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Dominant modes of thinking in the mining industry that might prevent or restrict broader and more comprehensive strategic thi
Dominant modes of thinking in the mining industry that might prevent or restrict broader and more comprehensive strategic thinking about challenges to the ongoing viability of the business and how the modes of thinking might be expanded
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Business organisations of all kinds are faced with exciting challenges in the midst of globalisation and challenges that come with these dynamics. Nevertheless, companies need strategic thinking to gear their corporate strategies in a direction that will make them more strategically competitive. When different schools of thought dominate the organisation, it might be an impediment to achieving success in strategic decision making process. Mintzberg and Lampel (1999) reiterated that managers have a tendency to take narrow perspectives and cling on those perspectives in the hopes that these perspectives are helpful in planning yet the managers do not have a choice but to face the entire decision making head-on. Managers that uphold this line of thought have strong attachment to innovative development as a way of achieving the objectives of the strategic decisions.
Recent works have demonstrated that there is a dominant school of thought, which views strategic decision making process in general as leadership (e.g. Hafeez 2009). This is the entrepreneurial school of thought. However, Hafeez (2009) points out that all the managers in an organisation contribute in a certain way in the achievement of the strategic decisions of the company. Therefore, one may not precisely point out that this is the entrepreneurial mind of the organisation. Rather, it is the conglomeration of the minds of the different individuals in the organisation that expands the level of thinking and makes achievement of strategic objectives possible.
Apart from the entrepreneurial school of thought, other individuals generally view the viability of the business in terms of the positioning, others in terms of planning, design or cognitive astuteness of projections. Viability of the business can be improved by taking the strength of each school of thought and determining where the schools of thought intercept then creating a trend from it. This mode of approach is supported by Mintzberg and Lampel (1999) and Hafeez (2009).
Bibliography
Hafeez,K. (2009). Entrepreneurship & Intrapreneurship. Available: http://www.york.ac.uk/enterprise/cetle/resources/curriculum/entrepreneurship-module.pdf.. Last accessed 4th Sept 2012.
Michael A. Hitt, Raphael Amit, Charles E. Lucrier, & Robert D. Nixon (Jun 24, 2002). Creating Value: Winners in the New Business Environment. London: John Wiley & Sons. p114-158.
Mintzberg, H., & Lampel, J. (1999, Spring). Reflecting on the strategy process. Sloan Management Review, 21–30.
Evolutionary Changes In Automotive Technology
Evolutionary Changes In Automotive Technology
Means of travel have played a major role in the development of civilization. From the initial barefoot means of movement, followed by animal drawn wagons to modern cars, transportation has seen tremendous evolution. Since its invention in the early 1800s, the automobile technology has dramatically changed the society. Besides the changes it has brought in society, the motorcar technology has in itself undergone great advancements over time. As mentioned earlier, before the advent of animal drawn carts or the automobile, people used to traverse the globe on foot. This made travelling, especially when transporting heavy luggage extremely cumbersome until the advent of animal drawn wagons. This made transportation a little bit easier as heavy goods could be transported with ease and for longer distances. This was a convenient mode of transport because the animals only required adequate food and water to facilitate transportation of goods and passengers to their destinations.
The exact date the motorcar was invented is a point of debate. Some people say that Cugnot’s steam car built in 1770 was the first motorcar while others argue that the 1885 Benz tricycle was the very first automobile (Jasanoff and Markle 627). However, this debate depends on the definition of motorcar technology. Steam technology as a way of transportation, has been around for a long period of time since the Cugnot vehicle, driven by a steam engine. In fact the development of the internal combustion engine was to some point based on knowledge resulting from steam technology since the two types of engines operate on the same principle. The major elements in both types of engines included: pistons, axles and high pressure. One of the pioneers of the internal combustion engine was Ettiene Lenoir. He made an internal combustion engine whose design and operation resembled a steam engine although he had an industrial purpose for the engine he made. This concept was enhanced by Otto, who invented the four stroke principle. Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler employed the Otto design to come up with a motorized vehicle in 1885. These individuals’ efforts are universally acknowledged in the birth of the automobile.
Between the years 1885 and 1918, more automobiles were built and this brought about vast changes in the society’s way of living. Various parts of forests were cleared to pave way for road constructions between towns and countries. This activity destroyed very many animal habitats. The construction of road network prompted the opening of numerous commercial centers in the rural areas where people traded products from other parts of the globe since transportation was much easier and faster. Peoples’ eating habits changed since they could easily access foodstuffs from other corners of the world which were previously inaccessible. The advancement of the automobile technology also changed many people’s economic activities. A good number of people began oil mining activities to supply fuel to the many automobiles that were built in this period of time. This created more job opportunities in both the mining and refining companies which greatly improved their living standards. The interaction of people from various corners of the world brought about many cultural changes. People from far ends of the world met at commercial centers and cities and shared their cultural practices and in so doing new cultures came into being.
From 1919, there was rapid development of automotive technology. This was because hundreds of small manufacturers competed to gain the world’s attention. Among the major developments were the electric ignition and the electric self starter, initiated by Charles Kettering for the Cadillac Motor Company (Frenken and Nuvolari 419). This was followed by the independent suspension system and four wheel brakes. During this period marketing plans profoundly influenced automobile design as cars were mass produced to meet the market needs. Later Alfred P. Sloan came up with idea of diverse makes of automobiles produced by one company. With the swift pace of change, different makes shared automobile parts which resulted in reduced costs for each price range in larger production. For instance, LaSalles, which were sold by Cadillac, employed cost effective mechanical parts from Oldsmobile in the 1930s While Pontiac shared doors, roof, hood and windows with Chevrolet in the 1950s (Mumsford 67).
The rapid development of automotive technology together with the high competition among the manufacturers to meet the market requirements enhanced the making of more complex vehicles changing the society in its wake. For instance, Cars with higher speeds built during this period, led to the conversion of horse racing facilities to new, faster, extra dangerous and therefore more exciting, motor racing. During this period, sophisticated military automobiles were designed and made by different countries and were put to greater use during the world war one and world war two claiming a lot of human life. The mass production of automobiles worldwide came with an increased rate of road accidents that has up to date claimed a reasonable number of people, denying the world the much needed human resource. The larger number of automobiles produced during this period also had an adverse effect on the environment. The fumes and dust from the numerous numbers of vehicles in the world played a major role in the pollution of the atmosphere.
In 1965, emissions regulation was implemented in California after recognizing the harmful effects of the automobile industry. This led to another step in the advancement of the automobile technology. New models for hybrid, electric and driverless or robotic cars have been made. It is estimated that by the year 2020, 2% to 4% of the automobiles in the world will be prototypes of these models (Gijis 46). The focal point of these models is the drive train, the engine, the steering, the suspension and the electrical and computer systems of the automobiles. These vehicles will be more expensive and will require knowledgeable drivers.
I believe the evolution of automobiles has significantly led to advancements in almost all sectors of life. The automobile has not only created different types of industries from car assemblies, parts manufacturing to even drilling, transportation and distribution of fuel. Many industries have emerged from the development of the car. However, the ease and convenience brought about by the evolution of the car has had its own share of disadvantages. From environmental pollution to loss of lives in accidents, the automobile has equally been responsible for so much misery in the world. Better were the days when we would never wage war against each other simply to control the price of oil.
Works Cited
Frenken, K. and Nuvolari, A. “The early development of the steam engine: an evolutionaryinterpretation using complexity theory.” Industrial and corporate change 13.2 (2004):419-450. Web. <http://icc.oxfordjournals.org/content/13/2/419.abstract>
Jasanoff, S. and Markle, G. E. Handbook of science and technology studies. Thousand Oaks,CA: Sage, 1995. Print.
Mom, Gijis. Conceptualizing technical change: alternative interaction in the evolution of theautomobile. Tackling Transport. 3 (2003): 9-46. Web. 30 March, 2011.<http://jdh.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/2/171.abstract>
Mumford, L. The myth of the machine. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1967. Web. 30March, 2011. < http://hhs.sagepub.com/content/16/4/39.abstract>
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
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Domestic violence is associated with male batterers and female victimization. The abuse can either be psychological or emotional and it can destroy an individual tremendously. Most abuse occurs between couples either married or staying together this usually as a result of one individual trying to dominate the other which is commonly known as Intimate partner violence. Abusers have traits that are similar to one another they have behavior signatures that are common to violence.
Characteristics of abusers
Characteristics of abusers can either be social, emotional, psychological or physical. An abuser will be extremely violent especially if they find out their partner is leaving them, an abuser will clench his fist every time an argument ensues. He will most probably lash out so as to maintain control over the victim this shows power.
An abuser is usually extremely jealous and will confront you by becoming physically abusive when it comes to arguments. An abuser will be violent at one point and then tends to capture a partners heart once again by being extremely good .He will however have a history of constant violence. He or she will be extremely jealous and will eventually affect your social life by cutting you off your social clique (Hoffman, 2002).
An abuser will eventually get angry and become violent when taking alcohol and drugs. He /She might become angry when intoxicated and this will automatically lead to physical threats or verbal abuse. He will eventually blame his entire violent outburst on you by pointing out how his life has changed. The abuser will have weapons that he has threatened to use them and if there was an arson attempt in his past records can be a weapon. Violent abusers are difficult to predict because they have control issues and are crazy.
Characteristics of abusers in domestic violence
Controlling partners are more often the course of violence in a relationship. The partner might be overprotective by either becoming jealous of other friends either male or female. Accusations of being unfaithful and discourages friends from visiting. The partner will also keep track of what you are doing and criticism on little things (Barri Flowers, 2000).
Demanding and possessive wants you not to associate friends and family and constantly accuses and ridicules them. Manipulative and shows off because he knows she is inferior to him .He becomes abusive verbally and tends to use your tainted past to cause you pain and suffering. A perpetrator has a low self esteem and can only identify themselves by the partnership relations.
Partners may be Irresponsible, immature and childish where he does not take responsibility for himself. He will probably pot ray she fact that he is not reach is because he married you. Partner also blames you for his addictions and behaviors. Violent behaviors by forcing you to have sex un willingly. The partners might threaten to use weapons against you and tends to destroy things in the house when he becomes angry.
Partners who constantly criticize friends, families will try to break the relationship between them. He will be abusive and will blame them for his problems .He or she will be quick tempered and hates to be ordered around and becomes hypersensitive. The abuser will have a low self esteem and their self confidence might fragile.
Another cause of violence in a relationship is Substance abuse. Evidence suggests that substance abuse plays a critical role in partnership violence and is related to men who have a history of violence. Battering is mostly common when an individual is high and they might cause extreme injuries to partners (Barri Flowers, 2000).
A study conducted in 1994 showed that defendants accused of murdering partner were abusing drugs before the incident. It is not necessarily true that most men who take alcohol are abusers and also not all abusers take alcohol. Excessive drinking is dangerous as partners may not be in control of abusive behavior. Partners who abuse alcohol are most likely take their frustrations and blame it on the partners (Hoffman, 2002). Men are said to be the once affected by this the most not excluding women who are equally dangerous.
Drug abuse related abuse are really high according to a US research, substance abuse has been said to cause long term effects on a family. The research showed that substance abuse is directly related to violence example Young men like to abuse drugs and when one is intoxicated it is difficult to control emotions. The over use of drug substances has caused a statistic that has shown a woman is beaten every 15 seconds very disturbing statistics. Substance abuse by youth affects women abuse directly as it is attributed to violent relationships.
According to research a man drinks to be emotionally free from stress. It is not true to say that a man is violent when he is drunk. Violence will never cease when he stops or maybe it will but it has not been proven. Batterers are perceived to take alcohol or drugs to block away the memories of their past. Physical assaulted childhood’s most likely lead to violent individuals. The y takes drugs to remain sane and to push away the thoughts .Violent relationships are mostly related to intoxicated individuals than sober minded men
There has been insufficient evidence to prove alcohol abuse and domestic violence it has been shown to trigger only.
In General substance abuse is common in most homes especially to the younger generation. They tend to express their feelings and emotions with violence other than words. An abuser will try to show who is in power and by rejection by the partner will be equivalent to violence (Hoffman, 2002).In a research done it was shown that pride is also a factor that increase violent reactions .He or she will use force and words like don’t you know how I am or push you away like a piece of paper. Through anger he or she will strike objects and break objects to physically as how he feels.
Intoxicated persons who batter their wives always look for something to blame and they blame substance abuse especially alcohol. It has not been proven that alcohol leads to violent occurrences between partners but it is more often found that intoxicated individuals show no constraint while battering their partners
Reference
Barri Flowers, R (2000) Domestic crimes, family violence and child abuse: A study of contemporary American society. (pp. 23-56). North Carolina: McFarland.
Hoffman, R. W. S. A. M. (2002). Domestic violence: A global view. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group.
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