Closure of the Clyde oil refinery

Executive Summary The report seeks to analyse the shutdown of the Clyde oil refinery using economic concepts. Clyde oil refinery is the oldest oil refinery in Australia and as such, the report gives the viable economic factors that could have led to this shutdown. Several assumptions have been made.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Closure of the Clyde oil refinery specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The findings of the report are that competition from Asian mega refineries was the major cause for the shutdown. It has also been assumed that the company had been operating under near-shutdown conditions for the last few years. The entry of other competitors in the oil industry brought about the strong competition, and hence another risk factor. Its size and the inability to adopt new technology is also another cause for its closure. The shut down would lead to increase in prices and hence abnormal profits. It would al so force the remaining companies to produce more in order to meet the industry demand. Introduction The announcement of the closure of Clyde oil refinery has brought different views. Shell Australia has been forced to shutdown Clyde oil refinery due to intense competition. This will leave the refining industry with a production deficit of 75,000 barrels daily. The move had been unexpected and the shell Australia believes that Asia mega refineries will replace the output. The report looks at the economic reasons that may have led to the shut down and the impact it may have on the competitors. Body (Analysis) The Clyde oil refinery shutdown was caused by high competition and increase in demand and supply in the region (Murphy 2011). 260 employees will be laid off, leaving only 50. In order to analyse the shutdown of the firm some assumptions have been made. The Clyde oil refinery had been operating under shutdown point for the last few years. A firm reaches a shutdown position when ou tput (revenue) is just adequate to cover the total variable cost of the firm. According to Wessels (2000, p.345), the shutdown of a firm or a company occurs when the total variable costs exceeds the total revenue. The rules of shutdown in the long run are that TRAdvertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Murphy (2011), the Clyde oil refinery vice-president Andrew Smith said that the shutdown was necessitated by â€Å"increased competition from mega-refineries in Asia, supply and demand in our region†2011). The vice president also added that because of its size it could no longer compete regionally and significant investment was required. This can be explained by costs and output in the long run. Firm industry The assumption is that all the firms operate under the same cost curve in the long run. Upon entry in the market the firm was making huge profits. This attr acted other key players in the industry. As time goes (long run) the demand increases to DD. The entry and competition pushes the prices down from B to C and the output increases from Q1 to Q2. At this point firms are making zero profits. Increased competition from companies that have high output capacity pushes the prices further down. This affects the weaker companies with high avoidable costs. When the industry is operating under a loss, this pushes some firms to shut down. This is the case with the Clyde oil Refinery where competition, demand, and technology pushed it until it had to shut down its operations.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Closure of the Clyde oil refinery specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The shutdown has an impact on the remaining firms as well as the industry itself. Given that Clyde oil refinery produces 75,000 barrels per day (Edwards 2011), the output in the industry would be pushed d own further. This would force Asia refineries to produce more to fill the market demand of oil. The remaining firms in the industry would the have to raise their prices returning to p0 (Wessels 200, p.354). At this point, the supply is elastic than in the short run (LR-S). If the Asians producers cannot meet the market demand of oil in Australia, then there could be an oil crisis. When a commodity is scarce or in high demand prices go up and companies are more likely to make abnormal profits. Conclusion The shutdown of the Clyde oil refinery was as a result of high competition from Asian mega refineries. It may also have been caused by increase in demand in which it was not able to produce an output required by the industry. Reference List Edwards, M., 2011. Refinery closure cuts national fuel security. ABC Sydney, April 17 [online]. Available from  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-04-13/refinery-closure-cuts-national-fuel-security/2617164?site=sydney . Murphy, M., 2011. Shell she lves refining at Clyde. Sydney. Morning Herald, April 12. Web. Available from https://library.sydney.edu.au/about/library-projects/ .Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mankiw, N. G., 2009, Principles of economics. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage  Learning. Wessels, W. J., 2000,. Economics. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s. This report on Closure of the Clyde oil refinery was written and submitted by user Myla Stein to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

12 Cause Effect Essay Topics on #8220;Living Downstream#8221; by Sandra Steingraber

12 Cause Effect Essay Topics on #8220;Living Downstream#8221; by Sandra Steingraber If you are tasked with writing a cause or effect essay on the book Living Downstream there are many potential topics from which to choose. Of course, no matter the topic you have selected, it is imperative that you back up any statement or claim you make with facts. In order to help you in that regard, below you will find a handful of facts which might prove useful in the course of your writing. In the book, agricultural and industrial pollution are mixed together with anecdotes in order to provide readers with medical literature assessments, scientific assessments, and the conclusions therein about the relationship between rising rates of cancers and environmental influences. There remains a serious imbalance between studies of which environmental factors influence or contribute to cancers and those studies which focus instead of genetic predispositions for cancers. This remains a serious concern given that many cancers are not genetically transferrable and the source must be derived from an outside factor, such as an environmental factor. The reason this need should be filled is that the cancers caused by genetics, meaning those which are inherited, cannot really be altered at present and nothing can be done to improve upon the situation. However, those cancers caused by various environmental factors can be changed immediately and all influences mitigated, especially carcinogens. Carcinogens are substances which are known to cause cancer inside of living tissue, and these carcinogens exist in a variety of environmental substances to which people are exposed regularly. Chemical pesticides are one striking example of carcinogens which make their way into the human body. Those workers who are exposed to high levels of many chemicals regularly face contamination that goes unchecked by local healthcare, and only with blood and urine samples can the changes to the body be tracked. In the state of Illinois alone 54 million pounds of synthetic pesticides had been used on farms, many of which were poison. In 1950 less than 10% of all fields were sprayed with any pesticides but by 1993 99% had been treated with chemicals. Americans today between the ages of 35 and 64 are likely to die from cancer above all other ailments. In fact, by 1950 only 25% of adults could expect to get cancer while today that rate is almost 50% for men and 40% for women. The rise in cancer has increased steadily with processed foods, changing production habits, and changes in manufacturing. The qualifying link between all of these changes is the introduction of different chemical contaminants to the environment. Tazewell County located in the state of Illinois has shown many cases of a rare bladder cancer, a cancer which was contracted by the author when she was only 20 years of age. The high rates of said cancer has been linked scientifically to the carcinogenic chemicals in the region. The evidence presented in the book revealed that there was a six fold increase in the rates of bladder cancer among the workers who were exposed to particular chemicals related to rubber before legal workplace limits were put into place. In addition, immigrants who came to the area started to exhibit signs of the cancers adopted in the new area, and not the cancers which were prevalent in the place where they had been born. The maps presented by the author indicate that there are more cancers prevalent in urban areas compared to rural areas. In these maps, there are more cancers in the rural counties where the use of pesticides took place heavily, compared to those rural areas where the use of pesticides was minimal. The various studies presented in the book indicate that cancer clusters are prevalent near polluted dump sites, polluted valleys, polluted rivers, and near chemical factories. The same studies revealed that the rate of cancer in children has increased. The lifestyles of children have remained much the same over the last fifty years, without changes to alcohol consumption, smoking, or stress-related work, and yet the rate of cancer among children has risen at steady rates. Research indicates that the rate of shellfish and fish living within polluted waters has directly influenced the increase in cancer rates. Today, North Americans are seeing an increase in liver tumors among 16 fish species located throughout 25 different locations both fresh water and salt water. Each of these locations has become chemically polluted over the last sixty years. This was contrasted to the fact that the rates of liver cancer among members of those same fish species which inhabit waters not polluted by chemicals is almost non-existent. The studies conducted and presented by the author have indicated that chemicals contained in polluted areas are damaging to the immune system as well as to the endocrine system. The damage which is done to these areas results in the promotion of cancers. Regardless of whether the carcinogens have been introduced into the environment deliberately or accidentally, many scientists are afraid to speak out toward improvement unless they can be 100% sure there is a serious link and no other possible influencers. However, the existence of such high chemicals, even with the near one hundred percent studies which have been published, now render these areas seriously dangerous to the people who live there with very little legislation being done to help or hinder. There remains a serious cancer epidemic brought about by the chemical residues and the pesticides which have been used among the environment. This first claim has only been substantiated by studies covered within the book, and few and far between beyond that scope. With these facts in mind, you can find a unique cause or effect on which to focus for your writing (we prepared for you 20 sample topics on â€Å"Living Downstream† by S. Steingraber as well). Remember, there are many more facts out there within the span of the book and this list is by no means comprehensive. However, it should serve as a useful guide when you are starting off your work. Along with this information feel free to read our writing tips on cause effects essays. References: Reus, J. AN ENVIRONMENTAL YARDSTICK FOR PESTICIDES: AN INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PESTICIDES.  Acta Hortic.  347 (1993): 215-224. Web. Searle, Charles E.  Chemical Carcinogens. Washington: American Chemical Society, 1976. Print. Steingraber, Sandra.  Living Downstream. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Publishing, 1997. Print. Stich, H. F.  Carcinogens And Mutagens In The Environment. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press, 1982. Print. Viroj Wiwanitkit.,.  Melamine And Other Problematic Food Carcinogens. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2009. Print. Zahm, Shelia Hoar, and Susan S. Devesa. Childhood Cancer: Overview Of Incidence Trends And Environmental Carcinogens.  Environmental Health Perspectives  103 (1995): 177. Web.

Emotional responds Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Emotional responds - Assignment Example It will make the customer inquisitive to understand the product on offer and if what the customer needed, is on offer. The website displays bags with names on them to allow the users learn the names of their favourite products. Since shopping online requires trust, EBags website like many sites has included its compliance to website securities. Unlike many websites, EBags has included the number of customer reviews in its archives, number of shoppers online, and the total of bags shipped to date to raise the confidence of shoppers. The plot in EBags website is designed in a way that the audience feels emotionally attached on opening the website. The user identifies with the savings, advanced travel design bags, the season’s best picks in the web. In disbelief, the user will browse through immediately to confirm the prices, the offers, and the products. From the number of good reviews from customers, the user will identify with the customers and make a sale. Additionally, the website has relevant information to a sale and the users have the right to manoeuvre the website with their own pace. This is an internet-based travel website based in the US, which books airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages to various attraction sites. The main challenge that Expedia poses to its users is in finding a reward for their search. The customer has an option to earn double nectar points after selecting one of the hundreds deals for fall getaway. Additionally, a user has several options to select from the website, which can make him come back to evaluate the savings he would make. For instance, there is an option for a user to either book a flight, hotel, or cars separately, or book a combination of a hotel and a flight. A user who had previously booked flight and hotel separately would come back and try to make some savings on booking the two together. Like many other sites,

Literature by U.S. Women of Color Research Paper

Literature by U.S. Women of Color - Research Paper Example It is based on these stories that this research will focus on the difficulties women of color experience in different territories and how they respond to such challenges (Wang 12). Particular emphasis is placed on women faculty of color within a classroom environment dominated by white students. The paper majorly focuses on oppression among women faculty of color in institutions of higher learning such as universities and colleges. Information on the research is based on a comprehensive interview with women faculty of color in a large research institution that is dominated by whites (Aguirre 100). The study identifies how male students challenge the authority of female colored professors during classroom interactions. Research studies indicate that an oppressive environment in a classroom has the negative effect of impairing learning and academic performance. This is especially widespread among students who suffer from oppressed identities. Such research studies only reveal whether a n oppressive environment affects learning effectiveness but tends to ignore the faculty perceptions of their classrooms. A lot of literature material points out that women faculty of color spend different time periods teaching. However, the material does not concentrate much on the classroom experiences of the colored women. Sociologists provide adequate knowledge to students on how to examine racial disparities in different areas of society such as health care and religion. They offer real world examples that are used to illustrate the cultural and interpersonal social oppression that exists in the world that we are living. There has been a widespread use of the oppressive classroom environment in demonstrating different forms of racial disparities. Research studies indicate that fostering faculty diversity and effectiveness can be achieved through the support of faculty who are women of color rather than being hostile towards. This means that it is important that we understand and appreciate the perception of the classroom environment in retaining a diverse faculty (Bonilla-Silva 200). This research applies an intersectional oppression framework in exploring faculty perceptions towards colored women teachers. Oppression can be defined to as the obstacles and actions that maintain the privileges of a dominant group. Research studies indicate that there is widespread and cumulative oppression among women faculty of color. This is evidenced by the small number of recruitment or promotion of women of color in institutions of higher education. Racism based on gender is a unique kind of oppression that women of color experience (Morrison 120). This experience is based on their position in at the intersection of race and gender matrix of domination. On the basis of the above mentioned insight, this research study examines the perception of classroom experiences among women of color at the intersection of racial and gendered oppression. In this research study, the w omen of color have adequate knowledge that their experiences in the classroom are influenced by gendered racism, and that white male students have the tendency of undermining their authority because of their color. I will majorly concentrate on how structural inequality is evidenced during interpersonal interactions. This is because teaching is a major part of the lives of faculty women of color and that it is import

Lesson plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Lesson plan - Assignment Example This is generally to enable follow various instructions and give feedback either to peers or adults. This is done with support and practice to ensure the pattern persists. The supervisor should pay attention to the movement up and down the steps especially from one step to the next for the students. Very close attention to be accorded to Rosa since she has very low muscle tone and falls frequently which could prove fatal. Additionally Rosa’s fine motor skills are not fully developed hence supervisor should ensure that Rosa is supported either by her peers or the supervisor to do it in person. Communication during the process should be encourage to ensure that the peers help each other and learn to say the words The performance of Rosa during the activity will enable the supervisor to carry out the assessment. This information will be obtained during the practical session period and additional information from the knowledge obtained from peers as well as parents. The information is obtained and documented. The lesson bases just on Rosa’s motor skills. Since Rosa has low muscle tone and poorly developed motor skills there is need to improve these skills. The area of interest is the ability to coordinate movement so that she can move up and down steps without struggling. The activity is interesting so this will create a good understanding between the supervisor and Rosa. This will help develop fine motor skills which will be used in other areas of her life which include feeding. This will be done repeatedly but in stages to ensure Rosa can do it independently without much risk or problem. During the process some communication skills area also learned. How does this lesson engage students and help them achieve the goal of the lesson? How will you measure their engagement and time on task? How are you incorporating assistive technology into the lesson? How are you using

Strategies for Risk Management in Construction

Strategies for Risk Management in Construction 1.1 Introduction Risk management is one of the subfields on nine knowledge area in project management. Risk management is about managing uncertainty that inherent in most projects that require formal project management, using ‘uncertainty in the plain English ‘lack of certainty sense. Risk management also refer to a series of processes which are required for the identification, analysis, and reaction towards the projects risk in order to maximize the effects of positive uncertainty even and minimize the consequences of negative uncertainty even. Risk management also been organise in developed countries. This due to the risk management is better applied in the developed countries. Comparing with other countries with various situations, Malaysia is a developing country which the politic, economy, social and technology have mad specific risks especially related. Unfortunately, in Malaysia, the management of risk is not so systematic and requires more research and development. Malaysia seems to be developing countries because the demand for founding infrastructures is highly increasing. Currently, the government is enforcing the development plan. National economic will be burden if the plan is falling behind. This means that it is important to recognise the risks that endanger the plan. A lot of budget was spent on investment in the construction industry. The application of risk management will result in taking correct, regulated, and prompt decision through being informed about the environment despite the complication and changes in the construction industries. 1.2 Problem Statement Knowing the environment and be capable in decision making in a prompt and correct manner is the key to success in managing todays challenge and risk imminent. In case of not recognise both internal and external risks factor of the project, the managerial decision-making error will take place. Moreover, it will cause problems in time and cost assessment forecasting. Through risk management, it can identify the risk generating factor and control or remove such risk factors through analyzing and choosing the suitable action. As one of the subfields in the nine knowledge area of project management, risk management is still being paid less attention in Malaysia. In very few organisations, employers or contractors can be seen who have a proper insight into risk management. There are no any practical guidelines to be properly implemented for risk management in this industry. Furthermore, as a result of lack of binding regulations, current regulations cannot force construction parties to undertake risk management. So, by adopting scientific approach to risk management, introducing its process and eventually its compliance with existing realities in development plans, particularly in project are a necessity. The issue of risk management was for the first time raised in mid-1990s in the United States. Laws and regulations for applying risk management in projects have now been adopted. Since risk management is a new field, except for several seminars and universities research project, applied research has not taken place in risk management in Malaysia. 1.3 Research Questions i. What kind of risks occurs in the construction projects and what are their factors? ii. What are the strategies that been applied in dealing with risk? 1.4 Research Objectives i. To identify risk factors in construction industry. ii. To identify strategies of risk management applied in construction industry. 1.5 Scope of Study This research is focuses on the implementation of risk management in the Malaysia construction industry. Therefore, the scope of this study is only limited in Pahang where respondents have been chosen randomly out of this area. Moreover, the respondents comprised of contractors registering in Grade 7. The reasons for being such is that the categorization of the grade of contractors reflect, to a great extent, the size of project that being executed in the company and the size of the company. Grade 7 of contractors is regarded as big companies with large-size projects. Depending on their size of project and their company, the risk that they encounter will differ. As a result of this, to make sure the data obtained could be reliable, its necessary to limit the respondents based on the size of project and company. 1.6 Expected Findings This research will achieve some precious advantages. First is to enhance the consciousness of different key personnel of project resulting in performing the project reliably while considering issues like risk management in general management project. To accomplish this, its essential to implement theoretical concepts mentioned in numerous literatures in reality. This can guarantee a well project management through attempting to prevent from normal issues in projects like poor quality of products, cost overrun, and delays. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction Risk will bring effect on the project cost, time, and scope. This chapter covers the construction project risks. All the risks will be recognised and categories into a number of group. Then, the current trend in risk management researches would be considered. In order to meet the first objective, identification and classification the strategies used by the project manager used to avoid the risk in their project. The second objective will be fulfilling through identification and classification of risk factor in construction projects. 2.2 Definitions 2.2.1 Risk Risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, it can bring a positive or negative effect on a project objective (PMBOOK, 2000). Risk also can be defined as an uncertain event or set of circumstances if it occur, it will give effect on the achievement of the projects objectives (APM, 1997). This definition is widely use and gather welcoming upside and unwelcome downside effects. This definition works in theory but fails in practice. In this study, the effect of risk in construction project is through the way of integrated method, namely size of consequences and probabilities of happening have been measured. In the construction project, there is a lot of risk in every phase. This is the norm of any project not only in construction project. Construction firms want to have projects at international level. In every construction project, risks are present. Risks in international construction projects are more critical as compared to domestic projects especially when developin g countries are involved. That is the reason risk is desirable for international construction firms who want to do construction projects in foreign country, to identify the risks as early as possible, so that suitable strategies can be made for the penetration in to the foreign construction market and to manage these risks before the actual execution of projects on international level. Risk consequences in construction projects may reach an undesirable level because of inadequate resources and lack of advancements in technologies, therefore a thorough awareness and identification of risks is essential to prepare suitable strategies. International construction projects have many risks involved due to the nature of their structure. There are more parties involved and more phases are present in international construction projects than a conventional construction project. Each party has its different objectives. This difference in the objectives of parties leads to conflict of interest which is a root cause of risks in international construction projects. 2.2.2 Risk Factor Construction project is divided into separate phases. At the end of each phase, appraisal can be made and assessment of risk involved in proceeding with the project. The management of risk therefore a continue process and should span all the phases of the project. Since project risks are dynamic, a risk assessment must be carried out at the end of each phase prior to proceeding to the next phase. In fact, active management of risk must continue between the review points until the project is complete. Risk can also change during a phase. The result is a complete re-appraisal may need to be performed. There is a generic acknowledgement that human factors are the most important element that affects the project success. According to (Lynch, 2002), human factors bring affect to project success. A series of errors by a steel contractor lead to a near miss at Canary Wharf when a two-tonne pre-cast staircase fell from a crane and landed on the ground metres from a crowded side office. It was reported that the stairs fell when the left side eyebolt lifting pin of the staircase lifting gear came free. The load was transfer to the right-hand bolt, causing it ti shear. The report confirmed that the eyebolt was not correctly inserted. Independent testing agency Lloyds British examined key parts of the lifting equipment and concludes that the equipment would be sufficient had it been assembled correctly. Shortfalls in the firms arrangement at the site were criticised. No risk assessment or method statement had been drawn up specifically for the lifting operation and key decision were left to operators who were not trained to use eyebolt. All these shortcomings fall in sphere of human factors as defined earlier. 2.2.2 Risk Management Risk management is widely use by the companies or organizations to ensure the control of risk in the business process. In this research, the simplest possible approach to describe the risk management process is chosen due to the context of the construction sector. According to (Norman, 1993) risk management is a system use to identify and quantify all risk to a business or project that is exposed so that conscious decision can be taken on the way to manage the risk. Risk management also been mention in the PMBOOK as one of the nine areas of project management and has been illustrated as the process concerned with conducting risk management planning, identification, analysis, responses, and monitoring, and control on a project. 2.2.3 Fundamentals of Risk Management There are a lot of risks in the construction projects, and there is no standard method that can explain about the risk management. According to (Telford, 1998) risk in construction industry is the existence of real or possible chances or dangers affecting projects objective while commissioning or operating the project. According to (J. Walewski, 2002) , risks can be categories into two parts. The first part is pure risk when there is the possibility of financial gain. The second part is speculative risk that includes the possibility of both gains and losses. 2.3 Risk Management Process Project Risk Management involves procedure considering executing risk management planning, identification, analysis, response and monitoring, and control on a project. This procedure can update the majority of the project. Project risk management aims to enhance the possibility and effect of positive event, and reduce the possibility and effect of negative incident to the project. According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOOK, A guide to the project management body of knowledge, 2004), the Project Risk Management Process 2.3.1 Risk Identification Risk identification has two types which are prescriptive and creative. These two types of risk identification has their own function but they must be cautiously handled in order to make sure the process of identifying risk is economic. The result in the utilization of checklists of standard risk distinguished to appear in a special context when there is an attempt to modify the risk identification. Even though checklist is fast to make, but it is inclines to prepare the anticipations of the engaged, and the identification of risks going beyond the experience summarized in the list. The result of using the checklist method can be high, but if they are to have a function, it suggest that they better retained for examining the identification process, and make sure there is no familiar issues have been skipped or ignored. Brainstorming is another method that being hold in a group and it is the favoured method. This is a little more challenging for the participants compared to checklist method but the brainstorming seems more efficient. Brainstorming predict the identification process to gain inspiration from the wide capacity of the participants, due to decreasing the risk that is inadequate consideration will be given to new and more emergent issues, as can occur with the checklist method. 2.3.3 Risk Analysis The risk analysis is implement in each risk as significance rating structure that is considering any existent factors that might be occur which will function to check the risk. The risk analysis can be implementing with qualitative impact and likelihood scale and a matrix clarifying the significance of different composition of the risk. When risks are complicated by themselves that possibly includes various related impacts and events, some types of modelling might be essential. The significance of a risk is connected to a well explained event that will be a composition of the impact and likelihood of the risks. The significance of an unsure quantity will be a function of its three type of value which are the maximum, minimum, and most likely values. 2.3.4 Risk Evaluation Risk can be occurring in any situation. When there are just a lot of risks at the work, the evaluation phase may be proportionately simple and easy. On the other hand, it is a critical step for obtaining an accepted view of the proportionate of the recognized risks. Risk evaluation takes the primary analysis and examines the risks that occur towards the companys known preferences. Any risks which is too high or too low significance are adapted, with a record of the fact being hold for the purpose of tracking. 2.3.5 Risk Treatment Risk treatment comprises what should be done in order to give reaction to recognized risks. Any plans which were thought of before the risk management process commenced are enlarged with actions that been taken to manage the risks before they occur and providing contingency plans with which to get back if a risk happen. 2.3.6 Monitoring and Review In monitoring and review ingredient of the process, there are two levels of them. The other five steps must be remained under an examination as the time passes. Finding of better information may make the first evaluation out of date. It is now usually essential to start the whole process or repeat it once again when risks occurs, not until the change is especially deep, but those parts which are immediately influenced by changing occasions should be updated from time to time. The second step is the monitoring of the performance of the other five levels. The implementation of the risk management process attracts sources and should be administered in order to make sure that it is performed cost-effectively. 2.3.7 Communication and Consultation Communication and consultation is the key component of the risk management process and a major beneficial side effect. Risk management is success when it achieves a high level of creative input and involving all parties with a role to play in achieving a successful outcome for the project or business process being addressed. In both the planning and execution phase in the risk management process, it is prominent to make sure all those individuals who need to be involved are given adequate opportunity to do so and are kept informed of developments in the understanding of risks and the measurement taken to deal with them. 2.4 Tools and Techniques for Risk Response Planning In every project, the risks can raise when there are a lot of phases and tasks to be done in such a way that the least consideration is delivered to main issues of the project. According to (Bajaj, 2000), individual members of the project are usually focus only on the role that they have in the project risks and voluntarily or involuntarily try to pass these risks on to other project members. This means they do not want to take the responsibility to handle the risk by themselves. The crucial part of risk management is mitigating risk by minimize their effects. A systematic risk management strategy which is executed properly shall decrease the adverse effects. Risk mitigation that been properly planned and well managed is a replacement of uncertain and volatile events with a more predictable or controlled response ( (Chapman, 2002). A proper risk mitigation strategy is very important in order to reduce the likelihood of happening or possible influence and doubtfulness of a risk event. There are four types of risk management strategy which are: i. Risk avoidance which when a risk is not accepted and other lower risk choices are available from several alternatives; ii. Risk acceptance which when a conscious decision is made to accept the outcomes the event should occur; iii. Risk control which when a process of sequentially monitoring and improving the situation on the project is used. This process includes the development of a risk reduction plan and then pursuing the plan. This means that mitigation strategy is the most common risk management and handling technique; iv. Risk transfer which when the risk is shared with others. Sharing the risk with others involve contractual shifting, performance encouragement, insurance, warranties, bonds, and so on. 2.5 Classification of Risks in Construction The first stage in risk management is risk identification. Risk identification is recognising any risks that can be occur in the construction projects. Risk classification is one of the part in risk identification which is the trying to manage different risks that can give impact and influence a construction project. According to (Chapman, 2001), risk has four subcategories which are project, industry, client, and environment. From the other related literature, out of 58 risks recognized connected to construction joint ventures, (Shen, 2001) categorised them in 6 groups according to risks nature like financial, economy, technical, politic, and management. As a result, there are a lot of methods that can be use to categorizing risks that can affect to construction projects. According to other study by (Kalayjian, 2000), in the Third World of Construction classified that some of the most representative kinds of risks that are commonly use in todays global construction area are: i. Financial Risk is the economic feasibility in a project that relies on its capital organizing and capacity to draw dependable resources of financing at logical terms. Risks contain the owners power of acquiring enough budgets, deposit payment, receive tax incentives, and expect instability of currency exchange rates. ii. Design and Construction Risk which is in the construction project itself. To be success in construction projects, the managerial teams must have a power decision making. Risks that must be take care are an effective team selection process, obtaining permits and third party concurrence in timely fashion, procurement of adequate labour, materials and equipment, monitoring all changes in project scope, quality control assurance, and ensuring overall compliance with contractual obligations. iii. Weather and Environmental Risk is about the mother nature situation. In construction sites, there is vulnerable change in the weather and natural disaster like earthquakes, monsoons, and flood. Other risk can be reducing the other dangerous wastes and severe environmental legislation. iv. Economic and political risk is a risk which also can affect the construction project. The performance of economic in a country and political stability has a significant effect in construction activity and investment. Prominent risks consist of financial policy and governmental monetary responsibility, resources availability, development of infrastructures, internal stability, changes in managerial schedule, and political management. On the other research done by (Hassanein, 2007), there are several risk that has been identified which are: i. financial risks: the checklist mentioned about some financial risks which are related to the projects in this study. ii. Technical risks: the checklist show allowances for similar standards and codes. This is because the two projects studied were tendered internationally which causes contractors from different countries. iii. Risk related to change: the checklist addressed certain provisions concerning the simultaneous progress of design and construction phases on the two fast track project under study. iv. Consortium risk: in some contracts, contractors are requested to make partnership including foreign and local contractors as a necessity of tendering qualification. v. Owner obligation risks: the checklist embraced factors which should be stated in the contract to clarify owners responsibilities and to guarantee these responsibilities would be come up with on time. These include an obvious interpretation of these responsibilities, time frame for their execution and declaration of amendments if these responsibilities are not executed shall be contained in the contracts. vi. Risks regarding interface with other contractors: the checklist included specific items to mitigate risks related to interfaces with other contractors. vii. Risks regarding interface with other contractors: the checklist included specific items to mitigate risks related to interfaces with other contractors. According to (Tang, 2007), the most important risks in project are poor quality of work, premature failure of the facility, safety, financial, and incorrect design risk. 2.7 Barriers of Implementation of Risk Management According to (Liu, 2007), the most dominant risk in the construction industry is the unsupportive culture within the industry. As a result, the lack of proficiency and experience is the general reluctance for implementation of risk management in the Chinas construction industry. Lack of proficiency and experience causes contractors to be unable to identify the significance and advantages of risk management. To improve the low understanding towards risk is through changing the culture of enterprise. This is because it is essential for Chinese contractors to agree with the risk managements concept as well as execute risk management techniques. The professionals behaviour seems the most significant issue affecting the improvement of risk management in the Chinese construction industry. Organizational learning becomes the critical element of an incorporated risk management procedure which being the learning structure formed to assist Chinese contractors in developing their performance an d knowledge towards risk management. In fact, to transform the modern knowledge to their own knowledge using organizational learning seems become the critical issue for Chinese contractors in order to develop their ambitious. According to (Baloi, 2003), it appears that professionals have not completely understood the value of risk management. This is because there are advances in the methods of risk management and availability of the enormous body of knowledge of risk management. The professionals recognised language, implementation costs, and educational barriers and a fear of change to be the principal barriers of the efficient conformance. According to (Hlaing, 2008), Singapore construction contractors on construction risk identification asserted that the reason that preventing the implementation of risk management process is money but it is not the major constraint for implementing risk management program for the companies but the most important risk in the list is lack of time. This is same as stated by (Lyons, 2004), identified that time constraint is a main restriction. The activities of construction industry are really related to time when the manufacture of the construction is basically used just-in-time for the manufacture need of customer. 2.8 Risk Identification Methods In order to be successful in project management, it requires the ability to predict the risks that affecting the project scope, time, and cost. However, there are a lot of researches about risk identification, risk assessment, and management for executed facilities is focusing on types of projects or categories of risks aspects. It is related to the literature from (Howell, 2001) about the political risks that exist. Now a day, the construction industry still cannot identify the risks that occur in the project activities. According to (Walewski, 2002), the worth of systematic risk management of activities on project has not been identified. This is because the lack of common vision about risk and the parties that involved in construction industry such as owners, designers, investors, and contractors have different objectives and the relationship among them are prevalent contradict. All of the project parties not systematically make their efforts at organizing risk analysis management among themselves and this particularly correct between contractors and owners. (Fang, 2004) show a model for risk assessment. The model use for tendering project in Chinese building project based on assessment and identification of critical risks in the Chinese construction industry. As a result, the projects risk could be evaluated by analyzing the issues such as the competition for tendering and reasonableness of bid price, lack of cooperation between contractors and the owner. In other study done by (Hassanein, 2007), the marked lack of consistency in the contractors risk identification effort been identified as the risk in the power station projects on Egypt. The contractors who have more experience in Egypt were better to identify the relevant risk. Vice versa, the local Egyptian contractors who have vast experience in Egypt but limited project management experience were not really expert to properly identify risks and to take the appropriate exceptions. In fact, the bidders do not include in their proposals on their true lists of exceptions which represent genuine risks to them. CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction This chapter will cover how the research will conduct to achieve the objectives of this study. The methodology that will be use are questionnaire survey among the Pahang construction professionals, and preliminary interviews with experts will carry out. The steps are as follows: 3.2 Data Collection 3.2.1 Interview Interview is the effective procedure of data collection because the actuality of condition could be perceived specifically and comprehensively while conducting the interview. For the purpose of this study, as the scope of this study is limited to Pahang, the interview sessions will conduct through two main ways which are telephone interview as well as email interview through the internet. 3.2.2 Questionnaire Questionnaire survey is one of the others way of data collection carry out among selected construction practitioners involve in construction projects. This specialist will working in contractor construction companies. The questionnaire will be identified from interview with construction practitioners and through literature review. The survey questionnaire will administer through e-mail and fax, and postal questionnaire, and secondly through the distribution to selected contractors which are project managers, managing directors, chairman, and head of technical departments operating in the Pahang construction industry. 3.3 Data Analysis All returned questionnaire will be check from completeness and suitability for use in statistical analysis. Next, all the data collected from the questionnaire will be analyse with the assistance of statistical software program called Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). After putting the data in SPSS software program, some statistical method will be apply to the data through frequency analysis and mean index, risk analysis matrix, and single sample T-test. After putting questionnaire data into SPSS, some statistical method will be applied to the using frequency analysis and mean index, risk analysis matrix, and correlation test. 3.4 Measurement Most of the question will applied using five point of Likert scale, and other question will applied with multiple choice. The most common scale that will be use is 1 to 5. There are three sections in the questionnaire. Section A will cover about the level of risk in construction project. Participant will be given three choices of answer which is low, medium, and high to scale the risk level according to their perspective. In section B, the typical Likert scale take the following format: Risk level Rare Unlikely Possible Likely Almost certain Score 1 2 3 4 5 Table 3.1: Risk factors In section C, the respondent will be asked to choose the scale between 1 to 5. The scale 1 shows a condition which the probability of strategies been use is minor where scale 5 means the maximum probability of risk strategies usage. Strategies Not important Little important Average Important Very important Score 1 2 3 4 5 Strategies for Risk Management in Construction Strategies for Risk Management in Construction 1.1 Introduction Risk management is one of the subfields on nine knowledge area in project management. Risk management is about managing uncertainty that inherent in most projects that require formal project management, using ‘uncertainty in the plain English ‘lack of certainty sense. Risk management also refer to a series of processes which are required for the identification, analysis, and reaction towards the projects risk in order to maximize the effects of positive uncertainty even and minimize the consequences of negative uncertainty even. Risk management also been organise in developed countries. This due to the risk management is better applied in the developed countries. Comparing with other countries with various situations, Malaysia is a developing country which the politic, economy, social and technology have mad specific risks especially related. Unfortunately, in Malaysia, the management of risk is not so systematic and requires more research and development. Malaysia seems to be developing countries because the demand for founding infrastructures is highly increasing. Currently, the government is enforcing the development plan. National economic will be burden if the plan is falling behind. This means that it is important to recognise the risks that endanger the plan. A lot of budget was spent on investment in the construction industry. The application of risk management will result in taking correct, regulated, and prompt decision through being informed about the environment despite the complication and changes in the construction industries. 1.2 Problem Statement Knowing the environment and be capable in decision making in a prompt and correct manner is the key to success in managing todays challenge and risk imminent. In case of not recognise both internal and external risks factor of the project, the managerial decision-making error will take place. Moreover, it will cause problems in time and cost assessment forecasting. Through risk management, it can identify the risk generating factor and control or remove such risk factors through analyzing and choosing the suitable action. As one of the subfields in the nine knowledge area of project management, risk management is still being paid less attention in Malaysia. In very few organisations, employers or contractors can be seen who have a proper insight into risk management. There are no any practical guidelines to be properly implemented for risk management in this industry. Furthermore, as a result of lack of binding regulations, current regulations cannot force construction parties to undertake risk management. So, by adopting scientific approach to risk management, introducing its process and eventually its compliance with existing realities in development plans, particularly in project are a necessity. The issue of risk management was for the first time raised in mid-1990s in the United States. Laws and regulations for applying risk management in projects have now been adopted. Since risk management is a new field, except for several seminars and universities research project, applied research has not taken place in risk management in Malaysia. 1.3 Research Questions i. What kind of risks occurs in the construction projects and what are their factors? ii. What are the strategies that been applied in dealing with risk? 1.4 Research Objectives i. To identify risk factors in construction industry. ii. To identify strategies of risk management applied in construction industry. 1.5 Scope of Study This research is focuses on the implementation of risk management in the Malaysia construction industry. Therefore, the scope of this study is only limited in Pahang where respondents have been chosen randomly out of this area. Moreover, the respondents comprised of contractors registering in Grade 7. The reasons for being such is that the categorization of the grade of contractors reflect, to a great extent, the size of project that being executed in the company and the size of the company. Grade 7 of contractors is regarded as big companies with large-size projects. Depending on their size of project and their company, the risk that they encounter will differ. As a result of this, to make sure the data obtained could be reliable, its necessary to limit the respondents based on the size of project and company. 1.6 Expected Findings This research will achieve some precious advantages. First is to enhance the consciousness of different key personnel of project resulting in performing the project reliably while considering issues like risk management in general management project. To accomplish this, its essential to implement theoretical concepts mentioned in numerous literatures in reality. This can guarantee a well project management through attempting to prevent from normal issues in projects like poor quality of products, cost overrun, and delays. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction Risk will bring effect on the project cost, time, and scope. This chapter covers the construction project risks. All the risks will be recognised and categories into a number of group. Then, the current trend in risk management researches would be considered. In order to meet the first objective, identification and classification the strategies used by the project manager used to avoid the risk in their project. The second objective will be fulfilling through identification and classification of risk factor in construction projects. 2.2 Definitions 2.2.1 Risk Risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, it can bring a positive or negative effect on a project objective (PMBOOK, 2000). Risk also can be defined as an uncertain event or set of circumstances if it occur, it will give effect on the achievement of the projects objectives (APM, 1997). This definition is widely use and gather welcoming upside and unwelcome downside effects. This definition works in theory but fails in practice. In this study, the effect of risk in construction project is through the way of integrated method, namely size of consequences and probabilities of happening have been measured. In the construction project, there is a lot of risk in every phase. This is the norm of any project not only in construction project. Construction firms want to have projects at international level. In every construction project, risks are present. Risks in international construction projects are more critical as compared to domestic projects especially when developin g countries are involved. That is the reason risk is desirable for international construction firms who want to do construction projects in foreign country, to identify the risks as early as possible, so that suitable strategies can be made for the penetration in to the foreign construction market and to manage these risks before the actual execution of projects on international level. Risk consequences in construction projects may reach an undesirable level because of inadequate resources and lack of advancements in technologies, therefore a thorough awareness and identification of risks is essential to prepare suitable strategies. International construction projects have many risks involved due to the nature of their structure. There are more parties involved and more phases are present in international construction projects than a conventional construction project. Each party has its different objectives. This difference in the objectives of parties leads to conflict of interest which is a root cause of risks in international construction projects. 2.2.2 Risk Factor Construction project is divided into separate phases. At the end of each phase, appraisal can be made and assessment of risk involved in proceeding with the project. The management of risk therefore a continue process and should span all the phases of the project. Since project risks are dynamic, a risk assessment must be carried out at the end of each phase prior to proceeding to the next phase. In fact, active management of risk must continue between the review points until the project is complete. Risk can also change during a phase. The result is a complete re-appraisal may need to be performed. There is a generic acknowledgement that human factors are the most important element that affects the project success. According to (Lynch, 2002), human factors bring affect to project success. A series of errors by a steel contractor lead to a near miss at Canary Wharf when a two-tonne pre-cast staircase fell from a crane and landed on the ground metres from a crowded side office. It was reported that the stairs fell when the left side eyebolt lifting pin of the staircase lifting gear came free. The load was transfer to the right-hand bolt, causing it ti shear. The report confirmed that the eyebolt was not correctly inserted. Independent testing agency Lloyds British examined key parts of the lifting equipment and concludes that the equipment would be sufficient had it been assembled correctly. Shortfalls in the firms arrangement at the site were criticised. No risk assessment or method statement had been drawn up specifically for the lifting operation and key decision were left to operators who were not trained to use eyebolt. All these shortcomings fall in sphere of human factors as defined earlier. 2.2.2 Risk Management Risk management is widely use by the companies or organizations to ensure the control of risk in the business process. In this research, the simplest possible approach to describe the risk management process is chosen due to the context of the construction sector. According to (Norman, 1993) risk management is a system use to identify and quantify all risk to a business or project that is exposed so that conscious decision can be taken on the way to manage the risk. Risk management also been mention in the PMBOOK as one of the nine areas of project management and has been illustrated as the process concerned with conducting risk management planning, identification, analysis, responses, and monitoring, and control on a project. 2.2.3 Fundamentals of Risk Management There are a lot of risks in the construction projects, and there is no standard method that can explain about the risk management. According to (Telford, 1998) risk in construction industry is the existence of real or possible chances or dangers affecting projects objective while commissioning or operating the project. According to (J. Walewski, 2002) , risks can be categories into two parts. The first part is pure risk when there is the possibility of financial gain. The second part is speculative risk that includes the possibility of both gains and losses. 2.3 Risk Management Process Project Risk Management involves procedure considering executing risk management planning, identification, analysis, response and monitoring, and control on a project. This procedure can update the majority of the project. Project risk management aims to enhance the possibility and effect of positive event, and reduce the possibility and effect of negative incident to the project. According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOOK, A guide to the project management body of knowledge, 2004), the Project Risk Management Process 2.3.1 Risk Identification Risk identification has two types which are prescriptive and creative. These two types of risk identification has their own function but they must be cautiously handled in order to make sure the process of identifying risk is economic. The result in the utilization of checklists of standard risk distinguished to appear in a special context when there is an attempt to modify the risk identification. Even though checklist is fast to make, but it is inclines to prepare the anticipations of the engaged, and the identification of risks going beyond the experience summarized in the list. The result of using the checklist method can be high, but if they are to have a function, it suggest that they better retained for examining the identification process, and make sure there is no familiar issues have been skipped or ignored. Brainstorming is another method that being hold in a group and it is the favoured method. This is a little more challenging for the participants compared to checklist method but the brainstorming seems more efficient. Brainstorming predict the identification process to gain inspiration from the wide capacity of the participants, due to decreasing the risk that is inadequate consideration will be given to new and more emergent issues, as can occur with the checklist method. 2.3.3 Risk Analysis The risk analysis is implement in each risk as significance rating structure that is considering any existent factors that might be occur which will function to check the risk. The risk analysis can be implementing with qualitative impact and likelihood scale and a matrix clarifying the significance of different composition of the risk. When risks are complicated by themselves that possibly includes various related impacts and events, some types of modelling might be essential. The significance of a risk is connected to a well explained event that will be a composition of the impact and likelihood of the risks. The significance of an unsure quantity will be a function of its three type of value which are the maximum, minimum, and most likely values. 2.3.4 Risk Evaluation Risk can be occurring in any situation. When there are just a lot of risks at the work, the evaluation phase may be proportionately simple and easy. On the other hand, it is a critical step for obtaining an accepted view of the proportionate of the recognized risks. Risk evaluation takes the primary analysis and examines the risks that occur towards the companys known preferences. Any risks which is too high or too low significance are adapted, with a record of the fact being hold for the purpose of tracking. 2.3.5 Risk Treatment Risk treatment comprises what should be done in order to give reaction to recognized risks. Any plans which were thought of before the risk management process commenced are enlarged with actions that been taken to manage the risks before they occur and providing contingency plans with which to get back if a risk happen. 2.3.6 Monitoring and Review In monitoring and review ingredient of the process, there are two levels of them. The other five steps must be remained under an examination as the time passes. Finding of better information may make the first evaluation out of date. It is now usually essential to start the whole process or repeat it once again when risks occurs, not until the change is especially deep, but those parts which are immediately influenced by changing occasions should be updated from time to time. The second step is the monitoring of the performance of the other five levels. The implementation of the risk management process attracts sources and should be administered in order to make sure that it is performed cost-effectively. 2.3.7 Communication and Consultation Communication and consultation is the key component of the risk management process and a major beneficial side effect. Risk management is success when it achieves a high level of creative input and involving all parties with a role to play in achieving a successful outcome for the project or business process being addressed. In both the planning and execution phase in the risk management process, it is prominent to make sure all those individuals who need to be involved are given adequate opportunity to do so and are kept informed of developments in the understanding of risks and the measurement taken to deal with them. 2.4 Tools and Techniques for Risk Response Planning In every project, the risks can raise when there are a lot of phases and tasks to be done in such a way that the least consideration is delivered to main issues of the project. According to (Bajaj, 2000), individual members of the project are usually focus only on the role that they have in the project risks and voluntarily or involuntarily try to pass these risks on to other project members. This means they do not want to take the responsibility to handle the risk by themselves. The crucial part of risk management is mitigating risk by minimize their effects. A systematic risk management strategy which is executed properly shall decrease the adverse effects. Risk mitigation that been properly planned and well managed is a replacement of uncertain and volatile events with a more predictable or controlled response ( (Chapman, 2002). A proper risk mitigation strategy is very important in order to reduce the likelihood of happening or possible influence and doubtfulness of a risk event. There are four types of risk management strategy which are: i. Risk avoidance which when a risk is not accepted and other lower risk choices are available from several alternatives; ii. Risk acceptance which when a conscious decision is made to accept the outcomes the event should occur; iii. Risk control which when a process of sequentially monitoring and improving the situation on the project is used. This process includes the development of a risk reduction plan and then pursuing the plan. This means that mitigation strategy is the most common risk management and handling technique; iv. Risk transfer which when the risk is shared with others. Sharing the risk with others involve contractual shifting, performance encouragement, insurance, warranties, bonds, and so on. 2.5 Classification of Risks in Construction The first stage in risk management is risk identification. Risk identification is recognising any risks that can be occur in the construction projects. Risk classification is one of the part in risk identification which is the trying to manage different risks that can give impact and influence a construction project. According to (Chapman, 2001), risk has four subcategories which are project, industry, client, and environment. From the other related literature, out of 58 risks recognized connected to construction joint ventures, (Shen, 2001) categorised them in 6 groups according to risks nature like financial, economy, technical, politic, and management. As a result, there are a lot of methods that can be use to categorizing risks that can affect to construction projects. According to other study by (Kalayjian, 2000), in the Third World of Construction classified that some of the most representative kinds of risks that are commonly use in todays global construction area are: i. Financial Risk is the economic feasibility in a project that relies on its capital organizing and capacity to draw dependable resources of financing at logical terms. Risks contain the owners power of acquiring enough budgets, deposit payment, receive tax incentives, and expect instability of currency exchange rates. ii. Design and Construction Risk which is in the construction project itself. To be success in construction projects, the managerial teams must have a power decision making. Risks that must be take care are an effective team selection process, obtaining permits and third party concurrence in timely fashion, procurement of adequate labour, materials and equipment, monitoring all changes in project scope, quality control assurance, and ensuring overall compliance with contractual obligations. iii. Weather and Environmental Risk is about the mother nature situation. In construction sites, there is vulnerable change in the weather and natural disaster like earthquakes, monsoons, and flood. Other risk can be reducing the other dangerous wastes and severe environmental legislation. iv. Economic and political risk is a risk which also can affect the construction project. The performance of economic in a country and political stability has a significant effect in construction activity and investment. Prominent risks consist of financial policy and governmental monetary responsibility, resources availability, development of infrastructures, internal stability, changes in managerial schedule, and political management. On the other research done by (Hassanein, 2007), there are several risk that has been identified which are: i. financial risks: the checklist mentioned about some financial risks which are related to the projects in this study. ii. Technical risks: the checklist show allowances for similar standards and codes. This is because the two projects studied were tendered internationally which causes contractors from different countries. iii. Risk related to change: the checklist addressed certain provisions concerning the simultaneous progress of design and construction phases on the two fast track project under study. iv. Consortium risk: in some contracts, contractors are requested to make partnership including foreign and local contractors as a necessity of tendering qualification. v. Owner obligation risks: the checklist embraced factors which should be stated in the contract to clarify owners responsibilities and to guarantee these responsibilities would be come up with on time. These include an obvious interpretation of these responsibilities, time frame for their execution and declaration of amendments if these responsibilities are not executed shall be contained in the contracts. vi. Risks regarding interface with other contractors: the checklist included specific items to mitigate risks related to interfaces with other contractors. vii. Risks regarding interface with other contractors: the checklist included specific items to mitigate risks related to interfaces with other contractors. According to (Tang, 2007), the most important risks in project are poor quality of work, premature failure of the facility, safety, financial, and incorrect design risk. 2.7 Barriers of Implementation of Risk Management According to (Liu, 2007), the most dominant risk in the construction industry is the unsupportive culture within the industry. As a result, the lack of proficiency and experience is the general reluctance for implementation of risk management in the Chinas construction industry. Lack of proficiency and experience causes contractors to be unable to identify the significance and advantages of risk management. To improve the low understanding towards risk is through changing the culture of enterprise. This is because it is essential for Chinese contractors to agree with the risk managements concept as well as execute risk management techniques. The professionals behaviour seems the most significant issue affecting the improvement of risk management in the Chinese construction industry. Organizational learning becomes the critical element of an incorporated risk management procedure which being the learning structure formed to assist Chinese contractors in developing their performance an d knowledge towards risk management. In fact, to transform the modern knowledge to their own knowledge using organizational learning seems become the critical issue for Chinese contractors in order to develop their ambitious. According to (Baloi, 2003), it appears that professionals have not completely understood the value of risk management. This is because there are advances in the methods of risk management and availability of the enormous body of knowledge of risk management. The professionals recognised language, implementation costs, and educational barriers and a fear of change to be the principal barriers of the efficient conformance. According to (Hlaing, 2008), Singapore construction contractors on construction risk identification asserted that the reason that preventing the implementation of risk management process is money but it is not the major constraint for implementing risk management program for the companies but the most important risk in the list is lack of time. This is same as stated by (Lyons, 2004), identified that time constraint is a main restriction. The activities of construction industry are really related to time when the manufacture of the construction is basically used just-in-time for the manufacture need of customer. 2.8 Risk Identification Methods In order to be successful in project management, it requires the ability to predict the risks that affecting the project scope, time, and cost. However, there are a lot of researches about risk identification, risk assessment, and management for executed facilities is focusing on types of projects or categories of risks aspects. It is related to the literature from (Howell, 2001) about the political risks that exist. Now a day, the construction industry still cannot identify the risks that occur in the project activities. According to (Walewski, 2002), the worth of systematic risk management of activities on project has not been identified. This is because the lack of common vision about risk and the parties that involved in construction industry such as owners, designers, investors, and contractors have different objectives and the relationship among them are prevalent contradict. All of the project parties not systematically make their efforts at organizing risk analysis management among themselves and this particularly correct between contractors and owners. (Fang, 2004) show a model for risk assessment. The model use for tendering project in Chinese building project based on assessment and identification of critical risks in the Chinese construction industry. As a result, the projects risk could be evaluated by analyzing the issues such as the competition for tendering and reasonableness of bid price, lack of cooperation between contractors and the owner. In other study done by (Hassanein, 2007), the marked lack of consistency in the contractors risk identification effort been identified as the risk in the power station projects on Egypt. The contractors who have more experience in Egypt were better to identify the relevant risk. Vice versa, the local Egyptian contractors who have vast experience in Egypt but limited project management experience were not really expert to properly identify risks and to take the appropriate exceptions. In fact, the bidders do not include in their proposals on their true lists of exceptions which represent genuine risks to them. CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction This chapter will cover how the research will conduct to achieve the objectives of this study. The methodology that will be use are questionnaire survey among the Pahang construction professionals, and preliminary interviews with experts will carry out. The steps are as follows: 3.2 Data Collection 3.2.1 Interview Interview is the effective procedure of data collection because the actuality of condition could be perceived specifically and comprehensively while conducting the interview. For the purpose of this study, as the scope of this study is limited to Pahang, the interview sessions will conduct through two main ways which are telephone interview as well as email interview through the internet. 3.2.2 Questionnaire Questionnaire survey is one of the others way of data collection carry out among selected construction practitioners involve in construction projects. This specialist will working in contractor construction companies. The questionnaire will be identified from interview with construction practitioners and through literature review. The survey questionnaire will administer through e-mail and fax, and postal questionnaire, and secondly through the distribution to selected contractors which are project managers, managing directors, chairman, and head of technical departments operating in the Pahang construction industry. 3.3 Data Analysis All returned questionnaire will be check from completeness and suitability for use in statistical analysis. Next, all the data collected from the questionnaire will be analyse with the assistance of statistical software program called Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). After putting the data in SPSS software program, some statistical method will be apply to the data through frequency analysis and mean index, risk analysis matrix, and single sample T-test. After putting questionnaire data into SPSS, some statistical method will be applied to the using frequency analysis and mean index, risk analysis matrix, and correlation test. 3.4 Measurement Most of the question will applied using five point of Likert scale, and other question will applied with multiple choice. The most common scale that will be use is 1 to 5. There are three sections in the questionnaire. Section A will cover about the level of risk in construction project. Participant will be given three choices of answer which is low, medium, and high to scale the risk level according to their perspective. In section B, the typical Likert scale take the following format: Risk level Rare Unlikely Possible Likely Almost certain Score 1 2 3 4 5 Table 3.1: Risk factors In section C, the respondent will be asked to choose the scale between 1 to 5. The scale 1 shows a condition which the probability of strategies been use is minor where scale 5 means the maximum probability of risk strategies usage. Strategies Not important Little important Average Important Very important Score 1 2 3 4 5

William Sherman :: essays research papers

William Sherman How would you feel if your brother came into your room and transformed it into a junkyard? You would probably have the same feelings of the civilians in Georgia when William Sherman came across their land. William Sherman was hated by most Southerners and favored by many generals from the North because if his brilliant war tactic. William Sherman was born on May 8, 1820 in Lancaster, Ohio. But according to the American History Encyclopedia, he was born on February 8 of that year. His father died when he was child, and his mother couldn’t afford to raise him so she sent him to be raised by Thomas Ewing, his father’s friend. He soon married Mr. Ewing’s daughter, Ellan. William Sherman attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and graduated 6th in his class in 1840. During the Mexican War, he was an unpopular soldier in California because he had little combat experiences. He resigned from the army in September 6, 1853, and became partner in a banking firm in San Francisco and New York. Years before the Civil War started, William Sherman was superintendent of the Louisiana State Seminary and Military Academy at Alexandria; which later was moved and renamed to Louisiana State University (LSU). When the war broke out, Sherman felt adverse with the newspapermen in Louisiana, so he moved b ack to his hometown for two months. His family then migrated to St. Louis, Missouri where he was elected president of the Fifth Street Railroad. On his forty-first birthday, Sherman wrote to the Union Secretary of War offering his service in the military for three years. On June 20, 1861, he joined Mc. Dowel’s army and fought in the First Battle of Bull Run, the first battle in which the Union lost to the Confederate. In August of 1861, William Sherman was promoted to Brigadier General and was elected by General Robert Anderson to defend Fort Sumter. A month later, Sherman told the Secretary of War, Cameron, that if he had 60,000 men he would drive the enemy out of Kentucky and if he had 200,000 men he would finish the war in that section. Many newspaper writers humiliated William Sherman because Cameron returned to Washington and reported that Sherman required 200,000 men. Sherman didn’t get a large number of army as he wished, but he was placed command of the Fifth Division, which was an average size army seizing Tennessee.

People management: Challenges and Choices

Due to the advent of globalization and the advancement of technology and communication, Business is now more sophisticated, concentrated and strategic. There is a growing need of knowledge and expertise. Although technology is a key to every business as automation is taking place, yet, employees are of the greatest importance. The corporate culture of an organization is built through its workforce and affects the quality of work and decisions of the organization. There is growing competition in the world market which has led to a rise in the need for more skilled, trained and qualified personnel.The importance of people in an organization is directly proportional to the importance of managing the people. The way the management deals with its personnel is reflected through the quality of their work, their morale and motivation. This is a briefing paper that would give an outline of the detailed essay over the challenges and choices faced by the management of organizations with respect to their employees and staff member as it is the responsibility of the management to ensure that the workforce is not just satisfied but also motivated.Discussion The management of an organization is a vital part of its structure without which the organization would not have a sense of purpose or direction. It is not easy to precisely define the role of management. It is easier to recognize a business that is poorly managed than it is to pinpoint the specific features of good management in a successful business. Badly managed businesses will be poorly organized, will often have poor staff motivation and resources would be wasted or inefficiently used.Managers have some characteristics that make them effective and there are some practices that are used by the managers in order to keep the organization and its people on track. Managers are responsible for setting objectives, organizing resources and motivating staff so that the organizations aims are met. Managers basically get thing s done, not by doing all the jobs themselves but by working with and through other people. Managers do not all use the same style of leadership and different managers will approach problems and decisions in very different ways, but the key features of management are common to all. (Stimpson, 2002)The role of managers involves the well being of the employees. In current conditions of rapid change and rising staff expectations of their experience at work, the effective management of people has become a major determining factor in influencing the success of business enterprises. Many organizations profess to consider their employees their most important asset but all too often their policies, procedures and managerial practices contradict that view. These practices hinder the production process and affect the attitude of the employees which leads to lower motivation and hence, lower profits for the company.It is for this reason, vital to develop employee management plans in every organ ization. The needs and expectation of employees from their jobs has drastically evolved from the previous generation. In today's rapidly advancing society employees are more educated with further career expectations and aspirations to progress. Employees are more inclined to be a part of the organizations decision making and look for more responsibilities. The traditional authoritarian/autocratic leadership is more outdated as employees expect to be more employed. Managers now follow a more democratic approach to leadership.With growing competition in every industry organizations are inclined to maintain a competitive edge over rivals. The only competitive advantage many organizations have is the ability to improve the performance of their people at all levels. Therefore it is holds key importance for the HR management to be able to lead and motivate the workforce as for them to be more productive and loyal to the organization and lead the company to gain a competitive advantage wit h the use of people knowledge and expertise. Among the many roles of the management includes satisfying the needs of the employees and motivating them.Motivation is a general concept that is proportional to the productivity of the employees with respect to their level of satisfaction. One of the concepts that is rather novel in today's organizations, is the notion of job design. Job design is basically the process of organization the tasks and responsibilities and the structuring of the job in a way that the job holder is more satisfied with it and hence, works more effectively. An employee's job design or structure has a direct impact over the quality of work. Job design is simply the process by which managers decide and lay down the individual job description, tasks and authority.Considering how much impact a workers job design can have over his/her quality of work and morale, it has now become an imperative practice for management to pay close attention to designing each employee 's job individually with respect to the workers job description, needs and abilities. Job design allows the workers to have some independence over their job timings, work settings and tasks. However, the employees are then accountable and responsible for their work and decisions as a result of their job design. Job design is started with analyzing the job.Job analysis is the process of gathering information about the job predominantly the responsibilities, functions and tasks of the job holder. The general characteristics of a job, Job requirements and job content are the three factors combine as the job description of an employee. The motivation and satisfaction levels of employees can be evaluated with their job description. The tasks, duties and responsibilities of the employee are key characteristics that indicate the employees morale and satisfaction With the help of job analysis managers can identify the required activities and design the jobs in order to gain the optimal outc ome.The basic concepts that are considered while designing a particular job are job range, job depth and job relationships. Job range can be described as the number of tasks that the worker will be expected to perform. job depth is basically the discretion or judgment that the job holder is allowed to have over the activities and the outcomes of the job. And Job relationships are established through the decisions that the managers make regarding the span of control and the departmentalization. (stimpson,2002) A job can be designed in various ways.However, the most common forms of designing the job range include job rotation and job enlargement. Job rotation is the rotation of a worker from one job to another bringing a variety in the job content. Rotation may relieve the boredom of doing one task and it can give the worker multi-skills, which makes the workforce more flexible, but it does not by itself increase empowerment or responsibility of the work being performed. On the other hand, Job enlargement is the term used to the attempt of increasing the scope of a job by broadening or deepening the tasks undertaken.Job enlargement adds in more jobs of the same level rather than higher leveled tasks. Job depth which is the discretion or judgment that the job holder is allowed to have over the activities and the outcomes of the job, is concerned with the notion job enrichment. Job enrichment can be described as the vertical extension of jobs which involves the principle of organizing work so that employees are encouraged and allowed to use their full abilities and not just the physical effort. Job enrichment allows workers to be responsible for their own actions and are given a level of autonomy to make their own decision regarding their work.In today's highly competitive and aggressive business environment, the concept of leisure time is almost diminished. People are overburdened with work and find minimal time for other activities. Flexibility is important in a job design as it allows the employees to alter their work arrangement according to their needs. Flexibility allows for alternative work arrangement which allow the workers with some level of autonomy over how they get their work done. There are a number of flexible work options available for employees in organizations that value the motivation of workers and the quality of work that they yield.(Baker, 2001) Some forms of flexible work options include flexi-time which gives employees a daily choice of work hours, compressed work week allows workers to complete their job in less than a scheduled work timing, job sharing, which is an agreement between a two or more employees to alter their work timings and divide their full time jobs according to agreed upon hours, and another form of flexible work option is telecommuting which is the concept of allowing employees to work from remote locations rather than just the work place. ConclusionManagers are responsible for driving a group towa rds the attainment of goals, hence, they have the authority to influence, motivate, inspire and encourage the subordinates in working at their best. The management faces a challenge when designing work that would maintain a balance between being challenging enough to uphold the feeling of self actualization in the employees and being achievable without being too stressful and threatening. Management is faced with a number of challenges and alternative when it comes to job designs and the process of creating a job description is a comprehensive and lengthy procedure.But if this procedure is carried out with full consideration and flexibility, it can lead to a greater employee motivation, and a better performance leading to the benefit for the organization as a whole. References Baker, M. J (2001). Marketing: critical perspective on business and management. Taylor and Francis. Murphy, J. B & D. F Pyke The two-sided challenge of Job design. Retrieved 14. 01. 2009, from http://mba. tuck . dartmouth. edu/pages/faculty/dave. pyke/downloads/jobdesign. pdf Stimpson, P (2002). Business studies. Cambridge university press

Potato Famine essays

Potato Famine essays Hundreds of thousands were lost, another million fled to make better lives for themselves as the result of the great potato famine. Leading up to the great potato famine of Ireland, in 1800 the British Act of Union made Ireland a part of the United Kingdom. This Act removed the independent Irish Parliament in Dublin which was 500 years old, Ireland was under the jurisdiction of Britain's Imperial Parliament at Westminster, England. Even though Ireland was supposed to be represented by 100 members, the Catholics were banned from being representatives. (1) The British imposed a series of Penal Laws, which were established to punish the Irish for supporting the Catholic leader Stuart King, James II. Being that Ireland was 80 percent Catholic, the Penal Laws were meant to degrade the Irish so harshly that they would never again allow the Irish to be in a position to seriously threaten Protestant rule. Protestants owned just 10 percent of Ireland's land in 1600. In 1778, the Protestants now owned 95 percent of the land. When a Catholic landowner died, their estate would be divided equally among all of his sons, reducing the value. If any son abandoned the Catholic faith to become a Protestant, he would inherit all of his father's property. (2) It is not known for sure who exactly introduced Ireland with the potato. Some say was famous English explorer, sea captain and poet, Walter Raleigh, other believe that the potato washed up on the beaches, a shipwreck which sank off the Irish coast during a powerful storm. On thing for certain is that the potato caught on very quickly, its popularity was probably because it produced more food per acre than any that the Irish farmers had grown before. The potato was very hearty and could feed many. During times of war it was also as widely used, when the soldiers would destroy the crops, the potato would still be buried underground allowing the people ...

Euthanasia is the Wrong Way to Go.

Euthanasia is the Wrong Way to Go. Euthanasia is the Wrong Way to Go.Do you believe in miracles? Does everything always turn out to be the way we perceive them? Does sickness always lead to death? With the use of Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, yes it does. Euthanasia is the practice of putting terminally ill people to death painlessly, cutting their life short of the possibility to recuperate. I feel that in this case a medical license does not differentiate a doctor from a murderer. Assisting in ones death is immoral, unethical and should not only be a crime, but it should be viewed as premeditated murder rather than assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a shrouded killer and the physician that assist in the practice of it is no more then its sidekick.For instance, if you follow the work of Dr. Jack Kevorkian and those in which he helped to execute you will understand my theory.English: Raffi Hovannisian speaking at UCLA's "An ...Kevorkian's role in assisting suicides made controversial headlines all around the world. Kevorkian made a machine that would allow terminally ill patience to end their life with the touch of a button. He created the Thanatron its Greek for "death machine." The Thenatron released an anesthetic and then a lethal injection of potassium chloride that goes through the veins. Potassium chloride is a chemical that causes the heart to stop beating. The government uses this same chemical for executions by lethal injection. Kevorkian started gaining popularity because of his new death machine. In 1989 a 54-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease named Janet Adkins, got in touch with Kevorkian and asked for his assistance. Adkins became the first person to die using the Thanatron. After Adkins's death prosecutors in Oakland County, Michigan, charged Kevorkian with murder. However a judge eventually dismissed the charges, but the judge prohibited Kevorkian from using...

Philosophy of Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Philosophy of Leadership - Essay Example Given the essentiality of a leader, there exists a thirst in groups and organizations that needs to be relieved. This thirst is the constant quest of groups and organizations to have what they deem to be the perfect one. There is this constant desire of groups to have the leader perfectly suited for them. It is always their desire to attain success which lies big in their elected leader. No organization or group will attain success without a competent leader that is leading the way for them. This constant search of organizations and groups in having a good competent leader leads us to question: What is then the essence of a competent leader This paper will try to answer such question and will try to unravel the essence of a true leader in the context of a leader's perspective and the personal leadership philosophy of the author. Without further ado, let us now begin our discussion beginning with a leader's perspective, then looking at the personal philosophy of the author and finally looking at the two perspectives in terms of commonality and try to extract the best way of describing the essence of a leader. The leader interviewed was a calm and humble leader. He was so accommodating that that the interviewer instantly felt ease in dealing with him. He described his leadership as a democratic, facilitative and directive leadership. His leadership style is democratic in a sense that he gives freedom to his members. Freedom is manifested in the fact the he encourages creative thinking from his members. His members are allowed to conceptualize ideas regarding the steps needed by the organization in taking the path towards success. He cited one example in marketing. He said that in selling their products, he does not only rely on his trainings and capability but also solicits methods and ideas from his members. His members are free to suggest action plans on how they will promote and sell their products. As a matter of fact, he requires each member to submit an action plan on marketing. He also emphasized that he promotes an atmosphere of free thinking. He does not give much pressure to his members. He believes that free thinking can promote a healthier environment for his members and will let them achieve better ends in their endeavor of achieving success. He gives tasks in a manner that his members enjoy doing it. But he also emphasized that freedom is limited to the extent that there is always discipline in his members. The freedom that he gives is not absolute because he always wants discipline to be bannered by his members. Too much freedom as he said will at times make a member undisciplined enough to ruin the organization's desire for success. He gave emphasis on discipline because he deemed it very vital to success. It is also in discipline that he sees the reason in achieving a timely goal. Discipline promotes efficiency that will enable the organization to achieve their goals in the estimated amount of time they put in achieving it. Efficiency is significant in order for the organization not to waste money and time in any goal that must be attained. His leadership style also banners a facilitative way. This means that because he is promoting a freedom of thinking in the organization, he does not always direct but most of the time facilitates. Being a

Gay Relationships - Same or Different Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gay Relationships - Same or Different - Essay Example The paper explains why and how this is so, culling insights from Cloud's own seven-plus years in a failed relationship with his ex-mate Michael. In essence Cloud is saying that gay relationships are marked by a different set of dynamics owing to the following: the fact that both parties to the couple are the same sex; that homosexuals growing up often face stigmatization and experience a sense of being repressed in early life, and those color how they act in adult homosexual relationships, among other things; and that, to a certain extent, the very nature of gay relationships have within them the seeds of their own demise. The latter is a controversial assertion, but borne out by facts Cloud cites a study that found that gay couples were more likely to break up over a 12-year period than straight couples (Cloud). That said, this paper asserts that beyond distinctions of couple relationships based on gender, the universal themes that are reflected in the Aristophanes myth hold. The in tensity of emotions and focus that Cloud displays in his essay reflects just how gripping and central, and painful, the experience of breaking up and losing one's other half is. Also, the way Cloud's relationship seemed to have disintegrated, and followed the seven-year pattern of many couples, indicates a kind of fated end that meets all those who seek and lose. Cloud is playing out the part that is his, in a dance with his partner that is fated to end, and beyond anyone's control to do something about, least of all the lovers themselves. As the author notes, with resignation (Cloud): And yet if ours had been a straight marriage, I have little doubt we would still be together. We had financial security and supportive families. We almost certainly would have had children. This isn't regret--fighting my homosexuality would be like shouting against the rain (Cloud). Discussion Cloud sets forth to define what it was that he wanted to find out and discuss in the essay, in a set of quest ions that haunted him in those early mornings after the breakup, and when he was done with his frantic going about to fill his time after that. Here we see that even Cloud could not figure out at that point what it was that happened exactly, a hint of the fated nature of the end, as if he and Michael were merely acting out parts in a script (Cloud): What impact had our homosexuality had on the longevity, arc and dissolution of our relationship? Had we given up on each other because we were men or because we were gay? Or neither? Friends offered cliches: Some people just aren't meant for each other. But our straight friends usually stayed married. Why not us? (Cloud) Cloud answers those questions in the affirmative, mainly, and that just as he could not change his sexual orientation, so too he could not change the manner in which his relationship with Michael played out and died. The seeds of that relationship and its destruction lay in themselves, and the way they are built sexually , as gays. Yet Cloud also points out that his experience in a relationship is in many ways similar to the experience of other people in relationships, regardless of sex. Underneath it all, there is the universal dictate to find someone to love and stay with. There is the sense that Cloud wanted this permanent relationship, the complete bonding with one's significant other. There is some wishful thinking in the following lines, as well as a sense of resignation regarding the fate that befalls man, who seems