ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The company’s location is influenced and determined by customers’ needs and preferences. The paper will describe and analyze the plant logistic system and its relations with customer wants and problems. Designing physical distribution systems to meet market needs is a dynamic problem, for continuous changes in markets, products, and processes bring about new physical distribution techniques and patterns. For a pant, competition, and pressures to reduce costs are also stimuli. Demand characteristics are directly related to physical distribution systems. Where demand is widely variable, then distribution facilities are usually concentrated in fewer locales. Where demand is continuous and rather consistent, as is the case for some food products, distribution facilities can be decentralized (Crammer and Wegfahrt 2006). A highly variable demand makes it difficult to design effective physical distribution systems and control costs, while a stable demand permits it. In between these extremes, where demand patterns can be discerned through analysis, as with seasonal products, reasonable distributions systems may be approximated. Product characteristics help to determine the optimal design and type of physical distribution system. The ability of products such as luxury items to absorb costs is particularly important. High-value items, if heavily stocked, mean a heavy inventory investment and hence increased costs. Their storage is often minimized. For them, transportation is a modest amount of the total price (Christopher, 2005). Physical distribution systems are geared to the optimization of the system as a whole rather than any part of it. Customers determine the logistics and management strategies of a plant demanding cheap and high-quality products. The channel functions, concentration, and dispersion are related to the homogeneity and heterogeneity of supply, and the appropriate sorting process must be provided. Successive channel stages attempt to overcome any discrepancy between product assortment and market requirements. Customer requirements of one or two units are at variance with supplier requirements of mass production. To plan, direct, and coordinate physical distribution activities, it is desirable to group them all within a single department. This is usually achieved in retailing and wholesaling under the operations department. Manufacturing generally lacks such coordination (Cr
Introduction Contemporary poetry is often concerned with defining characteristics of the society and culture in which it is created. The postmodern age is full of contradictions in that people are brought intimately close together through the media of the internet and high speed transportation even as they are pushed further apart by the confusing and conflicting demands on their time and attention. Philip Larkin’s four stanza poem “Here” focuses on the theme of loneliness and isolation in the postmodern world. He does this by creating a sense of these emotions in his readers through skillful use of literary devices. Through disembodied voice, shifting settings and disjointed format, Larkin encourages his reader to feel disconnected and isolated in a world that has lost its values. Main body Larkin never allows his readers to ‘see’ his speaker or get any sense of his physical presence. That there is a presence is made clear in the descriptive use of “swerving” in lines 1, 2 and 5. Before something can ‘swerve’ it must be present, our minds reason, so we assume the speaker exists. This idea is further supported in the second stanza when the speaker “gathers to the surprise of a large town” (9). Again, surprise cannot be felt by something that is not there. However, because Larkin carefully avoids using any kind of pronoun within the text of the poem, we cannot be entirely sure whether this speaker is male or female nor can we understand where this elusive speaker might be within the context of the scene. While we may assume at first that he/she is in a vehicle of some kind, the ‘swerving’ taking place is too erratic, too disembodied and the observations made of others seems to be taking place from an omniscient point in limitless space. “A cut-price crowd, urban yet simple, dwelling / Where only salesmen and relations come” (17-18). This disembodied voice keeps readers at a distance at the same time that it emphasizes its own isolation and disconnection with the world around it. This disconnection is also brought out in the shifting settings that Larkin introduces throughout the poem. From the images of “rich industrial shadows” (1) introduced in the beginning of the poem to the pastoral beauty “of skies and scarecrows, haystacks, hares and pheasants, / and the widening river’s slow presence” (6-7) to the “grain-scattered streets, barge-crowded water” (11) of a large town, there seems to be no space for rest. Imagery provided regarding the kind of people encountered leave the audience with little desire to join them: “cheap suits, red kitchen-ware, sharp shoes, iced lollies, / electric mixers, toasters, washers, driers – // A cut-price crowd, urban yet simple” (15-17). The town is characterized by “tattoo-shops, consulates, grim head-scarfed wives” (21) while even those areas beyond the town are filled spaces where “loneliness clarifies” (25). The format of the poem also serves to create a sense of isolation and disconnection. Although it is not easy to notice, the poem does contain a specific rhyme pattern. The first stanza is given a rhyme scheme of ABABCDDC. The second stanza follows an inve
Technological progress shapes the world to people’s needs, but it does come with several adverse effects. The global network allows people to travel virtually to any part of the planet in a matter of hours. However, it also created a perfect environment for transmitting infections. A pandemic spreads rapidly through human networks, quickly progressing in high-density populations through touched surfaces, via airborne means, or personal contacts. The virus gets inside through mucous membranes or damaged skin. Due to the lack of herd immunity, a newly emerging virus has free reign over unprepared masses. Insufficient vaccination of citizens, as well as poor hygiene, speed this process up multiple times (Taylor, 2019). Greater international travel allows the virus to appear in any city on Earth significantly faster and less predictable than ever before. Asymptomatic carriers who travel internationally usually serve as the initial source of pandemics. However, timely response and mass warnings are now also easier to conduct. Identification and containment of a potential pandemic could prove troublesome in viruses with longer incubation periods with no symptoms. While the World Health Organization members are required to meet International Health Regulations, not all countries succeeded in doing so (Madhav et al., 2017). It is also troublesome for some governments to provide adequate information about the disease in order to properly make citizens ready. Lack of preparedness in geographic regions with high spark risks due to their lag in health care advancements could increase the rate of spread (Madhav et al., 2017). This factor, combined with the fact that the latest viruses emerge from animal sources, is highly affected by poor sanitation in low- and middle-income countries. These countries are expected to be hit harder than high-income countries and have higher mortality rates. A pandemic is usually associated with short financial shocks but might lead to a long-term stagnation in global economic growth (Madhav et al., 2017). Despite the ability to predict them, these issues are unavoidable at the moment, as countries put more resources into health infrastructures to increase their capacity. Poorer countries, which are unable to provide financial support and do not have a fully modernized health care system, will suffer the most. It is important to provide said countries with surge capacity by delivering it via foreign aid providers (Madhav et al., 2017). A pandemic will not be stopped if the disease continues to afflict a major portion of the world population. Aside from medical help, increasing social awareness could also prove useful in mitigating the effects of pandemics. Promoting personal responsibility alone could alleviate the situation to a manageable state. Studies by Ferguson et al. (2020) hav
The European Union is the formation of countries having similar geographic locations along with similar economic and political goals. This formation occupies its strong positions in the world political arena for decades. For this reason, its structure and its state concepts present an interesting area for research. In the following report, the European Union (EU) and the United States (the US) will be compared to conclude the main concepts of the EU formation. Overall, the evaluation of the facts shows that the EU is a unique union of independent countries having not many similarities with the other political formations in the world including the US. The EU is not a nation or a state, it is a political and economic union or confederation of twenty-seven independent countries situated in Europe. This form of union is unique and has no other precedents in the history of humanity. According to The Columbia Encyclopedia (2009), the European Union is “an economic and political confederation of European nations and other organizations (with the same member nations) that are responsible for a common foreign and security policy and cooperation on justice and home affairs”. The following countries are the members of the union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. The member states of the EU perceive themselves as sovereign and independent countries united through confederation bonds and regulations. The citizens of member states view the EU in a very different way. In particular, the population of poorer countries such as Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Eston
Introduction Utilitarianism deals with the need to give an answer to what is right that a man has to do. According to utilitarianism, an act ought to the best consequences possible. At the core of utilitarianism is the question of morality especially from a religious point of view. On that note utilitarianism beliefs argue that morality is not about pleasing God rather it’s about doing what makes one happy so long as the action does not have negative consequences on the rest of the people (elements of philosophy, p. 97). The social reformers and philosophers who were the forces behind utilitarianism believed religion was too rigid and curtailed people’s freedoms effectively denying them happiness. They alleged that blanket belief in God and the following abstract moral rules set by religion was not right (elements of philosophy, p 98). In effect, they advocated for the prevalence of the free will of human beings in pursuit of happiness. Utilitarianism thinking can be applied on numerous controversial issues that affect human beings on everyday life. The controversy stems from the conservative approach that has informed the beliefs that govern such issues. The include drug abuse like marijuana smoking, homosexuality and treatment of non-human animals. In business, some business ethics can be analyzed through utilitarianism and stockholder and stakeholder analysis (Cosans, 2009, p. 391). The theories advanced by Freeman and Friedman can be jointly analyzed especially when utilitarianism is concerned in making profits and treating company stakeholders (Moylan, 2005, p. 33). Case study Homosexual employee Homosexuality remains a controversial topic in western societies. Religion, politics, and social life have different looks on the issue. Unfortunately, the attitudes towards homosexuality have trickled through to the corporate world where homosexuals may be treated according to the ideology that governs the particular corporation or industry. The analysis of the case will be done on two levels, utilitarianism/stockholder analysis, and stakeholder analysis. Human habits greatly determine the success of the endeavors they engage (Covey, 2004, p. 20). Similarly, the habits of employees affect the success of business firms. Utilitarianism/Stockholder Analysis Managers are not owners of businesses, stockholders are. Managers act on behalf of the stockholders and sometimes stakeholders to help the business generate revenue (Friedman, 1979, p. 309). Though employees have individual freedoms, issues like sexual orientation may easily attract unnecessary attention that adversely
Stuart Hall focuses on a very important issue concerning identity. The issue has been considered by many thinkers and there is no single answer to the question raised by Hall: who does need ‘Identity’? Hall claims that to answer this question it is necessary to analyze such notion as “identification” (2). Hall states that identification is people’s ability to recognize “some common origin or shared characteristics with another person or group” (2). The author also mentions that this process is quite subjective and it is nearly impossible to find a perfect fit. Nonetheless, the concept of identification perfectly fits the concept of identity. Hall also claims that identity is subjected to many changes that take place in the course of time. Therefore, it is essential to analyze identities with respect to historical development of societies (Hall 4). Thus, the researcher defines identities as people’s positions which they choose trying to fit the group, though they understand that there can be no perfect match and it is fine to differ somehow (Hall 6). Hall also analyzes several points of view and focuses on Foucault viewpoint. Hall claims that Foucault’s explanation of identity is too narrow (13). Hall states that it is important to theorize the notion of identity to make it more applicable. Thus, the researcher refers to Butler’s ideas concerning identity (Hall 15). Hall stresses that Butler developed her understanding of identity in terms of feminism, sexuality and self-identity. Nonetheless, Hall claims that Butler’s idea that identity is based on exclusion is not delusive as some could think. Hall also states that issues concerning identity and theorizing identity are yet to be solved. To sum up, Hall reveals the importance of theorizing ‘identity’ which will lead to deeper understanding of the processes and factors that affect identities. Major arguments As has been mentioned above, Hall provides a definition of identity and focuses on theoretical issues concerning identity. However, Hall still claims that it is important to understand what identity (or identification) is. Hall also articulates the importance of identities in the contemporary world. Likewise, such authors as Nakayama, Tanno or Hedge claim that the notion of identity is one of the most important in the modern world (Gonzalez et al.). It goes without saying t
Make-to-stock process In this type of process flow, production is initiated before a customer makes an order, and goods are dispatched when the order is received. Traditional methods of production involved this type of practice but modern systems have shifted from it because of several disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that it is costly and impractical if the number of products is many. Again, the organization may suffer during low demand for the goods. Make-to-order Make-to-order has become a common trend where production of goods is initiated after an order for the same is received from the customer. This trend carries the advantages of having the possibility of eliminating finished inventories and reducing the financial risk of the firm. However, a company may suffer as a result of customer lead times and large order backlogs. A trend that allows the incorporation of advantages from the two is known as delayed differentiation and is a hybrid of the make-to-order and make-to-stock (Gupta & Saifallah, 2000). Assemble-to-order In this arrangement, the products are not assembled until the customer orders arrive, and its performance is largely determined by the capability to meet customers’ requirements in a fast-paced manner, and “achieving a level of scale economies” High product variety induced by the assemble-to-order supply chain leads to problems in its performance which can be solved through implementing various management strategies (Thorsten & Abdelkafi, 2006). The use of internet-based Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) may help companies to reduce transaction costs, production time, and costs associated with to transfer of paperwork and material. The system allows the transmission of data through electronic means. The method of communication may involve the internet protocol, modem-to-modem, Value Added Network (VAN), and Bulletin Board Systems (BBS). Standards that allow embedding of EDI documents into XML have been embraced to allow usage of the internet (AS2-Applicable Statement 2) in this field. In addition to the delivery of information, companies may enjoy other services which include retransmitting documents, third-party audit information, and telecommunication support. These services are provided for example by VAN which in its basic form acts as a regional post office and avoid the bouncing back of the documents (“Electronic Data Interchange”, n.d.). The manufacturer can be linked to the customer who is making an order for the products before manufacturing in case of make-to-order and after for the case of make-to-stock . The companies can use EDI to accelerate production and make their goods within the short time possible to meet customer deadlines to which they may otherwise have not provided services because of strict deadlines. EDI can also assist manufacturers to source out information and expertise for example
This was a philosophy that relates to the existence of human beings in regard to how life means to them. The term was invented by a French philosopher by the name Gabriel Marcel in 1943. Jean Paul later widely used the word when he wrote a book on the same. At this time, such philosophers were referred to as ‘existentialists’ and during the 2 nd world war, the movement gained more fame (Flynn, p. 16). Some of these philosophers like Friedrich and Kierkegaard were concerned with knowing the reason behind the existence of human beings and the value of life itself. According to them, human beings are passionate other than rational beings. They argued that human beings are actors in the world and hence are aware of what is in it unlike the trees and stones that just exist. To them, this means that our today’s actions and choices determine how our future will be (Tanzer, p. 52). A writer by the name Professor Wildman believes that existentialism is a new version of the nineteenth-century romanticism. He says that both movements have something in common in that they all assert that meaning of life has to be taken into account through our acts and deeds. He also points out a difference in the two saying that existentialism mostly centered on individual human beings whereas romanticism centered on the nature as a whole and only regarded human as part of other nature (Bramann). According to Irvine, Soren Kierkegaard is considered the father of existentialism and he described three stages of human development. The first stage is the aesthetic stage which he argued that it was only interested in pleasure. The second stage is the ethical stage where he says that an individual at this stage finds existence boring and this leads to suicide and hence a desire to move from one life to another. Ethical in this case is a common goal that demands one to reunite himself with the universe. The third one is the religious stage in which he says that for one to move from the ethical stage to religious one is hard since ethical involves reconciliation (Irvine).Ac
Amazon SWOT Key strength: The steady growth in net sales since 2012 from the US $61.093 million to the US $135.987 million (Amazon.com, 2016). Key weakness: The lack of an accurate forecasting system; the company implements fixed amounts of expense and investments which may hinder a timely adjustment to environmental changes, e.g., decrease in sales and customer loyalty (Amazon.com, 2016). Key opportunity: Established partnerships with such enterprises as America Online, Yahoo!, Excite, Netscape, AltaVista, @Home, etc. (Amazon.com, 2016). Key threat: The level of competition is always intensive and continuously growing (Amazon.com, 2016). Competition in the e-Commerce and Online Auctions industry PESTEL: Technology is one of the major forces driving competition in e-commerce. This functional area comprises operations about digital content management, infrastructure management, computing services, order management, etc. (Killen, 2014). To keep up with the pace of advancement and ensure excellent information safety (e.g., confidentiality, reduced information distortion and loss, etc.), companies should constantly invest in technology. Porter’s Five Forces: Rivalry. Intense rivalry triggers competition in the industry. The major of Amazon’s rivals include Alibaba, eBay, ASOS, and so on. Since many of these companies offer similar items, to maintain the leading position, the company should use smart pricing and marketing strategies, product diversification, etc. to attract new buyers. Conclusion Amazon has more strengths than weaknesses. First of all, the high level of competitiveness is supported by the low-price strategy. Secondly, the implementation of customer-oriented policies played a crucial role in Amazon’s development. The company invests in the improvement of customer services and marketing which largely contributes to the company’s success and profitability. Amazon’s current opportunities outweigh the risks. It has a high profitability level and a vast profile of business partners. Moreover, the company uses smart market entry strategies (e.g., alliances, licensing) to mitigate the legal and financial risks due to operating in unfamiliar distant markets such as China or India. Macy’s According to IBISWorld’s Shopping Mall Management market research report (2017), there has been a decline in buyer traffic in the shopping mall market due to the growth of e-commerce. For several years, the major Macy’s strategic priorities were the attraction and rete