The Boy Who Saves Baseball

Although this small town Is loved by many, Tolland has really gone down and a lot f the town's leaders want to sell Dilatation land to developers who say they will turn the run down community into new homes, stores, and bigger and better things. Although most of the land has already been sold, Doc Alternative, a huge baseball fan, hasn't agreed to sell his land. This land happens to be where the baseball park sits. After being cornered by the mayor who begs him to sell the property and the historical group who begs him to not sell the land, Doc decides that he will keep the field If the Wildcats can beat their rival team.If the Wildcats lose, he will sell the land to the developers who will tear up the field to build new buildings. The Wildcats are scared of losing the challenge. The main reason they are worried is that they cannot hit or catch and the game is only five days away. Dante Del Goat, a former player of the San Diego Padres, decides to coach the team. At the first practic e a 12 year old kid named Cruz De la Cruz walks up. No one knows him, but Cruz quickly makes friends with the team.He can hit every ball that comes his ay and can catch every ball that Is hit or thrown to him. More Importantly, he helps build the team's confidence, courage, and a new found love for the game. After a week of hard and unusual training, the team is feeling good about the big game, but Cruz De la Cruz disappears. The team quickly realizes that it is up to them to win the game. Worst yet, with Cruz gone, Tom has to play. He is the worst player and as if things couldn't get worse, he has to pitch because Maria, the main pitcher has been Injured.After a long and hard game, the Wildcats manage to win, but their excitement was overcome by grief when they found out that Doc Alternative has had a heart attack and died. The team, especially Tom thinks that the field will surely not be saved no matter what. In the end, Tom finds out that Doc wanted him to inherit his estate when he died. The baseball field is safe now because of the win and the generosity of Doc Alternative. The Boy Who Saves Baseball By Sharron The Boy Who Saved Baseball begins by introducing its readers to a fun lovingAlthough this small town is loved by many, Dilatation has really gone down and a lot baseball fan, hasn't agreed to sell his land. This land happens to be where the he will keep the field if the Wildcats can beat their rival team. If the Wildcats lose, he will sell the land to the developers who will tear up the field to build new buildings. Way and can catch every ball that is hit or thrown to him. More importantly, he helps build the team's confidence, courage, and a new found love for the game. Has been injured.

American industrial workers between 1865 and 1900 Essay

Between 1865 and 1900, American industry workers experienced both good and hard times. Labor Unions were forming, and these new creations often produced better lives for the workers. However, waves of immigrants were also coming into America, which resulted in the threat of job stability. Labor Unions and Immigration both had momentous effects upon the industry worker, for better or for worse. After the Civil War, which killed much of the working population, people began to appreciate their skills more and more due to the lack of human resources. Labor Unions began forming, demanding better pay, hours, and conditions. Labor Unions did receive some of what they bargained for, but their greatest gain was the augmented participation people began to take in expressing their convictions. Some of the prominent Labor Unions were the National Labor Union, organized in 1866, the Colored National Labor Union, the Knights of Labor, and the American Federation of Labor. Although these unions targeted different portions of American society (some included blacks, some didn’t, some were elitist, some were lower class†¦), they all had major goals in mind; all fought for reform in the American industrial workforce. The National Labor Union fought for the arbitration of industrial disputes and the eight hour workday. They were able to win the eight hour workday. The Knights of Labor, an esoteric, clandestine, group, campaigned for economic and social reform. They wanted producers’ cooperatives and codes for safety and health. They also fought for the eight hour workday. The American Federation of Labor sought better wages, hours, and working conditions. They also wanted the trade agreements. These Labor Unions negotiated with employers and held strikes, which gradually led employers to grant better lifestyles to the workers. The success in these Labor Unions lay not only in their arguments themselves, but in the myriad of strikes that occurred. Employers were often hurt financially by so many workers. Many employers simply realized that it would be more economical to make agreements with their workers than to engage in  warfare. By 1900, the public began to acquiesce the right of workers to organize, bargain collectively, and to strike. Labor Day was made a legal holiday by act of Congress in 1894. However, there were still many disagreements between the employers and Unions and constant battles were going on. Although Labor Unions were not immediately successful during this period, they were a significant stepping stone in that they encouraged the working class to become more vocal in their working circumstances. Labor Unions in this epoch however did achieve some changes, such as better wages, less hours, and a national holiday. These gains were small compared to the precedent the Unions set for Amer ica. Another aspect that had an important effect on the Industrial worker was immigration. After the Civil War, and even during the war itself, the US was increasingly becoming more and more populated. By the 1880s, Immigrants had come mainly from Western Europe. In the 1850s, the Chinese began to arrive in America. In the 1880s, the New Immigrants, Italians, Croats, Slovaks, Greeks, and Poles, began to immigrate into America. Workers met these new immigrants with hostility and scorn. The Chinese settled mainly in the West, so they were not a major concern for Industry workers at that time (Most workers worked in the factors on the East, whereas the Chinese were on the West). However, when the New Immigrants came to the country, the Industry workers were furious. Especially with the formation of Labor Unions, these workers claimed that the New Immigrants were willing to take jobs with much less pay, therefore taking many of the current jobs occupied by the middle and lower classes. Nativism was revived again as these New Immigrants came to America. Many people were worried that the US was losing its English influences and was becoming a mixture of inferior southern Europeans. Hence they upbraided these immigrants for the degradation of the urban government. Unions assailed them for their willingness to work for such low wage. Antiforeign organizations were revived, such as the American Protective Association which urged voting against Roman Catholic candidates for office. Workers argued that if American industry could be protected from foreign industry  (tariffs†¦etc), then American workers ought to be protected from foreign workers (Immigrants†¦etc.). Congress did pass immigration laws in 1882 due to the increased criticism to the government. It also passed a law in 1885 which prohibited the importation of foreign workers under contract. Thus, the new Immigrants took many jobs away from the old â€Å"native† Americans. Because these new immigrants were willing to take any wage, employers were able to offer jobs currently held by workers to the immigrants for lower wages. Thus the new immigrants were often mistreated and struggled to integrate into American society. However, one extremely important fact to remember is that the torrent of immigrants DID help the wealthy class. The employers did enjoy the cheap labor. Immigrants therefore, also helped create tension between the workers and their employees. Between 1865 and 1890, both Labor Unions and Immigration had distinct effects upon the American worker. Labor Unions aided the worker because they often helped fight for better conditions and wages. Immigration was bad for the workers, because it meant instability to their jobs, and many immigrants were treated with derision. Both situations increased the tension between workers and their employees. In this period, American workers experienced both good and hard times, due to the rapid changes in American society.

It's a research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

It's a - Research Paper Example The romans realized the value of rhetoric and sought to use it developing their speeches, an aspect that was common during the renaissance and humanism periods. Rhetoric is recognized as the art of ruling the minds of men; it is an ornament that decorates language by making it more persuasive or appealing to the language user. Rhetoric presents the message in coded language that has little harm to the author as well as the readers. It also provides room for expression of issues in different contexts and situations because the technique can perform many tasks using similar words. This research paper seeks to analyze the use of rhetoric in literature and construction of genres. There are many rhetoric devices. They include questions, parallel structures, sound patterns such as alteration and assonance, contrasts, for example, a statement like; we have to be cruel to be kind. Other rhetoric patterns include repetition, hyperboles, emotive language, imagery, and contrast. Primary themes in every literary work examine the issue of appearance and reality. The authors justify appearance and the reality in their works in several ways. They create characters that pretend to be what they are not to link these two aspects in a dramatic way. Don Quijote is one of the great Spanish literary works written by a prominent Spanish writer, Cervantes. The novel was published in 1615 as a response to an earlier version published by an unknown person. In this novel, Cervantes defends himself from the earlier allegations made by an unknown publisher. He demonstrates reality by mentioning the earlier version of the book that he considers as being false and to the second part which is the true book. The author rhetorically creates characters who have read the false book are recognized a lie. He sought to bring reality and truth at a time when an unknown publisher of his first

Bullying in Early Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Bullying in Early Education - Essay Example ave equal strength or power to the bully† (Berthold & Hoover, 2000; Olweus, 1996; Solberg, Olweus & Enderson, 2007; Sourander, Holstela, Helenius & Piha, 2000). Aggression was clearly defined in Lee’s research on the relationship of aggression and bullying to social preference as a â€Å"behavior that is intended to harm someone either physically or psychologically (Berkowitz, 1993), manifests itself in a wide variety of acts† (Lee, 2009, 323). Despite differences in definitions, bullying still manifests an aggressively vicious behavior expressed either indirectly or directly by a repeated tormenting towards a victim with obviously less strength and power to defend oneself from his aggressor aimed to harm him or her physically or psychologically. III. The role of gender in bullying Diverse research literatures examined the role of gender in increased susceptibility in bullying. There are actually two sides to be examined: (1) does gender play a significant part in assuming the role of the aggressor? In this issue, one would like to assess and evaluate if indeed boys are the instigator of bullying. If so, what forms of bullying do they usually perform? On the other hand, does it necessarily follow that girls are always the victims of bullying? What other perspectives in bullying give credence to gender differences as relevant correlates of bullying? The study conducted by Carbone-Lopez, et.al. (2010) reveal that gender differences have significant impact on bullying and victimization. However, it was necessary to qualify the direct form of bullying versus the indirect form. The direct form involves behavior that aims to physically harm the victim through any of the following means: hitting, kicking, pushing (Carbone-Lopez, et.al, 2010, 333) and fighting, flicking,... Bullying in Early Education Parents of bullies were observed to resort to unjustifiable physical punishment instigated by mood swings and flares. Due to the fact that bullies have never learned the value of sharing or cooperation, getting along with others is not an ultimate priority. In this regard, the objective of the research is to determine if gender affects the way children respond to bullying in terms of the response or action taken against bullying and how young children, in general, deal with it. II. Differences in Definition of Bullying Bullying has been described by Marees & Petermann (2010) as â€Å"a specific for or aggressive behavior, namely the systematic humiliation, harassment and/or torment of certain children by their peers: (178). Taylor (2003), on the other hand, who studied primary school bullying and the issue of gender differences, defined bullying as â€Å"a subcategory of aggressive behavior; but a particularly vicious kind of aggressive behavior since it is directed, often repeated ly, towards a particular victim who is unable to defend himself or herself effectively†. The impact of gender on the response of children to bullying can still be further investigated to ensure that possible findings would shed light on the diversity of gender and the way they perceive bullying as either a threat to be directly addressed or ignored. There could be other reactions or responses that were not evidently investigated, or reported especially for the age group targeted for the project.

Distribution of duties based on gender roles Research Paper

Distribution of duties based on gender roles - Research Paper Example Moral judgments about the gender based household duties of individuals are made by people in our daily life. Each and every individual owes some kind of work as their daily chores and others placed the demand for it on the individual who owes it. That kind of work is said to be the duty of the individual that the person is obliged to perform. Gender roles are often defined in the cultural context. The overall power relations that existed between the women and the men living in a society determine the distribution of their duties on the basis of gender identity. Basic inequalities among gender exist to a large extent within the households in relation to the household works they are assigned. In many societies even in the twenty first century the professional life of women are accepted only when they could well maintained their household duties along with their outdoor works . Whereas the working of the men outside home is natural and taken for granted. This inequality implies inequali ties in employment status of male and female and also their relations within the family. (Buckley and Moghaddam, 2-5; Sen) Thus the discrimination among men and women on the basis of the distribution of duties of their households in their everyday life is the social phenomenon that is intended to be studied in the paper. The paper reflects that shopping affects gender in a very extensive way through society The research hypothesis The situations of the households have changed over the years and the shares of the household chores performed by the male members of the family have experienced a significant positive change but women contributes larger proportion of the household works especially related ot shopping trends, till date. Research designs and methods Interest for the study The classic work done by Friedman in the year 1963 and then continued by Oakley in the year 1974 urged the sociologists to focus on the issue of the study of household work which was otherwise considered as a topic too marginal to be studied as relevant part of sociology (Buckley and Moghaddam, 6). Sociologists have now become increasingly interested in studying the social factors that determine the work performance of households and the topic became the focus for sophisticated research. There are certain findings that appear in literature work more consistently though the study of the household sector has not really been able to produce a consensus yet among general people. Among those findings what appears to be well documented mostly is that a greater share of the household chores and daily household works are performed by the female members of the family than the male members. Studies suggested that the females of the family invariably perform the largest share of the daily household duties though the relative shares of the work performed by the male and female members vary in terms of individuals’ characteristics and the household circumstances in which they are living the ir livelihood (Buckley and Moghaddam, 6). However with the changing nature of the society the situations of the households are also changing. Most of the couples in the twenty first century are trying to live a more balanced life with a more or less proper sharing of the household works. As women of the twenty first century are catching up with the capacity of their male counterparts in each and every aspects of life (be it political, social and even in economical aspects), the

Journalism Mass Media and Communication Research Paper

Journalism Mass Media and Communication - Research Paper Example How is this history displayed for the audience? Is this history conveyed effectively? Is Kaufman constructing a history from above, from below or something in between? The Laramie project is based on a true story about voices of real people grappling with prejudice and tragedy in their small town (Bollas, 26). In 1998, Matthew Sheppard, an explicitly gay college student was beaten, tied to a fence, and let to die on the outskirts of Laramie in Wyoming. These actions lead to the small town being thrust into national spotlight revealing prejudice and the harsh truth of violence that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community often faces in the contemporary society. After the event, Moises Kaufman and other members of the New York-based tectonic theater project traveled to the place. Through the utilization of interviews, theater techniques news report and interviews, the Laramie project was born. Moises Kaufman and other members of the tectonic theater project made 6 trips to Laramie in the aftermath of the beating and when the two young men accused of killing Sheppard were being tried. The Laramie is a breathtaking melodramatic collection that explores the height of compassion of which human beings are capable of as well as the depth to which humanity can sink (Elsbree & Wong, 100). The play is based on a true story of October 1998 when Matthew Sheppard, a gay student who was attending the University of Wyoming in the town of Laramie was murdered by two young men. Matthew was taken to a spot that was isolated by two local young men with the intent of robbery, Russell Henderson, and Aaron McKinney beat him up by using the butt of the butt of their guns and left him with injuries but tied to the fence. However, Sheppard was found eighteen hours later exposed outdoor and died a few days later. After the trial, Russell and McKinney were convicted and imprisoned for life.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Chrysler PT Cruiser - Essay Example The Chrysler PT Cruiser The Chrysler Group is Daimler Chrysler AG’s unit which is world’s fifth biggest automaker producing company in both passengers as well as commercial vehicle segments. The Chrysler PT Cruiser is built by Chrysler which is a â€Å"retro† styled station wagon. It is the marquee of Daimler Chrysler. The model resembles in size and shape to the 1997 Chrysler CCV prototype. The marketing plan is all about repositioning and revitalising the PT Cruiser that has been struggling since many years and underwent a decline stage. PT Cruiser has been one of the successful retro-styled vehicles. More than 1.3 million PT Cruiser cars were manufactured since the year 2000. However, despite its stylish look and many advanced features, the sales of the car have been plummeting in the recent years. It has been analysed that the reason behind the sales slide and the failure of the PT Cruiser have been that the Chrysler didn’t invest the required sum in this model. It has even b een argued that the reason behind its failure has been that the car was never improved by the company over its life span. The target segment was primarily the middle aged people who bought these cars. There are always two basic strategic choices for any company. Either the company can segment the market or it can treat its entire market as its potential customers for the goods and services that it renders. By the word ‘segmentation’ the development of the unique marketing strategies in order to meet the market needs of the market place, is perceived. (Weinstein, 2004). In addition to the middle aged people the target segment should be youngsters as well. By driving its attention towards this particular segment, the company can gain a significant number of customers in comparison to the middle aged people. In terms of psychographic segmentation, the company needs to segment its market to the outgoing people who usually hangout with their friends and relatives. The company has been providing its services all over the world; however, it would be better if the company targets the Asian countries as there is huge potential in these countries. In terms of benefit segmentati on, the company needs to focus upon investing in the style of the product as it has not gone through much change with respect to the product and there has been no investment made to upgrade it. In terms of physiographic segmentation, the company can target both the economy minded as well as the high income group people. Marketing Objectives The main objective of the company must be to invest adequate resources so that they can appeal to the mass consumers. In the era of competition, it is important for the companies to keep themselves updated with the modern technologies. The major reason for the failure of the product has been that the model and features provided by the car were same throughout its entire of its 11 years existence in the market. Therefore, the main objective of the company must be to make changes in the product model along with providing new advanced features with the aim to beat the

Management of Information Systems Unit 7 Project Essay

Management of Information Systems Unit 7 Project - Essay Example Since accounts are kept private for the customers via the use of a password, customers generally feel safe and secure knowing that only they can see this information. This approach is certainly less of an invasion of privacy simply because it does not require the customer to do any extra work. Surveys and questionnaires require an extra amount of work, and also are often ignored by customers because they feel that it is a violation of their privacy. Furthermore, if the surveys are emailed to the customer, their opinion of the survey may be even worse and lessen their opinion of the company overall, since they may view this as Spam. Therefore, using information that customers are already willing to provide to get what they want through the orders they make reveals that customers are willing already to disclose this type of information in order to get what they want. Furthermore, most customers feel just fine disclosing this information because the account setups are private. This, the refore, makes the information feel much more private than a publically Emailed survey or questionnaire. A decision support system that I recently used was actually using Amazon.com to find other books and information related to my previous orders and searches. Since I am an avid reader and enjoy history, I was trying to find more books relating to particular time periods I had already ordered and read about. Therefore, I was able to use the information I had provided to Amazon in the past to have them provide me a selection of possible books that I might be interested in, and might otherwise have overlooked. I felt that the results were accurate. For the most part, I was presented with results that reflected upon the same time period I wished to read more about, and a variety of authors. I was therefore able to find the information I needed to find. I find the whole experience very satisfying, as the search method was accurate enough to provide me with what I needed. Prepare a one-page report on the career you intend to pursue. Give at least four examples of activities involved in such a career that call for problem solving. Explain which problem solving is structured and which is unstructured.I intend to pursue a career in computer literacy and information technology. In this career field, I will need to have the necessary problem solving skills in order to understand exactly what people need, for instance, when certain items are not working for them on their computers. This will require me to be able to problem solve and trouble shoot for a wide variety of computer technical problems. Furthermore, within this problem solving sphere, I will also need the necessary problem solving skills in order to know how to approach these individuals with appropriate answers to their questions. This means also that I must know how to break down the information well enough to explain to people what went wrong so that they can hopefully avoid it in the future, and/or fix the problem on their own. Furthermore, I will need to know how to assist people both on a face to face level, as well as over the phone. All of this will require me to formulate a structured approach to problem solving. This is because all of the issues I will be running

How does college experience affect future experiences Essay

How does college experience affect future experiences - Essay Example Students learn to listen and pass their ideas articulately with good communication skills. In order to score good grades, students must be committed to attending all the classes. This is also true at the workplace. Employees are expected to be at their work place every day with few off days. Results are what matters in colleges in spite of how hard one works. At the workplace employees are also expected to deliver on their targets without excuses. Time keeping is a critical factor in our college lives. Both in college and workplace we are required to observe time and be punctual always. (Staley & Staley, 2012) observes that students should be able to exhibit the work ethic they had in college in their work life. The way they worked hard to achieve good grades should be the same way they will strive in their work places to meet the standards set by the organization. Most students have at one point been given a group work assignment. This experience prepares them to work in committees in future. They are also expected to be good team players from the experience they gain through the group work. In college students meet others from different races and cultural backgrounds. This enables them to appreciate and co-exist peaceful with other people from different backgrounds in their future endeavors. It helps them develop socially and intellectually. The extra co-curricular activities students participate in help in drilling discipline and enhancing self esteem. It also develops students socially since they interact with many people. Students are also thought to obey rules which in turn them into responsible citizens once they grow up. The values and characters developed in college can have a huge influence on success in the professional life. As (Staley & Staley, 2012) summarizes it â€Å"Thanks to having gone to college, you can begin your career with ready-to-go professional

Personal experience in an organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal experience in an organization - Essay Example Therefore, the argument that the discussion fostered a supportive communication environment is valid. Active listening and collective participation characterized the group discussion. Each of the group members had ample time to air their views while others listened. There were no interruptions when a group member was giving their points. However, after the points, we could interrogate the points as a group. Most of the points raised by the individual members were found to be valid. Only in two occasions where we had to amend the answers given. In this scenario, the members that raised the points were quite confident and seemed to be grateful since they perceived that their points were listened to before being amended. Next, we will look at the problem-oriented nature of the discussion. The objective of the group discussion was clearly cut out. Each of the members knew the problem under investigation in advance. This created an opportunity for the group members to do an independent research and then approach the research from a point of knowledge. It was clear that each of the group members had an understanding on the topic of discussion. This helped create an environment where everyone was an active participant. In addition, each of the members, including those that are a bit conserved were given adequate time to talk. In so doing, the members became free with each other and were able to express their points without any tension. Most of the discussion involved descriptions as opposed to evaluations. The essence of the discussion was to provide a common understanding of the various questions as provided by the instructor. To culminate this argument, let us look at the specificity of the communication. The fact that the group discussion handled a specific issue created a supportive communication environment. The goal of the group was to ensure that the assignment was done well. This specific drive made us to contribute without

The novel of life in rural Mississippi in the 1930 Essay Example for Free

The novel of life in rural Mississippi in the 1930 Essay She had been making her own stories out of it. The subject was slavery and a racist, white man published the history book that she was given and she thought the book was wrong. She had eventually got fired due to T. J getting revenge on her for accusing him of cheating. Mr Granger was a man who leased out sharecropping land to the black community and took almost all of their money after the harvest. On top of that, the Logans had financial problems and mortgage problems. People had to face the consequences without hardly any money. Black people had to pay their mortgage at the bank but the white people employed at the bank just caused more trouble. This novel examines many issues for example: courage, bravery, prejudice, the power to succeed and the strength to survive. Black people have known that courage comes only to those who earn it. Friendship is an important part of life. You need people to look you up to, someone on your side so you can be brave and someone you can depend on for giving you advice if youre in trouble. You will hardly ever see any black people and white people, as thats the way life was. Jeremy was a good friend of the Logans. Jeremy Likes T. J and the Logans Tree House and their generosity and friendship. Some white people would be scared of some blacks. I know this because of when Kaleb Wallace gazed up at Mr Morrison, then at the truck as if trying to comprehend the connection between the two. The major conflict in this story is when two white children beat up T. J and accuse him of robbing a store. The two children were the actual robbers with stockings over their faces. Then the white children go to T. Js house and tried to hang and burn his whole family. The Logans try to stop this by setting fire to their own cotton field so everyone will stop to put the fire out before it reached their own. Luckily, the lightening had struck the cotton field. This was the turning point in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Everyone stopped what they were doing just to put out the fire, including the whit people. They all worked as one without hate or dislike. This would also be considered the resolution because the prejudice is gone for a moment. The falling action is when the fire is out and everyone goes home. Mama had explained that we have no choice of what colour were born or who our parents are what we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once were here. Something more important in our life is education. There were two separate schools that separated the black children with the whites. Children used to travel by bus, car or just walk. Either way, there could be disaster waiting to happen whilst on the journey. Uncle Hammer gave warnings about these situations all the time. He thought that things seemed worse than usual up there. It gets hot like this and folks get dissatisfied with life, they start looking round for somebody to take it out on. So everyone should be careful and to always be aware of danger. As I read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, I have noticed the particular language that the people use. They use local dialect for when they talk. The local dialect in Mississippi often involves shortening words and blurring words together as well as creating new words, for example: mopin round, cuttin up, bout, farmin, yall. The apostrophes show where letters have been dropped when words are shortened. When T. J talks about friendship in several local dialect speeches. He once said to Stacey, I swear everything I told yall is the truth. I I admit I lied bout tellin on your mama, but I aint lyin now, I aint. People used to talk like this because it was shorter and easier for them to say it. There are several themes in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. One of them could be described as when someone feels that is bad, he can still have the pride of his family and friends. Courage comes only to those who earn it could be another theme. The last theme involves the difficult situation life presents and a need to stand tall. This book, I think, was well written to let people see things through a childs eye and experience their innocence and disbelief in the cruelties of life brought in by racism and prejudice. The lesson I learned in reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is that when people are found to be tough, they can be; especially a child. Sometimes they come out stronger than the adult in one of lifes crisis. There has been a lot of trouble in this book and people like Mama always sense trouble. She says your lucky no worse happened and were glad to have you here especially now. When Cassie had racial situations approach her, she likes to get vengeance and after she had achieved her goal, she tells herself, oh, how sweet was well-manoeuvred revenge. Now you know that if you have an ounce of hope inside you, youll have the power to succeed and all live as one. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Mildred Taylor section.

Benefits of Systems Thinking

Benefits of Systems Thinking INTRODUCTION Systems thinking is a well organised approach of understanding the dynamic relationship between components of a system, so that we can make better choices and avoid unintentional consequences. It’s a conceptual framework for problem-solving which understands and considers the problems in their entirety (Hall, 1999 and Senge 1990). In other words, it can be defined as a view which looks at the ‘system as a whole’ first with its fit and relationship to external environment being a primary concern as compared to the constituent elements that make up the system (Morgan, 2005). It can be used to understand how systems work and how individuals can deal with them, while looking for patterns of interaction and underlying structures which shapes the systems behaviour. As system is a combination of several parts people who understand systems thinking keep one eye on the big picture (i.e. system as a whole) and one on the detail (i.e. constituent’s components), as the y recognise that problem in one part of the system can impact other parts and forces patterns of behaviour in the system that lead to crisis (Morgan 2005). Systems view is a way of positioning and looking into an organisational or systems issue where system boundaries are to be set to determine what parts are contained inside the system and what parts are considered external environment. The environment will certainly influence the problem solving capabilities of the system, but it’s not the part of the whole system (Ackoff, 1971). Outcomes will depend heavily on how a system is defined because system thinking investigates relationships between various parts of the system and its external environment (Montano et. al, 2001). ADOPTION OF SYSTEMS THINKING A number of methods, tools and principles cover the concept of systems thinking with a common goal of understanding relationships within the system, as systems thinking works on the hypothesis that there are certain evolving properties of systems that do not exist when systems are disintegrated into individual parts. For example consider a driver who is constantly hitting red lights on the road. If the driver is only noticing one part of the system i.e. red lights, then he will simply decide to speed up to in-order to make the next light before it turns to red. But, if he considers other parts of the system i.e. his car, condition of the road, driving style and the distance between two lights, he will notice that every time he tries to speedup to make a light, it changes to red. His speed is tripping the lights to force him to drive slower. So if he is observing this pattern, he can simply reduce his speed to drive thorough all green lights. In systems view, the focus spreads in a variety of different directions compared to the conventional linear style of thinking. It focuses on processes, patterns and relationships and their flow and movement and puts much emphasis on understanding the effects of the interactions in the system as opposed to putting efforts to predict the outcomes (Morgan, 2005). It’s argued that the emphasis on systems view should begin when a project is started and should continue till the final lessons have been learnt even after completion (Stewart and Fortune, 1995). Advantages of Systems Thinking Adopting a view of system thinking can complement conventional styles of research in projects in certain ways: It suggests different levels of analysis and synthesis for different kinds of problems, ranging from the simple activity levels to the more complex hierarchical levels. Systems thinking complements reductionism (the principle that everything can be reduced to its individual parts), analytical analysis (breaking down a system to its smallest components), cause and effect thinking (environment-independent, linear but without feedback loops, closed and defined boundaries), complete determinism (illusion of control) with complexity (a sub-system of larger network), blended structure (explaining the whole system in terms of functions and inter-relationship between parts), circular contributing effects (explaining external environmental influences, performance and feedback) and belief in uncertainty which leads to probabilistic thinking (Schiuma et.al, 2012). It provides a conceptual framework which utilizes different theories, tools and techniques like the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), which helps in constructing a holistic, reliant perspective and practise aimed at disclosing the relationships characterizing a system (Joham et al., 2009 and Pourdehnad, 2007). Such approaches use a non-linear model where different elements are connected through cyclical rather linear cause-and-effect chains. This shows how a system is structured and also shows the nature of interactions among components of the system, which helps in understanding the behavioural patterns characterizing the system under investigation (Schiuma et.al, 2012). Having a reductionist thinking tends to push the project towards a closed systems view of the environmental i.e. the different phenomenon could be explained as individual and isolated events, which shows that the system and the context are separate, deterministic and predictable. In addition, the casual relationship between different elements is linear in the sense that A affects B which affects B, so such a approach can be used as a process or procedure to track and access results and performance on a operational level rather than on a broader system level. Project managers can use systems thinking to assist them in the scoping of a project where the project and its relationship to the environment are examined to underline potential risk areas and also to look at the project performance and thus to facilitate organizational learning (Stewart and Fortune, 1995). Disadvantages of Systems Thinking Although adoption of systems thinking/view is beneficial in some aspects while executing consulting projects, there are still certain problems which are associated with this approach. Some of them are as follow: Concept of systems thinking totally ignores or much worse destroys the most important aspects of human systems, for e.g. the interconnections or inter-relationships amongst and between the constituent sub-systems (Morgan, 2005). The project and its sub-tasks are totally ignored. Reductionism is no longer appropriate for dynamic projects which comprises of mostly human activities. It encourages fragmentation and isolation of the project which causes undue concern with the individual project activities or sub-systems. This method is makes us smart in micro-level thinking with regard to projects whereas on the other hand it’s allowing us to be dumb on the macro-level analysis. Under this thinking the project management loses the capability of making sense of how and why things work in a certain patter/manner. Reductionism can’t be implemented in every project. It tries to deal with the issues of the project one at a time, which leads to the problem of backing up which make things much worse. Also it is not helpful in dealing with multiple or delayed causality, as it is leading us to the simplistic way of thinking where individuals instead of focusing on the core problem focus on ‘either-or’ choices and blame mentality (Morgan, 2005). The simple approach to cause and effect can’t be implemented in consulting projects with high level of complexity, as it can’t keep up with the complexity of the project. As systems thinking focus on dealing with symptoms of the problem, interventions aimed at fixing things can end up sometimes making things better in the short run but worse in the long term. The over-reliance on reductionism will create an imaginary environment in which individuals think that prediction and control are the usable approaches to deal with complex projects. Endless varieties of tools and frameworks would be applied to ensure project success and when all such things fail they will try to explain the causes of system failure using the reductionist explanations of personal failure, resistance to change etc. So, the cycle goes on repeating itself and people, organisations get trapped into fixes which are doomed to fail. Having a systems perspective enables the project to exert control over people and its processes. But such a view tends to act against innovation and adaptation which are fundamental qualities for long-term effectiveness. Adopting a systems view can threatens some of the established policies and procedures in managing consulting projects, for e.g. in areas like monitoring and evaluation, performance management and assessment. Most of the practitioners have doubted its operational use, as it has not provided specific answers to the cases when the system has encountered problems. Some of its ideas such as emergence can be unattractive with project management teams, who are constantly under pressure to give results in short run. Systems view can also have a disengaging effect on people and organisations that are used to a structured system where projects are planned and targets are met. So, adopting a system thinking view can increase the effect of uncertainty in project consulting and management rather than reducing it. System thinking can also be demanding in terms of intellectual resources as it requires multi-disciplinary approaches to handle wide range of issues and patterns. It requires a significant investment in terms of skills, organisational structure where people are trained across a series of interrelated issues to make systems thinking work, because if they give up on the practise of systems views they will probably get back to much easier conventional approaches (Morgan, 2005). Conclusion The implications of systems thinking can be far reaching as it’s not clear how it will fit with other methods of analyzing situations. Questions will be asked about its contribution to monitoring and evaluation as the some of the sub-systems may be inadequate in generating data needed for analysis which leads to reluctance in trusting the conclusions (Morgan, 2005). Though it’s best in synthesis, it needs help in terms of practical analysis, so the question arises that can it supplement present methods of doing things or does it have to replace them in some way? In conclusion, adopting a systems view can contribute in planning and controlling the complexity and uncertainty by embedding flexibility in consulting activities. When implemented and aligned properly, systems view can alleviate the flaws present in the existing frameworks to produce a more general framework which includes both prescriptive and descriptive elements (Montano et. al, 2001). Also, it facilitates the links between project management initiatives and the strategic goals and objectives of an organisation helping in maintain a clear vision of what is being done and why it is being done (Ackoff and Emery, 1972).

Enterprise resource planning

Enterprise resource planning 1. INTRODUCTION Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are among the most important business information technologies to emerge in the last decade. The basic concept of Enterprise Systems is focused mainly on standardization, synchronization and improved efficiency. Thousands of major construction firms and increasing numbers from other sectors as well, either have just completed their first ERP implementations or are in the middle of this major undertaking. ERP systems can be defined as configurable information systems packages which integrate information and process across organisational functional areas (Kumar and Hillegersberg, 2000). The benefits of Enterprise Systems are very significant: coordinating processes and information, reducing carrying costs, decreasing cycle time and improving responsiveness to customer needs (Davenport 2000). Keeping the project on schedule, under budget and the quality are usually are the main problem that has been faced by the construction industry. Construction industry is one of the major industries in contributing the economy, eventhough it is measured to be one of the most highly fragemented, inefficient and geographically detached industries in the world (Chung, 2007). To overcome this inefficiency, a number of solutions have long been offered including implementation of IT. In the context of the construction industry, ERP would be defined as a computer-based business management system that integrates all processes and data of the business, including engineering/design, planning, procurement, construction and maintenance/operations (Tatari et al. 2007). Now a days numbers of major construction companies are implementing the integrated IT solutions such as ERP systems to better integrate their various functions. However, these integrated systems in construction present a set of unique challenges, different from those in the manufacturing or other service sector industries. Each construction project is characterized by a unique set of site conditions, a unique performance team, and the temporary nature of the relationships between project participants. This means a construction business organization needs extensive customization of pre-integrated business applications from ERP vendors. Unfortunately, such an extensive customization can lead a construction firm to ERP implementation failure. The ERP applications that are used by construction industry can be classified into two distinct groups: pre-packaged Software, and Web-based Project Management System (WPMS). Currently, the worlds biggest pre-packaged ERP software contributors involve SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, J.D. Edwards, and Baan. SAP is said to have about 60% of the world market (Holland, Light, Kawalek, 1999). 2. Problem Statement ERP has become an essential part of enterprise method over the globe. Use of ERP in other sectors is being stable and growing. Its critical influence within designing novel business environments and procedures has been noteworthy. Different organizations in assorted subdivisions have dedicated to paying out and have already paid out large summations of capital for the implementation of ERP in their organizations. These equivalent companies possess been able towards document major improvements, both concrete and elusive, within their campaigns as a outcome of ERP implementation. Large number of organizations have implemented ERP in their process and make it more effective and profitable. The same observation can be made for some of the most successful corporations in the world. The question needs towards be asked why is this? What are a number of the listened benefits that inflict corporations devote towards the implementation of ERP within their organizations? According to Oliver, Romm (2002), in common with other types of investment activity the adoption of an ERP system is a purposive intervention by an organization for bringing about a new state of affairs that is judged to be superior to the current state. The most bulk valued factor that are often stated as a intent for performing to the implementation of ERP: Integration Access of Information Improvement in process Thoughtfulness in business Dissatisfaction with out dated legacy systems After implementing ERP companies have been competent to enhance costumer relation, strengthen delivering the flexible supply chain partnerships, improving the organizational flexibility, improve decision-making competency and decreasing task culmination time and cost (Ahmed, and Ahmed, Azhar, Mallikarjuna, 2003). Although Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has been completely applied by various associations internationally, within almost everybody of the else principal industrial sectors, its utilization in the building industry has been limited to exert via a few large organizations The greatest gatherings of construction administration that have either failed in their efforts to take on this technology, or are not very apparent with it are Small and Mid Size Construction Organizations. These organizations comprises the strength of the construction industry and have their possess specified commercial and operational needs. The failure of Small and Mid Size Construction Organizations to adopt ERP, despite all its promise advantages, is a problem that desires to be addressed. It can be proposed that 2. RESEARCH PURPOSE The overall purpose of this research is to assess the critical success factors for the implementation of ERP systems to support construction industry and to what extent it is being used in enterprise integration and the benefits derived from using ERP systems. Furthermore, success factors coupled with the organizational performance will be assessed and validated. The relationship between the perceived performances will be assessed against the influence of upper management support, role of project champion in managing change in the organization, the level of organizational emphasis on communication and training, and organizational experience with ERP systems. 3. RESEARCH AIM The proposed research endeavours to investigate the following questions: What issues and problems faced by Construction organisations during the implementation of ERP systems? How can problems be reduced in implementing complex new technology into the existing structure of an organization? What must be considered, from the organizational as well as the technical perspective, to effectively integrate the technology and people in the organization who use it? Although this study cannot fully answer these questions, this research will provide valuable information concerning the technological and management systems used to support Construction organizations. Evaluation of implementation and problem issues will serve to further support management decision making. 4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS This research will identify the characteristics of ERP systems used in todays Construction industry. The results of this research will provide additional realistic information for construction organizations seeking to implement ERP systems, providing recommendations pertaining to the issues that must be addressed for companies to avoid critical problems in their own implementation of ERP systems. Questions to address: What are the critical success factors for implementing ERP system in a Construction organization? Is upper management support crucial to the success of ERP systems? What are the change management strategies the management should employed to help the successful implementation and performance of ERP systems? Is the success of ERP system depends upon the level of effective communication and the employee education and training? The generalized question to which this research will contribute is: What are the basic factors that determine the success of ERP systems implementation in regards to the ability of the system to influence organizational performance? When an organization decides to implement and integrate an extended, inter-departmental computer system into its operations, what issues must be addressed to indemnify that the computer application system will effectively contribute to organizational performance improvement? 5. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The objectives of this research are as follows: To independently obtain current information regarding the state of ERP systems in Construction organization today. To determine the critical success factors for implementing an ERP system in Construction organisation. To survey current users about factors that contribute to the success of ERP systems, especially in regards to effective communication, user training techniques, change management and the effect of upper management support. This will serve to validate previous research as well as obtain more information about successful experiences in industry. 6. Research method The research method appropriate for this research project will be of qualitative nature through an interpretive case study, where data collection techniques will consist of thorough literature review, secondary data review of documentation regarding the ERP project and interviews from senior computer, technical and management consultants. 2. Literarture Review 1. INTRODUCTION Literature is a term that refers to all sources of published data and Literature Review is a written summary about the findings from the literature (Hussey and Hussey, 1997). A literature review helps in establishing what research has been conducted on the researchers chosen area of study and also to identify what research is currently in progress (Saunders et al., 2000). In order to research into Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, a thorough literature review has been conducted with a centre of attention placed on ERP systems and the implementation of these systems in Construction organizations. Previous papers on ERP implementation projects will be reviewed focusing on successes and previous failures in ERP projects. As the research site is Hindustan Construction Company Ltd., the coonstruction sector has also been reviewed. 2. ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING 2.1The ERP Phenomena ERP systems are highly integrated software packages (Holland et al., 1999) that can be customised to cater for the specific needs of an organisation (Boudreau and Robey, 2000; Esteves and Pastor, 2001; Laberis, 1999). The concepts that have been evaluated and, at times, utilized by construction organizations in achieving the goal of improved efficiency through better management of collaborated knowledge is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)(Negahban and Baecher 2008). ERP systems have been defined to be a computer program that provides a general working platform for all departments of an enterprise with their management functions being integrated into the program (Jingsheng Halpin, 2003). Several definitions from the published literature are given to further explain the concept: ERP (enterprise resource planning systems) comprises of a commercial software package that promises the seamless integration of all the information flowing through the company-financial, accounting, human resources, supply chain and customer information (Davenport, 1998). ERP systems are configurable information systems packages that integrate information and information-based processes within and across functional areas in an organization (Kumar and Van Hillsgersberg, 2000). One database, one application and a unified interface across the entire enterprise (Tadjer, 1998). ERP systems are computer-based systems designed to process an organizations transactions and facilitate integrated and real-time planning, production, and customer response (OLeary, 2001). Kapp et al. (2001) defined ERP as a system of integrated procedure, rules and algorithms designed to function consistently time and time again (p. 85). The key point in an ERP system is integration. The purpose of ERP is to create one computer system that can perform all the functions of every department within an organization by linking all the departments into one single database. What ERP really does is organize, codify, and standardize an enterprises business processes and data. According to Negahban, S, 2008 By utilizing this technology would allow the construction industry to harness the power of collective knowledge. In addition, regulatory and competitive forces, financial demands of owners, and an ever-shortening timeline to finish projects contributed to an increased pace of the utilization of this technology in the construction industry. It took the construction industry longer than other industries to realize the importance of the utilization of IT applications in improving the possibility of ultimate success in an integrated project environment. 2.2 Evolution of ERP The history of ERP can be traced back in 1960s, when the system focuses mainly towards inventory control (Seo, 1999). During 1970s, a shift of focus towards MRP (Material Requirement Planning) was observed. This system helped in translating the master production schedule into requirements for individual units like sub assemblies, components and other raw material planning and procurement. This system was involved mainly in planning the raw material requirements (Kalakota and Robinson, 2001). Then, in 1980s came the concept of MRP-II (Manufacturing Resource Planning) which involved optimizing the entire plant production process (Seo, 1999; Kalakota and Robinson, 2001). In the beginning, MRP-II was an extension of MRP to include shop floor and distribution management activities. Afterwards, it was further extended to include areas like Finance, Human Resource, Engineering, Project Management etc (Seo, 1999). This gave birth to ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) which covered the cross-functional coordination and integration in support of the production process (Seo, 1999; Kalakota and Robinson, 2001). The role of enterprise resource planning (ERP) does not match its name. It is no longer related to planning and resources, but is rather related to the enterprise aspect of the name. ERP attempts to unify all systems of departments together into a single, integrated software program based on a single database so that various departments can more easily share information and communicate with each other.(chung,2007).The ERP include the entire range of a companys activities. It addresses both system requirements and technology aspects including client/server distributed architecture, RDBMS, object oriented programming etc (Bancroft, 1996). ERP systems are designed as an integrated set of software modules, all linked to a common database, handling a host of corporate functions such as finance, human resources, material management, sales etc. (Slater, 1998). Russell and Taylor (1995) suggested that the ERP of today differ from traditional MRP II system in the areas of relational database management, graphical user interface (GUI), fourth generation languages (4GL), client-server architecture and open system capabilities. In addition, Kapp et al. (2001), stated that the differences between ERP and MRP II is the inclusion of a variety of manufacturing processes within ERP, in which modern ERP software is able to handle both discrete work orders and flow orders, JIT and MRP, EDI, and hand-entered orders (p. 86). Wainewright (2002) also stated that MRP was used for tracking suppliers, work-in progress and the output of finished goods, while ERP was used for all type of business with additional functions including financials, payroll and human resources management. Furthermore, Kremzar and Wallace (2001) also stated that ERP is far better than MRP II for three reasons: a) ERP applies a single set of resource planning tools across the entire e nterprise, b) ERP provides real-time integration of sales, operating, and financial data, and c) ERP connects resource planning approaches to the extended supply chain of customers and suppliers. According to Koch(2002) the main reasons that companies take ERP are summarize below: Because of its Integrated Financial Information i.e. to create a single version of information which cannot be questioned because all the members of the company use the same system. The information is integrated on one system rather than scattered on many different systems that cannot communicate which each other, so that the company can track orders and can coordinate with different related departments across many different location at the same time. It standarized and speed up the process using single integated system which can save time and increase productivity. Reduces inventory by improving the observation ability of the order process inside the company. The popularity of ERP systems started to soar in 1994 when SAP, a German based company, released its next generation software known as R/3 (SAP, 2003). In the following years, companies began to pour billions into ERP systems offered by SAP and its major competitors such as Oracle, Baan, J.D. Edwards, etc. Recently, ERP vendors add more modules and functions as add-ons to the core modules giving birth to the new term i.e. extended ERPs or ERP II (Adam and Sammon, 2004). It is the enterprise systems for the 21st century. These ERP extensions include advanced planning and scheduling (APS), e-business solutions such as customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM) (Bhattacherjee, 2000). ERP II systems are about optimizing the supply chain through collaboration with trading partners. It crosses all sectors and segments of business, including service industries, government, and asset-based industries like mining (Turban et al. 2001). According to Zrimsek (2003), ERP II systems is web-based, open to integrate and interoperate with other systems, and built around modules or components that allow users to choose just the functionality they need. Figure 1 summarizes the historical events related with ERP. 2.3 ERP Functions, Purpose of ERP Systems Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are software driven business management system which integrates all facets of the business, including manufacturing, planning, sales and distribution, financials and human resources (Kuang et al., 2001). It is a system that integrates all information that runs through an organisation (Davenport, 1998) and can be categorised as a large information system. It can be customised to cater the needs of an organization (Watson and Schneider, 1999). During 1990s ERP systems became the de-facto standard for replacement of legacy systems in large, and particularly multi-national companies (Parr and Shanks, 2000) ERP systems become more widely implemented, software applications are developed to help business managers implement ERP in diverse business activities such as project planning and management, subcontracting, material tracking, service, finance and human resources (tatari,2009) However, enterprise systems expanded to include back office functions (such as operations, logistics, finance, and human resources) and non transaction-based systems (Davenport, 1998) or front-office functions (such as sales, marketing, and customer service), as integral components of ERP systems (Davenport, 1998; Chen, 2001). This expansion result from the emergence of Supply Chain Optimization (SCO) (Chen, 2001), or Supply Chain Management (SCM) (Turban et al., 2001) and CRM strategies and systems (Chen, 2001), as illustrated in Figure 2. Turban et al. (2001) referred to this beyond the corporate walls integration as extreme integration (p. 304). Turban et al. (2001) further commented that in this approach to integration, SCM can be viewed as the brain and ERP as the strong body (p. 305). While the names and numbers of modules in an ERP system provided by various software vendors may differ, a typical system integrates all these functions by allowing its modules to share and transfer information freely and centralizing all information in a single database accessible by all modules (Chen, 2001). Provided in Figure 3 is an overview of an ERP system. Due to the importance of these systems in terms of added functionality over legacy systems and potential integration benefits, a large number of organisations are adopting these systems to manage their operations (Ross, 1999). They adopt these systems due to various technical or business reasons. Technical reasons include Y2K issues (myth), replacing legacy system that did not work etc. Organisations that have successfully implemented ERP systems view them as one of the most important innovations that have lead to the realization of substantial tangible and intangible improvements in a variety of areas (Davenport, 2000). Five other reasons for acquiring an ERP system are: 1) to integrate financial information, 2) to integrate customer order information, 3) to standardize and speed up manufacturing processes, 4) to reduce inventory level, and 5) to standardize Human Resource information (Koch, 2002). According to Kremzar and Wallace (2001), operating the business in a rapidly changing and highly competitive environment is the primary purpose of implementing an ERP system. Various studies have been done focussing on adoption and implementation of software applications (Harrison et al., 1997; Lassila and Brancheau 1999). However, the enterprise-wide implications, high resource commitment, high potential business benefits and risks associated with ERP systems make their implementation a much more complex exercise in innovation and change management than any other software package (Nelson and Somers, 2001; Gefen, 2000). Radding (1999) argued that when an organisation puts millions of dollars into a core business application and reengineers its business processes around it, the system is destined to become much more than an application. 2.4 General Perspective of Todays ERP Systems For over a decade the ERP system has had major impact on the manufacturing industry. Besides manufacturing companies, the ERP system has also gone further to serve the other industries. According to Boyle (2000), the ERP system is also linked with the web and e- commerce applications and beginning to use web browsers as the graphical user interface. Management was not using ERP to its full potential. Today, ERP is the foundation of businesses domestically and globally (White et al., 1999). It is used as a management tool and gives organizations a great competitive advantage (Koch, 2002). As ERP systems become more widely implemented, software applications are developed to help business managers implement ERP in diverse business activities such as project planning and management, subcontracting, material tracking, service, finance and human resources.(tatari,2009) Most of the ERP packages, today, provide multiple language and currency capabilities, allowing operations in different countries to become more integrated (Computerworld, 1998). In an era of globalization, such characteristics are very appealing for organizations desiring to expand their activities worldwide without losing control over them. The popularity of ERP is evidenced in a study that showed that nearly 19 percent of organizations across all industry sectors have installed ERP software (Computer Economics, 1999). The study also showed that the popularity of ERP continues to rise, with 34 percent of the surveyed organizations investigating, piloting, or implementing ERP packages. Davenport (1998) characterized ERP as the most important development in the corporate use of information technology in the 1990s (p. 122). 2.5 ERP Systems and Construction Organizations In the construction industry, because of the fragmented nature of the business, ERP implementation and utilization has not reached the same level as the other industrial sectors; however, the construction industry has finally awakened to importance of ERP, even though it is lagging behind other major industries that have been utilizing ERP to improve their efficiencies and bottom lines. (negahban,2008) There has been a remarkable improvement in both the speed and ability to conform to logical, customer-oriented business processes with the configurable and more flexible ERP systems (Donovan, 1998). In fact, now days, the management can chose from number of ERP products that come with multiple best practice options. The old MRP systems were very rigid as predefined business processes were embedded in the software making it difficult to adapt to the real needs of a manufacturing business (Seo, 1999). Customizing an off-the-shelf MRP system was expensive, difficult, risky and unusually time-consuming. As a result, companies had to make their order fulfilment process in such a way so as to accommodate the vendors predefined MRP software process but it greatly limits the managements ability to adjust their order fulfilment process to cope with changing customer requirements and to create a competitive advantage (Donovan, 1998). With todays developments in ERP software technology, compani es have an opportunity not only to configure business processes at much more reasonable cost and risk but also to create the opportunity for a competitive advantage (Kalakota and Robinson, 2001). The success of ERP in manufacturing enterprises resulted in its adoption by some large construction companies (ML Payton Consultants 2002; Voordijk et al. 2003). The high expectation of achieving all-round cost savings and service improvements is very much dependent on how good the chosen ERP system fits to the organizational functionalities and how well the tailoring and configuration process of the system matched with the business culture, strategy and structure of the organization. By implementing right ERP system, the organization significantly improve its entire order-to-delivery process, increase its ability to service customers at a lower cost and also better forecast its sales and other business activities, which is a competitive advantage (Harvard Business School, 1997). With ERP, it is possible to share and exchange information in digital format throughout the project life cycle. Thus, information is stored only once and all project participants are able to access this information in real-time(tatari,2009) Generally an ERP system is expected to improve both backbone and front-end functions simultaneously. Organizations decide to install ERP systems for many tangible and intangible benefits and strategic reasons. In various cases the calculation of return on investment (ROI) is weighted against the many intangible and strategic benefits (Gefen, 2000). However, to get the benefits of ERP systems, organizations need to undertake some problems and disadvantages. The advantages and disadvantages that organizations face after implementing ERP are given below: Benefits of ERP systems Integrating the organizations activities by processing a large majority of an organizations transactions (OLeary, 2001) and managing the information needs of companies (Gefen, 2000; Baskerville et al., 2000). Facilitation of intra-organization communication and collaboration (OLeary, 2001). ERP does the integrating job, allowing the business to spend less time figuring out whats going on and more time for improving (Slater, 1999). Options exist to purchase only the modules needed presently and acquire any extra modules needed in the future (Gefen, 2000). ERPs use an enterprise-wide database which allows access to the data in real time (OLeary, 2001). Both small and large companies can benefit both technically and strategically from investments in enterprise systems (Markus and Tanis, 2000) as they enable organizational standardization, eliminate information asymmetries and provide on-line and real-time information (OLeary, 2001). Disadvantages of ERP systems ERPs can have a negative impact on the work practices and culture of an organization (Allen and Kern, 2001; Soh et al., 2000). It takes an average of 8 months after the new system is installed to see any benefits (Koch et al., 1999). Lack of feature-function fit between the companys needs and the packages available (Markus and Tanis, 2000). The need for competent consulting staff to extensively customize the ERP (Gefen, 2000) to increase the acceptance of a new system. There is a need for extensive technical support prior to its actual use (Gefen, 2000). 2.6 ERP Systems Architecture ERP vendors understood the limitations of the old legacy information systems, i.e. MRP/MRPII systems, used in large enterprises of the 1970s and 1980s. Some of these old systems were developed in-house while others were developed by different vendors using several different languages, database management systems and packages, creating number of incompatible solutions unfit for the data flow between them (Seo, 1999). It was not easy to enhance the capacity of such systems or the users were unable to upgrade them with the organizations business changes, strategic goals and new information technologies (Chen, 2001). ERP systems are recognized for their databases and interdepartmental linkages. ERP structure provides a basis for MRP systems to become an enterprise integration tool (Kalakota and Robinson, 2001). Enterprise integration is viewed as developing the availability and accessibility of information within an extended corporate system and using the information system to efficientl y coordinate both the decisions and actions of thousands of individuals (Enterprise Integration Laboratory, Univ. of Toronto, 1994). To operate in an enterprise sense, the organizations need to distribute their applications for costing, planning, scheduling etc to accommodate the multiple layers of the organization, its work centers, sites, divisions and management levels (Turban et al., 2001). Multiple languages and currencies are also being included for global applications (Chase and Aquilano, 1995). The characteristics of an ERP system are as follows: Modular design containing many distinct business modules such as financial, manufacturing, accounting, distribution, etc (Davenport, 1998; Chen, 2001). Use centralized common database management system (DBMS). It is based on distributed, client/server computer systems (Wood and Caldas, 2001, p. 387). The modules are integrated and provide seamless data flow, increasing operational transparency through standard interfaces (Holland et al., 1999). It is generally complex system involving high cost (Davenport, 1998). It is flexible and offer best business practices (Davenport, 2000). It requires time-consuming tailoring and configuration setups to integrate with the business functions of company (Gefen, 2000). The various functional modules work in real time with online and batch processing capabilities (Davenport et al., 1998). Different ERP vendors offer different ERP systems with some level of specialty but the core modules are almost the same for all of them. The main ERP modules found in the successful ERP systems are as follows (Turban et al., 2001): Accounting management Financial management Manufacturing management Productio Enterprise resource planning Enterprise resource planning ERP Evaluation and Selection process. A successful ERP project requires selecting an ERP solution, implement the solution, manage changes and examine the practicality of the system, Wei and Wang, (2004). Wrong ERP solution choice would either fail the implementation or weaken the system to a greater impact on the enterprise, Hicks, (1995); Wilson, (1994). Most enterprises often jump into looking at ERP functions and features rather than examining the strategy and business processes. It is important for management to know the current strategy, processes and supporting systems compared to what they could be with the new systems, Donovan, (2001). For most enterprises, the decision to implement ERP functionalities will require buying a software package from one of the more popular vendors on ERP market like SAP and Oracle. But the selection process is not a straightforward task, hence thorough understanding of what ERP packages are to offer, differences in each of them and what might be at stake in selecting one package over the other should be well examined, Sammon and Adam, (2000). Evaluating and selecting an ERP system can be a very complex process on the other hand, but it should be a fact-based process that will bring the enterprise to the point where comfortable well-informed decisions can be made, Donovan, (2001). Thus, in an online poll conducted by ESI International survey of 2,000 business professionals, (2005), fig. 1, below, it clearly show that most software projects, ERP inclusive, failed due to lack of adequate requirements definition. In addition to the above, typical ERP project implementation can still fail due to wrong solution choice, Donovan, (2001). Therefore, a research carried out by Management Agility Inc, (2005), revealed that it is imperative to adopt a thorough evaluation and evaluation process before adopting any ERP solution in SMEs. Hence, there are eight steps detailed below in the flowchart, fig. 2, for a careful and reasonable level of a successful ERP implementation in SMEs. None of these steps must be rush through or skip to avoid any element of failure. These eight steps can be categorised into 5 stages; Planning RFP Solution Evaluation Negotiation Selection and Agreement ERP Software Hardware (Solution) Evaluation and Selection Steps Yes No Stage 4 Stage 3 Stage 2 Stage 1 Define Requirements Shop Round for Product Clarify Requirements Evaluation Vendor Inquiry Interact with Vendors Negotiate Agreement Action Agreement Define business case/need and spell-out required values. Be specific. Ensure the business sponsor is willing to push through business case for change. Look round the market for what product is available. Identify vendors that operates and their general approaches to technologies the take. Discuss with others in the same industry as you are etc. Clarify your requirements and be sure of what you are looking for in line with you business case. Refine requirements if possible and be specific too. Find out what product is looking promising in line with the business need and from which vendor. Identify which vendor and their products and invite interesting ones for demo etc. Request for proposal (RFP). Invite each shortlisted vendor over for a chat and find out more about the product. List out expectations based heavily on business requirements. At this point evaluate this approach. Can you afford to change your current process? Can you afford the change the new product will bring and many more? Initiate Negotiation for the selected product with the selected vendor. Agree on who does what, when are they to be done. Negotiate deliverables, timelines, cost payments schedules and terms, support inclusive. Review all legal terms, finalise the contract and select product for onward implementation. Alignment of business requirement to what the software/hardware can provide. This is the core of the whole exercise else stop the evaluation. Evaluate the product capabilities in line with the business requirement. Evaluate the impact of this product on the business requirement. Stage 5 Analyse Gaps Yes For effective ERP Solution evaluation and selection process, the above steps are categorised into 5 phases as explained below; Stage 1 Plan Requirement Business need is defined, along with areas in business that required technical approach. Develop a specific business case with business value for a solution. Ensure that the project sponsor is willing to articulate the business case for change. Indentify vendors that operate in the line of products you are looking for. Get familiar with the software and hardware infrastructure presence for the solution seeking. Get general view of investment needed, considering software, hardware, other related infrastructure and ongoing support. Based on the survey, evaluate the organisation readiness for the investment and decide whether to continue or not. Now define priorities under must-have and nice-to-have accordingly. Stage 2 Request for Proposals (RFP) Shortlist interesting vendor based on the outcome of market survey for products. Invite interesting vendors for interaction/demonstration of their products. Collects facts/functionalities in line with the business need from various products demonstrations for the developments of unbiased RFP for vendors. Set-up a neutral body to develop RFP using all facts gathered during products demonstration aligned to the business requirements. Distribute out RFP that addresses the vendor as a company and the products they offer. Generate basic expectations from an ideal proposal in line with the business need for onward selection of the ideal software vendor. Stage 3 Solution Evaluation Identify and prioritise remaining gaps between software capabilities as demonstrated and business requirements. Sample form in fig. 3; below. Identify how the gaps will be bridge in terms of configuration, configuration, process change or combination of all these. If the gaps cannot be bridge, then discontinue the evaluation exercise immediately. If the gaps can be bridge consider reengineering of those affected business processes affected and continue with the evaluation. Stage 4 Contract Negotiation Negotiate with each vendor. Establish software, hardware and other infrastructure agreement requirements, which include version, components, maintenance and support. Also negotiate participation in user groups, license costs, maintenance fees and many others. Establish service provider agreement which also include deliverables, timelines, resources, costs and payment schedules. Establish other legal requirements. Stage 5 Selection and Agreement Upon successful negotiation with the right vendor; Review all legal terms on privacy protection, operation guidance and data manipulation etc. Approve agreements with the selected vendors. Agree on implementation plan.

Anthropological Feminism in The Piano :: Feminism Feminist Women Criticism

Anthropological Feminism in The Piano  Ã‚   There is a moment in The Piano when the crazed husband takes an axe and chops off his wife's finger. We do not see the awful blow, but both times I watched the film the audience gasped and a few women hurried from the theater. It is a disturbing but crucial scene, the culmination of a sado-masochistic screenplay which has been condemned by some as harmful to women and welcomed by others as an important feminist work. Critics have been more nearly unanimous in their praise for The Piano, and for writer and director Jane Campion. A New Zealander, Campion made two previous low budget films with relatively unknown actors which attracted little notice and small audiences. But their quirky originality established her reputation among film cognoscenti. The Piano, by contrast, is both an astonishing artistic achievement and a major motion picture. Featuring Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel, it has made Campion an overnight celebrity. She is being hailed as a "natural" and "original" film maker , and no doubt she is. Campion was also trained as a social anthropologist, however, and that training -- particularly the work of Levi-Strauss -- has had a profound impact on her directorial imagination. More than just a spectacular period piece or a feminist tract, The Piano is an anthropological excursion into the 19th century. And for Campion herself, it marks a shift from ethnography to fable-making. Campion as Ethnographer Campion's first esoteric film, Sweetie, was more "clinical" case history than screenplay. If it fails as a movie, it can be recommended as an instructional film for family therapists. Sweetie, the beloved daughter who turned out badly, is a greedy, impulse-ridden woman who constantly discomforts her family. Fat, if not morbidly obese, she is an unattractive personality in an unappealing body -- repulsive to conventional movie audiences. Fellini, fascinated by the grotesque, often gave such ugliness cameo roles in his films. But it is difficult to imagine any commercial film maker, even Fellini, choosing someone so utterly lacking in glamour, so completely unphotogenic, as heroine. There can be no doubt, however, that this was Campion's conscious aesthetic choice, for we see traces of the same kind of "ugly" choices in her two subsequent films. Campion is interested in Sweetie for all of the anthropological reasons that would repel an "escapist" movie audience and makes no effort to p rettify her. Anthropological Feminism in The Piano :: Feminism Feminist Women Criticism Anthropological Feminism in The Piano  Ã‚   There is a moment in The Piano when the crazed husband takes an axe and chops off his wife's finger. We do not see the awful blow, but both times I watched the film the audience gasped and a few women hurried from the theater. It is a disturbing but crucial scene, the culmination of a sado-masochistic screenplay which has been condemned by some as harmful to women and welcomed by others as an important feminist work. Critics have been more nearly unanimous in their praise for The Piano, and for writer and director Jane Campion. A New Zealander, Campion made two previous low budget films with relatively unknown actors which attracted little notice and small audiences. But their quirky originality established her reputation among film cognoscenti. The Piano, by contrast, is both an astonishing artistic achievement and a major motion picture. Featuring Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel, it has made Campion an overnight celebrity. She is being hailed as a "natural" and "original" film maker , and no doubt she is. Campion was also trained as a social anthropologist, however, and that training -- particularly the work of Levi-Strauss -- has had a profound impact on her directorial imagination. More than just a spectacular period piece or a feminist tract, The Piano is an anthropological excursion into the 19th century. And for Campion herself, it marks a shift from ethnography to fable-making. Campion as Ethnographer Campion's first esoteric film, Sweetie, was more "clinical" case history than screenplay. If it fails as a movie, it can be recommended as an instructional film for family therapists. Sweetie, the beloved daughter who turned out badly, is a greedy, impulse-ridden woman who constantly discomforts her family. Fat, if not morbidly obese, she is an unattractive personality in an unappealing body -- repulsive to conventional movie audiences. Fellini, fascinated by the grotesque, often gave such ugliness cameo roles in his films. But it is difficult to imagine any commercial film maker, even Fellini, choosing someone so utterly lacking in glamour, so completely unphotogenic, as heroine. There can be no doubt, however, that this was Campion's conscious aesthetic choice, for we see traces of the same kind of "ugly" choices in her two subsequent films. Campion is interested in Sweetie for all of the anthropological reasons that would repel an "escapist" movie audience and makes no effort to p rettify her.

Flag Football :: essays research papers

Whether it's running around and grabbing the opponents flag, or running around and pushing people out of the way for the touchdown, flag football is a great sport to increase adrenaline. Playing flag football gives players energy and helps keep them in shape. The constant movement helps work ones cardio and keeps one active. It is fun to play because players gat to play with friends and meet new people. It helps players work together and have competition. Everyone who likes doing a variety of exercises and likes to have fun could enjoy flag football in more ways than one. Flag football is not only a great sport, but it is also getting exercise in without one knowing it. Flag football requires moving around all the time. It keeps cardio up and keeps one on the move. Running around with a football gets the players? legs moving and other players as well because they chase the football. Flag football keeps ones arms active. Throwing a football or catching it can help the players? muscles in their arms. Most players like using their arms and legs to play which makes flag football a popular sport. With flag football being a well-known sport, most students want to try it out. Other students will most likely end up playing with people they know or can get to know. When playing with friends, players will get more active and try harder. It gets more out of them because they are excited to play. Trying to impress someone with mad throwing skills or speed could increase a player?s performance. Some players may meet new people and get new friends. Flag football is a social yet active sport that helps players get together. With friends, enemies, and other players playing flag football, most players will get along and work together. When not working together, there is even competition. Players need to throw a ball to get it across the field. They have to plan with teammates how to do that. In flag football, there is good, clean competition. To get some one tagged, all the players have to do is pull the flag without hurting the players.

All The Kings Men: Man As A Slave To Knowledge Essay -- essays researc

All the King's Men: Man As a Slave to Knowledge Dave Goff   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Robert Penn Warren's novel, All the King's Men, Jack Burden states, â€Å" The end of man is knowledge, but there is one thing a man can't know. He can't know whether knowledge will save him or kill him (9).† Jack's statement reveals that man is enslaved by knowledge. Familiar sayings such as, â€Å"Ignorance is bliss,† and, â€Å"what you don't know can't hurt you† also state this point. Examples of knowledge enslaving man are seen in the novel through the characters of Willie Stark, Adam Stanton and Jack Burden.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Willie Stark is a character that attempts to conquer knowledge, even though in the end, he is overcome by the forces of knowledge. Willie did not want to be a slave to knowledge, but rather, its keeper. Stark uses information about people for blackmail, to achieve his goals. His goals for political offices ranged from Mason County Treasurer to state governor, senator, and most likely thoughts of presidency. And on the way to get to these offices, Stark had to overpower others with dark knowledge, the secrets people keep. Stark says that â€Å"man is conceived in sin and born in corruption and he passeth from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud. There is always something (49).† He is saying that everyone has something to hide, a skeleton in the closet. Stark knows that everyone has some bit of knowledge to hide, and that the knowledge makes man a slave as he tries to hide the bit of knowledge. Stark often wields the power of knowledge to enslave others to do his bidding. He finds the dirt on someone, the secret bit of dark knowledge, and then has them do his bidding. When a certain Byram B. White tried to get rich, Stark had him sign an undated resignation form to hold him in his power. Willie said himself, â€Å" Well, I fixed Byram. I fixed him so his unborn great-grandchildren will wet their pants on this anniversary and not know why (136).† Also, Stark manipulates people with knowledge, telling them what they want to hear. â€Å"Under the picture was the legend: My study is the heart of the people. In quotation marks, and signed, Willie Stark (6).† Willie Stark studies people, rather, voters, and what they want to hear from him. When the people hear what they want to hear from Willie, they are satisfied and will vote him in office. Willie... ...r. If the human race didn't remember anything, it would be perfectly happy (40).† From this quotation, it is seen that knowledge can hurt. It is also shown that sometimes one can know too much for one's own good. And Jack's past hurt him, so Jack ran from his past, leaving Burden's Landing, where his â€Å"father's† departure caused him anguish. Jack also dreaded returning to Burden's Landing, refusing to face his problems, refusing to accept any new stepfather and trying to refuse the love of his mother. Nevertheless, Jack sometimes realized that he was running from his problems. Once he said, â€Å"For maybe you cannot ever really walk away from the things you want most to walk away from (43).† Jack finally understands that, â€Å" with knowledge you can face up to anything, for knowledge is power (313).†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So man is enslaved by knowledge, whether it be through skeletons in the closet, or false knowledge, or uncomfortable knowledge. Actions are guided by knowledge. Usually, actions are thought about first. Also, some people try to enslave others with knowledge, but fall victim themselves, one way or another. Knowledge is power. That is why man can be enslaved by it.

Freedom and Slavery

The United States promotes that freedom is a right deserved by all humanity. Throughout the history of America the government has found ways to deprive selected people this right by race, gender, class and in other ways as well for its own benefit. This is a boundary of freedom. Boundaries of freedom outline who is able to enjoy their freedom and who isn’t. These people alter with time and as history unfolds. Slavery and the journey of their freedom was a big part of the foundation of the United States. At the beginning of the Civil War, Lincoln’s goal was to restore the Union and planned on keeping slavery present in the states.African American’s journey to freedom and what freedom means was a long and turbulent one. With the British colonies being established in the New World, a source of cheap labor was needed. The Slave Trade was introduced into the colonies from Africa. Slaves were an important part of the success of this new economy being built. 7. 7 millio n African Americans were estimated to be transported to the New World between 1492 to 1820. They were treated like other goods and were sold through the triangular trade route across the Atlantic. Slavery had its advantages to Englishmen.They couldn’t claim the protections the English law offered, their time of work never ended and their children were born into slavery and owned by the master as well. They also had encountered many diseases known to Europe and were less likely to capitulate to diseases. Slavery began to replace indentured servants on the Chesapeake plantations. To the normal plantation owner, it became more economical to buy labor for life, or a slave that you owned until they died. Slaves could be sold, passed on to family members, and leased. No black could own arms or put their hands on a white or else they were faced with extreme consequences.Also, if off the plantation, a white person could ask a black to provide their freedom certificate or a note of pe rmission to be off the plantation from the master they also faced extreme consequences. Slaves were like children to whites. They could not rebel without repercussions and could not betray or leave their owner. They had free labor that could not go anywhere; slavery was a huge benefit and was like a dream for a plantation owner. They were essential to production and cultivation of crops and plantations. By 1700, slavery was existent in all of the colonies.The House of Burgesses realized that slaves were an extremely important part of the labor force and therefore, to the economy. A new slave code was enacted in 1705 stating that slaves were property of their owners and to the white community. Slaves were the legal responsibility of the master and if they started to rebel it was the master’s obligation to keep them in line. Slavery also brought a new division of people to the New World. The slaves that were transported to the colonies for labor were not all from the same cultu re, race or society.They spoke different languages, had diverse customs and had many various religions. Many of these people would have never come in contact with each other if not for this slave trade. An overall stereotype of African’s was what they now where known as. There cultures and ideologies emerged into a single background and ancestry for people born into this lifestyle and they no longer came from different tribes or kinships. There new culture was based on African traditions, English fundamentals and American standards. This could almost be considered as the first installment of America becoming known as a ‘melting pot’.Slavery was a huge part of the development of the New World and to the rise of its commercial supremacy. In Britain the profits from the slave trade encouraged the growth of ports, banking, ship building and helped to finance the industrial revolution. It also boosted the colonies wealth and set the foundation for the strong economica l society it would later become. As a historian would later transcribe: â€Å"The growth and prosperity of the emerging society of free colonial British America †¦ were achieved as a result of slave labor†.

Domestic Trafficking

Chapter 8 discussed domestic drug trafficking organizations. It distinguished the traditional and nontraditional organized crimes. The problem of organized crime in the United States is nothing new. The drug trade has changed organized crime by creating new, violent, and more sophisticated criminal groups. Although these groups often clash, they mostly work together in order to generate a bigger profit. In this chapter, the booked examined some of the largest and most active organized crime groups in the domestic illicit drug trade. One gang discussed was the Mafia. The Mafia, known as, â€Å"La Cosa Nostra, which has been a source of controversy for years. Its roots are in Italy and Sicily during the mid- 1800s. The Mafia is common referred to as a domestic criminal organization, with two factions of traditional organized crime operated in the United States, American and Sicilian Mafia. Mafia families would meet to divide territory, choose rackets, approve new members, and arbitrate disputes between the families. During the late 196s and early 1970s, France became well known as a distribution point fir an estimated 80 percent of the world’s heroin. Marseilles became the center of heroin laboratories that processed raw opium brought in from Turkey. Heroin was then smuggles into the United Stated by French Corsicans as well as Sicilian Mafia members. France is no longer considered a major producer of heroin sold on the U. S. market Associations with known Mafia type is illegal, whether a crime is committed or not. Association also applies to the Camorra and other â€Å"Mafia-type† groups. Exile is the locations for convicted Mafiosi have been established I towns with populations of fewer than 10,000, and an unauthorized exit of the location shall result in imprisonment. Property and other assets are subject to confiscation. Telephone wiretaps are authorized on people suspected of belonging to â€Å"Mafia-type† organizations. The term omerta is defined in its most negative connotation as a â€Å"conduct of noncooperation with public safety fficials due to fear. There is much controversy on what it is that the Mafia actually does. They argue that the evidence to support the existence of such a group is weak and open to other interpretations and that empirical research has failed to confirm the existence of such a dominant, complex, hierarchically organized criminal group. The historical evidence is sometimes weal and contradictory and empirical research conducted on organized crim e fails to demonstrate the existence of the Mafias a single conspiracy. There is little doubt that some individuals in linked with the Italian dominated criminal organizations in both the United States and Sicily have been involved in Large-scale drug trafficking. Outlaw Motorcycle gangs have created a historic role in organized crime and in the drug trade. According to U. S. Treasury’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, OMG have evolved into one of the most reprehensible types of criminal organizations, consisting of killers, psychotics, panderers, and social misfits. The Hells Angels, The Outlaws, The Pagans, The Bandidos are all notorious motorcycle gangs.