Beneficiation of Iron Ores

These ores ca n be directly used in the production of iron and steel. All other ores need benefaction and certain processing before they are used in t he production of iron and steel. Low grade iron ores cannot be used as such for the production of iron and SST eel and need to be upgraded to reduce its gangue content and increase its Fee content. The process adopted to upgrade the Fee content of air n ore is known as iron ore benefaction (108). However, Iron ores from different sources have their own peculiar mineralogy cal characteristics and require the specific benefaction and teleological treatment to get the best product out of it.Also for effective Ben affectation treatment, effective crushing, grinding, and screening of the ore is necessary for which suitable crushing, grinding, and SC reining technologies are to be employed. The choice of the benefaction treatment depends on the nature of the gangue present and its association with the ore structure. Several methods/technique s such as washing, jigging, magnetic separation, gravity separation, and flotation n etc. Are used to enhance the Fee content of the Iron ore and to reduce its gangue content.These techniques are used in various combination s for the benefaction of iron ores. For benefaction of a particular iron ore the emphasis is usually to develop a cost effective flow she et incorporating necessary crushing, grinding, screening and benefiting techniques which are necessary for the upgrading of the iron or e. A typical flow sheet for iron ore benefaction plant is shown in Fig 1. 3/13 Fig 1 A typical flow sheet of iron ore benefaction plant Some of the common methods/ techniques applicable for iron ore processing are described below.Crushing, grinding and screening technique The purpose of grinding and regrinding is to reduce the ore to a size small en ugh to liberate and recover the valuable minerals. The crushing, grinding and screening systems of an BIB plant are to be designed t aging into acc ount the requirements of the downstream benefaction processes. The crushing units may include primary, secondary, t artery and quaternary crushing systems. Jaw, gyrator, cone, and roll crushers are used for ore crushing. Semi toughens grinding and AU toughens grinding circuits are used for grinding the ore.Both rod mills and ball mills are used for this purpose. Capital investment and proper action costs of grinding equipment are high. Hence economics play a large part in planning for the degree of crushing and grinding perform d to prepare ore for benefaction. Other factors considered in determining the degree of crushing and grinding includes the value concentrate Zion of the ore, its mineralogy, hardness and moisture content. Closed circuit grinding minimizes over grinding of very friable ore normally of undo in the ore bodies of our region.The more the recirculation load the less is the over grinding of particles. Washing and wet scrubbing This process is primitive and widely us ed in lumpy iron ore processing to disco edge and remove friable and soft laterality materials, fine materials and limitation clay particles adhering to the ore. Wet scrubbing is alls o useful in hard and porous ores, which invariably have cavity/ pores filled with clayey material that need substantial removal. Gravity separation This technique is used where iron bearing minerals are free from associated g angle materials.The specific gravity of iron bearing minerals is usually higher than the specific gravity of gangue materials. Effectiveness e efficiency of the gravity separation depends largely on to proper crushing and sizing of the ore so as to ensure a proper size feed to the gravity separation equipment and also removal of slime from the equipment. A large numbers of equipment/ processes functioning on gravity separation principle are available. Some of t hem are described below. Dense media separation -? The process is also known as heavy media separate on. The process is u sed for coarse ores (size range mm to 50 mm.Ground ferry silicon of 300 mesh size is used as suspension to cream et a parting density of 33. 2 which is sufficient for angle materials to float and get separated. The suspension material is recover reed by using low intensity magnetic separators (LIME). Feed for the dense media separation must be hard and compact with non poor us gangue material. Heavy media cyclone – The process is used for iron ore fines with size range o f 0. Mm to 6 mm. The cyclone type separator utilizes centrifugal as well as gravitational forces to make separation between ore an d gangue material.Ground Frederickson of 325 mesh size is used as a media in cyclone. Jigging – Jigging is a gravity concentration technique where the iron ore is seep rated into light density fraction, medium density fraction and heavy density fraction. Size fraction of the iron ore used for gig Eng is 0. 5 mm to mm. Http://asparagus. Com/beneficiationofironores/ Spirals à ¢â‚¬â€œ Spiral concentrators are flowing film separation devices. General pop ration is a continuous gravitational laminar flow down on an inclined surface. The mechanism of separation involves primary and SE secondary flow patterns.The primary flow is essentially the slurry flowing down the spiral trough under the force of gravity. The sec Andrea flow pattern is radial across the trough. Here the uppermost fluid layers comprising higher density particles move away from t he centre while the lowermost concentrate layers of higher density particles move towards the centre. Spirals require addition of water at various points down the spiral to assist washing of the iron ore, I. E. Transporting away the light gangue from the dense ore. The e amount of wash water and its distribution down the spiral trough can be adjusted to meet the operating requirements.Point count roll minimizes the total water requirements by efficiently directing water into the flowing pulp at the most effective a ngle. Feed size app logicality is in the range of 0. 3 mm to 1 mm. Spirals are normally operated at a pulp density of 25 % to 30 % solids. Tables -? Tables have wide range of application in gravity treatment of iron ore s. Tables are normally used in cleaning and scavenging circuits. Feed size applicability is in the range of 0. 3 mm to 1 mm. Spirals are n armorial operated at a pulp density of 25 % to 30 % solids.Multi gravity concentrator – They are under development stage and are design Ned to treat fines and ultramarine particles Of iron ore. They are useful in processing of valuables from slimes and tails. Cyclones – Cyclones used for concentration of iron ores are of several types. T hose include hydrochloric, stub cyclone and heavy media cyclone. Cyclones are cost effective and simple in their construction. The e main parts of a cyclone consist of cyclone diameter, the inlet nozzle at the point of entry into the feed chamber, vortex finder, cyclic medical sectio n and cone section.They have proper geometrical relationship between the cyclone diameter, inlet area, vortex find ere, apex orifice, and sufficient length providing retention time to properly classify particles. As the feed enters the chamber, a rotation Of the slurry inside of the cyclone begins, causing centrifugal forces to accelerate the movement of the particles towards the oh term wall. The particles migrate downward in a spiral pattern through the cylindrical section and into the conical section. At this poi NT the smaller mass particles migrate toward the center and spiral upward and out through the vortex finder, discharging through the overflow pipe.This product, which contains the finer particles and the majority of the water, is termed the overflow and should be discharged at or near atmospheric pressure. The higher ass particles remain in a downward spiral path along the walls of the conical I section and gradually exit through the apex orifice. This product is termed the underflow and also should be discharged at or nee r atmospheric pressure. Magnetic separation Magnetic separation technologies are used to take the advantage Of the differ once in the magnetic properties for separating iron ore from the non magnetic associated gangue materials.Magnetic separation can be condo acted in either a dry or wet environment, although wet systems are more common. Magnetic separation operations can also be categorized as either low or high I density. Low intensity separators use magnetic fields between 1000 to 3000 gauss. Low intensity techniques are normally used on magnetite ore as an inexpensive and effective separation method. High intensity separators employ fields as strong as 20,000 gauss. This method is u seed to separate weakly magnetic iron ores such as hematite, from nonmagnetic or less magnetic gangue materials.Other factors important t in determining which type of magnetic separator system is used include particle size and the solids content of the ore slurry feed. Http:// asparagus. Com/beneficiationofironores/ 5/13 Typically magnetic separation involves three stages of separation namely (I) c bobbling, (ii) cleaning/roughing and (iii) finishing. Each stage may employ several drums in a series to improve separation efficiency. Each s successive stage works on finer particles as a result of the removal of oversized particles in earlier separations. Cobblers work on larger particles and reject substantial percent of feed as tails.Several types of magnetic separation technologies are used. These are descried bed below. Wet and dry, low intensity magnetic separation (LIME) High gradient magnetic separation (HIGHS) Wet high intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS) Roll magnetic separators for processing weak magnetic ores Induction roll magnetic separation (RIMS) for concentrating dry ores Flotation process Flotation process uses a technique where particles of one mineral or group of minerals are made to adhere preferentially to air bubbles in the presence of a chemical reagent.This is achieved by using chemical reagents t hat that preferentially react with the desired mineral. Several factors are important to the success of flotation activities. These include unify remit of particle size, use of reagent compatible with the mineral, and water conditions that will not interfere with the attachment of the e reagents to the mineral or the air bubble. Today flotation is primarily used to upgrade concentrates resulting from mage entice separation.Flotation to be used all alone as a benefaction method is used rarely. Chemical reagents used are mainly of three main groups namely (I) collectors/ amines, (ii) brothers, and (iii) antifoam. Reagents may be added in a number of forms which include solid, immiscible liquid emulsion a ND solution in water. The concentration of reagents need to be loosely controlled during conditioning since adding more reagent than needed d retards the reaction and reduce efficiency.

Hasty Decisions in Romeo and Juliet Essay

The tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet hosts a plethora of hastily made decisions. As ill-fated as the two star-crossed lovers may have been, the root of all their problems can be traced back to their rash decisions. The reason Romeo and Juliet meet in the first place is because Romeo and Benvolio decide on a whim that they are going to go to the Capulet party to show Romeo that there are other beauties besides Rosaline. After this all of the decisions of the characters are made on the spot, with little to no forethought going into them. Had the characters thought their choices through a bit more thoroughly then perhaps they wouldn’t have had to deal with the resulting tragedy. These are but a few of the flawed choices that ultimately lead to Romeo and Juliet’s untimely demise. As mentioned the decision that caused the ignition of this ill-fated romance was when Romeo and Benvolio made the choice to go to the Capulet party. They hear about it when reading the Capulet messenger’s letter and rashly decide to go to the party so as to help Romeo get over Rosaline. The fact that they willingly decide to go to their enemy’s party to find women is abhorrent since they know the troubles that could ensue if they got caught. If they had put a little more thought into the consequences of such actions then maybe Romeo and Juliet would not have ended up in such a turbulent romance. Another poorly made decision was when after knowing each other for a single day Romeo and Juliet decide to get married. The amount of flaws in their logic whilst deciding upon this course of action is numerous. First, after such a short amount of time they hardly know each other, second, before making such a huge step for their futures it would’ve been wise to first see if they could do anything to help end their families feuding so that they wouldn’t have to keep their love a secret. Their secret marriage inescapably leads to many problems including that Juliet’s dad wants her to marry Paris. Since she is already married this idea throws her into a fit of rage and despair. This leads to another whirlwind of events that in the end forges the way to one of Romeo and Juliet’s final and greatest mistake. The last and quite possibly the biggest mistake that the lovers make is when they decide to take their own lives to be with each other. The reason this happens is due to even more hastily made decisions. The first event that leads to this tragic ending is when Friar Lawrence decides to give Juliet a potion to make her sleep for a day despite not having mentioned any f their plans to Romeo. The friar does send a letter but it gets delayed so Romeo has no idea that Juliet’s death is a hoax. Instead of doing something rational Romeo then decides to purchase a vial of poison and kill himself at Juliet’s grave. At the grave Romeo ends up killing Paris and a few minutes before Juliet is suppose to wake up takes the poison and dies. If Romeo had waited a little longer or tried to go to Friar Lawrence to see about what had happened this catast rophe could have been avoided. Shortly after Romeo dies Juliet wakes up and is stricken with insurmountable despair at his death. When the friar tries to get her to leave the tomb she finds a dagger and kills herself. Juliet’s decision to kill herself because she is unable to be with her lover in life is quite a brash and thoughtless decision. After she woke up she could have left with the friar and tried to sort out her feelings first before making such a permanent decision, but instead her forthright nature gets the best of her and she ends up dead because of it. Romeo and Juliet perfectly depict that rash decisions lead to defective conclusions. In conclusion Romeo and Juliet can be more accurately described as a tale of hastily made decisions leading to unfortunate conclusions rather than the story of two star-crossed lovers who were destined to be kept apart. The key events that lead to their deaths are all caused by someone caught in the heat of the moment and not thinking clearly. From the decision to go to the Capulet party to all the events that contributed to their fast paced romance, perfunctory decisions have overshadowed them all. Through these choices the tragic flaws of Romeo and Juliet are revealed. It becomes apparent early on that Romeo’s tragic flaw is his impulsiveness and inability to control his love for Juliet. Juliet’s tragic flaw is her loyalty towards Romeo which leads to her death when she is separated from him. Romeo and Juliet were the victimized by themselves, and ultimately it ends up leading to their untimely deaths.

Democracy

Democracy Democracy has become a dominant form of the government, that using in many countries. Democracy is a government form, which is the citizen should have a decision to vote their leader directly for their own country or elect the leader for the other problems. Democracy can develop it, if the majority and the minority party or the association willing works together. Which is everybody can talk and have an opinion, than will put the all idea together and take a better decision for the problem. With democracy form, the one elected leader will work as maximum as possible for the citizens.Than the citizens can see and make a decision about what the elected leader have done to the country and also they have elected the right or wrong leader. Democracy is based on the concept, that everybody in the world is the same, no matter what they are a president or a king. In democracy also have no different between how people look like. For example: White and black, lower class and middle cl ass. Furthermore, not everybody have an equal physically or mentally. The important thing, democracy is all human being have equality. In democracy have an important concept.The first concept is all of the citizens that living in one country, that should be equal, which have an idea and an opinion than issues to the public. The important thing, while elect the candidates for the country leader, that everybody needs to listen to the candidates because the candidates have a different ideas and plans to what they will do for the country. The candidates also need a concept of equality to speech in front all of country citizen, which will vote for the election about what their plans for the future, if they win as a country leader.Even though, the citizens divide to a different side of parties. The United State of America is using the democracy form. Four years ago, Barrack Obama won the election from John McCain as a 44th president of the United State of America, which was using a democr acy form. For the 2012 president election, which Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney were candidates for the president and won by Obama. That is one of example for the democracy form. All American citizen need to participate in the election because all of them are important.They have a better decision to vote and make a difference between both of presidential candidates for the next four years for America. The second concept, the citizens, the government and the candidates should be freedom. This democracy concept is based on equality concept because with freedom people will free to have and issues the idea and opinion to the public and the people also should be listening to each other. Than combine the ideas and opinion and take a good decision, which is can keep a good name of the country. â€Å"Democracy depends on citizen participation in all these ways.But participation must be peaceful, respectful of the law, and tolerant of the different views of other groups and individuals. â₠¬  Even though the democracy concept is freedom and equality, but without participation of citizen, the democracy form cannot work. The country needs a citizen to participate and also need respect for the law. The concept of freedom is not about the citizen become a totally free under the government. That problem can only become an anarchy, where have no government to control the country. The citizens are totally free from everything; they can do what ever they like.For Example: The country has a corruption, everywhere people are poor people and many of them become a murderer to get money, in order to survive their self. Hereafter, the freedom concept has free to choose any religion, to worship and to practice the religion. Further, also free develop their own culture; teach the culture to each other. Democracy also allows the people move from the country. Furthermore, democracy is the system that follows the rule. â€Å"The rule of law protects the rights of citizens, maintains o rder, and limits the power of government. With having a rule of law, the country can be affordable because everything is safe; they have a right of citizen. Everybody who life in a democracy forms that will be equal to each other because the citizens live under the law. With the law people cannot do what ever they like because they will get no excuse for it. For example: One of the government official grafts the money from one of the project. That is a big problem because he or she is breaking the rule of law in democracy form. The sanction at least the government official will go to the jail.For Example: Indonesia, if the government Official and a businessman have a problem with to the government or to other problem, and also corruption, will have a decision to go to the jail. Forward, all of citizens and government have equality under the law. â€Å"No one may be taxed or prosecuted except by a law established in advance. † In democracy country, no one can live without the law, because everybody in one country is all the citizen of the country. Than the citizen cannot make any changes for the law, even for the president cannot break the law because law is established and adhered to.The form of democracy is very good to use in the government. The citizen will have a freedom to chose the country leader, which is they have time to decision and also make it a different for the country, also for their self. Everybody in democracy form always have to get equality between the citizen and the government. The citizen who have an ideas or opinion and can issue their opinion to the government, which is can make any change for the country and help the people in the country.The democracy can make the government easier to control the citizen and the country because the people are obedient against the rule of law. Further, the country is safer from the criminal, from the project corruption and also can help the citizen to improve their self to become a better citize n than useful for the country. Reference: 1. â€Å"What Is Democracy? † What Is Democracy? Web. 09 Nov. 2012. . 2. Grigsby, Ellen. Analyzing Politics. 4th ed.

External Factors in a Country Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

External Factors in a Country - Assignment Example It was clearly evident that the atmosphere of political turbulence affected the stock markets badly. Adding on the fuel, the Chinese and the British relations deteriorated further putting the markets in jeopardy. At that point of time, the market was also jittery about the rising US interest rates and moreover, the standoff that prevailed over the democratic reforms between the Hong Kong and China sent made the traders feel a little insecure. Hang Seng received a lot of foreign money in the period of 1992-1993 from different investors all over the world, which could sustain the market, at least to some extent. However, many traders argued that the investors had made huge investments eyeing the economic boom in China and not Hong Kong itself. They felt that the investors were looking to invest in China via the shares of the blue-chip companies in Hong Kong. To a large extent, their speculation seems right at the moment, because, at that time when there was absolute political instabili ty in the Hong Kong market, no investor would’ve come forward to invest in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s governor had proposed to go ahead with the electoral reforms put forward by the British government had been straight away by China and had, in fact, enraged them to a great extent, thus signaling the break-up. Under such circumstances, it is too naive for one to expect the stock market to be functioning well.

SA Adventures Unlimited Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

SA Adventures Unlimited - Essay Example The first organized trip by SA Adventures Unlimited which was a three-week excursion across Ecuador and Peru that became a resounding success which prompted the business to expand its size and scope. From that single trip, it has grown to having 16 different excursions scheduled that includes trips to Central America. Additional personnel were also recruited that shared their similar passion for South America and the outdoors. As the business grew, the Rodriguez’s however are beginning to experience problems. Two of the tours were beyond the budget because of unanticipated costs which eroded the year’s profit. They also had to refund 30 percent of the tour fee because the group was stranded for five days in Blanco Puente after missing a train connection. Customer satisfaction is declining as customers were beginning to complain about the quality of accommodation and the price of the tours. The Rodriguez’s were also having hard time tracking cost across their projects and did not know their financial position until after their taxes were prepared. Clearly, the Rodriguez’s are having hard time coping with the demands of their expanding business. Excursions were poorly planned resulting in missing train connection and poor accommodation which severely undermined customer’s satisfaction that ultimately reduced their profits. Worst, their inability to track their costs across projects made it more difficult for them to plan future excursions which could undermine the business’s viability.... Each excursion or project that SA Adventures organizes is unique, complex, non-routine, one time effort that is limited by time, budget, resources with the objective of satisfying the customer (Gray & Larson, 2011). Thus, it is imperative that SA Adventures Unlimited must have a good grasp about Project Management to effectively and efficiently utilize human and nonhuman resources to reach predetermined objectives (Gray & Larson, 2011). Such, the extent of the application of Project Management to SA Ventures Unlimited is pervasive in all its operation due to the very nature of business which is organizing excursions that is project based. Project Management is complex. Unlike the traditional task in an organization where functions are segmented, Project Management is non-routinary and requires a lot of  problem  solving, coordination and time management to get a project done on time, within budget and in accordance to customer’s specification  (Gray & Larson, 2011).   The repercussion of failing to define, plan, executive and deliver the service is already obvious in the SA Adventures Unlimited case that it resulted to an erosion of profit and uncertainty to plan future excursions. The nature of the job at SA Adventures Unlimited also required interfacing between the customer and the companies capabilities. Being the interface between the company and the client, SA Adventures Unlimited personnel have to reconcile customer expectation with what is feasible and reasonable  (Gray & Larson, 2011)  and have to resolve issues that may arise as they execute the project. In executing the project, this would require a delicate balancing act between the trade-offs of time, cost and performance to get a

You can choose a topic for this essay after you finished it - 3

You can choose a topic for this after you finished it - Essay Example rtheless, culture and ethnicity divergences are the main aspects in demagoguery in mystification of the truth and conflict grouping within the United States due to the constant expression and alterations of issues (Sewell, pp.145-234). This paper aims at explaining the underlying misunderstanding of cultural issues as fundamental information of fully understanding prevailing societal forces. The elusiveness of the word ethnicity and its phenomenon is normally confusing and has numerous problems due to the unclear and continuous expansion trend. Ethnicity is considered as the main linkages via critically different phenomenon and combined societal phenomenon. Moreover, it greatly varies according diverse cases within the prevailing community. For instance, religion is the common resultant of differences within two ethnic groups. Conversely, race different qualities are used to serve the identical purpose. Ethnicity of the certain group normally changes depending on the underlying period. Moreover, most of the groups with cultural distinction do not belong to similar ethnic groups thus making the association amidst the underlying culture and ethnicity is less than ideal (Sewell, pp.145-234). Moreover, all ethnic groups are not ancient and have natural social group. The prevailing differences among ethnic groups do not have equal intensity. Certain ethnic groups have diverg ences that aim at the similar endings that mainly arise from ethnicity as a tradition and past myth. Ethnicity aids in the explanation of development and modernity of societies. According to Sewell (2008), ethnicity is considered to be a subjective symbolic utilized as an aspect of culture by particular ethnic group that distinguish different groups. It is used in the definition of character, quality and corresponding condition of ethnic group membership purely based on the identity and consciousness of groups, which is differentiated from supplementary by symbolic makers entailing cultural,

Protecting intellectual property rights in software Assignment

Protecting intellectual property rights in software - Assignment Example This paper examines the types of copying and how they can be protected using the intellectual property rights protections such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks. To begin with, software market loses billions of dollars every year because of illegal copying. This has particularly been witnessed in Qatar where report shows that the country has lost millions of dollars to pirates in the software industry (Banerjee 2003, p.98). The duplication is usually done in two different ways namely software duplication and reverse engineering. Through these two methods, pirates have found it easy to duplicate the original works of others and use the pirated software to enrich themselves at the expense of the original producers (Banerjee 2003, p.98). In fact, presently most software shops in Qatar are full of illegally acquired software. However, as earlier stated, this is a global problem that needs joint effort through legislation of policies to protect the intellectual property rights in the software industry. However, there exist three different methods through which intellectual property rights in the software industry can be protected. These include patents, copyrights, and trademarks. All these methods protect software rights in different ways. A patent is one of the most common intellectual property rights protections. ... A patent usually provides this protection by granting exclusive monopoly the right to produce, sell, and utilize the invention for twenty years (Banerjee 2003, p.99). Report indicates that the exclusive monopoly for production, use, and sale of the software are usually perceived as a reward for the effort and time spent in coming up with the new invention. Report by Business Software Alliance (2009, p.5) indicated that in countries like the U.S. in order for an inventor to obtain a patent, he or she must make a formal application to the Patent Office and prove that the invention for which protection through patent is being sought is actually new, important, and unique according to Banerjee (2003, p.99). Patents are indeed a very useful tool for protecting software. This is based on the fact it is capable of protecting program features that other methods such as trademarks and copyrights cannot (Banerjee 2003, p.99). This is because a patent can protect features such as an inventorâ⠂¬â„¢s ideas, methods, functions, algorithms, and systems personified in the software product. In this regard, it also provides protection to software features such as user-interface features, program language, editing functions, operating system techniques, translation methods, menu arrangements, and compiling techniques among others. Once a patent has been granted for a particular software, it immediately becomes illegal for anyone to produce, use, or sell such patented products without the consent of the owner. Therefore, any contravention amounts to a breach of the law, which usually results into penalties and damages and sometimes may result in incarceration (Arai 2012, p.2). It, therefore, becomes very important for

Pricing Strategy River Side Cafe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pricing Strategy River Side Cafe - Essay Example This gives River Side Cafe a distinct competitive advantage over its competitors as its unique Mexican style attracts and retains coffee and tea lovers at its premises. Therefore, the premium pricing strategy is the best strategy for River Side Cafe to adopt because it is also a new entrant into the market with the hope of maximizing its revenues especially in the first stages of the cafe’s product life cycle (Smith, 2011). River Side Cafe is a new player in the tea and coffee industry. As such, it has to curve out a name for itself in the beverages service industry in order to attract and retain loyal customers. However, it faces stiff competition from established industry players who already have reputable brand names and command a large share of the market. These include the likes of Tchibo, Nestle, Wal-Mart and Starbucks. These companies have a wide capital outlay to expand and promote their business thereby remaining relevant in the market over a long period. Therefore, River Side Cafe has to establish its own competitive advantages in order to enter this strongly guarded beverages market. Owing to its unique features in brewing and serving coffee and tea, the cafe also incorporates a pricing strategy in order to penetrate the market further (Jensen, 2013). Premium pricing is the best pricing strategy for the cafe to use in entering the beverages business under such competitive markets. This strat egy gives the cafe class, style and prestige as well as promoting its clients’ base through word of mouth references. Being a new kid in the block and charging high prices for their products and services attracts high-end consumers as well as establish a reputable

HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

HOSPITALITY OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT - Case Study Example According to Phillip Kotler the key stages in product and service development are; idea generation, screening of processes, evaluation of concept, product or service development, and commercialization process. With respect to hospitality management the key stages in product and service development are market research, segmentation, idea generation and evaluation, product and service development, and advertising Heineke, & Davis (2007). It is an organized effort to collect relevant information about target customers Akkerman, Farahani, & Grunow, (2010). Market research provides useful information about customer likes, needs, and wants. It is an essential component of business strategy. For hospitality management it is necessary to identify what customers want before the development of any new product or service. It helps the company to develop products and services that meet customers’ expectations and to increase market share. Market segmentation means divide the market into small segments. It is a marketing strategy that segments the large market into small subsets of customers. It facilitates the company to select one or two specific segments and design the products or services according to the needs and wants of those particular segments. It is impossible to satisfy the needs of all customers so companies divide the market into small segments and then designs their products and services according to those segments which they want to serve. Idea generation is the result of market research and segmentation. This process develops the ideas based on customer needs and expectations. Initially companies generate many ideas and then screen them one by one on the basis of the feasibility and opportunity cost. In the idea generation process especially for hospitality management the ideas can be collected from existing loyal customers, employees, media, and also from strong competitors Yu, (2012). After ideas generation

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Essay Example for Free

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Essay â€Å"A pure natural friendship uncorrupted by social prejudice† In light if this comment discuss the relationship of Huck and Jim. Huckleberry Finn is a novel of the pastoral genre written by Mark Twain in 1885, a time when slavery was rampant. The novel follows the journey of the protagonist, a white boy named Huck Finn who coincidently begins a journey with a run-away slave Jim, filled with trials and tribulations. Although this may be a coincident the pair slowly form a relationship described as a friendship and others even go to the extent of describing it as father-son relationship. One of the many ways in which the friendship can be viewed is the fact that it is a pure and natural friendship as shown by Huck who claims he wouldn’t want to be â€Å"nowhere else but here† hence displaying the satisfaction and content he feels with the situation of being friends. However other aspects of the novel allow the reader to describe the friendship as corrupt rather than pure due to the way in which Huck refers to Jim by the use of the term â€Å"nigger†, an offensive term used by society to belittle black people. One of the central issues outlined by Twain in the novel is â€Å"Racism†. White people believed that they were superior and combined with superstition believed that black people were evil as a result black people were given very little rights. Huck holds these similar values which are presented when he refers to Jim as a â€Å"nigger† numerous times. In addition, the way in which Huck’s attitude and behaviour presented, consist of various elements of prejudice in which Huck feels he is far more intelligent and superior than Jim. Huck says â€Å"you can’t learn a nigger to argue.† The use of irony allows the reader to understand the view that white people held and how foolish the view was because in reality the argument presented by Jim in the first place is indeed stronger however due to society’s corrupt views Huck is influenced therefore he is unable to recognise the fact that Jim has a strong argument. Look more:  satire in huckleberry finn essay However, it has to be considered that Huck is still a young boy who has been brought up by the society which holds the view that white people a superior consequently, Huck has been socialised to act the way he is and referring to Jim as a â€Å"nigger† may just be the norm and not at all used in a criticising manner. Although Huck takes time to accept Jim, Twain constantly shows how Jim encourages the friendship and praises Huck by referring to him as a â€Å"de ole true Huck; the only white gentlemen.† Although Huck is a boy Jim refers to him as a gentleman, a description which increases Huck’s confidence and displays a relationship developing between the two. The fact that Jim is encouraging the friendship shows how he is emerging from society’s conventions as the norm would be to indeed act like a slave and not even considering pursuing any other sort of relationship apart from the known slave-master relationship. Huck’s attitude towards Jim is v ery similar to Pap’s. At the beginning of the novel Pap says â€Å"why looky here there’s a free nigger from Ohio- a mulatter, must as white as a white man† Pap refers to Jim as though he is an object of very low status or a meaningless object rather than actual human being. He considers himself to be of a very high status despite his drunkard and abusive nature. The way in which Twain represents Hucks tone of voice and attitude displays how he holds a similar ideology of the fact that white people are superior. He says â€Å"it was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go humble myself to a nigger† his tone of voice signifies his disappointment and half-heartedness in accepting the fact that he was wrong. He refers to Jim as â€Å"a nigger† which in itself shows how he feels regarding Jim. He refers to Jim as though he is an inanimate object who has no feelings and to be â€Å"humble† towards a nigger was a disgrace hence displaying the social prejudice that existed between the pair. However, due to the bildungsroman form of the novel, Huck undergoes a not just a physical journey but also a psychological journey in which he learns the true importance of friendship. Throughout the novel Huck is constantly facing an internal struggle another important focus of the novel. He is struggling to make a decision regarding Jim. Should he hand Jim over or go against societies conventions and protect and help his new friend. In the climax of the novel Huck is finally forced to make a choice and has to â€Å"decide, forever† and in the end decides to go against societies views of social prejudice and the extent of the decision he made is presented through his inner thoughts and ironically he feels that he will be shunned by his community accepts the fact that he’ll â€Å"go to hell† just for protecting Jim and accepting Jim as his friend. The catalyst for Huck’s decision was the sale of Jim back into slavery and as a result Hucks internal struggle finally meets an end and his search for his conscience ends therefore allowing the reader to understand that although their relationship may not have started out as a pure natural friendship, through the various adventures they faced finally come to an end. His decision to recognise Jim’s humanity is not shared by the rest of society. In conclusion, the relationship of Huck and Jim can be described as not an entirely pure natural friendship uncorrupted by society prejudices as Huck takes a physical and psychological journey consisting of many events all adding up to one big adventure that allows him to gain insight on the true meaning of friendship and loyalty.

The History Of The Bourdieus Sociology Sociology Essay

The History Of The Bourdieus Sociology Sociology Essay Pierre Bourdieu was born in France in 1930 and died in 2002. He is well known for his works in the field of Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy. He is best known for his theory of class distinction, which he theorised in his book Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Another theory he worked on was the theory of power and practice, where he dealt with subjects such as Symbolic power and habitus.  [1]   In Bourdieus view, agency and structure constantly sustain power, which is created within a culture and can become symbolic. This happens due to what he refers to as habitus. Habitus represents the norms and rules of society which are used to control peoples behaviour and way of thinking. Habitus is the way society becomes deposited in persons in the form of lasting dispositions, or trained capacities and structured propensities to think, feel and act in determinant ways, which then guide them (Navarro, 2006). Society is the one that creates habitus. The patterns developed can be transferred from a context to another and they change given different circumstances or a different period of time. Habitus is not fixed or permanent, and can be changed under unexpected situations or over a long historical period (Navarro, 2006). Free will and structures interact and give rise to habitus. There is no need for conscious thought or deliberate pursuit of coherence. In addition to habitus, Bourdieu talked about the concept of fields. These refer to several social or institutional networks where people can interact with others, thus showing their different kinds of capital and expressing their dispositions. Networks can be represented by relationships formed among people, relationships based on similarities such as: religion, education, culture. Power is not experienced in the same way in all environments; this means that the context a person is in has a big influence on habitus. Different contexts have an influence on the way people react to power. While a person could not be affected by power in one field, the same person could see it as a challenge in a different one. Bourdieu also talked about a concept he called capital. He elaborated on three types of capital, which go beyond material assets: cultural capital, symbolic capital and social capital. These concepts were presented in Bourdieus book Distinction where he argued that society maintains its order by following the rules of language, values, education, thinking or activities. These norms that people follow lead them to accept without thinking the differences present in society, the hierarchies made and the social inequality surrounding them. The three elements: habitus, capital and field play a central role in Bourdieus theory of Practice. These interact with each other forming the actions of people. A persons dispositions, or habitus, her capital and the fields in which she operates form her action repertoire. Social capital is one of the forms of capital mentioned by Bourdieu in his theories. It can refer to the networks of friends a person has, to the networks of the family or acquaintances or even of contacts. Social capital brings befits to a person by exerting preferential treatment towards in group members. Bourdieus economic capital refers to the material possessions of a person, for instance money and property. Having a low economic capital implies not having as many possessions or chances to afford high priced affairs. A high economic capital means a person owns more material possessions and is able to afford luxurious things. However, having a high economic capital does not mean a person is considered from a higher class. What Bourdieu suggests is that economic capital only combined with cultural capital forms the hierarchy of classes. Cultural capital plays an important role in the hierarchy of society. It is used by higher classes as a way to distinguish themselves from lower classes. It is a form of domination that is not based on economic domination. Instead, taste is the primary weapon of differentiation. Focusing on taste preferences instead of material assets became a method to hide inequality while still maintaining a well-defined line between lower and higher classes. Cultural capital is formed by the cultural knowledge and goods a person possesses. This form of capital includes artistic preferences and taste, educational background, aesthetic taste in fashion or furniture, as well as many others. Bourdieus theory of distinction states that cultural capital is represented by: cultivated disposition, which can be verbal facility, the way in which a person expresses herself in a conversation, but it can also be body posture, manners and general behaviour. Other representatives of cultural capital can be material objects that require specialised knowledge to appreciate, such as sculptures or old pieces of art which are not well-known by the general population. In addition to these, he argues that cultural capital is institutionalised, which refers to the educational background of a person. Attending a high ranked University is usually evidence of a higher level of cultural knowledge. Symbolic capital is closely related to cultural capital and symbolic forms and it refers to recognised legitimation by the society. The place a person occupies in society and the way society responds to that becomes symbolic capital. Being recognised as an influential or knowledgeable person offers one a high symbolic capital. It becomes a source of power which can be used by its holder. When this power is utilised by someone, that person exercised symbolic violence. Symbolic violence represents the imposition of a certain way of thinking upon another person. It imposes social order because it is embedded in peoples unconscious, making them follow the dominant or superior persons way of thinking. Bourdieu argues that social origin and cultural capital are the most important. He claims that although social and economic capital are indeed acquired as time passes, both of them depend on the social origins and cultural knowledge of a person. Another topic Bourdieu elaborated on was Social Illusion. He saw reality as being constituted from a number of roles people follow. Everyone engages and follows their own path in life, similar to how a character from a book follows the storyline. The rules and norms society follows add a sense of reality and help the formation of the social illusion. Like a fictional character, a human being has a beginning- his birth, and an end-his death. The beginning is associated with someones cause, reason to be there while the end reminds of his purpose, the role he managed to play. Bourdieu called this sequence of events biographical illusion. There are some attributes that contour the created illusion. The symbolic power of the sate supports these attributes by giving people dates of birth, citizen numbers, grouping them based on nationalities and sex. People often compare life to a story that is being written as time passes. They see it as a journey in which decisions guide the outcome of t he narration. Bourdieu constructed his theories based on real life circumstances that intrigued him. This means the theories can be tested by others as well, by applying them to a personal context. An example of social networks I am part of would constitute my participation in the Rotaract club. This allowed me to interact with other peers, have conversations in which we exchanged knowledge but which also allowed people to show their cultural capital. Being part of the club requires one to pass through a process of admission, which means that it is necessary for one to possess a certain amount of capital to enter. Once in, how you express your dispositions becomes one of the things other members notice first about you. The norms, or habitus, of the group can soon be observed as being different from the patterns developed in other circumstances. These patterns are assimilated by new members in an unconscious way and create a new way of thinking for that person. The objective experiences one has bec ome subjective, interpreted in different ways by everyone. This social network, or field, constitutes one part of my social capital. In addition to this network, being part of a class in high-school, maintaining a group of friends or even being part of my family is considered a part of my social capital. Similar to my capital, is the social capital of one of my friends. However, attending a different school, being part of a different family and having a different group of friends influences the amount of benefits he could gain from being part of a network. Our systems of dispositions might indeed be similar at a superficial level, given that we both come from the same class, in the same society. However, our acquired schemes of thought and perception differ at a deeper level. Institutional education as well as family education influences the most profound cognitive interactions. I received an education focused on science, which gave me a different way to view the world compared to him, whose education was based on art and music. Little differences come from our economic capital. Comparing all of our possessions would lead to the conclusion that the only difference is him owning some musical instruments. However, the value of these instruments, an acoustic and an electrical guitar, does not put him in a different societal class. The differences in hierarchy, as Bourdieu argued, come from the quality and amount of knowledge one possesses, which form our cultural capital. Taste in food, art, music and literature are good indicators of class. Appreciating exotic food is something in common for both me and my friend. The differences would surface when comparing artistic and musical knowledge. I, for instance, cannot read music; neither can I play any instruments. But, playing the guitar is not an indicator of higher glass. Uncommon, more difficult ones, like piano or violin, are the ones that make the true hierarchy distinctions. Yet, one cannot say that cultural and economic capital are not interconnected. For example, if cultural capital is institutionalized, meaning a high ranked university plays a role in defining the hierarchies, a high economic capital is also needed to be able to afford attending the said institution. Moreover, symbolic capital could also surface from this interaction. The majority of society views high ranking universities as something out of their touch, thus, they offer respect and power to people who got in. Having prestige and power usually means being part of more groups, having more interactions with people. This implies that ones social capital is higher. In conclusion, Bourdieus theories covered most of the components of society. These components interact and form subsystems which, glued together, give rise to the unified society. Social illusion gives people reason and a story to continue. With the use of all different forms of capital, people draw boundaries between them, differentiate themselves from the crowd. But still, society maintains the control through habitus, the norms everyone follows unconsciously. And given that humans are social creatures, they need to interact; Bourdieu presented the fields, which represents the subsystem that allows people to express themselves, to show their dispositions and continue playing their role.

Reinforced Concrete Frame Structure Advantages

Reinforced Concrete Frame Structure Advantages Reinforced concrete is one of the most widely used modern building materials. Concrete is artificial stone obtained by mixing cement, sand, and aggregates with water. Fresh concrete can be molded into almost any shape, which is an inherent advantage over other materials. Concrete become very popular after the invention of Portland cement in 19th century. However, its limited tension resistance prevented its wide use in building construction. To overcome this weakness, steel bard are embedded in concrete to form a composite material called reinforced concrete. Developments in the modern reinforced concrete design and construction practice were pioneered by European engineers in the late 19th century. At the present time, reinforced concrete is extensively used in a wide variety of engineering applications. The worldwide use of reinforced concrete construction stems from the wide availability of reinforcing steel as well as the concrete ingredients. Unlike steel, concrete production does not require expensive manufacturing mills. Concrete construction, does, however, require a certain level of technology, expertise, and workmanship, particularly in the field during construction. In some cases, single-family houses or simple low-rise residential buildings are constructed without any engineering assistance. The extensive use of reinforced concrete construction, especially in developing countries, is due to its relatively low cost compared to other materials such as steel. The cost of construction changes with the region and strongly depends on the local practice. As an example, a unit area of a typical residential building made with reinforced concrete costs approximately $100/m ² in India, $250/m ² in Turkey, and $500/m ² in Italy. With the rapid growth of urban population in both the developing and the industrialized countries, reinforced concrete has become a material of choice for residential construction. Unfortunately, in many cases there is not the necessary level of expertise in design and construction. Design applications ranges from single-family buildings in countries like Colombia to high rises in China. Frequently, reinforced concrete construction is used in regions of high seismic risk. Introduction Steel reinforced concrete is a specific type that has had strong steel rebar or fibers added to it while wet, creating a very strong type of concrete that is able to withstand almost anything when it has dried. Because the result of using steel reinforced are so good for the strength of the building, most modern building today use steel reinforced concrete in the construction process. By adding thin steel bars to concrete can increase the strength of the concrete, making it better to use in variety of application. Today, many of the buildings located nations use reinforced concrete to make the buildings stronger and better able to in industrialized withstand the ravages of time and the weather. Reinforcing the concrete that will be used on the buildings add tensile strength to the concrete, making it much stronger and more flexible that regular concrete, which helps prevent cracking and breakage. Steel reinforced concrete can be used in a number of building applications, including fl oors, beams, supports, walls, and frames. Steel reinforced concrete is a concrete in which steel reinforcement bars, plates or fibers have been incorporated to build up a material that would otherwise be fragile. If a material with high strength in tension, such as steel, is placed in concrete, then the composite material, reinforced concrete, resists compression but also bending, and other direct tensile action. A reinforced concrete section where the concrete resists the compression and steel resists the tension can be made into almost any shape and size for the construction industry. Reinforcing Steel Before placing reinforcing steel in forms, all form oiling should be completed. As mentioned earlier, oil or other coating should not contact the reinforcing steel in the formwork. Oil on reinforcing bars reduces the bond between the bars and the concrete. Use a piece of burlap to clean the bars of rust, scales, grease, mud or other foreign matter. A light film of rust or mild film is not objectionable. Rebars must be tied together for the bars tore main in a desired arrangement during pouring. Tying is also a means of keeping laps or splices in place. Laps allow bond stress to transfer the load from one bar, first into the concrete and then into the second bar. Advantages Behaviour Materials Concrete is a mixture of cement, stone aggregate, and small amount of water. Cement hydrates from microscopic opaque crystal lattices encapsulating and locking the aggregate into a rigid structure. Typical concrete mixes have low tensile strength. Steel, is placed in concrete, then it will not only resists compression but also bending, and other direct tensile actions. Steel also made the bonding of the aggregate in a concrete better. Physical characteristics of steel reinforced concrete: The coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete is similar to that of steel, eliminating internal stresses due to differences in thermal expansion or contraction. When the cement paste within the concrete hardens this conforms to the surface details of the steel, permitting any stress to be transmitted efficiently between the different materials. The alkaline chemical environment provided by calcium carbonate causes a passivating film to form on the surface of the steel, making it much more resistant to corrosion than it would be in neutral or acidic conditions. Common Failure Modes of Steel Reinforced Concrete Conventional steel reinforced concrete can failed due to inadequate strength, leading to mechanical failure, or due to a reduction in its durability. Corrosion and freeze may damage poorly designed or constructed reinforced concrete. When rebar corrodes, the oxidation products expand and tends to flake, cracking the concrete and unbonding the rebar from the concrete. Typical mechanisms leading to durability problems are as below: Mechanical failure Steel reinforced concrete may be considered to have failed when significant cracks occur. Cracking of the concrete section cannot be prevented. However, the size and location of the cracks can be limited and controlled by reinforcement, placement of control joints, the curing methodology and the mix design of the concrete. Cracking defects can allow moisture to penetrate and corrode the reinforcement. This is a serviceability failure in limit state design. Cracking is normally the result of an inadequate quantity of rebar, or rebar spaced at too great a distance. The concrete then cracks either under excess loadings, or due to internal effects such as early thermal shrinkage when it cures. Ultimate failure leading to collapse can be caused by crushing of the concrete matrix, when stresses exceed its strength by yielding of the rebar or by bond failure between the concrete and the rebar. Carbonation Carbonation or neutralisation, is a chemical reaction between carbon dioxide in the air and calcium hydroxide and hydrated calcium silicate in the concrete. The water in the pores of Portland Cement Concrete is normally alkaline with a pH in the range of 12.5 to 13.5. This highly alkaline environment is one in which the embedded steel is passivated and is protected from corrosion. The carbon dioxide in the air reacts with the alkaline in the cement and makes the pore water more acidic, thus lowering the pH. Carbon dioxide will start to carbonate the cement in the concrete from the moment the object is made. This carbonation process will start at surface, then slowly move deeper and deeper into the concrete. If the object is cracked, the carbon dioxide in the air will be better able to penetrate into the concrete. Carbonated concrete only becomes a durability problem when there is also sufficient moisture and oxygen to cause electro-potential corrosion of the reinforcing steel. Chlorides Chlorides, including sodium chloride, can promote the corrosion of embedded steel rebar if present in sufficient concentration. So, only use fresh raw water or portable water for mixing concrete. It was once common for calcium chloride to be use as an admixture to promote rapid set-up of the concrete. It was also mistakenly believed that it would prevent freezing. Alkali Silica Reaction This is a reaction of amorphous silica sometimes present in the aggregates with alkali, for example from the cement pore solution. The silica reacts with the alkali to form a silicate in the Alkali silica reaction, this causes localize swelling which causes cracking. The conditions are: aggregate containing an alkaline reactive constituent, sufficiently availability of alkali ions and sufficient moisture. This phenomenon referred as concrete cancer. This reaction occurs independently of the presence of rebar. Conversion of High Alumina cement Resistant to weak acids and especially sulfates, this cement cures quickly and reaches very high durability and strength. However, it can lose strength with heat or time, especially when not properly cured. Sulfates Sulfates in the soil or in groundwater, in sufficient concentration, can react with the Portland cement in concrete causing the formation of expansive products which can lead to early failure of the structure. Corrosion and Passivation of steel reinforcement Exposed steel will corrode in moist atmospheres due to differences in the electrical potential on the steel surface forming anodic and cathodic sites. Concrete as an environment The environment provided by good quality concrete to steel reinforcement is one of high alkalinity due to the presence of the hydroxides of sodium, potassium and calcium produced during the hydration reactions. The bulk of surrounding concrete acts as a physical barrier to many of the steels aggressors. In such an environment steel is passive and any small breaks in its protective oxide film are soon repaired. However, the alkalinity of its surroundings are reduced, such as by neutralization are able to reach the steel then severe corrosion of the reinforcement can occur. This in turn can result in to staining of the concrete by rust and spalling of the cover due to the increase in volume associated with the conversion of iron to iron oxide. Factors affecting corrosion rates of steel in concrete The permeability of the concrete is important in determining the extent to which aggressive external substances can attack the steel. A thick concrete cover of low permeability is more likely to prevent chloride ions from an external source from reaching the steel and causing depassivation. Alternatives for the reinforcing phase Where an adequate depth of cover is difficult to achieve due to design considerations or where aggressive environments are expected such as in marine structures or bridge decks, additional protection may be required for the embedded steel. This may take many and varied forms and commercial interest in this field is strong. The steel reinforcement itself may be made more able to maintain its passivity by providing it with a protective coating. In extreme circumstances, solid stainless steel may be used, although the perceived additional cost restricts its use in all but the most specialized applications. The ideal situation There can be little doubt that the most effective way of protecting steel which is embedded in concrete is to provide it with an adequate depth of cover by high strength, low permeability concrete free from depassivating ions such as chlorides. However, in the real world, concrete is laid by the tone in all weathers and environments, exposed to industrial atmospheres, de-icing salts and seawater. The real situation Contaminated materials and poor workmanship are hard to avoid completely but by understanding the often complex chemical and electrochemical conditions that can exists it should be possible to develop ways of producing structures which will last long into the next century. Deterioration mechanisms The majority of reinforced concrete around the world performs adequately and gives few problems. A minority of structures have deteriorated due to either the action of aggressive components from the external environment or incompatibility of the mix constituents. Problems can arise as a result of incomplete or inaccurate site investigation, poor design, badly specified concrete, poor workmanship and a range of other factors. Stages of deterioration The mechanisms of deterioration are primarily chemico-physical in nature and occur in three discrete stages which are initiation, propagation, and deterioration. Modes of deterioration Deterioration may occur due to a number of mechanisms on which a large body of literature already exists. These include: Corrosion of reinforcement due to chloride ions, carbonation and change in the rebar reinforcement. Sulphate attack of concrete Salt recrystallisation Soft water or acid attack of concrete Alkali aggregate reaction Thermal incompatibility of concrete components Shrinkage Frost damage Depth of cover Inadequate cover is invariably associated with areas of high corrosion risk due to both carbonation and chloride ingress. By surveying the surface of a structure with an electromagnetic covermeter and producing a cover contour plot, the high-risk areas can be easily identified. A cover survey of newly completed structures would rapidly identify likely problem areas and permit additional protective measures to be taken. Cracked cover It should be remembered that reinforced concrete is intrinsically a cracked material because the steel stops the structure failing in tension but the brittle concrete cracks to the depth of the reinforcement. Only those cracks above a critical width which intersect the steel are liable to assist the corrosion processes. Cost Incurred After a period of unprecedented growth in prices during 2004, early date for 2005 indicates that the constructional steel market faces greater stability in the year ahead. Despite the price increases, demand for steel in the UK market remained at a very high level in 2004. One of the principal concerns for steel users was the availability of material, but the year ended with more steel in the supply chain than there had been at the beginning. Structural steel frame costs The leading benchmark cost unit for structural steelwork is its unit cost per tonne which includes the steel and the following elements: Connection design, detail drawing, fabrication, testing, treatment and delivery, offloading, erection These are calculated against the overall estimated tonnage for the building to generate an overall frame cost. Unit costs per tonne can vary enormously as there are a combination of factors that influence the overall cost. Care should be taken in considering each projects characteristics in arriving at a tonnage rate. This can be calculated either on the number of beams and column in a building or a weight per m ². The relative costs of each element will vary depending on the nature of the project. The tonnage rate could be divided as follows: Materials 30% Engineering 5% Fabrication 35% Priming 8% Delivery 2% Erection 20% The costs assume that the structural steelwork contractor will provide their own crane for all the projects with the exception of office buildings, for which the main contractor provides a tower crane. The early involvement of structural steelwork fabricators is the most effective way to value engineer cost savings into steelwork frame. For example, using more substantial and therefore more expensive steel columns in a design could remove the need for stiffeners. The steel may cost more but it is cheaper overall than paying for labour to fabricate and weld stiffeners to the column. If this value is adopted early enough in the project across the whole frame design, significant cost savings can be achieved. The cost of a frame system alone should not dictate the choice of frame for a project. Rather it should be just one of a number of issues that should be considered when making the choice of frame material. The recent rises in reinforcement and steel prices have increased frame costs but the difference between steel and concrete frame costs remains insignificant. A 50% increase in European steel prices during 2004 has left many in the construction industry reviewing design solutions that have a heavy reliance on steel. The impact of the steel price rises and found that the whole project costs for concrete framed buildings are marginally less than for steel framed buildings. Foundation costs The foundations typically represent approximately 3% of whole project initial cost. For the heaviest reinforced concrete solutions, the foundations will be more expensive, but this represents only a small cost and can be offset by using post-tensioned slabs, which are typically 15% lighter. Cladding costs The thinner the overall structural and services zone, the less the cladding costs. Given that cladding can represent up to 25% of the construction cost it is worth minimizing the cladding area. The minimum floor-to-floor height is almost always achieved with a concrete flat slab and separate services zone. Partitions Sealing and fire stopping at partitions heads is simplest with flat soffits. Significant savings of up to 10% of the partitions package can be made compared to the equivalent dry lining package abutting a profiled soffit with downstands. This can represent up to 4% of the frame cost. Services co-ordination/ Installation/ Adoptability The soffit of a concrete flat slab provides a zone for services distribution free of any downstand beams. This reduces coordination effort for the design team and therefore the risk of errors. It permits flexibility in design and allows coordination effort to be focused elsewhere. Services installation is simplest below a flat soffit. This permits maximum off site fabrication of services, higher quality of work and quicker installation. These advantages should be reflected in cost and value calculations. Indeed, ME contractors quote an additional cost of horizontal services distribution below a profited slab of up to 15%. Flat soffits also allowed greater future adaptability. Fire protection For concrete structures fire protection is generally not needed as the material has inherent fire resistance of up to four hours. This remove the time, cost and separate trade required to attend the site for fire protection. Vibration The inherent mass of concrete means that concrete floors generally meet vibration criteria at no extra cost and without any extra stiffening. For more stringent criteria, the additional cost to meet vibration criteria is small compared to other structural material. Exposed soffit A concrete structure has a high thermal mass. By exposing the soffits this can be utilized through fabric energy storage to reduce initial plant costs and ongoing operational costs. Furthermore, the cost of suspended ceilings can be reduced or eliminated. Conclusion As a conclusion, the majority of reinforced concrete structures show excellent durability and perform well over their design life. Adverse environments or poor construction practice can lead to corrosion of the reinforcing steel in concrete. The major mechanisms for corrosion are atmospheric carbon dioxide ingress and chloride attack from cast-in or diffused chlorides. The corrosion and deterioration mechanisms are essentially the same for both carbonation and chloride attack. Proper choice of materials, adequate cover to reinforcement, good quality concrete and attention to the environment during construction will enhance the durability of reinforced concrete structures. For cost incurred, concretes range of inherent benefits including fabric energy storage, fire resistance and sound installation means that concrete buildings tend to have lower operating costs and lower maintenance requirements. For structure subjected to aggressive environments, combinations of moisture, temperature and chlorides may result in the corrosion of reinforcing and prestressing steel, leading to the deterioration of concrete and loss of serviceability. One preferred solution which has assumed the status of cutting-edge research in many industrialized countries, is the use of fiber reinforced polymer rebars in concrete. Fiber concrete is also becoming an increasingly popular construction material due to its improved mechanical properties over non-reinforced concrete and its ability to enhance the mechanical performance of conventionally reinforced concrete. DEFINITION OF FIBRE REINFORCED POLYMER Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP), also known as fibre-reinforced plastic) are composite materials made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. FRPs are commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction industries. FRPs are typically organized in a laminate structure, such that each lamina (or flat layer) contains an arrangement of unidirectional fibres or woven fibre fabrics embedded within a thin layer of light polymer matrix material. The fibres, typically composed of carbon or glass, provide the strength and stiffness. The matrix, commonly made of polyester, Epoxy or Nylon, binds and protects the fibers from damage, and transfers the stresses between fibers. TYPES OF MATERIAL USED Polymer There are two main types of polymer used for resins: thermosets and thermoplastics. The thermosetting polymers used in the construction industry are the polyesters and the epoxides. There are many thermoplastic resins used in composite manufacture: polyolefins, polyamides, vinylic polymers, polyacetals, polysulphones, polycarbonates, polyphenylenes and polyimides. Fibre A wide range of amorphous and crystalline materials can be used as the fibre. In the construction industry the most common fibre used is glass fibre (there are 4 types of glass fibre: E-glass, AR-glass, A-glass and high strength glass). Carbon fibre, of which there are 3 types (Type I, II, III) can be used separately or in conjunction with the glass fibre as a hybrid to increase the stiffness of a structural member or the area within a structure, so that the stiffness exceeds the value possible using only glass fibre. Aramid fibres can be used instead of glass fibres to give increased stiffness to the composite. Today each of these fibers is used widely in industry for any applications that require plastics with specific strength or elastic qualities. Glass fibers are the most common across all industries, although carbon fiber and carbon fiber aramid composites are widely found in aerospace, automotive and sporting good applications. Additives For structural applications it is mandatory to achieve some degree of flame retardant. Fire retardants are usually incorporated in the resin itself or as an applied gel-coat. Fillers and pigments are also used in resins for a variety of purposes, the former principally to improve mechanical properties and the latter for appearance and protective action. APPLICATIONS OF FRP IN CONSTRUCTION There are three broad divisions into which applications of FRP in civil engineering can be classified: applications for new construction, repair and rehabilitation applications, and architectural applications. NEW CONSTRUCTION FRPs have been used widely by civil engineers in the design of new construction. Structures such as bridges and columns built completely out of FRP composites have demonstrated exceptional durability, and effective resistance to effects of environmental exposure. Pre-stressing tendons, reinforcing bars, grid reinforcement, and dowels are all examples of the many diverse applications of FRP in new structures. REPAIR AND REHABILITATION One of the most common uses for FRP involves the repair and rehabilitation of damaged or deteriorating structures. Several companies across the world are beginning to wrap damaged bridge piers to prevent collapse and steel-reinforced columns to improve the structural integrity and to prevent buckling of the reinforcement. ARCHITECTURAL Architects have also discovered the many applications for which FRP can be used. These include structures such as siding/cladding, roofing, flooring and partitions. DESIGN CONSIDERATION The strength properties of FRPs collectively make up one of the primary reasons for which civil engineers select them in the design of structures. A materials strength is governed by its ability to sustain a load without excessive deformation or failure. When an FRP specimen is tested in axial tension, the applied force per unit cross-sectional area (stress) is proportional to the ratio of change in a specimens length to its original length (strain). When the applied load is removed, FRP returns to its original shape or length. In other words, FRP responds linear-elastically to axial stress.   FRP allows the alignment the glass fibers of thermoplastics to suite specific design programs. Specifying the orientation of reinforcing fibers can increase the strength and resistance to deformation of the polymer. Glass reinforced polymers are strongest and most resistive to deforming forces when the polymers fibers are parallel to the force being exerted, and are weakest when the fibers are perpendicular. Thus this ability is can be an advantage or a limitation depending on the context of use. Weak spots of perpendicular fibers can be used for natural hinges and connections, but can also lead to material failure when production processes fail to properly orient the fibers parallel to expected forces. When forces are exerted perpendicular to the orientation of fibers, the strength and elasticity of the polymer is less than the matrix alone. In cast resin components made of glass reinforced polymers such as UP and EP, the orientation of fibers can be oriented in two-dimensional and three-dimensional weaves. This means that when forces are possibly perpendicular to one orientation, they are parallel to another orientation; this eliminates the potential for weak spots in the polymer. COST With the rising cost of nickel, FRP has become a very competitive material of construction. It is very competitive with acid brick or rubber-lined carbon steel and much less expensive than alloy-clad carbon steel. It is generally more expensive than resin-coated carbon steel but has a longer service life in most applications. Because FRP does not require insulation, FRP ductwork is actually less expensive than resin-coated carbon steel. ADVANTAGES OF FRP Composites offer the designer a combination of properties not available in traditional materials. It is possible to introduce the fibres in the polymer matrix at highly stressed regions in a certain position, direction and volume in order to obtain the maximum efficiency from the reinforcement, and then, within the same member to reduce the reinforcement to a minimal amount at regions of low stress value. FRP products are a cost effective alternative to steel in many of the harshest industrial environments. The advantages of FRP products over other materials include: Corrosion Resistant Fibre Reinforced Polymer materials are designed to operate in aggressive environments. Little or no coating or treating required. Low maintenance requirements Designed and engineered to last, composite structural materials are virtually maintenance free. Impact resistant Inherent flexibility allows products to resist impact and failure. Non-conductive and Non metallic FRP constructions provide additional safety by stopping sparks and potential electrical hazards. Fire Retardant FRP has a low flame spread index when tested under ASTM E-84 and meets self extinguishing requirements of ASTM D-635. High strength-to-weight ratio The strong, but light weight alternative where heavy lifting or access is an issue. Reduced installation time and cost FRP products are easier and lighter to install. Normal hand tools are used to make adjustments. Therefore FRP offers greater efficiency in construction compared with the more conventional materials. DISADVANTAGES OF FRP Structural failure can occur in FRP materials when tensile forces stretch the matrix more than the fibers, causing the material to shear at the interface between matrix and fibers, tensile forces near the end of the fibers exceed the tolerances of the matrix, separating the fibers from the matrix and tensile forces can also exceed the tolerances of the fibers causing the fibers themselves to fracture leading to material failure. A serious matter relating to the use of FRPs in civil applications is the lack of design codes and specifications. For nearly a decade now, researchers from Canada, Europe, and Japan have been collaborating their efforts in hope of developing such documents to provide guidance for engineers designing FRP structures. FRP plastics are liable to a number of the issues and concerns surrounding plastic waste disposal and recycling. Plastics pose a particular challenge in recycling processes because they are derived from polymers and monomers that often cannot be separated and returned to their virgin states, for this reason not all plastics can be recycled for re-use, in fact some estimates claim only 20% to 30% of plastics can be material recycled at all. In addition, fibers themselves are difficult to remove from the matrix and preserve for re-use means FRP amplify these challenges. FRP are inherently difficult to separate into base a material that is into fiber and matrix, and the matrix into separate usable plastic, polymers, and monomers. These are all concerns for environmentally informed design today, but it must be noted that plastics often offer savings in energy and economic savings in comparison to other materials, also with the advent of new more environmentally friendly matrices such as bioplastics and UV-degradable plastics, FRP will similarly gain environmental sensitivity. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL STEEL REINFORCED CONCRETE AND FIBRE-REINFORCED POLYMER (FRP) CONCRETE No. Conventional Steel Reinforced Concrete Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Concrete 1 Definition: Steel reinforced concrete is a specific type that has had strong steel rebar added to it while wet, creating a very strong type of concrete that is able to withstand almost anything when it has dried. Definition: FRP concrete is composite materials made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres and typically organized in a laminate structure, such that each lamina (or flat layer) contains an arrangement of unidirectional fibres or woven fibre fabrics embedded within a thin layer of light polymer matrix material. 2 Corrosion of steel reinforcement: Exposed steel will corrode in moist atmospheres due to differences in the electrical potential on the steel surface forming anodic and cathodic sites. Corrosion Resistant: Fibre Reinforced Polymer materials are designed to operate in aggressive environments. Little or no coating or treating

I am going to research how supermarkets use ICT to have an impact on :: ICT Essays

I am going to research how supermarkets use ICT to have an impact on society. Unit 12: Impact on Society My chosen area is a supermarket. I am going to research how supermarkets use ICT to have an impact on society. Since the introduction of ICT in supermarkets, everything has become much more efficient. Supermarkets have improved tremendously by using the following things in stores:  · Online Shopping  · EPOS  · EFTPOS  · Credit Cards  · Loyalty Cards  · Cash Back Question 1: Ways in which ICT is used in a supermarket are: Ø Online Shopping Online shopping is a way in which ICT is used in supermarkets. It enables the shopper to be able to buy things online. This is a quick and easy method of purchasing goods and therefore has an impact on society. [IMAGE]This affects me because is somebody in my family is unable to go to the supermarket for some reason, we just order the products online. We do this because we find it easy and also we find it helpful as products can be delivered to our home. This affects the community because more and more people will shop online because it is very simple therefore the supermarket will have more customers and therefore they will have bigger profits. If somebody is poorly, they can buy their shopping online. People can compare prices of products online and you can shop at any time you want. All the main supermarkets use online shopping. For example, Tesco and Asda. These websites allow customers to browse through all the products and they also allow the customer to compare prices of products with other supermarket prices so that you can buy the cheapest one without having to go onto other websites. Ø EPOS (Electronic point of sales) EPOS is an electronic system, which enables the supermarket to automatically deduct stock from the stock level. This also enables people to buy things quickly. People working on the checkout do not have to check for any price labels. They just scan the barcode, which gives them the price and automatically deducts the product off the stock. EPOS has an affect on me because it makes it easier and faster to scan products therefore I can be served a lot quicker. This affects the community as well because if they are happy with the service then they will keep coming back for more products. Also, supermarkets are putting local shops out of business because most people are going to supermarkets to buy their shopping. This is because the corner shops are not able to compete with supermarkets. Also, nobody is ordering milk from milkmen anymore because they just go and buy milk from a supermarket once a week. I am going to research how supermarkets use ICT to have an impact on :: ICT Essays I am going to research how supermarkets use ICT to have an impact on society. Unit 12: Impact on Society My chosen area is a supermarket. I am going to research how supermarkets use ICT to have an impact on society. Since the introduction of ICT in supermarkets, everything has become much more efficient. Supermarkets have improved tremendously by using the following things in stores:  · Online Shopping  · EPOS  · EFTPOS  · Credit Cards  · Loyalty Cards  · Cash Back Question 1: Ways in which ICT is used in a supermarket are: Ø Online Shopping Online shopping is a way in which ICT is used in supermarkets. It enables the shopper to be able to buy things online. This is a quick and easy method of purchasing goods and therefore has an impact on society. [IMAGE]This affects me because is somebody in my family is unable to go to the supermarket for some reason, we just order the products online. We do this because we find it easy and also we find it helpful as products can be delivered to our home. This affects the community because more and more people will shop online because it is very simple therefore the supermarket will have more customers and therefore they will have bigger profits. If somebody is poorly, they can buy their shopping online. People can compare prices of products online and you can shop at any time you want. All the main supermarkets use online shopping. For example, Tesco and Asda. These websites allow customers to browse through all the products and they also allow the customer to compare prices of products with other supermarket prices so that you can buy the cheapest one without having to go onto other websites. Ø EPOS (Electronic point of sales) EPOS is an electronic system, which enables the supermarket to automatically deduct stock from the stock level. This also enables people to buy things quickly. People working on the checkout do not have to check for any price labels. They just scan the barcode, which gives them the price and automatically deducts the product off the stock. EPOS has an affect on me because it makes it easier and faster to scan products therefore I can be served a lot quicker. This affects the community as well because if they are happy with the service then they will keep coming back for more products. Also, supermarkets are putting local shops out of business because most people are going to supermarkets to buy their shopping. This is because the corner shops are not able to compete with supermarkets. Also, nobody is ordering milk from milkmen anymore because they just go and buy milk from a supermarket once a week.

Observation Assignment at a Park Essay -- Descriptive Park Essays Pape

Observation Assignment at a Park Hayden Park was an interesting place for a Freeze-Frame assignment. For those who have not heard of a Freeze-Frame, it is simply sitting in one spot for 15 to 20 minutes observing ones surroundings. So to continue, at first glance, Hayden Park is a typical Valley of the Sun type park. Most of these typical parks have grass, picnic tables, some trees, and usually some sort of sports availability such as a basketball court or soccer field, or both. In addition, the parks also have pleasant surroundings. But Hayden Park is located in South Phoenix, so automatically the typical standard for parks is altered. The surroundings around Hayden Park are far from what most people would consider to be pleasant. From the picnic table where I conducted my Freeze-Frame in Hayden Park I could see a junk yard with hundreds of old cars, a cement plant with loud trucks driving around the noisy machines, and a used car lot with a lot of obnoxious advertising, most of which is in Spanish. There was also a fenced in trailer park and some miscellaneous ...

The implementation of balanced scorecard in a Chinese car insurance company

It was decided that the best tool to gather data about stakeholders’ thoughts with regard to the Balanced Score Card system in Tian-an Car Insurance Company would be through interviews. A detailed questionnaire and data on the findings is found in the Appendix. 4. 3. Findings. The researcher found out that the implementation of the Balanced Score Card system did not succeed in this company. The reason for failure was not due to the technical nature of the BSC as a system but rather due to how it was implemented.Of great interest were the comments from four of the Tian-an Car Insurance Company branch managers interviewed. Three of the managers interviewed work with the Shanghai branch and one manager with the We Zhou branch. From the managers’ responses it became apparent that there were serious inadequacies in the way the BSC system was implemented. The findings below are arranged in three parts. First, the question that was posed by the researcher, second the answers t hat the managers gave and finally an interpretation of the findings.The findings follow a certain sequence that is intended to reveal the order in which the change agent should have implemented the BSC system so as to attain success. It has been found that implementation should have started with a consideration of the company’s strategy, followed by acceptance by every player, training, motivation and communication. 4. 3. 1. The current status in the company with regard to the BSC: The researcher posed the following question: â€Å"Is the company currently using balanced scorecard as a performance measurement system†?A manager answered that Tian-an Car Insurance Company â€Å"started to use it in June 2008†, but somewhere along the way they started experiencing â€Å"some problems† which forced them to stop to using it. Reasons given for stopping were that; â€Å"we found it is not really suitable for us†, and that â€Å"the duration for implement ation was 8 months. † This finding reveals a lack of appreciation of the BSC system. The BSC as research has shown; is superior to ‘traditional financial performance measures that worked well for the industrial era.’ This is a holistic system that complements the financial measures with operational measures on customer satisfaction, internal processes, and improvement activities –operational measures that are the drivers of future financial performance. (Kaplan and Norton 1992) If the Japanese can successfully transplant their auto plants to America using processes that are superior to the ‘American’ way of doing things then there is no way that the BSC can be faulted in the Chinese business set-up. (Franchesco & Gold 2005) 4. 3. 2. How the BSC was introduced to the company:The response to the interview question: â€Å"Why would you choose it (BSC) as the performance measurement system at the beginning? † reveals a fundamental flaw that led to the failure of the BSC system in this company. The Car insurance sales manager (S) replied that one of their old customers who was employed in an agency that was applying the BSC successfully recommended it to Tian-an Car Insurance Company. S somehow convinced the other branch managers F and H most likely because the company did not have any performance measurement system.Management had a rosy idea of the BSC; that it was â€Å"successful and famous in the world. † They did not take time to figure out how to implement the system but rushed to poach the change agent who apparently lacked the professional ability to implement such a system in a brand new environment. A successful BSC system implementation requires that the spirit of the system be tuned with the business strategy. Before any action is taken top management must fall in love with the idea, and it has to be in sync with the mission and vision of the company.From the strategic level the change agent has to co nvince all stakeholders and through actively involving them in the formulation of divisional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) make every one to like and own the system. The managers do not even talk about how the employees fare with the system. This shows that information was not being shared from all sides in the company. 4. 3. 3. The BSC as a solution: Despite the management’s failure to implement the BSC system, when the question: â€Å"Why not to use it?† was posed, the We Zhou branch sales manager (O) opined that â€Å"we believed the balanced scorecard would increase our profit† though, he had â€Å"heard about some negative opinions about balanced scorecard. † This positive perception shows that there is hope that the BSC system can be properly implemented in the company. The fact that he associates the BSC system with â€Å"increase [in] our profit† shows that they are yet to grasp the basic BSC truth that; improved financial performance i s a product of a company that has worked on the following key BSC perspectives: innovation and learning, internal business processes, and customer care.(Kaplan and Norton 1992) 4. 3. 4. Training is core to a successful implementation of the BSC system: The training aspect of BSC is two pronged. A thorough knowledge and understanding of the how the system works is a must. Stake holders have to be trained on how to develop individual KPIs, how and individual employee’s efforts ultimately contributes towards the company’s bottom line and how the individual stake holder can benefit from adhering the BSC requirements. Secondly a key perspective of the BSC is innovation and learning.Employees have to be trained on the production processes, about new products and customer care. As some one put it ‘a knowledgeable employee is more productive because he has the tools and know-how, he deals better with clients, and he is more likely to come up with new product development ideas which are key to sustaining the profitability of the company. The honest answers three managers give in response to the interview question: â€Å"At the time you started using it did you have any training on this program? † shows that lack of training greatly contributed to the failure of the BSC system to take off.The Car insurance sales manager (S) admitted that management â€Å"did not set a particular training program† to educate all players about the BSC system. The â€Å"once-a-month-meetings and â€Å"booklets† are insufficient. The responses of the Human resources manager (H) show a common thread. That he has heard some negative tales about the BSC. This manager has ‘just seen’ the BSC booklet; and ‘thinks’ it’s a bright idea. This is not the right attitude! And coming from management for that! It just shows how the initial introduction was flawed. That ‘employee’ did not do a proper job as ‘chan ge agent’ in changing the mindset of the workers.That is why this manager feels that the company does not â€Å"have enough time to train [their] ours employee about the tool. † 4. 3. 5. A reward system must be embedded in the balanced scorecard system: When asked: â€Å"Do you have any reward system related to the balanced scorecard? † The Car insurance financial manager (F): replied that â€Å"Maybe, he thought the reward is about the target to set about each department. † The Human resources manager (H): candidly said â€Å"No, there is no directly reward system about balanced scorecard. † Absence of a reward system is yet another serious flaw revealed in this interview.As a best practices rule for BSC, the reward system should be embedded in the BSC. Every player in the system should know the rewards associated with achieving the goals outlined as well as the penalties for underperformance. When brainstorming on performance indicators consensus should be sought for rewards such as bonus, leave days, vacations, promotions, and so on for good performance on one side, and penalties such as warnings, fines and termination for poor performance. Added responsibilies and promotions and career paths are good rewards for good performers.4. 3. 6. As a performance measurement system, the BSC is rated as better than most others: Despite implementation problems, the managers gave very encouraging views when asked to rate the BSC in the following question: â€Å"In your experience, how do you feel about the balanced scorecard as a performance measurement system? † Advantages of the BSC system were outlines as follows: The Car insurance sales manager (S) correctly responded that: â€Å"it clearly gives detailed information of the company’s performance in both financial and non-financial areas.† â€Å"It shows the detailed strength and weakness of the overall company. The Car insurance financial manager (F): seconde d that with the BSC it is easy to pinpoint â€Å"what areas we need to focus on. † Because of its robustness; F also revealed that â€Å"our shareholders decided to use balanced scorecard to measure the performance instead of only looking at the financial figures. † Human resources manager (H) affirmed that he knew that the BSC â€Å"is a good tool to measure the performance† while O the We Zhou branch manager knows that this too has â€Å"a lot of advantages.† On the flip side the managers made the following comments against the BSC system: S said that â€Å"the target part makes our employees very dissatisfied. They feel it is not fair. † F did not see any â€Å"short-term benefits† accruing from application of the BSC system. H observed that â€Å"a lot of complaints had been raised by employees regularly. † O â€Å"thought† that he wouldn’t â€Å"recommend [the] company to apply BSC because the tools concept â€Å" is not mature in china. † The negativity stems from poor implementation.The reason why employees see the targets as too high to achieve and hence due to frustration â€Å"feel that it is unfair† is because their targets were apparently developed by management. Management wrongly uses the BSC as a ‘control’ tool instead of applying it as a performance measurement tool. If the users of the system are not allowed to choose the targets they can reasonably achieve BSC can change from a friendly system that urges employees to higher levels of achievement to a demanding beast that stresses and drains employees’ power.With so many multinationals relocating production plants to China and advancement in information technology turning the world into a global village, the opinion that the BSC concept is not mature in China doe not wash. 4. 3. 7. Company specific problems that lead to the failure of the implementation: Internal constraints that lead failure in im plementing the BSC system in Tian-an Car Insurance Company were brought out when the following research question was posed: â€Å"Why did you stop to use it, is there any disadvantages you can find?† Following is a raft of company specific difficulties that the company faced during implementation as per the responses of managers S, H, F and O. †¢ An excess of indicators: poor design of the BSC resulted to so many â€Å"indicators† that others were left unaccounted for. †¢ Due to inability to synchronize available resources with demand the company could not sufficiently satisfy the requirements of all the four perspectives. That is why one manager said:† We can not spend too much time on customers and employees’ investigation. †Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ The fear that questionnaire data collected by company employees from clients would be biased and not the true picture of the BSC perspective â€Å"how our Customers view us. † †¢ A completed balanc ed scorecard model for the business took too long. †¢ Expectation of Instant results: â€Å"The agent told us that it need spend some time to see the effect, I think BSC can not help in short-run decision making. † A manager said. The BSC is a performance measurement system that directs decision makers toward long-term value creating activities. It is not meant be a measure of dealing with emergencies.†¢ The problem of size: â€Å"our branch is not large enough, so the advantages were not clearly identified† Said F. â€Å"Comparing benefits against costs (to the agent fee), there was no â€Å"good value for money. † A unified approach would have given better results. The company has eight branches! †¢ Resistance: â€Å"I found that there were many complaints from our employees. Someone felt it waste their time to response each indicator† said H. A change management process would have sufficed. †¢ SBC used as a control tool: management ’s lack of knowledge on how to use the BSC led to strictly following â€Å"targets†, and decreasing staff bonuses.This made â€Å"others to doubt their ability† and increased complaints. This was a case of managing staff instead of managing processes. †¢ After applying the BSC manager O could not fins any noticeable â€Å"good performance in the period† 4. 3. 8. Communication is the life blood of a successful BSC system: That poor communication contributed to the failure to implement the BSC system in Tian-an Car Insurance Company is revealed by responses obtained from the question: â€Å"Do the managers and employees communicate regularly?† The Car insurance sales manager (S) said: â€Å"Not really, because our employees are really busy. But we have employees’ meeting in each Wednesday, we could communicate at that time. † The Car insurance financial manager (F) said: No, unless at employees’ meeting, but I just report so me targets and requires. Comments will not be reflected to me. † While the Human resources manager (H) said: â€Å"Yes, I communicate with employees regularly and they will have some complaints and suggestions. † This finding suggests that the communications structure in this company is flawed.It could just be that the company has a top-bottom but no bottom up, horizontal and diagonal communication. Additionally it is evident that complaints are only directed towards the human resource manager. 4. 3. 9. Tian-an Car Insurance Company management have no regrets and would consider implementing the system if given a second chance: The whole rounded nature of the BSC serves as an eye opener to any one who gets a chance to experience it. When a manager was asked: â€Å"After you quitted using the BSC, have you tried other performance measurement systems?† He answered: â€Å"No, I think BSC [introduced us to the world of] performance measurement systems. Our employees have increased their knowledge about management performance and when our company becomes large enough, we will consider using it again. † 4. 3. 10. Lessons Learnt: To appreciate the impact of implementing the BSC, Tian-an Car Insurance Company managers gave a raft of lessons learnt that shows the true extend of their new understanding of performance measurement. This was in response to the following question: â€Å"Any possible suggestions for using the balanced scorecard in your branch?† †¢ The Car insurance sales manager (S) said that: â€Å"I think each level of a company should understand their Key Performance Indicators and Targets. The training of balanced scorecard should not be neglected. †¢ Company Car insurance financial manager (F) responded: â€Å"Key Performance Indicators and Targets should be set properly† †¢ The Human resources manager (H) advised: â€Å"I think [a good] training on the balanced scorecard is more important than th e other [aspects of the system]. Companies should let their employees understand the whole [BSC] process first.They should [establish] a feedback [feature to facilitate communication from all directions] so that management and employees can discuss and adjust the targets immediately. † A proper appraisal mechanism should also be in place. † The above lessons learnt are excellent and are important ingredients for best practices in the implementation of the BSC system in any company. 4. 4. Conclusion What you measure is what you get. (Kaplan and Norton 1992) Effective managers understand that performance measurement systems that focus on only one aspect like finance and production are not good enough.They realize that no single measure can provide a clear performance target or focus attention on the critical areas of the business. The balanced score card allows managers to look at the business from four important perspectives: the customer, internal, innovation and learnin g and financial perspectives. This checks the company from having too many or too few measures. It is a superior system. It is recommended that the Tian-an car insurance company adopts the balanced Score Card system.