CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CASE STUDY Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Case Study Example Historically, the concept of corporate governance has been at play in most of the United States (US) large companies since the 19th century, and in 2001, with the high-profile collapses of several modern corporations like Enron Corporation, there has been a renewed interest in corporate governance practices (Monks & Minow, 2004). And, as part of the US federal government’s campaign to restore public confidence in corporate governance, it passed the Sarbanes – Oxley Act, which practically set new or enhanced standards for all the US public companies’ boards, management, and public accounting firms through eleven titles or sections including corporate responsibilities and criminal penalties, as well as requiring the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to implement rulings as basis for compliance with the new law (Farrell, 2005). This paper tackles corporate governance as practiced by Qantas Company in terms of its compliance to the principles and standards of corporate governance best practices, as well its current corporate values and ethics vis-Ã  -vis its corporate governance practices, using the question guides provided for this subject. Qantas Group is an Australian company that has been one of the leaders in the aviation industry, both at the international and domestic fronts. Globally, Qantas has been one of the top six airline companies in the world for the last five consecutive years, based on the Skytrax surveys, and has maintained its four-star official ranking worldwide (Skytrax Survey 2008). At the domestic level, Qantas is well-known as Australia’s very own, and is very well-supported as a full-service airline. Like the rest of airline companies around the world, Qantas also underwent some tough times, which included an industrial dispute and subsequent maintenance backlogs, and also two in-flight incidents (Qantas Annual Report, 2009). These somehow damaged the

Ismg ch18 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ismg ch18 - Essay Example lue of IT within the organization; understanding and designing an effective project management system; selecting the most viable vendors for IT and ably managing this system; delving into infrastructure management; and finally, being able to anticipate emerging technologies which could be appropriately and effectively applied within the organizational setting. As IT was noted to be continuously changing, evolving and transforming, the CIO needs to be able to weigh IT issues and concerns depending on their urgency and those which were deemed critical to keep the organization safe and running. The paramount importance of safety and security of information and system needs to be prioritized to prevent security breaches, work disruption, and an erosion of confidence and image of the corporation. As such, the CIO needs to take risks but be able to manage that risk to ensure that the returns are maximized and that the future of the organization is protected and ensured. Therefore, as much as internal resources need to be effectively assessed and understood; the CIO needs to closely monitor external factors to address unexpected circumstances. From what one read from the Adventures of an IT Leader (Austin, Nolan and ODonnell), Jim Barton personified a successful CIO and the key characteristics and traits that were possessed are as follows: (1) being diligent and committed in understanding what is unknown but exerting efforts to know as much as what could be known; (2) having a firm belief and strong presence of mind to rely on people who could be trusted and who could effectively deliver what is needed in IT; (3) possessing skills of introspection, conflict resolution, problem-solving, resource generation and allocation, as well as decision-making; (4) not being afraid to ask the right people when there is something that needs to be clarified and understood; (5) being transparent and honest about IT concerns and issues, especially with one’s superiors; (6) admitting

System Engineering: Amphibious Car

System Engineering: Amphibious Car 1 Statement of work In 20th century, system engineering has been developed for human beings in order satisfy their needs in transportation services by implementing multipurpose vehicle. The aim of inventing amphibious automobile is to travel on the road as well as operate in water as water vehicle. The objective of our team is to produce an energy efficient, environmentally friendly consumer vehicle which can compete Richard Bransons record set in the Gibbs Aquada implemented on 2004.To develop the conceptual new generation of amphicar, the team has to research on the first generation model manufactured in 1961-1968. As described on the above, to beat in performance as well as in energy efficiency, team need to be digested in the ideas of Gibbs Aquada. To meet the above requirements, amphicar should be assembled with jet engine using Supersonic Amphibious (SSA) Technology to increase the acceleration compare with the last generation. The vehicle will have the maximum capacity of 4 persons, which average body weight of 80KG. The amphicar should have minimum operation hour of 2 hours in the water. The expected project duration for the whole project will be 30 days with reserved one week for any delay. The project can be divided into 4 major chapters, which are Systems Engineering Management Plan, System Requirement Specification, Functional Analysis and Allocation and System Specification. Each chapter will have 2 days for preparation, 3 days for research and 2 days for final report. 2 Work breakdown structure 2.1 Gantt Chart 2.1.1 Schedule Functional Analysis Allocation 2.2 Cost No Name Budget (US$) Expected Cost (US$) 1 Project Plan 20,000 20,000 2 1 Statement of Work 1,000 3 2 Work Breakdown Structure 0 4 2.1 Schedule 0 5 2.2 Cost 0 6 2.3 Product Testing Method 1,500 7 3 Program Management 2,500 8 4 Risk Management 2,500 9 5 Resources Required 2,500 10 6 Deliverables 5,000 11 7 Organization Structure 0 12 8 Operational Concept 5,000 13 System Requirements Specification 20,000 20,000 14 9 Scope 0 15 9.1 System overview 1,000 16 9.2 Document overview 2,000 17 10 Referenced Document 2,000 18 11 Needs 12,000 19 12 Requirements 2,000 20 12.1 General Requirements 1,500 21 12.2/3 Priority Table Method Table 500 22 12.4 System Capability or Mode 1,000 23 Functional Analysis and Allocation 10,000 10,000 24 13 Scope 2,000 25 14 Referenced Documents 1,000 26 15 Functional analysis 2,500 27 16.1 Physical Overview 2,000 28 16.2 Component details 2,500 29 System test specification 10,000 10,000 30 Document overview 2,000 31 Test detail 8,000 32 Final system specification 15,000 15,000 33 Final analysis Documentation 15,000 34 Miscellaneous 5,000 5,000 Total cost for the whole project 80,000 80,000 2.4 Product testing method Testing is a kind of demonstration the abilities of the product in terms of performance characteristics, advantages and limitations that have been adequately determined for a specific purpose. Reliability is an objective measurement of method reproducibility. If the test is not sufficiently reliable, that product is not qualified for using on intended purposes. In order to achieve the relevant outcomes of our amphicars objectives, there is some common stages of testing method will be gone through as listed below; Risk Assessment Methods identify new methods in testing methods and strategies Research investigate mechanisms and other resources that can be applied in design and test activities Development incorporate strategies into standardized test methods Validation make sure the accuracy and reproducibility are 100% granted Acceptance determine acceptability for users Implementation ensure effective ways of method for operators and users 3 Program management Project manager will look after the entire project, call for meeting two times a week for progress checking and review whenever issues arise during the period. Project engineer will work out on design specification to be developed and tested accordingly. Risk officer will report risk resolution status to management team. Technical and sale engineers will control the quality assurances and functionality of entire project. Individual will have second plan for the case of emergency if first plan is failed to implement. Each and everyone will communicate and discuss the progress of the project via phone, online instant messages and email. 4 Risk management 4.1 Purpose This document describes how we perform the job of managing risk for Amphicar II project. It defines roles and responsibilities for participants in risk processes, risk management activities that will be carried out, schedule and budget for risk management activities including any tools and technique that will be used. 4.1.1 Project Manager The project manager will assign a Risk Officer to the project for identifying purposes on the projects organization chart. Project Manager, Risk Officer and all project engineers should have videoconference biweekly to review the status of the risk mitigation efforts, review the exposure assessments for any new risk items. 4.1.2 Risk Officer Coordination of risk identification and analysis activities, maintenance of the projects risk list, notification of project management of new risk items and submission of the report in risk resolution status to management. 4.1.3 Project Engineers/Sale/Technical Engineer Officer will assign each newly identified risk to a Project Engineer, who will assess the exposure and probability for the risk factor and report the results of that analysis back to the Risk Officer. All Project Engineers are also responsible for performing the steps of the mitigation plan and reporting progress to the Risk Officer biweekly. 4.2 Risk Documentation Risk Identification 1. Man Power From individuals or organizations, illness, death, resignation. 2. Project Job taking too long, unable to complete within deadline. 3. Financial Over spent project budget, no enough fund to complete the project. 4. System Failure Sever or PC down or crash. 5. Communication Break Down Failure to pass down information. 6. Technical Individual weakness of technical skill and knowledge 7. Procedural Failure of accountability internal system and control. 8. Health Safety Injuries staff in the course of project. 9. Security Loss of data through unauthorized access. 10. Confidential Improper used of data by the staff 4.3 Analysis of Risk and Risk Rating Matrix 4.3.1 Risk Likelihood Assessment Table Probability Description Almost Certain 1 in 10 Chance Likely To Occur Likely 1 in 100 Chance Will Probably Occur Possible 1 in 1000 Chance May Occur Occasionally Unlikely 1 in 10,000 Chance Do Not Expect To Happen Rare 1 in 100,000 Chance Do Not Believe Will Ever Happen 4.3.2 Risk Rating Matrix Table LIKELYHOOD CONSEQUENCE Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic Almost Certain Low Significant High High High Likely Low Significant Significant High High Possible Low Low Significant High High Unlikely Very Low Low Significant Significant Significant Rare Very Low Very Low Low Low Significant 4.3.3 Risk Action Level Table Risk Level ACTION LEVEL Very Low Risk Officer Low Risk Officer Significant Department / Team High Project Manager / Department 4.4 Risk response 1. Man Power For individuals or organization, illness, death, resignation, personal matter. Lack of manpower could have caused the direct impact on the whole project progress, such as delaying on the deliverable of the project within given time. According to our Gantt chart, to lessen the impact or to overcome for above risk, we have targets for each section to complete one day before the dead line and also as we have split up our project, everyone has to be submitted to the project manager advanced in two days before the dead line. So that, in case someone leaves in an unexpected condition, we still have time slot to cope the job within the given time. 2. Project Job taking too long, unable to complete within deadline. There could be many reasons for the delay. It is very important and we could face the liability for the delay period. To overcome this risk, we have reserved some tolerance period and fund. Keep track on the project progress with the Gantt chart schedule. 3. Financial After spending more on low priorities, there is not enough funds to complete the project. There are a lot of factors that could cause the financial over spent. The major cost consuming factors are labor cost during the test process to improve the functionality due to unexpected time delay and longer period to done the test. Improper budget plan may cause the project failure. To overcome the risk, we have allocated the budget accordingly and set aside some fund, so that in case of financial crisis or in the worst scenario, we still have some budget to work out. To minimize the test cost without jeopardizing the quality of the product, we implemented all the test procedure and specification carefully. 4. System Failure Sever / PC down or crash. Equipment break down could cause the major issue as well. In the event of server or computer which important information stored was crashed or unable to operate, there will be a delay. We need to re-do all the work and it might cause project failure. To overcome and lessen the impact from this risk, everyone had kept their project information not only in the computer but also at external hard drive and thumb drive. After sending out to project manager at the given date, the project manager had compiled all the individual work and saved it in his external hard drive as well. 5. Communication Break Down Failure to pass down information. The breakdown in communication could cause the total destruction of the entire project. To overcome this risk, we have a schedule to meet one week 2 times, the first meeting of the week will be conducted by video conference. 6. Technical Skills- Weakness of knowledge in technical skill could prolong the employee is handling and maybe even impose the danger or damage to himself or the whole project. To overcome this risk, each one of us has to monitor closely and updates each other. Anyone finds out some important information on the web or book that could improve our knowledge and skill for this project, we had to share by mail or scan the page and attach it. 7. Procedure Failure of accountability, internal system and control. Failure of accountability, internal system and control could cause the whole organization structure collapsed. To lessen this risk, we had already implemented the role and responsibility for each one of us and organization chart. This will ensure each one of remain still on the track while doing project. Moreover by having flexible organization chart (rotation of duty) will ensure that everyone is involved. 8. Health Safety Injuries staff in the course of project. Health and safety always has been the highest priority in every organization. Lacking of safety requirement could cause paralyze the whole organization and goal. To overcome this risk, we had been oriented with safety requirement and regulation issued by WHS (Work place Safety and Health). 9. Security Loss of data through unauthorized access. Loss of data through unauthorized access could have more than unexpected impact on the progress of the project. To overcome the risk, we had implemented all the security access code to our equipments and facility, which contains the informations of the entire project. 10. Confidential Improper used of data by the staff. Improper used of confidential data may cause in leak aging of information to the third party as well as there can be bad reputation in Society. To lessen the risk, we had been brief all the staffs regarding about how to take precaution on this issue. 4.5 Risk Assessment RISK RISK TYPE IMPACT Likely-hood Risk level Current control Mitigation options Risk owner Man power Delay project Medium Medium Amber Back up man power Set target earlier date Risk Officer Overrun dead line Financial Medium Low Amber Closely monitor with schedule time line Risk Officer Over spent on budget Project failure High Low Amber Set aside some fund Risk Officer System Down Operational High Medium Orange Back up system Department /Team Communication break down Project failure High Low Amber Twice a week meeting Risk Officer Lack of skill and knowledge May danger to other Medium Low Amber Sharing knowledge Risk Officer Failure of accountability Operation Medium Low Amber Role responsibility Risk Officer Health safety Sick or Injury Medium Low Amber Brief on WHS Risk Officer Lack of security Operational Medium Low Amber Implement access code Risk Officer Leakage of confidential Operational, Financial High Low Amber Brief on the rule Risk Officer 5 Resources required Defining the resource requirement is dividing the responsibilities of the people who involved. To do this, initially, listing roles and responsibilities for the project then start with the ideal way in which the project should be organized. It is often useful to refer back to the previous project that the people done before which kind of roles and responsibilities exhibited. Also review the resources available such as software, PCs, budgets limitation for the project and the individual member skill that they possess. Lastly, it is required to arrange the responsibilities, which is suited for every team member. 6 Deliverables The projects are monitored from planning to operations. In accordance with the customers needs, wants and expectations, the project should have to plan towards delivering. The purposes are to complete on time, within budget, with the highest degree of quality, etc. Following are some facts of deliverables Procurement and Contract Management The decisions are to be made including selection of contractors and the types of contracts to be utilized. Executive Summary This should be a clear and concise summary of the current status of the project such as budget, schedule, quality etc†¦ Project Activities and Deliverables This is to highlight the deliverables occurring the previous month and planning for the next one to report in meeting, audits and other reviews, design packages submitted etc. Action Items/Outstanding Issues The action items/ outstanding issues may be dropped from this section upon full implementation of the remedial and upon no further monitoring anticipated. Product Quality The product is needed to plan corrective actions for deficient in quality. Internal and Stakeholder Communications It should have a discussion between the internal members and stakeholder. Environmental Monitoring The environmental permits may be obtained to specify additional requirements to be adhered. Safety and Security In order to complete the project, safety and security is required for all individuals working. Traffic Management This should be the requirement for providing monitoring and oversight of day-to-day maintenance of traffic operations. Project Communications (Media and Public Information) A critical objective for the projects is to maintain the trust, support and confidence of the media and public throughout the project. Human Resources Management This includes how roles and responsibilities for the project. Any other project functions that the project sponsors feel would be beneficial to include in the project Management Plan to ultimately help in meeting the project Objectives. 7 Organisational structure 7.1 Roles And Responsibility Project Manager will manage the entire project, assign right task to the right person, call up the meeting and always take note of the deadline. Project Engineer will directly assist to project manager with majority in developing and testing the project. Sale Engineer shall have responsibilities of marketing, budget control, banking and purchasing. Technical Engineer manages the technical part and specification of the project. Risk Officer will maintain the projects risk list, safety and security of the entire project. 8 Operational Concept The project is about the design of the Amphicar-II which is the amphibious vehicle and able to operate as a recreational water vehicle and travel on the land. The aim of the project is to produce an energy efficient, environmentally friendly consumer vehicle and crossing in the English Channel to beat the record of Richard Branson set in the Gibbs Aquada (2004). General description of the project The project carried into 4 parts. a. Draft systems engineering management plan (SEMP) b. Draft system requirement specification (SRS) c. Draft functional analysis and allocation (FAA) d. Final system specification (SS) Before we start the project, we formed the organizational group. Then we analyzed the work breakdown structure, such as schedule, cost and product testing method. First, we drew the gantt chat for schedule and estimated the cost. Then, we analyzed the program and risk management and defined resources and types of deliverables. In the second stage, we defined needs and system requirement specifications. The needs include able to travel on road and water, environmentally friendly, energy efficient and cross the English Channel to beat Gibbs Aquada. The requirements are general, safety, user, environmental, security and privacy and legal requirements. In the third stage, we sketched the functional analysis and allocation. We used the core software to produce the diagram. We sketched the physical designs and write the component details and matched them. And we drew the flow chart to analyze the system. In the final stage, we performed the system testing and summarized the project. And, we made the modification according to the test result. Then, we prepared the report and handover to the customer. System Requirements Specification (SRS) 9 Scope The aim of amphicar-II project is to produce an energy efficient, environmentally friendly consumer vehicle that is capable of travelling on road and operating as a recreational water vehicle. Moreover to introduce the vehicle to public, the first prototype will be used in crossing in the English Channel, beating Richard Bransons record set in the Gibbs Aquada. After years of ‘on the road development, amphibious cars start to introduce to the public which can travel not only on the land also on the water. In this project, we are trying to pursue the new technologies to provide better innovative, efficient, affordable options for daily life. To concern about this, below will briefly describe what the system all about is according to purpose, operation and maintenance. 9.1 System Overview 9.1.1 Vehicle On The Road Hybrid system Hybrid means any vehicle that combines two or more sources of power that can directly or indirectly provide propulsion power. [7] It uses the rechargeable energy storage system and uses as power source to drive the vehicle. As concerns increase over global warming, hybrid uses less fuel and causes less pollution to environment as well as easy mode of transportation and lessening. Operation of hybrid system with engine According to our needs, we should be using Gasoline-electric Hybrid Structure that can compatible to our aims. This structure includes the following parts to operate as hybrid system; Gasoline engine the gasoline engine using in our Amphicar II project will be smaller than other normal car engines but it can help to reduce emissions and increase efficiency Fuel tank the fuel tank in a hybrid acts as an energy storage device for gasoline engine Electric motor the technology of electric motor using at hybrid system is very advance and can be used not only as a motor also as a generator to supply power source to engine. Electric motor can pull energy from the batteries as well as will recharge again while the vehicle is moving. Generator the generator only produce electric power to the engine Batteries the batteries are the energy storage devices for the electric motor in a hybrid car. As for energy efficiency and environmentally friendly, we have choose to use hybrid technology engine for our amphicar-II. Hybrid system is the wave of the future and there is more incentive to purchase one. In our conceptual design for land, the standard production model of Amphicar II will be sport car design and power by larger V-6 engine and more powerful electric motor, with the combination of the concept of plug-in hybrid that will able to go from zero to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 3.5 sec and will has a top speed of 187miles per hour (301 kilometer per hours) with CVTs continuously variable transmission 5 speed manual high performance close ratio transmission. It will be the first ever its kind of in amphibian car, which can able to deliver the performance of sport car with maximum fuel efficiency. The vehicle type will be front engine, front wheel drive with 3.73-1 axle ratio, 2-doors, 4-passengers, convertible top, fitted with four wheel independent suspension and brake with stainless steel rotor. The amphicar-II will be approximately weighs 3,300lbs(1500 kg) and the weigh will be split up 53-47%, with 53% on the drive tires on the front 9.1.1.1 Operation The controls and operation will be completely carlike on the land. On water the accelerator can be use as a throttle and the steering remains as the same. 9.1.1.2 Vehicle Style The styling of the amphicar-II body structure will be look a bit like Lamborghini. The dimension of the vehicle is 4 meter in length, 2 meter in width and 1.5 meter in height. 9.1.1.3 General Feature Of The Vehicle There will be climate-control system, 4- air bags, tachometer, drivers passengers electric seat, drivers seat memory, speedometer for land and water, cruise control mode, oil pressure, engine temperature, voltage meter, gasoline fume detector, bilge ventilation blower, compass, clock, navigation (GPS), auto pilot system in water mode and AM/FM stereo. 9.1.2 Vehicle On Water Jet Engine To provide faster speed with better performance, we decided to use jet engine with lightweight and compact design while driving on the water. Though there are different types with varies sizes in jet engines, the technology used in jet engine is all the same. The fact is they depend on the high-pressure column of water pushed out of the engine to propel the boat. To travel on the water our Amphicar-II will be power by Berkeley Marine Jet with power trim package and it will has capable of speed up to 40mph (65 km/h) on water. It will able to pull a water skier easily. The Berkeley Marine jet will be design to be lighter and more compact. It will have half a length and one-third the weight, compare to most other water jet. The impeller will be installing and contain inside the body of the jet, therefore it will be very safe for swimmers. The amphicar-II will have a low speed reversing capability by running the water jet in reverse direction. The steering will be mounted on the back of the stator nozzle and will connect to the car steering wheel. 9.1.2.1 Main Body Materials Another great thing about this amphicar-II will be durable and attractive. The lower part of the amphicar-II will be lightweight component the 5052-alloy aluminum single piece hull. The upper part of the amphicar-II body will use lightweight fiberglass to minimize the overall weight of the amphicar-II. 9.1.2.2 Feature On The Lower Part Of The Body The hull will be design to be aerodynamic in road mode and hydrodynamic in water mode. It will provide over 1750kg of hydrodynamic lift. It will also provide a stable planning surface allowing the amphicar-II to skin/plane over the surface of the water when given sufficient from the jet. The hull will have a keel fin that will give s directional stability and provide grip for high speed handling performance on water. There will be a spray rails and chin either side of the body, it will prevent the water spray to the cockpit and ensure the occupants remain dry. Also it will provide grip to give exceptional maneuverability. 9.1.2.3 Special Feature The hull will be pack with floatation foam and the amphicar-II will not sink if it knocked at the bottom part of the body. It will only float on the water in the worst scenario, but it would not sink. 9.1.2.4 Special Feature Of Suspension This amphicar-II will have retractable 4 points independent front and rear suspension system. By retracting its four wheels up to within the wheels housing, it will prevent from the wheel dragging to the water and will increase its water performance, and better manoeuvre ability. Also it will automatically decouple when the engine no longer drives them. The hydraulic rams that move the control arm suspended corner up and down, also serve as automatic ride height control. 9.1.3 Mode Transition There will be mode selection switch, to change either water mode or land mode. The mode selection switch will interlock with water sensor, to prevent from changing to water mode while driving on the road. So that to change from land to water mode, the water sensor has to detect enough water depth in order to retract the four wheels. The switch will also have a cover to prevent from accidentally switching of mode select switch. By pressing the mode selector button to marine mode, it will drops the clutch, disengages the road drive, shifts the transmission into aquatic duty, retract the wheels, the jet drive kick in and take off in water. All this process will take place within 10 sec. The retraction of the wheel will be as same as what AQUADA used but only difference is that the wheels are retracted upwardly and aluminum plates will be occupied firmly without leak aging at the place of the wheels. So the entire Amphicar looks like totally as a boat floating on the water surface confidently. In order to prevent leaks, this Amphicar-II has covered with a single frame using aluminum metal. 9.1.4 Performance It will be like a sport car on the road and speedboat on the water. 9.1.5 Maintenance Frequent hull inspections at panel seams and joints are essential. The user should check and clean after cruising in salt or brackish water is a thorough hosing with fresh water for the entire hull and all exposed suspension and nautical propulsion components. Items need to be check by service engineers are lists down below, 1. Road test 2. Wash oil filter cap and breather 3. Wash air filter and carburetor 4. Renew filter 5. Wash out the petrol pump 6. Clean petrol gauge of three way cock 7. Check fan belt tension and dynamo mounting bolts 8. Check cooling and heating system 9. Clean sparking plugs 10. Renew sparking plugs 11. Check and clean dynamo and starter motor 12. Check and tighten cylinder head nuts 13. Check valve clearance (cold) adjust if necessary 14. Check ignition clean and adjust contact points 15. Check engine, gearbox, radiator and exhaust mountings 16. Check brake and clutch pedal travel, also handbrake 17. Check the gear shift mechanism 18. Check play of steering, adjust if necessary 19. Check tightness of steering mounting bolts and linkage 20. Check play of stub axle bolts, re tighten if necessary 21. Check steering knuckle arm play, re tighten if necessary 22. Check brake hoses for condition and leaks 23. Check front and rear hub bearing adjustment 24. Check shock absorber mounting and coil springs 25. Check function of door hinges and locks 26. Check weather-strips and sealers for condition. Apply talc powder to door sealers 27. Check the vehicle for water tightness 28. Check function of all Bowden cables 29. Check tightness of exhaust flange to manifold 30. Check all bolts, screws and nuts of body, retighten 31.Check wheel studs for tightness, retighten if necessary 32.Check tire pressures 33.Interchange road wheels to balance wear 34.Check toe-in align if necessary 35.Wash Bilge pump and strainer 36.Check operation of all electrical components, adjust headlamps 37.Wipe clean door handles, gear shift, and steering wheel 38.Test run, final inspection, check idling of engine, adjust if necessary Items to be service during maintenance. 1. Grease castor rods 2. Grease steering universal joints 2a. Check steering box oil level 3. Grease stub axle 4. Grease axles tubes 5. Pock fr

Digital Media in the Past and Present Essay -- Technology Electronics

Digital Media in the Past and Present In today’s world digital media are everywhere, TV, newspapers, advertisements, and magazines. Almost everywhere you look you will find some sort of digital technology. Digital technology has come along way since the beginning of its time in. Although computers were invented long before; digital technology didn’t start to shine its light until the early 80’s. Originally, NASA developed digital imaging for the US space program in the 1960s (History of the digital camera, 2001). NASA needed a reliable way to get photographs back from the probes, which were never to return to the Earth. George Lucas combined with Adobe to help start the digital art movement with the creation of Photoshop. Companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, Hewitt Packard, Kodak and Sony are a few of the top brands in digital design. A brief history into the digital world mainly begins in 1984 when Sony released its first digital video camera. It used analog recording technology and saved data to a 2.5† floppy disk. The quality of these cameras was quite poor. At the same time Kodak came out with their 8mm camera, but had a hard time finding a buying market. Kodak eventually shut down the electronic photography division. Meanwhile Sony found the market, and began the digital boom. In 1985 the â€Å"Targa video card was introduced. It was a 24 bit color display card, that allowed the user to capture video images to the computer.† (www.home.eznet.net/) The first scanner was introduced in 1986, known as the Thunderscan digitizer. It used the Apple ImageWriter printer to capture the image, in black and white dots. And in 1990 Kodak introduced the first digital camera and photo CD. There was also the introduction of imaging software ... ...sroom" with "digital walls and ceiling" would not need a projector, the information and images would appear on the surrounding surfaces.† He also predicts that these types of projectors will to be able to project 3D images. For example if you were learning about the statue of David, at the click of a button the projector could make a replica of the statue and portray it in the middle of the room. Learning experience will become astronomical in a just a few years. Resources will just be unlimited. The world today is becoming completely based on computers. Less then twenty years ago no one would have believed that almost every household in America would contain a personal computer. Now it’s rare not to own one, some houses contain multiple computers. For this reason its no wonder that the world is going digital. Digital technology just improves so many opportunities.

Compare and Contrast Parliamentary Essay

Parliamentary and Presidential democracies are forms of government that similar in some respects and differ in others. The Parliamentary system like the Presidential is divided into three separate arms of Government, the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary. Both democracies have a bicameral legislature, often referred to as the House of Representative and the Senate. The House of Representative is elected and the Senate is appointed by the Head of State on the advice of the Prime Minister in a Parliamentary type while both houses are elected by the people in the Presidential system. In the Parliamentary System, the Head of Government, referred to as the Prime Minister, is appointed by a vote of confidence from the House of Representative firstly along with the Attorney General and subsequently followed by the members of Cabinet. In a Parliamentary Democracy there is also a figurative head of state, normally the Queen or an appointed Governor General. In the Presidential System, the President who is separately elected by the people is both the Head of State and Head of Government. Presidents serve a fixed term and may not be removed except for cases where he does something illegal; while in Parliament, a Prime Minister may be removed by a vote of no confidence by his executive members or he may call an early election at any time and dissolve the house. Although the three branches exist in both types of government, it is evident that power is fused between the Executive and Legislature in the Parliamentary type. The Presidential System is otherwise well known for the separation of the Executive and the Legislative Agencies, with the President nominating and appointing his executive team of which no members of the elected legislature can be a member thereof. A Parliamentary Legislature makes and passes laws easily by virtue of always having a majority in the House. In the Presidential System, the Legislature and the Executives are able to create laws but must have a two thirds vote of the Legislature. The President also had the right to veto laws. Overall, the Caribbean should adapt to the Presidential Democratic System. Although it may seem very expensive to fund such type of government, it may cost less in the long term. The check and balance that a presidential system offers allows for less corruption and Executives to be held acc ountable of their actions. Policies and laws would be more accurate and  better evaluated having two separate Agencies in review of such nature. The Presidential system allows for more transparency which is one of the ultimate objectives of a democracy. References Read Also:   Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for College Parliamentary democracy is the type of government where the public vote government into power and parliamentarians are representative of the people. While a Presidential Democracy is when there is a system of government that has a president acting as the nation’s head of state and active chief executive authority. The similarities between the Presidential and Parliamentary model are: both are representative democracies, both have a head of state, both have a bicameral form of government and both are rule by constitution. There are also differences between the Presidential and Parliamentary model. In the Presidential Model, the president is the Executive body and is separated from the Legislature. President is voted by the people and also the Legislative Branch that is composed by theHouse of Representative and the senate. This means they have two elections. A president can only serve two four years term and is answerable to the people. In the Parliamentary Democracy there is an Executive power but is interdependent on the Legislation. The Prime Minister is appointed by the majority ruling party. Therefore there is only one election. The Prime Mister does not have a term limit as long as he has the support of it members. The Prime Minister will answer to Parliament. The Presidential Model has a head of state which is the President; for example in the United State it would be Obama. While the Parliamentary Model has a Head of State and Head of Government; for example in Belize the Head of State is the Governor General which represent the queen Sr. Colville Young and Head of government is the Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow. In Presidential Model dual political parties can exist in congress and on Parliamentary Model one political Party hold the majority party power. I believe that due to our history a nd the fact most countries in the Caribbean were once a colony of England the Parliamentary Model is best suited. Reference: What is a parliamentary democracy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ask.com/question/what-is-a-parliamentary-democracy What is the definition of presidential democracy?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ask.com/question/presidential-legislative-democracy? ad=SEO&an=SEO&ap=google.com.bz&o=102140 What is the difference between a parliamentary and presidential system of government?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is- the-difference-between-a-parliamentary-and-presidential-system-of- government.htm

Attachment Paper Essay

Bowlby’s attachment theory provides a strong framework for the comprehension of both the nature of close relationships and the link between the associations of children and how this affects their relationships as adults, as well as, various health issues concerning adults. The following research endeavor reviews the literature concerning the validity and reliability of the attachment styles that can be a predicting factor as to how adults engage in the formation of relationships. Research presented will also help to elucidate how attachment styles during childhood relate to adult related health issuesThe following essay will define attachment theory as described by Bowlby and Ainsworth; followed by an analysis how attachments formed in early childhood have an impact on attachments formed during adulthood. The main focus of the research will examine the evidence concerning attachment assessment methods. Finally, the research essay will examine the empirical evidence depicting how attachment predicts relationship tendencies in adults along with the risk factors for certain health related issues from the perspective attachment style. John Bowlby’s theory of attachment has been instrumental in the advancement of modern psychology. According to Bowlby (1982), attachments exist to bring infants into close proximity with their caregivers thereby protecting the infant from harm and predation. The idea of attachment was first postulated by Sigmund Freud and focused on the attachment relationship between mother and child. Freud analyzed this interaction using psychoanalytic thought, which assumes that an unconscious drive for physical gratification is the basis of attachment. Bowlby (1982) moved away from Freud’s psychoanalytic perspective and proposed an ethological theory of attachment. The foundation of this perspective depicts the inherent survival instinct as the catalyst for attachment. At the most basic level, Bowlby theorized that attachment formation is dependent on the formation of trust in the infant. Trust develops from the level of sensitivity the caregiver provides the infant during times of stress. The result of this interaction is the infant producing an adaptive response and those responses, according to Bowlby (1982), into mental representations, or working models, that are believed to guide the behavior of attachment relationships over time, carrying over into adulthood. The existence of the different types of attachment styles was empirically demonstrated by Ainsworth and colleagues (1978) in studies with infants using the Strange Situation procedure. The Strange Situation procedure involved observing a child’s behavior when they were separated from their primary caregiver. Ainsworth and colleagues classified the attachment styles of the infant based on the observed strength of the bond between the infant and their caregiver (Ainsworth, et al. , 1978). The various types of attachment styles are typically classified into three categories including:secure attachment, anxious/ambivalent attachment, and avoidant attachment. These attachment styles will be discussed further in relationship to their impact on adult relationships and the effects they have on the general health in adults. A fourth attachment style was classified much later than what was presented in the Strange Situation, called disorganized attachment, and accounts for only about five to ten percent of the population (Berk, 2007). This fourth attachment style is not part of the research presented in this essay due to the fact that this attachment system is uncommon and there is little research focusing on its effect on adult relationships or on the health of adults. There are generally two distinct groups that researchers fall into when studying the implications of attachment in adulthood. Those who are typically trained in the developmental tradition, tend to emphasize adults’ representation and how this may influence the level of attachment they have with their own children. The other group, which is typically trained in social psychology, usually focuses their attention on the application of attachment theory to analyze the processes of adult romantic relationships and personality. These two groups are apt to emphasize different points of view to the theory, and conceptualize their findings in diverging ways. For the purpose of this essay, empirical research from a social psychology perspective will be utilized. The primary focal point will be on the domain of interpersonal relationships between adults from the three attachment categories and their relationships. Secondly, research will be discussed in regards to the links between adult attachment styles and variables such as cognitive functioning and interest in social activities. Lastly, this essay will show support for the proposed theory that attachment styles of children has been linked to the development of disease and chronic illness in adults. Ainsworth and colleagues (1978), through their experiment termed Strange Situation, coined the terms to describe the different attachment styles that infants experience. The first and most common form of attachment is secure attachment. Secure attachment is traditionally measured in terms of separation anxiety (Pearce, 2009). Infants who are securely attached are quickly comforted upon the return of their attentive primary caregiver after a period of separation and exposure to a stranger in the room. Securely attached infants also display uninhibited exploration of their environment while the primary caregiver is in sight (Ainsworth et al. , Bowlby, 1982). Avoidant attachment is the second form of attachment that infants can display. Those who exhibit this form of attachment generally do not display any separation anxiety and also show no preference towards the primary caregiver upon their return. It has been theorized that a reason that infants do show a preference towards their caregiver is because the caregiver may be causing the infant stress which the infant instinctively tries to avoid. The third form of attachment style is the anxious / ambivalent form of attachment. Anxious attachment is comparable to secure attachment in that the infant clings to their primary caregiver and displays separation anxiety (Berk, 2007). The primary difference between the behaviors of securely attached infants and anxiously / ambivalent individuals is that, in the latter, the infants emotions are more pronounced. Anxious infants are not comforted by the caregiver easily, and aggressive behaviors may be displayed when the caregiver is present. This type of behavior is considered to be an adaptive response that is used to solicit a response from an otherwise unresponsive caregiver. Attachment Theory and Adult Relationships Many have argued that identifying both the beginnings and the extent of emotions that are experienced in a relationship is critical if one seeks to understand the essential aspects of a relationship. Many of the most intense emotions arise during the formation, the maintenance, the disruption, and the renewal of attachment relationships (Bowlby, 1982). Surprisingly, there is little research to date that attempts to explain the rationale for the cause of emotions in relationships; specifically how significant relationship experiences at critical developmental stages, forecast the intensity of emotions practiced in adult attachment relationships. One of the first studies conducted in this area was by Main and colleagues (1985) using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) as a narrative-based interview in which participants provide five adjectives that describe their relationship to each parent and then provide specific memories that support each adjective. Several studies have associated attachment styles to relationship satisfaction; however, there is a perceived lack of understanding as to what mechanisms of the attachment styles that influence relationship satisfaction have been scarcely understood. Attachment plays a pivotal role in the dynamics of how adults interact with each other and this interaction relates to how relationships are formed and maintained. Results produced from the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) (Main et al, 1985), indicated that adults who have formed secured attachments during childhood are more likely to form romantic partnerships that are warm and responsive. Securely attached adults tend to have more positive views of themselves and their partners and in the way they perceive their relationships (Simpson & Rholes, 2012). Securely attached adults characteristically experience lower levels of anxiety than those with other attachment styles. A possibility for the lower levels of anxiety in securely attached individuals is that failure in the relationship does not elicit an anxiety-provoking, distracting concern, because the expected attachment, on average, tends to be supportive, and reassuring (McWilliams & Bailey, 2010). Independent success is not dependent on the relationship outcome for securely attached adults as it may be for those with other attachment styles. Securely attached individuals focus on building greater intimacy with their attachment figures and experience functional anger, which generally facilitates more constructive, relationship-enhancing goals (Simpson et al, 2007). The anxious / ambivalent attached adult is normally viewed as being fearful and avoidant when in most situations and especially when forming meaningful relationships. The fear response is usually a fear of failure. The possibility of failure elicits anxiety – provoking concerns for the anxious / ambivalent person (Simpson et al, 2007). These individuals view themselves as incapable of either providing love and intimacy to others or being capable of receiving love and intimacy from romantic partners. Insecurity is not manifested the same in all individuals but the basic mistrust of love and closeness is a common theme among this level of attachment in adults. Those who are anxious / ambivalent adults may be troubled with high levels of stress and display a higher tendency towards impulsiveness in their relationships. This stress is compounded if both members of the relationship demonstrate characteristics of this type of attachment style. In contrast to those who have secure attachments, adults who present characteristics of anxious / ambivalent attachment, typically experience and express less positive and more negative emotions in their relationships (Simpson et al, 2007). These individuals habitually are concerned with fears of being abandoned, misused, or failing to meet their basic needs of security when engaging in relationships. For this reason, those with this attachment style typically experience less positive emotions in their relationships and report a high level of negativity when describing their relationships. Bowlby (1982), as well as other researchers, believe that close relationships formed during childhood with primary caregivers who are supposed to be providing the ground work for the establishment of security and trust, have a direct impact on how adults form and maintain relationships across the lifespan. The third attachment style is avoidant. Avoidant infants are indifferent or ignore the return of the caregiver after separation (Westen, 2006). These children may not necessarily reject the attention of the caregiver but they do not tend to seek out the attention of the caregiver as well. The avoidant style of attachment negates energy away from intimacy and hampers positive emotions in personal relationships. For those experiencing this form of negative attachment believe that becoming close to their partners heightens their fear of rejection. Considerable research indicates that different forms of attachment styles direct individuals to foster their emotions and behaviors in different ways (Simpson et al, 2007). Typically, those who have avoidant style of attachment avidly seek to diminish the possibility of negative relationships that could potentially create the danger of rejection or abandonment. This form of attachment can also be seen as a type of self-preservation strategy. Attachment styles and the relation to chronic health issues in adults Many researchers and psychologists have argued that the experiences that incur in early childhood hold a prestigious place in influencing later life outcomes. Researchers have also focused their attention on how the role of adverse incidents gone through in childhood has strong links towards adult physical illness. Furthermore, the quality of close relationships, especially marital relationships, affects immune functioning, rendering individuals vulnerable to various diseases (Coan, Schaefer, & Davidson, 2006). Researchers have also focused on the role of early adverse experiences in laying the foundations for adult physical illness (Puig et al, 2012). The different level of childhood attachment styles is positively correlated to the incidence of chronic illness as adults. Incorporating assessments of relationship interaction in the early stages of human development may give insight of how the quality of childhood attachments in infancy directly impact adult health. Secure attachment is considered to be the best functional form of all of the attachment forms and thus is hypothesized to have the increased likelihood of general better health in adulthood. In relation to cancer, attachment may be unrelated to the development of cancer, but a positive association between secure attachment ratings and cancer could have emerged because those with secure attachment may be more likely to survive cancer (Puig et al, 2012). According to the attachment theory proposed by Bowlby (1982), the quality of early care that children receive is internalized and then shapes their social functioning in adulthood. Research suggests that infant attachment relationships are associated with aspects of health in childhood that may be linked to health across the life span (Anderson & Whitaker, 2011). The findings of the research conducted by Anderson & Whitaker (2011) suggest that individuals who were classified as secure during the origins of care giving report the fewest health problems as adults than those who were inconsistently secure or consistently insecure. Other research indicates that adults forming insecure attachment styles as children uniquely predict categories of physical illness (McWilliams & Bailey, 2012). Insecure attachments include the anxious / ambivalent and avoidant style of attachment. Generally speaking, those persons who have developed insecure attachments during childhood have an increased susceptibility to stress. Stress has been linked to a wide range of psychological and physical ailments in adolescents and adults. Those exhibiting insecure attachments have also been theorized to have a greater propensity towards substance abuse and food addictions, which has been known to cause numerous health roblems. Individuals with insecure attachment often display refractory behaviors in that they do not seek help for these types of behaviors and also have difficulty seeking proper medical attention when health issues arise most likely due to their basic mistrust of people who are in a position to help them. The most logical assessment for this behavior is strongly suggested to be linked to the lack of strong bonding relationships formed during infancy (McWilliams and Bailey, 2010). According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard (2011), the consequences of adversity early in life can be serious and long-lasting, affecting the body’s ability to, for example, regulate metabolism, fight disease, and maintain a healthy heart—as well as a healthy brain. Reducing toxic stress in early childhood is therefore an important strategy for lifelong health promotion and disease prevention. Findings of recent developmental research have concluded that individuals who are insecurely attached tend to have poorer quality relationships across the first 20 years of life (Simpson, Collins, Tran, & Haydon, 2007). The quality of adult relationships is possible causes of chronic stress which inhibits biological processes, which leads insecure adults to encounter more physical illness later in life than those who have formed secure attachments. Individuals classified as having the anxious / ambivalent are prone to inflammatory responses when exposed stressors (Gouin et al. , 2008). Anxious attachment ratings were more strongly associated with feeble health conditions and the ratings for avoidant attachments were found to be greater. Avoidant attachment ratings were significantly associated with those conditions that primarily involve symptoms of pain, such as arthritis, back pain, severe headaches, and other forms of chronic pain (McWilliams & Bailey, 2010). Anxious attachment rating were associated as involving the cardiovascular system, including stroke, heart attack, and high blood pressure. With the propensity of insecure attachments leading to the onset of various health conditions, it is reasonable to assume that those with inadequate health conditions lead to relationship discord and thus foster relationship insecurity. Bowlby (1980) believed that life’s deepest and most intense emotions arise in the foundation of attachment relationships. Bowlby’s concept of internal working models was a catalyst for the increased interest in the continuity of attachment patterns from infancy through adulthood (Westen, et al, 2006). These relationships are rooted in the attachment formations that develop during early childhood with caregivers. Until recently, little research has been conducted on the correlation between the different attachment styles children experience as determinants of the experience and development of romantic relationships formed as adults. The above reviewed research suggests that these interactions may imply a link to forming secure relationships experienced during earlier periods of development. Studies directed at the association between attachments and learned dispositions regarding relationships are growing in popularity. This type of research is of interest to anyone who is engrossed in the study of attachment in adulthood, regardless of affiliation to a psychology study or training. Attachment theories remain dominant throughout the lifespan (Ainsworth, 1989). Secure attachment proves to be the strongest indicator that adults will form committed, lasting romantic relationships. Insecure attachment origins supports the general theory that adults are highly susceptible by situational events and have coping mechanisms that are consistent with the particular form of insecurity they manifest (Simpson, et. al. , 2012). Those who have experienced anxious/ambivalent attachments have been found to display greater dysfunctional anger toward their partners and more distressed when encountered with a fear-inducing situation and have been noted to receive less support from their partners.