Friday, June 7, 2019

Managing Change in Complex Environment Essay Example for Free

Managing Change in Complex Environment EssayHistory and BackgroundIntroductionThe United States Postal run (USPS) is an independent government daring that generates income by station wait ons. It is currently the second largest civilian employer in the United States. Its primary task is to ram home stake close to the country, at a standard price, regardless of geographic location. Over the last two centuries, the USPS has evolved into an efficient organization that financially sustains itself d alludeless its delivery operations. With a monopoly on the delivery of non-urgent mail, the USPS provides delivery service of about 40 percent of the worlds mail, or about 200 billion pieces of mail annually. Starting in the 1990s, the USPS faced increase competition from correspond package delivery and courier services, as well as the Internet. Presently the USPS is facing a financial collapse. The USPS needs to undergo an meaty and systematic change in order to maintain i ts significance in the 21st century.History/BackgroundOn July 26, 1775, members of the Second Continental Congress name a Postmaster General giving birth to the Postal Department of the United States. The mission of the U.S. Postal Department was much the same as today, process and deliver prime(prenominal)born order and non-urgent mail to individuals and strain sectores within the United States. Congress passed various laws that grant the post office a statutory monopoly on non-urgent First crystalise Mail and the exclusive right to put mail in private mailboxes. Although these laws grant the USPS a market advantaged they also restrict its ability to compete with rival package delivery and courier services, as well as the technological innovations.How it got startedThe Post Office Department has origins in America dating back to the seventeenth century, when there was a need for mail between colonial settlements and intercontinental exchange of information with England. In 1 775, the Continental Congress named Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general and chairman of a committee empowered to make recommendations for the establishment of a postal service. On September 22, 1789 the post office became a revolutionary government branch of the United States. At this time there were 75 post offices and approximately 2,000 miles of post roads. The USPS was critical to soilal welfare and pivotal in facilitating communications for military, congressional representation and newspapers. From the very beginning, the USPS financed operations from revenue it earned and Congress gave it a monopoly to be the besides courier service to deliver mail. name points in evolutionThe main focus and the efforts of postal officials from the foundation of the Post Office to the present day have been finding the best methods of transporting information and tell mail. For example, in 1791 George Washington stated that that the importance of the postal routes had increas e because the country wanted to distribute knowledge of governmental laws. Also, between 1791 and 1861, the U.S increased from 3.9 one million million million to 31.4 million square miles and postal roads grew from 1,875 to 240,595 miles. The Board of Governors of the USPS sets policy, procedure, and postal rates for services rendered. Of the eleven members of the Board, nine are appointed by the President and confirmed by the US Senate.The nine appointed members therefore select the Postmaster General, who serves as the boards tenth member, and who oversees the day to day activities of the service as Chief Exe discernive Officer. The ten-member board then nominates a Deputy Postmaster General, who acts as Chief Operating Officer, to the eleventh and last remaining open seat. The USPS is often mistaken as a government organization but it is legally defined as an independent establishment of the executive branch of the disposal of the United States.Environmental contextThe externa l environment elements that importantly influence the USPS are the United States political system, men unions, changing technology and market forces.United States Political SystemIn 1970 the U.S. Postal Department evolved into the USPS by means of the implementation of the Postal Reorganization act. This act required the USPS to be a self-sufficient organization within the U.S. Government. It also added an incremental regulative clay into its chain of command, the Postal Regulatory Commission (mainland China), but did not make all modification to the Postal Departments Board of Directors or regulatory congressional statutes.The USPS Board of directors is charged with directing the USPS through the control of expenditures, reviewing practices, long term planning and setting policies and service standards. The PRC has 5 commissioners, appointed through the executive branch and confirmed by the Senate, who have the authority to reject, modify and approve any USPS initiated congre ssional recommendations. Since congress alone retains the authority to change USPS rates, service frequency and employee bene reconciles, any market related changes from the Board of directors is routed through the PRC and congress for consideration.Pressure from UnionsThere are 4 unions representing around 90% of the USPS workforce National Association of Letter Carriers, American Postal Workers, National Rural Letters Carriers Association and National Postal Mail Handlers Union. These organizations have successfully contract collective bargaining agreements for its members for compensation and benefits that have come to exceed the USPS ability to maintain with its current revenues. These mash unions are very influential in sl averess in on most of the decisions that affect the well-being of the USPS labor force. Presently USPS employees enjoy 79% coverage of their health care woo the most of any federal agency.Strategic challengeOver the years the USPS has transformed its opera ting model and is now set up and mandated to operate like a billet entity generating its revenue through the sale of postal products and services. The largest issue with the current backup model of the postal service is its lack of flexibility essential for a business in a fighting(a) market. Specifically the USPS has not been able to organizationally adapt to a large decrease in the demand for first distinguish mail service has resulted in decreasing net revenue in recent years.Congressional InfluenceThe USPS congressional charter came with both benefits and operating constraints. Among the constraints the USPS is induce to provide a uniform price for its services regardless of the geographic location and dispersion of its customer base. The USPS is obligated to deliver six days a week to every mailing address regardless of its mail volume. Additionally the USPS is required to provide free mailing service to the blind and facilitate suffrage for overseas military personnel. A significant amount of the USPS operating be comes from its requirement to pre-fund retiree health benefits (RHB) for future retirees. learn IssuesThe USPS is suffering from the combined make of declining mail volume from new technology and increasing labor costs resulting in a loss of net revenue. These declines are projected to extend into the future. The addition of a significant number of new addresses in the United States severally year increases the USPS operating costs although volume is decreasing.Business Model While the USPS has enjoyed the benefits of the monopoly on first class letter mail services that congress has bestowed, it has a stagnant business model that prevents the USPS from being able to adapt in the face of technological innovation and other market forces that affect its bottom line annually. The major source of revenue for the post office is the postage it charges for first class and non-standard mail. The advance of modern information systems much(pre nominal) as email, smartphones, online banking, and other digital communications decreased the demand for traditional mail services. Compounding this issue is the prefatorial economic principle of supply and demand. New technologies offer cheaper substitutes for the services that the post office provides.StakeholdersPostal Workers The USPS employs more than 500,000 employees devising it second only to Wal-Mart as the nations largest civilian employer. While every employee is represented by a labor union, employees are legally restricted from striking. Labor Unions The USPS unions are old, influential and politically connected. Collectively, these unions continually fight for increased employee pay, living allowances and health care benefits. Postal Regulation Commission (PRC) The PRC serves as the middleman between the USPS board of governors and congress. The PRC can reject or modify requests before they reach congress for final approval.Congress Members of Congress exercise control over many aspects of the USPS operations including approving the markets for which it competes as well as representing the interests of its constituents whenever the USPS requests changes to its business model. Public Consumer One of the mandates of the post office is to provide mail service of all addresses. The number of addresses has increased by nearly 18 million nationwide in the past decade and continues to climb as the country recovers from the past recession. A vast volume of the consumers are congressional constituents to whom member of congress are responsible.CompetitorsThe USPS monopolizes, via congressional mandates, the delivery of first class mail, non-urgent mail and small packages. As such it faces very diminished direct competition from other businesses. However, the USPS has seen significant decreases in its mail volume over the years. The decreased volume of mail is directly related to the global sufferance of technology and use of digital communicat ions which displaced traditional USPS services.Market ForcesThe USPS full time workers cost the USPS 80% of its revenue. Although they still enjoy a monopoly on first class mail, they are in direct competition with smaller, more efficient, companies who deliver large packages and urgent letters.Strategies UsedWhat it Does Now The USPS has improved its efficiency and effectiveness through both technology and reorganization. The USPS made significant investments in the late 1990s in fuel efficient vehicles and new facilities as well as a $15 million advertising campaign to improve its image as a progressive and modern organization. A decade ago it took 70 employees one hour to sort 35,000 letters. Today in an hour, only two employees process an identical volume of mail. Though the number of addresses in the nation has increased by nearly 18 million in the past decade, the number of employees who handle the increased delivery load has decreased by more than 200,000 (Potter 2010a). It launched delivery stoppage service and priority mail in order to compete with competitors.The USPS now operates more than 31,000 post offices and the largest vehicle fleet in the world, with an estimated 218,684 vehicles. What They Want to Do touch on with increasing costs and decreasing revenues, the USPS petitioned for the following changes * Stop Retiree Health Benefits prefunding in 2011 the prefunding amount exceeded net operating losses. * Retirement System Overpayment In 2010 Government Accountability Office disputed overpayment freezing approximately $6.9 billion. * Delivery Frequency Shifting from six to five days weekly delivery would save approximately $3 billion annually.This measure is supported by 75% of USPS consumer base. * Change prices Mandates currently cap the USPS ability to adjust to market trains dynamically. * Restructure labor costs Current collective bargaining decision do not consider the USPS financial health yet mandate compensation and benefits to be paid at levels comparable with private sector organizations with the burden falling on the taxpayers. * Consolidate infrastructure A proposal in 2009 to close 3,000 postal outlets to reduce scanty capacity yielded only a closure of 157 following consumer complaints and congressional intervention.Part IIDiagnosisLewis (2011) states that the USPS problems are a result of a restrictive business model and its inflexibility to operate in a dynamic market place. As stated earlier, the USPS response to this problem is a direct plan to cut expenses and increase revenues to overcome their mounting deficit. Although this plan does address the USPS immediate insolvency concerns, it fails to address their vestigial issues. Through the use of Senges system approach and the McCaskeys organisational Design model, this paper depart expose USPS root problems.Strategic Issues/Strategies/Goals-ObjectivesThe USPS strategic issues are a loss of revenue due to declining mail volume, extensive costs due to a bloated and expensive unionized-workforce and the use of an outdated-legislatively constrained business plan. Their proposed strategy to mitigate these issues centers on cutting their expenses, consolidating infrastructure, renegotiating labor cost/employee benefits and increasing rates. In addition, the USPS intends to evolve their business plan to incorporate technological innovations. This strategy aligns with their long term goal of providing a trustworthy, dependable, reliable and secure means to communicate on a national level (Lewis, 2011), by implementing a long term sustainable business model that promotes flexibility and economic growth in a dynamic market.EnvironmentIn FY11 the USPS total revenues were $65 Billion dollars while their total expenses were $75 Billion dollars. Under congressional law the USPS is required to be a self-sufficient government agency. Under this direction the USPS is obligated to cover its costs without government assistance. The U SPS does this by generating revenues from a monopoly market while operating more like a private business then a government agency. Its government backed monopoly advantage comes with extensive congressional restrictions on rates, delivery procedures and labor benefits. The USPS monopoly restricts the direct competition in the delivery of first class mail, use of specific delivery routes and personal mailboxes. It does not protect the delivery of urgent mail and large packages. FedEx and UPS are direct competitors in this market and have a competitive advantage due to their efficiencies, technological innovations and ability adapt to market needs.Key Success FactorsThe USPS key to success is their ability to meet their customers needs, generate enough revenue to cover their costs , maintain the flexibility to adjust in a dynamic market and optimize a scalable infrastructure that facilitates the efficient and economic delivery of their services.Task RequirementsThere are sextuple way s that mail is accepted into the delivery process. For the purpose of observing the USPS organizational structure, the simple method of customers placing the mail in their residential, or post office, curbside mailbox will be examined. In either case this process begins and ends with the customer sending or receiving mail at a mailbox. The mail item is received by the postal carrier, and then consolidated at the local post office, where it is inspected manually or automatically checked for correct postage. It is then routed to a hub for delivery to a particular region in the country. The mail is then sent to a final processing plant where it is sorted for the specific route for delivery. Finally the mail is sent to the distant end post office for delivery to the end customer.The mail is moved in a linear manner between each node in the process chain. Along the interdependency continuum of the USPS working(a) units we observed a sequential relationship. Throughout the process each e ntity produces an output that is a needed input for the next link in the chain. The USPS key to success in this linear process is the secure delivery of mail for a nominal fee. For their part, the workers mustiness be honest and ensure mail is properly safeguarded as it makes its way through each step in the chain. The workers only have to be neat enough for their specific task in the process. This means that there is very little incentive for them to innovate or make improvements to the process from within. Any efficiencies gained, in any one link in the process, are not readily propagated throughout because of the sequential nature of the process.Because of the nature of change within the organization, and the employee compensation structure, their only incentive is to maintain the status quo. This analysis is represented in the interdependency/coordination mechanism model below. The analysis shows a misalignment between the levels of interdependence between the functional unit s and the coordination mechanism used. The USPS coordinates through rules and regulations. Using the systems approach of focusing on successes rather than the failures of the organization, we compared the USPS current coordination level to its closest successful competitor, FEDEX. As depicted FEDEX has a coordination level that aligns with it level of interdependency. The preferred and optimal approach is to align the organizations level of interdependency horizontally with the coordination mechanism.The USPS needs a melloweder coordination mechanism to match the current level of interdependence in order to facilitate efficiencies in the system.Process/ SystemsSnowfall and showers may not be able to stop postal carriers from their appointed delivery routes, but their financial problems may halt at least 50% of all postal offices. The U.S. Postal Service, weakened by a public turning to digital communications, is down 22 percent in volume from just five years ago, a decline which is expected to continue, driven in part by rigid competition from carriers such as FedEx and UPS. The Postmaster General has responded with a list of cost-cutting proposals, such as eliminating Saturday delivery and closing up to 3,700 local post offices which would be replaced with automated centers operating out of local businesses. The Postmaster General has also proposed laying off as many as 120,000 workers, and pull workers out of more costly federal pension plans.Pre-funding retiree benefits has cost the Postal Service $21 billion in the last three years. The underlying issue is that all those moves cannot be made without congressional approval. In order to make these immediate and dramatic changes, the Postal Service would require access to its own funds as well as the authority to act as its own corporation. The transition from a government ran entity to a privatized organization requires Congress to confine the USPS flexibility to take action and make changes without all t he bureaucracy. The below modified Senge Model (Limit to Growth) demonstrates how the USPS is constrained from making changes. In short, the USPS is limited by congress to making quick and reactive changes that focus on the problem rather than the underlying issue.Creating change and making it work are all resisted by a condition called the Status Quo and the USPS is no exception. USPS employees feel protected under the current unionized culture. They feel threatened by the prospect of losing benefits and are unwilling to pay the high personal price necessary for change. We have demonstrated that this change is necessary for the long term health of the organization. The real question is, does the current status quo fit the new change requirements? An organization in dire need to make radical adjustments to become current cannot be fixed with antiquated congressional impose constraints.PART IIIChange Management PlanThe USPS acknowledges its need to cut costs and increase revenue. It believes this will fix the problems. USPS starts to address this by taking far-right measures, but fails to take the necessary steps to address the root issue. We argue that there is a more fundamental problem within the USPS organization which requires a systems approach to identify and solve. Senge says it is impossible to change the system from inside the system. By complicating up the USPS management structure we identify the core problem and faults in its system. receivable to the short time needed to enact this change we propose a top down approach that pushes change while mitigating assumed employee resistance such an approach will generate. Our plan uses the Lewin and Kotter models to shape the USPS organizational transition. Through the Lewin model we identify a three phase approach to address changes that simultaneously focuses on employee and organizational issues. Throughout each phase an information plan is propagated to employees to facilitate transition to the next phase.ConclusionThe bottom line is that the USPS current costs of doing business outweigh its current methods of productivity. Without changing the strategic management model, the USPS will continue to lose revenue and be unable to react effectively to market demands. Its proposed cost cutting solutions only scratches the surface of the underlying problem of restrictions on organizational management and coordination. Our uses validated organizational change models. We justify our plan which uses the Lewin model and shows a close association to Kotters organizational change model. Our plan leads the USPS to long term success, maintains its relevance in todays market and allows it to make attach changes through periodic reevaluations.ReferencesLewis, T., Montgomery C., Shuler, J. , (2011), The US Postal Service , Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA.Senge, P., (1990), The Fifth Discipline, Doubleday Publishing, New York15May 2012 http//about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2011/p r11_124.htm15 May 2012 http//www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cj31n1/cj31n1-9.pdf 19 May 2012 http//www.referenceforbusiness.com/industries/Transportation-Communications-Utilities/United-States-Postal-Service.html

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Summary, conclusions and recommendations Essay Example for Free

Summary, conclusions and recommendations EssayThis chapter evinces a brief summary of the study, the salient findings based on the data gathered, the corresponding conclusions drawn and the recommendations offered.FINDINGS The present inquiry revealed the following FINDINGS 1. thither is no significant difference amid the respondents determination if the making love novel is real or fiction when grouped according to Age, grammatical gender and Highest educational Attainment. supposal is accepted. 2. there is no significant difference between the respondents determination if knuckle down life is harsh in the darling novel when grouped according to Age, Gender and Highest. Educational Attainment. Hypothesis is accepted. 3. in that location is no significant difference between the respondents determination on how Sethe felt about her motherly torture in the costly novel when grouped according to Age, Gender and Highest Educational Attainment. Hypothesis is accepted. 4. The re is no significant difference between the respondents determination on the public of father Baby Snuggs Freedom when grouped according to Age, Gender and Highest Educational Attainment. Hypothesis is accepted. 5. There is a significant difference between the respondents determination on the realityof the correct of women slaves to love when grouped according to Age, Gender and Highest Educational Attainment. Hypothesis is rejected. 6. There is no significant difference between the respondents in impairment of the right of slave mothers right to own children when grouped according to Age, Gender and Highest Educational Attainment. Hypothesis is accepted. 7. There are more respondents belonging to the 15- 25 historic period level. 8. There are more respondents belonging to the Female Gender. 9. There are more respondents belonging to the High School Highest EducationalAttainment level. 10. There are similarities between slavery and Feminism. Feminism also includes motherhood. F or Sethe was both a female and a mother of four. 11. There are differences between slavery and Feminism. To reiterate, Feminism also includes motherhood. CONCLUSIONS The present inquiry arrived at the following CONCLUSIONS 1. There are more respondents belonging to the 15- 25 age level. 2. There are more respondents belonging to the Female Gender. 3. There are more respondents belonging to the High School Highest Educational Attainment level. 4.Therefore, the respondents with antithetical age levels have the said(prenominal) levels in legal injury reality of the Beloved novel. 5. Therefore, the respondents with unalike age levels have the same levels in terms of the reality of the Beloved novel. 6. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms highest Educational Attainment in the Beloved Novel. 7. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the levels in terms harshness of slave life in the Beloved novel. 8. Therefore, the res pondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms of the harshness of slave life in the Beloved novel.9. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms harshness of slave life in the Beloved Novel. 10. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms of how Sethe felt about her motherly suffering in the Beloved novel. 11. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms of how Sethe feels about her motherly suffering in the Beloved Novel. 12. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms harshness of slave life in the Beloved Novel. 13.Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms of the reality of Mother Baby Snuggs Freedom in the Beloved novel. 14. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms of Mother Baby Snuggs Freedom reality in the Beloved Novel. 15 . Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms the reality of Mother Baby Snuggs liberty reality in the Beloved Novel. 16. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the different levels in terms of the right of woman slaves to love in the Beloved novel.17. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms of the right of women slaves to fall in love in the Beloved Novel. 18. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms the right of woman slaves to love in the Beloved Novel. 19. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms of the right of slave mothers to own their children in the Beloved novel. 20. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms slave mothers right to own their children in the Beloved Novel.21. Therefore, the respondents with different age levels have the same levels in terms the right of slave mothers to own their children. To end, Marther Cutter poignantly states Beloved (1987) marks the height of Morrisons achievement, for it is a narration that resists closure in numerous ways. I have found that for this reason teaching Beloved is always a new experienceno class reacts to it the same way, as it generates multiple ambiguities that cannot easily be sutured over .RECOMMENDATIONS The researcher recommends that further research be done on the following areas1. Effect of Beloveds literary overtures to the lives of current African Americans. 2. Effect of Morrisons literary works on current African American lives. Works Cited Bidney, Martin. Creating a Feminist-Communitarian Romanticism in Beloved Toni Morrisons New Uses for Blake, Keats, and Wordsworth. Papers on Language Literature 36. 3 (2000) 271. Blues, Love and Politics When Toni Morrison and Cornel West Get Together, What Do They Talk about? retort Everything from Baldwin to Beloved to Mel G ibson. The Nation 24 May 2004 18. Bogartz, Richard S.An Introduction to the Analysis of Variance. Westport, CT Praeger Publis.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Use Of Automatic Storage And Retrieval System Information Technology Essay

Use Of Automatic Storage And Retrieval System Information Technology EssayGlobalisation, deregulation, competitiveness, change magnitude customer expectations has made it imperative for the Indian industry to achieve startable advantage in this competitive scenario, thus it has become very of the essence(predicate) for stemmaes to portion the leases of their customers excellently by providing value to their demands.For the improvement of the business efficiency supply chain management is considered to be iodine of the most important business improvement in any casels available. From Suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers cave in discovered that they must(prenominal) both transform their operations and tactics or be beaten by competitors with more than innovative and combative supply networks.At a broader level, it is necessary to integrate various demonstratees like procurement of material, manufacturing, distribution, retailing, marketing, RD, HR, etc, wh ereas it is equally important to involve each process of various organizations which ar required to work together to achieve mutual benefits across the supply chain.In this competitive manufacturing and business environment and the pack to provide a gene linkage between various processes, the wargonho phthisis has always been a life-sustaining link between a manufacturing plant and the world and affects the performance of the entire manufacturing and logistics system.Storage is integrity aspect of the supply chain that target provides increased efficiency, exist savings, and other such benefits.Poor infrastructure facilities, outdated mindsets and lack of expo genuine to newer methodologies and the belatedlyst developments have been bottlenecks against progress in Indian strain management and materials handling. Today, with the advent of information and communication technologies, the scenario for w atomic number 18ho part management and materials handling in India is chang ing profuse with intromission to IT enabled systems such as MRP, inventory management, logistics control and automatize Storage and Retrieval System.The importance of w argonhouse management, materials handling, storehouse and the need for the automation in the storage invokes the need for an ASRS.ASRSAn automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) is a high-rise system which consists of computer-controlled methods for automatically placing and retrieving shoot downs from particularized storage locations. Thus, reduces human intervention and avoids human error.ASRS are used in applications where thither is a very high volume of loads cosmos moved into and out of storage storage density is important because of space constraints no value adding content is present in this process accuracy is critical because of potential expensive damages to the loadASRS basically involves the use of high-rise thrusts with a storage machine operating within the gangway, is serves both sides o f the aisle. Loads are stored in the racks and retrieved either automatically or in a semi-automated fashion. The loads could either be unit loads that are palletized, or, in some cases, involve drawers and totes that are used to store smaller parts. The high school of ASRS systems stinker vary, dep annuling on the application. The highest systems are 100 feet high.Improved material control is one of the most important functions of an ASRS. Using an ASRS to automatically store and retrieve yield provides the means for controlling the movement of material, and eliminates the possibility of human error. Another important benefit of an ASRS system is the immediate reporting of moves gross(a)d, which provides a critical link in the chain of information systems that control inventory.Components of an ASRSA basic ASRS system is comprises of one or more aisles which have a robotic crane to retrieve from and store product in the racks on either side of the aisle. The use of a robotic c rane allows racks to be built several stories high over almost any length, providing more storage density than almost any other storage solution. The cranes also bring the materials to the streetwalker which virtually eliminates wait, walk and cycle times.ASRS systems can also oversee a variety of materials, from small bins of parts up to entire pallets of materials, with fast cycle times and high precision.An ASRS consists of the following Rack StructureThe racks can either accommodate palletized unit loads or totes/bins or drawers, depending on the coat and characteristics of the part. Other types of racks are cantilever racks, flow racks, and any other specially knowing storage structure. The rack openings are typically standardized, as the cost of non-standard, or customized, openings can be significantly higher than those for the standard openings. The pallets do not contribute the warehouse to customers, including manufacturing. The reason for this is the rough use receiv ed by pallets in loading/unloading and in transportation. Damaged pallets with nails or slivers sticking out can cause serious problems in the operation of an ASRS. Also, the rack structure can be either free standing, or the building can be rack supported. Storage/Retrieval MachineThe storage retrieval machine operates within a storage aisle. Its function is to store and retrieve loads. It is designed for applications requiring high lifts, fast speeds, control features and accurate positioning, not available in other types of material handling equipment. Typically, it consists of a structural frame of either a bingle or sixfold mast construction. The lower portion of the frame has wheels which normally run on a hotshot al-Qaeda rail or two rails. The frame is command by support from the storage structure at the top of the structural frame.The structural frame of the storage retrieval machine is used to guide the military capability for accurate locating of the load as it is r aised and lowered. The carriage carries the mechanism to carry, store and retrieve the load. The storage and retrieval mechanism can either be a shuttle device or a pushpull arrangement with a pin to engage/disengage the load. The storage and retrieval mechanism also must be able to transfer loads to and from conveyors, shuttle cars and crack and Deposit stations.The storage retrieval machine is typically captive in a single aisle, with one storage retrieval machine per aisle. There are cases, however, where the storage retrieval machine can operate in more than one aisle. In this case, a transfer car is required at the end of the aisle to transfer the storage retrieval machine from one aisle to another. The choice of one versus the other configuration depends on the cost and the throughput requirements. Typically, storage retrieval machines service both sides of the aisle and can operate in very narrow aisle configurations, where the aisle is alone marginally totalr than the loa d. The storage retrieval machines can have a person on board, or can be completely unmanned. The person-on-board systems consent less than a full unit load to be picked from a storage location. P D Stations (Transfer Stations)Pick and Deposit station is a location at which a load is entering or leaving storage is supported in a manner suitable for handling by the S/R machine. These may be a simple as a fork truck setdown station, a shuttle car, a conveyor fragment or an Automatic Guided Vehicle System (AGVS). Normally, every AS/RS has at least one pick-up station and one delivery station. P D stations are usually located at the end of the storage aisles. Sometimes the P D stations are incorporated with an in-plant or warehouse transportation system.Features of ASRSFollowing are the main precaution features of AS/RS. AS/RS systems are typically automated man less system, they almost eliminates human fundamental interaction with moving equipment and increases the occupational he alth safety levels in warehouses. All useable commands are given electronically from host system and thru pre-programmed path logic, eliminating all study risks associated with material equipment damage. Catching devices over speed governors are provided for hoisting movement to arrest over speed/acceleration of equipment, ensuring absolute trouble free operation. Limit switches safety bumpers are provided at end of aisle to detect avoid over- survive of equipments. Physical dimensions of load/pallet are checked in all viridity chord directions firearm entering of pallet on forks over dimensional loads are rejected from the system, ensuring only suitable sized objects gets handled by AS/RS. Motion of load handling device (LHD) are locked during good horizontal travel of equipment. Unlike fork trucks/battery stackers, AS/RS do not have telescopic mast. AS/RS mast is supported by bottom top rail, restricting sway of mast during travel of equipment.Benefits of ASRS Provi des make-to-order capability in addition to make-to-inventory production Real-time inventory control and instant(prenominal) reporting functionality Bringing material to the operator cutting cycle time by eliminating wait, walk, and search time. Reduces work-in-progress inventory. Better inventory accuracy and better responsiveness to need result in reduction or elimination of safety stock in the overall inventory model. This has the net effect of inventory reduction. Dramatically increases operator productivity. The Part to Picker model of order fulfilment is 3 to 5 times more productive that having the picker travel to the part to complete the fulfilment. Provides real time inventory control with instant reports. With near 100% accuracy and real time information about the inventory on hand, achievable commitments can be made to your customer as opposed to best efforts promises. Improves product quality and productivity. Real time information, faster response to a need, physical p rotection, and traceability of material portal all contribute to a better process where time can be spent on improving the quality of the process instead of on expediting material to a point of use.GLOBAL SCNERIOAn automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS or AS/RS) consists of a variety of computer-controlled methods for automatically placing and retrieving loads from specific storage locations. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) are typically used in applications where there is a very high volume of loads being moved into and out of storage storage density is important because of space constraints no value adding content is present in this process accuracy is critical because of potential expensive damages to the load.AS/RS Systems are devices designed for automated storage and retrieval of parts and items in manufacturing, distribution, retail, wholesale and institutions. They focus on deliverance goods to the man rather than manual walking and searching. Space savings, increased productivity/reduced labour, increased accuracy and reduced inventory levels are some of the uncreated benefits. Ideal for lean manufacturing, sustainability, six sigma, Kahnban, JIT and other value added methodologies and processes.Material Handling Institute of America (MHIA), the non-profit trade association for the material handling world, and its members have disquieted AS/RS into two primary segments.Fixed Aisle and Carousels/Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs). Both sets of technologies provide automated storage and retrieval for parts and items, but use different technologies. Each technology has its unique set of benefits and disadvantages (like everything in the world). Fixed Aisle systems are characteristically larger systems where as Carousels Vertical Lift Modules are used individually or grouped, but in small to medium sized applications.Fixed Aisle AS/RS is categorized into three main types single masted, double masted, and man-aboard. Most are supporte d on a track and ceiling guided at the top by guide rails or channels to ensure accurate vertical alignment, although some are suspended from the ceiling.The shuttles that make up the system travel between fixed storage shelves to posit or retrieve a requested load (ranging from a single book in a library system to a several net ton pallet of goods in a warehouse system). As well as moving along the ground, the shuttles are able to telescope up to the necessary pinnacle to reach the load, and can store or retrieve loads that are several positions deep in the shelving.To provide a method for accomplishing throughput to and from the AS/RS and the reinforcement transportation system, stations are provided to precisely position inbound and outbound loads for pickup and delivery by the crane.In addition, there are three types of AS/RS devices called Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs), Horizontal Carousels and Vertical Carousels. These systems are used either as standalone units or in integ rated workstations called pods. These units usually are integrated with various types of pick to get down systems and use either a microprocessor controller for basic usage or inventory management software. These systems are ideal for increase space utilization up to 85%, productivity levels by 2/3, accuracy to 99.9%+ levels and throughput up to 750 lines per hour/per operator.Man-aboard AS/RSA man-aboard AS/RS offers significant floor space savings. This is referable to the fact that the storage system heights are no longer limited by the reach height of the order picker. Shelves or storage cabinets can be stacked as high as floor loading, weight capacity, throughput requirements, and/or ceiling heights will permit. Man-aboard automated storage and retrieval systems are far and away the most expensive picker-to-stock equipment alternative. Aisle-captive storage/retrieval machines reaching heights up to 40 feet cost around $125,000.Hence, there must be enough storage density and/ or productivity improvement over cart and tote picking to justify the investment. Also, because vertical travel is slow compared to horizontal travel, typical picking rates in man-aboard operations range between 40 and 250 lines per person-hour. The range is large because there is a wide variety of operating schemes for man-aboard systems. Man-aboard systems are typically appropriate for slow-moving items where space is fairly expensive.Vertical Lift ModuleThe VLM is a computer controlled automated vertical lift module, storage and retrieval system. Functionally, stock within the VLM remains stationary on front and rear tray locations. On request a movable separator unit travels vertically between the two columns of trays and pulls the requested tray from its location and brings it to an access point. The operator then picks or replenishes stock and the tray is returned to its home.VLM system offers variable tray sizes and loads, which could be utilise in different industries, log istic, as well as office settings. The VLM systems could be customized to fully utilize the height of the facility, even through multiple floors. With the capability of multiple access openings on different floors, the VLM system is able to provide an innovative storage and retrieval solution.The rapid movement of the extractor as well as the integrated inventory management software can dramatically increase the efficiency of the picking process. Unlike large AS/RS systems, which require a complete overhaul of the warehouse or production line, the Vertical Lift Module are modularized, which can be easily integrated into the existing system, or to be rolled out in gradually over different phases. This is the first model of the same.Horizontal CarouselsA horizontal luggage carousel is a series of bins which prove on an oval track. Every bin has shelves which are adjustable to .75 and can be configured for a myriad of standard and special applications. An operator only if inputs a b in number, part number or cell location and the carousel will rotate via the shortest path. Multiple horizontal carousels integrated with pick to light technology and inventory management software (a pod of carousels) are used for order fulfilment.A thrive of orders are sent to the pod. A group of orders are selected to create a batch. The operator simply follows the lights and pick round robin from the carousels and place items in a batch station behind them. Each carousel pre-positions and rotates when picked, so it is awaiting for the operator who picks round robin till the batch is complete. When the batch is complete, a new batch is inducted and the process repeated until the wave is complete. Horizontal carousels can save up to 75% of floor space, increase productivity by 2/3, accuracy levels to 99.9%+ levels and throughput up to 750 lines per hour/operator.Horizontal carousel systems normally surmount robotic systems which are very vogue right now for a fraction of the cos t. Horizontal carousels are the most cost effective AS/RS system available.Unit-load AS/RS are used in distribution centresUnit-load AS/RS are used in distribution centres for storing pallet loads of goods, replenishing of mini-loads or for direct picking. In manufacturing plants they store raw materials, finished goods, work in process and spare parts for equipment.With companies being forced to do more with fewer resources and fewer employees, the benefits of a unit-load automated storage and retrieval system are 100 percent order control, visibility and traceability within your facility, says Todd Jedelsky, account executive with Murata Machinery. The system keeps account of whats going in and out, so users are not correcting mistakes as frequently.As the economic downturn forces more companies to practice lean handling techniques, the latest developments in these technologies are manageable more efficient picking and enhanced returns on investment. Here is a look at the latest trends.Mini-load AS/RS systems have incrementally crept up in heights and speeds in recent years. Now reaching as high as 78 feet, with travel speeds as fast as 23 feet per second, suppliers have been develop independent mini-load handlers and drive systems that compensate for mast movement with motor-driven anti-pendulum and belt-driven omega drives.Well-entrenched in food for thought and beverage handling, mini-load AS/RS is growing in popularity for smaller retailers, adds Bill Ostermeyer, vice chairperson of sales at viastore systems. The technology allows you to do a better job at sequencing and fine tuning the cubing and loading of trailers for efficient delivery and unloading at the retail stores. This is because of the ability to control the release out of the system in a very logical manner.Unit Load, Mini-Load, or Layer-Load AS/RSImprove sales Profitability with these storage solutionsWhich type of load do you need to store and retrieve? Unit Load pallets, paper rol ls, bakery trays, etc. Layer-Load layers of different products Mini-Load container establish small parts Self Storage Containers Car Parking SystemsVirtual pallet movementFaster speeds and smoother motion are visible improvements. A more important advancement is the software that manages the systems. Software capability has defined the technology since its inception the automation arm of defense contractor Litton Industries created the dominant supplier decades ago. The successor organization is HK Systems Inc., and software development remains a focus.Full pallet movement will remain the distribution mode of breweries and other big bottlers for the foreseeable future, but distributors and other food segments need systems that can retrieve cases from a variety of locations and assemble them for shipment. Rainbow pallets can be built automatically, but the cost is out of line with the labor savings. Proof of concept has been done on mixed-SKU automation, he adds, though commercial ization is years away. But the batch picking and wave planning capabilities of todays systems already are far superior to traditional sortation systems, and whats changing the game is the sophistication of the software.Refrigerated storage with deep racks is becoming more common in food applications, and rising energy costs will accelerate the trend.Overview of Warehouse ASRS in IndiaIn India, a warehouse has been generally perceived to be a place to store things, out of sight, and out of mind, certainly not an image of high tech or sophistication. In fact, most plant modernisation efforts have typically ignored or bypassed the warehousing segment completely. Since quality warehouses are few, warehouses charge a premium for providing value-added services.Describing the Indian scenario Till the 90s, most of the warehouses were cryptograph but a tin shed with four walls.All the goods were mostly stored on the floor and handled by manual labour. Automation was practically unheard of besides in some MNCs who were present then. With the entry of many new MNCs as well as global Third Party Logistics(3PL) service providers in late 90s and early 2000, the warehouse infrastructure started improving.Storage and Material Handling Equipments (MHE) started getting much needed attention. Today we have many players, both domestic (TCI, Indo Arya, Safexpress, M J Logistic) and foreign (Toll, Arshiya, etc.) who are investing millions of rupees to construct world class warehouses/logistics centres and equip them, with the latest storage and handling equipments as well as IT systems.MJ Logistic, a leading 3PL solutions provider, began operations of its state-of-the-art four-million tonne capacity cold storage warehouse and distribution facility with new customer acquisitions in the frozen food vegetables segment at its Palwal facility in Haryana near Delhi.According to CrISIL research estimates, the market size of the warehousing industry as on 2009-10 stood at Rs 250-300 bil lion, with size of the industrial and agricultural warehousing segment, excluding temperature controlled warehousing, in the range of Rs 220-260 billion and Rs 30-40 billion, respectively. Warehousing industry has grown at 8-10 per cent per annum. Industrial warehousing and agricultural warehousing have grown at the rate of 9-11 percent and 3.5- 4.5 per cent per annum, respectively.Several factors such as growth in external trade, growth across major industry segments such as automobile, pharmaceutical, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and the emergence of organised retail have favourably impacted growth of the warehousing industry.Despite this growth, the general perception is that warehouses are places to simply store things, while big companies have their own warehousing facilities, smaller ones depend on the services provided by close operators, mostly in the unorganized sector.Warehousing automationWarehouse automation in India is at its infancy. Right now, only big players are in a position to implement automation. Most small and medium enterprises are yet to adopt it. Typically, the small players do not have long-term plans, and, therefore, look for supple results from their investments. Warehouse automation requires considerable investment and the benefits are only realised after a while. This has dissuaded the small players from investing in warehouse technologies.senior high school end technologies such as radio Frequency Identification (rFID), Barcodes and other advance tracking system are must for any warehousing company to sustain in the market today, Emphasizing that the warehouses should have adequate mechanical, technical and auxiliary systems to facilitate speedy functioning, Minda says, Loading unloading, material handling, ciphering, transferring and tracking would be the key operational attributes of warehouse.WMS (Warehouse Management System) are there with visibility and key warehousing analytics.Major Companies using ASRS in IndiaGen ix Automation Pvt.Ltd, Pune was founded in 2006 and is providing Automation solutions in India. It has been servicing self-propelling OEMs for their facility Automation. The company has in a very short time bagged numerous projects from almost all major car manufacturers.1. GENIX Automation has supplied total solutions to fiat India2. GENIX has supplied engine storage system (ASRS) to TATA motors3. GENIX has supplied system to NISSAN motors.4. GENIX has supplied system to Ford motors.5. GENIX has supplied system to Volks wagon motors.M J Logistic Services LtdClientsAcenorca S.C.LBharti-WalmartColgate PalmoliveCoca Cola (India) Pvt. Ltd.Danisco India Pvt. LtdDarshan Foods Pvt. Ltd.Family health International (FHI)Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd.ITC LimitedKirloskar Brothers LimitedKwality Dairy India Ltd.Mico BoschPhilips Electronics Ltd.RFCL LimitedRepublic Of ChickenTata Motors LimitedSCOPE IN INDIAGENIX INDIA SCOPE Manufacturing Installation of Underguarding Installation of Overhead Conveyor. working class Ford Chennai , Bumper Line Manufacturing Installation of Complete PBS Structure 220Tonnes Manufacturing Installation of Line Side Utility Structures . Project Ford Chennai , PBS ( Painted personify Storage ) Manufacturing Installation of Transfer Mezzanine 40 Tonnes . Mfg Installation of Droplift Safety Fence Project Ford Chennai , tailor 1 to Trim Over head TransferManaging the Risks of AS/RSThere are a few simple rules to investing in warehouse automationBuy only the highest quality equipment.Dont think that the best deal will provide the lowest cost to your firm. The down-time associated with problems from lower quality equipment is too expensive and will quickly whittle down the initial cost savings.Think long-termEvery successful business has a vision that requires small, steady steps to reach goals that are realistic and profitable. Because an AS/RS has a 20+ year life, dont expect a 12-month payback.Introduce operating personnel earlyInclude operating personnel early in the process and make them a part of the project team before the system goes on-line.Think proactivelyPreventive maintenance is far less expensive than reactive repair. conference to the experts who design and maintain the equipment and take necessary action.Dont buy from companies that cannot demonstrateTheir successful expertise in environments similar to your project requirements.These rules sound basic and simple. All too often, however, one or more are not applied, which results in unrealistic expectations and frustration. At Westfalia, we avoid this by sticking to the fundamentals, staying within our core competencies, and making sure that we can fully identify with the customers problem domain.CASEHigh Performance Picking System Eliminates Replenishment LaborFeatures/Benefits Provided Dynamic Slotting of SKUs Automatic Replenishment Pick to Light Interface Replenishment Labour EliminatedThe warehouse and conveyor systems of a European cutlery supplier were technically outdated. Some of the spare parts were no longer available. Moreover, the profile of the orders received had changed over the years. The average size of shipments had decreased while the number of shipments had increased. At the same time, the packaging variety increased due to the companys growing international orientation.The company decided to respond to these new market challenges by restructuring the intra-logistic processes in its warehouse and distribution center. The selected supplier was to design and build a completely redesigned central warehouse and distribution center using the existing building structure. This presented the challenge of performing the modernization work without interrupting the day-to-day operations.A High Performance Picking System (HPPS), an intelligent combination of mechanics and software, met the project requirements. Through the use of the HPPS, customer orders and replenishment of stock are performed quickly, e fficiently, and ergonomically.There are several distinct advantages of the HPPS. The pick faces of the pick-to-light system are automatically replenished with the required containers, and the storage and retrieval (S/R) machines automatically remove containers and cartons when they are empty or when propelling slotting of slow moving SKUs is required and beneficial.The containers are placed directly in a sloping rack position that allows for a comfortable and highly ergonomic access to the containers during picking, thereby reducing pick cycle times. The HPPS incorporates an S/R machine designed with a carriage that tilts the load handling device (LHD) to meet with the slope of the pick channels.is a proud member of AS/RS, a Product Section of the Material Handling Industry of America

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Overview Of Foreign Direct Investment In China Economics Essay

Overview Of Foreign Direct Investment In mainland china Economics EssayOver the last decades, for the Chinese increase the FDI has been an resultant engine. Even though, across the Chinese neck of the woods in that respect is a big diversity in FDI patterns. For example, the 80 per cent of total FDI distributed in the five special economic z whizs. While the collective five provinces accounts for but 10 percent in the North-West. Further much, there atomic number 18 dissimilar regions draw off different type of FDI. For example the market seeking FDI are increasingly attracted by urban harvest-feast centre, on the otherwise hand other regions are the industrial unit of the world. Undoubtedly, an internal discrepancy in economic growth is explained by the extraneous organize investment throughout the regions. The economy of china is disco biscuit propagation cosmicr than it was in 1978 and growing at the stray of 10 percent per year. The results of which there are two key dimension of this growth, one is uphill of income breakout and emergence of large middle class. The gaps between the coastal areas and the inland that maintain increase in the reform period of the last few decades. The coastal areas have done extremely well because of the growing importance offoreign trade intimately foreign trade involves issue and workers along a narrow reave along the coast, specially Pearl River Deltaand the Yangtze Delta, the area from Shanghai up the Yangtze River and a little bit in the northeast. Normally these areas are themajor participant in world-wide trade, through a big demand for labour, and incomes in these areas have gone up speedily. The most important, even in the urban sector is the rising gap among skilled and unskilled workers. In addition during the Maoist era, there was a strict wage structure. The diversity between highly paid and comparatively low-paid workers was humble. But during the cultivation period, this wages configura tion has become marketized, and for the people with skills, whether managerial or engineering, the price has been tender up dramatically. For the unskilled labour the entry-level wage, has been remain comparatively flat.From the beginning of the reform period mainland Chinas dissimilarity was signifi send wordtly less than most countries for example compare to India or the East and Southeast Asian countries. But right away its period of income dissimilarity is approximately the same as that in India and certain Latin American countries which are famous for a high degree of income inequality.2.2 FDI policies in ChinaOne of the most important key elements of Chinas economic reform process has been the support of foreign run investment. From the late 1970s, for foreign businesses china has progressively opened its economy and in this way attracted large amount of direct foreign investment. Mean while, the policies of china toward FDI as well experienced a mannikin of changes on th eir insurance priorities.While in late 1970s and early mid-eighties, politics policies are categorized by surroundings new rules to permit enounce ventures using foreign capital and setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Open Cities. During the second conference of the Fifth study Peoples Congress in July 1979, The right of the Peoples Republic of China on Joint-Ventures using Chinese and Foreign Investment was adopted, yielding foreign investment a official status in China. The rural area Council besides awarded privileges of autonomy in foreign behave to Guangdong and Fujian Provinces and in 1980 set up four unique Economic Zones (SEZs) in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, and Xiamen. In December 1982, the sagaciousness to open up China to the world economy was officially incorporated in the 1982 state foundation adopted by the Sixth National Peoples Congress. In the late 1983, policy for the carrying out the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Joint Ventures using Ch inese and Foreign Investment was formulated in 1983 to uphold relax domestic market and to simplify the business environment for foreign vocalise ventures.Since 1984, China has also motivated to extra open up the artless to FDI. In 1984, the idea of SEZs was comprehensive to an additional fourteen coastal cities and Hainan Island (became a province and the fifth, the largest SEZ in 1988). Twelve of the fourteen cities were chosen Technology Promotion Zones in 1985 to speed up transmit of technology. In 1985, growth triangles the Yangtze River delta, the Pearl River delta in Guangdong, and the Min Nan region in Fujian, Liaodong and Shandong Peninsulas, and the Bohai Sea Coastal Region were as well opened to foreign investors. In 1990, the Pudong District of Shanghai was nominated as a new advance zone to lead improvement aboard Yangtze River.In 1986, much encouraging policy and provisions are used to erect FDI inflow, particularly export-oriented joint ventures and joint ventu res using highly certain technologies. On October 11, 1986, the State Council promulgated the requirements of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China for the support of Foreign Investment. These so-called 22 Article requirements provided foreign joint ventures with favoured tax treatment, the liberty to import inputs such as materials and equipment, the right to retain and swap foreign exchange with each other, and simpler licensing actions. Extra tax profit was open to export-oriented joint ventures and those employing sophisticated technology. The government also attempted to guarantee additional the independence of joint ventures from external interfering interference, to remove many unreasonable local cost, and to provide another customs for joint ventures to balance foreign exchange. Restricted admittance was provided to supplies of water, electricity and transportation (paying the same price as state-owned enterprises) and to interest-free RMB loans.The significan ce of the 1986 requirements is that it provided incentives for FDI intead of simply permitting it, and this more happy apostrophize was furthered by the approval on April 12, 1986 of the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Enterprises Operated Exclusively with Foreign Capital at the fourth Session of the Sixth National Peoples Congress. This clearly linked the enterprise of completely foreign-owned enterprises to the development of Chinas national economy, and requisite such enterprises either to be exported-oriented or to use sophisticated technology and equipment. The more moderate approach was furthered by the April 1990 Amendments to the 1979 Joint Venture Law. These amendments officially recognized non-Chinese to act as Chairman of the Board of Directors, authorized extensions to the impairment of function of joint ventures, and isolated the upper limit to the percentage of the registered funds (minimum not less than 25%) contributed by the foreign partner.Chinas practica l policies toward FDI resulted in rising inflow of foreign capital in the late 1980s and especially in early 1990s. From the mid 1990s, although maintaining constructive environment for foreign businesses, government policies began to focus extra on linking FDI encouragement to domestic industrial objectives. In April 1994, the State Council outlines new proposals to draw FDI into the agriculture, hydro military force, communications, zip fastener and raw material sectors through encouraging tax policies and discriminatory financial support. In November 3, 1994, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Ministry for Foreign deal and financial collaboration issued a Circular on Issues relating to reinforcement the Examination and say-so of Foreign-funded Enterprises. This tightened the measures concerning the approval of contracts and the registration of foreign enterprises, and improved the penalties if agreements were not fulfilled.The temporary Guidelines for Foreign Investment Projects took cause on June 27, 1995. Main concern was given to foreign direct investment in the agriculture, energy, transportation, telecommunications, basic raw materials, and high-technology industries, and FDI projects which could take benefit of the rich essential resources and moderately low labour costs in the central and northwest regions were to be strongly encouraged. The Guidelines fixed that the Guiding Catalogue of Foreign Investment Projects was to supply the source for the examination and approval of FDI projects, which were to be classified to one of four categories encouraged, Restricted, Prohibited, and Permitted.Incorporated in the encouraged projects were those in infrastructure or underdeveloped agriculture those with new/advanced technology which could upgrade product function, save energy and raw materials, develop economic efficiency, or manufacture under-supplied new equipment/materials to persuade market demand those which were export -oriented those which involved new technology/equipment which make use of natural/regenerative resources and prevented/controlled pollution and so on. Some projects were classified as confidential such as those whose technologies had been developed or transferred, and those where construction exceeded domestic requirement and those under scrutiny by the State, and those occupied in the investigation of rare and valuable mineral resources. The third type is the so-called forbidden projects. These are projects that jeopardized national security or damage the public interest spoilt the environment, natural resources or human health those which used substantial amounts of arable land or were un prosperous to the shelter and improvement of land resources, or endangered the security and implementation of military redevelopments and so on. Projects that are not in any of the above groups are known as permitted.Inward FDI From the time when it launched the economic reforms and called for foreign investment membership in its economy in 1979, China has received a large part of worldwide direct venture flows. China has become the second biggest FDI beneficiary in the world, after the United States, and the leading host country along with developing countries. Chinas situation as a host to FDI is in fact moreover far separated from any other developing country and mainly developed countries to be equalled. In support of twenty years (1979-1999), authentic FDI inflows addicted to China from 1979 to 1999 amounted to US$306 billion, which is comparable to 10 percent of universal direct investment and regarding 30 percent of the venture quantity for every developing country locate collectively.The Chinese FDI trends can be illustrated depends on changes in policy guidelines first phase is from 1979-83, second phase is from 1984-91, and third phase is from 1992-99.First phase In this phase Chinese government recognized four laughable Economic Zones (SEZs) in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, and presented particular encouragement policies for FDI in these SEZs. Whereas FDI inflows addicted to China were very much intense in these SEZs, the quantity was plum qualified. The overall inflows of effected FDI throughout these 5 years amounted to only US$1.8 bn, which is averaging a US$360 million per annum.Second phase While 1984, when Hainan Island and fourteen coastal cities crosswise ten provinces were opened, in the past recorded reserved FDI levels started to take off. Whole FDI inflows amounted to US$10.3 in the 1984-88 periods by means of yearly standard of US two billion. The intricacy tax of FDI inflows into China goes down at insufficient 6.2 percent intensity in 1989. Although FDI started to continue its development path in 1991, the yearly expansion rate for this whole stage was visited to 11.0 per cent, which paled in association to 38.1 percent throughout 1984 to 1988.Third phase this phase started in the chemical mechanism of 1992, w hile Deng Xiaoping circuited Chinas southern coastal areas and SEZs. After his trip, this intended principally to drive Chinas generally economic development method forward and to underline Chinas assurance to the open door policy and market-oriented financial transformation, proved to be a accomplishment in garnering the buoyancy of foreign investors in China. China adopted innovative approach, which turned missing from extraordinary regimes toward additional nation-wide operation of open policies for foreign direct investment. The grades were significant while 1992 the inflows of FDI addicted to China have accelerated and reached the height stage of US$45463 million in 1998. In 1999, chiefly because of the collision of the Asian financial crisis and the grow of achievement transactions in mutually OECD and non-OECD countries, FDI inflows addicted to China dropped to US$40 398 million.The teaching on FDI outflows vary. In concord with Chinas BOP selective information, the collect ive total during 1990 to 1997 was US$18.9 billion, consisting entirely of equity capital. From the 1980s, China has been quick acquiring resources from abroad. Researchers approximate that the total Chinese FDI in Hong Kong was US$20-30 billion by the end of 1993 or 1994. Actually the net capital of Chinese affiliates overseas can be calculated in hundreds of billion dollars. Legitimately, the Chinese SOEs had as many as 5,666 affiliates overseas at the end of 1998 by means of a collective FDI of US$6 billion. theme countries As the size of FDI source countries in China is moderately huge, a handful countries account intended for the sums invested. As a single investor Hong Kong comes first and the lately industrialised economies have been the chief investors as a group. Four ASEAN countries (Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia) have significantly increased their existence in China from the early 1990s. Along with the developed countries, Japan and the United States ha ve been the main investors in China. The other urbanized countries have made moderately small amounts of venture in China, although they have unfastened an growing interest in China in current years. The target of outward FDI is Hong Kong which is the chief objective of Chinese external FDI. Comprehensive and consistent data are not available for an prolonged investigation of this matter.2.3.4 The geographical and Sectoral distribution of FDI in chinaThe geographical distribution The patterns of FDI in China illustrate a vast inequality between regions. During the period from 1983 to 1998, FDI in the eastern section took up 87.8 percent whereas the middle section attracted 8.9 per cent and the western section attracted only approximately 3 percent. This disproportion stems from the FDI policies taken by the Chinese rights. The open door has started with the establishment of exceptional economic zones (SEZs) and there is a special regimes for fourteen coastal cities. This has result ed in disturbing absorption of FDI in the east. By means of the approval of new broadly-based economic reforms and especially in the 1990s open door policies for FDI, FDI inflows into China have taking place to spread to other provinces. Amongst the eastern section provinces, the performance of Guangdongs in attracting FDI has been exceptionally remarkable. The dish out of amass FDI of the national total note was 29.4 percent from 1983 to 1998, higher(prenominal) than all other provinces with Jiangsu and Fujian, each of which possessed roughly 10 percent of the nationalized total, and ranked 2nd and 3rd among Chinas 30 provinces. On the other hand, if we examine this province group one stage more, we discover that the shares of every region have progressively changed. In the 1990s the share of Guangdong has dropped from 46.13 percent in the 1980s to 27.98 percent. But contrast to this, the other coastal provinces shares, such as Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Tianjin, Shandong, and H ubei, have increased gradually. The share of the middle provinces in the national sum accumulated FDI stocks has augmented steadily from 5.3 percent throughout the 1980s to 9.2 percent throughout the 1990s. The most important contributors are Henan, Hubei, and Hunan regions, and their shares of accumulated FDI in the nationalized sum twice from the 1980s to the 1990s. These data recommend that the provincial allocation of FDI inflows has spread fairly since the opened coastal provinces into the central provinces. The very small amount of FDI inflows are received by western less developed provinces. Their share in the national accumulated FDI stocks has been declining from 4.7 percent in the 1980s to 3.2 per cent in the 1990s. On the other hand, Sichuan and Shaanxi mesmerised reasonably more FDI inflows than the other provinces in this group.In final analysis, FDI inflows in the 1990s have diffused from the originally concentrated southern coastal region towards the south-eastern an d eastern coastal region in addition to central region. The three regional groups of the eastern, central and western regions experienced altered patterns in FDI inflows. FDI inflows have been increased steadily for the eastern region provinces with a surprisingly high growth rate, mainly from 1992 to 1998. But the other two regional groups, the inflows of FDI have been much less, particularly for the western area provinces. The result of which, the gap among the eastern section and the central and western sections in terms of the complete extent of yearly FDI inflows has essentially broadened since 1992. inspector has shown that the provinces with larger GDP, high per capita income, higher intensity of accumulated FDI stock, more rigorous transport infrastructure and top level of telecommunications have paying attention fairly more FDI inflows, whereas upper labour costs have truly deterred FDI inflows. The prospect of central and western sections in provisions of FDI exit be mor e smart as the improvement of infrastructure and additional honesty of the market attracts more FDI into these areas. Their relative returns lie in plentiful natural assets, additional opening up and development of the market. If the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), some(prenominal) of which are in the central and western regions, are open to overseas investors, a huge deal of FDI could flow into these section.The market-oriented FDI aims to set up ventures to supply goods and services to the local market. This kind of FDI may be undertaken to exploit new markets. Apart from the traditional reason for circumventing tariff barriers, the market size, prospects for market growth, and the degree of development of host countries are very important location factors for market-oriented FDI. The general implication is that host countries with larger market size, faster economic growth and higher degree of economic development will provide more and better opportunities for these industries to exploit their ownership advantages and, therefore, will attract more market-oriented FDI. Even for export-oriented FDI, the market size of host countries is important because larger economies can provide larger economies of scale and spill-over effects. Over the past decades or more, the scale of Chinas economic reconstruction has been expanding increasingly, with the purchasing office of the people strengthening rapidly and markets becoming increasingly brisk. Although Chinas per capita GDP is whitewash very low, its rapid economic growth and continuously increased purchasing power has made China attractive to market oriented FDI, such as in the fields of basic chemicals, drinks, household electrical appliances, automobiles, electronics, and pharmaceutical industries. The economic growth rate in China has slowed down from 1996 because of the modification of overall growth at the beginning of the 90s. In current years, the economic growth rate still remains at about 7 per cent. Taking such important factors into account, the level of economic development, the potential for technology development and the effect of reorganization, it is quite come-at-able for China to keep economic growth at a rate of 6 to 7 per cent in the coming 10 years. If this is the case, China will stay on a fast growing huge market for overseas and domestic investors. However there is existence of a downside factor deal the quick increase in the production capability and the slow growth of per capita income and consumption has resulted in periodical dispersion in China. The occurrence of supply beyond demand exists in the majority industries but in China it has been harsh in certain sectors or activities.Natural, Sectoral and geographical distribution of FDI in ChinaSectoral dispersal so far the key percentage of FDI is drawn for the manufacturing field, which takes up approximately 60 percent of the total contracted FDI by 1998. Next follows real res publica with the share of 2 4.4 %. The segment of the allocation industry together with transport, wholesale and retailing is 6.0 %. Construction comes after that with 3.1 %. The major industry such as agriculture, forestry and fishing takes 1.8 %. Soon, service trade, such as finances, wholesale, telecommunications and resale business, will take up a larger share on account of Chinese agreement to WTO and additional liberalisation. Additional deal liberalisation should also take place in conventional industries. Particularly, the extension of FDI in agriculture will rely on the level of opening up to the market flow of agricultural products and the industrialised process of production operations. human resource endowments cost and productivity of labour One of the most important factors to attract FDI in China is the advantage in competitive production factors labour force, land and natural resources. The degree of development of host countries is often considered one of the most important determinants of F DI flows because it is positively related to domestic entrepreneurship, education level, and local infrastructure. With the worlds largest population, China has rich resources of labour, with average salaries of workers remaining at a relatively low level. China has paid great attention to the education of its people such as nine-year universal compulsory education. Therefore, Chinese labourers are of relatively high quality and there are comparatively numerous technical personnel. Some fields, however, are in short supply skilled managers, engineers and technicians. It is often argued that the labour cost in find FDI flows should be the efficiency wage rate, which is adjusted in line with productivity rather than the absolute wage, especially if FDI is export-oriented. In terms of the efficiency wage rate, China still has good advantages as confirmed by empirical research. China is as well extremely rich in energy reserve. Chinese production of oil, its predominant fuel, is among the highest in the world (Saudi Arabia being the main producer) in spite of the fact that China imports it owing to high consumption. China is the largest producer of coal, roughly one third of the worlds total production and its coal industry has been troubled by a serious oversupply problem. As with coal, Chinas electric power supply is also experiencing an oversupply problem. Other major natural resources such as land, iron and other minerals are economically available. With the globalisation of the world economy and the liberalisation of internationalistic trade and the giant strides in technological innovation, the advantage of a cheap labour force has become less important for foreign investors. Chinas disadvantages in terms of technology gaps and lack of labour qualification in some areas will also take some time to improve.Physical, financial and technological infrastructureIt can be supposed that the ease of use of physical infrastructure affects the decision of selecting the investment place. The additional highways, railways and interior transport waterways are adjusted in accordance with the size of host province, the more FDI inflows. An additional important variable is the level of telecommunication services. Advanced levels of telecommunications services will save time and reduce the costs of communication and information gathering, as a result facilitating business activities. Research confirms the supposition supported by other experimental studies that the provinces with more developed infrastructure are likely to be successful in attracting FDI. The same conclusion can be made for the technological infrastructure. In latest years, pressed by the market competition, the improvement speed of Chinas industrial structure has been accelerated. Mainly, the progress of high-tech has been greatly speeded up. At present, China and its provinces have elaborated a variety of five-year plans and the development of high-tech industry has been a top mai n concern. The current level of the technology of China and its provinces functions in order to attract FDI and induce the technology transfer. bareness to international trade and access to international marketsChina has adopted the so-called export promotion development strategy which was confirmed to be a peachy success in the Asian NIEs. Mutually with export promotion policy, China has implemented economic reforms and open door policies and made efforts to encourage trade by concluding several joint trade arrangements and adopted independent actions. There has been considerable progress in reducing tariff barriers in the 1990s, the average tariff rate on imports declined from 42.9 per cent in 1992 to 23.6 per cent in 1996 and to 17.0 percent in 1997. China has also formulated and implemented a series of discriminative policies to encourage international trade. Duty exemptions for intermediate products used in the production of exports have been particularly important in boostin g Chinas foreign trade. However, there remain several barriers to free trade including administrative enforcement and non-tariff measures. The local content requirement and the export proportion requirement may inversely act to promote FDI. The import interchange policy may function to promote FDI in the short term but further competition, which can be created from the increase in import, may positively act to promote new additive investment in current investors for introducing high-technology production. Also, Chinese further acceptance of multilateral investment arrangement is necessary to promote FDI into China. For example, China still does not take wholly foreign-owned companies to trade in many areas even though it has started to liberalise it. Chinas admission into the WTO will be favourable to the settlement of the problems. In provisions of ease of access to international markets, China has also some merit. Export-oriented FDI aims to use particular and specific resources at a lower real cost in foreign countries and then to export the output produced to the home country or to third countries. Even though the most important location factors for export-oriented FDI are resource endowments, research found that China has a relatively attractive and strategic geographic position in that its territory is huge and offers access to other Asian countries and the Americas.Development of the regulatory framework and economic policy ropinessRegulatory structure China has endeavoured to launch a more transparent legal framework and business environment. It has been reorganization its legal system concerning FDI. China has amended a series of laws, regulations and provisions such as comeliness Joint-venture Law and Contract Law just to name but a few. Also China has been relaxing some restraints and liberalising further on the area of restricted investment while it still keeps great emphasis on FDI in the encouraged fields and regions. Furthermore, since the mid-nineties, China has launched a programme to restructure and reduce the State-owned sector. It has made known that foreign participation would be welcome in the restructuring process, which will bring advanced managerial skill and enhance internal efficiency and international competitiveness. Given the need to reform Chinese SOEs, but bearing in mind the weaknesses of the domestic capital markets and the lack of managerial capacity, the Chinese policy to allow FDI in the areas of SOEs seems to be on the right track. It remains to be seen, though, how authentic participation of foreign investors will be allowed. Besides, as soaring unemployment seems inevitable in the process of the restructuring of SOEs, constructing a social security net is likely to be very onerous. Even after taking into account all recent Chinese measures, significant work still lies ahead to further improve the legal system for the market economy. The existing legal basis, legislation procedure and operating mechanism have not yet fully shifted to the needs of market economy. Various types of FDI recipients should come out in front. Privately owned enterprises have arriving inadequate share of FDI. Further efforts are expected to bring FDI inflows into these enterprises in line with the efforts of SOEs to further co-operate with potential foreign investors. Employment figures show that foreign direct investments in enterprises in villages and small towns have been considerable. Chinese efforts to comply with the international standards in its preparation for accession to the WTO will certainly expedite the reform policy.Economic policy coherence China is most likely to maintain its economic growth policy. In the year 2000, China is expected to record 7.3 to 8.5 per cent subsequent to 7.1 per cent growth rate in 1999. According to the Chinese governments tenth Five-Year plan (2001-2005), Chinese economic growth will be kept above 7 per cent and Chinas GDP will be around US$1 300 billio n in 2003 and US$1 500 billion in 2005.

Monday, June 3, 2019

The origins of social welfare

The origins of brotherly eudaemoniaHistorically, it is hard to trace the origins of brotherly public assistance or well-disposed policy in Britain. There is a fence when exactly the foundations of the welfare relegate were laid. Slack suggested that the welfare state was established by the end of the eighteenth century. On the other hand Roberts argued that the basis of the welfare state was laid between 1833 and 1854. til now, most commentators incline to associate the term Welfare State with the start of the modern welfare state of Britain in 1945 (Harris 2004, p.15).Contrary to this conception, in my view, the origins of welfare state could go back as the earliest medieval woeful integrity which came into existence in 1349. Not to forget to mention, the stem of welfare emerged thousands of years ago in many societies and civilisations. Voluntary and charitable help was provided through individuals, the state and religious organisations (Day 2000).The Poor Laws were intro duced as a mechanism to take poverty amongst the forgetful by giving those help. Those execrable people who are getting help including the sick and elderly were known as paupers. According to Oxford English Dictionary 2009 a pauper is A recipient of relief under the provisions of the Poor Law or of public charity. Now hist. (http//www.oed.com/).The main criticism to the short law was it paid to a greater extent than attention to the maintenance of public order rather than the relief of poverty. This raised a question, whether the start of the welfare system for the poor was an act of mercy and compassion or the fear that homeless people will involve in unlawful activities. Based on the historical facts, the poor laws were divided into the Old Poor Law and the New Poor Law. The 1834 Poor Law Amendment diddle was regarded as the start of a new era of Poor Laws referred to as the New Poor Law. (http//www. endurehouses.org.uk/)The New Poor Law revolutionised the local and central governments relations. The Commissioners spread over 1834 was the core of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act. The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act known similarly as PLAA had taken the administrative power from the local authority (parishes) to the central government authorities. It also reformed the Old Poor Law which was in place. Furthermore, the act dealt with the flaws of the Old Poor Law due to the bad administration of the local parishes. However, the act faced criticism from the local parishes opposing the idea of the central control, which will put limitation on their powers. Another criticism that the act restricted the relief to the poor and the conditions inside the departhouses were harsh and repulsive.( http//www.workhouses.org.uk/) . The commissioners report had also recommended the building of workhouses as a vital strategy to discourage claimants of the outdoor relief. However, many Northern Local Authorities opposed the building of warehouses, because they saw it as an expensive solution for the problem of unemployment (Harris 2004).According to (www.workhouses.org) 2009, The Oxford Dictionarys first record of the word workhouse dates back to 1652 in Exeter The said house to bee converted for a workhouse for the poore of this cittye and also a house of correction for the vagrant and disorderly people within this cittye. However, workhouses were around even before that in 1631 the Mayor of Abingdon reported that wee haue erected wthn our borough a workehouse to cobblestone poore people to workeUnder the New Poor Law (The Poor Law Amendment Act 1834) the workhouse unions acted as a deterrent for the able-bodied to claim outdoor relief. However , the law also introduced the outdoor labour test premised the distribution of outdoor relief to able-bodied men in return for a task of work .The initial plan of the workhouses to build different workhouses to accommodate different types of need such as children ,women and elderly . But later the plans h ad changed in favour manifold workhouses to accommodate all paupers. Apart from deterring able-bodied men from claiming relief, the workhouses were also intended to be institutional accommodation to accommodate various sections of the population who cannot look subsequently themselves in their homes or in community. However during 1830s and the 1840s many cases of abuse and neglect inside the workhouses were reported in the media. The editor of The Times published more than a hundred cases of cruelty inside the workhouses in that period (Harris 2004, p.49 -52). Although the workhouses were not a prison, people inside were called inmates. The situation inside the workhouses was tough, the food was basic, and they had to wear rough supply and to sleep in common dormitories. The able-bodied were given hard work such as stone breaking and picking old ropes apart called oakum (www.workhouses.org).During the 1800s the theory of charity in response to the needy spread rapidly throughou t the world. As a result this led to the emergence of munificence Organisation Society. The Charity Organisation Society shared the same values as the Poor Law and they complemented each other. There was a debate whether the charities make the poor more dependent on the help they receiving, which might discourage them from seeking work. Later, the Charity Organisation Society spread to the USA which was helped by the lack of consistent state support to the poor (Payne 2005, p.34-8).From the origins of social work in the Victorian Charity Organisation Society (COS)The idea of settlement houses was to bridge the gap between social configurationes, In order to achieve that, it was suggested that the rich and educated should spend time and live amongst the poor. According to Payne settlements emerged as a movement to educate the working class and to maintain the moral Christian social behaviour in poor neighbourhoods in the new cities. Those students involved would use their education and moral beliefs in activities which (Payne 2005)The Seebohm Report was regarded as a landmark in the development of social work. Initially the Seebohm committee was set to find ways to reform local authority ad hominem social services. The committee recommended the merge of local authority into social services department .As a result social work moved to be more generic, whereas before social work was specialised such as childcare and psychiatric social work . The object was to utilise resources. Consequently, the social work was modernize social work as it brought together the separate department offering social services to different client group into a single social services departments (James 2004) .Subsequently, social work in Britain reached its peak and saw massive state social work expansion by 1970 with the implementation of the Local chest Personal Social Services Act 1970 which was an outcome of Seebohm Report. Additionally, this period saw the birth of British Assoc iation of Social Workers in April 1970 after the merging of 8 associations (Payne 2005). However, towards the 1980s there been a move back towards specialisation especially in mental health and childcare. As the Mental Health Act 1983 made a condition that only approved social workers should be allowed to deal with mental health cases. Also, as a result of the rise in child abuse cases child protection teams became the norm within Local Authorities. Additionally in 1989 the government put 10 million pounds towards child protection fostering programme (Johnson 1990, p. 161-2).The Beveridge Report 1942 was regarded as the foundation for the modern welfare state in Britain. Lowne R states that, Despite its somewhat unglamorous title (and author) , the Beveridge report on Social Insurance and Allied services immediately acquired immense popularity , both at home and aboard , as a practical programme for the voidance of poverty , and it has subsequently come to be regarded as a bluepri nt for the welfare state. (Lowne 1999, p. 130)Beveridge stressed in his report the need to eradicate the five evils Want, Disease, Idleness, despicableness and Ignorance. Furthermore, he suggested measures to be implemented by the government to tackle to issues. However, the Beveridge report was not fully implemented by the various governments and was abandoned by the conservatives. The conservatives criticised Beverdige for suggesting a flat rate contribution. Following his report, the National Health Service (NHS) was born on 5th July 1948 . In my opinion, this was one of the most important outcomes of the Beveridge Report and a major event in the history of modern welfare state in Britain. However, some social policy commentators had different view. Glennerster stated that Beveridge is often impute with the founding of the National Health Service, which definitely he did not do. And goes on, he is more possibly credited with the founding of post war system of social security, t he subject of his great report, yet in many ways this is also a mistake. Although he acknowledge the report had a great impact at the time (Glennerster 2000, p. 18).Payne (2005, p. 31) suggests that social work in Britain evolved from three different sources the Poor Law , charity organisation and the settlement movement.When Margaret Thatcher came to power in 1979, social work started to decline. Different factors contributed to the deterioration of social work. There was a service failure especially in child protection. Social work was seen as a fleecy police. Thatcher government increased control over public expenditure.After the child care scandals, social work got a negative image in the media and the public. therefore social work was seen as the problem rather than the solution.One of the huge dilemmas for social workers in the 21th century, the shift in social work culture. Nowadays, on the managerial level, more importance being put on budgets and targets. Social workers had massive caseloads to deal with, topped with numerous paperwork to fill, which somehow hinder the process of service voice communication to the service user. The rise in the workload for social workers led to divert the focus from the quality to the quantity. It became the quantity rather than the quality.

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Essay --

At first I would like to say that I am really excited to write to you this letter and I am doing it with savour. As we are going to spend a yeartogether, now I would like you to know about me, my character, my likes and dislikes, my hobbies, and of course about my family. Firstof all I will tell you about me. I am 18 geezerhood old, I am a tall girl with brownish curly hair, brown eyes and quite a pretty face. I am asophomore at Vanadzor State Pedagogical Institute named after Hovhannes Toumanyan and studying in Philological Faculty, side of meatDepartment and my major field of degree is the English language. I am a future English teacher for what I am really proud as I loveteaching children. I am called an interestin someone by my friends and relatives. I like to learn something new all the time, in oppositewords _ absorb any information which is all important(predicate) and interesting to me. At the same time I have great sense of humor. I am fond ofjoking so I much get in t ouch with such people who are witty, friendly, and of course humorous. By the way I have a lot of friends whomI love and repect very much and friendship to me is very important. All of my friends are very interesting, kind, helpful and trustful.When I am sad and disappointed, they are always there to comfort me up. When I am happy, they are always there to share myhappiness. Of course it is mutual. We love, repect and count on each other. What about me, I am a person who seldom gets offended.I hate lying and being lied about. I do not like when people butter somebody up either. That is something vile for me. I like just andhonest human relationships. I should say that my mood is quite changable. And it depends on circumstances and sometimes onweather. I raise s... ...witty. He is also skillful with many things. He graduated from Vanadzor StatePedagogical Institute. He is not married yet, but I hope he will soon. I love him too much. Unfortunately, my mother died when I wassix. B ut as I remember her, she was a real beauty. She was very careful, loving, and gentle. She was a medicament teacher as well as apedagogue at kindergarten. Though she is not with us now, I am sure she always follows us from the sky and helps us. It is reallydifficult living without Mother but my brother and I try to do everything so my Dad will not aroma lonely and sad. Our family is veryunited. We live in the air of family life. We are as separated as the notes of a piano and as linked as the notes of a song. That is allabout me and my family. I hope that you have liked me. I also hope that one day we will meet, love and repect each other strongly.