Vision Statement free essay sample

Core values are those that would remain unchanged regardless of time, current industry environment and any management trends. Core values are the building blocks of a company and are consisted of those values which strongly hold by the company. Core purpose is the reason that the company exists and it is also unchanging. Core purpose provides a clear direction of where the organisation is headed and distinguishes one organisation from another. On the other hand, visionary goals are objectives that a company decided to attain in the future. We will write a custom essay sample on Vision Statement or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Once the goals have been reached, it is ultimately essential for the company to come up with a new goal/s to replace the old ones so as to ensure that the company would be successful in the long run. It is believed that both core values and core purpose of the company are discovered whereas visionary goals are selected. Therefore, a good vision statement is one that would not only reflect the management’s objectives for the company but would also point the company in a particular direction and plan for the road that lay ahead of it in the future. The company that I am assigned to is called Andrew and it is an electronic sensor manufacturing company. A sensor is a device that senses the environment and it is used for security purpose. It is placed in things such as car to measure temperature, heat and speed. The electronic sensor market is continuously changing. Customer’s expectation is also changing. Customers want a smaller sensor with a high performance. Some would also want a cheaper product while others would not mind paying higher price. Previously, there has been an industry shake-up and a case where the old management team has failed to meet expectation of the shareholder. As a result, the old management team was dismissed and new management teams are assigned to do the job. Currently, there are six smaller, identical companies all vying to capture the biggest market share in the sensor industry. All of the six teams are without any specific vision statement. Thus, being a new management team that is in charged of the new company, Andrew, it is necessary to create a new vision statement. Andrew’s vision is to be world’s leading manufacturer of electronic sensor, with the biggest market share in the industry. In terms of our core values, we wish to be the top supplier of the most innovative and technologically advanced sensor to the customers. Andrew also strongly believed that our company’s success would be very much depended on meeting customers’ expectation and satisfaction. Thus, it is extremely important for Andrew to manufacture a product (sensor) that would meet the constant changing demand and need of customers. A good customer service and a good quality product are crucial for developing a strong long-term relationship with the customers. Besides providing excellent customer service and pioneering technology, Andrew’s last two core values involve being honest and open to suppliers, shareholder and employees and having a good social responsibility where Andrew is committed to protecting the environment, giving back to the local communities through various charities and sponsorship and caring for our employees’ rights and interests at all times. In terms of core purpose, Andrew seeks to help customers to build a more advanced and smaller sensor which is also affordable at the same time. Finally, Andrew’s visionary goals are ones that consist of being the number one market leader in electronic sensor industry in eight years time, gaining a 60-70% total market share; with 65% in the high-tech segment and 25% in the low-tech segment and developing a beneficial long-term relationship with customers. Andrew would adopt a differentiator approach. A differentiator is one that seeks to create maximum awareness and brand equity. A differentiator also wants to be a well-known makers of high-quality and highly desirable products. By using this strategy, Andrew would have a high RD spending so as to keep the products fresh and to sustain a presence in both market segments. Andrew would therefore have to spend heavily on advertising and sales promotion to create a maximum awareness and accessibility to its products. As a result of this, products tend to be priced higher. Andrew would focus on market share, profits and stock price. In the marketing section, Andrew being a differentiator would want to concentrate in manufacturing a technologically advanced product with a slightly higher focus in the high-tech niche market. It is also essential for Andrew to have an accurate sales forecast. This is because manufacturing too many sensor units results in extra time and material costs being incurred. On the other hand, manufacturing too few or little sensor units would lead to stock outs and loss sales which can be even more costly. Prepare for the sales forecast by looking at industry demand for the next round, the number of products in the particular segment, comparing with other company’s products based on their accessibility and awareness and whether the products (sensor) produced would meet the demand. The fact that there is going be a substantial spending on promotion and RD, would affect the price of Andrew’s product, causing it to be relatively expensive as well. To keep the price affordable to customers, Andrew would have to introduce the discount strategy. Under this scheme, customers’ total buying price would be cut off when they buy sensors in certain number. The discount would vary depending on the total number of products the customer decided to buy (e. g. a 5% discount for purchase of 10-20 sensors and a 10% discount for purchase of 30-40). This would directly encourage the customers to increase their purchases and buy in bulks. Being a differentiator would also require Andrew to carry out big promotion to market its products to the customers. Promotion also plays a big role in customer demand for a given product. You can design a great product, but if nobody knows about it your sales will suffer (manager’s guide). A high promotional cost would decrease the amount of money left for RD and would subsequently affect the quality of the manufactured products. Thus, it is necessary for Andrew to seek alternatives means for promotion, other than advertising the products through promotional tools such television, magazines, radio and etc (which are costly). The solution to this problem is to promote the products by word-of-mouth and recommendations by the customers. This is definitely a more cost-effective way for creating awareness among customer groups. In the production section, Andrew will manufacture two products; Ace and Adage. Ace will be first to be introduced into the market. Ace will be a high-tech product which are highly demanded and desired by the customers. Ace will be produced in large number, approximately 2000 and sold so as to generate sufficient profit and income that would ultimately be needed to produce Adage later in the production line. Adage would take two years to mature. Approximately two to three years later when there is a shift in customers’ preferences and wants and Ace is no longer regarded as being the most desirable and advance products, Adage would be launched into the market. Ace would then move into the low-tech segment. At this time, production of low-tech segment would stop to make way for Ace in that segment. Since the low-tech products are no longer the targeted segment, any resources used to produce them can be sold or disposed. The cash generated from that can be used to fund RD or to carry out promotional activities that are required when Ace is in the low-tech segment so as to create high sales. In terms of Research and Development (RD), investment in that section can be increased through by cutting down on spending on promotional costs and by selling off assets used to support the low-tech production. Investment in this particular area should only be increased through means of emergency loans, such as the issue of common stock and a long term debt, when Andrew’s cash position is in red (indicating a shortage of cash surplus as a result of sales revenue not exceeding expenses). Due to the fact that there is going to be large amount of money being spent to finance the RD and promotional activities for Andrew, under the differentiator approach, it is therefore best for Andrew to keep the profits instead of paying them out as dividends. The profits would serve as useful cash-on hand should there be any shortage in capital to support any of the activities mentioned above and to pay off any debt or interest on our loan. It is also crucial for Andrew to pay off any debts immediately to avoid any high-rates interest on those loans. This is because the longer Andre waits to pay the supplier, the longer and more materials they withhold form your production. This is would in turn directly affect your sales activities and profits. By the last round, Andrew is expected to have invested to have at least generated $40 million in sales that it has initially invested in the first round, so as not incur any losses or debts. It is also clear that under the differentiator approach that Andrew is biased towards differentiator product as compared to cost leadership. Andrew aims to be the producer of the state-of-the-art sensor technology where price is secondary to the product’s quality rather than one where price is the primary key and quality is not regarded as equally important in determining the purchase of sensor. In conclusion, a company’s vision statement is of utmost vital for the survival and growth of any type of business. A company’s vision statement provide an insight into the company’s core ideology- its deeply held values and the reason that it had existed and map the road and future business directions and plans that it should follow in order to achieve its long-term objectives goals. To achieve its objectives and goals, the company needs to implement workable and good tactics to carry out its basic company activities- research development, marketing, production, finance, human resources and total quality management.

Free Essays on The Beatles

The Beatles were a mystical happening that many people still do not understand completely. Out of The Beatles, arose Beatlemania, a â€Å"generally harmless form of madness which came from Britain in 1963. (Alico)† The media had powerful effects on the public during this time. The media exposed this English rock group so much that their popularity literally sparked overnight. The sole idea of Beatlemania is from a group of four young men from Liverpool, England, known as The Beatles. These great men were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. These four men had buoyant spirits, bottomless charm and unaccustomed and irrepressible wit. â€Å"Their overflowing gifts for songcraft, harmony and instrumental excitement, their spiffy suits and nifty haircuts, their bright quips and ready smiles, made them appear almost otherworldly, as if they had just beamed down from some distant and far happier planet. (Loder)† The Beatles got discovered at a strip joint, the Indra Club in Germany by Brian Epstein. They became the first entertainers to play louder than the audience. Under Epstein’s careful guidance, The Beatles found themselves signing a contract with Britain’s Electric & Musical Industries, Ltd. â€Å"But, exactly how, when, and where Beatlemania got started nobody, not even Epstein can say for sure. (The Beatles Anthology). In less than one year that they achieved popularity in England to the time they came to America, The Beatles achieved popularity and following that is unprecedented in the history of show business in England. They became the first recording artists anywhere in the world to have a record become a million-seller before its release. â€Å"They became the target of such adoration by their fans that they had to cancel one-night bookings because of riots in early 1964. (Alico)† Beatlemania had reached such unbelievable proportions in England, that it became a form of reverse lend-... Free Essays on The Beatles Free Essays on The Beatles The Beatles were a mystical happening that many people still do not understand completely. Out of The Beatles, arose Beatlemania, a â€Å"generally harmless form of madness which came from Britain in 1963. (Alico)† The media had powerful effects on the public during this time. The media exposed this English rock group so much that their popularity literally sparked overnight. The sole idea of Beatlemania is from a group of four young men from Liverpool, England, known as The Beatles. These great men were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. These four men had buoyant spirits, bottomless charm and unaccustomed and irrepressible wit. â€Å"Their overflowing gifts for songcraft, harmony and instrumental excitement, their spiffy suits and nifty haircuts, their bright quips and ready smiles, made them appear almost otherworldly, as if they had just beamed down from some distant and far happier planet. (Loder)† The Beatles got discovered at a strip joint, the Indra Club in Germany by Brian Epstein. They became the first entertainers to play louder than the audience. Under Epstein’s careful guidance, The Beatles found themselves signing a contract with Britain’s Electric & Musical Industries, Ltd. â€Å"But, exactly how, when, and where Beatlemania got started nobody, not even Epstein can say for sure. (The Beatles Anthology). In less than one year that they achieved popularity in England to the time they came to America, The Beatles achieved popularity and following that is unprecedented in the history of show business in England. They became the first recording artists anywhere in the world to have a record become a million-seller before its release. â€Å"They became the target of such adoration by their fans that they had to cancel one-night bookings because of riots in early 1964. (Alico)† Beatlemania had reached such unbelievable proportions in England, that it became a form of reverse lend-... Free Essays on The Beatles Pop Rock has been around for decades with different cultural bands across the world. Back in the 1960’s a British Pop Rock group from Liverpool hit top charts and number one hit singles with their albums. This band was named The Beatles. They visited many countries and cities on tour all over the world. They put a big impact on Pop Rock music and it has influenced more people to listen to them. No one ever thought that a British Pop Rock group would ever make it as far as the Beatles did. John Lennon, George Harrison, Richard Starkey, and Paul McCartney were the four members of the Beatles (DeWitt 1). Before they really were the Beatles a man named Pete Best was a part of the group. Whenever they needed to meet for meetings and clubs Pete was always busy, so they met a man named Richard. Richard started to fill in for Pete while he was busy and couldn’t make it. The Beatles were all supposed to meet in Germany but Pete couldn’t come so they used Richard. They enjoyed playing with him so much that they wanted Richard to be part of the group so they wouldn’t have to worry about Pete (Herring 57). The Beatles before they became number one were not called the Beatles. First they formed a name and called themselves â€Å"Johnny and the Moondogs†, then â€Å"The Silver Beatles† and then finally broke it down to being Plasek 2 just the Beatles (Holdhsip 4). As they got more involved in the music business there were a lot of people who helped to encourage and make them into the best Pop Rock group ever. Bob Wooler was a nice man who promoted the Beatles Music. He also introduced them to the Cavern Club they played in almost every night. He also helped by getting Horst Fisher, which was a retired German boxer. Horst sat at the Cavern Club while the Beatles would play acting like he wa...

Public Opinion and Responding to Crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public Opinion and Responding to Crisis - Essay Example Again, the core needs of the public and the society at large becomes a major factor that influences decision at all school administrative meetings. For example once the call by the public for a morally upright generation keeps going high, the school’s decision on curriculum becomes affected whereby they begin to put in place more subjects and programs that are directed at improving the moral fiber of students (Kowalski, 2007). 2. What is a command center and where should it be located? In a typical school environment, it is important that there exists a central point where all critical information will be channeled to all to whom such information may concern. For instance in the event of a disaster whereby students and staff must run for their lives, it is important that there will be only one central point where command will be issued from. Such a centralized point where commands are issued is what Kowalski (2007) refers to a command center. In explaining where the command ce nter ought to be located, it is important to point out that at all point in time, the command center must be centralized. This means that it should be operated by only one identified outfit. This is important so that in the event of responding to crisis, there will not be inconsistency with commands that are given. Based on this, it is important to point out that the command center must be located in the office of the safety officer, who must be a trained specialist to interpret and attend to crisis. 3. Detail information first responders should receive prior to any crisis. First responders are presumably people who are not very familiar with how to conduct themselves in the event of any major crisis. For this reason, it is very important that the kind of information that is given to them in the event of a crisis become one that is very precise and in-depth. Without this, it is possible that these first responders would not know the right actions to take with reference to the inform ation they receive. Regarding the precision of the information, it is important that the first respondent be made aware of the kind of crisis that is at hand. The first respondent must also know the scope of risk involved in the crisis. More importantly, the information must clearly state out the rescue or safety processes. Prior to any crisis, there is the tendency that the emotions of respondents will raise. Some of these emotions will be characterized with fear and panic. It is therefore important also that the information given to first respondents become one that will take into consideration the psychological wellness of the respondents. 4. Respond appropriately to the following â€Å"Difficult Questions† as the school’s principal: a. Do you think the parents are being unreasonable? No b. What is your personal opinion? They are only expressing their concern and sometimes ignorance towards the welfare of their wards. c. Why do you think the superintendent decided t o do that? The superintendent was only trying to make the stipulated regulations work while ensuring that major protocols and bureaucracies surrounding the response to crisis were not broken. d. What is the overall annual budget for t

Advocacy Assessment based on Conditional Cash Transfer Programmes Essay

Advocacy Assessment based on Conditional Cash Transfer Programmes... (see attachment) - Essay Example mote the Progresa as the model for CCTs or safety net programmes in countries in which the World Bank has a policy influence like in Nicaragua (Bradshaw 2008, citing the work of SEDESOL 2003). Bradshaw (2008), however, advanced five criticisms on the Progresa/Oportunidades model. First, the empowerment of women is only incidental rather than a main aim of the Progresa. In words of Bradshaw (2008) as suggested by Molyneux (2006), women are â€Å"at the service of the New Poverty Agenda rather than served by this agenda.† Second, based on the experience of the Progresa/Oportunidades, the higher grant for women’s enrolment into schools were interpreted by beneficiaries as higher costs involved in sending females to schools thereby discouraging the poor to send their girls to schools. Third, the Progresa/Opurtinadades program failed to explicitly recognize the highly unequal relations between men and women in the households and, thus, even if wives are allowed by their husbands to collect money under the CCTs, the power relations in the households remain lopsided in favour of males. Fourth, the CCT as implemented in the Progresa/Opurtunidades failed to target th e poorest among the poor well enough. Finally or fifth, the CCT as implemented in the Progresa/Oportunidades have been inadequate in teaching mothers the â€Å"mothering skills† in â€Å"improving their families’ health, nutrition, and education.† Based on the program implementation assessment, the key features of a CCT program that should be implemented in Nicaragua is something that has benefited from the lessons that can be obtained on the CCT as implemented in Mexico and other countries. In upgrading the CCT program, we can derive valuable lessons from Bradshaw (2008) that can improve the implementation of the CCT in Nicaragua. The lessons from Bradshaw (2008) can be translated into a five-point reform for the CCT in Nicaragua. First, we must include the empowerment of women of women as the main aims of

Hyperinflation in Zimbabwe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hyperinflation in Zimbabwe - Essay Example Two major events precipitated inflation in Zimbabwe and that is, involvement in Congo civil war in 1998 and the land expropriation of 2000. The Zimbabwe government entered into war on the side of Zaire’s dictator Laurent Kabila without having budgeted for the war, without any reserves for the war or any arrangements to raise the funds. The land expropriation program of 2000 saw the government forceful take 4,500 farms from white settlers and give it to war veterans and politicians (Coomer and Gstraunthaler 312). This led to reduction in foreign investment from 400 million US dollars in 1998 to a mere 30 million in 2007. The productivity of the land was also reduced by half between 2000 and 2007. This government policies also led to imposition of sanctions by the IMF, US, UK and EU. The government in order to win public confidence provided initiatives such as purchase of farm inputs for the farmers who had been given land. The farmers also used the land as securities for securing loans. This unforeseen expenditure compounded with the four year expenditure in Congo war led the Reserve bank of Zimbabwe to adopt inflationary policies such as printing more money and employing more staff. This led to devaluation of the Zimbabwean dollar and the central bank responded by printing more money and even increasing the face value. This is the origin of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe. By March 2007 the inflation rate in Zimbabwe was 2,200% while by October 2008 it rose to 3,840,000,000,000,000,000%! (Noko 347). Hyperinflation led to lose of value of the Zimbabwe dollar. Wealth was lost within months as millionaires were no longer wealthy. The prices of commodities went up leading the government to regulate the same. (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas 11). This led producers to opt for other markets which led to an acute shortage of various products. The industries were dissolved, unemployment was at the highest level, poverty escalated and some citizens fled to other countries. The next section gives methods through which this hyperinflation could be solved. Solutions to Zimbabwe’s Hyperinflation Hyperinflation was brought about by the practices of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Replacing the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is a sure way of ending hyperinflation (Hanke1 23). Some countries such as Angola have contained their high inflation rates without replacing their central bank through change of policy. The question is why could this be implemented in Zimbabwe? This could not be adopted in Zimbabwe because from historical perspective policy change has never checked inflation in Zimbabwe. Moreover, all over the world hyperinflation has been linked to the issue of currency by the central bank or the concerned country’s treasury. Central banks can easily end inflation as they fuel them. One of the sure ways is to stop the printing of currency. This solution reduces money in circulation and contains hyperinflation, but it is a long process because it takes time for the central bank to regain its lost credibility. During this time interest rates on loans normally escalate and it is very difficult to get a long term loan because there is less money in circula

DeLone McLean IS success models

DeLone McLean IS success models DeLone McLean IS success models According to Grover(1996), there is no definition of IS success. Each group of stakeholders who assess IS success in an organization has a different definition. From a software developer’s perspective, a successful information system is completed on time and under budget, has a set of features consistent with specifications, and functions correctly. Users may find an information system successful if it improves their work satisfaction or work performance. From an organizational perspective, a successful information system contributes to the company’s profits or creates a competitive advantage. Furthermore, IS success also depends on the type of system that is evaluated (Seddon et al. 1999, p. 21). IS success had seen different definitions given by many authors. According to Bailey and Pearson (1983) IS success is defined as â€Å"Measuring and analyzing computer user satisfaction is motivated by management’s desire to improve the productivity of information systems.† Authors Goodhue and Thompson (1995, p. 213) had given definition to IS success as â€Å"†¦MIS success ultimately corresponds to what DeLone and McLean (1992) label individual impact or organizational impact. DM reviewed the literature published in 1981-1987 in seven publications to develop a taxonomy of IS success. This taxonomy was based upon Mason’s modification of the Shannon and Weaver model (C.E. Shannon Weaver 1949)ofcommunications which had identified three levels of information: the technical level (accuracy and efficiency of the system that produces it), the semantic level (its ability to transfer the intended message), and the effectiveness level (its impact on the receiver). M ason adapted this theory for IS and expanded the effectiveness level into three categories: receipt of information, influence on the recipient, and influence on the system (R.O. Mason 1978). DM identified categories for system success by mapping an aspect of IS success to each of Mason’s effectiveness levels. This analysis yielded six variables of IS success: System Quality, Information Quality, Use, User Satisfaction, Individual Impact, and Organizational Impact. System Quality was equivalent to the technical level of communication, while Information Quality was equivalent to the semantic level of communication. The other four variables mapped to Mason’s subcategories of the effectiveness level. Use related to Mason’s ‘‘receipt of information.’’ User Satisfaction and Individual Impact were associated with the ‘‘information’s influence on the recipient.’’ Organizational Impact was the ‘‘influ ence of the information on the system.’’ DM developed their initial taxonomy using established theories of communication adapted to IS. These theories suggested that the flow of information was linear; however, they suggested that for IS, these different measures of success were independent, but that there was interdependency among them. Fig. 1 shows the original model. DM suggested that researchers should use this model in a predictive manner, yet they cautioned that one must measure and/ or control each of the variables in the model to ensure a complete understanding of IS success. DM called upon others to validate their model .† In order to provide a more general and comprehensive definition of IS success that covers these different points of view, DeLone and McLean (1992) reviewed the existing definitions of IS success and their corresponding measures, classifying them into six major categories. They created a multidimensional measuring model with interdependencies between the different success categories. The original DM IS success model According to DeLone and McLean (1992), measurement of IS success is critical for understanding the value and efficacy of IS management actions and IS investments. One of the most important and popular works on IS success model is the DeLone and McLean model (DM IS success model). DeLone and McLean proposed in 1992 a taxonomy and an interactive model as the frameworks for conceptualizing IS success. Driven by the need of a process to understand IS and its impacts, they developed a multi-dimension integrated view of IS success model. DeLone and McLean (1992) comprehensively reviewed IS success measures and concluded with a model of interrelationships between six IS success variable categories: (1) system quality, (2) information quality, (3) IS use, (4) user satisfaction, (5) individual impact, and (6) organization impact (see Fig. 1). This model makes two important contributions to the understanding of IS success. First, it provides a scheme for categorizing the multitude of IS success measures which have been used in the research literature. Second, it suggests a model of temporal and causainterdependencies between the categories (McGill, Hobbs, Klobas, 2003; Seddon, 1997). Since 1992, a number of studies have undertaken empirical investigations of the multidimensional relationships among the measures of IS success. Seddon and Kiew (1994) tested part of the DeLone and McLean (1992) model using a structural equation model. They replaced â€Å"use† with â€Å"usefulness† and added a new variable called â€Å"user involvement,† and their results partially supported the DeLone and McLean (1992) model. The description and examples of measures for these six dimensions are: First, system quality denotes system performance like data accuracy, system efficiency, response time, etc. Second, information quality refers to the quality of the IS product, such as currency, relevance, reliability, and completeness. Third, use refers to the frequency an information system is used, examining items like the number of functions used, frequency of access, and amount of connect time. Fourth, user satisfaction records the satisfaction level as reported by system users, including overall satisfaction and satisfaction of interface, etc. Fifth, individual impact refers to measuring the impacts brough t about by the information system on individual users, such as changes in productivity, decision model, and decision making. Sixth, organizational impact requires the evaluation of the changes caused by the information system to the organization, such as decrease in operating cost, savings in labor costs, and growth in profits. This original model identified six interrelated dimensions of IS success. It suggested that the success can be represented by the system quality, the output information quality, consumption (use) of the output, the user’s response (user satisfaction), the effect of the IS on the behavior of the user (individual impact), and the effect of the IS on organizational performance organizational impact). This model provided a scheme for classifying the multitude of IS success measures and suggested the temporal and causal interdependencies between the six dimensions. Motivated by DeLone and McLean’s call for further development and validation of their model, many researchers have attempted to extend or respecify the original model. A number of researchers claim that the DM IS success model is incomplete. They suggest that more dimensions should be included in the model, or present alternative success. Other researchers focus on the application and validation of the model (Rai et al. 2002). Following the Seddon’s extension of Delone McLean IS success model in 1997 into partial behavioural model of IS use and IS process model for IS success, Garrity and Sanders (1998) further adapted the model taking into account the organisational and sociotechnical systems. The model was further extended by Molla and Licker (2001) to measure e-Commerce success. The New DM IS model Information systems (IS) success is one of the most researched topics in IS literature. De Loneand McLean (1992) become aware of the complex reality that surrounds the identification and definition of the IS success concept. They organize the large number of studies on IS success and present a comprehensive and integrative model. DeLone and McLean, in their study, identify six main dimensions for categorizing the different measures of IS success: system quality, information quality, use, user satisfaction, individual impact, and organizational impact. They develop an IS success model in which these categories are interrelated, shaping a process construct. Their model proposes that â€Å"system quality and information quality singularly and jointly affect both use and user satisfaction. Additionally, the amount of use can affect the degreeof user satisfaction as well as the reverse being true. Use and user satisfaction are direct antecedents of individual impact; and, lastly, this impact on individual performance should eventually have some organizational impact† (DeLone McLean, 1992) (Figure 2). DeLone and McLean (1992) state that their model is â€Å"an attempt to reflect the interdependent, process nature of IS success†, undertaking to describe the IS success concept and the causes for the success. According to Ballantin other researchers (1996) and Seddon (1997), DeLone and McLean’s work makes several important contributions to the understanding of IS success. First, it consolidates previous research. Second, it provides a scheme for classifying the different measures of IS success that have been proposed in the literature into six dimensions. Third, it suggests a model of temporal and causal interdependencies between the identified categories. Fourth, it makes the first moves to identify different stakeholder groups in the process. Fifth, it has been considered an appropriate base for further empirical and theoretical research. Sixth, it has met general acceptance in the IS community. In the years that followed, several researchers altered or extended the model, while others adapted it for specific applications, such as knowledge management or e-commerce (W.H. DeLone, E.R. McLean 2004) systems. Recognizing these potential improvements over their original model, DM acknowledged these modifications and revised their model accordingly (W.H. DeLone, E.R. McLean 2003). The updated model is shown in Fig. 2. DM also modified their model to address some limitations of the original model. A key addition in the updated model was the inclusion of Service Quality as an additional aspect of IS success (L.F. Pitt, R.T. Watson, C.B. Kavan 1995); it was added because the changing nature of IS required the need to assess service quality when evaluating IS success. DM also recommended assigning different weights to System Quality, Information Quality, and Service Quality depending on the context and application of the model. There has been an intense debate about whether system use is a good measure of IS success. Although some authors (P.B. Seddon 1997) have suggested that it is better to remove system use as an IS success variable, DeLone andMcLean argued that systemusewas an appropriate measure. They asserted that the source of the problem was a too simplistic definition of system use, and that researchers must consider the extent, nature, quality, and appropriateness of it. Simply measuring the amount of time a system is in use is not enough: informed and effective use is an important indication of IS success. The DeLone and McLean Information System Success model, published in 1992, supplies a general framework to measure information systems success through the analysis of six different but interdependent factors: â€Å"system quality† on a technical level, â€Å"information quality† on a semantic level and â€Å"use†, â€Å"user satisfaction†, â€Å"individual impacts† and â€Å"organization impacts† on an effectiveness level. All these factors relate each other both on a temporal and a causal model; in the temporal model we first find system quality and information quality, which characterize an information system when it is just created; in a second stage of this process come use and user satisfaction, which feed or restrain each other and that are strongly influenced by the first two factors; finally, both in a temporal and in a causal way, comes first the individual impact and then the organizational impact, which is not seen as a simple sum of individual impacts but as a complex network of consequences. The generic nature of each of these entities makes the framework suitable for a variety of different information systems and contexts. During the last decade hundreds of articles have been written to confirm or challenge the validity of DeLone and McLean conclusions; in 2003 a new article was written by the same two authors to refine the whole model by taking into account all the suggestions/critiques made to the original article. The primary purpose of the original 1992 DM IS success model was to synthesize previous researches on IS success into a more coherent body of knowledge and to provide guidance to future researchers (DeLone and McLean, 2003). The role of IS has changed and progressed during the last decade. Similarly, academic inquiry into the measurement of IS Although it may be more desirable to measure system benefits in terms of numeric costs (e.g cost savings, expanded markets, incremental additional sales, and time savings), such measures are often not possible because of intangible system impacts and intervening environmental variables that may influence the numbers (T. McGill, V. Hobbs 2003).Therefore, there has been little consensus on how net benefits should be measured objectively and thus they are usually measured by the perceptions of those who use the IS. Therefore, ‘‘perceived system benefits’’ or ‘‘perceived usefulness’’ has been adopted as an important surrogate of IS success (B.H. Wixom, H.J. Watson 2001) The right-hand side of the DeLone and McLean’s model, which assumed linear causality between system use, user satisfaction, individual impact, and organizational impact, has not been authenticated. Seddon contended that the model was too encompassing and introduced some confusion because it mixed process and causal explanation of IS success. He further argued that system use must precede impacts and benefits, but that it did not cause them. Accordingly, system use would be a behavior that reflects an expectation of system benefits from using an IS and thus would be a consequence of IS success, rather than a determinant of system net benefits. Some empirical surveys (M. Gelderman 1998) also found that the association between system use and system benefit was not statistically significant. System use is necessary but not sufficient to create system benefits. User satisfaction results from the feelings and attitudes from aggregating all the benefits that a person hopes to receive from interaction with the IS (B. Ives, M.H. Olson, J.J. Baroudi 1983). In fact, attitude cannot influence system benefits—on the contrary, perceived system benefits can influence user satisfaction. Therefore, individual impact and net benefits can cause user satisfaction (rather than vice versa). There has been an intense debate about whether system use is a good measure of IS success. Although some authors (P.B. Seddon 1997) have suggested that it is better to remove system use as an IS success variable, DeLone andMcLean argued that systemusewas an appropriate measure. They asserted that the source of the problem was a too simplistic definition of system use, and that researchers must consider the extent, nature, quality, and appropriateness of it. Simply measuring the amount of time a system is in use is not enough: informed and effective use is an important indication of IS success. Although it may be more desirable to measure system benefits in terms of numeric costs (e.g. cost savings, expanded markets, incremental additional sales, and time savings), such measures are often not possible because of intangible system impacts and intervening environmental variables that may influence the numbers (T. McGill, V. Hobbs 2003).Therefore, there has been little consensus on how net benefits should be measured objectively and thus they are usually measured by the perceptions of those who use the IS. Therefore, ‘‘perceived system benefits’’ or ‘‘perceived usefulness’’ has been adopted as an important surrogate of IS success (B.H. Wixom, H.J. Watson 2001) The right-hand side of the DeLone and McLean’s model, which assumed linear causality between system use, user satisfaction, individual impact, and organizational impact, has not been authenticated. Seddon contended that the model was too encompassing and introduced some confusion because it mixed process and causal explanation of IS success. He further argued that system use must precede impacts and benefits, but that it did not cause them. Accordingly, system use would be a behavior that reflects an expectation of system benefits from using an IS and thus would be a consequence of IS success, rather than a determinant of system net benefits. Some empirical surveys (M. Gelderman 1998) also found that the association between system use and system benefit was not statistically significant. System use is necessary but not sufficient to create system benefits. User satisfaction results from the feelings and attitudes from aggregating all the benefits that a person hopes to receive from interaction with the IS (B. Ives, M.H. Olson, J.J. Baroudi 1983). In fact, attitude cannot influence system benefits—on the contrary, perceived system benefits can influence user satisfaction. Therefore, individual impact and net benefits can cause user satisfaction (rather than vice versa). The measurement of IS success or effectiveness is critical to our understanding of the value and efficacy of IS management and investments (DeLone and McLean, 2003). They have striven to bring both awareness and structure to the â€Å"dependent variable†- IS success in IS research, and the result is the so-called updated DM IS success model (Figure 2). Their major contribution is proposing a taxonomy and an interactive model as frameworks for conceptualizing and operationalizing IS success for future researchers. In response to the progresses in IS applications, DeLone and McLean refined their original model and proposed an updated version in 2003. Service quality was added into the success model, and the individual impact and organizational impact were combined into a single variable named â€Å"net benefits† as shown in Figure 4. To catch up with the advancements of its applications, IS needs not only to provide users information products but also to meet users’. In addition, some researchers (J.J. Baroudi, M.H. Olson, B. Ives 1986) have suggested that user satisfaction causes system use rather than vice versa. Thus, the Delone and McLean’s assertion that system use causes user satisfaction seems to be merely a temporal rather than causal relationship. Many models based on that of DeLone and McLean have been presented. However, they often confuse the independent variable and dependent variables of IS success. ‘‘Technological support’’, ‘‘knowledge strategy or process’’, and ‘‘support and service’’ are three examples of suggested additions but these clearly cause success (rather than being part of it). The variables should be dependent; i.e. surrogate measures for success. DeLone and McLean suggested that the IS success model should include service quality for electronic commerce systems. DeLone McLean (2003) argue that Seddon’s (1997) reformulation of the DeLone McLean (1992) model into two partial variance models (i.e. IS success model and partial behavioural model of IS Use) unduly complicates the success model, and thus assert that System Use or Intention to Use is still an important measure of IS success. Given that Systems Use/Intention to Use is included in their updated IS success model, DeLone McLean (2003; 2004), however, did not attempt to reconcile their model with Seddon’s (1997) Perceived Usefulness measure and Davis’s (1989) Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that explains system use behaviour. Thus, there is a need for research to combine the updated DM model with Seddon’s (1997) Perceived Usefulness construct and the IS acceptance/adoption literature to give it the richness in theoretical perspective that it presently lacks. While the updated DM model is a generic, comprehensive e-commerce systems success model, it suffer s from certain difficulties. First, the Net Benefit measure in the model is conceptually too broad to define. As DeLone McLean (2004) suggest, ‘The new net benefits construct immediately raises three issues that must be addressed: what qualifies as a benefit? for whom? and at what level of analysis’ Thus, when using the updated DM model, researchers need to clearly and carefully define the stakeholders and the context in which Net Benefits are to be measured (DeLone McLean, 2004). DeLone and McLean (2003) propose an updated IS success model (Fig. 2) and evaluate its usefulness in light of the dramatic changes in IS practice, especially the advent and explosive growth of ecommerce. They agree with Seddons premise that the combination of variance and process explanations of IS success in one model can be confusing, but argue that Seddons reformulation of the DeLone and McLean (1992) model into two partial variance models unduly complicates the success model, and defeats the intent of the original model. Based on prior studies, DeLone and McLean (2003) propose an updated model of IS success by adding a â€Å"service quality† measure as a new dimension of the IS success model, and by grouping all the â€Å"impact† measures into a single impact or benefit category called â€Å"net benefit.† DeLone McLean (2004) propose several e-commerce systems success measures identified in the management information systems (MIS) and marketing literature, t he nomological structure of the updated DM model is not fully consistent with the quality- value-satisfaction-loyalty chain in the marketing and consumer behavior. Thus, continued research is also required to reconcile the updated DM model with the marketing research literature. Although some researchers claim that service quality is merely a subset of the models systems quality, the changes in the role of IS over the last decade argue for a separate variable called the â€Å"service quality† dimension (DeLone McLean, 2003). On the other hand, while researchers have suggested several IS impact measures, such as individual, work group impacts, organizational impacts (DeLone McLean, 1992), interorganizational impacts, consumerimpacts, and societal impacts (Seddon, 1997), DeLone and McLean (2003) move in the opposite direction and group all of the impact measures into a single net benefits variable, to avoid complicating the model with more success measures. Given that system usage continues to be used as a dependent variable in a number of empirical studies, and takes on a new importance in Internet-based system success measurements, where system use is Voluntary, â€Å"system usage† and the alternative â€Å"intention to use† are still considered as Important measures of IS success in the updated DeLone and McLean model. References Seddon PB, Staples S, Patnayakuni R, Bowtell M (1999) Dimensions of information systems success. Communications of the AIS Grover V, Jeong SR, Segars AH (1996) Information systems effectiveness: the construct space and patters of application. Information Management 31(4):177-191 Goodhue DL, Thompson RL (1995) Task-technology fit and individual performance. MIS Quarterly 19(2):213 DeLone WH, McLean ER (1992) Information systems success: the quest for the dependent variable. Information Systems Research DeLone WH, McLean ER (2003) The DeLone and McLean model of information systems success: a ten-year update. Journal of Management Information Systems McGill, T., Hobbs, V., Klobas, J. (2003). User-developed applications and information systems success: A test of DeLone and McLeans model. Information resources Management Journal, R.O. Mason, Measuring information output: a communication systems approach, Information Management Seddon, P. B. Kiew, M.-Y. (1994). A partial test and development of the DeLone and McLean model of IS success. In J. I. De Gross, S. L. Huff, M. C. Munro (Eds.), Proceedings of the international conference on information systems Atlanta, GA: Association for Information Systems Rai, A., Lang, S.S. Welker, R.B. (2002) Assessing the validity of IS success models: an empirical test and theoretical analysis. Information Systems Research, Molla, A. Licker, P.S. (2001) E-commerce systems success: an attempt to extend and respecify the DeLone and McLean model of IS success. Journal of Electronic Commerce Research Taylor, S. and Todd, P. â€Å"Understanding information technology usage: a test of competing models,† Information Systems Research

Journal review on aging :: essays research papers

Carr, Deborah. Gender, Preloss Marital Dependence, and Older Adults’ Adjustment to Widowhood. Journal of Marriage and Family 66 (February 2004): 220-235.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The purpose of this study examines how marital dependence can affect positive adjustment to late-life loss. Self-esteem and perceived personal growth, are two aspects of positive adjustment to widowhood that were examined in the study. How does marital dependence affect personal growth among the recently bereaved? And do the effects observed vary by gender?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The data used for the study was collected by The Changing Lives of Older Couples study. The sample size included 297 males and females who had recently been widowed. The data was collected through one-on-one interviews with respondents.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was concluded that higher marital dependence is positively correlated with higher self-esteem after being widowed. It was also concluded that widowed respondents experienced more personal growth after the death of their spouse. In addition the findings illustrate that these feelings aren’t as dependent on gender as previously thought. I think that the biggest assumption the author had when beginning the research was that coping with widowhood depended mainly on ones gender. Throughout the research it became evident that the author wanted to abolish this paradigm. The author believes that it is much more vital to look at the diversity within each gender.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The research concludes that dealing with the loss of a spouse is positively correlated to the marriage itself. Through the research it became evident that both men and women have higher feelings of self worth after a spousal death. This may be due to the satisfaction of knowing that they can survive and take care of themselves. These increased feelings of autonomy and self worth do not depend on the type of relationship observed or gender. Throughout the research the author used a life course theoretical perspective. This perspective was maintained throughout the research. This theory is very useful in dissecting the article. I believe that future researchers will find this article to be a great starting point.

Memo letter. Arbitration advocacy Essay

Memo Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Dear All, it is with great pleasure that I would like to bring to your attention that the company has reached a decision on implementing a MANDATORY ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, which is to take effect as from the start of next month of November 2014. The decision was reached after lengthy discussions and consultations with major stakeholders within and outside the company, as well as your labour union representatives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are various benefits or advantages of arbitration which will arise when it comes into effects. These advantages will include:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Improved relationships and harmony among employees. Arbitration will help reduce animosity and grudges since it will provide a chance for parties involved in a dispute to work out their differences, hence create an environment that supports differences(Cooley, & Lubet, 2003).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The other advantage of arbitration is that it will help reduce the expenses that you incur when you take the disputes to court or take other measures which require use of resources (Cooley, & Lubet, 2003).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The amount of time that is required to resolve the disputes will be less hence leaving you with a lot of time to concentrate on your duties and increase your productivity (Cooley, & Lubet, 2003).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Therefore, based on the above advantages and many more which you will realize, it is advisable that all should embrace this new method of settling disputes for the progress of the company as well as for your personal benefits and development. Regards, HR Manager Reference Cooley, J. W., & Lubet, S. (2003). Arbitration advocacy. Notre Dame, IN: National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Source document

Free Essays on James Watt And Physics

James Watt was born in Greenock in 1736, the son of a ship's chandler (trader in canvas, etc). Watt had little formal education due to poor health in his youth, but pottering about in his father's shop he developed an interest in trying to make things "work clockwork". In his late teens he went to London to learn to be a "mathematical and philosophical instrument maker", and when he returned to Glasgow he got a job making instruments with Glasgow University, who gave him accommodations and a workshop. In 1763 John Anderson asked him to repair an early steam engine he had acquired. This early model, known as a Newcomen engine, was very inefficient. The cylinder (where the piston was) had to be heated when steam was admitted, and then gradually cooled again to condense the steam. This wasted a lot of time and fuel. Two years later, while wandering aimlessly through Glasgow Green, Watt hit upon the idea of condensing the steam in a separate vessel. This removed the need for heating and cooling, making the engine faster, safer, and more fuel-efficient. A stone in Glasgow Green marks this spot, where the industrial revolution really began. (Later, in 1778 Watt presented Anderson with a micrometer he had designed and made, as a gesture of thanks.) Watt went into business with Matthew Boulton, a Birmingham engineer, producing engines based on this new approach. Engineers from all the industrialized countries flocked to see their factories. Watt's engines were initially used for pumping water cornish tin and copper mines. Later, the new cotton mills, which had been built near fast-flowing rivers to take advantage of waterpower, almost all switched to steam. Gradually, mills began to move toward the centers of population. At first, steam power was used mainly for spinning, but eventually weaving was also powered by steam engine. By 1819, the year of Watt's death, there were 18 steam-weaving factories in Glasgow, with 2800 looms. (This... Free Essays on James Watt And Physics Free Essays on James Watt And Physics James Watt was born in Greenock in 1736, the son of a ship's chandler (trader in canvas, etc). Watt had little formal education due to poor health in his youth, but pottering about in his father's shop he developed an interest in trying to make things "work clockwork". In his late teens he went to London to learn to be a "mathematical and philosophical instrument maker", and when he returned to Glasgow he got a job making instruments with Glasgow University, who gave him accommodations and a workshop. In 1763 John Anderson asked him to repair an early steam engine he had acquired. This early model, known as a Newcomen engine, was very inefficient. The cylinder (where the piston was) had to be heated when steam was admitted, and then gradually cooled again to condense the steam. This wasted a lot of time and fuel. Two years later, while wandering aimlessly through Glasgow Green, Watt hit upon the idea of condensing the steam in a separate vessel. This removed the need for heating and cooling, making the engine faster, safer, and more fuel-efficient. A stone in Glasgow Green marks this spot, where the industrial revolution really began. (Later, in 1778 Watt presented Anderson with a micrometer he had designed and made, as a gesture of thanks.) Watt went into business with Matthew Boulton, a Birmingham engineer, producing engines based on this new approach. Engineers from all the industrialized countries flocked to see their factories. Watt's engines were initially used for pumping water cornish tin and copper mines. Later, the new cotton mills, which had been built near fast-flowing rivers to take advantage of waterpower, almost all switched to steam. Gradually, mills began to move toward the centers of population. At first, steam power was used mainly for spinning, but eventually weaving was also powered by steam engine. By 1819, the year of Watt's death, there were 18 steam-weaving factories in Glasgow, with 2800 looms. (This...

Eating Humble Pie

Eating Humble Pie Eating Humble Pie Eating Humble Pie By Maeve Maddox The old expression eating humble pie remains alive and well in cyberspace: From a father who had to cope with his wifes duties when she was ill: I am once again reminded of all the little things my wife manages so well and how I really should make a better effort not to take her for granted. Humble pie is definitely a dish I should eat on a regular basis. From a sports fan: And then we played Florida at Gainesville today and they beat us by the mercy rule with a score I am not going to report. Oh me. Oh my. Talk about eating humble pie. I am trying to digest it, but it does not taste good. From the host of a website dedicated to some esoteric subject: After a lengthy discussion with Peter Kriens and BJ Hargrave, I have to eat some humble pie and admit that I gave incorrect advice about concurrency in my latest OSGi book chapter. The expression eating humble pie conflates two words: humble not proud or haughty; ranking low in the social or political scale. The word humble entered English c1250 by way of an Old French word that derived from L. humilis lowly, humble, lit. on the ground, from humus earth. umbles the edible inner parts of an animal, from Middle English numbles, offal. From the 17th century onward, recipes for umble pie appeared in cookbooks. Many people, usually the poorer sort, literally did eat umble pie. During the 17th century scholars began messing with the pronunciation of English words beginning with the letter h. Up until then, the h in French borrowings, like humble, was silent. Initial h was pronounced in words that had been borrowed directly from Latin or Greek. Some scholars promoted the idea that the h should be pronounced in humble and other French borrowings. Not everyone went along with the improvements. The expression to eat humble pie came into the language about 1850 with the sense of: submission, apology, or retraction especially made under pressure or in humiliating circumstances Its a pun. The speaker or speakers with whom the expression originated had to pronounce umble and humble the same way for the pun to work. Eating umble pie was something that an upperclass person would not willingly do, just as a person whod made an ass of himself would be unwilling to admit it and apologize for it. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:What is the Difference Between "These" and "Those"?45 Synonyms for â€Å"Old† and â€Å"Old-Fashioned†48 Writing Prompts for Middle School Kids

Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster - Essay Example Tears not because of the tragedy itself, but the event resonates far into the deep recesses of what we know is true in every one of us. We all dream. We then work to bring forth the dream into reality, into actuality. And something goes wrong and how with the vision, the exhilaration of the dream - in contrast with how tragic our efforts become, we realize how fragile we are. For in itself, the dream, the challenge is made of sterner stuff. It' s as if reaching towards the dream is something that is beyond our control - for if it isn't, we would all stop telling fairly tales to children, knowing that in reality, it's not always a happy ending. (NASA) and of Morton Thiokol, the company which produced rocket motors of space shuttles (Greene p. 1; Berkes par. 6) fought for. The engineers supposedly voiced opposition to launching Challenger into orbit that fateful day. Challenger's launch of its 10th mission was already delayed for days by the cold weather and NASA's management was eager to launch despite concerns by engineers to delay take-off because the O-ring sealants (like washers in a faucet) in the rockets were not tested for complete reliability most especially during cold weather. Despite their opposition, the NASA management proceeded with the take-off and what the engineers feared came to pass. Hot gases from Challenger's right-side rocket leaked through the faulty O-ring and led to the explosion of the spacecraft. Like the mythical Icaru... No matter what their real personal lives might have been - we look at them like icons, the chosen ones to at the juncture of history. And looking at a picture of them smiling, with their blue astronaut suits, and holding their space headgear - we think of how the human race have stretched democracy into space. We are gladdened that of the seven, two were women - one of them a non-specialist, one an African-American and one an American of Japanese descent. These seven on board Shuttle Mission 51L, the tenth of Challenger's orbit into space was to do something probably routine for astronauts -which was to carry some equipment like satellite and cameras to observe something so ordinary as Halley's comet (Greene p. 1). What was extraordinary and made it special was that it was the first time a teacher was going into space and she was to be there especially to teach the first outer-space classroom lesson. Sharon Christa McAuliffe, 37 at that time, was chosen from the ranks of 11,000 teachers across the country to fly on Challenger. Her often quoted line from her Challenger Disaster astronaut application form was "I watched the Space Age being born and I would like to participate" (NASA website).1 The commander of the crew was Francis Scobee, 47 who enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and originally trained as an engine mechanic but longed to fly (NASA website). He pursued his dream and managed to fly 45 types of aircraft. As a NASA astronaut, he was part of the crew of the fifth Challenger obit flight who managed to retrieve and repair a satellite in orbit, the Solar Maximum Satellite. For Michael J. Smith, 41, the 10th Challenger mission where he was space shuttle pilot was his first flight into space. A member of the U.S.

Malaysia - Truly Asia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Malaysia - Truly Asia - Essay Example It has been termed as â€Å"Malay dominated plural society† where all the religions have the freedom to practice their respective ethnicity (as cited in Yeoh, 1993). In this paper, we shall discuss various aspects of the Malaysian culture which will enlighten us about this country’s social, economic, religious and political scenario. Elements of Malay culture observed in Malaysia In Malaysia, cultures have been meeting and integrating since the very beginning of its history. Despite being Muslim dominated, the people in Malaysia believe in respecting all the different religions and cultures. The Malay culture covers more than half of the population and though they have been rapidly moving towards modernization, the traditional customs and rituals still play a big role in their life. The key events of birth, engagement, marriage and death are carried on in the traditional manner. Every Malay follows Adat, an act which requires a person to conduct oneself according to the prescribed rituals rather as per his own whims and desires and he/she should regularly scrutinize his/her own acts to ensure that it is concurrent to the society. Most importantly, family still holds the utmost position in a person’s life as was in the traditional Malay culture. ... For example, it is mandatory for Muslim women to wear a Tudung, a piece of cloth which covers their head, ears and chest. Thus, we can see that despite living in a multiethnic society, the Malays have maintained their culture and traditions (â€Å"Malaysia: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, † n.d). Extent of Influence of Westernization and Modernization on Traditional Malay Culture The economic and infrastructural development of Malaysia has greatly brought modernization as well as westernization in the Malay culture. Even members of native families speak English language and pursue the contemporary culture of going to pubs and partying. Malaysian art, music as well as dancing have been influenced by the western culture (Lad, n.d). Despite of existence of different opportunities for men and women based on ethnic values and social class, stringent gender separation has never been a part of the Malaysian society. Though cooking and cleaning are deemed to be female tasks, in affluent families where both men and women work outside their homes there has been an increase in the trend of hiring domestic servants. Modernization has influenced urban Malays where matters of physical contact between the opposite genders are concerned. Moreover, Malay women are allowed to wear western clothes like jeans and trousers, though revealing clothes are prohibited (Williamson, n.d). Moreover, development of new technologies and availability of modern day equipments has drastically altered the lifestyle, consumption habits and cuisine of the Malay people. For example, in traditional Malay weddings, guests were offered food in the table served style. However, today it has given way to the