Tuesday, December 31, 2019

What Company Got So Big That Even Weird Al Yankovic

What Company got so big that even Weird Al Yankovic decided to create Parody to the Backstreet boys hit song, â€Å"I want it that way†? If you guessed Amazon, you were wrong. The correct answer is eBay. Weird Al Yankovic describes in the eBay song what he bought on the famous website. EBay is a website that you can sell or buy literally anything. Weird Al says that he bought a used pink bathrobe, a rare mint snow globe, a Smurf TV tray. He then states that his house is filled with this crap that people sell on eBay (Yankovic, 2016). Weird Al really knows how to shop. E-Bay was founded in 1995, it was as radical and cutting-edge as many of the other dot com startups launched in that era. Today, however, eBay is one of the world’s most venerable online companies, not to mention one of the most endlessly emulated and discussed companies in the world (Hsiao, 2016). In an Article written by Aron Hsiao, Hsiao states, â€Å"eBay is place to buy meaning, you can get nearly anything you need or want at prices better than you can find in traditional brick-and-mortar or even online stores. Though there are lots of rotten deals on eBay, too, the careful consumer can always come out ahead. He then says, â€Å"eBay is a place to sell meaning, whether you are a Bix-box retailer or just an average Joe (or Jane) cleaning out your garage, nearly anything you list on eBay will sell if you are flexible enough about the price. E-Bays global reach can even move unusual items that are not in demand in your

Monday, December 23, 2019

Questions and Answers Associationistic Theory of Learning

Associationistic 1. Define and describe what is meant by an Associationistic Theory of Learning. (1/2 point) To understand the meaning of Associationistic Theory of learning is relevant to understanding what associationistic means. Associationistic is a school of psychology that holds that the content of consciousness can be explain by the association and reassociation of irreducible sensory and perceptual elements (Associationistic, 2014). Therefore, the point to all associationist theories is that there are associations made that leads to learning. Three very important psychologists whose theories fall under the Associationistic Theory of Learning are Ivan Pavlov, Edwin R. Guthrie, and William K. Estes. The three mention†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Forgetting: According to Guthrie a person will forget an already learn response to a situation if given another option. Therefore, Guthries theory shows that new learning or new information is necessary to forget, the process of forgetting is as retroactive inhibition (Olson Hergenhahn, Chapter 8, 2013). c. William K. Estes (1 point) William K. Estes wasborn in 1919, graduated from the University of Minnesota under B. F. Skinner at the age of 21 years old. William K. Ester completed his career at Harvard, he was also awarded two professor emeritus titles, one at Harvard and the second one in Indiana where he returned after completing his career. Skinner always thought that Ester would be a great behaviorists but over time Ester ideas changed (Olson Hergenhahn, Chapter 9, 2013). Estes believed that learning is very complex and that a simple stimulus could not be the answer to learning. Ester developed the Stimulus Sampling Theory (SST), which was composed of algebra and probability. Unlike other psychologists, such as Skinnerian or Hullian principles might be applied in a classroom or while training...[Esters principle] is an attempt to describe the composition of learning, but it does not provide tools for the classroom or behavior therapy (Olson Hergenhahn, 2013, p. 216). Estes developed many theories about learning such as: †¢Paired

Sunday, December 15, 2019

A Close Look at Bangladesh Free Essays

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, also known as Bangladesh, is one of the youngest nations historically. Established in 1971, the country has undergone various battles to win its independence, including those to fight for its religion and its language. At present, Bangladesh is one of the unfamiliar states in Asia, continuously fighting overpopulation, poverty, and political unrest (Whyte Lin, 2009). We will write a custom essay sample on A Close Look at Bangladesh or any similar topic only for you Order Now Bangladesh is geographically situated in South Asia, bordered by Myanmar in the southeast and India in the north, west, and northeast. The most essential feature of the country is its â€Å"web of rivers† that molded its culture and lifestyle positively in terms of transportation and hydroelectric power and negatively with massive flooding (Whyte Lin, 2009). The total area of Bangladesh is roughly 144,000 square kilometers, which is a bit smaller than Iowa. The estimate population of the country is 158 million, which makes it the seventh most populous in the world (CIA, n. d. ) I. Government The politics of Bangladesh has witnessed several changes with the shifting of the forms of government from parliamentary in 1972, to presidential in 1975, to martial law in 1981 and back to parliamentary in 1991 (Whyte Lin, 2009). At present, the nation is ruled by the chief of state, President Zillur Rahman, and the head of government, Prime Minister Sheik Hasina Wajed. Members of the cabinet are handpicked by the prime minister and appointed by the president. The legislative branch is led by the unicameral National Parliament elected by the people. The Supreme Court is headed by chief justices and other judges appointed by the president (CIA, n. d. ). Ahmed (2004) further describes politics in Bangladesh as a constant chat topic in all parts of the country. He further likened Bangladeshi politicians to that of the country’s rivers – changing their courses unpredictably, overflowing their banks and submerging new lands. Moreover, the capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka. It is further divided into seven administrative divisions, namely, Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Syllhet (CIA, n. d. ). The nation as a developing country is characterized by corruption brought about by indecisiveness of politicians, politicization of the civil service, and nepotism among civil servants. According to the World Bank, should Bangladesh lessen corrupt practices in its government, it is possible that it will enjoy an improved economic status (Ahmed, 2004). II. Economy One of the poorest nations in the world – this is what typically defines the economy of Bangladesh. The nation relies primarily in agriculture, livestock, and forestry, with crop agriculture as the main contributor in the country’s GDP (Ahmed, 2004). Nonetheless, one-third of its population still lives below the poverty line (CIA, n. d. ). Because of this, Bangladesh relies heavily from foreign aid, which it uses to improve its agriculture and support efforts to advance society. One sector that is being developed to help Bangladeshi economy is energy, namely, gas, oil, and mineral explorations that currently attract foreign investors. Another element that keeps its economy afloat is foreign trade (Ahmed, 2004). It exports garments, frozen fish and seafood, jute and jute products, and leather to the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, among others (CIA, n. d. ). Moreover, export of labor also contributes highly to the economy with most Bangladeshi working overseas such as in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia (Ahmed, 2004). Still, unemployment needs to be prioritized as unemployment rate is at an estimated 2. 5 percent, which the nineteenth highest in the world. III. Religious Practices Religion is a significant part of Bangladeshi society. In fact, religion is an important element of people’s self-identity. More than three-fourths of the population are Sunni Muslims, ten percent are Hindus and the others are Christians and Theravada-Hinayana Buddhists. The Constitution upholds Islam as the state religion but allows each citizen to practice his faith according to his choice. Furthermore, the government has established imam training academies and proclaimed Islamic days of festivals. Moreover, each religion has its own set of laws. For instance, Muslim men are allowed to marry up to four times but society discourages this practice; Christian men can marry just one woman; Hindus can practice unlimited polygamy; but marriages between members of different religions were unrestricted. In addition, important religious festivals and holy days of all religious groups are observed as national holidays (US Department of State, 2007) IV. Language The official language of Bangladesh is Bangla or Bengali, which is the native tongue of more than 98 percent of the population. However, many also speak English and Urdu. Bangla’s influences include Islam, Arabic, and English (Kwintessential, n. d. ) V. Educational System Since a huge portion of the population experiences poverty, the educational system in Bangladesh is highly subsidized. Schooling is divided into primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels. Tertiary education is also provided in universities and affiliated colleges. In all levels, students can opt to be educated under Bangla or English medium (Prime Minister’s Office, n. d. ). VI. Norms and Values In Bangladesh, age generally tells how one is addressed. If people are of the same age, first names are used but if the person being addressed is older, he is called by his first name and a suffix that indicates the family relationship. Moreover, gift-giving is important for Bangladeshis. For instance, bringing of pastries or sweets is encouraged in visiting a home; offering of frangipanis, white flowers, alcohol, products with non-halal meat, and even money are discouraged; opening gifts in front of the giver is likewise discouraged; and gift-giving should be done with both hands. Moreover in eating, directly turning down an invitation is impolite; many eat with their hands so asking of utensils is rude; meals will be shared by the same sex; guests are served first; and the oldest person at the table eats first; passing of food and drinks is done with the right hand only. Furthermore in communication, Bangladeshis tend to communicate indirectly so their body language needs to be understood as well. Nonetheless, they stand close when speaking to someone of the same gender (Kwintessential, n. d. ). VII. Conclusion To conclude, Bangladesh has come a long way from its establishment 40 years ago. Nonetheless, it has a lot to learn in terms of political stability and economic development. Still, the nation has reasons to be proud of such as its religion, language, and values that has established its identity as a free nation. References Ahmed, S. (2004). Bangladesh: Past and Present. New Delhi: A. P. H. Publishing Corporation. CIA. (n. d. ). South Asia: Bangladesh. The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www. cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bg. html Kwintessential. (n. d. ). Bangladesh – language, culture, customs, and etiquette. Retrieved from http://www. kwintessential. co. uk/resources/global-etiquette/bangladesh. html Prime Minister’s Office. (n. d. ). Education system in Bangladesh. National Web Portal of Bangladesh. Retrieved from http://www. bangladesh. gov. bd/index. php? option=com_contenttask=categoryid=33Itemid=27 U. S. Department of State. (2007). Bangladesh. Retrieved from http://www. state. gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90226. htm Whyte, M. Lin, Y. L. (2009). Cultures of the World: Bangladesh. New York: Marshall Cavendish. How to cite A Close Look at Bangladesh, Papers

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Off-Shoring - Reflections And New Directions †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Off-Shoring - Reflections And New Directions. Answer: Offshoring refers to the relocation of the tasks related to the organization to foreign locations. With the rise in globalization, the scope and scale of offshoring has increased tremendously. However, there are some organizations that are faced by certain barriers to manage their activities which have been given as offshoring tasks. The given article the argument regarding the organizational design perspective should be build relating to offshoring. The organizational design perspective will help the organization to manage their relations well with the firms where they are offshoring their services to. According to the authors of the given study, a proper framework comprising of an organizational design will go a long way in helping the firm to maintain the offshore tasks with foreign firms effectively. Furthermore, through this paper, they have aimed to build upon the research and literature available on how the organizations manage their relationships with foreign companies. In th e given paper, the authors have outlined three stages referring to as disintegration, relocation and reintegration which help in the reconfiguration of the organization. The paper begins with a brief introduction in the concepts of the offshoring and the various reasons for which a business might choose to offshore its activities. It was witnessed that very often the business organizations find it more economical to offshore the activities instead of doing them on their own as this helps the business to save costs. The following sections discuss how the organizations often fail to manage their offshore management organizations and are unable to keep a track of them. For this purpose, a new framework had been suggested which would help the firm. The implications of the given perspective have been discussed along with a research agenda. As the number of firms engaging in offshore practices has been increasing, the need for a research based in this aspect plays a key role in further developing the related literature available on the topic. As the trend of getting external help from the foreign based organizations has been increasing, the author aimed to develop a framework which would support the topic and build a profound basis. One of the reasons why the author has been concerned about the given topic is that although many people have aimed to research on the given topic but the primary factors which lead to the decision of giving out the work to a foreign company. This might be due to limited number of organizations being considered for various cases represented by other researchers. Hence, through this paper the authors aimed to synthesize the insights resulting from the different domains so as to develop a framework which might help the research in the organization perspectives. This decision framework would als o serve as a guideline in helping to analyze the various related studies which have been conducted in the last 25 years. The given article not only conducts an overview of the research over the last five years, but also lays down alternatives that may be used while conducting future research on the given topic. The primary motto of the author was to provide research techniques and alternative theories that could form basis for analyzing the primary decision making criteria behind the choice of off shoring. The article begins with an overview of the studies conducted in the past, how they have been lacking with respect to perspective and how can future researchers account for the interdependencies between decisions for an overall offshore strategy. The decisions are greatly influenced by factors like cost, man power available, expertise and knowledge. In the IT Domain, offshoring is one of the most important business components whereby the IT unit of any business organization relies heavily on knowledge and equipment from its offshore counterparts. The author aims to analyze the various conditions under which the given exchange becomes possible. As identified by the author, social capital which tends to help the firm to smoothly carry out the offshore transfer of knowledge is rarely studied in various studies related to the factors influencing the transfer of knowledge. In the given article an argument is built with regard to the understanding of such knowledge transfer mechanisms. The authors propose that these off shore knowledge transfer mechanisms can be built better if the social capital is well developed in the organization. In the given paper the social capital has been considered with respect to the outcome expectation of the sender and the efficacy of the one who is sending the knowledge. It is believed that these two are the key drivers of motivation. A qualitative analysis had been conducted with respect to this which examined the case of a multinational company in Germany. The primary source of the data in the given paper were the IT Developers of the German multinational who provided the authors with in depth knowledge of their personal experience with their colleagues in India who were a part of their offshore strategy. Their analysis reflected a model which tends to show the influence of social capital and outcome expectations on the decision of choosing a relative IT Developer who would be ready to transfer knowledge. The authors have explained how social capital, expectations and efficacy are related to binding important IT offshoring relationships. However, the primary limitation of the given study is that it is based on just German companies. The given study is based on the analysis of the relationship between offshoring and onshore workforce combination in various multinational companies in Germany. This was conducted using the data available which allowed an analysis of discern tasks, occupations and the skills of the workforce. They study reflected that offshoring is generally related to the type of work which requires application of high skills and non-routine tasks. Very often the organization feels that if certain tasks are not that regular in an organization and are just required once in a while then, it is not economical to set a separate internal unit for it and it would be better to outsource the given task to some foreign firm. Highly educated workers are one of the other reasons why offshoring is preferred. The authors state that this shift in the requirement of highly educated worker is determined by the task composition. The paper observed that the shift in the off shore activities is determined by positive onshore responses in case of relating with low income countries. Their study reflected that around 10-15% of the changes in the shares of workers in their bills and the tasks are greatly predicted by offshoring. The primary highlights of the paper are that it is for advanced tasks that the offshoring mostly takes place. These advanced tasks mostly combine of the interactive and out of routine tasks. This finding is based on the German workplace tools which were analyzed. For the German countries, these shifts were stronger for offshoring to the developing countries. However, the study comprised of a limitation which was that the offshore shifts are not the only factors that can predict the increase in the skill demand at German Multinational companies. However, one of the drawbacks of this paper is that, it contributes towards only German perspective. References Becker, S. O., Ekholm, K., Muendler, M. A. (2013). Offshoring and the onshore composition of tasks and skills.Journal of International Economics,90(1), 91-106. Zimmermann, A., Ravishankar, M. N. (2014). Knowledge transfer in IT offshoring relationships: the roles of social capital, efficacy and outcome expectations.Information Systems Journal,24(2), 167-202. Mihalache, M., Mihalache, O. R. (2016). A decisional framework of offshoring: integrating insights from 25 years of research to provide direction for future.Decision Sciences,47(6), 1103-1149. Jensen, P. D. ., Larsen, M. M., Pedersen, T. (2013). The organizational design of offshoring: Taking stock and moving forward.Journal of International Management,19(4), 315-323.