Blog Post Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Blog Post - Assignment Example Armando Aguilar, the head of the fraternal order of police in Miami, described graphically and in detail the incident. The suspect, according to him, growled when the police ordered him to stop attacking the other man. When the suspect tried to attack the police, he was shot four times before he finally went down. What is more shocking is that there were four similar cases beforehand, which all took place in Miami. The above case is, without a doubt, a perfect example of sensationalism in the media. Truth and objectivity, which are highly cherished values in journalism and mass media andcommunication, are absent in this case. Basically, the issue of truth and objectivity relates to the purpose and significance of the news. The news about a man eating the face of another man is of course significant. But what is the purpose of CNN for presenting this news in a graphical and outrageous manner? There is one obvious answer: to sensationalize and drew the attention of the public, or, worse, to sell. In sensationalized news, truth and objectivity are halfheartedly espoused. Of course, CNN is known for its reliable and credible news reporting, but the network apparently failed to disclose the truth about this so-called zombie attack in an objective manner. With all of the odd incidents happening all over the world, people start to speculate if something strange or unexplained was causing these events . Because of news like this, gossips start to surface about an imminent cannibalism outbreak. Apparently, there is no imminent cannibalism outbreak. And there are no inexplicable ‘something’ goading normal people to eat human flesh. The CNN report about one isolated incident in Miami is an example of how sensationalized news can incite panic; it also reveals the triviality of contemporary news media. The truth is there are a lot of mentally ill or deranged people all over the world. Cannibalism,

Changing the Way America Fuels its Cars Essay Example for Free

Changing the Way America Fuels its Cars Essay When President Bush declared that Americans were addicted to oil, he was right. Americans do not eat, travel or shop without oil. Robert Bryce admits this, but then asks, â€Å"So what? † Almost every other western nation is too, he declares. But Bryce takes the problem too lightly. (Bryce, 2008) There are four answers to Bryce’s question. First, America’s addiction to oil might be contributing to dangerous climate change. According to Romm (2008), it is speeding up global warming. Carbon Dioxide emissions, he says, cause rising temperatures, which may leave the world barren and desolate, wiping out species and drying up human water supplies. America’s oil addiction also threatens its national security. Indeed, according to Stein (2008), if America continues to purchase oil from unfriendly countries, it could fund the development of military technology, thus allowing its enemies to make and buy weapons and training that could later be used against Americans. According to Stein (2008), Relying heavily on foreign oil is also expensive for Americans, who are left paying whatever OPEC thinks they ought to. As gas prices go up, so do the prices of everything else in America – even food. Finally, America’s investment in foreign oil might be immoral, since, according to Romm (2008), most of that oil is purchased from undemocratic countries. These countries engage in many practices which the U. S. does not condone. While the problems caused by America’s oil addiction are clear, finding a solution is difficult. There are several potential substitutes for oil that can be produced domestically. For instance, America has its own oil. Recently, President Bush lifted a ban on off-shore drilling, in order to allow oil companies to obtain oil domestically (Upton, 2008). Another popular alternative is hybridization. Toyota, Honda, Ford, Mercury and Saturn are among the car companies that have already invested in such technology. Using a combination of electricity and gas, the cars produced by these companies can get over thirty miles per gallon. While some oil is still required to fuel these cars, using them reduces the amount of oil consumers will need to buy substantially. Meanwhile, some counties are moving toward fully electric cars, which would eliminate the need for foreign oil completely (Romm, 2008). Another alternative is bio-fuel. Ethanol – fuel made from corn, has been the most commonly used bio-fuel, and can be produced in the Midwest, rather than abroad. Other crops could also be used to produce oil. The Midwest is also a good place to harvest wind energy. Indeed, windmills and turbines can be placed throughout the United States, where they can be used to produce electricity. According to Stein (2008), Wind power has already been used successfully in Europe. It accounts, he says, for a fifth of Denmark’s energy. Meanwhile, many congressmen support the â€Å"coal to liquid† process, through which coal is turned into gasoline and diesel fuel (Roskam, 2008). Another alternative offered by some scholars and officials is increasing the use of nuclear power. While, according to Upton, France produces 80% of its electricity through nuclear power, and even has electricity to export – using American technology, Americans barely use nuclear power at all (Upton, 2008). Many have suggested that, in order for America to break its addiction to oil, the federal government must act, either by offering tax credits to consumers who invest in alternative fuel, or by penalizing gas companies and consumers by increasing gas taxes. Indeed, according to Stein (2008), taxing gas can reduce its popularity. Meanwhile, according to Tucker (2006), state governments have begun to step in themselves, seeing that the federal government is slow to act. These states, says Tucker, have begun to invest in solar, wind, landfill gas, and coal mine methane, biomass, along with hydro and geothermal energy. But which alternatives ought the government –or consumers, for that matter – invest in? Some alternatives are more risky than others, yet some of the alternatives with the greatest perceived risk are the most effective (Tucker, 2006). Representative Boehner recommends off-shore drilling. While he does not believe America has enough oil to fuel cars permanently, he does think such drilling will provide temporary relief to consumers at the gas pump (Boehner, 2008). But what can be done for the long-term? / Roskam advocates the use of coal. After all, he says, â€Å"America is the Saudi Arabia of Coal,† holding perhaps one fifth of the world’s coal supply (Roskam, 2008). According to Roskam, coal is cleaner than it used to be, and can be used to create gasoline and diesel fuel. Coal can also be used to produce electricity (Roskam, 2008). Indeed, Stein submits that the Co2 emissions from coal-powered electricity are much lower than those produced by traditional horsepower (Stein, 2008). According to Romm, creating Hybrid cars is costly, but, he says, if the government aids consumers with tax credits, such cars will become affordable. Furthermore, according to Romm, electric energy is the only alternative fuel source that costs less than gasoline. â€Å"It has a per-mile cost about one fifth that of gasoline, even when made from low-carbon sources,† he says (Romm, 2008, p. 14). He also points to the practicality of a move toward electric energy, stating that Israel and Denmark are already moving toward using fully electric vehicles. Although he does not expect America to jump to fully electric cars so quickly, he says that Americans will make the transition by investing in hybrid cars that can go up to forty miles on just electricity. Because, he says, most Americans only travel thirty miles per-day, the fuel savings would be substantial. â€Å"Cars could pay for themselves in fuel savings,† he says (Roskam, 2008, p. 14). He also nods to Toyota, GM and Volkswagen, who plan to release this sort of hybrid in the next two years. Meanwhile, Representative Upton argues for the use of nuclear power, saying, â€Å"â€Å"Nuclear power is the cleanest, most efficient, and most reliable source of electricity. † (Upton, 2008, p. 1) Not only that, says Upton, but nuclear energy can be recycled. Furthermore, unlike solar and wind power, nuclear energy can be used around-the-clock. France, Upton says, is remarkably energy independent, while Germany, which phased out nuclear power, is completely energy dependent. While the United States is currently independent as far as electricity is concerned, says Upton, we may not be, down the road, if we continue to avoid using nuclear energy. Stein supports Upton’s remarks, saying that NASA scientist Steve Lovelock believes that the only way to escape harmful global warming is to begin using nuclear energy (Stein, 2008). Yet, each alternative has a negative aspect to it as well. According to Romm, America should not engage in off-shore drilling, because it will not meet the needs of the American consumer, nor will it truly reduce energy dependence, because it will leave Americans addicted to oil, which they will obtain from foreign sources, once domestic sources dry up. Drilling in Alaska, says Romm, â€Å"would cut gas prices only 2 cents by 2025. † (Romm, 2008, p. 14) Romm also sees harm in the use of bio-fuels. â€Å"Using crops to make energy is unwise,† (Roskam, 2008, p. 1) he says. It will not, according to Romm, reduce greenhouse gasses substantially Meanwhile, as energy prices go up and the world’s population increases, while at the same time, climate change makes less land usable, people will need to use the land they have for crops and they will need to use the crops they have for food, or they will starve (Roskam, 2008) Stein (2008) also agrees that using food for energy is not a good idea. Furthermore, according to Asrar, Ethanol has a very high production cost (Asrar, 2007). Romm doesn’t think America’s current hybrid efforts go far enough either. Current laws, he says, require only that cars get 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This is less, he points out, than what cars get in either Europe or China. â€Å"We should aim,† he says, â€Å"for all new cars to get more than 100 miles per gallon by 2040. † (Romm, 2008, p. 14) Meanwhile, Upton admits that the current system for disposing of nuclear waste is not adequate. But he says, if the government invests in it, that waste can decrease, from the size of a soda can, per individual, to the size of a half-dollar (Upton, 2008). According to Stein, Greenpeace and the Sierra Club also sees harm in using nuclear energy. They will not even consider using the fuel, because they are afraid that an accident could have catastrophic effects, like those brought about by the accident at Chernobyl (Stein, 2008). Environmentalists also worry about wind power. They are afraid that windmills might cause harm to migratory birds. Although, Stein says, harm to such birds could be avoided by making windmills higher, environmentalists also worry that this makes them an obstruction and that placing such technology around America will disturb animal habitats. They also argue that the amount of land needed to create wind farms will lead to the loss of farmland and recreational space (Stein, 2008). If farmland is lost, Americans could face the same problems they would face if they used bio-fuel. Yet, if land becomes unusable due to global warming, Americans would have plenty of recreational space. According to Roskam (Roskam, 2008), Nancy Pelosi stands in the way of any Coal-to-Liquid programs – not even letting bills providing for investment in such technology come to a vote in the senate. Yet, according to Stein, coal-to-liquid is not an effective alternative, anyway, as it is still polluting and because synthetic fuel cannot compete with the real deal. Yet, using coal to produce electricity is, he says, a good idea (Roskam, 2008)X. While the experts agree that relying on bio-fuel is more harmful than it is helpful and that drilling will not meet the needs of Americans, most of the other options have some merit. Of all the alternatives, nuclear energy is the cleanest. Modern technology has made the use of it very safe. France’s successful use of nuclear energy shows that it can be harnessed and effectively used. Therefore, the government ought to invest more heavily in nuclear power. Meanwhile, because America is so coal-rich, the government ought to invest in finding ways to produce electricity through coal more cleanly. Government incentives for hybrid and electric cars ought to be increased, and the government’s requirements for automakers ought to be made more stringent. Works Cited Asrar, G. R. (2007). Americas Farms: Growing Food, Fiber, Fuel And More. Agricultural Research , 55 (4), 2. Boehner, J. A. (2008, July 15). We Need an `All of the Above Energy Strategy. US Fed News Service, including U. S. State News . Bryce, R. (2008). Gusher of Lies: The Dangerous Delusions of Energy Independence. New York: Perseus Publishing. Romm, J. (2008). End This Addiction Immediately: Record gasoline prices are affecting every aspect of the U. S. Economy, and the nations burgeoning energy problems have become a frontline issue in the presidential election. U. S. News and World Report , 145 (2), 14. Roskam, P. (2008, July 14). Energy Independence A Question of Will. US Fed News Service, Including U. S. State NEws . Stein, S. (2008). Energy Independence is Not Green. Policy Review (148), 3-18. Tucker, P. (2006). Thinking Globally, Acting Locally on Energy Use. The Futurist , 40 (4), 8-9. Upton, F. (2008). Recycling of Spent Nuclear Fuel Offers Great Promise. US Fed News Service, Including US State News .

Modern Methods of Construction

Modern Methods of Construction This dissertation will discuss the effect of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and particularly the Off-Site Construction (OSC), on the building sector today, and how these methods will contribute to help and resolve social, financial, and environmental difficulties that facing the UK. 1.2 DEFINITION Off-site construction is an application of modern methods of construction MMC where building sector meets the industrial sector, or by other word, a fusion between building and manufacturing. Off-site construction is where any of building components, or even a whole building, manufactured in factories away from the actual site where the building will be sited, or simply is where the construction site is different from the building site. 1.3 TERMINOLOGY Off-site construction has different terms, terms like (prefabrication, off-site assembly, factory assembly, pre-assembly, off-site manufacture, etc.). The term off-site construction is generally used nowadays to any part of the construction process that takes place in factories. 1.3 HISTORY Off-site construction is not new, in the 20th century specifically in the post wartime, off-site construction (that time the term used probably was factory assembly or prefabrication construction) were needed to replace rapidly buildings which were destroyed or damaged during the war, But due to the lack of technology and modern production techniques, development in lightweights, high-strength materials, and new modern methods of construction that today is available, it gained unfortunately negative significance. The time of the wheelbarrow is finished, announced Jean Prouv in 1947, echoing Le Corbusier.We need usines maisons, homes produced in the factories Since then, a further sixty years have passed: the manufacturing industry has come with story of success of the mechanization, has enhanced electronics and grafting. Today industrial automation and manufactures from shoes to personal computers, and from planes to crackers, all now machine-made, in Seattle as a small village in China. The building construction is still the same. With very few exceptions, the building remains largely an object made by hand with traditional techniques. And the only construction industry still relies to logical and largely pre-industrial processes. With known effects: low productivity, forecast time and cost much more random, exposed to all levels of quality and possibilities and approximations of production conditions are vary widely, backward technologies and unskilled work. 1.4 OVERVIEW Why choose off-site construction now? What is so different from the traditional way of construction? Why is sustainability constantly being brought up? Before I examine these points, I have to mention some important facts that have already occurred. Since the beginning of the century, it is increasingly being talked about and discussed, the world and its climate changing. United Nations ask for action on it. The world met in a summit in Copenhagen to discuss how they can resolve the raising temperature that might cause damages and risks to the global, and how to reduce energy and CO2 emission. Why I mentioned climate change and we are talking about off-site construction? The answer is surprisingly, buildings are responsible for about one third of global energy consumption and if we add the energy used for construction the amount can easily be increased to the half. All of this means that we need to build very efficient houses and in an efficient way, and thats can be achievable only by off-site construction. There is a severe accommodation shortage in the UK. The Government has announced plans for the construction of 200,000 new houses per year, but that target has never achieved yet. Off-site construction can help the accommodation industry to achieve that target where fast delivery is needed. Speedier delivery in construction is one of the potential advantages of off-site construction and research showed that it can reduce the time of construction process to the half because it takes place in a desirable condition away from the unpredictable weather that can affect and delay the process on-site. And research showed that it can reduce the time of construction process to the half because it takes place in a desirable condition away from the unpredictable weather, factory built accommodation. Offsite construction already features in the production of social accommodation. Skill shortages in the UK construction industry are a severe problem. In 2001 the UK construction industry estimated it needed to train an extra 74,000 skilled workers every year for five years just to make up for the shortages of bricklayers, plumbers and electricians (Verbus System, 2006). In 2009, the chartered institute of building (CIOB) concluded a third research on skill shortages, and the result again showed that the construction industry is still suffering a skills shortage, which is likely to continue to be a challenge for the building sector. Off-site construction can play an important role to resolve this issue. The research showed, compared to more traditional techniques, off-site construction can reduce on-site labour requirements to less than a quarter. This result achieved from some work took place off-site. Off-site work involves different labour that is not under pressure as the on-site workforce. Off-site construction and modern methods of construction (MMC) can therefore make better use of scarce labour. 1.5 DISSERTATION STRUCTURE The dissertation consists of an introduction chapter, three main chapters and conclusion chapter; Chapter two discuss the advantages of off-site construction for the building sector, society, and the environment. The chapter also will discuss the conditions in order to gain the full advantages of off-site construction. Chapter three explain the types and forms of off-site construction, and where off-site construction takes place in the building and in the construction process. Off-site construction takes place in different areas of the building, so how off-site construction will incorporate with the mainstream construction process. Chapter four show and examine some of off-site construction case studies and in which type of building it takes place. CHAPTER TWO: ADVANTAGES OF OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION 2.1 INTRODUCTION Off-site construction, as I mentioned, is part of modern methods of construction (MMC) and is referred to as any of the components of the building built in a high quality controlled factories where they use advanced techniques to manufacture highly specialised doors, windows, stairs, wall panels, frame structure, and complete volumetric pods and then transport them to the location where it will be used and to be assembled on-site. Off-site construction has many advantages that are why nowadays there are more companies and contractors using this method rather than the traditional way of construction, even governments make more pressure to use this method to speed up housing delivery. Modern methods of construction can provide good quality homes with less on-site labour, in a shorter time, with at least the same building performance and at similar cost when compared to more established techniques. Off-site manufacturing and partnering processes increasingly play a part in solving todays problem of moving towards a sustainable housing industry. The advantages of off-site construction can be classified into two types; Business advantages, social environmental advantages Modern construction methods can produce important benefits for housing authorities and developers, not the least of which is the reduced emphasis on on-site activity. This is particularly important in a time of increasing demands on an already stretched labour force. As with any new way of doing things there are risks, but these can be mitigated through good project planning and management (Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, 2005). 2.2 ADVANTAGES Less time in construction process, cost predictability, higher quality, helping the society and the environment, resolving skilled labour shortage, reduce health safety risks, and helping the business the economy. These are key advantages of off-site construction. 2.2.1 Reduced construction time Business advantages give a huge encouragement to the contractors and designers to use more off-site construction components with their design and building processes. The greater speed of manufacturing and on-site assembling is an important factor for business gain. Earlier the delivery of the building means earlier the return of the investment. Modular construction for example, that is an off-site construction, is up to 40-60% quicker than traditional building methods. The predictability of the delivery also is very important for the financial calculation of the business in terms of cost and revenue. The manufacturing process of the components in quality controlled factories is nearly accurately estimated as well as the delivery to the site and the assembly operation. 2.2.2 Cost Predictability Cost-effectiveness is an important factor to show the difference between the off-site construction method and the conventional one. Approximately, around 80% of the construction costs are fixed within the first 20% of the design process. The graph below highlights the potential for cost reduction and alternatively the resistance to the cost of change during the project life. As the project progresses, the opportunities for implementing variation or change reduce and the consequent costs associated with these variations rise substantially, Where off-site production techniques are to be used, these should be introduced early in the process. While off-site construction has tended in the past to be more expensive than brick block, now is being reduced to the same level due to the innovation of more techniques and to the variety of the components, and these bringing even greater economies. 2.2.3 Superior Quality Off-site manufacture for building components significantly improves the quality and the efficiency of the building due to high standard of quality control and test. Buildings exceed requirements on sound and thermal insulation levels, so this means that are more sustainable. 2.2.4 Help the society and the environment Off-site construction has also can help the society and the environment. Millions of affordable homes are required to meet growing demand, and there is increasing pressure to further improve efficiency and sustainability performance during construction and throughout the lifetime of the buildings. Off-site construction is environmentally friendly if it is planned well from the early stages of design and by integrating all the supply chain together. Less energy is generally required to develop the modules or off-site manufactured components. With improved process control ,buildings are pre-engineered each exactly the same and so can be adapted for ease of tiling and this should lead to reduced levels of waste on site of up to 70% and subsequent costs. In addition, with improved control of materials flow, raw materials can be recycled rather than skipped as often happens on site. The advantage of using OSC methods related to the reduction of waste to landfill are that the material usage in the factory is reduced up to 90% by the careful design and procurement of materials, reducing the amount of waste generated both on-site and off-site. Offsite manufacturing was identified as a key potential method for promoting sustainability within the construction industry. Sustainability is increased as sound and thermal insulation is improved. Reduced time on site means less disruption to neighbouring residents or businesses. 2.2.5 Reducing reliance on skilled labour While there is a significant shortage of housing in the UK, and the government plans to build more accommodation houses, there is another problem facing to achieve these plans as well the building industry a whole which is the skills shortages bricklayers, plumbers and electricians. Off-site construction helps to build more houses by reducing reliance on increasingly scarce skilled labour by reducing the number of labour where semi-skilled factory labour can be used during the construction of modules. 2.2.6 Improve Health and safety Health and safety issue also give off-site construction an advantage, it has been proven to be a safer method of construction because there are fewer components involved than traditional methods and there is no need for high quantity of labour on-site for the assembly process. 2.2.7 Business integration and economy development Off-site construction helps to integrate the supply chain. When executed effectively, the off-site construction process involves key manufacturers and suppliers early in the feasibility and design stages of the project. This ensures that the specialist skills and knowledge of these key suppliers are embedded within the project and can influence the design and construction phases of the project. Where appropriate these key suppliers should be given ownership of the design and involved fully in the execution of delivery, storage and movements of materials and components. CHAPTER THREE: OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION! WHERE IT TAKES PLACE? 3.1 Forms of off-site construction Off-site construction can take a number of forms. The form and extent of acceptance within the projects will depend on the type of project: Is there a large proportion of duplication or replication? for example; in hotels and hostels, the type of client: Is the client a one-off or repeat client?, and the relationships and the arrangements between the project members. Off-site buildings and components systems range from small bolt-together sections to virtually complete buildings. Systems can be categorised as: Sub-assemblies Frames Panels (open or closed) Volumetric system Hybrids system 3.1.1 Sub-assemblies Sub-assemblies are the most traditional and widely used system in off-site manufacturing which is being used for many generations. This type of off-site construction can include elements using different type of materials such as concrete beams, block floors, and foundations. Prefabricated foundation systems can consist of precast, post-tensioned, concrete beams. An additional examples for sub- assemblies systems are the glass reinforced plastic for chimneys, steel for curtain walling, and timber stairs. 3.1.2 Frames Framed structures, which are pre-assembled in factories, supply the structural support to buildings and are not something new feature in construction. Lightweight pre-assembled frames which can be delivered promptly to the site, speeding up the construction times for the main structural elements. The benefit of pre-assembled framed structures can help of reducing site cutting and the inaccuracies that can arise from it. An example of framed structure is the steel frame module. Steel works in off-site construction are taking the most important part of the factory controlled construction due to the characteristics of the steel itself that can be shaped and moulded in any form; the result is light strong steel modules structures. The UK construction market is one of the most steel intensive in the world, with steel proving to be the material of choice for UK architects and structural engineers in the multi-storey building market. The 2007 Market Shares Survey figures show steel construction consistently takes in excess of 70 per cent over double the market share compared to when the survey was first carried out in the early 1980s.(Housebuilder Developer. 2008). The Steel Construction Institute has carried out a study of different construction projects using various levels of off-site steel construction technologies in busy urban sites. The goal of the study was to recognize the benefits of off-site construction relating to the reduction of the disruption caused to local residents by the construction operations. The study also aimed to quantify these benefits in terms of the reduction in dust, noise, vehicle circulation and the impact of site-generated waste on the environment. 3.1.3 Panels Panels are two dimensional frames that contain both the structural and the infill element, are sealed together on site. Example of panels is pre-assembled floor, wall, and roof panels. Using the right sealants are very important to gain the benefit of off-site manufactured panels in order to stand up the frames rapidly. The simplest form of off-site manufactured panel system is lightweight infill panels that are fixed to the structural frame, where the most complex form are the prefabricated sandwich panels which consist of both, the structural element, internal and external finishes. 3.1.4 Volumetric System Volumetric system is the frame and panel systems, and when the building is assembled and built from a series of volumetric steel or timber modules, connected together to form a room or groups of rooms to form complete structure. Modular construction is also a term used to refer the volumetric assemblies. While the foundations are being prepared under factory conditions, the modules are manufactured and finished (or partially finished) off-site, under factory conditions, then transported to the building site and assembled and connected to the foundations, then added the exterior cladding and the roof. Modular construction is more sustainable than traditional techniques because of the minimum foundations that required and because it is built under factory conditions, the modules are in better quality and defects are minimized. Modular construction uses the same techniques from the industrial sector but the result does not look like mass production product. Sophisticated modules and panels can be produced and can be easily customised by the clients requirements, and with new advanced techniques finishes: cladding and roofing, give the building its natural skin that suites the surrounding. An example of volumetric module structure is bathroom pods. Bathroom pods are a very economically solution when it integrate with the whole construction process in large quantities such as; student accommodations, hotels, hostels, hospitals, and prisons. Bathroom construction process can use Off-site construction technology, which in compare to the traditional way, would normally be carried out on-site. If we remove the construction process of the bathrooms to a controlled factory environment, bathrooms will become more ecological, functional, and with lower building costs. Bathrooms that we call them smart will also become more common with highly environmentally toilets and showers systems and with more advanced technology like tapes with sensors. The quality of bathrooms pods is far superior to the traditional on-site construction, more stylish, with high quality materials, and better for the environment in terms of a lower carbon footprint, lower levels of waste and reduced transportation of components. 3.1.5 Hybrids System Hybrid systems (often referred to as semi-volumetric) are a combination of all the other type, and this type where the flexibility of production and the varieties of consumer choice by combining the best features in a single system play the important role of it. Plant rooms is an example of a hybrid volumetric module manufacturing Plant room is a room or space in a building dedicated to the mechanical and electrical equipments and then they need an intensive labour. If plant rooms built off-site where there is cheaper labour, this can be more economically. Other advantage of plant rooms built in factory is if a project in time difficulties, always the installation of the services is squeezed, so using modular plant rooms certainly will help to avoid this problem. CHAPTER FOUR: CASE STUDIES 4.1 Case Study: British Land Ropemaker site, London Ropemaker is a commercial building for British Land, one of the UKs largest Real Estate Investment Trust. It is built in an eminent site in London. The 21 storey and three basement levels has 55,000 square metres net lettable space. The high profile building has impressive green certifications achievement including a BREEAM excellent rating. The development has been realised using off-site construction technologies in a large number of parts in the building. This study aimed to evaluate two products manufactured off-site; a modular walling system Podwall from Swift Horsman, and Technik flooring system supplied by Grants LTD. The research aimed to compare in deep analysis off-site construction techniques products to the traditional way of construction in terms of; waste on-site and off-site, resources needed on site, efficiency and productivity, cost, environmental impact analysis and end of life assessment, health and safety, and installation time. PODWALL research results Podwall saved approximately 40% to programme. Each floor at Ropemaker had an 11 week programme to install the Podwall (3 blocks per floor one ladies, one gentlemen and one disabled toilet), which would be equivalent to 15 weeks for traditional fit out. The waste on site is reduced because the Podwall is manufactured off-site. The result showed that the largest amount of waste generated is from the packaging, which is very important to protect the product on the delivery from between factory and site. Total waste produced is approximately 213m3 from Podwall washrooms. If we give the low levels of waste monitored during the process of the Podwall erection, traditional waste would considerably exceed that figure. In terms of waste recycling the percentage of materials recycled from Ropemaker exceeds 85%. The Podwall washroom package (54 toilet blocks), which is delivered over 1969m2, has a value of approximately 6m. The main differences in cost, that the services are integrated off site into the walls and cubicles for the Podwall, while in the traditional system the services installation and cubicles must be installed on-site and the cost of the installation of these services on site is higher. The indirect costs in the traditional way do not count as the increased cost of waste and removal, and the increased programme time to install. TECHNIK research results In terms of performance and time, Technik flooring system took168hrs per 100m2 for the pedestal and the floor, while in screeded floor take 250hrs per 100m2 for the insulation, screed, and tiling. Tiling is the most labour intensive element of traditional flooring, and drying time for screed increases programme and risk of damage when wet. The result showed that 32% of time spent laying a traditional floor was non value added time compared with 17% for Technik floor. Techniks 83% added value time demonstrates the efficiency of off-site flooring as well as the reduction in remedial work (WRAP. 2009) At the factory 0.49m3 of waste is generated raising the total waste to 2.81m3 per 100m2. The total waste of Technik flooring of Ropemaker is 24.56m3. While a total 41m3 of waste if screeded floor with tiling had been used on site instead. The screeded floor generates a significantly greater amount of waste compared to the Technik floor. In terms of costs, Technik flooring labour costs was 84/m2, while the screed floor was 114/ m2. Material costs were 140/ m2 for Technik floor, and 147/ m2 for the traditional one. These figures are near, but it is still considerable that Technik is cheaper if we put in consideration that drying time for screed increases programme and risk of damage when wet and the materials associated with the traditional screed design take up a greater area within a warehouse and as such the cost is considerably higher to that of Technik floor. A programme/time saving of 25.7% is made by using Technik flooring, which clearly has a cost saving implication as well. (WRAP. 2009) 4.3 Case Study-Emergency Assessment Unit, University Hospital of North Tees. In this case study we are looking at the new revolutionary building which was designed to fulfil the needs of Interserve Project Services/North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. The building will be located at the University Hospital of North Tees. The purpose-designed and built Emergency Assessment Unit has been required in order to reduce waiting times for much demanded emergency treatment. This is something the Government has planned as to drive down waiting times for patients. The amount of beds are needed to be increased at the Stockton site as well as the site needing to be able to provide a service to those needing emergency surgical care, based centrally on location rather than some distance away. The unit has promised to feature up-to-date emergency care and include specialist staff who can deal quickly and efficiently with a high number of patients thus increasing patient turnover. The solution to these needs was met through a 2.8m Procure 21 project which was awarded to Yorkon manufacturers, based in York, by Interserve Project Services. Off-site construction and the installing of a 42-bed Emergency Assessment Unit was the aim for the new building as its production. The building included 42 steel-framed modules manufactured off-site at York and installed on-site in as little as a few days. Disruption was therefore limited and patients could rest unaware of any commotion. The 1,710m square single storey extension to the pre-existing department was astonishingly and impressively erected in just over six months from beginning to end. The building also can boast a full range of modern well-equipped facilities for any acute medical emergencies. Features are listed as including four-bed wards, single en-suite bedrooms, an isolation ward, high-dependency beds, consulting rooms, ward managers office, waiting area, Quiet room, staff changing facilities and rest room and also an interview room. Incorporated into the design were roof lights to increase any natural light in the centre of the unit and furthermore holds latest technology equipment. The installations of workstations are readily available and can be used at a patients bedside. This building proudly boasts to be one of the first units in the country to offer an electronic information board too. Looking to the comments of professionals working within the construction of this new high-tech building, we can see the positive influence of off-site technology in providing rapid, quality solutions to much needy clients. The accuracy as well as speed of construction has impressed many working on the project. The patients are the first top benefit thus impacting greatly on society. A faster completion has resulted in an earlier date for increasing the hospitals capacity and implementing the hospitals new care programme. The building has proudly been created free of any defect and furthermore feels and appears like a building created in the traditional on-site method. The impact on the people within the building can be felt as they feel secure and at ease with their impressive new surroundings. After significant planning, the result proves to be pleasing and satisfying to all those involved. Impressive design features are said to include isolation rooms, en-suite bathrooms, no touch taps as well as bespoke window blinds, all that was promised. All in all, a roomy and calm working environment which is properly equipped to looking after those that need it has been established. 4.4 The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) Case Study The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) Study, which was funded by The Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) with support from Corus Strip Products (UK), is started by visits to six construction sites where oft-site construction technologies were being used for data-gathering. A comparative study had been made and followed by the visits to compare the traditional way of construction to off-site construction methods for a 2-storey school where light steel infill panels were used in off-site method against the traditional method, and a 4-storey light steel residential building where off-site modular construction were used against traditional masonry way. The study results showed that off-site construction is by far reducing the disruption to the local residents The growing demand for residential housing in cities, towns, and villages of the UK and the scarcity of so-called green field sites, is forcing developers to build on small plots of land within existing residential developments. As housing is built, so the demand for schools, shops, hospitals and leisure also increases. Construction on confined urban sites presents developers with various challenges including: The construction of urban sites contained presents developers with a number of challenges, such as; the lack of working and storage space, the absolute necessary to minimize the impact of all aspects of construction on local residents, and the scarcity of skilled labour working in construction sites. Last Recent experience with modern construction methods showed that these challenges can be met by changing some of the activities of site-intensive products with components manufactured off-site. For example, panels of three two-dimensional and three dimensional modules are supplied in very short time to local conditions and require no storage space on site. Regarding urban disruption, there is some non official evidence to suggest that the disruption to the local residents and inconvenience caused by construction can be greatly reduced by the use of prefabricated lightweight steel and modular solutions. Such methods do not only transfer much of the construction processes off site, but They also significantly reduces the construction time, thereby limiting the inconvenience Caused by site traffic, deliveries, waste clearance and general construction activities. One of the greatest opportunities and challenges for the steel sector is the residential market due to the increase awareness of the physical benefits of steel. As often, home builders and developers are looking at things more closely as the project predictability and speed of construction, and areas that can generate financial returns earlier. Construction in steel, which has always been a technique of off-site construction, is the solution. With its speed of construction, cost-effectiveness, outstanding performance, and unparalleled sustainable qualities, steels off-site construction techniques provides a genuine opportunity for the construction industry to meet growing, and sometimes conflicting demands, in providing affordable housing in todays difficult housing market By its very nature, steel based off-site construction gives rise to more predictable construction programmes, along with predictable cost, construction quality, programme timing and project handover with faster lead in and onsite project commencement, allowing earlier use and business income return. Ultimately, this can result in the overall construction programme being reduced by up to 60 per cent compared with conventionally constructed buildings. CHAPTER FIVE :CONCLUSION To conclude, a survey undertaken by Contract Journal revealed interesting findings. Although the survey results indicated that off-site construction is on the rise and gaining popularity, the rise is still lower than the desired figures the industry would have liked to have seen. The survey Modern Methods of Construction Modern Methods of Construction DEFINITION: It can be defined as the the process to produce or construct good quality buildings rapidly with less consumption of resources Explanation: 3D PRINTING INTRODUCTION 3D printing (sometimes referred to as Additive Manufacturing (AM)) is the computer-controlled layering of materials to form 3 dimensional shapes. It is particularly useful for prototyping and for the manufacturing of geometrically complex components. Depending on the technique adopted, printing can produce multiple components simultaneously, can use multiple materials and can use multiple colours. Accuracy can be increased by a high-resolution subtractive process that removes material from an over-sized printed item. Some methods include the use of dissolvable materials that support oscillating features during fabrication. Materials such as metal can be expensive to print, and in this case, it may be more cost-effective to print a mould, and then to use that to create the item.[G1] CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY In the construction industry, Construction 3D printing is used to create construction components or to print entire buildings. Construction is well-suited to 3D printing as much of the information necessary to create an item will exist as a result of the design process, and the industry is already experienced in computer aided manufacturing. With the help of building information modelling (BIM), we can facilitate greater use of 3D printing. Also, [G2]construction 3D printing allows, faster and more accurate construction of complex or modified items as well as it will minimise labour costs and waste. It[G3] also enables us to carry out construction process in harsh or dangerous environments not suitable for a human workforce e.g. cold areas like Alaska and Siberia.[G4] China has adopted the technique and with the mass movement of population from rural areas to the cities they consider this technique suitable for making cheap houses costing the country (Â £9700) respectively. Materials used: The most common types of materials used by the printers are: Recycled plastic Bioplastics Concrete Synthetic stone-like material made of sand and chemicals Hua Shang Tengda: Hua Shang Tengda is a Chinese company which has manufactured or printed a two story villa that measures about 4,305 square feet. When put to test the structure was able to retain itself at an earthquake of 8 scales. Moreover, the[G5][MH2(6] house was completely finalised within 45 days. The company carried out the process in one go rather than making pieces and then assembling them. The process included three printers operated by a software, which is responsible for formulating the ingredients, mixing the concrete, transmission, and to 3D-print the structure. The team first erected the frame of the house, completed with rebar support and plumbing pipes and then the printed started The printer has a sort of bifurcated extruder that simultaneously lays concrete on both sides of the structural material, allowing it up and encasing it securely within the walls. The concrete used was C30 which weighted approximately 20 tonnes, it[G7] had the desired strength and inexpensive as waste was[G8] also utilised as well as wastes resulted from the process were very [G9]low. The walls of the structure are approx. 8cm thick and is resting firmly on the ground.[G10][G11] ADVANTAGES: The advantages of the system are mentioned as under TIME EFFICIENT: 3d printers used in construction are very time efficient and a house with the desired strength can be constructed in small time frame.[G12][G13] CLIENT SATISFACTION: With this process, it is assumed that the client satisfaction is more as they will be given [G14]a catalogue from which they will be able to choose the structure of their own choice. ACCESSIBILITY:[G15][G16] The 3d printers are accessible everywhere even on the moon.[G17] COST EFFECTIVE: This process of construction is very cheap as the printers consume the minimal amount of raw materials and waste production is very less.[G18] NEW SHAPES AND DESIGNS: The 3d printers can construct different types of structures ranging from curvilinear to rectilinear and from circular to boxed structures. PRECISION: With 3d printers, we can achieve more precision as it is a controlled process and is not affected by the environmental conditions.[G19] ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT: It is also assumed environmental friendly as the wastes resulting from the process are less. DISADVANTAGES: Some disadvantages are mentioned as: INITIAL COST AND MAINTENACE COST:[G20][G21] The printers initial cost is very high and requires a cleaning process after 12 hours of operation. LIMITED MATERIALS: The types of materials used in these printers are limited. Some are limited to a single type of material. Also, the printers are unable to deal with reinforcements. [G22] TRANSPORTATION: The transportation may sometimes cause problems because of their sizes RELIABILITY:[G23] Machines cannot be trusted and a major problem may occur resulting in the delays. FUTURE: Currently, there is a research going on at the [G24][G25]University of Southern California which I lead byÂÂ   Berok Khoshnevis.They are testing a fabrication process called contour crafting. The aim of this research is that all the processes involved in construction are self-automated. Khoshnevis hopes to print a residential building(house) in a single print. It will include conduits for electrical, plumbing, drywall, and insulation. His aims are to achieve the possible results by 2020 for residential buildings and by 2025 for high rise.[G26] [G1]Inserted: , [G2]Inserted: , [G3]Inserted: s [G4]Deleted:z [G5]Inserted: s [MH2(6] [G7]Inserted: ne [G8]Inserted: the [G9]Inserted: s [G10]Deleted:a [G11]Deleted:z [G12]Inserted: the [G13]Deleted:a [G14]Inserted: , [G15]Inserted: C [G16]Deleted:S [G17]Inserted: the [G18]Deleted:s [G19]Inserted: , [G20]Inserted: E [G21]Deleted:A [G22]Inserted: , [G23]Inserted: I [G24]Inserted: at the [G25]Inserted: , [G26]Deleted:in

Biotrim: True Weight Loss or Scam? Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive P

Biotrim: True Weight Loss or Scam? In today's society, everybody wants a quick fix to all of their cosmetic problems. Whether we want better faces, better bodies, whatever, we want it now and we surely do not want to work for results. Due to this incredible demand for immediate self-improvement, the weight loss market has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry preying on people who are uniformed about weight loss and the body's capabilities. Many products and programs such as Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and the like are useful to many people and teach them how to maintain their entire lives in addition to their weight. Unfortunately, there are also products on the market today that offer false claims about individuals' ability to lose weight. One such product, the topic of this investigation, is called Biotrim. In the following paragraphs, we will look into its claims for weight loss and make an educated conclusion about the possibility of success by using this product. Before ever reading the advertisement I found for Biotrim, I took a look at the pictures of satisfied Biotrim customers. Here, I saw photographs of people who were overweight and looking unhappy before using the product, and then photographs of those very same people slim and happy after their success with weight loss by using Biotrim. There are little captions of personal letters from these people singing the praises of their incredible results and how they were happier, better adjusted human beings based on their appearance. This underlying claim that losing weight will make you a better person is just one of the many ways these companies target people who are insecure and uninformed. Reading on in the advertisement, this product promises not onl... ... bottom of the advertisement that the results shown are "atypical." Also, the cost to the company to make the product is substantially less than the $23.95 that it costs the consumer to buy it, so even if half of the customers ask for a refund, the producers of Biotrim still make money. Well, I hope that this investigation into the weight loss claims of the Biotrim product had been informative. If nothing else, I hope that you will read claims very carefully in the future, and keep in mind that many products that promise quick results with no effort on your part are on the market simply to take advantage of people that should know better but just do not take the time to investigate the claims. Take care in buying these products, because most of them will not deliver. Beware of scam artists, they will prey on your desire for a better you. Don't waste your money.

Dell’s Business Ethics

Dell Inc’s Business Ethics Gwynedd-Mercy College Abstract Business Ethics is a very important part of having and running a successful business. Your business ethics consist of the behavior that a business adheres to in daily dealings within the world. There are a few key components that are covered under the business ethical umbrella within the Dell Computer Corporation they are as follows: Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Governance, Environmental Responsibility and Corporate Accountability. These key components are what make Dell Inc. successful company within the computer industry. Dell Inc’s Business Ethics. Dell Inc. is one of the largest computer manufactures in the world and they have grown tremendously over the years. Their evolving business strategy combines their revolutionary direct customer model with new distribution channels to reach commercial customers and individual consumers around the world. Dell’s Direct Model business approach is la rgely responsible for the success of the company, it provides a fast cost-efficient and customer friendly means of production and distribution (Dell, 2009). Since this market is ever changing, competitors are challenging Dell with new and unique products in effort to overcome the superiority of the Direct Model. The growth and development of the laptop computers is a primary area in which Dell Inc. can work for continued success, despite the threat posed by its competitors. Dell initiates the latest and appropriate technology much more promptly and efficiently than any other computer company (Dell, 2010). Also, Dell’s refined strategy to building an adequate infrastructure establishes market creditability against its better-known rivals. Their approach to the computer industry had two advantages: First they wanted to bypass distributors and retail dealers which will eliminate markups of resellers, and second building to order greatly reduced to the cost and risks associated with carrying large stocks of parts, components and finished goods (Dell, 2009). Business Ethics Business ethics is a personal moral manner where people try to decipher right and wrong within their daily and organizational lives. With the terms â€Å"business† and â€Å"ethics† put together can create a more powerful influential understanding of cultural beliefs of what is important to you on the judgments that are made of good or bad behavior. Dell Inc’s business ethics consist of its Global Ethics and Compliance Team (Dell, 2010). This team initiates education and awareness to all of Dell’s employees on highlighted issues such as privacy and data protection, workplace conduct, and gifts and entertainment. This team also delivers consistent training to prepare all the employees for effectively, legally and safely performing their jobs on a daily bases. Dell has two mandatory training courses for all employees: Winning with Integrity which is the Code of Conduct overview of the company and Information Security Polices and Standards. Employees are also encouraged to complete three additional global ethics courses: Dell Corporate Governance, Records Management, and the newly developed Privacy and Data Protection Awareness. Dell’s code of conduct adheres to the values and beliefs of the Soul of Dell. The Soul of Dell is accompanied by five core elements Customers, The Dell Team, Direct Relationship, Global Citizenship and Winning. These core elements/values define what kind of company they are and have become. Ethically Dell is indeed committed to understanding and respecting the laws, values and cultures wherever they do business. Profitability growing in all markets while promoting a healthy business climate globally contributes positively in every community that they call home both personally and organizationally. Ethical Umbrella Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility also known as CSR is the actions of an organization that are targeted toward achieving a social benefit over and above maximizing profits for its shareholders and meeting all its legal obligations (Ghillyer, 2010, p. 78). It can also be referred to operating a business in a manner that accounts for social and environmental impact created by the business. Corporate Social Responsibility at Dell Inc. s about demonstrating through action their values of corporate citizenship. In the itinerary of the integration of economic, social and environmental responsibility into everything they do and ensuring diversity remains a Dell cornerstone. Dell has a full-time commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen. It’s a commitment driven by the types of goals, strategies and accountabilities that characterize every part our business. And it’s one that persists through all business cycles (Dell, 20 10). Dell focuses on the ideals of environmental responsibility, corporate responsibility and the social responsibility to further strengthen the beliefs of addressing issues will support the realization of financial goals and can be critical to their long-term corporate achievement. Dell must continue to grow responsibly protecting their natural resources and practicing sustainability in all its forms and improve the communities where they live and work through their financial and volunteer efforts. Their commitment to social responsibility is about making a meaningful difference and seeking innovative ways to help others through their technology resources and employees by partnering with non-governmental organizations to address some of the key issues facing our world today. Corporate Accountability Integrity to inspire trust is Dell’s corporate accountability. They succeed when they earn the utmost trust and respect from their customers through the actions and innovations of the company. Ethics and integrity is built into their key corporate growth, which encourages people to accept the responsibility and enables then to take actions. The undisclosed key to Dell’s corporate accountability is the pride that the employees take in the company. Within that it is more than just simple meeting all the compliance requirements and following the rules it is about creating a culture that people can simply act with integrity. Corporate Governance The Board of Directors and management team have jointly responsibility, thics and integrity at Dell Inc. In that regard, the Board expects each director, as well as each member of the senior management, to lead by example in a culture that emphasizes trust, integrity, honesty, judgment, respect managerial courage and responsibility. Moreover, the Board also expects each director and each member of senior management to ac ethically at all times and adheres to polices as well as the spirit, expressed in Dell’s Code of Condu ct. The Board will not permit any waiver of any ethics for any director of executive officer. Corporate governance is also the commitment to the achievement of business success and the enhancement of long-term stockholder value with the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Primarily the success is an approach to corporate governance that will extend beyond simple compliance with the authorized necessities. Environmental Responsibility Dell Inc. aspires to be the greenest technology company on the planet. They dare to motivate by engaging with others and sharing what they have learned. They strive to innovate by improving the efficiency and design of their products. Dell’s greatest innovation is their leadership. They realized that a top-notch management strategy would not fulfill Michael Dell’s goal. In addition, it would propel Dell’s vision into everyday workings of their business. S. W. O. T. Analysis One of Dell’s greatest strengths in targeting the business executive category is that roughly 75% of all sales revenue comes from large businesses and government organizations. Dell has already established relationships with large companies, and this provides most of their business. These companies pass the relationship on through their employees, providing them with Dell products. Dell has a considerable weakness in targeting the college student segment of the market. This is due to the fact that only 5% of Dell’s total sales revenue currently comes from educational institutions such as colleges. Unlike Dell’s business customers, Dell lacks a large amount of relationships with educational institutions. Many students purchase their PC’s through their schools, Dell is clearly not in a position to take advantage of the college at this time. Their greatest weakness is that buyers can not physically touch or see the product that they want to purchase. The Direct Model provides many great opportunities, however the disadvantage is that customer cannot go to retailers and try a few different products and go home with a computer all in one visit. The thing that differentiates Dell from its competitors is customization. Many computer buyers are suspicious of a product that they can’t personally examine before purchasing. Moreover, an anxious buyer would have to wait a number of days before their computer was delivered. Personal computers are being purchases and used more than ever before. The market for laptops, in particular, is growing much faster than that of the desktop computers. This general trend lends itself as a great opportunity for Dell’s laptop business to grow in all segments. Another opportunity for a; the targeted segments relates to the first trend that was mentioned. Customers are becoming more educated about personal computers, as an increasing number of them are second-time buyers. Consumers who have purchased computers in the past know what they want, and Dell can cater to them. The Direct Model can provide the framework for customers to make truly personalized computers in a qualified hassle-free environment. Increased communication and technological integration also create great opportunities for Dell. Customers can now go on the Internet to personalize their computer, place an order, or just simply get information. This is more efficient and effective for both Dell and the customer, and its benefits are many. In such a volatile market as personal computers, threats are great and many. Because of the ever changing nature of the computer industry, companies are constantly being challenged to produce higher quality, lower priced products, and do it faster and more efficiently than the competition. One to Dell primary external threats is that the prices between brands are getting smaller all the time. Dell’s Direct Model benefits the consumer in many ways, one of which is cost savings. Now that other companies are finding ways to combat the low costs of Dell, they can to pass along savings to their customers. As a result, price differential is becoming less of an issue, if not nonexistent, for buyers. Many of Dell’s competitors are therefore becoming closer substitutes. Another serious threat is simply that the growth rate of the computer industry is slowing. At this current time, Dell owns a greater market share than any of its competitors throughout the world. However, as the market slows down, competition for market shares will intensify. Companies will have to work harder than ever before to distinguish their brand from substitutes. If a company has trouble differentiating its brand from its competitors, they will find it hard to hold a significant market share. Finally, the face pace of technological advancement, while being a tremendous opportunity, is also a great threat. The newest, fastest, most efficient technology and most durable, user-friendly products are going to sell. If the company fails to keep up-to-date with innovations in technology, they will quickly see decline in performance. Conclusion With the competitive advantage that Dell Inc. has they have a product that every consumer and organization wants. Besides the fact that Dell is the preferred desktop and laptop of enterprises in the United States and Europe and winning more than 400 product awards in 2007, Dell is a company that believes in what they are doing and will stop at nothing to become the best in the computer industry. The current market trends in the personal computer industry, for laptops in particular, are being driven by ever changing consumer needs, wants, and demands. As a result, companies like Dell Computer Corporation are forced into constant state of adaption in order to satisfy their customers. By taking full advantage of their strengths, paying close attention to their weaknesses, and identifying both opportunities and threats from the macro-environment, this company can position themselves as significant shareholders in an intensely competitive market. References About Dell. (n. d. ). Retrieved June 29, 2010, from http://content. dell. com/us/en/corp/about-dell. aspx? c=us&l=en&s=corp Corporate Responsibility. (n. d. ). Retrieved June 29, 2010, from http://content. dell. com/us/en/corp/cr. aspx Ghillyer, A. W. , (2010) Business Ethics: A Real World Approach. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies. Sliver, R. , (2002) the 21st Century Executive: Innovative practices for building leadership at the top, San Francisco, Jossey Bass.

Legal Implications of Social Media and the Hiring Process

MBA 610 Final Paper Legal Implications of Social Media and the Hiring Process Tammy Rider October 17, 2012 Social media has become one of the most important tools in business practices. Companies can advertise their services and products for nothing or next to nothing, network with other businesses, generate new business, connect with their customers, and provide a valuable research tool. It has changed the face of business as we know it. With this wonderful innovation comes responsibility. Employers and employees alike must face new rules and laws associated with their social media practices.One such practice that has become important in the business world is the use of social media during the hiring process. Some companies even go so far as to request job applicants for their username and passwords for such sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Where do the rights of employers and the rights of employees fit into this new high tech world? The legal system faces new challeng es every day regarding this relatively young business quandary. Where should the lines of privacy be drawn?How much social media information should an employer be permitted to use during the screening process for hiring a new employee? It has just recently come to the media’s attention that some employers ask their job applicants for their Facebook login information and password. However, the reality is that employers have been using social media to investigate these applicants for years. In 2011, Reppler, a social media monitoring service, conducted a survey of 300 hiring professionals to learn if, when, and how they are using social media to screen job applicants.The study found that 91% of recruiters or hiring managers use social networking sites to screen prospective employees. Out of these recruiters and hiring managers, 69% revealed that they have denied employment to a job applicant due to something they found on an applicant’s social networking site (1). Employ ers, however, should take caution when using the information they find to make a decision whether to hire an applicant or throw their application in the trash.It would seem that technology is outpacing the law in this area; however, employers should very seriously review the information they find and be sure that it does not lead to a liability under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or some other state or federal employment discrimination laws. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) states that an employer must provide a disclosure that a consumer report or background check will be performed to their job applicants, and should obtain signed authorization by the applicant to proceed with this research.It is also the duty of the company to provide notice to the job applicant that they will take adverse action to not hire them before the company actually takes that action, and provide a post-adverse action notice (2). It is interesting to note that these FCRA requirements do not apply to e mployers who perform their own background checks without using a consumer-reporting agency to obtain the information. Human resources hiring managers that perform a social media search on a job applicant are not bound to these FCRA regulations to provide disclosure and gain consent from the applicant.This is where it gets tricky! Although a hiring manager may not have to adhere to the FCRA regulations, they may still be confronted with other state and federal laws regarding employment discrimination and privacy. In the past, employers have been very careful to not invade employee privacy, base any employment decisions on protected characteristics, or ask unlawful questions during the interview process. In the past few years though, employers have been using social media to screen applicants on a regular basis, whether formally or informally.By performing these pre-employment research screenings on job applicants using social media profiles, employers are setting themselves up to dis crimination claims under federal, state, and local laws. Since this area is still fuzzy and grey as far as the law is concerned, employers need to stay informed and educated to protect themselves from potential lawsuits. Consulting with an attorney who specializes in this field would be a wise decision. As the laws evolve, so must the employer’s behaviors.By reviewing social networking profiles and information, employers are learning about job applicants’ religious beliefs, marital status, family relationships, race, ethnicity, medical conditions, and other information that cannot be used to make an employment-based decision. This is information that is considered as protected characteristics even though an applicant or employee has made it public on a social media profile. As a result, employers must take care when performing such research.Ultimately, should a discrimination claim arise, the employer will have the burden of proof to demonstrate that the decision to re ject a job applicant was based on a legitimate non-discriminatory reason, rather than the fact that the employer learned of the job applicant’s sexual orientation, the projected due date of the job applicant’s baby, or any other protected characteristic. So the question that persists is how can we make use of social media without disrupting any discrimination laws?Some of the job-related information found in a profile may be highly valuable in determining an applicant’s qualifications for the job. One practical method is to only allow someone who is not involved in the hiring of the specific position to be the person who conducts the social media background check. Then, when the social media background check is completed, that person can summarize the job-related information that may be helpful in considering the applicant, and can make no mention of the â€Å"protected† information (race, religion, medical condition, etc. that would otherwise get the emp loyer into trouble. This way, the hiring manager, or ultimate decision-maker, receives only the job-related information, and can demonstrate that the information unknown to him or her had nothing to do with the decision to hire another candidate. Furthermore, before the job opening is even posted, employers should be clear about what they are really looking for in a social media background check, and whether it is necessary for the particular position.For example, the importance and extent of a social media background may depend on the position the company needs to fill (for example, a CFO position versus a seasonal stockroom employee). Certainly, employers should be doing enough pre-hiring due diligence to avoid potential claims of negligent hiring, but they must balance those concerns with finding out information that exposes them to liability for discrimination. There exists yet another level of privacy invasion that some businesses have been practicing. Asking for a job applican t’s login and password information goes beyond simply surfing the web for research purposes.Some hiring managers get around this request by having the job candidate log into their Facebook account, for instance, during an in-person interview. These potential candidates are put into a compromising position. Should they refuse this request or just do it to keep them in the running for the job? Do these employer requests violate the federal Stored Communications Act or the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act? The laws surrounding the Stored Communications Act prohibit intentional access to electronic information without authorization or intentionally exceeding that authorization, 18 U.S. C.  § 2701. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act prohibits intentional access to a computer to obtain information without authorization, 18 U. S. C.  § 1030(a) (2) (C). Are these laws being violated when companies request login information from job applicants? It would certainly be a violation if the c ompany broke into an account to access the information without authorization. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will have to determine whether employers who request this login information are violating anti-discrimination statutes.State legislators are beginning to introduce legislation that aims to prohibit this practice. In April 2012, Maryland was first to introduce a bill to ban employers from demanding Facebook or other social networking login information and passwords. Other states have followed or are currently following suit with bills of their own. For instance, California introduced the â€Å"Social Media Privacy Act† to legislature which would protect the social media privacy rights of students and employees (3).The law is attempting to catch up with technology, beginning with the states and expanding federally in the future. It is in this writer’s opinion that employers should consider the non-legal ramifications of this social media dilemma in ad dition to the legal implications. By demanding this private information they are setting themselves up to lose some of their best employees or potential employees simply because they believe in their rights to privacy and refuse to give access to their social media credentials.Employers should weigh what is most important to them and evaluate what they stand to lose. Employee morale may suffer and an environment of distrust may take precedence. These conditions are not conducive to a healthy workplace resulting in poor performance and poor productivity. Is this really worth the tiny bit of extra information that may be revealed by invading a person’s social media profile? Businesses must stay on top of developing legislation to protect themselves. Job seekers should also remain educated on their rights.It is sad to think that a person may find themselves wanted a job so badly they would be willing to hand over any information that is requested of them. We will probably see th e emergence of a new department in most companies. This department will be responsible for technology privacy education and enforcement which could save the business millions of dollars in lawsuits. The future of technology isn’t slowing down one bit. The law may never catch up, but it will keep pushing forward to protect the rights of employers and employees. Social media is just that: social.What a person does outside of the workplace is, in most cases, of no concern to the business. As they say, don’t mix business with your personal life and vice versa. If we allow that to happen, where will the line be drawn? The line must be drawn now. Works Cited (1) Swallow, Erica, â€Å"How Recruiters Use Social Networks to Screen Candidates†, October 23, 2011, http://mashable. com/2011/10/23/how-recruiters-use-social-networks-to-screen-candidates-infographic. (2) http://www. ftc. gov/os/statutes/031224fcra. pdf (3) http://epic. org/privacy/workplace/