Answer To Correcting Marketing Failures Case Example

Answer To Correcting Marketing Failures Case Example Answer To Correcting Marketing Failures Case – Case Study Example One of the key aspects of Compassionate Capitalism is its focus on utilizing all the surplus revenue and production capa to actually serve all the segments of the population. Surplus revenue is reinvested into the business in order to ensure that business could meet social objectives. It achieves its objectives in a manner which is financial self-sustaining so all members of the society are able to afford it. This philosophy is therefore based upon earning profits as a mean to achieve an end and not as the end itself. It is, however, important to understand that compassionate capitalism may not sustain in economies where profit as the major driving force for engaging into business activity. Compassionate Capitalism can actually correct market failure by offering goods and services at prices which is within the reach of many rather than selling highly profitable products to few.Social businesses can actually offer competitors an alternative avenue to look for new channels and markets where they market and sale their projects. The ability of the companies described in the case study to actually remain profitable and still achieve their objectives clearly suggest that other firms can also take this opportunity to enter into low cost high volume businesses while at the same time controlling pricing as well as production. Social businesses can actually allow their competitors to learn more about controlling their costs and offering products and services at prices which are affordable for all besides providing them necessary knowledge and information to work in poor and developing countries.

The Maya Essays - Maya Classic Period, Maya Civilization, Tikal

The Maya Essays - Maya Classic Period, Maya Civilization, Tikal The Maya The Maya The Maya were once considered one of the greatest civilizations in North America, and possibly the world. They built many pyramids and temples to honor their gods and to preserve their religion. Their lives revolved around their king and sacrifice of his blood. The cultural achievements of the Maya along with the educational achievements came centuries before other cultures. These achievements still exist today along with the Mayan culture, which has spanned over two thousand years. The Mayan people of today still hold these traditions sacred and want to preserve them. Only about two million Mayan Indians exist today, but their culture reflects that of their ancestors, along with the Spanish, who invaded the Maya around the sixteenth century. Archeologists who have dug up and studied many Mayan sites trace the Mayas back ten thousand years when their ancestors migrated from Asia to the Yucatan peninsula and northern Central America. The history of the Maya is divided into three major time periods: preclassic (two thousand BC AD three hundred), classic (AD three hundred AD nine hundred), and postclassic (AD nine hundred AD fifteen hundred). Early Mayan settlements date back to twenty four hundred BC, but few traces of Mayan culture before AD four hundred have been found. In the preclassic era of Mayan history, corn was farmed and the early Mayans laid a base for their culture, which was believed to have been influenced by the Olmec Indians near-by. The very first hieroglyphics were written, and cities started to appear. The early Mayan economy was based on agriculture and the exchange of farm goods. The Maya grew Indian corn, or maize. It was a staple food of many Indians in Central America for centuries. The Mayans develo ped the slash-and-burn farming method. A Mayan farmer would clear the cornfield by cutting bushes and girdling trees, and then he would allow the piled brush to catch fire under the hot sun. The ashes were then scattered among the stumps of the trees, and a sharp stick called a mattock was used to poke holes in the ground for the seeds to be laid. This method was used for centuries and it made farming the basis of the Mayan economy. It is estimated that as many as one hundred and fifty days out of the year were free from farm labor. Using the time off from farming, the Mayans built magnificent cities and temples to honor their many gods. In early Mayan history, homes were built with wattle-and-daub walls in an oval shape with a thatched roof of palmetto fronds. These homes stayed dry when it was raining, and cool when it was hot. They contained very little furniture, and were used only for eating and sleeping. Decedents of the Maya still continue to build and live in these huts today. The Mayans used stone to construct temples and pyramids. Some of their best creations include: the Caracol, an astronomical observatory in Chichen-Itza, the tomb of Lord Pacal (inside the Temple of the Inscriptions), the royal palace, which was used to look out for invaders over the Usumacinta River, El Castillo, or the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent), and finally the Temple of the Magician, which was rebuilt five times to follow the rounds of the Mayan calendar every fifty two years. The great architecture was only one of the many aspects that made the Maya such an advanced civilization. The Maya reached their height in the classic period (AD three hundred to AD nine hundred). Over one hundred cities existed during this time, and some of the most advanced included: Tikal, Uaxactun, Quirigua, Copan, Palenque, Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Labna, Etzna, Old Chichen, and Coba. All of these cities served as cultural, religious, and spiritual centers for the Mayan people and rulers. Culture was a very important aspect of Mayan life. The Mayans favorite way to express their pride and religious devotion was to build many temples, pyramids, and building that would all form large cities. The Mayan workers who constructed these dwellings often decorated the walls with many pictures and symbols that would tell anything from a persons life to an important religious belief or tale. Cities that flourished

Art from major museum from the collection of 19th, 20th or 21st Essay

Art from major museum from the collection of 19th, 20th or 21st centuries - Essay Example In accordance to the rising demands for visual arts, art-enthusiasts established the first national museum on the year 1793 in Paris which they named Louvre. This famed art museum placed for the first time in France a haven for the arts that were previously and exclusively owned by the aristocracy; it showcased these fabulous arts to individuals of all walks of life. Furthermore, due to the aforementioned significant revolutions, art movements developed in a rapid scale which was largely characterized by â€Å"isms†: Impressionism, Realism, Fauvism, and so on. These movements duly represented societies that were freshly liberalized from the stronghold of the Church. France was the pinnacle of success for every artist in the 19th century. Annually, a Salon was held wherein exceptional artists had the grand opportunity to display their magnum opus to public scrutiny. However, a fortuitous incident happened in 1863 which gave birth to one of the most influential movements in the period, the Impressionism. A Salon jury declined huge numbers of submitted works of art which angered the artists and prompted them to create another exhibition which they called the â€Å"Salon des Refuses†. Spearheading this movement was Edouard Manet who notoriously displayed his â€Å"impressionistic† paintings such as the celebrated Luncheon on the Grass. However, the term Impressionism came from Claude Monet’s, who was another famous artist of the movement, Impression: Sunrise. The Impressionist movement is also referred to as optical realism by some artists because of its scientific and modern themes in the genuine visual familiarity and its acc ent on illumination and movement on the overall faà §ade of entities; one of the utmost exemplars of impressionism is Edouard Manet’s controversial painting. Edouard Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass stirred much controversy because of the paintings

Comments on 2 posts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Comments on 2 posts - Essay Example No doubt, it was the American talent for innovation that assured its victory. The US panache for innovation extended from the big technological fundamentals to the small things. While the American scientists scored the heights of innovation by coming out with RADAR and the Nuclear Bomb, just in time, in the Midwest, the American children picked milkweed pods, which were used to stuff life jackets. 2 The most important factor that led to the demise of Hitler on the Eastern Front was his gross underestimation of the Soviet grit and the Russian winter.3 While the Germans made rapid advances in the beginning, come the Russian winter, and they were bogged in the snow ridden and mercilessly hostile Russian landscape. In the mean time, the Russians stretched themselves to the edge, to rearm, recruit and upgrade their defense, irrespective of the enormous losses they suffered. The allied pressure in the West and the Soviet perseverance on the Eastern Front eventually decimated and demoralized the Nazi

Patient care in inadvertent hypothermia Assignment

Patient care in inadvertent hypothermia - Assignment Example Perioperative hypothermia had a potential for morbidity and mortality. The patients who had perioperative hypothermia had a chance for surgical site infections especially in patients with colorectal surgery (Hart et al, 2011). The guidelines of Surgical Care Improvement Project encouraged the decrease in incidence of this illness. Human beings required internal body temperatures to be constant for the multiple organs to function optimally. The situation changed when the patient entered the operation theatre. The temperatures of the operation rooms were kept below 230C. Almost all the surgeries required this temperature for maintenance of normothermia for the reason that the operation theatre staff found the temperature for normothermia slightly warm for work. This caused the maintenance of lower temperatures in the theatre. Actual heat loss was governed by room temperature as the temperature gradient determined the heat loss. Surgeons and other staff could not withstand the warmth be cause of the stress of surgery and the layers of clothing they wore and the lead aprons. Prevention of perspiration was essential to avoid the problem of sweat polluting the surgical site. Staff could generally become lethargic with the higher room temperature hindering their vigilance which was critical in the operation theatre. However patients commented about the cold room. Inadvertent hypothermia is the aspect of care that has been selected by this researcher for study. Information on the issue of hypothermia was gathered from review of literature beginning with the study by Hart et al (2011). The review of literature provided plenty of basic information that could help readers to understand this topic of management of inadvertent hypothermia better. This researcher has carefully selected articles most recently published from the Pubmed Central site. Analysis of current evidence base Perioperative hypothermia Perioperative hypothermia of below 360C was experienced by 20% of pati ents (Kurz, 2008). Anaesthesia rendered a patient devoid of many defensive mechanisms for becoming warmer in the instance of hypothermia. Behavioural modification was eliminated so that patients became colder. Thermoregulatory mechanisms did not function so unwarmed patients became hypothermic. Perioperative hypothermia produced adverse effects like elevated loss of blood during surgery, a higher rate by 20% of allogeneic transfusions and an increase of surgical site infections by three times (Hart et al, 2011). Prevention of hypothermia had guidelines instituted by the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) for operative and post-operative patients. Perioperative normothermia was to be maintained by warming devices. Staff providing the warming support was to be knowledgeable about the mechanisms of temperature regulation, perioperative hypothermia and the methods to prevent or manage hypothermia. Temperature monitoring Temperature monitoring became an essential component of perio perative care. Oral temperature measurement was the best technique according to the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses (ASPAN). The same method of measurement needed to be maintained throughout perianaesthesia (Hart et al, 2011). The temperature at the depth of the thoracic, abdominal and central nervous systems was the core temperature. It was more consistently controlled and was 2-40C higher than skin temperature. The measurement was made at the distal end of the oesophagus, from a bladder with good urine flow, the nasopharynx and the pulmonary artery in general anaesthesia patients. The core temperature was the most reliable indicator of the thermal status (Sessler, 2008). Near-core temperatures were taken from the axillary area, rectum, bladder with low urinary flow and

Implementation of New Procurement Methods in India

Implementation of New Procurement Methods in India The construction industry in India is complex, challenging and unique. Selecting appropriate procurement method is a critical feature. In India even today traditional procurement methods are used. The options of adapting new procurement methods are open but there are various challenges in implementing them. This study will identify the barriers and difficulties which restrict the implementation of new procurement methods in India. The literature review investigated characteristics of new procurement methods. It highlighted the nature and types of projects in India. It emphasizes on structures and trends in the Indian construction Industry. It gives an insight on procurement methods used in developed economies. The chapter on characterization focuses on issues specific to Indian construction Industry such as demographics, socio-economic concerns, economical advantages, rapid growth of the industry etc. It highlights the typical procurement methods used for different types of projects in India and the regulations and administration within the construction Industry. This study gives us the nature and character of the Indian Construction Industry. Further, the study analyzes various issues, and draws attention to challenges in implementing new procurement methods. In the light of the characterization, issues and challenges this study identifies and concludes with the barriers and difficulties which restrict the implementation of new procurement methods. The worldwide construction industry includes projects of dramatically different types, size and complexity and requires extensive professional and trade skills (Groak, 1994). A construction project can refer to any building activity that includes building, repair, erection, demolition, maintenance, land clearing, earth moving, excavating, trenching, digging, boring, drilling, blasting, concreting, installation etc. (Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act, 1996). All these activities involve a considerable number of goods and services as well as large number of transactions to support a project. Most significantly, goods and services should be procured at the best possible cost to meet the needs in terms of quality, quantity, time and location (Weeley, 2010). However, construction industry is a significant contributor to a nations economy. Internationally, construction industry accounts for approximately 8-10 percent of gross domestic product GDP. Currently, in India construction industry accounts 8 percent of GDP. Furthermore, main construction sectors in India are Infrastructure, housing and commercial developments. In India by 2014 the second phase of infrastructure development will be started. This will provide additional boost to the construction industry. Owing to numerous projects the significance of procurement will be very important. Considerably, a well procured construction project is completed in time with desirable quality and within estimated cost. Internationally, plentiful construction procurement methods are practiced. Worldwide effectively used, key procurement methods are Design and Build, Management Contracting, Construction Management, Build Operate Transfer, Public Private Partnerships, Strategic Partnership, Joint ventures etc. Generally, in developed economies procurement methods such as Design and Build, Construction Management and Management Contracting are widely used, due to the maturity of the industry. However, in India mainly traditional construction procurement methods are practiced. Construction industry consists of large number of scattered small firms. The professionals prefer to operate within their silos. As a result, they remain in their comfort zone of using traditional methods. Nowadays trends are changing particularly in infrastructure and large scale projects management. This is due to the increased number, size of projects and capital invested in the projects. Mainly the upcoming procurement methods are Build Operate and Transfer and Public Private Partnerships. However, these are restricted to only a few projects. Still a large number of projects are carried out in a traditional manner. Major obstacle to implement new procurement methods are large population (1.2 billion approximately) large inclusive demand, large demand spread across the country, many small projects, traditional outlook of construction professionals, segregated industry, numerous small firms, enormous unskilled work force. Other barriers include considerable number of regional languages, excess availability of skilled professionals in one part of the country and scarcity in the other parts, no standard terms of contracts, different legislation in different states, local suppliers, mon opoly of manufactures in a region etc. As a consequence it is increasingly important to explore the reasons why new procurement methods cannot be implemented in India. Some key interdependent and inter-linked issues to be investigated are economic issues, management issues, technical issues, legal issues and cultural issues. Research outcomes will be inferred by careful observation of challenges and study of difficulties for implementation of new procurement methods. 1.2 Research Aim The aim of the research is to identify the barriers and difficulties that restrict the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 1.3 Research Objectives The research objectives will include the following 1) To investigate the issues, namely economic issues, management issues, legal issues and cultural issues which act as barriers for the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 2) To investigate procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management and relate it to the traditional Indian procurement method, to understand the challenges of the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 3) Identifying the barriers which act as hindrances for implementation of new procurement methods in the Indian construction industry. 1.4 Scope of Study This study of identification of barriers and difficulties that restrict the implementation of new procurement methods is confined to the Indian construction industry. The data is collected from secondary sources. The main sources were U.N views on India, U.K Trade and Investment and other secondary data. It outlines various difficulties and barriers which are already present in the Indian construction industry which in turn affects the implementation of new procurement methods. This study restricts itself in identifying difficulties and barriers from the nature and character of the Indian Construction Industry. As moving into detail of all issues was not possible, it explores largely economic issues, management issues, legal issues and cultural issues and finds the barriers which prevent the implementation of new procurement methods. This study will also mainly look into procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management and compare it with the traditional Indian procurement method to find the challenges in implementation of new procurement methods. 1.5 Structure of Dissertation Chapter 1) This chapter gives an introduction to the topic and gives the idea about how the study will be carried out. It gives an idea of a fast developing Indian construction Industry and the need to adapt new procurement methods. It states the research aim, objectives and scope of study and also discusses the structure of the dissertation Chapter 2) This chapter reviews the literature associated with the study. It looks into new procurement methods, projects in India, Indian construction industry and important factors affecting the construction industry in India. Chapter 3) This chapter describes the research methodology adapted within the scope of the dissertation. Secondary data, semi-structured interviews with the experts and academicians were employed to address the objectives. Chapter 4) This chapter characterizes India. It describes the nature and the character of the Indian construction industry. It gives an insight into the Indian construction Industry and its approaches. Chapter 5) This chapter looks at the barriers and the difficulties that restrict implementation of new procurement methods in India. It identifies various issues and challenges in implementation of new procurement methods in India. It looks at the present construction Industry in India and its characterization and identifies the barriers and difficulties that restrict implementation of new procurement methods in India. Chapter 6) This chapter presents the conclusions and direction for further research in this area. CHAPTER 2:Â  LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Procurement Methods Introduction Around the world procurement methods are developed through the years as per needs. The selection of the most appropriate procurement method is critical for both the client and other project participants as it is an important factor that contributes to the overall clients satisfaction and project success. This selection will be dependent upon a number of factors such as cost, time and quality which are widely considered as being the most fundamental criteria for clients seeking to achieve their end product at the highest quality, at the lowest cost and in the shortest time (Hackett et al. 2007). The type of procurement method adopted mainly depends upon the type of project, type of ownership, nature of construction industry in that particular country and the maturity of the industry. The selection of the procurement path is much more than simply establishing a contractual relationship (Newcombe, 1992), inspite of the continuing search for maximum value for money. In the developed economies such as USA, UK, Australia, Sweden etc. procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management are used from a long time. This is because the construction industry is developed, the projects are needed to be delivered efficiently and the clients demand the delivery of projects within budget and in least possible time. In this dissertation the study is limited to procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management. 2.1 Design and Build Design-build is a method to deliver a project in which the design and construction services are contracted by a single entity known as the design-builder or design-build contractor. Design-build relies on a single point of responsibility contract and is used to minimize risks for the project owner and to reduce the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project. Design and Build with its single point responsibility carries the clearest contractual remedies for the clients because the DB contractor will be responsible for all of the work on the project, regardless of the nature of the fault (John Murdoch and Will Hughes 2007). The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) takes the position that design-build can be led by a contractor, a designer, a developer or a joint venture, as long as a the design-build entity holds a single contract for both design and construction. The main contractor takes responsibility for both design and construction and will use either in-house designers or employ consultants to carry out the design. Most of the construction work will be carried out by specialist or sub-contractors. The contractor tenders against a client brief and will often follow an initial concept design prepared by consultants appointed to advise the client. The design will be developed by the contractor and the works will be completed, usually for a fixed price. Tendering is more expensive so it carries more risk for the contractor than the traditional approach. This is because the contractor has to develop an outline design and a detailed price. Tender lists will probably be shorter than for traditional contracts. However, the client commits to the cost of construction, as well as the cost of design, much earlier than with the traditional approach. Changes made by the client during design can be expensive, because they affect the whole of the Design-Build contract, rather than just the design team costs. This strategy is a low-risk option for clients who wish to minimize their exposure to the risks of overspend delays or design failure. However, the exposure to risk will increase where the design phase is rushed, where unreasonable time targets are set or where the tender documents are not fully completed. 2.1.1 Characteristics of Design and Build It provides single point of responsibility so that in event of a failure the contractor is solely responsible. There is no ambiguity between the designer and the contractor. The clients interests are safeguarded in this respect. When the client adopts Design and Build method he knows his total financial commitment early in a project. The client has direct contact with the contractor. This improves the lines of communication and enables the contractor to respond and adapt to the clients needs more promptly. In Design and Build contractor is responsible for design, planning and control. This gives him a better control over the activities and can concurrently carry out the activities which are not generally possible using traditional procurement methods. The contractor can purchase, obtain planning permission and arrange his finance simultaneously which helps him to give a better deal to the client. He can also benefit himself and the client by making use of proprietary modular designs which reduces design time and time required for approval. The contractor can start the work as soon as the approvals are obtained and sufficient information regarding the site operations is available. The design does not need to be finalized before some, at least, of the work may be commenced. The Design and Build proposals ensure economical tenders and alternate design concepts which can benefit the client. The nature of Design and Build procurement system promotes the creation of integrated design and construction team. In some countries using Design and Build system relaxes the architects code of practice, which encourages them to become full partners in design and build firms. The closer involvement of architects leads to more aesthetically pleasing buildings and leads to designs which have a greater appreciation. By using Design and Build method time and cost savings are achieved, which benefits the client. The total project completion period is also reduced. Design and Build reduces the employers financing charges, inflation has less effect and the building is operational sooner which commercially produces an early return on the capital invested. The Design and Build method facilitates novation of design with the consultants to the contractor which provides advantages to the client. The advantage of Design and Build is that the contractor has some control over the design and is able to introduce components, materials and systems which are beneficial and which he knows are more economical to construct. 2.1.2 Critique of Design and Build Design and Build is not suitable for complex projects. The traditional method of construction procurement dissociates the designers from the contractors interests, design-build does not. The contractor decides on the design issues as well as issues related to cost, profits and time exigencies, which may be the matter of concern in some situations. The client is required to commit to a concept design at an early stage and often before the detailed designs is completed. There is no design overview unless separate consultants are appointed. And there is no one appointed from clients side to manage the works or act as clients agent. If client changes the scope of the project, this can be expensive. Design-build does not make use of competitive bidding where prospective builders bid on the same design. In Design and Build the criteria to select contractor is subjective and difficult to evaluate and to justify later. 2.2 Management Contracting In management contracting the client appoints the designers and a management contractor separately and pays the contractor a fee for managing the construction works. Payment to the management contractor is done on the basis of cost of the works packages plus agreed fees. The main benefits of management contracting are the time required for design and construction is shorter. There is an early involvement of managing contractor during design phase, in which his expertise can be used. The management contractor has the responsibility to manage the project. The sub-contractors are appointed by the management contractor, thus reducing the day to day administrative responsibilities of the client. The management contractor has major role in directing the project. The lines of communications are improved. As there is a direct relation between the management contractor and the client changes and variations can be done in a project. The main advantage is that the project is completed in time as the management contractor manages the works. Because of this the client gets possession quickly and the return on investment starts. The client normally appoints the management contractor to take an active role in the project at an early stage and the client can benefit from the contractors expertise. The overall design is the responsibility of the clients consultants, but the management contractor is normally responsible for defining packages of work and then for managing the carrying out of those work packages through separate trades or works contracts. The management contractor can sometimes not be employed to undertake the work but is employed to manage the process. All the work is subcontracted to works contractors who are directly employed by the management contractor. The client usually needs to be given the opportunity to approve the terms and conditions of the trades or works contracts before the packages are subcontracted. The management contract will usually include both a pre-construction phase and the construction phase. The management contractor is responsible for the administration and operation of the works contractors. However, the management contractor is not liable for the consequences of any default by a works contractor so long as the management contractor has complied with the particular requirements of the management contract. 2.2.1 Characteristics of Management Contracting Clients and contractors adapt this system once they gain experience, which suggests that it has merits. It is generally recognized that its adoption requires mutual trust. The management contractor is appointed much earlier. He is able to become a member of design team and contribute his expertise and mainly his management expertise. Management Contracting is an effective method for the client retaining control of the design whilst drawing on the experience of a construction specialist as part of the Professional Team. The Management Contractor is paid a fee for its services as well as enters into contract with the client for work packages, generally separate works contractors are appointed to carry out work packages under the management contractor. This type of arrangement tends to be used on complex projects where early input from a construction specialist is required. Decisions regarding appointment of subcontractors are made jointly by designers and management contractor thus making use of wider experience. Specialists contractors and subcontractors compete at second stage ensuring economical tenders which benefits the client. Lines of communication are shorter between management contractor and client than with the traditional procurement method. The client has direct control over the management contractor, who is the main contractor, so that the project is completed in a better way and in shorter time. The total project completion period is reduced by parallel working. A reduced project completion period produces a corresponding reduction in financing charges and interim payments to the contractors. Inflation has less effect. The client takes the delivery of the building more quickly and obtains returns on his investment more quickly. The main functions of the management contractor may include acting as principal contractor, cost planning and cost control, consenting for works contracts, coordinating and managing works contracts, coordinating commissioning, collating pre construction information and construction phase plan, monitoring key performances and managing the site. 2.2.2 Critique of Management Contracting The client is usually given an approximate estimate of the final project cost by the management contractor early in the project life but the client does not know the final project cost until the last sub contract is entered into. On other projects he is given a guaranteed maximum cost. The architect may have less time to develop the design because he is under greater pressure from the client and contractor. The design may suffer as a result. The client should provide a good design brief as the design will not be completed until the client has committed significant resources to the project. The strategy relies on quality committed team or it may just become a mere reporting system in some cases. Management contracting is not suitable for inexperienced clients. It is less suitable for clients wanting to pass the complete risk to the contractors. Specialist contractors frequently prefer to be in contract with client rather than the management contractor appointed by the client because interim payments are usually made promptly when paid directly. 2.3 Construction Management In construction management the client appoints a construction manager for a fee to manage, programme and coordinate the design and construction activities. The client does not allocate risk and responsibility to a single main contractor. Construction work is carried out by trade contractors through direct contracts with the client for various packages. The client takes the risk. The construction manager supervises the construction process and coordinates the design team. The construction manager has no contractual links with the design team and contractors. He only provides professional expertise without assuming financial risks. On appointment the construction manager takes over any preliminary scheduling and costing information and draw up detail programme accordingly. In this method the client should have administrative or project management staff with the ability to assess the recommendation of construction manager and take actions. Adapting construction management reduces the time required for the project. This occurs because the contract strategy, construction and design can overlap. A construction manager should have a good track record in cost forecasting and cost management, as the time can be reduced but the price certainty is not achieved unless the design and construction have advanced to the extent that all the work packages have been let. This method puts so much emphasis on the role of client, if the client is experienced, with the help of construction manager he can control the project effectively. The clients continue to use construction management to their advantage, for example, the cultivation of direct, long-term relationships with trade contractors helps to secure many of the benefits more often associated with partnering. Furthermore, by employing a construction manager who is able to focus on the interests of the project, rather than on its own risk management, the client can be confident that its project objectives will be shared by the rest of the team. Construction management is distinguished by the influence of the clients and construction managers management and leadership skills on the success of the project. By adapting construction management method the client can have greater influence over the project and can have more flexibility over the contractor selection and so on. 2.3.1 Characteristics of Construction Management Construction management offers relative time saving potential for overall project duration due to overlapping of various activities. The roles, risks and relationships are clear for all the participants during most of the situations. In some situations changes in design can be accommodated later than some other strategies, without paying a premium. In construction management method the client has direct contracts with the contractors and pays them directly. This helps the contractors as they are paid promptly and there is evidence that this results in lower prices because of improved cash flow certainty. The client has direct involvement in the project as compared to most of the traditional methods. As the client is directly involved he is enabled to make prompt decisions which can be implemented without delay. This also makes possible a prompt response by the client to unforeseen site problems and also makes possible a prompt response by the contractor to changes required by the client. In this type the construction manager acts as an agent of the contractor. This benefits the contractor in managing the works. This also excludes the client for keeping his own staff for overlooking the issues which are looked by the construction manager. The central role of the construction manager is managing the project and providing administrative support to the employer. In this there is no single point of responsibility related to the delivery of the project. 2.3.2 Critique of Construction Management In construction management price certainty is not achieved until the last works packages have been let. Budgeting primarily depends heavily on design team estimates. The client should be pro-active and must provide a quality design brief to the design team in order to complete the design. The strategy relies upon the client selecting a good quality and committed team. In construction management the client has to manage and administer many contracts as there is no single contractor, all the works contracts are directly between the works contractors and the client. The client has to manage coordinate with the design team appropriately or else there increased likelihood of design change. There is a high degree of client ownership of risks associated with design including impacts of late or incomplete and uncoordinated design. In construction management the client has exposure to performance risk and exposure to consequential loss associated with trade contractor default. In construction management method there is increased administration role for the client. Construction manager owes duty of care liability only. The client is at the center of management and requires decision making capabilities. The client has to rely on management capability of construction manager. 2.4 Indian Construction Industry and Economy Indian economy has been growing from last two decades at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly because of industrialization and service sector growth. The main reason for Indias growth is its huge internal demand. In recent years particularly after the global recession in 2008 the Indian economy has shown signs of slowing down. In 2011-12 due to the current global economic scenario India found itself in the heart of managing growth and stabilizing prices. The Indian economy is grown by 6.9 per cent in 2011-12, after having grown at the rate of 8.4 per cent in each of the two preceding years. This indicates a slowdown compared not just to the previous two years but 2003 to 2011 (except 2008-09). At the same time, sight must not be lost of the fact that, by any cross country comparison, India remains among the front-runners. The Gross Domestic Product (nominal) of India is $ 1.848 trillion (Indiabudget, 2011). The Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing power parity) of India is $ 4.457 trillion (Indiabudget, 2011). The annual expenditure budget of India is Rs.1490925.29 Crores (Indiabudget, 2011). Over the years, more than half of the expenditure budget is spent on civil engineering, construction and related activities. The construction industry sets in motion the process of economical growth in the country, investment in this sector contributes 6.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. The construction industry in India is large and scattered. Today in India there is a massive demand in housing and infrastructure. The construction industry is the second largest industry of the country after agriculture. It makes a significant contribution to the national economy and provides employment to large number of people. The use of various new technologies and deployment of project management strategies have started to gain importance. In its path of advancement, the industry has to overcome a number of challenges. However, the industry is still faced with some major challenges, including housing, disaster resistant construction, water management and mass transportation. Recent experiences of several new mega-projects and large demand are clear indicators that the industry is poised for a bright future. It is the second homecoming of the construction profession to the forefront amongst all professions in the country. Every Re.1 investment in the construction industry causes an Rs.0.80 increment in GDP as against Rs.0.20 and Rs.0.14 in the fields of agriculture and manufacturing industry, respectively. Statistics over the period have shown that compared to other sectors, this sector of economic activity generally creates 4.7 times increase in incomes and 7.76 times increase in employment generation potentiality (Economicsurvey, 2011). Despite of the challenges in the construction industry there will be a continuous rise of the construction sector in the country, with over 4 Crore persons employed in it. 2.5 Projects in India The construction industry in India is large and diverse. In India majority of the projects are procured locally and are small in size. In recent years there is a demand for large projects such as large housing schemes, rural and urban and infrastructure projects but still there are large numbers of small projects. The projects include residential complexes, shopping centers, industrial development projects, urban roads, rural roads, water supply systems, sewerage systems and infrastructure projects such as highways, power stations, rapid mass transport systems, airports up gradation and new and ports. These projects are not concentrated in one part of the country, they are spread over the length and the breadth of the country. Except some few high profile and prestigious projects majority of the projects are due to local needs and demands. In India the metropolitan cities are experiencing a rapid growth of 25-30% in residential construction activity every year and the other non-major cities are experiencing 15-25%. The top 15 cities in India account for 18% of the total construction activity in India with Mumbai and Bangalore leading the pack. In India cities are classified as Tier I, Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV cities. Tier I cities consist of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Tier II cities consist of comparatively smaller cities as Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Pune, Surat etc. Tier III cities consists of even smaller cities and large towns such as Indore, Cochin, Jamshedpur etc. Tier IV consist of smaller towns. Approximately there are 35 cities in India with a po

Copyright vs. the Right to Copy Essay -- Computers Technology Internet

Copyright vs. the Right to Copy Today's digital technology and the computer have changed how the average consumer can acquire information and entertainment. No longer do we have to wait for the CD to hear a new song, or the release date to watch a movie. The technology is available on our home computers. But is this an infringement on copyright? What about the rights of artists, authors, producers, or actors? Has our technology progressed so far that it infringes on these peoples' livings? It is only a matter of time before laws are passed regarding Internet use. Are we ready to give up the freedom we have had up to this point? In her essay "The Digital Rights War", Pamela Samuelson states that " The new future of technically protected information is so far from the ordinary person's experience that few of us have any clue about what is at stake". (Samuelson 316) With today's technology consumers can download almost anything from their computer and copy it onto a CD Rom or to an MP3 player. Pirated copies of songs from CDs that are not yet released or movies that are still in the theaters are put on the Internet available for anyone to use or copy. These are extreme examples of the problem at hand. What lengths do we need to go to in protecting artists' rights? Pirating is nothing new. When I was in high school bootleg copies of concerts were available to buy on cassette. There will always be some people that don't follow the law, and even if we tighten up current copyrighting laws those people will find a way around them. The average consumer may download songs or articles from the Internet, but they do not distribute them or reproduce them. If they do reproduce them it is usually for personal use. The MP3 player that ... ...May 7, 2000. http://www.mp3.com Napster.com. "Information about Metallica's Request to Disable Napster Users." Napster Home Page. 1999-2000. May 7, 2000. http://www.napster.com RIAA. "Copyright Basics", "Napster Lawsuit Q & A." Recording Industry Association of America Home Page. May 7, 2000. http://www.riaa.com Samuelson, Pamela. "The Digital Rights War." The Presence of Others. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. Boston, New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 315-321. U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress. "The Digital Millennium copyright Act of 1998." December, 1998. May 7, 2000. http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/ White House Information Infrastructure Task Force. " Intellectual Property and the National Information Infrastructure:" U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 1995. http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/doc/ipnii/execsum.html

Uses of Job Description

Usefulness of Job Description 1. It Helps identify a job, distinguishing it from other jobs by its title. 2. It serves as a guide in employee recruitment, selection, and placement. 3. It establishes proper relationship between one job and the others within the same salary bracket. 4. It facilitates comparisons with similar jobs in other firms for purposes of wage surveys. 5. It serves as a guide in the organization and administration of a department, division, section, or unit. 6. It helps to form lines of promotion or transfer and to spot employees who need further training. . It contributes to the personal satisfaction of every individual employee with his job. Components of Job Design Job specialization Job expansion Psychological components Self-directed teams Motivation and incentive systems Ergonomics and work methods Job Specialization †¢ Involves o Breaking jobs into small component parts o Assigning specialists to do each part †¢ First noted by Adam Smith (1776) o Observed how workers in pin factory divided tasks into smaller components †¢ Found in manufacturing & service industriesJob Specialization Often Reduces Cost †¢ Greater dexterity & faster learning †¢ Less lost time changing jobs or tools †¢ Use more specialized tools †¢ Pay only for needed skills Job Expansion Process of adding more variety to jobs Intended to reduce boredom associated with labor specialization Methods o Job enlargement o Job enrichment o Job rotation o Employee empowerment Psychological Components of Job Design †¢ Individuals have values, attitudes, and emotions that affect job results o Example: Work is a social experience that affects belonging needs Effective worker behavior comes mostly from within the individual o Scientific management argued for external financial rewards †¢ First examined in ‘Hawthorne studies’ Self-Directed Teams Group of empowered individuals working together for a common goal May be organize d for short-term or long-term objectives Reasons for effectiveness o Provide employee empowerment o Provide core job characteristics o Meet psychological needs (e. g. , belonging) Motivation Worker performance depends on o Motivation o Ability o Work environmentMotivation is the set of forces that compel behavior Money may serve as a psychological & financial motivator Incentive systems o Measured daywork: Pay based on standard time o Piece rate: Pay based on pieces done Ergonomics and Work Methods Worker performance depends on o Motivation o Ability o Work environment Foundation laid by Frederick Taylor o Match employees to task o Develop work methods o Establish work standards Ergonomics Study of work Also called ‘human factors’ Involves human-machine interface Examples o Mouse o Keyboard

Free Essays on Honesty

Essay on Honesty You pull up to the second window at the McDonalds’s drive-through to pick up the shake you just ordered and paid for, and the person working there hands you a huge bag of food while asking you if this is what you ordered. Do you A: Answer â€Å"Yes† and take the food or B: Answer â€Å"No† and tell him/her that you only paid for a shake? Yes this really did happen to me. What did I do? Believe it or not, I did the honest thing and gave the food back. But the real question is what would a majority of American’s youth do in a similar situation. There are two potentially dishonest acts in this situation, lying and stealing. In my opinion most high school kids are not above lying and/or stealing. The reason this is true is simply that many of today’s parents are not above lying and/or stealing. So after observing people that hold a high place of respect do things unmoral like this, their conscience says to itself, â€Å"Okay, lying and/or st ealing is not really that bad, and is acceptable to my parents.† A majority of Americans youth today are morally confused, due to the un-honorable actions of their parents. 1984, by George Orwell, shows an example of un-honorable actions of parents, rubbing off on their children. About 99% of the population in this book, were uncaring robots. They would turn their best friend into the â€Å"thought police† at the drop of a hat. They don’t think for themselves, and therefore are robots. The children of 1984, were even worse because they would turn their own parents into the â€Å"thought police†, with no sense of shame, and they actually felt proud about their actions. This is a perfect example of the unmoral actions of the parents rubbing off on their children. This could be the fate of our country if we don’t take parenting more seriously. If this pattern continues on it’s current course, we will have a society with no boundaries to govern life. W... Free Essays on Honesty Free Essays on Honesty Essay on Honesty You pull up to the second window at the McDonalds’s drive-through to pick up the shake you just ordered and paid for, and the person working there hands you a huge bag of food while asking you if this is what you ordered. Do you A: Answer â€Å"Yes† and take the food or B: Answer â€Å"No† and tell him/her that you only paid for a shake? Yes this really did happen to me. What did I do? Believe it or not, I did the honest thing and gave the food back. But the real question is what would a majority of American’s youth do in a similar situation. There are two potentially dishonest acts in this situation, lying and stealing. In my opinion most high school kids are not above lying and/or stealing. The reason this is true is simply that many of today’s parents are not above lying and/or stealing. So after observing people that hold a high place of respect do things unmoral like this, their conscience says to itself, â€Å"Okay, lying and/or st ealing is not really that bad, and is acceptable to my parents.† A majority of Americans youth today are morally confused, due to the un-honorable actions of their parents. 1984, by George Orwell, shows an example of un-honorable actions of parents, rubbing off on their children. About 99% of the population in this book, were uncaring robots. They would turn their best friend into the â€Å"thought police† at the drop of a hat. They don’t think for themselves, and therefore are robots. The children of 1984, were even worse because they would turn their own parents into the â€Å"thought police†, with no sense of shame, and they actually felt proud about their actions. This is a perfect example of the unmoral actions of the parents rubbing off on their children. This could be the fate of our country if we don’t take parenting more seriously. If this pattern continues on it’s current course, we will have a society with no boundaries to govern life. W...

Existentialism Therapy

Existentialism Therapy Free Online Research Papers Existential therapy is aimed at dealing with people and their existence and letting them have the freedom to make choices in shaping their life. This type of therapy tries to help the client improve their self-knowledge and then helps them to make their own decisions about life (Szasz, 2005). The therapist makes the client aware that they are responsible for their own life. Existential therapist are also more focused on the present and the future and do not focus as much on the past. Although they may talk about the past, it is more as a reference to help the client learn from the past so that they can improve their present. There are six main concepts that existential therapy try to address with clients: self-awareness, freedom and responsibility, identity and relationships, anxiety, feeling of meaninglessness, and death (Szasz, 2005). When the client learns to increase their self-awareness they learn that they chose their actions so they can basically create their own destinies. Also they become aware that they have the potential to act or not to act, it is a decision that they have to make. Some of the awareness that the therapist helps the client realize is that they are not living in the present because they are preoccupied with the past (Corey, 2005). Which in return they come to the conclusion that they are not condemned to a future similar to the past. They have to use the past and learn from it and that is the awareness that the therapist tries to show their client. The next concept to be talked about is freedom and responsibility of the client. In existential therapy the client has full freedom to do what they may, but they also learn to take the responsibility for their actions. Clients who refuse to accept responsibility by blaming others for their problems will not profit from therapy (Szasz, 2005). The client has to learn that they shape their own lives and they are the ones making decisions for them and therefore they are responsible for what happens. The therapist is there to talk to the client about how others may influence the client’s decisions and encourage them to move towards make their own choices (Corey, 2005). Everyone is trying to make their own identity and be someone who is unique. People also make relationships because we are naturally driven to connect with others, but we must open up to others and also care for them too or else the relationship will not last (Corey, 2005). This is where existentialist talk about loneliness because clients may see themselves as failures if they cannot develop relationships. The trouble with relying too much on relationships is that people may learn to trust their directions, values, or beliefs instead of trusting in themselves to find their own answers or values (Corey, 2005). Existential therapy can really help clients challenge the meaning of their lives. Meaninglessness in life leads to emptiness and hollowness, or a condition that Frankl calls the existential vacuum (Corey, 2005). When dealing with a client and trying to help them with having feelings of meaninglessness, the therapist’s trust is important in teaching clients to trust their own capacity to discover a new source of values. The client may experience some major anxiety when dealing with getting rid of or altering old values. This anxiety may even get worse if they do not find appropriate ones to replace them with (Corey, 2005). Anxiety is one of the major concepts that existential therapist’s deal with. Anxiety arises from personal strivings to survive and to maintain and assert one’s being. The feelings anxiety generates are an inevitable aspect of the human condition. Existential therapists differentiate between normal and neurotic anxiety. Normal anxiety is an appropriate response to an event being faced. Existential anxiety is a constructive form of normal anxiety and can be a stimulus for growth (Corey, 2005) . Existentialist’s do not view death negatively and think that awareness of death as a basic human condition gives significance to living. Frankl believes that death should not be considered a threat; rather death provides the motivation for us to live our lives fully and take advantage of each opportunity to do something meaningful (Corey, 2005). When people are too afraid of death it begins to run their life and they may not do something they want to because they are scared of what might happen. With existential therapy they talk to the clients and let them know that death is not something they should be scared of and it should not run their lives. Two important foundational theorists in existentialism were Viktor Fankl and Rollo May. Viktor Frankl called his form of existential therapy logotherapy, which is derived in part from the Greek word logos, which can mean to study word, spirit, God, or meaning. It is this last sense Frankl seems to focuse on the most, with his logotherapy Frankl postulates a will to meaning as the key motivation of the human being. Frankl also uses the Greek word noà ¶s, which means mind or spirit. In traditional psychology, he suggests, we focus on â€Å"psychodynamics,† which sees people as trying to reduce psychological tension. Instead, or in addition, Frankl says we should pay attention to noà ¶dynamics, wherein tension is necessary for health, at least when it comes to meaning. People desire the tension involved in striving for some worthy goal, making the bumps in the road of life worth it for the journey. (Boeree, 2006) The other important theorist, Rollo May, is for he uses some traditional existential terms slightly differently than others, and invents new words for some of existentialism’s old ideas. Destiny, for example, is roughly the same as thrown-ness combined with fallen-ness. (Boeree, 2006) It is that part of our lives that is determined for us, our raw materials, if you like, for the project of creating our lives. Another example is the word courage, which he uses more often than the traditional term authenticity to mean facing one’s anxiety and rising above it. May is also the only existential psychologist who discusses a type of staging of development. Starting with Innocence, going through rebellion, ordinary, and ending with creative. These are not stages like those of Freud or Erikson. They are different in the sense that at any given developmental stage a person may experience any of these. A child can be at the innocent, ordinary or creative stage at any given time. Existentialism deals with people and existence. The therapy is aimed at helping a client improve and enhance their hold on choice making, freedom, and their self-knowledge. Making them responsible and capable in their own lives. References Boeree, DR. George C, Rollo May: Personality Theories, 1996, 2006 Viktor Frankl: Personality Theories, 1998, 2006 http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/may.html Corey, G. (2005). Theory and practice of counseling and psycotherapy . Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Szasz, T. (2005, January). What is Existential Therapy Not?. Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, 16(1), 127-130. Retrieved March 31, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database. Research Papers on Existentialism TherapyThree Concepts of PsychodynamicThe Project Managment Office SystemInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andHip-Hop is ArtCapital PunishmentPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyResearch Process Part One

OPRATION Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

OPRATION - Assignment Example Various reviews of related literature have revealed challenges in performance measurement for knowledge workers due to the interplay of the following factors, to wit: intangible performance drivers, the dynamic and intensive interaction between the worker/s and clients, intangible and complex services, as well as service impacts and customer value (Jaaskelainen & Laihonen, 2013). As such, the aim of the study was noted specifically as focusing on the measurement of two performance drivers: â€Å"the performance and well-being of individual knowledge workers and the ability to provide value for the customer† (Jaaskelainen & Laihonen, 2013, p. 351). The findings revealed that the traditional approaches used for measuring performance were apparently similarly utilized in knowledge intensive organizations. Likewise, in service oriented organizations, customer satisfaction surveys were deemed predominantly used as measurement tools. In addition, contingency based performance measurement approaches were also deemed applicable in service organizations and knowledge intensive enterprises. Overall, future studies using more in-depth and focused approaches were considered essential in validating conclusiveness of the findings. A company that uses project management in its delivery of goods and services is AMEC. According to its official website, the organization is â€Å"a focused supplier of consultancy, engineering and project management services to its customers in the world’s oil and gas, mining, clean energy, environment and infrastructure markets† (AMEC, 2014, p. 1). As such, its project management and execution process in major projects were noted to include the following phases: â€Å"all aspects of engineering, procurement and construction contracting†¦ tak(ing) control of project definition, estimating and planning, and project controls†¦focus(ing) on the deliverables at every stage of the project lifecycle, including supply

Tourism in the Experience Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tourism in the Experience Economy - Essay Example The Maori people of New Zealand have had a long history of involvement in tourism and a new wave of Maori operators are seen to have emerged over the last two decades to provide experiences to meet this demand (Taylor 2001). Much of the tourism product in which Maori have been involved, to date, is cultural performance, such as cultural experience evenings (Maori Tourism Taskforce Report 1992). Thecultural experiences offered are commonly promoted by tour operators as "traditional" or "authentic" experiences of Maori culture. Initially the idea of experience economy became known in businesses but today it has extended its roots to tourism. Experience economy is a well thought out contribution in existing economics. Most of the economies in the past were agricultural based economies. And agricultural based economy was based on raw materials. Then there came the industrial revolution and the leisure time became valuable as it was short. People started getting daily bread, ready-made clothes and tinned food. The era of manufactured goods arrived! This industrial revolution lead to economic prosperity by increases wages and decreasing the number of hours worked. Today, majority of the companies and organizations are transforming their services from services to memorable experiences. Such as Pizza Hut is liked by most of the people because it manages to host a child's birthday party. Here, the workers are the actors and people visiting those areas are the visitors and the place acts as a stage. Gilmore and Pine2 (1998) believe that the experiences and services are distinct to each other. They believe that experiences should provide a memorable activity that will remain with a particular individual for a long time. In order to achieve this and in order to develop that product, visitors must be attracted and drawn into the activity in such a way that they feel the sensation and the thrill. And in order to feel the sensation visitors should participate in that activity. This process demands and requires highly skilled personnel who can personalize each event according to the behavioral traits, the needs and the response of the guests. Providing experiences is not an easy job. It demands and requires a new supplierperspective. Suppliers of such goods consider themselves as manufacturers. It is important for the companies that they should themselves as stagers of events and not just the manufacturers of various products. Like any theatrical event, there should be a designed activity for the sets and dialogue scripting. Actors need to dynamically select individual sentences in response to the body language, questions and statements. In order to be sensational and an experience of thrill for the visitors, it has to be an interactive experience in such a way that the guest has more influence on the actions than the actors. In some situations where the experience is sensitive type then we cannot expect the visitors to open up and engage in that activity on the first encounter. Sometimes it may require a number of encounters so that they reveal themselves over a period of time.3 The process of designing services that convey unforgettable personal experiences is a combination of art, development, knowledge and skill, and an art that is poorly understood. Theatre industry is considered to be someone with perfect control over the process of staging plays.4 An experience enter the minds of the