ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Literature review The current stage of the evolution of the business environment resulted in the significant reconsideration of the approach towards the management and the main tools used to align the functioning of a company or organization. The growth of the level of rivalry has given rise to a great number of concerns discussed by the researchers. However, the most significant issue is connected with the level of the performance of a company and its profitability. These two aspects determine the success of any project and create the basis for its further evolution. In this regard, the concepts of the new tools aimed at the improvement of the performance of the company become an integral part of the modern business environment. The ardent debates around the perspectives of various tools and the principles which should be used as the basis resulted in the recognition of the importance of the precise and detailed analysis of the functioning of a company to determine its strength and weakness. The results could help to achieve the improvement of the performance and showings of the company. These ideas provided the basis for the evolution of the Total Quality Measurement (TQM) and its main tools. TQM is related to the performance of a company and the functioning of its departments. Being the important remedy needed for the development of any organization, TQM has also given rise to some other concepts. For example, the balanced scorecard is a strategic planning system which should be considered in terms of the TQM. The appearance of the given system is taken as the logic evolution of the complex of analysis tools which evaluated the essential aspects of the functioning of the company and provided the structured information needed for the further development. Balanced Scorecard has been introduced recently; however, the companies recognize its great use and implement its main concepts into their functioning (Mackay 9). Such a great rise evidences the high efficiency of the given tool and introduces the perspectives for its further growth in terms of the existing business environment. The prevalence of TQM and Balanced Scorecard also initiated the ardent discussion in the academic circles focused on the determination of the main principles of the given practice and its possible implementation areas. The review of the literature related to the tool will help to determine its key aspects and understand the nature of debates. Kaplan states that Balanced Scorecard is the system which is based on the concept of the fundamentality of measurement for the functioning of any organization (4). The given nature of the concept has a great impact on the way it functions and principles which serve as the basis for the system. The principle of measurability is considered to be the funda
Executive Summary The competitiveness of a business in the changing business environment is dependent on the quality of decisions that its managers make. When making business decisions, there is need to use past and the present to make futurist decisions. This calls for a pool of information to be available for interpolation and analysis. Use of information technology can keep such important information; Business intelligence tools are the tools that a business can use to keep such information to be used in decision making. It is thus important for the company to adopt business intelligence tools. Introduction Chrysler Group LLC is an automobile company that was incorporated in 1925. It has its headquarters in Detroit, Michigan in United States of America. It is ranked the thirteenth successful motor company in the world. Seven years in the last ten, the company’s sales have been decreasing (see appendix 1). The trend of sales is a reflection of how competitive the motor industry has become (Chrysler official website, 2010). The competitiveness of a business is vested on the quality of its management decisions. A number of systems that aim at meeting a certain objective in the business arena have been developed. They are either home-made or all user systems (commercial systems). Business intelligence is the name used to refer to the total collection of such system; it was first coined in September 1996, in Gartner Group report. To make informed decision there is need to have reliable information (Olszak & Ziemba, 2004). This report focuses on how info
Drive is an essential element of business communication because it guides how different stakeholders in a firm communicate. As a result, it has an influence on the organisational culture observed in a firm at any given time. Business firms need to instil good values in their employees to make them more competitive in what they do. They need to encourage their employees to have good relationships with each other to make them more competitive in their duties. As a result, a firm that has strong internal values and systems makes its employees more focused and creative. This paper will discuss the impact of personal as well as collective drive in helping firms register positive results in their operations. Business communication influences the way employees perform their functions in a particular firm. Managers and supervisors who use effective communication channels encourage their subordinates to improve their performance in different work stations. As a result, workers are able to review how they perform different responsibilities to ensure they achieve high standards which have been set in the firm. Personal drive is an essential part of employee commitment because it encourages an individual to take specific actions to improve the quality of results he achieves. For instance, managers need to organise meetings with their employees to discuss different issues that have an impact on how they achieve overall objectives set by their firms. This makes them strengthen relationships they have with different employees which makes them more united (De Janasz, Dowd & Schneider, 2012, p. 61). Effective communication policies make employees in a firm have collective goals that push them to achieve set expectations. Business firms need to communicate effectively to their employees to register good results from their internal and external processes. Baldoni (2009) argues that, “tell people what they need to know and they will reward you with solid performance.” There is a direct link between effective communication and high employee discipline. Business firms show their accountability to their employees by communicating to them more openly. This makes workers more focused in their responsibilities to enable them register good results. Managers need to send inspirational messages to their employees to make them more focused and competitive in their work duties. Managers need to put in place effective communication plans that update employees on various changes being enforced and their impacts. These communication plans encourage employees to align their goals with those of their firms to boost efficiency and productivity. Effective communication between managers and their subordinates encourage them to institute effective policies that enable a firm to register good results in the industry. This allows workers to use their creativity to improve the way they undertake various tasks in their workstations. As a result, a firm is able to adopt competitive work processes that improve employees’ commitment in their respective work s
Introduction Fast food is an American institution. When traveling, tourists are likely to find a chain restaurant almost everywhere, even in the most exotic locations. The quick service and low prices have become synonymous with such companies. This paper will provide an overview of the history of fast food, its spread and impact on the world as well as speculation about its future. Background Fast food is defined by its mass production and quick service. Today, fast food restaurants are present in almost every country on Earth, and their influence has stretched far from the food industry. The earliest examples of fast-food restaurants can be traced back to the early 1900s. Depending on the definition of fast food, the earliest chain was either Automat in 1912 or White Castle in 1921. Their service systems differed from each other. Automat allowed customers to buy pre-cooked meals through coin-operated boxes, while White Castle was a more traditional restaurant. Nevertheless, the White Castle was the first chain to standardize the look and method of food production among its restaurants. It was the first chain that spread across multiple states, and its systems were later adopted by the majority of other companies (Helstosky 250). The popularity of fast-food restaurants at the time could be associated with the increased numbers of people moving to the city centers during the Great Depression. Fast food restaurants often provided a cheaper meal with an exciting gimmick. The popularization of cars also played a part in their success, with drive-in restaurants becoming places for social interaction among teenagers (Helstosky 249). Assembly Line The biggest impact on the popularity of fast-food restaurants was the assembly line method of production. In the 1940s, Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a walk-up stand that offered a very simple menu of hamburgers, fries, and non-al
Defining the Problem The paper is devoted to the analysis of the key elements of the research article “Shoppers’ Satisfaction Levels Are Not the Only Key to Store Loyalty” by Mario Miranda, Laszlo Kónya, and Inka Havrila. Miranda, Kónya, and Havrila intended to explore shopper behavior concerning loyalty and customer satisfaction factors. They narrowed the research problem to finding out the effects that the shopper satisfaction-related factors (in particular, discounts) have on the loyalty concerning the “primary” shop. The problem is relevant to the topic and underresearched; also, the researchers have the resources to study it, which makes it researchable (DePoy and Gitlin 58). Establishing Research Objectives The objectives of the research included:   * Defining the correlation between the store attributes and shopping behavior and customer satisfaction.   * Defining the correlation between the store attributes and shopping behavior and customer loyalty.   * Finding out if the satisfaction factors contribute to the loyalty ones.   * Finding out if satisfaction influences loyalty. Type of Research The study has a fixed design and uses qualitative methods of data analysis. It also contains an experimental element: the proposition of a hypothetical opportunity to have a discount elsewhere. Still, there is no control group, so it cannot be called experiment proper (DePoy and Gitlin 138). Instead, the study can be considered explanatory: it studies and describes the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty factors (DePoy and Gitlin 62). Literature Review: A Summary The question of customer loyalty has always attracted the attention of business researchers. According to Miranda, Kónya, and Havrila, several studies indicate that customer satisfaction has relatively little impact on loyalty. However, prior to the article by Miranda, Kónya, and Havrila, there was no scientific evidence to answer the question of whether the elements that generate customer satisfaction could also maintain the loyalty (222). The study was aimed at rectifying the situation. Describing the Model The research was aimed at the confirmation of existing theory (the lack of significant impact of satisfaction on loyalty) and exploring a new area in the field (the correlation between the factors influencing loyalty and satisfaction). Still, the second aim was primary, which makes the study exploratory in nature (DePoy and Gitlin 375). Hypothesis The authors settle for two null hypotheses: one denying the correlation between satisfaction concerning the primary store and store attributes as well as shopping patterns; the second denied the correlation between loyalty for the same store and the same variables. Population The population of interest, for which the results are supposed to be generalizable, are the shoppers; the specifics of grocery stores is also of importance. Sample The final sample included adult Australian 934 shoppers with a “primary” store who happened to exit the grocery stores that the researchers were monitoring for tw
An Inside Look at Abused Children and Teen Pregnancy Child Development Abstract It is accepted by many that abused children are more likely to experience teen pregnancy than non-abused teenagers. Researchers single out several major reasons for that trend. The present paper dwells upon these reasons in detail. Thus, low self-esteem of abused children is regarded as the major factor contributing to the development of the existing trend. Other factors include poverty, alcohol/drug use, sexual abuse, ineffectiveness of programs and incentives aimed at reducing the rate of teen pregnancy. Clearly, these factors are interrelated, so it is important to address all of these issues to solve the problem. Teenage Pregnancy Many people still think that teen pregnancy is simply an educational concern which should be touched upon in terms of sexual education of US children and teenagers. However, many researchers, scholars, educators, and officials agree that teen pregnancy is a social and economic issue which should be addressed. Thus, it is estimated that teen pregnancy, i.e. pregnancy before 18, costs the United States about nine billion dollars each year (Brace, Hall, & Hunt, 2008). Children of teen parents, mothers in the vast majority of cases, are often abused and neglected; they often underperform at school, have a myriad of health problems, and have problems with drugs and alcohol. Notably, teen pregnancy rates have been declining since the 1980’s nationwide. Brace et al. (2008) reports that the rate was about 116 per 1000 in 1990 and it was slightly over 40 per 1000 in 2004. It is necessary to note that such rates differ from state to state. For instance, Alton (2011) points out that a decrease was not that significant in Texas. The researcher provides the following data: teen pregnancy rates decreased 37% nationwide and this rate decreased 25% in Texas (Alton, 2011). The same trends can be traced in some other states (e.g. Georgia). Importantly, the teen pregnancy rate is significantly higher in teenagers who have been abused (Saewyc, Magee, & Pettingell, 2004). Saewyc et al. (2004) claim that different researchers provide quite different data, though all surveys show that there is a clear link between abuse and teen pregnancy. It is important to note that the US government as well as various non-governmental organizations try to work out possible ways to solve the problem, or, at least, are trying to help teen mothers and especially the most vulnerable group, i.e. abused teenagers. Of course, to address the issue it is necessary to k
Introduction The spinal cord is a major component of the central nervous system (CNS) that provides mobility, reflexes and facilitates other human activities and actions. Though this cord is protected by the vertebral column, it is never hundred percent safe from injury. Even an injury to the vertebrae may end up inflicting injury to the cord. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major cause of mobility and mortality worldwide ( Badoe et al., 2000 ). As per the fact sheet released by the Spinal Cord Injury Information Network in January 2008, there are 40 cases each million US populations develop spinal cord injury (excluding cases that die at the scene), with 12000 new cases every year. It is estimated that there are more than ¼ of a million US populations are living with spinal cord injury with an average age of 39.5 years. Males make up 77.8 % of cases; most of them are Caucasians, followed by African-Americans, Hispanic and only 2.4% are of other ethnic groups. About 42 % of cases occur because of motor vehicles accidents. More than 34% showed tetraplegia (paralysis of three limbs), 23% had complete paraplegia (complete paralysis of the lower limbs), and less than 1 % showed total neurological recovery. The average life expectancy of these patients increases (still less than for other populations), however, the quality of life is impaired (decreased motor function and ventilator dependency) ( Spinal cord information Network, 2008 ). The spinal cord extends from the brain base through the foramen magnum to pass through the vertebral canal (guarded by the vertebral column) until the first lumbar vertebra level. Nerve roots leave the spinal cord taking exit through the foramina of the vertebral bodies. The number of nerve roots matches the number of vertebrae. There are eight cervical roots (an extra root between the seventh cervical vertebra and first thoracic), 12 pairs of thoracic roots, five pairs of lumbar roots, and five pairs of sacral roots. The spinal cord is shorter than the spinal canal; therefore, the course of the roots is angled downwards to exit from the spinal canal. After taking the exit, these roots become a part of the peripheral nervous system carrying motor orders from the brain and sensory information from the body. This occurs through nerve fibers bundles (spinal tracts). The lower part of the spinal cord (conus medullaris) regulates other body functions (bladder, bowel, and normal sexual functions). As the bone of the vertebral column protects the spinal cord, injury to the vertebrae or ligaments has to precede injury to the cord. A simple trauma may injure the spinal cord. Even a simple bruise might cause swelling of the cord. An important prognostic feature is to notice whether the injury is complete (loss of voluntary and involuntary reflexes) or partial. This occurs at the injury level and below. Below the first lumbar vertebra level, injury to the vertebral column will not affect the cord; instead, it affects the cauda equina ( Milton S. Hershey center ). Spinal cord injuries can be acute (traumatic) or chronic (nontraumatic). Acute traumatic cord injuries may result from a car or sports accidents, guns
Introduction Wounds present many risks to all individuals, but, for geriatric patients, the development of a skin wound can be life-threatening. Therefore, timely diagnosis is essential for maintaining older patients’ wellbeing. The evaluation of skin wounds includes several steps, such as the analysis of patient history, physical assessment, and diagnostic tests. The selected skin wound type is Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a rare medical condition that is considered an emergency (Holroyd-Leduc & Reddy, 2012). This paper aims to discuss wound care, describe SJS as well as its diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and improvement. Diagnosing Skin Wounds To diagnose skin wounds in geriatric patients, clinicians have to rely on several factors. First of all, the patient’s health history can reveal previous problems and suggest a possible cause of the wound. Second, a physical examination and one’s description of the symptoms create a clinical presentation for the nurse to consider. Finally, diagnostics, such as biopsy and various blood and culture tests, reveal the presence of organisms in the wound (Burr, 2012). To understand the severity of the skin wound, one has to determine whether it is colonized or infected. Colonization describes the existence of bacteria in the wound that exist and multiply without the patient’s response (Resnick, 2016). Thus, a patient with a colonized wound does not exhibit symptoms of infection. In contrast, if the bacteria multiply to the point where they overwhelm one’s immune system, the wound is considered infected – patients show typical signs such as fever, inflammation, pus, cellulitis, and others (Resnick, 2016). The visual appearance of the wound, patient’s complaints, and the results of tests can be utilized to distinguish between the two stages. Selected Type of Skin Wound Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a skin disorder that occurs as a response to medication or, in some cases, infection. It is characterized by a combination of systemic symptoms, including fever, fatigue, cough, and sore throat, and a skin rash that is dark red or purple with painful mucous membranes (Schneider & Cohen, 2017). The fact that initial symptoms are non-specific complicates the diagnostic process and leads to delayed treatment (Schneider & Cohen, 2017). In order to distinguish SJS from a variety of other conditions, one has to consider the patient’s medical history and the presence of both systemic and visible signs. SJS is a severe condition that exposes patients to the risk of infection (sepsis). Moreover, as SJS affects mucous membranes of one’s mouth, eyes, and genitals, some irreversible changes in vision and skin damage are possible. Treatment The treatment of SJS has to start immediately to prevent complications and combat the influence of the inflammation on the body. The first step is to stop all nonessential medications that the patient has been taking. The period during which drugs can cause a reaction can last from 4 to 28 days, with some medications taking more than a month (Dodiuk-Gad, Chung, Valeyrie-Allanore, & Shear, 2015). Then, the patient should be transferred to appropriate conditions – an inte
Any company should choose the strategy of development. The strategies can be long-run, profitable for all the stakeholders, or short-run, aimed at maximizing the shareholder’s profit. A long-run strategy implies that the owners of the company make the company more attractive for its customers and other stakeholders. A short-run strategy, on the opposite, implies that the shareholders strive to gain the maximum profits by any means. The statement recently issued by the Business Roundtable shows that the companies accepted the efficiency of the long-time strategy. There are different reasons for which delivering value to all stakeholders is more efficient and profitable for the company. First of all, this is a win-win strategy, where all the sides gain some profit. The customers feel that they are cared for and that the company is not perceiving them as just the source of money, but is interested in the collaboration. The company, in its turn, creates a better image and has more regular customers. Besides, such companies support their communities, which also benefits the company’s reputation and makes people trust the brand. The company becomes an important part of the community. Moreover, such strategy also is profitable for the suppliers, as the companies deal ethically with them. Honest and transparent relations with all the stakeholders, meeting a common mission, and active improvement of the communities is the key to success. On the contrary, the short-term strategy can be effective, but it is less likely to make the stakeholders trust the company. The company is not perceived as a useful part of a community which cares about some greater goals than maximizing profit. Thus, the strategy described in the Business Roundtable statement is a win-win one, which is profitable for all the stakeholders.