Kali Hindu Essays - Hindu Goddesses, Mother Goddesses, Shaktism

Kali Hindu Kali Hindu goddesses personify Nature ? its bounty, beauty, wisdom and mystery. In benevolent forms, they nurture life. But in malevolent forms, they destroy everything. They are therefore adored and appeased with offerings of flowers and bridal finery. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism does not advocate the worship of one particular deity. There are numerous gods and goddesses worshipped by Hindus all over India. Among these is Kali, the black earth mother whose rites involve sacrificial killing. She is associated with dark, obscene rites and devil worship. She has black skin and hideous tusked face, smeared with blood. Kali is the Hindu primal Mother Goddess who brings Life and Death, from which all things sprang. She is the furious embodiment of the divine feminine that is released when she becomes enraged. In general we might describe Kali as a Goddess who threatens stability and order. She is the destroyer of the very world She is supposed to protect. Kali was the basic archetypal image of the birth-and-death Mother, simultaneously womb and tomb, giver of life and devourer of her children: the same image portrayed in a thousand ancient religions. One legend says that Kali manifested when the demon Daruka appropriated divine power and the powerful Goddess Parvati knitted Her brows. From Her fury sprang Kali, armed with a trident. She dispatched Daruka and remained in existence, beyond even the control of Parvati, of whom She is an aspect. Kali is still one of India's most popular Goddesses. In fact the city of Calcutta is an anglicized version of the name Kali-Ghatt, or steps of Kali, Her temple. The bloody rites of Kali worship are sometimes so terrifying, that few understand them. Kali is a symbol of the worst we can imagine and by knowing Her, we can overcome the terror of our own death and destruction. Once faced and understood, Kali frees her worshippers of all fear and becomes the greatest of mothers, the most comforting of all goddesses. Kali is an important figure in Hinduism, despite Her intimidating appearance and ghastly habits. She takes a central role in Tantrism, where an underlying assumption if ideology is that reality is the result of the symbiotic interaction of male and female, Siva and Sakti - polar opposites that in interaction produce a creative tension. In Tantra it is Kali's vitality that is sought through techniques aimed at spiritual transformation. She is affirmed as the dominant and primary reality. Kali is regarded as the supreme goddess of the Saktas, who almost always associate her with Shiva. As the latter's consort or associate, she plays the role of inciting him to wild behavior. As a goddess having an awful, frightening appearance, she is addressed as Siddhasenani (general of the Siddhas), Mandaravasini (dweller on the Mandara), Kali (black or dark), Kapali (wearer of skulls), Bhadrakali, Mahakali, Chandi (formidable), Karali (frightening), etc. To many of her devotees, she is also Kumari (virgin), Tarini (deliverer), Vijaya (victory), Jaya, `younger sister of the chief of cowherds', `delighting always in Mahisa's blood', Kausiki, Uma, `destroyer of Kaitabha', mother of Skanda, Svaha, Svadha, Sarasvati, Savitri, `mother of the Vedas', Mahadevi, Mohini, Maya, Hari, Sri, Sandhya, Vindhyavasini (an epithet of Durga), Chamunda, etc. Mahakali is very dark, usually naked, and has long, disheveled hair, a girdle of severed arms, a necklace of freshly cut heads, earrings of child ren's corpses, and bracelets of serpents. To add to her dreadful appearance, she has long, sharp fangs and claw like hands with long nails and blood smeared on her lips; she laughs loudly, dances madly. She is a goddess who, in the words of David Kinsley, even in the service of the gods, she is ultimately dangerous and tends to get out of control. In association with other goddesses, she appears to represent their embodied wrath and fury, a frightening, dangerous dimension of the divine feminine that is released when these goddesses become enraged or are summoned to take part in war and killing?. In relation to Shiva, she appears to play the opposite role from that of Parvati. Parvati calms Shiva, counterbalancing his anti-social or destructive tendencies. It is she who brings Shiva within the sphere of domesticity and who, with her soft glances, urges him to

3 Ways To Increase the Pressure of a Gas

3 Ways To Increase the Pressure of a Gas One common science homework question is to list 3 ways to increase the  pressure of a gas container or a balloon. This is an excellent question because answering it helps you understand what pressure is and how gases behave. What Is Pressure? Pressure is the amount of force exerted over a unit of area. P F/A Pressure Force divided by Area As you can see from looking at the equation, two ways to increase pressure are to increase the amount of force or decrease the area over which it is exerted. How exactly do you do that? Thats where the Ideal Gas Law comes into play. Pressure and the Ideal Gas Law At low (ordinary) pressures, real gases behave like ideal gases, so you can use the Ideal Gas Law to determine how to increase the pressure of a system. The Ideal Gas Law states: PV nRT Where P is pressure, V is volume, n is the number of moles of a gas, R is Boltzmanns constant, and T is temperature If we solve for P: P (nRT)/V Three Ways to Increase the Pressure of a Gas Increase the amount of gas. This is represented by the n in the equation. Adding more molecules of a gas increases the number of collisions between the molecules and the walls of the container. This raises pressure.Increase the temperature of the gas. This is represented by T in the equation. Increasing temperature adds energy to the gas molecules, increasing their motion and, again, increasing collisions.Decrease the volume of the gas. This is the V in the equation. By their very nature, gases can be compressed, so if the same gas can be put into a smaller container, it will exert a higher pressure. The gas molecules will be forced closer to each other, increasing collisions (force) and pressure.

Hume & Schumacher Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Hume & Schumacher - Essay Example In this research, philosophy has come to play a very critical role in the understanding of human life. It finds its applicability from simple life questions such as the definition of terms to more complex debates about the ultimate purpose of life as well as what is real and what is vague. One of the greatest philosophers ever seen in history was David Hume (1711-1776). His essays and publications are now used by scholars both in Philosophy and other academic disciplines. The purpose of this paper is to examine his views and arguments from the viewpoint of another great philosopher, Schumacher, E.F (1911-1977). David Hume is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers to have ever lived. His essays, Moral, Political and Literary are recognized as a great contribution to the 18th Century Philosophy and the succeeding years. Similarly, several outstanding philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham have confessed being directly influenced by his works. Similarly, Charles Dar win attested to Hume as a central influence (Hume 34). Hume is honored for having written in probably every branch of Philosopher but more so in the area of human science. Some critics have referred to him as ‘our politics, religion and also our economy’. ... Regarding cause and effect, or causality, he believes that, as all humans do, that there is no event without a cause, and that this conception is inborn, not taught, or induced in to us. Referring to his predecessors, Hume questions what the relationship between cause and effect really means (Guyer 26). By giving real life examples, he concludes that our perception of connecting two events is not based on a close scrutiny but by the closeness of the two events. He states that it is impossible to experience the connection between the two events. We only experience the events themselves but not the actual causing. Therefore, this causal theory is a mere construct in our minds without any absolute foundation on experience. If his view is correct, many scientists, who consider themselves as searching for causes, would need to redefine themselves. Secondly, Hume debates the existence of the self. The ancient example of a ship tied to a harbor where families brought their children to play on the decks rouses a question. After many years of aging, several parts of the ship, and finally, every single chip of the ship are replaced, such that there is nothing left of the original ship. A question rises on the originality of that ship, on whether the sign on the ship should read, â€Å"This is the famous ship which fought many battles†, or â€Å"this is a replica of that ship†. One would conclude that it is the same ship since its identity has remained unchanged over the years. Similarly, Biology teaches that every molecule of the body is replaced after 7 years (Schumacher 19). Yet after those years, we still maintain our identity and even given the different experiences we go through, we

Real Estate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Real Estate - Essay Example The people took properties on mortgages and also took loans from the bank. The economy also started to flourish as the real estate market has a direct impact on the economy of the country. It was during this period that different kinds of policies and loans were introduced by banks and estate companies. All other industries that were somehow associated and linked with the real estate market also grew stronger (Hersh, 2002). But soon with the start of the new millennium the situation started to reverse and the market started to face a downfall. The financial institutions started to withdraw the money and the gross percent money assets diminished rapidly and within single year it decreased to an extremely low value (New York University, 1971). The subprime credit was completely eliminated from the market and the interest rates greatly increased and rates for all types of loans also dramatically increased. The housing prices continued to hike and this continued to fuel the flame. The closure rates hit new records and the domino effect began (Hersh, 2002). As a result the people stopped to invest, the banks stopped to lend loans to people and companies and those companies which were still giving loans were giving them at increased interest rates. As the people stopped to invest and started to take out their money, business started to decrease and the entire market started to fall. The industries and factor ies had much reduced works and therefore the companies started to fire people because keeping the workers without any work was a loss to the company and the people started to lose their jobs and started to seek governmental aids (California Real Estate Association, 1936). The government was also facing financial problems as the government banks and estates were easily issuing loans to the people and when the housing market crashed the people became unable to pay back their loans and many companies filed bankruptcy and the banks had no more money to lend. The

Understanding developments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Understanding developments - Essay Example Development can only realize its full potential through motivating the people, involving them in the projects and organisation at the grassroots levels. Citizens and the agencies have seen the benefits of including the people in the various projects to achieve success hence made it almost mandatory to seek participation in any project. Participation of the people was embraced due to the concerns that development was not only capital centered but also needed the approval of the local people for it to succeed. Participation was aimed at improving the distribution of growth and to reach out to even the lowest income groups of people and emphasise the importance of development to the entire populations. In the recent decades, participation has taken the form of democratisation where citizens are allowed to vote for what they want, and any project that they feel is best for them (Oakley, 1995). The easiest form of participation is in the political arena where everyone is given the equal right to vote for whoever they want and thus increasing the sense of responsibility. When the communities on the grounds are allowed to participate in the various projects, they are more likely to be successful. The idea of participation started as a way of reducing poverty among the people and increasing their influence over factors meant to benefit them. The increasing levels of poverty were a major concern, and it was believed that people were poor since they did not have any influence over the factors that determined are directly affected them (Dom, 2012). Therefore participation would enable them to have some control over the factors that affect them including access to resources that would help them to improve their standards of living. Decisions on development projects were in the past made by people who did not understand the needs of the poor and thus he projects would at most times be irrelevant to the people.

Facilities Management Outsourcing In The UK Information Technology Essay

Facilities Management Outsourcing In The UK Information Technology Essay Chapter One served as an introduction to the dissertation, forming the motivation for the research project on the facility management outsourcing in the UK, together with a brief discussion on factors embodied in the study. Factors such as the problem, literature review; research methodology and limitations of the study are discussed. This is the appropriate theoretical paradigm of the study, the main focus of which is to specify the facility management outsoaring trend in the UK, together with related concepts. In the next paragraphs, As per research literature author discusses the definition of outsourcing, to understand the meaning of outsourcing from different views of various authors, and thus lead to conclusions of what outsourcing means. Outsourcing is the long-term results-orientated relationship with an external service provider for activities traditionally performed within the company. Burn et al., (2002) say Outsourcing usually applies to a complete business process and implies a degree of managerial control and risk on the part of the provider. Aaratunga et al.(2008) is in the favour of FM, according to him FM helps organizations as well as employees as a whole to get the full benefit by the integration of property and user related functions. It provides dynamic facilities policies which help in the generation of corporate values. It reduces the problems of space allocation and charging. In improving the environmental condition it can be a great help. Direct and contract employment can also be improved by the introduction of FM. Facility management  is an  interdisciplinary  field primarily devoted to the maintenance and care of commercial or institutional buildings, such as  hotels,  resorts,  schools,  office complexes,  sports arenas  or  convention centres. Duties may include the care of  air conditioning,  electric,power,  plumbing  and  lighting  systems;  cleaning;  decoration;  grounds keeping  and  security. Some or all of these duties can be assisted by computer programs. These duties can be thought of as non-core or support services, because they are not the primary business (taken in the broadest sense of the word) of the owner organization (Alexander, Keith, 1996). According to Barrett (1995) there are three approaches for opting the whole of FM services or part of it namely; out-sourced, in-house or a hybrid of both. The firm can choose any of the approach in order to get the FM services. The approach taken by the firm depends on the concerns or priorities already decided by the firm. In case of support providers some organizations goes for the totally in-house option, while some are in the favour of certain main services which are possible, the third type of organization is the one who uses the combination of both. Many companies have realized that in order to add value to its customers, they must single-mindedly concentrate on their core competencies and leave the running of vital, but yet time consuming and labor intensive peripheral activities to other more qualified operators confirms Sherratt (2000). 2.2. What is outsourcing Outsourcing means to have a contract with another company or person to do a particular function. Now a day almost every organization outsources some of its departments in some way. Usually, that function is being outsourced which is considered non-core to the business. Outsourcing takes many forms. Organizations still hire service providers to handle distinct business processes (Sourcingmag, 2009). Source: MacroTechs business process outsourcing model A term often used in the context of outsourcing is vertical integration. Vertical integration refers to the level of ownership of activities either backward into the supply chain or forward towards the customers or end-user of the product and service. Vertical integration is similar to the outsourcing concept in that it is concerned with the decision on whether to perform an activity internally or source it from an external supplier. Another term that is often used in manufacturing context is make-or-buy. It is arguable at make or buy is most appropriate term in context of outsourcing as it implies that there should be an evaluation of the suitability of either internal or external supply whereas the term outsourcing implies that the decision to use an external supplier has already been made without any consideration whether is it appropriate for the organization. Its necessary for the successful application of outsourcing to analyze whether it is necessary for the organization and h ow the outsourcing process should be managed (McIvor, Ronan, 2005). 2.2.1 Reasons behind outsourcing In todays business evolution, companies seek to remain strong or gain strength in an ecommerce-enabled marketplace. Likewise the factors driving outsourcing have evolved from a focus on solving financial problems to IT or certain business processes which contribute to the competitive success of an organization through enhanced capability, improved flexibility, increased efficiency or enhanced speed to market. Outsourcing has evolved from a survival tactic to a strategic competitive tool touted by even the most respected management consultants says Van Bon (2002:249). The areas which have not run on traditional lines can be introduced by the new ideas, technologies and new findings with the help of outsourcing which has a great positional in bringing the businesslike approach. It can help in upgrading the system or skills of the workers. It has a potential in bringing the reduced cost technologies by specializations and large scale economies. Outsourcing can help in upgrading the assets (Beitz,1998). Accoring to Heath (2010) outsourcing facilities management enables an organization to focus on its core business functions. Organization can gain many value-driven and many less visible benefits including:- Flexibility Increase and decrease staffing levels as needed, without having to interview, hire, or train a new employee or be forced to lay off employees when business slows. Productivity Because you are tapping into a pool of well-trained professionals who have access to the best processes, you immediately increase your productivity. Expert Assistance Rely on experts in facilities management to ensure that your company is operating efficiently and cost effectively. Better Service By having the right personnel available to handle your facility management issues, your customers will benefit as well. The cost-savings alone can make outsourcing management an attractive idea; instead of paying salary, bonuses, benefits, and taxes, as well as the administrative costs associated with those items, organization willl simply pay a flat rate that makes it easy to budget and plan. 2.2.2 Outsourcing relationship management process (the modern outsourcing model) In the new era of outsourcing, the customer regards the vendor as a long-term asset that is a source of ongoing value to the company. An asset, time and resources are dedicated to the management of a relationship, thereby maximizing its value. The customers resources are held accountable for extracting value from the outsourcing relationship. This is a more strategic approach. Good relationship management requires thought, planning, coordination and dedication of resources to be successful. Management cannot overlook the importance of this structure and its supporting processes. Good relationship management can be used to fix many ills inherent in a sourcing transaction. While this area of expertise is relatively immature, it is nonetheless important if the promise of outsourcing is to be realized concludes Van Bon (2002). Often a person called the client contract manager of an outsourcing deal is left to determine what was just negotiated after the outsourcing contract is signed. Van Bon (2002: 258) has shown that in a lot of situations this is a recipe for disaster, when it comes to realizing the benefits of outsourcing. Fortunately in todays world, organizations realize the importance of processes and a sound governance model by the time the deal is finalized. The big questions to be asked is how does one go about building into the process and how does one operate the process after an outsourcing deal is done? When an outsourcing deal has taken place, interdependency exists between the two companies. Both the vendor and the customer therefore change, as the one affects the other. Therefore both parties must understand the cost drivers of the two infrastructures and coordinate changes so as not to introduce additional costs into the process. Both the customer and the vendor must behave as an integrated supply chain rather than as win or lose adversaries. MTW (2010) found in this research that the FM market has become increasingly characterized by closer relationships between suppliers and contractors, as greater efficiencies and lower procurement costs are sought. During 2009, several FM companies established programs specifically designed to improve supplier relationships to ensure that material and equipment suppliers were aligned with customer relationship principles and accountable for their own supply chains. 2.3. Types of outsourcing For the purpose of this study and based on the area of study on which the author is focusing, there are two types of outsourcing models identified by Greaver, F. Maurice (1999):- Total outsourcing: In this type of outsourcing, organizations outsource all of their activities. It is easiest way to in the easiest way to get good results with less effort. Service provide so same things but they produce better results, mostly organization choose it as it saves money. Selective outsourcing: Some times organization does not want to outsource all the activities of an individual, function or process. In Facility Management industry if an organization wants to outsource its whole building control but keeps automated entry exit control in their own system to make sure who come in and leaves the building and when. Most successful experiences were associated with a reasoned, incremental and selective approach to outsourcing which is increasingly reflected in the structure of the market confirms Willcocks and Fitzgerald (1994). Table 2.1 Types of Outsourcing and the risks associated with them. In-house Commitment Selective Outsourcing Total Outsourcing Total Attitude Core Strategic Asset Mixed Portfolio Non-Core Necessary Cost World Class Provision Providers IT Employees Loyal to Business the Horses for Courses Vendor Strategic Partner Emphasis Value focus Value for Money Money Added Value? Dangers High Cost Insular Unresponsive Management Overhead Exploitation by Suppliers Unbalanced Risk/Reward Innovation Source: Alexander (1996) This table 2.1 shows that all arrangements have inherent risks associated with them, in addition to the above types of outsourcing, Other types of outsourcing services as defined by Glomark-Governan (2006) include Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) which involves the transfer of management and execution of one or more complete business processes or entire business functions to an external service provider. Research done by Currie and Willcocks (1997:180) concludes that most companies chose selective outsourcing. In the United States only 8% has gone total outsourcing and in the United Kingdom only 2%. This figure as low since total outsourcing is very risky. Data collected on total outsourcing indicates a 35% failure rate. With total outsourcing, vendors build in a high switching cost. Total outsourcing should be done on a joint risk-reward basis and never on a fee-for service (time and material) contract. It is recommended that re-negotiation stages be included in the original contract of big deals. 2.4 Advantages of outsourcing Turban et al. (2002) describes following advantages of outsourcing FINANCIAL Avoid heavy capital investment, thereby releasing funds for other uses Improve cash flow and cost accountability Realize cost benefits from economies of scale, and from sharing computer housing, hardware, software and personnel Release extensive office space TECHNICAL Be free to chose software due to a wider range of hardware Achieve technological improvements more easily Have greater access to technical skills MANAGEMENT Concentrate on developing and running core business activity Eliminate need to recruit and retain competent FM staff HUMAN RESOURCES Draw on specialist skills, available from a pool of expertise, when needed Enrich career development opportunities for staff QUALITY Clearly define service levels Improve performance accountability Earn quality accreditation FLEXIBILITY Respond quickly to business demands 2.5 Disadvantages of outsourcing In spite of the numerous advantages mentioned above, there can also be less desirable consequences. Most concerns are explored further (Bucki, James. 2010). Availability: The external provider is not always available full time and may be committed to other clients. Confidentiality: The vendor will probably need to keep some of the customers records off-site while simultaneously working with competitors. Cost: The customer may perceive that unit costs for the external provider are high. Termination costs of an agreement can also be very high. Perceived lack of accountability and commitment: There is a possibility that a customer can end up with a provider that does not share the risks of the client and is committed to the agreement. 2.6 Outsourcing decision making Research done by Caruso (1996) found that the decision to outsource non-core competencies takes place at corporate level in 50% of the cases. A third takes place at the divisional level and 15% at operational level. Normally other departments such as finance, Marketing and Human Resources are also involved in the decision. These departments play a significant role in the selection process. The final decision on which vendor to use is done at corporate level. Glomark-Governans (2006) also found that the finance department is involved with the cost calculations and the Human Resources department concentrates on the smooth transition of employees. The Human Resources department is also responsible for monitoring employee moral throughout the company before, during and after the outsourcing transition has taken place. The Marketing department would then explain the new strategic relationship of the company with the vendor customer and concentrate on the benefits the customer will reap from the outsourcing arrangement. Vendors should be selected based on their total capabilities, not just price or a single aspect of what they can do. References and reputation are only two of the criteria that should be used when making the final decision on which vendor to contract. A reasonable price should be negotiated and performance measures put in place. When selecting a vendor, close attention should be paid to how candidates measure up in the areas of financial strength, business experience, business development, support services and business arrangements. Willcocks et al., (1997) also found that assessing outsourcing intangible benefits also requires a careful investigation of links between the technical, the operational, and the economic effects of the benefit. The result provides a sound framework for identifying the measurable variable needed for the economic quantification. As a simple example: Technical benefit an on-line sales force Web service enables sales professionals in a company to produce reports with key content designed for executives in their accounts. Operational benefit with the new reports available, the sales representatives can increase the number of meetings with senior managers in their accounts Economic benefit an increase in meetings with senior managers will increase the close rate. The close rate (number of orders closed as a percent of proposals presented) is the measured variable that can be used to define the benefit formula (means of economic quantification). 2.7 Facilities management outsourcing Since cresting as a trend in the mid-to-late 80s, the outsourcing of facilities management has now simply become a way of doing business. In the last decade, many facilities managers have exchanged the traditional carts and hard hats for seats in boardrooms with titles like VP of capital assets or VP of real estate. At meetings, they build strong cases for maintaining existing facilities; persuading their brethren that buildings which hold their value are as important to the core mission of their organization as developing a new product or pouring millions into new research (Helene, McEntee, 2000). Facilities management has changed significantly since the early 1990s. In the early days, such tasks were decentralized. Store or district managers made service vendor selections and managed repair decisions. Often, those providing services were relatives or friends. The corporate headquarters usually had no view into facilities issues at the store level (Barrett, P.,  Baldry, D., 2003). By the mid 1990s, centralization became the norm. Major tasks, such as procurement and new construction, became centralized at the home office to achieve buying power. Centralization also found its way to facilities management. Facility maintenance departments began to grow, adding headcount to manage the needs of multiple locations while offloading tasks from onsite managers (Barrett, P. Baldry, D., 2003). By the late 1990s, web-based management solutions emerged, known as computerized maintenance management systems (CMMSs). The promise of a CMMS was the connection of all interested parties, including the store manager, facilities manager and service vendors. Unfortunately, service providers often did not have computers and the malls were not connected to the Internet, leading to system inefficiencies (Nakayama, M. Sutcliffe, N. 2005). By about 2002, affordable Internet access and the proliferation of broadband connections led to the emergence of powerful new facility management solutions. Leveraging portals and email, facilities management was embracing modern technology to improve communications and accountability (Nakayama, M. Sutcliffe, N. 2005). Blumberg (1998) presents new viewpoint to explain the FM outsourcing in terms of its positional benefits. FM outsourcing provides the organization many benefits. It helps in reducing the cost of the organization that opt it as the service provider company provides high quality services with the comparatively low cost. It is useful in improving the operating efficiency as the workload is shared. The net effect will be on the returns, they will increase and In contrast to Bloomberg (1998) and Kotabe (1992), if organization outsource its FM sector it will lead to the loss of overall market performance. He says that innovation will be neglected in case of reliance on outsourcing. When outsourcer does not want to be innovative he outsources its FM as it is much easier in contrast to indulge in innovations. The end result is the decline in the technological advancements which is the base in the innovations in the product and process. According to Nutt (1999) FM is improving the overall efficiency of the organization. It is a huge deportment in establishing values for all the facilities seekers. Corporations, individual employees, clients, operating units are the chief facilities seekers. FM is growing day by day and because of its increasing demand this market has created a much more competitive marketplace. Different types of FM companies has been established to fulfil its increasing demand such as FM contractors, professional FM institutions, FM suppliers, FM consultants and in-house FM teams. 2.8 Developing a facilities management structure Atkin, B. Brooks, A (2009) states that for the efficient and effectively management of facilities, stout strategies must be developed in the framework of organizations strategic business plan and accommodation strategy. These strategy should include development of strategic objectives and a business plan for the FM function. The process of developing a Fm strategy is demonstrated in Figure 2.2, which shows three main stages with their elements. These three stages are:- Strategic analysis Developing solutions Strategy implementation Figure 2.2 Source: Atkin, B. Brooks, A (2009) There is no single formulation of facilities management that will fit all situations. Nonetheless, the concept of the informed client function is common to all situations. Most buildings represent substantial investments for organisations and usually have to accommodate and support a range of activities in the organisations core business, for which an appropriate environment must be created in buildings that may not have been designed for the purposes for which they are now used. Yet, no matter how well focused on organisation might be on its core business, it cannot lose sight of the supporting services the non-core business. The relationship between two is shown in the figure 2.3. Organisations may have already considered the distinction between their core business and non-core business (such as security, payroll or cleaning) as part of the drive to deliver customer satisfaction and achieve best value (Atkins, Brian Brooks, Adrian, 2009). Figure 2.3Source: Atkins, Brian Brooks, Adrian (2009). 2.9 Facilities management Information Technology History of computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) dates back to the early 1960s when space forecasting and inventory applications were first run on expensive mainframe computers by people writing their own programming codes. With the passage of time architectural planning and construction project management were added to the suite of applications running on the systems shown in figure 2.4. The number of people writing their own code based on office automation software increased dramatically with the advent of smaller computers. Islands of automation introduced in the market during 1970s and 1980s, CAFM began to be used for other applications such as furniture inventory, lease management, aqsset management, and building cost accounting CMMS application such as maintenance management, cable management and security began during late 1980s and 1990s during the end of 1980s internet was introduced and it was revolution in the automated system. Many firms created their own softwares t hose fits in their organization (National research council, 2001). Figure 2.4 Space Asset CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Inventory Management Management System) 1960sà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦1970sà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦1980sà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.1990sà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..2000s Mainframe > PC Islands > CAFM > Internet Source: National research council (2001) Today facilities managers use several software tools. Each of these tools processes and stores only specific information. Only FM specific tools are included in the following list, general tools like email, workflow, word processing belong to underlying IT base support (Redlein, Alexander, 2004). Computer Aided Facility Management Systems (CAFM) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP) Building automated Systems (BA including security systems) Management Information system (MIS) (Business Data Warehouse Systems) As mentioned above, all of the tools are engaged in the day to day objective process. Even in one field one toll alone cannot handle or support all the needed processes. The following table 2.1 shows how the main basic processes of FM can be supported by the software systems (James, R. Watson, R., 2009):- Table 2.1 Main processes and IT support Support of CAFM ERP BA Maintenance Drawing, equipment location Maintenance contracts, cost accounting, billing Technical data, status of equipment Space Management Drawing, current user Cost accounting, transparency Technical data Tenant management Current user Tenancy agreement, rental fee Technical resources Sales / Marketing Visualization, adaptation to customers needs Information systems, calculation Available technical resources Source: National institute of building sciences Computer-aided facilities management system (CAFM) There are many Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) tools available today. They have become an essential tool for increasing and maintaining the efficient use of space in your buildings. As a planning tool, CAFM can help by creating trial layouts and comparing space efficiencies. CAFM helps track and control the use of assets like furniture and equipment. CAFM can help allocate asset costs to operating units and track employee movements. Many CAFM applications have options to aid in scheduling the use of shared space or maintenance routines like landscaping or snow removal. CAFM also enhances the effectiveness of facility safety and security. Following benefits could be achieved by implementing CAFM system (Teicholz, Eric, 1995) Increased Efficiency of Asset Utilization Automates space charge-backs based on your billing and reporting requirements Link architectural drawings with facilities and infrastructure data, ensuring information is always accurate Allocates space usage and reports charge-backs with accuracy to avoid external or inter-departmental billing disputes. Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) ERP is back office software which focuses on the key business functions of manufacturing, supply chain management,  CRM, financial management and  Project Management. A well implemented ERP solution will improve the efficiency of the enterprise, reduce money tied up in stock/work in progress, and run a Just in Time inventory system (BBC, 2005). Building automated system (BA) Building automation  describes the functionality provided by the control system of a building. A building automation system (BAS) is an example of a  distributed control system. The control system is a computerized, intelligent  network  of electronic devices, designed to monitor and control the mechanical and lighting systems in a building (Redlein, Alexander, 2004). BAS core functionality keeps the building climate within a specified range, provides lighting based on an occupancy schedule, and monitors system performance and device failures and provides email and/or text notifications to building engineering staff. The BAS functionality reduces building energy and maintenance costs when compared to a non-controlled building. A building controlled by a BAS is often referred to as an intelligent building system (Daintree Networks, 2009). As it mentioned in the section 2.7 that in around 2002, affordable Internet access and the proliferation of broadband connections led to the emergence of powerful new facility management solutions. Leveraging portals and email, facilities management was embracing modern technology to improve communications and accountability (Nakayama, M. Sutcliffe, N. 2005). 2.10 The evolution of outsourcing in the FM market Companies have become more efficient at reducing costs, and this is sometimes difficult to do effectively through in-house facilities managers. They are often constrained by internal political pressures and vested interests, and often they lack the expertise to manage change. Change within a company is a major challenge to any chief executive. By outsourcing to professionals, the outsourcing company becomes the change agent and a company is able to re-engineer and reposition itself more quickly and efficiently says Jackson (1997). Figure 2.1 Trend in FM outsourcing Source: Holzhhauzen 1999:9 From traditional in-house facilities management, the trend moved towards contracting certain non-core competencies. It then developed into outsourcing non-core competencies to a number of outsourcing firms. The trend is now developing further to full facilities management, which takes the risk away form the customer and places it on the shoulders of a single vendor (Holzhhauzen 1999). Since the early 1990s FM has shows the tremendous growth, as different sectors and organizations are interested in control of operational efficiencies and cost. Now a day there is a trend in private companies to focus on the core competencies. So these companies are interested in adopting the outsourcing in order to increase the efficiency as well as output of a company (AMA Research, 2009). FM sector has shows tremendous success over the last 25 years. Many professional bodies are supporting the growing number of FM practitioners all over the world to establish this market as a worldwide brand. It has been controlled by the global network of FM educational providers who worked jointly with the professionals related to this field, they also have collaboration with the academic community which provides them with the unique and challenging ideas to develop this market. According to writer there is variety in the practice of FM but the main idea of its establishment remains the same which helps in maintaining its distinctiveness (Grimshaw, 2001). The back casting exercise provided an opportunity of reflecting on the short history of Facilities Management, charting its development and evolution. At the European Facilities Management Conference in Manchester (EFMC08) the vision of a new wave of Facilities Management was proposed in response to the context of post-industrial cities. A leading role for FM in urban sustainability was envisaged, with an emphasis on innovation and creativity, community based planning and open sourcing (EFMC, 2008). 1970s 1G Managed services, outsourcing Operational total facilities management, CAFM 1980s 2G Quality management, management agency Tactical benchmarking, FM processes, FIMS 1990s 3G Partnering, re-engineering processes, Strategic knowledge management, product innovation, sustainable facilities management 2000s 4G Business processes, open innovation, usability, Transformational service excellence, transformational outsourcing, As Facilities Management enters a fifth decade and, perhaps a fifth generation in the development of Facilities Management, what will the next generation be like? (EFMC, 2008). 2.10.1 Facilities management outsourcing trend in the world Europe is now the worlds biggest market for outsourcing. In 2004, Europe accounted for 49%

Art: Interaction vs Participation :: Graduate Admissions Essays

Art: Interaction vs Participation I am a Burning Man participant since 1998. Last year when I went to SIGgraph -- my first since I began participating in Burning Man -- the artwork there left me utterly uninspired. Nothing there brought to life a deeper desire to create like the artwork at Burning Man did, though both events deliver similar kinds of artwork. Don't get me wrong. The art at SIGgraph was good but it didn't change me like the art at Burning Man does. I have been trying to define what that difference is. And more importantly, how to harness whatever aspect of Burning Man art makes it so much more deeply inspiring. I believe I am finally able to draw that line, and that line is what seperates interaction from participation. What is the definition of interaction? The on-line Mirriam Webster dictionary defines interation thus: "mutual or reciprocal action or influence". In art, interaction can be a button or control that has influence over the art in some way. Interaction in art brings the viewer into the art by allowing the viewer to have control over aspects of the art itself. This adds a dimention of action vs. passiveness, inclusion vs. exclusion, direction vs. submission. Interactivity allows a viewer to have defined control over the art in some form. So what makes participation different from interaction? The second M-W definition of participation is this: "the state of being related to a larger whole." A very powerful statement in the area of art, but what does it mean? How can the viewer become a part of the greater whole in a piece of artwork? I have an answer for this question, but first let me describe some examples of participation and interaction and see if that line becomes easier to draw: At SIGgraph 1999, there was a marble-maze game. The viewers step on the virtual maze to tip it to make the virtual marble roll through part of the maze. The first act of "participation" at Burning Man was at the first Burn. Larry Harvey built a large wooden man and took him to Baker's Beach to burn him. People began gathering around. While he burned, a woman went over and held the Man's hand. I read a story about a group that brought materials for building sock puppets.

Two Articles

Assignment 2: LASA 1—Analytical Summaries For this assignment, you will compose two short critical essays explaining and evaluating arguments by other authors. This assignment allows you to analyze an issue from a variety of perspectives and assess arguments for or against the issue. By focusing your attention on how the original authors use evidence and reasoning to construct and support their positions, you can recognize the value of critical thinking in public discourse.Read the two articles â€Å"Predictive Probes†, and â€Å"New Test Tells Whom a Crippling Disease Will Hit—and When† from the textbook and write two separate analytical summaries. These articles can be found in the chapter titled: Deciding to accept an argument: Compare the evidence. This assignment has two parts. Part 1—First Article Write an analytical summary of the article focusing on the article’s main claims. Include the following: †¢Identify the three ways the a uthor uses evidence to support assertions. †¢Identify the places where evidence is employed as well as how the author uses this evidence.Discuss evidence â€Å"as the reason† vs. â€Å"the support for the reason. † Also discuss evidence as dependent on the issue/context. †¢Analyze how the author signals this usage through elements such as word choices, transitions, or logical connections. Part 2—Second Article Write an analytical summary of the article focusing on the article’s main claims. Include the following: †¢Identify the author’s use of the three elements: experiment, correlation, and speculation to support assertions. †¢Analyze how the author signals the use of these elements through language.For example, word choices, transitions, or logical connections. Write a 4–5-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M3_A2. doc. 1. What kind of evidence would you expect in the following arguments? †¢a. An argument that people who eat a special diet will have less chance of getting cancer. †¢b. An argument that God exists. †¢c. An argument that human cells secrete some substance under certain conditions. †¢d. An argument that stealing is unethical. †¢e.An argument that owning a pet tends to lower one’s blood pressure. Answers (a) evidence after the fact; (b) philosophical evidence (a general principle, for instance that the universe is orderly); (c) direct scientific experimentation; (d) philosophical evidence; (e) evidence after the fact 2. Underline the language in the following argument that you believe indicates that it does (or does not) admit its limits. It’s an obvious fact that living in the suburbs is better than city life. Everyone knows that cities are far more polluted and dangerous. And of course, people don’t even know their neighbors.On the other hand , suburbs are peaceful havens from the workaday world. READINGS The following two articles show breathtaking advances in the ability to detect whether a person will suffer from a particular genetic disease. The first article contains references to all three types of evidence discussed in this chapter. Compare the language used to depict direct experimentation, after-the-fact evidence, and values questions. Predictive probes by Jerry E. Bishop Several years ago, Nancy Wexler’s mother died of Huntington’s disease, a hereditary and always-fatal affliction that strikes in midlife.Since then, Ms. Wexler, the 38-year-old president of the Hereditary Diseases Foundation in Santa Monica, Calif. , has lived with the uncertainty of whether she, too, inherited the deadly gene. That uncertainty may soon be resolved. A few months ago, scientists announced they were on the verge of completing a new test to detect the gene for Huntington’s disease (formerly called Huntingtonâ⠂¬â„¢s chorea). But deciding whether to submit herself to the test is an anguishing choice for Ms. Wexler. â€Å"If I came out lucky, taking the test would be terrific, of course,† she says. But if I came out unlucky, well †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her dilemma is an extreme example of the kind thousands of Americans will face in the not-too-distant future as scientists learn how to pinpoint genes that cause or predispose a person to a future illness. The test to detect the Huntington’s disease gene should be ready within one to two years. Researchers already have detected some of the genes that can lead to premature heart attacks and, in the near future, hope to spot those that could predispose a person to breast or colon cancer.Eventually, scientists believe they will be able to detect genes leading to diabetes, depression, schizophrenia and the premature senility called Alzheimer’s disease. New Test Tells Whom a Crippling Disease Will Hit—and When Amy Jo Snider, a college senior, has put her career plans and romantic life on hold until she settles a gnawing question about her genetic legacy. During her Christmas break, the Charleston, SC, student plans to be tested for a gene that causes ataxia, a disease without a cure that destroys the brain cells governing muscle control.The disorder crippled and ultimately killed her father in middle age. Because of a recent breakthrough in genetic research, the 21-year-old Miss Snider will be able to find out whether she inherited the disease, and, if so, how soon and how hard ataxia may strike her. â€Å"I want to be tested before I start to show symptoms,† she says unflinchingly. â€Å"I’m graduating in May, and I have to start planning my life. † As agonizing as the knowledge might be, she says the uncertainty is worse. â€Å"If I’m in limbo, it’s not fair to people around me,† she says. â€Å"I can’t deal with not knowing. †

Free Essays on Interpretive Analysis On “A Good Man Is Hard To Find“

Interpretive Analysis On â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard To Find â€Å"In Flannery O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† we get a portrait of a 1950s postwar family who, in the midst of their own naivety, find themselves not only on the road from Atlanta, Georgia to Florida but on the road to the their own demise. The most outstanding character in this story is the grandmother, and since the story is told from the third person omniscient view, it will be easy for us to analyze the grandmother’s character. She connects the other characters together throughout the story with her own selfishness and stupidity, and through a self-realization which becomes the most important moment in the story. As the story opens, the scene is set in the home of a man named Bailey and his family which consists of his mother (the grandmother), his wife and their two children- June Star and John Wesley. Bailey is planning a trip to Florida, but the grandmother would rather go to Tennessee. We see the first sign of the grandmother’s selfishness here when she tries to convince her son, Bailey, to take the family to Tennessee. She does her persuasion through a newspaper article which says that a convict called The Misfit has escaped from the Federal Penitentiary in Florida. She says, â€Å"I wouldn’t take my children in any direction with a criminal like that aloose in it. I couldn’t answer to my conscious if I did.† We will see how this statement becomes the epitome of irony in the next few paragraphs. While the family is on the road to from Atlanta to Florida, the scene changes to a filling station and dance hall called The Tower. While the family is eating Red Sammy’s barbecue sandwiches, the grandmother carries on a very foreshadowing conversation with Red Sam. â€Å"These days you don’t know who to trust,† he said. â€Å"Ain’t that the truth?†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"A good man is hard to find.† If the grandmother knows this and makes these assert... Free Essays on Interpretive Analysis On â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard To Findâ€Å" Free Essays on Interpretive Analysis On â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard To Findâ€Å" Interpretive Analysis On â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard To Find â€Å"In Flannery O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† we get a portrait of a 1950s postwar family who, in the midst of their own naivety, find themselves not only on the road from Atlanta, Georgia to Florida but on the road to the their own demise. The most outstanding character in this story is the grandmother, and since the story is told from the third person omniscient view, it will be easy for us to analyze the grandmother’s character. She connects the other characters together throughout the story with her own selfishness and stupidity, and through a self-realization which becomes the most important moment in the story. As the story opens, the scene is set in the home of a man named Bailey and his family which consists of his mother (the grandmother), his wife and their two children- June Star and John Wesley. Bailey is planning a trip to Florida, but the grandmother would rather go to Tennessee. We see the first sign of the grandmother’s selfishness here when she tries to convince her son, Bailey, to take the family to Tennessee. She does her persuasion through a newspaper article which says that a convict called The Misfit has escaped from the Federal Penitentiary in Florida. She says, â€Å"I wouldn’t take my children in any direction with a criminal like that aloose in it. I couldn’t answer to my conscious if I did.† We will see how this statement becomes the epitome of irony in the next few paragraphs. While the family is on the road to from Atlanta to Florida, the scene changes to a filling station and dance hall called The Tower. While the family is eating Red Sammy’s barbecue sandwiches, the grandmother carries on a very foreshadowing conversation with Red Sam. â€Å"These days you don’t know who to trust,† he said. â€Å"Ain’t that the truth?†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"A good man is hard to find.† If the grandmother knows this and makes these assert...

Free Essays on Guest Speakers

that could of offense someone there in class. He probably felt so comfortable that he felt expressing himself with that type of language, but if you think about it, its okay, at long as its okay with the rest of the people hearing the conversation! At first I thought that what he was doing was wrong, but after realized that it wasn’t making me and the rest of the class uncomfortable. You see, you need to adapt to any ki... Free Essays on Guest Speakers Free Essays on Guest Speakers Have you ever had a chance to have a guest speaker in class? Better yet, have you ever had a guest speaker in class that you thought it was going to be so different? Well, a few days ago I had the chance to experience this type of situation. I went into my class and didn’t recognize a big wide man sitting on the teacher’s chair. I shortly realized that it was the guest speaker my teacher was talking about a week ago. I believe that the reason why I didn’t see the â€Å"wide guy† as the guest speaker was because he didn’t look professional. I know that we are not suppose to judge people for the way they look, but now I recognize I did wrong. We are not suppose to judge people for the way they look, for the way the express themselves, and for the way they were years ago. I always see doctors, teachers, and other professional people as professional looking people, but I didn’t see the guest speaker as a professional looking guy. He had this jeans and t-shirt that was just not professional. His hair was a little long and he just basically was not looking his best. I believe that if you are going to do a professional job, you need to dress professional. Obviously I now think different, I now realize that people may dress the way they want, at least as they express their personal point of view. The way people talk also say a lot of their values and beliefs. I believe that you should talk in the correct manner everywhere, no matter who is near you. Our guest speaker in class expressed himself with really ugly words that could of offense someone there in class. He probably felt so comfortable that he felt expressing himself with that type of language, but if you think about it, its okay, at long as its okay with the rest of the people hearing the conversation! At first I thought that what he was doing was wrong, but after realized that it wasn’t making me and the rest of the class uncomfortable. You see, you need to adapt to any ki...

Business ethic case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business ethic case - Essay Example â€Å"In the end, racist behavior by employees lands at the door of corporate executives. They face a dilemma: If they admit theres a problem, the company is exposed to lawsuits and negative publicity. But denial only makes matters worse. Until more employers confront the rise of ugly racism head on, Americans will continue to see behavior they thought belonged to a more ignominious age† (Bernstein, 2010). If employers confront this behavior, they can act on their impulse for social justice, and seriously influence company policy. There are many stakeholders in the modern company, when one considers racism in terms of issues of causality, intention, and understanding. Different areas of the company can share the responsibility, even if the company ownership and directors must bear the ultimate responsibility. For it is the leadership of the company that determines its direction, and in eliminating bias, leadership can set an example as well as effective policy. Bias is being subjectively favorable towards one group or conclusion even when faced with contrary evidence. It can be applied to a person’s race, gender, nationality, sexuality, disability, or other variables. For example, whether positive or negative a lot of reportage on African Americans tends to deal more with an in-group perceiving an out-group than a true cultural synthesis of understanding. This is far from a comprehensive definition of discrimination, which can also include social decisions that are based on the gender, disability, or r ace of a perceived group, to name just a few possible delineations. The cause for most discrimination and prejudice in the workplace is the fostering of stereotypes that seek to assay out-group homogeneity from the perspective of the oppressor. This oppressor is also seen to organize the future of the system through a media system that emphasizes paternalist authority, causing psychological damage through discrimination of

Elderly as a vulnerable population Research Paper

Elderly as a vulnerable population - Research Paper Example Recent reports such as the Health Ombudsman’s Care and Compassion report and the revelations about care at hospitals in Staffordshire have highlighted shocking examples of failings in NHS and care services. The new guidelines have been produced in collaboration with the Care Quality Commission, ADASS and Royal Colleges of Nurses and GPs as well as frontline staff to develop practical guidance for staff across the NHS. â€Å"This guidance has been developed with staff and stakeholders to ensure they address the day-to-day safeguarding issues facing staff and managers. Small changes like ensuring all staff are aware of the full range of all the safeguarding procedures in place at their organisation can make a real difference to patients.† â€Å"As the professional regulator for nurses and midwives we are committed to strengthening the safeguarding of adults and welcome this new material to further support the professionals who care for them. â€Å"Having contributed to the work of this health advisory group, we are confident these newly published materials will be of interest to a wide range of professionals and will support them in their understanding, practice and decision-making in relation to safeguarding