The background of the study free essay sample

Background of the Study The New Tulana Waterworks Association started as an organization of the residence and councilors of Brgy. Tugtug in the Municipality of San Jose Batangas. At that time, water was expensive and the distributing system of it was very hard. But its founder, Mr. Ernesto Patron, came up with the idea of having an association that will help in organizing the water distributing system as well as its cleanliness. Every waterworks association’s mission is to render a safe, clean and satisfying service to its clients by improving facilities and equipment and adopting system for convenience and efficiency. Additionally, the association gives emphasis on the utilization of available resources like manpower, machine, money and methods that will provide them greater output. New Tulana Waterworks Association offers safe and clean water for the residents of the barangay. As technology evolves, such system must be involved in this evolution. The manual process of paying bills and fees in the association is one area where the evolution and changes are greatly needed. We will write a custom essay sample on The background of the study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, when it comes to managing and monitoring bills and payment records being held by Mr. Ernesto Patron, manual processes are still being used. They are still using manual system; pen and paper for transactions and steel cabinets for keeping clients payment records. The need for a system to computerize certain manual activities such as water billing system is reflected by the growing popularity of the barangay to its incoming clients and eventually by increasing number of customers who need much of their services. The researchers believe that the best answer to this is to improve a billing system so that it can reduce paper clutter and help save time and effort when it comes to handling a billing and payment record. Company’s Current Situation Currently, New Tulana Waterworks Association does not have a proper electronic and automated system to monitor the billing and payment records of their customers. They still use the paper-based manual system to record and monitor the billing history of a customer. Statement of the Problem The study was designed primarily to develop a computerized water billing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association to replace the existing manual system. Specifically, it sought answers to the following questions: 1. Can the new system help in improving and reorganizing the billing and payment records of New Tulana Waterworks Association? 2. Can the new computerized water billing system provide security for the payment records of the customer? 3. Can the new system ensure its accuracy and efficiency in computerized water billing system? Purpose of the Study This study aims to develop a computerized water billing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association. It will help the association easily provide complete information of the customer, maintain and monitor the payment records, prevent deterioration and loss of billing records such as payment records manual. It aims to reduce human errors and eliminate chances of misplacing records. The system will provide a user-friendly and easy process of storing and editing customers’ billing information then enlisting them according to their number issued by the association. It could give an efficient and stress-free service to the user. If the results proved to be significant, association authorities and the proponents will have a good reason for using this system and having it implemented at the said association. Through this system, the staff will have a better view of billing records of the customer. The system will help ensure the orderliness of payment records in New Tulana Waterworks Association. Due to a large number of possible customers for every end of the month, it is a great deal for the staff of the said system in ensuring that all the data that will be gathered are systematically documented. One of the most important features of the system is that it is designed with auto-generated receipt system and security with passwords that will ensure data security when storing and editing customers’ files. Only the staff has the direct access to the files. Objectives of the Study The main objective of the study is to design and develop an Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas that would serve as proposal to provide New Tulana Waterworks Association easier, faster, secured and more organized information list for customers billing records. Specific Objectives Specifically, the study aims the following: 1. To identify the manual system. 2. To develop a system that will: 3. 1 provide fast and reliable access of information; 3. 2 provide a user – friendly environment; and 3. Update the manual report 4. To prove that the proposed system is technically, operationally and economically feasible. Hypothesis of the Study By clearly defining the objectives of the study and through analytical thinking, the designers came up with the following: Ho: There is a significant difference between the proposed and the existing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association water billing system inaccuracy and reliability, security and functionality of the system and consistent billing record monitoring. Ha: There is no significant difference between the proposed and the existing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association water billing system inaccuracy and reliability, security and functionality of the system and consistent billing record monitoring. Scope and Delimitation and Limitations of the Study The scope of this study covered the system that dealt mainly with computerized water billing system. The study was intended exclusively for New Tulana Waterworks Association. The system updated the billing system of the customer wherein one can add, edit, clear and save billing information. An authorized person can only access the system. Specifically, only the staff can access the system to spread the spread of information of the customers. The system help lessen the burden of manipulating and generating reports manually. It can help to produce a maintainable and manageable system. On the other hand, the study was limited only to software development of New Tulana Waterworks Association water billing system. The system include the printing of records. Definition of Terms This section presents operational and conceptual definition of unfamiliar technical terms use in the study. Computerize. To enter, process, or store (information) in a computer or system of computers. In this study, this means to switch from manual operation to computers. Database. It is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. A collection of related data that support shared access by multiple users and application. Management. Management is the organization and coordination of the activities of a business in order to achieve defined objectives. It is an organized approach to the study of the information needs of an organizations management at every level in making operational, tactical, and strategic decision. System. A set of detailed methods, procedures and routines created to carry out a specific activity, perform a duty, or solve a problem. It is a group of interdependent items that interact regularly to perform a task. Visual Basic. A window-based programming language used in making the system. It is designed to make software development easy and efficient, while still being powerful enough to create advanced programs. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES This chapter presents related studies and literature that were gathered through the intensive research of the designers. The related studies and literature were also used as the foundation of the proposed system and as a standard for the software product to better attain its desired quality and efficiency. Related Literature As stated in billing dictionary, a billing system is a combination of software and hardware that receives call detail and service usage information, groups this information for specific accounts or customers, produces invoices, creates reports for management, and records payments made to customer accounts. CUSI Utility Billing Solutions as one of the trusted in the utility billing services industry said that one of the most critical tools for a successful utility company is having an efficient, yet effective water billing system. They also added that water billing software helps utility companies to be more efficient in their overall billing processes, while helping them to boost productivity. New water billing technologies help utilities automate internal billing processes into a simple, effective, and easy to use system Maynilad Water Services, Inc. has an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) System that is designed to give Maynilad Key Accounts (large, corporate accounts) access to the same information Maynilad teams use for billing purposes. Like the Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas, water billing system of www. webgeekresources. com is a big help for the company to provide fast and easiest way of accommodating their clients or customers. The system is also capable of adding, updating and deleting of clients’ information. It has a disconnection and connection module. The system also provides billing receipts to the clients. Related Studies The thesis entitled Computerized Water Billing System for Tingga Itaas Rural Works and Sanitation Associationâ€Å"by Alcantara, Bienna Jeramie G; et. al. (2009) is related to the present study because it designed a system that provides a billing and collection mechanism for a water billing company. It improved and shorter the time consumed by the personnel to do different transactions and reports generation of the said organization. The project developed a database and designed a user application that will improved effective and efficient system of recording, storing and retrieval of information as well as faster and more accurate system for water bill calculations. It seeks to offer an effective solution by creating and customizing the computerized system that will speed up its process. The study of Gerrette Bautista and Jheelan Ocon (2009) Mabini CATV Subscription and Billing System is also related to the present study because it dealt with the billing system. It is a system that minimized the time used by the subscribers in paying of their monthly bills. They both used database as a medium for data storage. They both aimed eliminate a lot of paperwork’s and there would be fast updated records. However, they differed in the subject of the study. The previous study is a CATV billing system while the present study is for a water works association. Theoretical Framework of the Study Figure 2. 1 Computerized Billing System Theoretical Framework Conceptual Framework of the Study The proposed study has a unique concept. Therefore, it’s based on the ideas and knowledge of the researchers. Three major operations comprise the framework from which the study was undertaken. The study used the framework of operations more popularly known as the IPO or the Input, Process and Output of research. Figure 1 shows the project architecture. The proposed system was planned into an IPO chart to picture the relationship and the flow of data on the development of stages of the project. In the process of gathering the need information for this project, the proponents will use published and unpublished books and various online resources as guide through a progressive research until the proposed study was complete. These materials also helped the proponents to create new concepts and ways to expand their ideas as the project progressed. The programming language used in the study was Visual Studio 2010. The data were arranged together, processed and thus, forming the computerized billing system for the said association. The study focuses on input, process and output of the system. Figure 2. 1: Conceptual Paradigm for Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas The conceptual paradigm of the â€Å"Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas† shows the input, processes, and output of the proposed system. In creating this computerized billing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association, the researchers made use of Microsoft Visual Basic 10. 0 as the main programming language. The database included in the system was handled through the use of Microsoft Access 2007. The staff of the said association was interviewed to derive the actual content data of the system. Aside from that, books were consulted to assist the researchers in the actual development of the system. The development basically followed the waterfall method. Other sources of data where were obtained through questionnaires and through internet. The input was the development of the Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas. Significance of the Study Educational Significance The proponents have put their skills and knowledge into use. For the future researchers, this system can serve as a basis of an improved system and can be a source of vital information that can help their research. Economic Significance It will help the association provide complete information of the customer, maintain and monitor the payment records, prevent deterioration and loss of billing records such as payment records manual, reduces errors and eliminate missing/ required records. The staffs, instead of manual billing records, they will can add, edit and save new records of customers, and to be always updated of the billing records. It save a lot of time for staff in searching billing records of customers. This will save time and effort. Technological Significance As technology grows fast, certain advancements are being developed now a days and life is getting even better to live with. It makes every task as easy as possible and nothing seems too tiring if human tasks are aided with technology. It can be applied in any aspects of life; on medicines, sciences, military, and entertainment and even in the fields of education as a tool for advance learning. The computerized billing system this system makes easy for the staff to keep a record and check on the billing record just by a click of the mouse, thus making the work easily efficient, reliable and stress-free. Overview of the Software The system serves as a billing system of customer that is set up as a computerized database. It can complete information of the customers in terms of billing records. A computerized billing system reduces the time and effort in writing down in record book. Rather manual transaction. System Type and Functional Requirements The system has a database that contains the person’s information Records Inquiry (per customer Archiving Restoration CHAPTER III THE ANALYSIS PHASE This chapter presents the analysis phase which includes the methods of research used, data gathering instruments, the analytical tools implied and the methods used in developing the system, justification of the method used and methods used for product evaluation. These research methods help the researchers to systematically design and develop the software. Methods of Research The researchers made use of different methods of research that is important for this type of study and development. Descriptive Method The researchers have gathered data in conducting the research about water billing system and analyzed the need of such system for New Tulana Waterworks Association. Currently, the association uses a paper based manual system which gives them a hard time monitoring and keeping the records of the customers. The gathered data would help the researchers in conducting thorough analysis on the requirement of the system. The researchers will try to find out if such system will be useful for the associations and would it be accepted. Data Gathering Instrument These are varieties of research that supports data gathering. It is essential for the researcher to collect as much possible reliable information needed for the development of the proposed system. In order to gather vital and reliable information, the proponents conducted an informal interview with the staff of New Tulana Waterworks Association. Observation The researchers had observed that the New Tulana Waterworks Association has no proper system in Billing Record; they still use the paper-based manual system. It is essential for a association to have a system that will monitor and keep records of billing of the customers. Analytical Tools Analytical tools helps the researchers to design and develop a system in a more systematic way, as it gives a defined approach to each step of the development process. By using analytical tools the researcher will be able to analyze the existing and the proposed system in detail. Data Flow Diagram (DFD) The DFD shows the data process of the entire system. The diagram consists of entity, flow of data, process and data storage. Visual Table of Contents VTOC chart provides a map that helps to locate the program module within the system. Program Flowchart It is a formalized graphic representation of a logic sequence, work or manufacturing process, organization chart, or similar formalized structure. It is a diagram that describes a process or operation. Methods Used in Developing the Capstone Project Evolutionary Prototyping Analysis The researchers come up with the idea of creating water billing system that will be used in the New Tulana Waterworks Association to have a better management of billing record of Customer. Specification . The software applications and the required specifications should adhere to the building process. Design The researchers considered the customers and the staffs in designing the system; the design, pictures, font and system layout must suit their taste. Implementation The researchers check the system for technical accuracy and completeness; verify the implements in the planned design. Testing The researchers tested the system to ensure the functionality and perform the task expected from it correctly. Evaluation After the test, the researchers can be able to determine the significance and merit of the system in performance, control, usability, security, software, hardware and in economy. Justification of the Method Use The evolutionary approach aims to develop a mature system through a series of prototype iterations. The prototype will undergo a series of refinements, and should eventually become the solution. This can be likened to the first draft, second draft, third draft final version. This approach is particularly useful when the exact requirements of the solution cannot be set out in advance, or are considered to be vague. The client and/or end-users can become closely involved the development, playing a key role as each iteration moves further from prototype and closer to a useable solution that does what it is needed to do, and does it well. The evolutionary prototyping was utilized in the development of the proposed system, the main goal when using Evolutionary Prototyping is to build a very robust prototype in a structured manner and constantly refine it. The reason for this is that the evolutionary prototype, when built, forms the heart of the new system, and the improvements and further requirements will be built. This technique allows the development team to add and make changes. For a system to be useful, it must evolve through use in its intended operational environment. A system is never done; it is always maturing. Methods used for Product Evaluation Three types of feasibility tested were conducted by the researchers during this project, which are as follows: Technical Feasibility The designed system provides technical solution to the existing problems that are encountered by the current manual system. Operational Feasibility The designed system is feasible due to its simple to use functions and approach Economic Feasibility The system being developed is economic with respect to the association’s point of view. It is cost effective in the sense that has eliminated paper works completely.

Selection of Quotes by Seretse Khama

Selection of Quotes by Seretse Khama I think that the trouble we now face in the world is caused mainly by the refusal to try and see another man’s point of view, to try and persuade by example - and the refusal to meet a rather passionate desire to impose your own will upon others, either by force or other means.Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana, from a speech given in Blantyre in July 1967. It should now be our intention to try to retrieve what we can of our past. We should write our own history books to prove that we did have a past, and that it was a past that was just as worth writing and learning about as any other. We must do this for the simple reason that a nation without a past is a lost nation, and a people without a past is a people without a soul.Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana, speech at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, 15 May 1970, as quoted in the Botswana Daily News, 19 May 1970. Botswana is a poor country and at present is unable to stand on its own feet and develop its recourses without assistance from its friends.Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana, from his first public speech as president, 6 October 1966. We are convinced that there is justification for all the races that have been brought together in this part of Africa, by the circumstances of history, to live together in peace and harmony, for they have no other home but Southern Africa. Here we will have to learn how to share aspirations and hopes as one people, united by a common belief in the unity of the human race. Here rests our past, our present, and, most importantly of all, our future.Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana, speech at the national stadium on the 10th anniversary of independence in 1976. As quoted in Thomas Tlou, Neil Parsons and Willie Hendersons Seretse Khama 1921-80, Macmillan 1995. [W]e Batswana are not desperate beggars...Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana, from his first public speech as president, 6 October 1966. [D]emocracy, like a little plant, does not grow or develop on its own. If must be nursed and nurtured if it is to grow and flourish. It must be believed in and practiced if it is to be appreciated. And it must be fought for and defended if it is to survive.Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana, speech given at the opening of the fifth session of Botswanas third National Assembly in November 1978. Lefatshe ke kereke yame. Go dira molemo tumelo yame.The world is my church. To do good my religionInscription to be found on Seretse Khamas grave.

How to Work with an Indecisive Boss

How to Work with an Indecisive Boss There’s an unspoken truth in the world of work- although we usually get to pick our jobs we don’t get to pick our bosses. If we’re lucky, we get to work with the sort of boss whose a pleasure to be around- fair, pleasant, supportive, decisive, and encouraging. If this is your reality, then count your blessings and try to appreciate your situation. However, if you have a boss who’s something else, then it can pose some real challenges. One category of tricky boss includes the one who never seems to know what he or she wants. They either constantly waste time dragging their heels and delaying making any type of clear decision, or they’re forever changing what they tell you to do. Both of these types can be quite difficult to work with and can really impact your ability to perform your job effectively. But it’s not exactly easy to confront a boss who never seems to know what they want- so what do you do when you’re in this position?Learn your boss’s quirksTry your best to get to know your boss- including their decision-making behaviors and habits- as well as you possibly can over time. Although it can be tricky to expect the unexpected, as you get to know your boss more you may get better at anticipating how they’ll react to any given project or during any key decision-making moment, which may help minimize the ill-effects of their indecisive nature.Stay calm and kind, even when you want to screamYour best bet is to remain patient and do your best to anticipate your boss’s needs- and shifts- and try to work with them, not against them. First off, an indecisive boss is usually an anxious person by nature, and adding to their anxiety by developing an adversarial relationship with them will only serve to make matters worse. With the way many workplaces are structured, the fact is that you have to answer to your boss’s professional whims, as fickle as they may be. Once you know your boss oper ates this way, brace yourself and expect it. Knowing the madness is coming makes is a little easier to swallow.When you find yourself at a crucial point that requires a final decision from your boss, try and make the moment as stress free as possible. Also, do your best to reduce any external distractions that may make it challenging for your boss to concentrate and focus on the decision at hand. If it’s your job to present your boss with information so they can make a decision, be as clear and straightforward as possible. Always try to approach your boss in a calm and patient manner when a decision needs to be made- this will help put them in their best mindset to determine what they want at any given time.Keep a paper trailAlthough these strategies may prove helpful in a variety of decision-making moments, chances are it won’t completely fix the problem. The truth is, it’s hard for a leopard to change its spots. A boss who doesn’t know what they want wi ll likely remain this way- it’s just human nature to revert to your â€Å"core programming† and making lasting change is hard. That said, it would be helpful for you to get things from your boss in writing, so if they change their mind later on they can’t hold you accountable if projects go over budget and off schedule. Physical proof is always a good way to minimize the effects of their indecisiveness on your productivity and work reputation.A boss who never seems to be able to make up their mind and determine what they want when a decision needs to be made can be a challenging situation for you, but it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable obstacle. Use the strategies and advice provided here to make the best of a tough situation, and hopefully with a little time, experience, and luck, things will get better (or your next boss will know what they want and when they want it).

Just Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Just Health - Essay Example "Is health, and therefore health care and other factors that affect health, of special moral importance?" 2. "When are health inequalities unjust? 3. â€Å"How can we meet health needs fairly under resource restraints?" (Daniels, 2008) This essay will evaluate the conceptualization of healthcare, global poverty, and world hunger on a common moral basis related to human need through an analysis of these ‘Three Questions of Justice’ in the works of Amartya Sen, Ronald Dworkin, John Rawls, and other modern scholars. In relating the issue of human needs to human rights through the lens of the moral imperative, the essay will seek to understand how societies and groups build political consensus and collectively address issues of human suffering through political organizations. This analysis includes an exploration of the theoretical and practical limits of humanitarian activity related to egalitarian economic rights frameworks and the goals of universal healthcare that are f ound in democracy, capitalism, and human rights. The moral awareness of the individual creates the categorical imperative to act, join into groups of free-association, build policies, and reform institutions to provide universal healthcare globally. This is based in human altruism fundamentally by definition. The issues of resource scarcity in society are only limited if the individual chooses to perceive them that way or they are controlled forcibly in a way that is inconsistent with the equality of human need defined through altruism. Similarly, they will only be enacted as policy or viewed as â€Å"universals† in society if enough people share these goals in group organizations collectively. Reform of institutions to implement economic rights or universal healthcare popularly is based in the shared moral awareness. The means of funding this process is limited only by resource restraints as individuals conceive them, and these are not inherent to society. Rather, the cost o f universal healthcare is negligible compared to what society wastes on what can be considered non-essential goods and services or â€Å"socialism for the rich† as it operates under the hegemony of corporate democracy in modern America. Because the coercive aspects of wealth distribution are resisted politically, an ideal solution to Daniels’ â€Å"Three Questions of Justice† can only be implemented if people base their social decisions and policies on selfless, compassionate, and altruistic understanding of human needs and global development, highlighting the need for mind-change (metanoia) in the individual as the basis for the reform of institutions and policy. The shared fundamentals of both humanism and religion provide a basis for the realization of these goals in human society, yet education in moral values can be seen as the preferred method of achieving for lasting change in institutions and governance. II. Healthcare - Human Need Creates the Moral Impe rative One way to interpret Daniels’ ‘Three Questions of Justice’ as they relate to the evolution of culture and civilization historically is to view healthcare issues related to global poverty, hunger, clean water, and sanitation of a special

The Good Life vs The Ethical life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Good Life vs The Ethical life - Essay Example In my opinion, one of the most valuable and credible allegations of Kant is that Kant focused on the fact that a person should always be considered as a goal rather than a means. This gives the opportunity to see the justification of Kant’s desire to argue the absolute nature of moral principles, as in this case the society might avoid the risk of dehumanization. The fact that a person should be seen as an end rather than as a means is directly related to the categorical imperative. According to this principle, we must evaluate our actions based on whether we can consider them â€Å"as a universal law† (Rohlf, 2010). The value of this concept is that it has a humanistic nature, arguing the need for humane treatment of others. Despite its obvious advantages, this concept is associated with a certain challenge. The fact is that in reality we cannot always remain faithful to moral principles. In some situations, it makes sense to hide the truth or even kill a person when it comes to saving our own life or the lives of our relatives. Different situations may involve different types of behavior, and, unfortunately, they cannot always meet the moral principles. I believe that Kantian ethics is crucial for the existence of society, because it determines the high status of moral values. On the other hand, my personal experience allows me to assert that the fundamental adherence to all ethical commandments in all situations may even lead to tragic consequences. Despite my sincere desire to comply with all the moral principles sometimes I have to violate a few of them. This fact makes me sad, but on the other hand, I understand that certain situations may require a certain behavior. In this case, I am referring to the method suggested by the concept of ethical utilitarianism. It argues that the assessment of behavior should assume an ethical analysis of the implications

Distributed Software Development :: Outsourcing Careers Technology Essays

Distributed Software Development As new technologies emerge, they often eliminate certain types of jobs. History is littered with many such examples. The number of bank tellers dropped by about 37% between 1983 and 1993.1 The new technology responsible for eliminating those jobs was the ATM (Automatic Teller Machine). More recently, the wide popularity of buying books over the web has caused many book stores to close down. You may have noticed this in your own neighborhood. Since the Industrial Revolution, technology has been blamed for massive unemployment.2 However, more recently, in addition to technology eliminating certain jobs, technology is enabling the transferring (for valid reasons) of certain jobs from the USA and Europe to far away places like India. Software development is a benefactor (or victim, depending on the viewpoint) of this technology. The technologies that were developed by the US in the 1990s boom are facilitating distributed software development. These range from global high-speed networks, ever-cheaper computers, collaborative tools, satellite communication, and the web.3 Requirements documents and software tools no longer need to be snail mailed, rather they can be emailed to pretty much anywhere in the world. This phenomenon of having software developed in far off places such as India, has come to be known as outsourcing or offshoring. While their may be some small differences in these two terms, they are many times used interchangeably. Earlier, outsourcing referred to the practice of turning over noncritical parts of a business to a company that specialized in that activity.4 But now outsourcing affects a business' critical components as well. While jobs have moved over seas before, like Levi Strauss jobs, which is now completely manufactured overseas, software jobs are getting lots of attention because this seems to be the first time white-collar jobs are being affected.5 While outsourcing can be painful for some of the parties involved, I will s how that it is still an ethical practice. Outsourcing is predicted to affect a very large number of jobs in the future. In the US, about 14 million jobs (or 11%) are identified as being at risk of being sent abroad.6 While not all of these are software related, many of them are. The non-software jobs that are also at risk of being sent abroad are telephone call center, data entry, business and financial support, legal assistant, diagnostic support services, accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll.

Human Resource Management on Sheraton Hotel Surabaya

Human Resource Function: Sheraton Hotel and Tower Surabaya Alex Chandra 3104009 Raymond Kurniawan Tjiadi 3104010 Kevin Krisnadi 3104802 Julian Giovanni 3104812 Anastasia Santoso 3114701 IBN – Fundamental of Human Resource Management Universitas Surabaya 1. Overview The origins of the brand date back to  1937  when  Ernest Henderson  and  Robert Moore  acquired the Stonehaven Hotel in  Springfield, Massachusetts. The chain got its name from another early hotel that the pair had acquired, which had a lighted sign on the roof saying â€Å"Sheraton Hotel† which was large and heavy and therefore too expensive to change. Instead, they decided to call all their hotels by that name. Henderson and Moore had opened three hotels in  Boston  by 1939, continuing with their rapid expansion opening properties along the entire East Coast. In the 1940s, Sheraton purchased the famousHotel Kimball  of  Springfield, Massachusetts, and transformed the 4-star hotel into The Sheraton-Kimball Hotel, attracting guests like President  John F. Kennedy. In 1945, it was the first hotel chain to be listed on the  New York Stock Exchange. In 1949 Sheraton expanded internationally with the purchase of two Canadian hotel chains. The 1960s saw the first Sheraton hotels outside North America with the opening of the Tel Aviv-Sheraton in February 1961 and the Macuto-Sheraton outside Caracas, Venezuela, in 1963. By 1965, the 100th Sheraton had opened its doors. The multinational conglomerate  ITT  purchased the chain in 1968, after which it was known as ITT Sheraton. In 1985 Sheraton became the first Western company to operate a hotel in the People's Republic of China, assuming management of the state-built Great Wall Hotel in Beijing, which became the Great Wall Sheraton. In 1994, ITT Sheraton purchased a controlling interest in the Italian CIGA chain, the Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi, or Italian Grand Hotels Company, which had been seized from its previous owner, the  Aga Khan, by its creditors. The chain had begun by operating hotels in Italy, but overexpanded across Europe just as a recession hit. These hotels formed the core of what came to be the ITT Sheraton Luxury group, later Starwood's Luxury Collection. In April 1995, Sheraton introduced a new, mid-scale hotel brand Four Points by Sheraton Hotels, to replace the designation of certain hotels as Sheraton Inns. In 1998, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. acquired ITT Sheraton, outbidding Hilton. Under Starwood's leadership, Sheraton has begun renovating many existing hotels and expanding the brand's footprint including their management contracting partnership with Pakuwon Jati Tbk to build Surabaya Sheraton Hotel and Tower. 2. Field Report Q: How important are the function of HRM and the contribution towards the performance of company as a whole? In the recruitment process, what method is used by Sheraton Hotel in choosing and selecting the new employee? What competence / requirement is the major concern? A:As important as the others. Human resource in nowadays has a role as a business partner rather than only recruiting agency that only need sharpness for recruitment. Skill can be taught. But behavior is more important. Sharing about their past (know people from the past. Not a formal interview but make the condition as comfort as possible). Q: About the training and development program, how Sheraton Hotel implement in training and developing the competence from the new and existing employee? What objective that Sheraton Hotel want to achieve? A: Not only work but also study. Training for 48 hours, the orientation is about brand and etc. Have it’s own culture. Service culture needed and built for years and become loyal. We can see from their will for change and develop. We have 4 kinds of training, in our own hotel, in the department training (refreshing the previous training), training analysis (according to appraisal), and the last is training abroad or seminar. Every month they send report and attendance. Q: Human Resource Department of course inseparable from the process of giving motivation both moral and materially. In the motivation of materially or incentive, what is your view about the role of incentive towards the performance of the company? What kind of criteria that awarded that kind of incentive? We have many kinds of motivation, like promotion, associate of the month, associate gathering, care share (can be redeem), president award (star of the month will be registered to the regional), and incentives for sales. We also have two kinds of incentives, cash incentives (quarterly) and trip incentives (yearly). Q: How Sheraton Hotel respond to the violation from rules that happen by the employees? What kind of approach that the Sheraton used? Department and Supervisor manage them. Light warning (discussed) and will be given to the employee a written warning. In relation to the safety function and health care of company to the employee, what implementation that Sheraton use? How Sheraton see that benefits? Is it only as a cost or expense that arise from obligations solely or as an investment in improving company performance? We have safety and security certification (checked from the third party). We also have training for new comers. Once in 3 months, there will be a evacuation practice without any announcement. We also have an emergency response team to ensure safety. We give 4 kinds of insurance that are jamsostek, old age insurance, inpatient, and life insurance. Q: Towards the rules for giving day off compensation that Sheraton give, is there any specific regulations? We give our employee 5 working days in a week. 9 hours per day (8 hours working, 1 hour for rest). We also have some rules for day off. For those who have work for 5 years or above, that will be 12 days off + 8 days. For those who have work for 10 years or above, that will be 12 days off + 20 days. For those who work more than 15 years, that will be 30 days off + 12 days. We treat associate like we treat our consumers. 3. Perception The Human Resources Department is responsible for employee compensation and benefits, policy development, recruitment, affirmative action, employee relations, training and development, administration of the Sheraton’s automated human resources/payroll system and maintenance of employee records. Sheraton Human Resources strive to: Maintain consistency across the organization with regard to human resource issues †¢ Ensure that the workforce reflects the diversity of the community it serves †¢ Ensure that all employees are treated with equal respect and dignity; †¢ Ensure that all employees understand the Sheraton's pay-for performance merit system †¢ Provide departmental support to ensure that Human Resource is an integral partner of every dep artment’s operations. A top priority for the department is to implement a corporate wide training and development program to enhance leadership skills among Sheraton’s employees and managers. Human Resources is also dedicated to meeting the highest level of customer service by providing prompt and accurate service in employee relations, recruitment, compensation and benefits. And lastly, the department is committed to make the service culture better and better among Sheraton Hotel employees to make them loyal. From the interview side we can see an interesting way that they interview them from their past. And we think their recruitment system as something unique. It’s very rare to see an interview like their system. They also respect their employee, by giving a good treatment from insurance, day off and incentives. They also consider the career of their employee by giving some promotion or president award that will make them registered to the regional. 4. Summary After conducting the interview to assess the human resource function in the Sheraton Hotel and Tower, we can conclude that Sheraton had been running the whole Human Resource Function that a company should have. The Sheraton’s HRM Function consists as follow: Staffing According to the Sheraton’s management, we could conclude an excellent performance that they had been conduct. Eventhough they said that their function is more than only recruiting, in reality they had been doing an effective yet proper staffing’s system in light of the type of the industry that they’re dealing. The high customer contact that they must face everyday had made them must modify their recruiting system into a system that emphasizing their behavior and attitude which is an important element in the service industry. Furthermore, they also make a strong highlight in the company’s culture that they always put into every associate’s mind. All of those strategies is conducted by Sheraton Hotel and Tower because in the service industry, technical advantages can be copied instantly by the competitors whereas an advantage in company’s culture can only built by years of improvement. Training and Development Sheraton Hotel and Towers treat their employee more than just an hourly labor or a machine to generate revenue. Moreover, they call the employee as â€Å"associate† that refer to their principle to treat employee as a business partner that can grow together as one entity. For this reason, they also said that they want to hire a F;B waiter that can be a F;B Director. It means that they had a very big concern in the development of their associate. Their commitment of 48 hours of training and development also show their leading advantages in the training and Development aspect because they saw Training and Development as an investment to achieve Higher Company’s performance through the improvement of their associate as the front line of their services. Empowerment In giving a motivation to their employee, Sheraton Hotel and Towers focuses not only in a narrow aspect but moreover they focus on every aspect that employee had achieved. For example, if other company only consider their employee achievement in the business aspect, such as sales performance, profit earned, market share, etc. , Sheraton also appreciate the achievement in other aspect such as internal relationship, social relationship between employee, etc. Furthermore, in line of their HRD’s goal to improve the performance of their associate, they make the incentive more frequent through giving cash incentive quarterly and also yearly trip incentive. The incentives also using the immaterial empowerement using associate recognition system such as romotion, associate of the month appreciation that made the employee focus on the performance and not the material. Safety and Healthcare Unlike manufacture company that rely on the machine that had 100% Performance Rating, high customer contact firm such as Sheraton rely mostly on their associate. Therefore, any absenteeism that caused on many factors to their employee will cause a severe loss to their company. Thus, they set a high standard on the safety and healthcare regulation, such as double the insurance from the Jamsostek standard and also give a full health benefit.