Am I Too Old to Learn Spanish - Tips for the Young at Heart

Someone has said that the maximum optimum age range for easily learning a foreign language is 12 to 14.  I started studying Spanish was I was 14 and went on to take some college courses, mostly in literature.  By the time I got to my junior year in college, I knew a lot about the language and literature but still had problems speaking and understanding it when spoken.  Fortunately, I met two Latinos who were not there to study English, and because of other common interests we became friends.  In a month or so I was understanding practically everything and speaking with facility, although not without errors. I am now retired and somewhat older than you and spend most of my time studying one thing or another, including piano and French.  I admit another language doesnt come quite so easily at my age, but it comes. I recommend you just plunge ahead as long as your interest will sustain you.  Find some good books in Spanish and have a go at them.  Read Spanish newspapers, watch Spanish TV, and if you have the time, take a Berlitz or similar course a couple nights a week.  Of course, if you can find a Spanish-speaking friend, all the better.  And don’t worry about your age.

Ethical issues of BP Essay - 852 Words

BP has had a long history of ethical and legal violations because BP chose to put profits above all else. In the past twenty years, BP subsidiaries were convicted of environmental crimes in Texas and Alaska. In addition, BP received the biggest fine in US history regarding safety violations. Although BP accepted responsibility, their record showed questionable and illegal behavior for twenty years. One of BPs major issues happened in a Texas refinery close to Galveston in 2005 (Jennings, 2009). This explosion took the lives of fifteen workers and injured five hundred people and caused residents nearby to become sheltered in their homes (Jennings, 2009). The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation board concluded that BP had†¦show more content†¦BP knew in advance, the life span of the pipes. These pipes were installed in 1977 and had a twenty five year expiration (Jennings, 2009). BP decided not to replace the pipes. The explosion occured in 2006 because the corr osion in the pipes had exceeded their expiration date by five years. In addition, BP was convicted of a felony due to their violation of the Clean Air Act. The judge fined BP $50 million and put them on probation for three years. OSHA fined BP the largest fine in OSHAs history, $87 million due to two hundred seventy safety violations that they never fixed along with four hundred thirty nine new violations. Previously, twenty years preceding, BP partnered with Exxon in Alaskas Prudoe Bay oilfield when the Exxon Valdez oil spill occured. BP and Exxon shared the trans-Atlantic pipeline ownership which is referred to as Alyeska. Some important documents had been leaked to Congress and the news media, which stated Alyeska did not fulfill promises to contain spills. Chuck Hamel was the chief suspect in the leakage of the documents. Hamel had also complained to management at BP about corrosion of the pipes and concerns about the workers safety (Jennings, 2009, p 409). Hamel stated that ...workers were asked to skimp on the use of anticorrosion chemical s in the pipe because of expense. (Jennings, 2009, p 409). Hamel then proceeded to take his complaintsShow MoreRelatedBp Ethical Issues1630 Words   |  7 Pages1. Originally, an Ethics and Compliance team was formed to monitor the formation and operation of the company guidance towards ethical issues in BP’s company.  Just like to set up a communication consistent standard for all the employees of BP for different location, culture and language.  Originally, this is a good way to guide the company staff to maintain company standard and reputation. But the code did not effectively address specific high-risk activities for the scope of daily operations.  ItRead MoreThe Ethical Issues Of Bp3305 Words   |  14 PagesIntroduction BP, formerly known as British Petroleum, is the third largest oil and gas producer in the world, producing almost 3.8 million barrels per day. BP was founded in 1908 by William Knox D’Arcy in London, United Kingdom. The company operates worldwide in several sectors of the oil and gas industry such as generating low carbon energy, moving oil and gas, and off and onshore oil and gas extraction (BP, 2014). However, the offshore Deepwater Horizon oil spill that happened on April 20th, 2010Read MoreEthical Issues Raised By Bp1237 Words   |  5 Pagesfor human being. However, oil industry brings about many ethical issues such as safety and environmental impact. In this ethics report, we will study one of the world’s leading international oil company – BP, who operates in nearly 80 countries . We will particularly discuss ethical issues raised by BP in oil industry in the United States (US) between 2002 and 2006. The three ethical issues which are going to be discusse d are (1) safety issue in workplace depicted by the Texas City explosion in 2005Read MoreEthical Issues Surrounding the Bp Oil Spill1236 Words   |  5 PagesEthical Issues surrounding the BP Oil Spill By: Angela Higgins December 16, 2010 The BP Oil Spill which happened on April 20, 2010, was the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history releasing approximately 185 million gallons of crude oil into the gulf. This event was the result of a wellhead on the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform blowing out in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 40 miles southeast offs the Louisiana coastline. Eleven men working on the oil rig platform were killedRead MoreCross Cultural Perspectives1127 Words   |  5 PagesPerspectives ETH 316 BP is a global organization that has a multinational presence in the world. 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Their success can be attributed to their innovative prowess and their ability to stay one step ahead of their competitors, by investing in places no one has before. The common perception of BP by the general public over the past decade has been quite positive, with people aligning environmental values’ with their new brand positioning. All of this changed after BP was blamed for one of theRead MoreWhy Law And Ethics Should Be Legal1501 Words   |  7 PagesPeople that work with laws every day know that it isn’t an exact science. The reason is not that it has a lot of issues or that it is always affected by politics, instead the main reason is the human factor. People end up changing their minds and everyone one makes mistakes at some point. For example, in legal situations the information that is collected could be incorrect or made up. That is the main reason why law and ethics go side by side. Most people want to make the correct decision wheneverRead MoreThe Hurricane Katrina Disaster And The Bp Oil Spill Tragedy941 Words   |  4 PagesAbstract This essay relates ethical behavior in high-profile events, as well as examining various regulatory and sustainability market approaches to business environmental responsibilities. The paper focuses on two major occurrences; the Hurricane Katrina disaster and the BP oil spill tragedy. Hurricane Katrina entered into records as one of the worst disasters ever to hit the US, the storm is considered as the most disastrous and damaging in the US history in

Does Media Violence Effect Society Essay Research free essay sample

Does Media Violence Effect Society Essay, Research Paper Media is doubtless the greatest medium of communicating in our society, but how does media? s portraiture of force affect us as a whole? Is music? s explicit wordss and telecastings raunchy and violent content the cause of our ruin, or is it simply an accurate word picture of today? s society? ? Two immature males were fatally shot with multiple gun lesions to the caput and thorax? , how many times have we all heard these words on the flushing intelligence? Although the intelligence is a media to educate us on the departures on in the universe, much of America chooses non to see these day-to-day plans due to the fact that most of it concentrates on force. Though, force is non merely limited the local intelligence which simply exposes us to what really takes topographic point, but what about the many violent telecasting plans that frequent our airwaves. We will write a custom essay sample on Does Media Violence Effect Society Essay Research or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page With the eruption of professional wrestle, our kids now view crushing each other up, interrupting chairs, choke keeping and the assorted other violent catchs used by these grapplers as an exciting norm. ? Hasta La Vista Baby? , the celebrated words of Arnold Schwarzenegger every bit he as he literally annihilates a mall full of shoppers. These are the types of ghastly Acts of the Apostless that motion-picture fans pay 1000000s of dollars a twelvemonth to see. Make the R evaluations attract us? Is it the Gore that we view on the Television prevue? Or, is it the outlook that society has cultivated towards force? The more ghastly the film, the more likely we are to run out to see it on opening dark. Our society is such that we tend to set on a pedestal the histrions and actresses that use profanity, expose themselves and are more violent on the Ag screen. Ultimately sex and force sells, and in this society the all-powerful dollar is of extreme importance. Parents can non halt kids from witnessing the rough worlds of society, force, sex and offense. However, it is their function as parents to implement a strong sense of morality. What a barbarous universe we live in when even the sketchs viewed by our young person are plagued with slaying and force. How can we contend the inhuman treatments portrayed on Television and in the films, when it has become a true portion of our society? Peoples are non born with the awkward ability to cognize right from incorrect. A broad assortment of factors determine a individual? s moral. Religion, civilization, environment and society all play of import functions in how a individual will develop. Though finally, it is the household and the parents in peculiar, that instills the moral fibre of an person. However, in this society we have witnessed many incidents where although a individual may hold the? proper upbringing? , the negative effects of Television and media, has manifest itself into force, condemnable behaviour and other unacceptable behavior. Although every bit stated antecedently, violent films and Television shows produce high evaluations, extremely paid histrions, and a forum for us to get away the so called? worlds of life? , but what are the long term effects? Can it be that after many old ages of bring forthing and sing force, we are cultivating a society of condemnable minded persons? If we could compare the manner that society was prior to telecasting, would we be able to see a difference in societal behaviour? Can we so venture to state that although engineering has been a positive property, to what extent has it affected society negatively? Nevertheless, telecasting and media quenches our societies thirst for escapade and danger and allows us to witness firsthand the force that is among us. But the inquiry is? H ow far is excessively far? . Media is doubtless the greatest medium of communicating in our society, but how does media? s portraiture of force affect us as a whole? Is music? s explicit wordss and telecastings raunchy and violent content the cause of our ruin, or is it simply an accurate word picture of today? s society? ? Two immature males were fatally shot with multiple gun lesions to the caput and thorax? , how many times have we all heard these words on the flushing intelligence? Although the intelligence is a media to educate us on the departures on in the universe, much of America chooses non to see these day-to-day plans due to the fact that most of it concentrates on force. Though, force is non merely limited the local intelligence which simply exposes us to what really takes topographic point, but what about the many violent telecasting plans that frequent our airwaves. With the eruption of professional wrestle, our kids now view crushing each other up, interrupting chairs, choke keeping and the assorted other violent catchs used by these grapplers as an exciting norm. ? Hasta La Vista Baby? , the celebrated words of Arnold Schwarzenegger every bit he as he literally annihilates a mall full of shoppers. These are the types of ghastly Acts of the Apostless that motion-picture fans pay 1000000s of dollars a twelvemonth to see. Make the R evaluations attract us? Is it the Gore that we view on the Television prevue? Or, is it the outlook that society has cultivated towards force? The more ghastly the film, the more likely we are to run out to see it on opening dark. Our society is such that we tend to set on a pedestal the histrions and actresses that use profanity, expose themselves and are more violent on the Ag screen. Ultimately sex and force sells, and in this society the all-powerful dollar is of extreme importance. Parents can non halt kids from witnessing the rough worlds of society, force, sex and offense. However, it is their function as parents to implement a strong sense of morality. What a barbarous universe we live in when even the sketchs viewed by our young person are plagued with slaying and force. How can we contend the inhuman treatments portrayed on Television and in the films, when it has become a true portion of our society? Peoples are non born with the awkward ability to cognize right from incorrect. A broad assortment of factors determine a individual? s moral. Religion, civilization, environment and society all play of import functions in how a individual will develop. Though finally, it is the household and the parents in peculiar, that instills the moral fibre of an person. However, in this society we have witnessed many incidents where although a individual may hold the? proper upbringing? , the negative effects of Television and media, has manifest itself into force, condemnable behaviour and other unacceptable behavior. Although every bit stated antecedently, violent films and Television shows produce high evaluations, extremely paid histrions, and a forum for us to get away the so called? worlds of life? , but what are the long term effects? Can it be that after many old ages of bring forthing and sing force, we are cultivating a society of condemnable minded persons? If we could compare the manner that society was prior to telecasting, would we be able to see a difference in societal behaviour? Can we so venture to state that although engineering has been a positive property, to what extent has it affected society negatively? Nevertheless, telecasting and media quenches our societies thirst for escapade and danger and allows us to witness firsthand the force that is among us. But the inquiry is? how far is excessively far? . 34b

The mass media Essay Example For Students

The mass media Essay The very fact that advertising is such big business suggests that it must influence public opinion in some way and if advertising can have this effect then it seems unrealistic to assume that all aspects of media content do not have an effect upon their audience. For functionalists, the relationship between ownership and control of the media centres on the importance of there being a range of views on offer through newspapers, magazines, television and so forth. In this respect, social stability is considered to be best preserved by there being a reasonably wide range of different media from which people can choose. We will write a custom essay on The mass media specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Specifically, ownership and control is seen as being separated. The function of owners (individuals or multiple shareholders) is an economic one, whilst the function of management (the controllers of media output) is one of ensuring the content of the media appeals to as wide a range of people as possible. Thus, highly popular publications (for example, daily newspapers selling millions of copies) sit alongside more-specialist publications (those that cater for minority tastes). Ultimately, in a democratic society the consumer will determine the success or failure of an enterprise; the content of the media, in this respect, is seen to be largely consumer-driven. If people do not like what is being offered they can refuse to buy a publication or they can seek-out publications that do offer them what they require. Since the media are an economic enterprise dealing with cultural values there is invariably a tension between making profits (where the medium is privately owned) and highlighting moral issues. The fact that newspapers, for example, may risk alienating some parts of their readership by supporting unpopular cultural issues is evidence of the multi-functional role of the media. Given the emphasis upon the cultural role of the media it is hardly surprising, for functionalists, that the most popular forms of media should be broadly conservative and supportive of the status quo, since this is one of their main functions. There are a number problems that can be identified with functionalist perspectives on the media. Firstly, in methodological terms, when functionalists talk about social consensus they tend to ignore the idea that such a consensus may be more apparent than real. That is, they tend to discount the idea that consensus, where it exists, may be the result of the imposition of a particular ideological framework. In simple terms, marxists tend to criticise functionalist perspectives on the basis that ruling classes are able to impose a dominant ideology upon the rest of society. The role of the media in promoting common values can be seen as promoting the values of one particular class, rather than the values of society as a whole. The idea that the consumer of the media is the ultimate judge of success or failure tends to ignore the idea that people are encouraged to want what the media offers (rather than the media being encouraged to offer what the public wants). This is particularly evident in relation to the interpretation of just who the consumer of the media actually is many sociologists have argued that advertisers are the real consumers of the media. The media provides a diet of programming that will deliver-up to advertisers the size and audience composition they require. The media do not reflect equally all points-of-view in society. Some views are marginalised and downgraded because of the political perspective of newspaper owners, broadcasters etc. For instrumental marxists, the role of the mass media in capitalist society is that of ensuring that the views and interests of a ruling class are presented to the rest of the population in such a way as to ensure that people accept as normal and right the inequalities inherent in capitalist societies. The main function of the mass media, therefore, is one of social control (the attempt to control the behaviour of other classes in society). .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b , .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .postImageUrl , .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b , .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b:hover , .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b:visited , .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b:active { border:0!important; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b:active , .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue62410dd9e4093384840a38d3cf8f10b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: 1960 establishment EssayThis is achieved through such means as: Denying access to competing views about the nature of the social world. Presenting a picture of social life that is invariably favourable to the interests of a ruling class.   Directly influencing the way in which other classes receive information about the social world. In relation to the above, therefore, it can be noted that the content of the mass media is inevitably biased (both directly through privately owned media such as newspapers, television channels and so forth and indirectly through publicly owned media such as television). From this perspective the relationship between ownership and control of the mass media is relatively clear and straightforward. Owners have ultimate control over the nature of an organisation, although in modern capitalist societies they tend to employ a wide range of managers to deal with the day-to-day control and operation of the organisation. However, managers can be employees like any other employee (they can be hired and fired etc) or part owners of an organisation (through share options and the like). It is clear that those who manage an enterprise only control its operation in the sense that they oversee its operation. Ultimate control resides with the owners of an enterprise. For example, the editor of the Sun newspaper may have control over such things as the stories that go into the newspaper each day, the hiring and firing of employees and so forth. The owner of the Sun ultimately controls such things as the political stance of the paper, the type of audience it is aiming to reach and so forth.

Explain what you believe is Orwells opinion of communism. essays

Explain what you believe is Orwells opinion of communism. essays The novel Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, is a satire of the Russian revolution and is written as a fable. Orwell uses real characters and events of the revolution to base the story and its characters on. The novel portrays Orwells opinion of communism through the actions and events that take place on a farm and their consequences. He also illustrates how easily capitalism can fall apart. He shows that neither capitalism nor communism can ever work for everyone and some people will always suffer. Orwell illustrates how, because communism can never work, Stalin came to power. He shows that people will always be naturally greedy and take advantage of positions of power. Animal farm is written with symbols to represent to various groups and individuals who played a part in the Russian revolution. This makes it easy to understand for all ages, though is still sophisticated enough to keep all ages interested. The first chapters of Animal Farm are intended to show Orwells opinion on capitalism. It is hinted that Manor Farm was once very well run and all animals had been treated decently by Mr Jones. In recent years the farm has fallen upon harder times and many of the crops are failing. The first to suffer the consequences are the animals. This is a direct representation of the great depression of the 1930s. Orwell makes his feelings on the Czar, represented in the book by man, very clear through Old Majors speech; Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving and the rest he keeps for himself. In Animal Farm Jones has taken up quite heavy drinking and no longer seems to really care for the farm. This shows Orwel...

Report analysis and design solutions for integration of enterprises information systems The WritePass Journal

Report analysis and design solutions for integration of enterprises information systems Introduction Report analysis and design solutions for integration of enterprises information systems Introduction1: A Description of the Business Case1.1: Background of Business Case1.2: Issues Objectives in Business Case2: Brief Review on Relevant Concepts Approaches, Academic Interests Practical Cases3: Analysis of the Issues in the Case to Identify Suitable Approaches for Extended Enterprise Integration 3.1: Illustration of Key Information Flows in the Extended Enterprise Which Includes the Supply Chain Partners3.2: Critical Analysis of the Suitability of SAP as an ERP Tool 4: Design of Solutions to the Identified Issues with Selected Enterprise Integration Approaches5: Discussion and Conclusion   References Related Introduction This report analyses and design solutions for integration of enterprises information systems based on the business case. In addition, it develops the key functions as a part of the enterprise system for the given business case by SAP. This report through the information of case and relevant concepts and approaches, academic interests and practical cases to analyse the issues and the suitable approaches for extended enterprise integration. Next, it explains the system functionalities and necessary illustration to design of solutions to the identified issues with selected enterprise integration approaches. Finally, there is a discussion and conclusion on implementation issues, achievement and limitations of the solutions. 1: A Description of the Business Case 1.1: Background of Business Case This company is a medium sized manufacturer which supplies car control panels with frames over 2000 different products for five car manufacturers. Based on different models of frames, the company produces various types of car control panels for five contracted car manufacturers. In order to improve the satisfaction of customer and quickly respond to fluctuations in demand for customer, the company aims a relatively lean manufacturer and reduce the delivery lead-time. In product of the company, it assembles these control panels, inside components and the frames as customers’ required. In addition, it also simply purchases all the parts from a part of suppliers including overseas suppliers. There are six bought-in components which include vents, frame, glove box, meter/gauges, steering and heater air conditioning control. Besides, in order to safeguard its supply chain, the company may purchase from more than one supplier. In business model of this company, it through EDI to receive orders from each customer once a week and then it will input the orders into a sales management system automatically.   It needs to check its stock when the sales order confirmed by account manager. If there is enough stock, the order will be produced directly. If not, the company is necessary to place a purchase order for the required components to complete the sales order. Next, the company receives the ordered components on a daily basis. When the components arrived, the components will be scanned into a stock management system by the duty purchasing manager. What’s more, it will update the stock record information of component. During the production processing, the production manager will check customer orders first and create a schedule for the assembly line to produce for the orders. There is a spreadsheet; the schedules are recorded in it and to calculate stock values. The process is the same at the end of a ssembly and then the stock level will be updated accordingly. Finally, it will package and ship the finished products to the customers. In general, the company provides the lead-time for domestic customers is four-week and the lead-time for overseas customers is six-week. 1.2: Issues Objectives in Business Case According to the case, there are three main issues. Firstly, it is a long consuming lead time for order processing, production scheduling, stock controlling and purchasing. Secondly, it is high possibility to make a mistake and low effective of update the current system. Finally, the company system is not efficient.   Due to the current system is only updated on a weekly basis, it is not always accurate. As enterprise information system, the current company system is frequently delaying the processing information which could slow response to changes and increase of stocks and order lead-time. Therefore, the objectives of this company are shown as follows, to reduce the lead-time and stock level, have an assembly planning to improve the effect of production, more effective coordination of components supply and to be an efficient production company. 2: Brief Review on Relevant Concepts Approaches, Academic Interests Practical Cases With development of trade globalises, it increases competition and standardisation; strengthen the relationship of strategic partnering; more outsourcing and rises project complexity. Therefore, business and enterprise trends to become e-business and extended enterprise integration gradually. J Gunn (2004) analysed that extended enterprise integration or enterprise integration using American terminology has long been foreseen as the solution to a wide range of problems, enabling companies to reduce time to market, to improve quality, to increase supply chain efficiency and even to understand customers better.   In extended enterprises, integrated framework enables sharing of information, services and applications beyond organizational boundary with suppliers and customers. In addition, computer network of internet-enabled system infrastructure acting as a networked service environment for supply chain management. In summary, there are three core meaning of extended enterprises; inf ormation integration, organizational relationship linkage and coordination and resource sharing. This part of project report shows a brief review on relevant concepts and approaches, academic interests and practical cases. In e-business and extended enterprise context, the brief review is related to enterprise system selection and implementation issues and integrations approaches. Firstly, it is a brief review on relevant concepts and approaches, academic interests for enterprise system selection and implementation issues. Laudon, K.C. (2000) mentioned that ERP- enterprise resources planning is a business management system. It integrates all facts of the business, including planning, manufacturing, sales and finance. That is the reason why ERP could become more effective coordinated by sharing information. In order to the target of integrating information, it through eliminating complex links between computer systems and different areas of the business by ERP software and business automate processes.   As small and medium enterprises (SMEs), there are six critical selection factors (Reuther, D. Chattopadhyay, G., 2004), including system functionality requirements; business drivers; cost drivers; flexibility; scalability and others. The factor of system functionality requirements is the highest critical selection criteria Bemroider, E. Koch, S. (2000) oberv ed that the system functionality requirements factor supports the findings of specialty and simplicity required for small or medium enterprise. Business drivers focus on the financial benefit to the company of the selected system. The detail of cost drivers is direct cost of the implementation in terms of outlay and resources. Both factors of flexibility and scalability are significant levels of criticality. What’s more, the response to the flexibility is important as the current wisdom is to match the future (Brown, C., Vessey, I., Powell, A., 2000). Furthermore, the factor of others means specific factors critical to the target business. Bingi, P., Sharma, M.K., Godla, J.K. (1999) stated that Implementation issues in general have been long explored. However, the complexity of ERP makes it challenging to implement.   ERP systems have been widely used by companies in developed countries. Organizations in manufacturing, service and energy industries adopt ERP to automate the deployment and management of material, finance and human resources; streamline processes and achieve process improvement and achieve global competitiveness (Koh, C., et al, 2000). In addition, there are some important factors affect the implementation of ERP; including economy and economic growth; infrastructure; IT maturity; computer culture; business size; BPR (Business Process Re-engineering) experience; manufacturing strengths; government regulations; management commitment and regional environment (Huang, Z Palvia, P., 2001). Next, it is a brief review on relevant concepts and approaches, academic interests for integration approaches. Parr, A.N. Shanks, G. A. (2000) indicated that ERP implementation approaches have been categorized as comprehensive, vanilla and middle-road. Comprehensive favoured by multinational companies and involving a total effort to implement all modules of the ERP package with business proves reengineering. Vanilla means an approach favoured by less ambitious companies desiring less business process reengineering and requiring ERP functionalities in only one site. The third approach middle-road is an approach that falls between the other two extremes. In figure 1, it shows the evolution of enterprise integration approaches as follow. Figure 1: Evolution of Integration Approaches According to the figure 1, data transport is the plinth of enterprise integration. Both data transport and data integration are the basal enterprise integration. With higher business value of integration and complexity of integration, the enterprise integrations are application integration, process integration, collaboration and ubiquitous integration one by one. As a type of enterprise integration, process integration is to create new process and services to support the actual business needs; ubiquitous integration is anytime, anywhere and through any standard means. Ubiquitous integration is the top enterprise integration approach, which is the highest business value of integration and complexity of integration in figure 1. Based on the resources of e-business enterprise (2011), there are four enterprise system integration approaches, including network/portal oriented integration, business process oriented integration, application oriented integration and data oriented integration. Firstly, data-oriented integration is a general and basal approach. It targets the purpose of transfer, transform, synchronize, mediate-connect and harmonize. Besides, the handouts of enterprise integration of e-business enterprise (2011) explain that data-oriented integration is a set of technologies that exchange and synchronizing data with transformed format between different applications within and between organizations. Thus the technical components are data connectivity, transformation, communications middleware. Secondly, application oriented integration (API) is an approach which uses a common interface to integrate enterprise systems by information between applications cross an organisation or cross a network. It is difference from data oriented integration. The data oriented integration interface is created by database. Instead of database, the integration interface of application is created by application. In addition, the application oriented integration allows access data and business logics and application methods; it is more than data oriented integration. Next, the third approach is business process-oriented integration (BPI). As workflow systems, it connects and automates business process. What’s more, it provides enterprises with process visibility. Integration of business processes across applications and it controls over distributed workflows via an event driven platform. Compared with data oriented integration and API, BPI through business process level integration and management, not database and application. Furthermore, BPI includes process control technology, which includes process control engine, triggers and software agents for task automation. One purpose of BPI is loose coupled architecture – back office application, which is communicated with front end applications indirectly. Therefore, the loose coupled connection with greater adaptability and scalability for business system. However, the integration type of loose coupling also has some problem on security and inefficiency in communication. Finally, the last approach is portal oriented integration approach. As integrated business portal, it has a consistent web interface for all business information and application in a personalized way and a platform for application integration, component development and workflow coordination. In addition, portal oriented integration approach has four benefits. One is rapidly deploy a complete portal. It also allows for further extension. Next, both applications and data could be created for integration. It could be automated execution of business processes throughout distributed organisations. 3: Analysis of the Issues in the Case to Identify Suitable Approaches for Extended Enterprise Integration According to the business case, the main three issues are long lead-time, high possibility to make a mistake and lower efficient production and effective coordination. The issue of lead-time should be considered for the area of order processing, production scheduling, stock controlling and purchasing. The company receives orders from five contracted car manufacturers over 2000 different products. On the other side, in order to make sure the safeguard of supply chain, the company also needs to purchase vents, frame, glove box, meter/gauges, steering and heater and air conditioning control from domestic suppliers and overseas suppliers. Next, due to the company receives order once a week and the system only update once a week, the speed of update information is very low effective. It is easy to make a mistake on purchase and stock level and slow response to changes. Furthermore, it increases the stocks and order lead-time. Therefore, it leads to the second and third issues in this situ ation. A suitable approach for extended the extended enterprise in this business, it should be able to ameliorate t or solve the issues and more close to the objectives.   This business case mentioned that the company is a medium sized manufacturer, which supplies over 2000 different products for five contracted car manufacturers. It receives orders from each customer once a week through EDI (electronic data interchange) and input automatically into a sales management system. The operation process is a long pull process. A suitable business system of this company should be more quick response and effective coordination to reduce the lead time for order processing, production scheduling, stock controlling and purchasing. According to the part 3 of this report-brief review on relevant concepts and approaches, data oriented integration approaches focus on translating data and business documents from formats used by one company into the formats used by another (Lynne, M. et al, 2002). Integra tion of business processes of data integration approaches across database. However, BPI connects and automates business processes, the interfaces of BPI for data integration, process integration and process communication in process model. Although data integration approaches is an approach of transaction formats and standardize the names of product data, process integration approaches standardize the sequences of transactions and activities that make up a business process. By allowing for the monitoring and management of related transactions, they adapt better to breakdowns and permit higher levels of automation (Lynne, M. et al, 2002). Furthermore, Net R. (2001) observed that process integration requires standardization or modification of source systems or the creation of a supportive IT infrastructure, process integration is costlier to set up than data integration. However, except the factor of cost, process integration provides opportunities for companies to reengineer business processes to achieve additional business benefits more than data integration approach. Besides, portal oriented integration approach is very good approach. The interface of portal integration approach is available across all business information and applications in a personalized way. However, due to the size of company is only a medium manufacturer and the cost of portal integration approach is expensive than others, it is not suitable for the situation currently. Therefore are more risks, challenges and issues if the company adopt portal integration approach. Therefore, business process-oriented integration is the suitable approaches for extended enterprise at present. 3.1: Illustration of Key Information Flows in the Extended Enterprise Which Includes the Supply Chain Partners    Figure 2: Information Flows in the Extended Enterprise In figure 2, the company receives orders from customer by ERP and then finance department send the order information to BIP system when the sales order is confirmed by account manager. Stock management sends the requirement of parts and components information and t9he information of the quantities of finished products to the business system. The spreadsheet created by BPI for the production schedule and also through BPI to update new information. 3.2: Critical Analysis of the Suitability of SAP as an ERP Tool There is a professional web site of SAP (2009) expressed that SAP means systems applications and products, it is a completely integrated, enterprise wide information system that replaces legacy systems with a series of software modules that communicate with each other seamlessly, replacing current business processes with best practices. SAP software also has some demerit. In SAP system, although it could changes the business process dramatically, it is a little customizable. However, SAP is also a very outstanding tool for ERP and E- business. In addition, there are a lot of advantages of SAP, such as online integrated graphics; functionality and integration; flexible structure; real-time information; lean implementation; individual solutions, etc (SAP Expertise, 2011). SAP makes the information of company more meaningful. The company can instantly see any change by type of graphics, if the data had any change. Furthermore, the controlled customizing procedures of system allows to cr eate solution for satisfy individual requirements. In SAP of ERP, all business processes of the company are linked by data and functions and it is a software solution to cover all commercial processes and transactions commonly occurring of the company. The real-time information of SAP is a good visibility of distributed data sources and it can automatic data transfer. Therefore, the company could be more quick response to changes and more effective to avoid the mistake by SAP. Then it should be able to reduce the stock level and more effective coordination of customer and supplier. 4: Design of Solutions to the Identified Issues with Selected Enterprise Integration Approaches Due to the selected suitable enterprise integration approach is BPI, this part explains the system functionalities and design the solutions for the issues. According to the background of the company, the integration design should be considered by application complexity, cost and time; business scale and nature; business relationships; business process dynamics and function distributions; demands on real-time information; technical standards and compatibility, etc. Firstly, the company should add a materical resource planning (MRP) in BPI. Because safeground the supply chain for the company, the company purchases all parts from other domestic and overseas suppliers when the stock was insufficient. It is too long pull process to increase the delay of information. Consequently, MRP is a good tool to slove this problem and also sfaeground the supply chain of the company. What’s more, it could be ameliorate the long lead time in purchasing. Next, the company should choose loose coupling and hub connection spoke intergraiton technology. Types of integration and E-business includes loose coupling and tight coupling. The application of tight coupling are connected with agreed technical details. In contrast, Loose coupling does not need to know details of the ways to deal with interfaces of other applications and processes. Besides, it is an application send or receive to or from other applications. Loose coupling can support non-intrusive (loose) integration, sychronised business transactions; reusing and sharing business data and processes (Papazoglou M. P., 2006). loose coupling is flexibility, scalability and advanced security. It is also nearly real-time agile response to business events. Loose coupling could be avoid the delay of information issue and   improve the lead time in order processing and stock controlling. Therefore, it is more suitable for the manufactory company in the business case. Fingure 3: Features of Common Integration Technologies In fingure 3,   it shows the features of point-point integration, hub connection spoke for SMEs, web form (extranet interfaces) and XMLmail / messages. It is obvious to analyse that both point-point integration and hub connection spoke are better in the four common integration technologies. The integration knowledge requirement of hub connection sopke is lower than point-point integration. Compared to point-point integraion, hub connection spoke have lower set up and maintenance costs. However, the limitations of point-to-point topology consist of costly for maintain; limited reusability; invasive integration approach requiring modifications of source applications, not scalable, etc. On the other side, Lynne, M., et al (2002) mentioned that hub connection spoke approaches to external integration represent an important alternative to one-to-one integration approaches. It also approaches come in two flavours – data integration only and process (plus data) integration. Hub connection spoke intergraiton technology could be reduce the rate of high mistake and lead time in production scheduling. In summary, both loose coupling and hub connection spoke intergraiton technology are effective solutions for these issues. In order to become an effective business intelligence, the requirements of business   integration are real-time or responsive data access; good quality data from all relevant sources and data of relevant business functions. There are some measures such as transform data into valuable information, identify risks and opportunities, monitor and assess business performance and support decision making for enhancement and optimisation. According to the background, the company receives orders from each customer once a week. It is very low efficient production. So the times of received orders should be increase. All in all, these solutions should solve the long lead time for order processing, production scheduling, stock controlling and purchasing and improve the speed of information processing to avoid the situation of low effective of update the system. All of them are more effective coordination of components supply and assembly planning in e-business. 5: Discussion and Conclusion In this part of project, it discusses the implementation issues, achievements, limitation of solutions and conclusion. Based on the background, the company is a medium sized manufacturer and suppliers over 2000 different products for five contracted car manufacturers.   The purchase model of the company is that places purchase order for the required components to complete the sales order, if there is out of stock or insufficient stock. In addition, the business processes of the company are receiving orders; purchasing components (out of stock / insufficient); checking customer orders by production manager; created a schedule for the assembly line to produce for the order ; updating the assembly line; packing and shipping finishes products. There are three main issues which mentioned before, including long consuming lead time for order processing, production scheduling, stock controlling and purchasing; low effective of update the current system and high possibility to make a mistak e; the company system is not efficient. Through analysis of the issues, BPI is the suitable approaches for extended enterprise integration. If the manufacturing company attempts to implement the suitable approaches and solutions, it should need a high costs in equipment investment and it is hard to change the old enterprise system and hard to operate the solutions in actuality. Furthermore, there are two limitations for hub spoke topology when it runs on single serves. One is single points of failure exist in that a failure of one hub propagates throughout the system. The other is limited scalability across the enterprise. Loose coupling also has two disadvantages of security concerns and inefficiency in communication. In summary, the company should be aim to a lean manufacturing with a short lead time and effective communication persistently.   References Bemroider, E. 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Special Interests Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 6

Special Interests - Essay Example Despite the fact that interest groups and political parties are separate institutions in terms of the functions they perform, today they have formed joint associations. Interest groups therefore have a joint association with political parties and also try to influence the president and Congress as these two branches work together to make policy. This paper defines an interest group and gives examples, discusses the relationship between interest groups and political parties, and explains how interest groups try to influence the president and Congress as the two branches work together to make policy. Keywords: Interest Group, Political Party, Policy, Interests, Lobbyists, Lobbying, President, Congress, Associations, Relationship, Campaign Finance, Grassroots Activities 1. Define an interest group, with examples People have different pursuits that they attach value to and defend. Such pursuits despite being focused towards different goals are all known as interests. Interests can theref ore be ethnic, religious, economic, or based on a range of other issues. ... 9). Interest groups have different structures and sizes, with some having many members, while others have no members at all. In the same way, some are organized in formal ways with bylaws, leaders, members, and holding of meetings regularly, while others are not organized in a formal way, hence loosely knit and have a few rules, with no leaders. Interest groups are therefore of different types, with the major types representing the areas of the economy. These include economic interest groups, environmental groups, public interest groups, and other interest groups. Economic interest groups. They form the largest category of interest groups. Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt (2008) point out that â€Å"the major sectors that seek influence in Washington, D.C., include business, agriculture, labor unions and their members, government workers, and professionals† (p. 225). Trade associations and business interest groups are formed by those in business, and their main role is to influenc e the policies made by the government that have an impact on their businesses. Examples of business interest groups in the United States include the National Association of manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of commerce that represent businesses and manufacturing matters respectively. Agricultural interest groups are formed by agricultural farmers and their employees. Despite the fact that they represent a very small number of the US population, farmers and their employees in the United States have been able to influence legislations touching on their interests. Examples include the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Farmers Union, The peanut Growers Group, The American Dairy Association, and the National Soybean Association (Bardes, Shelley, &