Mr Know All

(for working with Lesson 2 – end) by Adele Raemer – [email  protected] co. il Lesson 2 Workpage 10 points each answer 1. Where does the story take place? In what year? 2. What does the opening paragraph tell us about the speaker and his attitude? 3. In the second paragraph the speaker says that he doesn't like Mr. Kelada. What doesn't he like about him? 4. When Mr. Kelada introduces himself to the narrator, the narrator says that he â€Å"asked if he was right in thinking my name was so and so. † Why doesn't the narrator bother to tell us his own name? 5.In the conversation that follows this introduction, the narrator is surprised to find out that Mr. Kelada is English. Why is he so surprised? Why does the writer describe his question as being asked â€Å"rather tactlessly†? 6. What impression is created by Mr. Kelada's behavior at this first meeting? 7. Where does the narrator suspect that Mr. Kelada was born? How do you know? Vocabulary work: Use the f ollowing words in a sentence to show that you understand them: (5 points for each sentence) 1. accommodation 2. berth 3. port-hole 4. gestures 5. exuberant 6. flask Extra credit question: (10 points) rite down as many words or phrases that you can find that show that the narrator was prejudiced against Mr. Kelada. Explain why they show prejudice. Lesson 3 – Mr. Know-All (for working with ECB Anthology- questions from EMT) Workpage (Answer on a separate page in complete sentences. ) 1. What is special about Mrs. Ramsay? 2. What kind of man is Mr. Ramsay? 3. Write down at least 3 things that Mr. Kelada did that annoyed the narrator. 4. Which of those could be considered cultural difference, and which were just a part of his personality that clashed with that of the narrator's? 5. Describe Mr. and Mrs.Ramsay. How do you think that author feels about them? (Find quotations to support your answer. ) Extra credit: (Answer EITHER 6 OR 7) 1. Why does the narrator call Mr. Kelada :â⠂¬ The best hated man on the ship? † (EMT p. 177; ECB p. 37 line 110) 2. Vocabulary work: Use the following words in a sentence to show that you understand them: 1. airs (EMT p. 176; ECB p. 36 line 72) 2. snub (EMT p. 177; ECB p. 37 line 99) 3. intolerable (EMT p. 177; ECB p. 37 line 113 ) 4. loquacious (EMT p. 177; ECB p. 37 line 115) 5. argumentative (EMT p. 177; ECB p. 37 line 115) Ques. 1-5 are worth 20 points eachExtra credit question is worth an additional 10 points. |Mr. Kelada sees Mrs. Ramsay's chain of pearls. | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] | | [pic] |Mr. Kelada says that he is mistaken. | Lesson 4 1. Using the flow chart, fill in what happens from the point when Kelada sees Mrs.Ramsay's chain of pearls, to the point when he says he is mistaken. 2. Why does Mrs. Ramsay â€Å"retire with a headache†? 3. In the last paragraph the narrator says, â €Å"At that moment I did not entirely dislike Mr. Kelada†. Has the narrator changed at all during the story? What are your feelings towards Mrs. Ramsay, Mr. Kelada and the narrator by the end of the story? 4. Why did Mr. Kelada decide to protect Mrs. Ramsay? What does this tell us about him? 5. What is Mrs. Ramsay's reaction at the end of the story? Why is the name on the envelope written in â€Å"block letters†? How does this make you react to Mrs.Ramsay? Extra credit question (10 points) 6. What do cultured and real pearls symbolize in the story? Lesson 5 1. Look for and list the cultural differences between the narrator, Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Kelada. 2. Discuss cultural differences between you, as Israelis, and those seen in the characters. With whom do you feel closest? Why? 3. Why is the story told in the first person? What effect does it have on us, the readers? 4. The following are very British expressions. Find them in the text, and think of another way to say the same thing (in English). jolly glad – (EMT p. 175; ECB p. 35) ather – (EMT p. 175 ; ECB p. 35) chap – (EMT p. 177, ECB p. 38 ) fetch – (EMT p. 178 , ECB p. 38) rot – (EMT p. 179 , ECB p. 40) had been caught out – (EMT p. 180, ECB p. 41) retire – (EMT p. 180, ECB p. 41) 5. Find examples of sarcasm in the story. Final Assessment (Individual work) Choose ONE of the following 4 questions, and record your answer on a tape. Your answer must cover all of the aspects of the question, and show that you understood the story. It must last between 3 and 5 minutes. 1. Pretend that you are Mr. Kelada, and tell the story to your friend in Japan (from your – Mr.Kelada's – point of view). 2. Answer the following questions orally: a. Why is the story told in the first person, and why aren't we told the narrator's name? b. Why did the narrator decide that he disliked Mr. Kelada even before he met him? What does this tell you about him? Do you think the writer was trying to say something about the British, in general? 3. Describe the 3 different stereotypes that the writer shows in this story. 4. Mr. Kelada / Mrs. Ramsay Why did Mr. Kelada decide to protect Mrs. Ramsay? What does this tell about him? What does Mrs. Ramsay do in return?What do you think about her reaction? Criteria for grade (according to oral bag. scales): show familiarity with the characters and the story discuss the questions fluently discuss the questions with a minimum of grammatical mistakes remain within the given time (1 1/2 – 3 minutes) Evaluation page for group work (Mr. Know All final activity) Name of group observer:__________________ Names of group members: ___________________________________________________________ If the answer is YES – put a check in the box. If it is NO – leave the box empty. In some cases, there may be more than one YES answer. I.Evaluation for answering the questions: 1. My group read, understoo d and followed the instructions. [ ] 2. My group decided together who would answer next- there was no real leader. [ ] 3. One person from my group decided to take charge (be the leader) , and organize the turns. [ ] 4. My group decided together on a leader, who organized the turns. [ ] 5. My group worked more efficiently / the same / less efficiently than they did in the first activity. Explain______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ II.Evaluation for group discussion My group†¦ 1. . †¦ discussed the question in an organized manner, taking turns. [ ] 2. †¦ discussed the question in an unorganized manner – each person spoke when they felt that had something to say. [ ] 3. †¦ discussed the question in Hebrew. [ ] 4. †¦ discussed the question in English. [ ] 5. How did the group decide who would be the secretary [ ] ___________________________________________________ III. My group discussed the following questions: #1. Thoroughly / Superficially / Didn't have enough time #2.Thoroughly / Superficially / Didn't have enough time #3. Thoroughly / Superficially / Didn't have enough time #4. Thoroughly / Superficially / Didn't have enough time #5. Thoroughly / Superficially / Didn't have enough time IV. Summary: yes no Do you feel that your group worked in an efficient manner? ? ? How could they have been more efficient? _______________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Do you think they did this activity more efficiently than they did the first time? yes no ? Explain. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ V. Your opinion I li ked / didn't like being the group evaluator. Why_______________________________________________________ I learned something / nothing about working in groups by being the evaluator. Please write anything else that you have to say here :

Crime in Society

Crime is something that is within our world every day. If you were to ask people just walking down the street how they would describe a criminal, most would probably speak of the street criminals. Many people do not pay attention to the white collar crimes or the crimes that are not happening around the area that the live in. Crime to me is something that someone does to break a law. Crime is basically something someone would do if they had lost their job and could not take care of their family.They would fend or what they could get, even if it meant break a law or committing a crime. These people would feel as if there was nothing else out there. Society has the options to view crime as they will. Some will define crime as everything is bad if they are breaking a law, they should be punished. Others would define it to be light for some criminals that have punishments and for crimes like murder some would consider this crime is a death penalty case in some societies. Someone can defi ne crime with any of their opinions.Many people define crime as murder, robbery, or even damage to someone else’s property. Many people would consider these crimes to be punishable by law. An accurate statement and crime that we know to be true would be the shooting that happened this year at the movie theater in Colorado. We know that this crime is true because he had guns and ammo hidden within the theater before the incident occurred. Also, that he killed twelve people and injured more than fifty would be another way to show that it is true.It was well planned and thought out for what he was doing and when he was going to do it. There was also eye witnesses that said he looked ready for way. This was one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States history to date. After they was finished at the scene of the crime, the cops decided to visit his home, in which to find it booby-trapped and found more guns and ammo. One widely misconception that many people have in th e world is that finding someone to pic the crime on is the only thing that the police are worried about when solving a case.This misconception has many mixed feelings throughout the world. My opinion is that as long as they have someone to call a suspect or someone to pin the crime on, they do not care. Another would be that our judicial system is fair to everyone. This statement can be very broad because many things affect the way our system is operated. One last misconception that we have today within the world would be that the death penalty is wanted by everyone. Defenders of the death enalty also suggest that it is a cost-effective way to eliminate the added expense of housing serious criminals in prison for life (Collica & Furst, 2012). Many people with the thoughts of the death penalty have mixed thoughts. Many people share the same feelings I share meaning, I do not think that they should be trying to enforce the death penalty until they fix the corrections within the system s and know that for one hundred percent fact they have the person that committed the crime.Other proponents argue that the execution of the offender will bring closure and will allow survivors to move on with their lives (Armour & Umbreit, 2007; Gross & Matheson, 2003). â€Å"Killing innocents is murder, and if the state does it in our name, because we have demanded it, then we are guilty of it. And if we are all guilty of premeditated murder, then we should all get the death penalty (that is one instance where crime will certainly drop dramatically)† (Leman-Langlois). References:Leman-Langlois, S. , Crime ET Regulations in Society. Retrieved on October 22, 2012 from http://www. crime-reg. com/index. htm Armour, M. P. , & Umbreit, M. S. (2007). The ultimate penal sanction and closure for survivors of homicide victims. Marquette Law Review, 91, 381–424. Gross, S. R. , & Matheson, D. J. (2003). What they say at the end: Capital victims' families and the press. Cornell La w Review, 88, 486–516. Collica, K. & Furst, G. (2012). Crime & Society. San Diego, CA:Bridgepoint Education

Signora Da Vinci

Catering is the Signora dad Vinci. She is Leonardo mother. She is the daughter off well-educated man, Ernest, Vine's apothecary. He had an alchemical laboratory, a medicinal garden and an apothecary shop where Catering normally helped. Catering's mom died when she was a baby. Catering was raised by her dad and by her aunt. At the age of eight, his dad decided she was ready to start her education. Ernest told Catering that eight was the greatest of numbers because it was the number of Infinity: It had no beginning and no end.He said: â€Å"Eight is the number of endless possibility. † (p. 8) That day Ernest took Catering to the third floor, a place where she was not allowed to go before. There she found two rooms. Catering explained what she felt when she entered into the rooms. (p. 9) â€Å"When we entered I found myself in a bright, airy, but unadorned room. It was filled with tables, and the surface of every one of them was covered in books† There were dozens of hand- copied books, one manuscript, for example, was one thousand years old.Her father to to have those books and manuscripts because he worked for the Florentine historian and scholar: Pogo Bracingly who also worked for Cosmic De Medici. Cosmic wanted his people to know the ancient Greek and Roman writers and documents that were destroyed with the great library in Alexandria (Egypt. Many of these were hidden from the Christian church fathers, who thought them heretical. Ernest told her daughter that â€Å"What lied within the pages of those books were truths that they couldn't allow to be lost to the World. Truths that had to be learned by her. † And Catering did learn.

Johnson & Johnson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Johnson & Johnson - Essay Example To do so the details like the SIC code and the industry code have been discussed. Also details of the competitors have been discussed. A detailed analysis of the financial ratios and a financial analysis have been made. Finally based on the analysis, recommendations have been drawn out for the company. b) Benchmarks: The various benchmarks that need to be considered are: Bonds and other fixed income investment, The NASDAQ Stock market, Technology Stocks, International Stocks, Overall market, Japanese Market, and the Mortgage rates. The interest rate is the current interest rate that is offered. d) External factors: Events across the world and the economic conditions are two very strong factors that affect the working of Johnson & Johnson. Other factors like the cost of things in the country i.e. the inflation levels of the country also plays a very important role in the decision making of the company. The company faces major competition from Eli Lily, Novartis and Procter & Gamble. The market shares of these companies, based on their revenues are illustrated below to give a clear picture of the company’s position in the market and its customer base. It is evident that Johnson and Johnson has a considerable 30% market share; however it is imperative to note that Procter and Gamble takes the lead with over 40% of the market. Though Novartis has comparatively lesser share of the market, Eli Lily is continuously shown steady growth over these years and has control over 20% of the market. The market share also indicates the potential of the industry and that there is a lot of opportunities for Johnson and Johnson to exploit in terms of revenue and customer base. Another major opportunity for Johnson and Johnson is to enter into the segment of medical devices and diagnostics which will improve its customer base and diversify its activities. b) Products & Services: The products and services of the company are mainly focused on the health industry.

Images of the disabled and the aged in modern Japanese novels Essay

Images of the disabled and the aged in modern Japanese novels - Essay Example The novels are contradictory in that while Oe represents a nuclear family, Ariyoshi depicts a Japanese family with all the three generations living together, however, the transition, though slow, towards a modern society is shown through protagonist’s thoughts. The two novels thus can be compared through their depiction of Japanese families. We shall first discuss ‘A Personal Matter’ by Oe Kenzaburo. Nobel Laureate Oe Kenzaburo (received Nobel Prize in 1994), is a famous novelist who first entered the literary scene in 1958. Despite his initial successes, the real international reputation came to him with ‘A Personal Matter’, a story written with the perspective of a young father, Bird, who has to deal with the fact that his child is a â€Å"monster†. The story draws inspiration from Oe’s personal experience. Oe’s son, Hikari, was born with a severe brain-damage disorder. The story is almost an outlet for Oe to show how he dealt with various feelings when he had to decide about his own â€Å"monster’s† future. No doubt, he chose the protagonist’s way. Bird is a rebellious character to begin with (maybe that is what makes him choose the right path in the end); in the opening chapter, Oe shows how Bird thinks that a child is like a â€Å"cage†. Bird thinks that marriage itself is a cage but with a child, that open cage is now shut down. With his skeptical view of marriage and child, a brain-damaged child proves an ultimate shock. He just cannot believe that his own child is a â€Å"monster†. He is afraid to raise the child; he pities him and resents him. His conflicted emotions that arise as the child’s father and as a normal human being leads the events in the story. Bird goes through feelings of disgust to acceptance in the novel. Initially Bird wants to kill the baby, something that even Oe contemplated for Hikari. When he finds himself unable to do that, he thinks of allowing the child to die a natural

Soot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Soot - Essay Example The hydrocarbon fuel molecular constitution is associated with a six carbon atom types which might be obtained, for complex hydrocarbon mixtures, such as, transportation fuels, from the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (HNMR) measurements. Soot derived from ethanol, benzene, and acetylene have dissimilar reactivity and structural order. Soot is usually produced by combusting engines, flickering candle lights, and campfires. The process of soot formation is actually very challenging to comprehend and describe. However, with regard to the demand of for much lower particulate emissions an in depth understanding is absolutely necessary. Most types of combustion systems emit particles into the atmosphere that are a major hazard because of their toxicity to the human health, especially the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The smaller particles less 100nm in size are regarded as the most hazardous. This is because they can penetrate deep into the lungs. The proposed project aims to determine the theory of formation, structure of (via image analysis) and impact of soot, as well as assess the differences between optical and electron microscopy. Soot comprises of agglomerates with a diameter of up to several hundred nanometers. They are made of fine structures that comprise of spherical primary molecules. Soot formation commences with the pyrolysis of fuel molecules along the formation of polcyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Vander Wal & Tomasek, 2004). The most crucial precursor in the formation of higher hydrocarbons is acetylene (C2H2). Ladommatos and Balachndran (2011) assert that the molecular structure of various hydrocarbons influence soot formation. Gulder (2007) adds that the fuel structure also impact on the soot structure. Vander Wal and Tomasek (2004) showed that the soot particles that are generated by ethanol, benzene, and acetylene have different reactivity and structural order. Soot derived

Base of a book The collapse of globalism by john Ralston Saul and Essay

Base of a book The collapse of globalism by john Ralston Saul and require some Canadian input - Essay Example Therefore, the first thing that Canada would need to do in order to re-shape the economy of the country would be to lessen the American influence that is present here. In order for this to work, however, the population would have to buy into the new system as currently, American goods and services can be sold at a lesser price than Canadian ones because of the various trade agreements that are in place. One way in which Canada has attempted to keep its historical values and identity is through the Canadian content laws. These laws are in place to protect Canadian culture in the media in the face of globalization, despite how it affects the country economically. Despite this, I believe that Canada can become the country that Saul envisions if they utilize their resources properly, while keeping Canadian media and culture alive. By keeping control of the amount of American media that is allowed into Canada, the country is going a long way in protecting its identity and becoming an ethics based society. These laws in Canada show that the government of that country is highly aware of the effect that the globalization of media can have on the culture of the country. Since the government is actively attempting to limit the amount of American media that enters into the country, is it one of the few industrialized nations that have realized how destructive the global trend could be towards culture. There remains a problem, however, as cable television and twenty-four hours news organizations have made it possible for American media to make it into the hands of Canadians and people in the international community, despite any laws and regulations that are passed down. Furthermore, trade agreements like the WTO will make it even easier for this trend to continue, as more and more multinational corporations will rely on the media as they attempt to expand their hold on the global

Anger Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Anger Management - Essay Example There are several factors that influence effects of anger to a person; these include race, sex, cultural and family background, and age. Anger is a two-sided emotion that may be beneficial to an individual (constructive anger) by warning of expected problems, at the same time bring harm (Peacock, Stutman and London, 2000). ADA Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights legislation policy that contains stipulated actions concerning the accommodation of individuals possessing any kind of disability in terms of access to judicial system, services, programs, and activities. In this scenario, John can use the ADA to assist him in the circumstances facing his employment. Both anger and emotional swings affecting John are due to the bipolar disorder, which is a mental disability. Such forms of disability are described within the ADA policy to hold ground in any given situation at the workplace, as it appears under the request for accommodation in court proceedings section of the ADA, and this section describes qualified individuals with disabilities. With the evidence from the psychiatrist concerning John’s condition, and the subsequent treatment, there is enough prove that truly John has a mental disability or disorder, which results in mood swing causing negative anger that provokes him to threaten others with violence.

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 6

Business Ethics - Essay Example The most straightforward definition of an ethical dilemma is a clash between two goods. If we accept the notion that ethical teaching directs one’s actions towards doing that which benefits the good of the majority, rather than that of the minority, then we will begin to comprehend the concept of ethical dilemma as referring to instances wherein two alternate, and even conflicting, decisions may lead to equally good consequences. Diversity comprises an ethical dilemma because support for its realisation implies support for and the empowerment of marginalised groups. Objection to it, as in arguments disputing its ethical base, are equally ethical because of their predication on the concept of merit, or the hiring of employees based on theory qualifications, irrespective of ethnicity, race, religion, gender or age. As either of the two positions is, arguably, ethical, a final determination of which of the two is more ethical rests upon the analytical assessment of both perspecti ves from within the framework of ethics theory. A review of the literature on workplace diversity reveals that numerous scholars dispute the argument regarding a direct relationship between ethics and the attainment of employee diversity.

Warehousing and Inventory Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Warehousing and Inventory Management - Essay Example Raw materials, components, and finished goods are among the most common material one can find in a ware house. The history of warehousing can be traced back in the form of granaries that were supposed to store food. As the world came to know about sea routes and trading through sea routes that was the time warehouses found its first form. Port was the centre of warehouses followed by rail road stations. Among the very first organization was American Warehousemens Association, 1891, that was established to manage the warehouses and protect the rights of the one who give to store from rail road companies control over freight depots. War World true was the time when warehousing was groomed and new techniques and methods were implemented from efficiencies and design was modified as well for effectiveness. In the late twentieth century, warehouses was supposed to lose its importance among the industries because of many technological improvements, the IT hype and methods like Just In Time inventory system that don’t have essential place for the warehouses. But in21st century they are coming back with more than just storage facility. Warehouses are supposed to be 3rd party logistics in now days. 1. To store the seasonal products especially the agriculture commodities those are seasonal and were not available throughout the year. This was the need to have a proper storage in order to maintain and preserve the excess to use throughout the year. Management and monitoring of materials in warehouses can be done through software that came under the head of Warehouse Management System. (WMS) Today, there are warehouses that care completely automated and optimized in terms of effectiveness and efficiencies. There are automated warehouses without any labour and shift goods from a point to another through automated mobile shelves. In the fast pace world of today, the power of automation is hard to

Ethical issues on end of life care Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethical issues on end of life care - Term Paper Example This paper discusses the ethical issues concerned with terminally ill patients. It is an important issue that must be discussed convincingly to make last days of the patients fulfilling. In the recent times, the ethical issues on end of life care have increasingly become much more important than being major concern for increasing Medicare bills or the inability of medicines to provide the palliative care that patients deserve in their last days of lives. The author has cited the case of Sara Monopoli, who was pregnant and at the last stages was diagnosed with metastatic cancer that is incurable. The exhaustive treatment that she underwent was testament to the deteriorating quality of her life. Apart from the huge Medicare expenses, the author rightly questions the efficacy of a system that deprives patients of the right to die in dignity and gives them hope when none exist. Author has referred Harvard Researcher, Nicholas Christakis who had interviewed doctors of nearly five hundred terminally ill patients as to how long they expected their patients to survive and then followed the progress of the patients. Sixty three percent over-estimated the time. It was revealed that though doctors were aware of the futility of medicines but they could not tell the same to the patients and made them undergo treatments which could, if at all, only slightly prolong their lives. They also knew that quality of lives of patients would be adversely impacted by the treatment but they went ahead just because the patients wanted them. Indeed, the doctors’ inability or deliberate intention to with-held the important issue that death is imminent and quality of life would be impacted is wrong. According to Act Utilitarian of Bentham, action which results in the happiness of one and all is a good act. ‘When choosing a course of action, one should always pick the one that will maximize happiness and minimize unhappiness for the greatest number of people’ (Bentham fro m Rosenstand p.176). While the doctors and surgeons knew that with incurable conditions, it was a long medical struggle with death being imminent, they did not try to discuss as to how one would wish to live last days. Interestingly Kant’s moral philosophy is a case in point as he asserts that people rationalize their actions according to what they deem as morally good (Schneewind, 1990). Hence, under the circumstances, it seems that doctors under medical oath, deemed it morally right to talk about death when it could be prolonged. The article has carried lot of research and shows that as against ordinary medicine’s goal of extending life, hospice and other palliative care hugely help terminally ill patients to have quality life that is cherished by family and facilitates peaceful death. Most importantly, the family and carers have less cases of depression after the death of the dear ones when they die in the hospital’s intensive care unit, burdened with technol ogy driven aids and devices. The Hospice makes effort to reduce pain at the last stages but just try to ensure that they have ‘fullest possible lives’ with their family and friends. As author asserts that death only comes once, hence, dignity in death must be observed or discussed with family and

Academic Writing Skills Guide Essay Example for Free

Academic Writing Skills Guide Essay Introduction Preface to the first edition (2002) We have written this guide for you to help you on the way to becoming proficient in your chosen field of economics or business administration. As you advance in your studies, you will demonstrate your proficiency through the essays, papers, case reports, and other texts that you write. Your writing is thus a marker of your relative expertise in your discipline. Yet, it is also a means in itself. Writing helps you organize your own ideas, discover the strengths and weaknesses in your thinking, and internalize the knowledge you construct. We hope this guide will help you on your way. But like all guides, it does not contain everything. As Voltaire said, â€Å" the best way to be boring is to leave nothing out† This guide acts as a starter – it is up to you to . go deeper. Just as you will find with your writing assignments, we too have gone through the writing process in the construction of this guide. We constructed a plan, consulted numerous sources and people, wrote the text, revised it, and edited it, all the time trying to keep it clear and simple. See more:  The 3 Types of Satire Essay In putting together this guide, we have aimed to follow Ernest Hemingway who said, â€Å" My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way. †We hope we have succeeded. Henri Mennens, MSc Robert Wilkinson, MSc Second edition (2010) The second edition of this guide to academic writing is a thorough revision of the first edition (2002). Apart from changes to chapter 2, we have significantly changed chapters 3 and 5. In addition, we have completely rewritten chapter 4 on citing and referencing in line with the current (2010) citation and reference norms of the American Psychological Association. Major changes also entail the introduction of many more examples. In addition, the format requirements for submitting papers has changed. 2 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction We have not included information on grammar and punctuation, since we expect students at the School of Business and Economics to have a good command of these aspects on entry. However, we are aware that many users of this guide will wish to seek reassurance in this respect. We recommend users to consult a good grammar book or one of the many good writing sites on the Internet. Robert Wilkinson, MSc Jeannette Hommes, MA NOTE: the Guide is not presented in the format that you have to present your papers (see section 5). However, where extracts of student essays are given, these are in the required format. Acknowledgements We gratefully acknowledge the many people and sources we have consulted during the construction of this guide. In particular, we would like to express thanks to Henri Mennens for his work on the first edition, and Keith Campbell of the Language Centre who adapted the first edition of this guide in 2006. We also thank the Academic Writing tutors of the Language Centre for their inputs and the many students who have made use of the first edition. Furthermore, we are indebted to Mike Hannay and Lachlan Mackenzie, whose book Effective writing in English: A resource guide (both the 1996 and 2002 editions) has been a major source of information for chapters 2 and 3. We acknowledge the American Psychological Association whose â€Å" Publication manual† (American Psychological Association, 6th ed. , 2010) has been an excellent support in the construction of chapter 4 in this guide. Finally, we are grateful to the Director of the School of Business and Economics for supporting the production of this second edition. 3 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction 1. Introduction Academic writing covers the wide range of specific writing tasks that you are required to write during the course of your academic studies: papers, reports, literature reviews, projects, case studies, dissertations, theses, research papers, and articles. Some of these text types are quite rare outside the academic environment (papers, literature reviews, dissertations, theses); others (reports, projects, etc.) may well be aiming at a much broader public. However, what they all have in common is a similar type of reader: a person educated in the specialist field (here economics or business studies), and usually acting as a professional in that field. These target readers represent the professional community of which you aim to become a member. To be accepted as member requires you to meet the norms and standards that the professional community expects. Thus with regard to writing, you are expected to adhere to the norms expected by the (international) academic community. Compare this to a relay race in athletics. In the relay race, you run with three other runners. If you are one of the two middle runners, you have to collect the baton smoothly from the previous runner and pass it on to the next runner. In the relay race your team runs against other teams (your local community). All of you have to run according to the set of rules agreed by the sports governing body (the professional community). If you do not, your team may be disqualified. The rules set the framework for a potentially great race, and within the rules there is vast scope for individual flair and talent. So with academic writing: you have to write according to the ‘ rules’ but to write well demands your own indi, vidual talent and enterprise. Just as a highly skilled athlete knows how to use the rules to his advantage, so an expert writer uses the norms and standards of professional academic writing to persuade readers of the power of his argument. We should not extend this athletics analogy too far: sports have clear sets of rules that everyone can read and study; academic writing does not. What a professional academic field has is a set of overt norms, such as a style guide. This guide is based on the editorial style requirements described in the sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2010). Alongside these is a set of covert norms that are just as powerful. Examples of the covert norms will be the nature of argumentation that is considered acceptable in the field. Covert norms are hidden and therefore take a long time to acquire. Most novice writers acquire them through extensive reading in the field, and by paying active attention to the way other writers use 4 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction language. This process of acquisition demands close observation of how expert writers use words and expressions differently in different types of text, e. g. literature reviews or case studies in a single field (e. g. marketing). Academic papers (and most other forms of academic writing) are typically expository or argumentative. An expository or informative paper describes or explains a particular set of phenomena, and provides an account of why these phenomena are found in one or more specific situations or contexts. The goal of the expository paper is also to acquaint the reader with a body of knowledge. An argumentative or persuasive paper must choose a side, make a case for it, consider and refute alternative arguments, and prove to the undecided reader that the opinion it presents is the best one. You must be aware of other sides and be fair to them; dismissing them completely will weaken your own argument. It is always best to take a side that you believe in, preferably with the most supporting evidence. To develop a good academic paper you should go through a number of stages, called the writing process. The following seven stages can be distinguished: The writing process 1. Thinking stage 2. Research stage 3. Outline stage 4. Drafting stage 5. Revising stage 6. Editing stage 7. Final version stage } } Planning process Transfer in a first draft output Revising editing Final output Figure 1. Stages of the writing process 1. Thinking stage In this stage you determine your topic area (which may of course already be given), brainstorm about ideas on the topic, select, reject and focus those ideas, before arriving at your final choice. 5 Guide to Academic Writing Skills. Introduction 2. Research stage Here you search for and study background literature and other materials, analyse the results, draw your own conclusions and interpretations, etc. 3. Outline stage In this stage you draft an outline of the paper you intend to write, setting out your main aim or purpose in the paper (the purpose statement or thesis statement), sketch how you will develop the points that follow from the purpose, and indicate how you will conclude the paper. 4. Drafting stage Here you put down on screen successively improved versions of your paper. 5. Revising stage In this stage you scan your work on a macro level for logical coherence, checking whether you need to add or delete information, whether sections need rephrasing for clarification. 6. Editing stage Here you edit your text on a micro level, checking the grammar, spelling, punctuation, in-text citations, references and the layout. 7. Final version stage In this stage you set out the final paper neatly and clearly. Writing a paper is recursive: you do not start at the beginning, and work through straight to the end, and that is that. At all times you will be ‘ backtracking’ ‘ or looping’so that as you are , writing your first draft, you may discover you need to add more information and have to return to the research stage. During the revising stage, you may discover that your original plan was too broad, and so decide to cut out a whole section. You may produce several revised versions of the paper before your final version. Do not forget to allow yourself plenty of time between writing your first draft and your final version. Figure 2 illustrates the three groups of actions in writing a paper, the planning process, the transfer, and revision and editing. The figure emphasizes the recursive nature of writing a paper in that each action not only feeds into the next but feeds back into the previous actions, entailing revision of those actions. 6 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction â€Å" You may start with a plan, conduct some research (reading, library and/or Internet search), analyse and then synthesize the information you have acquired, construct a question or a statement that you will examine, draft an outline, write a rough draft of the introduction, start writing the body, then stop. You go back, conduct some more research, adjust your outline, rewrite the body, write a bit more, adjust the introduction, perhaps adjust the statement of your purpose, then stop again. You conduct more research, rewrite the body again, draft a conclusion, go back to the introduction, adjust the purpose, rewrite the introduction, then stop. You let the paper ‘ simmer’for a while, then reread it, adjusting here and there for content accuracy, perhaps search or check for a contrary argument, throw out less relevant parts of the paper, check the logical development of your ideas and arguments, and wrap up the conclusion. Then you check again for spelling (using the spellchecker, but also reading carefully word by word), check for grammar (using the grammar checkers wisely), check all punctuation, check the layout, check the citations and the references. You check too for sentence length (eliminate very long, rambling sentences), check paragraph structure (particularly if the topic of the paragraph changes in the paragraph – check the subjects of the main verbs), check the logical links between paragraphs and sections. And so on. † Figure 2: The writing process and its recursive nature (Bruer, 1993). This guide is organized as follows. Chapter 2 focuses on the planning process, describing the planning activities and the construction of an outline. Chapter 3 elaborates on the structuring of the paper, through a detailed discussion of the three parts of a paper, introduction, body, and conclusion. Moreover, structuring a paper effectively requires that you write wellconstructed paragraphs: this chapter also provides brief guidelines on paragraph organization. Chapter 4 explains the importance of citing sources and giving references, and provides guidelines how to put them in the paper in a correct way. Chapter 5 concentrates on finalizing the paper. This chapter discusses the format requirements, text revision and the evaluation of the paper. To conclude, this guide helps you to master the process of academic writing, which you can apply to the specific writing assignments during the course of your academic studies. It specifies the elements necessary to a successful academic paper. But keep in mind two things. First, each assignment will be different and require a different organization. Second, writing is a skill; 7 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction  you only get better at a skill through regular practice. Regular practice leads to routine and expertise. The application of the principles of this guide can be of use until your last writing examination: the final thesis. However, this guide just contains a brief summary of the different topics discussed. For more information you should consult literature, especially the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2010, 6th ed. , in the University Library), and the Internet. Besides, keep in mind that the writing process is not just simply following a set of rules. Try to develop your own style, expertise and talent, in order to distinguish yourself. Good luck with your writing career! 8 Guide to Academic Writing Skills The planning process 2. The planning process In order to get a good start to writing your paper, it is important that you go successfully through the planning process. This chapter describes the different activities of the planning process. Then, section 2. 2 discusses the most important stage of the planning process: the construction of an outline. 2. 1. The planning activities. During the planning process, according to Hannay and Mackenzie (2002), you are concerned with six major activities: 1 Generating ideas for the content. Ideas for content can come from several sources: from your own knowledge, from discussions with other people, and from various media sources (written texts, audio-visual media and electronic media). Brainstorming techniques help you to generate ideas in the first two categories. 2 Selecting and classifying points. Here you are concerned with ordering your ideas. Analyse them to determine the extent to which they are connected with each other. Ideas and concepts that are highly connected are likely to form key points in your texts. Those which are less closely connected may form essential supporting topics, or may need to be abandoned. Some may require more development. Always be prepared to get rid of ideas that prove not to be relevant to your argument. 3 Establishing your perspective. In this activity you need to decide what angle you are going to take with your material. Are you taking a historical perspective, or only discussing the present situation? Are you taking an objective position, or are you bringing in your own personal standpoint? Are you taking a general viewpoint, or only a specific case? Are you looking at the matter from your home country’ perspective? Are you discussing a general issue or only a nas tional situation? 9 Guide to Academic Writing Skills The planning process 4 Determining your intention. Now you need to consider what you want to do with the text. Do you want to present both sides of an argument equally, or do you want to present only one side? Do you need to give examples, or will your argumentation be sufficient on its own? Do you want to persuade the reader of your opinion, or are you only wishing to describe the matter? Do you want just to present a problem, or do you want to offer solutions as well? What you are going to do with your text must become very clear to the reader in the thesis statement: this statement directs the readers to the purpose of the text. 5 Formulating a draft title, structuring the introduction and conclusion. Here you should set down a working title and devise a draft structure for the introduction and the conclusion. At this stage your drafting should only be provisional: you should write the actual version only after you have written the body of the  paper. This is because you do need to know what your introduction is indeed introducing, and you need to know what your conclusion is concluding. A useful rule of thumb is: Plan your introduction, then your conclusion, and then your body, but write your body, then your conclusion and then your introduction. 6 Drafting paragraph themes. At this stage, go back to the ideas (themes) you have selected and classified. Now you have to decide which will be suitable for your text. Each theme usually is the basis for a single paragraph. Each theme too will require sufficient development; so do not try to include too many. As a rough guide, you probably cannot treat adequately more than about 4 themes in a 1000-word paper (roughly 3 pages), while a 2500-word paper (roughly 6 pages) will seem overwhelming if it includes more than 9 or 10 themes. Once you have selected your themes, list the points that you need to make to support the theme in the paragraph. 2. 2. The planning outline The goal of the planning outline is to help you organize your ideas, and present them in a logical order. It serves to identify the relationships between the ideas: it allows you to see how related ideas can be grouped together, and which ideas you can cut out, and which ideas need more support. A good outline helps you to maintain the direction in your paper, and prevents you from getting distracted into irrelevant information. 10 Guide to Academic Writing Skills The planning process Figure 3 lists six steps that may be considered in the development of a planning outline. 1 Decide the purpose of your paper and the audience you are writing for. 2. Develop a statement in which you define the goal or purpose of your paper (commonly called thesis statement). This clarifies what you are going to present or argue in the paper. At this stage you may not have a definitive version of this statement. 3 List all the important points you want to handle in the paper. These points have to be split in three main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The points in the introduction include the items that lead to the purpose or thesis statement (so-called background information), and a statement of the purpose or goal that should now be defined precisely. When you are planning your paper, you will group all your ideas around one central theme. This theme forms the core of your purpose or thesis statement or research question. The points in the body have to be logically organized so that they follow from your purpose and lead towards the conclusion. In a larger paper (for example a Master’ thesis), you usually develop a set of subquestions, covering the s points that lead to an answer to the research question. By answering step by step the different subquestions in the body, you can draw a structured and well-founded conclusion at the end. The points in the conclusion include the summary of the facts that lead to an answer to the statement or question you started with and the answer itself. 4 Categorize the points in the body under general headings so that you can identify which points need more development (e. g. you have to do more reading) and which points are not useful or relevant (delete these). Choose precise, concrete words for the headings: avoid vague terms. Relate the headings to the purpose of your paper. If your paper is describing a situation, you are more likely to choose noun structures for headings (for example: Failure of Bretton Woods). If your paper is oriented to action, you may choose verbal structures; typically -ing forms in English (for example: Reforming the auditor’ duties). s 5 Work out how one idea follows logically from the previous one. Note down how you will make the transitions from point to point. This is a key step, but one that is often underrated. Failure to think out the transitions in the planning stage can cost you more time in the revising stage. 6 Finally, look back at the whole outline, and check that you are satisfied that it all hangs together logically and conceptually. Now you are ready to start writing. Figure 3. Six steps in the planning process. Outlines are generative. They are most useful if you modify them as you write in line with new thoughts or information. Some of you may find that a simple, less detailed written outline is sufficient – you may be very competent in holding the full structure in your mind – but you may add more detailed points to the outline as you progress. Most of you, however, find that a relatively detailed outline on paper is an effective reminder of what the goal of your paper is and of what you have selected from the literature, and an efficient guide to how far you have come. 11 Guide to Academic Writing Skills The planning process An outline as a simple list of points (see Figure 4, box a) may not help you organize and structure your paper. A more organized outline (see Figure 4, box b) will help you see how the different parts hang together and may facilitate the writing. Many American writing textbooks and websites provide detailed guidance on writing outlines. Under the American convention, outlines are structured using the following symbols (Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals). This is only a convention used in the writing process: it is not part of APA style, and under no circumstances should it be used in the final paper (see for example Purdue University’ Online Writing Lab: http://owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/resource/544/03/). Box c (Figs ure 4) illustrates the framework using the American conventions. a Unhelpful outline Topic: The Struggle for the Mobile Phone Market 1. Description of the European mobile phone market. 2. Major players: Nokia, Ericsson, Siemens. 3. Focus of youth market. b Structured outline 4. Future trends in the market European Commission case on choline chloride cartel 1. Introduction 1. 1. Background to case: choline chloride cartel 1. 2. Aim of paper (thesis): European Commission took the right decision to fine the firms, because they had formed a cartel, but the fines are not sufficient to discourage cartel forming in the future. Key economic issues 2. 1. Market description 2. 1. 1. Producers 2. 1. 2. Consumers 2. 2. Agreements 2. 2. 1. Price fixing 2. 2. 2. Market sharing Economic impact on competition 3. 1. Fixed prices raised income for producers 3. 2. Market sharing reduced competition 3. 3. Economic impact of cartel (Perloff) 3. 3. 1. Oligopoly 3. 3. 2. Welfare analysis European Commission decision 4. 1. That the market is an oligopoly 4. 2. That the market is not competitive 4. 3. Punishment for firms 4. 3. 1. Fines 4. 3. 2. Leniency ruling Conclusions 5. 1. Summary 5. 2. Price setting agreements have a big impact on the market 5. 3. Fines based on gravity and duration of infringement 5. 4. Leniency: fines not high enough to discourage cartel formation in future. 2. 3. 4. 5. 12 Guide to Academic Writing Skills c Classic formal outline (American style) I. II. First item Second item A. sub-item B. sub-item 1. sub-sub-item 2. sub-sub-item Third item. The planning process III. Figure 4. Examples of outlines. 13 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Structuring 3. Structuring On the basis of the outline, described in the previous chapter, it is now possible to continue with the structure of your paper. You started the structuring process already in steps three and four of the construction of an outline, described in section 2. 2. The structuring process continues by implementing these steps in the paper, starting with the introduction. Section 3. 1 discusses the structuring process of the introduction, section 3. 2. covers the middle part (or body), and section 3. 3. the discussion and conclusion. Structuring a paper effectively also requires that you write well-constructed paragraphs. This is discussed briefly in section 3. 4. 3. 1. The introduction The introduction has three functions, all of which must be present. First, it sets the context by introducing the topic of your paper. This is called the background information. This information leads to the second function: it specifies the purpose of the paper. Finally, the introduction contains a short outline of how you are going to handle the aspects of your topic in the rest of the paper. Any introduction in which one of these functions is missing is necessarily incomplete. The length of the introduction varies from one paragraph to several pages, depending on the total length of the paper. Three other factors influence the length. First, how familiar are your readers with the context? If, for example, you are writing about small and medium-sized businesses in Nepal, you may have to explain much more of the Nepalese background for readers who are less familiar with that country, since the readers may wish to compare Nepalese SMEs with those in other developing countries. Second, what the type of paper (or genre) are you writing? If, for example, you are writing a review of the academic literature on internet auction markets, your introduction might be quite short, since you will include the information from your review in the middle of your paper. Similarly, if you are examining a competition case from, say, the European Commission or the US Department of Justice, then you may not need much background information, for you can refer almost straightaway to the case. On the other hand, in a paper in which you argue a point of view (e.g. the abolition of export subsidies), then you may need to present adequate background information before introducing your pur- 14 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Structuring pose. Third, what economics or business discipline are you addressing? The length of introductions may differ between econometrics, labour economics, marketing, strategic management, and so on. It is wise to check by reading relevant previous papers in the target discipline and the target genre, as well as taking the readers’ familiarity into account. Nevertheless, as a useful rule of thumb, it is valuable to think of your introduction as being about one-eighth of the length of the text you are writing. Thus, the introduction to a 1000word paper would be about 125 words; the introduction to a 10,000-word dissertation would contain about 1250 words, and may well appear as a short chapter in its own right. So treat the one-eighth concept as a guideline, not as a straightjacket. Writing the introduction depends heavily on personal preference. Some writers like to know exactly how they will begin before they start to elaborate the text they are aiming to write; other writers prefer to know what they have written first, and then write the introduction to fit it, so that it leads to the purpose statement. Yet, a good rule of thumb is to write a draft introduction that leads to your purpose statement, then write the whole text, right to the conclusion, progressively editing as you go along. Only then do you return to your introduction and adjust or rewrite it so that it does indeed fit your paper neatly and satisfyingly. 3. 1. 1. The background information The introduction prepares the readers for what follows. Thus, the introduction has an orientation function. Thus, it should therefore present enough background information so that the readers will recognize that the middle of your paper follows logically and coherently from the introduction you need to pay attention to what the reader can be expected to know already and what will be new. Your introduction is more effective when it progresses from the known to the unknown (Figure 5). 15 Guide to Academic Writing Skills. Structuring Prediction markets and their applicability for organizational decision making 1. Introduction Whether firms are successful or not depends to a great extent on their decisions about new products. Therefore, top management has large Background information (known less known) incentives to have as accurate information as possible on future demand and success of new products. Usual methods of gathering this information include customer surveys and expert opinions. Often, however, these approaches are very inaccurate and misleading. In order to avoid problems linked to the two methods mentioned above, firms came to think about whether or not to make use of prediction markets as information gathering tools (Ho Chen, 2007). New information (topic) Prediction markets, also known as information markets or future events (Wolfers Zitzewitz, 2004), are markets in which price is used as an indicator of the probability that a certain event will occur in the future (Manski, 2006). Market participants buy and sell contracts of the particular event they think will be likely to take place and they receive money when they betted correctly (Wolfers Zitzewitz, 2004). This Purpose of paper paper investigates the question whether or not firms should engage in prediction markets to make informed decisions. Outline Firstly, it explains some general aspects of prediction markets. Secondly, it describes examples of this forecasting tool, focusing for illustration on the Iowa Electronic Market and finally it compares benefits and disadvantages of implementing prediction markets in businesses. Figure 5. Example of an introduction from a first-year business paper. 16 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Structuring 3. 1. 2. The purpose statement The purpose statement is a vital component in academic papers. It marks the high point of the introduction. This statement is a clear expression of the purpose that your paper is expected to assert, explain, support, or defend (Fulwiler Hayakawa, 2000). It summarizes the main idea of a paper and makes that idea explicit to the readers. The statement answers the questions the critical reader has: â€Å" what? Why does this paper exist? What’ it all about? † So s In the literature on academic writing, you will meet the term ‘ thesis statement’ This term cov.ers the statement that the writer is going to argue in his or her paper. Strictly speaking, it is relevant to argumentative papers where you are advancing a claim (the thesis), and then in the paper you present the arguments (evidence) that demonstrates whether the claim holds. An example of an argumentative paper is a position paper in which you set out a particular theoretical position (opinion) based on arguments (evidence). Many papers that you write will not be essentially argumentative papers. You may often simply be explaining a phenomenon or showing and analysing data. Sometimes, you may simply be answering an exploratory question. However, all papers do require a statement or question that neatly summarizes what you are going to do in your paper (see Table 1). Table 1. Types of papers and associated purpose statements*. Type of paper Argumentative paper Purpose as: expressed Explanation You argue a proposition (claim). You present the arguments (evidence) for and against the claim, and decide whether the claim is supported or not. You start with a question about a phenomenon, and devise one or more hypotheses that you will test in your research. Your experimental paper reports the results. Example Government action to restrict the bonuses paid to investment bankers is unwise because it is harmful to the economy as a whole. Are poor people more generous than rich people? Poor people will give a larger percentage of a monetary gift to poor people than rich people will. Thesis statement Experimental per pa- Research question; hypothesis 17 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Structuring Exploratory analysis data Research question You conduct a survey or a series of interviews, for example, but do not have an explicit hypothesis before you start. You have a research question, but do not know in advance what the answers may be. How much do students know about financing small and medium-sized businesses? Or: This paper explores the knowledge students have about the financing of †¦ This paper reviews recent experimental research into the principal-agent relationship. This paper examines whether the economic grounds for approving the merger were sound. OR: Were the economic grounds for approving the merger sound? The European Commission was justified in fining the lift manufacturers as their cartel had distorted competition and reduced consumer welfare.

Estimation With Cost Significant Elements In Malaysia Construction Essay

Estimation With Cost Significant Elements In Malaysia Construction Essay The construction estimation is an important content of the feasibility study of the projects. The accuracy of the cost estimation directly affects the decision of project, scale of construction, design scheme and economic effects, and affects the proceeding of projects. It is significant for the management and control of the project estimation to process the estimated practically, speedily, and exactly. Construction cost is an important element that should be monitored at different phases of the process of a building construction. It is also a factual process designed to give a reliable estimation or prediction of its financial cost. Cost estimating is a fundamental activity which combines a mechanical process and a subjective expertise undertaken to assess and predict the total cost to execute the construction works. It consists of an application with an appropriate method to estimate and to measure the final quantities of the building. The purpose of construction cost estimation is to provide information for constructors which include areas in the procurement and pricing of construction, establishing contractual amount of payment, and quantity control. Cost models serve a variety of purposes. It can be defined as the symbolic representation for a system, expressing the content of that system in terms of the factors which influence its costs (1). It is a procedure developed to reflect, by means of derived processes, adequately acceptable output for an established series of input data (2). Besides that, techniques used in the cost modeling can also forecast the estimated cost of a proposed construction project (3). Therefore, every method, technique or procedure used by quantity surveyors for cost estimation or cost forecast may be termed as cost models. All procurement systems require a contractor to predict the cost of a project, and to determine a price for the work within the constraints of time and to maintain the required quality without compromising to the wellbeing of other projects. In the traditional procurement system, Bill of Quantities (BQ) is an essential part of tender document that lists all the items of work to be co mpleted in a project which is to provide a mean of comparing bids from several contractors on a like for like basis. Since BQ has become an important tool for project costing and tendering it is also a document for architects and other consultants to have a sense of control on their projects in term of cost and finance. Today BQ are also used for cost planning, projected cash flows and budget, for valuation of interim payments and variation orders, and for settlement of final account. The objective of this paper is to present a formal method, the Cost Significant Element (CSE) method to accelerate the tendering process in the construction industry. The CSE has existed in the industry for a long time and has been used by many project stakeholders to deliver the project and to meet the specified targets and objectives set by the clients. Previous Studies The construction projects in Malaysia are getting more complicated and their scales are getting larger as the industrial development directly affects the construction sector. Hence it is getting more difficult to complete the projects within quality standards, budgeted cost limits and on time. Most of the time, decisions to be taken may be delayed due to the risk and uncertainties met by managers during the construction process and as a result some difficulties are arisen. One of these difficulties is caused by the lack of cost data whenever needed and in demanded quality. Therefore, the budgeted cost limits are often exceeded. However, it is well-known fact that the earlier cost planning is started on resulting in the more suitable outcome are obtained. In construction industry, Cost significant Element (CSE) method is a way to build up a simple cost estimate model by using historical bills of quantities (BQ) which the document that states how much is to be spent on each functional element of a proposed building in relation to a defined standard of space and quality. It is also an organized breakdown of cost data into the standard elements of a building. CSE facilitate the comparison between projects and the development of recording cost data for future cost planning in a simple way. It is important to identify the cost significant item in the research on CSE method. A research project has been carried out in Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Architecture intending to estimate most probable building cost in the early stage of the construction process taking the advantage of recent developments in the information and communication technology (ICT) [Orhon, 1996], [Tas and Yaman, 2002]. The main objectives of this research were collecting building construction cost data, processing data and transforming it into building cost information, storing and retrieving the cost data and information, connecting private and public sector data as well as information through a database, saving time and minimizing mistakes, by avoiding reproduction of the information that has already been stored somewhere in the sector. BQ is the traditional method that is commonly used by construction companies to predict the cost of a project in the detailed design phase and throughout the construction period. It will usually result in similar significant items being identified across different bills, but with each item having a minor difference. In order to overcome this problem, once the identification of cost of the elements, quantity or resource significant items is completed, the BQ items are aggregated into significant work elements. Whereas, it is one of the most important components of the tender documents along with technical drawings, specifications, conditions of contract, etc. Once a project is defined in detail, every item of work needed to complete the project is listed and priced by estimators. BQ for building work is counterproductive and leads to ambiguities and differences in interpretation, creating a potential for dispute. An acceptable level of simplification can be achieved through the aggreg ation of work items, presently required to be measured separately (Edwards and Edwards, 1995). The process of developing cost significant models has tended to consists of several steps. These include finding the cost significant items, grouping similar items together, and calculating a cost significant factor. The cost significant items to be identify in a project uses a technique proposed by Shereef (1981) where items are considered as significant when their value is higher than, or equal to, the mean bill value. Other than that, research at the University of Dundee has consistently shown that BQ analyses using this technique are successful in identifying the 20% of significant items that constitute 80% of the cost (Horner and Zakieh, 1993). However, it has long been recognized that in the value of the research work identified in the second stage of this process will not associate to the full cost of the trade. In Paretoà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s principle (commonly called 80:20 rule), when 80:20 rule is utilized the assumption is made that the 20 per cent of items are contributing 80 per cent of the value, and consequently the cost of the work packages identified in stage two equate to only approximately 80 per cent of the total cost of the trade. A model factor has to be applied to the total value of the work elements to determine the cost of the trade as a whole, to include a value for the 80 per cent of items not costed during this process. This factor is termed the cost model factor and is calculated by establishing the average proportion of the total cost of a trade that is accounted for by the significant work elements. The total cost of a trade can then be established by dividing the total cost of the si gnificant work elements by the cost model factor (Munns and Al-Haimus). Research Methodology In order to achieve the objectives of the study, there are two approaches to be carried out in this research. Firstly, primary data collected from a number of the construction companies in Johor Bahru area of Malaysia. Primary data are those data observed or collected directly from first-hand experience. It shows the advantage towards the accuracy of data since the specific information has been collected by the person who is doing the research. Twenty-five high cost double storey terrace housing projects historical BQ were collected in the data analysis. In this particular research is to develop a building cost estimation model based on cost significant work elements. Several important steps came to establish this model. These were including finding the cost significant work items in BQ, grouping similar work items together to select work packages, and calculating a cost significant value factor (CSVF). Cost significant element models rely on the well documented finding that 80 per cent of a billà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s value is contained within the 20 per cent of the items which are most expensive (Barnes 1971; Skinner 1981; Ashworth Skitmore 1983; PSA 1987). Projects which have similar features, the cost significant items are roughly the same. This model has covered the criteria that need to be considered and getting the result to prove the 20:80 rules in the estimating practice. In developing the model, literature reviews are adopted as secondary sources, and as such, it does not report any new or original experimental work. Cost-significant items can be grouped together, using a variety of techniques, into a smaller number of cost-significant element work packages, which within any given category of project consistently represent a fixed proportion of the total cost, usually close to 80 per cent. The total value of the project can then be calculated simply by multiplying the total price of the cost-significant work packages by an appropriate factor. The value of the factor varies slightly that to determine from an analysis of historical data (Poh, P.S.H. Horner, R.M.W.). Accuracy of the result in this model can be varied by coarsening or refining to match the quality of data available at each stage in the projectà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s life when calculating of the cost significant model factor.

Food production methods in large functions

Food production methods in large functions Introduction The terms of food and beverage services gone from home forms a considerable element of the performance of the hotel and catering industry and like the industry of which it is a fraction , the food and beverage function is characterised both by its variety and its size. Outlets contain private and public division establishments and them choice from small privately-owned apprehension to large international organisations and from top-security reformatory catering to catering in the most luxurious hotels. In this assignment I will try to find out the characteristics of food production and food and beverage service systems and food production and food and beverage service systems. Task 01 Discuss the characteristics of food production and food and beverage service systems. Characteristics of the food and beverage sector A vital part of everyday life Major contributor to the national economy Generates employment Promotes diversity through many different food concepts cuisines An chance to enjoy the company of friends, family and colleagues Fulfils basic needs Food is a basic need for everyday life Food Production Methods Food production may be definite as that phase of the food flow mainly apprehensive with the dispensation of raw; semi prepared, or prepared foodstuffs. The resulting product may be in a ready to provide state, for example in the conventional method (cook serve); or it may experience some form of protection, for example cook-chill or cook-freeze, before being served to the consumer. Production systems Traditional Centralised Sous-vide Cook-chill Cook-freeze batch cooking call-order Traditional method In the conservative parties method, the majority of food is purchased raw, very little falling into what we now call the ‘’convenience foods’’ category. Facilities are presented for the receipt and storage of goods, the preparation, cooking, holding and service of food. The traditional method is used in most kitchen concern. Cook-Freeze method The expression cook-freeze refers to a catering system based on the full cooking of food pursued by fast freezing, with storage at a controlled low temperature of -18C or under. The method is related to cook-chill apart from refrigeration temperatures. Blast Freezing To decrease the time spent in danger zone, a specially considered Blast Chilling or Freezer is required measure refrigeration equipment just is not competent of removing heat fast sufficient. Blast Chilling The temperature must be concentrated from +70C to +3C or below within 90 minutes. Blast Thawing To de-ice food, the air approximately needs to be relatively heater than the food itself so that heat can be transferred from air to food to dissolve the ice. Hazard zone is between +8 C and +68C, where microorganisms multiply fastest, for as little time as achievable. The germs split into two each 20 minutes. Sous –vide method Sous-vide are more fresh food processing technique residential in the late 1970s. The sous-vide methods of food construction (vacuum cooking at exact temperature 138 degrees and time). Centralised distribution This method is frequently adopted by huge chains that are looking to subcontract all or measurement of their food production. Cook-Chill method This method is a catering coordination based on normal preparation and cooking of food pursued by rapid chilling and storage space. The Chilled food necessitates low capital outlay and minimum workforce. Service Systems Table/Plate service Counter/Buffet service A la carte Table d’hà ´tel Silver service Family service Flambà © service Specialist food service Table/ Service Food is organized, placed on individual tableware and delivered to the consumers. This method is used in the hotel and self-determining restaurants. Buffet service Food is prepared in move forwards. Big quantities of food then placed in containers and served from a table in the restaurant. Used in consultation and banqueting. Family/ English service Food is prepared and placed in dishes. Server then transportations to restaurant, it is placed in the centre of tables. Chinese and Middle Eastern Cultures. Silver/Russian service Food is prepared/ cooked, placed on hot silver containers. some fine dining, consultation and banqueting. A la carte Hotel or restaurant meal consisting of several differently priced dishes which are cooked frequently when ordered from a menu. A guest orders independently and pays for them separately. Table d’hà ´tel Is generally a restaurant meal consisting of a predetermined number of already prepared dishes, at a fixed price for a complete meal for one person. Flambà © service/Gueridon Food is prepared but not cooked. Attendant puts food on a convenient trolley and transfer into front of house neighbourhood. The food is prepared in front of the guests. Specialist food service A food overhaul specialist may arrange a selection of meals. Most employers require their food service specialist to have at slightest a high school diploma. Acquaintance of specialist food service should consist of: basic food handling, nutrition, sanitation measures. Discuss factors affecting recipes and menus for specific systems. Factors affecting recipes and menus for specific systems Size of operation Objectives of the operation Quality of the operation Nature of the menu Quality of customers Budget of the customers Customer needs Availability of resources The others factors affecting menu and recipes for specific system Size of the kitchen, consumer’s contentment, and price of items programmed, management decisions costs, availability of items, type of service, customer’s value, and demographic features, food habits and predilections, flavour and appearance of dishes, nutritional importance. Menu can be an outstanding selling tool to supplement the indicative selling of staff. Customer perceptions: keeping your consumers happy can be harder than you suppose. Happy customers result in: (repeat sales, positive company image, and high quality customer’s referrals) Space and equipment in the kitchen will manipulate the composition of the menu; Every establishment has a intention food cost to be achieved, the cost, preparation and production of the food items, have to well the target. Business stand up for profit; it is difficult for menu fashionable to make a customer and business friendly menu, to cover all costs. Accessibility of ingredients in seasonality and suppliers require be taken into reflection. Colour balance is essential; customers should be able to ‘eat with their eyes’. Ethnicity and nutritional value: Nutritional balance is important to make certain that the dishes are produced as nutritiously as potential (protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins). Menu is made for customer contentment, but if the items do not costume customer’s ethnicity and nutritional importance then it is a big difficulty. As we have only 60 guests, a medium kitchen is enough, the constituents we use in our menu are straightforward to find, and two or three waitress will be enough. Buffet/Counter service has the next advantages: can be provide a large number of people, customer have choice, customers are part of the development, fewer staff required, service staff require less skills, fewer objections due to their decision-making; Disadvantages: Queuing, food presentation can be pretentious; food can run out, food excellence affected due to temperature and mixing service crockery. Plate service has the next advantages: presentation, placed on individual plates, quality, portion control. Disadvantages of Plate service are: Require high quality and highly skilled chefs; consumers sometimes have to remain for food delivery. Conclusion Modern day food and beverage processes are progressing to get better in the quality, and the service. Professionalism is increasing, through improved training and development. The quality of service is becoming the generally important differentiating factor when consumers are choosing between different establishments. In this assignment I wrote about characteristics of food production and food and beverage service systems and affecting recipes and menus for specific systems.

Racial Profiling: An American Crisis Essay -- Racism, Prejudice Essays

The concept of racial profiling has been given many different definitions. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, racial profiling refers to â€Å"the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual's race, ethnicity, religion or national origin.† Everyday, people fall victim to racial profiling. Some people argue that racial profiling is a necessary and practical form of law enforcement. Others deny its entire existence. Sadly, racial profiling does exist, and it plagues our nation. Unfortunately stopping racial profiling completely is very difficult. Police are people and will fall victim to stereotypes and assumptions. That said, we must acknowledge the fact that racial profiling is unconstitutional. It violates the 4th amendment which guarantees the right to be safe from unreasonable search and seizure without probable cause, and the 14th amendment which requires that all citizens be t reated equally under the law. The practice of racial profiling also contradicts one of the most well known phrases in the Declaration of Independence, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.† Racial profiling has its roots in the older technique of criminal profiling. Criminal profiling became popular in the middle of the twentieth century when it was successfully used by a psychiatrist to find a serial bomber. Then, in the 1960’s and 1970’s, after a rash of airplane hijackings or â€Å"skyjackings†, experts used similar techniques to form a profile for sky jackers. They taught airline personnel to look out for a list of 25 different characteristics; none which were related to a particular race or ethnic group. Unfortunately, the pr... ...reated a law that makes it a state crime to be in the state illegally, allows police to arrest or fine a person who fails to provide U.S. identification, and allows police to detain anyone who they suspect to be an illegal alien. While supporters argue that the law is necessary, critics believe that the new law will open the door for racial profiling. And if this is true, Arizona’s 1.7 million residents of Hispanic or Latino origin are potential victims. Racial profiling doesn’t just exist today, it thrives. It is used by law enforcement everyday even though it is both unjust and unconstitutional. Not only does it violate the core principles of this country, but it can be dangerous. It threatens our national security and, on a deeper level, racial profiling is a threat to racial equality, something that the people of the United States have fought to achieve.

Platinum (Pt) analogues Essay -- Health, Diseases, Tumors, Cancer

Platinum (Pt) analogues are now among the clinically used most efficacious metal-based drugs in the treatment of a variety of tumors/cancers including lung cancer (both non-small cell and small cell), head and neck cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, germ cell tumors and, to a lesser extent, breast cancer and gastric cancer [1,2]. However, here the drug action is less- / non-selective, and normal cells, in addition to transformed cells, are also affected, which leads to substantial dose-limiting acute and chronic toxicities [3, 4]. It is generally believed that non-Pt metal-based drugs offer potential to overcome these shortcomings [5]. Complexes of metals such as palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, copper and lanthanum, with aromatic N-containing ligands (pyridine, imidazole and 1,10-phenanthroline, and their derivatives), have shown promising cytotoxic properties in in vitro and in vivo models [6-10]. Among non-Pt compounds, copper complexes are potentially attractive as anticancer agents. Actually, since many years a lot of researches have actively investigated copper compounds b...

A Change Is as Good as a Holiday.

‘’A change is as good as a holiday†¦ really? ’’ According to my personal experience a change is better than a holiday. I changed my life by moving to another country, the UK, where I can create something and develop my life, unlike going on holiday for a short period of time and returning to do the same thing again. During my time in Iraq I enjoyed spending time with my family and I was happy as a clown. However, on April the 9th 2003 USA had a master plan to invade Iraq, as a child I was scared due to my parents clearly being worried; this made me anxious I was so terrified and shaken like an electric tooth brush.It was like I had adrenalin rush, I couldn’t sleep – I was alive with fear. As the army entered the city of Baghdad, Iraq†¦ The sky was red like blazing flames and I could hear the bullets shoot through my ears like thunder. The gun powder rushed into my nose from the chimney from the fire place in the comfort of my own hom e. There were so many reasons why I had left my country with my family, and one of them was the war. However I’ve been through the hard times and I could’ve just stayed. Not knowing what my destiny would be but as a family we made the decision of leaving.We all agreed that if we left Iraq then we could all have a better life and could continue with our education to have the best life possible. Who wants to leave their home town? Obviously it was a struggle and to look back and leave behind everything and everyone I know: The home I grew in for 11 years and the place where my childhood was full with amazing memories. On the way to the airport I felt miserable; I was reluctant to get on the plane. I hesitated to step forward, however a decision has been made and I had no choice apart from getting on the plane as I knew that my dad was at the other end of the journey.The dream came true! My first step out of the plane towards success, I continued walking through the tunne l to see my dad for the first time in a year. I was bursting with joy to see my father; I was pumped with energy full of happiness: I couldn’t express my feelings so I just hugged him, and my heart was finally relieved. The family and I were on the way out of the airport, into to the car that my dad bought which was blue like the Circassian sea, and we were on the way to the house in Neasdon, London. When I was in the car whilst my dad was driving, I was scared; I didn’t know anyone or the language they spoke.The weather was dull; the clouds were grey and the dark streets. It was due to rain my dad said. I couldn’t play the sport I loved; swimming was my favourite sport back home. There was indoor swimming but it wasn’t the same. I couldn’t even go to my own back garden to do anything, and it was full of mud. A week after I arrived it had snowed, for the first time in my life I saw little white flakes falling from the sky, like a blessing from god. I wanted to go out, but I had a cold and I wasn’t even used to this miserable demotivating weather.Back in Iraq it was blazing hot nearly every day of the year. Every day it was a staggering 50 degrees Celsius like the Saharan desert. As I started school I felt the effects of the change, I didn’t know whether it would be for the better or worse; however I knew I was going to achieve something great, and become a role model to inspire my brother as he was young and needed someone to look up to besides my dad. I feel a little safer nowadays due to people being nice, although there are those occasional racist remarks people give.But altogether the people all colours, races and nationalities are not as I expected; there are mixed cultures and religions -they did not shun me they welcomed me to the area and country; even though they did not know where I was from, who I am, or what I do. Till this day the dream of a better life still lives on. Change instead of a holiday ca n be good in some circumstances such as mine. For me my safety was more important so I had to leave. Sometimes freedom and safety are something a holiday can’t give.

Quality Management within Toyota Motor Company Essay

Abstract This paper explores multiple published articles discussing Toyota Motor Company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. A review of Toyota’s decisions to hide important information prior to recalls leads us to a discussion of where Toyota can go from here. The paper includes recommendations for Toyota Motor Company in order to move forward after their 2010 recalls. In addition, organizational changes will assist Toyota Motor Company in overcoming their recall problems. Quality Management within Toyota Motor Company After a number of discouraging recalls at Toyota Motor Company in 2010, a number of quality management techniques were implemented. Toyota Motor Company’s SWOT Analysis played into the newly implemented quality management techniques. Toyota’s strengths allowed them to fight back quickly against these recalls that could have ultimately led to Toyota’s fall from one of the top motor company’s. Toyota Motor Company’s strengths include dominant position in the marketplace, strong brand recognition, strong focus on research and development, and broad production and distribution network. In addition to Toyota’s strengths, their weaknesses were reviewed in order to find opportunities to capitalize upon. The recalls were obviously a large weakness at Toyota. Opportunities were reviewed which included the growth of the global automotive industry. Last, Toyota’s threats were reviewed. Here it was found that powerful competition is a worry for To yota Motor Company. After the review of Toyota Motor Company’s SWOT Analysis, the issue of the recalls was assessed. Analysis shows the issue within Toyota Motor Company did not appear overnight. However, secretive management styles let the company astray. A diagram was created by functional area to summarize how Toyota has responded to these recall problems. The functional areas reviewed include management, production design and safety, quality, and manufacturing. Last, the analysis of Toyota Motor Company’s recall and quality management issues are discussed from a point of solving the problem. Recommendations are discussed that will help Toyota Motor Company to turn their weaknesses into strengths. Method Discussion SWOT Analysis Internal Factors Strengths Weaknesses Product †¢ Dominant position in the marketplace †¢ Strong brand recognition †¢ Strong focus on Research & Development †¢ Broad production and distribution network †¢ Product recalls have the ability to negatively affect brand image †¢ Declining sales in crucial geographic areas External Factors Opportunities Threats Competition †¢ Growth of the global automotive industry †¢ Potential benefit from partnering with BMW †¢The outlook for the new global car market is strong †¢ Powerful competition †¢ Appreciation of the Japanese Yen †¢ Environmental regulations †¢Natural disasters Strengths. Toyota has a number of internal product strengths as noted in the SWOT Analysis table above. Toyota’s market share in 2011 was 16.5 percent,  its highest market share in 4 years. This strong market share allowed Toyota to hold a competitive advantage against their competition. In addition to holding a dominant position in the marketplace, Toyota possesses strong brand recognition through a number of brands. These brands include Toyota, Lexus, Prius, Corolla, Yaris, Camry, Sequoia, 4Runner, Scion tC, Highlander, Land Cruiser, and a number of other brand names. These brands are some of the most desired premium brands in the world according to the Company Profile report for Toyota Motor Company documented by MarketLine. Another strength of Toyota is their strong attention to research and development. According to the Company Profile report, Toyota’s focus on research and development is pointed towards the creation of new and improved products. Research and development operations are conducted at 14 facilities located around the world. This strength has allowed Toyota to increase the technology included in existing products. One of these products, a Pre-collision System (PCS) helps drivers avoid collisions. Overall, the strong focus on research and development has been a big strength for Toyota. Last, Toyota’s production and distribution network has been a big strength for the company. Toyota produces automobiles, related parts, and other components through more than 50 manufacturing companies throughout 27 countries and regions, not including Japan. As mentioned on the Toyota Motor Company website, major locations include Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Thailand, China, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil. As reported by Toyota Motor Company, during fiscal year 2013 the company had consolidated vehicle sales totals of 8.871 million units (TCM, 2013). As reported by Toyota Motor Company, this was an increase of 1.519 million units compared to the previous fiscal year. In addition to the widespread production of Toyota products, the company has a large distribution network. Toyota’s distribution network is one of the largest in Japan encompassing four sales channels (Toyota, Toyopet, Corolla, and Netz). In 2012 the distribution network of these channels was comprised of 283 dealers. In addition to this network, Toyota operates over 170 Lexus sales channels in Japan. As reported by Toyota Motor Company, in fiscal year 2013 these networks accounted for the following vehicle sales: Japan sales totaled 2.279 million units In North America vehicle sales totaled 2.469 million units In Europe vehicle sales totaled 799,085 units Asia came in at total vehicle sales of 1.684 million units Central and South America, Oceania and Africa came in at 1.640 million units As you can see, Toyota’s distribution network is widespread allowing for diversification and a wide reach of clientele, ultimately boosting revenues and sales. Weaknesses. A large focus of the case study focuses on the weakness of Toyota’s product recalls. As many are aware, Toyota has encountered a number of recalls in the recent past. It is a concern that these recalls could negatively affect Toyota’s brand imagine ultimately leading to decreased sales for the company. When searching for Toyota recalls it was easy to find a few recent recalls. The most recent is a recall of 700,000 Toyota Prius models which were recalled over electronic issues in the United States (csmonitor.com, 2014). Another very recent recall includes certain versions of the Lexus RX crossover. In this case, more than 261,000 vehicles are being recalled due to a brake issue (csmonitor.com, 2014). In addition to the many recalls, Toyota has been involved in a number of lawsuits. In December 2012, Toyota settled a suit by paying $17.4 million to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to settle claims related to the June 2012 recall of potential accelerator pedal entrapment issues. This bad press will ultimately result in a negative effect on consumer’s confidence in Toyota’s brand. In addition, the settlement of suits ultimately decreases Toyota’s profits. As a result of this bad press Toyota saw a decline in 2012 sales in important geographic areas. Declining sales in fiscal year 2012 were seen across North America, Asia, and Europe. Opportunities. As reported by the article, Global automotive industry to experience modest growth in 2012, a number of opportunities exist in the global automotive industry (2012). The Japanese auto industry responded from natural disasters which had caused reduced inventories and production. It is forecasted that the industry will continue to grow increasing Toyota revenues. In June of 2012, BMW and Toyota signed a long-term partnership. The two companies are partnering on the developments that will help to increase market share and sales. This relationship is expected to increase technology between the two companies as  well as result in new product development. In addition to these opportunities, the new car market is experiencing moderate growth which will assist in increased sales and profits. Threats. Intense competition in the worldwide car market has become very competitive. This competition will likely increase in the upcoming years as competitors add more technology and increase developments. In addition to the intense competition, the appreciating Japanese Yen has become a big concern for Toyota. Last, environment regulations have the potential to increase production costs. Emissions regulations that are updated periodically could cause issues in new car production. Evolvement of Quality Management Issues At first glance, it seems that Toyota’s gas pedal issue appeared overnight. However, upon further research, evidence was found to prove the opposite. As reported in the article Secretive Culture Let Toyota Astray, evidence that Toyota cars could suddenly speed up had been piling up for years (2010). At the time of the recalls, Toyota had known about this gas pedal problem for more than a year. The problem was stated to be Toyota’s secretive corporate culture in Japan which ultimately conflicted with United States requirements that auto makers disclose safety threats. New initiatives brought to the table by Toyota have attempted to correct the previous secretive culture of Toyota. Total quality management initiatives have been put in place to assist in better customer service and safety and repair issues. According to Jacobs and Chase, total quality management can be defined as managing the entire organization so that it excels on all dimensions of products and services that are important to the customer (Chase and Jacobs, 2014, p. 296). The table following this discussion addresses the steps Toyota has taken in response to its recent quality recall problems. Functional Area Quality Management Steps Management †¢ Managing Director names to oversee any safety-related issues †¢ Top down management approach Product Design & Safety †¢ Troubleshooting teams known as Swift Market Analysis Response Teams work to  find any safety issues that need to be reported Quality †¢ TAQIC – Toyota Advanced Quality Information Center staffed by a group of employees who compile repair reports from dealerships worldwide †¢ 1000 engineers hired to spot-check quality Manufacturing †¢ No drastic changes to assembly lines Results/Discussion Problem Solution As discussed in the diagram above, there were many opportunities for Toyota after their encounter with the recall situation. Akio Toyoda, the head of the company, acted quickly by implementing a top down management approach instead of the more popular Japanese â€Å"bottom up† approach that slows down the decision making. In addition, Akio cut board of directors by fifty percent and cut out management layers. Akio also began meeting with his top five advisers on a weekly basis. In these meetings decisions were made quickly. Akio pushed his team to make â€Å"always better cars.† This change in the way the organization is managed helped Toyota to stay on top even through the recalls. Recommendations Many recommendations have been made to assist Toyota Motor Company in improving the recall situation they encountered in 2011. Some recommendations Toyota should follow include as recommended by the North American Quality Advisory Panel include the following: Give North American operations more independence in making recall decisions Strengthen quality control processes Extend development time of new products to include more safety tests Create a role of Chief Safety Technology Officer Create and launch a Safety Research Center focused on protecting the most important clientele (children, teens, and seniors) These ideas follow the concept of total quality management which focuses on two fundamental goals: Careful design of the product (in the case of Toyota Motor Company, the vehicle) Ensure that Toyota Motor Company systems can produce this design  in a consistent manner Quality at the source seems to be a great way for Toyota Motor Company to proceed. Quality at the source means that the person who is doing the work is taking the responsibility for making sure the work meets specifications. As previously discussed, safety control will be a huge initiative for Toyota Motor Company going forward. If implemented, these recommendations can do a lot to help Toyota Motor Company increase their organizational effectiveness. As previously discussed, many organizational steps were taken by Akio Toyoda after these recalls. It seems that Toyota could greatly benefit from organizational learning. As stated by Operations and Supply Chain Management, â€Å"it has been argued that organizational learning is critical to sustaining a competitive advantage† (Chase and Jacobs, 2014, p. 138). Organizational realignment was important to Toyota Motor Company after the 2010 and 2011 recalls. According to a Toyota news release in December of 2008 organizational changes include the establishment of the below: A Government and Public Affairs Group which was focused on quick response to inquiries from around the world while also unifying public affairs functions. An Accounting Group aimed at strengthening the business management and financial management system of Toyota Motor Company. A Europe and Africa Operations Group intended to assist with business planning in African and Central Asia. The group was also established to conduct business promotion events in both Europe and Africa. A Production Engineering Group aimed at increasing the strength of the quality control system for semiconductors for hybrid vehicles. The recommendations made are important to Toyota’s future. Reorganization and creation of new groups within the organization will help Toyota to overcome these recalls. References Ingram, A. (2014, Feb 12). Toyota recall: 1.9 million Prius vehicles recalled to fix software glitch. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2014/0212/Toyota-recall-1.9-million-Prius-vehicles-recalled-to-fix-software-glitch Jacobs, F. R., & Chase, R. (2014). Operations and supply chain management. (14 ed.). New York, NY: