History of Civil Engineering Essay Essay Example

History of Civil Engineering Essay Essay Civil technology involves the design. building. and care of plants such as roads. Bridgess. and edifices. It’s a scientific discipline that includes a assortment of subjects including dirts. constructions. geology. and other Fieldss. Thus the history of civil technology is closely associated with the history of promotion in these scientific disciplines. In ancient history. most of the building was carried out by craftsmans. and proficient expertness was limited. Undertakings were accomplished by the use of manual labour merely. without the usage of sophisticated machinery. since it did non be. Therefore. civil technology plants could merely be realized with the use of a big figure of skilled workers over an drawn-out period of clip. We will write a custom essay sample on History of Civil Engineering Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on History of Civil Engineering Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on History of Civil Engineering Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer * Prehistoric and Ancient Civil Engineering Structures It might be appropriate to presume that the scientific discipline of civil technology genuinely commenced between 4000 and 2000 BC in Egypt when transit gained such importance that it led to the development of the wheel. Harmonizing to the historiographers. the Pyramids were constructed in Egypt during 2800-2400 BC and may be considered as the first big construction building of all time. The Great Wall of China that was constructed around 200 BC is considered another accomplishment of ancient civil technology. The Romans developed extended constructions in their imperium. including aqueducts. Bridgess. and dikes. A scientific attack to the physical scientific disciplines refering civil technology was implemented by Archimedes in the 3rd century BC. by using the Archimedes Principle refering perkiness and the Archimedes prison guard for raising H2O. ASCE Online Library World Wide Web. ascelibrary. orgFree hunt 800. 000 pages All countries of civil technologySoftware Engineer DegreeEducationDegreeSource. com/Free_Info100 % Online Master Degree – Software Engineering for Busy Programmers! Seismic Design GroupWorld Wide Web. SeismicDesignGroup. com Seismic Bracing A ; Engineering Commercial Non-Structural Trades Ads by Google * The Roles of Civil And Military Engineer in Ancient Times As stated above. civil technology is considered to be the first chief subject of technology. and the applied scientists were in fact military applied scientists with expertness in military and civil plants. During the epoch of conflicts or operations. the applied scientists were engaged to help the soldiers contending in the battleground by doing slingshots. towers. and other instruments used for contending the enemy. However. during peace clip. they were concerned chiefly with the civil activities such as edifice munitions for defence. doing Bridgess. canals. etc. * Civil Engineering in the 18th – twentieth Century Until the recent epoch. there was no major difference between the footings civil technology and architecture. and they were frequently used interchangeably. It was in the eighteenth century that the term civil technology was foremost used independently from the term military technology. The first private college in the United States that included Civil Engineering as a separate subject was Norwich University established in the twelvemonth 1819. Civil technology societies were formed in United States and European states during the nineteenth century. and similar establishments were established in other states of the universe during the twentieth century. The American Society of Civil Engineers is the first national technology society in the United States. In was founded in 1852 with members related to the civil technology profession located globally. The figure of universities in the universe that include civil technology as a subject have increased enormously during the 19th and the twentieth centuries. bespeaking the importance of this engineering. * Modern Concepts In Civil Engineering Numerous engineerings have assisted in the promotion of civil technology in the modern universe. including hi-tech machinery. choice of stuffs. trial equipment. and other scientific disciplines. However. the most outstanding subscriber in this field is considered to be computer-aided design ( CAD ) and computer-aided industry ( CAM ) . Civil applied scientists use this engineering to accomplish an efficient system of building. including industry. fiction. and hard-on. Three-dimensional design package is an indispensable tool for the civil applied scientist that facilitates him in the efficient designing of Bridgess. tall edifices. and other immense complicated constructions. * hypertext transfer protocol: //www. thecivilengg. com/History. phpCIVIL ENGINEERING ( CE )Overall Focus: â€Å"Public works†/infrastructure and buildings/structures. Note: Given the figure of possible applications. Civil Engineering is a really wide subject. Primary Areas of Specialization: 1. Construction Management ( uniting technology and direction accomplishments to finish building undertakings designed by other applied scientists and designers ) . 2. Environmental Engineering ( see separate entry ) 3. Geotechnical Engineering ( analysis of dirts and stone in support of technology projects/applications – edifice foundations. earthen constructions. belowground installations. dikes. tunnels. roads. etc ) 4. Structural Engineering ( design of all types of stationary constructions – edifices. Bridgess. dikes. etc. ) 5. Surveying ( measure/map the earth’s surface in support of technology design and building undertakings and for legal intents – turn uping belongings lines. etc. ) 6. Transportation system Engineering ( design of all types of transit facilities/systems – streets/highways. airdromes. railwaies. other mass theodolite. harbors/ports. etc. ) . 7. Water Resources Engineering ( control and usage of H2O. concentrating on inundation control. irrigation. natural H2O supply. and hydroelectric power applications ) hypertext transfer protocol: //groups. yokel. com/group/AR001_ARCHCRUZ/files/3. % 20LETTERING/

Adolescent Spirituality Lectio Divina, Meditatio, Oratio, and Contemplatio

Adolescent Spirituality Lectio Divina, Meditatio, Oratio, and Contemplatio A spiritual discipline is something that should take a considerable part of human life and change it in the way that makes a person closer to God. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Adolescent Spirituality: Lectio Divina, Meditatio, Oratio, and Contemplatio specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On my opinion, a spiritual discipline is the one that has to be taken seriously, from the bottom of a human heart. It is crucially important to take it regularly in order to keep proper relations with God and make use of them during this life. Personally I, a 28-year old non-denominational Christian, believe that spiritual disciplines are the activities, which can make people more valuable and create a kind of space, where God will play a leading role. This time, I have to concentrate on such concepts like lectio divina, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio. After practicing sacred reading, as one of possible spiritual disci plines, I get a chance to comprehend deeper the essence of my life, the role of God, and ministry, improve my self-awareness, and become closer to God and universe. Practicing Sacred Reading My spiritual practice consists of several steps. One of the most responsible steps is to pick out a book that can be easily readable. It should not take too much space, the paper has to be white (it is my personal desire), and the author should prefer not too complicated style of writing. I make a decision to read Holy Bible in an easy-to-read version. The next step in my practice is to find a quiet place with enough light in order not only to learn lection divina but also enjoy the comfort and burn a desire to read more. It is also very important to choose time for reading the book. For me, not too late evening is just fine. Proper chosen book and the place for reading make it possible to concentrate on meditation. With the help of accurate suggestions of the prayer, the way to contemplation may be open to me. This plan for my spiritual practice is almost perfect. The only issue that is obligatory is my desire to complete this task. It is a new activity in my life, this is why the more time I spend on preparations for this practice, the more desire I get to start this affair. Self-Awareness and My Place in the World Tony Jones (2003) admits that â€Å"reading without meditation is dry. Meditation without reading is subject to error. Prayer without meditation is lukewarm. Meditation without prayer is fruitless. Prayer without devotion leads to contemplation whereas contemplation without prayer happens rarely or by a miracle† (p. 43). This information has a considerable impact on my perception of this practice and the desire to achieve the best results. Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More When I read the book, first, I try to imagine how othe r people can react to the same information. The idea become rather different; my imagination starts working. It is necessary to stop and concentrates more on my personal perception of the world, my role in this world, and my place. I realize that nothing and no one can improve my life except God and me. God can hear my prayers if they sound sincere and honest. It is useless to ask God to provide people with money or sex, with respect and recognition. All these issues may be achieved by a person independently. However, it is possible to ask for health or patience, support or luck. This practice helps me comprehend that there are lots of things I can reach independently, just make certain efforts and believe in myself. People are all equal before God, and it is impossible that one person is worthy of God’s support and care, and another person is not. What did I learn about God? I want to admit that I am too happy and proud that I get a chance to pass through this spiritual pra ctice and learn more about God and his power. Many people still cannot believe that it is possible to communicate with God. Of course, He does not come to your house, knock at the door, and ask for a cup of tea. However, if a person takes seriously lectio divina and believes in the possibility to ask God for help and get the answer, a kind of illumination will certainly come. God opens his heart to any person: it does not matter whether you have sins, do not believe in God, or spend all your life on praying. Very often, people complain of inability to communicate and get a piece of advice. However, they ask God for help subconsciously, and usually, get answers or at least some hints while they are sleeping. In the morning, people wake up and have several ideas of how to solve their problems, find more inspiration, or even start this new day properly. God knows what each person wants, and He will certainly find time to satisfy human needs and promote their actions, their beliefs, a nd their hopes. What did I learn about ministry? My background knowledge about ministry and its roles in religion and in a church is not too rich. I know for sure that it is a kind of religious organization that aims at providing various religious services, which are crucial for people. These services may involve weddings, funerals, or some sermons. These six weeks of practicing help me to comprehend how important and indispensible ministry’s duties are. These organizations give other people a chance to be closer to the Bible, to its content, and the messages, which are left for people and are intended to help them believe, enjoy this life, and respect any human being in this world. Ministry is a kind of stairs or even handrails, which help not to fall or stumble over. Ministry may have numerous faces, but one goal – to be available for people, who need or search for help. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Adolescent Spirituality: Lec tio Divina, Meditatio, Oratio, and Contemplatio specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many tragedies and challenges are waiting for people during their lives, and the ministry should care about humanity and give people a chance to communicate to God. Sometimes, it is enough to look at a minister in order to realize what should be done next. And I think that only ministry is capable to complete these functions on a proper level. This spiritual discipline and the practice I have to pass through is a wonderful chance to learn more about God and ministry, about myself and my place in this world, about human abilities and people’s usual complaints. Each of us has good and bad mornings and days, and it may happen that no one can support or give a hand. The help of God is invisible for many people, but still it exists and is available for any person. The point is that not every person is able to use it properly, to believe that everything is pos sible, and to improve own life. I want my family trust in God in order to be sure that one day, when I am far away, God will care about my family and show them the necessary safe way. Reference List Jones, T. (2003). Sacred Reading. In Soul Shaper: Exploring Spirituality and Contemplative Practices in Youth Ministry. El Cajon, California: Youth Specialties.

Financial Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial Performance - Essay Example Moreover, the comparative analysis of ratios has been done by comparing the ratios of 2009 and 2010. Finally, this report discusses the advantages and disadvantages of ratios analysis. RATIOS ANALYSIS Profitability Ratios a. Net profit percentage or net margin The net profit percentage or net margin of the company for the years 2009 and 2010 are 30.1205% and 21.9917% respectively. The value has been calculated by dividing the net profit with sales. The net margin of company has declined because of the decline in sales and net profit which shows a significant decline in profitability of CUERO in 2010. b. Gross profit percentage or gross margin The gross profit percentage or gross margin has been calculated by taking the ratio between gross profit and sales and the calculated values for the years 2009 and 2010 are 49.3976% and 44.617% respectively. It shows the decline in profitability because of the decline in sales and increase in cost of sales from ?0.00494 profit per ?1 of sales to 0.00446 ?1 of sales. c. Return on capital employed The return on capital employed is the ratio between net profit and capital employed. The calculated values for the company for years 2009 and 2010 are 3.9765% and 3.7105% respectively. ... The asset turnover the company has remained almost same for the two years. Liquidity Ratios/Gearing Ratios a. Current Ratio The current ratio is the ratio of long term debt to capital employed and the calculated values for 2009 and 2010 are 1.1667 and 1.1597 respectively. The ratio shows that the short-term liquidity of CUERO Ltd has remained same because the percentage increase in liabilities is almost equal to percentage change in current assets. b. Quick Ratio or Acid Ratio Quick ratio or acid ratio is the ratio between current assets less stocks to current liabilities. In 2009 and 2010, the calculated values for the company are 0.6818 and 0.5948 respectively. The decline in quick ratio predicts that in 2010 the process of conversion of stock to cash slowed down. Gearing ratio The ratio between long term debt and capital employed is gearing ratio and the calculated values for the company for 2009 and 2010 are 53.47% and 56.59% respectively. The gearing ratio of company has increas ed significantly in 2010 which shows the increase in the long-term debt of the company due in more than one year. Efficiency of Asset Utilisation Ratios a. Sales to Fixed Assets Ratio The sales to fixed assets ratio has increased from 0.9432 to 0.9511 in 2009 and 2010 respectively which shows that in 2009 company achieved ?0.9432 per ?1 of fixed assets and in 2010 company has achieved ?0.9511 per ?1 of fixed assets. This decline shows a small decline in efficiency of asset utilisation because the fixed assets have increased and sales of company have declined. b. Stock Holding Period Stock holding period is the ratio between stock and cost of sales and the calculated values for the company for 2009 and 2010 are 139.05 and 173.95 respectively. The stock holding

Setting up for urology procedure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Setting up for urology procedure - Essay Example To properly set up the theatre, the nurses and doctors should work together. The surgery room for the urology procedure needs to have all the equipments ready. This indicates that every item needs to be readily available in the room to avoid the doctors and nurses from running around trying to get the equipments once the procedure starts. The equipment also needs to be placed in a place that is within reach for the surgeons. This will facilitate running of the procedure efficiently. Surgeries are usually timed and it is important that all the equipment required be easily accessed by the surgeons with assistance from the nurses. The people chosen to set up the theatre for the urology procedure should have adequate knowledge of the procedure and what is expected of them. This means that not everyone in the hospital can be tasked with setting up the theatre because some of them may not have the required knowledge. When setting up the theatre, the people involved are encouraged to ask questions in case they need clarifications. This helps to avoid mistakes that may take place in the theatre during a procedure. Mistakes in the theatre pose a great risk to the patient, doctors, surgeons and the nurses involved. The individuals setting up the theatre should ensure that there is enough space to accommodate the patient, surgeons, assistants and all the equipments. Space also helps to facilitate easy movement in the theatre (Dasgupta, Fitzpatrick, Kirby & Gill 2010). Analysis of a situation also needs to be conducted (Ely & Scott 2006). This helps to understand why things happened as they did. In the event that a mistake happened, this process helps to understand why it did and the ways that it can be avoided in future situations. After setting up the theatre, it is important for the process be evaluated (Quinn & Hughes 2007). This means that the nurses or the leader of the surgery can check to make sure that all the set

The Hecksher Ohlin Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Hecksher Ohlin Theory - Essay Example The Hecksher - Ohlin model developed by Eli Hecksher and Bertil Ohlin in the 1920s, explores the possibility of two nations operating at the same level of efficiency, benefiting by trading with each other. The H-O model incorporates a number of realistic characteristics of production that are left out of the simple Ricardo's model. Recall that in the simple Ricardo's model only one factor of production, labor, is needed to produce goods and services (Krugman, 1997). The productivity of labor is assumed to vary across countries, which implies a difference in technology between nations. It was the difference in technology that motivated advantageous international trade in the model (Suranovic, 2003). According to the Hecksher-Ohlin Theory, capital refers to the physical machines and equipment that is used in production. Thus, machine tools, conveyers, trucks, forklifts, computers, office buildings, office supplies, and much more, is considered capital. All productive capital must be owned by someone. In a capitalist economy most of the physical capital is owned by individuals and businesses. In a socialist economy productive capital would be owned by the government. ... This model makes the following assumptions: 1. There are no obstructions to trade i.e. no trade controls, transport costs etc. 2. Both commodity and factor markets are perfectively competitive. 3. There are constant returns to scale. 4. Both the countries have the same technology and hence operate at the same level of efficiency. 5. There are two factors of production - labor and capital. Both are perfectly immobile in inter-country transfers, but perfectly mobile in inter-sector transfers. According to this theory, there are two types of products - labor intensive and capital intensive. Two countries operating at the same level of efficiency can, and do, benefit from trade due to the differences in their factor endowments. The labor-rich country is likely to produce labor-intensive goods, while the country rich in capital is likely to produce capital-intensive goods. The two countries will then trade I these goods and reap the benefits of international trade. The Hecksher-Ohlin model has also got some drawbacks. First and foremost, it assumes that factor endowments remain constant but they can be developed through innovation (Jain, 2000). Second, with many countries imposing minimum wage laws, factor prices may change to an extent, that a labor-rich country may find it cheaper to import labor-intensive goods than to produce them locally. An economist named Wassily Leontief has pointed out that, the exports of United States were more labor-intensive than capital-intensive despite that fact that the United States is a capital-rich country. It is worth emphasizing here a fundamental distinction between the Hecksher-Ohlin model and the Ricardian model. Whereas the Ricardian model assumes that production technologies differ

The Car Rental Industry In The Us Economics Essay

The Car Rental Industry In The Us Economics Essay The car rental industry is a multi-billion dollar sector of the US economy. The US segment of the industry averages about $18.5 billion in revenue a year. Today, there are approximately 1.9 million rental vehicles that service the US segment of the market. In addition, there are many rental agencies besides the industry leaders that subdivide the total revenue, namely Rent-A-Car, Dollar Thrifty, Budget and Vanguard. The rental car industry is highly consolidated which naturally puts potential new comers at a cost-disadvantage since they face high input costs (since companies in this industry have revenues of billions of dollars), with very low possibilities of economies of scale. Moreover, most of the profit is generated by a few firms including Enterprise, Hertz and Avis. For the fiscal year of 2006, Enterprise generated $7 billion in total revenue. Hertz came in second position with about $3.9 billion and Avis with $2.75 in revenues. During this year, revenues were about $20 billio n, with the top six companies having combined market shares of over 90 percent. Competition in this industry goes beyond nationally, companies are expanding globally, and for example Rent-A-Car is operating in the U.S, Canada, U.K, Ireland and Germany. In the U.S market there is a strong competition between the six largest companies, especially between Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz for the rental facilities in airports. The level of vertical integration in the industry has been reduced in the last decades, by letting these companies more flexibility in the market and leading to higher profit margins. In fact, among the industry players only Hertz is vertically integrated through Ford. The market size of this industry is large so there is high demand for renting, but due to the very strong competition, the profit margin is not so high or attractive, moreover, it is best attained by economies of scale. Competitiveness has risen to such an extent that, according to Business Travel Ne ws, vehicles are being rented until they have accumulated 20,000 to 30,000 miles until they are sent for sale to the used car industry. What is competition like and how strong are the competitive forces? There are many factors that shape the competitive landscape of the car rental industry. Competition is fierce not only because the market is saturated and well guarded by industry leader Enterprise, but competitors operate at a cost disadvantage along with smaller market shares since Enterprise has established a network of dealers over 90 percent the leisure segment. On the corporate segment, on the other hand, competition is very strong at the airports since that segment is under tight supervision by Hertz. Competitively speaking, the rental car industry is a war-zone as most rental agencies including Enterprise, Hertz and Avis among the major players engage in a battle of the fittest. The five competitive forces Competitive Rivalry Among Sellers There are many factors that drive competition within the car rental industry. Over the past few years, broadening fleet sizes and increasing profitability has been the focus of most companies within the car rental industry. Enterprise, Hertz and Avis among the leaders have been growing both in sales and fleet sizes. In addition, competition intensifies as firms are constantly trying to improve their current conditions and offer more to consumers. Hertz, for example, integrates its Never-Lost GPS system within its cars. Enterprise, on the other hand, uses sophisticated yield management software to manage its fleets. The Potential Entry of new Competitors Entering the car rental industry puts new comers at a serious disadvantage. Over the past few years following the economic downturn of 2001, most major rental companies have started increasing their market shares in the vacation sector of the industry as a way of insuring stability and lowering the level of dependency between the airline and the car rental industry. On one hand, this action has ensured the success in the long run of the existing firms; on the other hand it has made it much more difficult for new entrants to join this market. Existing firms such as Enterprise, Hertz and Avis carefully monitor their competitive radars in order to be ready to attack any potential new entrant in the market. Another barrier to entry is created because of the saturation level of the industry. In 2006, Enterprise had a rental location within 15 miles of 90 percent of the US population. Because of the network of dealers Enterprise has established around the nation, it has become relatively s table, and most importantly, less reliant on the airline industry compared to its competitors. The Threat of Substitute There are many substitutes available for the car rental industry. From a technological standpoint, renting a car to go the distance for a meeting is a less attractive alternative as opposed to video conferencing, virtual teams and collaboration software with which a company can immediately setup a meeting with its employees from anywhere around the world at a cheaper cost. In addition, there are other alternatives including taking a cab which is a satisfactory substitute relative to quality and switching cost, but it may not be as attractively priced as a rental car for the course of a day or more. While public transportation is the most cost efficient of the alternatives, it is more costly in terms of the process and time it takes to reach ones destination. Finally, because flying offers convenience, speed and performance, it is a very attracting substitute; however, it becomes an unattractive alternative in terms of price relative to renting a car. On the business segment, car rent al agencies have more protection against substitutes since many companies have implemented travel policies that establish the parameters of when renting a car or using a substitute is the best course of action. Generally, the threat of substitute is reasonably low in the car rental industry since the effects the substitute products have do not pose a significant threat of profit erosion throughout the industry. The Bargaining Power of Buyers An interesting trend that is currently underway throughout the industry is forcing car rental companies to adapt to the needs of corporate travelers. This trend significantly reduces supplier power or the rental firms power and increases corporate buyer power since the business segment is extremely price sensitive, well informed about the industrys price structure, purchase in larger quantities and they use the internet to force lower prices. The Bargaining Power of Suppliers Supplier power is low in the car rental industry. Because of the availability of substitutes and the level of competition, suppliers do not have a great deal of influence in the terms and conditions of supplying the rental cars. Because the rental cars are usually purchased in large quantities, rental car agents have significant influence over the terms of the sale since they possess the ability to play one supplier against another to lower the sales price. Another factor that reduces supplier power is the absence of switching cost. That is, buyers are not affected from purchasing from one supplier over another. What forces are at work to change industry conditions? One of the most important forces in the car renting industry is the use of internet in companies. Internet has made possible instant linking between renting stores in different locations and provides a lower distribution and inventory cost. What is more, improvement in technology and the installation of different tools, including the GPS system in rented cars has made this industry more competitive for customers. The installation of specialized software in the facilities where cars are given for rent, for checking preferences of customers in different regions, gives details about what cars are mostly preferred and how many of them should be in that store, reducing storage costs. Which companies are in Strongest/ Weakest positions? As a moderately concentrated sector, there is a clear hierarchy in the car rental industry. From an economic standpoint, disparities exist from a number of dimensions including revenue, fleet size and the market size each firm holds in the market place. For instance, Enterprise dominates the industry with a fleet size of approximately 600,000 vehicles along with its market size and its level of profitability. Hertz comes in second position with its number of market shares and fleet volume. In addition, Avis ranks third on the map. Avis is among one of the companies that is having issues recovering its revenue margins from prior to the economic downturn. For instance, in 2000 Avis returned revenues of approximately $4.23 billion. Over the course of the next several years following 2000, the revenue of Avis has been significantly lower than that of 2000. As a way of reducing uncertainty most companies are gradually lowering the level of dependency on the airline industry and emerging t he leisure market. This trend may not be in the best interest of Hertz since its business strategy is highly linked to the airports. What strategic moves are rivals likely to make next? Since this industry operates in very narrow profit margins, it is very important to predict what the competitors next moves will be in order to be as prepared as possible. In 2007 there were some developments in this industry which were concerning Rent-A-Cars executives. These developments included a possible merger between Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group and Vanguard Car Rental as well as direct attacks on Enterprises off-airport rental markets and insurance company clients by Hertz, the second rental company in the industry. Avis uses its OnStar and Skynet system to better serve the consumer base and offers free weekend rental if a customer rents a car for five consecutive days. What are the key factors for competitive success? There are many key success factors that drive profitability throughout the car rental industry. Capacity utilization is one of the factors that determine success in the industry. Because rental firms experience loss of revenue when there are either too few or too many cars sitting in their lots, it is very important to efficiently manage the fleets. This success factor represents a big strength for the industry since it lowers if not completely eliminates the possibility of running short on rental cars. Efficient distribution is another factor that keeps the industry profitable. Despite the positive relationship between fleet sizes and the level of profitability, firms are constantly growing their fleet sizes because of the competitive forces that surround the industry. In addition, convenience is one of the crucial attributes by which customers select rental firms. Another key success factor that is common among competing firms is the integration of technology in their business proc esses. Through technology, for instance, the car rental companies create ways to meet consumer demand by adding the convenience of online rental among other alternatives. Furthermore, firms have integrated navigation systems along with roadside assistance to help their customers find the desired location easier and faster. Is the industry attractive or unattractive and why? There are many factors that impact the attractiveness of the car rental industry. Because the industry is moderately concentrated, it puts new market entrants at a disadvantage. What is more, existing companies in the industries can take measures to attack new entrants. Because of the risks associated with entering the industry among other factors, it is not a very attractive sector of the marketplace. From a competitive standpoint, the leisure market is 90 percent saturated because of the active efforts of Enterprise to dominate this sector of the market. On the other hand, the airport terminals are heavily guarded by Hertz. Realistically speaking, entry in the industry offers low profitability relative to the costs and risks associated. For most consumers, the main determining factors of choosing one company over another are price and convenience. Because of this reason, rental firms are forced to offer more to the consumers for less just to remain competitive. Based on the impact of the five forces, the car rental sector is not a very attractive industry to potential new market entrants.

Breaking Barriers: An Intersection of the Institution and the Information Superhighway :: Essays Papers

Breaking Barriers: An Intersection of the Institution and the Information Superhighway What it is all about Distance education. What is it? Barry Birnbaum has cited a feasible definition for it in his book, Foundations and Practices in the Use of Distance Education. The definition is according to a study done by Moore and Kearsley in 1996. Birnbaum quotes, â€Å"distance education is defined as planned learning that normally occurs in a different place and requires a well-defined system of delivery that includes modified teaching techniques, alternative modes for communication (i.e. computers), as well as alternative administrative and organizational components.† (Birnbaum, 2001, p. 1)[1] Then, again in 1996, another researcher by the name of Keegan assigned 5 criteria in his definition of distance education. These 5 criteria are: â€Å"a.) Separation of teacher and learner throughout the learning process, b.) The influence of the organization in the planning and preparation of learning materials, c.) The use of technical media to unite teacher and learner, d.) The role of two-way communication, and e.) The separation of the learning group during the process.† (Birnbaum, 2001, p. 2)[2] Bearing these two definitions in mind, let us proceed. I. How it was all started A man named Isaac Pitman started the whole concept of distance education in England around 1840.(Birnbaum, 2001, p. 10)[3] He wanted to create an opportunity for people to learn shorthand that would otherwise, not be able to do so due to work constraints or other everyday obligations. According to Birnbaum, since this period of time, the primary utilization of distance education has been in the field of foreign language. However, other institutions opt to employ distance education as well. For example, the armed services have found that technical training can be provided to a large number of military personnel in a cost-effective manner through distance education course delivery modules. (Birnbaum, 2001, p. 11)[4] Large corporations such as Best Buy also use e -learning in order to deliver quick, effective training to their employees in lieu of having an actual time reserved for training the employees.