A Cause for Concern

A Cause for Concern A Cause for Concern A Cause for Concern By Maeve Maddox It’s a cause for concern that many professional journalists and consultants of various kinds are muddling the idioms â€Å"a cause for concern† and â€Å"gives one pause† to create the meaningless hybrid â€Å"a pause for concern.† Here are some examples, taken from serious news and consulting sites: Why the Latest Economic Reports Should Give Pause for Concern Fewer high school grads in the Midwest give colleges pause for concern Dad’s snores give pause for concern Under the current version of the LEED building rating program (3.0), there are a few interesting wrinkles that should give pause for concern among owners, developers, contractors and subcontractors. the report also revealed some information that should give us pause for concern.   The idiom a cause for concern means â€Å"a reason to feel anxiety.† Here are some examples of its correct use: Threatening Remarks by Swazi Prime Minister Cause for Concern Antibacterial household products: cause for concern    Recent market changes cause for concern The idiom gives one pause means â€Å"causes a person to stop and think more carefully about something.† Here are some examples in which this expression is used correctly: What does seem clear though is that when one considers the volume and duration of the government’s data gathering effort, it gives one pause.   Theres something about communicating with those working to master basic English that gives one pause. It gives one pause to consider that those same forces of natural selection responsible for the diversity, abundance, and efficacy of life forms on this world are also operative on the biospheric, global scale.   One happening in his news-purveying always stood forth sharply if laughably in memory, an additional item that gave him pause with regard to the strangeness of human destiny. The verb pause means, â€Å"to stop or interrupt an action.† Be sure to pause before writing the non-idiom â€Å"to give pause for concern.† 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 Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:12 Types of LanguageSelect vs. Selected20 Clipped Forms and Their Place (If Any) in Formal Writing

Grow Your Own Multicolor Mineral Crystal Specimen

Grow Your Own Multicolor Mineral Crystal Specimen Natural minerals need millions of years to form, but you can make a homemade mineral in just a few days using inexpensive ingredients you can get at a home supply store. The chemicals grow different colors of crystals, which look like a geological specimen. The result is pretty enough to showcase at home or in the lab. Homemade Mineral Materials alum or chrome alumcopper sulfateborax or boric acidwaterfood coloring (optional)rock or other material for a base Regular white alum is sold as a kitchen spice. If you use this alum, youll want to add food coloring to grow colored crystals or you can stick with the natural clear crystals. Chrome alum (also known as chromium alum or potassium chromium sulfate) is available online and grows natural purple crystals. If you have both chemicals, you can mix them to produce natural lavender-colored crystals. Copper sulfate grows naturally blue crystals. It is sold either as a pure chemical online or as a root killer at a home supply store. Check the label to make sure copper sulfate is the ingredient. The product will look like a blue powder or granules. Boric acid is sold as an insecticide (roach killer) or disinfectant powder. Borax is sold as a laundry booster. The white powder of either chemical produces delicate white crystals. Procedure Growing a homemade mineral specimen is a multi-step process. Youll grow one layer of crystals on a rock, let the specimen dry, then grow another layer of a different chemical, let it dry, and grow the third layer to complete the project. First, find a rock and a container just large enough that you can add liquid to cover the rock completely. You dont want too big of a container or youll have to make up a lot of each crystal solution. Make up the crystal growing solutions one at a time, as you need them. In all cases, the procedure for preparing the solution is the same. Dissolve as much chemical as you can in boiling hot water. Add food coloring, if desired.Filter the solution through a paper towel or coffee filter to remove any sediment.Allow the solution to cool slightly so you dont burn yourself and dont accidentally dissolve any pre-existing crystals (for the second and third crystal sets).Place the rock or other substrate in a container. Pour the solution into the container until the rock is covered.Allow crystals to grow overnight or for a couple of days (until you are pleased with them). Then carefully remove the rock and place it on a paper towel to dry. Empty the container of solution and let it dry.When the rock is dry, return it to the empty container and add the next crystal solution. While you can grow the crystals in any order, my recommendation is to start with the alum, followed by the copper sulfate, and finally the borax. In any case, Id do borax last because the crystals are relatively fragile. Once the mineral specimen is complete, allow it to air dry. Once it is dry, you can display it. Over time, changes in the humidity of a room will alter the appearance of the crystals. If you wish to store the crystals, gently wrap them in paper to help keep the humidity stable. Alum Solution Recipe 5 tablespoons alum1 cup very hot water Copper Sulfate Recipe Copper sulfate saturation is highly dependent on water temperature. Determine how much water you need to fill your container. Heat it in a kettle or microwave until it boils. Keep stirring in copper sulfate until no more will dissolve. There will be undissolved material in the bottom of the container that you can filter out using a paper towel. Boric Acid or Borax Recipe Stir boric acid or borax into very hot tap water until no more will dissolve. Additional Crystals To Grow If three colors isnt enough for you, you can add delicate needle-like crystals of Epsom salts or red potassium ferricyanide crystals.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infection Prevention Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infection Prevention - Essay Example The role that education plays in preventing foot ulcers have been emphasized in a comprehensive study written by the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) (2010). Their report evaluated and compared diverse studies which focused on non-healing wounds, or initially termed chronic wounds (European Wound Management Association (EWMA), 2010). The paper thereby defined non-healing or chronic wound as â€Å"a wound that has not healed for at least 4–6 weeks from its first observation at a trial screening visit† (European Wound Management Association (EWMA), 2010, p. 264). Since there were different types of wound that were apparently identified (diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, as well as pressure ulcers), the focus of the current review is clearly on diabetic ulcers. Concurrently, relevant issues and concerns regarding providing relevant information to patients, management, diagnostic and therapeutic protocol, as well as factors influencing the outcome of suggested int erventions were revealed (European Wound Management Association (EWMA), 2010; Faglia, et al., 2002; Schaper, Apelqvist, & Bakker, 2012).The main concern among the articles evaluated on the subject emphasized that management of diabetic foot ulcers actually require a multi-disciplinary approach (Schaper, Apelqvist, & Bakker, 2012; Lavery, Peters, & Armstrong, 2008). For instance, merely understanding the risk factors or variables associated with the development of foot ulcers was deemed insufficient and virtually ineffective in addressing the dilemma. Most of the interventions that were expounded were reactionary; as opposed to preventive – where education plays a relevant role. Only in the studies written by Dorresteijn, Kriegsman, Assendelft, & Valk (2012) and Lavery, Peters, & Armstrong (2008) did the authors emphasize education.... The paper thereby defined non-healing or chronic wound as â€Å"a wound that has not healed for at least 4–6 weeks from its first observation at a trial screening visit† (European Wound Management Association (EWMA), 2010, p. 264). Since there were different types of wound that were apparently identified (diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, as well as pressure ulcers), the focus of the current review is clearly on diabetic ulcers. Concurrently, relevant issues and concerns regarding providing relevant information to patients, management, diagnostic and therapeutic protocol, as well as factors influencing the outcome of suggested interventions were revealed (European Wound Management Association (EWMA), 2010; Faglia, et al., 2002; Schaper, Apelqvist, & Bakker, 2012). The main concern among the articles evaluated on the subject emphasized that management of diabetic foot ulcers actually require a multi-disciplinary approach (Schaper, Apelqvist, & Bakker, 2012; Lavery, Peters, & Armstrong, 2008). For instance, merely understanding the risk factors or variables associated with the development of foot ulcers was deemed insufficient and virtually ineffective in addressing the dilemma. Most of the interventions that were expounded were reactionary; as opposed to preventive – where education plays a relevant role. Only in the studies written by Dorresteijn, Kriegsman, Assendelft, & Valk (2012) and Lavery, Peters, & Armstrong (2008) did the authors emphasize education as one of the interventions for preventing diabetic ulcers. Accordingly, the authors asserted that â€Å"educating people with diabetes about foot care (would potentially) help reduce foot ulcers and amputations†

Best Practice, Best Fit and Resource View of the firms analysis for Essay

Best Practice, Best Fit and Resource View of the firms analysis for relevance - Essay Example But these new concepts definitely did one thing, forced the organizations to focus on a neglected area. Similar is the case with "Best Practice", "Best Fit" and "Resource View of the Firms". The three concepts led to awakening which provided insights into organizations themselves on practices, organizational variables and the organizational resources respectively. Best Practice term arrived in the 1990s when the entire world of organizations were in a flux, the world became unipolar and the resources deployed hitherto for anticipated war between two poles of the world were suddenly available for better use, for business and the core of business is essentially the needs, desires of human beings and the ability to fulfill them. The geographical boundaries had suddenly collapsed and the resulting globalization created aggregation of these needs, desires and the abilities to fulfill them, unleashing a state of huge threats and huge opportunities. A plethora of business concepts arrived on the scene, quickly delivered by ICT elements across a wider spectrum of organizations. Best Practice concept was one of them. The search of reasons or factors behind a superlative performance led to a process-by-process analysis and its comparison with the more successful companies. Best practice is essentially kno... It is a quest for improvement through the use of experience behind creating a better practice by others. The comparison could be either through unstructured or structured mechanisms, documents, interactions. Benchmarking encompasses best practices and best practice results are the starting point in improvement through benchmarking partnerships. Normally two organizations enter into benchmarking partnerships and try to transfer the best practices from one context to another. It starts with regular comparison of performance measures in identified areas and when it is found that performance of some parameters is quite high, a detailed analysis is carried out to find out how it is done and what is the practice being adopted to achieve that superior result. Now the key is to understand and implement that practice, leading to closer people to people interactions, depending on the understanding and enthusiasm of the implementing organization. Another approach seen regarding best practice is industry or sector specific associations engaged in sharing and exchanging of data, experiences in seminars or workshops to facilitate the growth of the industry itself through capture of best practice and disseminating the same. The approach has definitely helped organizations to see the organizational activities in terms of a set of practices and look the process-wise comparison with others. The practice of comparison came down to the level of practices. Best Practice Blues There have been significant activities in the efforts to capture best practices from other sources and deploy in the own context. There are reasons to say that these efforts did not get a fair amount of success except the possible benefit of communicating a comparative message that someone

Automobile Industry China Essay Example for Free

Automobile Industry China Essay ? China became the world’s largest automobile producer and market in 2009 with annual sales of nearly 14 million vehicles. The market continues to expand in 2010. In the first nine months of 2010, automobile production reached 13. 08 million units, a 36. 1 percent increase from a year ago. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) raised its forecast for annual sales to reach a record 17 million this year, matching the highest annual total ever reached in the United States. Industry growth has been primarily driven by rising domestic demand stemming from rising incomes, a growing middle class, and by supportive industry policies from the Chinese government. The Chinese automotive industry remains very fragmented. In addition, Chinese central government officials fear that unchecked expansion of Chinas auto industry encouraged by local authorities could harm the wider economy, and that excess capacity must be stopped. Hence, the central government continues to push for mergers and acquisitions (MA) in the automotive industry which will support the emergence of a few leading national companies. China’s weak RD, domestic innovation and design capabilities are key challenges to its international competitiveness. With the government’s encouragement, domestic firms have opted for strategic partnerships with foreign players, aiming to facilitate technology transfer and improve domestic design and engineering capabilities. The Chinese government has implemented a number of tax adjustments and subsidies for automobile purchases to encourage hybrid electric vehicles, pure electric vehicles and traditional vehicles of small engine displacement. Beijing has gradually introduced higher automobile emission standards for new vehicles. Plans to develop hybrid electric and pure electric vehicle production capabilities are part of a broader, environmentally friendly strategy to develop the auto industry. Market opportunities exist especially in the following areas: o Developing domestic innovation capabilities (e.g. vehicle design and engineering, hybrid electric and pure electric engines, electric motors and electric controls) o Productivity and quality upgrade (e. g. engines, transmissions, electronic control systems and safety systems) o Mergers and acquisitions (both in China and in Israel) o Clean transportation technologies 3 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) ? ? ? ? ? ? o Advanced manufacturing technologies o Supply of essential automotive components/systems to OEMs (e. g.electronic control systems and safety systems) ? The following automotive segments in China are considered to be highly competitive and it will likely be difficult for Israeli firms to penetrate the market unless they have an extreme competitive advantage: Fabric for seats/interiors, seat covers, floor mats, curtains, aluminum die casting, rubber bumpers, electronic harness cables, antennae, speakers, electric starters, vehicle cleaning products, window films, A/C compressors, fuel and oil and air filters. 1. MARKET OVERVIEW ? ? China’s automotive market has the most growth potential in the world; per capita car ownership is still remarkably low at 4. 78% and is expected to grow significantly. Domestic whole-vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers are still extremely fragmented (government-supported consolidation is imminent in the near future); challenges remain for domestic RD and design. With government subsidies and tax incentives, China is aiming to establish an early footing in the production of low-emission and environmentally friendly automobiles. Component imports surged by 130% in the first half of 2010; 60% of imported components were drivetrains, engines or automotive body components. ? ? 1. 1 GENERAL OVERVIEW Market Growth Primarily fueled by domestic and partly by foreign demand, China’s rapidly expanding automotive industry has outpaced the nation’s already impressive GDP growth rates in recent years. Domestically, rising incomes and encouragement from the Chinese government for the urban population to obtain drivers licenses have spurred the demand for passenger vehicles. The booming passenger vehicle market has led to a soaring demand for automotive components. Internationally, automotive manufacturers faced with decreasing margins and profitability have sought out more affordable supply chain solutions, looking to China as a potential source for lower cost automotive components. Unlike developed markets for passenger vehicles, where growth in demand has been largely stagnant, China’s domestic demand for new automobiles has skyrocketed in the past years. Strong car sales in China in 2009 pushed the auto market to the largest in the world, and 2010 is set follow the positive trend. 4 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009). Source: China Association of Automotive Manufacturers (CAAM) In the first nine months of 2010, automobile sales reached 13. 08 million units, up 36. 1% from a year ago. Over 9 million of the total sales were passenger cars and 3. 24 million were commercial vehicles. CAAM predicted that the 2010 annual sales will reach a record of 17 million units. It is widely believed that China’s automotive market currently has the most growth potential in the world. China’s 2009 per capita private car ownership was 4. 78%, far less than the 40% average of developed countries, and even less than other emerging markets such as Russia, Brazil and India. This is a strong indication that China’s domestic market is far from being overly saturated. According to CAAM predictions, growth in the auto industry will remain strong until 2020 with annual growth expected to consistently range from 13 to 15 percent. The total number of vehicles will jump from 67 to 150 million. Sales in larger tierone and tier-two cities as well as rural areas should keep growing at a rapid pace over the next few years and high growth areas will move from eastern China to the central and western regions. Market Players There are currently more than 100 whole-vehicle manufacturers and nearly 8,000 automotive parts manufacturers in China, located primarily in Southern, Eastern, and Northeastern and central China (see the map on the right). Together, the top ten passenger vehicle manufacturers (seven of which are joint ventures (JVs) make up almost 90% of China’s market share (see the table below). Nearly every major global vehicle manufacturer has established JV operations in China. 5 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009). Top 10 Passenger Vehicle Manufacturers in China (2009) Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Source: CAAM Company SAIC1 FAW2 Dongfeng Chana (incl. Hafei) Beijing Auto Guangzhou Auto Chery BYD Brilliance Geely Others HQ Shanghai Changchun Wuhan Chongqing Beijing Guangzhou Hefei Shenzhen Shenyang Taizhou JV Partner GM, VW VW, Toyota, Mazda PSA, Nissan, Honda Ford, Mazda, Suzuki Hyundai Daimler Honda, Toyota, Isuzu, Fiat N/A N/A BMW, Toyota N/A Sales (Unit) 2,705. 5K 1,944. 6K 1,897. 7K 1,869. 8K 1,243. 0K 606. 6K 500. 3K 448. 4K 348. 3K 329. 1K 1,750K Market Share 19. 83% 14. 25% 13. 91% 13. 70% 9. 11% 4. 45% 3. 67% 3. 29% 2. 55% 2. 41% 12. 84% Import Positive demand growth for automobiles and components has not only caused domestic industry development, but has led to increased attention from leading foreign automotive manufacturers eager to expand into the rapidly growing market. Foreign automotive manufacturers have also been encouraged by lower import tariffs, which have been lowered for whole vehicles from 70-80% to 25% since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). Import tariffs on Semi-Knocked-Downs (SKDs) and Complete-Knocked-Downs (CKDs) have dropped from 50% to 25%, while import tariffs on vehicle components have dropped from 15% to 10%. 1 2 Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation First Auto Works 6 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) China’s automotive import growth was slowed due to weaker demand caused by the global economic crisis of 2009. Annual total import were USD 33. 1 billion in 2009, representing a year-onyear increase of only 5. 34%. Assisted by government incentive programs and China’s economic recovery, China’s auto import total bounced back from a sluggish 2009, surging by 130% to USD 27. 22 billion in the first half of 2010. Imported European luxury cars had a remarkable 237. 2% increase in 2010 compared to the same period the previous year. China’s automotive component imports grew to USD 12. 7 billion in the first half of 2010, a 90% increase over the same period of 2009. Drivetrain, engine and automotive body components accounted for over 60% of the total component imports (see chart). More than 80% of the imported components came from Japan, German, Korea, and the United States. The main groups of imported automotive components to China can be divided into three categories: ? Japanese and Korean OEMs and Tier I suppliers: Generally these companies tend to only use suppliers from their country of origin. For example, Toyota typically sources components from Japanese JVs or Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprises (WFOEs) on the mainland, or directly imports from Japan. Such practice tends to result from strict quality requirements, cultural compatibility and logistical concerns. German OEMs and Tier I suppliers: These companies typically import components in the areas where Chinese suppliers are weak (e. g. safety systems for high-end passenger cars). The US and French OEMs operating in China have not increased their automotive component imports as much as their peers for different reasons. US OEMs have steadily increased their sourcing from local Chinese suppliers for vehicles manufactured in China to stay competitive, and French OEMs are facing a shrinking market share in China. ? ? Chinese OEMs are emerging buyers of imported automotive components, especially in the segments of hybrid and electric vehicles and Chinese-brand luxury vehicles. 7 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Export The impact of the economic crisis in 2008-2009 forced many multinational companies to reduce their sourcing of automotive vehicles and components from China. According to CAAM, China exported a total of 369,600 units in 2009 worth USD 5. 19 billion, which was down by 46% from 2008. China’s auto exports rebounded as the global market recovered in 2010, with 250,100 vehicles exported in the first six months (up 55. 93% year-on-year). Passenger vehicle exports surged 115. 93% to 116,500 units, while commercial vehicle exports increased 25. 50% to 133,900 units. Algeria, Vietnam and Egypt were the major whole-vehicle export destinations in the first half of 2010. The auto component’s export growth has witnessed even more impressive growth than whole-vehicles. Exports increased 54. 11% to reach USD 18 billion in the first half year of 2010, with drive system components exceeding 50% of the total by value. More than 50% of the components were exported to the USA, Japan, South Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom. 1. 2 MARKET STRUCTURE Supplier Landscape The automotive supplier landscape in China is extremely fragmented. According to CAAM, there are approximately 8,000 automotive enterprises scattered across various segments including full vehicle manufacturing, vehicle refitting, motorcycle production, engine production and automotive parts manufacturing. Most of these companies specialize in lower-end parts and lack the capital needed to invest in production of higher quality products. Seven of Chinas ten largest components manufacturers are foreign companies, and about 70% of the countrys USD 160 billion auto supply market is occupied by foreign companies or joint ventures. There are approximately 120 OEMs in total, 40% of which produce passenger vehicles. One of the key contributors to the fragmentation of the automotive market as a whole is that Chinese suppliers serve a large amount of separate OEMs. The world’s leading automotive companies are all well-established in China. OEMs are represented by Ford, General Motors (GM), Volkswagen (VW), Daimler, BMW, PSA, Mazda, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and tier-one international companies including Bosch, Delphi, Denso, Johnson Controls, Lear, Magna, Visteon, Yazaki, ZF, Arvin Meritor and TRW. 8 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Most of the international automaker and component manufactures have invested heavily in China in attempts to gain a competitive edge. For example, GM, Ford and Jaguar Land Rover have established their Asia Pacific headquarters in China. GM, VW and Honda have also opened China RD centers and have begun to design car models specifically for the Chinese consumer. International automotive components companies have also expanded their presence in China. For instance, BorgWarner recently opened a China Technical Center. ZF announced the establishment of its Asia Pacific headquarters in Shanghai as well as a new Shanghai RD center. Eaton’s Asia Pacific headquarters is in Shanghai. Rapid expansion from international firms has let to foreign-invested automotive components suppliers holding 70% of the Chinese market share. Most of the top Chinese automotive parts manufacturers are wholly owned domestic companies such as ASIMCO, Wanxiang, Hongteo, Fuyao, Dicastal, Wanfeng and others. These companies could be potential competitors or partners for Israeli companies. In response to the soaring domestic demand, Chinese automotive component manufacturers have ramped up their production capacities significantly, but this has also led to an increase in quality complaints. Key Challenges for the Domestic Industry Chinese suppliers are now looking beyond the domestic market and improving their production process to emerge as true global competitors. However, further investment in RD is still required before Chinese manufacturers can truly compete globally, as the industry still lacks technological capability and suffers from quality issues. China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Flagship Domestic Automotive Companies Chery Automotive (Chery) ? Founded in 1997 and now has an annual production capacity of 650,000 vehicles, 400,000 engines, and 400,000 sets of gearboxes. ? Continues to expand into the overseas market and has established plants in 16 countries becoming the biggest Chinese vehicle exporter for seven consecutive years. ? Chery Automobile Test Technology Center opened in July 2010, which became the largest auto lab in Asia. The company will invest RMB 2. 4 billion in 2010 to accelerate its new model development. ? Chery now owns a full set of manufacturing and RD facilities, including four car plants, two engine plants, a gearbox plant, an automobile engineering research institute, an automobile planning and design institute and an automobile test technology center. ? Have extensive technological and business relationships with overseas auto companies. Chery signed an agreement with Chrysler to produce Chery made cars under the Chrysler brand to be sold in the United States and Mexico. ? Chery Quantum Auto. Ltd is a joint venture between Chery and Quantum LLC under an Israeli Group. They aimed to invest USD 334 million in 2010 to develop high-end cars and SUVs for the overseas market. 9 RD capability Chinese automotive component manufacturers are able to manufacture products when they are provided with designs and specifications, however most of them lack design, engineering and RD capabilities. Owing to weak RD and engineering capabilities, many local suppliers have opted to enter into technical collaborations or JVs with leading international suppliers with the goal of facilitating the transfer of technology and improve basic product engineering capabilities. A growing number of Chinese auto parts suppliers have begun to invest in and acquire western firms. Domestic RD capabilities of Chinese automotive part manufacturers have historically been limited due to the small-scale of most operations and a shortage of investment in laboratory facilities in comparison to international firms. Taking steps to remedy the situation, the Chinese government has continued to encourage investment in RD for core systems, such as engines, transmission systems, steering systems, brake systems and driving control systems. Safety and reputational issues Incidents and product recalls have raised questions about the quality and safety standards of Chinese manufactured automotive components. According to the 2009 China Automotive Product Quality After Service Quality report, among the 9359 complaints documented about Chinese made cars, 19. 5% were related to engine problems; 10. 5% to steering systems; 10. 7% to braking systems; 18. 5% to automobile accessories and electronics; and the remaining 40. 8% related to the gearbox, clutch, front and rear axles, suspension systems and air conditioning systems. As a result of complaints and recalls, as well as other non-automotive related manufacturing scandals in China including melamine milk, contaminated pet food, and anti-freeze laced toothpaste, Chinese manufactures are facing serious issues about their reputation. This is a problem local manufacturers will have to overcome if they want to increase their competitiveness on the global stage. The drivers are in place for Chinese domestic manufacturers to move to the forefront of the global automotive industry, but substantial domestic investment in RD and improvements on quality and reputation are a necessary prerequisite. 1. 3 EMERGING INDUSTRY TRENDS Industry Drivers The rapid expansion of the Chinese automotive industry has been largely attributed to the growth in domestic demand for passenger vehicles and international demand for affordable automotive components. The Chinese government also continues to play an important role in encouraging the growth of the industry. 10 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Tier II and Tier III cities emerge as market growth engines In 2010, most multinational automakers have included a focus on Central and Western China markets into their strategies in order to capture future growth opportunities. For example, Volkswagen is ramping up capacity of its Chengdu plant more than doubling its production of Sagitars and Jettas from 150,000 to 350,000. GAIC Toyota (a JV between Guangzhou Automobile Industry Corporation and Toyota) is considering building a small and price-competitive car to target the lower end of the market. The JV also announced plans to expand its dealership network across central and Western China. Central and western China have emerged as the main growth engine of the automotive market. According to CAAM, automobile sales in second and third-tier cities in the first nine months of 2009 surged 41 percent and 51 percent respectively, while sales in the firsttier cities increased by 34 percent. Domestic demand has been fueled by rising incomes and a growing middle class creating a larger consumer culture. The purchase of an automobile is increasingly becoming a symbol of financial success. In the past, the focus has been on coastal cities. Since 2009, tier II and tier III cities have emerged as the strongest market growth engines (see more details on your left) Even though large cities in China are facing serious traffic congestion issues, Chinese have not been deterred about making new automobile purchases. China overtook the U. S. as the world’s number one automotive market in January 2009. The positive developments in the passenger vehicle industry have benefitted both domestic auto manufacturers (which are emerging from their infancy stages and developing competitive capabilities) and major international automotive giants (which have increased investment into China to expand their presence). However, with per capita car ownership was still only 4. 78% in 2009, still far below the 40% average in developed countries. This is a strong sign that domestic demand for passenger vehicles will remain high in years to come. The domestic aftermarket for automotive components is increasingly becoming an important driver of the industry. More than thirteen million cars are sold annually in China which is leading to a growing market for automobile repairs and further stimulating domestic demand for automotive components. International demand for automotive components has also increased as international automotive firms face pressures to reduce costs and take advantage of more economical alternatives abroad. China’s inexpensive labor force presents an attractive option for producing lower-cost automotive components, which were initially primarily for the international aftermarket but are increasingly being used by international OEMs. The majority of leading international automobile OEMs have established global sourcing offices, RD centers as well as regional headquarters in China. 11 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Finally, the Chinese government continues to play an important role in driving the industry. Post-WTO accession concessions have resulted in lower import tariffs, giving international automotive firms more access to the domestic market. Beijing has actively encouraged the establishment of JV RD centers with preferential tax policies designed to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology. The government has pledged substantial funds towards automotive technology innovation, upgrades, and the RD of alternative-fuel automobiles and components. They are also setting restrictions and quotas requiring all vehicles that are used for government use to be produced domestically. Industry Consolidation China is determined to restructure its automotive industry, with the hopes of changing the market from many fragmented manufactures to two or three dominant domestic firms. According to the State Council’s regulations released in early September 2010 which called for greater industrial consolidation, the automobile industry was at the top of the list of targeted sectors. The State Council set the goal of reducing the number of major automakers who are responsible for 90% of domestic sales output, from 14 to 10. Under the plan two or three companies would dominate the industry, responsible for producing more than three million vehicles annually, while four others would have annual output capacity of 1. 5 million units. The State Council named the following four groups as potential industry heavyweights, urging them to take advantage of consolidation opportunities: FAW; Dongfeng; China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Flagship Domestic Automotive Companies Shanghai Automotive (Group) Corp (SAIC) Industry ? Headquartered in Shanghai, it is one of the top three auto groups in China. ? Mainly engaged in the manufacturing, sales and RD for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and auto components. ? The company is ranked 223 of the Fortune 500 companies with consolidated revenue of US$33. 6 billion in 2009. ? Sold over 2. 7 million vehicles in 2009, making up almost 20% of China’s market. ? SAIC invested over 10 billion RMB on new model development in the past 3 years, and will launch hybrid and electric vehicles in 2010 and 2012. ? Acquired Nanjing Automotive (Group) Corp (NAC) in 2007 and became the largest manufacturer in China with a consolidated annual production of 2 million units. ? SAIC has opened branches in the USA, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. It has established a long-term cooperation with GM and Volkswagen. SAIC and GM formed Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in 1997 and launched 8 additional China joint ventures, including SAIC-GM-Wuling, GMAC-SAIC Automotive Finance Company, and General Motors SAIC Investment Limited. ? Shanghai Volkswagen (a joint venture between SAIC and Volkswagen AG) recently announced it will build a fifth assembly plant in Jiangsu. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles and start operation by the end of 2012. 12 SAIC and Chang’an. Additionally, it named four regional leaders that it encouraged to consider regional consolidation: Beijing Automobile; Guangzhou Automobile; Cherry and Sinotruck. All of these companies are passenger vehicle manufacturers with the exception of Sinotruck which manufactures heavy-duty trucks (sales of over 125,000 units in 2009). Industry analysts predict that the coming wave of MAs within the automotive sector could see a deal that breaks the USD 1 billion mark, more than doubling the largest deal to date which was the USD 450 million purchase of General Motors. Nexteer steering components unit by a joint venture established by Beijings Tempo Group and the Beijing government. Global Expansion As the leading automotive market, China automakers are accelerating global transformation to increase their presence in the overseas market. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (one of China’s largest independent carmakers) recently completed its acquisition of Ford Motor’s Volvo brand for USD 1. 5 billion. This is an indication that Chinese automakers have begun to recognize the power of strong brand reputation. Geely’s Volvo bid is the largest takeover in Chinese auto industry and will provide a pattern for Chinese carmakers to expand aboard and acquire companies with a strong reputation. Beiqi Foton, China’s leading commercial automaker followed Geely’s step and announced its global expansion plan. This includes setting up a production base in Russia by 2012 with an annual capacity of 100, 000 vehicles and building five other plants in Brazil, India, Russia, Mexico and Thailand before 2015. New Energy Vehicle: Focus of Future Development High oil prices, air pollution, and China’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions have led the automotive industry to explore alternative energies. The Chinese government has launched policies and incentives to stimulate the development of new energy vehicles, including electric (hybrid, plug-in and battery), fuel cell, and hydrogen-powered. China has identified new energy vehicle as one of the seven emerging strategic industries. Many estimate China will become the world’s largest new energy vehicle market by 2020. The Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Development Plan (2011-2020) and the Automotive Industry 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015), two of the key policies expected to guide the development of new energy vehicle industry, are expected to come out by the end of 2010. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is the principal drafter of these plans which are later submitted to the State Council for approval. The plans set the following key targets for the new energy vehicle industry by the end of 2020: ? In the following five years China will aggressively support the development of key components of energy efficient and new energy automobiles. For electric motors and 13 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) ? ? batteries manufacturers, China hopes that three to five â€Å"backbone† enterprises will emerge with their combined market share exceeding 60%. China will produce 5 million new energy vehicles and become the number one producer of new energy vehicles in the world by 2020; Average fuel economy of passenger vehicles will be 4. 5 L/100 kilometers by 2020, the same as European standards. The plans will become the backbone policy for the entire new energy vehicle industry, as it provides direction for public funding, sector focus and industry structuring. Most important to pay attention to is that Chinese companies are likely to reap the most benefits from these structured strategies. To support indigenous innovation, the Chinese government has stated that the two or three key new energy vehicle component manufacturers will most likely be domestic companies, either state-owned or private. 2 REGULATORY OVERVIEW ? Government tariffs on automotive imports are in compliance with WTO rules, but minimum capital barriers still exist for foreign investors. The government has created some incentives to spur RD partnership, and regulations for foreign distributers have been eased somewhat. The government has plans to implement higher auto emissions standards for new cars in China. So far four regions have implemented â€Å"China IV† emission standards (Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Guangdong Province). The Chinese government views the development of the new energy vehicle industry in China as a top priority and has introduced a wide range of subsidies and policies in its favor. ? ? China’s automotive industry supply chain is very broad with many components such as import and export, manufacturing, environmental protection, technology upgrades and quality control. As such, the industry is regulated by a range of government organs, both at the national and sub-national level. The below chart illustrates the key central level regulators of the automotive industry, and their relevant responsibilities. 14 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) The automotive industry is subject to a number of laws and regulations. The key regulations that are relevant to Israeli companies are addressed below. 2. 1 FOREIGN ACCESS TO THE CHINESE AUTOMOTIVE MARKET Trade The Chinese auto sector is competitive and has a well-developed supply chain. Imports of foreign-made auto parts will likely decrease as OEMs continue to increase their local capacities. At the same time, higher quality Chinese auto parts are increasingly being integrated into the global supply chain. Currently the import tariff for whole vehicles is 25% and for automotive components is 10%. 15 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Investment Foreign businesses must meet a number of requirements in order to access China’s automotive market. The Chinese government has set requirements for minimum registered capital when a firm wants to establish an automotive facility which is RMB 500 million (USD 75 million3) for automobile financing, RMB 500 million (USD 75 million) for engine production and RMB 10 million (USD 1. 5 million) for an RD center. All projects are subject to government approval. Foreign firms looking to produce passenger vehicles cannot set up WOFEs, but must partner with a local Chinese firm in the form of a JV, with the foreign partner’s stake limited to 50%. On the other hand, China offers fiscal and financial incentives to attract foreign investment in RD strategies as part of the central government’s strategy to speed up the transfer of international technology. China currently provides tax incentives for enterprises engaged in research and development activities, allowing RD enterprises to deduct 50% of RD expenses. Suppliers are most often required to localize or invest in China and Israeli companies interested in tapping into the vast Chinese market will need to consider establishing a local presence. IPR Issues in China While the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) remains a contentious issue for companies in China, the country’s laws and regulations have progressed considerably in recent years, with the large majority now compliant with requirements of the WTO’s TRIPS agreement. The main challenge surrounding IPR protection in China is the lack of effective enforcement of the existing regulations. Enforcement issues arise from a range of root causes, including the relatively recent introduction of IPR legislation and concept of intellectual property in general, the absence of a fully independent judicial system, and provincial officials’ often protective attitude towards local job creating counterfeiting industries. While most foreign companies considering business operations in China may have to accept an unavoidable degree of IPR infringement, there are nevertheless a number of actions that a company can take in order to limit their IPR-related risk: ? ? ? Ensure to register your patents, copyrights, or trademarks with the relevant bureaus Ensure that your trade or other.

Ontology And Epistemology The Growth Of Motivation Psychology Essay

Ontology And Epistemology The Growth Of Motivation Psychology Essay Ontology A theory concerning the nature of social phenomena as entities that are to be admitted to a knowledge system .ontology gives an idea about the nature of reality. Ontology is concern the kinds of things that assume to exit in the world, and how those things should be viewed and studied. Ontology helps to maintain the research and helps to understand that there are different ways of viewing the world .Ontology is consists of two aspects .Those are objectivism and subjectivism. These two aspects were describe about both devotes among business and management researchers and it can be accepted as producing valid knowledge by many researchers. Objectivism is an ontological position that asserts that social entities exits in a reality external to, and independent of, social actors concerned with their existence. Subjectivism is an ontological position that asserts entitles, that is created from the perceptions and consequent actions of those social actors responsible for their creation. Smi rcich (1983) noted that objectives would tend to view the culture of an organisation as something that the organisation has. The subjectivist view point would be to reject as too simplistic and argue that culture is something that is created and re-created through a complex array of phenomena which include social interactions and physical factors such as office layout to which individuals attach certain meanings, rituals and myths. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies the character of knowledge and when constitutes acceptable knowledge in a field of study. The most important distinction is what they consider important in the study of the manufacturing process. The researcher who considers data on resources needed is likely to be more asking to the position of the natural scientist. This may be position of the operations management specialist who is comfortable with the collection and analysis of facts. Positivism is an epistemological position that advocates working with an observable social reality. The emphasis is on highly structured methodology to facilitate replication, and the product can be law- like generalisations similar to those produced by the physical and natural scientists. Realism is an epistemological position that objects exits independent of our knowledge of their existence. The essence of realism is that what the senses show us is reality, is the truth: that objects have an e xistence independent of the human mind. The interpretivisim is an epistemology that advocates that is necessary for the researcher to understand the difference between humans in our role as social actors. The ontological position will be taking a subjective object approach. This is because researches viewpoint is subjective in nature. Assuming that there is relationship among different elements like motivation and experience of the employees or other factors. Therefore the researcher is of the opinion in different entities in the system interact and can have depend or relationship between them. What do you understand by the concept of ethics in the context of a taught Masters dissertation? How may it affect your research design or methodology? Research ethics Research ethics is the appropriateness of the researchers behaviour in relation to the rights of those who become the subject of a research project, or who are affecting by it. Blumberg et al. (2005: 92) define ethics as the moral principles, norms or standards of behaviour that guide moral choices about our behaviour and our relationships with others. Therefore research ethics relates to the questions how to formulate and clarify the topic, design our research and gain access, collect data, process and store our data, analyse data and write up research findings in a moral and responsible way. Predictably, what is morally defensible behaviour, as researchers will be affected by broader social norms of behaviour (Zikmund, 2000). The first stage of a research project is translating the business problem into a well-defined research problem. It represents the researchers first and best opportunity to anticipate potential ethical problems. Ham to others: some hard thinking about the underlying problem and business objectives should suggest whether the results are likely to be harmful to other persons or organisations. Violations of accepted research practise: the researcher has an ethical obligation to the manager to indicate whether a research project is feasible or whether the results are likely to be so tentative as to be worthless. Violations of community standards of conducts: The manger has an ethical obligation to the researcher to disclose as fully as possible the nature of the question, decision, or problem facing the business. The main ethical problems in masters dissertation are given below. Privacy of possible and actual participants Maintenance of the confidentiality of data provided by individuals or identifiable participants and anonymity Reactions of participants to the way in which way to collect data, including embarrassment, stress, discomfort, pain and harm To avoidance of harm can be seen as the cornerstone of the ethical issues that confront those who undertake research. The expression netiquette has been developed to provide a heading for a number of rules or guidelines about how to act ethically when using internet. Potential ethical issues should be recognised and considered from the outset of the research and be one of the criteria against which research proposal is judged. Ethical concerns are likely to occur at all stages of the research project. When seeking access, during data collection, analyse data and when it will report them. Ethical concerns are also associated with the power relationship between the researcher and those who grant access, and the researchers role. Ethics is highly affecting the research work. There are mainly three kinds of ethical issues affects in surveys as well as interviews. Those are informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity and contact effects. The informed consent is important to survey and interview ethics. Respondents have right to know the content or topic of the survey and the right to refuse to participate if they object to its true purpose. Confidentiality can make sure that maintain the promise or not, ensure that data are not available to unauthorized persons and that they are not misused. Questionnaires should be kept safely locked up when not in use. Guarding respondent identities is particularly important for repeated -measure surveys. Researchers conducting personal or telephone interview have direct contact with the individuals who are ultimately the sources of data. To avoid surprise and embarrassment, interviewers must prepare respondents for the questions they are going to ask. Research will be done based on a firm or an organisation. For doing research in a firm or in an organisation the main factor which we need is that the help and support from the employees and he managers. The research will be done by focusing the employees. The senior employees are never ready to disclose the details about their experience in their firm. The managers are not ready to disclose the details about the firm and employees working their. They are not even ready to share their experience which they get while they conduct the interview. For selecting the firm or organisation the main support and the permission for a student should be provided by the college or the university. The officials of the firm can get influenced by the performance of the person who does research in the firm and this can lead to the recruitment of the person to the firm. Explain, compare and contrast the following terms: proposition; hypothesis; theory; model? Propositions are of great interest in research because they may be used to gauge the truth or falsity of relationships among observable phenomena. When advance a proposition is testing, its are hypothesizing. A hypothesis describes the relationship between or among variables. A good hypothesis is one that can explain what it claim to explain what it claims to explain ,is testable , and has greater range , probability, and simplicity than its rivals. Sets of interrelated concepts, definitions and propositions that are advanced to explain and called theories. Models differ from theories in that models are analogies or representations of some aspect of a system or of the system as a whole. Models are used for description, prediction, and control. Proposition Proposition as a statement about observable phenomena that may be judged as true or false .when a proposition is formulated for empirical testing. It is call as hypothesis. The relationship between two or more variables, a hypothesis is of a tentative and conjectural nature (Cooper et al: 1198:43). Hypothesis Hypothesis is a testable proposition about the relationship between two or more events or concepts. Hypothesis is related in to different areas in research .Descriptive hypothesis is dealing with existence, size form and distribution. Relational hypothesis is type another type of hypothesis and its dealing with the research question format in less frequently. The role of hypothesis is very important in the research program. Hypothesis gives a good direction to the research study and it can identify the facts and these facts are related are relevant and those are not. The environment of this hypothesis and implications of the declaration propose that the best research design is a communication- based study, most likely a survey or interview. A strong hypothesis has three conditions like adequate for its purpose, testable and better a rival. Theory A theory is a set of systematically interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that are advanced to explain and predict phenomena. Theories are sound and fit for the condition is triumphant in expiations and predictions. The main challenge of the theory area is to build comprehensive and predict how modifying the product and other variables. Understanding the relationship between the variables are very important in theory. It should help to develop the researcher scientific knowledge. In a theory areas hypothesis has a good role.lt may cause confusion to differentiate between the theory and hypothesis. Theories are related to be complex, be abstract and involve multiple variables. Hypothesis on is more simple, limited-variable statements involving concrete instances. Model Model is defined as a representation of system that constructed to study some aspect of the system as whole. Model and theories are entirely different. The role of the theory is explanation perhaps models role is representation. Future and present conditions can characterize by models. It will helpful for the researchers and mangers. The main endeavour of the models the increase the understanding, predictions and to manage the complexities of the environment. 4. Give a detailed explanation and illustration, using a diagram, your anticipated research design, otherwise utilise a hypothetical research design process. Research design: A research design is the strategy for a study and plan by what the strategy is to be carried out. It specifies the methods and procedures for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data. Unfortunately, there is no simple classification of research designs that covers the variations found in practise. The major descriptors of design are given below. Exploratory versus formalized Monitoring versus communication study Experimental versus ex post facto Descriptive versus causal Cross-sectional versus longitudinal Case versus statistical Field versus laboratory versus simulation Subjects perceive no deviations, some deviations, or researcher -included deviations. Exploratory research is appropriate for the total study in topic areas where the developed data are limited. In most other studies, exploration is the first stage of a project and is used to orient the researcher and the study. The objective of exploration is the development of hypotheses, not testing. Formalized studies, including descriptive and causal, are those with substantial structure, specific hypothesis to be tested, or research questions to be answered. Descriptive studies are those used to describe phenomena associated with a subject population or to estimate proportions of the population that have certain characteristics. Causal studies seek to discover the effect that a variable has on another or why certain outcomes are obtained. The concept of causality is grounded in the logic of hypothesis testing, which in turn, produces inductive conclusions. Such conclusions are problematic and thus can never be demonstrated with certainty. Current ideas about causality as compels processes improve our understanding over Mills canons, though it can never know all the relevant information necessary to prove causal linkages beyond doubt. Research designing will mainly occur based on the causal studies. Research is mainly based on the quantative and qualitative techniques. Data for the research will be collected with the help of questionnaire and the interview conducted. Questionnaire is prepared with the help of qualitative analysis and interview is prepared based on quantative analysis. Both questionnaire and interview will help to us to do research in a proper way. What is the role of the research question? How would you formulate a research question? (Illustrate by constructing a hypothetical research question from your possible topic area). Research question is a specific query to be addressed by this research that sets the parameters of the project and suggests the methods to be used for data gathering and analysis .Research question is important because it determines, largely, the research methods that are used to answer it. A research question will provide the flexibility and freedom to explore a phenomenon in depth. It is not so narrow and concentrated that it excludes discovery. The research question in a qualitative study is a statement that recognises the phenomenon to be studied. It gives idea to the readers what the researcher specifically wants to know about the subject. The important thing in the research question is setting the boundaries on what will be studied. This is because researcher cannot cover the all aspects of the problem. Research question helps them to narrow the problem down to a workable size. Research questions should replicate plausible hunches, suspicions, and suggestions of those involved with or knowledgeable about the business problem. General settlement of the research problem is to set of specific research questions. (ref 1). Research questions .research questions mainly three types. Questions about Primary Variables The primary variable materializes in the translation process. In this part, looking to the relationships between the key and primary variables that research is to test. For example, seasonal variations in sale important? Key Variables It may present additional variables to be investigated. For example Are turnover rates showing the same patter? It may also focus alternative measures of a key variable. Boundary Questions It involves the research boundaries and are usually included when the researcher is unsure of the boundaries of the business problem. It may suggest other cases to be investigated or may seek to decide temporal or other boundaries of the problem. Boundary questions are the least ordinary specific research questions. The research questions focus specific aspects of the problem to be investigated and ideas to be tested. These questions are distilled from the results of the researchers investigation of the business problem. The original research question and the approach in which it is phrased lead the researcher to scrutinize data from a specific perspective and to use certain data-gathering techniques and modes of data analysis. The questions set the tone for the research project and help the researcher to stay focused, even when there are masses and data. The original question in a qualitative study open is broad and open-ened.the original research question .the original research question may be suggested by a professor or college, obtain from the researchers experience. Whatever the source of the problem, it is important that researcher have enthusiasm for the subject because he or she will have to live with it for some time(REF). The ability to achieve a certain degree of distance from the research materials and to represents them fairly. The capability to listen to the words of respondents and to give them voice independent of the researcher. In qualitative research, objectivity does not mean controlling the variables. Objectivity have developed some techniques to increase our responsiveness and to help us control intrusion of basis into analysis while retaining sensitivity to what is being said in the data. The first procedure is to think comparatively. Another method for gaining distance is to obtain multiple viewpoints of an event , that is, to attempt to determine how the various actors in a position view it. Also, it is important to periodically step back and ask, what is going here? and does what I think I see fit the reality of the data?. Another technique for obtaining objectivity is sustaining an attitude of scepticism. The final piece of recommendation is to follow the research procedures, it can m aking comparisons, asking questions, and sampling based on evolving theoretical concepts are mandatory features of the methodology. Objectivity enables the researcher to have assurance that his or her findings are a reasonable, impartial representation of a problem under investigation, whereas sensitivity enables creativity and discovery of new theory from data. One of the main factors for the research is motivation. It depends on the work of the person. The growth of the motivation mainly depends on the work experience we have in a firm. Here, in this research, we do consider mainly two important factors, namely, service and the motivation. Questionnaires are prepared in relation to both this factors. Research is done in two ways with the help of questionnaire and interview. Data collection Preparation Data collection Design Proposal Approved Sampling Design Instrument Development Research Design Strategy

Carpal tunnel syndrome Essay

Video games are very popular with children all over the world, they keep kids occupied and entertained. A lot of parents are concerned about how these video games are affecting their children. Are these video games good or bad for our children? Video gaming has both positive and negative effects on children. Video games are not only entertaining but also educational; they create challenges for children to take on in order to proceed to new levels. Video gaming is also very influential with a child. That is why it is very important to monitor children while playing. There are many positive effects to playing video games. Playing a video game is a way to exercise the brain, it helps children develop skills like following directions, problem solving and hand-eye coordination that develop fine motor and spatial skills. Video games contribute a lot to education, like developing reading skills; gamers must read to get instructions, follow storylines, and get information. Gamers also become more determined because, usually they don’t succeed the first time playing a level so they try and try again until they move on to the next level. Games can provide a positive outlet for children to release bottled up frustrations the same way many sports like basketball and football do. Video games allow parents to bond with their children and play together and can be something they share in common. Of course with every good there is a bad. Most of the bad things about video games are usually blamed on the violence that is in them. Children who play more violent video games are more likely to have more aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Playing too much video game keeps children indoors and become less social with family and friends. It also causes children to spend less time doing other activities like doing homework or playing sports. Some video games teach children improper morals and are easily confused between reality and fantasy. Excessive gameplay can contribute to poor performance in school and also cause a slew of health issues like obesity, video-induced seizures, postural, muscular and skeletal disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome. Children who are spending too much time playing video games may show signs of impulsive behavior and have attention problems. The effects of video games vary on children depending on the kind of parenting. Children usually imitate what they see in these video games so it’s important for parents to understand their children’s maturity level and what kind of games parents should allow their children to play. We are now living in a sophisticated and high-tech world so video games are essential to the development of children with today’s technology. The point is for parents to understand that playing video games have different effects on different children. The positives of video games definitely outweigh the negatives of video games especially with proper supervision of the children who play these video games.

Yoga Meditation Experience

Home Meditation Assignment At the beginning of the semester I did not really know what I potentially could take away from this class, or, in particular, the meditation I was assigned to do at home. My mother does Yoga as well and she always keeps telling me how beneficial it is for both your body and your soul; personally, I am not really the type of individual that believes in the vital effects religious philosophies can have on one's life.However, I am always willing to experience something new and so I decided to engage myself in the practice of Yoga. I chose to do the Concentration Kriya; this mediation technique mostly focuses on empowering mind and body through the practice of controlled breathing. A controlled breath can be extremely beneficial to overcome various obstacles in one's daily life; this is the reason why I chose the Concentration Kriya as my meditation technique since I usually have struggles developing a calm, constant, and controlled breath.I sacrificed 5 minute s of my time in the morning to go through the cycle; my intent was to do it before the â€Å"real† day had begun since I hoped to go ore relaxed and focused into classes and practice. Within the first two weeks, I did not really notice any change after I had meditated; I actually felt pretty awkward sitting on the floor of my room all by myself doing those awkward breathing techniques. However, this feeling went away after some time; I think you have to get used to it before you get more comfortable in its practice.Further, during the third week, I could definitely feel some changes coming up; I did not only breathe more concentrated but I also felt more loosened up and relaxed. I started to manage the imbalances of my daily life better; in relation to that, I also started to notice a more vital and well-being daily experience. Eventually, I think it also affected my performance in soccer practices and games since my mind was more focused and, on a physical level, the increas ed oxygen supported the complying parts of the body.Eventually, there were mornings when I was not really motivated; though, I reminded myself of the benefits I had experienced through meditation and found yself again. I think one has to come out his comfort zone to do it since one Just has to invest 5 minutes of his or her day. However, I do not really know if I will continue meditating every morning; I am usually not a person that is that disciplined to follow a certain routine. Yet, I can still see myself meditating in the future to overcome difficult challenges or parts of my life.Looking back on the five weeks I spent meditating I can fairly say that it is totally worth it to spend that little time and effort n terms of the possible ways it can affect one's lifestyle. I still think that some religious philosophies and practices are sort of questionable, but Yoga and its meditation techniques can definitely have a positive effect on one's life. Hence, I would not only recommend it to friends and individuals that are striving for a transformation in their body, mind and inmost consciousness, but also to individuals who want to experience something new as I did.

Cathy Songs Biography and Poems

Cathy Songs Biography and Poems Cathy Song is one of the most popular poets whose works have been highly recognized in academic circles, and many people still enjoy reading her literary works even today. In 1955 she was born at a place called Honolulu in Hawai’i. â€Å"She later went for her studies at Wellesley College in America where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977† (Nina, 1999).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cathy Songs Biography and Poems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More She also did a Masters degree at Boston University and graduated in 1981. She started developing her skills in poetry while in high school and she continued writing even in college. Her literature works came to the limelight in 1983 when she wrote a poem called â€Å"picture Bride† (Nina, 1999). â€Å"This poem became the best during that year, and she won the Yale series of Younger Poets competition that was indeed a very prestigio us national poetry award† (Song, 1983). Most of her poems majorly revolve around multicultural and family issues. She used her poetic skills to express her passionate feelings of multiculturalism. For example, she was originally an Asian but she embraced western culture when she went to America. She was one of the poets who extensively participated in Asian American poetry, which is one of the schools of thought used in writing poems in U.S.A. Most of the poets who subscribe to this school of thought majorly examine the idea of cultural diversity. Another characteristic of this school of thought is that it widely recognizes the importance of involving women in writing poems as can be seen in the case of Cathy Song. Her works acted as a great source of inspiration to not only American women, but also to other poets who were not Asians. â€Å"Asian Americans generally have resisted the common stereotypes as the exotic or good minority, but they have made a comparison between As ian and Western literary traditions† (Song, Cloud moving hands (pitt poetry series), 2007). One of Cathy’s most striking poems is called â€Å"Picture Bride† and it can be analyzed as follows. Picture bride is a free verse poem which has a total of thirty four lines. The title of this poem may signify â€Å"the vision of a stereotypically picture-perfect bride decked out with veil, lace, and train† (Song, Cloud moving hands (pitt poetry series), 2007). However, its title is talking about the matching practice which is associated with many Asians. In this poem, the persona is trying to figure out how her grandmother felt at the age of twenty three years, when she travelled to Hawaii and got married to a laborer who was thirteen years older than her. Most of the lines in this poem contain questions which are meant to create the travelling scene. The poet also used a lot of images to develop the rhythm in her poem hence it can be easily recited. Some styles h ave also been used in the poem to enhance the theme (Song, 1983).Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Even though Cathy Song emerged as a great poet, her works have met some criticism from some scholars who contend that she over emphasized on familial images. For example, â€Å"Gayle K. Fujita-Sato has argued that Picture Bride describes both a personal history and a paradigm for analyzing multicultural writing† (Song, Cloud moving hands (pitt poetry series), 2007). Hence, Picture Bride has been seen to be describing a â€Å"third world paradigm† of writing. In addition to this, Richard Hugo also questioned Cathy’s level of restraint in poetry. Nonetheless, Cathy Song made a great contribution to Asian American poetry and she has left a great legacy of poets (Song, 1983). References Nina, B. (1999). Norton anthology of American literature. New York : Norton and Company. Song, C. (2007). Cloud moving hands (pitt poetry series). Washington. D.C: University of Pittsburgh Press. Song, C. (1983). Picture bride ( Yale series if young star poets). New York: Yale University Press.

Finding Your Identity Essay Example

Finding Your Identity Essay Example Finding Your Identity Essay Finding Your Identity Essay In Our Time: Growing Up and Finding Your Identity If life was like the plot of a book, growing up would be the rising action. Growing up involves searching for identity. Growing up and finding your identity makes up who you are as a person. These ideas are a consistent theme in The Bear, In Our Time, and A River Runs Through It. Growing up involves understanding the mystery of life. One must realize where they came from and where they are headed. That they were born and one day will die. As In the Indian Camp by Ernest Hemingway, Nick Adams at a young age witnessed both birth and death in a short period of time for the first time. Though he id not quite understand death, he was exposed to it and that aided In the process of growing up. However, as life went on and he continued to grow up, he was sent off to war and experienced death in a greater aspect. Nick returned more familiar with tragedies. He also returned with a sense of masculinity. This masculinity Is also part of Nicks search for identity as he grows up. As someone enters their state of manhood, they gain the quality of traditional adult manly qualities or male maturity. Manhood and womanhood are stages in growing up that create who you as an individual. : Finding your identity is to know your likes and dislikes. Youre not afraid to be who you are around others. As in the movie A River Runs Through It, Paul found his identity as a risk taker who wasnt afraid to stand for what he believes In. After Norman returned from college. He saw his younger brother Paul In a new light. Paul grew up. When Norman and Paul went to the river to fly fish, Norman describes Paul as finding his own rhythm in fly fishing. He wasnt afraid to try his own thing. He broke free from what his father taught him long ago about fly fishing and became his own fisherman. This resulted in Paul finding his identity and becoming an amazing lay fisherman. Paul also stood for the rights of Native Americans when people would talk against them. Paul was self dependent. After Paul and his brother Norman got kicked out of an Illegal gambling, drinking, and brothel establishment, Paul insists on returning to gamble but Norman tries convincing him to just leave and reminds him of all his debt. Yet Paul says, Norm, its my debt. K. Its my debt. Paul was self- reliant. When one is self-reliant, they rely on their own resources and powers. Unlike a child, they are independent and able to accomplish things on their own. That mindset of being independent Is crucial In growing up and folding your Identity. In The Bear by William Faulkner, Eke searched for his Identity as a hunter. The story started out with Eke as a child who was pro killing this monstrous and powerful bear, Old Ben. Yet, as Eke matured, he decided instead to not kill the bear. He and the bear where foes but shared a respect for one another. They didnt want their so called fight to end. And for that case, they both did not attack when they had the chance to harm one another. This represented Kikes process of growing up. During the setting of A River Runs Through It, Norman and Paul were forced to grow up at an early age . Because AT ten clearances Trot world war l, men were taken from businesses to go fight in the war. So at the age of 16, Norman worked at the United States Forestry Service. At that same time, Paul obtained a Job as a life guard. They were pressured to mature into the work force. Growing up and finding your identity is very different now in todays society than it was back before and around World War l. As for today, it is not compulsory for youth to grow up at such an early age. Adolescents have become lackadaisical. They lack a sense of responsibility. Theyre not ambitious in finding their identity and In summation, growing up and finding your identity make up who you are as a person. They play a significant role in the outcome of your future. These things are crucial in the circle we call life. A River Runs Through It. Director Robert Redford. Performances by: Craig Shaffer, Brad Pit, Tom Skirt, Brenda Blether and Emily Lloyd. Columbia Pictures, 1993. Faulkner, William. The Bear. Go Down, Moses. Vintage International. New York, 1940. Hemingway, Ernest. In our Time. Simon Schuster. New York, 1925.

Hans Bellmers intentions and its portrayal of surrealism ideas Essay - 1

Hans Bellmers intentions and its portrayal of surrealism ideas - Essay Example The essay "Hans Bellmer’s intentions and its portrayal of surrealism ideas" explores Hans Bellmer. Hans was just a mere draftsman for a company that he worked for until 1926. Later on, he initiated his own doll project. It was aimed at opposing the fascism that was prevalent in Germany under the Nazi party. This doll expressed ideas of surrealism in the way that it was made. It represented by unconventional poses and mutated forms. The unconventional poses and the mutated forms were the creative intentions of Hans’s that expressed ideas of surrealism. His first doll explicitly sexualized as a female doll representing a young girl incorporated the usage of ball joint in its structure. He wrote a book in 1934 named the ‘The Doll’ on which he took the surreal picture of ten of his original doll prototypes. His dolls were 56 inches tall and had a unique torso that was made by using flax fiber, plaster, and glue. It also consisted of a mask-like head that was si mply constructed using the same material as the torso. The doll’s eyes were made of glass and its legs form dowel rods or broomsticks. This combination was made complete by having differentiated legs joints and lengths. One leg was a club-like foot made of wood and the other one was encased in a plaster shell that gave it a more naturalistic appearance. This ultimately gave his work on these dolls a surreal perspective since they were generated from his unconscious mind and seemed increasingly irrational. This was to those who were not keen participants.

Performance Appraisals and Reviews Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Performance Appraisals and Reviews - Term Paper Example The workers are aware of what is expected of them and hence work towards fulfilling their expectations. Since annual appraisal are involving and time consuming for managers, they arrange to carry out surveys or reviews on a regular basis in order to simplify the annual appraisal process (Arthur, 2008).All members of the organization are subject to appraisal if the organization has to achieve its vision and mission and improved performance. Communication is vital in carrying out performance appraisal. The management discusses with the employees regarding their performance and areas that require assistance and also involve them in designing appraisal forms. Conducting annual salary reviews which coincide with performance appraisals have been criticized by many scholars but Chapman (2011) argues that using annual performance appraisal as the basis for salary review enables the firm to plan its finances for the next budget year. When carrying out performance appraisal, the managers shoul d ensure that the mode of appraisal is in line with the employment laws which prohibit all kinds of employment discrimination. For the employees to trust and accept the results the method used should be consistent; ‘same employee classifications should be evaluated based on the same criteria’ (Arthur, 2008). ... Procedure for Carrying out Performance Appraisal Proper planning and execution of staff appraisal ensures effectiveness, reliability and validity of the results. It also ensures acceptability by the appraisees hence commitment to achieve the set objectives. Involving staff in every step of the process is vital to ensure a feeling of ownership and commitment. The appraiser and appraisee prepare all the materials required for the appraisal such as past appraisal documents and achievement records. The appraisal form is designed by HR department or through collaboration with those being appraised and with the approval by management. Understanding the appraisal form by the appraiser and appraisee is vital in simplifying the process (Bohlander & Snell, 2010). The items to be discussed are sequenced and encompass all aspects of staff development. Self-assessment forms are given in advance for staff to appraise themselves by filling the forms. The next step is to clarify the purpose of the a ppraisal and the method to be used. The appraisee is informed on the date of appraisal and the venue and given ample time to prepare his/her own records. The venue should be carefully chosen in a private and quiet atmosphere for discussion. The layout of the room and sitting arrangement affects the behavior of the person being appraised. It is thus advisable to set the room in a relaxed atmosphere to reduce tension. Bacal (2003) argues that the managers should choose appropriate sitting position such as at a round table for more informal discussion and relaxed atmosphere. The introduction stage is vital in determining failure or success of the process. If the appraiser begins by criticizing the appraisee, he/she may feel uncomfortable and may lose interest