Economic Issues and Challenges of China Automation - 275 Words

Economic Issues and Challenges of China: Industrial Automation (Lab Report Sample) Content: Automation in China Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Table of Contents 1. Introduction. 3 2. Background. 3 3. History of China. 5 4. Industrial automation. 8 4.1 Factory automation. 8 4.2 Process automation. 9 4.3 Hybrid automation. 9 4.4 Control systems. 9 5. Automation investment 10 5.1 Labour costs. 12 6. Trends in globalization and internationalization. 13 6.1 Future trends. 14 7. Reflection. 14 8. Conclusion. 15 1. Introduction According to Fox (2010), the global automation industry was heavily affected by the 2008 financial crisis, but it has since recovered. The recovery of the advanced economies and the increased demand for machinery and technology in the emerging economies means that this sector will continue to experience steady growth. The companies will also continue seeking energy-efficient, and improved wastewater solutions. The automation industry has vast opportunities in the renewable sector and it is expected that in future many firms will continue to adopt smart technologies such as cloud-computing solutions and mobile communication technologies to enhance communication between employees working in different units. Flexible manufacturing processes are also expected to become popular in the BRIC economies. This paper examines the automation industry in China and the factors influencing the adoption of the automation systems in the country. 2. Background For long, China has provided firms with cheap labour and adequate resources. The country is also the largest recipient of the FDI, and several factors make the country a suitable destination for investment capital. According to Fox (2012), these factors include well developed infrastructure, availability of labour, and adequate workforce skills. In addition, lower transaction costs mean that the investors are able to attain high returns on their investment. However, in the recent past, the workers in the country have been agitating for better wages, and in response firms have started automating their production processes. According to the available statistics, the labour costs in China have increased by 12.3%, while the cost of raw materials is already going up (Nolan, 2014). Automation of the industries is also being driven by the need to produce quality products. Companies want to compete with foreign countries, and ensure consistent production of goods. According to Sultan (2012), the automation of Chinese factories is happening at a very fast rate, and already companies such as Foxconn have adopted the new technology. Foxconn is one the largest producers of phone products in the country, and due to bad publicity it has decided to introduce over one million robots in its factories. The extent of the practice is well captured in an article titled, analysis: robots lift Chinas factories to new heights. According to Christensen (2012), the Great Wall Company in china has also introduced giant orange robots. So far, the company has invested 96.5 million in mechanizing 4 plants with 1,200 robots. With the automation of some of its processes, the Great Wall Company has been able to control the operating costs. Another company, which had adopted the robotic technology, is Pegatron, which has invested more than 60 million to automate the production of harsh chemicals (Nolan, 2014). The adoption rate of industrial robots of China is growing, and in 2012 the country reached 22,577 units up 51% over 2011 (Nolan, 2014). Robots are mostly used in the automotive industry and Abetti and Haldar (2011) attribute the new trend to change in demographics. With the aging population, china will not be able to meet labour demands, hence the growing popularity of the robotic technology. The number of the people in the working-age group is already declining, and to just illustrate further here is a perfect example. In 2000, the number of the Chinese workers entering the market was 22 million, but this number declined to 15 million in 2012 (Nolan, 2014). Besides the declining number of workers, the young people no longer want to work in factories, instead preferring to work in the service industry. The number of the migrant workers is already reducing, and as a result, companies are forced to look for alternative measures. Due to the increasing demand for robotic technology, the suppliers including, Universal Robots and ABB are already, boosting their chinas investment. In 2015, the demand is projected to rise to 35,000 from 26,000 in 2012 (Nolan, 2014). Although adoption of robotic technology is currently underway in China, there are fears that the automation process will take years to achieve. This is due to the high price of advanced robots, and lack of adequate capacity. At the same time, some of the researchers observe that the robots are more expensive compared to the workers and the automation process could be affected by logistical problems. The sections below examine in details the prevalence of the automation in China. 3. History of China Prior to 1979, the Chinese economy was centrally planned and state controlled. However, in 1979, the government initiated a number of economic reforms and established special economic zones. Enterprises and state-owned organizations were subjected to free market principles while citizens were encouraged to engage in businesses. The establishment of economic zones attracted FDI into the country. The liberalization efforts in the country were also facilitated by the removal of trade barriers. The introduction of economic reforms saw the economy improve and the presence of foreign entities in the country increased. The economic growth in china can be attributed to many factors, one of which the large-scale investment. In 2010, there were approximately 445, 244 foreign-invested enterprises in the country and they contributed a major share of the countrys industrial output (Nolan, 2014). According to the available statistics, the FDI growth in the country has been very phenomenal, and jus t to prove this point here is a good example. At 1985, the FDI inflows were estimated to be 1.2 billion, but this number rose to 72.5 billion in 2013 (Nolan, 2014). Most of the countrys FDI inflows originate from the United States, Taiwan, Japan, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and Japan. One of the FDI determinants in the country is the market size. According to Christensen (2012), large markets are attractive to investors due to larger economies of scale and spillover effects. The large population in the country drives up domestic consumption, which means that companies can easily find a ready market for their goods and services. The second factor is the availability of cheap labour. Foreign investors, flock into the country to take advantage of cheaper labour and well educated workers. According to Greenfield (2010), the Chinese labourers are highly skilled and the government provides investors with favourable policies in taxation, land use and foreign currency exchange. China has been experiencing improvements in productivity as a result of reallocation of resources. In this regard, the resources were re-allocated to the agriculture, trade and services industries. The private enterprises have taken the place of centrally-controlled SOEs and China has become a centre for innovation and economic development. By pursing the fast-growth economic model, the country has transitioned to a developing economy, but the government hopes to adopt the smart growth approach. In other words, the government is now focusing on achieving long-term and more balanced growth; in order address the environmental problems affecting the country. The country GDP is estimated to be 5.4 trillion, while the GDP per capita stands at 4,174 (Nolan, 2014). It is estimated that the country will soon overtake America as the worlds largest economy. Already, china is the worlds second largest merchandise importer and exporter. The country is renowned for supplying goods to developing and developed economies and its major exports include electrical goods, machinery, furniture, and clothing. To maintain high production levels, the country relies on fuel such as coal and petroleum. According to the International Energy Agency, the country is the largest energy consumer, and by 2035, China is projected to consume 70% more energy than the United States (Nolan, 2014). Despite the positive economic outlook, the country is faced with a number of challenges. Firstly, China has not fully adopted the market system. The State Owned Enterprises still dominate various sectors of the economy, hence limiting competition. Unlike the private entities, th e SOEs receive preferential treatment in the access of credit facilities. The countrys economy is also negatively affected by the undervalued currency. Another key challenge facing the country is overdependence on fixed investment and exports. China has also failed to deal decisively with the problem of pollution in the cou...

The Population Of Japan And Its Effects On The Present...

An investigation to the declining population in Japan and its effects in the present leading into the future Edwin Wu Social/ Cultural Anthropology Candidate number: 001092-0028 Word Count: 3692 Table of Contents Abstract- 3 Introduction- 4 Research Question Implications and Limitations Analysis -5 Demographic trend Eating Habits Economic and Labor Growth Suicide Celibacy Syndrome Women in the labor force Immigration Conclusion - 15 Works Cited / Bibliography-16 Abstract The investigation is to analyze the different contributing factors on the demographic change in Japan entering into the 21st century. Given that Japan is one of the most prominent countries in the world socially, culturally, and economically, its population is on a decline. Like many developed countries, many of them are following the same trend. Developing countries on the other hand have birth rates that still continue to go up. The concern is on how a declining birth rate in Japan is so severe. With a death rate higher than the birth rate contributes to a declining population that has never been seen before in its society. As of today, the Japan has one of the largest economies and populations in the world. But despite efforts in preventing population decline, the trend still continues. Japan is going through a two-sided scenario where not only does it have a declining birth rate it also hasShow MoreRelatedBoxer Rebellion Causes1084 Words   |  5 Pagesunequal treaties. The defeat in the Sino-Japanese War severely weakened the Chinese government and began a drive by the Western powers to create spheres of influence in China. The war gave Japan the same kinds of powers that the European countries had and also gave Japan a great deal of territory.   This made Japan much stronger and gave it a base on the mainland that it could use to try to gradually take more of China for itself. This is significant as the people of China could see that the governmentRead MoreThe Prospects Of Melting Arctic Ice Caps And The Consequences Of Climate Change1510 Words   |  7 Pagesearly civilizations expanded their geographic and political boundaries. With the effect of globalization on the region, East Asia opened up its borders to the migration of goods, services, information and people. In the 19th century, countries such as China, Japan, and Korea that were attributed to being the â€Å"Far East† not only because they were geographic distant from Europe but also culturally exotic. However, present day they are dominant world leaders because they gained economic stability andRead MoreEvents Leading up to World War II1741 Words   |  7 Pagesthe economy of many counties worldwide, including Japan. Thus, many sought for imperialism as the answer, such as the Western power and Japan. Japan targeted China, planning on taking advantage of the turmoil that was taking place inside the country, greatly devastating the country by military power. Watching closely over the feud between the Chinese Nationalists and Communists, Japan waited for the perfect opportunity. (Beck et. alt. 481) - Japan invasion of Manchuria, China that started on 18 SeptemberRead MoreThe Killer Wave And Tsunami1213 Words   |  5 Pageshorrific overland deluge events. You can discover this message in the epic tells of the Sumerian King Gilgamesh. It is juxtaposed with Hebrew Bible referencing Noah. The Abrahamic and Babylonian regions have warning stories as well. Other places such as Japan and the Hawaii Islands have passed down forewarnings and changed their life to face this ominous threat. They tell stories of whole towns and villages washed away overnight. The event is called tsunami, which means (Killer Wave) in the Japanese languageRead MoreThe Effects of Cultural Intelligence on Leadership Effectiveness in Multinational Organizations1354 Words   |  5 PagesA Study on Cultural intelligence and its effect on leadership effectiveness and behavior in multinational organizations in Asia Introduction The success of corporate sector is the critical element for the sustained growth and prosperous economy of any nation. In today’s tough competitive market environment, organizations strive to differentiate themselves from the rest by offering the most innovative product and services to the consumers. Organizations that offer solutions beyond the current needsRead MoreEssay on The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb1543 Words   |  7 PagesThe Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed the United States naval facility known as Pearl Harbor. This attack brought the United States into World War Two. Within the four years that followed, the United States--under the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt-- researched and developed an atomic bomb. This was known as the Manhattan Project. Such a bomb was more powerful and destructive than any ever known to man. After FDR died on April 12,Read MoreThe Rise of China Today China is widely notorious for its large dominance in world affairs1600 Words   |  7 Pagessudden boom in Chinese labour china has risen to become the largest industrialized nation and the largest exporting country at present in particular its exports rose from 0.9 to 5.8 percent and its imports from 1.0 to 5.4 percent As an important driver of the global economic recovery, China has become a valuable ally concerning international and regional affairs leading to China often being seen as the centre of the world because of its omnipotent feel in the world. Overall china has developed majorlyRead MoreAsian Tigers Essay1057 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ It is evident that the global economy has moved on from the Asian Tigers and the present and future of the global economy does in fact lie elsewhere, in particular India and China.   The Asian Tigers are a group of countries which are the first set of NIC s; Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. They underwent rapid development in the 1960 s by encouraging TNC s to invest by opening up manufacturing plants by offering cheap labour and less strict pollution laws. TNC s also had the advantageRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Schizophrenia Essay937 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Per MentalHelp.net, schizophrenia is rare with approximately one-percent of the worldwide population and 1.2 percent of the population of the United States suffering from the disease as of 2009. Accurate statistics are difficult to obtain because many sufferers do not seek help. Symptoms typically – but not always – present in teen years with different peak times for females and males. Females have two peak times of vulnerability – mid- to late twenties and again around 40 – whereasRead MoreThe Impact Of Gold On The City Of Potosi950 Words   |  4 PagesSilver The city of Potosi, which is now modern day Bolivia, was once a vast mining town located in the Andean highlands in the mid 1500’s. This town was the world’s leading producer of silver; the mountain contained enormous amounts of silver that then created many opportunities for many different people all around the world. The population of Potosi at this time was around 160,000 large enough that it was comparing to that of cities like London and Amsterdam. This great mountain supplied many people

Important Aspects Of A Functioning Classroom Essay

Through this past semester, we heavily discussed the important aspects of a functioning classroom, from different theorists to helpful teaching techniques. We’ve debated what it means to be a great teacher. I believe most of the theories we discussed could be incorporated much more in the classroom. John Dewey, Friedrich Froebel, Maria Montessori, and Lev Vygotsky all understood the way children think and the importance of imaginative play. They also understood that children need to be active in nature. Also, we have discussed different forms of learning, such as project based learning, team teaching, and outdoor classrooms. In my opinion, the education system should have changes that benefit the students’ needs. They’re not getting the most out of their education. Children are active, curious, extremely social, literal, and more intelligent than they are given credit for. They can easily pick up the atmosphere of any environment they are in, if something is off they may not understand it, but they will know. Children want to learn, explore, and be involved. Teaching styles that work best for children are hands-on approaches, present new information in small, clear steps, ask many questions and discuss answers deeply. Provide scaffolding, and provide diagrams, maps, models, and handouts. These teaching styles work best because students are doing and seeing something. Students can hold a piece of paper and listen to what is on it by the teacher. They can see the diagrams andShow MoreRelatedImportant Aspects Of A Functioning Classroom904 Words   |  4 PagesThrough this past semester, we have heavily discussed the important aspects of a functioning classroom, from different theorists to helpful teaching techniques. We’ve debated what it means to be a great teacher. There are quite a few flaws in our education system today, but I believe most of the theories we discussed could be accorporated much more in the classroom. John Dewey, Fr iedrich Froebel, Maria Montessori, and Lev Vygotsky all understood the way children think and the importance of imaginativeRead MoreChildren With High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder1674 Words   |  7 Pages III. Efficacy of an Intervention to Enhance Reading Comprehension of Students With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Citation Roux, C., Dion, E., Barrette, A., Dupà ©rà ©, V., Fuchs, D. (2015). Efficacy of an Intervention to Enhance Reading Comprehension of Students With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. Remedial Special Education, 36(3), 131-142. doi: 10.1177/0741932514533998 Authority of Source Catherine Roux and Eric Dion have both earned a PhD and Anne Barrette earnedRead More Teaching Children with Autism Essay1478 Words   |  6 Pageswith this diagnosis in your classroom. This paper explores some of the methods used to teach autistic children. Autism is a disorder characterized by significant problems in communication and social functioning. Autism is actually called Autism Spectrum Disorder and encompasses a broad range disabilities such as Asperger syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, and Pervavasive Development Disorder (Dunlap Fox, n.d.). There are also varying degrees of the disorder from low-functioning (no communication and noRead MoreAdult Education : Definition And Definition1649 Words   |  7 Pages PART 1-ESSAYS ADULT EDUCATION What is the definition of â€Å"adult education†? Well, a lot of adults are returning to the classroom (such as myself) that the term adult education has become somewhat perplexing. Adult education in the broad sense is any form of learning adults engage in beyond traditional schooling. In the slightest sense, adult education is about reading ability and learning to read the most basic materials. So adult education incorporates everything from basic learning to personalRead MoreInclusive Education And Its Implication On All Students Essay1699 Words   |  7 Pagesto ADHD including remaining seated and finishing work (Ashman, 2010). Lack of concentration is a key sign of ADHD and Dirks preference to listening to music is supporting this. 2.3- Sienna, a grade prep student, has been identified to have high functioning autism. Sienna has demonstrated the preference of having structure and consistency and lashes out when a change occurs which results in at times being sent home. Being a prep student at the school has a teacher aide which implies that Sienna hasRead MoreEssay on Educational Psychology1202 Words   |  5 Pagesthe classroom because they are leaning for knowledge and not just for marks or grades. Most students are naturally extrinsically motivated at school by things such as grades and their future career. In a perfect world we â€Å"want students to be motivated also by the love of learning, knowledge for the sake of knowledge, and positive feelings about themselves† (McKinney). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;One way of intrinsically motivating students is to â€Å"foster student autonomy† (Specific Classroom ManagementRead MoreUnderstanding Social And Emotional Components Of Student Behavior796 Words   |  4 PagesEmotional Needs as an Approach in Developing a Positive Classroom Environment , Ozorio, 2014. This study examines social and emotional needs of students and its implications in developing a positive classroom. This study reveals that teachers need to be connected with their students by understanding their needs and seeing things from their point of view. Understanding the social and emotional components in student behavior is important in developing a constructive and positive environmentRead MoreChildren Of The Classroom Benefit Students By Teaching Responsibility, Boosting Self Esteem, And Helping With Children With1290 Words   |  6 PagesPets in the classroom benefit students by teaching responsibility, boosting self-esteem, and helping with children with anxiety. â€Å"From early childhood, the desire to keep a pet is almost universal; children dream frequently about animals; images and pictures of animals dominate children s books; children who keep pets often regard baby-faced animals as siblings; and there appears to simply be an human attraction to, or at least interest in, non-human animals† (Daly, Suggs 104). â€Å"Keeping pet animalsRead MoreBehavioral Regulation And Academic Success979 Words   |  4 Pagesis a great determinant of their academic achievement and many research studies have actually shown that there is a strong relationship between a student’s behavioral regulation and academic success. Children’s behavioral regulation and executive functioning are strong predictors of academic achievement (McClelland et al., 2014). Behavioral regulation is the complex cognitive processes involving processing and manipulating stimuli (working memory); inhibiting automatic reactions to stimuli while initiatingRead MoreAssessments For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders Essay1579 Words   |  7 PagesAssessments for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism is a mental disorder, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. (Classroom-Assessment-Theory-into-Practice, 2012) One in 88 children are diagnosed with autism and the symptoms are usually noticed between the ages of 18 months and 5 years. Typically, autism affects individuals in 5 key areas: Communication (verbal and non-verbal)

The Role of the Spirits in Convincing Scrooge That He Needs to Change free essay sample

This paper will explore how Dickens uses each of these mysterious spirits to persuade Scrooge that he needs to change. At the beginning of the novel, Scrooge is a cold-hearted, tight-fisted and greedy man, who despises Christmas and all things that give people happiness. This is exemplified when the donation collectors approach Scrooge expecting a donation to help the poor at Christmas. Scrooge is quick to decline, and he says ‘It’s not my business, it’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with others. A Christmas Carol takes us on a journey with this unconscionable man as we see his ethics and philosophy challenged, the way he has lived his life in the past, presently and how if he continues on this pathway, his life will unfold in the future. The few words in this quote, are enough to paint a clear picture of a selfish man who has no regard for others and justifies his stance with the excuse it is not my business. We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of the Spirits in Convincing Scrooge That He Needs to Change or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is indubitably clear that at this point Scrooge regards himself as a man who has no philanthropic responsibility. The Ghost of Christmas Past is the first spirit to visit Scrooge. First this ghost takes Scrooge to see himself in the past when he a young schoolboy. Scrooge is shown that his father abandoned him at his boarding school, even during Christmas. This infers to Scrooge that the reason why he doesn’t socialize because he never experienced steady growth as a child in a strong family unit. This helps Scrooge to understand that he is the way he is due to childhood neglect, thus inferring to him that he can and should change. Next the ghost shows Scrooge how his money and work obsessed nature led his fiancee, Belle, to leave him. This associates the loss of Scrooge’s fiancee with his selfish nature thus compelling him further to change the selfish aspects of his life. The next ghost that visits Scrooge is The Ghost of Christmas Present. This spirit takes Scrooge to see the happiness of his nephews social circle and the Cratchit family. Scrooge, upon noticing that Mister and Misses Cratchit’s son Tiny Tim is lame, feels empathetic and thus asks The Ghost of Christmas Present if he will survive. The ghost confirms this, but uses Scrooges past unkind comments to two charitable solicitors against him, saying †¦they had better do it now, and decrease the surplus population. By seeing first hand the happiness that he was missing out on due to his lonely lifestyle, Scrooge begins to see that he should change his The last spirit that visits Scrooge is The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. This spirit shows Scrooge the final consequences of his chosen life style. Among these consequences is the death of Tiny Tim, which leads to the mourning of his family. Scrooge also gets shown his own final legacy, a cheap tombstone in an unkempt graveyard. The contrast between the affects of both Scrooge and Tiny Tim’s death is demonstrable. Tiny Tim is sourly missed and his family is grieving for him. In comparison, Scrooges solitary life and intolerance of those in need ultimately leads others to find only comfort and happiness from his death. This makes it blatantly obvious to Scrooge that if he wishes to avoid this terrible fate, he must make a dramatic change in his life. And so it can be seen that through the apparition of spirits, Scrooge is persuaded that he needs to change. Indeed, Scrooge became a model of generosity and kindness, towards the people around him as is clearly shown when Dickens says Many laughed to see this alteration in him, but he let them laugh and little heeded them, for he knew that no good thing in this world ever happened, at which some did not have their fill of laughter. † The spirits achieved this change Scrooge through showing him the childhood neglect that resulted in his miserable attitude, by showing him the happiness that he is missing out on because of his solitary nature, and by showing him the terrible fate that he will surely meet if he doesn’t change.