Computer Supportive Cooperative Work Essay

Research Question How can businesses in the United Arab Emirates make use of computer-supported-cooperative work (CSCW) in order to enhance productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in both the domestic and international markets? In this regard, this research study will look at various businesses in the UAE and assess their level of using computer technology in their business operations. In addition to this, the study will identify factors and variables that affect the level of using computer technology in businesses in the UAE. Likewise, it will also assess the features and benefits of using CSCW as it applies to businesses in the UAE. Through this parallel analysis, a better understanding of how CSCW may be implemented in the business environment in the UAE will be explored. Introduction to Dissertation The economy of the United Arab Emirates is a wonder. From being too dependent on oil, it managed to diversify its economic performance through the revenues from oil and gas. Beginning 2005, it was able to overcome its budget deficit and replace it with a surplus. The industries being developed in the country includes the telecommunications and banking, even the stock markets of the UAE are developing and growing. Given these growth of these industries, it is very important to ensure that the growth is sustainable and that these industries should be able to compete both in the domestic and international markets. This is because of the increasing globalization of the economies of the world. Ensuring competitiveness, better productivity and efficiency mandates the need to use all available resources. The information technology revolution and the ever increasing popularity of the Internet are revolutionizing the way that businesses are being run all over the world. Given this scenario, the businesses in the UAE can no longer ignore the fact that they have to compete using every technological means available. The framework of computer supported cooperative work will help them achieve this level of competitiveness, productivity and efficiency in the market. Brief Literature Review The United Arab Emirates is in a very good position in the Arab world today. It is showing the great potential for growth. However, it has been noted that the Arab world is not maximizing the use of computers and internet technology. This trend has a negative impact in the sustainability of business undertakings and in the overall economic growth. Given the widespread use of computers and information technology all over the world, businesses in the UAE have a tendency to lag behind their competitors who are using these technologies. The overriding intention for using computers and information technology, hence, is twofold. For one, computers and the Internet help enhance the overall communication scheme of any company—coordination, and the provision of directives are easily accomplished. On the other hand, computers and the Internet also help businesses gain important information that will help in the overall improvement of the business. Using computers also empower the employees of any given company and enhances the level of output and coordination that they have with their colleagues (Hayes & Walsham, 2000). Timely and accurate communications will lead to greater efficiency of business operations. In turn, greater efficiency will lead to better productivity. It must be noted, however, that improving productivity should still be coupled with other business processes, which may or may not be aided by the use of computer supported cooperative work. When productivity is enhanced, then profits will go up, enabling the company to save and divert these savings to the accumulation of capital or increasing their base of operations. This can then be used as the spring board for UAE companies to boost their competitiveness, and quite possibly, embark on a strategy to extend their operations to other countries in the Gulf region and in the world. In implementing CSCW in the UAE, however, both the technical and non-technical aspects should be considered. Under the technical aspect, the software for CSCW should be chosen carefully. It should be flexible, and easily adaptable to the particular contexts of the people using it (Dittrich & Lindeberg, 2003). In the context of the UAE, such software should take into account the language of the people working there. It should also demonstrate cultural sensitivity wherever possible. In addition to the technical aspect, the non-technical aspect of implementation of CSCW should also be undertaken. Issues of training, organization culture, leadership and matching suitable employees to their areas of expertise in the framework of CSCW should be considered. In this regard, Ackerman (2000) took note of the social-technical divide that pervades CSCW frameworks. As such, the norms for the interactions between people should not be taken over completely by the norms of human-computer interactions. In a society such as the UAE, this is of particular importance in putting CSCW to work in the business settings. Although this proposal has presented a brief literature review, the final study will follow the following outline. First, the literature review will delved with the recent revolutions in the area of information and communication technologies and the driving forces behind this revolution. In addition to that, the impact of this revolution to the economy will be explored. Varian, Shapiro, and Farell’s (2004) The Economics of Information Technology is a good starting point on the forces driving this revolution as well as the effects of this revolution in businesses around the world. From a macro perspective, this literature will then focus on the performance of the UAE in terms of integrating telecommunications in the society, especially in business settings and operations. Ayish (2005), conducted a study of 20 organizations in the UAE and their usage of internet in propagating information within the organization and to the world. In addition to this, the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2006, published by the United Nations (2006) will help the researcher understand the overall situation of the prospect of growth in the way that UAE citizens and organizations use computers and information technologies. The literature review will also look at the various research methods and approaches used in analyzing the use of computers in various organizations in the country. Data Collection and Data Analysis This study will make extensive use of the case study as a research method. This research method will delve deeply into the strategies being used by companies in the UAE to ensure productivity and efficiency. Special attention would be given to the computers, information technology systems and the internet that they are utilizing. The product and services of these companies will also be analyzed in relation to the market where they are serving. Corollary to this, the immediate economic environment and competitiveness of these companies will be analyzed through content analysis and by going through secondary data. As such, the needs of these companies will be identified and analyzed alongside the trends in the market. Moreover, their needs for the use of computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). The benefits of using the CSCW will also be analyzed. These will then be applied to the setting of the various companies under consideration with the interest of arriving at a framework that integrates the use of CSCW in the overall business operations in such a way that the productivity and efficiency of the business firm is enhanced. In other words, the variables that this study will look at and measure are: (1) the level of reliance of companies on computer and other related technologies; (2) the effectiveness of the communication and coordination processes that the organization uses to deliver products and services; (3) the responsiveness of the employees of the organization in using CSCW; (4) the impact of external trends and situations in the organization’s drive to achieve its targets; and (5) the suitability of CSCW for the use of business organizations in the UAE. The study will use a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods to achieve a greater level of reliability and validity. According to Johnson and Onwuegbuzie (2004), the mixed-method kind of research draws upon the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative analysis, which enables the researcher to draw upon several methodologies in measuring the variables of the study. The results of this study will be collated, compared, and analyzed. These data will be presented through various visual presentations such as tables, graphs and charts for easy reference. This will make comparisons and analyses easier and will make plainer the relationships between the variables and factors that shall have been identified by this study. The relationships between variables shall be highlighted. Presentation of Analysis and Outcome of Study   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The result of the methods employed will be presented in an easy to understand manner, and in tables or matrices where possible. Such an analysis will help highlight the relationships between the variables identified in the study. These variables will then be used to formulate a set of guidelines that will help business organizations implement CSCW in their organization. Through this set of guidelines, they will be able to make the transition and implementation as smooth as possible and they will be able to avoid the pitfalls in conducting such an endeavor. Significance of this Study The expected outcome of this study is a set of guidelines or framework for the integration of CSCW in the operations of business firms with the intent of enhancing their productivity and efficiency. Such a framework would be very helpful for firms that are operating locally in the UAE, as well as for those that conduct operations abroad. It would also set the foundation for future work exploring this same issue. Through the framework that will be established by this study, the global competitiveness of companies in the UAE will be enhanced. Moreover, those who are not already reaping the benefits that computer support cooperative work offers can begin to explore it and not long after, they will be able to use it. Seen from a wider perspective, the use of CSCW in the business organizations in the UAE will help make businesses more viable in this kind of situation. Structure of the Study   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The different parts of this study, together with their brief descriptions may be found in the section below. Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Introduction will contain basic information about the subject matter, about the research questions and topic under investigation, as well as the environmental context in which the study may be situated. The Literature Review   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Literature review presents the findings of articles and books written on the subject. Through this, the major points, observations and debates in the research topic will be explored, thereby making the researcher familiar with the research topic. Research Design   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is in this section that the methodology, the research tools will be outlined so that the researcher will have a definitive guide as to the way that he will get the important data for the analysis of the research topic and question. Summary of Results   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Based on the research design, the kinds of data that will be collected and the summary and salient points of the summary should be presented in graphical format such as tables and graphs. Analysis and Recommendation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Based on the results generated, the data will be analyzed and the trends and relationships between variables will be established. Lastly, an action point or call to action may be instituted in this last part of the paper. Reference Ackerman, M. S. (2000). The Intellectual Challenge of CSCW: The Gap Between Social Requirements and Technical Feasibility. Human-Computer Interaction, 15 (2-3), 179-203. Ayish, M. (2005). Virtual Public Relations in the United Arab Emirates: A Case Study of 20 UAE Organizations’ Use of the Internet. Public Relations Review, 31 (3), 381-388. Dittrich, Y. & Lindeberg, O. (2003). Designing for Changing Work and Business Practices. In Patel, N. V. (Ed). Adaptive Evolutionary Information Systems, (pp. 152-157). Hershey, PA, IGI Global. Hayes, N. & Walsham, G. (2000). Competing Interpretations of Computer-Supported Cooperative Work in Organizational Contexts, Organization, 7 (1), 49-67. Johnson, R. B. & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed Methods Research: A Research Paradigm Whose Time Has Come. Educational Researcher, 33 (7), 14-26. United Nations (2006). World Economic Situation and Prospects 2006. Retrieved 20 September 2007 from http://www.un.org/esa/policy/wess/wesp2006files/wesp2006.pdf. Varian, H. R., Shapiro, C. & Farell, J. V. (2004). The Economics of Information Technology: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Still More Words That Turn on the Root Vert

Still More Words That Turn on the Root Vert Still More Words That Turn on the Root Vert Still More Words That Turn on the Root Vert By Mark Nichol Two recent posts (here and here) dealt with many of the English words based on the Latin verb vertere, meaning â€Å"turn,† focusing on those based on the root vert. This follow-up post defines some additional words in the vertere family: those with the root vers. Versus (abbreviated vs. or, in legal contexts, v.) comes directly from the Latin adverb meaning â€Å"so as to face† and means â€Å"against† or â€Å"in contrast to.† As a Latin noun, versus meant â€Å"furrow† or â€Å"row,† alluding to how a plow was turned at the end of each row, and later acquired the sense of a line and a line of writing, hence verse. That word pertains to a line of metrical writing, a poem in particular or poetry in general, a stanza (one of two or more sections of a poem) or a similar segment of a song, or a brief division of the Bible. Interestingly, an antonym of verse in the sense of â€Å"poetry,† prose, which refers to more loosely structured forms of writing that resemble speech- and to ordinary written and spoken language or, pejoratively, something dull or ordinary (described with the adjective prosaic and the adverb prosaically)- is a contraction of proversus, meaning â€Å"turned forward.† Prose itself functions also as an adjective (as in â€Å"prose poem,† referring to a hybrid form of writing) and as a verb. Verso (â€Å"the page being turned†) means â€Å"left-hand page† or â€Å"reverse side of a page.† (The opposite term is recto.) â€Å"Vice versa,† taken directly from Latin, means â€Å"with the order turned.† Versatile (from versatilis, meaning â€Å"able to or capable of turning† or â€Å"operated by turning†) usually describes being able to turn from one thing to another, such as two distinct skills, or having variability or various applications; such a quality is called versatility. In biology, it describes free movement of an appendage or segment of an animal or plant. Version, borrowed directly from the medieval Latin verb meaning â€Å"act of turning,† refers to a variation of a description of something or a type of something, and in medicine pertains to an organ of the body turned from its normal position or to the turning of a fetus during childbirth to facilitate delivery. Anniversary literally means â€Å"year turning† and describes a recurrence of a date, whether annual or on some other scale, or refers to a celebration of such a date. Adverse, which literally means â€Å"turn against,† refers to an action or attitude that is harmful, hostile, or unfavorable; an adversary is an enemy or opponent. Malversation, literally â€Å"bad turn,† pertains to corruption or a corrupt government administration. Obverse (literally, â€Å"turned toward†) means â€Å"facing† or â€Å"opposite† but also describes something wider at the top than at the base. Transverse means â€Å"placed across† or pertains to something so positioned, while traverse means â€Å"travel across or over,† â€Å"move or pass along or through,† â€Å"examine,† or â€Å"survey†; in legal contexts, it means â€Å"deny† or â€Å"oppose.† As a noun, it describes a course or crossing or other movement, or an obstacle or something that crosses. Universe, from universus, meaning â€Å"whole,† describes, in contexts ranging from astronomy to philosophy, the entirety of existence or experience, or something similarly comprehensive or of great quantity; the adjectival form is universal, and the noun describing the quality or state of comprehensiveness is universality. The related term university, derived from the Latin phrase universitas magistrorum et scholarium (essentially, â€Å"community of teachers and scholars†), refers to an institution of higher learning, often composed of several colleges, schools, or other divisions. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:70 "Home" Idioms and ExpressionsCapitalization Rules for Names of Historical Periods and MovementsIs "Number" Singular or Plural?

Definion and Construction of a Consumer essays

Definion and Construction of a Consumer essays 1) A consumer is socially defined as someone whom is pressured into buying items forced upon them my capitalist methods. They are also people who believe that if they buy a particular item it will make their lives better. Society has forced consumerism unto people and it has increased over the last century. A consumer was not constructed until the 19th century, when the times emphasized moderation and self-denial. At this time workers were to be frugal and save their money. Most of the time the typical family produced most of what they needed and had few household possessions. The families had little arousal of desire because there were no prepackaged items with brand names and most of the items were displayed in bulk. The main creation of the consumer was the creation of advertising. The goal of advertising was to aggressively shape consumers desires and create value in commodities by imbuing them with the power to transform the consumer into a more desirable person. In the 1880s there was only about 30 million spent on advertising in the US, by 1910 it was up to about 600 million, and today 120 billion is spent on advertising in the US alone. Another way of making people consumers is the development of department stores, where they market goods in ways that arouse desire to the peopl e. They also use different display and presentation techniques to inspire purchases. They also try to create consumers by making buying easier with consumer credit, this give the consumer a charging account or the ability to pay over installments. There are many things that helped transform people in to consumers including the institutional transformation, which is a major social institution redefining the function to promote consumerism. Some of these institutions are education institutions, for example creation of business and fashion design schools that were developed in the early 1900s. Others include government institutions, which is ...

Accounting Information System in Companies in Australia Research Paper

Accounting Information System in Companies in Australia - Research Paper Example The increasing role of AIS in strategic decisions of companies has drawn the attention of management and researchers towards the role of AIS in companies. Toluyemi (1999) argues that accounting information is important for the management of an organisation just like any large stock holdings therefore, to make informed decisions through this information, it should be distinctively stored, updated, retrieved and disseminated. Shareia (2006) adopted a different approach and he studies the present and potential role of AIS in improving the developments in developing economies especially in Libya and he argues that to achieve the goal of developments in the countries like Libya, development and use of accounting information systems and assessment of the factors affecting them is important. Hall (2001 cited in Valdez, 2008) argues that accounting information system which is well organised will make everyday business relatively easier and more effective. Carlson and Parker (1998) emphasises on the importance of computerised accounting information systems in success of businesses and argues that average number of companies facing computer outage for ten years will never fully recover and fifty percent of them are out of business within five years. Sajady, Dastgir & Nejad (2008) studied the role of accounting information systems in companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange and found that AIS improved internal controls, decision making, companies’ transactions and quality of financial reporting.

Reflective report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Reflective report - Essay Example These included self confidence, the levels of conservatism exuded, assertiveness, as well as risk taking. The other aspect that was considered was the attitude of the diners. The objective was also to profile the complainers against the non complainers in terms of choice of action that the former decides to take. Other than, the objective sought to establish the relationships that lies between the aforementioned factors. Lastly, the study sought to come up with what would be termed as an appropriate complaint behavior from the Chinese diners. The essay was evaluated by my professor. From the evaluation, the comments that were received were very positive. In fact, the evaluation insinuated that the research had been collectively conducted in a successful manner. The ideas that were focused on in the essay showed consistency as well as a well thought outline. In fact, the final grade that I was assigned from the evaluation shows that it was a successful study. In the feedback that I re ceived, however, there were some points that were raised by the instructor. For instance, there was the recommendation that I adopted a language which would easily be understood by everyone. The criticism was that I should be coherent in explaining some of the issues raised in the course of the essay. Being a dissertation on management, the focus on the anticipated course of action that Chinese diners would take should be brought out clearly from the start of the essay till the end. Otherwise, the essay is relatively well written and well researched. It gives the necessary information on the topical subject. In the case of a viva in the mid ear,my performance in terms of the essay would not have been bad. In fact, I would rate my essay as good. This comes from many factors which mainly relate to a personal evaluation on the essay done. In reference to providing good answers to the questions provided, it is assertive to state that the essay covered well the questions that were highli ghted in the course of its research. The topics were discussed in view of how relevant they are in the current society. Section 2 The second essay was on a study that was conducted to affirm how relevant CCB was in terms of modern day marketing. In the days gone by, it was the norm. However, in recent years things had changed. Consequently, the study was relevant and was about perfect timing in terms of the predicament. In reference to CCB, research has been carried out under different times in many countries but the information that was availed was not sufficient s of being specific to the developing markets found in countries such as those in Asia. This should bear in mind that countries such as China have a peculiar trait in that their culture as well as religious composition shows homogeneity. The evaluation of the essay was done by my professor. I view of the grading system that is currently used, I would say that the essay was quite precise in highlighting the essence of CCB i n modern day marketing. The issues that were worth praising from my essay is how the ideas that formed the argument were brought out well and clear. The argument was presented in a way that showed either a deep understanding of the topical subject or a well researched work. That is what made the instructor be impressed by my work. However, in as much as the essay showed exemplary understanding of

Identify And Discuss The Main Factors In The Origins Of The Essay

Identify And Discuss The Main Factors In The Origins Of The Reformation Who Or What Was The Single Greatest Catalyst For Change - Essay Example While some causes for doubt where natural processes quite beyond the scope or prevention of the church of the times, such as in the case of the Black Death and subsequent plagues that periodically decimated the European population, others were undoubtedly the result of greed and bids for power, such as could be seen in the Western Schism. Finally, social changes ranged far out of the control of the church through a variety of factors. A growth in the population leading up to the reformation, coupled with significant changes in economic structures as agrarian workers moved to towns and villages began to produce a more literary public. This was encouraged by the invention of the printing press that made the production of books faster and more economical and thus making them more accessible to a wider audience. This, in turn, promoted the spread of Humanitarian ideas throughout the general public following a period of church failures. Thus, while it can be argued that Martin Luther was the biggest catalyst for change, he was heavily assisted by a variety of factors that came together at just the right time and place for his words to have maximum impact. The Black Death was the first of several waves of plague that would periodically decimate and terrorize the European population until a probable cause was finally identified. In this, the first of the plagues, the populace was more than terrified at the horrible curse that had been brought upon them, striking seemingly at random and completely unstoppable. Those suffering the illness might not know they’d contracted it for up to seven days and then would experience headaches, nausea, aching joints, swelling of the lymph nodes, high fevers and vomiting. Reports indicate as much as a third of all Europeans died of the disease and the mortality rate for those contracting it was reportedly as high as 75 percent (Luftus et al, 1999). In the face of this devastating and mysterious illness that

Effective Persuasion Assignment Essay Example for Free

Effective Persuasion Assignment Essay Welcome to WritePoint, the automated review system that recognizes errors most commonly made by university students in academic essays. The system embeds comments into your paper and suggests possible changes in grammar and style. Please evaluate each comment carefully to ensure that the suggested change is appropriate for your paper, but remember that your instructors preferences for style and format prevail. You will also need to review your own citations and references since WritePoint capability in this area is limited. Thank you for using WritePoint. The city of Detroit was once the most populated city in the United States for single family homeownership, what happened? [Writing suggestion: Unless in a quote or a title, avoid rhetorical questions in academic writing. A good idea is to provide answers, not questions] How did urban blight take over seemingly [Avoid this word. It means in a seeming manner (which is meaningless); it does not mean it seems] , overnight? When you ride down a street where you grew up 20 years ago, only to see more abandon houses than standing occupied one’s it is heartbreaking. When a single family home or a business catches fire is it normal to leave the rubble standing as an eyesore? This is what you see. The Building and Safety Department, in charge of the responsibility of demolition, seems to be closed. The owners of businesses and single family homes are allowed to just walk away. During the eighties and early nineties there was a program called the Nuisance Abatement Program. It was put in place to allow low income families to have homeownership. Families that applied for the program were screened for approval to repair and occupy the homes for three years without paying any taxes. This gave the family time to fix up the property and secure homeownership without a mortgage. After three years the city had a tax base on the property again. A win, win marriage the program seem to be. The politicians in charge decided it was not profitable enough for them. During this same period many businesses that were [Writing suggestion: rewrite the sentence to remove that were] given tax breaks to move their businesses in the city, found other areas to move to and left the businesses vacant without finishing the promised period they were given the breaks for. No one held them accountable for breaking their agreement with the city. They owed taxes for the period they stayed in the city, for not fulfilling their obligation. Why didn’t anyone pursuit them? The state and federal government finally gets involved, they send money to aid in the tearing down of dangerous properties to eradicate the blight that is [Wordiness: see if you can remove that or that is] being [Doctoral rule (but good advice for any academic writer)If not a noun (as in human being), the word Being is hard to imagine; it means existing. Try to rewrite this without using beingwith action words like attending, working, living, experiencing, simply asor even removing being completely] reported. This is great [Writing suggestion: great is an overworked word, too frequently seen, and too vague. It has too many meanings: huge, superior, numerous, etc. Use a more specific adjective] news right? Only the problem is not being fixed, where is the money going to? This question is being asked so much that the Federal government begins to launch its own investigation. The allegations run deep, there is a pay to play scheme going on in the political arena. The mayor, the city cou ncil and several prominent people are involved in the scheme. Where is the money? Is it in the pockets of politicians small and great? The mayor is indicted and a couple of city council members are indicted as well on multiple charges involving running a criminal enterprise, misappropriation of funds and abuse of the public trust. Documents seized by the Fed’s reveal a deep rooted plan to take money out of the city to suburban areas where building projects could gain maximum dollars. The press reporting of these events are ignored and rejected as rumor and racial targeting of Black public officials, when all along the scheme was being unfolded by law enforcement at the very same time. While these events are taking place the city begins to look like a war zone. Neighborhoods ravished like waste dumps with tires and junk, abandoned burned out buildings and homes are the norm in most neighborhood. Amid the scandal the city officials are not addressing the people. One by one they began to resign and [Grammar: A run-on sentence requires a comma before and (or other conjunction) linking main clauses] the truth begins to come out. It was all a plan, it was done on purpose. They abandoned the city and left it in ruins, why? For investor’s that paid them millions of dollars to come in and by the property for nothing and rebuild unaffordable housing to drive out the elderly and the poor. As more and more [Writing suggestion: doubling a word like this can be effective in speech but is less intensive in writing] documents are uncovered and presented to the public the leadership begins to change hands. A new mayor is elected with a different plan but the same mission, to sell out the citizens of the city, this time without corruption, but with deception. He declares his plan to shrink the city, by selling off portion of it to the suburbs, making it a smaller city. The media again reveals documents of secret meeting with neighboring cities to go forward with this plan long before it was public knowledge. The people have been tricked again by the politicians in charge, when called by the citizens to explain these events the mayor and the city council set up town hall meeting where they hire a private company to conduct the meeting with none of them present. The mismanagement of funds causes the governor to respond by sending a team to investigate the condition of the city’s finances. It is discovered that the city is in deeper debt than it reveals to the government and [Grammar: A run-on sentence requires a comma before and (or other conjunction) linking main clauses] he assigns a nine member board to take over city financial operations. The city council votes in favor of the nine member board despite the outcry of the people.