Discuss the view that the differences between the German and Japanese Essay

Discuss the view that the differences between the German and Japanese economic institutions are so great that they cannot be viewed as being part of the same family of economies - Essay Example Since these companies do not need to operate in a government controlled environment, they have an access to an educated and trained labour force (Noel, 2004, p. 3; Pavitt, 1999, p. 5). The economies of Germany and Japan are two major examples of coordinated market economies (CMEs) in the world. Unlike the situation in United States and United Kingdom, these nations do not implement high-end regulations in their bank structure primarily due to the informal structure of organisation. However, despite the integral business environment being the same, many-a-times it is difficult to conceive them as part of the same group due to the diverse nature of their economies. The present paper takes up the issue and tries to figure out the extent to which the German and Japanese economic institutions differ from each other. Corporate governance in economic institutions located at Japan and Germany are almost similar to each other. Institutions in these nations are characterised by senior managers sitting at the head of the power unlike in case of liberal market economies, where the culture of corporate governance is seldom found. The shareholders are the ultimate owners of the organisations, although no corporate board structure is present in them. Though the strategies which these nations abide by have rendered them to a position much behind that of USA, the financial institutions of the former nations are believed to be fast picking up with those indigenous to the latter (Baums, Buxbaum & Hopt, 1994). Corporate governance in these nations is strengthened more due to the emphasis that company goodwill is being paid rather than in case of liberal market economies like the USA where people are more concerned about the final pay-off only (Jackson, 2005). Germany had been a capitalist at its heart at the time of unification. It had been one of the most popular of

Multinational Corporations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Multinational Corporations - Essay Example Globalization-brought about by advancement in technology, transport, and communication- has made it possible for multinational corporations to spread very fast. MNC have both negative and positive impacts on developing countries. Below I have discussed the impacts starting with positive impacts and lastly negative impacts. Employment It is a common thing in developing countries for the governments to actively seek for foreign investors. Multinational corporations provide both direct and indirect employments to developing countries which is a major challenge in these countries. Banking and telecommunication companies are some of the most common companies which have developed over large regions. Due to the size of these companies they create more job opportunities. Creating these job opportunities also account for increased domestic expenditure and income. These companies introduce new technologies to the employees and sometimes even provide training to their employees. This reduces th e cost of the government in training its citizens. Taxation revenues One of the major challenges facing developing countries is provision of social amenities to their citizens. This is due to poverty and lack of enough revenues for the government to provide such amenities as education and health services. Lack of basic education for these countries is one major cause of why they lag behind in terms of development. Poor health services contribute to high mortality rates especially to children under the age of five years. Foreign companies seeking to invest in these developing countries have always been welcomed so that they can help these countries add on to their revenues. Taxation adds to the domestic economy of the country where MNCs have invested. Due to this investment there is a direct flow of capital in the host country. Where these corporations are producing companies, they may save the host country’s revenue in terms of import. The companies may produce products that were previously imported to an extent of transforming them into exports. This will in turn earn the host country more revenue. Another source of revenue for the host country’s government is the money taxed directly from the salaries of workers. Previously we saw that multinational corporations provide employment to citizens of the host nations. The government earns revenue from salaries of all its workers in the country. From this discussion it is clear that presence of multinational corporations in a country has a significant impact on the host nation. Growth and efficiency Capital is a basic need of production; however, this is a rare commodity in underdeveloped and developing countries. MNCs offer foreign direct investment (FDI) to these countries. Developing countries may have enough natural resources available in their countries but lack resources in terms of capital and equipment. In mining, for example, most developing countries cannot afford the machinery required lea ve alone the capital. This is the opportunity for large MNCs specialized in the field to chip in. The host nations in this case have got no choice but to enter into partnership with the company. Another long term advantage to the host nation is improvement in technology. Most developing countries lack the technology needed in many industries. Introduction of foreign technology into these countries is always an advantage. The machinery and structures built, in the long run, will belong to the host nation. Sometimes the new technology is transferred the

Google Drive: Functions, Security and Applications

Google Drive: Functions, Security and Applications Table of Contents (Jump to) Introduction What is Google Drive and its function? How to start with Google Drive? How secure is Google Drive? How do people use Google Drive? What is the maximum upload limit of Google Drive and supported files? What is Google Drive’s storage plan pricing? What are Google Drive’s compatible Operating Systems? Conclusion References Introduction In addition to the development velocity of modern technology, the volume of information completing by or ingested by individuals all over the world maintains growing quickly. The storage units seem to incapable for holding increasing data quantity. In servicing, add-on and again-up of data are important just in case of automobile accident. To meet the requirements stated earlier, the cloud computing is produced especially cloud storing which have turn into a needed info storage for all fairly recently. There are 4 competitive large cloud storages from the IT sector Google Drive, SkyDive and iCloud Dropbox. With the advancement of the information technology the development of app has significantly elevated. The brand new age of online technologies have triggered need for the World Wide Web app in people’s everyday life. In this particular document we shall make an effort to assess among the many programs developed to make people’s existence less difficult. We have now s elected Google drive as our most fascinated cloud app and we are going to publish a comprehensive report about it. What is Google Drive and its function? Google Drive is really a central location where you may keep your documents. You have access to Google Drive from the desktop, the web or maybe the Google Drive app. Transform data online, on your computer system, or in your mobile device and it also updates on every gadget in which you have installed Google Drive. So should you use Google Docs, this application will let you gain access to your Google doc at anyplace and at any time. Google Drive is greatly used to exchange each sort of files and folders between individuals. Google Drive is really an Online-dependent document web hosting support run by Google, Inc. that utilizes networked storage space to permit users to hold and share folders and files with others throughout the World Wide Web making use of document synchronization. Google Drive is definitely the easiest, most classy document synchronization instrument actually utilized. The idea behind Google Drive would provide you with access to your data files no matter what per sonal computer or system you are using. The service merchants records with solid encryption on multiple hosts and lets you get at your records quickly and easily, and for the most part elegantly from practically any World Wide Web-empowered system. We begin by quickly describing the application and its features. How to start with Google Drive? What started off as just a few valuable on the web business office resources named Google Docs, has transformed into Google Drive, a workplace package with cloud storage. You get a small amount of everything with these services, together with a word processor chip, spreadsheet application, and display tradesman, plus 15GB of totally free storage area. You can enter Google Drive if you already have a Google account. You just need to head over to drive.google.com and start the service. You will get 15GB of storage space for everything you upload to Drive, such as photos, papers and videos, Photoshop files and a lot more. You will need to share that 15GB with your Gmail account, photographs you upload to Google+ , as well as any files you generate in Google Drive. While you can access any documents in the Google Drive site, you may also acquire the Drive desktop app for your computer to deal with your records through your laptop or computer. It is possible to organize all your files from the personal computer app, and theyll sync with the cloud to therefore you can have them with you all the time on all your devices. Chromium is a Web-based operating system which Drive is built into it, when you have a Chrome book, Google Drive is the best cloud storage choice. Like other cloud safe-keeping professional services, Google Drive has applications for iOS and Android, so you can control your files from the phone too. What we like most about Google Drive is that you can drag and drop files into the Drive Web site and theyll be uploaded automatically. You can also preview attachments from Gmail in Google Drive, and save those files to your cloud. Google Drive has the benefit of a built-in place of work suite, where you can modify documents, spreadsheets, and reports, even though you created the papers in an additional application. This service will also support other third-party apps than can edit and modify the documents. What we like about Google Drive is that you could drag and decrease records to the Drive Web site and theyll be submitted instantly. You can also review devices from Gmail in Google Drive, and preserve these records to the cloud. How secure is Google Drive? Google Drive is amongst the most extensive cloud-safe-keeping services, but between your National Security Agency (NSA) and Googles own overreaching relation to service, your data files might be available for being snooped from both organizations. The NSA asserts that its PRISM system focuses on only people of foreign nations and Not American inhabitants. In case the NSA at any time made a decision that it would be useful, with this particular technology into position, it would be simplicity itself to turn PRISMs focus toward People in America. Google denies granting the NSA unrestricted entry to exclusive data. Im unsure I could say this far more obviously: Were not in cahoots together with the NSA, mentioned David Drummond, Googles chief legitimate police officer, in the document on the Guardian. Regardless of whether you trust Edward Snowden, the NSA or Google, you will find good things about knowing precisely what Google gives many services a web email and internet browser, an internet search engine and worldwide menu, amongst other things. PRISM can supposedly acquire information and facts from these professional services as well as Google Drive, the companys cloud-storage foundation. Drive has two elements: Producing papers and keeping them around the Drive (Create), and importing your own personal documents (Upload). Googles online privacy policy weighs in at nine web pages, and states that Google can accumulate login, tool and location info. Google also gathers your browser past history, plants and cookies on the process and data the other applications youve been utilizing, in the event you entry Google Drive by way of Stainless. Googles Drive FAQs point out that the organization will not use any details of your tag as exclusive for advertising or advertising functions, nonetheless its terms of services tend to be much more freewheeling: Google can adjust, host, retail store, recreate and make use of create derivative performs interact, submit, openly execute, publicly screen and spread [customer] information. These permissions may appear terrifying, but theres actually an incredibly naive outline for every single one. So to keep you authorized-in on a cell phone or exclusive laptop or computer, Google needs to know your unit and logon info. Your physical location information and facts helps Google determine when someone has hacked your account in an unusual spot. How do people use Google Drive? Here are some examples of how people use Google Drive: 1. A harried item supervisor should proceed work towards a vital proposition within the weekend break. In past times, she could have dug about in the handbag to look for an old USB Drive she purposes of transporting documents. Or, she probably have emailed herself an attachment to open at home. Instead, she helps save the Word document and a Shine spreadsheet to Google Drive at her workplace. Later on that evening hours, in her home Computer, she starts her Google Drive folder to gain access to the Shine file. All of her helps save are updated to Google Drive. When she profits to operate the subsequent Monday, the up-to-date details might be considered in her work station. 2. The organizer of the family members’ reunion wishes to survey 34 relatives about attendance, accommodations personal preferences, and potluck meal preparation. He email messages everyone a link to web-based created Drive. The solutions are immediately transferred to Bedding, where he can view the reactions and the results. 3. An elementary university faculty makes use of Docs to team up on session plans. Every single teacher accesses the same papers from her or his houses or classrooms. Upgrades are quickly reflected, even if two teachers are all at once accessing the same record. Their principal is surprised by how quickly the faculty wraps up the plans, and the way properly the curriculums are incorporated. 4. At the identical institution, the fifth-level educators request their college students to distribute groundwork using Docs. The educators put remarks and modifications, in which the individuals can accessibility whenever you want via a Browser. It’s much more effective than emailing accessories close to, and the college students do not have to bug their parents to acquire pricey phrase-processing plans. What is the maximum upload limit of Google Drive and supported files? Documents: 1,024,000 characters, regardless of the number of pages or font size. Uploaded document files that are converted to the Google documents format can’t be larger than 2 MB. Spreadsheets: 400,000 cells, with a maximum of 256 columns per sheet. Uploaded spreadsheet files that are converted to the Google spreadsheets format can’t be larger than 20 MB, and need to be under 400,000 cells and 256 columns per sheet Presentations: Presentations created in Google Slides can be up to 50 MB — which is about 200 slides. Uploaded presentation files that are converted into the Google presentations format can also be up to 50 MB. Drawings: We’ve never seen anyone make a drawing that was too big (but that’s not a dare). Other files: Files that you upload but don’t convert to a Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides format can be up to 10 GB each. (Daily News Analysis, 2012) What is Google Drive’s storage plan pricing? People can store up to 15GB of data on their Google Drive account for free. If they need more space they can purchase it and the pricing is as follows: What are Google Drive’s compatible Operating Systems? Google drive is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android phones and tablets and Apple iOS. Conclusion Google Drive is a free of charge service that allows you to take your images, docs, and video clips anyplace and share them easily. There are tons of optimistic features which can be addressed to the application. The Google Drive buyer allows end users to decrease any data file right into a chosen directory which is then synced with Google drives Internet service and to every other of your users units and computer systems with the Google Drive’s customer. Customers may also upload data files manually through an internet browser. With these usages, it can be a substitute for World Wide Web (physical transportation of removable media), and also other standard sorts of submitting exchange, like File transfer protocol and e-mail attachments. While Google drive capabilities are as a storage service, its concentrate is on synchronization and revealing. It facilitates revision record, so data files deleted in the Google Drive directory might be healed from any of the synced computer systems. References Google unifies cloud storage across gmail, drive and google+. (2013, May 15). Kashmir Monitor. Gaylord, K., Kavanagh, M. (2006, 04). Search your hard drive in a snap: Google it! Inside the Internet, 13, 5-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/191096234 Nivio launches google drive app. (2012). Wireless News Maltais, M. (2012, Apr 25). Google adds to the cloud with drive. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1009108737 Google introduces google drive quick facts. (2012, Apr 24). RTTNews All you need to know about google drive. (2012, May 01). DNA : Daily News Analysis. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1010363648 Google drive updates app. (2013, Nov 08). Telegraph.Co.Uk. Kleinberg, S. (2012, Jun 11). Google drive: A lot to love, room for improvement. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1019609166 Google drive slashes prices on storage. (2014, Mar 13). University Wire. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1507019544

stuff :: essays research papers

Why I should be the Supreme Ruler of the Universe   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In these five paragraphs, I will be discussing why I should be the supreme rule of the universe. I will explain my strong points in ruling such as my ability to converse with people on a down to earth basis. My ability to help the people of the world by giving them not just what they want, but what they need. Also I will be able to save the world by setting stricter laws prevent damage to the earth. To get deeper into the subject everyone will have a say in what I do to help the world and it's inhabitants. My people skills will help my ability to rule because then I would be able to talk to my people of the world by discussing key topics like the earth and it's atmosphere. My way with people will also help to show how I treat my co-workers and fellow countrymen. I will really test my people skills when I go to my other countries and discuss trade and life in that part of the world. I would really want show the people that I am not afraid of what the world throws at. I am afraid of only one thing and that's whether the people of earth are content in how I am running it. Hopefully I will show that my skills are adequate and that I am capable of putting them to work in a useful way. In some way I believe that you will all make the right decision in placing me as supreme ruler of the universe. I hope all the people of earth will be satisfied with what I give them and what show them. Surely I will give them what they want but I do hope I will be able to give them what they need. That being, that all will have food shelter and adequate money resources. There will be no ghettos or gangs or drugs. I will give the world the chance to live in a happy place where there is no violence or drugs because that is how I see the world should and will be. Everybody will get his or her share because everyone is equal. Not one person should feel that they are not getting their piece of the pie because I hope to make sure that no one is left out.

Long Day’s Journey Into Night

In Eugene O’Neill’s play A Long Day’s Journey into Night, the main protagonist, Mary Tyrone, functions as an instrument of suffering of others. Her sons Jamie and Edmund both suffer internal tragedies that could easily be blamed on her. Like her sons, her husband Tyrone faces his own internal conflicts, some of which are because of Mary. Mary Tyrone is a â€Å"recovering† addict who has an extremely hard time admitting her problem and is sometimes in denial about her problem. Her denial is a huge factor in the suffering that her sons and husband have.Jamie, Mary’s eldest son, is an alcoholic that undermines his brother. In the earlier half of the play the reader learns from Tyrone that Jamie hates Edmund and is extremely jealous and angry towards him. This becomes evident later on the in the play when Jamie tells Edmund how he feels using terms such as â€Å"Mama’s baby and Papa’s pet†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (167), showing the reader his enviou s feelings. Jamie is jealous towards Edmund and resents the fact that he was ever born. Because all of Jamie’s jealousy is due to Edmund’s birth, the true blame and jealousy is toward Mary for giving birth to Edmund.Jamie knows, as well as Mary, knows that the reason for Edmund’s birth was due to the loss of her second son Eugene. After Eugene died Mary felt lost and empty and decided to give birth to a third child, Edmund, in hopes of helping her cope with the loss of her second son. Knowing this adds to Jamie’s jealousy towards Edmund and his bitterness towards his mother. Not only is Jamie angry at his mother for having Edmund, he is angry at her for being in denial of her problem.He knows that his mother is a morphine addict but cannot accept the fact that she won’t admit she is back into her habit. Her addiction causes his addiction. Jamie’s anger towards his mother’s obsession causes him to drink. The more Mary denies her action the more Jamie drinks. Although he is aware of her addiction, he tries cover for her by making up little excuses to her whereabouts and or her physical appearance. Edmund, like Jamie, is also aware of his mother’s morphine addiction but makes excuses of Mary’s actions and appearances to his brother and father.Both Edmund and Jamie hope that by covering for their addicted mother, they will be able to salvage what is left of their broken family. During the play Edmund learns that he has consumption or tuberculosis. This means that he will have to spend up to one year in a sanitarium. After it is learned that Edmund got consumption when he went to foreign lands earlier in life to escape the troubles of his family, it is easy to blame Mary Tyrone for his illness. There would have been no reason for Edmund to escape his family if his mother was not addicted to morphine.If Mary wasn’t an addict than it is highly probable that Tyrone and Jamie would not be alcoholics and Edmund would not be ill and an alcoholic-in-training. After Edmund is diagnosed with consumption, the family must decide on which sanitarium to send him to. Mary and Jamie try to say that Edmund’s consumption is due to the previous sanitariums that Edmund’s cheap father Tyrone decided upon. However, Tyrone’s being cheap is not to blame for Edmund’s illness, his mother is.Mary Tyrone brings about the suffering of her sons and husband through her own morphine addiction. Her addiction contributes immensely to Tyrone’s and Jamie’s alcoholism as well as Edmund’s illness. Their sufferings allow for this play to be a tragedy and for the reader to establish the theme that family-dynamics can hold us back if someone cannot take personal responsibility and move on. Mary Tyrone is a tragic figure in the tragedy A Long Day’s Journey into Night who functions as an instrument of the suffering of others.

The Stupidest Angel Chapter 1

This book is dedicated to MIKE SPRADLIN who said: â€Å"You know, you oughtta write a Christmas book.† To which I replied: â€Å"What kind of Christmas book?† To which he replied: â€Å"I don't know. Maybe Christmas in Pine Cove or something.† To which I replied: † ‘Kay.† Acknowledgments The author wishes to acknowledge those who helped: as always, Nicholas Ellison, my intrepid agent; Jennifer Brehl, my brilliant editor; Lisa Gallagher and Michael Morrison for continued confidence in my ability to tell stories; Jack Womack and Leslie Cohen for getting me in front of my readers and the press; the Huffmans, for preparing a landing pad and a warm welcome; Charlee Rodgers, for the careful reads, thoughtful comments, and just putting up with the process; and finally, Taco Bob, from whom I joyfully (and with permission, which almost ruins it) swiped the idea for chapter 16. Author's Warning If you're buying this book as a gift for your grandma or a kid, you should be aware that it contains cusswords as well as tasteful depictions of cannibalism and people in their forties having sex. Don't blame me. I told you. Chapter 1 CHRISTMAS CREEPS Christmas crept into Pine Cove like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh bells, oozing eggnog, reeking of pine, and threatening festive doom like a cold sore under the mistletoe. Pine Cove, her pseudo-Tudor architecture all tarted up in holiday quaintage – twinkle lights in all the trees along Cypress Street, fake snow blown into the corner of every shop's windows, miniature Santas and giant candles hovering illuminated beneath every streetlight – opened to the droves of tourists from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the Central Valley searching for a truly meaningful moment of Christmas commerce. Pine Cove, sleepy California coastal village – a toy town, really, with more art galleries than gas stations, more wine-tasting rooms than hardware stores – lay there, as inviting as a drunken prom queen, as Christmas loomed, only five days away. Christmas was coming, and with Christmas this year, would come the Child. Both were vast and irresistible, and miraculous. Pine Cove was expecting only one of the two. Which is not to say that the locals didn't get into the Christmas spirit. The two weeks before and after Christmas provided a welcome wave of cash into the town's coffers, tourist-starved since summer. Every waitress dusted off her Santa hat and clip-on reindeer antlers and checked to make sure that there were four good pens in her apron. Hotel clerks steeled themselves for the rage of last-minute overbookings, while housekeepers switched from their normal putrid baby-powder air fresheners to a more festive putrid pine and cinnamon. Down at the Pine Cove Boutique they put a â€Å"Holiday Special† sign on the hideous reindeer sweater and marked it up for the tenth consecutive year. The Elks, Moose, Masons, and VFWs, who were basically the same bunch of drunk old guys, planned furiously for their annual Christmas parade down Cypress Street, the theme of which this year would be Patriotism in the Bed of a Pickup (mainly because that had been the theme of their Fourth of July para de and everyone still had the decorations). Many Pine Covers even volunteered to man the Salvation Army kettles down in front of the post office and the Thrifty-Mart in two-hour shifts, sixteen hours a day. Dressed in their red suits and fake beards, they rang their bells like they were going for dog-spit gold at the Pavlov Olympics. â€Å"Give up the cash, you cheap son of a bitch,† said Lena Marquez, who was working the kettle that Monday, five days before Christmas. Lena was following Dale Pearson, Pine Cove's evil developer, through the parking lot, ringing the bejeezus out of him as he headed for his truck. On his way into the Thrifty-Mart, he'd nodded to her and said, â€Å"Catch you on the way out,† but when he emerged eight minutes later, carrying a sack of groceries and a bag of ice, he blew by her kettle like she was using it to render tallow from building inspectors' butts and he needed to escape the stench. â€Å"It's not like you can't afford a couple of bucks for the less fortunate.† She rang her bell especially hard right by his ear and he spun around, swinging the bag of ice at her about hip level. Lena jumped back. She was thirty-eight, lean, dark-skinned, with the delicate neck and finely set jawline of a flamenco dancer; her long black hair was coiled into two Princess Leia cinnabuns on either side of her Santa hat. â€Å"You can't take a swing at Santa! That's wrong in so many ways that I don't have time to enumerate them.† â€Å"You mean to count them,† Dale said, the soft winter sunlight glinting off a new set of veneers he'd just had installed on his front teeth. He was fifty-two, almost completely bald, and had strong carpenter's shoulders that were still wide and square, despite the beer gut hanging below. â€Å"I mean it's wrong – you're wrong – and you're cheap,† and with that Lena put the bell next to his ear again and shook it like a red-suited terrier shaking the life out of a screaming brass rat. Dale cringed at the sound and swung the ten-pound bag of ice in a great underhanded arc that caught Lena in the solar plexus and sent her backpedaling across the parking lot, gasping for breath. That's when the ladies at BULGES called the cops – well, cop. BULGES was a women's fitness center located just above the parking lot of the Thrifty-Mart, and from their treadmills and stair-climbing machines, the BULGES members could watch the ins and outs of the local market without feeling as if they were actively spying. So what had started as a moment of sheer glee and a mild adrenaline surge for the six of them who were watching as Lena chased Dale through the parking lot, turned quickly to shock as the evil developer thwacked the Latin Santa-ette in the breadbasket with a satchel of minicubes. Five of the six merely missed a step or gasped, but Georgia Bauman – who had her treadmill cranked up to eight miles per hour at that very moment, because she was trying to lose fifteen pounds by Christmas and fit into a red-sequined sheath cocktail dress her husband had bought for her in a fit of sexual idealism – bowled backward off her treadmill and landed in a colorful spandex tangle of yoga students who had been practicing on the mats behind her. â€Å"Ow, my ass chakra!† â€Å"That's you're root chakra.† â€Å"Feels like my ass.† â€Å"Did you see that? He nearly knocked her off her feet. Poor thing.† â€Å"Should we see if she's all right?† â€Å"Someone should call Theo.† The exercisers opened their cell phones in unison, like the Jets flicking switchblades as they gaily danced into a West Side Story gang-fight to the death. â€Å"Why did she ever marry that guy, anyway?† â€Å"He's such an asshole.† â€Å"She used to drink.† â€Å"Georgia, are you all right, honey?† â€Å"Can you get Theo by calling 911?† â€Å"That bastard is just going to drive off and leave her there » â€Å"We should go help.† â€Å"I've got twelve more minutes on this thing.† â€Å"The cell reception in this town is horrible.† â€Å"I have Theo's number on speed dial, for the kids. Let me call.† â€Å"Look at Georgia and the girls. It looks like they were playing Twister and fell.† â€Å"Hello, Theo. This is Jane down at BULGES. Yes, well, I just glanced out the window here and I noticed that there might be a problem over at the Thrifty-Mart. Well, I don't want to meddle, but let's just say that a certain contractor just hit one of the Salvation Army Santas with a bag of ice. Well, I'll look for your car, then.† She flipped the phone shut. â€Å"He's on his way.† Theophilus Crowe's mobile phone played eight bars of â€Å"Tangled Up in Blue† in an irritating electronic voice that sounded like a choir of suffering houseflies, or Jiminy Cricket huffing helium, or, well, you know, Bob Dylan – anyway, by the time he got the device open, five people in the produce section of the Thrifty-Mart were giving him the hairy eyeball hard enough to wilt the arugula right there in his cart. He grinned as if to say, Sorry, I hate these things, too, but what aw you gonna do? then he answered, â€Å"Constable Crowe,† just to remind everyone that he wasn't dickmg around here, he was THE LAW. â€Å"In the parking lot of the Thrifty-Mart? Okay, I'll be right there » Wow, this was convenient. One thing about being the resident lawman in a town of only five thousand people – you were never far from the trouble. Theo parked his cart on the end of the aisle and loped by the registers and out the automatic doors to the parking lot (He was a denim- and flannel-clad praying mantis of a man, six-six, one-eighty, and he only had three speeds, amble, lope, and still). Outside he found Lena Marquez doubled over and gasping for breath. Her ex-husband, Dale Pearson, was stepping into his four-wheel-drive pickup. â€Å"Right there, Dale. Wait,† Theo said Theo ascertained that Lena had only had the wind knocked out of her and was going to be okay, then addressed the stocky contractor, who had paused with one boot on the running board, as if he'd be on his way as soon as the hot air cleared out of the truck. â€Å"What happened here?† â€Å"The crazy bitch hit me with that bell of hers.† â€Å"Did not,† gasped Lena â€Å"I got a report you hit her with a bag of ice, Dale. That's assault.† Dale Pearson looked around quickly and spotted the crowd of women gathered by the window over at the gym. They all looked away, heading for the various machines they had been on when the debacle unfolded. â€Å"Ask them. They'll tell you she had that bell right upside my head. I just reacted out of self-defense.† â€Å"He said he'd donate when he came out of the store, then he didn't,† Lena said, her breath coming back. â€Å"There's an implied contract there. He violated it. And I didn't hit him.† â€Å"She's a fucking nutcase.† Dale said it like he was declaring water wet – like it was just understood. Theo looked from one of them to the other. He'd dealt with these two before, but thought it had all come to rest when they'd divorced five years ago. (He'd been constable of Pine Cove for fourteen years – he'd seen the wrong side of a lot of couples.) First rule in a domestic situation was separate the parties, but that appeared to have already been accomplished. You weren't supposed to take sides, but since Theo had a soft spot for nutcases – he'd married one himself – he decided to make a judgment call and focus his attention on Dale. Besides, the guy was an asshole. Theo patted Lena's back and loped over to Dale's truck. â€Å"Don't waste your time, hippie,† Dale said. â€Å"I'm done.† He climbed into his truck and closed the door. Hippie? Theo thought. Hippie? He'd cut his ponytail years ago. He'd stopped wearing Birkenstocks. He'd even stopped smoking pot. Where did this guy get off calling him a hippie? Hippie? he said to himself, then: â€Å"Hey!† Dale started his truck and put it into gear. Theo stepped up on the running board, leaned over the windshield, and started tapping on it with a quarter he'd fished from his jeans pocket. â€Å"Don't leave, Dale.† Tap, tap, tap. â€Å"You leave now, I'll put a warrant out for your arrest.† Tap, tap, tap. Theo was pissed now – he was sure of it. Yes, this was definitely anger now. Dale threw the truck into park and hit the electric window button. â€Å"What? What do you want?† â€Å"Lena wants to press charges for assault – maybe assault with a deadly weapon. I think you'd better rethink leaving right now.† â€Å"Deadly weapon? It was a bag of ice.† Theo shook his head, affected a whimsical storyteller's tone: â€Å"A ten-pound bag of ice. Listen, Dale, as I drop a ten-pound block of ice on the courtroom floor in front of the jury. Can you hear it? Can't you just see the jury cringe as I smash a honeydew melon on the defense attorney's table with a ten-pound block of ice? Not a deadly weapon? ‘Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this man, this reprobate, this redneck, this – if I may – clump-filled-cat-box-of-a-man, struck a defenseless woman – a woman who out of the kindness of her heart was collecting for the poor, a woman who was only – ; â€Å"But it's not a block of ice, it's –  » Theo raised a finger in the air. â€Å"Not another word, Dale, not until I read you your rights.† Theo could tell he was getting to Dale – veins were starting to pulse in the contractor's temples and his bald head was turning bright pink. Hippie, huh? â€Å"Lena is definitely pressing charges, aren't you, Lena?† Lena had made her way to the side of the truck. â€Å"No,† Lena said. â€Å"Bitch!† Theo said – it slipped out before he could stop himself. He'd been on such a roll. â€Å"See how she is,† said Dale. â€Å"Wish you had a bag of ice now, don't you, hippie?† â€Å"I'm an officer of the law,† Theo said, wishing he had a gun or something. He pulled his badge wallet out of his back pocket but decided that was a little late for ID, since he'd known Dale for nearly twenty years. â€Å"Yeah, and I'm a Caribou,† Dale said, with more pride than he really should have had about that. â€Å"I'll forget all about it if he puts a hundred bucks in the kettle,† Lena said. â€Å"You're nuts, woman.† â€Å"It's Christmas, Dale.† â€Å"Fuck Christmas and fuck you.† â€Å"Hey, there's no need for that kind of talk, Dale,† Theo said, going for the peace in peace officer. â€Å"You can just step out of the truck.† â€Å"Fifty bucks in the kettle and he can go,† Lena said. â€Å"It's for the needy.† Theo whipped around and looked at her. â€Å"You can't plea-bargain in the parking lot of the Thrifty-Mart. I had him on the ropes.† â€Å"Shut up, hippie,† Dale said. Then to Lena, â€Å"You'll take twenty and the needy can get bent. They can get a job like the rest of us.† Theo was sure he had handcuffs in the Volvo – or were they still on the bedpost at home? â€Å"That is not the way we –  » â€Å"Forty!† Lena shouted. â€Å"Done!† Dale said. He pulled two twenties from his wallet, wadded them up, and threw them out the window so they bounced off of Theo Crowe's chest. He threw the truck in gear and backed out. â€Å"Stop right there!† Theo commanded. Dale righted the truck and took off. As the big red pickup passed Theo's Volvo station wagon, parked twenty yards up the lot, a bag of ice came flying out the window and exploded against the Volvo's tailgate, showering the parking lot with cubes but otherwise doing no damage whatsoever. â€Å"Merry Christmas, you psycho bitch!† Dale shouted out the window as he turned onto the street. â€Å"And to all a good night! Hippie!† Lena had tucked the wadded bills into her Santa suit and was squeezing Theo's shoulder as the red truck roared out of sight. â€Å"Thanks for coming to my rescue, Theo.† â€Å"Not much of a rescue. You should press charges.† â€Å"I'm okay. He'd have gotten out of it anyway, he has great lawyers. Trust me, I know. Besides, forty bucks'† â€Å"That's the Christmas spirit,† Theo said, not able to keep from smiling. â€Å"You sure you're okay?† â€Å"I'm fine. It's not the first time he's lost it with me.† She patted the pocket of her Santa suit. â€Å"At least something came of this.† She started back to her kettle and Theo followed. â€Å"You have a week to file charges if you change your mind,† Theo said. â€Å"You know what, Theo? I really don't want to spend another Christmas obsessing on what a complete waste of humanity Dale Pearson is. I'd rather let it go. Maybe if we're lucky he'll be one of those holiday fatalities we're always hearing about† â€Å"That would be nice,† said Theo. â€Å"Now who's in the Christmas spirit?† In another Christmas story, Dale Pearson, evil developer, self-absorbed woman hater, and seemingly unredeemable curmudgeon, might be visited in the night by a series of ghosts who, by showing him bleak visions of Christmas future, past, and present, would bring about in him a change to generosity, kindness, and a general warmth toward his fellow man But this is not that kind of Christmas story, so here, in not too many pages, someone is going to dispatch the miserable son of a bitch with a shovel. That's the spirit of Christmas yet to come in these parts. Ho, ho, ho.

Dorian Gray essays

Dorian Gray essays By interpreting Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray on the allegorical rather than the literal level, the portrait never physically changes, but rather it simply represents the progressive degeneration of Dorians soul. Wilde creates several references and uses many symbols, so that the reader may be able to interpret it in this manner. In the preface, Wilde set the premise for the rest of the novel by stating All art is at once surface and symbol. Wilde wished to say that any art form may have two sides. The first side consists of the literal meaning. The second refers to the figurative level: the subjective perception that allows for interpretation into an underlying meaning. Consequently, this statement confirms at once that there is this surface and symbol present in the novel. Alluding this to the portrait of Dorian Gray, there is a definite connection. Aesthetically, it is nothing more but an excellent piece of art, portraying a young and handsome man. Upon a more scrutinizing eye however, one may be able to see a parallel between the portrait and the conscience or soul of Dorian himself. However, opposing arguments might state that the portrait actually changes; that it was a result of Dorians wish to be always young and the picture to grow old. Additionally Dorian would give [his] soul for it. This may also be interpreted in a different way. Every reference to a change in the painting can also be placed in the same context as the blemishing of Dorians own soul. If an individual can assume that something supernatural is physically changing the painting, would it not be more plausible to state that Dorian merely reflected on the state of his own soul and used the portrait as a conduit for doing so? Another argument literal interpreters might state, is the question of why Dorian conceals his picture if no transformation occurred. Als...

Polar Vs. Brown Bear Essays - Bears, Polar Bear, Brown Bear

Polar Vs. Brown Bear Essays - Bears, Polar Bear, Brown Bear Polar Vs. Brown Bear There are eight different species of bears found throughout the world: the spectacled bear, the Asiatic black bear, the brown bear (including grizzlies), the polar bear, the sun bear, the American black bear, the sloth bear and the giant panda. Even though most people can distinguish a polar bear from a brown bear by the color of the fur, a lot of people fail to identify all the differences among those two species. Both bears can be perceived as large, clumsy and lumbering beasts with heavily built bodies but short legs, necks and tails. Both of them have rounded ears and noticeably small eyes relative to their large body size. While both of the bears belong to same family, they have several profound differences. They live in different geographical areas, differ in amount of the population, size, physical features, some eating habits, and their behavior toward human beings. The polar bear is found in all of the polar regions of the entire northern hemisphere. This includes Russia, Norway, Greenland, The United States and Canada. Their preferred habitat is in the area where the northern seas meet the shoreline. In this area, there is a constant freezing and thawing of the ice. It is estimated that there are currently somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000 polar bears. The polar bear is the largest member of the bear family, weighing in at between 440 and 1760 pounds with overall body length 11.5 feet. It can grow much larger, however. In fact, there is a record of an adult polar bear weighing over 2200 pounds. Polar bears have a distinctive all white fur which is important camouflage when hunting on the ice pack. Their actual color of the skin is black which is thought to be an adaptation for better heat retention. Compared to the other bears, the neck of polar bear is much longer. This makes it easier for them to keep their heads above water when swimming. Like those of other bears, the ears of the polar bear are round. They are, however, smaller and closer to the head. This also helps the animal to be an exceptional swimmer. The forepaws on a polar bear are very large. With a diameter approaching 12 inches and partial webbing between their toes, polar bears are able to use their front feet much like paddles to propel them rapidly through the water. Polar bears are excellent swimmers. They are able to swim distances greater than 60 miles without a pause to rest, maintaining average speed of 6 miles per hour. On land, they are not as quick as brown bears and appear to have traded off speed for their extremely massive forelegs which they use to break through seal dens and to flip a large seal out of the water. Polar bears have also developed large stomachs with a capacity of more than 150 pounds of food. Their digestive system is also more adapted for processing meat than plant material because they are almost exclusively meat eaters. While out on the ice, their diet consists mostly of marine mammals such as the ringed seals, bearded seals and occasionally a walrus or narwhal. Also, in keeping with their carnivorous nature, the canine teeth, used for seizing and holding prey, are longer, sharper and spaced wider apart than in brown bears. Polar bear are at the top of the arctic food chain with no natural enemies. Because of that, compared to other bears, polar bears are the most aggressive and more willing to consider humans as a prey. In other words, when they see a human, they see a walking meal. Consequently the person attacked is usually killed unless the bear is killed first. The most carnivorous, they are also the most patient and determined all of bears. In some instances they may follow a person for hundreds of miles in order to hunt him down. Out of eight species polar bear is considered to be the most dangerous to human beings. The brown bear has the most widespread distribution in the world of any of the eight bear species. They are found throughout most of the northern hemisphere including North America and Eurasia. Their preferred habitat includes mountain forests,

Choosing Between If and Whether

Choosing Between If and Whether Choosing Between â€Å"If† and â€Å"Whether† Choosing Between â€Å"If† and â€Å"Whether† By Maeve Maddox In current informal usage the words if and whether are used more or less interchangeably, as in these examples from the web: I Don’t Know If The New Phone Has A Frontal Camera, But It Should Do you know whether the new iPhone 3 will have the capacity to handle emails . . . I Don’t Know if Jon and I Will Be Together Next Year . . . We don’t know them personally so we can’t judge whether they should really be together. Most of the time it doesn’t much matter which you use, but sometimes it does. Use whether if a choice between alternatives is intended. I don’t know whether we will be together next year. The alternate possibility is that we will not be. Use if to express a condition. Father will give us the money if we are still together next year. The money will be given on the condition that the couple are together. For more usage examples and a short test, visit this Grammar Monster page. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Avoid Beginning a Sentence with â€Å"With†Peace of Mind and A Piece of One's Mind10 Functions of the Comma

In the presence of horizontal product differentiation, there is a Essay - 1

In the presence of horizontal product differentiation, there is a tension between the desire to weaken price competition and the desire for increased market share - Essay Example A product has many dimensions and attributes such as technical and quality standards, design and service characteristics. An important distinction to be considered in product differentiation is horizontal and vertical differentiation. Vertical product differentiation is â€Å"where a firm’s product differs from its rival’s products in respect to quality† (Jobber, 2004, p. 145), whereas in horizontal product differentiation, the firm tends to differentiate its products in terms of features, while maintaining the same quality. The costs of products that are produced with horizontal differences do not vary to a great extent, as the production processes are similar for these products and hence it is common for these products to have the same price. However, this differs from the customer’s perspectives. The availability of a larger variety of products will increase the chances of the customer finding the product that closely meets his requirements and hence can increase his surplus. Moreover, horizontal product differentiation will enable the firms to sell its products to new customers, by meeting their needs and this will lead to the overall growth of the company (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2006). Horizontal product differentiation has made it possible for a firm to produce different products of roughly the same quality with a difference in the list of features. This will lead to the production of new products with no increase in marginal costs. It is imperative to note that the presence of horizontal product differentiation has led to the conflict between the objective of weakening the price competition and the objective of increasing the market share. This is made clear by applying the spatial concept of Hotelling model to the concept of product differentiation (Hotelling, 1929). The price that a customer is willing to pay for a

Analyze and interpret the piece answering the appropriate questions Essay

Analyze and interpret the piece answering the appropriate questions from the Questions to Ask of Art - Essay Example This paper basically analyzes the first movement, which follows the â€Å"Adagio sostenuto (slow and sustained)† tempo, which is played in â€Å"pianissimo (very soft)† with the loudest tune being â€Å"mezzoforte† (Miller 2). The song follows a â€Å"dotted rhythm melody† and comprises the technique of â€Å"lamentation,† which is accompanied by a â€Å"triplet rhythm ostinato† (Miller 2). The song makes use of a sole instrument, the pedalier piano, with no additional instruments or voices performing the piece. While analyzing the song, composed in sonata form, a listener notices a second theme at 1:10, the development which starts around 1:51 and the recapitulation  at 3:04. Interestingly, there is a transition between different keys, however the basic melody and rhythm remain the same, thus giving the â€Å"impression of grave meditation† (Miller 2). The Moonlight Sonata was published and performed in the year â€Å"1802,† and dedicated to Beethoven’s beloved, his seventeen year old pupil â€Å"Countess Giulietta Guicciardi,† (Miller 2). Listening to this piece of music truly makes me understand why it has grown so popular since its composition more than 200 years ago. The unusual form of the composition makes it standout from other sonatas and I agree with Rellstab, as he says that the song reminds him of a â€Å"boat visiting, by moonlight, the primitive landscapes of Lake Lucerne† (Silverman 15). Although I have not visited that particular lake, I can still relate to that image and the song somehow inspires in me a feeling of self reflection, where I want to revisit the painful events of my past and simply let go of them. This composition is truly a work of art that portrays the internal struggles Beethoven faced with his hearing loss. Across the Universe is a hit song from the album ‘No One’s Gonna Change Our World,’ released by The Beatles on 1969. There are different versions to the song, however, the psychedelic folk appeal coupled

Medieval Dance Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Medieval Dance - Research Paper Example Among the most important aspect for which dance is involved include entertainment, celebrations and worship (MacGee, 26). Therefore, Medieval Dance is an important concept of art to study, since it helps in creating an understanding of the ancient history, citing the particular cultural events and functions that were deemed important by the medieval societies. The study of Medieval Dance also helps us to trace the history of the happy moments that man has had, with a special emphasis on how the concept of celebration has changed over time. Another thing that makes this topic interesting is the fact that, dance has influenced other genres of art such as music, because any dance has to be done alongside a musical play, either vocal or instrumental (Highwater, 2). Thus, dance influences how such musical elements are formulated, if they have to suit the context and purpose of any dance. Cultural Context Medieval Dance was not a popular form of art in the middle ages, with paintings and o ther forms of artwork such as illuminations taking center stage (Mullally, 62). Dance was not considered as an important concept of art which could grow and develop to depict any cultural or social relevance. Therefore, dance did not feature any form of special documentation, until in 1450 and the periods after (MacGee, 30). The first formal recording regarding dance started in Italy, before spreading to the rest of Europe, where this form of art eventually gained some cultural significance. Thus, substantial dance recording in literary context did not occur until the renaissance period. Substantive description of dance was first done by an Italian, Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century, who presented literary texts with men and women involved in some form of dancing, accompanied by another group of musicians (Highwater, 7). This marked the first description of substantive dance as a form of art. From then on, many other artists and writers were involved in recording dance in liter ary contexts, though varying the form of descriptions that they gave, since they were influenced by their cultural and social contexts. After the first recording of dance and its description, it was adopted as an element of art, and it spread to other parts of Europe. In England, the first form of popular dance, the Carol dance was described in the book, â€Å"In a life of Saint Dunstan,† where a description was given on how Saint Dunstan went into a church and found maidens singing a hymn, while moving in round circles as they danced to the tunes of the hymn (Mullally, 51). This set the stage for more recognition and consideration of dance as a form of art that has a cultural impact on the society. Analysis Medieval Dance occurred majorly in two categories; the court and the country dance. Among these forms of dance, the Carole dance is considered most popular of the earliest dances, which has formed the basis of the present day Christmas carols. This category of dance was d eveloped from the church hymnal presentations, which involved dancing while moving in circle, chains or processions (MacGee, 43). As opposed to other form of dances which can be categorized as either court or country, carol dance fits in the settings of both categories, making it the most popular dance that was

Kant and the critique of metaphysics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Kant and the critique of metaphysics - Essay Example The Critique of Pure Reason appeared in 1781, and the two major works such as, the Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals (1785) and the Critique of Practical Reason (1787) are the foundation of ethics.The speculative or pure reason sometimes ruled out the role and importance of reason in this guise. Kant's purpose in the Critique of Pure Reason is to establish the scope and power of reason (Kant, 1929). The reason is treated in terms of the 'conditions of possible experience' or the 'conditions of the possible cognition of objects.' The key issue for Kant in the first Critique is the nature and capacity of reason itself. Before we can consider God, however, Kant argues that we must discover the proper scope of reason, as only then can we discover our capacity to deal with the notion of God or anything else. The pure reason is therefore central not only to his view of knowledge, but also to his view of God (Gogan). Moreover, all judgments are either analytic or synthetic, and either a priori or a posteriori in the view of Kant. Analytic judgments are those in which the predicate inheres in the subject or is presupposed by it (Kant, 1929). The order of nature in reason was located by Kant. The reason does for the understanding what understanding does for the manifold of intuition - "the understanding is an object for reason, just as sensibility is for the understanding.†(Kant, KRV, A664/B692). Reason's regulative capacity renders the unconditioned totality of objects systematic. There are three ideas of reason: self, world and God. God is the Ideal of Reason, whose concept aims . . . at complete determination in accordance with a priori rules. Accordingly it thinks for itself an object which it regards as being completely determinable in accordance with principles (Kant, KRV, A571/B599), that is, in accordance with universal a priori cognition. This ideal of the ens realissimum, of the universal concept of a reality in general, is then thought of as contai ning the being of all beings. But as an idea of reason, the ens realissimum is never met with in appearances. The Ideal of Reason does not satisfy the transcendental conditions and so cannot be considered objectively real. As such, Kant holds that the existence of God cannot be proved by speculative reason. Kant argues that there are three, and only three, possible ways in which speculative reason can argue for the existence of God, characterized as the Ideal of Reason. But all fail to prove God's existence (Kant, KRV, A571/B599). Reason, according to Kant's analysis, can attempt to prove God's existence by either an empirical or a transcendental path, both of which involve going beyond the scope of reason to the transcendental concept (Kant, KRV, A590/B618). In the Critique, however, Kant has refined his notion of possibility. He distinguishes between the form of possibility and the matter of possibility. Kant distinguishes this from the 'Ideal of Reason', which supplies the notion of an 'archetype' or individual ground for systematization (Kant, KRV, A699IB727). This too must be seen as only regulative, as it has no content, that is, 'God' does not correspond to the concept of God. It is the regulative ideal of nature that makes possible the unity of nature itself. The Ideal of nature, as regulative, has a purely methodological status. The Critique of Pure Reason, then, moves God out of the realm of ontology and into that of epistemology. The concept of God is involved in cognition, but is merely an analogical image. From the standpoint of speculative reason, God has no objective reality. Yet Kant posits two types of reality, the cognitive and the moral. These two points of view are tied together by reason. The concept of sensation is not simply a negative boundary to stop us

Citi group Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Citi group - Research Paper Example The project also makes a cost and benefit analysis to identify the most suitable application of strategies. Lastly it recommends suitable ways of application of the strategies to produce desired results. This project tries to identify the present problems confronting one of the leading financial service providers in the world, the Citigroup. The company originated in New York and is based all over the world. The period of financial crisis followed by the economic downturn had serious consequences for the company and its stakeholders. It led to the creation of a number of problems for the organization. The project tries to identify those problems. Identification of problems has been supported by provision of data using secondary research. Each problem has been presented explicitly along with data and examples. The project tries to understand the root of these problems and designs suitable strategies to solve them. It also makes a cost and benefit analysis to priorities the list of solutions. Lastly it tries to present the ways in which the company’s mission can be achieved using the strategies. Citi is the leading company in the field of financial services in the global market. The company is based in New York. The company originated from the merging of two banking giants, namely Citicorp and Travelers Group. It is known for having the most efficient and largest financial services network across the globe. Its business is spread across 140 countries and its customer base goes up to 200 million. The company provides a wide range of products and services to customers, institutions, corporations and the government. Its services include â€Å"banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services and wealth management† (Citi-a, â€Å"Our Brands†). The company considers providing advisory solutions to clients is of paramount importance. It never fails to reinforce this commitment in every

Why has the Mafia been able to survive for so long, despite enormous Essay

Why has the Mafia been able to survive for so long, despite enormous pressure from law enforcement - Essay Example Evidently, there are several notable reasons as to why the mafia has continuously survived for so long despite pressure from law enforcers. Foremost, the mafia is uniquely structured in its organization by having friends in centers of influence of power. Incidentally, the Sicilian mafia has been known to bankroll the elections of political personalities with close ties to it. Evidently, in 2008, a man who was previously colluding with the mafia was re-elected into parliament. This just shows the political backing that the mafia enjoys as support. Moreover, the types of illegal business operations conducted by the mafia have led to the control of enormous resources. Evidently, the mafia engages in drug trafficking, gambling, extortions, prostitution and street taxes. As a result, the high resource base at the mafia’s control aids them in corrupting government officials and law enforcers that can further aid and abet their illegal activities. The mafia equally has a hierarchical structure of authority among the member that guarantees continuity. Consequently, the crime boss or Capo Famiglia is succeeded by the capo bastone or underboss in the event of anything such as death or incarceration to the crime boss. As a result, breaking the chain of authority and operation of the mafia has proven to be quite a problem to law

Citi group Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Citi group - Research Paper Example The project also makes a cost and benefit analysis to identify the most suitable application of strategies. Lastly it recommends suitable ways of application of the strategies to produce desired results. This project tries to identify the present problems confronting one of the leading financial service providers in the world, the Citigroup. The company originated in New York and is based all over the world. The period of financial crisis followed by the economic downturn had serious consequences for the company and its stakeholders. It led to the creation of a number of problems for the organization. The project tries to identify those problems. Identification of problems has been supported by provision of data using secondary research. Each problem has been presented explicitly along with data and examples. The project tries to understand the root of these problems and designs suitable strategies to solve them. It also makes a cost and benefit analysis to priorities the list of solutions. Lastly it tries to present the ways in which the company’s mission can be achieved using the strategies. Citi is the leading company in the field of financial services in the global market. The company is based in New York. The company originated from the merging of two banking giants, namely Citicorp and Travelers Group. It is known for having the most efficient and largest financial services network across the globe. Its business is spread across 140 countries and its customer base goes up to 200 million. The company provides a wide range of products and services to customers, institutions, corporations and the government. Its services include â€Å"banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services and wealth management† (Citi-a, â€Å"Our Brands†). The company considers providing advisory solutions to clients is of paramount importance. It never fails to reinforce this commitment in every

Aristotles Account on Happiness Essay Example for Free

Aristotles Account on Happiness Essay In Book X of Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, he writes about pleasure and happiness. Aristotle makes the point that happiness and pleasure should not be confused with each other. He argues that pleasure is not good, but a good. Pleasure is not a process, and not all pleasures are desirable, so pleasure is not the supreme Good. However, happiness is not a process. It is an activity that serves as an end itself. Aristotle writes that happiness is our highest goal in life. He touches on the idea of contemplation being our highest rational faculties and like happiness, it is an end in itself. This quality is observed in happiness and contemplation, but not in practical activities. A supreme God could spend an entire lifetime only occupied with contemplation, so humans should strive to achieve this activity through happiness. Aristotle writes that all the moral virtues have to do with aspects of human life. These aspects are necessary in life, but only secondary to the godlike act of contemplation. Humans need to act morally, but it is not a quality needed for contemplation. To contemplate means to admire something, or think about something. I believe that to be truly moral, you often have to contemplate your morals and know what you stand for and believe in. I believe that in order to be moral, you must be capable of deep contemplation and reflection. This differs from Aristotles belief that the two are not connected.

Motivations of an arsonist

Motivations of an arsonist Arsonist Arsonist is a person who sets anything on fire intentionally. This intentional act is called the arson. Generally a home or another type of structure has been targeted by the Arsonist. Arson is committed for a number of reasons, and the crime is strictly punished throughout the world because arsonist sets property and lives at risk. In certain parts of the globe, if somebody expires in an arson fire, it is deemed to be a murder, instead of neglectful homicide or manslaughter because arsonist is considered such a reprehensible criminal. In all cases, an arsonist holds a prison term. (Holmes Holmes, 2008, pp. 3) In the majority of states, arson has been extended to comprise burning arrangements in addition to dwellings, burning the own assets for unlawful purposes, and destruction caused by an explosion or a fire. Currently if someone arson his/her house to avail the insurance benefits because the amount of insurance is higher than the actual real value of property that would be linked to arsonist (Stewart, 2006, 15-16). Other motives for arsonist would be to bomb or burn a religious place in a hate crime, or burn the property in vengeance for a denial to sell it. If an arsonist burns down his building as a figure of cheap destruction and unintentionally sets half the neighborhood on fire that may or maybe not an arsonist, depending on the legislation of the state. Fire by an arsonist includes the induction of a heat source that can be as unadorned as a match or as compound like dangerous chemicals with very low explosion temperatures. By the rule of legislation a fire is thought to be an arson fire when all other unintended causes have not been met. We can say that reason of a fire was arson and consequently intentional, the detective must have adequate proof the one of the issues in the arson triangle was interfered with. Motives for Arson The motives of that motivate arsonist vary from situation to situation and much research has been established to determine the motives of arsonists, which has allowed the Neighborhood Fire Team, to compile a list of ten broad groups of motives, drawn from current study and from the experience of group members. Such motives contain: Vandalism: This group covers intentional and willful fire setting that is just for the sake of it (Stewart, 2006, 18). It also contains fire setting due to dare and colleague group pressure. Vandalism motivated arson is usually spontaneous and impulsive and engages manifold executors. Schools are often the target of vandalism motivated arson, as are abandoned or empty properties and, in the experience of this project, abandoned vehicles. Unfriendly behavior fires are also often motivated by vandalism. Curiosity/ Fire Play: This group is usually utilized when the fire has been set by young kids who do not realize the hazards of fire and were playing with, for instance, discarded cigarette lighter or matches. The people concerned are generally taken onto the fire setters intersession program. Excitement: This group contains those who set fires for thrills, attention seeking, identification and sexual perversion. It can be seen already that none of these groups are clear-cut and one may lead to another: for instance vandalism may lead to the arsonist setting fires for the thrill of it; and childhood fire play may lead to setting fires intentionally for the amount of concentration it generates from adults. Revenge: This group contains fires set for individual retaliation (against a spouse, partner or other family member); retaliation against regime or other institutions: and fires which are set as retribution against rival gangs or groups or in order to intimidate. In fact, much arson has a component of retaliation (aware or unaware) as part of the motive. Arsons of this category are often much greater planned and carried out than other types, and may be one-off events. Crime-concealment: This is used to explain arson fires which are set in order to hide another offense or vital proof. For instance, a room that a murder had taken place might be fired by the executors in order to destroy the body and destroy the crime scene. Stolen vehicles are often set alight after being abandoned in order to try and destroy any forensic proof. (Schulz, 2007, pp. 55) Profit: This type contains insurance fraud and arson executed against a competitor to try to put them out of business. Extremist: This type contains arson perpetrated by terrorists or other extremists (animal rights activists) and also arson which happens during or as part of disturbances or other civil riot. Racial: This type is fairly self-explanatory and covers all fires which are set for reasons of ethnic tension or intolerance. Psychological illness: Neighborhood Fire Team employees have attended many incidents, both within housing units and in the wider society, where fire setting has been due to psychological illness. Serial Arson: This is where one person working alone sets a series of fires, often over a long period of time. Serial arsonists may have one or more of the other causes also involving to their fire setting behavior. (Pawson, 2006, pp. 91) Although the causes for arson are sometimes difficult, the law is generally crystal clear: anybody who intentionally sets fire to something will be punished for it. In some areas, a fire that is caused by great negligence or disregard will also be classified as arson. The punishment for committing arson depends on the degree of the offense: how much property was damaged the total cost of the damages, and whether or not people were trapped in the fire. The intent also performs a role: whether the fire was set to defraud an insurance agency, cover up an offense, was part of a retaliation offense, or was intended to amuse or entertain the arsonist, for instance. Most parts of the world have arson researchers, who examine the sites of suspicious fires to decide the cause of the fire and whether or not it was arson. This job can sometimes be quite complex, particularly when proof is obscured by the efforts of those attempting to put out or clean up the fire. Arson examiners use a range of methods to inspect the sites of fires containing chemical analysis of proof, the use of sniffer dogs, and simple powers of surveillance. References Holmes, Ronald M. Holmes, Stephen T. (2008). Profiling Violent Crimes: An Investigative Tool. New York: Sage Publications, pp. 1-5. Stewart, Gail. (2006). Crime Scene Investigations Arson. New York: Lucent Books, pp. 15-25. Pawson, Stuart. (2006). Some by Fire. Washington: Allison Busby, 92. Schulz, Karen K. (2007). Crime Scene Detective: Arson. New York: Prufrock Press, Inc, pp. 54-60.

Hamlet: Shakespeare Tragic Hero :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

Hamlet: Shakespeare Tragic Hero   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, the main character is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero.   Hamlet is considered to be a tragic hero because he has a tragic flaw that in the end, is the cause of his downfall.   The play is an example of a Shakespearean tragic play because it has all of the characteristics of the tragic play.   As defined by Aristotle, a tragic play has a beginning, middle, and end; unity of time and place; a tragic hero; and the concept of catharsis.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the main reasons this play is considered a tragic play is because the main character is a tragic hero.   Hamlet's tragic flaw is he spends too much time thinking and not enough time acting.   This is the opposite of Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, in which the tragic hero spends too much time acting, and not enough time thinking.   Hamlet dwells too much on whether or not to act on something, and by the time he decides to act, it is too late.   When Hamlet finally decides to kill Claudius, he sees him praying and decides to wait longer.   The next time he gets a chance to kill Claudius he takes it, but by then it was too late.   Hamlet was killed as well.   He could have prevented his downfall if it wasn't for his tragic flaw.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another reason Hamlet is a classic example of Shakespearean tragedy is because it incorporates the idea of catharsis.   Aristotle defined catharsis as the purging of the emotions of fear and pity.   In the play, Claudius has the emotion of fear because he is afraid of Hamlet knowing that he killed his father.   Claudius knows that Hamlet is capable of killing him.   He knows that he cannot kill Hamlet to protect himself or to prevent the people from knowing who killed the king because the people love Hamlet too much.   Claudius feels pity after he sees the "Mouse Trap" because he realizes what he had done was wrong now that Hamlet knows the truth behind the matter.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hamlet is a tragic play because it has a beginning, middle, and end, and takes place in a short period of time.   The play has a specific beginning, which consists of Hamlet seeing his father and considering what to do about it.   The middle is one of the actions that he took, the "Mouse Trap."   This set the course for the end, which was when the whole ending fencing scene takes place, when Hamlet and most of the other main Hamlet: Shakespeare Tragic Hero :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays Hamlet: Shakespeare Tragic Hero   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, the main character is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero.   Hamlet is considered to be a tragic hero because he has a tragic flaw that in the end, is the cause of his downfall.   The play is an example of a Shakespearean tragic play because it has all of the characteristics of the tragic play.   As defined by Aristotle, a tragic play has a beginning, middle, and end; unity of time and place; a tragic hero; and the concept of catharsis.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the main reasons this play is considered a tragic play is because the main character is a tragic hero.   Hamlet's tragic flaw is he spends too much time thinking and not enough time acting.   This is the opposite of Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, in which the tragic hero spends too much time acting, and not enough time thinking.   Hamlet dwells too much on whether or not to act on something, and by the time he decides to act, it is too late.   When Hamlet finally decides to kill Claudius, he sees him praying and decides to wait longer.   The next time he gets a chance to kill Claudius he takes it, but by then it was too late.   Hamlet was killed as well.   He could have prevented his downfall if it wasn't for his tragic flaw.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another reason Hamlet is a classic example of Shakespearean tragedy is because it incorporates the idea of catharsis.   Aristotle defined catharsis as the purging of the emotions of fear and pity.   In the play, Claudius has the emotion of fear because he is afraid of Hamlet knowing that he killed his father.   Claudius knows that Hamlet is capable of killing him.   He knows that he cannot kill Hamlet to protect himself or to prevent the people from knowing who killed the king because the people love Hamlet too much.   Claudius feels pity after he sees the "Mouse Trap" because he realizes what he had done was wrong now that Hamlet knows the truth behind the matter.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hamlet is a tragic play because it has a beginning, middle, and end, and takes place in a short period of time.   The play has a specific beginning, which consists of Hamlet seeing his father and considering what to do about it.   The middle is one of the actions that he took, the "Mouse Trap."   This set the course for the end, which was when the whole ending fencing scene takes place, when Hamlet and most of the other main

Corruption of the American Dream in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Essa

The idea of the American Dream is it began as an idea people could thrive from, but became detrimental through corruption. Society’s necessity for material goods and money for personal happiness distorts the American dream. One’s morals will be compromised once one decides to live a life for the sole purpose of following a corrupted ideal. In Hunter S. Thompson’s literary work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his viewpoint of the American Dream is expressed. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, written by Hunter S. Thompson, expresses the decline of society’s morals due to materialistic needs. Thompson proves through symbolism and characterization that society‘s corrupted perception of the American Dream provokes an individual’s morals to decline. Las Vegas symbolizes the American Dream and shows the corruption of society. When Duke and his Attorney, Dr. Gonzo, are at the Merry-Go-Round Bar, Dr. Gonzo expresses that the counter-culture of Las Vegas is getting to him. Duke struggles to accept what his Attorney says because he desires the Las Vegas lifestyle. Duke explains to Dr. Gonzo that they cannot leave Las Vegas, â€Å"†¦we’re right in the vortex [and] you want to quit†¦.you must realize...that we’ve found the main nerve’† (Thompson 47-48), but Dr. Gonzo has already realized â€Å"†¦that’s what gives [him] the Fear† (Thompson 48). Duke and his Attorney thought that once they were in Las Vegas, the American Dream would be remarkable; but they realize that the American Dream is not magnificent, there are downsides to it. Witnessing how society acts in the â€Å"main nerve† of the American Dream, Dr. Gonzo is stricken with fear because he knows the American Drea m is not benefitting him. When Duke looks back at his memories of his journey in... ...ollow a path of destruction hindering one’s life. Works Cited Riedel, Luther. "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream." Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 2 Mar. 2014 . Ross, Michael E. "IN SHORT: NONFICTION." New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast) ed.Aug 14 1988. ProQuest. Web. 2 Mar. 2014 . Self, Will. "Hell, High Water and Heroin: On the Trail of a British Gonzo Journalist to Compare with Hunter S Thompson." New Statesman 10.445 (21 Mar. 1997): 46-47. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism Select. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 2 Mar. 2014. Thompson, Hunter S. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream. New York: Vintage, 1998. Print.

The End or The Journey

The road awards my future goal would be able to modify my personality. The Journey would allow myself to understand my personality even further. Also, the passage towards my future would grant myself the privilege of discovering who I am. I do not understand myself, but a part of the journey is discovering what your intentions, dreams, actions, paths are. The goal would still be at the end. However, the journey is a never-ending adventure. The initial goal would waiver with each action, decision, made. The future is full of different paths, experiencing the different paths would transform a person into a new being.A person is similar to a caterpillar, a transforming creature. The caterpillar changes from a helpless creature into a powerful butterfly and humans grow with each experience they encounter. For example, each day that goes by, science is evolving by the scientists who encounter new Ideas, experiments, and results. Each day passes with change from within. As a future is full of different paths, dreams are full of different results and mindsets. In the life Vive experienced so far, Vive been through many dreams and career paths, the journey towards my future is a never-ending experience.My first dream started as an artist during my elementary school days; that ended when I realized there were other people who were more talented in the arts. However, I continued to sketch as a hobby. My second career path was through history as an anthropologist; that career went down the drain because of money issues. My third dream was a preschool teacher. That dream began with my love for children and is still a possible career selection for my future. My fourth career choice Is a pedantically. Although the choice of continuing school for a long time will probably backfire on me, the desire to alp children has kept that dream alive.My fifth dream Is to be an accountant, my current dream. All the different dreams I've had over the years has set myself towards different results, but my ever-changing demeanor has confused my end result. The future Is unclear and the path Is cloudy, the end Is a mystery and the Journey Is a challenge. People will grow as they move forward. However, there Is no guarantee of growth at the end of the road. The obstacles before a challenger calls for mistakes and growth, not perfection. The end is perfection, but the trek towards he end is full of mistakes, errors, and progress.That is why I believe that the journey is greater than the goal. The End or The Journey By Cindy â€Å"The Journey is far greater than the inn. † I am a sixteen year old girl. As a child, there is a long Journey towards adulthood. There is the pleasure of the Journey taken and the Joy of the end. Some people may more impact on the person. During Journeys, there are obstacles that the Journeyer has to overcome. The road understand myself, but a part of the Journey is discovering what your intentions, dreams, actions, paths are. The goal wou ld still be at the end.However, the Journey is new ideas, experiments, and results. Each day passes with change from within. As a selection for my future. My fourth career choice is a petrifaction. Although the help children has kept that dream alive. My fifth dream is to be an accountant, my current dream. All the different dreams Vive had over the years has set myself result. The future is unclear and the path is cloudy, the end is a mystery and the journey is a challenge. People will grow as they move forward. However, there is no the end is full of mistakes, errors, and progress. That is why I believe that the Journey

DSC2006 Unofficial Mid-Term Mock Test Essay

DSC2006 Unofficial Mid-Term Mock Test 2010/11 Semester 2 Select the best answer 1. Business organizations consist of three major functions which, ideally: a) support one another b) are mutually exclusive c) exist independently of each other d) function independently of each other e) do not interface with each other 2. Revenue management is concerned with: a) a process designed to determine the best use of funds generated through sales. b) the use of marketing tools to increase revenue. c) the use of accounting tools to monitor cash flow. d) the use of pricing to increase the profit generated from a limited supply of supply chain assets. e) the appropriate use of operational tools to improve operational efficiency with a view to increasing revenue. 3. In order to make differential pricing effective, which of the following issues are to be dealt with? a) The firm must differentiate between the market segments and structure its pricing to make one segment pay more than the other. b) The firm must control demand such that the lower paying segment does not utilize the entire availability of the asset. c) The firm must secure enough capacity to meet demand from each segment. d) The firm should structure pricing according to different market segments and also control demand in such a way that the lower segment does not utilize the entire availability of the asset. e) The firm must secure enough capacity to meet demand of each segment and also control demand in such a way that the lower segment does not utilize the entire availability of the asset. 4. In order to differentiate between different market segments, the firm must: a) negotiate separately with different market segments that value product or service attributes differently. b) create barriers by identifying product or service attributes that the segments value differently. c) develop pricing structures based on the volume of various product or service attributes. d) eliminate barriers that identify product or service attributes that the segments value differently. e) create barriers by identifying product or service attributes that the segments value differently and also negotiate separately with different market segments. 5. Under which of the following condition(s) is the concept of revenue management is applicable? a) Capacity is perishable. b) The same unit of capacity can be used to deliver product or service to different submarkets having their own demand curves with different price elasticity. c) Using appropriate booking rules, a firm can create a fence among the relevant submarkets. d) Capacity is perishable, the same capacity can be used to different submarkets having their own demand curves with different price elasticity and also the firm can create a fence among the relevant submarkets. e) Capacity is perishable and the same capacity can be used to different submarkets having their own demand curves with different price elasticity 6. Throughput time cannot be reduced in a process by: a) Reducing the utilization of bottleneck equipment b) Performing activities using a serial approach c) Changing the sequence of activities d) Reducing interruptions e) All of the above are ways by which throughput time can be reduced 7. According to Little’s Law, which of the following ratios is used to find throughput time? a) Cycle time/Process time b) Throughput time/Process velocity c) Process velocity/Throughput time d) Work-in-Process/Throughput rate e) Value added time/Process velocity 8. A firm can participate in the quantity discount illustrated below when purchasing a product. It costs $20 to place an order each time. The holding cost rate is 20%. The annual demand for the product is 10,000 units. Lead time for the product is 1 month. Quantity 520 Cost $12 $10 $9 What is the minimum total cost that this firm can purchase and inventory this item while facing a quantity discount? a) 90,468 b) 90,853 c) 90,894 d) 100,000 e) 100,894 9. Which of the following determines the capacity of a production line? a) the takt time b) the throughput time c) the theoretical minimum number of work stations d) the efficiency 10. Which of the following types of manufacturing layout is considered a hybrid? a) Process layout b) Product layout c) Fixed-position layout d) Cellular layout 11. Compute the required cycle time for a process that operates 8 hours daily with a required output of 300 units per day. a) 0.625 minutes b) 1.6 minutes c) 37.5 minutes d) 0.027 minutes 12. Which of the following is NOT a mark of a good layout in manufacturing? a) Straight line flow patter (or adaption) b) Predictable production line c) Bottleneck operations d) Work stations close together e) Open plant floors (high visibility) 13. Revenue management is not especially useful where: a) Capacity is relatively fixed b) The market can be fairly clearly segmented c) The service cannot be sold in advance d) The service/product can be stored 14. Which is the correct order for process types starting with low volume/high variety and moving to high volume/low variety? a) Batch processes, project processes, job shop processes, mass processes, continuous processes b) Project processes, batch processes, mass processes, job shop processes, continuous processes c) Project processes, job shop processes, batch processes, mass processes, continuous processes d) Job shop processes, batch processes, mass processes, continuous processes, project processes 15. Which is the correct sequence in order of increasing process flexibility? a) Job shop / batch / project / continuous / product b) Project / job shop/ batch / continuous / product c) Job shop/ batch / project / product / continuous d) Project / job shop/ batch / product / continuous e) Continuous / product / batch / job shop/ project 16. Which of these statements is correct? The Economic Order Quantity (EOQ): a) Is a formula that calculates a realistic purchase price for an item b) Will depend on how many related parts are required in the same period c) Is used to calculate how much safety stock should be carried d) Determines the lowest order quantity by balancing the cost of ordering against the cost of holding stock e) Should be calculated once a year 17. Under the ABC system of inventory priorities a Class A item is: a) The 80% of high-value items that account for around 20% the total stock turnover value b) The 20% of high-value items that account for around 20% the total stock turnover value c) The 20% of high-value items that account for around 80% the total stock turnover value d) The 80% of high-value items that account for around 80% the total stock turnover value 18. The layout where the equipment, machinery, plant and people move as necessary is known as: a) Product layout b) Fixed-position layout c) Cell layout d) Process layout 19. A supermarket is usually positioned as: a) Cell layout b) Process layout c) Fixed-position layout d) Product layout 20. A self-service cafeteria is usually positioned as: a) Cell layout b) Product layout c) Fixed-position layout d) Process layout 21. Which of the following is usually considered a characteristic of a product or line layout? a) This layout can easily handle high volume but low variety b) This layout tends to be very flexible c) Transforming resources are costly to maintain d) This layout can easily handle high variety but low volume e) Transforming resources move to the work 22. A product layout: a) Groups transforming resources into dedicated cells b) Involves locating the transforming resources entirely for the convenience of the transformed resources c) Is appropriate for low volume operations d) Allows a wide variety of products to be manufactured on the same equipment e) Moves resources to the place where the operation is to be carried out 23. Cell layouts typically: a) Locate transforming resources entirely for the convenience of the transformed resources b) Cost more to run than other types of process layout c) Involve all the operations on a product being located adjacent to each other d) Are dominated by the transforming resources e) Are the most efficient form of process layout 24. Which of the following is the least likely decision to be made by Operations Managers? a) Designing and improving the jobs of the workforce b) Selecting the location and layout of a facility c) How much capacity is required to balance demand d) How to use quality techniques to reduce waste e) Deciding which market areas to manufacture products for 25. Which of the following would not normally be considered a general characteristic of a service? a) Many services involve both tangible and intangible outputs b) Production and consumption are simultaneous c) Production and consumption can always be spatially separated d) Low contact services can often be made more efficient than high contact services e) Production and sales cannot easily be separated functionally 26. Which of the following is not usually considered a characteristic of a fixed position layout? a) Fixed position layouts are often used for large or delicate products or services b) Transforming resources are grouped in cells c) The recipient of the process or the work being undertaken remain in the same place d) Fixed position layouts are able to offer high flexibility e) Transforming resources often move to the work 27. Operations management is: a) decision making involving the design, planning, and control of the processes that produce goods and services. b) decision making involving accounting, engineering, marketing, and strategy formulation that affect operations. c) decision making involving operations productivity and the reliability, durability, and manufacturability of products. d) decision making involving analyzing the competitive environment, appraising the organizations skills and resources, and examining the limitations of economics and technology on operations. 28. Inputs to the transformation process of operations include: a) Labour, capital, management, and material. b) Product design, materials planning, production planning, and product distribution. c) Strategic planning, marketing, engineering, and purchasing d) Steel, plastics, fibres, food crops, or other raw materials. 29. Some characteristics of services that differentiate them from goods (manufactured products) are: a) intangible, immediate consumption, high customer contact b) inventory, immediate consumption, options available c) delayed consumption, intangible, customer contact d) immediate consumption, options available, inventory 30. The concept of value-added means a) the customer must add value to a product by paying for it b) machines add value to the production process because of their low cost c) only service operations add value for the customer d) outputs of a process are worth more to customers than the sum of inputs 31. Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) differs from a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) in that: a) CIM usually includes one or more FMSs as components. b) An FMS does not use computers at all. c) CIM is only one component of an FMS. d) CIM is concerned only with data while FMS involves production processes. 32. A company is planning to produce a product that will compete in a high-volume market that is very price-competitive. What type of process would be most appropriate? a) project b) job shop c) batch d) continuous 33. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a product layout? a) standard product. b) high volume production. c) same sequence of operations for each unit. d) each order may require a unique sequence of operations. 34. The desired production rate for an assembly line is 120 units-per hour. What would be the cycle time? a) 30 seconds per unit b) 40 seconds per unit c) 0083 minutes per unit d) 2 minutes per unit 35. Which of the following is an advantage of a cellular layout? a) higher volume than an assembly line. b) greater f1exibility than a job shop. c) reduced material handling. d) use of more employees. 36. A company has a set of tasks that must be completed to assemble a product. The total time for these tasks is 96 minutes. The cycle time is 3 minutes and the company has found that 40 work stations are required to balance the line. What is the efficiency (or utilization) for this assembly line? a) 95% b) 90% c) 85% d) 80% 37. Which of the following IS NOT a use of inventory? a) Buffer against uncertainly b) Allow for large variations in production c) Decouple different processes d) Allow for smooth production 38. A retailer stocks a certain product that is sold at the rate of 10,000 units per year. Each replenishment order from the outside supplier costs $50. The price is $40 per unit and inventory carrying cost per year is 10% of unit price, how many units should be ordered each time to minimize total annual cost? a) 100 b) 250 c) 500 d) 1,000 39. Referring to the preceding problem, suppose the supplier requires that orders be placed for 2,000 units at a time. What would be the total annual variable cost of ordering and carrying inventory? a) $ 2,000 b) $ 2,500 c) $ 4,250 d) $ 8,000 40. A certain item is subject to quantity discounts as shown below: Quantity Price 1 – 49 50 – 999 1000 or more Purchased Per Unit $ 2.50 $ 2.00 $ 1.80 If 1,000 units are used per year and it costs $450 to place an order due to high shipping costs, how many should be ordered at a time to minimize variable costs if carrying cost per unit per year is 50% of unit value? a) 1000 b) 500 c) 100 d) 50 41. A company has 100 inventory items with total annual dollar usage of $3,000,000. Which of the following is most likely a C Inventory Item based on ABC analysis? a) b) c) d) Part # 1078 2365 1287 7864 Annual $ Usage $500,000 $250,000 $52,000 $1,000 42. A company manufactures repair parts. These parts are used at the rate of 5,000 units per year. It costs $100 every time more are produced. The cost of holding these parts in inventory is 20% of unit price, which is $25 per unit. The parts can be produced at the rate of 6,250 per year. How many units should be produced at a time to minimize total annual cost? a) 500 b) 1000 c) 1500 d) 2000