Industrialised Building System: Precast Concrete Elements

Industrialised Building System: Precast Concrete Elements In Malaysia, the implementation of Industrialised Building System (IBS) by using precast concrete elements were introduced since 1966 when the government lauched two projects which involves the construction of Rifle range Road Flats in Penang and Tuanku Abdul Rahman Flats in Kuala Lumpur. From the survey conducted by CIDB Malaysia, the level of usage in IBS in the local construction industry is 15 % in 2003 although many government initiatives have been introduced to encourage the use of IBS. Therefore a study is conducted to study will be conducted to study the current awareness of the usage of IBS in Malaysia. Furthermore this study will be conducted to analyse ways to improve the implementation of IBS in the local construction industry. Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Rationale for the Research Industrialised Building System (IBS) was introduced since the 60s in Malaysia. There are several benefits of IBS such as speed up the construction progress and possibly reduce labour force, construction cost and risk as well. Even IBS have many benefits but there is still have some problems in implementing IBS into the construction industry mainly due to lack of knowledge in IBS among the contractor. Research done by Lim Sin Peng in year 2009 showed that the usage or implementation level of IBS is still low in Malaysia construction industry. According to Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) (2003b) report construction project using IBS in Malaysia stands 15 percentage (%) in the year 2003 and the complete project using IBS in year 2006 only 10 % ( CIDB, 2007b) less than one-third of the total construction project (using at least one IBS product) in year 2006 (CIDB 2007a). The first IBS project, Pekeliling Flat, was initiated by the Government at Jalan Pekeliling, Kuala Lumpur in 1964. The implementation of IBS in Malaysia was not well accepted by the construction industry after the first adoption of IBS proves to be a failure in keeping to construction cost within the estimated budget. Thus, the aim of study is to change the perception of the construction industry towards IBS. 1.2 Problem Statement The implementation level of IBS is perceived to be lower compared to the advantages outlined by the construction industry. The following questions need to be answered before the issues could be addressed: Question 1: What is the implementation level of IBS in Malaysia construction industry? If the implementation level of IBS is consider low in Malaysia construction industry, then only can proceed to the next research question. Question 2: Why there are fewer contractors implementing in IBS? This will provide some ideas that about what stop the contractors from using IBS. Question 3: How to motivate contractor to implementing in IBS? This will provide recommendation to increase the level of implementation to meet the objectives of CIDB and Government to provide better production in construction industry. 1.3 Research Aim The research aim is to examine the reasons and factors of why fewer contractors implement IBS in Malaysia construction industry 1.4 Objectives The objectives of this study are to establish the implementation level of IBS here in Kuala Lumpur as general of Malaysia. The study also determines the barriers to contractors for not implementing IBS. In addition, it also evaluates the usefulness and advantages of using IBS. Moreover, the study also is to recommend factors that would encourage contractor to implement IBS. 1.5 Importance and Benefits of Study The importance of this study is to find out the reasons of unpopularity of this system in Malaysia in comparison to other countries such as Japan, Singapore, and United Kingdom (UK) which have implemented the IBS successfully. In chapter 2, the literature reviews will discussed further. Beside that, the benefits of this study are Getting familiar with the concept of IBS Clear of view on the type and characteristics of IBS Get to know the level of acceptance of IBS in Malaysia construction industry Visualized the benefits and limitation of using IBS 1.6 Scope of Research and Limitation In the dissertation, the scope of study will on focus on the adoption level of using IBS especially in the contractor point of view. Further more, some reasons and factors that might affect the implementation of IBS and what would be the best motivations for contractor to use IBS will be discuss as well. The limitation of this research is the questionnaire requires a lot of respondent around 200 and it does not ensure that they will make any feedback. Due to the limitation of the transport and there are many contractor firms, so this research will only remain in Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley area. 1.7 Research Methodology 1.7.1 Questionnaire Quantitative method will be used to conduct this research. Question survey will be conducted for targeting respondent from Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley area to determine their awareness of the certain issues or factors. This method will take some time of conducting a survey, so time must be allowed for late returns and responses to follow up attempts. Moreover, this is the simplest way to obtain information from targeted groups. Data collected from questionnaire will firstly check for the accuracy before carried out to work out the analysis by using statistical analysis software such as SPSS. Objective 1 To find out the implementation level of IBS in Malaysia Objective 2 Determine the barriers for contractor to implement IBS Literature Review Quantitative method Objective 3 Evaluate the positive effect of using IBS Questionnaire Objective 4 Give factors that would encourage contractor to implement IBS Analyze and develop solutions SPSS software Achieve aim and objectives. Conclusion and Recommendation Figure Research Methodological Method 1.8 Structure of Dissertation This dissertation is consists of five (5) chapters as described as below: Chapter 1 Introduction This chapter includes brief description of the problem statement with the purpose of conducting this research and its aim and objectives. It also includes the scope of study and benefits of the study. In addition, a brief description of the method that used in study, collecting relevant data and information. A brief introduction on the subsequent chapters is discussed as well. Chapter 2 Literature Review This chapter focuses on the review made from articles, journal, newspapers cutting, quotes from authors and online articles related to IBS. The fundamental part of this chapter is to discuss in depth about the benefits of using IBS, limitation of using IBS and barriers implementing IBS in construction industry of Malaysia. Chapter 3 Research Methodology This chapter explains the methodology will adopted in detail including the method used by the researcher to achieve the earlier mentioned objective for the research purpose. Chapter 4 Analysis of the Results This Chapter will covers the presentation on the result from carries out the data collected from the respondents through the survey questionnaire will be analyzed and will be tabulated in the form of chart and discussed in detail. Chapter 5 Conclusion and Recommendation This chapter concludes the research, its findings and analysis regarding the issue of the study including the limitations encountered during the research. The last part of this chapter is the recommendations and some personal comment had been given to improve the study as well as future research. Chapter 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Introduction In this chapter, the author reviewed works done by others through journals, articles, newspaper cutting, and quotes from authors and online articles collected. IBS system is a process to speed up the construction work and to minimize the dependency of labour on site. The objective of this study is further discussed about the barriers of contractor in implementing IBS. Besides that, this chapter also will focus on the basic review of IBS such as definitions, background, types and characteristics in IBS and have a basic introduction about the detail of IBS. Industrialised building is the term given to building technology where modern systematized methods of design, production planning and control as well as mechanized and automated manufacture are applied (Ingemar Lofgren and Kent Gylltoft, 2000) While Building system mean a building system includes design rules and a product system whose parts have compatible interfaces, thus permitting the use of several alternative components and assemblies is assured by means of a dimensional and tolerance system as well as connection and joint (Ingemar Lofgren and Kent Gylltoft, 2000) 2.2 Definition of IBS There was no commonly accepted or agreed definition of IBS. Several authors have defined IBS as process or a technique. Blimas et. al. (2006) and Pan et. al. (2008) defined that IBS is often referred by literatures as off -site construction, off-site production, industrialised and automated construction. Warszawski (1999) explain in detail that an industrialized process is and investment in equipment, facilities, and technology with the objective of maximizing production output, minimising labour resource, and improving quality while a building system is defined as a set of interconnected element joint together to enable the designated performance of a building. Another definition by Trikha (1999) claimed that IBS also may be defined in which all building components such as wall, floor slab, column and staircase are mass produced either n factory or at site under strict quality control and minimal on site activities Another definition that clarified by Junid (1986) where IBS as process by which components of building are conceived, planned and fabricated, transported and erected at site. The system includes balance combination between software and hardware component. The software elements include system design, which is complex process of studying the requirement of the end user, market analysis and the development of standardise component, establishment of manufacturing and assembly layout and process, allocation of resources and materials and definition of a building designer conceptual framework.The software elements provide a prerequisite to create the conducive environment for industrialised to expand. According to Junid (1986), the hardware elements are categorised into three major groups. These include frame or post and beam system, panel system, and box system. The framed structures are defined as those structure that carry the loads through their beams and girders to columns and to the ground whilst in panel system load are distributed through large floor and wall panels. The box systems include those system that employ three-dimensional modules (or boxes) for fabrication of habitable units are capable of withstand load from various directions due to their internal stability. CIDB defined IBS as construction system whereby the components are manfactured in a factory, on-site or off-site, then positioned and assembled into structures with minimal addtional site work. 2.3 Classifications of IBS This section will focus on the classification of the building system that are published internationally and in Malaysia There are four types of building system under IBS in Malaysia and there are namely conventional column-beam-slab frame systems with timber and plywood as formwork, cast in-situ system with steel or aluminium as formwork, prefabricated system and the composite building system is shown in figure 2.1. Each building system is represented by its construction technology, functional and geometrical configuration (Badir et al, 1998). (cited at Thanoon et. al., 2003) According to Majzub (1977) has different concept in classifying building system that is the relative weight of the components should be used as a basis for building classification shown in figure 2.2. The factor of weight has significant impact on the transportability of the components and also has influences on the production method of the components and their erection method on site. This classification method is found to be inadequate to incorporate other building system flourish recently. There are five types of IBS had being used in Malaysia: (IBS Road Maps 2003-2010) Type 1: Pre-Cast Concrete Framing, Panel and Box System The most common group of IBS products is pre-cast concrete of elements in construction industry. For example, there are including columns, beams, slabs, Three-Dimension (3D) components (balconies, staircase, toilet, lift chambers), permanent concrete formwork, and so on. (CIDB, 2005). Pre-cast concrete framing, panel and box system is under categories of prefabricated system. The advantage using this is because it cans minimum waste due to work environment in factory is easier to control. Panel system is use for the construction of interior walls and exterior walls offer speed of construction in many ways. For box system will achieve ultimate objective of industrialization that is a maximum saving of human labour on site. Figure Pre-cast Concrete Elements Type 2: Steel Formwork Systems This system considered as least prefabricated IBS, as they generally involve site casting and subject to offer high quality finishes and fast construction with less site labour can come in tunnel formwork, beams, columns, and slab moulding forms permanent steel formworks (metal decks) and so on. (CIDB, 2005) The steel formwork is prefabricated in the factory and then installed on site. Figure Steel Formwork Systems Type 3: Steel Framing System This system always be the popular choice and used intensively in the fast-track construction of skyscrapers. Recent development in this types system included the increased usage of light steel trusses. Steel is non combustible material and improves fire safety and reduces amount of structural damages in the event of a fire happen. Example: Steel beam, columns, portal frames, roof trusses. (CIDB, 2005). Steel framing also consider as prefabricated system and it to be erected whereby welding at joints are conducted. This system cans faster the progress construction. Figure Steel Frame Systems Type 4: Prefabricate Timber Framing System While the latter are more popular, timber building frame offering interesting designs from dwelling units to buildings requiring high aesthetical values such as chalets for resorts Example: Timber frame, timber roof trusses (CIDB, 2005). The advantage of the system is mainly in the interior flexibility, as large space can be used for different functions and can be easily changed or modified according to the use. Figure Prefabricated Timber Framing System Type 5: Block Work System This system has revolutionizes by the development and usage of interlocking concrete masonry units (CMU) and lightweight concrete blocks. The tedious and time-consuming traditional brick-laying tasks are greatly simplified by the usage of there effective alternative solutions. Block work system also consider under prefabricated system. The benefits of block work system are faster construction and increase bricklayer longevity. Moreover, its also increased energy savings like lightweight concretes resistance to heat flow is twice of medium and heavy weight concrete, its mean that less heating/cooling energy is needed. Figure Block work 2.4 Characteristics of IBS It is important to have the following characteristics only consider to be accepted as part of the IBS and ensure the achievement of proven benefits of IBS. Each of them will be discuss briefly at below (CIDB 2008): Industrial production of components though pre-fabrication; or highly mechanized in-situ processes. For example, permanent steel formwork Reduced labour during pre-fabrication of the components and site works. Modern design and manufacturing methods involving information Technology such as the usage of Computer Aided design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Systematic Quality control such as ISO 9000 principles Open Building Concept i.e permitting the hybrid applications, and adaptable to standardization and Modular Coordination (MC) Figure The Characteristics of Building System Sources: Adopted from Abdullah M.R., 2009 2.5 Implementation Level of IBS in Malaysia The use of IBS have various advantages such as the reduction dependency of foreign workers, less wastage, less volume of building materials, increased environmental and construction site cleanliness and better quality control compare to conventional method. These advantages also promote a safer and more organised construction site, and reduce the completion time of construction. Many world-class Malaysian developers have chosen IBS over the conventional methods for important projects such as the Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya, KL Sentral, and KLIA. (IBS Roadmap, 2003 -2010) Even so, the usage level of IBS in building is still low. From a survey conducted by CIDB Malaysia, the usage level of IBS in the local construction industry stands at only 15% (IBS Survey 2003). The early efforts of the Government to encourage the use of IBS in the construction sector has yet to garner a good response, and this sector is still practicing conventional construction methods that have proven time and again to be wasteful, dangerous and messy. Relatively, the low labour cost in this country is the root cause of the industry failing to reform and being complacent with the current level of productivity, quality and safety. (IBS Roadmap, 2003 -2010) Moreover, according to the newspaper the star 2009 stated that Jamilus explained that IBS was a construction technique in which components were manufactured in a controlled environment (on-site, off-site), transported, positioned and assembled into a structure with minimal additional site work. Beside that, out of 1,400 contractors in Johor, there only 4% of it are using this systems. Moreover, he said that since year 2008, there only 51 contractors in the state have been reported to use the IBS system in their building projects and the number were expected improve in time. (The star, 2009) 2.6 Malaysias Experiences in IBS The usage of IBS is not new in the Malaysia construction industry. The idea using IBS in Malaysia was first purpose during the early 60s when the Minister housing and Local Government visited several European countries and evaluated their building system performance. At the time, the government makes a big decision to give a try on a two pilot projects using IBS concept. The first project, Pekeliling Flat was constructed along Jalan Pekeliling with construction of 7 blocks of 17 storey flats, and 4 blocks of 4 storey flats comprising around 3,000 units of low cost flats and 40 storey shop lot and this project using large panel industrialized prefabricated systems. On the other hand, the second project was built in Penang with the construction of 6 blocks of 17 storey flats and 3 blocks of 18 storey flats comprising 3,699 units and 66 shop lots along the Jalan Rifle Range and this project was using the French Estiot System (Din, 1984). Even though the first implementation IBS was not successful due to the failure to keep within cost estimation but there are some successful adoption too. Among the significant projects that implement IBS are including KL Sentral. KL Convention Centre, KLIA, etc Following is the Successful implemented of IBS throughout Malaysia (CIDB Malaysia, 2003) Year 2007 Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART Tunnel), Kuala Lumpur The Spring Shopping Mall, Kuching, Sarawak Year 2006 Kuching International Airport, Kuching, Sarawak Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru Year 2005 Serdang Hospital, Serdang, Selangor The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, Selangor Year 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sentral ( KL Sentral), Kuala Lumpur Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Year 1998 Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang, Selangor Malawati Indoor Satdium, Bukit Jalil, Selangor Year 1997 Petronas Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur Bukit Jalil, Bukit Jalil, Salangor Year 1984 Daybumi Complex, Kuala Lumpur Year 1981 High end bungalows and low cost houses throughout Selangor 2.7 The Advantages for IBS adoption in Construction Industry There are some several advantages using IBS (MCRJ, 2009) 1. Reduce Remittances by foreign worker: The Government aimed to achieve 100 percent usage of IBS and to reduce to 15 percent or approximately 50,000 of foreign workers in the construction industry by 2010. With the current foreign workers totaling 227,000, the remittances of the foreign workers amounted to about 7.5 billion. It is expected that the Government would be able to reduce the remittances with the full implementation of IBS. (Bernama.com, 2006) 2. Enhance Efficiency of Construction Process and Higher Productivity: IBS is a methodology whereby a local construction industry is driven towards the adoption of an integrated and encouraging key players in the construction industry to produce and utilize pre-fabricated and mass production of the building at their work sites. This will help to enhance the efficiency of construction process, allowing a higher productivity, quality, time and cost saving. (CIDB, 2004) 3. Produce Better Product: IBS promises elevated levels of expertise throughout the industry, from manufacturers, installers, engineers, planners, designers, and developers. The benefits of IBS will ultimately produce better products for the population (CIDB, 2003) 4. Reduce Wastage, Less Site Materials, Costs, Cleaner and Neater Environment: The IBS, which enables on-site prefabricated or pre-cast building components manufactured at factories offers minimal wastage, less site materials, cleaner and neater environment, controlled quality, and lower total construction cost (CIDB, 2003). For example, the repetitive use of system formwork made up of steel, aluminium, etc and scaffolding provides considerable cost savings (Bing et al. 2001). 5. Higher Quality of Component: An industrialised building system component produces higher quality of components attainable through careful selection of materials, use of advanced technology and strict quality assurance control (Din,1984) 6. Reduce Labour at Site: Prefabrication takes place at a centralised factory, thus reducing labour requirement at site. This is true especially when high degree of mechanisation is involved (Warszawski, 1999) 7. Faster Completion: An industrialised building system allows for faster construction time because casting of precast element at factory and foundation work at site can occur simultaneously. This provides earlier occupation of the building, thus reducing interest payment or capital outlays (Waleed et al., 2003) 8. Not Affected by Adverse Weather Condition: Construction operation is not affected by adverse weather condition because prefabricated component is done in a factory controlled environment (Waleed et al., 2003) 9. Flexible Design: An industrialised building system allows fexibility in architectural design in order to minimise the monotony of repetitive facades (Warszawski, 1999). An industrialised building system provides flexibility in the design of precast element as well as in construction so that different systems may produce their own unique prefabrication construction methods (Zaini, 2000) 2.8 Barriers of Adoption in Malaysia Construction Industry IBS can replace the conventional building system which is labour oriented However, since the first project of IBS not well accepted by construction parties because of fail to deal with the risks such failure of keep within the cost estimate. For example, the first project incurred 8.1 % higher costs than a similar building that using conventional construction method, while the second project was 2.6% lower than the cost. Both projects also completed in 27 months in term of compare to the construction speed but are inclusive the time of set up the recasting factories too. When come to the quality, the conventional method seems have better quality than IBS. In conclusion, there is a competitive with conventional construction method. Even though IBS is good to implement due to its advantages but the implementation of usage level is still very low. According to Waleed et. al. (2003), the common consensus of all the stakeholders of construction in Malaysia is that, the IBS implementation in Malaysian building construction industry is still very low compared to the conventional methods. This is due to several reasons(MCRJ, 2009): 1. Costs and Return Investment: Wide swings in houses demand, high interest rate and cheap labour cost, make it difficult to justify large capital investment. At present there is an abundance of cheap foreign workers in Malaysia and contractors prefer to use labour intensive conventional building system because it is far easier to lay off workers during slack period. The economic benefits of IBS are not well documented in Malaysia and the past experiences indicated IBS is more expensive due to fierce competition from conventional building system. 2. Lack of skilled and knowledgeable manpower: Fully prefabricated construction system requires high construction precision. Malaysian labour force still lack of skilled workers in IBS implementation. 3. The Practices: The construction industry is very fragmented, diverse and involves many parties. Consensus is required in the use of IBS during planning stage. 4. Knowledge based: Lack of Research Development (RD) in the area of novel building system that uses local materials. Majorities of IBS in Malaysia are imported from developed countries, thus driving up the construction cost. Engineering degrees in local universities seldom teach about the design and construction of IBS. 5. Low Quality: The use of IBS in Japan and Sweden are so successful due to high quality and high productivity but it sis the opposite in Malaysia. Previous projects constructed with IBS concept were of low quality and high construction cost. 6. Lack of Incentive and Awareness: Due to the lack of incentive and promotion from government in the use of IBS, many many architects and engineers are still unaware of the basic elements of IBS such as modular co-ordination. 7. Lack of Scientific Information: An IBS system can only be acceptable to practitioners if its major advantages are valuable compared to the conventional system. However, up to date, there is inadequate corroborative evidence to substantiate the benefits of IBS system. It is therefore, arguable that the implementation of IBS is particularly hindered by lack of scientific information (Badir et al., 2002) 8. Wastage of Material: Standardization of building elements faces resistance from the construction industry due to aesthetic reservation and economic reason. One good example of this is when a 300mm thick modular standardized floor slab has to be used although a 260mm thick floor slab can achieve the similar structural performance. This results wastage of material (Waleed et al., 2003) Issue that related to IBS and contractor 1. IBS first time use by DBKL in infrastructure project of build a bridge Jalan Dewan Bahasa-Jalan Hang Tuah because of time saving and reduce traffic jam. This also can give benefit for those students that around the school area. Beside that, around 75 % of IBS have been use to prevent any problem that not complete according to the schedule. Ibs also can save time, reduce labour and site very clean, tidy and have quality. Mostly IBS is use for building. This project is the first infrastructure project using IBS. Moreover, the rest of the project will be using IBS. 2.9 Summary of the Chapter Nowadays in Malaysia, IBS still being developed and applied in new building. Mean while, the implementation level is still very low what has anticipate by the government. The purpose of IBS is very clear as an alternative for conventional method and also reduces the dependency of labour, and increase the performance in time, cost, and quality. The Government of Malaysia promote IBS component to the construction industrials. In the literature review have proved that there are many benefits of IBS but still is low usage among contractors and the implementation of using IBS level is still very low. Chapter 3 Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction Research methodology explains methods that used in the research study, what data have been collected, what method is adopted, why particular technique of analyzing data used; all of these will be answered in this chapter. The quantitative approach will be carried out in this research and the questionnaire survey method will be used in this research. This section of study will focus on the method of the study to achieve the objective of this research. The questionnaire has been chosen to survey the factors, and degree of acceptance, usage, advantages and comment of adoption in IBS. This method is saving in terms of time and cost as well as convenient as it can distributes to large amount of respondent but the possible also did not get receive any respond from respondent and the quality of the information gather from questionnaire might inconsistent and inaccurate and also need to be carefully analysis. 3.2 Method of Research Figure 3.1 shows the methods that be carried out in order to achieve the objective of this study and followed by the explanation of each step. Constructing Questionnaire Distribute Questionnaire Results Gathering and Analysing Conclusion Figure Method of Research 3.2.1 Construct the Questionnaire For the purpose of designing the question, the research objectives and literature review had been taken into account to lead to differentiate various issues, topics and ideas to create the questions in the questionnaire. The quantitative questionnaire will be use in this study. Before questionnaire to be produce out, there should be required to review thoroughly to the literature review and the research aim and objectives. This is to make sure that there will not be out of topic from the research, this is the initial stage for formulating question. Secondly, produce question that can achieve aim and objectives and related to literature review. The third stage is to make the questionnaire easy to understand and suitable with comprehensive but short enough, no leading question and double question. This will make respondents can fill up easily and faster due to the possibility that the respondents are busy. 3.2.1.1 The Rationale of Questionnaire Design The first part is ask about the background or experiences a

Indian Steel Sector SWOT Analysis

Indian Steel Sector SWOT Analysis India has rich mineral resources. It has abundance of iron ore, coal and many other raw materials required for iron and steel making. It has the fourth largest iron ore reserves (10.3 billion tonnes) after Russia, Brazil, and Australia. Therefore, many raw materials are available at comparatively lower costs. It has the third largest pool of technical manpower, next to United States and the erstwhile USSR, capable of understanding and assimilating new technologies. Considering quality of workforce, Indian steel industry has low unit labour cost, commensurate with skill. This gets reflected in the lower production cost of steel in India compared to many advanced countries. With such strength of resources, along with vast domestic untapped market, Indian steel industry has the potential to face challenges successfully. The major strengths can be summarized as: Abundant resources of iron ore Low cost and efficient labor force Strong managerial capability Strongly globalised industry and emerging global competitiveness Modern new plants modernized old plants Strong DRI production base Regionally dispersed merchant rolling mills Weaknesses This are inherent in the quality and availability of some of the essential raw materials available in India, e.g., high ash content of indigenous coking coal adversely affecting the productive efficiency of iron-making and is generally imported. Also, Steel is a capital intensive industry; steel companies in India are charged an interest rate of around 14% on capital as compared to 2.4% in Japan and 6.4% in USA. In India the advantages of cheap labour get offset by low labour productivity; e.g., at comparable capacities labour productivity of SAIL and TISCO is 75 t/man year and 100 t/man years, for POSCO, Korea and NIPPON, Japan the values are 1345 t/man year and 980 t/man year. High administered price of essential inputs like electricity puts Indian steel industry at a disadvantage; about 45% of the input costs can be attributed to the administered costs of coal, fuel and electricity. The major weaknesses can be summarized as: High cost of energy Higher duties and taxes High cost of capital Quality of coking coal Labor laws Dependence on imports for steel manufacturing equipments technology Slow statutory clearances for development of mines Opportunities The biggest opportunity before Indian steel sector is that there is enormous scope for increasing consumption of steel in almost all sectors in India. The Indian rural sector remains fairly unexposed to their Multi-faceted use of steel. The usage of steel in cost Effective manner is possible in the area of housing, fencing, structures and other possible applications where steel can substitute other materials which not only could bring about Advantages to users but is also desirable for conservation of forest resources. Excellent potential exist for enhancing steel consumption in other sectors such as automobiles, packaging, engineering industries, irrigation and water supply in India. The key areas of opportunities can be summarized as: Huge Infrastructure demand Rapid urbanization Increasing demand for consumer durables Untapped rural demand Increasing interest of foreign steel producers in India Threats The linkage between the economic growth of a country and the growth of its steel industry is strong. The growth of the domestic steel industry between 1970 and 1990 was similar to the growth of the economy, which as a whole was sluggish. This strong relation in todays environment where the growth of the industry has become stagnant owing to the overall slowdown has resulted in enhanced rivalry among existing firms. As the industry is not growing the only other way to grow is by increasing ones market share. The Indian steel industry has witnessed spurts of price wars and heavy trade discounts, which has impacted the Indian Steel Industry. Slow growth in infrastructure development Market fluctuations and Chinas export possibilities Global economic slow down Govt. Regulations in Steel Sector Subsidies Interest Subsidy Huge amount of interest subsidy id provides by Indian govt. to PSUs in this sector. In the budget of 2008-09, a total of 60.72 crores of intersest subsidies were provided for the implementation of VRS scheme. Since VRS was for govt. companies so private sector didnt got affected by the VRS scheme, so in a way this subsidy was justified. The benefactors were Hindustan Steelworks Construction Ltd. and MECON. Waiver of guarantee fees Waiver of guarantee fee was on the guarantee given by Govt. of India for cash credit and Bank guarantee and for loans raised from Banks for implementation of VRS. The benefactors were Hindustan Steelworks Construction Ltd., Bharat Refractories Ltd. and MECON Capital Investment Subsidies Indian Govt. provides capital investment subsidies to PSUs. Govt. controlled Steel Development Fund helps PSUs and in private sector Tata steel by providing subsidized capital for financial Restructuring. However, new entrants, like Essar, Ispat and JVSL, who are negotiating with financial institutions (FIs) for capital restructuring, may feel the pinch. Also ,many state governments provide subsidized large capital investments such as new mill construction. The following states have actively engaged in capital incentive grants: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh. Other Regulations Programs that reduce or eliminate customs duties borne by steel producers, based on their exports. The Advanced License Program allow steel producers to import key inputs without paying basic customs fees. Iron export restraints that result in the sale of iron ore by Indias National Mining Development Council (NMDC) for less than cost. The NMDC has sold high-grade iron ore to steel producers at less than market value. Programs that provide steel producers with subsidized loans, lines of credit, tax exemptions, and loan guarantees. The Reserve Bank of India has developed a program through which steel producers can obtain export financing. The government-owned SAIL has received loan forgiveness under the Steel Development Fund. The awarding of captive mining rights for iron ore at less than cost. SAIL, Tata, JSW, and Jindal Steel and Power Limited have acquired iron ore from state-owned land at highly preferential rates estimated at one-fourth of market value. Exemptions from taxes and duties, as well as additional subsidies, for producers operating in Special Economic Zones. Under the 2005 SEZ Act, the Government of India has provided a variety of duty, tax, and fee exemptions. Export tariffs on iron ore supply In June 2008, India enacted export tariffs of 15 percent on all grades of iron ore, pig iron, and ferrous scrap. India revised its exports tariffs again in October and November 2008: the export tariff on pig iron has been revoked, but tariffs on iron ore and ferrous scrap remain in place. In addition, India maintains restrictions on the exports of certain high-grade iron ore. by Indias rapidly growing steel industry. Meanwhile, the GOI also announced plans for increased duties on imports of certain steel products in late 2008. Anti-Dumping Rules These are the measures to safeguard domestic industry from cheap steel exports of other countries. Recently, the government of India has levied anti-dumping duties on certain types of stainless steel that are shipped in from countries like China and Japan. The anti-dumping duties were imposed after finding that certain types of imported steel are landing at below the normal value in the countrys port. The subject countries will pay the duties in Indian currency, notified the board. The Central Board of Customs and Excise imposed the duties by saying that the domestic industry has suffered badly due to the imports from other countries. Licenses Iron ore mining licenses Iron being the basic raw material required such licenses play a major role in defining steel companies supply. Potential entrants The threat of potentially new entrants in the steel industry is low due to the high entry barriers that are present. Capital Requirement Steel industry requires heavy investment in a plant: blast furnace, basic oxygen converters, rolling mills, transportation and infrastructure to deliver high volume of raw materials and so on. It is estimated that between Rs 25-Rs.30 bn. is required to set up an integrated steel plant of 1 MTPA capacity depending on location of plant and technology used. Very few companies will be able to gather this kind of resources and it reduces the likelihood of new entrants. Government Policy Steel industry is a heavily protected industry and the government also has a favourable policy for steel manufacturers. The government can use a variety of strategies like tariffs, subsidies loan and import restrictions to ensure the competitiveness of the domestic market. As a result of government regulations and protections, it has often allowed the domestic steel market to continue operations even when better, cheap quality steel could be imported from another country. Also the steel market face environment regulations and industries are legally bound to develop cleaner and more efficient technologies. Regulation clearances and other issues are some other major concerns of new entrants. Economies of Scale Economies of scale are the cost advantages a business has due to expansion. The average cost of production of the firm decreases as the output increases. As far as steel sector is concerned, economies of scale reduce the costs, RD expenses and industries with economies of scale have better bargaining power while sourcing raw materials. Power of Buyers The buyers in the steel industry are usually quite large like some of the major steel consumption sectors like automobiles, oil gas, consumer durables, power generation which enjoy high bargaining power and obtain better deals for themselves. This tends to strengthen the buyer power somewhat. However steel is widely used in a wide variety of applications and steel companies can rely on relatively large number of customers overall which reduces the buyer power. There is not too much to distinguish between the products of companies in the market although some companies try to differentiate themselves by focussing on added-value speciality products. Lack of product differentiation tends to increase buyer power. However certain companies like TATA Steel enjoy a premium on their products because of its quality and its brand value. The buyers tend to enjoy a moderate level of power due to the relatively high no. Of players, low product differentiation and easy access to global markets. Power of Suppliers The key inputs for the steel industry are iron ore and metallurgical coal. The prices of these commodities are generally determined by large scale market forces which are beyond the control of individual steel making companies. Therefore in order to reduce suppliers power, some of the steel making companies go for backward integration. This strategy requires significant capital but it may be advantageous in the long run as the steel company need not depend on third party suppliers and it might offer the company an additional source of revenue if it can sell its raw materials to other companies. Some of the market players also tend to enter into long term contracts with their suppliers in order to fix price and protect against fluctuations. The bargaining power of suppliers is low for fully integrated steel plants like TATA STEEL which have their own mines of key raw materials like iron ore. However non-integrated or semi integrated steel plants like SAIL which import coking coal has to depend on suppliers. In India, NMDC is a major supplier to standalone and non integrated steel plants. Threat of Substitutes There are potential substitutes for steel available like steel reinforced concrete in building construction and aluminium or less common materials like fibreglass (glass-reinforced plastic).In fact, in the automobile industry where manufacturers are looking to use lighter materials aluminium or fibreglass can be especially advantageous. Automobile industry is one of the biggest markets for steel and steel faces competition from plastic and other composites. An aluminium car may be lighter and so more fuel efficient than a steel car. Furthermore, while metals such as steel can corrode, reinforced plastic is more durable. It is therefore possible for substitutes to fulfil the buyers needs more effectively than the original commodity. Steel has already been replaced in some large volume applications: railway sleepers (RCC sleepers), large diameter water pipes (RCC pipes), small diameter pipes (PVC pipes), and domestic water tanks (PVC tanks).The ability of consumers to adopt these subst itutes means that steelmakers cannot raise their prices indefinitely since at some point the substitute will turn out to be more cost effective. In spite of these factors, these alternatives are not very good replacements for steel. Aluminium is not preferable as a substitute for steel since the high cost of electricity used for the purification and extraction of aluminium in India outweighs its advantages as a substitute for steel in automobile industry. Using these substitutes would require substantial re-tooling of the assembly line. Certain large building and civil engineering projects which gain their structural strength from steel would become very difficult to construct if they are constructed using materials such as reinforced concrete. Thus although substitutes might be favourable in certain situations, switching costs are likely to be high. Thus the threat from substitutes is low. Competition The steel market is represented by several large players offering similar products and services. Steel is a commodity which is difficult to diversify strongly and being a commodity branding is not common and there is little difference between competing products. Although different customers require steel with different specifications(e.g. consistency in physical properties of steel, variations in strength, hardness, and bending properties) and steel producers try to specialize in order to reduce the competition but in doing so they also limit the size of their potential market. Therefore, the relative lack of diversification increases rivalry. Large companies present in the steel industry can take advantage of scale economies. The exit barriers are also high since many of the major tangible assets are highly specific to steel industry which makes it difficult to divest. As a result the steel makers are motivated to exist in the steel industry even when the market conditions are not good which tends to increase rivalry. The steel industry in India is also affected by macroeconomic conditions which further intensify rivalry. Local Competition for POSCO and ArcellorMittal SAIL Steel Authority of India (SAIL) is a steel manufacturing and marketing company. The Indian government owns about 86% of the outstanding shares of the company. SAIL is Indias second largest producer of iron ore. It is a fully integrated iron and steel maker, producing both basic and special steel products for domestic construction, engineering, power, railway, automotive, and defense industries, and for sale in export markets. The companys main steel products include hot and cold rolled sheets and coils, galvanized sheets, electrical sheets, structurals, railway products, plates, bars and rods, stainless steel, and other alloy steels. SAIL operates through eleven segments: Bhilai steel plant (BSP), Bokaro steel plant (BSL), Rourkela steel plant (RSP), Durgapur steel plant (DSP), IISCO steel plant (ISP), Salem steel plant (SSP), Visveswaraya iron and steel plant (VISL), Alloy steel plant (ASP), Maharashtra Elektrosmelt, power companies, and others. The five integrated steel plants have a combined capacity of 12.5 million tonnes of crude steel and 10.74 million tonnes of saleable steel. The company recorded net sales (sales net of excise duty) of INR431,767.6 million (approximately $9,421.2 million) in the financial year ended March 2009 (FY2009), an increase of 9.1% over FY2008. The operating profit of the company was INR75,600.2 million (approximately $1,649.6 million) in FY2009, a decrease of 22.8% compared with FY2008. The net profit was INR62,529.1 million (approximately $1,364.4 million) in FY2009, a decrease of 17.7% compared with FY2008. The main strengths of SAIL are its government backing and its captive sources of raw materials. SAIL has the second largest mining outfit in India after Coal India (CIL). Spread over the states of Jharkhand, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh, the mines of SAIL serve as captive sources of raw materials for its integrated steel plants. SAIL has five iron ore mines at Meghahatuburu, Kiriburu, Bolani, Barsua, and Kalta; and four limestone/dolomite quarries at Kuteshwar, Purnapani, Bhawanathpur, and Tulsidamar. SAIL plans to meet its additional 40 million tonnes of iron ore requirement through the development of new mines at Rowghat in Chhatisgarh and Chiria, Taldih, South Block (Kiriburu), Central Block (Meghahataburu), and expansion of existing operations at Kiriburu, Meghahataburu, Bolani and Gua, all in Jharkhand. Furthermore, it is developing new coal mines at Tasra and Sitanala in Jharkhand, which will produce about 2.5 million tonnes of washed coking coal per annum in the next three to four years. Captive sources of raw materials provide a competitive advantage as they shield the company from fluctuations in raw material prices. However if they are successful in entering India, competition from global steel manufacturers with expanded production capacity, such as ArcelorMittal and POSCO, could result in significant price competition, declining margins, and reductions in revenue for the company. Tata Steel Tata Steel Group is a private sector steel group in India. It is the worlds sixth largest steel company with capacity of 31 million tonnes per annum (tpa). Set up as Asias first integrated steel plant and Indias largest integrated private sector steel company, it is the worlds second most geographically diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and commercial presence in more than 50 countries. The group operates across Asia, Europe, and Australia. Tata Steel Group operates through two segments: Steel and others. The steel segment comprises the subsidiaries, Tata Steel India, Tata Steel Europe, NatSteel Holdings, and Tata Steel (Thailand) Public Company. The group recorded revenues of INR1,473,292.6 million (approximately $32,147.2 million) in the financial year ended March 2009 (FY2009), an increase of 12% over FY2008. The operating profit of the group was INR141,279.5 million (approximately $3,082.7 million) in FY2009, compared with an operating profit of INR 141,213.4 million (approximately $3,081.3 million) in FY2008. The net profit was INR49,509 million (approximately $1,080.3 million) in FY2009, a decrease of 59.9% compared with FY2008. SWOT Analysis A key strength of Tata Steel is its strong RD capabilities through which it develops new products and improves existing products, as well as enhances manufacturing and production methods. Tata Steel Group operates four research centers: Tata Steel Limiteds (TSL) laboratories in Jamshedpur and the Tata Steel Europes (TSE) technology centers in IJmuiden, Netherlands and Rotherham and Teesside, the UK. The group is undertaking research activities in several areas. Tata Steel Group is currently working on various projects that include economic mineral beneficiation aimed at identifying ways to maximize use of raw materials from captive sources; new generation high strength steels, advanced coatings developments, production of ferro-chrome with less energy; hydrogen harvesting, developing state-of-the-art thin film photovoltaic systems, and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across its operations. As of March 2009, the patent portfolio of Tata Steel Group comprised over 850 patent applications at various stages between filing and grant and over 850 valid patents granting national exclusive rights owned by the respective group companies. However a weakness for this company is its dependence on Europe as a key market. In FY2009, the company generated about 65% of its revenues from Europe. The depressed levels of demand in the region had a major impact on stainless steel markets. Minor changes in price levels, periodic demand growth, or currency rates in specific market areas and regions can affect Tata Steel Groups competitive position and financial performance. As with SAIL, competition from global steel manufacturers with expanded production capacity, such as ArcelorMittal and POSCO, could result in significant price competition, declining margins, and reductions in revenue for the company. Essar Steel Essar Steel (Essar) is a manufacturer of flat carbon steel from iron ore to ready-to-market products. The companys subsidiaries manufacture gas-based hot briquetted iron (HBI), steel pipes and cold rolled steel. The company operates in India, Canada, the US, the Middle East and Asia. It is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharastra. The company recorded revenues of INR116,883 million (approximately $2,550.4 million) in the fiscal year ended March 2009, an increase of 8.8% over 2008. The companys operating profit was INR17,969.4 million (approximately $392.1 million) in fiscal 2009, an increase of 13.3% over 2008. Its net profit was INR1,852 million (approximately $40.4 million) in fiscal 2009, a decrease of 56.8% compared to 2008. Jindal Steel Jindal Steel Power (JSPL), part of the Jindal Group, is engaged in steel manufacturing, power generation, coal and iron-ore mining, and exploration and mining of minerals and metals. JSPL operates in India. It is headquartered in New Delhi, India and employs about 15,000 people. The company recorded revenues of INR109,133.7 million (approximately $2,381.3 million) in the financial year ended March 2009 (FY2009), an increase of 97% over FY2008. The operating profit of the company was INR42,677.5 million (approximately $931.2 million) in FY2009, compared with INR17,737.3 million (approximately $387 million) in FY2008. The net profit was INR30,457.2 million (approximately $664.6 million) in FY2009, compared with INR 12,740.2 million (approximately $278 million) in FY2008. Entry Strategy of POSCO and ArcellorMittal The foreign steel MNCs opted to enter India through the FDI route. POSCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Orissa in June 2005, to set up a 12 MTPA green field steel plant near Paradip, Jagatsinghpur District, Orissa, with an estimated investment of USD 12 billion. The company planned to build a 4 million-tons per annum capacity steel plant in Orissa, during the first phase of its project , and expand the final production volume to 12 million tons per annum. POSCO-India Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated on 25th August 2005. In 2007, POSCO and SAIL signed a MoU to establish a strategic alliance for aligning and cooperating with each other in a wide range of strategic business and commercial interest areas. As per the MoU they agreed to cooperate in the following areas of business: information sharing in the area of corporate strategy planning, exchange of engineers, technicians and other professionals, sharing of know-how and expertise in the areas of development of mines and business practices such as ERP, PI and Six Sigma, joint usage of each others existing marketing and warehousing network, coordination in procurement of coking coal, nickel and ferro-alloys and engagement of transportation vessels. The strategic alliance between POSCO and SAIL was forged so as to synergise their strengths, and retain their identities in the consolidating global steel industry. This alliance was supposed to reinforce the relationship and open the doors of large scale collaboration on strategic business and commercial alignment. ArcellorMittal India Ltd., a subsidiary of ArcellorMittal, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Orissa on 21st December 2006 to set up their first green field integrated steel plant of initial capacity 6 million tons per year (MTPY) at an investment of around 9,300 million USD. ArcelorMittal had also proposed to set up a 12-Million Tonne Per Annum (MTPA) new steel plant in Jharkhand. In the case of both the companies, however, their plans for mega steel plants in India have not fructified due to delays in land acquisition and grant of mining leases. Hence, both the foreign steel giants have started looking for Joint-Venture opportunities in order to become operational in the lucrative Indian market. POSCO has announced a JV with Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) to set up a facility in India. ArcellorMittal also entered into a partnership agreement with steel producer Uttam Galva to buy 35 per cent stake in the latter, partly through share purchase from existing promoters and an open offer. ArcellorMittal is also rumoured to be pursuing a JV with SAIL POSCO-SAIL JV Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and Pohang Iron and Steel Company (POSCO) have agreed to form a joint venture to establish a 3 million ton steel manufacturing unit in Bokaro, India with a total investment of approximately INR150,000 million ($3,232.37 million). SAIL is an India-based manufacturer and supplier of steel and its allied products, while POSCO is a South Korea-based steel manufacturer. As part of the partnership, POSCO will hold a 51% stake in the joint venture by investing INR35,000 million ($754.22 million), while SAIL will hold a 49% stake. The proposed joint venture will also include setting up a 0.3 million ton cold rolled non-oriented (CRNO) steel plant in Maharashtra, India The joint venture with POSCO will allow SAIL to access the latest technology in steel manufacturing and facilitate production of certain special grades of steel. ArcellorMittal-SAIL JV According to The Economic Times, ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg-based steel producer, may form a 50:50 joint venture (JV) with Steel Authority of India Limited, an Indian steel maker, to establish a steel plant at Bokaro, India. The JV will have a capacity between 3 to 4 million tonnes with an investment of approximately INR120,000 million ($2,697.06 million). Conclusion The Indian steel industry has to factor in higher transaction costs, logistics costs and railway freight costs as compared to countries such as China and South Korea. Even electricity and interest costs in India are quite high, which makes the industry uncompetitive. As for labour costs, the industry suffers a comparative disadvantage vis-Ã  -vis Russia, China and South Korea, even though wage rates are low in India. This is because the labour cost per tonne in India is much higher than these three countries, and therefore, labour productivity is very low. Yet, most of the major Indian steel producers have gained some competitive edge over the years. The Indian steel manufacturers also enjoy other advantages like abundant supply of raw materials, skilled technical manpower, low wage rates and locational advantages. These provide about 55-60 per cent advantage in terms of operational costs. In the final analysis, it is imperative that Indian steel companies become significantly more competitive by improving productivity further and going in for rapid technological upgradation. The companies need to shift focus to competing on superior products and processes, rather than competing on factor endowments. This becomes all the more important since giants like POSCO have realised the competitive advantage that India offers and decided to establish a manufacturing base in India. With international steel giants such as POSCO breathing down the neck of Indian steel makers, it will be even more difficult for the latter to face competition in both domestic as well as international markets. As for POSCO and ArcellorMittal, who are facing huge roadblocks in setting up their plants in India due to land acquisition and mining licence issues, they can pursue projects with lesser hassle in other developing countries like Mexico and Vietnam. In India, they have the support of the government and hence, gradually they have to appease the tribal people that setting up a steel plant will be to their benefit. The tribal people must be compensated in a commensurate manner and all environmental protocols must be maintained. Then the foreign MNCs can expect to have a smooth road ahead in their Indian ventures.

An Analysis of Matt Ridley’s The Origins of Virtue :: Philosophy Essays

An Analysis of Matt Ridley’s The Origins of Virtue Inwardly examining his own nature, man would prefer to see himself as a virtuously courageous being designed in the image of a divine supernatural force. Not to say that the true nature of man is a complete beast, he does posses, like many other creatures admirable traits. As author Matt Ridley examines the nature of man in his work The Origins of Virtue, both the selfish and altruistic sides of man are explored. Upon making an honest and accurate assessment of his character, it seems evident that man is not such a creature divinely set apart from the trappings of selfishness and immorality. Rather than put man at either extreme it seems more accurate to describe man as a creature whose tendency is to look out for himself first, as a means of survival. It is true that on many levels humans act in a cooperative way to benefit all-- but does that warrant a claim that man is genetically altruistic? Perhaps the reasoning behind his actions would lead to another view. As Ridley examines man's dependency upon others in his species, it becomes apparent that man is not necessarily a savage beast out to do everyone in, but rather a lone creature trying to ensure his survival. In comparing man as the lone hunter to the cooperative being he is today it is evident that his species has thrived and survived with much greater ease in a cooperative society as opposed to a lone hunter. Though it can be easily argued that this cooperation between man, is at some level a sort of mutual altruism, it may better be understood as a selfish means of survival. The saying goes that "there is safety in numbers, " this could not be more true for man's plight. Because alone man stands little chance of perpetuating his genes, he flocks to the community wher e he has the better chance of survival, as do his genes. So to better understand the reasoning behind man's need to be in the community it is imperative to look at nature. In the wild and brutal game of life the only measure of true success is whether genes are passed on. Like any other animal this measure of success measures man's success too. For all creatures, to survive is the chance at continuing a gene line, and it is this necessity to continue the line that is innately imbedded in man and all other creatures. An Analysis of Matt Ridley’s The Origins of Virtue :: Philosophy Essays An Analysis of Matt Ridley’s The Origins of Virtue Inwardly examining his own nature, man would prefer to see himself as a virtuously courageous being designed in the image of a divine supernatural force. Not to say that the true nature of man is a complete beast, he does posses, like many other creatures admirable traits. As author Matt Ridley examines the nature of man in his work The Origins of Virtue, both the selfish and altruistic sides of man are explored. Upon making an honest and accurate assessment of his character, it seems evident that man is not such a creature divinely set apart from the trappings of selfishness and immorality. Rather than put man at either extreme it seems more accurate to describe man as a creature whose tendency is to look out for himself first, as a means of survival. It is true that on many levels humans act in a cooperative way to benefit all-- but does that warrant a claim that man is genetically altruistic? Perhaps the reasoning behind his actions would lead to another view. As Ridley examines man's dependency upon others in his species, it becomes apparent that man is not necessarily a savage beast out to do everyone in, but rather a lone creature trying to ensure his survival. In comparing man as the lone hunter to the cooperative being he is today it is evident that his species has thrived and survived with much greater ease in a cooperative society as opposed to a lone hunter. Though it can be easily argued that this cooperation between man, is at some level a sort of mutual altruism, it may better be understood as a selfish means of survival. The saying goes that "there is safety in numbers, " this could not be more true for man's plight. Because alone man stands little chance of perpetuating his genes, he flocks to the community wher e he has the better chance of survival, as do his genes. So to better understand the reasoning behind man's need to be in the community it is imperative to look at nature. In the wild and brutal game of life the only measure of true success is whether genes are passed on. Like any other animal this measure of success measures man's success too. For all creatures, to survive is the chance at continuing a gene line, and it is this necessity to continue the line that is innately imbedded in man and all other creatures.

depression Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Depression has been around for a longer period of time than we can imagine. Depression has been considered to be the major psychiatric disease of the 20th century, affecting approximately eight million people in North America (http://www.ndmda.org). It is a matter of whether it is diagnosed and treated or left alone. This is a problem that can affect everyone whether they themselves are diagnosed or simply by knowing someone with depression.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People with psychiatric illnesses are twenty times more likely to die from accidents or suicide than people without psychiatric disorders (http://www.nami.org). Major depression, including bipolar affective disorder, often appears for the first time during teenage years, and early recognition of these conditions will have profound effects on later morbidity and mortality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Is depression in adolescents a significant problem? Well, the suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the last decade (http://www.ndmda.org). Adolescent suicide is now responsible for more deaths in youths aged fifteen to nineteen than cardiovascular disease or cancer. Recent studies have shown that greater than twenty percent of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatric clinics suffer from depression. Despite this, depression in this age group is greatly under diagnosed, leading to serious difficulties in school, work, and personal adjustment, which often continue into adulthood.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Depression presents in adolescents with essentially the same symptoms as in adults; however, some clinical shrewdness may be required to translate the teenagers? symptoms into adult terms. Wearing black clothes, writing poetry with morbid themes, or listening to certain types of music may exemplify sadness. Sleep disturbance may manifest as all-night television watching, difficulty in getting up for school, or sleeping during the day. Missed classes reflect lack of motivation and lowered energy level. A drop in grade averages can be equated with loss of concentration and slowed thinking. Boredom may be a synonym for feeling depressed. Loss of appetite may become anorexia or bulimia. Adolescent depression may also present primarily ... ...et the course take action. Although, the student should not feel like they are ?weeded out? from the group. The teacher should still treat them the same and not exclude them from activities. Also, the student should be encouraged to get help. They should not feel forced to do something. Instead, they should be educated on why they should. Hopefully, this will resolve and bring depression to an end so that we can all live our lives to the fullest. References http://www.apa.org Website sponsored by the American Psychological Association Berger, Kathleen Stassen. (2001) The Developing Person through the Life Span. NY, New York: Worth Publishers http://www.nami.org Website sponsored by National Alliance for the Mentally Ill http://www.ndmda.org Website sponsored be the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association http://www.nimh.nih.gov Website sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health Page, Randy M. and Tana S.2000) Fostering Emotional well-being in the classroom. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Hotlines: Community Counseling Clinic (610) 758-3255 Depression and Anxiety Hotline 1-800-234-0038 Teen Help Adolescent Resources 1-800-637-0701

Should Members Of Congress Earn More Money Or Less? :: essays research papers

Well, it really depends on one thing; I'm talking about their reason for becoming a congressman. If I were to become a congressman, my reason would be to help Californians express their opinions better. However this is my reason. Different people have millions of other reasons. I think there are three major reasons for becoming a congressman: represent his/her state, power, or money. I don't believe that most people get into Congress for the money. I believe most people that become congressmen want their state to be heard, and they want to improve it. However not everybody is so good some people are in it purely for power, usually power means money. I do not believe their salaries should be lowered, because if they feel they don't get what they deserve, they might not do their best in the office, they might abuse their privileges, etc. If they don't get paid enough they become more susceptible to taking bribes; this is the first sign of corruption. This might explain the paying less part, however it doesn't say much about raising their salary. I've considered the idea of raising their salary, however after a careful examination of facts, I didn't think raising it would improve much. As I have mentioned before, people (the Congressmen) don't do it for the money. Basically money isn't their primary concern. What would happen if you say doubled their salaries? People are not perfect, nobody is... if you pay them a lot more, chances are they might become greedy; when the only thing a person cares about is money, nothing ever gets accomplished. Greed is a terrible "sickness," even though you have a lot of something, in this case money, you want more, and more, and more, this craving never stops. The last thing you'd want is a greedy congressman. It is very likely that a greedy congressman would take bribes, and use his office to make even more profits, any way possible. A greedy congressman would probably forget his responsibilities, and duties as a congressman; this would only make it worse for that particular state.

Business Strategy As The Direction For Organisations Business Essay

Scheme is the way and range of an administration over a long term. Strategy is a better manner of using the resources of the concern, run intoing the demands of the market, carry throughing the demands of the interest holders taking the concern in an effectual and profitable manner. Strategy is a long term program of action which is designed to accomplish a peculiar end or set of ends. It will be best described as a direction program in order to accomplish the coveted ends. Business scheme is a long term attack to implement the programs for concern in order to accomplish the concern aim. It is concerned more with how a concern competes successfully in a peculiar market.How scheme can be constructed and carried out efficaciously, even by little concern: –Nowadays harmonizing to many companies many little concern houses face the world of planetary competition. Harmonizing to many companies reconstituting themselves helps them to confront competition in the universe markets. After carry oning organisational reappraisals over 100 concern associations and with the experience 18 old ages in the undertaking direction, i realise all the organisations attempts to implement their operations efficaciously. Harmonizing to a survey in 2004 ( little concern disposal ) 580900 little concern little houses opened in 2005 576200 stopping point, SBA states that 67 % of the new companies were able to last for at least 2 old ages, staying 44 % of the companies surviv e for at least 4 old ages.Four of import factors for competitory advantages: –1. Vision 2. Basic accomplishments 3. Strategy believing 4. Conjuction with staffVision: –It is an of import factor for a company to go on it on the path. Harmonizing to the analysis made by James Kouzes and Barry Posner, writers of the leading challange, on more than 60000 caputs of the organisation, they stated that the leaders who are effectual should animate a shared vision. A leader has to back up a clear vision in his leading of the organisation. Now yearss many of the directors are busy with the present jobs and missing clip for edifice of vision. This makes both employees and organisation to be left unfastened, with a shared vision little concerns gain a competitory advantage. Harmonizing to critics vision is the critical factor to keep success for little concerns. Vision is referred as sing the national resources in to the physical bounds. A leader who is effectual for a little concern should animate his squad with a vision which is familiar to carry through their demands.Core competences: –Basic accomplishments of t he director should be clarified with workers altering yesteryear. In the average clip of restructuring, and organisation as to keep it core mission. Large companies calculating the market which will be quickly spread outing, which makes their employees confuse because the contradictions and uncertainnesss. Companies which attempts to make things that are beyond their organisational capacity, which makes them to confront the failure. Many companies which are seeking to vie with planetary competition are losing their basic accomplishments in the market. Harmonizing to Ck prahlad, writer of viing for the hereafter states that directors do non finish their undertakings to vie with rapid market alterations. He states that reconstituting initiative his defines as a dead terminal, reengineering removes unneeded work and better the advantage of procedures as it is defines as the social ends like client satisfaction or entire quality directed enterprise.Strategic Thinking: –Employees wanted their leaders to be important in the market and competition which is valid in the industry. The tremendous alteration which is demographic the twenty-first century U.S work force has created the person concern which made the organisation non to alter their paradigms. Companies which are the best think strategically and work in dual. Watts Wacker, Jim Taylor, Howard Means, writer of airy ushers as warned that we are in go forthing in epoch where the single ability enforce their ain hereafter. Many of the companies pursue planning, where as few organisations are suitably busy with the strategic thought. It is defined as a competitory betterment for little concerns in the market. Strategic thought is defined as a careful planning in an organisation. The two chief constituents of the strategic thought were cognition of the present and point of view for the hereafter. This is called as dichotomy by the organisational schemes. Duality is followed by many of the successful companies on a regular basis. Most of the little concerns are clients of today or tomorrow sing for the hereafter effects. Features of a strategic thought which is effectual chiefly focus on keeping an attack which is long standing to appreciate the effects which are flexible. Strategic planning and vision works together, as a appropriate planning of the bases and the causes for determining the path of an organisation.Associating to employee: –The importance of associating with a culturally diverse work force can be understood by the organisational leaders who are effectual. On many occasions phrase of new engineering concerns were devalued by workers in the procedures. Follows of the mechanical parts for accomplishing the organisational aims should be sing by the leaders.Jeeffrey pfeffer writer of the human equation accepts that success of an organisation depends upon straight to the execution. Currently emergent of work force crosses the gender age race and geographics. For the firs t clip in the American history employees must cover with 4 coevalss of work. The leading manner which can be effectual for freshly upcoming employees fails with the employee coevals X.In little concern house ‘s leader who is effectual as to keep good relationship with his employers.Future waies: –Ignoring world-wide imperativeness and front line competitions little concern houses can accomplish success with the right approach.21st century offers the challenges for the human resources such as practical organisations, outsourcing and fiscal restraints of budgets in many federal bureaus. Small concern houses have 5 of import cardinal factors such as vision ends, strategic thought, basic accomplishments and linking with employees. Such jobs can be utilised as an chance for little houses to increase the rate of success. These methods are logical, practical procedure provide for the creative activity, growing and guarantee a successful little concern. Different types of positions theoretical accounts and attacks or utilised in the strategic planning. Way of developing a strategic program chiefly depends on the nature of the organisation leading, size of the organisation, civilization of the organisations, complexness of the organisation environment, expertness of contrivers etc. There are different types of strategic planning theoretical accounts which includes ends based, issues based, organic, scenario etc. The most common of the strategic planning modal is goals base planning. It chiefly focus on the vision of the organisations, schemes to accomplish the ends to work towards the machine. Issues based strategic be aftering theoretical account chiefly examines the issues which are faced by the organisation, schemes to mention those issues and action programs. Organic strategic planning starts by jointing the vision and values of the organisations and so the needed programs to make the vision while keeping to those values. Some co ntrivers chiefly prefer a peculiar attack to be aftering for illustration appreciative question. Some programs are design to one twelvemonth some to three old ages some to five to ten old ages in the hereafter. But many of the programs include merely top degree information but no action programs are available where as some programs are 5 to 8 pages long. Strategic be aftering procedure his agenda depending upon the nature of the organisation, demands of the organisations and so its external environments. Strategic planning should be followed often in an organisation. Planing might be carried out one time or twice country in a comprehensive and elaborate manner. If the organisation has been established for many old ages and has a stable place in the market topographic point so be aftering can be carried out one time a twelvemonth.Following usher lines are considered strategic planning 1. Strategic planning should be done in the initial phase of organisation when it is started. 2. Strategic planning should besides be done when developing a new division, section are presenting a major new merchandise. 3. Action programs should be updated every twelvemonth 4. Advancement of the execution of a strategic program should be supervised on a quarterly footing by the board. There are different procedures served by the strategic planning in an organisation. Purpose of the organisation should be clearly defined to set up ends and aims in a define clip frame within the capacity of the organisation for implementing. Those ends and aims are pass oning to the components of the organisation and sense of honor ship over the program has been developed.Resources of the organisation are efficaciously use by concentrating on the cardinal precedences. Advancement can be measured and mechanism is established to inform the alteration when needed. There are many other grounds which include the strategic planning helping and organisations. Strategic be aftering provides clear focal point of organisation and helps in bettering its efficiency and effectivity it besides bridges staff and board of managers increasing productiveness from addition efficiency and effectivity. It besides helps in work outing major jobs.The value of utilizing cardinal analytical tools to assist in the strategy-making procedure: –Many tools are included in the scheme doing procedure. Many analytical tools are developed to help the organisation with the planning processes, nonprofitable organisational these tools modifying the inquiries and standards with their ain particular services and markets.Environmental scan: –It is performed to garner informations to happen out replies inquiries about the present and future territory ‘s common perceptual experience is developed and it identifies strengths, failings tendencies and conditions. En vironmental scans is a key for ongoing procedure for internal and external honestness and openness to altering status. There are many attacks to environmental scanning which includes service, inquirers, focal point groups and unfastened forums.SWOT analysis: –SWOT analysis is another tool used for scheme procedure. It is one of the strategic planning methods which is used to measure strengths, weeknesses, chances and menaces which are involved in a undertaking. SWOT analysis chiefly indicates the nonsubjective if a concern venture are a undertaking which helps in placing the internal and external factors which are favorable and which are non favorable to accomplish that aim. A SWOT analysis starts with a specifying a terminal province or objective it may be included in to the strategic planning theoretical account. Strengths: – Feature of a individual or a company which helps in accomplishing the aim. Failings: – Feature of the individual or a company which are harmful to accomplish the aim. Opportunities: – External conditions which are helpful to carry throughing the aim. Menaces: – External conditions which may do harm to the aim. Identifying SWOT ‘s is indispensable is of import because alternate stairss in the procedure of be aftering to accomplish the selected aim can be derived from the SWOT ‘s. Main purpose of any SWOT analysis is categorising the of import internal and external factors which play a cardinal function in finishing the aim. SWOT analysis is a aggregation of of import information is classified into two chief classs. Internal factors: – Internal strengths and failings of the organisation. External factors: – Opportunities and menaces which are subjected to the external environment organisation. Strengths and failings can be considered as the internal factors of the organisations depending on their force on the organisation aim. When strength is considered with regard to an nonsubjective it may go failings another aim. External factors may include macroeconomic affairs, technological alterations and societal cultural alterations including alterations in the market and competitory place. SWOT analysis is one of the methods of distinction with its ain failings. Importance of the single SWOTs will be exposed by the value scheme generates.Undertaking 2As per the instance survey, MIB is a little graduated table concern which proved to be successful when it was started. Cynthia had started her concern on the strength of a individual inspiration as mentioned. She stated that she did non get down her concern with a long term program. Her vision was non strong plenty. Even though in 2001, gross revenues had exceeded $ 2.3 million, which was an addition of 12 per centum, the gross rev enues were non the same in recent times. Cynthia was really much concerned about the fiscal figures. She stated that she would be interested in following new methods of gross revenues by taking the thoughts and concerns of other people in the company. Cynthia had long been the exclusive drive force behind MIB. In the 1980s, there were few makers of ace size vesture. Cynthia was really good cognizant about the defeat of big adult females whose picks were limited.She believed fat people, and particularly adult females, were oppressed and made suffering by a society that treated them as lazy. MIB offered a full line of vesture and accoutrements in four chief classs ; calling wear, insouciant athletic wear, formal wear and overclothes. Cynthia had long been the exclusive drive force behind MIB. In the 1980s, there were few makers of ace size vesture. Cynthia was really good cognizant about the defeat of big adult females whose picks were limited.She believed fat people, and particularly adult females, were oppressed and made suffering by a society that treated them as lazy. MIB offered a full line of vesture and accoutrements in four chief classs ; calling wear, insouciant athletic wear, formal wear and overclothes. The vision of MIB began on a trip up the California seashore. Cynthia stopped in a little used vesture shop and discovered a choice of drawstring army excess workss, which were 100 % cotton, inexpressive, and dyed in stylish coloring material. Cynthia ‘s retail concern, meanwhile, was booming without labour intensifier. The same gross revenues came easy but took excessively much clip in happening the right merchandise to direct. As per the Quarterly summery of all the units if MIB, we can cognize the reverse of the company. As coming to the point of the strength there are certain point that we can detect. MIB was started as a little graduated table concern with one adult male squad. It has been started as a retailed fabric shop and a became a client focused concern at all degrees supplying different types of apparels by the terminal of 2001. I would wish to categorise of the strengths and failings of the company based on below five precedences.Vision:Even though Cynthia started the company on her ain. Her chief inspiration had begun from when she was graduated from Sonoma State University. As she stated it was non plan to turn the company into a big graduated table industry. I think her vision was hapless. She stated that she learnt everything from telling, advertisement, advancing and covering with hard currency flow when she joined adult females ‘s book shop called Rising Women ‘s Books. It was merely the experience she gained from a book stored that enabled her to get down her ain concern. In 1980 she said there were really limited picks for the big adult females dressi ng. MIB offered a full line of vesture and accoutrements by the late 1990 ‘s.Cynthia knew from her ain experience that big adult females would love the insouciant manner, voguish colorss and blandishing tantrum. Womans of all sizes and forms bought these apparels but it was clearly the large adult females who benefited. As declared Cynthia was the lone one behind the foundation of her concern. She was unsure of her end and tried to implement her thoughts merely with a short term program.2. Strategic planning:Cynthia started her concern with an initial sum of $ 4,500, but at this clip she did n't see herself as an enterpriser. As per her thoughts Making It Worth was an chance to unite her personal ends with the political beliefs. She stated that if equal vesture would lend to better self esteem it would so be worthy by giving a spell. Cynthia had no experience in set uping recognition. So, she started the concern merely with the sum what she had and with one other spouse Janet. She merely realised subsequently, that it would go a great beginning of income or net income as the competition was non much. Her programs were merely limited to her accomplishments and conceptually she was still lacked with indispensable accomplishments. She felt that turning a concern would necessitate different accomplishment set than get downing one. Planning was non perfect and she merely acted as per that state of affairs. Even though, the company has a good client focused service, with initial degrees of net incomes, it has seen a sudden autumn in their retail gross revenues. This can be because of improper planning of their work flows.3. Information thought ( accomplishments ) :As the concern was started merely by Cynthia, her accomplishment set was limited. She utilised all her accomplishments in taking the company from inexpensive frills to MIB but she stated that her accomplishment put entirely was non sufficient for MIB ‘s growing. In order to accomplish certain e nds or to take a company as big graduated table it is indispensable to hold different cognition sets, and different thoughts.As Cynthia was entirely while she started her concern she was sufficient with her accomplishment set and she established a manner for her ain concern. But, in order to develop the company and achieve the marks a company needs more skilled people in different classs of the concern development program.4. Staffing:Exhibit 6 provides a profile of distribution channels for adult females ‘s dress in the United States in 1997. Most retail merchants of big size vesture offered their goods through catalogs, and an increasing figure had set up web sites that created personal profiles for repetition clients. In 2002, there were over 2,000 makers of big size adult females ‘s vesture in the United States, and few of these lone offered vesture in supersize scope. In 2001, MIB employed five directors, a research and development squad of three members, three super visors and a squad of 10 workers. MIB is a really labour -intensive concern and everyone works exceptionally difficult, at all degrees. But as the gross revenues were falling down Cynthia started believing of taking more appropriate people for her concern. She thought that by implementing the new thoughts, the company would see some better alterations. Cynthia believed she needed â€Å" an experient direction squad to assist pull off the hazard that ‘s needed to acquire to the following degree. † It is really of import to any company to put right people at right degrees. This makes the company more progressive and helps to accomplish the marks. As we know when the selling programs does non work out, it proves to be more expensive and dejecting. Cynthia knew that, even with her 20 old ages of experience, she still lacked indispensable accomplishments.5. Future waies:Every Company has its future waies, like how it will be positioned in the market, what would be the end an d purpose of the company. MIB besides had its long term conventional program in order to run into the estimated marks. Once the bead in the gross revenues resulted Cynthia decided to use new squad members to back up her positions and aid in the growing of MIB. I want to categorise the strengths and failings of the concern with three things, people, client and finance.Strengthsaˆ? High quality direction It is really of import that we take right people for the right place. The Company ‘s growing is depended on the direction team. â€Å" How good they manage the concern that manner they get the consequences † . aˆ? Relatively stable, extremely committed Work force: As per the MIB direction squad, Cynthia was really much happy with her direction squad. She described the qualities of each individual, who were every bit talented in their corresponding Fieldss. MIB is a powerful retail trade name. It has a repute for value for money, convenience and a broad scope of merchandises all in one shop. MIB has grown well over recent old ages, and has experienced planetary enlargement for illustration its purchase of the United Kingdom based retail merchant ASDA. The company has a nucleus competency affecting its usage of information engineering to back up its international logistics system. A focussed scheme is in topographic point for human resource direction and development. Peoples are cardinal to MIB ‘s concern and it invests clip and money in developing people, and retaining a developing them. aˆ? Excellent quality in work force: It is really of import that each person works for the advancement of the company. Celebration of staff ‘s accomplishments: Low director to staff ratio Unique merchandise Location of your concern Patents, know-how, trade secrets Worker ‘s alone accomplishment set Corporate civilization, company image Quality of your merchandise Access to funding Operational efficiency Location of your concern Lack of quality and client service Poor selling and gross revenues Entree to resources Undifferentiated merchandises or servicesFailingsSince MIB sell merchandises across many sectors ( such as vesture, nutrient, or stationary ) , it may non hold the flexibleness of some of its more focussed rivals. Training on processs non accomplishments Absence from work Nerve-racking conditions Communicationss scheme Team Leaderships and Managers excessively stretchedOPPORTUNITIES THREATSaˆ? Finding a money strategian For any new investing aˆ? Improve choice techniques aˆ? Improve occupation flexiblenesss aˆ? Lack of staff in residential attention aˆ? Staff morale aˆ? Retention of societal workers aˆ? Stress for staff and Foster carers aˆ? Perception of occupation satisfaction deteriorating aˆ? Quality of societal work appliers cut downing aˆ? Keeping a qualified work force aˆ? Gender instability aˆ? Single position Opportunities and menaces are external value making ( or destructing ) factors a company can non command but emerge from either the competitory kineticss of the industry or market or from demographic, economic, political, proficient, societal, legal, or cultural factors. AnA opportunityA in the SWOT theoretical account could be for illustration: A new emerging or developing market ( niche merchandise, topographic point – new state, less competition ) Amalgamation, joint venture, or strategic confederation Market tendencies New engineerings Social alterations ( for illustration demographics ) New competition in the market, perchance with new merchandises or services Monetary value wars Economic conditions Political alterations Competitor oligopoly or monopoly Tax Handiness of resources.To take over, merge with, or organize strategic confederations with other planetary retail merchants, concentrating on specific markets such as Europe or the Greater China Region. The shops are presently merely trade in a comparatively little figure of states. Therefore there are enormous chances for future concern in spread outing consumer markets, such as China and India. New locations and shop types offer MIB chances to work market development. They diversified from big ace Centres, to local and mall-based sites. Opportunities exist for MIB to go on with its current scheme of big, ace Centres. Bing figure one means that you are the mark of competition, locally and globally. Bing a planetary retail merchant means that you are exposed to political jobs in theA states that you operate in. The cost of bring forthing many consumer merchandises tends to hold fallen because of lower fabrication costs. Manufacturing cost have fallen due to outsourcing to low-priced parts of the World. This has lead to monetary value competition, ensuing in monetary value deflation in some scopes. Intense monetary value competition is a menace.Undertaking 3As per the analysis from, there are certain things to be considered in order MIB achieve its marks. If we check the company ‘s retail net income it is apparent that there was a sudden autumn of gross revenues. From coevals to coevals gustatory sensations of clients would alter. Companies should internally upgrade their squad and engineerings in order to vie every bit with other administrations. I think that MIB was been a Owner Manager concern which could merely accommodate few betterments. In order to decide a company from retail shop to independent good honored administration we need certain things like Human Resources, Technology, Budget and Customers good will. I would wish to explicate each of the undermentioned briefly:Human resources:Right from the Cheap frills to MIB, Cynthia was the lone individual who took attention of the concern. Cynthia ‘s accomplishments and cognition helped her to set up the thought of MIB but they were non adequate to be an profitable company. In order to set up the company as big graduated table few things would turn out indispensable. Directors, Supervisors and Staff will turn out to be the of import portion of any administration. Giving chance to more skilled people at different degrees will assist the company grow. A determination devising squad would be necessary for the company in order to obtain a fast gait profitable gross revenues.Technology:When MIB was there were really few makers of supersize vesture and the per centum of purchasers were besides less in entire. As the coevalss move on engineering is upgrading a batch go forthing people more proficient and more accurate about their sentiments. I t is indispensable for any company like MIB to move consequently. Introducing different ways of advertisement like go forthing door to door catalogs, get offing and keeping information on web site helps the company to turn large.Budget:MIB was started as a really little company with really less budget. When Cynthia got an thought of widening a company she was non cognizant of the fiscal fortunes that she needs to face. In order to use new people in the company and to upgrade the engineering it is indispensable that one should raise more capital investing.

Separate Facts from Inference

7) SEPARATE FACTS FROM INFERENCES One of the most important things during the process of interviewing the potential candidate for hiring them in certain post or position in the organization is the interviewers must be equipped with skills that they can separate facts from inferences that they have made earlier. What is fact? Fact is something that can be proven by observation from cause to effect. An inference is something that is inferred, or implied, by the existence of two conditions.For this, every manager, supervisors and Human Resource representative should be trained to be a fact-gathering interviewer. The interviewers have responsibility to obtain proper information about the job that the applicant wants to hire. This is what the interviewer must equip themselves because the candidates they meet for the first time must be screened thoroughly. The specific approach to a fact-gathering interview will depend on variety of things, including whom they are interviewing with, their knowledge about the job position offered by the organization itself, and their own personal preferences.Every interviewer must developed unique method in conducting a fact-gathering interview because different job post interview have different way or method in collecting facts from the candidates. As interviewers, they must start collecting important fact from the candidates such as in the interview for the job as PTD (Pegawai Tadbir & Diplomatik). PTD is one of the posts in Malaysian Civil Service. It is administrative or executive power machinery in implementing policies and government decisions to achieve the objectives and goals of the nation.In fact, this service has its own specialized field, such as International Relations and Foreign Affairs, National Security and Defence, Management of Information and Communication Technology, Administration and Regional Development / Land / District / Local, Planning and Social Administration / Infrastructure, Human Resource Management and Organization, Economic Resource Management, Resource Management and Finance.This service is a major leadership role in a variety of ministries and federal departments as well as some state administration as Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Director General, Deputy Director General, State Secretary, Ambassador, and the District Officer. For selecting the most suitable candidate to fill this critical job post in the government sector, the interviewers are from the members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) who have received their pension.Most of them were also the former Head of Department in government bodies from grade 54 and above. For the interviewers, they must put in mind this is a further assessment session and the final stage of shortlisting from the previous stages, in which a potential candidate is evaluated for a prospective employment. An interview would be the final instrument to evaluate and validate a candidate’s overall performance in the aspect s of knowledge, skills and personality. The interview hopes to determine whether or not the applicant is suitable for the job.Thus, the interviewer’s job is to gather as much as they can facts, opinions and they will make decision based on what they have gained from the candidates. Most of the interviews gained facts based on the questions that have been outline below: 1. Educational background 2. Family background 3. Way of the candidates walk 4. Communication skills 5. Style in standing an argument from selected ideas 6. Job experience All of the questions that will be asked such as educational and family background are needed to know the suitability with the job sector that they will be post.The family environment factors are also helping the interviewers to gain information if the candidates have experience to live in a family who are from the government servants, so they are likely can adapt well in the future job environment because of the exposure from their family. Lo oking into the way of candidates walk and their communication skills will relate us to the psychological development. For that, the interviewer must equip themselves with Human Psychological Knowledge.This is because, 50% of the accuracy of human behaviour can be read from their walking style and communication skills. For the question on standing an argument from selected idea is where the interviewer wanted to collect fact from the candidates their knowledge about administration world. Ask the candidates to list some information about current cabinet members, who is the current Chief Secretary of Government or KSN (Ketua Setiausaha Negara), Head of Civil Service and etc. The fact about parliamentary system, government policies and current issues were also being recorded. Question hat will be asked to gain candidate opinion can also be asked as additional information such as: what are your life goals, why want to be PTD and what you want to be in the next few years. 8) RECOGNIZE STE REOTYPES AND BIASES What is stereotype? According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, stereotype is defined as a fixed idea or image that many people have a particular type of a person or thing, which is often not true in reality. Bias is defined as a strong feeling in favour of or against one group of people, or one side in an argument, often not based on fair judgement.From those definitions, we can see that both conditions are usually occurring in the realm of hiring people for certain job. These problems must be eliminated by the managers, supervisors and Human Resource representative during conducting any interview because preferring stereotypes and biases will resulting in hiring people that are not capable in doing their job although the interviewer think the opposite. In the world of hiring workers, usually interviewers will involve in stereotyping when they start to form a generalization of opinions about people of a given gender, race, ethnic background, or app earance.These cultures of stereotyping have flourished in many conditions such as culture and everyday life, not forgetting organization and business world. Usually, interviewers use stereotype to make decision about hiring any person with little or no information about the person itself. For that, discrimination will continue to happen because the interviewers (managers, supervisors and HR representatives) will not selecting a person with concrete evidence and only based by sentiments.These are some examples of common stereotypes and biases that can be intentionally or unintentionally made by interviewers which could create problems such as not hiring suitable workforce needed by the organization thus creating liability and problems under employment discrimination laws. * Stereotypes in advertising for candidates (example: only selecting fresh graduates or only selecting worker for certain race because they are more hardworking. ) * Applicant’s appearances that make him/her seem unable to do job. * Refusing to pregnant women * People with disabilities and old people Younger people have high energy levels and are very open to learning new technology. * Disabled or handicapped person should be employed for a short term period. * Woman and minorities cannot do certain job or do not want certain job. * Candidates, who are shy during the interviews, will not perform well on the job. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. http://wiki. answers. com [ 2 ]. (Stev e W. Schneider, n. d. pg 1) [ 3 ]. (http://imej. spa. gov. my/dev/pdf/ProfilingBasedRecruitment. pdf) [ 4 ]. ( Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 2010) [ 5 ]. (ohioemployerlawblog. com, 2008) [ 6 ]. ( ohioemployerlawblog. com, 2008)