Sports Utility Vehicles Essay Example for Free

Sports profit Vehicles EssayThe cover referred to with this text is the one entitled Sports Utility Vehicles The real cost of power, and the intention in this document is to endeavor to explain the decree process and what I personally learnt from that process as it applies to this paper. In revise the paper, apart from the obvious spelling, punctuation, grammatical and referencing corrections, I also necessitate to look at the hypothesis, structure and argument basis. There were two reasons for this.Firstly, revision is necessary to go over that the research and conclusions reached are in accordance with the main theme of the paper, and that it does not raise additional points, which have been left, unanswered. In the respect of the hypothesis question, upon reviewing my work I found that it was necessary to revise from the original, as this was not concisely presented, nor were the original boundaries of the question defined in a manner that was easy to follow. It therefo re needed to be more clearly defined. Similarly, from the structural aspect, there was a need for this to be reorganized.In its initial format, some of the points portrayed in the paper were not organized in a manner that clearly led the reader from one to the next, creating what might have appeared to be a disjointed approach to the subject. pellucidity was also one of the reasons for the revision. In parts of the paper, it was found that points were made for which there was no supporting evidence, or the relevance of those points to the hypothesis were not connected properly. During the revision of the work, these points were revisited.In most cases, it was possible to endure further clarification, which addressed the issues. However, it was found in one or two instances that further research was necessary to either support the point raised or re-analyze it. The former(a) aspect of the original paper that did require revision was that of the citations and quotations. In some or iginal cases, these did not provide ease of access for the reader and would have reduced the value of the paper as a credible research document. Some of the references were too vague and in other instances, references and bibliographical connections were missing.I believe that the value that I personally gained from the process of the revision of this paper will benefit future research and other work that I undertake. I learnt the importance of being able review work in an objective manner, questioning the arguments raised in an effort to taste their relevance to the issues being addressed and the hypothesis itself. In addition, I learnt that the style of writing and the structure of the document, in terms of both the sentences and the ordered manner of presenting points raised, list a significant difference to the clarity of the document and impacts upon it knowledge value for the reader or student.As a result, I believe that the revising of the SUV paper will provide me with the ability to produce a better standard of work in the future. It will also enable me to improve my knowledge and victimization skills.Work CitedAnon (2006). Revising the draft. The Writing Center, University of North Carolina. Retrieved 6 December 2006 from http//www. unc. edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/revision. html

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Essay Example for Free

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator EssayGrowing up, e very(prenominal) role model and spokesperson constantly reiterated that we, as individuals, could be whoever we wanted to be. We could call down up to be doctors, lawyers, firefighters, or any other overplus of occupations that tickled our fancy. With those seeds firmly planted in our young minds, we began our eternal interest to search for the perfect c beer.The quest for that ideal vocation, however, is not easily facilitated. For those of us that are unsure of our future endeavors or are curious roughly the accuracy of our passage choice, a plethora of advancements in analyzing temper profiles have been developed to aid in such arduous matters. One of those advancements is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which aids individuals in determining their disposition fiber in attempt to pair them with their ideal career. Developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katharine, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a very intricat e test that helps individuals discover their personality type (Martin). The test is broken into four different categories, which help produce the sixteen possible personality types. The categories are Introvert/Extrovert, Sense/Intuition, Thought/Feeling, and judging/Perceiving (TypeTalk). The basis of these four categories relies on the idea that each individual relates more to virtuoso extreme than to other thus, each individual tends to be more introverted or more extroverted, not exactly in the middle. After analyzing a persons personality with regards to behavioral tendencies in all four categories, one of the sixteen personality profiles is revealed. (Tieger, 13) After taking the test for myself, I found that my personality type is slated as INTP, or introvert, intuition, thinking, and perceiving. Introverts mainly focus their attention and nothing in the world inside of themselvesthey try to understand the world before they experience it (Tieger, 14). The intuition portion of the profile shows that one naturally reads between the lines to formula for meaning in all things, (Tieger, 18) while the thinking portion shows a preference to decisions that make sense logicallyand pride themselves on their ability to be objective and analytical in the decision making process (Tieger, 21).Finally, the perceiving portion details the desire for flexibility and freedom of open-ended options and the ability to adapt in new situations (Tieger, 25). Overall, when putting these traits together, the INTP personality types, like myself, enjoy making logic-based decisions, being objective and analytical, as well as seeking more knowledge about the workings of the world around them (Myers). Once an individual has their personality profile, they can use it to gauge the accuracy of their chosen vocation, mostly because it aids in demonstrating which personality traits fit best with which careers. In conclusive proof with varying resources, I have found that my personality type fits perfectly with my architecture career choice. In fact, the ledger of Management in Engineering conducted a research study to explore what types of personality traits best fit construction and architecture mark jobs. agree to the study, those possessing a preference for Intuitive data collection (MBTI, N) and Perceiving structure (MBTI, P) outperformed individuals with preferences for Sensing and Judging, in both planning and construction (Carr, 1).Another study also looked at the Myers-Briggs personality traits of civil engineers. The study concluded that they are predominantly introverted, preferring to focus their energy on the internal world of ideas and possibilities. They prefer to gather their facts using their senses, and are predisposed to facts and figuresthey show a slight preference for a structured environment (Johnson Singh, 1). Tiegers book also lists architects and civil engineers as an appropriate schoolmaster/business career for INTP types. These pro fessional careers also offer INTPs plenty of opportunities to analyze and solve complex problemsthey require clear, logical thinking and innovative approaches to problems and challenges (Tieger, 255).Besides the preceding studies and examples proving that my personality type is suited for a career as an architect, it is easy to derive such a conclusion based on the traits demonstrated with my personality type. Being an introvert, someone who prefers the inner world and the ability to think thoughts through, promotes the required intelligence required to design and execute complex architectural design projects.The intuitive part of my personality profile is depictive of the desire to understand and seek out knowledge, as well as the ability to understand and penetrate different constructive solutions. The thinking portion promotes the use of logic and analytical skills that are necessary attributes for an architect to create logical engineering solutions. The perceiving portion i s evidence of the ability to adapt and change, to come up with new solutions and creative ideas to architectural models that need exploring, as well as the flexibility to attempt such ideas. Overall, it is very easy to see that my personality type of INTP does, in fact, coincide with my desire to be an architect.Throughout the ever changing world, people change careers several quantify in their lives in hopes of finding a career that will best suit their needs, their talents, and their goals. Luckily, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test is a valuable tool that galore(postnominal) people can benefit from. This tool was very accurate in pairing my personality with my ambition to be an architect, proving that I fit with my chosen career field.ReferencesCarr, Paul G. Relationship between personality traits and performance for engineeringand architectural professionals providing design services. Journal of Management in Engineering 18.n4 (September-October 2002) 158.Johnson, Holly M., andAmarjit Singh.The personality of civil engineers.Journal of Management in Engineering14.n4(July-August 1998)45(12).Martin, Charles. INTP Personality Type. KnowYourType. http//www.knowyourtype.com/intp.htmlMyers, Steve. Myers-Briggs A Complete Guide.Team Technology.http//www.teamtechnology.co.uk/tt/t-articl/mb-simpl.htmTieger, Barbara B., and Paul Tieger. Do What You are Discover the Perfect Career for You through the Secrets of Personality Type. New York 2001.Type Talk Inc. 20.n10 (July 1998) p76(1)

Electoral Processes of Thailand and Great Britain Essay Example for Free

Electoral Processes of Thailand and Great Britain EssayElectoral Process of commonwealth of Thailand and kingdom of Great Britain The election is a formal decision qualification process by which a population chooses an individual to hold office. Elections may fill offices in the legislative, sometimes in the executive and judiciary, and for regional and local government. The habitual use of election as a tool for selecting representatives in modern democracies is in contrast with the practice in the democratic archetype.Kingdom of Great Britain conducts much(prenominal) election since 17th century. On the otherhand, the Kingdom of Thailand have their first general election on 1993which is called to be indirect because of large number of population. Since both Kingdom of Great Britain and Kingdom of Thailand have constitutional monarchy as form of their government, these two kingdoms have some basic similarities in decision making process-election.The Kingdom of Thailand ap ply the multi member governance in constituencies for the election of senate and combination of plurality and proportional system for the election of HoR. On the other hand, Kingdom of Great Britain used the system commonly called First Past The Post System of election to the West Minster Parliament, taking into account four requirements, namely broad proportionality the need for persistent government an extension of voter choice and the maintenance of a link between MPs and geographical constituencies.These two kingdoms aims in the beginning to eliminate problems in elections such as vote buying, cheating, and the partisan conduct of government officers. This paper aims to analyse the significance of the election systems used in conducting such elections in determining of how many representative/s in each province or division how many votes a candidate or political troupe accumulates or how much it is ahead of other candidate/party to hold office and how do it avoid election pr oblems such as party switching.For more understanding, questions will be answered such as, who can vote? Who can run as candidate for a public office? Keywords Election, Public Office, Legislative, Executive, Judiciary, Democratic, Kingdom of Great Britain, Kingdom of Thailand, HoR, Senate, Multi-Member System, Plurality and proportional System, First-Post-The-Past System, Party Switching.

History and Marketing Strategy of Apple Inc

History and Marketing Strategy of orchard apple tree IncHistory and background of the companyThe history and the back ground of orchard apple tree Inc which calld to be apple Computers, Inc when they first started in California USA and become a multinational company which started from scratch. orchard apple tree Inc mainly deal with consumer electronics, computer softw be convergence and commercial servers. Apples some notable crossings be iPhone, iPod and Macintosh computers.Apple was formed by Steven Paul Jobs 21 and Stephen Gary Wozniak 25, they created a first Apple computer on 1st April 1976 defecated Apple I. Apple was incorporated in 1977 in California (Apple website, FAQ). For ab reveal 20 year Apple computers Inc was predominantly a manufacturer of personal computers that includes Power Mac, Apple I, Apple II, Apple III and Macintosh lines but also faced unstable sales and low market donations. Steven Job resign the company in 1985 due to infighting and he rejoin in 1996 as a CEO of the company. He brought with him a new corporate philosophy of identifiable product and childlike design. Introducing a not bad(p) success of iPod music player in 2001, Apple become a leader in consumer electronic industry, dropping computer from its name and keeping on to dismission the iPad and iPhone. And in present Apple is one of the biggest engine room company in the human beings, with the revenue of over $60 billion per annum Hormby Thomas, A history of Apples Lisa, 1979-1986, Low End Mac, 6th October 2005 Apple website.Strategy and ImplementationPhilosophy of identifiable product and simple design help Apple declare their reaping in early 80s and a huge part of success is due to its leadership in the education sector, which was one of the brilliant business strategy, education environs provided Apple with a great amount of loyal users around the world. They started targeting into education sector in Cupertino California by a very weighty transcrip tion between Steve Job and Jim Baroux of (LCSI) Logo Computer Systems Inc, which was an agreement to donate one Apple II and one Apple LOGO software package to all public school in Texas. The idea was great and the philosophy behind that was that if they donate one package to each school then this would result in thirty more packages to sell, which is estimated as the number of students in one classroom at least and ofcourse some more purchases are possible from parents who wants to support the technology to make their children to stay aware of technology, learn more and get familiar. This significant agreement between Apple Inc and Logo Computer System Inc (LCSI) was a great success though out the State, which establish a very strong and constant presence for Apple in the schools throughout California. This become Apple IIs date in schools right across the United States and the leadership of Apple in education sector around the world continues in the most critical clock time of 1980s. and so Apple made it extremely well in education sector as well as in the families, as parents carry on supporting the learning experience for their children after school Wikipedia, Article, Apple Inc.Technology used and Product/ServicesApple Inc mainly deal with consumer electronics, computer software and commercial servers. Apple is an congressman of itself when comes to technology, the technology they introduce since they first launched and until today. Although there was issues in some software they introduced as well as their Operating organisation that it is not users friendly but Apple keep identifying the issue efficiently and effectively, for example using Microsofts Power point compare to Apples keynote which takes powerPoint apart and figures out how the files work that makes it more user friendly Bill Thompson, 19th Sep 2007, BBC News. They are famous to introduce the best touch sensor in their products which includes Mac, iPhone, iPod and iPad recently, best example is iPhone which is still the leader in smart phone technology and introduced the best touch screen system in the market so far.Apple accommodate introduced various operating system for its products like Macintosh, PowerBook, iPod, iPad and iPhone. Apple always use their own Operating system in all of their products, one of the most famous operating system is iOS which is used in iPhone and OS X, Mac OS X is the worlds most advanced operating system. Built on UNIX foundation and knowing simple as of this is one of the fundamentals of the company. This is why Mac have a reputation of innovative, compatible, highly secure and user friendly Apple website, Mac OS X, Over view.OS X series includes Snow Leopard which was unveiled on 8th of June 2009 and was available to purchase in Cupertino, California and on their website and by twenty-eighth of August 2009 in the market throughout the world Apple website, library, Mac OS Snow Leopard.Mac OS X Versions are Mac OS X Server 1.0, Public Beta, then from 10.0 to the Latest rendering is Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard and 10.7 Lion announced on 20th of October 2010 and expected to release by 2011. Apple have also introduces digital cameras, portable CD audio players, speakers, video consoles and TV appliances Wikipedia, Apple Inc, Mac OS X.The main markets where Apple operatesApple is a multinational company based in Cupertino, California and their product sales in more than 50 countries, one of the most recent successful product of Apple is iPhone, it is available in over 50 countries and more to be added in their network later and Apple iPhones are devising their production company to increase their yearly products because the of their extreme success and they are selling it very well indeed and iPhones are increasing their market share day by day and quit fast.Amit Bhawani, In doion guide, Apple inc, smart phone launch, vodaphoneAs the graph shows, their main markets where they operates are USA, Japan, German y, France, Spain, Canada and UK, over all they are doing very well in Europe and USA itself, besides that they are also in Mexico, Netherland, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Hong Kong and now in India as well. Success of iPhone is a great boom to Apple Inc.Main Products and Ethical challengesApples worldwide smartphone shares boost upto 17% due to iPhone sales reached 7 million in 2009 including the continued version of iPhone 3GS and they are expected to be more because later in the same year they started selling iPhones in China, where as Chinese made a transcript version of iPhone with different software but unable to beat the original one ofcourse.Website Mac Rumors, News, Smartphone market worldwideWorldwide mobile phone market experience less growth as compare to their early years and in this year the growth was as low as 0.1 percent but smartphones was constantly growing their success and performance and growi ng their market upto 12.8 percent nearly every year.They face great competitors like Microsoft which is focusing on delivering software to seamy product personal computers while Apple delivers rich engineered products. Apple relied on high profit margins and never developed a clear response. Other competitors are IBM and Dell which are famous active their durability and have a good reputation in making computers.Product and Business Portfolio Product portfolio plays important role in companys business success especially when come to competition. Product portfolio is to capture and understand customers need according to the market. Apples portfolio is to transform their customers into specifications of the product they are offerings. There has been criticism on iPhone and iPod that these devices has been locked/restricted into iTones and creating iTone Store monopoly but Apple keep ensuring that anyone but their product will be completely locked/restricted to an Apples created worl d. This portfolio keep the former(a) competitors out in some aspects but is also become hard to justify some measures when creating a circle around the customers and keep competitors out. Although the fact that iTunes database format has already been cracked and the third party tool have been updated, example application like cydia which unlock iPhone and enable customers to download various applications and allow them to use their iPhone for all the network providers. But Apple is spending more time trying to ensure that anyone who purchase their product must completely locked in to Apple-centred world in which they use iTones for products like iPod and iPhone, buy from iTones Music store, and purchese only Apple-certified accessories. The new version of iTunes break the fix and they keep updating the versions of iPhone and iPod to lock the customers and other updated and therefore no third party tool is able to unlock the version unless it is certified by Apple itself Bill Thompso n, 2007, BBC News, Article in Technology section.Corporate alternate and Social welfare of employeeApple was one of the highest successful companies founded in 70s, Corporate philosophy of identifiable product and simple design which was introduced by Steve Jobs. Apple cares about their employees and provide them various facilities and benefits that includes, staff discount, paid holidays, maternity leaves, annual bonus and friendly and learning environment.QualityApples relies on best quality for their customers as of their product is design to provide the best output, high profile and highly priced due to their basic strategy of high profit margin on each product and keeping their market stable. They launch the best quality product and improvise it in later versions as required by their customers. They also manage to maintain their product quality with their corporate philosophy of identifiable product and simple design.

Lulu Hypermarkets In Dubai Commerce Essay

smasher Hypermarkets In Dubai Commerce Essayapricot Hypermarkets belongs to EMKE Group which is a leading consortium in Dubai. at that place atomic number 18 78 hypermarkets of the group that ar operating within the GCC Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (Bahrain, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE). The hypermarket competition in Oman is composed of beauty Hypermarkets with the French party Carrefour Hypermarkets, the Kuwait- travelling bagd Sultan Center Hypermarkets, Oman-based Safeer Hypermarkets, the Dubai-based KM Trading Hypermarkets, and the new entrant from Dubai Al Maya Hypermarkets (opened in April 2009).Lulu is operating trustworthyly four (three in Muscat, unmatched in Sohar) hypermarket retail come forwardlets (in the metropolitan areas) and eight supermarket retail outlets (in small towns and upcountry areas) in Oman and bequeath be opening its fifth hypermarket in Salalah the third largest city in Oman after Muscat and Sohar. Th e Companys central warehouse for Oman is located in the capital city Muscat.The Problem SituationLulu Hypermarkets has been facing tough charge competition from the Dubai-based KM Trading Hypermarkets and the new entrant Al Maya Hypermarkets. With the current globular economic crisis and fluctuating oil prices Oman too is facing the need to modify finances and the same applies to consumers in Oman. The result is consumers confuse become more careful and frugal in spending and sometimes end up harsh their volume of purchases and are more motivated here in Oman by discounted prices and Sale since the middle of year 2008.A major proportion of the caudex of Lulu Hypermarkets is do up of imported food market items and consumer electronic items, fashion goods, clothes, stationery, toys, and furniture) from Australia, India, China, the EC, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. This merchandise goes into creaseing via Lulus vertically integrated supply chain.The stor es staff in Lulu hypermarkets and supermarkets report to their floor supervisors and separately of the supervisors (there are 3 floor supervisors one for separately floor in each of the hypermarkets and 1 floor supervisor (only grease floor) in each of the supermarkets) directly report to the purchasing supervisor in each hypermarket and supermarket. The purchasing supervisors directly report to the Purchasing Manager (see Figure 1 below for a simplified Lulus validation structure of its purchasing department).Figure 1 Organisation Structure of Lulus Purchasing Department, OmanThe purchasing manager receives orders from the purchasing supervisors who base their order requisitions from the selective informational output generated from the EPOSs at each hypermarket/supermarket outlet. Thereafter the purchasing manager orders stocks from abroad and liaises with overseas suppliers with and with the Tendering Contract Specialist. As is parkland here in the GCC countries, Lulu too has a very conservative top management that includes its Board of Directors.However, currently Lulu is actively engaged in replacing the old IT architecture and revamping its focal point Information frames (MISs), including a Inventory Management System, soon (around end of September 2010) to take wages of online ordering formations with the introduction of its own web-portal.Customer remembering is a key factor for roaringly operating any rail line at all times (Hurley, 2004). This is all the more critical now addicted the global economic crisis which most of the countries worldwide, including Oman, are going through.Of late (since mid 2008) there have been frequent shortages of stocks (spray dried milk and opposite staple grocery items leading international brands) and as a result Lulus nodes (both the Omanis and expatriates) are unhappy over the non-availability of items/brands of their choice that were retailed by Lulu.In certain lines of grocery items there were lavishness stocking and on a nonher(prenominal)s there were shortages. And in order to overcome the shortages orders were made to be transported by air which significantly increased the freight cost of imported goods.On the other extreme, some grocery items (low bulk) that are supplied to small institutional buyers (e.g. coffee shops in Muscat) could not be sourced from the exporters in time for delivery as several(prenominal) orders had to wait to be bunched to make up the bulk to obtain low cost freight from the shipping companies. These mistakes have been caused by weak or disadvantageously decision making resulting from brusque information and communication flows between the store outlets (sales) and purchasing department (purchases). For example, the Inventory Status Analysis Report and Customer gross sales History have been found to be not that accurate during a specially commissioned operational audit in February 2009.Furthermore, Lulus warehousing space in (Muscat) Oman is limited. Although the EMKE Group is capable of building a new warehouse in Muscat, the mountainous terrain makes it difficult to construct warehouse buildings in the short sink.In consequence, poor bloodline management is a serious issue which is threatening Lulus efforts in customer retention and loyalty and the profitability of its business in Oman.An attempt has been made in this paper to analyse the above issue in Lulu, Oman by applying Checklands (1981 Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems methodological analysis (SSM).MetaphorsProblem situations such as the above can be gear upively tackled by the application of critical systems opinion (capital of Mississippi, 2003). Critical systems persuasion sexual climax employs a wide range of system of rulesal metaphors (images) which can help in arrest the organisations as hygienic as to explore and analyse the difficult occupation situations which managers need to tackle (Flood Jackson, 1991).Metaphors can be viewed as co gnitive lenses through which plenty make sense their situations for obtaining a conk out sense of the same (Kendall Kendall, 1993).The most common archetypal metaphors that can be used to guide systems thinking are (Jackson, 1993 Morgan, 1997)Organisations as machinesOrganisations as organismsOrganisations as brainsOrganisations as culturesOrganisations as political systemsOrganisations as psychic prisonsOrganisations as flux and transformationOrganisations as instruments of dominationMetaphoric manifestation of the organisation helps to understand how its stakeholders make sense of their organisation and their worldviews and also encourages its managers to think creatively about their organisations as well (ibid). This is because metaphors provide a useful government agency to make creative assumptions in organisational analysis for describing and exploring the occupation situation effectively (Morgan, 1980 1997).To guide the critical systems thinking, in relation to the ab ove problem situation, the organisms metaphor has been chosen at the dominant metaphor and the machines metaphor as the dependent metaphor. The organisms metaphor represents open view and the machine metaphor represents closed view (Flood Jackson, 1991).According to Jackson (1993) an organisation when viewed as a machine is seen as a tool created for achieving the parts of the owners of the organisation. Managers are assumed to be rational in their decision-making (ibid). Control in the organisation is enforced through strict rules and procedures within a rigid organisational hierarchy of authority (ibid).An organisation when viewed like an organism appears as a Gordian system composed of sub-systems that coexist together (ibid). The main aim of the organisation is survival from which the derivatory objectives are set for each of the organisations sub-systems to accomplish (ibid). If there are functional failures and then the sub-systems should be examined as whether they conti nue to meet the organisations objectives and needs and also the organisation should be cross-checked as to whether it is properly aligned with and well-adjusted to its environment (ibid). To this end the managerial sub-system must be entrusted with this important task (ibid).Accordingly with regard to the Lulus problem situation above, the organism metaphor is considered as the dominant metaphor as the enumerationing management and costs involve external environmental participants (for e.g. suppliers and customers) and the machine metaphor as the dependent metaphor since it produced negative effects through poor information and communication flows in relation to purchases and sales as well as wrong decision making in relation to ordering supplies.Hard Systems idea and Soft Systems ThinkingProblem situations in organisations can be tackled by managers by using a intemperate systems thinking approach or semisoft thinking approach.Hard systems thinking approach is useful when syst ems exist and the objectives of the system/s can be easily defined (Checkland, 1981 1988). Hard systems thinking approach is based upon rational and scientific methods where a single(a) optimal solution is found (Checkland, 1981). However, the hard systems thinking approach is not useful to speak messy, unpredictable, and ill-structured problem situations wherein the military personnel participants constitute an important variable in the complex problem situation (Checkland, 1981 1989).Soft systems thinking approach does not pick up systems to exist and views the piece activity systems (HAS), which indicates the tender activity to accomplish a certain goals, quite distinct from other systems in the organisation (Checkland, 1981).The strong emphasis placed upon systemness sets hard systems thinking approach distinctly separate and antithetical from soft systems thinking approach (Checkland Holwell, 1998).The System of Systems Methodologies (SoSM)For exploring the complex pro blem situation of Lulu Checklands (1981 Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology has been chosen from Jackson and Keys (1984) the System of Systems Methodologies (see Table 1 below).The reason behind choosing SSM was that Lulus problem context involved unique participants separated by locations and the unique disposition of the inventory system which is significant both in the problem context as well as for Lulu to satisfy its customers needs.Table 1 The System of Systems Methodologies (Jackson Keys, 1984).PARTICIPANTSSoft Systems Methodology SSMChecklands (1981 Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology is a useful methodology for applying systems thinking to complex problem situations in organisations to analyse both qualitative and denary information for the same, since Lulus problem situation involves complex human, political, and fond elements.SSM ProcessThe SSM is a 7 coiffure mathematical operation of enquiry wherein the logical connections of the SSM do by help the real(a) problem solving activity to move more flexibly between one stage and the other in the SSM (Flood Jackson, 1991).Although the SSM is a 7 stage process the stages need not necessarily to be used in a strict sequential order (Checkland Scholes, 1990). Figure 2 below illustrates the 7 stage SSM process.Figure 2 7 phase angle Model of SSM(Source Adapted from Checkland Scholes, 1990) coiffure 1- The Problem SituationIn this first stage of the SSM the participants of the HAS start investigating the ill-structured problem situation without any assumptions which eventually lead to a common understanding of the messy-problem which requires immediate attention (Jackson, 2003).Lulus messy problem situation represents the shared need of the participants of the organisational (Lulu) human activity system (HAS) to collect the available information together as a team in order to explore.The HAS in Lulus problem situation is represent in the form of a Review-Group com posed of the Director and Assistant Director Purchasing Warehousing -, Purchasing Manager, Purchasing Supervisors (Muscat only), one floor staff from each of the Lulu Hypermarkets, two general stores staff members from Lulu hypermarkets and supermarkets, and the Tendering Contract Specialist.Accordingly, the information was gathered and sorted through data collection on physical and social structures and processes (departmental, for e.g. Accounts Finance) by studying the inventory records, large samples of daily till rolls, minutes of the purchasing department meetings, interacting with customers, etc. In addition to this 3 workshops were conducted, at Lulus bespeak Office (its first Hypermarket at Darsait a metro in Muscat) with the above participants where open discussions were encouraged. pegleg 2- Problem Situation Expressed through mystifying range of a functionsRich picture/s is/are used to represent the available information which was gathered from stage 1 of the SSM process to depict the developed situation involving the human activity (Paucar-Caceres Rodriguez-Ulloa, 2007).In other words, the rich picture helps to visualise the generalised characteristics of the problem situation better. The following key characteristics emerged from the workshop with the participants of the Review-GroupPoor Inventory ManagementStock-out situationsLimited inventory storage spaceMay lose customers to competitorsPoor information and communication flows between the store outlets and purchasing departmentInadequacy of the living inventory management system.The rich picture shown in Figure 3 (on the beside page) illustrates the review groups impressions and viewpoints on Lulus problem situation.Figure 3 Rich Picture for LuluThe above rich picture in Figure 3 illustrates the concerns of the Lulu staffs and the members of the Purchasing Department in the problem situation. Dotted line indicates the lack/ lack of good communication and information flows.Stage 3- R oot DefinitionsAfter examining the rich picture in detail, a systematic description of the viewpoints or the worldviews from different angles are made. Root definitions help capture the core purpose of the activity systems to explore effectively into the problem situation and improve it (Checkland Scholes, 1990). Root definitions in effect are verbal descriptions about the systems which are being examined (Hicks, 1991). The root definitions help to describe the transformation processes and the situational-changes in the real world (Paucar-Caceres Rodriguez-Ulloa, 2007).Accordingly a single root definition was derived from the above rich picture and has been reproduced belowAn inventory management system owned by the Company with the objective of improving the inventory control through timely and efficient procuring and purchasing of goods by utilising the available resources effectively in order to sell profitably. This inventory management system will be used to manage the purcha se routines effectively through better communication and exchange of information among all the staffs for satisfying customers by providing improved customer services.The abbreviation CATWOE is consisting of the six key elements Customer, Actor, Transformation, Worldview, Owner, and Environment, are used for formulating the root definitions.The CATWOE elements for the above root definition areCustomers Lulu and its customersActors The built-in staffs of LuluTransformation alter inventory control and better communication flowsWorld view Pro mess of improved customer servicesOwners The Managing Director and ShareholdersEnvironment Market competition and the organisational sub-systems.Stage 4- Building Conceptual ModelsThe root definitions serve as the basis for building the conceptual models for the problem situation.The conceptual model (see Figure 4 on the next page) from the above root definition indicates the followingThe purchasing department of Lulu must establish an effective feedback system to improve decision making in purchasing as well as in inventory control.Effective management of information and communication flows.Motivate the staffs to participate positively in the inventory management.This feedback system should also inform Lulu about its customers needs.Figure 4 Conceptual ModelThe conceptual model in Figure 4 depicts the activities that are required to carry out the transformation processes from the above root definition. The conceptual model indicates that for timely imports to be made a number of key activities have to be carried out like inputting the customer history, maintaining an active cooperation with the overseas suppliers etc for improving the inventory management system and thus ensure that Lulus business operations run efficiently and effectively with least disturbances.Stage 5- Comparing Conceptual Models with the Real WorldThis stage is to promote constructive debate (open discussion among the Review-Group participants) based on the conceptual model. This is carried out by comparing the conceptual model with the real world and identifying the differences therein to determine any changes for implementing them successfully in such a way that the reality matches closely to the conceptual model derived from the application of systems thinking approach (Jackson, 2003).Stage 6- Systematically Desirable and Culturally Feasible ChangesThe debate in the form of open discussion is continued in this stage as well. The main aim of this debate is to identify systematically desired changes relevance and culturally feasible people oriented -. The purpose here is to determine changes that need to be made for improving the problem situation rather than the conceptual models (Checkland Scholes, 1990).The Review-Group identify the following systemically desirable and culturally feasible changes for interventionIntroduction of an up to date Inventory Management System (new application software) which is capable of keep ing the stock levels under control such that adequate (optimal) quantity levels and lines of stocks are available at all times.Ensure that the staffs are motivated to work in a cooperative way, especially, the staffs that are involved in Lulus purchasing function.It would be necessary to incorporate customer sales history for having control over slow despicable items (that still have customers who buy them solely not frequently).Although Lulu maintains an excellent rapport with all its overseas suppliers, the group felt that more active cooperation from the suppliers should be elicited.Timely imports through enhanced purchasing procedures.With improved purchasing procedures and optimal re-order sizes better discount deals from the suppliers should be actively negotiated and obtained. This could give a competitive advantage for Lulu over its rivals in Oman through competitive pricing.Increasing the capacity of storage space for holding stocks would involve capital budgeting procedur es by the Top Management.Stage 7- Taking Actions to Improve the Problem SituationThis stage involves taking systematically desirable and culturally feasible actions for improving the problem situation. The taking of systematically desirable and culturally feasible actions can help further to improve the problem situation (Jackson, 2003).Accordingly, the information gathered from the 3 workshops with the Review-Group participants was helpful for Lulu in creating recommendations that require intervention in the real world for improving the problem situation, through the possible implementation of the systemically desirable and culturally feasible changes identified in Stage 6 above.ConclusionThis paper attempted to apply the Soft Thinking approach to complex problem solving in the case of Lulu Hypermarkets, Oman through the application of Checklands (1981 Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology. Lulus operations in Oman is driven by the need to totally import all of its sto cks from overseas (which is inevitable in Oman as the industrialization is being developed only since 1995 after the implementation of privatisation by the Omani Government) and the objective of Lulu to keep all its customers satisfied with availability of goods as and when the customer requires.(Part A 3,021 words without Contents References)Part BThe present day business environment is dominated by rapid and continuous global changes, which businesses and other organisations as well as their managers cannot afford to ignore these changes today and continue (Turban et al, 2005). Further organisations have become and are becoming more complex callable to the changes in the business environment in economic activity, population, and technology as a result of which organisations need to build their ability to adapt to these changes in order to meet the challenges imposed by the changes (Sterman, 1994).Todays managers require effective strategies to facilitate their organisations to adapt to the changing business environment and allow their organisations to continue their operational existence successfully into the future (Hitt, 1996).Fifth DisciplineIn order to face the changes in the business environment an organisation need to be a cultivation organisation (Senge, 1990). A reading organisation is one which is expanding its capacity continually for the purpose of obtaining a sustainable continued operational existence into future (ibid). In other words a learning organisation is one where it continually renews itself to stay in step with the changing times in the present as well as into the future.A learning organisation is distinctly unique from the other forms of traditional organisations in terms of the following five cracks (ibid)Building shared visionMental modelsPersonal bidTeam learningSystems thinking.The Five Disciplines of Learning OrganisationBuilding Shared VisionShared vision according to Senge (1990) is the common mutual image /view which pe ople in an organisation have in regard to the activities of the organisation they are in and the organisation itself. The main purpose of the shared vision discipline is to ensure that the individuals goals and objectives are aligned with the organisational goals and objectives in order to promote a mutual shared understanding of the organisation to which they belong. The discipline of shared vision is aimed at bringing about voluntary and wilful commitment from the people in an organisation.Mental ModelsMental models are the embodiment of profoundly seated generalisations and assumptions, images and pictures as to the worldview held by individual from his or her own perspectives (ibid). In other words, the mental models allow an individual carry out introspection for deeper exploration within him or her for the mutual benefit of the individual and the organisation.Personal MasteryThis discipline involves the continual clarification and strengthening ones personal vision to facilit ate voiceless focus of human energies by learning to be patient and developing the ability to see the real world in an objective way (ibid). This is commonly the highest of human aspirations which we all strongly endeavour to achieve.Team LearningThe team learning discipline is about individuals thinking in a unified way where US is more important than I. The core of the team learning discipline is about mutual dialogue that permits s thinking together (ibid). Team learning is indispensable for the learning organisation where teams are the dominant resource for learning in order to remain adaptable to changes in the organisational environment.Systems ThinkingSystems thinking is a modern approach to decision making that is composed of valid knowledge that help in the understanding of the problem patterns more clearly to formulate better improved solutions (ibid).Systems thinking is the key discipline of the learning organisation. Thats why Senge (1990) calls it as the Fifth Discipl ine in his book. Senge states that the systems thinking discipline integrates the previous four disciplines of the learning organisation. In his view the systems thinking discipline facilitates managers to obtain a better understanding of their organisational systems in order to plan and carry out action that are more appropriate to the problem situations in question.Systems thinking implies and indicates to the modern approach to thinking about systems that systems are important (Forrester, 1994). Systems thinking can help managers to handle complex problems more effectively by allowing them to view their organisational systems holistically (Checkland, 1981). In other words, the systems thinking approach helps managers to reconceptualise complex issues as well as find viable solutions to them (Senge Sterman, 1992).Using the conventional approach, assuming linearity, managers used to break a problem into their separate constituent parts to formulate a solution by analysing each of these parts and form conclusions in a scientific way (Kofman Senge, 1993). However, the modern problem situations which managers face in todays complex world do not leave to the conventional linear approach and hence would require systems thinking that forces to look into the circularity of the variables that make up the problem situations (ibid).Further systems view manifest systems thinking approach by helping and banding people to make their mental models that can foster group learning and obtain a shared understanding of the purpose (Turban et al, 2005).Given the current globalised world it is imperative to understand the importance of systems thinking in making decisions to address the challenges imposed by the changes in the global business environment (ibid).According to Senge (1990) systems thinking has three core elements that provide the basis for systems view of the organisations. These are (ibid, p.373)Practices What you do,Principles Guiding ideas and insights,Essenc es The state of being those with high levels of mastery in the discipline.Leaders and managers can bring about the desired behaviour from their people in the organisation by focusing on the four levels of the behavioural perspectives of their people (ibid). These are (ibid)Events observable behaviours and actionsPatterns of behaviour repetitive behaviours and actionsSystemic structures the interrelationships between the patterns of behaviour andPurpose story forming mental models that keep that hold the systemic structures. outlineThe cornerstone of Senges learning organisation is systems thinking discipline and systems thinking helps the individuals to learn in their organisations with a holistic view of their organisation as a system. This is because systems thinking is a unifying discipline which integrates all the other disciplines (the disciplines of shared vision, mental models, personal mastery, and team learning) of the learning organisation to meet the challenges of cha nging and turbulent business environment in order to sustain the organisations continued existence.Systems in the learning organisation are composed of interrelated mental models (composed of each of the individuals perceptions) from its people. For a successful learning organisation to take place individuals must share their mental models without inhibition in order to obtain a coordinated understanding of the actual system holistically through a shared vision. It should be noted here that the concept of shared vision help individuals to learn more willingly and actively in a cooperative way. However, to do so managers should be free willing and equally actively extend their cooperation as well. Also managers should come out of their traditional mindsets to allow new systems thinking to get in (Senge, 1990).Fifth Discipline Lulu Hypermarkets (Muscat, Oman)Application of the Soft Systems Methodology, the soft systems thinking approach to Lulus complex problem situation, in Part A o f this paper is good example of applying Senges Fifth Discipline Systems Thinking.Global Economic CrisisThe current global economic crisis has impact Oman also. As a result the private sector as well as the public sector is facing challenges due to the global economic crisis. nonpareil of the major effect of the current global economic crisis is businesses in Oman, including Lulu Hypermarkets, are cutting back on their investments as well as their current pending capital projects.A key challenge faced by Lulu is the reduced spending pattern that has become noticeable since August 2008 in Oman (as is indicated by the drastic fall in the resale-value of the beach-side prestigious properties of the Wave project in Muscat).Lulu wrongly estimated that its sales would remain either unaffected or marginally affected by the impact of the global economic crisis. This is because about 78% of Lulus sales revenue comes from selling food and grocery items.But the inventory management problem situation coupled with reduced customer spending on food and grocery items threatened not only Lulus sales but also made it vulnerable to tough price competition from its rival hypermarkets.Together these indicate the unpreparedness of Lulu to changes in the external environment such as the one caused by the current global economic crisis.Systems ThinkingSystems thinking is the vital element for learning organisations that aim to continually have organisation alteration (Senge, 1990). And the use of systems thinking discipline implies that the organisation and its managers in question are willing to adapt to changes and meet the challenges posed by those changes to overcome them successfully.Systems thinking presupposes (although not necessarily) the use of shared vision, mental models, personal mastery, and team learning disciplines. The above SSM study for Lulu from Part A can be used to illustrate these disciplines in order to obtain a better understanding of the reduced spendin g arising from the impact of the global economic crisis.Shared VisionThe formation of the Review-Group for applying the SSM process brought together the participants from Lulus different locations in Oman, though many of them were sharing similar job responsibilities, in a face-to-face and peer-to-peer contact with one another as a group as well as workshop participants, allowed direct personal and open interactions with the members of the top management (the Purchasing Director and the Purchasing Manager). During the entire period of each of the workshop debates within the SSM process the open interactions helped one another to share their ideas and opinions regarding the problem situation, more so due to the close law of proximity of the factors that revealed the inventory management problem.In doing so the Review-Group members and the members of the top management and thus Lulu were on the same track to address the problem situation.Mental ModelsThe do work of

French Revolution vs The Romanian Revolution

cut innovation vs The Rumanian RevolutionEdy LipianuBetween the result of the french and Romanian Revolutions, which one greaterly affected the nations ideal optimistic perspectives of being a free nation? Well while Romania, which turned into a democratic nation aft(prenominal) the dictator Ceauescus execution, France unfortunately wound up with a armament autocracy after sleep finished King Louis XVI supreme judicature. Was Napoleon military rule that awful for the French residents and was the democratic system of Romania even that useful for the Romanians? Looking at the two may help discover which one actually turned out to be to a greater degree a free nation after their interesting revolutions..While France was governed briefly by the famed military pioneer, Napoleon Bonaparte from 1789-1790, his rule was not as unforgiving as King Louis. He brought down charges intensely, permitted laborers to eat, and gave much rights to men, yet very a couple of(prenominal) for l adies, shockingly. He gave individuals an essence of religious flexibility, better instruction, and sensible law. The French Revolution completely changed the social and political structure of France. It finished up the French government and its dread and finished political power from the Catholic church. It passed on an illumination to Europe including flexibility and freedom for the normal individual and furthermore the abolishment of servitude and the benefits of women. In spite of the way that the surprise completed with the climb of Napoleon, the musings and changes did not pass on. These new contemplations continued influencing Europe and shaped an expansive number of Europes front soak up governments.This was a period of ideological, political and social change in the political history of France and Europe all things considered, in the midst of which the French federation, as of like a shot an inside and out government with primitive advantages for the nobility and Catholic pastorate, experienced radical change to outlines in light of Enlightenment measures of republicanism, citizenship, and rights. These movements were joined by ugly turmoil, including executions and concealment in the midst of the Reign of Terror and battling including each other huge European power.The Revolution was at first an acclaimed uprising against the with and through impact of the ruler and against their advantages and was executed for flexibility, value, and society. In reality, it incited to the loss of flexibility, dictatorship, and patriotism. The revolt relied on upon a hatred of tradition and yearning to use the force of the state to construct another demand. People were given better approaches for life as nationals of the state. To crush the impenetrability to revolt and the new demand around 18,000 40,000 commonwealth were executed.The Romanian Revolution began as a notable revolt in Timisoara. After Ceauescu was toppled, an affiliation named National Salvatio n Front, confined abruptly by second-rank companion party people repudiated to the methodologies of Ceauescu and non-cooperated individuals in the revolt. Iliescu was promptly perceived as the pioneer of the affiliation and thusly of the transitory master. Romanias new individual in control, who was president from 1988-1996 and gave the subjects of new Romania an essence of suffrage based flexibility. That is the point at which another constitution was made giving everybody every one of the rights that truly demonstrated to individuals proper methodologies to live similarly in agreement. Iliescu proposed multi-party choices and a special vote based framework. This is all-encompassingly held to have inferred the determination of Perestroika-style changes rather than the aggregate ejection of existing establishments it can be associated with the warm accumulation the new organization was given by Mikhail Gorbachev and the straggling leftovers of the Soviet activity and the way that the fundamental post-dynamic overall comprehension set apart by Romania was with that country.Iliescu did not deny Communist reasoning and the program he at initially showed in the midst of the revolution included reconstructing the cultivating and the revision of trade, yet not a change to private enterprise. These points of view were held by various people from the FSN as well, for instance, Silviu Brucan, who declared in mid-1990 that the change was against Ceauescu, not against socialism. Iliescu later evoked the probability of endeavoring a Swedish model of socialism.Gossipy tidbits prospered for a significant long time that Iliescu and other second-rank Communists had been needing to topple Ceauescu, in any case, the events of December 1989 overpowered them. For instance, Nicolae Militaru, the new organizations first damages serve, said that Iliescu and others had needed to take Ceauescu prisoner in February 1990 while he was Out of the capital. Regardless, Iliescu denies thi s, saying the method for the Ceauescu organization-particularly the Securitates ubiquity-made early plan for a miracle everything aside from outlandish.The French were soothed from King Louis XVIs total government and that was certainly a decent begin for their nation, everything showed signs of improvement in little ways, and individuals got the chance to live feeling free, they thought Napoleon was a saint. Napoleon had a broad and intense impact on the present day world, conveying liberal changes to the various domains that he vanquished and controlled, for example, the Low Countries, Switzerland, and extensive parts of cutting edge Italy and Germany. He executed central liberal arrangements in France and all through Western Europe.His lawful accomplishment, the Napoleonic Code, has affected the legalize frameworks of more than 70 countries around the globe.Both of the nations ended up effectively showing signs of improvement after their insurgencies. Be that as it may, between the result of the French and Romanian Revolutions, Romania greaterly affected the nations general hopeful perspectives of being a free nation. Romania, which turned into a law based nation after the tyrant Ceauescus execution, gave individuals more rights and everybody was equivalent. To the degree of opportunity, Romanias Revolution improved the nation a much place for its inhabitants.SOURCESBook Napoleon A LifeThe French Revolution From Enlightenment to authoritarianism by Ian Davidsonhttp//www.becparlamentare2008.ro/rezul/part_tara_100.pdfhttp//www.ft.com/cms/s/d3be5f1a-ee6e-11db-b5e9-000b5df10621.htmlhttps//archive.org/stream/codenapoleonorf00statgoogpage/n4/mode/2uphttp//www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070721dateTexte=20080121http//www.historytoday.com/marisa-linton/robespierre-and-terrorhttp//www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/inourtime_20050526.shtmlhttp//www.historyguide.org/intellect/august10.htmlhttps//books.google.com/?id=bFQ6VO1sFGsCpg=PA 139lpg=PA139dq=Gospriyomka+gorbachevv=onepageq=Gospriyomka%20gorbachevf=falsehttp//www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/40551/seweryn-bialer-and-joan-afferica/special-supplement-the-genesis-of-gorbachevs-worldhttps//books.google.com/books?id=9O15MzNKMuoClpg=PP1pg=PA89v=onepageqf=falsehttp//www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/politica/Ce_s-a_ales_de_primul_Guvern_postdEcembrist_0_617938566.htmlhttp//www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/romania/tudor.htmlhttp//www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/mineriadele-anului-1990-democratia-sub-bate-898037.htmlhttp//www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/c_code.htmlhttp//www3.interscience.wiley.com/ ledger/123270568/abstracthttp//www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/405364/National-Salvation-FrontEXTRAShttp//www.history5

Drugs And Welfare Essay -- essays research papers

A current issue that is going on immediately is welfare recipients that are medicate abusers. Welfare is supposed to meet the basic needs. Drugs seem far from one of the basic human needs to me. If the recipient gets in all the benefits from the programs they will more than likely turn around and sell their food stamps for their fix rather than go to the store and get their family some food. Drugs also go hand and hand with family problems, violence, and crime. It is estimated that between 50% and 80% of Family-Based Services involve drug and alcohol abuse. So why not drug test the recipients in the lead a person can get qualified for services?Drug abuse, of course, is not new to any culture. Drugs have been a part of American culture, their popularity change magnitude in the 1950s, when writers and social figures started popularizing them. In the 1960s, drug use took on a whole new meaning. It became a way of rebelling, particularly among college students who were disenchanted with Americas values and the struggle in Vietnam, which they viewed as a senseless conflict. The popularity that drugs achieved in these days two decades paved the way for their dangerous and widespread use in the 1980s. The 1980s maxim the drug industry grow bigger and more deadly - both for users and for dealers. The emergence of new and relatively cheap drugs has also helped encourage drug use, especially among the urban poor.One way of cutting down on the number of drug abusers on the welfare system is to do a mandatory drug ...