Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Value and Risk Management in the Chinese Construction Industry
Question: How does separation in the homeroom lead to expanded understudy request and improve learning, however my activity plan can be comparable simply need to make a huge difference must be tied in with improving understudies proficiency in math study hall, rework the fundamental pints ought to be fine, dont need to think of new activity plan. Answer: Driving Question: How may I increment proficiency center in arithmetic homeroom? 2) How may I become familiar with this? Wellsprings of Information: 1. The broad exploration dependent on the point is required to discover reasonable procedures, strategies and techniques. It is useful in finding the helps required to expand the inquiries identified with the examination and act of spontaneity of the study hall learning. 2. Understanding the prerequisites of focusing towards the class 3. Identifying with the current exploration, the execution of the various methods is should have been recognized 4. Getting criticisms through circulating surveys and deciding the necessary revisions 5. The developmental evaluations are required to comprehend the achievement of the chose system 6. The discoveries will assist me with understanding it is possible that I will proceed with the comparable procedure or I will make a portion of the important revisions identified with the applied strategies. 7. The procedure will manage me to comprehend the specific separations identified with the necessities of the understudies. All the more explicitly, it builds the questions of the understudies identified with arithmetic through which the learning capacities are improved significantly. Recognize proof to assemble (incorporate how to accumulate and break down): Perception: The procedure is useful enough in distinguishing and dissecting the applicable technique that the instructors as a rule use for showing the study hall understudies. These methods are very useful for pulling in my reactions towards the arithmetic classes (Pritchard, 2013). Then again, I have seen the separations in various sorts of educating styles. Some different understudies are seen a lot of mindful on those strategies. Henceforth, I can provoke that the distinctive instructing styles are should have been perceived the incessant reactions got from the understudies. Distinctive workforce of instructors for the most part apply the enhanced methods by indentifying the important procedure of pulling in the understudies consideration (Fraser, 2015). Various understudies need various kinds of the learning style. The acknowledgment of these techniques is along these lines fundamental. According to my viewpoints, I think the perception of the understudies mentality in the class is important to distinguish the degree of investment. Watching the examples of their works helps in understanding the foundation information on the understudies just as their conduct attributes. It is even useful in knowing which of the learning style is reasonable for the various sorts of understudies to make them much mindful. The meeting hushes up pertinent procedure to comprehend the level, learning capacities, needs, and learning styles of the understudies (Hopkins, 2014). Acknowledgment of the voice adjustment is likewise much important to pass judgment on the conduct of the understudies. The understudies even need to become familiar with the productive methods of learning maths that will make them increasingly mindful towards the class. Through the perception of the enhanced procedures that have been applied to the homeroom, I can comprehend which of the technique is most appropriate. Consequently, in like manner, I can apply the comparative technique for the further ramifications. The exploration is likewise helpful in understanding the necessities of the understudies. The criticisms dependent on the perceptions of my learning styles would be valuable for me to choose if I should proceed with the comparable procedure or roll out certain improvements. Besides, it will be productive for me to ensure in the event that I have to get the further confirmations identified with the procedure of my learning. The ID of the separations has been useful for the understudy to find out about the important strategy applied to the study hall learning procedure and it helps in ad libbing the learning procedure of the understudies. References Fraser, B. (2015). Study hall learning situations. InEncyclopedia of Science Education(pp. 154-157). Springer Netherlands. Hopkins, D. (2014).A instructor's manual for study hall research. McGraw-Hill Education (UK). Pritchard, A. (2013).Ways of getting the hang of: Learning speculations and learning styles in the study hall. Routledge.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
My Drum Major Instinct Essay
Following is an intense issue, in spite of societyââ¬â¢s inclination to trivialize the encounters of numerous female casualties. There have been various neglected cases in which female casualties have been followed for different measures of times and made a move to have the stalker evacuated, just to have him/her in the end return up in a type of way. Many top film industry hits have the clichã © plot of the stalker who kills the young lady, yet individuals donââ¬â¢t understand that following is a genuine issue numerous really face. There have been many of these occurrences, perhaps not bringing about homicide, yet at the same time awkward for ladies to manage, near my locale. Only as of late in Hamilton, Ohio, a sexual stalker was captured for checks of following youngster young ladies by driving by their homes on various occasions, messaging them up to 80 times each day, and watching them leave school. This is the reason I need to step up and be a drum major for harmony, equ ity, and uprightness for ladies in encompassing networks who are managing undesirable contact or following. To be a drum major is to be a pioneer. Pioneers remove an opportunity to go from their way and go to bat for what they have confidence in. Pioneers step up to the plate and set the standard for individuals to follow. To be a drum major for ladies, the principal task is mindfulness. Anybody attempting to get a point across must initially make individuals mindful of the issue and their motivation for connecting. The issue is that numerous ladies wind up being followed, record controlling requests, and still donââ¬â¢t get the equity they are scanning for. A few ladies even change their entire personality to escape their stalker in dread of getting injured. To make individuals mindful of this, one must step up to the plate contact the average citizens. This may incorporate going to houses of worship, neighborhood gatherings, or in any event, beginning my own association to make individuals mindful of the issue. The second thing I should do is composing and really following up on the issue. I should keep in touch with neighborhood authorities, to state authorities, lastly to the nationââ¬â¢s Congress. In the event that I compose letters to each of these, my point will be made. It would assist with having others on my fleeting trend to help compose, or possibly sign petitions. That is the place more mindfulness and connecting come in. When I get enough individuals to understand the issue is not kidding and that they could help spare a great many womenââ¬â¢s lives, at that point I would view myself as an innovator in my motivation. The last thing I should do to encourage my motivation is to keep on with it. So as to be a drum major for harmony, equity, and honorableness in my locale for ladies, I should stay with my expectations and keep my qualities solid so ideally one day laws will be changed and equity will be served.
Friday, August 7, 2020
How to Handle the Stress of a Financial Crisis
How to Handle the Stress of a Financial Crisis Stress Management Situational Stress Print Dealing With the Stress of a Financial Crisis By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on June 28, 2019 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living Adam Gault/OJO/Images/Getty Images While money is a relatively common cause of stress and marital tension, a serious global economic downturn can have many people concerned about losing their home or their savingsâ"or both. If youâre finding yourself stressed about money, the following steps can lead you to a greater sense of peace, and a brighter financial future. Remain Calm When we feel threatened, our fight or flight response â" the bodyâs stress response â" kicks in and makes changes in the body. The heart rate quickens, stress hormones like cortisol are released, and a host of other changes occur that allow the body a quick burst of energy to run away fast or stay and fight â" strategies that have worked for thousands of years but arenât always practical now. While that jolt of energy and alertness can inspire you to act, if your body remains in this state for long periods of time it can be damaging to your health. How Stress Affects Your Health Thatâs why itâs important to have some stress relief strategies that can be used in a variety of situations, to calm your bodyâs stress response so you can think clearly and stay healthier. Then you can work on solutions. There are a few all purpose stress relief strategies that can work well here. Breathing ExercisesBreathing works well because it can be done anytime and anywhere. People donât have to know youâre even doing it, but focusing on your breathing can help you calm your body and soothe tense emotions within a few short minutes.PMRProgressive muscle relaxation is another fast-acting stress reliever that I really love to recommend because itâs simple, free and can be done just about anywhere. Again, it can calm your bodyâs stress response so you donât remain in a state of chronic stress.JournalingFor those who are really stressed and need to feel that theyâre doing something, journaling about stressful emotions can help get them out of your head so you donât end up ruminating on what stresses you. Be sure to end your journaling session with some brainstorming on solutions, and youâll get a better sense of control over the situation and a more positive attitude. While we canât always control what happens to us, much of how we respond to lifeâs events depends on how we view whatâs happening; how we make sense of it all. If we see a life event as a threat, for example, we may react more negatively and helplessly than if we see it as a challenge. If we blame ourselves and imagine that things will never change, a stressful situation feels more overwhelming than if we remember that we can always find a silver lining with the dark clouds and that this, too, shall pass. Reframing the Situation Here are some specific types of reframing that can be very useful in getting through a financial crisis: If youâre feeling that your financial crisis is a form of personal failure, remind yourself that many, many people are in this situation as well. The situation itself is not a failure on your part, and working through it only demonstrates your strength.If youâre concerned about the impact on your family, remind yourself that families can grow stronger and closer when they weather challenges together and that this experience (although you may not have willingly chosen it) can make your family stronger, too.If youâre stressed about the uncertainty of the future, remind yourself that these changes also bring opportunity; down the road, you may find yourself in an even better place. Even if you donât have more money, you may have more happiness. Get the idea? By acknowledging the feelings and thoughts you have, and gently redirect your attention to the positive, you can lessen the stress you are experiencing. When youâre not feeling crushed under extreme levels of stress, you may even make choices that better maximize the opportunities that you still face. 4 Steps to Shift Perspective and Change Everything Another way to reframe a situation is to take a break from it and return later with a more relaxed attitude and a fresh perspective. Many people dont know how to take a break from stressful thoughts, especially when stressing about finances. They tend to ruminate and remain stressed. Spending more time doing fun activities with family and friends, enjoying hobbies, or even simply watching comedies on t.v. can get you into a better frame of mind. These activity-oriented reframing techniques, as well as the mental reframing techniques mentioned, could lead to less stress and an upward spiral, rather than a downward one. A financial crisis presents significant change and challenge to be dealt with, but can also be a valuable learning experience, and a stop on the road to more stable financial times and a healthier long-term attitude toward money. (For example, a financial crisis can inspire more frugal habits, better long-term planning, and an attitude of gratitude for material possessions and other important things in life.) And even serious financial problems, like foreclosures and bankruptcies, can be overcome. Thatâs why itâs not only important to make a plan to get through these tough times, but itâs important to have a positive attitude toward the future. If you keep your eye on the possibilities of the future and bear in mind that much better times can be created ahead, dealing with financial challenges of today can be less stressful. When creating a plan, you should look at all the possibilities you have open (even if it may not seem like there are many), and talk to as many wise people as you can, in order to be sure there are no avenues youâre overlooking. You may want to speak with a financial advisor or credit counselor, for example, and get a clear idea of where you are right now and where youâre going. Your plan may span several years, but itâs important to have an idea of how youâre going to handle this crisis. Not only will it be easier to know what to do, but having a plan can put your mind at ease so youâre not thinking about finances and what to do all the time. In addition to making a plan and maintaining a positive attitude, itâs important to keep your positive vision for the future in mind. Your long-term goals may include a stable financial situation for yourself and your family and a life that includes joyful activities and close relationships. Your short-term goals may simply include getting through the next month â" or week â" in a relatively peaceful state. Both long-term and short-term goals are important. You can create a vivid mental image of what you hope to find in the future, and revisit it often, or you may want to create a vision board for yourself to flesh out what youâd like to see in the future. Keep your eyes on your goal, and donât look down. How to Ask for Help If you feel that the stress of your financial situation is too much for you to handle, itâs important to ask for help. Often people are afraid or ashamed to ask for help from others, but asking for help is sometimes the wise and necessary thing to do. Help can take many forms: Friends and FamilyThe people who love you donât want to see you suffer alone. If you need a wise ear or a shoulder to cry on, friends and family are usually very good at offering the type of comfort and support. In fact, thatâs what theyâre there for.Financial AdvisorsIn financial crises, sometimes the type of professional help you need can come in the form of someone who understands money crises better than the rest of us. Often, getting a plan put together with the help of a professional can take much of the stress away â" you may feel more in control, less alone, and more optimistic about your situation.Mental Health ProfessionalsDonât underestimate the importance of the other type of professional help when youâre experiencing a crisis. Sometimes the stress of a financial crisis can be more than one person can â" or should â" handle alone. If the stress relief techniques mentioned in this article seem to be not nearly enough help for the type of stress youâre fa cing, it may be time to talk to your doctor. If youâre feeling an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, a lasting loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy, or a general feeling that you probably do need more help, for example, a professional can offer more in-depth options that can help you through these difficult times. 4 Simple Ways to Relieve Money Stress
Saturday, May 23, 2020
All 71 Refugees Crammed Into The Dark, Confined Space,
All 71 refugees crammed into the dark, confined space, hoping that soon they would see the light of Austria. The back door slammed shut, and they felt the truck take off. The bumps on the roads started to intensify. Fidgeting and moaning worsened the claustrophobic feeling, so they remained still and silent, trying to sleep through the rough journey. The rusty ventilation fan that provided limited air supply continued to make grating sounds. This all made sleeping much more difficult. The tiny light bulb, which provided their only source of light, continued to flicker like a mini strobe light. In each momentary snippet of blackness, they all died a little, only to come alive again in the next shallow burst of glimmer. All of theâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦As he looked around, he realized no one cared about his previous stature and authority. The bombing of his town replayed in his mind on repeat. With his town reduced to rubble, he sadly acknowledged that he was now reduced to the mayor of nothing. As time passed, the impatient mayor couldnââ¬â¢t take it anymore. He impulsively pushed past the rows of refugees to the front of the truck. Banging on the wall which separated them from the driver, he yelled, ââ¬Å"Let us out!â⬠The driver angrily shouted back, ââ¬Å"This is not a 5-star luxury cruise! Shut up and wait till we get there!â⬠Unmoved, he apathetically lit another cigarette and continued driving. The mayor was embarrassed by his failed attempt. He walked back with his head down. Moments later, the container became unusually silent. The engineer knew something was wrong. He looked around, and as his eyes gazed towards the fan, he noticed that the fan was not moving. It was neither blowing out air, nor making a sound. As he continued to stare at the fan, others started to notice. Then, everybody knew. Panic ensued as refugees screamed and cried, and feared that they would die within minutes. Groups of people forcefully pounded the back door, trying to get out. Arguments and small fights formed. In a matter of seconds, the container turned into an arena. The mayor couldnââ¬â¢t stand watching friends and family bickering. HeShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words à |à 656 PagesMichael Adas for the American Historical Association TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PRESS PHILADELPHIA Temple University Press 1601 North Broad Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122 www.temple.edu/tempress Copyright à © 2010 by Temple University All rights reserved Published 2010 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Essays on twentieth century history / edited by Michael Peter Adas for the American Historical Association. p. cm.ââ¬â(Critical perspectives on the past) Includes bibliographical
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Narrow Your Focus for a Research Paper
It is typical for students to set off on a research topic only to find out that the one theyve chosen is too broad. If you are lucky, you will find out before you conduct too much research, because much of the early research you carry out might be useless once you finally narrow your topic. It is a good idea to run your initial research idea by a teacher or librarian to get an expert opinion. He or she will save you some time and give you some tips on narrowing the scope of your topic. What Is Too Broad? Students get tired of hearing that their chosen topic is too broad, but it is a very common problem. How do you know if your topic is too broad? If you find yourself in the library staring at a entire section of books that could work as references for your topic, it is too broad! A good topic addresses a specific question or problem. You should see only four or five books on the shelf that address your specific research question (maybe fewer!).If your topic can be summed up in a word or two, like smoking, school cheating, education, overweight teens, corporal punishment, Korean War, or hip-hop, it is too broad.If you have trouble coming up with a thesis statement, your topic is probably too broad.ââ¬â¹ A good research project must be narrowed down in order to be meaningful and manageable. How to Narrow Your Topic The best way to narrow your topic is to apply a few of the old familiar question words, like who, what, where, when, why, and how. Paddling as punishment:Where?: Paddling in grade schoolWhat and where?: Emotional effects of paddling in grade schoolWhat and who?: Emotional effects of paddling on female childrenHip-hop dancing:What?: Hip-hop as therapyWhat and where?: Hip-hop as therapy in JapanWhat, where, and who?: Hip-hop as therapy for delinquent youth in Japan Eventually, you will see that the process of narrowing your research topic actually makes your project more interesting. Already, youre one step closer to a better grade! Another Tactic Another good method for narrowing your focus involves brainstorming a list of terms and questions related to your broad topic. To demonstrate, lets start with a broad subject,à like unhealthy behavior as an example. Imagine that your instructor has given this subject as a writing prompt. You can make a list of somewhat-related, random nouns and see if you can ask questions to relate the two topics. This results in a narrow subject! Here is a demonstration: ArtCarsBedbugsEyeballsSandwiches This might look random, but your next step is to come up with a question that connects the two subjects. The answer to that question is the starting point for a thesis statement, and a brainstorming session like this can lead to great research ideas. Art and unhealthy behavior:Is there a specific piece of art that represents the hazards of smoking?Is there a famous artist who died from an unhealthy habit?Sandwiches and unhealthy behavior:What happens if you eat sandwiches every day for dinner?Are ice cream sandwiches really bad for us?
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Twilight Saga 5 Midnight Sun 26. Awakening Free Essays
string(39) " our hotel room but she never made it\." The constant drone of the machines continued to echo through my psyche as the evening street lights casted shadows through the hospital room. Rene refused to leave Bellaââ¬â¢s side for any period of time. I let her have my seat next to Bella but continued to stay in the room, sitting in the corner quietly listening to Reneââ¬â¢s thoughts whirl through her child like mind. We will write a custom essay sample on The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 26. Awakening or any similar topic only for you Order Now She was unlike Bella in every way; she even sensed danger when it came to the Cullenââ¬â¢s, unlike Bella. My poor babyâ⬠¦what time is it? She looked towards the clock. Eleven. Charlie should be here shortly. Iââ¬â¢m going to have to have a talk with him. Her thoughts then became a little disjointed in anger as she thought of her daughter falling down two sets of stairs because she had run away from Forks. Forks, she scoffed internally. I knew this wasnââ¬â¢t a good idea. I warned her. I told her she didnââ¬â¢t have to leave. What kind of mother am I to condemn my child to a place like Forks? Ignoring her constant prattling, I continued to stare, fixated on Bella, waiting for her eyes to open, willing them to just flutter. I couldnââ¬â¢t see the clock that was over my head, but I was counting every second as they passed. It was easy to keep track because my only focal point was Bella and how long she had been devoid of consciousness. It had now been exactly 39,982â⬠¦83â⬠¦84 seconds since we arrived at the hospital. Her heart thrummed evenly as her scent was beginning to slowly return to her. The sweet nectar that was her life filled the room with the delicious aroma. Craving the sweetness, I brought the scent into my lungs, letting my throat burst into flames. It was only two hours ago that she finished her second blood transfusion and I was afraid her scent would forever be a pitiful imitation of the luscious blood pulsating through her body. It felt like my body was undergoing physical suffering owing to her condition. Her blood deficient was because of me; a creature so monstrous that I preyed on this innocent creature by allowing her to become a part of my life. More than that, she was my life. My phone lightly vibrated in my jeans pocket ?Cdistracting me from my internal torment ââ¬â and I pulled it out to read a message from Alice. Just picked Charlie up from the airport. Will be there in fourteen minutes. Snapping my phone shut, I got up to move to Bellaââ¬â¢s other side. With her mother here, I kept my distance, not wanting to over step my bounds with a parental authority that I so recently metâ⬠¦and especially under these circumstances. ââ¬Å"Charlie will be here shortly. Carlisle and Alice just picked him up from the airport,â⬠I said lightly. Itââ¬â¢s about time. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s good,â⬠her eyes never left Bellaââ¬â¢s face. For over an hour before now I was struggling to come over and talk with Rene. I wanted to flush out a good story to tell her about why we were here in the first place. She got the gist of the story from the doctor about her going through a window after falling down two flights of stairs, but that was all. ââ¬Å"Mrs. Dwyer,â⬠I began. Such a gentlemanâ⬠¦Mrs. Dwyer. Her penetrating gaze moved from Bellaââ¬â¢s face to mine. Her eyes widened a little at my appearance. It always caught humans off guard, the little indications they didnââ¬â¢t comprehend, no matter how many times theyââ¬â¢d seen one of us before. She studied my face for only a brief second before she saw the grief that was displayed squarely on my face. Ignoring her senses she brought her thoughts to my expression. He really cares for her. He looks like he is going to cry. ââ¬Å"Rene,â⬠she corrected me. ââ¬Å"Yes, of course, Rene. I wanted to apologize for this whole incident,â⬠I used my smoothest voice to ease her stress, one I retained for not alarming humans. ââ¬Å"This isnââ¬â¢t your faultâ⬠¦,â⬠she began, but her thoughts caught up to her mouth. What was he doing down here anyways? He didnââ¬â¢tâ⬠¦follow her did he? Heââ¬â¢s not a stalkerâ⬠¦is he? She tried to smile politely but even without her thoughts as a guide I could have guessed what she was currently thinking. Her thoughts werenââ¬â¢t far off base. I was her vampire stalker, watching her sleep every night. I continued, not wanting to think that once she recovered, this would be the endâ⬠¦no more stealthily hiding in her room. ââ¬Å"Yes, it is my fault. I really care about your daughter, so please understand that I want the best for herâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Why are you here?â⬠She blurted out. ââ¬Å"When I brought her home after playing baseball with my family she became upset. She really misses Arizona and after I confessed my feelings for her she became angry.â⬠The memory of her yelling at me flashed through my mind. Though she was acting, it burned to hear her say goodbye and slam the door in my face which is ultimately my worst fear. His feelings? Hum, I wonder how much he actually cares for herâ⬠¦I hope her actions arenââ¬â¢t because of meâ⬠¦my pastâ⬠¦because of my fear of her staying in Forks. Nope, not his faultâ⬠¦mine, all mine. She stared at me with her eyes filling with the sorrow of her thoughts, so I went on, trying to distract her from her mental images. It was entirely my fault, not hers. ââ¬Å"When I found out she had run off to Arizonaâ⬠¦from a call she made to Alice, I had to fix it. Carlisle and Alice came with me to try and convince her to come back to Forks; that we all loved and missed her.â⬠We all love her? Their relationship is a little more intense than I realized. Rene speculated. ââ¬Å"She agreed to meet us at our hotel room but she never made it. You read "The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 26. Awakening" in category "Essay examples" Carlisle was actually in the hallway getting ice when he heard a loud crash. Alice and I heard it also,â⬠The look on my face showed pure agony at the thought, though this wasnââ¬â¢t acting, this was how I truly felt. ââ¬Å"It was Bella; she had tripped and gone through a window. We rushed to get Carlisle but he was already there. All three of us helped stop the bleeding and get her to the hospital.â⬠Poor child. He must have been scared out of his mind. Rene reached over to place her hand over mine. ââ¬Å"Thank you for saving her.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thank Carlisle. Heââ¬â¢s the doctor,â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, but without you, he might not of been able to stop the bleeding in time,â⬠a tear slid down her face and the white blanket covering Bella now had a wet spot from the droplet. Edward, weââ¬â¢re here. Alice called out to me through her mind. I have to warn you, heââ¬â¢s not happy. You might want to get out of there beforeâ⬠¦ The door to the room flew open as Charlie came marching in, livid. His face was so screwed up in anger that all the blood had rushed to his face, covering it purple, like a radish with a sun burn. ââ¬Å"This is all your fault,â⬠he pointed a finger at my chest, coming closer and closer. I backed away from him, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry.â⬠It was a pathetic attempt, but it was all I could think to say with him advancing on me. I nearly knocked over my tray of food; nothing more than a prop, really, but my mind was in such anguish that I wasnââ¬â¢t paying attention. No, this is my fault, Rene thought while stepping in between us. She placed her hands on Charlieââ¬â¢s chest and began to push him towards the door. ââ¬Å"Mr. Swan, Iâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I began. Rene interjected. ââ¬Å"Charlie, thatââ¬â¢s enough. Letââ¬â¢s talk outside,â⬠she commanded sternly. ââ¬Å"You wonââ¬â¢t ever see my daughter again. Do you understand?â⬠Charlie continued to shout at me as Rene continued to heave against him until he was outside of the door. His threat was unnecessary because I had to leave her to let her live a peaceful life without all the peril. I backed slowly into the corner, sitting down on the chair again. Bellaââ¬â¢s breath had picked up slightly; the tempo of her heart increasing, like she could sense the tension in the room. Watching her small chest lightly rise and fall with each breath, seeing the blood flow seamlessly through her translucent skin, listening to her heart which was echoed perfectly with the monitor all just emphasized how delicate and precious she really was. I had to save her from the nightmarish creature I feared and loathed that finally made it to the surface when I tasted the rich flavor of her blood. I was afraid that I wouldnââ¬â¢t have enough discipline left to be around her forever. Would all my efforts fail? Pushing my ever growing thoughts of leaving from my mind ?C fighting tooth and nail against what I didnââ¬â¢t want to be ââ¬â I opened my mind to the conversation that was now being shouted in the hall. Listening in on their conversation wasnââ¬â¢t difficult in the least. They were barely standing outside the door and with their raised voices it was loud enough that even the humans could hear it. ââ¬Å"Charlie, calm down right this instance!â⬠Rene yelled at him. ââ¬Å"You left him in there with our daughter. She left because of him,â⬠he growled furiously with the protective concern, emitting a possessive edge in his thoughts. I could witness his livid expression through Reneââ¬â¢s human eyes. Not the best vision, but it would work. He was right, though; she did leave because of me, because of the danger I placed her in. Looking at her limp form on the bed, her brown hair surrounding her glorious bruised face only brought more fear rippling and quivering through my still form. I was gasping at the air like Iââ¬â¢d been suffocated. ââ¬Å"No. She left because of me! If she wasnââ¬â¢t so scared to fall in love in Forks than she wouldnââ¬â¢t have run away in the first place. This is my fault, not his. If you want to blame someone, blame me,â⬠she retorted. ââ¬Å"You didnââ¬â¢t hear the way she yelled at him.â⬠I flinched at the memory, my nerves stretching tight ?C guitar strings, tensed to resonate at the gentlest of pressure. ââ¬Å"She was so angry and upset,â⬠his voice had lowered some, noticing all the attention on them. Charlie hated attention as much as Bella did. ââ¬Å"Wait, did you say love?â⬠Rene eyed the door automatically, picturing my tortured face in her mind. ââ¬Å"Yes. I believe he loves her,â⬠she murmured. ââ¬Å"Wellâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ he stuttered. ââ¬Å"That still doesnââ¬â¢t matter!â⬠ââ¬Å"They were trying to help. You know our daughter, she is very clumsy. If it didnââ¬â¢t happen now it probably would have happened in the future. Itââ¬â¢s better if it is when a qualified emergency room doctor is around,â⬠Rene rubbed his shoulders. I could hear her impatience at her ex-husband. Dr. Jones was still on duty and over heard part of the conversation in the hall. Must be her father the way he was yelling. He walked towards them. ââ¬Å"Hello, Iââ¬â¢m Dr. Jones. I am the one who worked on your daughter this afternoon.â⬠A nurse had followed behind him and entered the room. She began taking Bellaââ¬â¢s vitals, not even realizing I was sitting in the corner. Her thoughts concentrated on the information she was writing down on the chart. I continued to listen to the conversation outside the door. ââ¬Å"Oh, hello, yesâ⬠¦Iââ¬â¢m Charlie, her father. Dr. Cullen told me she was in a medically induced coma?â⬠The light rhythmic movement of Bellaââ¬â¢s heart continued at a steadied beat, a little faster than when she was in a peaceful sleep. Again, I was counting the seconds. ââ¬Å"Yes. She is healing nicely. Once her swelling goes down around her brain we will try and wake her, but it is strictly up to her body to decide when she is ready to awake from this coma,â⬠he stated firmly, yet in a tone that would help ease his stress. ââ¬Å"Yes. Of course. I understand,â⬠Charlie rubbed his temples. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll leave you alone. Let you have some time with your daughter,â⬠he murmured before walking away. ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠Charlie barely spoke. When the nurse swiveled around she finally saw me sitting there. Her heart jumped and began beating wildly. I didnââ¬â¢t even see him sitting there. ââ¬Å"Oh, Iââ¬â¢m sorry. Iââ¬â¢m just leaving now,â⬠she began to walk towards the door. Now that I think about itâ⬠¦ she glanced over her shoulder. He is hot! I might have to volunteer to come back in here tonight. She finally opened the door nearly knocking over Charlie who had reached for the door at the same time. Standing, I opened my mouth to apologize again. Charlie held up a hand. ââ¬Å"No need.â⬠Rene continued to stand in the hall, uncertain if she needed to enter or not, worried that Charlie might decide to release some more of his fury on me. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll leave you two alone,â⬠I mumbled while walking out of the room. Rene turned to get dinner, taking deep breaths while her thoughts were grumbling in complaint at Charlieââ¬â¢s behavior. And heââ¬â¢s such a nice boyâ⬠¦I just donââ¬â¢t understand. As soon as the door clicked shut Alice was at my side. I see he calmed down. He was in a white rage in the car on the way over here. I thought I was going to have to restrain him he was so angry. I nodded, not speaking. I was still burning from the pain. I know what youââ¬â¢re planning. I ignored her. Curiosity continued to eat at her as she walked next to me down the hall which was rich with the scent of bleach and plastic. She looked at me inquisitively, wondering what I was thinking that was making the visions in her mind flash. My thoughts were burning, wishing I could know what was going through Bellaââ¬â¢s mind right now. Her mind was closed to me, and now her eyes were too, the one link I had left to her internal knowledge. Everything is going to be okay, I can see it. She tried to comfort me. Still, I continued to walk silently next to her. Bellaââ¬â¢s oddly deep brown eyes were fixated in my irises which were crimson with fresh human blood. My contacts were beginning to burn away. Before I could ask Alice, she had another box placed in her palm. Here, letââ¬â¢s not give Charlie any reasons to hate you more. ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠I replied dully. If I thought going on a single hunting trip ââ¬â leaving Bella behind, vulnerable ââ¬â was excruciating, the next twelve hours were worse. The extreme and generally prolonged pain and mental suffering were the most constant of my torments. But, the most painful of my torments was Charlieââ¬â¢s possessive nature over his daughter. With him here, I was basically kicked out of her room, Rene constantly apologizing for his poor behavior. During the afternoon hours Alice and Rene would converse about everything from style to yoga classes, even though Alice has no need for yoga. Though I sat there, listening to their conversations, they continued to become aware of how tightly wound I was, feeling the stress emanate out of me without the special gift that Jasper has. Edward, Alice called from her mind around two in the afternoon. Charlie is going back to Forks. The officersâ⬠¦well, he is the police force, they need him back. He already received that call and will be on a plane by five. This was the first decent news I had heard in days. Regardless, today would be a hard one. Harder than the day before because each second that I continued to count added to the time that her deep depths were closed, her mind locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Like Alice had predicted, Charlie came strolling around the corner to give us the news about his departure. He completely ignored me, but in his mind he was thinking daggers towards me. Daggers that would never pierce my cold, steel skin. Rene walked with Charlie out of the hospital, leaving Alice and I alone together. Letââ¬â¢s go see Bella. Without answering her, I rose, walking quicker than human speed towards the room. Whenever Charlie wasnââ¬â¢t taking up all of Bellaââ¬â¢s coma time, I was there, by her side. When I got the chance, I was holding her. Rene had stayed the night, and was planning on doing it again ?C something I wasnââ¬â¢t terribly excited about. When we reached the door I opened it and was instantly hit with a spectacular scent wafting through the room. Each breath was full of fire which was also full of her life. I ignored the burning, pushed it in the back of my mind. There was a newspaper on her bedside table. I picked it up to the page that was left open. It was a story that covered the arson of a ballet studio and theft of a car that was left outside. Anger pulsed through me at the thought of James again, though I pushed it aside because another angry thought hit me. I wished that Rene hadnââ¬â¢t known about this, because now she was too afraid to stay in her own home. My continuance of emotions ached for some kind of physical outlet, and yet the only outlet I had was now gone, dead. Not todayâ⬠¦Alice murmured. Sheââ¬â¢s not ready. My hopes plummeted at this news. She continued to watch the future which spun, twisted and became mangled again. I wishâ⬠¦ ââ¬Å"This is obviously not the time to bring that up,â⬠I barked. I was just going to say I wish sheââ¬â¢d wake up soon, Aliceââ¬â¢s eyes were wide with innocence, and I didnââ¬â¢t believe it for a second. Looking at her eyes, I saw the reflection of my own eyes which were an odd brown, muddy color. Momentarily it caught me off guard, forgetting I was wearing the contacts, even though they continued to obstruct my perfect vision. I stole my eyes away from her to bring them back to Bellaââ¬â¢s limp and lumpy form. Her eyes were closed lightly, as if she were very peaceful. Her hair glinted in the bright white light over her face. My remorse and the guilt burned with the thirst, and, if I had the ability to produce tears, they would have filled my eyes. Each second that I continued to count reminded me of the precious soul lying in the bed before us. She was so breakable, and I broke her, she was good and she didnââ¬â¢t deserve my fate. My mind was bouncing around like a tennis ball, willing myself to stay away from her, to no longer let my life collide with hersâ⬠¦destroying it in the process. What have I done? As the hour passed my mind continually would titter on a line of right and wrong. First, my thoughts leaning one way, then the other. Alice was becoming irritated at my constant state of vivid flashes of the future which would crumble every time I changed my mind. Then, when I didnââ¬â¢t think the burning could get worse, I imagined her waking up and kicking me out of her room. I had to remind myself that she had every right to hate me, to not trust me with her safety. That she should. Would you quit! Alice shouted from mind. You arenââ¬â¢t going anywhere. I wonââ¬â¢t let you. Remember, you did save her life. Her thoughts were confusing and incomprehensible. Did I not place Bella in front of the danger that lurked around her until it struck? Wasnââ¬â¢t this all my fault in the first place? Quickly, I decided that the best course of action was to ignore her thoughts. After an hour had passed Rene entered the room, her mind happily jumping from subject to subject. What books she liked, her favorite movies, how she painted Bellaââ¬â¢s new room in Florida. Each second, I countedâ⬠¦I angered even moreâ⬠¦mostly at myself. I tried ignoring Bella once, letting her go and it didnââ¬â¢t work. I remember thinking that there were other options besides her ultimate doom. Now that I am sitting at her bedside, where she was on the brink of death nearly twenty four hours ago, I realized that keeping her in the fragile state would inevitably destroy her. I had to leave. Not now, but after she recovered. I did this, I have to clean it up. I wonââ¬â¢t leave her here, broken, without help. Iââ¬â¢ve had it! Alice stood up. ââ¬Å"Rene, Iââ¬â¢m sorry, I have to go. Iââ¬â¢ll see you tomorrow.â⬠So soon? Rene stared at me. But heââ¬â¢s not good company. ââ¬Å"I understand, dear. See you tomorrow.â⬠Surely it had to be miserable being around me, but if they understood my frustrations, my ever growing war that was raging inside me, then they would leave me alone. I argued with myself as the evening hours progressed, afraid my less noble side would win the argument. To add to my ever growing torments, the silence emitting from Bella was torturing me. Night after night I watched over her, and she spoke, tossed, turned, and murmured some more. Not last nightâ⬠¦and not tonight. The mystery that surrounded Bella continued to make my curiosity flare. The lure of her unprotected and unconsciously spoken thoughts were making me sick with regret. I should have stayed away and then tonight would have been like any other night when I went to visit her. I missed her murmurs, her spoken dreams and fears. The only sound from Bella was her light breathing, which had a little rattle from her bruised ribs and her steady heart beat. I shook my head in disgust at what I had done to her. Though she was bruised and tubes and wiring seemed to be coming from her every orifice, she was still beautiful. Her dark hair was tangled wildly around her pale face. As the night progressed into the early morning hours, Rene never kicked me out. Instead she slept resolutely with Bellaââ¬â¢s hand in hers. Jealousy raged inside me at her touch. I wanted it to be me holding her hand, lying with her, comforting her. It was foolishness to think that we belonged together, even though I could never imagine myself without her, or with anyone else. She deserved happiness and love with whomever she chose, yet she chose meâ⬠¦the cold inhuman creature that almost brought her to her death. Could a dead frozen heart break? I felt like mine was. In an instant, a memory flooded my troubled mind, making my mind teeter in yet another direction. That first evening I became the peeping tomâ⬠¦Bella, she was dreaming of me, mumbling my name. ââ¬Å"Stay,â⬠she sighed. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t go. Pleaseâ⬠¦donââ¬â¢t go.â⬠That was the night she changed me, the rare and permanent thing that you could never give back. It was love, and no matter how many years pass, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, I would forever love this one girl. I gazed at her unconscious face, reminding myself of the love that had settled into every portion of my stone body that night. If I loved her though, then I was strong enough to leave her because that is what would be best. Loving her would not keep me from killing her, if I let myself make mistakes, like I did this week, she could be killed. Though, it would not be intentional, only a horrible accident. Obviously, I am capable of making mistakes. In only an half hour of speaking with her for the first time I slipped up twice. Deliberately, I took in a deep breath, letting her scent rip through me like wildfire. With each breath, I let it remind myself of the monster that was living deep inside me. Though he was gone, missing right now, I knew he was still there, sending waves of fire through my throat. Rene was sleeping soundly now, dreaming about a horseback riding class she had that was a little bizarre. Still, I continued to count the seconds as the sun rose over the mountainous horizon. I closed the vertical blinds so my skin wouldnââ¬â¢t sparkle. Again, I felt my contacts disintegrate and had to replace them. In the bathroom, my eyes still were bright red with Bellaââ¬â¢s blood. Another reminder of the damage I inflicted upon her by being with her. I felt my pocket vibrate and reached in to grab my phone. It was nine in the morning. It had now almost been two days of a still, unmoving beauty lying in this bed, comatose. I read the message. Bella will awake at 913. Thought Iââ¬â¢d give you the heads up so you could wake Rene so she could get her breakfast. It will give you time to be alone with Bella. A great relief spread over me at this news. The seconds I would no longer have to count because she would be awake, talking to me. Purposefully, I dropped my phone, the sound vibrated off the walls in the tiny room. Rene jumped to her feet. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s going on? Whereââ¬â¢s Grace?â⬠she mumbled, her face bewildered. I had to suppress a laugh. ââ¬Å"Grace?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Dream,â⬠she muttered. That horse scares the living fire out of me! Again, my giddy state was hard to control. My lips twitched on the edges at the thought of her waking. ââ¬Å"They are serving breakfast,â⬠I offered. Oh course, he wants time alone with her. ââ¬Å"Yes, breakfast sounds nice.â⬠Rene left with one last glance over her shoulder before shutting the door. Curling up onto Bellaââ¬â¢s bed, I held her hand while watching the clock. The seconds were going by slower. The last minute before her awakening seemed to take twiceâ⬠¦no three times as long. Each second that ticked by had my thoughts scattering in every direction. Now that I knew she would be awake soon, the thought of leaving her was inconceivable. I would always love this fragile human girl for the rest of my limitless existence. I gazed at her unconscious face, feeling this love for her settle into every portion of my cold steel body. If I wasnââ¬â¢t strong enough to leave her maybe I was strong enough to construct a new future. She moaned while her eyes fluttered. Could a dead, frozen heart beat again? It felt like mine was about to. How to cite The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 26. Awakening, Essay examples
Friday, May 1, 2020
Strategic Information Management and Challenges
Question: Discuss about the Strategic Information Management and Challenges. Answer: Introduction Information systems have developed to be a mandatory requirement in strategic direction of every business organization in the contemporary business environment. The most significant implementation of information systems in strategic purposes is observed in the accounting information systems which address the accounting requirements of an organization. As per Abdelhak, Grostick Hanken, every organization requires stability and control in the accounting framework in order to ensure sustainable business practices (Abdelhak, Grostick Hanken, 2014). Accounting information systems have been widely referenced in business management literature and are largely associated with the primary function of continuing the operations of internal control systems. One of the significant functions which are executed by the accounting information systems refers to the estimation of present and predicted economic scenarios in terms of quantitative data. The development of a varied assortment of accounting software has contributed to institution of flexibility in the domain of AIS alongside expanding its scope (Amrollahi, Ghapanchi Talaei-Khoei, 2014). Arvidsson, Holmstrm Lyytinen said that the utilization of the accounting software for obtaining cash flow statement, income statement and balance statements serves as a potentially beneficial outcome which can be obtained from Accounting Information Systems (Arvidsson, Holmstrm Lyytinen, 2014). The packages and different software used for the purpose of processing financial data could be subsequently helpful in establishing a functional information system along with the facilities for credible data collection and processing. Efficiency of Accounting Information Systems Leaders and managers of business organizations rely on the efficacy of accounting information systems in order to frame strategic decisions pertaining to issues which are associated with financial parameters. As per Baskerville, Spagnoletti Kim, the efficiency of accounting information systems on a qualitative basis can be determined in the form of their usefulness for the distinct business activities of the organization (Baskerville, Spagnoletti Kim, 2014). Accounting information systems or AIS have been functionally involved with distinct outcomes pertaining to internal controls in an organization. The introduction of AIS in an organization can lead to credibility of accounting reports, enhanced integration in the organizational framework and safeguarding assets. Apart from the above mentioned benefits, AIS are also responsible for different internal and external audits, cost effectiveness, improving the documentation standards and security. As per Cassidy, the development of sev eral accounting packages has also led to the advantage for organizations by utilizing their IT resources and competences for accomplishing organizational control objectives especially in the domain of financial accounting (Cassidy, 2016). The distinct controls which are implemented by the accounting software refer to corrective control, application control, preventive control, general control and detective controls. Preventive controls have been associated with the distinct elements of selecting proficient personnel and monitoring the physical access to assets and are primarily predictive in nature. Detective controls can be identified in the specific issues which have not been resolved and some of the common instances where detective controls are observed include bank reconciliations and documentation of monthly trial balances and the calculations checking. As per Galliers Leidner, general control is concerned with the application of stability and management in accounting information systems in order to ensure their sustainable operations. Examples referring to general control include software development, maintenance control, acquiring new accounting software and development of a secure infrastructure (Galliers Leidner, 2014). Corrective controls have been identified as major contributors to the identification of problems in the accounting framework of a specific organization as well as providing the facilities of data recovery in case of vulnerable data. Corrective controls can be found in an organization through the examples of processes such as development and storage of backup files, resolving the data entry errors and repeating the transactions with the objective of processing. Application controls are meant for resolution of transaction errors and frauds through the distinct stages of detection, prevention and resolution of errors. Application controls can be realized aptly through improving the sophistication in the instruments and methods used for data collection, entry, processing, storage and transmission. Accounting Frameworks Accounting frameworks in an organization are particularly meant for inducing stability of financial resources. The history of accounting can be traced back to ancient civilizations and empires and traditional accounting frameworks have evolved into the digital platforms for accounting objectives in modern business organizations. As per Haux et al, the distinct methods implemented by organizations conventionally refer to the use of bookkeeping (Haux et al., 2013). Despite the availability of technological assistance for monitoring financial aspects of the organization in the form of accounting software and spreadsheets, many organizations in varied sectors continue to rely on the physical form of accounting in accounting books. The selection of accounting software by a business organization is dependent on specific parameters (Haux et al., 2013). As per Ward Peppard, the requirements of a business organization from the software refer to the variability and volume of financial data as sociated with the organization (Ward Peppard, 2016). Specifically, the software must be able to address the objectives such as interfacing capabilities with other systems, stock management capabilities, financial record monitoring in individual departments, supervision of the progress of work, implications of foreign currency, CRM facilities, task management, capabilities for monitoring the different bank accounts of the organization at the same time and ability for encompassing the different payroll requirements comprising of references to leaves such as annual and long service leaves. The continuous increase in the number of entrepreneurs in Australia reflects on the development of several companies on smaller scales. Key Objectives of Small Scale Organization The key objectives of small scale organization are directed towards sustainability in a competitive environment which can be catered only through efficient financial monitoring. Some of the commonly used accounting packages and software in Australia refer to the distinct characteristics of catering financial management needs of business organization at comparatively reasonable prices. Cashflow manager, Sage, MyOB, Xero-online, Nominal and Reckon One are some of the most commonly observed financial accounting software used by business organizations in Australia. As per Malhotra, Melville Watson, the functions of the different accounting software are observed in the distinct illustration of sales revenue, liabilities, expenses and assets which are considered as imperative elements of an organizations financial records. The distinct demarcation of the individual accounts as mentioned above can be also expanded to the integration of main accounts and subordinate accounts (Malhotra, Melv ille Watson, 2013). The classification of different accounts is responsible for determining the credibility of the accounting information systems and is also useful for flexible access to data in case of future references. Accounting information systems are also considered resource friendly as the mere requirement of data storage devices, computers and servers does not impose any considerable pressure on the organization. As per Pearlson, Saunders Galletta, the accounting systems also require human resources for monitoring the operations in the system. Therefore individuals with appropriate skills and experience in documentation and interpretation of financial data as well as with promising knowledge of software requirements are considered as suitable for the task (Pearlson, Saunders Galletta, 2016). The understanding of requirements of data in individual fields is considered as a mandatory requirement for efficient processing. Therefore AIS serve as appropriate strategic informa tion systems for different organizations of varying scales in Australia through effective monitoring of the financial liabilities and resources of the organization. Functions Of Accounting Software The functions of accounting software are not merely limited to the domain of AIS in an organization (Salleh et al., 2015). The use of accounting software for monitoring functional modules and delivering performance can be observed in the estimation of payroll, receivable and payable accounts and trial balance. Packaged accounting software has contributed to the flexibility for organizations to acquire a wide assortment of accounting management functions through comprehensive records of accounting reports and financial transactions. As per Uaktrk Villard, accounting software is largely concerned with the objectives of accomplishing competitive advantage as well as improving the efficiency of strategic decision making (Shapiro Varian, 2013). Various references in literature have indicated the profound features of accounting software and the observation of real life examples could be also considered as viable citations of the efficiency of accounting software (Uaktrk Villard, 2013). MyOB accounting software used in Australia allows organizations to use flexible interface for online payments which is supported by payroll and accounting applications. Data management has been attributed as the foremost influence on the distinct strategic activities of an organization such as risk management and asset management. Conclusion The distinct approaches which are suggested for improving the financial accounting systems through integration of ICT systems in the AIS can be considered as major contributors to the development and sustainability of small businesses in Australia. Financial resource management is a major concern for business managers as they have to identify the prolific outcomes by utilizing accounting software to improve sales, ensure cost saving, develop the levels of internal communication, performance improvement of business strategy, provision of superior customer service and induce flexibility in business strategies. Some of the common factors which could be considered as drivers of change in the existing framework of accounting packages include resistance of users, IT expertise, and availability of external consultants, magnitude and cultural background of the organization. However, Accounting information systems (AIS) are subject to limitations derived from the technological ambiguities associated with IT which is the basic requirement for information systems. Therefore organizations should assume the support of external consultants in order to address the requirements of technical expertise in IT. This would enable the accounting management personnel of an organization to avail appropriate training and development in order to acquire viable suggestions for troubleshooting as well as improvise on existing skills and competencies pertaining to management of AIS. Hence it can be observed that the different types of accounting software have contributed substantially to the financial management prospects for Australian organizations thereby providing strategic advantage which suggests that AIS can be aptly considered as strategic information systems. References Abdelhak, M., Grostick, S. and Hanken, M.A., 2014.Health information: management of a strategic resource. Elsevier Health Sciences. Amrollahi, A., Ghapanchi, A.H. and Talaei-Khoei, A., 2014. Three decades of research on strategic information system plan development.Communications of the Association for Information Systems,34(1), p.84. Arvidsson, V., Holmstrm, J. and Lyytinen, K., 2014. Information systems use as strategy practice: A multi-dimensional view of strategic information system implementation and use.The Journal of Strategic Information Systems,23(1), pp.45-61. Baskerville, R., Spagnoletti, P. and Kim, J., 2014. Incident-centered information security: Managing a strategic balance between prevention and response.Information management,51(1), pp.138-151. Cassidy, A., 2016.A practical guide to information systems strategic planning. CRC press. Galliers, R.D. and Leidner, D.E., 2014.Strategic information management: challenges and strategies in managing information systems. Routledge. Haux, R., Winter, A., Ammenwerth, E. and Brigl, B., 2013.Strategic information management in hospitals: an introduction to hospital information systems. Springer Science Business Media. Lederer, A.L., 2013. The Information Systems Planning Process Meeting the challenges of information systems planning.Strategic Information Management,216. Malhotra, A., Melville, N.P. and Watson, R.T., 2013. Spurring impactful research on information systems for environmental sustainability.MIS Quarterly,37(4), pp.1265-1274. Pearlson, K.E., Saunders, C.S. and Galletta, D.F., 2016.Managing and Using Information Systems, Binder Ready Version: A Strategic Approach. John Wiley Sons. Shapiro, C. and Varian, H.R., 2013.Information rules: a strategic guide to the network economy. Harvard Business Press. Salleh, S.M., Kassim, E.S., Sari, N.A.M. and Yunus, N.A.M., 2015. Conceptualizing User Bonding on Strategic Information System Development Success.Advanced Science Letters,21(6), pp.2024-2027. Uaktrk, A. and Villard, M., 2013. The effects of management information and ERP systems on strategic knowledge management and decision-making.Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences,99, pp.1035-1043. Ward, J. and Peppard, J., 2016.The Strategic Management of Information Systems: Building a Digital Strategy. John Wiley Sons. Whittington, R., 2014. Information systems strategy and strategy-as-practice: a joint agenda.The Journal of Strategic Information Systems,23(1), pp.87-91. Wahyudin, A. and Hasibuan, Z.A., 2015, October. Research classification in strategic information system planning development: A critical review. In2015 International Conference on Science in Information Technology (ICSITech)(pp. 287-292). IEEE.
Saturday, March 21, 2020
A Story About Seeing MxPx essays
A Story About Seeing MxPx essays On November 13th I went to Tramps in New York to see one of my favorite bands, MxPx. MxPx is a Christian pop-punk band. Pop punk basically means happy punk. The band members, are Mike Herrera who plays bass and sings, Tom Wisniewski who plays guitar and Yuri Ruley plays drums. They played about 10 songs, all of which I knew. Some of their songs have to do with society problems through the eyes of a teenager. At the show, the first song they played was one of my favorite's, "Teenage Politics". Some of the lyrics to this song are, "No I'm not mad but I think they forget what it's like and how hard it is to be a teenager. This is a new day and age, we read a different book where Elvis ain't the rage and polyester ain't the look." "...Is it time again to disagree about anything, everything and what's on TV it's a vicious circle, never ending a linear equation worldly extending. No, I'll never be like you; I'll never be like you. Oh no! I'm just like you!" The second song they played was "I'm the Bad Guy". The first couple lines of state, "Legalistic people suck. Legalism makes me sick." Even though they openly bust on legalism, they also know the world has nothing to offer them but hurt and pain, while God is the only answer. Since they are a Christian punk band, of course they have to play religious songs. One really good song that they played there was "False Fiction". This song basically means that the world is going through such turmoil because we don't have Christ in our lives. "They guarantee our freedom but freedom isn't real unless you know Christ you wont know how I feel. Inflections of the way things were supposed to be the mental disorder of our society...maybe this world had stopped thinking maybe all their minds are shrinking you failed system is including chaos, it's chaos, it's your loss." In "Like sand through the hourglass...so are the days of our lives," they say, "My world is breaking down around me. I see m ...
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Memorandum International management associated Essay Essay Example
Memorandum International management associated Essay Essay Example Memorandum International management associated Essay Essay Memorandum International management associated Essay Essay Businesss have crossed boundary lines. and it has been turning quickly in recent decennaries because of the liberalisation of authorities policies. and technological enlargement. To fulfill the planetary demand of clients. it requires strong directions accomplishments. sensitiveness to cultural issues. and intercultural competency. As the transnational corporations grows and better the quality. and operate at international degree. this is why directors should inquire three critical inquiries. first why should I spread out internationally? Second where should I spread out? Finally. how to spread out? Which will assist to accomplish successful strategic aims. `In this memoranda the Board of Directors for ABC Complete Kitchens. Inc. concerns of the board of managers of the works relation to international gross revenues of merchandises of for ABC Complete Kitchens. Inc will be examined. This memoranda analyzes the international direction considerations associated with the works. ABC Comp lete Kitchens. Inc is expecting about 20 per centum of the gross revenues from the international and abroad market. Therefore. the board of managers has expressed their concerns about the direction of international facets for the works. Some issues have been identified in abroad direction processs. and considerations for the same are to be provided. This memoranda expresses the concerns for the same. The ABC. Inc needs to follow international direction schemes to prolong its competitory place in the market via equal cultural. proficient. political. and economic environment. Localization Concerns After cognizing why to spread out either to increase gross revenues or to cut costs or for other grounds. The ABC. Inc. should make up ones mind which states to come in foremost. which type of states to take. what criteria to follow to do these picks. The best suggestion for ABC. Inc is enter the states with the largest possible clients for its merchandises. nevertheless directors should besides believe about how likely they are traveling to success in peculiar foreign market. and how to mensurate non merely the geographic distance. but linguistic communication. cultural. administrative. and economic distances every bit good. Language Concerns Language affects the manner of employees. clients and concern spouses communicate with each other. Based on the degree of foreign linguistic communication knowledgeââ¬âbasically the Englishââ¬âin the countryââ¬â¢s society. the ABC Inc. must carefully make up ones mind whether it can utilize English as a working and advertisement linguistic communication or if its direction has to larn the countryââ¬â¢s ain linguistic communication and construct the scheme on that linguistic communication ( Kozenkow ) . Cultural Concerns The wonts. behaviours and consumer penchants of every society are determined with Culture. While implementing a concern scheme overseas. ABC Kitchen Inc. should see all the cultural features of the targeted society. When come ining new state the t house should inquire if the clients want the same thing. or it will hold to modify the merchandise to suit their satisfactions. . Therefore. for increasing abroad sale. ABC Inc. must be after its abroad scheme maintaining in head of the civilization of the state for which the scheme is being planned. Administrative and International Laws concerns The ABC kitchen. Inc. need to stay and esteem the different ordinances. authorities policies. and legal systems. because states vary widely on these dimensions. which require the house to has a deep apprehension on how to run into those ordinances to avoid failure. even if the house has the best merchandises in the markets. Technical development concerns Differences among the proficient development and installation of markets internationally or within the United States determine basically the chances of production. gross revenues and selling of the operating concerns. Management can construct your advertisement and publicity scheme entirely on the Internet if the bulk of the national population or local community uses the Web as its primary beginning of information. Economic concerns An other of import factor is economic concern which is the norm of buying power clients in different states. and how elastic this power is. hence. it means how much demand for the merchandise alterations. as the monetary value goes up and down. because this is a large trade for the house to cognize who are used to purchase merchandises in the market. where every one is affluent. In other custodies. may people with low pay should be a mark. Economic differences like these have a major influence on what type of merchandises will be demanded. Supply Chain Management Supply ironss are an built-in portion of planetary quality and cost direction enterprise. because a typical companyââ¬â¢s supply concatenation cost can stand for more than 50 % of assets and more than 80 % of grosss. ( Ball. 2010 ) . in other word. the ABC. Inc should cut down the stock list of concatenation supply to cut down the cost. In order to make that the Board of Directors of ABC Inc. has to show reconsiderations for direction across concern maps in supply concatenation direction. Pull offing the flow of natural stuffs. supplies every bit good as finished merchandises are every bit of import as the direction of gross revenues and selling. Competition Another concern is the competition in abroad market. Local merchandises tend to be cheaper than the internationally exported merchandises due to assorted signifiers of revenue enhancements included in them. Therefore. how will be the completion met in the abroad market and what the direction programs to make with the revenue enhancements and monetary values in the abroad market. the board of managers should be interested in cognizing these facets. Finance and Accounting Another factor that the house should take it on consideration is the accounting patterns and standard alterations across the national boundary lines. it is an obstruction to unify subordinate fiscal consequences with those at the parent company. this is why there is a turning motion toward convergence of accounting criterions across states ( Ball. 2010 ) . This convergence will assist the fiscal direction to be more integration. because the statements will be comparable. ABC complete Kitchen Finance direction is peculiarly a concern point. as abroad states change in value in footings of each other based on currency exchange rates. How will the ABC Inc. comply with fiscal Torahs and ordinances in the host state. the concern peculiarly addresses following inquiries to be answered: What direction is making to understand how fluctuations in currency value change international concern minutess? What is the procedure for fiscal tools such as derived functions. hedges. payment timing. expos ure sacking. monetary value accommodations. balance sheet neutralizing. and barters. and how they affect concern public presentation? When and how to pay exporters in signifiers other than money ; purchasers often prefer payment rendered in the signifier of goods or services ( countertrade ) ? Human resource concern Board of managers of ABC complete Kitchen Inc. has expressed involvement and concern about the schemes of direction and have questioned that how will be the demands of the resources and workers will be met across different states. Furthermore. what is the best manner to run into the demands of these employees and besides best use their accomplishments and endowments to maintain the concern working swimmingly? ( Business ) Ethical motives and Society Concerns After the ABC kitchen. Inc established a concern planetary program for selling. operations. and human resource direction. should now set up an ethically and socially concern program among its international direction considerations. ââ¬Å"The intent of the house is non merely to do net income. but to make value for all of its stakeholders. concern success is judged non merely by companyââ¬â¢s fiscal. but by how good it serves wide societal interestsâ⬠( Laweren. 2008 ) . In other words if ABC. Inc want to successes internationally. it should follow scheme that apply ethical values and the regard of people on its planetary environment and for different people that affect the company. from the stakeholder. to the stockholders. employees. clients. and society. To accomplish that the Broad Director of the house should follow a stakeholder theory that consists on: placing the relevant stakeholders group. finding the interest of each group. finding how the outlook of each group are met. eventually look for the stakeholder involvements. By following these stairss the house will construct a good relationship with the stockholder. moreover will construct repute and trust that will heighten its public presentatio n. Finally. for the hiring procedure the ABC. Inc should set values and moralss as demand to engage new employees. because it will non merely assist the organisation but the planetary market topographic point. Decision In drumhead. acquiring planetary scheme wright can be really hard. because it requires fiting the wright grounds for traveling planetary with the wright topographic points and the Wright schemes. The ABC Complete kitchen. Inc should follow the stairss suggested while pull offing important differences between states. and reacting to the intense competition from both planetary and local rivals. nevertheless when the challenges are great. the ABC Inc should acquire it wright. to win in a truly large manner. MentionsBall. G. ( 2010 ) . International concern: The Challenge of planetary competition. 12th Edition. New York. New york: the McGraw-Hill CompaniesBoundless. com. ( n. d. ) . Considerations-when-managing-a-global-corporation. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. boundless. com/management/textbooks/boundless-management- textbook/globalization-and-business-14/managing-international-corporations- 107/considerations-when-managing-a-global-corporation-499-10752/ . Business. R. f. ( n. d. ) . International Management. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Gr-Int/International-Management. hypertext markup language. Kozenkow. J. ( n. d. ) . International Management Challenges. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //smallbusiness. chron. com/international-management-challenges-56168. hypertext markup language. Lawerence. W. ( 2008 ) . Business and Society: Stakeholders. Ethical motives. Public Policy. 12th Edition. New York. New york: The McGraw-Hill Companies. Sullivan. D. ( 2011 ) . Business schemes for organisational effectivity within the planetary Perspective. Pearson Education. New jersey: Prentice hall.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Case Study 1 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
1 - Case Study Example GE Company, in its effort to remain relevant in the last century, has resorted to modest management practices as a strategy to remain competitive in the business market. This article seeks to examine the management developments that GE Company has applied in the last century. According to Cole (5), the traditional management practices have been phased out by modern management practices. In his theory of management, Cole (7) regards innovation as the core value in modern management strategies. To a large extent, GE has remained innovative in modeling its strategic goals and objectives in the last century. One indicator of innovation in this company is the adoption of employee empowerment stages, which is a dominant strategy in modern management. For instance, the organization has upheld employee training as a way of keeping to at par with changes in worker environment, and apart from planning, the organization has exercised expertise in the implementation of its innovations. Another a ttribute of modern management theory that can be identified in this organization is the use of research management as a tool for overcoming business threats and taking advantage of opportunities. Cole (76) points out that business in the last century has been phased by the forces of competition, and that the only way to survive in the dynamic market research strategies should be employed to identify market opportunities and to initiate differentiation strategies. GE has embarked on corporate research to identify possible areas of business development, which has helped it to remain unique in the energy provision sector. In this regard, it is possible to regard the management development patterns adopted by GE as relevant to the pattern proposed by the management theories. Which of GEââ¬â¢s management innovations seems to draw on a classical management perspective? Which seem to draw on a behavioral management perspective? How does the contingency perspective explain the management changes that GE has made over the years? Explain each of your responses. Classical and Behavioral strategies of management are different schools of thought that seek to optimize productivity in an organization. In classical management, managers seek to maximize output by optimizing the productivity characteristics of employees. GE has employed classical perspective in their innovation strategies by capitalizing on marketing strategies to enhance product flow to the customers. Marketing is a push strategy that aims at rolling out business products to the target customers and is crucial in optimizing organizational productivity. In addition, the organization has capitalized on worker experience to improve their productivity. In fact, the CEO of GE points out that employee in this organization relies on ââ¬Ëpast experienceââ¬â¢ to improve their efficiency within the organization. As Griffin (13) explains, the use of classical perspectives is still superior in modern strategic ma nagement strategies. Behavioral perspectives are part of organizational management strategies that pay attention to employee empowerment as a way of aligning employee goals to the organizational goals and strategies. Griffin (14) regards behavioral management as a modern approach to organizational management that is relevant in the dynamic business environment. GE has
Monday, February 3, 2020
Discussion Board Reply Apple Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Discussion Board Reply Apple - Assignment Example Competitor organisations have gained significantly from focusing their production and selling products to these markets (Sher & Ramstad, 2013). Apple continues to limit its operations to the developed countries, but focusing on the other regions would also provide a platform for increasing the market share for the company (Reeves & Deimler, 2011). The company needs to develop a long term plan for enhancing competition and ensuring continued success of the company products. With many competitors emerging within the market, the industry boundaries continue to blur, necessitating development of effective strategies to maintain Appleââ¬â¢s competitive advantage. While maintaining its differentiated, premium price strategy, Apple should also consider low-price, low margin approach for the emerging markets for sustainable competition (Reeves & Deimler, 2011). Despite the supply chain management approach for the company having ensured the effectiveness in maintaining a competitive advantage, there is need to integrate all the processes within the company to ensure the smooth operations in the supply of raw materials (Keller & Price, 2011). Reeves, M., & Deimler, M. (2011). Adaptability: The new competitive advantage. , 2011. Harvard Business Review2, 135ââ¬â141. Retrieved from
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Safety in High-rise Building Construction
Safety in High-rise Building Construction Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Background In previous decades since workers balanced themselves at dizzying heights above ground with little to prevent them from falling, high-rise construction has been layered in safety regulations and equipment. Construction can be referred as a relatively hazardous undertaking. There are significantly more injuries and lost workdays due to injuries or illnesses in construction as compared to any other industry. In contrast to most industrial accidents, innocent bystanders also get injured due to construction accidents. Several crane collapses from high rise buildings under construction have resulted in injuries to passersby. Safety during a high-rise construction project is affected in large part by decisions made during the planning and design stage. Some designs or construction plans are inherently difficult and dangerous to put into practice, whereas other, similar plans may considerably reduce the possibility of dangerous accidents. Beyond these design decisions, safety also depends largely upon education, alertness and cooperation during the construction process. Workers should be always alert to the possibilities of accidents and avoid taken unnecessary risks. 1.2 Related Problems The causes of injuries in high-rise construction are plentiful. The largest single category for both injuries and fatalities is individual falls. Handling of goods and transportation are also a major cause of injuries. An individual fall may be caused by a series of coincidences: inattentive worker or an insecure railing or slippery footing etc. Removing any one of these causes might serve to stop any particular accident, but again each casualty may have multiple causes. Many measures are available to improve jobsite safety in construction. These include design, choice of safety equipment, education and vigilance. By altering facility designs, particular structures can be safer or more hazardous to construct. Choice of different safety equipments plays an important role in overall safety of project. Educating workers and managers in proper procedures and hazards also has a direct impact on jobsite safety. During the construction process itself, the most important safety related measures are to insure proper vigilance and cooperation on the part of managers, inspectors and workers. Vigilance involves bearing in mind the risks of different working practices. In also involves maintaining temporary physical safeguards. 1.3 Aim To study and evaluate the Safety in High Rise Construction with special focus on safety at construction in Kuwait: issues, problems, procedures, and recommendations 1.4 Objectives To study and understand the various risks involved, and the safety issues related to construction and analysis the previous work done in this field. To evaluate the existing safety procedures, policies, regulations and accident prevention methods with respect to construction industry in Kuwait. Development of questionnaire and conducting survey and interviews with the contractors and the consultants and safety engineers To identify the root of safety problems related to construction in Kuwait and recommend potential safety programs and solutions and estimating the likely effect on project progress and accident reduction Suggesting some recommendations for safety at construction based on the study at Kuwait 1.5 Expected outcomes At the end of project, a reader will be able to understand the various risks involved in high rise construction and the various measures followed to reduce that risk. The practices followed and measures developed to make high-rise construction a safer job will be listed in report. 1.6 Resources used The resources that will be used for this study will include various international papers and books regarding safety in high-rise construction. The papers and books will be generally taken from the university library and some of them will be taken from the internet, while the use of internet resources will be kept to a minimum. 1.7 Gantt Chart Gantt Chart: Project on Safety in High Rise Construction TASKS Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Selection of the Topic Submission of the Project Proposal Literature survey on the Topic Submission of the Interim Report Main Research on the Topic Conclusion and Recommendations Final Report Submission CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Researches Done at International Level In most countries, the building and construction industry has a high rate of occupational accidents. In the EU15, the rate of construction injuries leading to over three days absence from work exceeded 6,000 per 100,000 employees in 2005 (Arbetsmiljà ¶verket, 2008). Although this is approximately three times the rate in the Swedish construction industry, Swedens rate still places building and construction among the top 10 occupational sectors for occupational accidents in the country. Much effort has been made to reduce the rate of industrial accidents, mainly through technical solutions, rules, and regulation. In an interview study of the Australian construction industry, Holmes, Lingard, Yesilyurt, and De Munk (1999) found that risk was largely attributed to the nature of the work, poor individual work practices, ignorance, andwork pressure due to budgetary and time constraints. To successfully approach these sources of risk there is a need to understand not only underlying struct ural and organizational conditions, but also psychological and social factors. Such a broadened and deepened perspective on safety should supplement rather than replace the engineering approach. The concepts of safety culture and safety climate are important contributions from the behavioral and social sciences to our understanding of occupational safety. Denison (1996) stated that the concepts of organizational culture and climate both suggest the existence of a shared, holistic, and collectively defined social context that emerges over time. The two concepts share many features, though organizational culture places greater emphasis on creating the social environment whereas organizational climate corresponds to how this social environment is experienced by the actors and thus is more external (Denison). Zohar (1980) defined organizational climate as a summary of molar perceptions that employees share about their work environments.Neal and Griffin(2006) defined perceived safety cli mate. as individual perceptions of policies, procedures and practices relating to safety in the workplace and suggested that group safety climate refers to perceptions shared within the group. According to organizational climate theory (Schneider, 1975), such shared perceptions will result in normative conclusions as to the correct way to behave in relation to safety in the organization. Climate serves to guide ones own behavior and contributes to the predictability of the behavior of others (Guldenmund, 2000). Pidgeon (1991) suggested that organizational culture represents a shared meaning system (i.e., a system of symbols, ideas, rules, and cognitions, with certain observable behavioral consequences); furthermore, he defined safety culture as the set of beliefs, norms, attitudes, roles, and social and technical practices which are concerned with minimizing the exposure of employees, managers, customers, and members of the public to conditions considered dangerous or injurious. Pid geon stated that such construed meaning systems specifywhat is important and legitimate to the group, and that this culture is created and recreated asmembers of the group repeatedly behave in a way that seems natural and unquestionable to them, thus constructing a particular version of risk and safety. Pidgeon also suggested that it is misleading to consider only organizational or corporate culture, as the cultures of workgroups, departments, divisions, and organizations, as well as cultures at an even broader macro level (e.g., nations) are nested within one another as well as overlapping. Both safety climate and safety culture are socially construed phenomena and the importance of these concepts to occupational safety is generally accepted (e.g., Zohar 1980; Zohar, 2002; Donald Canter, 1994; Pidgeon, 1998; Guldenmund, 2000; Lee Harrison, 2000; Cooper Phillips, 2004; Mearns, Whitaker, Flin, 2003; Neal Griffin, 2006; Clarke, 2006b; Pousette, Larsson, Tà ¶rner, 2008). Gun (1993) investigated contractors safety performances at 98 di.erent con struction sites over 2 years. It was concluded that management training and good management practices are most likely to prevent injuries which are associated with the violation of regulations. Hinze and Raboud (1988) studied safety on large construction projects; the study discussed the relationships between company size, level safety policy, project level safety policy, project coordination, and economic pressure on worker safety. It was found that higher frequencies of construction accidents occurred on projects that were over budget and those that were compete tively bid. According to a Business Round Table report (Construction Industry Institute, 1988), the cost of an effective construction safety and health program in the USA is approximately 2.5% of direct labor costs. Successful safety programs have been developed by many construction companies and have shown remarkable results. Duponts safety training and observation program achieved good results in reducing work-place accidents (Peyton and Rubio, 1991). Bechtel reported that 83% of their projects are meeting the zero goal after applying the `Zero Accident Program; this program reduced lost-time injuries in 1993 to less than half when compared with 1992 (Center to Protect Workers Rights, 1993). Hakkinen (1995), developed a training program called one hour for safety management to provide safety education and training for top management. The program was applied in 100 companies and showed success in attracting managements attention to safety issues. Ringdahl (1990) designed a simple model for cost benefit evaluation of improving safety measures at companies. Jaselskis et al. (1996) presented strategies for improving safety performance on both a company and a project level. 2.2 Safety problems in Construction Construction sites tend to have several employers working on them simultaneously, making safety coordination in such a dynamic environment a very complex process. Temporary duration of work, together with the rapidly changing character of the site are in complete contrast to regular factory production and form a serious hazard to safety. These special features and problems arise from the following: 2.2.1. Competitive tendering Contractors often feel that their bids will be considered even if they do not make proper provisions for safety costs. In the case of hard-pressed local authorities, struggling with government-imposed spending cuts, and smaller Ãâà ®rms on the brink of survival in a business recession, this problem is usually more acute and seldom comes to the surface. These problems a.ected Kuwait after the liberation, due to expenditure cuts and a large number of small construction Ãâà ®rms. The extent of cost cuts by government and the low number of governmental projects have increased the competitive tendering between companies in the last 5 years. As a result, contractors have been forced to reduce their proÃâà ®ts and costs to stay in the market and allow projects to sell to other companies or subcontractors to secure a proÃâà ®t margin. As shown earlier in the questionnaire distributed to construction Ãâà ®rms, most contractors do not consider safety costs in their tenders unless it is recognized by the contract documents. Statistics show that lost-time accident frequency rates, which ranged from 2.5 to 6 per 100,000 man-hours worked on contracts where no provision for safety costs been made in tenders, could be reduced to a range of 0.2 to 1 per 100,000 man-hours worked on projects where proper safety planning and costing had been done and the costs accepted by the client (King and Hudson, 1985). 2.2.2. Lack of safety regulations The absence of a uniÃâà ®ed set of safety regulations adversely a.ects the enforcement of safety on the job site. The MPW has a safety chapter in its construction practices manual, KOC has its own manual, and no safety standard manual exists in KM. Projects constructed by American companies are ruled by OSHA and/or the US Army Corps of Engineers safety manual. International standards are not necessarily applicable to the Kuwaiti work environment since methods of practice in advanced and industrial countries di.er from those used in Kuwait. Other national standards have not been updated to comply with the new technology and constructability methods; for example, the prohibition against using wooden sca.olding is not included in such standards. 2.2.3. Small size of most construction Ãâà ®rms The open trade and commercial lease given to its citizens by the Kuwaiti government encourages many citizens to establish small businesses, which are especially concentrated in construction. Small construction Ãâà ®rms with less than 10 employees account for about 60% of construction Ãâà ®rms in Kuwait. This high proportion of small undertakings is a handicap to the spread and adoption of safe working practices. After the liberation, private housing businesses Ãâà ¯ourished, attracting many small Ãâà ®rms and independent contractors with limited experience in building construction. These Ãâà ®rms cannot a.ord the services of safety specialists or instructors, resulting in little opportunity for organized safety instructions either o.- or on-site. Compared to large Ãâà ®rms, the small Ãâà ®rms are usually short of capital and under great pressure to cut costs at the expense of safety. Construction at this level is a competitive arena, where the saving of a few dinars means the di.erence between success and failure. In addition, most small Ãâà ®rms use temporary labor and may not assure continuity of work, so investing money in training and equipment for them is considered an unnecessary cost. Also, it is more diÃâà cult for government safety inspectors to inspect the work and practices of a large number of small Ãâà ®rms than a smaller number of medium-sized and large ones. 2.2.4. Extensive use of subcontractors The specialization of activities on building sites has been a main factor leading to the extensive employment of subcontractors. Many companies in Kuwait look for safe and fast proÃâà ®t, selling their projects to subcontractors for a certain percentage of the proÃâà ®t. This causes many problems in coordination, safety planning, allocating safety responsibility, and communication. In practice the e.ective control of site-safety practices is diÃâà cult to enforce when a number of small subcontractors, especially those with fewer than Ãâà ®ve employees, are engaged on one site. The main responsibility is taken by the general contractor, who should insist that all necessary safety measures are written into the subcontractors agreement. Unless proper provision is allowed for the subcontractors to consider safety in their bid, it is doubtful whether they will take safety seriously. 2.2.5. Lack of relevant accident data If you cannot measure safety, then you certainly cannot manage it. The lack of oÃâà cial safety data and records of construction accidents at sites makes safety the last issue to be concerned by the contractor and owner. The people on-site and at management level are not aware of safety problems, since they are not informed by the statistics or Ãâà ®gs. of serious and fatal accidents that have occurred at sites, and the number of disabilities that resulted from such accidents. 2.2.6. Extensive use of foreign labor Kuwait as a rich developing country attracts many investments and working labor. The employment of migrant labor has always been a special characteristic of construction sites in Kuwait. Different labor cultures and traditions reflect on human relations, different work habits, and communication problems. Most construction workers in Kuwait are unskilled, untrained, and inexperienced, especially after the liberation. They come from poor communities of other countries and are ready to work in any job to establish a reasonable life for their families; many do not see their families for 2Ãâà ±3 years in order to save some money for the future. The workers are emotionally vulnerable and preoccupied with their problems since most of them are working in unsecured conditions and not on their sponsors bail. All of these above conditions can a.ect the concentration and attention of the worker and may contribute to mistakes. 2.3 Research methodology for Study in Kuwait Different research activities have been used to collect the necessary information and data related to this research. Among these are Ãâà ®eld visits, questionnaires, and interviews. 2.3.1. Contractors questionnaire To understand the problems associated with the implementation of safety pro- grams in construction companies, questionnaires were mailed to technical managers, safety directors, and in some cases chief engineers. Key persons in companies were identiÃâà ®ed either by business contacts or by direct phone calls to the companies. Thirty-two questionnaires were mailed to various large, medium, and small-sized construction companies in Kuwait. The questionnaire covered a range of subjects related to safety, namely: (1) companys profile; (2) safety records; (3) accident statistics; (4) training; and (e) safety policy. 2.3.2. Consultants questionnaire Another study was conducted to determine the extent to which designers recognize the need to address the safety of construction workers in project plans, contractors selection criteria, contract clauses concerning safety, and procedures followed at job site supervision. Addresses of key consultants were identified from a bulletin distributed by the Kuwait Engineering Society. 2.3.3. Interviews A number of interviews were conducted with safety engineers, heads of safety departments in government ministries, and company superintendents. The interviews stressed the diÃâà culties in implementing safety at job sites, government procedures and policies, safety standards, cause of most construction accidents, and methods of prevention. Interviews with contractors superintendents covered safety programs, labor behavior and companys investment in safety. Visits were also made to two major insurance companies dealing with construction insurance in Kuwait. The questions covered insurance types, premiums, major accidents, companies commitment to safety procedures at the job site, labor compensation, accident records, accident investigation procedures, and insurance companies role in safety in general. References * Cooke, T., Lingard, H., Blismas, N., Stranieri, A., 2008. ToolSHeDTM: the development and evaluation of a decision support tool for health and safety in construction design. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management 15 (4), 336-351. * Gambatese, J.A., Behm, M., Rajendran, S., 2008. 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