National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Essay Example for Free

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Essay The case analyses the dynamics of high performance teams using the example of Jeff Gordon’s racing team, a member of National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). Jeff Gordon was often described as a racing sensation, winning 40 individual races in a four year period. While Gordon was a star and a brand, few spectators knew that his outstanding performance should have been to a large extent attributed to his team consisting of more than a hundred of committed individuals, Rainbow Warriors pit crew, and supervised by visionary team leader, Ray Evernham. According to expert opinion, there are three key ingredients that provide for success in car racing, namely people, equipment and money. While cars and equipment are made approximately even in performance in order to make racing more competitive and spectacular, it is up to pilot and his crew to gain an advantage over the opponents. Effectiveness of Rainbow Warriors pit crew gave Gordon on average a one-second advantage with each pit stop. Ray Evernham managed to gather and develop such an outstanding crew by applying several important principles of group work management. He fostered group cohesion by a variety of methods and believed that sound preparation, ego less teamwork, and original strategizing are the inherent components of success in car racing. In his view, the emphasis should have been on team performance rather than individual performance. In case of a victory, prize money were distributed among all members of the crew; more importantly, the money earned by Evernham through speaking tours and autograph signings were also shared. In 1999, Ray Evernham resigned to start his own organization. Brian Whitesell took over as the crew leader on an interim basis; despite his academic qualifications, he was unable to lead the crew in the way Ray Evernham was. Robbie Loomis became the permanent crew chief, and during six months of the turbulent transition period Gordon haven’t won a single race. However, Loomis was able to deliver a strategic turnaround and ensure Gordon’s continuous success. Answers to Review Questions As concerns the philosophy behind high performance teams, Ray Evernham’s three principles (preparation, ego less teamwork, and innovations in strategizing) are universally applicable in any organization. Evernham was successful in implementing these principles in practice by encouraging teamwork, recognizing that ‘team IQ’ was greater than IQ of any individual member, and promoting cohesion through such practices as a ‘circle of strength’ when all team members sit in a circle facing each other as a symbol of their collective strength. People, management, and psychology came together under his leadership to ensure superiority over the opponents’ performance. The emphasis on continuous learning made it possible to stay ahead for many seasons in a row. However, Evernham also warned against excessive perfectionism that might have been unproductive. Honest acknowledgement of strength and weaknesses and strive for improvement were sufficient to secure a place on top. This is interrelated to yet another principle used by Evernham, namely keeping the egos in check and not boasting any technical or strategic privileges in front of the opponents. The time when a successful leader is replaced by somebody else is a test of group’s cohesiveness and commitment. The downside of the transition period is reduced efficiency and increased entropy. However, the advantage is associated with the fact that such a situation allows the team to reinvent itself to become even stronger and more cohesive, especially if a transformational leader arrives to manage the team. Summary for Managers There are several important implications for managers that stem from the analysis of this case. First of all, the principles which are applied to boost team performance are more or less universal. Focus on teamwork and organizational learning is crucial. The case study clearly states that high performance teams do not emerge by themselves – they require an effective recruiting strategy and attention to learning every detail of the work process. Attributing success and failure to the entire group rather than individual members has proven to increase the group’s performance and motivation. The second important implication has to do with group cohesiveness. When skills and knowledge of all group members combine in a way that exceeds the sum of knowledge of all individual members, the synergy effect can be observed, i. e. the system as a whole has certain qualities its elements do not have. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to pay attentive to group cohesion so that exceptional results can be achieved with limited human resources available in each organization. The third implication concerns team performance in the times of change. The case clearly demonstrates that both leadership and teamwork are equally important for success. With no strong leadership, Gordon’s team was not able to deliver outstanding results. However, the speed at which it was able to regain its position suggests that there were certain qualities of a team that made it possible to succeed even after a change of leadership style. A cohesive team can function efficiently under any talented leader due to close ties between team members and unique group culture that promotes continuous learning and shared responsibility.

Structure of an Organization Essay Example for Free

Structure of an Organization Essay Organization structure refers to the method which the organization utilizes to distribute its workers and jobs across the organization so that the tasks of the organization can be performed and the goals of the organization be achieved. Therefore, there exists a number of such structures e.g. divisional, multidivisional, matrix or functional structure. This paper evaluates the usefulness of functional and multidivisional structures. Gareth Jones (2007) defined the organizational structure as the total number of ways whereby the workforce of the organization is distributed into different tasks and their coordination then is realized among such tasks. Adner Levinthal (2001) observed that the way in which organization structure evolves is as a result of the shift in competition from innovation in product to innovation in process. This change, as the market for the products or service of the firm grows, causes the structure of the firm to grow as well and may therefore turn from functional to multidivisional. Utterback Abernathy (1975) observed that after an organization is formed it compete with other organizations in the market on the basis of its differentiation strategy. They start off on the basis of product differentiation and as they grow further, they change their focus from product alone to cost differentiation strategy as well as economies of scale. This leads them to invest more in the manufacturing process and other processes to make their product stand out as a specialized one. Tushman Anderson (1986) observed that this process may not be uniform every time. Some technological or technical discontinuity might cause this process to halt and thus start it all over again. They further observed that some companies may also focus on process innovation to stand out against competitors e.g. Toyota. However, other companies might like to continue on the basis of differentiation strategy e.g. BMW. Therefore, the lifecycle model represents a significant framework for organizations to devise their strategies and the processes they need to focus on in various competitive environments (Oster, 1994; Porter, 1980) Utterback Abernathy (1975) also defined the ways whereby the evolution process of the organization shapes up  the strategies of the firms. Gort Klepper (1982) gave effect to lifecycle model of industries by employing microeconomics supply side rationales as well as evolutionary economics. They nevertheless derived the same results. They too observed that organizations evolved first on the basis of product differentiation and on the basis of functional model and gradually shifted towards the increase in the number of firms under their auspices. When they reach at the peak they have a number of firms under their umbrella which require for a more in-depth management causing them to shift towards divisional management. This stage is called the maturity stage of the organization. This is the stage when the firm is stable from low level to the top (Utterback Suarez, 1993). Lifecycle theories all agree that organizations start on the basis of competitive strategies and as they evolve their structure experiences change. The early stage of any organization witnesses product innovation. The organizations usually focus on bringing innovation in a product that they launch in the market to distinguish it from the rest. The product is designed as per the latest needs of the consumer but existing needs are also satisfied by the product. Utterback Abernathy, 1975 They then gave the examples of the product innovation in market by organizations i.e. the new products which were launched in market to compete with existing products on the basis of innovation and meeting the latest needs of the consumers e.g. AC systems were introduced to compete with DC systems and internal combustion engines were introduced to c ompete with steam engines. Utterback Abernathy (1978) observed that in the initial stages when the product is being launched by the new organization, that organization is usually of small structure and the aim of such organization is to respond in a fast paced manner to the demands of the customers. However, when the firms get to the stage of maturity, they focus on the improvement of the process along with that of the product. They then involve the employment of latest technology and produce a dominant product e.g. AC systems came up as a dominant product compared to DC systems and internal combustion engines came up as dominant products as compared to steam engines. This transition from product innovation to innovation in process along with the product causes most of the organizations to change their structures so that new capabilities can be acquired by them. Talha (2005) described functional structure of the  organization as the one which involves the people being grouped together in a tight group to pe rform same activities or utilize same technologies and in the same department. This is therefore usually the structure of smaller organizations. This structure has its own weaknesses and strengths. Jones (2007) observed that functional structure represents that design of the organizational structure whereby the people involved possess common expertise, skills and resources. The aim of organizations structured in this manner is to enhance their effectiveness so that their goals can be achieved by them. Jones (2007) said that the main advantage of this type of structure is that people work closely together so they work in a team like manner and have the opportunity to learn from each other. They tend to be more specialized over time as well as productive. Since they possess same expertise and skills therefore they can also supervise each other conveniently. This enhances the effectiveness of the organization. Brews (2004) observed that functional structures first started to appear in 20th century when the industrial age started to emerge. The main concern for the management in that age was the efficiency of the organizations. The functional structure involved few managers which were at top while at bottom there were people. These people were organized as per the activity they used to perform. Authority was descended onto from top to bottom. However, despite the advantages enunciated above, there were also problems related to the functional structure. These were mostly two fold i.e. they involved communication and control problems. With the growth of the organizations and with the growth in its units and people, it became difficult to communicate since people and units became distant from each other in the same organization and it became difficult to measure the capability of the groups with few managers. It also gave rise to location problem i.e. it became difficult to locate every unit at one place while on the other hand if they were located at different locations it again gave rise to communication problems. (Jones, 2007) The control problem related to the management of wider number of people and units within the organization. It became difficult to control a large number of people possessing different skills as per the needs of the organization by same little number of managers. It also became difficult to gauge the problems and demands of the customers as the organizations grew as managers were busy in finding ways to coordinate with  widespread units/people while having little time to pay heed to customer queries, etc. Therefore, as organizations grew they started to get divided in various divisions with each division having its own management system. Each division then could have its own functional management system. This is what is referred to as multidivisional structure. (Jones, 2007) Such multidivisional structures arose due to different types of people working in the same organization, having had the need to establish different units in the organization to meet customer demand s and develop innovative products, increased integration and increased vertical differentiation. In such instances organizations usually gave effect to multi divisional structure to meet the management needs of the organization. The focus of the multi divisional structure is to create small divisions within the organization with each division having its own management. Robbins (2009) observed that in multi divisional structures, each unit of the organization usually has its own management which is structured on a functional pattern. He believed that multidivisional structure is viable for those organizations whereby the same product requires different parts to be assembled to form one product and that such product is sold in various markets. Jones (2007) said that at the heart of the multi divisional structure is the corporate headquarter which is entrusted with overseeing the managers of each division of the organization. A number of Fortune 500 companies e.g. Nestle, General Motors, Pepsi Co and Coca Cola have multi divisional structures. Dessler (2004) observed that the main feature of the multi divisional structure is that the organization is â€Å"departmentalized†. He said when an organization grows successfully and a number of other brands also comes under its auspices e.g. as there are a number of brands acquired by Coca Cola over time, then it has to maintain different units for different purposes. For example, the unit entrusted with the responsibility to find marketing channels in USA may lack the competency to find marketing channels in Europe or China in which instance it would be a separate unit having such responsibilities. Each region would thus have its own unit but of the same organization and each unit may have its own management structure as well. Ireland (et al. 2011) observed that functional structure is relevant and appropriate for smaller organizations and for those organizations which have just begun their operations. They gave example of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. that the store started  off with functional structure in the beginning and progressed further. Moreover, Ireland (et al. 2011) also argued that one cannot apply the same structure to each organization. It is the circumstances of each company and organization which dictate the need for the relevant structure. Thus, organizational structure represents the fashion in which organization organizes itself from top to bottom. It may be functional in the starting when the organization has just begun its operation while it may be multidivisional when the organization is huge in terms of its operations, products and services such as Fortune 500 companies. Bibliography Adner Levinthal (2001): Demand heterogeneity and technology evolution: implications for product and process innovation. Management Science 47: 611-628. Brews (2004): Exploring the Structural Effects of Internetworking. Strategic Management Journal, 25(5), 429–452 Dessler (2004): Management: Principles and Practices for Tomorrow’s Leaders. USA: Pearson Education Gort Klepper (1982): â€Å"Time Paths in the Diffusion of Product Innovations,† Economic Journal 92(3) (1982), 630-653 Ireland (et al. 2011): The Management of Strategy Concepts and Cases. USACANADA: South-Western Jones (2007): Organizational theory, design, and change (6th Ed) Prentice Hall Oster (1994): Modern Competitive Analysis. Oxford University Press: New York. Porter (1980): Competitive Advantage. Free Press: New York. Talha (2005): Organizational structure. Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Tushman Anderson (1986): Technological discontinuities and dominant designs: a cyclical model of technological change. Administrative Science Quarterly 35: 604-633 Utterback Abernathy (1975): A dynamic model of process and product innovation. Omega 3:639-656. Utterback Suarez (1993): Innovation, competition, and industry structure. Research Policy 22:1-21

Childrens Understanding of Food And Nutrition

Childrens Understanding of Food And Nutrition There has been much attention paid to the diet of children in the media of late as concerns about childhood obesity continue to grow as more incidences are reported; a search on the web reveals results of about 80,600 for childhood obesity news items (0.32 seconds) (web search conducted on 14th April 2010). As food intake has an obvious link to obesity the article investigating school childrens knowledge and awareness of food and nutrition may provide insights to this situation and perhaps offer suggestions to remedies that might improve childrens diets. The literature in this study is comprehensive citing work from the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. All of these countries are English speaking countries with a Western diet and lifestyle so any comparisons drawn from the study of Surrey schoolchildren could bear relevance on the issues discussed. Authors from Health Education Authorities and writers from nutritional education and medical backgrounds contribute work that dates from 1980 to 2001. As the article is dated 2002 some of the information may now be outdated regarding the guidelines provided by health authorities and the programmes of study contained in the Primary School curriculum in the UK at 2010 which has undergone changes and is now known as the National Strategy that incorporates food and nutrition education throughout the cross curricular themes and especially in the health education element of physical education. The literature covers a wide variety of topics pertaining to the investigation including quantitative information resulting from diet and nutrition surveys (Gregory et al, 2000), food guidelines (Department of Health,1998; FAO/WHO, 1998) and qualitative information from research conducted by various authors (Birch, 1980; Dobson et al., 1994; De Bourdeaudhuij, 1997). All literature was fully referenced to allow the reader to follow up points of interest or to verify facts and validate claims. The aims of the study were to elicit childrens understanding of: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ aspects of parental control over food choices and food rules that interact with food provision; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ how diet and diseases are connected, specifically dental health and obesity; and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ the categorization of food into groups and the schemes children use to do this. The methods used for this investigation are clearly stated; they are based on the population coming from the percentage of Free School Meals (%age FSM) as an indicator of socio-economic status (SES) for 7-11 year olds in Guildford, Surrey. Following a grouping of the quartiles of %age FSM entitlement, a judgmental selection or systematic random sample was made from the top and bottom ends of the calculated figures. Children at either end of the age scale were chosen to provide a clear comparison between attitudes relevant to age and within the sample the sample framing was randomly achieved by selecting the identified category through single gender alphabetical listing from registration rolls. Thus seven girls and seven boys were selected from each participant school with reserves in case any child should drop out or be unavailable. Motivation and understanding form the two criteria being investigated regarding food choices by this pre-adolescent age group. Though the study is limited to a small number of participants, 390 in all, it is hoped that generalisations might be made regarding the greater population. Focus group discussions were used to obtain data with open-ended questions (as prompts) on four core topics providing the instrument to be used by the same moderator for each group. Audio recordings were made of the discussions for transcription and narrative analysis. The moderator also expanded, where necessary, with further verbal explanation to stimulate discussion. Although the sample was refined and the questions pre-set, the group discussion method may not offer valid results as the language skills of children may vary greatly and prompting may have contained leading questions that could skew results. The analysis involved putting emerging themes into categories from participant quotes by two separate investigators working blind on the data sources. As the information related to groups rather than individuals, the unit of a nalysis had to be the group and therefore possibly a dominant voice which is a weakness in this investigation. The researchers also state that descriptive summaries form the basis of the analysis and that, No formal statistical tests were applied to the data, which are qualitative in nature. The lack of formal statistical results is another weakness as a more structured questionnaire might have provided a means of analysis with testable results. Using something like a Likert scale to show greater or lesser agreement with statements might have allowed this particular survey/investigation to be used elsewhere with independent interviewers over a much larger sample, both in numbers and geographically. Perhaps also employing stratification in the sampling would reveal clearer perceptions and attitudes specific to age groups and gender to separate the SES variable in responses. This study aimed to gain an insight into the current awareness of nutritional issues amongst primary school children and the language they use in association with these topics. This statement contained within the article does not uphold the original aims (mentioned earlier in paragraph 3) and so the integrity of this piece is compromised by the introduction of language as a contributory factor to the outcome. None of the quotes or analysis statements qualifies fat as being overweight/obese/health risk. The focus group methodology proved successful in achieving this objective with a number of key themes emerging from the discourse which will be used to feed into the development of food based dietary guidelines for children. As the objective failed to mention the influence of language in its parameters this statement also fails to uphold the original aims. Despite stating, By using qualitative methodology, it was anticipated that the full range of responses would be captured whilst avo iding pigeonholing this dynamic population with pre-existing beliefs. Analysis was designed to examine how these areas of enquiry varied with gender, age and SES, the arguments presented are based on a subjective analysis that assessed the quotes on implied testimony and what the authors thought the children meant in their responses. There are obviously difficulties and barriers to overcome when collecting qualitative data and considering the language element and the limitations on verbalisation particularly from younger children, the questions presented should perhaps have been more sympathetic to their cognitive ability and been supported by visual stimulus with foodstuffs and outcomes shown as picture alternatives that could be chosen to express the consequences of certain choices rather than relying on verbal language alone. Particularly as the research was addressing SES as a contributory factor to eating habits and knowledge and understanding of food the researchers failed to take into account the effect SES might have on the ability to express well any intended meaning which ultimately is open to interpretation by the investigators. Although food-health links were reported more frequently by low as compared with high SES groups, the former were less likely to be correct in the associations made (44 and 84% correct for low and high SES groups, respectively). Gender differences in the accuracy of food-health and food-nutrient links were also apparent (85% correct for girls and 65% correct for boys). The article does provide a foundation for further study but the methods used, especially the design of the instrument, need further refinement to eliminate other influences on the outcomes. As the article is presented by the Centre for Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK it would be reasonable to expect greater consideration to be given to the educational inconsistencies and language skill and ability to effectively articulate particularly when the literature contains references to Piaget, the Department of Education and Employment, childrens interpretation of nutritional messages and Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research. The authors do admit, Our sample was drawn from a narrow demographic population and so these results cannot be generalized to the British primary school population as a whole. And they further state, The focus group methodology itself has both advantages and disadvantages when a pplied to this age group. Although it did allow the children more freedom to express their opinions, highlighting language and trains of thought which would not have been covered by a more structured approach, a number of the children were reluctant to take up the opportunity to discuss topics, being content with short, succinct answers. In these cases, probing by the moderator inevitably results in more direct questioning and the potential for unintentionally leading questions. Similarly, the problem of children parroting learned responses or those, which they perceive to be correct regardless of personal beliefs, has been raised by other researchers (Lytle et al., 1997). The frequency of apparently accurate food classifications in the current study that were not substantiated by correct justifications would support this phenomenon. Rather than seeing differences in attitude in direct correlation to SES the research discovered that gender difference was the biggest factor in the st udy. The findings report, the need to develop cognitively appropriate age and gender specific food based dietary guidelines for children. Though this may be interesting it was not part of the initial objective or aim of the research and in writing this article there should have been a clearer definition of the expectations and how extraneous variables were to be controlled. The questions used did not address how much information the children had received from their studies in school but assumed that much of the information was gained from peers, TV advertising and parents. There should have been a comparison with the knowledge already delivered (if not learned) at the Key Stages from the curriculum with the information expressed from the children and a clear differentiation between where they gained their information from. Dental health came across as a knowledgeable area which is unsurprising as it is delivered as part of the curriculum from nursery age but elements of healthy livi ng like heart disease etc are not addressed until much later in the school programme of study.

Love and Freedom Essay -- Love Freedom Psychology Philosophy essays

Love and Freedom What is love? Is it something we do or something we can know? Some classify love as something that you feel for some people sometimes. It is often linked or used interchangeably with lust. Others feel that it is something that is constant and untouched by judgement and feeling. The only common denominator for love is that it is something that is desirable; it is something that we want. So what do people want? Many philosophies pose answers; but those answers frequently lead to more questions. Examining Sartre’s idea of love from Being and Nothingness, we find a love that is an action in the form of a project. The goal of the project is to attain a totality of being through the use of another. This differs from the love outlined by Socrates in Plato’s Symposium. Through Socrates, Plato characterizes love as a desire to partake in the beautiful for the purpose of gaining happiness. Sartre states that love is an engagement in an impossible project. Plato, whil e agreeing that the task is not easy, feels quite differently that love is attainable. This paper seeks to find they areas where the two philosophies overlap, hoping that an even better definition or goal of love can be reached. In order to understand Sartre’s idea of love, we must first examine his ontology. This will lead us to why love is sought. First, there is a distinction between what is free and what is determined: our consciousness exists as a freedom, for-itself, that can transcend any element that is not part of the present consciousness. The human being is a freedom that is able to detach itself through a â€Å"nihilating withdrawal.†[1] This means that the person who talks with others and lives in the world with people can choo... ...rans. Hazel. E. Barnes, Washington Square Press Pub., 1965, specifically term â€Å"nihilating withdrawal† pp.58 and 61, discussion in between [2] B&N, p. 68 [3] B&N, p. 72 top [4] B&N p.69—parenthesis added [5] B&N p. 72-73 [6] B&N p. 99 [7] B&N p.106 [8] B&N p.138 [9] B&N p. 139 [10] B&N p. 144 [11] B&N p. 475 [12] Plato, The Symposium, from The Collected Dialogues of Plato, trans. Michael Joyce, Princeton Univ. Press,1989, p.555 or 203 b-d [13] Symposium, p. 556-57 or 204 b-e [14] Symposium, p. 557-58 or 205 d-e [15] Symposium, p. 558 or 206 e [17] Symposium, p. 562 or 210-211 c [18] Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism, excerpted from Walter Kaufman, Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, Meridian, 1989, p. 348 [19] B&N p. 136 [20] B&N p. 364 [21] B&N p. 534 [22] B&N p. 358

Ablutophobia: The Fear of Washing and Bathing :: essays research papers fc

Ablutophobia The Fear of Washing or Bathing   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ablutophobia, defined as the fear of washing, bathing and cleaning is an intense fear that poses no or little danger. Just thinking about bathing could cause a number of symptoms such as: breathlessness, dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, feeling sick, shaking, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think clearly, a fear of dying, becoming mad or losing control, a sensation of detachment from reality or even an anxiety attack. Most people who are suffering from the phobia are surprised when they find out that they aren’t alone. Ablutophobia is surprisingly common. It is caused by the mind as a protective mechanism. From some point in the past there was a traumatic event linking with washing, bathing or cleaning. It could have also been formed from a realistic scare or even from movies, TV or seeing someone else experience trauma. Some people who suffer experience it all the time and some others experience it in just direct situations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Not only does it effect your health and quality of life but, Ablutophobia can have a severe effect on anyone that works or is in school; living with the fear can make it hard to concentrate on something and fully give your best. Ablutophobia can cause a loss of tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime due to lost opportunities, poor performance or grades, or promotions that pass you by.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are two different treatments for Ablutophobia; the ever popular temporarily suppress the phobia with potent, prescribed medicine, and therapy, self-help treatment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The medicinal treatment of Ablutophobia is only a temporary treatment to cover up the fear or make the person think that they are being medicated to not be scared anymore. The therapy treatment is more common and there are a few different therapeutic treatments. One is working with a practitioner to train the unconscious mind to connect different, positive feelings with the situation that triggers the phobia. After this you can stop the root of the fear of cleaning, bathing and washing. Another way is through a one day or sometimes, but rarely, a 1-6 day treatment program. Since I could not find a case study of a patient I added a psychologist specializing in phobias discovery that is quoted from one of my sources.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"A few years ago a scientist specializing in phobias like Ablutophobia made an amazing discovery.

Sam Shepard Essay -- Biography Biographies Essays

Sam Shepard Sam Shepard is a contemporary American playwright and actor whose plays deal with modern social concerns. He was influenced by Beat Generation writers such as Allen Ginsberg who rebelled against a society of economic affluence and social conformity following World War II. Insatiable consumerism became a central trait of postwar life, "driven by the mass media, advertising, and generous loan terms" ("Sam Shepard"). From this atmosphere the Beat Writers came forward to declare their alienation from what they saw as the "creed of suburban conformity in favor of what Ginsberg called ‘the lost America of love’" ("Sam Shepard"). It was from this generation of writers that Shepard was inspired to address the issues of alienation from society, loss of identity and the deterioration of the family structure. The themes explored by Shepard may be described as "the picture of America torn between the idealistic values and painful realities of a frontier paved over by a parking lot" ("Sam Shepard") . In other words, progress and change are destroying the collective values of America as the former replaces the latter. Having grown up in the 50’s and 60’s, a period of social metamorphosis, Shepard must have observed for himself that the apple-pie family of popular culture was far different from the changing face of society’s real life family whose members struggle for identity and connection. As television presented an idealization of suburban family life, reality suggested otherwise. Shepard is known for his oblique story lines, slightly mysterious characters, and use of surreal elements with images of popular culture ("Sam Shepard"). The majority of his plays deal with the betrayal of the American dream, the search for ... ...iculate enough to compose his thoughts, and Austin does not have the adventurous spirit to survive in the desert. Therefore, they realize their identities are not found in each other. The characters in each of these plays grapple for identity and connection, which Shepard recognizes as true in modern American families. As they assert themselves, family tension is the result and the Brady Bunch dream is only that: a dream. Works Cited Gilman, Richard. Sam Shepard: Seven Plays. Introduction. New York: Bantam Books, 1981. xi-xxvii. "Sam Shepard." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99. Microsoft Corporation. 1993-1998. Shepard, Sam. Sam Shepard: Seven Plays. New York: Bantam Books, 1981. Williams, Megan. "Nowhere Man and the Twentieth-Century Cowboy: Images of Identity and American History in Sam Shepard’s True West." Modern Drama. 40 (Spring 1997): 57-73.

Six Sigma Methodology – DMAIC

Introduction to Six SigmaIn the current scenario of planetary competition, the quality, abilities and cognition gives a competitory border to an administration over other administration. It is now an cosmopolitan truth that the end sheet of an administration comprises of end to go universe category maker. Six Sigma methodological analysis is renowned to accomplish these above mentioned ends. The administration that has potency to acquire clients delighted by supplying good quality merchandises and services has the possible to rule over other administrations ( Snee RD, 2004 ) . Harmonizing to General Electric CEO Jack Welch, Six Sigma is â€Å"the most ambitious and potentially rewarding enterprise we have of all time undertaken† ( Breyfogle, 1999 ) . The initial flicker of Six Sigma started in fabrication industries and hints of its application can be traced out in fiscal services, health care ( Snee, 2003 ) . The Six Sigma attack is a systematic attack which follows a predefined tract to better the procedure capableness. Six Sigma methodological analysis is a statistically based attack to minimise fluctuation therefore cut downing defects. Statistical representation of Six Sigma shows the spread of the procedure over a predefined graduated table demoing how good a procedure is executing. Six Sigma methodological analysis focuses on â€Å"processes† . Expected result of a procedure has a step called â€Å"Mean† . Expected result of a procedure has some fluctuation in it. Sigma degree is step of that fluctuation ( Kaushik, et.al. , 2008 ) . It is deserving observing that Six Sigma has got some fuel left in it and it is still constructing impulse with any mark of allowing up ( Hoerl, 2004 ) . Six Sigma novices as a concern scheme and ends with top-down execution, ensuing in impact on net incomes if successfully implemented ( Salzmen et.al. , 2002 ) . Six Sigma purpose is to accomplish 3.4 defects per million chances ( DPMO ) with merely one premise i.e. the procedure average displacement by every bit much as 1.5 standard divergences off the mark ( Walters, 2005 ) . A individual defect chance is a procedure failure that consequences in critical to quality issue to client ( Linderman et.al. , 2003 ) . Harmonizing to Voelkel et.al. , ( 2002 ) , Six Sigma blends right direction, fiscal and methodological elements to do betterment in procedure every bit good as merchandises. Harmonizing to Tomkins ( 1997 ) , Six Sigma is a plan aimed at the close riddance of defects from every merchandise, procedure and dealing. Sig Sigma provides a tract to implement cultural alteration throughout the administration. Large companies are happening six sigma methodological analysis utile in development of corporate concern programs. Business program developed utilizing this methodological analysis rules will take to single undertakings to better the person processes which will hold impact for the company. Both facets acts as a accelerator for cultural alteration and will reflect an individual’s attempts straight over the corporate aims. Six Sigma is a information driven and structured programme that works at a company’s foundation to steer its manner towards making operational excellence ( Darshak, 2008 ) . Six Sigma is an integrating of statistical thought and statistical technology into an bing system of technology application ( Shung et.al. 2012 ) . THE SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGY Six Sigma is based on DMAIC methodological analysis which is an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control, it contains a systematic attack to look into the procedure from get downing to coating of the procedure. Six Sigma is a systematic application to better procedure by using the power of different statistical tools which measures the procedures and analyses them to cut down the fluctuation from end product of that procedure ( Gaddam et. al. , 2005 ) . DMAIC comprises of five stages with each stage holding its ain set of tools and deliverables. These five stages are shown in figure 1. The cardinal procedures and cardinal tools that are used in these five stages are shown in table 1. Figure1: DMAIC procedure The Six Sigma practicians assess procedure public presentation utilizing Defects per million chances ( DPMO ) and sigma degree. The Six Sigma is a powerful concern scheme due to the tools used in this are holding direct linkage to concern aims and precedences. If the methodological analysis used is non robust plenty, the solution obtained will non be right and there is a possibility that the job will demo its root once more sooner or later ( Kaushik et. al. , 2008 ) .PhaseKEY TOOLSKEY PROCESSESDEFINEUndertaking Charter Pareto Chart Procedure flow diagram SIPOC diagramSpecify the squad Team charter Brainstorming Specify the demands and outlooks of the client Specify the undertaking boundariesMeasureGauge R & A ; R Statistical procedure controlDevelop a information aggregation program Collect and compare informations Measure the procedure to fulfill customer’s needANALYZEFishbone diagram Process capableness analysis Hypothesis trials Arrested development analysis Failure manner & A ; effects analysisDetermine the fluctuation in the procedure Analyze the fishbone diagram Choice of right hypothesis Prioritize chances for future bettermentIMPROVEDesign of experiment Confirmation and proof surveiesDevelop originative options Better the procedure to extinguish fluctuationsControlControl chartsDevelop a program to supervise and command the improved procedure Control procedure fluctuationsTable 1: DMAIC key tools and procedures We can besides do a procedure flow diagram for execution of Six Sigma methodological analysis as it is a procedure in itself. The procedure flow diagram of Six Sigma methodological analysis is shown in figure 2. Figure 2: Procedure flow diagram of Six Sigma methodological analysis DEFINE PHASE The chief aim of Define stage of DMAIC is to descry the undertaking chance and to formalize that it possesses a breakthrough potency. It is desirable that the undertaking or procedure selected be of import to both client and concern. If the administration has developed its ain concern schemes, the job should be under any of the schemes. Different degree of administration has their set of ends to accomplish. At the managerial degree or top direction degree, the end is to accomplish high return on investing. At the operations degree, end might be to increase the production of the procedure. At the undertaking degree, ends might be to increase the productiveness by cut downing defect degree. One of the first points that sparks the induction of define stage is project charter. This is a papers that contains all the description of the undertaking i.e. range, start and finish day of the months, possible benefits to client, possible fiscal benefits to administration, squad members and their functions, and inside informations of any extra resources that will be utile during the undertaking. The charter should besides turn to the customer’s critical-to-quality features ( CTQs ) that are impacted by the undertaking. The job statement of the undertaking should depict the symptoms of the job non the antecedently known solution or possible causes. The squad should hold sufficient sum of members in it depending upon the undertaking. Each member must make his ain work within the clip provided for that work in the undertaking charter. Use of graphical tools is done in define stage ; some of the commonly used tools include pareto chart, histogram, pie chart, procedure flow diagram ( PFDs ) , value watercourse function ( VSM ) and SIPOC ( Supplier/Input/Process/Output/Customer ) diagrams. These tools provide ocular item and AIDSs in understanding about what needs to be changed in the procedure. The squad will necessitate to fix an action program for the following stage of DMAIC i.e. Measure stage. This readying must include single work assignments and probationary completion day of the months for the following stage. Before traveling to following stage, the squad demand to fix a reappraisal points on which reappraisal would be done. These reappraisal points must go to to these undermentioned:Does the job statement focal point on symptoms of the job?Does job statement contain possible causes or solutions?Does the undertaking has sufficient sum of fiscal impact?Have any obstructions come so far in the manner?A high degree SIPOC map completed or non?A procedure flow diagram completed or non?Proper justification made for undertaking choice or non?Is the team’s action program for Measure stage of DMAIC realistic?MEASURE PHASE The chief aim of Measure stage of DMAIC is to measure the current province of procedure. All the informations needed during the undertaking is collected in this stage on steps of quality, cost and rejection of the procedure. It is of import to make the listing of procedure input variables and procedure end product variables. Process input variables and procedure end product variables must be carefully defined and measured during the Measure stage. One of the of import undertakings is to make up one's mind what and how much sufficient informations is needed to make thorough analysis and apprehension of current procedure. There is pick for informations aggregation i.e. historical informations and current informations. Sometimes the historical information may be deficient as the history can be uncomplete, methods for record maintaining alterations from clip to clip. The current information is holding the same system that is followed today and demand to be rectified. We can besides state the optimal method for informations aggregation is partly from historical informations and partly from current informations. Problem can be selected through historical informations and now farther current informations can be used for informations fiting and analysis. From Gauge R & A ; R survey, the per centum fluctuation for the procedure can be calculated. CTQs of the procedure are identified so that it will be easy to concentrate Six Sigma on countries that will take to greater client satisfaction. In this we have to set up valid and dependable prosodies to assist monitoring advancement towards the defined ends. At the terminal of Measure stage, the squad should update the undertaking charter if required, re-examine the ends and re-evaluate squad. The squad should include new members if they will be valuable in following stages of DMAIC. The squad can besides do few speedy wins extinguishing some non value added stairss in the procedure. The squad will necessitate to fix an action program for the following stage of DMAIC i.e. Analyze stage. Before traveling to following stage, the squad demand to fix a reappraisal points on which reappraisal would be done. These reappraisal points must go to to these undermentioned:Are CTQ features identified?Does Process input and end product variables are listed?Procedure capableness must be documented.Any premises, if any must be documented.Performance criterions defined or non?ANALYZE PHASE The chief aim of Analyze stage of DMAIC is to reason the likely causes of the quality jobs, defects, rhythm clip. It is of import to sort causes in two ways i.e. common causes and conveyable causes. Removal of common cause is done by agencies of altering the procedure and remotion of conveyable cause is done by agencies of riddance of a specific job. The stage begins with benchmarking merchandise public presentation against the best-in-class so that new marks can be set. In analyze stage, statistical tools every bit good as conventional quality techniques like brainstorming, fishbone diagram, root cause analysis, hypothesis testing, procedure capableness analysis, design of experiment ( DOE ) , arrested development analysis, two sample t trial, one sample t trial, failure manners and consequence analysis ( FMEA ) , graphical tools may be used for transporting out analysis. Process capableness analysis is done to mensurate the sigma degree and defects per million chances ( DPMO ) . One can easy happen out the available sum of chances for betterment in the procedure. These Analyze tools are used for both type of informations collected i.e. historical and current informations in the Measure stage. These informations provides hints about the possible causes of the job. These hints have the possible to take to breakthroughs and place precise betterments. Analyze stage is rather of import in Six Sigma methodological analysis as its purpose is to place what causes the defects in each bomber procedure so that they can be modified and hence rectification of procedure can take topographic point either by redesigning the merchandise or re-engineering the procedure. It besides finds out if there is any probationary relationship between and among process variables. A list of causes that will be targeted in Improve stage should be listed down. While making the toll gate reappraisal for Analyze stage, following points must be checked:Is the undertaking on path with regard to results and clip?Do we make to the root cause?What opportunities should be addressed during Improve stage?The analysis done is right or non.IMPROVE PHASE The chief aims of Improve stage of DMAIC are to develop a solution for the job by riddance of root causes that are listed in analyze stage. A pilot trial tally is done after execution of solution. The pilot trial is kind of a verification experiment i.e. it evaluates the solution, paperss it and confirms the attainment of undertaking ends. In Measure and Analyze stages, the squad selects procedure input variables and procedure end product variables, determines what information to roll up, how to analyse the informations and find how to construe the information. During the Improve stage, the squad make brainstorming Sessionss to make the particular changes that can be made in the procedure. A assortment of tools can be used during the Improve stage. Use of value watercourse maps can be done to minimise the constrictions of the procedure and redesigning of the procedure to better procedure flow. Mistake proofing or poka-yoke can be besides implemented in some instances. Designed experiment is the statistical tool which is used in this stage. An optimized solution is selected from these tools which can be implemented to the procedure. Desired consequence can be achieve by choosing the best alternate solution and implementing to extinguish the cause of the job. Improvements can be done in signifier of new procedure, developing to employees, equipments. The toll gate reappraisal should affect following points:Proper certification should be at that place in support of job solution.Proper certification of all the alternate solutions that were considered.Documentation of analysis of the pilot trial tally.Plans to full scale execution of the solution.Any demand for developing to individuals, legal issues, impact on other concern activities.Analysis for hazards involved with the execution.CONTROL PHASE The aims of Control stage of DMAIC are to sum up all staying work of undertaking and manus over the necessary paperss of procedure betterment to procedure proprietor so that the additions from the undertaking will be sustained. Further horizontal deployment of undertaking is done to better similar processs. Documents should include all the inside informations of undertaking, updated operations, developing paperss and modified procedure map. Quantification of undertaking financials must be done. After successful changing the procedure, monitoring is following most of import thing to be done to command the procedure. There should be a monitoring system for the solution under procedure control program. The of import tools that are used during Control stage are control charts, control program, poka yoke. Control charts are the largely used statistical tool in the Control stage of DMAIC. The procedure control program must include how to react to unforeseen failures in the hereafter. Sometimes poka yoke technique is used to guarantee complete remotion of the job. The undertaking is so submitted to a reexamining commission that is formed in all the administrations to look into whether the squad has done a singular work or non. This is done for administrations internal awarding system. The commission will look into the originality of the paperss and undertaking. The list of paperss that should be attached are:Undertaking charterProject induction signifierProject entry signifierUndertaking financialsProject one beeperUndertaking presentationA toll gate reappraisal must be done including following points to:Undertaking ends achieved or non?Is the procedure control program complete or pending?Is all the certification for the undertaking complete?If any lesson learnt from the undertaking?Any range of horizontal deployment?