BMW's Acquisition of The Rover Group Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

BMW's Acquisition of The Rover Group - Essay Example Since the acquisition of Rover, BMW has tried many times to enforce the competitiveness of the acquired company, but with no particular result. In this context, the gains from the particular acquisition could be strongly doubted. The Resource/ Competence Matrix presented below can help towards the identification of the role of BMW in the development of Rover Group, the gains for the latter and the policies that should be applied by BMW in order to improve the performance of Rover Group not only within its market but internationally. The acquisition of Rover from BMW has been proved a wrong decision: through the years the company’s losses were severe; Rover failed to meet the targets set by the management team of BMW (at least as set in the firm’s acquisition in 1994). In 2000 ‘Rover sold to The Phoenix Consortium and Land Rover sold to Ford; BMW keep MINI brand’ (BMW, official website, 2007) The use of the Resource/ Competence Matrix (as presented below) in order to identify the possible competitive advantages gained from the alliances, can lead to the assumption that there has been no particular benefit for BMW from the acquisition of Rover. On the other hand, Rover has been benefited in terms that it has managed to be ‘alive’ until today. In the Resource/ Competence Matrix below the resources used in the particular acquisition and the competencies involved are being analyzed in order to understand the consequences of the above acquisition for both the firms involved. It should be noticed that in order for the data related with the two firms to be represented appropriately in the Resource/ Competence Matrix, the following issue should be taken into consideration: in the development of HR there are four factors that need to be taken into consideration: ‘culture management, strategic decision-making, fast change, and market driven connectivity – together comprise the HR competency domain of

Biomechanics - Body Movements Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biomechanics - Body Movements - Assignment Example The two muscles are antagonistic to each other. The biceps brings about flexion while the triceps is responsible for extension of the upper arm. The upper end of the biceps has its origin from the scapula and its lower end is inserted on the radius bone lying on the medial aspect of the forearm. The muscle is located in the front portion of the forearm. Contraction of biceps brachii in response to nervous stimulation causes flexion i.e. the forearm is raised in an upward movement. The muscle is therefore categorized as a flexor muscle. In response to the flexion, i.e. when the biceps contracts, the antagonistic triceps muscle relaxes simultaneously. The triceps is located in the posterior portion of the upper arm with its origin from the scapula as well as the humerus bones. The point of insertion of triceps is at the olecranon process of the ulna, the long bone in the forearm located on the lateral side. Contraction of the triceps straightens or extends the arm and this is the reaso n for its classification as an extensor muscle. The movement follows the pattern of a lever of the third order, wherein the load is located at the hand, and the fulcrum at the elbow (Peterson & Bronzino, 2008). 2) In no more than 250 words describe the function of the skeleton and its importance in movement. The human skeleton is an integrated framework of 206 bones which supports the soft tissue and protects the vital organs (McKinley & O’Loughlin, 2008). The skeletal system has been classified as the axial skeleton, comprising of the bones lying along the central axis of the body, which includes the skull, the vertebral column and the rib cage; and the appendicular skeleton, comprising the bones of the arms and legs, as well as the pelvic and the pectoral girdles (McKinley & O’Loughlin, 2008). The appendicular skeleton is more pertinent as far as the body movements are concerned although the axial skeleton is by no means non-contributory, as it provides the central a xis or the pivot around which the body movements occur. The mandible is the mobile portion in the skull and the vertebrae too glide to a certain extent to impart flexibility to the vertebral column. The appendicular skeleton however shows a great degree of motility and is responsible for locomotion. The upper and the lower limbs emanate from the pectoral and the pelvic girdle respectively while the ribs form a bony cage to protect the vital organs. The skeleton provides the hard, bony framework for the origin as well as insertion of the skeletal muscles, the contraction and relaxation of which is actually responsible for locomotion. The skeletal muscles are highly specialized and often occur in pairs to produce movement antagonistic to each other. The movement of the joints can vary from simple gliding, rotation, adduction, abduction, flexion and extension. The muscles are firmly attached to the bones through specialized structures called ligaments and tendons and movements occur in the form of levers of the 1st, 2nd and the 3rd order. 3) In no more than 250 words describe and provide examples of each synovial joint. Synovial joints are freely mobile articulations in which the participating bones are separated by a space called joint cavity (McKinley & O’Loughlin, 2008). These joints are freely mobile and are functionally classified as diarthrosis. There are four synovial joints in the human skeleton viz. the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint; the temporomandibular joint; the elbow, and the knee joint (McKinley & O’

Cooling the Lava Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cooling the Lava - Assignment Example In the same period, strange masses of ice drift obstructed harbors and caused wide destruction. Suddenly, a fissure opened in the community outskirts and a lava curtain fountained high into the sky. The crew courageously watered the lava front as a garden. The water reduced the heat of the lava and a chilled lava wall was created to dam the red lava behind. As the lava moved below the air, the skin of glass developed. The skin could be repeatedly broken by the liquid motion under and tinkled (John A. McPhee. 104). Â  The crew used bulldozers to flatten a jagged surface glass and make way for the crew to move heavy pipes. Some individuals could catch fire and cool themselves with water and return to work. There was no any minute to waste as the crew had declared fight against the fatal lava. It seemed like the crew was in combat. The eruption vapors choked the people, but no one dared to put the tools down. They focused to contain the lava and turn it black. The falling ash formed a fog that obstructed visibility but could not deter their effort. They steadily watered and cooled the advancing lava from the summit until they stopped the flow.

Being A Student Essay Example for Free

Being A Student Essay Being a student is a full time job. Students work five days a week, seven hours a day. There is a constant load of work that is given to us, and there is a strict set of rules. Being a student is similar to working at a full time job in many ways. Like working adults, students follow a grueling daily routine, which includes waking up early in the morning, focusing for long hours at a time, having to complete a strenuous work load, dealing with unfair teachers or bosses, an extremely high level of stress, a lot of procrastination, and loss of sleep, among others. These are all problems that students and working adults must deal with on a daily basis, but not all similarities between the day of a student and the day of a working adult are negative. Both students and most working adults go through similar ups and downs throughout a typical day, but there is one profession in particular that is so similar to the job of a student that both students and this specific type of working adult are doing their jobs in the same buildings every day. Students and teachers are alike in so many different ways. If one were to observe the similarities in the days of students and teachers, the observations would include both arriving at a school some time between seven o’clock and eight o’clock in the morning, both going to class throughout the day, both having lunch breaks in cafeterias, both being involved in athletics after school, both having the weekends off, as well as spring break, winter break, summer break, and most holidays, both facing daily academic challenges, and both going home at night to do work in order to prepare for the next day. Students and teachers work together in harmony on a daily basis, learning from each other and becoming better people. Neither could prosper in a school environment without the other. Without teachers, students would not be able to learn, and they would have no one to keep them in line when necessary. Without students, teachers would not have a purpose for working in their profession because they would not have anyone to teach. They depend on each other, and, while learning is a full time job for students, and teaching is a full time job for teachers, both bond over their time spent working and learning together at school every day.

Impact of Communication Technology on Politics and Economics

Impact of Communication Technology on Politics and Economics Impact of Communication Technologies on Political and Economic Development Joe Owczarski Introduction Modern-day society is witnessing the continuous creation of innovative mediums concerning communications technology that are not only convenient to use but inexpensive as well. Such digital communication tools include mobile phones, smart phones, and the Internet. It is not a secret that they have been successful in bringing a drastic revolution in the methods of information-sharing and communication. It is not surprising that these innovative technologies have impacted every aspect of peoples’ lives, be it political, religious, educational, professional, social, or economical. Innovations in information and communication technologies (ICTs) have not only increased the availability of innumerable products and services but have also reduced their prices. As a result, the inexpensiveness of and accessibility to ICTs have caused a great reduction in â€Å"the costs associated both with doing business and with organizing social and political movements† (Hart, 2010). The cheap availability of ICTs has also declined the costs of communication and transportation. From an economic point of view, there have been declines in the costs related to coordination and transaction. These declining patterns have consequently made the international trade and capital investment to reach extremely high levels. In addition, the cost reductions have also lessened the significance of geographical distances in international business. As distance has lost its importance in today’s digitalized world, there has been an increase in both political and economic activities due to the trending globalization (Hart, 2010). Impact of Cheap Communication Technologies on Politics and Political Development As far as politics is concerned, the inexpensive communication technologies have made a tremendous impact on both domestic and worldwide political phenomenon. In particular, the Internet and social media has contributed greatly in the development of political context and understanding. The blogs as well as the discussions and arguments that are conducted on the Web have provided people a platform to openly voice their views and beliefs regarding political aspects. Although a lot of people argue that social media and related communication technologies have nothing to contribute to politics; many oppose this point of view. Cheap communication technologies have played a major role in the contemporary era for making political processes more free, autonomous, and independent (Unwin, 2012). It would not be incorrect to state that the ICTs have offered exceptional liberties to the common man who is now able to dramatically impact the political phenomenon through cell phones, the Internet, and the social media sites. Communication technologies have emerged as a powerful tool for the politicians and governments as well. The political leaders and governmental authorities are capable of spreading their messages, agendas, and policies to the general public, directly and cheaply. For instance, mobile text messaging is now used by both political parties and governments to encourage public to vote for them in elections (Unwin, 2012). Likewise, the Internet and the social media is also playing a central role in making people aware about the current incidents that take place worldwide. Detailed stories and images enable people to receive the latest information about political movements and happenings around the world. In this manner, cheap communication technologies have enhanced global awareness. The example of Syria is an important one. This is because social media sites and other communication mediums have made people aware of the continuing conflicts in Syrian regime (Unwin 2012). It is true that the globalization phenomenon has interconnected the states and people. This interconnectedness has also influenced the opinions of people who use communication technologies to share their opinions with others. On a global level, globalization has also undermined the concept of a sovereign state. States are now interdependent due to global policies that have made it impossible for them to shield themselves from external influences. As people are beginning to use cheap communication technologies more progressively, there have been improvements in the overall communication between people belonging to diverse political regimes. These enhancements in ICTs have made it possible for people to share information and knowledge rapidly and easily. Moreover, the cheap communication technologies have also enhanced the fusion of different cultures. In addition, the acquired awareness has made people question the governmental authorities. As a matter of fact, revolutionary innovations in ICTs have undermined the autonomous and monarch status of particular political systems, such as the one in Middle East (Unwin, 2012). It can be concluded that the contemporary ICTs have offered remarkable opportunities to people to modify the rules of the long-established political game. On the other hand, even though cheap ICTs have tremendously changed the international political map, this revolution has not particularly affected the marginalized and poor people. Without a doubt the use of cheap communication technologies has impacted the political development and processes. Nevertheless, it completely depends on the individual’s observation whether he considers it a good or bad change (Healey, 2011). Impact of Cheap Communication Technologies on Economy and Economic Development As mentioned, communication technology in the current era has become extraordinarily cheap, user-friendly, and accessible. Although ICTs are taken for granted by people, communication devices and services have been triumphant in transforming economies as well as the lives of millions of people throughout the world. It is significant to mention that cheap communication technologies are being used by people in the developing countries in greater ways as compared to people belonging to the developed world. The penetration of information and communication technologies has a considerable impact on the economic development. ICTs have opened up new avenues for supporting economy in the recent times. Cheap communication technologies are acknowledged to have a significant impact on economic growth as they are affecting education, health sectors, agricultural output, income, poverty, and living standards. Communication technologies have tremendously facilitated the attainment and taking in of knowledge. They have offered extraordinary opportunities to developing countries for the enhancement of their educational systems, improvement of policy making and implementation, and widening of the assortment of opportunities for both affluent and the poor. It is important to highlight that ICTs have contributed in reducing the sense of isolation tolerated by poorest members of the society. It is not a secret that when poor are provided sufficient opportunities, they also contribute in the economic development of the country by playing their productive part. Thus, cheap communication technologies have opened access to knowledge, education, and employment in ways that could not be imagined in the past times (Reddi, 2011). The issues prevalent in society today mostly revolve around poverty. The economic development of a region principally depends on the standard and acquisition of education. This is because an educated society can efficiently and effectively work for the progression and development of its country. This realization has made almost every country to expand its demand for education at every level for the political, social, and economic development. However, many countries give limited budgets to their education sectors after facing the contrasting demand for better investment in resources that are necessary for human survival (food, shelter, etc.). However, the utilization and employment of communication technologies have offered alternate solutions to provide access and impartiality to students and teachers. ICTs have also suppressed the need for building schools and colleges. Instead, they have provided the concept of e-learning for convenient teaching and learning (Reddi, 2011). Cheap information and communication technologies have provided agriculturalists and farmers with opportunities to increase their yield and productivity, thus leading to economic progression. Mobile technology is considered to be an outstandingly critical tool for the improvement and enhancement of the competence of the agriculture and food sectors. Not only this, it is also regarded as a potential catalyst to help in raising the incomes of innumerable poor farmers found all over the world. This augmented efficiency is exceedingly important as it could lead to food losses in smaller quantity. A decrease in food losses means the growing demand for sufficient and inexpensive supplies of healthy food could be met eventually. When people are provided with self-sufficient resources, economy develops and grows automatically (Kirk, Steele, Delbà © Crow, 2011). The cheap communication technologies, especially mobile services, have enabled businesses, companies and organizations to directly contact and interact with different members in the value chain. This interrelation has also helped in visibility of issues, competence and excellence. The best potential benefits for the smallholder farmers can be spawned by enabling them to take advantage of mobile financial payments and mobile information provision. In India, for instance, the smallholder farmers of remote areas have benefitted from this service greatly as the mentioned services have each brought approximately 40% of the total anticipated raise in agricultural revenues (Kirk, Steele, Delbà © Crow, 2011). As a result, the country’s economy has grown significantly. In short, ICTs have enabled poor families to diminish their everyday expenditures related to physical labor, time, and energy. As a result, communication technologies have caused an exceptional positive impact on the i ncomes and livelihoods of many rural families. Communication technologies have also facilitated the reduction of â€Å"information gaps and restrictions inherent in marketplaces where consumers and producers have little means of comparing commodity prices between distant markets† (Zambrano Seward, 2010). ICTs are presently working as a catalytic tool in the improvement and expansion of development programming. In addition, the advancement in mobile technologies and their accessibility to rural areas have also contributed towards sustainable development. Thus, the technological change has introduced ways that have made the economic growth sustainable. The communication technologies are, in fact, sustainable technologies that are helping people and governments meet â€Å"the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs† (Beder, 2006). Communication technologies have offered equal economic and employment opportunities to people who reside in cosmopolitan and rural areas. ICTs have not only increased productivity but have also made the market work extremely efficient. However, it is important to highlight that the extent of the economic growth outcomes can be different. ICT is a platform that has reached and will reach populations that have low literacy and income levels. Consequently, ICT is emerging as the leading distribution platform that provides public and private services to innumerable people. As there was no or negligible connectivity mediums in rural areas, the underdeveloped areas did not receive the deserved services and facilities. However, the emergence of ICTs has made it possible for underprivileged people to access financial services, market information, health services, and education services. In contrast, it is evident in the present times that the wireless platform has promoted new and innovative social and economic opportunities for the poor populace at all levels. Conclusion In closing, cheap communication technologies have brought significant changes in the traditional ways of socialization, business tasks’ execution, education attainment, and delivery of services. High-speed Internet, in particular, has changed the ways of doing businesses, transformation of public service delivery, and democratization of innovation. There is no doubt in the fact that the businesses that are using cheap communication technologies have demonstrated more production, faster growth, increased investment, and high profits. Similarly, governments and political parties that have employed cheap communication technologies are also receiving better outcomes in the development of democratic political structure. In short, cheap information and communication technologies have revealed a transformative power on a global level. It is important for the governments to realize the importance of ICT potentials and educate the populations about them in order to reduce poverty, increase economic development, and develop a fine political sense. Therefore, steps must be taken to educate people about the significance of employing ICTs in positive ways for the development and progression of today’s global village. Bibliography Beder, S. (2006).Environmental Principles and Policies: An Interdisciplinary Introduction. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Hart, J. (2010). Information Technologies and the Global Political Economy. InThe International Studies Encyclopedia. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell. Healey, J. (2011).Social Impacts of Digital Media. Thirroul, N.S.W.: Spinney Press. Reddi, U. R. V. (2011).Primer 1: An Introduction to ICT for Development. Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT). Unwin, T. (2012, September 1). Social Media and Democracy: Critical Reflections. Retrieved November 28, 2014, from http://www.cpahq.org/cpahq/cpadocs/Unwin CPA Social media and democracy.pdf Kirk, M., Steele, J. Delbà ©, C. Crow, L. (2011). Connected Agriculture: The Role of Mobile in Driving Efficiency and Sustainability in the Food and Agriculture Value Chain.Vodafone. Retrieved November 29, 2014, from http://www.vodafone.com/content/dam/vodafone/about/sustainability/2011/pdf/connected_agriculture.pdf Zambrano, R., Seward, R. (2010). Mobile Technologies and Empowerment: Enhancing Human Development Through Participation and Innovation. Retrieved November 29, 2014, from http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un-dpadm/unpan048480.pdf

Malcolm X :: essays research papers fc

The year was 1925, and someone special was born. His birth name was Malcolm Little, however there were big things in store for this child. Born in Omaha, Nebraska. The seventh of eleven children born to Earl Little, an organizer for Marcus Garvey’s "back-to-Africa" movement (Compton’s encyclopedia online). At age six Malcolm’s father was murdered. As a result his mother later suffered a nervous breakdown, and the family was separated by welfare agencies (Compton’s encyclopedia online). Later in life he would blame these same agencies for destroying his family. He was bounced around from boardinghouses and schools, and dreamed of becoming a lawyer only to be discouraged by his teachers. After leaving school, in the eighth grade, he lived with a relative in Boston, Mass. He shined shoes, worked in a restaurant and on a railroad kitchen crew. In 1942 he moved to a section in New York called Harlem. Where he lived as a hustler, cheating people to mak e money for himself. He also sold drugs and became a drug addict himself. A rival drug dealer named "West Indian Archie" ran him out of New York. And he ended up back in Boston. Where he started a burglary ring, which consisted of friend named Shorty, a pretty boy type of fellow named Rudy, a woman that Malcolm dealt with named Sophia and one of her friends (Alex Haley 168). He soon found out that crime does not pay, when he soon got arrested and stolen items were found in his possession. The Negroes of that group was sentenced to eight years, while the whites of the group were sentenced to only two. This put an image in Malcolm’s head on how the justice system was ran. While in prison. Malcolm was well known to the guards. One time he was asked to state his number, but instead he said he forgot his number. The guards beat him and sent him to the "darkroom". In the darkroom he met Brother Bains. Bains was a man everyone respected including guards. He was k nown as a real man and gave speeches about Islam. Malcolm did not listen at first; however it didn’t take him long to listen to the words of black empowerment, spoken by brother Bains. The black Muslims prediction that in the near future a great war would take place in which whites would be destroyed and black people would rule the world through the power of Allah, their creator.

Moral Judgements :: essays research papers

Moral Judgements Jakob Bronowski’s book, â€Å"Science and Human Values† argues that the scientific method of inquiry into reality provides a generally applicable foundation for moral judgement. Bronowski says, â€Å"in order to keep the study in a manageable field. I will continue to choose a society in which the principle of truth rules. Therefore the society which I will examine is that formed by scientists themselves: it is the body of scientists† (Bronowski 58). Bronowski makes it clear in his book that he is going to base his study on scientists. There are five steps in the scientific method of inquiry into reality. The first one being Observation, the second is Hypothesis, the third is Experiments, the fourth is Theory, and the fifth being Publishing. In the book’s second chapter, â€Å"The Habit of Truth†, Bronowski explains how people observe or recognize things. â€Å"The scientist or artist takes two facts or experiences which are separate; he finds in them a likeness which had not been seen before; and he creates a unity by showing the likeness† (Bronowski 27). The method of observation requires the scientist to find the similarity in both objects and make a generalization out of it. The example Bronowski uses of, is a coin. A person first sees the head of the penny and then the tail, and he then concludes that both parts are from the same coin. Bronowski says, â€Å"†¦we know the thing only by mapping and joining our experiences of its aspects† (Bronowski 31). The second step will be making a hypothesis or an educated guess of what is going to happen. The example Bronowski uses is of this little girl who knew a doctor who wore a hearing aid, thus every time she met a person with a hearing aid, she automatically assumed that the person is a doctor. The generalization that the little girl made was of course mistaken (Bronowski 37). The third step is the test to see if the hypothesis is correct. Bronowski says, â€Å"the place of experience is to test and correct the concept. The test is, â€Å"Will the concept work? Does it give an unforced unity to the experience of men? Does the concept make life orderly, not by edict but in fact?†Ã¢â‚¬  (Bronowski 41). This test makes sure that the results will turn out similar every time according to the conditions of the experiment. The forth step is to compose a theory.