Robots Replaces Humans Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Robots Replaces Humans - Research Paper Example The technology in robots may be traced back in the Industrial Revolution when mathematics, engineering and science was in flower in England that provided the basic groundwork of robotics. Among the prominent scientist during that time who contributed to the development of robots was Charles Babbage who developed the foundation of computer science and his two uncompleted project, difference and analystical engine. Although these projects were not completed, they laid out the basic framework for mechanical calculations necessary for robots to function (Thomasnet 2013). Robots as we know them today however was not yet recognized nor had such name during this time. The concepts about robots however already proliferated during the Industrial Revolution but its realization has to come decades later because the technology were not yet available then. Until in 1920, Karel Capek published his play entitled Rossum’s Universal Robots where the word robot was first used. The word robot came from an old Slavic word that meant â€Å"servitude, monotonous or forced labor†. From the use of â€Å"robot† in Karel Capek’s play begun the usage of the word that refers to mechanical devices that replaces human functions. It was however in 1927 that the first actual robot was made in the United States called Televoc which operated through the telephone system. Japan followed suit in 1928 and created Japan’s first robot named Gakutensoku. Robot became a formal science in 1941 when  Isaac Asimov  formulated the  Three Laws of Robotics, which formally gave the name of robot creation as robotics (1950). The first few models of robots that used modern available technology begun in the 1950’s however which George Devol designed a robotic arm device named Unimate which was intended for industrial use. Unimate function then was to transport die castings in General Motors plant in New Jersey. Seeing the viability of robots particular in industrial manufacturing, a company

Assessing Organizational Culture Essay Example for Free

Assessing Organizational Culture Essay Almost every organization, whether public or private, on paper or in practice, has a culture that fairly dictates its everyday functioning. The term culture has many definitions but in this discussion it is defined as shared beliefs, values, symbols, and behaviors. Culture binds a workforce together and is its control mechanism, or purpose, to facilitate its functioning. These items are powerful driving forces in the success of an organization and their value to the community they serve whether it is a public or private entity will affect the success of any organization. While cultures are found in some organizations more prominently than in others, there are those organizations where the culture of that specific organization’s ideal stands out above others. Police departments, military units and religious organizations all have a strong, centralized culture that forms its base and permeates its entire existence. Many times people outside of those professions do not understand the mentality or job commitment a person from one of these career fields shares with his/her co-workers. An example would be the duty and honor commitment of a United State Marine, especially when considered by a person who was anti-military; the Marines belief or core value system is not understood. The medical profession and more specifically hospitals, demonstrate a common goal that simply stated, is the care and healing of the sick or injured. For the most part, the medical staff employed at a hospital is there for that specific purpose. The medical field brings together a vast array of individuals from different backgrounds and cultures. But once they become a doctor, hospital nurse, surgical technician, etc. they take on a new life and thereby absorb a new culture into their lives. Subcultures, as defined by organizational theorists John van Maanen and Stephen Barley, are â€Å"a subset of an organization’s members who interact regularly with one another, identify themselves as a distinct group†¦and routinely take action on the basis of collective understandings unique to the group† (Cheney, 2011, 78-79) The organizational culture in a hospital is based on the premise that the hospital is there to provide a place for the care and healing of the sick or injured. Organizational theorist Mary Jo Hatch puts forth that there are five (5) â€Å"Degrees of Cultural Integration and Differentiation† (Cheney, 77) identified as follows: Unitary, Diverse (Integrated), Diverse (Differentiated), Diverse (Fragmented) and Disorganized (Multi-cephalous) (Hatch, 1997, 210). A hospital in its purest form would be well represented as a Unitary culture because the staff as a whole all have the same values or beliefs. But individual staff or even medical units may fall into any of the other cultures identified as well. A particular unit, i. e. cardiac telemetry floor, may be a Diverse (Fragmented) unit due to a group of nurses who do not view their critical task requirements in the same way and as a result the level of patient infections or deaths rises, causing unrest among the staff, supervisors, patient families and resulting in legal ramifications thereby fragmenting the staff’s solidarity. Social psychologist Edgar Schein formulated a theoretical model that shows an organization’s culture is built on three levels: artifacts, values and norms, and assumptions and beliefs. Artifacts are usually the most common and visible sign of a specific culture. Schein puts forth that things such as nursing uniforms, terminology, surgical protocols and more, actually and accurately represent the basic aspects of organization’s culture. The values and norms aspect of his theory, while not always visible, can be seen through behavior of the individual or group; it reveals what is important to the group and how they treat each other within their organization. Each aspect of the profession may have an operating procedure or environment nique to that area of specialization, but still have the same values and norms for their actions. In a surgical room, sterilization of the environment is much more important than it would be in a patient’s room on a medical/surgical floor, but they still have the same belief in keeping an open wound as clean as possible. While values in the medical profession do not vary as a whole, values do define accepted behavior and action. Genuine assumptions and beliefs are nurtured by a persons or organizations values and norms. Values vary only slightly in the various medical professions and facilities. Depending on the medical specialty area, operational norms and methods may differ according to training priorities, equipment and environment unique to that specialty. For instance, the hospital in-patient wound care team may have the same desire to treat a patient’s wounds as a home health nursing team, but the methods of treatment or medications used may be different. Differences begin to surface when a patient is sent home on a negative pressure wound therapy system, i. e. a wound V. A. C.  ®, that aids in the healing of wounds via suction (http://www. kci1. com/KCI1/vactherapy). Many home health nurses does not know how to properly change the intricate dressing or fully understand this equipment or the damaging results that can occur if not changed properly. Faulty assumptions are therefore made based on the beliefs of the home health nurse of what should be done for the patient. When that happens, problems arise in this particular scenario that could result in the patient being brought back to the hospital for a further period of hospitalization due to a breakdown of their wounds or even the creation of new wounds as a result of improper V. A. C.  ® placement. The overriding culture of the medical field is based on the Physician’s Creed of â€Å"First, do no harm† (author uncertain but it is based on the Hippocratic Oath which states to abstain from doing harm). This belief echoes throughout the medical field all over the world. And while there are individual exceptions or exceptions in areas such as animal research for the betterment of mankind or the ethical issue of abortion, the creed has gone unchanged since the time of the ancient Greeks and before. Schein’s three (3) levels of artifacts, values and norms, and assumptions and beliefs, are evident in every clinical setting. With further exploration, Hatch’s five (5) Degrees of Cultural Integration and Differentiation will also be found, albeit not everyone will be seen on every hospital floor or unit. Medical facilities are a kaleidoscope or a microcosm of many subcultures under the roof of the main culture of being a place for the care and healing of the sick or injured. Without that organizational culture giving guidance to all of the subcultures involved in this humanitarian career field, the death rate for minor injuries and diseases would compound exponentially.

Contracts and Change Orders in a Small Business :: business, contracts, customers,

I began to use change orders in business because customers always want more than they have paid for, and the longer you work with a customer the more they feel entitled to free services. A change order takes place after an original contract has been signed by both parties, and additional work is required. A change order is most often used in construction and service trades when more work must be performed than originally agreed to, because conditions arise that were not originally known to either party. A change order does not nullify the original contract, on the contrary, it adds to the original scope of work and cost of the project. I knew a contractor who owned a motor yacht with a small dinghy attached. The dinghy was named Original Contract, and the yacht was named Change Order. I started a business named AAA Computer Repair. Unaware of what services the customers would require, an hourly rate was charged that began when I arrived at the place of service, with a minimum of one hour for a service call. The charges per hour did not vary at all, for all services provided, including installing software, fixing hardware, or software training. Most service calls required less than one hour of time and customers were willing to pay for the one hour rate of service without any questions or disputes. However, I began to develop long term relationships with many of the clients, especially if they required software training. A decision was made to design a software training package, which would allow for a more manageable hourly rate and defined what was included in an eight hour training package. The more time spent with each client, the more work was acquired for their businesses, home offices, and preparing computers for college. A general contract was creat ed for seven services provided, after speaking with a lawyer to make sure the contract would be legally enforceable. "A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more competent parties to perform or avoid performing, certain acts that they have a legal right to do and meet certain legal requirements (pg. 79)." The description of the services performed the cost of the specific service, the hours involved, and a place for all parties to sign and date.

Pixar †the Innovative & Creative Animation Company

PIXAR – the innovative & creative animation company PIXAR is a world class animation film studio. The Pixar organization culture is influenced the company to be more creative and innovation. This is helping her to achieve remarkable awards in their industry. The great successful for Pixar is the share values, all employees named â€Å"Pixarians† who are proud of their job and love their job. They are self-motivated and enjoyed to be work in Pixar. By using seven dimension of organization culture, Pixar culture is achieved at least 3 dimension, they are: â€Å"People orientation†, â€Å"Innovation and risk taking† and â€Å"Team orientation†.People orientation Pixar management believes that new talent can blossom creativity and innovation thus using appropriated candidate, no matter whom they are and where they come from being a critical success of the organization. Like John Lasseter hired Andrew Stanton who writes script of Toy Story that he canâ⠂¬â„¢t. Pixar does not like other assembly studios which employed a group of freelance professionals to work on a single project. They hired a permanent staff takes the full responsibility in their role from project to project.Pixar provides on job training to encourage lifelong learning cultural, the in house professional development school – â€Å"Pixar University† where allowed any levels of employees to miss work for classes. Furthermore, Pixar promotes a slogan â€Å"Try, Learn and Try again† for innovation development. It is a company culture that encourages the staff to try something new and think in different. Innovation and risk taking As Pixar is a creative animation factory, their working environment also creative and breakthrough the normal office layout.They are mixing fun with their work place. We can find basketball court, game centre, gym room and even bathrooms in the main office. From the relaxing fun and play area, all employees can take a bre ak and refresh their mind during office hour also meet different department people would interact creative and sparkling ideas. For individual staff, they can design and create their fun & play working spaces at their own preference. Pixar’s management will not disturb their staff freedom which can build another level of respect and trust. [pic] [pic] Fun & relax area pic] Employee can design their own workplace Team orientation Pixar has no organization chart which aims to erase the corporate control and power that forbidding creativity. Paxarians are freedom to communicate with anyone and contribute own creative ideas regardless the level or title, that removes communicating barriers and builds peer driven cultural within Pixar. They are project base team structure, so staff building a good relationship by project succeeds or process failures. To analyze above culture affects the management within Pixar Planning:Base on the business nature, Pixar would like to create a rela xing environment to the staff for encouraging creative thinking, therefore the office layout planning being informal and given enough individualized working area for their staff. Pixar understood that the common social area that can be exchange the working information and idea by a no pressure setting so the leisure facilities is planned for their office. Organizing: Pixar is an organic organization structure company. Their culture is forming a team for specific project. This flexible project based structure can fully utilize the staff talent by their specific strengthen.Also, the project owner can recruit the right person internal for their individual project. On the other hand, staff can meet different kind of team member from the company, it sparkle their mind from the new members. Leading: Pixar is will not hire the freelance designer for the specific project, the form of the team base on the staff talent for full time staff therefore, the leadership style is regarding the staff ability for each project. The chance to show the staff performance is not related on the organization structure but the personal ability.This leading culture gives the chance to everyone in the company to show their talent in their own professional. Their culture will not kill any creative and potential staff from the rigid company structure. Controlling: Pixar is a people orientated company therefore the on job training – Pixar University being one of the controls for the employee performance and level up the employee professional to be Pixar standard. From the training program, employee can understand more about the company requirement, as the same time Pixar can be evaluated the employee by the Pixar university classroom.This long time learning culture is covering all level of the employee which is not only for the working needs but also line up the Pixarians mind set to meet their company goals. Conclusion To sum up, as world-class animation company, Pixar did a very wel l company culture to help the innovative and creative happened. Top management understood that people is the most importance asset for the company so the people orientated management style being the key success for Pixar.Employees get the strong identity with Pixar culture and being loyal to the company, who called themselves â€Å"Paixarian† and so proud of being the member of Pixar. The staff and company are getting the shared values, principles and doing the same way to let company going forward. References: Pixar Official Website: http://www. pixar. com/ Pixar office photo : http://thechive. com/2009/12/22/pixar-offices-are-almost-as-cool-as-thechive-offices-27-photos/ Capodadli, B. & Jackson, L. (2010) Innovate The Pixar Way: Business Lessons From The World’s Most Creative Corporate Playground. New York: McGraw Hill. ———————– 4

Plastic Bags Should Be Banned Essay

Plastic bags are one of the most dangerous substances to our environment. It seems silly that plastic bags could do so much harm. You never would have guessed, right? Well, believe it or not, these bags contribute to environmental issues in several ways. For one, plastic bags litter the environment. Forests, rivers, lakes, and oceans are littered all over the world. Wind carries these bags everywhere. We are destroying our own planet and most people don’t even realize the harmful effects of these bags. They also overfill landfills, taking up room that can be used by other trash. Americans use over 380 billion plastic bags a year. For two, these bags kill our wildlife. They kill not only marine animals, but also animals on land. Many species are already becoming endangered as it is. These bags are adding to the death toll of animals, and it could increase their chances of being endangered, or even extinct. About one million mammals and sea birds die per year due to ingesting plastic bags. They are mistaken as food. The animals die a slow and painful death, usually by choking. 100,000 marine mammals die per year by eating these plastic bags. Lastly, these bags are made out of a substance that is called polyethylene. Polyethylene is a type of petroleum. Petroleum is a major source of our energy, such as heating, electricity, lighting, etc. About four to five trillion plastic bags are manufactured each year. We’re wasting all of this petroleum on plastic bags when it could be used for more important things, like automobile gas. The sad thing is, out of 100 trillion plastic bags, only 1% are recycled. It takes 1,000 years for plastic bags to break down, making them non-biodegradable. Burning these bags will not help either; it will only make things worse. When these bags are burned, it releases toxic fumes into the soil and the air. You may be asking, â€Å"What can I do to help?† Try switching to paper bags instead of plastic ones when you go grocery shopping. Paper bags are much better for the environment, and can be recycled more easily. If you are an animal lover, these actions that you could be taking would be saving animals around the world. Surprisingly, plastic bags have been one of the most lethal inventions of mankind. They have a major negative impact on humanity, animals, and our environment. We only have one world to live in, so more precautions should be enforced in taking care of it.

buy custom Theodore Roethke essay

buy custom Theodore Roethke essay Theodore Roethke was among the modern American poets who are exceptionally gifted in 1940s and 1950s. He was greatly admired for his innovative language application and imaginative inane technique in describing the metaphor of worldly existence. His first book, the Open House was published in 1941 which created critical attention and became a blockbuster among his The Lost Son and Other Poems in1948, Praise to the End! in 1951, Words for the Wind in 1957 and The Far Field in 1964. This thesis will try to explain why most of Roethkes poetry mostly evolved in greenhouse setting. Roethkes collected poems are forms of poetry which fully reveals his major achievements wherein he was able to perceive the reality of tensions that surround the inner and the outer worlds. His poetry depicts his experiences in the greenhouse during his youth which begun in 1941 entitled Open House which won a Pulitzer Award and National Book Awards among others. He was also given the Bollingen Prize by Pennsyl vania University in 1959. Theodore Roethke was born in 1908 on the west side of the river in Saginaw, Michigan. His father who was a German immigrant and market-gardener owned a greenhouse together with Theodores uncle where he spent most of his time. This experience can be reflected by the way he used natural metaphors when delving with his poetry. His adolescent years had been jarred by the death of his father who suffered from cancer and the death of his uncle who committed suicide on same year in 1923. Theodore was only 15 at that time thus such unpleasant event had jarred his psyche and the way he had molded his creative life into the world of poetry. Roethke became eminent when he graduated with magna cum laude honors at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1929. He stood against the family pressure for him to pursue his study in law and took his chosen graduate courses from University of Michigan and later at Harvard Graduate School and worked along with Robert Hillyer who was also a poet himself. The economic crisis during the Great Depression drove Roethke to shift from Harvard to Lafayette College and took a teaching course. He then met Rolfe Humphries who introduced Louise Bogan to him. These people became his avid supporters and colleague. They became friends to poet Stanley Kunits. In 1935 Roethke assumed responsibility in his second post in teaching at Michigan State College in Lansing but he was hospitalized due to frequent mental illness. Consequently, Roethke made use of these periodic recurrences of depression to explore a rather new level in reality through innovative self-exploration. As quoted by Theodore Roethke: The greenhouse is my symbol for the whole of life, a womb, a haven-on-earth unquote. The Poetry Foundation also notes that the love poems he made won praises which appeared in The Walking in a separate section of the book in stanzaic form as noted by Stanley Kunitz. One of Roethkes critics, Ralph Mills, defined the amatory work as a combination of consideration of self with potentials of eroticism as well as sensuality and more importantly, his poems introduced and maintained a fascination that is beyond ones self as described with the representation of another or the beloved female figure. Roethkes poems also depicts his weaknesses by the imitative attributes on his other lesser successful verses and the limitations of areas in his favor. He is one the finest poets in this world who threatens the existence of man as an object. The contemplative Roethke made it known to use his own personal experience as the source of his art on his first publication, Open House. It was not very surprising that the book replicated the derivative and somehow traditional elements of a beginners conscious imitation. Notwithstanding the limitations that are quite visible in Open House, Seager tacitly acknowledged that those are works of a seasoned poet and just a neophyte despite the adverse criticisms. Stanley Kunitz was overwhelmed with Roethkes form of art and as a person himself. The Poetry Foundation likewise noted the early reviews of Roethkes works in response to the critics reviews. W. D. Snodgrass commented that it was conservative and prerevolutionary. The poems can easily be grasped and that the metric were normal and conventional. He added further that the volume achieved had the effect of something like a frigid-controlled hysteria as often felt by the readers of Emily Dickenson[4]. The Open House was a relevant exodus for Roethke. It was favorably published in different reviews such as the Atlantic, the Saturday Review, the New Yorker and the Kenyon Review. W. H. Auden applauded that it was a total success. Roethkes works showed several influence taken from the works of famous poetic models whose verses had molded his imagination as well as style such as (name of poets). Elizabeth Drew pointed out in other reviews that Roethkes poems had a graceful movement with precise description of images and expression with gnomic utterances so peculiar of him while attaining strict observation of language which can seldom be found in poets nowadays. Roethke kept all t he critics views as well as other commentaries of his works as a contemplation of his creativity. As expected, critics took up Roethkes greenhouse experiences as the prevalent focus of his poems[5]. Roethke was enticed to delliver in one of the high-status lectures at Morris Gray in Harvard a year after the Open House was circularized. In 1943, he departed Penn State and joined top personalities at Bennington College such as Kenneth Burke and Lonie Adams. He was challenged to foster as teaching poet by Bennington. His association with Burke played a very important role to Roethkes second volume The Lost Son among his other poems in 1948. The Lost Son was Roethkes far-reaching book had considerably won him praises from other writers such as Michael Harrington and critic Ian Hamilton. So-called greenhouse poems, the opening of the book had fourteen lyrics with the metaphor of an open house passing through the glasshouse which symbolizes ones inner self in relation to human existence. During the BBC broadcast sometime on July 30, 1953, Roethke described the glasshouse as a descripti on of heaven and hell combined. It was the universe in different worlds in which a child worries about to struggle in order to live. The poets denouement of subhuman world served as counterpart of Roethkes own imagery that staged back Roethke being a lost son and his psychic incongruity towards the non-existent patriarch Otto Roethke. Roethke was married to Beatrice OConnell in 1953. Like most of American poets of his time, he was prone to drinking spree and susceptible to illness. Beatrice was not informed of his repetitive depressions yet Beatrice remained a dedicated wife to him and supportive of his works. Roethkes final volume was The Far Field including Meditation at Oyster River. The Return was introduced by Folkways Records under George Abbes album: Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry. The succeeding year, Roethke published his album entitled: Words for the Wind Poems of Theodore RoethkeIn 1963, Theodore Roethke died by cardiac arrest in his friends swimming pool at Baindridge Island, Washington at the age of 55. His remains now lie in Saginaws Oakwood Cemetery. Roethkes meritorious work was characterized by his recurring childhood reminiscence and remarkable primordial imagery which elevated autobiographic specific to exemplary significance. His playful and dynamic verses relied abundantly on spontaneous word associations as well as careful framework of sonic effect. His penetrating exploration and subconscious mind from the past reflected lifelong search for harmony which sought for self-acceptance and otherworldliness. He was highly respected for his ingenuity and the capability to evoke personal experience universally which greatly influenced the advancement of American poetry after the war. Buy custom Theodore Roethke essay

Free Essays on Controversial Television Adversting

Controversial Television Advertising Television advertisements promoting perfect body images encourage the constant struggle of women to achieve the perfect body. Has our nation been deceived by the media? Advertisements play a large part in our culture; however, the images that are used in most advertisements are more fantasy than reality. They portray beautiful, thin people having a good time with whatever product they are trying to sell. The media know that television and radio programs are simply fillers for the space between commercials (Kilbourne, 1999). They know that the programs that succeed are the ones that deliver the highest number of people to the advertisers. From infancy on, we get a seductive and incessant message from ads – products are magical and can fulfill our dreams (Kilbourne, 1999). Advertising is designed to sell products. In the process, advertisements also sell aspirations and communicate concepts of acceptable behavior and gender roles. With the constant repetition and accessibility it is a powerful medium. By the time young girls reach adolescence, they have left children’s programming behind for more adult-oriented material. Although their media resources expand beyond television to include movies, music, and teen magazines, television advertising is the most prominent in their daily lives. With this comes increased exposure to media messages, including those sent through advertising. At an age where young girls begin to redefine themselves, the media often sends them messages that could limit their aspirations, undermine their self-worth and endanger their health. It is also important to consider the massive number of advertisements shown daily. If you watch television for one hour a day, you are bound to see the same commercial during every commercial break, or almost 6 times per hour. For people who watch television for more than one hour per day, that number goes up. In the average American home,... Free Essays on Controversial Television Adversting Free Essays on Controversial Television Adversting Controversial Television Advertising Television advertisements promoting perfect body images encourage the constant struggle of women to achieve the perfect body. Has our nation been deceived by the media? Advertisements play a large part in our culture; however, the images that are used in most advertisements are more fantasy than reality. They portray beautiful, thin people having a good time with whatever product they are trying to sell. The media know that television and radio programs are simply fillers for the space between commercials (Kilbourne, 1999). They know that the programs that succeed are the ones that deliver the highest number of people to the advertisers. From infancy on, we get a seductive and incessant message from ads – products are magical and can fulfill our dreams (Kilbourne, 1999). Advertising is designed to sell products. In the process, advertisements also sell aspirations and communicate concepts of acceptable behavior and gender roles. With the constant repetition and accessibility it is a powerful medium. By the time young girls reach adolescence, they have left children’s programming behind for more adult-oriented material. Although their media resources expand beyond television to include movies, music, and teen magazines, television advertising is the most prominent in their daily lives. With this comes increased exposure to media messages, including those sent through advertising. At an age where young girls begin to redefine themselves, the media often sends them messages that could limit their aspirations, undermine their self-worth and endanger their health. It is also important to consider the massive number of advertisements shown daily. If you watch television for one hour a day, you are bound to see the same commercial during every commercial break, or almost 6 times per hour. For people who watch television for more than one hour per day, that number goes up. In the average American home,...

Math Symbols and What They Mean

Math Symbols and What They Mean Math symbols- often tiny, indecipherable, and seemingly random- are all-important. Some math symbols are Greek and Latin letters, dating back centuries to ancient times. Others, like the plus, minus, times, and division symbols seem to be mere notations on a paper. Yet, symbols in math are essentially the instructions that drive this area of academics. And, they have true value in real life. A plus sign () can tell you if you are adding cash to your bank account, while a minus sign (-) may indicate trouble ahead- that you are subtracting funds and possibly in danger of running out of money. Parentheses, which in English punctuation indicate that youre inserting a nonessential thought into the sentence- mean just the opposite in math: that you should work whatever is within those two punctuation marks first, and only then do the rest of the problem. Read on to see what the common math symbols are, what the represent, and why theyre important. Common Math Symbols Here is a list of the most common symbols used in mathematics. Symbol What It Represents + Adding sign: Often referred to as the plus sign or the addition sign - Subtracting sign: Often referred to as the minus sign x Multiplication sign: Often referred to as the times or times table sign à · Division sign: To divide = Equal sign | | Absolute value ≠  Not equal to ( ) Parenthesis [ ] Square brackets % Percent sign: Out of 100 ∑ Big sum sign: Summation √ Square root sign Inequality sign: Less than Inequality sign: Greater than ! Factorial ÃŽ ¸ Theta Ï€ Pi ≅ Approximately ∅ Empty set ∠  Angle sign ! Factorial sign ∠´ Therefore ∞ Infinity Math Symbols in Real Life You use math symbols more than you realize in all areas of your life. As noted above, the difference between a plus or minus symbol in banking can indicate whether youre adding a wealth of funds to your bank account or in withdrawing funds. If youve ever used a  computer accounting spreadsheet, you likely know that the big sum sign (∑) gives you an easy- indeed instant- way to add an endless column of numbers. Pi, which is  denoted by the Greek letter Ï€, is used throughout the world of math, science, physics, architecture, and more. Despite the origins of pi in the subject of geometry, this number has applications throughout mathematics and even shows up in the subjects of statistics and probability. And the symbol for infinity (∞)  not only is an important math concept, but it also suggests the infinite expanse of the universe (in astronomy) or the infinite possibilities that come from every action or thought (in philosophy).   Tips for Symbols Although there are more symbols in math that are indicated in this list, these are some of the more common ones. Youll often need to use HTML code in order for the symbols to show up online, as many fonts do not support the use of mathematical symbols. However, youll find most of these on the graphing calculator as well. As you progress in math, youll begin to use these symbols more and more. If you plan to study math, it will be well worth your time- and indeed save you an infinite (∞) amount of this valuable resource- if you keep this table of math symbols handy.

Global warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Global warming - Essay Example Consequently, the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere increases and thickens the ozone layer which in turn prevents the infrared radiation from escaping the earth’s atmosphere. This in turn results to warmer temperatures around the world. To make his presentation believable, Al Gore used statistical data. For instance, he mentioned about the top ten hottest years ever measured which occurred in the last fourteen years as of 2005 with the hottest of all in the said year. This shows the relentless increase in atmospheric temperature which is affecting the world. Moreover, Gore also compares photographs of glaciers in the past and in more recent times to impress in the minds of the listeners what he is trying to point out. He notes that the glaciers in Kilimanjaro, Glacier National Park, Columbia Glacier in Alaska, the Italian Alps and the Rhone Glacier in Switzerland are evidences of the results of global warming. The once majestic glaciers that attracted many scientists and tourists alike have all been decreased to nothing and more glaciers on the North Pole are at the brink of extinction as well. The effects of the aforementioned consequences of global warming are floods and droughts. This is due to increased precipitation and relocation of precipitation. For instance, in Africa alone, more droughts have worsened because of lack of rain while other places would have strong rains that are actually unusual. Moreover, it is not only sea water that evaporates and cause increased precipitation that in turn cause floods but the heat of the sun also sucks moisture from the soil which leads to droughts. In addition, the melting of the glaciers and Arctic ice caps are predicted to someday cause major floods in low areas and this should cause alarm today. This is explained by the result of studies that show that when the rays of the sun hit the ice caps, they are reflected back to the atmosphere just like in a mirror. On the other hand, when the rays of the sun hit the sea water; they are absorbed and therefore make the water warmer. As a result, the ice near the water melts and increases the volume of sea water. With the data presented by Gore which have obviously been carefully studied and are scientifically based, I strongly agree with all his arguments. The presentation does not just appeal to common sense but it also demands responsibility and accountability from listeners appealing to their moral senses. Indeed, global warming is not just a political issue but it also is an ethical issue which presents itself as the responsibility of every individual regardless of age, gender, political affiliations or beliefs. On another angle, on a more personal perspective, environmentalist Bill McKibben suggests that global warming is caused by people’s desires to have more. Economically, it is a good thing for individuals to want to succeed because it affects the nation’s economic stability. However, the want to have more things a ctually is increasing the carbon dioxide that is polluting the atmosphere. For instance, as more people are able to afford to buy more cars and appliances, more carbon dioxide is emitted from these machines. Moreover, with the fast-paced lifestyles of people wanting to earn more money, they are forced to eat processed foods which encourage more manufacturing processes that contribute to air pollution. Therefore, McKibben suggests people to live simpler

An evaluation of the ethics program of an organization, Assignment

An evaluation of the ethics program of an organization, - Assignment Example Discussion Background of Wal-Mart Wal-Mart is one of the branded American multinational retail players that operate numerous departmental stores as well as warehouse stores offering high level of discounts in varied items. It came into existence in the year 1962 by Walten Brothers in Arkansas. However, it became the popular among the public from the year 1970. Since then, it has created an image of presenting valuable products at an effective price. So, it holds the second largest position, as per Fortune Global 500 companies. As a result Wal-Mart became successful in creating a worthy image of presenting the products at lowest price to live a better life. So, it is voted as one of the most admired company in the market among others. Being headquartered in Arkansas, it operates successfully in more than over 8970 locations as the largest grocery retailer. However, in different locations, it works with different names but their goal is common, i.e. ‘to save money and live a bett er life’. So, Wal-Mart includes a high level of brand image and reputation in the segment of hypermarket or supermarkets or departmental stores as compared to many other rivals. ... In order to do so, the management of Wal-Mart joined hands with various NGO’s, government leaders as well as other retailers. With the help of such co-operations, the management aims to enhance the working conditions as well as the living standards of the workers in a significant way. This helps in enhancing the power of excellence and motivation of the workers, entirely responsible for producing the products for which varied types of measures are implemented such as: Promoting safety and security within the supply chain functions - in order to improve the safety and security of the supply chain, varied types of policies are implemented like zero tolerance policy. Side by side, the management also tried to maintain transparency with its contractors and terminated all the unauthorised ones. Such type of decisions proved effective for the organization as well as its employees. Safety from fire - in order to reduce the risk of fire, barred windows and doors that mainly existed on the staircases were shifted so that the fire may not spread more vividly. Moreover, all the doors and buildings also comprise of a secondary exists, so that in case of emergency, the employees might exit immediately. Due to the presence of such type of facilities, the security of the employees from fire also enhanced to a certain extent. Fire safety related training programs - in order to improve the knowledge and inner skills of the employees over the security of fire, varied types of training programs are also implemented within the organization. This helps the employee to know varied types of ways to save him or herself from fire. Education and training programs - With the help of implementation of these programs, the devotion and motivation of the employees over

Distributed databases Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Distributed databases - Research Paper Example Vertical partitioning involves creating of tables with fewer columns and utilizing additional tables to keep the outstanding columns. Normalization also comprises this partitioning of columns within tables, but vertical partitioning goes further than that and fragments columns even when normalized. Different physical storeroom might be applied to comprehend vertical fragmenting. Non relational databases initiated the idea of column based databases (Abuelyaman, 2008). The rationale for choosing this partitioning scheme is that it is cost efficient more than other schemes. In addition, it fits the required distributed databases required for this work. In order to surpass the limitations of accessible partitioning algorithm; a fresh algorithm known as VPartition, is recommended that enhances the performance of the current algorithm. The algorithm comprises an enhanced vertical partitioning system where cost is computed in terms of time utilizing greedy technique (Poniatowski & Safari Te ch Books Online, 2003). This leads to improved data consignment as compared to earlier approach. The characteristics of VPartition that comprises a series such as [I, T, TI, w, p, r, D, C comm., C route, N] where Recommended timing system to manage sale, purchase and management of data is a time warp. Time Warp system is a novel method for database concurrency management, varying from other kinds of systems in at least five respects (Jeffesron & Sowizral, 1999). First, it obeys an object-oriented strategy to database concept in which there are no prescribed distinctions between transaction u objects, system objects and Udata~ objects. Second, it uses neither abortion-and-retry nor locking to resolve right of entry conflicts. In its place, it employs a more influential synchronization instrument: broad rollback. The third unique feature is that it is free of starvation and deadlock. Another distinction is that it is

Dante, Inferno, Canto II, line 7 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Dante, Inferno, Canto II, line 7 - Essay Example It is also important to identify the information that is being conveyed. It is important to note that an author needs to identify messages that will answer the social gap within the society. An author needs to identify the problems within the society and try to give a solution through literary work. Dante Inferno has disseminated vibrant information to most readers (Puncher 2012). It is also important to highlight that a literary work must always aim at changing the society. This entails correction of bad behaviors within the society. An author has a vibrant platform to communicate vibrant messages to many people. This is due to high number of readers in the country. Social vices within the society can be corrected vibrantly using literary work. Dante inferno has highlighted numerous vices within the society (Puncher 2012). Empowering the society is a very vibrant factor. Literary needs to have the values to empower the youth in the society. In this case, most youth who are talented in writing will motivated to explore this rich field. Dante inferno has highlighted this aspect (Puncher

Week 4 discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Week 4 discussion - Assignment Example One important issue of consideration is the structure and approach of the competition. There is need for adoption of a uniform structure throughout the exercise as this presents participants with a level playing ground. Any exercise must have certain objectives to be met and as such defining objectives is important in designing cyber competitions. The kinds of equipment to be used in terms of hardware and software as well as approach to be taken are important issues in cyber exercises. These are heavily dependent on the objectives set for the competition. it is very important to decide the overall topology over which the competition is run keeping in mind the available/chosen equipment for the exercise. The next consideration after deciding on the topology is to formulate the exercise scenario, come up with rules to govern the competition and also define the metrics for evaluating the competition’s efficiency basing on the set objectives. There should also be a methodology with which to gather lessons learned from the simulation by both the participants and organizers. a very important consideration is defining the entities to make up the competition; generally, competitions on cyber security have two sides i.e. the attacking site & the defense side. Every side has systems which are managed by participating teams and each side should have at least a system to facilitate participation in the competition. In order to protect any web application from vulnerabilities and threats of attack, a comprehensive understanding of every communication by the application is required. This is because the security solution/device must be able to see data in the same way as the application to be protected in so as to map out areas of threat. in other words, security devices must be in the position of performing complete deconstruction of HTML data play sessions and monitor all applications sessions in order to secure

Strategic Change Management (Ansewr 6 questions) Assignment - 1

Strategic Change Management (Ansewr 6 questions) - Assignment Example High attrition rate and staff downsizing strategy of Airline company’s crates impact on defence mechanism of Airline staff. Southwest Airlines has applied clarity system as a part of Kurt Lewins Change Management Model to decrease resistance about newly implemented software system. The company has changed existing Microsoft Excel reporting pattern by implementing Hyperion Essbase model of financial budgeting. The company did the change in order to decrease overall reporting cost. The logic model of synergy theory describes sustainable change as participation multi level actors (local and global, top level, mid level and ground level management). This model not only increases communication scope but decreases change resistance also. British Airways used Kurt Lewin’s change management model in order to create positive impact on their business policy. In the unfreeze stage they downsized the workforce in order to decrease hierarchical levels. In the change phase British Airways altered internal system and provided incentives to absorb the shock effect. In the refreeze stage BA integrated customer satisfaction with individual objective of key members of organizational hierarchy. They refurbished uniform of staff and aircraft design as a part of change management process. The market demand for Airline industry has been dented due to sovereign debt crisis and economic recession. Airline industry has lost more than $25bn (Â £16bn) in last ten years (Milmo, Topham, and Roberts, 2012). Companies are competing with each other in order to achieve competitive edge such as low cost service delivery, fast service delivery, expanded destination service, fleet size and many others. For example, Southwest Airlines has achieved the competitive edge of lowest fare in comparison to other players in the market. The new airline group formed by the merger is the sixth largest airline service in the world in terms of

Week 4 discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Week 4 discussion - Assignment Example One important issue of consideration is the structure and approach of the competition. There is need for adoption of a uniform structure throughout the exercise as this presents participants with a level playing ground. Any exercise must have certain objectives to be met and as such defining objectives is important in designing cyber competitions. The kinds of equipment to be used in terms of hardware and software as well as approach to be taken are important issues in cyber exercises. These are heavily dependent on the objectives set for the competition. it is very important to decide the overall topology over which the competition is run keeping in mind the available/chosen equipment for the exercise. The next consideration after deciding on the topology is to formulate the exercise scenario, come up with rules to govern the competition and also define the metrics for evaluating the competition’s efficiency basing on the set objectives. There should also be a methodology with which to gather lessons learned from the simulation by both the participants and organizers. a very important consideration is defining the entities to make up the competition; generally, competitions on cyber security have two sides i.e. the attacking site & the defense side. Every side has systems which are managed by participating teams and each side should have at least a system to facilitate participation in the competition. In order to protect any web application from vulnerabilities and threats of attack, a comprehensive understanding of every communication by the application is required. This is because the security solution/device must be able to see data in the same way as the application to be protected in so as to map out areas of threat. in other words, security devices must be in the position of performing complete deconstruction of HTML data play sessions and monitor all applications sessions in order to secure

Heroes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Heroes - Essay Example Since the 9/11 attacks, heroes have erupted in America like mushrooms. This has caught the attention of the analysts and critics which is why, it is an important topic of discussion in the literature these days. In his article, (Thompson) says that the definition of hero has evolved over time. Historically, hero was somebody with extraordinary powers lesser than the gods but more than the humans. The definition has particularly evolved with important events that have taken place in the history of America. One incident in particular, terrorist attacks of September 11 particularly led to the inflation of heroism in America. Qualities that have been deemed necessary to regard an individual as a hero in America include bravery, nobility, success, and victimhood. In contrast to the old definition of a hero, the modern definition does not imply that a hero necessarily do something as noble victimhood is enough. Thompson suggests that there might exist a strategic reason for the concoction of these criteria that is manifested in politics. Heroism in America is being used to drive people’s emotions in the direction desired by the people in power. While that has yielded favorable results in the aftermath of Sep. 11, the general implications of this practice are negative. Thompson has criticized the criteria that have evolved in America to refer to somebody as a hero, suggesting that these criteria are too unrelated, weak, and subjective to be used for something as special and sacred as heroism. One of the examples of this cynicism is Thompson’s belief that if John F. Kennedy were to compete for presidency today, use of his Addison’s disease to gain presidency would have stood him a better chance of becoming a president than emphasizing his past political achievements. Thompson has supported his claims with facts and examples drawn from the history of America like J. Joseph Moakley becoming a hero only after getting leukemia. The article leads the re ader to think that doing job honestly and whole-heartedly in America has probably become close to a miracle which is why some people who do that and come in public notice are rewarded with the status of a hero. Americans have become a little too generous in empathizing with others and declaring them hero. (Klinkenborg) also suggests that since the 9/11 attacks, America has started to use too much of this word â€Å"hero†. Soldiers returning from war physically impaired are declared heroes. Excessive use of this word can mean different things; an attempt to dwarf the elitism of the word by creating too many heroes, and a feeling of security associated with a world full of heroes. While it is inappropriate to suggest that the soldiers returning from war should not be declared hero, it must be realized, at the same time, that the definition of the word â€Å"hero† has become very hollow. Knowing this, the soldiers are not quite as enthusiastic about endorsing this term fo r themselves as the American civilians are about giving it to them. This word has become a gesture of lack of comprehension in the American society not only with respect to the meaning of the word â€Å"hero† but also with respect to the war against terrorism going on. Klinkenborg has mainly used pictures of the American soldiers

Asquiths poem, The Volunteer, and the extract from Shakespeares Henry V Essay Example for Free

Asquiths poem, The Volunteer, and the extract from Shakespeares Henry V Essay How effectively do Asquiths Poem, The Volunteer, and the Extract From Shakespeares Henry V Promote the Idea That it is Heroic to fight and Die For Ones Country? What Alternative View, is Offered by Wilfred Owen in Dulce et Decorum Est? The Volunteer is a Pro-War poem written by Herbert Asquith. Asquith uses roman imagery to invoke a feeling of greatness and honour. Asquith begins his poem by describing the miserable, mundane life of a clerk, working in a city grey. He opens with the words Here lies that are normally used to begin writing on a gravestone. This epitaph style opening gives the idea that the clerk has now passed away and the poem will concentrate on events beforehand. We are told the clerk has spent half his life doing boring work (..Toiling at ledgers..), his days drifting away. There is a distinct lack of fulfilment in his life, ..With no lance broken in lifes tournament (Lance is roman imagery) And yet he dreams of ..The gleaming eagles of the legions.. and horsemen ..thundering past beneath the oriflamme.. (or battle flag.) Asquith cleverly uses the expression ..The gleaming eagles of the legions.. to conjure up ideas in the readers mind of great gleaming roman soldiers. This adds to the ideology that war is a glamorous and noble thing. In his second stanza, Asquith tells us that ..those waiting dreams are satisfied.. Obviously, the clerk has joined the army. He talks of ..waiting dreams.. giving the impression that the clerk has dreamt of this for a very long time. He goes on to say ..From twilight to the halls of dawn he went.. I think what he means is that the clerk has gone from his dull city to a new, brighter beginning. And although he died he is happy. ..His lance is broken but he lies content.. Because in that high hour in which he lived and died he achieved something he had dreamt of forever. Asquith also mentions that the man needs no reward for his actions (..he wants no recompense). In his last two lines of the poem, Asquith writes: ..nor need he any hearse to bear him hence, who goes to join the men of Agincourt What he is saying is that he who fights for his country needs no other honour in death for fighting is his reward. This poem is very pro-war and is remarkably influential in using roman imagery to sway the readers judgement in his favour. Overall, it is written quite effectively. Another pro-war poem is Henry V. It is actually a speech from Henry V by William Shakespeare. It is his interpretation of what Henry V would have said to his men in an effort to inspire them before they fought at Agincourt. The writer uses the idea that the men will be remembered as heroes and become famous to enthuse them. He begins his speech by naming the day the feast of Crispian. He goes onto declare that ..He that outlives this day shall stand taller (..Stand a tiptoe) on this day in the future. This will make the men that fight feel superior; and more importantly it will make those who dont fight feel inferior. The words feast and flowing cups are also used. These give the imagery of a better life with plenty of food and drink. (possibly that of a king.) He goes on say that every year the man who fought: ..will strip his sleeve, and shows his scars, And say These wounds I had on Crispins day This quote fits in with the thought that scars are a notable accessory and that they will impress people. The men who fought will have the image in their minds that they will be able to show them off to people and feel courageous. He also pronounces to the brave soldiers that they will undoubtedly become famous. ..Our names familiaras household words.. stating that the names of those who fought will be as famous as ..Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot.. these were all extremely well known and respected figures. Now the men have the belief that for fighting this battle they will be remembered as kings, fame will be theirs. This fame pattern continues with ..this story shall the good man teach his son giving the idea that their story will be passed down for generations and generations. They will become role models as such for young boys, helping them to become good people. He continues to make the men feel unique with ..We few, we happy few.. Repetition of the word few makes the men feel that they should be glad to be a part of something that so few people have the opportunity to be a part of. He goes on to promote this idea of uniqueness with the words, ..we band of brothers.. as if the men have become family through fighting for their country. Henry then proclaims that: ..hethat sheds his blood with meshall be my brother.. He has stated that each man is his equal, making them feel honoured. The poem is rounded off with the thought that ..Gentlemen in England, now abed.. would feel accursed that they werent here fighting with us. And they would ..hold their manhoods cheap.. whenever anyone speaks who fought on Saint Crispins day. He is making the men feel that they are superior to those who didnt fight, and that men in England would give anything to be them right now. The poem promotes heroism very effectively, using images of fame and kings to inspire the men. This poem was obviously extremely effective because these men won the Battle of Agincourt against extraordinary odds. Although, in Dulce et Decorum Est, written by Wilfred Owen there is a completely different message conveyed. Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori is Latin for: it is sweet and honourable to die for ones country. It is a strongly anti-war poem in which Owen describes events from personal experience. In the first stanza, Owen depicts a group of soldiers as they march. He describes their gaunt appearance, speaking of lost boots and lost senses. He goes on, in the second stanza to illustrate the reaction of the men to the cries of: gas! GAS! There is An ecstasy of fumbling.. One man, possibly known by Owen is slow to respond. Owen recalls the horror of his death toward the end of the stanza and subsequently writes his next stanza, consisting only of two lines, about the terrible dreams he has about the experience. This leads Owen on to comment bitterly and vividly about the incident, finishing his final stanza off with: The old lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori If Owen is to achieve his desired effect, he has to be as vivid and evocative as possible. In the first stanza, Owen begins with two similes in the first two lines, describing soldiers as old beggars under sacks and hags. Likening the soldiers to old beggars under sacks gives the reader an indication of the sheer weight of what had to be carried, while likening them to hags, completely dehumanising them. This stanza paints a picture of what it was like for these young men; using words like trudge to suggest heavy movements. We get a zombie like impression as ..Men marched asleep. from the exhaustion of body and mind. Also, it suggests that the men march without point i.e. all hope has been lost, as the five-nines (bombs) fall behind. In the second stanza there is a clear change in tempo, (it begins with a command) Gas! GAS! Quick, boys! There is an ecstasy of fumbling showing that it seemed to take a long time to fit the clumsy helmets. Here, the helmets are personified to help to describe the awkwardness of the things. Water imagery is used to show what mustard gas was like. Phrases like misty panes, green sea and drowning do this very effectively. The third stanza is very tense as it goes on to explain how Owen dreams of the man choking to death as he stands helpless. Again, water imagery is used as the man plunges at Owen in desperation while Owen must watch him ..guttering, choking, drowning. In the final stanza, Owen asks you to pace behind the wagon that we flung him in. the use of the word flung suggests casualness and insignificance. Owen involves the reader with phrases like you and you too. There is alliteration of the letter w as he asks the reader to ..watch the white eyes writhing in his face.. He describes His hanging face, like a devils sick of sinobscene as cancer incurable sores on innocent tongues.. a description to horrify the most unsympathetic of persons. He addresses the reader as my friend showing bitter irony, and states that you would not tell with high zest to childrenThe old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori This poem is extremely effective in making the ideology that war is an honourable and dignified thing disappear using horrific, vivid images to do so. To sum up, I feel that all three poems are effective in their own styles. However, some are more effective than others. Henry V is more effective than The Volunteer in supporting the ideology that war is honourable and dignified. This is so in my opinion due to the way it cleverly gives off the impression that the men fighting will be remembered as heroes by comparing them to kings. Also, it concentrates more on what the men will do when they return home, not if they return home. The Volunteer uses images of death and an epitaph style opening to convey the message of a valiant death. I dont think that making the reader think of death will inspire him or her to fight for their country at all. Dulce est Decorum Est is the most effective poem of the three. Its usage of vivid and horrific imagery could make any patriotic citizen think again before going to war. The structure of the poem is extremely well thought out because it begins to get extremely shocking in the final stanza, almost certainly making the reader sway away from the honourable image he or she had of war before reading. It then finishes with labelling Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori a lie. This is intelligent because the reader is at his most easily influenced after reading the horrific description in the final stanza and therefore is more likely to agree with this point.

Stages of Human Development

Stages of Human Development 5 Stages of Human Development Social, physical, emotional, cognitive and cultural changes take place throughout the lifespan of an individual. There is a general sequence of development which is fixed, however the rate of development can sometimes differ depending on many factors. There are key needs which must be met and consequences if they are not. Stage of Life Cycle: Infancy 0-5 Years Attachment Theory-Bowlby At this stage the infant is highly dependant. From the moment a child is born they begin to develop physically. The babys senses begin to develop; he is able to focus on objects, learns to hold the weight of his head up and attempts to pull himself up holding onto the edge of a chair or table. He then learns to crawl and with lots of encouragement finally learns to walk. Through interaction with parents, family, friends and other children they learn to socialise, play and communicate. With much needed stimulation and play, babies and young children learn. They begin to recognise and memorise faces, characters, objects and songs. With communication, consistency and encouragement they learn speech and are taught routines and behaviour, such as bed-time and toilet training. To develop emotionally, a baby needs love, affection and consistent care. Bowlbys attachment theory, as later complimented by Rutter, suggests that from birth a child requires a consistent attachment and bonding with at least one main caregiver. With a sense of safety, belonging and being cared for unconditionally the child learns trust and views the world as a safe place to be. For this reason it is important to avoid broken attachments. If the childs parents are uncaring, unreliable, are inconsistent with their care or if circumstances cause the attachment to be broken completely, the child may be unable to develop to their full potential. Without an adequate, loving attachment the infant may not be able to develop a loving relationship in future and without a trusting relationship with the main caregiver, they will develop mistrust. They may become apprehensive, withdrawn and suspicious around people. Stage of Life Cycle: Childhood 5-12 years 8 stages of Identity; Initiative v Guilt-Erikson As the child reaches school age they have increasing physical independence. They now begin to learn new skills such as running, skipping, ball games and cycling. They have progressed socially and have the ability to choose their own friends, find their own interests and make their own decisions about which activities they take part in. They begin to develop an understanding of others needs and wants and learn to share and take turns. They can begin to develop emotional attachments to individuals other than family members which can develop if stimulated. Cognitively the child begins school education and begins to develop an understanding of authority and following rules. At this stage of a childs development they should be able to learn initiative without taking on too much guilt. Initiative means they should be allowed a certain amount of responsibility and the freedom to learn new skills; they can only achieve this by the parents allowing and encouraging their child to try out ideas and to allow them to use their imagination. The child must not be treated to feel too much guilt over their behaviour or feel ridiculed; this can lead them to become over sensitive and they can feel guilty about their feelings. On the other hand too much initiative and too little guilt can create a ruthless individual; they may not contemplate or care about the consequences of their actions. Erikson also states a child must develop a capacity for industry without excessive inferiority. The child must learn to understand the difference between imagination and reality with the guidance of parents and teachers. The child should learn the feeling of success and be praised and encouraged, without this they may develop an inferiority complex; they may become scared of failure and not able to attempt and learn new skills. Stage of Life Cycle: Adolescence 13-20 years 8 Stages of Identity; Identity v Role Confusion/Self Concept-Carl Rogers During adolescence the individual goes through a rapid growth spurt. Puberty begins and many developmental changes take place; boys begin to develop more defined muscle tone, start to grow hair over their body and their voice breaks and becomes deeper; girls become more curvaceous and they begin their menstrual period-both sexes become extremely hormonal which can lead to mood swings affecting their social and emotional life. They may be concerned that they are not developing as quickly as their peers causing emotional stress. Teens begin to develop and explore their personality and self image. Dependant on their culture they may develop physical relationships and experiment with drugs and alcohol. They experience and develop new social skills as they attend higher education and may leave the family home to attend college or university. The brain continues to develop until late adolescence. Cognitively this can be a very turbulent time with the pressure of exams and choosing their ca reer. As adolescents go through new life experiences and learn to deal with their emotions, they begin to take responsibility for themselves, reflect on their experience of life so far and create their own identity. Teens often rebel against the authority which has governed them up until this point; they break the rules and resist against their parents wishes. Their behaviour and attitudes change, they experiment with style and clothing and even begin to speak differently as they struggle to find their true self. They have a need to discover their own identity and to been seen in a positive way by others. Eriksons theory states that the individual must discover his own identity and without the freedom to do so may struggle to fit in and socialise. If this development is not made, for example if adults in the adolescents life do not allow them the freedom to express themselves, they may find it difficult to take on responsibilities and develop a sense of right from wrong. Should the parents push them to conform to their views; the individual will experience role confusion. Stage of Life Cycle: Adulthood 21-65 years Hierarchy of needs-Maslow As the individual reaches young adulthood, they reach their peak physical fitness, have an increase in stamina and should have developed a balance of good health and lifestyle. They may have their own children and have begun to settle down. They have generally decided and have settled down into their chosen field of profession and work to develop and improve their education and skills. They now take on many more responsibilities such as a mortgage, providing a stable and secure base for their family or they may experience stress within the workplace. Emotionally they may have experience of death and bereavement. They have more intimate relationships and may decide to marry; their role within the family changes and they begin to build social networks. According to Maslow, to achieve fulfilment an individual has key needs which must be met in order to reach their full potential, this is know as a hierarchy of needs. The bottom of the pyramid shows physiological needs such as shelter, food, warmth, stimulation and rest. The next level states safety needs which are required; protection from disease and illness. Maslow states that in order to move up the pyramid, each stage of requirements must be met. For example, without food and shelter an individual cannot be safe against disease and in turn cannot move up to the next step of the pyramid which is love and belongingness, followed by self-esteem. In adult life in our culture it is expected that an individual will be provided with their physiological needs and can live in safety. If they do not receive the love and affection they need; trust and acceptance and a feeling of belongingness they may not have self-esteem. Without respect and love from others they cannot respect and love t hemselves. Stage of Life Cycle: Older Adulthood 65+ years Hierarchy of needs-Maslow As the adult enters into the last stage of their life, they may begin to physically grow frail and can often suffer with mental illness. Older adults eyesight and hearing often begins to fail as they age. Socially the older generation tend to follow other interests and after retirement have time to lead a full social life. However, the older generation can become more isolated due to family issues or health reasons such as hearing or sight difficulties. Emotionally they can become withdrawn feeling themselves as a burden to their society, family and friends. They may begin to contemplate their lives and have negative feelings such as regret or guilt; however they may feel fulfilled, proud of their accomplishments and their family. An older adult has wisdom and experience although they may find it difficult to grasp and understand new technology and develop new skills. These disabilities are often due to ill health or memory loss. According to Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, at that top of the pyramid the individual has a need for esteem; self-esteem and the esteem they receive from others. They require a level of respect for themselves and from others; with the needs met they feel self confident and valuable. Without esteem they can feel inferior and worthless. If all the needs of the pyramid have been met, the older adult reaches self-actualisation; a feeling that they have lived a life of purpose. Without the other needs of the pyramid being met they may struggle to reach this level. References Miller. J (2000) Care in Practice for Higher Still, Hodder Stoughton Erikson. E.H. (1965) Childhood and Society, Hogarth Press, London, pp.222-43 http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/erikson.html http://www.learning-theories.com/eriksons-stages-of-development.html

Foucault - death of the author :: essays research papers

M. Foucault, "What is an Author?† Michel Foucault (1926 – 1984) dealt with many aspects of social philosophy during his career, but it is his philosophy surrounding the role and dominance of the author in modern literature that this essay aims to deal with. From the 19th century onwards, Foucault notices that through social and political frameworks, the presence of an author vastly dominates the content and categorisation of any publication of that author. He also throws into question the idea of when an author becomes an author and what writings that he produces should become known as his work. The example he gives refers to items such as letters of correspondence or even simple lists that although might have been constructed by the same author of a canonical text, are not recognised as works of literature. What makes works of literature stand out is the content. Indeed, if one can recognise some basic principles of an authors works that may be used to relate previously anonymously published work, does that n ot disprove the existence of an original author. Foucault argues that when these common principles are identified (he himself recognises four in this essay) another could simply produce identically styled work according to these, thus rendering the author obsolete. When considering Marx or Freud who both claim in their work that an individual is only a component of the unconsciousness or political agenda, how can an author as an individual even exist? He recognises the author as a fleeting figure, only known through the â€Å"singularity of his absence and his link to death† (p.1624) and thereby questions further the role of the individual. Firstly, one must consider the rise of the author and how the idea of the figure’s importance came to be. Foucault considers Greek mythology when debating this claming that once it was the hero in such plays that was granted his immortality and the author remained largely anonymous. In the middle ages, this assumption changed as names of those who were involved in scientific discoveries were used to verify their truthfulness. Foucault states that in arguments, statements were in the order of â€Å"Hippocrates says†¦ or Pliny tell us that†¦..† (p.1629). This changed in the seventeenth and eighteenth century during the boom of scientific discoveries as that which was held true in scientific spheres was simply part of a greater truth. There was no need to verify the author as the facts were self evident through their existence.

Ratio Analysis on Literature of Review Essay

I also declare that I have done my work sincerely and accurately even then if any mistake or error had kept in it, I request the readers to point out these errors and guide me to remove these errors in future. Presentation Incharge Signature of the Candidate Practical work experience is the integral part of individual learning. An individual who is learning managerial concepts has to undergo this practical experience for being a future executive. It is the result of various factors. Primarily because of rising cultivations of BT. cotton (Bacillus thuringnsis) and reduce the farmers input costs, while the yield as well as quality are substantially much larger compared to traditional varieties. In view of this development, the cotton cultivation acreage has been steadily going up in India. The farmers have become more knowledgeable to follow scientific methods to cultivate high yielding long staple cotton varieties. Besides individual mills are also simultaneously taking steps to improve the cotton production along with Technology Mission on cotton (TCM), the cotton development research Associations of organizations (CITI), South Indian Textiles Mills Association (SIMA) and Kerala State Textile Corporation (KSTC). The resultant factor is quality and quantity of raw material supply has substantially improved in the country. Due to globalization of our economy, the conscious of quality inputs and pricing have become competitive to the international standards and prices. Supply of quality raw material availability sources of raw material from major cotton exporting countries. Every organization is a deliberate and planned Endeavour of people whose common goal can be achieved through attainment of targets and goal by individual members in it. No organization can survive for long unless it takes care of prudent utilization of resources particularly human resources. In brief, good business is generally the result of good organization which can emerge only if it consists of good people who work together as a team. The textile industry occupies a unique place in our country. One of the earliest to come into existence in India, it accounts for 14 per cent of the total industrial production, contributes to nearly 30 per cent of the total exports and is the second largest employment generator after agriculture. The Indian textile industry is one of the largest in the world with a massive raw material and textile-manufacturing base. Indian economy is largely dependent on the textile manufacturing and trade in addition to other major industries about 27 per cent of the exchange earning are on account of export of textiles and clothing alone. In India organized textile mill sector has increased from 1787 in 2003-04 to 1789 in 2004-05. During the year 2003-04 the production of yarn was 3051. 07 million kg and it had increased to 3220. 59 million kg in 2004-05. The number of workers worked in textiles mills during the year 9, 18,000. India has the second-largest yarn-spinning capacity in the world (after China), accounting for roughly 20 percent of the world’s spindle capacity. India’s spinning segment is fairly modernized; approximately 35 to 40 percent of India’s spindles are less than 10 years old. During 1989-98, India was the leading buyer of spinning machinery, accounting 2003-04 was 9,28,000 and it have decreased during the year 2004-05 was for 28 per cent of world shipments. India’s production of spun yarn is accounted for almost entirely by the organized mill sector, which includes 285 large. Man-made fibers, wool and silk segment grew by modest 4. 5 per cent per annum during the 5-year period 2000-01 to 2005-06. During the first year of quota-free global trade, production increased leaps and bounds. Textiles production increased 10 per cent over 2004. The growth was fuelled by a 22 per cent rise in production of other textiles (including apparels). Cotton textile also posted an increase of nine percent. In the last six years, an estimated US$ 6. 7 billion has been invested in the textiles sector, aided by the Technology Up gradation Fund (TUF) scheme. The TUF scheme expires in March next year (2007) and the quotas on China will be lifted in 2008. Hence, companies will continue to add capacities over the next year. Also, according to CRISIL, the sector is likely to rise over US$ 3. 5 billion from the capital markets in the next few years. The cotton textile industry, one of the oldest and major consumer industries in India, has assumed national importance by virtue of size, investment, output and employment. The industry produces a wide range of fabrics to suit specific needs of consumers. Further, the cotton textile industry occupies a pre eminent place in the Indian economy by contributing a major share and to the countries industrial production and providing cloth to its millions. The industry also serves by providing direct employment to 60, 00,000 workers in several of its related activities. India is one of the largest textile producing countries in the world. The share of the industry in the export basket of India is around 20%. However, textile industry is vast developing sector and when the competitions are exorbitant especially in its design and quality we have to adopt modern technology management, machine so as to complete with other countries in the international market.

Globalization and Firms

41. With the help of an example discuss the characteristics of globalization. Globalization refers to a fundamental shift in the world economy in which national economies are no longer relatively self-contained entities. Instead, nations are moving toward an interdependent global economic system. Within this new global economy, an American might drive to work in a car designed in Germany that was assembled in Mexico by DaimlerChrysler from components made in the U. S. and Japan that were fabricated from Korean steel and Malaysian rubber.A company does not have to be the size of these multinational giants to facilitate, and benefit from, the globalization of markets. 42. Define globalization and discuss it has changed the business environment? Globalization has created many opportunities for businesses to expand their revenues by selling around the world while at the same time reducing their costs by producing in nations where labor and other inputs are cheap. However, globalization h as also produced new threats for companies in the form of increased competition. 41.Compare and contrast a pure democracy and a representative democracy. Which type of democracy is more common today? Why? The pure form of democracy is based on a belief that citizens should be directly involved in decision making. In contrast, in a representative democracy, citizens periodically elect individuals to represent them. The elected individuals form a government and make decisions on behalf of the electorate. Because a pure democracy is impractical in advanced societies with tens or hundreds of millions of people, representative democracies are far more common in today's world. 2. Explain the differences between common law and civil law systems by the approach of each to contract law. Contracts drafted under a common law framework tend to be very detailed with all contingencies spelled out. In contrast, contracts in a civil law system tend to be much shorter and less specific because many of the issues typically covered in a common law contract are already covered in civil law. 43. What are state-owned companies? Why do they exist? Why do they usually perform poorly? A state-owned company is a company that is owned by a nation's government.After World War II, many social democratic governments nationalized private companies that were to be run for the public good rather than private profit. Great Britain, for example, nationalized so many companies that by the end of the 1970s, state-owned monopolies existed in telecommunications, electricity, gas, coal, and several other industries. However, because state-run companies such as the ones that existed in Great Britain are protected from competition by their monopoly position and guaranteed financial support, they become inefficient. 1. Compare and contrast folkways and mores. Folkways are the routine conventions of everyday life. Generally, folkways are actions of little moral significance. Folkways include rituals and symbolic behavior. In contrast, mores are norms that are seen as central to the functioning of a society and to its social life. Mores have much greater significance than folkways. Accordingly, violating mores can bring serious retribution. 42. What is the difference between a caste system and a class system?A caste system is a closed system of stratification in which social position is determined by the family into which a person is born, and change in that position is usually not possible during an individual's lifetime. The caste system is the most rigid form of social stratification. A caste frequently involves a specific occupation. In contrast, a class system is a less rigid form of social stratification in which social mobility is possible through an individual's personal achievements and/or luck. 43.Discuss why the stratification of a society is important to business. The stratification of a society is significant if it affects the operation of business organizations. In a country like Great Britain for example, the relative lack of class mobility and the differences between classes has resulted in hostility between middle-class managers and their working-class employees. This hostility and the resulting lack of cooperation can make it more difficult for firms to establish a competitive advantage in the global economy. While the last two decades has seen a eduction in the number of industrial disputes in Britain, there are signs that class consciousness may be reemerging in China. 44. Describe the four dimensions of culture as identified by Geert Hofstede. Geert Hofstede identified four dimensions that he claimed summarized the differences between different cultures. According to Hofstede, the power distance dimension focused on how a society deals with the fact that people are unequal in physical and intellectual capabilities. The second dimension identified by Hofstede, individualism vs. collectivism, focused on the relationship between the individu al and his/her fellows.Hofstede's third dimension, uncertainty avoidance, measured the extent to which different cultures socialize their members into accepting ambiguous situations and tolerating uncertainty. Finally, Hofstede's fourth dimension, masculinity vs. femininity, examined the relationship between gender and work roles. 41. Compare and contrast import quotas and voluntary export restraints. An import quota is a direct restriction on the quantity of some good that may be imported int o a country. The restriction is normally enforced by issuing import licenses to a group of individuals or firms.In contrast, a voluntary export restraint (VER) is a quota imposed by the exporting country, typically at the request of the importing country's government. Foreign producers agree to VERs because they fear more damaging punitive tariffs or import quotas might follow if they do not. Both import quotas and VERs benefit domestic producers, but hurt consumers through higher prices. 42. What are the political reasons for governments to intervene in markets? There are a number of political reasons why governments intervene in markets. The most common reason for intervention is to protect jobs and industries.Governments may also intervene to protect national security, to threaten punitive retaliatory actions, to protect consumers or to protect human rights, and to further foreign policy objectives. 43. Discuss the economic reasons for government intervention in markets. The economic reasons for government interaction have undergone a renaissance in recent times as more economists support economic reasons for intervention. The oldest argument for intervention is the infant industry argument. Strategic trade policy is the other main reason given for economic government intervention in markets. 44.What is strategic trade policy? Provide an example. Strategic trade policy suggests that in industries where the existence of substantial scale economies implies that the worl d will profitably support only a few firms, countries may predominate in the export of certain products simply because they had firms that were able to capture first-mover advantages. Boeing's dominance in the aerospace industry has been attributed to these types of factors. According to strategic trade policy, a government can help raise national incomes if it can ensure that the firms that gain first-mover advantages in such industries are omestic rather foreign. Further, the theory argues that it might pay governments to intervene in an industry if it helps domestic firms overcome the barriers to entry created by foreign firms that have already reaped first-mover advantages. 45. Explain how trade barriers affect a firm's strategy. There are four main ways trade barriers affect a firm's strategy. First, tariffs raise the cost of exporting, putting the firm at a competitive disadvantage. Second, quotas may limit a firm's ability to serve a country from outside of that country.Third , to conform to local content regulations, a firm may have to locate more production activities in a given market than it would otherwise. Finally, the threat of antidumping actions limits the firm's ability to use aggressive pricing to gain market share in a country. 41. What is a greenfield investment? How does it compare to an acquisition? Which form of FDI is a firm more likely to choose? Explain your answer. FDI can take the form of a greenfield investment in a new facility or an acquisition of or a merger with an existing local firm.Research shows that most FDI takes the form of mergers and acquisitions rather than greenfield investments. Mergers and acquisitions are more popular for three reasons. First, mergers and acquisitions are quicker to execute than greenfield investments. Second, foreign firms are acquired because those firms have valuable strategic assets. Third, firms make acquisitions because they believe they can increase the efficiency of the acquired firm by tra nsferring capital, technology, or management skills. 42. Compare and contrast the advantages of foreign direct investment over exporting and licensing.A firm will favor foreign direct investment over exporting as an entry strategy when transportation costs or trade barriers make exporting unattractive. Furthermore, the firm will favor foreign direct investment over licensing (or franchising) when it wishes to maintain control over its technological know-how, or over its operations and business strategy, or when the firm's capabilities are simply not amenable to licensing, as may often be the case. 43. Discuss the various political ideologies and their impact on foreign direct investment.The radical view writers argue that the multinational enterprise (MNE) is an instrument of imperialist domination. The free market view argues that international production should be distributed among countries according to the theory of comparative advantage. The pragmatic nationalist view is that F DI has both benefits and costs. The radical view has a dogmatic radical stance that is hostile to all inward FDI. The free market view is at the other extreme and based on noninterventionist principle of free market economics. Between these two extremes is an approach called pragmatic nationalism. 4. Describe the situations when licensing is not a good option for a firm. Licensing is not a good option in three situations. First, licensing is hazardous in high-tech industries where protecting firm-specific expertise is very important. Second, licensing is not attractive in global oligopolies where tight control is necessary so that firms have the ability to launch coordinated attacks against global competitors. Finally, in industries where intense cost pressures require that MNEs maintain tight control over foreign operations, licensing is not the best option. 46.Discuss Michael Porter's interpretation of value creation and competitive advantage. According to Michael Porter, low cost and differentiation are two basic strategies for creating value and attaining a competitive advantage in an industry. Porter argues that those firms that create superior value will achieve superior profitability. Porter notes that it is not necessary for a firm to have the lowest cost structure or create the most valuable product; rather it is only important that the gap between value and the cost of production be greater than that of competitors. 7. Discuss strategic positioning. How does strategic positioning relate to the efficiency frontier? The efficiency frontier shows all of the different positions that a firm can adopt with regard to adding value to the product and low cost assuming that its internal operations are configured efficiently to support a particular position. It is important that managers decide where a firm should be positioned with regard to value and cost, configure operations accordingly, and manage them efficiently to ensure the firm is operating on the eff iciency frontier. 8. Describe the benefits of global expansion for firms. Global expansion allows firm to capture many opportunities not open to firms that remain focused purely on the domestic market. Firms that operate globally have the opportunity to sell their product in a much larger marketplace. Location economies can be realized through global expansion by dispersing value creation activities to the optimal location in the world. International expansion allows a firm to realize greater cost economies from experience effects.Finally, global expansion provides firms with the opportunity to earn a greater return by leveraging any skills developed in foreign operations and transferring them within the organization. 49. What are the two types of competitive pressures that firms competing in the global marketplace face? How do firms respond to these pressures? Firms that compete in the global marketplace typically face two types of competitive pressure that affect their ability to realize location economies and experience effects, to leverage products and transfer competencies and skills within the enterprise.They face pressures for cost reductions and pressures to be locally responsive. These competitive pressures place conflicting demands on a firm. Responding to pressures for cost reductions requires that a firm try to minimize its unit costs. Responding to pressures to be locally responsive requires that a firm differentiate its product offering and marketing strategy from country to country in an effort to accommodate the diverse demands arising from national differences in consumer tastes and preferences, business practices, distribution channels, competitive conditions, and government policies. 50.What are the four basic strategies that firms use to compete in international markets? Under what conditions is each strategy most appropriate? The four basic strategies that firms use to compete in international markets are the international strategy, the gl obal standardization strategy, the localization strategy, and the transnational strategy. The international strategy is most appropriate when there is low pressure for local responsiveness and low pressure for cost reduction. When there is high pressure for cost reduction, but low pressure for local responsiveness the global standardization strategy makes sense.A localization strategy is appropriate when pressure for local responsiveness is high, but pressure for cost reduction is low. Finally, when pressure for both cost reduction and local responsiveness is high, the transnational strategy is best. 52. What are the three challenges related to strategy and structure that firms must accomplish if they are to achieve superior profitability? Superior enterprise profitability requires that firms fulfill three conditions. First, the different elements of a firm's organizational architecture must be internally consistent.Second, the organizational architecture of the firm must be consist ent with its strategy. Third, the strategy and the structure must not only be consistent with each other, they must also be consistent with the competitive conditions prevailing in the marketplace. 53. Discuss the relationship between a firm's control systems and a firm's incentive system. Why is this relationship important? The relationships between a firm's control systems and incentive systems is a close one. Control systems are the metrics used to measure the performance of subunits and make judgments about how well managers are running those subunits.Incentives are the devices used to reward appropriate managerial behavior. The relationship between these two areas is important because incentives are very closely tied to performance metrics. For example, the incentives of a manager in charge of a national operating subsidiary might be linked to the performance of that company. Specifically, he/she might receive a bonus if her subsidiary exceeds its performance targets. 54. Discu ss the location of decision-making in a firm that is following a transnational strategy. Decision-making in a firm pursuing a transnational strategy is complex.The need to realize location and experience curve economies requires some centralized control over global production centers. Yet, the need for local responsiveness requires the decentralization of many operating decisions, particularly those for marketing, to foreign subsidiaries. Decentralization of decision-making is also needed to allow subsidiaries the freedom to develop their own skills and competencies—a requirement that is necessary for the global learning component of the transnational strategy. 55. Discuss the sources of inertia in organizations. Is it easy to make organizational changes?Organizations are difficult to change. Within most organizations are strong inertia forces. These forces come from a number of sources. One source of inertia is the existing distribution of power and influence within an organ ization. Managers who are not happy with the changes are likely to resist and slow the process. A second source of inertia is the existing culture. Since value systems reflect deeply held beliefs, they can be very hard to change. A third source of inertia derives from senior managers' preconceptions about the appropriate business model or paradigm.Managers may not recognize the value in a given business model that has been successful in the past. Finally, institutional constraints may act as a source of inertia. In some cases, local content rules or regulations pertaining to layoffs can make it difficult for firms to adopt the most effective strategy and architecture. 45. What are first-mover advantages? Discuss the advantages associated with them. First-mover advantages are the advantages frequently associated with entering a market early. One first-mover advantage is the ability to preempt rivals and capture demand by establishing a strong brand name.A second advantage is the abil ity to build sales volume in that country and ride down the experience curve ahead of rivals, giving the early entrant a cost advantage over later entrants. A third advantage is the ability of early entrants to create switching costs that tie customers into their products or services. Such switching costs make it difficult for later entrants to win business. 46. Explain the relationship between first-mover disadvantages and pioneering costs. When a firm enters a market prior to other international businesses, it can have first-mover disadvantages.These disadvantages may give rise to pioneering costs, costs that an early entrant has to bear that a later entrant can avoid. Pioneering costs arise when the business syste m in a foreign country is so different from that in a firm's home market that the enterprise has to devote considerable effort, time, and expense to learning the rules of the game. Pioneering costs also include the costs of promoting and establishing a product offering. Finally, an early entrant may be put at a disadvantage, relative to a later entrant, if regulations change in a way that diminishes the value of the early entrant's investments. 7. Discuss Bartlett and Ghoshal's perspective on how firms from developing countries should approach international expansion. Bartlett and Ghoshal suggest that companies based in developing countries should use the entry of foreign multinationals as an opportunity to learn from these competitors by benchmarking their operations and performance against them. They argue that the local company might be able to find ways to differentiate itself from foreign companies by focusing on market niches that the multinational ignores or is unable to serve effectively if it has a standardized global roduct offering. Then, the firm from the developing nation may then be in a position to pursue its own international expansion strategy. 48. Discuss strategic alliances. How successful are they? Why do firms form strategic a lliances? The term strategic alliance refers to cooperative agreements between potential or actual competitors. Strategic alliances run the range from formal joint ventures, in which two or more firms have equity stakes, to short-term contractual arrangements, in which two companies agree to cooperate on a particular task.Firms enter into strategic alliances for four main reasons. First, strategic alliances may facilitate entry into a foreign market. Second, strategic alliances allow firms to share the fixed costs of developing new products or processes. Third, strategic alliances allow firms to bring together complementary skills and assets that neither company could develop easily on its own. Fourth, strategic alliances can help firms establish technological standards for an industry.