ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction There are a number of definitions that exist to describe what the word tourism refers to. In simple terms, tourism can be described as the act of leaving one’s usual place of residence to visit a non-resident location. People will engage in tourism for a variety of reasons and these are in most cases unique to every individual traveler. Motivations for touring places include; education, seeking health services, to undertake work related tasks or for the purpose of relaxation. In their work, Swarbrooke & Horner (2007) define tourism as that short term movement of people to places some distances away from their usual residences with the inte3ntion of indulging in pleasurable activities. At times, one may travel to attend to official business matters. Closely connected to tourism is the hospitality industry which involves taking care of people by providing them with relevant services to ensure their comfort. The world over, tourism is now considered a major source of income and for many countries, incomes received from the tourism and hospitality industries form a major part of the domestic spending. With this realization, countries are now doing their best to promote the growth of the tourism industry. Though the developed nations are greatly profiting from tourism activities, there is still so much to be done in the developing nations to get there. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovations have considerably revolutionized the way people interact and perhaps, one of the greatest effects of technological advancements has been the change in the way business operations are handled in different sectors of the economy; tourism being one of them. In the recent past, the Internet has experienced substantial growth and the fact that is available globally has contributed to the increase in the number of service providers who have now turned to the use of the Internet as a key marketing tool for their products and services (Vich-I-Martorell, 2002). The many hurdles that originally created a barrier between consumers and providers are now a thing of the past. Suppliers are now presented with alternative ways of marketing and distributing tourist services and products. Though this has come with plenty of benefits for the suppliers it has tremendously affected the operations of others, denying them their means of livelihoods. A majority of consumers and providers are now able to communicate directl
Introduction Total Quality Management, often abbreviated as TQM is the strategy used by organizations in improving internal operations and enhancing the satisfaction of customers. With proper implementation, TQM reduces the costs that are associated with corrective maintenance, creates satisfactory general performance and a high number of satisfied customers. However, the concept of TQM is not implemented within a short period of time. Although there are many software solutions capable of assisting companies in the implementation of TQM systems, the companies must pay attention to philosophies that should be integrated in key departments and all managerial levels. Any other resources are usually adopted alongside the key principles of TQM (Robbins 8). Principles of TQM The first principle of TQM argues that since it is possible to manage quality in companies, this must be done. Many companies suffer from unending chaos and complaints from customers. They wrongly believe that it is not possible to manage their operations effectively because of their largeness. The starting point in TQM is to be aware of the problems and that solutions can be found. The second principle of TQM is that the problem in most companies is the processes but not the people. If there are problems with the process, hiring new employees or conducting numerous training programs does not solve the problem. The first step should be taking corrective measures on the process then embarking on training sessions for the employees. The third principle of TQM is that what companies should embark on is a cure as opposed to treating the symptoms. Finding short term solutions for an existing problem makes it difficult for the full potential to be reached. For instance, a falling shipping department may be an indication of manufacturing holdups. The best way of solving the problem is to find the root cause and address it. The fourth principle of TQM is that all the employees should take part in enhancing quality. All the workers in a company from the junior ones to the most senior managers should realize that they play an important role towards improving the quality of their services and products. Each employee should leave the customers satisfied and happy (Kurtus 4). Moreover, there should be mechanisms of measuring quality in companies. TQM systems can only function well if the results are quantifiable. This helps in monitoring the implementation process of the program to see if the anticipated effect is being achieved. In addition, it is easy to set future goals and push all the departments to work towards achieving the desired goals. Apart from the results of TQM being quantifiable, improvements in quality should be a continuous process. TQM is not a process that can be done once then stopped. Unlike management steps that end with a solution to the problem, TQM processes are conducted regularly in order to increase the loyalty and satisfaction of customers. Finally, it is important for companies to realize that TQM is an investment that goes for a long period of time. Companies can
Introduction The ship of Theseus is a puzzle that perplexed philosophers throughout centuries. This puzzle involves a ship that stays in a harbor but has parts gradually replaced over the years until all of the original parts are gone. Is it still the same ship that stood there originally? The puzzle is complicated by the later addition of a replica ship being built out of the original parts in the warehouse. Which one is the real ship? Perhaps they are both the original, or neither? In this paper, I will outline the possible solutions and will present my perspective on this thought experiment. Possible Solutions A great number of solutions have been proposed over the years. The simplest solution is based on the notion that ordinary objects survive gradual change. For example, a shoe does not become a different shoe when a person replaces its shoelaces. It just slightly changes. An opposite solution states that the replica ship is, in fact, the original. This solution is based on the assumption that an object goes where its parts go. For instance, when a movie set is disassembled and moved, it is still the same movie set. The third solution considers neither ships to be the original based on the idea that by removing any parts from an object, it ceases to be that object. Moreover, some solutions find that both ships are original by denying the transitivity of identity. Another solution that states that both ships are still the ship of Theseus considers that objects have a temporal aspect that suggests that the original object is only a part of the larger temporal object that makes all instances of the ship, including the one in the harbor and the one in the warehouse to be parts of the ship. My Solution The various solutions proposed have either contradictions with other ideas or require a serious change in perspective on how people perceive objects. I believe that instead of looking to reshape the definitions of objects, it would be more practical to examine how people perceive objects in real life. The original puzzle was created centuries before the theory of atoms was outlined. In those times, objects consisted of easily definable and measurable parts. However, now we know that nothing is truly solid and that everything consists of objects so smal
In spite of the fact that architecture belongs to the kind of arts which has its own rules well, established and agreed upon, in contrast to, say, literature, there are still some points on which debates are being held every now and then. Since beauty is the concept which does not fit the frames once set, and cannot agree with the standards to which people drive it, the arguments concerning its purpose and means of expression are continuous and thought-provoking. Whether they have some similarities and differences between them is the topic of the given essay. Hearn emphasizes that architecture theory is strikingly different form the rest of the theories mainly because of its activeness, contrasting with the rest of the theoretical studies: Properly speaking, the architectural theory is active in outlook whereas the other types of writing are contemplative. Because theories of architecture are concerned with the way architecture ought to be, they are usually couched as apologias for a particular outlook. 1 Another idea which Hearn is speaking about is the notion of cultural appropriateness in creating an architectural masterpiece. He emphasizes the necessity to adhere to certain cultural peculiarities of the century and the style in which the building is going to be created so that the construction seemed most harmonious with the overall atmosphere and could look appropriate in the environment 2which it is going to be put in. Put in another way, the enduring theory is about the quest of satisfying form and cultural appropriateness in buildings. 2 With all respect to the point of view of the master, it is quite desirable to search for the opponent views introduced in the books. Although the art of architecture is the art of stable forms, the opinions about these forms can be quite vivid. Thus, the points on which the two authors disagree are going to be valuable material for this research as well. While Hearn considers a building as the thing created for the purpose of being used, and the person who is using it is the universe around which the architecture itself revolves, Hill thinks that the essence of the building is the idea which stands behind it, and which is the installation of the ideas and the images that make the century; this is where the irony is concealed, according to Hill: “Ironically, an architect’s experience of architecture is more akin to the contemplation of the art object than the occupation of a building.” 3 Another difference in the reflections of Hearne and Hill o
Introduction On 21 December of the year 2009 in the New York Times, there was an article by Natalie Angier titled, “ Sorry, Vegans: Brussels sprouts like to live, too ”. The views presented by Natalie here suggest that animals do endure being eaten by man in order to serve the exchange of the damage to plants from which there comes man’s plant diet. The view by the author here is that it is scientifically correct to say that animals are ready to suffer the atrocities of being eaten by man because they consider this the only way to help ease the suffering of plants, which form the greatest portion of man’s meals. To the author, this position is scientific. This is indeed portrayed in the point that her article appears under the section of the paper that is titled “science”. This line of thinking is basically untrue and thus a fallacy. It is a thinking that is not supported by either logic or science. In logic, if the assertion were true, then the occurrence would be that when animals are being slaughtered, they would not resist because they would be ‘aware’ that they are ‘helping’ the plants. However, the truth is that animals do not ‘agree’ to be killed. Sensing death, they kick and try to run away. This shows that they are not ready to die because they do not have a ‘reason’ for this. The author would have had a chance if her premise was clear. Nevertheless, she greatly fails to satisfy scientific logic. In science, truth is that animals have the capacity to think. Their thinking is however at the rudimentary stage. No science has proved that animal have the capacity to think to this level that the author assigns them. The author is thus wrong to think that her assertion is scientific. Scientific facts generally have some elements that have to be fulfilled. Besides being supported by evidence from other researches, any assertion made in science has to have the capability to be proved when another research is done using the tools set out. In the case of this article’s assertion, there is no way of proving what she says to be true. This is because she does not even present a way in which she arrived at her conclusion. Conclusion Basing on all these, it is true to conclude that her article and the assertion she makes relating to eating behaviors and the place of animals and plants in this, is indeed a wrong thinking. Taking note of all the inadequacies by the author in presenting evidence on a premise she builds on her argument, it is correct to conclude that she falls prey to the fallacy of presenting information on a false premise, thus the fallacy of questionable premise. Works Cited Angier, Natalie. Sorry, Vegans: Brussels sprouts like to live, too. New York Times, 21 Dec. 2009. Web. < https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/science/22angi.html?_r=1 >.
Abstract This paper investigates whether Japanese geisha girls/women have any effect on gender identity issues in the country. The paper acknowledges that geisha was initially an art which could be pursued by people of both genders, but adopts a working definition that recognizes geisha as a career path pursued by members of the female gender. Such women give up the womanly roles of getting married, giving birth and raising children and instead pursue a career in the entertainment arts. Contrary to the married woman, geisha are free of any home-related obligations and should ideally challenge masculine notions of power in the society. The paper notes that geisha women/girls pamper male egos and thus play a role in upholding the status quo where the male gender is perceived as stronger than the female gender. The paper has, however, identified a gap in existing knowledge and recommends further research in order to establish whether indeed all women (geisha women/girls included) feel the need to have members of the male gender in their lives for them to have a sense of completion Introduction The history of geisha in Japan goes back to about 1603 when a maiden working in a Shinto shrine began offering avant-garde performances (Miller & Bardsley, 2005). During the performances, the maiden would put on male attires. The performances attracted much negative attention that 26 years later, all public performances by women were banned. Consequently, men became the predominant entertainers and would act as jesters, dancers and artists. Two hundred and fifty years later, women regained the freedom to perform publicly. During the 250-year ban, however, women would perform illegally in samurai residences (Miller & Bradsley, 2005). Consequently, the lifting of the ban brought more women into the mainstream entertainment scene in Japan. By 1780, Seigle (1993) notes that there were more female entertainers than male entertainers in Japan. This paper will investigate the geisha traditions in Japan and the gender identity issues represented therein. This paper argues that geisha and gender identity issues are closely related because geishas are a reflection of the emancipation that Japanese women desire; yet, geisha women/girls pamper the male ego thus playing a role in maintaining the status quo that perceives the male gender as the stronger gender in Japan. Methodology This paper will use a literature review method, where existing narratives of geishas will be reviewed in order to determine the relevant gender issues therein. A search of literature using specific keywords such as ‘gender identity issues and Japanese geisha’, ‘geisha and gender identity issues’, and ‘geisha and masculinity vs. Femininity in Japan’ will be conducted on the internet. Selecting literature for use will be based on the perceived validity of sources. Peer reviewed articles, books and websites that have authorship information will be prioritized as valid sources of information. Literature review
Conflicts in Foreign Policy and the Means to Address Them When it comes to identifying the essential skills to facilitate an appropriate environment for negotiation between states, critical thinking tops the list. While the rest of the skills, including the ones related to communication, conflict solving, etc., are clearly of great essence, it is the ability to think critically and objectively that helps make international and intercultural communication so efficient. Critical thinking assists in viewing the situation through the lens of an opponent, which is often uneasy, mostly when the latter belongs to an entirely different culture and has an entirely different perspective of the situation discussed. Consequently, the art of critical thinking and the elements that it consists of, especially the art of asking questions and listening to the opponent, is imperative to master for those willing to attain success in international negotiations.[1] Critical thinking can be considered extraordinarily helpful in such situations as the analysis of contradictory statements made by the negotiation participants or evaluating the terms on which the competing state suggests forming a partnership. Foreign Relationships and Economy Speaking of which, international negotiations’ economic implications can be viewed as the primary goal of foreign affairs. After all, it is essential to realize that in the realm of the 21st century, when the globalization process has been set in motion, it is crucial to develop relationships with the neighboring states and the ones that are considered the world leaders. Research and development, or R&D, factor in the concept of economic growth relatively smoothly, Moore explains. Herein the necessity to build the Analytic Community,[2] where the trading relationships are based on the principles of complete clarity, lie. The relationships between the economy and critical analysis can be demonstrated in the cases of signing a trading agreement between two states or the procedure of allowing a particular state into the WTO. Intelligence Analysis at Its Best There are ways, however, to improve the techniques used for the analysis of the foreign relationship so that conflicts could be avoided entirely. According to the recent report, such methods as the famous devil’s advocacy approach allow for reducing the probability of a war in the course of a political dialogue to nil. This does invite a question of whether conflicts should be viewed solely as a negative phenomenon, though, after all, it is essential to bear in mind that disputes can only be seen as useful once considered from an objective and constructive viewpoint; otherwise, they are obviously counterproductive. The specified approach could be used in such situations as the ones lacking diversity and the ones where the choices are influenced heavily by solely one of the authorities.[3] Thinking Outside the Box Mor
Today’s global issues, such as rapidly emerging economies and accelerating globalization, climate, social and technological change, volatility and pressure from shareholders demand new, creative, cutting-edge business decisions to maintain sustainability of enterprises. Expanding network of merging companies, which is triggered by globalization, a major accelerator of worldwide integration of economies, only add to the existing challenges that companies face every day. Excellence and creative approach to the decision making and solving problems may be a major advantage in a highly competitive market of enterprises as a number of companies, that provide similar products, is next to uncountable. Moreover, due to globalization the products could easily flow to international markets, which causes companies to search for the most efficient ways and implement new technologies to retain its competitive ability. On top of that internal rearrangements in the companies to increase the efficiency and expand the sphere of activity may foster counter-productive effect. Thus, merging of two or more companies requires professional and competent standardization of practices, processes and strategies, such as establishing new regulation, combining computer systems, choosing benefits, and work method, in a new merged enterprise, which will allow for best practices in safety, quality, and productivity. The challenge is that each legacy company believes that their existing practices are the most productive as they have been serving the company for many years. The problem is that the best practice must be chosen and implemented among great variety of techniques. The best way to illustrate the challenges that rise up in the newly merged companies is to provide an example. Thus, an international Energy Company National Grid which parent company, situated in London, UK, owns a number of subsidiaries in the USA and all over the world (Macalister 1). Throughout its history, the company absorbed other utility enterprises and eventually merged with Transco, the UK gas distribution company and a KeySpan corporation gas and electricity producer and distributor in the USA (Macalister 1). Consequently, all the problems and challenges listed above could be applied to this international company. But taking into account its international success and recognition, it may be assumed that National Grid’s creative managers’ capabilities for sustained creativity and innovations is cost-effective and increasingly efficient. James Higgins in his book 101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques provides the model of merging, “creative problem solving model” or CPS, that allows legacy companies to mutually benefit, stating that conventional strategies can not cope with the scope of today’s problems (Higgins16). The model embraces eight basic steps: environmental analysis, problem recognition, problem identification, making assumptions, generating alternatives, evaluation and choice, implementation of the solutio
A Framework for TQM to Achieve Business Excellence Total Quality Management (TQM) is a set of quality and management tools employed in order to increase the performance of a business by reducing losses and increasing turnover. It aims at continually improving the quality of delivery of goods, services and all the functions of a business venture. This includes the interaction between all the sections of a firm as well as the individual sections themselves. Generally, the objective of TQM is to achieve an overall efficiency that is higher than the individual productivity from the components, such as design, planning, production, customer service approaches, and staff participation. Customer satisfaction and incessant improvement are the fundamental beliefs of the TQM strategy. TQM cannot function effectively without the necessary changes being taken on the structure and functioning of the organization by its top management. Such changes include adherence to quality in planning, control and improvement, these can be achieved through numerous channels, for example, continuous improvement can be achieved by undertaking work-based training on a regular basis. Quality management is involved with the prevention of problems happening by putting in place attitudes and controls that may make such prevention a success. The core aspect of quality is to get it right the first time, and to meet the needs of the customer every time, by engaging everyone in the firm. TQM is therefore a conception of management that utilizes the resources and opportunities in an organization in the way possible through continuous improvement. Elements of TQM The implementation of a TQM is influenced by a range of indicators, both financial and non-financial. These affect the various aspects of TQM such as a reduction in defect frequencies, increased client satisfaction, increased output, and reduced order cycle time. Fiscal indicators of a TQM include market share, profits, defect percentage, performance and stock turnover etc, while the non-fiscal indicators are customer satisfaction, innovation, skill improvement, reliability, and talent development, among others. These parameters are vital to adjust the infrastructure, (firm and systems), reward and a