Labor Force from the Household Survey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Labor Force from the Household Survey - Essay Example U6 reflects the rate that includes persons marginally attached to the labor force and those who are employed part-time for economic reasons in generating the unemployment rate. Discouraged workers form part of the marginally attached workers. ïÆ'   According to the authors, the main reason for the continuing stagnant growth of the U.S. economy lies in the â€Å"ongoing and scarcely improving shortfall in aggregate demand relative to the supply of productive resources†. (Bivens, Fieldhouse & Shierholz 2013) Consumption of produced goods and services have decreased since the onset of the ‘Great Recession’ in 2008. 2. The authors discuss the issue of the relationship between strong GDP growth and a strong recovery. What does their argument suggest about the relationship between strong GDP growth, the deficit and reducing unemployment? ïÆ'   The authors’ argument suggests that budget deficit reduction results to decelerated GDP, which, in turn, translates to higher unemployment and underemployment rates. The austerity measures implemented to reduce budget deficits lead to less economic activities, fewer jobs, less production of goods and services, less demand from the consumers, and, ultimately to a lower GDP. Lower GDP requires less labor. More and more plants and factories will operate below their full capacity and will lay off more workers to cut costs and survive the economically difficult times. ïÆ'   According to the authors, achieving full employment will bring in economic recovery. Full employment can be attained by boosting the consumers’ demand for goods and services produced by the country as the initial step toward narrowing the output gap – the difference between what the economy can produce and its actual output.  

Coffee Industry and Todays Economics Demands Term Paper

Coffee Industry and Todays Economics Demands - Term Paper Example This essay stresses that economists posit that increased supply control, price regulation and fair trade initiatives could help solve the current coffee crisis. Fair trade guarantees farmers a fixed minimum price for their coffee, which can equal nearly two or three times the unsubsidized market price. Fair trade also eliminates the middlemen exporters involved in the coffee trade, who often pay farmers below market rates and then sell at the rates set by the New York Coffee Exchange, pocketing the excess money for themselves. This paper declares that the decline of the coffee prices is the worst news for the farmers but it is not as bad news in United States of America as in any other part of the world because they are the largest consumers of coffee. The world trade organization also plays a key role in determining the price of coffee. The policies of the world trade organization supports free trade which benefits both exporters and importers but at the end who is benefited largely depends on the price of the coffee. Because of the fall in demand the price of coffee has also fallen, which is quite natural considering the demand and supply function of the microeconomics. If there is less demand, the price of that particular commodity takes a toll and the price automatically falls. The price of coffee has taken a toll because of the decrease in demand, the only way out for the farmers and for all other people who want coffee to generate much more profit is to promote coffee and make sure that more and more people across the globe drink coffee.

Virtual project management

Virtual project management Section 1: Literature Survey Introduction: The virtual project management concept is gaining its importance due to globalization of industries. The report mainly focuses on the evolution of project management and changes in approach of project management methodologies. It also highlights the aspects of traditional project management and modern project management. The difference between classical project management approach, contemporary project management approach and virtual project management approach is also discussed with their advantages and disadvantages in this report. The drawbacks of virtual project management are discussed and their existing solutions are also highlighted along with the features of virtual teams. Project Management Institute has defined Project Management is application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques applied to project activities in order to achieve the goal.(PMI,2004) Evolution of Project Management: Project Management has been practiced for hundreds of years dating back to the Egyptian epoch. However in the min 1950s many organizations has started applying formal project management tools and techniques to various projects. Author Azzopadri has divided development of project management in four periods. [1] Prior to 1958: this period is known as ‘craft system to human relation due to evolution of technologies. During this time evolution of technologies such as automobile and telecommunication helped for minimizing project timings, because automobile contributed in resources allocation and mobility. Telecommunication system increased speed of communication. In addition to this Henry Gantt invented Gantt chart which helped for effective planning of project. [2]1959 to 1979: this period is known as ‘Application of Management Services because of significant development of technologies. The core project management tools like Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) were introduced. However this period was characterized by rapid development of computer technology. In 1970 effective project management tool Material Requirement Planning (MRP) was introduced.  Ã‚   [3]1980 to 1994 :this period is characterized by revolutionary development in the information management sector with introduction of Personal Computer (PC) and associated computer communication network facilities. This development resulted in managing and controlling complex project schedules. Furthermore project management techniques were more accessible due to low cost project management software for PC. [4]1995 to present: this period is dominated by development related to internet, which changed business processes dramatically in mid-1990. The internet has provided fast interactive and customized new medium that resulted in making firms more productive, more efficient and more client oriented. Furthermore the development in softwares and internet facilities lead to various approaches of project management. (Azzopadri, 2006) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) defines the traditional project management as set of tools and techniques that can be used together to an activity that seeks an end product, outcome, or a service. (PMBOK, 2004). As per Frame (2002) the reasons for the fall of traditional Project Management are success and failure is assessed against achieving scheduled, specifications and budget but not assessed against customer satisfaction. Another problem in traditional Project Management is it single minded approach for tools like scheduling, costing and resource allocation. This is fixed set of tools which involves CPM (Critical Path Method), PERT (Program Evaluation Review Technique), Gantt charts, S-shape budget curves. (Frame, 2002) Modern Project management: Modern project management is well understood discipline that can give predictable and repeatable results. The methods used in modern project management are highly analytical, automated tools and developed project management softwares to support large projects.(Howes, 2001). In traditional project management, planning and control methods are very specific and controlled, once a phase is over the next stage will start and it will continue in decided sequence. However it is difficult to carry out perfect sequence in perfect time because of some factors as the world is not perfect. However in modern project management much more flexibility is built in system. It focuses on features of the project instead of focusing on every specific task. The sequence of the project can be adjusted to meet with environmental, business, material and other changes. This results in beneficial project management.(Rose, 2011) The rise of internet and development of collaborating softwares have introduced new aspect to Project Management. The success of project is recognised on the profit-loss status. Therefore, there is heightened pressure to assure that projects are successful in terms of deliverable results, cost, and delivery date. Global projects with virtual teams have developed a way by which the cost and duration of projects can be cut down while maintaining a sound control on quality and scope of projects. (Rad et al, 2003). The globalization of business has resulted in greater interest in more comprehensive suit of the best practices of project management. Virtual Project Management: Virtual Project Management is the system by which virtual teams work together for determinate period of time for specific goal.(Rolfs, 2006). Virtual teams are the merger of the Information Technology (IT) and organisational behaviour domains (Bissoonauth, 2002) and it is defined by Gignag (2005) as â€Å"a group of workers who are geographically dispersed but not distributed across expansive geographic locations. They are working together towards a common goal and using electronic communication as their primary medium†. The main difference of virtual teams from traditional teams is â€Å"separation by time and distance† (Cascio et al, 2003) Table 1 summarises huge changes in the area of project management. Actually it focuses on two particular periods classical and contemporary, considering that these boundaries differ from industry to industry. Classical Project Management Contemporary Project Management Virtual Project Management Aim/ Focus To Completing project on time in given budget To deliver good quality under budget and in time To achieve the best quality in least possible time and cost How to Manage Managing by walking Managing by tele-communication Managing by clarity of communication. Understanding on methodologies, goals and processes. Practice What was the last best in our company What is currently best in the world Best in the world but improvised to suit local environment. Standards Local National Global standards IS for supporting PM Outsourced Integrated in companies Information System /Information Technology (IS/IT) Part of companys Information System /Information Technology with dependency on outsourcing service providers Project Managers Selected ad-hoc from senior managers who are experienced in that area. Project Management professional requirements with special training Certified Project Management professional managers and multicultural exposure Manager Manages single Project Manages multiple projects with IS/IT support Manages multiple, multi-vendor, cross pole projects affecting multiple cultures Team Member Assigned to one project only Assigned to more than one project with support of IS/IT Afford to utilize specialized skill set available at any corner of the world with lowest cost possible Critical Resources Money, time, people Money, time, people, knowledge, IT support Money, time, people, knowledge, IT support and Global Outsource service providers Who is applying PM all sort of endeavours with engineering background In all business organizations and by individual entrepreneurs   Spreading in organizations and individuals encompassing areas that were unheard before like teaching, vendor negotiation, media, healthcare, office secretarial work. (Desai et al, 2006) The rise of Virtual project management: Due to changes and fluctuations of current global economy the pressure on enterprises has been increased. The management and organizations of various design, construction, production services and other projects has become more decentralized due to development of information technology, e-commerce and globalization. A virtual team involves project manager and certain virtual teams depending on company. In recent years virtual project teams has become first choice to many enterprises because it helps in reducing time and cost, sharing knowledge, making full use of capabilities of the staff, improving working environment, increasing the enthusiasm of the staff, carrying out cross cultural activities and enhancing the quality of product. The given figure shows major attributes of virtual project management. Virtual project management mainly involves controlling and leading of virtual teams. Virtual Teams are defined here as group of workers of geographically and organizationally dispersed knowledge works brought together across time and space through information and communication technologies in order to specific customer needs or to complete unique projects.(Krill et al, 1997). However, Peterson and Storh has defines virtual teams as a â€Å"group of individuals who work across time space and organizational boundaries with links strengthened by webs of communication technology. They have complementary skills and are committed to a common purpose, have independent performance goals, and share an approach to work for which they hold themselves mutually accountable†. Along with definition Peterson and Storh has introduced seven types of different virtual teams. The basic types of virtual teams are as follows Networked teams: group of individuals who act as a team to achieve common goal, membership is fluid and diffuse. Parallel teams: work in short term to develop solutions for improvement in process; membership is distinct Project teams: conduct projects for clients for a specific period of time, team has decision taking authority Production teams: perform regular work, clearly defined membership Service teams: support consumers in typical service role around the clock Management teams: work collaboratively on a daily basis within functional division Action teams: gives quick response and activated in emergency The significant advantage of virtual team is that the resources of virtual project organization can be arrange quickly and cost effectively (Rad et al, 2002). In addition to this Rad has stated that virtual projects allow organization to form joint ventures for short and specific time of period for significant purpose. Juhre (2001) notes, at a time skilled technical resources are required then virtual project becomes a success factor organization. Comparison of Virtual teams and traditional teams: The major difference in virtual teams and traditional teams is the diversity and different locations of team members as well as organizations. Features of virtual teams: Many sectors like construction industries, engineering (manufacturing, chemical and production), software development industries, customer services and call centre industries are using virtual project management for efficient outcome. The International Technology Association (2004) defines engineering as involving â€Å"the knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practices that are applied with judgement and creativity to develop ways to utilize the materials and forces of nature for the befit of human being†.(Joseph, 2005) Each step requires the skills and expertise of an engineer in different ways such to operate, teach the operation, or to sell the product.(Simpson, 2004) Offshore outsourcing is the generic term when companies are using virtual teams for the completion of project.(Lieberman, 2004) In software development industry virtual project management is widely used. Requirements of clients in software development industry changes time to time. And to find appropriate talent to give satisfied service to customer virtual project management is very essential in software development industry. Now a days many firms and companies are using Virtual project management for better performance. With the advent of latest internet technologies all the communication between the client, project manager and virtual teams is carried out through VOIP, email, Instant messages, online screen sharing etc. this enables the client to access the data regardless of the position of the virtual teams. The required data/source code is stored in repositories which are managed by the project manager. Hence project manager acts as an interface between the virtual teams and the client. Issues in Virtual Project management: The issues in Virtual project management are depending on areas of virtual world and factors which can impact on project management. The main areas of virtual world are Physical variable Culture Organization Depending on these three areas Virtual project management model (VPModel) has been developed. 1. Physical variables: This is the area of space and time. The issues raised in this area because of distance between project members. Geographical distance: By using software tools for (EPM) project team member communicate with project manager. But EMP decreases performance in poorly skilled teams which is expensive (Kanawattanachai et al, 2002). And creates stress rises ethical questions (Keyzermann, 2003) Different Time zones: Due to different time zones work can be done on continuous basis (Lau, 2004). In case where real meeting are essential, time and cost for travelling are expensive and due to jet lag efficiency of work can be reduced (Kayworth et al, 2002) and such disadvantages can decrease commitment towards project (Godar et al, 2004) Conflicts:Conflicts cab be raised by cultural difference, diversity and misunderstanding. Cooperation: It includes every issue that allows people to work together (Rehinhard et al, 1994) Cooperation includes virtual meetings, sharing of information etc. however cooperation is depend on communication style. 2. Culture: In the virtual project management all project members used to have different background culture and these people brought together to achieve common goal, so many fundamental issues arises in project management. Due to different culture virtual team differs in language, working methodology, which leads to lack of trust and misunderstanding between project members.(Kyzerman, 2003) One more disadvantage in working cross culture is use of technology. When modular and simple technology is used for minimizing the gap, then the possibility of error in executing project increases. (Dafermos, 2001) 3. Organization Organisational scattering refers to â€Å"the degree to which a virtual team consists of individual who work across organizational boundaries†(Shin, 2005). In organizational area the main issues are Electronic security, hackers are valid threat for virtual projects. And other major issue in this area is sharing of information in various organizations which are working on same project. 4. Other than above mentioned issues other issues are leadership quality and effective communication. This issue can be resolved by using multicultural exposed personnel as project manager who has optimum qualification. Summary:

A Child Called Essay -- Essays Papers

A Child Called Amelia Mary Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas. She was the daughter of a railroad attorney and had a younger sister named Muriel. Amelia was a tomboy and was always interested in learning. She was educated at Columbia University and Harvard Summer School. She taught English to immigrant factory workers. During World War I, Amelia was a volunteer in a Red Cross hospital. Amelia heard of a woman pilot, Neta Snook, who gave flying lessons. She had her first lesson on January 2, 1921. On July 24, 1921, Amelia bought her first plane, a prototype of the Kinner airplane and named it â€Å"The Canary.† In 1928, she accepted the invitation of the American pilots Wilmer Stultzman and Louis Gordon to join them on a transatlantic flight, becoming the first woman to make the crossing by air She described the flight in a book she wrote, 20 Hours. 40 Minutes. After that flight, Amelia made a career of flying. Aviation was a new concept and the industry looked for ways to improve its image. In 1921, Amelia was appointed Assistant to the General Traffic Manager and Transcontinental Air Transport (TWA) with a special responsibility of attracting women passengers. Amelia organized a cross-country air race for women pilots in 1929, the Los Angeles to Cleveland Women’s Air Derby, later called the â€Å"Powder Puff Derby.† Amelia placed third in this race. After the race, Amelia had a meeting in her hotel room in Cleveland with other women pilots. She formed a women’s pilot organization called the â€Å"Ninety-Nines† because of the ninety-nine applicants. She served as the organization’s first president. Amelia continued to work for TWA and was writing regular articles for Cosmopolitan and other magazines, and had speaking engagements in many cities across the country. In 1930, she broke several women’s speed records in her Lockheed Vega aircraft. In 1931, she wrote a book about those exciting experiences called The Fun of It. By early 1932, no other person had successfully flown solo across the Atlantic Ocean since Charles Lindbergh. Amelia decided she would be the first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic. She would not duplicate Lindbergh’s course, but would fly from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and the British Isles would be her destination. On May 20, 1932, exactly five years a... ...nconfirmed sightings have been reported and there are many theories of their fate. Some of those theories are that Amelia was a on a spy mission authorized by President Roosevelt and was captured; that she purposely dove her aircraft into the Pacific; they were captured by the Japanese, Noonan was executed and Earhart was forced to broadcast to the American GI’s as â€Å"Tokyo Rose† during World War II; and another theory is that Amelia lived for years on an island in the South Pacific with a native fisherman. In 1961 it was thought that the bones of Earhart and Noonan had been found on the island of Saipan, but they turned out to be those of Saipan natives. In 1992, a search party reported finding remnants of the Electra at Nikumaroro, Kiribati, but those claims were disputed by people who worked on Earhart’s plane. Researches believe that the plane ran out of fuel and that Earhart and Noonan died at sea. Amelia Earhart spent most of her lifetime establishing the permanent role of women in aviation. She became an international heroine overnight as the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia’s disappearance is still a mystery, but her enduring legacy remains.

Whichever definition one may opt to use, it is clear that a crime is a vice

A crime is an act or an omission which contravenes the laid down rules of a given country. (Jones, 2008) This then follows a punishment imposed by the same law which has been contravened. Crime can also be defined as a disruption of the normal social order in the society. (David, 2005)Whichever definition one may opt to use, it is clear that a crime is a vice in the society and all measures must be taken to contain the same.   Having defined what constitutes a crime, the next question that comes into our minds is, why do people engage in crime?   Of what benefits is it to be involved in criminal activities?   This paper takes an in-depth look as to the various reasons why people involve themselves in crime.   Most importantly this paper shall focus on how exactly an individual gets into crime and basically the pathway to crime.A random survey was taken in 1997 from the streets and separate criminals were asked why they opted to engage themselves in criminal activities.   So me said they did it due to desperation and lack of money, others said they found it being an easy way of getting money without tiring.To others criminal activities were a means by which they earned their living while to others they did it out of stress and depression.   To some others they were pressured and influenced by their peers and before they realized it they were already in crime.   To some people crime was a way of avenging themselves against people who have wronged them. (David, 2005)As already mentioned individuals engage in crime for several reasons.   Some individuals will therefore get out of crime if the factor that is catalyzing their involvement in criminal activities ceases to exist.For instance if a person engages in crime due to stress and depression, if the depression is dealt with medically or otherwise it consequently mean that the particular individual will no longer continue in crime as the factor that was influencing his/her involvement in crime no lo nger exists.It is surprising however to note that not every criminal will get out of criminal activities even when the factor that was influencing his criminal activities ceases to exist.   This one therefore means that there are people who are life course offenders and will always be involved in crime regardless of their situation.This in essence means that there are two categories of people. These are the desisters also known as adolescent-limited offenders and persisters also known as life course persistent offenders.   It is important to differentiate these two groups so as to know how to deal with each. Adolescent limited offenders as the phrase suggests have their criminal activities limited to the adolescent age.This is the age bracket after which they quite engagement in criminal activities.   Adolescent limited offenders do not extend their criminal activities into adulthood. (Jones, 2008) Psychologists have confirmed that most youth engage in a lot of antisocial beha vior during their adolescence.   This however fades as they continue to mature.On the other hand life course persistent offenders demonstrate antisocial behavior however mild from childhood all the way to adulthood. (Jones, 2008) These two groups must therefore be dealt with differently. In dealing with desisters it is important that they are made aware of the consequences of their actions and guided so that they may reform.Psychologists also indicate that parents of desisters and the society at large should be cautious so as not to brand them as criminals as this may have a psychological impact on them. It is also important to keep warning them and eventually they will become law abiding citizens.It is very vital to identify the life course offenders or the persisters early enough so as to be able to deal with them effectively. There are various ways of dealing with this group which include: institutional training, finding a job for them to do so that they may not be idle. Occasi onally these offenders may go for counseling or be put on probation as a correctional method.In conclusion therefore it is important to identify and differentiate the two types of criminals that there are in order to deal with them effectively.BibliographyFarrington David P (2005) Integrated Development and Life Course Theories of Offending London, Transaction PublishersJones David (2008) Understanding criminal behavior: Psychosocial approaches to criminality, New York, William Publishing

Behaviour and experience which in nearly all situation affects Essay

The studies carried out by Milgram, Piliavin, Haney and Gardner & Gardner, have unearthed some very important as well as surprising details about human behaviour and experience which in nearly all situation affects it. This question looks at the various forms of human behaviour, which make us what we are and also looks at ‘experience’, something we all seem to rely on heavily. Firstly, in Milgram’s study of obedience, it was found that under pressure or authority we sometimes do what we normally would not have done, therefore showing that others influence our behaviour, particularly those who we think are more superior to us. â€Å"Carry on †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å", one of the main prods the experimenter used on the teacher to make the teacher carry on with the shock treatment. This shows that not only the presence of some authority figure, but also what they do and say can influence human behaviour. One of the reasons, which make us think that a person is superior to us, is because we think of the experience he/she has in that particular field or area. Because of this we assume that they are superior to us and that what they tell is the only option we can follow. Of course this is not always the case. Hitler did have some men in his army who did not follow his instructions and did try and betray him, but the majority of his army did do as he commanded. The effect of an authority on human behaviour is demonstrated clearly in Milgram’s study as the ‘teachers’ ask the so called experimenters, who they think are an authority over them, whether or not they should continue giving shock treatment to the subjects and they also turn to them for support and advice during a very tough emotional and moral battle that they are fighting within themselves. Therefore we turn to people who we think have more experience than us and our decisions are affected by what others say and do, especially those who we see as an authority above us. Similarly, in Pilavin’s study, human behaviour when helping people revolves particularly around three main factors. These are: Cost Reward Analysis, Plurastic ignorance and the emotional arousal. It was discovered in the experiment that people only went to help if the situation appealed to them and if they thought it was serious enough to help. This resulted in the drunk getting less help than the cane victims. Also people used the cost reward analysis before helping. This in simplified terms means the advantages and disadvantages of helping and also the advantages and disadvantages of not helping. This shows another part of the human behavioural patterns. Another, which can be added to this, is that of plurastic ignorance, which means that people do not know what to do, and therefore look at others near them and assess the genuineness based on what they do. Therefore if most people would not help, neither would that person. Also another reasons for humans not helping during certain situation is because of the Diffusion of Responsibility which means that the more people we see around us, the less we help out as we think that someone else will do so. There is also emphasis on ‘experience’ in the experiment as it can once again have effect on human behaviour. In this particular experiment if passengers on the train had themselves been a victim (i. e.  cane victim, or drunk), or even if they had helped others before, it will most probably have an effect on their behaviour. Those people, who got help from others when they themselves were victims, might help out, whereas those who got no help when in a similar situation might not help. Also if a person has helped before and had not had the best of times helping, may decide to stay away from he incident this time around. Zimbardo’s Prison Stimulation experiment was another experiment during which human behaviour and experience paid an important role. It was thought that prison life would have an effect on the behaviour of the prisoners as well as that of the guards. It was discovered that prisoners started to behave in degrading ways because of them being trapped in a prison environment and also because they always had to follow orders from the guards and also because of the fact that they had no choice in the matter. Similarly the guards started to behave in cruel ways once they knew that they were powerful. They then started to punish guards whenever they felt like it. Zimbardo’s experiment proves the fact that when we have power and are see as an authority figure by others, our behaviour changes drastically and we become on some occasion very unfair and cruel to those below us. Experience once again can affect behaviour. This is because those who have been in a prison before will feel that it is not that bad as they have been there before and know what to expect whereas those who haven’t been before find it as a shock. Those who have been in prison before may behave in a more civilised manner than others who haven’t. Finally, the experiment carried out by Gardner and Gardner did not really uncover anything about human behaviour apart from the fact that language is something we are innately programmed to do. In this experiment a chimp named ‘Washoe’ was taught ASL(American Sign Language), but even after 4 years of training, only 132 signs were learnt. In comparison with that human children learn much more as they grow older, therefore showing that humans are innately programmed to do so. It also shows that we have a much more complex form of communication which animals like chimps cannot learn. Experience is again a relative feature in this experiment. The experiment shows that with adequate experience even animals can learn features of our communication, therefore if they were to continue to be taught for many hundred of years they too may be able to communicate in the complex form that we are now able to communicate in. Therefore all these various studies show a close relationship between experience and our behaviour.