Fosters Australia Limited the Breach of Legal Provisions

Fosters Australia Limited the Breach of Legal Provisions Introduction The employees of an organization should be subjected to healthy working conditions. In the production companies that apply heavy machinery and equipments in their operations, the conditions of such tools need to be considered. The machines need to be regularly checked before and after use to ensure that they are in proper working conditions.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Fosters Australia Limited: the Breach of Legal Provisions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The faults that are identified during these assessments need to be fixed before the implements can be used. The employees should also be informed of the risks that are associated with a given operation in the organization to take the appropriate cautious measures. Due to the need to ensure health and safety in the workplaces, policy makers in different countries have often intervened to enact legislation that advocate for the safety of the emplo yees (Council of Europe, 2007, p.999; Stellman and International Labor Office, 1998, p.1645). The Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 is one such legislation that is functional in Australia. The legal provisions provide an outline of what the management of organizations should put in place to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. The provisions also define the legal measures that have to be taken against an organization that goes against the provisions. Foster Australia is one organization that had found itself on the wrong side when a faulty machine caused an injury and subsequent death of an employee. The organization was then found guilty of two offences that subsequently caused the death of the employee and as such, it was fined. It has since made efforts to fix the faulty devices and increase risks awareness among the employees of the organization (Australian Food News, 2008). The accident The accident occurred at the Abbotsford premises of Fosters Australia , a company in Australia that produces and supplies beer within the country and its environs (VCC 902, 2008). The plant at this premise had two sets of bottling lines. One of the lines had two sets of depalletising machines consisting of conveyors that ferried empty bottles into the filling chamber through mechanized metal doors. The conveyor as well as a series of photoelectric sensors controlled the movements of the metal doors. There are also straps that hold the bottles into position in the pallet during conveying into the filling chamber. Before the bottles are passed into the chamber, these straps are to be removed by an employee who operates from some safe position, the main control panel just above the conveyor.Advertising Looking for report on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, there are instances in which the bottles or the cut straps can fall into the operating area of one of the de palletising machines. If these are allowed to accumulate, the plant cannot operate and production will be hindered. In such instances, the employees are required to get into the operating area of the conveyor and the metal doors (WorkSafe Victoria, 2008b). They are required to clear up the operating area and inspect the photoelectric sensors that control the movement of the metal doors. The accident occurred in 2006 when one of the employees, Mr. Huynh, was working in the operating area of one of the depalletising machines. It is likely that the employee entered the area to check if the reflector of the photoelectric sensor was functional. Mr. Huynh was caught in between the opening door of the depalletising machine and the handrail (WorkSafe Victoria, 2008b). The system failed for some period during which the employee was held in this position. The failure was caused by one of the photoelectric sensors that had a cracked reflector. The employee had breathing problems during the per iod, collapsed and became unconscious. He was then taken to a hospital where he later died due to health complications related to the respiratory system. It is then obvious that several factors contributed to the accident that later claimed the life of Mr. Huynh. There are standard procedures designed for the operations and cleaning of the depalletising machines. However, the standard procedures did not include dealing with the jams that would occur during the production (WorkSafe Victoria, 2008b). This implies that the employees were subjected to risks when getting into the operation area to clean the jam during the production. Besides, there was a standard operating procedure to detach the system in case such an incident is witnessed. Nevertheless, the operators have to be familiar with the procedures in time to be applied in case of an accident. Apparently, Mr. Huynh and the other employees were not informed on how the system can be detached in cases of such failures in order to prevent further damages. The causal factors and recommendations The incident that was witnessed at Fosters Australia could be avoided if certain measures. The measures could also reduce fatality of the incidence as was latter witnessed. It is necessary to identify each of the factors that contributed to the fatal accident and how they could be controlled. The precautious measures can then be adopted to prevent future occurrences of such incidences. Firstly, getting into the operating area to clear the jams that occur during the production process is very risky. There was no standard procedure to clear the jam prompting for the manual procedure. This could be avoided by developing the standard procedures that did not involve getting into the risky zone. Secondly, the employee was caught and held between the metal doors and the handrail due to a failure of one of the photoelectric sensors.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Fosters Australia Limited: the Breach of Legal Provisions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The latter, in conjunction with the conveyors, controlled the movement of the metal door to open in order to receive new pallets of empty bottles (VCC 902, 2008). The cracked reflector of the sensors indicated that proper maintenance was not provided for the risky system. There is need to check the conditions of the machine each time it is to be used to ensure that all the parts of the system are functional. The processes should be monitored regularly to check for their effectiveness and efficiency. Similarly, there are measures that could be taken immediately the failure was encountered to prevent the injuries that Mr. Huynh suffered. The failure by the management of the organization to provide adequate information to the employees on the standard operating procedures for isolating the machine in the event that some misfortune occurs led to the fatal situation that was observed. Such pro grams need to be instituted so that every employee is conversant with procedures, in case of any negative event. The instructions are provided in some standard language like English. The employees need to have proper understanding of the English language in order to learn and adopt the procedures. The conviction of Fosters Australia Limited The working conditions that led to the injury and the subsequent death of one of the employees at Fosters Australia Limited were against the legal provisions. The company was convicted for failure to comply with some sections of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. The company pleaded guilty of having committed two offences that were against the sections (The Australian, 2008). Sections 21(1) and 2(a) of the Victorian OHS Act 2004 required that the companies should provide a working condition that is not risky to the health of the employees (WorkSafe Victoria, 2008a). The machines as well as the system of operation should not ex pose the employees to some health-related risks. This section was breached by the company that failed to provide proper systems of operations and good machinery. Similarly, sections 21(1) and 2(e) required that in the event that the employees are working in risky conditions, they should be given proper guidance on how they can best manage the situation (WorkSafe Victoria, 2008a). This was also breached. Having pleaded guilty for the two offences, the company was fined a total of $1.125 million (Australian Food News, 2008). This figure was reached at since the company had cooperated during the investigations and pleaded guilty of the offence. Otherwise, the fines would be higher, about $1.5m (The Australian, 2008).Advertising Looking for report on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The issue of punishment in monetary terms is acceptable. However, the verdict was not fair on the sides of those affected by the incident in terms of the amount of penalty fine charged on the company. Firstly, there was a loss life, the value of which cannot be evaluated in monetary terms. The deceased had dependants that would now not get proper provision of the necessities. The fines imposed should be enough to compensate the family members the deceased. The fines should also be imposed depending on the overall value of the company. The company could later fix some machine parts worth about $4 million (WorkSafe Victoria, 2008b). This suggests that it has the capacity to pay more for the negative consequences caused. Some compensation would also be extended to he employees that were traumatized by the fatal event that claimed the life of one of their members. The situation is also worsened by the fact that scenarios had been witnessed in the past but was not fixed until another inc ident was seen (WorkSafe Victoria, 2008b). Some moral considerations can also be applied in examining the situation. Even if there are no legal provisions requiring healthy and safety working conditions, understanding the needs of the employees and providing such condition is an ethical consideration (Maierhofer and Colley, 2004, p.4). The company should aim at improving the lives of its employees and their dependants like families, friends, and relatives. After the death of the employee, it would be of some moral value if the company assumed some if not all of the responsibilities the employee had to his family. Conclusion The health and safety of the employees of an organization should be a significant consideration in designing the strategies for the operation of the organization. Legal provisions are there to protect the rights of the employees. The legal measures should be taken depending on the fatality of the consequences that follow the breach of such legal provisions. Thus, even though the company was cooperative and pleaded guilty and despite the submissions that proper measures had been instituted since the incidence, the company was supposed to be fined higher than the stated amount. Reference List Australian Food News. 2008. Fosters receives record fine for fatal safety breaches. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?attid=0.1pid=gmailthid=1325bff2defed935url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D4baa4f2379%26view%3Datt%26th%3D1325bff2defed935%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df_gsgz96060%26zwdocid=67e46ec061c1a6629c866130195f4f99|e8dac3d4fa38fdbb02500f859c10ad53chan=EgAAALOBrpfCgg5SMbTJvDNTzjlgH%2Bcwb%2B12k5YKdzMUhqlQa=vrel=zip;z1;AFN+-+Fosters+Receives+Record+Fine+%28Aug+2008%29.pdf . Council of Europe. 2007. European Committee of Social Rights, European Social Charter Revised Conclusions 2007: Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden. Strasbourg Cedex: Council of Europe. Maierhofer, N . and Colley, S., 2004. Ethical considerations for using values to manage in the workplace. Web. Available from: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/652/1/maierhofer_colley.pdf . Stellman, J. and International Labor Office. 1998. Encyclopedia of occupational health and safety, Volume 1; Volume 5. Geneva: International Labor Organization. The Australian. 2008. Foster’s fined $1.1m after a work death. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?attid=0.1pid=gmailthid=1325bff2defed935url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D4baa4f2379%26view%3Datt%26th%3D1325bff2defed935%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df_gsgz96060%26zwdocid=67e46ec061c1a6629c866130195f4f99|e8dac3d4fa38fdbb02500f859c10ad53chan=EgAAAMHB%2BKvCqIcPw9OAVTiRQG18TushHp4hUk94T4Vw87Lia=vrel=zip;z6;TheAustralian+-Fosters+Fined+after+Work+Death+%28Aug+2008%29.pdf . VCC 902. 2008. R v Fosters Australia. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?attid=0.1pid=gmailthid=1325bff2defed935url=https://mail .google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D4baa4f2379%26view%3Datt%26th%3D1325bff2defed935%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df_gsgz96060%26zwdocid=67e46ec061c1a6629c866130195f4f99|e8dac3d4fa38fdbb02500f859c10ad53chan=EgAAALOBrpfCgg5SMbTJvDNTzjlgH%2Bcwb%2B12k5YKdzMUhqlQa=vrel=zip;z2;County+Court+Sentencing+08_VCC0902.pdf WorkSafe Victoria. 2008a. Brewer pleads guilty of workplace safety charges. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?attid=0.1pid=gmailthid=1325bff2defed935url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D4baa4f2379%26view%3Datt%26th%3D1325bff2defed935%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df_gsgz96060%26zwdocid=67e46ec061c1a6629c866130195f4f99|e8dac3d4fa38fdbb02500f859c10ad53chan=EgAAALOBrpfCgg5SMbTJvDNTzjlgH%2Bcwb%2B12k5YKdzMUhqlQa=vrel=zip;z9;Worksafe+Victoria+-+Notices+Regarding+Fosters+Prosecution+2008-09.pdf WorkSafe Victoria. 2008b. Fosters gets record $1.125m fine for fatal safety breaches. Web. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?attid =0.1pid=gmailthid=1325bff2defed935url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D4baa4f2379%26view%3Datt%26th%3D1325bff2defed935%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df_gsgz96060%26zwdocid=67e46ec061c1a6629c866130195f4f99|e8dac3d4fa38fdbb02500f859c10ad53chan=EgAAALOBrpfCgg5SMbTJvDNTzjlgH%2Bcwb%2B12k5YKdzMUhqlQa=vrel=zip;z9;Worksafe+Victoria+-+Notices+Regarding+Fosters+Prosecution+2008-09.pdf.

5 Words from the Kitchen

5 Words from the Kitchen 5 Words from the Kitchen 5 Words from the Kitchen By Mark Nichol Words most people associate primarily with the kitchen have multiple nonculinary connotations as well. Here are five words you may find useful in other contexts. 1. Apron This name for a garment worn to protect the wearer’s clothes from food stains (or one that is purely decorative) also applies to similar protective attire. From this usage stems meanings for structures with similar form and/or purpose, including a piece of wood under a windowsill, an extension of a bathroom fixture, the part of a pier or wharf along its edge, an erosion barrier, or the part of a stage that extends past the proscenium arch (the opening between the stage and the audience area). 2. Cook This is not just a verb for the action of preparing food and a noun describing a preparer; it also refers to a process for producing a substance or a material, such as the act of cooking methamphetamines. It’s also a slang term used a as a synonym for happen or occur (â€Å"What’s cooking?†), for doing well (â€Å"That band is really cooking!†), or for falsifying documents, especially financial records (â€Å"He was caught cooking the books†). 3. Glass The word for an often tall, narrow container for drinking liquids from, regardless of material, also applies to the mixture of materials used in making clear or tinted glass. Glass may also apply to another item made wholly or in part from glass or a similar substance, such as a mirror (or looking-glass), a basketball backboard, an hourglass, a telescope (or spyglass), or eyeglasses; a barometer is often called a glass. The word also denotes a container full of a liquid (â€Å"Have a glass of beer†). 4. Plate A plate is a shallow, mostly flat dish for serving food, but it also refers to other usually flat, thin items such as a piece of armor or a body part that is similar to armor, any flat structural piece, a part of Earth’s crust, and precious metal, and has other meanings, including the figurative reference to matters and responsibilities â€Å"I have a lot on my plate right now.† 5. Table In addition to the meaning of a piece of furniture with a flat surface, often used for dining, table refers to any such surface, such as a geographical feature (tableland). It also has figurative meanings for eating (â€Å"Sit down to table†) and assembling (â€Å"Sit at the bargaining table†). Table also refers to a list or an arrangement of data. Table is used as a verb to describe entering data in a table. It also refers, in American English, to remove from consideration during a formal meeting or other procedure; in British English, curiously, its meaning is the opposite: It denotes placing an item on an agenda. There’s also a small but rich list of idioms that include table, including â€Å"lay (one’s) cards on the table† (â€Å"to be candid†) and â€Å"under the table† (â€Å"intoxicated,† or â€Å"secretive†). Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Punctuating â€Å"So† at the Beginning of a SentenceHang, Hung, Hanged30 Nautical Expressions

To what extent is the teaching of Mencius close to the original Essay

To what extent is the teaching of Mencius close to the original teaching of Confucius - Essay Example With this concept, the two philosophers dealt with the ethical, sociopolitical, and philosophical systems, which developed from Chinese cultural teachings. It would be paramount to understand that this philosophy targeted by the two great Chinese teachers focused on the practical, especially the significance of the family and little did it give preference to the belief in deities or the possibility of afterlife (Richey 70). This is the rationale that these two philosophers believed that human capacity is teachable, can improve, and attain perfection through personal and communal endeavour. They believed that the cultivation of virtue and maintenance of ethics would ultimately liberate the human capacity. It is in this capacity that Mencius developed Confucius former philosophical advances. Mencius himself bears the tag name Confucius, who lived in the 4th century. He converges his philosophical teaching with Confucius, the founder father in the line that human nature was all-good. Th is is the same observation that Confucius put across (Richey 83). In his own understanding, Confucius emphasized that the human nature is the one that forms governmental morality as well as modelling itself to attain that personal morality. His virtue goes farther to touch on correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. At this level, Mencius extends Confucius philosophy by acknowledging that human nature is alike. He uses the imagery of human as equated to tastes and flavours and points out that the human minds cannot be that different that there is nothing shared by other animal species. It is this concept that he wraps by suggesting that human nature ought to alike, just like the case of their minds. Mencius accepts the teachings of morality and virtue as formally extended by Confucius that human nature must appreciate morality just as the way their taste of buds appreciates great foods (Gardner 78). A reader would not fail to realize the efforts of Mencius adopti on of Confucianism philosophy since his perceptions allude that moral virtues such as humanity and righteousness come into existence through continual human efforts. When Mencius claims that there is no man who is not good and no one would stand to bear the suffering of others culminates to the very core concepts of Confucianism, the feeling that traces the integral and innate of humanness in the human race. Developing on the Confucian ethical human nature perhaps remains the greatest contribution of Mencius philosophy on Confucian learning. The earlier reflection of Confucius described the possibility of ethical heaven and innate nature of ethical human beings. In his true words, Confucius believed that the existence of these ethical standards received supervision from heaven. In extending this proposition, Mencius agreed that an ethical human being, either achieved through personal strife or innate natures, ethical human being is a moral universe on his own (Richey 105). This expl ains the understanding of Mencius that ethical human nature and personal physical life are two related idealistic perspectives and to some extent have an innate connection. Confucius put across these ideals. He argued that a man cultivates himself and thereby be able to draw peace and security to his fellow men. In an attempt to magnify his belief in the ethics of human nature, Confucius placed emphasis on individual’

The Geographical Origins of Ashfords Population in 1851 Essay

The Geographical Origins of Ashfords Population in 1851 - Essay Example The military men setup their schools, shops and churches .In the second half of 19th century Ashford cattle market was one of the greatest markets in south of England. Wool fleeces were collected and auctioned and hops were grown on large scale .After the introduction of railways, more than 2000 traders used to visit Ashford every harvest time (lambert).The Ashford then got divided into east and west union districts. Further, the east union district was split into 25 parishes, divided into three sub districts, whereas, the west union district comprised of 13 parishes divided into two sub districts (Pearman, 2012).The town of Ashford was established in 1849.before that it was a part of The Town of Auburn .This town has its roots in the 9th century. There are various manors that surround the town including Repton, Licktop, Esture and Wall is the prominent ones. (Pearman, 2012).Famous families continued their ownership in these manors and estates and later in 18th century declared Ashfo rd as a cheerful and neat town. Ashford continued to be an agriculture town and with the introduction of railways started becoming an attraction for migratory The railway company set up a society near the railway station .A factory for the repair of locomotive engines, residence for their workers and storage area for the railway carriages were constructed.   (Knight, 1850) There has been a parish workhouse erected with workshops, storehouses, a large yard, with every necessary implement (Pearman, 2012).

Wal-Mart Essay Example for Free

Wal-Mart Essay This paper will focus on a change initiative for Wal-Mart. Next, this paper will analyze how this change will impact the people, products, and processes. Then this paper will focus on the people portion, and provide recommendations to position this change initiative in a manner that results in high performance. Finally this paper will conclude with a summary of how the recommended approach to the change initiative will result in organizational excellence. A company’s image is very important. It shows how a company is viewed as a whole. Wal-Mart has gotten a bad reputation, and many consumers have stopped shopping there because of this image. The change initiative will be to change consumer’s image of Wal-Mart. The public perception can really affect a company’s profit. According to Margot and Rachel (2011), A 2006 marketing report by Walmart’s then-advertising agency described the public’s view of Walmart as that of a â€Å"bad corporate citizen who doesn’t treat employees well and isn’t acting as a good citizen of the planet† (p. 62). To change Wal-Mart’s Image they will need to change employee’s wages, increase staffing or don’t cut hours, and change the atmosphere. The first change that needs to happen is employee wages. Wal-Mart needs to look at the cost of living in each community where they are located, and pay a competitive wage. Costco pays its employees a competitive wage, and their profits have increased. Ungar (2013) states the following: In an identical economy, how do we explain Costco’s growth vis-a-vis the failures over at Walmart? Here’s a crazy thought—might it have something to do with the fact that Costco pays nearly all of its employees a decent living (well in excess of the minimum wage) while Wal-Mart continues to pay its workers as if their employees don’t actually need to eat more than once a week, live in an enclosed space and, on occasion, take their kids to see a doctor (para. 3). If Wal-Mart paid its employees more how would it impact the people, processes, and products and services? The impact on the people would be positive not only to the employees, but the consumers as well. It would raise employee morale. When one goes to Wal-Mart now, one can tell the employees don’t want to be there, and it’s hard to find someone to help. I have heard employees actually say, â€Å"They don’t pay me enough to help these people. † Ungar (2013) sums it up best about employee attitudes by stating, â€Å"and with those on site being paid a wage so low that it is difficult to expect much in the way of pride or motivation† (para. 6). If the employees got paid a competitive wage it would motivate the employees to take pride in their jobs. This would lead to better customer service for the consumer. So in a sense it would not only be positive impact for the people, but would be great for Wal-Mart processes regarding the customer. The impact on the products and services would be the employees would take pride to answer any questions on these items and other services. Also, Wal-Mart can raise wages without having to raise prices on products. According to Bivens (2006) state the following: Wal-Mart could raise wages and benefits significantly without raising prices, yet still earn a healthy profit. For example, while still maintaining a profit margin almost 50% greater than Costco, a key competitor, Wal-Mart could have raised the wages and benefits of each of its non-supervisory employees in 2005 by more than $2,000 without raising prices a penny (para. 3). Wal-Mart would not need to raise prices. There would be no impact on the products, or the consumers, or the process of everyday low prices. Plus, it would be a step in increasing their public image. The next change increase staffing or reduce cutting hours is another step in rectifying their image. Wal-Mart now has more stores operating and not enough staff to run them. So what do they do? They cut the employees working hours. The impact is negative for the consumers, their services, and the products. Ungar (2013) states the following: Without enough employees to get the basic work of a retail operation done†¦Wal-Mart merchandise remains stacked on pallets in the warehouse rather than making it to the floor where customers can find the products they want. At the same time, check-out lines are painfully long and annoying as the overall shopping experience continues to deteriorate. One is left to wonder about the value of offering products at a lower price if those products are not on the shelves when the customer needs to buy them (para. 4). So the impact on the people, processes, and product and services would be positive. The employees would be happier because they would have enough staff, and hours to get the work done. The consumers would be happier because the product on the shelves, and enough employees not to have to stand in long lines. The products and services would be better because there would items on the shelves, and employees able to service the customer. The last change would be the atmosphere. Wal-Mart’s atmosphere is not a positive one. When one looks on social media or reviews of Wal-Mart there’s a certain low class theme. When one goes to Wal-Mart sees carts all over the parking lot. Employees outside smoking or cussing at the tables they set up for them. Some of the types of consumers who go there can be rude, and ruthless to other consumers. Overall, it’s not a great shopping experience. According to City Data. com (2008) the unknown author states the following: From the errant carts strewn about the parking lot to the huddles of employees smoking in small designated areas outside the building, to hearing more languages than I can count, to hearing profanity, to seeing women younger than myself (Im 22) yammering into cell phones while toting around multiple screaming kids, I just get a bad vibe from that place. I realize you get what you pay for, but I also find good deals at Target and find it to be a much more pleasurable shopping experience. I saw just how low-class many Wal-Mart shoppers were when we learned of the trampling death of that Wal-Mart employee on Long Island this past Friday and just how many caused a further ruckus when told the store would be closing temporarily to remove the mans body (para. 3). The changes Wal-Mart would need to make to their atmosphere would help their public image. The first thing is moving the employee break area away from the customers’ view. No one wants to see the employees smoking. They could move it to the back of the store where there are no customers. Especially, at a time when people are trying to ban smoking from public areas; this sends out a bad image. The impact will be positive to the consumers it will give them a better view when walking into Wal-Mart. The impact on the employees may not all be positive. They may like where they take breaks, and hate the fact they have to go in the back where trucks unload products. They only impact on products would be if the employees got in the way of the trucks that are carrying the products; so this could be a negative too. The process would not really be impacted unless the employees sneak off to the back to smoke when it’s not their normal break time. This could be solved by putting a camera in the break area. The next change needs to be the carts. They need to have someone out in that parking lot keeping up with those carts. Wal-Mart is bad for having carts everywhere. Many people do not shop there in fear of a cart hitting their vehicle. This would be a positive impact for the people, product and services. The people will see that Wal-Mart takes pride in their appearance. This would let to more products and services being sold because people would come to Wal-Mart more if they didn’t have to fear their cars being hit by a cart. There would be an impact on the process. The process now does not work because the carts are not being picked up. The process would need to change for the employees, and some may not want the process to change so this could impact the employees. The employees may think the process of getting the carts is not broke, and may not cooperate with the changes. The last change would be towards the consumer. Wal-Mart tolerates bad behaviors in there store from consumers. This has lead to a bad environment to shop in. Wal-Mart needs to address the customers that are out of control in their store. Places like Target or JcPenney would not tolerate customers harassing other customers; they would be asked to leave. Wal-Mart should adopt this same kind of mentality. This would require a process change, and some employees may not feel comfortable dealing with rude customers. Wal-Mart may need to create a position to handle these types of customers. The impact may be negative to the employees if this change is not handled right. The impact for the consumers would be positive. They can go shopping in a nice atmosphere without the worry of dealing with other rude consumers. The people would know it won’t be tolerated in a place like Wal-Mart. This is the kind of image Wal-Mart wants to have. The products and services may be impacted at first because the loss of the rude consumers, but once word gets out Wal-Mart will attract more consumers. The changes that Wal-Mart would need to make would impact people. This part will provide recommendations to position this change initiative in a manner that results in high performance. In every one of these changes there will be some people who will want to resist this change. The way to overcome this resistance is by accepting this is part of the process. It may be frustrating, but this is part of change. Listen to what they have to say, and try to understand where they are coming from. By being supportive, they will eventually become less resistance. The next is defining the goals so all understands. Change is a journey, and if you want to succeed people need to know the destination. Harrison (2004) states that â€Å"the critical aspects of individual and group effectiveness for diagnosis on the primary problems and challenges facing the groups and their main tasks, goals, and standards† (p. 7). To sum it up, the goals need to be defined to be effective. By defining goals, it will result in high performance. Then, I recommend Wal-Mart hold the people accountable. For example, the cart removal process needs to hold employees accountable. If the employee responsible is not following through this needs to be addressed. In order for the changes to wor k one has to follow through with the processes. If Wal-Mart puts this in effect, and then the employees are still letting the carts go in the parking lot, and nothing is done the process won’t change. In order to get high performance one must make the employees accountable. Also, promote team by being accountable for each other. Corelli (n. d) states the following: Dont ask people to be accountable only for their actions and job performances, but just as importantly, ask them to be accountable to each other for maintaining high morale. By placing an equal value on teamwork, professional behavior, job performance, and accountability, you will be able to provide better service to both customers and to each other (para. 25). Next, empower the employees to find solutions instead of problems. The change will come with problems, but if Wal-Mart empowers the employees to find solutions this will help the changes go smoother. Corelli (n. d) states the following: This goes hand in hand with setting goals and establishing accountability. When new procedures are instituted and problems arise, people may wait for someone else to fix them. As you let people know that they are accountable, let people know you expect them to come in not only with their problems, but also with possible solutions. Add your input, too. Changes rarely occur without glitches, so be prepared to brainstorm ways to solve problems and get them out of the way to elp people achieve high performance (para. 27). The last recommendation is to train the people well on all the changes. Training is essential when making changes. If the proper training is not done then the new change initiatives may not be effective. Corelli (n. d) states the following: By its very definition, change suggests that you are attempting something new and different. To create that high performing work place during change, you need to ensure your people have the necessary skills to succeed in the new environment. Education and training must be seen as a top priority. The time you invest in training will eventually payoff in increased productivity as well as product and service quality (para. 29). All these recommendations will help the change initiative result in high performance. These approaches to the change initiative will result in organizational excellence. The first approach would be initiating the changes raising the wage, increasing the staff, and changing the atmosphere. This will be done after all the research, and training of the staff has been done. Managers will need to think differently; no more get them in and get them out. The new way is do we have enough staff to stock shelves and service customers. After initiating the change, Wal-Mart will need to manage the change. They will need to make sure everyone is following the changes. Wal-Mart needs to make sure everyone has the resources and materials available to manage through this change. For example, with wage increase can have a pay structure so employees know if they want to move up; they will know the pay. This would give employees something to strive for, and will promote organizational excellence on Wal-Mart’s part. The last is just sustaining the change. Wal-Mart needs to keep up with the changes; don’t go back to old ways. For example, don’t go back to tolerating rude customers. Let them know that behavior is no longer acceptable at Wal-Mart, and keep up with that change. Wal-Mart needs to change their public image in order to reach organizational excellence. If Wal-Mart makes these changes their reputation will get better. This will lead to more profits, and survival of the big chain. If Wal-Mart keeps going in the current direction eventually they may lose more than their reputation, but their whole organization.

Why The American Civil War Is Important Essays -- The American Civil W

The American civil war took place 150 years ago. The war ripped apart the young country and turned brother against brother. The American civil war ended the most grotesque American institution in its history and caused the nation to struggle for the next decade to recover from the devastation. The war caused a wealthy class to lose their stranglehold over the southern economy and ended politics being swayed by whether you were pro or anti slavery. The war caused the death of over 620,000 men, around 2% of the population. The American civil war is worth remembering today. It is worth remembering because it shapes the identity of who Americans are today. Without it, we cannot understand why a nation could be split over the death of a young delinquent named Trayvon Martin. Without it we cannot understand how Martin Luther King Jr. struggled to gain his dream. Without it we cannot understand why women fought for suffrage rights in the 1920s. What was the American civil war about? States rights? Slavery? Both? Perhaps this does not matter, perhaps all that matters is the end results, the prohibition of slavery and the emergence of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. The nation emerged with a new identity of freedom, not just whites, but people of all color. But the war did not end discrimination or racism, it saw different forms of it take place; forms that still effect us today. The Civil War is worth remembering because the Civil War still shapes America’s identity to this day. First let us examine the cultural implications the Civil War had on us today. Today in America we are we are shaped as a culture by diversity, and dreams. By diversity I mean we are a culture that though, dominantly white, is full of many ethnicities of pe... ...vil War.† In The War Was You and Me: Civilians in the American Civil War, ed. Joan E. Cashin, 136-156. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002. Snay, Mitchell, Randall M. Miller, Harry S. Stout, and Charles Reagan Wilson. "Religion and the American Civil War." The American Historical Review 105.1 (2000): 217. Print. McPHERSON, James M. "Major Problems in the Civil War and Reconstruction." (n.d.): n. pag. Rpt. in Major Problems in American History Series. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 10. Print. Dew, Charles B. Apostles of Disunion: Southern Secession Commissioners and the Causes of the Civil War. Charlottesville: University of Virginia, 2001. Print. Douglass, Frederick, and Frederick Douglass. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Other Works. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. "The Pledge of Allegiance." The Pledge of Allegiance. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. Why The American Civil War Is Important Essays -- The American Civil W The American civil war took place 150 years ago. The war ripped apart the young country and turned brother against brother. The American civil war ended the most grotesque American institution in its history and caused the nation to struggle for the next decade to recover from the devastation. The war caused a wealthy class to lose their stranglehold over the southern economy and ended politics being swayed by whether you were pro or anti slavery. The war caused the death of over 620,000 men, around 2% of the population. The American civil war is worth remembering today. It is worth remembering because it shapes the identity of who Americans are today. Without it, we cannot understand why a nation could be split over the death of a young delinquent named Trayvon Martin. Without it we cannot understand how Martin Luther King Jr. struggled to gain his dream. Without it we cannot understand why women fought for suffrage rights in the 1920s. What was the American civil war about? States rights? Slavery? Both? Perhaps this does not matter, perhaps all that matters is the end results, the prohibition of slavery and the emergence of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. The nation emerged with a new identity of freedom, not just whites, but people of all color. But the war did not end discrimination or racism, it saw different forms of it take place; forms that still effect us today. The Civil War is worth remembering because the Civil War still shapes America’s identity to this day. First let us examine the cultural implications the Civil War had on us today. Today in America we are we are shaped as a culture by diversity, and dreams. By diversity I mean we are a culture that though, dominantly white, is full of many ethnicities of pe... ...vil War.† In The War Was You and Me: Civilians in the American Civil War, ed. Joan E. Cashin, 136-156. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002. Snay, Mitchell, Randall M. Miller, Harry S. Stout, and Charles Reagan Wilson. "Religion and the American Civil War." The American Historical Review 105.1 (2000): 217. Print. McPHERSON, James M. "Major Problems in the Civil War and Reconstruction." (n.d.): n. pag. Rpt. in Major Problems in American History Series. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 10. Print. Dew, Charles B. Apostles of Disunion: Southern Secession Commissioners and the Causes of the Civil War. Charlottesville: University of Virginia, 2001. Print. Douglass, Frederick, and Frederick Douglass. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Other Works. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. "The Pledge of Allegiance." The Pledge of Allegiance. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.

Rejuvenating a Mature Business

The last two decades has seen a revolution in management accounting theory and practice due to the challenges of the competitive environment in the 1980s. Kaplan and Johnson (1987) identified the failings and obsolescence of existing cost and performance measurement systems which led to re-examination of traditional cost accounting and management control systems. Conventional financial and management accounting methods have developed primarily as a result of corporate legislation in the 1930s forcing companies to provide externally published financial accounts. Management accounting is primarily focused as a decision making tool for running a business, hence they require more flexibility. According to Kaplan management accounts have become a subset of financial accounts and that they reflect more on the external rather than internal requirements of the company. Most of the managerial decision-making and control systems in use in the late 1980s were described by Johnson and Kaplan as stagnant. As a result, they went onto research in new accounting systems raising the profile of internal accounting systems by use of financial and non-financial measures although their work was seen as controversial by Drury but is now considered of key importance to manufacturing industries aiming to become world class. This essay aims to discuss the ways in which new management accounting techniques can bring life into mature businesses, in particular those using non-financial measures. Most companies still use the same cost accounting and management control systems that were developed decades ago in a competitive environment drastically different from today. These systems have major drawbacks described below: They distort product costs i.e. absorption of production overheads into product costs for the purpose of stock valuation. The external financial reporting process was purely driving this allocation of overheads for stock valuation. They do not produce the key non-financial data required for effective and efficient operations, hence they are of little help to operating managers† seeking to reduce costs and improve productivity. The data produced reflected on external reporting requirements far more than the reality of the new manufacturing environment. Failure to provide accurate product costs as they were distributed by simplistic and arbitrary measures usually direct labour based. The short term profit pressures led to a decline in long term investment. These poorly designed or outdated systems can distort the realities of manufacturing performance. As companies become more efficient by using new technologies, labour costs are accounting for a smaller proportion of a company†s overall cost, hence the allocation of overheads to labour hours will become irrelevant and counter-productive to the company†s operations. The most enduring management accounting innovation was the return on investment (ROI) measure which provided an overall measure of the financial performance of each operating units or the entire company. The ROI, initially developed by Du Pont and General Electric in the early 20th century, came about due to the excessive focus on achieving short-term financial performance. As ROI control was introduced, managers aimed to achieve good performance by making operating and investment decisions on developing new and better products/processes, increasing sales and reducing operating costs. But it later became evident that during hard times, when sales were decreasing and operating costs were increasing, ROI targets could still be achieved through financial entrepreneurship by reducing discretionary expenses and exploiting accounting conventions. The creation of wealth through these activities will not help companies survive as world-class competitors. Problems of ROI are only surfacing now because of: the difference in size of organisations, changes in the competitive environment and the rapid movement of technology less pressure for short-term financial performance in the last two decades current managers have little knowledge of their organisation†s technology hence they rely on creating value through accounting activities Cooper and Kaplan introduce the Activity Based Costing (ABC) systems for manufacturing expenses as a replacement for traditional cost allocation systems. ABC is an internal accounting system designed to track overheads to cost units. ABC attempts to track overhead costs to units as accurately as possible hence the concept of the cost driver is essential to this system. A cost driver is a unit measure of a particular overhead that can be assigned to a user of that overhead. For example, in attempting to allocate administration overheads to products, the cost driver may be the number of invoices generated for that product. Hence the product generating most invoices will acquire the largest share of the administration overhead. There does not have to be one driver per overhead. There can be more drivers per overhead if they are relevant to the organisation. The ABC model is shown below: A more accurate means of allocating overheads means that product costs can now be more accurately assessed. ABC analysis allows companies to discover profitable products that have not been properly exploited because the correct costs had not been appreciated. If unit costs are based on budgeted capacity rather than actual, ABC highlights excess capacity because only consumed capacity is allocated via cost drivers. Hence there is a now a measure of excess capacity. This takes away the focus of meeting budgets at all costs and instead focuses on continuous improvement. Product costing is not the only use of ABC. By finding appropriate drivers and cost units, overheads can be assigned to anything that uses them. This allows sales and marketing costs to be assigned both to the products and customers. Traditional systems do not take into account costs generated by customers. For organisations concerned with customer focus, ABC will give valuable insights into customer behaviour. The other benefits of using ABC are its focus on continuous improvement, its measurement of activities at the process level, its provision of accurate cost data including those generated by the customers, and it is geared for the medium term (3-5 years). An extension of ABC is Activity Based Management (ABM), where using the cost drivers, a deeper understanding of the process is enabled. By measuring activity and costs, ABM has a system to monitor continuous improvement and manages a business from a process perspective rather than a departmental one. Therefore it can make decisions based on accurate process level information. A greater understanding of factors critical to the success of manufacturing organisations is needed. Accounting researchers can play a critical role in this effort by attempting to develop non-financial measures of manufacturing performance like quality, productivity, inventory innovation and workforce . A particular challenge is to de-emphasise focus on short-term financial measures and develop indicators that are more consistent with long-term competitiveness and profitability. The challenge of improving a firm†s manufacturing performance is particularly relevant to managerial accountants as they are supposed to provide information for planning and decision making. Therefore, measurement systems for today†s manufacturing operations must consider the following non-financial indicators of manufacturing performance: Quality is emerging as perhaps the most important factor if companies are trying to excel as world-class competitors. U.S. firms typically inspect quality into products whereas Japanese manufacturing is dedicated to eliminating all product defects. Quality is planned and thought into the product at all stages of manufacture including design and supplier specifications. Further commitment is required in training employees, maintenance of equipment and integrating with suppliers. With this embedded into the processes the goal of achieving zero defects can be achieved. Executives claim that manufacturing costs decrease as quality increases thus a continuous drive to reduce product defects will enhance the long run productivity of the production process . Managers tend to use the economic order quantity (EOQ) model which helps in determining the cost balance between an additional set-up (for a new production run or change of product) to the cost of holding inventory. If set-up costs could be driven to zero and by just-in-time inventory control systems implementation firms would hold less inventory and raw materials. These would result to lesser costs in holding material that has no value being added to it. In addition, reducing uncertainties in deliveries from suppliers through close co-ordination can enable factories to run without any raw materials in stock. Reducing machine breakdowns also contributes significantly toward reducing work-in-process (WIP). Thus by investing in information systems and integrating with suppliers, inventory costs can be reduced significantly and accurate information on the company†s manufacturing performance can be obtained. Productivity measures for manufacturing performance have not yet been considered as part of the information that will help managers in decision making and control activities. These measures should be a supplement to financial measures that highlight improvements. Developing new productivity measures would thus be a fruitful field for accountants. There are companies present whose competitive strategy is based on the introduction of new products with unique characteristics, rather than producing mature products with lower costs. These companies will only succeed if their products are introduced at the right time and have features that are desired by their customers. Companies that are forced to produce these products on existing line, due to lack of space, will have to directly monitor the performance, quality and delivery and disregard traditional measurements which put an emphasis on efficiency. The attitudes, skills and morale of employees are important if companies are to succeed in achieving their goals. Investing in skills training, conducting surveys of employee attitudes etc by human resources are all critical if employees are to share company goals. It is clear from the above indicators of manufacturing performance that non-financial measures are essential in rejuvenating mature businesses to become world-class. Executives are also aware that traditional accounting measures like ROI can give misleading information on continuous improvement and innovation which current competitive environments demand. Managers want a balanced presentation of both financial and operational measures which led Kaplan and Norton to devise a balanced scorecard that incorporated both such measurements. The scorecard aids the building of a comprehensive picture of the company†s health and effectiveness in achieving its goals. The balanced scorecard includes financial measures that produces results on actions already taken and is complemented by operational measures on customer satisfaction, internal business processes, innovation and learning activities. It is these operational measures that will fuel the performance of future financial measures. The balanced scorecard yields several benefits, including the ability to bridge the gap between objectives of high level executives and those of front-line workers whose performance is ultimately responsible for reaching the company†s goals. Rather than focusing on short-term financial results, which can blind management to internal efficiency and lead to continued revenue losses, chief executives can benefit by using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system for translating strategy into action at all levels of the enterprise.

Economic Commentary: Public Good, Market Failure Essay

Paper Edition | Page: 5 Jakarta has long been infamous for its repeated floods, such as those that crippled the capital and all its government and economic activities last week. Over 15,000 people were displaced and the material losses from infrastructure destruction and damage inflicted on personal property have reportedly reached Rp 20 trillion (US$ 2 billion). The devastating impact of the disaster on government activities and public services under the central government’s auspices has revived a debate over the need for the country to move its capital from floodridden Jakarta. Even President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, according to his aides, has considered relocation of the capital, albeit as a last resort, as part of an all-out, comprehensive effort to solve the problems facing Jakarta. With or without major floods, which strike every five or six years, Jakarta can no longer sustain the population burden with all its consequences. The city no longer has space to provide housing to all of its nearly 10 million citizens or build roads for the 6 million cars and motorcycles thronging the capital. This is quite apart from the city’s lack of infrastructure to protect residents from disasters like the annual floods. Jakarta today is typified by frustrating traffic gridlock, slums that encircle high-rise buildings, makeshift huts built along riverbanks, food stalls and groceries that occupy sidewalks, traditional markets that spill onto public thoroughfares, clogged drains, illegal parking along busy streets and other forms of disorderliness resulting from the state of over-population. Not to mention the city’s crime rate, which tends to increase year-on- year. Every time Jakarta voters chose their leader, they elect a candidate who they consider able to live up to their high expectations, which of course gives them false hope. Jakarta has turned into a megalopolis without enough resources to deal with its gigantic problems and challenges. What the founding fathers failed to anticipate when they chose Jakarta as the capital city was perhaps its evolution as the country’s commercial hub. About 60 percent of the nation’s money circulates in Jakarta, where foreign companies assign their representatives. Many countries have become aware of the problems in developing their capital city as both the center of government and the heart of economic activities. Then they have got to the point where relocating the capital city becomes unavoidable. Brazil did it in 1960 when it moved its capital from densely populated Rio de Janeiro to newly built Brasilia City, our Southeast Asian neighbors Malaysia and Myanmar moved their capitals to Putrajaya and Naypyidaw in 1999 and 2005 respectively. Indonesia moved its capital to Yogyakarta from January 1946 to December 1949 due to the war of independence. In that time Bukittinggi in West Sumatra also briefly served as the capital city when founding president Sukarno established an emergency government prior to his arrest by the Dutch between December 1948 and June 1949. Unless Jakarta takes drastic measures to shore up its increasing burden, Indonesia will have to consider an alternative capital. Sooner or later saying good-bye to Jakarta will no longer be a matter of choice, but of necessity. Commentary: The article tells us about the recent flood in Jakarta, which has brought huge impacts to the nation financial cycle. The flood was happened because many factors, but the most significant factor is because the lack maintenance of the flood controls system in Jakarta. The capacity of the drains has not been maintain to what level it should be. Therefore, due to heavy rain during the rain season the flood control system could not handle the pressure which resulting the massive flood in most of part the city. Public Good is defined as a good that is both non-excludable and non-rivalrous. Nonrivalrous; its consumption by one person does not reduce consumption by someone else; Non-excludable; it is not possible to exclude someone from using the good. Flood in Jakarta happened because the government has created a market failure since they have under provided the flood control system in Jakarta. The flood control system is an example of an environmental public goods: flood cont rol system, which nobody would provide on their own, even though everybody benefits from it being available. This suggests that since flood control system is a public good (because it is over consume, and underprovided based on what is needed for society) it clearly shows that it is an example of a market failure. Since the market fails to allocate resources to the production of the public goods it means that there are external costs. The article mentioned that the flood has resulted massive looses: over 15,0000 people were displaced and material losses from the city infrastructure, damage inflicted on personal property have reportedly reached Rp 20 trillion (US$ 2 billion). About 60 percent of the nation’s money circulates in Jakarta, where foreign companies assign their representatives; the flood has also interrupted the economic activities, as Jakarta is the â€Å"heart of economic activities† Through this tragedy there are different effect resulted. Seeing the disaster, we could clearly see the disadvantages. Most Jakartans living in flood-prone areas will probably answer mud or garbage after the flood, Citizen loss their property, illness such as fever and other water-borne diseases has also spread wildly.It means, there are external cost needed to recover houses and infrastructure as well as for the health care. In the other hand, other stakeholder got more benefit : trash picker and food seller on the street. Local news reported that the trash picker help to picked up motorcycle from one point to another; they got paid for Rp. 20.000/one way. The food seller on the street increases their income as there is increase in consumer,people were trying to see the flood from closed distance. Jakarta’s government must step in to ensure that flood control systems are produced at socially desirable levels. The flood control system should be provided up to the point where MB=MC so the flood would not be happen again and it would not interrupt the economic sector as well as creating disadvantage for the whole citizen. There are many ways to correct the market failure. Government could make an effective legislation to limit number of urbanization. As we know, Jakarta does not have an appropriate city planner. People build shift huts in the area where it is inappropriate such as the riverbanks. These people are not paying for the house tax since their house is also illegal. This will distort the city infrastructure and also decrease government revenue since they are not paying tax. Government could also do implication of direct provision in using economic criteria to determine which public goods and in what quantity of the public good should be produced. To make government direct provision to be happen, tax should be imply. With implying indirect tax government will increase the revenue which could be use for the spending on public goods, in this case is to increase the number the flood control system and maintain its quality. In long run, this issue will add another problem including the nation government and economic sectors. Based on the article, the President of Indonesia has stated there would be a probability of relocation of the capital. This will bring huge cost on all government, public services, and the whole economic activity within the country, unless the flood issue in being solved. Works Citied: â€Å"Editorial: Good-bye Jakarta.† Jakarta Post. N.p., 26 Jan. 2013. Web. 01 Feb. 2013. Tragakes, Ellie. â€Å"Market Failure.† Economics for the IB Diploma. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2009. 119+. Print.

Magdalena and Balthasar

In the book, Magdalena and Balthasar, Steven Ozment reveals and interprets letters written by a husband and wife in the late sixteenth century. The letters entailed daily life occurrences between Magdalena and Balthasar through a sixteen year period. They explained the joy, hardships, and intimate love relationship that Magdalena and Balthasar experienced in a portion of their lives. Their close and personal relationship in which they had between one another clearly explained that remaining in good health, being business partners, and having faith in God were priorities that Magdalena and Balthasar had in their lives. Magdalena and Balthasar were always aware of all of the ailments and diseases that they were susceptible to. They were unfortunately witnesses to many casualties of friends and relatives. Due to the lifestyle in which they lived, they were not by each others side all the time and therefore were in constant worry of one another, praying that the other was in good health condition. Magdalena writes to Balthasar on the 7 of July 1584, in Altdorf, saying, I have hoped that Almighty God will grant my heartfelt prayer and restore your health there by Christian means, since it has not been his will to do so here. May God preserve you at all times and bring you safely back to me in joy so that we may again cheer and comfort each other after our long separation. Magdalena has dedicated part of her day for praying for her husband to remain in good health and return home safely. The couple attempted numerous treatments in order to maintain their good health standard. One trea! tment they would do about four times a year was bleeding. Magdalena claimed that letting herself bleed had cured the arthritis in her shoulder. Balthasar believed that one remedy to keep his health was drinking water. In his letter to Magdalena on the 5 of June 1591, in Carlsbad near Schlackenwalde, he says, I bega...

Word Choice Amount vs. Number - Proofeds Writing Tips Blog

Word Choice Amount vs. Number Word Choice: Amount vs. Number It can be tempting to think that the subtleties of word choice don’t a major difference to your work. But whether you’re writing an academic paper, a business report or even a novel, picking the right words for the right situation can make your writing stand out from the crowd. Getting words confused or mixed up, on the other hand, can detract from an otherwise great piece of work. Take the words amount and number, for instance. Both are terms used to deal with quantities, so many people use them interchangeably. But they do in fact have importantly distinct meanings, so using the wrong one makes it harder for the reader to follow exactly what you mean. Worry not, though! Here at Proofed we are dedicated to helping people express themselves fully and clearly, so we’ve prepared this little guide on how to use amount and number correctly. Amount (Uncountable Quantities) Typically, when used as a noun, the word amount refers to the sum or whole of a quantity which would be difficult or impossible to count, for example: There is a large amount of sand in the desert. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to total or equal: After the financial crash, losses amounted to four billion dollars. Number (Countable Quantities) The word number, of course, can refer to figure (e.g., 1, 2, 3). In this context, though, we’re interested in its use as an expression of quantity: The number of people at the party was enough to cause a problem. The key is that â€Å"number† refers to a specific, countable quantity. This is made clearer if we think about how â€Å"number† can also be used as a verb: After reading the note, David knew his days were numbered Here â€Å"numbered† indicates a limited quantity of days which could be counted. Amount or Number? One way of working out which word to use is to ask yourself whether the quantity described could be counted. For instance, the phrase â€Å"a large number of sand† wouldn’t make sense because â€Å"sand† is an uncountable noun. So if you’re referring to an unspecified but countable quantity of something, such as pebbles or people on a beach, use â€Å"number.† But if you’re referring to something you can’t count, such as happiness or water, the word you need is â€Å"amount.† You can find more advice on vocabulary in the word choice archive section of our academic blog. And don’t forget that Proofed’s expert proofreaders are available to provide guidance on word choice, grammar, spelling and formatting for everything from resumes to PhD dissertations. Why not upload a free 500-word sample today and see if Proofed can help put the finishing touches on your written work?

Response #2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response #2 - Essay Example When generating a response to this article one must realize the assumption that Americanization has realty increased the commercial industry in the country. In an argument by Outhwaite Americanization defines the true commercial industry in the United States (41). The author further argues that Americanization is responsible for the growth of industries in the United States and around the world that have experienced Americanization (Outhwaite 41). In support to the article, Americanization has now found its roots across the globe as nations like china experienced commercial battles for American industry. Additionally, it is an obvious assumption that major business entities with great histories have their origin in the United States. This is due to the fact that Americanization quickly became an international vice after full dominance of the America market. Outhwaite also argues that it took a less significant time for Americanization to fully dominate the Americas (78). In the article on nationalism, the author fails to identify the true definition of the term. This is because they believe in more than just one definition from a historical point of view. Methodological Nationalism in America dates back to the historical approaches of nationalism. Outhwaite argues that one cannot define nationalism in the United States without considering the fact that the historical definition has a significant weight in defining the term (102). The article however, disregards the argument and focuses on the argument on whether methodological nationalism united or divides the United States. Additionally, the author focuses on the ability of the modern American citizen and government to appreciate the historical approaches to nationalism (Outhwaite 102). In creating a response to the article, one must recognize the fact the article does not provide a true definition of methodological nationalism. The

Quiz 1 Spring 2014 for Escape from Camp 14 Essay - 1

Quiz 1 Spring 2014 for Escape from Camp 14 - Essay Example nce he constantly saw her as a threat to his survival in prison, especially during her childhood years in the prison, for example, since she beat him, and she was also a competitor for food to him (Harden, 3). The fact that the horrendous experiences in the prison that had taught him something different from what humanity is, he could not relate to what it means to be human, to have family, and to relate with others at a human level. His dark secret has now caused him agony, even after 7 years of freedom in USA, despite his attempts to reinvent himself through changing his name (Harden, 1). The memories of seeing his mother hanged and those of seeing his brother shot dead, especially coupled with the fact that Shin is the one who betrayed them is an experience that has completely incapacitated him, so much so that, after experiencing humane living condition and after relating with other people at a human level, he is unable to forgive himself for the betrayal. Shins behavior, like everyone elses in Camp 14, is completely different from that of people living in a free world, or at least those who were not born in a prison camp in North Korea, and his behavior is based on a radically different moral code. It is completely incomprehensible and even inconceivable in the mind of a person who has lived his whole life in a free world, for example, the fact that a son can actually feel glad and relieved by the death of his mother and his brother (Harden, 3). It is even more inconceivable why a person would like to betray his own family; his only family as far as he knows it, especially because Shin was born in a prison camp and therefore did not know any more family or relatives, other than the ones he had in prison. This is because love to him was a meaningless word, having viewed her mother as a threat from childhood, while viewing his brother as a stranger and his father as just any other visitor who cohabited with her mother five times a year (Harden, 3). Such are the