Friday, November 29, 2019

Ezra Pound On Gender Essay Research Paper free essay sample

Ezra Pound On Gender Essay, Research Paper The followers is Pound # 8217 ; s Introduction to his interlingual rendition of Remy de Gourmont # 8217 ; s The Natural Philosophy of Love Il y aurait peut- ? tre une certain corr? lation entre La sexual intercourse compl? Te et profonde et lupus erythematosus vitamin D? veloppement degree Celsius? R? bral. Not merely is this suggestion, made by our writer at the terminal of his 8th chapter, both possible and likely, but it is more than probably that the encephalon itself, is, in beginning and development, merely a kind of great coagulum of venereal fluid held in suspense or modesty ; at foremost over the cervical ganglion, or, earlier or in other species, held in several coagulums over the scattered head nervus Centres ; and augmenting in changing velocities and measures into myelin oblongata, cerebellum and cerebrum. This hypothesis would possibly explicate a certain figure of as yet uncorrelated phenomena both psychological and physiological. It would explicate the tremendous content of the encephalon as a shaper or presenter of images. Speciess would hold developed in conformity with, or their development would hold been affected by the comparative discharge and keeping of the fluid ; this proportion being both a affair of measure and of quality, some animate beings gaining barely at all by the alluvial Nile-flood ; the baboon retaining nil ; work forces seemingly besoting themselves in some instances by surplus, and in other instances dispatching seemingly merely a excess at high force per unit area ; the idiot, or the mastermind, the strong-willed . I offer an thought instead than an statement ; yet if we consider that the power of the antherozoid is exactly the power of bring outsiding a signifier, and if we consider the deficiency of any other known substance in nature capable of turning into encephalon, we are left with merely one surprise, or instead one decision, viz. , in face of the littleness of the mean encephalon # 8217 ; s activity, we must reason that the spermatozoic substance must hold greatly atrophied in its alteration from lactic to coagulated and hereditarily coagulated status. Given, that is, two great seas of this fluid, reciprocally magnetized, the admiration is, or at least the first admiration is, that human idea is so inactive. Chemical research may hold something to state on the topic, if it be directed to comparing of encephalon and spermatophore in the nuclear submarine, to the syrupy binding of the bee # 8217 ; s fecundative liquid. I offer lone contemplations, possibly a few informations ; indicants of earlier prefigurations of an thought which truly surprises no 1, but seems as if it might hold been lying on the survey tabular array of any doctor or philosopher. There are hints of it in the symbolism of phallic faiths, adult male truly the Phallus or antherozoid charging, head-on, the female pandemonium ; integrating of the male in the male organ. Even oneself has felt it, driving any new thought into the great inactive vulva of London, a esthesis correspondent to the male feeling in sexual intercourse. Without any aside on feminism, taking simply the division Gourmont has given ( Aristotelean, if you like ) , one offers adult female as the accretion of familial aptitudes, better than adult male in the utile gestures , the flawlessnesss ; but to adult male, given what we have of history, the innovations , the new gestures, the extravagancy, the wild shootings, the impractical, simply because in him occurs the new upjut, the new bathing of the intellectual tissues in the remainder, in la mousse of the life sap. Or, as I am surely neither composing an anti-feminist piece of land, nor claiming disproportional privilege for the antherozoid, for the interest of symmetricalness ascribe a connate function to the ovule, though I can barely be expected to introspect it. A inundation is as bad as a dearth ; the ovular bath could still account for the refreshment of the female head, and the recharging, regracing of its traditional aptitudes ; where one adult female appears to profit by an alluvial clarifying, 10 twelve appear to be swamped. Contending that the intellectual fluid tried all kinds of experiments, and, striking affair, forced it into all kinds of signifiers, by flushs ; we have true in insect life a female predomination ; in bird, mammal and human, at least an increasing mate prominence. And these four of import subdivisions of the fan may be differentiated harmonizing to their evident head desire, or beginning of taking their species. Insect, public-service corporation ; bird, flight ; mammal, muscular luster ; adult male, experiment. The insect stand foring the female, and public-service corporation ; the demand of heat being present, the insect chooses to work out the job by hibernation, i.e. a kind of negation of action. The bird desiring uninterrupted freedom, plumes itself, Desire for ornament appears in all the subdivisions, adult male bring outsiding it most. The chiropteran # 8217 ; s secret appears to be that he is non the bird-mammal, but the mammal-insect: economic system of tissue, hibernation. The female rule being non merely public-service corporation, but utmost economic system, adult female, falling by this division into a male subdivision, is the least female of females, and at this point one escapes from a journalistic sex-squabble into the resistance of two rules, public-service corporation and a kind of adventurousness. In its subservience to the money fetish our age returns to the darkness of medievalism. Two osmies may do otiose eggless nests, but do non kill each other in contending which shall lodge the supererogatory honey therein. It is possibly no more foolish to travel at a anchorite # 8217 ; s command to retrieve an old burial chamber than to do new burial chambers at the command of finance. In his turning subservience to, and worship of, and web in machines, in public-service corporation, adult male rounds the circle about into insect life, the absence of flesh ; and may hold necessitate even of horned Gods to salvage him, or at least of a signifier of idea which permits them. Take it that usual idea is a kind of agitating or switching of a fluid in the syrupy cells of the encephalon ; one has seen electricity depriving the atoms of Ag from a plated knife in a chemical bath, with order and quickness, and garnering them on the other pole of a magnet. Take it every bit materially as you like. There is a kind of spirit-level in the ear, giving us our sense of balance. And dreams? Do they non go on exactly at the minutes when 1 has tipped the caput ; are they non, with their incoherent commixture of known and familiar images, like the pouring of a complicated honeycomb tilted from its perpendicular? Does non this spring exactly the needful mixture of familiar signifiers in non-sequence, the clutter of fragments each coherent within its ain bound? And from the popular address, is non the reasonable adult male called healthy , has he non his caput good screwed on or screwed on heterosexual ; and are non madmans and grouchs frequently recognizable from some curious passenger car or joust of the headstall ; and is non the mind ever pictured with his caput bowed into his manus, yes, but degree so far as left to compensate is concerned? The upward-jaw, head-back airs has long been explained by the comparative places of the myelin and the more human parts of the encephalon ; this need non be dragged in here ; nor do I intend to asseverate that you can bring around a moonstruck simply by keeping his caput degree. Thought is a chemical procedure, the most interesting of all transfusions in liquid solution. The head is an up-spurt of sperm, no, allow me change that ; seeking to watch the procedure: the sperm, the form-creator, the substance which compels the ovule to germinate in a given form, one microscopic, small letter atom, come ining the castle of the ovule. Thought is a vegetable, says a modern hermetic, whom I have frequently contradicted, but whom I do non wish to belie at this point. Thought is a chemical procedure in relation to the organ, the encephalon ; originative idea is an act like fertilization, like the male dramatis personae of the human seed, but given that dramatis personae, that interjection, I am absolutely willing to allow that the idea one time born, separated, in respect to itself, non in relation to the encephalon that begat it, does take an independent life much like a member of the vegetable land, blowing seeds, thoughts from the paradisial garden at the acme of Dante # 8217 ; s Purgatory, capable of lodging and shooting where they fall. And Gourmont has the phrase fertilizing a coevals of organic structures as mastermind fecundates a coevals of heads . Man is the amount of the animate beings, the amount of their inherent aptitudes, as Gourmont has repeated in the class of his book. Given, foremost a few, so as we get to our ain status, a mass of these spermatozoic atoms withheld, in suspense, waiting in the organ that has been built up through ages by a countless similar waitings. Each of these atoms is, we need non state, witting of signifier, but has by all counts a capacity for formal look: is non thought exactly a form-comparing and form-combining? That is to state we have the hair-thinning abstract idea and we have the concrete idea of adult females, of creative persons, of instrumentalists, the mockedly long-haired , who have made everything in the universe. We have the form-making and the form-destroying idea , merely the first of which is truly satisfactory. I don # 8217 ; t wish to be discriminatory, it is absolutely possible to see the abstract idea, ground, etc. , as the comparing, regimentation, and least common denominator of a battalion of images, but in the terminal each of the images is a small spoilt thereby, no 1 of them is the Apollo, and the shapers of this sort of idea have been called dryasdust since the beginning of history. The regiment is less interesting as a whole than any single in it. And, as we are being highly material and physical and animate being, in the aftermath of our writer, we will go forth old married womans # 8217 ; shots about the profuseness of hair, and its opportunity possible indicant or countenance of a possible neighbouring wellness beneath the skull. Creative idea has manifested itself in images, in music, which is to sound what the concrete image is to spy. And the idea of mastermind, even of the mathematical mastermind, the mathematical prodigy, is truly the same kind of thing, it is a sudden out-spurt of head which takes the signifier demanded by the job ; which creates the reply, and baffles the adult male numbering on the abacus. I question the comments about the sphex in Chapter 19, que le sphex s # 8217 ; est signifier? lentement , I query this with a strong belief for which anyone is at autonomy to name me moonstruck, and for which I offer no better land than simple self-contemplation. I believe, and on no better land than that of a sudden emotion, that the alteration of species is non a slow affair, managed by cross-breeding, of nature # 8217 ; s Belgian hares and mules, I believe that the species alterations every bit all of a sudden as a adult male makes a vocal or a verse form, or every bit all of a sudden as he starts doing them, more all of a sudden than he can cut a statue in rock, at most every bit easy as a locust or long-tailed Sirmione false mosquito emerges from its outgrown tegument. It is non even proved that adult male is at the terminal of his physical alterations. Say that the variegation of species has passed its most sensational stages, say that it had one time a great stimulation from the celerity of the Earth # 8217 ; s chilling, if one accepts the geologists # 8217 ; reading of that thermometric cyclone. The cooling planet contracts, it is as if one had some clay in a Sn bucket, and forced down the lid with such force per unit area that the can jump a twelve leaks, or it is as if one had the clay in a linen bag and squeezed ; simply as mechanics ( non numbering that one has all the known and unknown chemical elements chilling at the same time ) , but simply as mechanics this contraction gives energy adequate to squash flora through the pores of the fanciful linen and to detach certain atoms, go forthing them still a impulse. A organic structure should chill with diminishing velocity in step as it approaches the temperature of its milieus ; nevertheless, the Earth is still, I think, supposed to be warmer than the environing unknown, and is presumptively still chilling, or at any rate it is non proved that adult male is at the terminal of his physical alterations. I return to horned Gods and the aura in a few paragraphs. It is non proved that even the kind of drift provided by a shrinkage of planetal surface is denied one. What is known is that adult male # 8217 ; s great divergency has been in the devising of detached, resumable tools. That is to state, if an insect carries a proverb, it carries it all the clip. The following measure , as in the instance of the male organ of the nuclear submarine, is to turn a tool and detach it. Man # 8217 ; s first innovations are fire and the nine, that is to state he detaches his digestion, he finds a agency to acquire heat without let go ofing the Calories of the log by internal burning inside his ain tummy. The innovation of the first tool turned his head ( utilizing this term in the full sense ) ; turned, allow us state, his encephalon from his ain organic structure. No demand for greater aerial, a 5th arm, etc. , except, after a oversight as a circuit Delaware force, to demo that he is still Godhead of his organic structure. That is to state the crawfish # 8217 ; s long antennas, all kinds of extravagancies in nature may be taken as the consequence of a individual flush of idea. A individual out-push of a demand, made by a spermous sea of sufficient energy to project such a signifier. To project it as one electric pole will project a flicker to another ; to bring outside ; sometimes to move in this with more enthusiasm than cautiousness. Let us state rather merely that visible radiation is a projection from the aglow fluid, from the energy that is in the encephalon, down along the nervus cords which receive certain quivers in the oculus. Let us say adult male capable of bring outsiding a new organ, horn, aura, Eye of Horus. Give a encephalon of this power, comes the inquiry, what organ, and to what aim? Turning to folk-lore, we have Frazer on horned Gods, we have Egyptian statues, by and large supposed to be symbols , of cat-headed and ibis-headed Gods. Now in a crude community, a adult male, a volontaire, might put on the line it. He might desire prestigiousness, authorization, want them plenty to turn horns and claim a Godhead heritage, or to turn a cat caput ; Grecian doctrine would hold smiled at him, would hold deprecated his fanfare. With crude adult male he would hold risked a good trade, he would hold been deified, or crucified, or perchance both. Today he would be caught for a circus. One does non asseverate that cat-headed Gods appeared in Egypt after the 3rd dynasty ; the state had a long memory and such a phenomenon would hold made some splash in the vale. The horned God would look to hold persisted, and the vastly high caput of the Chinese contemplative as shown in art and the China images is another isolated grain of tradition. But adult male goes on doing new modules, or burying old 1s. That is to state you have all kinds of aptitudes developed without external alteration, which in an earlier biological province would perchance hold found animal look. You have every exploited hyper-aesthesia , i.e. every new signifier of mastermind, from the module of hearing four parts in a fugue absolutely, to the ear for money ( vide Henry James in The Ivory Tower, the transitions on Mr. Gaw ) . Here I merely magnify what Gourmont has indicated in Chapter 20. You have the visualizing sense, the stretch of imaginativeness, the mystics # 8211 ; for what there is to them # 8211 ; Santa Theresa who saw the microcosmos, bell, heaven, purgatory complete, the size of a walnut ; and you have Mr. W. , a wool-broker in London, who all of a sudden at 3 ante meridiem visualizes the whole of his letter-file, three 100 paginations ; he sees and reads peculiarly the missive at booklet 171, but he sees at the same time the full contents of the file, the whole thing about the size of two balls of loaf sugar laid level side to level side. Remains exactly the inquiry: adult male experiencing this protean capacity to turn a new organ: what organ shall it be? Or new module: what module? His first repudiation, flight, he has regained, about as if the repudiation, so recent in footings of biological science, had been committed in foresight. Instinct conserves merely the utile gestures. Air provides small nourishment, and anyhow the first great pleasance surrendered, the simple aspiration to mount the air has been regained and regratified. Water was neer surrendered, adult male with subaquatic longings is stiff, given a knife, the shark # 8217 ; s conqueror. The new module? Without so the fanfare of an organ. Will? The hypnotizer has shown the amour propre and Blake the uselessness of willing trifles, and black thaumaturgy its futility. The telepathic module? In the first topographic point is it new? Have non travelers ever told prick and bull narratives about its being in barbarian Africa? Is it non a module that adult male has given up, if non as useless, at any rate as of a really limited usage, a distraction, more bother than it is deserving? Missing a localizing sense, the barbarian knowing, if he does, what happens someplace else, but neer cognizing rather where. The module was possibly non worth the harm it does to concentration of head on some utile topic. Instinct preserves the utile gestures. Take it that what adult male wants is a capacity for clearer apprehension, or for physical refreshment and energy, are non these exactly the modules he is for of all time hammering at, possibly doltishly? Muscularly he goes easy, athletic records being invariably worn down by millimeters and seconds. I appear to hold thrown down spots of my note slightly at random ; allow me return to physiology. Peoples were long ignorant of the circulation of the blood ; that known, they appeared to believe the nervousnesss stationary ; Gourmont speaks of circulation nerveuse , but many people still see the nervus as at most a telegraph wire, merely because he does non shed blood visibly when cut. The current is interrupted . The school books of twenty old ages ago were instead obscure about lymph, and assorted secretory organs still baffle doctors. I have non seen the suggestion that some of them may function instead as fuses in an electric system, to forestall short circuits, or in some discrepancy or allotropic signifier. The antherozoid is, I take it, regarded as a kind of ether ; the encephalon is besides a ether, or at least in resonance with all parts of the organic structure ; the individual antherozoid demands merely that the ovule shall build a human being, the suspended antherozoid ( if my wild changeable rings the mark bell ) is ready to distribute with, in the actual sense, embodiment, enmeshment. Shall we postulate the mass of antherozoids, foremost accumulated in suspense, so specialized? Three channels, snake pit, purgatory, heaven, if one wants to follow yet another nomenclature: digestive elimination, embodiment, freedom in the imaginativeness, i.e. dramatis personae into an exterior formlessness, or into form stuff, or simply inventive visually or possibly musically or possibly fixed in some other sensuous dimension, even of gustatory sensation or smell ( there have been possibly originative cooks and perfumers? ) . The dead arduous digest and comparing of other work forces # 8217 ; s dead images, all this is mere labor, non the spermatozoic act of the encephalon. Woman, the curator, the heir of past gestures, clever, practical, as Gourmont says, non imaginative, ever the best adherent of any discoverer, has been ever the enemy of the dead or arduous signifier of digest, abstraction. Not sing the procedure ended ; taking the single mastermind as the adult male in whom the new entree, the new overplus of spermatozoic force per unit area ( quantitative and qualitative ) upshoots into the encephalon, alluvial Nile-flood, conveying new harvests, new innovation. And as Gourmont says, there is merely concluding where there is initial mistake, i.e. failing of the jet, rolling hunt. In no instance can it be a inquiry of mere carnal measure of sperm. You have the adult male who wears himself out and weakens his encephalon, reverberation of the Pongo pygmaeus, evidently non the gifted screen ; you have the contrasted instance in the type of adult male who truly can non work until he has relieved the force per unit area on his spermous canals. This is a inquiry of physiology, it is non a inquiry of ethical motives and sociology. Given the spermatozoic idea, the two great seas of fecundative affair, the encephalon lobes, reciprocally magnetized, aglow in their ain cognition of their being ; whether they may be expected to seek exterior lust , or whether they are traveling to reiterate Augustine anthem, is non in my legal power. An exterior Eden might non tempt them La B? tise humaine est La seule chose qui Donne une Idaho? e de l # 8217 ; infini , says Renan, and Gourmont has quoted him, and all flesh is grass, a superior grass. It remains that adult male has for centuries nibbled at this thought of connexion, confidant connexion between his sperm and his thinking, the abstainer has tried to keep back all his sperm, the enticement, the ignis fatuus possibly, of desiring to super-think ; the dope-fiend has tried opium and every inferior to Bacchus, to acquire an excess boot out of the organ, the mystics have sought the glow in the tap house, Helen of Tyre, priestesses in the temple of Venus, in Indian temples, isolated priestesses in the streets, unuprootable usage, and likely with a footing of saneness. A sense of balance might demo that asceticism agencies either a drouth or a crowding. The liquid solution must be kept at right consistence ; one would state the due proportion of liquid to syrupy atoms, a good circulation ; the existent quality of the screen or centrifuge, numbering possibly most of all ; the balance and recollective media. Possibly the hint is in Propertius after all: Ingenium nobis ipsa puella fecit. There is the whole of the 12th century love cult, and Dante # 8217 ; s metaphysics a small to one side, and Gourmont # 8217 ; s Latin Mystique ; and for image-making both Fenollosa on The Chinese Written Character, and the paragraphs in Le Probl? me du Style. At any rate the wrangle between cerebralist and viveur and ignorantist terminals, if the encephalon is therefore conceived non as a separate and dried-out organ, but as the really fluid of life itself.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Free Essays on The Tempest

Conspiracies and Treason is The Tempest Prospero’s power and magic are dominant throughout the play yet he really has no power. The Tempest consists of a series of rebellion, treacheries, mutinies and conspiracies against Prospero but the overall view of the dramatic action is much more complex. Many other aspects and themes such as illusion and magic also play a very important role in shaping the plot against Prospero. Power struggles are evident from the beginning, when Prospero’s brother, Antonio, seized his status as Duke of Milan and banished him to a bleak place and left him for dead. Sebastian remarks, â€Å"I remember/You did supplant your brother Prospero.† And Antonio replies, â€Å"True;/ And look how well my garment sit upon me,† (2.1.257-59). Antonio betrayed Prospero, and yet he feels no remorse for his treacherous act. His conscience is not bothered by what he did to Prospero. Another sibling conspiracy that would ultimately cause a down fall of Prospero came in Act II, in this scene Sebastian is encouraged by Antonio to kill his brother, Alonso, which would put him next in line for the throne. They first attempted to kill Gonzalo, Alonso’s faithful advisor. â€Å"Draw together,/and when I rear my hand do you the like/TO fall it on Gonzalo† (2.1.281-83). Their evil plot is interrupted and plans ruined as Ariel wakes the sleeping party (Alonso and Gonzalo). Perhaps the most famous resistance against authority comes from Caliban, the slave of Prospero, who feels that the island is rightfully his, â€Å"The Island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,†. He goes on to state that Prospero â€Å"tak’st from me† (3.2.46-49). In order to gain or regain his rulership, Caliban plots with Trinculo and Stephano to kill Prospero and take over the island. â€Å"Why, as I told thee, ‘tis a custom with him I’ th’ af ternoon to sleep. There thou mayst brain him having first seized his books; or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch ... Free Essays on The Tempest Free Essays on The Tempest Freedom, people fight wars for it, some would rather die than live without it, and others claim freedom does not need obtaining because we always had it. Shakespeare, aware of man’s desire for freedom includes this theme in the play, The Tempest. Seeing how hard the characters work to obtain freedom suggests its importance. This theme of freedom frequently shows itself throughout the play. Freedom, one of the bigger themes in the play, due to its easy identification and numerous references. Prospero and Miranda’s imprisonment, the first example of confinement, something one must have in order for the need of freedom. Prospero’s brother exiled Prospero and Miranda to that island 12 years ago in order that he may obtain Prospero’s position. â€Å"In few, they hurried us aboard a bark, bore us some leagues to sea† (I.ii.172-173). Upon this island Prospero makes plans on how to get revenge and free themselves from the island. Prospero conjures up a fake storm and goes through elaborate plans just for freedom. â€Å"If by your art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar† (I.ii.1-2). Prospero also faces his imprisonment to the black arts. These controlled him so much; he gave up his dukedom for it. â€Å"Knowing I loved my books, he furnished me from my own library with volumes that I prize above my own dukedom† (I.ii.198-200). Prospero eventually realizes that his magic imprisoned him and in result gives it up to obtain freedom. â€Å"Now my charms are all o’erthrown, and what strength I have ‘s mine own.† (epilogue.1-2). Unfortunately, while imprisoned on the island, Prospero does not learn anything and proceeds to imprison others. Prospero enslaves Caliban, the former owner of the island, upon arriving on the island. â€Å"We’ll visit Caliban, my slave† (I.ii.368). Caliban performs tasks for Prospero, and grows angrier and angrier at Prospero. He decides to join Stephano and Trinculo to obt... Free Essays on The Tempest Conspiracies and Treason is The Tempest Prospero’s power and magic are dominant throughout the play yet he really has no power. The Tempest consists of a series of rebellion, treacheries, mutinies and conspiracies against Prospero but the overall view of the dramatic action is much more complex. Many other aspects and themes such as illusion and magic also play a very important role in shaping the plot against Prospero. Power struggles are evident from the beginning, when Prospero’s brother, Antonio, seized his status as Duke of Milan and banished him to a bleak place and left him for dead. Sebastian remarks, â€Å"I remember/You did supplant your brother Prospero.† And Antonio replies, â€Å"True;/ And look how well my garment sit upon me,† (2.1.257-59). Antonio betrayed Prospero, and yet he feels no remorse for his treacherous act. His conscience is not bothered by what he did to Prospero. Another sibling conspiracy that would ultimately cause a down fall of Prospero came in Act II, in this scene Sebastian is encouraged by Antonio to kill his brother, Alonso, which would put him next in line for the throne. They first attempted to kill Gonzalo, Alonso’s faithful advisor. â€Å"Draw together,/and when I rear my hand do you the like/TO fall it on Gonzalo† (2.1.281-83). Their evil plot is interrupted and plans ruined as Ariel wakes the sleeping party (Alonso and Gonzalo). Perhaps the most famous resistance against authority comes from Caliban, the slave of Prospero, who feels that the island is rightfully his, â€Å"The Island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,†. He goes on to state that Prospero â€Å"tak’st from me† (3.2.46-49). In order to gain or regain his rulership, Caliban plots with Trinculo and Stephano to kill Prospero and take over the island. â€Å"Why, as I told thee, ‘tis a custom with him I’ th’ af ternoon to sleep. There thou mayst brain him having first seized his books; or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch ... Free Essays on The Tempest William Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, reveals several characteristics that define the humanist movement in English literature. It is during the humanist movement that a tendency to emphasize man- his status, importance, powers, achievements and authority-gave rise to man as a center of interest rather than God. This shift from God to man encouraged the study of science, knowledge, and the universe in conjunction with government, religion, individuality, and language. As Shakespeare wrote The Tempest in the backdrop of such intense social change he illuminated these humanistic ideas into his piece. The Tempest is a celebration of human life. It celebrates man’s spiritual and emotional depth, diversity, and ability to possess knowledge and purity. Yet Shakespeare also reveals the dark side of mankind as all characters are flawed. Prospero is in every way the most intricate character as he plays many roles in The Tempest. Prospero is a ruler, scientist, victim, sorcerer, father, master, politician, and slave throughout the play. His complexity is the core of humanism’s appreciation for man. In the final Act of the play Miranda, Prospero’s daughter explains spellbound, â€Å"O! Wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world that has such people in’t.† Miranda speaks as an innocent girl who has not lived to see the true wickedness man is capable of. She sees mankind for its potential-human nature without fault. Shakespeare revealed earlier to readers the cruelty and foolishness of Alonso, Tri nculo, and Stefano. They are far from being good yet, that no longer seems to matter. Shakespeare seems to celebrate what man has the potential to be- not what it sometimes is. This celebration is an element of humanism. Knowledge, learning, and individual development are other aspects of humanism that mold The Tempest. Knowledge is symbolized through Prospero’s use of magic, ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Project Management Tools and Techniques Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Project Management Tools and Techniques - Essay Example These terms include project-oriented business, project-based organizations, management by projects, organizational structure of project form and temporary project organization. The Sydney Opera House is Australias best-known iconic structure that symbolizes the states beauty and culture. It is also famous due to its management failures during its construction, which had the effect of redesigning seventeen times before successfully ending. According to Architecture Week (2006, p.143), the architecture competition was won by JÃ ¸rn Utzon after New South Wales set out the bidding process in the year 1957, it construction was commenced in the year 1959. The duration that the project was to take was four years with an underestimated budget of $7 million. The project, however, took a total of 14 years to full completion, whooping a total cash of $102 million (Bull 2007, pp. 145-171). Taking such an escalated amount as compared to the initial value that was set with the addition of $95 million, are the reasons why the project is considered unsuccessfully planned and managed. Majority considers the project as the leading projects that had disastrous management in the history, not only from the management, but also financially. In its analysis why it is a consideration as one of the most unsuccessful projects trace from the initial stages. On the conception of this project, the priority is to set out the mission, objectives, and its goals by the time of its completion. "For any project, objectives, goals and intentions have to be defined under the guidance of the client, so that the project can be in line with what is needed to be completed" (Ramroth &William 2006 p. 52). The main factors in a project to be considered a success or a failure are costs, time, and quality. Concerning Sydney and its clients, the last option was of more weight to

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Evaluating Markets to Invest Abroad Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Evaluating Markets to Invest Abroad - Case Study Example Firstly, Victoria Pernarella will consider the process of internationalization. In this, she evaluates three aspects. First is whether BFSI possesses owner-specific competitive advantage in Tennessee which can be transferred to the potential foreign market based on. This advantage needs to be firm-specific, powerful and transferable. She also identifies location-specific advantage to determine whether the foreign market has traits that can allow the entrant to exploit its competitive market in the potential market. This focus is on costs- productive labor, unique raw materials, centers of advanced technology, formation of custom unions and regional trading blocs (Gitman, Joehnk & Billingsley, 2011). She evaluates the ability to safeguard competition by control of the complete value chain in the industry which is internalization. This is done through foreign direct investment. Secondly, she considers the model of entry which should be based on the needs of the business clients. Another key factor is the availability of adequate resources by BFSI as well as the projected volume of international business. Other key considerations relate to knowledge and experience on foreign markets, structure of BFSI, tax considerations, customer profiles and current regulation of market in the target nation. The organizational culture determines the objectives of the firms and the behaviors that need to be set in correspondence to the existing cultures. The experience with foreign markets is an added advantage which helps to determine the relevance and reliability of this market (Gitman, Joehnk & Billingsley, 2011). Does it fluctuate regularly and what effects are observed from these fluctuations. Can is sustain economic growth and what factors lead these fluctuations. The volume of projected international business identifies at what rate the firm may expand upon entry and also the risks that are involved in the

Monday, November 18, 2019

Should liberalist states promote their policies abroad Is force a Essay

Should liberalist states promote their policies abroad Is force a legitimate instrument in securing these goals - Essay Example The questions asked are; is liberalism really a bad ideology that it has to be forced on other nations and how can the citizens of various nations benefit from liberalism? This paper supports the notion that liberalist states should promote their policies abroad but force should not be used as a legitimate instrument in securing these goals. Policy making was largely influenced by liberalists in the twentieth century. The liberalists influenced Public opinion and their liberal views were embraced as they gave the people hope for having free elections, religious freedom, free press, free markets, associational pluralism, free movement and many other associated benefits. However, with the First World War, liberal views subsided but after the Second World War, there was revival of liberal views marked by the establishment of United Nations. The cold war power politics extinguished liberalism again but in the 1990s; there was a beacon of hope as the Western countries announced the establ ishment of a new world order (Dunne 1). The leaders who came up with the new world order gave their justifications why the world should embrace liberalism over other ideologies but after the World Trade Centre was destroyed by a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, America seemed to abandon liberalism and embraced realism. The United States of America and its counterparts have attempted to solidify power around them and decided to seek vengeance among their perceived enemies and the nations that sympathize with them. The paper expounds on the matter, showing liberalism to be founded on temperateness, compromise, moderation, and peace while realists strive to introduce a common power in order to achieve progress, justice and law (Dunne 2). For a long period, liberalism has been utilized to depict abroad range of practices, ideas, movements, and parties in various societies. It was mainly used to oppose the systems of governance that were oppressive and denied the citizens some pri vileges. Liberalism was used as a force of liberation for the people to obtain free initiatives from existing governments. When used as a political philosophy, liberalism can either refer to individual rights shared by liberals or basic principles of constitutional authorities. Classical liberals advocated for liberty, the segmentation of political powers, economic freedom, rights to own property, freedom of speech and thoughts, independent civil societies and religious liberty. Egalitarian aspects have influenced modern democratic liberalism in addition to the other aspects that classical liberalists advocated for, thus social equality serving as the foundation of modern-day liberal politics (Starr 34). Liberalism can be defined in four dimensions, which look into its different aspects. Firstly, when relating to the law, all the citizens are equal, meaning that they are equally bound by the law and bear basic rights to religious toleration, education, and free press among other rig hts. Secondly, the legislative body of a nation can only exercise authority vested in it by the citizens and is not permitted to abuse their rights. Thirdly, an individual has the right to property ownership and productive forces. Fourthly, liberalism identifies the free, market driven economic exchange system as the most effective and disparages market systems that are controlled and regulated bureaucratically. When one considers these four

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Capacity Management And International Operations Management Commerce Essay

Capacity Management And International Operations Management Commerce Essay Capacity management lies at the core of every successful operational strategy whether service or manufacturing. It is part of a larger corporate strategy which is a long term plan to achieve a certain target (Jones and Kutsch, 2007). It is imperative for every organization to know how well its capacity is being utilized as its long term success is based on it (Krajewski and Ritzman, 2002). Capacity measurement helps determine the overall operational costs and forms the basis of important decisions like expansion (Yu Lee, 2002). This paper will endeavour to resolve the capacity management issues of a health facility called Fitness Plus in Greensboro, North Carolina. Fitness Plus began its operations in a large suburban park in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1991. Under health and sports it provides fitness, relaxation and recreational facilities operating 7 days a week (For details see Appendix 1). Customers use the facilities having subscribed to yearly memberships. Lately the area of Greensboro has expanded in population and businesses. Growth in population increased health awareness in residents and has increased demand for fitness facilities. Other health centres have also opened namely YMCA, Oasis and Golds Gym. YMCA offers full range of facilities, Golds Gym has only cardiovascular and weight training and Oasis is restricted to only adults over 16 years of age. Available data indicates that by May 2002 members visiting Fitness Plus every hour during peak time (4 7pm) had doubled to 80 from 1997. The average visits per hour increased from 15 to 25 in a typical day resultantly the facility got overcrowded and complaints arose about non-availability of equipment. Most number of complaints arise in the specific areas of aerobics, nautilus and cardiovascular. The capacity of Fitness Plus needs to be measured and planned properly in order to form an effective operational strategy both in the long and short terms. There are two options available i.e. first is to effectively manage the existing facility which will take few months and second is to build a new facility in the downtown area which might take upto a year to become operational. Due to financial and time constraints a short term solution is needed for now and a long term later. In the following report the capacity issues of Fitness Plus will be discussed in three sections A, B and C. In section A the capacity of Fitness Plus will be measured and analysed to see whether there is sufficient capacity to deal with the immediate issues of overcrowding and non-availability of equipment. Section B will ascertain which capacity strategy would be appropriate for Fitness Plus with the necessary justifications. In section C the adopted strategy would be described in detail and linked with other types of operating decisions i.e. finance, HR, marketing and supply chain. Lastly in the conclusion the crux of main issues and solutions would be summed up. Section A / Question 1: Capacity measurement with details There is no fit for all formula for capacity measurement as businesses vary in their nature and details. A theatre measures capacity in terms of seats and a job shop can measure capacity in number of machine hours (Krajewski, Ritzman and Malhotra, 2010). Jones and Kutsch (2007) are of the opinion that space and equipment hold primary position in capacity measurement thus the measurement would be centered around them. Main complaints are from two issues i.e. unavailability of equipment (Cardiovascular, Nautilus and aerobics) and workout activities being overcrowded. Thus the focus of capacity management in aerobics should be on space and equipment for the workout activities in peak hours. According to the study it is noted that peak times are between 4-7pm and total number of members visiting between that time is 240 (80 per hour). For analysis purpose the figures from the conducted survey (Appendix 1) have been used as following: Nautilus: It consists of 24 pieces of equipment and it is assumed that on an average each member takes 45 minutes to complete the whole course. In one hour the total number of members able to use the equipment would be (60 minutes / 45 minutes x 24 equipments = 31 members). The current usage during peak time is 25% of capacity equalling 20 members per hour. Cardiovascular: It has 29 pieces of equipment and it is assumed that each member takes 45 minutes to complete the exercise. Thus in one hour the total number of members able to use the equipment would be (60 minutes / 45 minutes x 29 equipments = 38 members). The current usage during peak hour is 40% of capacity equalling 32 members per hour. Aerobics: The facility can accomodate 35 members in one session and normally each session lasts for one hour. Thus the current usage during peak hour is 30% of capacity equalling 24 members per hour. Free weights: The case study doesnt hold any details about the space or type of available equipment. There are no complaints arising and 20% of the members use the facility during peak hours which equals 16 members so we assume that it is being utilized appropriately. Recreational activities: There is sufficient room available to accomodate the members during peak hours. Six tennis courts can accomodate between 12 to 24 members to play either 6 single or double games where as currently only 8 members play tennis during peak hours. Same is the case for 8 racquet ball courts which can accomodate between 16 to 32 members for 8 singles or doubles matches. During peak time only 12 members play racquet ball. The assumptions are based on the average calcuaton of each game to last for 1 hour. In case of longer game sessions still there are plenty of courts available to accomodate the demand. Detail of equipment and space are as following: Further analysis: Yu Lee (2002) is of the opinion that correct measurement of capacity is a pre-requisite for the effective management because correct decisions are always based on correct observations. It is a dilemma that one can not precisely measure the utilization capacity for service organizations as it needs constant surveys and observations (Jones and Kutsch, 2007). It has been observed that all the capacity measurements which can be taken are based on the primary data i.e. equipment condition, physical space, type of members, frequency of use, the type of equipment and support system (Yu Lee, 2002). For Fitness Plus another useful capacity measurement technique would be Utilization which is used for equipment, workforce or space. Utilization is the ratio between actual average output of the equipment and the maximum capacity (Krajewski et al., 2010). Utilization = (Average output rate / Maximum capacity) x 100% From the data available in (Figure 1) we can measure the utilization of diffferent equipments as following: Nautilus utilization = 20/31 x 100% = 64.5% (35.5% below capacity) Cardiovascular utilization = 32/38 x 100% = 84.21% (15.79% below capacity) Free weights utilization = 16/16 x 100% = 100% (Full capacity). Tennis courts utilization = 8/12 x 100% = 66.66% (33.33% below capacity) Racquet ball courts utilization = 12/16 x 100% = 75% (25% below capacity) Aerobics Utilization = 24/35 x 100% = 68.5% (31.5% below capacity) For aerobics the full capacity of the room is 35 members at one time which is way above the peak time average of 24 members. Scheduling of aerobics room can be the cause of the problem as the same room is twice a week dedicated for classes of yoga. Based on the above results it can fairly be said that Fitness Plus has enough capacity to effectively manage its existing facility and reduce complaints. There is also a need to determine the type of memebers using the facilities in peak hours i.e. family groups, under 16 students and working adults etc. It will be essential for both short and long term capacity strategies to cater for these groups separately in order to gain the competitive edge. A study should also be conducted to check the codition of the equipment as complaints might have arose partially due breakdown. It should also determine popular machines among the members specially for the cardiovascular and nautilus so the least popular be replaced with the more popular ones to increase the existing capacity. All capacity management plans not only determine the current usage of capacity but also take into account the future fluctuatins in demand. Existing or planned capacity should always leave sufficient cushion for adjustments (Krajewski et al., 2010). Capacity cushion is calculated as 100% minus the percentage of utilization. Upto 10% is considered sufficient to adjust demand fluctuations over time. Capacity cushion = 100% Utilization rate (%) In case of busy health facilities any number of customers can come at any time to use the equipment or space varying the demand significantly thus 20% capacity cushion would be more appropriate to maintain good customer service levels and to suatain any membership increases. Calculations are as following: Nautilus cushion = 100% 64.5% (utilization rate %) = 35.5% Cardiovascular cushion = 100% 84.21% (utilization rate %) = 15.79% Free weights cushion = 100% 100% (assumed utilization rate %) = 0% Tennis courts cushion = 100% 66.66% (utilization rate %) = 33.33% Racquet ball courts cushion = 100% 75% (utilization rate %) = 25% Aerobics cushion = 100% 68.5% (utilization rate %) = 31.5% Fitness Plus equipment and facilities have sufficient existing cushion. The only exceptions are cardiovascular equipment with 15.79% which is not too low and free weights equipment. There is no data available for free weights thus an assumed utilization of 100% is considered which can not be true in reality. On the basis of above calculations and analysis it can be fairly said that Fitness Plus has sufficient capacity to deal with current and future demand fluctuations. An efficient capacity management can result in a significant decrease in complaints and increase service levels and customer satisfaction. Section B / Question 2: Capacity strategy and justification One of the most difficult challenges service managers face is to cope well with uneven demand. The frequent flucuations in demand can lower service levels or result in under utilisation of resources. To avoid these consequences service firms can either adjust their capacity according to the changing demands, influence a change in demand patterns to suit their capacity or a combination of both (Krajewski et al., 2010) (see below figure 2): There are three main capacity strategies i.e. level capacity, chase demand and demand management. Each of these strategies should be adopted when its advantages out weight the disadvantages. Most often operation managers are required to keep low costs, decrease investments and at the same time provide excellent customer service levels making it all the more important for organizations to adopt a mixture of these approaches (Jones and Kutsch, 2007). Fitness Plus should adopt a mixed capacity plan for both its short and long term strategy as explained and justified in the following paragraphs: Level capacity: The capacity is maintined at a constant level all along the planning period and any fluctuations in demand are ignored. High under utilization of resources can make this capacity option very expensive but also very useful where the opportunity cost of single lost sale is very high like in jewellery retailing or real estate (Jones and Kutsch, 2007). At Fitness Plus there is always a possibility of a large number of members coming in any time and very low number of members in off-peak season resulting in either a waiting line or under utilization thus a pure level capacity plan would not be suitable. Chase demand: Chase demand is opposite to level capacity as it tries to match the capacity levels according to the changing demand patterns. It is very difficult plan to act upon as it needs flexible working hours, different number of staff and often different number of euipment in each period. It is suitable for companies which produce either perishable goods or cannot store their outputs such as customer processing. It has a clear advantage of having the appropriate level of staff all the time according to the demand of a particular season (Krajewski et al., 2010). This method requires adjustment of capacity through different means i.e. offering over time in peak and lesser hours in off-peak periods, varying number of employees according to the seasonal requirements, part time contracts and subcontracting (Jones and Kutsch, 2007). Fitness Plus would need to chase demand in the below aspects: As per available data members complain about waiting for the availabiliity of equipment. Application of a waiting line model will increase the service levels by effectively managing the existing capacity and chasing the current demand. A survey is proposed to check which machines are in demand, increasing their numbers and decreasing the least used ones to be in line with the existing demand. A waiting line model will not be suitable for aerobics because the class is preplanned and majority of the members arrive just before the start thus mixing schedules between aerobics and yoga can solve the problem. The number of employees would need to be rescheduled to increase the current service levels. It will reduce excess staff during slower times shifting them to peak times resulting in more personal attention, interaction and customer satisfaction. Developing a new facility will also chase the increase in demand which is expected due to new businesses down town. Demand management: The objective of this strategy is to shift the burden of peak period to off-peak period. Either the demand is changed through various methods or alternate products or services are offered to fill off-peak capacity. The most widely applied method in service industry is pricing to shift the peak demand to off-peak when people are not very interested in buying. Advertising also helps to smooth demand but is expensive and if is un-planned can result in financial loss. Organizations with different demand patterns develop new products and services covering the whole year i.e. univerities filling the lecture rooms during vacations (Jones and Kutsch, 2007). Fitness Plus will be managing demand in certain aspects of its startegy: It is proposed that Fitness Plus should either slightly rise prices during the peak times or provide services which cost lesser to manage demand. They should offer different types of memberships with different prices called price optimization. A non-pricing strategy of advertising off-peak services to waiting customers during peak times would also balance the peak and off-peak demands. Distributing off-peak service coupons during peak times, discounted tickets for relaxation services like massage, health supplements or energy drinks can be offered to balance the demand year round. Through a system of reservations Fitness Plus can fill its capacity and move the excess memberships to the off-peak period by booking a slot when capacity is available to manage it more effectively. Another option can be to partially restrict access of members during peak periods. During peak times mostly members would be working executives thus a restriction can be applied on under 16 members. To compensate them student membership rates can be offered in the off-peak period to encourage members to come more often in off-peak. Employee scheduling should reduce the excess staff during slower times by shifting more employee to peak times. It will result in more customer satisfaction and effective demand management. Often service companies have to opt a mixed capacity strategy as it is very hard to forecast demand and balance existing capacity (Jones and Kutsch, 2007). Operational capabilities do not always match one of the three strategies thus a mixture of chasing and managing demand would be most suitable for Fitness Plus. Section C / Question 3: Capacity strategy and other operational decisions Any capacity decision an organization makes should always be in line with the supply chains and processes within the organization. Taking into account the bigger operational picture is essential for a successful capacity strategy (Krajewski et al., 2010). Both short and long term strategies are discussed in this context below (See Figure 4): Short term strategy: Waiting line model: Peak demand most frequently results in waiting time increases for customers. Waiting line model is considered very useful for service organizations in resolving the problem (Krajewski et al., 2002). This model can be applied to the workout equipment as the waiting line is resulting in bottlenecks. Currently the system is catering for members individual service needs in multiple lines with a mixed arrangement of facilities on first come, first served basis. The arrival and service time distributions need to be calculated including line lengths, number of customers in the system, waiting time, total time in system and utilization of service facilities. After analyzing this data a new layout of the facility might be needed increasing the peak capacity and space for some equipment and reducing or eliminating some. Total 32 members visit the workout room during peak hours taking 45 minutes in completing their routines. On an average each member uses 2 machines during their stay with 20 minutes on each machine plus 5 minutes for the next one. Three customers get served with 20 minutes and an average the arrival rate comes to 2.5 times during an hour. If we take into account repeated visits we get a 80 per hour arrival rate (30 x 2.5) thus members wait approximately 8.6 minutes for a machine. To resolve it the most appropriate model would be a multiple channel, single phase as it will have a single line and more staff to deal with customers ( See Figure 3 below): Operationally this model will facilitate the marketing, HR, finance and supply chain aspects as during peak hours the waiting customers would be in a single line making it easier to display the marketing material on surrounding walls or screens. Financially it will save the expensive investment in media advertising and will make off-peak brochure distribution easier and to more interested existing customers. To serve on multiple service counter HR will need to schedule employees i.e. reducing the excess staff during slower times by shifting more employee to peak times resulting in better customer service. This model will also stream line the supply chain processes and increase service levels. During waiting line news telecasts and entertainment like BBC, Sky Sports etc with seated customer will create a calmer waiting environment and defuse any possible difficult situation. Price related strategy: Fitness Plus can reduce demand during peak hours by diverting surplus users either slightly rising prices or providing services which cost lesser. It can offer different types of memberships with different prices. The best price should be determined keeping in mind that no capacity constraint occurs which is called price optimization. Financially, increasing prices would generate extra revenues as per Shugan (2004) price optimization moves demand from peak to off peak times and increases revenues. But service firms are often hesitant due to its long term negative effects on the business. The presence of strong competitors often makes price increase decisions difficult as a customer can try competitor services and it might result in customer loss. Price increase startegy can also increase pressure on the over all supply chain as customers will start expecting higher service levels and seamless operations. By offering different type of memberships HR might need to recruit more staff to attend customer in both seasons. It can indirectly increase marketing costs as less expensive methods of selling to regular customers in peak season will become less effective due to lesser number of customers. Non-pricing strategies: Peak time is best to contact customers who might be interested in the off-peak offers and services (Kotler, 2001). It is highly likely to come across potential cusomers during Peak periods rather than less direct methods of advertising. In the earlier case customers have already shown their interest in the services and facilities. Thus it is far easier to sell them the off peak services or packages. While waiting for their turn customers can be shown different adverstisements to promote off-peak services which will save money for more expensive marketing campaigns. For regular members off-peak coupons can give further discounts or additional services with minimal incurring costs like massage, health supplements or energy drinks. Another strategy would be to develop a reservation system. It helps to shift the members to off-peak period who would otherwise be waiting during the peak period. When a customer calls to reserve a service or facility he should be given the slots with available capacity. The system works best if it is automated thus optimizing and balancing demand and capacity at the same time. These systems do improve the over all supply chain but also affect financial and HR related operational decisions as they are expensive and need trained staff to operate them. Fitness Plus can also partially restrict access of members during peak periods. A detailed study of the type of members visiting the facility would be needed. Once the data has been gathered on the usage pattern the decision of categorical restrictions can be applied. For example during peak times of 4-7 mostly members would be working executives thus in order to reduce access and optimise the capacity a restriction should be applied on under 16 members using the facility in the same period. To compensate them student membership rates can be offered during the off-peak period. This will encourage the excluded members to come more often during off peak periods. Fitness Plus should also have a survey to determine the popular equipment. The number of popular equipment should be increased and the least popular ones be decreased which will help fill the gap in member requirements. Operationally it can create a supply chain problem of disposing off the least popular equipment and can increase financial pressure of buying new machines. In case of aerobics section complaints there is a possibility of a mixed schedule between aerobics and yoga. A rescheduling of classes on the basis of members demand can ensure that the classes do not clash. It will affect the HR decisions as employee scheduling would be needed and over time might need to be paid. The employees of Fitness Plus also need to be scheduled in order to increase the service levels and reduce the excess staff during slower times. Shifting more employee to peak times will result in more customer satisfaction by having more personal attention and interaction. It will benefit the supply chain by improving process times and facilitating seamless operations. Long term strategies: There are three alternates in the long run which should be based on both qualitative and quantitative bench marking of competitors, capacity and cost estimates: Opening of a new facility downtown Minimal expansion within the current facility on available land Waiting and watching the demand conditions before making any expansion Because customers are already complaining and equipment is being used lesser than its maximum capacity there is some room for minor expansion of the existing facility but is limited due to lack of available land. As the population is increasing steadily and the only full range competitor is YMCA option 1 would be the best choice. It will create sufficient capacity ahead of customer demands. Once the new facility is announced it will be difficult for competitors to expand as it might over burden the market. Financially it is a big decision and would very much depend on the success of the short term strategies. Profits gained through short term measures will ease the financial pressure. Secondly going ahead with new facility downtown will need thorough supply chain planing as the distance between the facilities will make logistical decisions difficult and expensive. Lot of new job will be created and HR department will need to recruit and send and recieve staff between facilities for training and development purposes. It will be a big opportunity for marketing deparatment as lots of new campaigns, hoardings, billboards and advertisements would need to be developed. Conclusion: In this report the capacity issues of Fitness Plus were discussed in details in three sections. A measurement of existing capacity, justification of adopted strategy and links of proposed strategies with other operating decisions were sought. Both short and long term strategies are considered important but the immediate concern of Fitness plus should be to resolve the existing complaints of over crowding and non-availability of equipment. Firstly, in the short term price optimizing strategy of increasing peak prices and offering off-peak packages can work. If it is considered detrimental for the business non-pricing strategies can produce the desired results. Secondly, all the employees should be taken on board in the strategic decisions so that they can handle customer queries more professionally and maintain the desired service levels. Lastly, periodical reviews of the demand forecasting, complaints, equipment and service levels will ensure effective capacity utilzation. Accuracy of data should be maintained by comparing the existing demand with the forecasted demand so that a clear picture of the financial, operational and service needs is obtained. In the long run Fitness Plus needs to refer to its corporate objective and act accordingly either to effectively manage the current equipment and space or build a new branch over time. The earlier the long term strategy is initiated the better. Once the expansion plan is announced new memberships will prove to be a guage for its success and continuous monitoring of population growth, market trends and competitors will keep Fitness Plus ahead of its competitors.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Essay -- Anatomy, Coron

Introduction In 1977, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was introduced to dilate narrow coronary arteries. Over the years, the development of the procedure knocked down major anatomical obstacles. Typically the procedure involves a small incision into the leg, a catheter is inserted through the groin vein and is then steered to the blocked coronary vessel via a guide wire. On the tip of the catheter is a deflated balloon. Once at the congested region of the artery the balloon is inflated, causing plaque to compress against the artery wall, dilating the artery and restoring blood to flow [1]. The initial success was demoted by the occurrence of elastic recoil. Nevertheless, scientist over came these drawbacks (well so they thought), by mounting a bare-metal stent (BMS) on the balloon of the catheter [2]. Jacques Puel and Ulrich Sigwart inserted the first stent into a human coronary artery in 1986. The inflation of the balloon caused the minute expandable metal to implant into t he vessel, causing the vessel to expand and remain expanded. The hindrance of elastic recoil was believed to be defeated, therefore in 1994 the U.S Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the first Palmaz-Schatz stent [3]. The insertion of BMS did initially improve results, mainly by reducing the risk of abrupt closure and improving long-term results. However, a new barrier was exposed in the form of In-Stent Restenosis (ISR). The new problem included negative remodelling and neointimal formation. One way to combat ISR was the concept of â€Å"coating† the metallic stent with an anti-proliferative pharmacological agent. The drug coated stents, referred to as drug eluting stents (DES), delivered the drug locally from the surface of the... ...st generation SES. The second generation EES showed superior clinical and safety over PES in the SPIRT trails. Highly significant data in TLF, MACE, stent thrombosis and target lesion revascularization was demonstrated in favour of EES. However, second generation DES may not be the â€Å"be all† of what they are made out to be. A number of clinical trail’s report negative information for ZES. ENDEAVOR I and III trails and Kandazri et al. observed significantly higher rates of in-stent late lumen loss ZES verses SES. Furthermore, SORT-OUT III trails also observed negative results for ZES, reporting considerable increases in stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularisation. On comparing both of the second generation DES together, mixed results were obtained. ESTROFA-2 reported low rates of thrombosis in both ZES and ESS. Explain difference....

Monday, November 11, 2019

Econet Wireless International and the African Telecommunications Industry Essay

Activities to be completed in this presentation: Carry out a SWOT analysis for Econet Wireless International, identifying the key issues that Econet needs to address from the results of your analysis. Undertake an industry analysis of the African Telecommunications market using Porter’s Five Force Model. Using a competitor analysis framework of your choice, analyse the Big Five mobile operators in the African market Econet Wireless International is facing or faced challenges in a number of markets it entered. Identify these challenges and the sources of these challenges. What Marketing strategy options should Econet use at it tries to grow its operations (Justify your options) and what should it do to successfully implement these strategies? Introduction The selection of a growth strategy is ultimately determined by the company’s strategic goals, core competencies and strategic assets as well as by its target customers, collaborators and the overall economic, technological, socio cultural, regulatory and physical context. An integrative approach of analysing these factors is essential for the development of a successful growth strategy. Overview Econet Wireless International (hereafter to be referred to as EWI) is a Zimbabwean –owned international telecommunications group. The result of Dr. Strive Masiyiwa’s vision, Econet began in mobile telephone service in July 1998, after years of legal battles. Thus it began leading the change in the telecommunications terrain. Zimbabwe has issued only 3 mobile  telecommunication licenses to EWI, Orascom-owned Telecel and the government-owned NetOne. SWOT Analysis for Econet Wireless International As a result of the internal and external analysis, our SWOT analysis is as follows: Strengths Growth through international expansion. As EWI expands onto 3 continents in 10 countries, they are able to develop global footprint, thus increasing their capital base and securing their company. Innovative product range. They continuously developed product range, they developed into becoming a full-service communications company offering mobile telephony, traditional landline telephony, Internet services, data streaming services, transactions systems and contract services for other operators. For example, in Zimbabwe alone, they have a number of viable product offerings, namely Buddie, Ecocash, EcoFarmer, EcocashSave, Econet Solar, Econet Broadband and BusinessPartna Contract Lines. Their business model enabled them to offer quality products at competitive prices. They collaborated in the form of consortium partnerships and also joint ventures. For example, it was able to penetrate markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, Botswana, New Zealand, Lesotho, Malawi and Burundi. Their joint venture was with Altech in South Africa. The benefit of this partnership firm was listed in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange thus exposing them to a new source of capital. Their mutually formed company, Newco, would have eventually taken over almost all of Econet’s companys, allowing EWI to backward intergrate with a supplier which in terms of future growth, would enable them to develop an even wider product offering. This alliance would have been mutually beneficial, with Econet getting access to technology products, finance and administrative structures while Altech would get the opportunity to diversify riding on EWI’s mobile network. Multi-branding. EWI used it’s name in countries where it had a controlling stake such as in Nigeria, Lesotho, New Zealand, Malawi and Burundi. In countries where it was the minority shareholder, it operated under different names, namely Mascom ( Botswana), Gulfsat Maghreb SA ( Morocco). Their management structure was such that in each country, the operation was headed by a national, who knew the business climate in that country but the financial aspect was headed by an expatriate from head  office thus maintaining effective control and providing support. This encouraged business relations in those nations as the national heading the operation was able to negotiate deals from a knowledgeable point. Weaknesses Limited capital for operations, thus curtailing their growth, especially in New Zealand and Nigeria as the case study says, the consortium partners resisted a higher stake in Econet, believing they did not have the financial means and/ or resources to invest. In addition, Econet did not have enough money to finance the upgrading of its network and it came under government threat of having its licence revoked, thus they had to borrow $75 million Export-Import Bank. Also, in Kenya, their license was cancelled due to failure by the consortium to fully honour the license fee obligations within the given time frame. They failed to provide a service recovery alternative for the suspended Buddie cards in 2002 in Nigeria. The implication here was that they created low switching costs for their subscriber base, boosting the sales of their competitor. Econet gave their competitors an edge over them in Nigeria, as evidenced by the outcome of their decisions to suspend Buddie cards and also, during their subsequent reintroduction. Both times, MTN gained from these moves. In reintroducing the cards, they were not able to support the resulting call volumes. They had not had the foresight to prepare for this possibility as a result of their reintroduction. Network quality problems resulting from failure to support capacity when the Buddie lines were reintroduced. It was a situation of demand outstripping supply. They had also not expected this outcome as a result of reintroducing the previously popular lines. It’s strong dependance on their Zimbabwean operations means they weakened their efforts at expansion due to the unfavourable economic climate. They had raised capital via the Zimbabwe Stock Market but could not use it externally due to stringent government controls on the basis of hard currency remittance limitations. Their failure to capitalise on the license in New Zealand meant a loss on their part. Opportunities Their listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange gave them the opportunity to raise more capital. Acquisition of licenses in various countries through consortium partnerships meant they gained a foothold in countries such as  Nigeria, Kenya, Botswana, Morocco, New Zealand, Lesotho, Malawi and Burundi though from a minority position in the consortium. They were able to obtain licenses in various countries. Threats Stringent government controls. Restrictions to remit it’s foreign currencies to finance it’s operations in other countries, e.g. in New Zealand Intense competition, e.g. in New Zealand where the market was duopoly delaying their entry into that market. Low switching costs. In most of their markets, subscribers are multi-networked. As subscribers used a number of networks to maximise on particular network availability and promotions, EWI could not in depend totally on that these subscribers would be faithful. Key Issues Limited capital for operations. They could list on the Stock Exchange to attract investors. They could offer rights issues to existing shareholders, thereby attracting new capital. Network challenges. They need to upgrade their systems. They need to ensure they have enough technological infrastructure, e.g. base stations, to be able to cater for network loads. Collaboration with suppliers. Government regulations and restrictions. They need to form relationships with the host governments. Decision making. Improve their decision approach at corporate level, e.g. their decision to limit the number of days subscribers had access to the network. From the above analysis, the following threats are of high importance and Econet would do well to take notice: Stringent government controls Intense competition Low switching costs Mergers and acquisitions present an attractive and profitable opportunity thus Econet should explore this avenue further. Industry analysis of the â€Å"Big Five† using Porter’s Five Forces model. Threat of new entrants – High because: There are strong barriers to entry in terms of obtaining an operational license due to government restrictions, e.g. Zimbabwe, as shown in the case when Masiyiwa argued the case that the Telecel consortium should be  disqualified as they did not meet tender specifications. Restrictive license fees in terms of costs of getting the license such as in Kenya when EWI had their license cancelled after only two months due to failure to meet their obligation in terms of the license fee. A lot of capital is needed to start the business. It is estimated that $14 billion on average is needed as investment in the mobile phone business. Bargaining power of buyers: High because: Low switching costs such as in Nigeria when Econet opted to suspend the sale of its prepaid Buddie cards for 6 months due to quality problems, resulting in them losing subscribers. The buyer’s power is strong in Burundi because they have a population of 7 million people with only 4 mobile subscribers. Bargaining power of suppliers – High because: The government controlled operator supplier, Nitel, had strong bargaining power, as evidenced by their holding back to supply Econet with transmission links for more than a year and Econet had no option but to wait. There were few suppliers. Industry rivals – High because: Customer base grew rapidly between year 2000 and 2005 Intense competition among players in the mobile industry. Substitutes – Low because: Landlines penetration rates were low, for example, in Chad, the rate was on average one landline per 70 people while the mobile phone users expanded between year 2000 and 2005 from 15.6 million to 135 million. The overall rating is high because rivalry is high, threat of new entrants is high, bargaining power of suppliers is high and bargaining power of buyers is high. Competitor Analysis Competitor Key Strengths Key Weaknesses Perceived Strategies Key Segments Millicom First-mover position Market leader status Cost leadership Multi-branded Wide market coverage within South America Less aggressive business approach Easy to attack Low revenues in the big five Mass-marketing Multi-branding Cost leadership Low population markets International markets MTC Innovator High capital base Strong market coverage Market strength through acquisition An aggressive player High rate of economic growth Narrow product range Multi-branding Full market segmentation High population areas MTN Market coverage Market leader Strong capital base Economies of scale Resource utilisation Wide product range No multi-branding Blue ocean Leveraging existing business Growing new markets through acquisitions Research and development High population areas Niche, e.g. Middle Eastern Orascom Strong capital base through conglomeration Multi branding Cost leadership Wide product range Market leader Multi-branding Removed operations in Africa Market development High population Vodacom Strong revenue base Market leader Adequate resources for expansion Investment opportunities Least internationalised Market growth limitations Taking unnecessary risks Joint venture franchising Forward integration Domestic International Table 2 Company Capital/ Revenue (in billions $) Market Coverage (number of countries) Mobile Subscriber Number (in millions) Millicom 1.4 16 13 MTC 3 20 23 MTN 3 21 32 Orascom 2.1 9 41 Vodacom 3 5 27 From the analysis above, the market leaders are MTC, MTN and Orascom in terms of revenue. Millicom and Vodacom take the role of market challengers. In looking at mobile subscriber, Orascom and MTN are the market leaders followed by Vodacom, MTC and Millicom respectively. In terms of market coverage, MTN leads followed by MTC. Millicom is the market challenger. Orascom and Vodacom are nichers as they focus on specific markets. Challenges Legislation Government controls in the form of price controls, barring establishment of private mobile networks Trading policies License to operate Government regulations – licensing board Intense competition Duopoly in New Zealand Infrastructure problem Network support Lack of foreign currency Government foreign currency regulations in Zimbabwe Changes in exchange rate Economical meltdown in Zimbabwe Lack of capital Delay in listing on stock exchange Poor quality Buddie cards in Nigeria Product development and testing was poor Marketing Strategy Options Ansoff Matrix Market penetration – The organisation tries to grow it’s market share through sales of existing products to the present market, for example Econet Zimbabwe trying to grow its market share from 70% to 80%. They could achieve this through promotions such as offering discounted tariffs. This can be done through ensuring that they have got enough capital to support the reduction of cost on pricing. The company needs to develop budgets to steer ample resources towards promotion and advertising. Product Development – Coming up with new or modified products, for example Ecocash has been modified to include an account, that is, EcocashSave. They need to invest in a Research and Development department, tasked to come up with more innovative products. They also to need to emphasize on Total Quality Management to avoid product recalls, for example, in Nigeria where the cards had quality problems. Market development – The company seeks for and finds new markets in which to expand, for example they go into a totally new market such as penetrating Canada. They can do this through acquisition of licensing in that country.  Before acquiring the license, they would need carry out market research to ensure that that market is attractive and can be profitable for them. They should also ensure that they have enough capital to successfully implement this marketing strategy. In addition, they need to have the right management and organisational structures. Blue ocean The process of identifying an untapped market in an effort to run away from competition. For example, Econet came up with Econet Solar where they tapped into the solar provision market in an effort to ensure that their customers’ phones’ battery life did not affect their network accessibility. In these topsy-survy times where clients have become complicated, the only way to survive in business is through eliminating competition through investing in new technology and/ or Research and Development. As a result, they can realise much in terms of profit. We advise Econet to take the Ansoff matrix strategies because it covers the wide scope of marketing strates or options of growth.

Friday, November 8, 2019

A Journey to Heaven Essay Essays

A Journey to Heaven Essay Essays A Journey to Heaven Essay Essay A Journey to Heaven Essay Essay How much would you like to see your favourite topographic point in the universe? During my senior twelvemonth. my parents came in with astonishing intelligence for me. They had told me I was traveling to a trip to Italy with them. The program was non ab initio with me traveling on the trip. but my small sister was. since she could non help on the trip. I was the lucky brother that had this chance. Most of my concerns were school. but this trip would decidedly pay off the difficult work maintaining up with school. One of the topographic points I wanted to see the most on the whole universe and many other activities came along the manner. Travelling is something everyone should make in their lives. know about different civilizations and alter the day-to-day modus operandi in the day-to-day life. The most deadening portion. as ever. is taking off from Panama to Italy ; since we had to pack up the baggage and being on a plane for 14 hours. The flight was from Panama to New Jersey and a connexion flight from New Jersey to Italy. The experience on plane was all right. though I’ve neer liked planes. since it’s a little topographic point and I like open-large infinites. I am a overactive. I had to hold myself put on a place for 14 hours watching films. which it was non good because my parents had to cover with this and myself. Finally geting at Italy I could already experience the exhilaration and odor of a new topographic point to detect and larn. Arriving to Milan. the state was nil like I expected. Milan brought letdown from me since it was nil like I expected. The hotel was O. K. though. they had to salvage a batch of energy and we had the worst experience remaining on a â€Å"4† stars hotel. The most exciting portion of being in Milan was the nutrient. every repast had something delightful to eat and seek different dishes. I went to the Ophthalmology Milan Congress 2012 with my pa which was truly fun since you could see the inventions on engineering about the oculus. how to bring around more oculus diseases. how to forestall diseases and handle some diseases with no remedy. Apart from the Medicine Congress. the metropolis of Milan did non surprise me ; I think this was the lone topographic point that couldn’t fill in with my expectative from Italy. Many Italians would inquire for our sentiment on Milan. and they have told us that most tourers and even Italians themselves do non see of Milan as one of their me tropoliss since it does non visualize the manner Italy is ; as the old-timer. rustic-old looking topographic point Italy is. with 1000s of old ages of history within Italy. From Milan we took one of the fastest ferry trains in the universe. making up to velocities of 320 kilometers per hours to make to the Monza National Park. where the Italian F1 Grand Prix will be taking topographic point. Bing there has been one of the most exciting events I’ve had on my whole life. the autos. the people. the passion. all united for one same ground ; people that enjoy of the fastest autos in the universe. all the drivers viing to be the best at the paths. Bing at that place as the race starts and listening to the engines howling. the autos driving so fast your ears hurt. and waiting for your driver to be on the first topographic point was a alone experience for me. Unfortunately. my favourite driver had an engine failure and couldn’t race decently and finished the race on last place. though he’s been the universe title-holder for 4 times in a row now. so I’m non upset about it. Fortunately. the Mexican driver Sergio Perez did hold an astonishing race. winning the 2nd topographic point. at the Monza Gran Prix. and my female parent was excited about it since she is Mexican. my female parent who doesn’t enjoys Formula 1 at all. was the most aroused on this race. Been there I noticed the large difference from watching Formula 1 back at place and being on the race. non cognizing where your driver could be. trusting he’s all right and waiting for him to race even faster than the others. it was a batch of emphasis during the race. Completing the haste from all of these events traveling on. we arrived to Rome. which I loved since the 2nd I stepped out of the train. Rome was all and even more I expected from Italy. it has brought me the experience of being. cognizing. and larning from one of my favourite topographic points in the universe. The Coliseum. The hotel from Rome was no different from the one on Milan. though I didn’t affair since I was excited merely of waking up and be ready for the topographic points I would be able to see on Rome. Our first halt clearly had to be the Coliseum and merely standing at that place and being there I could conceive of. odor and experience the action. the heat of conflict. the show. the exhilaration of the biggest eyeglassess of whole clip. I unfeignedly would hold liked to populate on that epoch and be live at the Coliseum. at every event that they had. As good. being at that place at Rome. had brought me to my best culinary experience. the gustatory sensation of fresh. reliable Italian pasta is merely astonishing ; the Italian culinary art is my favourite. My parents. by the other manus. they did non like about anything they ordered at any eating house. they merely hated the thought of eating pasta or pizza all the clip. they wanted to order something flesh outing like a beefburger. One of the yearss in Rome we decided to come across through the Chinese avenue. and stopped by a Chinese eating house flight from the modus operandi of eating Italian nutrient all the clip. For my parents. the Chinese eating house was the best of the whole Italy trip ; though I must acknowledge it was good. but non every bit good as the Italian nutrient at about any eating house we came across. The Trevi Fountain was besides a truly interesting topographic point to see. the architecture and size of the sculpture was merely astonishing. The Pantheon. the temple of the Gods of the Ancient Rome was an interesting piece of history. it’s one of the authoritative edifices on Italy. As good from the most touristic topographic points on Rome. we had the opportunity to see the Capitoline Museum and the Piazza del Campidoglio. built by the greatest life creative person in his life-time and one of the greatest creative persons of all clip. Michelangelo. which was the Godhead of the maestro piece on the communion table wall of the Sistine Chapel. As the Rome touristry ends. we arrive to the Vatican. which district consists of a walled enclave within the metropolis of Rome. Italy. The Vatican City is autonomous city-state. therefore. I was sing the smallest state in the universe. Unfortunately we could merely see one topographic point at the Vatican City. the St. Peter’s Basilica. The art pieces at St. Peter’s Basilica were merely astonishing. every picture was made of little pieces of mosaic tiles. doing this difficult to believe. since the picture seemed so perfect and existent ; the pictures didn’t seem to be possible to be that perfect. As we move farther into the St. Peter’s Basilica we arrive to the Sistine Chapel. which is the most Holy experience I’ve of all time had. I could experience the connexion immediately as I was at the Sistine Chapel ; holding the chance to detect every bit good. the maestro piece of Michelangelo above me painted at the whole rooftop of the Chapel was extraordinary. Such a commiseration holding to go forth this topographic point so fast. though it was wholly deserving it. we had to mobilise rapidly because there was a big sum of people desiring to acquire in every bit good and you couldn’t remain at that place for more than half an hr. â€Å"Undoubtedly the most beautiful metropolis built by man† words by Luigi Barzini at The New York Times. he was talking about the City of Water. Venice. Sincerely. Venice has been the most beautiful metropolis I have seen. every edifice. was a delectation for my eyes. I wouldn’t mind walking the whole metropolis if I had to. since every street had its ain beauty to detect. There was a tall observatory in which you took an lift. about 30 floors above the land. gave us the chance to detect the whole metropolis of Venice from the top. I felt like I was on an belowground metropolis full of H2O where edifices were coming from the above of the metropolis. it was olympian. My male parent had a cousin life at that place at Venice which gave us a truly good circuit on the whole metropolis and took us to the best eating houses of Venice. it’s non a surprise that my parents didn’t like the Italian nutrient every bit much as the Chinese eating house from Rome. For my luck. my uncle had the wont of roll uping old cheese and good national vinos ; so we had a delicious dinner at their topographic point with antipasto. good cheese and vino. My aunt every bit good took us to see one of her favourite topographic points of her childhood which was a truly belowground unknown topographic point for tourers. which was even better than I imagined ; I neer thought that a fish that I didn’t like at all. could be so good. Decidedly this was non my favourite topographic point of Italy. but it is by far a topographic point that I would wish to comeback whenever I have the opportunity. The topographic points I had the opportunity to see within 15 yearss on Italy were merely non plenty. I will hold to come back to Italy to see more and larn more from their civilization because I can’t leave this chapters at Italy by non seen. The greatest pieces of art. the history of 1000s of old ages all united on one topographic point makes Italy one of the top 1 topographic points to see on my list which I would wish to portion with anyone and convert them on holding this experience. Life is short to see the whole universe. and I am thankful I had the opportunity to see this topographic point in my life. make non lose the opportunity of holding this chance if you can hold it. Have a opportunity for yourself. visit and detect your favourite topographic point in the universe. it’s neer excessively late!

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Plastics Polymers Science Fair Project Ideas

Plastics Polymers Science Fair Project Ideas Your science project could involve plastic, monomers, or polymers. These are types of molecules found in everyday life, so one advantage to the project is that its easy to find materials. In addition to learning more about these substances, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the world by finding new ways to use or make polymers and ways to improve plastic recycling. Here Are Some Ideas for Plastic Science Fair Projects Make a bouncing polymer ball. Examine how the properties of the ball are affected by changing the chemical composition of the ball (altering the proportion of ingredients in the recipe).Make gelatin plastic. Examine the properties of the plastic as it goes from fully hydrated with water to fully dried out.Compare the tensile strength of trash bags. How much weight can a bag hold before it tears? Does the thickness of the bag make a difference? How does the type of plastic matter? Do bags with fragrance or colors have different elasticity (stretchiness) or strength compared with white or black trash bags?Examine wrinkling of clothes. Is there any chemical you can put on fabric to cause it to resist wrinkling? Which fabrics wrinkle the most/least? Can you explain why?Examine the mechanical properties of spider silk. Are the properties the same for the different types of silk produced by a single spider (dragline silk, sticky silk for trapping prey, silk used to support a web, etc.)? Is silk different from one type of spider to another? Does temperature affect the properties of the silk produced by a spider? Are sodium polyacrylate beads in disposable diapers the same or are there observable differences between them? In other words, are some diapers meant to resist leaking by resisting pressure on the diapers (from a baby sitting or falling on it) as opposed to resisting leaking by holding maximum fluid? Are there differences between diapers meant for babies in different age groups?Which type of polymer is better suited for use in swimsuits? You could examine differences between nylon and polyester with respect to stretchiness, durability, and colorfastness in chlorinated water (like in a swimming pool) or seawater.Do different plastic covers protect against fading better than others? You can test the fading of construction paper in sunlight with different types of plastic overlaying the paper.What can you do to fake snow to make it as realistic as possible?Make natural plastic from dairy. Do the properties of the polymer change depending on what you used for the dairy source (percent of milk fat in milk or sour cream, etc.)? Does it matter what you use for an acid source (lemon juice versus vinegar)? How is the tensile strength of polyethylene plastic affected by its thickness?How does temperature affect the elasticity of a rubber band (or other plastic)? How does temperature affect other properties?

Monday, November 4, 2019

SWOT analysis of 2 fictitious companies and what my company, a Research Proposal

SWOT analysis of 2 fictitious companies and what my company, a competitor of these 2 companies, would do about a weakness from each company - Research Proposal Example All this is possible when the organization is aware of its internal and external environment. Hence, in this paper an attempt is made to analyze the environment of S & W and Makatume, both from the tools industry and appropriate strategies are suggested. As mentioned in the abstract, the success of any entity is directly dependent on its ability to see into the future. The extent to which an entity can envision itself into the future decides the survival and growth of that entity. But at this point of time, it is not sufficient that a company just grows, but it can serve the best interests of its stakeholders only if it can ensure sustained development. Self awareness in the teams, departmental and organizational level is the first step towards development of strategies (Whetton, 2002). Hence, to have a clear awareness of the internal and external environment, the SWOT analysis is carried out. 5. Change in buying preferences of the consumers to go for specialized tools which adopt modern designs and technology. The dynamic nature of consumer preferences makes development of marketing strategies an very challenging task.(Paul Peter, 1996) Of the major weaknesses mentioned, two of the weakness are related to its production systems. The plants are outdated and are located in high labor cost area. Also the company is unable to adapt to the changing environment. If we watch closely, all these weakness

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Module 3 Principles of Human Resources using Performance Appraisals Essay

Module 3 Principles of Human Resources using Performance Appraisals - Essay Example Appraisals also identify the below-par performers who then may be subjected to counseling or punitive action such as pay cuts, demotions or in the extreme case dismissal or decreases in pay. The necessity of performance appraisals is a debated issue. While on one hand a number of authors feel that it is one aspect of corporate organizations that creates significant hindrance to effective management of human resources (Derven, 1990), authors like Lawrie (1990) feel it to be indespensible and possibly one of the most crucial aspects of organizational management. The fundamental reason behind opinions spread over both ends of the spectrum is that these are based upon observations about successes and failures of appraisals in engendering warranted results. I believe that it is not the action of evaluating employees through appraisals but rather the manner in which these are administered that leads to such different results. The necessity of performance appraisals is intricately tied to the objectives and policies of the organization. For organizations that believe in generating employee loyalty and try and minimize employee turnovers performance appraisals can play a very important role. Further, appraisals offer the opportunity to focusing on activities and objectives, to locate and cure problems found to be existing, and thereby to provide encouragement for better performances in future. This, effectively done can thus improve the aggregative performance of the whole organization. The appraisals also embody the opportunity mutual recognition and agreement of individual training and development needs. Discussion of any workers performance can beyond argument establish lack or abundance of skills which otherwise in a generic voting situation or centralized meeting situation cannot become clear. So, performance appraisals can definitely establish the necessity of training as well as the