Outsourcing Seats to Turkey

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of outsourcing on VDL Group’s supply chain strategy and processes. In addition, a plan to outsource CAD conversion services to Outsource2india will be presented.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Outsourcing Seats to Turkey specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Outsourcing refers to the process of â€Å"contracting with a third-party service provider for the management and completion of a certain amount of work, for a specified length of time, cost, and level of services† (Oshri, Kotlarsky Willcocks 2009, p. 4). The main objective of outsourcing is to enable companies to improve their competitiveness through cost reduction, economies of scale, and flexibility in production (Varadarajan 2008, pp. 1165-1172). VDL is a manufacturing company that was founded in the Netherlands in 1953. The company is organized into four divisions namely, subcontracting, car assembly, bus/ coach, and finished products (VDL 2014). The subcontracting division specializes in mechatronic systems, manufacturing plastics, and surface treatment. The car assembly division produces cars on behalf of other companies. The bus and coach division produces coaches and buses. The finished product division produces several products, which include car suspension systems, heating systems, and production automation systems (VDL 2014). Overall, the group consists of 81 operating companies that specialize in the production of specific products. The group has operations in 18 countries where it employs over 9,100 employees. In 2012, the company realized 1,756 million Euros in revenues (VDL 2014). Impact of Outsourcing VDL has outsourced production of the seats for its cars and buses to a Turkish company referred to as Brusa Seating. Brusa Seating specializes in the design, development, and production of seats, which it sells to original manufacturers of c ommercial vehicles (Brusa 2014). Outsourcing has had the following impacts on VDL. First, outsourcing has enabled the company to adjust the scale and scope of its production capability at a low cost. Given the high competition in the automobile industry, manufacturing companies have had to adopt lean production technologies in order to reduce operating costs. One of the strategies being used by VDL is to produce cars and buses on demand. This means that the company has to adjust its production capacity frequently in order to satisfy existing demand without holding unnecessary inventory or stock of completed buses/ cars. When the demand for buses is high, the company simply increases its order for new seats. This leads to cost savings since the company does not have to invest in new production systems or inventory to produce more seats (Williamson 2008, pp. 5-14). Conversely, when demand for buses is declining, the company orders for fewer seats. As a result, it avoids operating at e xcess capacity, thereby eliminating the costs associated with warehousing and laying off staff during low demand seasons.Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Second, outsourcing enables VDL to concentrate on its core activities, which include assembling cars and manufacturing buses. Undoubtedly, companies cannot pursue excellence in all activities in their value chain due to resource limitations (Liu Nagurney 2011, pp. 539-549). Thus, companies focus on their core competence in order to achieve a competitive advantage. In this context, core refers to the activities that are performed internally, contribute directly to the bottom line, and determine the future of the company. VDL’s core competence is in assembling cars and buses on behalf of third parties. Thus, it outsources the manufacture of car parts such as seats to third party producers where the manufacture of car parts is a core competence. Outsourcing enables companies to focus on activities that add value to their customers (Tayauova 2012, pp. 188-195). At VDL, the value adding activities include product development, research, and provision of technical support to customers. By focusing on these activities, the company has been able to improve the quality of its products, thereby increasing sales, customer satisfaction, and market share. Finally, outsourcing enables VDL to achieve cost advantages through economies of scale. Economies of scale refer to a cost advantage that a company achieves through increased production of a given product (Belcourt 2006, pp. 269-279). Specifically, the fixed cost per unit reduces as the number of units produced rises. Outsourcing enables VDL to achieve economies of scale in several ways. To begin with, it enables the company to increase its production capacity without incurring the fixed costs associated with hiring new employees and holding large inv entories. Outsourcing also enables the company to improve its efficiency by purchasing seats at a favorable price. In particular, Brusa Seating has to supply the seats to VDL at a competitive price in order to maintain the outsourcing contract. Economies of scale enable VDL to reduce the average cost of producing its buses and cars, thereby improving its profit margins. Moreover, low production costs enable VDL to price its products competitively, thereby overcoming competition in the market. Risks and Benefits Benefits First, VDL benefits from access to the capabilities and the expertise of Brusa Seating. The automotive industry is capital intensive and thrives on the application of advanced technologies to achieve product and process innovation. This requires investments in modern production systems and the best talent (Gabriela Clark 2006, pp. 250-253).Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Outsourcing Seats to Turkey specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The automotive industry in the Netherland is underdeveloped due to its high concentration. As a result, access to talent and advanced production technologies is limited. By contrast, Turkey’s automotive industry consists of numerous large producers who have decades of experience. Thus, outsourcing enables VDL to access advanced technologies and expertise through Brusa Seating (Weidenbaum 2005, pp. 311-315). Second, the company benefits from low labor costs by outsourcing to Brusa Seating. Turkey is â€Å"an emergent market in the new millennium expected to attract the interest of global companies in their attempt to obtain competitive advantages† (Aktas et al. 2011, pp. 833-852). One of the main advantages of Turkey is low labor cost. In 2013, the average hourly labor cost in the Netherlands was $34.75, whereas in Turkey the cost was $5 (World Bank 2014). Low labor costs enable Brusa Seating to produce seats for VDL at a low c ost. As a result, VDL’s overall cost of producing buses and cars will reduce in the long-run (Quelin Duhamel 2003, pp. 647-661). Third, VDL has achieved a competitive advantage in the market through outsourcing. The company has achieved a differentiation advantage by contracting Brusa Seating to manufacture its seats. As a specialized seat producer, Brusa Seating focuses on conducting research and development to produce seats that meet the specific needs of its customers. Through product innovation, Brusa Seating has been able to supply VDL with seats that offer more comfort and flexibility than those provided by other companies. Differentiation will enable VDL’s buses to penetrate the market easily. Risks First, outsourcing to a Turkish company exposes VDL to the risk of language barriers. The official language in Turkey is Turkish. Over 90% of Turkey’s population speaks Turkish. By contrast, Dutch is the official language in the Netherlands and it is used by over 90% of the population. Only 0.06% of the Netherland’s population can speak Turkish and Arabic. This means that communication is likely to be a problem since the employees of VDL and Brusa Seating are not likely to speak the same language. Undoubtedly, language barriers cause serious challenges such as misunderstandings among business partners. This can lead to costly mistakes such as poor product development and ineffective coordination of supply chain activities (Foogooa 2008, pp. 858-864).Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Second, VDL and Brusa Seating have different levels of skills, expertise, and technical infrastructure. These differences limit the ability of the two companies to collaborate through joint research and development activities. As a strategic partner, VDL has to involve Brusa Seating in its product development initiatives to meet its product quality objectives. However, collaboration during product development will be very difficult if the employees from the two companies have different levels of expertise and skills (Trott 2006, pp. 672-681). For instance, VDL’s employees may not understand the procedures that their counterparts at Brusa Seating use to manufacture seats. Lack of special skills in key areas such as management of people, contracts, and processes will limit VDL’s ability to maintain control over the quality of the seats produced by Brusa Seating (Rottman Lacity 2006, pp. 56-63). Finally, cultural differences between the two companies and their countries of origin can limit their ability work as partners. Culture is an important aspect of every business since it determines the way people think, make decisions, communicate, coordinate, and resolve conflicts. The Netherlands and Turkey have very different cultures. Turkey has a high-context culture in which individuals value reputation, politeness, and tradition rather than clarity. The Netherlands, on the other hand, has a low-context culture where people value individualism and achievement. Given these differences, employees from the two companies are likely to have different expectations about the outsourcing partnership (Barthelemy Geyer 2001, pp. 195-202). The resulting communication gaps or misunderstandings can lead to conflicts that will eventually lead to failure. Outsourcing CAD Conversion Services to Outsource2india Developing and executing an effective outsourcing plan involves following five key steps, which are summarized in figure 1. Based on this framework, VDL should consider the following plan to outsource CAD conversion services to Outsource2india Ltd. Figure 1: Framework for Outsourcing Needs Assessment CAD conversion is the process of transforming hardcopy designs into a computer aided design format to facilitate improved storage, accuracy, and easy modification. As a manufacturer, VDL requires effective CAD conversion services to improve the quality of its services. CAD conversion is a vital process that requires advanced expertise, resources, and a dedicated team of professionals. Thus, VDL will require a significant amount of financial capital and expertise to run its own CAD conversion department. This is likely to shift the focus of the company away from its core activity of assembling cars and buses (Mclvor 2008, pp. 24-34). Since CAD conversion is not a core activity, VDL can outsource tasks such as CAD digitization, conversion to MicroStation, conversion of JPG to DWG, and conversion to AutoCAD to Outsource2india (Mclvor 2008, pp. 24-34). By outsourcing these tasks to an experienced third-party, VDL will benefit from time efficiency, quality work, and better utilization of its resources (Kobelsky Robinson 2010, 105-119). In addition, the company will save the costs associated with hiring and training CAD conversion staff and the cost of operating a CAD department. Proposal and Contracting Outsource2india has core competence in providing CAD conversion services to global firms. The company has a flexible capacity to handle any scope of CAD conversion work (Outsource2india 2014). Its capability is characterized by access to high-end technologies and infrastructure, as well as, the use of the latest software. Additionally, the company has in-built redundancy, which will facilitate quick capacity adjustments in response to an increase in demand (Outsource2india 2014). Outsource2india will provide high quality CAD conversion services due to its ability to access a highly skilled workforce. As a specialist in CAD conversion services, Outsource2india has invested in employees with technical skills and expertise in various aspects of computer aided design. As a result, it will provide custom CAD conversion solutions to suit each project’s requirements. Outsource2india provides time zone benefits since the company operates 24 hours, seven days a week. Thus, VDL will benefit from quick turnaround time (Samsudin, Hasim Fuzi 2013, pp. 1-8). Moreover, VDL will save up to 50% of its operating costs due to the low labor costs in India (Outsource2india 2014). Thus, the proposal to contract Outsource2india will enable VDL to enjoy both differentiation and cost advantages (Jensen 2011, pp. 311-326). Communication and Change Management At this stage, Outsource2india will collaborate with VDL to articulate the issues associated with outsourcing CAD conversion services. The communication vehicles that will be used include VDL Group’s newsletters and meetings. The communication activities wil l be used to identify the affected stakeholders and the basis of relationship between Outsource2india and VDL (Tate Ellram 2009, pp. 256-268). In addition, the benefits of outsourcing will be explained to the affected stakeholders to motivate them to support the anticipated changes in organizational design that will occur due to outsourcing CAD conversion services (Oshri, Kotlarsky Willcocks 2009, pp. 94-112). Transition Management This stage will involve establishing the transition governance system to align the objectives and strategies of VDL to Outsource2india’s delivery system (Mani, Barua Whinston 2006, pp. 15-28). The change control process will be implemented to address emerging risks (Oshri, Kotlarsky Willcocks 2009, pp. 94-112). In addition, the timeline for completing the work and the expected deliverables will be clarified at the transition stage. Training programs will be implemented to facilitate knowledge transfer from Outsource2india to VDL. Moreover, rela tionship management initiatives will focus on promoting effective coordination of supply chain activities between Outsource2india and VDL (Oshri, Kotlarsky Willcocks 2009, pp. 94-112). Service Stabilization The transition team will be in charge of the service stabilization stage to ensure that the expected deliverables are achieved. Outsource2india will focus on delivering the CAD conversion services as required by VDL. The relationship governance structure will be used to resolve any issues that might arise during the provision of the outsourced services (Dolgui Proth 2013, pp. 6769-6777). Recommendations According to the agency theory, outsourcing contracts are likely to face significant challenges if the vendor and the client have different goals. Outsourcing is likely to fail if the client is not able to measure the vendor’s output (Ryan Delgado-Sanchez 2009, pp. 52-71). Moreover, opportunistic vendors will always take advantage of the loopholes in the outsourcing cont ract to fulfill their goals at the expense of their clients. In order to avoid these challenges, VDL should use an outcome-based contract where the vendors are paid according to their achievements. This will shift the risks associated with the contract to the vendor, thereby encouraging high productivity (Logan 2000, pp. 27-30). VDL should control vendors’ opportunistic behaviors by increasing its involvement in the production of the outsourced services. Additionally, it should hire a qualified independent consultant to audit the vendors to enhance achievement of the desired quality standards. Second, VDL should visit Brusa Seating’s premises in Turkey to inspect the adequacy of its production capacity and to identify the challenges that the company is likely to face in producing seats. This will enable VDL to identify the risks that are likely to reduce the effectiveness of its outsourcing contract with Brusa Seating in order to take timely actions (Kroes Ghosh 2009, pp. 124-143). Finally, VDL should invest in IT and communication techniques to improve its supply chain system. This involves integrating its supply chain system with those of its outsourcing partners to facilitate effective exchange of information and coordination of activities. Integration can be achieved through technologies such as cloud computing and business-to-business e-commerce platforms. Furthermore, VDL should train its employees on various languages to overcome communication challenges. This will facilitate effective communication between the company and its outsourcing partners who are based in various countries. References Aktas, E, Agaran, B, Ulengin, F Onsel, S 2011, The Use of Outsourcing Logistics: The Case of Turkey, Transportation Research Part C, vol. 19 no. 1, pp. 833-852. Barthelemy, J Geyer, D 2001, IT Outsourcing: Evidence from France and Germany, European Management, vol. 19 no. 2, pp. 195-202. Belcourt, M 2006, Outsourcing: The Benefits and the Risks, H uman Resources Management Review, vol. 16 no. 1, pp. 269-279. Brusa 2014, About Brusa, http://www.brusaseating.eu/. Dolgui, A Proth, J 2013, Outsourcing: Definitions and Analysis, International Journal of Product Research, vol. 51 no. 23, pp. 6769-6777. Foogooa, R 2008, IS Outsourcing: A Strategic Perspective, Business Process Management Journal, vol. 14 no. 6, pp. 858-864. Gabriela, K Clark, D 2006, Outsourcing to China: Risks and Benefits, Computer Law and Security Report, vol. 22 no. 2, pp. 250-253. Jensen, P 2012, A Passage to India: A Dual Case Study of Activities, Processes and Resources in Offshore Outsourcing of Advanced Services, Journal of World Business, vol. 47 no. 1, pp. 311-326. Kobelsky, K Robinson, M 2009, The Impact of Outsourcing on Information Technology Spending, International Journal of Accounting Information systems, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 105-119. Kroes, J Ghosh, S 2009, Outsourcing Congruence with Competitive Priorities: Impact on Supply Chain and Firm Perfo rmance, Journal of Operations Management, 28 no. 1, pp. 124-143. Liu, Z Nagurney, A 2011, Supply Chain Outsourcing Under Exchange Rate Risk and Competition, Omega, vol. 39 no. 1, pp. 539-549. Logan, M 2000, Using Agency Theory to Design Successful Outsourcing relationships, International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 11 no. 2, pp. 21-31. Mani, D, Barua, A Whinston, A 2006, Successful Governing Business Process Outsourcing Relationships, MIS Quarterly Executive, vol. 5 no. 1, pp. 15-29. Mclvor, R 2008, What is the Right Outsourcing Strategy for Your Process? European Management Journal, vol. 26 no. 2, pp. 24-34. Oshri, I, Kotlarsky, J Willcocks, L 2009, The Handbook of Global Outsourcing and Offshoring, Palgrave Macmillan, Landon. Outsource2india 2014, Why Outsource2india, https://www.outsource2india.com/. Quelin, B Duamel, F 2003, Bringing Together Strategic Outsourcing and Corporate Strategy: Outsourcing Motives and Risks, European Management Journal, vol. 21 no. 5, pp. 647-661. Rottman, J Lacity, M 2006, Proven Practices for Effective Offshoring IT Work, MIT Sloan Management Review, vol. 47 no. 3, pp. 56-63. Ryan, B Delgado-Sanchez, A 2009, Outsourcing relationships: A Case of Accounting Surveillance, Journal of Accounting and Organizational Change, vol. 6 no. 1, pp. 52-71. Samsudin, N, Hasim, R Fuzi, S 2013, Electronic Government Outsourcing Issues in Malaysia, Journal of Outsourcing and Organizational Information on Management, vol. 20 no. 3, pp. 1-8. Trott, A 2006, Innovation Risks of Strategic Outsourcing, Technovation, vol. 26 no. 1, pp. 672-681. Tate, W Ellram, L 2009, Offshore Outsourcing: A Managerial Framework, Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, vol. 23 no. 4, pp. 256-268. Tayauova, G 2012, Advantages and Disadvantages of Outsourcing: Analysis of Outsourcing Practices of Kazakhstan Banks, Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 41 no. 1, pp. 188-195. Varadarajan, R 2008, Outsourcing: Think More Expansively, Journal o f Business Research, vol. 62 no. 2, pp. 1165-1172. VDL 2014, Profile, https://www.vdlgroep.com/nl. Weidenbaum, M 2005, Outsourcing: Pros and Cons, Business Horizon, vol. 48 no. 1, pp. 311-315. Williamson, O 2008, Outsourcing: Transaction Cost Economics and Supply Chain Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, vol. 44 no. 2, pp. 5-14. World Bank 2014, Data Bank, http://www.worldbank.org/. This coursework on Outsourcing Seats to Turkey was written and submitted by user JoantheMouse to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Pippin II of Herstal - Mayor of the Palace - Pippin the Younger

Pippin II of Herstal - Mayor of the Palace - Pippin the Younger Pippin II was also known as: Pippin of Herstal  (in French, Pà ©pin d’Hà ©ristal); also known as Pippin the Younger; also spelled Pepin. Pippin II was known for: Being the first Mayor of the Palace to take effective control of the kingdom of the Franks, while the Merovingian kings ruled in name only. Occupations: KingMilitary Leader Places of Residence and Influence: EuropeFrance Important Dates: Born: c. 635Becomes Mayor of the Palace:  689Died:  Dec. 16, 714 About Pippin II : Pippins father was Ansegisel, the son of Bishop Arnulf of Metz; his mother was Begga, the daughter of Pippin I, who had also been a mayor of the palace. After King Dagobert II died in 679, Pippin established himself as mayor in Austrasia, defending the autonomy of the region against Neustria, its king Theuderic III, and Theuderics mayor Ebroà ¯n. In 680, Ebroà ¯n defeated Pippin at Lucofao; seven years later Pippin won the day at Tertry. Although this victory gave him power over all the Franks, Pippin kept Theuderic on the throne; and when the king died, Pippin replaced him with another king who was, essentially, under his control. When that king died, two more puppet kings followed in succession. In 689, after several years of military conflict on the northeastern border of the kingdom, Pippin conquered the Frisians and their leader Radbod. To solidify the peace, he married his son, Grimoald, to Radbods daughter, Theodelind. He secured Frankish authority among the Alemanni, and he encouraged Christian missionaries to evangelize  Alemannia and Bavaria. Pippin was succeeded as mayor of the palace  by his illegitimate son, Charles Martel. More Pippin II Resources: Pippin II in Print The link  below will take you to a site where you can compare prices at booksellers across the web. More in-depth info about the book may be found by clicking on to the books page at one of the online merchants. by Pierre Richà ©; translated by Michael Idomir Allen Early Carolingian RulersThe Carolingian EmpireEarly Europe Whos Who Directories: Chronological Index Geographical Index Index by Profession, Achievement, or Role in Society The text of this document is copyright  ©2000-2016 Melissa Snell. You may download or print this document for personal or school use, as long as the URL below is included. Permission is   not  granted to reproduce this document on another website. For publication permission,  please   contact  Melissa Snell. The URL for this document is:http://historymedren.about.com/od/pwho/fl/Pippin-II.htm

How to Set Up Classroom Learning Centers

How to Set Up Classroom Learning Centers Learning centers are places where students can work in small groups within the classroom. Within these spaces, students work collaboratively  on projects that you provide, with the goal to accomplish them in an allotted amount of time. As each group completes their tasks they move to the next center. Learning centers provide children the opportunity to practice hands-on skills while involved in social interaction. Some classes will have dedicated spaces for learning centers, while other teachers who are in classrooms that are smaller and tight on space, may need to be prepared to create makeshift learning centers as needed.  Typically, those that have decided Learning Spaces, will have them located in various spots around the perimeter of the classroom, or in small nooks or alcoves within the learning space. The basic need for a learning center is a dedicated space where children can work collaboratively.   Preparation The first component of creating a learning center is to figure out what skills you want your students to learn or practice. Once you know what to focus on you can determine how many centers you will need. Then you can prepare: The materials needed for each center and place them into separate folders or baskets so they are ready for the students.A list of rules and behavior expectations to present to the students before the centers begin.A sign for each center so the students know which center to go to next.Clearly stated directions for each learning center. It is best to laminate the directions so by the time the last group gets to the center it will still be in one piece. Setting up the Classroom Once you have prepared the learning center activities now it is time to set up your classroom. The way you choose to set up your classroom will depend upon your classroom space and size. Generally, all of the following tips should work with any class size. Groups should consist of a minimum of three students and maximum of five students. This gives children the opportunity to be able to complete tasks on time, and be able to move around the classroom freely.Use all areas in the classroom for centers: Rugs, reading areas, and even outside the classroom door. If youre tight on space, you might group desks together to create individual work areas. These are all examples of a good set-up if you are teaching reading groups or doing a mini-lesson while the students are participating in centers.Organize the materials for each of the learning centers in baskets, folders or totes and place them in the specific learning center space. This will ensure that all of the components of the activity are organized. This also makes it easy for you to clean up and store materials, especially if the activities happen often.  Assign each student to a group and center, then have them rotate through centers as scheduled. You can also assign each group or ce nter a color so the children know where to go to next. Use a countdown clock to help students better manage their time.   After each center is completed, allow time for the students to place the center materials back for the next group. Have a basket where the students put their completed center work. This makes it easier for you to have all of the completed work in one place. Presentation Take time to present the rules and directions for each learning center. It is important that students understand the expectations of each center before letting them go on their own. This way if you are using center time to work with individual students you will not be interrupted. Point out or physically bring the students to each center when explaining the directions.Show students where the directions will be located.Show them the materials that they will be using in each center.Explain in detail the purpose of the activity they will be working on.Clearly explain the behavior that is expected when working in small groups.For younger children, role play the behavior that is expected in the centers.Post the rules and behavior expectations in a place where students can refer to them.Tell the students the phrase you will use to get their attention. Depending upon the age group, some younger students respond to a bell or hand clapping rather than a phrase.

Role Technology Has Played in Electronic and Digital Media Essay

Role Technology Has Played in Electronic and Digital Media - Essay Example In the past news was limited to a few persons obtaining print. It was later improved to electronic information by way of radio. Information that was very important and that would impact peoples lives reached them very slowly. In the current scenario things are different. There are many ways in which news can be had. It is available in print, on the radio, on television and on the internet and events are shown and reported as they happen (live). In addition, to its informational, reporting and critiquing role, one of the main roles of media is agenda setting. According to McCoombs and Shaw (1972), the media’s choice of how an article is displayed and what to write about play an important role in shaping economic, political and social reality. In this way viewers, listeners the readers will not only learn about a particular issue but also the level of importance that the media attaches to it. This means that the media presents information in such a way that it can shape the opin ions and attitudes of the society. By doing so the media dictates what is believed and what is not. Advances in technology The media has moved away from the use of chemical technology in photography to the use of digital technology. In the past the custom was black and white until color became widespread in the latter part of the 20th century. The chemical process involved the use of chemicals in a dark room. According to Warren (2001), the pictures produced by this method were not as sharp as those produced digitally. Additionally, those produced digitally could be copied over and over and the quality would remain intact. This was not so for the ones produced chemically. Mass media used this technology to produce attractive magazines and newspaper articles and to produce attractive advertisements for businesses. This helped them to increase their role as a key player in success of businesses. Media has used digitally technology to improve the images on television and in the print m edia. Technological advances have resulted in the digitization of news print which is now described as online media. Newspapers such as New York Times (NYT) and Washington Post (WP) have increased their readership because of this fact. Additionally, they have now included videos in some of their news items. This was not and is still not possible with print media. Both NYT and WP have also been able to earn additional revenue by having advertisements on their site. More hits bring more advertisements and so the headlines and articles have to be attractive. McCoombs and Shaw (1972), indicates that there are three ways in the media seeks to set its agenda – attention, prominence and valence. The technology that is currently been used allows news item to gain attention and prominence with the use of sharp pictures and pull outs. On the television and on the internet media provide catchy advertisements with music and visual effects as seen on the internet and on television. Televi sion also provides viewers with soap operas and movies that have changed the way they view the world. The internet has provided information at one’s fingertips for personal information and for serious research. Conclusion The media has played a fundamental role in how the world is seen today. People are more

Personal Development Portfolio (Reflective Account) Essay

Personal Development Portfolio (Reflective Account) - Essay Example The actual process of writing the thesis took many twists and turns and there were long hours spent in accessing databases of stock exchanges and finding the reliable ones from the respectable ones; deciding on the methodology to be used, deciding the structure of the document and how information would be presented and so on. At the end of the thesis, I found that more than just a thesis, I was much richer as I had learnt the elements of conducting good research, how to structure the document, how to remain focussed and write so that the words represented my thoughts and analysis and how to conduct analysis of researched data. This document relates my experience as a researcher, learner and a student and my dissertation experience. The journey into conducting research for the thesis led me through various paths such as the very nature of equities, stock exchanges, bonds and debt instruments, share price indices, bourses, credit rating companies and other entities. I am glad to say that other than the 70 odd pages of the thesis, I also learn about many things such as how stock are evaluated, what is the nature of credit rating companies and more so, the intense efforts put in by these companies when they take up a debt instrument for rating. Prior to the thesis, I had very little idea of the methodology use behind rating. But now it is evident that rating agencies conduct very deep research into many aspects of a company such as its history, the nature of the market, history of the promoters, market sentiments and drivers and also variables that act on a debt instrument. The research taken up the teams in rating agencies cover many cross functional areas such as finance, accounts, economics and management and the research can take more than 2 months before a rating is given. When c company or its financial product is rated, it does not end at that as the rating is under regular

Mom :: essays research papers

When I was little, I referred to them as Mommy Susie and Mommy Patti. Mommy Susie was the one who gave birth to me, the one who died in a car accident when I was eleven months old. Mommy Patti was the one who married my dad when I was two and a half, who adopted me as her child, and has taken care of me ever since. I have vivid memories of talking to my adoptive mother about my biological mother, a subject matter which now seems oddly inappropriate. I think that, when I was younger, I did not entirely grasp the idea of death. I had no concept of the delicate familial web that was woven when one woman was taken away and another stepped in to fill her shoes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I have no recollection of ever talking to my dad and brother about my mother. My dad plays the role of the strong male figure in the family, void of emotion and distress. He gives me no hint as to what my mother was like, perhaps because of his inclination to leave the past in the past. As for my brother, I can only imagine the impact that her death had on him. He was only four years old when he witnessed the whole gruesome ordeal, and I often feel that it is not my place to inquire about her, stirring up feelings he has deliberately suppressed for so many years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although it can be argued that I have two mothers with twice the love and twice the caring, I sometimes feel that I have no mother at all. I get jealous easily when I see the bond that many people share with their mother. To no fault of anyone, my relationship with my adoptive mother seems lacking in that area. They say that the love a mother feels for her child the first time she sees it is incomparable. I often feel as if I have been cheated out of such affection, as if part of me is missing. The bond that I had with my mother was broken before I even had the chance to experience it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Perhaps the most difficult part of my situation is discerning right from wrong. Is it wrong for me to call my biological mother my â€Å"real mother†? Does that take away credibility from the woman who has loved me and taken care of me for fifteen years?

Psychology and It’s function Essay

The American Heritage dictionary defines psychology as â€Å"the science that deals with mental processes and behavior.† The difference between a literature and a psychology major is that a literature major is already seeing their patients. Every day a literature major opens up their books, and finds out something else upon a host of characters psyches. They are presented with odd situations, with broken characters, and they must come to an understanding of whom that character is in order to understand their actions. Literature aids us in our understanding of reality by giving us fictionalized example of how real people would act in intense situations. A good author makes you believe his or her characters are real, and understand why they do what they do. This is particularly apparent in Araby by James Joyce, and As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner Araby, by James Joyce allows its reader to see life through the eyes of an adolescent struggling to be a man. It allows the reader to see the reality of what it’s like to feel unaccomplished and pathetic. The boy in the story is trying to make his voyage to the bazaar, his new adventure to mean that he’s entered a new phase of life. Time suddenly seems to slow down in the story as the boy waits for Saturday to arrive. â€Å"I could not call my wandering thoughts together† he complains â€Å"I had hardly any practice with the serious work of life which, now that it stood between me and my desire seemed to me child’s play, ugly monotonous child’s play.† (Joyce, 29) Illustrated in the story are the real emotions the boy is feeling as both a man too old to be child, and a child too young to be a man. The boy’s arrival at the bazaar, and inability to purchase anything shows him that he is not ready to be the man he is striving to be by triumphantly impressing Mangan’s sister. The story is a study on the popular reality of adolescence. â€Å"Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger† reflects the boy, finally  realizing that the whole quest was frivolous, the girl was a fantasy. So, in this end he has gained some self-realization. His ability to recognize his youth and his ignorance is a growth. This sort of insight into the psyche of an adolescent could be found after years of study of adolescent psychology, or it could be learned through a powerful illustration like Araby. Araby, like much literature, provides us with an example of how many young boys feel about life–frustrated, unaccomplished, and eager to grow up. In â€Å"As I Lay Dying† by William Faulkner we the reader get a unique opportunity to understand and see into the psyche of nearly every character in the book. We get a full picture of the character’s reality by seeing the actions of the novel from various perspectives. Faulkner teaches As I Lay Dying readers that no one perspective is correct, which is a valuable lesson to bring to the real world. The novel, simply from the way it is written, teaches us a great deal about how different people’s views of situations effect how they interact within them. In the novel Cash is able to feel accomplished, important, and like he can do something about his mother’s death by building a coffin. Dewey Dell cannot understand this, she is disgusted that he’s built his coffin right outside the window where Addie can see it. Neither one of them communicates with each other or allows their emotions to be revealed. This sort of breakdown of communication between families is often a cause of fighting within households. Often, we do not understand that different people almost always have different perspectives, and explaining them could prevent resentment and anger. By giving us various narrators and no overall â€Å"judge† of the situation, Faulkner is allowing us to see this about both the novel, and reality. Often in literature gives us an example of how people act in real life. I find myself relating literary examples to what’s happening in my life almost every day. How often do we as a society hear the term â€Å"Big Brother† in reference to the way our government is acting? Many novels we read in class gave us an understanding on how people interact with each other in real life. A true literary analyst sees the characters world as a reality, and often feels like a psychologist, trying to get the root of the meaning of a character’s actions.