Integrating Building Information Management (BIM) into Construction Supply Chain Management

Introduction Traditionally, construction of a given facility is largely based on two dimensional architectural plans. In the past, there were a myriad of challenges that accompanied this kind of construction. With the rapid growth in the construction industry, there have emerged systems that make the process of construction fast and efficient.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Integrating Building Information Management (BIM) into Construction Supply Chain Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the processes that were made part of the construction industry include building information modelling (BIM). Adoption of the process in the mainstream construction supply chain management has improved the industry. The current paper revolves around this adoption. The writer starts by putting construction supply chain management into perspective. Construction Supply Chain Management Numerous suggestions are put forward in attempts to define the concept ‘construction supply chain management’ (herein referred to as CSCM). Bennet (2011, p. 34), for instance, opines that the concept describes a venture that aims at maximising the utilisation of all aspects related to supply and manufacturing in the correct quantity. In the same vein, Hardin (2009, p. 69) defines construction supply chain management as a series of events in an organisation. The events are part of the whole production process, starting with the inception of the facility and all materials involved, to the end users and products delivered at the last phase. Harden attempts to describe the concept as the process that brings together the construction personnel, as well as direct and indirect stakeholders involved in the chain.Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Different constructors like Hardin (2009, p. 47) opine that several factors are involved up the whole process of construction supply chain management in the field of construction. The initial stage involves the desire of the client to initiate a structure. Various orders follow suit in an attempt to meet the needs of the client. The orders include design, construction, maintenance, repair and, finally, demolition of the facility. In the current competitive world, construction, as a market, has increased considerably. A lot of challenges have emerged in attempts to cope with the rising demand for construction services. Bennet (2011, p. 29) contends that there is need to incorporate various factors in the field of construction. The construction process includes the integration of building information management into supply management. Building Information Modelling According to Eastman (2011, p. 14), BIM is a scenario that encompasses the virtual representation of physical information. The process comprises of all functions in a given facility, from conception to the last phase of the lifecycle. BIM is used by many stakeholders in the construction industry as a source of knowledge to make decisions regarding the performance of the facility during its entire life cycle. Eastman (2011, p. 30) opines that, traditionally, physical and functional representation was achieved through two-dimensional planning. As such, it was difficult to come up with various validation activities, making construction a tedious and challenging venture, especially when erecting complex structures.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Integrating Building Information Management (BIM) into Construction Supply Chain Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, with the introduction of BIM, the construction activities can go beyond the three dimensional planning. Before elaborating much on the use of BIM, the author of this paper will describe the concept o f construction supply chain management in general. The author will highlight the impacts of technology on construction supply chain management. Various aspects of the same will also be put into perspective. Use of Technology in Construction Supply Chain Management Many researchers agree that the impacts of technology on the construction supply chain management are remarkable. Cooperation Research Centre for Construction and Innovation [CRC] 2007, p. 59) supports these sentiments by contending that the value of technology has reduced the number of cycles involved in the construction process. â€Å"Integration† is an important phrase in this concept. To this end, such scholars as Bryrd Turner (2011, pp. 170-73) concur that the process requires the merging of a multitude of operations to achieve the intended outcome as far as construction supply chain management is concerned. As aforementioned in this paper, competition poses a challenge to this industry, especially if the corr ect channels are omitted from inception to demolition stage. As suggested by Bryrd Turner (2011, p. 74), technology is an added advantage in the construction industry. It is a strategy that can see the industry through a competitive world (Eastman Teicholz 2008).Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mismanagement of materials poses a threat to the entire process of implementing the actual project. CRC (2007, p. 61) argues that the whole process brings together a number of participants, each carrying out different activities aimed at achieving the end goal. As such, complex interactions, as well as interfaces, are experienced in the entire project. Bryrd Turner (2011, p. 169) appreciates the complexity of the construction process and recommends for integration, as opposed to carrying out the process independently. Carrying out the process independently will render the whole construction undertaking inefficient. With regard to technology itself, Al-Mudimigh Ahmed (2004, pp. 309-311) argue that the gap between the construction process and supply chain management is wide. The reason is the large number of stakeholders that play a role throughout the process. They termed the phenomenon as a form of deficiency in supply chain management, which affects the industry, especially in th e modern era. Deficiencies in Supply Chain Management The environment within which the construction projects are implemented keeps changing with regard to supply chain management. In addition, clients need extra unique services to meet their targets and to remain influential in their operations. The process is characterised by information gaps as the project advances (Dean 2007, p. 88). According to Jernigan (2007, p.103), the tools used in construction are limited to the ‘distribution nature’ of the operations. Recent developments have seen the introduction of various gadgets perceived to solve major problems in the construction industry. One of the new developments in the industry is the introduction of BIM, which was mentioned earlier in this paper. The author will now focus on BIM as an instrument used in improving construction supply chain management processes. Benefits of BIM to the Overall Executive Manager The CSCM process is faced with a lot of challenges due t o the ‘distribution’ nature of its processes. Technological interventions to solve the stagnation of the process are required. BIM, as a technological tool, has solved various issues as far as CSCM is concerned. In his book Building Information Modelling, Dean (2007, p. 106) argues that with the help of BIM, all activities pertaining to CSCM flow efficiently. The integration of the system into the mainstream construction process is highly celebrated by stakeholders in the industry. For instance, in the past, the industry was struggling to promote the use of two and three dimensional plans. However, with technological innovation, constructions can move from one dimensional plan to the other with ease (Eastman 2011, p. 58). In the past, detecting clashes within the CSCM posed a challenge to the engineers. With the introduction of BIM, effective teams are modelled and made part of the supply chain. Complex designs are tackled with ease. The concepts of a given construction are presented in a digital form. Levy (2011, pp. 309-310) describes the process as a ‘virtual representation of design’. It is at this point that possible challenges are analysed before the project is implemented (Woo 2006). BIM is preferred for its ability to limit expenses incurred by the client, especially with regard to those activities that do not add value to the process. Druck (2011, p. 104) opines that integration of BIM into the process helps by maximising production. It is argued that the success of a supply chain is determined by the value of production. In this case, production capacity is acknowledged in construction cycles (Leite 2011, pp. 605-606). According to Leite (2011, pp. 607-608), BIM provides the constructors with an avenue to exploit the contents of the design itself. The exploitation helps in distributing supply chain processes throughout the entire construction. For instance, tendering and procurement are effectively managed with the use BIM t echnology. BIM provides the clients with adequate information as far as costs are concerned. Clients demand for updated information, as well as accountability, throughout the whole project. BIM provides stakeholders with an avenue to track down all the procured items by ensuring that all processes follow a laid down order without deviating from the norm (Levy 2011, p. 318). With the help of a virtual model of the project, clients can make conclusions and determine the approach to be adopted in the whole process. Project Control According to Jernigan (2007, p. 81), project control encompasses the utilisation of resources to accomplish given goals. Generally, a project is a short- lived process, which is described by Jernigan as time-constrained. As such, operations during the construction period are handled carefully to meet the required targets. The difference between construction projects and other forms of business is the temporal nature of the former. In this case, special consid erations are made with regard to the use of BIM in an attempt to analyse the process. In practice, the use of BIM ensures all the resources procured at various stages are utilised according to plan. To this end, effective management strategies are paramount to enhance the quality of the whole process. However, the constrained nature of the project is a challenge to the managers in the sense that there are stipulated goals that need to be achieved. According to Yezioro (2008, pp. 612-6130), there are three major project control requirements. The requirements touch on the scope, time schedule, and the allocated resources with regard to the project. All these factors call for a controlled project operation. As far as BIM is concerned, project control is achieved by establishing a ‘harmonistic’ environment that guarantees effective cost management. Project control indicates the costs incurred at various stages of the construction process. The project control accounts for al l activities accomplished. It helps in highlighting any possible unwanted costs that may be incurred (Kymmell 2008, p. 18). Another important aspect in project control is the use of multiple accounting systems (Kiziltas Leite 2009, p. 62). The systems are used together to avoid additional data between the processes. The use of multiple accounting systems minimises time wastage and helps in the elimination of minor errors. Yezioro (2008, p. 91) opines that project control is a very fundamental procedure in the CSCM. A lot of information is gathered in a construction site, which is important in managing daily activities on the site. Information gathered touches on amount of hours worked and nature of equipments needed on the site. Production analysis and project control are important to avoid wastage of material and time. There are other areas in the construction process that benefit from project control. They include time management, accounting, and resource tracking. Cost Reduction in CSCM using BIM Many clients and construction personnel appreciate the importance of BIM in averting over- expenditure in all phases of the project’s life cycle. Experts in construction management like Weygant (2011, p. 109) opine that the reason why information is integrated into the construction process is to establish a platform that allows for the effective management of life cycle costs. With the use of BIM platform, Weygant agrees that all information contained in the virtual system is utilised to the maximum. It helps to avoid unnecessary expenditure during the entire cycle of the project. According to CRC (2007, p. 118), innovation related to the establishment of BIM in the construction industry has led to significant reduction in costs. For instance, energy costs and swift maintenance response are calculated to make sure unnecessary expenditures are avoided. Under normal circumstances, risk management calls for preparedness. However, with the use of BIM, disastrou s risks are analysed in the virtual system and potential sources minimised. Challenges Associated with the Use of BIM There are several challenges experienced when BIM is used. The author of this paper acknowledges the increasing popularity of BIM with regard to its use in CSCM across the market. Technology needed to support the use of BIM is rapidly growing, making the innovation more popular. However, in spite of all this, several challenges have befallen the use of BIM. For instance, such scholars as Krygiel (2008, p. 71) identify three categories of technical challenges associated with the use of BIM. The first revolves around interoperability. To this end, Krygiel (2008) is of the view that the use of BIM is not extensive enough to generate defined data. It leads to stagnation or errors in the process. The other challenge as explained by Kymmell (2008, p. 11) revolves around the need to optimise project control and allocate inputs to meet the stipulated objectives. Some inputs will address the needs of various stages ineffectively, leading to stagnation of processes. Project control helps by summarising all sequences to avoid stagnation. Another major challenge experienced when using BIM is the inability to compute digital or virtual data generated. Inability to compute such data has created a myriad of problems, leading to over-expenditure or deviation from the designed objectives as far as the project cycle is concerned (Krygiel 2008, p. 119). Integration of BIM into the Construction Project Life Cycle Integration of BIM into the construction project cycle is a fundamental aspect in the construction industry. According to Smith (2009, p. 201), the integration has allowed for a transitional process that has seen the reduction in the number of challenges encountered in the industry. In the past, information from the architect, such as digital data, was not shared with the contractors. As a result, a lot of discrepancies were noted throughout the stages. A pplication of BIM in delivering and presenting data in various stages has created a concession between different stakeholders. The development is unlike in the early years when each stage was implemented independently. According to Underwood (2009, p. 93), integration creates a link between the processes associated with initiation of information, assessing, and simulation. The life cycle of CSCM contains a wealth of information that is correctly managed with the application of BIM software. Various models are evident in the construction lifecycle. They include, among others, design, production, commissioning, operational, and demolition models. Each model provides guidelines that help in taking the project from one phase to the other. Smith (2009, p.183) affirms that design model is conceptualised in such a way that it takes the project into the production model. On its part, the building model is linked to all operations pertaining to maintenance. Up to this point, the writer has n oted several aspects related to the adoption of BIM in the construction industry. The writer has explained the importance of adopting the BIM software in all life cycles. All the cycles in the life of the project are related to each other. Discussion and Conclusions The adoption of BIM with regard to CSCM is gaining ground in the construction industry. The use of BIM enhances the management of projects in the construction industry. Adopting BIM in the industry has improved the efficiency of all the operations in the lifecycle. In addition, the adoption allows for predictability as far as the future of the project is concerned. Predictability helps in identifying potential challenges, all the way from the design stage to the demolition stage (Kymmell 2008, p. 139). The use of BIM enhances cooperation among stakeholders at all stages of the CSCM. Effective collaboration in the lifecycle of the construction project improves time management, increases profits, helps in cost reduction, a nd strengthens relationships between different parties. The adoption and use of BIM technology can prove problematic in cases where data ownership is in dispute. For instance, data created using BIM is highly disputed with regard to the actual owner of the design. It can extend to disputes over property, a phenomenon that is mainly associated with BIM. The use of BIM has created a paradigm shift in the CSCM arena. The shift has encouraged the participation of all stakeholders from inception to demolition stage. The participation has created an environment conducive for all individuals working at different stages of the process. In the past, different stakeholders had their roles misplaced. In addition, it was hard to specify the roles of all stakeholders involved at the various stages of the project. Lack of specificity led to role conflicts in the industry. Before the introduction of BIM, it was difficult to share information between the contractors, especially during the initial s tages of project implementation. Information generated by the digital architects and the contractors was not shared with other stakeholders, posing a challenge to the entire cycle. Errors were made, reducing the performance of construction workers. Sharing of information has increased the success of CSCM processes, thanks to BIM. References Al-Mudimigh, Z Ahmed, A 2004, ‘Extending the concept of technology infrastructure: exploratory analysis of a construct’, Information Technology Systems, vol. 17 no.1, pp. 309-320. Bennet, F 2011, ‘Using information technology in the management of supply chain: the effective management of value chains’, Supply Chain Managements, vol. 87 no. 3, pp. 167-208. Bryrd, A Turner, A 2011, Measuring the flexibility of information Construction, Mast Build, London. Cooperation Research Centre for Construction Innovation 2007, Adopting BIM for facilities management: solutions for managing the Sydney Opera House, Free Press, Brisban e. Dean, R 2007, Building information modelling (BIM), Department of Building Science, Auburn University, Boston. Druck, A 2011, Working definition: integrated project delivery, McGraw Hill Construction, London. Eastman, C Teicholz, P 2008, BIM handbook: a guide to building information modelling for owner’s manager’s designers, Wiley Press, London. Eastman, C 2011, BIM handbook: A guide to building information modelling for owners, managers, designers, engineers, and contractors, Hoboken, New Jersey. Hardin, B 2009, BIM and construction management: proven tools methods and workflows, Sybex Press, Texas. Jernigan, F 2007, BIG bim little bim, 4Site Press, London. Kiziltas, S Leite, F 2009, Interoperable methodologies and techniques in CAD: CAD and GIS integration, Auerbach Publications, New York. Krygiel, E 2008, Green BIM: successful sustainable design with building information modeling, Sybex, New York. Kymmell, W 2008, Building information modelling: planning and ma naging construction projects with 4D CAD and simulations, McGraw-Hill Professional, London. Leite, F 2011, ‘Analysis of modelling effort and impact of different levels of detail in building information models’, Automation in Construction, vol. 20 no. 5, pp. 601–609. Levy, F 2011, BIM in small-scale sustainable design, Wiley Press, London. Smith, D 2009, Building information modelling: a strategic implementation guide for architects engineers constructors and real estate asset managers, Wiley Press, London. Underwood, J 2009, Handbook of research on building information modelling and construction informatics: concepts and technologies, Information Science Publishing, London. Weygant, R 2011, BIM content development: standards strategies and best practices, Wiley, London. Woo, J 2006, BIM (Building Information Modelling) and pedagogical challenges, Sage, London. Yezioro, A 2008, ‘An applied artificial intelligence approach towards assessing building performan ce simulation tools’, Energy and Buildings, vol. 40 no. 3, pp. 612-700. This coursework on Integrating Building Information Management (BIM) into Construction Supply Chain Management was written and submitted by user Brendon Love to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

How to Find the Best Credit Card for You

How to Find the Best Credit Card for You SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Trying to choose the right credit card can get overwhelming fast. There are tons of options, and every company claims to offer the best one. How can you sort through the jargon and find the best card for your personal finances? I believe that to choose the right card, you need to understand yourself as a consumer. How can you get started down the road of financial self-discovery? First, take my personal finance quiz below. Personal Finance Quiz: What’s Your Financial Style? You see a lot of conflicting advice out there for credit card seekers. Some people love credit cards, saying that they’re great for building credit and getting nice perks. Others fall on the opposite end of the spectrum, saying that cards are the devil and one should avoid them at all costs. So who’s right? As it turns out, both perspectives are right, depending on which card you choose. If you choose wisely, then you’ll successfully build your credit and potentially see nice rewards in the process. If you choose poorly, then you could find yourself in a pit of debt. The key to choosing is understanding what kind of consumer you are. To find out, take this short quiz. True or False: When I use credit cards, I spend more loosely than I would with cash. I have good self-control. I am often spontaneous. When I use coupons, I get enjoyment beyond the money saved. It’s very important to me that I’m getting the best deal possible down to the very cent. I am frugal. Once you’ve responded to each of the statements above, tally up one point for each of your answers that matches the key below: 1) True; 2) False; 3) True; 4) False; 5) False; 6) False For instance, if I marked every statement as "true," then I’d end up with 2 points (a point for question 1 and a point for question 3). Now, let’s take a look at what these points mean in terms of your financial profile. Assessing Your Financial Profile: What Does Your Score Mean? If you’re going to enter into a credit card contract, then you should do so from a place of self-awareness. I don’t mean the kind of self-awareness that comes from a week-long silent yoga retreat. Instead, I mean that you understand the way you use your money and what motivates you to save or spend. The quiz is all about getting to the root of your spending habits, as well as the psychological reasons behind your actions, like self-control in the face of temptations. Let’s see what each quiz result means, and how you can use your results to find the best credit card for you. Scores of 0 - 2: The Optimizers If you scored somewhere between 0 and 2 on this quiz, then you might be an optimizer (like me!). You enjoy getting every last mile out of things and shopping around for the best possible deals. You do your research, compare prices, seek out sales, and buy when the time is right. If you’re an optimizer, then I would suggest you take the time to analyze your spending habits. Take a look at your budget, and find your top three highest spend categories. You can leave out expenses that you wouldn’t put on a credit card, like rent. Relevant spending categories could include restaurants, entertainment, transportation, and clothes. Once you’ve figured out your biggest spend categories, you should look around for cards with matching rewards. If you spend a lot on travel, then you’d benefit from a travel rewards card. If you love to eat out, then you might prefer a restaurant rewards card. People who commute long distances back and forth to work everyday could get the most mileage from a gas rewards card. If you’re looking to carry more than one card, you could also sign up for a general rewards card that gives you something like 2% back on all of your purchases. I like to have a flat-rate card to fall back on, just in case. Another thing that might appeal to your maximizing mindset? A lot of rewards cards offer sign-up bonuses, giving you several hundred dollars toward travel or as cash back when you spend a minimum amount in the first months of opening an account. The potential downside is that some of these cards have annual fees after the first year. For some people, I’d say that the fee isn’t worth it; the rewards don’t add up enough to make up for the yearly fee. If you’re interested in a card with a fee, then you should break down your spending and see if you would get enough rewards in the long run. Even though rewards like travel points offer psychological benefits- it helps you set aside money specifically for traveling- it might be costing you more money in the long run. So now that you know what kind of cards to look for, what are some specific credit cards that appeal to optimizers? Best Credit Cards for Optimizers These are my suggestion for the best credit cards for optimizers who like to put in a little extra effort to get the best possible deals. Chase Sapphire Preferred This travel rewards card gives you 2X points on restaurants and travel and a point for each dollar that you spend on everything else. You’ll also earn 50,000 bonus points if you earn $4,000 in the first three months. You can redeem points as cash back or use them to book through the Chase search engine. If you use the Chase search tool, then your points will be worth 25% more. The downside of this card is that it charges a $95 annual fee after the first year. Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard This travel rewards card gives you 2X miles on all purchases, plus you get 5% of your miles back when you redeem them. You’re not restricted to any particular airlines or hotels. If you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days of opening an account, then you’ll earn 40,000 bonus miles. After the first year, this card charges an annual fee of $89. Citi Thank You Card This card is good for those who love to eat out. You’ll earn 2X points on every dollar you spend at restaurants. You’ll also get a bonus of 20,000 points if you spend $1,500 in the first three months of opening. This card is seriously restaurant-oriented; it even has a personal concierge service to help you make reservations. The Citi Thank You Card has no annual fee. Discover It Card The Discover It card gives 5% cash back on purchases made in certain categories, like restaurants, online shopping, and gas, that change quarterly. It also gives you 1% cash back on everything else. It has no annual fee. Citi Double Cash Card This card is a great back up for times when you don’t want to think about maximizing your rewards. It offers a flat-rate of 2% cash back on all your purchases. This card is also appealing because it has no annual fee. The only downside is that it doesn’t offer a rewards bonus for opening an account, and those hundreds of dollars in the first few month can be a welcome sign up gift. Now let’s consider the next category of spenders, those who scored in the middle of the road. Scores of 3 - 4: Middle of the Road Spenders If you scored between 3 and 4 on the quiz, then you might be a middle of the road spender. I’d say that the majority of people fall into this category. You have decent self-control, but you’re not obsessive about optimizing savings on all your purchases or maximizing rewards in a certain spending category. If this sounds like you, then I’d suggest getting a flat-rate card. You could get 1 to 2% back on all of your purchases across the board, and you don’t have to think about where you spend your money or what kind of rewards you’ll see. It’s consistent across all spending areas. Of course, getting this card assumes that you won’t change your spending habits because you have a credit card. You don’t want to end up carrying a balance month to month and getting into debt as a result of high interest rates. Just because you can technically charge a huge purchase to a credit card, doesn’t mean you should. If you can’t pay off a purchase within the month, then you should think hard about whether buying it on credit is the way to go. If you’re a middle of the road spender, what specific credit cards would work best for you? Best Credit Cards for Middle of the Road Spenders These are my suggestions for middle of the road spenders who don’t want to keep up with quarterly changes in rewards categories or worry about which card they use for each purchase. For the most part, these cards offer flat-rate rewards on any purchases. Citi Double Cash Card As you saw above, the Citi Double Cash Card is my top pick for a flat rate rewards card. It gives you 2% cash back on all purchases and has no annual fee. Again, the downside is that it doesn’t offer any bonuses for signing up. Capital One Venture Rewards This card gives you travel points at a flat rate of 2 miles on all purchases. If you spend $3,000 in the first three months, then you’ll get a bonus of 40,000 miles. After the first year, this card has an annual fee of $59. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards This flat-rate card gives you 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make. It offers a $100 bonus after you spend $500 in the first three months. There’s no annual fee. BankAmericard Cash Rewards This card gives you 1% back on every purchase, plus 2% back at grocery stores and 3% on gas. You’ll get a bonus of $100 after you spend $500 in the first 90 days. There’s no annual fee. Finally, let’s consider the third type of spenders who scored highly on the personal finance quiz. Scores of 5 - 6: Spontaneous Spenders If you scored highly on this quiz, then you might find it challenging to control your spending. Maybe you love shopping, for instance, and find it difficult not to splurge every weekend at the mall. With a credit card, you might spend more than you normally would if you were just using cash. If this sounds like, or if you’re worried that a credit card would be too irresistible not to use beyond your means, then you might consider getting a card that puts caps on your spending. You should also compare interest rates and avoid the high ones. There are some credit cards that work like phone cards. You can load them up with a set number of points each month and thereby set a spending limit for yourself. Similarly, you could look into a secured credit card that doesn’t give you very much credit and requires a deposit before you sign on. You could also avoid credit cards altogether and just use your debit card, assuming that it doesn’t have overdrafts or fees. Keep in mind that a debit card takes money directly from your bank account, so it doesn’t help build up your credit. If you’re trying to gain more control over your spending habits and build credit, then you might start with a low-limit card (either secured or not secured). You could self-impose a 6-month probationary period where you look at your budget and figure out whether you’re spending more with a card that you would without one. As you gain control over your personal finances, you can eventually move onto a non-secured or rewards credit card. Below are my suggestions for the best credit cards for spontaneous spenders. Best Credit Cards for Spontaneous Spenders The suggested cards below help you set limits on your spending. There are two secured credit cards and two prepaid debit cards. Capital One Secured Mastercard This card asks you to make a deposit of $49, $99, or $200 and gives you a limit of up to $200 depending on your credit. You need to pay the full amount of your deposit within 80 days. It has no annual fee. Discover It Secured Card This is a rare secured card that also gives you rewards- 2% cash back on up to $1,000 of spending on restaurants and gas and 1% on other purchases. You need to make an initial deposit of $200 with a bank account. Each month, you’ll be automatically evaluated to see if you qualify for a regular, non-secured card. There’s no annual fee. Bluebird This fee-free card, available both to people with bank accounts and to those without, lets you load cash at WalMart stores and deposit through the Bluebird app. Withdrawals are free at MoneyPass ATMs, but they cost fees between $2.50 and $9.00 at other ATMs. This card works wherever merchants accept American Express and has no annual fee. American Express Serve You can order this prepaid card online for free, and no credit check is required. You load it with cash for free at locations like Rite Aid, Wal-Mart, and some 7-Elevens. There’s a $4.95 monthly fee (except in Texas, New York, and Vermont). At this point, you may have noticed that I haven’t talked very much about interest rates. A lot of people think that low and high interest rates are a top consideration when choosing credit cards. I actually take the opposite opinion in the majority of cases. Read on to find out why. What About Interest Rates? Why They Shouldn’t Matter You may have noticed that I didn’t spend much time talking about high and low interest rates in this guide. A lot of people tout interest rates as the first thing to look at when choosing a new credit card. I take the opposite stance, though, and suggest that interest rates should not matter. No credit card has a very appealing interest rate. All of them will add up to a great deal of money and make it very hard for you to get out of debt. In most cases, you should do everything you can to avoid carrying a balance on your card from month to month. If low interest rates feel like a strong priority to you, then you might consider reassessing your approach to personal finances. You should sit down with a money-tracking app, like Mint, or simply an Excel spreadsheet, and list out your spending activity. By reflecting on your finances, outlining a budget, and setting specific goals, you can start to control your spending better. In the meantime, try to use a card that will work with you to control your expenses. Finding the Best Credit Card for You There’s no single best credit card for everyone. Instead, you have to look for the best credit card for you. To find your best match, you should think about your approach to personal finances, how you spend your money, and how you practice self-control. If you tend to spend spontaneously, then you might benefit from having a card that doesn’t test your willpower. If you’re more strategic about your spending and want to maximize rewards, then you should choose a card that will grant you the most perks in the category most valuable to you. As you saw above, there are several cards with advantages for every kind of spender. Your job, then, is to figure out what kind of spender you are! Once you do that, you can sort through all the promotions and sign up for the credit card with the best benefits for you as an individual.

Get a Description and Diagram of Thalamus Gray Matter

Get a Description and Diagram of Thalamus Gray Matter Thalamus: The thalamus is a large, dual lobed mass of gray matter buried under the cerebral cortex. It is involved in sensory perception and regulation of motor functions. The thalamus is a limbic system structure and it connects areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in sensory perception and movement with other parts of the brain and spinal cord that also have a role in sensation and movement. As a regulator of sensory information, the thalamus also controls sleep and awake states of consciousness. The thalamus sends out signals in the brain to reduce the perception of and response to sensory information, such as sound during sleep. Function: The thalamus is involved in several functions of the body including: Motor ControlReceives Auditory, Somatosensory, and Visual Sensory SignalsRelays Sensory Signals to the Cerebral Cortex Memory Formation and Emotional ExpressionPain PerceptionControls Sleep and Awake States The thalamus has nerve connections with the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. In addition, connections with the spinal cord allow the thalamus to receive sensory information from the peripheral nervous system and various regions of the body. This information is then sent to the appropriate area of the brain for processing. For example, the thalamus sends touch sensory information to the somatosensory cortex of the parietal lobes. It sends visual information to the visual cortex of the occipital lobes and auditory signals are sent to the auditory cortex of the temporal lobes. Location: Directionally, the thalamus is situated at the top of the brainstem, between the cerebral cortex and midbrain. It is superior to the hypothalamus. Divisions: The thalamus is divided into three sections by the internal medullary lamina. This Y-shaped layer of white matter formed of myelinated fibers divides the thalamus into anterior, medial, and lateral parts. Diencephalon: The thalamus is a component of the diencephalon. The diencephalon is one of two major divisions of the forebrain. It consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus (including the pineal gland), and subthalamus (ventral thalamus). Diencephalon structures form the floor and lateral wall of the third ventricle. The third ventricle is part of a system of linked cavities (cerebral ventricles) in the brain that extend to form the central canal of the spinal cord. Thalamus Damage: Damage to the thalamus may result in a number of problems related to sensory perception. Thalamic syndrome is condition that causes an individual to experience excessive pain or a loss of sensation in limbs. Damage to areas of the thalamus that are associated with visual sensory processing can cause visual field problems. Damage to the thalamus can also result in sleep disorders, memory problems, and auditory issues.

THE IMPACT OF DRESSING ROOM LIGHTING DIRECTIONS ON CONSUMER Essay

THE IMPACT OF DRESSING ROOM LIGHTING DIRECTIONS ON CONSUMER - Essay Example It is the dressing room where the consumer decides to purchase and not to acquire the clothing items. The retailer should realize the dressing room importance and this would help in increasing the sales. A lot of research works have been made in the last few years regarding the dressing room lighting. All the researches have given importance how the dress room lighting influences the consumer’s emotional states and personal evaluations. Many researchers believe that the buying decision at the clothing store depends upon the impression carried by the consumer at the dressing room. If the dressing room scenario is not good, it may negatively affects the shopping experience and results in a lost sale. If the store environment is not proper, it may affect the consumer mode on shopping. If there is good atmosphere, it motivates the shopper to do shopping. As a result, lightening of the store and the dressing room in the clothing store have a great role to play in the clothing busin ess.A Review of LiteratureTill today many studies have been made about the lighting of the main show room, however, fewer studies have been made about the lighting of the dressing room. Researchers have found that when lighting is used as a stimulus, it enhances product evaluation as well as the stores atmospheric conditions.(Obermiller & Bitner, 1984: Areni & Kim, 1994; Donovan & Rossiter, 1982; Donovan, et.al., 1994; Park & Farr, 2007; Summers & Hebert, 2001). This also creates a forgetable shopping experience for the consumer (Hegde, 2000) , though the effects of lighting on the main sales floor have been studied in some depth, nothing is known about how dressing room lighting influences the experience of the consumer. Mang, 2008 and Underhiil,1999 reveals that the clothing store dressing rooms are where consumers try on clothes and make their final evaluations and it is one of the most critical aspects of the sales

Electromagnetism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Electromagnetism - Essay Example Some non-magnetic materials which are conductors help shield magnetic field. A good example is a superconductor, when this material is placed between two magnetic materials; it tends to exclude the magnetic fields created by the magnets. A superconductor material behaves like a magnet in that if the South Pole of the magnet is brought near it, the magnet behaves as though it is being approached by itself from the other side the superconductor. The magnet’s South Pole then starts to repel the â€Å"north pole of the other magnet†, which is just a mirror of itself. Therefore, if a superconductor is placed between which are facing each other no change will be noticed since the two poles of the magnet will tend to repel each other hence cutting off the magnetic fields that existed before. This scenario is very useful in case you don’t need any field in a particular region. The iron box will be used since the fields travel in the walls of the box and does not penetrat e into it. Falling magnets Using the three plates inclined at an angle of 60 degrees, place the magnet on the three plates and allow the magnets to slide from a height of about 30cm. the experiment is repeated by using copper pipes held vertically. The magnet without a stud is dropped while its axis of symmetry is vertically down each pipe. When the magnet is placed along the three plates inclined at an angle of 60 degrees, the magnet slide down the plate slowly. This happens so because the voltage will increase as the magnet moves down the sheets and not when magnet it is stationary. Magnetic fields come about due to electric currents. If these magnetic fields are changed by moving the magnet near a non-magnetic material or metal, it... This paper examines the magnetic field separated by a superconductor material. Magneto static or dipole-dipole forces are very critical in determining the microstructure of any magnet. Magnetic fields in magneto statics which are constant at a particular moment in time always produces steady currents. The charge passing in a wire at per unit time is called the current of that particular wire. Conventionally, it is assumed that electric current always flow in the direction of the movement of the positive charges. Nonmagnetic materials which are conductors can shield the magnetic field to some extent. Some non-magnetic materials which are conductors help shield magnetic field. A good example is a superconductor, when this material is placed between two magnetic materials; it tends to exclude the magnetic fields created by the magnets. A superconductor material behaves like a magnet in that if the South Pole of the magnet is brought near it, the magnet behaves as though it is being approached by itself from the other side the superconductor. Magnetic fields come about due to electric currents. If these magnetic fields are changed by moving the magnet near a non-magnetic material or metal, it induces electric field that is the difference in voltage in the metal. This then produces a magnetic field which is oriented in the direction opposite to that of the magnet. For a homopolar motor, the battery produces electric current which then moves in a radial manner through the magnetic disc.

Confucius’ Social and Political Philosophy Essay Example for Free

Confucius’ Social and Political Philosophy Essay These days we are focusing on the topics of Confucius’ social and political philosophy. After finishing readings of this section, I would like to give reflections that mainly about Confucius’ view on governing and analyze the traditional culture and administration of our country. This essay will present my opinions about the merits and demerits of nowadays Chinese society’s government. First, let us deal with something that Confucius would say that Chinese society is currently doing well. According to Confucius, when the population is already numerous, make them wealthy will further improve them, and once they are wealthy, to instruct them will improve them further more. [1] I think this passage is suitable for making appraisals to nowadays Chinese society, because China has a large population and Chinese government is taking the road of common prosperity, these are very similar to passage’s description. The road of common prosperity means, for the purpose of enabling more and more people to become prosperous, some people are encouraged to become prosperous first, and at last all people will become prosperous. In my own understanding, I think this passage did not show that Confucius think wealth is more important than education. I think what Confucius want to said is, to make people wealth does not means just make people hold a lot of money, actually it means to let people live a peaceful and wealthy life, which is important to build a harmonious society. In addition, Chinese government also focuses on education, like the government increases the input of fund for rural compulsory education. In another passage, Confucius said â€Å"If common people’s need are satisfied, how could their lord be lacking? If the common people ‘s needs are not satisfied, how can their lord be content?† [2] These above passages show Confucius think it is important to satisfy common people’s needs, to let them live a wealthy life is necessary for reaching this goal, so he would be pleased to see Chinese government is paying efforts to improve people’s life and education. However , it is obvious that there is also something Chinese government is currently not doing well. In recent years, human flesh search engine became very popular. According to Wikipedia, human flesh search is a primarily Chinese internet phenomenon of massive researching  using Internet media such as blogs and forums. What made human flesh search became famous is misconduct in public office were exposed frequently through this way, this means the government is not honest enough. When this kind of things happened, it usually begin with some public servants wearing or using luxuries in public activities, then people think it is suspicious that public servants can afford those kind of luxuries, so they begin human flesh search to find out what happened. Confucius would be displeased, because the dishonest behaviors of some public servants are damaging government’s reputation. According to Confucius, he said he would sacrifice armament and food, but he though a state cannot stand once it has lost the confidence of the people.[3] That means Confucius regard the confidence of the people as the most important thing for a government. There is also an old saying that the lord is a boat and common people is water, means when a lord gain the supports from his people, it is like the water make the boat float over water-surface. And it works both ways. The correct attitude towards common people will gain people’s support, the bad reputation cause by dishonest governing will lose people’s support, it is no doubt that Chinese society is not doing well at this point. Confucius also said â€Å"Raise up the straight and apply them to the crooked, and the people will submit you. If you raise up the crooked and apply them to the straight, the people will never submit.† [4] When we understanding this passage and relating it to nowadays society, I think the â€Å"straight† can be understand as the public servant who work honesty and really care of common people’s interests. Likewise, â€Å"crooked† can be understand as the public servant who abuse power and damage common people’s interest. Chinese government did not build up a complete supervise system to punish the corrupt officials and it is what government should do in the future. The key to adopting Confucius’ philosophy centers on discarding the dross and selecting the essence. Chinese society is doing a good job in striking a balance between social improvement and inheritance on traditional culture, like the idea about building up a harmonious society. I think Chinese society should be as Confucian as it is today, because although we can carry forward things from tradition, we cannot carry forward everything from tradition, we need to keep pace with the times. Some of Confucius’ view on governing cannot accommodate itself to the Chinese society’s development. For example, Confucius said, let the lord be a true  lord, the ministers true ministers, the fathers tr ue fathers, and the sons true sons.[5] In this passage, Confucius was only requiring the lord to fulfill his obligation, but he did not require any democratic rights which are extremely important to nowadays society. In ancient China, People did not have their right to choose a lord they want, but nowadays people are supposed to have their democratic rights and choose the government they want. The Chinese society must comply with the world development trend. We should accept the good things showed in the passage, like the idea â€Å"to do what you are deemed to do†, but for governing, we are not supposed to take its idea like â€Å"people serve their lord and cannot against the lord† Chinese society does not take the wrong way and its governing is becoming more and more democratic, so it is Confucian enough and it just need to keep this style. In conclusion, there is still lot of things that we can use the experience of Confucius for reference, the view on governing is just a part of it, and Confuciusâ€℠¢ philosophy is always the important asset for us.

The Negotiation Process Essay -- Business, Mediators, Settlement Media

Differences and disagreements always exist in negotiation process. When parties cannot reach an agreement or the power between parties is imbalance, mediators will be demonstrated the significant impact on solving problems and encourage negotiators to achieve consensus. This essay will expound four different types of mediator, which include settlement mediator, facilitative mediator, therapeutic mediator and evaluative mediator. Areas of practice for different styles of mediator also will be stated. Moreover, what kinds of dispute will be solved by different types of mediators and how these kinds of mediators influence the negotiation process are referring. At last, responsibilities and disadvantages of different styles of mediators will be represented. In brief, negotiation is a power game and mediator is always the impersonal rule maker. Mediator means an independent or a neutral third-party who helps the other two parties to consult contradiction or relax relationship during negotiation process. (Edwin, 2002, p 67) The purpose for mediator is clearing target and interest for parties, evaluating advantages and disadvantages for each position, exploring possible options, and encouraging them to reach agreement. A sapiential mediator has significant impacts on handling troublesome problems and facilitating parties to achieve consensus during the negotiation process. Firstly, mediators impel to persuade interlocutors separate interpersonal relationship from the essence of negotiation, and build bridge to connect these two parties. Moreover, mediator provides a neutral stage and give faces to both parties convert controversy to reconciliation when neither of them makes a concession. At the same time, a compromise suggestion which... ...isputes and relax relationship when negotiation sink into deadlock, and it also encourage parties to achieve consensus. A successful settlement mediator respect negotiators and encourage parties to achieve agreement through compromising. However, facilitative mediators focus on convert competitive relationship to cooperative relationship to solve problems, and build trust is important. Therapeutic mediators are also focus on the relationship between two parties. Nevertheless, they pay more attention to the relationship rather than the dispute itself. The most powerful style of mediators is evaluative mediators, who always determine the final outcome in a mediation process. However, it damages relationship between parties awfully. Overall, selecting the right style of the mediator is very important and practical to reach agreement during negotiation process.

The Ashinabe Culture

The research is focused on one of the Indian tribes of Canada called the Ashinabe. Their culture and social customs are investigated, its importance determined and put into context within the contemporary culture. The Ashinabe of the Great Lakes tribes settled in Turtle Island in Canada before the arrival of the Europeans or the â€Å"light-skinned race â€Å"as the Ashinabe called them.They were a member of the group called the First Nations consisting of native â€Å"Indian† inhabitants of Canada. The Ashinabe had close family ties and kin communities.However, like other natives of modern times, the Ashinabe had to fight for their rights to their land and culture. As inherent to the natives who first inhabit the Continents of America, the Ashinabe are rich in social custom. The meaning and practices of these customs are handed down from generation to generation by the respected Elders through stories that are often identified as myths and legends. The Ashinabe had clear di vision of what does a woman and man do in society. The women were in-charge of household chores while the men go out to hunt for food.The Ashinabe males take pride in their hunting skills. Another particular example of Ashinabe social custom is the telling of stories, of which the prominent one is the foretelling of the future through the Seven prophecies of Fire that represents seven different eras. It is interesting to note that in these fourth through sixth prophecies, it tells of the coming of the â€Å"light-skinned people† and how they will influence the Ashinabe people and this is validated by history when the Europeans came and took over the land and introduce their own teachings and way of life.The Ashinabe people love to hold ceremonies which is often a reflection of their religious beliefs (in spirits of nature). In conducting their ceremonies the Ashinabe had the social custom of gathering together in circles. They have a ceremony called the sharing circle where a facilitator encourages the members of the circle to share their feelings or their views concerning a problem or solution.If it is a healing circle, facilitated by experienced healers, the members are asked of their desire to begin the healing process and this could be an emotional activity for the participants hence emotional supports are provided during and after the circle. For doctoring ailments, the medicine man consults the spirits for remedies. In both circles, a stick, or stone or feather is passed around to make the sharing easier and focused. In ceremonies, sacred fires are lit and tobacco offerings are offered to the Creator, Kitchi- Manitou.The most well known ceremony of the Ashinabe is the Pow Wow (feast of the pipes) with its activity of following a Pow Wow trail all summer. Unfortunately, because of commercialization and as an attraction to tourist, people forget that Pow Wow is indeed a serious ceremony for peace and giving gratitude and appreciation for the spirits of nature, with each song and dance offered as prayers to their Creator. The participants wore colorful regalia, jingle dress that is full of symbolic meaning but unfortunately recognized by most as just a costume.Feasts are then held after the Pow Wow ceremony where squash, corn and beans (the Three Sisters that sustained their ancestors) are always included to feed the people. A spirit plate, containing a sample of every dish, is made before any one partakes of the food and it is passed around for the guest. Feasts are also held for other occasions like weddings or when naming a child. The Ashinabe also practice the giving away of gifts in their ceremonies and feasts to honor someone and this gifts should be meaningful to the giver and to the one with whom the gift is given.The social custom of the Ashinabe people is very important as it reflect the way of life of the past and hence, the history of the early inhabitants of Canada. Although their ceremonies are considered now as o ne of the main tourist attractions and their ritual object as souvenirs, to the Ashinabe it held a deep symbolic meaning and tells so much of who they are as a person and people. Moreover, the social custom of the Ashinabe tells so much of how they view life and understanding these social customs is the key to understanding the Ashinabe mind and culture.The Ashinabe culture in some ways contradicts the contemporary culture which can be a source of conflict and tension, like for example in contemporary culture, tobacco is not used as an offering and women seeks fulfillment outside the home. However, one can observed that Ashinabe culture is similar to the contemporary culture like having a feast and ceremony for special occasions. Moreover, as the Ashinabe culture gets intermingled in the mainstream culture they help enrich and give color to the culture of the whites.For example, the Pow Wow had become a good attraction for business, the arts and objects of the Ashinabe people had be come favorite souvenirs and home decorations. However, the Ashinabe also adopted the culture of the whites, making them lose their own culture and hence their leadership and confidence in themselves. At present, Ashinabe people are trying to revive their culture but the problem however is with the Cultural Appropriation that takes place when the dominant whites claim as their own the culture (their arts and literature, for example) of the minorities like the Ashinabe.The whites gain profit by selling the arts of the Ashinabe. Moreover, the most painful is the taking of the Ashinabe historical lands (without their consent and often through a betrayal of trust and promises) which had played a major role in their cultural history. This has been one of the sources of contention and conflict between the government and the Ashinabe people at present.

Conflicting Perspectives Essay

â€Å"An important outcome of studying this elective is the realisation that all representations of perspectives are designed to provoke an intended response. † To what extent does this statement relate to your study of at least one of Hughes’ poems and one related text of your own choosing? In some texts authors have the intention to evoke a personal understanding in the audience. However, the personal experience varies between each individual creating conflicting ways in response to a text. These responses to the messages from the authors are shaped through personal experience and values of the individual. The notion of conflict within perspectives is evident in â€Å"Birthday Letters† by Ted Hughes especially in the poems â€Å"Fulbright Scholars† and â€Å"Sam† as well as in Michel Gondry’s film â€Å"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. † The conflict within memory and connections leads to a representation of their conflict in perspectives. The nature and strength of memories is to some extent subjective in relation to events, situations and people. Hughes proves this idea of selective memory through the use of rhetorical questions asked in his first poem Fulbright Scholars such as â€Å"where was it, in the Strand? † and â€Å"was it when I bought a peach? These questions are evidence of his disordered memory. Hughes perspective of Plath is somewhat subjective as he remembers vague details of particular moments and her â€Å"Veronica Lake bangs. † In his second poem â€Å"Sam† depicts the same events as Plath’s poem â€Å"Whiteness I remember† but showing his conflicting interpretation of Plath’s memory. The two poems prove conflicting ideas through the tempo of the first paragraphs and Hughes ongoing use of caesura. Although Plath interprets the event to be a â€Å"great run† and â€Å"high as the roofs† conflicting this idea Hughes describes it as dangerous and Plath having â€Å"lost (her) stirrups. The text â€Å"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind† proves memory to be a selective sense; the character Joel displays merely a memory of selective moments, objects and feelings of his past relationship with Clementine. The key motifs are birthday presents and certain outings. The fallibility of memory can lead the distortion of connections between memory and reality. The author intends to create a particular emotional response to the text that is represented through a connection between the audience and their perspective of the text. The connection between the perspectives in â€Å"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind† show the author is being balanced and unbiased. The perspectives of both the character is shown equally to the audience, forcing and internal response in each individual. In â€Å"Fulbright Scholars† Hughes repetitively uses â€Å"you† to simultaneously speak to Plath as well as the audience, to create a more intimate connection with the text. This continues into his next poem â€Å"Sam† alongside alliteration and assonance in the line â€Å"horribly hard, swift river† increasing the intensity for the audience. In the final stanza Hughes personifies Sam as himself, and positions the audience as Plath. In the line â€Å"you strangled me† he uses accusatory language to gain an emotional response and connection from his audience, which relates back to the publics perceptions of him during this time. It is clear that all authors create their texts to gain a reflection the audience towards the text. Each text is a representation of the author’s perspective response to their memory, creating an emotional connection to their audience, which provokes an internal response. The connections made are used to intensify a reaction within each individual.

Amniocentesis Process Essay Example

Amniocentesis Process Essay Example Amniocentesis Process Paper Amniocentesis Process Paper Amniocentesis is a procedure in medicine that involves the extraction of amniotic fluid which is found around the uterus fetus when a woman is pregnant. This fluid can be found around the uterine wall. Generally, amniocentesis is used to identify disorders caused by genetics, chromosomal defects and other disease and problems associated with pregnancy. Apart from this, this procedure is used to determine how developed the unborn child’s lungs are and this is done in third trimester of the pregnancy. This procedure is usually carried out between the 15th and 20th week into the pregnancies of people who are liable to genetic disorders and in women who are close to their menopause. There are some people who have prior history of genetic problems. When pregnant, the baby stands the risk of suffering genetic defect and so this must be carried out to ascertain. Although amniocentesis has its advantages, there is the risk that after this procedure is carried out, there would be a miscarriage. Amniocentesis helps to identify several pregnancy disorders. This could be through the process or use of an ultrasound to guide a hollow-shaped needle into the amniotic sac. This ultrasound could be useful at diagnosing open neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly which affect several babies in America today. In America, statistics have proven that about 4,000 babies suffer from this defect. Apart from this, there are other pregnancy related disorders that amniocentesis aims to detect. A good is example is the Bilirubin Alpha fetoprotein. Alpha fetoprotein is measured in pregnant women with the use of amniotic fluid or their menstrual blood. This is done in order to identify hepatocellular carcinoma and endodermal sinus tumors. Summarily, amniocentesis has proved beneficial to doctors in the field of gynecology and obstetrics. This is because it helps them to know the disorders that occur during pregnancy. Although it has its side effects, when it is carried out properly and at the right time, it is a medical procedure that saves the life of the mother and makes us prepared for latter eventualities.

Business Performance Measurement Using Balanced Scorecard Critical Review Accounting Essay

The outlooks of directors are high, and this explains why academic and managerial involvement in this direction tool is on the addition. This paper critically examines plants or research done by outstanding writers on this topic to see the verve of Balanced Scorecard as a concern public presentation measuring tool in modern economic system. Literatures on Balanced Scorecard are on the rise as its methodological analysis become popular among top concerns. Gumbus and Lussier ( 2006 ) in their work, examined Balanced Scorecard and its characteristics ( ) , and why little medium concerns are recommended to utilize it as a metric for concern public presentation. Their surveies came at the clip when Balanced Scorecard is non been widely adopted by SME but by the large companies as a public presentation measuring method. Braam and Nijssen ( 2008 ) discuss factors impacting Balanced Scorecard acceptance and the two cardinal constructs of Balanced Scorecard use in recent clip: as a public presentation measuring system ( PMS ) and as a strategic direction system ( SMS ) . [ 4 ] carried out researches to look into if the Balanced Scorecard add values to companies that adopt it and how it does contributes to the public presentation of an organisation. [ 5 ] examines a outstanding characteristic of Balanced Scorecard cause and conse quence relationship and if Balanced Scorecard can associate operational prosodies with scheme which can be understood and influenced by directors as a valid strategic direction tool. [ 7 ] took a practical attack in discoursing ways that Balanced Scorecard can be used by undertaking directors to step and better the operational public presentation of their squad and besides clarifies aims and concern scheme. These literature discuses extensively on public presentation measuring with Balanced Scorecard cutting across assorted use and industries every bit good as farther elaborated in the advancement of this paper. Most surveies focus on large companies the scarceness of surveies associating to Balanced Scorecard been used in SME for concern scheme motivated [ 1 ] to ship on shutting this spread. They used a instance survey methodological analysis attack on three little concern endeavors. Research was conducted through personal interviews with executives at Hyde Park Electronics, Futura Industries, and Southern Gardens Citrus ( SGC ) . [ 1 ] examine each of the SME to place how of their concern scheme and public presentation aligns with the Balanced Scorecard features both in the short footings and long term. Financial metric, as indicated in their survey, is sale from new merchandise accounting for high net income of the organisation. The Operational Quality was identified to same-day bringing, bringing within five yearss, and on-time bringing. Customer Satisfaction metric was detected to be indicated by increased gross revenues and increased income that would ensue from merchandise credence a nd the coevals of repetition clients. Learning and Growth metric see the induction of employee public assistance plans such as benefits, net income sharing, preparation, and employee communicating and employee activities. By the above findings, [ 1 ] farther cited that about half of the large corporations in recent times has improved public presentation with the usage of Balanced Scorecard as operational and strategic measuring. The instance surveies affecting the SMEs rhenium seen to besides profit from utilizing this direction tool. [ 1 ] The consequences of the instance surveies of Hyde Park Electronics, Futura Industries, and SGC support the anterior literature from big companies. The consequences once more indicated that enterprisers can excessively profit from developing and utilizing a BSC. The benefit or value gotten from utilizing BSC was investigated by [ 4 ] , and in their survey, two research hypotheses were developed: how much does the Balanced Scorecard create value and secondly, how does the Balanced Scorecard create value? For the first inquiry [ 4 ] adopted the usage of Activity-Based Cost Management ( ABCM ) model, in comparing to BSC effectivity in happening how organizational ends aligns to people ‘s public presentation. The 2nd inquiries saw the usage of the Strategy-Focused-Organisation ( SFO ) to research the beginnings of possible value created by BSC. The methodological analysis used was quantitative in nature and an empirical study and analysis of informations collected from EU companies that have used BSC. In their findings, [ 4 ] argued that value is so been added to companies by the usage of BSC. They indicated that the public presentation of an organisation comes chiefly from what it does during scheme interlingual rendition, its consistence in act uponing managerial patterns, and its function in resources alignment to strategic aims i.e. from the agencies to the terminal. The surveies of [ 4 ] hinted the construct of following BSC for PMS every bit good as SMS. Thus, [ 2 ] , in their research differentiate these lifting constructs of Balanced Scorecard ( public presentation measuring system ( PMS ) and strategic direction system ( SMS ) ) , and factors impacting their acceptances by companies as shown the survey done by [ 2 ] . Hypothesiss were developed to steer and develop their methodological analysis which involves quantitative attack. Data aggregation was done by questionnaires sent to 40 Dutch houses gotten from database of companies which had responded to a benchmark study for best patterns in direction control and public presentation measuring in the four areas/domains of involvement of the Balanced Scorecard. [ 2 ] indicated in their findings that the acceptance of both types of Balanced Scorecard benefits from top direction engagement. Consequences besides show that utilizing Balanced Scorecard as PMS will profit from the support of the admi nistration ‘s finance section. They besides cited that Balanced Scorecard as PMS accent on an inclusive measurings of both fiscal and non-financial values which gives valuable image of the company ‘s place in the market. However, public presentation metric indexs cut across the cardinal characteristics of BSC itself, as such [ 5 ] in their survey analysed the cardinal premises of BSC and the relationships among the four countries of measuring suggested ( the fiscal, client, internal-business-process and learning and growing positions ) and its consequence on scheme and public presentation of an organisation. Research inquiry to steer their survey was besides raised: is there a causal relationship between the countries of measuring suggested? The methodological analysis that was used is analytic because, as argued, increases preciseness and lucidity degree in understanding the BSC construct and theoretical account. Past and present literatures were widely analysed. [ 5 ] one cardinal findings indicated that companies ‘ do non necessitate to see priori concern scheme before planing a coherent set of public presentation measurings reasoning that the design of public presentation indexs can work as a accelerator for scheme preparation. The preparation of scheme entails the development of undertakings to transform them into operational aims. This is further discussed by [ 6 ] in their survey. They used the BSC methodological analysis in their survey to develop, trial, and use a strategic measuring system, specifically for undertakings. The attack adopted was a comparing and study of two undertakings monitored by the writers and undertaken by undertaking squad. Their consequence indicated that BSC plays important function in bettering undertaking direction effectivity. They besides argue or indicated that balanced public presentation measuring is an of import technique for set uping on-strategy undertaking bringing The above surveies further give more penetration on the construct of BSC as a public presentation measuring tool that is best used in exciting thought of comparative steps in the critical success factors of any concern. Thus, organizational public presentation sees an addition when, as the chief tool, BSC is used to interpret the scheme of the house. In this respect, BSC contributes positively [ 4 ] [ 6 ] . However, the acceptance of BSC in an organisation depends to a great extent on the degree of top direction and product-market kineticss every bit good as the finance section. If a company is in a competitory market, client satisfaction and fiscal values are of extreme importance to exceed direction and finance section. These public presentation prosodies influence the preparation of scheme and therefore the acceptance of BSC particularly as public presentation measuring system [ 2 ] . However, the support of top direction and the employees ‘ deduction do non look to be requi rement conditions to do the successful development of a BSC [ 4 ] . The influence of BSC on departmental units and internal administrations within the house can be detected in undertaking squads. The BSC clarify and improves strategic step and connexions thereby bettering internal public presentation in traditional deliverables. It is importance to observe that at that place does non be one BSC that matches all administrations but BSC development is team-based [ 1 ] [ 6 ] . Furthermore, as indicated by [ 6 ] , companies ‘ operational aims in undertakings become a direction success as internal sections are exposed to run of strategic-performance indictor which clarifies and proctors project vision and ends. [ 4 ] Surveies indicated that despite the broad acceptance of BSC in recent times, the methodological analysis is non free from defects. Kaplan and Norton describe the relationship among the characteristic of BSC as causal ( cause and consequence ) , i.e. one metric taking to another, and a dependence relationship. This nevertheless, an issue as for case, the satisfaction of clients does non basically give good fiscal consequences hence the relationship is a logical and non causal one as it is inherit in the BSC construct. This portends that the premises made by BSC possibly invalid taking to the expectancy of public presentation indexs which are faulty, ensuing in sub-optimal public presentation [ 5 ] The reviewed surveies are non without restrictions as hinted by the writers. The research by [ 1 ] is marked with a restriction in instance survey attack as at that place does non be any survey on BSC been used by little concern at the clip of the survey. Furthermore, the plausibleness of findings did non protect against the research restrictions in the survey done by [ 2 ] . The generalizability of the findings was edged by a restriction in the sample size, the respondents ‘ chiefly fiscal background, and the usage of cross sectional informations to look into the degree of acceptance of both BSC types at the same time. [ 4 ] besides highlighted that measuring or mensurating the public presentation of an organisation is a difficult scientific discipline. Again, in their survey, sample houses did n’t hold unvarying execution of the BSC construct. One restriction of this paper is that it is analytic which is based on researching surveies and researches associating to BSC. Trusting on these beginnings can, nevertheless, non be deem insightful as an empirical survey. Further research is necessary and should be expanded on about all concern service sectors on how BSC is used to aline concerns to capital budgeting processing. Larger sample size should be used every bit good as extra factors, for case consideration of institutional motives for BSC acceptance. The influence of BSC on the internal relationship between sections and undertaking squads should besides be researched. Decision The balanced scorecard is a tool which methodically expands the measuring zones traditionally involved in accounting. Its cardinal end is to cut down the issues associated with the usage of fiscal steps for control intents by infixing non-financial measurings in a strategic control model [ 5 ] . The connexion between concern scheme and aims utilizing BSC creates an apprehension of public presentation measuring and metric that guides the co-ordinated and careful action of directors. Surveies analysed in this paper show that the BSC creates and adds value to organisations that adopt it and promotes more reliable communicating effectual plenty for direction decision-making. Therefore while the adopting of BSC is on the rise by more concerns, this paper analytically shows the positive part of BSC to the public presentation of an administration with an increasing organic structure of cogent evidence. [ 1 ] Gumbus, Andra. A ; Lussier, Robert N. ( 2006 ) . Entrepreneurs Use a Balanced Scorecard to Translate Strategy into Performance Measures. Journal of Small Business Management, 44 ( 3 ) : 407-425. [ 5 ] Norreklit, H. ( 2000 ) , â€Å" The Balance on the Balanced Scorecard-A Critical Analysis of Some of its Assumptions † , Management Accounting Research, 11 ( 1 ) pp. 65-88.

Current Events and U.S. Diplomacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 9

Current Events and U.S. Diplomacy - Essay Example These wars are commonly known as Proxy wars. Each country tries to contain the expansion of the other. Russia targeted communism. Many historians believe that it had selfish motives planned, turning the supporting countries into military camps, funding the spread of communism in other continents and U.S. trying to cork the leak. In 1947 the U.S. president Truman put forward the Truman Doctrine which served as a platform to voice the very same notion of corking the leak. It was primarily announced to save Greek communists from being overcome by the Soviet Union. The doctrine however did not highlight the particular expansionist country, yet the core country was pretty much evident. It said that whoever tries to establish a stronghold over countries who do not wish to abide willingly will be tackled by the United States of America. The Soviet Union recognized this doctrine as a war cry. (Gaddis 1974). The Truman doctrine was in fact an open effort by the States to contain Communism within every nook of the world no matter how far reached it appeared to be. This laid open an invitation for cold war which proceeded as the States tried to handle various targets set forth by the post war Soviet Union circumstances. The announcement of this doctrine created many adversaries from within the country as well. Many were opposed to the fact of spending millions of dollars just for simple administration in various countries. They felt as if President Truman and the speech he delivered in front of the Congress in 1947 had obligated the country to kibosh communism in every other country. The feared the burden it would be laying on the economy and ultimately on the financial infrastructure. But Truman believed that this containment need not only be via military forces but through peaceful talks, negotiations and other economic means (Zajac, 2013). It felt as a need for the U.S. to provide