Renaissance Madonna and Child Triptych Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Renaissance Madonna and Child Triptych - Essay Example A triptych is a three-piece independent board that was a typical altarpiece in the Baroque time frame made with some particular regular procedures. They fluctuated in size and specific shape, yet most had a generally rectangular base and square or curved tops. The two side boards were quite often littler than the inside board. They were made this way so they could be effortlessly collapsed up and shipped with the cleric when he went to lecture in the nation. As we learned in class, during this time ever, it was the congregation that protected the entirety of human expressions and writing. Therefore, they were the ones who normally charged the workmanship and permitted the craftsmanship to be seen. In specialized components, the artwork is finished with gum based paint on wood boards, which was a typical method of working. Gum based paint is an egg-yolk-based paint that dries rapidly and solidifies into an extreme surface that made it perfect for going by rough carts. A large number o f the triptychs in plain view in exhibition halls are made with this mechanism therefore. To get the hues to work perfectly, Baroque painters would utilize a green earth shade called Terre Verde for the under-painting and red measuring behind the gold leaf of the foundation (class notes). Gold leaf was constantly utilized in pictures of a strict sort since it represented the significance and honorability and virtue of the figures. On the off chance that you look carefully, these characteristics of green under-painting, red measuring and substantial utilization of gold leaf out of sight are clear in this triptych just as numerous other comparable works. for example, Cimabue's Madonna Enthroned and Giotto's Madonna Enthroned that we found in class. Another normal component of Baroque workmanship is the attention on brushwork. As per my class takes note of, the brushwork utilized during this period was extremely careful. Each and every line was painstakingly situated to make a feeling that the picture just showed up on the board. This bodes well, really, considering they were working with gold leaf. Gold is extremely intelligent and the littlest wrinkle would cause appearance toward some path. By adopting a stickler strategy to the work, the craftsman could make the figment of coronas or different highlights inside the gold leaf that would possibly show up when the light originated from the perfect point. This would have added to the enchantment of the picture to serve the less-instructed open. The general topic of Vanni's triptych is also fundamentally the same as the fine art of other Baroque craftsmen working in this timeframe. In this canvas just as in Cimabue's painting and Giotto's painting, the Madonna is

Workplace Relationship Quality and Employee Job in Hotel Firms Essay

Working environment Relationship Quality and Employee Job in Hotel Firms - Essay Example Business relations in the neighborliness and enterprises offer a reasonable audit particularly of work relations in the unmistakable piece of the administration economy. Friendliness work on the planet can without much of a stretch be marked as a helpless business which is guideline inside territories of least wages. Different business frameworks are realized by various legitimate, social, political just as financial elements. Human Resource Management by and large coordinates the individual exercises with the goal of guaranteeing accomplishment inside the activities being completed. It in this way calls for accommodation the board staff to embrace a wide and expansive comprehension of Human Resource Management. As a matter of fact, it is the job of the accommodation the executives instructors to give the necessary information an imminent of guaranteeing increase of criticality. Proof from study did of a specific inn has delineated that Human Resource Management is generally produced to have a constrained results on the issues that are basic to the prosperity of the foodservice business on the loose. It has obviously shown that HRM seldom has a task to carry out particularly with the impact planned to be caused for example on administration quality, productivity among others.Human Resource issues are acutely investigated to give new answers for issues confronted particularly during the troublesome financial periods inside the inn business. This will help in achievement of a supportable and an upper hand and all the more so in the present business condition.

Self-Help and Relaxation Techniques for OCD

Self-Help and Relaxation Techniques for OCD OCD Living With OCD Print Relaxation Techniques for OCD By Owen Kelly, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on September 19, 2019 Thomas Barwick/Taxi/Getty Images More in OCD Living With OCD Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Treatment Types Related Conditions Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) manifests in many ways and is caused by many triggers. One of those triggers is stress. The best way to improve your OCD self-help skills is to learn and regularly practice relaxation techniques. Here are three easy techniques you can practice on your own. Deep Breathing Deep diaphragmatic  breathing, or belly breathing, sends a very strong relaxation signal to the brain that effectively turns down physiological arousal, and in turn, stress levels. The first step in belly breathing is to sit or lie in a quiet room in a comfortable position with one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Some people feel more comfortable closing their eyes, but this is not essential. Begin by breathing in through your nose. When you breathe in, you should only feel your stomach expand. You will know that you are doing this correctly if the hand on your chest is almost motionless while the hand on your stomach moves outward. Once you have taken a deep breath in, blow the air out slowly through pursed lipsâ€"similar to the face you would make blowing up a balloonâ€"and feel your stomach fall back towards your spine. Again, only the hand on your stomach should be moving. Exhaling should take two to three times as long as inhalation. The relaxation that comes with deep breathing will kick in after a minute or two, but keep going for five, 10 or even 20 minutes for maximum benefits. During belly breathing, we experience a reduced heart rate, lowered blood pressure and more efficient breathing, each of which promotes a state of calm and relaxation. Mindfulness Meditation Once you have mastered the deep breathing technique, you may want to try mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is the practice of noticing thoughts without judging them or pushing them away. By practicing mindfulness meditation we become more aware of the thoughts we are having and become better at detaching ourselves from these thoughts and being more arms length to them. By practicing this technique we are less likely to be affected by troubling thoughts, including the obsessions that are part of OCD. In fact, mindfulness is a key component of acceptance and commitment  therapy. To practice mindfulness meditation, begin with the deep breathing exercise described above. As you are breathing, try to pay attention to the thoughts, sensations, fears, anxiety, and worries that are passing through your mind. Simply notice these thoughts without trying to push them away. Notice what happens to these thoughts when you simply leave them alone and let them pass. Use deep breathing as your anchor throughout this exercise. It is not uncommon experience greater levels of anxiety when starting to learn mindfulness meditation, as it puts you in touch with troubling thoughts, fears, and worries. However, over time you will grow more comfortable simply sitting with these thoughts without taking action. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation  (PMR) can also be used with the deep breathing described above. Progressive muscle relaxation can be very helpful in identifying hidden tension throughout the body. To practice PMR, lie or sit in a comfortable position in a quiet room and begin the breathing exercise above. As in your inhale, clench all of the muscles in your face. Hold this for 10 to 20 seconds and then release the tension while slowly exhaling. Repeat this a couple of times and then gradually move down your bodyâ€"shoulders, arms, stomach, buttocks, legs, calvesâ€"repeating this pattern of inhalation/tensing and exhalation/relaxing. Coping With Stress When You Have OCD

Teen Pregnancy Costs The United States - 1577 Words

Section One: â€Å"Why?† The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the western industrialized world. Teen pregnancy costs the United States at least $7 billion annually. Family First Aid has stated that â€Å"thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 — about 820,000 a year. Eight in ten of these teen pregnancies are unintended and 79 percent are to unmarried teens.† You may ask why so many teens are pregnant. It may be because they haven’t been receiving enough sexual education or making an â€Å"adult decision† in an immature situation. The first thing you’ll have to do is kiss your social life goodbye because you’ll have to focus more on your baby and not your friends. Most teen mothers decide to drop out of high school but you CAN have a child and finish high school and even go on to college. It will be very challenging because you have to be very determined and stay focused to be able to accomplish it. Don’t get me wrong, teen pregnancy can help develop responsibility and help you grow up with your child but most affects are negative. Office of Adolescent Health says teen birth rates have declined almost continuously over the past 20 years but it is still a growing problem across the world. Teenage pregnancy is not good for girls since their bodies and minds are not mature enough to handle the stress of pregnancy, delivery and raising the baby. Still teenage girls get pregnant. TheShow MoreRelatedEssay on Teenage Pregnancy and Prevention1320 Words   |  6 PagesThe public sector cost in 2004 is $950 million dollars for teenage births (Hoffman, 2006). Billions of taxpayer dollars are spent every year to care and support teenage births. Although teen pregnancy has declined in the past, the United States is still number one out of all industrialized countries of teen pregnancies. Therefore, implementing an in depth sex education class covering parenting in schools will allow teens to fully understand he consequences of having protected or unprotected sex.Read MoreSex Education Should Be Taught From A Different Approach Than Sex1109 Words   |  5 Pagesyears (qtd. in About Teen Pregnancy). Children need to be getting a better education on sex during middle school and hi gh school to be better prepared if they decide to engage in sexual activity. Sex should be taught from a different approach than in recent years. Sex education should be incorporated in all schools starting around 6th grade and continually throughout high school because teachers can give a better understanding of sex which will reduce the number of teen pregnancies and sexually transmittedRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy Sections I And II1738 Words   |  7 PagesTopic: Teenage Pregnancy Sections I and II Primary Audience: My primary audience is the citizens of the U.S.; this includes tax payers, parents, state officials, education officials and teen moms. In the U.S. we have several teens that are experiencing unprotected sex, without any knowledge of pregnancy prevention or sex education. When teen girls become pregnant, this also affects the parents. This is a huge responsibility and burden for all involved parties. Health benefits are needed forRead MoreTeen Pregnancy Is Associated With Negative Consequences For Both Adolescents Essay1181 Words   |  5 Pages10/19/2015 Teen Pregnancy Teen pregnancy is associated with negative consequences for both adolescents, and, when pregnancy is carried to term, their children. The great majority of teen pregnancies (82 percent in 2006) are unintended. In 2006, approximately 37 percent of unintended pregnancies to teens ages 15-19 ended in abortion, and almost 60 percent ended in a live birth. Overall, as of 2010, 26 percent of teen pregnancies end in abortion. Even after accounting for the fact that teen mothers tendRead MoreTeen Pregnancy Essay1513 Words   |  7 PagesTeen Pregnancy Teenage pregnancy affects our society in many different negative ways. Approximately seven percent of all teenage girls in the United States become pregnant each year (MacKay, 6). Becoming a mom at a young age will make you grow up faster than the average teenage girl. You may have the help at home but it’s up to you to get things accomplished. That will cause you to rely on taxpayers and the society. For some teen moms, that’s all they will rely on, they don’t want more than thatRead MoreUnintended Pregnancy : An American Epidemic Essay1280 Words   |  6 PagesUnintended Pregnancy: An American Epidemic This year in America, over one million teens will become pregnant. More than 80% of these pregnancies will be unintended (North Carolina PRAMS 2009). Unintended pregnancy is commonly defined as â€Å"a pregnancy that is reported to have been either unwanted (that is, the pregnancy occurred when no children, or no more children, were desired) or mistimed (that is, the pregnancy occurred earlier than desired)† (CDC 2015). Though some teen pregnancies are intentionalRead MoreTeen Pregnancy And Its Effect On Children855 Words   |  4 PagesTeen pregnancy has been an ongoing social issue in the United States for many of years. Although the rate of teen pregnancy has decreased since the 90s, the United States is still the highest among industrialized nations. The US ranks at one and a half times higher than Great Britain, three times higher than Canada, seven times higher than Denmark and Sweden, and eight times higher than Japan (Azar 1). Society considers teenage pregnancies a p roblem because they believe teenagers are not emotionallyRead MoreTeen Pregnancy is a Growing Problem in the United States1084 Words   |  4 Pageslocated in a tourist town on the northern Oregon coast, where according to the United States Census Bureau the median income as of 2012 was $24,201 (table 1).I remember in high school there was always a girl I knew who was pregnant, but it was not until recently when I noticed so many of my classmates and friends announcing due dates. According to Medline Plus, adolescent or teen pregnancy can be defined as â€Å"pregnancy in girls age 19 or younger† (para. 1). According to the CDC’s â€Å"Births: Final DataRead MoreEssay on Is Teen Pregnancy a Problem?1044 Words   |  5 PagesHow many pregnant teens have there been? Over the years more girls are becoming teen moms. In Oklahoma teen pregnancy has become a problem. Recently Oklahoma has had a pregnancy rate of 47.5% (Tulsa World). Not only is it an issue in Oklahoma but an issue in the United States as a whole. The lack of awareness and how to prevent pregnancy is a reason to blame for the increasing numbers. The more we don’t make people aware of the increasing teen pregnancy rate and how to prevent then the numbers willRead MoreThe Morning After Pill Essay1105 Words   |  5 Pageshigh teen pregnancy rate in the USA. There were 521,826 teen mothers in the United States in 1990 (Adolescent pregnancy 2). The United States also has the highest rate of pregnancy, abortion, and childbirth among teenagers than any other country (McKeown 1). Also, the Untied States spends an unbelievable 7 billion dollars a year on teen pregnancy costs (National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy 1). Not only does teen pregnancy cause problems for the babies of these mothers, and the United States

The Social Determinants Of Health - 1306 Words

Conditions of birth and people’s growth, lifestyles, occupations and age strongly influence their health. This essay focuses on children between the ages of zero to 19 and examines what the social determinants of health are. Firstly, it attempts to analyse poverty, family violence, addiction and the impacts on the health of younger New Zealanders who are exposed to those determinants. Secondly, strategies, initiatives and prevention services are identified at national, regional and local levels to investigate what the government and other non-government organisations are doing to ensure that the rights of children are being upheld. Children deserve to have the best start in life to enable healthy growth and development of their own special skills and talents. They need warm, healthy homes to live in, good nutritious food to give them energy to grow and learn, and opportunities for education, along with other activities that help them progress through life. They need the suppor t and care of their parents, whanau and communities that have their best interests at heart. The circumstances in which people live are shaped by the distribution of resources, power and money at global, national and local levels. Economics, social policies and politics all have a part to play (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2016). Social determinants look at key aspects of peoples’ living and working circumstances, and what the implications of these circumstances are on their long-term health.Show MoreRelatedThe Social Determinants Of Health1623 Words   |  7 PagesStress has been identified as one of the social determinants of health. It has different meanings in various contexts, so a proper definition will give a good insight of the term.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stress can be defined as a state of emotional or mental disturbance resulting from adverse or demanding conditions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stress can also be defined as a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental disturbance and could be a causal in disease formation. StressesRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health1194 Words   |  5 Pageswatching television, reading or watching over her six cats. Social Determinants of Health are conditions such as living conditions or environments one has experienced while living their life and how that affects one’s health (Mikkonen, J., Raphael, D., 2010). In this case study of Norma James presented above, the three Social Determinants of Health (DOH) relevant to this case study are Income and Income Distribution, Health Services and Social Safety Net. The following of the paper will discuss theRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health981 Words   |  4 Pagesthe first time. The social determinants of health most likely had an impact on the life expectancy of the vulnerable populations (Gupta, 2004). Applying the primary health care principles such as equity, cultural competence, community participation and maximum self-reliance, health promotion and disease prevention, access to health services and resource, use of acceptable technology and involvement of government departments to Mrs Azizi’s care will reduce the prevalen ce of health inequities amongstRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health1377 Words   |  6 Pages A group of fellow students and my self conducted a public health walk in the area of hackney borough. Our aim was to observe the community and how their surroundings affected their health. On 4th November 2014, we met at 10am and started our walk at St. Johns church. Prior to this day we met up to plan on our walk and how we will conduct it. While on our walk we observed how diverse and cultural the area was, we observed the people socialising in the street, the services available for these peopleRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health And Health898 Words   |  4 PagesMental health outcomes vary differently by socioeconomic location for women and men. It is important to critically analyze the various social locations that low-income women living with mental health concerns are currently occupying. These women are occupying these social locations because of the structural inequities that they encounter in relation to their experiences with the social determinants of health. Expl anatory frameworks are used to illustrate the relationship between the social determinantsRead MoreSocial Determinants Of Health And Health1170 Words   |  5 PagesSocial determinants of health are social, economic and physical factors that affect the health of individuals in any given population. There are fourteen social determinants of health but Income is perhaps the most important of these because it shapes living conditions, influences health related behaviors, and determines food security. In Canada, people with lower incomes are more susceptible to disease/ conditions, higher mortality rate, decreased life expectancy and poorer perceived health thanRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health1458 Words   |  6 Pagesknown as the social determinants of health; the central claim arising from this research is that â€Å"various social factors have a strong influence on population health and on inequalities in health outcomes across social groups†. (Preda Voigt, 2015) Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality of life outcomes and risks. Conditions such as social, economicRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health1555 Words   |  7 Pages After so, this contact decimated every aspect of the Indigenous way of life. The health and well-being of Indigenous people initiated to worsen severely not only in the physical aspect but also mental. According to National Household Survey conducted in 2011, 1,400,685 people have been identified as being a member of one of the Aboriginal groups within Canada. Within these Aboriginal groups, critical mental health issues such as major depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse disorderRead MoreSocial determinants of health1076 Words   |  5 PagesHealth starts in our homes, workplaces, schools and communities. Most of us may think that the state o f health is determined by our own behaviors and we are taking the initiatives in taking care of ourselves. By having a balanced diet, getting enough rest, exercising, not taking alcohols and smoking, receiving recommendation of preventive vaccine injection and screening tests, and seeing a doctor when we are sick, these behaviors all have great impact on our health. However, social determinants whichRead MoreSocial Determinants Of Health And Health873 Words   |  4 Pages Better research on immigrant health and health outcomes would go a long way to shining a light on how to tackle these problems. The current debate in the research concentrates on social determinants of health such as acculturation, which of course influences a lot of other health and healthcare decisions made by immigrants. However, only focusing on social determinants of health undermines the importance of other factors that also heavily affect immigrant health in the United States. Specifically

Posadas Free Essays

Did you know that a posada is one of the biggest celebrations that takes place in Mexico? A posada is a celebration that has been going on for years. I am going to talk to you about 3 main things about posadas. First of all I am going to talk to you about what a posada is. We will write a custom essay sample on Posadas or any similar topic only for you Order Now Secondly I am going to talk about when and where the posadas are celebrated. And thirdly about the importance of this topic. First of all im going to talk about what a posada is. A posada is a Traditional party that is held each night in a neighborhood home. According to Steven Hicks in the article Celebrate the posada in mexico It is a reenactment of the journey Joseph and Mary took to find shelter before the birth of their child, Jesus. At night people gather outside the house with children dressed as shepherds, angels and most importantly, Mary and Joseph. After the people divide into two groups known as the â€Å"pilgrims† and the â€Å"Hosts†. The â€Å"pilgrims† sing a song asking for shelter, and the hosts sing a reply denying them shelter, at the end the hosts open the doors to the guests and offer them hot ponche, fried rosette cookies known as bunuelos, tamales and other foods. At the end the party ends with a pinata in the shape of the Christmas star. Secondly I am going to talk about when and where the posadas are celebrated. The posadas are mainly celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Central America. Such as: El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras. To this day Las posadas is a tradition that still continue. They are celebrated 9 days before christmas from December the 16th to December the 24th. According to Dale Hoyt in the article Las posadas the posadas are also known as a novenario — nine days of religious observance based on the nine months that Maria carried Jesus in her womb. According to the article The significance And origin of the posadas there has been research that leads to the possibility that the posadas originated from san Agustin Acolman Mexico near the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Thirdly I am going to talk about why I chose this topic. I chose this topic because tradition is a very important thing to me it represents the values that we have as a country. It’s something that our ancestors have passed on to us for hundreds of years. I think it is essential for us to follow those traditions and pass them on to our younger generations. A posada is not just about throwing a party, it’s about celebrating god, spending time with our family and knowing the importance of traditions. In conclusion, In my essay I talked about three main things about posadas. First of all I talkes to you about what a posada is. Secondly I talked about when and where the posadas are celebrated. And thirdly about the importance of this topic. How to cite Posadas, Papers

Master of International Business free essay sample

What is inventory turnover? How can a high inventory turnover ratio be detrimental to a firm? Inventory turnover refers to the number of times that inventory is sold in a one year period. It can be calculated by dividing the cost of goods sold for a particular period by the average inventory for that period. High inventory turnover may signal a low level of inventories, which can increase the chance of product stockouts. 2. Distinguish among cycle, safety, pipeline, and speculative stock. Cycle (base) stock refers to inventory that is needed to satisfy normal demand during the course of an order cycle. Safety (buffer) stock refers to inventory that is held in addition to cycle stock to guard against uncertainty in demand and/or lead time. Pipeline (in-transit) stock is inventory that is en route between various nodes in a logistics system, while speculative stock is inventory that is held for several reasons to include seasonal demand, projected price increases, and potential product shortages. We will write a custom essay sample on Master of International Business or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 3. Define what is meant by inventory carrying costs. What are some of its main components? Inventory carrying costs refer to the costs associated with holding inventory. Inventory carrying costs consist of a number of different components, and their importance can vary from product to product. These components include obsolescence costs, shrinkage costs, storage costs, taxes, and interest costs. 4. Discuss the concept of stockout costs. How can a stockout cost be calculated? Stockouts refer to situations where customers demand items that are not immediately available and stockout costs refer to the costs associated with not having items available. Calculation of a stockout cost first requires a company to classify potential customer responses to a stockout (e. g. , delays the purchase, lost sale, lost customer). Next, the company needs to assign probabilities to the various responses as well as to assign monetary losses to the various responses. The respective probabilities and losses are multiplied together and then all costs are summed to yield an average cost of stockout. 5. Distinguish between a fixed order quantity and fixed order interval system. Which one generally requires more safety stock? Why? In a fixed order quantity system, the order size stays constant (although the time interval between orders may vary); in a fixed order interval system, the time interval is constant (although the order size may vary). The infrequency of inventory monitoring makes a fixed order interval system more susceptible to stockouts and thus there is likely to be higher levels of safety stock in a fixed order interval system. 6. Explain the logic of the EOQ model. The logic of the EOQ model is as follows: determining an order quantity requires a company to balance two costs; the costs of carrying the inventory and the costs of ordering it. Inventory carrying costs are in direct proportion to order size; that is, the larger the order, the greater the inventory carrying costs. Ordering costs, by contrast, tend to decline with order size but not in a linear fashion. The EOQ attempts to find the point (quantity) at which ordering costs equals carrying costs. 7. How can inventory flow diagrams be useful to a logistics manager? They present a visual depiction of additions to, and subtractions from, inventory. This could be helpful in identifying any patterns that might be occurring. In addition, inventory flow examples illustrate how safety stock can offset an increased rate of demand as well as longer than normal replenishment cycles. 8. Discuss what is meant by ABC analysis of inventory. What are several measures that can be used to determine ABC status? ABC analysis is an approach that recognizes all inventories are not of equal value to a firm and, as a result, all inventory should not be managed in the same way. Measures that can be used to determine ABC status include sales volume in dollars, sales volume in units, the fastest selling items, item profitability, or item importance. . What are implications of the JIT approach for supply chain management? The consequences of JIT actually go far beyond inventory management and JIT has important implications for supply chain efficiency. One implication is that suppliers must deliver high quality materials to the production line, in part because of JIT’s emphasis on low (no) safety stock. Moreover, because customers in a JIT system tend to place smaller, more frequent orders, it is imperative that suppliers’ order systems are capable of handling an increased number of orders in an error-free fashion. Smaller, more frequent orders, coupled with close supplier location, tend to favor truck as a mode of transportation and this means that production and distribution facilities should be designed to support truck shipments. 10. How does vendor-managed inventory differ from traditional inventory management? In â€Å"traditional† inventory management, the size and timing of replenishment orders are the responsibility of the party using the inventory. Under vendor-managed inventory, by contrast, the size and timing of replenishment orders are the responsibility of the manufacturer. This represents a huge philosophical shift for some organizations in the sense that they are allowing another party to have control over their inventories and this requires a great deal of trust among the various parties. 11. Do substitute items or complementary items present the greater managerial challenge? Support your answer. Either answer would be acceptable. Students should recognize that both substitute items and complementary items present managerial challenges, but the nature of these challenges is different. For instance, one challenge with substitute items might be the amount of product to hold; a challenge with complementary items might be product placement in a retail outlet. 12. Define what it meant by dead inventory. What are several ways to manage it? Dead inventory refers to product for which there is no demand—at least under current marketing practices. Because dead inventory has often been associated with overproduction of items that customers do not want (or need), one suggestion would be make to order as opposed to make to stock. Having said this, an increasing source of dead stock in recent years involves special, highly customized orders that never end up with the customer. Suggestions for dealing with this situation include partial (or full) prepayment as well as a no-return policy. Another suggestion is for companies to more aggressively market their dead stock, and companies might also sell dead inventory via auctions. Another possibility is to donate the dead inventory to charitable causes. A last resort is to simply throw away the dead inventory in order to free up storage space. 13. Explain how an SKU might have different meanings, depending on one’s position in the supply chain. A retailer, for example, might keep records in terms of individual items or case lots, while the warehouse that supplies the retailer may deal only with case lots or pallets loads of a product. In turn, the distributor that sells to warehouses may deal with only pallet loads or vehicle loads, and may only accept orders only for pallet loads or vehicle loads—and not case lots or individual items. 14. Why is it important for a manager to understand informal considerations with respect to inventory management? One reason is that the increasing quest for customer service and customer satisfaction is leading many companies to engage in informal considerations. Even though â€Å"formal† inventory analysis should not be ignored, they should not be applied without taking into account informal arrangements. The informal arrangements may not fit any â€Å"formal† inventory tenets, but many informal considerations tend to do an excellent job of satisfying customers. And, without customers, businesses are not going to be very successful. 15. Discuss some of the challenges that are associated with managing repair and replacement parts. One challenge is the difficulty in forecasting the demand for these products—when will products break down or fail? As such, it becomes challenging with respect to which parts to carry as well as the appropriate stocking levels for them. Another challenge involves the number of warehousing facilities to be used: Should the parts be more decentralized or more centralized? These and other challenges have caused some companies to outsource their repair/replacement parts business. 16. Which presents the greater reverse logistics challenge: (1) Returned items or (2) Refurbished and recycled products? Support your answer. As was the case with question 11, either answer is acceptable. Again, it is important to recognize that both present reverse logistics challenges—but the nature of the challenges is different. For example, there is unpredictability with respect to returned items, in terms of return rates and product content. Refurbishing and recycling, by contrast, are predicated on sufficient product volumes, which require adequate storage space. 17. What are substitute items and how might they affect safety stock policies? Substitute items refer to products that customers view as being able to fill the same need or want. With respect to safety stock policies, if a consumer has little hesitation in substituting another item for one that is out of stock, there would appear to be minimal penalties for a stockout. It is also important that companies understand substitution patterns in the sense that Product A may be a substitute for Product B, but the reverse may not be true. In such a situation, safety stock policies would need to reflect the appropriate relationships. 18. Which supply chain participant(s) should be responsible for managing inventory levels? Why? The key to this question is the word â€Å"managing. Although various inventory approaches may require certain select participants to maintain the inventory, supply-chain effectiveness and efficiency would argue that all supply chain participants should be involved with managing inventory levels. Because the supply chain is a system, one company’s inventory policies and practices can impact the other members of the supply chain. Failure to consider these other participants when setting inventory policies and practices could lead to dysfunctional consequences. 19. Should inventories be considered investments? Why? The text suggests that inventories should be considered investments. Carrying costs for inventories can be significant; the return on investment to a firm for its funds tied up in inventory should be as high as the return it can obtain from other, equally risky uses of the same funds. 20. Since the mid-1990s, many beer and soft-drink cans and bottles have contained a freshness date stamped on them to indicate the latest date that the product should be consumed. What problems might such a system cause for the people responsible for managing such inventories? Discuss. There are a variety of possible answers to this question. One consideration is that product needs to be in places where it can be bought prior to the expiration date. At a minimum, this means that companies need to be able to identify individual products, locate the products, and move the products to the appropriate place(s). The oldest inventory should be â€Å"turned† before other inventory. Another consideration involves what to do with expired product, a situation that brings into play reverse logistics considerations.