Thursday, October 31, 2019

Pursuasive Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pursuasive - Essay Example Even then, he chose his words carefully by calling this phenomenon, ‘global climate change.’ In 1997, the Kyoto Treaty, which has now been signed by more than 160 countries, is, to date, the most comprehensive global effort to decrease CO2 emissions. Though the agreement was signed by the U.S. and then President Clinton consented to decrease greenhouse emissions in the U.S. by 40 percent, it has been dismissed by the Bush administration and has yet to be ratified by the U.S. CO2 greenhouse gases have since increased in the country that produces well more than any other (Melinin, 2005). Unfortunately, the country that causes the most harm is lead by a person that seems to have ‘cause the most harm’ as his calling card. The solution to automobile emissions may lie in alternative fuels. Promising future alternatives to crude oil, vegetable oil can be substituted for diesel fuel while ethanol is an effective gasoline additive. Brazil began converting to ethanol in the 1970’s and today does not import a drop of oil. Britain and other countries of Western Euro pe are following suit. Iceland is already well on its way to becoming the first nation to generate its power needs by means of hydrogen fuel-cells and France is leading the way in building nuclear power plants (â€Å"Alternatives to Oil†, 2002). The scientific community agrees that global temperatures are rising due to the burning of fossil fuels which are damaging the protective atmospheric Ozone layer by changing its composition. Human pollution is changing the climate of our earth and has increased global warming in the past half century. The film by Al Gore An Inconvenient Truth is pointed directly at citizens and politicians of the U.S. who, for reasons unknown to Gore and the rest of the civilized world, are either unaware or deny global warming exists except in the mind of liberal environmentalists. To this end, Gore attacks the misconceptions perpetrated by large

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

The Shapes of Human Communities Essay Example for Free

The Shapes of Human Communities Essay 1. In 1500, the world had all different societies, gatherers and hunters to empires, but it was different   2. Paleolithic Persistence a) gathering and hunting societies (Paleolithic peoples) still existed throughout the world but they had changed over time b) b. had new improved technologies and ideas, e.g., outrigger canoes, fish hooks, etc (had not adopted agriculture) c) exchanged goods over hundreds of miles and developed sophisticated sculpture and rock painting and northwest coast of North America developed very differently 3. Agricultural Village Societies a) predominated in much of North America, in Africa south of the equator, in parts of the Amazon River basin and Southeast Asia b) their societies mostly avoided oppressive authority, class inequalities ( forested region in present-day southern Nigeria – 3 political) c) Benin: centralized state ruled by a warrior king ,EwuareP d) Igbo : dense population and trade, and rejected kingship and state building e) Yoruba, Benin, and Igbo peoples traded among themselves and beyond 4. Agricultural village societies went through change in the centuries before 1500 a) population growth, emergence of distinct peoples b) rise of warfare as key to male prestige -creation of the Iroquois confederation c) some European colonists appreciated Iroquois values of social equality and personal freedom (even for women)agriculture,depose officeholders5. 5. Herding Peoples of the a) Turkic warrior Timur tried to restore the Mongol Empire ca. 1400 but ended up devastating Russia, Persia, and India b) his successors kept control of the area between Persia and Afghanistan for a century c) Timur’s conquest was the last great military success of Central Asian nomads d) the steppe nomads’ homeland was swallowed up in expanding Russian and Chinese empire 6. African pastoralists -independent from empires (Fulbe -West Africa’s largest pastoral society) 7. migration after 1000 c.e. ( small communities among agriculturalists) a) adopted Islam b) some moved to towns and became leaders c) jihads -created new states ruled by the Fulbe 2) Civilizations of the Fifteenth Century: Comparing China and Europe a) majority of the world’s population lived within a major civilization. b) China had been badly disrupted by Mongol rule and the plague and recovered under the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) i. Confucian learning 1) Emperor Yongle (r. 1402–1422) summarizing all the wisdom of the past and reestablished the civil service examination system (centralized government) 2) Chinese sailors and traders had become important in the South China Sea and in Southeast Asian ports in the eleventh century d) Emperor Yongle commissioned a massive fleet; launched in 1405 e) Admiral Zheng ried to enroll peoples in the tribute system f) no intention of conquering new territories, establishing Chinese settlements, or spreading culture 3) Chinese government abruptly stopped the voyages in 1433 g) Chinese merchants and craftsmen continued to settle and trade in Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia,( without government support) 3) European Comparisons: State Building and Cultural Renewal 1. a similar process of demographic recovery, consolidation etc 2. 2. European population began to rise again ca. 1450 a) state building fragmented -independent and competitive states 3. the Renaissance: reclamation of classical Greek traditions 4. began in the commercial cities of Italy ca. 1350–1500 5. . greater interest in the individual and in accurate depiction of the worl 4) European Comparisons: Maritime Voyaging 1. Portuguese voyages of discovery began in 1415 2. 1492: Columbus reached the Americas 3. 1497–1498: Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa to India 4. European voyages -small compared to Chinese ones a) unlike the Chinese voyages, Europeans were seeking wealth in Crusades against Islam 7. Chinese voyages ended; European ones kept escalating a. no political authority in Europe to end the voyages b.   rivalry between states = more exploration c. China had everything it needed; Europeans wanted the greater riches of the East 5) Civilizations of the Fifteenth Century: The Islamic World 1. Islamic world +four major states or empires. Took process of within and beyond new states 2. In the Islamic Heartland: The Ottoman and Safavid Empires 3. Ottoman Empire lasted from fourteenth to early twentieth century (huge territory) A .sultans claimed the title â€Å"caliph† and the legacy of the Abbasids (effort to bring new unity to the Islamic world 4. Ottoman aggression toward Christian (fall of Constantinople in 145 -1529 siege of Vienna) Europeans feared Turkish expansion 5. Safavid Empire emerged in Persia from a Sufi religious order -empire was established shortly after 1500 6. Sunni Ottoman Empire and Shia Safavid Empire fought between 1534 and 1639 1) On the Frontiers of Islam: The Songhay and Mughal Empires 1. 1. Songhay Empire rose in West Africa in the second half of the fifteenth century a. Islam was limited largely to urban elites. b. Sonni Ali (r. 1465–1492) followed Muslim practices, but was also regarded as a magician with an invisibility charm ( center of Islamic learning/trade) 2. Mughal Empire in India was created by Turkic group that invaded India in 1526 b. over the sixteenth century, Mughals gained control of most of India. 3. The age of these four great Muslim empires is sometimes called a â€Å"second flowering of Islam. new age of energy, prosperity, and cultural brilliance 4. spread of Islam to new areas, such as Southeast Asia 2) spread by traveling merchants, supported by Sufi holy men 6) rise of Malacca as a sign of the times—became a major Muslim port city in the fifteenth centuryMalaccan Islam blended with Hindu/Buddhist traditions (Islamic learning) Civilizations of the Fifteenth Century: The America a) Both the Aztec and the Inca empires were established by once-marginal peoples who took over and absorbed older cultures .(Both empires were destroyed by the Spaniards) b) The Aztec Empire a seminomadic people who migrated southward from northern Mexico c) Aztec Empire was a loosely structured, unstable conquest state ( population of 5–6 million d. local and long-distance trade on a vast scale (included slaves) 1) professional merchants (pochteca) became rich a. human sacrifice much more prominent in Aztec Empire than in earlier Mesoamerica 2) b. Tlacaelel is credited with the of state giving human sacrifice such importance Aztec Empire’s purpose is to maintain the cosmic order by supplying blood for the gods ocean trade in the west Atlantic/Indian Ocean picked up VII. A Preview of Coming Attractions: Looking Ahead to the Modern Era (1500–2000) A. No fifteenth-century connections were truly global. 1. those came only with European expansion in the sixteenth century 2. 1500–2000: inextricable linking of the worlds of Afro-Eurasia, the Americas, and Pacific Oceania B. â€Å"Modern† human society emerged first in Europe in the nineteenth century and then throughout the world. 1. core feature: industrialization 2. accompanied by massive population increase C. The prominence of European peoples on the global stage grew 1. , Western Europe became the most innovative, 2. spread of European languages and Christian religion throughout the world

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Indivdual Differences In Pain Tolerance Psychology Essay

Indivdual Differences In Pain Tolerance Psychology Essay It is generally agreed that the perception of pain does not only depend on the noxious input, but also on a variety of psychological variables including an individuals emotional state. The amygdala is one area of the brain linked with the regulation of both emotion and pain (Lapate, Lee, Salomons, van Reekum, Grieschar Davidson, 2012). This region has also been implicated in trait aggression and the act of cursing. The current study aimed to expand on previous work looking into the hypoalgesic effect of swearing on pain (Stephens, Atkins and Kingston, 2009; Stephens Umland 2011) whilst also examining the role of trait aggression and gender. Participants consisted of 50 students from the University of Central Lancashire. They took part in two cold pressor task trials whilst either cursing or repeating the word chair. They also completed the Trait Aggression Questionnaire (Buss Perry, 1992). Physiological readings of heart rate and systolic/diastolic blood pressure were taken along with cold pressor latency. It was found that swearing had no impact on pain tolerance and there were no differences in physiological reading between any of the conditions. However, the results showed that both males and females who scored high on the trait aggression questionnaire could withstand the cold pressor task for longer than those low in trait aggression. Males also lasted longer on the cold pressor task than females across both the swearing and non-swearing conditions. The lack of findings with regards to swearing could be due to the manner in which participants were asked to curse. Despite this, the findings do support the idea that individual differences need to be taken into account when studying pain and when dealing with pain in the clinical population. Physical pain has been subject to vast amounts of research across various disciplines. From an evolutionary point of view, pain serves an important purpose. For example, it motivates action to escape or avoid noxious stimuli (Ploghaus, Tracey, Gati, Clare, Menon, Matthews, Nicholas Rawlins, 1999). The more that is discovered about the physiological and psychological processes involved in the perception of pain, the more complex it has become (Ogden, 2007). Traditionally, the main body of research into pain has been on the pharmacological control of pain and has been focused on the spinal cord processes of pain relief. As more is being learnt about the different types of pain modality systems it is becoming clearer that pharmacology is not the only way to manipulate these mechanisms (Villemure Bushnell, 2002). More recent evidence has been provided using neuroimaging as a means to further explore these mechanisms. Functional neuroimaging has shown that certain areas of the brain are activated when pain is experienced. These include the thalamus, somatosensory and prefrontal cortices and the anterior cingulate cortex (Ploghaus et al, 1999). However, recent research on pain has focussed more on the role that emotions play in pain regulation. The current view is of pain is much more multidimensional. This means the perception of pain does not necessarily depend on the level of noxious input; rather it is heavily influenced by many psychological variables (Wiech Tracey, 2009). The emotional dimension of pain is further supported by findings that show a large percentage of neurons in the medial thalamus that respond to noxious stimuli applied directly to the skin are changeable depending on the motivational and affective state of the animal (Price, 2002 cited in Wickens, 2009). Therefore it is necessary to study other areas of the brain in relation to pain. More and more research is showing that the amygdala may play an important role in the integration of affective regulation and pain perception (Lapate, Lee, Salomons, van Reekum, Grieschar Davidson, 2012). Using a combination of behavioural, physiological and neuroimaging methods (Lapate et al. (2012) demonstrated that both pain and emotion regulation are reflected in amygdala function. Other recent studies have also focused on the influence emotions have on pain. For example, Godinho,  Magnin,  Frot,  Perche   Garcia-Larrea (2006) demonstrated that empathy with other peoples suffering increased a participants own reported pain intensity. In addition, De Wied and Verbaten (2001) conducted a study looking at the effect positive and negative pictures would have on participants pain tolerance. They found that participants viewing the positive pictures prior to the task could withstand pain for longer than participants viewing the negative pictures before the task. With regards t o negative emotions it has been found that inducing anger or sadness (Rainville, Bao Chrà ©tien, 2005) or a depressed mood (Berna, Leknes, Holmes, Edwards, Goodwin Tracey, 2010) in healthy participants increases pain intensity and leads to individuals rating pain as more unpleasant than if these negative emotions had not been induced. Given that emotions are linked to the effects of pain, research has also explored the role they play in its regulation. For example recent research has looked at the effects of swearing on pain tolerance. The use of taboo words, or swearing, is a prominent yet understudied part of human language (Van Lancker Cummings, 1999) which is used across all cultures (Pinker, 2007). Swearing can be used as a means to express emotion, particularly negative. The primary meanings of offensive words are connotative (Jay Janschewitz, 2008) rather than denotative meaning they have an emotional feeling distinct from the actual meaning of the word. As soon as a child learns to speak, they learn to curse. Children learn that cursing is a form of coping with stress and it has been hypothesised that being punished for cursing as a child can lead to the words holding a negative emotional connotation for the user (Jay, King Duncan, 2006). Therefore it is important to explore how swear words effect emotions compared to normal language. It has been suggested that the connotations and denotations of words are actually processed and stored in different parts of the brain, with denotation being primarily dealt with in the neocortex of the left hemisphere and connotation being processed across connections between the neocortex and the limbic system in the right hemisphere (Pinker, 2007). Interestingly it appears that the neuropathology of swearing is distinct from the main language areas of the brain. This can be seen in cases of severely aphasic patients where cursing is done with almost perfect articulation in comparison to the patients disabilities in other areas of language and speech (Van Lancker Cummings, 1999). It has also been found that for patients suffering from coprolalia (the obscene linguistic outbursts of Gilles de la Tourettes syndrome) the symptoms are the same (although culturally specific taboos) in different languages which is evidence to support the act of cursing as having a neurobiological basis (Pinker, 2007). The amygdala has also been implicated in swearing with neuroimaging studies showing increased activation in this area of the brain on hearing/saying taboo words (Jay, 2000). However, despite swearing being common in both clinical and non-clinical populations, it is a relatively neglected area of study. This may be due partly to a universal negative reaction to profanity (Van Lancker Cummings, 1999). In particular it is surprising that swearing as a response to pain has received such little attention in the scientific community. To date there appears to be only two studies in the area of swearing as a response to pain, both of which were conducted by Dr Richard Stephens (Stephens, Atkins and Kingston, 2009Stephens, et al. 2009; Stephens Umland 2011).In the first of these studies Stephens et al. (2009) looked at swearing as a response to pain by asking participants to submerge their hand in freezing cold ice water (the cold pressor task). They hypothesised that swearing would be a maladaptive response to pain. In total 67 participants took part in a swearing and non-swearing trial. In the swearing trial they were asked to repeat a swear word they would use if in pain and in the non-swearing trial they were asked what word they could use for a table. Stephens took heart rate readings as well as using a perceived pain scale. In this study he found that swearing increased cold pressor latency (i.e. the time that they could keep their hand in the ice water), lowered pain perception and was accompanied by an incr eased heart rate. The increased heart rate is indicative of sympathetic nervous system activation, or the fight or flight response. As this study included both male and female participants the element of gender based differences in pain tolerance had to be considered. While this is a physical difference, the emotional effect of swearing for males compared to females could affect pain tolerance. The main gender difference with regard to pain tolerance found in Stephens et al.s (2009) study was that males could withstand the cold pressor task for longer than females. Women have been found to show greater sensitivity to experimentally induceds pain than men (Riley, Robinson, Wise, Myers Fillingim, 1998) although a review of studies conducted over the past ten years looking at pain and gender suggests that pain tolerance is the only measure in which there is significant difference between males and females during the cold pressor task (Racinea, Tousignant-La ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ammec, Kloda, Dione, Dupuis Choinià ¨re, 2012). Other gender differences in the study by Stephens et al. (2009) were observed with females having a greater reduction in perceived pain and a greater increase in heart rate during the swearing condition. This could be due to gender differences in swearing. For example, it has been found that females perceive more power in swear words than males (Dewaele, 2004). It has also been found that although swearing frequency is similar across both genders, males tend to be more offensive than females (Jay Janschewitz, 2008). There have also been inconsistent results in studies looking at physiological responses to pain in men and women. Maixner and Humphrey (1993) found that women responded to pain with an increased heart rate, as shown in Stephens et al. (2009), and men responded to pain with an increase in blood pressure. However a more recent study conducted by alAbsi, Peterson and Wittmers (2002) found a relationship between blood pressure and pain perception only amongst their female participants whilst other studies have found no evidence of gender differences when looking at the blood pressure/pain relationship (Helfer McCubbin, 2001; Poudevigne, OConner Pasley, 2002). These gender differences could go some way to explain why swearing has the different effects on pain perception and physiological responses.In a second study conducted by Ste phens Umland (2011) replicated earlier findings in a second study on 71 participants. , most of the results from the first study were replicated. Participants were able to keep their hand in the cold water for longer if they were swearing, and heart rate was also increased. With regards toHowever, when they looked at gender differences they found males lasted longer during the cold pressor task than females as before but this time there was no dramatic change in heart rate for the female participants. One possible reason for swearing being an effective response to pain is that it could activate part of the brain known as the Rage Circuit. This is an evolutionary response in mammals which goes from part of the amygdala, through the hypothalamus then into the midbrain. It is like a sudden reflex response to pain or frustration. When this happens the rage circuit triggers the parts of the brain connected with negative emotion including words with a strong emotional connotation such as swearing (Pinker, 2007). Indeed, Stephens et al. (2009) suggested that swearing may be effective due to it inducing a negative emotion despite previous research suggesting that negative emotion actually decreases pain tolerance and increases pain perception (Berna et al., 2010; De Wied Verbaten, 2001; Rainville et al., 2005). It should be noted however that such research tends to consider the emotional state prior to the experience of pain rather than the emotional response to noxious stimuli (Rainvil le, Bao Chrà ©tien, 2005). Another explanation for the hypoalgesic effect of swearing could be the role of the amygdala in the fight or flight response. The central nucleus of the pathway projects to the hypothalamus which then triggers the sympathetic nervous system resulting in the fight or flight response of raised heart rate and blood pressure (Wickens, 2009). This response can be activated by a number of different stimuli; including pain and can increase pain tolerance and decrease the perception of pain. Further activation of the amygdala, such as through swearing, may increase physiological reactions further resulting in this mechanism being even more effective against pain. Negative emotions such as anxiety and depression have received a lot of attention in the field of pain research. It is becoming apparent that other negative emotions, such as anger, fear and aggression may also be involved in the perception of pain (Quartana, Bounds, Yoon, Goodin Burns, 2010). Aggression is one of the negative emotions that have been suggested to be linked to swearing (Stephens Umland, 2011). Many studies have been conducted in the past on whether pain elicits aggression, but there has been little research into whether aggression as a trait has an effect on pain tolerance and pain perception. In a study conducted by Seguin, Pihl, Boulerice, Tremblay Harden (1996) adolescent boys were asked to take part in a pain tolerance task assessed via finger pressure pain. Trait aggression was recorded as stable, unstable or no history. The results suggested that boys classed as unstable aggressors displayed the lowest pain tolerance, whereas boys classed as stable aggressors displayed the highest pain tolerance. Another study found that male participants who displayed higher levels and frequency of aggression could endure longer periods of pain compared to males with lower levels of aggression (Niel, Hunnicut-Ferguson, Reidy, Martines Zeichner, 2007). This seems to suggest that aggression does, in some way, play a role in pain tolerance. The main issue arising from these studies is that they only included male participants. A more recent study looking at a sample of both males and females found no significant relationship between pain tolerance and trait aggression once the mens conformity to a masculine gender role had been controlled for (Reidy, Dimmick, MacDonald, Zeichner, 2009). These conflicting results highlight the need for further research into the role of trait aggression in the experience of pain alongside the effects of swearing and including both male and female participants. The amygdala has already been mentioned in connection with pain modulation, swearing and emotion however it has also been linked with trait aggression. In a recent study 20 volunteers underwent brain scans which revealed a significant negative correlation between trait aggression and amygdala volume (Matthies, Rusch, Weber, Lieb, Phillipsen, Tuescher et al., 2012). Due to this and the previous inconclusive research into the role of trait aggression and pain, a high/low trait aggression condition will be included in the current study to see if there is any interaction between trait aggression and swearing during the cold pressor task. The main aim of the current study is to try and replicate the results found by Stephens et al. (2009; 2011). A cold pressor task will be used as the noxious stimuli with swearing, gender and trait aggression being compared with regards to cold pressor latency. Heart rate will be recorded as in Stephens et al. (2009; 2011) but the current study will also record systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These physiological responses were not measured in the original studies on swearing and pain and would provide more evidence that the sympathetic nervous system is activated to a greater degree whilst swearing as well as giving more insight into the blood pressure and pain relationship (Helfer McCubbin, 2001; Poudevigne, OConner Pasley, 2002). Based on previous research several hypotheses were generated. In line with the findings of Stephens et al. (2009; 2011) it is hypothesised that cold pressor latency will be longer in the swearing condition compared to the non-swearing condition for males and females. It is also expected that physiological responses (systolic/diastolic blood pressure and heart rate) will be higher in the swearing condition compared to the non-swearing condition. Additionally, males are expected to withstand the noxious stimulus (cold pressor task) for longer than females across the swearing and non-swearing conditions. In line with Stephens et al. (2009), but not Stephens Umland (2011) it is hypothesised that females will display a greater increase in heart rate (and therefore systolic and diastolic blood pressure) in the swearing condition in comparison to the males. HypothesisIn line with Stephens et al., (2009; 2011):Cold pressor latency will be longer in the swearing condition compared to the non-swearing condition for males and females.Systolic blood pressure will be higher in the swearing condition compared to the non-swearing condition for males and females.Diastolic blood pressure will be higher in the swearing condition compared to the non-swearing condition for males and females.Heart rate will be higher in the swearing condition compared to the non-swearing condition for males and females.Overall males will withstand the noxious stimulus (cold pressor task) for longer than females across the swearing and the non-swearing conditions.In line with Stephens et al., (2009), but not Stephens Umland (2011):Females will display a greater increase in heart rate (and therefore systolic and diastolic blood pressure) in the swearing condition in comparison to the males.Due to the inconclusive research into the role of trait aggression and pain tol erance no specific hypothesis will be generated for this variable. Instead it will be examined whether trait aggression will have any effect on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and cold pressor latency across the swearing and non-swearing conditions and also whether there are any gender differences. METHOD DESIGN A 2 x 2 x 2 mixed subjects design was employed for this study. The between subjects factors were gender (male/female) and trait aggression (high/low). The within factor was swearing with all participants taking part in both the swearing and the non-swearing condition. The order of conditions (swearing/non-swearing) was counterbalanced for each participant. The dependent variables measured were systolic blood pressure (mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), heart rate (BPM) and cold pressor latency (length of time participants kept their hand in the cold water in seconds). The cold pressor task was employed as the painful stimulus. To avoid demand effects participants were not informed of the true nature of the task until they were debriefed. PARTICIPANTS The participants consisted of 50 students attending various courses at the University of Central Lancashire. They were recruited using both opportunity sampling and through the research participation pool where students receive credit for taking part in research. Participation was entirely voluntary. There were 25 females and 25 males with ages ranging from 18 to 44 years. Mean age was 23.4 years (SD = 5.71). Participants were screened for existing heart conditions, high/low blood pressure and circulatory problems. No participants were excluded from the study on the basis of this screening. MATERIALS Prior to taking part in the study, participants were given a brief sheet (see Appendix 1 for brief) and screened using a health screening questionnaire provided by the University of Central Lancashire (see Appendix 2 for Health Screening Questionnaire). For the Cold Pressor Task a bucket filled with a mixture of cold water and ice was used. Prior to each task a thermometer was used to check the temperature was 0 °C. For baseline readings and between tasks a bucket containing room temperature water (25  °C) was used. Physiological readings were obtained using a LifeSource ® UA-767 Plus machine which measures both blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and heart rate. Trait aggression was measured using a trait aggression questionnaire (Buss Perry, 1992). This questionnaire consists of 29 items which participants rank on a likert scale of one to five with one being not at all like you and five being completely like you. Examples of statements are; Once in a while I cant control the urge to strike another person and I tell my friends openly when I disagree with them. Within the questionnaire are four subscales which measure verbal aggression, physical aggression, hostility and anger. For the purposes of this study the overall trait aggression score was used where a higher score on the questionnaire equals a higher level of trait aggression. The questionnaire has been shown to have good internal consistency (ÃŽÂ ± = .89) as well as test-retest reliability (r = .80; Buss Perry, 1992). (See Appendix 3 for Trait Aggression Questionnaire). After completing the aggression questionnaire participants were made fully aware of the nature of the study th rough the debrief (see Appendix 4 for debrief). PROCEDURE For the task students individually attended a research laboratory on campus at the University of Central Lancashire. They were informed that the study would be looking into physiological responses to the cold pressor task and asked to complete a health screening questionnaire. Following this participants were asked to make themselves comfortable whilst the blood pressure/heart rate cuff was placed around their non-dominant arm before submerging their dominant hand up to the wrist in a bucket of room temperature water for three minutes. At the end of the three minutes a baseline blood pressure and heart rate reading were recorded. Participants were then asked for what swear word they would use if they were to bang their thumb with a hammer and also what word they would use to describe a chair. Whilst repeating their chosen word for either cursing or chair, participants submerged their dominant hand in the cold water. They were given the instruction to keep their hand in the water unti l it became too uncomfortable or painful. A time limit of three minutes was imposed due to safety reasons and 11 participants reached the limit in one or both conditions. During the task, heart rate and blood pressure were recorded every 30 seconds. Once they removed their hand they were asked to submerge it back in the bucket of room temperature water for three minutes. Following this participants were asked to repeat the initial cold pressor task, this time repeating the chosen word not used in the first condition. Order of conditions was counter-balanced for all participants. Following both cold pressor tasks participants were asked to complete the aggression questionnaire before being fully debriefed. The trait aggression questionnaires were scored and then a median split performed. Possible trait aggression scores range from 29 145. Participants in this study scored from 49 113 with a median of 69.5. Trait aggression was then split into high or low, with high being equal to, or more than 69.5, (n25) and low being less than 69.5 (n25). The research was conducted with the approval of the ethics committee at the University of Central Lancashire The research was conducted with the approval of the ethics committee at the University of Central LancashireRESULTS For the purpose of analysis, averages were taken of the systolic, diastolic and heart rate readings for male and female participants with high and low trait aggression in each condition (swearing/non-swearing). Cold pressor latency was recorded in seconds. the trait aggression questionnaires were scored and then a median split performed. Possible trait aggression scores range from 29 145. Participants in this study scored from 49 113 with a median of 69.5. Trait aggression was then split into high or low, with high being equal to, or more than 69.5, (n25) and low being less than 69.5 (n25). (For raw data refer to Appendix 5) The effects of swearing/aggression on systolic blood pressure during the cold pressor task Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) was recorded during the cold pressor task. Table 1 shows the means and standard deviations of systolic blood pressure during the swearing and non-swearing conditions for high/low trait aggressive males and females. Table 1: Means (and standard deviations) of Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg) across swearing/non-swearing conditions for high/low trait aggressive males/females. HIGH AGGRESSION LOW AGGRESSION TOTAL SWEARING MALE 125.24 (20.95) 129.21 (16.05) 127.15 (18.48) FEMALE 123.31 (12.45) 119.81 (11.65) 121.49 (11.92) TOTAL 124.31 (17.07) 124.32 (14.45) 124.32 (11.92) NON SWEARING MALE 121.45 (16.46) 129.48 (19.54) 125.30 (18.09) FEMALE 119.33 (13.77) 116.44 (11.28) 117.82 (12.36) TOTAL 120.43 (14.95) 122.70 (16.82) 121.56 (15.79) A 2 (trait aggression: high/low) x 2 (gender: male/female) x 2 (swearing/non-swearing) mixed subjects factorial ANOVA revealed no significant main effect of swearing condition on systolic blood pressure (F(1,46) = 1.57, p = 0.217, Eta ² = 0.033). There was a non-significant main effect of gender (F(1,46) = 2.95, p = 0.093, Eta ² = 0.060) and a non-significant main effect of trait aggression (F(1,46) = 0.13, p = 0.718, Eta ² = 0.003). In addition, the interaction between swearing and trait aggression showed no significance (F(1,46) = 0.29, p = 0.593, Eta ² = 0.006). The interaction between swearing and gender was non-significant (F(1,46) = 0.19, p = 0.662, Eta ² = 0.004) as was the interaction between gender and trait aggression (F(1,46) = 1.42, p = 0.240, Eta ² = 0.030). Overall there was no significant 3-way interaction between swearing, gender and trait aggression (F(1,46) = 0.16, p = 0.691, Eta ² = 0.003). (For analysis output on systolic blood pressure see Appendix 6). The Effect of swearing/aggression on diastolic blood pressure during the cold pressor task Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) was recorded during the cold pressor task. Table 2 shows the means and standard deviations of diastolic blood pressure during the swearing and non-swearing conditions for high/low trait aggressive males and females. Table 2: Means (and standard deviations) of Diastolic Blood Pressure (mmHg) across swearing/non-swearing conditions for high/low trait aggressive males/females. HIGH AGGRESSION LOW AGGRESSION TOTAL SWEARING MALE 78.73 (17.66) 87.37 (12.75) 82.88 (15.81) FEMALE 85.63 (9.85) 79.50 (16.37) 82.44 (13.72) TOTAL 82.04 (14.58) 83.28 (14.99) 82.66 (14.65) NON SWEARING MALE 80.56 (13.05) 86.24 (13.05) 82.88 (15.81) FEMALE 85.21 (8.81) 85.74 (10.06) 85.49 (9.29) TOTAL 82.79 (11.24) 85.98 (11.78) 84.39 (11.51) A 2 (trait aggression: high/low) x 2 (gender: male/female) x 2 (swearing/non-swearing) mixed subjects factorial ANOVA revealed no significant main effect of swearing condition on diastolic blood pressure (F(1,46) = 0.65, p = 0.425, Eta ² = 0.014). There was a non-significant main effect of gender (F(1,46) = 0.07, p = 0.801, Eta ² = 0.001) and a non-significant main effect of trait aggression (F(1,46) = 0.48, p = 0.491, Eta ² = 0.010). In addition the interaction between swearing and trait aggression showed no significance (F(1,46) = 0.21, p = 0.651, Eta ² = 0.004). The interaction between swearing and gender was non-significant (F(1,46) = 0.40, p = 0.531, Eta ² = 0.009) as was the interaction between gender and trait aggression (F(1,46) = 2.51, p = 0.120, Eta ² = 0.030). Overall there was no significant 3-way interaction between swearing, gender and trait aggression (F(1,46) = 1.41, p = 0.241, Eta ² = 0.030). (For analysis output on diastolic blood pressure see Appendix 7). The Effect of swearing/aggression on heart rate during the cold pressor task Heart rate (BPM) was recorded during the cold pressor task. Table 3 shows the means and standard deviations of heart rate during the swearing and non-swearing conditions for high/low trait aggressive males and females. Table 3: Means (and standard deviations) of heart rate (bpm) across swearing/non-swearing conditions for high/low trait aggressive males/females. HIGH AGGRESSION LOW AGGRESSION TOTAL SWEARING MALE 83.79 (11.45) 81.93 (15.86) 82.90 (13.48) FEMALE 92.10 (16.79) 87.34 (16.14) 86.92 (16.29) TOTAL 87.78 (14.59) 84.74 (15.91) 86.26 (15.19) NON SWEARING MALE 84.57 (20.16) 84.91 (16.13) 84.73 (17.96) FEMALE 89.88 (12.40) 85.17 (16.42) 87.43 (14.53) TOTAL 87.12 (16.76) 85.04 (15.94) 86.08 (16.22) A 2 (trait aggression: high/low) x 2 (gender: male/female) x 2 (swearing/non-swearing) mixed subjects factorial ANOVA revealed no significant main effect of swearing condition on heart rate (F(1,46) = 0.01, p = 0.934, Eta ² = .000). There was a non-significant main effect of gender (F(1,46) = 1.40, p = 0.243, Eta ² = 0.030) and a non-significant main effect of trait aggression (F(1,46) = 0.46, p = 0.503, Eta ² = 0.010). In addition the interaction between swearing and trait aggression showed no significance (F(1,46) = 0.09, p = 0.770, Eta ² = 0.002). The interaction between swearing and gender was non-significant (F(1,46) = 1.14, p = 0.292, Eta ² = 0.024) as was the interaction between gender and trait aggression (F(1,46) = 0.24, p = 0.628, Eta ² = 0.005). Overall there was no significant 3-way interaction between swearing, gender and trait aggression (F(1,46) = 0.08, p = 0.780, Eta ² = 0.002). (For analysis output on heart rate see Appendix 8). The Effect of swearing/aggression on cold pressor latency during the cold pressor task Cold pressor latency (the length of time participants kept their hand in the ice water) was recorded in seconds. Table 4 shows the means and standard deviations of cold pressor

Friday, October 25, 2019

Establishment of the Silk Route Essays -- Chinese History

Currently living in the twenty first century we can take modern travel methods from airplanes, vehicles, trains, and ships for granted, altering our perception of the distance we travel significantly. These advanced distribution systems we now employ allow us to exchange culture, products, technology, and ideas by breaking down barriers, truly globalizing the world. Similar to the modern travel marvels we make the most of today, years ago before human’s relationship to machine, the silk route provided that ability to connect multiple countries. This important trade route developed over time transferring numerous products like silk from China to several countries in the Middle East, Mediterranean, Europe and Ancient India. In addition, the silk route was more than just a trade route that brought products to and from because it developed into a transcontinental network carrying goods, information, religion, language, and technology. The Silk Route is indisputably one of the oldest international trade routes consisting of a series of roadways laid over land primarily, until the introduction of sea travel. What initiated the overwhelming interest in trade was one of the oldest fibers known to man, silk, that originated in China. Silk is a luxury fabric that can be woven into textiles, producing a rich texture and luster like no other material. Dating back to 2500BC this exotic material was used exclusively for Chinese royalty, but gradually expanded to become a bigger part of the Chinese culture. Since this unique material was considered more valuable than gold at the time, as soon as word got out to neighboring countries the overwhelming interest was inevitable. The demand for this appealing material brought silk westwar... ...esearch. Web. 14 May 2012. . "Silk History: History of Silk Fabric; History of Chinese Silk; Silk Road History Silks History." Silk History: History of Silk Fabric; History of Chinese Silk; Silk Road History Silks History. TexereSilk, 2011. Web. 14 May 2012. . "Silk Road - Its History, Development, Operation and Significance to the East and West." Silk Road - Its History, Development, Operation and Significance to the East and West. Web. 14 May 2012. . "Silk Road Culture Exchange, Religion and Technology Introduced into China via Silk Road." TravelChinaGuide. Web. 14 May 2012. .

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

A Case Analysis of the Workings of a Third Party Logistics Industry Essay

Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The relevance of Third Party Logistics (3PL) Providers need not be overemphasized.   The logistics industry provides a very good opportunity for industries to focus more on their core competencies and significantly reduce their spending while at the same time improving their systems and customer service aspects.   Since most of the 3PL companies have all the resources that are necessary for effective logistics function on top of their human capital it is always the case that companies will definitely gain a good experience on top of learning a lot of new strategies in dealing with this type of service.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This paper will provide the basic theories on Logistics and Third Party Logistics.   Consequently, it will relate such theories to actual experiences of a particular 3PL Industry leader: Ryder Systems Inc.   The paper will be discussing its core services, values and take into close analysis two of the services that they have provided on two of their major clients.   Similarly, the discussion of some of the risk factors that are inevitable for the company will also be taken into account. See more:  The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis Essay Objectives of the Study   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   First amongst of the few objectives of the study will be the student’s capability to communicate the concepts that are relevant in the industry that he or she is working in.   Second would be to show how big and relevant the market for the logistics industry is.   In relation with this is to illustrate how the company which the author works in (i.e. Ryder Systems Inc) is able to have a significant share in this industry.  Ã‚   Part of such objective would be explaining its book of business, products and services and basic corporate values.   There should also be direct examples to illustrate how is the company is able to maintain its top clients. Significance of the Study   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is necessary to provide a scholarly study on the area of logistics because there has not been a lot of studies are conducted in this type of industry.   Most of the researches that the author have encountered are primarily brief case studies and basic theories that mainly based on the specific corporations that are doing such type of businesses.   Having such, most of the literatures are one sided, that is discussing only the good experiences that were encountered in dealing with specific clients.   It is the author’s endeavor to bring out a research paper that is based on a holistic perspective so that there would be a thorough discussion of both of the positive and negative areas within the logistics industry. Review of Related Literature Logistics Logistics is the process of administering and controlling the course of goods, energy, information and other resources namely products, services and people from a particular company.  Ã‚   It would be very hard to imagine a particular company without proper logistical function or support.   The very rationale of a logistics support primarily lies on proper â€Å"geographical positioning of raw materials, works in process, and finish inventories† at the most reasonable cost, this information is taken from Wikipedia’s introduction part, titled â€Å"Logistics†. Taken from the same reference, Wikipedia categorizes logistics into three types: military, business and production logistics. Military logistics Providing logistical support to the military is more of a matter of life and death.   It is very crucial that soldiers’ supplies of food, fuel and ammunition be delivered in the fastest and safest possible manner if not, such would lead to very serious implications.   Good examples of such cases are the US-Iraq war, American War of Independence and the Second World War. Business Logistics There are two different focuses in which logistics function in businesses: the internal focus and the external focus which â€Å"covers the flow from originating supplier to end-user†.   Part of the business is the assurance of the proper â€Å"coordination of resources in an organization†.  Ã‚   Two forms of logistics in business that are fundamental for the smooth run of the business are the â€Å"steady flow of material through a network of transport links and storage nodes; and also the sequence of resources to carry out projects†. Production Logistics The relevance of logistics within an industry need not be over emphasized.   As industries are constantly changing their machines to achieve â€Å"capital efficiency† and â€Å"customer response†, it is very necessary to make more efficient the logistics function.   For existing plants, the management often find themselves replacing parts ad even machines in order to ensure the quality and rate of productivity.   Hence it is not only the case that timeliness of transporting these parts should be taken into consideration but also the cautiousness that is necessary to guarantee that by the time the machine or parts get to the production site, it is still on a perfect working condition. For the purpose of this paper, the author will concentrate specifically on two types of logistics function, i.e. the business and the production logistics. Third Party Logistics It would be more cost-effective for companies which don’t have a particular specialization on transportation and logistics to outsource using 3PL or third Party Logistics Provider.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3PL is a specialized vendor which takes care of the â€Å"supply management function† of a particular company’s integrated warehousing and transportation, and other services that could be â€Å"made according to customer’s needs prior on market condition and the demands and delivery service requirements for their products and materials.† Few of these services are inventory, material handling and packaging.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to Hertz, and Alfredsson in their article â€Å"Strategic development of third party logistics providers, Industrial Marketing Management† there are four categories of 3PL providers: Standard 3PL provider: this is the most basic form of a 3PL provider. They would perform activities such as, pick and pack, warehousing, and distribution (business) – the most basic functions of logistics. For a majority of these firms, the 3PL function is not their main activity. Service developer: this type of 3PL provider will offer their customers advanced value-added services such as: tracking and tracing, cross-docking, specific packaging, or providing a unique security system. A solid IT foundation and a focus on economies of scale and scope will enable this type of 3PL provider to perform these types of tasks. The customer adapter: this type of 3PL provider comes in at the request of the customer and essentially takes over complete control of the company’s logistics activities. The 3PL provider improves the logistics dramatically, but do not develop a new service. The customer base for this type of 3PL provider is typically quite small. The customer developer: this is the highest level that a 3PL provider can attain with respect to its processes and activities. This occurs when the 3PL provider integrates itself with the customer and takes over their entire logistics function. These providers will have few customers, but will perform extensive and detailed tasks for them.       Ryder System Inc Company Overview Headed by their Chairman and CEO Gregory T. Swienton, Ryder System Inc is one of the best and leading industries in terms of providing logistics, supply chain management and solutions all over the world.   It has been featured in Fortune 500 and has received numerous commendations from its clients and peers within the industry. Few of its customer awards are from Toyota (Best Business Partner of the Year), Mazda (Carrier of the Year), Xerox (Delivery Carrier of the Year), Whirlpool (Gold and Bronze Quality Awards), Alcan (Distribution Supplier of the Year), ARCO (Category 1, Supplier Status), Bombay (Carrier of the Year), Copperweld (Outstanding Supplier of the Year), Domino’s Pizza (Supplier of the Year), etc. Similarly, few of its industry awards came from Forbes, Beacon Council, The Miami Herald, Commercial Carrier Journal, Hispanic Magazine, Logistics Management, Mercer Management Consulting, Internet Week, E Week, Information Week, Centro de Estudos em Logica, Consumer Goods Technology, CIO, National Safety Council, Latina Style, Information Week 500, Business Week, Inbound Logistics Magazine and B to B Magazine. Also, the company has been included in Calvert Social Index since 1990, KLD Research & Analytics: Domini 400 Social Index (DSI), United States Environmental Protection Agency and South Florida Commuter Services: Best Workplaces for Commuters, Governance Metrics International (GMI): Highest Global Rating, Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR): Above and Beyond Award, Network Miami, and World Trade.    In relation with this, Ryder has also been included in â€Å"InformationWeek 500 of leading business users of information technology and InternetWeek’s top 100 U.S. companies for effectiveness in using the Internet to achieve tangible business benefits†. As enumerated in Ryder’s official website the products that the company offers are: â€Å"Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), which provides leasing, rental and programmed maintenance of trucks, tractors and trailers to commercial customers; Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), which manages the movement of materials and related information from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished products to end-users; and Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC), which provides a turn-key transportation service that includes vehicles, drivers, routing and scheduling†. Corporate Values One of the secrets of success of Ryder lies on its very strong recognition of the relevance of diversity in the workplace.   The company focuses a lot on the relevance of the workforce by proving them a whole array of opportunities regardless of color, gender and age. Fleet Management Solutions According to the 2005 Ryder Annual Report on the Financial Statement Section, Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) accounts to 62% of total annual revenue of the company, that is equivalent to $57 Billion. FMS allows its clients to focus on their central business and direct their capital to other parts of their business process.   Ryder provides a whole range of products for leasing, commercial rent and contract maintenance solutions. In relation with this, it also had â€Å"value-added fleet support services† like insurance, vehicle administration, fuel services and a wide selection of used trucks, tractors. FMS caters from small to large scale enterprises.   Most of its clients came from the following industries: beverage, newspaper, grocery, lumber, wood products, home finishing and metal. Since FMS is divided to three major regions across the whole United States also adding Puerto Rico, the company holds a huge 137,000 US fleet of commercial trucks, tractors, trailers that are leased or rented.   Each major region is segmented into 8-16 Business Units (BU) and consequently, each BU has 7-15 Branch Offices. The BU are pretty much like a one-stop store because not only that it has a maintenance facility or a shop office, it also provides services for refueling, safety inspections and preliminary maintenance checks as well as a place for preventive maintenance and repairs. Through FMS Ryder is able to provide the most cost-effective business logistics solutions on top of timeliness, quality and superior service. Full Service Leasing The full service leasing program that is still based on the 2005 Ryder Annual Report is a custom made program which caters perfectly to any demand or need of a particular enterprise.   This particular program helps companies to strategize their fleet management function or upgrade their fleet without necessarily having to allocate a specific percentage of their annual capital. Assessing enterprises’ qualifications would depend in their corporate state of affairs, their company’s size, residual size and a balance sheet treatment.   Based on these qualifications, a leasing program will be created.   After such would be the leasing of trucks that are â€Å"custom engineered† relative to the needs of the enterprise and normally would last for 3-7 year. The full service lease of Ryder has very good leveraging since the company has a good buying power since it purchases vehicles in bulk. Other related services include contact maintenance which primarily deals with the repairs of vehicles, predictive and preventive assessments based on the type of the truck and driving habits of the enterprise, and also Ryder can replace any truck which temporarily went out of service. Another additional feature of this program is the contact related maintenance which are additional services that are not within the agreed contract but is however needed by the enterprise. Supply Chain Solutions This aspect of the services provided by Ryder pertains to the â€Å"direct movement of international funds and related information from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished products to end users†. The estimated market for this business is estimated to be $237 Billion and accounts to 29% of the company’s total annual revenue.   There are three categories in which Ryder operates in this particular service.   The Professional Services provided by the company focuses on the classification, analysis, and improvement of its clients’ supply chain solutions in order to assure the enterprise’s consistency, efficiency and flexibility.   This service is comprised of expert consultants who conduct extensive case studies, reviews to create a highly effective supply chain strategy.   Another service provided by the company is Distribution Operations wherein few of the services being catered upon are: warehouse facilities, administering the flow of products, coordinating warehousing and transportation for inbound material flows, handling import and export for international shipment, replenishment of component parts for manufacturing and ., and a whole lot more.   The transportation services on the other hand take care on almost all of the factors that are necessary for an effective and timely transportation network.   From planning and execution, Ryder also makes sure that the shipment consolidation, load scheduling and delivery confirmation are real-time and accurate through the use of various technological and web-based solutions.   Ryder has the best transportation consultants who work in partnership with the Freight Brokerage Department. Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Having a discussed a brief background of the necessary foundations of an effective logistics company and having elaborated on the basic workings of Ryder System Inc, the author would like to have a brief case analysis of two of the long-time clients that the company have served for their logistics solutions: Whirlpool and Philips.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In relation with this, the author would also discuss the risk factors that are inevitable in this type of business. Risk Factors   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The author would like to discuss some of the things that affect the logistics business at Ryder.   One relevant factor would be the financial revenue of the company and its stability.   Some changes in market conditions such as the rental or sale of used vehicles, ability to retain customers and maintain appropriate utilization rates.   It could also be the case that unstable interest rate and currency exchange rate might cause financial instability.   Sometimes occasional labor strikes, sudden changes in fuel prices and fuel shortages could be vital determiners of fluctuations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is also a necessity that new growth initiatives in Fleet Management Systems (FMS) Business segment be a constant endeavor for the company.   By having the company restructure the operational and sales teams, realigning business processes and organizing management it will be assured that the FMS will still be up to date and will still continue to be the biggest contributor for the company’s annual revenue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another risk factor that the company has to deal with is the residual risks on the value of their trucks.   If the market for buying used vehicles suddenly declines there would be a sure loss on Ryder. In relation with this would be with regard to SCS revenue.   Since a significant portion of SCS revenue came from a small number of customers, many of which are in the automotive industry, it could be possible that failure to retain these clients would result to huge financial loss. One of Ryder’s clients which belong in this category is General Motors Corporation (GM) accounting for 35% of Ryder’s SCS total revenue and 18% of SCS operating revenue.  Ã‚   The loss of any of this customer or a significant reduction in the services provided to on this company could impact Ryder’s domestic and international operations and adversely affect SCS financial results. While the company still focuses on diversifying their customer base both outside and within the automotive industry, the company may not be successful in doing so in the short term. In relation with this is the downward pricing pressure that might come from certain SCS customers could result in low revenues.   For instance it could be the case that since all SCS services are provided under contractual arrangements that are based on certain assumptions regarding the scope of services, production volumes, operational efficiencies, productivity and other factors. If, as a result of subsequent changes in our customers’ business needs or operations or market forces that are outside of our control, these assumptions prove to be invalid, Ryder could have lower margins than anticipated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Attracting and retaining drivers could also be an issue since there has been a really tight competition in terms of their availability.   The company could either opt to increase their salaries or let trucks sit idle, utilize lower quality drivers or face difficulty meeting customer demands, all of which could adversely affect growth and profitability. Ryder’s attempt to continue to expand international operations may result in additional risks. Since the company is committed to meeting customers’ global needs by continuing to grow our international operations in Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America and by entering into new markets such as China. The company’s international operations, particularly in Latin America and Asia, are subject to adverse developments in foreign political, governmental and economic conditions, varying competitive factors, foreign currency fluctuations, potential difficulties in identifying and retaining qualified managers and personnel, potential adverse tax consequences and difficulties in protecting intellectual property rights. Since the company operates in a highly competitive industry it is likely the case that the business may suffer if the company will be unable to adequately address potential downward pricing pressures and other competitive factors. Ryder competes with many other transportation and logistics service providers, some of which have greater capital resources than the company does; some of the competitors periodically reduce their prices to gain business, which may limit the company’s ability to maintain or increase prices.   In relation with this, advances in technology may require increased investments to remain competitive, and the company’s customers may not be willing to accept higher prices to cover the cost of these investments. Ryder operates in a highly regulated industry, and costs of compliance with, or liability for violation of, existing or future regulations could significantly increase their costs of doing business.   The business is subjected to regulation by various federal, state and foreign governmental entities specifically the U.S. Department of Transportation and various state and federal agencies exercise broad powers over Ryder’s motor carrier operations, safety, and the generation, handling, storage, treatment and disposal of waste materials. The company may also become subject to new or more restrictive regulations imposed by the Department of Transportation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency or other authorities, relating to the hours of service that our drivers may provide in any one-time period, security and other matters. Compliance with these regulations could substantially impair equipment productivity and increase the company’s costs. New regulations governing exhaust emissions could adversely impact the business. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued regulations that require progressive reductions in exhaust emissions from certain diesel engines through 2007. Emissions standards require reductions in the sulfur content of diesel fuel beginning in June 2006 and the introduction of emissions after-treatment devices on newly-manufactured engines and vehicles utilizing engines built after January 1, 2007. Each of these requirements could result in higher prices for tractors, diesel engines and fuel, which are passed on to customers, as well as higher maintenance costs and uncertainty as to reliability, all of which could, overtime, increase costs and adversely affect business and results of operations. Case Studies Whirlpool Corporation The dilemma of Whirlpool Corporation primarily stems out to a highly fragmented warehousing and distribution network.   The main warehousing facility of the company is primarily located in La Porte Ind, while having other packaging facilities all over the states.   When vendors ship and deliver the parts needed for production, some are directly dropped in the packaging facilities in which is the ideal situation; however a lot of times, the parts are delivered in La Porte which then requires Whirlpool to cross-dock shipments.   As result of this, the transportation processes of goods are doubled in addition to repeating the strenuous tasks for inventory. Such a case appears to be ineffective, costly and time consuming because not only that the company is doubling its expenses and is not doing well in terms of time management, but also the primary corporate value which is good customer service is highly compromised.   By having late deliveries or goods or merchandise parts, Whirlpool doesn’t appear to stand at its best disposition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Whirlpool’s Financial Managers are very reluctant in having to invest a lot of their capital in improving their warehousing and logistics solution, however, something must really be done in order to resolve their logistic problems, and hence this is when Ryder came into the picture.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In choosing the right 3PL provider for their logistics solutions, Whirlpool assessed three major logistics provider.   They have taken into consideration the contractors’ experience, strategy, capabilities and resources.   Out of all the outsourcing companies assessed Ryder was able to get the contract.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The logistics processing service of Ryder to Whirlpool is conducted in this way: Once the bulk shipments from offshore suppliers and onshore suppliers such as Mexico and the United States arrived at the distribution centers, the goods received by the warehouse management systems and have them bar-coded. After which Ryder then performs â€Å"high volume packaging and kitting within the distribution center breaking down shipments such as large cartons containing 500 water pumps into single-item boxes and polybags†.   In such a manner, Ryder effectively sorts out the parts and labels them so that it would be easier to identify them once delivered to Whirlpool clients. For the sake of quality and protection of the goods, they are assembled in blister-pack kits together with other components and accessories such as for instance a water pump, two washers and an installation brochure.   The process of packaging is very much a holistic process that allows the parts to be ready for delivery.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Once the goods are packed in totes, they are bar-coded and move along the conveyor system.   After which they are subjected on the sortation system wherein their bar-codes are matched with the orders entered in the system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The customers’ orders on the other hand are processed by Whirlpool and enter them into their systems while providing Ryder a nightly file in order to identify and sort out the orders to be delivered the following day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to monitor their performance, Ryder and Whirlpool follow five Key Performance Indicators (KPI); these KPIs are: â€Å"shipment accuracy, inventory accuracy, service performance/fill rates, order cycle time and budget performance†.  Ã‚   In relation with the KPI, Ryder also follows the Net 5 Whirlpool Program which says that â€Å"every division of operation should generate a net of 5% in cost savings.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In sum, by having Ryder took in-charge of the logistics of Whirlpool the company is able to save a net of 7% in their annual logistics operation.   Also, as evident, their logistics operations became more proficient and they are able to concentrate on their key competencies which are quality products on top of good customer service. Philips Consumer Electronics of North America The biggest challenge that Philips faced in terms of their logistics functions are in terms of inventory accuracy, the timeliness of product delivery, security in terms of warehousing and delivery and also cross-border delays. In 2001, the company decided to fully outsource their logistics function by having more than 20 contractors bid for the service.   Ryder was chosen amongst all of the said 3PL operators because of their relevant past experiences, efficacy in quality control and product management.   Consequently, Ryder’s human resource was also taken into relevant consideration because of its diversity and good account of experience. In order to provide a very effective logistics recommendation to Philips, Ryder made an assessment to Philip’s network.   Results of such are first the transfer of their Close District Center (DC) in El Paso Texas and replace with a new and larger distribution center at Alliance Park near Dallas Ft. Worth.   The reason for such a change would be the bulk of market segments in which high demands of Philips electronics are purchased.   By having the new DC inn Alliance Park, not only those products from offshore sources are received within the earliest possible time but also 80% of Philips’ clients were able to receive their products within 2 days. Cross-border traffics that are often caused by customs are significantly minimized as Ryder has already long-standing relationships with various custom offices all over the continent.   Ryder has established Philips designated carriers’ pick-up station for the freight which usually came from Juarez Mexico.   Sometimes this freight is delivered to the DC at Alliance Park while some are directly delivered to Philips’ customer. The process of dealing with the logistics function of Philips starts with the Electronic Receipt† of shipment delivery which tells Ryder exactly the due date for the delivery of the goods; consequently, the electronic receipt goes straight to the order repository system giving Ryder a 48-hr lead time for the delivery; after such would be the determination of the â€Å"most cost-efficient transportation option that meets the delivery commitment†. Part of the challenge in transporting goods is the diversity of the products that needs to be delivered. From palm sized electronics to wide screen televisions, Ryder has to make sure that on top of optimizing the truck load space, it has also make sure that the goods will be delivered in a very good shape.   In relation with this, there are certain products that are in season because of various factors such as strong advertising campaigns, popularity, etc.   Hence Ryder has made sure that there should be effective â€Å"slotting analysis† in order to make the flow of goods in and out of the warehouses more efficient. Security concerns such as robbery or smuggling of products due to its high product value are also taken into relevant consideration.   Cameras, door alarms, and actual security guards are always in operation. Also, the most expensive products are caged in a special area wherein entrance and exit areas are highly monitored.   Employees are also required to pin their IDs all the time specially when entering highly secured areas.   Another good thing with Philip’s partnership with Ryder is the immediate feedback provided to Philip’s customer service right after the good is delivered to the customer.   Hence such an act provides a real-time inventory and feedback that is very necessary in dealing with customer inquiry and/or complains. Conclusion The logistics industry provides a very good opportunity for industries to focus more on their core competencies and significantly reduce their spending while at the same time improving their systems and customer service aspects.   Since most of the 3PL companies have all the resources that are necessary for effective logistics function on top of their human capital it is always the case that companies will definitely gain a good experience on top of learning a lot of new strategies in dealing with this type of service. Logistics is the process of administering and controlling the course of goods, energy, information and other resources namely products, services and people from a particular company.  Ã‚   Specifically, 3PL is a specialized vendor which takes care of the â€Å"supply management function† of a particular company’s integrated warehousing and transportation, and other services that could be â€Å"made according to customer’s needs prior on market condition and the demands and delivery service requirements for their products and materials.† Few of these services are inventory, material handling and packaging. The research focused on one of the leading providers of logistics function which is Ryder Systems Inc. The company is one of the best and leading industries in terms of providing logistics, supply chain management and solutions all over the world.   It has been featured in Fortune 500 and has received numerous commendations from its clients and peers within the industry. As enumerated in Ryder’s official website the products that the company offers are: â€Å"Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), which provides leasing, rental and programmed maintenance of trucks, tractors and trailers to commercial customers; Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), which manages the movement of materials and related information from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished products to end-users; and Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC), which provides a turn-key transportation service that includes vehicles, drivers, routing and scheduling†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The research has also discussed the various risk factors that are inevitable in dealing with a third party logistics company.   These are the financial revenue of the company and its stability, the need for restructuring the operational and sales teams, realigning business processes and organizing management, residual risks on the value of trucks, SCS revenue, downward pricing pressure that might come from certain SCS customers, attracting and retaining drivers, expand international operations, regulations governing exhaust emissions etc.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Similarly, the research discussed two case studies in which 3PL specifically Ryder has done long-term business with such as Whirlpool and Philips. Literature Cited Hertz, S., & Alfredsson, M., (2003), Strategic development of third party logistics providers, Industrial Marketing Management, (32), 139-149. Sangam VK. (2006). Implementing Third Party Logistics. Retrieved June 22, 2006, from About.com Website: http://logistics.about.com/od/thirdparty/a/uc041805a.htm Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-party_logistics Third Party Logistics. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Wikipedia. Org Website. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3PL About Us. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_home.shtml Management Team. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_cinfo_mt.shtml Customer Awards. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_cinfo_car.shtml Industry Awards. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_cinfo_iar.shtml Product Line Brochures. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_cinfo_brochures.shtml Diversity at Ryder. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website:   http://www.ryder.com/aboutus_diversity.shtml Investor Relations Home. Retrieved December 22, 2006, from Ryder.Com Website: http://investors.ryder.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=108468&p=irol-irhome

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Racism and Masculinity essays

Racism and Masculinity essays Racist violence is predominantly committed by men, but what is the relation to masculinity, in what way is this violence a "situational accomplishment of masculinity" (Kersten)? The traditional explanation would see racist men as underprivileged "victims of modernization" who compensate economic depravation or a insecure gender identity through racial violence. Recent research on young male racists in Germany has problematized this view. Typically, violent racists would come from stable middle class families (Hoffmeister and Sill); privileged youth seem more likely to be racist than non-privileged (Held); the only significant relation that could be established was between racism and a general value orientation towards success, competition, money and strength (Heitmeyer). One author summarized that racism is a consequence of "Dominanzansprche", "demands for dominance" (Rommelspacher); these youth try to meet their high demands on success and superiority, because only these seem to gua rantee a desirable, i.e. masculine, identity. It is fairly irrelevant whether they come from privileged or underprivileged families, whether they in fact are dominant or not, it's the notion that identity can only be achieved as and through dominance that makes them racists. Whether as a fantasy (belonging to a superior culture) or as realized in racial violence, dominance can equally function as identity practice. I therefore want to define dominance as a form of identity practice that constructs a difference which legitimizes dominance which grants the agent of dominance the illusion of a superior identity, the other's identity is denied, confined, erased. Dominance therefore is a relation of identities, a process of constructing the other and the same as an oppositional, hierarchical relation. It is no coincidence that sexism has been described in similar terms, because dominance is central to the concept of masculinity. B ...