Managing Information Technology Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing Information Technology - Case Study Example Unfortunately IBM started to face a plunging decrease in its profit margins around mid 1980s. Some of the concluded reasons by analysts are, Bureaucratic and slow-moving setup. Reluctance in revamping of old business strategies. Wrong assessment of business risks etc. According to study conducted by Drucker (1993), The fourth of the deadly business sins is slaughtering tomorrow's opportunity on the altar of yesterday. It is what derailed IBM. IBM's downfall was paradoxically caused by unique success: IBM's catching up, almost overnight, when Apple brought out the first PC in the mid-1970s. This feat actually contradicts everything everybody now says about the company's "stodginess" and its bureaucracy." But then when IBM had gained leadership in the new PC market, it subordinated this new and growing business to the old cash cow, the mainframe computer. This stage came after a career IBMer John Akers took over the charge of the company in the year 1985. In his tenure several downsizi ng attempts from the administration of the company came as a result. The statistics related to downsizing can be observed in Table 1. Table 1: The IBM Timeline from 1970 to 1994. YEARS PROGRESS AT IBM. 1970s IBM owns about 70% of the computer market share. ... Louis V. Gerstner an outsider took over the control of the company after him as per the IBM board’s decision. Despite various attempt at downsizing the company was still going in loss. It had become essential that further downsizing of employees be done in order to secure the income of the company. The Gerstner early years witnessed a mild rise in the income but the trend was not consistent. The same is evident in Figure 1. KEY POINTS AND ISSUES: An account of the issues and problems facing by the company can be evaluated by reviewing its establishment in the State of Indiana. During the year 1992 Indiana reduced the number of its employees about 30%. The declining states of the company’s economy made Michael W. Wiley (General Manager Operations for the state of Indiana) foresee another cut in the number of employees at the organization. This however was not affordable, as the threshold of downsizing was already achieved and loosing competent workforce would cause bigge r losses to the company. In 1993 John Frank, then operations manager for IBM’s Indiana offices came up with the idea of substituting the reduction of personnel with the downsizing of real estate holding of the company at the state of Indiana. He proposed the idea of furnishing employees with the technology so that they can work from home. The idea was termed as TELECOMMUTING. TELECOMMUTING The idea of Telecommuting was new to the firm. While every other country office of the IBM was reducing staff Indiana was trying their hands at a new technique. The executive Vice president for Indiana Operations was the first one to empty his office from the Bank One Tower in Indianapolis. General Manager Operations Frank

Baz Luhrmans modern interpretation of the Shakespeare play Essay Example for Free

Baz Luhrmans modern interpretation of the Shakespeare play Essay This essay is based on Baz Luhrmans modern interpretation of the Shakespeare play; Romeo + Juliet. It will be focusing on the opening scene, and Prologue. I will be analysing how Baz Lurhman portrays the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. I will also be discussing how the presentation of The Prologue helps the audience to understand the play. The film begins with a blank TV screen. The TV screen could represent the modern interpretation to the play. The screen the becomes occupied by a news-reader, who begins reciting the sonnet. The idea of the sonnet being read off the news, emphasises the how important the situation is. Once the news-reader has completed the sonnet, the TV transports you to the scene of the play; Verona. The establishing shot becomes apparent; a Montague building separated form a Capulet building, only by the statue of Christ. This emphasises the theme of religion, and the line in the sonnet: Both alike in dignity This is because each building belittles the rest of Verona, as well as the other. The camera then speeds up and shows a sequence of fast shots. This is known as mise en scene. This represents a degree of chaos, and highlights the conflict between the two families. The Prologue is then recited again, this time, by the Friar. As he reads, the words are reinforced by bold, white text, on a black background. The contrasting colours could be highlighting the two families differences. The use of colour; in this case black and white, are most likely an deliberate choice, as black and white are both immediate opposites, therefore helping the audience differentiate between text and background. This allows the audience to correlate the friars voice with the text, despite the short amount of time in which the text is shown. After the Friar has completed The Prologue, the camera focuses on a family tree, of each family; in turn. Almost as soon as it has shown the family trees, the shot becomes engulfed in flames. The flames could convey a message of hatred, rage and anger between the two families. From the flames, a newspaper heading appears, whilst the flames fade. The heading suggests re-occurring violence between both the Montagues and the Capulets, and could also show that the feud is still as strong as ever. We can then learn that the strongest of the families quarrel lies between the youth of each house. This becomes apparent when the camera focuses on a number of magazines, with the younger generation of each house on the cover. Baz Lurhman also incorporates the use of magazines, as opposed to tabloids, when referring to the youth, as younger people are usually more associated with magazines. In the next shot, the parents of each house are pictured, accompanied by the actors name and character. In turn, the same happens for every character. This is important, as it allows the audience to differentiate between the members of each family, and who the main roles are. The types of shots depicted are very solemn, except for a character named Paris. He is shown in a happy scene; as he is not involved in the feud, whilst every other character is affected, in some way, by the civil conflict. The Prologue concludes with a montage of shots, featured earlier in The Prologue, aswell as a repertoire of emotion-provoking shots, from later in the film. As the closing sequence is shown, shots of fireworks are merged in, to again, establish the theme of chaos. Finally, the title appears, and The Prologue finishes. The final aspect of Baz Luhrmans interpretation, is the Music. Without this particular piece (Carmena Burana), The Prologue would not provoke as many emotions within the audience. This is because; as the tempo, and volume rises beyond forte, Baz secrenises the action scenes to run along side this. He also utilises the piano-pianissimo parts of the piece to again, establish the sonnet. All together, the music adds the element of drama, and strong emotions to the opening scene.

Macbeth Summary: Selfish Ambitions

Macbeth Summary: Selfish Ambitions The play begins with the brief appearance by three witches and then moves to a military camp where the Scottish King Duncan hears news about his generals, Macbeth and Banquo. The witches prophesy that Macbeth will be made thane of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland. They also prophesy that Macbeths companion Banquo will beget a line of Scottish kings, although Banquo will never be king himself. While Duncan is asleep, Macbeth stabs him. When Duncans death is discovered the next morning, Macbeth kills the chamberlains and easily assumes the kingship. Macbeth hires a group of murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. They ambush Banquo, but they fail to kill Fleance, who escapes. At a feast that night a ghost visits Macbeth. Macbeth goes to see the witches they show him a sequence of demons and spirits who present him with further prophecies: Macbeth is relieved by the prophecies given to him. Prince Malcolm, Duncans son, has succeeded in raising an army in England, and Macduff joins him as he rides to Scotland to challenge Macbeths forces. Before Macbeths opponents arrive, Macbeth receives news that Lady Macbeth has killed herself. When Macbeth learns that the English army is advancing on Dunsinane shielded with boughs cut from Birnam Wood, fulfilling half of the witches prophecy Macbeth is afraid. On the battlefield, Macbeth encounters the vengeful Macduff, who declares that he was not of woman born but was instead untimely ripped from his mothers womb. Though he realizes that he is doomed, Macbeth continues to fight until Macduff kills and beheads him, Malcolm is now the King of Scotland. Shakespeare utilizes imagery, symbol and hyperbole to expose the consequence of wanton ambition. Macbeth is a play in which the characters provide the reader with gory descriptions of carnage as the result of some sort of ambition. The description of the battle is rich in imagery as it depicts the savageness of war which smoked with bloody execution, Like Valours minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave Which neer shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamd him from the nave to the chaps, And fixd his head upon our battlements (1.2.18-23). This depicts the behavior a brave solider such as Macbeth must execute in order to prove his bravery in the field and his willingness to serve his king in hopes of advancing in rank. The only reason a solider fights is for glory and honor both of which are critical in advancing forward in life. Macbeth only fights because he wants to be prompted to a higher rank, which his relentless determination in battle achieves as he is crowned Thane of Cawdor. The blood that stains Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are symbols of guilt for committing a murder merely for attaining more power Heres the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand (5.1.4345) This line by Lady Macbeth is rich in imagery, Shakespeare allows the reader to experience the horror that accompanies murdering someone. The bloods stench is so strong that not even Arabian scents, which are a luxury, can mask the foul smell of another mans blood. On a deeper level the blood which is equivalent to the murder has stained her not only her physical body but her soul and no matter what she tries to do she will always be tainted by that act. Macbeth is a perfect example of this when he has murdered king Duncan and feels that he can do nothing to wipe his hands clean of the blood; Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas in incarnadine, Making the green one red.'(2.2.5859) Neptune is an allusion to the Roman god of the sea whose waters could not wipe the blood symbolic of the murder, meaning guilt, from Macbeths hands. Shakespeare uses hyperbole to captivate the readers attention that murder is in reconcilable when done for selfish reasons. Purpose: As a well know Satirist, Shakespeare goes to great extent to expound the consequences of harboring unbridled ambition. During this time Britain was divided into three parts, England, Scotland and. As a result of this fractured state Shakespeare witnessed much political turmoil at the hands of ambitious men. Shakespeare shares his disdain towards these temperaments through the story of Macbeth. The results of unchecked ambition are numerous, the betrayal that must take place for you to complete your goal, the guilt that overwhelms you and those close to you when you succumb to that ambition and do anything to fulfill it and the vengeance it erects in those who have been affected by unbridled ambition. In an attempt to get rationalize the murder of King Duncan; Macbeth concludes that he has no real reason to kill the king, other than his own ambition to become king. The results of this action demonstrates the dangers of unchecked ambition I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which oerleaps itself And falls on the other. (1.7). The quote is ironic because Macbeth recognizes the dangers of acting on such ambitions and realizes that it will most likely lead to his downfall but he still follows through betraying King Duncan who had just promoted and admired him for his loyalty and honor. The consequences of fulfilling your selfish ambitions are devastating to your psyche. By committing the murder Macbeth rapidly degenerates from the honorable solider he was, to a deceiving King who is void of any magnanimous qualities. From this instant, Theres nothing serious in mortality: All is but toys: renown and grace is dead; the wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees is left this vault to brag of (2.3) this is verbal irony because the other characters in the story believe he is being sincere about the murder but at this moment he is relinquishing himself of any personal qualities that may prevent him from being the cold and aggressive man Lady Macbeth wanted him to become. Further irony presents itself when Lady Macbeth exclaims as she sleepwalks Out, damned spot! out, I say! (5, 1) this is an outward manifestation of her inward guilt. After the murder of King Duncan both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth beginning to degenerate, Macbeth becomes a calculating tyrant while Lady Macbe th begins to feel guilt for her role in the deaths of Banquo and Macduffs family. The degeneration of the human mind is complete when Lady Macbeth commits suicide and Macbeth refuses to retreat despite knowing he is going to die. The downfall of Macbeth was that he allowed his ambition to take control of his life. Macbeth allowed other to influence his desires, like, Lady Macbeth and the witches. His mindset was morphed and because of this he gave into the wants and perceptions of other instead of being true to himself.

Biodiversity Essay -- plants extinction ecosystem

Biodiversity Imagine this: you step outside and feel the barren, rough, red Earth beneath your feet. There’s not a single plant in sight—no rustling of the leaves, no mighty towering trees to block the severe winds, and the scorching heat of the sun searing upon your face because there’s no shade. And when you take a whiff of air, you feel nothing filling up the space inside your lungs, liberating your body’s activities. What’s wrong with this picture? It’s not possible, of course. Even though plants aren’t the building blocks of life, they’re pretty close and without them, most of life wouldn’t exist—YOU wouldn’t exist. In my research, I will go in-depth about biodiversity—which defines as a quantity of the relative diversity among organisms present in various ecosystems (WordIQ). My research will focus mainly on the importance of plants/concern over plant extinction, rare, threatened, and endangered species, wa ys to prevent this from happening around our area, among other things. Why plants are essential to biomass/distress over plant extinction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As you may already know, plants are essential to the biomass through a list of numerous reasons. Plants provide for many important aspects of life, such as oxygen, food, medicines, beauty and tranquility. So what’s the agony over just a couple of vanished plant species? Research shows that if plant species continue to decline in major ecosystems, it could lead to the sixth mass extinction on planet Earth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to experiments and statistics conducted by scientists, 28 percent of plants have decreased over the last 20 years. These results were supported by extensive destitution of habitats affected by human activities (Ananthaswamy, 2004). Each year, an estimated 17,000 to 100,000 species perish from our planet (World IQ, 2004). Reasons for US-wise status of rare, threatened, and endangered species and process of listing   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some reasons for these â€Å"rare, threatened, and endangered† plant types are caused by nitrogen pollution. Based on recent studies experimented by some UK colleagues of the Open University in Milton Keynes, they found the soil/plant richness of high nitrogen-pollution concentrated areas was much lower than that of low-pollution concentrated areas. These results were drawn from samples taken from 68 different grassland sites. The number of species in each site ... ... even to provide shelter, shade, and clothes for us, among other things. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. They give so much for us, yet we give very little back to them. So if you have a bit of time on your hands someday, go out and plant a tree or do something that’ll give back to the ecosystem! Bibliography Entries Anathaswamy, A. (2004). â€Å"Earth Faces Sixth Mass Extinction†. New Scientist. â€Å"BGCI becomes an Associate Participant in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)†. BGCI Online. (2004). â€Å"Community Partnerships†. DeKalb Greenspace. (2001). â€Å"Definition of Biodiversity†. WordIQ. (----). Fisher, P (2004). â€Å"Landowners Receive More than $7 Million to Conserve Imperiled Species Through the Fiscal Year†. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. â€Å"Listed Species in Dekalb County†. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2004). Palmer, T (2004). â€Å"Grant Awarded to Save Rare Plant†. The Ledger Online. page 4. â€Å"Summary of Listed Species: Species and Recovery Plans as of 9/22/04†. Threatened and Endangered Species System (TESS). (2004). â€Å"Species Information: Threatened and Endangered Animals and Plants†. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2004).

Investigating Stoichiometry Essay

Quantitative Data: The table shows the mass of reactants potassium iodide and lead(II) nitrate, and the mass of the precipitate from the reaction between KI(aq) and Pb(NO3)2(aq). Mass of precipitate from reaction between KI(aq) and Pb(NO3)2(aq) Mass of potassium iodide (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.001g) 1.701 Mass of lead(II) nitrate (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.001g) 1.280 Mass of filter paper (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.001g) 0.798 Mass of precipitate + filter paper (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.001g) 2.525 Mass of precipitate (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.001g) 1.727 Qualitative Data: 1) After pouring the KI(aq) and Pb(NO3)2(aq) solution together into the beaker, a glass rod was used to stir the solution so as to make sure it was mixed properly. However, after stirring, when the glass rod was taken out, there were small amounts of precipitate (PbI2(s)) stuck onto the glass rod, and could not be removed. 2) While pouring the remaining mixture into the filter paper, not all the mixture was poured into the filter funnel and paper. Some of the mixture was stuck in the beaker even after trying to wash it down water and scooping it out with the glass rod. 3) After filtrating the mixture, it was observed that there were some parts of the filtrate that was still yellow in colour, with some PbI2 crystals floating around, which meant that some of the residue (PbI2) passed through the filter paper. Even so, another round of filtration was not carried out. The chemical equation obtained from the reaction above: 2KI(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) –> 2KNO3(aq) + PbI2(s) Step 1) Using stoichiometry, predict the mass of PbI2(s) formed when a solution containing 1.701g of KI(aq) is mixed with a solution containing 1.280g of Pb(NO3)2(aq): First, the limiting reagent is determined by finding out which reagent produces lesser moles of PbI2. Using Pb(NO3)2: Moles of Pb(NO3)2 = 1.280g Pb(NO3)2 x = 0.0038646176mol Pb(NO3)2 Moles of PbI2 = 0.0038646176mol Pb(NO3)2 x = 0.0038646176mol PbI2 Using KI: Moles of KI = 1.701g KI x = 0.010246988mol KI Moles of PbI2 = 0.010246988mol KI x = 0.005123494 mol PbI2 ?Pb(NO3)2 is the limiting reagent. Second, we predict the mass of PbI2 formed. Mass of PbI2 = 0.0038646176mol PbI2 x = 1.781550067g PbI2 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 1.782g PbI2 Step 2) Now we calculate the actual mass of PbI2 formed. Mass of filter paper = 0.798g Mass of precipitate (PbI2) + filter paper = 2.525g Mass of PbI2 produced = 2.525g – 0.798g = 1.727g Step 3) Now we calculate the percent yield. Percent yield of PbI2 = PbI2 x 100% = 96.91358025% à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 96.9% Analysis of Results After conducting the experiment, it is found that the percent yield of PbI2 produced was 96.9%, which was rather accurate. However, it was lower than the predicted mass by 3.1%, which could be due to the qualitative results shown above, random errors and inaccuracy of the experiment. When stirring the KI(aq) and Pb(NO3)2(aq) solution, some of the PbI2 precipitate was stuck onto the glass rod used for stirring, and could not be removed without using fingers, which would have contaminated the solution. This resulted in the decrease in the actual mass of PbI2 precipitate measured, causing the percent yield to be slightly lower than the predicted yield. When pouring the mixture into the filter funnel, not all of the mixture was poured into the filter paper as some of it was stuck inside the beaker. Even though water was used to wash some of the mixture stuck in the beaker into the filter paper, not all of the mixture was filtered. The mixture stuck in the beaker and was not filtered would have decreased the percent yield. Finally, when the mixture was being filtered, some of the PbI2 precipitate passed through the filter paper and went into the filtrate. The filtrate was not filtered again, so some of the PbI2 was not calculated into the final mass of PbI2 produced. This would have decreased the percent yield as well. All the above would have contributed to the fact that the percent yield was 3.1% lower than the predicted yield. Conclusion The results from the experiment showed that the percent yield of PbI2 is 96.9%, which is rather accurate. However, due to random errors and the qualitative results shown above, the percent yield is 3.1% lower than the predicted yield. Limitations and Improvements If I could do the experiment again, –> As some of the precipitate was stuck onto the glass rod and could not be removed by using my fingers, I could have just used a little bit of water to wash it down back into the mixture. This would have decrease the difference in the percentage between the predicted yield and the percentage yield. –> Even though water was used to wash some of the mixture into the filter funnel, there was still some mixture stuck in the beaker. The process of using water to wash down the mixture could have been repeated over and over until all the mixture is in the filter funnel. –> After filtrating the mixture once, some of the PbI2 crystals went through the filter paper and into the filtrate in the conical flask. To make sure all the PbI2 precipitate is counted towards the percent yield, the filtrate could have been filtrated again at least 2 more times. This would have increased the mass of PbI2, which would have made the percent yield closer to 100%.

Cultural Sexuality essays

Cultural Sexuality essays Sexuality, courtship and mating rituals differ among cultures. The Trobriands and the United States have several similarities and differences, which can be compared and contrasted. These constructs begin in early childhood, continue to adolescence, and extend into adulthood. Indeed, these sexual constructs help as a basic framework, which defines these two cultures. The Trobriands begin early childhood with a freedom and independence unlike Americans. Beginning as young as five or six years of age, the young Trobrianders are allowed to roam and play in the village or bush without consent from parents. These children have a sexual freedom, as well. To begin with, the children often witness the copulation of the parents within the home. While the house is small, the parents do not consider privacy as an option. Instead, the child may be asked to cover their head. Otherwise, no precautions are attempted to prevent such an event from occurring in front of children. No battier is made, and timing is not even considered for prevention. Instead, the children witness copulation by both hearing and seeing. To learn more about sex, the Trobriand children engage in sex play, early in life. These exciting games are played even before their bodies are able to have sexual intercourse. Genital manipulation and such minor perversion as oral stimulation of the organs are typical forms of this amusement (Suggs, 82). These children learn the sexual acts from the somewhat older children who have them watch the play. Ultimately, this curiosity of sex becomes a favorite past time of the children. The Trobriand children run around in little bands. It is important that these amorous games are not carried on in the house. It has to be carried on in the bush, or it is taboo. They even learn to be romantic by giving flowers to the little girls, or going on canoe rides. An interesting aspect of the childrens sex games, are the...