Change Order pricing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Change Order pricing - Case Study Example Some states, particularly Washington does not require the local government â€Å"to pay contractors for higher labor rates on change orders† (Sonntag 12). 5. If a composite labor rate, developed on the basis of the overall mix of work on the entire contract, was used in the original estimate, should the same composite rate be used in pricing the work associated with the change? Answer: Yes. Since the man hours are already extended because of the change, charging the same composite rate for the additional work to be done is justifiable to be applied. The paid longer working hours will already take care of the cost of the additional work needed. Answer: Yes. The contract between the contractor and the buyer has already been established long before the change so the workers assigned for the said job have committed their time to the length of the contract. Therefore, the workers are entitled to be paid throughout the whole time that the agreement is in effect regardless of any downtime as a result of the change as requested by the buyer. Answer: Yes. The contractor can charge the difference to the cost of change in order to recover the losses brought by the downtime. Since the workers are committed to the length of the contract between the contractor and the Air Force, any downtime as caused by the change will not affect the labor rate that they are entitled to receive. Answer: Yes. It is appropriate to apply a learning curve, or the â€Å"period of orientation to become familiar with changed condition† (â€Å"Change Order Protocol† 4) to work affected by the change because of the new skills that the workers imbibed through the change. 9. Is the contractor entitled to claim the costs associated with the affect of the change on the rate of improvement for the changed work for the units on which none of the changed work has been performed? Answer: Yes. Depending on the degree

Report on the UK Governments new welfare system project Essay

Report on the UK Governments new welfare system project - Essay Example Every country do have their system policies so as to make her citizens live with ease and access the basic requirements whether young, middle aged or at the old age. The UK government thus has developed a project in the welfare system under the universal credit plan of to help all groups in the society as the service takes care of both the unemployed, students, the working lot, hence providing a welfare of all kinds under one roof. However the project has experienced delays in its implementation due to arousing challenges in the key sectors. For instance, the IT department finds it difficult to bring together composite processor systems so as to enhance claimant registration, poor management of the project by officials and constant different political opinion from the political divide. Nevertheless the government is hopeful that the project will go through. Welfare system is quiet important to any national government priority as it determines the nature of the future population hence key reforms must be put to it as people develop, grow in size and face various challenges in different economic times. Thus over the periods a number of reforms have taken place right from 20th to 21st centuries. In the early days the provision of welfare was on voluntary rather than state offered as mutually and friendly partners benefited each other. Thus as new governments came in, they developed refined ideas aiming at improving the general society. For example the Labor party members used the policy on welfare reforms as key tool in their campaigns. Hence the current government has embarked on reforms of the implementation of the unthinkable concepts generated by the earlier leaders. This is motivated by theories that a good welfare system determines the behavior of the public to any country as it helps shape actions and traits of the citizens, provid es good motivation and moral will between the government and the

Academic Writing for Adults Class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Academic Writing for Adults Class - Essay Example I believe that Academic Writing for Adults will be a good venue in which I could pick up pointers for improving my writing style. I understand that the course is for academic writing, which will provide me a greater opportunity to express myself better through my writing for the purpose of passing my courses, maybe even get better grades. In my youth, I had moderate difficulty in writing; I believe, though, that it was not so much because I was afraid of writing, or because I did not know how to write. At a young age, there appeared to be little to write about. I felt that I had not experienced as much as I had to in life, for me to gain enough insight to write about things. Of course, it was different about lessons. When needed, such as in an examination where essay writing was required, I usually could find enough to say, in order to create a decent-enough essay, and was confident in writing. When the type of writing is about impersonal things, such as subject matter that comes fro m lessons or a book, I have had little problems in writing. You might say that these are things that could be studied and memorized, then repeated when it becomes necessary to do so. However, when the requirement is to write about my personal insights and to venture my own opinions, I sometimes grope for the words that I must put together, in order to express what is formed as a concept in my own mind. Because of this, I feel that my problem with writing. In my youth, I had moderate difficulty in writing.

Importance of Path Dependence in Management Essay

Importance of Path Dependence in Management - Essay Example The strong implication is that actors in a particular process become locked-in mechanisms that are themselves a product of historical contingencies. This perspective holds that phenomena are complex, and, therefore, a result of mutually interacting variables which produce non-linear dynamics and feedback loops. The complexity of the discourse on organisational change and innovation has only increased. This is occasioned by two divergent views. The first view holds that new and more flexible or fluid organisational forms are on demand while the second view holds the belief in organisational inertia and the historical necessity of decision making (Garud, Arun, and Peter, 2009:760). These two views have confronted managers who have to balance between new ideas and customs of an organisation or an industry. This is mostly influenced in concepts such as entrepreneurial mindset where actors are more driven by the logic of control which drives them to effectively actualise complex processes. This has made path dependence essential to managers as they struggle to understand the basic factors underlying most organisational processes and past successes while linking them with the realities of the moment to improve sustenance of an organisational performance and effectiveness (Coombs and Hull, 1997:1 -26). In a case study of Toyota production system (TPS), the perspective of change as a path dependence phenomenon promotes the importance of this concept in management (Driel and Dolfsma, 2009:67). To begin with, TPS created lock-in mechanisms long before the development of a proper mechanism involving relative competition. The competitors were able to copy some of the TPS models with accuracy and create considerable competition. However, through application of its significant and reliable production techniques and marketing strategies, they maintained loyalty of a client base that believed in the products produced by Toyota (Driel and Dolfsma, 2009:67).

Exploring the role of change management and new HRMS system adoption Dissertation

Exploring the role of change management and new HRMS system adoption the case of American Express Bahrain - Dissertation Example However, there are some strategic loopholes that can addressed to reap full benefits of the system. Table of Contents 1 Chapter One- Introduction 2 Chapter Two- Literature Review 3 Chapter Three- Research Methodology 4 Chapter Four- Results and Findings 5 Chapter Five- Conclusions and Recommendations 6 References 7 Appendices Chapter 1- Introduction 1.1 Title Exploring the role of change management and new HRMS (Human Resource Management System) adoption; the case of American Express Bahrain. 1.2 Aim To explore the role of change management by studying the steps American Express Bahrain has put into action to introduce the new HRMS on its employees. 1.3 Research Question What are the chronological steps that a company must apply in order to introduce new software to the organisation? 1.4 Objectives To examine the techniques that American Express Bahrain use when introducing change to employees. To establish a questionnaire to understand the steps those were taken. To draw conclusions on ways and theories that help organisations sequential their introduction of change to their employees. 1.5 Background to the study The term Change Management deals with the substitution of one thing or set of conditions for another , thus making something different from its previous condition, be it an alteration in state, or quality, variety, variation, mutation(Sofroniou,2009). Change Management is something that all managers should know how to cope with especially with our rapidly changing world and the contribution of technology to the modernisation of business functions and practises. Consequently, organisations must adapt to the environment around them in order to stay competitive by leveraging technology and new systems (Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill, 2009). Organisations must be able to adapt to the changing environment if they are to survive. Threats to organisational existence include but are not limited to changes in technology, the tastes of consumers, the regulation s of the Government, the increase in the cost of various resources, and values and capabilities of the prospective employees, downsizing, mergers and acquisitions(Palmer et al, 2006). However, all these reasons came from one major source –Globalisation. According to Webster’s dictionary the term globalisation is the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets (merriam-webster, 2012). Thus, the world’s economy is treated as one big market which makes it difficult for organizations to be unique and different from competitors. Moreover, globalization has majorly affected organizational change. This is evident because of all the planned and unplanned changes that occur in small and multinational companies. In the recent time the most important thing faced by most of the global organization is the constant changes in the all aspects of business. Due to the technological revolution most of the organizations are practicing the new technologies related to the human resource management system(HRMS). The development in the information technology has given a new paradigm shift to the HRMS. Most of the global organizations are accepting the virtue of the HRMS (Grobler & Warnich. 2005. P, 39) The new trend in the global organization is to apply computer based technologies to create a strong HRMS. Most of the organizations like American Express are using the HRMS to revamp the HRMS

Plato - Soul Essay Example for Free

Plato Soul Essay 1. ) True; Simmias uses the theory of recollection in his argument against Socrates about the soul and it having immortality, or not. He uses an analogy of an instrument to represent the body, and the instrument’s attunement to represent the soul. He makes a stand that if the body of an instrument can be destroyed, which will then cause the attunement to also be destroyed, then isn’t that saying the same for the relationship of the body and its soul? (72e-80c). 2. ) True; in order for the attunement or harmony within an instrument can work perfectly and in tune, the instrument must be put together correctly and in perfect harmonious measure. 3. ) False; Socrates states that there is no greater evil one can suffer than to hate reasonable discourse, not hate mankind. However, those that do hate reasonable discourse, are objectionable and nonproductive, but by no mean the greatest evil. The greatest evil are those who hurt, torture, and destroy others for their own selfish reasons or for no reason at all, just because they can. Reasonable discourse is the refined and ideal way to resolve differences and problems. (89d-e) ( but first there is a certain experience we must be careful to avoid That we must not become misologues, as people become misanthropes. There is no greater evil one can suffer than to hate reasonable discourse. Misology and misanthropy arise in the same way. ) 4. ) False; how can something rule over another thing, if that thing is the making up of the thing that’s trying to rule it? For example, I cannot rule over my mother, when my mother is who made me; another example, a soul cannot rule over a body, if the body is what makes up the soul. 5. ) False; without such things as the good and the beautiful being non-existent, then how can the soul have existed, before we were born, without them? How would we know whether or not if they did, unless the theory of recollection of course, was in play? 6. ) True; without the senses being intact, how can one hear or see accurately to know anything? To learn anything? Without just those two senses being intact, the other senses will also be inaccurate, as well. (65b) 7. ) True; he argues that when discussing opposites, that one thing comes from the opposite of another and nowhere else. (70e-72b) 8. ) False; you can’t know what you know with just your knowledge, because how can you have knowledge, if you do not know anything? You need experience, along with trial and error, to be able to learn what you are and aren’t supposed to do. How is it that the first people came to know anything? They weren’t just born with their knowledge; they had to learn what they know that has formed into their present knowledge. (65a) 9. ) True; Socrates does accept the fact that maybe good and beautiful do not exist. That’s when, in question 5, he came to the conclusion that even without their existence, does that say that mean our soul does or doesn’t still exist before we are born? Do we need such things as good, evil, beautiful, and ugly to have our soul be pre-existent? 10. ) False; Socrates has Simmias agreement that philosophers distance themselves as much as possible from bodily pleasures such as: food, drink, sex, fancy clothes, etc. Philosophers are only concerned with the comfort of their souls, and want to free the soul as much as possible from relations with the body. Socrates claims that our senses are vague and may deceive us, so the best kind of wisdom comes from basis, when distanced as far as possible from the distractions of the body. (64c-67b).

Historical Site For Heritage Tourism Tourism Essay

Historical Site For Heritage Tourism Tourism Essay The Team Jamaica Handbook, 2006 defines tourist as any person who visits a country or place for more than twenty-four (24) hours but less than a year for a variety of reasons other than employment. One of the most popular attractions for tourist activities on vacation is visiting historical and culture sites. According to the tourism technical report (1998), Since the 90s Heritage Tourism has been the growth segments of the industry, given the countrys rich history and culture. Jamaica has attracted quite a large number of persons, both locally and internationally. It has become apparent that there has been a growing interest in historical and cultural aspects of Jamaicas life among visitors who travel to our country. (Chang 1997) has defined Heritage tourism as the phenomenon in which the cultural, historical and ethnic components of society or places are harnessed as resources to attract tourists, as well as develop a leisure and tourism industry. While, the national trust defines it as a traveling experience, the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes historic, cultural and natural resources. As a result, the whole aspect of heritage tourism can be categorized into several facets called themes as laid out in the 2002 Tourism Master Plan. These includes natural wonders, slavery and emancipation, churches, great houses, maroons, Pre-Columbian Jamaica, forts and fortications and popular customs such as music, dance, dress and language. The case study focuses on the parish of St. Catherine being restored and promoted as a historic site for heritage tourism. Jamaica has been promoted as the island for sun, sea, sand and winter get-away for a number of years. It is where tourists come to frolic and take part in recreational activities. Jamaica consists of fourteen parishes, with St. Catherine been one of its parishes nestled between Clarendon and St. Andrew/Kingston. This Parish was the first area to hold the first capital, Spanish Town, of Jamaica. Hence, this parish holds tremendous sentimental and valuable rich culture that has nourished and molded Jamaica. Heritage Tourism is important as the development of assets is the key to sustainable development as it ensures that the product reflects the culture and aspirations of the Jamaican people. In restoring and promoting heritage tourism, it can become a tedious process so it is essential to promote our cultural remnant and customs that will attract heritage visitors. Through this process, it will be able to do more for local economies by providing jobs, promoting community pride and the structure for new business. Thus, the parish of St. Catherine has been neglected for long while and should be taken into consideration for restoration. Statement of Problem The parish of St. Catherine holds many historical sites which has not been restored and promoted. This research to be carried asserts that Heritage Tourism in St. Catherine has been in decline for a number of years. This has been the case because of the less attention being given to it by tourism managers in the area. Robert Bateman quotes that we need to look back at our wonderful, natural and human heritage, and cherish and protect the abundant values to be found there. We need to look out to the sides and see other parts of the world that need our help and can provide good ideas to go forwardà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.we need too look ahead to be certain that our actions of today will make the world a better and richer and more varied place for our grandchildren and their grandchildren. This goes to show that conserving ones heritage is a growing concern that the Tourism Product Development Company has been placing further emphasis on development of Heritage Tourism and to widen the market f or Eco-Nature and Adventure Tourism. Heritage Tourism seems to be one of the many options to enlarge St. Catherines product base as well as enhancing Jamaicans understanding of their identity and preserving their valuable heritage. 1.2.1 Background to Research Problem The Tourism industry in Jamaica has been in full effect for years being one of the most anticipated places for tourists. In fact, tourism started to blossom in Jamaica after World War I when improved methods of transporting people to the island were established. The visit numbers have risen tremendously over the course from sixty four thousand in 1938 to One Million Six Hundred and Sixteen thousand Four Hundred and Thirty in 1993. This confirms that tourists are drawn to our island for what it has to offer. The major tourist sites are mostly on the north coast where people visit for the pleasant weather, white sandy beaches and resorts. These areas are mostly limited to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril and Port Antonio while the parish of St. Catherine is used as a commercial centre next to Kingston which in turn holds a few numbers of visits for tourism appreciation. St. Catherine therefore needs a boost to sustain the heritage facets of tourism services. Due to the lack of many amenities to partake in, the deep roots of our heritage in St. Catherine may provide means of satisfying the Jamaican economy and the people who visit. All parts of this parish holds substantial cultural significance since it was the first home of Jamaicas capital, Spanish Town in 1534 and the home of the British Governor of the Island in that year. Most of St. Catherines heritage is held in the small town of Spanish Town holding the Parish Council, Supreme Court and House of Assembly. In 2011 an article was published criticizing Edmund Bartlett for not developing Spanish Town into a tourist destination. Then Mayor of Spanish Town and chairman of the St. Catherine Parish Council argued that the old capital should be restored and developed as a tourist mecca because Mr. Bartlett did not respond to his letter, thus emphasizing that he was not concerned with appreciating the true value of heritage tourism which contributes to eighty percent (80%) of tourism worldwide. In St. Catherine, there are various heritage facilities that will cater to the needs of tourist wanting to experience more of the heritage and a culture exchange. Some of these sites includes: bridges such as Flat Bridge, Old Iron Cast bridge, public buildings-Kings House, Military Structures-Barracks, Museums-Peoples Museum of Craft and Technology, monuments-Rodney Memorial, Churches-Phillipo Baptist, and forts-Fort Augusta and Fort Small. This comes to show that there are over twenty (20) buildings and area of interest that could be categorized as heritage sites. If St. Catherine is marketed properly it may attract hundreds of tourist to the parish. 1.3 Limitations to study ` The research is limited to the parish of St. Catherine, to residents and persons who have visited the area. The Jamaica Tourist Board along with the Tourism Product Development Company will also be used as they are responsible for developing, restoring and promoting cultural heritage in Jamaica. 1.4 Purpose of Study The aim of this research is to see how St. Catherine can be restored and promoted as a historical site for Heritage Tourism. The parish of St. Catherine which is located on the southern coast of Jamaica was chosen because it plays an integral role in our history. St. Catherine holds the first capital of our island, Spanish Town. The research is a source of information that lays out the current areas and applications to be carried out to make St. Catherine a travelled tourism destination for Heritage Tourism. They will be able to integrate and recognize different historical issues in the parish and determine various ways of making St. Catherine a diversified area for the tourism industry. Weiler and Hall has opined that culture, heritage and the arts have long been one of the appeal factors of tourists destinations and culture has been rediscovered as an important tool to attract the travelers with special interests in heritage. This statement justify that, persons will be impacted su ch as residents of St. Catherine, tourists and other visitors. Not only negatively through restoration but positively through fostering job opportunities, attracting visitors interested in history and preservation and diversifying the local economy. 1.5 Significance of Study The proposed research will determine ways on restoring and promoting St. Catherine as a destination for Heritage Tourism. The researcher hopes that the result of this study, the government will develop strategic measures to instill this area so it is preserved and protected. Since the parish has been neglected as far as the year 2009, the tourism body consisting of Ministry of Tourism, Jamaica National Heritage Trust, Jamaica Tourist Board and Tourism Product Development Company should put in place comprehensive and well conceived polices in order to encourage the restoration of the historical assets that each company constitutes. St. Catherine has the prospective to become a Heritage Tourism destination because of its distinct historical and cultural heritage and can provide visitors with unique experiences. Thus the significances should not be ignored but addressed to maintain the value of tourism in Jamaica. 1.6 Definition of Terms Tourist: Is any person who visits a country or place for more than twenty-four (24) hours but less than a year for a variety of reasons other than employment such as recreation, leisure, holiday, business, family and friends, or meeting. (Team Jamaica Handbook, 2006) Restoration: According to the Tourism Glossary (gdrc.org), restoration is returning existing habitats to a known past state, or to an approximation of the natural condition through repairing, degradation and removing introduced species. Promotion: All the activities in producing and increasing sales, including advertising, publicity and personal selling or the activities that supplements and makes more effective advertising and personal selling. Special events individually treated to bring public attention to specific products (Bhatia). As applied to the tourism industry, the most important function of marketing is to bring about an awareness of the product in the minds of existing as well as prospective consumers in the overall market area (Khan, 2005). Heritage Tourism: This is the phenomenon in which the cultural, historical and ethnic components of society or places are harnessed as resources to attract tourists, as well as develop a leisure and tourism industry. (Chang, 1997) 1.7 Research Questions/Hypotheses This research was premeditated and carried out to study three main research questions that will help St. Catherine become flourishing through restoration and promotion. They are: What is the present status of Heritage Tourism in St. Catherine? How can Heritage Tourism be restored in St. Catherine? How can Heritage Tourism be promoted in St. Catherine? 1.7.1 Hypotheses: St. Catherine, Jamaica can be restored and promoted as a historical site for Heritage Tourism. 1.8 Chapter Summary This chapter recaps the problems being faced of not using St. Catherine as a heritage site for Jamaica as well as the importance of the researchers topic and how it will affect persons such as the residents and tourists in St. Catherine. It gives a general overview of heritage tourism in Jamaica and St. Catherine along with various citations from persons who have said something about the issue of Heritage tourism and an understanding of different terms used throughout the introduction. 1.9 Thesis Overview The research is divided into five sections called chapters which are prearranged in the following way. The first section is an overall overview of the topic chosen including the introduction, statement of problem, background to research problem, limitations to study, purpose of study, Significance of Study, Research Questions/Hypotheses, and Definition of Terms. The second part holds an extensive description of St. Catherine as a heritage site. It also gives a brief story of the area of study and the major historical sites it holds, and the different practices taken to involve restoring and promoting heritage tourism as it relates to the research topics, questions and problems. The third section of the research examines the type of instrument used for the methodology to obtain information. Section four presents the findings, analysis and confers the results gathered from all findings. Lastly, section five draws the conclusion and presents recommendations and probable approaches to the topic.