ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The hotel industry is a multibillion dollar industry with a large circle of activities which includes accommodation, restaurants, events, theme parts, transportation, cruise line tours, and tourism. Tourism is the largest sector of this industry, which envisages individuals travelling to some location outside their customary surroundings for pleasure or business purposes. A hotel operates with several groups of people including managers of various departments, workers in direct operations such as bartenders, porters, kitchen staff, cleaners, and several other categories of workers who perform different related activities. Human resources and marketing are, therefore, integral parts of the hotel industry (Petersen, 2011). A very important factor for the success of a hotel is the “vacancy rate”. The fixed costs for maintaining a hotel, restaurant or a theme park are virtually the same whether they are fully occupied, half occupied or vacant. This is the reason that hotels need to keep their customers happy and satisfied to maximize usage of their facilities (Melouney, 2013). Like many hi-tech contemporary industries, it is not possible for the hotel industry to perform all tasks online. Hotels cannot make beds or make deliveries to rooms with the click of a mouse. However, hotels are now getting used to the idea of using technology to connect with customers and suppliers. The most common competition practices among hotels cover rates offered for lodging, prices for meals, and extent of various facilities provided to guests. Now much of this competition takes place online as individuals can obtain the desired information via the Internet, which enables them to plan their budgets and chose a hotel accordingly (Petersen, 2013). Because of the recent rece
Introduction The primary objective of most global companies other than the non-profit organizations is profit maximization. As such, nearly all the companies’ operations are geared towards making profits. Nevertheless, it is also important that companies and organizations incorporate ethics in their operations by taking care of the society they operate in through corporate social responsibility (Moon). This is something not considered by most global companies who care less about their society. Most of them forget that it is the same society, which comprises of the consumers of their goods and services. In fact, it was noted that the companies that fail to incorporate social responsibility in their policies and operations face insuperable problems (Sun). Corporate social responsibility otherwise referred to as CSR, is therefore, the process through which companies get back to the society by behaving in an ethical manner and improving the quality of life in the society via economic development (Carroll 2). In this case, companies integrate ethical and responsible practices into their organizational operations. This paper will be an exploration of the corporate social responsibility issue by looking at the benefits that come in hand, as well as, how companies can effectively implement CSR in their community. Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility A company that practices corporate social responsibility not only benefits the society but also gains several advantages from it. It is evident that once a company practices effective CSR, it will definitely gain competitive advantage over others that do not. This is because it will have created a positive image in the society making people prefer it to others. As a result, the sales of the company will shoot up leading to high profits. For instance, when Starbucks Coffee Company in the United States released its CSR report in 2006, the sales of the company increased tremendously. Corporate Social Responsibility also looks at the welfare of the employees. As such, companies that uphold CSR in their policies will not collide with its employees as their needs will have been considered. This will in turn ensure smooth running of the organizational operations because there will not be cases of riots, strikes or go-slows. Corporate social responsibility ensures that employees and the employers have a mutual relationship. Thus, the company will benefit from this by having increased productivity, which in turn results to profit maximization. One of the main themes of corporate social responsibility is environmental conservation (Noer, Ewait, and Weiss1). Therefore, a company that practices effective CSR will ensure that it takes good care of the environment. As such, the company will be following the regulations of National Environmental Boards hence free from cases of malpractices. This will save the company lots of money that could be spent on court case
Description of the movement of US Current Account and Budget Deficits in Since 2005 The current account tracks the flow of goods, services, income, and transfer payments into and out of a country. The figures of the current account balance for a particular year are an indication of how a given country’s economy has interacted with other economies around the world in terms of exports and imports of goods and services, unilateral transfers (such as taxes, one-way gifts, and taxes), and income payments (such as dividends, salaries, and interest) (Trading Economics 1). The Current Account, along with capital account and financial account, is a fundamental determinant of the magnitude of a country’s Balance of Payment (BOP); which summarizes all international trade transactions a country engages in as at a particular point in time, or over a particular period. The current account tracks that part of international trade involves goods and services, unlike capital and financial accounts which deal with the flow of investments as well as financial assets. A positive balance in the current account (a surplus) is an indication that the flow of goods and services into a country (imports from its trading partner or partners) is less than the flow of the same out of the country (International Monetary Fund (IMF) 6). On the other hand, a negative balance in the current account (a deficit) is an indication that the country imports more goods and services from the outside world – or a particular trading partner – than it exports to the same. The United States accounts for the largest volume of international trade. It has consistently occupied the leading position when it comes to the volume of imports and, similarly, it has continued to be among the top three exporters in the world. However, for the past few decades, the United States has been recording large deficits in its current account mainly due to significantly large deficits in its trade balance with foreign countries such as China. For the first three months of 2005, the US trade account deficit stood at $198.7 billion, which represented the largest shrink in the current account deficit in a single quarter within the previous four years. In the rest of the year, however, the current account deficit went back to the previous deficit expansionary path, with the third and fourth quarters witnessing the deficit hit $195.8 billion and $ 197.8 billion respectively (Trading Economics 2). The unexpected narrowing of the deficit, especially between July and September, was credited to an upsurge of insurance payments to victims of Hurricane Katrina as well as donations to the same course that poured into the U.S from abroad. The deficit continued to widen because the demand for imported goods was still matching upwards driven by an expansion of the economy. The country’s demand for crude oil, televisions, and autos was increasing, too. Therefore, the first quarter of 2006 saw the current account deficit reach $857 billion despite significant growth in the last quarter of the year.
Introduction A substantial amount of the budget is spent on developing the infrastructure of any country. These days, there is a competition going on to see which country holds the tallest buildings, and skyscrapers are being built resultantly. What is of utmost importance, is that these buildings or any constructed structure remains safe and unharmed by forces such as natural disasters, and wearing away with time. Buildings need to be built in a way that keeps them protected from weather conditions, and the basic structure should be strong enough to withhold disasters such as earthquakes and storms. There are several risks involved in building construction, which is of significance and their management is crucial for providing maximum safety in unpredictable future events. Risks Involved in Project from Inception to Commissioning It is essential to consider the risks involved through natural disasters and hazards while constructing new buildings and repairing existing ones (Construction Design, Building Standards, and Site Selection, 2007). Environmental degradation is causing a lot of harm to the buildings being constructed in the current era, and there is a dire need of involving a hazard alleviation sector while undergoing a developmental project (Construction Design, Building Standards, and Site Selection, 2007). Several developmental goals have been set up by building constructors, but they have failed to achieve what they had aimed for, due to the negligence to hazard risks while carrying out construction. This has many times caused great human and economic loss. Presently, what is keeping builders from considering hazard risks while undergoing construction, is the perception of high costs involved in doing so, and the lack of expertise. In some countries, negligence exists due to the non-occurrence of natural hazards. Other factors that cause damage to infrastructure are poor governance and abuse of land, including illegal expansion of buildings. Analysis and Assessment of Risks What people are unaware of is the fact that keeping natural hazards in view while constructing buildings can be a low-cost act, providing long-term benefits to the project being developed. The assessment of risks, or their identification, is very important. All the factors of a developmental project, whether controllable or uncontrollable, should be noted down before inception. Managers have to be vigilant while undertaking the steps that lead to the creation of the building. If risks are not identified, no further steps can be taken for the project, and what will emerge, will be low quality, high-risk building, which will probably face consequences in a short time. The risk factors of a project have to be identified individually, with the help of each person’s own experience (Daniel Atkinson Limited, 2001). The assess
The decision to shoot down Flight 93 may appear to be cruel or even heartless, but it might have been the only way to save many other lives that could have been taken by terrorists. Under such circumstances, public leaders should focus on the minimization of harm that can be done by the enemy attack. Moreover, under such circumstances, the consequence of the action is the main criterion according to which the morality of a person’s behavior can be evaluated. In particular, policy-makers should find ways of protecting the lives of people who may be imperiled by the crashing plane. In turn, the decision to shoot down the aircraft is the only way to achieve this goal. Certainly, one should not overlook the critique of the utilitarian approach, which can be used to justify the most atrocious actions that in no way contribute to the so-called greater good (Rosenstadt, 2012). Nevertheless, at the time of crisis, the main decision-makers regard this ethical framework as the only possible solution. Certainly, the passengers of a captured airplane may expect that the government will try to save them by negotiating with the terrorists. Nevertheless, this decision may endanger the lives of many innocent people (Ellerton, 2011). This is one of the pitfalls that should be avoided. Therefore, the use of utilitarian principles is the most relevant approach. However, this example does not prove that utilitarian ethics should always be used. The problem is that this approach can lead to the dehumanization of an individual who may be used only as a means for achieving a certain goal (Butler, 2002, p. 1). For instance, some politicians may argue that it is necessary to arrest people without a warrant because such actions can protect the country from external threats. Nevertheless, they may adopt this policy only to strengthen their authority or subdue their opponents. So, they may not necessarily be concerned with the welfare of others. Therefore, the main task is to determine when utilitarian ethics can be acceptable. This argument is particularly important when one speaks about the behavior of policy-makers who are responsible for improving the welfare of the community and safeguarding the rights of every citizen. So, they should be rather careful while using the principles of utilitarian ethics because the excessive focus on objectives and consequences can deprive a person of his/her integrity. These are the main aspects that can be identified. Reference List Butler, P. (2002). Foreword: Terrorism and Utilitarianism: Lessons from and for Criminal Law. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 93 (1), 1-23. Ellerton, P. (2011). A Utilitarian Decision – Sacrifice Lives to Save Lives . Web. Rosenstadt, N. (2012). The Moral of the Story: An Introduction to Ethics . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Introduction The current world agenda requires from apprentices and skilled professionals not only a high level of working and language knowledge but also an understanding of the rules of different cultures. This segment has become extremely demanded in the aspects of politics, education, and business. Researchers call this phenomenon cultural intelligence, although some give it a different name – cultural quotient (CQ). It is, according to Earley and Mosakowski (2004), “…natural ability to interpret someone’s unfamiliar and ambiguous gestures in just the way that person’s compatriots and colleagues would, even to mirror them” (p. 139). The purpose of this paper is to discuss individual CQ testing, its interpretation of certain aspects, and how it affects my general knowledge about cultural intelligence. Personal Cultural Intelligence Test Scores Passing personal tests based on professional research is an exciting and enjoyable component of the learning process. According to Ang et al. (2007), “relatively little research, however, focuses on factors that could improve intercultural encounters” (p. 336). My results in terms of CQ Strategy is 16 points, which is slightly above average, where the maximum score is 28. Within the framework of CQ knowledge, my score was meager 9 points. However, in terms of CQ motivation, I scored almost a peak of 34 marks out of 35. In the final CQ behavior testing scale, I was able to achieve 29 points, which is a good indicator. Although positive indicators are essential, conclusions drawn from the test are also of significant meaning. Individual Level of CQ Opportunities in Task Performance and Adjustment The test shows that in terms of CQ Strategy, I have a basic understanding of competent contact with foreign representatives. I could maintain a positive interaction, but a lack of CQ knowledge about traditions and rituals can violate the effectiveness of task performance. This is not an obstacle because, according to Earley and Mosakowski (2004), “someone lacking cognitive CQ might work on developing his analogical and inductive reasoning…” (p. 45). This shortcoming is leveled out by the high level of the motivational and behavioral components. These two indicators mean that I could quickly and correctly adjust to the task in a multicultural setting. The general picture of my CQ shows that I can perform tasks at the intercultural level, and the difficulties that arise will be solved with the help of the volitional component of my character. Effect of Personal Testing on General Knowledge about CQ The results obtained indicate that, along with knowledge of intercultural interaction, the general study of cultures as a whole is also crucial. They also show the need for additional research and learning about CQ Strategy. According to Earley and Mosakowski (2004), the most effective way to achieve both goals would be a practical method, namely putting a person in a culture of interest to him. Thi
The Relevance of the Patient’s Ethnicity (Genetics) Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys due to the accumulation of minerals such as calcium, which are found in urine. Low concentrations of citrate and excessive oxalate ions may also contribute to kidney stones. In some instances, kidney stones may form from the amino acid cystine. The development of kidney stone disease is linked to an interaction of genetic and environmental factors (Vezzoli, Arcidiacono and Citterio, 2019). The risk factors for kidney stones such as hypercalciuria, cystinuria, hypocitraturia, and primary hyperoxaluria have a genetic predisposition. Approximately 40% of people with kidney stones have a positive family history for any of these factors (University of Wisconsin, 2020). Furthermore, twin studies show heritability of more than 45% for kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) and 50% for hypercalciuria (Howles and Thakker, 2020). For these reasons, it is necessary to consider the patient’s genetics. The Relevance of the Patient’s Diet (Epigenetics) Diet is an important epigenetic risk factor for the development of kidney stones. Foods containing high amounts of proteins result in an increased production of uric acid and a corresponding reduction in citric acid in urine. Citrate inhibits the development of kidney stones through the formation of calcium citrate complexes thereby preventing the formation of insoluble crystals (Rodgers et al ., 2019). In contrast, jello contains the amino acid hydroxyproline that is metabolized to oxalate and glycolate. High dietary intake of gelatin raises urine oxalate levels and makes it available for the formation of calcium oxalate stones, which results in kidney stones. The Contribution of Animal Studies to the Understanding of Kidney Stones Animal studies have made it possible to understand the etiology of kidney stones. For instance, the effect of different diets on the development of kidney stones can be studied by feeding experimental mice with varying concentrations of specific nutrients and checking for the formation of renal stones. Histological findings from animal tissues in such studies can be used to support or refute hypotheses regarding the development or treatment of renal stones. Two main theories of free-particle and fixed-particle have been proposed to explain the retention of calcium oxalate crystals, leading to the formation of kidney stones (Khan, 2017). Animal studies have contributed to the conclusion that both mechanisms cause nephrolithiasis and that certain diets increase one’s predisposition to kidney stones. Clinical Research Studies Clinical research studies support the conclusions made by animal studies regarding the genetic and epigenetic etiology of kidney stones. Investigations involving animals show that protein-rich diets increase the levels of oxalate and reduce citrate concentration, which increases the
The main goal of a business is profit. However, there is more to a company’s success than making as much money as possible. Important aspects of succeeding in the market are good reputation and customers’ trust. If a company does something that is considered unacceptable by the public, although it may not be illegal, it undermines its image, which can cause decreased sales and even a shutdown. This is the area of business ethics, which is about what is good and what is bad for a business to do. Ethics does not have universal rules or offer absolutely right decisions for every dilemma. But there are general principles for how to make ethical decisions. A way to explore these principles is to look at examples of alleged poor ethics from world-famous companies, such as McDonald’s, Nestle, Walmart, and Mattel. For over seventy years of its history, McDonald’s has faced numerous lawsuits. It has been accused of exploiting child labor, selling unhealthy food, treating animals cruelly, destroying valuable natural resources, and promoting poverty in developing countries. All those cases are obviously regarded as ethical violations. One example from the 1970s shows several ethical violations at once. In 1972, the founder of McDonald’s Corporation, Ray Kroc, donated 250,000 USD to President Nixon’s reelection campaign, although previously he had never participated in electoral politics. The Nixon administration later supported a bill that allowed MacDonald’s to pay their sixteen-year-old and seventeen-year-old employees 20 percent less than the minimum wage at the time (Schlosser 37). The company was widely criticized for using influence peddling and for neglecting their employees, particularly minors. Generally, McDonald’s is notorious for alleged mistreatment of employees, which is considered highly unethical, and negatively affects the company’s image. Another food giant, Nestle, also received massive criticism in the 1970s, but for different activities. The company was promoting formula milk products, but their marketing was described as “aggressive” (“A Generation On” par. 1). According to accusations, the effect was that many women in developing countries refused to breastfeed, which in turn caused increased infant mortality. One of the reasons was that mothers who could not afford formula gave only small amounts of it to their children, causing malnutrition. Another reason was that formula needs to be mixed with water, and access to clean water was problematic in many countries where this formula was sold. After these accusations, Nestle was boycotted by various groups and individuals. Ethically speaking, the company was blamed for the harm that its marketing caused in some countries. It is very important for a business to show that it cares about its customers, and not only about profit. Walmart, a mul