Ashley Bracero september Essay

America a land of hope and prosperity, one might even go as far as saying ,†The land of Dreams†. People from all over the world migrate to our great country for the luxurious rights we offer to all our people. Some of those rights including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, and The right to privacy. But what if we told everyone one who entered the united states that there was a catch ? That at any moment if the goverment felt threatened enough, they could twist those rights to there benefit ? Do you think people would still view America as a getaway or more like a false advertisement ? Now we will try and dicuss one topic that has been raising a huge controversy in America today, security vs privacy. Ever since it has been revealed that the goverment has been hacking into american citizens private information for ,†Security Meaures,† America has been going into a spiral of doubt. Both parties are making compelling arguments regarding their reasoning and perspective on the matter of security vs privacy. The huge question being raised,†Is security actually more Important than privacy ? The goverment may tell you yes; that the precautions they are taking are only minor set backs necesary for the continuation of a strong society. In my opinion this is just yet another fib told to keep the goverment in control of what has been spiraling in the other direction since 9/11. Fear of Terrorism has fueled many changes in The United States , some proving better than others. For example, The TSA has been given massive amounts of power to protect America and has been rediculed for being unconstitutional, too expensive, and ineffective, yet it remains. Little by little it seems that the goverments fear of terrorism is beginning to drive them to any measures. Threatening the privacy of their own citizens to protect national security. The worst part is some of these under cover plans are so top secret it often takes leaks to get the truth on how much of our privacy is actually being threatened. Realistically you can not have a hunderd percent of privacy along with a hunderd percent of security, so, as an American citizen i chose privacy. I believe security should come as a choice, not to say it does not withold a huge place in society, because realistically without security the world would rapidally fall into choas. Privacy is a natural right more of an obligation that should always be presented to us no matter what the circumstance. America’s power has always laid in our rights and freedoms. It is America’s individualism and personal freedom that our enemies often hate the most. So, I believe if we change our great society to make us less free we are rolling around in their hands as pawns . I do not believe that we should neglect our liberties for one victory, for the chance that it might deminish the reputation that makes our society great. Forcing important networks like facebook, yahoo, and many more to relinquish private information is a huge disrespect to all citizens. Every citizen has the right to privacy, even the idea of privacy originated from the fourth amendment. Ironically, though the goverment seems to dismiss that fact for reasonings they seem only intitled to debate on. For a country that has comforted citizens on the idea that we are a democracy, the goverment begins to show the public holes in their stories and true intentions. Slowly the public is being to sway a different direction since it was revealed the goverment was hacking into americans private information. In 2010 a Pew research survey was held and showed that 32 percent of people believed that the goverments anti-terrorism policies have gone to far in restricting the average persons civil liberities. That means 66 percent of people found it vaild and implaced for a reasonable cause. In 2011 the same survey was conducted by the same organization and found that 53 percent now found that it has gone too far, thats more than half the people surveyed in 2010 . So, with that piece of information we see that people arent just doubting the goverment, they are begining to re-evaulate their own way of thinking. I believe if the goverment continues to deny us our full privleged right to privacy, we will crumble as a nation and they will being to lose not only our trust but our respect. No matter how much our society improves and develops there will always be a threat. So, if they begin to strip away our rights now , how long will it take before we lose more ? Don’t just take my word for it , here are some people who co-exist with my idea that privacy holds more substance and reasoning than security. Jessica from Debate.org says, † Now the reason for why i feel privacy is more important, is as simple as, If i owned a home of 5 acres and bought that land. A home because i wanted to feel secluded. This allows for me to walk around my home naked if i would like without a curtain down, or go swimming in my pool naked. If i knew i was being watched 24/7 like many famous people it would make me go insane, and i would not be able to deal with it.† Also, fliex jimenez, 17 says,† Security is always going to be there no matter how much we have of it, but, once you take away someones privacy you cant get it back. Its kind of like respect when you cross that line you just cant re-write that wrong.† In conclusion, privacy is a valuable thing to many citizens. lately the right we use to have is being to stripped away from us layer by layer. Many people are debating wether security holds more value than privacy but when it comes to statistcs it seems that is not the case. Like Benjamin Franklin said,† They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserves neither liberty or safety.† So as a country we continue to try and fight this idea of selling moral rights for temporary safety promised by the goverment. So, like Benjamin Franklin said we must remember to hold on to important things such as our privacy and not sell it for something that has unpredicatable outcomes and strive for a greater stronger country were all people are respected.

Manila Motor Company Essay

In May 1954, Manila Motor Company filed in the Municipal Court of Manila a complaint to recover from Manuel T. Flores the amount of P1,047.98 as chattel mortgage installments which fell due in September 1941. Defendant pleaded prescription:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary 1941 to 1954. The complaint was dismissed. On appeal, the Court of First Instance saw differently, sustaining Plaintiff’s contention that the moratorium laws had interrupted the running of the prescriptive period, and that deducting the time during which said laws were in operation — three years and eight months 1 — the ten-year term had not yet elapsed when complainant sued for collection in May 1954. Wherefore said court ordered the return of the case to the municipal judge for trial on the merits. Defendant appealed. Issue: Whether or not the moratorium laws did not have the effect of suspending the period of limitations, because they were unconstitutional, as declared by this court in Rutter vs. Esteban, 49 Off. Held: In Montilla vs. Pacific Commercial SC held that the moratorium laws suspended the period of prescription. That was rendered after the Rutter-Esteban decision. It should be stated however, in fairness to Appellant, that the Montilla decision came down after he had submitted his brief. And in answer to his main contention, the following portion is quoted from a resolution of this Court. Rutter vs. Esteban (93 Phil., 68) may be construed to mean that at the time of the decision the Moratorium law could no longer be validly applied because of the prevailing circumstances. At any rate, although the general rule is that an unconstitutional statute  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬Ëœconfers no right, creates no office, affords no protection and justifies no acts performed under it.’ (11 Am. Jur., pp. 828, 829.) There are several instances wherein courts, out of equity, have relaxed its operation (cf. notes in Cooley’s Constitutional Limitations 8th ed., p. 383 and Notes 53 A. L. R., 273) or qu alified its effects ‘since the actual existence of a statute prior to such declaration is an operative fact, and may have consequences which cannot justly be ignored’ (Chicot County vs. Baster, 308 U. S., 371) and a realistic approach is eroding the general doctrine (Warring vs. Colpoys, 136 Am. Law Rep., 1025, 1030).† Judgment affirmed, without costs.

Punjabi Woman: a Momentum Journey from Dark to Dawn Essay

Punjab is the home of Mata Kaushalia and Mata Sita, the self effacing wives and mothers who would not thwart a commitment made by their husbands to a rival, even when that would make their own life an unmitigated agony. The role of Punjabi women as commandos in the battle-fields is no less glorious. Sada Kaur and Rani Sahib Kaur is remembered as one of the greatest generals of her time even in the Afghan records those have successfully defended their kingdom against the attacks of the Marathas, Afghans and European adventurers and chased them away from the battlefield. This shows the women of Punjab had an equal share in the re-building of India. Through Kuka, Nirankari, Arya Samaj, Dev Samaj, Congress and Akali movements, the women of Punjab has played an equally commendable role in the freedom struggle against the Britishers. This article is an effort to put a light on the hardships of the Punjabi women that how they have stood shoulder to shoulder with their men in war and in peace and how they have crossed their journey from dark to dawn. They gave up the pleasures of a princely home to fight for the independence of India., acquired the prominent places in the Indian administration, some became the first Health Minister of India and some of them became commanders of the Rani Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army, and gave her life while fighting for India’s independence in Assam. Now they have grown from their hard times and today the enlighten women paved the way for them to adopt new professions especially in the field of law, medicine and teaching and existed as a New Woman with New Spirit __________ â€Å"Punjabi Woman: A Momentum Journey from Dark to Dawn† Miss. Ritu Assistant professor in Laws , KCL Institutes of Laws, Jalandhar. â€Å"Women have great talent, but no genius for they always remain subjective,† said Schopenhauer in â€Å"World as Will and Idea†. Greek philosophers thought a â€Å"woman is an unfinished man left standing at a lower step in the scale of development. The male is by nature superior and female inferior. The one is the ruler and the other ruled. Woman is weak of will and, therefore incapable of independence of character and position.† Such prejudices prevail even today. On the threshold of a new millennium the status of woman is still to be elevated to that of man. The position and status of women varied from time to time in the different societies. The early Vedic times of the ancient period were free from many of the social evils that harmed the Indian society in the later eras. At that time women were assigned high status in the society. But during the post-vedic period, women lost that status which she once enjoyed in society. She became a subject of protection and treated as a second class citizen. In the great Indian mythology of Mahabharat the heroes of the legend, the Pandavas, lost their wife Draupadi in a card game! She was offered after their other valuables, like gold and land, had been lost in the gambling game. Against this backdrop it is significant that Sikhism, one of the world’s youngest religions, accorded women complete equality with men in all spheres of life. Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539), founder of the Sikh religion made Sikhism conform to enlightened, simple, practical, progressive and humane ideals right from its inception. Guru Nanak Dev Ji understood and appreciated the unifying role of women in society and worked for their emancipation. Sikh scriptures categorically state that man and woman together make society a composite and well balanced whole and should not be viewed as a threat to one another. Women as multifaceted personalities had a significant role to play in society. â€Å"Then why call her evil from whom are great men born, And without woman none could exist The eternal Lord is the only one, O Nanak Who depends not on woman?† (Guru Granth Sahib, P. 473) Such thinking was revolutionary and far ahead of the times. Bibi Nanaki, the elder sister of Guru Nanak, was a perfect example. The Guru was especially close to her and regarded her as his inspiration and mentor. Nanaki had implicit faith in her brother’s ideology and encouraged him in his life’s mission and became the first person to be initiated into Sikhism by Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak’s ideals were given a practical shape and consolidated by Guru Amar Das (1479 – 1574), the third Sikh Guru. He was a great champion of women’s rights who based his concepts on complete gender equality and specified norms for ameliorating the status of women in medieval India. Guru Amar Das stopped contemptuous references to women as mere child-bearing machines. â€Å"Blessed is the woman who creates life†, he wrote in the Granth Sahib. During his pontifications, he made sure women were provided opportunities to lead more meaningful lives which enabled them to actively participate in social and religious affairs. For the propagation of the faith’s ideology, he created twenty two administrative units called manjis or parishes. Of these four were headed by women – which were unheard of in those times. In status these four women were equal to modern Bishops because each enjoyed full economic and decision-making powers within her parish or manji. During the medieval age, condition of women was again degrading. Muslim attacks made people to protect their ladies and compelled them to shut the weaker sex behind the four walls of the houses. Purdah system, polygamy, child marriage and other evils started creeping into the society which affected the condition of women. But still during that time many socio-religious movements like Sufism and Bhakti movement tried to emancipate women. The Sikh Gurus and their great ladies became social reformers, acknowledged the importance of woman and voiced their opinion against the prejudices of society like child marriage, sati system, purdah, enforced widowhood and others. With the creation of Khalsa on the Baisakhi day of 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh ji, Sikhism underwent a major transformation. The Khalsa was created to instill a fresh spirit of courage and confidence among the Guru’s followers. Here again women were an integral part of the celebrations. At the time of taking Amrit a man was given the name â€Å"Singh† (lion) and women added â€Å"Kaur† (princess) to their names. The suffix â€Å"Kaur† is of immense significance as a woman was recognised as an individual who need not take her husband’s name after marriage. She could use the word â€Å"Kaur† after her name from birth to death. The word ‘Kaur† is derived from the word â€Å"kanwar† – the son of a king. This empowers Sikh women, Apart from equality in socio-religious affairs, could participate in political matters as well, including leading an army into battle. This gave women in Sikhism a sense of enormous self-confidence. Guru Gobind Singh’s widow Mata Sundari played a key role in Sikh history for forty momentous years. She issued Hukamnamas (decrees) to the Khalsa giving directions at a critical juncture and successfully guided the destiny of the Sikh against both the Afghan invaders and various claimants to the â€Å"Guruship†. Rani Sada Kaur, the brave mother-in-law of Maharaja Ranjit Singh is aptly described as a first woman commander-in-chief. She became a young widow when her husband was killed in battle. She used this crisis to transform herself into a woman-warrior, donning a high turban and battlefield garb with full weaponry. She commanded numerous battles and eventually laid the foundation for the Sikh empire. Rani Jinda, married to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the mother of Dalip Singh, the ruler of Lahore kingdom, was the brain behind the rising of 1848-49 against the British authorities. She was known for her intelligence and intrepid spirit, Jindan was one of the few persons who was intensely disliked and also feared by the British. She was the first female freedom fighter in the struggle to oust the British from India. After the annexation of Punjab by the Britishers in 1849, various changes occurred in the modern era of the Punjab. It was the period where on the one hand a tuff struggle for freedom was on the peak and on the other a concerted effort was also made to form a new woman. The Board of Administration was formed by the Britishers and they started working for their vested interests which in return had some positive impact on the society of Punjab. Some socio-religious reform movements like Singh Sabha, Namdhari, Arya Samaj, Kukas and others began to develop in Punjab during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century and played a significant role in the history of Punjab. They raised voice for women emancipation. They all fought against social evils like sati system, female infanticide, child marriage, purdah system, widowhood, polygamy, prejudices against female education and many more. These social reformers opened various schools, colleges, gurukuls for girls in the different parts of Punjab. Most of the writings of the missionaries, colonial administrators or social reformers were the narrative of women’s slow but progressive march towards modernity following a period of stagnation. These accounts gave importance to women’s biological differences; specification of their nature, the role played by them and categorized them into single strata irrespective of their class, caste and hierarchies of their age. A concerted effort was made by the vernacular press especially magazines, journals and newspapers through their editorials, articles, essays and others to motivate and encourage women who were having a segregated existence in the society. Female education was given importance and stress was laid on the domestic household work for girls in the early decades of 1900s. A new woman-educated, free from the shackle of purdah, accomplished in domestic skills, devoted to the husband and family, an intelligent companion, an ideal mother, producer and nurturer of a strong masculine race and custodian of tradition, was portrayed. Rich and higher classes wanted to educate their girls as the education became eligibility for their marriages, on the other hand, the poor and middle class people needed bread winners for their family. The journey from education to occupation by the girls in Punjab was crossed. The educational experiments of the government and reformers produced a â€Å"new woman† with interests that were beyond the household. The main objectives of their associations was to make society evil free and gave special attention to the female upliftment. The Chief Khalsa Diwan of Amritsar was established in 1902 to promote the spiritual, intellectual, moral, social, educational and economic welfare of the people and the girls of orphanage were sent to different schools in Punjab for getting education. The Central Vidwa Ashram for the welfare of widows was also established where they were imparted technical and vocational education. The Sikh Educational Conferences were also conducted annually by the Diwan from 1908. From 1908 to 1947, thirty three sessions of the conference were held and all the issues dealing with female education were regularly discussed. The royal women of the different princely states like Nabha, Patiala, Jind and others were the patrons of the conference. These conferences made women of Punjab to come forward and they began to communicate with their counterparts outside their families and local communities. These later became a platform for the women to participate in public life and the freedom struggle for India. The entry of Mahatma Gandhi and the Jallianawala Bagh tragedy of 1919 made women of Punjab to directly participate in the non-cooperation Movement of 1920-22. They held the meetings, led the processions, boycotted foreign goods, adopted the slogan of swadeshi and indulged in the picketing of foreign cloth shops and liquor shops. Sarla Devi Chaudhrani, Parvati Devi of Kamalia, Puran Devi, Gauran Devi, Mrs. Duni Chand, Kumari Lajjavati, Lado RaniZutzhi were the few names who participated in the movement of 1920-22. The participation of 1920-22 was a sort of training programme for the future Satyagraha programmes of 1930-34 and 1940-42.Women’s participation in Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930-32 differed quantitatively and qualitatively from their involvement in the early 1920s and won them a place in history. As the Dandi March was initiated by Gandhi in 1930, women of Punjab inaugurated the movement by taking out processions, prabhat pheris and holding meetings. Regular processions were led by women like in Lahore the life and soul of the movement was Lado Rani Zutshi, Parvati Devi,Kartar Kaur, Atma Devi and many others. As the women were participating in all these activities of the campaign, the government also started arresting these women participants. In the year 1932,that is, in the mid of the movement, the number of women convictions in Punjab was gradually increasing and on average ten women were convicted every month. Thus, it was the women’s organizations and networks , developed between 1925 and 1930, that laid the ground work for their positive reaction to Gandhi’s call. The public participation of the women gained momentum. The All India Women’s Conference which was first organized in 1927 at Poona. The women of Punjab also participated in the twenty sessions of the conference from 1927-47. The participation was so important that one of the sessions of the conference was held at Lahore in 1931and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur belonging to the royal family of Kapurthala was a very active participant from Punjab in the conference. She was one of Gandhi’s closest lieutenants and took a leading part in protest marches which were subjected to ruthless lathi charges in Quit India Movement of 1942. The conference was also presided once by a Muslim lady of Punjab – Lady Abdul Qadir of Lahore in 1933. Sarla Devi Chaudharani also represented Punjab and initiated various resolutions during the period of freedom movement in India. The women from Punjab also participated in some of the sessions of Indian National Congress and went to the different ve nues of the sessions. Women of other provinces also came to Punjab to enlighten their fellow sisters like Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Muthu lakshmi Reddi and others. The active women were even appointed as parliamentary secretaries and were elected to the Punjab Legislative Council. Shrimati Lekhawati Jain (the first elected lady member of the Punjab Legislative Council), Mrs. Jahahara Shah Nawaz, Mrs. Duni Chand,Shrimati Raghbir Kaur were the few other elected members. The most important consequence of this public participation was that it cleared the way for the women of Punjab to show presence in the nationalist movement of India. Before the last phase of the struggle 1940-47, many of the women in Punjab were members and some were even leaders of the student associations (Lado Rani Zutshi in Lahore), and other political movements. Today, the 21st century continued to witness Punjabi women in the forefront in different spheres, especially in India’s independence movement. Some other outstanding women freedom fighters of Punjab were Gulab Kaur, Kishan Kaur, Amar Kaur, Harnam Kaur, Dilip Kaur and Kartar Kaur. Contemporary Punjabi women are making a mark all over the world as academicians, administrators, entrepreneurs, politicians, doctors, poets and painters. An important aspect of the rights conferred on women in the Sikh faith was that they did not have to fight for their rightful place in Sikh society: they were given their due voluntarily because of the enlightened ideals of the Gurus. In this way, the Punjabi women have proved that they are made of sterner stuff. They toiled, they fought, and they sacrificed. They believed in what they did. Indian history has recorded the astonishing vitality and matchless deeds of the daring daughters of India especially the Punjab, who continue to serve the country in fields almost unknown in the past. REFERENCES: * Geraldine Forbes, Women in Colonial India: Essays on Politics, Medicine and Historiography, New Delhi, Chronicle Books, 2005, * Aparna Basu, â€Å"The Role of Women in the Indian Struggle for Freedom in B.R. Nanda (ed), Indian Women : From Purdah to Modernity * Manju Verma, The Role of Women in the Freedom Movement in Punjab. * The Working Women and Popular Movements in Bengal, Calcutta, K.P. Bagehi and Co.: P.Custers, 1987. * â€Å"Traditional Symbols and New Roles, The Women’s Movement in India†, in M.S.A. Rao (ed.), SocialMovements in India, Vol.II, Delhi, Manohar, and 1982, â€Å"From Purdah to Politics; the Social Feminism of the All India Women’s Organizations†, in Hanna Papanek and Gail Minault, 1982, Separate Worlds, Delhi, Chanakya Publications. * Chanana, K., â€Å"Social Change or Social Reform: The Education of Women in Pre-Independence India†, in Chanana (ed.). * Jaspreet Singh, â€Å"Style of the Lion: The Sikhs† and â€Å"A Glimpse of the Sikh†.

The Type and Methods of English Taught in Schools of The Republic of Assignment

The Type and Methods of English Taught in Schools of The Republic of Yemen - Assignment Example None of them may know what is ‘past perfect tense’ or an ‘infinitive.’ Well, to acquire command over the language, they need not know grammar! Read a lot, listen to the conversation attentively, most of one’s language skills can be acquired through this process. This rule applies to the question of acquiring skills in the English language as for the Yemeni students as well. Let me, however, hasten to add that I do not mean to say that the study of grammar does not have any importance as for learning any language. But for a beginner, if the study of grammar is overemphasized, the learner is likely to lose interest in the subject English commands immense influence in the world, in all spheres. It is the language of international communication. David Crystal Writes, â€Å"In several countries, the role of English has become politically contentious, and arguments have raged about its current and future status. Have matters developed to the point where the rise of English as a world language is unstoppable?†(Preface, p.xii) The answer will have to be found in each country depending on its special situation. In the context of globalization, the needs of the English language to the Yemeni students have grown in many areas. Most of the literature in science and technology is available in English. It is the language used in medical science and international print and electronic media. Practically viewed, learning English is not an option; it is the necessity for an individual’s and national progress. A Yemeni student going abroad for advanced studies must have a reasonable knowledge of English. Though English is extensively used in the commercial world in Yemen, at the school and college level a methodology and system doesn’t exist to teach it effectively. English, though doesn’t enjoy the official status in Yemen, due to practical demand of the language in international business transactions, it has assumed an important position. The language is taught in schools and universities

How will automation affect operations management practices over the Research Paper

How will automation affect operations management practices over the next decade - Research Paper Example Automation is classified into three categories depending on the purpose; firstly, automation that performs duties beyond human capability or human operators cannot accomplish task within desired duration. The second is automation of duties that human operators perform poorly, and finally, automation of risky or undesirable activities (Singh, Tiwari & Singh, 2009, p.9). Essentially, automation has reduced the number of human resource in operation; similarly, it has reduced human interaction. Further, the cost of automation is very high and requires specialized workers to handle and maintain these systems. Besides, the benefits of automation, there are process that cannot be easily automated. Automation will fuel development of more customized products and shorten production duration. Furthermore, through automation, higher quality goods will be produced as a result of improved product and process design. Some processes will became fully automated, thus requiring minimal human supervis ory control. Similarly, automation will have profound effects on management of human resource and other operations. Essentially, automation will affect the organizational structure by shrinking management levels. This paper will explore how automation will affect designing of products and services and operational processes used to create goods and services over the next decade. Similarly, the paper also outlines the possible effects of automation on other operations management practices such as controlling, planning, and management. How Automation will affect design of products, Services, and operation processes Design in operation management encompasses design of products, services and the operation process. Design automation that is actively evolving... The growth rate of automation is increasing at a high rate due to international competition and availability of skilled labor and capital. Besides, automation is significant because it can lead to higher quality products and higher productivity. Automation is geared to solving a specific problem, thus the problem determines the level of automation. Furthermore, automation helps to performs duties beyond human capability or human operators cannot accomplish within desired duration, or even those duties that human operators perform poorly or/and risky and undesirable activities. Automation will affect product design and process design in future. Design automation, which is actively evolving, will result in development of technology that will automate the design of products from concept design, through design layout and detail design. Primarily, design automation will cut the process duration and increase productivity. Generally, design automation impacts development process in that it speeds design process by 30 percent. Additionally, automation will result in greater levels of customization of products and facilitate faster product designing. Furthermore, customers will access products of higher quality due to improved product designs and processes. Similarly, the operation processes will evolve to be more specialized and subjected to more formal operating controls. In addition, automation will help managers to improve the planning process by aiding in decision-making. Through easy to use and accurate decision support tools, better planning mechanisms will be utilized, hence promote productivity of organizations. Such tools will eliminate human biases and hasten the decision making process.

How Does XML Improve and Enhance the E-business Framework Dissertation

How Does XML Improve and Enhance the E-business Framework - Dissertation Example With business booming across the nations coupled with the gaining prominence of the web technology, it was only natural that two most promising things of the future, business and Web could be combined-resulting in massive restructuring of enterprises and explosive growth of business ventures. Web technology today boasts of much new functionality each having their specialties, but the biggest breakthrough achieved by World Wide Web consortium was the introduction of XML has changed the dynamics of the business enterprises. Today with complex problems present at each application arena rise of integration based business was not a surprise. XML became so popular in areas like customer services, relationship marketing and electronic news items. Its only because of XML and its integration with business that made global trading possible among the companies. Other than this the concept of aggregators and rss feed brought out new feature of accesing information at faster and easier pace. This dissertation describes how XML enabled business process interacted intelligently and with the help of advanced techniques of Supply Chain Management and Just In time (JIT) Inventory, electronic business performance improved. The idea of combining information, people and technology, by integrating business process electronically using XML, that was the main topic of the dissertation has proven to be a masterful stroke for all the areas attached to it and thus initiating the mankind to explore and innovate himself to move great strides forward.

Impact of Financial Aid on Educational Environment Dissertation

Impact of Financial Aid on Educational Environment - Dissertation Example Also, the importance of education, particularly, that of college education has been discussed shortly at the beginning of this paper. Furthermore, how racial differences can hinder the process of acquiring financial aid by African American students has also been discussed. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Literature Review 5 Introduction Many students ask this question when they are about to graduate from high school that why it is so important for students to acquire higher education. It certainly is since it provides a number of opportunities to people who wish to raise their standards of living and excel in their respective field of education. Higher education is an outlet to various opportunities and therefore its importance cannot be denied (Wilkinson, 2005). Going to college expands the horizon for students as they advance from lower educational level to higher educational level and experience a more broadened aspect of everything they have been s eeing all their lives up till now. College lets a student learn more than just from books. It allows students learn from the excellent experienced professionals creating a remarkable experience in learning and acquiring the right set of attributes to excel. If we think beyond the job aspects of acquiring higher education it is quite important for our own development as well. It lets us be a better person in our society and helps us educate people around us (Wilkinson, 2005). Though acquiring higher education can be difficult, it is not impossible. Many financial aids program help in this regard. What we need to understand is that are these financial aid programs, in any way, affecting the student’s educational environment. There could be varying answers to that. This paper gives a detailed review of how these financial aid programs can affect student academics. How financial aids vary from one another according to the needs of the students and are it true that financial aid p rograms depict a bitter reality of our society, portraying the ugly picture of racism. These questions lead to a deeper analysis of whether choosing to have something better in life would free a student from discrimination and differences that are built on part of these institutions. How students can have several problems related to choosing for the right program and applying to it. Many students are found to have face problems in following the instructions. This could be a major hindrance in achieving their goals. This paper also explains how academic performance of a student can greatly affect his receiving of financial aid from his own institution or federal ones. Altogether, these are various circumstances and conditions, which directly and indirectly affect the process of acquiring financial aid for a college student. Some of these factors conceive further hidden factors that are considered taboo, people do not want to talk about it, people want to hide it, but the reality rema ins in its place. This paper also includes the types and categories, which are designed for individual students to accommodate their requirements. Literature Review Economy regulates one’s life. How it is supposed to be lived, economy decides as it steers people into a direction where they can survive. Henry David Thoreau (1996) explains in his book how economy has changed the way men used to live, â€Å"But lo! Men have become the tools of their tools. The man who independently plucked

Snakebites Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Snakebites - Research Paper Example The use of these anti-venoms has become an effective cure for the infected body and these anti-venoms enable the victims to get back to life within 4-5 hours of the attack by minimizing effect of the poison. This method has proved to be quite successful in minimizing the death of people who suffer from this fatality (Shorter, 1999). In fact, the number of deaths occurring from snakebites has now become almost rare. These anti-venoms go through many processes, such as purification process to ensure their effectiveness. Even then, they may contain certain serums and proteins, which tend to have a reverse reaction on a person that is the reason of extreme supervision required during this method. There are several kinds of snakes’ anti-venoms present globally. Some of them are the â€Å"Tiger snake, Brown snake, Taipan, Black snake, Death adder, Sea snakes, etc† (Shorter, 1999). The proper supervision of these anti-venoms helps keep a check on the patient and prevent the po ison from completely spreading in the body. If the attacking snake is properly identifiable, it makes it easier for the experts to treat the poison accordingly, and it also make it easier for the patient to recover depending on intensity of the bite.

Compensation and Benefit Systems n Dominos Pizza in the US Essay

Compensation and Benefit Systems n Dominos Pizza in the US - Essay Example The company chosen for this paper is Domino’s Pizza as this is one of the world biggest companies of pizza production and delivery. The company was founded in the USA in 1960 by Tom Monaghan. Since that time Domino’s Pizza Company became one of the leading fast food delivery companies in the world: â€Å"We have been delivering quality, affordable pizza to our customers since 1960 when brothers Thomas and James Monaghan borrowed $900 and purchased a small pizza store in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Since that time, our store count and geographic reach have grown substantially†. Domino’s Pizza combines some methods of international expansion and development, but there are some most effective ones which provide the best penetration to the international markets. Compensation and benefit systems of Domino’s Pizza in the United States are tightly connected with its methods of international expansion. The most important parts of the system are licensing and franc hising: â€Å"We have developed a large, global, diversified and committed franchise network that is a critical component of our system-wide success and our leading position in pizza delivery. As of March 21, 2004, our franchise store network consisted of 6,878 stores, 63% of which were located in the contiguous United States†. This system has doubtless advantages namely for such global international company as Domino’s Pizza. The franchise system allows minimizing such negative barriers of international expansion as a language barrier, local governmental measures and the registration of a trademark.trademark. The system also provides the adaptation of Domino’s Pizza rights and regulations to the cultural differentiations of various countries. Domino’s Pizza quick service restaurants in different countries are not a wholly subsidiary of Domino Pizza Company (like McDonald’s in the UK). They are based on Franchising Agreement with Domino’s Pi zza International, Inc. A franchisee must have appropriate local market, business strategies and experience knowledge. Through well developed franchising system Domino’s Pizza Company gains constant royalty payments which allow the company to develop and expand to international markets. The growth and benefit of Domino’s Pizza is mainly provided by its franchising system development and royalty payments from numerous stores throughout the world. This system provides competitive compensation and appropriate benefit for the company: â€Å"All the other HR processes and systems, like competitive compensation, appropriate benefits and providing a learning environment, add to that† (Whitney K., 2005). The company has chosen the most appropriate method of international expansion. Domino’s Pizza makes franchising agreements with appropriate firms working in relevant market segments and having local market features knowledge. This mode of international expansion protects Domino’s Pizza from superfluous financial costs connected with wholly owned subsidiaries. To increase franchisee compensation and benefit and support the brand image of Domino’s Pizza, the company provides different kinds of franchisee supporting programs. The training course gives appropriate knowledge of Domino’s Pizza functioning, its rules and policy, as well as other relevant elements of Domino’s Pizza business. One of the most important moments in Domino’s Pizza international expansion is franchisees attraction as franchising and licensing system is the key-point mode of Domino’s Pizza international market entry and development. For attracting new franchisees

Evolution in Health and Disease Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Evolution in Health and Disease - Essay Example However, another form of evolution exists with relation to disease and patient health. In fact, an entire field of study is termed as â€Å"evolutionary medicine†. As such, this particular field is interested in determining the ways in which health and disease closely mirror evolutionary biology. As a function of understanding this fact, medical health professionals and researchers of ever variety are able to formulate treatments and care plans that will more effectively speak to the needs of the patient within the framework of understanding disease from the evolutionary standpoint. As a function of seeking to understanding this particular field of study in a more full and complete manner, this analysis will define, categorize, and explore some of the key realms within which evolutionary medicine has and continues to make valuable contributions to the medical community and treatment of disease. In such a way, the study of evolutionary biology as related to the human body and t he field of medicine and health is ultimately the study of change and how it is exhibited on the body as well as the pathogen, organ, or feature of the body that is targeted for treatment. When one considers evolutionary biology, one of the first items that comes to mind is of course the way that living organisms have the innate ability to shift, change, and adapt in order to survive and thrive within their environment (Trotter et al 2011, pg. 41). Ideally, this is a good thing; however, with the case of a variety of pathogens, the ability to morph, change, and alter the way in which they react to certain substances and environments means that pathogens that had been able to be treated using a variety of different means can eventually become somewhat immune to such efforts and require the medical community to actively engage and seek out new ways in which to stop the spread of disease; oftentimes utilizing entirely different means than the pathogen itself has become immune to. One o f the ways that pathogens can exhibit a type of evolutionary biology with reference to a type of â€Å"learned† immunity is with respect to the way that certain pathogens survive the administration of a given antibiotic (Valles 2012, p. 256). As with the model of the natural selection and survival of the fittest, this means that those pathogens that survive the administration of the antibiotic are generally less affected by its subsequent administration than the original culture of pathogens which were first exposed. This is very much the same principle whereby humans themselves develop a type of immunity to certain diseases based upon the fact that their body’s immune system has â€Å"seen† the pathogens at an earlier date and becomes, at least in some way, resistant to them. Figure 1.0 below shows the ways in which bacteria becomes resistant to antibiotics over time. Figure 1.0 Although a natural process and merely part of evolution itself, this particular asp ect of evolutionary medicine is both worrisome and troublesome for pharmacologists, researchers, and medical healthcare professionals alike as they seek to develop and utilize new strains of drugs to treat increasingly resistant pathogens. However, the fact of the matter is that not only do some pathogens become immune themselves to the drugs that doctors might administer to help the body fight them off, the most dangerous pathogens have â€Å"

Lab work for an 8 week semester Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Work for an 8 week semester - Lab Report Example This is inertia because the sudden change of speed alters the state of the water inside the glass, which was in motion. d) After walking in a straight line with a constant speed then making an abrupt stop, the water experience turbulence. This turbulence is caused by inertia Questions 1) The observations of the behavior of water inside the container (turbulence) conform to Newton’s law of inertia. While moving with the container, water inside the glass also moves at the same speed. When an abrupt stop or left or right hand turn is made, the speed of the water inside the container is suddenly changed and water resists this change of motion (Nardo, Don, and Ashlee 16). 2) While the container is accelerated towards the left, water moves in the same direction of acceleration and resists the forces that compel it to stop. 3) Another similar example to this experiment is when one is driving a car. The body of the driver will be moving at a speed that is equal to the speed of the car . When the driver makes a sudden stop, his body will continue moving at the speed and he will resist the sudden change of speed. Therefore, the driver’s body will experience inertia, which is the reluctance to sudden change of motion or speed The washers with the larger mass and weight pull the washers on the other side of the pulley. The lighter washers move up the pulley while the heavier washers move down the pulley. Trial M1 M2 Change of M2 Time (s) Acceleration 1 1.4 3.0 1.6 0.51 12.1 2 1.4 3.2 1.8 0.56 11.5 3 1.6 3.5 1.9 0.66 8.6 4 1.5 3.6 2.1 0.68 9.1 5 1.6 3.8 2.2 0.66 10.2 Trial M1 M2 Change of M2 Time (s) Acceleration 1 0.9 3.0 2.1 0.68 9.1 2 1.9 3.5 1.6 0.58 9.6 3 1.2 3.8 2.6 0.81 8.0 4 0.9 3.9 3.0 0.77 10.2 5 0.7 3.2 2.5 0.71 10.0 Newton’s third Law of motion In this experiment, the balloon is tied to a straw in which a string passes through. Both ends of the string are attached to two chairs that are separated ten meters away from each other. The balloon i s inflated with air and placed next to one end of a chair. Observation: On releasing the balloon, it moves instantaneously in the opposite direction while it pools the straw towards the other end of the chair. This observation can be used to explain Newton’s third law of motion that states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. 1. Explanation of observation: The air that was filled inside the balloon was under pressure. When the balloon is released, the air shoots out of the balloon in an opposite direction. The force exerted by the air that moves out of the balloon has another equal and opposite force (the balloon) that causes the balloon to move in the opposite d

Relational Skills Reflection Paper Essay Example for Free

Relational Skills Reflection Paper Essay The purpose of this paper is to allow me, the learner to analyze and reflect on a video created between an actor and themselves. Using my knowledge obtained I was to effectively incorporate trust, respect, honesty and effective communication, as they are key principles in establishing a relationship with a client (RNAO, 2002). During this experience, I encountered an issue that I believe is significant in my development as a nurse. I was placed into a scenario involving a 47 year old patient named John, who was waiting to be discharged after suffering his first heart attack. Finding the patients quietly sitting in a chair watching the floor as I entered the room, I felt the need to be in the moment with him. The issue that seemed significant to pay attention to in this scenario was my patients feelings of being overwhelmed by his medical condition and the changes that needed to be made (Appendix A). Sitting within good distance and showing respectable body language showed him respect, while acknowledging he had my full attention was displayed to the patient by making comments such as yes and I understand (Appendix A). Through the use of open-ended questions, I was able to identify what was meaningful and concerning to john. John showed a lot of concern around his ability to care for himself so this doesnt happen again, and being able to support his family (Appendix A). Knowing his concerns, I was then able to acquire the necessary knowledge needed to participate effectively in our nurse-client relationship (RNAO). This experience has allowed me to develop further in my role as a nurse. My patients comment on how our encounter gave him more encouragement to face his challenges was proof that my communication methods were effective in developing a therapeutic relationship (Appendix A). The opportunity to set aside my own concerns and focusing on the patients, allowed me to be in the moment with the patients. In those moments, the experience helped me become a better nurse as my actions made me feel more confident after each successful encounter. Watching his facial expressions and drawing in his positive responses allowed me to watch him develop confidence in my ability to care and in turn, allowed me to develop confidence in myself (Appendix A). The significant actors in this experience were the individual playing the part of John and myself, the nurse attending to the patients needs. My role in the scenario was to identify the concerns of the patient and help them to obtain knowledge. Providing  resources for my patient gave him options that were specific to his concerns such as a well balanced diet and proper exercise. The options of meeting with a nutritionist to help make healthy meal choices, and with a physiotherapist to help develop custom exercises to take with him on the road encouraged John to change his routines (Appendix A). Taking note of my patients feelings of being overwhelmed by his heart attack, I was able to give him some comfort when offering to find an individual recovering from a heart attack that would be willing to sit down and share their life stories and methods of coping (Appendix A). The patients role in this experience was to help create a therapeutic relationship. I first observed my patient with her arms and legs crossed and staring down at the floor with concerned look on his face (Appendix A). Comparing the first image to the end of the scenario showed an individual that was interested in making a change, a smile on his face and as he stated, an encouraged perception of his health (Appendix A). The client was in need of direction and help with making the appropriate changes to ensure a healthy lifestyle after having his heart attack. I was able to provide her with resources such as a nutritionist, physiotherapist and social support to adjust to life changes (Appendix A). While meeting the needs of my patient, I was successful in completing my own personal needs. Coming into the experience with knowledge of possible resources available, the anxiety present upon introduction had disappeared after gaining acceptance from my patient through effective communication. The development of a therapeutic relationship allowed both the patient and I to gain from the experience. The patient left feeling encouraged and satisfied, as I felt successful and confident in how I handled the situation (appendix A). Before the taping of the scenario began, I was trying to achieve the perfect scenario while presenting a professional image of a nurse. I acted the way I did due to the lack of experience in the spotlight and I allowed my nerves affect my thought process. This is demonstrated throughout the entire video as I kept returning to the same question are there any concerns you have, and trying to solve the patients problem instead of helping them understand and cope with the emotions that are attached to the experience (Appendix A). My feelings, thoughts and responses during this experience were influenced  by my personal view and the presence of my preceptor placed me in a nervous state to which I became unsure of how to respond properly to my patients thoughts. This experience allowed me to feel capable of my skill levels and feel confident as a nurse. Overall this scenario showed perception of my growth through the friendly gestures and facial expressions of the patient. Anxiety and stress diminish communication, interpersonal effectiveness and empathy within a nurse-patient relationship (Beddoe and Murphy, 2004). Lack the knowledge and understanding of why I am feeling this anxiety, even with positive reflections on my experience, allowed me to evaluate what I did wrong. Future encounters will help me to reflect on the scenario and blindside my anxiety before it has an effect on my actions. Having a limited amount of empirical knowledge made it challenging to let the patient know exactly what to expect after having a heart attack and what daily routines have to be adjusted. Obtaining empirical knowledge from my education regarding the components of a nurse-client relationship reminded me that I needed to place the power into my patient and develop respect and trust within the relationship (CNO, 2004). Personal knowledge was limited in this scenario as it was my first time being placed in the spotlight with a patient and I was unsure of how everything would unfold. Introducing my aesthetic knowledge was shown when I offered to find John an individual recovering from a heart attack that he could speak with (Appendix A). Throughout the experience, I became more aware of the patients feelings as I picked up on Johns overwhelmed feelings and concerns around providing for his wife and son (Appendix A). This perception of the experience is seen as John believe that he should have seen the heart attack coming before it occurred (Appendix A). He stated the he felt encouraged by this experience and felt he had more options to seek. The wife was more of a background actor, but was said to be a sweet woman, who has helped a lot throughout the experience (Appendix A). Valuing ones beliefs and concerns based on an experience is something all nurses should consider. Giving John multiple options and resources to consider instead of telling him what he has to do, have given him the power to make all the necessary changes within his life with the help of his wife and son (Appendix A). If I was given the opportunity to be placed in a similar situation in the  future, I believe that my anxiety would still be present, but more control over the situation would be noticeable due to the knowledge I have developed on therapeutic relationships. The relationship skills that I could have performed differently during this experience, was my self-awareness of human emotions. My nerves had played a role in distracting my train of thought when trying to be in the moment with the patient. Repeatedly asking the patient if he had any other concerns he would like to address may have given him the feeling of being rushed and that I was not interested in how he was feeling emotionally (Appendix A). On a few occasions, I would finish my patients sentence for him as I felt he was stuck for words, this may have allowed the patient to know I was listening to what he was saying, but also might have given him the idea that I was being rude (Appendix A). During the introduction stage of the experience, my patient told me he was in the hospital due to a heart attack. Empathy is the appreciation of the patients emotions and expression of awareness of what they are presenting (Haslam, 2007). My nerves caused me to overlook his feelings and just right into asking him about any concerns he might have with his state of health (Appendix A). It is possible to slip into a task-and time-orientated way of thinking to get jobs done, thereby neglecting effective communication with patients (Cocker, 2008). Consequences that may have developed from overlooking the patients feelings was the challenge of developing a closer relationship with the client as I was interested in obtaining information to help me solve his problems. Rushing my patient through the experience may have caused him to close himself off from the relationship as he may have felt that I was not listening to what he was truly feeling. This would leave the patient in the same state he had entered the experience with. The sources of knowledge that I could use to enhance my relational skills in these areas, is to take the time to practice with a partner a variety of scenarios that would help me develop my communication skills and place more focus on the patients feelings. The outcome of this experience was positive as my patient left feeling more encouraged and had obtained multiple resources to help him incorporate any changes that he may need to adjust within his daily routines (Appendix A). Looking back at this experience I was able to reflect on all of the positive  and negative aspects of a therapeutic relationship. I feel that the next time I am placed in a similar experience, I will be able to blindside my anxiety and personal thoughts and feelings. In turn, I would have the ability to be in the moment with my patients and address not only how I can help solve his problems, but also the feelings and thoughts being experienced. I have learnt that having self awareness identifies what skills I possess and those I need to learn and develop on. Self awareness provides nurses with knowledge of their thoughts, feelings and what they do to become awareness of issues that may affect their ability to intervene effectively (Parsons White, 2008). There will always be room to learn and improve my skills, and with practice, I will get the chance to watch them become second nature to me. This experience has taught me to avoid all the barriers such as the presence of anxiety in new situations. With confidence in creating an effective therapeutic relationship, I can focus on being in the moment with the patient. I have learnt that my anxiety can affect my interactions with patients, and that it is more than trying to solve the patients problems, it is about showing you care and being there in the moment to listen. This experience has allowed me to realize how a nurses action can affect the development of a therapeutic relationship. My ethical knowledge allowed me to recognize my patients overwhelmed feelings due to his health condition and by following my values and beliefs, I knew that he was in need of someone to care and help guide him in the right direction. Using my aesthetic knowledge, I was able to think of possible resources for my patient, and the creative idea of finding a previous heart attack patient showed my patient that I was willing to take that extra s tep and comfort his feelings. The knowledge gained from this experience can be incorporated into future situations and will allow for proper adjustments and better relationships to be developed. Lacking empirical knowledge before entering the scenario was a barrier that challenged my patient care. Knowing more information on heart attacks would have allowed me to present the patient with more options and what he could expect in the future (RNAO, 2002). Acknowledging my personal knowledge gathered from previous experiences, I considered how I would like to be treated and that anxiety would be present. Knowing this helped me to reduce my fidgeting and respect my patient by actively listening and keeping eye contact (Appendix A). This experience  will influence my future practice as a nurse because I have learnt that nursing is more than working on fixing the patients physical needs, but is more of an ethical interaction where you can take the time to be there in the moment with them. Looking at each experience as a stepping stone toward my success as a nurse and with each successful hurdle crossed, I can confidently await the next. â€Æ'Reference Beddoe, A., and Murphy, S. (2004). Does Mindfulness Decrease Stress and Foster Empathy Among Nursing Students? Journal of Nursing Education, 43(7), 305-12. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing Allied Health Source database. (Document ID: 669281021). Carper, B.A. (1978) Fundamental Patterns of Knowing in Nursing. New York. Aspen Publishers, Inc. Cocker, J. (2008). Patient dignity. Nursing Standard, 22(25), 59-60. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing Allied Health Source database. (Document ID: 1440306621). College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), (2004, January). CNO Practice Standard: Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://cno.org/docs/prac/41033_Therapeutic.pdfHaslam, N. (2007). Humanising medical practice: the role of empathy. Medical Journal of Australia, 187(7), 381-2. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing Allied Health Source database. (Document ID: 1374608891). Parsons,A., and White, J. (2008). Learning from reflection on intramuscular injections. Nursing Standard, 22(17), 35-40. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from ProQuest Nursing Allied Health Source database. (Document ID: 1413949861). Registered Nurses of Ontario (RNAO), (2002, Novemeber). Best Practice Guidelines: Establishing Therapeutic Relationships. Retrieved January 15, 2008 from http://www.rnao.org/bestpractices/completed_guidelines/BPG_Guide_C2_TR.asp

An Inquiry Into Pigou And Welfare Economics Economics Essay

An Inquiry Into Pigou And Welfare Economics Economics Essay Arthur Cecil Pigou (1877-1959) was among the last in the long line of classical economists associated with the Cambridge School. Pigou first entered Kings College, Cambridge on a Minor Scholarship in History and Modern Languages (1896). Observing his palpable brilliance, Alfred Marshall and Henry Sidgwick together encouraged him to pour his academic vigour into the study of political economy (Collard, 1981). Although significantly influenced by Henry Sidgwick, Pigou was foremost Marshalls disciple and is often considered the embodiment and extension of Marshall himself (Walker, 1989). Like Marshall, Pigou was attracted to the practical value of economics and believed the main purpose of learning economics was to be able to see through the bogus economic arguments of politicians (Champernowne, 1959: 264); he believed economics to be an instrument for social betterment not intellectual gymnastics. The numerous works by Pigou cover various fields of economic thought. Pigous marked interest in how government policy could increase national well-being? is apparent throughout his work and led him to invented much of modern public finance especially arguments and rationale for government intervention in the economy (Pressman, 1999). Furthermore, his notable contribution, Economics of Welfare (1932) occupies a unique position in the history of economic thought and has earned him recognition as the father of modern welfare economics (Groenewegen, 2003). A study into Pigous writings on the economics of welfare requires one to be selective due to the wide-ranging scope of topics that may be covered; this paper will therefore concentrate on the theoretical backbone of Pigous work and aim to analyse different critiques of his theory of welfare in Section I. Section II will consider the foundations of and influences on Pigous work and explore criticisms of a lack of originality in his writ ings. Finally, in Section III, we will investigate the Pigous position on government intervention and analyse his suggested policy prescriptions. SECTION I Welfare economics is concerned to investigate the dominant influence through which the economic welfare of the world, or of a particular country, is likely to be increased. The hope of those who pursue it is to suggest lines of action or non-action on the part of the State or of private persons that might foster such influences (Pigou 1951: 287) Welfare economics is a normative subject, distinct from positive economics. Whilst the theoretical elements of positive economics provide theorems that can be tested, normative economics and the propositions of welfare economics have altogether a very different content (Graff, 1957: 2). The difference between normative and positive theory becomes apparent when we attempt to determine whether welfare actually increases or not; analysis of a positive theory requires testing of its conclusions which are clearly observable, conversely to test a normative theory of welfare one must look to test its assumptions rather than conclusions since welfare is not an observable quantity. Thus the assumptions attached to a normative theory must be carefully and thoroughly scrutinised and the credibility of a theory of welfare depends on how realistic and relevant its assumptions are (Graff, 1957: 3). This section will, in turn analyse the major assumptions made by Pigou for the development of his co ncepts of economic welfare and national dividend which are key to his theory. Economic Welfare Pigou defined economic welfare subjectively as quantities of satisfaction or states of consciousnessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦[with] psychic returns of satisfaction, (Pigou 1926: 10). Recognising that subsequent investigation into the causes that could affect welfare would be impracticable, he limits the scope of the inquiry to that part of social welfare that can be brought directly or indirectly into relation with the measuring-rod of money (Pigou 1926: 11). To justify the restrictions on his scope of elements compiling the social welfare he postulates that since a persons income is an observable money value, it could be inferred that, under certain conditions, people could enjoy a level of material welfare that could be purchased by their income (Mishan, 1969). The connection between increased income and the other elements of welfare is much harder to define therefore Pigou explicitly recognises that since economic welfare is only a part of welfare as a wholeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦so that a given change in economic welfare will seldom synchronise with an equal welfare as a whole (Pigou, 1926: 12). Thus, although a change in economic welfare may not measure the change in total welfare, it may always affect the change therefore Pigou concludes that economic welfare and total welfare are positively related (Durlauf and Blume, 2008). UTILITY DEBATE? Doesnt he assume something stupid about utility interpersonal utility or something? National Dividend The conception of the National Dividend is not an academic toy, but a practical instrument of great power designed for service in the concrete solution of social problems (Pigou, 1912: 493) In order to predict the effects of policies on material welfare at the aggregate level, an aggregate measure was required. Pigou identified the national dividend as the appropriate aggregate measure suggesting that economic causes act on the economic welfare of any country, not directly, but through the making and using of the objective counterpart of economic welfare which the economists call the national dividend (Pigou, 1926: 31). The national dividend is described as the flow of goods and services annually produced after maintaining capital intact and is a key concept for Pigous analyses of how policies or institutions affect economic welfare (Scott, 1984: 59). Pigou outlines the two criteria for detecting improvements in social welfare which reflect the importance of this key concept to his theory of welfare; firstly increases in the value of national dividend, provided the share for the poor is not thereby reduced, will result in an increase in social welfare. Secondly, transfe rs from the rich to the poor without any reduction in the national dividend will also yield higher social welfare (Pigou, 1926). Several critics have voiced opposition to Pigous definition of national dividend specifically on the issue of maintaining capital intact.  [1]  He states that if the quantity of every unit of a countrys capital stock remains unchanged over a certain period, then even is the money value has increased/decreased, the total capital stock has been exactly maintained. He argues that changes in the money value of the stock due to general price changes or changes in the rates of interest are irrelevant to the national dividend (Scott, 1984: 60). Only a decline in the physical quantity of capital has to be made good (or replaced) with new capital of the same value (provided the valuation is made when the deterioration actually takes place) and depreciation due to interest rates or price changes are irrelevant (Pigou, 1926: 46). The national income in any period is therefore the sum of consumption and gross investment minus that portion of gross investment necessary to maintain capital int act (Scott, 1984; Pigou, 1926). Myint (1948) highlights the inadequacies of transposing this concept of maintaining capital intact (which is essentially a physical level of analysis) to derive the value of capital from expected value of income yielded (essentially a subjective level of analysis) by merely making good the physical wear and tear (Myint, 1948: 174). He finds fault with the fact that depreciation (due to obsolescence  [2]  ) must be allowed for even if capital goods are in perfect condition. This issue also sparked a heated debate between Hayek (1941) and Pigou (1941) in which Hicks (1942) also intervened. Hayek attacked Pigou on this point stating, what is meant by maintaining capital intact [according to Pigou] consists in effect of the suggestion that for this purpose we should disregard obsolescence [whether it is due to foreseeable or unforeseeable causes] and require merely that such losses of value of the existing stock of capital goods be made good as are due to physical wear and tear (Haye k, 1941: 276). Hayek finds Pigous procedure neither useful theoretically nor in actual practice (Hayek, 1941: 276). The root of the disagreement lies in their different conceptions of depreciation; while Pigou maintains that only a decline in the present value of capital due to factors which affect the expected quantity is relevant whilst Hayek argues the the real problem of maintaining capital intact arises not after such losses have been made, but when the entrepreneur plans his investment (Hayek, 1941: thus a decline in expected quantity will count as depreciation regardless of whether it is due to factors affecting expected quantity or prices (Hill, 1999: 2). While Hayeks biting criticism seemingly undermines Pigous conception of national dividend, Scott (1984) contends both arguments are in fact sound and it is the purpose for which the definition is of critical importance; whilst Pigou was concerned with net social income, Hayek was referring essentially to individual people o r firms. READ HICKS ADDITION TO THE DEBATE AND ADD IN WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN PURPOSES FOR THE CONCEPT. SECTION II When a man sets out upon any course of inquiry, the object of his search may be either light or fruit either knowledge for its own sake or knowledge for the sake of good things to which it leads, (Pigou, 1926: 3) Pigou is widely considered the father of modern welfare economics and the basic concepts of early welfare theory are attributed to his work, Economics of Welfare (1926). However, there are commentators who speculate that no matter how innovative Pigou may have been, many of his major theoretical contributions to welfare analysis lacked originality and were based on pre-Marshallian concepts; ODonnell (1979) implies Henry Sidgwick is a major influence who is not attributed sufficient credit. ODonnell (1979) argues that as a firm follower of Marshall, Pigou utilised his marginal analyses of market processes. However, they differed on their beliefs in the ability of competitive markets and economic freedom to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty; Marshall was confident that competitive markets, left alone, would lead to efficient allocation and that government intervention would create so many disincentives that it may cause more harm than good (Walker, 1989). Conversely Pigou argued that fairness is only to be achieved through extensive government intervention. Moreover, when Pigou (1926, 1928) sought to formalise the problems of market failure and the appropriate government solutions, he turned to Sigdwicks earlier propositions on government intervention. More than half a century before Pigou, Sidgwick and J. S. Mill initiated the transition from the non-interventionist approach of the classical tradition to the more interventionist orientation that characterised neoclassical welfare theory and influenced Pigous theory of welfare (Medema, 2007). Subsequently it is argued that in defining welfare and the general qualifications for a welfare criterion (wherein the similarities between basic welfare considerations of Pigou and Sidgwick are obvious), Pigou is not original (ODonnell, 1979). He was, however, genuinely innovative in introducing the terms Marginal Social Net Product (MSNP) and Marginal Private Net Product (MPNP); although Sidgwick (1897) expressed similar conclusions about divergences between private and social benefits marginal considerations were not part of his analysis and his generalised concept was not as concise as Pigous (ODonnell, 1979). Therefore, whilst Pigous contribution to welfare economics is undeniable, he is criticised for developing what is essentially a synthesis of ideas and analyses from Marshall and Sidgwick. Yet, if we again invoke the purpose for his inquiry and his beliefs about the practical use of economics, the fruits of his contribution yielded an expansive literature on not only welfare economics but also public finance and environmental economics for which he is undeniably responsible; the purpose isà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦that the fabric of theory shall be a yielding garment, fitting the varied and complex reality of economic life as closely as is demanded by the criterion that the conclusions to which the theory leads shall be both useful and general (Young, 1913: 686). SECTION III The working of self-interest is generally beneficent, not because of some natural coincidence between the self-interest of each and the good of all, but because human institutions are arranged so as to compel self-interest to work in directions in which it will be beneficent (Cannan in Pigou, 1926: 130) We move now to the subject of government intervention in the economy. In his relatively unknown essay on State Action and Laissez-Faire Pigou stated the real question is not whether the State should act or not, but on what principles, in what degree and over what departments of economic life its action should be carried on (Pigou in Medema, 2009: 65). In Economics of Welfare (1926) Pigou controversially advocates the need for government intervention in the form of taxes and bounties to correct for market failures and our defective telescopic faculty. External Economies In Economics of Welfare (1926) Pigou originated the innovative theoretical distinction between social and private benefits and costs, illustrating how private production costs for a firm do not necessarily reflect total social costs of production. This analysis formed the basis for much of the analysis in modern environmental economics (Myint 1948). He states that when value of MSNP (marginal physical product of the factor as appropriated by the producer * market price of product) is greater than MSNP (total of products and services from employment of the additional factor no matter to whom they may accrue) external economies exist and the government must intervene in the market to ensure the industry contracts the optimum output may be reached and economic welfare may thus be maximised (Pigou, 1926). Coase what coase said economists have tended to overestimate the advantages of government intervention and that such intervention may not actually be desirable in certain situations? Monopolies Pigou says that monopolies are bad and that governments should intervene to make sure they dont overrun? Something like this? But people argue against that and say that this is not good and his assumptions are wrong! CONCLUSION General optimum and national dividend are major elements that constitute his theory of welfare. Section I National Dividend National Dividend and General Optimum National Dividend he outlines the national dividend which is defined as _______. Is very important because it is the measure he outlines as the aggregate indicator of welfare. Discussion Hayek criticised his conception of the national dividend because of his assumption of Maintaining capital intact stating that __________________ General Optimum and Criterion for welfare maximisation He says that anything that increases the national dividend, so long as it doesnt reduce the share going to the poor will increase total welfare and anything that increases the share of the poor so long as it doesnt affect the national dividend, will also increase welfare. Discussion Buchanan (http://www.heinonline.org.ezproxy.webfeat.lib.ed.ac.uk/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/jlecono2id=1size=2collection=journalsindex=journals/jlecono#126) outlines the difference between Pigous optimum and Paretos optimum ODonnell criticises Pigou for lack of originality, claiming that he has basically created a synthesis of Pre-Marshallian ideas and Marshallian analysis (the only thing original being his contribution of MSNP and MPNP). Myint criticises Pigou for trying to impose Marshalls physical analysis onto what should be a subjective level of analysis: since welfare theory, as argued by graff, is a normative theory. Section II External Effects Pigou basically says that private firms do not always take into account the Monopolies MONOPOLIES 6. I do not propose to say very much in this paper about the welfare economics of monopoly and imperfect competition, for this is altogether too large a subject to be capable of useful treat- ment on the scale here available. A very large part of the estab- lished theory of imperfect competition falls under the head of welfare economics, and it is actually much the strongest part of the theory which does so. Considered as a branch of positive economics, the theory of imperfect competition is even now not very convincing; the assumption that the individual producer has a clear idea of the demand curve confronting him has been justifiably questioned, and the presence of intractable elements of oligopoly in most markets has been justifiably suspected. When it is considered as a branch of welfare economics, the theory of imperfect competition has a much clearer status. Oligopoly and monopolistic competition fall into their places as reasons for the inequality between price and marginal c ost, whose consequences are then a most fertile field for study along welfare lines. It is perhaps rather to be regretted that modern theories of imperfect competition have not been cast more overtly into this form; for the general apparatus of welfare economics would have made it possible to state some of the most important pro- positions in a more guarded way than usual. Take, for example, the very important question of the optimum number of firms in an imperfectly competitive industry, which is so near the centre of modern discussion. Since (ex hypothesi) the different firms are producing products which are economicaly distinguishable, the question is one of those which falls under the heading of our third set of optimum conditions-the totl conditions; we have to ask whether a reduction in the number of products would be conducive to a movement towards the optimum. Suppose then that a particular firm is closed down. The loss involved im its cessation is measured by the compensati on which would have to be given to consumers to make up for their loss of the opportunity to consume the missing product, plus the compensation which would have to be given to producers to make up for the excess of their earnings in this use over what they could earn in other uses. The loss is therefore measured by Marshalls Surplus (Consumers Surplus 1 plus Producers Surplus). Under conditions of perfect competition, this loss is a net loss. For when the factors are transferred to other uses, they will have to be scattered about at the margins of those uses; and (since the earnings of a factor equal the value of its marginal product) the additional production made possible by the use of the factors in these new places is equal in value to the earnings of the factors (already accounted for). Under perfect competition, the marginal productivity law ensures that there is no producers surplus generated at the new margins; while, since the marginal unit of any commodity is worth no more than what is paid for it, there can be no consumers surplus either. Thus there is nothing to set against the initial loss; there cannot be a movement towards the optimum if the number of products is reduced. But if competition is imperfect, there is something to set on the other side. The earnings of a factor are now less than the value of its marginal product by an amount which varies with the degree of monopolistic exploitation; and therefore the increment to production which can be secured by using the factors at other margins is worth more than the earnings of the factors. There is a producers surplus, even at the margin, and this producers surplus may outweigh the initial loss. The general condition for a particular firm to be such that its existence is compatible with the optimum is that the sum of the consumers and producers surpluses generated by its activities must be greater than the producers surplus which would be generated by employing its factors (and exploiting them) elsewhere. The rule usually given is a special case of this general rule. If entry to the industry is free, price equals average cost, and the producers surplus generated by the firm as a whole can be neglected. If the products of the different firms are very cl ose substitutes, or merely distinguished by irrational pre- ferences, consumers surplus can perhaps be neglected as well. With these simplifications, the number of firms in an impe competitive industry is always excessive, so long as price is greater than marginal cost anywhere in the industry. (Or, if we can retain the identity of price with average cost, the number of firms is excessive until average cost is reduced to a minimum.) These, however, are simplifications; it is not always true that the number of firms in an imperfectly competitive industry is excessive, though very often it may be. Before recommending in practice a policy of shutting down redundant firms, we ought to be sure that the full condition is satisfied; and we ought to be very sure that the discarded factors will in fact be transferred to more productive uses. In a world where the most the economist can hope for is that he will be listened to occasionallY, that is not always so certain. In the absence of costs of movement the allocation of resources by competitive markets achieves universally equal marginal private net products. However, the production of ideal output requires equality of marginal social net products. Where private and social net products diverge, there is a prima facie case for reallocation of resources (Economics of welfare page 136) The Economics of Welfare Pigous major work, Wealth and Welfare (1912) and Economics of Welfare (1920), developed Alfred Marshalls concept of externalities (see Pigou, 1920), costs imposed or benefits conferred on others that are not taken into account by the person taking the action. Pigou attributed welfare gains to the greater marginal utility a dollar of income had for the poor compared to the rich; a transfer of income from rich to poor increased total utility that could also be defined as increased quality of life. Pigou also argued that welfare gains came from improving the quality of the work force through changes in the distribution of income or by improved working conditions. He argued that the existence of externalities was sufficient justification for government intervention. The reason was that if someone was creating a negative externality, such as pollution, he would engage in too much of the activity that generated the externality. Someone creating a positive externality, say, by educating himself and thus making himself more interesting to other people, would not invest enough in his education because he would not perceive the value to himself as being as great as the value to society. To discourage the activity that caused the negative externality, Pigou advocated a tax on the activity. To encourage the activity that created the positive externality, he advocated a subsidy. These are now called Pigovian (or Pigovian) taxes and subsidies. Let us now consider two excerpts that typify Pigous social policy, mentioned above: One person A, in the course of rendering some service, for which payments is made, to a second person B, incidentally also renders services or disservices to other personsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ of such sort that payment cannot be exacted from benefited parties or compensation enforced on behalf of the injured parties (Pigou 1932). It is possible for the State to remove the divergence [between private and social net product] through bounties and taxes (Pigou 1932). In the Economics of Welfare, Pigou says that his aim is to ascertain how far the free play of self-interest, acting under the existing legal system, tends to distribute the countrys resources in the way most favorable to the production of a large national dividend, and how far it is feasible for State action to improve upon natural tendencies. He starts by referring to optimistic followers of the classical economists who have argued that the value of production would be maximized if the government refrained from any interference in the economic system and the economic arrangements were those which came about naturally (Pigou 1932). Pigou goes on to say that if self-interest does promote economic welfare, it is because human institutions have been devised to make it so. He concludes: But even in the most advanced States there are failures and imperfections there are many obstacles that prevent a communitys resources from being distributed in the most efficient way. The study of these constitutes our present problem its purpose is essentially practical. It seeks to bring into clearer light some of the ways in which it now is, or eventually may become, feasible for governments to control the play of economic forces in such wise as to promote the economic welfare, and through that, the total welfare, of their citizens as a whole (Pigou 1932). Pigous thoughts are further elucidated: Some have argued that no State action is needed. But the system has performed as well as it has because of State action: Nonetheless, there are still imperfections. it might happen that costs are thrown upon people not directly concerned, through, say, uncompensated damage done to surrounding woods by sparks from railway engines. All such effects must be included-some of them will be positive, others negative elements-in reckoning up the social net product of the marginal increment of any volume of resources turned into any use or place (Pigou 1932) To illustrate this discussion further, let us consider an example: Suppose a paper mill was being planned on a certain river and an economist was given all facts about the river-in-question and told that a paper mill was to be sited so that it could discharge oxygen-consuming waste into the river. Suppose further that the economist was asked to analyze the situation, offer a policy for siting the mill, and comment on the practical aspects of adopting the policy proposal as a general rule. The first approach involves an externality analysis, where the paper mill pollutes the river, imposing an unwanted cost on society, a cost that does not enter the mill owners profit calculations. This is the problem of social cost. Following this line of inquiry, failure to consider the external cost leads to too much paper and too little environmental quality. This economist would be using an analytical framework developed by A. C. Pigou who would argue that pollution generates a social cost that should be dealt with by the central government. He would propose a system of taxes, bounties, and regulations for resolving the problem. Most likely, the economist using this framework would call for some form of effluent taxes or regulation to control the mills discharge. Pigous solution spoke of market failure and the need for a central authority to fine-tune markets so that the appropriate level of pollution would emerge. This approach called for collection of complicated and rapidly changing information, translating the information into a tax or regulation, and imposing the tax or rule on the polluter. In fact, modern environmental economics began with the work of Arthur Pigou, who developed the analysis of externalities. His name is attached to the traditional policy proposal, Pigouvian taxes on polluting activities, equal to the value of the damages. Coases alternative solution Pigous approach came under attack from Lionel Robbins and Frank Knight. The New Welfare Economics that arose in the late 1930s dispensed with much of Pigous analytical toolbox. Later, the Public Choice theorists rejected Pigous approach for its naive benevolent despot assumption. Finally, Nobel Laureate Ronald Coase demonstrated that efficient outcomes could be generated without government intervention when property rights are clearly defined. Coase presents his case in the article The Problem of Social Cost (1960). To explain this alternative let us continue with the paper mill example. There is a second approach likely taken. In this line of thinking the economist considers the paper mill and others who wish to consume or enjoy water quality as part of a competitive market where people bargain for the use of rights to scarce property. This analysis has nothing to do with polluters imposing cost on society, but everything to do with competing demands for use of an asset. If rights to the asset are defined and assigned to members of the river-basin community, then those planning to build the paper mill must bargain with the rightholders to determine just how much, if any, waste will discharge into the river. If the rights are held by the mill, then the existing communities along the river must bargain with the mill owner for rights to water quality. Again, bargaining determines the amount of discharge to the river. This approach relies on the work of Ronald Coase (1960). Using this framework, an economist might recommend a meeting of the mill owners and others who have access to the river. After organizing the parties, negotiations would ensue. If existing river users owned water-quality rights, the mill would have to buy the rights in order to discharge specified amounts of waste. If the mill had the right to pollute, existing river users would have to buy water quality from the mill, paying the mill to limit its discharges. In other words, Pigouvian taxes do embody the important principle that polluters should pay for the damages they inflict on society. But in both law and economics, a more conservative analysis has gained popularity. Legal scholar Ronald Coase argued that taxes and regulation might be unnecessary, since under some circumstances polluters and those harmed by pollution could engage in private negotiation to determine the appropriate compensation. While Pigous examples of externalities often involved simultaneous harms to large numbers of people, Coases examples tended to be localized, individual nuisances, where one persons behavior disturbed the immediate neighbors. The image of environmental externalities as localized nuisances serves to trivialize the real problems of widespread, collective threats to health and nature. Creative alternative readings of Coase have been suggested at times, but the dominant interpretation of his work has provided an intellectual basis for the retreat fr om regulation. Comparison of Pigous and Coases approaches Evidence of the record of Coases intellectual influence is seen in the count of citations to his 1960 article, which are shown in Yardley (1977). The citation data of Coases (1960) The Problem of Social Cost and Pigous (1932) The Economics of Welfare are superimposed on a count of Federal Register pages for the same years. The data mapping suggests several things. First, Pigous influence on academics seems to operate at a steady state. There is no evidence that Pigovians were responding to the growth of regulation occurring around them. The Coase citations indicate the reverse. References to his ideas seem to be a reaction to th

What Is Capacity Planning?

What Is Capacity Planning? Planning is concerned with thinking ahead, making provision. Capacity can be referred to as the upper limit on the rate of output. Another meaning of capacity can also be to maximum rate at which a transformation system produces or processes inputs. Therefore capacity planning can be defined as the process used to determine how much capacity is needed and when it is needed, in order to manufacture greater product or being production of a new product. According to TeamQuest (www.teamquest.ocm/capacityplanning Date access 12 Feb 2010) the goal of capacity plannings would be to provide satisfactory service levels to users in a cost-effective manner. Capacity planning has become a major issue in a global environment due to the financial benefits of the efficient use of capacity plans within material requirements planning systems and other information systems. Insufficient capacity will lead to insufficient delivery performance, stress on current work-in-process, and frustrate sales personnel and those in manufacturing. However, excess capacity can be costly and unnecessary. The lack of proper capacity planning will become a barrier to the achievement of maximising performance. With regard to Natref refinery they have a constant plan ahead for the next six months where the last three months are fixed. A shortage of supply would definitely influence its ability to provide according to its estimates. The supplies need to be monitored closely due to the fact that capacity is a possible restraint, especially when there is a need for stock building. These problems are closely planned and scheduled to reduce unforeseen capacity problems. The planning is done by the shareholders of Natref namely Sasol, that holds 63.64% of the shares and Total that holds 36.36% shares. The shareholders are very closely involved with Natrefs daily operations. The levels of capacity and production rate is constantly monitored to ensure that the plant is run in an optimized way and to ensure that there are no shortage of raw materials. When doing capacity planning it is important to consider the following three steps as set out by TeamQuest (www.teamquest.ocm/capacityplanning Date access 12 Feb 2010): To follow the above mentioned steps, you can ensure that your organisation will be prepared for the future. You will have the information necessary to purchase only what you need, avoiding over-provisioning while at the same time assuring adequate service. To be able to do capacity planning it is important to understand and determine the market requirements. To be able to determine the requirements you need to understand the workloads. Before setting service/product levels, you need to determine what unit you will use to measure the incoming work. According to TeamQuest (www.teamquest.ocm/capacityplanning Date access 12 Feb 2010) the workload can be explained as a logical classification of work performed. It is useful to analyze the work done on systems in terms that make sense BOTTLENECKS What is a bottleneck? A Bottleneck is the action that occurs and causes the capacity in a certain procedure that is not fully utilized for (Operations Supply Management, Jacobs, Chase, Aquilano, 2009:165) this action, it may be time, how long it takes to complete the task or the facilities that are in process for instance dispatch places of the final product. Business Definition: Bottleneck (http://dictionary.bnet.com/definition/bottleneck.html Date of access 10 Feb 2010) An activity within an organization which has a lower capacity than preceding or subsequent activities, thereby limiting throughput. Bottlenecks are often the cause of a build-up of work in progress and of idle time, A limiting factor on the rate of an operation. A workstation operating at its maximum capacity becomes a bottleneck if the rate of production elsewhere in the plant increases throughput but at that workstation can not be increased to meet demand. An understanding of bottlenecks is important if the efficiency and capacity of an assembly line are to be increased. The techniques of fishbone charts, Pareto charts, and flow charts can be used to identify where and why bottlenecks occur. Identification of bottlenecks (Production and Operations Management, Ray Wild, 1979) There are two ways to identify bottlenecks in a system, first check whether the resource profile is correct for the given capacity and secondly make use of the knowledge of personnel in the specific layout by discussing this and finding out where they see the bottlenecks. In the process to avert and manage bottlenecks, there need to be looked at the following factors: The work that must be done and the work ethics The goal is to establish what the most economic way is, to get the work done. To standardize the method, equipment and material that is used to get the work done. Furthermore there should be established how much time a qualified worker needs to do a job of a given quality standard. It is important that this process be applied for maximum benefit to the organization. The interpretation of the layout Points that need to be looked at are the following: Cost of the handling and moving of crude oil. Utilization of labour, facilities and the space of the plant. Are there initial plans for the maximization or minimization of the layout? If equipment needs to be changed or replaced, does the plant compensate for it? Capacity planning and management thereof Effective capacity management is of utmost importance to Natref. The main goal for capacity planning is to balance the level of manufacturing to the demand of the product being manufactured. Capacity planning comes down to the following two factors: Determining the capacity needed for the manufacturing system. By developing and implementing a strategy that can be used in the existing process by applying resources in such a manner those fluctuations can supply in demand. Scheduling Because Natref is operating on a LEAN process, scheduling is of utmost importance, for example when a shutdown is planned. This means that certain activities will have to be rescheduled, for example, more completed products will have to be stored for the demand thereof during the shutdown. The ships with crude oil that have been ordered, will have to be rescheduled, because there might not be storage available at Natcos. The design and scheduling of the process flow See if the refinery process used by Natref is entailing optimal flow, in other words, is the manufacturing line in balance. All these processes are being used and implemented by Natref. What makes the situation at Natref a slightly different is that bottlenecks can not only arise in the layout, but also in the process of crude oil being provided from Durban by pipe line. Bottlenecks can also arise at the storage facility (Natcos). Refer to Annexure A for the schematic presentation on the potential bottlenecks. All the points marked A, B, C, D and E can be identified as probable bottlenecks. Because Natref itself does not have a lot of storage capacity (LEAN) for crude oil, they should act more pro-active to avoid bottlenecks in the refining and procurement stages. If bottlenecks occur during the refining process, then it should be dealt with the utmost urgency. Note to Natref At present Natrefs biggest points for bottlenecks are the procuring and shipping of ready products, because in both cases they do not have enough storage capacity. The existing shipping facility is too small and therefore a bigger shipping facility is being built to increase the tempo for road- and rail transport. This is a much cheaper option to building a storage facility at Natref, because there would be less risk due to fire hazards when product is kept in storage. Natrefs main goal is procurement of energy resources. Natref should in fact make use of its clients storage facilities and so shipping its ready-made products quicker. Relating to the procurement of crude oil, Natref should manage bottlenecks as follows for minimum risks: Advanced buying of crude oil should be scheduled that there would always be enough ships on its way, so that Natcos (storage farm at Durban) would not run out and that there would always be enough storage space. Maintenance plans for the pipe line from Natcos to Natref should be thoroughly seen through, so that continual flow of crude oil can be maintained. Maintenance should be synchronized during shutdown dates. CAPACITY PLANNING: CHANGES IN DEMAND AND SUPPLY The business environment has never been more challenging than it is right now. The speed of change in the marketplace is creating a stress on corporations to respond quickly and effectively. The foundation that is required to react to dynamic changes in supply and demand is based on understanding your supply chains capacities. Understanding and then building the infrastructure that provides the needed flexibility and speed requires an in-depth understanding of how capacity impacts your business. The impact of capacity management is felt throughout the organization, within every element of the supply chain. Supplier capacity can bring production to a standstill. Production capacity is equally important; if the capacity is not great enough to meet peak demand periods and inventory building is not properly planned, customer demand will go unfilled. Distribution capacity, both storage and throughput, ensures delivery of the right product at the right time. Transportation connects all elements of the supply chain; as such, its capacity issues are key, influencing service levels and on-time delivery performance. Change has become the rule, not the exception. The need for capacity management is measured not in years or quarters but rather in weeks and months. Changes can be brutally fast and without warning. Industry over the past two years has been hit hard with a steep slowdown of their business. Some were managing their capacity to great detail during the late 90s, with state of the art systems in place; however, these systems failed when business conditions began impacting their extended supply chains, including contract manufacturers and suppliers. With these current levels of change, dynamic measurement and planning tools have become a necessity. External as well as internal dynamics create the need for constant monitoring and adjustment of capacity levels and policies. Global economic conditions and competitors cause external pressures that challenge current business practices. From price pressures to raw material availability, organizations must be flexible enough to react quickly to these changes. Internal dynamics can be equally as disruptive. Acquisitions and partnerships as well as moves into new markets create opportunities to leverage current assets and spend capital wisely. However, without proper planning, these opportunities can become large challenges and liabilities if synergies are not exploited. No matter how well capacity planning is conducted, these decisions must periodically be revisited to make sure they are still aligned with the organizations goals. If so, they will provide the foundation to support new initiatives including collaboration throughout the extended supply chain. Management Reality: A subjective issue As every manager knows, capacity is a difficult concept to quantify. Whether its a workstations ability to process jobs or a manufacturing plants capability for a year, the answer is frequently it depends. Because of the dynamic nature of capacity and the interrelationships among different supply chain elements, capacity is forever changing. Product-mix changes, process or equipment engineering improvements, labor availability and new data management systems are only a few reasons capacity can suddenly change. The most available and, therefore, most popular measure of capacity is the past-but the past is not necessarily a good indication of the future. There is an answer. Many tools have been developed to address the dynamic nature of supply chains today. In an effort to empower managers, to allow them to plan rather than react, planning tools evaluate a variety of variables and are superior to educated guessing about where, how much and when capacity should be modified. With a scope ranging from a full view of the supply chain to a subset of the organization to a micro within the box view of a facility, there is a tool to meet any capacity management need. These tools help quantify the differences among alternatives and lead to a greater understanding of the interrelationships within a supply chain. From identifying bottlenecks, to backup suppliers, to available alternate routings, to contingency planning, the true cost and impact of decisions can be evaluated. Because all elements of the system being studied can be represented at once, sub-optimization can be avoided. Alternatives can be objectively evaluated to determine their t rue impact on a variety of performance measures, including throughput capacity, inventory levels, and cycle times, before expensive and disruptive changes are made. According to Baltzan et al. (2009:184) demand planning SCM (Supply Chain Management) software can help an organization determine capacity. An organization must determine the performance capacity level for each of its facilities. If it decides a facility will have a large amount of excess capacity, which provides the flexibility to respond to wide swings in demand, then it is choosing an effectiveness strategy. Excess capacity, however, cost money and can therefore decrease efficiency. Natref does just this, by utilising its software, swinging the throughput of its product albeit Diesel or Petrol, whenever the demand for the one product exceeds that of the other the system can rapidly change the throughput of the product needed. Competitive Advantage: Knowledge is Power Capacitys pervasive influence and the pace of change make the need for accurate knowledge and flexibility a necessity. The ability to quickly react, while making educated and informed decisions, will directly impact the health and success of your organization. It will enable you to rise above your competition, to compete based on your supply chain and the service and flexibility you can provide. In todays dynamic business environment, speed and flexibility are a necessity. From being able to quickly respond to business conditions to reacting to dramatic changes in customer demand, a disproportion of capacity can have devastating results. Too much capacity can result in low return on assets, morale damaging layoffs and expensive facility closures while too little can result in lost sales and eroding customer loyalty. Utilizing a strategic network design tool allows an organization to objectively evaluate its extended supply chain and simultaneously consider all costs and business policies. This understanding can then drive an organizations capital expenditures and strategies as they build a world-class supply chain, built to compete against any organization in the world. It can be said that from the information provided by Natref it is utilising its capacity very successful. In total Natref produces 170 000 m3 of Petrol 170 000m3 of Diesel fuel + 30 000 m3 of Diesel fuel for export markets, 110 000 m3 of Jet-Fuel (kerosene) and 25 000 t Heavy Fuel Oil for industrial use 13 000 t of Bitumen. Thus a total of 480 000m3 and 38 000t of product. The demand fluctuates constantly and Natref has to constantly stay abreast with changes. Natref are fortunate to have shareholders that have a direct input into the market that helps with its planning. TECHNIQUES TO DETERMINE LONG-TERM CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS To achieve real (effective) capacity, you must understand what is produce, need to look at both resource input and product output. As operation manager you have to ensure to view also the dimension of capacity, and that capacity must be stated relative to some period of time. This is evidence in the common distinction draw between long-range, intermediate-range, and short-range capacity planning.(Jacobs, Chase and Aquilano (2009:121-122)) According to Jacobs et al (2009:123-124) the objective of strategic capacity planning is to provide an approach for determining the overall capacity level of capital-intensive resources facilities, equipment, and overall labour force size that best support the companys long-range competitive strategy. To ensure overall capacity level the concept of best operating level must be used and at all time ensure a 100% capacity utilization rate is acquired. Capacity utilization rate is determined by the actual capacity used divided by the actual capacity it has been developing for. The % out of 100 will determined the utilization rate. When determining capacity requirements, you have to require demand for each product line, individual plant capabilities, and allocation from production: Use forecasting techniques to predict sales for individual products within each product line. Calculate equipment and labour requirements to meet product line forecasting. Project labour and equipment available over the planning horizon. (Jacobs et al (2009:121-122)) To evaluate capacity alternatives Jacobs et al (2009:131) suggests the use of a decision tree. A decision tree is a convenient way to evaluate a capacity investment decision; this does not only help to understand the problem but also finds a solution. A decision tree is a schematic model of the sequence of steps in a problem and the conditions and consequences of each step. The way forward is that a square indicates a decision point and the circles represent change events. Branches from decision point show choices available for decision maker, branches from chance events show the probabilities for occurrence. To solve the tree you work back from the end to the start of the tree, you calculate the expected values of each step, by calculating the value of each step the time and money value is important if the planning horizon is long. Example diagram of a decision tree Once the calculation is made you prune the tree by eliminating from each decision point all the branches except the one with the highest pay off. This continues until the first decision point and problems are solved. If no changes are made competitors will move in and would make expansion no longer feasible. According to an International Journal of Production Economics (2001:p215-22) in a manufacturing strategy, capacity is a structural decision category, dealing with dynamic capacity expansion and reduction relative to the long-term changes in demand levels. Sales and operation planning (SOP) is the long-term planning of production levels relative to sales within the frame work of a manufacturing planning and control system. Within the SOP, resources planning are used for determining the appropriate capacity levels in order to support the production plan. Manufacturing strategy and sales operation planning provides two perspectives on long-term capacity management, raising and treating different issues. Note to Natref: regarding best practice techniques to determine long-term capacity requirements Natref needs to: Estimate the capacity of the present facilities 115 000 barrels/day All petrol grades @ 3500 liter/minute 80% of JIA jet fuel requirements @ 2000 l/minute, and Diesel @ 4500 liters/minute With above information Natref need to establish their capacity utilization percentage and relates the actual output to output capacity and actual input use to input capacity. This will determine the efficiency of the current input and output capacity. With this a capacity cushion need to be added on to the capacity demand to allow for: greater than expected demand, demand during peak demand seasons, lower production cost, product and volume flexibility and improve quality of products and services. Forecast the long-range future capacity needs Natref need to consider the life input for the next 5 years and understand the product life cycle as it impacts capacity. Anticipate technology development and competitors action. Forecast the strategy and demand of shareholders. Ask the question what will change to the current month productions in 5 years: 170 000 m3 of Petrol 30 000 m3 of Diesel fuel for export markets 110 000 m3 Jet-fuel 25 000 t heavy fuel oil for industrial use Natref could also expand long-term capacity by: Subcontract with other companies, acquire other companies facilities and resources Expand , update or modify excising facilities When all above is done and the forecast and capacity requirements has been establish. Two approaches could be followed namely expand all at once or expand incrementally. Expand all at once build the ultimate facility now and grow into it Little risk of having to turn down business due to inadequate capacity and less interruption of production One large project cost less than few smaller projects and due to inflation, will construction cost be higher in the future Incrementally build as capacity demand grow Less risky if forecast needs to materialize and funds are not teid up in capacity for other investment possibilities Appropriate for new products May suggestion would be that after Natref has decides what strategy they want to take for the next 5 years regarding long-term capacity requirements they need to analyze more than one suggestion in a decision tree the expected value approach. The decision point would be the 5 year strategy, regarding this Natref need to determine more than one change event that will have an expected value. This will allow Natref to see all choices available for decision making and the probabilities for occurrence. When all the choices available value are calculated, Natref need to work back from the end of the tree to the start of the tree, this will allow Natref to calculated the expected value of each step and the time and money to determine the actual long-term requirements for the next 5 years. WAYS TO COUNTER LACK OF CAPACITY DURING PEAK DEMANDS/SHUTDOWNS If the goal of capacity planning is to provide satisfactory service levels to users in a cost effective manner, then the lack of capacity would be not succeeding in providing satisfactory service levels. And if capacity planning is defined as the process that is used to determine how much capacity is needed and when it is needed, in order to manufacture greater products or production of a new product, then lack of capacity is the situation where a goal is not achieved, due to some or other constraint in the process. According to a study conducted by Sylvester, Lendon and Bevan (2004:1) they prove that to continually add capacity is not a viable solution to counter the lack of capacity. In their study they needed to properly understand and manage patient flow in a hospital. This is removed from the capacity at a refinery, but the basics would still be the same. If one compare this directly to the Natref state of affairs, the assumption would be that to add capacity would not necessarily counter the lack of capacity. Natref is currently in the process of establishing another storage facility. The cost of adding this facility is very high, approximately R300 million. It is therefore not possible to constantly add capacity or storage facilities every time it seems that a lack of capacity will occur. Natref counter a lack of capacity by erecting a new storage facility, by ensuring that their estimates and planning for the given shutdown/peak period is precise. Although the product is stored periodically, to ensure that on the date of the shutdown or when the peak demand starts, it has sufficient stock to continue with the demand or supply in the additional situation, Natref should investigate the possibilities of utilising external sources of capacity. These storage facilities could include the underground tanks of the individual filling stations, and/or determining the product that will most likely be short or that needs to be stored for future use and to expand the storage of that product and less ening the storage of the product that would not be used as frequently. According to TeamQuest (www.teamquest.ocm/capacityplanning Date access 12 Feb 2010): there are five noteworthy reasons why capacity planning fails. It would also be possible to trace these reasons back and make a connection with the lack of capacity. If the planning fails the capacity would most probably fail as well. These five reasons are: 1. Imperfect data; 2. Lack of common goals; 3. Trendy versus modelling; 4. Too narrow view; 5. Flaws in the prediction method. If these five facts are taken into consideration when the capacity planning is done, it would increase the possibility of success for a project. Further there are three important considerations taken into account when adding capacity. They are: 1. Maintaining system balance; 2. Frequency of capacity; and 3. Use of external capacity. When analysing current capacity there are four basic steps that could be used to assist you: TeamQuest (www.teamquest.ocm/capacityplanning Date access 12 Feb 2010) identifies the following four steps: The first step would include comparing the measurements of any items referenced in the service level agreements with their objectives. This will indicate whether the system has adequate capacity. The second step would include checking the usage of resources. This analysis identifies highly used resources that may prove problematic at present or in the future. The third step would include looking at the resource utilisation for each workload. Determine which workloads are the major users of each resource. This will indicate the workloads that are making the greatest demands on the system resources. The fourth step is to determine where each workload is spending its time by analysing the components of response time. Allowing you to determine which system resources are responsible for the greatest portion of the response time for each workload. When measuring capacity you need to consider the following: Design capacity: the maximum output that can possibly be attained. Effective capacity: The maximum possible output given a product mix, scheduling difficulties, machine maintenance, quality factors, and so on. Actual output: the rate of output actually achieved. Measuring of System Effectiveness: Efficiency: the ratio of actual output to effective capacity Utilization the ratio of actual output to design capacity. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE: To ensure that you will be able to meet the requirements of the market in a years time, you need to do capacity planning based on the forecasted processing requirements. You need to know the expected amount of incoming work, by workload. That will allow you to calculate the optimal system configuration for satisfying service levels. Future processing requirements can come from a variety of sources. Input form management may include: Expected growth in the business Requirements for implementing new applications Planned acquisitions or divestitures to name but a few. Additional, future processing requirements may be identified from trends in historical measurements of incoming work such as orders or transactions. After system capacity requirements for the future are identified, a capacity plan should be developed to prepare for it. The first step in doing this is to create a model of the current configuration. From this starting point, the model can be modified to reflect the future capacity requirements. If the results of the model indicate that the current configuration does not provide sufficient capacity for the future requirements, then the model can be used to evaluate configuration alternatives to find the optimal way to provide sufficient capacity. When considering capacity planning there are even more issues to consider. Best practices. Since the late nineties refineries have expanded capacity significantly, production capacity has increased tremendously. As refineries got larger, it was expected that emissions would increase as well. Environmental problems have become a huge issue due to the large expansion in demand for product. Goals to achieve the environmental standards and best practices are a large part of capacity planning and production. Finding newer and better ways of producing more product and faster and cheaper. New modern techniques have challenged organisations to rethink the way they conduct business both internally and externally. To determine how efficiently and effectively their entire supply chain is managed. The petroleum refining industry has effectively embraced the software solutions to optimise the business supply chain to maximise the profit margins and create order in the chaos of numerous opportunities and challenges. The supply chain of a typical petroleum refining company involves a wide spectrum of activities, starting form crude purchase and crude transportation to refineries, refining operations, product transportation and finally delivering the product to the end user. The nature of the value chain is such that its economics are extremely complex and heavily linked. For example the process of selecting the right crude is liked not only to the transportation costs involved in delivering to the refinery, but it must take into consideration the refinery configuration, capabilities and constraints in converting the crude into products, as well as the product volume and price fluctuations. Software solutions based on Linear programming (LP) technique have emerged as leaders among various mathematical optimization techniques available to optimize the entire supply chain form crude evaluation and selection, production planning and product logistic planning Refinery planning form the foundation for the business decisions that have the biggest impact on refinery profitability. The following are plans that should be considered: Annual plans Monthly rolling plans Weekly Plans Strategic Plans Profitability improvement plans LONG TERM CAPACITY PLANNING According to the Encyclopaedia of Business, 2nd ed. The following is explained under long term capacity planning: Over the long term, capacity planning relates primarily to strategic issues. This involves the firms major production facilities. This type of planning also involves location decisions, technology and transferability of the process to other products. Long term capacity planning may evolve when short term changes in capacity are insufficient. Long term considerations relates to overall level of capacity Det