Human Resource Information Systems Essay

1. â€Å"Suggest how HR professionals can use online recruiting to more effectively support recruitment activities while reducing organizational costs.† Retaining and acquiring talent with high qualities is crucial to an organization’s success. â€Å"As the economy and job market heats up, so has the market for corporate recruiting and recruiting service and consultants† (Bersin, 2013). Therefore, the labor force becomes more competitive and available skills become more diverse, HR professionals need to be more selective when choosing the right candidate. Poor decisions made by recruiters can result into negative effects for the company. Another thing that can impact an organization as well as an employee’s morale is high training and development cost. For this reason alone, many companies have turned to e-Recruiting. â€Å"Online recruiting involves less human interaction, reaches a much broader audience, files records electronically, and provides select ion tools electronically† (Friend, 2014). Companies can conduct everything online while spending less money sending all employees to a training session or meeting off-site. Just by conducting meetings, training, etc. online saves the company a lot of money. For example, new hires really make up the majority of the cost because they need to be trained in every aspect of the job they are taking on. Also, training occurs with other employees besides new hires when a new product or service surfaces within the company. All employees need to learn about the new products or services in order to promote them to their clients. Online recruiting comes in handy since it’s a real money saver by having employees do everything online via internet instead of meeting each time for different things. Online recruiting is not only cost effective but it’s quick and easy to do. HR professionals can posts job postings anywhere there is an internet  connection and receive responses just as quickly. Online recruiting can become very convenient. 2. â€Å"Recommend four (4) strategies to mitigate the unintended consequences associated with e-Recruiting.† Four strategies to mitigate the unintended consequences associated with e-Recruiting include: Ensuring consistent high customer satisfaction online and maintaining consistent high service When e-recruiting, recruit and select applicants who appear to have out-going personalities that fit within the organizational culture This can be determined from likes/dislikes Express that training and incentives will be provided in order to encourage loyalty, motivation, and focus on doing whatever it may be to meet the needs of the customer, and create Create a consistent set of HR practices that work together to create a culture of customer service. A strategy is not always planned and HR professionals usually have to adopt this strategic plan. Maintaining excellent service and high customer satisfaction is a good look for the company. Also, it’s a great strategy to have to meet all the needs of the customers to ensure their returned business and for them to spread the good comments about the company to their family, friends, and co-workers. The last strategy to mitigate the unintended consequences is for HR to get their practices to work together for the good of the company. HR needs to put a process in place that will be successful and beneficial to the employees and the company. 3. â€Å"Propose one (1) approach in which online recruitment can help ensure the employee’s psychological contracts are fulfilled.† According to Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson (2012), psychological contract fulfillment, employee satisfaction, and retention rates are three other important goals of the recruitment process. The employees’ beliefs about the obligations and promises between them and their companies are what the psychological contract refers to. It’s going to be important to explore the extent to which online recruitment can help ensure that employees’ psychological contracts are fulfilled. Information that is collected and distributed during the recruitment process shapes the expectancy that leads to psychological contract fulfillment, which directly affects employee satisfaction and retention rates. The numerous expectations that shape the psychological contract include the work role, such as job performance; social relations, such as co-w orker and customer interactions; economic  rewards (raises, monetary incentives), and company culture. According to Heneman and Judge (2006), one approach to use to ensure psychological contracts are filled is a realistic recruitment message. 4. â€Å"Suggest three (3) strategies you would use to attract high-quality candidates and members of diverse groups using an e-Recruitment approach.† One strategy to use to attract candidates would be through social media. Examples of social media would be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even email such as Hotmail, Yahoo, and Google, etc. Today’s world is very technical savvy and most people now use the internet for everything, these medias would be perfect for announcing job vacancies and announcements. For example, when I used to work for State Farm I made a Facebook page for the company and promoted different products and services that we offered. Another strategy I would use is at the end of applicants completing their work history, etc. before submitting to the job, a series of detailed questions would be asked that relates to specific job in which they are applying for such as years of experience performing that particular job, and skill competencies, etc., this would eliminate applicants that don’t have the necessary experience and skills and alleviate unwanted applications. One last strategy I would use to determine diverse groups is have the applicant fill out an optional survey informing of their race, gender, etc. The survey if completed or not would not have an impact on whether or not the applicant is interviewed and the applicant would also be informed of this as well. This would only be for survey purpose that will allow the organization to see if and how many people from diverse backgrounds are applying. 5. â€Å"Take a stand on whether or not the attributes of a Website (attractiveness, quality, and ease of use) would affect your motivation to apply for a job at that company. Justify your position with specific examples from two (2) business Websites that you are familiar with.† In my opinion, I find that when applying for positions the company’s attractive quality and ease of use website is very important. This lets me know that the company takes pride in their name and what to make an impression on the candidates that are applying. Even though they are the ones that are hiring, they need employees to work as well as a candidate needs a job. The first impression is a lasting impression, and if I’m impressed with the Website then chances are I’m going to be impressed with the company and would want to work for them. Two websites that I’m  familiar with are www.indeed.com and www.careerbuilder.com. I used these two websites frequently because they always have up to date posts on their websites every day and have a variety of positions available. Both sites are colorful, and allow you to type in key words related to the job of interest along with the city and state. Next, it will display jobs related to the key words that are entered. The jobs that are displayed list the job title, company name, and a brief description of the job that includes the range in job salary, for some. Both search engines are easy to navigate, the content of the information is relevant to what I’m looking for. Also, usability is a plus, because they both allow you to receive job alerts, creat user accounts, and answer frequently asked questions. 6. â€Å"Propose four (4) security controls you would put into place to prevent unauthorized access to data and unauthorized disclosure of data when using e-Recruiting systems.† One security control I would use is each applicant would have to set up their own personal username and access code. This should ease the mind of the applicant, because this is information that only the applicant would use and have access to. Next, I would design a security control that is time sensitive and require the user to sign back in if the computer is idled for a certain amount of it the user spends too much time in one area without moving on to the next area. Third, I would use an online security system that would prevent hackers and unauthorized access to applicant’s information. â€Å"The last security control that I might put in place would be some type of software where you have to answer personal related questions about your past that only that specific person would know† (Zeidner, 2007). For example, a multiple choice question might pop up and ask which of the following are related to you and the employee that is trying to gain access would have to answer the question correctly. According to Kavanagh et al, I would develop privacy protection policies that (1) restrict access to data, (2) restrict disclosure of data, and (3) ensure that only job-relevant data are collected for decision-making purposes. Everyone has to be careful nowadays, because hacking into computers is just as easy as breaking into a house nowadays. References Bersin, J. (2013, May 23). Corporate Recruiting Explodes: A New Breed of Service Provders. Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2013/05/23/corporate-recruitment-transformed-new-breed-of-service-providers/ Friend, L. (2014). Advantages of Online Recruiting. Retrieved from Chron: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-online-recruiting-3093.html Heneman, H.G., & Judge, T. A. (2006). Staffing Organizations (5th ed). Boston: McGraw Hill (nd). Introduction to Online Recruitment. HRM: Guide Human Resource Management. Retrieved from: http://www.hrmguide.co.uk/recruitment/introduction_to_online_recruitement.htm Kavanagh, M. J., Thite, M., & Johnson, R. D. (2012). Human Resource Information Systems (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Zeidner, R. (2007, December 1). HR Magazine: Making Online Recruiting More Secure. Retrieved from SHRM: http://www.shrm.org/Publications/hrmagazine/EditorialContent/Pages/1207hrtech.aspx

The Door

A positive outcome takes initiative. In his poem, ‘The Door’, Miroslav Holub commends us to initiate change by symbolically opening the door. Recognising the importance of change Holub repeats his command several times in the poem, ‘Go and open the door’. To inspire us to accept change he lists possibilities you can find on the other side of the door. Magic city is purely imagination. Holub is persisting us to be in a positive mental state once we initiate change. In his poem, ‘The Door’, Miroslav Holub encourages you to seek and welcome any kind of change in your life.By initiating change, you encounter different obstacles and even if it is just small Holub believes it will still enhance your life. Even if it is barely anything such as ‘hollow wind’, the intention of making a change will make a difference. No matter what, Miroslav Holub motivates us to take the chance. There will possibly be a ‘The Door’ gives you assu rance that beyond the obstacle you face there will be better outcomes as long as you allow yourself to progress and think positively. ‘If there is a fog, It will clear up. ’Once the fog clears up Miroslav Holub inspires us by listing possibilities that may be waiting for on the other side of the door. ‘a tree, or a wood, A garden, Or a magic city’ A magic city is imaginative. Holub motivates us to ‘Go open the door’. He commands us to ‘Go open the door’ because he believes the change in our life will benefit us. Even if there is just ‘hollow wind’, it will still benefit us. He reassures us that the ‘fog will clear up’ and the ‘darkness will tick by’ and positive change will be be waiting on the other side of the door for you, as long as you allow yourself to open the door.

Ceo Overpaid

The topic of my report is the myth about American chief executives being overpaid. To start with, the idea that American bosses are obscenely overpaid dominates in the modern society. For instance, Among the true believers in this consideration are the NY times and Forbes who complain of fat paychecks awarded to CEOs who don’t deserve them. What is the basis of this orthodoxy? Actually it rests on three propositions First and foremost – CEO pay just keeps on going up The second one – the fact that it is not tied to performance of the company and the last but not least – that boards are not restraining their appetite.Altogether these propositions in turn rest on a bigger argument: that CEOs are using their political power to tamper with the system. The article highlights Steven Kaplans opinion as recently he has published a research regarding the problem. Above all, it should be noted that he distinguishes estimated and realized pay. Estimated pay is t Esti mated pay is the estimated value of the CEO’s pay, including stock options, when the board does the hiring. Realised pay is what the CEO actually makes when he exercises his options.In fact Steven Kaplan disproves practically all the arguments given above. First, He questiones the idea that CEO pay always goes up by providing data which shows that, it shot up between 1993 and 2000. But since then it has fallen. Average estimated pay for the bosses of S&P 500 companies has declined by 46% since 2000. Furthermore, turning to relationship between pay and perfomance Mr Kaplan argues that CEOs are clearly paid for improving the performance of their company’s stock.Firms with CEOs in the highest 20% of realised pay generated stock returns 60% greater than those of other firms in their industries over the previous three years. Firms with CEOs in the bottom 20% underperform their industries by almost 20%. CEOs are also kicked out if they fail to perform well. Thus Mr Kaplan pr ovides a valuable corrective to much of the rhetoric that surrounds this subject. But two questions remain troubling. One is about short-termism. Many critics of CEO pay argue that the problem lies not with the size of the pay packets but with the incentives that they create.Many bosses receive options that are worthless unless the company’s shares reach a certain price, but fabulously lucrative if they exceed it. This may spur them to take big risks to boost share prices in the short term, and then cash out. But if their bets go sour, other shareholders suffer. According to the author of the article, it would be better to pay bosses in restricted shares, which they must hold for a specified period rather than choosing when to sell. The second question concerns the political economy of inequality.It is one thing for CEOs to earn $10m a year when the economy is booming, but quite another when unemployment is 8%. For example, the CEOs of such companies as CBS, Oracle and Viacom all earned more than $50m in 2010. Bosses should not underestimate the risk that their riches could provoke a backlash against business. Nevertheless, there is no quick fix. Some fat-cat floggers want governments to regulate pay to reduce inequality within firms. Other reformers say the way to deal with high pay is to give more power to boards or shareholders.The Dodd-Frank law of 2010 required all public firms to hold an annual â€Å"say on pay† vote for top executives. However last year, despite a lot of noise by activists, shareholders voted to uphold 98% of pay proposals. Finally, The evidence suggests that CEO pay is determined mostly by supply and demand, not bad corporate governance. The thing is that Companies compete for scarce talent. They pay what it takes to woo the best bosses, and sack them if they stumble

Case Study- Wicked Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case Study- Wicked - Assignment Example ike the stage manager, the assistant stage manager is an equipped personnel who possess skills such as organization and coordination skills fundamental for the effective communications between various team members. For example the coordination of the backstage member and the stage director is the responsibility of the stage manager or the secondary stage manager. Show producers, such as Marc Platt, have the responsibility of ensuring that all the members are aware of what they are doing. In the case of difficulties, or changes, or improvements needed, (s)he highlights all of them these may regard any changes during the process of presentation or rehearsing, time changes among others. The cast, those who take the role in the performances, are also an essential element of the wicked. There is also the promotions manager who deals with the organization of the sales of the tickets. He also advertises the events, contacts the local media and explains the reasons for the shows being throug h such channels as radio promos. The backstage manager ensures that everything goes as per by the plan. Another important element of the wicked musical is the theatre technical crew. They are a team that is responsible for the smooth running of the production. They intervene in such areas as the audio engineering, lighting operations technicians. This team works hand in hand with the stage manager who usually signals them to carry out an operation when need be. There is also an important member of the team who takes care of the prompt book. The prompt book is the guide entailing the communicative cues, technical notes, blocking, and information fundamentally important to the success of the presentation. Props are also part of the musical which enhances the projection of the themes and create an environment of the prevailing or intended mood. Organizers pack. It is the committee responsible for the organizing of the event and personnel from the preshow to the post show. There is also

Journal week 3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Journal week 3 - Assignment Example This theme is greatly developed by Rocky who is CeCe’s friend. Education is an important aspect as much as development and growth are concerned. The company of CeCe is not worth as much as education is concerned, and at times she is tempted to follow the ways of her friend. Learning occurs through social learning, operant conditioning and classical conditioning. As parent I would be concerned if my child learned what CeCe does, this type of learning is likely to occur through social learning where observed behavior becomes copied behavior. On the contrary if a child learned from the character of Rocky it will be beneficial for the development of the child even in terms of Christianity. Theme of talent is also outspoken in this TV show, it is a very common phenomenon among the youths. From a biblical point of view it would be prudent if a talent was used to serve God rather than use the talent for other purposes. The talent is not used for the purpose of serving God and I would therefore not recommend my child to watch the show as it might have a negative influence. Though there can be some themes that are not appropriate in the show, other themes are very fundamental for the development of a teenager and I would not deter my child from watching the show. Having read one of the best American adolescent magazine called teen vogue I can concur that are some themes that portrayed in the magazine that are good for development of a child in aspects such as spiritual, emotional and physical. Though there are some themes that are no appropriate for the growth and development of a child due to the fact the child the child can assimilate some nasty behavior from the magazine. Celebrity is a theme that orchestrated in the magazine, this are very influential persons to the teens. Some of the celebrities are role models to particular teenagers and for this reason if a celebrity does a stupid act, a teen can try

BEER GAME Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

BEER GAME - Essay Example Furthermore, during cold weather the demand declines drastically thereby increasing the cost of manufacturing the product. Businesses exist in self-sustaining cycles. When the demand for a product changes the prices of other complimentary products some of which are useful in the manufacturing process changes as well thereby compounding the challenges facing a business, the supply of bottled water for example uses such products and services as plastic bottles, branding and transportation among others. The nature of the product makes it susceptible to climatic conditions since they influence the demand thus compounding some of the supply challenges (SILK, 2006). The transportation cost for the bottled water is likely to increase during warm water as the demand for the product increases regionally. This implies that demand increases even to the transporters a feature of the business that is likely to increase the cost of conducting business thereby increasing the price of the product. D emand for bottled water increases during special occasions such as end year parties, graduations and sports among others. The demand for the product stays either constant or declines in the absence of such social gathering. The impromptu arrangement of some of the social functions makes it challenging the supplier to increase the quantity of the product during manufacture and to organize for their transportation to the university in time. Additionally, most of such occasions last a day and attracts undetermined quantity of people. Such occasions as graduations and sports attract many people while some occasions such as seminars and class parties may not attract as much people. The periodic nature of the demand coupled with the unreliable size of the demand makes both manufacturing and transportation to the university more challenging (PRASCH, 2008). It is more challenging to change the quantity of the product for a day and organizing for their transportation to the market. The sudde n organization of some of the events makes it more difficult for the business to set up the necessary infrastructure to manufacture an increased volume and transport them to the market in time. The problem increases since the company must find market for the excessive market should it increase its production yet the demand fails to meet the quantity of the supply. Such excessive production results in losses for the business (FISHER, 2007). Graduation gowns Graduation gowns on the other hand have a more determined market. The products are essential to the students at the end of every academic year as the students adorn them in their graduation ceremonies. This implies that the supplier has a specified amount of time of both manufacture and supply to the university, additionally; the supplier operates closely with the institution. The supplier of graduation gowns therefore has a determined market. However, the business just as any other faces numerous challenges most of which arise fr om the nature of the demand (BURROW & BOSILJEVAC, 2009). The products are for example relevant only during graduations. This implies that the supplier remains out of business during the rest of the academic days. The demand for the product stays minimal during the rest of the days but rises abruptly during the graduation day. While the supplier

Enterprise infrastructure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Enterprise infrastructure - Essay Example It is subdivided into smaller sections within a large portal. An EIP allows users to get information in the desired context. It categorizes information for easy access to users. It also allows employees to collaborate by sharing information regardless of their geographical locations. An EIP allows an organization to disseminate information efficiently. It also enables an organization to consolidate all its websites in a single platform. In addition, it provides quick access to information within an organization. EIP allows employees in an organization to access relevant personalized information quickly. EIP can also provide targeted employee information depending on their roles preferences. One of the most important guidelines for determining the best information sharing approach is information security. In any communication, the message is supposed to remain confidential. It should not reach unintended parties. An EIP is relatively secure for sharing organizational information because various categories of users can access different portals. The system allows authorized users to login to respective accounts and get personalized information. The second factor that determines the approach of sharing information within an organization is the accessibility of the information. A good system of sharing information should be easy to use and widely available. It should not be confined to specific places alone. It should enable users to get what they want at any place and time. The third factor that determines information sharing strategy in an organization is the speed of dissemination. Information should reach the recipient within the shortest time possible. A good information sharing system should, therefore, transmit the information to the recipient within a short period. An organization should encourage the use of three information flows within the organization. The three information flows are downward, upward and

Identification and analysis of DNA repair mechanisms that contribute Literature review

Identification and analysis of DNA repair mechanisms that contribute to resistance against nucleoside analogues - Literature review Example Consequently, DNA is damaged frequently, and is repaired through pathways of repair and proofreading functions by DNA polymerase. Multiple mechanisms of repair within the cell act to balance these levels of mutation. However, the large number of mutations that occur means that every so often, the repair process misses these mutations and they become part of the DNA. This process can be the first step in carcinogenesis . There are currently 346 different genes that have been associated with the development of cancer, although this number continues to grow. In some cases these genes are mutated in cancer cells and not in normal cells. In other cases, genes may show substantial levels of deregulation. Both of these processes have the potential to significantly decrease the effectiveness of certain genes, leading to altered pathways within the cancer cell and the body itself . This suggests that mutations are a crucial part of the formation of cancer. Indeed, human cancer appears to have thousands of different mutations by the time that it is first detected. Furthermore, information that cancer can be inherited from one generation to the next suggests that some of these mutations can be passed along in genes . Cancer is characterised by high levels of clonal expansion of somatic cells. These cells are not subject to the normal growth regulation components of the cell cycle. Thus, they are able to proliferate beyond the normal constraints of tissue. Likewise, the controls over apoptosis are also circumvented . Most tumours that develop in the human body are substantially heterogeneous. This suggests that multiple mutations occur within human cancers driving the creation of tumours and the change in function between normal cells and cancerous cells . Thus, cancer can be considered to be a disease, or collection of diseases, that occurs due to genetic abnormalities accumulating within cells . In each generation of cancer cells, significant mutation occurs within diffe rent cells, and those that develop mutations that facilitate cancer growth are selected for, resulting in an increase in the prevalence of these cells. Mutations may be subtle, such as changes in the sequence of nucleotides, or more substantial, involving changes in the chromosomes themselves . One significant factor in cancer treatment resistance is that therapeutic killing cancer cells, while causing cancer to go into remission, can also act to select for resistance to treatment. This can result in a progression of tumour growth, with cells that cannot be targeted by the same treatment . Another form of resistance that can occur is based on the cells location in the division cycle. Cancer therapy tends to be most effective on cells that are rapidly replicating. Furthermore, resistance to treatment can often be stronger in some stages of the cell cycle than others . Cancer cells contain a wide range of mutations, and these mutations may act to drive the formation and progression of tu

Emotion Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Emotion Theories - Essay Example Over the years of research, several theories regarding how the neuroanatomy of emotion functions scientifically extend from right hemisphere hypothesis, which suggests that same neural systems causes all emotions, specifically with the right hemisphere of the brain as responsible in processing emotions (Wager, Phan & Liberzon, et al., 1998; Killgore and Yurgelun-Todd, 2007). Regardless of the strong data supporting the major role for the right hemisphere on emotions, a number of substantial evidence from research revealed a new pattern of brain asymmetry. The second theory such as the Valence Model proposes a combination of some brain systems (Elfenbein, Mandal, Ambady, et al., 2004). According to the theorists supporting this hypothesis, the right hemisphere of the brain processes negative emotions, while the left hemisphere, for positive emotions (Killgore and Yurgelun-Todd, 2007). The purpose of this paper is to discuss and compare the two different theories of brain and emo tion and establish evidence from empirical research in favor of the alternative Valence hypothesis. The pioneering theory about brain and emotion states that the left hemisphere is related with cognitive processes, whereas the right hemisphere is engaged with the interpre... Correspondingly, two years after, Babinsky (1914) confirmed that patients with injury on the right hemisphere became manic or emotionally indifferent (as cited on Dameree, Everhart & Youngstorm, et al., 2005). The two early studies directed to the development of the "right hemisphere hypothesis", which asserts the most important role for the right hemisphere in the processing of all human emotions. Many studies have provided support for this hypothesis. For example, a recent research conducted on recognition of emotion in facial expression among thirty seven brain-damaged subjects (Adolphs, Damasio and Tranel, et al., 1996) noted significant results. First, that participants with lesions on the left hemisphere showed no malfunction in the facial expressions of emotion, whereas, subjects with damage on the right hemisphere displayed such impairment. Further, the research suggests that impairment of the processing of facial expressions of emotion is attributed to lesions of two discrete regions in the right neocortex such as the right inferior parietal cortex and the anterior infracalcarine cortex. Intimately associated with this research is the hypothesis that people with damage to the left hemisphere produces intellectual disorders. Damage to the right hemisphere however produces affective disorders and failure to respond to humor (Wager, Phan & Liberzon, et al., 1998). Sackiem, Gur and Saucy (1978), confirmed that facial expressions are more intensely expressed in the left side of the face, suggesting a greater involvement of the right hemisphere in the production of emotional displays. Research in schizophrenia also noted that these particular patients who are well

The BAd Effects Of Alcohol Essay Example for Free

The BAd Effects Of Alcohol Essay Alcohol is harmless when not drinking in mass quantities, even it helps body in some cases, for example wine protects people from heart attacks. However, if you get used to drink alcohol, you can easily abuse. Alcoholism happens when someone engages in frequent alcohol abuse. As time goes on, alcohol starts to alter chemical makeup of brain, resulting in user to depend on alcohol so as to feel good. In the end, their body starts to crave alcohol in order to function properly and alcoholism comes to person with many damages. An addiction to alcohol can have destructive and irreversible effects on a persons health which we can classify as physical, psychological and economic. The initial effects of alcoholism are the physical ones. These are the most important, because these can bring about your death. For instance, alcohol abuse affects the nervous system and then lead to permanent brain illnesses which are dementia and Alzheimer. Furthermore, an abuse of alcohol over a number of years has been linked to developing cancers such as liver, colon, throat and breast cancer. Besides, alcohol is a toxin which affects all body cells and tissues. According to the Jerry Kennard from Mens Health, uncontrollable drinking gives rise to crucial health difficulties (1996). Also Jerry Kennard stated that â€Å"Each year more than 100. 000 Americans die of alcohol-related causes. † (1996). All these physical effects make your life expectancy decrease and cause your premature death. The second results caused by alcoholism are psychological. At first alcohol makes you feel relaxed, but if you keep drinking more and more times, it increases anxiety and causes Oner, Page 2 depression. It also changes your behaviors and you may have some complications with your family and social circle. For example, a drunk man may use violence to even his wife or daughter due to have a blackout which is caused from alcohol. In short, just for pleasure which lasts for a short time, you may lose your family and your good friends forever. The last consequences of alcoholism are economic. Alcohol is not cheap and when people are drunk, they do not care about money which is paid for alcohol or another things. As a result, they do not have enough money for their major necessities. According to Shane Hall, eHow contributor, overindulgence drinking and alcoholism cost community billions each year and this includes the cure payments, prices to get rid of illegal situations and becoming unable to work which results from alcohol-related ailments and in the end untimely death. Thus, alcoholism not only causes your death, but also may result in lost all your wealth which you can leave an inheritance to new generations. In conclusion, the effects of alcoholism which are physical, psychological and economic can bring about many problems that influence your life in all aspects. Alcohol alters your brain, muscles, cardiovasculer system, sexual conditions, digestion process and other disorders that affect your health. In addition it can cause your suicide owing to the depression and other brain damages. Besides, it will leave you in pennilessness, because it costs a lot. Finally, there is no reason to drink alcohol in excess, we can drink just a glass of wine and enjoy it!

A Study of Building Obsolescence in Standard Design

A Study of Building Obsolescence in Standard Design Abstract Once the building is obsolete cause by the defect of varying physical deterioration an ageing of various component and building of various age. The primary objective of this dissertation is to find out life cycle of building element and obsolescence and the effect for the building obsolescence. The definition and differentiation between obsolescence and depreciation, as well as explanation for all different types of obsolescence are being identified on the early stage of the dissertation. A survey is then conducted, few case studies are being conducted to collect information from double storey terrace housing tenants in order to achieve the targeted objective. During the survey, some difficulties are being encountered, such as time constraint and restrict of the obsolescence building have been over cycle life 30 years olds. The findings of the dissertation show that part of the hypothesis, which was set at the early stage is wrong. Not all types of obsolescence will cause depreciation of rental in office building. Legal obsolescence will not cause the renewal building and effect the service life of the building. At the end of the dissertation, recommendation will be made base on the research throughout this dissertation. It should be noted that the results from this survey are not perfectly reliable. However, it is hope that it can be a guideline to those who wish to carry out comprehensive or further research on building obsolescence. A STUDY OF BUILDING OBSOLESCENCE IN STANDARD DESIGN TERRACE HOUSES IN PERAK Chapter 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter is the introduction of the dissertation. It will define the background of the study. Aim and objectives of the research will be listed to give a clear understanding on the purpose of this dissertation. Besides, hypothesis is also stated to tell the reader what are the key questions being examined. Scope of study will be deliberated in this chapter too. It is to discuss on the coverage of this research. Research methodology will also be covered in this chapter to describe the method used to achieve the aim and objectives, as well as the way used to produce this dissertation. Case study, interview and questionnaire will be the main methodology of this research. The last part of the chapter will be the research structure, where it shows the layout of the chapter of the dissertation. 1.2 RATIONALE The initial idea of this topic is developed during my visit to my aunts work place. Renovation of her office building is carried out at that moment. The reason for the renovation work, which she told me, was to make the building attractive again, so that, the look of the building would not be out of date. Therefore, it gave me an idea to do a research on building obsolescence. Discussion with my colleagues and supervisor was carried out to narrow down the scope of this topic. Besides, many reading and thinking were done to decide what emphasis of my research is to be. Finally, the narrowed topic was found. As I have found out, obsolescence has been a persistent problem affecting houses property in recent years. Due to the impact of obsolescence, many houses have been renewal and redeveloped after only 20 to 30 years life, long before reaching the end of their physical life. Many houses in the future are likely to enjoy even shorter useful lives as a result of increased rates of obsolescence. Obsolescence occurs due to physical deterioration, wear and tear, technological advances, changes in the economic conditions users requirements, design, appearance, taste, legal, and social needs. Once the building is obsolete cause by the defect of varying physical deterioration an ageing of various component and building of various age. The research is undertaken to find out life cycle of building element and obsolescence and the effect for the building obsolescence. Hence, my research will discuss this issue in greater depth and goes on to consider different types of obsolescence. By doing so, I wish that the results from this research will help me to understand the defect of component of material cause the obsolescence building. Such results may also help me in future to know on the prevent ways to treat the obsolescence in building. 1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVE Aim To investigate varying physical deterioration an ageing of various component and building of varies age. Objective: 1. To investigate the life cycle of building element and obsolescence. 2. To investigate the effect for the building obsolescence. 3. To explain strategy for avoiding and minimizing the obsolescence in building. 1.4 PROBLEM STATEMENT Different project types have in themselves different project life cycle, which in turn influence the life expectancy of their various component. Different elements of building also have different stage obsolescence, Users or owners may change and have requirements different from those the element was initially intended to fulfill. Many of the technologies of modern facilities, as well as the activities they shelter and support to minimizing obsolescence, have changed substantially in recent decades and are continuing to change. 1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY The problem of obsolescence is hardly new so need find the board expertise and extensive experience to get the more information for this dissertation. We should be concerned that in an age of rapidly changing technology our buildings are apt to be obsolete. These building might have been built 35 years ago so we will investigate varying physical deterioration of ageing. These changes in technology are not only inevitable; in the long term they are desirable because the new systems and services offer enhanced performance to the facilities, users and owners. However, in the short term, obsolescence can be costly. Thoughtful design and management can defer or avoid obsolescence and thereby improve efficiency as well as effectiveness of our facilities, and that is the ultimate aim of this dissertation. 1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Various research studies relating to building obsolescence in standard design houses in Perak had been carried out in many ways:- Literature review Case Study and Questionnaires Interview 1.6.1 Literature review iterature research is very important to get the information in order to do the theoretical of this dissertation. Reading courses such as books, magazines, reference, articles, newspapers, journals and publication are some of very useful sources to get the data required for the dissertation. The sources can be reached by visiting the National Library, KTAR Library or bookshop in town. Internet advertising is very convenience to use especially for this dissertation, since it related to the internet itself and quite new. By logging onto the internet, website of the internet advertising of the property developer can visited and can get more ideal way of literature research sources. These normally gather from newspapers, journals and publications. Publication: 1. Revision Notes on Building Maintenance and Adaptation, Butterworth (1984), George.T.Hall. 2. Depreciation, Obsolescence and Ageing, (1965), Cowan,P. 3. The Fourth Dimension In building : Strategies for Minimizing Obsolescence.(1993), Donald G. Iselin and Andrew C. Lemer. 1.6.2 Case Study This stage will survey some standard design double storey houses located at Perak. Some houses was built in between the years 1970s and 1990s. Some properties also included building extension for large families, adaptations for the disable, reorganization of space, re-roofing that was present in some of the properties. The renewal internal for these properties was therefore about 20 years. This is a typical time scale for houses and it linked to the condition of properties, available funding, obsolescence, and the need to provide adequate houses in a community. A STUDY OF BUILDING OBSOLESCENCE IN STANDARD DESIGN TERRACE HOUSES IN PERAK Chapter 2 2.1 INTRODUCTION Over the past half of century, our country has been increasing the processes of ageing and obsolescence in building. An observation of buildings in any town will expose an array standards of physical ageing and condition. Many of the buildings are also being used for a purpose which they not original design that one form of obsolescence has affected them. Today, the demand for new building already diminished that many town have become derelict and need some form of urban regeneration. However, such of the regeneration is more likely from renewal and modernization through the development of greenfield sites. Many traditional structures have lower failure rates and costs less to maintain than some of the newer forms of the building. With the increasing level of affluence, standards in buildings, life styles demand to improve quality, space and other. This leads to both the desire for new building and to the renewal of existing structure. More of the renewal of the building is cause by the obsolescence building that failure the structure and the physical. There is considerable degree of confusion surrounding the definition of obsolescence. These two terms are usually without precision. A detail study on the definition of obsolescence is carried out in this chapter to make a clear understanding on building obsolescence. There are two impacts of the obsolescence on a building named are curable obsolescence and incurable obsolescence. Reflection of them will be given separately in this chapter. Obsolescence itself can be divided into different categories. As this dissertation is undertaken to find out which types of obsolescence, it is necessary to understand the definition and differences of each type of obsolescence. Hence, the chapter will also go on to define different types of obsolescence. Hopefully by doing this can provide a guidance to differentiate each type of obsolescence and eliminate the misconception of different types of obsolescence. These changes are related to the uses of a building or certain spaces within the building are expected to serve (i.e., functional); the cost of continuing to use an existing building, subsystem, or component in comparison with the expense of substituting some alternative (economic); the efficiency and service accessible by the existing installed technology compared with new and improved alternatives (technological); or the broad influence of changing social goals, political agendas, or changing lifestyles. 2.2 DEFINITION OF Obsolescence Obsolescence is not depreciation. Both of them are two different terms. However, they are related. Depreciation is an accounting terms and have a formal definition of depreciation, drafted by the Accounting Standard Committee (1987), is: Depreciation is the measure of the wearing out, consumption, or other reduction in the useful economic life of a fixed asset whether arising from use, afflation of time or obsolescence through technological or market changes. This definition is comprehensive and clearly stated what is the depreciation. Besides, the reader can understand the differentiation between the depreciation and obsolescence. Base on this definition, reader can understand the depreciation is a loss in the existing use value of the property and it occurs as the result of the building becoming obsolete. This implies that obsolescence is the cause of the building and depreciation is the effect of the obsolescence. Obsolescence was defined differently by many studies in North America and the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, according to Baxter (1971) defined obsolescence as a decline in utility not directly related to physical usage or the passage of time. This definition is not quite correct because the author does not consider physical deterioration as part of obsolescence. In accounting work, obsolescence is separated from physical deterioration. However, based on the original definition given by the Oxford dictionary, obsolescence includes physical deterioration: The word obsolete derives from the Latin obsoleo, which was in use from the middle of the sixteenth century with the following meaning, which is no longer practiced or used; discarded; worn out; effaced through wearing down, atrophy, degeneration. The other aspect that can cause confusion is whether the obsolescence is defined as a decline in the utility of the building as defined by Baxter (1971) or a loss of utility introduced by Flanagan et al. (1989). Both the definitions are correct because both decline and loss of utility are affecting the rental price of a building and therefore, shall be included in the definition. To clarify, obsolescence is the process of becoming antiquated, old fashioned, outmoded, or out-of-date. It describes a decline in utility that not result directly from physical usage, the action of the elements or the passage of time (Baum, 1991). According to Nutt et al (1976), the buildings can only truly be defined as obsolete when they have become completely useless with respect to all possible uses that they have been called upon to support. Utility the sense of use fullness, desirability or satisfaction is therefore central to the concept of obsolescence; if something is not felt to be providing utility, it will be considered obsolete (Smith et al.1998). However, because there is no single measure of utility it is difficult to produce a rational, consistent and objective measure of obsolescence (Raftery, 1991). To overcome this problem, obsolescence in buildings is normally measured in terms of the real or nominal decrease in value (Salway, 1986). Obsolescence also related to decay of tangible and intangible things that all products have an irresistible tendency to become old, but the speed of ageing is different for different objects and circumstances. Obsolescence is much more difficult to control since concerned with the prediction of charges in fashion, technological development, innovation in the design and the use of buildings. Obsolescence occurs due to physical deterioration, wear and tear, technological advances, changes in the economic conditions and user requirement. The design, appearance, taste, legal, and social needs will also have an impact to the building. The impact of obsolescence on a building can be classified into curable obsolescence and incurable obsolescence. Curable obsolescence is one that can be control by the building owner through choice the construction materials, preserve high standards of maintenance and refurbishment. But, it can only manage to a certain extent. The factors into the curable obsolescence are including: a. Construction faults b. Level of deterioration c. Poor level and standard of services Normally, curable obsolescence can be easily counteracted by means of maintenance or repair. Incurable obsolescence being the results of inappropriate changes is less easily controlled by the building owner. The most that can be done is to incorporate flexibility into the design of a building to make alterations and adaptations easier in the future. The treatment of incurable impact of obsolescence requires the introduction of new characteristic into a building, which may not be similar with the existing structure. 2.3 CATEGORISATION OF BUILDING OBSOLESCENCE Previous studies categorized obsolescence into physical obsolescence (Winfrey, 1931; Little 1964); functional and locational obsolescence (Cowan, 1965; Medhurst, 1969); environmental obsolescence (Medhurst, 1969); economic obsolescence (Seymour, 1982); aesthetic, legal, and social obsolescence (CALUS, 1986; Baum 1989). The above studies considered technological and functional obsolescence as one category. However, at later stage, CALUS (1986), as well as Duffy and Henny (1988) suggested that technological and functional obsolescence should be separately categorized because of the differences in the impact on buildings. Suggestions from them are correct. Technological obsolescence should be considered as one of the major causes of obsolescence because of its important. A building that is functionally obsolete has to be demolished to obtain a better return from the site. However, it does not necessarily apply to a building that is technologically obsolete. For example, a lift has become technologically obsolete, but it does not render the function of the building obsolete. Therefore, the building will still be retained but the lift might be replaced. Based on the above, obsolescence therefore, categorized as: Economic Obsolescence; Functional Obsolescence; Aesthetic Obsolescence; Environmental Obsolescence; Legal and social Obsolescence; Technological Obsolescence; Locational Obsolescence; Physical Obsolescence. 2.3.1Economic Obsolescence Economic obsolescence seems to control the durability of real estate, whether residential, commercial or industrial. CALUS (1986) suggested that a building might become economically obsolete following a change in the highest and best use for the land. This might result either from a change in the market condition or in planning policies. Rand came out with another suggestion saying that besides changes in market condition and planning policies, a change in the national economy can also cause the land to appreciate over and above the normal increase in cost. Compare both the suggestions; CALUSs suggestion is poorer. He has neglected national economy as one of the reason that causes economic obsolescence. National economy must be one of the concerns as it has great effect to the land value. Once there is a change in the national economy, the land value will be affected. According to Salway (1986), Economic Obsolescence is considered to be the result of a change in the highest and best use for the land. Such a change could be related to specific site or more generally to the surrounding area. Economic obsolescence is a function of appreciation rather than depreciation: a building becomes economically obsolete not as a result of the existing structure, but through enhancement of the development potential of the underlying land. The building value decreases over time due to obsolescence. The building can become obsolete if the land value exceeds the capital value of the building faster than its expected physical life. On this occasion, replacement of the existing building becomes economically attractive, as better return from the asset can be generated. For instance, the land value in a particular area drops due to relocation of the central business zone to another area. New development having advantage of cheaper land cost will be more competitive and attractive to the tenants and will cause the rental for the existing buildings to decline. Economic obsolescence is incurable and difficult to predict due to lack of information on the future development and confidentiality of government policies. 2.3.2Functional Obsolescence Functional obsolescence is a product of technological progress resulting either in change in the occupiers requirements or in the introduction of new building products: A building may be considered functionally obsolete due to its defective layout (e.g., inadequate floor to ceiling heights and close-spaced structural columns); A building may become functionally inefficient because its inflexibility to accommodate new information technology (e.g., no raised floor for distribution of cables). CALUS (1986) suggested that functional obsolescence is the loss of value of the subject facility resulting from a deficiency (other than physical deterioration) that impairs the subject when compared to a replacement facility. Functional obsolescence is mainly incurable, which can shorten the economic life of a building (Rand, 1986). Baum (1991) considered Functional Obsolescence as the product of technological progress that causes changes in the occupies requirements, impinging on the layout and facilities and also felt that legal and social obsolescence should be regarded as sub-sets of Functional Obsolescence. 2.3.3 Aesthetic Obsolescence Buildings may deem unacceptable by occupiers if the appearance is outdated and incompatible with their corporate image. Either fashion in architectural style may have changed or, alternatively the building may simply look old and fail to satisfy an inspiration to be associated with up-to-date products. The improved appearance of a building could result in more satisfied employees and the higher standing of the firm and its services or products. CALUS (1986) suggested that fashion permeates all facets of life including architectural experience. Whatever the long-term view of posterity about a particular architectural style, it will invariably fall out of favor in the medium term. The changes in fashion will provide an adverse reaction against styles, which characterized the immediately proceeding era. Architectural style cannot be defined precisely. It is best described as a State of the Art of the building design, which is characterized by fashion, vogue, available technology, and personal taste. The introduction of a new architectural style can in some cases, cause buildings with an old design to appear old fashioned and less attractive to potential purchasers or lessees. Buildings with a distinctive design appeal are more likely to have lasting appeal and to be less affected by changes in architectural style. The effect of aesthetic obsolescence is greater in commercial buildings because the buildings with new architectural styles can fetch higher rental values. The decline in the revenue of old buildings requires the buildings to be refurbished to make them attractive and competitive again. 2.3.4 Environmental Obsolescence Medhurst (1969) suggested that environmental obsolescence of a whole neighborhood may occur when the conditions in a neighborhood render it increasingly unfit for its current use. Changes in the character of an area may make a building unsuitable for its original intended use. Environmental obsolescence will normally be of greater relevance to depreciation of land than to the depreciation of buildings. Environmental change such as high pollution, road congestion and urban decay causes environmental obsolescence. For example, an office building may suddenly become obsolete when the adjacent site is used for industrial use. Disturbances from factory engines and air pollution will deter tenants from staying and the building revenue will start to decline. The need for a change in the infrastructure of an area can also cause a building to be environmentally obsolete. For example, the area needs more car parking, pedestrian areas, efficient public transport and roads. This type of obsolescence is not directly related to building design and difficult to forecast. 2.3.5 Legal And Social Obsolescence egal obsolescence stems from the introduction of new legislation or new standards controlling matters such as health, safety, and fire control, which in extreme cases may render a building obsolete. CALUS (1986) and Baum (1989) suggested that changes in social needs might result in occupiers demanding for high and compatible image, good neighborhood and amenities. For instance, cinema in an area loss its utility due to introduction of home videos, VCD or DVD. So, cinema become uneconomic to operate because loses of revenue. The only way is to convert the cinema to other uses. Many building become social obsolete although suitable for the purpose envisaged, because it is situated in the wrong location and therefore of only limited practical to use. egal Obsolescence occurs where a building fails to meet current legislation requirement and the costs involved in bringing the building up to the required standard are prohibitive. In this case, legislation will advance demolition beyond the buildings physical life. Examples, asbestos and other hazardous materials to health are now prohibited in new buildings and where they occur in existing building they need to be either removed or provided with sealed protection systems. The general condition of a building may in some cases make this financially prohibitive, even where grants for their removal are available, resulting in demolition. A STUDY OF BUILDING OBSOLESCENCE IN STANDARD DESIGN TERRACE HOUSES IN PERAK Chapter 2 2.3.6 Technological Obsolescence A Technological Obsolescence occur when the building in no longer technologically superior to alternatives and replacement is undertaken because of lower operating costs or greater efficiency. A building may become technologically obsolete before half of its physical life passed then the speed of change in current society suggests that in the future this life will be reduced even faster. CALUS (1986) suggested that this form of obsolescence occurs as a result of technological innovation. For example, some of the existing electrical and mechanical services are no longer technologically suitable or superior in terms of performance or efficiency. Consider for example, improvement in the lighting efficiency of a new lamp, which may make an existing lighting system no longer economically or technologically effective. In some situations, as with building management systems, it may be possible to install these innovations, without replacing the existing asset. 2.3.7 Locational Obsolescence ocational obsolescence occur when an area and the property located in it suffers from devaluation because it is considered less fashionable or attractive by occupiers (Bryson,1997). A building can become locationally obsolete when the economic activities in the area change (Medhurst, 1969). A change in the city planning, such as relocation of the commercial area and construction of new roads and motorways can change the economic activities of the affected areas. 2.3.8 Physical Obsolescence ittle (1964) suggested that physical obsolescence occurs solely due to the deterioration of the buildings physical fabric. This suggestion is not correct because he stressed only deterioration of buildings physical fabric causes physical obsolescence. The readers may think that no other factors will cause physical obsolescence except for the deterioration of physical fabric. Actually, components of the building can be considered as one of the physical aspect of the building. Hence, if there is any deterioration of the buildings component, the building is considered physically obsolete too. Therefore, Winfrey (1931) said that physical obsolescence not only due to the deterioration of the physical fabric but also the other components such as mechanical and electrical services and equipment used in the building. However, both the definitions have not mentioned what are the factors that cause deterioration of buildings physical fabric, materials or components. Then, CALUS (1986) came out with the suggestion saying that an asset may remain as good as ever in itself, but be rendered obsolete by external factors such as physical deterioration. Physical deterioration is defined as deterioration of the physical fabric of building as function of use and the effect of the passage of time. It is felt that the separation of physical deterioration from obsolescence is not significant, and it is considered as a category of building obsolescence. Flanagan et al. (1989) supported this view by saying that physical deterioration was considered as physical obsolescence. This is because they have similar effects, which can cause the rental price of a building to decrease and its economic life shorten. Flanagan et al. (1989) came out the statement stated that physical obsolescence is determined by environmental and non-environmental factors. Any material or component will deteriorate because of environmental factors such as radiation (solar and thermal), temperature ranges, water (rain, condensation, snow, ice), air contamination, biological factors (micro-organisms, fungi, bacteria) and stress factors (physical action of wind, hail). The non-environmental factors are generally the stresses that are imposed by humans in their various activities of living, working and playing. Examples are permanent loading, fatigue loading, impact, abrasion, chemical attack, normal wear and tear, and abuse by the user. The rate of physical deterioration can be forecast within tolerable levels of accuracy using the lives of the respective building components. However, it must be remembered that considered variation exists in the lives of even the same building component depending upon a wide range of the different circumstances (Ashworth,1996). Kirwan and Martin (1972) suggested that this physical deterioration occurs as the deterioration of the physical structure of the building. It is not simply a factor of age but a combination of age, use and scale of maintenance. Physical deterioration occurs more slowly than other forms of obsolescence, but it is predictable and curable provided the building is well maintained. Baums (1989) showed that physical obsolescence is not as significant as functional and aesthetic obsolescence. The rapid deterioration of buildings and their components can be attributes to many different causes: An emphasis upon initial building costs without considering the consequences of costs in use. Inappropriate design and detailing of buildings and their components. Use if materials and components that have insufficient data concerning their longevity. Constructional practices on site that were poorly managed, supervised and inspected. A lack of understanding of the various mechanisms of deterioration. Insufficient attention given to the maintenance the building stock. Inappropriate use by owners and occupies. Whereas the rate of physical deterioration, can be controlled by the designer through the correct choice of material, methods of construction and appropriate standards of maintenance, obsolescence cannot, other than through the ability to provide a flexible and adaptable design solution to facilitate easier adaptation and renewal at same later date. 2.4 SUMMARY After the study, I clear understanding is developed on depreciation and obsolescence as well as different types of obsolescence. There will be no confusion and misconception surrounding them. Depreciation occurs as the result of the building becoming obsolete. Hence, depreciation is considered as the effect of obsolescence and obsolescence is the cause of depreciation. The impact of obsolescence is classified into curable and incurable. Incurable obsolescence is more crucial than curable obsolescence as it is more difficult to control. It can immediately shorten the physical life of the building. Besides that, I also can understanding the 8 categorizes of obsolescence in this chapter. The categorizes of obsolescence economic, functional, aesthetic and fashion, environmental, legal and social, technological, locational and lastly physical obsolescence. Through the study, it was found that there are no best and perfect suggestions or opinions in the concept of obsolescence. Especially during defining different types of obsolescence, different authors have their own suggest