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M.W Kellogg

M.W Kellogg

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Introduction

Kellogg is a firm that specializes in building and engineering works. It builds petrochemical as well as gas and other energy handling plants. Its services ranges from designing work, procurement of materials and equipment such as civil, electrical, structural engineering as well as project management services. The company provides maintenance services to processing plants, offshore and onshore pipeline, production facilities as well as natural gas plants. The company has undertaken projects in more than 30 globally and has worked in all the continents other than Antarctica. It has a labor force of approximately 27,000 workers in roughly 70 countries in five different continents (Sutton, 2005).

Kellogg was a leading construction and engineering international company two decades ago. It had contracts all over the world worth billions in US dollars. However, the company started facing various problems in most of its branches in late 1990s with its parent company in USA experiencing a series of unmet challenges. Some of the problems that significantly tarnished its name and affected its performance were the issue of asbestos as well as investigations to its accounting practices. According to Engineering News Record year 2013, AECOM was the best company with Kellogg being number 17 with revenues worth $7.92 billion.

It faces stiff competition from other leading companies such as AECOM, Bechtel Group Inc. Balfour Beatty plc, JCG Corporations, Foster Wheeler Ag, and Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd among other world leading corporations. Bechtel Corporation is ranked number 5 among the major privately owned corporates. By year 2010, the company had revenues of over $30.8 billion and had approximately 49,000 workers hired in its various projects being undertaken in more than 50 countries. Flour Corporation has its headquarters in Texas USA. It is a public company that deals with procurement and maintenance work. It has employed over 41,000 workers.

Kellogg had a number of competitive advantages over its rivals especially in the mid-1900s up to 1990s before starting to experience problems. First, the company was well dedicated towards doing thorough research in the energy industry which enabled them to always come up with new ideologies that would make a difference in the market. The company had a team of highly trained professionals in the mechanical department who were committed towards developing new or upgrading the existing gas production mechanisms. In addition, they had a highly equipped laboratory and the application of their high tech chemical and mechanical engineering techniques always gave them an upper hand in the industry. Kellogg Corporation made a number of differences in the engineering and energy industry.

This was the first company’s business that it had been awarded by the Power Industry. Its work was highly commendable and made it win some tenders that made it make a gross profit of over $28,399 in 1919. This made it to start getting business with leading corporates such as The New York Central Railroad that wanted their piping to be prefabricated. This tender made the company more popular and its business started flourishing (Blout, 1996). In 1919, the company started in focusing in petroleum refinery and introduced the cracker technique, which enabled production of more gas and petro from crude oil. It made a remarkable difference by significantly increasing the percentage of gasoline obtained from crude oil from 30% to 45% by the year 1939. This was achieved as a result of introduction of sophisticated technologies such as the high-pressure thermal cracking process. With the technology, the company was able to open 130 new cross units in a period of ten years in United States alone and more than 20 others overseas (Blout, 1996).

With the establishment of a research laboratory in 1926, the company highly improved the thermal cracking process. The technology was later accredited and made commercial. This was followed by opening a branch in London where the company embarked on developing a four catalytic cracking unit. Many companies adopted the technology, but were paying loyalties which were roughly $5 million per annum (Jeffers, 2003). In 1940, the company played a major role in the development of the Fluid Catalytic Cracking technology in alliance with other companies, which were upcoming. However, it was the first company to develop a Catalytic Cracking unit in Louisiana in the year 1942.

Other remarkable achievements include the improvement of the ammonia, ethylene and nitrogen production process. This made the company win many awards such as the Kirkpatrick Chemical Engineering Award in the 1960s. The award made it the first engineering contracting firm to be awarded for improving technology. By 1975, the company was ranked number 18 out of the 400 engineering contractors (Jeffers, 2003). Then the company was ranked as the best engineering company in 1984, 1985, and 1986 with its contracts ranging from $6.9 to $10.9 billion.

Lump sum is a term that is mostly used in the building among other related industry. It is a situation in which the possessor or the client pays stipulated amount (lump sum) to the supplier. Under the lump-sum contract, suppliers or contractors are required to a sign agreements stating that they will supply or provide specific services for a clearly stated and fixed price. This is done without regards to the actual expenses and other related costs incurred by the contractor. On the other hand, cost-plus involves a scenario whereby the client pays the contractor the actual cost of the project including cost of works done by the subcontractors and the main contractor. Other costs such as outgoings and the profit are included in this model. Contractors are required to procure all the trade deals by lump-sum competitive bid under this model. Contractors may take assignments of the subcontractors even though this is not very common in United States of America (Benton & McHenry, 2010).

Lump-sum contracts are often meant for reducing contract administration costs as well as design costs. In this case, contractors are required to submit a global and gross price rather than tendering for individual items. This model is very common in the construction and other related industries, particularly for small projects. All possible risks that may be encountered in the project are assigned to the contractor. Lump sum contract has numerous advantages such as posing the owner to lower risk, minimizing changes in orders, less supervision by the owner, and completion of the project over a short period. Its main disadvantages include posing the contractor to a higher risk, quantifying changes is difficult, owner rejecting changes in the order among others (Benton & McHenry, 2010).

Kellogg won the confidence of the Chinese government by selling their efficient ammonia and urea production technology in early 1970s. Demand for nitrogen in China had radically increased and Kellogg was among the top leading companies that had the expertise of handling such projects. In addition, among the companies that Kellogg was competing with was the Japanese firm, which was using Kellogg’s technological knowledge under a loyalty. This gave the company an upper hand over their competitors and won eight contracts in total concerning construction of ammonia plants.

References

Benton, W. C., & McHenry, L. F., (2010). Construction purchasing & supply chain management. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Blout, E., (1996). The power of boldness: Ten master builders of American industry tell their success stories. Washington, D.C: Joseph Henry Press.

Jeffers, J. O., (2003). Reflections: Glimpses of the past. Victoria, B.C: Trafford.

Sutton, G. P., (2005). History of liquid propellant rocket engines. Reston, Va: AIAA, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Memo; Political Policy Making Strategies

Memo; Political Policy Making Strategies

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Memo; Political Policy Making Strategies

The most important thing in enhancing success in the political field adapting sound strategies that results the accomplishment of the major objectives promised during the presidential campaign platform. The major actions during the ruling term determine the citizens’ reaction and interests. Proper scrutinizing of the projects and other policies that the ruling party promised the nation at the campaign background level is an essential technique of developing reliable strategies. However, it requires knowledge and skills as the experience all the times comes vital in determining success. It is right that the power is on the party hands you being the head, but what about the publics’ satisfaction who at this stance can be regarded as the customers. It comes to my acknowledgement that the presidential platform promised to put in place the innovative approaches that will significantly increase enormously the number of unorganized workers who join the union per year. Also, the other thing to be adhered to is shifting the balance of political power at the national and state levels to protect policies that improve the income, security and quality of life of working people whether union members or not. Coincidentally, these become the primary motifs that induced the motivation of putting extra efforts that could significantly grant the opportunity of deploying the knowledge and experience in the political field apart from only being a member as a way of taking part in establishing the party’s success (Milkman, 2006).Therefore, considering me to be one of the party’s policy advisor will a vital action in the process of achieving the objectives.

In politics, people are the key factors that lead to the delegate’s success. It is a definite yes answer that your will as the president is to serve the nation to the best and if possible stay on the seat for a maximum number of sessions a per the union’s constitution requirement. In these days, the civilians are very keen at looking at the ruling political party efficiency in putting its strategies in place, and its excellence motivates them to give the leader another opportunity by voting her or him another time during the upcoming general election. It is evident that at the end of this ruling session another delegate will rise with similar manifestos with an aim to emerge winners and enhance stiff competition (Kwak, 2017). However, by keeping and establishing the party’s manifesto, as well as other promises made during the campaign platform, will stand as the pillars of securing the leadership and people will turn out in large numbers to elect the active and dependable leader another time to bring change in the nation. The public puts in consideration the development in all dimensions regarding the economic, political and social perspective. It is crucial to note that leadership is not made to interfere with the peoples’ culture or to degrade their state of well-being but making their sound elements reliable as well as making sound rectification that will improve their living standards and national cohesion.

The fact remains that this national union is composed of around one million members where many of them tend to come from different sectors such as private institutions, different ethnicity and more significantly all genders are inclusive. The issues about gender inequality and racial segregation are sensitive matters not only at the national level but also at the union bases as a significant number of its members are from the low skilled jobs, women, and people of color. Therefore, in addressing the union’s policies, it is essential to ensure that all their rights are reserved as failing to do so will make them feel oppressed and may end up reacting furiously or ending their membership. The act of not enhancing equality and fairness in ruling might make these special groups fee; as is the societal segregation has been transformed into the union ending up with the notion they do not fit in the group. However, with proper consideration of their civil rights and involvement in the movement can be the best technique to keep the group moving and ensuring participation of all the members as well as other nonmembers involved in its activities in the community.

In every union, the political resources are significant in enhancing the political behavior through shaping as well as controlling the first decision makers in the public policies adopted by the group. The power resources are the bases and sources of political power that is significant in the allocation of the strategies that the members will value. Among the considerable power resources that the union has included political support and votes, regulation of a particular a portion of the economy, reputation and standing in the community, skills, information, and knowledge as well as the capital and other material possessions. It is right that the mentioned above have been prior put in place to empower the association, but how can there be an improvement regarding the union’s functionality as well as members and other peoples living standards (Judis, 2016). Among the power resources that the union will be capable of achieving include securing its economy enhancing its growth at the national level, improving the quality of life of the working people as well as improving peoples’ income and social security regardless of the race or gender.

Among the best things regarding the union’s functionality, is that it works at the national level where it is not only inclusive of only the dedicated members but also the nonmembers who might even be not willing to join it at any moment. With this, its repercussions are heard countrywide, and one cannot ignore the voices of the minority who in this instances tend to be the marginalized in the community. Therefore, in consideration of the power resources significant portion the political policy to be adhered to will result in the coverage of a substantial number of the objectives laid during the campaign process. In regulating a significant sector of the state’s economy, the union plays a vital role in enhancing the nation economic stability as well as its growth. Considering the enormous number of members as well as nonmembers who in a way or another benefit in the union’s existence, it plays an essential role of contributing to the gross domestic product of the country where every member of the states plays a part in its establishment. It builds a firm stand in the community that cannot at any instance be taken for granted as these community members are the ones resulting in its survivability.

The votes and other political support are among its most influential power resources that keep the union and will significantly determine its growth. Therefore, it is clear evidence that the leader’s productivity will evaluate her retention in the seat as the members will at rare instance retain a person who is not appropriately planning the political strategies. Information, skills, and knowledge are other empowering resources that the union has that at all the times enhances its development. Considering the relevant information relates to the social-economic and political know-how as they are the essential elements that determine the civilian’s state of well-being. At this stance, apart from advising the members on the innovative and other viable ideas that could lead to their state of well living, the union also interacts with the national government and other non-governmental organizations (Jaffe, 2016). To ensure proper running and fulfilling community development it must involve these other bodies as they also cover significant societal parts that touch the member of the public lives at large. After acquiring the right information, the union takes the appropriate actions that could lead to its development through the application of the knowledge and skills the policymakers and other involved bodies have regarding running political based movement.

The power resources that the union will have to acquire cannot be ignored as they are the critical drives in creating members incentives as well as in postulating the group’s potentiality. Quality improvement of the life of the working people as well as improving peoples’ income and social security is the fundamental elements have to the scrutinized appropriately in the political strategies. It is right that a significant number of the members tend to be people of color and the women as well as the people in the lower community level. These are the same people subjected to inequality and other social injustices in the society where they feel insecure as well as having a mere sense of belonging. Therefore, improving their living standards through economic empowerment is one of the best ways to make them develop and feel being part of the community. The people who frequently be victims of racial segregation whether in the place of work or accessing other social amenities such as learning institutions and health facilities can tell this well regarding the disparagement they incur. These issues have been there and the fact of the victims joining the union signifies that they have the hope that justice and equality are among the core principles based to its running.

Ensuring equal possibility of the white and people of color securing a similar job opportunity will be the aim of the union as all people have the capability and efficacy of being productive in the nation. The people defending inferior jobs such as construction are diminished in the community, but in this union, all are considered equal. It shows the public that every person in the society has the civil rights and there is freedom of expression and empowering others is the fundamental drive towards national growth. Women on the other side are a particular group that has been fighting for its equality rights since the independence era. It is evident that various improvements have been put in place today. However, their attention regarding gender representation must be considered. For instance, regarding the ruling panel gender equality must be found where a significant percentage of women must be included. They are useful in enhancing the coverage of the gender-sensitive projects as well as encouraging others in the community to work hard for their empowerment and proper living standards. Not only considering women empowerment at the workplace but also at the family level where they have to end male chauvinism as it has become an irritating threat to the society.

According to Jane F. McAlevey, she argues that change can only occur with adopting policies that consider the ordinary people at the basis of their struggles. Change is inevitable, and there are no shortcuts for a social change that can last for a long while (McAlevey, 2016). This signifies that the act of the Union putting into consideration the people at the low social class as well as the segregated regarding color and gender is sound and it effectively touches the roots of the community. With regards to McAlevey, it is the responsibility of the union to understand its sources of power to enhance effectiveness and proper running. Therefore, the analyses of the power resources are crucial as at the end it is the determiner of planned strategies efficiency. Furthermore, the public sector unions have the foreseeable future for the public agenda regarding gender and race equality as they have the capability of touching the local people at ease as well as in large numbers. Therefore, there are the active vessels to spread social cohesion in the society resulting in significant consideration of civil rights in all the sectors in the nation.

Reaching the working people who are not union members and those that are not likely to become members is a significant way of strengthening the political power as it involves them in mobilizing and organizing the political movement work. The “Big Organizing” by developed in the Bernie campaign puts it clear that there is a need for changing the no-profit and traditional campaign strategies that only considered the movement members (Bond & Exley 2016). This postulates that the best way of accomplishing the union’s objectives is not only through the use of movement members but also non-members who in many instances be pinpointing the flaws and niches that require extra attention. Bernie even put it right that the white people must understand that materiality support of the black people is a vital section of any political revolution. The nation has reached a level that all people must be involved in a movement regardless of the ethnicity as the people at the ground community level also counts in political development. Also, recruiting new people as well as putting in place training programs as the managerial responsibility increases are essential bits in enhancing union development. The administrative staff must not be the union members as there is need of diversification in the experience field as skilled people will come up with new technicalities efficient in the movement developed as well as taking responsibilities (Wilson-Hartgrove, 2016).

As discussed above, the decision of the union adopting appropriate strategies that enhance the empowerment of all people in the community regardless of the color or gender is useful in ensuring its development. It is the responsibility of the union to promote the people of the low social class in the society as they are significant power sources regarding votes as well as enhancing social cohesion and liberation. Gender equality must also be considered in the union’s ruling as it is a sensitive matter that dramatically affects national development. In policy making the members and nonmembers must be inclusively included as it helps in diversifying the managerial structure as well as the introduction of new viable ideas that are significant to the union’s development. Working together with the national government as well as other non-governmental organizations is vital in ensuring societal social-economic and political development.

References

Bond, B., & Exley, Z. (2016). Rules for revolutionaries: How big organizing can change everything.

Jaffe, S. (2016). Necessary trouble: Americans in revolt. Hachette UK.

Judis, J. B. (2016). The populist explosion: How the great recession transformed American and European politics. Columbia Global Reports.

Kwak, J. (2017). Economism: bad economics and the rise of inequality. Pantheon.

McAlevey, J. (2016). No shortcuts: Organizing for power in the new gilded age. Oxford University Press.

Milkman, R. (2006). LA story: Immigrant workers and the future of the US labor movement. Russell Sage Foundation.

Piore, M. J., & Sabel, C. F. (1986). The second industrial divide: possibilities for prosperity.

Wilson-Hartgrove, J. (2016). The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear. Beacon Press.

Membrane Transport

Membrane Transport

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Membrane transport involves the collection of various mechanisms to regulate the passage or movement of small molecules and solutes across the cell membrane. The mechanism by which molecules are transported into or out of the cell depends on whether the molecule is being absorbed by a macromolecule such as proteoglycan, protein or peptide, or is being excreted as a waste product.

The four main types or mechanisms of passive transport are filtration, facilitated diffusion, simple diffusion, and osmosis. Transport is sensed by the influx of a solute into the cell by any one or all of these mechanisms, depending on the molecule, then this will cause a number of signals to be made, which will start or stop a transport cycle. Transport is extremely important in maintaining homeostasis within living organisms. One example would be the transport of glucose, which is required for all living cells to survive and perform their functions. Insulin, which is produced by beta cells in an inactive state and stored in vesicles called granules located within its cell membrane.

Membrane transport also involves passive mechanisms where molecules are carried in one direction across the membrane without using any energy to move them along; these include diffusion and osmosis. Additionally, there are active transport processes that use energy to move those same molecules from place to place across the membrane; these include facilitated diffusion and carrier-mediated transport.

For active transport processes the particles pass from a lower concentration to a higher one across a cell membrane. For facilitated transport, the molecules already have sufficient surface charge to move through the membrane and are then actively transported. This is a very efficient mechanism as it uses relatively little energy.

Membrane transport can also be described as a process of entry into the cell followed by a process of exit from the cell, however, this does not completely describe membrane transport. The distinction between active and passive transport is made here mainly for clarity; in practice all three types occur simultaneously in all cells and systems in which molecules must cross membranes, excluding extremely small molecules. Transport occurs both ways across most membranes (inside to outside or outside to inside).

Exocytosis and endocytosis are the main bulk transport processes that are used in eukaryotes. Exocytosis is a process by which signals from either outside or inside of the cell initiate exocytic vesicles, which transport molecules out of the cell. In contrast, endocytosis is used by cells to absorb extracellular molecules into vesicles that form within the cells and then travel through the cell’s membrane. This process closely resembles exocytosis in that it requires an extracellular signal for it to occur as well as a lipid bilayer with receptors on its surface for targeting molecules within a specific range.

The major similarities between passive transport process and active transport process is that both passive transport process and active transport process happen in cells. Passive transport process usually occurs in the lumen of cells, while active transport process usually involves moving solutes against their concentration gradient across a cell membrane. In passive transport, the energy needed for movement is provided by osmotic pressure (difference in solute concentration) or energy released by ATP molecules. Active Transport requires a high amount of energy whereas passive transports requires little to no energy. There is a concentration gradient required for active transport whereas there are no concentrations necessary for passive transportation.

The major differences between passive transport process and active transport process are that unlike passive transport, active transport is a specific type of cellular movement in which substrate or solute molecules move against their concentration gradient. This is done with the help of proteins embedded in a biological membrane. In contrast, many substances can go through a membrane by diffusion as long as their net concentration (concentration on both sides) is equal to or higher than that at equilibrium outside the cell (allowing water to pass through).

Reference

Stillwell, W. (2016). Membrane transport—Chap. 19. An introduction to biological membranes: Composition, structure and function, 423-451.