Book Review: Economic Justice in an Unfair World

The book ‘Economic Justice in an Unfair world:Toward A Level Playing Field is written by ‘Ethan B. Kapstein’. This book focuses on the issue of what is meant by a fair global economy and how fundamental it is in this era. An unfair economy deprives the minorities or financially challenged of the basic rights of their life. The book is written in a market oriented manner which highlights the basic elements of an appropriate international economy as being inclusive, participatory, and welfare-enhancing for all states. The international economy should be structured so as it provides benefits to all economies of the world.Kapstein negates the radical redistribution schemes between rich and poor which cause the global economy to be unjust. He emphasizes, through his book on the point that a politically feasible approach to international economic justice could bring about the benefits of free trade and limited flows of foreign assistance so as to allow countries to earn more and make more profits. Kapstein not only focuses on the elements of a just international economy in his book but also writes about certain fundamental factors that contribute towards a just global economy such as: -Justice in labor -Migration-Investment The book is written for all those people who have concerns for the arguments and issues related to the reduction of poverty and global development. This book provides a detailed illustration of the international community, so as to locate the factors that should be considered in order to structure a global economy that emphasized the benefits of all nations. This book is a must read for people who would want to know about the basic questions relating to the moral economic philosophy. Kapstein makes the use of reasoned writing style in order to present his views to the reader.Through the contents of his book Kapstein attempts to challenge the West's claim which states that the developing countries' should aim at their own develop ment efforts which should be focused on reducing poverty, and this aim should be achieved not through industrialization and economic growth but by the formulation of policies that are directed on the issue of poverty (Ethan B. Kapstein 2006). According to Kapstein, the fundamental element of an international compact is a ‘free-trade regime’ that provides a level playing field.The next factor on which Kapstein focuses in regard to the just international economy is ‘aid’. Kapstein emphasizes through the book on the concept that aid should be used and directed only towards the reduction of poverty but much importance should also be given on empowering the earning capacity of poor countries so that they can take active part on a level playing field. This objective can be achieved through the major shift from the present allocation priorities such as -Primary education -Basic health care -Favor of investment in ports, railways, and the customs and patents bureau cracies.The third point Kapstein discusses in the book is that since migration and remittance payments will become even more essential for developing countries in the future, it is important to create an umbrella regime so as to include issues related to migration, this would help in bringing stability and justice to policies that are now determined by each state. The fourth and last point discussed in the book is related to the issue of international investment most importantly foreign direct investment (FDI). He emphasizes that it should be included in the umbrella regime (Wade, 2006).Strengths and Weaknesses of the Book as compared to other similar readings The same point that is emphasized by Kapstein through his book ‘a just global economy cannot be achieved with only focusing on the factor of poverty reduction, but importance should also be given to the economic settings of nations’, is also debated over in ‘ The No-Nonsense Guide to International Developmen t’ by Maggie Black. Through this article Maggie Black also emphasized that: -The facts that seem to wrong on paper look as wrong technologically or wasteful may have good characteristics on other terms like promoting local leadership, or vice versa-The main aid=development=poverty reduction does not help to understand the meaning and implication of what aid is or how it works (Black, 2002). The main strength of the book is that Kapstein has identified that focusing on poverty reduction will not be enough to justify the global economy by providing convincing arguments with references and quotes from established sources. The same issue has been brought into the light through ‘What I Learned at the World Economic Crisis’ written by Joseph Slightiz.He traces the failures of IMF’s out dated policies to asses and support, the economic conditions of developing countries through his article. Through this he claims that a large flow of power has occurred to the peo ple who have brought the market to the far corners of the globe. These people were economists, bureaucrats, and officials who acted in the name of the United States and the other advanced industrial countries but they were not able to communicate as effectively as they spoke a language that few citizens could comprehend and that few policymakers bother to translate.Economic policy is the most fundamental part of the communication between America and the rest of the world. But it is a grave fact that the nature of the justice of international economy is not just or democratic where big parties such as IMF do not take country constraints into consideration while formulating policies (Stiglitz, 2000). A part of the book by Kapstein is focused on tracing some of the detail issues which are linked to the issue of a just global economy, as they are critical to a couple billion people around the world.Even if some modifications are made in how the WTO works, it would have a negative impact as on the lives of rural peoples, particularly in developing countries. Through the book Kapstein has debated over the topic that merely emphasizing on the issue of poverty is inadequate to make the global economy just as it does not put relations between states front and center. â€Å"It is governments,† he writes, â€Å"that sign treaties and agreements, impose sanctions and boycotts, and make war and peace, and it is governments that — for good or for bad — are ultimately accountable for their actions at home and abroad.† It can be simply said that a theory devised to justify the global economy must stress on the relations between states and the kinds of economic arrangements states subscribe to. Individuals are not the only moral agents but the states are also moral agents, who are responsible to one another as well as to their citizens (Rosenthal, 2006). Bibliography Black, Maggie, 2002. The No-Nonsense Guide to International Development, ch 2 & 3 E than B. Kapstein (2006) Review: Economic Justice in an Unfair world: Toward a Level Playing Field. . Retrieved on November 7th 2006 from:http://pup. princeton. edu/titles/8162. html Stiglitz, Jospeh,( 2000). â€Å"What I Learned at the World Economic Crisis. †Retrieved on November 7th 2006 from: http://www. mindfully. org/WTO/Joseph-Stiglitz-IMF17apr00. htm Joel Rosenthal, (2006). Economic Justice in an Unfair World: Toward a Level Playing Field Retrieved on November 7th 2006 from: http://www. cceia. org/resources/transcripts/5402. html Wade, Robert, 2006. Economic justice in an unfair world Retrieved on November 7th 2006 from: http://pienso. typepad. com/pienso/2006/09/economic_justic. html

Mgt/420 Week 1 Role of Stakeholder

Role of a Stakeholder Paper Janice Horton MGT/420 November 26, 2012 Thomas Ach Role of Stakeholders The stakeholder representation of excellence as obtainable challenge to include the growing requirement for organization to act in response to the requirements and prospect of more and more assorted cluster at the same time as unmoving distributes shareholder value. Countless of the ideology and the practice of superiority organization have been eager with the requirements and potential of meticulous groups that have been approved for an extended time as part of the conventional decision-making replica (Freeman, 1984).These include collections such as clientele, staff, and dealers. The stakeholder model offers a hypothetical good reason and theoretical structure within which the excellence characteristic of associations with other, more varied, collection can be openly measured and lectured to in a holistic method. The stakeholder replica of quality can be consequently seen as basicall y different from replica that have come earlier than. Without a doubt, it is so different, it can be seen to symbolize an up-and-coming third age bracket of eminence that increasingly will substitute those that came former.Its focal point is motionless on excellence but the way in which superiority is lecture to be different. Three main stakeholders in Engro corporate hierarchy in Pakistan are the people who suggest and propose areas of improvement for enhancing the efficacy of quality management processes. The Board of directors plays an integral role to evaluate quality management processes throughout the life cycle of various projects while preserving and enhancing the image of the company.This resultantly improves quality in the management processes. Company employees are the stakeholders who gave candid feedback on the vision, progress, and evaluate the policies and highlight the areas of improvement. That is why a company like Engro has a policy that allows people to â€Å"Sp eak their Hearts out. † which allows their opinions and concerns to be heard. This tool also gives company’s many of ideas to improve upon their management style and processes.Various customers’ feedback surveys and surveys regarding knowing the voice of customers play an important role to give suggestions and opinionated ideas to add value to their systems and management processes. This brings definite value and quality in it. Another company like Agritech (Pak American Fertilizers Limited) in Pakistan arranges sessions with its major stakeholders during different times of the year. Customers, farmers, and dealers speak and help company improve upon their quality and processes.Sessions with Banks, suppliers, board of directors and employees are another toll to get 360 degree feedback on systems, quality, and processes to get ideas to build further upon them to improve management and quality in all aspects of their operations and systems of management. References Svendsen, A. (1998), The Stakeholder Strategy: Profiting from Collaborative Business Relationships, Berrett Koehler San Francisco http://www. cmqr. rmit. edu. au Wheeler, D. and M. Sillanpaa (1997). The Stakeholder Corporation. London, Pitman http://engro. com/our-businesses/engro-fertilizers-limited/

Catcher In The Rye Essays (911 words) - J. D. Salinger, Free Essays

Catcher in the Rye "There's far more to the censorship issue than a ban on sex and four-letter words. I sometimes think that those of us who need to be the most clearheaded about these matters are planting the very trees that obscure our view of the forest," says Dorothy Briley. According to Briley, a vast amount more is needed than simply vulgar language and suggestive material to censor a novel. But this is the very reason why J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is frequently being banned from high schools. To the teenage readers, who are at the transition from childhood to adulthood, the protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, who has not quite reached the brink of manhood, becomes the reader's hero. The adolescent mind that Salinger portrays so accurately in his novel is one with which most teenagers and readers, at one time or another, could identify. The Catcher in the Rye also contains universal themes that, for teenagers about to shift into adulthood, help young adults bett er understand the world and other people. Although it does contain abusive language and sexual connotations, The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger should not be censored in high schools because it provides insightful information and relevance to the life of young adults through its realistic situations and themes of acceptance and materialism. The reader can relate to the realistic situations, such as the scene at the Lunts play, present in the novel. Salinger portrays "real life while he "She saw some jerk she knew on the other side of the lobby. Some guy in one of those very dark gray flannel suits and one of those checkered vests. Strictly Ivy League. Big Deal...The worst part was, the jerk had one of those very phony, Ivy League voices, one of those very tired, snobby voices" (127, 128). The theme of materialism also gives insight to the average teenage reader. Salinger uses clever mockery to illustrate to the reader how inane teenagers act over materialistic objects. This is particularly evident when Holden elaborates about suitcases: The thing is, it's really hard to be roommates with people if your suitcases are much better than theirs - if yours are really good ones and theirs aren't. You think if they're intelligent and all, the other person, and have a good sense of humor, that they don't give a damn whose suitcases are better, but they do. They really do. It's one of the reasons why I roomed with a stupid bastard like Stradlater. At least his suitcases were as good as mine" (109). Apparent in this quote, Salinger purposefully makes Holden appear foolish, ridiculing teenagers' materialistic nature. Salinger makes a connection to teenagers through the protagonist's materialism. Deliberately forcing the teenager to examine his or her own shallowness, Salinger illustrates how Holden and his roommate eventually separate, not because they did not like each other, but because one had inferior suitcases. Not only does the adolescent reader think Holden is asinine and absurd, but the reader also observes the callow and silly need for materialistic items within himself or herself. The theme of materialism in The Catcher in the Rye allows teenagers to witness how senseless their need for materialism is, which is necessary concept for adolescents who are making the transition to adulthood. Another necessary idea that Salinger presents in the novel is the theme of acceptance. Holden frequently examines his role in society, finding that he is often isolated from adolescents his own age and even, at times, made to feel inadequate. Holden distances himself from his friends and family because of such feelings. In the end, Holden realizes that he does need people to whom he can relate. At the close of the novel, Holden says, "About all I know is, I sort of miss everybody I told about. Even old Stradlater and Ackley, for instance. I think I even miss that goddam Maurice. It's funny. Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everything" (217), letting his emotions of inadequacy and need for acceptance escape. Many teenagers can identify with Holden's feelings, and it is these very sentiments that may lead some

Position Paper Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Position Paper - Movie Review Example In other words, there are substantial issues and various points linked to autism. What is most important is to come up with relevant point of view about it. The work at hand points out some relevant views about autism based on the point of view of the film. At certain point, the film simply showcases the thought that autism could be due to environmental toxins. This has remarkable basis, which particularly includes the prevailing lifestyle of the people in the modern world. With the advancement of technology and the innovative approach of creating something new in the market place, people are bound to experience relevant health, psychological and emotional variations. At some point, one remarkable change that may be brought by this is relevant to the level of learning of an individual. Autism based on the film is considered as a problem associated with learning. A person having difficulty in learning might be highly influence by the presence of autism or any symptoms associated with it. However, the thought that this might be due to environmental toxins remains debatable. For this reason, there is another point of view that surfaces. The issue about neurodiversity is so strong that it encourages everybody to support a person under the condition of autism. For the reason that there are only few cases of autism and average people do not act the way an autistic person does, many experts believe that it is quite substantial point to consider that autism is not a normal mental condition after all, but something that requires moral support from all concerned. This view is humanistic in its approach, and in fact, this is how the film presents the point of looking at autism as something that may require substantial public consciousness. Based on these thoughts, there are vital topics or concerns that may be good items for teachers to consider. Taking into account the concept of learning and the prevalence of autism are phenomenal ideas. Banking on the point of

The Impact of Technology on Relationships Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Impact of Technology on Relationships - Essay Example    This is a very good example to show that she has taken the use of sarcasm to explain her side. Texting ironically kills romance majorly because one cannot deliver the exact emotions or express the way he/she feels through a single text and at times these texts can be misinterpreted too resulting in utter chaos. Yes, I do agree with Kutcher's observation as today we get to communicate within seconds so easily that it kills the charm of a relationship. One gets absorbed by technology in such a manner that they forget one needs to have flaws, be physically present, love, touch and show affection in order to keep the spark in a relationship lightened. Texting cannot convey the vulnerability and the bags of emotions one carries within himself. I believe that the incident that happened with Karen was not just an accident but something intentional. I agree that accidents do happens and we humans do make such blunders on regular basis but making a PowerPoint presentation that contained such content public is just an act to acquire publicity at a very cheap cost. One gets quite alert when handling such explicit content and making it go viral and calling it a mistake is merely covering up for the thing. Hence in my views, it was intentional and just attention seeking. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091401972.html is the URL I have used for my module one essay. The reason I consider it to be reliable is that it refers to a magazine/newspaper that is published and its online version is available too. Furthermore, the author's name is mentioned so that the credibility of the content remains intact and any for any further queries an email is providing too.  Ã‚  

Banking and international banking system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Banking and international banking system - Essay Example Major financial institutions collapsed or near collapsed and credit markets were frozen. Bear Stearns and Sachsen LB (German bank), banks fell in 2007. It was followed by IndyMac Bank in receivership and demise of Lehman Brother in the quarter of 2008 (Drea 2009). After September 2008, panic in the financial global sector escalated and spread to other sectors of the economies. Investors were shocked by losses that they incurred on assets they thought were safe. There was strong evidence that contagion was linked with global financial crisis. This happened through liquidity and risk-premium channels in the financial markets. There was clear evidence informed by research that contagion during subprime crisis was clearly shown by significance of t-statistic for lagged ABX index returns in 2006 (Longstaff, 2010). Cross-market linkages were stronger and significant during subprime crisis indicating that that 2007 subprime crisis resulted in large shifts in trading activity, liquidity and funding in the financial markets across the world. A number of reasons have been advanced concerning the recent global financial crisis. ... The foreign money was savings piling up and owners wanted to invest their monies away from home where they were assured of some returns. The net inflow of foreign savings into the United States in 2006 was about 6 percent of the United States’ output. Instead of investing foreign moneys appropriately, financial institutions in the United States that received the surplus funds from Asia converted the monies to loans that were aggressively given to borrowers, especially homeowners. Mortgage market was attractive to investors because over 80 percent of mortgage market in the United States was securitized and they that their monies would be invest well (Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, 2010). Securitization created the much needed diversification to investors and liquidity for business entities and individuals. Securitization refers to pooling mortgages together as securities. Once pooled as securities, they are sold to investors. However, investors and players in the industry lacked the business acumen to realize that securitization lacked clarity and transparency. Financial institutions also underestimated the risk associated with securitization and sold mortgage backed securities to investors across the world. The investors, which included banks, money markets, pension hedge and mutual funds, purchased the mortgage backed securities thinking they were safe. However, securitization was not able to provide protection against systematic risks. Even, credit rating agencies failed to take into account systematic risks and awarded the mortgage backed securities with AAA rating because it was considered low risk securities. Therefore, credit rating agencies could not price systematic risks into subprime mortgage pools. In

School Procurement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

School Procurement - Essay Example It should be completed after a period of seventy two weeks. The report will also look at other alternative procurement routes and give their disadvantages. It will also examine the steps to be followed for effective project implementation (ETWB, 2004) From these differences, arises a number of procurement processes. The first alternative is 'competitive tendering/ develop and construct' under this scheme, the school can be designed by Southumberland County together with the community and then tendered to a principle contractor. The other route maybe 'design and build' which allows for design and construction by a principle contractor. There is also the 'construction management' procurement system which allows the client (in this case Southumberland County) to work hand in hand with a principle contractor who constructs the building while the client manages the construction process. Under the PFI procurement route, operations are done within a fixed price range. This amount is arrived at by considering inflation rate for the past twenty five and thirty years. If the contractor fails to meet his/her deadline then a penalty will have to be paid. This means that the PFI scheme is subject to inflation rate changes because costs of implementing the project will be subject to inflation changes yet the unitary payment will be changed at a different rate. An alternative like the design and build route arrives at its charges without consideration of inflation rates. 2.12 Unforeseen expenses If the project happens to the superseded its time limits, then extra costs will be incurred. These costs are met by the contractor and he will be the one on the loosing because it will minimize his profits. In contrast, however, another scheme like the design and build route leaves the maintenance of extra costs to the project initiator. This would not be economical for the County. 2.13 Defects on building In the PFI scheme, the risk of any defects found in the completed building will rest solely on the contractor. This implies that the contractor will do his best to ensure that he produces a quality product to avoid deductions that will have to be made on the unitary payment which the Southumberland County is going to pay. However, the design and build route has a time frame within which the employer can charge for defects. After that time frame, any defects will have to be settled by the employer. (Henderson Global Investors, 2003) 2.14 Value for money This scheme provides value for money because costs and risks are moved from the project initiator to the private contractor. Normally the unitary amount that is calculated prior to project work is slightly on the high side. Because there are a number of expenses that will be incurred along the way, this increase is fair. Develop and build under the PFI scheme allows the project initiator to get value for his money since he is free from any of the following risks: general maintenance, latent defects, construction overruns, management time and

The Divisive Issue of Immigration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Divisive Issue of Immigration - Essay Example History seemed to repeat itself but this time the mob was not trying to expel the illegal immigrants; instead, their supporters - relatives, friends and neighbors - banded together to become a mob fighting for their right to stay in America. In the same article Karen Tumulty recorded the events of the recent months and found something that according to her most Americans were caught unaware including the Senators who were supposed to be on top of the problem: There was the scene in Apache Junction, Ariz., in which a few Hispanic students raised a Mexican flag over their high school and another group took it down and burned it. In Houston the principal at Reagan High School was reprimanded for raising a Mexican flag below the U.S. and Texas ones, in solidarity with his largely Hispanic student body. Tom Tancredo, the Republican from Colorado who has become Congress's loudest anti-immigrant voice, said his congressional offices in Colorado and Washington were swamped by more than 1,000 phone calls, nearly all from people furious about the protests in which demonstrators "were blatantly stating their illegal presence in the country and waving Mexican flags." When the author intimated that the attempt to reform the immigration law was dividing the country it is clear that it was an understatement. But looking at it from a purely social perspective is merely scratching the surface for there are more powerful forces encouraging the migrants from across the border to cross the line. Migrant workers risking life and limb to come over to the United States is simply in need of better employment. For employers the long line of workers responding to the help wanted sign means that there is a great chance of getting the best man for the job at a lower cost. And the incentive of employers to continually shield or encouraged illegal aliens t is simply a matter of exploiting a competitive labor market. Here is where differing interests begin to conflict, while two views of how a government should function comes to mind. The first view states that the federal government should function as an organism therefore each individual living in the United States is just part of the whole and therefore each person's welfare is subject to what will benefit the whole. The other view states the conver se which is that the federal government is a mechanism created by the people to serve the people. An example of the second view coming to play in this national problem was addressed by Tumulty, referring to a particular minority - some members of the Republican Party- and this is what she said, "The business interests in the party base don't want to disrupt a steady supply of cheap labor for the agriculture, construction, hotel and restaurant industries, among others." Therein lies the bone of contention. To some, the illegal migrant workers are a boon to the economy while to those struggling to get a piece of the pie, they are a threat. Welfare economics does not offer much help in solving

Legislative Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Legislative Analysis - Essay Example 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which establishes a federal cap-and-trade program to reduce GHG emissions (Key Provisions for Climate Legislation). GHG Emission the United States of America produces and emits a significant portion of GHG and helps developing Global warming throughout the world. It is estimated that of the total energy use Homes account for about 35% of the potential efficiency gains while the industrial sector accounts for 40% and the commercial sector 25%. Of the total emission of GHG in USA, California emits a robust figure of GHG. California produces roughly 1.4 percent of the world's and 6.2 percent of the total U.S., greenhouse gases (California Climate Change Portal). The state has been working on and finding solutions of impacts towards people due to climate since 1988. The executive order of 2005 issued by Arnold Schwarzenegger on climate change kicked into high gear to further advance clean renewable energy and other solutions to lower our state's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Again, most importantly, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 established the first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of GHG. Provision has also been framed to prevent the unscrupulous trend of the polluters. To this end, the Act reveals that Polluters would balance out some of their emissions by purchasing carbon "offsets," which are official certificates that greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided or taken out of the air The provision of setting up a New Clean Energy Deployment Administration is certainly a wise decision to monitor and improve the overall situation. Recommendations and Concluding Remarks The biggest opportunity to improve US energy situation is a major investment program to make homes and businesses more efficient. An investment of $520 billion in improvements like sealing products and replacing inefficient appliances could produce $1.2 trillion in savings on energy bills by 2020(Galbraith, 2009). If such a program can be carried out over the next decade, the country could save around 23 % of total energy use. However, to improve the existing situation further notice on the Act and undertaking following actions are necessary. The Senator/ Government should rightly consider about the Act so that U.S. climate policy become successful in both reducing GHG emissions and addressing the cost concerns of consumers. Efforts should also be made so that framing necessary legislation is possible that reduces GHG emissions 80 percent below current emissions levels by 2050, while providing strong, effective consumer-protection measures to help reduce electricity price increases as we transition to a low-carbon future. Provisions should be made to allocate emissions allowancesto the electric power sector that will help toreduce price increases to all electricity customers-large and small, rural, urban, and suburban-without compromising environmental gains. Again, necessary steps should be undertaken to provide some allowances to that Merchant coal generators to help mitigate price increases in wholesale electricity markets. There is nothing denying that setting reasonable and

Florence Nightingale and her Philosophy of Nursing Term Paper

Florence Nightingale and her Philosophy of Nursing - Term Paper Example The reason she observed was absence of sanitation, lack of food and warmth for the wounded soldiers. After enduring with these circumstances she formed a theory which was successful and is practiced and followed by many. The main focus of her theory was on the environment and the patient’s reaction to it. Her belief was, if alternation in the surroundings are made nature helps patient to heal. The foundation of her theory depended upon environment, patient, health and nursing. NURSING THEORIES: A general view Theories are composed of concepts, definitions, models, propositions and sometimes even assumptions derived from nursing models, to acquire the knowledge regarding patient’s health and betterment. Nursing theories aims to identify and predict the phenomena of nursing. The theories of nursing assist the nurses to describe, explain and predict everyday experiences as well guide to review interventions and evaluation of the nursing care system. FLORENCE AND HER THEORY OF NURSING Florence Nightingale’s theories were basically regarding the ideal nursing requirements and one of the essential requirement was of course the â€Å"home sister† and after that practice of the skills required by the profession, for this purpose she wrote two articles, â€Å"Nursing the sick† and â€Å"Nursing, training of†, her aim was to combine the training from the wards and supervise learners abilities and moral development. The home sister’s duty in fact is to train the nurses, however Florence herself, was the nurse trained without the Home sister. â€Å"Observation tells how the patient is; reflection tells what is to be done; training tells how it is to be done. Training and experience are, of course, necessary to teach us, too, how to observe, what to observe; how to think, what to think† (Nightingale, 1882). She explained her environmental theory in her book â€Å"What it is and what it is not† According to Florence process of learning should carry on from the initial formal training and it should never be discontinued because nursing requires a solid educational base. It is however, quite surprising that Florence fought against the idea of requirement of license for the nursing professionals as it would undeniably affect their training and will be a cause of self-importance for the nurses where as actually this profession wants a feature of kind heartedness and down towards earth temperament. Profession of nursing should be considered as a higher calling other then just a profession, was Florence’s vie w, and that can just be secured when a nurse recognizes her responsibilities for the well being of the patient because nursing is

Significant Business Risk Factors Essay Example for Free

Significant Business Risk Factors Essay 1. Limited Shelf Life Empirical evidence suggests that retailers must adapt to new product style trends in order to satisfy consumers and other key stakeholders (Ryan, 2011). In respect to Harvey Norman (HVN), failure to adapt will entail lower consumer demand, hindering growth and profitability. It is important to note a limited shelf life of HVN’s products exists due to changing trends. This in turn gives rise to the risk of inventory becoming obsolete and rising excess stock in the warehouse. Therefore, HVN should further emphasise on its inventory management, in order to minimise inventory build up and overall expenses in the entity. 2. Increased Competition from online shopping Studies reveal that Australian consumers have embraced online shopping, recording a 23% growth in 2012 (Irvine, 2013). In order to combat the fierce competition in the online market, HVN introduced its ‘Omni-strategy,’ which focused on the enhancement of its digital store. There is evidence of success from this strategy with the firm recently named as ‘The Best Multichannel Retailer’ in the ORIA 2013 awards (Chanthadavong, 2013). Despite this acclaim, it is of paramount importance that HVN considers enhancing its distribution channels, especially its digital store through better pricing on delivery times for online purchasesand a greater focus on personalised services for internet empowered consumers. This will sustain consumer expectations and ensure the firm captures a greater portion of its target market (Chanthadavong, 2013). 3. Threat from domestic competitors Despite being one of Australia’s retail giants, HVN in recent times has been battling it out in the domestic market due to growing competition. In 2012, HVN was labelled as the most expensive Australian electronic giant recording a severe slump in its pricing position in comparison to its counterparts such as Dick Smith Electronics and JB HI-FI (Jager, 2013). The underlying reason for the slump was predominantly due to the high costs from GST and compliance laws (Morley, 2013). Additionally, three of HVN’s recently acquired subsidiaries failed during the 2011/2012 financial years. This  proved to be a costly investment for the firm reduced its competitive position in the furniture and electrical goods industry (Coyne, 2013). Furthermore, the entity’s poor pricing position detrimentally impacted the electronics giant’s sales (-4.9%) and profitability (-2.38%) (Harvey Norman, 2012). This suggests that HVN may have inventory build-up, excessive discounting and price deflation due to staggering consumer demand. 4. Stagnating growth in the global retail industry Stagnating growth in the global retail industry has resulted in lower consumer demand and expenditure. A study from IBIS reveals that Australian appliance retailing has fallen by nearly two percent (IBISworld, 2013). Additionally, declining consumer demand has influenced a fall in the Australian dollar (AUD), which has negatively impacted sales in HVN Australian and international stores such as New Zealand and Ireland (Harvey Norman, 2012). HVN’s 2012 Annual Report reinforces that the negative growth has inhibited a reduction of HVN’s profitability, revenue and thus increasing the risk of obsolescence of inventory. 5. Natural Disasters affecting Harvey Norman Stores Recent natural disasters have damaged many HVN Australian and New Zealand stores. For instance, a fire in the storage area of Harvey Norman in Porirua New Zealand heavily damaged a HVN store earlier in June 2013 (New Zealand Herald, 2013). This has had detrimental impacts on HVN’s sales revenue in its New Zealand market (Harvey Norman, 2012 p. 10). It is important to note that these disasters increase time wastage spent on rebuilding stores and increases the risk of overstatement of assets, as they may not have been properly removed off premises. 6. Misleading advertising It is of paramount importance that a company doesn’t engage in false and deceptive marketing; especially if the products fail to exist in the warehouse. HVN was recently fined through infringement notices worth $6,600 for advertising stock they did not hold in a bid to mislead customers. According to the ACCC, this act breached the Trade Practices Act in promoting material. Moreover, this has had financial and non-financial impacts for the company, specifically affecting future sales and brand image  on reliability of the company’s stance to deliver with full efficiency. This is also known as operational and compliance risk. 7. Threat of the geographical location of franchises According to the entity’s 2012 annual report, franchising is deemed to be HVN’s predominant source of its revenue. Whilst, HVN has franchise locations globally, its New Zealand stores attract the highest level of sales revenue (Harvey Norman, 2012). Growth in sales have peaked in stores located around the mining districts such as Western Australia, Hunter Valley, but have dropped in performance in the capital cities such Sydney and Melbourne. A financial risk of going on concern can be indicated from here as the need of consumers shift and with competition HVN may not be selling and trading as much in the cities leading to inventory overload and incremented liabilities affecting overall business performance. 8. Currency Fluctuations During the 2012 financial year, the AUD fluctuated a significant amount against the most popular currency for trade (USD) by about $0.9544 to $1.1055 (RBA 2012). A fluctuation of $0.1511combined with trades amounting in millions would potentially lead to a large discrepancy to HVN’s Accounts receivable and payable accounts. Additionally, a lower AUD reflects that HVN would have to increase the retail prices in order to achieve the same profit margin (Campbell Phillips 2013). Empirical evidence reveals that if the dollar drops to around $0.80AUD compared to the USD, Australian consumers can expect an increase in prices of about 25% (Campbell Phillips 2013). This increase can be counteracted through hedging of the currencies, however volatility of the commodity market could potentially reduce HVN’s sales. Specifically, if sales decreases the risk of inventory obsolesces and write downs through idol stock increases.

Positive functions for society Essay Example for Free

Positive functions for society Essay The family was once described as a social group that shared common residence, consisted of at least two adults of each sex that maintained a socially approved sexual relationship and had one or more children, their own or adopted. This is a nuclear family, described by George Murdoch to be a universal family type. Although it is correct to say that nuclear families reside universally, family types now vary from single-parent families to gay headed families. Despite the variety, they contribute to the society, in ways that can be positive and negative too. Many sociologists differ in their views as to whether the family is positive to the society or not- functionalists believe that the family has positive functions that contribute positively to the society but it has to be said that functionalists tend to ignore negative aspects of the family such as the dark side, which consists of all that makes the family a negative experience for its members. Nevertheless there are sociologists that focus on only the negative aspects, such as, radical psychiatrists, radical feminists and Marxists. The new right theory has faith that family is a positive function of the society, however new rights only refer to nuclear families, as they believe that any other family type is inferior. Functionalism is a consensus theory which looks at society positively. Functionalists often make an organic analogy, as a human body is maintained by the functions of each part of a body, keeping it alive and healthy, similarly, and society is kept going by its institutions- family being one of the institutions which function to sustain the well-being of society. It is recognised by functionalists that families change themselves over time for the sake of adapting to society, an exemplar would be leading functionalist Emile Durkheim who strongly believed that family was the most important institution of society. Durkheim believed that family positively functioned for both individuals and society. The family, he believed, is the institution that offers its members emotional support, stability and gives them their identity as primary socialisers, and to an extent, teaches them how they should act toward the rest of society. Thus he proves that they perform a positive function to society too, as they provide fundamental social order and stability, which helps to prevent the society from becoming disordered. Talcott Parsons was a functionalist who analysed the families  from a modern perspective and came to a conclusion that although families have less functions, as they are provided with help from outside agencies, they still perform two important functions which determine the actions within a society. These two functions focus on individuals- the first being the socialisation of children primarily, into the responsible, committed individuals that society can benefit from and the second is the stabilisation of adult personalities, as he stated that it was family who help ease away tensions of the modern world, particularly for male workers. He also believed that these functions were best found in nuclear families, where the clear sexual division in labour enabled wives to partake an expressive role while men held an instrumental role. However, there are functionalists like Fletcher who believe that family has not decreased their functions, he explains how the family do not just perform the apparent obvious functions of primary socialisation, social control and reproduction but they also play a role in providing basic education and support through school life and they still have an economic function because they provide support to their non-working members, whether they are un-fit to work, ill or unemployed and ultimately, family supplies the whole economy with workers. The functionalism theory sheds light on the positive aspects of family life which all contribute to the society positively. Each functionalist has consistently mentioned a vital performance that families partake- the primary socialisation of children. During this stage a child learns about his/her culture and is most likely to be taught the norms and values of their society. Primary socialisation is a vital performance which is done by the family, as a child is expected to have acknowledgement of the norms and values in order to adjust with the society they live in. Although the functionalist theory does not look at the negative aspects of the family there are others that do. It can only be assumed that the functionalist view was patriarchal- the belief that men are dominate. This assumption is only representative of Parson as he introduced the warm bath theory, whereby he suggested that it was men that had a hard day at work and their wives (women) stayed at home and made them feel better when the husbands came home. Radical feminists are those who focus on this discrimination and have firm belief that the world is wrongly dominated by  men. They believe that patriarchal ideology gives women a perception that motherhood is their natural role whereas it actually keeps women subservient to men. They express how women have at least a dual role but most have a triple burden which consists of the roles of a paid worker, a mother and a housewife. The Marxist theory characterises the society as being one that exploits and subordinates the working cl ass. They argue that the family only benefits capitalists as they produce the working class, teach their children to accept capitalist values when primarily socialising them, which are to hard work, accepting and respecting authority, and it is the family that makes their members feel that capitalism is the norm. Radical psychiatrists on the other hand, argue that the family as a whole is a deception. Clinical evidence proves that families suffer exploitation, oppression and a negative experience. The modern family is so independent that it leads to emotional stress between the members. They disagree with functionalists and say that families actually spend too much time trying to please others by doing what they are expected to do, which prevents them from having autonomy. Thus if someone did something wrong it would lead to shame, guilt and repression. This leads to the dark side to a family which includes abuse to children and domestic violence to both men and women. Child abuse consists of, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. A CPS report showed that five to six children died each day in 2001 due to child abuse or neglect. Approximately 84% of the children were abused by their parents and mothers alone were responsible for 47% of the neglect and 32% of the abuse. Domestic violence is also increasing the UKs crime rate and accounts for a quarter of the murders in the UK. Domestic violence is all the violence that occurs between partners. Not only does it account for physical violence but sexual and emotional abuse too. Although it is considered a crime against women because they are twice as likely to be threatened and injured, men are also violated against- a study conducted at the Leicester Infirmary in 1992 concluded that equal numbers of men and women were being assaulted at home and that men received more serious injuries, losing consciousness more often than women. It may be so that the family as individuals may be affected more if they suffer these negative experiences however, it may also affect the society because ones participation to society will become effortless regardless of the way they contribute, for examples if they are a student,  they will not work hard, if they are a worker, they will be less. Nevertheless there are 400 refuges around the UK and any help lines to support those that are suffering. There are different views of the family that that highlight how they function in society and towards individuals. Functionalism is the main theory that promotes the positive aspects of a family and reflects the positive contributions a family makes towards society by performing essential functions such as reproduction, primary socialisation and social control. There are also many theories that focus on the negative aspects of the family- the things that make family a bad function of society. However, it has to be said that all the theorys are correct if read from the perspective that they are written in. Thus, although the family does have a dark side and may not comply with all theorists, such as radical psychiatrists and radical feminists, they still manage to uphold the main functions, that is to reproduce, socialise with individuals and support their family members.

Membrane: Structure And Function

Membrane: Structure And Function Chapter title: Membrane Structure and Function. The ability of the cell to discriminate in its chemical exchanges with the environment is fundamental to life, and it is the plasma membrane that makes this selectivity possible. Membrane The membranes that are found within cells (plus the plasma membrane surrounding cells) consist of phospholipids (and other lipids plus membrane proteins) arrayed by hydrophobic exclusion into two-dimensional fluids known as known as lipid bilayers Phospholipids Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules meaning that they have both a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic end Lipid bilayer Phospholipids can exist as bilayers in aqueous solutions The hydrophobic portion of the phospholipid is shielded in middle of these bilayers The hydrophilic portion is exposed on both sides to water Lipid bilayers are held together mainly by hydrophobic interactions (including hydrophobic exclusion) Fluid mosaic model The plasma membrane contains proteins, sugars, and other lipids in addition to the phospholipids The model that describes the arrangement of these substances in and about lipid bilayers is called the fluid mosaic model Basically, membrane proteins are suspended within a two-dimensional fluid that in turn is made up mostly of phospholipids Cholesterol Cholesterol, a kind of steroid, is an amphipathic lipid that is found in lipid bilayers that serves as a temperature-stability buffer At higher temperatures cholesterol serves to impede phospholipid fluidity At lower temperatures cholesterol interferes with solidification of membranes (e.g., cholesterol functions similarly, in the latter case, to the effect of unsaturated fatty acids on lipid-bilayer fluidity) Cholesterol is found particularly in animal cell membranes Membrane proteins Proteins are typically associated with cell membranes Integral membrane proteins are typically hydrophobic where they interact with the hydrophobic portion of the membrane or hydrophilic where they interact with the hydrophilic portion of the membrane and overlying Functions of membrane proteins Functions of membrane proteins include: Transport of substances across membranes Enzymatic activity cell communication Cell-to-cell joining Attachment to the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix Selective permeability Lipid bilayers display selective permeability In general, intact lipid bilayers are permeable to: Hydrophobic molecules (including many gasses) Small, not-ionized molecules   Simultaneously, lipid bilyaers are NOT permeable to: Larger, polar molecules (e.g., sugars) Ions, regardless of size Thus, lipid bilayers are selectively permeable barriers that allow the entry of small or hydrophobic molecules while blocking the entry of larger polar or even small charged substances Transport across membranes Movement across membranes is important, for instance as a means of removing wastes from a cell or bringing food into a cell Categories of substance transport across membranes include: Passive transport Facilitated diffusion Active transport (including cotransport) Endocytosis, phagocytosis, and exocytosis, also considered below, technically are not mechanisms of movement of substances across lipid bilayers (though these do represent movements of substances into and out of cells; to be movement across the euakaryotic cell membrane, a substance must actually pass through an endomembrane lipid bilayer) Note that in considering transport across membranes we will once again confront the concept of movement away from or towards equilibrium, i.e., endergonic and exergonic processes There are three basic types of movement across membranes: simple diffusion, passive transport, and active transport: Simple diffusion Simple diffusion is the movement of substances across lipid bilayers without the aid of membrane proteins This image (below) shows how substances move through membranes, regardless of net direction and concentration gradients: This image (below) shows how substances net move through membranes in the direction of their concentrations gradients (i.e., with their concentration gradients)-note that regardless of how net movement is accomplished, all simple diffusion across membranes occurs in the manner illustrated above, i.e., it is a process that is driven by the random movement of molecules: This figure (below) indicates the kinds of molecules that are capable of moving across membranes via simple diffusion: Passive transport Passive transport is the term used to describe the diffusion (as well as what is termed facilitated diffusion, below) of substances across lipid bilayers Passive transport is a consequence of movement through the lipid bilayer (whether by diffusion through the membrane or with movement across facilitated by an integral membrane protein) a concentration gradient thereby contrasting with active transport Down the concentration gradient Diffusion is a random process that tends to result in the net movement of substances from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration This includes movement from one side of a permeable lipid bilayer to the other from the higher concentration side to the lower concentration side (i.e., passive transport) Movement from high to low concentration areas is described as going down its concentration gradient. The direction of movement of substances across lipid bilayers by passive transport is controlled by concentration gradients Osmosis Movement of water across selectively permeable membranes down the water concentration gradient is called osmosis Note that this is movement toward equilibrium (exergonic process) Tonicity (isotonic, hypertonic, hypotonic) Picture a membrane separating two solutions, one side with a higher solute concentration than the other The side with the higher solute concentration is said to be hypertonic The side with the lower solute concentration is said to be hypotonic (I keep track of the difference by recalling that a hypodermic syringe is so named because the tip of the needle is placed beneath the dermis, i.e., under the skin; a hypotonic solution has a solute concentration that is beneath, i.e., lower than that of the reference solution) If both sides have the same solute concentration, they are said to be isotonic Animal cells and tonicity Normally animal cells are bathed in an isotonic solution Placement of an animal cell in a hypertonic solution causes the cell to shrink (i.e., water is lost from the cell by osmosis) Placement of an animal cell in a hypotonic solution causes it to take on water then burst (lyse, i.e., die) (water is gained by the cell, lost from the environment bathing the cell, both by osmosis) Turgidity Normally a plant cell exists in a hypotonic environment The hypotonicity causes the plant cytoplasm to expand However the plant cell does not lyse and this is due to the presence of its cell wall This conditions is known as turgidity (i.e., the pressing of the plant plasma membrane up against its cell wall) Plant cells prefer to display turgidity Plasmolysis A plant or bacterial cell placed in a hypertonic environment will show a shrinkage of its cytoplasm This shrinkage is called plasmolysis At the very least plasmolysis will inhibit growth Often plasmolysis will lead to cell death This is the principle upon which foods are preserved in highly osmotic solutions (e.g., salt or sugar); such solutions impede most microbial growth Flaccidity Plant cells bathed in isotonic solutions will fail to display turgidity Instead they display flaccidity At a whole-organismal level, flaccidity is otherwise known as wilting Transport proteins Substances (e.g., sugars) that are not permeable through lipid bilayers may still cross via membrane-spanning transport proteins Facilitated diffusion Facilitated diffusion is the movement of a substance across a membrane via the employment of a transport protein, where net movement can only occur with the concentration gradient, is called facilitated diffusion The key thing to keep in mind is that facilitated diffusion, in contrast to other mechanisms of transport-protein-mediated membrane crossing, does not require any input of energy beyond that necessary to place the protein in the membrane in the first place (i.e., facilitated diffusion is an exergonic process) Passive versus active transport Two general categories of transport across membranes exist: Those that dont require an input of energy (passive transport, simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion) Those that do require an input of energy (active transport) Passive Transport Active Transport Concentration gradient With (Down) Against (Up) Without Integral Protein Yes (Simple Diffusion) No With Integral Protein Yes   Yes Examples Small or Hydrophobic Substances, Osmosis(by simple diffusion) or Not-Small or Charged Substances (by facilitated diffusion) Cotransport, Proton Pump, Sodium-Potassium Pump Active transport Active transport is the movement of substances across membranes against their concentration gradients Moving things against their concentration gradients requires an expenditure of energy (i.e., it is an endergonic process) This energy can be in the form of ATP (e.g., sodium-potassium pump) This energy can also be in the form of electrochemical gradients (i.e., cotransport) Note that the movement of substances by active transport is in a direction that is away from equilibrium Sodium-potassium pump One means by which cells actively transport substances across membranes is via the sodium-potassium pump The sodium-potassium pump is important especially in animal cells, and is the means by which the sodium-potassium electrochemical gradient is established by these cells Proton pump The sodium-potassium pump is the means by which animal cells generate membrane potentials In bacteria, plants, and fungi, proton pumps play the same role The proton pump is simply ATP-driven active transport in which the substance pumped across the membrane is a hydrogen ion Cotransport Much of the active transport accomplished by a cell isnt directly powered by ATP Instead, much active transport is powered by membrane potentials (i.e., electrochemical gradients) Such electrochemical-gradient-driven active transport is called cotransport In cotransport, one substance, such as a sugar, is driven up its concentration gradient while a second substance, e.g., sodium ions or protons, are allowed to fall down their electrochemical gradient; the energy gained from the latter is employed to power the former (i.e., energy coupling) Endocytosis Endocytosis is a general category of mechanisms that move substances from outside of the cell to inside of the cell, but neither across a membrane (technically) nor into the cytoplasm (again, technically speaking) Instead, substances are moved from outside of the cell and into the lumens of endomembrane system members To enter the cytoplasm an endocytosed substance must still be moved across the membrane of the endomembrane system, e.g., following their digestion (typically hydrolysis) to smaller molecules Examples include: phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis Phagocytosis Phagocytosis is the engulfing of extracellular particles is achieved by wrapping pseudopodia around the particles, thus internalizing the particles into vacuoles Amoebas employ phagocytosis to eat Most protozoa obtain their food by engulfing, i.e., via some form of endocytosis The advantage of endocytosis as a mechanism of food gathering has to do with minimizing the volume within which digestive enzymes must work in order to digest food, i.e., the engulfed food particle Cells in our own bodies, called phagocytes and macrophages employ phagocytosis to engulf (and then destroy) debris floating around our bodies as well as to engulf and destroy invading bacteria Pinocytosis Pinocytosis is the engulfing of liquid surrounding a cell This is how developing ova obtain nutrients from their surrounding nurse cells (ova are very large cells so have surface-to-volume problems-pinocytosis solves the problem of nutrient acquisition by allowing nutrients to be obtained across many internal membranes rather than being limited to crossing the plasma membrane) Receptor-mediated endocytosis Receptor-mediated endocytosis involves the binding of extracellular substances to membrane-associated receptors, which in turn induces the formation of a vesicles Exocytosis Exocytosis is more or less the mechanistic opposite of endocytosis

Internet and Technology Hazards :: Essays Papers

Internet and Technology Hazards Computers and the Internet are great items for the household, but along with these advantages there are disadvantages. They are constantly changing the way that we live and do business. The Internet puts tons of information at a click of a button. This information is a great educational tool for children. The Internet can be very dangerous to young children, and there is also research being done now about possible problems that adults have with computers. It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure that the Internet is a safe place for their children. I read an article called Internet and Computer Technology Hazards: Perspectives For Family Counseling. The author of this article is Jo Ann Oravec. It appeared in the British Journal of Guidance & Counseling, in August of 2000. I agreed with almost everything that she wrote. It was an interesting and compelling article. The main reason that people watch the news, and look through various sources of information is to make sure that their homes are safe from possible nuisances in the neighborhood or from severe weather. When working with a network, a series of computers tied together, there are new and dangerous hazards that can go unnoticed. Viruses and security breaches by hackers are a few of the hazards that they may encounter. The Internet is being used more and more for daily life. For many families the meaning of â€Å"Neighbor† is quickly changing from the people that live close to on-line relationships that they have. Now many people are doing their shopping, banking and other everyday activities on-line. Some people are also using the Internet to stay in touch with family members that live elsewhere. As families perform important educational and community activities on-line the meaning of home is changing at a rapid pace. Some families are worried that the Internet could have an effect on their privacy. The privacy for a family is necessary to raising their children. Today it is possible to get information on nearly anyone via the Internet. Crimes such as hacking and identity theft are the main concerns of these families. Children may accidentally give out family information to marketers by filling out their on-line surveys. Many families believe that they could prevent these things from happening by shutting off contact with the Internet.

The Storm Essay -- essays research papers

The Storm The title of this story suggests a metaphorical connection between the storm outside and the storm of emotions going on in the individuals Calixta and Alcee. The intensity of their sexual act inside the house follows the pattern of the storm outside. Their passion climaxes and diminishes with the storm. They are left replenished and fresh just like nature. The storm outside had been brewing for some time, just as it had been brewing between Calixta and Alcee. They tried to deter the storm by staying away from each other, but it was inevitable just like the storm itself. They had set up barriers between themselves by not being alone together but those barriers could be and were broken. Just like the storm beating down the barriers of the house trying to expose them to the outside elements, the barriers between Calixta and Alcee were diminishing with first contact as shown in this excerpt. â€Å"The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them there.† This refers to the storm outside and their emotional state. They were feeling this need and desire for each other and it was beating down all the barriers they had set up within themselves to resist this temptation. Their feelings were so dangerously close to the surface that they could hardly hide them any longer. The storm was raging on and the drama of the lightning was very shocking to them. They could almost feel its electricity. â€Å"The playing of ...

Singapores education policies are largely influenced by the need to compete :: Economics

Singapore's education policies are largely influenced by the need to compete in a global economy. Do you agree? Explain your answer. a) Singapore's education policies are largely influenced by the need to compete in a global economy. Do you agree? Explain your answer. [12m] I agree to a large extent. Ever since Singapore gained independence in 1965, Singapore's education policies has played a crucial role in the economic progress and social changes of the country, and more importantly, the raising of Singapore's standing on the global stage, in terms of both economic might and international recognition. During the early years of independence, Singapore's main priority was to deviate away from entrepot trade into manufacturing and industrialisation so as to improve the economy, and at the same time solve the problem of unemployment. As a result of this move towards industrialisation, the Singapore government had to prepare students for entry into the workforce by equipping them with the necessary skills. As such, technical education was introduced for the first time in secondary schools in 1969, where all boys and 50% of the girls had to take technical subjects such as woodwork and metalwork. In addition, technical schools and vocational institutes were set up to provide training in areas such as electricity, electronics and metalwork. Existing institutions such as Ngee Ann Technical College and Singapore Polytechnic were expanded to include courses in similar fields of study. The government also encouraged the study of English as a first language, as they realised that the English Language held the key to better jobs and a better economy as it allowed access to western knowledge and technology, which during that time was one of the most, if not the most, advanced in the world. From this, we can see that even in the 1960s and 1970s, Singapore's education policies were already tailored to allow Singapore to be able to compete in a global economy, by expanding the manufacturing industry through the equipping of the workforce with the necessary skills, and improving communication with the rest of the world through the introduction of English as a first language, allowing Singapore to take advantage of Western technology and knowledge and hence put her in a better position on the global stage. The advent of the 21st century has brought a whole new set of challenges to Singapore, and Singaporeans thus have to learn to be more resourceful and self-reliant in order to survive, live long and prosper in the more competitive global economy. In the past decade, the world has seen rapid growth of the Information Technology (IT) industry - this has resulted in widespread use of computers and the

Importance of Informal and Formal Language Essay

Society is changing at a rapid pace and informality in the English language is on the rise. In places where formal language was once a must, informality has taken over, and questions are raised over whether formal language still has a place in modern English. However, despite changes, formal language is still in use and is still expected and considered the most appropriate method of address in many situations. In written and spoken communication, formal language has the ability to convey knowledge and provide a sense of occasion, while informality has the ability to minimise social distance and is easily understood. Situations in which formal language is the most appropriate form of address may have diminished, however it retains an important role in society. From chatting on the phone to a friend to asking about a neighbour’s day, spoken informal language is the main form of language used in most people’s everyday lives, however it is now being used in more situations. For example, a shift in the way businesses run has been reflected in a less formal method of communicating. Whereas the old business model was focused on the boss being above their employees, hence, a formal manner of communication between the two groups. Businesses now run on the basis of collaborating, sharing and creating a healthy and enjoyable work environment, so the method of communication is far more informal. Another example of a shift to informality is in the way people learn. Teachers now speak in a far more informal style than they used to, instead of talking down to the students in a formal manner. The internet also uses informal, humorous language, people now go to Youtube videos to learn The advantage of using more informal language in these situations is that it minimises social difference, is engaging and makes both parties in a conversation feel comfortable. Informal spoken language is a huge part of peoples lives, the personal way in which it is spoken is now being mimicked in informal writing. Over the course of the last 10 years, mostly due to the invention of texting and the internet, the informal form of writing has become far more prevalent. People are more connected to each other, and yet often see little of each other face-to-fac. Informal writing is very similar to informal spoken language, non-fluency features are used, as well as other previously  spoken language only features. In this way informal written language connects people in a way that formal written language never could, and can almost replace in-person conversation. However, punctuation and grammar are forgone for the convenience factor of less keys to press, and in a fast moving society it is quicker to use non-standard grammar and shorten words to just a handful of characters than it is to plan, write and edit a single message. In a fast-paced, digital setting, informal written language is being used more than ever, however that does not mean formal written language no longer has a place. Formal written language is one of the forms of language most declined in use, however the use of formal written language but still remains a requirement in many areas of communication. Formal language enables both individuals and corporations to convey their expertise and knowledge on a subject. Formal language is expected in academic essays, scientific research reports, legal documents and other more ‘serious’ occasions. For instance, compare a formal sentence such as â€Å"I believe working at KMart would allow me the opportunities to grow as an individual,’ with an informal one such as ‘I reckon working at Kmart’d make me a totes swaggier person’ for a job application. The first conveys experience, maturity and intelligence, and is in the style of language expected on the occasion, and as a result is far more likely to get the position. Formal written language may not be as widely used as it has been previously, however in certain situation s it is the most appropriate, as is the case with formal spoken language. While it is not the language the average person uses reguarly, formal spoken language has immense importance in both conveying knowledge and giving a sense of occasion. For a formal speech, given by a politician or other powerful figure, such as a debate, a press conference, ceremony, or other formal occasion, formal language is the most appropriate method of communication. This choice assures the audience of the speaker’s expertise on the subject and their competency in their position, which leads to trust what they say as being truth. Another occasion where formal language is prevalent is at ceremonies such as weddings, funerals and religious events such as Mass. This formality, and adherence to the norms are key to creating  a sense of occasion and meaning. For instance, wedding vows, or the Lord’s prayer. Each of these is highly formal and rehearsed, and an event would not have the same weight without them. Formal spoken language still has a place in society, giving meaning and weight behind individuals and situations. A mixture of both formal and informal language are important for the continuance of society as it stands. Despite technological and societal changes, formal language remains key to conveying knowledge giving a sense of meaning and occasion to events. The two forms can coexist in separate spaces, in what linguist, Renato Beninatto, describes as the â€Å"underwear effect†. ‘Wearing a suit, people don’t mind using formal language [†¦] The closer they get to intimate life—the closer they get to their underwear, that is—the more they want to use their mother tongue.’ So for the most part, in their homes, informality will be the language chosen by people, however for different occasions, be it a funeral or a job interview, people will accept formality. This goes to show that formality still has a place in today’s society.

Review of Human Nature in Voltaire and Swift Essay

Satire is defined as individual follies and vices found in human being through ridicule and irony. The purpose of satire is not to humour but to bring improvement through verbal attack by using wit. One of the common features of satire is irony and sarcasm which has been used by authors for centuries including Swift and Voltaire to show the shortcoming of human nature. Swift was born and educated in Ireland and spent his early life in England. His career started with the â€Å"A Tale of Tub† and â€Å"The Battle of Books†; where he satirized the human weakness in various ways. In â€Å"A Tale of Tub†, he mocks his countrymen revealing the shallowness of philosophers and writers of his time. He also shows how the philosophers and writers are used by ruling elite to achieve their agenda which was betrayal from truth and honour. However it was â€Å"Gulliver Travel†, where Swift has openly mocked the human nature. He particularly observes human nature in a very disturbing way for which many critics called him misanthrope. The book portrays Lilliput (Britain) lacking in democracy; where highest position is given to the one who can jump high (instead of merit and honesty). He also shows, how court positions were filled by personal favour rather than offering to the most worthy candidate. He reveals the social pretension and weakness of human institution in his times. For example he talks about the fall of minister in Lilliput because he could not please the King; is actually replication of his life. He also fell out of favour because he could also not please the King. In the Gulliver’s Travel, he also criticizes the Laputa intellectuals, which is indirect criticism of Royal Society of England that Swift considered nothing more than a club for abstract ideas. Swift considers such kind of writers and scholars as parasite on society who waste time and money of the society without providing any added benefit. Swift divided human nature into two parts; the reason and benevolence and the selfish appetite which he has left for yahoo. He analysed the human nature and shows that its human vanity that prevents him to detect flaw and improvement. Swift wants its audience to be shocked by his revelation of human nature, but the purpose is improvement by exposing follies. Voltaire on the other hand was extreme in his views about human nature; as his world view was more skeptical. Being an atheist to the core, he was against the religious fundamentalism; however he advocated the social and religious tolerance. His true portrayal of human nature is depicted in Candide that details various characters including liars, traitors, killers, and hypocrites. However his view is not an outrage like Swift, but crude truth told with manners. He explains that the human societies are comprised of puppet like characters that are incredible and improbable committing follies. Voltaire captures this selfishness in human nature through parody showing human being imperfection. His views are similar to Swift; however his manner is not as crud as Swift. Thus we can conclude that aim of both Swift and Voltaire was to look at man as an imperfect being; which commits follies ; however these follies can be improved, if man is willing to look beyond his vanity. Reference †¢ Morris Weitz, Philosophy in Literature: Shakespeare, Voltaire, Tolstoy & Proust. ayne State University Press, 1963. †¢ Kathleen Williams, Jonathan Swift and the Age of Compromise. University Press of Kansas, 1968.

The Evolution and the Impact of Currency Futures in India

Currency futures trading started in India on August 29, 2008 on National Stock Exchange. This was the first time currency derivatives got listed on an exchange in India. Till this time, the currency futures trading took place over the counter and were unorganized. With the entry of the National Stock Exchange in the picture, currency trading became more organized with the NSE acting as a counter party to all the transactions. Soon after BSE and MCX also marked their entry into the currency derivatives market.Currency futures is mainly using as a risk management tool by exporters and importers. There are three types of traders are in the market i. e Hedgers, Speculators and Arbitragers. Currency futures are mainly used as a hedging instrument by importers and exporters. A foreign exchange deal is always done in currency pairs, for example USD-INR, GBP-INR, JPY-INR etc. In a currency pair, the first currency is referred to as the base currency and the second currency is referred to as the counter/base currency. Foreign exchange prices are highly volatile and fluctuate in real time basis.In foreign exchange contracts, the price fluctuation is expressed as appreciation/depreciation or the strengthening/weakening of a currency relative to other. The Currency futures contracts traded at the NSE have a tick size of Rs. 0025. tick value refers to the amount of money that is made or lost in a contract with each price movement. The spot market transaction does not imply immediate exchange of currency, rather the settlement (exchange of currency) takes place on a value date, which is usually two business days after the trade date.The price at which the deal takes place is known as the spot rate (also known as benchmark price). The two-day settlement period allows the parties to confirm the transaction and arrange payment to each other. A forward transaction is a currency transaction wherein the actual settlement date is at a specified future date, which is more than two w orking days after the deal date. The date of settlement and the rate of exchange (called forward rate) is specified in the contract.The difference between spot rate and forward rate is called â€Å"forward margin†. The pricing of currency futures can be done by using cost of carry model and interest rate parity principle. Importers are using long term strategy and exporters are using short term strategy. ` The trading can be done in NSE from 9. 00 am to 5 pm. Currency futures have a maximum expiration period of 12 months. Individuals, partnership firms, corporations and companies can participate in Currency future market. There are certain set of eligibility criteria for membership.The trading system at NSE is known as NEAT-CDS(National Exchange for Automated Trading- Currency Derivative Segment). The final settlement of futures contracts is effected on T+2 day basis as per the timelines specified by the clearing corporation. The final settlement date is the contract expiry d ate. Since the final settlement is done on the contract expiry date, the last trading day is two working days prior to the last business day of the expiry month at 12 noon.Derivative is a product whose value is derived from the value of one or more basic variables called base (underlying asset, index, or reference rate), in a contractual manner. The underlying asset can be equity, foreign exchange, commodity or any other asset. For example, wheat farmers may wish to sell their harvest at a future date to eliminate the risk of a change in prices by that date. Such a transaction is an example of a derivative. The price of this derivative is driven by the spot price of wheat which is the â€Å"underlying†.In the Indian context the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 [SC(R)A] defines â€Å"derivative† to include- 1. A security derived from a debt instrument, share, loan whether secured or unsecured, risk instrument or contract for differences or any other form of s ecurity. 2. A contract which derives its value from the prices, or index of prices, of underlying securities Derivatives are securities under the SC(R)A and hence the trading of derivatives is governed by the regulatory framework under the SC(R)A.The term derivative has also been defined in section 45U(a) of the RBI act as follows: An instrument, to be settled at a future date, whose value is derived from change in interest rate, foreign exchange rate, credit rating or credit index, price of securities (also called â€Å"underlying†), or a combination of more than one of them and includes interest rate swaps, forward rate agreements, foreign currency swaps, foreign currency-rupee swaps, foreign currency options, foreign currency-rupee options or such other instruments as may be specified by the Bank from time to time.

Dr Traci Lynn Essay

The amazing life experiences and achievements of Dr. Traci Lynn is truly remarkable. Often times referred to as a â€Å"Success Coach†, she has touched the lives and motivated thousands of people around the globe to both overcome fear and pusue their dreams. She is an award winning Entrepreneur, Internationally Renowned Motivational speaker, Author, wife, mother, Evangelist, and TV talk show host. She also built her highly esteemed jewelry business, Traci Lynn Jewelry, from the ground up. She did so with only $200, a basement, and a dream. Her unbelievable accomplishments and mark in time as a speaker is truly inspirational and moving. Dr. Lynn states her mission is â€Å"passing the MIC†: motivate, inspire, change. My goal is to motivate people to step out of their comfort zone, inspire them to greatness, and to change their lives. It’s about letting people know that they can do anything they set their mind to if they see the bigger picture. We have the power to change our own financial future and our destiny. † â€Å"I believe in chasing the dream,† Lynn says. â€Å"I don’t chase the money. And because I chase the dream and not the money, I can love freely. I love the consultants and they know that. † I feel that Dr.  Lynn’s stress on dreams and happiness, rather than wealth speaks volumes in itself. Few times in the world today do we come across an individual with such great morals and values. In addition, Traci is also a Multiple Unit Owner in the Rita’s Italian Ices franchise. She maintains three free standing units with over sixty employees in a seasonal environment. She is first hand familiar with the day to day demands – customer service, recruiting, training, managing – of a franchise as well as the long terms goals of development – branding, increasing customer base. Being such a successful businesswoman and multi-tasker sets such a positive example of a role model for the youth and world today. The development of her employees has been key to the growth of the business. She also founded a campus chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at the University of Michigan – Dearborn. In doing so, she has set a standard and reinforcement of the importance of education. Dr. Traci Lynn is currently pursuing a second doctorate degree in marketing. She has opened for the master motivator Les Brown, and is now traveling across the country speaking to thousands of eople, motivating and empowering them to take charge of their future. Traci Lynn was the recipient of four prestigious awards, The Madam CJ Walker Award for entrepreneur excellence, University of Pennsylvania’s Carrier of Hope Award for her community service, the Spirit of Greatness Award for outstanding Leadership in business, and the Network Journal’s 2002, 25 most influential Women in Business Award. She is a workaholic, whom strives and fights for her goals in life. Her undergraduate and graduate work is in business and religion, along with a doctorate degree in theology. Traci Lynn was featured on Good Morning America for owning one of the top grossing businesses among young entrepreneurs, and she appeared in Essence Magazine for her innovative business success. She was recently featured in the January 2006 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine online. At the age of 15, Lynn opened a hair salon in a family-owned apartment and got her beauty-college certificate, all the while saving money for college. While in high school, she got her nursing license. It seems as though her upbringing did in fact have a direct impact on her future. â€Å"My mother had programmed me to be a physician,† Lynn says. If you asked me at age four what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d tell you that I wanted to be an OB/GYN even though I had no idea what that meant. † After majoring in medicine at the University of Michigan, she returned to business, where she earned her degree in finance. After graduating, Lynn took a job as an investor information representative at mutual-fund giant The Vanguard Group Inc. , where she eventually became manager. Climbing the ladder of success definitely seemed to be the main objective for Dr. Traci Lynn, regardless of what life threw in front of her. Dr.  Lynn then launched Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry in Philadelphia in 1989, at the age of 25. In 1994, Essence magazine named Lynn one of the most innovative entrepreneurs under 30. I personally do not know many, if any, entrepreneurs as successful as she at such a young age. Dr. Traci Lynn was also featured on Good Morning America for owning one of the top-grossing businesses among young entrepreneurs and received the Madame CJ Walker Award for entrepreneur excellence. Dr. Lynn then decided to start a new career as a public speaker, speaking to Fortune 500 companies around the world about ttitude, leadership, and motivation. â€Å"That’s still my message today,† she says. â€Å"Attitude is everything, and I had to confront my own. I realized that I was blaming other people for my jewelry company folding, when I hadn’t really followed my instincts. I had researched the direct-sales business model, and knew I should create a catalog, but I didn’t and it cost me. † Of her many signature topics, I find a few in particular to be very inspirational. Such as â€Å"Who’s Pulling Your Strings! †,in which she addresses one’s self control over their own destiny, along with the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. In Change Your Own Attitude-Change Your Life†, Dr. Lynn uses the acronym A=Attitude, T=Talk Positive, T=Think Positive, I=Innovative Ideas, T=Think Like a Leader,U=Understand Differences, D=Don’t Resist Change, Embrace It, E=Empower Yourself, – as part of a motivational session to increase companies bottom lines. In â€Å"The Mind Of a Millionaire†, Dr. Lynn brings to light ending self-sabotage, negative thinking, and procrastination, so â€Å"you can break through those mental barriers to transform even your wildest dreams into exciting new realities. Dr Traci Lynn also speaks on development of positive powerful skills, as well as handling difficult people through various communication skills in â€Å"Powerful Leadership Skills for Women. † She is consistenly serving as a positive role model and powerful force for inspiring business women around the world. I find this to be important and recognizable because I do not know of that many successful women in the world whom have accomplished nearly half of what Dr. Traci Lynn has achieved. Dr.  Tracy Lynn also seems to be fearless in her endeavors. After many years of traveling the world as a motivational speaker, Lynn decided to relaunch Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry in 2005. However, this time she was able to overcome the hardships and trying times she had experienced in her business years before. Her motivational message became her company’s mission, and as a result, she has transformed the lives of thousands of women who have taken advantage of the company’s business training and become entrepreneurs in their own right. For nearly 20 years, Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry has sold high-quality, affordable fashion jewelry through a wholesale network and direct sales. Currently, products are delivered through consultants to customers via home or office shows, personal shopping, and catalog orders. Dr. Traci Lynn believes jewelry creates an opportunity for women to own their own businesses, balance their lives, and achieve financial independence doing something they love. Lynn says seeing the effect the company has had on its consultants is the most rewarding part of the business. At one of the weekend sales rallies, a 10-year-old girl stood up and read a letter that she had written me about being a witness to the changes in her mother’s life,† Lynn says. â€Å"Her mother had lost her job, and working with us enabled her to continue to provide for her family. But more importantly, this little girl talked about seeing her mother smile again and get excited about something. She read this letter aloud and there was not a dry eye in the place. † Dr. Lynn has also become a published author (Wealth Without Sorrow and The Mind of A Millionaire) and earned two doctorate degrees in Divinity and Theology. She also continued to rack up awards, earning the University of Pennsylvania’s Carrier of Hope Award for her community service and The Spirit of Greatness Award for Outstanding Leadership in Business. According to the Administrative Officer of Maryland Departments of Human Resources,Cheryl Hill, â€Å"Dr. Traci’s enthusiasm and straight-forward motivation make a tremendous impact on the employees here. She is a powerful motivation force which has inspired change not only in our workplace, but has transferred to many family members of our employees. â€Å"With great humor and charm Dr.  Traci Lynn teaches how to cultivate ideas and goals and nurture them with dedication , energy, and spirit. Dr. Traci Lynn has also inspired thousands to pursue their dreams and develop excellence in their lives. She believes that people must feed their minds with motivation to reach past their comfort zones and live the lives they envision. As part of her audience, I think that you will feel the energy of her words as she encourages you to expand your dreams and focus on the future. Dr. Lynn encourages you to think in extraordinary ways and to dare take control of your life and launch it into bold new directions.

HRM & Employment Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

HRM & Employment Relations - Essay Example bloggers to the creation of content that captures the attention of the public ensures that the repetitive action of content creation and content regeneration never ceases, because the audiences are always looking to read and respond to the blogs. Therefore, blogging reinforces effective networking, without encouraging or displacing the consolidation of the blogging networks (). Nevertheless, blogging is a highly personal style of writing to a highly impersonal audience, meaning that it is an effective way of helping interpret the thought process of both the bloggers and the audience who read and responds to the blogs, considering the fact that each of these parties does it on their own terms and in their own style of understanding and reacting to the subject matter (). Then impact of blogs is that it is of the most effective ways of having an organization discuss organizational issues at lengths with the employees, meaning that blogging can highly improve the communication within an organization (). Therefore, blogging is a valuable tool for organizations, since it can make it possible for the organization to understand the feelings, thought process and reaction of individual employees regarding different organizational issues. This is because, blogging entails the application of a highly personalized mode of communication, meaning that it is easy for the organization to understand each of the contributors to the organizational blogs (). However, blogs can be a potential disaster, since they may result in the employees and the organization creating a conflict and misunderstanding regarding various subjects of blogging, which would in turn be transmitted into the physical work environment. Blogs have an influence on face-to-face communication, cons idering the fact that the interaction that is online between the audience and the bloggers is the same that will eventually be transmitted into physical communication (). This means that blogging forms the content of the

Finance Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Finance Report - Essay Example ompany is dealing in groceries, wine, clothing, entertainment and books, phone shop, banking and insurance, Tesco magazine, flower market and online business of shopping from their stores. There is a wide range of products and services that Tesco deals in through renowned brands and their own private level brands (Tesco PLC, â€Å"TESCO†). ASDA Group Limited, BP Plc, The Big Food Group Plc, J. Sainsbury plc, Marks and Spencer Group plc, Carrefour S.A., ExxonMobil Corporation, Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Safeway Inc, Safeway plc, Booker Cash & Carry Limited, Somerfield, Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC, ALDI Group, SPAR Handels-Aktiengesellschaft, The Boots Group PLC, The Carphone Warehouse Group PLC and John Lewis Partnership plc (Datamonitor, â€Å"Tesco PLC†). Tesco has a policy of gratifying experience and talent and stimulates motivations in terms of incentives for offering greater development and high returns for shareholders (Tesco PLC, â€Å"Summary Report of the Directors on Remuneration†). The group has a five-year progressing business plan to sustain the delivery of its approach of long-term expansion and income for shareholders. Tesco functions with a balanced scorecard approach that is acknowledged within the Tesco group. This connects the group’s resources regarding operations, community, finance and consumers (Tesco PLC, â€Å"Internal Control & Risk Management†). The business processes of Tesco and systems that are utilized for in-store planning in the UK are selected and decided by the Tesco executives as a part of global standardisation program. The operations and business processes that are in other countries are structured by the developers. The business requirements are drafted by Tesco UK and other stores of Tesco need to implement it (Computer Weekly, â€Å"Tescos IT Standardisation Paves Way for Global Expansion†). To plan and control the activities of the organisation, management accounting provides information in an appropriate way that helps

Caveat Emptor Is this common Law Maxim undermined Essay

Caveat Emptor Is this common Law Maxim undermined - Essay Example This act is in addition to the existing law and accordingly a consumer usually has a remedy either in contract or in the tort of negligence (Slack 1997). The term Caveat emptor connotes that let the buyer beware. It is a common law sales contract concept that exposes the buyer to the risk inherent in a transaction. Though it involves the principle of freedom to contract, nevertheless implied warranties in the context of sale of goods are latent in it (Rossini 1998) The Sale of Goods Act 1893 was amended by several pieces of legislation, some of these are the Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994, the Misrepresentation Act 1967, the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (Jones and Benson 2003). This act was the first piece of legislation that provided protection to the buyer. Recently there had been a spate of legislations, whose purpose was to enhance the protection that had been made available to consumers. Some instances of such acts are the Misrepresentation Act 1967, the amended Sale of Goods Act (Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994 and the Sale of Goods (Amendment) Act 1994) and the Unfair Terms Regulations (S.I 1994/3159. Unfair Terms Regulations in Consumer Contract Regulations 1994). In this manner the caveat emptor doctrine has been progressively undermined and substituted by the doctrine of caveat venditor or let the seller beware. The noted legal luminary Atiyah opined that the basic principle of law was one of caveat venditor rather than one of caveat emptor (Atiyah and Adams 1995). In addition, the European Union as a champion of the rights of the consumer has planned to introduce legislation that would serve to bestow further protection on the rights of consumers. The Directive on the Sale of Consumer Goods and Associated Guarantees is an important step in this direction (EUROPA 2006). There has been a marked reluctance on the part of judicial policy to interfere with contracts between parties having equal bargaining power. The Unfair Contract Terms Act attempts to extinguish the exclusion and limitation clauses that occur in consumer contracts and contracts that are based on one of the contracting parities' standard terms (Unfair Contract Terms Act (as amended on the 1st of October, 2003) 1977). The above act is inapplicable to commercial contracts in general. In Photo Productions Limited v Securicor the House of Lords permitted Securicor to avoid liability for the acts of one of its employees (Photo Production Ltd v Securicor Transport Ltd 1980). In the case of Slater and others v Finning Ltd, the House of Lords held that if a product failed for the reason that it had been used for a purpose other than that it had been designed for then the seller was absolved of any liability for such failure (Slater v Finning Ltd 1996). This was similar to the decision in Griffths v Peter Conway Ltd, in which the buyer had concealed from the seller as to what use was to be made of the goods (Griffths v Peter Conway Ltd 1939). This indicates very clearly that there has been a preference for caveat venditor in the context of the implied condition of suitability in commercial law. The legal consequences of the rule of caveat emptor require the buyers to undertake