Business and Management for Engineers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business and Management for Engineers - Essay Example Its management remains in control during the period of Chapter 11 but the important thing is that it gives the company â€Å"automatic stay† and â€Å"breathing room† to put its house in order by not allowing parties to take legal action or take away its assets (http://www.gmreinvention.com). General Motors was originally founded on September 16, 1908 as a holding company for Buick by two partners, William C. Durant and Charles S. Mott. Two years later or around 1910, Durant lost control of General Motors because of a default in its bank loan obligations. However, he was able to regain control through a proxy war he waged by using the Chevrolet Motor Car Company to acquire shares secretly but then he lost control again when the vehicle market collapsed during the Great Depression. General Motors Corporation was part of the so called three generals in American business – the other two being General Electric and General Mills. Years of mismanagement and a bureaucratic corporate culture led to its collapse in the last financial crisis and is now owned by the US government through its Treasury Department under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); it was overtaken by Toyota last year. After its restructuring under Chapter 11 rules, it is now a limited liability company. It means being an LLC, it provides limited liability to its owners which are the US government and to a lesser extent, also the Canadian government. Other present owners include the United Auto Workers Union Employee Association and various bondholders of Motors Liquidation Corporation (the new name of General Motors while it is undergoing rehabilitation at present) while the previous stockholders of the company are now holding worthless pieces of paper as company liabilities are much greater than its total assets (a negative net-worth of $86 billion). Before the restructuring, it was a

To what extent has Coalition Government affected the role and Essay - 3

To what extent has Coalition Government affected the role and functions of Prime Minister and Cabinet - Essay Example the Liberal Democrats and David Cameron’s Conservatives has been faced with different challenging administrative issues as compared to single-party governments that came before them. Issues of Cabinet Collective Responsibility, Individual Ministerial Responsibility, Cabinet Committees, and the Sofa Government have mostly changed the way former Prime Ministers have led a single-party government. Collective responsibility at the level of cabinet involves taking a common stand and owning up whenever a no confidence vote is passed by legislators to facilitate an en-masse resignation over government incompetence (Palmer, 2011). What follows normally is the formation of a new administration, or dissolution of parliament to pave way for a general election (Debus, 2011). In the UK, the principle is applicable to all government officials, from cabinet secretaries to lower ranking members of the executive including Parliamentary Private Secretaries (Martin, 2013). Whereas in a single-party government the doctrine may be suspended to facilitate a no-holds-barred debate on key policy issues affecting the public, a Prime Minister under a coalition government tend to be intolerant to dissenting opinion for fear that it could degenerate into a split in and an eventual collapse of government (Bawn, & Somer-Topcu, 2012). Paun (2011) suggests that even though collective responsibility was suspended in Britain in the 1930s debate about the implementation of protective taxation policies; and again in 1975 following the debate on whether the country should continue to serve in the European Economic Community, single-party Prime Ministers tend to be more democratic than their coalition counterparts when it comes to implementing collective responsibility. The isolated cases of breach of collective responsibility in majority governments and their lesser impacts could have informed Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision in 2003 to permit Clare Short to continue serving in government,

About early marriage

About early marriage Introduction: In many different countries and parts of the world, young womens marriage before the age of 18 is a reality to be lived. Some studies were made using 40 Demographic and Health Surveys show that a considerable percentage of women in civilized and developed countries continue to marry at an early age. The statistics showed 20-25% of women get married at the age of 18, and 40-70% of women marry at the age of twenty. Early marriage is widely spread in Africa and South Asia, and is least common in North Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia (International Family Planning Perspectives, 22:148-157 175, 1996). Overview about early marriage: Some previous presentations showed that the phenomenon of early marriage was related to the high poverty and social constraints due to conflicts, political and economical obstacles, instability, and shortage of services in education, housing, and professional development. Consequently, it was common that parents would encourage their daughters to get married at an early age in hopes that this marriage will enhance both their financial and social status. However, early marriage for young girls is considered as a form of violation of human rights, since it compromises the physical, mental, psychological, educational and emotional development of girls. This tradition could be a harmful practice; and consequently, its harmful effects are many. For instance, girls will be denied the right to freely express their views, the right to be defended against detrimental and devastating traditional practices. Moreover, early marriage requires the performance of heavy household and marital respons ibilities including the raising of children. The question here raises itself, how will child mothers raise their children while they are still children themselves. For this reason, the following research studies the awareness students have about the causes and effects of early marriage, and questions their opinion on whether they support or not early marriage. Gathering Data: In order to determine the way of gathering and receiving the information, we have first structured and designed a questionnaire, and then asked 70 randomly selected female students to fill in the questionnaire form. Questionnaire Design: The questionnaire included 8 questions that started with general questions about the age and the marital status of the respondents; then we have tackled more topic- related questions regarding the suitable age for marriage and why in the respondents opinion it is regarded as a suitable age for marriage, the causes and effects of early marriage, whether divorce is considered as the most common effect of early marriage, and finally whether the respondents agree or disagree on early marriage. Questionnaire Results: Over a period of 2 days, we have distributed 100 questionnaires among the students and the returned response rate was 70 %. Given that this questionnaire was conducted in a very short period of time; however, we have received a considerable and impressive response rate from the students, this reflects that the questionnaire has stimulated an extraordinary interest in the topic. Location Questionnaires Distributed Questionnaires Returned Percentage of Return Rate Abu Dhabi University 100 70 70 % We have composed our database on the basis of tallying the numbered questions, where the questions that offered a multiple choice of responses were allocated with different alphabetical letters. Statistical Data and Graph Analysis: Age of the Respondents: As shown in the pie graph below, and based on the results we have gathered from our questionnaire, the highest proportion which is 65 % of the respondents ages ranged between 20 and 25 years old; where 22.8% of the respondents were below 20 years old. On the other hand, a very small percentage of 8.57 of the participants age ranged between 26 and 30 years old, where as the lowest rate of 2.86 % were for the respondents whose age is above 30 years old. Marital Status: The following diagram shows the marital status of the students who participated in the survey. Statistics showed that the majority or 80 % of the respondents are single; whereas only 20 % are married. Among the 20 % of the married respondents, 28.5% were married below the age of 18, 7.2 % were married at the age of 20, 28.5% were in union above the age of 22; yet, at the descriptive point, 35.7 % was the proportion of women who didnt mention at what age they got married. What is the suitable age for marriage? Marriageable age (or marriage age) as defined by Wikipedia is, â€Å"the age at which a person is allowed to marry, either as of right or subject to parental or other forms of consent†. However, in our questionnaire, we have asked the students their opinion about the suitable age for marriage. The statistics that we have gathered on this query was bounded to two choices out of four. Though, both choices form a percentage that might be considered to be significant; however, there are differences. The percentage claiming that the suitable age for marriage ranges between 20 and 25 years old was noticeably high, as it reached 74.29 %. On the other hand, 25.71 % of the respondents consider that the age ranging between 26 and 30 is the ideal age for marriage. As we have previously mentioned that the aim and objective of our research is to study the level of awareness women have about the impact early marriage has on women and how it can affect or threat the fulfillment of young womens rights. Therefore, through our questionnaire, we developed further questions that would allow us to tackle more deep issues about the subject and that would enable us to highlight the respondents opinion regarding specific details. For instance, as a continuation for the previous question, we asked the students why they think that the age they have selected to be a suitable age for marriage is in their opinion suitable. Likewise, we have listed a list of possible reasons for them to choose. The 74.29 % who supports marriage between 20 and 25 years old justified their choice as follows: The reading can be presented in the following percentages: 33.64 % responded: Able and ready for household responsibilities 32.71% responded: Will have mental maturity 25.35 % responded: Able and physically ready to have children 9.86 % responded: Will provide her an economic and financial stability 0 % Dont Know 0 % Other Analysis: We can tell that there is a strong proximity between the first two choices; where the majority believes that girls between 20 and 25 years old will be able and ready to bear the domestic responsibilities and will have the maturity level that would enable her to face constrained decisions in life. A close percentage of responses supported the fact that at this same age, girls would reach a physical maturity that would enable her to have children. Conversely, figures supporting the choice that marriage can provide the girl a stable financial status were minor in comparison to the other choices. As for the 25.7 % of those who support marriage between 26 and 230 years, had different justification which are read as follows: 34.29% responded: Able and ready for household responsibilities 22.86% responded: Will have mental maturity 28.57 % responded: Able and physically ready to have children 11.43 % responded: Will provide her an economic and financial stability 0 % Dont Know 2.86 % Other 34.29% responded: Able and ready for household responsibilities 22.86% responded: Will have mental maturity 28.57 % responded: Able and physically ready to have children 11.43 % responded: Will provide her an economic and financial stability 0 % Dont Know 2.86 % Other The responses for this group of respondents were not so far from that of the first group. We can spot out from the closeness in percentage rates that there is a somehow similarity and consistency in responses. The above readings would indicate that approximately there are three factors that mostly contribute in determining the suitable age for marriage. These factors are: The ability and readiness to hold domestic duties, mental maturity, and finally the physical readiness to have children.

Virtual Learning Environments Essay -- Education, Blackboard

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are considered to be among the most outstanding, interesting and rapidly developing contemporary computer technologies. It is a package of software systems initially created in order to utilize the advantages offered by the Internet, such as Blackboard and WebCT. It provides a resource for exchanging, transforming and managing information, as well as offering various academic and administrative services, through a group of various tools. These environments are not restricted to e-learning or distance learning. It is also being recognized as the most effective means to support and assist the development of traditional learning and to enrich classroom activities. Furthermore, VLEs have become among the most significant means to achieve and support the philosophy of self-learning in many universities. Consequently, educational institutions and individuals now realize the benefits of using VLEs to reinforce and improve the learning process. Therefore, it is necessary for the learner to master the use of this technology as well as the tutor and it is necessary to use this technology in all aspects of the learning process. In this study I will highlight the purposes of VLEs, then the common tools in VLEs, followed by the advantages and disadvantages for VLEs. Afterward, I will outline the factors that impact in success VLEs and the characteristics of successful online learner. Recently many universities have been using advanced technology in the learning process, as result of the rapidly changing information communication technology (ICT). These changes demand that education institutions use a various tools from ICT world. One of the substantial tools on ICT is VLEs. Currently VLE... ...ccessful VLE, for example, taking into consideration the effectiveness of online learning strategies. Moreover, technical skills are not enough for the tutor experience. It is more important that tutors should develop their pedagogical skills in order to make best use of VLEs. In my point of view, for the success VLEs, the tutor and the learner should play different roles in this issue. They complement each other in succeeding the learning process via VLEs. Therefore, we cannot rely only on the tutor for the success of the learning process. I believe learners in this generation are growing up with technology and becoming more familiar with ICT. Their learning styles and thinking differ. They are adapting to these technologies. So I think learners prefer the learning process that is characterized with various interesting tools such as VLEs.

Roberto Clemente Speech

â€Å"He gave the term â€Å"complete† a new meaning. He made the word â€Å"superstar† seem inadequate. He had about him the touch of royalty. † This was a quote stated by former commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bowie Kuhn while speaking during Roberto Clemente’s eulogy. When baseball season came around in seventh grade, my coach of the Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School team, Fabrizo Morejon, explained that he wore the number 21 in honor of his childhood hero Roberto Clemente. He seemed such an advocate of this man that it gave me a strong motive to research and to find out who this man really was.When I began to read all about him, I found that his career was not just filled with spectacular baseball achievements, but even more so was all about humanitarianism, and about Clemente’s drive to help others and be a source of pride for his native country. This is something that you don’t see to often today. In a day where baseball player s today make tens of million dollars annually and are virtually superstars wherever they go many players cannot be bothered with the well being of others. This instantly became a favorite hero of mine.This speech will take you through the early life and beginning struggles of his career, through his success in the major leagues, ending with his tragic death and legacy left on the world. So lets go way back, back to the 1930’s in Puerto Rico where Roberto was born. I. Early life, Getting drafted, Struggles in the majors A. From the beginning always close to his family 1. Formally Roberto Walker Clemente was born on August 18th, 1934 CLICK in a small town located in Carolina in the north east portion of Puerto Rico 2.Roberto was the youngest of seven children born to Luisa Walker and Melchor Clemente 3. His family was very poor growing up so Roberto happily spent his childhood working part time jobs pitching into the family well being B. Growing up 1. Roberto was a natural athl ete from the time he emerged on the scene in his high school years a. Was a four sport varsity athlete playing football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball and track and field in the spring b. Because Roberto was so good at track and field they let him just ome to the matches because practices interfered with his baseball schedule, which always came first 2. Coming directly from Roberto’s journal from high school â€Å"I loved the game (baseball that being) so much that even though our playing field was muddy and we had many trees on it, I used to play many hours every day†, this showed how much Roberto truly loved playing the game C. It wasn’t long before Roberto’s exceptional and â€Å"superstarish† play wasn’t noticed 1. In 1954 Roberto was signed by the Pittsburg Pirates for 4,000 dollars 2.Moving to America was a major culture shock and change for Roberto a. Racial tensions existed between he and his teammates as well as between he and the local media and this really frustrated Roberto and made it tough to concentrate on baseball b. Clemente responded to the racism he faced by declaring this postgame response â€Å"I don’t believe in color†¦I always respect everyone and thanks to God, my mother and my father taught me never to hate, never to dislike someone because of their color†, this really shows his true care and respect for the nature of people in general c.Teammate Joe Black was the most import to his assimilation into American society, being the only other player to speak Spanish D. His career had a really rough beginning 1. His first season was cut short because he got into a drunk driving accident hurting his back, hitting a measly . 225 even when healthy 2. After the shaky start to his career Roberto decided to go through marine camp and become a reserve in order to get into a stronger better condition as a player Going into the marines and committing himself to basebal l once again took his career for a turn for the better II. SuccessesA. Roberto Clemente made a strong comeback after his abysmal start to his career in his first season 1. CLICK By the start of his second season, Roberto was hitting leadoff for the Pirates playing the entire season, hitting . 314, a very respectable average 2. Helped the Pirates win a world series vs. the New York Yankees (I know it hurts to say) 3. He went to his first all star game that same season B. During the middle of his career, Roberto got married 1. On November 14th, 1964 Roberto Clemente got married to Vera Zabala back in his hometown of Carolina, of course in Puerto Rico 2.He had three children with Vera Zabala named Roberto Jr. , Luis Roberto, and Enrique Roberto C. From the time that Roberto turned his around his career he was a very consistent and productive player 1. After 1961, which was his breakout season talked about earlier, Clemente went on to win a Gold Glove and was an all star team starter, e very season for the next decade, VERY CONSISTANT 2. In 1966 he won the most prestigious award in the MLB, which is the Most Valuable Player award 3.Ended his career with exactly 3000 career hits, being only the tenth player ever to do that at the time a. Many of you know this man CLICK who just got 3000 hits CLICK and was king of New York for a few days b. However, Clemente got to this feat playing in fewer games than Derek Jeter However, sometimes in life it seems that bad things just happen to the good people III. Death and Legacy A. Roberto’s life came to a tragic end, in a truly charitable way, just the way that I’m sure he would have wanted it to happen 1.When the city of Managua in Nicaragua was hit with a massive earthquake, Roberto, not even a native of that country was the first to step up and help 2. Because there were numerous rumors that the relief effort materials were being diverted by government officials, Roberto wanted to fly there himself and make sur e they got the materials themselves 3. New years eve, 1972, Roberto got in a plane in attempt to personally deliver the relief materials himself, CLICK however the plane crashed just after take off killing Roberto and everyone else on boardB. Today Roberto is still remembered in many different ways 1. In Pittsburgh, the major bridge leading near the stadium is named after him CLICK, along with the right field wall in the new stadium is 21 feet high CLICK and nobody is allowed to wear the number 21 in a pirates uniform in honor of Clemente 2. The MLB made an award in his name, which is an annual award given to the player who â€Å"best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team† CLICKSo even though Roberto has been gone for over 35 years the Major Leagues remember him every year for his qualities not just on the field but off as well, not something that can be said by to many players I hope that t hrough this presentation, going from the beginnings of Roberto’s life through the ups and the downs of his career and finally ending with his heroic death and legacy, everyone got a real feel for who this man really is. I did not want to stand up here and you guys think that I was just talking about some baseball player who had really good stats and hit a lot of homeruns.Because that’s not the case with this man, at all. The life of Roberto Clemente is one consisting of outrageous baseball statistics CLICK, a profound love of the game, and a desire to help others. With all of his charity work and accomplishments Roberto Clemente’s legend lives on and he continues to inspire not only Latinos, but people all over the world. To leave you all with one quote from Roberto that truly just exemplified his personality, â€Å"Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth. CLICK

Communication Styles Essay

Identifying with your personal style of communicating will help you in the long run to create good communication skills. There are four different communications styles which are passive, assertive, aggressive and passive aggresive that we all can identify with. Knowing about the many styles of communication can help you to adapt to others and their style of communication. Passive communication is one of the four different communication styles. Passive communication is shown when individuals fail to express their opinions, feelings, needs and show low self-esteem. I don’t identify with this style of communicating because this isn’t me. When I feel the need to express myself I do so. I always stand a hundred and ten percent behind my opinion and I never let others step over me. Aggressive communication is very different from passive communication. Being a aggressive communicator you express your feelings and opinion. Aggressive communicators can often be verbally abusive because of past situations such as they may have experienced physical and or emotional abuse or still carrying around unhealed wounds. Aggressive communicators will often try to be the dominate one and control others. They speak in a very loud demanding voice and act rudely. I myself can be aggressive from time to time in situations. For example if my boyfriend makes me mad I began to speak in a loud overbearing tone and will not listen to anything he has to say. Being an aggressive communicator will unable you to mature . Passive-aggressive communication is a style that on the outside they show to be passive but act out of anger because of feeling powerless. Passive-aggressive communicators will use sarcasm, deny that there is a problem and will sabotage you to get even. I personally cannot relate to this style of communication. If I have a problem I will gladly let you know what the issue is. Also I do not believe in sabotaging others, you will get your karma, as they say what goes around comes back around. Assertive communication is the last style of communication. It is a style in which one believe on speaking up about their opinions and feelings. Assertive communicators show high self-esteem and value everything about themselves such as their time, emotions and needs. Assertive communicators will stand up for their rights but yet be respectful about it. They also listen well and respect others and speak in a calm tone. I find myself being an assertive communicator the most especially in disagreements. I let others know how I feel but at the same time I still respect them and how they feel. Assertive communication is one of the best styles of communication because it creates an respectful environment and allows you to be mature enough to address issues as they arise.