Writing Style of Scarlet Letter Essay Example

Writing Style of Scarlet Letter Paper Adultery, betrayal, promiscuity, subterfuge, and intrigue, all of which would make an excellent coming attraction on the Hollywood scene and probably a pretty good book. Add Puritan ideals and writing styles, making it long, drawn out, tedious, wearisome, sleep-inducing, insipidly asinine, and the end result is The Scarlet Letter. Despite all these things it is considered a classic and was The Scarlet Letter is a wonderful and not so traditional example of the good versus evil theme. What makes this a unique instance of good versus evil is that either side could be considered either one. Hester could very easily have been deduced as evil, or the bad guy, as she was by the townspeople. That is, she was convicted of adultery, a horrible sin of the time, but maybe not even seen as criminal today. As for punishment, a sentence to wear a scarlet A upon her chest, it would hardly be considered a burden or extreme sentence in the present day. We will write a custom essay sample on Writing Style of Scarlet Letter specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Writing Style of Scarlet Letter specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Writing Style of Scarlet Letter specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Or Hester can be seen as rebelling against a society where she was forced into a loveless marriage and hence she would be the good guy, or girl, as the case may be. Also the townspeople, the magistrates, and Chillingworth, Hesters true husband, can be seen in both lights. Either they can be perceived as just upholding the law -she committed a crime, they enforce the law. On the other hand are they going to extreme measures such as wanting to take Pearl, Hesters daughter, away just because Hester has deviated from the norm, all to enforce an unjust law that does not. Although the subjects of the novel do apply to important issues in history and could have had influences on the time period, they were not great.

Working Mothers Negative Effects On Young Children Social Work Essay Essay Example

Working Mothers Negative Effects On Young Children Social Work Essay Essay Example Working Mothers Negative Effects On Young Children Social Work Essay Paper Working Mothers Negative Effects On Young Children Social Work Essay Paper Working female parents have negative effects on their immature kids. This paper is used to demo that why female parents who normally working outside have bad effects on their immature kids and what are the effects. It explores a series of articles, diaries and experiments on the web sites to demo the bad effects of working female parents to their kids by the undermentioned four chief points, early developmental effects, mother-child barriers, psychological harm for kids and female parent s over-indulging cause kids deficiency of self-denial. In decision, the consequence of working female parents is still a controversial subject for presents, but both the common thought of people and the studies show that working female parents have farther negative effects to kids. Mother is the individual who gives a child life and love, so she is the most of import individual for a kid. Children can non populate without their female parent during babyhood which is based on homo s inherent aptitude. Mothers can give chest milk for kids to do them alive. And female parents can fulfill every small ask from kids because of female parent s love which is the basic homo s replete exist on every portion of homo s civilization and society. If people populating in the manner of against the homo s inherent aptitude, such as female parent normally outside so that do non hold adequate clip to remain with her kid, it will do jobs. Therefore, working female parents may hold negative effects on their immature kids. First of wholly, working female parents may doing bad early developmental effects. The kids will hold slower emotional development and mark less good in reading and math s trials, if their female parents return to work full clip in the old ages before they start school ( Carvel, 2003 ) . In this article, it talks about the working female parent s bad effects to their kids who show on the kids s ability of instruction. By the research, Prof Francesconi said that Even the kids of extremely educated female parents who go back to full-time work early will hold lower educational attainment. But the disadvantage will non be every bit much as it is for less educated Dendranthema grandifloruoms . This statement supports the thought of female parent who working outside truly has negative consequence on her kids. Parents are the first instructor of a kid, particularly the female parent. Imitate others action is the basic inherent aptitude of larning. In add-on, a research survey that receiv ed national attending in Britain found that kids whose female parents worked fill-time were twice every bit likely to neglect their high school go forthing tests as those whose female parents stayed place to raise them ( Anonymous, 1999 ) . This illustration besides shows that working female parents have negative effects to their kids on instruction. As a consequence, if female parents working outside for long clip, so the kid will has cipher to copy so that has less opportunities to larn abilities. This is the basic ground of why the kids with working female parents have low early instruction degree. As a consequence, early instruction is a really of import measure to act upon people s IQ and EQ for their whole life. Nowadays, escalating competition between people becomes harder and harder, so kids can non lose from the get downing line. Therefore, female parents should non work outdoors for long clip during the childhood of their kids. Second, working female parents will easy do mother-child barriers. In most of eastern states particularly in China, most of people believe that merely the people with the relationship of blood ties can truly swear each other, and the relationship between female parent and kids is the closest 1. However, if the female parent is working outside during her kids s childhood, there must be some estrangement being created. This will do barriers the communicating between female parent and kids, so that may organize domestic contradictions and go a concealed problem in future. A research survey that received national attending in China a twosome of old ages ago shows that convey up boies to back up parents in their old age is a common thought around people in low public assistance, so, if there is a job between female parent and kids on their household love, that will do a immense problem in a household, even the whole society. Pure close relationship normally built from childhood. When pe ople get older, the relationship will go complicated. Therefore, if people want to maintain the relationship of blood ties more credible, so this relationship should be built every bit early as possible. If people can non swear in the female parent s love, they will hold few opportunities to have others love. Love is the force of aid from others and no 1 can acquire a successful consequence without any aid. The female parents who ever work outside will do their kids start to discredit in love and do mother-child barriers even the barriers with the whole universe ( Wax, 2004 ) . Peace can non be kept by force. It can merely achieved by understanding is a well-known expression by Albert Einstein, but the apprehension between people demands clip and forbearance. Working female parents do non hold adequate clip to pass on with their kids and construct this apprehension, so barriers may easy be created. Peoples can non win with barriers in their household and the female parents who ev er work exterior is one of the grounds to do this happened. Therefore, working female parents have negative consequence to immature kids. Third, working female parents has the effects of psychological harm for kids. Young kid is really weak on both their organic structure and head, and female parent is the dearest individual of her kids. There was an experiment for a long clip ago shows that when people is confronting immense jobs, particularly the job is threating to life, the first individual they think is ever their Dendranthema grandifloruom. This is an look of homo s inherent aptitude of belong to and swear in female parent s love. Therefore, if female parent ever working outside and do non hold clip to remain with her kids, this will easy doing kids experiencing helpless and go unsociable, bizarre and have an inferior outlook. There are many illustrations around me, such as some schoolmates with individual parent household, or, some schoolmates whose parents ever really busy, normally have less assurance and less communicates with others. This is the immediate effect of kids with less of love. In this instance, t he kids with less female parent s attentions will demo different jobs in their behaviour ( Brindle, 2000 ) . Peoples may besides hold psychological unwellness or do visible radiation of their ain life ( Wax, 2004 ) . Peoples can non win without assurance and bravery, but these two of import individualities are the looks of people in love, particularly in the great female parent s love. Therefore, the kids with working female parents will acquire much less love than the kids whose female parent can ever remain with them. This will act upon the whole life of a kid. Fourthly, Working female parents may do female parents over-indulging and makes their kids deficiency of self-denial because of if the female parent work outside for long times, they will seek their best to do their kids happy in the limited clip of stay together and with less control. For illustration, many people who had has less attention because of their parents are excessively busy during their childhood, after they leave their place and get down to populate by their ain, such as abroad pupils, they normally weak to confront any seducement, and easy be addicted to take drugs, gambles, and intoxicant. They become to pass the money from their household extravagantly, so, eventually broken up the whole household and give up their calling. There is a study shows that working female parents normally have fatter kids. The working female parents has less attending to take attention every individual parts of their kids s day-to-day live, and they may utilize whatever the manner which c an do their kids happy to make full their guilty of did non pass adequate clip with kids ( Hawkes, 2007 ) . If hardworking can assist people to successful, so the spirit of unremitting and neer give up is the key to win. However, if people can non command themselves, they will neer to the full win. Therefore, immature kids need their female parents to remain with them and the female parents who ever work outdoors will hold negative consequence on their personality. Last but non least, people normally think that working female parents may hold negative effects to their kids as an inherent aptitude. There was an experiment has shown that approximately 60 % of work forces and 70 % of adult females agreed that a adult female s demand for self-fulfillment through work is merely every bit of import as her kids s demand for the best child care , and this study represent that in most of people s head, particularly in working female parents head, they want to pass more clip with their kids and give a best childhood to them ( WORKING Mothers: Consequence ON CHILDREN , 1983 ) . Mothers want to remain with their kids and kids want to remain with their female parents is the inherent aptitude of human being or animate beings. If people live in the manner which is against their inherent aptitude, so it has to be at least a really small influence to their life. However, for many grounds, there are so many studies try to demo the opposite consequence of pe ople s common thought that there is no difference between the kids with working female parents or non, but few of them has supported that the working female parents can assist their kids to turn up. Therefore, these articles may make by the authoritiess or the people who want adult females continue to work so that keeps the societal productiveness non diminishing. This is merely a courageous speculation, but still seems possible and sensible. In decision, In decision, based on the methods of above, working female parents may hold the undermentioned negative effects to their kids, such as early developmental effects, mother-child barriers, psychological harm for kids and female parent s over-indulging cause kids deficiency of self-denial. Therefore, female parents are better to pass more clip with their kids instead than working outside for long-run.

Business strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Business strategy - Essay Example 6 Environmental auditing †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 7 Shareholder’s analysis †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 7 Alternative strategy †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 8 Future strategy †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 8 Task 3 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 8 Roles and responsi bility of strategies †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 8 Strategy requirements †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 9 Targets and timescales †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 9 Bibliography †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 11 Introduction The business world has become increasingly competitive over the past few years and has necessitated that proper strategies be put in place to govern and define it. Various companies such as Apple Inc. have been involved in enacting strategies aimed at helping thei r company gain a competitive edge. A few of these specialized strategies Some of these strategies involve engaging in activities that make a company more able to derive a greater degree of revenue while at the same time reducing the costs of operation. For instance, Apple Inc. has decided to take advantage of the high demand of smart TVs within the current market as a main strategy of exercising a degree of competitive advantage within this specific sector. Further, the company has also been conducting aggressive marketing strategies aimed at gaining a competitive edge over its main rivals such as Samsung. Task 1: Demonstration of strategic planning processes: For the purpose of this paper, the selected organization will be Apple Inc.; one of the most successful multinational corporations with subsidiaries worldwide. It deals with the production of the communication equipment such as the iPhone as well as the creation of a litany of other consumer electronics. Further, the firm has also engaged in the development of different software for various applications. Currently, the company is in the process of production of new product lines which, according to management at the firm, will enable the company to gain a competitive advantage over its main competitors; Samsung, Huawei, and Google (Papalexandris et al, 2004, p. 90). Many analysts have pointed to the fact that the company is a market leader with respect to the massive amount of technical innovation and development that they are able to generate each and every quarter/year. As a function of this specialty and drive, the firm is able to make state of art goods; helping to explain why most of the goods from this company are in such high demand. Apple has many major opportunities owing to the fact that is has not yet been able to saturate markets; especially in the developing world. Despite the fact that its goods are expensive, they are in high demand due to their high quality and unique appeal that the bran d is able to generate. Currently, the company, just like many others, has been facing increased economic challenges. This is especially true after the 2007/2008 economic meltdown. However, to overcome this challenge, the management has been able to engage in a series of

The Department of Corrections Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Department of Corrections - Assignment Example This disparity could be attributed to the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2012 that ruled out US states from expanding Medicaid eligibility, which has led to a significant drop in the number of states adopting the Medicaid expansion. Moreover, even after the Federal Government gave consent to pay 100% Medicaid expansion costs for the initial three years and 90% thereafter, just 26 of the US’s 50 states have preferred to expand Medicaid (Rice et al, 2014). Such reluctance has left almost half of the eligible US residents with no Medicaid coverage. Another evident challenge is the increase in Medicare expenditure, 3 years after the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enactment. A few months after the inauguration of the 2010 ACA Act, expenditure indicated low levels perhaps due to Medicare payment cuts, reduced hospital readmission and growth of responsible care centers. However, there has been a rebound in the Medical Department expenditures due to the introduction of blockbuster drugs; thus, continually resulting in high spending. Similarly, it is increasingly becoming difficult to control costs as physicians and hospitals merge to augment their market in negotiations with major insurers (Rice et al, 2014). That notwithstanding, strong, and resolute opposition that has always come against major Medicare policies and plans in the US poses a lot of challenges. For instance, immediately after the ACA came into effect, opposition from Republican Party within the House of Representatives, voted persistently for the Act’s abolishment over 40 times. Consequently, out of 1507 national representative polled in 2014, only 37% were for the ACA whereas 53% were against it (Rice et al., 2014). Thus, this lack of political will has led to many residents being against Medicare proposals. Apparently the background of the challenges facing the Medicare department in the US is due to a series of poor plans and policies that

Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) Essay

Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Essay Example This is precisely the reason why we have witnessed a shift from bureaucratic approach from the beginning of 19th century, to humanistic approach. While performing literature reviews and discussion with HR/ HC executives to understand strategic human resource management, I have found that SHRM gives a quantifiable value to contributions made by HR teams and helps them develop HR architecture and workface that aliens well to organizational objectives, giving rise to a competitive advantage. Careful analysis of strategic HRM reveals that human capital management is mandatory for today’s rapidly changing environment. In my view, the pace shown by today’s organizations and enterprises demand a fast-responding HR management teams that can alter the orientation of human capital with reference to organizational goals. This analysis of today’s human resource management practices had made me develop an understanding of this basic concept of strategic HRM. Through literatur e review and practical observations, I have observed that SHRM gives a new direction to traditional administrative role of HRM. It is about alienating the role and behavior of the workforce in a manner that corresponds to organizational objectives, mission and vision (Vosburgh, 2007). This is precisely the point where the concept of HR business partnership emerges. Going through present theories and thorough discussion with some of HR acquaintances has helped me develop an understanding that HR business partnership needs capital investment which is a sole decision made by organizational leadership. Without knowing the return on investment, it is difficult for management to provide funds for future developments. Here, SHRM emerges as the crutches that today’s weak Human capital managers need. This concept helps HR managers to analyze the value that they can bring to the business like other strategic functions of the organization (Scott-Jackson, 2009). Further discussions with HR executives helped me gain more insight of SHRM theory. In my view, SHRM defines a road map for HR executives via whom they can devise tools for acquiring and retaining suitable human capital that is well-versed with organizational practices and owns suitable skills set inventory. In addition to that, it is also important to ensure that this human capital is provided with necessary extrinsic and intrinsic benefits in order to keep them motivated. Where HRM has core responsibility of above mentioned functions, SHRM moves one step forward by devising frameworks through which HR systems and practices can actually assist organizational leaders in enhancing organizational performance and development. Hence, in my view, SHRM is a tool for gaining a competitive advantage that allows organizational management to achieve its business targets in an effective manner (Becker & Huselid, 2006). This understanding of SHRM function made me perform further analysis of the techniques used or sugges ted by today’s executives for achieving the objectives of this new regime. In order to gain this understanding, I performed a thorough analysis of various organizational models and live case studies. Through this research, I came to know that the foundation of SHRM is an understanding of the organizational objectives and goals in financial terms (Becker & Huselid, 2006). Once these concrete figures are available, HR executives are required to present HRM

Challenges in Reverse Logistics

Challenges in Reverse Logistics Reverse logisticsthe movement of products back toward the manufacturer in a channel of distributionis a topic that has been given scant attention. However, the increased contemporary emphasis on reverse logistics appears to be the result of public policy and social marketing influences. Broadly speaking, reverse logistics may be the result of one of the following types of initiative: Customer initiativevoluntarily returned goods. Government initiativeproduct recalls. Industry initiativerecycling. The latter two factors have a distinct consumerist/public policy flavoring, and have become mainstream issues largely in the past thirty years. For instance, while product recalls have existed since the early years (Schneider 1974) of the 20th century, they have become prevalent only since the mid-1960s. Two important pieces of federal legislationthe Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972have generated an increased number of product recalls. Similarly, interest in recycling surged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a result, prior to the mid-1960s, it appears as if reverse logistics considerations primarily involved customer initiative. Since customer motivated return of goods is a relatively small-scale phenomena, it was overlooked by scholars. As a result, the reverse logistics costs, both direct and indirect, associated with voluntary returns are likely to be miniscule. This low cost scenario provides one explanation for why the distribution ramifications of voluntary returns have gone unstudied. On the other hand, government-initiated and industry-initiated reverse logistics are generally conducted on a much larger scale than is the case with voluntary returns. For instance, with respect to recalls, in 1979, one firm (Corning Glass Works) had to recall nearly 18,000,000 (CPSC Annual Report, Fiscal Year 1979) defective items of the same product. As a result, the costs associated with recall and recycling are likely to be greater than those of voluntary returns. And, since physical distribution is concerned with costs, it is only natural for there to be greater interest in either government-initiated or industry-initiated reverse logistics. Virtually all companies must deal with returns. Consider such diverse organizations as Phillips Electronics and Aurora Health Care Pharmacy. Both companies are highly successful in dealing with returns. Phillips reduced the number of returns from 1.2-1.3 million per year to less than 500,000 (Sciarrotta, 2003). Aurora keeps returns at less than 2% of its total inventory despite stringent FDA regulations related to expiration dates, manufacturer recalls, and proper disposal of drugs (Morton, 2006). The common success factor: both firms have established and meticulously enforced returns-related policies and procedures. They each put a structured program in place to manage returns (Morton, 2006; Sciarrotta, 2003). Regardless of products and/or services involved, managers need to get control of their return operations. Control has been recognized as a crucial component of supply chain management (SCM): The first step (in SCM) is to introduce structure and discipline to the supply process, tightening up procedures, and taking control of all activities in the supply chain. (Sandelands, 1994, p. 44). One important way to introduce such structure is to formalize the operation. Level of formalization is indicative of how much control a given firm has over its reverse logistics operations. Thus, the issue of control becomes associated with the formal development and implementation of written down policies, rules, and procedures related to reverse logistics. Literature review and practitioners perspectives indicate that formalization is a necessity for managing all aspects of the distribution effort including the return movement of goods and services from the market. The purpose of the current research is to provide an analytical tool for measuring the level of reverse logistics process formalization achieved. Such a tool will allow for a more precise assessment of firms readiness to deal with the complexities involved in managing reverse logistics. Accordingly, this study examines the relationship between reverse logistics program complexity and reverse logistics process formalization. James (1974) recognized that transportation and warehousing are key components of a reverse distribution system. Large companies are heavy users of private warehousing. One advantage to private warehousing is control; perhaps one aspect of control is an efficient procedure for calculating warehousing expenses. The transportation-related research that has been done suggests that, for the most part, affected companies bear (Yaros 1976) the freight expense for recalled products. However, only about one-quarter of the affected companies (Yaros and Wood 1981) have control over carrier selection. Three warehousing-related variables contract warehousing, private warehousing, and relative use of private warehousing that show statistically significant relationships with revenues at all locations. Contract and private warehousing are more prevalent among larger firms; this may be an indication that larger firms strive to exhibit more distribution control than smaller firms. Among those firms who utilize private warehousing in both forward and reverse distribution, large firms tend to use private warehousing more in the forward channel. This may be an indication that larger companies are more flexible in their warehousing patterns. That is, the magnitude of a recall might influence whether or not private warehousing is used in the reverse channel (e.g., for small recalls, private warehousing may not be utilized). Reverse Logistics Reverse logistics is the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing or creating value or for proper disposal. (Rogers Tibben-Lembke, 1999, p. 2). Despite the growing recognition of the importance of reverse logistics, many companies are not ready to meet the challenges involved in handling returns. The rapid growth in the volume of returns far outpaces the abilities of firms to successfully manage the returns (Rupnow, 2007). Because of all the uncertainties involved, reverse logistics program development and implementation becomes very complex. The major challenges involve the considerable number of unknowns that have to be accounted for in developing reverse logistics programs (A.T. Kearneys Executive Agenda, 2004). The process of measuring and analyzing returns-related performance criteria is aimed at improving reverse logistics quality and identifying potential problem areas. The following metrics were identified by returns managers as the most important reverse logistics indicators: 1) volume of returns; 2) type/condition of returned product; 3) dollar value; 4) percent of sales; and 5) resources, including human resources, dedicated to returns. In-depth analysis of these measures can help to identify problem areas. Analyzing the volume, type/condition of returns, dollar value, and percentage of sales can provide a comprehensive list of reasons for returns and identify trends. For example, if a particular customer is constantly abusing the returns policy, this will be apparent when volume of returns and percent of sales data are analyzed. Type/condition of the returned product measures can uncover damage-related problems with specific carriers. RD product designs and/or supplier selection pro cedures can be reconsidered if the number of defective products coming back exceeds a pre-determined level. Measuring and analyzing reverse logistics programs can streamline resource allocation decisions as well. Targeting resources to potential efficiency gains should be a priority. Some firms start to apply reverse logistics-specific ROI ratios to identify the value-added to both the firm and the customers. Investments in employee training and new reverse logistics technological solutions, for example, are tied to pre-determined performance outcomes. Process formalization will enable the application of standardized analytical and measurement tools, like ROI, which can provide feedback useful in improving the service-quality and economic performance of the reverse logistics program. The Effects and Implications of Reverse Logistics Process Formalization Consistent with the RBV of the firm, in its dynamic capabilities extension, (reverse logistics) processes/competences help to transform property-based and knowledge-based resources into enhanced (reverse logistics) capabilities and (reverse logistics program) performance (Teece et al., 1997). The formalization of these processes/competences becomes a necessary condition for building a state-of-art reverse logistics program. The formalization of the reverse logistics processes addresses the issue and provides several related benefits discussed bellow. First, the formalization of the reverse logistics program can serve as a foundation for developing and implementing a solid monitoring system. Specific measurement items can be developed to help companies get control over their reverse logistics operations through increased visibility of the processes and activities involved. In addition to enhancing control, multiple monitoring/check points can help firms to modify certain processes and related activities. A constant feedback system can be established allowing for continuous process improvement. Second, reverse logistics program formalization defines roles and responsibilities. A clear and shared understanding of what is involved in managing returns can increase employee motivation and contribute to increased operational efficiency. Clear delineation of required activities and associated responsibility can reduce returns processing time. The managers interviewed believe that reverse logistics process formalization allows employees to focus on ways to increase productivity. Measurable gains can be achieved, for example, by avoiding discussing potential options for every returned product. Instead, the prescribed policy/rule can be automatically applied. In addition to pure operational gains, providing structure to the reverse logistics program can contribute to enhanced performance by enabling reverse logistics personnel to build upon shared and in-depth, firm-specific knowledge and experience. Capturing standard policy through written formal procedures provides institutional memory and creates a firm-specific knowledge database. Next, reverse logistics program formalization can help to identify necessary resources and indicate how resources should be utilized. A step-by-step schematic of what exactly is involved in handling returns can greatly contribute to securing senior management support. Problem areas can be readily identified as well as potential economic and strategic benefits. Tailored investments can be made, for example in returns inspectors training and wireless technologies. These investments should be related to clear-cut performance outcomes through developing distinct IT, innovation, and responsiveness capabilities. More importantly, gaining support for reverse logistics was cited as the necessary first step in changing the attitude toward returns, the culture from lets try to lose less money to lets try to identify opportunities. The development of an effective, formalized reverse logistics program can also help companies to improve relationships with customers. When reverse logistics processes are formalized and documented at the detail level, preparing a customer-tailored offering can become less burdensome. Different activities can be adjusted as necessary and presented to the customer. The reverse logistics program can become an important element of the overall selling effort. Leading firms in reverse logistics management already include returns experts as part of their sales team. Formalization of reverse logistics processes can become a key, customer-oriented strategic tool.

Free Essay on Nathaniel Hawthornes Scarlet Letter - Three Scaffold Scenes :: Scarlet Letter essays

Three Scaffold scenes - Progression of Dimmesdale In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne portrays Arthur Dimmesdale as a troubled individual. In him lies the central conflict of the book. Dimmesdale's soul is torn between two opposing forces: his heart, his love for freedom and his passion for Hester Prynne, and his head, his knowledge of Puritanism and its denial of fleshly love. He has committed the sin of adultery but cannot seek divine forgiveness, believing as the Puritans did that sinners received no grace. His dilemma, his struggle to cope with sin, manifests itself in the three scaffold scenes depicted in The Scarlet Letter. These scenes form a progression through which Dimmesdale at first denies, then accepts reluctantly, and finally conquers his sin. During Hester Prynne's three-hour ignominy, Dimmesdale openly denies his sin. Hawthorne introduces Dimmesdale as "a being who felt himself quite astray and at a loss in the pathway of human existence" (64). The author made it obvious that a grim secret lies hidden in the depths of Dimmesdale's soul. This secret, however, does not reveal itself immediately, since Dimmesdale hides it from the closely watching town. In addition, he magnifies his own denial of his sin when he charges Hester to "speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer"(65). By deliberately speaking to Hester as if the sinner were not himself, the pastor makes sure that nobody suspects him. One may also interpret Dimmesdale's speech as a hint to Hester not to name him. He feels he must "add hypocrisy to sin" in order to keep his standing in the town. He thinks that if the town finds out about his sin, they will never forgive him, much like his belief system tells him that God will never forgive him. So great is his relief when he finds that "she will not speak" that he stands in awe of the "wondrous strength and generosity of a woman's heart"(66). Despite an inward wish for his sin to be discovered, Dimmesdale feels better knowing that Hester will not willingly expose him. In this scene in front of the town, Dimmesdale shows his original strength of character, which will diminish along the course of the book. In the middle of the night, seven years after Hester's punishment, Dimmesdale holds a vigil on the scaffold where he finally accepts his sin. The battle within Dimmesdale between "Remorse, which dogged him everywhere" and "Cowardice, which invariably drew him back"(144) leads to a temporary compromise in his midnight vigil.