Factors Involved in the Tanker Contract Essay

Issues that relate to security are of key concern to all nations (Meyer, 2007). The national security and internal defense are some of the sectors that are allocated lump sums of resources in the budgetary allocation (Meyer, 2007). Such allocations are in line with the perceived importance that the area of defense has. The united states as a country is no stranger to conflict and is one of the country that has been involved in external conflict for long periods of time both in the 20th and 21st century (Meyer, 2007). The politics involved in the security are some of the most interesting and widely covered happenings in the US press. Financial power is seen to go in line with military power in that countries that have the financial ability tend to develop their military capabilities and the same can be said of countries that have military abilities. National security is an area of key concern and therefore there is lots of secrecy involved in its dealings (Meyer, 2007). The nature of the deals often require utmost confidentiality from the parties involved and therefore many transactions happen in well defined and approved channels. The military association are developed with time and may be extended to association in other areas since its better to develop good relations with persons with security details that could be detrimental to the country if leaked (Meyer, 2007). The military world has been developing with technological improvements and the military equipments currently being used are characterized by more accuracy and considerable throughput (Verkuil, 2007). These two factors are but a few of the considerations in choosing a partner or a contractor that will help in developing certain aspects of the security system (Verkuil, 2007). It therefore does not come as a surprise that military procurement procedures and processes have considerable controversy since people have varied views on efficiency and security implications (Verkuil, 2007). This research paper analyses the issues involved in the airforce contract tender to build tankers between Boeing and Northrop Grumman with the aim of highlighting key issues involved in addressing security critical details. Background Boeing KC-767 is one of the military aerial refueling strategy that had been developed by Boeing 767-200 (CBS News, 2008). The tanker was designated KC-767 after it was selected by the US airforce to replace the KC-135’s. However, in December of 2003, the contract was frozen after corruption allegation on the bidding process were forwarded. The development of the project is said to have cost Boeing over $ 1 Billion as the project was based on the assumption that the US airforce will be the chief consumer. Ever since the freezing of the project the Italian and the Chinese government have each ordered a number of these tankers. To address the KC-X competition the Boeing offered the 7627-200 Long range freighter which is based on the KC-767 (Online News Hour, 2008). However, the Department of defense selected KC-30 which was developed by Northrop Grumman (CBS News, 2008). The Boeing company on the 11th March 2008 submitted a protest on the decisions made by the airforce, the United States accountability office upheld their protests and in so doing the status of the KC-45A was placed in doubt and therefore the Boeing company was again in position to bid for the contract (CBS News, 2008). This was no to be since the US government in September 2008 terminated all bids on the KC-X (CBS News, 2008). In March 2002, the US airforce selected Boeing’s KC-767 on the grounds that it had clearly demonstrated the abilities to meet their requirements. The United States Airforce (USAF) in their acceptance statement brought out four points that they cited as being behind their decision (CBS News, 2008). The Boeing’s design was designated KC-767A and was included in DOD’s 2004 model designation report. Approximately 100 KC-767 tankers were leased from Boeing for the air refueling program. Even though the refueling program was in place in many countries in the US, many had questions about its effectiveness and cost implications especially the idea of leasing crafts which may never have any buyer once the lease period was over. This argument brought forward by senator McCain was however countered by the number of US allies who were more than willing to buy their used crafts (CBS News, 2008). The congressional budget office was next in line as they criticized the budget stressing on its fiscal irresponsibility (United States Government Accountability Office, 2008). This led to the striking of a deal where the state would buy 80 KC-767 and lease twenty (United States Government Accountability Office, 2008). However, in December of 2003, the pentagon announced that the project had to be frozen due to a corruption allegation brought against one of its former staffer (CBS News, 2008). Furthermore, documentations that proved that the A330 based tankers were more suited to the task specifications of the airforce were more cost effective relative to Boeing tankers were found (CBS News, 2008). The scandal led to the sentencing of the culprit who pleaded guilty to corruptions and led to the resignation of Boeing’s CEO. Donald Rumsfeld in 2006 announced the cancellation of the KC-767A leases as a measure aimed at cutting the costs and a redefinition of the USAF mission (United States Government Accountability Office, 2008). The defense secretary further stated that the move will not in any way affects the mission of the KC-767A as the upgrade of the KC-135’s fleets will help in moving towards the goals (United States Government Accountability Office, 2008). However, the development did no affect the relationships between Boeing and its other customers. The development were however short lived and Boeing and Northrop were soon back in the ring fighting for a big defense contract. The basis of Boeing’s arguments was that the KC-30 was more versatile and had a large furl capacity than the KC-135 that were being used by the airforce. The KC-135 was developed by Boeing who were bidding for an airforce contract against their nemesis Northrop Grumman . The latter won this round of battle as the departments of defense announced that it has won the tender to procure 179 new KC-45A tankers (Online News Hour, 2008). The Boeing company almost immediately took to the Government Accountability Office and filed a protests claiming the evaluation of its KC-30 was unfair (Online News Hour, 2008). Boeing further claimed that its refueling tanker could easily be reconverted to a passenger plane compared to Northrop’s version as shown in the Air force’s post decision briefing. According to Boeing’s vice president they had more strengths than their competitors was all he heard from the post decision briefing. Boeing’s protests led to a review of the selection process by the accountability office which forced Northrop to freeze the project which it had already allocated $ 35 billion (Online News Hour, 2008). Northrop Grumman executives are on the other hand highlighting the irresponsibility involved in freezing a critical project to the development of the military for expensive lobbying in the congress that will inevitably lead to a change of the decisions made by the airforce (Online News Hour, 2008). Northrop Grumman executives further claim the decision is ironic since they put their best efforts in ensuring that the airforce receives a products that they consider the best in consideration of the design (Online News Hour, 2008). They are pushing for the public knowledge of the facts of what they represents and what they are not. The congress was divided sharply on this issue and so was the general public. Boeing supporters claim that the Northrop Grumman design was a basic passenger airbus plane (Online News Hour, 2008). A Kansas congress man was cited claiming that the decisions made by the airforce was a bad one as the airforce as it has bend backwards to deal with a French company (Online News Hour, 2008). Boeing’s die hards near its main production facility claimed that it is the only true tanker manufacturers and a mistake had been made (Online News Hour, 2008). A Washington senator supported this point of view and claimed that offering a military contract to a foreign company was suicidal and would incapacitate America’s ability to develop their own fleet if they should ever pull out of the deal (Online News Hour, 2008). An Alabama state senators is of a different view and approached the subject from a resource allocations view point (Online News Hour, 2008). People near Northrop are bound to benefit more that those near the Boeing plants and therefore there senators have opinions that display their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the resource allocations (Online News Hour, 2008). She further states that there have to be losers and winner either way (Online News Hour, 2008). The Boeing group further accuse the airforce of a change in parameter in order to accommodate the design put up by Northrop Grumman so as to ensure two bidders are present (Online News Hour, 2008). Even though many are of the view that the airforce was trying to lock out Boeing due to the scandals it previously had, Boeing executives were of the view that was not the case as the specifications that were asked by the airforce were changed considerably to ensure Northrop was in the race (Online News Hour, 2008). They further claim that the large sized tanker proposed by the Northrop was a liability and only countries not interested in their taxi ways would allow for such aircrafts. The Northrop group however counter this argument by stating that their design is more sophisticated and has advantages that are yet to be seen (Online News Hour, 2008). Issues Boeing is one of the world’s best known manufactures of aircrafts and so is Northrop Grumman who are the manufacturers of the airbus (Online News Hour, 2008). These are two top brands who are obviously competing in other areas of business and therefore any decision that involve them is bound to raise considerable heat. It should b noted that both are American companies though Northrop Grumman is partly owned by a French company. The nature of the contract which involves the security of America as a nation is a matter of national concern as it involves the development of structures that could ensure the growth of security systems. Boeing and Grumman being business structures, such a big contract will obviously attract the interest of stakeholders from both sides. There are a number of key issues that have been brought out by the airforce contracts which include: i. Politics Military contracts are a matter of public concern since it is in place to protect the public, the resources used in the military contracts are derived from taxpayers and therefore the failure of such projects will be a waste of taxpayers money (Meyer, 2007). When McCain questioned the cost effectiveness in leasing planes that would otherwise have no values when their lease period was over his motive as the senator of Alabama was to ensure that the taxpayers money is channeled to useful projects. Furthermore, it is quite clear that the politicians have the ability to shoot down potentially useful deals due to what Northrop Grumman executives refer to as expensive lobbying. Politics is not always objective for there are situations where the stakes involved are shielded from the public and though the politics and viewpoints will be developed to suit the public, the real reasons are often personal (Meyer, 2007). The inclusion of politics in such cases therefore has both advantages and disadvantages and should be weighed carefully. Military procurement just like any other public procurement scheme is prone to corruption, this was the case in the original contract that was brought to an end by Rumsfeld in 2006. Moreover, the big money involved in military procurement processes act as a natural catalysts for corruption, therefore there is need to come up with a robust self regulated systems that will ensure that such unethical practices are not in anyway included in the procurement process, the congress thus comes into the picture (Meyer, 2007). However, the political system is not known for its objectivity. In the cases, some of the reasons brought out against Northrop Grumman are flimsy and lack in objectivity. The fact that there will be lobbying is a clear sign that there will be loss in objectivity thus the decision will tend to favor groups that are be able to garner enough political support in the congress. Furthermore, the political system is one of the most corrupt system there is and the rationale in placing such a system to guard against corruption is questionable. ii. Security Military procurement is a security critical matter (Meyer, 2007). The military is in place to ensure that the US is protected against its external enemies (Meyer, 2007). The seriousness with which the equipment tendering process is treated and the keen eye that the media watches the unfolding of such events relay the importance placed on the military by the American people. The US is traditionally a ‘fighting nation’ and the effectiveness of its military and equipments is one of the factors that has cemented its place as a world power. Military activities require high levels of secrecy (Meyer, 2007). There is need to come up with effective equipments that can be used in varied situations. It should be noted that the arguments brought forward by the executives from both sides are centered around the superiority of their products or the weaknesses of their opposite. The need for accuracy and well developed products that have the required reputation are some of the considerations that led to the two big companies making it to the final stage. The two companies are multinationals that have developed their brands all over the globe. It is noteworthy that when the US defense secretary cancels Boeing’s leases other nations still seek their products and are continues seeking the products that have been labeled cost ineffective due to the reputation associated with their brand name. The importance of the security system is seen in the number of avenues and legislative systems that have been put in place to ensure that the process is done in a just manner (Krishnan, 2008). When the airforce declares that Northrop Grumman had won the bid for the airforce tankers, Boeing seeks redress through a different avenue: Public accountability office. The office looks at their complaints and decides to freeze the process. It should be noted that it was the same office that had early in the decades frozen a billion dollar Boeing contract due to corruption charges. Even though there are systems put in place to ensure proper procedures in procurement of services and services, they can be outdone easily (Krishnan, 2008). The corruption allegations made in the initial Boeing contracts are a clear case where the protocols were overridden and it only came to realization a couple of months after the contracts had been signed. Furthermore, the fact that is was later found out that a different design could meet the specifications made by the airforce with reduced costs clearly show that even though the guidelines are put in place they are rarely followed thus the need for a system or authority that will follow up on the recommendations and processes to ensure that they conform to the laid out guidelines. Some politicians have argued that the French affiliation of the airbus manufacturer is in itself a security risk and therefore a purely American company should be contracted. However, such a contracting systems will obviously lock out other capable companies and therefore bring about questions on the integrity of the bidding process. America has prided itself as being a liberalized nation, putting up measures that will lock out other qualified members on the basis of the compositions of its investors is contrary to the spirit of liberalization. Furthermore, being involved with a company that has partnered with a success story in Europe shields the tanker project from American economic downtimes though it effectively ensures that the project is affected by the happening in Europe. It is unrealistic to lobby for Boeing on the basis of confidentiality; a company that has already shown traces of corruption cannot be trusted and neither can a company that is yet to prove its worth in the military sector. Therefore, system should be put in place to ensure that the projects are monitored and compared to some given standards if either is to be awarded the contract. iii. Stability The US is the father of capitalism and is therefore a country that is characterized by intense competition between industry players who will always be on the look for additional finances that will ensure their development into the future (Verkuil, 2007). On the day it was reported that Northrop Grumman had won the military contracts its share prices rose by over 20 cents and Boeing’s shares fell by a couple of cents (CBS News, 2008). Note, the development in the contract procurement were being watched by investors who will then make their decisions on which company to invest in. Even though the large money involved in the transactions may be enough to lure investors into channeling their resources to a particular company, the reputation involved in being a company contracted with one of the world’s best airforce to develop its aircraft tankers is enough to cause significant changes in the company’s share index. Being a capitalistic economy where entities gain at the expense of others, Boeing is bound to feel the pinch. The situation is made worse by the consideration that Boeing has a well developed reputation and therefore failure to win a contract from a partner that it has associated with for a long time may be taken by the investors and its consumers in the wrong light. It may imply that the partner does not trust its capacity to develop superiors products or has doubts on its potential to remain productive. To bring the idea of reputation into perspective, many are of the notion that the corruptions charges brought against Boeing may have affected its chances of successfully bidding for the contract (Verkuil, 2007). This holds considerable weight in that the military is not all about facilities but also reputation. The American people and its enemies will always keep a keen eye on the military and any transactions conducted with a partner who is proved to be corrupt will dent on its integrity thus its reputation. Conclusion Awarding a contract to a company to deliver services that are of public interest is a complex process and will always involve the media and many other systems that have been put in place to ensure the safety of the public. Individual good and interest will always be central in the arguments brought forward by most people, this is more pronounced if the contract will significantly affect many people. It is therefore upon the government and the social systems to ensure that the systems put in place to ensure effectiveness of the bidding process are functioning properly and are robust enough to deal with the dynamism associated with such processes. If need be, changes must be instituted to ensure that the system are functioning. The products delivered must measure up to some predetermined standards to ensure quality and accountability. These measures and other quality management measures if well integrated into the bidding and implementation of contracts that are of public interest will ensure that the public benefits in the best possible way. Word Count: 3271 Reference List CBS News (2008). Boeing Spurned On Huge Air Force Contract. Retrieved 13 October 2008 from Krishnan, A. (2008). War as Business: Technological Change and Military Service Contracting. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Meyer, J. (2007). Working in a War Zone: Military Contractors. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Online News Hour (2008). Boeing, Northrop Grumman Clash Over Tanker Contract. Retrieved 13 October 2008 from United States Government Accountability Office (2008). Statement Regarding the Bid Protest Decision Resolving the Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest by The Boeing Company. Retrieved 13 October 2008 from Verkuil, R. (2007). Outsourcing Sovereignty: Why Privatization of Government Functions Threatens Democracy and what We Can Do about it. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Drama Evaluation Essay

When we did the 6 hour workshop on capital punishment, we looked at some extreme cases like two Somalia women; one was raped and stoned to death; the other was also stoned because she committed adultery, which was seen as crime by law in her country. The other case was about a man who was trying to get his lover’s aunt to sell him her farm. When she refused he killed her, but he didn’t want to go to jail, so he told his lover that she should take the blame because, she is underage and therefore wouldn’t go to jail. However, she did o to jail but she is on death row and is still awaiting her death. Even though, we studied all the capital punishment cases, it was the short plays about Derek Bentley that I decided to evaluate. The other group decided to focus on Derek’s personal development throughout their play. The first scene is set with Derek reminiscing about his life on the day of his execution. The group use a monologue to set the first flashback of the play. He talks about how he was born and how the umbilical cord got wrapped around his neck; this was a possible cause of his mental problems. The group’s use of levels is done very well since Derek is represented by a prop which is very small and his parents are above him with the doctor and the reminiscing Derek is sitting away from the flashback – this was representing how far away from his family he is. This scene was very effective at emphasising Derek’s innocence, since babies are usually associated with purity. However, I think the scene could’ve been improved if the doctor faced the audience, unless that was an intentional way of showing that this character isn’t as important. The second scene isn’t as long but it shows how Derek’s personality has been developing. He is playing with his toys on the floor and he looks very happy and clueless. His parents come in to talk to Derek’s teacher, who informs them about Derek’s disabilities. The vulnerable side of Derek is seen because of the use of levels – the parents and the teacher are yet again on a higher level then Derek, making them seem like they’re in control of the situation. The scene could have been improved if more emotion was shown in the shock after Derek’s parents found out about his disabilities. If they hugged to comfort each other of they walked over to Derek himself, it would really show what kind of loving environment Derek grew up in. In the third scene Derek is in secondary school messing around in the corridors with Chris. They soon get caught by a teacher and Chris runs off, leaving Derek to take the blame. The scene isn’t done as well as the other scenes; the use of voice isn’t clear because sometimes Derek and Chris are shouting and sometimes it’s not easy to understand the dialogue between the two. The character of the teacher does a good job at showing the anger and annoyance in the boys. The fourth and fifth scenes merge into one scene which makes it confusing for the audience. The 4th scene only involves Chris and Derek when they’re planning their raid. Chris is trying to convince Derek that it’s a good idea and knows that Derek is going to agree anyway. There is a very quick pause and the 5th scene starts with Chris and Derek climbing up the stairs. The group used imagery props to show they’re climbing. This scene is the pivotal moment of the play, when Chris and Derek get caught by the police. It becomes a bit confusing because everyone is shouting and running around, although at the same time it creates a good scene of panic and a very realistic image of what it most likely would’ve been like in reality. My group focused on the friendship between Chris and Derek. We start the first scene with the pivotal moment of the play, where Derek shouts ‘let him have it Chris’ and Chris shoots the policeman. The scene is a lot like the last scene of the last group – there is a lot of shouting and panic and when the shooting happens, we used a freeze-frame to emphasise the moment. I think we could’ve improved it by having a longer pause in the freeze-frame to make it clear that this is the pivotal moment. The second scene was set when Derek first met Chris at school. They sit in the middle of the table and get Derek gets laughed at by the other children. This scene could be improved if Chris and Derek were sitting on a table away from others, to show that their friendship gets stronger. The third scene uses actors as props; Derek and Chris are now in one of their gardens, trying to build with wooden branches. They look happy and really close as they sit in their new ‘building’. This scene could be improved if body propping was used to build something else and if the levels of Derek and Chris would change from time to time because in some parts of the scene it is clear that Chris is the leader of their friendship. The fourth scene is quite short; it only includes Derek and Chris. Chris is trying very hard to persuade Derek that the raid is a good and safe idea. The use of voice is very effective as Chris’ voice becomes more high-pitched when he talks about how easy the raid is going to be. The use of space, however, is the thing that needed improving; if Chris walked around more to show how great the raid is going to be, it would’ve added more of an affect. The fifth scene goes back to the pivotal moment of the shooting, but this scene is about what happens afterwards. The shooting is now much quicker and the rest of the scene is Chris getting taken away by police. This scene could’ve improved if the scene showed what happened to Derek after the shooting. Overall, both groups had different ideas but both interpreted theirs by using the same techniques. My group used a series of flashbacks to pinpoint Derek and Chris’ friendship and the other group used flashbacks to show the development of Derek’s personality. This workshop had a big impact on how much we knew before and how much we know now. I thought these punishments weren’t happening around present time, but they are and my feelings are very much against this, no matter how bad the crime was.

Market Analysis and Manufacturing Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Market Analysis and Manufacturing Plan - Essay Example 50% of the respondents were of the view that they consider it most important if they have the ability to track their cargos around the world. Similarly, 50% of the respondents also believe that they must also have the ability to know if their cargo has been taken off course during transit. Further, 15 respondents also showed their willingness to pay as much as $600 if a hardware unit is provided to them which can interface with their cargos to provide them real time location and other information (which has been sought in questionnaire). Further questions were asked as to what other services are required if hardware is provided and what cost. Most of the respondents agreed to avail a bundled package which offers hardware as well as other allied services to avail such facilities. Our analysis, based on the survey responses, suggest that at least 50% of the market is willing to have such a technological backing to help them to track their cargos during the different phases of its transit. Thus there is a great market need for at least the basic facility of providing hardware support to different potential buyers in the market who are willing to use better control over their cargo during its transit in order to minimize the losses. It has also been observed that a base price of $600 will be an acceptable proposition for our product for sale in the market. The price figure has been decided after respondents our survey showed their willingness to pay that much amount for basic services. The base price of $600 is also fair in nature because of the fact that it is just below the average price which industry buyers are willing to pay. Since our firm will be potentially engaged into B2B marketing therefore considering the higher bargaining power of customers, our market analysis suggest that a base price of $50 per month would be a fair quote for monthly subscription. This price is also below the mean therefore we consider it a fair price to charge. It is also important to note that we have accounted for the inherent risk in the survey method of conducting primary research therefore a +/- 5% or 95% confidence level is assumed while analyzing the data from questionnaire. Overall, we believe that there is enough demand for this type of product and considering the various uses of ATM, this market can offer better diversification opportunities also in order to control and minimize the overall external risk. Manufacturing Plan Our market need analysis suggest that there is an strong demand for ATM systems and market is willing to bet $ 600 for each unit to be sold to them therefore based on this healthy and positive assessment, following section will present the manufacturing plan for the product. It is however important to note

Judgement analysis paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Judgement analysis paper - Essay Example The key message of the book is that leaders are basically assessed by the quality of judgment they make throughout their occupation. It is always thought that judgment is something that cannot be learnt rather it is advocated to evolve over time. However, Tichy and Bennis have found method to assist leaders to improve their capability to make effective judgment. They also have articulated leadership judgment as a simple and understandable procedure. Leaders at every organizational level make judgment regarding employees, strategy and crisis situation. Tichy and Bennis demonstrated the type of knowledge required in order to make successful decision and how leaders can effectively use such knowledge in order to execute the judgments (Tichy and Bennis 1-285). In the first chapter, the authors proclaimed that effective leaders not only make better decisions but they are also capable of making the appropriate judgment. Effective leaders are those who are better at entire judgment procedure that starts from observing the requirement for an appeal of judgment, to framing the organizational issues, to figuring out the serious ones and to organizing as well as stimulating the teams towards accomplishing the organizational goal. Tichy and Bennis in their book have stated that there is a framework containing three crucial areas within which every judgment are made. Among various other judgments, the decision regarding people are most critical than decisions taken regarding strategy or on any crisis situation. The authors stated that effective judgment is a procedure rather than an event. Every judgment starts when a leader identify the requirement of taking decision and frame them accordingly. The procedures of making judgment continue through e xecution and alteration phases. The authors also stressed the significance of acquiring sufficient

Role of Healthcare Information System in Quality Service Provision Essay

Role of Healthcare Information System in Quality Service Provision - Essay Example Quality assurance makes reference to the act of putting in place in all necessary measures to ensure the end product of service successfully achieves its intended purpose. Basically, both the IT and healthcare sectors have set of measures in place to ensure quality standards are observed. Unlike the IT industry though, the presentation and behavior of staff directly represents the quality of service within a healthcare setting. On the contrary, quality assurance in IT is primarily pegged on products usability as well as service provision. Additionally, in healthcare settings, quality is a measure of service while in IT industry it is a measure of product efficiency (Joshi 460). Both however offer products/quality which directly impacts on health and any in appropriate measures could cost human life, or amount to medical malpractice. All players strive to ensure that they not only meet the minimum quality service thresholds or even surpass the same. Both healthcare and IT sectors have an ethical obligation to ensure that quality services/products are availed to patients and clients respectively. However, approach to quality assurance as well as assessable quality dimensions largely differ. While in the health sector quality is defined with regard of care standards and procedures including the technical standard of providers and patients expectation, IT industry defines quality with respect to ability of the product to make healthcare provision much easier and readily available. In essence it focuses on minimizing constraints to healthcare access. It is important to note that these definitions give a shallow but broad illustration of the variations in quality perception between the two sectors. What is however evident is the fact that both sectors view quality assurance as a standard ethical procedure which must be attained at all costs. In general, quality assurance may therefore be said as involving all arrangements and activities which safeguard, maintain and facilitate quality healthcare provisions. It involves measurement of quality, identifying deficiencies, undertaking improvements and evaluating whether such improvements are successful.

Segmenting markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Segmenting markets - Essay Example Factor Analysis is a statistical tool that helps in understanding variables, or factors among the correlated and observed variables. It is mostly used to determine the variations in a larger number of groups by identifying the small number of factors within the large number of a particular group The first step is to select a method for factor analysis. There are two methods while conducting a factor analysis which are known as exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis is a technique for factor analysis which is often used for a larger set of variable. If the goal of a researcher is to identify the relationship with the measured variable then he should opt for the exploratory factor analysis. This method would help a researcher if no prior assumption or theory is made on the relation of the factors. However, in confirmatory factor analysis the variables are determined with the relation of prior assumptions or theory which aims to see if it meets the expectation as it was predicted. This method is selected when a social research is conducted. The simplification of a factor analysis is often interpreted by a method known as rotation which makes the output more understandable for the researcher. Rotation is the next step involved in factor analysis. The pattern of loadings in rotation works differently on each variable, the loading of each variable that has extracted factors are maximized while it minimizes the loading for other factors. There are five methods of rotation in which varimax, equamax and quartimax are orthogonal rotations whereas promax and direct oblimin are oblique rotations. The rotation of a particular variable mostly depends on a person if he thinks that the factors that are underlined should be related or not. If factors are considered to be independent then the author suggests that a person should use orthogonal rotation methods whereas if factors have chances to correlate then it is required to a dopt direct oblimin which is an oblique rotation (Gorsuch, 1983). Labeling a factor is the next step which is an art of segmentation in which a factor is named which best describes the particular factor. The most common and appropriate technique is to name the highly ranked or the top one or two factors on the list. It is labeled on the basis of its characteristics, for example factor one can be labeled as price conscious whereas factor two can be labeled as quality conscious (Rummel, 1970). In the final step, interpretation is been made to assess the validity of factors outlines previously. In this step, four types of validity methods are used namely, content validity, concurrent validity, predictive validity, and construct validity. Content validity intends to measure the intended or the desired area which is associated with the theme of the research. Construct validity intends to assess the factors which involve the testing of hypothesis to which the researcher was trying to meas ure. Concurrent validity is the method in which scores are correlated with some other variables and then it is justified. In predictive validity method, a test is used to determine or justifying the theoretical outcomes which were expected. These steps are used for the purpose of finding a correlation between variables (Gorsuch, 1983). 2. Cluster Analysis: Cluster analysis is a statistical technique which helps in assorting of ‘mountain’ of information into neat files by forming a cluster or a group in which variables are similar to one another. It helps in creating subgroups which becomes more manageable than previously dealing with the individual variable. Similar to factor analysis, it is used to determine the relationship of variables between other variables. The first step involved in cluster analysis is the assigning of similar variables to their respective

Sport mgmt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sport mgmt - Essay Example This paper then aims to create a career plan focusing on sports based on learning and insights on the career path of Cristiano Ronaldo in football. He has been chosen due to his recognition and performance in this sports field. A section of the paper will allocate a discussion of his career as the basis for creating the personal five year career plan. The plan will include specific goals and methods on how this can be achieved. Football in the World and Qatar Football was recognized to come from Britain, which is widely played during the 1700s in from courts to narrow streets of the urban communities (Murray B. and Murray W. 2). However, historical accounts suggest that the game was played in Asian countries and the United States. This means that football is already a global sport long before the founding of the world cup tournaments. It can be associated that this is a primary reason for the world’s increasing interest in the sport. In UAE, the football association exerted en ormous effort in promoting the sport (Al Abed et al. 302). Despite the current ranking in FIFA World Cup, Qatar invested its wealth on football as evident in the UAE’s success, completed tournaments, and sponsorship deals. In implication, Qatar and UAE encourage the increase of interest in the sport, and inculcate it to be part of their culture and education. Hence, it is not unexpected that many enthusiasts would aspire to pursue a career in football. In relation to the career plan, it is important to be aware of the facts and the roots of the game to understand the impact and significance of the sport to a person and to the world. Moreover, this will provide a view of opportunities for becoming a player. Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo has been selected to be an icon for this career plan due to his successful career in football. He has been identified as one of the top best football player of his time. This star is currently playing for Real Madrid, who is considered to be the best winger who has played in the world cup (Greaves and Giller). His skills are a combination of his own and that of other of acclaimed players. This Portugal-born player commenced his football career when he joined the Sporting Clube de Portugal (Coutinho 32). This player already shined in the Portugal team with 69 international games and 22 goals scored. However, Ronaldo has been a frequenter in the national games as he played for Under-17 and Under-20 to 22. These exhibit that even at an early age Ronaldo’s skills and abilities as a player has brought him to the international stage and a glorious high point. It was not until 2003 that he was transferred to Manchester United and Real Madrid in 2009. This paper deemed that his exposure to different teams further developed his skills and performance as it introduced various playing techniques. Ronaldo is equipped with speed and excellent ball control that shaped him as the world’s most fatal winger (Coutinho 3 2). His dexterity paved way for his nomination as FIFA World Soccer Player in the year 2008, and runner-up in 2009. Aside from his skills, he is also highly professional. His former coach (Jose Mourinho) admired Ronaldo for being the most professional player he has met (Richards, Coaching Ronaldo). This may be one of the factors that pushed Ronaldo’s growing career. Apparently, abilities should be coupled with right attitude to attain and retain success. Ronaldo also received a fair

Assembly operation Assessment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assembly operation Assessment - Assignment Example Further, it is imperative to note that in the contemporary business marketplace, new opportunities keep unveiling and new managers, equipped with different ideas, take over organizations that are also on the learning path. Therefore, the sufficient alignment of the organizational operations and managerial capabilities with the emerging forces seems to be the only way for organizations to optimize value from their operational endeavors. This paper seeks to assess the assembly operations of a digital camera company in light of its operational excellence and performance. Further, the paper will suggest necessary corrective actions in a bid to revise and properly align strategic goals towards the overall aims of the organization. As a conventional rule, the assembly operational capability of any firm in the digital camera industry should first and foremost conform to the rating requirements of the regulatory authority within the industry. Further, the company should also seek to strategi cally place itself in a better competitive quarter in relation to the production and assembly costs, quality of the cameras and the overall satisfaction of the ever changing customer needs. Organizations must further seek to provide responsive products and services that aim to fit in the changing consumption trends but which are also enabling the clients to optimize value of their expenditure. Thompson et al (2009), observes that in addition to executing strategic goals that aim to address all the competitive factors affecting the organizational market share, companies in the digital camera industry must be ready to assess their strategic options and make appropriate changes and corrections where necessary so as to sustain growth and development while satisfying the increasing demands of the customers (Thompson et al, 2009). From the assessment templates, it is evident that if the company continues with the current strategic policies without amendments, the overall cumulative unit v olume of cameras that it will assemble in the tenth year will be significantly below the desired quantity. This is in reference to the previous and current assembly capabilities. This is because the company is only able to produce cumulative unit volume of 1024 at the end of the fifth year, while the previous highest achieved volume is 917. However, the gap between the highest previously achieved and the cumulative unit volumes reduce significantly in the six year as is between 1045 and 1024. Further, the difference spreads to the negative in the projected year 10, when the company produces less than the highest achieved in the previous years. The trend is also evident from the results of the unit assembly that the company does entirely on in-house basis. The units increase to 1024 in the year 6 up from 917 in the year 5. However, the increase is not commensurate between the years 6 and 10 respectively and the company must assess the reasons behind the marginal decrease and implemen t mitigating operational approaches to help save the situation (Thompson et al, 2009). Moreover, the significant reduction in the number of overtime

SWOT Analysis of the Fast Food Industry in the UK Essay

SWOT Analysis of the Fast Food Industry in the UK - Essay Example The difference between fast food items and casual restaurants is blurred by many people over the time. Fast food has existed in the UK, since the Roman times. Here fast food is considered as meat pies and anything which is fried or battered. The number of fast food restaurants has increased during the past few years and has 25 per cent of fast food restaurants in the world. Fast food recipes have been adopted from other cultures, such as Pizzas, Noodles and Kebabs. (Fast Food Factsheet) A major strength for this industry is the growing market. There are a lot of aspects of the market which can be covered and not many people have ventured into these markets. Also, once a customer is hooked onto fast food, not many other types of food taste good to him. He keeps coming back, thus brand loyalty is high in the fast food industry. The variety of fast food available makes this industry more attractive to the owners and the consumers. Eating out is not only about having food anymore, it is getting to know about other cultures and mixing around. An individual can not possibly cook so many cuisines; the concept of fast food makes it possible for everyone to try something new. The prices are also not very high, which enables people from all backgrounds to be able to enjoy this food. Globalization has enable restaurant owners to diversify themselves by providing different types of food to individuals. For example; people are more willing to eat raw fish today than they were twenty years ago. (Stage Model Research) The market for food is very recession proof because of the need to eat on a daily basis and the relatively lower costs just add more to this situation. Since fast food is not perceived as a luxury item, people are more willing to spend on it and will not think twice about it. (Food & Coffee Franchises) One of the major weaknesses for this industry is that obesity has become a growing problem for the

Amazon's Data Assurance Policies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Amazon's Data Assurance Policies - Assignment Example Amazon’s customers receive immediate notification of whether the transaction has been successful.   This is done first immediately online, giving them an opportunity to keep a printed record as well as being stored in their account history, which is viewable online.   An electronic mail is also sent to the customer as a further notification and security measure.In a credit card transaction there are three stages to processing an order; namely, authentication of the cardholder, authorization for the transaction from the card issuer, and eventually settlement by the card issuer with Amazon.   Once the card issuer authorizes the transaction Amazon will send a confirmation to the customer.   In a successful credit card transaction for an existing customer the following information assurance policies are embedded within Amazon’s order processing system to safeguard customers, Amazon and the card issuer against the risk of identity theft:Amazon’s information as surance policies ensure that it does not collect any data from customers that is not required either to facilitate online transactions or to improve the quality of their experience whilst on the site.   For example, behind the scenes, Amazon ensures that all credit card numbers are transferred to and stored on a computer that is not accessible by network or modem or connected to the Internet.   This is done via a one-way interface.   This acts as another layer of protection from internal security risks as most staff will have no reason to access that server.Often the weakest point in the information assurance policy is interaction with the end-user, as an organization relies on the end-user to keep personal data accurate and safeguard against threats to the integrity of network systems to which they have access.   Amazon’s success here is mixed.   For example, customers are forced to keep their personal data accurate in order to be authenticated for purchasing from the site and Amazon does not collect personal data for any other reason.  

Confirmation Letter Essay Example for Free

Confirmation Letter Essay The reason why i am seeking the rite of confirmation is because i have followed the catholic religion all of my life and want to be part of the catholic religion for the rest of my life. i would like to raise my children and family as catholics. I believe in jesus christ and all the teachings of the bible. I have been baptized, ive had my first communion and its only natural that i would take the next step to be confirmed. im looking forward to being seen as an adult in the eyes of the catholic church. I will attend church masses on a regular bases. Another reason why i want to be confirmed is because its one of the seven sacrements. Sacrements are signs of Gods life and love. Confirmation is the sign that gods holy spirit will love you and always be with you. The sacrement of confirmation is the strength to be faithful to gods will, to be a strong and perfect catholic. Confirmation is a stage in catholic religion after Baptism, and is completed in the reception of the holy eucharist in communion. One last reason why i would like to get confirmed is to recieve the holy spirit and you become more responsible. When you recieve the holy spirit you are recieving God and it will help you make decisions and it will comfort you and strengthen you. Getting confirmed will also make you become more responsible because if you say you want to be confirmed then you are responsible for coming to church each week, praying more and acting more like jesus.

The Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage A framework was designed and developed and came into action on 13 March 2007 and forced into action by September 2008 and is called as EYFS i.e. Early Years Foundation Stage This framework has revolutionised the learning methods and is a framework for the enhancing learning, care and improving the skills and development of children in all the spheres of life when they are in a age group of 0 to 5 years. The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile was the new name for the Foundation Stage Profile from September 2008 with its content remaining as such. Mainly 6 stages are there in EYFS for Learning and Development. This is equally important and is usually connected to one another. These stages of Learning and Development are collaborated inside the rules listed for EYFS. The various areas where Development and Learning could be enhanced are: Development in personal ,social and emotional spheres Communication Solving and Reasoning capacity of children Understanding the surroundings and grasping knowledge from surroundings. Development enhancing physical strength Development enhancing creative strength Most of the review conducted on the Primary Curriculum and other independent Cambridge Primary Review has highlighted the requirement to re-think and remodel the childrens educational experiences provided in English classrooms for students between the ages group of five and seven. Recently government initiative has provided new experiences. In early primary years education being adult directed and conducted generally in whole-class groups, in a small place for playing and should be self-initiated learning. This is familiar in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which controls the education of children from birth to five years. This discontinuous pedagogy has resulted in concerns at levels like national and local levels. This study describes the complete efforts put in by teachers in one English local authority for developing practice in respective classrooms which generally is less formal and more teacher-led and desires more to the requirements and interests children in age group of 0 to 5 years. It explains the reasons for participation of teachers in this project, new difficulties and hurdles faced and the result and understanding for both teachers and children. Discussion PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Care is taken for the childrens development with a positive attitudes and good behaviour. Individual attention is given to every child with love and care. For listening and talking, children are provided an opportunity. They share their toys and work together on activities. Children should be praise for their success by rewarding their positive behaviour and good manners. Children must be shared with experiences which will develop positive sense that will help them in interacting with surroundings; giving respect to their teachers and parents; social skills; the attitude which will allow them to gain knowledge. Adults should give children opportunities for interaction with others so that children can grasp positive ideas from society they live in. When closed relationships are explored it generally leads to the growth of self-assurance thus it leads to promoting sense of belongingness that helps in children to explore the environment surrounding in them in a more secured way. Children must be encouraged for freely expressing their thoughts and their ideas, their emotions like sadness, frustration, joy and fear and can also develop means of managing new challenges and stressful conditions. COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY Every child should talk to each other in small groups for development of extended vocabulary and better communication skills. They go through the books and rhymes through the tapes and books for re enactment of the plays. They use word games, phonics, alphabets and play all around for the written language. Children there mark marking so that they can improve their hand and eye coordination which will help in writing when they grow older. Generally children use the language learnt for sharing and expressing their experiences. Their actions represent their thinking and how they react to events which we called as their language of thinking. Children over the time gather understanding about spoken sounds and they learn how to link different sounds and use gained knowledge writing and reading simple words. Young Child is in company of people whom they love and respect and loving relationships for e.g. family group situation, a person on which they have trust. Generally babies respond differently to every sound easily distinguish different sound patterns. Children use voices for making contact and letting people understand what is needed and what their feelings are. Once children develop skills of speaking their foundations for education is built and using the visual signs and finally preparing for reading and writing. They need to be given opportunities for working with others and exposure to resources for enhancing their knowledge like reading and writing. PROBLEM SOLVING, REASONING AND NUMERACY As we can see parents and teachers shall support the children for developing their understanding in solving Problem, developing a Reasoning and numerical aptitude using this they can easily find, learn and enjoy and understanding their environment. Childrens mathematical development occurs as they find patterns, make connections and remember relationships through searching out and working on counts and number matching and further sorting of accounts by comparing size, shape and measures. This derived skill is used by children to solve problems, ask new questions and make connections across different areas of Learning and Development. While talking about shapes and quantity, children use their knowledge and experience to develop ideas and to solve mathematical and other problems. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD Usually the life of child consists of learning the world that is around an individual. They talk of all things like how different things work and explaining for the reason why a particular thing occurred enjoy cooking and playing with clay. Generally they find all around the experience for natural world with wide range of seasons to hunt mini beasts. Children elaborate further the water, building and sand for construction own world of imagination. Babies and children need opportunities to understand means of life, methods giving correct information developing an attitude which keeps them positive in all condition and have a understanding behaviour for others. Children must be given help so that they can learn how to respect and keep the values of elders and understanding the need to avoid negative attitudes towards others PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Children should be given a very healthy life style including rest, exercise, and eating healthy food. These children shall be given balanced food to encourage them in spending time to outside location daily. Children develop good hygiene practices like washing hands after toilet usage and before meal. Usually good and well being in physical strength allows children to enjoy the positive benefits provided by keeping themselves active and healthy. Babies gain by being active and the development takes place all along the areas thus resulting in gaining in confidence in what they can do and develop a positive sense of well-being. CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT Creative Development means to explore with art and craft activities which include draw, paint, construct, stick as well as print largely. Children are very imaginative and thus can create their own pretending world. They love being chef working in kitchens, or sometimes working at bench for carpenter role. They love music making along with various instruments, rhymes and songs. Creativity develops children to gain experiences from their own explorations of surroundings, and expressing their feelings using different movements or by making things with the help of different materials existing in surroundings. Creativity helps children in exploring many functions for e.g. materials and media for creating new things which come out as a result. Childrens always react to their surroundings i.e. their experiences of watching, listening, experiences gathered using their sense organs and the manner in which they provide experiences is unique and valuable. Children learn in variety of ways and all have different interests so proper planning should be done for every child. Observation must be taken on baby to plan the best possible learning opportunities. For all children learning starts from birth. The EYFS is helpful for practitioners to enable right experience of play for children in development of all set of possibilities. It will enable practitioners to find your childs strengths and areas they want greater help for developing new skills, while for newly born babies this is crucial factor to make one feel comfortable all around it. This can be further aided with key persons role in settings that result in knowing positive relations of child. As per EYFS, the place where a child is cared to get an education for the age till five years, it uses similar principles, and is provided with principled approach for development and learning. These babies at inception stage gains a lot by the way of plays and the practitioners treat them in a way to make them learn the plays at stages for support and development of new skill set. All of the arenas are equivalent in importance with number of activities to cover number of areas to divide each of them in various stages and the practitioners can detect the sources for development and better operational activities performance. METHODOLOGY The methodology was made to identify how children perceive their experiences of a range of early years settings, and to provide information an understanding of the effectiveness and limitations of the EYFS in setting a play-based and participative approach to learning. The qualitative research design was formed around the four EYFS principles and the related themes and commitments2 (DCSF, 2008a, p9): A Unique Child (Child Development, Inclusive Practice, Health and Well Being). Positive Relationship which means respecting teachers and class fellows etc. Enabling Environment (Observation, Assessment, Planning, Support). Learning and Development (Active Learning, Areas of Learning and Development). According to Mosaic approach (Clarke and Moss, 2001) and participatory rural appraisal techniques (OKane, 2000), a verity of participative activities with children were designed to correlate with each of these 4 broad themes and to address the 4 commitments within each one. A sample of 15 case study settings selected from across 4 Local Authorities drawn from 2 government regions in north England. It comprise of 2 childrens centres, 2 reception classes, 3 maintained nursery classes, 2 private nurseries, 1 voluntary sector setting, 1 independent school, one out-of-school setting, 4 childminders and 1 Steiner kindergarten. The sample was selected to include children growing up in urban and rural areas of social advantage and deprivation, and ethnical different communities. Children in both full day-care and sessional care are included. 146 children achieved the aim to represent a vast range of children except in relation to sampling disabled children. Research activities, based on the EYFS themes, were designed to incorporate a different strategy for promoting talk between researchers and children to explore: Unique Child how good early years settings acts to the uniqueness and difference of children. A Positive Relationships how children view the importance of their relationships with close ones and with practitioners. Enabling Environment how children responds early years settings and the extent to which these provide them with good opportunities. Learning and Development It is very important as childrens response and thinking about learning and development in their settings is developed. To gather knowledge about how well early years settings were responding to the uniqueness and difference of children, a 1 to 1 activity was used, to generate a digital picture book called My Best Day, which is based on the childs best day in a setting. Alongside this we collect information about childrens relationship within settings by using an adaptation of a floor based graphical or visual mapping game. To collect information about how children respond the environment of their setting, an adaptation of the Mosaic approach tour devised. Finally, to collect information about childrens experiences of learning and development, we used data of childrens learning, and called as Learning Journeys, which prompts to conversation. Participant experiences were also undertaken with each child or small groups of children. Presentation of data In the seven key scales of Personal, Social Emotional development (PSE) and Communication, Language and Literacy (CLL): à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 61.1 percent of girls achieved 6 or more points in every the scales, this compares to 42.8% of boys, a difference of 18.3 % points. This difference has increased since 2008 when it was 17.3 % points. The chart below provides information about the percentage of pupils and their development in each of these 7 key scales. Figure below shows details on EYFS conducted in PSE and CLL scales in the year 2009. 24.7 % of boys are classified as being the lowest achieving 20 % of pupils , this compares to 15.1 % for girls. These percentages have been relatively stable since 2007. Conclusion Most of the study suggests for early years practitioners said that: effective early years practitioners will define the time and relevant activities which are useful in a space in daily routine of life to reflect. This daily schedule will be responsible for the well being of children and they will also gain knowledge. This report aims to present proofs of that combination in various early years settings from childrens views. Thereby, the aim is also to gain insight into childrens perspectives of their own well-being and learning in those cases. Studies have shown that children must be encouraged for freely expressing their thoughts and their ideas, their emotions like sadness, frustration, joy and fear and can also develop means of managing new challenges and stressful conditions. Closed relationships were explored it and its learning led to the growth of self-assurance thus it leads to promoting sense of belongingness that helps in children to explore the environment surrounding in them in a more secured way. Although many of the proofs reported here are set with themes, commitments and guidance in the EYFS, it was also known that there are omissions in the EYFS, in part as a result of emphasis laid on children since the end benefits of a this daily schedule called curriculum generated by adults. The theme of children taking care is one such omission which we have pointed to as evident in childrens clear need to engage with the world around them, to show the know how they have about their surroundings and to maintain a category of types of relationships. The 6 areas of Learning and Development together enhance and improve their skills, experiences and improve their knowledge as this is a important aspect for children during their growth. These are presented as different areas which include remembering that the entire tasks link together for children and none of these shall be compartmentalized. The problem faced by most of the practitioners is to confirm whether the learning of childrens is an output of their individual interests in planning for learning and development takes place.

Most popular selection methods

Most popular selection methods In this assignment the two most popular selection methods i.e., Panel Interviews Assessment centres, will be discussed as both of them are widely used and are quite efficient methods of selection. The limitations of each selection method will be discussed and their role in the formation of psychological contract will also be defined. Later on, towards the second half of this assignment there will be a comparison in between different views that the selection methods just perform predictivist objectives the view that they can help in the formation of a viable psychological contract. In the end there will be a conclusion, which would discuss the inference drawn from the study of selection methods their contribution in formation of a psychological contract. I have chosen this assignment as being a masters student of H.R employee relations, it is very important to have a deep understanding of the first step or base of H.R, which is employee selection. This study will help me in understanding the drawbacks shortcomings of the selection methods would also help me in understanding the Psychological Contracts formation and its implications. If the psychological contract is well understood if it is transparent, then I think most of the issues related to H.R employee relations will be dealt with there would be no absconding by staff, no strikes, no clashes in between management employees no problems in the functioning of the organisation which would further lead to profit maximisation, employee satisfaction would make work place a better place to be in. PRESENTATION OF VIEWS: Definition of psychological contract: The psychological contract can be defined as the exchange relationship that exists in between the individual employee and their organisation. It is not a formal written contract on a paper but a relationship based on mutual contributions (Rousseau,1985 cited in Muchinsky,1999). Psychological contracts are of two types, Transactional contracts are short term contracts which are explicit have an economic focus. Relational contracts are long term contracts which are implicit have a socio-emotional focus(Rosseau,19 90). SELECTION METHODS Selection method is not a gate that must be crossed to form a relationship with the organisation, but it in itself is the part of that relationship. It helps applicants know how the organisations deal with people once theyre hired, how they view their social responsibilities, and how worthy their products employees are to them. This process gives both the candidates the organisation, their first opportunity to craft a deal between themselves (Davenport,1999). Personnel assessment and selection is one of the most important ways available to organisations to ensure that they have efficient workforces (Smith Robertson, 1993). PANEL INTERVIEWS: Panel Interviews are widely used method for the selection of candidates. For the candidates it presents an opportunity to show their ability in front of the assessors, to seek answers for their questions, to know how the organisation is structured and managed, its organization chart, current initiatives etc. Such questions help the candidates in fitting himself in the picture of the organisation; this in fact is the first step in the formation of the psychological contract (Tolleywood,2010). For interviewers it gives an opportunity to assess the candidate on the basis of work values which are: achievement, honesty, fairness and concern for others. Recruiters carry with them criteria based on which they decide a candidates employability and match it with the organizational values. Interviewers in panel interviews get a chance to convey the broad outlines of the organisations psychological  contract (Davenport,1999). In general, three interviewers are there as panel members (including line manager) who are seated right in front of the candidates vision, so that the candidates feel exposed and vulnerable. It is done to see if the candidates can deal with pressure, on the assumption that they will be able to transfer that ability to the workplace, as dealing with pressure is a major criterion of the organisations psychological contract. In such interviews one person asks the candidates questions around an area of competence, another one probes into some aspect of their CV such as their previous work experience, qualifications, interests. Similarly, candidates can ask what an organisation produces or what services it provides; its origins and history, the place on the training course that is on offer (TolleyWood,2010). There are behavioural situational variety of questions asked that help the organization in creating psychological contract (Redman Wilinson,2006) for e.g. Past experience questions (Situational) Many interviewers ask candidates to tell them about their previous job challenges in other organization also ask them to cite an example wherein they handled a difficult situation the outcome of that situation. It helps the organisation in knowing the calibre of the candidate and ensuring that he wouldnt be a misfit as per their psychological contract Hypothetical question (Behavioural) The interviewer describes a situation to the candidates and asks them what they would do in those circumstances. For e.g. How would they deal with an irate customer? Such kinds of questions help in determining the situation handling skills of employee foretell whether the candidate has managerial traits or not (TolleyWood,2010) Contribution of Panel Interviews towards creating psychological contract by the candidate (this part is entirely based on general knowledge personal experiences) Panel interviews contribute the most towards the formation of psychological contract on the end of the candidate as the candidate has the maximum opportunity of asking questions to the management, other types of selection methods like bio data, presentations, group activities dont encourage the candidate to ask questions. Certain questions that the candidates use in forming psychological contract are: Q: What is the hierarchy in the organisation? By asking this the candidate does not want to know who does what but he is interested in knowing the time required to reach the next level so that he can know when can he reach the next level if selected this is a common part of every candidates psychological contract i.e. promotion.. Apart from asking indirect questions the employee can bluntly ask questions that can help him in forming the psychological contract. For e.g. what is the career progression plan in the organisation? Or How often is the appraisal done for an employee? Or What are the added benefits of working with the organisation? Such questions are the best questions that put forward clear picture of the organisation if a candidate asks such direct questions, instances of psychological contract breach will be minimized. Critical Analysis of Panel Interviews: In spite of the evidence for the great predictive validity of panel interviews, organisations still largely prefer unstructured or one-on-one interviews (Graves Karen, 1996, cited in Hough Oswald, 2000). It is because of the managements reliance on intuition to make decisions (Beach, 1990; Dawes, 1988, cited in Dipboye, 1997) and a tendency for interviewers to have faith in the accuracy of their own judgements. A panel interview has been viewed as deskilling the role and reducing it to merely a monotonous exercise (Dipboye, 1997); less structured interviews appears to be more attractive to managers because it gives them great authority (Torrington et al, 1991). Applicants generally prefer one-on-one interviews over panel interviews because they give them more control over the situation (Schuler, 1993, Latham Finnegan, 1993, cited in Dipboye, 1997). Panel Interview has a limited usage and is generally used in business government sectors (Milia,2004). In the 1970s and 1980s, it was common for management selection to depend on the assessment of candidates made by interviews but a research found interviewer decision to be doubtful of reliability and validity (Keenan,1975, 1977). Moreover, in interviews candidates can use impression management technique to form an influential bias which can undermine the accuracy of interviewer outcome decisions(Anderson,1992). ASSESSMENT CENTRES (AC) As seen in The Advertiser, when employers are judging a candidate for a job, they are looking for more than just a resume and the interview process, hence, the need for assessment centres developed(Jinarek,2004). An  assessment centre, also called the Rolls-Royce of selection methods, gives the candidates unusual care, hence they start forming a psychological contract thinking that an employer who takes pains to find the right people will take equal pains in their training and career development (Schofield,1998). Assessment centres use a range of selection techniques to test candidates intellectual, interpersonal, intrapersonal skills(which cannot be identified using other techniques). Candidates are asked to undertake a series of assessments that have been designed to reveal to the assessors if the candidate can: work effectively in the relevant job; benefit from a further training opportunity; or cope with the demands of an education programme (in short, forming psychological con tract). The assessment process can take anything from a few hours to a couple of days. In the latter case, both the candidates and the assessors are likely to be in residence at the same place. Assessment centres generally includes: an aptitude (ability) test; a personality questionnaire; a group discussion; perhaps a case study; an in-tray/in-basket exercise interviews(Tolley Wood,2010). Personality questionnaires Personality questionnaires are designed to measure personal characteristics or traits such as candidates motivation to work or how candidates handle their emotions. Contribution to Formation of Psychological contract: It helps the organisation in knowing how candidates personality is likely to affect their future performance. It checks whether the candidate can stay calm but alert in the conditions that prevail in a particular workplace, or have the ability to adapt to the culture of their organization (Tolley Wood,2010). Group discussion (GD): In GD candidates are given an open-ended or philosophical topic. All candidates join in a half-hour discussion are observed by the assessment panel. Contribution to Formation of Psychological contract: It helps assessors to notice candidates who take the lead, redirect the discussion, and contribute, this pro activeness shown in GDs is very essential ingredient in the organizations psychological contract (Lynn Et. al,1998). Case study It aims to test the ability to analyse information; think logically clearly; and make decisions based on the data provided. For example, candidates could be asked to read a business proposal or a set of documents present their analysis (Sunday Tribune,2007). Contribution to Formation of Psychological contract: It helps in checking the clarity of thought of candidates. If the candidate can think clearly in dealing with such problems he/she can definitely handle problems at workplace, it will give him confidence in accepting the job role forming the psychological contract. In-tray/in-basket exercises: In it the candidate is required to respond to organize materials typically found in a managers in-basket like letters, memos, phone messages etc (Smither,1997). Contribution to Formation of Psychological contract: It helps in boosting the confidence of employees and the organisation can be sure that they are hiring someone who will fit in their psychological contract (TolleyWood,2010). Critical analysis of Assessment centres: As per Kleinmann (1993) candidates can fashion their behaviour to impress assessors, especially when candidates are aware that their performance is being evaluated. So assessment methods may at times lead to selection of wrong candidate. Klimoski Strickland (1977) proposed that since assessors supervisors hold common stereotypes of the ideal employee, they may hire candidates who look like good company people, hence eventually the organisation will be filled with people who are mirror images of each other not with creative people who can go out of the way to innovate(Muchinsky,2003). Some candidates find assessment centres to be quite stressful, because they think that they are being assessed all the time, even during informal breaks in the proceedings. The use of tests in assessment centres is based on the assumption that there are stable job-related differences between candidates, which can be measured. The ability tests chosen for use are generalised and do not take into factor that every individual is different. Lastly, small companies cannot afford the expense involved for using different techniques in assessment centres (Tolley Wood,2010). SELECTION METHODS: Perform predictivist objectives Or form psychological contract Selection methods are they Predictivist: As per this approach the job is viewed as a stable entity into which the most suitable candidates need to be recruited. Person-job fit is of most importance (Cook,1993 cited in Chimel,2000) and the entire power lies in the hands of the recruiting organization (Anderson Cunningham cited in Chimel,2000). Predictive validity means the extent to which a selection method can predict the subsequent job performance (Smith et al, 1993) such as error rate, production rate, appraisal scores, absence rate, or other criterions important to the organisation (Feathers,2000). The predictivist approach is inappropriate because of its assumptions that individual differences can be assessed accurately and because it ignores the criteria for translating the decision into action. Successful performance on the job is dependent on ability motivation as well. An ideal person selected for a job but given no training or development opportunities is more likely to fail than a moderately suitable person who is given such opportunities (Redman Wilkinson, 2006). In the 1920s it was realised that different studies conducted on the same selection method gave different results. Predictive validity results for the same method and same job were very different for different studies. Later in the 1930s and 1940s the belief developed that this variation resulted because of certain differences between jobs that were difficult for job analysts and job analysis methods to predict. Therefore, researchers concluded that the validity of a given procedure was different in different settings for what appeared to be the same job, and that the conflicting findings in validity studies were just reflecting this fact of reality (Schmidt Hunter, 1977; Schmidt, Hunter, Pearlman, Share, 1979 cited in Schmidt Hunter, 1998). This led to the formation of view that selection methods help both the parties in forming a psychological contract, which keeps on getting evolved. Selection methods form viable psychological contract: As per Herriot(1989) during the selection process, expectations of the organization potential employee both build up they both use it to construct a viable psychological contract .Nowadays job roles are becoming flexible and organisations have become aware that they need to compete for best candidates. As per this approach selection consists of a series of social episodes providing an opportunity to both the organisation candidates to explore whether a future working relationship would be possible. Selection process provides an opportunity for information exchange and development of mutual expectations obligations. Hence selection not only aims at person-job fit but also at person-organisation fit person -team fit (Anderson Cunningham cited in chimel, 2000). The selection process provides information for decisions to both the employer and the potential employee (Torrington Hall, 1991). However, because of the predicted skill shortages and the fact that selection is also concerned with the future life plans of individuals, the predictive validity of selection methods is not valid anymore both for organisations and for individuals(Meijer, 1998 cited in Feathers,2000). Thesis to prove that Selection methods not just serve predictivist role but form a viable psychological contract: A thesis was done on the psychological contracts formed by higher education lecturers in a University Business School in the UK. Interviews were undertaken which allowed participants to provide life history accounts and the data suggested that each individual had analysed the extent to which a new employment context would deliver transactional, relational, and ideological reward and thus had formed their psychological contract. The notion that selection methods just perform predictivist role was not supported it was found that they help in the formation of psychological contract in higher education (Gammie,2006). CONCLUSION It can thus be seen that selection is a crucial step that leads to the formation of a psychological contract between the candidate the organization, however it is very important to use the correct selection method that would give maximum chance of interaction in between the management the candidate. By the use of correct selection methods like assessment centres panel interviews a viable psychological contract can be formed as in these selection methods both the parties are at each others display, asking questions setting expectations. It has also been seen that the thinking that selection methods just perform predictivist role has become obsolete because of the shortage of skilled labour approaches like person-organization fit selection methods serve the purpose of forming a viable psychological contract both for the employer the employee.

Robert Frost Home Burial - The Three Tragedies of Home Burial Essay

The Three Tragedies of Home Burial  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Robert Frost’s "Home Burial" is a narrative poem that speaks of life’s tragedies. The theme of "Home Burial† centers around the death of a child. During the time period in which the poem is set, society dictated that men did not show their feelings. Therefore, men dealt with conflicts by working hard and being domineering. "Home Burial" demonstrates how one tragedy can cause another to occur. The unnamed couple in this poem has lost a baby to death. The mother grieves openly, and it could be said that she has never recovered from this loss; bereaved parents never forget, but most people in this position gradually work out a way of dealing with their grief, and go on with their lives. This the young mother cannot do. The baby is buried in the family graveyard, which is visible from an upstairs window of their house. Day after day she goes to the stairway window looking out upon the nearby family plot. The sight of the raw mound where her child lies buried reopens her grief. But, another emotion wells up as well – anger and bitterness at her husband, which is at first unexplained. The first hint of the rift between them shows up on lines twelve to thirteen, she "refused him any help, with the least stiffening of her neck and silence." Their dialogue is cold and antagonistic. "What is it—what? /Just that I see. / You don’t, she challenged. /Tell me what it is."(18-19). The death of child, which should bind husband and wife closer in their common grief, pries them apart instead (Gerber 128). In the husband’s first two lines as wells his last one, his attitude toward his wife is domineering and seems insensitive. First he tells her " he wants to know" what she keeps looking at ... ...n the mind’s eye one could see the gravel sliding back into the hole. We could actually visualize the mound getting higher. There were three different tragedies that transpired throughout this poem. The burial of the child was first; second was the burial of the marriage and finally the most symbolic and ironic tragedy is the burial of the home. Because of unfortunate circumstances these three things became closely associated with the home being buried. All of these tragedies occurred as a result of the child’s burial. The couple’s marriage could not survive such an emotional loss. Therefore the marriage becomes buried. When the marriage became buried the home became its own burial spot for this family’s life. Works Cited: Frost, Robert. 1972. "Home Burial." Robert Frost’s Poetry and Prose. Ed. Edward Connery Latham and Lawrence Thompson. New York: Holt.

Understanding the Atkins Diet Essay -- Health Nutrition Diet Exercise

Understanding the Atkins Diet   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Atkins diet is strictly regimented with a carbohydrate controlled and protein abundant regime. It is because of the promotion of protein consumption that the Atkins diet represents significant health risks. The diet requires strict adherence to a protein rich plan in order to achieve the desired results. The potential health problems resulting from this diet could be seveer simply because too much protein raises saturated fat levels. Such levels can lead to heart disease, osteoporosis, or kidney disease. The Atkins diet is examined below in relation to these health risks in order to evaluate the damage that it represents.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Atkins diet proceeds in a set of phases. As guidance, the way these phases are presented indicates the potential for unhealthy consequences. The first phase of the Atkins diet allows the dieter to eat three meals a day. The dieter can à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“eat liberally of combinations of fat and protein in the form of poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs and red meat, as well as pure, natural fat in the form of butter, mayonnaise, olive oil, safflower, sunflower and other vegetable oils...à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ (Atkins.com). This is the only place in the diet description where animal protein consumption is addressed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second phase of the diet requires an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“incrementally increasing of the dieterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s carbohydrate intake... and this may be as low as 25 grams or as high as 50 grams if you are exceptionally activeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ (Atkins.com). However, it is still recommended that the dieter keep protein and fat as the mainstay of the nutritional regimen. This statement does not state whether the dieter should, for example, eat extra lean turkey or ... ... tailor his/her diet in order to lose weight while maintaining a healthy level of cholesterol as well as a healthy heart and kidneys. Such guidelines, however, are clearly not within the agenda of an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“all the meat you can eatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ dietary program.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Because there are no guidelines for protein in take, the dangers posed by over consumption of protein are ignored by the Atkins diet plan. The requirement encouraging over consumption of meat proteins clearly promotes known health risks. These health risks are widely recognized by the medical community. Avoidance of elevated levels of protein consumption is clearly an important part of a life style that is healthy for the heart, bones, and kidneys. It is more than unfortunate that the Atkins program promotes such a dangerously unbalanced diet. The healthy choice is to avoid the Atkins diet.

Internal Combustion Engines :: physics internal combustion engine

Most motor vehicles today use an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to give them power to drive down the road; ICEs are a form of a heat engine. Gasoline is burned to push a piston, which in return forces the car down the road. As the gas in the cylinder is ignited and expanded it forces the piston down the shaft. The force is carried through piston, which is connected to a crankshaft. The force moves through the transmission, down the driveshaft, and out the tires. The Otto Cycle is used to turn as much heat into the driving force as possible. â€Å"A heat engine is a machine that converts heat into work† (Heat Engines). A heat engine absorbs a quantity of energy from a hot reservoir, does work, and then gives up a quantity of energy to the cold reservoir. In the example of an ICE, gasoline is burned, creating heat and expanding the gasses. This expansion pushes the piston down the cylinder and the excess heat is carried out through the coolant system or exhaust. The work done by the engine can be determined using the equation: W=Q(hot) - Q(cold) The efficiency of a heat engine can be determined using the equation: e=W/Q(hot) Gasoline engines have four strokes and six processes in each cycle. During the intake stroke, air and fuel are drawn into the cylinder; the volume and potential energy increase. Next, the compression stroke adiabatically compresses the gases; the volume decreases and the temperature increases. The spark does not occur during a stroke but when the piston is fully raised, this causes the gases to ignite keeping relatively the same volume. In the power stroke, the gas adiabatically expands; the temperature decreases and the volume increases. Finally, the exhaust valve is opened so in the exhaust stroke when the piston moves up the gasses are released causing the volume to decrease. A hemi engine refers to the way the pistons, heads and block are designed. This style of engine claims to provide a better flow of air inside the cylinder by creating more room for larger valves in turn providing more power. The chamber on a hemi is hemispherical instead of being flat like traditional engines. This shape provides more surface area on the block allowing room for the larger valves. When the engine can breath better there is less friction and more clean air / fuel mixture providing more power.

Audiences and Publics Are Important in Media Convergence Culture

SCHOOL OF MEDIA, CULTURE AND CREATIVE ARTS ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET To be attached to all assignments (ALL SECTIONS MUST BE COMPLETED) STUDENT NAME:†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦HAO JING WEI†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ STUDENT ID:†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦15646457†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ UNIT NAME AND NUMBER:†¦MCI212 Consumers, Audiences, Publics and Users DUE DATE:†¦Critical essay 15 October 2012 (by 4pm via email) †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. WORD COUNT:†¦1800 – 2200 words †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. TUTORIAL DAY AND TIME:†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦11am to 2pm, Wednesday, C25†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. TUTOR’S NAME:†¦Ms.Lai Jia Weng †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOUR TUTOR’S NAME IS ON ALL SUBMITTED ASSIGNMENTS DECLARATION: I declare that I have retained a copy of this assignment. I have read and understood Curtin University policies on Plagiarism and Copyright and declare that this assignment complies with these policies. I declare that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted previously in any form for assessment. Signature:†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Hao Jing Wei†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Date: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 15. 10. 2012†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Audiences and Publics Are Important in Media Convergence Culture IntroductionAfter we have studied about consuming culture through module 1, now all of us should know about consumption better. As we know audiences and publics are important parts in consuming culture – such as audiences purchase goods, shopping, living, traveling, education, services and so on, the world especially the consumption world is all about audiences and publics, at the same time they play a very important role in convergence culture as well. In today’s increasingly digital cultural, the way consumers consume and the way publics and audiences communicate are totally different from the traditional media times.Nowadays, people require both of physical and mental for life satisfaction such as purchase more healthy foods, watch digital TV, go to higher education, have internet services and so on. Convergence culture is the outcome of the rapid development of new information and communication technologies. According to â€Å"†¦Media convergence must also be seen as having a cultural logic of its own, blurring the lines between production and consumption, between making media and using media, between active or passive spectatorship†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Deuze, 2007, p. 74)From this quote we know that media convergence makes several changes between production and consumption, between making media and using media, between active or passive spectatorship of mediated culture. In this essay there are four main points to discuss how audiences and publics play roles in convergence culture. Discussions Firstly, the role audiences and publics play has been changed from passive to active. With the high technology development of media, new media has become more and more important than old media. Back to 20th century, old media such as TV was the main trend in the world and controlled audience.For instance, as we know all the TV programs will follow a fixed schedule, audiences only can watch whatever the TV programmes show, once you miss the show, then you will miss the show ever, unless the TV channels broadcast again. While nowadays, with the digital TV appeared, the audiences have become from passive to active. First of all, the digital TV can broadcast programmes at the same time, and based on â€Å"†¦Another huge advantage of digital television is that digital data takes up less bandwidth, meaning more channels can be broadcast at the same time.This gives viewers much more choice in what they watch and allows for follow up channels which broadcast the same programs as their namesake, just an hour later†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Davies, n. d. ) And â€Å"†¦Digital TV from Telenet: watch whatever you want, whenever you want†¦(Digital television, n. d. ). These mean the audiences can watch different shows at the same time, as well as they can switch programmes to whatever they want to watch. This kind of changes is a big different from analog TV. Next, digital TV allows audiences to pause or record live broadcasts at the click of a button.According to â€Å"†¦With Telenet Digital TV you can pause prog rams and rewind programs that you have viewed. You can record a program by simply pushing one button and your recording is immediately stored digitally on a hard disk†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Digital television, n. d. ), so you no longer have to miss your favourite TV programmes! And based on â€Å"†¦However, it’s a great leap to presume that the availability of digital networked technologies turns everyone into active participants. †(van Dijak, 2009, p. 44) From these quotes and examples we can see that audiences and publics are not passive any more.Secondly, audiences and publics have more participation and interactive with production company. For instance, Big Brother is a reality TV from United Kingdom and developed in the late 1990s. This TV programme offers audiences go to the onscreen world of the programme, use mobile phones and automatic number redial techniques to try and ensure their candidate in the house emerged the winner. These are two special points of Big B rother. According to â€Å"†¦Over the past 15 years, viewers have increasingly acted as participants in game shows, quizzes, talk shows and make-over programmes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (van Dijak, 2009, p. 3) And â€Å"†¦particularly the surge of reality television has boosted the of ‘ordinary people’ in broadcast productions†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Teurlings, 2001) and â€Å"†¦In addition, the popularity of personal and communal media (home movies, home videos, community television) has profoundly affected television culture, particularly since the 1980s†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (van Dijak, 2009, p. 43) And based on â€Å"†¦Viewers were encouraged to visit the websites, and for a small subscription fee, could buy additional access to coverage of the more intimate activities, likes and dislikes, directly to the gained from syndicated†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Ross, 2003, p. ), from these quotes we can see that the audiences have more interactive than before and the production company tr y to require unprecedented levels of interactivity with public as well. Thirdly, the perspectives of audiences and publics have more influences on programmes producing. Not only TV programmes but also all media programmes need audiences, need public. If a production company produces a programme without listening to the voice of audiences, it is just like flowers are far away from soil, fishes are far away from water. Without audiences, the progranmme is dead sooner or later.Based on â€Å"†¦Similarly, producers of popular television entertainment – such as soap operas or police dramas – are developing innovative ways to collect audience feedback, and then applying this information to the development of new characters and plotlines, as well as to include the most current social issues in their shows†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Deuze, 2007. p. 75) And according to â€Å"†¦A very important reason is to understand your audience. The more you know about the types of people i n your audience, their backgrounds, their interests, and their preferences, the better you can be at making programs to suit them†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Know Your Audience, n. . ) With the development of media convergence, audiences’ interests have become more and more important. â€Å"†¦The intensity of emotional involvement exhibited by viewers of reality TV led programme executives to consider new ways to monitor, channel and exploit viewer interest†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Ross, 2003, p. 3) From the quotes we can see that audiences’ perspectives play an important role in the development of programmes producing and audience curiosity is subject to commercial exploitation. Fourthly, audiences and publics play more than one roles in media convergence culture. †¢ Audiences as users †¦In the development of a professional identity among media workers, can be illustrated by a November 2005 survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project among teenagers in the United St ate, which report concludes:’ Some 57% of online teens create content for the internet. ’†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Deuze, 2007, p. 76) And based on â€Å" †¦During 2005, online social network sites like MySpace and Facebook became common destinations for young people in the United States†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Boyd, 2005, p. 119) From these quotes, we can see that with the rapid development of Internet technology, social networks appeared into people’s life, especially for the young generation.Facebook is the world’s largest social network, with over 1 billion monthly active users. â€Å"†¦Young people were logging in, creating elaborate profiles, publicly articulating their relationships with other participants, and writing extensive comments back and forth†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Boyd, 2005, p. 119) Users can create blogs, create or work on a webpage for school, an organizations, or a friend, share original content such as photos, opinions, stories, videos online, or art work and so on. Another example is Sina Weibo. Weibo† in Chinese stands for micro-blog, it has been launched recently in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and North America. Sina Weibo is China’s twitter, it is the hottest mircroblogging services in China now and it’s activity around Chinese Diaspora. â€Å"†¦In Weibo, the user can post pictures and embed videos directly into their feed. Much like in Facebook, the media is thumbnailed and will expand if clicked on instead of opening up a completely new page/tab as in Twitter†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Jou, 2012) Based on â€Å"†¦According to Sina, Weibo has a registered total user base of 358 million, of which roughly 36. million active users daily†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Jou, 2012) And according to â€Å"†¦It consumes 90% market shares of China’s microblogging services, with more than 140 million users in less than 2 years, while Twitter gained 200 million users in less than 5 years. It’s new, itâ €™s hot, and it’s becoming bigger and stronger†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Falcon, n. d. ) Bade on these data, we can know that social networks have become an important part of people’s life. â€Å"Social network sites are based around profiles, a form of individual (or, less frequently, group) home page, which offers a description of each member.In addition to text, images, and video created by the member, the social network site profile also contains comments from other member and a public list†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Boyd, 2005, p. 123) According to â€Å"†¦Identity refers to our own sense of self and how we are seen by our communities†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Social Design, n. d. ) And â€Å"†¦Social Design defines how we understand ourselves and each other and can be broken down into three core elements: Identity, Conversation and Community†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Social Design, n. d. ) Users can create their individual profiles based on their own identity, such s you can design how your homepage looks like, share what you are interested, show privacy information about yourself to public etc. †¢ Audiences as citizen journalists With the social networks appeared, audiences are not only a group of people who receive messages, news and information but also be senders to send information, publish news. Audiences as public also can share information and news in the first place, that is we called citizen journalism. â€Å"†¦Citizen journalism is when private individuals do essentially what professional reporters do – report information†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Rogers, n. . ) And â€Å"†¦The Internet gave average people the ability to transmit information globally†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Rogers, n. d. ). From these quotes we know that as the development of Internet technology, nowadays everyone could be a journalist to publish what happen around us and around the world. According to â€Å"†¦New media technology, such as social networking and media-sharing websit es, in addition to the increasing prevalence of cellular phones, have made citizen journalism more accessible to people worldwide†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Citizen Journalism, n. d. ).We know that citizens can often report breaking news more quickly than professional media reporters. Such as â€Å"†¦two predominant groups of youth published information, calls to action, documentation of policy brutality, and coordinated their planning and activities via Facebook and Twitter†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Anemic Portrayal of, 2012). Another example is â€Å"†¦was a topic on The Call, and the show’s blog post for the topic incorporates citizen-generated content into the posts. The post starts off with a brief intro by host John Schiumo, a nice fresh statement that goes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (â€Å"The Call† interactive, 2012) The third example is â€Å"†¦At 10:25 p. . on May 1, 2011, Keith Urbahn, who happened to be the former chief of staff for Donald Rumsfeld but in this case was funct ioning as a citizen journalist, tweeted: â€Å"So I’m told by a reputable person†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (How citizen journalism, 2012) The last example is â€Å"†¦Online petitions undoubtedly, though, do represent a fabulous means of exercising one’s civic voice and leverage a response from public officials. In this example, New York City restored most of the proposed cuts to its public library budget due†¦ † (Petition power, 2012) As those examples tells us citizen journalism is more and more popular for media audiences.This is the outcome of development of Internet technology and development of mobile phone technology. Today, you can use your mobile phone to surf the internet while watch a TV programme, or watch a programme that was on TV last night on your smartphone while you are on the way to work and so on. There are too many changes in people’s life. Conclusions â€Å"All over the world, as audiences increasingly take control of their media and communications use, traditional business models are being forced to adapt quickly to the new realities of the digital era. † (Convergence Review, 2010. From the quote, we know that audiences and publics play important roles. Everyone has been in an audience, we have all been part of a group of people who come together to experience film, music, foods, traveling or other social activities. In media convergence, â€Å"All media events are audiences events since they require people to hang out in media time-spaces where they physically, mentally and emotionally engage with media materials, technologies and power structures. † (Ross, 2003. p. 6). Audiences are any group of people who receive a media text, it could be ny format such as Internet, TV news, radio programmes, newspapers and so on. Audiences are not only be audience any more, they also could be consumers and users at the same time in new media terms. They are not a group of people who receive messages and be pass ive any more, they are more active, participate and interactive with media convergence. Word count: 2106 References Anemic Portrayal of. (n. d). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://mobilekazar. word press. com/2012/02/10/anemic-portrayal-of-the-digital-road-to-egypts-revolution/ Boyd, D. (2005). Why Youth  ¦ Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life’, in Youth, Identity and Digital Media, Cambridge: MIT Press, pp. 119-142. Citizen Journalism. (n. d). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://mashable. com/follo w/topics/citizen-journalism/ Convergence Review. (2010). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://www. dbcde. go v. au/digital_economy/convergence_review/convergence_review_background_paper. html Davies, M. (n. d). The Advantages of Digital TV. Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://ezinearticles. com/? The-Advantages-of-Digital-TV&id=1425944Deuze, M. (2007). ‘Creative industries, Convergence Culture and Media Work’ (Extrac t), in Media Work, Cambridge: Polity, pp. 74-83. Digital television. (n. d). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://telenet. be/business/ en/small/digital-television Falcon, A. (n. d). Twitter Vs. Weibo. Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://www. ho ngkiat. com/blog/things-twitter-can-learn-from-sina-weibo/ How citizen journalism. (2012). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://mobilekazar. wordpress. com/2012/05/04/how-citizen-journalism-drove-the-news-of-bin-ladens-death/Jou, E. (2012). Why Sina Weibo. Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://kotaku. com/5940025/why-sina-weibo-is-better-than-twitter-even-though-theyre-pretty-much-the-same Know Your Audience. (n. d). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://www. audiencedi alogue. net/kya1a. html Petition power. (2012). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://www. mobilekazar. wo rdpress. com/2012/06/29/petition-power/ Rogers, T. (n. d). What Is Citizen Journalism?. Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://journalism. about. com/od/citize njournalism/a/whatiscitizen. htm Ross, K. Nightingale, V. (2003). ‘ Audiences Today’, in Media and Audiences: New Perspective, Maidenhead: Open University Press, pp. 1-11. Social Design. (n. d). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://developers. facebook. co m/socialdesign/ Teurlings, J. (2001). ‘Producing the Ordinary: Institutions, Discourses and Practices in Love Game Shows’, Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies 15(2): 249-63. â€Å"The Call† interactive. (2012). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://mobilekazar. w ordpress. com/2012/01/25/the-call-interactive-tv-news-gets-expanded-time-slot/