A Delicate Issue: Fast Food Essay

Fast food has been steadfastly adored by people throughout the world over the three decades. In the fast food restaurants, customers are always busy getting in line and buying foods on a national scale. Accordingly, employees take orders, and pack various burgers in a flurry. Foods pour in boundlessly, and help-wanted advertisements are constantly attached on one side of a wall. If so, why on earth are people going so wild with enthusiasm over fast food? In fact, several major advantages of fast food products such as hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and tacos are convenience, warmth, taste, and accessibility of fast food restaurants. However, Eric Schlosser, the author of Fast Food Nation, is anxious for the riskiness of fast food industry, and he sounds a warning to the nation. In order to grasp the facts of fast food, we need to disclose the basis of his assertions. First, fast food industry is excessively expanding all over the nation. According to a Korean proverb, â€Å"Too much is as bad as too little. See more: Satirical essay about drugs † For example, the McDonald’s Corporation as the most gigantic fast food source of supply makes inroads into small restaurants, and other food industries try to imitate and adopt analogous business ability. Furthermore, in fast food restaurants, there are numerous menus. They have not only burgers and sodas but also foreign dishes such as teriyaki burger, jalapeno burger, and chili bowl. Ultimately, every foreign food restaurant around the fast food restaurants gets a blow. The business ethics are important. It doesn’t matter by law, but it can ethically be a problem. This problem occurs not only in the food service industries but also in agricultural societies. According to Fast Food Nation, â€Å"Family farms are now being replaced by gigantic corporate farms with absentee owners. Rural communities are losing their middle class and becoming socially stratified, divided between a small, wealthy elite and large numbers of the working poor (499). † In this manner, only the industrialized agriculture can survive at this time. Truly, immoderate unevenness of authority corrupts societies. Second, fast foods are relatively unsanitary and have possible effect on genetic health. In Fast Food Nation, Schlosser remarked, â€Å"The meat industry practices that endanger these workers have facilitated the introduction of deadly pathogens, such as E. coli 0157:H7, into America’s hamburger meat, a food aggressively marketed to children. The federal government has the legal authority to recall a defective toaster oven or stuffed animal—but still lacks the power to recall tons of contaminated, potentially lethal meat (499). † Germs especially in meat must be extremely harmful and they can be deadly for our life. Moreover, there are considerable numbers of children customers who like fast foods as a result of various promotions for kids. Since children have much weaker immune system than adults, the germs may lead them to death more easily if the sanitary of fast food doesn’t be improved. Besides, there’s another problem with potatoes. Frozen French fries made from genetically engineered potatoes had been used in McDonald’s for a long time. Most people don’t believe the safety of genetically modified organism. As a matter of fact, GMO is unnatural, and it may bring genetic disease such as an allergic disease occurred from the accident of Brazil nut. In the spring of 2000, fortunately, McDonald’s informed it would no longer purchase those, but how would it guarantee the safety against possible danger of GMO from now on? Truly, fast food corporations are required to have responsibility and business ethics about the nation’s health and safety. Third, working conditions are deteriorated in fast food restaurants. According to Fast Food Nation, â€Å"While a handful of workers manage to rise up the corporate ladder, the vast majority lack full-time employment, receive no benefits, learn few skills, exercise little control over their workplace, quit after a few months, and float from job to job. The restaurant industry is now America’s largest private employer, and it pays some of the lowest wages. The roughly 3. 5 million fast food workers are by far the largest group of minimum wage earners in the United States (497). † Even now, the websites such as Google and Yahoo are overflowing with complaints about poor working conditions in McDonald’s. For example, they continuously hold out for a pay increase, but the situation remains unchanged. In fact, there is a big possibility for unhealthful foods and unfriendliness to customers unless the dissatisfaction of employees doesn’t die down. In the long run, fast food corporations might undergo the severe hardships with employments and merchandising goods. Of course, McDonald’s do charitable works, but those cannot be the fundamental solution. Uncountable people think fast food corporations are able to make much more profit if they show the strong credibility. Improving working conditions is a problem awaiting urgent solution. Overall, there are numerous issues of fast food corporations. Truly, few restaurants such as McDonald’s and Burger King can have both enormous scale and authority in the world. Therefore, they are required to have a lot more business ethics. Moreover, customers should be concerned about and stimulate fast food corporations ceaselessly and strongly. There are a large number of people who are expecting radical changes. Measures to stabilize the people’s distrust and dissatisfaction are urgently needed.

Oneself Changes Essay

God image’ is the subjective emotional experience of God. It is shaped by our experience of our parents and enables us to continue earlier learned relational patterns. The term, God Image is used to refer to one’s internal, intra-psychic, emotional representation of God. The God Image develops during childhood as the children are confronted with their limitations, and recognizes powers beyond their own work in their environment. This essay will focus on the ‘God image’ as it will be trying to explain ‘how Rizzuto show that as the image of one changes, so too, does one’s image of God change’. Before that, this paper will start by briefing a history of Rizzuto. Ana Maria-Rizzuto was an American psychoanalyst who began her interest in looking at Religion through the eyes of her discipline in 1963 when she was asked to teach a course in the seminary on the psychological foundations of belief. She was inspired by Freud’s insights into the role of parents in search of project with patients admitted to a private psychiatric hospital. Twenty patience were studied, ten men and ten women. The goal of her project was to study the possible origins of the individual’s private representation of God and its subsequent elaborations. Rizzuto took her basic hypothesis from Freud who had connected the individual’s ‘father in flesh’ with God. Freud claimed that all people create their own gods on the basis of early relationships shaped in childhood. In doing his project, Rizzuto had each one fill out detailed questionnaire and then she interviewed each to gain a comprehensive life history. In order to understand her subjects thoroughly, Rizzuto asked them to talk about themselves at the different stages of their growth, about their relationships, conflicts and problems. Her end goal was to be able to make a complex assessment and come to a clinical interpretation of the quality of each subject’s relationships in those private and subjective areas of experience which do not lend themselves easily to statistical analysis (Graham13-5). Rizzuto focused on the formation of an individual’s private representation of God during childhood, its modifications and uses during the entire course of life. She calls this process of formation the â€Å"Birth of the Living God†. As the image of one change, so, too does the one’s image of God change. Rizzuto says that the images and experiences from the earliest years, before oedipal struggles, seem to play a key role. The child alone does not create a God. According to Rizzuto, the development of a child throws light on the way the image and the concept of God come into being and interact. The new born baby has no interpersonal experience. The infant has the experience of the mother, the father and the siblings. The child has a multitude of interpersonal experiences. It is at age of three when the child becomes consciously curious about God. â€Å"A three year old oedipal child, for instance, has great curiosity and wants to know the why of living† (208). The child is especially interested in the causes of things like, ‘why do trees move? Where does the wind come from? The child ceaseless chaining of causes or animistic notions of causality will inevitably lead her/him to think of a superior being. The idea of God suits a child well because her parents and adult are already in her mind superior beings of great size and power. The child easily moves to an anthropomorphic understanding of God as a powerful being like her parents†(Rizzuto qtd in Winnicott 97) The child soon discovers that God is invisible; therefore, he is left to inner resources to fill the image of God as a living being described for him as a person. The powerful fantasy of the child has to ‘create’ the powerful being. As a result, as the image of o ne change, so, too does the one’s image of God changes. Also, an image of God can be created for a new human being through parental and societal devotion to God as like its parents. The child observes its parents and adults giving devotion to God. Since the child’s parents are like God to the child, the parent’s devotion to someone even greater than themselves is a mystery to the child. The parents and God then become associated and not clearly distinguished. The parents as objects become internalized, form the self and become symbolized by God image (Rizzuto qtd in Nelson 35). Horowitz writes, Rizzuto claims that, it is not known what psychic processes take place inside the child at that early age or the selective procedures that bring him/her to use one type of interpersonal experience and reject nother to form his/her image of God. What is known is that, the child has an image of God which he/she spontaneously uses in his/her questioning about him and in his own religious behavior? This early image may, to be sure undergo changes in later life. â€Å"This does not alter the fact that the child has formed his image of God out of interpersonal ex periences before he is intellectually mature enough to grasp the concept of God†( Horowitz 63). When the time comes for the child to receive formal religious teaching, his image of God and the concept of God will also change just as the image of one change (64). Furthermore, Rizzuto acknowledges the idea of Winnicot who says that, when a child grows and matures, he/she will come to his intermediate area of experience, which constitutes the greater part of infant’s experience, and â€Å"throughout life is retained in the intense experiencing that belongs to the arts and to religion and to imaginative and to creative scientific work† (14). At this stage, â€Å"instead of God losing meaning, his meaning becomes heightened by the oedipal experience and all other pre-genital events that have contributed to the reelaboration of his representational characteristics† (Rizzuto 178). Sometimes, however he may seem to lose meaning, paradoxically, on account of being rejected, ignored, and suppressed or found temporarily unnecessary. Lawrence broadened the understanding of what influences the development of the God Image in line with the idea of Rizzuto. It is now more commonly recognized that other relationships and experiences also impact the development of the God Image. One may again ask that, â€Å"Does young people who have not received any kind of religious education in general develop images of God? † This question can be answered with the findings of Rizzuto. She claims that in a very early age every child begins to form its image of God through parental messages about God. The image of God gets a clearer shape when the child begins to create so called fantasy companions, which help the child till adolescence to master inner conflicts. Amongst others, the fantasy companions can take over the role of a scapegoat, which allows the child to repulse negative impulses or they can help the child to strengthen their feelings of omnipotence or they can become caring companions of the lonely, neglected or rejected child (Lawrence 119 and Winnicot 140). Moreover, Rizzuto claims that even if a child is to be brought up in a religious or unreligious way, he/she will create God as a fantasy companion, whose existence is formed from his/her personal experience with parents and what he/she will learn about God in the environment he/she grows up in. he goes on to say that, nothing can be predicted on how the child will use the information which he/she gets about God. This means that no general statements can be made about the childlike image about God and its further development. For some children God may become very meaningful, for others God might have an evil, destructive character and for some he might not be of any importance at all. Nevertheless, the bottom line is that the as the image of a child or one changes, so, too, does the child’s or one’s image changes (Winnicott 143). Rizzuto agrees that Freud was basically correct in suggesting that God has his origins in parental imagos and that God comes to the child at the time of resolution of the oedipal crisis. That implies that all the children in Western world form a God representation- one that may later be used, neglected, or actively repressed. In all cases the type of representation the child has formed as a result of his personal experience with his self-perception. This is not because the God representation can exert any influence of its own but because the child actively uses his God representation and his transformations of it as an element in maintaining a minimum sense of relatedness and hope. Sometimes this is best archived by totally rejecting God; at other times ‘closeness’ to God offers a better solution (208). To sum up, Rizzuto tries to show that as the image of one change, so, too does the one’s image of God change. He does that by focusing on the development of a child. He writes that, the child create God image through experience and fantasy. Freud believes that only the father provides the imago for an ‘exaltation’ to Godhead but Rizzuto would then argue saying that it is either the father or the mother or both who helps in the formation of the God’s image in the child which can also affects his/her ideas and images of God later in life. Other primary objects like grandparents siblings may also provide some representational components. The entire representational process occurs in a wider context of the family, social class, organized religion and particular subcultures. All these experiences contribute a background to the shape, significance, potential use and meaning which the child or adult may bestow on their God representations.

Fan Violence in International Soccer Essay

Fan violence in international soccer is a very serious form of aggression and it must be given a lot of attention by the games’ stake holders. Fan violence in international soccer involves actions that are taken by the football supporters and fights between the supporters of rival teams may sometimes take place after the football matches. The fights could also be prearranged in locations that are away from the stadiums so that the fans can avoid the police interventions. Fan violence can be at times be prompted by violent actions which involve the players themselves or any other form of event that could be taking place during a game or even disturbances and riots that are sport related and often they occur for other reasons. Fan violence in international soccer has been on the increase as it is known as the existence of an essentially unstable and an abnormal temperament in some individuals who happen for some reason to have taken soccer as an arena in which they act out their instabilities. (Smith, 1983) It has become very difficult to deal with the offenders in the football matches and the international football federation has had difficulties punishing the spectators who misbehave themselves . The international football federation has also had to deal with issues that prompt fans violence in soccer matches such as providing seats in place of standing accommodation, initiating maximum cooperation between the police and the football clubs and also ensuring that there is an absolute acceptance of the referees decisions by everybody in the football arena. The key stakeholders of the soccer game are the international football federation who ensure that the punishment that is given to the offenders and to those who participate in football hooliganism should match the seriousness of the offence. It is notably very true that the consumption of alcohol is a very important factor in crowd misbehavior especially in places where the football matches are taking place. (Smith, 1987) The football fans are mainly controlled by the activities and the popularize of different clubs . This makes it a contest as they embark on slogans chants and even songs so that they can demonstrate their support to the teams they support. The violence that exists between the sets of fans is seen as a part of their participation in the game. Violent fans and those who mainly participate in violent actions in the international soccer are basically those people who are young and unemployed. It also involves also those who are members of fanatic clubs and they are poorly educated since they attribute most of their behavior to the external factors rather than the internal ones. In most case there are usually two matches going on in a football stadium and whereas one match concerns the football teams that are on the pitch and the second match usually involves the fanatic fans whose interests are not in the game as such but on the opportunities which are offered by the football such as meeting the club mates and giving vents to their emotions and energies in the battles with others. (Smith, 1983) It is at times very complex to handle fan violence in soccer ethically since the game requires intense physical contact which may cause harm of injury. When the stake holders access the moral status of an action, they examine the issue of consent by the person on whom the action has been performed. Actions by the fans which are outside the rules of the federation of international soccer are considered to be morally unacceptabl. Reference: Smith, M. (1983): Violence and Sport, Toronto, Ontario: Butterworth’s. Smith, M. (1987): Violence in Canadian Amateur Sport, a Review of the Literature, Ottawa, Ontario, Commission for Fair Play, Government of Canada.

Case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 28

Case Study Example In the absence of emotional intelligence, the company will not be able to respond to the changes in the external environment promptly. Instead of the conventional qualities of managers, the company is building more focus on strengthening their emotional intelligence. 10.2) I think that Johnson & Johnson has taken the right initiative to improve emotional intelligence of its employees. Training programs will be helpful in making the employees realize how emotional intelligence can benefit the company and also groom their personality. However, training programs won’t be productive if employees do not practice what they learn from training in their daily activities. So apart from training them on emotional intelligence skills, proper monitoring has to be done to ensure that all managers are engaged in improvement. And yes, it is really fruitful to discuss abilities while evaluating performance so that timely training, coaching and feedback is given to employees so that they fix it up before the results gets worse. 10.3) Emotional intelligence will definitely help Johnson & Johnson avoid recalls because when the emotional intelligence of managers is high, they will be able to have better control on their nerves and they will perform without stress. It will also help them take right and timely decisions when it comes to quality and manufacturing so that recalls can be avoided. Emotional intelligence is a combination of a number of skills such as anger management, stress control, self awareness etc. By mastering these emotions, managers can definitely play a role in escalating profits for Johnson &

Critically evaluate the implications of investing in HR branding for Essay

Critically evaluate the implications of investing in HR branding for the purpose of improving the outcomes of recruitment and selection - Essay Example According to Aurand, Gorchels and Bishop (2005) selection of candidates must be based on special set of skills and knowledge of applicants that complements the talent gap in the human resource pool. This makes the human resource pool of the organization highly diverse and efficient. Researchers are also of the notion that appropriate selection strategies comprise ability of the candidate to collaborate with the existing employees so that cross-fertilization of ideas takes place. In a recent report that has been published by the Pulakos (2005) it has been pointed out that using of proper selection assessment tool is crucial to screen the candidates and methods like cognitive ability tests, work sampling tests and knowledge based tests regarding job has been found out to be highly useful in determining the appropriate candidates. Methods of interviewing and use of structured questions has also been found to be useful screening tools. According to Sackett and Roth (1996) the key attribu tes of successful selection procedures are validity of the methods employed, adverse impact that the selection criteria has on the organization, cost of the assessment procedures and reaction of the applicants. Researchers have also argued that the external job environment is highly competitive and dynamic and under such a situation HR managers should be completely aware to select new candidates who can adapt themselves more quickly to the new working environment (Pulakos, 2005). One of the best selection and recruitment strategies have been implemented by John Lewis Partnership, which is an entirely employee-owned firm located in the U.K (John Lewis Partnership, 2011). As the profits of the company are shared between all its employees, so selecting them prudently has become an organizational priority. In order to make the selection of best candidates, qualified professionals with high

Design Process Technical Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Design Process Technical - Research Paper Example Other features comprise of applications that manage the phones music and other apps. This paper focuses on the technical analysis of the smart watch device, specifically the Apple watch. The CEO, Tim Cook introduced Apple watch device at the Apples Sept. 2014 special event keynote. This was done alongside the introduction of the new iPhones, that is, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The product’s user-friendly interface and sleek design ensures it conforms to the companys other widespread Apple consumer products (Johnson, 2015). The Apple Watch was specifically designed to work with the iPhone 5 devices or that of a later version. The watch mandates the presence of the iPhone for it to work well since it has limited functionalities when it is placed far off from the phone. The Apple Watch consists of integrated inventions and technological advancements placed on the software and hardware of the device (Johnson, 2015). The smart watch has a simple user interface (UI) design that enables the end user to easily interact with it using sound, sight and touch. Apart from the anticipated utilities incorporated in this device such as messaging, picking calls, finding directions, keeping appointments and playing music, the device has additional high functionality that facilitates processing payments. Moreover, the smart watch has the ability for monitoring the human heart rate and in other particular cases, it can be programmed to open or unlock electronic doors. It apparently serves the need of keeping time, which it is incredibly accurate at, besides doubling up as an attractive fashion accessory that possesses lots of customizable apps (Johnson, 2015). On the right side of the smart watch device, that is, if an end user is viewing the watch’s face, there exists a knob which the Apple tech team refers to as the Digital Crown. Its main function on the Apple Watch is to function as an input device that lets the end-user perform various

Ethical Analysis of the Ed Fischer Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Ethical Analysis of the Ed Fischer - Case Study Example Thus, the responsibility of the scientist is to discover new things. In the same way a lawyer helps in the justice, it is lawyer's responsibility to make sure that a proper justice is done to his/her client, so on and so forth. However all professions are governed by something other than just mere responsibility and duty. Sometimes it is not enough to just do your job. There are times when one needs to decide between what can be done and what should be done and at times, there are more choices available. It is slightly more complicated than it sounds. This is because there are other factors that play a role in the decision-making. These other factors define ethics. Ethics is not just about right or wrong or true or false. It is not that simple to define either. Ethics is not governed by rules or laws. Neither is there any ethical book of conduct. Ethics is actually a philosophy that existed for a long time for the betterment of the mankind. So then, one may ask if ethics is not law, neither it's a rule then what is ethics And why should one even bother to think about it Well there are good reasons to do so. Ethics defines the right actions based on the moral conduct and behavior for a greater good of an individual or a society. i.e., following the ethical standards would lead to following the general beliefs of the society. However, having said this, one may ask if it is always good to follow the ethics. Well that is a difficult question to answer. There are occasions when one needs to make a decision on either to follow the ethics or not. This can be elaborated further with Ed Fisher's case. Ed is currently bed ridden and needs assistance for most of his activities. He can't move his arms, can hardly move, and is really week due to eating disorders. His wife has died and is has three adult children. He has lost his desire to live longer in spite of having the possibility. The question that one needs to ask now is should a person who is suffering with so many severe symptoms still be convinced to live. Nevertheless, before asking that question, we need to ask what should be the reason to live, alternatively, if there should be any reason at all. The reason that a person lives, is not simply because he or she can move around or has the ability to do difficult tasks, but it is due to the reason that he has a soul within him or her. Moreover, as long as the soul exists, every living form in this world has the right to live life to the fullest and as long as possible. Having said that, the next question that arises is, everyone has the right to live but does anyone has the right to end his life as per his wish no matter what the circumstances are. What shall one do when a person decides to not to extend the days in his life Shall that person be allowed to die or shall that person be treated to the maximum possible way in order to extend his days fully As discussed in the beginning of this essay, these are the questions of ethics. These questions are toughest to answer and a nightmare for medical professionals. In Ed Fisher's case, it is obvious that he will not live much longer without the feeding tube. Therefore, for Ed, the advantages and disadvantages of undergoing the surgery are as follows: Advantages: He can live longer Can see his children prosper in their careers and personal lives Can see his grandchildren May learn or experience something new because you never stop learning until you

Selected Articles in Finance Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Selected Articles in Finance - Term Paper Example For example the CAC 40 Index gets its name from the 40 top stocks dominating the French stock exchange. The index rises and falls in line with the volume of stocks traded and the prices at which the trades are made. When the trend of prices is falling, the market is said to be bearish and when the trend of prices is rising, the market is said to be bullish. Like a business cycle with its peaks and troughs, the stock market also has similar tendencies (www.abcsofinvesting.net). The article by Joe Weisenthal dated 27 Sep 2010 claims that Apple and Microsoft have broken the Stock Market indices. He bases his claim on the Nasdaq 100 index and states that it gives a weight of 20 percent to Apple, and 80 percent to all the other stocks. Similarly it is claimed that the DJIA gives too much weightage to Caterpillar and since it is trading at three times the value of Microsoft, the DJIA is similarly affected. This also impacts on the value of Exchange Traded Funds of ETF, which track the valu e of an index. Michael Corkery in his article of 04 August 2011 comments on the failure of city municipalities in the wake of the financial crisis that has swept America and states that cities like Central Falls in Rhode Island are benefitted by a new State Law that places bondholders ahead of other claimants. Its principal problem remains the pension payments that are due to retired workers. On the other hand, the head of the workers union feels cheated that bondholders are being given a preference over workers in this connection (Corkery, 3). Besides firing workers and raising taxes to create funding, municipalities are now being assisted by firms like New York’s Class Green Capital Partners who not only help cities mortgage their public buildings but also part of the bond proceeds to help promote energy efficiency, which also helps them get around some restrictions regarding public building mortgages. However their opponents maintain that it is just a way to cover deficit financing (Corkery, 3). Raice and Smith in their piece covering technology stocks as of 04 August 2011 write that the lackluster market is making firms reconsider offering their IPOs right now. The US Government too is considering cashing in its share of 26.5 percent of GM owned stock as the auto manufacturer’s stock has performed poorly. Meanwhile there is lack of investor demand and shares of newly floated IPOs like Pandora and LinkedIn –down 22% and 17% respectively- are also taking a beating (Raice & Smith, 1). Talking about interest swap deals, some 700 business entities in Pennsylvania alone had made such deals in the wake of rising interest rates in 2003 and beyond. Under such a deal, the bank would pay them a higher fixed interest rate while the businesses paid back the bank a lower, floating rate of interest. But this scheme backfires when market interest rates begin falling, and the price to get out of such deals can also be prohibitive. Addressing the partic ular case of State College of Pennsylvania, the college had agreed to a swap of $58 million with Royal Bank of Canada in 2007 at a fixed rate of 3.884 percent, while it paid RBC

Treatment electronic media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Treatment electronic media - Essay Example Mary is weary and lost in pain. Billy, the charismatic head of the state house visit her to see how she is doing and show his interest in her. Mary’s lack of enthusiasm makes him sad, but he covers his anger with her current experience. Lost in grief and shock, Mary, is kept in the same residence with ANN, who is also a widow. Ann has already caught up with the new lifestyle. Due to stress and depression, Mary, who have eight months pregnant gotten early labor and she gives birth to a healthy, bouncing baby boy. The bond between the mother and baby is not so strong so ANN, hold the tiny baby boy and cuddles her. His name was BOB. Mary recovers slowly as week’s passes by and she accepts the new world she joined. The bond between mother and child starts to grow stronger day after and day. ANN gives Mary all support she needs from advice to help her in the house. ANN tells Mary all stories she knows or she has ever heard about the people in the state but Mary denies saying she must be exaggerating, it cannot be true yet the same people have saved her life. They stay together bonds the two like sisters. ANN plan to escape because they have been locked indoors for quite some time. They do not have vicinity to the real world. One night, Ann decides to escape from the state house at midnight, the same night she is shot dead. Mary is so horrified at the death of her only sister in the state house. Her agony returns and she take a refuge with relation with BOB. Whenever BOB wants to hear stories about his father Mary did not have the strength to explain him his father was dead. She lies to him that his father escaped to America several years ago, after he learnt that the president wanted him dead as he was a senior person in the government that time, and she was certain he will come to look after them. This lie helps her to heal the trauma of her husband. Billy visits and assign

Benefits of a Restaurant Management System Assignment

Benefits of a Restaurant Management System - Assignment Example The RMS ensures that minimal time is taken to deliver a guest’s order. Guests dislike restaurants where it takes a lot of time to process an order. RMS will ensure that guests get their orders delivered on time, since the order system is automated (Connor 61). The system streamlines employees’ tasks thus saving time, which results in improved productivity. Better Reaction to TrendsThe RMS keeps track of sales and cost information by employee, time period, outlet, table and meal period among others. This way, the restaurant can easily identify any problems or areas affecting profitability and take the appropriate actions. This would not be easy to spot using a manual system.  Ã‚   Reduced Labor ExpensesThe RMS can take many orders at the same time without the risk of mix up, as would be in the case of a manual system. RMS reduces the need for excess paperwork which can be easily printed from the system. This reduces the number of employees on the payroll thus reducing labor expenses, which form a significant part of total expenses.   Reduced Late ChargesThe system ensures that the charges pertaining to foods and beverages are posted to a folio prior to check-out. A manual system would not efficiently post the charges resulting to late charges. An automated management system ensures that charges are posted on time and accurately, in addition to checking the status of the room or credit pertaining to a particular guest. It also reduces the time used to serve each guest resulting in better guest control.

Automobile Industry China Essay Example for Free

Automobile Industry China Essay ? China became the world’s largest automobile producer and market in 2009 with annual sales of nearly 14 million vehicles. The market continues to expand in 2010. In the first nine months of 2010, automobile production reached 13. 08 million units, a 36. 1 percent increase from a year ago. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) raised its forecast for annual sales to reach a record 17 million this year, matching the highest annual total ever reached in the United States. Industry growth has been primarily driven by rising domestic demand stemming from rising incomes, a growing middle class, and by supportive industry policies from the Chinese government. The Chinese automotive industry remains very fragmented. In addition, Chinese central government officials fear that unchecked expansion of Chinas auto industry encouraged by local authorities could harm the wider economy, and that excess capacity must be stopped. Hence, the central government continues to push for mergers and acquisitions (MA) in the automotive industry which will support the emergence of a few leading national companies. China’s weak RD, domestic innovation and design capabilities are key challenges to its international competitiveness. With the government’s encouragement, domestic firms have opted for strategic partnerships with foreign players, aiming to facilitate technology transfer and improve domestic design and engineering capabilities. The Chinese government has implemented a number of tax adjustments and subsidies for automobile purchases to encourage hybrid electric vehicles, pure electric vehicles and traditional vehicles of small engine displacement. Beijing has gradually introduced higher automobile emission standards for new vehicles. Plans to develop hybrid electric and pure electric vehicle production capabilities are part of a broader, environmentally friendly strategy to develop the auto industry. Market opportunities exist especially in the following areas: o Developing domestic innovation capabilities (e.g. vehicle design and engineering, hybrid electric and pure electric engines, electric motors and electric controls) o Productivity and quality upgrade (e. g. engines, transmissions, electronic control systems and safety systems) o Mergers and acquisitions (both in China and in Israel) o Clean transportation technologies 3 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) ? ? ? ? ? ? o Advanced manufacturing technologies o Supply of essential automotive components/systems to OEMs (e. g.electronic control systems and safety systems) ? The following automotive segments in China are considered to be highly competitive and it will likely be difficult for Israeli firms to penetrate the market unless they have an extreme competitive advantage: Fabric for seats/interiors, seat covers, floor mats, curtains, aluminum die casting, rubber bumpers, electronic harness cables, antennae, speakers, electric starters, vehicle cleaning products, window films, A/C compressors, fuel and oil and air filters. 1. MARKET OVERVIEW ? ? China’s automotive market has the most growth potential in the world; per capita car ownership is still remarkably low at 4. 78% and is expected to grow significantly. Domestic whole-vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers are still extremely fragmented (government-supported consolidation is imminent in the near future); challenges remain for domestic RD and design. With government subsidies and tax incentives, China is aiming to establish an early footing in the production of low-emission and environmentally friendly automobiles. Component imports surged by 130% in the first half of 2010; 60% of imported components were drivetrains, engines or automotive body components. ? ? 1. 1 GENERAL OVERVIEW Market Growth Primarily fueled by domestic and partly by foreign demand, China’s rapidly expanding automotive industry has outpaced the nation’s already impressive GDP growth rates in recent years. Domestically, rising incomes and encouragement from the Chinese government for the urban population to obtain drivers licenses have spurred the demand for passenger vehicles. The booming passenger vehicle market has led to a soaring demand for automotive components. Internationally, automotive manufacturers faced with decreasing margins and profitability have sought out more affordable supply chain solutions, looking to China as a potential source for lower cost automotive components. Unlike developed markets for passenger vehicles, where growth in demand has been largely stagnant, China’s domestic demand for new automobiles has skyrocketed in the past years. Strong car sales in China in 2009 pushed the auto market to the largest in the world, and 2010 is set follow the positive trend. 4 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009). Source: China Association of Automotive Manufacturers (CAAM) In the first nine months of 2010, automobile sales reached 13. 08 million units, up 36. 1% from a year ago. Over 9 million of the total sales were passenger cars and 3. 24 million were commercial vehicles. CAAM predicted that the 2010 annual sales will reach a record of 17 million units. It is widely believed that China’s automotive market currently has the most growth potential in the world. China’s 2009 per capita private car ownership was 4. 78%, far less than the 40% average of developed countries, and even less than other emerging markets such as Russia, Brazil and India. This is a strong indication that China’s domestic market is far from being overly saturated. According to CAAM predictions, growth in the auto industry will remain strong until 2020 with annual growth expected to consistently range from 13 to 15 percent. The total number of vehicles will jump from 67 to 150 million. Sales in larger tierone and tier-two cities as well as rural areas should keep growing at a rapid pace over the next few years and high growth areas will move from eastern China to the central and western regions. Market Players There are currently more than 100 whole-vehicle manufacturers and nearly 8,000 automotive parts manufacturers in China, located primarily in Southern, Eastern, and Northeastern and central China (see the map on the right). Together, the top ten passenger vehicle manufacturers (seven of which are joint ventures (JVs) make up almost 90% of China’s market share (see the table below). Nearly every major global vehicle manufacturer has established JV operations in China. 5 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009). Top 10 Passenger Vehicle Manufacturers in China (2009) Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Source: CAAM Company SAIC1 FAW2 Dongfeng Chana (incl. Hafei) Beijing Auto Guangzhou Auto Chery BYD Brilliance Geely Others HQ Shanghai Changchun Wuhan Chongqing Beijing Guangzhou Hefei Shenzhen Shenyang Taizhou JV Partner GM, VW VW, Toyota, Mazda PSA, Nissan, Honda Ford, Mazda, Suzuki Hyundai Daimler Honda, Toyota, Isuzu, Fiat N/A N/A BMW, Toyota N/A Sales (Unit) 2,705. 5K 1,944. 6K 1,897. 7K 1,869. 8K 1,243. 0K 606. 6K 500. 3K 448. 4K 348. 3K 329. 1K 1,750K Market Share 19. 83% 14. 25% 13. 91% 13. 70% 9. 11% 4. 45% 3. 67% 3. 29% 2. 55% 2. 41% 12. 84% Import Positive demand growth for automobiles and components has not only caused domestic industry development, but has led to increased attention from leading foreign automotive manufacturers eager to expand into the rapidly growing market. Foreign automotive manufacturers have also been encouraged by lower import tariffs, which have been lowered for whole vehicles from 70-80% to 25% since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). Import tariffs on Semi-Knocked-Downs (SKDs) and Complete-Knocked-Downs (CKDs) have dropped from 50% to 25%, while import tariffs on vehicle components have dropped from 15% to 10%. 1 2 Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation First Auto Works 6 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) China’s automotive import growth was slowed due to weaker demand caused by the global economic crisis of 2009. Annual total import were USD 33. 1 billion in 2009, representing a year-onyear increase of only 5. 34%. Assisted by government incentive programs and China’s economic recovery, China’s auto import total bounced back from a sluggish 2009, surging by 130% to USD 27. 22 billion in the first half of 2010. Imported European luxury cars had a remarkable 237. 2% increase in 2010 compared to the same period the previous year. China’s automotive component imports grew to USD 12. 7 billion in the first half of 2010, a 90% increase over the same period of 2009. Drivetrain, engine and automotive body components accounted for over 60% of the total component imports (see chart). More than 80% of the imported components came from Japan, German, Korea, and the United States. The main groups of imported automotive components to China can be divided into three categories: ? Japanese and Korean OEMs and Tier I suppliers: Generally these companies tend to only use suppliers from their country of origin. For example, Toyota typically sources components from Japanese JVs or Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprises (WFOEs) on the mainland, or directly imports from Japan. Such practice tends to result from strict quality requirements, cultural compatibility and logistical concerns. German OEMs and Tier I suppliers: These companies typically import components in the areas where Chinese suppliers are weak (e. g. safety systems for high-end passenger cars). The US and French OEMs operating in China have not increased their automotive component imports as much as their peers for different reasons. US OEMs have steadily increased their sourcing from local Chinese suppliers for vehicles manufactured in China to stay competitive, and French OEMs are facing a shrinking market share in China. ? ? Chinese OEMs are emerging buyers of imported automotive components, especially in the segments of hybrid and electric vehicles and Chinese-brand luxury vehicles. 7 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Export The impact of the economic crisis in 2008-2009 forced many multinational companies to reduce their sourcing of automotive vehicles and components from China. According to CAAM, China exported a total of 369,600 units in 2009 worth USD 5. 19 billion, which was down by 46% from 2008. China’s auto exports rebounded as the global market recovered in 2010, with 250,100 vehicles exported in the first six months (up 55. 93% year-on-year). Passenger vehicle exports surged 115. 93% to 116,500 units, while commercial vehicle exports increased 25. 50% to 133,900 units. Algeria, Vietnam and Egypt were the major whole-vehicle export destinations in the first half of 2010. The auto component’s export growth has witnessed even more impressive growth than whole-vehicles. Exports increased 54. 11% to reach USD 18 billion in the first half year of 2010, with drive system components exceeding 50% of the total by value. More than 50% of the components were exported to the USA, Japan, South Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom. 1. 2 MARKET STRUCTURE Supplier Landscape The automotive supplier landscape in China is extremely fragmented. According to CAAM, there are approximately 8,000 automotive enterprises scattered across various segments including full vehicle manufacturing, vehicle refitting, motorcycle production, engine production and automotive parts manufacturing. Most of these companies specialize in lower-end parts and lack the capital needed to invest in production of higher quality products. Seven of Chinas ten largest components manufacturers are foreign companies, and about 70% of the countrys USD 160 billion auto supply market is occupied by foreign companies or joint ventures. There are approximately 120 OEMs in total, 40% of which produce passenger vehicles. One of the key contributors to the fragmentation of the automotive market as a whole is that Chinese suppliers serve a large amount of separate OEMs. The world’s leading automotive companies are all well-established in China. OEMs are represented by Ford, General Motors (GM), Volkswagen (VW), Daimler, BMW, PSA, Mazda, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and tier-one international companies including Bosch, Delphi, Denso, Johnson Controls, Lear, Magna, Visteon, Yazaki, ZF, Arvin Meritor and TRW. 8 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Most of the international automaker and component manufactures have invested heavily in China in attempts to gain a competitive edge. For example, GM, Ford and Jaguar Land Rover have established their Asia Pacific headquarters in China. GM, VW and Honda have also opened China RD centers and have begun to design car models specifically for the Chinese consumer. International automotive components companies have also expanded their presence in China. For instance, BorgWarner recently opened a China Technical Center. ZF announced the establishment of its Asia Pacific headquarters in Shanghai as well as a new Shanghai RD center. Eaton’s Asia Pacific headquarters is in Shanghai. Rapid expansion from international firms has let to foreign-invested automotive components suppliers holding 70% of the Chinese market share. Most of the top Chinese automotive parts manufacturers are wholly owned domestic companies such as ASIMCO, Wanxiang, Hongteo, Fuyao, Dicastal, Wanfeng and others. These companies could be potential competitors or partners for Israeli companies. In response to the soaring domestic demand, Chinese automotive component manufacturers have ramped up their production capacities significantly, but this has also led to an increase in quality complaints. Key Challenges for the Domestic Industry Chinese suppliers are now looking beyond the domestic market and improving their production process to emerge as true global competitors. However, further investment in RD is still required before Chinese manufacturers can truly compete globally, as the industry still lacks technological capability and suffers from quality issues. China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Flagship Domestic Automotive Companies Chery Automotive (Chery) ? Founded in 1997 and now has an annual production capacity of 650,000 vehicles, 400,000 engines, and 400,000 sets of gearboxes. ? Continues to expand into the overseas market and has established plants in 16 countries becoming the biggest Chinese vehicle exporter for seven consecutive years. ? Chery Automobile Test Technology Center opened in July 2010, which became the largest auto lab in Asia. The company will invest RMB 2. 4 billion in 2010 to accelerate its new model development. ? Chery now owns a full set of manufacturing and RD facilities, including four car plants, two engine plants, a gearbox plant, an automobile engineering research institute, an automobile planning and design institute and an automobile test technology center. ? Have extensive technological and business relationships with overseas auto companies. Chery signed an agreement with Chrysler to produce Chery made cars under the Chrysler brand to be sold in the United States and Mexico. ? Chery Quantum Auto. Ltd is a joint venture between Chery and Quantum LLC under an Israeli Group. They aimed to invest USD 334 million in 2010 to develop high-end cars and SUVs for the overseas market. 9 RD capability Chinese automotive component manufacturers are able to manufacture products when they are provided with designs and specifications, however most of them lack design, engineering and RD capabilities. Owing to weak RD and engineering capabilities, many local suppliers have opted to enter into technical collaborations or JVs with leading international suppliers with the goal of facilitating the transfer of technology and improve basic product engineering capabilities. A growing number of Chinese auto parts suppliers have begun to invest in and acquire western firms. Domestic RD capabilities of Chinese automotive part manufacturers have historically been limited due to the small-scale of most operations and a shortage of investment in laboratory facilities in comparison to international firms. Taking steps to remedy the situation, the Chinese government has continued to encourage investment in RD for core systems, such as engines, transmission systems, steering systems, brake systems and driving control systems. Safety and reputational issues Incidents and product recalls have raised questions about the quality and safety standards of Chinese manufactured automotive components. According to the 2009 China Automotive Product Quality After Service Quality report, among the 9359 complaints documented about Chinese made cars, 19. 5% were related to engine problems; 10. 5% to steering systems; 10. 7% to braking systems; 18. 5% to automobile accessories and electronics; and the remaining 40. 8% related to the gearbox, clutch, front and rear axles, suspension systems and air conditioning systems. As a result of complaints and recalls, as well as other non-automotive related manufacturing scandals in China including melamine milk, contaminated pet food, and anti-freeze laced toothpaste, Chinese manufactures are facing serious issues about their reputation. This is a problem local manufacturers will have to overcome if they want to increase their competitiveness on the global stage. The drivers are in place for Chinese domestic manufacturers to move to the forefront of the global automotive industry, but substantial domestic investment in RD and improvements on quality and reputation are a necessary prerequisite. 1. 3 EMERGING INDUSTRY TRENDS Industry Drivers The rapid expansion of the Chinese automotive industry has been largely attributed to the growth in domestic demand for passenger vehicles and international demand for affordable automotive components. The Chinese government also continues to play an important role in encouraging the growth of the industry. 10 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Tier II and Tier III cities emerge as market growth engines In 2010, most multinational automakers have included a focus on Central and Western China markets into their strategies in order to capture future growth opportunities. For example, Volkswagen is ramping up capacity of its Chengdu plant more than doubling its production of Sagitars and Jettas from 150,000 to 350,000. GAIC Toyota (a JV between Guangzhou Automobile Industry Corporation and Toyota) is considering building a small and price-competitive car to target the lower end of the market. The JV also announced plans to expand its dealership network across central and Western China. Central and western China have emerged as the main growth engine of the automotive market. According to CAAM, automobile sales in second and third-tier cities in the first nine months of 2009 surged 41 percent and 51 percent respectively, while sales in the firsttier cities increased by 34 percent. Domestic demand has been fueled by rising incomes and a growing middle class creating a larger consumer culture. The purchase of an automobile is increasingly becoming a symbol of financial success. In the past, the focus has been on coastal cities. Since 2009, tier II and tier III cities have emerged as the strongest market growth engines (see more details on your left) Even though large cities in China are facing serious traffic congestion issues, Chinese have not been deterred about making new automobile purchases. China overtook the U. S. as the world’s number one automotive market in January 2009. The positive developments in the passenger vehicle industry have benefitted both domestic auto manufacturers (which are emerging from their infancy stages and developing competitive capabilities) and major international automotive giants (which have increased investment into China to expand their presence). However, with per capita car ownership was still only 4. 78% in 2009, still far below the 40% average in developed countries. This is a strong sign that domestic demand for passenger vehicles will remain high in years to come. The domestic aftermarket for automotive components is increasingly becoming an important driver of the industry. More than thirteen million cars are sold annually in China which is leading to a growing market for automobile repairs and further stimulating domestic demand for automotive components. International demand for automotive components has also increased as international automotive firms face pressures to reduce costs and take advantage of more economical alternatives abroad. China’s inexpensive labor force presents an attractive option for producing lower-cost automotive components, which were initially primarily for the international aftermarket but are increasingly being used by international OEMs. The majority of leading international automobile OEMs have established global sourcing offices, RD centers as well as regional headquarters in China. 11 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Finally, the Chinese government continues to play an important role in driving the industry. Post-WTO accession concessions have resulted in lower import tariffs, giving international automotive firms more access to the domestic market. Beijing has actively encouraged the establishment of JV RD centers with preferential tax policies designed to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology. The government has pledged substantial funds towards automotive technology innovation, upgrades, and the RD of alternative-fuel automobiles and components. They are also setting restrictions and quotas requiring all vehicles that are used for government use to be produced domestically. Industry Consolidation China is determined to restructure its automotive industry, with the hopes of changing the market from many fragmented manufactures to two or three dominant domestic firms. According to the State Council’s regulations released in early September 2010 which called for greater industrial consolidation, the automobile industry was at the top of the list of targeted sectors. The State Council set the goal of reducing the number of major automakers who are responsible for 90% of domestic sales output, from 14 to 10. Under the plan two or three companies would dominate the industry, responsible for producing more than three million vehicles annually, while four others would have annual output capacity of 1. 5 million units. The State Council named the following four groups as potential industry heavyweights, urging them to take advantage of consolidation opportunities: FAW; Dongfeng; China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Flagship Domestic Automotive Companies Shanghai Automotive (Group) Corp (SAIC) Industry ? Headquartered in Shanghai, it is one of the top three auto groups in China. ? Mainly engaged in the manufacturing, sales and RD for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and auto components. ? The company is ranked 223 of the Fortune 500 companies with consolidated revenue of US$33. 6 billion in 2009. ? Sold over 2. 7 million vehicles in 2009, making up almost 20% of China’s market. ? SAIC invested over 10 billion RMB on new model development in the past 3 years, and will launch hybrid and electric vehicles in 2010 and 2012. ? Acquired Nanjing Automotive (Group) Corp (NAC) in 2007 and became the largest manufacturer in China with a consolidated annual production of 2 million units. ? SAIC has opened branches in the USA, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. It has established a long-term cooperation with GM and Volkswagen. SAIC and GM formed Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in 1997 and launched 8 additional China joint ventures, including SAIC-GM-Wuling, GMAC-SAIC Automotive Finance Company, and General Motors SAIC Investment Limited. ? Shanghai Volkswagen (a joint venture between SAIC and Volkswagen AG) recently announced it will build a fifth assembly plant in Jiangsu. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles and start operation by the end of 2012. 12 SAIC and Chang’an. Additionally, it named four regional leaders that it encouraged to consider regional consolidation: Beijing Automobile; Guangzhou Automobile; Cherry and Sinotruck. All of these companies are passenger vehicle manufacturers with the exception of Sinotruck which manufactures heavy-duty trucks (sales of over 125,000 units in 2009). Industry analysts predict that the coming wave of MAs within the automotive sector could see a deal that breaks the USD 1 billion mark, more than doubling the largest deal to date which was the USD 450 million purchase of General Motors. Nexteer steering components unit by a joint venture established by Beijings Tempo Group and the Beijing government. Global Expansion As the leading automotive market, China automakers are accelerating global transformation to increase their presence in the overseas market. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (one of China’s largest independent carmakers) recently completed its acquisition of Ford Motor’s Volvo brand for USD 1. 5 billion. This is an indication that Chinese automakers have begun to recognize the power of strong brand reputation. Geely’s Volvo bid is the largest takeover in Chinese auto industry and will provide a pattern for Chinese carmakers to expand aboard and acquire companies with a strong reputation. Beiqi Foton, China’s leading commercial automaker followed Geely’s step and announced its global expansion plan. This includes setting up a production base in Russia by 2012 with an annual capacity of 100, 000 vehicles and building five other plants in Brazil, India, Russia, Mexico and Thailand before 2015. New Energy Vehicle: Focus of Future Development High oil prices, air pollution, and China’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions have led the automotive industry to explore alternative energies. The Chinese government has launched policies and incentives to stimulate the development of new energy vehicles, including electric (hybrid, plug-in and battery), fuel cell, and hydrogen-powered. China has identified new energy vehicle as one of the seven emerging strategic industries. Many estimate China will become the world’s largest new energy vehicle market by 2020. The Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Development Plan (2011-2020) and the Automotive Industry 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015), two of the key policies expected to guide the development of new energy vehicle industry, are expected to come out by the end of 2010. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is the principal drafter of these plans which are later submitted to the State Council for approval. The plans set the following key targets for the new energy vehicle industry by the end of 2020: ? In the following five years China will aggressively support the development of key components of energy efficient and new energy automobiles. For electric motors and 13 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) ? ? batteries manufacturers, China hopes that three to five â€Å"backbone† enterprises will emerge with their combined market share exceeding 60%. China will produce 5 million new energy vehicles and become the number one producer of new energy vehicles in the world by 2020; Average fuel economy of passenger vehicles will be 4. 5 L/100 kilometers by 2020, the same as European standards. The plans will become the backbone policy for the entire new energy vehicle industry, as it provides direction for public funding, sector focus and industry structuring. Most important to pay attention to is that Chinese companies are likely to reap the most benefits from these structured strategies. To support indigenous innovation, the Chinese government has stated that the two or three key new energy vehicle component manufacturers will most likely be domestic companies, either state-owned or private. 2 REGULATORY OVERVIEW ? Government tariffs on automotive imports are in compliance with WTO rules, but minimum capital barriers still exist for foreign investors. The government has created some incentives to spur RD partnership, and regulations for foreign distributers have been eased somewhat. The government has plans to implement higher auto emissions standards for new cars in China. So far four regions have implemented â€Å"China IV† emission standards (Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Guangdong Province). The Chinese government views the development of the new energy vehicle industry in China as a top priority and has introduced a wide range of subsidies and policies in its favor. ? ? China’s automotive industry supply chain is very broad with many components such as import and export, manufacturing, environmental protection, technology upgrades and quality control. As such, the industry is regulated by a range of government organs, both at the national and sub-national level. The below chart illustrates the key central level regulators of the automotive industry, and their relevant responsibilities. 14 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) The automotive industry is subject to a number of laws and regulations. The key regulations that are relevant to Israeli companies are addressed below. 2. 1 FOREIGN ACCESS TO THE CHINESE AUTOMOTIVE MARKET Trade The Chinese auto sector is competitive and has a well-developed supply chain. Imports of foreign-made auto parts will likely decrease as OEMs continue to increase their local capacities. At the same time, higher quality Chinese auto parts are increasingly being integrated into the global supply chain. Currently the import tariff for whole vehicles is 25% and for automotive components is 10%. 15 China’s Automotive Sector Prepared for IEICI Updated November 2010 (Original April 2009) Investment Foreign businesses must meet a number of requirements in order to access China’s automotive market. The Chinese government has set requirements for minimum registered capital when a firm wants to establish an automotive facility which is RMB 500 million (USD 75 million3) for automobile financing, RMB 500 million (USD 75 million) for engine production and RMB 10 million (USD 1. 5 million) for an RD center. All projects are subject to government approval. Foreign firms looking to produce passenger vehicles cannot set up WOFEs, but must partner with a local Chinese firm in the form of a JV, with the foreign partner’s stake limited to 50%. On the other hand, China offers fiscal and financial incentives to attract foreign investment in RD strategies as part of the central government’s strategy to speed up the transfer of international technology. China currently provides tax incentives for enterprises engaged in research and development activities, allowing RD enterprises to deduct 50% of RD expenses. Suppliers are most often required to localize or invest in China and Israeli companies interested in tapping into the vast Chinese market will need to consider establishing a local presence. IPR Issues in China While the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) remains a contentious issue for companies in China, the country’s laws and regulations have progressed considerably in recent years, with the large majority now compliant with requirements of the WTO’s TRIPS agreement. The main challenge surrounding IPR protection in China is the lack of effective enforcement of the existing regulations. Enforcement issues arise from a range of root causes, including the relatively recent introduction of IPR legislation and concept of intellectual property in general, the absence of a fully independent judicial system, and provincial officials’ often protective attitude towards local job creating counterfeiting industries. While most foreign companies considering business operations in China may have to accept an unavoidable degree of IPR infringement, there are nevertheless a number of actions that a company can take in order to limit their IPR-related risk: ? ? ? Ensure to register your patents, copyrights, or trademarks with the relevant bureaus Ensure that your trade or other.

Chutiya Ram Essay Example for Free

Chutiya Ram Essay Tour Dutt was born on March 4, 1856 in Bengal and she died on August 30, 1877, in the prime of her youth, at 21. She is often called the Keats of the Indo-English literature for more than one reason her meteoric rise on and disappearance from the literary firmament, as also for the quality of her poetry. James Darmesteter pays a befitting tribute to her, The daughter of Bengal, so admirable and so strangely gifted, Hindu by race and tradition, and an English woman by education, a French woman at heart, a poet in English, prose writer in French, who at the age of 18 made India acquainted with the poets of French herself, who blended in herself three souls and three traditions, died at the age of 21 in the full bloom of her talent and on the eve of the awakening of her genius, presents in the history of literature a phenomenon without parallel. Literary Achievements Toru Dutt’s literary achievements lay more in her poetic works than in her prose writings. Her poetry is meagre, consisting of A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields and Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan. But she compels attention as KRS Iyengar puts it. Her poetry has sensitive descriptions, lyricism and vigour. Her only work to be published during her lifetime was A Sheaf, an unassuming volume in its overall get-up. The Examiner in its August 1876 issue published the review of her book. Edmund Gosse, the then reviewer expressed his surprise To find Miss Toru Dutt translating, in every case into the measure of the original, no less than 166 poems, some of them no less intricate in form than perplexing in matter. He calls it an amazing feat and a truly brilliant success. A review in the Friend of India says. †¦ the versification is generally good, and the translations, we believe, intelligent and faithful. In selecting poems for translation Toru focused attention on the Romantics of French literature, although she also included Chenier, Courier, Lamartine and a few others of the transition period as well as Brizeux, Moreau, Dupont and Valmore who were not Romantics. In France, the Romantic school was born towards the close of the 18th century and in the beginning of the19th, as in England. They asserted the free-play of imagination, simple and direct diction and freedom from any restrictions. The poems that she translated were probably those which could touch the cord of her imaginations and sentiments patriotism, loneliness, dejection, frustrations, illusions, exile and captivity. One remarkable thing about her translation is that she has been able to capture the spirit of the original. No wonder, then, that Edmund Gosse, in his review says, If modern French literature were entirely lost, it might not be found impossible to reconstruct a great number of poems from its Indian version. Not that she has blindly translated. In fact, she has changed words and phrases of the original and substituted them by more appropriate ones without any hesitation which make her work exact and yet free. The verses maintain the rhythm of the original. Though European by education and training, Toru was essentially an Indian at heart. From her childhood her mother had imbued in her love for the old legends from the Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Her readings of the old Sanskrit classics gave her first-hand knowledge of the charming stories. Her woman’s imagination wove myriad coloured picture and she embarked upon her work, Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan, which appeared in 1882, with Introductory notes by Sir Edmund Gosse. Critics have hailed Ancient Ballads as the best work in English. It shows her keen interest in the Indian translations. According to Lotika Basu, a literary critic, Ancient Ballads, for the first time reveals to the West the soul of India through the medium of English poetry. In fact, scholars are profuse in their praise of this work for its finely-knit verses full of vigour and variety. The stories included are of Savitri, Lakshman, Prahlad, Sindhu and others. Toru wrote two novels Bianca and Le Journal de Mademoiselle d’Arvers. The former, an incomplete romance, is in English and the latter in diary form, is the story of Marguerite and is in French. The manuscripts of these works were discovered after her death amid her papers. Both these works have simple plots which sustain the story element, the language is poetic and the characters are clearly drawn. Toru was proud of India’s cultural heritage, her flok-lores, myths and legends, and its rich classical literature. Though English by education, she was an Indian through and through. E. J. Thompson wrote about her, Toru Dutt remains one of the most astonishing woman that ever lived †¦. Fiery and unconquerable of soul. These poems are sufficient to place Toru Dutt in the small class of women who have written English verse that can stand.

Stakeholders in Coca-cola | International Business

Stakeholders in Coca-cola | International Business COCA-COLA Introduction: Coca-cola is the most familiar product in the world, and is one of the largest selling soft drink from the past. Coca-cola was invented on 8th may 1886 by Dr John Stith Pemberton in Georgia and the brand was owned in 1889 by Asa Candler who had made most of his money by selling coca cola. Coca-cola was introduced as a soda fountain beverage in the beginning-made by mixing coca-cola syrup with carbonate water at Jacobs pharmacy, Atlanta. At present Coca-cola provides about 400 brands in over nearly 200 countries that make coca-cola the worlds largest beverage company. In a survey of 2001 coca-cola was the 41st on the list of the 100 strongest economic entities. There are some coca-cola brands given below: Coca-cola zero Diet coke Sprite Fanta Minute maid Schweppes Five alive Oasis Roses Kia ora and etc Reason for choosing coca-cola: The Coca-Cola Company is one of the successful organizations in all over the world. The Coca-Cola Company has survived and grown day by day in an instable market because of its marketing power, innovation and productivity. In recent years coca-cola becomes a part of human body. The Coca-Cola Company and more than 300 worldwide bottling partners work together as the Coca-Cola system to deliver daily refreshment and drive their global success. Coca-cola has live positively commitment attitude to make a positive difference in the world by redesigning the way they work and live so sustainability is a part of everything they do. The coca-cola follows a responsible marketing technique (The coca-colas â€Å"advertising and marketing to children policy† is for children who are under the age of 12 to prevent the drinking of coca-cola products outside the presence of their parents or caregivers). The Coca-Cola Company focused on strategic workplace program, which helps in assurance of s uccess. Stakeholders: A stakeholder is that person, group or organization who has direct or indirect stake in a company or organization, and can affect or affected by the organizations policies, actions or objectives. In a business or organization there are two types of stakeholders, which are internal and external. Major stakeholders of coca-cola: Employees: employees are major stakeholders of an organization. Mission statement and its roles: a mission is a strategy that has to do with full of efforts to achieve a vision by an organization. A mission statement should give an overall goal, define what the organization is, stated clearly, guide the actions, to the point, easy to understand and provide a sense of direction for an organization. By mission statement it is easy to understand the purpose of an organization to shareholders and investors, who are going to invest in that organization. A mission statement is planned to make sure that all the stakeholders are clear on the purpose of the company, so everyone can pay their attention on same goals. A mission statement of an organization tells the reader about the organization that what it stands for. Mission of coca-cola: the first step of coca-cola starts with its mission. In mission statement coca-cola company declares its purpose as: To inspire moment of happiness and optimism To create value and make a difference To refresh the world In this mission statement coca-cola is clear about its purpose that what it stands for, what is the main aim, what it aspires to be, give its overall goal. The stakeholders can easily understand the mission of coca-cola and can work with passion to achieve its vision. Vision statement and its roles: a vision is a broad image of the future that what the future should be, and the statement is focused on tomorrow. The vision statement has details of an organizations future, inspiration of organization, future plans, aims and objectives. Vision statement should be clear, positive and inspirational, not too long. Vision statement just gives a direction for a business planning it does not tell how to get there, but it captures passion. Writing a vision statement it is a very important task and needs much time, positive approach, knowledge about services and technology, future plans, input from other peoples, and combination of all important words in one short paragraph. Vision statement of coca-cola: the vision of coca-cola guides every aspect of business by describing the needs to achieve quality growth. The vision statement of coca-cola is: People: be a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be. Partners: nurture a winning network of customers and suppliers, together we create mutual, enduring values. Planet: be a responsible citizen that makes a difference by helping build and support sustainable communities. Portfolio: bring to the world a portfolio of quality beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy peoples desires and needs. Productivity: be a highly effective, lean and fast moving organization. Profit: maximize long-term return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities. In this vision statement coca-cola company shows the image of what they want to do in future, and where they want to see them for a long-time. Over many years coca-cola focused on the vision that helps them to deliver on their focus. Culture: The thing that makes a society different from others is called culture, which describes experiences, attitude, values and beliefs of an organization. In an organization a set of symbols and signs that the organization is recognized by is a culture. Culture is a social interaction, and it is an important thing in success and failure of an organization. An organizations culture is a standard behavior that the member of organization should use to achieve the goals. Coca-colas culture: coca-cola has a unique culture, which is based on passion and the member of the company has the ability to change this passion into action. Coca-colas winning culture defines the attitudes and behaviors that will be required to them to make their vision a reality. Culture Values of coca-cola: Leadership: the courage to shape a better future Innovation: imagine, delight, create and seek Collaboration: leverage collective genius Integrity: be real Accountability: if it is to be, its up to me Quality: what we do, we do well Diversity: as inclusive as our brands Passion: committed in heart and mind Ethics of coca-cola: Act with integrity Be honest Follow the law Comply with the code Be accountable

Abraham Lincolns Abuse of Power :: American America History

Abraham Lincoln's Abuse of Power Lincoln's use of executive authority during the civil war is many times illegal and unjust; although his issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation may seem justified, Lincoln blatantly abused his power regarding civil rights. He did things like institute an unfair draft, suspend Constitutional rights, allocate military spending without Congress, and institute emancipation. Although some may justify these actions, they stomped on the Constitution. Lincoln found powers in the constitutional clause making him "Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states." He said that because of this clause, he had the right to use any means necessary to defeat the enemy. With this justification, he issued many executive orders before Congress even convened. Lincoln summoned the militia, ordered a blockade of the Confederacy ports, expanded the regular army beyond its legal limit, and directed government funds before congressional allocation. of these powers were granted to him in the Constitution. Lincoln also abused his power with the draft. Prior to the draft, the Union depended on the states to fill assigned quotas with volunteers. But then Lincoln instituted a new draft. By its terms, all men between the ages of 20 and 45 were liable to military service. However, any man who was called for the draft could avoid it by hiring a substitute or paying $300 dollars to the government. Many groups rightfully denounced these acts, called the conscription acts, as a rich man's law. Indeed, many wealthy men were able to bribe poorer men into taking their place in The most blatant abuse of Lincoln's power was his suspension of habeas corpus. The suspension of this constitutional guarantee, by which a person could not be imprisoned indefinitely without being charges with some specific crime, around much opposition throughout the country. Although Lincoln himself made no concentrated efforts to suppress political oppositions, the repeal of habeas corpus enabled overzealous civil and military authorities to imprison thousands of people who were vocal in their opposition to the war against the South. During the war, in the case Ex parte Merryman, Chief Justice Taney ordered Lincoln to grant a writ of habeas corpus to a Southern agitator who had been arbitrarily jailed by military authorities in Maryland. Lincoln ignored the order. After the war, in the case Ex parte Milligan, the Supreme Court ruled that president could not suspend habeas corpus without the consent of Congress.

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Thought to be an oncogene, a gene that has potential in transforming normal cells into tumor cells, p53 was regarded as the most prominent tumor suppressor gene [1]. P53 is a gene which signals apoptosis (programmed cell death) if a cell cannot be repaired due to an extensive amount of damage. As stated in the textbook, p53 regulation occurs by an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase known as MDM2 [1]. "Controlling the controller" is a statement that describes the molecular interaction where the presence of MDM2 targets the p53 for proteosome via degradation. With three main checkpoints in cell cycle, the literature states p53 functioning from G1 into S phase in a chaotic cell [2]. The normal state of cells is to keep p53 levels low in order to prevent uncontrolled apoptosis and random cell cycle arrest from occurring. In a further note, although p53 promotes apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, cancer may result from p53 unable to recognize the problematic site. In turn, a mutation in p53 may result engaging in new activities. These activities include cellular transformation, tumor metastasis,...

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Over the last 30 years, videos games have become very desirable for people of all ages, genders, and race. With the rapid growth of technology these games have become very life like and some seem as if your actually there in person. The rapid growth has made the video industry into a multi-billon dollar industry and this has created much controversy among the people because the games are becoming very realistic, but also more violent. Since the creation of violent video games there have been constant disputes to whether these games will increase violence in the player. Nevertheless, there have been researches done to try and understand the correlation between video games and violence. These researches haven’t only showed that the violent games don’t transfer violence to the players, but they actually help players. With the rise of technology people have begin to drift away from connecting in person and have adapt to this change by speaking or communicating threw something electronics. With games like call of duty and many others, players are able to communicate with many others, th...

Outline on the Effects of Reality Tv

Outline: Research Paper: Reality TV and its influence on the younger generation I. Introduction A. Media has a huge impact on how people truly see themselves, particularly in women and young female teens. Reality television has made the standards of beauty quite high these days and there is a definite change in society’s view on what is truly beautiful. Turning off the TV has simply become too hard when it comes to reality TV shows 1. Turning into their favorite movie star is becoming more normal than ever.Skipping meals to look like the girl on the cover of the magazine keeps many people wandering what other lengths girls will go to to look like someone else. 2. These reality TV shows are gruesome and harmful to one when they say, â€Å"Reality television is a relatively new fad in America that is sweeping the networks’ ratings and redefining programming altogether. Viewers cannot seem to get enough of the torture, embarrassment, temptation, and above all, drama of ot her regular, everyday people being placed in unrealistic settings and manipulated for the world to see†(Pontius).Leaving an everlasting affect, these shows do a lot of damage. B. Children consider makeup a necessity at a younger age. Reality TV has caused an obsession that is unavoidable. It is a crude form of entertainment, but so many people watch it and it becomes hard to turn it off. But why are people so interested? Somebody else’s lives and somebody else’s problems. 1. Women fighting over ‘their man’ 2. People trying to survive in the dessert 3. People suffering from drug addictions C. But they give off the wrong message to young girls.Though some TV programs support healthy lifestyle choices, viewers do not realize that these shows can easily damage one’s self-esteem and body image. The female audience needs to recognize the false reality of television and realize that the women on reality TV are in fact, nothing close to real. 1. Reali ty TV is powerful and influential D. Reality TV is the main source for eating disorders. Media exposes girls to anorexia and eating disorders. Girls see themselves as overweight when some are not even close to being overweight. 1. Bulimia is regurgitating food after overeating to rid them of the food. . Anorexia is not eating at all or eating very small amounts such as a small pile of lettuce. They are starving themselves to lose weight II. Eliminating reality TV shows will keep children from partaking in unprotected sex. A. Since 2005 teenage pregnancy rates have increased significantly 3. 5 percent. 1. Shows such as â€Å"Teen Mom† were created to show the hardships of teenage pregnancy and deteriorate children from wanting to have kids. Instead it has showed them having children is not the worst thing to happen to a girl. Having a kid ensure your boyfriend stays with you. . While teen pregnancy would have been a major issue 20 or more years ago, in today’s day and a ge it has become more common. â€Å"The MTV show 16 and Pregnant and its spin-off Teen Mom have fetishized teenage motherhood and, bizarrely, made it glamorous. 16 and Pregnant, a reality series that began last year, purported to show the hardships endured by teen mothers but somehow evolved into a soap opera in which the central figures, with badass boyfriends and bewildered parents, became intriguing figures – even figures to be emulated† (Want be American R3).Glamorizing pregnancy only intrigues young girls and makes it seem like something fun when it can change their life. B. Children are learning from what happens on TV. They learning it is okay to get pregnant before you complete high school 1. Kids learn from what they see when people say; â€Å"Therefore, the study of television fiction products specifically targeted at young audiences can contribute knowledge on what kind of images and portrayals of teenagers they will consume†(Munoz Fedele 133). When k ids see something happens on TV they are most likely to reenact what they saw in their everyday lives.C. As teens and young adults continue to feast their eyes upon these â€Å"real† teen pregnancy shows, the more the teen pregnancy rates increase. Kids also have mistaken this show for an excuse to experiment with sexual desires. While high school students are taught to abstain from sex in numerous health classes, they learn from MTV that a lot of teenagers participate in sexual intercourse. This gives them the idea that sex is normal for young teens and that they should join the bandwagon too III. Kids experiment with drugs and alcohol when they see other kids their age on TV doing the same thingsIV. Young girl’s self-images are influenced by the reality TV shows they watch. A. Girls especially are influenced by what they see on TV. 1. Most girls will do whatever it takes to be skinny and look like the stars that weigh 100 pounds â€Å"†¦ the media influence on the cultural phenomenon of dieting and the perfect body. â€Å"Commercials and reality TV shows make you feel bad about yourself so you buy into the fad,† Cohn said. The diet industry earns $50 billion each year on diet pills, and $8. 4 billion is spent every year on cosmetic surgery.Women — and men, Cohn stressed — want to be thin, because large men and women are ridiculed† (Demmel). Eating disorders continues to be problem among young girls because of their role models. Girls on reality TV shows have that ‘perfect' body and girls what to be everything like them. B. Influences girls to want to alter their bodies through plastic surgery 1. Plastic Surgery has expanded to more people than ever. Most of the people watch reality TV and strive to be like the person they see on TV. Plastic surgeon John Persing and his colleagues found that 57 percent of patients, whose average age was 36, regularly watched one or more reality shows† (Boodman E4). Si nce more people are watching Reality TV shows and the number of plastic surgery’s has increased, one can assume the people watching the shows are the people who are getting plastic surgery so they can look similar to people on TV. 2. Every little girl dreams of being a star and by watching these shows, most of them think they can only be one if they look like the girl on TV when said, â€Å"But in 2010, when Heidi Montag's bloated lips plaster every agazine in town, when little girls lust after an airbrushed, unattainable body ideal, there's a growing bundle of research to show that our bias against the unattractive–our â€Å"beauty bias,† as a new book calls it–is more pervasive than ever† (Bennett 46). Persuading little girls to want plastic surgery. C. Shows girls they can’t be comfortable in their own body’s unless they have a certain body type that is skinny 1. Many women don’t feel comfortable in their own bodies because of what they see on reality TV.They see thin girls on TV and assume they have to fit the same stereotype to be liked when said â€Å"Girls and women in our culture are bombarded with so many messages about being thin and perfect that it can be really, really hard to truly believe we are beautiful just the way we are. That doesn't mean that we're failures in any way; it's really the culture that has failed us†(Help yourself other) some women find it so hard to believe they can be happy if they aren’t as thin as that girl they saw on Jersey Shore or The Hills. V.Watching reality TV affects the way children deal with conflict or crude situations in school and out of school A. Aggressive B. drama VI. Reality TV shows affect the way girls perceive the world. A. What girls see on TV is what they expect to happen to them. 1. Affecting everyday actions, reality TV has a big impact on individuals. When said, reality TV tends to be the center of all problems in our culture. It c reates a memory that affects the way one thinks and acts (Course Examines How). It can persuade someone to act a different way than normal.According to how they saw someone on a show act, they feel the need to act or try in act in the same way. B. Watching reality TV makes it difficult to distinguish between reality and non-fiction 1. When people see something on TV, they assume it’s something that will happen to them. They assume the things on TV are real life situations when practically they could be impossible. They still focus on it when said, â€Å"This type of show that largely impacts on young people and generations, do not reflect the style of life in our society† (TV Values Destructive).With this motto in mind, it can affect the way young people live their lives. 2. Watching reality TV allows a child to believe what happens on TV is only what can happen to them. It has been proven that; â€Å"The mere fact that it is called reality is misleading in itself and I think it is giving them a very limited view of what is possible,† she said, adding that many young viewers were unaware that reality shows were heavily manipulated, edited and commercially driven† (Hazelhurst qtd. in Edwards). Many children don’t know the extent behind reality TV shows. . Many agree that often times things come a lot easier on TV or are made a lot simpler when said, â€Å"On the screen, any major life problem is portrayed as simple, or at the very least, not as complicated as in real life. On television, any time a woman unexpectedly gets pregnant, she debates whether she should have an abortion, but coincidentally has a miscarriage right before she has to decide† (Pritchard). When kids see something bad happen then automatically something well then more times than not they will do something that will result in something worse.When that good thing doesn’t come to save them, they feel lost. VII. Conclusion A. Drilling into kids hea d that being skinny or looking the best or being the best is important, Reality TV shows have mislead the way children see things. If something isn’t done to stop what’s being shown on TV, kids will continue to starve themselves to be the skinniest, abuse drugs and alcohol, and teen pregnancy rates will continue to increase. Not all of these cases are a result of media and reality TV, but it plays a big contribution. . Most people agree children would be much better if reality TV was no longer available when they say, â€Å"I confess I find TV such a corrupting phenomenon that I believe the best solution to combat the damage it causes would be to do away with it entirely† (Gatto 45). Without reality TV, kids would be able to focus on more important things 2. Reality TV shapes the way kids think when researchers say; â€Å"Especially with young, impressionable minds out there, more honest portrayals need to circulate.The real world is meaningful and exciting in its own right, so why not represent it at least somewhat accurately on screen† (Pritchard). Their minds are shapeable and reality TV shapes them into believing the wrong things about life. 3. B. Reality TV shows that were created to show teenagers the hardships of life and is actually glamorizing the worst of the worst to make kids want to experiment, should be forced to bring to a halt any new recordings of the ones already recorded should be removed from TV. 1. The Federal Communications Commission’s is in charge of regulating what’s on TV.By persuading the lawmakers to pass a law that dismisses any sort of crude reality TV shows from being aired, children can learn to behave and act in a way accepted in society. C. Bridalplasty was a show that aired that showed 12 brides competing in order to get the grand prize, plastic surgery of their choice for their wedding. Young girls are growing up with the mentality that they won’t be perfect unless they have s ome kind of plastic surgery and it’s no wonder they think this with the kind of shows on TV.

CASTLE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT: HRIS NEEDS ASSESSMENT Essay

Introduction Jay Morgan, an Operations and HR Manager for Castle’s Family Restaurant has asked Preston’s HR consulting firm for a HRIS application proposal that will reduce the time spent traveling between the Castle’s Family Restaurants eight restaurants in the northern California area and help him complete his HR tasks in a cost-effective manner while allowing Mr. Morgan to do part of his HR tasks from his office. The following paragraphs provide a business assessment, detailing the type and size of Castle’s Family Restaurant, the identified HR problems, and a HRIS needs assessment. I have concluded with a brief overview and closed with why a HRIS application is the right strategic choice for Castle’s Family Restaurant. Business Assessment Castle’s Family Restaurant is part of the restaurant industry which according to the National Restaurant Association (2013) is now 13.1 million employees strong, and expected to increase 9.8 percent to 14.4 million by 2023. Castle’s Family Restaurant’s mission is to promote customer loyalty by providing outstanding quality, service, cleanliness, and value and to promote employee loyalty through leadership training, promotion, benefits, and rewards. Castle’s Family restaurant currently employee’s approximately 300-340 employees of which 40% is full time; in the eight restaurants owned in the northern California area. Currently Jay Morgan is both operations  manager and HR manager for the eight restaurants in which time and money is spent traveling between the eight restaurants to manually complete each restaurants HR tasks. Sales have shown improvement over the past ten years since Castle’s Family Restaurant opened up their doors, but contin ue to struggle with employee satisfaction that accounts for the increased turnover rates the company has experienced in the past two years. It is the mission of the company to not only satisfy their customers needs but also their employee’s and therefore it is imperative that the necessary means be taken to decrease the increased employee turnover rates. Identified Problems Castle’s Family Restaurant’s concerns over the past two years are with the increased employee turnover rates. Even though sales have increased Castle’s Family Restaurant is concerned with future revenue and profitability, low workplace moral, and deteriorating product and service quality which are negative impacts from high employee turnover rates. In order to reduce turnover rates more attention must be given to employee training, promoting, benefits, and rewards. Right now Mr. Morgan is spending time and money traveling among the eight restaurants in order to manage scheduling, recruiting, hiring, payroll, and answering employee’s questions; leaving little to no time for developing the employee’s. By automating HR tasks Mr. Morgan can travel less, spend less, and have more time developing the employee’s which in turn will reduce employee turnover rates. Scheduling software can help automate the process of assigning the right number of emplo yees to perform the tasks that need to be performed on each workday and during each meal service. Workflow software will aid in the hiring process by allowing applicants to fill out applications online, upload documents, and allow criteria’s to be set weed out prospects. Even though one-on-one training is important, technology can be used to track the development of employees and also be used in ways of training videos and manuals. Automating payroll will reduce the time spent on them and help avoid mistakes that can lead to legal repercussions. Specialized software exists for both payroll calculation and tips reporting; which exist in the restaurant industry. Such software can help Mr. Morgan by automatically calculating payroll while remaining in compliance with the relevant legislation, make it easier to enter payroll data into databases where it  can be searched, and save time that would’ve been wasted on manual calculation. Payroll software can also help with ot her measures such as directly depositing paychecks into employees’ bank accounts. Though, I believe that each HR tasks listed above could benefit the company if automated, it is in the best interest of Mr. Morgan and Castle’s Family Restaurant to automate payroll to reduce errors and compliance issues and also free up some time which can be used for employee development. HRIS Needs Assessment Currently Mr. Morgan uses Excel spreadsheets and a computer application to print payroll checks. He spends on the average eight hours to process payroll for the approximant 300-340 Castle’s Family Restaurant employees. Without schedule software each manager at the eight restaurants have to print weekly schedules and make changes as necessary throughout the week; increasing errors. Mr. Morgan enters the schedules in the Excel spreadsheets which he relies on his knowledge of Excel to make the correct calculations. An automated time keeping system will track employee hours and pay hourly employees accordingly; it will also allow Mr. Morgan to import employee hours into payroll software which will compute the time worked; which saves Mr. Morgan time from having to manually calculate employee’s payments and deductions. Automated payroll is also a record keeper which the â€Å"IRS requires employers to keep employment tax records for a minimum of four years. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Labor requires payroll records to be kept for at least three years† (Grace, 2014). With a HRIS application Castle’s Family Restaurant can connect all eight restaurants in the northern California area. HRIS will assist Castle’s Family Restaurant in two major areas: recording and recruiting. HRIS will allow the company to invest more time and money in their most valuable resource their employees. Conclusion It is without a doubt that Castle’s Family Restaurant is in need of Automating HR tasks in order to save time and money while keeping their customers and employee’s satisfied; because we all know that if the employee is not happy, neither is the customer. It is my suggestion that payroll be the first HR function to be automated. By Automating payroll time is saved,  errors are reduced; payments and deductions, and records are kept while keeping in compliance with state and federal regulations. Reference Grace, N., (2014). What are the Benefits of Automating a Payroll System? Chron. Hearst Newspapers. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-automating-payroll-system-2126.html National Restaurant Association. (2013). Jobs & Careers Powerhouse. Retrieved from http://www.restaurant.org/Industry-Impact/Employing-America/Jobs-Careers-Powerhouse