Strategic HRD and HRM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Strategic HRD and HRM - Essay Example Each cupboard is a complex ensemble of fume extraction units, plumbing, and electrical systems to be designed and fitted. Each cupboard is unique and requires flexibility and an attention to detail within the manufacturing process to suit client’s customization needs. The company delivers bespoke fume-cupboards to customers gate but does not get involved in its installation. The Company consists of 220 personnel, 175 of them work on manufacturing process-the core process. Balance of 45 personnel work in the sales department, design department and the support function. Support functions include payroll, accounts, HRM, and administration. HRD problem as identified in company structure appears to be the fact that HRM function is small and inadequately staffed within the company. Further evidence in the case reveals that this function is not able to achieve its objectives to a very large extent. Similarly, sales and design departments appear to be under Staffed.The Company has cor e operations in the manufacturing process in which 80% of employees are deployed. It comprises of several functional sections like the sheet metal cutting and folding for the cupboards, protective coating application, initial assembly, plumbing, and electrical sections. The first HRD/Organizational problem identified in core operations appears to be a loose span of supervisory control over laborers. Assuming 4 supervisors per functional section, we have about 20 supervisors in 5 sections and 155 laborers under such supervisors. Each supervisor on an average has about 8 laborers under him. The second problem relates to very high labor turnover on manufacturing shop floor. This disturbs the supervisor span of control further which is already high at 8 laborers and possibly obstructs the product customization process leading to defectives and quality deficiencies. Moreover, quality control function at the company is very weak too.

Legacies of colonialism in the world today Essay Example for Free

Legacies of colonialism in the world today Essay The colonization of one country by another is rampant throughout history. One country invades and subdues another, extending its sovereignty over the said country or territory for various reasons. Mainly, it is to use the resources of the invaded territory in order to enrich and strengthen itself. As early as the 16th Century, various empires were colonizing nations and territories all over the world. The Portuguese, French, Japanese, British and Spanish were all out to enlarge their territories and empires. When the age of colonialism was finally over, many of the colonized people found that there way of life had changed. Their colonizers had left legacies, both good and bad. Three area’s were the legacy of colonization is felt strongly are economic development, civilization development and cultural transformation. 2. 0 Economic Development Prior to colonization, the indigenous people of any country traded mostly with the surrounding peoples. Most of it was a barter trade that was aimed at making sure there was an even distribution of resources among the people. When the colonizers invaded the countries, they came in search of what resources they could use to enrich their own country, often at the expense of the natives. They looked at agriculture, what crops would easily grow in the region based on the climate of the colony that would satisfy the demands of the people in their home country. They also looked at the natural resources and minerals available in the said colony. In so doing, the colonizers dominated trade, trade routes and even products that could be traded. In the 15th Century Portuguese ships were exploring Africa, Asia and the America’s. Henry the Navigator was pursuing trade in gold and slaves on the West African coast, Bartolomeu Dias was discovering the Cape of Good Hope on the Southern tip of Africa, and Vasco da Gama reached India (Portuguese Empire). Islands like Madagascar, discovered by Trista da Cunha, did not escape. In all these places they established trading posts and fortresses, moving aggressively in their quest to dominate. They took over the ports and controlled trade in the bordering oceans. Brazil, discovered in the year 1500 by Pedro Alvares Cabral, become Portugal’s most important colony. The Portuguese were able to get gold, sugar cane, coffee, precious stones as well as other cash crops from Brazil (Portuguese Empire). 2. 1 Trade in Brazil The economic backbone of present day Brazil is still agriculture, mining and manufacturing. Having discovered the importance of their natural resource during the error of colonization, Brazil’s economy has been doing very well with a GDP per capita of US$ 10,300 estimated in the year 2008 (Central Intelligence Agency, 2009) With the rise of the sugar industry in Brazil established by the Portuguese, it became apparent that there was a great need for labour to ensure that the crop received the needed attention. This gave rise to a new form of international trade with a new product, African slaves. Diagram 1 – Slave Trade Routes Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://www. unc. edu/wrc/maps/08-Map. png Using their connections in Africa, Portuguese slave traders imported slaves by the millions to meet the demand for labour in the sugar plantations (Portuguese colonization). It is important to note though, that slave trade had began way before the need ever arose in Brazil, by the year 1470, the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, was already a major slave port. The rise of coffee plantations in the 19th century further increased the demand for slaves. There were other advantages to Portugal in businesses that were associated with the slave trade. These included the trade of Portuguese commodities that were traded and exchanged for slaves as well as goods produced by the slaves. In this period the Portuguese imported approximately three and a half million slaves (Slave routes, 2009). Due to this importation of slaves as well as the immigration into Brazil of other cultures, native Brazilians today are a minority. Of the approximately 180 Million Brazilians, 55% are Europeans mainly from Portugal, 38% are of mixed African and European descent, 6% are African and 1% are classified as other, which includes Amerindian (Brazil demographic profile). 2. 2 Introduction of new cash crops and plants. When the Portuguese came to Brazil they started the plantation method that had worked very well so far in their African colonies. This plantation method continued even after they left and is still in effect in Brazil today. Seeing as it is the world’s largest producer of coffee, sugar cane, orange juice frozen concentrate and tropical fruit, it is easy to understand why they have kept the plantation method all these years. Additionally, Brazil is also the world’s largest producer of beef, with 170 million head of cattle. Among the other cash crops produced by Brazil are soybeans, cotton, tobacco, cocoa, corn as well as forest products (US Department of State, 2009). Many plants were introduced to Brazil by the Portuguese when they came to colonize. Mangoes were among them, introduced to Brazil in the 1700’s (Tropical fruits). They also introduced rice and coffee, which was introduced in the 1600s and became the major cash crop of Brazil by the 1800s. Additionally, they brought sugarcane from South East Asia in the late 16th Century. Furthermore, the dende palm tree, whose oil is used in making most Brazilian foods was also introduced from Africa in the early 17th century and with it came hot peppers as well. Another plant introduced to Brazil by the Portuguese is okra, used in many Brazilian dishes today (Hamilton, 2005). It is therefore clear that Brazil owes much to their Portuguese colonizers who taught them how to farm by introducing the plantation method, introduced many plants and cash crops that are now the backbone of the Brazilian economy, and brought racial diversity to the country that in turn has created links to many parts of the world. 3. 0 Civilization Development Civilization development is tied in with human development. In many of the colonized territories, though the people had empires already in place, they were not literate, did not written laws or medical facilities. The colonizers brought these aspects to the colonized territories. However, in the process of bringing in their civilized ways, they erased much of the indigenous culture found there. 3. 1 French West Africa Much of West Africa was colonized by the French with a port set up in Senegal in 1659. By the early 1900s, countries like Mali, Benin, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea were under French rule. They were French subjects and were used in forced labor as well as imprisonment in a bid by the French to expand and maintain their interests. Agriculture was the main economic sector and they farmed cotton and peanuts where the climate allowed. They encouraged migration by the natives to areas where these plantations existed by touting them as wage-earning areas (Ali-Dinar). This is a legacy that has remained and pervaded all of Africa, with people in the countryside migrating to the cities in search of jobs. This has led to the creation of issues related to urban cities such as the creation of slums as low income housing, vices like prostitution as well as high crime rates. By the year 1960 all French West African countries were independent (Ali-Dinar). Diagram 2 – French West Africa Source: Earlham College http://www. earlham. edu/%7Emodelun/images/gif/west-africa. gif 3. 2 Legacy in Government in Senegal Prior to the French Colonization of Senegal, the Wolof Empire was ruling. It was ruled by a King who also doubled up as a religious ruler. The Portuguese, who had already been in Senegal before the French, had a mutually beneficial trade partnership with these people before the French came on the scene. (Wolof Empire, 2009). After they were colonized, the Senegalese people took a new form of Government that was introduced by the French. Even after the French were gone, that same form of government remained. Along with it, laws that had been laid down by the French stayed as well. In so doing, the traditional rulership of the Senegalese people was erased and the new form, which was very French, took over. The constitution, created in 1963, backs up a civilian government that has an executive branch, a judiciary that is independent and a National Assembly. In addition to these, the Senate, which is also legislative, was formed in 1999 (Diajayette). The president has the power to elect his Prime minister and together they elect the Council of Ministers who serve as the cabinet. The National assembly is made up of 140 members while the Senate is made up of 60. Of the 60 in the Senate, 45 are elected to office by local government officials and members of the National assembly, 12 are presidential elections, and Senegalese citizens in the Diaspora have the privilege of electing 3. Senegal is divided into 10 regions that are ruled by a governor. In regards to the Judiciary, Senegal has four courts above the level of tribunals and lower courts. These are the Council of State, the High Court, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Council (Profile-Senegal). In addition to taking on French law and government as the basis of the countries executive, legislative and judicial system, the Senegalese also took on the French education system. Prior to colonization, there were no formal schools of any kind. Today the system includes primary, secondary and tertiary education. Senegal has six national languages and one official language, French (Bruhn, 1984). French is also the language of instruction in tertiary institutions although the Senegalese are undertaking English lessons as well. 3. 3 Formal Education in Senegal Along with the introduction to formal education that opened the Senegalese up to the rest of the world, there was an introduction to medicine. Whereas previously the sick would visit a witch doctor or a medicine man, now they have access to modern medicine. It is important to note that as the colonizers traveled, they brought with them diseases that the natives had no immunity against. As such, many of them died from these diseases since they did not have a cure for the same. This went a long way in causing the defeat of the natives, especially in the America’s where a small pox outbreak would kill almost whole colonies. The diseases brought by the colonizers included chicken pox, typhus, dysentery, measles, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, cholera and dysentery (Eddins). The legacies of colonialism in government, education and medicine have been beneficial and far reaching.

Wesels Night - The True Test in Faith :: Elie Wesel

All around the world people lose their faith in God for many different reason, either they or a love one has been diagnose with and deadly disease or an unexpected death occur in there family, they need somebody to blame, so most of them God. In Elie Wisel novel "Night" Elie explain how his faith in God was tested throughout the book, as he was force to leave his home, separated from his family, observe how many was being killed all around him, and witness children being thrown into huge ditches of fire, alive! Elie felt abandon, betrayed, and deceive, the God that he knew was an loving and giving God, it was then he started to doubt his existence. The unexplainable events that occur forever change Elie feelings for God. As Elie try hardly to hold on to his faith, his life was flashing right before his eyes, leaving his home to live in the ghetto, then as his and other lives was getting back normal they was then force out the ghetto, to either be put to death or live in an Concentration Camps, “Not far from us, flames huge flames, were rising from a ditch. Something was being burned there. A Truck drew close and unloaded its hold: small children. Babies! Yes, I did see this, with my own eyes… children thrown into flames. (Is it any wonder that ever since then, sleep tends to elude me?)" Everything around Elie was happen very fast, he couldn't believe it, on how a benevolent God could be part of such depravity, "Why did I pray?... Why did I live? Why did I breathe?" Elie prayed because he believe, he live and breathe to worship thee Almighty. The holocaust forces Elie to ask horrible question, question that doubted God’s ability. It became clear to Elie that God di dn’t have any intention to help, so why should Elie Pray before God, “How could I say to him: Blessed be Thou Almighty, Master of the Universe, who chose us among all nations to be tortured day and night, to watch as our fathers, our mothers, our Brothers end up in the furnaces?

Pearson Chemistry Notes Essay

1. i. All elements are composed of tiny indivisible particles called atoms. 1. ii. Atoms of the same element are identical. The atoms of any one element are different from those of any other element 1. iii. Atoms of different elements can physically mix together or can chemically combine in simple whole-number ratios to form compounds 1. iv. Chemical reactions occur when atoms are separated from each other, joined, or rearranged in a different combination. Atoms of one element, however, are never changed into atoms of another element as a result of a chemical reaction. Sizing up the Atom Atoms are very small the radii of most atoms fall within the range of 5 x 10^-11 m to 2 x 10^-10m atoms can be seen in scanning electron microscopes atoms can be moved 4. 2 Structure of the Nuclear Atom Overview Lots of Dalton’s theory is accepted except that atoms can be divided Atoms can be divided into three subatomic particles Protons Neutrons Electrons Subatomic Particles Electrons Discovered by UK physicist J. J. Thomson (1856-1940) Are negatively charged subatomic particles. Thomson’s Experiment passed electric current through gasses at low pressure. Sealed the gases in glass tubes fitted at both ends with metal disks called electrodes electrodes connected to source of electricity one electrode called the anode became positively charged other electrode, called cathode, became negatively charged resulted in glowing beam called â€Å"Cathode Ray† that traveled from cathode to anode. Findings cathode ray is deflected by electrically charged metal plates positively charged plate attracts the cathode ray negatively charged repels it Thomson knew that opposites attract hypothesized that a cathode ray is a stream of negatively charged particles moving at high speed called particles â€Å"corpuscles†. Later called â€Å"electrons† Millikan’s Experiment US physicist Robert A. Millikan (1868-1953) carried out experiments to find the quantity of an electron’s charge. Oil drop experiment suspended negatively charged oil droplets between two charged plates. then changed voltage on the plates to see how it affected the droplets’ rate of falling he found that the charge on each oil droplet was a multiple of 1. 60 x 10^19 coulomb meaning it was the charge of an electron calculated electron’s mass Millikan’s values for electron charge and mass are similar to those accepted today. An electron has one unit of negative charge and its mass is 1/1840 the mass of a hydrogen atom Protons and Neutrons Four simple ideas about matter and electric charges 1. Atoms have no net electric charge; neutral 2. Electric charges are carried by particles of matter 3. Electric charges always exist in whole-number multiples of a single basic unit; that is, there are no fractions of charges. 4. when given a number of negatively charged particles combines wit an equal number of positively charged particles, an electrically neutral particle is formed.

Family and Childhood Memories

My childhood memories are mainly Just bits and pieces. I do remember some events vividly. My memories are the only things that stay constant. I can pull them out like an old book and retrieve them while the world around me changes so rapidly. My favorite memories are my childhood memories. I was five years old and living in a small town in Mexico with my mother. My grandparents live in front of my house. They live in this two-story house made of adobe and brick tiles. The front of the souse was fixed to be a half store and living room.My grandparents earn their living with that store. I would go over their house every time I had a chance. I used to sit with my grandma and watch television in the store. People would come in the store and I would talk to them. I would ask the people that came in about their children or grandchildren. It was a small town and everyone knew everyone. I made many friends in my grandma store. My cousin Alma lived beside my house. We were born in the same ye ar but I was three months older. My mother and aunt didn't get alone UT that didn't matter to us.We spend a lot of time together despite our mother difference. We did almost everything together. We even got in trouble together. Every Sunday we would walk to church in our white-ironed dresses. We would go in church right behind my mother. As we walked in the church we would smell the fresh cut flowers that adorned the church. My mother would walk in the first row and sit living room for Alma and me. We would sit and listen for fifteen minutes and then we would start talking. My mother would always tell me to stop but I never did.She old always end up sitting between the two of us. I love living in Mexico with my family and friends. On my seventh Christmas my mother tells me she needs to talk to me. I felt my stomach drop. I had lost my gold ring and I did not tell her. She was going to ask for the ring I lost. I walked in the living room nervously. She sat in the sofa and sat next to her. Uniform father wants us to go live with him†, she said. † Where is that? † I responded. Uniform father is working and living in Florida. He really likes it there and he thinks you will like it too†, she explained. L do not want to move. I want to stay with grandma and Alma†, I said. I knew my mother didn't want to move to Florida either. I could see it in her eyes. I also knew my mother did not like the fact my father was never around. She had agreed to move to Florida. The day we left day Mexico I cried and cried. I wanted to be with my father but I also wanted to stay in Mexico. On New years we started packing our clothes. My mom started to sale everything we owned the refrigerator, the washing machines, paintings, and sofas. She said we were not coming back to the house.She said we would visit but we old stay in grandmas house. I loved this house and that made me sad. I tried thinking of the new house I was going to live in. I thought of being with father. It did make me feel better. By February we had everything packed. The house was ready to be on sale. I felt sad but anxious to finally see my father. I remember we left Mexico February the 20. My mom had planned this, so I could spend my eighth birthday with my father. When we arrive at Florida airport. I was shock to see so many people. I heard people talking but I couldn't make the words they were saying.I soon learned the people were talking English. I looked around and I saw my father. He was holding flowers in his hand and a new doll. I ran to him and Jump to his arms. I was over excited to see him. My mother eyes fill with Joy when she saw the two of us. Finally, my life change so much every year. I loved living in Mexico with my family and friends. I also love being with my father. I did not stay in Mexico but I am living with my father. I do visit my grandparents, my cousin Alma, and the endless friends I made in the store every time I go to Mexico.

Free Essays on Plato Ethics

Introduction to Ethics Plato’s Gorgias Analysis of Socrates Argument with Polus Socrates Main Thesis: If something is wanted (P) for oneself then one must think that it (P) would be good for oneself. So, wanting something [P] (for oneself) requires one to think that [P] will be good (for oneself). Thus, it is a necessary condition for wanting something [P] for oneself, that [P] is good for oneself. Using this as his main thesis Socrates shows that tyrants do not have great power since they do not do what they want. In addition, they do what they want because they do not know what is good, and so they frequently do what is bad for themselves. Socrates Main Premises and Conclusion Polus: Tyrants and Orators have great power. Socrates: Tyrants do not have great power since they do not do what they want. And they do what they want because they lack knowledge of their good, and so frequently do what is bad for themselves. P1 = If one does something [ Z ] for the sake of some other end[ J ], then it is that end [ J ] one wants, and not [ Z ] the doing of an act itself. Simply: if one does [Z] in order to get (or for the sake of) [ J ]then * one wants [J], not [Z]. P2 = However, one only does anything [ Z ] for the sake of [ J ]obtaining good things for oneself. If one does something, then he does it for the sake of obtaining a good thing for himself. P3 = Therefore, one only wants to obtain good things for oneself. P4 = If one can only wants what is good for oneself, then he cannot want things that are bad for oneself. [Negation of Premise 3] Conclusion: [1] Therefore it anyone who does something that is bad for himself or herself, may not be doing what they want. [2] One is not doing what one wants if one does things that are bad for oneself. So, tyrants or orators who do things that are bad for themselves, do not do what they want. A Closer Look at the Logical Procession of the Argu... Free Essays on Plato Ethics Free Essays on Plato Ethics Introduction to Ethics Plato’s Gorgias Analysis of Socrates Argument with Polus Socrates Main Thesis: If something is wanted (P) for oneself then one must think that it (P) would be good for oneself. So, wanting something [P] (for oneself) requires one to think that [P] will be good (for oneself). Thus, it is a necessary condition for wanting something [P] for oneself, that [P] is good for oneself. Using this as his main thesis Socrates shows that tyrants do not have great power since they do not do what they want. In addition, they do what they want because they do not know what is good, and so they frequently do what is bad for themselves. Socrates Main Premises and Conclusion Polus: Tyrants and Orators have great power. Socrates: Tyrants do not have great power since they do not do what they want. And they do what they want because they lack knowledge of their good, and so frequently do what is bad for themselves. P1 = If one does something [ Z ] for the sake of some other end[ J ], then it is that end [ J ] one wants, and not [ Z ] the doing of an act itself. Simply: if one does [Z] in order to get (or for the sake of) [ J ]then * one wants [J], not [Z]. P2 = However, one only does anything [ Z ] for the sake of [ J ]obtaining good things for oneself. If one does something, then he does it for the sake of obtaining a good thing for himself. P3 = Therefore, one only wants to obtain good things for oneself. P4 = If one can only wants what is good for oneself, then he cannot want things that are bad for oneself. [Negation of Premise 3] Conclusion: [1] Therefore it anyone who does something that is bad for himself or herself, may not be doing what they want. [2] One is not doing what one wants if one does things that are bad for oneself. So, tyrants or orators who do things that are bad for themselves, do not do what they want. A Closer Look at the Logical Procession of the Argu...

Jones and Blair Company Essays

Jones and Blair Company Essays Jones and Blair Company Essay Jones and Blair Company Essay Blair Company distributes architectural, original equipment manufacturing (MEMO) paint and paint sundries under its brand name over 50 counties in 4 states of US while operating from its plant and headquarters in Dallas. Changing market and industry trends were posing a threat to many regional companies. JOB competed successfully with other national paint companies banking on its different paint formulation and readily available technology. However survival could be a challenge in future. The case reflects on the decision to be made in 2005 by J BC of where and how to deploy corporate marketing forts among the various architectural paint coatings markets served by the company. Market and Industry Analysis: In 2004 US architectural paint industry estimated 12 billion USED sales. Mature market with 1-2% growth pa. This was straining the survival of regional companies, leading to MAs. Major producers accounted for 60% market share. No. Of paint companies was at a decline of 2-3% pa. A trend towards do-it- yourself painting by household consumers was on an upsurge and contributed 50% sales. 0% architectural paints were sold by private store brands which major stocked market leaders. Specialty paint stores and Hardware Lumberyards contributed 36% 14% respectively. Apron. 50% of business for JOB comes from 1 1 counties of UDF and remaining from 39 non UDF counties. Evaluation of Alternative Courses of Action: Increasing the presence in UDF do-it- yourself market by spendi ng USED 350,000 on advertising on TV to increase awareness could be one option as this is a high growth segment. . Hence apart from advertising just in newspaper on floor (retail outlets) promotions will be more effective as the consumer decides the retail outlet to procure the paint first and following that the brand. Employing additional sales representatives to increase aggressive selling was another alternative suggested, but this would increase non capital cost. Reducing the contribution margin will reduce the prices of the paints, will benefit the consumers, however will lead to decrease in net profit. As a result so as to cover up for reduction in contribution volumes will have to be increased which is also not quite possible because the industry is more or less flat (mature stage). Conclusion and recommendations: So as to increase the sales JOB have to focus on both UDF and non UDF market. Since do-it-yourself painting by household nonusers is on an upsurge and they mainly procure their requirements from retail shops, this is an area that needs attention and can be tapped. The UDF market has been contributing significantly in terms of sales volume (50%). More emphasis should be given to the non UDF market as that market is not well penetrated yet. Awareness should created among the do-it-yourself market of the non UDF market by spending USED 350,000 on advertising in newspaper in store (retail outlets) promotions as it first and following that the brand. Price reduction is not a very feasible option as for this sales volume have to be increased significantly.