Young black people in the United States

Introduction By the middle of the 1960s, young black people in the United States were growing weary of civil rights leaders telling them to turn the other cheek so that they could overcome someday. The inspiring eloquence of Martin Luther King, Jr. had been challenged, even ridiculed by the fiery message of Malcolm X (Jones 267).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Young black people in the United States specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For black youth, who increasingly found themselves trapped in overcrowded Northern urban ghettos, many of the old movement slogans and ideas, particularly non violence as a philosophy, were becoming obsolete. In spite of the gains of the Southern black freedom movement, civil rights organizations and leaders, especially king, were slowly but surely becoming aware of growing dissatisfaction among blacks with the limitations of hard won legislation, especially its failure to en sure economic gains and tackle seemingly intractable forms of Southern and Northern racism. As a result, the call for Black Power became the order of the day. Beginning in 1964 and continuing each summer through 1968, disillusionment, frustration, and economic disenfranchisement fueled urban rebellions in Black communities across the country. It was within this context that the Black Panther Party for Self Defense (BPP) was formed and staked its claim for leadership of the black masses. In the year 1966, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale officially founded the party in Oakland, California, one of many U.S. cities noted for its racists and repressive police force. The main targets of their initial organizing efforts were disaffected urban black male youth, and their activities centered on addressing police brutality through armed self defense. Although the actual size of their constituency and membership is a subject of debate, the party had a significant impact on the consciousness and political developments of the late 1960s and early 1970s both nationally and international (Jones 267). The issues raised by the Black Panther Party were salient for the black communities at the turn of twenty first century. Economic conditions for the majority of the black people had already declined and as a result, most blacks were in a very pathetic state. The decline was in a large measure as was as a consequence of structural adjustments in advanced capitalism in response to global competition and the shift from industrial to service based economies, all of which undermined the security and safety of workers globally. The social consequences of these changes, including more sophisticated and insidious forms of racism and sexism, demand not only new responses, but also a closer investigation of and learning from past practices of collective organized resistance (Joseph 119).Advertising Looking for research paper on african american? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Apparently, the current feelings of dissatisfaction with traditional black middle class leadership, especially among the young African Americans, are reminiscent of the sentiments that led to the revolutionary youth movement of the late 1960s in which Panthers played a critical role. Yet, in spite of renewed popular interest, the political ideology and inner workings of the BPP still remain hidden from those most likely to take up the mantle of resistance in this era. The first two years of Black Panther Party’s development were fictionalized, romanticized, and popularized in the recent larger than life Hollywood film titled Panther, complete with a supporting cast that looks like a black entertainment television top forty count down. Allegedly, then content of many contemporary popular sources influence our collective memory of the Panthers, including movies, hip hop, magazines and music, and mainstream newspapers, may in fact ser ve to reproduce rather than rectify mistakes and miscalculations of the past. The goal of this essay is to provide a perspective on an often ignored aspect of history and legacy of the BPP, namely, its gender politics. The gender ideology of the BPP, both as formerly stated and as exemplified by organizational practice, was as critical to its daily functioning as was the party’s analysis of race and class dynamics in black communities. Rather than the party’s gender politics bring secondary to the larger struggle against racism and capitalism, one may instead that the politics of gender were played out in most aspects of party activity and affected its ability to function as an effective political organization. Black Panther and Gender Politics In my view, gender is not to be understood as a discrete category unto itself, but one of several interacting factors such as race, class, color, age, and sexual orientation that together make up individual identities as well as the social terrain upon which our realities are experienced. As noted by Jones (269), the category of gender was not as fully politicized and theorized during the late 1960s as it is today. One must, therefore, resist the temptation to impose current standards to measure the feminist, nationalist, revolutionary credentials of the BPP. Each of these social theories must be understood as being historically specifically. Clearly, what may constitute feminism or radicalism in one time period may not necessarily be recognized as such in another (Joseph 219).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Young black people in the United States specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The ideas about gender and gender roles were far from static within the BPP. As the party spread numerically and geographically, class and gender diversity within its ranks increased. New members brought new and old ideas with them. Despite the initi al self conscious creation by the leadership of a masculine pubic identity for the Panther, some women and men in the party challenged the characterization of the struggle as one solely for the redemption of black manhood and worked within its constraints to serve the interests of the entire community. Somehow, the stories of the BPP can not be reduced to a monolithic party line on the woman question or a linear progression from an overtly and overwhelmingly sexist organization to a pro black feminist or womanist one. Instead, one must pay attention to internal conflict as well as agreement, overt as well as covert manifestations of this dialogue, change over time, diversity of individual experiences, and internal as well as external influences. While it can justifiably be argued that the BPP at various points in its history was a male centered, male dominated organization, this point should not negate the important ideological and practical contributions of its female members or of the men who resisted chauvinistic and sexist tendencies. Indeed, the diversity, both in terms of geography and personnel, of an organization whose existence spanned from Oakland to Algiers and from 1966 to 1982, can not be understood and appreciated through simplistic explanations or superficial head counts of official leadership roles. Undoubtedly, black women were critical players in the BPP, and the party overall had a significant impact on the political life of an entire generation. Competing Gender Ideologies The designation, conscious or otherwise, of specific gender based roles for women and men within the Black Panther Party began with the party’s inception. Obviously, this process did not happen in a vacuum. In addition to having their own ideas about the roles that men and women should play in the society and within the party, the founders and members were also influenced by competing ideologies and vice versa. These competing ideologies could be either supportive of or opposed to the status quo of American society. Three such ideologies that bear mentioning because of their enormous impact on the period are cultural nationalism, feminism, and the black matriarchy or tangle of pathology thesis. These three ideological discourses illustrate historian Francis White’s contention that counter discourse struggles against both dominant and competing oppositional discourses.Advertising Looking for research paper on african american? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In other words, the oppositional rhetoric of the BPP challenged and was challenged by other alternative as well as mainstream perspectives. There were, of course, many other important hegemonic and counterhegemonic theoretical constructs vying for prominence. These three are highlighted because of their impact on the consequences of the period in general and on the BPP specifically (Gore et al. 34) One of the most popular proponents of black cultural nationalism, at least on the West Coast in the late 1960s, was the Los Angeles based US organization headed by Maulana Karenga. The US organization stressed the necessity for cultural awareness among blacks to be gained primarily through the revival of African traditions, whether real or invented, of dress, language, religion, and familial arrangements as well as the rejection of White supremacy. The relationship between Karenga, the US organization, and the BPP changed over time just as the panthers’ own ideological positions ch anged (Ogbar 84). In the early years of the party, Karenga participated in meetings are rallies in support of the BPP. However, over time as their respective ideologies were clarified and contradictions exposed, the BPP became scathingly critical of the US organization. Mainly, the party’s critique was based on the fact that Karenga’s group promoted cultural nationalism and black capitalism. Drawing on the theories of Frantz Fanon, the panthers repeatedly asserted that cultural pride was a necessary phase in the political development of black people. It, however, did not guarantee black liberation, nor did black skin necessarily identify on as an automatic ally. The open conflict between the two organizations came to a head in the year 1969 when two prominent panthers were killed by US members in a shoot out at a black student union meeting. This incident sparked numerous articles and political cartoons in The Black Panther that criticized cultural nationalism in gener al and Karenga in particular. There were even charges leveled that Karenga himself was on the payroll of the FBI and various other police and government agencies. One major component of the US rhetoric called for women’s submission to traditional male authority, and promoted the notion of complementary gender roles (Ogbar 113). Conclusion Based on the arguments presented in this paper, it is obvious that women had a big part to play in the advancement of the Black Panther movement. This is a stand that was, however, refuted by Karenga who regarded men highly and considered women as subordinates. According to Karenga’s teachings, what makes a woman appealing is femininity and she can not be feminine without being submissive. A man has to be a leader and he has to be a man who bases his leadership on knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. There is no virtue in independence. The only virtue is interdependence. The role of the woman is to inspire her man, educate their chil dren and participate in social development. In general, male supremacy is said to be based on three things. These are tradition, acceptance, and reason. Equality is, therefore, regarded as false and the devil’s concept. Works Cited Gore, Dayo, Theoharis, Jeanne, Woodard Komozi. Want to Start a Revolution?: Radical Women in the Black Freedom Struggle, NYU Press, 2009. Print. Jones, Charles. Black Panther Party Reconsidered: Reflections and Scholarship, Baltimore, MD: Black Classic Press, 1998. Print. Joseph, Peniel. The Black Power Movement: Rethinking the Civil Rights-Black Power Era, New York, NY: CRC Press, 2006. Print. Ogbar, Jeffrey. Black Power: Radical Politics and African American Identity, Baltimore, Maryland: John Hopkins University Press, 2005. Print. This research paper on Young black people in the United States was written and submitted by user Crosby Fitzpatrick to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

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Examining Property Management Information Systems Information Technology Essay

Examining Property Management Information Systems Information Technology Essay To investigation how a Hotel or Property Management Information System will help the Palma Rima hotel on their day to day running of the hotel. To identify the impacts of a Hotel/Property Management Information System. To identify how convenient it would be for the customers of the Palma Rima hotel if a Hotel/Property Management Information System is introduced. 1.3 Rational As we are in the 21st century, the researcher has been inspired to carry a research on the effectiveness of a Hotel/Property Management Information System, if introduced at the Palma Rima hotel The Gambia which does not have one, but still using the traditional way of taking reservation, checking in and out of guest, taking payment, marketing of the hotel etc. 1.4 Structure of Report The report will first introduce the Palm Rima hotels, methodology used to carry out the research, a literature review on Hotel/Property Management Information System (MIS) and will then analyse the data using relevant methods and interpret the findings presenting the report using methods and style appropriate to the audience. 2.1 Research Approach In designing a research case study, there is the need to determine the research approach to be adopted. Theories are part of a research process and the ability to develop such theories and their testing will only be possible after a research approach is determined. In an inductive research approach, theory will follow data. In this case study, the research will use an inductive approach so as to gain an understanding of Introducing a Hotel or Property Management Information System (MIS) at the Palma Rima Hotel in The Gambia. Inductive research approach as noted by Saunders et al (2007) is more than just making a cause-effect link between particular variables but also enables the understanding of the way in which humans interpret their social world. Since the research using inductive approach is likely to be particularly concerned with the context in which events occur (Saunders et al, 2007), this research will therefore look at the effectiveness of a hotel or property management info rmation system for the Palma Rima Hotel. The five points below summaries inductive research emphasis as noted in Saunders et al (2007): a close understanding of the research context collection of qualitative and quantitative data a more flexible structure to permit changes of research emphasis as the research progress a realization that the researcher was part of the research process Concern with the need to generalize This research case study will use the above mentioned stages to arrive at a conclusion of how effective it will be to introducing a Hotel or Property Management Information System (MIS) at the Palma Rima Hotel in The Gambia. The fact that concepts in this research case study are operationalised made it easier to use an inductive approach 2.2 Data Collection Methods Data collection is a time consuming process and also require enormous amount of tolerance. However, in this research case study, one method is employed to collect data and that was telephone interviews and was the only methods to be used to gather primary data. The researcher bought two international cards costing Five Pounds each to interview the front office manager at the Palma Rima hotel. 2.3 Research Methodologies Each methodology represents a different approach to evaluation. The fact that there are so many approaches in common no single methodology is the best. Which one will be most appropriate depends on the type of questions framed. Seale, J. K. (2003) 2.4 Primary Research Primary research is any type of research that you go out and collect first hand data. The researcher collected primary data through participant, observation, interviews and surveys. Driscoll, L.D. (2006) 2.5 Secondary Research Secondary research occurs when a project requires a summary or collection of existing data. As opposed to data collected directly from respondents or research subjects for the express purposes of a project, (often called primary research), secondary sources already exists i.e. The researchers will used previous research reports from tourism academic books and journals. 2.6 Qualitative Method   It is a research that consists of interviews, observations and questionnaires. The researcher found this method flexible to perform data collection subsequent analysis and interpretation of collected information. 2.7 Method of analysis The researcher will use interviews to have knowledge of how useful it will be to PalmaRima hotel to introduce a Hotel/property Management System (MIS) 2.8 Reliability and Validity The physical telephone interview has significantly increased the response to this research. The front office manager was asked to give his candid opinion about a Hotel or Property Management Information System (MIS). However, the questions asked were guided as such to avoid falsification and exaggeration of the fact that the Palma Rima hotel does not have a Hotel or Property Management Information System hence the methodology has clearly achieved a degree of reliability and validity. 3 Introductions The use of information technology in the hospitality industry has grown tremendously over the past 20 years. This journey has not always been smooth, but it has become clear that information technology is now a critical competitive weapon in the industry. Brotherton B (2003:110). Information technology was first used in the hospitality industry in the 1950s, when multinational hotel chains began experimenting with the developing field of computer science. As in most other industries, the majority of initials applications focused on accounting and automating repetitive and time consuming tasks. Software was borrowed from other industries on the assumption that it could be easily adapted for use of hospitality companies. However, such conversions were usually only partially successful and a large number of changes to business processes and procedures were often needed to accommodate the requirements of the computerized system. Moreover, the expense and technicality involved in both dev eloping and running systems made the use of computerization economical only for the largest companies. (OConnor, 1999). Tourism is a very information intensive activity. In few other areas of activity are the generation, gathering, processing, application and communication of information as important for day-today operations as they are for travel and tourism industry (Poon, 1993). Unlike durable goods, intangible and variable tourism services cannot be physically displayed or inspected at the point of sale before purchasing, as tourism services are normally bought before the time of their use and away from the place of consumption. Tourism products are therefore almost exclusive dependent upon representations and descriptions, i.e. information in print or audio-visual formats. Often these representations are made by friends and relatives, as well as the travel trade, rather than tourism principals or destinations authorities. Communications and information transmission tools are th erefore indispensable to the global marketing of the tourism industry. (Sheldon, 1997). 3.1 Brief Background of PalmaRima Hotel in The Gambia Palma Rima hotel is a 3 star hotel in The Gambia and was opened to guest in 1989 on an undeveloped part of the coastline, between the Senegambia and kotu resorts, and 340 metres to kololi beach. The initial accommodation of larger than average sized bungalows of 23 which were dotted among the palms and trees, each of 4 double/triple rooms with shower and bath, colonnaded veranda and fan or a/c unit (supplemented). These units are now accompanied by a bathing area tenement block comprises of 3 floors. Of its 60 rooms half overlook the sandy through road used cattle and locals alike and the other half overlook the lopsided cloverleaf shaped swimming pool. The pool itself is among the largest in the country and is surely among the most beautiful and equipped there are spacious sundecks with parasols, giant chess, a banana shaped childrens swimming pool area; a blue and mustard Andalucà ­a Bar; a late rite fountain; a raised bar; an entertainment section and wooden African statues. From the moon light night club, stone sided watercourses crossed 3 min-bridges enter the bird garden. 4 Literature Review 4.1 Management Information System (MIS) The principle aim of this system was to increase management effectiveness and efficiency by satisfying organisational information requirements. It commence in the 1970s and it used local data processing linked to information resources to support decision making, information system were used primarily to address the needs of internal management and co-ordination. Emphasis was also given to administration and clerical functions, as purely accounting or inventory management, while delivering added value to customers was a lower priority (Strassman, 1995; Gamble, 1994a). The strategic information system (SIS) used by hotels was to improve competitiveness by changing the nature or conduct of business; integrated ICT networks were used to achieve organisational strategic objectives, to enhance performance, and to co-ordinate activities across functional and business units line as well as to support interaction with external entities, in pursuit of competitive advantage. Personal computers enable managers to manipulate data and create their own managerial reports, statistics and follow up mechanisms by using standard and fairly user friendly spreadsheets and statistical packages. It also helps them to forecast, budget and plan, using past data and simulate models, enhancing their ability to undertake strategic decisions. (Robson, 1997; Peppard, 1993; Mc Gee and Thomas, 1988; Earl, 1988, Jackson, 1989; Wiseman; 1985) The introductions of the internet, intranet and the extranet have revolutionarized communication in the global hotel industry and enable multilevel integration and effective collaboration. It also supported both centralized and distributed computing to maximize the performances of available resources. However, this system is gradually altering the competitiveness of the hotels in the global market place and reducing the significance of location and size in the product delivery process. ICTs are used as indispensable tools for almost all business functions from production to market as it facilitate: Quick communication, Reliable and timely information transfer and retrieval, Integration of the different divisions within the organisation, Flexibility of product specifications, Sharing of information; and Achieving of common objectives. ICT offers the opportunity to target the market segment of one, i.e. each individual customer. This is only possible because ICTs support flexible and responsive value-added chains and allow consumers to repackage products through endless combinations. On the hand, ICT becomes instrumental for cost management in the industry and particularly for distribution and promotion costs. Organizations around the world have reduced their costs by reducing commission to intermediaries, by trading directly from their web page, or by paying lower distribution fees to electronic intermediaries, or by cutting commission levels and fees. In addition, redesigning processes and eliminating repetitive tasks reduced costs and increase efficiency. (Buhalis, 1998). Perhaps more importantly for tourism, ICTs support the newly important element in generating competitive advantage, i.e. time. The later not only assists organizations to share information internally and with partners, and thus maximizes their efficiency, but also allows consumers to interact constantly with tourism suppliers. Consumers can undertake entire transactions from their office or home suing the internet, on a 24- hour, 365-days a year basis. Instant confirmation and purchasing means that consumers can also maximize their own efficiency and as a result appreciate the competitive advantage of organizations based on time. Increasingly, consumers will be able to interact through mobile devices and interactive digital television, developing their capabilities further as they will be able to be connected instantly through simpler equipment and interface without having to log on to their computer. (Puhretmair et al, 2001; Zipf and Malaka, 2001) 4.2 Fidelios OPERA Hotel Property Management System Fidelio was found in 1987 in Munich and emerged as one of the leading and most innovative international system integrator for the hospitality industries. Changing the way hotels computerize and operate its software is adaptable to changing business requirements and integrates both the ongoing technological developments of industry standard computer and software systems and the organizational change experienced. Fidelio allows hotels and chains of any size and type, restaurants, cruise ships and catering and conference operators to computerize their operations and to integrate major industry software products through analysing individual requirements and appreciating their uniqueness. The latest Fidelio product is the OPERA Enterprise solution. The OPERA Enterprise solution is fully integrated suite of products consisting of modules that can be easily added or expanded allowing effective and easy deployment from smaller operators to global, multi-brand hotel chain environments. OPERA can be deployed in any size environment from a single property with just Front Office to a large, full service hotel with Sales Marketing, Catering, Revenue Management, Quality Management, BackOffice, and Material Management. In addition, OPERA Enterprise Solution offers products for a hotel chains corporate office that includes a central reservations system (CRM) for both centralized guestroom and function space sales, and an enterprise information system, the customer relationship management (CRM) specially designed for the hotel industry. The system is also design for the use of hotel bedroom key cards replacing the traditional keys for the guest bed rooms. The system is programmed to instantly cut a key for a guest on arrival and can be cancelled if lost as soon as possible. The key cards are designed in way that some hotels are using the same card to insert on the lift to operate, which an additional security for the hotels, because without a key card one cannot go up in the r ooms. The additional security is who ever last open the room can be traced if there is any problem. However it has its own problems, because it is so light in weight that guests always lost it. The OPERA Property Management System (PMU) is designed to scale according to the requirement of any size hotel or hotel chain. The OPERA Back Office is a powerful financial software suit that provides hotels with a fully integrated, flexible financial and eBusiness solution. The OPERA Reservation System (ORS) manages the hotel inventory efficiently as it is integrated with the OPERA Property Management System and OPERA Sales and Catering system. The system emulates traditional CRS functionality. While at the same time integrating the bold new technologies shared in the OPERA Enterprise Solution. Including system access via web client or any Java enabled browser. With the power of the internet, ORS is easily deployable and globally accessible. The OPERA Revenue Management provides both property based and centralized yield management and is interfaced with the OPERA Sales and catering System to analyse the value of particular group business and maximize revenue. This system registers a ny consumptions made by guest from the mini bars in the rooms and will automatically add to the guest bill. The same goes for the restaurant as well, the restaurant staff will make put all bills through the system and a charge will be made to the guest main bill. The Customer information system collects and manages guest, travel agents, source group and company profile information from designated hotel properties in a centralized database. Guest stays with detailed revenue information are also collected. The system includes a whole range of interrelated modules, including, Opera Property Management System Opera Sales Catering Opera Back Office Opera Revenue Management System Opera Central Reservations System Central Reservation System (plus web engine) Opera Quality Management System Opera Materials Management System Opera Palm Customer Information system Enterprise Information System All of these are interrelated and interconnected, enabling hotels to use the system internally, (Intranet), externally with partners (extranet) and as a window on the world (internet). Buhalis D, (2002: 19). However, these few points are to be remembered when a hotel is operating using the OPERA system as system can fail at any time. Local backups need to be made by local staff and stored offsite. Web based and local based inventory need to synchronize regularly Local hardware to be maintained including UPS and air conditioning 4.3 Distribution of Information The industrys use of technology has moved beyond one of merely controlling operations towards a more strategic role. However, a variety of challenges still remain if the industry is to maximize the benefits it can potentially gain. The greatest lies in the effective use of the data collected during the day to day operations. Customer relations management (CRM), is a strategic orientation of offering individual services to guests based on their relationship with the hotel, is widely regarded as the managerial tool to achieve this kind of differentiation. Almost since the beginnings of the industry, luxury hotels have maintained comprehensive records of the preference and spending habits of their of their most frequent guests, known as history systems, such information systems were originally maintained on manually updated paper index cards and use to provide the exceptional personalized service for which such hotels were famous. (OConnor, 1999). The growth in the use of hotel computerized systems means that most of the guests transactions are now being recorded in electronic format. Developments in communications means that such data can be collected and consolidated, allowing a central database to be updated automatically as guest transaction occur. As a result, instead of just storing the guests name, c ontact details and basic information on their aggregate spending to date, there is an increasing trend towards full-folio storage, where details of each individual transaction are added to the central data warehouse for subsequent analysis. This potentially allows an accurate, in-depth picture to be built up of each guests likes and dislikes, which could subsequently be used to provide a more personalized service. This could be done across multiple units, increasing the consistency of service and the value of the brand. The database can also be analysed for patterns, both at the individual guest and aggregate levels- a process often referred to as data mining (IBM, 2001). For the individual guests. This should result in more closely customized offers than perhaps actually interest them instead of the usual mass market junk mail. Taking such a one to one marketing approach is acknowledge bringing benefits in term of lower costs and increasing customer loyalty. Hotel companies such as Starwood, Bass and Hilton are leading examples of the successful use of such database marketing techniques. Each uses analysis of their corporate database to improve the targeting of marketing and sales efforts, resulting in increased response rates and reduction in the costs of direct marketing (OConnor, 2001b). 4.4 Supply Chain Management A review of various trade journals suggests that electronic commerce (e-commerce) required a new business model that allows lodging companies to proactively gather the necessary intelligence for understanding customers expectations in real time. By combining these two objectives, a hotel company can gain a powerful position and differentiate its lodging service from those offered by market competitors. Such an approach can be accomplished by implementing technologies to the supply chain by integrating front end applications such as customer relationship management with back office activities such as e-procurement (Turban et al, 2002, p.656). A complete e-commerce model for SCM combines both the front end and the back end systems as shown in Fig. 1. E-commerce offer enormous business opportunities to increase revenue while reducing operating costs. The complimentary between e-commerce and SCM also has been supported by many scholars (Corsi and Boyson, 2003; Frohlich and Westbrooke, 20 01; Gurau et al., 2001; Lancioni et al., 2003; Skjott-larsen et al, 2003). However, studies in the tourism and hospitality industry have primarily focus on customer perspective (Heung, 2003). Front-end applications of e-commerce have been widely used in the lodging industry but not much has been explored on the back-end system or the operation side. SCM has been defined by (Cooper, 2000 Lambert et al., 1998) as the integration of key business processes from the end user through original suppliers that provides products, services and information that add value for customers and stakeholders. (Lambert and Cooper, 2000, p.66). For the lodging industry, the SCM concept or philosophy has been practiced to certain extend. The Aberdeen group (2000) characterized the US hotel sector as a highly fragmented industry, representing more than 50,000 hotel properties that purchased from more than 10,000 suppliers. With such fragmentized network vulnerable to the inefficient control of purchasing procedures, the lodging industry is facing significant challenges for managing procurement practices. To take on these challenges, the first step is to understand the core of SCM in the context of the lodging business. 4.5 The Procurement Process Another that has attracted much attention, due to its potential for creating efficiency gains, is that of procurement. Here focus on IT that enables external integration with partners in the value chain, rather than narrowly focusing on automated internal operations. Traditionally the hospitality sector has had an inefficient purchasing process. Multiple units, fragmented supply chains and inefficient business processes all adversely affected the purchasing process by creating inefficiencies and increasing costs. In general, unit level staff managed procurement, and there was a high frequency of low value orders to multiple suppliers, which resulted in high administrative costs. Even where contracts existed for specific products, the unpredictability of hospitality operations meant that Maverick purchases from unapproved vendors were, and still are, common, further increasing costs. Using technology to facilitate the purchasing process over-comes many of this problems while potential ly creating some others. By digitalizing the processes involved in purchasing, great efficiencies can be achieved when sourcing, specifying, ordering, tracking deliveries of and paying for, purchases. In effect e-procurement involves electronically managing the entire purchasing process from product identification through requisition to payment. The process requires extensive and accurate performance data. Not only will an e-procurement solution help to capture aggregate purchases by purchased product codes, but will also help to chronicle the derails in a suppliers performance record including delivery and quality level performance. 4.6 Communicating Information All telecommunications (telephone, telex and fax) have been used extensively throughout the tourism industry worldwide. Although telephone conversation is a personal and direct way of communication, linguistic problems, time zone differences and its prohibitive cost limit its international usage. Telex for years the most prominent communication method and has contributed greatly to communications in the tourism industry. As transmits text reliable and inexpensively without requiring the simultaneous availability of sender and receiver, it has been extensively used especially in regions with inadequate telephone networks. However as computer communications and faxes prevail, the telex is limited to communication with developing world countries with unreliable telecommunications infrastructures and it is gradually being transformed into a computer based system using a different communication network. The commercial introduction of the telefax in the 1980s allowed the transmission of im ages over phone lines and enhances the efficiency of tourism operations significantly. Although its operational is the same as transmission of readily available documents and graphics. Fax technology does not require technical skills or the simultaneous presents of sender and receiver, and therefore has penetrated the tourism market place very efficiently (Beckman, 2001). In the pre-internet era, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) used computer net-work to enable computer file interchange of standard transaction documents such as invoices bills or purchase orders between organizations. EDI transmits structured transactions with distinct fields, such as transaction data, amount, sender and recipients name. These assist organizations in exchanging information, order and invoices without human involvement. In tourism, for example, this can be used for travel agencies to transfer bookings to a tour operators suppliers. Invoices can be directed backwards and payment receipts can be generated automatically by the system. EDI therefore enhances communication efficiently and reduces labour transaction costs and encourages firms to continue doing business with their partners. Although EDI is still used for large amount of transactions mainly between large organizations, transactions and interchanges on the internet have replaced EDI with extranets and have also enable smaller players to take advantage of the efficiency that networking provides. (Laudon and Laudon, 2002; Reynolds, 1992) 5 Findings and Analyses This chapter will give the synopsis of the data collected from the interviews and later give discussions in relation to the research questions 5.1 Management Information System (MIS) Because the PalmaRima hotel does not have the Property Management System the hotel lacks a local data processing linked to information resources to support decision making, information systems are used primarily to address the needs of internal management and co-ordination. As there is no computer at the reception it makes it difficult for the front office manager to manipulate data and create his own managerial reports, statistics and follow up mechanisms by using standard and fairly user friendly spreadsheets and statistical packages. 5.2 Fidelios OPERA Hotel Property Management System In response to this point, it is noted from the data collected that all reservations, checking in and out guest, Marketing, Catering, Revenue Management, Quality Management, BackOffice, Material Management are all done manually. 5.3 Distribution of Information The growth in the use of hotel computerized systems means that most of the guests transactions are now being recorded in electronic format. Developments in communications means that such data can be collected and consolidated, allowing a central database to be updated automatically as guest transaction occur. This is not happening in the case of the PalmaRima hotel, which makes it very difficult for the front office to get their repeat guest profiles. 5.4 Supply Chain Management Based on the research the PalmaRima hotel cannot implement technologies to the supply chain by integrating front end applications such as customer relationship management with back office activities such as e-procurement. The Aberdeen group (2000) characterized the US hotel sector as a highly fragmented industry, representing more than 50,000 hotel properties that purchased from more than 10,000 suppliers. With such fragmentized network vulnerable to the inefficient control of purchasing procedures, the PalmaRima hotel is facing significant challenges for managing procurement practices. To take on these challenges, the hotel first step is to understand the core of SCM in the context of the lodging business. 5.6 The Procurement Process Using technology to facilitate the purchasing process over-comes many of this problems while potentially creating some others. By digitalizing the processes involved in purchasing, great efficiencies can be achieved when sourcing, specifying, ordering, tracking deliveries of and paying for, purchases. Not only will an e-procurement solution help to capture aggregate purchases by purchased product codes, but will also help to chronicle the derails in a suppliers performance record including delivery and quality level performance for the Palma Rima hotel 5.7 Communicating Information Computer communications and faxes prevail, the telex is limited to communication with developing world countries with unreliable telecommunications infrastructures and it is gradually being transformed into a computer based system using a different communication network. (Beckman, 2001). Based on research the PalmaRima hotel communicates internally by forms only but by introducing the MIS they will benefit by using the intranet to communicate internally and would be a great help to communicate externally by extranet especially to suppliers. 6 Conclusions In other for the hotels to strengthen the organisations business initiatives and maximise profit, they need to overcome the obstacles presented its legacy technology system. In the case of PalmaRima hotel they realised that their manual reservation system becoming more and more ineffective, primarily resulting in loss of financial controls and staff productivity. As a result, the way we live and work in most societies around the globe has been significantly altered. Automated industrial production has enabled a greater total output as well as better planning and quality control. Over the last few decades, the progress in information technology has revolutionalized both the global economy and enterprises. The development and application of computerised systems has accelerated rapidly and enabled their use in a wider range of functions and activities. Technological developments have also introduced a wide range of new tools for the strategic and operational management of organisations. Increasingly technological convergence integrates software, hardware and net ware and supports inter-operability and interconnectivity. In addition, the integration of the internet, extranet and intranets enables organisations to interact dynamically with different actors and stakeholder. The PalmaRima hotel can enhance their performance by empowering their strategic marketing and management efforts through supporting their functions with advanced ICTs. This will enable them to improve their networking and ultimately to improve their virtuality. Technological change alters jobs, creates new skills, makes occupations obsolete, and revises what employees need to learn and be trained to do. Sometimes, new technologies require new job designs. Technology can also be used for recruiting, training and maintaining database for employees. E-recruitment is b eing used by a lot more companies now, sinc

Hip Hip Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Introduction Hip hop as a ding an sich is marked by some confusion. Consider the name; is it "hip hop," "hip-hop" or "hiphop"? You will see all three used in titles in this bibliography. Hip hop is, at the same time, a cultural phenomenon that developed in the late 70's in the projects in Brooklyn and the Bronx, and a musical style from that phenomenon. Nevertheless, hip hop has become a pervasive element of popular culture, as witnessed by this bibliography. There are hip hop exercise videos, children's books as well as books, magazines, magazine articles and theses about it. Before we get to the bibliography, a brief hip hop history is in order. Hip hop began in the mid- to late 70's, but its roots are much older (indeed, hip hop's use of music from other genres is reflected in Renaissance parody masses). According to one source, the roots of this phenomenon are in Jamaica in the 40's. By the 60's, it was common to find "sounds", or a truck fitted with sound equipment parked at a street corner, playing American rhythm & blues records for the people in the neighborhood. Some of these DJs included Coxson Dodd, Prince Buster, and Duke Reid. By the 1970's this phenomenon was to be found in the US, particularly in the Farragut Projects in Brooklyn, NY. Some of these early DJs were Maboya, Plummer and Kool DJ D, who played mostly disco music. Another of these early figures, Kool Herc, emigrated to the States from Jamaica and settled in the Bronx with his sound system he called "the Herculords." In contrast to some of the other figures, Kool Herc focused on rhythm & blues and funk records. Another of Kool Herc's innovations was to play only the "break," or the musical material between the verses of a song, repeating that break again and again. He did this using two turntables mounted with the same record. This came to be called "break-beat deejaying." People began to perform "strange, acrobatic twisting dance routines" to these episodes that came to be called "break dances."2 Kool Herc eventually hired someone to "MC" these parties. This person would talk to the crowd between the songs to keep the party going. This was the beginning of "rapping." DJ Hollywood, one of the early MC's at Kool Herc's parties would use rhyming verses in his rap... ..., ed. Drumvoices. University of Illinois, Edwardsville, Illinois, 2004. Contains "The Hip Hop Nation as a Site of African American Cultural and Historical Memory" by James Spady. Roberts, John W. From hucklebuck to hip-hop: social dance in the African-American community in Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Pa.: Odunde, 1995. Sansevere, John R. Post-bop hip-hop: a tribe called Quest. [Racine, Wis.]: Western Pub. Co., 1993. Sexton, Adam., ed. Rap on rap: straight-up talk on hip-hop culture. New York: Delta, 1995. Shabazz, Julian L. D. The United States of America vs. hip-hop. Hampton, VA: United Bros. Pub. Co., 1992. Shaw, Arnold. Black popular music in America : from the spirituals, minstrels, and ragtime to soul, disco, and hip-hop. New York: London: Schirmer Books; Collier Macmillan, 1986. Shomari, Hashim A. From the underground : hip hop culture as an agent of social change. Fanwood, NJ: X-Factor Publications, 1995. Smash, Nick. Hip hop 86-89. Woodford Green, Essex, England: International Music Publications, 1990. Illustrated. Spady, James G., and Joseph D. Eure. Nation conscious rap. AfroAmericanization of knowledge series; 3. New York: PC International Press, 1991.

Livy and Polybius on the Life of Hannibal from Carthage

Hannibal, argueably the greatest war hero of the Ancient World, second to Alexander the Great was both loved and hated throughout the Hellenic world and has remained a major historical character studied through ancient history circles today. Livy and Polybius two brilliant ancient historians have left an invaluable insight into the life of Hannibal from Carthage and have documented in their writings the footsteps of this most famous warlords achievements against Rome. This essay will include an outlook on Hannibal from both authors perspectives, Livy and Polybius and will also include who the historians were, when they wrote and what type of works they performed. Livy was a Roman historian who existed between 59 B. C- 17 A. D. Born Titus Livius in Patavium the most elegant city in Italy, came from Aristocratic blood and born into a world of opportunity and luxury. Livy lived many years after the battles between Hannibal and Rome approximately 150 years later so his sources of writing were not first hand accounts so therefore not entirely accurate. Livy moved to Rome at the age of 30 and after a brief stint writing and teaching philosophy began a large scale documentation on the history of the Roman empire. Due to a wealthy family inheritance Livy was financially free to live a quiet life of study in the library, becoming the most influential author of his era. Livy,s writing was very colourful and dramatic with a very story telling style. He was brilliant at glamourising Rome stating history was written by the winners, making the enemy read bigger and bolder than they really were, a gross style of exaggeration to allow rome to seem like an unconquerable dynasty who defeated the undefeatable. A very imaginative story telling style that won many hearts throughout the Hellenic world. I am Roman, I am great, Rome is great. Livy had no political or military blood lines or experience in public office, was not a man of war but more an academic who wanted to escape the evils of civil war so present during his time and escape to the library to write about the joys of the past. In book 21 of his ancient writings Livy shows positive perspectives on Hannibal declaring him the commander and chief of the Carthaginians and a soldier who led the way in battle, the first to enter the fight and the last to leave the battle. Livy also states that Hannibal was an opportunist who continuously practiced and observed others where necessary to become a great leader of men, however Livy does conclude his view speaking in negative terms about Hannibals inhumane cruelty, absence of truth, disrespects oaths and has no sense of religious codes. The truth is that Rome never defeated the carthaginians in battle and during their last battle at Cannae the roman army were slaughtered by Hannibal losing 70,000 men in one day, the Romans never fought the Carthaginians on land again and were forced to find other methods in exterminating their enemy, Livy never gave the reader an exact truth but more a moral story of history as he was an astute Roman who loved all things Rome. Polybius was an Ancient Historian from Greece, one of the greats. His views of Roman history provided his readers with historical means for individual self improvement. Polybius was born in Megalopolis in 202 B. C the son of Lycortas a general of the Achaean league. With his fathers influence Polybius served as an ambassador to Egypt and also served as a cavalry commander. In 169 B. C Polybius was dispatched to assist Rome against Macedon however Rome suspected Polybius of half hearted support and was shipped to Rome as a political hostage living comfortably under house arrest behind the city walls of rome. Eventually Polybius was appointed tutor to Roman aristocratic children and given permission to access Roman documents and readings in order to utilise his craft of writing literature. Polybius became honoured by both Greeks and Romans and was an eyewitness to historical events of his day including the 3rd macedon war and the 3rd punic war. Polybius insisted on travelling to where the history was made, to the battle fields, engaging other military men, including tracking down other military soldiers who fought fore and against Rome in the 1st and 2nd Punic wars. Polybius on Hannibal reads a very neutral account basing his views on eyewitness accounts including his own and referencing from other readings and sources of history. Polybius was himself a man of war who had real life experience into the mindset of a soldier in battle. His opinions neither favour nor ridicule Hannibal. Polybius endeavoured and discovered in book 9 an honest side to the character of Hannibal stating for I think that men in these circumstances are compelled, not occasionally but frequently, either by the suggestions of friends or the complexity of affairs, to speak and act contrary to real principles. Polybius unearths here the human condition of Hannibal a highly motivated man, a man with a plan who did not just sit around, a man groomed for war his whole life and loyal to the oath of his father, I will hate Rome my whole life. Polybius also expresses a comparison in book 9 mentioning other exceptional historical figures like Cleomones from Sparta, a most excellent king and most cruel tyrant and then again as a positive individual most obliging and benevolent. Polyibius is clearly stating a reasoning here acknowledging the cruel reality of war and how generals are compelled to change with the changes of circumstance. Having studied the historical writings on Livy and Polybius the reader can conclude that Polybius was more favourable to Hannibal. Although Livy did praise Hannibal in the early passages of book 21 he did conclude by attacking his code of conduct and methods when campaigning and on the battle field and illustrates Hannibal as an extremely cruel character. Livy failed to use primary sources in his readings accompanied with his story telling style, his readings were written from an enterrainment point of view particularly to the Romans as Hannibal was a true enemy to Rome. Polybius however prided himself on keeping it real and stating only the facts, praising his heros or villians only if they deserved it. , expressing always a non biased opinion. Polybius always documented his findings from eyewitness accounts and information stemmed from interviews he had performed personally with those who had served beside Hannibal, taking himself along the exact same routes tracing Hannibals steps to were the history occurred. Livy and Polybius writings of the punic wars between Rome and Hannibal from Carthage painted a picture of his achievements and gave insight into the man known as Hannibal, the difference between the two authors were the styles in resourcing the material to keep the work accurate and correct. Polybius achieved plausible accounts which deems him the most credible. It’s a pity that all historians were not as good as Polybius.

Asia Pacific Economic essays

Asia Pacific Economic essays The purpose of this report is to analyze the business process in Asia by planning a business venture in China. The report will present and apply knowledge in terms of the strategic business planning and development process. With nearly 1.3 billion people, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is the worlds largest country and the worlds fastest-growing economy. Since its opening to the outside world in 1978 China has begun building a modern, internationally oriented industrial economy based on imports of technology and export-oriented production (Genzberger A. C, 1995, P1). Chinas political, economic and investment environment are changing, albeit gradually, and it has a growing core of forward-looking technocrats committed to economic reform. 2.1 What analysis would you want to undertake before actually considering market entry into China. Australia is Chinas thirteenth largest source of utilized FDI (foreign direct investment), with 2500 direct investment projects in a wide range of fields (China Daily, 4 Jan 1997). Evidences show that sixty per cent of Australian firms were interested in China, citing the huge potential of the market, low labour costs and Australias economic interests being largely in East Asia. Although there were a lot of barriers during investment process, for example, a complex and often conflicting system of administrative controls regulates access by foreign investors to Chinas market, the limited availability of foreign exchange, inadequate protection for intellectual property, barriers to market access and production controls, treatment hat is unequal when compared with that of domestic companies, and the lack of an adequate mechanism for resolving disputes (Genzberger A. C, 1995, P43), the number of Australian cumulative investment in China increased to around A$1 billion, with realized ou tlays averaging over A$200 million per year recently- mostly in manufact...

SCRUM †An Agile Process †Information Systems Essay

SCRUM – An Agile Process – Information Systems Essay Free Online Research Papers SCRUM An Agile Process Information Systems Essay Scrum is an agile process designed to help manage and control software development work. It applies to both regularly develops products and those which require constant adaptation to business needs, technology availability and reliability. However, Scrum is suited best to new product development rather than extended development realizing that speed and flexibility of methodologies like Sashimi where the importance of high quality and low cost project phases have been reduced to four: requirements, design, prototype, and acceptance. Other companies took one step further, reducing the phases to one and calling it Scrum. The term Scrum comes from rugby where it is the method of beginning play in which the forwards of each team crouch side by side with locked arms; play starts when the ball thrown in between them and the two sides compete for possession. The key to this comparison is that everyone on the team is working towards the same goal. Scrum begins by calling a meeting to tell then team that they have been selected to do an important project. It is best to describe the project in a fair amount of detail, include how long its estimated to take, how much it is estimated to cost, how it is expected to perform. At this point the program manager will generally tell the team that their job is to do it in half the time, with half the cost, and twice the performance benefits. At this point the manager may explain how the rest of the project is up to them and that he or she is just a resource if needed. The first thing that usually happens within the group is the initial leader will become primarily a reporter. The leadership role will bounce around within the team based on the task at hand. Soon QA developers will be learning how requirements are done and will be actively contributing, and requirements people will be seeing things from a QA point of view. As work is done in each of the phases, all the team learns and contributes, no work is done alone, the team is behind everything. From the initial meeting, the finished product is being developed. Someone can be writing code, working on functional specifications, and designing all at once. It is not unusual if the team cleans the slate numerous times, to make room for new ways while disregarding old practices as they prove useless. The team should become autonomous, and will tend to transcend the initial goals, striving for excellence. The people on the team will become committed to accomplish the goal and some members may exp erience emotional pain when the project is completed. Scrum works because of the basic premise is that if you are committed to the team and the project, and if your boss really trusts you, then you can spend time being productive instead of justifying your work. This reduces the need for meetings, reporting and authorization. There is control, but it is subtle and mostly indirect. It is exercised by selecting the right people, creating an open work environment, encouraging feedback, establishing an evaluation and reward program based on group performance, managing the tendency to go off in different directions early on, and tolerating mistakes. Every person on the team starts with an understanding of the problem, associates it with a range of solutions experienced and studied, then using skill, intelligence, and experience, will narrow the range to one or a few options. Research Papers on "SCRUM - An Agile Process" - Information Systems EssayThe Project Managment Office SystemThe Hockey GameResearch Process Part OneOpen Architechture a white paperBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesThe Effects of Illegal Immigration

GANG INTERVENTION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

GANG INTERVENTION - Essay Example The prosecution suppression program Operation Hardcore was initially formed in 1979 by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. This is the original prosecution program which aimed to restrain brutal juvenile gang crimes that are severe. Operation Hardcore led to lesser caseloads, further investigative report, vertical prosecution and resources to help victims of gang related offenses (Youth Gang Programs and Strategies, 2000). Currently operating as Hardcore Gang Division (Operation Hardcore), the program is said to be a total success since it provided more convictions for all types of charges and prison/confinement for program subject cases in comparison with cases of the same nature that underwent the standard prosecution procedure. Operation Hardcore is a reputable program that established improvements in managing and administering criminal justice processes on cases involving gang defendants (Youth Gang Programs and Strategies, 2000). On the other hand, police hands-on work or police response is the second aspect of gang suppression programs which began during the early 1980s at the Southwest to deal with the rising problems on youth and adult gangs. This program was implemented by having police officers do gang intelligence work like surveillance and doing neighborhood cruising in a caravan of patrol cars (caravanning) (Youth Gang Programs and Strategies, 2000).

United Kingdom Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Essay

United Kingdom Offshore Oil and Gas Industry - Essay Example Conversely, the United Kingdom’s primary energy sources have come from the offshore oil and gas industry. Indeed, nearly 99% of the oil and gas produced in the United Kingdom is produced from offshore sources ("House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee," 2010). This industry has engendered significant competition. Implementing Porter’s diamond model, this research investigates this industry in terms of uncertainty, complexity, and the dynamics of the business environment. Investigating the United Kingdom’s offshore oil and gas industry poses a number of challenges, perhaps most prominently the expansive nature of the industry. In gaining an overarching perspective on competitiveness in United Kingdom oil and gas industry one of the primary determinants is the United Nations Global Competitiveness Report. While this report does not directly examine the dynamics of United Kingdom offshore oil, it considers macro-competitiveness indicators that are closel y coupled with notions of environmental velocity. In this context of understanding, it’s indicated that in recent years the United Kingdom has moved up in rankings of competitiveness, now positioned at 10th globally (The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012, 2011). ... A general perusal of media accounts of the UK offshore oil and gas industry demonstrates strong innovation in terms of fracking methods that, although garnering environmental criticism, have been noted to show greater methods of productivity and efficiency (Lundgren 2011). This is also reflected in the industry development of the Industry Technology Facilitator that specifically seeks engineering innovation throughout the industry. The culmination of these statistical and qualitative indicators of competitiveness demonstrates that the United Kingdom’s offshore oil and gas industry relative to the global energy business environment is dynamic and high velocity. While global competitiveness indicators provide strong insight into macro-industry elements, further conceptual models are necessary for investigating micro-industry concerns. One of the most seminal and applicable models for this mode of investigation is Porter’s diamond model. Porter’s model investigates organizational competitiveness in terms of a series of factors of competitive advantage (Porter 2012). One of the most prominent considerations within this conceptual framework is that of governmental policies. The offshore oil and gas industry poses a number of environmental challenges that the United Kingdom government regularly must consider. A recent report issued by the House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee investigated many such aspects of environmental regulation. To a large extent it’s understood that the government has placed a high emphasis on moving to decarbonize the UK economy as a means of meeting the demands of climate change. Still, these measures are noted to occur in a