Friday, November 29, 2019

How do Jacobs and Dickens create a foreboding atmosphere and build up tension in The Monkeys Paw and The Signalman Essay Example

How do Jacobs and Dickens create a foreboding atmosphere and build up tension in The Monkeys Paw and The Signalman Paper The main idea of a mystery story is to give the readers something to wonder about. You have to give them the clues one by one and lead your reader to a conclusion they werent expecting. A good mystery story will keep a reader guessing until they see the final twist and then everything they didnt understand before fits into place. This is definitely true in The Signalman. One of the techniques that Dickens uses to create a feeling of uneasiness and tension can be seen right from the very beginning. In the very first paragraph there is a sense of the unexplained: There was something remarkable in his manner of doing so (instead of the signalman looking up to where the narrator stood, he turned himself about, and looked down the Line. ), though I could not have said for my life, what. The vocabulary Dickens uses also adds to the atmosphere and it is well worth a close look at this. Words such as violent, clammier and earthly dead smell build up the sense that the narrator is in a dangerous location and that something terrible is about to happen. This sort of language use can be found throughout the tale. The angry sunset Dickens describes adds to the effect, as does the clammy and wet stones of the way down. These are indicative of a ghost story, and even the tunnel is described in such a way as to make us wonder about it. The description of the tunnel itself could very well remind us of the mouth of hell, which is appropriate because of what happens later in the story. terminating in a gloomy red light, and gloomier entrance to a black tunnel, in whose massive architecture there was a barbarous, depressing, and forbidding air. So little sunlight ever found its way to this spot, that it had an earthy deadly smell; and so much cold wind rushed through it, that it stuck chill to me, as if I had left the natural world. Charles Dickens uses repetition quite a lot to build up the feeling of fear and uneasiness, and this is particularly effective at the end. There is also the description of place, and the damp unpleasantness like he has left the natural world. The colors he uses are often associated with evil, such as red and black, and its with language like this that Dickens makes the audience uneasy and feeling that something is about to go wrong. We will write a custom essay sample on How do Jacobs and Dickens create a foreboding atmosphere and build up tension in The Monkeys Paw and The Signalman specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on How do Jacobs and Dickens create a foreboding atmosphere and build up tension in The Monkeys Paw and The Signalman specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on How do Jacobs and Dickens create a foreboding atmosphere and build up tension in The Monkeys Paw and The Signalman specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Any comments on words such as monstrous will be useful, as will the miming of the actions. That is quite a visual effect and gives the full eerie effect at the end when the signalman dies. The repetition of words and phrases adds to the uneasiness of the story Below there! Look out! Look out! For Gods sake, clear the way! The use of the references to the supernatural and the story the signalman tells all add to the feeling of fear. Even the narrator says that he felt a slow touch of a frozen finger tracing out my spine. These are techniques in ghost stories, made more chilling by the fact that they are foreshadowing what is to come. Everything about the place and the signalman seems to be unnatural and uneasy. The spot is isolated and the feeling of fear and unease is built up by the speakers comments: The monstrous thought came into my mind as I perused the fixed eyes and the saturnine face, that this was a spirit, not a man. The signalmans behavior is at times inexplicable and this is contrasted with the exactness with which he does his job. There is definitely something odd about him. His manner seemed to make the place strike colder to me. The man himself is most mysterious, and the narrator was uncertain of whether he was man or spirit or even slightly disturbed because, there was something in the man that daunted me. All this contributes to the building of the tension, as does the eeriness of the signalman believing that he had seen the narrator before, despite the narrators certainty that he had never been there. The signalman himself even suggests some supernatural connection part way into the story. The draw of the signalman is so great that the narrator goes back to hear more. For the first time the specific reference to the gesture of waving frantically to clear the way becomes so important. The signalmans story is chilling. The language is indicative of a ghost story, like damp stains, frozen finger tracing my spine, disagreeable shudder. There are also rational explanations for what had happened. The tales of the appearances of the spectre are fearful, as are the narrators reactions, such as pulling his chair back from the floorboards where the young lady was laid. The wind, personified as wailing, also adds to the effect of the story. There is conflict between what the two people heard and saw the previous evening, but both agree that the spectre is not there now. The signalman gains empathy because he is aware that danger is imminent but he is powerless to do anything. Another technique that is used to prolong the suspense is the fact that the narrator could not see anyone nor hear the bell ring when the signalman claimed the spectre was there. The dismissing of events as a coincidence builds up tension, as we feel sure he is going to be proven wrong. The twist in the tale is so effective because everything has been building towards this, but we did not fully understand what was to happen. The third evening concludes the story. The narrator sees the figure waving in the mouth of the tunnel, but it is not supernatural: The nameless horror that oppressed me, passed in a moment, for in a moment I saw that this appearance of a man was a man indeed. The way Dickens talks directly to the audience in this story, is a good way of fully involving the reader in the mystery. It raises questions that he then leaves unanswered and unravels later. The death was that of the signalman himself, and the visions he had seen had been the premonition of his own death. There is the repetition of the action and also of the words that the signalman said were haunting him. The Monkeys Paw is based upon the unexpected happenings of a supernatural tale. Mr. White meets up with an old war buddy and invites him to his home for an evening visit. The purpose is to complete a story he had told of a monkeys paw and an old fakir. Sergeant-Major Morris has brought the paw with him and tells the story. At the beginning of the story, the mood is mysterious and ominous, created by these details: a cold, wet night; a house in an out-of-the-way place; a visitor tells of faraway places and strange events. Mr. White, his wife and son soon learn that the soldier had his three wishes granted and would rather have the paw destroyed than pass it on to anyone else. When pressed for more details he tells his hosts that the first owner used his third wish to wish for death and that was how he came into possession of the paw. With that he tosses the paw into the fireplace, but Mr. White rushes to the hearth and retrieves it before it is completely destroyed. The soldier leaves and warns them to wish for something sensible. At the sons urging, the father wishes for some money (two hundred pounds). Nothing immediately happens and they turn in for the night. Of course, only trouble can follow. Sergeant- Major Morris has warned the White family that the wishes come true almost like a coincidence, and his reactions to the paw show he is afraid of what it can do he throws it on the fire to destroy it, he turns white when he is telling of its history and is frightened when Mrs. White makes the joke about wishing for four pairs of hands. Once the wish has been made and the paw moved, we fear that gaining the two hundred pounds is not going to be a positive experience for the Whites. The story is neatly divided in three sections and primarily deals with three characters -Mr. White, his wife and their son. In the first section we are introduced to the wish motif and the family makes their first wish. In the second half they make their second wish. In the third and eeriest portion the husband ends their ordeal with a final wish -the only wise wish the family ever made. The old fairy tale motifs are all present and indeed Mrs. White at one point says Sounds like the Arabian Nights. There is some making fun of the whole idea and we get the idea that the family does not totally believe in the powerful magic they have come into contact with. Jacobs describes the son as frivolous and he mocks the idea by telling his father to wish to be an emperor to escape his nagging wife, Mrs. White asks the husband to wish her to have four hands and they all laugh at the prospect of getting what one truly desires. The reader knows only too well that this family is doomed. The foreshadowing events the author uses to prepare the reader for the events to come are: Morris says the paw has a spell on it -foreshadows negative reactions once someone wishes upon it, perhaps even Herberts death; Morris presses Mr. White to throw the paw away which foreshadows bad things to come, including Herberts Death, Herbert sees a vision in the fire and feels a shiver when he grasps the paw which foreshadows his own demise. When Mr. Mrs. White realize that in following the sons suggestion for money they have altered their lives in a horrible way they panic. The money comes to them as compensation for a horrible accident at the factory where their son worked. He has died at the hands of the machinery. Mrs. White immediately wants to wish her son back to life and runs to find the paw. There is a struggle and an argument. The family is beginning to learn that there is strange magic at bother, that they truly can defy the laws of nature. The husband is reluctant but is powerless at the maniacal urging of his wife and when he refuses to make the wish she does so herself. To some extent The Monkeys Paw depends on horror brought about through the death of a main character in the story. Herbert is killed in an accident because of the first wish and we experience revulsion at the thought of him being brought back to life. The story builds up to a climax at the end, and although we understand what will happen next, it has far more impact being left at the pinnacle of the action. It is at this point that Jacobs uses the best tool of the writer of a ghost story -the power of suggestion. We feel the terror of the husband and know the longing of the wife for her son. The terrible knocking at the door, the fact that the wife rushes downstairs while the reader remains upstairs with the husband who dare not move from his spot. While he envisions what must have happened to his son, remembering the accident and imagining something hideous crawling out of a fresh grave, his wife frantically tries to open the door but has trouble with the bolt. The reader is wondering as well: Will she see her son? What will happen to her? What kind of family will they be with a dead son returned from the grave? The word it implies that Mr. White believes whatever is on the other side of the door is not human. He believes perhaps it is his sons dead corpse. The word it creates suspense and a sense of fear. The husband at last makes the final and inevitable wish -the only sensible wish made while the paw was theirs those brief fateful days. And the story ends with an eerie image complete with a poignant sound effect that sends a final frisson up your spine: A cold wind rushed up the staircase and a long loud wail of disappointment and misery from his wife gave him courage to run down to her side, and to the gate beyond. The street lamp flickering opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road. It is certain that the echo of that misery-filled wail reached all the way to the cemetery where no doubt it settled like a mournful shroud on the still undisturbed grave of their hapless son.

Monday, November 25, 2019

The Origins of the Rose-Colored Glasses Idiom

The Origins of the Rose-Colored Glasses Idiom We all know that seeing something through rose-colored glasses means you see it as better than it really is, but did you ever wonder where this idiom originated? Finding the Origin The origin of this idiom is difficult to find. Apparently, nobody who writes about rose-colored glasses has bothered to actually look through them. Once you do, the origin is obvious. One of the best descriptions is over on Wise Geek, where they go through several, optimism-focused theories ranging from the symbolism of roses and rose gardens to the Victorians to map-makers glasses to gazing through the bottom of a wine glass. There are also references to the book  Tom Brown at Oxford  by Thomas Hughes and written in 1861, but its unclear if this is the first use of the term. Rose Colored Glasses and Chickens A more curious suggestion is that the term comes from the use of goggles on chickens to keep them from pecking feathers off each other. An article about chicken eyeglasses at Ask.com states that rose-colored lenses as the coloring is thought to prevent a chicken wearing them from recognizing blood on other chickens, which may increase the tendency for abnormal injurious behavior. They were mass-produced and sold throughout the United States as early as the beginning of the 20th century. This seems like an odd association of the term since rose-colored glasses accentuate reds unless chickens see red differently than humans. Regardless, it may be contrary to our usage of the idiom. No matter what the origin of the idiom is, seeing the world through rose-colored glasses really does make the world a better place. The reds are  incredibly  red, the greens lush, the blues truly electric. Willy Wonka, eat your heart out.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

President Obama visit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

President Obama visit - Essay Example This would be of great help especially to the people with low incomes, since they would be reduced of the burden of having to repay the loan in full. The president also wanted to get to the students’ voting alliance that was responsible for his winning back in 2008, and told them that he needed their votes again in 2012 elections. The officials of the White House alleged that those students who had one or more federal loans would be allowed to merge their debts, which would reduce interest rates by half of the percentage point. Obama said that this plan was supposed to get rid of those federal subsidies that were taken to the private banks after the loans are merged, and this would help in improving the economy. He believed that if a big percentage of people’s paycheck is used to repay the loans instead of doing other things, it would affect the economy. This would be a great burden especially to those families who are in the middle-class; since their source of income is mainly from the salaries they get from their jobs. A big percentage of people’s income should help people to improve their businesses, so that the business can grow, and this would help improve the country’s economy. This would ensure that the future generations did not suffer economically due to insufficient funds. The president questioned Republicans who were in the congress for having blocked the job bill he had put in place. He said that those individuals who were jobless weren’t supposed to be deserted, and he would try to help them out even if the congress did not help him. He told the students’ things he planned to do, and he would do them single-handedly if the congress did not back him up. He said that he would ensure that each individual had an access to acquiring college education. This showed that the president was concerned about the future generation who are the next leaders of America, and by giving

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The evaluation of Coca Cola Company Corporate Sustainability Report Essay

The evaluation of Coca Cola Company Corporate Sustainability Report 2012-13 against the Global Reporting Initiative 3.1 Guidelines - Essay Example The consumers and employees are very much concerned about social and environmental issues. So the company gets involved in performing all these activities to satisfy its customers and employees. CSR plays an important role in the growth and success of the company. Strategies of corporate sustainability focus on green product and services. Coca Cola’s strategies of corporate sustainability have changed over time as per its business needs and requirements. The concept of corporate sustainability is based on two vital principles. One principle focuses on increasing the resource of the company by benefiting society or environment. Another principle of corporate sustainability focuses on reducing risk of the company by increasing its business opportunities. This essay focuses on value creation process of the company by performing various sustainable approaches. According to GRI guidelines CR reporting must serve the needs of company’s stakeholders. It helps them to gain credibility. In the present time the stakeholders are using multiple channels to reach maximum number of people. The companies merge information of CR in their annual report. GRI guideline is gaining its popularity in recent years. To increase CR reporting programs GRI is putting a huge effort to promote its guidelines throughout the world. For example US and China are presently focusing more on connecting traditional standard setter with GRI program like SEC, IIFAC etc. GRI is launching a new guideline to make improvement in its standards. CR reporting will be benefited by improving global standard and performance of CR activities. Presently 80% of G 250 companies and 69% of N100 companies are following GRI guidelines and standards in developing their CR Report. Earlier these percentages were very low. According to GRI guidelines CSR reporting is an

Monday, November 18, 2019

Homeostasis in humans Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Homeostasis in humans - Essay Example Core to this is the human body’s management of a variety of highly complex relations, critical in maintaining either a return to, or a balance of, normal functionality of the body (Guyton & Hall, 2006:310). This is achieved through three core types of processes i.e. thermoregulation, osmo-regulation and chemical regulation. Such interactions vitally facilitate changes, which are compensatory in nature and hence supportive of both psychological and physical human functionality. In the case of an imbalance, a function is usually altered, causing a reversal of the functionality back to its normal settings (Guyton & Hall, 2006:317). This is exemplified by the function of human skin, with an increase in temperature necessitating thermo-receptor feedback to the brain’s hypothalamus. This results in increased sweating, as a way of balancing the temperature. In the case of blood pH imbalance, chemoreceptors send messages to the brain’s respiratory center, thus enhancing the affected individual’s respiratory rate (Guyton & Hall, 2006:324). Other processes crucial in the maintenance of homeostasis include the body’s balance of electrolyte and blood pressure levels. Core to this body functionality, is the input of various body organs i.e. the human brain, the kidneys and the liver. The latter two’s role in maintaining homeostasis is undisputed, with the brain’s endocrine system, hypothalamus sector, and its autonomic nervous system being core to this functionality. The human pair of kidneys is on their part essential for a number of roles i.e. the re-absorption of substances into the blood circulation; the excretion of human waste matter and urea; the regulation of blood water levels and blood pH, in addition to maintaining iron and salt levels in circulation (Maton et al., 1993:35). As Marieb and Hoehn (2007) allude, the liver provides core maintenance of

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Experiences Of Ducati In Supply Chains

Experiences Of Ducati In Supply Chains Ducati Company was using lean production during their changing of supply chain management. Lean production include wide variety of management practices such as just in time which is mention in the case study, quality management, works teams, cellular manufacturing, supplier management and integrated systems. The main practice of lean production is to create a streamlined, high quality management that will produce finish product without wasting and satisfy customer needs (Shah and Ward, 2003, pg.129-149). Ducati Company can save cost and time by using lean. Based on the case study, measures of quality have increased 70 percent. The Toyota Production System (TPS) [as in Herron and Hickss study (as cited in S. Spear and K. H. Bowen, 1999, p.97-106)] was developed in Japan by Ohno and Shingo and forms the basis of lean manufacturing. Other companies such as Toyota also using lean production. Toyota Company focused on minimizes waste in all of its operation. Toyota could not afford the high capital-intensive mass production that used in USA (Herron and Hickss, 2008, pg.524-531). Besides, Toyota Company used Kaizen, cellular manufacturing, synchronous manufacturing, poka-yoke, standardize working and work place organization to reduce the waste in production [as in Herron and Hickss study (as cited in J. Bicheno, 2000)]. Based on case study, Ducati revamped its supply chain in operation turnaround. By using the turnaround, it was significantly reduce the inventory lead times, better performance, and more space and minimize waste on resource and increase productivity and quality of goods.[as in Herron and Hickss study ( as cited in S. J. Pavnaskar, J. K. Gershenson and A. B. Jambekar, 2003, pg.3075-3090)]. In 1996, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Herron and Hickss study (as cited in SMMC, 2006) was supported by Honda, Nissan, Toyota, General Motors and Volkswagen ( Herron and Hickss, 2008, pg.524-531). They are also using supply chain management. This means that this company had learned from Ducati how important of supply chain management. Investments in supplier development teams was establish by japans car manufacturers, as in Herron and Hickss study (as cited in M. Sako, 2004, pg.281-308)]. Supplier had been train in how to manufacturing in best practices and been promoted the dissemination of lean manufacturing in supply chain (Herron and Hickss, 2008, pg. 524-531). Nissan transferred lean expertise to its UK plant in Sunderland from Japan with three nominal levels of abstraction which are Kaizen, skill control, 5S/5C and standard operations, autonomous maintenance, just-in-time and systematic problem solving and total quality management (TQM) and benchmarking. This transfer had taken 20 years with training for employees and high level of support in UK. Nissan and the IF provided NEPA with the master engineers who provided expertise in lean manufacturing (Herron and Hickss, 2008, pg. 524-531). Total quality management was a multi-dimension concept that focuses on quality, techniques and instruments for controlling quality (Anderson et al., 1994; Dean and Bowen, 1994; Flynn et al., 1995; Garvin, 1984 and Garvin, 1987; Saraph et al., 1989; among others).During 1970s, Total Quality Management was around for a long period, and it was practices and industrial adaptation in the US. Japanese automobile also focus on their product and reliability. Toyota Company, by using the Toyota-system, focuses on lean production, just in time and quality control through their product. (Lee, H.L and Whang, S, 2005, pg. 289-300). Ducati also use total quality management to control its own motorcycle quality. Elements in the TOM, the well-known quality pioneers (Deming, 1986 and Juran, 1986) pointed out that how important top management leadership, which can be considered as the most influential TQM element, affects other elements of the organization (Anderson et al., 1995 and Flynn et al., 1995; cf. Kaynak, 2003). Top management was an important element because it was the leader that makes decision by using which techniques to run the production. By using the quality elements can lead the company to produce high quality product by using low cost. Changing organization strategy in order to implement TQM practices is that top management is very important (Hamlin et al., 1997 and Ho et al., 1999; cf. Kaynak, 2003). Besides that, employee involvement and empowering is essential elements in making continuous improvement. It is because this can lead employee to work harder and involving in the change process, and they wont resist to change [ as in Jung, J. Y and Wang, Y. J. (as cited in Flynn et al, 1995 and Handfield et al., 1998; cf. Kaynak, 2003)]. Next is long term based relationship with supplier. For instance, supplier partnerships are key elements for TQM [as in Jung, J. Y and Wang, Y. J. (as cited in Kaynak, 2003 and Trent and Monczka, 1999)]. Other company had learned that by using the relationship with supplier and customer is the elements key for success in TQM, it is because that have a good relationship we can understand what the customer needs and wants and supplier can satisfy their need and wants. Six Sigma implementation aims at improving customer satisfaction, by mean of improved processes capability (as in Brun, 2010). Six sigma are tools to improving customers satisfaction of the company product. Based on the case study, Ducati production volume has increased more than threefold, from 12000 motorcycles a year to more than 40000 a year when they revamped their supply chain management. 2. To achieve result such as those at Ducati, how important is the free flow of information among members of a companys supply chain? Explain. Based on the case study, Ducati had to involve its supply chain partner in the operational turnaround because 92 percent of the cost of a typical motorcycle was come from the companys supply chain. Ducati need to transfer the culture and the technique for creating a lean and efficient supply chain to their supplier. As Ducati consider their suppliers to be an extensions of Ducati which connected them via the web to accelerate the flow of information. Information free flow involves sharing information across company boundaries with supply chain member and it is needed since organization is unable to generate all their required resource internally. Therefore interact with other organization that controls their critical resources allow them to compete effectively in their environment [as in Samaddar, Nargundkar and Daley study (as cited in Yuchtman and Seashore, 1967, pg.891-903)]. According to (Towill, 1996; Towill and Mason-Jones, 1997; Mason-Jones and Towill, 1999a; Towill et al., 2000, 2002) decision makers need a depend big picture of the process so they can manage the supply chain as one single company, to minimum uncertainty updated feed forward and feedback information flow coupled with optimal decision making. When information is shared in between supply chain networks, it can result a more efficient flow of goods and services (Anand and Mendelson, 1997), reduced inventory level, and lower costs (Yu, Yan and Cheng, 2001, pg.114-119), which benefits the overall network. Since Ducati is linking their suppliers that are as close as a few block away as well as many that are scattered around Europe and as far as Japan, they can exchange information such as production planning, part price list, invoices and quality report. Limitation of information in the supply chain will lead to unnecessary inventory investment, poor customer services, wrong capacity allocation, reduce revenue and missed production (Lee, Padmanabhan, and Whang, 1997, pg. 93-102). According to (P.Fiala, 2004, pg.419-423) information exchange is a very important issue for coordinating actions. If member of the supply chain have free flow information it can reduced their lead time of information such as orders, demand and capacity forecast, point-of-sale data for the whole supply chain. (Lee, So and Tang, 2000, pg.626-643) Find the benefits of sales information sharing and identified the drivers that have significant impacts. Manufacture obtains larger inventory or cost reduction when the demand is highly associated if the lead time is long. Eventually customer will receive a higher quality, cost-effective product in a shorter amount of time. In addition, Ducatis new supply chain management processes that support information-sharing activities aim to support data sharing and communication between supply chain partners which allow the company reduced the bullwhip effect. Plan along the supply chain and coordinating information can control Bullwhip effect and improve their supply chain performance (Lee, Padmanabhan, and Whang, 1997, pg. 93-102). Besides, information sharing enhances the agility of firms while improved the stability and performance of the whole supply chain. According [as in Hsu, Chiu, Chen and Liu study (as cited in Li et al., 2006, pg.18-21)], the importance of sensible information and quantified the impact of upstream disorder on supply chain. When received information from other member of the supply chain, everything remain the same except other than receive an order from the previous supply chain member but also receives end users demand for the current period ( Dejonckheere, Disney, Lambrecht and Towill,2004, pg.727-750). Refer to [as in Samaddar, Nargundkar and Daley study (as cited in Yuchtman, Sahin and Robinson, 2002, pg.505-536)] information can flow along the supply chain in sequence, within orders posed by each supply chain members or it may be share by them. Free flow information can be achieved by using information and communication technologies based tools which allow supply chain members to get information at the real time with accurate information on the point of sale demand to allow them to forecast replenishment needs inventory need and eliminate under or overestimated orders and inventories (Pendroso and Nakano, 2009, pg. 376-384). Information sharing allows better planning and coordination of the supply chain [as in Welker, Vaart, and Donk study (as cited in Koh and Saad, 2006, pg.545-554)]. Moreover, information sharing is an important aspect on assimilation and collaborative inter-organizational relationship (Huang, Lau and Mak, 2003, pg.1483-1571). Ordering process is a function related to the information sharing and it is important to process in the supply chain [as in Welker, Vaart, and Donk study (as cited in Bertrand et al., 1990; Gustin et al., 1995; Parente, 1998; Scho ¨ nsleben, 2004; Stadtler and Kilger, 2002)].Supply chain management can make better decision on the ordering process, production plan and capacity allocation therefore the supply chain dynamics can be optimized (Huang, Lau and Mak, 2003, pg.1483-1571). Furthermore, information free flow is important because partnership always formed so that individual can share unique information (Hsu, Chiu, Chen and Liu, 2009, pg.101-121). There should be levels of information sharing for mutual benefits and cooperation (Christiansen, Rohde and Hald, 2003, pg.23-30). For example, companies share data with suppliers to reduce cost and bargaining also increase efficiency. 3. What barriers exist to the free flow of information among the members of a companys supply chain, and what can managers do to overcome those barriers? There are a few barriers exist to the free flow of information among the members of a companys supply chain. First of all, workers are required to move parts long distances for no reason because the companys flow of materials through the factory was inefficient (Scarborough, N. M., Wilson, D.L., Zimmerer, T.W., 2009, pg.630). Besides that, Ducati are forced to trim its roster of vendors to 175 because some suppliers simply refused to participate (Scarborough, N. M., Wilson, D.L., Zimmerer, T.W., 2009, pg.630) Generally, vertically linked organisations from raw material sources to end users includes in supply chain (ANU H. BASK1* JARI JUGA2, 2001, pg.138). Supply Chain Management is known as a wider concept covering all business processes between these organisations (Bowersox et al., 1999; Cooper et al., 1997a; Lambert et al., 1998). Good supply chain management will define who will stay and who will leave the market (Martins Laugeni, 2002). There is a downstream flow of material from the factory via the factory warehouse, the distributor and the retailer to the customer (Bernhard J. Angerhofer, Marios C. Angelides, pg.343). Orders flow upstream and there is a delay associated with each echelon in the chain, representing, for instance, the production lead-time or delays for administrative tasks such as order processing (Bernhard J. Angerhofer, Marios C. Angelides, and pg.343). Forrester Supply Chain or Forrester Model is a simple four-level supply chain which is consisting of factory, a warehouse, a distributor and a retailer (Bernhard J. Angerhofer, Marios C. Angelides, pg.343). Forester effect or bullwhip effect is a common problem to those who deal with supply chain management. According to (Lee, Padmanabhan, Whang, 1997, pg. 93-102), this effect occurs when there is a lack of coordination among the elements of the supply chain at the moment when there is a variation in the quantity demanded by the final client, with the reactions of suppliers tending to be amplified at each passage upstream through the chain. All of them react increasing or diminishing the orders differently from what is really necessary, seeking to protect themselves. The lack of coordination felt mainly by the Forester effect is caused by two reasons which are the different stages of the supply chain has conflicting objectives, and the information sent among the different stages suffers delays and distortions according to Chopra Meindl (2001). Managers can overcome those barriers by implementing shorter delivery times, more reliable delivery promises, fewer schedule disruptions, lower stock levels, fewer quality problems and stable prices which are offered by Integrated Supply Chain Management (Christopher, 1998). Besides that, System Dynamics is a computer-aided approach for analysing and solving complex problems with a focus on policy analysis and design. Previously System Dynamics is known as Industrial Dynamics. Industrial Dynamics defined as the study of the information feedback characteristics of industrial activity to show how organizational structure, time delays in decision and actions interact to influence the success of the enterprise and amplification in policies (Forrester 1961). Industrial Dynamics treat the interactions between the flows of information, money, orders, materials, personnel, and capital equipment in a company, an industry, or a national economy. The application of System Dynamics Modelling to Supply Chain Management has its roots in Industrial Dynamics (Forrester 1958, 1961). The Forrester Model is a model of a production-distribution system. This model is described in terms of six interacting flow systems which are the flows of information, materials, orders, mon ey, manpower, and capital equipment. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is an emerging technology intended to complement or replace traditional barcode technology to identify, track, and trace items automatically (Zaheeruddin Asif, Munir Mandviwalla, 2005, pg.393). The drive toward adopting RFID is being further enhanced by mandates from large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, and the US Department of Defense, who require all suppliers to implement this technology within the next few years ( Zaheeruddin Asif, Munir Mandviwalla, 2005, pg.394). RFID is claimed to add intelligence to and to minimize human intervention in the item identification process by using electronic tags. The tags are significantly different from printed barcodes in their capacity to hold data, the range at which the tags can be read, and the absence of line-of-sight constraints (Zaheeruddin Asif, Munir Mandviwalla, 2005, pg.393). RFID can be used to reduce labour costs, reduce out-of-stock supply chain cost, reduction in theft, improved trac king through warehousing and distribution centres and reduced inventory holding and carrying costs (Zaheeruddin Asif, Munir Mandviwalla, 2005, pg.393). A key goal of supply chain management is greater speed and cost effectiveness (Lee, 2004, pg. 102-112) Marketing tends to focus on pricing, customers, and product. An RFID-enabled integrated supply chain will likely lead to greater speed and perhaps, over time, lower costs. However, speed and cost are the relatively easy and obvious goals of RFID enabling a supply chain. Lee et al. (1997, pg. 93-102) propose information sharing, channel alignment and operational efficiency as strategies to counteract the bullwhip effect. Sterman (1989, pg.345) presents a generic model of a stock management system which forms the basic structure in an environment for a decision-making experiment. This generic stock management structure is applicable to Ducati such as raw material ordering, production control, or at a macroeconomic level, the control of the stock of money. The physical stock and low structure of the system, and the decision rules used to control the system are parts of the model. Ducatis managers could use the Beer Game (Sterman 1984, pg.345) to conduct an experiment on managing a simulated industrial production and distribution system. The Beer Game presents a multi-echelon production distribution system, containing multiple actors, non-linearities, feedbacks and time delays throughout the supply line. Ducatis managers can include top management commitment; cross-functional teams with feedback between management and staff, and the use of new information systems to overcome the barriers to the free flow of information (Bernhard J. Angerhofer, Marios C. Angelides, pg.344).Time compression strategies based on simulation allow to predict supply chain performance improvements ( Towill, 1996b, pg. 15-27.) Ducatis managers can over the barriers by using re-engineering strategies which are reduction in all lead-times such as material, information and cash-flows, elimination of time delays in decision points and provision of marked information to all upstream decision makers. Collaborative management envisages the reduction of negative consequences of the bullwhip effect or the lack of coordination in supply chains. It can be said that the main objective of collaborative management is to obtain, by means of shared planning, a greater precision in sales forecasts and replenishment for all in the chain. As a result, it is possible to decrease the inventory along the supply chain and obtain better service levels that in turn tend to result in sales increases and cost reductions (Skjoett-Larsen, Thernoe, Andresen, 2003, pg.531-549). According to Retzlaff-Roberts Nichols (1997, pg.69-78), simulation offers an effective analytical tool for organizations that need to measure the performance of a cycle time in the environment of supply chains. For Pedgen, Shannon, Sadowski (1995), simulation is the process of projecting a computer model of a real system and conducting experiments with this model with the purpose of understanding its behaviour and/or evaluating strategies for its operation. In this way, simulation models of supply chains may be used to study several processes that may comprise factories, distribution centres, and transport systems, among others (Miller Pegden, 2000, pg. 63-66.). Supply chain simulation is used in decision taking in the case of implementing a new supply chain, or for performing modifications to existing chains. These changes may be classified in two categories which are structural and operational. Structural decisions affect the supply chain in long terms; however, operational decisions affect the supply chain in short terms. Simulation may be used as a tool to assist decision taking in both cases (Pundoor, 2001). According to Maria (1997, pg.7-13), Pedgen, Shannon, Sadowski (1995), Banks, et al., (2002, pg.1652-1658), and Chang Makatsoris (2001, pg. 24-30), simulation assists the understanding of the entire process and characteristics of the supply chain by means of graphics and charts. Simulation has the capacity to capture data for analysis. Users may model unexpected events in certain areas and understand the impact of these events to the supply. The risk inherent to changes in planning can be diminished drastically by simulation. Several alternatives may be tested by users before making the change to planning. Stimulation can be used to investigate the impact of changes due to a greater demand for components of the supply chain. Relations between suppliers and other components of the supply chains can be used to rationalize the number and size of order lots, using as a basis the total of costs, quality, flexibility and responsibilities. Opportunities can also be used to diminish the var ieties of product components and standardize them throughout the supply chains.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Faulkners Human Spirit Essay -- Authors

William Faulkner accepted his Nobel Peace Prize in December 1950. During his acceptance speech, Faulkner proclaimed that the award was made not to him as a man, but to his life’s work, which was created, â€Å"out of the materials of the human spirit something which did not exist before.† (PF ) He felt that the modern writer had lost connection to his spirit and that he must reconnect with the universal truths of the heart—â€Å"love and honor and pity and pride and compassion and sacrifice.† (PF ) Through his characters voice and exposure of their spirit, Faulkner solidified man’s immortality by â€Å"lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.†(PF ) Although some critics have characterized his work as violet, dealing with immoral themes and the miseries and brutality of life; it can be argued that even his most sad and dep raved characters express positive virtues and personal strengths, even if by a negative example. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the portrayal and manifestation of the human spirit in a select few of William Faulkner’s literary characters, showing that they possess both human strength and flaws. So what is the human spirit and why is it significant? It is a somewhat indefinable concept. According to Faulkner the human spirit is the connection to the universal truths of the heart—â€Å"love and honor and pity and pride and compassion and sacrifice.† (PF) But more than that, he was concerned with the idea that man had become oblivious to the problems of the spirit; that he lost his awareness of the inner struggle of heart in conflict with itself. The human spirit can also be described in terms of survi... ...., 1996. 209- 234. Utley, Francis L., Lynn Z. Bloom, and Arthur F. Kinney, eds. Bear, Man, and God: Eight Approaches to William Faulkner’s â€Å"The Bear.† New York: Random House, 1971. Volpe, Edmond L. A Reader’s Guide to William Faulkner. New York: Noonday Press, 1965. Waggoner, Hyatt H. William Faulkner: From Jefferson to the World. Lexington: Univ. Kentucky Press, 1959. Wagner, Linda W., ed. William Faulkner: Four Decades of Criticism. East Lansing, MI : Michigan State Univ. Press, 1973. 139 Warren, Robert Penn, ed. Faulkner : A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. . â€Å"William Faulkner.† William Faulkner: Four Decades of Criticism. Linda W. Wagner, ed. East Lansing, MI: MSU Press, 1973. 94-109. Webb, James W. and A. Wigfal Green, eds. William Faulkner of Oxford. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State Univ. Press, 1965.