Dollar Tree Case Vs. Gerber Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Dollar Tree Case Vs. Gerber Case - Essay Example The Gerber study clearly sets out at the outset the triggering factor that has propelled the Company to consider its options in poor countries. This triggering incident is the negative impression it has gained by refusing to comply with Venezuelan laws on the marketing of baby foods. The motivation of the Company in targeting bottom-of-the-pyramid customers in Chad is to successfully market its products in a difficult country and thereby prove its mettle and negate the unfavorable impression that currently exists. The motivation for Dollar Tree’s strategy to market its products in Haiti is not established at the outset, neither is it clearly set out during the course of the narrative. A triggering event is not clearly set out, although there is mention in the study of political instability in the country coupled with the spiraling prices that also provide scope for marketing of low cost products to customers in Haiti. The structure of the study could have been improved by pointing to a clear triggering event, for example the recent global recession, which has been pushing prices upwards. This could have been supplemented with the figures on recent sales. For example, Dollar Tree’s third quarter sales have increased by 11.6% from $997.8 in the last year’s fiscal third quarter to $1.11 billion this year. (www.dollartree.com). By focusing upon these acts and figures and illustrating them graphically, an analysis should have then been provided as to potential reasons to explain such a jump in sales during a time where a recession may well be developing in the United States. It appears very likely that the jump in sales is the shift in consumer buying from higher priced outlets to Dollar Tree’s products, all of which sell at a dollar each. This is the unique selling point of Dollar Tree, which should have been capitalized upon in the study, to

Engineering Disasters Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Engineering Disasters - Essay Example Undeniably, engineering knowhow so far has immensely contributed to humanity’s wellbeing in diverse and numerous areas. This has enabled people to execute their tasks with heightened efficiency, speed and even producing varied products meant to support humanity’s survival. Some of these products include drugs, processed foodstuffs, vehicles and aircrafts. The Japanese Fukushima reactor meltdown incidence occurred due to manmade errors and carelessness (Girard 342). This is contrary to numerous claims especially from the government citing that the then coincidental earthquake exacerbated the incidence. According to the experts’ report, the government via its experts failed to utilize new and effective reactor designs. These could have ensured effective coolant regulation in the plant whose location was in a flood prone region. Hence, enable the nuclear plant to withstand the then severe earthquake’s pressure. Besides, the required designs would have prevented the subsequent Tsunami’s force, which severed the Fukushima’s power connections leading to the reactors’ overheating (Girard 342). Overheating led to the melting of reactors, which caused them to dispose their radioactive contents into the environment. This posed a hazard to both the inhabitants and other microorganisms in the region (Girard 342) . Boston’s Big Dig Ceiling Collapse incidence presents another example of a structural failure (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). The incidence occurred due to engineers’ negligence, whereas the local authorities failed to execute the necessary construction policies. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation report, Powers Fasteners Inc. knowingly supplied fast set epoxy instead of the standard fastening (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235).... knowingly supplied fast set epoxy instead of the standard fastening (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). Fast set epoxy is a ceiling fastener used for short-term structures, which engineers used at the site despite being aware of the product’s â€Å"creep† and â€Å"deformation† nature (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). Consequently, this inappropriate and erroneous use of materials prompted the 26 ton suspended ceiling concrete collapse onto a passing car and killing the driver (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). Besides, in their report NTSB contend the site’s contractors together with their engineers contributed to the structure’s collapsing. Since, they failed to utilize their experience and knowledge to unveil the fastening product type early in advance. Therefore, in this incidence despite the legal authorities claiming Powers Company played a significant role, site’s engineers exhibited negligence and carelessness though not indicted by the law (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). Engineers’ professional misconduct is also evident in the Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse incidence that occurred on 17Th July 1981 (Whitbeck 173). The incidence led to the demise of 114 people besides 200 others sustaining grievous injuries. Before the incidence’s occurrence, people were in a tea party whereas others standing on the two walkways. The two connected walkways collapsed onto the credulous people who were busy enjoying themselves whereas others holding individual conversations (Whitbeck 173). This incidence to date marks the worst structural failure in the US history in terms of human life loss and injuries sustained (Whitbeck 173). The investigators of this incidence cited the

DQ's 10 & 9 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

DQ's 10 & 9 - Essay Example Considering only diagnose and design model elements, explain how you as a manager would assist the team or group of employees starting the change management process regarding a specific process at work. Ans.: There is no ‘one-fit-for-all’ approach in formulating a change management strategy though each proposed management change is expected to be successful. Given only diagnose and design model elements to work on, a Manager can help introduce and manage the change by knowing the characteristics of this change like its purpose, scope, time frame, its possible effects on the impacted group, etc. Second, he must have prepared tactical solutions addressing anticipated resistance like communication and education. â€Å"From an individual level especially if these changes bring fear of the unknown, threat to one’s security, cause threat to economic stability and cause selective information processing to keep perception clear. On the organizational level, resistance to change may be caused by structural and group inertia, threat to expertise, threat to established power relationship and the limited focus of change in the organization whereby other subsystems will be declared obsolete or ineffectual† (Robbins & Judge, 2013, p. 580). Ans.: Diversity plays a major role in managing change in an organization. According to Robbins & Judge, this may be categorized to be â€Å"surface-level diversity (referring to thoughts and feelings) or a deep-level diversity which differentiate individuals through their inner self, inner values or their personalities, in general† (Robbins, 2013, p.42). â€Å"Contributing to the diversity are the following: age, country of origin, race, ethnicity, religion, physical abilities and sexual orientation, among others† (p.43). Components of diversity pose a greater and significant challenge for company leaders. Ans.: To achieve effective work diversity,

Simultaneous Equilibria in the Benzoic Acid

Simultaneous Equilibria in the Benzoic Acid Jekathjenani Ratnakumaran Simultaneous Equilibria in the Benzoic Acid Toulene -Water System Introduction: Benzoic acid is an aromatic carboxylic acid with molecular formula, C7H6O2. It appeared as colorless crystalline solid and has a fade, pleasant odor. Benzoic acid is easily available in nature and are used as a precursor to plasticizers, and sodium benzoate. Also, it inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as yeast, mold and bacteria. It also, used as an ointment to treat the fungal diseases such as ringworm and athletes foot. This benzoic acid can be prepared from the bromobenzene, benzyl alcohol and benzyl chloride. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the distribution coefficient (ÃŽ ±) and dimerization constant of the benzoic acid in equilibrium of toluene and water. The distribution coefficient can be determined by using the distributive law which is given by the Nernst in 1891. This law states that distribution of the solute either solid or liquid between two non miscible solvents1. When the solute distributes in the two non miscible solvent at constant temperature, the solute remains in both solvent at the same molecular conditions and then, the concentration of solute in those two non miscible solvents will be equal to the distribution constant, K. In this experiment, the two non miscible solvents are water and toluene. There are three equilibrium states occur in the system used in this experiment such as distribution equilibrium, aqueous phase equilibrium and toluene phase equilibrium. These three equilibria contain benzoic acid (HBz), water (W) and Toluene (T). The distribution occurs as monomer in water and hence, there is monmer-dimer equilibrium occurs in the water and toluene phase2. From the distribution equilibrium, the distribution coefficient, ÃŽ ± can be calculated by, HBz (w)HBz (T) From the aqueous equilibrium phase, the aqueous dissociation constant, Ka is calculated as follows, HBz (w)H+ + Bz From the toluene equilibrium phase, the aqueous dimerization constant, K2 is calculated as follows, 2HBz (T)(HBz)2 The total concentration of benzoic acid in Toluene (CT) and total concentration of benzoic acid in water (Cw) can determine using the formula 1 and 3, they are as follows, Cw= [HBz]w + [H+] CT= [HBz]T + 2[(HBz)2] By plotting the graph using above formula, the total concentrations present in both water and toluene can be determined. Methods: This experiment was conducted by following the procedure given in the laboratory manual by the department of chemistry, Trent University. Related questions Answers: The structure of a dimer of benzoic acid is shown below, O H- O C C O- H O As benzoic acid has phenyl group and it is non polar but water is a polar solvent. Therefore, the carboxyl group in benzoic acid will be harder to form hydrogen bonding with water and decrease the interactions between the benzoic acid molecules. Hence it does not form a dimer with water. In the case of hexane, the hexane is non polar solvent and therefore, the benzoic acid forms dimer with hexane. In the case of methanol, as it has hydrogen bonding, it is considered as polar solvent. When it reacts with benzoic acid, it does not form a dimer of benzoic acid. Furthermore, in the case of propanone, benzoic acid does not form dimer because propanone is a polar solvent. As the titrant solution is base solution, the indicator required to give end point is phenolphthalein. The indicator used in the titration is based on the pH values of the solutions used. In this case, as solution contains benzoic acid and its titrated against NaOH, therefore, the to bring the end point, the phenolphthalein which has pH approximately 9 is used. If the titrant is base solution, then the methyl orange, which has pH 3.5 is used to identify the end point. Results: Table 1 represents the volume of the benzoic acid, toluene and water added in the five solutions in different fractions of the volumes. Solutions Volume of benzoic acid in toluene Solution (ml) Volume of water added (ml) Volume of toluene required to bring total volume to 100 ml (ml) 1 50 50 0 2 40 50 10 3 25 50 25 4 15 50 35 5 5 50 45 Mass of the benzoic acid used = 5.000 g Volume of the NaOH used= 10 ml Calculated concentration of the NaOH = 0.018 M Table 2 represents the titrated volume of the solutions against NaOH and HCl and calculated concentrations of benzoic acid in the Toluene and Water. Solution Number VNaOH (w) (ml) VNaOH(T) (mL) VHCl (T) (mL) CW x 10-3 (M) CT x 10-2 (M) ÃŽ ² Cw (1-ÃŽ ²) CT/Cw (1-ÃŽ ²) 1 5.8 35.7 0.3 4.35 2.70 0.1141 0.00385 7.0130 2 5.4 28.9 0.4 4.05 2.20 0.1181 0.00357 6.1625 3 4.9 16.4 0.8 3.67 1.30 0.1236 0.00322 5.3450 4 3.0 10.7 1.6 2.25 0.92 0.1545 0.00190 4.8421 5 2.2 5.7 5.0 1.65 0.80 0.1773 0.00136 5.8823 Figure 1 represents the plot of Cw (1-ÃŽ ²) versus CT/Cw (1-ÃŽ ²). Data Analysis Calculations: Volume of HBz in water, V1= 0.02 L Volume of NaOH, V2= 0.0058 L Concentration of NaOH, C2= 0.015 M Concentration of HBz, Cw= (0.0058 x 0.015) / 0.02 M = 4.35 x 10-3 M Volume of HBz in water, V1= 0.02 L Volume of NaOH + HCl, V2= 0.036 L Concentration of NaOH, C2= 0.015 M Concentration of HBz, CT= (0.036 x 0.015) / 0.02 M = 2.70 x 10-2 M By using the below formula, the value of ÃŽ ² was calculated, The value of Ka for benzoic acid is 6.46 x 10-5 0.00435 ÃŽ ²2 + 6.46 x 10-5 ÃŽ ² 6.46 x 10-5 Using the quadratic formula, the value of ÃŽ ² is, ÃŽ ² = 0.1141 Calculation of Cw (1-ÃŽ ²) for solution 1, Cw (1-ÃŽ ²)= 0.00435 (1- 0.1141) = 0.00385 Calculation of CT/Cw (1-ÃŽ ²) for solution 1, CT/Cw (1-ÃŽ ²)= (0.0270) / (0.00385) = 7.013 From the figure 1, the value of K2 and ÃŽ ± are as follows, Y = -0.1344 x + 5.8939 ÃŽ ± (intercept) = 0.1344 2ÃŽ ±2K2= 5.8939 K2= (5.8939 ) / (0.03613) = 163.13 M Discussion: The experiment was conducted with careful consideration to get the result as close as to the real value. However, due to the some experimental error involved in this experiment, the calculated values are not close to the literature value. The calculated K2 value is 163.13 L/mol and the alpha value is 0.1344. The literature values are 260 L/mol and 1.49 respectively. Figure 1 represents the plot of Cw (1-ÃŽ ²) versus CT/Cw (1-ÃŽ ²). Based on the graph shown on figure 1, the peak is falling and then raising. When the amount of benzoic acid decreases, the amount of concentration of toluene increases. On the contrary, the value of concentration of benzoic acid (HBz) in water is higher than the concentration of HBz in toluene. In comparison with the literature value, the calculated value has deviated from it. However, the calculated percentage error is 37 %. This is considered as large difference when compared to literature values. These differences between the calculated and literature v alue occurred due to the experimental error. Equipments used in this experiment were used by the previous batch. As the experiment was conducted using the pre used equipments, there might be an error in the contamination. The solution that has made in this experiment has to be mixed well. This will provide a more accurate result. Failure to do this step might have resulted in the failure of result. Also, the burette reading and end point notification are considered one of the errors which lead to inaccurate result. Due to these occurrences, the experiment does not turn successful and have heavily affected the final results. Moreover, the adjustment made in the water bath and less time of keeping the solution in the water bath also might be lead to the error in the final result. Because temperature is ne of the factor affects the dissociation of particles. Furthermore, due to the weather condition (winter), temperature and pressure changes and might not favored to conduct the experim ent. Conclusion: In conclusion, the simultaneous equilibria of benzoic acid presence in the water and toluene solvent was studied by conducting this experiment. In order to get accuracy of result, the precision can be improved by more attention on the experimental procedure and handling the equipments. Also, accurate result can be made by observing the measurements such as notifying the burette reading and end point in a proper manner. References Chemistry Made Simple about Nernst Distribution Lawn; Metallurgy, (2009) Ellison H.R. Simultaneous equilibria in the benzoic acid-benzene-water system, A distribution experiment; 48 (2): 124 (1971). DOI: 10.1021/ed048p124P. Atkins and J. de Paula, Atkins’ Physical Chemistry, 8th ed., W. H.Freeman and Co., New York (2006). Department of Chemistry, Laboratory Manual, Experiment G1- Heat Capacity Ratio for Gases, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario(2014)

Todays Rising Gas Prices Essay -- essays research papers

Today's Rising Gas Prices At some point in everyone’s lives, we are affected by the rising gas prices in today’s economy. Natural gas is not a renewable resource, since there is a fixed amount of it trapped in the Earth. However, many people carry the misconception that there is a very limited amount of natural gas, and that we may use all of it up. This isn’t true. The gas shortages of the 1970's were prompted by the government’s lack of faith in the industry’s ability to discover and develop new reserves, not by lack of gas supply. The unfortunate impression left by the shortages of gas in the 1970's caused the people to believe that there was a small amount of gas left. On the contrary, the gas resource base is vast, and probably even larger than currently estimated. People are often confused by the difference in "proved reserves", those that could be economically produced with the current technology, and the total natural gas resource base. Before the 70’s, oil from the Middle East was very cheap, and in North America, it was about $4 a barrel. But then, the leaders of the Middle East discovered that everyone needed their oil, so they formed OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries). Practically overnight, they jacked up the prices of oil by limiting the supply. This was the first oil crisis. It lasted for a while, but then they got greedy, and started supplying more oil, in hopes to make more money. But then there was more supply than demand, so t...

Was Parliament Justified In Killing the King? :: essays research papers

Despite the simplistic fact that King Charles I was the legally lawful leader of England, Parliament was more than justified in executing Charles I due to the divergent and passionate views of law and life between the people and the king in politics, society, and religion. Parliament never desired a position where they could control England with full-fledged power. They simply wanted enough limitations on the kingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s power that would guarantee the people certain rights that the king cannot take away, which juxtaposes the belief of divine right. Parliament tried numerous ways to create a structured administration where the kingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s power was restricted and Parliament, including the people that they represented, was given a voice in government but their countless tries were futile and a disappointment. Preceding the Civil War and many times after it, Parliament tried to approach the king to present to him their ideas of how power should be distributed and used. They came up with laws and regulations to resolve political problems with the king, such as the Petition of Rights, Nineteen Propositions, and Grand Remonstrance. The king declined to acknowledge these laws as genuine laws. He either signed and disregarded it or he a bsolutely refused to bother himself with the minor complaints of Parliament. This eventually led to the conclusion that King Charles I was the type of man who could not be trusted with the legal promises he made to his people. The worries of Parliament were not seen as a major concern of his and he repudiated to consider any negotiations with whatever Parliament had to say. The kingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s intractable ways caused Parliament to break away from his power before England became a place of political disaster. Although the obstinate king refused to recognize Parliamentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s authorized power and influence, he turned his back on his Protestant country to form foreign alliances against his own people. If that wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t ghastly enough, the king acted in an outrageous and appalling way when he put religion into the conflict and made it worse. He asked for military assistance from the Catholic pope and agreed to certain terms that could have shattered his already-destabilized country. The king denied the fact that he had been defeated by his own subjects, and he did anything he could do in his power to prevent the loss of his throne. It is not right of a true and legitimate king to overlook his people and betray them in such a horrendous and unthinkable way as to destroy the pride of his countryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s religion.

The Color

The Color in a space gives more depth and mood to it .When perceived by a person, psychological effects and reactions are made on him or her due to the physiology of color. According to child psychologist Jean Piaget (1954), children during preoperational period (Age 2-7) communicate more with colour than language. He further explains the importance of colour in sensory & cognitive development of a child during this period. Despite of being the most deeply affected group of users, children are presently the least able to influence the design of their own environment. Not only are children seldom consulted about these matters; their needs are often forgotten when such facilities are being designed. Architects design environments which uplift the spirit and enhance sense of well being for People. They are able to modify the way a person would perceive, think about and behave in an environment. In this case Architects have a greater responsibility in shaping the built environment of the Kindergarten where the primary user is the child (Age 2  ½ -5). Since the early education methods are based on principles of child psychology, environments of early learning and the colours used for its ambiance are interrelated and play a vital role in child development. Hereby it is important to understand the type of color combinations required as spatial characteristics to fulfill the needs of Kindergarten activity and to discuss in what extent it is achieved in the Sri Lankan context.CHAPTER 1INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 gives a background of the study, which will establish its needs, objectives, scope and limitations, method and benefits. Background to the subject The manner in which we experience the sense of being in the world has been driven by a pure sensory understanding. Human contact in the world is through the sensory organs that respond through tactile, visual and audible means of the physical environment. Amongst these, colour plays a significant role in visual transfer of information from the surroundings to the perceiver. Colour is first and foremost an experience which permits human beings to enhance the total experience of the world around them. The ability to use the sense of color to an advantage in visual arts, clothing, external architecture, landscape architecture and interior architecture is one of the distinctive features of the human kind (Kuehni, 1983). Unlike the adult human who comprehends his external environment within a complex array of experiences children are mostly extroverted by nature: they not only absorb the many avenues of interest in the environment, but also experience the many emotions it evokes with candour and eagerness. As young children are instantly attracted to colour, it is recognised as one of the best mediums through which they can represent the feelings they realise. (Birren, F., 1976) Faber Birren (1988) states that Children's responses are more colour dominant than form dominant: hence its application in the spaces that children occupy requires a conscious effort. Accordingly learning spaces, such as preschools, colored appropriately, provides an unthreatening environment to the child that improves visual processing, reduces stress, and challenges brain development through visual stimulation/relationships and pattern seeking. (Simmons, 1995).Use of color in early learning spaceAlthough the use of color becomes a very sensitive and important application in preschool environments, is it is wrongly considered a surface application than an actual design element which addresses functional, aesthetical and psychological aspects, of the user. . Therefore it is important to understand that a colourful space does not necessarily provide the appropriate solutions as one would assume a colorless space would not. â€Å"Color for the sake of color accomplishes little that is constructive, just as bleak environments accomplish nothing constructive either† (Mahnke, 1996, p.180). Research has demonstrated that specific colors and patterns directly influence the health, morale, emotions, behavior, and performance of learners, depending on the individual's culture, age, gender, and developmental level, the subject being studied, and the activity being conducted. Mahnke F.H. (1996) states the use of preferred colors and color schemes in preschool environments increases the attractiveness and the sense of belongingness. Producing a fruitful and enjoyable education process†¦ Therefore Children's preference for color should be carefully regarded in the colour application of preschools. 1.2 Objective of the study The main objective of this study is to analyze the use of colour in early learning spaces and its contribution to the kindergarten concept of ‘learning through play'. While it is apparent that color in child environments are necessary what is less clear is the combinations and variations that work as stimuli in a kindergarten environment and work positively towards the learning activity of the child. Moreover, this main objective can be further detailed with the following.To analyze color preferences of preschool children, in relation to age and gender.To analyze the use of color through the identified principles and apply them to the â€Å"Learning through Play† method adopted in kindergartens.To discover how the use of colour in a pre-school environment particularly affects the kindergarten activity, the ambiance and the behavior of the child.  To identify possible colours and colour schemes with the aid of natural light conducive in creating an ideal kindergarten en vironment for â€Å"Learning through Play†.1.3 Methodology Initially the Kindergarten and early childhood education and the concept of ‘Learning through play' is studied through a literature survey referring to Local and international examples of kindergarten architecture to determine the nature or specific features of the spatial quality required. Subsequently theories and principles relevant to color for ‘Learning through play' is reviewed through literature in order to identify key principles relevant to the study: the main intent being to analyze colours and colour schemes used in kindergarten environments through which to establish the colour principles to be adhered in order to achieve the particular spatial quality required for ‘Learning through Play' Once established these factors form the basis for the examination and evaluation of case studies. The data researched to evaluate the key principles will be collected through a process of systematic observation during different times of the day and a field survey. The three case studies will be selected, investigated and analyses through derived principles which form the scheme of analysis: Accordingly, students of three kindergartens of Colombo District will be chosen: each study will contain different colour applications in specific identified areas: namely the classroom, play areas and the corridors which are then each tested against their colour preferences respectively. The results of the studies will then analyze. The research concludes with a discussion on how colour is manipulated and made meaningful in the Kindergarten concept of ‘Learning through play' with an emphasis on its effect on optimum learning. It further discusses other considerations such as location and the levels of light and glare that may be accountable for the variables observed in the study. 1.4 Scope and limitations Study is focused on identifying the â€Å"use of color† with regard to Child behavior patterns and the early learning spaces only. Further limitations of this dissertation are:The user group will be limited to the pre-operational period of childhood (2 1/2 – 5 year old children) of Nursery and kindergarten Method.Interpretation of Colour in Architecture would be confined to the Nursery and Kindergarten Method.Literature reviews on child based research and use of color on kindergarten environments.Case studies are analyzed based on accepted research, accepted theories on colour, childhood development and sensory perception without entering into a discussion on divergent views.Architectural benefits of the studyIdentify which color combinations are more suitable in a healthy learning environment for children.Create an opportunity for discussion to establish a perception on how to use color for early learning spaces.Create awareness for innovative use of color in the conte xt of early learning space design in Sri Lanka.