Government Responsibility for Broadcasting and Creative Industries in the UK Essay

BBC * Breakfast Television, a new venture for the BBC presented by Frank Bough and Selina Scott, began in 1983 and this was followed three years later by daytime television. * Government responsibility for broadcasting and creative industries in the UK lies with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Office for Communications Act 2003 merged a number of regulatory bodies into a new regulatory structure headed by the Office of Communications or Ofcom. Ofcom took over responsibilities from the former Independent Television Commission, Radio Authority, Oftel, Radio Communications Agency and Broadcasting Standards Commission. * The BBC is run in the interests of its viewers and listeners. Twelve Governors act as trustees of the public interest and regulate the BBC. They are appointed by the Queen on advice from ministers. Day-to-day BBC operations are run by 16 divisions. The main BBC Executive Board is made up of 9 directors and is chaired by the Director-General. A Creative Board, Journalism Board and Commercial Board report to the Executive Board. The Executive Board answers to the Board of Governors. BBC Governors differ from directors of public companies, whose primary responsibilities are to shareholders and not consumers. BBC Governors represent the public interest, notably the interests of viewers and listeners. The Governors safeguard the BBC’s independence, set its objectives and monitor its performance. They are accountable to BBC licence payers and Parliament, and publish an Annual Report assessing its performance against objectives CNN * CNN.com is among the world’s leaders in online news and information delivery. Staffed 24 hours, seven days a week by a dedicated staff in CNN’s world headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and in bureaus worldwide, CNN.com relies heavily on CNN’s global team of almost 4,000 news professionals. CNN.com features the latest multimedia technologies, from live video streaming to audio packages to searchable archives of news features and background information.

Geographical Information System In Meteorology Environmental Sciences Essay

Despite a batch of attempts by scientists in specifying what geographical information system ( GIS ) is, definitions still vary and sometimes can add to confusion. Many definitions can be referred to in this essay but we will restrict ourselves to two definitions. The first 1 is by Longly et Al, A ( 2004 ) who define GIS by mentioning to it as the survey â€Å" of the cardinal issues originating from the creative activity, managing, storage and usage of geographic information † ( p.3 ) . The 2nd definition is by Heywood ( 2006 ) who defines GIS as a â€Å" system for capturing, hive awaying, look intoing, incorporating, pull stringsing, analysing and exposing informations which are spatially referenced to the Earth † ( p.9 ) . In his of import book, Mirror Worlds, Gelernter ( 1992 ) argues that â€Å" we are populating in a universe where the existent and the digital universes are meeting † and that â€Å" you will look into a computing machine screen and see world. Some portion of your world- the town you live in, the company you work for, your school system, the metropolis hospital- will hang at that place in a crisp coloring material image, abstract but recognizable, traveling subtly in a 1000 topographic points † ( p.1 ) . The rise of smart systems is seting more information at our fingertips. Our nomadic phones, loaded with a assortment of applications, can draw all of this information together to state us where precisely we are and how far we are from a nice cup of java. We can book a vacation and acquire day-to-day updates of the conditions conditions at our finish. Of class, there are wider and arguably more of import utilizations of smart systems beyond these strictly superficial app lications. The usage of geographical information systems ( GIS ) has been at the really head of Gelernter ‘s ( 1992 ) vision of the ‘mirror universe ‘ . As a affair of fact the usage of such systems stems from the inflow of computing machines into America during the sixtiess. Harmonizing to Chapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) these early systems were used to, â€Å" supply a simplified position of the existent universe by exposing digital particular information as dynamic electronic maps † ( p. 314 ) . They go on to reason that GIS has now, â€Å" evolved into a powerful direction tool used for capturing, patterning, analyzing and exposing spacial informations † ( p. 314 ) . Here we see a clear illustration of the digital and the existent universes clashing with potentially illimitable third applications for the information gathered. This essay we will see the usage of GIS specifically in the field of weather forecasting. In this regard the first subdivision will supply a brief debut to some of the issues here and besides show a conceptual model that will function to steer the subsequent research. The 2nd subdivision will see the existent application of GIS in weather forecasting, pulling on specific illustrations of its usage. How is the information collected and how is it used? What are some of the possible chances and challenges that it presents? These are merely some of the inquiries that this subdivision will trust to reply. The concluding subdivision will be a decision that will try to pull the statements together.Section 1: Gilbert and MeteorologyPlanet Earth is experiencingA of all time altering climatic events which are doing, about every twenty-four hours, the headlines of the intelligence requiring, therefore, more surveies and research. Although the survey of conditions and clime is indispensable beca use exposing climatic informations and information is of a affair of involvement for the populace for different grounds, it is even more of import for meteorologists as it constitute a really important beginning of information for their field. Tveito et Al ( 2008 ) argue that the public demand for information on assorted climatological, meteoric, hydrological and environmental issues requires, â€Å" multifacet, cross-discipline informations or cognition so that quantitative methodological analysiss and tools are necessary to pull out, analyse, form and measure the needed information † ( p. 6 ) . They go on to reason that in this context, GIS has emerged as a powerful tool due to the fact that it makes it possible to, â€Å" combine all necessary processs for visual image, integrating, flexible combination and storage of information for different informations sets † ( p. 6 ) . Thorne ( 2005 ) observes that over the past decennary, the usage of GIS has experienced an rush in involvement due to the falling monetary values of consumer GIS merchandises, faster calculating treating power and the rise of the cyberspace. This has resulted in, â€Å" a set of fast real-time bespoke solutions and visual images for ma ny national meteoric services and terminal users † ( p. I ) . However, Van der Wel ( 2008 ) argues, the usage of GIS in weather forecasting is being held back for a figure of grounds. He observes that, â€Å" the credence of commercial GIS tools beyond climatology is still a cumbrous procedure, partially caused by the defects underlying the information theoretical account and partially by the deficiency of cognition of applicable GIS methods † ( p. 11 ) . Another possible account is put frontward by Petrosyan ( 2001 ) , who posits that meteorologists are, â€Å" more concerned with the inquiry why phenomena happen and less with the part where they go on † ( p. 26 ) . This begs the inquiry of merely how GIS is being utilised in this field. Chapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) argue that the usage of GIS in weather forecasting allows for spacial variables to be compared with other variables, ensuing in datasets that can potentially profit a whole host of different maps. They observe that, â€Å" climatological and meteoric phenomena are of course spatially variable and therefore GIS represent a utile solution to the direction of huge spacial clime datasets for a broad figure of applications † ( p. 314 ) . Thornes ( 2005 ) subsequently expands on this, by saying that, â€Å" GIS methods allow the elaborate analysis of spacial forms of assorted atmospheric parametric quantities, supplying an in deepness expression into the regularities and variableness of conditions and clime over clip and infinite † ( p. I ) . Chapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) argue that GIS serves a double intent in weather forecasting. These are the derivation of informations and the subsequent customization of informations in third applications. Figu re 1 shows their conceptual theoretical account of this double function.Figure 1: Conceptual Model of the Dual Role of GIS in Meteorology( beginning: Chapman and Thornes, 2003: 314 ) The balance of this essay will utilize this conceptual theoretical account as a model for the argument into the utilizations of GIS in weather forecasting. This essay will concentrate chiefly on the customization portion of the theoretical account, as it is here that we see the existent application of the informations to existent life state of affairss.Section 2: Uses of GIS in MeteorologyChapman and Thornes ‘ ( 2003 ) theoretical account shows that the first function of GIS in weather forecasting is derivation. This chiefly concerns itself with how the information is collected. Although this essay trades chiefly on the 2nd conceptual function of GIS, it is deserving sing the first briefly.2.1: Derivation of Spatial Climate DataChapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) observe that there are three chief signifiers of the derivation of spacial clime informations. These are: distant detection ; baseline climatologies ; and climate insertion. Therefore, it would be deserving sing these three s ubjects individually.2.1.1: Distant FeelingChapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) province that GIS and remote feeling are really similar subjects. In world, they are so similar that it is difficult to separate or find where one ends and where the other Begins. However, the chief differentiation is that distant detection, â€Å" enables the acquisition of large-scale comprehensive datasets where as GIS provides a agency to expose and analyze the information † ( p.315 ) .2.1.2: Baseline ClimatologiesChapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) observe that clime informations is frequently displayed in a GIS in a assortment of different ways. They argue that because clime informations is normally a point beginning, one of the chief challenges in weather forecasting is how to project this information across a wider spacial sphere. They province that the extrapolation of clime informations, â€Å" has enabled good estimations of an country ‘s baseline climatology without the demand for extended aud ience of conditions records † ( p. 316 ) .2.1.3: Climate InterpolationChapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) argue that, â€Å" when covering with more spatially comprehensive clime datasets, the issue is non the illation of'first estimate ‘ baseline climatology, but alternatively the insertion of point station informations across the landscape by geostatistical techniques † ( p. 317 ) . The above has outlined the methods by which spacial clime datasets are gathered. These datasets can so be compared in a GIS, along with informations gathered from other beginnings. The ensuing informations can be tailored to run into the demands of a assortment of third applications. The undermentioned subdivision of this essay will see some of these applicationsl.2.2: Application of Spatial Climate DataOnce information has been collected, it is of import that it can be put to good usage in a assortment of ways. As already stated, the possible application of informations collected by GIS is illimitable but this essay will see some of the major applications.2.2.1: AgribusinessAgribusiness is possibly the biggest donee of the usage of GIS in weather forecasting. The usage of such systems allows for husbandmans to break predict and understand the conditions and how this could impact on their harvest outputs. There are infinite illustrations of this in operation and this essay shall now show a few. Madeline and Beltrando ( 2005 ) analyze how spacial interpolation-based function of spring hoars has helped Champagne manufacturers in northern France. The vineries in this part are highly sensitive to extreme frost events that sometimes occur in spring. In 2003, 50 % of the Champagne vineries were destroyed by a terrible hoar. The merchandise of these vineries is highly of import to the economic well-being of this part of France and so it of import to hold in topographic point a dependable prediction system that can foretell minimal temperatures. Madeline and Beltrando ( 2005 ) usage GIS to set up relationships between the minimal temperatures in certain vineries and the assorted other geographic and topological factors that cause fluctuation in temperature. They province that the usage of GIS allowed them to, â€Å" construct a map of the norm estimated minimal temperatures across the whole vinery country which can be used by vino agriculturists to place frost sensitive countries † ( p. 54 ) . This should decrease the opportunity of future hoar harm to this economically of import harvest. Another survey conducted by Menkir et Al ( 2000 ) used GIS spacial climatic informations of 114 sites in sub-Saharan Africa to see distinguishable zone where corn would turn best. They found that corn would react best in forest-transition savannas, Northern Guinea savannas, Sudan savannas and mid height parts. This information is potentially really utile for nutrient policy contrivers.2.2.2: EcologyChapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) observe that, â€Å" in much the same manner as possible harvest distribution can be modelled utilizing GIS based agroclimatic theoretical accounts, ecological diverseness can be modelled with regard to spacial clime datasets † ( p. 320 ) . There are several noteworthy illustrations of this. Rodhouse ( 2010 ) uses GIS informations to analyze how the altering ocean environment is impacting on cephalopod populations. Waluda and Rodhouse ( 2005 ) usage GIS informations to research the impact of angling on the population of the Jumbo winging calamari. This e ssay would propose that the usage of GIS in this sphere is likely to increase in approaching old ages as the argument around planetary heating and how it could be impacting on species becomes of all time more pressure.2.2.3: ForestryGIS can function multiple intents in forestry. Like in agribusiness and ecology, it can be used to place different clime zones or to foretell the output of a peculiar country. However, GIS has been put to some advanced usage in this field. For illustration, Hantzschel et Al ( 2005 ) usage GIS to gauge radiation balances, temperature and evapotranspiration degrees in different types of flora. One of their most interesting decisions, sing the subject of this essay, is that changeless betterments in engineering will take to better consequences in the hereafter and increase the importance of GIS in the hereafter. They province that, â€Å" the lasting betterment in declaration and quality of the digital surface informations allows an improved simulation of the existent land surface and the associated feedback between topography, land usage variableness and meteoric measures and will increase the importance of GIS-based theoretical account consequences in the close hereafter † ( p. 41 ) . Pew and Larsen ( 2001 ) used GIS to analyze the spacial and temporal form of wildfires caused by worlds on Vancouver Island. They argue that being able to accurately foretell where and when wildfires are most common is, â€Å" a first measure in cut downing their effects † ( p. 1 ) .2.2.4: Weather ForecastingChapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) argue that GIS has become, â€Å" a cardinal direction constituent in conditions processing systems leting instantaneous plotting, insertion and life of conditions informations across any isobaric degree of the ambiance † ( p. 322 ) . For illustration, Kumar et Al ( 1998 ) show that through the usage of distant detection signatures, GIS can be used to alarm specific locations of the way of a tropical cyclone. This is a potentially life salvaging application of GIS. Chapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) observe that GIS, â€Å" partly automates prediction by easing velocity and throughput of conditions informations in real-time every bit good as supplying support for traditional conditions treating undertakings such as contouring and superposition † ( p. 320 ) .2.2.5: ConveyanceGIS is peculiarly utile for conveyance contrivers as it can be used to help in be aftering for winter route care. Thornes et Al ( 2005 ) used GIS to analyze a stretch of route in Poland to foretell route temperatures at certain times of twelvemonth. Better apprehension of route temperatures can assist transport contrivers know when to stock up on grit and when they should be directing out gritting trucks. The manner Britain land to a arrest in February 2010 should function as a timely reminder that this is still non an exact scientific discipline. Hopefully the betterments in GIS that Hantzschel et Al ( 2005 ) reference in their survey should take to more acurate anticipations in the hereafter.2.2.6: Climate ChangeIt could be argued that all the applications of GIS presented in this essay have some bearing on clime alteration. Chapman and Thorn es ( 2003 ) argue that GIS has become, â€Å" a visual image tool for the end product of clime theoretical accounts such as general circulation theoretical accounts used to foretell the planetary impacts of hypothesise clime alteration scenarios † ( p. 325 ) . It is likely that as engineering improves and smart systems are able to interact with each other in more productive and effectual ways, GIS will go on to play a critical function in supplying information that charts the impacts of planetary heating.Section 3: Concluding RemarksThe debut to this essay quoted the work of Gelernter ( 1992 ) who argued that the existent and the practical universe were traveling of all time closer together. This essay would reason that GIS represents the realisation of this vision in many ways. The usage of GIS in the field of weather forecasting are basically illimitable and will undoubtedly better as calculating treating power grows greater and telecommunications improve. A recent particul ar study in The Economist ( 2010 ) looked at the rise of smart systems. These systems are bring forthing immense sums of informations that we are merely merely understanding what to make with. The study notes that, â€Å" smart systems may be humankind ‘s best hope for covering with its pressing environmental jobs † ( p. 4 ) . Smart systems can be used to do power grids, transit webs and H2O distribution systems more efficient. GIS will play a cardinal function in assisting to use the informations produced by smart systems and guaranting that it is put to the best possible usage. This essay would reason that GIS will go on in the development that Chapman and Thornes ( 2003 ) referred to earlier in this essay. However, it is the belief of this essay that we are merely get downing to see the possible applications and utilizations of GIS in the field of weather forecasting. This essay has merely touched on a few countries where it is being utilized at the minute. As terminal users in the assorted subjects learn to tackle the power of the information that is at their disposal, GIS will go on to play a polar function in how we understand the universe. Thornes ( 2005 ) remarks that, â€Å" the hereafter for the usage of GIS by atmospheric scientists is bright but increased coaction between the GIS and atmospheric communities is limited by information substructures that do n't easy interoperate † ( p. three ) . This essay would reason that it is merely a affair of clip before differences between these information substructures are resolved and the true potenc y of GIS can be unleashed.

Act Local

Disneys fabled studio entertainment unit has an illustrious history in both animation and live-action features. The Lion King, released in 1994, is the highest grossing animated film of all time. More recently, Disney has enjoyed massive hits with live-action features. These include Pirates of the Caribbean and its sequels as well as classic American fare such as the TV show High School Musical. However, despite high worldwide awareness levels of the Disney brand, as of 2006 only 25 percent of the companys revenues came from outside the United States. Historically, the Disney team has created products at its headquarters in Burbank, California, and then exported them to the rest of the world. Now, as the company targets China, India, South Korea, and other emerging markets, it is departing from its one size fits all approach. One factor driving the strategy change: the first-year visitor count in Hong Kong fell short of the target figure of 5. 6 million people. This prompted company executives to step up efforts to educate the Chinese about Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and other Disney characters. As Bill Ernest, managing director, told the Financial Times, If you havent grown up with the brand, the stories, or the theme, you are not quite sure what you are walking into. In Hong Kong, Disney officials were slow to recognize that Chinese vacationers who live on the mainland often book package tours. Tour operators choose restaurants, shopping opportunities, and other destinations that generate the highest fees and commissions. At first, Hong Kong Disneyland didnt offer a tour package that included dinners. A new dining with Disney program was quickly rolled out. To round out the promotion, individual tour operators were offered a 50 percent individual discount as an incentive to visit Disneyland personally so they would have first-hand experience at the park. Disney has learned that they cant impose the American will— or Disneys version of it—on another continent. Theyve bent over backward to make Hong Kong Disneyland blend in with the surroundings. 47 Dennis McAlpine, media and entertainment research specialist We have been U. S. -centric forever. We realize that if were going to be a global network, then we need to solicit material from around the world. 48 Gary Marsh, Disney Channel Worldwide, commenting on Disneys new programming divisions in the UK and Japan Disney also went to great lengths to capitalize on an astrological coincidence: According to the traditional Chinese calendar, 2008 was the year of the rat. In Hong Kong, Mickey and Minnie Mouse wore special red costumes as Disney proclaimed 2008 to be the Year of the Mouse. Because the Chinese government tightly controls television and motion picture standards, Disney emphasized affordable consumer products such as plush toys and Disney-themed clothing to generate awareness and interest in the Disney brand. In 2009, amidst the global economic downturn and ongoing challenges at Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneys Parks and Resorts division announced plans for a new $3. 6 billion park in Shanghai. The proposed park will be owned jointly by Disney and the Shanghai municipalgovernment. Consisting of a theme park, hotel, and shops, the development would create 50,000 much-needed jobs. Shanghai Disneyland is an important element in Disneys strategy for penetrating the local market. However, the proposal does not address Disneys need for increased media exposure; company officials believe that a Chinese Disney TV channel is essential to build awareness of the Disney brand and interest in the new theme park. Disneys other divisions are also pursuing a more localized approach in key emerging markets. As Jason Reed, general manager for Walt Disney Studios International Productions, noted, Weve been very successful with our big global productions, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and National Treasure. But we think theres a natural way to supplement these films in areas like China, Russia, and India—areas that have built-in film traditions. For example, in India Disney is abandoning its go-it-alone policy and partnering with local companies such as Yash Raj Films. One new Hindi-language show, Dhoom Machaao Dhoom, concerns a girls quest for identity after living in the United States; another show, Vicky and Vetal, concerns a boys friendship with a 300-year-old ghost. The new approach is clearly paying off. In 2008, Disney released Roadside Romeo, its first animated feature developed specifically for India. The film was box-office gold, with the best opening weekend of any Disney feature in India. Disney is hoping to appeal to Indias family-oriented middle-class consumers; core themes include believe in yourself, express yourself, and celebrate your family. Because the number of cable television subscribers is increasingly rapidly, Disney launched the Disney Channel and Toon Disney. In addition, the company acquired Hugama, a childrens channel. Disney is also making Indian versions of its hit movie High School Musical. One challenge in India is the number of languages and dialects. Roadside Romeo was released in Hindi, Tamil, and Teluga. Future projects may be produced specifically for southern India where movie preferences are markedly different than in the north. Disney is going native in other emerging markets as well. 2009s Book of Masters was the companys first live-action film for the Russian market. A Russian version of High School Musical is also in the works. Next up: the Middle East. As Disneys Jason Reed says, Theres a really strong affinity between the strong family values in the region and the Disney brand. We want to go out and try to make a film that will play to families from North Africa to the Gulf States. Discussion Questions Why is it necessary for Disney to build braid awareness in China and other emerging markets? Do you agree with Disneys decision to pursue a localization approach in emerging-markets? Why is High School Musical~so successful in global markets?

Employment Law- Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace Research Paper

Employment Law- Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace - Research Paper Example Sexual orientation or sexual preference was a topic that many people avoided for fear of retaliation. Employers do not have the right to discriminate against an individual based on his sexual orientation or preference. Who a person is involved with should not have any bearing on qualifications or work ethics. Literature review According to irem.org (2007), as of July 2007, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was prohibited in the states of California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York, and the states where discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was not prohibited included Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma. In Colorado, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was not prohib ited until August, 2007. In the states of Alaska, Delaware, and Indiana, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was only prohibited in the state employment whereas in the states of Louisiana and Montana, protection was only offered to the public employees. Likewise, as of July 2007, discrimination on the basis of gender identity was prohibited in the states of California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New Mexico whereas it was not prohibited in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma. In Colorado, discrimination on the basis of gender identity was prohibited in August 2007 whereas in Indiana, protection was only offered to the state employees. This analysis suggests that in discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is not prohibited in the majority of states in the US. Twenty states in the US along with Washington, D.C. have enforced the anti-discrimination laws that prohibit any kinds of discriminatory practices on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. The first state in the US that enacted the anti-discrimination law was Wisconsin in the year 1982. Since 2002, seven states in the US have enforced similar laws. The Iowa Civil Rights Act was modified around the end of May, 2007, â€Å"when the Governor signed S.F. 427 into law making it illegal to discriminate in employment, public accommodation, credit, housing, and education based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity† (irem.org, 2007, p. 2). Oregon’s governor made the legislation part of the law on 9 May 2007, according to which discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as banned. According to Lambda Legal (2013), 49.97 per cent of the gay, lesbian, and bisexu al adults in the US live in states with anti-discriminatory laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation in numerous sectors including housing, employment, and the public accommodations. This percentage excludes the population of gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults that are residents of the cities with ordinances that prohibit the discrimination on

Discuss the extent to which the globalisation of consumer culture Essay

Discuss the extent to which the globalisation of consumer culture engenders a cosmopolitan culture, where individuals show 'op - Essay Example Obviously, globalization is wide and it involves economic integration, policy transfers across borders, knowledge transmission, cultural stability and the reproduction of power. This paper looks at globalization in the context of consumers’ culture. It particularly seeks to establish the extent to which globalization of consumers’ culture engenders a cosmopolitan culture. In this sense, the paper looks at those issues that make globalization a process that brings about heterogeneity in consumer preferences and behaviours. While the paper looks at the heterogeneity of culture as a result of globalization, it also sets the limits beyond which globalization cannot bring about heterogeneity of culture, but as such, bring about universality of culture. Hannerz (1999 p.12) described cosmopolitanism as an intellectual and aesthetic openness toward divergent cultural experiences. This implies that globalization results in cultural diversification and not the homogeneity of cult ure. According to Hannerz, people make their way into other cultures through listening, looking, intuiting and reflecting. In the words of Hannerz, cosmopolitanism is the willingness to become involved with the other in a bid to attaining cultural competence. However, in order to make one’s way into a different culture, the social bonds between locals must be weak, less binding and universal (Usunier, 2009 p. 11). These conditions are necessary because they make it possible to allow and accommodate different cultures. One of the widely accepted impacts of globalization is the development of individual outlook, behaviors and feelings that cut across local and national boundaries. This comes about as a result of globalized or globalizing cultural elements which are always related to Western cultural imperialism (Hollensen, 2000 p. 44). A case in point regards to products that originate in the West finding their way to non-west countries. Normally, these products carry Western v alues with them and are consumed daily on a global scale. Examples of these products include newspapers, music, movies, TV programs, books and magazines. Such products have widely been accepted in many regions of the world. The problem that emerges is whether to call this civilization clash or cultural imperialism. While some people will accommodate this foreign culture, others will protest against it in the name of cultural imperialism (Gesteland, 1999 p. 38). This brings in the concept of cultural relativism. This is a concept that marked the end of the era of Western colonialism. In light of this, the concept recognizes the unique or relative values of different cultures. The extent to which these values are recognized as a result of globalization is limited for the simple reason that these unique values may not be self-sustainable. Also, these cultures may not be in equal positions. From this, it is safe to conclude that globalization is uneven, differentiated and asymmetrical p rocess. As such, the extent to which it engenders cosmopolitan culture is restricted by these characteristics. Human beings are defined by their culture (Gesteland, 1999 p. 44). It is culture that differentiates man from other creations and also differentiates man from other men. This is to say that human beings are unique in the universe due to their culture and that human beings

Data Backup and Life Cycle Restore in the Enterprises and Companies Research Proposal

Data Backup and Life Cycle Restore in the Enterprises and Companies - Research Proposal Example w data base management systems (DBMS) perform the backup/restore operations, How about the automatic and manual backup, what's the data will been restored regarding the network limitation of bandwidth and work time and How we can construct a strong Disaster recovery plan. All these point will be discussed and covered in my research. This dissertation has not made possible without the help of some key persons who in one way or the other help succeed in the completion of this paper. To Mr./Ms. (insert name of adviser or instructor), who served as my adviser and instructor with this paper. He had not just thought me to do the technical part but also encouraged and gave me challenge in the field of study I practised. Thank you for being a mentor all the way. With this, I would like to take the opportunity to thank as well to my parents and friends who are always there to lend a helping hand. And, to my classmates who shared time and experiences along the duration of school years, thank you all. March 4, 2007 Table of Contents Data Backup System Over Networks 1 Sam 1 Abstract 1 Abstract 1 Acknowledgements 2 Acknowledgements 2 Table of Contents 3 Table of Contents 3 List of Figures 4 List of Figures 4 1 Introduction 5 2 Backup and Recovery 8 3 Backups and Tape Storage 14 4 Network Disaster Recovery 20 5 Conclusion 21 References 23 References 23 Appendix 1: Dissertation Proposal 25 Appendix 1: Dissertation Proposal 25 List of Figures Figure 1. Information Security Policy and Procedure Hierarchy 13 Figure 2.Prototype Set-up of Data Backup Over Network 17 1 Introduction In this e-centric day and age of organisations have come to rely on IT infrastructures not just and aid to business, but for some, as the core of their business. Safe, secure, and reliable computing and telecommunications are essential to these organisations. As these organisations begin to understand the importance of information security and data backup, they are developing security programs that are often under the direction of the CIO. This program includes more than just people and technology 1.1 Background and Context In the field of information technology, backup refers to the replication of data so that these supplementary copies may be restored after a data loss event. Backups are useful above all for two purposes: to restore a computer to an operational state subsequent a catastrophe (called disaster recovery) and to restore small numbers of files after they have been accidentally deleted or corrupted. Backups are at variance from archives in the sense that archives are the primary copy of data and backups are a secondary copy of data. Backup systems differ from fault-tolerant systems in the sense that

Organizational politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Organizational politics - Essay Example Human temperament or characteristics are indeed the prime cause of all politics in any setup but there are certain core environmental factors for all human behavior and it would be mandatory to study and understand them in an effort to understand the reasons for organizational politics. This is also necessary given the central role that politics plays in any work environment. In this presentation it has suggested that power plays a critical role in the politics of an organization (McShane and Travaglione). At all levels the distribution of power is vital to the running of a company. While the types of power vested in a person or group is important in itself, the impact that this power has on the employees is our prime concern here. Power provides a person with the authority to allocate a resource (which is important if resources are scarce), to punish or reward people and to judge their performances. This in turn causes people to attempt build a better picture of themselves in the eyes of the people in whom power is vested. This can be done either by maligning coworkers or by creating circumstances where coworkers promote your image. The dynamics of interpersonal relationships between co workers and also the relationship of managers and team members comes into force in such cases. Ambition and drive which are subjective characters also come into play here. While such reasons present a dark image of ... In recent years in particular, there has been much effort to chanelize the power of politics and turn it into a useful tool for the running of organizations and this indeed is the way to go! Manuscript Explore the main reasons for political behavior in organizations "32% of managers believe it simply isn't possible to use office politics constructively because human nature is so appallingly selfish that people will always guard their turf and abuse their role power" Park, 2002 This quote accurately summarizes the main reasons for political behaviour in organizations. Human temperament or characteristics are indeed the prime cause of all politics in any setup! But then what is it that we call politics in organizations Politics in Organisations The use of power and influence for personal gains within an organizational set up is by far the bets definition of politics. It is distinctly different from nation-state politics in involving more interpersonal relationships (Provis 2002) and involves interplay of ethics morality and personal interest. It is also now increasingly being recognized as inevitable in organizations. The prime cause of politics is the distribution of power in an organization. A widely accepted model for the bases of power in an organization has been described by Foucault, (1980). He refers to several plausible sources of origin of and refers to them as Reward power, coercive Power, legitimate power, expert power. All these manifestations of power are found in any organization and while there is an ongoing debate on which power base is the best in terms of outcome, a functional consequence of any of them is know to be organizational politics. It is interesting to study the correlates of power and politics! Some primary and

Corporations (Research) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Corporations (Research) - Essay Example Legal responsibility indicates that organizations must fulfill their economic objectives within the legal framework requirements. Ethical responsibility requires the organizations to follow the moral rules. Discretionary responsibility incorporates those activities of an organization that are not mandated, not required by law, and not expected of organizations in an ethical sense (cf. Carroll, 1979, p. 500). For instance, organizations fulfill their discretionary responsibility by providing a day-care center for working mothers. (Maignan and Ferrell, 2000, p. 283) Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an approach to business activities encompassing the basic questions relating to the role and purpose organizations play in the society. Central to this approach is the pledge to the so-called triple bottom-line of economic, social and environmental concerns. As per the principle of CSR, business must recognize that they get legitimacy to do business in society and must account for their social and environmental impact accordingly. As the business organizations are operating in the society, so the businesses must give something back to the society. By the same token, it is expected that business concerns will behave responsibly and will not engage in any activities that will cause harm to the society. NGOs and other campaigning organizations are putting pressure on certain Multinational companies, especially those engaged in hazardous activities like biological, mining, chemical and oil sectors. Nevertheless, in spite of the pressure from NGOs , promotion of CSR activities within the business practices of the organizations is also very strong. Some of the advantages for integrating CSR principles encompass reduction of risk, higher satisfaction among employees, low employee turnover and securing long-term financial performance. (Susan, 2003, P. 130) Organizations have noticed that social responsibility is good for their business for, and from, each part of the seven main azimuths within which they carry out their business activities. These parts are their shareholders and potential investors; managers; employees; customers; business partners and contractors or suppliers; the natural environment; and the communities within which they operate, including national governments. (Michael, 2003, P. 4). The social performance of an organization is a very crucial factor for the overall success of a business entity. If an organization engages in activities that adversely affect the environment, the environmentalists will surely speak against the organization that will badly affect the social performance of the organization. Furthermore, poor social performance will drive away potential investors. In today's increasingly competitive business world no business concern will want to loose the confidence of its potential investors. Today consumers avoid what they consider as socially irresponsibly made products or products of businesses that have allegedly not acted in the best interest of the society. (Michael, 2003, P. 3). It stands to reason that no business concern will surely take the risk of loosing its customer by acting against the interest of the s

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 370

Assignment Example My confidence is 4. My experience with LMA has indicated that it can deliver higher oxygen saturation during emergency. A documented failure of the colorimetric carbon dioxide exists. The detector failed to indicate the color change in morbidity obese female patient with a history of schizophrenia, bronchiectasis, and remote burns (Levitan, Vanderbeek, and Kuhfahl 636). Despite the right placement in the trachea, the detector failed considerably to display color change. In my clinical site, uses the End-tidal carbon dioxide detector to maintain the safety of the patients. The method is used in the anesthesia department at my clinical site. The detector measures the carbon dioxide in the expired air to identify the changes in the elimination of the gas from the lungs. The digital numeric and waveform display confirms the concentration of the carbon dioxide. I would attach pulse oximeter and record oxygen saturation, resting heart rate, color, and respiratory rate. The second step would involve removing humidivent and performing tracheal, the attaching manometer. Placing the Passy-Muir Speaking Valve to monitor oxygen saturation, heart rate, color, state and respiratory rate together with measuring passive exhalations would follow. The third step would entail removing the manometer and replace humidivent. Lastly, I would determine the pass/fail in order to take appropriate action I would use the voice tracheostomy tube to enable the patient speak during the ventilation. The complications that may occur include bleeding, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, damage of esophagus, and injury of nerve

Kant Theory and Justice Essay Example for Free

Kant Theory and Justice Essay Immanuel Kant concerns himself with deontology, and as a deontologist, he believes that the rightness of an action depends in part on things other than the goodness of its consequences, and so, actions should be judged based on an intrinsic moral law that says whether the action is right or wrong – period. Kant introduced the Categorical Imperative which is the central philosophy of his theory of morality, and an understandable approach to this moral law. It is divided into three formulations. The first formulation of Kant’s Categorical Imperative states that one should â€Å"always act in such a way that the maxim of your action can be willed as a universal law of humanity†; an act is either right or wrong based on its ability to be universalized. This belief is part of the â€Å"universal law theory† and states that to determine if an action is essentially â€Å"good† or â€Å"bad,† one must essentially imagine a world in which everyone performed that same action constantly, and imagine if this would be a desirable world to live in. If not, then it is not okay to perform the action. He believes that this â€Å"universal law† lives within us; it is not something that is imposed on us from the outside. For example if one kills oneself out of self-love, it is logically contradictory because self-love refers to respect for one’s self as a rational being and rationality is based on objective (undistorted by emotion or personal bias). So, one can never justify suicide. The maxim of killing oneself cannot possibly exist as a universal law. The second formulation states that one must â€Å"treat humanity whether in thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never as means only. † For example, if I were to lie to a girl so that she would choose to go out with me then I, in effect, use her. Kant would say that I treated her as a means to achieve my end, and he specifically prohibits manipulating or deceiving a person for the purposes of achieving a personal end. According to Kant, only people are valuable as ends. Any action that disregards this is in clear violation of Kantian morality, and purports to reduce an individual’s autonomy; this consequently undermines a person’s rational capability and reduces him/her to a thing. This implies that if someone robs you and takes your wallet, he is treating you as a thing and not as a person. The third and last formulation requires that one sees oneself as the source of all moral law. This simply emphasizes the fact that the moral agent is the one who chooses to act morally. This third formulation tells us to imagine ourselves as the sole lawmaker in a society, and to choose the best possible set of laws that the society of rational beings would live by. Kant believes that we all have reason within us, but some choose to respond and act upon it while others do not. We can reason the way things ought to be, and based on that is how we should act, which explains Kant’s view that a moral action must be chosen through moral reason. For example, one does not cheat on a test because one’s reason tells him or her that it is wrong, not the consequences that follow if one gets caught. Another example is that we do not need the law to tell us not to steal because it is immoral; we simply have to access our ability to reason to rationalize this. In a world where each individual recognizes his/her moral dignity and freely chooses to adopt the same universalizable moral law, all actions become good. In opposition to the Categorical Imperative is Kant’s Hypothetical Imperative, which states that a particular action is necessary as a means to some purpose. Kant believes that these actions are not always moral because they are not performed out of â€Å"pure good will† (pure duty), which is the only thing in the world that is unambiguously good. In the case of the ethical credibility of the principles of affirmative action, Kant’s Categorical Imperative provides for the basis of approval. It is primarily out of a sense of duty that a society would seek to assist its struggling members who are in need of help. The action so far seems good, but we must test its universality. Can we imagine ourselves living in a world in which all societies seek to aid the underprivileged and the disadvantaged at the slight expense of others? Absolutely yes. It is important for one to bear in mind, however, that it is the very action of helping that is being judged as inherently good or bad, and not the action’s admirable or overbearing surrounding consequences. Secondly, we must test that the action is regarding everyone involved as ends and not as means to any particular purpose. Since the aim of affirmative action is to help the current predicaments of those people who were victimized in the past, focus is placed on respecting every individual’s autonomy. In this way, we can see that affirmative action is not a devious plan that seeks to manipulate, but one that seeks to compensate by adjusting the means (circumstances) and not the ends (individuals). Lastly, we must see if the action is establishing a universal law governing others in similar situations; one should behave as if one is the absolute moral authority of the universe. Is completing this action consistent with the application of moral law? If so, the affirmative action passes these three tests and the action is good. In his â€Å"Objections to Affirmative Action†, James Sterba talks about why he believes that Affirmative Action is morally wrong. He argues that a person’s race shouldn’t control his or her point of interest. Sterba argues that Affirmative Action leads to injustice and it is unfair to the white nonminority males because â€Å"it deprives them of equal opportunity by selecting or appointing women or minority candidates over more qualified nonminority male candidates. † He believes that the job of the government is to eliminate all kinds of discriminatory policies. He thinks that â€Å"alternative programs are preferable. † Thus, the government should instead promote equal opportunities through programs within agencies and departments instead of through Affirmative Action which he believes is a fancy word for discrimination. He argues that it is not fair to those who are more qualified for certain opportunities and cannot receive them either because they are not women or because they are not part of the minority. In his First Objection, he argues that Affirmative Action â€Å"is not required to compensate for unjust institutions in the distant past. † He talks about Morris’ argument that what occurred in the past is not the primary issue that puts all present-day African Americans at an unfair disadvantage; it is more about the issues of more recent origin. He makes a point that discrimination today could very well be the source of the disadvantaged disposition of African Americans and other minority groups, and it is certainly something that society could do without. The question remains that in attempting to â€Å"level the playing field† and eliminate present-day discrimination in America, is Affirmative Action a practical approach and should such a program be endorsed? The Fourth Objection goes on to say that Affirmative Action â€Å"hurts those who receive it† because in many ways the people benefitting from it would not see the need to work as hard, and it places â€Å"women and minorities in positions for which they are not qualified. † Sterba proposes that one of the solutions to this problem could be the installation education enhancement programs to compensate for any lack of skills. He believes that this will in a short time ensure that minorities are appropriately qualified for a position. In response to Sterba’s First Objection, Kant would agree that the rightness of Affirmative Action should be based upon the circumstances of the present situation and not what had occurred in the past; this is evident mainly through his a priori form of philosophical deductive reasoning that judges an action before the experience, or â€Å"in the moment. † However, Kant would disagree with Sterba’s Fourth Objection because in my opinion, Kant’s deontological theory correlates with the correctness of the affirmative action in its very aim toward helping â€Å"the right† people. Affirmative action has not significantly diminished gender, racial, and all other forms of discrimination, but the action has promoted equality and diversity to a large extent. In a world where everyone performs the â€Å"good will,† there is justice; and the installation of this program only serves to come closer to this justice. Discrimination is wrong because it violates a person’s basic and intrinsic moral rights. Thus, in itself the adoption of this program is an action that is good because without Affirmative Action it is true in many ways that minorities would remain at a disadvantaged position in the educational system and not be allowed the opportunity to exercise their true potential. Kant would argue that it is a duty out of â€Å"good will† to treat people equally. The concepts of equality and autonomy are emphasized in the nature of this program because it strives to treat everyone as a free person equal to everyone else. According to Kant, one should be treated as ends not as mere means. It can be argued that African Americans at a disadvantaged position were being treated as means by the dominant culture to achieve its own ends in the system. Discrimination cannot exist as a system of nature because those who discriminate would not want to be similarly discriminated against if things were reversed, and so Affirmative Action is justified because it aims to open the door of opportunities to those who have been oppressed for years. That being said, Kant would examine the action itself and not the consequences of the action. When making decisions, one has to put oneself into other people’s shoes and see if one wants to be treated the same way others have been treated; it is a duty to treat others as we ourselves want to be treated. Affirmative Action not necessarily needed in this society to reduce the inherent inequalities that are still existent, but it can certainly be used to assist in leveling the playing field. Affirmative Action has been successful on a short term basis, that is, in increasing the representation of minorities (including women) in areas of employment, education, and business from which they have been historically excluded. However, on the long term basis it can be argued that the program only serves to perpetuate a cycle of need. Kant advocates the idea of equality through his deontological theory by saying that all people deserve equal treatment as rational ends in themselves and that this should never be compromised by the flaws in any social system.

Effect of Standard Pricing Changes on Firm Operations

Effect of Standard Pricing Changes on Firm Operations The Rise and Fall of Standard Pricing and Its Effect on Everyday Operations For European and American Firms Table of contents (Jump to) Executive summary General overview Accounting overview Literature review Standard pricing as accounting practice Operations management Operations life cycle Continuous improvement Core value systems Discussion and conclusion References EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The overall purpose of this paper and study is to investigate cost or lean accounting within the operations management realm and how its unpredictable rise and fall allow organisations to continuously learn and utilize knowledge management as a core value. It was also important to use a larger organisation that has history of outstanding operations and customer centered focus upon services. This investigation will require an in-depth study of work processes, communication and leadership with regard to knowledge management as a value within the team construct while looking at how this reflects leaning accounting principles. What tools are available and what kind of evolution is Nestle undergoing in order to remain competitive in a changing economy? How does this change knowledge management and communication company wide? What this study argues is that accounting practices are changing due to the evolving business plan. This is a movement toward modern accounting and it is important to see the relationships between costing accounting, its fluctuations and how they impact the health of the organisation as a whole with regard to productivity and job satisfaction. How an organisation applies methods of costing into its framework for accounting of expenses and its direct rise and fall over the time period of the product life cycle, directly influences the production, operation, distribution and employee retention of the global company. In fact changes in accounting practices have led to many tried and true business models to no longer exist. Costing and its rise and fall can have a direct relationship with success and competitive advantage in the market place. However the purpose of this study is to explore and reflect upon how accounting practices change operations management and the supply chain management model as a tool of managers and team members alike. Really it is how accounting practices have changed business practices because of new legislation focusing on global companies in Europe and the United States. Accounting costs, expenses and losses reflects the health of the organisation and with change comes confusion. This study argues th at with such changes comes a lack of defining the company’s value within the market but also the value it has for its employees, as they become active participants and investors. GENERAL OVERVIEW How corporate accounting is handled is changing worldwide. How each expense is accounted for within an organisation’s financial sheets has been evolving. Such a proposal for change has received much commentary from not only the financial community and corporate America but also key members of Congress, European union leaders and the public. Such a response results from the uncertainty that such change will benefit businesses and economic growth. It is feared that such change will have the opposite effect and cause world leaders to lose its competitive edge in the global market. Still this has not stopped the fuel of the fire as the American Financial Accounting Standards Board (also referred to as FASB) has struggled for an answer to such a dilemma. The urgency for a solution has only been stressed recently in light of such debacles like Enron and Tyco. It is believed that companies do need to account honestly for expenses but at what price to its employees, the public and the economy? Part of the issue with current legislation to change the practice of accounting for employee stock options is that there is no real way to value their worth. This creates an unsettling feeling among investors and employees struggling to understand this benefit. ACCOUNTING OVERVIEW What this truly means for any corporation functioning globally or even locally this that effective cost accounting because a volatile issue for management to consider. One could argue that such rise and fall of how costing/pricing pays a part in the entire operation has a negative effect upon how the company’s valuation is seen on the open market. Costing at every step of the product life cycle plays a huge part in how this valuation is decided from inventory at the shop floor level, to everyday operations management, to an employee’s value with the company and their net worth personally. Changes within the global economy in the recent years the disappearance of tried and true business models leaves many with a poor taste in their mouths because one must understand how efficiency, affordability and effective leadership come into play. Effective pricing or costing of routine operations and corporate behaviours must be tracked and studied in order to carve the fat. This s tudy aims to look at exactly what the rise and fall of pricing or costing means to a global organisation conducting business on many levels. For the purpose of proving the argument that such changes in accounting practice has a negative effect on the organisation, one will look at examples from the shop floor to the employee’s estimated value with the company in the form of job satisfaction. Accounting for such expensing and pricing correctly is what makes the organisation strong but also accurate in valuation. With this in mind, traditional business models like Wal-Mart and Nestle are discussed because these are globally operating corporations. Debates about whether or not the fair value of the employee and the company stock options should be expensed on the income statement continue to rage among industry representatives, politicians, and pundits. Expense recognition of stock options can have significant impacts on net income and earnings per share, so this is a debate worth having. But many of those who analyze companies consider operating cash flow a better performance metric than income. One reason is that operating cash flow is thought to be free from the infection that makes income grossly weakened. In the case of employee worth and stock values, however, there is proof that this assumption is flawed. Option exercise affects operating cash flows in ways that analysts need to understand. Repurchasing shares to fund option exercise also results in financing cash outflows. The net cash flow impacts of options are often negative, but can be quite volatile from year to year. LITERATURE REVIEW STANDARD PRICING AS ACCOUNTING PRACTICE It can be difficult to assess why a product has a certain cost or price to the consumer. How is it that companies arrive at certain amount for a product or service? What are the factors that play into this amount and do they change over time while in the market? Mish defines clearly, price as being â€Å"the value or worth; the quality of one thing that is exchanged or demanded in barter or sale for another† (2004, p. 985). A mistake that happens to many companies is they allow the market to manage the price of the product and avoid strategic management of pricing in general. What is usually done according to Nagle is â€Å"they list the prices based on their own needs and then adjust transaction prices to based on what customers say they are willing to pay. Only a few companies question why someone is willing to pay no more that a particular amount or how that willingness could be changed† (2002, p. 1). In order to be strategic in pricing, a company must confident and understand that â€Å"pricing involves managing customers’ expectations to induce them to pay for the value they receive† (Nagle 2002, p.1). Fortunately, when it comes to financial products, many customers remain in the dark about product and services. Sometimes a service oriented company such as the Bank of England can take advantage of such undulation but as more information becomes available due to the Internet, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for a company to set the pace this way. More than not, more companies especially financial ones that rely on customer relationships, allow for a value-based price structure that is contingent on the customer paying when value is delivered. This type of pricing system relies heavily on segmentation of the demographic when it comes to offering promotions and incentives to buster customer loyalty. Much of this applies to financial type products that are well defined for the consumer either through education or these pr oducts are a must in life like the credit or loan product. Keeping this in mind, many financial products consist of high quality products and add-ons that when offered by one company allows that company to diversify and establish the price. The table here below aids in illustrating this point. Table 1: Pricing Strategies (Anderson Bailey 1998, p. 2) It is also important for a company to keep in mind demand for the product or service. This is why diversification and globalization are quickly becoming elements of strategy as companies look for new ways to target consumers and enter new areas where their original product has a new life cycle. This is a matter of economics but important for understanding marketing strategy with regards to cost switching or price switching. â€Å"The greater the price elasticity, the closer the company can price products to similar competitive products and vice versa† (Allen 2002). In an industry like the mortgage industry where homeownership is more prevalent in Western nations, elasticity is high and therefore, it is fair to remain competitive with other companies. Also a company like Nestle can bet that charging less may lead to more food products created as customers find they get more service for less money. In this respect elasticity can work either way. It really depends on degree of ri sk one company is willing to take. Still it remains to be found if such a tactic even works when it comes to customer loyalty, as this will be explored in greater detail later. However, it remains to be seen if price loyalty does exist. It seems â€Å"the key to effectively competing for loyalty is ensuring the quality of the customer experience, not the quantity of customer rewards or discount prices† (Compton 2005, p.1). However, the price needs to be adjusted for what the customer expects. It can be a cycle that changing continuously depending on the product or service. Carmona, and et al (2004), writes of the origin of activity based costing method of accounting or ABC that came into vogue in Europe during the 1920s. What ABC does specifically as Carmona, and et al (2004) speak of Vollmers’s work as: Deployed significant efforts to account for distribution and marketing costs, which ‘tend to be ignored today.’ This first event is then taken as record of the origin (both in terms of time and space), from which the new practice mainly spread both temporally and spatially. (p. 36) This is the start of a movement toward the double entry system and this saw delay and many weaknesses because it did not present a clear, complete picture of accounting. Its weaknesses were found in inefficiencies with charges and discharges. As a result, early double-entry systems were seen as unreliable and not useful to big business. It would not be until later that advanced book keeping procedures would take into account advanced operating processes in production. Carmona, and et al (2004) found these systems although not perfected were used in England and the Colonies as early as 1760 (p. 37). It seems this was the trend as no real streamlined, conforming system would be adopted until modern business practices came into place in the United States. Move to a global arena and model of production purposes and a more refined system is needed because a lot more is at stake. Global business is all about the details. It became common practice more investment applied, the more generally accepted accounting practices became as a diffusion of new technology. Accounting practices became more generally accepted behaviours as businesses became bigger and more prominent in communities across the world. Practices are implemented as Abu-Raddaha, and et al (2000) surmises the following: The information provided by accounting should facilitate international trade and capital flows, not hamper them. It should inform, not just report. More importantly the information demands of both domestic and international financing and other commercial relationships, have to be satisfied. (p. 19). Everything must remain in balance or presented as a well-oiled machine. How does an organisation get to this point of transformation with its accounting practices? Modern accounting asks for more participation and optimisation from the start to finish by the corporate accountant. The actions of the corporate accountants must change as the movement toward lean functioning continues to take place. It should not be a painful process but one of creativity, flexibility and growth. There is a concern that lean accounting requires one to turn off creativity and be boxed into one function or thought process. This will be explored late as a post-modern viewpoint of business where each person has a function within the total quality management or TQM perspective. Modern business may use this as a framework but the modern business model has evolved beyond this fixed view. The truth of the matter is that modern accounting practices could not be further from this view of being boxed in but rather goes beyond breaking the box and creating a different mindset where thin king is seen differently than before. Accounting is seen differently as not having finite possibilities but infinite reasoning. Traditional methods are flawed as proposed by Van Der Merwe and Thomson (2007), â€Å"the direct costing approach doesn’t absorb any overhead or even fixed costs†¦resource consumption accounting or RCA makes no arbitrary assignments at all† (p. 29). A lean, effective method allows for a more detailed account of capacity costs and a basic approach to data collection. Modern times call modern values and thought processes with regard to business seamless behaviour across the production floor. The lean method maintains a â€Å"one-touch flow system† (Van Der Merwe Thomson 2007, p. 29) for information diffusion across the life cycle. This one-touch flow system can be integrated with a supply chain easily and reflects this value added element as a method for better, honest accounting. OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT A most important factor for facilities management to recognize is the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) or a variation of TQM. TQM according to David Steingard is â€Å"a set of techniques and procedures used to reduce or eliminate variation from the production process or service delivery system in order to improve efficiency† (Steingard 2002, p. 2). TQM fits with the facilities management way of doing things as many of their functions require repetition or constant monitoring of daily, weekly and monthly items. Because this is a modernist concept and the modernist movement believed in certainty and static methods of looking at the world, there is not much room for the uncertainty that change creates in today’s workplace using strictly TQM. Therefore either change in this environment must be controlled change or a variation of TQM must be used for the process to work and involve new technologies. Otherwise, TQM alone invents a work environment reminiscent of Franz L ang’s Metropolis and dehumanizes the employee. A variation TQM can be used in facilities management to aid defining team member responsibilities as it sees the whole team as a â€Å"machine creates a system of interlocking parts each with clearly defined use, centralized authority and high degrees of worker discipline culminating with the goal of routinised, efficient and predictable system performance† (Steingard 2002, p. 2). Each team member plays a role in the functioning of the machine. Still much like today’s business environment where change is constant, this system requires continued adjustment, modification improvement of function. TQM as way of defining a work process cannot operate entirely in today’s global market because it succeeds at the expense of innovation and the growth of the employee. It also does not leave room to incorporate change and new ways of improving functions. Still a memory of pure TQM feeds the â€Å"modernist machine of c onsumer capitalism which encourages over-consumption, planned obsolescence, ecological damage and depletion of natural resources† (Steingard 2002, p. 4). This memory has also burdened management as the obsession for perfection, control, consistency, productivity and efficiency increases over time. In today’s facilities team, there must be a healthy medium to not only use past methods for increased productivity and efficiency but also to include modern tools and equipment to make the job easier. In order to remain competitive, technology cannot be ignored, the systems it provides must be implemented in order for logistics to remain seamless and keep up with demand and customer expectation. For instance failure to embrace logistics and technology results in inventory costing a company more money to store than it is worth. McCullogh writes, â€Å"Right now sitting around the globe is a bunch of inventory (worth an estimated) United States $1 trillion—United States $1 trillion of boxes of stuff is just sitting around a warehouse† (‘Warning: Don’t Snub Logistics’, p. 1). This has the potential to represent about 60 percent of the average company’s working capital. This is capital in limbo that is not maximizing its investment potential. A sign of successful shop floor operations is reliance on very little warehousing. In other words, warehousing is measured as the amount of days per month a product sits in the warehouse and if logistics is implemented effectively, this number will decrease and stabilize. The retail average storage of inventory is 26 days of investment not being utilized, profit being lost and daily expenses being incurred in an endless holding pattern. In order to reduce the amount of days inventory sits means companies must create tighter relationships with suppliers via the web or perfect a system of communication between resources to cut out warehousing all together. Instead of inventory remaining stored because of wireless communication and data collection, the product can go straight from the supply source to the retailer’s shelves via a distribution centre that acts much like mail sorting centre. This can work because technology enables a retailer to send data immediately to the supplie r of products that are moving off the shelves with a click of a button. From this electronic message, the supplier knows what the retailer needs, what products are popular, how much and sends then instantly to the retailer’s distribution centre. In organisations the size of Nestle or Wal-Mart, logistics strategy requires much forethought and planning, as there are many branches and divisions that are involved in the process. The idea is to reduce expenses and increase value to the organisation by making the company more productive and efficient. This needs to be done as seamlessly as possible to continue brand loyalty and customer relations while maintaining market share and competitive advantage. In many ways, implementation of this strategy creates a delicate balance. In order to have better Business to Business or B2B relationships, one must understand the connection. Robert Thierauf and Hoctor (2003) explain, â€Å"B2B is about connecting shared businesses and information processes of the extended trading networks, planning, shipping and logistics, inventory management and customer retention to name a few† (Thierauf Hoctor, p. 181). In other words, an optimized planning process can save millions dollars and allow a multination corporation to carry out its objective and gain market share. This means applying advanced technology such as i2 used by Dell Computers and typical ERP vendors. In today’s act of doing business, B2B exchanges are based on supply chain management or SCM technologies (Thierauf Hoctor, 2003, p. 182). This will mean considerable investment in such technology but the benefit of market share will prove it to be a valued investment over the long-run (Burn Hachney 2002; Scerbo 1999). Running these centres effectively certainly poses a challenge of management. Manufacturers must develop new skills and confront channel conflicts with dealers, distributors and independent operators. Leaders in these positions must have an understanding of managing the conflicts in these channels. But well-managed distribution centres would more than justify the risks, as it would save the organisation a significant amount of overhead. With operating expenses as the main cost, it is possible to make the distribution venture essentially self-funding. Facilities can be rented on short-term leases and surrendered if the location isnt successful within a year or two. The cost of goods and labour can be managed as volume grows. Companies should remember that a manufacturers original warranty work usually accounts for about half of the labour expenses and for as much as 20 percent of the total value of services rendered, but these costs are typically charged back to the business unit rather than borne by the company’s distribution. In markets poorly served by local dealers or other distributors, for instance, a centre should gear itself to its company’s end users or consumers by choosing a high-traffic retail site. Profits at these locations are generated largely through the sale of accessories and optional services to walk-in or mail order customers; outlets thus need appealing product displays or sales pr esentations. Different kinds of retail distribution centres pursue different economic models. Although gross margins on sales to end-users are higher, orders tend to be smaller. Locations that focus on distributors can achieve scale faster and be just as profitable. The largely similar economics of service centres vary only according to which customer segment is best served at each location. Companies run their own centres and tie management bonuses to profit and growth goals at each site. Either way, some support functions, such as marketing, human resources and information and financial systems, are best managed at the corporate level. Warehouses and distributions centres are caught in a squeeze between customer service demands and cost drivers. The challenge for most organisations is create a network that can deliver on customer demands while keeping costs down. This is the number challenge in supply chain management. Supply chain management presents a huge undertaking when it comes to overhead operating costs. Many of the tools have come down in price because usability has gotten easier. As a result, more and more companies are adopting a supply chain management philosophy for distribution and are re-evaluating its effectiveness every two years as opposed to before at every five years. Management members are interested to see if the efficiency of the centre matches its service level provided. Research has found a direct relationship between the number of distribution points, transportation costs and customer service targets. The network and its design are driven by improvements so that the cost of transportation can be offset. This may include reviewing an organisation’s transportation arrangements. Loading patterns should also be examined to find ways to cube out containers and trailers (Trunick, p. 1). What possibilities can be used to have a cost-effective outcome for the distribution centre? Does this mean consolidating shipments or a move to parcel and less than truckload shipments? Can shipments be combined to make greater use of truck cargo space? Can the organisation hire rail or air as better shipping alternatives to using company trucks over longer distances? In addition to examining loading can the routes used by the trucks be adjusted to be add to cost-efficiency? An organisation would benefit using their state’s transportation management system or a department of transportation, DOT to map out distribution volumes and patterns. This would help in providing dynamic routing options that can be flexible to change distribution needs in the network. This can benefit the fleet by reducing fuel supply needs and help control costs and usage. These efficiencies would result because the routes would decrease in mileage and also wear/tear on the vehicles and insurance costs. Efficiency inside the four walls of the distribution centre can also be improved. Relatively speaking the size of the average distribution centre has grown from 300,000 square feet to one million square feet (Trunick, p. 2). This is simply due to operating space needed to move inventory from point a to point b. But the real reason the distribution centre is larger today is mainly because organisations have seen the need to put all operations under one roof. By putting multiple facilities into one larger distribution centre improves the time it takes to transport inventory. Still the larger centre is made possible because of improved transportation systems but also implementation new technologies that not only enhance a brick and mortar store but also a virtual one. Plus, the organisation has the manpower under one roof. The company only rents one building and keeps the inventory in one place rather than moving it from warehouse to warehouse. This allows the company to provide better service to the consumer. Because of these factors, information systems are critical to the success of the larger distribution centre. Data has the need to travel from one area to another and that is why more and more companies are investing in radio frequency terminals both handheld and vehicle mounted. Investment of these RFID systems is not inexpensive and many retailers such Wal-Mart and Target are looking for ways to enrich the present technology and systems without implementing a whole new infrastructure into the walls of the centre. By being able to enhance present systems proves to be cost effective because not only is an upgrade cheaper but also it is easier to train employees to run. It is a company’s ability to effectively handle investment of new technologies that allows the centre to run better. Still as Trunick writes, the concern is not found in hardware but in data. â€Å"Databases have traditionally been structured to feed a number of different systems, but that’s not a long term architectural solution† (p. 2). Part of the problem a distribution centre faces with data storage is being able to provide the data in real time and allowing the data to remain clean and not crowd. As a result many companies are searching for better solutions than using RFID in supply chain management. It has not proven to be productive in the distribution centre setting not like 8 percent in the warehouse setting (Trunick, p. 2). One new technology that was introduced to the Nestle facilities management team in 2006 was the use of a computerized tracking system for client user orders. This system was implemented to better track the status of job orders among the team members. This system acted to alert a team member of potential deadlines and current job load status. It also allowed management to better track individual and team progress. This resulted in a monthly recognition program to signify when quotas had been met or when a team member received a client user compliment. This system also had the capability to record the negative such as being late to a service call or failing to complete monitoring of weekly items for inspection. The system would then e-mail the team member and the direct supervisor if such conduct occurred (Facilities Training Group 2007, p. 11). This system replaced the old process of â€Å"tracking† client user orders that consisted of logging each order into a spiral notebook. With the advent of the company’s intranet site, management hoped to improve communication between the facilities team and the client user by offering an electronic request system. This would reduce the amount of time the facilities team spent fielding phone called requested and allow for multi-tasking of various jobs. What management had hoped the system implementation would result in, did not happen mainly due to team member lack of communication and resistance to change due to a pre-existing TQM elements within the old process of handling client user orders. Management had hoped as the Business Open Learning Archive details, â€Å"automation would exploit available technology to speed up operations, make them more reliable and to reduce unit costs and their risks and costs. This would bring flexibility to the system already in practice† (Operations Technology 2005, p. 1). This type of new technology or just-in-time or JIT technology requires careful handling and extensive training. What facilities management team leaders had not prepared for was the team member response. Many of them despite being competent, responsible employees did not have knowledge of computer systems. Many of the team members had been with the company over twenty years and had been hired to the division. Many of thes e types, fall into the category of being older but also having a specific specialization in which they were in the field most of the time (Facilities Training Group 2007, p. 24) not requiring any other extensive skills. Another factor management had not anticipated was a considerable language barrier as many team members who had worked together for years, continued working in their native tongue of Spanish. A final aspect of the mixed response for the team had more to do with timing than anything. Management provided a three-day training session and then allowed two weeks for the new system to be adopted. The transitional period was too short and was met with much resistance from many members of the team. Many did not accept the change or completely understand the new system. Many did not check their email or use the tracking component. Finally, despite company wide advertisement of the new online request feature, most client users did not use it and continued to phone in requests. This resulted in not a decrease in time spent on the phone but due to the new system’s lack transition and rejection by some of the team, the group received three times as many calls in one week (Facilities Training Group 2007, p. 33). The team had to hire a temporary employee to aid in taking calls while team leaders provided on the job training and supervised walk-through of the new process. The period of six weeks it took the team to get ba