Monday, December 30, 2019

A Conceptual Framework for Supply Chain Management

A conceptual framework for supply chain management: a structural integration The Authors Premaratne Samaranayake, School of Management, College of Law and Business, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South DC, Australia Acknowledgements The author wishes to acknowledge the financial support granted by the University of Western Sydney through the Seed Grant Scheme for this research project. The author would also like to thank Barbara Miller and Les Mahoney for proof reading. Abstract Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to document the research on development of a conceptual framework for the supply chain. The aims of the research were to develop an integrated framework, and to provide a methodology for planning of many†¦show more content†¦The SCM literature confirms the view that integration of various components involved in a supply chain, should be carried out, so that integration provides visibility, flexibility and maintainability of components involved at the structural level. The implementation and maintenance of supply chain could be made simple for small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) (Samaranayake, 2002a). A typical supply chain comprises SMEs (Lamming et al., 2000). SMEs could benefit from a supply chain model, when implemented with minimal changes to the existing business processes. Lamming et al. (2000) argue that such a model requires a framework integrating all the components using component relationships at an operational level. As such, there is a need for a framework in SCM as a foundation for development of model(s) of industry applications. This paper describes the development of an integrated framework for SCM, and contributes to knowledge of potential improvements and developments in business processes. The framework becomes a foundation for model developments in many industry applications, using individual networks. The paper is structured as follows. First, the supply chain processes and systems are introduced followed by an overview of the unitary structuring technique. Concepts and basis of the supply chain framework are considered next. These include: * components and their relationships; * functionality assigned to components andShow MoreRelatedEssay On Supply Chain Management1427 Words   |  6 Pages CLOUD COMPUTING BASED SUPPLY CHAIN ABSTRACT Cloud computing can give the ability of flexibly outsourcing software for supply chain management collaboration and its infrastructure. This advance is affecting the daily lives of consumers similarly to other technical breakthroughs such as the printing press, engines and personal computing. Further forward in space of the usual technology publicity, the worth of cloud computing is that it can be a right technology for supporting and managing a constantlyRead MorePerformance Measurement in Logistics Operations1440 Words   |  6 Pagescomposing a list of KPIs for performance management system in IFRC. After screening through all the data elements relevant to the performance of the organization, Davidson soon identified four key performance indicators to apply with the measurement system: Appeal Coverage, Donation-to-Delivery Time, Financial Efficiency as well as Assessment Accuracy. Among the four KPIs, each has its own specific metrics. As a result, a template of the proposed fram ework to be carried out was completed and implementedRead MoreInventory And Transportation : Supply Chain Total Cost Essay1275 Words   |  6 Pages 2.2.2.2 Inventory costs Berman et al (2006) identified inventory and transportation as two key contributors of supply chain total cost. They require keen attention for supply chain efficiency to be realized. Inventory costs include; Capital cost that forms the largest factor of inventory carrying cost. Companies must balance money held inform of inventory and money required for daily operations. Inventory is treated as an asset in the balance sheet hence attracts taxation from most governmentsRead MoreMain Characteristics Of The Three Analytical Frameworks Supply Chain Management1537 Words   |  7 PagesIn this essay, I will outline the main characteristics of the three analytical frameworks supply chain management (SCM), global commodity chains (GCCs) and global production networks (GPNs) and assess their strengths and weaknesses. The approaches differ and share similarities in their objectives, ideas, actors, perspectives, focus and conceptual tools. Firstly, Supply Chain Management approach is characterised in its focus on comparative advantage through cost and value advantage. It can be perceivedRead MoreThe Role of Materials Management in the Financial Performance of a Manufacturing Organization Case Study: East African Breweries Limited1513 Words   |  7 PagesUGANDA MARTYRS UNIVERSITY The role of materials management in the financial performance of a manufacturing organization Case study: East African Breweries Limited SUBMITTED BY: SAMUEL KISUKI Jr REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2012-M101-10005 A research Proposal submitted to the Faculty of Business Administration and Management April 2013 Supervisor: Mrs. Lillian Walusimbi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 INTRODUCTION In this chapter, the researcher will talk about the background to the study, statementRead MoreSustainable Supply Chain13609 Words   |  55 Pages5 A framework of sustainable supply chain management: moving toward new theory Craig R. Carter and Dale S. Rogers University of Nevada, College of Business Administration, Reno, Nevada, USA Abstract Purpose – The authors perform a large-scale literature review and use conceptual theory building to introduce the concept of sustainability to the ï ¬ eld of supply chain management and demonstrate the relationships among environmental, social, and economic performance within a supply chain managementRead MoreLiterature Review : A Systematic, Explicit And Reproducible Method For Identifying And Interpreting The Existing Body Of Knowledge903 Words   |  4 PagesSimilarly, Saunder et al. (2009) argue that any inputs of conceptual or empirical study to research has to originate from existing knowledge. In other words, the starting point for research is the literature review. Subsequently, a literature review has been completed to explore best practices of cutting costs and maintaining efficient management within the supplier management to ensure sustainable supply chain in the UK upstream oil and gas supply chain in Aberdeen. The researcher organised the existingRead MoreBuilding the Boeing 7871334 Words   |  5 Pageschooses to outsource such a significant proportion of its supply chain, it risks disruption and lack of focus on the part of contractors and subcontractors (Hill, 2011). This is exactly what happened to Boeing as the company struggled to keep up with its backlog while also outsourcing core areas of the 787 Program (Langston, 2012). The benefits of this type of outsourcing strategy including more rapid time-to-market, a greater level of supply chain visibility across all components, cost reduction andRead MoreIntroduction A few decades ago, the true understanding of the impact of supply chain management1400 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction A few decades ago, the true understanding of the impact of supply chain management was alien to many companies (Moore, Baldwin, Camm, Cook, 2002). As Moore et al (2002) continue to state, few companies within different industries understood the important link between strategic goals and supply management principles. This, in effect, meant that purchasing departments were undervalued, seen more or less as order takers and placers, while enjoying little or no respect from other organizationalRead MoreAnalysis of Targets Quality Management and Logistics Systems945 Words   |  4 PagesAnalysis of Targets Quality Management and Logistics Systems Introduction Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is the leading large-format general merchandise and discount retailer in the U.S., challenging Wal-Mart in electronics, toys and apparel while also seeking to differentiate with higher-end fashions and products for an upscale audience. As of the close of their latest fiscal year (FY2011), Target operated approximately 1,760 stores encompassing 233,000 square feet in 49 states and the District

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Cold Mountain/The Odyssey Comparison - 1237 Words

More than twenty-five hundred years ago a renowned epic of Greek mythology was written. This work, known as The Odyssey, illustrates the journey home made by Odysseus, a Trojan war hero, who seeks his wife Penelope. Similar in plot, though written only four years ago, Cold Mountain is a romantic saga which depicts the travels of Inman, a Confederate soldier, at his attempt to reunite with his love Ada. Homer s The Odyssey and Charles Frazier s Cold Mountain tell of the struggles faced by the man and woman of each novel s relationship. Although these works are written thousands of years apart, both incorporate one man s effort, after fighting war, to return to his love while encountering several obstacles that hinder and assist his†¦show more content†¦Not long after Inman leaves for Cold Mountain, three men by a store attack him. He defeats each of them and continues his trip, but the men follow him for a while later. Afterwards, Inman comes upon a man with whom he helps to pull a dead bull out of the water. This man, Junior, feeds him and is friendly until his wife begins to hit on Inman. When Junior catches them together, he becomes very angry. Inman is captured by guards and taken on a detour from his trip. During the remainder of his journey, Inman comes upon several different people. Many of them feed him and give him a place to sleep for one or more nights. Soon after, Inman meets up with Ada in a cabin on the mountain and spends some time with her. It is not until the final stretch home that Inman meets Teague, a horseman in the woods. Teague and his men cause problems for anyone who confronts them. Inman gets into a brawl with them and kills Teague. He could have easily killed the boy that was following Teague, but wanted to handle matters more civilly. Because Inman chooses not to hurt the boy, the boy shoots him, and he is never again to return to Ada. Though The Odyssey and Cold Mountain are similar in the concept of having one man overcome obstacles throughout his return home from war, these novels also have distinct differences. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is wealthy, well-known, and well-liked. He returns home as a war hero afterShow MoreRelatedThe Flight Of The Nez Perce And The Cheyenne Odyssey1496 Words   |  6 Pages The flight of the Nez Perce and the Cheyenne Odyssey/Exodus were two equally important parts of American Indian history. Nez Perce and the Northern Cheyenne shared a similar passion of wanting to be left alone in their lands but yet were forced off of them. Where they shared similarity they also had some differences in the specifics of their stories. This short paper will delve into the Nez Perce of the Far West and the Northern Cheyennes of the Great Plains and their truly admirable storiesRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey 1710 Words   |  7 PagesOdysseus’ Divide Homer’s Odyssey provides a detailed account of the Greek hero Odysseus’ return home after the end of the Trojan War and the many obstacles and adventures he encounters along his journey. Depicting a non-traditional heroic character, this epic poem gives an insight into the intricate relationships between mortals and gods, commenting as well on societal norms and expectations in ancient Greece. Odysseus, though not developing as a character in Homer’s Odyssey, experiences dynamic shiftsRead More Characters that Most Influenced Inman in Cold Mountain Essay1555 Words   |  7 PagesThe novel Cold Mountain is about two peoples’ independent journeys through different struggles and situations at the same time. One of these people is Inman, an injured soldier who is trying to find his way home after deserting from the fighting. He meets a lot of strange people along the way. Some of them help and some of them hinder. However, they all teach him something about himself, or something that he can relate to himself. There are some characters that are more significant in this respectRead MoreThe Concept of God in The Iliad by Homer Essay1214 Words   |  5 Pagesin literature, many perceive the word only in the first view. However, the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Epic of Gilgamesh portray an obvious theme with gods possessing limits and imperfections, not perfect, omnipotent, and omniscient(360). The gods in the time of these selections obviously reflect society, unlike the first definition, the only difference is they possess immortality (Melchert 8). In the Odyssey, the goddesses Circe and Kalypso both expected lifelong commitments from the mighty OdysseusRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey, By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay2500 Words   |  10 PagesPenelope’s test It is an unspoken truth in Homer’s Odyssey that â€Å"homeâ€Å" is something good. All that Odysseus seems to want throughout the poem is to come home again, but that is one thing he is not granted from the god Poseidon for nearly ten years time. On the first page of the Odyssey we learn that all his friends-in-arms had the fortune of returning home â€Å"while he alone still hungered for home and wife.â€Å" (The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald; Book I, line 21-22). The original intentionRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey, By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay2726 Words   |  11 PagesPenelope’s test It is an unspoken truth in Homer’s Odyssey that â€Å"homeâ€Å" is something good. All that Odysseus seems to want throughout the poem is to come home again, but that is one thing he is not granted from the god Poseidon for nearly ten years time. On the first page of the Odyssey we learn that all his friends-in-arms had the fortune of returning home â€Å"while he alone still hungered for home and wife.â€Å" (The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald; Book I, line 21-22). The originalRead MoreThe Odyssey And The Long Walk1857 Words   |  8 PagesDo Not Go Gentle â€Å"There is something in the human spirit that will survive and prevail, there is a tiny and brilliant light burning in the heart of man that will not go out no matter how dark the world becomes.† The Odyssey and The Long Walk both exemplify the characteristic of humanity which Leo Tolstoy was referring to within this quote. The main characters of both works, Odysseus and Slavomir, go on journeys that, while physically challenging, tests the strength of their will. The determinationRead MoreAnalysis Of Stanley Kubrick s The And The Post Strangelove Films4422 Words   |  18 Pages polar opposites but made up of the same spectrum. This duality of colour echoes the duality of man in Full Metal Jacket and 2001 and on a less obvious way his other films. Kubrick returned to color film stock for his masterpiece â€Å"2001: A Space Odyssey.† In the Hal 9000 computer room scene, Kubrick stages actor Keir Dulea (Dr. Dave Bowman) in an ominously red room. The actor’s face is lit with a blue-green light. This draws your eye naturally to his face. Kubrick’s groundbreaking film would heavilyRead MoreAnalysis Of Thomas Foster Chapter Notes2486 Words   |  10 Pagessacrificed on the cross for all man’s sin †¢ When a character has the same name as an individual or apostle in the Bible, the reader is encouraged to draw a comparison Chapter 7 Hanseldee and Greteldum †¢ Writers use elements from children’s literature to develop a sort of parallel or analogy system †¢ Instead of referencing titles like the Odyssey and the Illiad authors refrence more â€Å"well known† titles such as Sleeping Beauty or Snow White Chapter 8 It’s Greek to Me †¢ Again ancient communities andRead MoreFemale Sexual Expression : Mary Joyce s The Odyssey 2543 Words   |  11 Pagesmanifestations and characters. Joyce’s use of sexuality as a motif highlights the dichotomies of religion and sensuality, masculinity and femininity, and both challenges and undermines societal conventions. Although Ulysses resembles Homer’s The Odyssey both thematically and structurally, Joyce addresses contemporary issues in his, fairly unflattering at times albeit realistic, portrayal of the human condition. The erotic discourse is further used to call into question the apparent morality of several

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Technology and Civilization Course Description Free Essays

Key themes that will be surveyed in this course Include a) technology, culture, race and gender, b) religion and technology, c) the relationship between science and technology, d) the management of technology, and e) how users shape new technologies. Further Information about natural science courses can be found at www. Ants. We will write a custom essay sample on Technology and Civilization: Course Description or any similar topic only for you Order Now York. Ca. Class Format: The class is scheduled to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:pm. Classes will begin with a lecture followed by a discussion period of class readings. You will then be asked to fill out Work’s Attending Physician’s Statement and submit it before you are allowed to write the exam at an alternate date and time. Depending on your situation, you may also be asked to fill out a Deferred Standing Form as well. Further information about missed exams and the required forms can be found at: www. Registrar. York. Ca/exams/deferred/ If you miss an exam for a non-medical emergency, please contact your course director via email within 48 hours and outline your situation. If your explanation is accepted, you will be asked to provide further documentation. After examining your documentation, the course director will decide whether to grant or deny you permission to write your exam. Students with physical, learning or psychiatric disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in teaching style or evaluation methods should discuss this with the Course Director early in the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Course Website: The course website is: http://model. York. Ca Once you go this website, you must enter in your Passport York User ID and Password n order to access courses. The course is listed under the Faculty of Science. Will be posted on the course website. Although these notes are extensive, it is still imperative that you come to class. This is because our in-class lectures will highlight what material is most important to know. This will allow you to focus your attention on what you really need to know to do well on exams. Also, don’t forget that attendance is worth 8% of your mark. is a student-run academic support service designed to help York University undergraduate students excel in their Natural Science courses. Their team of dedicated tutors will clarify course material and offer general guidance on assignments, enabling you to complete them independently with a higher degree of success. How to cite Technology and Civilization: Course Description, Essays

Friday, December 6, 2019

Civil diobedience Essay Example For Students

Civil diobedience Essay Not everyone knows what civil disobedience is. Civil is something relating to a community or to a citizen. Disobedience is failure or refusal to obey. Therefore, civil disobedience is citizens failing to obey the law. Not meaning robbery or murder but to protest against something. Speaking your mind when something is not right. For example a group of people might be against killing animals. A group of vegetarians may stand out in front of a meat market holding signs a chanting how they dont think that people should eat meat because innocent animals are being killed. They may try to tell the customers how they are doing a terrible thing. They would state their opinions hoping the people may listen. This is civil disobedience because they are cousing tension between the owner of the store and themselves. It may cause a battle between the vegitarians and the meat eaters. If you do not have a permit to protest then you cannot protest. It is against the law. Even though they are not harmi ng anyone physically it is still illegal and they can be punished for it. Someone like Martin Luther King Jr. would probably not agree. Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister of a Baptist church. He became the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. This was an organization of all races from all over the country to fight nonviolently for racial integration. King was in Birmingham and led a protest that had been very civilized. The police then reacted violently making the civil protest a violent one. King then wrote his Letter from Birmingham Jail. His audience is clergymen of the area. In this letter he uses people like the Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ.King says, An unjust law is no law at all. Therefore, one can and bust defy man-made law I it violates a higher moral law. He used this so the clergymen can relate. These are the people the clergymen worship and follow, so King figured they might listen. King felt Birmingham had been unjust and segregated. He says, To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas, an unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal and natural law. Again he refers to someone the clergymen are familiar with. Trying to have understood. The thing that bothered King most was that white ministers knew this was justice and they just kept silent. They did not do anything to say blacks should have equal rights even though they believed they should. Instead they were silent which King thought was just as bad as hateful words and actions. King argues that the clergymen referred to the activity in Birmingham as extreme. He did not like the act they called him an extremist. Then he explains it is okay because, what about Jesus? He was an extremist. Then he mentioned more people like Amos, Paul, Jon Bunyan, Lincoln, and Jefferson. Everything King wrote in his letter he backed up with religious people, people who had made a difference in this world. He talks about the belief in god and to know moral and unjust laws. Every individual should have equal rights, according to King. That is in the Constitution. The thing is that not everybody does. Everyone is equally worth the same, but that is not expressed by everyone. This is one of Kings main arguments. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote this to make a difference in how people are treated. The way people are treated is very important and he wanted to be supported. Many people did support him but were silent about how they felt. King tried to get them to express the way they feel as he had done himself. So the best he did was write the Letter from Birmingham Jail hoping the clergymen would listen and take a stand. At the end of his letter he apologized if he had said anything to offend anyone. He also states, I hope this letter finds you strong in the faith. And I believe that is what King really wanted to do. Get people in touch with what they believe in. We then have a document by Morris I Leibman who is a lawyer. In this document, Civil Disobedience: Aid or Hindrance to Justice? Leibman explains why he does not agree with civil disobedience. .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f , .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .postImageUrl , .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f , .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f:hover , .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f:visited , .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f:active { border:0!important; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f:active , .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0577e9c1946639e3635d04d4bb2ae99f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Color Symbolism In The Great Gatsby EssayHe states, In a democratic society, any violation of the law is an uncivil act. What he is saying is that no matter what you are doing whether it is civil or not you are still breaking the law. He uses all legal principals to explain why he does not agree. The opposing side is a book Civil Disobedience: Aid or Hindrance to Justice? by Morris I. Leibman. He states In a democratic society, any violation of the law is an uncivil act Leibman is a lawyer who believes any law broken is an uncivil act. He goes by the rules, the rule of law. Leibman believes there is nothing civil about disobedience. Any law that is broken is wrong. Leibman argues, the cast majority of its adult citizens are able to influence the law by freely voting for their own representatives. He is saying because citizens have the right to vote they can give their opinion that way. They do not need to break the law and go against the majority. They should respect the decision of the American society. Assumptions Leibman made are that not everyone is going to agree with with the laws passed. There will always be problems, even with just systems. There can always be another way to go around it. He states, the just system includes multiple opportunities for peaceful change and development. He uses Article 28 and 29 from the Declaration of Independence. They say that Americans have the right to public order and the general welfare and a democratic society. There is always room for improvement he continuously states throughout his lecture. To him there is no reason at all to break the law. He wants to get rid of civil disobedience all together. If people werent civil there would always be problems. To him civil disobedience is contradicting itself. Civil and disobedience means completely opposite things. Therefore, to him civil disobedience is wrong and you should obey the law no matter what. I agree with Martin Luther King Jr. His points are very convincing. I believe that moral laws are higher then man-made laws. People should be able to speak their minds. If something is bothering someone they should be able to try to fix it. They should be able to tell the world what is wrong so maybe people will listen. As long as they are not harming anyone or anything it is fine t o let the society know what can used changes. Not everyone has to agree with that person they do not even need to listen to them. But if it makes that person feel better by knowing they tried then let them. There is nothing wrong with letting people know how you feel. King refers to people who have made a difference and to me that is a very big deal. Just knowing that I am reading something by Martin Luther King Jr. makes me really interested in what I am reading. Once I was finished reading the letter I really felt he was trying to get in touch with what they believe in. I dont think people should follow a crowd. They should listen to themselves and stick up for themselves and be original. Leibman says people have the right to vote. That is true but if you vote and you dont win where is the justice in that. He believes in all man-made laws. Not everyone agrees with them. I think some laws cause more problems just because people dont agree. In conclusion King argues that a man has a right to take the law into his own hands, if the law is unjust. He also states that if the law is morally wrong any person should be able to disobey that law. Leibman contradicts by stating whether or not the person believes the law to be unjust he still should not break that law. He believes that if a person has a problem with the law, they should use the judicial system to correct it into their beliefs. Is civil disobedience justified in a democratic society? This question will never have a correct answer. Everyone will have his or her own opinion when it comes to this topic. Some people will agree some will disagree. After reading King and Leibman side I have made a decision of agreeing with civil disobedience. .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd , .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .postImageUrl , .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd , .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd:hover , .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd:visited , .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd:active { border:0!important; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd:active , .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1d7ab93bf797ac373e8941364ba263dd:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Laws Of War EssayBibliography:

Friday, November 29, 2019

Fight Club Essay Example

Fight Club Paper The other people who were camping near us wanted to drink and party all night long, and I tried to get them to shut up one night, and they literally beat the crap out of me. I went back to work just so bashed, and horrible looking. People didnt ask me what had happened. I think they were afraid of the answer. I realised that if you looked bad enough, people would not want to know what you did in your spare time. They dont want to know the bad things about you. And the key was to look so bad that no one would ever, ever ask. And that was the idea behind Fight Club. (1) This realisation that humanity does not want to know about the dark side of life is central to the narrative of Fight Club. It focuses on how society has become numb; relying on physical possessions to define them (Id flip through catalogues and wonder what kind of dining set defined me as a person) rather than accepting yourself as being more than what you own, your career and how much money you have in your wallet, a notion which one of the central characters, Tyler Durden, reminds his followers of regularly. The film adaptation of Fight Club remains loyal to the ideas presented in the novel, with a few somewhat hidden visual clues to highlight the message within the story. We will write a custom essay sample on Fight Club specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Fight Club specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Fight Club specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Our Narrator is an insomniac, working for a big corporate car company evaluating accidents, and whether it would be cost effective to warrant a recall. To counter-attack these dehumanising factors he joins numerous therapy groups and soon finds himself addicted, that is, until another tourist names Marla joins the self-help group scene and he finds himself unable to open up, and his insomnia begins again. It is soon after meeting Marla that the Narrator meets Tyler Durden, an enigmatic soap manufacturer who embodies all the qualities he wishes he had self-fulfilment, perfect looks and who isnt a slave to his possessions. Together they form Fight Club, a way to feel something in an otherwise numb life which consists of the same thing day in and day out. When Marla overdoses on Xanax, she is saved by Tyler and the two embark upon a sexual relationship. Tyler tells the narrator that he must never talk about him with Marla. Under Tylers leadership, the fight club soon spirals into a nihilist terrorist organisation named Project Mayhem, which commits increasingly destructive acts of anti-capitalist vandalism in the city. After an argument, Tyler disappears from the narrators life, and following a member of Project Mayhem dying, the Narrator attempts to trace Tylers steps, discovering that clubs have been set up in all major cities. One of the participants identifies him as Tyler Durden, which a phone call to Marla confirms, and he realises that Tyler is an alter ego of his own split personality. Tyler appears before him and explains that he controls his body whenever he is asleep. The opening scene of the film shows the main character, an unnamed twenty-something male, being held at gunpoint. The succeeding description, accompanied by a visual tour through the corporate building which is about to be blown up, immediately engages the viewer, as not only does the visual style appear edgy, but intrigue about how he got himself in such a situation is aroused. One of the main gripes in Fight Club is the consumerist society, and at its heart is a dark parody about consumerist discontent. The film engages with this idea by regularly not showing faces and focussing on other aspects to identify them. The first instance this is shown is when the unnamed central character, unnamed because it could be any twenty-something male, is approached by his boss. He immediately focuses on his tie, identifying the day as Tuesday because his boss was wearing his cornflower blue tie. We then get a glimpse of how our main character has fallen victim to the Ikea trend, the camera pans around his apartment with the catalogue descriptions of each item he owns appearing next to it. The scene finishes with a comment about how we used to read pornography, now it was the Horchow collection which fully shows how consumerism has become the new form of self- gratification. Its only when his apartment is blown up that he begins his journey to total freedom, his entire i dentity was enclosed in that apartment, and now that it has gone he begins again Its only after weve lost everything that were free to do anything. Director, David Fincher, employs an impressive array of techniques to tell the story, combining traditional cinematic conventions (voice overs, breaking the fourth wall to address the audience directly) with arresting CGI sequences and subliminal blips. For example before we are formally introduced to Tyler, he flashes onto the screen at what may seem like random moments, but are in fact key to unravelling the mystery of a confused identity. Of course, we dont realise the genius behind this until after the film. The main thing to remember whilst watching this film is that nothing has been put in there by mistake; every minute detail serves its purpose. From this aspect Fight Club succeeds in every way, and it also succeeds as being one of the rare film adaptations which is better than the book. The opening credits of Fight Club shows how the film incorporated modern CGI sequences to its advantage; a special effects sequence which quite literally takes us into the Narrators brain, wh ich starts from a tiny glow deep within his brain-cells, through his mouth and up the barrel of the gun. The clean look of the CGI contrasts greatly with the general visual texture of the film. There are many negative images in the film (bags of human fat splitting open, broken teeth and crackling electrical cable in water) which all adds to the effect. The most discussed, and criticised, aspects of Fight Club is its violent content. Fight Club was one of the first openly violent films to be released after Columbine High School massacre in April of 1999, and for this reason it generated a lot of critical attention about its attitude and graphic depiction towards violence, with voices being raised claiming that the movie glorifies violence by portraying it as something positive. (2) No one can deny that Fight Club is a violent movie; there are in fact some scenes which are so brutal that some viewers will turn away. But there is purpose behind showing this bloody battering, and its to make a point about the bestial nature of man and what can happen when the numbing effects of day-to-day drudgery cause people to go a little crazy. As the film evolves, he methodically reveals each new turn in an ever-deepening spiral that descends into darkness and madness. The reason Fight Club is such a memorable film, lies in its ability to reach out to modern society, of a certain age at least, and engage and relate to them in someway. The characters acknowledge at more than one point that theyre in a film. The Narrator makes sarcastic voice-over remarks, and is constantly rewinding and fast-forwarding through his story. After the Narrator has giving us the whole story, we return to the comment this is about where we left off, and Tylers response, Oh. Flashback humour. Fight Club takes on everything that cinema can do but has been too afraid to. Maybe it is the fights that stand out the most. In an era of fake fight scenes, beefed up with special effects, the fight scenes in Fight Club have a somewhat narcotic effect; with their documentary feel its much more realistic. The lack of music only adds to the atmosphere, with the only memorable music being at the very end of the film appropriately named Where Is My Mind? Fight Club is a daring film, forcing you to thing outside the box with how a Hollywood film should look and feel. It also forces the audience to question their lives, in modern times most people can not help but be caught up in the consumerist rat-race.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Principal Components and Factor Analysis

Principal Components and Factor Analysis Principal components analysis (PCA) and factor analysis (FA) are statistical techniques used for data reduction or structure detection. These two methods are applied to a single set of variables when the researcher is interested in discovering which variables in the set form coherent subsets that are relatively independent of one another. Variables that are correlated with one another but are largely independent of other sets of variables are combined into factors. These factors allow you to condense the number of variables in your analysis by combining several variables into one factor. The specific goals of PCA or FA are to summarize patterns of correlations among observed variables, to reduce a large number of observed variables to a smaller number of factors, to provide a regression equation for an underlying process by using observed variables, or to test a theory about the nature of underlying processes. Example Say, for example, a researcher is interested in studying the characteristics of graduate students. The researcher surveys a large sample of graduate students on personality characteristics such as motivation, intellectual ability, scholastic history, family history, health, physical characteristics, etc. Each of these areas is measured with several variables. The variables are then entered into the analysis individually and correlations among them are studied. The analysis reveals patterns of correlation among the variables that are thought to reflect the underlying processes affecting the behaviors of the graduate students. For example, several variables from the intellectual ability measures combine with some variables from the scholastic history measures to form a factor measuring intelligence. Similarly, variables from the personality measures may combine with some variables from the motivation and scholastic history measures to form a factor measuring the degree to which a stude nt prefers to work independently – an independence factor. Steps of Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis Steps in principal components analysis and factor analysis include: Select and measure a set of variables.Prepare the correlation matrix to perform either PCA or FA.Extract a set of factors from the correlation matrix.Determine the number of factors.If necessary, rotate the factors to increase interpretability.Interpret the results.Verify the factor structure by establishing the construct validity of the factors. Difference Between Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis are similar because both procedures are used to simplify the structure of a set of variables. However, the analyses differ in several important ways: In PCA, the components are calculated as linear combinations of the original variables. In FA, the original variables are defined as linear combinations of the factors.In PCA, the goal is to account for as much of the total variance in the variables as possible. The objective in FA is to explain the covariances or correlations among the variables.PCA is used to reduce the data into a smaller number of components. FA is used to understand what constructs underlie the data. Problems with Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis One problem with PCA and FA is that there is no criterion variable against which to test the solution. In other statistical techniques such as discriminant function analysis, logistic regression, profile analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance, the solution is judged by how well it predicts group membership. In PCA and FA, there is no external criterion such as group membership against which to test the solution. The second problem of PCA and FA is that, after extraction, there is an infinite number of rotations available, all accounting for the same amount of variance in the original data, but with the factor defined slightly different. The final choice is left to the researcher based on their assessment of its interpretability and scientific utility. Researchers often differ in opinion on which choice is the best. A third problem is that FA is frequently used to â€Å"save† poorly conceived research. If no other statistical procedure is appropriate or applicable, the data can at least be factor analyzed. This leaves many to believe that the various forms of FA are associated with sloppy research.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Will students benefit from studying abroad Essay

Will students benefit from studying abroad - Essay Example Intercultural development Students who get to study abroad stand the chance to develop on a massive scale in relation to intercultural development. Through their stay in foreign nations, students observe and understand the different cultures that people in the foreign country possess. This is concerning their total way of life in language, religion, morals, values and social relations (Dwyer and Peter 2). As such, these may be different from the cultural values from their parent country; thus studying abroad also the students to acquire new knowledge on how different people live, aside from the common knowledge that people live in different ways. This can be observed from a firsthand account as opposed to rote learning for the purpose of exams and common knowledge. The first hand experience adds to the knowledge of the students, on appreciation of other cultures and how to handle oneself, and watch his or her behavior and conduct in the foreign country and a new culture. In addition to intercultural development, students who go abroad to further their studies get an opportunity to share in the culture of new worlds and borrow aspects that may appear to appeal to the said students and inculcating them into their own cultures. This is a huge gain to the parent culture of the students and the students themselves, considering that they get a chance to choose the aspects they would like to see their culture adopt and implement. Through this, they become pioneers in their culture in creating reforms to improve their societies. In addition, to this, studying abroad allows students to share their own cultures with foreigner, a perfect opportunity to improve one’s skills in social relations. As such, they gain a higher sense of responsibility and possessiveness towards their own cultures as they get to share it. This is because they appear as experts in cultural issues from their mother nation, which builds self-esteem in the students a significant scale. In addi tion, studying abroad benefits students in that it acts as a revelation, where students get to see the world for what it is, rather than receiving guidance from others on how to perceive it (Crhanova 18). As a result, students become effective learners of the ways of the world concerning economic, political and social structures of both their host nation and their mother nation. Through this study-abroad experience, students gain by appreciating their own cultures and those of other s to the point that they can easily relate between the two cultures, or even more that they find between the countries in which they study. Appreciation of culture creates appropriate social relations between individuals as one comes to terms with the differences and similarities in the various systems found across the cultures. For example in the political culture of a nation, there are usually differences as different nations apply different systems of governance; thus students observe the two and adap t to the one belonging to the host country until they return to their respective nations. This allows students to build a culture of flexibility, where they can bend to fit into any society, meaning that intercultural development is a crucial development to the student studying abroad. Social relations created abroad are also observed to last for a long time, meaning that students who study abroad experience a wider clique of friends and acquaintances from a large social and cultural divide. Internships Students who go to further their studies in foreign nations, also known as abroad, have the opportunity to improve their careers through expanding the level of quality services and skills that they achieve in the foreign nations. As such, students