Amazing 30 Essay Topics and Questions to Get You Covered

We have gathered some helpful guidelines you can use when selecting good topics for astronomy essays. First, let us ask ourselves what astronomy is. Astronomy involves the study of celestial objects like stars, comets, and phenomena that originate from outside the earth’s atmosphere. This text is meant to guide you through the process of topic selection and highlights sample essay topics you can consider. Are You Familiar with How to Select the Best Astronomy Essay Topic? Here are a few things you should consider when selecting a topic: Knowledge of the Subject Take into account the knowledge you have on the subject matter or idea before deriving a topic from it. Doing so helps to avoid problems such as getting stuck during the writing process. A topic should be crafted from an area you are conversant with. Complexity Make sure that a topic is equal to your level of understanding on the subject. Avoid complex topics that can make you stuck. Similarly, avoid too simple topics as it will reflect poorly on your creativity and effort. Interest Selecting a topic that is fueled by your curiosity and some excitement eases your essay writing as you constantly become self-motivated. Take a Look at Our List of Astronomy Essay Topics Here are some topics that you can consider for your paper: Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion and their relation to the motions of objects in space. The phenomenon of seasons that vary across different latitudes (with the help of valid examples). The nature of the sun and its relationship to the earth. Wien’s Law and its importance to astronomers. Zero gravity and its effects on humans. History of space exploration up to the first Mars landing. Similarities and differences of Venus and Earth and factors that contribute to the differences. The different classes of planets and the basis on which they are classified. How stars are formed from clouds of gas and why low- mass stars form slower than massive stars. Exoplanets, their discovery, and comparison to planets in our solar system. The motion of the stars in different parts of the sky as seen from different latitudes on our planet. The mass, density, diameter and surface gravity of all the planets in our solar system. Planet melting and other events that occurred in the early history of our solar system. The death of a star and what remains when stars die. Why astronomers believe that the universe is constantly expanding and how they came to this conclusion The evolution of the sun and the effect it will have on our planet. The apparent motion of the sun as viewed from the earth in a single day and the course of a whole year. The main types of active galaxies, why they are called â€Å"active† and shed light on galactic evolution The four types of motions the earth goes through itself and their effects on the seasons on different parts of the planet The relevance of the contribution to the field of astronomy by Newton, Galileo, Kepler, and The different seasons and why Australians celebrate Christmas in summer. The major assumptions made about star clusters and the applications they have in astronomy. The theories supporting and negating the possibility of time-travel. The major constellations and their human interpretation over the years. The planet Mars in detail and why or why not its surface can support life and liquid water. Comets and asteroids, their similarities, differences and which of the two presents a greater threat to Earth. The latest supported version of the big bang theory and its effects on the future of the universe. Light pollution, its causes, and effects on astronomy. The major controversies in astrophysics about how they affect our understanding of the universe. The northern lights and the cause of this natural display. Here Is a Sample List of Astronomy Essay Questions You can consider the following questions to help you write a customized paper: What is the size of a black hole? What is the origin of the universe? How are stars formed? Are there close dead stars and can they be seen? Are extra-terrestrials real? How long is the lifespan of stars? Will humans ever experience and master time travel? Should Pluto be restored the title of â€Å"planet†? How fast is the expansion of the universe take place? Can the sun become a black hole if or when it dies? Take a Look at These Astronomy Essay Ideas You can get essay ideas from the following areas: Formation of black holes Life of stars Moon landing Time travel Astrophysics Quantum physics and astronomy Stellar parallax Survival on mars Astronomy Essay Writing Service In case you require further help in writing that astronomy essay, we can help. We provide professional essay writing services at affordable rates. Contact us today and get a high-quality custom essay.

Bases Of Power Essay

Bases Of Power Essay Bases Of Power Essay By: Raven, Bertram H. Analyses of Social Issues & Public Policy. Dec2008, Vol. 8 Issue 1, p1-22. 22p. DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-2415.2008.00159.x. Database: Academic Search Complete Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2008, pp. 122 The Bases of Power and the Power/Interaction Model of Interpersonal Influence Bertram H. Ravenâˆâ€" University of California, Los Angeles This article provides a summary of work done by Raven and his colleagues on bases of power. It ranges from the initial work in 1959 of French and Raven through decades of follow-up work, and ties the work to that of others doing work on power bases. After the summary, the author responds to a series of questions that probe the work in greater depth, allowing explication of much of the thinking underlying and leading to publications of Raven and colleagues that are well known to social psychologists. While ours has been described as one of the most widely cited analyses of social power, many Analysis of Social Issues and Public Policy readers may not be familiar with its development since our original statement was published in 1959. It therefore seems useful to summarize our original statement, plus the later developments, which include the Power/Interaction Model of Interpersonal Influence. In our initial papers (French Raven, 1965), we first defined social influence as a change in the belief, attitude, or behavior of a person (the target of influence), which results from the action of another person (an influencing agent). Social power was defined as the potential for such influence, the ability of the agent or power figure to bring about such change, using resources available to him or her. These resources are represented in six bases of power: Informational, Reward, Coercion, Legitimate, Expertise, and Referent. âˆâ€"Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Professor Bertram H. Raven, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563. (e-mail: raven@ucla.edu) Editor’s Note: This article continues a series of occasional invited papers from distinguished scholars. Bert Raven was invited to reflect on his work on power and impacts that he has seen. After his paper, Jamie Peterson, the editorial assistant for ASAP, and I asked him a series of questions about his work; the questions and responses are appended to the paper. We hope that readers enjoy his paper and responses as we did. 1 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-2415.2008.00159.x 2008 The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues The bases of power differ in the manner that the social change is implemented, the permanence of such change, and the ways in which each basis of power is established and maintained. Let us as an illustration examine the resources of different power bases in terms of a supervisor/subordinate relationship. Power That Leads to Socially Independent Change One basis of power, which the supervisor might use, then, is Informational Power. The supervisor carefully explains to the subordinate how the job should be donedifferently,withpersuasivereasonswhythatwouldbeabetterandmoreeffective procedure. The subordinate understands and accepts the reasons and changes behavior. Informational influence then results in cognitive change and acceptance by the target. It is thus called â€Å"socially independent change† in that altered behavior, though initiated by the influencing agent (supervisor) now continues without the target necessarily referring to, or even remembering, the supervisor as being the agent of change. Power That Results in Socially Dependent Change, with Surveillance Necessary Reward Power stems from the ability of the agent to offer a positive incentive, if the target complies (a raise in pay, a promotion, special work privileges...). In Coercive Power, the agent brings about change by threatening the target with negative, undesirable consequences (demotion, termination, undesirable work

INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS - Essay Example Even though, restrictive policies are tools used to prevent or reverse inflation, they also reduce the aggregate demand. Tax-based policies employ tax incentives to encourage compliance with specified wage and price policies. The author then talks business cycles which allow the simultaneous pursuit of the steady price level and high employment policy objectives. Furthermore, the author indicates that the interest rate policies are determined by the macroeconomic coordination process in which a leniency in monetary policy can set off an MCP and lower interest rates, while expansionary fiscal policy can set off an MCP and raise interest rates. The chapter then discusses the data problems and policy delays which include the recognition lag, implementation lag and the impact lag associated with the implementation of different policies (Ashby, 2009). Chapter 11 Chapter 11 deals with international issues related to the macroeconomic environment through balance of payments, pegged rates an d domestic policy and flexible rate and domestic policy. The ratio domestic and foreign currency, in this case, dollar ($) and euro (â‚ ¬) is the exchange rate, that is, the international value of the dollar, stated as the euro cost of a dollar.

Political Science Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Political Science - Coursework Example In addition, there is science in political science especially in the field of theory that basically relies on normative valuations of the politics, the involved techniques and the theories that depend on normative analysis of political procedures and the possible consequences. In political science, most of the work entails quantitative and qualitative study of any representations or statistics from experimental sources. Political science tries to analyze the political processes, philosophies and actors as being both a science and an art. Therefore political science is a social science that is apprehensive with the general society as well as the behaviors of human beings (Kevin, 2012). The myth that the situation in our self-governing capitalist society is politically impartial, this implies that it is accessible as a set of institutes and mechanisms to of any kind group earns an election. The age of Reason (Enlightenment) was accompanied with the people considering that the cognitive ability of men would perhaps lead them to peace, safety, an upright government and perfect society. The age of Reason had a primary role exposing the insufficiencies of the current government. Though, there was a variance in viewpoint in the issue modern organizations. Some people were in favor of the authoritarian system of governing, whereas others contrasted the State. The followers of an authoritarian state and the public had no idea that men are logically reasonable and good enough allowing them to be reliable in the achievement of an impulsive collaboration (Kevin, 2012). A strong theory is one that can be proven wrong, this is because theories can be proven wrong via the use of facts that are contrary in a credible manner. Researchers continue to carry out various researches, for this reason a good theory is one that researchers will try to come up with new evidence that tries to question it. A good instance is

Music and Movement (one full page reflection) Essay

Music and Movement (one full page reflection) - Essay Example The transition from static to dynamic balance should be gradual. Likewise, the transition from independent balancing to balancing with objects should be staged. Once a child has gained perfection in stationary balance, only then he/she should be made to practice balancing with rubber rings. Finally, practices with unstable equipments should commence. To make the session all the more interesting for the children, songs with good beat must be played. Songs that qualify include but are not limited to Everybody Dance, I’m a Little Tea Pot and Incy Wincy Spider. The child’s skill should be judged by testing his/her balancing on different levels, places and positions. Music and movement is a wonderful session for the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of children. This activity â€Å"incorporates many basic math skills, including matching and comparing; patterning and sequencing; and counting and addition. When you add moving to the beat, you involve both body and mind† (Church, 2001). Such exercise helps the brain grow. Movement and learning are processes together in the same part of the brain. It increases the flow of blood and oxygenates the brain. This, in turn, enlightens the mood and makes an individual agile and active and enhances his/her social, emotional, physical and cognitive

Effectiveness of Treatment of Postnatal Depression

Effectiveness of Treatment of Postnatal Depression TREATMENT But there have been a recent number of studies that looked at the effectiveness of treatment of postnatal depression. From one of the most recent publications (Dennis, 2005) provides a meta-analysis of the factors which influence the outcome in the condition. The author concluded that the only strategy that was shown to have â€Å"a clear preventative effect† was intensive post-partum support from the healthcare professionals who are involved in the care of the mother. Surprisingly, this was found to be more effective than all the similar regimes which included an ante-natal component as well. A stable family life, a person experiences in the first years of life have profound effects on his or her mental health. On the other hand, talking about postnatal depression also have to concerns about the lives of the babies involved. A child from a stable home, looked after by affectionate, caring parents (or other adults), is likely to be mentally stable and able to resist everyday stresses than a child from a home where there is emotional strife, constant bickering or violence this child is more at risk of developing a personality disorder in later life. Although one in four of the population in the UK will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their lives regardless of age, race, gender or social background. Anxiety and depression for an example in post-natal women is fairly common (Fowles, 1996). Postpartum depression is considered as a factor which can affect the development of a child in the early period of his or her life and partly determines the childs future. The morbidity associated with postnatal depression has a number of potential consequences not only for the mother, but also the child and the rest of the family as well (Oakley et al, 1996). Several recent studies have shown that healthcare professionals often fail to spot the signs of postnatal depression. Making the diagnosis is obviously the prerequisite of establishing a treatment regime so it is clearly vital for all healthcare professionals to be on their guard for warning signs – sleep disturbance, irritability, mood swings and irrationality (Ramsay et al, 1995). The importance of spoting the signs of postnatal depression is stressed in the National Institute of Clinical Excellence clinical management and service guidance on antenatal and postnatal mental health, which was released lately that it is applicable to healthcare professionals who care for women who are designing a pregnancy, are with child or throughout the postnatal period (the first year after giving birth) (NICE, 2007). According to NICE, it is approximated that as numerous as one in seven women experience a mental health disorder in the antenatal or postnatal period (Hagen et al, 2007). The guidance is the first of its kind to make exact recommendations on identification, treatment and management of all mental health disorders, encompassing disquiet, depression, consuming disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It should be read in conjunction with living NICE guidance on mental disorders. The guidance states that service users with a mental health disorder should be granted heritage perceptive data at each stage of evaluation, diagnosis, course and treatment about the influence of the disorder. This data should cover the appropriate use and probable side-effects of treatment (Harris,1994). This recommendation concerns to women with a living mental health disorder who are with a child or planning for a pregnancy, and those who evolve a mental health disorder throughout pregnancy or the postnatal period. Healthcare professionals should work to evolve a believing connection with the woman, and her partner(if they have one), imidiate family members and carers where appropriate and agreeable to the woman. In specific, they should be perceptive to the matters of stigma and disgrace in relative to mental illness (Harris, 1994). Stigma as defined by Abrams et al, (2005) is â€Å"a mark or sign of disgrace or discredit†. Stigma causes people to feel uncomfortable around an issue, or can also cause people to mock the issue in order to make it less threatening to them. Most people who feel uncomfortable is often refused to talk about mental illness therefore causing a silence around the subject. People usually tend to attach stigma to others that are different from them. Often, due to mistaken beliefs, the mentally ill are thought to be dangerous. The stigma attached to mental illness is the main obstacle to better mental health care and better quality of life for people who have the illness, for their families, for their communities and for health service staff that deal with psychiatric disorders (Abrams et al, 2005). Routine communication with doctors and healthcare professionals throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period presents an opening to recognise women who have, or are at risk of evolving, a mental health disorder. At a womans first communication with professionals in both antenatal and postnatal periods, doctors and healthcare professionals should enquire about: (Hagen et al, 2007). Past Previous treatment and medication by a psychiatrist or expert mental health group, encompassing inpatient care; A family history of perinatal mental illness. However, the guidance stresses that other exact predictors, for example poor connections with her colleague, should not be utilised for the usual proposition of the development of a mental health disorder (Gotlib et al, 1991). The following questions must be asked when a pregnant woman attend to a health care professional; During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless? During the past month, have you often been bothered by having little concern or delight in managing things? If the woman responses yes to both of these questions, a third enquiry should then be considered: Is this certain thing you seem you require or desire assistant with? The use of self-report assesses for example the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) or Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) may be advised as part of a later evaluation or for the usual supervising of outcomes (Harris, 1994). If a likely mental health disorder is recognised throughout pregnancy or the postnatal period, a further assessment will be needed: If the woman has or is supposed of having a critical mental sickness (for demonstration bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), she should be mentioned to a mental health care service, encompassing, if appropriate, an expert perinatal mental health service professional (Hagen et al, 2007). The womans GP should be acquainted in all situations even if no further evaluation or referral is made (Hoffman and Drotar, 1991). And in writing care plan covering the pregnancy, consignment and the postnatal period should be evolved for with child women with a present or past history of critical mental sickness, generally in the first trimester. This should be evolved in collaboration with the woman and her colleague, family and carers, and encompass expanded communication with mental health service professional (Fowles, 1996). The guidance suggests there should be apparently particular care pathways so that all applicable prime and lesser healthcare professionals understand how to get access to evaluation and treatment (Hoffman, 1991). NICE states that there is clues to support the use of aimed at psychosocial interventions for women who have symptoms of depression and/or disquiet that manage not rendezvous the threshold for a prescribed diagnosis. The guidance interprets that certain treatment or support for a postnatal woman should be advised when symptoms manage not rendezvous diagnostic criteria but significantly hinder with personal and communal functioning (Hagen et al, 2007). For this assembly of women the following should be considered: Offering one-to-one, short psychological treatment (four to six sessions), for example interpersonal psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural treatment for mental health service users who have had a preceding episode of depression or anxiety; Offering communal support throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period (such as normal casual one-to-one or group-based support) for women who have not had a preceding episode of depression or anxiety (Fowles, 1996). However, it adds that psychosocial interventions conceived expressly to decrease the prospect of evolving a mental health disorder should not be part of usual antenatal and But it adds that treatment conclusions are perplexing by the occurrence of the evolving foetus, breastfeeding and the timescales enforced by pregnancy and birth (Hagen et al, 2007). As an outcome, it contends that the thresholds for non-drug treatments, especially psychological treatments, are probable to be smaller than those set in NICE clinical guidelines. It emphasises that women who require psychological treatments should be glimpsed for treatment commonly within one month of primary evaluation and no longer than three months afterwards (Goodman, 2004). The NICE guidance summaries the function doctors can play in noticing, stopping and nurturing for women with a mental health disorder when planning for a pregnancy, throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period. Mental health promotion becomes very important for the people who are plannning to have a child or those who are already pregnant or newly born mother. It should be mentioned that postnatal depression is possible to occour but they should be aware that it is treatable (Harris, 1994). When in a clinical setting dealing with a patient with a mental illness, it is good practice to communicate effectively and adjust the skills accordingly to the patient. For example speak clearly, slowly and ask open-ended questions. Observing any change in mood and behaviour at all times for safety reasons. REFERENCE Cox, J., Holden, J., Sagovsky, R. (1987) Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10 item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 782-786.

Making Teams Work Essay -- Essays Papers

Making Teams Work The importance of teams is becoming more and more apparent in today's dynamic business world. Increasingly managers are searching for a means to improve production and keep their organization competitive in the global market. A lot of these managers have turned to the team as a means for achieving this improvement. Quality circles were originally looked at to fulfill this role, however they are being phased out in favor of self-managed work teams. These teams are increasingly being used to solve many of today's organizations production problems and inefficiencies, and in the process are both badly failing and greatly succeeding. So the discussion of teams is a very important one to address. Managers should be aware of the concept of teams and learn about as a means to further their organization and for when the time comes to implement a team they are prepared with the knowledge needed to build and use a team properly. The basic interpretation of a team is "a collection of two or more individuals who interact with each other, share common beliefs, and perceive themselves as being a group." (Denton '92) Metropolitan Life Insurance Company defines a team fore specifically as "a group of people with specific roles and responsibilities, organized to work together towards common goals or objectives, in which each member depends on others to carry out responsibilities to reach those goals and objectives." (Denton) The implementation and operation of a team can either be a great success or a costly failure, both money wise and time wise. Many companies have benefited from teams, and "when teams work, there's nothing like them for turbocharging productivity." (Denton "94) There are many examples of successful implementation of teams: Federal Express and IDS boosted productivity by 40% and Boeing cut its engineering hang-ups on its new 777 passenger jet by more than half. The Ford Motor Company al so has had great success with teams when producing the new Mustang prototype. Ford produced the Mustang from design concept to the finished product under budget and in record time. (Dumaine) However, many companies and managers are put off by the very mention of the work team. Some people see teams as just another management fad, while others in management have had bad experiences with teams that have failed. As Magee points ou... ...t must all come together to build a successful team, it can be done with proper planning and support from upper management. They must also discuss how to set up the compensation for the team, evaluation of team performance, and of individual performance. In my opinion, the benefits of increased productivity and efficiency that are seen by the organizations that properly build and successfully implement teams, far out-weigh the risks and costs of a team that fails. I would have to say that in today's competitive, globally oriented organizations, we cannot over stress the importance of teams. It seems that how much you get out of a team depends on how much you are willing to put into it, and most of what you need to put into it is some time spent doing the homework planning necessary to build the team that will take your business to the top. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Denton, D.D. (1992) Building a team. Quality Progress, October, 87-91. 2. Dumaine, B. (1994) The Trouble with Teams. Fortune, 130. 3. Magee, Y.S. (1997) Teams: avoiding the pitfalls. Public Management, 79. 4. McGarvey, R. (1996) Joining forces: 12 steps to creating winning teams. Entrepreneur, 24

History of Algebra Essay

Various derivations of the word â€Å"algebra,† which is of Arabian origin, have been given by different writers. The first mention of the word is to be found in the title of a work by Mahommed ben Musa al-Khwarizmi (Hovarezmi), who flourished about the beginning of the 9th century. The full title is ilm al-jebr wa’l-muqabala, which contains the ideas of restitution and comparison, or opposition and comparison, or resolution and equation, jebr being derived from the verb jabara, to reunite, and muqabala, from gabala, to make equal. The root jabara is also met with in the word algebrista, which means a â€Å"bone-setter,† and is still in common use in Spain. ) The same derivation is given by Lucas Paciolus (Luca Pacioli), who reproduces the phrase in the transliterated form alghebra e almucabala, and ascribes the invention of the art to the Arabians. Other writers have derived the word from the Arabic particle al (the definite article), and gerber, meaning â€Å"man. Since, however, Geber happened to be the name of a celebrated Moorish philosopher who flourished in about the 11th or 12th century, it has been supposed that he was the founder of algebra, which has since perpetuated his name. The evidence of Peter Ramus (1515-1572) on this point is interesting, but he gives no authority for his singular statements. In the preface to his Arithmeticae libri duo et totidem Algebrae (1560) he says: â€Å"The name Algebra is Syriac, signifying the art or doctrine of an excellent man. For Geber, in Syriac, is a name applied to men, and is sometimes a term of honour, as master or doctor among us. There was a certain learned mathematician who sent his algebra, written in the Syriac language, to Alexander the Great, and he named it almucabala, that is, the book of dark or mysterious things, which others would rather call the doctrine of algebra. To this day the same book is in great estimation among the learned in the oriental nations, and by the Indians, who cultivate this art, it is called aljabra and alboret; though the name of the author himself is not known. † The uncertain authority of these statements, and the plausibility of the preceding explanation, have caused philologists to accept the derivation from al and jabara. Robert Recorde in his Whetstone of Witte (1557) uses the variant algeber, while John Dee (1527-1608) affirms that algiebar, and not algebra, is the correct form, and appeals to the authority of the Arabian Avicenna. Although the term â€Å"algebra† is now in universal use, various other appellations were used by the Italian mathematicians during the Renaissance. Thus we find Paciolus calling it l’Arte Magiore; ditta dal vulgo la Regula de la Cosa over Alghebra e Almucabala. The name l’arte magiore, the greater art, is designed to distinguish it from l’arte minore, the lesser art, a term which he applied to the modern arithmetic. His second variant, la regula de la cosa, the rule of the thing or unknown quantity, appears to have been in common use in Italy, and the word cosa was preserved for several centuries in the forms coss or algebra, cossic or algebraic, cossist or algebraist, &c. Other Italian writers termed it the Regula rei et census, the rule of the thing and the product, or the root and the square. The principle underlying this expression is probably to be found in the fact that it measured the limits of their attainments in algebra, for they were unable to solve equations of a higher degree than the quadratic or square. Franciscus Vieta (Francois Viete) named it Specious Arithmetic, on account of the species of the quantities involved, which he represented symbolically by the various letters of the alphabet. Sir Isaac Newton introduced the term Universal Arithmetic, since it is concerned with the doctrine of operations, not affected on numbers, but on general symbols. Notwithstanding these and other idiosyncratic appellations, European mathematicians have adhered to the older name, by which the subject is now universally known. It is difficult to assign the invention of any art or science definitely to any particular age or race. The few fragmentary records, which have come down to us from past civilizations, must not be regarded as representing the totality of their knowledge, and the omission of a science or art does not necessarily imply that the science or art was unknown. It was formerly the custom to assign the invention of algebra to the Greeks, but since the decipherment of the Rhind papyrus by Eisenlohr this view has changed, for in this work there are distinct signs of an algebraic analysis. The particular problem—a heap (hau) and its seventh makes 19—is solved as we should now solve a simple equation; but Ahmes varies his methods in other similar problems. This discovery carries the invention of algebra back to about 1700 B. C. , if not earlier. It is probable that the algebra of the Egyptians was of a most rudimentary nature, for otherwise we should expect to find traces of it in the works of the Greek aeometers. of whom Thales of Miletus (640-546 B. C. ) was the first. Notwithstanding the prolixity of writers and the number of the writings, all attempts at extracting an algebraic analysis rom their geometrical theorems and problems have been fruitless, and it is generally conceded that their analysis was geometrical and had little or no affinity to algebra. The first extant work which approaches to a treatise on algebra is by Diophantus (q. v. ), an Alexandrian mathematician, who flourished about A. D. 350. The original, which consisted of a preface and thirteen books, is now lost, but we have a Latin translation of the first six books and a fragment of another on polygonal numbers by Xylander of Augsburg (1575), and Latin and Greek translations by Gaspar Bachet de Merizac (1621-1670). Other editions have been published, of which we may mention Pierre Fermat’s (1670), T. L. Heath’s (1885) and P. Tannery’s (1893-1895). In the preface to this work, which is dedicated to one Dionysius, Diophantus explains his notation, naming the square, cube and fourth powers, dynamis, cubus, dynamodinimus, and so on, according to the sum in the indices. The unknown he terms arithmos, the number, and in solutions he marks it by the final s; he explains the generation of powers, the rules for multiplication and division of simple quantities, but he does not treat of the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of compound quantities. He then proceeds to discuss various artifices for the simplification of equations, giving methods which are still in common use. In the body of the work he displays considerable ingenuity in reducing his problems to simple equations, which admit either of direct solution, or fall into the class known as indeterminate equations. This latter class he discussed so assiduously that they are often known as Diophantine problems, and the methods of resolving them as the Diophantine analysis (see EQUATION, Indeterminate. ) It is difficult to believe that this work of Diophantus arose spontaneously in a period of general stagnation. It is more than likely that he was indebted to earlier writers, whom he omits to mention, and whose works are now lost; nevertheless, but for this work, we should be led to assume that algebra was almost, if not entirely, unknown to the Greeks. The Romans, who succeeded the Greeks as the chief civilized power in Europe, failed to set store on their literary and scientific treasures; mathematics was all but neglected; and beyond a few improvements in arithmetical computations, there are no material advances to be recorded. In the chronological development of our subject we have now to turn to the Orient. Investigation of the writings of Indian mathematicians has exhibited a fundamental distinction between the Greek and Indian mind, the former being pre-eminently geometrical and speculative, the latter arithmetical and mainly practical. We find that geometry was neglected except in so far as it was of service to astronomy; trigonometry was advanced, and algebra improved far beyond the attainments of Diophantus. The earliest Indian mathematician of whom we have certain knowledge is Aryabhatta, who flourished about the beginning of the 6th century of our era. The fame of this astronomer and mathematician rests on his work, the Aryabhattiyam, the third chapter of which is devoted to mathematics. Ganessa, an eminent astronomer, mathematician and scholiast of Bhaskara, quotes this work and makes separate mention of the cuttaca (â€Å"pulveriser†), a device for effecting the solution of indeterminate equations. Henry Thomas Colebrooke, one of the earliest modern investigators of Hindu science, presumes that the treatise of Aryabhatta extended to determinate quadratic equations, indeterminate equations of the first degree, and probably of the second. An astronomical work, called the Surya-siddhanta (â€Å"knowledge of the Sun†), of uncertain authorship and probably belonging to the 4th or 5th century, was considered of great merit by the Hindus, who ranked it only second to the work of Brahmagupta, who flourished about a century later. It is of great interest to the historical student, for it exhibits the influence of Greek science upon Indian mathematics at a period prior to Aryabhatta. After an interval of about a century, during which mathematics attained its highest level, there flourished Brahmagupta (b.  A. D. 598), whose work entitled Brahma-sphuta-siddhanta (â€Å"The revised system of Brahma†) contains several chapters devoted to mathematics. Of other Indian writers mention may be made of Cridhara, the author of a Ganita-sara (â€Å"Quintessence of Calculation†), and Padmanabha, the author of an algebra. A period of mathematical stagnation then appears to have possessed the Indian mind for an interval of several centuries, for the works of the next author of any moment stand but little in advance of Brahmagupta. We refer to Bhaskara Acarya, whose work the Siddhanta-ciromani (â€Å"Diadem of anastronomical System†), written in 1150, contains two important chapters, the Lilavati (â€Å"the beautiful [science or art]†) and Viga-ganita (â€Å"root-extraction†), which are given up to arithmetic and algebra. English translations of the mathematical chapters of the Brahma-siddhanta and Siddhanta-ciromani by H. T. Colebrooke (1817), and of the Surya-siddhanta by E. Burgess, with annotations by W. D. Whitney (1860), may be consulted for details. The question as to whether the Greeks borrowed their algebra from the Hindus or vice versa has been the subject of much discussion. There is no doubt that there was a constant traffic between Greece and India, and it is more than probable that an exchange of produce would be accompanied by a transference of ideas. Moritz Cantor suspects the influence of Diophantine methods, more particularly in the Hindu solutions of indeterminate equations, where certain technical terms are, in all probability, of Greek origin. However this may be, it is certain that the Hindu algebraists were far in advance of Diophantus. The deficiencies of the Greek symbolism were partially remedied; subtraction was denoted by placing a dot over the subtrahend; multiplication, by placing bha (an abbreviation of bhavita, the â€Å"product†) after the factom; division, by placing the divisor under the dividend; and square root, by inserting ka (an abbreviation of karana, irrational) before the quantity. The unknown was called yavattavat, and if there were several, the first took this appellation, and the others were designated by the names of colours; for instance, x was denoted by ya and y by ka (from kalaka, black). A notable improvement on the ideas of Diophantus is to be found in the fact that the Hindus recognized the existence of two roots of a quadratic equation, but the negative roots were considered to be inadequate, since no interpretation could be found for them. It is also supposed that they anticipated discoveries of the solutions of higher equations. Great advances were made in the study of indeterminate equations, a branch of analysis in which Diophantus excelled. But whereas Diophantus aimed at obtaining a single solution, the Hindus strove for a general method by which any indeterminate problem could be resolved. In this they were completely successful, for they obtained general solutions for the equations ax(+ or -)by=c, xy=ax+by+c (since rediscovered by Leonhard Euler) and cy2=ax2+b. A particular case of the last equation, namely, y2=ax2+1, sorely taxed the resources of modern algebraists. It was proposed by Pierre de Fermat to Bernhard Frenicle de Bessy, and in 1657 to all mathematicians. John Wallis and Lord Brounker jointly obtained a tedious solution which was published in 1658, and afterwards in 1668 by John Pell in his Algebra. A solution was also given by Fermat in his Relation. Although Pell had nothing to do with the solution, osterity has termed the equation Pell’s Equation, or Problem, when more rightly it should be the Hindu Problem, in recognition of the mathematical attainments of the Brahmans. Hermann Hankel has pointed out the readiness with which the Hindus passed from number to magnitude and vice versa. Although this transition from the discontinuous to continuous is not truly scientific, yet it materially augmented the development of algebra, and Hankel affirms that if we define algebra as the application of arithmetical operations to both rational and irrational numbers or magnitudes, then the Brahmans are the real inventors of algebra. The integration of the scattered tribes of Arabia in the 7th century by the stirring religious propaganda of Mahomet was accompanied by a meteoric rise in the intellectual powers of a hitherto obscure race. The Arabs became the custodians of Indian and Greek science, whilst Europe was rent by internal dissensions. Under the rule of the Abbasids, Bagdad became the centre of scientific thought; physicians and astronomers from India and Syria flocked to their court; Greek and Indian manuscripts were translated (a work commenced by the Caliph Mamun (813-833) and ably continued by his successors); and in about a century the Arabs were placed in possession of the vast stores of Greek and Indian learning. Euclid’s Elements were first translated in the reign of Harun-al-Rashid (786-809), and revised by the order of Mamun. But these translations were regarded as imperfect, and it remained for Tobit ben Korra (836-901) to produce a satisfactory edition. Ptolemy’s Almagest, the works of Apollonius, Archimedes, Diophantus and portions of the Brahmasiddhanta, were also translated. The first notable Arabian mathematician was Mahommed ben Musa al-Khwarizmi, who flourished in the reign of Mamun. His treatise on algebra and arithmetic (the latter part of which is only extant in the form of a Latin translation, discovered in 1857) contains nothing that was unknown to the Greeks and Hindus; it exhibits methods allied to those of both races, with the Greek element predominating. The part devoted to algebra has the title al-jeur wa’lmuqabala, and the arithmetic begins with â€Å"Spoken has Algoritmi,† the name Khwarizmi or Hovarezmi having passed into the word Algoritmi, which has been further transformed into the more modern words algorism and algorithm, signifying a method of computing Tobit ben Korra (836-901), born at Harran in Mesopotamia, an accomplished linguist, mathematician and astronomer, rendered conspicuous service by his translations of various Greek authors.

Swot Au Bon Pain in Malaysia

Strengths * Au Bon Pain has the most successful overseas franchisee at Malaysia’s geographic neighbor Thailand. The similarity between these two countries might smooth the expansion of the business in Malaysia. * Au Bon Pain customized its menu in every operating Asian countries, this can be adapted to Malaysian market as well. (e. g. , poultry-based meat is favored by majorities). Like in Thailand and South Korea, beginning Au Bon Pain’s business plan with cafes in prime office locations (targeting foreign and local businessmen) might work as Kuala Lumpur is one of the economic centers in Asia-Pacific area. * Au Bon Pain has a tradition to support charities. Meanwhile, Malaysia has one of the highest Gini coefficients in Asia, poverty rates also vary significantly from state to state. Weaknesses Au Bon Pain is a new brand while Malaysians term to put a | Opportunities * Increasing consumer awareness in nutrition value and food fortification for healthcare * Malaysia's Economic Transition Plan calls for real GDP growth of 5-6% per year over the next ten years. * The service sector makes 44. 9% of GDP, Malaysia's development plan has a target of 35 million tourists in 2020 * Malaysia is the third largest producer of poultry meat in the Asia Pacific region.Malaysia is self-sufficient in poultry, pork and eggs * More and more hectic and stressful lifestyle in urbanized Malaysia contributed to the growing demand for convenient fast food * Malaysian consumers take to eating out more frequently, which boosts foodservice volume sales in 2011 * Increasing consumer awareness in nutrition value and food fortification for healthcare has created the demand for functional/healthy minimally processed fresh and organic food * Most of the respondents prefer to dine at western fast food restaurants than local fast food| Threats * Malaysia has a Muslim population of 60%.Most retailers, foodservice operators and food manufacturers are inclined to ask for halal certi ficates for non-meat based food products and ingredients. * Malaysia’s rising inflation rate dampened consumer spending in  Malaysia  during 2011. | SWOT: Au Bon Pain in Malaysia

Barriers to Entry and Various Risks That Must Be Considered by Foreign Retail Companies Seeking to Conduct Business in China Essays

Barriers to Entry and Various Risks That Must Be Considered by Foreign Retail Companies Seeking to Conduct Business in China Essays Barriers to Entry and Various Risks That Must Be Considered by Foreign Retail Companies Seeking to Conduct Business in China Essay Barriers to Entry and Various Risks That Must Be Considered by Foreign Retail Companies Seeking to Conduct Business in China Essay Barriers to entry and various risks that must be considered by foreign retail companies seeking to conduct business in China By Aizhan Yermekbayeva Let China sleep, for when she awakes, she will shake the world (Napoleon Bonaparte) Most politicians, businessmen and academics would agree with the quote above. It is becoming more and more evident that â€Å"China is now slowly waking up†. And a market of over 1. 5 bn potential consumers is perceived by most multinational enterprises (MNCs) as an opportunity hard to miss. Businessmen and even renowned academics make various recommendations on approaching Chinese market. This article will provide a critical analysis on how to develop businesses in China successfully and sustain stable profitability. The main focus will be drawn on entering and operating business in the retail industry as the industry is attracting the growing number of foreign investors despite the fact of having unresolved issues with the supply chain management, â€Å"bureaucratic red tape† and most importantly fierce competition. China could be divided into two main parts when it involves setting up a business: Hong Kong and mainland China. Hong Kong, which was a British colony until it was reunited with mainland China in 1997, is considered to be one of the most liberal markets with low level of governmental interference. However this article’s primary focus is on the mainland China, given its current political and economic importance. Merely thirty years after the reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s, China has become the world’s fastest growing economy. Some predicted that by 2015 China will surpass Japan and will become the world’s second largest economy (Hall, 2009). But it happened five years earlier. It has been expected that by 2010 its retail industry will be worthy of $596 bn. China’s vast natural resources and cheap labour are substantially appealing to foreign investors. â€Å"No future is brighter than China†, states Coca-Cola’s chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent (Einhorn, 2009). As thought provoking as it may be Lehman Brothers in China still went bankrupt in 2009 and Marks Spencer, despite having more than sufficient financial resources, failed to succeed. According to a statement made by the executive chairman of MS Sir Stuart Rose, â€Å"basic shop keeping mistakes† (wrong clothing sizes) and issues in the supply chain were the main reasons why their market entry strategy did not succeed in China. However, there are still barriers to entry and various risks that must be considered by companies seeking to conduct business in China. The government in mainland China regulates the market, sets the controlling legislation and rules for foreign direct investments (FDIs) and competition . After China’s admittance to the WTO most of the regulatory barriers to Chinese market have been eliminated. China’s current economic environment offers a great opportunity for businesses. Although China has been undergoing fast economic reforms these are not necessarily followed in tandem by political reforms. As such, most MNCs mistake is that they approach China in the same manner and with the same strategy as they would any other country. Conversely those businesses that have succeeded in China have used a strategy of â€Å"understanding local ways†. It is vital not to underestimate the power of guanxi. Therefore foreign managers are strongly advised to understand this cultural phenomenon before attempting to start a business in China. Guanxi is â€Å"a complicated system of favour banking† which is practiced within a certain group. The importance of guanxi is often emphasised by a Chinese saying that without guanxi a person gets â€Å"half the result with twice the effort†. However, the main risk of guanxi is that it requires a high level of trust between parties involved in favour exchange – where someone’s word is his bond as opposed to an actual agreement. Strong guanxi networks would make the challenges of conquering Chinese retail market, such as setting up an efficient supply system less complicated. However there are additional threats and limitations that might affect foreign businesses, particularly retailers. Especially, taking into consideration a significant role that local government plays in the Chinese market. The growing concern for retailers is that the Chinese government is discussing adopting protectionist regulations in the retail industry. New regulations are showing signs already as the local government has selected a group of local retailers and is giving them financial support. It is the first stage of formation of the â€Å"national champions† local retail companies which are expected to become the leaders of the retail industry. There are many reason why the Chinese government is compelled to undertake these actions such as the retail industry is expanding at a fast rate and from the local population’s perspective the key industry players that benefit from it the most are foreign companies. This viewpoint pressurises the government to protect the local retail chains, which are not able to compete against international retail giants because of the insufficient financial resources. Therefore these regulations are expected to favour domestic retailers in allocation of strategic locations and have been highly welcomed by national retailers. Under these circumstances it is of utmost importance for foreign retailers to re-assess their future strategies. As it was mentioned before the Chinese retail industry is highly competitive which emphasises the importance of the visibility of hypermarkets. Another challenge of maintaining competitiveness lies in increasing prices of land and rented premises as foreign retailers are focused on operating hypermarkets in strategic and urban areas that raise operating costs. Moreover foreign retailers are already being pressurised into price wars as local retailers, mostly family-owned stores, offer very low prices which appeals to Chinese price-conscious customers. Furthermore with variety of retailers offering similar goods and services the local customers’ demands have shifted. The times when foreign companies could sell their ut-of-date products are long gone. Currently foreign retail companies are expected to provide high quality products and it makes it even more challenging to offer competitive prices at the same time. Initially foreign retail chains could differentiate themselves from locals with new technologies, innovative practices in marketing and by offering consumer friendly return policies. As â€Å"understanding the needs and motivations of Chinese consumers is the name of the game†. However they have soon lost this advantage as domestic competitors were fast to copy and employ them. Additionally local retail chains’ scope is smaller which makes it easier for them to set up an effective supply chain. While for retailers like Tesco, Carrefour and Wal-Mart it is difficult to keep supply chain centralised. Fragmented nature of Chinese retail market and geographically vast area impose more challenges. Moreover the local governments of different areas have customs duties which also increase the prices of suppliers. For example each of Tesco’s stores has to work with 1000 suppliers. Furthermore it is difficult for global retailers to overcome â€Å"the liability of foreignness†. It makes them vulnerable to changes in global political arena and politics between countries. In 2008 Carrefour suffered significant financial losses because Chinese customers decided to boycott all French retailers in protest to the pro-Tibet political standing of the President of France, shortly after riots in Tibet. Therefore political risks have to be taken into consideration. It is evident from the above mentioned that Western businesses coming to China should not make false assumptions based on the rapid development of infrastructure that the Chinese market and especially the retail industry function the same way. Therefore the significance of doing proper â€Å"homework† before approaching foreign markets, especially China, cannot be overemphasised. The differences outlined above should be considered to avoid future disappointments and subsequent failures in entry strategy. Companies that rushed into conquering the Chinese market without sufficient information failed to succeed encountering the Chinese bureaucracy and unreliable business partners. There are several conditions in order to create successful joint ventures in China: Finding a reliable partner, which is best achieved through connections attained with guanxi. Chinese business partners bring local knowledge and the experience in conducting business in the Chinese market which may be useful for cost cutting. Nevertheless when choosing a partner or business allies, financial strength and mutual interests should be taken into account. Foreign companies should seek for a financially reliable partner. Strategic location. Interaction with local governments is crucial for obtaining a desirable location Monitoring changes in accounting, taxation and other legislative modifications Human resources management (HRM). Low labour costs are one of the major incentives for foreign companies to come to China. The general manager of JV companies noted that there are three key elements to succeeding in China: â€Å"people, people, and people† (Epser 1991:24-30). Although success depends on the quality of personnel management. Relations with trade unions (TUs) may come as challenge as the way they function in China is different from Western countries. Interestingly it is noted that TUs are usually focused more on protecting the interests of the Party than that of employees. Other precautions include: avoidance of recruiting from only one source as in some cases new recruits may have similar negative qualities; While high quality employees may require patience and flexible attitude to find; Avoid employing a large workforce as local authorities might pressurise to hire more; Experienced native management personnel is essential for managing bureaucratic procedures; New employees should be trained, their skills and work ethics developed to coincide with main interests of the company Supply chain management is without a doubt of significant importance in decreasing costs and developing business. However this is one of the areas that have not been researched thoroughly. Summarising all criteria above, locating a Chinese partner with high level of reliability and with a nationally successful business is of utmost importance when establishing a joint venture. Guanxi is as well important in finding a strategic location and employing a suitable workforce. Nevertheless there is a scarcity in detailed information on supply chain management which is arguably one the most significant areas in cost cutting strategy. El Kahal identifies the main challenges of developing businesses in Asia Pacific, and as the author says â€Å"anyone who looks to Asia has to look at China†. Therefore challenges found the most relevant to conducting business in China and suggested (potential) solutions are presented in Table – 3. Table – 3. Challenges |Implications |Solutions | |Obtaining information on market competition |It is difficult for foreign managers |â€Å"hands-on experience†, the manager has to | |and the external factors affecting business |to assess the market, potential |have an extensive knowledge of the | |operations |rivals and find suitable partners |operating environment to reduce reliance on| | | |detailed data analysis. Establishing sound | | | |personal ties and networking is used by | | | |most local senior managers as an | | | |alternative to documented data and is | | | |essential for verification of information | | | |reliability received from various external | | | |sources. |â€Å"Bureaucratic red tape† |Might affect the pace of projects and|Weigh diligently possibilities of | | |business operations |regulatory and legislative obstacles and | | | |utilise the knowledge of the local managers| | | |through building a personal network | |Political aspects and internal issues of the|May lead to termination of business |It is highly encouraged to do thorough | |country like bribery |and even more severe consequences; |research before starting a business. | |make a significant damage to | | | |company’s reputation | | Overall China offers opportunities to prosper however challenges and obstacles should be taken into careful consideration. Foreign businesses should do their ‘home work’ to meet or avoid them. This article attempted to provide various advice and recommendations on the subject, however every company adopts a different approach based on the internal and external environments. Despite foreign retailers’ high expectation about future prospects of the Chinese retail industry, the economic crisis has affected China as well. Bain Co predict that in the next four years there will be a decreasing trend in the number of hypermarkets in China. According to Financial Times there is an over-saturation of hypermarkets in some urban areas such as Shanghai were there are already approximately 120-130 hypermarkets. This tendency causes an increase in rental costs, fierce competition forces rivals to cut prices and these factors combined with the country’s present infrastructure issues creates an uncertain future for foreign retailers. However, some global retail giants like Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Tesco see the economic downturn as an opportunity to get ahead of competition. Interestingly the Chinese character for ‘risk’ has two symbols: â€Å"danger† and â€Å"opportunity†. Investing abroad is a risk, but it is also an opportunity and with the right and timely information organisations can form a unique strategy of succeeding in China. References Chen, C. C. and Chen X. P. (2009) Negative externalities of close guanxo within organizations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management. 26. pp. 37-53 Chen, M, (2004) Asian Management Systems. 2nd ed. London: Thomson Learning. p5. , 241, 242 Chow, I. , Holbert, N. , Kelley, L. , Yu, J. (2004) Business Strategy: An Asia-Pacific Focus. 2nd ed. Singapore: Pearson Education South-Asia. El Kahal, S. 2001) Business in Asia Pacific. New York: Oxford University Press Inc. p. 63, 70, 562 Epser, P. (1991) cited in Chen, M, (2004) Asian Management Systems. 2nd ed. London: Thomson Learning. p. 241 Fels, A. (2009) The regulation of retailing – lessons for developing countries. Asia Pacific Busine ss Review. 15(1). Pp. 13-27. Gamble, J. (2009) Demanding customers in the Chinese context. Asia Pacific Business Review. 15(1). pp 93-105 Peng, M. (2009) Global Strategic Management. 2nd ed. Canada: South Western Cengage Learning. p. 16; 156 Wang, S. (2009) Foreign Retailers in post-WTO China: stories of success and setbacks. Asia Pacific Business Review. 5(1). pp59-77 Wal-Mart, Tesco, Carrefour do battle in the East. (2008) Strategic Direction. 24(2). pp5-7. Hall, J (2009) Every little helps for Tesco in ChinaSupermarket makes steady inroads. Daily Telegraph. [online] Available from: http://find. galegroup. com/gtx/infomark. do? contentSet=IAC- Kent, M (2009) cited in Einhorn, B (2009) Coke Committed to China Expansion. Business Week. [online] Available from: businessweek. com/globaliz/content/jun2009/gb20090623_410186. htm Rigby, E (2008) Tesco in new drive on China. Financial Times. [online] Available from: ft. com. /cns/s/0/a89db8f6-89b2-11db-ae27-0000779e2340. html

Role of Power in Policy Development and Implementation Research Paper

Role of Power in Policy Development and Implementation - Research Paper Example There is a significant role of power in the society. Those people who are given the power to govern have the authority to impose rules, create programs or decide important matters that involve the welfare of everyone. When we try to look around us we see people like the presidents, prime ministers, or kings who are given the power to rule over their countries. When one has power, the authority is given to that person to decide on things in behalf of the whole nation. Major Types of Power Power is being categorized into certain types to determine its nature and the way that it is obtained. French and Raven in the year 1959 (as cited in â€Å"Five Bases of Power,† n.d.) were the social psychologists who formulated the five bases of power, which are the following: Positional Power Positional power is the authority given to people who have a position in an organization or society. It is considered as the most important among all the other types of power. This type of power is comm only present in organizations, appointing an individual to act as the leader so that jobs are performed well. Reward Power The basis of which is the capability of an individual to give rewards to those who deserve to be given one. It is somehow related to legitimate power. Those who are in high corporate position have the power to offer rewards to their subordinates like bonuses, promotions and incentives to name a few. Personal Power Personal power is the power to persuade others through the interpersonal skill of an individual. It is the ability of someone to influence others by simply using their charm to attract people’s attention. Most political leaders possess this type of power. Expert Power This is inherent to those who are intelligent people. The mastery on a specific body of knowledge is considered as expert power. This may bring someone to higher positions like in the government or organizations. Coercive Power This is considered as a negative type of power for it is more influenced by fear. This gives an individual the right to impose punishments and even stop someone from receiving benefits. Examples of Power Experienced In the Society The most prevalent type of power present in our district is positional power. In the field of politics, the power is vested upon those people who qualify specifically for a government position by means of an election. In every district, a governor is elected who serves as the leader and decision-maker. The authority given to the governor is affiliated with great responsibilities. Practically as what the word position implies, positional power is dependent upon the position of an individual. So if the person is into the higher rank like in the case of a governor, then there is greater amount of power given. The higher the position, the greater power is attained. Another common type of power present in the district is personal power. There are many of those successful people who have this quality of building re lationships to other people, through the use of their persuasive and at the same time charismatic approach. Business owners have the ability to influence a consumer’s decision upon purchasing through their flowery statements. Well politicians also have their way of

Managing operations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing operations - Essay Example The notion includes the process of delivering the services to the customers with the products. With the changing time the aspects covered are increasing, the process now also includes R&D, value creation, marketing management, sales activities, accounting and finance. Most of the physical assets remain unchanged. These include buildings, land, manufacturing plants, warehouses etc. Planning, operating and controlling are the important constituents of transformation process. The improvement in the system is also an important aim of the model. Outputs consist of products and services and may even be information, such as that provided by a consulting organisation. (Koontz and Weihrich, 1994; p 633, 634) Time network analysis is a logical extension of the famous Gantt chart. Often referred to as the program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) an in its essentials as the Critical Path Method (CPM), this technique of planning and control has wide potential use in many applications. But PERT and its various refinements, like PERT/COST, have considerable potential for use in many aspects of planning and controlling operations. (Koontz and Weihrich, 1994; p.648) A product can be improved and its cost lowered through value engineering, which consists of analysing the operations of the product or service, estimating the value of each operation, and attempting to improve that operation by trying to keep costs low at each step or part. The following specific steps are suggested: Work methods can be improved through work simplification, which is the process of obtaining the participation of workers in simplifying their work. Training sessions are conducted to teach concepts and principles of techniques such as time and motion studies, workflow analyses, and the layout of the work situation. (Koontz and Weihrich, 1994; p.648) A quality control circle, or simply quality circle (QC); is a group of people from the same organisational area who meet regularly