Hobbies Vocabulary for English Learners

Hobbies Vocabulary for English Learners Speaking about hobbies is an important part of any English class. As with any activity, hobbies can have lots of jargon, specific expressions, and idioms related to the particular hobby. This guide to hobbies vocabulary will help learners discuss hobbies using a wider range of vocabulary for more precision. Learn vocabulary in groups arranged by hobby types.   Hobbies Vocabulary Study List Discover with your partner each of the hobby types below. If you dont know the hobby, look the hobby up on the internet to discover photos and other clues to learn about that hobby. Try to use each hobby type in a short sentence to explain the hobby. Collecting Arts Crafts Model Electronic Action FiguresAntiquesAutograph CollectingCar CollectingCoin CollectingComic BooksConcert PostersDoll CollectingFine Art CollectingHot Wheel and Matchbox CarsMangaMovie MemorabiliaMusic MemorabiliaSpoon CollectingSports CollectiblesSports Trading CardsStamp CollectingVinyl RecordsWatch CollectingGun and Pistols AnimationArchitectureCalligraphyCandle MakingCrochetFilm MakingGardeningJewelry MakingOrigamiPhotographySewingSculptingCeramics / PotteryFashion DesignFloristryGraffitiKnittingPaper AirplanesPainting and DrawingQuiltingScrapbookingWoodworkingTattoo Ham RadioRC BoatsRC CarsRC HelicoptersRC PlanesRoboticsScale ModelsModel CarsModel AirplanesModel RailroadingModel RocketsModel Ship / Boat Kits Performing Arts Music Food Drink DancingBalletBreak DancingLine DancingSalsaSwingTangoWaltzActingJugglingMagic TricksPuppetryStand Up Comedy BanjoBass GuitarCelloClarinetDrum SetFrench HornGuitarHarmonicaOboePiano / KeyboardTrumpetTromboneViolinViolaRappingSingingStart A Band BartendingBeer BrewingBeer TastingCigar SmokingCheese TastingCoffee RoastingCompetitive EatingCookingLiquor DistillationHookah SmokingSpirits / Liquor TastingSushi MakingTea DrinkingWine MakingWine TastingSake TastingGrilling Pets Games CatsDogsParrotsRabbitsReptilesRodentsSnakesTurtlesFishkeeping Arcade GamesBall and JacksBilliards / PoolBoard GamesBridgeCard GamesCard TricksChessDominoesFoosballGeocachingJigsaw PuzzlesKite Flying / MakingMah JongPinball MachinesPokerTable Tennis - Ping PongVideo Games Individual Sports Team Sports Martial Arts Outdoor Activities Board Sports Motor Sports Archery Acrobatics Badminton Bodybuilding Bowling Boxing Croquet Cycling Diving Golf Gymnastics Fencing Horseback Riding Ice Skating Inline Skating Pilates Running Swimming Squash Tai Chi Tennis Weight Training Yoga basketballbaseballfootballcricketvolleyballsoccerwater polo AikidoJiu JitsuJudoKarateKung FuTaekwondo BirdwatchingCampingFishingHikingHuntingKayak and CanoeMountain BikingMountain climbingPaintballRiver RaftingRock ClimbingSailingScuba DivingFly FishingBackpacking KitesurfingSkateboardingSkiingSnowboardingSurfingWindsurfing AutoracingGo KartsMotocrossMotorcycle - TouringMotorcycle StuntsOff Road DrivingSnowmobiling Hobbies Vocabulary Exercises Use one of the hobby types to fill in the gap in the descriptions below. collectingmodels and electronicsperforming artsfood drinkgamesindividual sportsteam sportmartial artsoutdoor activity  board sportsmotorsports __________  requires you to find as many as possible of one type of thing such as baseball cards, or vinyl records.Arcade _____ include pinball machines and a wide variety of computer games that are played in a large room.You play a ________ if you play basketball, soccer or water polo.Snowboarding and windsurfing are types of ____________.If you like bartending and cooking you look _________.Head to the mountains to enjoy _________ such as kayaking, river ​rafting, and rafting.  ___________ such as snowmobiling and go karts can be rather expensive, especially if you dont know how to repair vehicles.  Some people prefer ______________ rather than team sports. These include boxing, fencing and golf.  People all over the world practice ________ such as Kung Fu and Aikido.  _________________ often include building your own model.  People who sing, act or dance participate in the _______________.   Answers collectingmodel and electronicsperforming artsfood drinkgamesindividual sportsteam sportmartial artsoutdoor activity  board sportsmotorsports Match the hobby or activity to the definition. In some cases, a number of hobbies may be correct. This is a type of dancing that comes from Vienna.This is an activity that involves smoking something that looks like a long, brown stick.This is an activity that involves making small reproductions of airplanes.You play this instrument with a bow.In order to keep these pets you shouldnt be queasy.This is an individual sport that can calm you, as well as keep you in shape.You might climb Everest if you do this hobby.Ride a motorized vehicle with two wheels for this hobby.If you collect this type of comic book, you might need to read Japanese.This hobby involves telling jokes.You must know poker and blackjack if you do this hobby.You must have a good relationship with animals to participate in this sport.This martial art comes from Korea.Fly down the snowy hill on a board with this hobby.Your partner will be stuffed if you take up this hobby. Answers WaltzCigar smokingModel airplanesViolin / Viola / CelloRodents / Snakes / ReptilesYoga / Tai Chi / PilatesMountain climbingMotocross / Motorcycle - Touring / Motorcycle StuntsMangaStand up comedyCard gamesHorseback ridingTaekwondoSnowboarding / SkiingCooking Using Hobby Vocabulary in Class Here are two suggestions on how you can use this list in classroom activities. If you dont attend an English class, you can certainly use these ideas on your own and with English learning friends. Give a Presentation Ask students to choose a hobby theyd like to learn.Ask students to develop a presentation on the hobby using PowerPoint or another slideshow program.   Extend the presentation by asking students to come up with their own gap fill activity to test fellow students on their presentation. 20 Questions Ask students to choose a hobby they know well.Have students get into small groups of three or four.Each student takes a turn. Other students should ask yes/no questions to find out the hobby in a game of 20 questions.

Battle of the Saintes in the American Revolution

Battle of the Saintes in the American Revolution Battle of the Saintes - Conflict Dates: The Battle of the Saintes was fought April 9-12, 1782, during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Fleets Commanders British Admiral Sir George RodneyRear Admiral Samuel Hood36 ships of the line French Comte de Grasse33 ships of the line Battle of the Saintes - Background: Having won a strategic victory at the Battle of the Chesapeake in September 1781, Comte de Grasse took his French fleet south to the Caribbean where it aided in the capture of St. Eustatius, Demerary, St. Kitts, and Montserrat. As the spring of 1782 progressed, he made plans to unite with a Spanish force before sailing to capture British Jamaica. Grasse was opposed in these operations by a smaller British fleet led by Rear Admiral Samuel Hood. Aware of the danger posed by the French, the Admiralty dispatched Admiral Sir George Rodney with reinforcements in January 1782. Arriving at St. Lucia in mid-February, he was immediately concerned about the scope of British losses in the area. Uniting with Hood on the 25th, he was equally disturbed by condition and supply situation of his compatriots vessels. Shifting stores to compensate for these deficiencies, Rodney deployed his forces to intercept French reinforcements and box de Grasse into Martinique. Despite these efforts, some additional French ships reached de Grasses fleet at Fort Royal. On April 5, the French admiral sailed with 36 ships of the line and steered for Guadeloupe where he intended to board additional troops. Battle of the Saintes - Opening Moves: Pursuing with 37 ships of the line, Rodney caught up to the French on April 9, but fitful winds prevented a general engagement. Instead a minor battle was fought between Hoods van division and the rearmost French ships. In the fight, Royal Oak (74 guns), Montagu (74), and Alfred (74) were damaged, while the French Caton (64) took a heavy battering and steered away for Guadeloupe. Using a freshening wind, the French fleet drew away and both sides took April 10 to rest and repair. Early on April 11, with a strong wind blowing, Rodney signaled general chase and resumed his pursuit. Spotting the French the next day, the British bore down on a French straggler forcing de Grasse to turn to defend it. As the sun set, Rodney expressed confidence that the battle would be renewed the next day. With dawn breaking on April 12, the French were sighted a short distance away as the two fleets maneuvered between the northern end of Dominica and Les Saintes. Ordering line ahead, Rodney turned the fleet to head north-northeast. As Hoods van division had been battered three days earlier, he directed his rear division, under Rear Admiral Francis S. Drake, to take the lead. Battle of the Saintes - The Fleets Engage: Leading the British line, HMS Marlborough (74), Captain Taylor Penny, opened the battle around 8:00 AM when he approached the center of the French line. Easing north to remain parallel with the enemy, the ships of Drakes division passed the remaining length of de Grasses line as the two sides exchanged broadsides. Around 9:00 AM, Drakes rearmost ship, HMS Russell (74), cleared the end of the French fleet and hauled wind. While Drakes ships had taken some damage, they had inflicted a severe battering on the French. As the battle progressed, the strong winds of the previous day and night began to temper and became more variable. This had a dramatic effect on the next stage of the fight. Opening fire around 8:08 AM, Rodneys flagship, HMS Formidable (98), engaged the French center. Deliberately slowing, it engaged de Grasses flagship, Ville de Paris (104), in a protracted fight. As the winds lightened, a smoky haze descended on the battle impeding visibility. This, along with the wind shifting to the south, caused the French line to separate and bear to the west as it could not hold its course into the wind. The first to be affected by this shift, Glorieux (74) quickly was pounded and dismasted by British fire. In quick succession, four French ships fell afoul of each other. Sensing an opportunity, Formidable turned to starboard and brought its port guns to bear on these ships. Piercing the French line, the British flagship was followed by five of its comrades. Slicing through the French in two places, they hammered de Grasses ships. To the south, Commodore Edmund Affleck also grasped the opportunity and led the rearmost British ships through the French line inflicting significant damage. Battle of the Saintes - Pursuit: With their formation shattered and their ships damaged, the French fell away to the southwest in small groups. Collecting his ships, Rodney attempted to redeploy and make repairs before pursuing the enemy. Around midday, the wind freshened and the British pressed south. Quickly capturing Glorieux, the British caught up to the French rear around 3:00 PM. In succession, Rodneys ships captured CÃ ©sar (74), which later exploded, and then Hector (74) and Ardent (64). The final capture of the day saw the isolated Ville de Paris overwhelmed and taken along with de Grasse. Battle of the Saintes - Mona Passage: Breaking off the pursuit, Rodney remained off Guadeloupe until April 18 making repairs and consolidating his fleet. Late that day, he dispatched Hood west to attempt to head off those French ships which had escaped the battle. Spotting five French ships near the Mona Passage on April 19, Hood captured Ceres (18), Aimable (30), Caton, and Jason (64). Battle of the Saintes - Aftermath: Between the engagements of April 12 and 19, Rodneys forces captured seven French ships of the line as well as a frigate and sloop. British losses in the two fights totaled 253 killed and 830 wounded. French losses numbered around 2,000 killed and wounded and 6,300 captured. Coming on the heels of the defeats at Chesapeake and the Battle of Yorktown as well as the territorial losses in the Caribbean, the victory at the Saintes helped to restore British morale and reputation. More immediately, it eliminated the threat to Jamaica and provided a springboard for reversing the losses in the region. The Battle of the Saintes is generally remembered for the innovative breaking of the French line. Since the battle, there has been great debate as to whether Rodney ordered this maneuver or his fleet captain, Sir Charles Douglas. In the wake of the engagement, both Hood and Affleck were highly critical of Rodneys pursuit of the French on April 12. Both felt that a more vigorous and protracted effort could have led to the capture of 20 French ships of the line.

Applying Lean To E-Commerce Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Applying Lean To E-Commerce Business - Essay Example The typical example of such well-known e-commerce business with production problem is Disney Shop.Disney Store uses e-commerce as a mainstream approach to the sale of the variety of products through online stores. Users of the online store login, create the account, select preferred items, go through a payment system, and have the products shipped to them within an identified time. Financial records from the business, however, shows production related problems whereby the companies are recording increases in revenues but still have declining profits (Disney Stores, 2014). Hines (2008) noted that a typical cause of such a situation is the high level of waste in the production system, reducing the productivity and efficiency levels of the company significantly. With such reduced productivity and efficiency, the company will be making more revenue but due to high expenditure, the income does not balance the expenditure and so there are losses. The overall aim of lean thinking is to ensure that there are high benefit and value from production through the elimination of waste (Womack, Jones & Ross, 1990). The reason lean is seen as useful in solving the problem is that it will ensure that all forms of waste that have created unwarranted expenditure will be done away with. In any typical organization such as Disney Store, when lean is adopted, there are seven major types of wastes that are targeted for elimination. These include production defects, overproduction, unnecessary transportation, long waiting, unnecessary inventory, unnecessary motion, and over-processing (Hines, 2008). For most companies, once these forms of wastes are available, they would be seen to be making a lot of sales but in reality, they lack profitability. The reason for lacking profitability is because the wastes bring about the huge cost of production that consumes the sales.

Cell biology Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cell biology - Research Paper Example The study of cells using microscopes can either be through transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and optical microscopy (Lodish, 411). There are a number of techniques that are commonly used in cell biology. Immunohistochemisty/ immunostaining is a useful histological technique that locates (tags) proteins in tissues and cells through fluorescence microscopy (towards various desired goals). Another common technique, cell culture, is used to grow cells under special conditions in the lab, outside a living organism while gene knock down is a method used to elicit mutation in a selected gene. Computational genomics identifies certain patterns in genomic data as DNA microarrays are essential in noting variations in transcript levels of various experimental circumstances. The method of PCR indicates the number of gene copies found in the cell and the process of transfection introduces into a cell an entirely new gene. To discover which cells are expressing a certain transcript of RNA, cell biologists use in situ hybridization. During cell biology, purification of cells can be accomplished using techniques such as flow c ytometry, cell fractionation, immunoprecipitation, and so on (Pollard and William, 418). Some of the processes of the cell commonly studied by cell biologists include active and passive transport, adhesion, cell movement, DNA repair (cell death and senescence), gene expression, metabolism, cell signaling, division and autophagy. Knowledge of cell biology is useful in fields such as cancer research and other disciplines like genetics, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, developmental biology, biochemistry, anatomy, biostatistics, ecology, epidemiology, histology, mycology, reproductive biology, toxicology, virology, bacteriology, and so on (Pollard and William,

Marriage and Dowry Essay Example for Free

Marriage and Dowry Essay Woman a daughter, a sister, a wife and a grandmother, throughout her life she dreams of having a wonderful life, a life to see to it that her marks in the school will make her parents happy, a life to see to it that her husband stays healthy, a life to see to it that her children study for their exams and a life to die seeing others happy. She cares for others, more than herself, then why we see her so much vulnerable in every moment of her life. So many issues to talk about women, rape being the most popular issue on women in the present time, almost all the women, in India, are vulnerable to this offence. But just like rape, the dowry system has affected the women psychologically, physically and emotionally. The dowry system kills her like a slow poison. The custom of dowry, in India, has spread through the hierarchy of social stratification. Several feminists suggest that the practice was initially adopted by the upper castes, then over a period of time it has been passed down into lower castes, and eventually reaches the untouchables, the outcasts. As the sociological studies suggests, often lower groups intend to copy there dominant group in there society. India ranks 136, in Human Development Index, among 187 counties around the world. This show, the people in India are in very bad condition and more than half of the population lives in poverty. The reason for poverty in India, if we look historically, it is because of the caste system, which restricted half of the population, in India, to develop, as even in present time 66% of Dalits are poor, and if we look in present time, education has deprived the poor from getting a better standards of living. It is these poorer sections as well as the middle class of our country who, not being educated and having good standard of living are still governed by old customs and traditions and continue to practise the dowry system, were in the name of gifting the groom the bride’s family is put into debt. But even in many rich families too, this system is being followed, even though they are well educated. The sums of cash and goods involved, as dowry, are often so large that the payment can lead to vicious cycle of debt in the bridal family. This has a very bad effect on the lives of unmarried women who are considered as economic liabilities by their parents, this leads to preference of boy over girl, leading to female infanticide and among the married women; they are physically and mentally harmed by their husbands and his family members, if promised dowry are not forthcoming. Modernization in India has became a barrier to many customs to be continued, like the caste system, the child marriage etc. but modernization has also lead to increase in practise of certain customs which were restricted to certain communities, as mentioned above. When we see caste, dowry and modernization, they are all inter linked with each other. With modernization, individual is not restricted to do his caste occupation and has chances to have good standard of living. Since new income and earning opportunities, brought about by modernization, are predominantly filled by men, there price tag of dowry increased. After analysing the historical developments of dowry system among the people in India, who are governed under Hindu law, now let us look at the Muslims, who are the 2nd largest population in India. Despite the fact that Islam’s beauty lies in simplicity and it recommends simple marriage, some transgressions such as dowry have crept into Muslim society in a wide range. When we look through Quran, we come across â€Å"Mahr†. According to â€Å"mahr† it is a mandatory payment, in the form of money or possessions paid by the groom, or by grooms father, to the bride at the time of marriage that legally becomes bride’s property. But as time has passed by, Muslims have changed their character and are following their Hindu counterparts in demanding and offering dowry both, in heavy cash and kind. The competition among the rich and well-to-do section of the Muslim community to reserve a good match for their daughters for whatever the demand is, has increased. Education has hardly has any influence on the minds of the people in respect of dowry. On the contrary, a highly educated man expects a higher amount of dowry, just as it happens among the Hindus. The violence committed on women, for dowry, has increased in recent times. If we observe properly, as to why this dowry violence takes place, we can see a broader picture. The reason for dowry is mainly because the women are seen as less productive than man, concept of dowry itself shows that one’s gender determines one’s worth. The roots of this deficiency can be seen were even a bride, who may be well educated and earning than her husband, will still have to pay the dowry price, just like the other bride who is not educated and not earning. And in some instances too, were even if demands for dowry were to be satisfied fully, young women would continue to face torture and harassment in their in-laws homes because of women’s custom-sanctioned-inferiority. Dowry deaths are example of patriarchal authority. In some cases, the patriarchal authority expresses itself by murdering the young women by burning with kerosene (most frequent in urban areas) or drowning (common in rural areas). Other methods employed to murder include poisoning and physical battery. These facts and historical development shows that it is because of the disrespect and uncultured behaviour that we show towards women, has lead to female infanticide, uneducated girls, sexual harassment, dowry system, heavy debt in bride’s family and domestic violence. Let us all respect women, and treat them has equals, because only this solution, will lead to abolishment of many social evils against women.

Essay examples --

The overall attractiveness of the PC manufacturing business is affected by several factors. These include general macroeconomic conditions as well as industry specific factors such as the unique economic features of the industry, competitive forces, forces of change, the market position and expected behavior of the various competitors already in the industry, and the industry’s key success factors. This report examines each of these factors in turn to arrive at an overall assessment of the attractiveness of the industry, and the types of companies that would, or would not be, attracted to it. The analysis starts with an assessment of the macroeconomic conditions affecting the market The PC marketplace has plausibly grasped its maximum penetration in words of households and businesses. At this point, substitute due to wreck and obsolescence due to increasingly demanding requests are the main drivers of new PC by (see Pace of Technical Change – page 15). Substitute reports for 80% of U.S. PC purchases. As countless of these demanding requests are in the home-computer marketplace dema...

UK Competitiveness

More than 200 projects in rail, road, local transport, flood defenses, broadband, airport infrastructure and waste management are due to start construction in 2014 to 2015 alone. This has been undertaken to improve UK businesses ability to transport goods, to communicate and make the UK a more attractive place to set up a business or invest. UK companies may gain advantages due to these improvements in infrastructure that improve their competitiveness. On the other hand, investment in infrastructure is not cheap, huge sums of money has been dedicated to development projects and this money could have been spent elsewhere.The Investment In Infrastructure Is a good Idea, as It helps I-J firms become more efficient and can reduce costs, making them more nominative Increasing access to finance Is another measure that has been undertaken via the creation of the funding for lending scheme and the El ban business bank. The increased access to capital for business may lead to increased invest ment in improving technology, becoming more productive or growing in size. These can only help UK companies become more competitive on global markets and help increase their exports.This does encourage investment by businesses on growing and becoming more competitive but it also is not a guarantee that they will do so. Businesses may not see it as advantageous to invest at that time and may hold on to their money, having no positive effects on UK competitiveness. In addition an increased tax allowance leads to decreased tax receipts which reduces the governments income whilst is already running at a deficit and may mean it cannot spend money elsewhere. The government is undergoing the process of cutting corporation tax from 23% to 20% by 2015.This will make the UK a more attractive place to set up a business and encourages Investment Into the country. However It does mean that the UK will see reduced tax receipts which may reduce public pending as less money Is available and this wi ll have a negative effect on competitiveness. Also, companies may decide not to invest money saved from business regulation involves removing two regulations whenever one new one is created and this helps business to develop and grow as there are fewer barriers to pass through to get things done.Also there is no cost to this policy which means that no money is taken away from other sectors or areas of spending. A negative effect of the policy is that too much deregulation could have severe negative effects on the economy, as seen by the crisis of 2008. Steps to improve the education system have begun via changes to the curriculum to promote mathematics and improve English skills, as well as improving training and increasing both the quality and the number of apprenticeships available to people in the I-J.These steps can help to improve competitiveness as if your workforce is more skilled then they will generally see a rise in productivity an increased likelihood of inward investment leading to higher efficiency. Business may develop new technology making them more competitive as result as a better educated workforce. However, there is a time lag, these measures ill take years to have an effect and may not be so desperately required in the future.Also the effect of labor costs may still mean the business invest or set up elsewhere, as cost overrides skill and this will not improve competitiveness. In conclusion, every measure has its downfalls but it is the way they are implemented and how they are regulated that decides their effectiveness. For example, investment in infrastructure cannot be set too high so that it drags from other areas and taxes should be cut to encourage investment and promote business growth but cut to a level that is beneficial for both business and the economy as a whole.

Explaining benefits of HRM practices within Unilever Essay

1. Benefits for Employer: For an employer, it is beneficial for its company growth that its workers perform well. An employer will always try to find the suitable candidates for suitable positions. It is always important for a company to get its job done efficiently and with less time which HRM practices help (Brewster and Hegewisch, 2017). HRM helps in the management of performance through proper business planning which is the first stage. It is designed for performance standardization along with budget outputs. HRM practices monitor the Performance of employees to ensure accuracy, communication, and discipline among workers. Overall it adds to the global company image and perception towards other competitive companies. 2. Benefits for Employee: HRM is involved not only in securing and enhancing the efficiency of each worker but also in providing definite plans for efficient communication between different workers in order to make organizational development (Obeidat and Abdallah, 2014). The importance of introducing individuals to the ethics of the company is emphasized by value-based interviewing. The employees are given progressive activities from coaching, training, projects, mentoring, and assignments. All these activities help an individual to enhance its efficiency. For the employee, it is beneficial because it nurtures the qualities within. M3 Different methods used in HRM Practices within Unilever 1. Strategic Planning: The first stage is Strategic planning is detailed planning of the business. The business planning steps are designed in such a way so as to extract standardized performance is generally conducted through a 6month mid-year period, the planning process of strategic business is crucial to the assessment of present capability and performance of a business. 2. Training and development: HRM practices regarding training and development specializes coordination in forming a strong relationship between the employer and employee. The area for training and development of HR also focusing on training that emphasizes the company’s fair trade practices and employee growth to prepare promising leaders for management and supervisory roles. 3. Employee satisfaction: A positive relation between the employee and HR help the company to achieve its objectives, morale and improves performance. This mainly comprises of achieving satisfaction, levels along the workforce (Zibarras and Coan, 2015). It helps to create ways to give strength to the employer-employee relations. Opinion surveys of employees are administered, a focus group is conducted related to job satisfaction and the steps the employer can maintain proper working relationships. 4. Recruitment: Employment process is being managed by the HRM department from examining resumes to scheduling interviews to new employees processing. They determine the most efficient for recruiting candidates. 5. Selection: professional HRs work with managers so as to effect good recruitment decisions, according to what the organizations need. They work together regarding standard hiring methods to ensure that the companies extend offers to suitable persons. 6. Compliance: HR workers need to make sure that the organization complies with legal regulations. They complete the necessary paperwork for documenting that the employees eligible to work in the country. They also comply with the organizational laws receive state or federal government contracts by ensuring flow logs of the applicant. References Brewster, C. and Hegewisch, A. eds., (2017).  Policy and Practice in European Human Resource Management: The Price Waterhouse Cranfield Survey. Abingdon: Taylor & Francis. Obeidat, B.Y. and Abdallah, A.B., (2014). The relationships among human resource management practices, organizational commitment, and knowledge management processes: A structural equation modeling approach.  International Journal of Business and Management,  9(3), p.9. Zibarras, L.D., and Coan, P., (2015). HRM practices used to promote pro-environmental behavior: a UK survey.  The International Journal of Human Resource Management,  26(16), pp.2121-2142.

The Louisville Slugger

The Louisville Slugger The Louisville Slugger The Louisville Slugger has been at the heart of baseball since 1884. A brand name of The Hillerich Bradsby Co., Slugger has dominated the market of wooden bats for decades. However, in the 1970's, introduction of aluminum brought unforeseen changes within the company's industry. When aluminum bats were approved for amateur and college play, the wood bat production fell from 7 million to 800 000. HB had to do something about it; otherwise, they would be out of business. Meanwhile, large aluminum companies were already involved in the baseball bat production, in order to increase their aluminum sales. Alcoa Inc. was one of them. Slugger made a decision to buy Alcoa manufacturing plant in order to establish its own production. That was an exceptionally smart solution. By doing so, they exempted themselves from unnecessary competition. If they had let Alcoa continue produce bats, Louisville's enterprise, probably, would have come to a halt. Afterwards, Slugger has built a new plant in C alifornia. The location was chosen in order to stay closer to the major aluminum suppliers. Transportation costs of materials play a significant role on the net present value (NPV). NPV is the difference between the market value of the product and the cost of its production. Therefore, close location to the materials supplier decreases the cost of production significantly. Slugger makes three different varieties of bets. Adult bets, youth bets, and softball bets. They all feature barrel diameters between 2 and 2 inches. Tubes are cut to lengths from 16 to 30 inches. Therefore, a number of different set ups is provided to facilitate manufacturing. It is a well-known fact that product variety adds to costs for any assembly. Various tube sizes have to be cut that raises material losses. Workers have to modify five different machinery set-ups every day. It takes from 10 to 15 minutes to make that change. In total one hour of the productive time is wasted just to adapt to the new product. Therefore, manufacturing productivity decreases. Productivity is a measure of how well inputs are used in the business. It is a ratio of the created product to the input applied. In order to calculate the cost of machinery alteration, an amount of items manufactured has to be known beforehand. Louisville plant produces 5500 bats a day. If we divide a total number of bats by the amount of hours a day, we will get 229 bats manufactured each hour. Hereafter, we should multiply this amount by the market price of a single bet to determine the cost of the time spent on the machinery alteration. The next important concept is machine utilization. It is a productivity measure for equipment that is equal to actual running time divided by time available. This figure is expected to decrease with the increase in the product variety. There are about 300 models of bats currently produced at the Ontario plant in California. There are approximately 50 machinery set ups that have to be operated to facilitate manufacturing. Aluminum bats are more complex to make. In order to increase efficiency, an employee is trained on one station only. This tactics assists workers to gain good skills; therefore, their performance is increased significantly. There is a considerable demand for aluminum bats in baseball today. However, professional league has not accepted them yet. This has to do with the ball speed. It has been proven that baseball hit by the aluminum bat came off so fast that it could hurt the player. Consequently, NCAA Executive Committee approved the new ball-speed standards requiring the baseball to come off no faster than 93 mph. Therefore, new bats had to perform like wooden bats. This was quite a challenge for the bat producing companies. Transition to the new bat design would increase the company's losses. It takes three years to create, test, and implement new alloys for the bat's manufacturing. Therefore, the company has to continue producing bats that do not qualify for sports competitions, yet only for the home use. Consequently, market share reduces causing a substantial profit loss. When a regulating agency brings new design standards, manufacturer is forced to buy new materials or equipment to fulfill those requirements. For instance, in 1998, NCAA mandate imputed that bats used by college players had to be heavier and narrower. That requirement would involve some new material to be placed inside the tube; otherwise, thickness had to be increased. This is a good example how significant it is to maintain the safety-stock levels. This is an additional inventory used to help in meeting the demand uncertainty. Sports industry companies should adapt to technological changes constantly in order to adapt to new standards. Hillerich Bradsby has its own plant in California. All the processes are maintained by them from start to finish. They have an enormous technological capability to bring changes to their designs and follow new trends in the market. The company's peak shipping periods are in February and March. The plant has plenty of operating time to administer new modifications. Louisville Slugger continued to maintain its market share due to timely response to technological changes by purchasing fully stocked plant in California back in 1970's. Heaving learned how to manufacture aluminum bats, Slugger provided itself with a strong customer base that makes up 95% of all consumer market today.

The Meaning of Form Follows Function

The Meaning of 'Form Follows Function' Form follows function is an architectural phrase often heard, not well understood, and hotly discussed by students and designers for over a century. Who gave us the most famous phrase in architecture, and how did Frank Lloyd Wright expand its meaning? Key Takeaways The phrase form follows function was coined by architect Louis H. Sullivan in his 1896 essay The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered.The statement refers to the idea that a skyscrapers exterior design should reflect the different interior functions.The Wainwright Building in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Prudential Building in Buffalo, New York, are two examples of skyscrapers whose form follows their functions. Architect Louis Sullivan Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Louis Sullivan (1856-1924) helped pioneer the American skyscraper mainly in the Midwest, creating a Sullivanesque style that changed the face of architecture. Sullivan, one of the great figures in American architecture, influenced the language of the style of architecture that characterized what became known as the Chicago School. Often called Americas first truly modern architect, Sullivan argued that a tall buildings exterior design (form) should reflect the activities (functions) that take place inside its walls, represented by mechanical equipment, retail stores, and offices. His  1891 Wainwright Building in St. Louis, Missouri, is an iconic showcase for Sullivans philosophy and design principles. Observe the terra cotta facade of this early steel frame tall building: The lower floors require a different natural lighting window configuration than the central seven floors of interior office space and the top attic area. The Wainwrights three-part architectural form is similar to partners Adler and Sullivans taller 1896 Prudential Guaranty Building in Buffalo, New York, a similar form because these structures had similar functions. Prudential Guaranty in Buffalo, New York. Dacoslett/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 The Rise of Skyscrapers The skyscraper was new in the 1890s. More dependable steel being made by the Bessemer process could be used for posts and beams. The strength of a steel framework allowed buildings to be taller without needing thick walls and flying buttresses. This framework was revolutionary, and Chicago School architects knew the world had changed. The U.S. after the Civil War had changed from rural to urban-centered, and steel became the building blocks of a new America. Tall buildings major use- office work, a byproduct of the Industrial Revolution- was a new function in need of a new urban architecture. Sullivan understood both the magnitude of this historical change in architecture and the possibility that beauty may be left behind in the rush to be the tallest and the newest. The design of the tall office building takes its place with all other architectural types made when architecture, as has happened once in many years, was a living art. Sullivan wanted to build beautiful buildings, like Greek temples and Gothic cathedrals. He set out to define principles of design in his 1896 essay, The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered, published the same year as the Prudential Guaranty Building rose tall in Buffalo. Sullivans legacy- besides instilling ideas in his young apprentice, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)- was to document a design philosophy for multi-use buildings. Sullivan put his beliefs into words, ideas that continue to be discussed and debated today. Prudential Building, 1896, Buffalo, New York. Dacoslett/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 Form All things in nature have a shape, Sullivan said, that is to say, a form, an outward semblance, that tells us what they are, that distinguishes them from ourselves and from each other. That these shapes express the inner life of the thing is a law of nature, which should be followed in any organic architecture. Sullivan suggests that the exterior shell of the skyscraper should change in appearance to reflect interior functions. If this new organic architectural form was to be part of natural beauty, the buildings facade should change as each interior function changes. Function Common interior areas by function included mechanical utility rooms below grade, commercial areas in the lower floors, mid-story offices, and a top attic area generally used for storage and ventilation. Sullivans description of office space may have been organic and natural at first, but decades later many people mocked and ultimately rejected what they thought was Sullivans dehumanization, which he also expressed in The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered: an indefinite number of stories of offices piled tier upon tier, one tier just like another tier, one office just like all the other offices, an office being similar to a cell in a honey-comb, merely a compartment, nothing more The birth of the office was a profound event in American history, a milestone that affects us even today. Its not surprising, then, that Sullivans 1896 phrase form follows function has echoed through the ages, sometimes as an explanation, often as a solution, but always as a design idea expounded by one architect in the 19th century. Form and Function Are One Sullivan was a mentor to Wright, his young draftsman, who never forgot Sullivans lessons. As he did with Sullivans designs, Wright took the words of his lieber meister (dear master) and made them his own: Form and function are one. He came to believe that people were misusing Sullivans idea, reducing it to a dogmatic slogan and an excuse for foolish stylistic constructions. Sullivan used the phrase as a starting point, according to Wright. Beginning from within outward, the concept that Sullivans function within should describe the outward appearance, Wright asks, The ground already has form. Why not begin to give at once by accepting that? Why not give by accepting the gifts of nature? So what are the factors to consider in designing the exterior? Wrights answer is dogma for organic architecture; the climate, soil, building materials, type of labor used (machine-made or hand-crafted), the living human spirit that makes a building architecture. Wright never rejects Sullivans idea; he suggests that Sullivan didnt go far enough intellectually and spiritually. Less is only more where more is no good, Wright wrote. Form follows function is mere dogma until you realize the higher truth that form and function are one. Sources Gutheim, Frederick, editor. Frank Lloyd Wright on Architecture: Selected Writings (1894-1940). Grossets Universal Library, 1941.Sullivan, Louis H. The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered. Lippincotts Magazine, March 1896.Wright, Frank Lloyd. The Future of Architecture. New American Library, Horizon Press, 1953.

Post Revolutionary War Rebellions in America Research Paper

Post Revolutionary War Rebellions in America - Research Paper Example This Rebellion is named after Daniel Shay, a veteran of the revolutionary war who returned from the war to find that like most of the other farmers; he had also incurred a huge amount of debt in a short time. The farmers petitioned against the courts but the courts comprising of mostly wealthy merchants were unconcerned with the plight of the poor farmers. This unconcerned attitude of the wealthy merchants forced the farmers to rebel against the system and thus the rebellion took shape under the guidance of Daniel Shay and other leader such as Henry Gale, Luke Days, and Samuel Ely etc. While the rebellion ended with the execution of most of the rebels, the rebellion still made its mark on history. The government realized the impact of the need for a central government. Also this rebellion opened the eyes of many of the plight of the poor and their inability to demand any power in the system. In this paper, we will discuss how the disparity between the rich and the poor led to Shay’s rebellion and how Shay’s rebellion was similar to other rebellion because of the clash between the rich and the poor. We attempt to understand the rebellion by exploring disparity between the rich and the poor as a catalyst and cause of the rebellions. ... had taken loans from the merchants whom they were unable to pay because the low prices of the crops and the economic condition of the country after the Revolutionary War. In order to fund the Revolutionary War, the government had taken debts from war investors residing in different country. Due to the depression that usually follows a war; the government was unable to repay the loan on a timely matter. American owed 5 million to Britain and who demanded hard currency in the form of gold and silver. To relieve these loans, the government increased the taxes of the public. Since the Congress at that time had no power over the taxes, they pressurized the states to increase the taxes. While the taxes increased for everyone, the farmers felt the biggest burden since their taxes were the highest and they already belonged to the poor class. This unfair debt collection forced the farmers to rebel against the system as their earning only fulfilled the needs of their families and they did not have anything left to pay taxes with. Inflation was also on the rise after the revolutionary war since each state had started the practice of creating their paper currency. ‘During the war with Great Britain, Congress and the 13 states (formerly colonies) flooded paper currency into the economy, in an effort to meet the need for suppliers for the army and the militia’ (Danver, 208). This rendered the paper currency as worthless and led to an increase in inflation which may have benefited the rich merchants but was felt hard by the poor farmers. The farmers in order to pay their loans took debts from the local merchants. Since the farmers earned only enough to support their families, the debt continued to increase while the taxes were also increasing at a steady rate. Most of the