude that although this imbalance of punishment between the old and the young people does not excuse the crimes of young people who were criminally abused in childhood by their elders, it does call into question the state’s right to punish them as if they were solely to blame for their actions. Therefore, the argument highlighted by the Corsten Report (20007) should not only apply to women who have had criminal offences committed against them in childhood but also men who have been similarly abused as children. As stated previously, there has been an increase of drug related crimes among women. Drug addiction plays a huge part in all offending and this seems to be disproportionately the case with women. ‘Around seventy per cent of women coming into custody require clinical detoxification compared with fifty per cent of men. Women often have more complex poly substance misuse.’ (Corsten Report, 2007: 19) According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and rimes (2008) a large number of female prisoners worldwide are in need of treatment for substance addiction, though only a minority have access to treatment. McIvor (2004) argues that drug use amongst the most common features of women in custody in many countries. In the USA, ‘a national survey showed that women in prison used more drugs and used them more frequently than male prisoners. (McIvor, 2004: 143) It is arguable that women withdrawing from drugs and alcohol can be impulsive, volatile and unpredictable, leading to higher risk of self-injury. According to Moller et al (2007) the rate of both self-harm and self-inflicted deaths is substantially higher in prisons than in the community, with women being fourteen times more likely than men to injure themselves while in prison. The Corsten Report (2007) supports Moller et al (2007) highlighting that in 2005, notwithstanding the small number of women in prison compared with men, fifty-six percent of all recorded incidents of self-harm occurred in the female estate. In the first nine months of 2006 self-harm incidents in the female estate accounted for fifty-one per cent of all incidents. Women are also more prone to self-harm repeatedly. Moller et al’s (2007) argument, backed up by the Corsten Report (2007) brings to light that self-harm in prison is a huge problem and more prevalent among women prisoners. In 2005, over half of all inmates, in the USA, in state or federal prisons and jails met criteria for classification with a mental health problem. According to Mallach and McIvor (2013) the prison population in England and Wales contains a high prevalence of mental health problems, with one study suggesting that over ninety per cent of prisoners have one or more psychiatric disorders. The Corsten Report (2007) argues that mental health problems are far more prevalent among women in prison than in the male prison population or in the general population. ‘Up to eighty per cent of women in prison have diagnosable mental health problems.’ (Corsten Report, 19: 2007) Mallach and McIvor (2013) further reinforce this argument by claiming that female prisoners are considered to be more likely to experience mental health problems and to have more complex levels of mental health need. The above research may have implications for social work practice within the criminal justice system and it is important that mental health is taken into consideration when making recommendations and adequate resources for women with mental health issues should be available within the prison system if they pose a risk to society. In conclusion, this essay has demonstrated that if society wants equal outcomes for female offenders then it may require different approaches within the criminal justice system. The behavioural and situational differences dictate different approaches are required. This is exemplified in the case of pregnant women who require specific needs and special consideration, as this can have implications for society as a whole. On the other hand, the judicial protection of women could be seen as an ideological front for patriarchy, in that traditional roles are reinforced within society. Historical research indicates that women’s offences differ from men’s. None the less, there is a growing trend for women to be involved with drug offences. The Carsten Report (2007) has highlighted that mental health problems are far more prevalent among women in prison than in the male prison population. This may be due to the fact that many women in prison have suffered sexual and domestic abuse. This highlights that women are still oppressed within society and that the criminal justice system has failed to recognise this issue. The prison system is also more geared to the needs of male offenders and offers inadequate resources to female offenders. Corston Report. (2007) A review of women with particular vulnerabilities in the Criminal justice system. London: Crown Publication. Covington, S and Bloom, B. (2003) Gendered Justice: Women in the Criminal Justice System. USA: Carolina Academic Press. Hollin, C and Palmer, E. (2006) Criminogenic need and women offenders: A critique of the literature. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 11, pp179-195. Malloch, M and McIvor, G. (2013) Women, Punishment and Social Justice: Human Rights and Penal Practices. London: Routledge. McIvor, G. (2004) Women Who Offend. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Mà ¸ller, L. Gatherer, A. Jà ¼rgens, R. Stà ¶ver, H. Nikogosian, H. (2007) Health in Prisons: A WHO Guide to the Essentials in Prison Health. WHO Regional Office Europe. Nicolson, D and Bibbings, L. (2000) Feminist Perspectives on Criminal Law. Cavendish. Scratan, P and Moore, L. (2006) Degardation, Harm and Survival in Women’s Prison. Social Policy and Society, 5, pp 67-78. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2008) Handbook for Prison Managers and Policymakers on Women and Imprisonment. United Nations Publications. Warner, J. (2012) Women and Crime. ABC-CLIO Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland: Report on an announced inspection of Ash House, Hydebank Wood Women’s Prison. 18 22 February 2013 Ministry of Justice. (2011) Statistics of Women and the Criminal Justice System. https://www.gov.uk/life-in-prison/pregnancy-and-childcare-in-prison Accessed 18/12/2013 20:36 1

Non-Chronological Narration Technique Used in Faulkner’s The Unvanquished :: Unvanquished Essays

Non-Chronological Narration Technique Used in Faulkner’s The Unvanquished The novel The Unvanquished is a about a young boy’s coming of age story, as seen through the eyes of the grown man that he is to become. The great advantage of this form of narration is the ability it grants Faulkner to be able to reach forward and backward through time unrestrained in order to pull the type of significance and lesson from this boy’s story that can only be seen upon reflection. Despite surely being a technique borrowed from the author James Joyce, William Faulkner was arguably the first to realize what this disregard for chronology could offer to a story of values of masculinity. By looking back on what it means to be a man, as opposed to forward, William keeps the lessons of manhood clear and concise, as opposed to the vague and confused path a boy must in actuality take. From the very first lines we see the stark contrast between protagonist and narrator, and the important role it plays. The story opens with the two youthful friends, Ringo and Bayard, fantasizing about the battle in Vicksburg they believed their hero and Bayard’s father, Colonel Sartoris, was fighting. As they stage their own imitation though, the narrator’s tone is completely opposite of the idolatry of the children. He says of their mock Vicksburg landscape, that it was â€Å"possessing even in miniature that ponderable though passive recalcitrance of topography which outweighs artillery, against which the most brilliant of victories and the most tragic of defeats are but the loud noises of a moment.† In this way the narrator has completely laid bare the naivety of the children in getting caught up in the passions of their limited and ultimately insignificant struggles, and even more importantly, the ignorance of the man whom they attempt to emulate. While the story is one of confederate pride, embodied in spirit by the character of Bayard’s father, the narrator is the voice of tempered reflection. He describes the futility of the south’s plight through the metaphor of the children playing. He says of their miniature battle of Vicksburg, â€Å"[It was] the very setting of the stage for conflict a prolonged and wellnigh hopeless ordeal in which we ran, panting and interminable, with the leaking bucket between wellhouse and battlefield,†¦ to join forces†¦against†¦time, before we could engender between us and hold intact the pattern of recapitulant mimic furious victory like a cloth, a shield between ourselves and reality, between us and fact and doom.

Mobile phone and Landline phone Essay

Phones are important because we rely on them to communicate with other people. Despite the cell phone cannot give you a clear, crystal clear connection as a landline phone. Landline phone is a device which we connect to the output of our homes and businesses. On the other hand, cell phones and mobile have the capacity and advanced technology. While they both perform the same basic function, there are significant differences between landline and mobile phones. There are many differences between landline and mobile phones. Convinces of having a cell phone is that you can have it on hand where ever you go. As for a landline you cannot take it with you. Cell phone have a GPS technology that can find your exact location or where you trying to go. Cell phone also can give you the chance to take live pictures or video camera whereas landline cannot. Cell phone has great features such as watch TV, MP3 players, can store all our contact information, keep track of our appointments, and important dates. The most important advantage of landlines for cell phones that 9-1-1 operators can better determine your location in an emergency. When you call 9-1-1 from a landline phone, the operator can find the exact address where the call originated. When you call 9-1-1 from a cell phone, on the other hand, the operator only receives information about your approximate latitude and longitude, which can be from 50 to 300 yards. If you are in an emergency and cannot speak to give 9-1-1 operator your location, have stationary can save your life. The similarity of landline and cell phone is the fact that they are both used for communication. One quality of the technology they are good for emergencies, for example, if you just need to call a friend or family, as the technology can do this. Both are good and reliable person depends on your needs. In conclusion, we know that cell phones are more comfortable and fashionable than landline. Phones have improved over the year; we have gone from the house phone to cell phones. Cell phones and home phones are similar in a couple of ways, but very different in many ways. Nowadays we see people on the streets with their cell phones, as many people know that it’s easier and cheaper

Managing communication Essay

The turn exchange system of interpreting mirrors the possibilities of ordinary turn exchanges in any language, Smooth transitions, potential gaps or pauses, and overlapping talk are all features of turn-taking processes in any language. However, in face-to-face encounters which are interpreted, interpreters actively involve themselves in the ebb and flow of talk; Interpreters are an integral part of the exchange process. Speakers cannot know possible transition moments in other languages, nor can they know what pauses are or how turns end. They participate only in their own language. Thus, two turn-taking systems are operating independently of each other while yet another system, Ð ° discourse exchange system, is controlled by an interpreter. All primary participants within any discourse event interact in complex ways. Together, speakers and interpreters create pauses, overlapping talk, and turns. Although speakers attend to the interaction because of the reasons that brought them together, interpreters attend to interaction management and make decisions about the discourse process itself. Interpreters are doing more than searching Ð ° lexical bank, or syntactic rules, to create coherent utterances and turns. They act on understandings and expectations of the way social scenes emerge in interaction, as well as on social and cultural knowledge of the â€Å"ways of speaking† within particular situations. Choosing appropriate equivalents depends more on the relative status of the interlocutors and desired outcomes than on grammatical or semantic factors. Some scholars might suggest that the complexity and uniqueness of this event lies solely in the fact that one participant is using Ð ° linguistic system of Ð ° different modality (ASL). However, І argue that the mode of Ð ° linguistic system has very little to do with the nature of interpreting as Ð ° face-to-face interaction. Pauses, simultaneous talk, and confusion regarding turns exist during interpreting no matter which linguistic system is in use. Ð  speaker who knows only German cannot know the import or intention of Ð ° response from Ð ° speaker who knows only Yoruba (Ð ° language of Nigeria) any better just because the languages are spoken and not signed. Interpreters are members of interpreted conversations, involved in creating turn exchanges through their knowledge of the linguistic system, conventions for language use, the social situation, and the discourse structure system. Experienced interpreters, then, are competent bilinguals (or multilingual) who possess knowledge of two (or more) languages and also knowledge of social situations, â€Å"ways of speaking,† and strategies for managing communication. Finally, the interpreter is not solely responsible for either the success of the failure of interpreted interaction. All three participants jointly produce this event, and all three are responsible, in differing degrees, for its communicative success or failure. Accounting for and determining the role of different rights and obligations of speakers and how this knowledge influences interpretations is an ongoing discussion that the profession must have. Although interpreters may know and act instinctively on this knowledge, it is my experience that neither practitioners nor students study, practice, talk about, or reflect on decisions about discourse processes, such as turns and overlapping talk. What is missed in not acknowledging or studying this level of knowledge is that experienced interpreters intuitively and successfully interpret the pragmatic meanings of discourse events more often than not, and, subsequently, these situations turn out much as they would if the two primary speakers did speak Ð ° common language. Although these individual events may turn out successfully, without further research and study, there is not pattern or consensus for teaching interpreting to entering students, for teaching successful strategies, or for competently certifying interpreters.

How Is Racism Presented in the Novel of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?

How is racism presented in the novel of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry? Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a novel based in the Southern States of America in the 1930’s and deals with the theme of Racism amongst other themes. Racism is being prejudice or discriminating against someone of a different race based on such a belief. Following on from the Civil War, America experienced ‘The Great Depression’ and it affected everyone, especially blacks.Mildred Taylor reveals examples of racism and racist behaviour throughout the novel based on her own experiences. In this essay, I will discuss what blacks were subjected to and how racism is presented in this novel. Right from the very start, the Logan Children, although they have been protected from racism, experience unjust acts against them. The books that the Logan Children use in school were previously owned by the white children until they were considered too tatty for them to use.The books also include the race of the s tudent, using the word â€Å"nigra. † However, Little Man and Cassie do not know how to react to this: â€Å"†¦he sucked in his breath and sprang from his chair like a wounded animal, flinging the book onto the floor and stomping madly upon it. † This demonstrates how naive Little Man is as he reacts angry and offended because he has not been treated in that way before. This also shows that blacks do not need or require books that are in good condition because of the racist opinions of the whites.TJ Avery, a character introduced early on in the novel, is accustomed to racism and recognises it. He frequently gossips and enlightens the Logan Children about racist acts. An example of this is when he passes on details concerning the Berry Burnings: â€Å"I betcha I could give y’all an earful ‘bout that burnin’ last night† The Logan Children act surprised and reply with ‘Burning? What burning? ’ which further reveals their innoce nce and naivety to racism. Moreover, this illustrates TJ’s understanding of unjust and prejudice acts against black people.At the end of the novel, these prejudice and unjust acts are witnessed by the Logan Children when TJ’s family are brutally attacked by the ‘Night Men’. TJ is blamed for the murder of Mr. Barnett, a white man, when the offence was committed by R. W and Melvin Simms (two white boys). However, TJ was only an accomplice in the break in of Mr. Barnett’s store but this does not prevent the ‘Night Men’ attacking TJ and his family. They do this because it gives them reason to physically and violently assault the Avery family just because they’re black: â€Å"†¦dragged from the ouse on his knees. His face was bloody and when he tried to speak he cried with pain. † This shows they are treated like animals and not as equals. TJ is considered disposable by the white men as they do not care what happens to him . Also the fact that there was no legal intervention displays how racist the community really was towards black people. In my opinion, I think Mildred Taylor included this in the novel to show that no one stood up to it even though it was unjust and unfair. In contrast to this, not every white character in the book is racist.For example, Jeremy Simms and Mr. Jamison. Jeremy Simms, a white boy, wants to befriend the Logan Children despite knowing he will be punished for his actions as it is considered unacceptable for a white boy to socially interact with black children: â€Å"Jeremy grew even more pale, ‘C-cause I just likes y’all’ he stammered† This shows what a brave and courageous character he is to look beyond the colour of a person’s skin for the sake friendship. Mildred Taylor, I believe, included this in the book to show that not everyone was racist and as it gives the reader a sense of hope.In conclusion, this is a very thought provoking nov el as it presents racism in an effective way. This is due to Mildred Taylor writing it based on her own experiences which makes it very realistic. Furthermore, as the book was written from a child’s perspective, it makes it easy to relate to and easier to understand. Racism was obvious from an early age as black children were made to feel unworthy even though some were protected from it by their parents. Also that for some their day to day reality of living with racism forced them to mature and grow up.Although unjust and unfair, racism was allowed to fester as there was no movement within the white community to prevent it continuing; most white people and black people just accepted it as they felt there was nothing they could do or it was too dangerous to stand up to. However, the novel shows there was a glimmer of hope as there were white people who disagreed with racism and were prepared to look beyond the colour of black people’s skin. I feel this book is suggestin g that racism affected black people’s, of all ages, day to day lives and were treated with prejudice and discrimination but with violent consequences. David Constant 9F

Writing a blog for Lecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Writing a blog for Lecture - Essay Example From the lecture, one was made to reflect on experiences during shopping in a mall, where various products offered were designed in different packages and brands that aim to entice consumers in buying them. The discussions on visual illusions that influence one’s perception and contribute to decision making were highly illuminating. These touched on the Muller-Lyer illusion (Muller-Lyer Illusion n.d.), Ponzo’s illusion (Ponzo Illusion n.d.), Ebbinghaus illustion (Vishton and Fabre 2003), and Lepper’s ambiguous lady illusion (Perceptual Ambiguity 1997). Depending on the need or demand, one’s perception is significantly influenced and therefore buying behavior is swayed by which need is most pressing. For instance, there is a need to purchase a laptop to be used for academic presentations. Manufacturers design different strategies to cater to different consumers. I could be enticed to buy a particular brand based on functionality and design and also the pric e of the product, since as a student, I do not have enough income to purchase the more advanced and technically sophisticated products, despite the intricate packaging or promotions being applied. I therefore learned that my consumer buying behavior could have been influenced by diverse internal and external factors. One’s perceptual process is assisted by external factors to aid in decision making. There could be changes to be made in future buying behavior depending on significant changes in one’s income level or serving more intricate needs that only specifically designed products could satisfy. "Perceptual Ambiguity." Illusion Works. 1997. Available at: http://psylux.psych.tu-dresden.de/i1/kaw/diverses%20Material/www.illusionworks.com/html/perceptual_ambiguity.html (Accessed October 19, 2012). Skaalid, B. 1999. "Gestalt Principles of Perception." College of Education, University of Saskatchewan. Available at:

Proplem statment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Proplem statment - Essay Example This however does not hold up when the internal structure is considered. Employees see things very differently from an outside observer. My individual experience as a team leader and EVP in the company is that there is an absence of both satisfaction with the job and poor employee motivation to succeed. The company employs both Kuwaiti nationals and a number of expatriates. This observed lack of motivation has a negative effect on work habits and the consequent outcomes. There is a lack of enthusiasm in the workplace and the result is a failure to meet expected outcomes. Another difficulty is the relationship between management or leaders and workers or followers. Within KFIC, as discussed earlier in the module on management change, the making of decisions is kept within the upper layers of management at CEO level and with the company chairman. Others in the company, supposedly in positions of leadership are prevented from making decisions in their own rights as they are not given su fficient information, and have neither the skills required or the authority within the workplace that would enable them to do so. The other members of the work teams are well aware of this situation and this makes for poor co-worker relationships. Information is restricted to an elite and the result is a lack of motivation on the part of both team leaders and others. ... This means that there is much private knowledge which must naturally be safeguarded. However unless leaders and workers have sufficient knowledge they are unlikely to be able to make required decisions and carry out tasks given to a satisfactory level. The KFC problem discussion in light of available literature In 2001 Guthrie discussed how the most successful businesses do not rely only upon their obvious assets, but also depend upon more intangible things such as knowledge creation and information held. This is something that KFIC needs to take hold of. They need to understand the importance of knowledge creation and the process of passing on necessary information. There have been a number of studies on the topic of knowledge management i.e knowledge creation, sharing and transfer according to Mitchell and Boyle ( 2010). They argue that for knowledge creation it is necessary to conceptualize knowledge and to build a consistency of operations. As Coff indicated in 2003 KFIC needs to create knowledge about organizational aspects of their operation, but also stress social aspects. Drucker (1998), as cited by Mitchell & Boyle, 2010) explained that it is employees rather that employers who should control and own knowledge production. Â   In their 2010 work Mitchell & Boyle give evidence based upon a number of earlier research studies about the importance of the creation of knowledge. This they say is because it both provides a means of competitive advantage in the market place, but also adds worth to an organization.. KFIC, as an organization, need to comprehend how important knowledge is to their future success. This should then motivate them to search for ways in which they can gain and create suitable aspects of knowledge. The knowledge

Leadership development Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Leadership development - Case Study Example Both the drug company has the same mission as well as passion of improving health across the globe and has a commitment towards the customers in putting them first and being there in times of the need. Therefore the case aims to discuss some of the questions in relation to strategic leadership, cultural and transformational leadership along with the managerial roles and leadership traits with respect to Merck’s company. According to Lussier and Achua, â€Å"Strategic management is the set of decisions and actions used to formulate and implement specific strategies that will achieve a competitively superior fit between the organization and its environment, so as to achieve organizational goals† (Lussier & Achua, 2007, p. 444). Frazier who was appointed as the chief executive officer and president of Merck’s after the retirement of Richard T. Clark in 2011. Frazier has served as an executive vice president and president for Global Human health from the year 2007 to 2010. He is the first African-American who was appointed as the CEO of Merck. Strategic leadership refers to the ability to foresee, predict and maintain flexibility and empower the other members to create about a change as and when necessary for the organization (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2010, p. 352). From the case study it can be stated that the CEO, Mr. Frazier has effectively carried out the primary responsibility of effective strategic leader as the responsibility primarily rest on the top level management mainly by the CEO and Mr. Frazier has proved to be effective strategic leader by helping the company to create the core values along with purpose and vision and secondly, the CEO was able to translate the purpose, vision and the core values into the decision of the business. Ken Frazier had the strategic vision, passion and experience to lead the company and has played a major role in shaping the business

The Implications of Dan Slobins Statements on Second Language Essay

The Implications of Dan Slobins Statements on Second Language Acquisition - Essay Example The Implications of Dan Slobin’s Statements on Second Language Acquisition Language is essential in being able to communicate properly and communication is essential to societal life, where a person needs to be able to understand and be understood by other people in order to survive. Thus, the study of language acquisition and development in children is well-covered as many delve into the process in order to help teachers and parents to promote a healthier and more successful language development in children in order for them to be well-equipped to live in the world. And with the diversity of language comes the need not only to fluently speak one language, but to also learn a second, or even a third, language. Immigration and inter-racial marriages are two very common happenings in the 22nd Century. Gone were the days when immigrants were treated like outcasts and racial discrimination was considered normal. Today, anyone can choose to migrate to another country in order to find a better life. Because of the phenomenon of immigration wherein a country is made more diverse and multicultural, it is but inevitable for inter-racial marriages to flourish. Because of these two factors combined and the subsequent success of international and multinational corporations, schools have felt it necessary to equip their students with the knowledge of a foreign language. In fact, â€Å"the number of people in the United States who speak more than one language has doubled to almost 50 million during the past 20 years†.

New Approach in Cancer Treatment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

New Approach in Cancer Treatment - Essay Example The different therapies available in the market today target to control the division rate of the tumor cells. However, emerging knowledge reveals that all cancer therapies may be missing the point and this explains why cancers relapse so often even after treatment. The new knowledge suggests that therapy should aim at altering the proliferation rate of cancer stem cells that sustain a tumor. One wonders whether this knowledge is a breakthrough towards discovering a potential cure for cancer. This paper will tackle the potential of this new knowledge to change the picture of cancer treatment, its challenges, and promises. Description of Cancer Stem Cells Cancer originates from a transformation of cells from normal growth pattern to abnormal growth properties. Cancer stem cells are primitive cells that are responsible for the growth and advancement of a tumor. These cells have the capacity to regenerate and the regeneration process yields differentiated cells. The cancer stem cells yie ld malignant cells on renewal. They possess other critical characteristics of normal stem cells. They display multi-potency and experimental evidence reveals that they can give rise to tumors when introduced into normal tissues in organisms with compromised immune systems. Experimental evidence has proved that cancer stem cells are responsible for the new population of cancer cells when a tumor recurs. These experiments reveal that the few multi-potent cancer stem cells have the potential to restore new populations of all various cell populations in the first tumor. Cancer stem cells are the only ones capable of metastasis to other tissues and give rise to new tumors. Cancer stem cells portray resistance to anti-cancer drugs available in the market today (Majumder, 2009:13). Although these drugs succeed in reducing the tumor mass cells by altering different aspects of their proliferation, the cancer stem cells remain unaltered and survive. After some time, these stem cells initiate a new process of tumor formation (Clevers, 2011:5). Since cancer stem cells show very slow proliferation whereas most of the drugs only target the highly proliferative cells, then such drugs leave cancer stem cells intact. Cancer stem cells acquire the potential to activate and repress certain genes just as normal stem cells do. However, stem cells do not respond to certain stop signals that other stem cells respond to and end up gaining an infinite life span. Evidence of the Presence of Cancer Stem Cells The first evidence that cancer stem cells were present in cancers was through analysis of hematological cancers. Researchers observed a small proportion of cells that possessed the self-renewing properties among a sphere of cancer cells. This property is similar to those of normal hematological stem cells. Hematological cancer cells observed a similar hierarchy of differentiation into cells of varying life spans just like the physiological hematological cells. In this hierarchy, ma jority of the cells had short and long life spans. Research revealed that some of the long-term cells possessed characteristics similar to normal hematologic stem cells. This initial evidence probed advanced study on the same concept in other cancer types. So far, research indicates that cancer stem cells are present in the following types of cancers brain, colon, pancreatic, melanoma, prostate and breast cancer (Hayat, 2010:178). In sarcomas, although

The Duke and the Dauphin Essay Example for Free

The Duke and the Dauphin Essay The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, two conmen called the duke and the dauphin (or the king) constantly cause trouble for Huck and Jim. Though many say these two characters weaken the overall plot, they are actually quite important factor in the plot of the story and help move things along. When Huck and Jim first meet the duke and the king, they introduce themselves as an impoverished duke of England and the long lost son of King Louis XVI of France. Of course Huck is smart enough to realize the men were con artists and didn’t believe their silly lies. This is yet another example of Huck’s â€Å"street smarts†, for if someone like Tom Sawyer had met them he would have easily believed the two because it would have been something like the stories he was so fond of. As the group of four travels down the Mississippi River, they come across the funeral of a wealthy man by the name of Richard Wilks. In his will, Wilks left his small fortune to his daughter and two English brothers who were rumored not to arrive. Of course with the real brothers most likely not stopping by and loads of money sitting around, the duke and the dauphin jump on the opportunity and plan their next scheme. Almost anyone would agree that their latest plan was extremely low, even for two con artists. Huck is extremely disgusted with their scam saying â€Å"It was enough to make a body ashamed of the human race† (Twain 159). If the duke and the dauphin been a part of the plot, this scam wouldn’t have happened and as a result the audience wouldn’t see how empathetic and compassionate Huck really is. Through the intensity and seriousness of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a bit of the comic relief is needed and the duke and the king are the perfect pair. Though they may seem to play a pointless part in the book, the conmen are actually important to the plot by giving Huck and Jim a reason for moving from place to place and ultimately to their final destination, but more importantly for bringing out certain characteristics in Huck that the audience may not have seen without the duke and the dauphin.

Project Time Management Of Burj Khalifa Economics Essay

Project Time Management Of Burj Khalifa Economics Essay Burj Khalifa, a single place where tourism, hospitality, professionalism and leisure come together. Home to more than 1000 residences, Burj Khalifa accommodates a hotel, an observation deck, a restaurant, fitness and recreation club and also 37 floors of corporate offices. It brings in a concept of a vertical city with all the luxurious amenities made available on the top of the world. For the tourists and visitors coming to see this marvel, it is a long and a memorable journey of a lifetime (www.burjkhalifa.ae). Burj in Arabic means Tower and Khalifa stands for the name of the President of the UAE and the ruler of Abu Dhabi, his highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al- Nahyan. The initial name given to this tower was Burj Dubai but was changed to Burj Khalifa in the honour of the President for bailing out $10 billion during Dubais financial crisis. The completion of this tower has broken numerous world records. At over 828 meters (2716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa ho lds the following records: Tallest Building in the world Tallest free standing structure in the world Highest number of stories in the world Highest occupied floor in the world Highest outdoor observation deck in the world Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world Tallest service elevator in the world (www.burjkhalifa.ae) Fig 4.2 and 4.3 showing Burj Khalifa from different angles and shades of natural day light. Emaar Properties have developed this project of Burj Khalifa. Skidmore, Owings and Merril (SOM) have designed this beautiful structure and Samsung Engineering and Construction along with BeSix and Arabtec gave out the final product by constructing this tower. Turner Construction of the United States of America was responsible for the project management of this whole undertaking. This project estimated a cost of $1.5 billion for completion. At the staggering height of 2717 feet (easily more than two Empire State Buildings), this shimmering, spiralling mixed- use tower inevitably raises the question: When is big too big? (Kamin, 2010 p.78). The design of this building has been adapted from the Islamic architecture and has been inspired from a regional desert flower, the Hymenocallis. Adrian Smith was the sculptor for this design heading this project on behalf of SOM. Constructing the Burj Khalifa required more than 22 million man hours from about 12,000 professionals and skilled workers, and more than 60 consultants and contracting companies from around the world (Skidmore, Owings Merrill, 2011 p.23). In a true sense this project was a global venture to showcase the feat of ultimate engineering and the technological advancement which the human beings have achieved through dedication and hard work all these years. Burj Khalifa was truly an international collaboration between more than 30 on- site- contracting companies from nations around the world. At the peak of construction, over 12,000 workers and contractors were on site every day, representing more than 100 nationalities (www.burjkhalifa.ae). Project time Management of Burj Khalifa: There is no doubt that the time management of this project might have been one of the most challenging tasks that the team must have faced during its construction. The size and scope of this project was on such a large scale that some problems were inevitable, irrespective of any measures taken. First we shall have a look at the construction timeline which will be analysed further. Also we will discuss the problems that the project management team had to go through and how well they were able to deal with it controlling the schedule of this project with minimum delays. Fig 4.3 Burj Khalifa Construction Timeline: January 2004 Excavation started February 2004 Piling started March 2005 Superstructure started June 2006 Level 50 reached January 2007 Level 100 reached March 2007 Level 110 reached April 2007 Level 120 reached May 2007 Level 130 reached July 2007 Level 141 reached worlds tallest building September 2007 Level 150 reached worlds tallest free standing structure April 2008 Level 160 reached worlds tallest man-made structure January 2009 Completion of Spire Burj Khalifa tops out September 2009 Exterior cladding completed January 2010 Official launch ceremony Source: www.burjkhalifa.ae The total time taken for the construction of this building was 2,192 days with the average height built per day was 37 centimetres or 1 feet and 2.88 inches (www.theatlanticcities.com). If we carefully interpret the construction timeline as shown in figure 4.3, we can understand that the work was speeding up when the project started. There was a steady growth during 2005-06 till level 50 was reached. Since then it took a long time to construct another 50 levels as the building was rising higher and the crew might be dealing with challenges arising due to it. From January 07 to July 07 the construction again picked up some speed as they were nearly building 10 floors every month. This was remarkable as the construction was reaching the heights where any construction worker might not have gotten. The construction was again slowed down in September 07 when level 150 was reached. After that it took 7 months to complete the top most floor of the building. The average height built per day might look small but considering the construction at 838 meters above ground is an achievement. Let us now move on to the actual problems faced by the project management while erecting the worlds highest structure. Issues affecting the Project Time Management of Burj Khalifa: Listed below are some of the complications that had an adverse effect on the Project Time Management of Burj Khalifa. Emaar properties had plans to throw open this building in December 2008. Chairman of the Emaar Group Mohammed Alabbar announced the delay of about nine months scheduling the opening ceremony in August or September 2009 (www.arabianbusiness.com, 2008). However the opening was further delayed and this mega structure was finally released on 4th of January 2010. The project took 5 years and 4 months for completion. There were several problems during the course of construction of this building which lead to a delay of more than a year in delivering the project. Some of them were Pumping the concrete: According to the officials pumping the concrete to the record height of 828 meters was the toughest part of constructing this tower. Two of the worlds largest pumps manufactured by Putzmeister, were used to supply concrete for the construction of this building. These pumps unified with 150 mm pipeline could supply a massive 350 bars of concrete pressure. Above level 127 of the tower, a modified mix of concrete was used to account for changing pressure requirements due to height (Skidmore, Owings Merrill, 2011). In addition to that the climatic condition of Dubai was also a factor that delayed the construction process. Work at Burj Dubai is carried out in three shifts. Due to high day time temperatures up to 50 ° Celsius the concrete works are usually carried out during the slightly cooler night time hours(www.pmw.co.in, 2007). The effects of Dubais fluctuating seasonal temperatures made it a challenge to properly pump, pour and set concrete (Skidmore, Owings Merrill, 2011). This could cause considerable delays as no concrete work was carried out during the day time. Fig. 4.4 showing the massive pipelines of the concrete pump and Fig 4.5 showing the councrete pouring process. Fig 4.4 Fig 4.5 Source: www.pmw.co.in Labour Strikes: Workers constructing the Burj Khalifa went twice on strike during the whole span of its construction. In March 2006, 2500 workers rioted at the Burj Khalifa site, demanding a raise in their pay (www.migrant-rights.org, 2010). The labourers complained of being paid as low as $4 per day and were asked to work 12 hours a day and for 6 days a week. Riots broke out and the workers vandalized various offices, cars, construction several machineries and equipment. Construction of what is expected to be the worlds tallest building was halted after 2500 workers in Dubai rioted over pay and conditions, causing damage estimated to  £ 500,000 (www.guardian.co.uk, 2006). The protest was also sympathised by the workers at the construction site of Dubais New International Airport laying aside their tools. The second protest was held in November of 2007. This protest was for their demands of pay rise as well as to provide better living conditions for the workers. The latrines are so filthy we canno t use them, we are so disgusted. The roads are full of garbage and waterlogged. Living and moving around is a great problem, an occupant reported (www.migrant-rights.org, 2010). At both the instances the government threatened the workers to return back to work or face the consequences of mass deportations. This lead to unrest and the labourers were not satisfied which directly or indirectly have affected the construction. Yet the sources claimed that this protest had no effect on the construction of Burj Khalifa. This can be considered as one of the biggest issue which might have contributed to the delays in the construction. Fig 4.6 showing the riots in 2006 and Fig 4.7 where labourers are on strike in 2007 Source: www.bbc.co.uk Dubai Economic Crisis: In the year 2009, Dubai saw a downturn in its ever booming economy. People lost massive amounts of money as they saw the economy and the glittering real estate market go down. No doubt it was a tough situation for everyone. But it was even tougher for the building projects going on at that time. One of them was the all famous and glamorous dream project of Burj Khalifa. Half of the UAEs construction projects, totalling $582bn ( £400bn), either have been put on hold or cancelled, leaving a trail of half-built towers on the outskirts of the city stretching into the desert(www.guardian.co.uk, 2009). Not just in the case of investors and developers, the credit crunch had affected the construction workers lives too. As the projects were postponed or delayed, the workers were sacked leaving them no choice but to return back to their countries. Many of these workers were from South Asia belonging to countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc. Burj Khalifa was one of the mo st expensive projects in the history of the UAE. Undoubtedly it had a lot to do with this financial crisis. The worlds tallest building, the Burj Dubai, officially opens its doors, leaving a colossal reminder of the hubris that brought the emirate crashing in November (www.guardian.co.uk, 2010). Analysis: The project of constructing Burj Khalifa was awarded to a team of experienced construction companies. The principal developer of this project Emaar Properties is a very popular Joint Stock Company developing projects all across the world in countries like United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, China, Canada, etc. and also some joint ventures in North America, Europe, Pan-Asia, North Africa and the Middle East (www.emaar.com). Giving shape to many projects in UAE, Emaar has a major contribution in Dubais Infrastructure development. It has developed much of downtown Dubai. Construction of the world biggest mall (Dubai Mall) and the worlds tallest tower (Burj Khalifa) is associated with this company. The company is led by its president Mohamed Ali Alabbar who was also in-charge of the decision making process of the Burj Khalifa. The company follows a decentralised structure of its organisation resulting to which the decisions were made customer oriented a nd quicker. The authority was delegated to the managers of each department which made it easier to save time. This project was directly under the supervision of the ruler of Dubai, his highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Rashid Al Makhtoum and had a lot of expectations of the people across the world. Turner Constructions was responsible for the project management of the Burj Khalifa. This company is also a renowned name in the industry based in the United States of America. This organisation was constantly monitoring the progress of this project to ensure practice of good standards of project management to deliver efficient and satisfactory project outcome. Skidmore, Owing and Merrill were designing and Samsung Engineering and Construction and BeSix were constructing the project. Arabtec was involved in supplying man power to this project. The assignment was in the hands of well-known experienced professionals as they strived to achieve a dream to build the highest building in the world. In spite of having a team of best people at work, there were some problems which were hard to prevent. Some of the issues related to the delay in the construction of this project are discussed above. Unfortunately it was found that all these problems were unavoidable. The time consumption of pumping the concrete high above the ground was very much anticipated and accounted for. But in the end it took a bit more time than it was expected to finish. The fluctuating temperatures in Dubai made it much more difficult for the workers to finish the task. The problems of Labour Strikes and the Economy prices came as a surprise to the initial planning of this project. But indeed the matter was way much serious than what was just reported. There have been speculations of workers dying during the construction of this building but the whole issue was suppressed and there have been no confirmed reports for the same. In a country like UAE, which is a kingdom ruled by the kings, there is very much little of what is known as democracy. Human Rights Watch reported numerous exploitations that construction workers suffer in the UAE, including unpaid or very low wages, many years of monetary obligations to the recruitment agencies for fees, seizing of employees passport and dangerous working conditions that result in apparently high mortality rates and injuries (www.migrant-rights.org, 2010). As a result of these conditions, strikes and protests were obvious. Formation of Labour unions is also prohibited in UAE but the labour ministry promised to set a minimum wage rate on the basis of which the strikes were withdrawn and work resumed. Fig 4.8 Dangerous Work being done at the Burj Khalifa Source: www.gulfnews.com The construction was getting back to normal and shortly after couple of years of this incident, Dubai experienced major financial crisis. Once again the smooth going construction was affected and delayed the project in return. The consolidated efforts of the companies involved tried their level best to continue the work and not let the schedule be affected but it was not possible until the President of UAE and the ruler of Abu Dhabi helped them bail out the indebt city of Dubai. The whole process of constructing this tower was complex and painstaking. But Emaar properties and all other companies did a very good job in the end to complete this unique project in mere less than five and a half years time and setting many world records. Undoubtedly it was a great effort from each and every individual involved which made it possible to fulfil this dream and deliver a marvel of its kind. Fig 4.9 a picture of some of the team members involved in the construction of this project put up in the building as an appreciation for their contribution. Source: Self 4.2 Delhi Metro: Delhi, a capital city of a country ranked second in the worlds total population. Along with its population, the country is also going through a lot of economic, social, political and technological developments. Various plans and projects are been chalked out for the future to meet the needs of the ever growing population of this country and compete with other nations of the world to provide exquisite facilities. Work is in progress in few metropolitan cities which have been undergoing through a pressure of urbanisation. Delhi is one of them. According to the census of 2011, Delhi has a registered population of 16.7 million people and a growth rate of 20.96% as compared to the previous decade (www.cencus2011.co.in). With a remarkable growth in population and with limited space to accommodate, it is necessary to provide an equally capable infrastructure system which can ease the problems of its citizens. These infrastructure developments include convenient transportation facilities. Fig4.10 displaying phase I and II of Delhi Metro Project National Capital Territory of Delhi covers an area of 1486 square kilometres and is a Union Territory with all powers of State Government (www.delhimetrorail.com). The city limits are extending to fit in the size of population. It necessitates a robust transit system to transfer people from one place to another.The need to travel is a consequent need i.e. people do not travel just for the sake of it but do so only when the necessity to transfer exists. The necessity to move is dictated by peoples requirements like work, study, leisure, medical, etc. In the background of inadequate urban capacity, global warming, increasing salaries and resulting motorization, it is commonly agreed among urban planners and city building professionals that safe and efficient public transport is the best way for the future to make cities more sustainable. With these intentions in mind, the Delhi Metro was foreseen in the city of New Delhi and started its operations in 2002. Fig. 4.11 Representation of the Traffic Congestion in Delhi (Source: www.ndtv.com) Fig. 4.12 Funny but true, a crowded bus in Delhi (Source: www.ibnlive.com) The original planning for a rail based transport system in Delhi started in 1970s when the government projected that a similar system would be required for mass public transportation in the future. Since then government appointed various committees to study the scope of development of mass rapid transport system (MRTS). At that time Delhi was perhaps the only city in the world, with such a huge size of its population depended on the over-crowded and insufficient bus services as the only public transport alternative. This situation has led to the proliferation of personalised vehicles, so much so that Delhi has more registered vehicles than total number of vehicles in Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai put together (www.delhigovt.nic.in). Similar to the present situation in Mumbai, Delhi was also tackling with problems like traffic congestion, environmental pollution, rising number of road accidents, fuel wastage, etc. Kolkata introduced a Metro railway system in the 1980s but the project e xceeded its budget and completion schedule, seriously undermining the confidence of the Government and the people in Metro systems (Sreedharan, 2008 p.57). During that period when the countrys development was sluggish, it was a gamble to once again trust a system that had failed miserably in the last attempt. Calcutta (now renamed to Kolkata) was a 17 kilometre long metro line which took 22 years for completion and the budget was overrun 14 times than what was initially planned (Sreedharan, 2008 p.3). It was a tough decision to make especially when the available technology was inadequate and the time was running out. In such circumstances, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was established in the year 1995 which was a joint venture of Government of India and Government of Delhi. Soon after its formation, the team began planning for one of the biggest projects in India. They had a tough task ahead. The DMRC received majority of its funding from Japan Bank for International Co-operation. Th e rest of the funds were raised by the State Government of Delhi and the Central Government of India. Fig 4.13 DMRCs Profile Picture (Source: www.dmrc.com) One name that is prominently associated with DMRC and Delhi Metro is Dr. Elattuvalapil Sreedharan. Famous for his contribution as a CMD of Konkan Railway project along the western coast of India, this 760 kilometre long railway line joins three states of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka through criss-crossing rivers, plunging valleys and mountains that soar in to the clouds (www.konkanrailway.com). This challenging project marked the beginning of infrastructure development in India from 1990 onwards. Dr. E. Sreedharan took over as a Managing Director of DMRC in 1997. DMRC is responsible to develop and maintain Metros in Delhi. The Delhi Metro Project is designed to cover 400 kilometres across the city in four phases by the year 2021 (Sreedharan, 2008). The time plan of the project is as follows: Fig. 4.14 Table showing the project outline of Delhi Metro Phase Initiation Date Length covered (in kms) Expected End Date Actual End Date Status Phase I 1998 65 2008 2006 Fully Operational Phase II 2007 128 2012 2011 Fully Operational Phase III 2011 112 2015 On-going Phase IV 108 2021 Queued Source: adapted from DMRC website and Sreedharan, 2008 The table itself is enough to tell a tale of successful project management and an impeccable feat of construction carried out by the entire team of DMRC. Dr. Sreedharan shot to fame overnight, being the first Indian to carry out such a difficult task with ease. Various Management Institutes and professionals wanted to know the secrets of his flawless management techniques which enabled him to deliver the project proficiently. Certainly this journey would not have been easy, but Dr. Sreedharan has set up a model of an efficient mass rapid transit system and at the age of 72 years and is wanted by every transportation authority board. The Delhi Metro Project instigated similar metro railway projects in different metropolitan cities across the country. His time and cost management skills grab everyones attention. Further in the study we shall focus on time management aspects and try to analyse two main questions: What were the problems in getting this project done on time? What did he do that no one else could? Issues that could have affected Project Time Management of Delhi Metro: The Delhi Metro project was efficiently delivered on time. We look in to some of the problems which the project management team had to overcome to give out the best results. The below mentioned problems are commonly seen in Mumbai Metro Project too. There are not many differences in context of factors as both are government projects undertaken by the authorities to build an advanced commuting system. The only difference is that of the organisations building it and their management skills and structures. This single difference makes them stand apart. Following are some of the problems which the Project Management team at DMRC had to go through during the course of construction of Delhi Metro: Technology: During the early years of 1990s, India had just begun taking steps towards technological advancements. After its economic reforms in 1991, India adopted three main policies of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation. In effect of these policies, trade regime and the regulatory framework was liberalised. Some of the industries were privatised and the country also hailed foreign investment in its economy (Sarvanakumar Kim, 2012). India has been an agro-based country and during these economic reforms there was not much technological advancement happening. India had to import all the technical know-how needed for the Metro Project. In such circumstances, building such a big project was a huge risk. All credit to Dr. Sreedharan and his team for acquiring quality engineers and building such a magnificent project. The engineering team brought in many new technologies to this project like better telecommunication, automatic fare collection, advanced signalling, etc. Initially the ma terials were imported from foreign countries as per requirement but are now assembled in the country itself and have encouraged many local vendors to absorb these new technologies. A showcase of the latest in railway technology, the Delhi Metro trains run on ballast less tracks on the elevated viaduct and the underground corridor, thus minimising the need of tract maintenance and also reducing the running dimensions on the structure (Sreedharan, 2008 p.59). Moreover, these tracks have proven to be safer and provide a smooth ride to its commuters. Tunnelling: This procedure was necessary to construct the underground passage of the Delhi Metro. Tunnelling below the historic old Delhi area posed a major challenge, as the buildings there have weak foundations. It was therefore, decided to construct a tunnel at a depth of more than 20 meters (Sreedharan, 2008 p.58). With the available technology it was a big challenge to build a tunnel this deep. Vehicle and Pedestrian traffic also posed as an obstacle in the tunnelling process. It was also a risk factor for the management team as mishaps could easily occur at a place with an extensive public access. There were also difficulties in tunnelling at some sections because of hard rock. For this purpose the project had obtained special cutter heads for their tunnel boring machines (Sreedharan, 2008). The team put in tremendous efforts to resolve the oncoming problems by finding and implementing solutions without any delays. Fig. 4.15 4.16 Pictures of Tunnelling for Delhi Metro Source: www.hindu.com Substandard quality of work/ materials: This is one of the most shocking revelations of the Delhi Metro Project. Poor quality of work, no regulations for standards of safety and substandard material used to build one of the finest projects which is going to be useful in the future for at least a century. What is more shocking is that these were not just one or two incidents which happened unfortunately. These are series of accidents which were taking place one after the other in recent past. Following table shows the accidents in detail: Fig. 4.17 List of Incidents occurred at the construction site of Delhi Metro Date Incident No. of people killed/ injured 28.08.2007 A crane driver died as a concrete block fell on him due to technical failure 1 killed 21.01.2008 A construction worker died while carrying out burrowing work 1 killed 18.07.2008 A malfunctioning crane dropped 4 tonne iron beam on a passing car 2 injured 19.10.2008 An under construction flyover collapsed due to mechanical failure 2 killed and 30 injured 12.07.2009 Portion of under construction bridge collapsed as its launching girder lost balance while being erected 6 killed and 15 injured 13.07.2009 Three cranes toppled while lifting the entangled launcher under the debris of the collapsed bridge 4 injured (Source: Mid-day, 2009 The Times of India, 2009) After all these mishaps which killed 10 people in all and injured around 50, the chief project manager and managing director of DMRC, Dr. Sreedharan sent his resignation from the post which shuddered all the concerned authorities related to this project. He said, I take full moral responsibility for the accident. As head of the organisation, I have to take the responsibility (www.ndtv.com, 2009). The investigation revealed that the accident occurred on 12th of July 2009 was a design flaw in the pillar holding the structure (www.indianexpress.com, 2009). The honourable chief minister of Delhi, Mrs. Sheila Dixit inspected the site after the accident and immediately rejected Dr. E. Sreedharans resignation. She said We respect his sentiments. But we also know that the Delhi Metro and the country need him. Not only has he done good work for Delhi but also for the country (www.ndtv.com, 2009). Following this incident there has not been any other such incidents which exhibit the influence a nd power Dr. Sreedharan has on his team of members involved in the project. Mumbai is nothing different in comparison with Delhi in context of quality of work carried out. In fact the organisation, MMRDA carrying out the work on Mumbai Metro was not wise enough to learn from the mistakes of Delhi Metro. Recently, a 50 feet long concrete slab collapsed from the Metro Railways under construction fly over. This incident killed 1 person and injured 16 more (The Times of India, 2012). This cannot be considered a mistake as it was a matter of sheer negligence by the authorities. Such incidents not only cost financial losses but also result in loss of valuable time. Considering the importance of time management factor it is necessary to deploy personnel to ensure that all the safety standards are maintained at the construction site so as to prevent mishaps happening and also save a lot of time. Moving ahead we analyse the decision making of Dr. Sreedharan and its impact it had on the construction of Delhi Metro. Fig. 4.18 4.19 showing the disaster of 12th of July. Source: www.indianexpress.com Fig 4.20 toppled cranes amongst the tangled debris was the scene on 13th of July Source: www.zeenews.india.com Analysis: Every major project has to through a series of difficulties. No one has a plan of how to deal with them. Because no one knows what kind of problem they might be dealing with. But an effective project manager has the capability of solving the problems with ease and importantly, he delivers the project within its scope. Delhi Metro too had to go through numerous obstacles in each phase of its construction. Some of them are mentioned above. But it was for the project management team who took up the initiative to keep the project within its planned time and cost. In the case of Delhi Metro, it was not just a single factor that led to a certain problem. There were events which summed up to become a bigger problem. For example tunnelling was not a big issue as many transport systems these days use this method. But adding to the outdated technology present in the country it became difficult to get the process done. Similarly the amount of population in Delhi is so much in excess that restri cting public access was not possible. Therefore it became even more difficult to excavate during tunnelling and also maintain safety which resulted into many unfortunate mishaps. Undoubtedly this was the first massive project of its kind in India. Therefore this can provide a lot of valuable learning both positive and negative, to the project managers of the future. Fig. 4.21 The Metro Man of India in action. Source: www.ibnlive.in.com By the end of Phase I of this project Dr. Sreedharan was an idol and inspirational leader to many management professionals and students. Everyone wanted to know what his secret behind his flawless management techniques was. He discusses the corporate values of Delhi Metro during one of his speeches at a management institute to the aspiring management professionals. Punctuality, Integrity, Transpar