ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Abstract Ensuring the population’s safety during natural disasters is an important aspect of the targeted work of authorities and boards responsible for resource allocation and the adoption of emergency measures. As an object of research, flash flooding in Birmingham, Alabama, is seen as a frequent occurrence in the city. The purpose of the work is to identify the key stages of threat addressing, including mitigation steps, preparedness and communication mechanisms, and response and recovery measures to address the outcomes of such disasters. Numerous watersheds near Birmingham and frequent precipitation in spring and summer are the factors that increase the risk of flash floods, and statistics over the past few decades confirm this. Various factors need to be taken into account, including economic and social aspects since, due to different perceptions of threat and distinctive incomes, individual families may find it difficult to obtain appropriate assistance. Effective communication based on the involvement of responsible parties is one of the main criteria for addressing floods in Birmingham successfully. History of Hazard Flash flooding is a natural threat that is common in Birmingham, Alabama, for several reasons. According to Hossain and Meng (2020), the city is located in a climatic zone that is characterized by extreme rainfall in the spring and summer. In addition, the authors note that Birmingham is a city with a highly developed infrastructure and a high population density, which, in turn, “contributes to flooding by reducing the water infiltration rate and removing vegetation that increases surface runoff from rainfall” (Hossain & Meng, 2020, p. 9139). Numerous watersheds located close to the city have caused flooding many times. Hossain and Meng (2020) argue that, since 1977, flash floods have occurred in Birmingham over thirty times. The last time it happened was in early May 2021. According to the National Weather Service, in the Birmingham area, due to heavy rainfall and flooding of drainage zones, the total rainfall exceeded seven inches, and some residents had to be evacuated (“Severe storms,” 2021). Thus, the hazard has not only a natural explanation but also an interpretation based on increased urbanization as a risk factor of frequent flash floods in the considered area. The Village Creek territory should be viewed as a particular threat by the city’s officials and emergency services. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency presenting “100-year floodplain data,” more than half of the floods, about 53%, occur in the area of the creek (Hossain & Meng, 2020, p. 9139). In addition, the high density of watersheds on the territory exacerbates the situation and increases the risks since, in case of prolonged precipitation, flood threats are critical. Moreover, h
The initial global expansion strategy for Wal-Mart was to enter into the Western hemisphere states, Asia and Europe. However, Wal-Mart had insufficient managerial, organizational and financial resources that were considered necessary to simultaneously pursue these multiple states expansion. Wal-Mart thus initially opted to rationally sequence its market entry strategy to enable it to use the lessons it acquired from the early global market entries. Wal-Mart strategized to go global by focusing on Canada, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico markets. Its first early global expansion strategy was to concentrate on countries found within Latin America that had the largest populations. Next, Wal-Mart strategized to expand its market operations to Europe. While in Europe its first destination was Germany where it significantly failed to operate. Its second retail destination was the UK market where it recorded the desired triumph. The third early strategic expansion was to enter the Japanese markets. After recording considerable slow growths in the developed countries and Germany Wal-Mart took back its operations to Latin America and South American States. Why Canada and Mexico were the first entry options instead of Asia and Europe The reasons for this kind of Wal-Mart global expansion strategy can be well illustrated using the Porter’s five forces model. The intensity of competitive rivalry The European market initially became less attractive for this corporation because its retail industry was very mature. This meant that Wal-Mart as a fresh European marketplace competitor had to compete for market-shares with the well-known market participants. This was indeed a difficult undertaking for Wal-Mart. Besides, the Asian and European markets had deep-rooted market rivals like Metro A.G. and Carrefour that were prepared to strongly retaliate against Wal-Mart market entrance. There were also possibilities that well-entrenched market operators in the Asian and European markets could have initiated prices wars to reduce Wal-Mart profitability margin and increase its operational costs (Orgel 10). Substitutability threat As a global corporation Wal-Mart goods and services were prone to being replaced with new marketplace rivals goods. This was because Wal-Mart was a newcomer in the European and Asian markets with deficiencies in strong client associations and comparatively small in size to lure brand loyal customers. It could have been very difficult for Wal-Mart to charge low prices for the products, fulfill each client’s needs and overcome the loyalty schemes that other corporations offered (Basker 178). Threat to entry Canada and Mexico were the closest business environments next to the United States. Hence, they were the easiest market entry dest
Social Insurance: Social insurance is the type of compensation that is offered and controlled by a government for the people who are aged, handicapped, or unemployed. People who are given facilities as per this insurance, should meet certain requirements. Financial reimbursement for healthcare is taken as an example of social insurance. Social insurance programs, which include healthcare, consist of the network of doctors and hospitals. These service providers concur in seeing people who are covered under this insurance. These service providers are paid by the government for providing their services (Social Insurance, 2014). Social insurance can be defined in the following manner: “Social insurance, public insurance program that provides protection against various economic risks ( e.g., loss of income due to sickness, old age, or unemployment) and in which participation is compulsory. Social insurance is considered to be a type of social security” (Social Insurance, 2014, Para 1). In Gulf countries, it is comparatively easy to manage these welfare programs for their people since the population is not very high in such countries, but they have high gross domestic products. Consequently, people are not compelled there to do any kind of payment for such schemes, and at the same time, the government also does not encourage the high costs of managing such schemes. The nationals of such countries are automatically offered pensions, medical care, sickness and maternity coverage, childcare, and unemployment benefits by their government. In some cases, their government provides them disability and housing benefits (Social Security, 2014). Social insurance programs are related to GOSI. As GOSI provides people of gulf countries a decent standard of living and takes care of their safety, social insurance also aims to do so by providing various facilities to people. Actually, GOSI puts into practice social insurance rules by collecting contributions from employers, and it pays the benefits to the people who are insured, including their family members. GOSI was started in 1969. “The Social Insurance Law was issued under the Royal Decree No. M/22 dated 15/11/1969. The Annuities Branch was implemented on 01/01/1393H and the Occupational Hazards Branch on 01/07/1402H
Zheng He was considered as one of China’s renowned explorers during the Ming dynasty, although much debate remains about his exploratory abilities. During this era, China played a pivotal role in the global trade as it was the sole supplier of silk goods to the world. China in turn, imported spices, incense, and cotton goods. In this article, the author seeks to find the objective of Zheng He’s voyages, and in doing so, he takes an opposing stand to the hypothesis that Zheng He was an accomplished explorer. The author bases his argument on the fact that Zheng He’s fleet was heavily armed, and was more suited to providing a security function rather than an exploratory one. A second basis is made on the fact that Zheng He did not discover any new lands but went to already established lands. The author of the article goes on to outline facts to support his hypothesis. First the author analyzes Zheng He’s journeys. Zheng He’s initial three journeys were identical, and he used trade routes that were known to Arabs, Indians and Indonesians for thousands of years. With regards to Chinese traders, the routes were familiar to them for several hundreds of years. The trade route covered modern day Vietnam, Java, Indian coast and back to China relying entirely on the monsoon patterns. The fourth voyage took a different turn in that Zheng He went further on to Hormuz from India as opposed to going back to China, as was the case in the first three voyages. This could hardly be described as an exploratory expedition, as it was an established trade center where caravan routes from Middle East and Central Asia met the sea trade route of Indian Ocean. It is in the fifth voyage that some exploration is seen, whereby Zheng He went to Arabia and further on to the east coast of Africa. Zheng He landed along the coast of modern day Somalia and Kenya. Zheng He’s sixth journey, hurriedly arranged as the emperor put a temporary ban on treasure voyages, took him to distant places. His last journey, done for old time’s sake, was made at a time when the political climate was changing, and the new emperor frowned upon trading with foreigners. In as much as Zheng He reached Africa in his last three voyages, this is not a reason to call him a formidable explorer. This voyage followed the same route as the fourth voyage that reached Hormuz. Smaller boats from the Armada made their way to the East coast of Africa as well as the Arabian coastline. The author’s argument is that seven men reaching Arabia can hardly be called exploratory as Zheng He was a Muslim and his father and grandfather had probably travelled to Mecca, as they had the title of pilgrim. The author then goes on to trash Joseph Needham’s, an authority on China, view regarding Zheng He. Needham’s view is that The Ming Dynasty was the greatest influence on Chinese maritime exploration. This, he single handedly, attributes to Zheng He. The author also gives credit to Mills by agreeing with him that Zheng He did not disco
In his analysis, Jessica Matthews observes that the steady concentration of power in the hands of states, which began with the signing of the treaty of Westphalia, is no more (Bova 252). In her view, there are many actors in the international system, including state and non-state actors. On the other hand, Krasner notes that the state is still the only powerful actor in the international system because it enjoys sovereignty (Bova 237). Idealists and realists have strong arguments as regards to the power of the state in the international system. To realists such as Krasner, the state is the only unit of analysis while idealists observe that there are many actors in the international system. Matthews’ analysis suggests that the international system is a community of both states and human beings. In this regard, foreign policy formulation should recognize all actors. Therefore, the role of non-governmental institutions in foreign policy formulation should be respected. On their part, realists note that the international system dictates what should be done. In other words, individuals have no power to influence foreign policy formulation process because the process is dictated by changes in the international system. The international system is anarchical according to realists implying that there is no centralized authority. The reality of the matter is that the role of the state in the international system is diminishing due to the emergence of other actors such as international organizations, supranational organizations, and Multinational Corporations. In this regard, states must consider the views of other institutions before coming up with foreign decisions. In the current international system, the influence of Multinational Companies cannot be neglected. Some Multinational Corporations have adequate resources that they use to influence states to make certain policies that favor them. In the devel
Introduction Urban form refers to the given pattern that is exhibited by humans concerning their activities for a particular historical point. As such, urban form takes into consideration the physical elements that are present in a given town or city. Such an account for the aesthetic qualities involving the creation of a city’s infrastructure, function as well as general arrangement (Morris, 1994). Such factors tend to superimpose the transport system as well as the land use for a particular city. In the geography of any city, urban morphology was very important in influencing the urban forms during the early period. As such, it is evident that urban forms are based on geography since the landscape of any city could be described, characterized, as well as distinguished on this basis. For this reason, to analyze the urban forms of any city, it is important to consider the city’s urban morphology in the aspect of pictorial representation. As such, Rodgers (2001) points out that landscape integration and town plans are key determinants of the analysis of the urban form. According to Rodgers (2001), landscape integration plays a significant role in the general outlook of any town. In the same context, Bacon (1967) asserts that town plans are key factors in providing information on any type of urban morphology historical study. This paper thus looks at the urban form determinants with a primary focus on Rome. Rome is the capital city of Italy and thus it is very significant in aspects of politics and economy. The history of modern Rome can be traced back through thousands of years as well as over several changes in culture and form. In addition, the historical outlook of Rome features a number of both religious and political leaders who played a significant part in the formation of the modern Rome. As such, the urban form of modern Rome comprises noticeable aspects of many years’ change that tend to be hard in understanding. Nevertheless, a number of the current conditions of Rome owe their development to one Pope Sixtus V. These developments were possible through human interventions at a time when Pope Sixtus V was in leadership. This city underwent significant shrinking during the Middle Ages, something that seemed to alter the city’s classical stature. As such, the shrinking led to the concentration of urban core within a considerably limited area. During this time, there was a decrease in the city’s population to about 17000 people. This decrease had the implication that the city’s enclosure wall would cover a considerably large area as well as comprise of the classical remains evident from ancient Rome’s ruins. There were some churches that were encircled as well. A review of Rome before the middle ages shows that it was disorganized in terms of structures as well as the destinations that were relied on to connect between
Introduction Communication is a very essential tool to all human beings at all life levels. This is because it makes things happen through bringing about understanding among different individuals. Communication becomes even more important where a large group of people, for instance, in an organization are involved. Organizational communication is a crucial element that should always be maintained at the best standard under all circumstances since its failure is likely to cause problems to the whole organization. Organizational communication holds all other organizational units together. It is also essential in facilitating change in management. This paper gives an in depth discussion of the role of organizational communication in change management for Wachovia/Wells Fargo Merger with much emphasis being given to the organizational aspects that are influenced by communication (Miller, 2008). Role of organizational communication in change management for Wachovia/Wells Fargo Merger Management is a very complex issue in organizations as it entails holding together the different arms of the organization. It includes aspects like planning, staffing, organizing, directing, and coordinating. The Wells Fargo and Wachovia Merger came into being after Wachovia was absorbed by Wells Fargo. Merging of two companies is not an easy task and it therefore needs a lot of coordination in order to avoid any form of conflict of interests that could arise due to differences in terms of values or other aspects like organizational culture. Organizational communication was therefore a very handy element during and even after the merging process and its role in the Merger is evident. As stated earlier organizational communication plays a great role in organizations, Wachovia/Wells Fargo Merger being one of them. In order to have a better understanding of the role of organizational communication, organizational or rather management issues that are linked with communication for instance hierarchy and its components, decision making process and leadership and its constituent will be discussed. Organizational communication influences the organizational structure/ hierarchy including how power and responsibilities are shared among different individuals in the organization including the administrators, the management body, and the rest of stakeholders. Organizational communication is also a key element and it plays a crucial role in influencing decision making as it enhances understanding and hence coordination of ideas. It also affects leadership style and how practices and activities are carried out. Leadership entails directing other elements to get things done and it could be carried out in different styles for instance social, task or balanced leadership approach. Task oriented leadership entails leading people based on assigning tasks appropriately while social style of leadership involves use of social aspects like motivation to make things happen. Balanced leadership style on the other hand entails using a variety of aspects from different styles in an effort to balance leadership and hence achieve success. Balanced leadership style w
The problem Agility DGS is currently facing an enormous challenge; the court has suspended its contract with DLA. Consequently, the firm has reported minimal revenue and even had to layoff seventy percent of its employees. The incident ruined the trust that the company worked so hard to build with DLA. Furthermore, the organization is already struggling with a demoralized workforce. Workers no longer feel loyal to the company because they watched most of their colleagues loose their jobs. Clearly, the firm needs to consider re-entering the defense and governing services in a different way if it has any hope for survival. One can argue that the main difficulty for this organization is with the suppliers. Since the organization often outsources its services to third-party suppliers, then it transfers control over the quality of service delivery to these partners. The organization has a strong influence over its suppliers. Since it is a strategic partner with the government and has a strong market position, it can command better terms from these suppliers. Nonetheless, the independence of the suppliers restricts DGS’ influence. During the suspension of the contract, DGS had to bear the brunt of the deferral on its own, as the supplier’s government protected it. DGS needs to reconsider some of the factors that affect its business before conducting business with suppliers. Structural strategy for the firm Currently the organization may either employ the structuralist strategy or the reconstructionist approach. A thorough analysis of the company’s environmental forces reveals that a reconstructionist strategy would be the best choice. Although the company has a wide pool of resources and expertise, it would still like to keep its vision and mission; the only way this is possible will be through reconstruction. The latter strategy works well during times when profit margins are low, and cut-throat competition exists. In the current situation, DGS’s market conditions are not favorable. It abandoned the high profit, low volume services such as freight and instead focused on defense and governance. The organization now finds that it is dealing with a problem that it has never faced before. It needs to innovate and use new strategies to deal with the problem. As such, the company needs to instate reconstructionist approaches based on the following propositions. Value proposition The main value proposition for this organization is redefining the relationship it has with its suppliers. The contract with DLA is the most valuable business arrangement to DGS. As such, the company cannot jeopardize this agreement by using contractors who are incompetent or unethical. The company will be offering its buyer, DLA, additional utility in services by changing suppliers. It will give them a superior logistical