Productivity & Process Improvement for EMC Research Paper

Productivity & Process Improvement for EMC - Research Paper Example 2. According to the Japanese concept of muda or waste, the seven wastes in modern production processes relate to the following areas: (1) Transportation (2) Waiting (3) Inventory (4) Motion (5) Over-production (6) Over-processing and (7) Defects (Wilson, 2009). I would therefore look at improving the processes or reducing time, space and money spent in these areas. B. For the purpose of this project I propose that we concentrate on lean manufacturing as a fixed set of targets of objectives to be achieved. The Excellent Manufacturing Company is a business enterprise that is a division of National Building Supply, itself a subsidiary of RedMag, an international conglomerate of diversified products. It produces cabinet hardware, decorative hardware, fasteners and other construction tools and elements that are used in the building industry. The production manager has set a productivity improvement target of 8 percent for the various departmental managers and the enterprise as a whole for the year. D. Since there are four main steps: (1) inspecting the manufactured parts; (2) separating the defective ones from the good ones (3) assembling the parts and (4) packing and shipping or warehousing them, automating the process of manufacture so that only good pieces are produced will automatically reduce wastage and defects. F. Automating the process through exact, zero defect manufacturing techniques may increase costs in the short run but would save on salaries and other overheads and increase productivity and reduce wastage in the long run. It is a sure fire way to increase productivity by 8 percent or more in every department where automation and defect reduction is possible. It can be seen that as the number of processes in the Plasti-brack manufacturing department are not too many, some of these can be eliminated by concentrating on capital intensive zero defect

Psychological approaches to child development

Psychological approaches to child development Learning theory comes from the Cognitive, Behaviourist and Social approaches in the field of psychology. Each of these approaches has assumptions that can be used to how it applies its approach to understanding human behaviour. The basic assumptions of the Behaviourist approaches are firstly classical conditioning this is learning through the process of association between a particular stimulus and response. Classical conditioning involves conditioned reflexes: all animals have this reflexive behaviour which is not a conscious control but is a response to a specific stimuli for example a kneejerk reflex will only jerk if is tapped in the correct place while your lower leg is freely swinging this reflex is controlled by the spinal cord and not by the brain this is a straightforward response to the stimuli another example is the production of saliva in response to food when hungry. This was studied in great detail by Pavlov, (1911). Pavlov had been studying the digestive process in dog s, in order to do this he placed dogs in harnesses and set a tube up inside their cheek, he did this so he could measure the rate and production of saliva. He observed that the dogs would start to salivate not only when they were given food but when they first caught sight of the food pail. Pavlov set up many studies to investigate whether or not a dog could learn to associate salivation with another response the ringing of a bell, Pavlov found that after associating the sound of the bell with the presentation of food the dogs would salivate when they heard the bell. The reflex of salivation had become conditioned. Pavlov found there to be a tendency to generalise the learning to other stimuli if a different bell was rang the dogs would still salivate and the more similar the sound of bell was to the original one the stronger the response this is known as the generalisation gradient. Although Pavlov studied dogs it became apparent that it was also a form of human learning. (HayesOre ll, 1996) (Pearce, 1987) Menzies (1937) showed how completely unconscious response could be conditioned response to the sound of a buzzer, the response was vasoconstriction which is the process of blood vessels withdrawing from the surface of the skin in the cold. Menzies got his participants to immerse their hands in a bucket of ice cold water when the buzzer was sounded this would cause vasoconstriction in their hands after a while vasoconstriction would take place when the buzzer sounded even though their hands were not immerged in the water meaning their reflex had been conditioned. This study is important as it illustrates that classical conditioning is nothing to do with our conscious decisions. (HayesOrell, 1996) In 1920 Watson and Rayner performed a conditioning experiment on a little boy who became known as little Albert; He was given a white rat and it was observed that Albert was playful with the rodent he had no fear of it and was even comfortable picking it up. The next time the rat was given to Albert he reacted in the same way but then the psychologists made a loud sound it was so sudden it made little Albert cry they did this on numerous occasions and so finally the mere sight of the rat would make Little Albert cry next they introduced a white rabbit and a Santa Claus mask which also made him cry, Little Albert had been conditioned to cry at the sight of the white rat but during the process had made a connection that anything white and furry would make a loud noise. This experiment gives us an insight into the human mind however this experiment would be unethical in todays standards. (HayesOrell, 1996)(Pearce , 1987) Traditionally, psychologists believed that responses that can be classically conditioned are involuntary responses for example: heart rate changes, gastric motility, sweating, eye blinks and sexual arousal. This is in contrast to operant conditioning, in which voluntary responses are molded through their rewarding and punishing consequence Pavlovs studies demonstrated how animals and humans can acquire new behaviors beyond the rather limited repertoire of their innate reflexes. (Davey, G 1981) Pavlov believed that the conditioned response could explain all kinds of learning. For many years, learning theorists believed that virtually any perceivable neutral stimulus could become a Conditioned Stimulus and that just about any response could be conditioned this view of classical conditioning has been modified as a variety of research studies have identified limitations to animals and humans adaptability through classical conditioning .( Davey 1981) Stimulus generalization allows you to respond to similarities between environmental stimuli, while stimulus discrimination allows you to respond differently to stimuli that have some features in common with other stimuli. You generalize first, and then, through additional experience, you learn which stimuli are functionally similar and which stimuli require different responses. (Hayes, 1994)(McFarland, 1999) Another type of learning is Operant Conditioning which involves learning to repeat or totally stop certain behaviours, although is more complex than classical conditioning it is still a simple form of learning. In 1911 Thorndike argued that some responses were learned not simply because they are associated with a stimulus response but because they had unpleasant consequences. This was known as the law of effect which is the investigation of different types of learning it is now known as operant conditioning the psychologist responsible for developing it was Skinner. Like Pavlov, Skinner investigated learning by using animals he did this because he wanted to study simple forms of learning whereas human learning is generally complicated. By using a Skinner box which is a device that contained simple elements that were needed for learning a response, he would place a hungry animal either a rat or a pigeon into the box and observe their behaviour the box would contain three things a leve r a food delivery chute and a light, as the animal began to move around the box it would eventually press the lever and food would be delivered meaning that the behaviour was being rewarded and would have an affect in reinforcing that behaviour which in turn would make it happen again. (HayesOrell, 1996) (Blackwell Skinner, 1951) Skinner introduced the term operant or operant response to distinguish the responses in operant conditioning from those in classical conditioning. In classical conditioning the conditioned response does not affect whether or when the stimulus occurs. Supernanny uses positive reinforcement and rewards and this is most effective in producing good behaviour. Positive rein forcers are events that strengthen a response if they are experienced after that response occurs. They are roughly equivalent to rewards. For children, positive rein forcers can include food, smiles, money, or other desirable outcomes. The presentation of positive re-enforcers after a response is called positive reinforcement. The process of strengthening behavior by following it with the removal of an aversive stimulus is called negative reinforcement and other desirable outcomes. Negative rein forcers are stimuli such as pain, threats, or a disapproving frown that strengthen a response if they are removed after the response occurs. Whether it takes the form of presenting something pleasant or removing something aversive, reinforcement always increases the likelihood of the behavior that precedes it. (supernanny.com). Developmental psychologists are interested in how parents impact upon a childs development, furthermore sourcing actual cause and effect links between the actions of parents and childrens development can be very difficult. Baumrind (1967) conducted a study on more than 100 preschool age children using naturalistic observation and parental interviews she was able to identify four important dimensions of parenting which are disciplinary strategies, warmth and nurturance, communication and expectations of maturity and control. Baumrind (1967) stated that the majority of parents display one of four parenting styles which are: Authoritarian parenting which is where the parent controls, shapes and evaluates the attitude and behaviour of a child using strict rules established by the parents they believe in keeping the child in their place. They also do not encourage verbal give and take, believing that the child should accept their word for what is right. Next is the Authoritative parent th ey attempt to direct the childs activities but in a rational, issue-oriented manner. They encourage verbal give and take and share with the child the reasoning. This type of parenting can result in children being obedient but lack happiness and self esteem. The authoritative parent affirms the childs present qualities, but also sets standards for future conduct. These parents want their children to be assertive as well as socially responsible. This type of parenting can result in children being happy capable and successful. Permissive parents have very few demands to make on their children the parent consults with the child about decisions and gives explanations as to why they have to be implemented. They avoid control and use reason and manipulation not to overt power but to accomplish mature behaviour permissive parents are nurturing and commutative and are more than a friend than a parent to their children. This parenting style can result in children having low happiness and self esteem but also have problems with authority and sometimes can do poor at school. Finally the uninvolved parent has few demands and has very low responsiveness and communication with their child even though these parents may fulfil their childs basic needs they are more likely to be detached from their childs life in extreme cases this can lead to reject r neglect of their children. This parenting style lacks lowest in all life domains and children lack in self esteem and are less competent. (Baumrind, 1967) The BBC news reported on a study Tough Love is good for children It states a balance of warmth and discipline improved social skills more that an authoritarian or disengaged upbringing. It says children aged five with Tough Love parents were twice as likely to show good character capabilities. However according to the report qualities such as application, self regulation and empathy were more likely to be developed in children whose parents were of the Tough Love category, it found that these qualities make a vital contribution to life chances and opportunity. The building character data came from more than 9000 households in the United Kingdom, it found that children from the richest backgrounds were twice as likely to develop key characteristics, additionally children whose parents were married were also twice as likely to show such traits than children from lone parent or step-families., it added that when parental style and confidence were tailored in the difference in child char acter development between richer and poorer families disappeared. They recommended that the governments sure start programme should be refocused for the use as a tool in early intervention and urge for more information and support for families and children with disengaged or low income parents. This report concluded that it indicated that parenting was the most important influence. (BBC News) One could argue that no matter what parenting style is given throughout childhood it reflects on a childs decision making attitude and behaviour, and has a great impact on a childs development. After learning about parenting styles on child development it is apparent that all parents should simply use the authoritative parenting style after all it is more likely to produce happy confident and capable children. The theories that Freud studied stressed the importance of childhood experiences, according to Freud child development is described as a series of psychosexual stages Freud outlined these stages as oral, anal, phallic, latency period, and genital. Each stage involves the satisfaction of a libidinal desire and can later play a role in adult personality. Erickson developed Freuds theories on development throughout human lifespan. Erikson believed that each stage of development is focused on overcoming a conflict. Theorist Jean Piaget suggested that children think differently than adults. Piagets stage theory describes the cognitive development of children. Cognitive development involves changes in cognitive process and abilities. In Piagets view, early cognitive development involves processes based upon actions and later progresses into changes in mental operations. Piagets focus on qualitative development had an important impact on education, although he did not specifically apply his theory to education but has been used in that children should taught at the level for which they are developmentally prepared. A criticism of Piaget is his research methods in he used his own three children for his experiments, other children in Piagets small research sample were all from well-educated professionals of high socio-economic status. Because of this unrepresentative sample, it is difficult to generalise his findings to a larger population and research has shown that Piagets argument that all children will automatically move to the next stage of development as they mature. Some data found shows that environmental factors may play a role in the development of formal operations. (About.com) Social learning theory is occurs within social context and is observational learning, imitation and modelling meaning people observe learning behaviour of others. Behaviourists say that learning has to be represented by a permanent change in behaviour; in contrast social learning theorists say that because people can learn through observation alone. Social learning theory has become increasingly cognitive in its interpretation of human learning. Awareness and expectations of reinforcements or punishments have a major effect on behaviours that people display. There is also a transition between behaviourist learning theories and cognitive learning theories. The environment reinforces and punishes modelling. Much behaviour can be learned through modelling: Aggression can be learned through models. Much research indicates that children become more aggressive when they observed aggressive or violent models. Moral thinking and moral behaviour are influenced by observation and modelling, in cluding moral judgments regarding right and wrong. Bandura (1961) designed a study which he named the Bobo Doll experiment, His study used three groups of children the first being the control group which did not include an adult. The other two groups included adult actors with one group being exposed to an adult displaying verbal and physical aggressive behaviour to an inflatable doll and the other witnessing a passive adult, Bandura (1961) found that the group of children who were exposed to the adult showing aggression were more likely to demonstrate the same behaviour when left alone in a room to play than those whose groups had a passive adult or no adult at all, The three groups were also divided equally between boys and girls and the results also showed that boys were three times more likely to imitate the physical aggressive behaviour than girls, although it was discovered that the level of imitative verbal aggression was about the same for males and females in the group, Bandura (1961) demonstrates that children have a tenden cy to imitate the behaviour of an adult role model so are acting in the same manner that an adult does.(Shuttleworth,2008) However there are extreme examples that show that a human child will imitate the behaviour of whatever it comes into contact with the most, exposure to a model behaving aggressively results in observational learning and aggressive behaviour. Refs http://www.betterlucktomorrow.com/character_sites/steve/Little%20Albert.htm http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/childdevtheory.htm Shuttleworth, M. (2008). EXPERIMENT-RECOURCES : Online. Available: http://www.experiment-resources.com/bobo-doll-experiment.html#Hypothesis [Accessed: 15/10/09] Davey, G (1981) Animal Learning and Conditioning MacMillan Press. Hayes, N. (1994) Principles of Comparative Psychology Lawrence Erlbaum. Martin, P. Bateson, P. (1993) Measuring Behaviour (2nd ed.) Cambridge University Press McFarland, D. (1999) Animal Behaviour (3rd ed.) Longman Pearce J.M. (1987) An Introduction to Animal Cognition Lawrence Erlbaum Ridley, M. (1995) Animal Behaviour: a concise introduction (2nd Ed.) Blackwell Skinner, B.F. (1951) How to Teach Animals Scientific American December 1951 pp http://www.supernanny.com/Advice/-/Supernanny-techniques/-/Discipline-and-reward.aspx http://www.devpsy.org/teaching/parent/baumrind_styles.html http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/h

Neil Young In Halifax :: Free Essay Writer

Neil Young in Halifax   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I was getting ready for school one morning when my father said that my cousin Jennifer was on the phone and she wanted to know if I wanted a ticket to the Neil Young concert coming up in Halifax. I said I did and I kind of forgot about it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was Halloween night and I was listening to an old Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young album when I looked at the release date when I realized that in a mere five days I was going to witness a legend in his finest form. Some say the Neil Young is playing the finest guitar of his life these days. Some people say that he's just an old man who can't sing, never could sing and should have retired a long time ago. I on the other hand see him differently. He is man who doesn't care about his appearance, doesn't care about what other people think about him. He is an entertainer. He is a healer. He is a Canadian. He is a man. When I picture myself at fifty I picture myself like him. We left for the concert on Tuesday morning and we arrived in the city at about noon. My uncle drove me and my cousin Edward up. We bummed around the city for a while and then we went to Jen's place where we were staying. There were a few other people from Inverness staying there as well. My uncle, Edward and I left for the concert at around quarter to seven. We kind of got lost. We got to the show at around seven thirty. While we were in line waiting to get in I could here the band that was performing. It was then that I realized what I was about to experience. I stumbled to my seat, half looking a my feet, half looking at the band on stage. I can't remember their name but they were good. As soon as we sat down the band ended their set and the lights came on. Then we just sat their for a while and I saw a lot of people that I knew from Mabou.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The lights went out and the place started to rumble with excitement. Moist came out on stage and started playing their set. When the band started to play Push I ran down to the front along with just about everyone else. But we were pushed back by the security. So we just sat in our seats for the rest of their set. The lights came back on and their were a bunch of guys on stage who were

Internet and relationship

The word â€Å"dating† and â€Å"relationship† differs a lot from old times and now. Technology made a huge difference of the comprehension of â€Å"hookups†, â€Å"friends†, and â€Å"friends with benefits†. Internet, cell phones, blobs, and many other resources changed the way teenagers think about the opposite sex or the same sex as well. Relationships turned out to be â€Å"the old fashion† and hookups are the best. First, relationships aren't that serious anymore. Teens are looking for something new, meeting sexual, something to turn them on.Backbone is one of the most used sites in these days; it connects you to the world and let you meet a new different type of people worldwide. â€Å"Backbone is the most useful tool for dating since the invention of the box of chocolates. It may also be the most dangerous threat to dating since bad breath† (Fox, Stuart). This generation mostly thinks about hooking up with hot guys, pretty girls , kissing, having sex, hugging, and flirting. Through internet, two people can do a lot, they can chat, video cam, talk privately; meet new people and a lot more.Internet is not proper sometimes. A lot of websites and blobs are influencing teenagers to do bad stuff or to rush into things before its time. Backbone, Namespace, twitter, and many other social network websites aren't private anymore. Anyone knows about you, what you like and don't, your relationship status, and what you are looking for. â€Å"With social networking sites, with Backbone, if you click that you're in a relationship, it [notifies] everyone that you're in a relationship. Its public broadcasting, this isn't part of a good relationship† (Fox, Stuart).Dating isn't about love at first site, or waiting by her house. It is not about emotions anymore, it's only about what a girl or a guy wants. They want something new, something to talk about or feel proud. â€Å"Social networking has created an array of new dating rules, making the old style â€Å"wait three days before calling† seem quaint by comparison† (Fox, Stuart). As for me, I see that this kind of relationships and the affection of the internet use is a problematic situation. Teenagers Just want to do what other people are doing whether it is right or wrong.They Just don't want to be losers, so they adapt and do what their peers do. They hookup, do random sex, flirt, and that's it. Nobody cares about each other feeling as long as you are getting what you want, everyone benefits from everyone. Finally, internet has played a big role not only in the teenager's world but in everyone's world. Time has changed; technology is getting better year after year. â€Å"Relationships† are now an old fashion way to go out with a guy/girl and in the end someone's heart is going to be broken.Hooking up won't get anyone's heart tear apart, it is Just you do what you want to with no limits or rules as long as in the end they are Just called â€Å"friends†. Work cited Fox, Stuart. â€Å"Backbone adds new perils to ritual of dating†. Manic Cot 2. Web Cot 4. Definitions: Most of teenagers who engage in hookups still worry about being discreet. Discreet: having or showing discernment or good Judgment in conduct and especially in speech: prudent; especially: capable of preserving prudent silence. Tall and lanky Lanky: tall and lean, or long and slender: often used to suggest awkwardness in appearance or gait.

Week Progress Report

Select one of the locations and prepare a comprehensive risk assessment for McBride management team. The risk assessment should identify the background and potential risks that could Impact the operation of the business. It will provide Background Possible Failure ScenariosPotential targets of terrorist activity such as government offices, law enforcement agencies, or politically sensitive businesses or services Public Imagine and Reputation Public transportation facilities that might handle the carriage of dangerous or hazardous substances, which could be Involved In major accidents Potential targets of criminal activity Safety and Environment The use of toxic chemicals In the violently of the business by manufacturing processes Industrial solvents, blue print machines, etc. Possible Risk Treatments ConclusionIn conclusion, the paper was provided to References By Jasmine McBride Financial Services, one of the Virtual Organizations, is currently opening offices in Boise, Idaho and Si oux Falls, South Dakota. Select one of the locations and assessment should identify the background and potential risks that could impact the hazardous substances, which could be involved in major accidents Potential targets The use of toxic chemicals in the vicinity of the business by manufacturing processes industrial solvents, blue print machines, etc. Possible Risk Treatments

Free Essays on Career Goals

My Career Goals As I make one of most important decisions in my life thus far, my parents ask, â€Å"Why have you selected Keystone College?† I respond by reminding my parents to reflect about their son whom they have so lovingly and caringly raised for the last eighteen years. They have nurtured an individual who has grown to understand that life is about people. Throughout high school their son practiced and developed positive people caring skills. I remind my parents that my choice in a college will help me continue to improve my ways to better serve people. From what I know and have read, Keystone has such a learning environment that fosters that same sense for caring and helping people succeed. I definitely want to learn from an institution that will help me reach my career goal, one that is centered around people. Whatever major I select, perhaps human resource management studies, I want that educational institution to teach me to become more responsive to peoples’ needs. I strongly believe that Keystone is an institution that practices what it teaches; I would like to take my learning experiences and apply them to people-oriented problems that are found in the real world.... Free Essays on Career Goals Free Essays on Career Goals My Career Goals As I make one of most important decisions in my life thus far, my parents ask, â€Å"Why have you selected Keystone College?† I respond by reminding my parents to reflect about their son whom they have so lovingly and caringly raised for the last eighteen years. They have nurtured an individual who has grown to understand that life is about people. Throughout high school their son practiced and developed positive people caring skills. I remind my parents that my choice in a college will help me continue to improve my ways to better serve people. From what I know and have read, Keystone has such a learning environment that fosters that same sense for caring and helping people succeed. I definitely want to learn from an institution that will help me reach my career goal, one that is centered around people. Whatever major I select, perhaps human resource management studies, I want that educational institution to teach me to become more responsive to peoples’ needs. I strongly believe that Keystone is an institution that practices what it teaches; I would like to take my learning experiences and apply them to people-oriented problems that are found in the real world....

Discuss the goal of creating the volkgemeinschaft in the organisation of German society between 1933-45.

Discuss the goal of creating the volkgemeinschaft in the organisation of German society between 1933-45. Today I will be discussing with you, the idea of Volksgemeinschaft or national socialism, and the politics behind this Nazi belief.Volksgemeinschaft was an attempt by the German Nazi party to establish a national community of unified mind, will and spirit. It was the desire to establish a total state where the interests of the individual were strictly subordinate. As Hitler said in a speech made in October 1933, "National socialism, desires to safeguard the volk, if necessary even at the expense of the individual. It is essential that the individual should slowly come to realise that his own ego is unimportant when compared with the existence of the whole people".Volksgemeinschaft as a National Community identified the denial of all differences in origin, conditions, occupation, fortune, education, knowledge and capital. It sought out to make everyone feel equal and as a German whole.Hitler knew this movement could only be achieved by gaining control of all aspects of cultural and so cial life.[German vehicle tax registration issued to George ...Theatre, literature, the press and children's activities were all controlled by Nazis. The promise of the equality in a community became the effective means of National Socialist choice propaganda.In order to control information and propaganda, institutional controls were placed on the entertainment and communications industries. The Nazi Propagandists constantly set up and invented new ideas and events, in order to produce the alleged class and condition less community. An example of it was the so-called "potting Sunday". This is where everyone was to eat a pot of food to show that everyone is equal and that everyone from rich to poor could eat the same.Children were also educated with knowledge of the Science of the Races and continual encouragement of a total state.Those involved with this Nazi movement were only those of pure Arian...