Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka Essays (1057 words) - Absurdist Fiction

Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka Metamorphosis By: Franz Kafka What is reality? Every person has his or her own "reality" or truth of their existence. For some it may be nothing they expected while others can just be successful in anything. The true reality is that regardless of what direction is taken in life a person brings the same inner self, motivational levels and attitudes. As followers of literature we often escape our own "reality" and experience life through the imagination of the author's we read. By doing so, many people find themselves gaining information about themselves. In Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis," Gregor Samsa's reality changes indifferently in spite of his drastic physical changes. Before the Metamorphosis, Gregors life consisted of working and caring for his family. He led a life of a traveling salesman, working long hours, which didn't permit to him living his own "life". He reflects his own life as "the plague of traveling: the anxieties of changing trains, the irregular, inferior meals, the ever changing faces, never to be seen again, people with whom one has no chance to be friendly" (Kafka 13). Working to pay off his family's debt, Gregor never left anytime for himself. Kafka himself counterparts this sentiment in a quote taken from his diaries; "no matter how hard you work that work still doesn't entitle you to loving concern for people. Instead you're alone, a total stranger, a mere object of curiosity" (Pawel 167). So in-depth with his work, Gregor becomes unknown to himself and to life. In Gregor's life he had no room for anyone other than his family which in the end left him without love or caring or any other kind of companionship. He worked so industriously for his family that this became his only goal in life. They became so dependent on Gregor to support them but did nothing for him in return. Up until now Gregor was living a life of obligations, he came home every night to an empty hotel room to ensure his family was taken care of. His parents and "their dominance thus extends to the system which deprives him of creative life and married love" (Eggenschwiler 54). Apparent to everyone, Gregor was no longer thought of a member of the family but nothing more than a "support system." The fact of the matter become, "everyone had grown accustomed to it, his family as much as himself; they took the money gratefully, he gave it willingly but the act was accompanied by no remarkable effusiveness" (Kafka 48). Gregor still "believed he had to provide his family with a pleasant, contented, secure life"(Emrich 149). Before the metamorphosis, Gregor's existence was much like it was after it. After being transformed into a cockroach Gregor lived in isolation with his family. In a "dark bedroom, in the jumble of discarded furniture and filth, monstrous vermin, a grotesque, hidden part of the family"(Eggenschwiler 211). Gregor's sister was the only one who helped poor Gregor, in his time of transformation. She was frightened but managed to put her fears aside, she even got angry with others for trying to help. Upon his sister taking care of him, the rest of Gregor's family would not associate with him. "No one attempted to understand him, no one, not even his sister, imagined that she could understand him"(Kafka 45). Before long, Gregor noticed that through his metamorphosis he had not lost nor gained anything. "The actual metamorphosis symbolizes a rebellion assertion of unconscious desires and energies" (Eggenschwiler 203). After the metamorphosis, Gregor's family undergoes some pretty harsh changes. For after the change, Gregor would not be able to support his family's lazy asses. He went to his boss and begged him to "please sir, spare my parent" (Kafka 24). Strangely, after what his family put him through he still looked vigorously for a way to help his parents, "his duty was to remain docile and to try to make things bearable for his family"(Kafka 42). As time passes, Gregor realizes that his family doesn't need his help and support and that he is nothing more than a burden to them. The family never realized the strain that the transformation had put Gregor through, and now they have cut off relations instead of supporting Gregor they desert him. Even his sister had gotten to the point of no longer feeding or cleaning Gregor's room, she might stop in and give him a piece of bread but not stay and talk to him. The thing that really got to Gregor is the memories of all the things

Mansfield, TX School Desegregation Incident essays

Mansfield, TX School Desegregation Incident essays During the fifteen to twenty years after World War II, America was experiencing numerous changes, not only politically but socially also. After World War II most Americans felt a sense of pride, due to the victory over the Japanese and Nazi powers. Although most people felt this pride, some people in the African American community did not experience this joy because of the racial tension that existed in the South. Racial segregation was at one of its worst points in history. Separate but equal, was the law of the land, but clearly the equal part was left out of the equation. Everything was split up into two categories, whites and coloreds, everything from bathrooms to restaurants. People grew up with no idea how a person of another race survived or even conducted themselves on a daily basis. Because of this isolation, black children grew up with social issues that affect some still today. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) began to challenge segregation in graduate and secondary schools in the mid-1930s. Early successes in the Supreme Court barred law schools from denying applicants on the basis of race alone. Application of these cases to public schools finally happened in Brown v. Board of Education, in 1954. In Brown I, after two rounds of oral arguments, the Supreme Court held that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. A third round of arguments were held in 1955, concerning remedies, and in Brown II, the Court ordered that desegregation should occur with all deliberate speed. Unfortunately, the vagueness of this phrase, combined with the unwillingness of many states to desegregate, meant that many states were able to postpone any desegregation. Anger over these delays and a growing frustration over the continued disenfranchisement of African-Americans helped launch th e Civil Rights Movement. Shortly following the Brown...

Too Many Derivatives from Which to Choose Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Too Many Derivatives from Which to Choose - Essay Example The latter two methods are called as derivative markets. In this case the management does not take into account hedging using forward currency contracts as the banks have increased the charges for these services manifold. Hedging using forward contracts simply transfers the risk from the firm to the bank and hence the bank charges a large amount for these services. Now the management has to decide between currency future and options. The future currency contract is a legal contract between a buyer and a seller in which they agree to buy or sell the currency at a future date, at an exchange rate that is fixed or agreed upon today. Though the future contract looks very similar to forward contract, the futures contract brings in more liquidity it is traded in the futures market. It is similar to share market. The most important benefit of futures contract is that firm can release itself from the futures obligation by buying the contract even before the contract expires. Other benefits include liquidity, leverage and convergence of the futures price and spot price on the day of expiration of the futures contract. A currency option is a contract between a buyer and a seller where the buyer of the option enjoys the right but not the obligation to buy or sell the currency at a specified exchange rate before a specified date. There are two types of options. They are call option and put options. Call option gives the buyer the right to buy and the put option gives the buyer the right to sell the currency. Options minimize the risks to a great extent. This hedging option is not of significant importance to our book firm as the option is mainly beneficial for firms bidding for overseas projects. Options are highly flexible and offer a wide range of strategies. But they are more expensive when compared to forwards or futures contract. Hence the most suited derivative for the book firm is futures contract. The best

Answer the followng questons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Answer the followng questons - Essay Example itudes, and different, sometimes even clashing, conceptualizations (2).† To analyze real life data, I would initially seek to identify the points that contrast with my own ideas and opinions of the subject. Once I had identified the main points of the real life data, I would write out, in depth, the differences between those main points and my own original beliefs. 2. If 1st language acquisition is so straightforward, why is learning a 2nd language so difficult? What are the main barriers of second language learners? (In Cyprus what are the barriers for the Greek/Cypriot in learning the Turkish language and for the Turkish/Cypriot in learning the Greek language? (500 words) Bilingualism has come to be understood as being fluent at the native level of two languages. When learning about the acquisition of a second language, we may read, â€Å"Most SLA researchers see bilingualism as being the end result of learning a language, not the process itself, and see the term as referring to native-like fluency, which second language learners rarely achieve (â€Å"Wikipedia†).† The matter of learning a second language, not to mention a third or a fourth, is exceedingly difficult for several reasons. Among these are that with our native language, we are surrounded daily by examples of that which we are learning. Also, as we age, it becomes more and more difficult for us to hear the differences in languages that makes them more understandable. As stated in Science Daily, â€Å"It is an accepted fact that the younger the child, the easier it is for them to learn a second language (â€Å"Science News†).† In learning our primary language, we are surrounded by examples and experiences which reinforce our understanding of that language. We hear the words spoken every day, read signs in our traveling, and develop automatic cognitive recognition when we see an object. For example, when we see an eight-sided red sign with four white letters on it, we learn to recognize

Statement of Purpose Essay Example for Free

Statement of Purpose Essay After a good deal of self-evaluation I have decided to pursue graduate studies in Management Information Systems. It is my undying interest and constant endeavour in the field of Mathematics and Statistics, that made me what i am today and had been a strong motivational force for all these years. After considering my aptitude and the type of work that I enjoy most, I am convinced that I want to take up a career in research in Data Analysis. This decision followed naturally after carefully considering my academic background, the areas of my interest, and my ultimate professional ambition, which is to pursue a research career as a Data Analyst. A Strong Vigor to expertise in Optimal Data Development and Data Integrity and to be a part of the powerful technological workforce in Management and Information systems are the objectives to my Graduate Study. It would play a pivotal role in acuminating my skills, earn proficiency and enhance my professional exposure. It largely aids me in gaining hands-on experience and acquire specialization in the field of data analytics. It has been my constant endeavor to strengthen my technical skills as well as venture beyond the confines of my professional work experience. The fulfillment, the enrichment and the mere experience of each of these endeavors have been both a source of tremendous inspiration and a guiding force in sculpting my academic objective of pursuing a Masters degree in Management Information Systems. After completing my under graduate study in Electronics and Communication Engineering, I worked with Tata Consultancy Services as a systems engineer where I got a chance to whet my appetite for information management field, data analytics in particular. Taking on the challenges given to me from day one to completing close to fifty projects till date, my knowledge has increased many folds. Working as a software engineer mainly in the database field handling the data of multiple clients like Century Link, Agilent, Sony East and West, Petco, Telephonica my main assignments were to handle the information in a systematic and secure way. I played multiple roles from design of a data model for a particular client to loading and analysis of data by performing rigorous performance tuning of the procedures developed. My seniors have been appreciative of my capabilities of handling the tasks and have been increasing my responsibilities. I was part of the software team from the preliminary investigation of the software development to the final review. And here where I knew the importance of the data analytics and data turned information. My working environment is also one of the motivating factors that pushed me towards obtaining a degree in Information Systems. My role in my current project is to develop a data model, source the client data into our database using sourcing agentS like Remedy or CMDB and analyze the sourced data for optimization. We have to develop a data model according to client requirement and design efficacious procedures for transforming the data as desired. Simultaneouly we develop complex queries which the GUI team uses to show the data in the portal(Reporting Tool). Complexities involved understanding the structure of data in the client ticketing tool, getting the complex database querys right checking multiple databases which contain enormous amount of data. This experience not only highlighted the importance of information management but also made me aware of the various challenges involved in dealing with the critical data of an organization. Locating incorporating new information rapidly, apart from having to break down understand complex content compelled me to think out of the box. This not only increased my problem solving capabilities but helped my team achieve results complete the projects well before the given deadlines. My ability to reach defend independent conclusion has also helped increase my intellectual maturity. During my Undergraduate course, I got an opportunity to learn C and Data Structures. These course works made me realize that i have a indefatigable determination and vigour for programming which urged me to learn few other programming languages such as C++, Java and Shell Scripting though they were not a part of my curriculum. I have always wanted to understand these concepts thoroughly, while being more interested in logic-based subjects than those that required learning by note. Apart from Academics, I actively organized and volunteered various fests technical as well as cultural, which paved a way to develop and enhance my leadership capabilities. I have enjoyed the responsibility of handling a team while organizing a fest by leading them upfront in all activities and was equally appreciated by my professors as well as my fellow students. I also had a strong appetite for sports especially cricket from my childhood which made me a part of my high School and University Teams and won many district level accolades. Understanding my own limitations learning from it has been a humbling experience. It has taught me to be hardworking, persistent, sincere goal oriented. I yearn to reach high levels of efficiency by following the best practices laid out. Management Information Systems has become one of the most important aspects of our life and now it has a greater influence on our world than it has ever been before. Organizations are increasingly relying on information systems to provide support in decision making in operational activities, management functions and for increased effectiveness in its various business areas. As a twenty first century professional, the ability to understand business on a global scale will be highly prized and hence it fascinates and motivates me to learn more and more about it. Now, having worked for more than 3 years, I feel that I am maturing as a professional should pursue a graduate program to cement my capabilities. Through the experience gained from my work, I developed excellent analytical and technical skills and improved my problem-solving abilities. To look beyond and extend my capabilities i realized the need to develop the technical and management interdisciplinary skills necessary to design, create, and maintain computer-based business processing applications or study the emerging needs of corporations in the areas of information technology management or complex project management. To realize my career goal of learning complex information management methods, I clearly must enhance my abilities in these as well as other areas of business. My advisors recommended me of your university on the basis of high demand for your graduates in the job market and the research work currently in progress. After going through the brochure, I realized that there also exists a vast gamut of opportunities from the oraganization of course in three disciplines. In addition, from the communication I had with the current students pursuing MIS at your esteemed institution, I have come to a conclusion that the graduate program at your department would suit my interests extremely well. Besides this, the quality of teaching, infrastructure, accommodation services, student support and career services are at their best as per international standards. It is therefore, just the right place that will equip me with unparalleled academic and professional skills and will enhance my personal growth as a Business Technologist. I plan to carry on advanced study of Databases, as well as related fields e. g. Algorithms, not only through coursework but also by participating in one of the several ongoing projects. Upon graduation from the University, I will seek a position which focuses primarily on decision support systems and developing new insights and understanding of business performance based on data and statistical methods that i learn from my graduation. I am aware of the kind of dedication, resilience and resolve I will have to show over the years. I believe that my association with the MIS department will be a mutually profitable one. Finally I take this opportunity to thank you for enabling me to express myself and if given an opportunity, I am confident that I will uphold the academic excellence of the department with my capabilities and diligence. I sincerely hope the admissions committee will share my confidence and give me the privilege of continuing with my studies at this esteemed institution.

The Importance Of Research And Development

The Importance Of Research And Development New product design and development is more often than not a crucial factor in the survival of a company. In an competitive environment that is fast changing, firms must continually revise their design and range of products. This is necessary due to continuous technology change and development as well as other competitors and the changing preference of customers. A system driven by marketing is one that puts the customer needs first, and only produces goods that are known to sell. Market research is carried out, which establishes what is needed. If the development is technology driven then it is a matter of selling what it is possible to make. The product range is developed so that production processes are as efficient as possible and the products are technically superior, hence possessing a natural advantage in the market place. RD has a special economic significance apart from its conventional association with scientific and technological development. RD investment generally reflects a governments or organizations willingness to forgo current operations or profit to improve future performance or returns, and its abilities to conduct research and development. In 2006, the worlds four largest spenders of RD were the United States (US$343 billion), the EU (US$231 billion), China (US$136 billion), and Japan (US$130 billion). In terms of percentage of GDP, the order of these spenders for 2006 was China (US$115 billion of US$2,668 billion GDP), Japan, United States, EU with approximate percentages of 4.3, 3.2, 2.6, and 1.8 respectively. The top 10 spenders in terms of percentage of GDP were Israel (4.53%), China (4.3%), Sweden (3.73%), Finland (3.45%), Japan (3.39%), South Korea (3.23%), Switzerland (2.9%), Iceland (2.78%), United States (2.62%), and Germany (2.53%). In general, RD activities are conducted by specialized units or centers belonging to companies, universities and state agencies. In the context of commerce, research and development normally refers to future-oriented, longer-term activities in science or technology, using similar techniques to scientific research without predetermined outcomes and with broad forecasts of commercial yield. Statistics on organizations devoted to RD may express the state of an industry, the degree of competition or the lure of progress. Some common measures include: budgets, numbers of patents or on rates of peer-reviewed publications. Bank ratios are one of the best measures, because they are continuously maintained, public and reflect risk. In the U.S., a typical ratio of research and development for an industrial company is about 3.5% of revenues. A high technology company such as a computer manufacturer might spend 7%. Although Allergan (a biotech company) tops the spending table 43.4% investment, anything over 15% is remarkable and usually gains a reputation for being a high technology company. Companies in this category include pharmaceutical companies such as Merck HYPERLINK file:///wiki/Merck__Co.HYPERLINK file:///wiki/Merck__Co. Co. (14.1%) or Novartis (15.1%), and engineering companies like Ericsson (24.9%). Such companies are often seen as poor credit risks because their spending ratios are so unusual. Generally such firms prosper only in markets whose customers have extreme needs, such as medicine, scientific instruments, safety-critical mechanisms (aircraft) or high technology military armaments. The extreme needs justify the high risk of failure and consequently high gross margins from 60% to 90% of revenues. That is, gross profits will be as much as 90% of the sales cost, with manufacturing costing only 10% of the product price, because so many individual projects yield no exploitable product. Most industrial companies get only 40% revenues. On a technical level, high tech organizations explore ways to re-purpose and repackage advanced technologies as a way of amortizing the high overhead. They often reuse advanced manufacturing processes, expensive safety certifications, specialized embedded software, computer-aided design software, electronic designs and mechanical subsystems. Research has shown that firms with a persistent RD strategy outperform those with an irregular or no RD investment programme HenceI have chosen to analyze GSKs RD and focus how it achieved growth. Brief Company Background: Head quartered in the UK, GlaxoSmithKline was formed in 2000 as a result of the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham. It employs over 100,000 people in 116 countries with over 15,000 involved in research. GSK has a broad portfolio, with projects in the fields of respiratory, central nervous system, and anti-infectives to name a few. In addition, GSK has an extensive vaccines portfolio. According to GSK, it supplied one quarter of the worlds vaccines by the end of 2006 and had a further 20 in clinical development With nearly 210 pharmaceuticals and vaccine, GSK has one of the most promising pipelines in the pharmaceutical arena. However, its current success appears to be not only due to the blockbuster merger, but also to the leadership and business acumen of its CEO, Dr Jean-Pierre Garnier (formerly CEO of SmithKline Beecham), and his strategy to prioritise RD activities. Additionally, the strategic bolt-on acquisitions, such as those of Corixa and Domantis, have further strengthened the business, adding specialist expertise to maximise future potential revenue. It is important to note that GSK is not only a world leader in pharmaceuticals, but generates significant revenue from its Consumer Healthcare division Lucozade and Nicorette, for example, are globally recognised brand. In all core areas of GSK research and development plays a very important role in the product pipeline, new product development, launch and timing of the product and the final release of the product. In all these stages other department coordinate with the research and development department to ensure that the product helps GSK maintain a strong market share. Interview: GSKs Research and Development and its strategic priorities While writing this report I conducted a brief interview with Faisal Mehmud , Director GSK , Global Research and Development , who has said that GSKS merger was a complete success and that the RD department of GSK is one of the best in the world and has been instrumental in making GSK a market leader. Why do you think RD department in GSK is important? Faisal: Research and development is nowadays of great importance in business as the level of competition, production processes and methods are rapidly increasing. It is of special importance in the field of marketing where companies keep an eagle eye on competitors and customers in order to keep pace with modern trends and analyze the needs, demands and desires of their customers How do you manage GSKs RD capabilities? Faisal: Research often refers to basic experimental research; development refers to the exploitation of discoveries. Research involves the identification of possible chemical compounds or theoretical mechanisms. GSK normally buys licenses from universities or hires scientists directly when economically solid research level products emerge and the development phase of drug delivery is almost entirely managed by GSK. Development is concerned with proof of concept, safety testing, and determining ideal levels and delivery mechanisms. Development often occurs in phases that are defined by drug safety regulators in the country of interest. In the United States, the development phase can cost between $10 to $200 million and approximately one in ten compounds identified by basic research pass all development phases and reach market What does the term RD alliance means? And who are GSKs partners in RD alliance? An RD alliance is a mutually beneficial formal relationship formed between two or more parties to pursue a set of agreed upon goals while remaining independent organisations, where acquiring new knowledge is a goal by itself. The different parties agree to combine their knowledge to create new innovative products. Thanks to funding from government organizations, like the European Unions Seventh Framework Programme and modern advances in technology. GSK has many partners in research and development including the world health organization (WHO) and the Japanese government to name a few. Research and Development in GSK: A brief Literature Review. With the general growth of RD in many academic and business fields, it is hardly surprising that the relationship between research and development and growth has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In an attempt to go beyond traditional assumptions about how research and development helps achieve competitive advantage and market growth, studies have focused on anything from different traditional, analytical or structural uses of research and development to aspects of marketing, such as product launch and timing, and other interactions in the product life cycle. While some research has focused only on the description and functions of research and development, other work has sought to show how research and development helps a company grow in terms of gaining and then maintain a competitive advantage not shared by its rivals. Accordingly, Kuemmerle (1999) suggests that research and development can be divided into studies that focus on product development and those that foc us on innovation. Much of the earlier work emphasized product development. SL Brown (1995) pioneering work suggested that product development can be divided into three streams of research and development: product development as a rational plan, communication web and disciplined problem solving . Thus, he argued that the type of RD capabilities will later shape the structure of the organization since research and development is a key component of product development and new products are becoming the nexus of competition amongst firms striving to achieve a larger market share(1995, p.5). While there are clearly some problems with SL Brownss work his analysis was not based on empirical research, for example the automatic equation of product development with `three streams is problematic the emphasis on research and development has understandably remained at the Centre of much of this work. Research has shown how companies invested in RD dominated more, interrupted less often, held the market share for longer, and so on (see, for example, J Griffin , Journal of product innovation 1995). The chief focus of this approach, then, has been to show how research and development interacts between new product development and dominant market share Some studies, however, have taken a different approach by looking not so much at RD in product development but have focused how research and development helps innovation. In a typical study of this type, JF Reinganum (1989) developed lists of what he described as research and development features of innovation. He argued that For research and development to yield up new approaches, they must also be closely coupled to the problems and challenges where innovation is needed. Much of this research has focused on comparisons between, for example the competitive nature of businesses and the ways to acquire larger market share through innovation. While some of the more popular work of this type, such as GC Moore (1991), lacks a critical dimension, the emphasis on innovation has nevertheless been valuable in interaction between research and development and company growth Although Kuemmerle (1999) distinction is clearly a useful one, it also seems evident that these two approaches are by no means mutually exclusive. While it is important on the one hand, therefore, not to operate with a simplistic version of product development and to consider research and development only in product development and innovation, it is also important not to treat research and development as if it existed outside sphere of business studies. As AH Van de Ven, HL Angle, MS Poole (2000) ask, Can it be coincidence that only firms with a persistent RD strategy outperform those with an irregular or no RD investment pr (p.80). Clearly, there is scope here for a great deal more research that is based on empirical data of research and development; operates with a complex understanding of research and development and its relationship with other core functions of business management looks specifically at the contexts of RD use, rather than assuming broad categories; aims not only to describe and explain research and development but also to change the overall understanding of RD and its importance in growth and development of a company. How research and development helped GSK GSK adopted a resource strategy to grow a well diversified global business.GSK invested heavily in its research and development (Â £3.2 billion in 2007 alone) and linked IT with biology to retrieve, process, analyse and model the vast amount of information for optimum results. GSK also realised the growth potential of emerging markets and drove expansion in Japan. The merger of Glaxo and SmithKline Beeckham created a diverse range of product portfolio for GSK and allowed geographical expansion GSK also grew its consumer healthcare business; this was done by focusing more on innovations and scare resources where they could make the biggest difference. Patent protection ensures competitive advantage, however once patent protection is lost a company has trouble maintaining a products position in the market, for this reason GSK maintains one of the best research and development facilities in the world and has some 160,000 RD staff worldwide At any time GSK has some 150 projects in clinical development comprising new drugs, product line extensions and vaccines to ensure their comparative advantage and their position as a market leader. GSK stuck with its past product success. These products were targeted at its current customers in their current markets. GSK implemented a conservative new product strategy by making minor modifications and incremental improvements in the packaging of their current products. At the same time they adopted a strategy of exploring market potential of their established existing markets by targeting them with extended new products. These new products were commercialized to replace old products that were running out of patent protection or substituted by superior rival products from competitors. GSK also identified new markets for its products. GSK adopted all these strategies simultaneously to grow a well-diversified business. GSKs main competitors such as Novartis, Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis also have a strategy of delivering more products of value however GSKs strategy of delivering more products of value is based on simplifying its clinical RD and by adding value to the supplies brought into the organization. GSKs strategy was to increase flow and improve the distribution of its products simultaneously they increased the quality of their products through research and development and creating global brands with a strong marketing initiative. GSK also compensated individuals who bought supplies for them and took strong steps to improve their supply-chain management. Unlike its main competitors GSK maintained a prescriptive resource strategy. GSK used its resources for maximum strategic benefit. If we link GSKs strategic priority of delivering more products of value with its prescriptive resource strategy we see that GSK significantly grew its biopharm capability. Biopharmaceuticals are medical drugs produced using biotechnology. GSK invested heavily to attract the best talent, compensated them and took maximum advantage of their human resources and development, which resulted in not just a growth in biopharm but also resulted in enhanced productivity for drug discovery. GSKs vision of becoming a undisputed market leader can only be accomplished if it has the right talent. Research and Development hence helped GSK achieve all its strategic priorities. Methodology I envision this project as an investigation of three primary issues: how research and development helps an organization grow, how research and development helps in product development and how research and development helps achieve innovation. In order to conduct my research effectively I chose GSK as a company to study and prepare a case study, there were two important reasons for choosing GSK. Firstly GSK has a very good research and development department that has contributed to its growth as one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Secondly GSK is a research based organization and hence maintains a very good RD capability which is worth researching. The first part of my research is primarily concerned with analysis of research and development in context with GSK. This is important because without this interrelation it becomes very difficult to understand the importance of GSK in a multinational business environment. I have also used this part to understand how research and development fits into a overall corporate strategy and goals of a company. This helps me understand why so much money is spend on research and development. It also answers several important questions from the point of view of shareholders who are often confused where these intangible costs are attributed and how the gains from spending on something non productive as research and development are maximized. The second part of my research is concerned with RD as a primary tool for production processes and product development as a linear function. As mentioned in the literature review this part is more theoretical than other parts as it involves research and development at the very core of product development. Figure 1 As shown in figure 1 Research and Development is at the very centre of product development in the product life cycle. Hence this area is of considerable importance in the field of business management and requires further research. It is a well established fact that any company that has a good RD department benefits in the long run compared to a company that gives little importance to RD hence in this part I tried to understand why research and development is so crucial in the long run for any company. By understanding product development with a case study of GSK I will begin to understand how research and development is linked with product development. Then with empirical evidence I will try and compare other companies whose research has helped them grow an impressive product portfolio. Next I will try and understand with analysis how other factors contribute to make research and development an effective force in product development, I will do this with a case study of GSK. The third aspect is how research and development contributes to innovation. For this it is important to understand innovation and study an innovative organization. Innovation helps an organization achieve competitive advantage which is a unique position a firm occupies with respect to its competitors. Innovation is a new discovery, which is commercially viable in a business sense, and which is not explored and marketed by anyone else. Innovation is protected through various mediums including trademarks and patents. I wanted to find whether research and development leads to innovation and if YES then how. For this I studied the basic model of the RD capabilities of GSK who have innovated many drugs and spoke with Dr Faisal Mahmud, Director RD, GSK. In this third aspect my focus was on the subjective side of research and development as a tool for innovation. It was observed that in an organization that devotes some and most of its energies in the primary research and development capabi lities do infect breed innovation. Also my research observed that most aspects of a business chain are integrated and linked with research and development. Research Methods. Primary Research: The fieldwork for primary research took place in two regions. I conducted an informal interview with Faisal Mahmud, Director Global RD, GSK. Also I conducted a SWOT analysis on GSK as a company, in general, and their RD department in particular. WEAKNESSES -Loss of patent protection. -Does not perform well on marketing practices. -Environmental performance. -External pressures. STRENGTHS -Size: Economies of scale -Patent protection. -Focus on innovation. -Good research and development. -Globally recognized brand. -Strong financial reserves. -Good return for investors. -Access to larger markets. -Experienced corporate management team. -Passion for achievement SWOT ANALYSIS DIAGRAM . OPPORTUNITIES -Expansion in developing countries. -Strong global influence. -Segmented market. -Product development -Growth in Japan. OPPORTUNITIES -Expansion in developing countries. -Strong global influence. -Segmented market. -Product development -Growth in Japan. OPPORTUNITIES -Expansion in developing countries. -Strong global influence. -Segmented market. -Product development -Growth in Japan. THREATS -Competitors. -Loss of key staff. -Political pressures. -Court cases. -IT development. -Legal controversies. THREATS -Competitors. -Loss of key staff. -Political pressures. -Court cases. -IT development. -Legal controversies. THREATS -Competitors. -Loss of key staff. -Political pressures. -Court cases. -IT development. -Legal controversies. OPPORTUNITIES -Expansion in developing countries. -Strong global influence. -Segmented market. -Product development -Growth in Japan. OPPORTUNITIES -Expansion in developing countries. -Strong global influence. -Segmented market. -Product development -Growth in Japan. THREATS -Competitors. -Loss of key staff. -Political pressures. -Court cases. -IT development. -Legal controversies. THREATS -Competitors. -Loss of key staff. -Political pressures. -Court cases. -IT development. -Legal controversies. OPPORTUNITIES -Expansion in developing countries. -Strong global influence. -Segmented market. -Product development -Growth in Japan. THREATS -Competitors. -Loss of key staff. -Political pressures. -Court cases. -IT development. -Legal controversies. I also conducted a survey of 10 GSK product users and asked them the following questions regarding the research and development of GSK Below a sample survey I conducted for my primary research Secondary Research: For my secondary research I conducted a judgmental sampling, this was done by the help of the BCG Growth share matrix model, which I used just for my research and the matrix allowed me to compare, along with sampling, different RD departments and their activities and link it, or compare it, with GSKs. This comparative studies was followed by many journals and articles I read online and many books including Corporate Strategy by Richard Lynch, which helped me not just in terms of comparison but also helped me conduct my research and analysis properly. Thus through my research I have tried to understand how GSK, through its RD, maintains a competitive advantage over its competitors. Apart from the above mentioned objectives, my project and research have answered the following questions: Globally diagnosis and treatments have improved, so people are using more medicines now than ever before. How does GSKs research and development help maintain demand for their products? Demand for safer, more effective, new medicines continues to grow. How does RD propose to integrate efficiency and safety? Ageing populations take long-term treatments. How does GSKs research and development propose to meet this challenge? Major healthcare challenges exist in the developing world with no easy solutions. Does GSKs research and development help improvised nations? It takes 10-12 years from the discovery of a potential new medicine until it is available for the patients. Can this time be reduced? The estimated cost of each medicine, from discovery to market, is $897 million but only 3 out of 10 new treatments recover development costs. Is it really worth it? Results Results As mentioned in the literature review and methodology the research conducted for this report focused primarily in three areas. How research and development helps an organization grow? How research and development helps in product development and how research and development leads to innovation. As mentioned this research was conducted with a case study of GSK. How research and development helps an organization grow? Results: From my research I found out that RD helps considerably for an organization to grow and expand. Based on facts until the merger of Glaxo and Smith to form GSK both companies maintained a highly productive research and development department but had opposite interests, while Glaxos main businesses were medicines Smithkline Beckham dealed in Vaccines primarily. Hence their research was limited in the sense of their strategy and their respective market share. After the merger both organizations integrated their RD capabilities and invested heavily in research and development. This led to many RD centers to be established across the world including in countries such as India and Australia which are considered emerging markets. This high investment in research and development created a diverse and unique product portfolio and led to groundbreaking developments in fields such as central nervous systems, bacteria, malaria and cancer. This helped GSK, a newly merged company in 2000 to become the second best pharmaceutical company in the world. Andrew Witty, CEO GSK, in an interview with the Financial Times in 2007 described the phenomenal growth of GSK to its outstanding research and development capabilities which led to a unique product portfolio and helped develop a strong position against competitors. From my research I found out that through RD GK developed a very good overall reputation for discovering new drugs which led to affiliations with organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO). Also RD ensures that new products not launched by competitors are developed and marketed which keeps the comparative advantage enjoyed by an organization and helps maintain a strong market share and growth rate in the long run. How research and development helps in product development? Results: Research and development forms the core and integral part of any product development. Business analysts evaluate gaps in the market and understand and comprehend market and customer needs. This information is then passed to the RD department who work vigorously to develop products which suit the requirements of the business models and corporate strategy of the organization. RD makes the designs, comprehends the requirements, conducts research and forms the basis and provides a prototype. This proto is then subjected to a number of tests to make sure the product meets the standard international health and safety laws and whether it is feasible. This process is very vigorous and time consuming. Once all the tests all positive then the organizational heads decide how best to market the product. Sometimes they even sample it to customers as an extension of the Testing process. It is established that not all RD leads to a standardized product and results in many wastages however without research and development constant changes which are needed for a product cannot occur and secondly product development process cannot start by ignoring RD costs and benefits. How research and development leads to innovation: Results: In my interview with Dr Faisal Mehmud he said Research often refers to basic experimental research; development refers to the exploitation of discoveries. Hence innovation is indeed a discovery and constant research helps solve unresolved problems in any field where research is being conducted. For example from my research I found that many updated versions of in market drugs that had limited cure in diseases such as malaria and cancer are solved by GSK . Many incurable diseases not have prescription. These are all innovations. Constant research invariably leads to innovation. Many innovations solve problems and are limited in scope for drugs for cancer. But constant research is the only way to solve these issues. Also as far as GSK is concerned most research is experimental and experiments lead to discoveries and innovations. Reflective Report: I started working on this report in November 2009. The fieldwork for this research took place in two regions and many academic journals, online materials, reference books and opinions were needed to complete this report. I faced a number of p-problems while writing this report and it was a big challenge. The first problem I faced was understanding RD. It is a very complex term and is used not just by firms but governments and even the military. Each RD capability has its own unique function that caters to the organization it represents. However what made this subject interesting to study was the importance of RD. When I first started my project, I remained in the forming stage for quite a while. It took me many weeks and many meetings to figure out what I was doing and split up into three broad categories. Although the forming stage did take a while, I was able to cover most of the norming stage at the same time because I started knowing the subject quite well. Once I finally formed my basis, the rest of the stages went much easier. I was able to finish up the norming and began performing rather quickly. This stage continued until recently as I was doing research, and reading journals, quite often. I performed quite well in research and spent very little time, if any, in the storming stage. Most of the storming I dealt with was with the help of other students and my academic teacher at Greenwich. I was trying to plan an interesting project, Another topic I was able to apply to my project was clarity and hardwork. Once I decided, I was able to take responsibility for different parts of the project. I learned to wor

Definition of Literature Essay

Literature is an outlet of escape from reality. At the end of the day, I open a book and allow the story to take me to a world where my own fades into a distant memory. With every turn of a page, my imagination is free to reinvent a narrative that is better than the reality I live. Literature can be non-fiction and based on facts surrounding real events, people, and places. Examples include history books, memoirs, biographies, newspapers, self-help, devotionals, and textbooks. Literature can also be writings based not on truth, but on the imagination and creativity of the author. This includes fiction novels and children story books. A lot of times authors of fiction will get their idea from a real life event and then they allow their imagination to recreate the characters and plot. Aside from being fiction or non-fiction, literature can also fall into different categories according to the genre, purpose, and style. Some genres include romance, science fiction, Christian, suspense, and western. The authors purpose for writing will likely determine what style and genre they will use. Poetry and drama are forms of literature that are stylistically different from other writings. Every writer wants to engage their audience and capture their attention in order to convey a message. The meaning of the text may hold differing messages within the audience, but it is the goal of the author to captivate the reader and keep them wanting to read more. John Smith wrote historical accounts of life while he was living. His writings brought insight and hope regarding English settlement during the early 1600s. The General History of Virginia is difficult to comprehend in areas because I am unfamiliar with his use and style of language, but nonetheless it is a beautifully written piece of literature. John Smith’s targeted audience was most likely the people of his time, with the goal of informing them of recent events. I appreciate the way he portrays the struggles of daily life realistically and in a way that inspires and intrigues. William Bradford was not formally educauted, yet he was a wise and well-read man. His writings spread throughout the world and have been studied and quoted by many. As with most of the literature from his time period, Bradford’s style is simple, but he writes with such conviction that demands the attention and respect of the reader. Bradford was a man of faith and often expressed this in his writing. In Of Plymouth Plantation he often refers to God’s providence and makes continuous references to God. Bradford may refer to God more than any other author in this colonial unit. Anne Bradstreet was a powerful force in literature during the 1960s because she was one of the first recognized women poets. Centuries later she is a revered writer and her poetry remains enchanting. â€Å"Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain†¦Ã¢â‚¬  is the opening line to her poem The Author of Her Book and illustrates just how feeble her brain is not. She has the unique capacity to use words to express herself so creatively and with so much emotion. To My Dear and Loving Husband is a great romantic poem that I admire. Bradstreet’s style reminds me slightly of my own. However I need more experience and practice to become nearly as talented as she. Upon the Burning of Our House reminds of my own experience of a house fire and has inspired me to attempt to capture my experience through poetry. Through all Anne Bradstreet’s work, she inspires others to recognize the beauty and power in writing. Edward Taylor was a highly educated, well respected, and devout religious man who used poetry as a private expression of his faith. He did not seek fame or recognition for his writing, rather just the pleasure it brought him. Taylor writes of God beautifully and is a master of creating moving and emotional works of art without intending to. As with most poets, Taylor and Bradstreet used metaphors and had a personal style unique from others. There is also an overflowing of emotion from both Taylor and Bradstreet within all their writings. William Byrd was a very accomplished man of his time. He was well educated, respected, and prosperous. His most famous writings are the journals that he wrote to describe day to day life. In The History of the Dividing Line I was able to pick up on the humor that has lead Byrd to be one of the first distinct comedic writers. The humor is not â€Å"pee your pants funny† rather it is more light-hearted humor that makes the reader smile. It is evident in his writing that Byrd was indeed well-read. A writer is capable of learning a great deal about language, word usage, and style through reading. Byrd’s style is simple, yet he articulates his message very well and although he wrote for himself, he managed to write in a way that would capture an audience’s attention. Jonathan Edwards was an intelligent man of God who served as a preacher. As an author, he wrote popular sermons and other serious works on religion, metaphysics, and philosophy. Edwards’ style of writing is quite different from other authors in this unit because unlike the others he gives the reader an array of possible positions for the topic he is presenting. In the sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Edwards develops his view on destruction and punishment from verses in Deuteronomy. Not only does he explain how he interprets the scripture, he also gives other possible views. St. Jean De Crevecoeur wrote about religion but he did not profess or maintain that he believed in God. He was a well-educated humanitarian who served his people and country. I found Letters from an American Farmer difficult to get through because his style of writing is unexciting. I was also turned off by the way he wrote about certain topics particularly African American issues. Crevecoeur was not a racist man, but he lacked some sensitivity in discussing his unique view on negroes and parenting. He believed that negroes should not continue having children because if they did misery would undeniably result for themselves and their offspring. I understand that he is referring to slaves and perhaps even slaves may have wished to not have children in order to save future generations from being forced into slavery. Crevecoeur surprised me with the boldness in his writing. The progression of writing from Smith to Crevecoeur is interesting to track and there are noticeable changes in language and word usage. As defined earlier, literature to me is written art that engages my imagination and takes my mind away from reality. Not every piece of literature will bring me the pleasure of leaving my own world for a moment and that does not mean the author has failed. Genre plays an important role in this element of the definition. For example the writings from the colonies unit are primarily non-fiction history writings that are meant to inform more than entertain. Anne Bradstreet is an exception. As the writer of poetry, her style is most obviously different from the more serious and constructed essays of the other writers. Every writer has a style that is unique, however one similarity in the colonial writings is the purpose of the author’s writing. Many of the writers were writing for the sake of recording daily life and making historical accounts of slavery, war, and developing colony life. Centuries later, authors such as Smith, Bradford, Bradstreet, Taylor, Edwards, and Crevecoeur are recognized as masters in the field of writing. Writers during the establishment of the colonies wrote simple, yet serious and powerful pieces of art. They have a style of writing and voice that still captures the hearts of readers.

‘Brave New World(BNW) by Aldous Huxley and ‘Bladerunner’ (BR) by Ridley Scott Comparison

It can be seen that both composers were heavily influenced by their own contexts as both texts present a fairly critical view of the society in which they were produced. For example, the novel BNW was composed during a time of scientific and technological advancement, in a world where communist powers were on the rise, and with the influence of growing trends in industrialization and consumerism, Huxley was concerned with his society's lack of morals and exploitation of nature during the twenties. By translating his fears into a satiric critique of his 1920's society, Huxley created a dystopian portrait of society in the future that was superficially a perfect world. This was his attempt to show his audience (the intellectuals of his time) his fears of the present, while simultaneously providing a warning of what the future may bring. In effect, Huxley deliberately endowed the â€Å"ideal† futuristic society with features likely to alienate his audience, making the â€Å"Brave New World† an unsettling, sinister place where nature has been marginalized and natural rhythms such as child birth have been replaced with substitutes and surrogates. The setting of the novel immediately accentuates the harsh reality of the ‘world state' in the opening paragraphs when the reader is confronted with a ‘squat grey building' where the atmosphere is as ‘cold for all the summer beyond its panes', emphasizing the coldness, paleness and clinical nature of the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, and allowing Huxley to successfully portray a world in which science has superseded nature. Secondly, BR was created in the 1980's, a time where technological advances had become more immediate in every day life, and people were becoming more aware of environmental degradation as a result of human destruction, consequently leading to the general fear that technology was taking over to the detriment of humanity. These issues were of great concern to Ridley Scott, and thus through the medium of film, he portrays a post- modern apocalyptic, dystopian world, in which ecological systems have been replaced by technological constructs, and the future is depicted as a chaotic place with a distinct lack of the natural world and its humane values. His projection was an attempt to warn his society that if certain trends were to continue, humans have the potential to destroy what they value most, being humanity and the natural world. Dramatized by Scott in the opening scene, the wide-angled camera shot gives a birds eye vantage of what Earth has become in the future; a vast industrial metropolis, studded with huge chimney like exhaust outlets from which fireballs explode, as if to resemble in a way â€Å"hell on Earth†. Furthermore, the city's streets are devoid of natural elements such as sunlight due to pollution, and in Gaf's words ‘the little people', are basked in the flickering of neon lights, as huge neon advertisements dominate the city landscape. The urban jungle of Los Angeles 2019 combined with the integration of other techniques and genres such as film noir and science fiction enables Scott to effectively create a world of environmental degradation and in turn warn people that the apocalyptic world depicted may not be far from reality in the near future if trends continue. Both texts share the same tragic flaw, being humanities detachment from the natural world. Thus both seek to demonstrate the effects scientific and technological advancement may have on the natural world and its rhythms in the future. In order to demonstrate the extent to which nature has been superseded by science in BNW, Huxley overwhelms the reader with scientific processes and names, communicated through the use of complex, pseudo-scientific jargon such as the ‘bokanovsky's Process, or ‘Podsnap's Technique, giving the processes in the Brave New World an authentic ring. The application of science to replace natural rhythms such as childbirth The distinct lack of the nature in the film BR is demonstrated through the absence of real animals in the film due to their rarity and price, with artificial animals taking their place eg. Zhora's snake. Also quite ironically the only element of plant life that appears in the film is a small, stunted bonsai, symbolizing the extent to which nature has been stunted by technology. Finally, the elusiveness of night and day displays the disruption technology has made to the world's natural rhythms, demonstrated by Scott through the use of film noir to create a smoky, hazy atmosphere irrespective of the time of day throughout the entirety of the film. The characters in each text are also used to emphasize the composer's concepts. For example It can be seen that â€Å"Humans†, as depicted in BNW and BR are often lacking the qualities that seem fundamental to being human, and thus provoke the responder to question what it really means to be â€Å"human†.

Cisco Stock Pitch Essay

Cisco Stock Pitch Essay Cisco Stock Pitch Essay ISBE Principle Investments Group Cisco Systems Investment Research Presentation Nan Lin Introduction: ï  ® Cisco is worldwide leader in datanetworking equipment and software ï  ® ï  ® Current Revenue: $39.5 billion Data-networking: linking of computing devices together with hardware and software, allowing data communications ï  ® Allows you to share files with friends and family Business Model: ï  ® ï  ® ï  ® ï  ® Routers (24% of total revenue) Switches (40% of total revenue) Advanced Technologies (29% of total revenue) Services (6%) Cisco’s Major Customers ï  ® ï  ® ï  ® Large Enterprises, contributing to estimated 45-50% of firm’s total revenues Service Providers: customers that provide data, voice, or video communications, (25%) Commercial Customers: medium/small companies (25%) Routers ï  ® ï  ® ï  ® Core Routers: communication within network Edge Routers: communication within various local networks Enterprise Routers: sold to corporate consumers through large volume agreements, of which Cisco has 60% market share Switches, Advanced Technologies, and Services ï  ® Switches ï  ® Advanced Technologies ï  ® ï  ® Used to build networks over areas such as college campuses, to metropolitan, cities ï  ® Home networking, Wireless, Security, Storage Networking, Optical Networking ï  ® Advanced Services, Focused Technical Support and Network Optimization Support Services Investment Thesis ï  ® Potential for Revenue Growth ï  ® Top Competitor in Network & Communications Industry Potential for Revenue Growth ï  ® When investigating its potential for revenue growth, we examine the following: ï  ® ï  ® Recent Macro trends Industry analysis Macro Trends ï  ® Growth from the YouTube Effect ï  ® ï  ® Carriers spend massive amounts to upgrade their networks, spending benefited Cisco- largest manufacturer of routers Internet growth up to year 2012 increase as much as 46% per year Macro Trends II ï  ® Convergence Trend: demand for more sophisticated technologies ï  ® ï  ® ï  ® Companies makes products such as internet video cameras, media adapters Use of these products requires more routers and switchers- which Cisco provides Growing Advanced Technologies Macro Trend III: ï  ® Domestic vs International Growth: ï  ® ï  ® Cisco derives over half of sales within US and 21% from Europe Cisco has opportunities in Asia: ï  ® ï  ® ï  ® China: rapidly expanding economy~5% of revenue China censorship requires more demand for Cisco’s products Japan: large market~3.4% of revenue Industry Analysis: ï  ® Barriers to Entry: ï  ® High Research & Development Costs ï  ® ï  ® Cisco spends more on R & D than its competitors, allows firm to drive innovation of new products in technology industries Threats: ï  ® Firewall policies Competitive Analysis ï  ® One of the highest gross operating margin due to size and scale ï  ® ï  ® Allows Cisco to pay off fixed payments such as interest in debt. One of the lowest operating costs of its competitors ï  ® Cisco maintains cost levels around 35% of total sales while other companies costs up to half of their total revenues Competitive Analysis II ï  ® ï  ® ï  ® Cisco leads the market in routers, accounting for approximately 60% of sales Cisco generates about 42% of revenue from switches and leads the industry with about 70% market share Cisco’s huge size allows contracts with multiple suppliers. Cisco’s Top Competitors: Revenu COGS e (M) Cisco Gross R&D Margin expend % iture (M) $34.81 $14.0 B Juniper $3.6 B $1.2 Networ ks 65.8% $5 65.7% $.7 Alatel- 32.85% 2.80 16.9 3.10 Important Business Metrics CSCO ALU JNPR Industr y Market 132.14 7.68 B 13.11 B 257.38 Cap B M Revenu 34.81 B 16.9 m 3.30B 165.93 e lbs. M Gross 65.8% 65.7% 32.85% 41.7% Margin EBITDA 8.73 B N/A 666.60 15.08M M Important SEC Filing Info ï  ® Balance Sheet: ï  ® Cisco has strong cash balance of $34.08 B ï  ® Cisco has significant cash to develop its growth through M & A. ï  ® ï  ® In the past, Cisco bought Tandberg, ScanSafe Inc to maintain high growth rates. On January 7, 2010, Cisco announces plan to acquire

Fire Protection Systems essay part 2

Fire Protection Systems essay part 2 Fire Protection Systems essay part 2 Fire Protection Systems essay part 2Fire Protection Systems essay part  1Steam smothering systemOriginally steam was used to extinguish fires on ships. One of the first experiments on the steam extinguishing systems were conducted in the late 19th century, and at industrial sites they have been used from the mid 20th century. Water steam has been applied in stationary installations with limited openings, at process units for extinguish outdoor fire, in chemical and petroleum industries.Steam smothering system is based on the fact that the steam introduced into the room where the fire occurred, reduces the amount of oxygen in the combustion zone. Together with reducing oxygen concentration, there is a partial cooling of the combustion zone and a mechanical flameout with jets of steam. Extinguishing effect is achieved by 35% volume concentration of steam, provided that the equipment and building envelope are heated above the condensation temperature of steam at atmospheric pressure. Intense steam condensation occurs at lower temperatures, in this case the fire be can not extinguished. Preference is given to saturated steam, although superheated steam can also be used. Together with the dilution effect, the steam cools technological devices without causing sharp temperature stresses. In turn, the steam supplied as a compact jet, is able to mechanically detach the flame.In confined spaces, perforated pipe outlet pair of which must have a diameter of 4.5 mm, are used as internal distribution of steam pipelines of stationary steam extinguishing systems. For dripping from the supply steam inlets, there must be provided purgers, located in the most low-lying areas along the gradient of tubes.The steam supply into enclosed spaces, perforated pipes should be laid around the inner perimeter of the room at a height of 0.2-0.3 m above the floor. Pipe openings are arranged so that steam jets are directed horizontally into the room. The main indicator in calculation of stea m extinguishing systems is the flow rate of steam. Estimated time for extinguishing is the time from the moment of steam supply to the complete elimination of extinguishing fire. Note that it should not exceed three minutes.To prevent contact of flammable gas mixtures, resulting in accidents in the petrochemical and gas industry, with ignition sources, there is designed steam fire curtain. It must have sufficient density and range, exclusive breakthrough of combustible mixture into the protected zone of the object. Device for creation curtain of steam is an annular collector tube, along the axis of which the entire upper part of the same diameter is drilled. The collector can be placed on metal, concrete or brick piers. Collector must have drain valve for condensate discharge or precipitation. Along the axis of the collector, there is a rigid gas-tight enclosure to prevent slippage of the combustible mixture between individual jets in the initial section of the curtain. Openings in the enclosures must be closed by tight doors.Trajectory of the jet necessarily exceeds the protected zone. Outdoor steam curtain is started in the following cases: when the signal of the device installed on the furnace control of the flame on the stove burner; when signals from the gas analyzers (detectors) for combustible gases and vapors installed in hazardous locations; when visual detection of accidents involving flammable liquids, vapors and gases; when reporting on emergency gas contamination on adjacent process units.Steam smothering systems are typically used for cargo holds, storage for flammable materials of vessels which have boilers of sufficient capacity. Newly built riverboats don’t use steam extinguishing systems. The main drawbacks of the steam extinguishing systems are: dangerous to human life, resulting in damage to goods and mechanisms, can be used only indoors and under boilers.Fireline systemsAccording to the purpose, aqueducts are divided into: drinking and sanitary, industrial and fire line. In turn, fire lines are divided into high and low pressure lines. High-pressure fire lines create pressure required to extinguish a fire in the highest building without fire trucks in 5 minutes after report of a fire. For these purposes, pumping stations or other individual rooms are equipped with stationary fire pumps. Low-pressure fire lines use fire pumps on the fire hydrants during a fire to provide the required pressure.Plumbing facilities are designed, built and operated accounting a pass of flow of water for firefighting purposes, besides it is taken into account the maximum flow of water for drinking and industrial needs. Along with this, clean water tanks and water towers provide emergency supply of water for fire fighting, and second lift pumping stations are equipped with fire pumps. When extinguishing fires, pumping-sleeve systems assembled, which are also basic high-pressure fire lines, consisting of a water source, water intakes, suction line, pump station combined first and second lifting conduits, and water mains. In particular, culverts are designed for transporting water from the second lift pumping station to the water supply of the city or object. Water towers are used for regulating pressure and flow rate in the water supply network, and installed at its beginning, middle, or end. Water supply network is used for reliable and uninterrupted transportation of water to consumers in the required quantities under a pressure sufficient to supply water to the most remote and upstream point of the draw, as well as for fighting fires.Water supply networks are divided into: ring and dead-end. Ring network is most often used in urban and industrial water supply systems, and blind ones are used to supply small villages, cattle farms, etc. Ring water supply networks allow disabling emergency pipeline sections without interrupting water supply in the following areas. At the same time, the total length of ring netw orks and their cost is much higher than the cost and length of dead-end systems. Furthermore, they attenuate the hydraulic impact. At the same time, the overall length, and hence the cost of the ring network significantly exceeds the cost and length of dead-end networks. In order water in the pipes does not freeze in winter, they are paved below the freezing depth of soil.Fire pump systemFire centrifugal pump is a device for supplying water to the place of extinguishing fire. Pumps are mounted on special fire equipment motopumps, pumping stations, fire tankers. Fire pumps depending on the nature of the pressure may be of several types: normal pressure (pumps create outlet pressure to 2.0 MPa), high pressure (outlet pumps create pressure above 2.0 MPa) and combined (pumps consist of series-connected normal and high pressure pumps, which have one common drive).The structure of fire pump system includes: impeller, body with outlet diffuser, body of bearing supports, body cap, discharg e manifold, foam shifter, shutoff valve, drive shaft and sealing device, device for determining the frequency of pump control panel, and a vacuum pump. The pump is not self-priming, so before starting to work it must be filled. If the water source is an outdoor pond, first start vacuum device that sucks water into the fire pump. If the work goes from the pump tank of fire engine, it is possible to fill by the opening of valves. For normal operation of the pump, you must have the tightness of internal working cavities. Therefore, pumps are periodically checked for leaks by vacuum. Pump is not easy to make, it is a complex and time-consuming process. Most of its parts are cast through a complex and costly casting tooling. Pump parts in most cases are made of aluminum. The main problem facing the pump manufacturers is to ensure the accuracy and positioning of the internal surfaces of the flow of the pump’s body and wheels.All systems are designed to protect people and property f rom the effects of fire hazards. This helps to minimize the dynamics of increase of fire hazards, evacuation of people and property to a safe area and extinguishing the fire. The main requirement for the above fire safety systems is the reliability and resistance to fire hazards. System of fire safety and protection of object includes: fire protection system, fire prevention system and a set of organizational and technical measures to ensure fire protection.

Service Quality and Operations (A REPORT) Essay

Service Quality and Operations (A REPORT) - Essay Example Marriott Hotel Empire which started as a small company in 1927 in Washington D.C. by John Marriot of Utah. But due to its consistent efforts, today this company is serving in 67 countries and has about 3150 lodging properties. Different operation strategies, marketing strategies, maintenance of quality, employee empowerment and customer satisfaction are the key points that have enabled the success of this organization. Marriot has adopted a rigorous marketing policy, where this company is catering almost all market segments, i.e. it is not only allocating the high class but also deals with business class and the lower class. According to the research conducted in 2008, this company had built its strong network with its suppliers, customers and employees. it has also build a strong sense of teamwork among employees, maintained a positive and supportive management style. They believe customers as their guests and due to this they have enforced strict quality measures and strict quality control on all its hotels and motels. Kandampully et al. (2001) reported in his book that J.W. Marriott himself stated a philosophy in treating employees in the following statement, i.e. â€Å"take care of your employee and they will take care of you†. Every company whether it belongs to a manufacturing industry or a service sector has to carry out daily operations and transactions. Due to this operational management is extremely important OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT Not just Marriott but there are basic ten main tasks or critical decisions that every company, manager and an employee has to undertake in order to effectively manage operations. In the book by Henzer & Render (2006) mentioned the operations management ten strategic decisions, such as; service and product design, quality management, process and capacity design, location, layout design, human resource and job design, supply chain management,

Ethography Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethography - Coursework Example IÄŸsÄ ±z illustrates the impact of society on religion through political and geographic factors. The discussion follows the â€Å"meseumization† of heritage, in the form of religion following geographical distribution and history of the society in concept. The Greece and Turkey Orthodox-Islam change is documents as the basis of discussion in the paper (1). Kapchan discusses the incorporation of linguistics in preservation of Religious history. The paper considers the detailing of religion in history, and its role in determining the â€Å"literacy† and the comprehension of society, with respect to the economy and the impact culture and religion has on society (66). Mahmood uses the chapter to explore the concept of Islamic nationalism in the context of politics and social trends. He uses the text to assess the subject of ethics and their origin, addressing the basis of the behavior and acceptability, via the definition of acts that are positive and ethical (121). Society is defined by a choice of acceptable behaviors, relations, agreements, and beliefs. The theme that is prevalent in the five articles is Islamic Religion and Ethics; Islam as a religion and how its principles have affected the community pegged on origin, and traditions. The adherence to pillars of Islam is subjected to analysis following the integration of changes associated with politics, inter-cultural interaction, and individual preferences. Although individuals have ideas of what they deem acceptable, society (incorporating religion) judgment calls of behavior, and norms and values are established with a strong foundation in the past. The existence of factions in religion, such as Sufism in Islam, follows a discord in the principles of ethics, norms, and values. Failure to come to a common ground between society and religion results in the region of conflict from