Different construction insurance mechanisms currently utilized by the Essay

Different construction insurance mechanisms currently utilized by the construction industry - Essay Example Material loss may result from the death of an employee, worker's compensation or defects on construction. Construction insurance although in theory is not very different from any other type of insurance, the main difference lies in the enormous risk a construction company is exposed to while undergoing the project, thus, resulting to a higher premium. As a matter of fact, "the market for general liability insurance has taken a disastrous turn over the past two years. Builders and remodelers in every part of the country are experiencing dramatic increases in premiums and big changes in deductibles and exclusions. In some states, coverage may not be available at any price. If a company's insurance is too costly, it can't be competitive." (Miller) This is the reason why several mechanisms are used in the construction industry to minimize the risk or the amount of premiums to be paid. Some mechanisms are provided for by law whereas some evolved from general practice. Several examples of these mechanisms are the Additional-insured endorsements, Owner Insured Risk Programs, reinsurance and the inclusion of a mediation and/or arbitration clause in the insurance contract. One of the mechanisms used, particularly in Oregon, is the "additional-insured endorsements." These endorsements, "which ... An additional-insured endorsement states that in addition to the insured contractor, another party is an additional insured party under the insurance contract, thus giving the additional party the right to make a claim directly on the policy." (Christensen) This simple mechanism ensures that the insurance is available among the various participants in construction projects including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and sub-subcontractors. This mechanism in effect lowers the overall cost for risk-allocation on the project. Another mechanism is the Owner Controlled Insurance Program or OCIP. In an OCIP, "the owner purchases insurance for other participants in a construction project." (Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP) An Owner Controlled Insurance Program will cover the owner, the contractor , the subcontractors and sometimes include the design professionals. The coverage is tailored to the needs of the party applying for it but generally it includes general liability (CGL), builder's risk, worker's compensation, design errors and omissions as well as excess and other special coverages. The OCIP process is pretty complicated, contractors and subcontractors need to be cautious when participating in an OCIP project. "They must ensure that the coverage offered by the OCIP is sufficient to replace their existing insurance coverage. They also must be careful that the bid deduct process by which the cost of insurance deducted from their price is properly and timely performed." (Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP) The OCIP was generally used in large scale constructions, however, it is slowly becoming popular even with small-scale projects especially in condominium and

Face Recognition Essay Example for Free

Face Recognition Essay For humans, faces are the most significant for visual stimuli, a fact that becomes apparent in social settings—as a species we are constantly, almost obsessively, monitoring each others faces, paying close attention to subtle details that can give some insight into the emotional state, level of engagement, or object of attention of our associates. Fluency with faces offers great social advantages, allowing one to glean aspects of anothers internal thought processes and to predict their behavior. (Leopold, 2010). Explain the processes associated with face recognition, identification, and classification Concept generally refer to the abstract notion of what that category represents in one’s mind. ((Robinson-Riegler, 2008). The recognition of individual faces is in some ways the pinnacle of human visual performance. Because all faces have the same basic configural appearance (for example: two eyes above a nose and mouth, sometimes called the first-order configuration), individuals must be identified by subtle deviations from this prototypic pattern, sometimes referred to as second-order relational information or configuration . To process facial identification an individual depend on the process of first-order relational information, the information about the parts of an object and how those parts relate to one another. For face recognition, this would involve an analysis of the person’s facial features and the relationship among those features. However, first-order relational information is not enough to recognize faces; simply noticing that two eyes are above the nose, which is above the mouth, may be enough for recognition that something is a face but doesn’t allow for recognition of who the face is. To recognize faces, we need second-order relational information. Second-order relational information involves comparing the first-order analysis to facial features of a â€Å"typical,† or â€Å"average,† face. This typical face is built up through experience and serves as an implicit standard against which we compare the faces we see. Inverting a face disrupts the encoding of second-order relational information When we deal with information, we do so in steps. One way to think of this is to picture the process of acquiring, retaining, and using information as an activity called information processing Information comes from the outside world into the sensory registers in the human brain. This input consists of things perceived by our senses. We are not consciously aware of most of the things we perceive; we become aware of them only if we consciously direct our attention to them. When we do focus our attention on them, they are placed in our working memory. (Education, 2011) Even when perceivers are presented with stimuli in suboptimal conditions, the face-processing system is still capable of extracting categorical knowledge in a rapid and accurate manner. Third, category activation is sensitive to the typicality of group members. In categorical thinking people identify with groups who they are familiar with. Analyze the role of encoding and retrieval processes involved with long-term memory and how this affects face recognition. Early perceptual processes (and their associated products) also appear to play an important contributory role to the generation of categorical thinking. Categorization is a fundamental property of the brain. Categorical thinking streamlines most aspects of person perception, including decision making, memorial functioning, and attention processing (Cloutier, 2005). People are skilled with various levels of understanding along with other social agents. From only a few visual cues, a person is able to process detailed impressions of others, identify the sex, emotional status, and identity of conspecifics ; and infer the hidden internal states (example. goals, intentions) that create their plan of purpose. In social cognition, the two basic processes that serves or promotes a person perception are categorization and individuation . Individuation, in contrast to categorization, the individualistic view other people not as members of distinct social groups but rather as unique entities. Individuals are guided by two distinct cognitive processes. These two processes operate at the early stages of a person’s perception, relevant with the process of object recognition. The individual is capable of making individual judgments about stimuli corresponding to prior perceptual experience. As part of the face recognition process, a face must activate a face recognition unit a stored representation of that face in memory. If activated, the person is recognized as familiar. Next, the face recognition unit must activate the person identity node which stores biographical information about the person. If activated, this biographical information becomes available (Robinson-Riegler, 2008). Prior to the retrieval of information from long-term memory, however, a great deal of social-cognitive processing has already taken place. perceivers have resolved the perceptual puzzle of identifying social agents from available visual cues. This includes, but is not restricted to faces. (Cloutier, Discuss at least two possible errors that can occur with face recognition, such as misidentification and self-recognition. Our knowledge of our own face seems inseparable from our general knowledge of self and who we are as individuals, our likes and dislikes, our personal history. Unconscious transference, occurs when a witness fail to identify or distinguish between a target person, for example, falsely identifying an eyewitness may result to imprisonment of an innocent person Robinson-Riegler, 2008). As individuals we confront the world with our faces, from the time of birth to the time of death. The age and gender of a person are printed on their faces. Emotions are expressed in a person’s facial expressions. The open and instinctive emotions that Darwin wrote about, as well as the hidden or repressed ones that Freud wrote about, are displayed on our faces, along with our thoughts and intentions. People have p hysical attractions toward each other, a person may admire the physical attributes such as arms, and legs. In spite of what draws one attention, the face is the first and last that is judged, whether it is beautiful in an aesthetic sense, fine or distinguished in a moral or intellectual sense. The face of an individual defines a person character and experience. Face recognition is crucially important for humans, and the vast majority of us are able to identify thousands of faces individually, or to easily pick out familiar faces in a crowdProsopagnosia or topographical amnesia are lifelong conditions that does not decrease as one grows older.

Exploring The Chemistry Of Textiles Chemistry Essay

Exploring The Chemistry Of Textiles Chemistry Essay Textile chemistry is primarily an applied form of chemistry. It is a highly specialized field that applies the principles of the basic fields of chemistry to the understanding of textile materials and to their functional and esthetic modification into useful and desirable items. Textile materials are used in clothing, carpet, tire yarn, sewing thread, and air bags. Some textile chemists are less oriented toward manufacturing processes and more focused toward fiber technologies. The study of textile chemistry begins with the knowledge of fibers themselves-both natural and synthetic. Because synthetic fibers are such an important part of todays textile business, the field includes many who are trained as polymer chemists. The interaction between textile chemistry and materials science is also increasing. Textile chemistry includes the application of the principles of surface chemistry to cleaning processes and modifications such as dyeing and finishing. It relates organic chemistry in the synthesis and formulation of the products used in these processes. 2. is dynamic Traditionally, textile chemists have been trained to have an in-depth understanding of the structure and properties of natural and synthetic fibers, says Norman Nemerov, professor of chemistry at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences. They have also been taught the post-treatment chemistries, which impart properties such as dye ability, wash freshness, and permanent press. But today there are new demands, such as recyclability. One thing were looking at is how to make fibers degradable over time, he says. And, in a relatively new area called biotextiles, fibers are being developed for drug delivery systems, Nemorov adds. Weaving, dyeing, and finishing cloth is an ancient art, but its also a modern science, says Fred Miller, vice president of Hickory Dyeing and Winding Company. Jim Hammond, a senior research associate in nylon research and development at Dupont, comments, I often say that if I took a two-year trip around the world, my knowledge would be obsolete by the time I came back. Miller said, The field is exciting because theres still so much to know and to learn. After many years in the business, both Hammond and Miller still find their work creative and intellectually challenging. 3. Brings older technology up to date While new technology abounds, the most commonly used fibers have been around for a long time. But, chemists working with these materials are often focused on modifying them for new applications. Sushma Kitchloo, a polymer chemist at Globe Manufacturing, is responsible for new product development and troubleshoots problems associated with modification of polymers Millers expertise is in the interaction between fibers and the dyes that give them color and luster. Modifying traditional polymers requires adjusting the chemical processes for downstream functions, such as dyeing the fiber. 4. is tangible In textiles, you are working with something you can hold and feel. says Ehrhardt. The skill set for this field includes understanding process manufacturing, being familiar with physical testing of fibers, having knowledge of weaving and knitting, and understanding the evolution of a product through garment form. Specializing in the field of textile chemistry can provide opportunities for dynamic and creative applications of chemistry. A textile chemist relates knowledge of the organic structures of both fibers and the chemicals used to modify them to specific chemical, physical, and esthetic properties. The combination of the theoretical and the practical makes possible the development of the thousands of textile chemicals necessary for the production of the finished articles of commerce. Textile:- Textile is a flexible material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw wool fibres, linen, cotton, or other material on a spinning wheel to produce long strands known as yarn. Textiles are formed by weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, or pressing fibres together . The words fabric and cloth are used in textile assembly trades (such as tailoring and dressmaking) as synonyms for textile. However, there are subtle differences in these terms. Textile refers to any material made of interlacing fibres. Fabric refers to any material made through weaving, knitting, crocheting, or bonding. Cloth refers to a finished piece of fabric that can be used for a purpose such as covering a bed. Textile Chemistry Terminology Performance fabrics offer special benefits to consumers, such as stain-repellency, wrinkle-resistance, or odor-control. New technologies are launched every year. CCRC is committed to keeping ahead of the technology curve, assuring that consumers will be satisfied with the home care of the fabrics, as well as performance. Antimicrobial Agent (AM) A chemical compound either destroys or inhibits the growth of microscopic and submicroscopic organisms. Flame Resistant (FR) The characteristic of a fabric to resist ignition and to self extinguish if ignited. Flammability The ability of a material or product to burn with a flame under specified test conditions. Hydrophilic Water loving; having a high degree of moisture absorption or attraction. Hydrophobic Water repelling; having a low degree of moisture absorption or attraction. Resiliency Ability of a fabric to return to its original shape after compressing, bending or other deformation. Reusable Protective Clothing Garments which are capable of withstanding a maintenance procedure to remove soil and other contaminants yet retain the garments protective characteristic. Stoll Curve Developed by Alice Stoll in 1960s it is used in many tests to predict the thermal protective performance of textile materials for FR apparel. It is essentially a plot of thermal energy and time predicted to cause a pain sensation, or a second degree burn, in human tissue. Waterproof Ability of a fabric to be fully resistant to penetration by water. Example: rain coat. History Late antique textile, Egyptian, now in the Dumbarton Oaks collection. The production of textiles is an important craft, whose speed and scale of production has been altered almost beyond recognition by industrialization and the introduction of modern manufacturing techniques. However, for the main types of textiles, plain weave, twill or satin weave, there is little difference between the ancient and modern methods. Incans have been crafting quipus (or khipus) made of fibres either from a protein, such as spun and plied thread like wool or hair from camelids such as alpacas, llamas and camels or from a cellulose like cotton for thousands of years. Khipus are a series of knots along pieces of string. They have been believed to only have acted as a form of accounting, although new evidence conducted by Harvard professor, Gary Urton, indicates there may be more to the khipu than just numbers. Preservation of khipus found in museum and archive collections follow general textile preservation principles and practice. Metal fibre, metal foil, and metal wire have a variety of uses, including the production of cloth-of-gold and jewelry. Hardware cloth is a coarse weave of steel wire, used in construction. Sources and types [Traditional Romanian fabric] Textiles can be made from many materials. These materials come from four main sources: animal, plant, mineral, and synthetic. In the past, all textiles were made from natural fibres, including plant, animal, and mineral sources. In the 20th century, these were supplemented by artificial fibres made from petroleum. Textiles are made in various strengths and degrees of durability, from the finest gossamer to the sturdiest canvas. The relative thickness of fibres in cloth is measured in deniers. Microfibre refers to fibres made of strands thinner than one denier. Animal textiles Animal textiles are commonly made from hair or fur. Wool refers to the hair of the domestic goat or sheep, which is distinguished from other types of animal hair in that the individual strands are coated with scales and tightly crimped, and the wool as a whole is coated with an oil known as lanolin, which is waterproof and dirtproof. Woollen refers to a bulkier yarn produced from carded, non-parallel fibre, while worsted refers to a finer yarn which is spun from longer fibres which have been combed to be parallel. Wool is commonly used for warm clothing. Cashmere, the hair of the Indian cashmere goat, and mohair, the hair of the North African angora goat, are types of wool known for their softness. Angora refers to the long, thick, soft hair of the angora rabbit Other animal textiles which are made from hair or fur are alpaca wool, vicuà ±a wool, llama wool, and camel hair, generally used in the production of coats, jackets, ponchos, blankets, and other warm coverings. Angora refers to the long, thick, soft hair of the angora rabbit. Wadmal is a coarse cloth made of wool, produced in Scandinavia, mostly 1000~1500CE. Silk is an animal textile made from the fibres of the cocoon of the Chinese silkworm. This is spun into a smooth, shiny fabric prized for its sleek texture. Silk Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from cocoons made by the larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity (sericulture). The shimmering appearance for which silk is prized comes from the fibres triangular prism-like structure which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles. Silk is also the strongest natural fiber known to man. The length of the silk fiber depends on how it has been prepared. Since the cocoon is made of one strand, if the cocoon is unwound carefully the fibers can be very long. Wool Wool is the fiber derived from the fur of animals of the Caprinae family, principally sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals such as goats, alpacas, and rabbits may also be called wool. Alpaca Alpaca fiber is that of an alpaca. It is warmer than sheeps wool and lighter in weight. It is soft, fine, glossy, and luxurious. The thickness of quality fiber is between 12-29 micrometres. Most alpaca fiber is white, but it also comes in various shades of brown and black. Angora Angora wool or Angora fiber refers to the downy coat produced by the Angora rabbit. Angora is prized for its softness, thin fibers of around 12-16 micrometres for quality fiber, and what knitters refer to as a halo (fluffiness). The fiber felts very easily. Angora fiber comes in white, black, and various shades of brown. Cashmere Cashmere wool is wool obtained from the Cashmere goat. Cashmere is characterized by its luxuriously soft fibers, with high napability and loft. In order for a natural goat fiber to be considered Cashmere, it must be under 18.5 micrometers in diameter and be at least 3.175 centimeters long. It is noted as providing a natural light-weight insulation without bulk. Fibers are highly adaptable and are easily constructed into fine or thick yarns, and light to heavy-weight fabrics. Sheeps wool Wool has two qualities that distinguish it from hair or fur: it has scales which overlap like shingles on a roof and it is crimped; in some fleeces the wool fibers have more than 20 bends per inch. Wool varies in diameter from below 17 micrometres to over 35 micrometres The finer the wool, the softer it will be, while coarser grades are more durable and less prone to pilling. Plant textiles Grass, rush, hemp, and sisal are all used in making rope. In the first two, the entire plant is used for this purpose, while in the last two, only fibres from the plant are utilized. Coir (coconut fibre) is used in making twine, and also in floormats, doormats, brushes, mattresses, floor tiles, and sacking. Straw and bamboo are both used to make hats. Straw, a dried form of grass, is also used for stuffing, as is kapok. Fibres from pulpwood trees, cotton, rice, hemp, and nettle are used in making paper. Cotton, flax, jute, hemp and modal are all used in clothing. Pià ±a (pineapple fibre) and ramie are also fibres used in clothing, generally with a blend of other fabrics such as cotton. Acetate is used to increase the shininess of certain fabrics such as silks, velvets, and taffetas. Seaweed is used in the production of textiles. A water-soluble fibre known as alginate is produced and is used as a holding fibre; when the cloth is finished, the alginate is dissolved, leaving an open area Tencel is a man-made fabric derived from wood pulp. It is often described as a man-made silk equivalent and is a tough fabric which is often blended with other fabrics cotton for example. Mineral textiles or vinyl tiles, sheeting, and adhesives, transite panels and siding, acoustical ceilings, stage curtains, and fire blankets. Glass Fibre is used in the production of spacesuits, ironing board and mattress covers, ropes and cables, reinforcement fibre for composite materials, insect netting, flame-retardant and protective fabric, soundproof, fireproof, and insulating fibres. Metal fibre, metal foil, and metal wire have a variety of uses, including the production of cloth-of-gold and jewelry. Hardware cloth is a coarse weave of steel wire, used in construction. Synthetic textiles [A variety of contemporary fabrics. From the left: evenweave cotton, velvet, printed cotton, calico, felt, satin, silk, hessian, polycotton.] All synthetic textiles are used primarily in the production of clothing. Polyester fibre is used in all types of clothing, either alone or blended with fibres such as cotton. Aramid fibre (e.g. Twaron) is used for flame-retardant clothing, cut-protection, and armor. Acrylic is a fibre used to imitate wools, including cashmere, and is often used in replacement of them. Nylon is a fibre used to imitate silk; it is used in the production of pantyhose. Thicker nylon fibres are used in rope and outdoor clothing. Nylons are condensation copolymers formed by reacting equal parts of a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid, so that peptide bonds form at both ends of each monomer in a process analogous to polypeptide biopolymers. Chemical elements included are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. . The most common variant is nylon 6-6 which refers to the fact that the diamine (hexamethylene diamine) and the diacid (adipic acid) each donate 6 carbons to the polymer chain. Spandex (trade name Lycra) is a polyurethane fibre that stretches easily and can be made tight-fitting without impeding movement. It is used to make activewear, bras, and swimsuits. Olefin fibre is a fibre used in activewear, linings, and warm clothing. Olefins are hydrophobic, allowing them to dry quickly. A sintered felt of olefin fibres is sold under the trade name Tyvek. Ingeo is a polylactide fibre blended with other fibres such as cotton and used in clothing. It is more hydrophilic than most other synthetics, allowing it to wick away perspiration The most common types of microfibers are made from polyesters, polyamides (nylon), and or a conjugation of polyester and polyamide.The shape, size and combinations of synthetic fibers are selected for specific characteristics, including: softness, durability, absorption, wicking abilities, water repellency, electrodynamics, and filtering capabilities. Names Characteristics Major Domestic and Industrial Uses ACETATE Luxurious feel and appearance Wide range of colors and lusters Excellent drapability and softness Relatively fast-drying Shrink-, moth-, and mildew-resistant Apparel: Blouses, dresses, and foundation garments. lingerie, linings, shirts, slacks, sportswear. Fabrics: Brocade, crepe, double knits, faille, knitted jerseys, lace, satin, taffeta, tricot. Home Furnishings:Draperies, upholstery. Other:Cigarette filters, fiberfill for pillows, quilted products ACRYLIC Soft and warm Wool-like Retains shape Resilient Quick-drying Resistant to moths, sunlight, oil and chemicals Apparel:Dresses, infant wear, knitted garments, ski wear, socks, sportswear, sweaters. Fabrics:Fleece and pile fabrics, face fabrics in bonded fabrics, simulated furs, jerseys. Home Furnishings:Blankets. carpets, draperies, upholstery. Other:Auto tops, awnings, hand-knitting and craft yarns, industrial and geotextile fabrics. ARAMID Does not melt Highly flame-resistant High strength High resistance to stretch Maintains its shape and form at high temperatures Hot-gas filtration fabrics, protective clothing, military helmets, protective vests, structural composites for aircraft and boats, sailcloth, tires, ropes and cables, mechanical rubber goods, marine and sporting goods. MELAMINE White and dyeable Flame resistance and low thermal conductivity High heat dimensional stability Process able on standard textile equipment Fire Blocking Fabrics:Aircraft seating, fire blockers for upholstered furniture in high-risk occupancies (e.g., to meet California TB 133 requirements) Protective Clothing:Firefightersturnout gear, insulating thermal liners, knit hoods, molten metal splash apparel. NAMES CHARACTERSTICS USES NYLON Exceptionally strong Supple Abrasion-resistant Lustrous Easy to wash Resists damage from oil and many chemicals Resilient Low in moisture absorbency Apparel:Blouses, dresses, foundation garments, hosiery, lingerie and underwear, raincoats, ski and snow apparel, suits, windbreakers. Home Furnishings: Bedspreads, carpets, draperies, curtains, upholstery. Other: Air hoses, conveyor and seat belts, parachutes, racket strings, ropes and nets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, tents, thread, tire cord, geotextiles. OLEFIN Unique wicking properties that make it very comfortable Abrasion-resistant Quick-drying Resistant to deterioration from chemicals, mildew, perspiration, rot, and weather Sensitive to heat Soil resistant Strong; very lightweight Excellent colorfastness Apparel: Pantyhose, underwear, knitted sports shirts, mens half hose, mens knitted sportswear, sweaters. Home Furnishings:Carpet and carpet backing, slipcovers, upholstery. Other:Dye nets, filter fabrics, laundry and sandbags, geotextiles, automotive interiors, cordage, doll hair, industrial sewing thread. POLYESTER Strong Resistant to stretching and shrinking Resistant to most chemicals Quick-drying Crisp and resilient when wet or dry Wrinkle- and abrasion-resistant Retains heat-set pleats and creases Easy to wash Apparel:Blouses, shirts, career apparel, childrens wear, dresses, half hose, insulated garments, ties, lingerie and underwear, permanent press garments, slacks, suits. Home Furnishings:Carpets, curtains, draperies, sheets and pillow cases. Other:Fiberfill for various products, fire hose, power belting, ropes and nets, tire cord, sail, V-belts. PBI Highly flame resistant Outstanding comfort factor combined with thermal and chemical stability properties Will not burn or melt Low shrinkage, when exposed to flame. Suitable for high-performance protective apparel such as firemens turnout coats, astronaut space suits and applications where fire resistance is important. NAMES CHARACTERISTICS USES RAYON Highly absorbent Soft and comfortable Easy to dye Versatile Good drapability Apparel: Blouses, coats, dresses, jackets, lingerie, linings, millinery. rainwear, slacks, sports shirts, sportswear, suits, ties, work clothes. Home Furnishings:Bedspreads, blankets, carpets, curtains, draperies, sheets, slipcovers, tablecloths, upholstery. Other: Industrial products, medical, surgical products, non-woven products, tire cord. SPANDEX Can be stretched 500 percent without breaking Can be stretched repeatedly and recover original length Light-weight Stronger and more durable than rubber Resistant to body oils Articles (where stretch is desired):Athletic apparel, bathing suits, delicate laces, foundation garments, golf jackets, ski pants, slacks, support and surgical hose. Production Methods:- Textile Manufacturing:- The manufacture of textiles is one of the oldest of human technologies. In order to make textiles, the first requirement is a source of fibre from which a yarn can be made, primarily by spinning. (Both fibre and fiber are used in this article.) The yarn is processed by knitting or weaving, which turns yarn into cloth. The machine used for weaving is the loom. For decoration, the process of colouring yarn or the finished material is dyeing. For more information of the various steps, see textile manufacturing.. Typical textile processing includes 4 stages: yarn formation, fabric formation, wet processing, and fabrication. The three main types of fibers include natural vegetable fibers (such as cotton, linen, jute and hemp), man-made fibers (those made artificially, but from natural raw materials such as rayon, acetate, Modal, cupro, and the more recently developed Lyocell), synthetic fibers (a subset of man-made fibers, which are based on synthetic chemicals rather than arising from natural chemicals by a purely physical process) and protein based fi 1. Hand processing: yarn formation Wool Flax 2. Machine Processing: yarn formation Cotton Cotton Gin Picking Carding Combining the Slivers Spinning Plying Yucca Leaf to Rolag 3. Hand Processing- Fabric Formation Knitting Crochet Lace Weaving Loom Process 4HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_manufacturing#Machine_processing:_fabric_formation#Machine_processing:_fabric_formation HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_manufacturing#Machine_processing:_fabric_formation#Machine_processing:_fabric_formationMachine processing: fabric formation Knitting Lace Weaving 5HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_manufacturing#Decoration#Decoration HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_manufacturing#Decoration#DecorationDecoration Dyeing 5.2HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_manufacturing#Bleaching#Bleaching HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_manufacturing#Bleaching#BleachingBleaching 5.3HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_manufacturing#Embroidery#Embroidery HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_manufacturing#Embroidery#EmbroideryEmbroidery Textile printing Design for a hand woodblock printed textile, showing the complexity of the blocks used to make repeating patterns. Evenlode by William Morris, 1883. Evenlode block-printed fabric. Textile printing is the process of applying colour to fabric in definite patterns or designs. In properly printed fabrics the colour is bonded with the fiber, so as to resist washing and friction. Textile printing is related to dyeing but, whereas in dyeing proper the whole fabric is uniformly covered with one colour, in printing one or more colours are applied to it in certain parts only, and in sharply defined patterns. In printing, wooden blocks, stencils, engraved plates, rollers, or silkscreens are used to place colours on the fabric. Colourants used in printing contain dyes thickened to prevent the colour from spreading by capillary attraction beyond the limits of the pattern or design. Traditional textile printing techniques may be broadly categorised into four styles: Direct printing, in which colourants containing dyes, thickeners, and the mordants or substances necessary for fixing the colour on the cloth are printed in the desired pattern. The printing of a mordant in the desired pattern prior to dyeing cloth; the color adheres only where the mordant was printed. Resist dyeing, in which a wax or other substance is printed onto fabric which is subsequently dyed. The waxed areas do not accept the dye, leaving uncoloured patterns against a coloured ground. Discharge printing, in which a bleaching agent is printed onto previously dyed fabrics to remove some or all of the colour. Resist and discharge techniques were particularly fashionable in the 19th century, as were combination techniques in which indigo resist was used to create blue backgrounds prior to block-printing of other colours. Most modern industrialised printing uses direct printing techniques. Textile recycling Textile recycling is the method of reusing or reprocessing used clothing, fibrous material and clothing scraps from the manufacturing process. Textiles in municipal solid waste are found mainly in discarded clothing, although other sources include furniture, carpets, tires, footwear, and nondurable goods such as sheets and towels. Textiles and leather recycling categories Cotton Recycling Wool Recycling Burlap, Jute and Sisal Recycling Polyurethane Foam Recycling Polyester and Polyester Fiber Recycling Nylon and Nylon Fiber Recycling Other Synthetic Fiber Recycling Carpet Recycling Rags and Wipers Used and Recycled Bags Used Clothing Used Footwear Leather Recycling Textile Recycling Employment Statistics Year Percent of textile recovered in the U.S. 1960 2.8% 1980 6.3% 2005 15.3% Textile preservation Textile preservation refers to the processes by which textiles are cared for and maintained to be preserved from future damage. The field falls under the category of art conservation as well as library preservation, depending on the type of collection. In this case, the concept of textile preservation applies to a wide range of artifacts, including tapestries, carpets, quilts, clothing, flags and curtains, as well as objects which contain textiles, such as upholstered furniture, dolls, and accessories such as fans, parasols, gloves and hats or bonnets. Many of these artifacts require specialized care, often by a professional conservator. Treatments [Embroidered skirts by the Alfaro-Nà ¹Ãƒ ±ez family of Cochas, Peru, using traditional Peruvian embroidery production methods.] Textiles are often dyed, with fabrics available in almost every colour. Coloured designs in textiles can be created by weaving together fibres of different colours , adding coloured stitches to finished fabric (embroidery), creating patterns by resist dyeing methods, tying off areas of cloth and dyeing the rest (tie-dye), or drawing wax designs on cloth and dyeing in between them (batik), or using various printing processes on finished fabric. Woodblock printing, still used in India and elsewhere today, is the oldest of these dating back to at least 220CE in China. Textiles are also sometimes bleached. In this process, the original colour of the textile is removed by chemicals or exposure to sunlight, turning the textile pale or white. Textiles are sometimes finished by chemical processes to change their characteristics More recently, nanomaterials research has led to additional advancements, with companies such as Nano-Tex and NanoHorizons developing permanent treatments based on metallic nanoparticles for making textiles more resistant to things such as water, stains, wrinkles, and pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. Fabric Care Admittedly, laundry is not a beloved chore. The trick is to make clothes care fast and efficient, yet thorough. Poor care shortens the lifespan of apparel. Cutting corners in the laundry room only means spending more time in the dressing room, which wastes both time and money. Science Delivers Smarter Washers and Dryers Consumers seek a lot of performance from their appliances. They want the best possible clothing care in the least amount of time. Some people want precise control over each load, college students just want to pack as much into each load and get the chore done quickly. Engineering advancements have reduced energy and water consumption while improving clothing care from washers and dryers. CCRC studies emerging equipment technologies to evaluate their impact on fabric care and wash chemistries. Using a variety of instruments, Over by can determine what kind of finish was used on a fabric, how much was applied, the fiber content of a fabric, and the effects that these and any number of other factors might have had on a sample. More often than not, Over by can offer specific reasons for a diversity of problems. Uses Textiles have an assortment of uses, the most common of which are for clothing and containers such as bags and baskets. In the household, they are used in carpeting, upholstered furnishings, window shades, towels, covering for tables, beds, and other flat surfaces, and in art. In the workplace, they are used in industrial and scientific processes such as filtering. Miscellaneous uses include flags, backpacks, tents, nets, cleaning devices, such as handkerchiefs; transportation devices such as balloons, kites, sails, and parachutes; strengthening in composite materials such as fibre glass and industrial geotextiles, and smaller cloths are used in washing by soaping up the cloth and washing with it rather than using just soap. Textiles used for industrial purposes, and chosen for characteristics other than their appearance, are commonly referred to as technical textiles. Technical textiles include textile structures for automotive applications, medical textiles (e.g. implants), geotextiles (reinforcement of embankments), a

Fond Memories :: essays research papers

Fond Memories As I grew up my family and I have lived in a few places, but none were more memorable than our house in Columbia, Maryland.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The neighborhood I grew up in was a brand new town house development. The house colors were tan, white, green or yellow. My neighborhood was shaped like a gigantic eight. In the center of each circle that made up the eight was a center island that was dense with trees, and had honeysuckle plants that gave off a sweet almost hypnotic smell. On the outskirts of the figure eight were the townhouses. In front of each house was a tree or two surrounded by evergreen shrubbery and a garden of various different types of insanely large flowers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To the rear of the houses were wooden fences separating each town house, it was as if the builders of the houses had anticipated trouble between where one persons property ends and another persons property begins. Behind our fences there laid a dark concealing forest that was perfect for exploring as a kid. In this forest you could find any tree from redwoods to weeping willows towering in the sky. On the ground there was moss, ivy, and even poison oak (which I found the hard way over and over again), but oddly enough there was no grass in this forest. Maybe the reason there was no grass is because the trees were so huge that sunlight had not touched the ground there for at least 100 years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There were many paths in the forest, and all of them led to isolated parts of the famous Patomic River. This river is famous in Maryland for the wildlife that it supports and its stunning beauty. The section of the river that I always liked to visit was about 12 feet wide and as clear as crystal. There were tons of fish, frogs, and bugs there it was enough to keep a kid like me busy all day. Although there was a hint of a moldy smell there it mainly smelled like pine and sap. This was by far my favorite experience growing up in this neighborhood.

American Revolutionary War and Common Sense Essay

Many students feel they know about the American War for Independence, but few understand how complex the arguments were and how long the war lasted. In your studies this week, what impressed you about the formation of the American nation? Was there anything presented in the material that you had not thought about before? What do you think about the way that Keene showed both the Patriot and Loyalist experiences during the period? After completing our reading for this week assignment, I learned a great deed; it was very interesting understanding the American Revolution and the War for Independence. There were many events that led the American colonists down the road to Revolution and their War for Independence (1775-1783). The British Parliament, in retaliation for the events surrounding the Boston Tea Party, had passed a series of punishing laws which the American colonists called Intolerable Acts. The Americans had argued that they were not afforded the same rights as the British. But the British ignored their protests, passing laws and demanding new taxes such as the Tea Tas. The basis for the legal argument of the Americans was that the 1689 English Bill of Rights had put into place a constitutional form of government in which the rights and liberties of the individual were protected under English law. The American colonists protested that were not afforded these privileges and that the British had abused their rights and liberties. After the issue in Lexington and Concord, the Americans knew that they had to fight for their own freedom so many battles took place afterwards but Thomas Paine’s â€Å"Common Sense† showed them how urgent it really is to win the Revolutionary War. â€Å"Common Sense† is a 46 page long pamphlet talking about how King George III has wronged the colonists, how the government and humanity were different, and his pamphlet also had religious influences and several other factors in it. After Common Sense was published it was sold 500,000 times within a year and it opened the colonist’s eyes. Overall many different aspects incensed the colonists and made them to rebel against Great Britain. The American Revolution was an effect of taxation, restriction of freedom and passing on of colonial political ideas. If these three cases wouldn’t have taken place the Colonists and Great Britain might not have separated from each other. The militias were the first to grasp the importance of firing from concealed locations and then retreating to take up new positions in which to fire from, at Lexington and Concord. A chapter discussing the American â€Å"Art of War† and its champion General Charles Lee and its protagonist General George Washington (the personal relationship between Lee and Washington would deteriorate early in the way over the issue of the militia’s use). Lee found that hit and run tactics were very effective and noticed their impact had upon British mentality. American militias fighting in this style would allow the British to roam amongst the countryside, but the psychological effect on the British proved to be tremendous as an early form of insurgent warfare. On the other hand Washington disagreed with the militia style of warfare and believed America could not afford to allow the British to run at will in the countryside. He preferred the European style of fighting, where soldiers fought side by side. During the Battle of Bunker Hill, the militia proved capable of fighting in the European style, by fighting from prepared positions of earthworks and trenches. This laid the foundation for the Continental regulars as they would be better disciplined to fight in this fashion. However, for Washington to achieve this, he would have to wait years until the American mentality could be trained to accept the ridged soldier’s life, whereas the British were already disciplined professionally by comparison. As problematic as the militias were, they did have many redeeming qualities. Throughout the course of the war the numbers of American troops in the regular army always remained small, but when the British army lurked near for a fight, American commanders could call out for the militias help. This swelled the American ranks by as much as couple of thousand. In this way the militias proved a valuable asset, as it left the British constantly guessing to the real numbers of their opponents they faced on the battlefield. When I think of the militia, the bible verses that touches me the most is Deuteronomy 31:6, â€Å"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.†

Front Office Operation

Front Office Operations Adam Fikis Week #6 Reservations * Definition: An agreement reached between a supplier and a traveler or travel agent or a clerical or electronic process whereby a seat, a room, a berth or other accommodation is withdrawn from sale and set aside for the use of a specific person, often on payment of a deposit. Reservations Outcomes * Guest Perspective * Having a guestroom ready and waiting when they arrive * Should not be just any room, but the room that best meets the guest needs expressed during the reservations process. * Hotel Perspective The reservations process should provide the highest occupancy and the room revenue possible. Reservation and Sales * Before Automation: * Agents focused on room availability information. * Not able to identify room type. * Agents would note special request on the reservation. * Certain bedding type, smoking, non-smoking, scenic view * Front desk fulfill such request at the time of check-in. * At the same time agents were re sponsible for maximizing occupancy & revenue * Incentives were provided to sell higher priced rooms during check-in. After Automation: * Agents can review room and rate information for specific dates * Request for specific room types, location, and special features can be immediately acknowledged and quickly confirmed as a part of the reservations process. * Agent create an image of the hotel to the callers * Reservations agents are not order takers and are trained in sales techniques. * Reservation now is viewed as part of sales department. Role of the Sales Department in Reservations * Primary Source of Reservations Group Sales Managers or Representatives create group reservations * Corporations, trade associations or SMERF(Sports, Military, Educational, Religious, Fraternal) * Actual reservations may go the reservations department by phone, fax, website etc. * Sales office originated the sale * Sales Department also generate sales from other markets * Transient, Corporate, Leisur e etc. * A major function of the Sales department is to familiarise local businesses and travel agencies about the benefits and features of the property. * Depending on the type of hotel Sales Managers maybe assigned to work with travel agencies, Internet websites, and other reservations distribution outlets * Distribution channels should be familiar with the hotel’s characteristics and surrounding areas * To create a positive impression of the property and the travel destination * Sales Managers are often provided with financial or other incentives for meeting or exceeding their sales goals. * Sales objectives and incentives (including promotions) are now related to revenue rather than room sales as previously done in the past.Types of Reservations * Guaranteed Reservations: (A guaranteed reservation assures the guest that the hotel will hold a room until a specific time of the day following the guest’s scheduled arrival date. ) * Prepayment * A room reservation in wh ich guests, prior to their arrival, provide payment for their rooms. Sometimes referred to as an â€Å"advanced deposit† reservation. * Credit Cards * Reservations are secured by a credit card number. In exchange for your card number, the hotel promises to have a room for you no matter when you show up on the day. Advance Deposits * Requires that the guest pays the hotel a specified amount prior to arrival, usually large enough to cover 1 night’s room and taxes. * Travel Agent * Travelers pay the agency in advance for transportation and room charges; and the agency in turn guarantees the reservation. * Corporate * A corporation entering into an agreement with an hotel, which states that they will accept financial responsibility for any no-shows travelers the corporation is sponsoring. * Voucher / Miscellaneous Charge Order (MCO) * Guest prepays an amount to the agency.The agency forwards the Voucher/MCO to the hotel as proof of payment and guarantee that the prepaid am ount will be sent to the property when the voucher is returned to the travel agency. * Non-Guaranteed * Hotel agrees to hold a room for the guest until a stated reservations cancellation hour * Usually 4:00 p. m. or 6:00 p. m. * Does not guarantee the property will receive payment for no-show * The room is released back into the generally inventory if guest does not arrive by stated time. Reservation Inquiry / Sources Property Direct * Telephone * Mail * Traditional / Electronic * Property Web Site * Property to Property * Faxes * TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) * Through a central reservation system * Affiliate System * A hotel reservations system in which all participating properties are contractually related * Non-Affiliate System * Subscription system designed to connect independent and non-chain properties * Usually assumes responsibility for advertising * Only accepts certain quality or limited number of hotels in an rea to keep price of their service high * Examp les – Hazelton Toronto & Chateau Bonne Entente (Leading Hotels of the World) * Preferred Hotels & Resorts (Soho Metropolitan -Toronto) * Distinguished Hotels & Resorts (Le Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant) * Cluster Reservations Office * Chains that have several properties in a geographic area may opt to establish a single reservations or cluster office * Similar to hotel chain reservations system, but serves only a specific location instead of the entire company. All reservation enquiries are channeled through cluster office * Room rates and availability can be coordinated * Cross selling of other cluster properties * Global Distribution Systems (GDS) * Support the distribution of airline tickets, car rentals, hotel inventories with service providers, suppliers & intermediaries. * SABRE, GALILEO, WORLDSPAN, AMADEUS * Inter-sell Agencies * A reservations systems contracted to handle bookings for more than one product line. It is like a â€Å"One Stop Shop† or â€Å"One call does it all†. Handles booking for * Airline companies * Car agencies & lodging properties * Internet Distribution Systems (IDS) * A process by which Hospitality, Travel & Tourism companies offer on-line reservations services via the internet. Group Reservations & Terms * Usually involve(s) a variety of contacts: * In some instances (guests, meeting planners, CVB(Convention & Visitors Bureau), travel agents, tour operator, hotel sales staff etc. ) * Block: An agreed number of rooms is set aside If sufficient rooms are available * A Group Block must be monitored by reservation manager * Special identification code / Reservations Card * Given to prospective guests to reserve rooms within the group’s assigned block * Rooms reserved for specific guests are referred to as booked * If the group take away rooms from transient(non-group) Res. Manager must advise G. Manager. This is called NON-GROUP DISPLACEMENT. * Wash Down – reducing Block based on the group’s hi story * Cut-off date A pre-determined date when the hotel stops accepting reservations for the group * Group Resume * Summary of group activities, billing instructions, arrival / departure patterns * Key attendees and recreational / entertainment activities * Usually stored at the front desk * Group Contract: * states the number of rooms and quoted rate * states arrival, departure, and special consideration – such as complimentary room Reservation Records Identify guests and their occupancy needs before their arrival * Allows the hotel to personalize / customize guest services * Guest name (group name if applicable) * Guest’s home or billing address, telephone and email details * Guest’s company name and address, if any * Number of people and children * Room rate & type * Arrival date and time * Expected departure date * Method of guarantee (if any) * Corporate / Travel Agency Account Information * Special requests (Cribs, Smoking / Non-Smoking rooms, children, disabled etc. Reservation Confirmation / Cancellation * When the hotel acknowledges and verifies a guest room request and personal information by phone, fax, (e)mailing a letter of confirmation. They generally include the following: * Name & address of guest * Date and arrival time * Room type and rate * Length of stay * Number of person(s) in party * Reservations classification (guarantee/non-guarantee) * Reservations cancellation / confirmation number * Special requests, if any

Harley Davidson Analysis Essays - Harley-Davidson, Arthur Davidson

Harley Davidson Analysis Essays - Harley-Davidson, Arthur Davidson Harley Davidson Analysis HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY As one Harley puts it, It's one thing to have people buy your products. It's another for them to tattoo your name on their bodies. Harley-Davidson is the only major US maker of motorcycles and the nation's #1 seller of heavyweight motorcycles. Harley-Davidson offers 24 models of touring and custom cycles. Harley has held the largest share of the U.S. heavyweight motorcycle market since 1986. Besides its bikes, Harley-Davidson sells a licensed line of clothing and accessories with the company name. Also, gaining attention are the Harley-Davidson Cafes, located in various cities including New York City and Las Vegas. These successful restaurants provide Harley enthusiasts with great food, souvenir merchandise and a chance to see rare biker memorabilia. This makes Harley one of the most recognizable symbols in America today. Many of Harley-Davidson owners/riders are members of the Harley Owners Group better known as H.O.G., with more than 500,000 members nationwide. Demand for Harley-Davidson motorcycles continues to rise. Other motorcycle manufacturers have tried to compete with Harley-Davidson in the heavyweight V-Twin cruiser segment; none have been able to match Harley-Davidson in terms of customer loyalty and sales. There is a waiting list to get new bikes. The dedication to its existing customers has created a loyalty that is enviable by many other companies. COMPANY HISTORY: William S. Harley and William, Walter and Arthur Davidson began the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company in a shed in the Davidson backyard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903. That year, they built three motorcycles. In 1909 the company introduced the V-Twin engine, which is still in use to this day, a more powerful engine and topping a previously unheard of speed of 60 miles an hour. As a demand for the bikes grew, other companies were formed. By 1911, there were 150 companies in the US that built motorcycles. Police departments and the military made heavy use of the bikes. During World War I, HD Bikes were called into service and by the end of the war; the US Military used over 20,000 of them. Major achievements in design ensued, and a Harley Davidson Bike was the first motor vehicle to win a race with an average speed of over 100 miles per hour. In 1926 the teardrop style gas tank that is still used today was introduced. The Great Depression devastated the motorcycle industry. Only Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles survived the 1930s largely due to use by police departments. Again, World War called over 90,000 motorcycles into action in the 1940s. After the war, the company expanded. The original founders died and new management took over. Indian Motorcycles closed in 1953 and left Harley Davidson the sole US manufacturer of American made motorcycles. The 50s also saw the rise of the American motorcycle culture, with black leather jackets making a statement and signifying a lifestyle. In 1965 the company made its first public offering on the stock market, and in 1969 merged with AMF. At the time the company was producing 14000 cycles per year. The merger bolstered Harleys growth with financial strength of AMF. The company then moved its assembly operation to York, PA, leaving only the engine production and World headquarters in Wisconsin. Also housed in York is the Harley-Davidson Antique Motorcycle Museum. It houses a collection of more than 40 military and police bikes depicting the evolution of the motorcycle and Harley history from 1903 to the present day. The 70s saw a decline in the market. A flood of imports from Japan and quality problems created major problems for the company. In the 80s, 13 members of HD management purchased the company from AMF and brought a return to quality and implemented new management and manufacturing techniques. It accomplished this turnaround by being one of the first US companies to use Just in time inventory policies, statistical processes and employee involvement programs. In 1982, the company convinced the International Trade Commission (ITC) that the glut of imported Japanese bikes were a threat of injury. Additional Tariffs were imposed on the imports for five years. Giving the company a chance to revitalize its place in the market. It did this in just three years by retooling and streamlining its operations. In 1995 the company expanded its international

Introduction To Psychology Example

Introduction To Psychology Example Introduction To Psychology – Coursework Example Introduction To Psychology Learning is the process of change in the behavioral pattern that results while acquiring knowledge and experience. As one does more he gains more experience and in turn he learns more. As Pablo Picasso once famously said â€Å"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.† There are three types or patterns of learning. These are Conditional learning, Operant learning and Observational learning. In observational learning the observer learns from how the models actions are reinforced or punished. He himself is not affected and learns by observing and imitating. In operant learning one learns directly from his own actions and its repercussions, be it reinforcement or punishment. Classical learning is based on stimulus and response. Its a passive form of learning where the learners response is elicited. There is no reinforcement or punishment. All these forms of learning can be followed in our daily lives starting fro m raising children to training animals to solving problems. Problem solving skill can be developed in a special way if one follows the observational learning method. If one is faced with a problem one can always observe how others have reacted to a similar situation and take note of the positive results and try to imitate them. It may not always give the desired result but as in operant learning you learn from the punishments too. I grew up in a household where my parents mostly followed the operant style of learning. Desired results almost always brought in reinforcements in the form of praise or surprise small gifts and undesired actions mostly resulted in instant punishments. That have definitely helped me to learn the differences between right and wrong, however I found my parents a tad too strict. So, as a parent I would like to follow a style consisting of both operant and observational learning methods. Punishment without actually being abusive when a child acts in an undesir able way will teach the child what is wrong and so chances of repetition are less. However the punishment should be consistent every time the child commits the mistake. Again when the child does a commendable work he should be reinforced so he is inspired to repeat the good act. Punishment works best when balanced with rewards or reinforcements. Similarly observational behavior works well when the parent becomes the role model and consciously perform the desired actions. The child who sees the respect his parent garners from others will automatically start imitating the parent and follow the footsteps. As a famous English proverb goes â€Å"actions speak louder than words†(old English proverb) so will the parents action speak too. According to me a healthy mix of operant conditioning and observational style will create good parenting skills and in turn a happy child.

The Origin of the Universe Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Origin of the Universe - Research Paper Example Not only is it difficult to figure out how a whole universe could appear from nothing, but also no plausible explanation for the mechanism of the explosion itself springs to mind. The only known force in nature capable of affecting the universe as a whole is gravity. Gravity is, however, an attractive force, whereas the explosion requires a repulsive force. The mystery of the explosion lies in the first fraction of a second of the life of the universe. At such early times, the universe was in a state of incredibly high temperature and density, a situation so foreign to laboratory conditions that it is impossible to extrapolate known physics to that realm. The cause of the explosion is shrouded in the extreme conditions of the very early universe. For a while cosmology treated the existence of the universe as a given and concentrated on the consequences of the explosion rather than its cause. In the course of the scientific step-by-step reconstruction of the chronology of the universe , a number of puzzling paradoxes surfaced, of which two are of interest here. The first deals with the strength of the explosion. The push of the Bang was exquisitely well fine-tuned, allowing for the existence of a universe with galaxies, stars, planets, and life. Any other push would have meant either a structureless universe or a universe collapsing back onto itself after a brief existence. Why was the Bang so well engineered? The second paradox deals with the large-scale properties of the universe. The extreme large-scale smoothness of the temperature and of the density of matter cannot be explained by the standard Big Bang model. No known physical process can account for it. What is the origin of this conspiracy? Is our universe very peculiar, that is, did it just start this way by sheer luck -- in the scientific jargon, with very special initial conditions -- or are there mechanisms that can account for the fine-tuned push of the explosion and for the smoothness of the univers e? Two diametrically opposite schools of thought have addressed these paradoxes. The proponents of the so-called anthropic principle state that if the universe were not so fine-tuned, there could be no life in it, and we humans would not be there to witness it. Although this statement is correct, it does not attempt to resolve the paradoxes in terms of physical mechanisms, but relegates them to the status of special initial conditions. In other words, that is the way the universe started because if it had not, we would not be there to witness it. The other school of thought has refused to accept special initial conditions but rather has searched for mechanisms that could account for the observed peculiarities. It is the purpose of this essay to present and to discuss some of the latest models advanced by the second school. The Big Bang When Einstein applied his newly created theory of General Relativity to the universe, he discovered to his dismay that the universe was not static as everybody, including himself, liked to believe at that time. His universe was either contracting or expanding. Rather than exploring the consequences of his findings, Einstein introduced an ad-hoc term into his equation that he called the cosmological term. The cosmological ter

Calculating the cash conversion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Calculating the cash conversion - Essay Example This is why a shorter conversion cycle is better. From the excerpt, it is evident that money is held in the stock up to the time when it is sold. It infers that invested cash, or money that was used to purchase this stock is not available, and cannot be used for any other purpose (Brigham & Houston, 2012). Therefore, business must maintain short cash conversion cycle in order to reduce costs associated with inventory storage and depreciation and maintain business liquidity at a higher point. In a nut shell, the cash conversion cycle measure the time in days that the company takes to convert its input resources into cash flows. That is, it reflects the period of time in days that the company takes to sell its stock, collect all cash receivables, and settle its bills (Whittington, 2012). It is conventionally agreed that a company that takes the shortest time is at its bets operations. This is because the cash becomes free as the cash conversion cycle shortens, and the company can invest it, use it for other activities such as purchasing new equipment, infrastructure to boost the returns. Cash conversion cycle is also significant in assessing the efficiency of the management and competitor comparison (Graham & Smart,

Eva Bellin argues that democratic transition can be carried out Essay

Eva Bellin argues that democratic transition can be carried out successfully when the state's coercive apparatus [security - Essay Example The dissatisfaction may rise to violence but if the state’s coercive apparatus, which is Military and Police, is willing to suppress the revolutionaries, the system still can have the chances of survival even among hazards though illegitimately (Skocpol, 1979). The same rule applies to the democratic transition which is, in a sense, a revolution which the state’s powerful apparatus tries to stop from taking effect (Skocpol, 1979). For example in Middle East, what hinders democracy is the strong authoritarianism systematically helped by the military (Bellin, 2004). The powerful military has the illegitimate will to resist democratic transition in Middle East. Coercive apparatus sometimes couples with the civilian leadership for example in Egypt and Syria. Here the leadership is civilian however no true democratic transition can occur. The reason is simple; civilian leadership and military go hand in hand for the joint interests and against the joint threat. They control the state mutually and the share in authority is so systematically equaled that none can go against the other. Both of them are patrimonially linked to each other (Bellin, 2004). For the state’s coercive apparatus to permit the society to experience democratic transition, there are many factors which play the pivotal role. Economy is one such factor. The stronger is the economy of a state, the less are the chances of democratization to emerge and succeed. Analytics of the history reveal that whenever the economy went down and the coercive apparatus got less money from the regime, misunderstandings developed between the state and military. With consistency in the downfall of the economy, the misunderstandings took the aggravated shape. The crises benefitted the democratic powers to struggle for the transition. Politicians struggled with no fear as the military had its own problems. They stood successful in their mission (Bellin, 2004). The international support for a regime de cides the fate of democratic transition. The situation in such cases demands honesty to be shown by the international community. When the coercive regimes lose their international support, they are encountered with many issues. The aggravating situations require immediate replacement and democracy comes up with the most feasible solution. The coercive apparatus has to welcome the democratic transition. They are forced to do so because the absence of international support results in the downfall of the economy (Bellin, 2004). The strength of coercive apparatus lies in its institutionalization. The more is the apparatus institutionalized, the less will it have the will to conquer the political borders. The less is the coercive apparatus institutionalized, the more will it have the will to resist the democratic transition. Institutionalization in coercive apparatus refers to the norms inside it. If the apparatus is systematically administered by the use of rules, principles and merit, it is called to be institutionalized. Here recruitment is based on merit and promotion on performance not political affiliation. Discipline is a sort of ethics in the domain (Huntington, 1991). Contrary to this, coercive apparatus is said to be less institutionalized if there is no obeying of rules and principles in the proper understanding of the terms. Promotion is hierarchical and

All Quiet On the Western Front Assignment- Close Reading Essay

All Quiet On the Western Front Assignment- Close Reading - Essay Example The story concludes with Paul’s death at the hands of a French sniper on a day near the end of the war. This book is not written by a military general, a politician, a hired ghost writer, a professional historian, but a common solider that has deep respect for human values. He writes without any hidden agenda. Though Paul and his friends joined the army charged with patriotism and with high expectations, soon the brutalities and other realities of war disenchanted them. The captioned pages elaborate the realities of war. In this short passage, the author has provided everything as to how a good books needs to be written. The original company of 150 men of which he has described is a mini-war front, and the description of the sufferings of the individual soldiers is moving. Paul writes about the life of a soldier and how he learns to disengage oneself from human emotions like fear, love and sympathy and turn almost cynical. Not the actual war, but the aftermath of the war worri es Paul. In the above scene, the members of the Second Company, a unit of German army men fighting during World War I, are resting to enjoy a short reprieve from active duty in the warfront. They have suffered heavy casualties, only eighty have returned from the original strength of 150. Paul gives an admirable description about the soldiers and the literary talents of the author are showing. Tjadenis a glutton, but his body is wiry, Haie Westhus, with a heavy body, Detgering who always things about his wife at home, Katczinsky, the cunning old man and the experienced one, and the unwilling cook, who goes by the rule-book of the army to issue rations. The genius of the author is showing throughout their conversation. The passages above highlight the main themes of the novel: How an ordinary soldier is impacted by the horrors of war. The usual features with the war novels are romance, valour, and heroism in the battlefield. But Paul describes about the

Impending Extinction of Steelhead Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Impending Extinction of Steelhead - Essay Example This is attributed to human activities. Along with the scientific developments came the human population explosion. Hundreds of habitats are being destroyed to serve as agricultural or residential lands. Excessive harvesting of animal meat has led to the decline of reproducing population. Irresponsible disposal of garbage and chemicals has further narrowed life opportunities for organisms. This paper will explore on the reasons for impending extinction of the steelhead. It will also look at the measures taken by concerned entities in preventing this from happening. Our focus would be in the steelhead habitat in the Washington State. This paper is aimed at providing the reader knowledge of what is currently being done today to address the environmental problem. Steelheads are characterized by a dark-olive color, shading to silvery-white on the underside with a heavily speckled body and a pink to red stripe running along their sides. They can reach up to 55 pounds (25 kg) in weight and 45 inches (120 cm) in length. An adult female steelhead will prepare a redd (or nest) in a stream area with suitable gravel type composition, water depth, and velocity. It then deposits 4 to 5 eggs in "nesting pockets" within a single redd. The eggs hatch within 3 to 4 weeks. The juvenile steelhead ... It then deposits 4 to 5 eggs in "nesting pockets" within a single redd. The eggs hatch within 3 to 4 weeks. The juvenile steelhead rears in the freshwater for 1 to 4 years before migrating individually to the open ocean. It stays in the marine environment for 1 to 5 years after which it returns to the freshwater streams and rivers of their birth in order to mate. This process is called anadromy. Unlike other Pacific salmonids, steelheads can spawn more than once and will but will again migrate through estuaries to the ocean. Migrations can reach hundreds of miles as evidenced by a fish tagged in the Sea of Japan and caught six months thereafter in the Skagit River of northern Washington. Some streams host two runs of steelhead, a summer run (returning in summer and early fall and spawning in early to mid-winter) and a winter run (returning in early winter to late spring and spawning within this time frame). FOOD Young steelheads feed primarily on zooplankton. Adults feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, mollusks, crustaceans, fish eggs, minnows and even other small fishes including other trout. PREDATORS: Fish, mammals, and birds are the primary natural predators of steelhead. Fish predators include the northern pike minnow, walleyes, and smallmouth bass, channel catfish, sculpins, white sturgeon and even some adult salmonids like adult bull trout, rainbow/steelhead trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and brown trout. Fish-eating birds present in the Upper Columbia Basin include great blue herons, gulls, osprey, common mergansers, American dippers, cormorants, Caspian terns, belted kingfishers, common loons, western grebes, black-crowned night herons and bald eagles. Mammalian

Impact of an all women department vs. an all male department in a Research Paper

Impact of an all women department vs. an all male department in a company - Research Paper Example According to the statistics of the women working in the business world, it has come to an observation that a big portion of the women in the modern world are at the senior level positions in the organizations from across several business industries around various portions of the world. These business sectors include financial services, pharmaceuticals, insurance companies, banking, oil, and gas, health care, telecommunications and several others. Women have not only come under recognition due to transporting expertise in various processes within the organization that entails change management, diversity management, system theory and several others but also have come under appraisal for their enduring leadership skills and teamwork effectiveness (Cleveland & Stockdale &  Murphy, 2000). While looking at the other end of the spectrum, the records and information also reveals the truth that woman in quite a few nations of the world comes under consideration as the weakest vessel that c an never be on parity with the man. Moreover, they have restricted and limited access to a variety of sectors such as political and business. Indeed, they face a number of problems in the world of commerce that incorporate lower salaries, enjoy fewer benefits, do not get sufficient trainings, and lacks in progression or expansion as compared to the men working in the same organization. In addition, women are significantly prone to issues of unemployment and being a victim of harassment both physical and mental (Maatta, 2009). Studies also provide with evidence that the rate of female unemployment is escalating at a calamitously unprecedented rate in quite a number of countries. While on the other hand, the developing countries are making efforts to practice the equal employment opportunity and give fair treatment to all the employees of the enterprise. Furthermore, these organizations aims towards achieving productive work form all the employees regardless of their genders and provi de them a working environment of â€Å"freedom, equity, security, and human dignity† (Maatta, 2009). Studies and surveys have also provided with the information that within the past few decades, the women have contributed to a substantial level in the growth of the GDP on a global basis. Moreover, the current era is alleviating the prejudice attribute from the business world, thus, creating immense scope for the women to boost their productivity and incomes, as these features have been one of the biggest issues that the women used to face in the times of yore (Maatta, 2009). Teams have come under design in order to achieve the goals and tasks of the enterprise that have emerged to be complex and multifaceted. However, teamwork within the organization is â€Å"one of the most effective and efficient way of achieving incredible results with productive performances from the employees† (Carroll, 2011). Moreover, it also facilitates the employee in personal and career devel opment while determining one’s own strengths and weaknesses (Carroll, 2001). When it comes to decision-making, do women and men tend to think in a similar manner or do their brains have a different working mechanism? This is one of the primary questions that come to the mind of a person when talk men and women in relation to their decision-making capabilities.

All Quiet On the Western Front Assignment- Close Reading Essay

All Quiet On the Western Front Assignment- Close Reading - Essay Example The story concludes with Paul’s death at the hands of a French sniper on a day near the end of the war. This book is not written by a military general, a politician, a hired ghost writer, a professional historian, but a common solider that has deep respect for human values. He writes without any hidden agenda. Though Paul and his friends joined the army charged with patriotism and with high expectations, soon the brutalities and other realities of war disenchanted them. The captioned pages elaborate the realities of war. In this short passage, the author has provided everything as to how a good books needs to be written. The original company of 150 men of which he has described is a mini-war front, and the description of the sufferings of the individual soldiers is moving. Paul writes about the life of a soldier and how he learns to disengage oneself from human emotions like fear, love and sympathy and turn almost cynical. Not the actual war, but the aftermath of the war worri es Paul. In the above scene, the members of the Second Company, a unit of German army men fighting during World War I, are resting to enjoy a short reprieve from active duty in the warfront. They have suffered heavy casualties, only eighty have returned from the original strength of 150. Paul gives an admirable description about the soldiers and the literary talents of the author are showing. Tjadenis a glutton, but his body is wiry, Haie Westhus, with a heavy body, Detgering who always things about his wife at home, Katczinsky, the cunning old man and the experienced one, and the unwilling cook, who goes by the rule-book of the army to issue rations. The genius of the author is showing throughout their conversation. The passages above highlight the main themes of the novel: How an ordinary soldier is impacted by the horrors of war. The usual features with the war novels are romance, valour, and heroism in the battlefield. But Paul describes about the

Impact of an all women department vs. an all male department in a Research Paper

Impact of an all women department vs. an all male department in a company - Research Paper Example According to the statistics of the women working in the business world, it has come to an observation that a big portion of the women in the modern world are at the senior level positions in the organizations from across several business industries around various portions of the world. These business sectors include financial services, pharmaceuticals, insurance companies, banking, oil, and gas, health care, telecommunications and several others. Women have not only come under recognition due to transporting expertise in various processes within the organization that entails change management, diversity management, system theory and several others but also have come under appraisal for their enduring leadership skills and teamwork effectiveness (Cleveland & Stockdale &  Murphy, 2000). While looking at the other end of the spectrum, the records and information also reveals the truth that woman in quite a few nations of the world comes under consideration as the weakest vessel that c an never be on parity with the man. Moreover, they have restricted and limited access to a variety of sectors such as political and business. Indeed, they face a number of problems in the world of commerce that incorporate lower salaries, enjoy fewer benefits, do not get sufficient trainings, and lacks in progression or expansion as compared to the men working in the same organization. In addition, women are significantly prone to issues of unemployment and being a victim of harassment both physical and mental (Maatta, 2009). Studies also provide with evidence that the rate of female unemployment is escalating at a calamitously unprecedented rate in quite a number of countries. While on the other hand, the developing countries are making efforts to practice the equal employment opportunity and give fair treatment to all the employees of the enterprise. Furthermore, these organizations aims towards achieving productive work form all the employees regardless of their genders and provi de them a working environment of â€Å"freedom, equity, security, and human dignity† (Maatta, 2009). Studies and surveys have also provided with the information that within the past few decades, the women have contributed to a substantial level in the growth of the GDP on a global basis. Moreover, the current era is alleviating the prejudice attribute from the business world, thus, creating immense scope for the women to boost their productivity and incomes, as these features have been one of the biggest issues that the women used to face in the times of yore (Maatta, 2009). Teams have come under design in order to achieve the goals and tasks of the enterprise that have emerged to be complex and multifaceted. However, teamwork within the organization is â€Å"one of the most effective and efficient way of achieving incredible results with productive performances from the employees† (Carroll, 2011). Moreover, it also facilitates the employee in personal and career devel opment while determining one’s own strengths and weaknesses (Carroll, 2001). When it comes to decision-making, do women and men tend to think in a similar manner or do their brains have a different working mechanism? This is one of the primary questions that come to the mind of a person when talk men and women in relation to their decision-making capabilities.

My Writing Experience and Thoughts about Different Cultures Essay Example for Free

My Writing Experience and Thoughts about Different Cultures Essay First of all, I would like to talk about my writing experience. In China, primary students originally talk about the pictures in primary school. There is no particularly difficult impression in my memory, But when I was in high school, I found a primary school second grade examination paper and I found articles particularly well written. I am surprised, I get so good at writing, but also particularly well written. After, grade level increases, When I was in 5 Grade, the teacher asked me to keep a diary every day, but my mind is empty and I do not know what to write. So I just wrote the diary about what happened each day. I was afraid of my teacher said that I cant write very well. Later, when I was in junior high school, I still dont know how to write and what should I write. I remember an unforgettable experience, it is a composition lessons. At that time, my Chinese language teacher ask me to write about the composition of spring as homework, I remembered that I have a book seems to be an article which was written about the spring in my drawer. Thats my cousins textbook when he was in high school, I usually read it if I have a spare time. Thus I opened the catalog and found this article, then I excerpt some well written sentences to complete the composition. When I watch the article I accomplished, I wondered how beautiful sentences which I copied form the first paragraph, and it is also especially good at the last. I was so frightened, because I know that if I hand it to my teacher. Not only the teacher didnt believe I wrote, even I dont believe it. I should say I was lucky. She was not aware of this problem, but I felt so guilty. Later, I found that the au thor which I copied the original article from is a very famous writer in early China. I think my behavior is disrespectful to him. Since then, I had no interest in plagiarism and I began to write article all by myself. I no longer have a copy of the composition, instead of learning their thoughts. Since that time, I concluded a truth, although the plagiarism is a bad behavior, it is also in the process of looking for good ideas. After that I read a lot of books and learned to analysis and appreciation. It laid the foundation for my future writing, this is a big harvest to me. In the United States, plagiarism is a very serious behavior of cheating, but this is very different to China, In China, language teachers always promote students to learn from those who write a good article, even require students to recite those articles and then students can modify this article into their own article. This is a necessary process in China, a lot of good articles learned in class, the teacher will ask students to recite these articles . For me, writing in English is very different from writing in Chinese, although as a Chinese student I started to learn English when I was very young, and did a lot of English writing since primary school, but English is not my original language. Besides, the English wring practice in China is very limited. Specifically in the model of thinking, Chinese and English are in widely vary. Many times, the sequence of grammar between Chinese and English is the on the opposite, so when we write in English, many sentences are called Chinglish. It is probably that maybe many Chinese people can understand the meaning but the Americans do not necessarily know the meaning of it. So, English Writing is such a challenge for me, here is the U.S., I wrote the article is not for the Chinese people, it is written for people here to read, I must think the ways in Americanï ¼Å'to let people here know what I say. So the most important thing I have to do is that I must adapt to American life , and learn the way of thinking in American so quickly, then use the thinking of U.S. to writing. Only in this way, I can adapt to life better and complete my studies here . I chose the major of Business Management, so there may be a lot of writing about Business Management in my further study. So I must learn the writing skills and method well in this writing lesson, and then do a better writing in further courses of study. The differences of cultural may cause differences in students ability, which is reflected in the students between United States and China very clearly. In China all of the knowledge are imparted to students by teachers, Chinese students only need to remember the knowledge that their teacher told them. If you remember it exhaustiveï ¼Å'you can get a good grades in this course. In the United States , the teachers always train students to focus on the ability which they interested in, regardless of the students ideas are correct or not, as long as he has his personal reasons, it will be a good answer. In my opinion, Chinese students have a strong ability to remember so many things though, but they serious lack the ability to think things independently and they lack the imagination. In the classï ¼Å'they are not good at expressing their ideas, because they always looking for the right answer, which could be widely recognized . There are also some differences in writing. In China, junior high school students have a same writing style, The teacher teach them to write with same skills and the contents of the article are almost same at all. Although I do not know the style of American students writing, but in my guess, their writing must have their own ideas. In my opinion, whether writing in Chinese or English , we must have our own ideas, Only in this way, articles will be more valuable.

CBN and FDI Outflows to China

CBN and FDI Outflows to China Introduction and Research Problem Since its economic opening in 1979, China has become one of the worlds largest recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI). In 2007, inflows to China totalled over US$82 billion, bringing Chinas cumulative FDI to almost US$700 billion for the period 1979 to 2007 (CSB 2007). But what has particularly captured both academic and popular attention is the extent to which Chinas massive levels of FDI may be attributable to diasporic ethnic Chinese capital, what Harvard academic John Kao famously termed the Chinese commonwealth (Kao 1993: 24). It has often been asserted that some two-thirds of all the foreign investment that has poured into China originated from ethnic Chinese living outside of China (e.g., Wolf 2002: 134). This unprecedented level of intra-ethnic investment presents something of a headache to mainstream FDI theories, which, at the level of the firm, tend to explain internationalisation as an incremental process resulting from, variously, the pursuit of market power, an internalising of technological improvements, and the accumulation of foreign market knowledge and experience. Protesting against this type of theorizing as under-socialised and Western-centric, many Asia scholars (who are frequently also Asian) developed an alternative account drawn upon insights from network theory and some sociological studies of Chinese firms done in the 1990s. Their account—which in this dissertation is referred to as the Chinese Capitalism corpus—spans a variety of disciplinary frameworks including anthropology, economic geography and sociology, development economics, management, and Southeast Asia Regional studies, but has at its heart the premise that ethnic Chinese enterprises domin ate the economic activity of East Asia and FDI flows into China in large part because of their ability to draw upon dense, interlinked networks of social/family/political relationships that span national boundaries. These linkages are commonly known as Chinese business networks (CBN). The assertion that ethnic Chinese engage in pervasive networking on an international scale has become so ubiquitous in popular and academic literature that it is usually considered a stylized fact. But is it true that—despite citizenship in countries with differing social structures, political economies, and histories—the Chinese diaspora is linked by transnational webs of strong personalistic ties? And have these webs actuated and facilitated massive flows of FDI to China? If so, this would suggest that ethnic Chinese business operates in a distinctive manner, that it is proper to speak of a Chinese Capitalism in which flexibly linked Chinese enterprises might even form a competitive substitute for formally structured Western and Japanese multinational enterprises (MNEs). Alternatively, it has been suggested that the concept of CBN might simply be a cultural myth which obscures, possibly exaggerates and distorts, the internationalisation of ethnic Chinese enterprises (Mackie 2000). If so—if intra-ethnic networking is ill-defined, over-stated and under-researched—what should we make of the prevalence of the CBN discourse in economics-based discipline s? And, if they are not advantaged by networks, how should mainstream FDI theories be amended to account for the fact that at the turn of the 21st century we find so many Singaporean enterprises in China? The main purpose of my research was to move this debate forward. I did so by investigating claims of extensive intra-ethnic networking among the ethnic Chinese with an eye toward enhancing mainstream internationalisation theorising. More specifically, I tested whether evidence of CBN could be found in the transnational expansion into China of randomly-selected Chinese-Singaporean small-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This chapter has two main objectives. The first is to present my dissertations research question and to explain why it is important. The second is to provide an overview of how and why I investigated it as I did. To this end, the following section discusses the general context of my research problem and reviews the conventional theoretical frameworks that address the phenomenon of internationalisation. Section 1.1.2 explains why it is important that claims of extensive intra-ethnic networking be investigated. Next, the focus is narrowed to the specific research question that was tested. The concept of CBN is carefully defined in Section 1.1.3, and it is conceptually operationalised into testable sub-hypotheses in Section 1.1.4. Background of CBN Claims With some US$30 billion cumulative FDI invested in China between 1979 and 2006, Singapore ranked as Chinas seventh largest source of foreign investment, after Hong Kong, Japan, the Virgin Islands, the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea (CSB, 2007). In 2006, about 70% of the Association for East Asian Nations (ASEAN) FDI originated in Singapore, and between 1990 and 2006, over 15,000 Singaporean projects were set up in China. These figures are all the more remarkable given Singapores small size. Furthermore, as significant as Singapore now is as an investor to China, it is likewise true that China has become important to Singapore as an investment market. Since 1997, China—a vacuum cleaner for foreign direct investment, as Lee Kuan Yew has frequently called it—has each year received the largest share of FDI by Singaporean entities, replacing Malaysia as Singapores top investment destination (Hamlin 2002). In 2002, FDI to China accounted for over 17% of total Singaporean investment abroad (Department of Statistics 2002). It is clear from these figures that not only are Singaporean transnational enterprises (TNEs) a significant force in the rearticulation of China into the global economy, but that China has become an important factor in the regionalisation of Singaporean firms. How can we account for this tremendous and unprecedented diasporic transnational investment? Two corpuses of literature that purportedly shed light on this phenomenon are critically examined in this dissertation: the mainstream internationalisation construct and what I refer to as the Chinese Capitalism perspective. Three strands within the mainstream internationalisation literature are highlighted in this dissertation. The first is theories of the MNE, which grew out of Stephen Hymers seminal work on post-war multinational investment in Europe and has its roots in the utilitarian tradition of classical and neo-classical economics. This corpus of literature has expanded over the decades to encompass a range of views, but at its core is some version of the argument that MNEs are enterprises which, in response to market imperfection and a desire to exploit proprietary advantages, have internalised activities by investing abroad. A distinctive sub-group of these theories has arisen in response to the spectacular increase in developing-country MNEs since the 1970s. Within Developing-Country MNE theories, the leading argument is that emerging MNEs from developing countries follow an incremental internationalisation process driven by gradual internal technological accumulation. Internationalisation Process Models is the second important strand within the mainstream approach. With its roots in behavioural theories of the firm, it offers a more explicitly dynamic approach to understanding the process by which firms engage in FDI. Though there is some variation in the explanation employed in the models—for instance, some stress learning and others focus on technological accumulation—and though the process is variously described as cyclic, stage-based, or evolutionary, a key premise is that internationalisation is incremental by nature, as the firm acquires knowledge necessary for further internationalisation. A third major strand within the mainstream approach has explicitly incorporated the concept of network into internationalisation theorisations. It is important to note the schism in the network literature between viewing networks as a form of governance structure versus focusing on networks as social relationships. This has caused a number of definitional problems and contributed to a seemingly irreconcilable divergence between mainstream economics/business theories and an approach that has grown out of the sociology discipline. Of the former, perhaps the most important for this thesis is the Late Industrialisation framework, which treats the concept of networks as a distinctive mode of organisation through which learning and the adaptation of borrowed technology were combined to promote economic development in a number of late industrialising countries in the 20th century. These three strands within the mainstream internationalisation construct dominate much of the research on MNEs and FDI but they have their shortcomings. In particularly, many Asia scholars (who were frequently Chinese-speaking Asians) have objected that mainstream internationalisation theories, with their under-socialised and Western roots, cannot adequately explain the phenomenon of ethnic Chinese investment in the motherland (Yeung 2000: 10). These scholars have instead drawn upon the insights of network theory and several sociological studies of ethnic Chinese enterprises (that were done in the 1990s) to develop an alternative account—the Chinese Capitalism perspective—to elucidate the specific case of ethnic Chinese transnational expansion. As its name suggests, this large corpus of literature is exclusively concerned with ethnic Chinese enterprises because it is argued that they differ in important respects not only from Japanese and Western firms, but from other d eveloping-country enterprises (Kao 1993). Central to the Chinese Capitalism perspective is the premise that ethnic Chinese firms dominate FDI flows into China, and indeed much of the economic activity of East Asia, because of their ability to form and draw upon dense, interlinked webs of social/family/political relationships that span national boundaries and rest on trust and reciprocation (Hamilton 1996a: 17). These relationships—Chinese business networks (CBN)—are variously ascribed to cultural and/or institutional factors and ostensibly give ethnic Chinese TNEs a strong advantage, especially when entering culturally Chinese markets such as China, while non-ethnic Chinese businesses meet with less success (EAAU 1995). As Hamilton-Hart wrote: Investment and trade flows linking Southeast and Northeast Asia have been promoted by network-like relationships among firms and individuals. These relationships have fostered regionalization by reducing the costs and risks of transnational investment (Hamilton-Hart 2002: 1). Describing this advantage in an especially enthusiastic manner, Redding wrote that ethnic Chinese capitalism is essentially an economic culture characterized by a unique capacity to co-operate (emphasis added: Redding 1990: 79). And Hamilton, concluding that the Chinese diaspora will elbow out non-Chinese entrants in the China market, wrote: Many Westerners honestly believe that they have a real chance to sell to the one billion plus Chinese consumers, but I do not believe it will work out this way (Hamilton 1996a: 19). Journalists and management gurus have similarly embraced the concept of Chinese business networks (e.g., Seagrave 1996; Backman 1999; and Drucker 1994). The concept of CBN has historical roots in the centuries of mass migration that have fostered transnational ethnic Chinese communities which span the world. Many historians have argued that commercial and financial networks based on fictive and agnatic familism, pang or speech-group solidarities, and regionalism, were historically important social channels in some settings, such as for those emigrating to Southeast Asia from southern China. But the Chinese Capitalism literature, taking new life from the treatment of networks within the sociology discipline, extended this historical observation further. It not only asserted that CBN remained important at the turn of the 21st century, but it emphasized CBN as a distinctive characteristic or skill of the ethnic Chinese. Research Significance The skill or special ability to combine a firms resources with the complementary resources of its partners can no doubt be an important organisational capability. Among the benefits, networks lower business transaction costs, provide for better risk assessment, and lead to prompt decision-making. But is there evidence that networking has been a primary factor in ethnic Chinese transnational expansion? Does it explain why Singaporean FDI has flowed so far afield to China? My research contributes to academic understanding in a number of ways. It adds to the scarce academic research that has been published to date on Southeast Asian SMEs, and it contributes to a more rigorous definition of CBN and some of the terms associated with it, such as guanxi. But its most significant contributions are to the following three areas: 1) theorizing on internationalisation and FDI in general, and ethnic Chinese businesses in particular; 2) assessments of whether Singaporean FDI outflows to China represent actual or faux economic development, and what that implies for evaluations of Singaporean state developmentalism; and 3) the use of CBN as a small state strategy to facilitate economic development and to accommodate an ascendant China. Chinese Capitalism and Internationalisation Theorising Further research into CBN is necessary to enhance theorising in both the Chinese Capitalism and mainstream internationalisation corpuses. As discussed in detail in Chapter 3, the Chinese Capitalism literature has to date suffered from a serious lack of empirical evidence. Articles that discuss CBN do often reference prior academic works, but when checked these references typically are revealed to be rather insubstantial. There is also a marked tendency to repeat, mantra-like, the same three or four original works on the subject, but because these studies were largely descriptive and based on a tiny sample size, they do not provide an adequate buttressing for the claim of extensive intra-ethnic business networking. Moreover, there have been virtually no rigorous cross-cultural comparative studies, and little consideration has been given to the drawbacks and costs of operating through networks. My investigation into CBN also speaks to the appropriateness of the academic niche that has developed for Chinese Business. A virtual phalanx of Chinese business experts has popped up since the late 1990s, and it is common to find universities that have dedicated a Chair—or even a department—to the business practices of this specific ethnic group. In contrast, one is less likely to find similar attention to Russian or Indian business studies. Of course, this is due in part to the staggering market potential represented by Chinas 1.3 billion population, but it can also be traced to the essentially culturalist assumption that ethnic Chinese have unique business practices such as CBN. In fact, CBN has become so widely accepted that much of the academic discussion has shifted away from directly considering ethnic Chinese ties towards as pseudo cross-comparative approach that is problematic because it contrasts the fact of CBN with the lack of networking in other cultures. Research into how, for example, Nordic or Indian networks are not as strong as CBN have become common. In short, though some of the details of CBN may be contested, the general premise of the Chinese Capitalism literature has largely been accepted and is influential. This has been especially true in the international business rubric, but references to CBN abound in economics-based disciplines as well. For example, in an Institute for International Economics special report describing the lessons South Korea should learn from CBN, Young argued: In the 1990s, they [the Chinese diaspora] formulated an international strategy to form a global network of overseas ChineseThe experiences of overseas Chines e networks would be good models for Korea (Young 2003: 50). And how did Young define CBN? They are led by the unique Chinese personal network, guanxi, which links individuals, hometown associations, business associations in the same industry, and associations of people with the same family name (Young 2003: 53). Mainstream internationalisation theories also have significant shortcomings. The economics discipline has a long history of neglecting—often completely omitting—the social, political, and historical context in which firms are embedded. A large gulf between mainstream economics and other social sciences has developed, making each seem increasingly irrelevant to the other. Economics many insights and strengths are too often viewed as inapplicable to other disciplines, and disciplinary cross-fertilisation has been hampered. Sloppy theorisations arise and thrive in such an environment. One of the most significant ways that evidence for CBN affects mainstream theorising lies in its suggestion that informally-linked enterprises might serve as functional substitutes for Western and Japanese MNEs. Large firms, especially multinationals, enjoy significant benefits of scale and scope as well as learning and productivity advantages that are unavailable to smaller, isolated firms (Nolan 2001). In contrast, the relatively small size of ethnic Chinese firms, which tend to be family-owned and -controlled, is considered by mainstream theorists to limit their competitiveness in international business. But perhaps the 21st century will indeed be a network age in which the economies of scale that dominated in the previous period seem to have given way to network economies (Young 2003: 33). If so, then the concept of CBN suggests that ethnic Chinese firms are informally bound together in such a way that they can duplicate, and maybe exceed, the benefits derived from the larger sco pe of MNEs (Borrus 1997). This intriguing possibility—that the limitations on competitiveness inherent in a family-controlled firm may be overcome by networking—provides a further reason for why my research into claims of extensive CBN is significant. Moreover, as my results demonstrate in Chapter 5, irrespective of whether extensive intra-ethnic networking is taking the place, the effects of the CBN discourse are profound and have affected FDI decision-making. Mainstream economic theory would be improved if economists took a more open-minded and sophisticated approach to appreciating, understanding, and incorporating such social dimensions. Singaporean Development(alism): Actual or Faux? My research contributes in another key way. Empirical evidence (or its absence) of CBN should factor into evaluations of Singapores level of economic development and, hence, assessments of the states developmental policies. FDI from Singapore to China has not only been large but it continues to grow. Though this transnational expansion has been actively promoted by the ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP) through various policies, programmes, and an official discourse on creating an external economic wing, the state would have us interpret Singaporean investment in China as growing economic maturation, a sign that Singapore is moving away from MNE-led development to a stage in which home-grown capitalists diversify into new areas. Outward direct investments are beneficial to both firms and the home country as they provide access to strategic assets, technology, skills, natural resources, and markets. It is especially important for a small state with limited market size and resources to be able to access international markets and connect with global production/knowledge systems. The degree to which Singapore has experienced the social and technological progress associated with economic development has been a contentious subject for the PAP-state (e.g., Krugman 1994), and it is perennially anxious to demonstrate its effectiveness. As discussed in Chapter 8, signs of declining popular support for the PAP in election results since 1988, in conjunction with a series of accumulation crises over the past two decades, have the state very worried. Though recognized as highly intrusive, the state has largely been given credit for developing Singapore from a sleepy entrepà ´t into a major communications hub with a population that enjoys one of the worlds highest per capita incomes. Since the 1990s, the Singaporean state has to a striking degree officially embraced and propagated a (selectively Confucian) culturalist discourse alongside calls for the development of an external sector to help insulate the country from downturns in the world economy. Is this yet another sign of an enduring comprehensive developmental state (Pereira 2007) cheerleading the march towards the next stage in Singapores economic development, this time, in part, by encouraging latent networking capabilities in its ethnic Chinese population? This might imply that after years of neglect, the PAP-developmental state has reached a stage where it is prioritising the engagement of local capitalists in its economic strategies (Haggard and Cheng 1987). For while the developmental state is expected to be the most powerful political and economic player during much of development, at some point state strategies should pay off and produce a vigorous and competitive domestic capitalist class (Periera 2007: 3). But what should we make of Singaporean FDI to China, and the states insistence that these flows are rooted in Chinese exceptionalism, if evidence suggests that CBN claims are over-stated? Justifications for Singapores domineering one-party state have always pointed to the Republics strong economic performance. If public proclamations about Chinese business networking turn out to be rather more wishful thinking than actual practice, then the government may be judged to have taken a serious mis-step, especially considering its own massive investments in China and the problems associated with some of them (, The New Frontier, Far Eastern Economic Review, December 6, 2001, BY Ben Dolven e.g., the Suzhou Industrial Park). The implication would be that Singaporean investment in China represents, at least in part, something other than the cool, independent economic rationalism upon which PAP political legitimacy rests; concerns might be raised about the optimum use of resources and the degr ee to which political considerations have lead the state to invest heavily in China itself, push its GLC sector to do so as well, and create a discourse in which local capitalists are encouraged to make the risky move to China. More importantly, high levels of Singaporean FDI to China might not represent maturation out of the MNE-dependency that is widely recognized to now seriously limit economic growth and make the island-state exceptionally vulnerable to fluctuations in a world economy beyond its control. And it may hint that the hither-to developmental PAP-state is losing some of the political insulation, technocratic skills, and discipline it needs to continue to lead Singapore. In summary, my research contributes to assessments of the PAP-developmental state. Should Singaporean FDI to China be interpreted as a sign of economic development, with all the benefits this implies for a small state that has to date been extremely exposed to world economic conditions? Or, alternatively, is it at heart a sort of faux development that does not bring the social and technological progress that accompanies actual development? This important topic—the role of the PAP-states CBN discourse in FDI decision-making—is discussed at length in conjunction with the results of my research in Chapter 8. CBN as a Small State Strategy My research also contributes to an understanding of how CBN and the discourse surrounding can be used by a small state wishing to punch above its weight in its engagement with the international environment, especially an ascendant China. By this I am referring to Singapores strategic use of culture and ethnicity to further its economic and national security/foreign policy goals. Chinas growing economic and military strength is increasingly presenting a dramatic challenge to world, particularly East Asian, power relations. Tapping into (or manufacturing) the Chinese-ness of a states population or subgroup may be an excellent strategy for accommodating a rising China, especially for small states such as Singapore which are looking for ways to compensate for their power deficit. A small state faces an integration dilemma when it considers Chinas growing markets and reach (Goetschel 1998: 28). It can insist on economic and security independence but risk being abandoned or isolated, with the disadvantages this would like cause. Or it can accept a constraint on its freedom to act in ways that are contrary to Chinas economic and security goals and instead try to accommodate, identify with, even in some sense integrate with, China. Stressing as it does not just civilisational fluency but actual networks with China, the CBN discourse functions as a novel way of enabl ing Singapore to do the latter. Whether Singapores strategy might successfully be imitated by other small states remains to be seen. It is interesting to speculate how, for example, Africas over 7 million ethnic Chinese and Perus 1.3 million, might factor into their states strategic possibilities for engaging China (e.g., Mung 2008). Singapore has tried to modify the international environment through its cultural discourse in another sense. As discussed in Chapter 8, this former British colony has for the two decades heavily marketed itself as the Gateway to the East. Its stated goal since Singapores regionalisation drive was announced in 1993 has been to be the regional hub, a place where MNEs locate their headquarters and higher value-added operations (such as research and development), while situating lower value-added parts in China and other areas of East Asia where labour is cheaper. The clear implication of the self-orientalising discourse of CBN is that Western firms are unlikely to be successful if they invest directly in China. They need instead to engage a mediating force, such as Singaporean firms, in order to become part of the transnational networks in which Chinese business is accomplished, or so the story goes. As a Singaporean government minister put it: Those who have knowledge of the culture and cultural nuances are able to lower business risks [for foreigners]. The Chinese overseas understand Chinese culture because they are ethnically Chinese themselves, but they also understand the world outsideThey are like modems. They modulate and demodulate and add value in the process. (George Yeo, quoted in Crovitz 1993: 18). With its middleman familiarity with both East and West and its purportedly dense transnational networks with China, the CBN discourse therefore places Singapore in the enviable niche position of knowledge arbitrageur (Tan, K.B. Eugene 2006). It is a striking example of the claiming of territoriality over knowledge (Brown and Menkhoff 2006), in both a conceptual and quite literal sense. Defining the Concept of CBN Unfortunately, a clear-cut definition of the concept of Chinese business networking does not currently exist. Much of the Chinese Capitalism literature is largely descriptive rather than theoretically precise, and to the degree that a definition is specified it varies significantly from author to author. Some scholars discussing networks have stressed their origin in qiaoxiang (usually defined as ancestral homeland ties), kinship, religious, and/or school ties (Hamilton 1996; Liu 1998, 1999; Yeung 2000d). Other scholars have used a broader definition that characterises Chinese business networks as long-term, but extensible, personalized networks, based on trust and upheld by the indispensability of reputation within such a system (Tracy et al. 2001: 262). These are contrasted with what are characterised as the generally weak, situational, and non-enduring ties of the West (Zahra et al. 1999: 45). A particular problem with the fuzziness surrounding CBN is that this concept is often—and unhelpfully—confused with guanxi. Like CBN, the latter term suffers from a lack of definitional rigor. Guanxi has commonly been translated as both connections and relationships, but neither of these terms adequately gives a sense of how this multi-faceted concept is commonly understood by Chinese. A more sophisticated definition is, the concept of drawing on connections in order to secure favors in personal relations (Luo 2007: 2). There are obvious similarities between the concepts of CBN and guanxi, but closer scrutiny of the academic literature as well as the results of my fieldwork led me to a conclusion, shared with a few researchers (e.g., Fan 2002), that guanxi is not identical to CBN. For example, it is not generally considered to be something that is exchanged between family members or childhood friends, nor is it usually described as having any sense of qiaoxiang or ancestral homeland sentiment. Also, unlike CBN, guanxi has on occasion been described quite negatively by a few researchers. Fan, for example, argued that guanxi and corruption are inextricably intertwined in 21st century China (2002). This assessment was supported by my fieldwork, as most of the SME owners I interviewed ascribed negative qualities to the practice of guanxi. Some of them described guanxi as a payment—on occasion they used the term bribe—that must be paid to local government officials as a cost of doing busine ss in China. Others equated it with an obligation to pay for lavish dinners and parties for customers or suppliers in the (frequently forlorn) hope of receiving enough business in return to justify these outlays. When one of my interviewees was asked to define guanxi, he summed it up as, If you want to do business in China, you must pay to play (Interviewee #6). In summary, though any attempt to definitively delineate these two unwieldy and messy terms (Luo 2007) is beyond the scope of this dissertation, the results of my research, combined with a close scrutiny of the academic literature, led me to the conclusion that they are not identical. While creating guanxi with someone may lead to a close networking relationship, it should not be confused with the networking relationship itself. So, though these concepts overlap, it is important to carefully define and distinguish between them. Yet in many accounts of Chinese business practices these two terms—guanxi and CBN—are used as though they were interchangeable. As discussed further in Chapter 5, the frequent conflation of what are actually two separate concepts adds to the confusion surrounding intra-ethnic networking and has important ramifications for my research conclusions. In light of the definitional jumble surrounding CBN, it was important in this thesis that the concept be defined in such as way as to convey the general intent of the Chinese Capitalism literature, yet be specific enough to be rigorously tested. To this end, I chose to draw upon the definition of Chinese business networking suggested by Gomez and Hsiao (2001). They argued that the Chinese Capitalism literature is characterised by an emphasis on Chinese exclusivity, a special conception of trust, and an explicit challenge to existing theories of transnational expansion. Thus, contrary to the very broad definitions typically put forth or assumed, the concept of CBN must necessarily imply a precise, strong connection among businessmen that goes beyond the common, and casual, use in the West of the term business networking (Gomez and Hsiao 2001). More specifically, Gomez and Hsiao claimed that the concept should be reserved for: The e