The Use Of Data Warehouse In Decision Making Process Essays

The Use Of Data Warehouse In Decision Making Process INTRODUCTION It is obvious that there is no organization running without data. The data can be viewed as tangible assets of an organization just as any physical asset. So, they need to be stored and made available to those who need them when they need them. However, the data by themselves are useless. So, they must be put together to produce useful information. In turn, information becomes the basis for relational decision making. To facilitate the decision-making process, a new development of database systems was developed called data warehouse. The data warehouse can be generally described as a decision-support tool that collects its data from operational databases and various external sources, transforms them into information and making that information available to decision-makers (top managers) in a consolidated and consistent manner. (2:64)(4:82) BACKGROUND The data warehouse is not more than a database but separated from other databases like the operational database distributed database and text database. When did management start to utilize this powerful tool and why they seek to use it. The data warehouse has been developed at the beginning of 1980s. However, it was optimize to transform non-organized and lightly summarized data from the operational database into analytical tool that supports intelligent decision-making. (6:19) The term DSS (Decision support system) database is used interchangeably with the data warehouse. On the other hand, other names for the operational database are transactional database and production database. WHAT IS A DATA WAREHOUSE? The data warehouse can be very simply defined as an integrated, subject-oriented, time variant and non-volatile database that provides support for decision-making (5:39) (6:19). The following four sections will explain what this definition means. Integration The data warehouse is a centralized database that integrates data from different sources (6:19) with diverse formats. This integration of the data provides a unified view of the overall organizational situation. Data integration enhances decision-making and helps the manager to better understand the operations of the organization (6:19). Subject-Oriented The data in DSS database are organized to provide answers to questions coming from different areas within the organization. They are arranged by topic such as sales, marketing, finance and so on. The DSS database contains specific subject for each topic like customer, product, region and so on. This form of data organization is different that of more process-oriented of the operational database system. (5:39,43) Time Variant The data warehouse contains historical data over a long time. Those data reflect what happened last week, last month, the past five years and the like. (6:19) Non-Volatile Once the data enter the data warehouse, they are never removed or changed. Because the data warehouse represents the entire history of the organization, the data from operational database are always added to it. Since DSS data are never deleted and new data are periodically added, the data warehouse is always growing. Thats why the data warehouse must be able to have hardware that supports gigabytes and even terabytes size of databases. (5:43) THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPERATIONAL DATABASE AND THE DATA WAREHOUSE The operational database and the DSS database differ in the roles the do as well as the data characteristics for each one. Main Role The transactional database is optimized to support transactions that represent daily operations (2:67). For example, during the registration period at KFUPM, each time a student adds, drops courses, or changes sections, he must be accounted for by the operational database system of the university. So, student data and course data are in frequent update mode. On the other hand, the data warehouse is optimized to support data analysis and decision-making (2:64). Basically, it takes the summarized data from the operational database, filters them for analysis and decision making processes (2:64). For instance, the manager of the admission and registration department may ask for the number of students at KFUPM taking ENGL-214 last summer. The data warehouse answers this query for him. Then, he would take decision whether to increase number of sections of this particular course or not. Operational Data Vs. Warehoused Data Transactional data and DSS data are different in the summarization level, transaction type, query activities and dimensionality. Summarization level The degree to which DSS data are summarized is very high when contrasted with the operational data (5:39). For example, rather than storing thousands of sales transactions for

Tobacco-Free Hospitals

Tobacco-Free Hospitals Tobacco use has been a subject of debate for quite some time. The individual's right to choose to smoke versus the individual's right to avoid air polluted with cigarette smoke is an ongoing battle. Reports on tobacco bans in businesses such as restaurants and bars has reignited the war zone and caught the public's attention once again. The American public is slowly becoming aware of hospitals that have begun to adopt a no-tobacco policy. It only makes sense that healthcare organizations should ban a product that has proven to be a leading cause in many types of cancer, diseases, death, and other health issues.Most people have seen the warning label on the side of cigarette packages, but apparently that label is not as effective as it was intended to be. Hospitals scattered all over the United States have recognized the detrimental effects of tobacco use and are taking measures to set a good example.smoked paukHospitals have banned smoking in patient rooms and other areas inside the hospitals since the 1980s. That too has proven to be only a small step towards limiting tobacco use. Though tobacco bans on hospital grounds has gained little notice, the number of hospitals undertaking this change is growing. According to the Killeen Daily Herald, Amanda Engler, a spokeswoman for the Texas Hospital Association, has seen several hospitals across the United States and Texas, including Dallas and Houston, opt for tobacco free grounds.Two hospitals in Temple, Texas have decided to take a great leap by banning all types of tobacco use inside and outside of the facilities. They are not the first hospitals in Texas to adopt this policy. However, they are the first in Central Texas to do so. Scott White Memorial Hospital has an effective date of January 1, 2005. Plans...

Review & Reflection on Peace. Understanding Biblical Themes by Walter Essay

Review & Reflection on Peace. Understanding Biblical Themes by Walter Brueggemann - Essay Example nn has tried to create a piece of work that would actually find the right kind of explanation and solution that would give people, ruler or ordinary, the chance to start PEACE within themselves. Walter Brueggemann, being an expert of theology, has further understanding on how peace is actually noted as an important element to human living. He then has been known for writing materials that suggest the possibility of applying peace into human life through the application of Biblical principles which he believes are the best foundations for human living. Hence, as part of his personal belief, he created several writings that aim to give people a chance to understand better how peace could actually begin in each individual. One of these writings was that of the book entitled â€Å"Peace†, which attracted the attention of the many readers and critics of the fact that peace is such an inevitable matter to consider and at some point even impossible to dream about. Everybody thinks of peace and everyone else hopes for it. For many years, the human generation tries all the different procedures possible to create a considerable way of making peace a possible element that would be easier to dream of and be easier to apply on the part of everybody in the society today. As a result, the reintroduction of the book is being handled today to release the book again since the publishers knew that the process of helping people realize their responsibility on distributing the chance of making peace possible for existence would make a great difference on numerous individuals who would have the chance to read the book. About three fourths of the book of Brueggemann discussed about the personal brickyards that each person has within themselves making it impossible for real peace to ever occur. Undeniably, he then points out that peace begins within a person. It is through this that peace grows out in ones heart and later on gets pass on to others. As based from bible principles, the

Public Relations in Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Public Relations in Business - Essay Example " According to two American PR professionals Scott M. Cutlip and Allen H. Center, "PR is a planned effort to influence opinion through good character and responsible performance based upon mutual satisfactory two-way communication". Corporations use marketing public relations (MPR) to convey information about the products they manufacture or services they provide to potential customers to support their direct sales efforts. Typically, they support sales in the short and long term, establishing and burnishing the corporation's branding for a strong, ongoing market. Corporations also use public-relations as a vehicle to reach legislators and other politicians, seeking favorable tax, regulatory, and other treatment, and they may use public relations to portray themselves as enlightened employers, in support of human-resources recruiting programs. Non-profit organizations, including schools and universities, hospitals, and human and social service agencies, use public relations in support of awareness programs, fund-raising programs, staff recruiting, and to increase patronage of their services. Politicians use public relations to attract votes and raise money, and, when successful at the ballot box, to promote and defend their service in office, with an eye to the next election or, at career's end, to their legacy. PR has had many definitions over... Typically, they support sales in the short and long term, establishing and burnishing the corporation's branding for a strong, ongoing market. Corporations also use public-relations as a vehicle to reach legislators and other politicians, seeking favorable tax, regulatory, and other treatment, and they may use public relations to portray themselves as enlightened employers, in support of human-resources recruiting programs. Non-profit organizations, including schools and universities, hospitals, and human and social service agencies, use public relations in support of awareness programs, fund-raising programs, staff recruiting, and to increase patronage of their services. Politicians use public relations to attract votes and raise money, and, when successful at the ballot box, to promote and defend their service in office, with an eye to the next election or, at career's end, to their legacy. PR has had many definitions over the years and since its early boom days of the 1980s has almost entirely redefined itself. This is probably because most clients these days are far too media-savvy to think that fluffy ideas and champagne parties constitute a good media service (of course this is a good thing, but we do still like a good champagne party). PR these days is often misunderstood, and it's probably the fault of the PR industry itself that most people aren't sure where PR is supposed to stop and marketing, advertising, branding and all the other media services begin. Put very simply, good PR encourages the media (newspapers, magazines, TV and radio) to say good things about your product/service or whatever it is that you want to promote so that more people buy your

Unit 8 Discussion Family & Domestic Violence Research Paper

Unit 8 Discussion Family & Domestic Violence - Research Paper Example Such laws simply increase the rates of the population that repeats the offensive practices. Such arrests do increase and escalate the probability of retaliation by the abusers having a history of violence, or to the unemployed victims with minimal losses during the arrest period. The policies fail to empower the survivors through discouraging them from police involvement. They results into ultimate increase in the number of women arrested, and sometimes cases of dual arrest, where the survivor and offender are taken to custody. The state will hence lay the blame game on the offender rather than victim. The laws are not well applicable, fails to implement the criminal justice law and discourage women from reporting any future violence act. Therefore, they fail to provide the ideal security to the victims undergoing through domestic violence. The specialized domestic violence courts response to domestic violence and other forms of sexual assault. Their core goal is to improve the safety of all the victims of domestic injustice and the sexually vulnerable people. They aim at enhancing accountability in the field of domestic violence, ensuring that there is justice and the rights of the victims are promoted. They do facilitate decision-making and conflict resolution in families. The courts do offer intensive domestic violence advantages. They ensure that the cases are coordinated well and ideal processes. They do promote a lot of confidence in the community since there is an accountability pattern. The court systems play the advocacy to the rights of the populations. The judges have an opportunity to deal with great different case of domestic violence. One shortcoming of the Court system is the violation of privacy of the parties involved. All the family conflicts are allayed in

The Sense Of Community Cohesion In Britain Sociology Essay

The Sense Of Community Cohesion In Britain Sociology Essay Socio-anthropologists hold the opinion that people think, feel and act in certain ways based on the environment in which they have grown. The environment in this context could be inferred as the community that has influence their make-up or identity. In recent times, public debates in the media by politicians, journalists, experts and other stakeholders have focused on what is or constitute being British. These debates have sharply bordered on socio-religious identities, and raised questions such as: Does religious beliefs supersede community bonding? To what extent is ones loyalty to the community in which one lives?. Other debates have been on profiling and condemnation of racially motivated violence and harassment, a hand wringing debate on institutional racism following the publication in 1999 of the Macpherson Report into the death of Stephen Lawrence (Amin, 2002). Government policies and legislatives on equal opportunity to highlight awareness of sense of community, presuppose that the very fabric of the concept of community is weakened and threatened in our contemporary Britain. Community is A body of people having common rights, privileges, or interests, or living in the same place under the same laws and regulations (http://www.brainyquote.com/words/co/community146100.html) The meaning of the word Community has changed over the years. Smith (2001)explores the theory of community in the article entitled Community and highlighted on why the attention on social capital and community may be important. the use of the term community has remained to some extent associated with the hope and the wish of reviving once more the closer, warmer, more harmonious type of bonds between people vaguely attributed to past ages (Elias 1974, quoted by Hoggett 1997: 5). People lived in groups sharing faith, religion and other social norms during pre industrialization era. Community was redefined after this when people became workers in industries. They were many studies about community in the middle of the 20th century leading a deeper analysis of the term. The free Dictionary however defines individualism as a belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence. This definition  highlights on the word belief anything held as true. Thus in this context the individuals opinion is held in high esteem and supplants that of any others. Hofstede (1991) in his cultural dimensions describes individualism as pertains to societies in which the ties between individuals are loose: everyone is expected to look after himself or herself and his or her immediate family. Hofstede scaled Britain on high individualism index of 89, and that people thinks in terms of I and not We. Researchers found that Britain was the most individualistic society in the world one that valued the self over the group more than any other country.(Richard A, 2009) According to the Kwintessential website certain traits are common to countries that have high individualism. personal goals and achievement are strived for, it is acceptable to pursue individual goals at the expense of others, individualism is encouraged whether it be personality, clothes or music tastes and finally the right of the individual reign supreme; thus laws to protect choices and freedom of speech. (http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/intercultural/individualism.html) A recent report for the Childrens Society highlights the above facts. Leading experts today identify excessive individualism as the greatest threat to our children. In a landmark report on A Good Childhood, commissioned by The Childrens Society and published by Penguin, they show that childrens lives have become more difficult than in the past, and they trace this to excessive individualism. (http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/whats_happening/media_office/latest_news/14758_news.html) Other organisations like Joseph Rowntree Foundation have express the fear over the changes that are taking place in Britain. They have classified excessive individualism as a social evil. The JRFs recent public consultation revealed a strong sense of unease about some of the changes shaping British society. This Viewpoint continues the discussion about modern social evils on the theme of inequality. Chris Creegan argues that until we can reconcile the problems of excessive individualism, consumerism and greed at the heart of contemporary society, life opportunities will continue to be lost, limited and wasted. (Creegan C, 2008) To enable all different groups to get on well in all communities, community cohesion should take place. A cohesive community is one that affords the people in the community knowledge of their rights and responsibilities. People from different backgrounds in this community should have similar opportunities. They must also trust their local institutions like the police and the courts. They should believe that the local council will offer fair services to all in the community and not for instance place all new immigrants looking for accommodation from social landlords into areas that are deprived and unwanted by the rest of the community. The community must recognize the contributions of both new arrivals and those already settled and not be intimidated by the change it brings. A typical example is the arrival of the Polish immigrants. Some people in Britain could not recognize the skills, experience and knowledge they brought to the nation but rather were fearful that they had taken jobs from the British. Also, that there are positive relationships between people of different backgrounds at school, work and home. According to Ted Cantle Community cohesion à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ isà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦micro-communitiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦mesh into an integrated whole. These divided communities would need to develop common goals and a shared vision (Home Office, 2001b: 70). In his recommendations, Cantle draws on the importance and the need for Social networks and social capital, social order and social control, social solidarity and reductions in wealth disparities. Worley (2005) also demonstrates how the concept of   community is vi tal to the community  cohesion, and suggests that whilst the  concept of community is highly ambiguous, it has continuing significance in New Labour policymaking.   Excessive Individualism is concerned with each one for him/herself and God for us all and therefore undermines the sense of community cohesion in Britain. People have become increasingly self-reliant. Families are not so extended anymore but reliant on one, two or the most three people. People are not in contact so much with their relatives and tend to rely on their immediate family only. Family homes are acquired to accommodate the immediate family and not the extended family. People hire child minder, nannies and do not rely so much on their relative anymore. Everyone aspires to be rich or amass wealth that will meet his and her families needs. Some researchers have even blamed the recession on individualism. From the public consultation we did last year, there was a strong sense that the decline of community has corresponded with a rise in individualism. Participants suggested that people increasingly look after their own individual or family interests without considering the needs of society or the community. (Urwin J, 2008) People are no more interested in what the community achieves but what they the individuals can achieve. Even industries encourage people to be individualist by offering DIY packages which take attention from tradesmen to the individual. Thus a sense of togetherness is non existent. If the advent of industrialization has promoted individualism, then what about information age. Computerization, in terms of games development such Wii, Playstation and Xbox 360 are all means and mediums that does not encourage people to go out and socialize in the community, rather it encourages people to engage with themselves. Online shopping has brought the benefit of purchasing items from the comfort of our homes; however, this goes a long way to kill social interaction. Most social activities are now targeted at the individual in his home. People have become lazy at forming relationships with others especially those who live in urban areas. The East end of London was once a upon a time described as dark in the night and dark in day dark in the day meaning it was not lit up by the middle classs Christianity. That has diminished in todays Britain leaving little bulbs of religion here and there making religion or faith very individualistic.And yet the old east end is often held up as the epitome of community. Peoples values vary and individual behaviour has become very personal and cant be corrected by community as before. You cant correct other peoples children without being murdered or abused. Everyone keeps themselves to themselves and its hard to get to know your neighbours. There are some very sweeping generalizations in these preceding statements they referencing or at least phrased with greater nuance. This is what happened in Oldham, Burnley and Bradford when communities lived in different areas went to different schools and had little to do with each other. Whilst the physical segregation of housing estates and inner city areas came as no surprise, the team was particularly struck by the depth of polarisation of our towns and cities. The extent to which these physical divisions were compounded by so many other aspects of our daily lives, was very evident. Separate educational arrangements, community and voluntary bodies, employment, places of worship, language, social and cultural networks, means that many communities operate on the basis of a series of parallel lives. (Independent Review Team, 2001; 9) Peoples inability to relate to others goes a long way to affect community cohesion. It creates fear, tensions and misunderstanding which is what was experienced in Bradford, Burnley and Oldham. Fears about the overwhelming and negative effect of diversity on social cohesion and national identity have been expressed by journalists and policy makers alike. For example, David Goodhart, the editor of The Prospect, targeted his February 2004 article at the detrimental impact of ethnic diversity in modern Britain on the sense of community and solidarity among citizens, and on the viability of the British welfare state (Goodhart 2004), while Trevor Philips, Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, reiterated this argument by stressing the need for strengthening common values and core Britishness (Baldwin and Rozenberg 2004). (http://www.nuff.ox.ac.uk/Politics/papers/2005/NLetki_social%20capital%20and%20diversity_final.pdf) This paragraph is all a quote authors citing other authors. It needs some link to your argument pulling out those elements that directly bear on it. Having said all of the above, community cohesion issues are multifaceted and function differently in specific areas. There are many parts to building community cohesion, from tackling inequalities to developing peoples understanding and tolerance of others. (http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2627) Excessive individualism is not the only factor that works against community cohesion. There are other factors like integration which needs to happen for new residents and existing residents to understand and accept one another. In the Cantle report the issue of intergration came up and the comments were as follows: The other problematic issue is that of levels of integration/segregation. Again there is a perception within the established white community that minority communities do not do enough to integrate into what they see as British culture or society, instead forming a separate community (a view which seems at odds with the observed white flight when such integration is attempted). Yet to an extent segregation will always occur through choice- whether naturally gravitating towards people who share your views or seeking minority-specific facilities such as places of worship or particular shops and services that would not be financially viable in a more dispersed community- and this is not necessarily a cause for concern. The Cantle Independant Review team notes: (Wntrmute 2003) A cohesive community must also have the ability to create opportunities to bring people together, confront myths and intolerance so that people in the community can realise their full potential. Every area is unique and will therefore face different challenges. Britain has a rich diversity in towns, cities, urban and picturesque villages. Community cohesion must be able to meet the differing needs of its residents before cohesion can be promoted. For community cohesion to function well there needs to a sense of safety. People must feel safe and welcome. There should be jobs so that establish residents do not start to blame new residents of taking their jobs. Social trends have also influenced the experience of poverty within England. For example, unemployment figures are roughly comparable with those of the 1970s, but changes in social structure (more single home owners or single parent families) mean that a greater number of homes lack a source of income. The UK is the only EU country in which households with children are more likely than households without children to include no one with a job. This is attributed to the high proportion of UK lone parents without a job. (from the Social Inclusion National Action Plan) (Wntrmute 2003) Lack of jobs in certain communities in Britain has created a gap of have and half not in communities. Priorities should be given to regenerating run down areas in the community to promote community cohesion. If run down areas are not regenerated residents will start to become bitter and it will create tensions in the community. This will also attract businesses to the area which will in turn impact on the community. The provision of affordable housing will also help promote community cohesion. Housing is recognised as a major determinant of the shape of communities (Independent Review Team, 2001; Home Office, 2001) In communities like Slough where there has been a large in flux of immigrants, there are accusations that local residents are being passed over in social housing. Also, when there is housing, communities do not break up and move away looking for housing elsewhere. In recent times, we have seen young people move away from villages because properties there are too expensive. Residents in the community should also be provided with the opportunities for training for jobs. This will boost confidence and enhance job seeking opportunities. There should be good transport links in the community. This should put the community on the map. Make people get to places quickly and conveniently. Give access to shops and amenities. There should be good environmental improvement which will enhance communities. An insert of cultural and leisure facilities should aid the promotion of a cohesive community. Cultural and community centres which promote belonging. Britain is now made up of people from different backgrounds and for them to get on well together community cohesion must happen. This will however, be difficult if excessive individualism is prevalent. Having said that, community cohesion cannot be undermined by excessive individualism alone other factors like housing, poverty, race etc are contributing factors. . .

American Careers in the Terkels Working Essay -- Studs Terkel

America: The People behind the Professions A little girl dreams of a white wedding with white doves flying over the ceremony and the fairy-tale honeymoon. Only then to come home to the yellow house in the country, with the white picket fence included. Everyone has daydreamed about their future and having the â€Å"perfect† house, with the â€Å"perfect† car and the â€Å"perfect† marriage- everyone wants to live the â€Å"American Dream†. There are many people that believe that the â€Å"American Dream† is a concept that they are entitled to and expected to live. Then, there are those who believe that you should use the opportunities that America offers as a stepping stone to earn and create your own â€Å"American dream†. However, as time goes on the mainstream idea of â€Å"living the American Dream† has changed. This change is mostly due to the ever-changing economy, professions, and expectations of the American people. Throughout the book Working, by Studs Terkel, we meet many diverse groups of people to discover the people behind the jobs that allows American society to operate and how their choice of a career path has changed their lives. Here is "Mike Lefervre" , a 37-year-old steel worker. Lefervre talks down on intellectuals, and complains that they degrade people who actually work. A moment later, however, he contradicts and degrades himself: "A mule, an old mule, that's the way I feel." He is hurt and irritated that his son "lacks respect† but yet, "I want my kid to be a America: The People behind the Professions 3 snob... I want him to tell me he's not gonna be like me." Lefervre wants his son to have the life he never had and was unable to provide for him. This is a common thought for many parents in America. He talks about the anger... ...eer, musician, carpenter, street cleaner, farmer, office clerk, mechanic, housewife, stenographer, union organizer, bartender, truck driver... All of 'em! I'm the 'et cetera' and the 'And-so-forth' who do the work... I am... America." America: The People behind the Professions 5 We all know that most people hate their jobs. Work is seen as something we have to do, and very lucky few seem to find a job that we enjoy. How we feel about work, and what we do for a living, in many ways helps to define who we are and who we are going to become. Having seen actual people share their perspectives and view points on â€Å"working for a living† helps us see ourselves and rethink our future. Overall, Studs Terkel helps flash- back into America's history and see the changes that America ans it’s people have gone through.