Ethical Theories of Nursing Essay

When a person meets the unfortunate circumstance of being admitted to a hospital for an illness they are depending on healthcare personnel to have their best interest in mind and make them better. When people think of who it is taking care of them and making them better they specifically think of Doctors and Nurses. As Doctors and more specifically Registered Nurses it is their duty to have a client’s best interest in mind and always act in their benefit. This raises the question, what guides Nurses to maintain this mindset of always putting the patient first? The answer is their ethical duty, meaning every nurse is guided by ethical theories and principles which help guide them as a patient advocate. It is these ethics that make a nurse so valuable to clients and ultimately makes a nurse the client’s best advocate. In this paper the core ethical theories and principles will be discussed and how exactly this helps RN’s be the best possible advocate and what benef its the clients themselves derive from these ethical theories. In order to properly understand the ethical theories of nursing one must first know what the core ethical principles and theories in nursing are. The ethical principles of nursing are Autonomy, Beneficence, Fidelity, Informed consent, Integrity, Justice, Nonmaleficence, Paternalism, Veracity, as well as Privacy and confidentiality. Some ethical theories that influence nursing practice are Consequentialism, Deontology, Ethical Relativism, Utilitarianism theory, Teleology, Virtue ethics, and Justice and equity. To a layperson some of these words may make sense and others may not. In order to better understand how these theories and principles shape the practice of nursing you must better understand what they mean. A brief description of some of these terms will be given before their influence on nurses is discussed. Autonomy refers to the patients’ own rights to make decisions about their healthcare, health, and lives without the interference from healthcare personnel such as the physician, the nurse, or other team members. This means the nurse would have to resist the urge to interject his or her own feelings, values or beliefs onto the patient. This principle was made more evident with the passing of the Patient Self Determination Act by Congress in 1990 (â€Å"Ethical Principles,† n.d., para. 2). Beneficence is very simple, it is referring to always doing what is beneficial to the patient and therefore in their best interest (Silva & Ludwick, 1999). This principle also invo lves taking actions to help benefit others and prevent  both physical and mental harm of the patient. Fidelity is synonymous with faithfulness and is therefore achieved by remaining loyal, fair, and truthful to patient and encompassing the idea of being a patient advocate. An example of fidelity would be keeping a promise to a patient of coming back to check on them even if they become slammed with a heavy workload. Informed consent is directly related to autonomy in the fact that it allows the patient to make an informed decision about their treatment (Daly, 2009). This means that accurate information must be provided to the patient in order to make an informed decision. Three elements involved in informed consent are Informed, Competent, and Voluntary. What this means is the patient has all the accurate information, they are in a stable and competent mindset to make the decision, and that they are voluntarily making the decision. Justice is simply referring to fairness and equality. It is applied to healthcare by providing equitable access to nursing care. Nonmaleficence literally translates to â€Å"do no harm† and is a concept that originated from the Hippocratic Oath. Nurses apply this principle by not causing injury, being either physical, psychological, emotiona, or financial (â€Å"Ethical Principles,† n.d., para. 16). Paternalism is a negative principle of nursing and is implied when a nurse does not respect the patients’ right to autonomy by making decisions for the patient because he or she thinks she knows what’s best for that patient (Sliva & Ludwick, 1999). Privacy and Confidentiality is relating to maintaining the security of a patient’s information and only sharing that information on a need-to-know basis with other healthcare members involved with that patients care and act to prevent breaches of confidentiality. Veracity as a word is associated with truthfulness. In nursing it is a duty to disclose pertinent information and the obligation to respect confidentiality at the same time. This means giving truthful information about the risks of a procedure while still respecting the patient’s confidentiality. These are the main principles of ethics as far as it pertains to nursing and knowing this information is vital to understanding ethical theories and how to bet ter apply them as a practicing nurse. As mentioned earlier some of the Ethical theories are Consequentialism, Deontology, Ethical Relativism, Teleology, Virtue ethics, and Justice and  equity. It is important for Nurses to understand the definition of each of these, as well as how to apply them, and how it benefits the patient. It is pivotal for nurses because it will ensure that they are preforming their jobs and duties with the highest regard to patient advocacy and maintain the ethics which nursing is based on. Consequentialism, also referred to as utilitarianism, seems simple enough to understand as the word â€Å"consequence† is evident. Consequentialist ethics refers to the idea that the correct moral response is always going to be related to the outcome, or consequence, of the act. This idea can also be thought of in a way that if a decision must be made it would be wisest to make the decision with the central aim of doing the maximum amount of greatest good for the greatest number of people. The actual ‘good’ that is being referred to can be expressed in numerous ways such as referring to values such as happiness, being pain or symptom free, or another life enhancing outcome (â€Å"Ethical Theories,† n.d., para. 2). There can be a backside to this theory however which can cause acts that would be contrary to the rights of individuals if the end result is one that would improve care for many others, this is referring back to the theory of doing the greatest good for the greatest amount of people. Deontology is simply following the moral theory of doing unto others as you would want them to do unto you. This theory is placing more value on the intentions of the individual as opposed to the actual outcome of any action. It also focuses on rules, obligations, and duties. In order to follow the theory of deontology it requires absolute adherence to these obligations and acting from duty is viewed as acting ethically. An ethical person must always follow the rules, even if doing so causes a less desirable outcome. Since with this theory it is the motives of the actor that determine the value of the act a bad outcome may be acceptable if the intent of the actor was good. On the back side of this theory there is a criticism in healthcare that applying a strictly deontological approach to healthcare can lead to conflicts of interest between equally entitled individuals which can be difficult or even seemingly impossible to resolve (â€Å"Ethical Theories,† n.d. para. 4). Teleology is a theory that is opposite to deontology in a sense. Whereas with deontology it is the intent of the decision made that determines the value as opposed to the outcome, with teleology it is the  outcome that determines whether the act is good or of value and that achievement of a good outcome justifies using a less desirable means to attain the end. Ethical relativism takes into account for the variability in what is considered to be normal or acceptable to any given culture. What this is saying is that every culture has their own set of norms and therefore certain behaviors that may be acceptable in one culture may not be acceptable in others. A nurse must keep in mind that ethical standards are relative to person, place, time, and culture. The nurse must take on the fact that whatever a person thinks is right, is right. Right and wrong is not definite in most cases as there are no absolute truths. While there are no universal truths in ethical relativism there are few topics that are not open to debate, such as incest (American Nurses Association, 2011). Although this theory has been largely rejected it is still valuable for a nurse to consider when caring for their patients. If a nurse is better educated on the culture of their client and what is considered normal or taboo they will be better equipped to provide excellent care in that persons eyes without infringing on their culture or having a biased opinion of them. Virtue ethics is different from other ethical theories in that it places much less emphasis on which rules people should follow and instead focuses on helping people develop good character traits, such as kindness and generosity. These character traits will, in turn, allow a person to make the correct decisions later on in life. Virtue theorists also emphasize the need for people to learn how to break bad habits of character, such as greed or anger. These are called vices and stand in the way of becoming a good person. This theory, while having the patients best interest in mind, focuses on the healthcare provider and asking them to learn good habits while breaking bad habits in order to predispose them to making the correct decision automatically while providing care to their clients. It requires the nurse to take a look at his or herself and make judgments on their character and work to change whatever is deemed unethical about themselves for the greater good of their patients. Thi s is an essential process of becoming a nurse as nobody is perfect and allowing oneself to be open minded about change will allow them to be the best nurse possible. Justice and equity is simple, it refers to being fair and equal to all patients no matter their socioeconomic status or resources at their disposal. This ethical theory is meant to  protect the less privileged people in society and give them access to fair and equal healthcare access without bias from the healthcare members caring for them. The theory states that a â€Å"veil of ignorance† should be worn regarding who is affected by a decision and should be used by all decision makers because it allows for unbiased decision making. An ethical person should choose the action that is fair to all, including both the advantaged and disadvantaged groups in society. This theory is in place to protect those less fortunate people and is essential to all of society to keep the balance and fairness when it comes to healthcare. Now that all of the ethical principles have been defined it is easier to make sense of how the ethical theories came about for our healthcare system and all the members of the healthcare team taking care of the patients. It is essential for these theories to be understood and applied by nurses all across the world in order to attain the best results for patients and the future of our healthcare system. It is essential of nurses to be well versed in the ethical principles and even more so in ethical theories to help guide them in their decision making when caring for clients. A nurse who knows the ethical theories and furthermore applies them in the field will have better client outcomes and prevent errors that can cause harm to a client in any way shape or form. These theories truly help protect not only the patients being cared for but also the nurses caring for those patients.

Sharing a Room Is Difficult

Sharing a room is difficult. Having a younger sister means mess, mess, and more mess. I try to arrange things a certain way and find them completely changed by the time I get home at the end of the day. Despite the downsides of sharing, I love my room because of the way it has changed throughout the years. The first thing you notice as you enter my bedroom is the blue stars on the white walls, and the cherry laminated wood flooring. The size of the room is not big neither small, just average sized. There is only one window which is on the far right corner, which lets the sunlight in every morning. We have a big mirror on the side facing the dresser and my bed. My bed is my favorite thing in my room. After a long day of studying or working out I get to relax on a soft, comfortable, full sized bed. It has a Dodger blue colored comforter set, and about a dozen pillows. There are usually two to three college books laying there for unfinished homework. Space for me is important. I like to have everything in place and very clean. My biggest obstacle is having enough room for my clothes in the closet. Everything is arranged into shirts, sweaters, and coats on one side; and jeans or sweats on the other. Workout shoes, tennis shoes, and heels are all nicely put on the bottom according to color. Movie nights are usually held at my house and in my room so I have a variety of comedies, action, and thriller movies. My all time favorites include: Gone in Sixty Seconds, Crash, A Walk to Remember, and Love and Basketball. I also have an Xbox in my room for when my brother wants to play Call of Duty. The television is my wakeup call every morning. I have a bookshelf filled with about thirty books. Some from high school other’s just for my enjoyment. I enjoy reading books other people recommend or books that grab my attention. Some of my favorite books you will definitely find on the top shelf are: Dear John, The Lovely Bones, and My Sister’s Keeper. I would usually get home and read for about half an hour on my warm and cozy bed.

Ultra Vires with an Emphasis on the Law in Georgia Research Paper

Ultra Vires with an Emphasis on the Law in Georgia - Research Paper Example Sometimes this term is used to signify the act of directors of a firm in which they exceed the power granted them. The cases of Ultra Vires, which include case of Rayfield v Hands, Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company and Shuttleworth v Cox Brothers and Company drives attention towards the laws regarding ultra vires in many states, including Georgia, along with the conditions which decide whether an act is ultra vires or not. There are many cases registered under ultra vires. One of them is the case of Rayfield v Hands. Field-Davis Ltd. was a firm doing business as constructors. This company followed the Companies Act 1929 and had share capital of 4000 Euros. These 4000 Euros were further divided into shares of one Euro each out of which 2900 were issued (â€Å"DOCTRINE OF ULTRA VIRES-EFFECTS AND EXCEPTIONS"). Leslie Rayfield was the plaintiff (now called claimant) and had 725 shares as a shareholder in the company (â€Å"DOCTRINE OF ULTRA VIRES-EFFECTS AND EXCEPTIONS†). Moreover, Gordon Wyndham Hands, Alfred William Scales and Donald Davies were the defendants as well as the directors of the firm. According to the article 11 of the articles of the association of company, it was necessary that the directors of the company will take the shares at a fair value if the shareholder informs them regarding his transfer of shares in the company. To this, the defendants disagreed to take in and pay the fair price to the plaintiff. The claimant filed a complaint and later it was found that the articles were put together in such a way due to which directors were required to purchase the shares at a fair value (Cassidy, 2008). The objects of Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company written in its Memorandum of Association were to only supply the material necessary for construction of railways and not to work on construction of them. However company entered into the contract of building railways. This was clearly in opposition with the provision of the Company Act of 1862(â€Å"DOCTRINE OF ULTRA VIRES-EFFECTS AND EXCEPTIONS†). Due to this contract, being against the Memorandum of Association was considered as ultra vires and not even the directors of the company could act against it even with their mutual consent. The shareholders could have passed a resolution to sanction the release or they could have changed the terms and conditions that were a part of company’s memorandum or articles. In the case of Shuttleworth v Cox Brothers and Company, it was decided that the contract decided on the basis of the articles present in the memorandum between the firm and the plaintiff could under goes change. If this new change is in the favor of the company then the contract will not be breached and this change will be considered as valid. Due to this, there was no doubt left that the alteration could be beneficial for the firm. Since there was dearth of evidence to prove the act of alteration of bad intentions, hence shareholders coul d not be questioned. Considering all this, the claimant was not granted the relief (â€Å"DOCTRINE OF ULTRA VIRES-EFFECTS AND EXCEPTIONS†). Georgia has its own laws when it comes to ultra vires. Rules and regulations that are posed on the firms working under Georgia’s laws are, 1. A corporation’

HEALTH LAW AND ETHICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 10

HEALTH LAW AND ETHICS - Essay Example sector has various stakeholders who include patients, payers, health providers, and employers who have different interests (Department of Community and Family Medicine Web). Most significantly, the administration faces a dilemma with their employees in the allocation of resources. The administration faces the dilemma of how to improve the healthcare. The administration must decide on whether to buy improved the health equipment, building more health facilities or increasing the remuneration of the care providers to motivate the provision of quality, accurate, and timely healthcare. Under the health laws, the patients have a right to receive efficient healthcare but on the other hand, the care providers have a right to better remuneration. Hence, law and ethics should fall in place in solving this dilemma. Indeed, the administration can liaise with the government, non-governmental organizations, and possible donors to help in funding improved health care equipment to guarantee better health services to the patients. At the same time, the administration should liaise with the health workers union to ascertain the remuneration standards of the caregivers a nd subsequently adjust it to recommended standards where possible. That way, the administration will solve the resources allocation

Cultural Homogenisation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Cultural Homogenisation - Essay Example Cultural homogenization has resulted due to the mix up cultures where there has been development one culture in the world. It is one of the effects of increased globalization of culture. Cultural homogenization defines the aspect of achieving one culture which is used to as a bench of all other cultures in the world. As the wave of globalization takes on the world, there has been increased mix up of people and in the same way mix up of culture. One of the areas in which people have interacted most is in the area of tourism and hospitality industry. Global tourism has been on the rise in the recent past which has seen the growth of the industry by large margins. Global tourism refers to the aspect of people visiting foreign countries for leisure, business or for other purposes. Most of the people participating in global tourism have been doing so for holidays although in the recent past there has been increased global tourism for other purposes like medical tourism, cultural tourism, business tourism, and others. Hospitality industry has been one of the areas that have enabled global tourism to grow at such rate. Hospitality industry is mainly engaged in provision of service to those who are not in their homes which defined in the context of tourism will mean those who are touring other areas awa y from their homes. This is one of the industries which have been serving diversity in the world as it is involved in serving people of diverse origins. Therefore it is one of the areas that have been able to achieve cultural homogeneity as it employee's people of diverse cultures and also service the same kind of people. Examples of hospital industry are hotels, lodging, lodges, and others. Modernity is an aspect that refers to the modern way of life. The concept of modernity was coined in order to reflect the changing life of the world which was being reflected in many things. But this has been overrun by the post modernity period which is marked by the current wave of globalization and in which the focus has shifted from observing the changes taking place in the world towards achievement of standardized way of doing things in the world. (Carley 1998, p. 43; Castles 1996, p. 81) Background After the Second World War in 1945 there were marked changes in the world. There was increased response to the concept of having one world which was united in solving many problems that the world was facing. There was marked development of modern society since 1945. One way in which the society was coming together was through the formation of the United Nations immediately after the war. This was however a political arrangement of nations. There was systematic development of a modern society which was increasingly becoming responsive to the needs of human life. The society was changing political as we have shown above and also in technology. The market was as well changing as corporation started spreading their wings to foreign countries. There was marked development in the production process. There was marked development of fordism which was mass production and the markets became more open and countries found no need to have closed markets. As a result the concept to post-fordism was later developed with was change in the production process. Post-fordism was based on a model of market production which was dictated by the demands in the market. In his regard, there was less utilization of the house

CRIME SCENE PROJECT Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

CRIME SCENE PROJECT - Research Paper Example Based on the information provided, the body had only been there a few minutes before the customer found it. The bar patron could have shot the victim, gotten out and pretended to get inside the restroom. The bar had no surveillance cameras which makes it difficult to monitor who came in and out the restrooms. In Jacqueline Girdner’s Murder, My Deer (2000), the character Felix who found the body of the victim was considered the primary suspect by the investigating officers. Without information regarding evidences that aid in determining the suspect (Levinson, D., 2002), the person who first finds the body is considered a primary suspect. No matter how the first officer arriving at the scene found out about the crime, â€Å"he or she must make every effort to detain the person who initially reported the crime and not allow the individual access to the crime scene†¦ After all, a perpetrator may believe that reporting the crime makes him or her less likely to be a suspect †¦ (Lyle, D., 2010).† The offender may also be the one of the people who last spoke to the victim at the bar. This group is composed of the bartender and the people sitting next to the victim at the bar he â€Å"had several short conversations with (Crime Scene #3, 2002).† Based on the given information, the bartender recalled that â€Å"no one approached the victim (Crime Scene #3, 2002)† when he had attended to the victim’s drinks. Since the victim knew him, this can explain why there are no signs of a struggle in the crime scene. The same can be said for the people who sat next to him at the bar and spoke to him. The bar was full & the men’s restroom is not next to the women’s restroom. There are no surveillance cameras. It would not be noticeable whether the offender who entered the male restroom to kill the victim was male or female. It was also provided that some people were not pleased with the victim in the course of time he visited the

Global Strategic Management in the Business World Research Paper

Global Strategic Management in the Business World - Research Paper Example   One of the major myths prevailing in the organizational world until recent times was that if a company wishes to be a global corporation, it does need to locate in every continent or at least in American and European continents. However, such beliefs have been changed in recent times. It is illogical to argue that a company should invest even in unprofitable continents to know as an international company or global corporation. In order to become a global company, a company should invest only in profitable continents. â€Å"Global business consists of transactions that are devised and carried out across national borders to satisfy the objectives of individuals, companies, and organizations. These transactions take on various forms, which are often interrelated† (Czinkota, et al., 2004). However, it is not necessary that the business should be established in all continents to label it as a global business. For example, the majority of the American and European companies are currently trying to establish manufacturing units in India and China as a cost reduction strategy. It should be noted that India and China are the most heavily populated countries in the world at present and these countries have abundant skilled manpower. At the same time, the manpower shortage is a big problem in America and Europe. In other words, America and Europe are expensive labor-oriented regions whereas Asia is a cheap labor-oriented continent at present. Since the international market is heavily competitive, all companies are currently looking for the cost reduction strategies as far as manufacturing is concerned. It is impossible for American and European companies to manufacture goods in their own territories and compete effectively with Indian or Chinese companies in the international market. Therefore the majority of these companies are currently establishing manufacturing units in India or China. For example, Apple, Ford, BMW, Benz etc are some companies which have ma nufacturing units in India or China. In fact, these companies are manufacturing their products in India or China and exporting them to the overseas market. The Indian city of Bangalore is famous for outsourcing business. Plenty of American and European IT companies are currently operating in Bangalore in order to exploit the cheap labor and IT skills of the Indians. Microsoft and IBM like companies have business units in Bangalore. It is illogical to ask these companies to establish the business in Antarctica or Africa to achieve global status. Instead of globalization, modern companies are thinking about glocalization. â€Å"Glocalization encourages companies to â€Å"think global, act locally†, and they could do so by using the global brand while localizing certain elements of that brand in order to suit a particular country†(Luigi & Simona, n.d., p.1).

Emerging Accounting Issues Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Emerging Accounting Issues - Research Paper Example These issues are supposed to be in line with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. This paper seeks to the highlight the role of EITF and its relationship with entrepreneurial entities in the US. Question #1 The EITF was designed to publicize the implementation guidance of sound accounting principles within the framework of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). This was meant to reduce diversity on a timely basis, and to minimize the need for the FASB to put effort and spend time in addressing narrow implementation, and application (Wahlen, Jones, & Pagach, 2012). The EITF was meant to create more space for the FASB to delegate on other issues while the EITF dealt with consistent emerging issues that can be analyzed within the GAAP. A common relationship that exists between the FASB and EITF apart from the fact that EITF was formed from the recommendations of the FASB is the EIFT members. Members of this agency are drawn from a cross section of the FASB work force in its various constituencies. These personnel include preparers, auditors and financial statement users. The EITF is designed to act as a taskforce that constitutes individuals with the ability to identify emerging issues before they manifest themselves as widespread divergent practices that become entrenched. This is to ensure that accounting principles and practices that do not serve the best interests of the public are not left unregulated. This gives the EITF mandate to institute regulatory measures and protocols that ensure a certain business entity adheres to standard practice. The responsibilities of the EITF are tandem with those of the FASB; in the sense that actions that cannot be accomplished by EITF are taken up by the FASB. EITF’s effectiveness in finding resolutions is pegged on its ability to identify emerging accounting and financial issues in a timely manner in order affect its regulatory role competently (Bragg, 2012). The agency’s resolution formulation i s founded on the principles of consultative dialogue with the stakeholders and relevant professionals in the fields of financial accounting. To this end, EITF holds public meetings regularly to deliberate on new issues and receive input from proposals and recommendations it ought to make. As defined by its composition, the EIFT best practices, proposals and recommendations are viewed as the best for the benefit of the public good. Constitution of accountants from large accounting firms means that all the current trends in practice are cognizant with EITF’s responsibilities and functions. EITF achieves effective resolution of emerging issues by specifically developing answers and solutions to each emerging issue. This is because experienced observation has led to the conclusion that the development of an encompassing remedial strategy does not guarantee overall effectiveness. Best practice and resolution of emerging accounting issues individually has been cited as the best way EITF effectiveness and efficiency. Question #2 The EITF issue No. 13-C is concerned with the presentation of unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carry-forward or tax credit carry-forward exists (Hyman, 2010). During the presentation of a statement of financial position, revelation of unrecognized tax benefits on income tax is not explicitly mandatory. There exist diverse practices when it comes to the revelation

General Suggested improvements Essay Example for Free

General Suggested improvements Essay The improvements I suggest would include having utilities like File Wipe and data encryption, Firewalls and other Malware protection. You should employ tactics such as Health and Safety messages, such as only water may be near the computers, and then it should be in a secure bottle and such things as data awareness, e. g. , people knowing what they should and should not delete and where data is held and why they should have passwords and why there should be strong passwords. There should be efficient junk-mail filters on your email to avoid any viruses coming into your system by email. Task 2: Types of threats to your physical security with suggested improvements(P2) Biometrics These are mechanical security measures that detect fingerprints, gait recognition and iris detection, etc. Be aware that these methods are not foolproof! There are people out there who spend every day trying to beat these systems. Physical security These are security measures like locks and bolts on doors and windows. Security guards and dogs could be employed, and burglar alarms such as motion sensors, noise detection and other sorts of alarms; CCTV cameras and Smart cameras to be deployed inside and outside the building. The doors to the server should be locked and a security guard should be positioned outside the door. With the servers hardrives being locked in place and for higher security measures, having a vault door in front of the server, and having the access keys 12 metres apart, and operated simultaneously by two separate employees, would ensure greater (but not foolproof) security. You could invest in a disaster resistant room with fire resistant tiles, and some way of filtering flood or excess water, and some way of cooling things down if the air conditioning breaks down to avoid the server being flooded and/or cooked, for your server to resist things like terrorist attacks, e. g. , bombs and/or the unlikely but still possible event of a tornado. All these physical security systems could help to make your business secure. Describe how software and network security measures can help keep systems and data secure. (P3, M1) Software and Network Security The first suggestion I would make would be buy or download your software from reputable retailers. Unlicensed and cracked software could also have incorporated Malware in the cracking code and also, you could be in trouble with the law if you use unlicensed software. You should have the relevant security software up to date and make sure your anti-Malware protection is not actually Malware pretending to be anti-Malware to fool you. Firewalls Firewalls are metaphorically a wall between you and the Internet which denies access to anything you havent specified (i. e. , hackers and malicious websites or material). Every computer has a unique identification address, made up of a series of numbers, and also given a domain name corresponding to those numbers, for easier access, e. g. , howstuffworks. com is also known as 216. 27. 61. 137 . A firewall can block all access to a specific IP address. Firewalls can also filter messages and monitor attempted break-ins. Firewalls can also be implemented in certain machines to allow only one protocol, e. g. , http or tcp and block all others. Encryption Encryption is a process turning regular text, pictures and other data into illegible text and pictures and data through a series of simple or complicated algorithms depending on your security needs. The text will turn out like this:- 5ugre54jyt656f5t8uf which , for anybody who can speak double Dutch, means absolutely nothing. Encryption is important for sensitive personal information or any business related information which would make it harder for the hackers to uphold your information in any legible way. In encryption techniques, there are two types of keys, Public and Private. The Public Key is a key that can be passed around and made public. This is to encrypt any information. Once a person has encrypted the information, it cannot be decrypted without the Private Key which is a password, not necessarily a word in the English sense, it can be any combination of letters and numbers, which is more advisable. For greater security, the password should be separate from any digital medium but some software allows you to store it on your computer for automatic decryption. Anti-Virus Software. Anti-virus software protects against viruses. They have a database of the general layout of viruses so they can recognise any future viruses and also any existing ones. This is a critical piece of software, particularly if your computer has a virus, as this can cause it to slow down or not work altogether, so it is highly advisable to have some sort of anti-virus software installed. Staff Training. It is important to provide regulations or Code of Conduct in your Company, e. g. , you could specify that employees may only use their email for work purposes. Staff should be aware that it is insecure to leave a computer logged on when they are not around and also not to leave their laptops in cars or on public transport. Laptops should not be left in cars overnight in cold conditions as this could disable them. Computers should not be left in any condition where they could overheat and destroy the contents inside. Staff should also be aware that viruses and other Malware can be sent via email attachments so they must not open any email attachments unless you specifically know what that attachment contains. Staff should also be trained in data management. This is keeping your files in a structured and organised fashion, having sensible file names and folder names, knowing what should and should not be deleted, knowing how to achieve deleted items, and knowing what to do when other office programmes crash and knowing where you can get the autosave files from. The final training staff need to know is about copyright, registered trademarks and patent Laws and also plagiarism. Biometrics. Biometrics is fusing biology with IT in the fact that fingerprints can be used to access computers or other physical areas. Known biometrics are:- gait recognition, fingerprint scanning, iris detection, speech recognition. The costs of these security measures can be quite expensive, especially the newer ones like gait recognition and iris detection. More conventional biometrics are relatively cheap like fingerprinting and speech which are probably the most common ones around. Passwords. Passwords are crucial to deter any opportunistic data thieves. If everybody has a strong password, these types of thieves will be stopped. When signing up for a Google mail account, they have an indicator next to the password, they have a scale next to the password selected, to indicate whether this is a weak to strong password. Generally, weak passwords are 1 6, your dogs name, your wifes names, or any similar name, important dates like your birthday. These are considered weak passwords as they can easily be guessed. Strong passwords are usually an alphanumeric combination of upper and lower case letters, for instance, GIRfufr57fjy, keep systems and data secure. Call Back Call back is the CPU putting a process on hold, to go back to it later. Handshaking Handshaking is the computer and a another computer deciding on the protocol. Use of Backups The use of Backups are essential to your business, so that if your hard drive fails you will need to get a new hard drive and if you neglected to back up your computer, all your data is lost. So backups are essential to keep data secure. Audit logs Audit logs are programmes to log any changes to your computer, eg when you log in, the audit logs check the logs for your username against your password and do you have authorisation to access to continue if so more checking, keeping systems secure. Firewall Firewalls are metaphorically a wall between you and the Internet which denies access to anything you havent specified (i. e. , hackers and malicious websites or material). Every computer has a unique identification address, made up of a series of numbers, and also given a domain name corresponding to those numbers, for easier access, e. g. , howstuffworks. com is also known as 216. 27. 61. 137 . A firewall can block all access to a specific IP address. Firewalls can also filter messages and monitor attempted break-ins. Firewalls can also be implemented in certain machines to allow only one protocol, e. g. , http or tcp and block all others, keeping systems and data secure. Configuration You need to configure your computer and/or network security to your security policies. If you configure your security properly it will prevent unauthorised access onto your network or accidental deletion of data. The configuration is important to keep your system running smoothly and your work safe.

Stories by Flannery OConnor Essay Example for Free

Stories by Flannery OConnor Essay Flannery OConnors two narratives, Everything That Rises Must Converge and Good Country People, are different stories presenting different characters, different plots, and different themes; however, both stories revolve around a mother and her child and their relationship. Everything That Rises Must Converge concerns Julian and his mother, and Good Country People concerns Hulga and her mother. As the two stories unfold, the similarities between Julian and Hulga, two seemingly different individuals, become apparent. The two, who appears unlike at first, turn out to have characteristics similar to one another. Both Julian and Hulga exhibit an educated and a proud character. They both use other people to validate their beliefs, and they both face a situation where they learn a lesson that they have to recognize for themselves. At the beginning of each story, OConnor presents each character as learned, conceited, and self-righteous. Julian has just graduated from college, which is a big achievement, considering that her mother did it all by herself. Julian is an aspiring writer who, for now, sells typewriters and lives with his mother. He thinks of himself as very intelligent. In fact, he often draws himself into the inner compartment of his mind . . . the only place where he [feels] free of the general idiocy of his fellows. In the same way, Hulga is a 32-year old woman who holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and currently lives with her mother. She, like Julian, also thinks of herself as superior to others. She thinks  that if she only can, [s]he would be in a university lecturing to people who know what she [is] talking about. She also thinks to herself, [A] true genius can get an idea across even to an inferior mind. The two characters think too highly of themselves that they belittle other people, even their mothers who support them until now. In the course of each story, Julian and Hulga both use other people to prove to themselves and to others their beliefs. Julian uses black people to prove to his mother that the society has changed. He tries to make friends with  black people not because he likes them and sees them as coequals, but because he wants to irritate his mother and to show everyone that he is not narrow-minded like most white people are. Likewise, Hulga tries to seduce Manley Pointer into withdrawing his faith and into believing that there is no God. She wishes to teach him the deeper meaning of life. She imagines that she [takes] his remorse in hand and change[s] it into a deeper understanding of life. Hulga wants to convert Manley. Julian and Hulga both wish to change others into accepting what they believe are true and correct. As each story concludes, the two characters face messages whose meanings they have to make use of. Right after the confrontation of Julians mother with the black woman, Julians mother collapses unexpectedly and dies while Julian knowingly lectures her. Julian says to his mother, From now on youve got to live a new world and face a few realities for a change. Buck up, it wont kill you. Then the mother falls to the pavement. Now, the mother that Julian despised before is gone, and he is left in a world of guilt and sorrow. Similarly, Hulga loses her wooden leg over a mediocre country boy. In irritation, Hulga says to Manley, Youre a fine Christian! Youre just like them  allsay one thing and do another. Manley simply says before leaving, [Y]ou aint so smart. I been believing in nothing ever since I was born! Now, Hulga is left legless, helpless, and Godless. Both Julian and Hulga try to change other people when it is them who need to change. Julian and Hulga are both learned and proud. They both use other people for personal validation, and they both face lessons, which they have to figure out for themselves. OConnor characterizes Julian and Hulga in a way that they seem odd and far from what most people are, but as the characters evolve, they turn out to be ordinary people in all walks of life. They turn out to be where most people areliving in a delusion that their way is better than the way of the others.

Importance of Outsourcing of Logistics Function

Importance of Outsourcing of Logistics Function Outsourcing and 3PL, as important business functions, have drawn attention of business operators as well as academic and scholars. A large number of studies have analyzed these areas from a theoretical perspective and a practical point of view. This section will start with the review of outsourcing regarding its definition and importance as well as motivations and concerns. Then, based on the correlation between outsourcing and 3PL, the section presents the concepts of 3PL and most challenges 3PL providers are facing. Lastly, the section shows what could be the current situation of Chinas 3PL industry. Outsourcing of logistics function 2.1.1 Definition and importance Razzaque and Sheng (1998) defined outsourcing as multiple logistics services provided by a single vendor on a contractual basis. Outsourcing is becoming more important today. Due to economic and competitive pressures, it is imperative for different enterprises to pay attention to their core competencies and turn to third-parties to undertake responsibility for other secondary corporate functions. Outsourcing can create profits by improving customer service level, providing high added-value to products, benefiting in exploiting new markets, and offering dedicated resources (Foster and Muller, 1990). By means of outsourcing, companies can obtain competitive advantage through cost reduction and increased responsiveness to market change. Motivation of outsourcing Several reasons lead private business as well as government agencies to outsource logistics functions: Avoid Capital expenditures It reduces capital investment in facilities (Richardson, 1995). This allows the using firm to spending where it can get the best return as in research, manufacturing, marketing, or other functions core to the organization. Increase flexibility This can enable firms to focus on the core business, question any function or department that is not producing revenue and adapt to changes in the market and access to leading edge technology. A third-party will be invited to help a company when demand increase dramatically beyond the capability of the company to fulfill (Razzaque and Sheng, 1998). Many 3PL providers specialize in logistics functions such as transportation, warehousing management and information technology. Cost savings To save costs is identified by most literature as one of the most popular reasons for why outsourcing occurs. In principle, outsourcing will occur to companies for cost reduction when their suppliers offer a service for a low price which however still can cover added overhead, profit, and transaction costs (Harler, 2000). Those companies which outsource their logistics functions to 3PL service providers usually agree that it is more cost saving than to fulfill the same logistics task in-house (Candler, 1994). According to Bradley (1995a), there are some other reasons of logistics outsourcing such as improving service level and customer satisfaction, using 3PL providers logistics IT systems, acquiring outside sophisticated professionals, combining service and minifying number of suppliers, integrating the process of supply chain, and increasing productivity. Concerns of outsourcing Despite the fact that outsourcing is now favored by most organizations, there are still many recognized potential barriers and problems related to outsourcing. Normally the most mentioned reservation which restrains enterprises from employing 3PL service providers is loss of control of 3PLs (Richardson, 1993a). Such tendency can be caused by different objectives and attitudes of the logistics service providers and users towards strategy, profits and service or skills (Axelrod, 2004, p49). The adoption of outsourcing might also lead to a situation in which critical knowledge associated with process and customers would leak to potential competitors (Jennings, 2002). Moreover, unrealized savings with a potential for increased costs, employee moral problems, losing touch with important information, unreliable promises of the providers, their inability to respond to changing requirements have been mentioned as potential risks as well. Each of these concerns should be recognized carefully by organizations that intend to outsource their logistics function, otherwise contract logistics can be another issue to deal with, rather than a catalyst or improvement (Razzaque and Sheng, 1998). Third-Party Logistics 2.2.1 Concept of 3PL Third party logistics service has been described in a few ways, including outsourcing of one single service such as transportation, and outsourcing of a set of complicated processs (Vasiliauskas Barysiene, 2008). Generally, 3PL provide not only just separate warehouse or transport functions but also multiple, bundled services (Leahy et al., 1995). It is also worth mentioned that freight forwarders and shipping lines are included in broad definitions of the 3PL industry (Rao and Young, 1994). On the basis of above definitions, Leib et al. (1993) used the following definition: Third-party logistics involves the use of external companies to perform logistics functions that have traditionally been performed within an organization. The functions performed by the third party can encompass the entire logistics process or selected activities within that process. The authors refer to the 3PL as a new industry and growing business environment has more expectations on 3PL. The usage of 3PL has been considered as logistics alliances at strategic level. Bagchi and Virum (1996, p.193) have developed the following definitions: A logistics alliance indicates a close and long-term, relationship between a customer and a provider encompassing the delivery of a wide array of logistics needs. In a logistics alliance, the parties ideally consider each other as partners. They collaborate in understanding and defining the customers logistics need. Both partners participate in designing and developing logistics solutions and measuring performance. The goal of the relationship is to develop a win-win arrangement. Compared with the prior definition, which focuses on the logistics functional activities, the final one emphasizes the duration of the relationship between the logistics service provider and user, and also covers an extensive range of promising logistics services (Halldorsson Larsen, 2004). Many articles have disclosed that 3PL industry has progressed steadily for ages (Liu, 2008). 3PL providers started as a traditional transportation or warehousing service providers from 1980s. Nowadays, 3PL companies provide a variety services including basis logistics service as well as value added services. Main challenges to 3PL service providers As the 3PL industry has continued to evolve, the 3PL provider, sitting in the middle between the manufacturers or suppliers (the buyers of the 3PL service, known as shippers) and the end customers (the consumer of the products), will need to balance the dynamic pulls generated by upstream and downstream entities, and thus faces challenges are unique to its position. Financial issues Although 3PL providers should develop skills, improve competencies, and provide more value-added service so as to survive and expand business successfully in this flourishing market, the main challenge for them is how to obtain business and achieve acceptable financial performance. Maintain profits under price pressures from customers The economic crisis has caused serious situations for both 3PL users and providers -82 percent of shippers now are implementing cost-cutting strategies and 60 percents are reconsidering their supply chain and relationships with 3PLs accordingly (Capgemini Consulting et al, 2009). As a matter fact, economic factor is a strong motivation for outsourcing, of which cost reduction and cost saving are the main concerns. One of the most significant motivations for outsourcing logistics functions to third parties is their professional knowledge and valuable experience in logistics industry which are costly for their customers to have in-house (Byrne, 1993). However, the decision of employing 3PL providers is usually influenced by the evaluation of cost/service trade-offs (Selviaridis and Spring, 2007). Hence, no matter what strategic stances the logistics providers take, they have to keep upgrading and improving their operational potentialities in the business environment (Sum Teo, 1999). Meanwhile, as price competition is inevitable and most customers are also price sensitive at present, 3PL providers still need to be cost conscious to achieve higher margins, and to prevent themselves from being priced out of the market. Financial stability Many articles have placed emphasis on financial firmness as a critical essential for logistics providers (Bottani Rizzi, 2006). Based on the empirical survey conducted by Boyson et al. (1999) financial stability was ranked as the most significant selection criteria for choosing 3PL providers because it reduce the risk in relationship. A 3PL services provider with stable financial standing can not only better satisfy its clients and implement cost reduction through a dedicated resource, but also diminish risks for logistics partners (Bowersox Daugherty, 1990). Accordingly, Boyson et al. (1999) assert that firms prefer providers demonstrating outstanding customer service level with low price and possessing solid financial stability. Nevertheless, the financial tsunami which has weighted down the world economy has resulted in steep decreasing in logistics demand with no doubt. On the one hand, according to Li Fung Research Center (2009), the clients of the logistics enterprises asked for price cut and longer credit term, and it is difficult for them to collect the payments form clients during such hard times. Bad debts and financial losses will be easily incurred by any imprudent credit management. On the other hand, the confidence for the banks to lend had been damaged by the tsunami. Banks are now only willing to provide loans to selected enterprises or projects, which limits the financing options of the logistics enterprises (Li Fung Research Center, 2009). Clearly, it has always been important for 3PL providers to maintain a sound financial condition to survive in the recession as well as to rise superior to others in the market. Information technology (IT) Capability of information technology IT-based logistics services is considered as significant factor by 88% of shippers, but only less than half (42%) of the shippers are satisfied with the IT capableness of their providers (Capgemini Consulting et al, 2009). Accordingly, such IT capability gap result in a few difficulties for both shippers and 3PLs to collaborate in an adaptive supply chain (Capgemini Consulting et al, 2009). Information is one of the most important elements in logistics management (Cheong, 2004) and it is definitely essential to assist logistics process with effective IT (LaLonde and Masters, 1994). IT capability can be enhanced by employing advanced software, such as electronic data interchange (EDI) networking, enterprise resource planning environments, simulation software, vehicle routing packages, carrier loading optimization tools, etc. (Qureshi et al, 2008). Hardware also may be utilized to facilitate operations and to increase the production efficiency, including radio frequency devices, servers, bar code printers and scanners, global positioning system (GPS), networking and internet/intranet connections, satellite tracking devices, etc. (Qureshi et al, 2008). 3PL services providers which adopt tracking and tracing devices can grant better services to users with quick responsiveness (Rahman, 2004). According to Byrne (1993), the need of sophisticated information technology is impe rative for logistics management to link members like manufacturer, carrier and customer in the supply chain. Sauvage (2003) proposed that to fully satisfy the variety of customers demand, LSPs should continuously employ advanced information technologies in order to enhance their service performance. It is unlikely for a firm which is lagging in a technology to move to a position of leadership (Jennings, 2002). Security of information systems The sharing of so much information inevitably leads to security concerns. It can not be denied that logistics service providers usually still lose customers annually due to issues of trust in privacy and security, though they keep attracting new clients (Pattel Conners, 2008). One possible mentioned security issue is that when a 3PL provider has to serve several direct competitors, the information in relation to all of them should be kept confidential (Grover et al., 1994, p. 38; Lacity and Hirschheim, 1993a, p. 24). Other than cost, security and privacy are also considered as major concerns by many companies when outsourcing. Compatibility of information systems IT compatibility acts an essential role in logistics activities such as forecasting, order purchasing, inventory replenishment and life cycle management (Anand, 2010). According to Arshinder et al. (2007), the information system of the whole supply chain is expected to be compatible. A compatible information system means comprehensible data are quickly shared among the parties throughout the supply chain (Arshinder et al, 2007) while incompatibility will lead to costly and time consuming process because information, though can be shared as well, is rarely in synchronization. At present, it is difficult for information to seamlessly flow throughout the network as international logistics often includes some different transportation modes and carriers. Moreover, there are diverse IT systems in the different trading areas. For example, Europe adopts Administration, Commerce and Transportation (EDIFACT) standards for EDI systems while the US follows the standards of the American National Standards Institute (Rao Young, 1994). These difficulties in global supply chain have challenged 3PLs regarding how to capitalize the gap to provide a distinct competitive advantage. Reliability of information systems As one of the major industry focus in the global logistics market, the field of information systems paid special attention to user satisfaction as an important performance measure (Ives and Olson, 1984; Robey and Farrow, 1982). Bailey and Pearson (1983) have pointed out that reliability is one of the critical criteria of customer satisfaction. There could be many unknown increased reliability risk which result from two major sections of technology. One is that new technology innovations or adoptions of 3PL providers may have an unclear reliability performance. The other is that an existing technology may be applied to a new market with unknown increase failure rates (Collins, 2005). To fulfill the promised logistics service reliably and exactly, 3PL providers must identify and remove uncertainty involved with technology reliability performance. Human Resource (HR) Lack of expertise There is a tendency that firms desire to acquire the expertise from third-party logistics providers who possess particular local knowledge of customs and infrastructure of destination countries in such a growing global market (Razzaque Sheng, 1999). Although one of the drivers for companies to outsource is to acquire resources and logistics professionals (Selviaridis Spring, 2007), the results of the research conducted by Georgia Institute of Technology et al. (2009) show that many outsourcing users dont believe that 3PLs are in the capacity of strategic partners currently, 40% of shippers in the survey expect their 3PL service providers to continue focusing on execution, and a good many of them reckon that 3PL providers lack logistics expertise that would support users increasing outsourcing. Often-cited problems range from misunderstanding the demand of customers supply chain to inadequate professionals in given products and markets (Selviaridis Spring, 2007). In fact, customers are looking for 3PL providers that have expertise in multiple phases of the logistics process. An annual surveys of US 3PL firms indicates that company employee/expertise is regarded by CEOs as the most important asset of the company for business success in the competition, however those same CEOs also agree that currently the most critical problem facing 3PL companies as finding qualified people (Leib and Randall, 1996b). Different culture Almost all members in the supply chain, including third party, have their own company culture which is definitely different from each other (Babics, 2005). According to Pagell (2004), the capacity of how to harmonize its own internal culture with the external different cultures of its customers is one significant factor that 3PL providers should note in the integration of operational services in supply chains. Mckeon (1991) states that for both 3PL providers and their customers, understanding each others cultures and organizational structure is an essential factor to ensure a win-win outsourcing. Compatibility of culture and values is one of the keys to successful partnership which can result in long-term partnership (Qureshi et al, 2008). Culture conflicts often result in change orders, unexpected costs, and sometimes a negative impact on relationships (Kremic et al, 2006). In general, the ability of 3PL providers to understand the customer organizations culture is a basis for partnering. Inadequate education and training In order to remain competitive in the logistics market, 3PL providers have to be vigilant and agile to their customers needs, and continually seek to meet customer expectations as much as possible. Logistics executive should be aware that, due to rapid growth in the logistics industry, there could be a shortage of qualified logistics expertise (Yeung, 2006). Therefore, it is necessary for governments and educational services to allocate more resources, put logistics on formal curriculum, and provide more correlated training programs to fulfill the demand of the whole supply chain. The development of logistics, otherwise, might be constrained by lack of trained logistics personnel (Sum Teo, 1999). Ulengin and Uray (1999) indicate that in Turkey, senior management that is void of professional knowledge of logistics is the fundamental factor limiting the progress of logistics industry. Kerr (2005b) describes poor training as a black hole in China because neither the central government nor Chinas regulatory authorities do much to promote logistics training programs. Obviously, a firm with higher quality of human resources such as better education or training will have superior core competence in the market. Hence, it is imperative for 3PL service providers to offer more training programs to employees so that they can cope with competition in the future (Wang et al, 2006) Business Landscapes Globalization of 3PL market delivering service in new geographic regions The internationalization and globalization of 3PL providers has been boosted by the economies of scale and scope, by the internationalization and globalization of the competitors and by customer following i.e. the internationalization of manufacturing firms, which may demand that the service supplier provides a global network and/or global experience (Arvidsson, 1997, p.74). 3PL providers that take charge of their customers outsourced logistics function normally need to build up a logistics network to deal with the flow of the goods from the customers factory to the end customers (Cheong, 2004). In current global economic environment, manufacturing companies tend to establish partnerships with 3PL service providers and they desire to cooperate with some global freight forwarding companies (Lemoine et al, 2003). 3PL service providers with well-content characteristics, such as far geographical spread and wide range of services are popular among the shippers (Qureshi, 2007). As per Bottani and Rizzi (2006), companies favor the 3PL providers with wide range of advanced services more than those traditional ones which can offer mere single logistics functional service. However, supply chain requirement keep changing. Customer demand can change in spatial and temporal terms. In response to the shippers new requirement, 3PL service providers endeavor to extend service coverage geographically and to expand breadth of service so that they can fulfill the interest of their customers as an integrated logistics provider (Qureshi et al, 2008) Relationship with customers 3PL service providers are normally very concerned with the relationship with their customers because they attempt to establish a long-term one with the users (Cheong, 2004). Long-term customer relationships can enable 3PLs to provide more sophisticated services, reduce the risk of replacement, achieve more earnings, and avoid expense of developing new customer (Cahill, 2006). In addition, long-term relationship is built on the basis of mutual trust and sharing of risk and reward (Qureshi et al, 2008). Bothe shipper and 3PLs will benefit from such long-term relationship (Qureshi et al, 2008). Most of 3PL services users agree that logistics costs could decrease even more through strategic relationships with 3PL service providers. Langley et al. (2004) point out that the successful relationship with 3PL service providers will assist the users to achieve their major objective. Customer relationship management is necessary once a 3PL provider first establishes a relationship with a shipper. To keep customers satisfied and coming back, 3PL providers must demonstrate their capabilities and the value these capabilities provider to customers (Wisner et al, 2005). Third-party logistics service providers in China: China has become the most attractive country for more and more foreign investments, manufacturers, and retailers from all over the world, which results in the fast growth of the Chinese economy (Liu, 2008). Accordingly, the development of 3PL has been spurred in China and 3PL industry has achieved significant achievement. Currently, most logistics companies offer extensively various value-added services and have confidence in the continuous development of Chinas logistics industry. Many literatures have research the Chinese logistics area from diverse perspectives and some supply chain-related difficulties facing foreign 3PLs are identified. High transport cost It is not deniable that Chinese government has invested a lot in the logistics sector to improve traffic in recent years. However, poor transportation is still considered as one significant challenge for logistics industry in China, which may result in the increase in logistics cost and the decrease in company profits (Lau Zhang, 2006). Li Fung Research Center (2009) notes that the transportation occupies more than 50 percent of the total logistics cost in China, and undoubtedly the operation costs of 3PL service providers will still be ascending due to the price upswing of commodity and fuel. Another culprit is high local road tolls and other hefty transportation fees (Kerr, 2005b). Underdeveloped physical infrastructure Many MNCs find that it is difficult for them to implement coherent strategies in China because underdeveloped transportation system hinders their distribution and sourcing throughout the country (Speece and Yukiko, 1995). Although Chinas economy and industrial production have been developing rapidly, the current logistics system is loaded with new challenges as it can barely keep pace with the growth rate of economy (Carter et al, 1997). The undeveloped logistics infrastructure in China, including deficient highways, aged port facilities, and limited runways and airports, can hardly fulfill the growing logistics demand in the progress of new economy (Pollit, 1998). The insufficiencies of present distribution system have restricted foreign enterprises to immensely exploit the plenty opportunities in Chinas market (Goh and Ling, 2003). It is thus imperative that the distribution of products and services be supported by a reliable transportation system. The need for guanxi Literally, guanxi means relationship. It is noted that Chinese culture is quite distinct from Western culture in numerous aspects, including the way to conduct business (Jiang and Prater, 2003). Guanxi, which is an important concept for successful business in China, refer to relationship between people (Michailova and Worm, 2003). It suggests a conveyable, reciprocal, invisible and useful responsibility to dyadic personal relationships (Luo, 2000). It is not surprising that Chinese prefer to deal with people they know and trust. As Wang et al. (2003) indicated, guanxi which is created on the basis of mutually beneficial can lower risk as well as competition in business circles. Millington et al. (2006) also state that when looking for satisfying vendors, guanxi is more useful than other information from website, trade market or media. This implies that the knowledge and expertise to understand local circumstance and the communication skill with foreigners are absolutely necessary for establishment of a successful cooperation (Lightfoot and Almeida, 2007). Government regulation Kerr (2006) identifies that government regulation is still 3PL providers biggest challenge. The development of 3PL in China is obstructed by some barriers such as underdeveloped infrastructure and entrenched regulatory circumstance (Lau Zhang, 2006). In the meantime, various regulations set up by different provinces forcefully influence business activities so that the founding of national networks is hindered (Kerr, 2005). It also has made it difficult for 3PL providers in China to fully meet the requirements of their clients. Moreover, there are many regulations and rules for foreign 3PL providers who plan to enter China logistics market. According to Lai and Hsu (2007), foreign 3PL providers must apply for the class A license issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation (MOFTERC) if they plan to establish subsidiaries as international freight forwarders in China. A survey conducted by Li Fung Research Center (2009) also identifies that the regulations and policies associated with logistics industry are not unalterable because the government will supervise the execution and analyze the effect of the existing ones and then will formulate new ones accordingly to boost the growth of the industry. It is true that a number of government departments which are involved in policies related to logistics industry have impact on the rhythm of changing regulation (KPMG, 2008). Local 3PL providers Chinas local logistics providers have been growing rapidly because foreign firms are increasingly looking to source there. To contend with foreign logistics providers, domestic companies have to upgrade facilities and enhance their service level (KPMG, 2008). Jiang and Prata (2002) indicate that in contrast with foreign 3PL entrants, local players are always in the close association with local or central governments. For instance, Sinatrans is a state owned company and is the only 3PL service provider in China who can provide a nationwide logistics service with full license. The authors also mention that a number of local 3PL providers at regional level have their own special strength in specific areas or specific business. Some of them even look for individual connection built directly with government officials which may be valuable in their daily business. Literature review summary This section has reviewed the literature ranging from some fundamental definitions of outsourcing and 3PL, to challenges for 3PL industry globally and especially in China which represents the current situation foreign 3PL providers are facing in China. In table 2.1, we summarize the above referred articles in each of the focus challenges. Importance of Outsourcing of Logistics Function Importance of Outsourcing of Logistics Function Outsourcing and 3PL, as important business functions, have drawn attention of business operators as well as academic and scholars. A large number of studies have analyzed these areas from a theoretical perspective and a practical point of view. This section will start with the review of outsourcing regarding its definition and importance as well as motivations and concerns. Then, based on the correlation between outsourcing and 3PL, the section presents the concepts of 3PL and most challenges 3PL providers are facing. Lastly, the section shows what could be the current situation of Chinas 3PL industry. Outsourcing of logistics function 2.1.1 Definition and importance Razzaque and Sheng (1998) defined outsourcing as multiple logistics services provided by a single vendor on a contractual basis. Outsourcing is becoming more important today. Due to economic and competitive pressures, it is imperative for different enterprises to pay attention to their core competencies and turn to third-parties to undertake responsibility for other secondary corporate functions. Outsourcing can create profits by improving customer service level, providing high added-value to products, benefiting in exploiting new markets, and offering dedicated resources (Foster and Muller, 1990). By means of outsourcing, companies can obtain competitive advantage through cost reduction and increased responsiveness to market change. Motivation of outsourcing Several reasons lead private business as well as government agencies to outsource logistics functions: Avoid Capital expenditures It reduces capital investment in facilities (Richardson, 1995). This allows the using firm to spending where it can get the best return as in research, manufacturing, marketing, or other functions core to the organization. Increase flexibility This can enable firms to focus on the core business, question any function or department that is not producing revenue and adapt to changes in the market and access to leading edge technology. A third-party will be invited to help a company when demand increase dramatically beyond the capability of the company to fulfill (Razzaque and Sheng, 1998). Many 3PL providers specialize in logistics functions such as transportation, warehousing management and information technology. Cost savings To save costs is identified by most literature as one of the most popular reasons for why outsourcing occurs. In principle, outsourcing will occur to companies for cost reduction when their suppliers offer a service for a low price which however still can cover added overhead, profit, and transaction costs (Harler, 2000). Those companies which outsource their logistics functions to 3PL service providers usually agree that it is more cost saving than to fulfill the same logistics task in-house (Candler, 1994). According to Bradley (1995a), there are some other reasons of logistics outsourcing such as improving service level and customer satisfaction, using 3PL providers logistics IT systems, acquiring outside sophisticated professionals, combining service and minifying number of suppliers, integrating the process of supply chain, and increasing productivity. Concerns of outsourcing Despite the fact that outsourcing is now favored by most organizations, there are still many recognized potential barriers and problems related to outsourcing. Normally the most mentioned reservation which restrains enterprises from employing 3PL service providers is loss of control of 3PLs (Richardson, 1993a). Such tendency can be caused by different objectives and attitudes of the logistics service providers and users towards strategy, profits and service or skills (Axelrod, 2004, p49). The adoption of outsourcing might also lead to a situation in which critical knowledge associated with process and customers would leak to potential competitors (Jennings, 2002). Moreover, unrealized savings with a potential for increased costs, employee moral problems, losing touch with important information, unreliable promises of the providers, their inability to respond to changing requirements have been mentioned as potential risks as well. Each of these concerns should be recognized carefully by organizations that intend to outsource their logistics function, otherwise contract logistics can be another issue to deal with, rather than a catalyst or improvement (Razzaque and Sheng, 1998). Third-Party Logistics 2.2.1 Concept of 3PL Third party logistics service has been described in a few ways, including outsourcing of one single service such as transportation, and outsourcing of a set of complicated processs (Vasiliauskas Barysiene, 2008). Generally, 3PL provide not only just separate warehouse or transport functions but also multiple, bundled services (Leahy et al., 1995). It is also worth mentioned that freight forwarders and shipping lines are included in broad definitions of the 3PL industry (Rao and Young, 1994). On the basis of above definitions, Leib et al. (1993) used the following definition: Third-party logistics involves the use of external companies to perform logistics functions that have traditionally been performed within an organization. The functions performed by the third party can encompass the entire logistics process or selected activities within that process. The authors refer to the 3PL as a new industry and growing business environment has more expectations on 3PL. The usage of 3PL has been considered as logistics alliances at strategic level. Bagchi and Virum (1996, p.193) have developed the following definitions: A logistics alliance indicates a close and long-term, relationship between a customer and a provider encompassing the delivery of a wide array of logistics needs. In a logistics alliance, the parties ideally consider each other as partners. They collaborate in understanding and defining the customers logistics need. Both partners participate in designing and developing logistics solutions and measuring performance. The goal of the relationship is to develop a win-win arrangement. Compared with the prior definition, which focuses on the logistics functional activities, the final one emphasizes the duration of the relationship between the logistics service provider and user, and also covers an extensive range of promising logistics services (Halldorsson Larsen, 2004). Many articles have disclosed that 3PL industry has progressed steadily for ages (Liu, 2008). 3PL providers started as a traditional transportation or warehousing service providers from 1980s. Nowadays, 3PL companies provide a variety services including basis logistics service as well as value added services. Main challenges to 3PL service providers As the 3PL industry has continued to evolve, the 3PL provider, sitting in the middle between the manufacturers or suppliers (the buyers of the 3PL service, known as shippers) and the end customers (the consumer of the products), will need to balance the dynamic pulls generated by upstream and downstream entities, and thus faces challenges are unique to its position. Financial issues Although 3PL providers should develop skills, improve competencies, and provide more value-added service so as to survive and expand business successfully in this flourishing market, the main challenge for them is how to obtain business and achieve acceptable financial performance. Maintain profits under price pressures from customers The economic crisis has caused serious situations for both 3PL users and providers -82 percent of shippers now are implementing cost-cutting strategies and 60 percents are reconsidering their supply chain and relationships with 3PLs accordingly (Capgemini Consulting et al, 2009). As a matter fact, economic factor is a strong motivation for outsourcing, of which cost reduction and cost saving are the main concerns. One of the most significant motivations for outsourcing logistics functions to third parties is their professional knowledge and valuable experience in logistics industry which are costly for their customers to have in-house (Byrne, 1993). However, the decision of employing 3PL providers is usually influenced by the evaluation of cost/service trade-offs (Selviaridis and Spring, 2007). Hence, no matter what strategic stances the logistics providers take, they have to keep upgrading and improving their operational potentialities in the business environment (Sum Teo, 1999). Meanwhile, as price competition is inevitable and most customers are also price sensitive at present, 3PL providers still need to be cost conscious to achieve higher margins, and to prevent themselves from being priced out of the market. Financial stability Many articles have placed emphasis on financial firmness as a critical essential for logistics providers (Bottani Rizzi, 2006). Based on the empirical survey conducted by Boyson et al. (1999) financial stability was ranked as the most significant selection criteria for choosing 3PL providers because it reduce the risk in relationship. A 3PL services provider with stable financial standing can not only better satisfy its clients and implement cost reduction through a dedicated resource, but also diminish risks for logistics partners (Bowersox Daugherty, 1990). Accordingly, Boyson et al. (1999) assert that firms prefer providers demonstrating outstanding customer service level with low price and possessing solid financial stability. Nevertheless, the financial tsunami which has weighted down the world economy has resulted in steep decreasing in logistics demand with no doubt. On the one hand, according to Li Fung Research Center (2009), the clients of the logistics enterprises asked for price cut and longer credit term, and it is difficult for them to collect the payments form clients during such hard times. Bad debts and financial losses will be easily incurred by any imprudent credit management. On the other hand, the confidence for the banks to lend had been damaged by the tsunami. Banks are now only willing to provide loans to selected enterprises or projects, which limits the financing options of the logistics enterprises (Li Fung Research Center, 2009). Clearly, it has always been important for 3PL providers to maintain a sound financial condition to survive in the recession as well as to rise superior to others in the market. Information technology (IT) Capability of information technology IT-based logistics services is considered as significant factor by 88% of shippers, but only less than half (42%) of the shippers are satisfied with the IT capableness of their providers (Capgemini Consulting et al, 2009). Accordingly, such IT capability gap result in a few difficulties for both shippers and 3PLs to collaborate in an adaptive supply chain (Capgemini Consulting et al, 2009). Information is one of the most important elements in logistics management (Cheong, 2004) and it is definitely essential to assist logistics process with effective IT (LaLonde and Masters, 1994). IT capability can be enhanced by employing advanced software, such as electronic data interchange (EDI) networking, enterprise resource planning environments, simulation software, vehicle routing packages, carrier loading optimization tools, etc. (Qureshi et al, 2008). Hardware also may be utilized to facilitate operations and to increase the production efficiency, including radio frequency devices, servers, bar code printers and scanners, global positioning system (GPS), networking and internet/intranet connections, satellite tracking devices, etc. (Qureshi et al, 2008). 3PL services providers which adopt tracking and tracing devices can grant better services to users with quick responsiveness (Rahman, 2004). According to Byrne (1993), the need of sophisticated information technology is impe rative for logistics management to link members like manufacturer, carrier and customer in the supply chain. Sauvage (2003) proposed that to fully satisfy the variety of customers demand, LSPs should continuously employ advanced information technologies in order to enhance their service performance. It is unlikely for a firm which is lagging in a technology to move to a position of leadership (Jennings, 2002). Security of information systems The sharing of so much information inevitably leads to security concerns. It can not be denied that logistics service providers usually still lose customers annually due to issues of trust in privacy and security, though they keep attracting new clients (Pattel Conners, 2008). One possible mentioned security issue is that when a 3PL provider has to serve several direct competitors, the information in relation to all of them should be kept confidential (Grover et al., 1994, p. 38; Lacity and Hirschheim, 1993a, p. 24). Other than cost, security and privacy are also considered as major concerns by many companies when outsourcing. Compatibility of information systems IT compatibility acts an essential role in logistics activities such as forecasting, order purchasing, inventory replenishment and life cycle management (Anand, 2010). According to Arshinder et al. (2007), the information system of the whole supply chain is expected to be compatible. A compatible information system means comprehensible data are quickly shared among the parties throughout the supply chain (Arshinder et al, 2007) while incompatibility will lead to costly and time consuming process because information, though can be shared as well, is rarely in synchronization. At present, it is difficult for information to seamlessly flow throughout the network as international logistics often includes some different transportation modes and carriers. Moreover, there are diverse IT systems in the different trading areas. For example, Europe adopts Administration, Commerce and Transportation (EDIFACT) standards for EDI systems while the US follows the standards of the American National Standards Institute (Rao Young, 1994). These difficulties in global supply chain have challenged 3PLs regarding how to capitalize the gap to provide a distinct competitive advantage. Reliability of information systems As one of the major industry focus in the global logistics market, the field of information systems paid special attention to user satisfaction as an important performance measure (Ives and Olson, 1984; Robey and Farrow, 1982). Bailey and Pearson (1983) have pointed out that reliability is one of the critical criteria of customer satisfaction. There could be many unknown increased reliability risk which result from two major sections of technology. One is that new technology innovations or adoptions of 3PL providers may have an unclear reliability performance. The other is that an existing technology may be applied to a new market with unknown increase failure rates (Collins, 2005). To fulfill the promised logistics service reliably and exactly, 3PL providers must identify and remove uncertainty involved with technology reliability performance. Human Resource (HR) Lack of expertise There is a tendency that firms desire to acquire the expertise from third-party logistics providers who possess particular local knowledge of customs and infrastructure of destination countries in such a growing global market (Razzaque Sheng, 1999). Although one of the drivers for companies to outsource is to acquire resources and logistics professionals (Selviaridis Spring, 2007), the results of the research conducted by Georgia Institute of Technology et al. (2009) show that many outsourcing users dont believe that 3PLs are in the capacity of strategic partners currently, 40% of shippers in the survey expect their 3PL service providers to continue focusing on execution, and a good many of them reckon that 3PL providers lack logistics expertise that would support users increasing outsourcing. Often-cited problems range from misunderstanding the demand of customers supply chain to inadequate professionals in given products and markets (Selviaridis Spring, 2007). In fact, customers are looking for 3PL providers that have expertise in multiple phases of the logistics process. An annual surveys of US 3PL firms indicates that company employee/expertise is regarded by CEOs as the most important asset of the company for business success in the competition, however those same CEOs also agree that currently the most critical problem facing 3PL companies as finding qualified people (Leib and Randall, 1996b). Different culture Almost all members in the supply chain, including third party, have their own company culture which is definitely different from each other (Babics, 2005). According to Pagell (2004), the capacity of how to harmonize its own internal culture with the external different cultures of its customers is one significant factor that 3PL providers should note in the integration of operational services in supply chains. Mckeon (1991) states that for both 3PL providers and their customers, understanding each others cultures and organizational structure is an essential factor to ensure a win-win outsourcing. Compatibility of culture and values is one of the keys to successful partnership which can result in long-term partnership (Qureshi et al, 2008). Culture conflicts often result in change orders, unexpected costs, and sometimes a negative impact on relationships (Kremic et al, 2006). In general, the ability of 3PL providers to understand the customer organizations culture is a basis for partnering. Inadequate education and training In order to remain competitive in the logistics market, 3PL providers have to be vigilant and agile to their customers needs, and continually seek to meet customer expectations as much as possible. Logistics executive should be aware that, due to rapid growth in the logistics industry, there could be a shortage of qualified logistics expertise (Yeung, 2006). Therefore, it is necessary for governments and educational services to allocate more resources, put logistics on formal curriculum, and provide more correlated training programs to fulfill the demand of the whole supply chain. The development of logistics, otherwise, might be constrained by lack of trained logistics personnel (Sum Teo, 1999). Ulengin and Uray (1999) indicate that in Turkey, senior management that is void of professional knowledge of logistics is the fundamental factor limiting the progress of logistics industry. Kerr (2005b) describes poor training as a black hole in China because neither the central government nor Chinas regulatory authorities do much to promote logistics training programs. Obviously, a firm with higher quality of human resources such as better education or training will have superior core competence in the market. Hence, it is imperative for 3PL service providers to offer more training programs to employees so that they can cope with competition in the future (Wang et al, 2006) Business Landscapes Globalization of 3PL market delivering service in new geographic regions The internationalization and globalization of 3PL providers has been boosted by the economies of scale and scope, by the internationalization and globalization of the competitors and by customer following i.e. the internationalization of manufacturing firms, which may demand that the service supplier provides a global network and/or global experience (Arvidsson, 1997, p.74). 3PL providers that take charge of their customers outsourced logistics function normally need to build up a logistics network to deal with the flow of the goods from the customers factory to the end customers (Cheong, 2004). In current global economic environment, manufacturing companies tend to establish partnerships with 3PL service providers and they desire to cooperate with some global freight forwarding companies (Lemoine et al, 2003). 3PL service providers with well-content characteristics, such as far geographical spread and wide range of services are popular among the shippers (Qureshi, 2007). As per Bottani and Rizzi (2006), companies favor the 3PL providers with wide range of advanced services more than those traditional ones which can offer mere single logistics functional service. However, supply chain requirement keep changing. Customer demand can change in spatial and temporal terms. In response to the shippers new requirement, 3PL service providers endeavor to extend service coverage geographically and to expand breadth of service so that they can fulfill the interest of their customers as an integrated logistics provider (Qureshi et al, 2008) Relationship with customers 3PL service providers are normally very concerned with the relationship with their customers because they attempt to establish a long-term one with the users (Cheong, 2004). Long-term customer relationships can enable 3PLs to provide more sophisticated services, reduce the risk of replacement, achieve more earnings, and avoid expense of developing new customer (Cahill, 2006). In addition, long-term relationship is built on the basis of mutual trust and sharing of risk and reward (Qureshi et al, 2008). Bothe shipper and 3PLs will benefit from such long-term relationship (Qureshi et al, 2008). Most of 3PL services users agree that logistics costs could decrease even more through strategic relationships with 3PL service providers. Langley et al. (2004) point out that the successful relationship with 3PL service providers will assist the users to achieve their major objective. Customer relationship management is necessary once a 3PL provider first establishes a relationship with a shipper. To keep customers satisfied and coming back, 3PL providers must demonstrate their capabilities and the value these capabilities provider to customers (Wisner et al, 2005). Third-party logistics service providers in China: China has become the most attractive country for more and more foreign investments, manufacturers, and retailers from all over the world, which results in the fast growth of the Chinese economy (Liu, 2008). Accordingly, the development of 3PL has been spurred in China and 3PL industry has achieved significant achievement. Currently, most logistics companies offer extensively various value-added services and have confidence in the continuous development of Chinas logistics industry. Many literatures have research the Chinese logistics area from diverse perspectives and some supply chain-related difficulties facing foreign 3PLs are identified. High transport cost It is not deniable that Chinese government has invested a lot in the logistics sector to improve traffic in recent years. However, poor transportation is still considered as one significant challenge for logistics industry in China, which may result in the increase in logistics cost and the decrease in company profits (Lau Zhang, 2006). Li Fung Research Center (2009) notes that the transportation occupies more than 50 percent of the total logistics cost in China, and undoubtedly the operation costs of 3PL service providers will still be ascending due to the price upswing of commodity and fuel. Another culprit is high local road tolls and other hefty transportation fees (Kerr, 2005b). Underdeveloped physical infrastructure Many MNCs find that it is difficult for them to implement coherent strategies in China because underdeveloped transportation system hinders their distribution and sourcing throughout the country (Speece and Yukiko, 1995). Although Chinas economy and industrial production have been developing rapidly, the current logistics system is loaded with new challenges as it can barely keep pace with the growth rate of economy (Carter et al, 1997). The undeveloped logistics infrastructure in China, including deficient highways, aged port facilities, and limited runways and airports, can hardly fulfill the growing logistics demand in the progress of new economy (Pollit, 1998). The insufficiencies of present distribution system have restricted foreign enterprises to immensely exploit the plenty opportunities in Chinas market (Goh and Ling, 2003). It is thus imperative that the distribution of products and services be supported by a reliable transportation system. The need for guanxi Literally, guanxi means relationship. It is noted that Chinese culture is quite distinct from Western culture in numerous aspects, including the way to conduct business (Jiang and Prater, 2003). Guanxi, which is an important concept for successful business in China, refer to relationship between people (Michailova and Worm, 2003). It suggests a conveyable, reciprocal, invisible and useful responsibility to dyadic personal relationships (Luo, 2000). It is not surprising that Chinese prefer to deal with people they know and trust. As Wang et al. (2003) indicated, guanxi which is created on the basis of mutually beneficial can lower risk as well as competition in business circles. Millington et al. (2006) also state that when looking for satisfying vendors, guanxi is more useful than other information from website, trade market or media. This implies that the knowledge and expertise to understand local circumstance and the communication skill with foreigners are absolutely necessary for establishment of a successful cooperation (Lightfoot and Almeida, 2007). Government regulation Kerr (2006) identifies that government regulation is still 3PL providers biggest challenge. The development of 3PL in China is obstructed by some barriers such as underdeveloped infrastructure and entrenched regulatory circumstance (Lau Zhang, 2006). In the meantime, various regulations set up by different provinces forcefully influence business activities so that the founding of national networks is hindered (Kerr, 2005). It also has made it difficult for 3PL providers in China to fully meet the requirements of their clients. Moreover, there are many regulations and rules for foreign 3PL providers who plan to enter China logistics market. According to Lai and Hsu (2007), foreign 3PL providers must apply for the class A license issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation (MOFTERC) if they plan to establish subsidiaries as international freight forwarders in China. A survey conducted by Li Fung Research Center (2009) also identifies that the regulations and policies associated with logistics industry are not unalterable because the government will supervise the execution and analyze the effect of the existing ones and then will formulate new ones accordingly to boost the growth of the industry. It is true that a number of government departments which are involved in policies related to logistics industry have impact on the rhythm of changing regulation (KPMG, 2008). Local 3PL providers Chinas local logistics providers have been growing rapidly because foreign firms are increasingly looking to source there. To contend with foreign logistics providers, domestic companies have to upgrade facilities and enhance their service level (KPMG, 2008). Jiang and Prata (2002) indicate that in contrast with foreign 3PL entrants, local players are always in the close association with local or central governments. For instance, Sinatrans is a state owned company and is the only 3PL service provider in China who can provide a nationwide logistics service with full license. The authors also mention that a number of local 3PL providers at regional level have their own special strength in specific areas or specific business. Some of them even look for individual connection built directly with government officials which may be valuable in their daily business. Literature review summary This section has reviewed the literature ranging from some fundamental definitions of outsourcing and 3PL, to challenges for 3PL industry globally and especially in China which represents the current situation foreign 3PL providers are facing in China. In table 2.1, we summarize the above referred articles in each of the focus challenges.