The Life Of Charles Dickens (1113 words) Essay Example For Students

The Life Of Charles Dickens (1113 words) Essay The Life of Charles DickensINTRODUCTION This report will talk about the life of a famous author, Charles Dickens. It will tell you about his early, middle, and later years of his life. It will also talk about one of his great works of literature. In conclusion, this report will show a comparison of his work to his life. EARLY LIFECharles Dickens was born at Landport, in Portsea, on February 7, 1812. His father was a clerk in the Navy Pay-Office, and was temporarily on duty in the neighborhood when Charles was born. His name was John Dickens. He spent time in prison for debts. But, even when he was freehe lacked the money to support his family. Then, when Charles was two they moved to London. 1 Just before he started to toddle, he stepped into the glare of footlights. He never stepped out of it until he died. He was a good man, as men go in the bewildering world of ours, brave, transparent, tender-hearted, and honorable. Dickens was always a little too irritable because he was a little too happy. Like the over-wrought child in society, he was splendidly sociable, and in and yet sometimes quarrelsome. In all the practical relations of his life he was what the child is at a party, genuinely delighted, delightful, affectionate and happy, and in some strange way fundamentally sad and dangerously close to tears. 2 At the age of 12 Charles worked in a London factory pasting labels on bottles of shoe polish. He held the job only for a few months, but the misery of the experience remain with him all his life. 3 Dickens attended school off and on until he was 15, and then left for good. He enjoyed reading and was especially fond of adventure stories, fairy tales, and novels. He was influenced by such earlier English writers as William Shakespeare, Tobias Smollet, and Henry Fielding. However,most of the knowledge he later used as an author came from his environment around him. 4MIDDLE LIFEDickens became a newspaper writer and reporter in the late 1820s. He specialized in covering debates in Parliament, and also wrote feature articles. His work as a reporter sharpened his naturally keen ear for conversation and helped develop his skill in portraying his characters speachrealistically. It also increased his ability to observe and to write swiftly and clearly. Dickens first book, Sketches b y Boz (1836) consisted of articles he wrote for the Monthly Magazine and the London Evening Chronicles.5 On April 2, 1836 he married Catherine Hogarth. This was just a few days before the anoucement that on the 31st he would have his first work printed in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. And this was the beginning of his career. 6 Then, at 24, Dickens became famous and was so until he died. He won his first literary fame with The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. Published in monthly parts in 1836 and 1837 the book describes the humorous adventure and misadventures of the English Countryside. After a slow start, The Pickwick Papers as the book was usually called gained a popularity seldom matched in the history of literature. 7 Then in 1837, Catherines sister Mary, died. Because of her death Dickens suffered a lot of grief. This led some scholars to believe that Dickens loved Mary more than Catherine. Catherine was a good woman but she lacked intelligence. Dickens a nd Catherine had 10 children. Then later in 1858, the couple seperated. 8 LATER LIFEHis later years was basically consisting of two main additions to his previous activites. The first was a series of public readings and lectures which he began giving it systematically. And second, he was a successive editor. Dickens had been many things in his life; he was a reporter , an actor, a conjurer, a poet, a lecturer, and a editor and he enjoyed all of those things. 9 Dickens had a remarkable mental and physical energy. He recorded all his activites in thousands of letter, many of which made delightful readings. He spent much of his later life with crowded social friends from arts and literature. He also went to the theater as often as he could, cause heloved drama. Dickens also produced and acted in small theaters to give public readings of hiswork.10 Besides doing all this after his retirement he got involved in various charities . These charities included schools for poor children and a loan society to enable the poor to prove to Australia. 11 Then about 1865 his health started to decline and he died of a stroke on June 9, 1870. 12Dickens Work The Great Expectations This story talks about a guy who is in love with a girl. It is the theme of a youths discovery of the realities of life. An unknown person provides the young hero, Pip, with money so that he can live as a gentleman. Pips pride is shattered when he learns that he loses Estella forever, the source ofhis great expectation. Only by painfully revising his values does Pip reestablish his life on a foundation of sympathy, rather than on vanity, possesions, and social position. .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a , .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .postImageUrl , .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a , .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a:hover , .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a:visited , .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a:active { border:0!important; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a:active , .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u72b21fed35e9d19b71ca3e0a69cfad4a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Salem witch trials Essay We will write a custom essay on The Life Of Charles Dickens (1113 words) specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Conclusion His work of Great Expectation is very related with his life. It deals with the same problems he faced when he lost Catherine and how his life was before he became rich and famous. He also created scenes and descriptions of places that have longed delighted readers. Dickens was a keenobserver of life and had a great understanding of humanity, especially of young people. The warmth and humor of his personality appeared in all of his works. Perhaps in no other large body of fiction does the reader receive so strong and agreeable impression of the person behind thestory. Endnotes1. G. K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens The Last of The Great Men, American Book-Stratford Press, NY., 1942 pg.192. Ibid, pg. 21-22 3. Johnson, Edgar, His Tragedy and Triumph. Rev. ed. Viking, 1977, pg. 204. Ibid, pg. 275. World Book Encyclopedia, Random House, NY., 1990 pg. 1936. G. K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens The Last of the Great Men, American Book-Stratford Press, NY., 1942 pg. 507. World Book Encyclopedia, Random House, NY., 1990 pg. 1938. Johnson, Edgar, His Tragedy and Triumph. Rev. ed. Viking, 1977, pg. 539. G. K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens The Last of the Great Men, American Book-Stratford Press, NY., 1942 pg. 16710. World Book Encyclopedia, Random House, NY., 1990 pg.195BIBLIOGRAPHYChesterton, G.K., The Last of the Great Men American Book-Stratford Press, NY., 1942. Johnson, Edgar, His Tragedy and Triumph Rev. ed. Viking, 1977. World Book Encyclopedia, Random House, NY., 1990

Giraffatitan - Facts and Figures

Giraffatitan - Facts and Figures Name: Giraffatitan (Greek for giant giraffe); pronounced jih-RAFF-ah-tie-tan Habitat: Plains and woodlands of Africa Historical Period: Late Jurassic (150 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 80 feet long and 40 tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; quadrupedal posture; longer front than hind legs; long, massive neck About Giraffatitan Giraffatitan is one of those dinosaurs that dances around the fringes of respectability: its existence is attested to by numerous fossil specimens (discovered in the African nation of Tanzania), but the suspicion lingers that this giant giraffe was actually a species of an existing genus of sauropod, most likely Brachiosaurus. However Giraffatitan winds up being classified, theres no doubt that it was one of the tallest (if not one of the heaviest) sauropods ever to walk the earth, with a hugely elongated neck that would have allowed it to hold its head more than 40 feet above ground level (a pose that most paleontologists think is unrealistic, considering the metabolic demands this would have placed on Giraffatitans heart). Although Giraffatitan does bear a marked resemblance to a modern giraffeespecially considering its long neck and longer front than hind legsits name is a bit deceptive. Most dinosaurs that end with the Greek root titan are titanosaursthe widespread family of thunderous, four-legged plant-eaters that evolved from the sauropods of the late Jurassic period, and were characterized by their large sizes and   lightly armored skin. Even at 80 feet long and upwards of 30 to 40 tons, Giraffitan would have been dwarfed by the true titanosaurs of the later Mesozoic Era, such as Argentinosaurus and the oddly spelled Futalognkosaurus, both of which lived in late Cretaceous South America.

Monetary Economics in Developing Countries Essay

Monetary Economics in Developing Countries - Essay Example The two exchange rate systems have their advantages and disadvantages in their application in a country’s economy. The advantages of the fixed exchange rate system include stimulating international trade as they offer much more stability for both importers and exporters and as such, they do not have to worry about the effects of currency appreciation and depreciation. Fixed exchange rate systems are also said to have a bit of control over the speculative nature of importers and exporters and thus reduce to a certain extent speculative activity in trade practices. This regime disadvantage can be depicted in the inefficiency of a country’s economy. This happens as a result of the government’s artificial support of the exchange rate which means it does not change accordingly with changes in the prevailing economic conditions and thus may loose out from the benefits that would be felt in the economy if the rate was adjusted according to the existing conditions. Furth ermore, the dependence of interest rates on the exchange rate can lead to reduced economic growth of a country in cases where they differ greatly with those being experienced in the market. In cases where one of the countries involved in the fixed exchange rate system agreement has a weaker economy, it may be dominated by the country with a stronger economy and at the same time undermine the prevailing market situation in the country with the weaker economy. Similarly, the flexible exchange rate regime has its advantages and disadvantages. The major advantage of this regime is its flexibility as it allows a country’s economy to adjust quickly to prevailing market conditions. This system also determines the interest rate in a country allowing for effective control of the economy in order to create balance. Despite its advantages, the flexible exchange rate system may lead to volatility in the market as it does not encourage

Restate Goals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Restate Goals - Essay Example Strategic goals and objectives involve a twin accomplishment: accomplish strategy formulation and strategy implementation in order to accomplish a connection between the firm and its environment. This is why strategy content, environmental scanning and corporate social responsibility. The manager must decide who are his good competitors and who are his bad competitors in the specific industry circumstances in which he competes. A key part of this policy-making process is the skill at predicting what his competitors are doing. Prediction is a vital practice because competitors, both good and bad, are not standing still. Management has a continuing and virtually inexhaustible obligation to its shareholders to increase the residual value of the corporation, rather than to increase the wealth of any other group of stakeholders, and that is the fundamental difference between the claims of other stakeholders and the claims of the shareholders to the board's decisions. Management's duty to the other stakeholders is finite, defined by contract, the law of torts, or governmental rules, and needs simply to be satisfied (Campbell 1997). Corporate goals and objectives are closely connected with organizational development embracing a wide range of intervention strategies into the social processes of an organization and involve the application of organizational behavior. Questions for discussion and training exercise: 1. Examine goals and objectives of each company. Name advantages and disadvantages of these strategies. 2. Image you are a CEO of the company. How can you restate corporate goals and objectives identified by three companies Why do you make these changes 3. Your task is to plan organizational performance according to goals and objectives. (a) Is it easy to plan organizational development strategies using these goals and objectives Explain. (b) Identify the main areas of growth and development using companies' corporate goals and objectives. Discussion Section Three organizations selected for analysis are the Alaska Railroad, HP and Nestle. These companies were selected for analysis because the yare global leaders in their industries operating of the global scale. Question: What do you know about these companies Can you identify the main similarities and differences between these giants Nestle, a leader in food industry, has the following corporate goals and objectives: " Nestl's corporate objective is to be the world's largest and best branded food manufacturer, whilst ensuring that the Nestl name is synonymous with products of the highest quality" (Nestle Corporate Objectives 2007)

Quality of Service of Voice over Internet Protocol for Enterprise Use Essay

Quality of Service of Voice over Internet Protocol for Enterprise Use - Essay Example Unless quality of VoIP reaches quality level suitable as an enterprise product, the demand for VOIP will not be fully realized. Developments in VoIP have been able to establish not only as a communication option but as a valuable e-service as well. However, there remains to be key issues that are critical in its adoption into companies or as an enterprise. The main issue is regarding its cost and the quality of services (Biddlecombe, 2005). In 2004, the telecommunications industry saw the launch of mass-market VoIP services that followed the traditional interface models of Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) and by 2005, free services began their entry to the market (Dean, 2003). Among the first one to offer services for free ware Skype which remains to be a significant market leader today. Following the success of Skype other online services began to include VoIP as part of their interface and retooled products as seen in the launch of Microsoft's Window Messenger Live, Yahoo's Yahoo Messenger with Voice and Google's Google Talk among others. However, the greatest potential for VoIP use is in corporate applications. The main benefit is in the communication and networking capacity it can provide. The utilization of VoIP operations using it to traffic PSTN calls locally and internationally (Cave & Mason, 2001). IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS's) have allowed the incorporation of internet technologies into current systems as well facilitated the actual interface of VoIP infrastructure with PSTN and mobile phones ("Voice over IP", 2006). However, most industry analysts believe that the major issue that companies consider in shifting an IP communications system is its ability to suit the operations and needs of the company (Dean, 2003). It is easy to understand this concern because VoIP adaptation costs a significant amount of capital and maintenance. The service desired is one that does not only exceed traditional PSTN communications but also one that is the most cost effective, easiest to maintain and upgrade. At the moment, there is no standard model for the evaluation of VoIP systems and since it is still being developed, standards of performance are also continually changing (Loyola et al, 2006). The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has already set standards for security and communication standards of VoIP service but has yet to be able to cope up with more comprehensive service standards (Hickman, 1998). It is estimated that as the quality of VoIP services increase, the greater its potential to be the premiere communication revolution of the age. VoIP services is not seen just as a revolutionary means of communication but it is the most significant development in the convergence of modern communication technologies. Quality of Service: QoS VoIP quality and reliability has been progressed as networking hardware, software and the speed of internet connections. Paul Travis (2005) estimates that by 2010, VoIP will already adapted by the majority American households, institutions and business. Though the primary consideration according to most studies is the cost of VoIP, analysts believe

Total Quality Management (TQM): Barriers to Implementation

Total Quality Management (TQM): Barriers to Implementation PREFACE This Dissertation Proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements forms part of a Dissertation study for the Award of Master of Science MSc in International Construction Management by the University of Bath through its distance learning programme. The programme operates in Hong Kong in conjunction with Hong Kong Universitys School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE). This study examines the barriers faced by introducing to Vietnamese construction organisations the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM). RATIONALE Total quality management (TQM) is still a new issue for organisations in the Vietnamese construction industry. Many construction organisations outside Vietnam have embraced the philosophy and techniques of TQM with enthusiasm and success, while Vietnam has been reluctant because of issues and problems in introducing TQM systems and programs. These organisations need to establish a new strategy towards quality management if they wish to be more effective and successful to give these construction organisations better competitive advantages. Although various studies have been undertaken into the factors affecting delays, cost overruns, quality, safety, and productivity, etc. and other problems in specific types of construction projects, these studies seldom discuss common and general problems of construction projects. Thus, comprehensive studies on these problems are essential. Since the problems are rather contextual, the research will focus on a framework for the implementation of TQM in Vietnamese construction organisations. The turnover of the construction industry represents about 10 per cent of the GDP of most countries. The construction industry is therefore a vital element of the economy and has a significant effect on the efficiency and productivity of other industry sectors. The Construction industry, though it is a major contributor to the economy of any country, is facing the problems of high fragmentation, low productivity, poor quality and lack of standards. It has not followed the lead of the manufacturing industry. Within the construction industry, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, contractors and various other specialists all have, in addition to their special technical skills, their own trade or professional customs and practices. These have an effect on the construction process either individually or collectively. These participants have differing traditions and often conflicting objectives. A key determinant that has inhibited industrys performance has been found to be its fragmented and loosely coupled supply chains. All these made the management of quality a difficult and complex task for all. As a result, projects in the industry are plagued by time and cost overruns. Frequently one reads in the newspaper about construction projects that take too long to construct, go over budget, or include disputes that may need to be resolved by legal means or arbitration. The construction industry therefore has been accused of being, at its worst, wasteful, inefficient and ineffective. Thus the reputation of the Vietnamese construction industry is ill suited for meeting competitive challenges of todays fast changing world where competitive edge is with those who manage their resources most effectively and offer a timely response to the demands of the market. The construction industry in Vietnam still has some way to go in terms of developing and implementing appropriate quality initiatives across the board. INTRODUCTION Total Quality Management is a management approach that originated in the 1950s and has steadily become more popular since the early 1980s. Total Quality is a description of the culture, attitude and organisation of a company that strives to provide customers with products and services that satisfy their needs. TQM is a method by which management and employees can become involved in the continuous improvement of the production of goods and services. It is a combination of quality and management tools aimed at increasing business and reducing losses due to wasteful practices. The culture requires quality in all aspects of the companys operations, with processes being done right the first time and defects and waste eradicated from operations. One aspect of TQM that has frustrated the construction industry the most has been the measurement of quality. Although Total Quality Management has been a magic word, methods and techniques to implement the Quality Management program in the Vietnamese construction industry are still to be systematically and technically developed. The Vietnam construction industry is being viewed as one with poor quality emphasis compared to other sectors like the manufacturing and service sectors (Kubal, 1994; Kanji and Wong, 1998; Wong and Fung, 1999). Many criticisms have been directed to the construction industry for generally shoddy workmanship. It not only the final product that is subject to criticisms but the processes, the people, the materials etc are under tremendous pressure for better quality in construction. Total quality management (TQM) is increasingly being adopted by construction companies overseas as an initiative to solve quality problems in the construction industry and to meet the needs of the customer continuously (Fung and Wong, 1995; Wong and Fung, 1999; Kanji and Wong, 1998; Jido, 1996; Sommerville, 1994). TQM has the potential to improve business results, greater customer orientation and satisfaction, worker involvement and fulfillment, team working and better management of workers within companies. However, Vietnamese construction firms have been continually struggling with its implementation (Haupt and Whiteman, 2004). The implementation of a TQM philosophy within the organisations requires a cultural change (Sommerville et al, 1999) and its being recognised as an important aspect of total quality development (Adebanjo and Kohoe, 1998). The primary purpose of TQM is to provide excellence in customer satisfaction through continuous improvements of products and processes by the total involvement and dedication of each individual who is in any way a part of that product/process. It is a structured approach to improvement. If correctly applied, it will assist a construction company in improving its performance. Quality management is a critical component to the successful management of construction projects. Quality on construction projects can be regarded as the fulfillment of expectations (i.e. the satisfaction) of those participants involved. The quality is a critical factor in determining project acceptance and resultant contractual payment levels. Unfortunately the Vietnamese Construction industry, and generally, has lagged behind other industries in implementing TQM. There are various methods, which have been used by organisations in the construction industry to improve quality, employing mainly two major techniques: management techniques such as quality control, quality assurance, total quality management; and statistical techniques such as cost of quality and customer satisfaction. However, this does not mean that construction organisations have achieved the required quality standard. On the other hand, the quality performance found in the construction industry is worse than before, as more serious problems continue to happen in the industry. The primary objective of this study is to develop and implement an effective TQM framework model that would help Vietnamese construction organisations to establish a foundation for TQM programs and ensure continuous improvements and be more competitive- with tools and methodologies for the identification of construction processes for continuous organisational improvement and customer satisfaction within the Vietnamese Construction Industry. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Research Questions and Objectives A statement of the specific aims and objectives of the study is considered necessary to help frame the issue sufficiently to enable it to be studied effectively and to measure the extent of its achievement. AIM: Main aim is to investigate and identify the barriers of introducing Total Quality Management (TQM) in Vietnamese construction organisations and make preliminary proposals and considerations of TQM implementation outlining the basic steps in managing a transition to a new quality system such as TQM. OBJECTIVES: To examine the TQM practices in Vietnamese construction organisations To investigate the affects of TQM on organisational performance To examine the relationship between TQM and organisational performance (commitment, resistance to change, culture) To develop a mindset of the organisations effectiveness of quality management initiatives To determine if there is organisational or individual resistance to change by using TQM techniques To develop and formulate how to implement a TQM program HYPOTHESIS: The authors research technique will be a problem-solving approach, hence formulating a hypothesis will not deem applicable in this study. INITIAL CORE QUESTIONS: The research questions and stated objectives are translated into the following operational statements: Position of the affects of TQM on organisational current performance Position of barriers to introducing TQM in Vietnam construction organisations Position of the relationship between TQM and organisational performance or QMS (quality management systems) Position of organisations and individuals resisting to change Position to provide evidence to suggest that western management practices such as total quality management (TQM) can be implemented successfully in Vietnam despite high cultural and organisational barriers. Position of implementing TQM systems within the Vietnamese construction industry to be an effective continuous improvement RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: LITERATURE RESEARCH The objective of the research is to assess TQM barriers of introducing and implementing initiatives in a number of Vietnamese contracting organisations to explain and identify similarities and differences in the implementation approach, benefits achieved, difficulties experienced and critical success factors. The field study will be based on the guidelines suggested by Yin (1989) and thus focus on contractor selection, focus on inquiry, which sort richness in data and data gathering procedures. Below are the proposed research stages: A comprehensive review of the relevant literature including a computer-assisted search will be undertaken in order to develop an understanding of previous work in the field of TQM. The exploration will be achieved through unstructured interviews and questionnaires with approximately 15-20 companies/organisations that have stated they have a TQM system. Further examination will decipher if these organisations have evidence of a systematic TQM system in place. Interviews with the aid of the authors questionnaire will take place to evaluate the level of quality effectiveness. The author will use these organisations once examined to study the possible implementation of a systematic TQM. This stage will bring together and review the information collected in the previous stages in which the present TQM system has been studied. This stage will involve writing up the content of the dissertation and should cover the chapters proposed in the following content: Proposed Contents of Dissertation Introduction Total Quality Management (TQM)- The Concept Implementation of TQM Designing the case study and research methodology Analysing and evaluating the case study evidence Conclusions and further studies References and Appendices FIELD STUDY DESIGN AND CONTRACTOR SELECTION The study research and report for this paper will be carried out in Vietnam, where an estimate of fifteen- twenty contracting organisations will be approached about the nature of the research. The contractors considered for the study are considered to be well-established contractors who are capable of procuring a wide range of construction facilities (building and civil engineering). Each contractor has several offices throughout Vietnam. Table 1 (sample at present) will provide characteristics about the contractors used for this study. For reasons of confidentially the author cannot provide any more detail than that presented in Table 1. The information that will be provided by senior management will only be estimates so as to provide the reader with an idea about the size the organisations involved with the research. The following descriptions are drawn from Gay and Diehl (1992) and relate to the two main methodologies used in the research: CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH Correlational research attempts to determine whether, and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable variables The purpose of a correlational study may be to establish a relationship, or the lack of it or to use relationships in making predictions. Correlational studies typically assess a number of variables believed to be related to a major complex variable, such as leadership. Variables found not to be highly related are eliminated from further consideration; variables that are highly related may suggest causal-comparative or experimental studies to determine if the relationships are causal. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH Once again from Gay and Diehl (1992), Descriptive research involves collecting data in order to test hypodissertation or answer questions concerning the current status of the subject of the study. A descriptive study determines and reports the way things are. One common type of descriptive research involves assessing attitudes or opinions towards individuals, organisations, events, or procedures; pre-election political polls and market research surveys are examples of this type of descriptive research. Descriptive data are usually collected through a questionnaire survey, interviews, or observations. COMPETING OR LINKED RESEARCH PARADIGM? Whilst undertaking the Dissertation which will precede this Proposal; and whilst preparing the Dissertation itself: it became evident that the debate concerning the merits of quantitative vis-a-vis qualitative methodologies were relevant to considering how the research was to be conducted. As pointed out by Sekaran (1992), In the management and behavioral areas it is not always possible to conduct investigations that are 100% scientific Still, to the extent that we can design our research to ensure purposiveness, rigor, and the maximum possible testability, replicability, generalizability, objectivity, parsimony, and precision and confidence, we will have endeavoured to engage in scientific investigation. There exists a multi-methodological approach where, it is quite usual for a single study to combine quantitative and qualitative methods and to use primary and secondary data, (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2000). They continue, There are two major advantages to employing multi-me thods in the same study. First, different methods can be used for different purposes in a study The second advantage of using multi-methods is that it enables triangulation1 to take place. Based on this pretext, the multi-methodological approach has been used for this research study. 1 Triangulation refers to the use or different data collection methods within one study in order to ensure that the data are tailing you what you think they are telling you. For example, semi-structured group interviews may be valuable way or triangulating data collected by other means, such as a questionnaire. RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION Interviews with questionnaires will be used as the primary source of data collection to focus the investigation and to ensure that a consistent line of inquiry is followed (Yin, 1989). The research will be carried out on as many competent construction organisations as possible (approximately 15-20) and are prepared to participate. In order to attempt to maximize the participation, the study will be introduced to the industrys senior executives, middle managers and contract managers who are direct employees of their organisations. This will help to eliminate noise factors that would result, if the study reached down to indirectly engaged multi-layers of domestic sub and sub-subcontractors. The research will be carried based on the following general methodologies: Examination of existing TQM practices of these organisations (if they exist) Survey based on questionnaire submitted by this author (refer to Appendix 1 for sample questionnaire) Statistical analysis to test for correlation in matched data from (a) and (b) (Interviews and examination of secondary data (reports, instructions, procedural documents) to test the suitability of the organisations ability to ascertain if TQM could be implemented as an evaluation tool for use in the Vietnamese construction industry). DATA STORAGE The data storage provisions for all data pertinent to this study will be in accordance with Bath University policy and the guidelines contained in Dissertation Notes Booklet. These provisions include that the original research documents (such as verified interview transcriptions, returned pilot and final questionnaires) will be retained by Bath University and a copy by the researcher, for a minimum period of five years. ETHICAL ISSUES: All research for this dissertation will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of Bath University. The research trail will be transparent and written consent will be sought from the construction organisations comprising the study group. Anonymity and confidentiality will be maintained at all times and all participation (including, individual/group interviews and questionnaire response, will be voluntary. Any private individual names (except those in public office) referred to on the interview tapes/Mini Discs, will not be transcribed. The tapes/Mini Discs will be erased once the transcripts have been verified as a true account of the interviews conducted. Transcripts, returned questionnaire forms, subsequent coded information and data analysis will be archived securely by the researcher, for the appropriate time required. FACILITIES AND RESOURCES: The researcher for this dissertation proposal will be responsible for meeting all expenses, including (but not restricted to) travel, translation, transcription, printing, postage, stationary, computer software and consumables required to complete the research programme. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of this study are perceived to be as follows: Only competent construction companies in Vietnam will be considered as the survey population; To date there is no evidence or records (but will require further research) of previous studies or data analysis as a comparison to other industries in Vietnam or abroad at this stage. REFERENCES Adebanjo, D., and Kehoe D.,(1998), An evaluation of quality culture problems in UK companies, International Journal of Quality Science, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 275-286. Flood, R. L., (1993), Beyond TQM, John Wiley and Sons Fung, P. Wong, A. (1995) TQM in construction industry Hong Kong context, Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on ISO 9000 and TQM, De Montfort University, Leicester, pp. 29-34. Gay, L.R. and Diehl, P.L., Research Methods for Business and Management. New York: Maxwell Macmillan International, (1992). Hart, D.R. (1994) Quality Handbook for the Architectural, Engineering and Construction Community (Milwaukee, WI, ASQC Quality Press). Haupt, T. C., and Whiteman, D. E., (2004), Inhibiting factors of implementing total quality management on construction sites, The TQM Magazine, vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 166-173. Hildebrandt, S., Kkistensen, K., Kanji, G. Dahlgaard, J.J. (1991) Quality culture and TOM, Total Quality Management, vol.2, no.1, pp. 1-15. Jido, J. (1996), Quality management with TQM in Takenaka Corporation, Proceedings of International Conference on Quality, Yokohama. Kanji, G. Wong, A., (1998), Business Excellence model for supply chain management, Total Quality Management, vol. 10, no.8, pp. 1147-1168. Kanji, G.K. Wallace, W., (2000), Business excellence through customer satisfaction, Total Quality Management, vol. 11 no. 7, pp. 979-998. Kotter, J.P. and Heskett, J.L., Corporate Culture and Performance, The Free Press, New York, NY, 1992. Kubal, M (1994), Engineered quality in construction : partnering and TQM, McGraw-Hill, New York. Oakland, J S., (1993), Total quality management, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Oakland, J., (2000), Total quality management Text with cases, 2nd edition, Butterworth-Heinemann. Rowlinson, S.M. Walker, A. (1995) The Construction Industry in Hong Kong (Hong Kong, Longman). Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. Research Methods for Business Students. Pearson Education Limited, England, (2000). 98-100. Sekaran, U. Research Methods for Business: a skill building approach. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, (1992). 14. Sommerville, J. (1994), Multivariate barriers to total quality management within the construction industry, Total Quality Management, vol.5, no.5, pp. 289-298. Sommerville, J., Stocks, R. K. Robertson, H. W. (1999), Cultural dynamics for quality: the polar pot model, Total Quality Management, Vol.10, Nos. 45, pp. 725-732 Wong, A. Fung, P., (1999) Total quality management in the construction industry in Hong Kong: a supply chain management perspective, Total Quality Management, vol. 10, no .2, pp. 199-208. Wong, A., (2000), Integrating supplier satisfaction with customer satisfaction, Total Quality Yin, K. R. (1989) Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA

A View From The Bridge by Arthur Miller Essay example -- View From Bri

A View From The Bridge by Arthur Miller Alfieri is a lawyer who works for the Sicilian community in Brooklyn. He opens the play with a very exposing account of what life used to be like and is like in that particular community. The audience knows from that speech everything about Alfieri and about the community in Red Hook. He launches into graphic detail about past bandits and murders and about how justice is very important to the Italians. The community is the 'gullet of New York, ´ which is 'swallowing the tonnage of the world. ´ This sentence is quite ironic since Red Hook is a fishing town and tonnage is another word for cargo. Alfieri speaks as though Red Hook has swallowed up all the complications of the world and is now reduced to a slum. This creates a vivid mental picture and therefore invents the ideal environment for tragic goings on. Alfieri also utters an intriguing statement, 'now we settle for half. ´ This proclamation gives the impression that in this Italian community pride and justice is fierce and that no one will settle for half of what they believe is right. Alfieri makes this statement in the past tense leaving the question did the events that Alfieri witness determine whether people settle for half. He also wonders if there is another unfortunate lawyer sitting back, unable to do anything as the events, 'run their bloody course. ´ The indirect reference to blood creates another question about whether blood will be shed, considering the Italian community has a reputation to fight to the death. Alfieri is essential to the structure of the play as he opens and closes the play. I believe that he is Arthur Miller's mouthpiece and he moves the action that Miller has once witnessed. Edd... ... not. If Eddie had managed to get Catherine, it would have been unnatural and ridiculous. Beatrice notices the relationship but her unwillingness to speak out makes her part of the problem. The reason why Eddie betrayed his wife ´s cousins is that he loved Catherine so much. However, even Eddie Carbone could not stand in the way of fate. Rodolpho and Catherine were meant to be together and no amount of vigorous and passionate arguing could stop fate from running its natural course. The doom in this play starts at the very beginning with Eddie ´s outward and awkward feeling for Catherine, when he claims her as his own. The prospect of dooms mounts as the play goes on, but the main factor is that the play is about incestuous love, jealousy and betrayal. When these are combined with an underprivileged, passionate Italian way of life, the results are harsh.