Ethical and Philosophical Questions about Value and Obligation Essay

Ethical and Philosophical Questions about take to be and ObligationI Recall the distinction between metaethics and normative ethics. prescriptive ethics deals with substantial ethical issues, such as, What is intrinsically good? What ar our moralistic debt instruments? Metaethics deals with philosophical issues about ethics What is value or moral obligation? Are on that point ethical facts? What sort of objectivity is attainable in ethics? How can we have ethical knowledge?Recall, also, the primaeval dilemma of metaethics. Either there atomic number 18 ethical facts or there aren?t. If they are, what sort of facts are they? In what do they consist? If there are not, why do we think, talk, and feel as though there are?II Philosophical ethics is the integration of metaethics and normative ethics?the start to come to an integrated understanding of both. Given our current perspective, how can we conniption the philosophical ethics of Mill, Kant, Aristotle, Nietz sche, and the ethics of care?III For Mill, the forefront is what is the singing between his (metaethical) empirical naturalism and his (normative) qualitatively hedonist value opening and his utilitarian moral theory? One place we can soak up Mill?s empiricism is his treatment, in Chapter III, of the question of why the t apieceing of utility is ?binding?, how it can generate a moral obligation. correspond Mill?s treatment of this question with Kant?s treatment of the question of why the CI is binding in Chapter III of the Groundwork. IV What is Kant?s metaethics? Since he holds that morality is both necessary and a priori, Kant must be some kind of positivist. But, unlike Plato, he is not the kind of rationalist who holds that there are metaphysically... ...ception might underlie the ethics of care? call in about how we experience our relationships to others. Don?t we experience particular others as making claims on us? Personal relationships are probably the cru sh examples, but arent relationships with strangers quite similar. Think, for example, of fundamental forms of human exchange like gift-giving, promise, and contract. Indeed, the authorized root meaning of ?obligation? refers to bond created between individuals by such exchanges. As in, ?much obliged.?VIII Of course, we have only been able to postdate some of the many different ways in which philosophers have assay to think through the ethical and philosophical questions about value and obligation that any thoughtful human being faces. In the end, it is up to each of us to decide what answers to these questions we find most convincing.

Stereochemistry: Addition of Bromine to Trans-Cinnamic Acid

STEREOCHEMISTRY ADDITION OF BROMINE TO trans-CINNAMIC ACID Required Prelab ReadingsMcMurry Chapter 5, Sections 8. 2 & 21. 2 Morhig, Sections 7. 1 and 7. 3. Previous techniques that you must know and be able to perpetrate Suction Filtration and warming Point This experiment is designed to demonstrate 2 concepts. First, it will provide a demonstration of how chemists faeces use chemical replys to understand reaction mechanisms. Second, is the concept of multi- footstep synthesis. You will be performing the followers reaction Isomer IIsomer II + Enantiomer+ EnantiomerBrominetrans-Cinnamic Acid2,3-Dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic sharp MW 160 g/molMW 148 g/molMW 308 g/mol bp 60 Cmp 133-134 Cmp 93-95 Cmp 202-204 C When an electrophile, such as bromine, jibes to an alkene, the access can be d matchless in a syn fashion, in which the devil groups add to the same side of the molecule, or in an anti fashion, in which the groups add to opposite sides of the molecule. Depending on the m ode of assenting, syn or anti, and the stereochemistry of the starting time alkene, variant stereoisomers will topic. In some cases, a racemic mixture of crops is formed, other times a meso compound is produced.Feature Article Free-Radical BrominationThe Fischer projections deputen above are dickens possible stereoisomers that could form in the bromination reaction that you will perform. One is the result of a syn assenting, the other is the result of an anti addition mode. Note that from from each one one would form as a racemic mixture, (+). You are to determine, based on the thawing point of your harvest-time, which pair of enantiomers is produced. By knowing which enantiomeric pair is formed one can guess a plausible mechanism. Hint you can predict the stereochemical outcome of a syn vs. anti addition of bromine to alkenes before you step foot into the laboratory.The simplest example of a multi-step synthesis is to examine virtually each commercial medicine. Al app roximately without exception that medicine was prepared by a series of reactions rather than in a single step. A multi-step synthesis generally requires a chemist to perform a chemical reaction, isolate, cast and characterize the product and then use that product as the starting solid for the next reaction. You will be using the product of this reaction as your starting material next week. It will be all important(predicate) for you to have the product from this week properly identified so you can readyly predict the product of next weeks reaction. The most time-consuming part of this experiment is setting up the glassware. Be sure enough all fittings are tight, well-greased, and clamped so as to prevent any get off of bromine vapors into the laboratory environment. An actual set-up is provided for you in the lab for you to get word at. ? You will request to set up the apparatus as shown in figure 7. 4 a on page 63 of Mohrig. dis curtainYou are responsible for calculating t he fall of trans-cinnamic acid (in grams) equivalent to 4mmol. You must have this done before you enter the lab. HazardsMolecular bromine is super toxic and corrosive its vapors are damaging to the skin marrow and respiratory tract. Wear gloves and UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO postulate THE BROMINE STOCK SOLUTION FROM THE HOOD. Only remove your bromine response in the stoppered funnel. Sodium thiosulfate reduces Br2 to Br-1. When working with Br2, always keep a bottle of 5% sodium thiosulfate handy for rinsing the skin in case of contact. Experimental ? Assemble a 50 mL bottomed flask with a Claisen head, reflux condenser, and addition funnel. Into the round-bottom flask, add trans-cinnamic acid (4 mmol) and 10 mL of methylene chloride.Add a stir bar. ? Obtain 4. 0 mL of a 1. 0 M solution of bromine in methylene chloride in the addition funnel. Attach a heating mantle and variac and heat the mixture to a gentle reflux. The variac setting should initially be 25-30. Adjust this setting as necessary until the solution is refluxing . ? While it is refluxing, add the bromine solution at a rate of two drops per second. You need not loosen the stopper on the funnel for the bromine addition due to the high density of methylene chloride. The red-orange color in of the bromine should horse around as it reacts with the mixture.Continue to reflux for an additional 10 minutes after the withstand of the bromine has been added. ? The color of your final solution should be a precise pale yellow. If the red-orange color persists after the 10 min, add cyclohexene dropwise (1-2 mL) until the red color disappears. ? Remove the reaction flask and cool it in an ice clean for 10 minutes with a greased stopper on top. reserve the product, 2,3-dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic acid, to crystallize. ? Meanwhile, disassemble the rest of the reflux apparatus and sit it in the stomach of your hood to allow the fumes to dissipate.Rinse the glassware with a small amount of sodium thiosulfate to destroy any remaining bromine. ? Collect the crystalline product by suction-filtration, and rinse with a minimal amount of ice-cold methylene chloride. Allow it to air-dry and record the mass and melting range of the product. cod your instructor check the weight of your product and initial this value in your lab notebook. Save all of your product as it is the starting material for next week. STEREOCHEMISTRY Addition Of Bromine To trans-Cinnamic Acid DATA SHEET hang Section Number Overall Reaction (including stereochemistry, Symyx Draw) plug of acid Theo mmol product mmol of acidTheo mass product Volume of Br2 soln Mass recovered product mmol of Br2 mmol recovered product % yield of product Melting point of recovered product Literature melting point Calculations (notebook) mark Lab Questions 1. What is the stereochemical relationship between Isomer I and Isomer II? 2. Use perspective drawings, Fischer Projections and words, to demonstrate whether syn addition of bromine to trans-cinnamic acid results in Isomer I or Isomer II. Repeat the process for anti addition. NOTE CAREFULLYThe question is astir(predicate) mode of addition (syn vs. anti), not mechanisms do not use curving arrows to explain your answer.3.Based on your results, did the addition occur by a syn or anti mode? Explain your reasoning. 4. Provide the electron-pushing mechanism for this reaction and show how both enantiomers are produced. Use perspective representations to draw structures. Assign the R / S configuration to each stereocenter in the products. 5. Using perspective drawings with the correct stereochemistry, redraw the pair of enantiomers you drew in question 4 and show how each can be redrawn as the Fischer projection of Isomer I, Isomer II, or the enantiomer. Clearly mark off all stereocenters as R or S. 6. Show the products of the following electrophilic addition reactions (symyxdraw)

Childhood disorders Essay

CHILDHOOD DISORDERSWhile nestlingren can become similar mental health problems that adults micturate, care anxiety or depression, childrens problems often have a assorted focus. Children whitethorn have difficulty with changes associated with growing up, much(prenominal) as beginning school. They whitethorn lag behind in resemblance to how other children their age ar progressing, or during stressful times, they whitethorn stockpile like a younger child would do. Even when children do have problems that also appear in adults, the problem tends to look different in a child. For example, anxious children argon often very concerned active their parents and other family members. They whitethorn want to be near loved unrivalleds at all times to be sure that everyone is all right. This commit covers the chase topicsChildhood Anxiety,Encopresis,Enuresis, andOppositional Behavior.Childhood AnxietyChildhood anxiety occurs when a child is overly anxious, experiences separation anx iety, or avoids certain situations, people, or places. Usual signs of childishness anxiety include excessive distress when separated from home or from family members, worry about losing a loved one, worry about organism lost or kidnapped, fear of going to school or outdoor(a) from home, difficulty sleeping away from home, and nightmares. Physical complaints such(prenominal) as stomachaches and headaches are common when the child is anticipating being separated from parents or other family members, such as spen cacophonyg the weekend with grandparents.These symptoms sometimes develop after an upset event in the childs life, such as the death of a loved one or a pet, beginning or changing schools, moving, or being ill. Some evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy is estimable for give-and-take of childhood anxiety disorders. While other psychotherapies may be helpful for treatment of childhood anxiety, they have not been evaluated scientifically in the same way as t he treatment listed here. The Anxiety Disorders of connectedness of America Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents site has specific selective information about how anxiety disorders appear in children that may be different from adult anxiety. EncopresisEncopresis is the inability to conceal bowel movements, resulting in defecation (bowel movement) in clothing, in the bed, or on the floor. Encopresis is diagnosed in children who are at least(prenominal) 4 years old, although frequently children younger than 4 also cannot control their bowels. Encopresis more commonly affects boys than girls. Some evidence suggests that behavior modification is practiced for treatment of encopresis. While other psychotherapies may be helpful for treatment of encopresis, they have not been evaluated scientifically in the same way as the treatment listed here. The Childrens Medical Center at the University of Virginia (Kids Health) has an excellent website with more information about no rmal bowel habits and facts on encopresis.EnuresEnures is, commonly known as bedwetting, is repeated urination during the sidereal day or night into bed or clothes. Enuresis is diagnosed in children who are at least 5 years old, although younger children often do have difficulty controlling urination. Behavioral treatment is well-established as a beneficial treatment for enuresis. Behavioral treatment usually involves the use of a pee alerting device and parent education. While other psychotherapies may be helpful for treatment of enuresis, they have not been evaluated scientifically in the same way as the treatment listed here. Click on the concomitant Sheet on Bed-Wetting (PDF) for more facts on enuresis and some tips on portion your child with this problem. If you are interested in obtaining a urine alarm device, use your web browser to search forurine alarm device to find companies who sell these products on the internet.Oppositional BehaviorOppositional behavior includes t hings like losing ones temper, arguing with parents or teachers, refusing to follow rules, being mean value or seeking revenge, deliberately annoying people, being angry and resentful, blaming others for ones own mistakes, and persistently being stubborn and unwilling to compromise. normally oppositional behavior occurs at home, but it may also occur at school or in the community. Oppositional behavior is common in twain preschool children and in adolescents. Parent Management Training is well-established as a beneficial treatment for oppositional behavior in children.Parent Management Training involves helping parents learn new skills for dealing with oppositional and defiant behavior. While other psychotherapies may be helpful for treatment of oppositional behavior, they have not been evaluated scientifically in the same way as the treatment listed here. The Not My Kid site has links with information on oppositional behavior, parent guides, anger control tips, and jut groups . PAGBASA ang pagbasa ay isang proseso o paraan ng pagkuha ng ideya, informasyon o kahulugan sa mga simbulong nakalimbag. ito ay nkktulong rin sa ating kaalaman upang lumawak ang ating isipan.Ano ang salik sa pagbasa at proseso ng pagbasa?Ang mga salik na nakakapekto sa pagbasa ng isang tao ay pisyolohikal, sikolohikal, pangkaisipan, pangkapaligiran, panlipunan at panlinggwistika.Ano ang salik sa pagbasa at proseso ng pagbasa?Ang mga salik na nakakapekto sa pagbasa ng isang tao ay pisyolohikal, sikolohikal, pangkaisipan, pangkapaligiran, panlipunan at panlinggwistika. Teorya ng pagbasa teorya ng pagbasa a. Teoryang Bottom-Up- Ito ay isang traditional na pagbasa. Ito ay bunga ng teoryang behaviorist na higit na nagbibigay pokus sa kapaligiran sa paglinang ng komprehension saang mga uri ng pagsulat ay ang mga sumusunod1. akademik2. teknikal3. jornalistik4. reperensyal5. propesyonal6. MalikhainMga Layunin sa PagsulatEkspresivTransaksyunal Isa itong impormal na paraan ng pagsulat. Guma gamit ito ng unang panauhan naako, ko, akin, at iba pa, sa pagsasalaysay. Sarili ng manunulat ang target nitong mambabasa. Naglalarawan ito ng personal na damdamin, saloobin, ideya at paniniwala. Nakapaloob din dito ang sariling karanasan ng manunulat at pala-palagay sa mga bagay-bagay na nangyayari sa paligid. Malya ang paraan ng pagsulat dito at walang sensura. Hindi gaanong mahalaga rito ang gramatika at pagbaybay ng ga salita bagkus mahalaga rito na mailabas kung ano ang talagang naiisip at nararamdaman ng isang tao. Halimbawa nito ay dyornal, talaarawan, personal na liham at pagtugan sa ilang isyu. Layunin nito na maipahayag ang sariling pananaw, kaisipan at damdamin sa pangyayari. Ito ay isang pormal na paraan ng pagsulat na may tiyak na target na mambabasa, tiyak na layunin at tiyak na paksa. Karaniwang ginagamit dito ang ikatlong panauhan na siya, sila, niya, nila, at iba pa sa paglalahad ng teksto Ibang tao ang target nitong mambabasa. Hindi ito masining o malikhaing pagsul at bagkus itoy naglalahad ng katotohanan na sumusuporta sa pangunahing ideya. Nagbibigay ito ng interpretasyon sa panitikan, nagsusuri, nagbibigay ng impormasyon, nanghihikayat, nangangatwiran, nagtuturo o kayay nagbibigay ngensahe sa iba. Kontrolado ang paraan ng psagsulat dahil may pormat o istilo ng pagsulat na kailangang sundin. Halimbawa nito ay balita, artikulo, talambuhay, patalastas, liham sa pangangalakal, papel sa pananaliksik, ulat, rebyu, sanaysay na pampanitikan, sanaysay na naghihikayat, sanaysay na nangangatwiran, interbyu, editorial, dokumentaryo at iba pa.

Colombus Day

Justice, pride, and arrogance lie and when they be crossed however, humane treat handst and respect whether that be self- respect or respect for otherwises Is black and white. capital of Ohio day Is a holiday In which Americans celebrate a man who Is not even an American, nevertheless interrupt yet the Spanish- acclaimed Viceroy and Governor of the Indies and Admiral of the Seas who overpowered and subjected a whole bring down of natives to succumb to his rule, follow his logon and traditions, and be brut tout ensembley beat while being forced Into sla genuinely.Although his ability to assume power and Instill fear Into these muckle so quickly may be admirable, he Is not a figure that deserves the respect of Christian Americans, or let alone either Americans and besides deserves to be honored In a day of mourn. To start with, Christopher capital of Ohio sailed into this land and was greeted with unselfishness and peace by the natives, in which he returned with the order of the kidnapping of six natives to be his servants. capital of Ohio simply precept these indigenous people as an obstacle in his pursuit of riches and glory, and treated them as such.The natives did have their practices of violence and brutality in which other humans were sacrificed to their native beau ideals or means of punishment were rather severe, barely this did not beckon or welcome the brutality inculcated by Christopher capital of Ohio and the rest of his team. Even more interestingly, Columbus writings back to Spain made himself go bad very respectful and appreciative of the Indians however, after rather inspection, Columbus malice shows by dint of even what appears to be kindness and gratuity.In his log kept about the sensitive World, he writes that these indigenous people argon of the kindest, best people, and that he told his men to take nothing from them without giving them something in return. This, at first glance, seems kindred an exhibit of kindness, yet the Spaniards never gave back anything of equal comfort to the Indians. Columbus discusses how he would receive very gracious, generous gifts from the indigenous people -knowing and acknowledging that they ere very poor people-, and return it with a gift of no more value than that of a penny.In continuation, it is highly hypocritical that Christopher Columbus had viewed their practices of religion as catty and Inappropriate for a civilization, then forced Christianity upon them with Inhumanity and savagery. This Is baffling because the Spaniards are going Into this foreign world Introducing a concept of a kind and benevolent idol as they simultaneously kill these people and recognize off their feet all for the glory of this mysterious supposedly-awesome God.As Christians, they are commanded by God to love others as you love yourself and to reflect a level of Jesus kindness when they Instead they reflected the greed, hatred, and self- righteousness of the devil. So, not only we re his actions directly affecting these natives lives, but also the appearance of Charlatanry as a whole. Columbus take on Christianity and God actually intensifies the inhumanity and violence caused against as an excuse to execute all heathens indigenous people.However, in reality, he was imply slaughtering thousands of innocent people who did nothing wrong except for having contrasting opinions with that of the intruding Spaniards. In conclusion, from the day that Columbus arrived to the New World, he treated the people with nothing but hauteur and self-pride. Although he did discover the land that would later become America, he is only responsible for the deaths, severe mistreatment, and forced enslavement of multiple indigenous people. Columbus Day should be recognized as a day of mourning for the unwarranted brutality suffered by unexciting natives of the land.

Each Generation Has Something Valuable To Offer

Every generation is known to embody contrary beliefs. Older generations believe deeply in their culture about how a man is the breadwinner and the woman is the housewife. However, in this generation, everyone is equal and has the freedom and the rights to do as they wish. The aged generations also believed strongly in religion by worshiping and praying. But, the incumbent generation gather inms to be adapting atheism due to the development in noesis and understanding of things soften. My p atomic number 18nts believe that staying home is a pleasant thing however my generation assumes that having a social life is an important aspect.Back in my parents eld, social life existed in form of dinners and functions with other families. But these days mess like to party and dance. Talking about freedom, parents al fashions try to stay kids from travelling and exploring revolutionary things. This generation finds exposure to new things a way to gain knowledge and experience such as People these days like to visit various places to explore comparing to older generations that consecrated their life to one place. People change at a huge rate over time, and this pattern continues as new ideas and generation approach.Lifestyle has go through a whole new level of technological advancements that has changed our daily lifestyle. intercourse system has experienced a new transformation. A century ago, spate used mail, telephones that took a fair amount of time to get the pass through, but now things such as texting, social networking have make life very straightforward. Technology has advanced expeditiously that we can see individually other from different parts of the world with devices such as a webcam. The idea of virtual life has been introduced with the invention of consoles such as the Ps3, Xbox.The world has developed so much with things such as the earnings where you can find anything or buy anything with the click of a button. compare that to older ti mes where you went to far away towns after months to get a few items just sounds ridiculous and shocking. In conclusion, technology has changed the way batch live and will continue to do so with the development of new ideas. The values and ethics from the past generations usually countenance a give out understanding of life compared to todays. Culture and family can only be taught by someone that has experience and can share with the current generation such as our parents.Each generation has a valuable belief and is beneficial to each differently such as Experiencing the outside world may provide better understanding for one, but the other may find it better to stay home and acknowledge things. Each generation also has loopholes that are unacceptable such as the comparison of men and women and also teenagers tipsiness & partying to be a part of their society. Values are non just important things that are meant for people to be followed and respected. Values describe how one discovers the real himself and live their life by going through the stages of beliefs and lifestyle.

Environmental Revolution

The Next Step Broad Social Change with Personal Commitment Introduction In the stand thirty years, the States has witnessed an environmental revolution. New laws wish the 1963 Clean Air Act and the 1974 safe and estimable Drinking Water Act forged new ground in political environmentalism. Social phenomena standardised Earth Day, organized by Dennis hay in 1970, and the beginning of large-scale cycle, marked by Oregons 1972 Bottle Bill, emaciate help change the modal value Ameri piles think ab step to the fore the environment. As we lift the third millennium, however, we must(prenominal) re read our statusment on the planet and ring on our efforts and progress towards a sustainable society.As world(a) warming survives a scientific reality, instinctive disasters nurse monthly appearances in the headlines, and communities plow place to invent their ground-water contaminated by industrial and nuclear waste, we must pick a style ourselves be we doing enough? The e nvironmental movement in the past has for the well-nigh part been a social and political phenomenon. term m any(prenominal) of us cycle (yet still merely(prenominal) 35 percent of us) and take over dead batteries to our t protests pre gondolaious Waste Day, close Ameri heaps switch non made the environment a person-to-person issue.Very a few(prenominal) of us provoke taken the bully-hearted of person-to-person life-changing steps that atomic number 18 necessary to create an environmentally sustainable society. It is obviously naive to believe that the Statess present rates of role, waste production, and environmental contamination atomic number 18 sustainable. The kind of social change required prat only happen when we as individuals embrace the effort in our mundane effs. Only then allow corporate America and the g all overnment reckon that they likewise must change to main(prenominal)tain their customer base and public comport.This kind of personal c ommitment to change would to a fault create a new social ethic based on the environment beneath which flock and companies who do non autoe for the earth would be held socially and financially responsible. In six parts, this article depart re-examine our place in the environmental movement and investigate exactly what changes we unlesst end make in our personal lives to bring active positive change. These eye sockets are conveying, zero, cycle and waste management, toxins and pollution, food, and water. Some of the changes discussed testament require sacrifice.But, to a greater extent important, these changes will lots simplify our lives, bring our families and communities closer to ascertainher, and help us to better understand, revere, and coexist with the world upon which each of us is directly dependent. Transportation The invention of the railcar is one of historys greatest environmental disasters. The automobile decentralized our society. People with cars go out of the city and drove to work from their suburban fundaments. Before the automobile, agriculture was local. food was grown by farmers living in what was soon to be the suburbs, and delivered fresh to commercialises in the cities.Beca utilize of the small distance food had to travel, farmers didnt need to total preservatives or other additives to maintain freshness. Clearly, the automobile, like other harmful inventions, makes our lives easier in umpteen ways, plainly how often do we consider the environment when deliberation these benefits? Fossil give nonices account for the automobiles most significant effect on the environment. non only are the emissions from cars and trucks cyanogenetic to all(prenominal) carry-breathing organism, however every step of the fogey raise process, from extraction to disposal, is with child(p) for the environment. correspond to the U. S. environmental Protection Agency (EPA), millions of gallons of untreated water contaminated by the cut processes are dumped into waterways and oceans annually. Once extracted, dodo go offs are frequently refined on site, burying 179 million tons of poisonous waste annually. During transport, an ordinary of 1 million gallons of rock oil is spilled into the ocean each month. Upon arrival, fossil fuels are commonly ruin in automobiles or power congeals. The average ember- vehement power plant burns around 10,000 tons of coal in a whizz day.With nonetheless a low estimate of five dollar bill almost per cent waste, that leaves vitamin D tons of hepatotoxic waste produced each day by a single power plant. If use in cars, oil must be refined but, wasting more than(prenominal) than(prenominal) zipper and cr take in more toxic waste before drivers purchase it. The combustion locomotive engines utilise in cars and trucks emit toxic triggermanes that contribute to the green kin effect and acid rain, deplete the ozone layer, and create more than 50% of the smog producing toxins that city-dwellers breathe every day. however if we disregard the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels, we should recognize that, as a non-renewable ability source, the earths reserves will eventually agree out. Hundreds of millions of years of constitutive(a) bunkum will be wiped out in a single century. traditionalist estimates say we engender 30 to 50 years left of oil use. With more and more developing nations rapidly increasing their use of fossil fuels, and the continuing growth rate of fossil fuel use at quaternary times the population growth, our time with fossil fuels could be importantly less.Just imagine the economic and political upheaval a study oil bypassage would cause. Simply put, the rustic that depends on fossil fuels the to the lowest degree will be the most likely to survive the economic encounter and wars resulting from global depletion. Fossil fuel consumption is deeply entrenched in the American mode of life. We rely on aut omobiles for roughly all of our transportation needs, enjoy motor boats and jet skis on our vacations, and use gas- burn engines in most of the tools we use in the yard. (Although galvanisingity is some other major consumer source of fossil fuel consumption, that will be discussed in the Energy section.Yet we can make numerous changes in our lifestyle that will significantly decline our personal consumption of fossil fuels. Lets re work to Americas man-sizedgest weakness the automobile. Simply not hotheaded is the best and most obvious solution to the problem of automobiles. Americans subscribe gotten used to their cars and seldom walk or bicycle even short distances. Gym class became a federal requirement in the thirties because students were being driven or riding busses to school instead of walking. Americans have alike become significantly more overweight since we started driving. construe your Saturday errands some town. most errands we make are to destinations less th an a few miles past and frequently involve dropping onward or picking up something small. These kinds of errands can precisely as easily be accomplished by walking or bicycling. Your body will thank you, and so will the environment. Public transport, if accessible, is also a great way to stay out of the car. Consider an commonwealths public transportation dust in choosing a place to live, as some cities have significantly better systems than others.When your destination is too far to walk or bicycle, there are still numerous ways to minimize the use of automobiles. If you drive to work, find other people at your company or other companies near you that live in your town and start a carpool. Even carpooling once in a while makes a difference, so dont stick by discouraged by casual scheduling conflicts or other obstacles. When running errands, plan ahead to unify them into one trip and consider the most good route. If possible, park in a central location and walk to multipl e destinations.Ask a neighbor or friend if they need to go out (everybody has to go to the grocery store, for example), and share a ride. For every ride you share, the fuel consumption and emissions for that trip are cut in half. There are also many another(prenominal) ways that your driving habits effect the fuel efficiency of your car. subdue to avoid fast accelerations, for instance. They use significantly more fuel than slack accelerations. Likewise, avoid driving at excessive speeds. Every car engine has an RPM (revolutions per minute) at which optimal fuel economy is achieved youll find it in your cars manual.Check your tac situationter and try to maintain that RPM while driving. Minimizing the work-load on your car is another way to increase fuel economy. Remove any unnecessary heavy objects from the car, and avoid apply the transmit conditioner when possible. Finally, turn off your engine if you expect to be idle for even a short while. Starting a modern fuel-injected c ar uses less gas than idling for 30 supports. Did you k today that warming up your car by let it idle in the driveway in c nonagenarian weather genuinely causes engine damage? This is also when your cars emissions are at their worst.The best and accelerated way to instigate up a car is by driving it. When its time to buy a new car, there are many ecological alternatives to the gas guzzling beasts representatively driven by Americans. numerous compact cars on the market today achieve stunning fuel economy. The four-wheel-drive trucks so popular in todays market get comparatively bad gas mileage and usually carry one person over a paved road. Buy the smallest car you can, and dont buy a bigger car for scarce needs-consider buying a used trailer for infrequent cargo hauls.If youve been putting off the purchase of a motorcycle as whimsical, think again. many an(prenominal) motorcycles (and scooters in particular) achieve significantly better fuel economy compared to even the mo st fuel- good cars, resulting in less over-all consumption and emissions. nourishment is the final step in minimizing the environmental meet of automobiles. Modern cars have very sophisticated emissions systems and engines that must be finely tuned to achieve maximum efficiency. Regular check-ups for your car will protect your investment and ensure the car is in its best possible working order.The eagle-eyeder you upkeep your car, the more value from it you receive and the less waste is created and vigor spent in the production of a new car. If you have to commute to work every day, consider an electric car car. Electric cars have come a long way in price, distance and efficiency, and will soon be available from large manufacturers like Ford and Toyota. Several small companies around the country convert small gas powered cars and trucks to electric, zero-emissions vehicles and sell them for about more than a gas-powered car. As electric cars become more common and are manufa ctured on a large scale, their prices will drop significantly. many another(prenominal) hobbyists, with no prior automotive or electrical expertise, have created their own electric cars from their used gas-powered vehicles. Check your local depository library for one of the many conversion guides available. Todays electric cars take about four hours to fool away, plugged into a standard outlet, and can go anywhere from 50 to two hundred miles on a single charge. While you wouldnt want to take an electric car across the country (though this has been done), their distance per charge is plenty for a typical commuter to get to work and back.Most electric car owners keep a gas-powered car around for longer trips. Owners of electric cars generally find the increase in their electric bill minimal compared to the get they continue in gasoline. While electric cars create no emissions themselves, and create roughly no waste (even the batteries are recyclable), the electric company is sti ll burning fossil fuels to create the electrical goose egg needed to charge the car. Nevertheless, electric companies are capable of converting fossil fuels to energy much(prenominal)(prenominal) more expeditiously and with few emissions than a gas-powered car.Electric cars also leave room for improvement in any method of large-scale energy production, such as biomass, hydro, and solar ( break the Energy section). This section has focused primarily on cars, but Americans also use many other gas-powered engines. The small engines in motor boats and lawn equipment do not have to meet the emissions standards of cars, and thus, emit far more toxins into the air. Consider using a quiet, powerless mulching mower on your lawn if you have one, and an electric weed whacker rather than one that is gas powered. If you enjoy the water, consider learning to sail rather than motoring.Motorized water vehicles not only emit air pollution, they also pollute the water, contribute to sound polluti on, and pain fish and other animals in the water. Energy in the Home Automobiles are not the only consumers of fossil fuels or sources of air pollution stemming from our personal lives. According to the EPA, furnaces, hot water heaters, and other fossil fuel burning appliances in American homes produce 20% of all U. S. snow dioxide, 26% of sulfur dioxide, and 15% of nitrogen oxide emissions, the leading causes of acid rain and global warming.Note that these figures do not take into consideration the power our homes cajole from fossil fuel-burning power plants. By making our homes as energy-efficient as possible and minimizing our personal use of electricity, we can significantly reduce our personal encroachment on the environment. The main sources of power consumption in our homes are the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Maintaining, repairing, or upgrading these systems will not only palliate us money, but also reduce the substance of energy needed to run our homes on a day-to-day basis.The EPAs Energy Star Homes program brings environmentally aware developers and manufacturers together to build homes that are better sequesterd and utilize 90% efficiency or better HVAC systems. If you are looking to build a new home, call their toll-free hotline, (888) STAR-YES, for literature, or save paper and visit their Internet site at www. epa. gov for more information. Unfortunately, edifice new homes is not an environmentally sound thing to do. New homes require previously budding land or disposal of the propertys old construction.Further, new woodwind instrument and materials must be used unless costly measures are taken to restore materials from an old construction. Beyond environmentally unsound, new construction is many times more expensive and time-consuming than renovation and repair of most existing houses. Even if your house is too costly to upgrade, consider buying an already renovated house or one easily renovated before b uilding new construction. A furnace using heating oil, instinctive gas, or electricity heats most American homes. Still others use a wood or pellet stove.Of these, electricity is by far the least efficient. One truth of energy preservation is that electricity should not be used to produce heat, whether in a stove, water heater, or central heating. The exception to this is the microwave, which is the most efficient way to heat small amounts of food. Edward Harlands playscript, ECORENOVATION the ecological home improvement guide, an pure resource for anyone interested in environmental renovations, provides this revealing chart burn down Kg of CO2 Emitted per Useful Kilowatt Delivered (approx. ) Gas 0. 7 anele 0. 5 Coal 0. 40 Electricity 0. 83 As you can see, electricity is more than twice as polluting as a coal burning furnace.Electricity is even worse if you take into consideration the amount of energy created by nuclear power, which creates nuclear waste instead of degree Cels ius dioxide (CO2). There is also a significant amount of energy small in cooling power plants and lost in the power grid, which further degrades electricitys viability as an environmentally sound energy source. As the chart shows, natural gas, or methane, is the cleanest burning fuel.While most of the natural gas used in America is drawn from non-renewable reserves, it can be produced renewably through biomass production, a method currently used by China. Methane is produced in massive quantities by decaying waste and agricultural operations, so much that methane is one of the most sincere greenhouse gasses. If methane could be captured from these sources, we would be slowing the greenhouse effect and using clean-burning renewable fuel at the same time. For these reasons, if you have an aging or inefficient oil burning furnace, consider converting to an efficient natural gas furnace.Wood or pellet stoves still fuel many homes in America. Wood, if used wisely, is a renewable and re latively clean-burning fuel. While burning wood does produce CO and CO2, new technology allows wood stoves to reuse unspent output by re-burning it before emission. Pellet stoves, quickly replacing log-burning stoves, use pressed recycled paper and wood pulp that look like hunt pellets. Pellets, while more expensive, are more efficient to burn and take up less space during storage. Before investing in a wood stove, however, be sure to investigate which brands are most efficient and emit the least gases and particulate.Also, wood stoves must be used care in force(p)y and maintained properly to avoid inefficient operation, excessive emissions, and leakage of carbon monoxide into the home. The best way to minimize the amount of fuel-produced heat your home requires is to insulate it properly. Insulation is the most important factor in the amount of energy required to heat your home. Consider a hypothetical home with hundred% perfect insularity. This home would need to be heated o nly once, and never again. This puts into perspective the idea that we only need to heat our homes as much as heat escapes to the outside.Most houses in America are mischievously insulated at best only one in four houses have insulated walls. Consider the fuel savings if you increased your homes insulation quality by even 20%, which in many cases is a realistic goal. Initially, insulation costs time and money, but it pays for itself quickly in reduced fuel costs and a warmer, more comfortable home. Unfortunately, the finer points of insulating a home are beyond the scope of this article. An excellent resource on increase your homes insulation is Home Insulation by Harry Yost.Your local library should have, if not this book, several books on insulation that will at least get you started. Beyond updating your furnace and insulating your home, consider your personal use of heat in the home. The average American households temperature during the winter is slowly rising because of prog ressively sedentary lifestyles and unhorseer dress. The healthier we eat and the more exercise we get, the more internal heat our bodies will produce. The more above the outside temperature a home is heated, the less efficient its heating system becomes.If we simply wear down more clothes, we will need substantially less heat. Wearing sweaters and slippers, eating nutritious food, and getting plenty of exercise are easy but frequently overlooked ways we can reduce our heating energy needs. Next to furnaces and stoves, the air conditioner is the second most energy-hungry appliance in American homes. Unfortunately, air conditioners rely on lots of electricity, the most polluting form of energy available. The use of air conditioners should be avoided at all costs.If you live in a climate with extreme heat, consider your air conditioner and its placement care honesty. The EPA has defined efficiency standards for most household appliances, air conditioners included. Make sure, if you buy an air conditioner, that it has the EPAs Energy Star mark of approval. This does not hold still for that the air conditioner is good for the environment, but that it uses its electricity efficiently instead of wasting it as many older models do. If you must have an air conditioner, purchase a small, efficient model and place it in a small, closed(a)-off room where you spend most of your time.Make sure this room does not contain any heat-producing appliances like a washing machine or clothes dryer, and that sun weakly does not enter through windows. Under these conditions, air conditioning can be relatively efficient and economical. Central air conditioning, on the other hand, is upliftedly inefficient and usually goes largely unused. Outside of heating and air conditioning, almost all of the energy used in our homes is electricity. Many Americans take electricity for granted, leaving unused blowsys and appliances on without thinking. A simple awareness in turning things off can greatly reduce our electric bills.Further, choices can be made in the kinds of lights and appliances we use, and whether they need to be used at all. As for lights, there are several high-efficiency bulbs on the market that, for slightly more money than a typical light bulb, can get by on a fraction of the electricity. Fluorescent lights, for instance, are five times more efficient than incandescent (typical) lights. Standard incandescent light bulbs use electricity to heat a filament that glows to create light, whereas light lights send very rapid and brief charges of electricity through a filament.The days of flickering long tube fluorescent lights are over. According to Edward Harland, new Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) flicker at more than 20,000 cycles per second (compared to 60 in tube lights), are 30% more energy efficient than tube lights, and come on almost instantly. These lights, while more expensive, will significantly reduce your electricity bill and last five t o ten times longer than standard light bulbs. Before even turning on the lights, make the best possible use of natural light in your home. Place your reading chair by a sunny window instead of in a corner face out a window.Consider adding skylights to your home. These can create a surprise amount of natural light during the day, and contribute to your houses heat during the winter. Mirrors strategically primed(p) on walls can also make better use of light and heat from the sun coming in through the windows. Use only what electric lighting is necessary low-wattage task lights for individual applications instead of high power lights to illuminate a large area. If you must use exterior lights, consider purchasing a motion detector that will turn the light on and off only when it senses movement.When purchasing appliances, check to see that they are EPA Energy Star approved. These appliances use energy more efficiently than others. Most refrigerators, for instance, have compressors a t their base which produce significant heat and cause the refrigerator to work against itself. During fair weather, consider drying clothes on a line outside instead of using a dryer, which inefficiently uses electricity to heat cold wet clothes. Your clothes will last longer, and youll see the difference in your electric bill. When undressing at night, ask yourself whether your boxers can be worn again before washing.Americans, in particular, run to balk at this sort of a suggestion. Allowing ourselves to think logically beyond social qualms and customs will allow each of our personal environmental movements to transcend many of our unsustainable habits. If you work in an office or at home, chances are your clothes arent that dirty at the end of the day. Youll be impress at the decrease in your weekly laundry load. The last big source of energy consumption in our homes is our favorite appliance of all. The average American household tv set is on 7 hours and 20 transactions per day, and 98% of all households have at least one television.At 170 watts per hour, that comes to 452,965 watt hours (or 453 kilowatt hours) of television use per year in an average household using one 25&8243 television. Look at the breakdown of your electricity bill to put this number into perspective. Youll see that America could save a lot of electricity and money by simply turning off the television. Instead, we can read a book, go for a walk or hike, work in a garden, or slop or play a game with our families. Quite simply, the less television we watch, the richer our lives will be, the less we will spend on electricity, and the more we will be doing for the environment.All of the information in this section has focussed on minimizing the use of energy in the home. Imagine if you could use electricity in your home without burning any fossil fuels and without any monthly electric bills. This is not only possible, but a reality for thousands of Americans. With one sign investme nt in a photovoltaic system (silicon cells that convert the suns light into electricity), you can end your dependence on polluting power companies and begin a new life of clean energy self-sufficiency.You can get started with a simple photovoltaic setup for a single zone of your home for less than one thousand dollars, or go all out with a top-of-the-line fully self-sufficient photovoltaic power center for about $13,000. If these prices sound high, consider the savings. If your monthly electric bill is $100, a top-of-the-line system that requires only a moderate degree of energy efficiency would be paid for in less than eleven years. And there is a on the whole spectrum of cheaper systems that can easily power a typical home.For less than four thousand dollars (paying for itself in about 3 years) the Real Goods Trading peck sells a system designed to handle all the lighting, entertainment, and small kitchen appliances for a modest, energy-conserving household of one to four people in a regular home. This description is taken from the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book, 9th Edition. This sevensome hundred page tome covers everything from taking care of the land to water preservation and every alternative form of energy from solar to hydro to wind.It is a must-have for anyone who wants to live lightly on the earth, and is available at most major book stores and libraries. Recycling and Waste Management There is no environmentally sound method of dealing with the 200 million tons of municipal unwavering waste produced in America each year. There are many things we can do, however, to minimize, if not eliminate, our personal 4 1/2lb-a-day contribution to that figure. The now ubiquitous threesome, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, still defines what we all must do to bring our personal trash production down to a sustainable level.With the media and certain high-positioned nay-sayers claiming that recycle is worse for the environment than it is good for it, and law s making recycling just another stupid rule rather than a social imperative, perhaps a redux of Americas trash situation is called for. Households and other residences produce 100 of the 200 million tons of annually produced garbage in the United States. Most of that goes to land-fills, where it is covered up (if not purposefully sealed to prevent leakage) and sharp-set of the atomic number 8 needed for biodegradation.Here is just a taste of some garbage statistics from Geoffrey C. Saigns well-researched book, Green Essentials More than 1/2 of U. S. landfills have closed in the past 10 years, and nearly 1/2 of the stay 5,800 landfills do not meet federal or state standards for homosexual health and environmental protection. More landfills are being closed as they fail to meet 1993 and 1994 guidelines and as communities resist allowing new landfills in their area 22 states will run out of landfill capacity within 10 years or less. The nations 10 largest cities use a land area for their garbage that is larger than the state of Indiana.And this is just landfills. Incineration is quickly becoming the chosen method of dealing with garbage. Incineration actually concentrates the toxicity of garbage by commixture volatile chemicals at high temperatures and reducing its harmless biomass content. Approximately 1/4 of the ashes produced in a typical incinerator escape into the atmosphere, where they combine with the toxic gases emitted to cause acid rain, smog, and global warming. The remaining ashes are highly toxic and dumped in landfills or stored in toxic waste facilities.A few states mix this ash with pavement, where it will slowly decompose and leach into the ground. The simple fact is that most of this waste could be recycled or composted instead of burned or buried. Green Essentials offers this breakdown of garbage ingredients by weight segment % by weight Alternative disposal methods available Paper and paperboard 34% Recyclable Yard trimmings 20% Compost able Plastic 9% Recyclable Food waste 9% Compostable Metals 8% Recyclable starter 7% Recyclable Wood 4% Compostable, can be used as fuel Rubber and leather 3% Recyclable (tires) Textiles 2% Donate Other 4%??As this chart displays, 58% (not numeration the 3% for rubber and leather) of our garbage is recyclable 33% of the remainder could be composted. That means that 91% of all the garbage produced in this country (thats about 182 million tons annually) could be kept out of incinerators and landfills. Even a fraction of this ideal estimate would have a profound impact on the environment. Despite the amazing potential for waste reduction that recycling makes possible, The New York Times joined the medias misinformed recycling myth extravaganza in their June 30th, 1996 article, Recycling is Garbage.From the beginning, pessimists and special-interest industries have spread incorrect myths about recycling. These claims frequently charge (among other things) that landfill space is abunda nt and cheap there is no market for recycled goods and recycling doesnt pay for itself. Consider the facts on these three points Landfill space has become a precious commodity in the U. S. , with many states paying to trade trash to other states or countries. Recall Geoffrey Saigns statement that 22 states will run out of landfill capacity within 10 years or less.The market for recycled goods, while fluctuating like any burgeoning market, has increased with the amount of recycled goods available to create a powerful new industry. According to the environmental Defense Fund, U. S. pulp paper manufacturers have voluntarily built or expanded more than 45 recycled paper mills in the 1990s, and are projected to spend more than $10 billion on such facilities by the end of the decade. To argue that recycling doesnt pay for itself is like represent that landfills and incinerators dont pay for themselves-of course they dont.Recycling plants, even in the industrys infancy, cost about as mu ch to operate as conventional disposal methods, but are considerably more environmentally sound (costing less when environmental damage and cleanup costs are considered) and reduce pollution from manufacturing and excavation for new production. Recycling is an easy thing to do, and good habit to get into as many towns and cities are requiring their citizens to recycle by law or charging by the pound for non-recycled garbage.First, find out what your town recycles by craft your local waste management facility. If your town or city doesnt recycle or recycles only a few materials, consider getting a recycling-only dump permit for a near-by pro-recycling town or city. Next, reorganize your homes main trash area to include receptacles for all the different materials you will recycle. Food containers like tin cans and bottles should be rinsed to keep your recycling receptacles from smelling.Youll be stupid(p) at the decrease in waste the next time you take out the trash. If we make a c ommitment to recycle our garbage, we must support the effort on the other end by buying recycled goods. Many products packaging claims 100% recyclable. This is good, but keep in mind that it doesnt mean the material is recycled. Look for the percentage of post-consumer waste to tell you if it is and how much of is recycled. Recycled products like paper and cardboard have come a long way in quality and price.Seventh Generation, a producer of a full line of 100% recycled and earth-friendly household products, posts a convincing advertisement on the side of their bathroom tissue packages If every household in the U. S. eplaced just one 4-pack of 430 sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissues with 100% recycled ones, we could save 1 million trees, 4. 1 million cubic feet of landfill space (equal to 4,618 full garbage trucks), and 427 million gallons of water (a years supply for 12,300 families of four). About 33% of the garbage we produce, like food scraps and yard trimmings, can be composted .Composting is natures answer to garbage control, converting organic waste back into the soil it came from. While many people compost to create nutrient-rich soil for their garden, you dont have to be a gardener to compost your organic waste. You should cover your compost pile, but not suffocate it. The organic waste needs plenty of oxygen to feed the microbes that decompose the matter. You can build a box for your compost, or buy one pre-made at your local garden shop. Look for an organic gardening book at your library for instructions on building a

Pro Same Sex Marriage Essay

Marriage is very important as it is said to be the union or plainly binding of a reliable person to other by the agency of cut and of the sacred sacrament of God through the biblical and sacred means. The unity of the compeer with the uniform genders is not a result of allowing the equal kindle union policy hence it provides a reflection on the wider meaning of such social relationships shift (Cossman).            The transformation of the relationship into a different pairing of couples from the pair of different gender to become same land up in the 20th century introduced a good idea of better social understanding. According to the new comment of finishual union same waken coupling is covered by the willingness of a real person to get bonded with another of his or her same sex and thus in conveys a mutual emotion towards one another (Cossman).            In the pro same se x pairing decision makings, the intimately important focus is about the security of proper division of safes as well as responsibilities of such people involved. It too includes the security of universe private and of course the establishment of a real family by the cleverness to raise and rear children (Cossman).            In Morris Kaplans arguments about the true amount of money of man and wife skillfulice, democracy of the present century is discussed as equality and emancipation of the gays and lesbians regarding their relationships and sexual union wherein protection of their social status is included such as voidance of discrimination. Kaplan also argued that people or individual of the same sex should be given their freedom to enhance themselves and polish their human innovation through their own concept of shaping lives and thus searching for identity operator (Kaplan).         &nb sp  Morris Kaplan discussed that same sex pairing is the justification of such behaviors that an individual could present to reality. As it was said in the quotation of Oscar Wilde on the year 1895 that such adore emotion does not give name so as age to the person he love from the same sex as it was in the relationship between David and Jonathan wherein Plato created his rational philosophy. This said philosophy could be determined in the sonnets composed mainly by two certain authors such as Michelangelo and also Shakespe atomic number 18. It is defined as a certain deep spiritual conviction and affection which could justify the purity and apotheosis of love (Kaplan).            Same sex wedding party is accepted by roughly of the society but even though there are already legal policies about the same sex marriage and thus same sex marriage would not change eachthing to the race and origin of a certain society. Regarding this, the journal of Catholicism and Same Sex Marriage by Ogilvie discussed that a same sex conjugal love is considered as a certain same sex couples union, it is defined as some(prenominal) of their pleasure which does form an essential element into their relationship (Ogilvie).            The Catholic Church does not definitely agree with the same sex marriage but they are concerned about the rights of the same sex couples which light-emitting diode them to help promote the proposal for the human rights regarding with the same sex couples. Thus, the completely risk that the Catholic Church obtained by doing so is that the society becomes abstruse about the real understanding of human regarding with the human theology on gender or sex (Ogilvie).            The primary matter that same sex unions could not argue for them to be equated on the same sex marriage is that definitely they do not base thei r relationship through the opposite word sex relationship which should basically involve a male and also a female compatibilities and thus they could not help on story of the reproduction of new offspring or family growth (Ogilvie).            There are some Churches who are not against the unity of a couple from both the same sexes, an example of these churches is the Unitarians and also the Metropolitan Community Church who allows the marriage of same sex couples. These two Churches are willing to bless the marriage of certain gays and/or lesbians and thus they also offer church unify ceremonies for the said pairs of couples (Belge).            Although the Church has its influence towards the mind and behavior towards the people, it is not right for them to influence or change certain peoples intuitive feeling as well as peoples conceptualization towards love and marriage. It is not their task to prohibit such same sex marriage basing on their own concept and beliefs.            In Canada, there had been 49% of their creation on the year 1999 who agreed on legalizing the same sex marriage wherein it left the other options with the lesser remaining percentage of the population, then make the marriage of individuals with the same sex legal on the year 2003 by some of the regional courts in Canada (Belge).            The statistics of pro same-sex marriage in Canada which deal out to America indicates the concept of Canadians towards the belief that when two people love each other, then they should be allowed to have a legal marriage wherein their rights as a couple to be recognized, respected, and thus treated equally by the society should be implemented properly (Belge).            In general, pro same sex marriage should be allowed a nd thus should be recognized by everyone as equal as such society recognizes the marriage of two people with opposite sex. This is for the reason that the same sex couples purity and concept of love might be just as the same as the purity and conviction of a conventionalism couples love for each other. Therefore, pro same sex marriage reflects an unconditional love which does not pick gender, age, and/or any other factor.Works CitedBelge, Kathy. Pro fairylike Marriage Why Gay Marriage Should Be Legal.  (2007). December 11 <http//lesbianlife.about.com/cs/wedding/a/lgmarriage.htm>.Cossman, Brenda. Sexual Citizens The Legal and Cultural Regulation of Sex and Belonging. Stanford University Press, 2007.Kaplan, Morris B. Sexual justness Democratic Citizenship and the Politics of Desire. Routledge, 1997.Ogilvie, Matthew. Catholicism and Same-Sex Marriage. Australian EJournal of Theology.5 (2005).

The Hidden Key to E-Commerce Success

Order fulfilment The Hidden Key to e-Commerce Success By Fred R. Ricker and Ravi Kalakota n July 1995, a young W wholly Street computer whiz named Jeff Bezos open a handstore whirl more(prenominal) than unitary million titles further nearly no scrutinise. His brainchildAmazon. comhas grown since then from four employees operate out of a 400 squ ar-foot garage in Seattle into an online union with a stock valuation greater than close to Fortune 500 companies.His initial concepta practical(prenominal) bookstore designed to do argumentation exclusively on The ne 2rk offers a wealth of the profitswas bleak bank line line opportunities for obviously brilliant start-ups and realised compaand soundly exe rebuffed, nies a equal. stock- placid slice every peerless as evidenced by hopes a piece of the e-Commerce action, non everyone has place the Amazon. coms sucnecessary groundwork for success in gaining and cess. One of the most practically over controling guest lo oked prerequi stations is stray run acrossattention and generment and distri bution. Succeeding ating aims. n the e-Commerce age is every Yet the comp eithers bit as lots nearly calculating and success to succession is executing these blocking and dwarfed by the tackling functions as it is roughly potential of its the latest engineering. app arnt ambition to build the realisms most cost-efficient consumer-direct orderFred R. Ricker is conductor of health-c be sup fulfilment scheme. ply compass outline for Manhattan Associates Amazon. com enviInc. Ravi Kalakota is the director of the sions a killer supCenter for Digital Commerce and GCATT ply twine that faeces chair professor of electronic commerce at deliver virtually any Georgia State University.He is too the point of intersectionnot unspoilt founder and CEO of e-Business Strategies. 60 tote up drawstring Management brush up I books this instant to guests better than its competitors. In fact, it took Amaz on. com alone one tooshie after adding medicinal drug to its offers to rifle the Nets leading music seller. The company currently is tar comeing the $150 billion pharmaceuticals market with a 40-percent second in Drugstore. com. nowadays, the emphasis among more mature Web retail merchants like Amazon. com is change from marketing to fulfilment logisticswhat happens after the rder is placed. Good fulfilmenttaking the practiced result, putting it in the full box, tape transport it, and gaining the clients acclaim on arrivalis a inviteing task. We believe it is herein the down-and-dirty lucubrate of consumer direct order fulfilmentthat the epic battles for domination of the e-Commerce marketplace impart ultimately be won or lost. The emergence of the e- add together redact, a group of strategically aligned companies directioned on delivering differentiable regard as, signals a hawk in the nature of online competition.It involves rethinking traditional supplier relationships and the role of educationdriven fulfillment logistics. In the vernal meshwork economy, establishing a sustainable e-Commerce position is as much about apply the right fulfillment strategies to get your growths or run to buyers as it is about having the right product at the right price. The anchor to success is world able to give guests what they want, Fall 1999 Illustration by Roger Roth when they want it, and how they want itall at the lowest woo. That requires real-time fulfillment solutions.These move up aims drive home driven a three-phase evolution. First the e-Corporation, which focuses on creating and maximise the potential of internal summate cosmic strings, evolves into e-Business communities, where distributors, suppliers, guests, and otherwises argon linked but not fully desegregated. These communities then operate the e-Supply chain, which requires telephone circuit- procedure and applied science synchronizing across the holy chain. (Exhibit 1 depicts this progression. ) Unfortunately, much of the start-up training for e-Commerce ventures applies old simulates to mod enterprisingnesss.It assumes, for example, the existence of a brick-and-mortar deem infrastructure for the fulfillment or the spontaneous development of that infrastructure. worry it or not, most e-Commerce retailers place their initial emphasis on the fire areas Web product development, traffic generation, dynamic or customized Web pages, transactions, and so on. Often, e-Commerce retailers give little thought to order fulfillment and statistical distributiona capability critical to the success or failure of Web commerce. Our interrogation shows that the lack of an Fall 1999 ntegrated depict chain infrastructure or weaknesses in integrating multiparty logistics components quite a little undermine the benefits of e-Commerce and hinder innovative responses to the competition. The e-Fulfillment Opportunity The Internet offers a rich bran- new opportunity for direct consumer entree, but it alike raises new challenges. Web retailers find product fulfillment pickaxe and packing material in very small quantities and shipping via parcel mail carriersa particularly rocky activity. It often requires relying on third-party fulfillment traffickers (a concept discussed later in this article) to do the job.But collaboration in fulfillment chains is no extended confined to conventional two-company alliances, much(prenominal) as amidst shipper and a logistics function supportr. straight off, groups of enterprises are banding together for a common purposeto carry out customer demand. A new form of competition is emerging e-Supply chain vs. e-Supply chain. In the Internet book retailing war, for example, the competition is not simply between Amazon. com and Barnes &038 Noble but overly among groups of companies that make up the e-Supply chain anchored by all(prenominal) company. An e-Supply chain is, in effect, a virtual organizaSupply twine Management look into 61ORDER FULFILLMENT process. ) Vendors could work indoors specified routing guidelines and still tender for trucks online in conjunction with other geographically close vendors to get full-truckload rates. Internet start-ups fork up the luxury of starting from scratch and defining their fulfillment infrastructure Business Process and Technology specifically for the products Integration be offered online. This is not the case for established Phase 3 E-Supply string companies like catalog companies or store- base retailers such as Wal-Mart, Borders, and JCPenney.These companies already grant fulfillment and distribution networks designed to ship a variety of products in lot quantities to hundreds of stores. They realize that they targetnot layer home pitch on the alive infrastructure. The established companies moldiness(prenominal) decide whether to extend their active facilities for consumer-direct eCommerce or build a ne w set of fulfillment facilities tailored to low volumes and juicy-variety product mixes. The enlighten ones realize that they need to invent a new customer-driven fulfillment influence that can extract enough be out of the current feigning to equitableify home speech costs.That new poser, we believe, is an intercompany order-fulfillment and successor model. It utilizes business process synchronization to spend redundant processes among proviso chain transaction companies and to mitigate culture sharing doing away with extra labor, schedule, and holding costs. The design and execution of instrument of such a coordinated and synchronized fulfillment infrastructure poses a major(ip) dressrial problem. To shed light on this problem and provide a prescriptive roadmap, we address the following questions What is the impact of current customer-direct business models on fulfillment strategies?What is the definition of consumer-direct fulfillment logistics? Why is having a co nsumer-direct model so most-valuable? What types of fulfillment strategies are currently employed in e-Commerce? What strategic business-process reengineering and synchronization timbers can managers create when designing a consumer-direct fulfillment logistics outline? Fall 1999 EXHIBIT 1 Evolution of the meshing Economy Distributors Suppliers Internal Supply range of mountains Reengineering External Linkages Customers Phase 1 E-Corporation Logistics Providers Phase 2 E-Business Communities ion that encompasses a group of commerce companies, all working together to slash costs and share profits. By optimizing not exclusively their internal processes but as well as their mutual fundamental interactions, they realize the benefits of a sincerely blendd supply chain. This conceptbusiness-process and supply chain synchronizationlays the base for the next revolution in supply chain focal point. It takes supply chain integration to a new level of skill by requiring compani es to focus on synchronizing business processes around standard interface points and upgrading these points as the industry evolves.Synchronization of these touch points go pasts costs associated with inefficient feignment of goods, redundant processes, and excess parentage. In doing so, it promotes a dedicated collaboration of all supply chain trading partnerssuppliers, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, thirdparty providers, transportation companies, and retailers. Through e-Commerce, redundant processes among trading partners (such as quadruplex accuracy audits, receiving-dock appointments, and bloodline planning activities) can be eliminated.The immediacy and undertakeability of the Internet, once security and data cleansing issues are worked out, fulfills the promise of honest synchronization. To take just a few examples, if vendors can gain access to a publicly available schedule on the Internet and book their own receiving appointments, they no vaster need to send requests for appointments and wait for responses. Retailers would not need to research late payments if their customers could download payment status directly from the retailers Web site. (At least two major retailers deal already begun this 62 Supply drawing string Management ReviewThe Logistics of Consumer-Direct Fulfillment triad forces are converging to create an explosion in consumer-direct business models technology forces are making it possible, market forces are making it viable, and social forces are making it inevitable. Keep in mind, though, that consumers demand more than an interactive experience. They want actors line convenience and lower fulfillment costs. They need to be sensible of fast and reliable words. The value the consumer places on timely legal transfer can affect the logistics network design significantly. Time is money, and digital consumers of the 21st coulomb weart have the same tolerance levels as their analog-world ancestors. Todays cons umers are yearning for instant gratification as neer before. Partners in the supply chain must improve their efficienciesfrom order view to fulfillment to provide that gratification. The goal of consumer-direct business models is to let customers select and piece products and services interactively, get a price quote, and receive a attached pitch date online.Companies serious about satisfying customers online must intimately change their process to make consumer-direct retailing and manufacturing attractive to the consumer. Companies must re-evaluate the established fulfillment business modelpromotions, selling, product selection, price, supplier relations, technical counselling, distribution, returns, and post-sale service. for each one of these areas demands new processes, skills, and surfacees. To satisfy a consumer-driven marketplace, companies must move beyond the unique(p) mentality of intracompany optimization.Instead, they must focus on how intercompany business p rocess synchronization can transform consumer demands into consumer satisfaction. As with a single company, core competencies of each component of the virtual transcription must be evaluated objectively to eliminate inefficiencies. Managers of that virtual organization result continue to reengineer best practices, while at the same time Building replenishment programs ground on consumers draw the product through the supply chain from the manufacturer. Employing new forecasting methods that devise total pipeline visibility.Investing collectively in technology and equipment to capitalize on market opportunities. The success of consumer direct fulfillment logistics models depends on the successful integration of Fall 1999 four key elements order-fulfillment planning, product execution, distribution management, and crossapplication integration. 1. Order-Fulfillment cookery. Rising customer expectations and short fulfillment deadlines call for in force(p) planning that breaks arti ficial boundaries and tie the gaps between the consumer and the other players in the supply chain.Fulfillment planning must go out the entire planning process from manufacturing, through distribution and transportationwithin a single integrated model. Fulfillment planning involves evaluation of five-fold planning strategies such as Establishing a sustainable e-Commerce position is as Profitable-to-promise Should I take the customer order at this time? Available-to-promise Is breed available to fulfill the order? Capable-to-promise Does manufacturing capacity allow order dedication?Select the plan that best meets the desired customer-service levels considering transportation and manufacturing con birdcallts. Its important to plan backwards from customer priorities and fulfillment deadlines. Thus, to generate a viable plan, the fulfillment-planning process inevitably to consider all supply chain constraints concurrently. These take transportation constraints such as truck cap acity and weight, use of switchnating(a) modes, and availability of downstream resources such as loading docks. 1 2. fruit Execution.With the advent of modular designs, more and more merchandise functions are being performed at dedicated stores and distribution centre of attentions. The typical activities include light subassembly and sequencing, kitting, merging, consolidation, packaging, and labeling. time of the final assembly often drives the production plan for subassemblies. The process starts with the maestro production schedule for the finished product. An MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) system explodes this schedule to come in when, where, and in what quantities various subassemblies and components are required to make each product.Production also includes componentreplenishment strategies that minimize the amount of inventory in the pipeline and coordinate product Supply Chain Management Review 63 much about using the right order-fulfillment strategies as it is about having the right product at the right price. ORDER FULFILLMENT hand-offs between the various parties involved. Timely replenishment of warehouses is critical because customers will no longer tolerate out-ofstock situations. 3. dispersal Management.Distribution management encompasses the entire process of transporting goods from manufacturer to distribution centers and then to final inlet point. The process also whitethorn include packing, document preparation, customs brokerage, and inventory and warehouse management. One of the most important innovations here is the integration of distribution with transportation planning and scheduling through a comprehensive supply can address by utilizing standardized reading formats and communication points between trading partners.Distribution center inventory has to be integrated effectively with the customer contact system. In high-velocity retail settings like the Web, customers quick become unhappy if the seller is out of sto ck for what is advertised as in stock. Accurate distribution center inventory, updated frequently, is essential to running an effective online business. A Framework for e-Commerce Fulfillment Strategies In the face of increasing competition, absence of pricing power, and shrinking operating margins, companies will succeed or fail based on the efficiency of their fulfillment strategies.Business analysts often focus on the tot up of orders a company generates on the Web as an indicator of its free-enterprise(a) strength. But a more accurate measure whitethorn be the companys process for rapidly and efficiently translating the orders into fill-rates that satisfy and go customer expectations. This section presents a good example of evolving fulfillment strategies. It then illustrates that theoretical account with a wide array of examples and derives implications and guidelines for management. The framework is based on two dimensions the structure and the operation of fulfillment s trategies.On the structure dimension, the strategies are classified as either centralized or distributed. In a centralized structure, all warehousing, pickup, packing, and shipping are operated in a central site, usually a distribution or logistics center. In a distributed structure, warehousing, pickup, packing, and shipping or delivery are located at different sites. On the operation dimension, the fulfillment strategies are either self-operated if the fulfillment process is operated by the company itself or outsourced if it is acquiree by third parties or partners.All of these strategies, discussed below, have trade-offs regarding investing, inventory costs, and operational complexity. dodging A. Distributed Delivery Centers Fulfillment through distributed delivery centers is an acceptable forward motion for companies that are just getting online or for those that have a delivery funcFall 1999 Time is money, chain execution solution. Transportation-management software spans the life cycle of the load and allows customers to view all of their shipments across a network of multimodal transportation providers. Distribution anagement also means providing users with easy access to shipping, tracking, and delivery data. Reverse logistics is some other function of distribution management. Faster product obsolescence and more generous warranties have escalated the number of returns. Reverse logistics not simply encompasses damaged or returned goods but also products designed for remanufacture, hazardous materials, and reusable packaging. 4. Cross-Application Integration. To be effective, companies need to seamlessly integrate the three elements of fulfillment logistics described above.At present, this rarely happens. Most Web servers only have a sporadic connection to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system like SAPs R/3, which controls accounting, production, materials management, and distribution. Thus, when the user wants to bed when a product wil l be delivered, the Web application often cannot tell that user what inventory is available in the ERP system or at the third-party warehouse. These are precisely the kinds of problems that business-process synchronization 64 Supply Chain Management Review nd digital consumers of the 21st century dont have the same tolerance levels as their analog-world ancestors. tion in their stores. This approach minimizes the upfront investment and can be set up quickly. It also facilitates strategies such as Buy Here/Pick Up There. This strategy allows consumers to place an order by phone or online at one store location and pick up the merchandise at another. though distributed delivery centers do have their advantages (like the obvious reduction in shipping costs), they also can experience certain difficulties.For one thing, controlling inventory for every center at an appropriate level may firmness in operational complexity and incur expensive inventory costs. In addition, in-store employee s often are unfamiliar with warehouse picking and packing procedures. Further, high employee turnover can make picking and packing quality standards difficult to maintain. Yet another problem is scheduling. To minimize conflict with customers who are obtain during the daytime, picking operations often are scheduled for off-peak shopping hours.Although this may appear to be an efficient use of resources, the delayed picking may force an additional day into the delivery cycle, since carrier pickups may take place before the completion of the current days picking and packing activities. dodge B. Partner Fulfillment Operations Some online retailers are using the partner fulfillment model, which means they have no inventory, no shops, and no product brands. Fulfillment is performed entirely by partners. This approach has progress to advantages from the standpoint of inventory-carrying costs. But there are some disadvantages as well.This has been intelligible in the experience of Peap od, an online grocery retailer that provides online shopping and home delivery services. Peapod discovered that its initial strategy of partnering with local supermarkets for fulfillment meant charging consumers high delivery costs of up to $16 an order. This pricing level make it virtually impossible to build a customer base. To attract more customers, the company has begun to dismantle some of its partnerships and move toward a distributed-delivery fulfillment model by establishing its own warehouses in selected markets.The introduction of a distributed-delivery model, however, has put a strain on the companys financial growth. Peapod management estimates that each new distribution center requires a capital expenditure of roughly $1. 5 million plus operating expenses. Peapod expects a net loss at each facility during the first 12 to 18 months of operation. In the long run, however, the new centers should give the company higher overall margins as well as greater operating efficien cies. Fall 1999 Companies will succeed or fail based on the efficiency of their fulfillment strategies.Strategy C. Dedicated Fulfillment Center Today, many online retailers have established their own dedicated fulfillment centers. These players include Amazon. com, BarnesandNoble. com, Dell Computer, Micro Warehouse, and Insight Enterprises. This approach is well suited to the book and computer industry, where the fulfillment centers can facilitate prompt delivery. The dedicated fulfillment center model represss delivery costs for low-margin items. Using this approach, companies can measure expected delivery time in hoursnot days.The tradeoffs of this approach are Low or unpredictable sales volumes. This will offspring in high inventory-carrying costs. last up-front investment. Depending upon its warehouse setup and flexibility, a distribution fulfillment center can incur high costs. It may, for example, require major systems modifications, automated warehouses, and conveyors. T his option, moreover, can add operational complexity to the product and information flows. Yet even though this approach increases the up-front capital investment, it can reduce long-term operating costs.Decreased flexibility. The operations scalability is restricted to the existing warehouse infrastructure. This may make it difficult to meet the variability in demand inherent in some retail segments. Strategy D. Third-Party Fulfillment Centers ( practical(prenominal) Warehousing) As companies struggle to manage unpredictable demand better, they are turning toward third-party fulfillment centers (3PFs), which can be thought of as virtual warehouses. Through this approach, companies can lease the skills and facilities needed for order fulfillment alternatively than owning them.Third-party fulfillment companies offer flexibility in accommodating wide swings in demand over short periods. They also help facilitate inventoryreduction initiatives such as just-in-time programs. Another ad vantage of 3PF is the limited changes that must be made to legacy information systems. This option provides a much more iron capability than in-store fulfillment and minimizes operational impact. It also converts much of fulfillment into a variable cost offset by eliminating warehouse and Supply Chain Management Review 65 ORDER FULFILLMENT store costs associated with the sale of the product.This strategy allows retailers to leverage their buying power and extend product selection into lines not currently offered in their stores. The primary drawback of 3PF is few existing national fulfillment companies can accommodate a wide range of products. Even more problematical, ceding control of this critical aspect of the business represents a major paradigm shift for retailers. Depending upon the service levels required by customers, multiple fulfillment centers may be necessary to minimize delivery timeand this increases costs and required stock levels. y clear that customers dont just bu y products instead, they buy the service envelope. They are looking to enter into a complex relationship with the selling company. Given the new reality, companies do not create value for customers by merely offering varieties of products. Rather, they must devise a logistics fulfillment strategy that envelops the product and meets customer needs such as convenience, reliability, and support. The choice of a fulfillment strategy depends on whether a company elects to compete essentially on customer responsiveness or operating excellence.In either case, the fulfillment strategy must support the overall business strategy. To ensure that this happens, a company needs to complete the following shades (1) assess the competitive environment, (2) select the fulfillment strategy, (3) achieve business-process synchronization, and (4) design and implement the necessary cross-application integration. Importantly, the fulfillment strategy must take full advantage of new planning, warehousing , and transportation technologies that can cut order fill times dramatically.Assess the Competitive Environment The first step in fulfillment-logistics design is assessmentthat is, identifying the opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses that will influence overall capital punishment and viability of the fulfillment strategy. During the assessment phase, a company must gather information on the competitive environment across these strategic variables Effectiveness. What are customers priorities and how are they changing? How closely does the overall design address the stated and voiceless requirements of customers?Consider likely changes in buying patterns, potential competitors, long-run cost pressures, and new technologies. Value differentiation. Why do my customers buy from me? What makes my value overture unique compared to the competition? Do customers appreciate the value in my offering and can this be leveraged into differentiated pricing strategies? The first step toward value differentiation is to map your customers entire experience with your product or service. Do this for each important customer segment. Capital intensity. Should we have a capitalintensive, high fixed-cost strategy?Or a less capital-intensive, flexible strategy? The e-Commerce impact on working capital outlay differs from retailer to retailer. It depends on such factors as the existing logistical infrastructure (dispersion of warehouses, existing product flow, etc. ), the Fall 1999 Effective fulfillment strategy is dynamic, using multiple channels simultaneously to reach important customers. Strategy E. Build-to-Order The customized build-to-order model is an emerging fulfillment center strategy that extends beyond the traditional framework and adopts an integrating or boundary-spanning perspective.Companies working to coordinate build-to-order fulfillment logistics strategies need to synchronise and manage the entire flow of materials through a complex network of resources in their supply chains as opposed to simply managing inventory in warehouses. Turn their attention to maximizing the throughput, rather than focus on controlling fixed costs. Alter the material flow upstream quickly and proactively as demand and product mix change, rather than react to changes in customer demand at the end of the process.A fundamental requirement of fulfillment logistics is the dedicated collaboration of all supply chain trading partners to eliminate the costs associated with inefficient movement of goods, redundant processes, and excess inventory. Effective collaboration not only ensures that the order flows through smoothly but also provides two crucial capabilities the ability to conform to increasingly frequent changes in consumer tastes and e-Commerce technology and the ability to improve processes continuously. seeing the Right Fulfillment Strategy Design of the fulfillment strategy is central to the overall corporate strategy. It is becoming increasing66 Su pply Chain Management Review nature of the products carried (for example, books Select the Fulfillment Strategy The second step in the design process is to select vs. produce), and the delivery demands of the an appropriate fulfillment strategy based on the findcustomer. Channel extendibility. bottom the fulfillment design ings of the competitive assessment.Each fulfillment handle possible new products and services and strategy brings its own strengths, weaknesses, and incorporate new forms of customer interaction? trade-offs. These center on such issues as investEstablished companies must remain commit to ment, effectiveness, cost efficiency, operational coma portfolio strategy of customer interaction. This plexity, channel extendibility and scalability, and is based on the belief that valuable synergies exist risks associated with the business alliances. Exhibit 2, among online, catalog, and military posture retailing.To which summarizes the key characteristics of the five cite one example, EXHIBIT 2 online order desks A Summary of Five Fulfillment Strategies with sophisticated Type of distinctive Major Potential Management walk-up interfaces Fulfillment Characteristics Strengths Weakness Challenges Strategy can be located strategically in Distributed delivery Distributed comfy start-up Complex inventory Establishing sophisevery store so that centers Prompt delivery management ticated inventoryoperation sites Operation in control.High inventory management sysSelf operated. shoppers can costs tem order products Unfamiliar with JIT inventory manand serve themwarehousing proce- agement. dures. selves. With an integrated portfo- Partner fulfillment minify up-front Service limited by Establishing orderDistributed lio strategy, estab- operations investment partnership routing system operation sites Less operational Low overall Maintaining stratePartner operated. ished companies responsibility efficiency gic alliance with can gain many Flexible delivery High inventory costs partners new online cusarrangement and inventory-man- Ensuring service Low shipping devolve on agement complexity. quality and reliability. tomers from the to customers. retail outlets. I n f r a s t r u c t u re Dedicated Avoids the higher High up-front Converting traditionCentralized inventory costs investment al warehousing to operation site scalability.Can the fulfillment centers Easy to manage Decreased flexibility. consumer-direct fulSelf operated. design handle Fast delivery fillment multiple products cut long-term JIT inventory mancosts of operation. agement. and a high shipment volume? animal(prenominal) distribu- Third-party fulfillLeast investment Few options Selecting the third Centralized No learning coil available party tion can be a ment centers (3PFs) operation site Third party No operational com- Risks in strategic Establishing intermajor logistical operated. lexity alliances organizational inforand administrative Limited changes to High operatio nal mation systems with legacy systems charge. the 3PF. headache. Online decrease operaretailers are findtional impacts. ing that having to Build-to-order Spans both Minimum inventory Over-customization Synchronizing entire adapt their existcentralized Pulling ensured Costs and resources flow of materials vs. ing infrastructure and distributed No stock inventory of integration. anaging inventory to handle small operations. Controlled fulfillAltering material ment. flow upstream vs. shipments pass customer demand to millions of condownstream. sumers can be time consuming, complex, and expensive. The challenge is to keep each and every fulfillment strategies, is a managerial guide for customer satisfied while protecting the bottom determining which strategy is right for a company at line from erosion resulting from waste, errors, and a assumption situation. inefficiencies.How well do the available distribu- Achieve Business-Process Synchronization Intercompany business-process sync hronization, tion strategies help fulfill that key objective? Fall 1999 Supply Chain Management Review 67 ORDER FULFILLMENT in its purest form, gives rise to the virtual organization in which all trading companies work together as one competitive supply chain entitythe e-Supply chain. In the virtual organization, each trading company shares its information and resources, which results in better planning and more efficient product movement.In making business-process synchronization a reality, companies typically will occur these challenges Design and Implement Cross-Application Integration Among the key objectives of intercompany collaboration are more sophisticated distribution services, such as frequent inventory replenishments, more customized packing of goods to reduce unpacking times, more creative packaging and labeling of goods to meet merchandising strategies, and more effective exchange of trading information in meekness with EDI standards.Achievement of these objectives demands an increased use of cross-application integration. Superior application integration in a supply chain is central to achieving superior fulfillment productivity and speed. An effective fulfillment-management system must have the ability to integrate with 1. structured enterprise applications. Included here are the ERP systems that integrate the inventory management, marketing, and financial functions. 2. Integrated interenterprise systems. These are the supply chain management systems for transportation, order management, warehouse management, and demand planning.For instance, FedEx has integrated its logistics and transportation capabilities with the SAP R/3 system. For R/3 users, the solution will simplify every related process step from order entry through shipment and tracking by tightly integrating with FedEx. For FedEx, this capability creates a competitive barrier that other carriers have to overcome. 3. Distribution center management and warehouse management systems. Included among these solutions are facility management systems. Efficient management of a distribution center operation now requires collecting information on customer orders, incoming shipments, products vailable on-site, storage locations, product weights and sizes, and outbound shipping data (including customer-specific shipping requirements, routing data, and carrier requirements). This information must be analyzed dynamically to determine the most efficient use of the distribution centers labor, materials-handling equipment, and shipping and receiving areas. Todays information technology revolution does not merely support new order-fulfillment strategies, it creates them. Technology Challenge. Intercompany businessprocess synchronization requires sophisticated technology applications.It can be difficult, however, to identify those systems that truly support this initiative. The Data-Sharing Challenge. Supply chain systems not only need to communicate with one another but also to integrate their business practice knowledge into each trading companys business logic. The companies must work quickly and painlessly to integrate their trading partners knowledge into their own business applications. The Adaptability Challenge. All the information in the world cannot help if trading companies dont have the flexibility to alter business processes as consumer demands change.In this regard, all trading companies face similar challenges. For instance, when UPS issues a rate update, thousands of customers must implement these changes by a specified date and time. Companies need to implement business systems that can be upgraded easily to move with the market. The Standardization and Compliance Challenge. When one major player in the supply chain decides to upgrade to a new technology or adopt a new technical functionality, the other players are challenged to synchronize accordingly.When there are thousands of touch points, or interface points, the challenge can beco me enormously complex. In a perfect world, all trading partners would transmigrate in unison to the latest technologies to realize the maximum benefit. But it is not likely that an entire supply chain can or will do this at once. Thus, it is important to focus on synchronizing business processes around these touch points and upgrading them as the market evolves. 68 Supply Chain Management Review Acting in Unison for the Consumer Order fulfillment and replenishment is a core business process. What makes onsumer-direct eCommerce compelling to customers is not just the online shopping experience but on-time delivery, fewer fulfillment errors, extra service, and convenience. These are the things that customers value. When companies fall short in responding to those values, they risk alienating or losing customers as a result. Fall 1999 ORDER FULFILLMENT Many potential e-Commerce participants have underestimated the difficulty and importance of the fulfillment side of this market arena. They see fulfillment and distribution logistics as peripheral to their competitive strategy.Companies need to recognize that such benign neglect is risky and wastes opportunities for competitive advantage. In response to pressures from properly market trends and scientific changes, they must inspect past practices, channel commitments, and vendor relationships vigorously. Effective fulfillment strategy is dynamic, using multiple channels simultaneously to reach important customers. Todays information technology revolution does not merely support new fulfillment strategies, it creates them. Consumers interface with technology daily, raising the bar on what is expected on the fulfillment side.Meeting these rising expectations requires a conscious shift in fulfillment strategies and a technological infrastructure that ties together every aspect of the consumer-direct fulfillment chain. Interenterprise business-process synchronization is a key to success in this emerging real-time m arketplace. Deep information exchange among supply chain partners brings opportunities to develop interenterprise strategies that become new sources of competitive advantage. Information integration allows companies to monitor daily trends, market conditions, product acquisitions, and planning functions.To achieve operational integration, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers must exchange information effectively with other supply chain participants at key interface touch points. Importantly, this includes providing real-time information to customers so they know the status of their order at any given moment. When all trading partnersincluding raw-material suppliersperform all of the key supply activities in unison, they can make inventory decisions that lead to dramatically ameliorate results.They can then share the rewards of producing the correct amount of the product, thereby expectant the cost of overproduction. Business-process synchronization also enables partners to respond quickly and easily to unknowing consumer demand for items or for personalized and enhanced productsthe kinds of things todays Internet shoppers desire. The companies that employ business-process synchronization in the development of their consumerdirect order-fulfillment strategy will fulfill these consumer desires and emerge as the big winners in the Internet economy.Authors nock Used as a reference for this article was a blanched Paper by Alan Dabbiere of Manhattan Associates titled Business Process and Supply Chain Synchronization Achieving Supply Chain Excellence Through Technology. Footnote 1 Companies providing early versions of advanced planning capability include SAPs Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) engine, i2Technologies, Manugistics, and Logility. More sophisticated systems that integrate production planning and transportation planning are under development. 70 Supply Chain Management Review Fall 1999