Al-Khwarizmi, a Pioneering Astronomer and Mathematician

Al-Khwarizmi​ was also known as Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi. He was known for writing major works on astronomy and mathematics that introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals and the idea of algebra to European scholars. The Latinized version of his name gave us the term algorithm, and the title of his most famous and important work gave us the word algebra. What Professions Did Al-Khwarizami Have? Writer, scientist, astronomer, geographer,  and mathematician. Places of Residence Asia, Arabia Important Dates Born:  c. 786Died:  c. 850 About Al-Khwarizmi Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi was born in Baghdad in the 780s, around the time Harun al-Rashid became the fifth Abbasid caliph. Haruns son and successor, al-Mamun, founded an academy of science known as the House of Wisdom (Dar al-Hikma). Here, research was conducted and scientific and philosophic treatises were translated, particularly Greek works from the Eastern Roman Empire. Al-Khwarizmi became a scholar at the House of Wisdom. At this important center of learning, al-Khwarizmi studied algebra, geometry, and astronomy. He wrote influential texts on the subjects. He appears to have received the specific patronage of al-Mamun, to whom he dedicated two of his books: his treatise on algebra and his treatise on astronomy. Al-Khwarizmis treatise on algebra, al-Kitab al-mukhtasar fi hisab al-jabr waÊ ¾l-muqabala (â€Å"The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing†), was his most important and well-known work. Elements of Greek, Hebrew, and Hindu works that were derived from Babylonian mathematics of more than 2,000 years earlier were incorporated into al-Khwarizmis treatise. The term al-jabr in its title brought the word algebra into western use when it was translated into Latin several centuries later.   Although it sets forth the basic rules of algebra, Hisab al-jabr wal-muqabala had a practical objective: to teach. As al-Khwarizmi put it: ...what is easiest and most useful in arithmetic, such as men constantly require in cases of inheritance, legacies, partition, lawsuits, and trade, and in all their dealings with one another, or where the measuring of lands, the digging of canals, geometrical computations, and other objects of various sorts and kinds are concerned. Hisab al-jabr wal-muqabala included examples as well as algebraic rules in order to help the reader with these practical applications. Al-Khwarizmi also produced a work on Hindu numerals. These symbols, which we recognize as the Arabic numerals used in the west today, originated in India and had only recently been introduced into Arabic mathematics. Al-Khwarizmis treatise describes the place-value system of numerals from 0 to 9 and may be the first known use of a symbol for zero as a place-holder (a blank space had been used in some methods of calculation). The treatise provides methods for arithmetical calculation, and it is believed that a procedure for finding square roots was included. Unfortunately, the original Arabic text is lost. A Latin translation exists, and though it is thought to be considerably changed from the original, it did make an important addition to western mathematical knowledge. From the word Algoritmi in its title, Algoritmi de numero Indorum (in English, Al-Khwarizmi on the Hindu Art of Reckoning), the term algorithm came into western usage. In addition to his works in mathematics, al-Khwarizmi made important strides in geography. He helped create a world map for al-Mamun and took part in a project to find the Earths circumference, in which he measured the length of a degree of a meridian in the plain of Sinjar. His book Kitab surat al-ará ¸  (literally The Image of the Earth, translated as Geography), was based on the geography of Ptolemy and provided the coordinates of approximately 2,400 sites in the known world, including cities, islands, rivers, seas, mountains, and general geographical regions. Al-Khwarizmi improved on Ptolemy with more accurate values for sites in Africa and Asia, and for the length of the Mediterranean Sea.   Al-Khwarizmi wrote yet another work that made it into the western canon of mathematical studies: a compilation of astronomical tables. This included a table of sines, and either its original or an Andalusian revision was translated into Latin. He also produced two treatises on the astrolabe, one on the sundial and one on the Jewish calendar, and wrote a political history that included the horoscopes of prominent people. The precise date of al-Khwarizmis death is unknown. Sources Agarwal, Ravi P. Creators of Mathematical and Computational Sciences. Syamal K. Sen, 2014th Edition, Springer, November 13, 2014. OConnor, J. J. Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi. E. F. Robertson, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, Scotland, July 1999. Surhone, Lambert M. (Editor). The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing. Miriam T. Timpledon, Susan F. Marseken, VDM Publishing, August 10, 2010. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Al-Khwarizmi. Encyclopaedia Britannica, July 20, 1998.

Comparing Success in Horatio Algers Ragged Dick and the...

Success in Horatio Algers Ragged Dick and the Life of Colin Powell What does success mean to you? I think the idea of success is affected by the social system. In America and Hong Kong, which are capitalistic societies affected by the American Dream, success means money and fame. In other societies, success might have different meanings. Some people said money and fame is the true meaning of success, but I think that the true meaning of success is to follow the interest of your own and being good at it, but not money and fame. Overemphasizing on these two factors can only lead to negative effects. Therefore I think the definition of success in capitalistic countries should not be focused on money and fame, because it restricts†¦show more content†¦The importance of money and fame in capitalism countries can be seen clearly in two stories that illustrate the American Dream, Horatio Algers Ragged Dick and the life of Colin Powell, the secretary of State. The importance of money can be seen in Ragged Dick, Dick is said to be successful when he had his wage raised from two dollars to six dollars. In the last sentence of the story A young gentleman on the way to fame and fortune. It is clear that getting a good job and earning more money is the goal of success. In the other hand, the life of Colin Powell not only illustrates the importance of money for success, but also fame. Colin Powell, who is an African American from a poor family in New York, struggled to become the secretary of State. He represents the American Dream because he started from the bottom of the society and then become successful, but what is the elements he has for people to define him as successful? Money and fame. I think without the fame he had for being one of the most important person in the American government, the general public would not define him as successful. What is the problem of this fixed identity of success? I think it is because the identities lead to overemphasize on money and fame. In the sport industry in America, it has change from promoting sport to a moneymaking business. Many sport players initially start to play the sport purely for the enjoyment, they practiced hard and hope that one

The Redgrove Axial Workshop free essay sample

The Redgrove Axial Workshop Case Analysis Date of Submission:September, 05, 2012 Table of Contents Introduction and Background3 Analysis of the Problem4 Personal use of company resources4 Closed Interest Groups4 Evaluation of Alternatives5 Conclusion6 References7 Introduction and Background There were many documented and perhaps more undocumented cases of employees breaking rules in the workplace and manager is undecided on how to handle those situation. This case study analyses what happens when there is lack of clear or precise Human Resource policies and why this may cause issues within teams at the ground level. This is an important study in human behavior to emphasize culture and values in an organization and also to show what happens when rules are not implemented uniformly within formal or informal groups. The main issue in this case The Redgrove Axial Workshop is the formation of small informal groups which engages in activities/hobbies which are not part of regular work-day and uses company material. We will write a custom essay sample on The Redgrove Axial Workshop or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Some employees creates some ornaments from metal scraps which otherwise would be sold and earn revenue for ITE. The case demonstrate the dilemma of Marc Fontaine on how to deal with this situation in the wake of not so clear human resource process and policies. This analysis will evaluate the reasons of workers behavior and how ITE should deal with it. The analysis will briefly describe the issues, describe organization theory that applies and offer some solutions to the situation. In the conclusion, it will present the solution which is considered best for Axial workshop and ITE. Analysis of the Problem Below is the analysis of few issues that is evident in The Redgrove Axial Workshop case. Personal use of company resources Marc Fontaine finds out about the ornaments made of metal scraps in the storage room of workshop. Since, he is new to this division, he perhaps doesnt know companys code of conduct and cant determine whether these are made using companys material and/or workers spent regular work time manufacturing these. Closed Interest Groups a) After talking to Page and Kadosa. Marc also realizes that there is a very closed informal group within the workshop. Most of the members of this close group are workers who share similar interest and were transferred from prototype workshop to manufacturing workshop. Although normally these kind of informal groups are beneficial to the company as it promotes friendly environment, but in this case the group was not open in communication with management. When Mark Fontaine asked Page about ornaments he sounded as if he doesnt know anything and instead sent a new employee Kadosa to talk to Marc. As a supervisor he should have talked to Marc about it in details and explored the possible reasons and corrective actions. ) When the group of workers were moved from prototype testing to manufacturing compressors, they might have felt that the advance skills they have is more or less not needed for the current job and in order to utilize the skills they might have formed the interest group of making ornaments. c) From the case it was not clear if workers knew the rules guiding the use of company material/res ources for personal use. Companys regulation, ITE Code of Conduct states that ITE employees must protect company assets. Company assets include 1) intellectual property and trade secrets, b) business strategy, c) financial data, d) production material, e) equipment, f) fleet, furniture and g) computer supplies and software. Company assets are intended for the exclusive use of advancing the mission of ITE corporation which in general mean that in manufacturing ornaments using metal scraps workers are violating companys code of conduct. The above points determines 2 inherent problem at ITE. 1) Lack of open communication Companies hierarchical structure is quite wide and there is a big gap between senior management and base-line workers. There seems to be enough communication between senior and middle management (Marc Fontaine to meet manufacturing director and Redgrove plant director), but there seems to be not so open communication between Middle management and floor level managers (Page was hesitant to talk to Marc). The assumption-observation error is one of the critical errors in communication, and Marc being a newbie might have to establish that trust and open communication channels to better understand the needs to floor workers. ) Possible Lack of motivation about work in workers There may be a possible lack of motivation in workers transferred from Prototype testing to manufacturing as their skills may not be fully utilized here (Job and Life Satisfaction from Work-Family Conflict model proposed by Pamela L Perrewe and Wayne A Hochwarter), and the job satisfaction may have gone down and thus they are engaging themselves in ornaments making to showcase their craftsmanship and high quality skills. Conclusion In conclusion, the issue may seem a small one, but when looked deeper, it seems to involve issue related to job satisfaction, organization behavior and HR policies. Different organizational theories suggests the balance approach between organization and informal groups and alternative ways of job satisfaction where under-utilized skills can be better utilized by engaging workers in different activities and giving them some authority. Solutions alternatives to the problem were proposed and their effectiveness highlighted. In the end, I conclude with following solutions to the problem in this case. 1) Make employees aware of the companys code of conduct and possible consequences of not adhering to it. 2) Involve in more engaging communication and officially allowing limited use of resource for informal activities and proceeds be divided between charity and employees use.

The First World War Memories free essay sample

The First World War was, among other things, truly remarkable for its scope and cold mechanical efficiency. Armed with mass produced machines of the industrial age, the patriotic young men who set off to fight in the summer of 1914 did so with an unprecedented, limitless and thoroughly unexpected ability to kill. They carry within themselves the heroic ideals of the classical heroes of past times, marching with an increasing insistence on defeating the enemy and gaining honour and glory for their country.However, the shockingly savage nature of the opening weeks shattered these beliefs, as in the wake of artillery barrages, machine guns fire and poison gas, honour, glory and the acts of the individual lost all meanings. Instead of a quick and easy war promised by the politicians, the lost generation of Europe found themselves waiting to be killed by faceless enemies as they crouched miserably in muddy, rat infested holes. We will write a custom essay sample on The First World War: Memories or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Death hovered them day and night, and they were surrounded by the horrors of the air raids and missiles as they are crouching in their trenches without any hope. â€Å"There is nothing in all this inferno but mud and thunder†.Owen wrote to his mother describing their suffering in the trenches of the front lines. British trenches, â€Å"dug where the water tables were highest, were always wet and frequently filled with several feet of water contaminated by feces, urine, and rats so that a soldier was continually wading in filth.† The air, too, had a swampy, diseased quality. â€Å"You could smell the front line miles before you could see it,† Paul Fussell writes, explaining that besides the rats and the human refuse, the â€Å"stench of rotten flesh was over everything.† Corpses of rats, horses, and men might stay unburied and rotting for months. The narrow trenches offered no escape from any of these horrors. Even the sky above, so often a metaphor of freedom and beauty, offered no release from these horrors, but, on the contrary, symbolizes death from above for the soldiers. Enemy’s bombs could arrive anywhere at any time. â€Å"Heaven† Owen writes, rather than a symbol of hope, became merely â€Å"the highway for a shell.†

Art, Drama, Music and Elements of Play Essays

Art, Drama, Music and Elements of Play Essays Art, Drama, Music and Elements of Play Essay Art, Drama, Music and Elements of Play Essay Art is of import. Even as grownups, we do bask prosecuting in different signifier of humanistic disciplines. The art has been associated with private leisure experience, separated from the chief concern of life. The humanistic disciplines are of course playful nevertheless we should non tie in it as unrealistic or deficiency of earnestness ( Swanwick, 1988 ) . Playing is portion of acquisition and humanistic disciplines can assist kids boom personally and emotionally ( Swanwick, 1988 ) . The humanistic disciplines are complementary portion of a wide instruction ; the humanistic disciplines when taught good can assist raise attainment in other countries as they are closely entwined with other larning countries ( Humanistic disciplines in Schools Project, 1990 ) . Drama comes of course to immature kids and they are frequently prosecuting in make-believe drama. Children dramatic experience should be supported in school with activities that develop the kid s ability to utilize his or her imaginativeness, organic structure and voice. Drama allows kindergartners to show themselves freely and interact with others. Some dramatic activities in which have been conducted in category since the taught faculty was drama games and role-play. The activities conducted were the Jungle game ( similar to fruit salad ) and freeze game . Through the activities, the kids were encouraged to research the restrictions and the possibilities of motion inside a given infinite. The kids learnt to portion infinite with others and how to associate to others playful manner. They explored how infinite, and people or objects in infinite, can hold symbolic and dramatic significances ( Winston and Tandy, 2009 ) . During the period of clip, we were working on the subject of animate beings, therefore I made usage of some of the games taught during the faculty and modified a small. The kids were from the age scope 4 to 6 old ages old. There were two new kids who were in the category for less than a month. They were Chinese exile and did non understand English. One kid was more diffident and withdrawn. He normally merely interacts with the other kid who was besides from China. However during the activity, all the kids were seen prosecuting in the activity. At first during Jungle game the kids were given new function which are different types of animate beings in the jungle. They had to swopped topographic points when their animate beings were called ; when huntsman is called out, everyone had to trade topographic points. In the procedure, some kids were seen strike harding into each other and most merely went to the few seats off from them. However, after a few unit of ammunitions with the ga me, they were able to research the possible motion inside the specified topographic point. The kids were able to research and portion the infinite without strike harding into each other. Even the two China male childs were able to prosecute in the activity and pretended to be the animate beings by copying their motions as they move in the circle. As for the freezing game, the kids pretended to be animate beings traveling in the jungle, avoiding to be caught by the huntsman. It was surprised that the kids imitated the sounds of the animate beings as they moved when it was non told to them that they had to. It was astonishing how dramatic games can take kids into different universe demoing their different side and creativeness. Another activity conducted was interview of the character in the narrative. During that period we were working on the subject of animate beings, therefore I made usage of the narrative The forest kid and pretended to be the huntsman. The kids were truly involved in the activity and took bends to inquire inquiries. That was the first clip that we engaged in this sort of activity therefore the kids were excited and eager to inquire inquiries. After several inquiries, I was surprised that the male childs from China really put up their custodies and asked inquiry: Why you so angry . I did non believe that they could understand the activity we were prosecuting in, non to even state ask inquiry utilizing English linguistic communication, which was a foreign linguistic communication to them. Through this activity, the kids could come in into the universe of the narrative and seek to happen solutions. As the kids are familiarised with the activity, they took bends to be the huntsman. Through the activities, the kids learnt to take bends by esteeming other s part, develop spacial consciousness, and explore ain organic structure possibilities through imitating of different characters. Minimal props were used during the activities to promote more imaginativeness. Through inventive drama, kids are experimenting with and larning how to pull off the nucleus elements of play, those of clip, infinite, people, action objects and capable affair ( Winston and Tandy, 2009 ) . Drama is a great manner in supplying kids the chances to larn about themselves and others. It encourages interaction with each other and learn about organic structure and spacial consciousness. During play, kids are besides encouraged to believe otherwise. During role-play, they can go others, heightening the creativeness, and promoting them to believe about what certain people might believe, state, or do in a given state of affairs. It allows kids to conceal behind a mask and to be different. Music Music is a manner of cognizing the life of feeling ( Langer as cited in Swanwick, 1988 ) . In our preschool scene, we did non hold much opportunity for musical activity during lesson clip. It was normally during enrichment programmes which several kids will travel for their music lessons. During the faculty, many merriment and meaningful activities were taught which could be implemented into the preschool scene. The activity that was conducted with the kids was doing music through musical instruments. I made used of the activities planned with my group during the faculty presentation, which was sing the narrative of Large Aluminum . The kids were provided with musical instruments such as bells, tambourine, cymbal, maracas, membranophone, trigon and some other traditional musical instruments that were made of bamboos. The kids were given the chances to take and play the instruments harmonizing to different emotions and scenarios of the narrative. Music was combined with play work in this instance. One-half of the kids in the category acted out the narrative while the others created effects for the dramatization utilizing the instruments. The kids had to conceive of that they were in the narrative. Harmonizing to Swanwick ( 1988 ) , immature kids bask really loud and really soft sounds and are fascinated by tone and timber and they can get down to see music as expressive. It can be observed during the activity. The kids enjoyed researching the volume of sound produced from musical instrument. When it was exciting state of affairs, they played the music fast and loud, and soft when sad. They were able to find the velocity of music by playing the assorted musical instruments. The kids were able to make different look utilizing music. During the activity, two older male childs were observed to be taking the group in the alteration of the music. Working in cross-age groups enables younger kids to detect and larn from more experient scholars, while the chance to scaffold the acquisition of younger kids enables the older kids to clear up their thought ( Duffy, 1998, p.116 ) . Harmonizing to Duffy ( 1998 ) , kids need sufficient topographic point to work and easy accessible resources if they are to do the best usage of originative and inventive experiences. Thus pedagogues should supply more experience for art activities even when exterior of lessons. After the faculty, I tried the method of giving the kids freedom of entering. Recorder was introduced to the kids and it was placed in the music corner in the schoolroom. After a hebdomad, to my surprised, I heard the voices of the two male childs from China with a few other kids from the recording. At first they said their name and begun humming some unfamiliar music ( likely self-composed ) with accompany of the musical instruments. When they sang louder, the music became louder excessively. This showed that they could do usage of the pacing and kineticss harmonizing to the different emotions. There was look in the music formed. Through the activities, the kids could develop musical consciousness and accomp lishments in footings of pacing and kineticss. Elementss of drama Harmonizing to Swanwick ( 1998 ) , the three elements of drama important to larning through humanistic disciplines are mastery, imitation and inventive drama. All these three elements were apparent during the execution of the activities. For command, the kids were able to larn to work with others to do dramatic significance and control of the musical instruments, maintaining consistent beat. For imitation, the kids were able to cover with the expressive nature of the art signifier. They were able to do musical sounds that suggest different scenarios. Last for inventive drama, the kids could experiment with musical instruments until it suggest the appropriate scenario. The kids were besides seen experimenting with different motion during dramatic drama. Practice motivates kids as pattern Teachs them how to concentrate which in bends leads them to appreciate and bask the beauty of art they are larning and the pleasances of bring forthing work of quality ( Winston, 2010, p.77 ) . If we wish kids to be originative, we should guarantee that all kids feel valued and accepted ; therefore kids will experience secure to take hazards or do errors ( Duffy, 1998 ) . That was evident in the instance of the two Chinese male childs who were at first withdrawn from the group and easy got into the activities, prosecuting with the others. Decision As kids grow, it seems that much of the school twenty-four hours is taken up by nucleus topics ; creativeness and imaginativeness are frequently treated as extra or luxury. Thus it is the function of the pedagogues in assisting to guarantee that the kids have chances to prosecute in originative and inventive experience ( Duffy, 1998 ) . A cross-curricular attack allows us to pull on the entreaty ad potency of originative experiences to promote acquisition and development in all countries of the course of study. Children should be active participants in their acquisition. With appropriate planning, we can link art with many other countries of the course of study. This can supply valuable chances to put larning in existent life experience by doing narratives and populating through them, instead than hearing them told by the instructor. Humanistic disciplines provide originative release for kids ; kids will hold fun while they are learn, heightening a womb-to-tomb desire for acquisition.

Guide and Examples for Writing a Sociology Abstract

Guide and Examples for Writing a Sociology Abstract If you are a student learning sociology, chances are you will be asked to write an abstract. Sometimes, your teacher or professor may ask you to write an abstract at the beginning of the research process to help you organize your ideas for the research. Other times, the organizers of a conference or editors of an academic journal or book will ask you to write one to serve as a summary of research you have completed and that you intend to share. Lets review exactly what an abstract is and the five steps you need to follow in order to write one. Definition Within sociology, as with other sciences, an abstract is a brief and concise description of a research project that is typically in the range of 200 to 300 words. Sometimes you may be asked to write an abstract at the beginning of a research project and other times, you will be asked to do so after the research is completed. In any case, the abstract serves, in effect, as a sales pitch for your research. Its goal is to pique the interest of the reader such that he or she continues to read the research report that follows the abstract or decides to attend a research presentation you will give about the research. For this reason, an abstract should be written in clear and descriptive language and should avoid the use of acronyms and jargon. Types Depending on at what stage in the research process you write your abstract, it will fall into one of two categories: descriptive or informative. Those written before the research is completed will be descriptive in nature. Descriptive abstracts provide an overview of the purpose, goals, and proposed methods of your study, but do not include discussion of the results or conclusions you might draw from them. Informative abstracts are super-condensed versions of a research paper that provide an overview of the motivations for the research, problem(s) it addresses, approach and methods, the results of the research, and your conclusions and implications of the research. Preparing to Write Before you write an  abstract there are a few important steps you should complete. First, if you are writing an informative abstract, you should write the full research report. It may be tempting to start by writing the abstract because it is short, but in reality, you cant write it until you the report is complete because the abstract should be a condensed version of it. If youve yet to write the report, you probably have not yet completed analyzing your data or thinking through the conclusions and implications. You cant write a research abstract until youve done these things. Another important consideration is the length of the abstract. Whether you are submitting it for publication, to a conference, or to a teacher or professor for a class, you will have been given guidance on how many words the abstract can be. Know your word limit in advance and stick to it. Finally, consider the audience for your abstract. In most cases, people you have never met will read your abstract. Some of them may not have the same expertise in sociology that you have, so its important that you write your abstract in clear language and without jargon. Remember that your abstract is, in effect, a sales pitch for your research, and you want it to make people want to learn more. Step-by-Step Guide Motivation. Begin your abstract by describing what motivated you to conduct the research. Ask yourself what made you pick this topic. Is there a particular social trend or  phenomenon that sparked your interest in doing the project? Was there a gap in existing research that you sought to fill by conducting your own? Was there something, in particular, you set out to prove? Consider these questions and begin your abstract by briefly stating, in one or two sentences, the answers to them.Problem. Next, describe the problem or question to which your research seeks to provide an answer or better understanding. Be specific and explain if this is a general problem or a specific one affecting only certain regions or sections of the population. You should finish describing the problem by stating your hypothesis, or what you expect to find after conducting your research.Approach and methods. Following your description of the problem, you must next explain how your research approaches it, in terms of theoretical framing or general perspective, and which research methods you will use to do the research. Remember, this should be brief, jargon-free, and concise. Results. Next, describe in one or two sentences the results of your research. If you completed a complex research project that led to several results that you discuss in the report, highlight only the most significant or noteworthy in the abstract. You should state whether or not you were able to answer your research questions, and if surprising results were found too. If, as in some cases, your results did not adequately answer your question(s), you should report that as well.Conclusions. Finish your abstract by briefly stating what conclusions you draw from the results and what implications they might hold. Consider whether there are implications for the practices and policies of organizations and/or government bodies that are connected to your research, and whether your results suggest that further research should be done, and why. You should also point out whether the results of your research are generally and/or broadly applicable or whether they are descriptive in nature and fo cused on a particular case or limited population. Example Lets take as an example the abstract that serves as the teaser for a journal article by sociologist Dr. David Pedulla. The article in question, published in American Sociological Review,  is a report on how taking a job below ones skill level or doing part-time work can hurt a persons future career prospects in their chosen field or profession.  The abstract is annotated with bolded numbers that show the steps in the process outlined above. 1. Millions of workers are employed in positions that deviate from the full-time, standard employment relationship or work in jobs that are mismatched with their skills, education, or experience. 2. Yet, little is known about how employers evaluate workers who have experienced these employment arrangements, limiting our knowledge about how part-time work, temporary agency employment, and skills underutilization affect workers labor market opportunities. 3. Drawing on original field and survey experiment data, I examine three questions: (1) What are the consequences of having a nonstandard or mismatched employment history for workers labor market opportunities? (2) Are the effects of nonstandard or mismatched employment histories different for men and women? and (3) What are the mechanisms linking nonstandard or mismatched employment histories to labor market outcomes? 4. The field experiment shows that skills underutilization is as scarring for workers as a year of unemployment, but that there are limited penalties for workers with histories of temporary agency employment. Additionally, although men are penalized for part-time employment histories, women face no penalty for part-time work. The survey experiment reveals that employers perceptions of workers competence and commitment mediate these effects. 5. These findings shed light on the consequences of changing employment relations for the distribution of labor market opportunities in the new economy. Its really that simple.

Global corporate marketing strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global corporate marketing strategies - Essay Example RBS has taken this formidable step as many international banks are focusing on Chinese security market for growth. RBS’ is entering the Chinese banking sector with a vision to bring European, US and British companies to China, and allow the investors to gain access to equities and debt of the foreign companies (ICFAI. 2011). China’s entry into World Trade Organization (WTO) in the year 2001 has raised the entry barrier of the overseas investors leading to a flow of investment in the securities and financial market of the country. The banks in China have to operate using the global operating standard in terms of accounting and corporate governance reforms. The large commercial banks like RBS need to follow an increased disclosure requirement in the auditing standard in order to be able to list in public. Recently, riots in China have created an unstable political condition. This has led to foreign companies becoming apprehensive about investing. However, strict measures have been adopted by Chinese Government to restore a safe environment for the investors in the country. The Chinese economy which was reformed and was transformed into a market oriented one since 1978. This economic reform has helped in promoting an environment which has positively affected the individual initiatives and entrepreneurship. The economic condition of China has reduced poverty and has boosted the per capita income of the people to the highest level (Kuijs, 2012). In 2010 China was ranked as the country having second largest economy in the world. For the past 26 years the average economic growth has been sustained at the rate of 9.5% indicating the economy of the country is on rise (Davila, n.d.). The higher economic growth and the national income reflect the feasibility which RBS is seeking in the country for expansion. The country’s present banking industry is worth 14 thousand billion in assets. The following graphs show the GDP growth in China and how the

Student action plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Student action plan - Essay Example d kind of living that is dedicated towards a reduction on the use and exploitation of the natural resources as well as personal resources in order to save them (Fiksel 5330). There are many importances of sustainability and to an individual and the community; it guarantees a clean and healthy environment. One of the goals of sustainability is reduction of pollution by using recyclable resources so that they can be absorbed back into nature. When inorganic materials are used especially in industries, the by-products from manufacturing accumulate in rivers, soils and air. Accumulation of these materials that are not biodegradable leads to pollution of the environment which causes health problems. On a large scale, sustainability is important to a nation in terms of production and feeding its population in that it enables governments to continue sustaining its citizens. In the long run, future generations will be able to access these same natural resources which have been recycled (5331). My educational and professional goals revolve around understanding the basic principles of environmental sustainability which is important for life sustenance on earth. In this regards, the ecosystem knowledge learned in this class is important for application in my environmental career in future. Take for instance the design and successful implementation of sustainable systems is predicated upon the knowledge on how ecosystems work for continuity purposes. It would be my pleasure to study the nature in future so that I can fully understand how it responds to changes of anthropological impacts within it (Fiksel 5333). Minimization of anthropological impacts on the natural ecosystem and organisms living within it entails living a sustainable lifestyle. A sustainable lifestyle advocates for a conservative approach to the use of natural and personal resources. By living such a lifestyle, the self ceases to be important and much attention is given to our surroundings in terms of both

Telecom Call Center Research Technology Essay Example for Free

Telecom Call Center Research Technology Essay According to Malhotra (2004: 5-6) interview is defined as an unstructured, direct personal interview to uncover the underlying motivation, beliefs, attitudes and feelings on a topic. Thus if interviews are used in this case the gains will be; quick response from respondents, permits interviewer to delve deep into the topic, there is allowance to discuss confidential, sensitive even embarrassing issues concerning the topic, and good understanding of complicated behavior (consumer behavior). Interviews have also there following limitations; there costly, analysis of real time data is difficult to interpret, respondents bias like personal opinion concerning matter at hand, its generally time consuming. Survey; entail a structured questionnaire given to sample population and designed to elicit specific information from respondents. Three methods exist in survey; i. Telephone interview- involves calling a sample of respondents and asking them a series of questions. ii. Personal interviewing- can be through face to face, mall intercepted, computer assisted interview. iii. Mail interview – questionnaire is mailed to pre selected potential respondents. Through survey: data collection is simpler through administration of questionnaires, data reliability as responses are limited to the alternatives stated, analysis, coding and interpretation is relatively simpler. Its shortcomings include; respondents unwilling to provide desired information, none response to sensitive or personal questions, failure to capture certain types of data as beliefs and attitude due to fixed response alternatives. According to Zbikowski,(2007): there are five KPI`s that determine the performance of a call center and they are; cost per call, customer satisfaction, first contact resolution rate, agent utilization and aggregate call center performance. Thus in a call center, the most effective cost metric is cost per contact, and the best indicator of quality is customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is affected by a whole range of other performance variables, including Average Speed of Answer (ASA), Call Quality, and Handle Time, but the single biggest driver of customer satisfaction, by far, is, first contact resolution rate. The KPI`s are effective as they handle customer needs from the time they make first contact to the call center to during the conversation and all the process that lead up to them ending the call. Research design – is a plan according to which research participants are chosen, information collected and data analysis and interpretation done. (Kotler et . al, 2006: 100-105). This case the appropriate design to be used is descriptive study and both qualitative and quantitative approach. According to Malhotra et al (1996: 10-12), a descriptive study has its objective as a description of something in regards to who, what, where and how of a phenomenon which is the concern of the current study. The researcher should use survey method (questionnaires) to collect information from the respondents which will be recorded and findings reported. (Kotler et . al, 1999:20-25) explains that interviews are a technique that is primarily used to gain an understanding of the underlying reasons and motivations for people’s attitudes, preferences or behaviors. He further explains that they are good in that; are completed and immediate, use recording equipment, good response rate, possible in-depth questions, can investigate motives and feelings among others. These qualities of interviews facilitate the accurate collection of needed data as interviewee is on the spotlight thus tendency to relay accurate information. The main limitation of descriptive study is that you cannot identify the cause behind a phenomenon; you can just describe and report the observation. Informal Questions The following sets of questions are to be responded to by a manager of a call center. 1) Are call centers profitable to organizations? This is to establish if call centers are really needed. 2) What are the challenges of running call centers? To get the feel of the every day hustles at the call centers. 3) Are there any frequently asked questions from the customers? To identify if they keep a database of constantly asked questions (record keeping). 4) Is industry competitive? Establish if center is analyses there markets for factors that can affect there profitability 5) What is the level of innovation in the industry? To find out if the centers are constantly looking for better technologies to serve their customers. 6) What is level of regulation from concerned ministries? To establish if there set minimum threshold by the government they are required to abide by. Data Collection Mugenda (1999: 46-58) there exits two broad types of data collection methods; primary and secondary data. Where possible, data should be collected from several sources to crosscheck for errors. Primary data is data originated by the researcher for the purpose of research problem, this could be through; observation, focus groups, depth interview and survey methods. Secondary data is the type collected for other purposes other than the problem at hand. Secondary Data- can be further divided into external and internal data. Internal data is data available within the organization for which research is being conducted. In this case any information gathered from visit of one or numerous call centers is classified internal data. External data is data that originates from sources outside the organization, like from journals, books, newspapers, reports, magazines periodicals. For our case external sources form the backbone of all the data which translates into information regarding this research problem. Data Sampling Malhotra (2004: 20-33) data sampling is a definite plan for obtaining facts from a given population, its normally done so as to reduce number of subjects to be studied. Sampling method can either be probability based or non probability based. Probability based is a random sampling technique where every item of the population has an equal chance of inclusion in sample. Under probability based the researcher can use cluster sampling because it’s used when impossible to obtain a sampling frame because population is either too big or scattered over a large geographical area like collection of data from numerous call centers. Non probability is a method where the chance of selecting a population element is unknown. Under non probability researcher can use purposive sampling because it allows researcher to use cases that have required information with respect to the research problem, or snowball sampling where identified subjects with the desired characteristics help name others that they know have the required characteristics until researcher gets the number of cases he/she wants. Surveys Interviews Orodho (2000:15-18) explains that the choice of method is influenced by the data collection strategy, the type of variable, the accuracy required, the collection point and the skill of the enumerator. Call centers data is constantly changing and thus data collection should be conducted at sufficient intervals. Malhotra (2004: 6-7) For interviews the use of depth interviews will be appropriate which is an unstructured direct, personal interview in which a single respondent is probed by an interviewer to uncover underlying motivation, beliefs, attitudes and feelings on a topic. The use of structured questionnaires assist to collect some other data that interviews could not collect, thus avoidance of redundancy and errors. Research is basically collection of as much relevant raw data as possible and analysis of it to information. Mostly the upside is the personal gain in knowledge; discover findings/statistics, personal/societal recognition and some financial gain. The downside can be possession of information that can be a security risk, financial constrains and time management issues. Research therefore only lays down the facts; the interpretation should on individual basis, â€Å"like the recent study that shows persons are highly likely to contact diseases when taking a shower due to accumulation of micro organisms together with rust at the head of the shower†. (Harriet Copper: February, 2006) References: Donald, K. , and Delno, L. , (2006), Proposal and Thesis writing, Paulines Publications Africa, Nairobi, pp 156-158. Einwiller, S. and Will, M. (2002), â€Å"Towards an integrated approach to corporate branding – an empirical study†, Corporate Communications, Vol. 7 No. 2, p. 100. Kotler, P. , Armstrong, G. , (2002, Principles of marketing, 11th ed. , Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle river. Kotler, P. , Armstrong, G. , Saunders, J. and Wong, V. (1999), Principles of Marketing, 2nd ed. , Prentice Hall, Harlow. Leonard, B. , Parasuraman, A. , and Zeithmal, V. (1993), â€Å"Ten lessons of improving service quality,† MSI report, Cambridge marketing science institute. Malhotra, (1996), Research Methodology, Phoenix Publications, Africa Nairobi. Margulies, W. (1977). Make the most of your Corporate Identity. Harvard Business Review, pp 66-77. Mugenda, O. , and Mugenda, A. , (1999), Research methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, Acts press, Nairobi. Orodho, John Aluko (2000), Elements of Research Methods, Masola Publishers, Nairobi Kenya. www. cwu. edu/~jefferis www. callcentermagazine. com www. call-center-metrics. com www. metricnet. com www. alive. com

Contemporary Hand Papermaking in North America and Europe

Contemporary Hand Papermaking in North America and Europe The practice of making paper by hand draws forth past centuries in a single sheet of tangled fibers. At the same time, the advances of both contemporary hand papermakers and modern technology have merged this tradition with innovation to create paper of unsurpassed beauty and quality. Despite the speed and economic advantages of machine-made paper, traditional handmade paper grasps its hold on the modern world, and mills across North America and Western Europe have re-emerged to produce fine handmade papers for artists, bookmakers, and conservators who seek the highest level of durability, permanence, and aesthetics. Hand papermaking in the Western world fell into decline with the invention and rapid expansion of papermaking machines in the nineteenth century. By 1828, machines were capable of producing paper thirty inches wide at a rate of sixty feet per minute (Hunter 355). By comparison, a typical handmade paper mill could produce only two to five reams per day (Turner 43). In addition to the increase in speed and volume, papermaking machines promised the advantage of larger sheets with better, more consistent formation (Turner 114). Although papermaking machines offered the potential for a better paper, many tangential factors of industrial papermaking led to an overall inferior product. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, demand for papermaking materials like rags already outpaced supplies as a result of the steady increase of printing following the invention of movable type and a rise in literacy rates and leisure (Turner and Skià ¶ld 97). The speed and efficiency of the papermaking machine only served to accentuate this shortage of materials... ...oup Annual 12 (1993): 61-65. New York Central. Fine Art Papers. Catalog. New York, 2003. Ruscombe Paper Mill Home Page. 1 Oct. 2004 . Turner, Silvie. The Book of Fine Paper: A Worldwide Guide to Contemporary Papers for Art, Design and Decoration. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1998. Turner, Silvie, and Birgit Skià ¶ld. Handmade Paper Today: A Worldwide Survey of Mill, Papers, Techniques and Uses. London: Lund Humphries, 1983. Twinrocker Handmade Paper Home Page. 1 Oct. 2004 . Vander Weele, Linda Sholund. The Revitalization of Handmade Paper in North America. Madison, 1975. Wootton, Mary, Jesse Munn, and Terry Wallis. â€Å"Observations Concerning the Characteristics of Handmade Paper: The Library of Congress Endpaper Project.† The Book and Paper Group Annual 15 (1996): 179-197. Contemporary Hand Papermaking in North America and Europe Contemporary Hand Papermaking in North America and Europe The practice of making paper by hand draws forth past centuries in a single sheet of tangled fibers. At the same time, the advances of both contemporary hand papermakers and modern technology have merged this tradition with innovation to create paper of unsurpassed beauty and quality. Despite the speed and economic advantages of machine-made paper, traditional handmade paper grasps its hold on the modern world, and mills across North America and Western Europe have re-emerged to produce fine handmade papers for artists, bookmakers, and conservators who seek the highest level of durability, permanence, and aesthetics. Hand papermaking in the Western world fell into decline with the invention and rapid expansion of papermaking machines in the nineteenth century. By 1828, machines were capable of producing paper thirty inches wide at a rate of sixty feet per minute (Hunter 355). By comparison, a typical handmade paper mill could produce only two to five reams per day (Turner 43). In addition to the increase in speed and volume, papermaking machines promised the advantage of larger sheets with better, more consistent formation (Turner 114). Although papermaking machines offered the potential for a better paper, many tangential factors of industrial papermaking led to an overall inferior product. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, demand for papermaking materials like rags already outpaced supplies as a result of the steady increase of printing following the invention of movable type and a rise in literacy rates and leisure (Turner and Skià ¶ld 97). The speed and efficiency of the papermaking machine only served to accentuate this shortage of materials... ...oup Annual 12 (1993): 61-65. New York Central. Fine Art Papers. Catalog. New York, 2003. Ruscombe Paper Mill Home Page. 1 Oct. 2004 . Turner, Silvie. The Book of Fine Paper: A Worldwide Guide to Contemporary Papers for Art, Design and Decoration. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1998. Turner, Silvie, and Birgit Skià ¶ld. Handmade Paper Today: A Worldwide Survey of Mill, Papers, Techniques and Uses. London: Lund Humphries, 1983. Twinrocker Handmade Paper Home Page. 1 Oct. 2004 . Vander Weele, Linda Sholund. The Revitalization of Handmade Paper in North America. Madison, 1975. Wootton, Mary, Jesse Munn, and Terry Wallis. â€Å"Observations Concerning the Characteristics of Handmade Paper: The Library of Congress Endpaper Project.† The Book and Paper Group Annual 15 (1996): 179-197.

A unique Training Program at UPS

Mark Colvard, a United Parcel Manager in San Ramon, California, recently faced a difficult decision. One of his drivers asked for 2 week off to help an ailing family member.But company rules said this driver wasn’t eligible. If Colvard went by the book, the driver would probably take the days off anyway and be fired. On the other hand, Colvard chose to give the driver the time off. Although he took some heat for the decision, he also kept a valuable employee.Had Colvard been faced with this decision 6 months earlier, he says he would have gone the other way. What changed his thinking was a month he spent living in McAllen, Texas. It was part of a UPS management training experience called the Community Internship Program (CIP). During his month in McAllen, Colvard built housing for the poor, collected clothing for the Salvation Army, and worked in a drug rehab Center.Colvard gives the program credit for helping him empathize with employees facing crises back home. And he says t hat CIP has made him a better manager. â€Å"My goal was to make the numbers, and in some cases that meant not looking at the individual but looking at the bottom line. After that one month stay, I Immediately started reaching out to people in a different way.†CIP was established by UPS in the late 1960s to help open the eyes of the company’s predominantly white managers to the poverty and inequality in many cities. Today, the program takes 50 of the company’s most promising executives each summer and brings them to cities around the country.There they deal with a variety of problems from transportation to housing, education, and health care. The company’s goal is to awaken these managers to the challenges that many of their employees face, bridging the cultural divide that separates a white manager from an African American driver or an upper-income suburbanite from a worker raised in the rural South.1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Do you think individuals can lea rn empathy from something like a 1-month CIP experience? Explain why or why not.2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   How could UPS’s CIP help the organization better manage work life conflicts?3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   How could UPS’s CIP help the Organization improve its response to diversity?4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What negatives, if any can you envision resulting from CIP?5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   UPS has 2,400 managers. CIP includes only 50 each year. How can the program make a difference if it include only 2 percent of all managers? Does this suggest that the program is more public relations than management training?6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   How can UPS justify the cost of a program like CIP if competitors like FedEx, DHL, and the U.S. Postal Service don’t offer such programs? Does the program increase costs or reduce UPS profits?   

Buyer Power of Coffee Industry Essay

Buyer bargaining power refers to the pressure consumers can place on the industry, influencing companies to provide better products, service, and lower prices. One determinant of bargaining power is the number of buyer available. For the US coffee and snack industry, the large number of buyers is a big advantage. According to National Coffee Association, 54% of American adults drink coffee. Another key driver that gives buyers leverage is if they can do without the product for long durations. If so, the seller incurs losses when customers discontinue use of the product over long periods. However, coffee drinkers are high frequency buyers, purchasing the drink multiple times throughout the week, if not more often. To these people, coffee has become an integral part of their everyday lives. Because they cannot do without coffee, coffee shops can depend on repeat customers. Switching costs are another element to consider when gauging buyer bargaining. If switching costs are high, buyers are least likely to change over to a competing product. Unfortunately for the US coffee and snack industries, there are absolutely zero costs associated with changing to a different product. Similarly, no cost is incurring when switching to another company. Thus, this makes coffee shops have to constantly improve their product lines, drive down costs, improve service, and other aspects to keep customers choosing their shops over someone else’s. The buyer’s per capita consumption also players a role in determining attractiveness of an industry. During recessions, disposable income generally becomes lower and spending of consumption is cut. When consumer spending is lower, people are less likely to spend on snacks and coffee. Overall, due to the high number of users and the high volume of purchases, from the buyer perspective the coffee and snack industry can be considered attractive.

Pro Forma Definition - Economics

Pro Forma Definition - Economics Pro forma, originates as a Latin phrase which, literally translated, means something like for the sake of form. It is often used for specific purposes in economics and finance.   Our Ambivalence About the Phrase in Finance The briefest perusal of some dictionary definitions begins to express our ambivalence about the use of the term in economics and especially in finance. Some online dictionaries give relatively neutral definitions that adhere closely to the phrases Latin origins, such as according to form, as a matter of form, and for the sake of form. Other dictionary definitions begin to express more complex assessments of the meaning of the phrase, Merriam-Websters, for example: done or existing as something that is usual or required but that has little true meaning or importance  (emphasis added). Its not a far reach from little true meaning to not meaningful at all and potentially deceptive. Legitimate Instances of Pro Forma In reality, the greater number of uses of pro forma documents in finance are not deceptive at all; they serve a valuable purpose.  One such use, one that occurs frequently, has to do with financial statements. In most circumstances, a financial statement  reflects reality. In some circumstances, a financial statement that does not do so could be considered (in ascending order of wrongness): valueless, misleading or evidence of criminal misrepresentation. But a pro forma financial statement is (usually) a legitimate exception to that rule. Instead of answering the question What is the state of the balance sheet? or how much money did the enterprise earn in a given time period, a question answered by the income  statement, a pro forma balance sheet and income statement answers the question What would happen if...? Heres a good example: The corporation has earnings for the past year of $10M, with expenses of $7.5M. These are figures you might find in the income statement. But, executives wonder, what would be the effect of introducing a new product line (which would sharply ramp up expenses)? You would expect that in the shortest term, before the revenues from the new product line were realized, that profits would diminish considerably and that  revenues would go up very little. Youd also expect that over time the additional revenue from the new product line would more than pay for the increased expenses, and that the business would be more profitable. But, is that really true? At the point of youd expect... this is just a guess. How can you know, if not for sure, but at least with some   increased confidence that increased profitability will result?  Thats where pro forma financial documents come into play. A pro forma set of financial documents will refer to past performance as a guide to project would would likely happen in the future if we make a similar introduction. It answers the question What if...   When the company introduced a past product, the MicroWidget, operating costs rose X percent in the following three quarters, but in the fourth quarter increased revenue from the MicroWidget more than made up for the increased operating cost expense and net profit actually rose 14 percent year over year.   The pro forma balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flows show what might happen if a new MacroWidget product is introduced, based on the data available. Pro Forma Statements vs. Certainty Note that a pro forma financial statement does not express certainty. It expresses what, with the data available, business leadership and accountancy professionals believe  is likely to happen. Often it does, and sometimes it does not. Nevertheless, pro forma statements serve a valuable purpose by introducing data that supports (or does not support) the original intuition that, for example, adding a MacroWidget to the product line is a good idea. It does so by quantifying the probable results based on past performance. The pro forma balance sheets, income statements  and, importantly, statements of cash flows give business executives a better idea of what will happen if.... The Downside of Pro Forma Statements The general intent of pro forma financial statements, to answer the question what will happen if... can be abused. In the notorious Enron collapse,  pro forma statements played an important part. Arthur Andersen Enrons auditors, it became clear in retrospect, were too close to the company to deliver reliable financial statements to financial markets. This was particularly true of the pro forma statements that projected a rosy future for Enron and purportedly were based on reasonable assumptions.    They utterly failed to predict what became instead a total collapse that sent Enron executives  to jail, ended the Arthur Andersen company and culminated in a prolonged and messy Enron bankruptcy in which stockholders and others lost hundreds of millions of dollars. Absent criminal intent, data that already exist are reliably what they propose. Data that are projections based on assumptions which is the essence of a pro forma statement are inevitably and categorically more subjective. In short, they are useful financial tools that are particularly easy to abuse. You shouldnt avoid using them, but you need to exercise caution. Books on Pro Forma Profits You Can Trust: Spotting and Surviving Accounting LandminesHow Companies Lie: Why Enron Is Just the Tip of the IcebergThe Valuation of Technology: Business and Financial Issues in RD Journal Articles on Pro Forma Assessing the relative informativeness and permanence of pro forma earnings and GAAP operating earningsThe Predictive Value of Expenses Excluded from Pro Forma EarningsAre Investors Misled by Pro Forma Earnings?

How to Say Thank You in Japanese by Using Arigatou

How to Say 'Thank You' in Japanese by Using 'Arigatou' If you are in Japan, you will probably hear the word arigatou (㠁‚り㠁Å'㠁 ¨Ã£ â€ ) used on a regular basis. It is an informal way of saying thank you. But it can also be used in conjunction with other words to say thank you in Japanese in more formal settings, such as an office or a shop or anywhere where manners matter. Common Ways of SayingThank You There are two common ways of saying thank you formally: arigatou gozaimasu and arigatou gozaimashita. You would use the first phrase in a setting like an office when addressing a social superior. For example, if your boss brings you a cup of coffee or offers praise for a presentation you gave, youd thank her by saying, arigatou  gozaimasu. Written out, it looks like this:  Ã£ â€šÃ£â€šÅ Ã£ Å'㠁 ¨Ã£ â€ Ã£ â€Ã£ â€"㠁„㠁 ¾Ã£ â„¢. You can also use this phrase in less formal settings as a more general expression of thanks, either for something someone has done or will do for you.    The second phrase is used to thank someone for a service, transaction, or something that someone has done for you. For example, after a clerk has wrapped and bagged your purchase, you would thank him by saying arigatou  gozaimashita. Written out, it looks like this: 㠁‚り㠁Å'㠁 ¨Ã£ â€ Ã£ â€Ã£ â€"㠁„㠁 ¾Ã£ â€"㠁Ÿ. Grammatically, the difference between the two phrases is in the tense. In Japanese, the past tense is indicated by adding mashita to the end of a verb. For example, ikimasu (è ¡Å'㠁 Ã£  ¾Ã£ â„¢ ) is the present tense of the verb to go, while ikimashita (è ¡Å'㠁 Ã£  ¾Ã£ â€"㠁Ÿ) is the past tense.

International Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

International Business - Research Paper Example The interviewer should not mind not being entertained with a hand-shake from a Saudi official of the opposite sex, and ideally, not offer a hand-shake to a Saudi official of the opposite sex in the first place. Gift-giving is not a norm though something small as a gift is recommendable. Saudi men do not like being gifted flowers, as they are deemed suitable for gifting to women. One should refrain from offering alcohol to Saudi officials unless one is sure that they partake. Saudi officials do not open gifts in front of the giver. When invited for an interview, it is more recommendable to arrange a nice Arabian feast rather than a gift. Suitable places for socialization with Saudis are international hotels and restaurants. Saudis choose restaurants and hotels for interviews particularly with expatriates that are unfamiliar to them. Once association is developed with them, Saudis may offer an invitation of a visit to their homes. However, an international hotel is never a wrong choice while selecting location for interview with Saudi officials. If an interview is arranged at the home of a Saudi official, the interviewer is expected to remove the shoes at the entrance and he/she should be dressed conservatively. While Saudi officials appreciate punctuality, being a little late does not jeopardize the interview. Elder Saudi officials expect to be greeted first. It is recommendable for the interviewer to accept the offer of dates and Arabian coffee by the interviewee even if the interviewer normally does not drink coffee. If invited for a meal, the interviewer should expect a lot of socializing and discussion before the meal is actually served. However, there is very little, if any, talking during eating. Although many Saudi officials serve the meal on a dining table, yet the interviewer should not be surprised if the meal is placed on a sheet laid on the floor. In such a setting, the interviewer should either kneel on one knee or sit cross-legged. Most

Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 10

Anthropology - Essay Example Her suggestion of economic localization is ideal because it can reduce people to depend on other countries and make them more engaging and produce products which are of cultural value and importance. It can also prosper the local economy and make people more productive .According to ( Norberg) â€Å"Producers and consumers were closely linked in a community-based economy†. Also urban gardens are vital to the ecological environment as it allows enrichment of nature. Local food movement is essential as it encourages people to stand for themselves and it can increase bio – diversity .World need to grow locally and need to create unique identity of their culture and community. The two group of people mentioned by author as Tibetan farmers and Amazon tribal can be benefited from these strategies. Tibetan farmers can be encouraged to engage in more of live stock farming as it could enhance their prosperity and also avail them with meat and milk which is a main part of their diet. Amazon tribes can be prompted to indulge in agriculture of cereals and vegetables which suit their geographical nature and it can give them abundant food source and income too. Hodge, Helena N. "Globalisation versus Community." http://www.localfutures.org. ISEC, 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.

Forensic Accounting Review Questions (Easy) Essay

Forensic Accounting Review Questions (Easy) - Essay Example Either the management or the accounting team are the most prone to engaging in these acts. Lack of business ethics and personal morals are the breeding grounds for these fraudulent activities. It has been clear that individuals engage in fraudulent activities because of diverse motivations and stimulations. When it comes to revenue fraud, the likelihood is for the company to overstate and understate various parameters, we found that this is done by manipulating the sales, recognition of conditional sales, sale of consignments, misstatement of the percentage of completion, abusing of the cut off dates, unauthorized shipment and premature recognition of revenue. Concerning the same issue of revenue, the collusion by the fraudsters can result to situations such as understatement of bad debts, overstatement of ending inventories, overstatement of the assets’ worth, and understatement of the liabilities among other dubious means. All these aspects are under the motivation of the ne ed to cover up mistakes or misrepresentation of the financial position of the company. The knowledge acquired is very helpful to my future employer and me as an individual. In the workplace, we have diversity of people, some of whom can manipulate situations to their advantage. It is important to aware of what is ethical in the workplace in order to avoid being trapped on such situations. Sometimes the management may coerce an employee to engage in a fraudulent activity, without such knowledge one is likely to commit fraud unknowingly. Another thing is that lessons learnt stirred my curiosity in understanding business law; it has prompted me to start engaging this area since it can easily result to personal and organizational damages. In addition, it has opened my mind to the understanding business of dynamics, including the manipulations that are likely to be made in order to misrepresent information for a particular organization. The group was very influential in the understanding of the topic. I participated in the group activity by handling the section that I was assigned to research on and went ahead to help in the report writing. The group members were very cooperative hence facilitating timely achievement of results. I also presented a fraudulent case scenario that enhanced the understanding of the topic. The case had featured in one of the local dailies; it helped us relate very well what we learnt in class. Each member of the group completed the task assigned to them on time hence the ability of the group to finish the project on time. Despite the many lessons learnt some of the topic areas were challenging and presented some level of difficult. During the lecture sessions I found difficult in understanding the legal provisions of that are related to fraudulent activities. However, after extensive and repetitive reading I was able to comprehend the sub-topic. Question 2 Fraudulent activities are not easily identified, it is highly unlikely that a frau dulent activity will be realized unless the parties involved leak information or some auditing system unearths it. These are the likely means through which tips come along, without which it may be impossible to recognize a fraudulent activity. I do not think a fraudulent activity is recognized in the first instance. The high level of secrecy that is involved hampers the process of

Changes to Religious Views of Marriage

Changes to Religious Views of Marriage Marriage Marriage today is looked at in a very different way to that of past years. Modern day interpretations on marriage and the way it is understood have changed greatly. But being viewed differently does not mean that marriage is valued less. Marriage, traditionally, was seen as essential to bringing up a family and maintaining a home. Recent secular changes in the definition of marriage are not something new for the Catholic Church. For the last hundred years or so the Catholic Church predicted that this would happen and has acted upon the threat it sees to this divine institution by endeavouring to clarify the issues involved by taking steps necessary to strengthen both within the Church and in society at large. Catholics live their marriages in secular society and while they believe that marriage is a Sacrament the fact that changes are and have occurred in civil marriages cannot be ignored. By ignoring these changes our societies social fabric would be even more weakened which could lead to marriage itself not surviving. The central view point of how a Catholic understands marriage is by the realisation that marriage was created by God and man is cannot and should not try to change it. The state did not create marriage and whether governments get involved or not marriage would happen. Before any government came into being marriage existed, all through the centuries and in every culture ancient and modern. The creation of marriage was not just to provide tax or insurance benefits, something that governments and the courts seem to have trouble understanding. God created marriage to bring together a loving couple in a sacred bond which would lead to the conceiving and to the raising of children in a stable family life. A Catholics perspective about marriage starts with the material facets of the matrimonial viewpoint. A marriage is to be faithful, it is to be permanent, and it is to be fruitful. It is for the benefit of the couple involved which is also called the unitive purpose and for the bringing up and education of children. A couple meets, falls in love, and hopefully get married sharing together their lives and bodies in sexual union. The desire for this sexual union is not just for pleasure alone, it is the seal of their love for each other and to open themselves to the possibility of children. Children then unify the couple into one body and family, hopefully. Both individuals as well as society benefits from the Catholic view of marriage. Likewise, Catholics and their families too suffer from the results of divorce, and there have been studies which show that practicing Catholics try hard and make every effort for their marriages to work possibly because they realise that to remarry after a divorce may not be a possibility for them. Also, there is research which shows that a married couple receive the benefit of a good marriage because of their religious commitment. Their faith enables them to cope when difficulties occur as a source of moral guidance in their decision making and in being able to coping with conflict. This Catholic point of view gives stability and constancy. In the society of today where truth is so relative Catholic families and marriages gain guidance and strength from following Catholic teaching. Without truth, we are unprotected and vulnerable and in the society of today there is no wish for truth. A persons freedom, far from being restricted by this fidelity, is secured against every form of subjectivism or relativism and is made a sharer in creative Wisdom (F. C., 11). The basis to understanding Catholic marriage is provided by Scripture. Matthew 19 tells us that Jesus speaks of both marriage and of divorce, saying; Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female2 and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate. Clearly what Jesus is saying here is that marriage is equally exclusive and lasting, guiding us towards the Creation to see Gods purpose from the beginning. Genesis 1:27 says, So God created mankind in his own image he created them; male and female he created them. God created all things therefore he is the author of marriage. Men and women are a part of Gods created order, created by him and for him. Part of that created order is marriage. Marriage was not created merely by mans choosing. Men and women were made by God for each other, God made us sexually different to complement each other, a man is only whole in connection to a woman and female sexuality is only fulfilled in union to the male. God made men and women for relationship with each other. Gaudium et Spes says: man, is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, and he cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself (G.S., 24). This truth is expressed allegorically in Genesis 2:23, in which Adam says, this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man. Mary Healy in her book Men and women are from Eden, a study guide to John Paul IIs Theology of the Body, says, He recognised in Eve unlike the animals an equal, a person like himself whom he could love. That is, he saw someone whom he could give himself completely and who would receive and reciprocate his gift to form a union that would fulfil the very meaning of their existence (Healy, 15). The Churchs revitalisation was reinforced by Vatican II in a dual dynamic of Aggiornamento and Ressourcement, the up-to-dating and returning to earlier sources, traditions, and symbols of the early Church. Vatican IIs desire was enhancement and enrichment of the Churchs faith by communicating Christs Gospel message for the modern age and sought to communicate this by presenting a modern fusion of faith and reason to the world. The concept of personhood was the idea behind this synthesis. In his book The Contemporary World. Christian Marriage: A Historical Study, Haas speaks of the unfortunate tendency since the Council, however, for theologians to write as though there had been a radical break in the life and teachings of the Church which occurred with the Council. Adding, Because Gaudium et Spes uses the more biblical language of covenant rather than contract to speak of marriage does not mean the two are incompatible. Indeed, a covenant is itself a kind of contract. And the preconc iliar magisterium spoke of marriage as covenant as well as contract (Haas, 340). There are two traditional purposes to the theology of Catholic marriage: the first is for the continuance of humankind through the reproduction and reciprocal love of the husband and wife. This first was deemed foremost by the Church from late middle ages up until Vatican II, with the shared love of husband and wife coming second. In Canon 1013 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law states: 1) The primary end of marriage is the procreation and education of children. Its secondary end is mutual help and the allaying of concupiscence. 2) The essential properties of marriage are unity and indissolubility, which acquire a particular fitness in Christian marriage by reason of its sacramental character. Catholic tradition today is once again seeing as of equal importance both the goods and the ends of marriage. This was a huge change and paradigm switch. Canon 1055 of the revised Code of Canon Law 1983 affirms this switch: The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman establish themselves a partnership of their whole life, and which of its own very nature is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and the procreation and upbringing of children, has, between the baptized, been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament (Kainz, 2015). In 1930 Casti Connubii was issued by Pope Pius XI in response to threats on marriage. Interestingly, Haas informs us that, The evils threatening marriage which he mentions in the encyclical sound remarkably contemporary: contraception, abortion, sterilization, adultery, trial marriages, cohabitation, religious mixed marriages, and divorce (Haas, 341-342). Haas also says that these errors come from the modern misinterpretation that marriage is not a divine institution but rather a human institution established by the arbitrary wills of human beings (Haas, 342). In Casti Connubii 5 the doctrine of matrimony is defined as immutable and inviolable, it says: And to begin with that same Encyclical, which is wholly concerned in vindicating the divine institution of matrimony, its sacramental dignity, and its perpetual stability, let it be repeated as an immutable and inviolable fundamental doctrine that matrimony was not instituted or restored by man but by God; not by man were the laws made to strengthen and confirm and elevate it but by God, the Author of nature, and by Christ Our Lord by Whom nature was redeemed, and hence these laws cannot be subject to any human decrees or to any contrary pact even of the spouses themselves. This is the doctrine of Holy Scripture; this is the constant tradition of the Universal Church; this the solemn definition of the sacred Council of Trent, which declares and establishes from the words of Holy Writ itself that God is the Author of the perpetual stability of the marriage bond, its unity and its firmness (C.C. 5). The Council Fathers of Vatican II were debating the texts on marriage and the familyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ there was considerable discussion as to the natuer of the text and the language which would be used in it (Haas, 344). The issue of the hierarchical ordering of the ends of marriage was very much in the background (Haas, 344). Gaudium et Spes was issued in a less technically, philosophical, theological, and juridical vocabulary in teaching about regulating marriage (Haas, 345). Vatican II intentionally declined to classify marriage goods. Instead, Gaudium et Spes declares, without subordinating or reducing one to the other, that love and faithfulness are the two goods of marriage (G.S., 47-48). On the other hand Thomas Aquinas and St Augustine did not do this giving instead the importance of the good that the relationship itself of the spouses in marriage gave to society. The Churchs teaching made genuine progress, Vatican II made the straightforward move from the legalistic idea of marriage as a contract to the more biblical interpretation of marriage as a covenant. This definition conformed more with the modern, individualized and current belief but also looked back to the early fathers teaching of the Patristic and Medieval times and also to scholastics such as Aquinas. Gaudium et Spes expresses what is at the heart of marriage: As a mutual gift of two persons, this intimate union and the good of the children impose total fidelity on the spouses and argue for an unbreakable oneness between them. For as God of old made himself present to his people through a covenant of love and fidelity, so now Saviour of men and the Spouse of the Church comes into the lives of married Christians through the sacrament of Matrimony (G.S., 48). The married couple, especially if they are Christian and their children, this family unit represents the image of the Trinity, of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is mirrored in the family, husband, wife and children, in two ways. The Trinity is reflected in marriage by being a communion of love between equals, commencing with the husband and wife and then spreading to all other family members. Then, as the Trinity is love and lifegiving, so a loving married couple brings forth and cherishes their children. Again, Gaudium et Spes states: Families too will share their spiritual riches generously with other families. Thus, the Christian family, which springs from marriage as a reflection of the loving covenant uniting Christ with the Church, and as a participation in that covenant, will manifest to all men Christs living presence in the world, and the genuine nature of the Church. This the family will do by the mutual love of the spouses, by their generous fruitfulness, their solidarity and faithfulness, and by the loving way in which all members of the family assist one another (G.S., 48). About our modern times, Pope St John Paul II says in Familiaris Consortio that there frequently lies a corruption of the idea and experience of freedom, conceived not as a capacity for realising the truth of Gods plan for marriage and the family, but as an autonomous power of self-affirmation, often against others, for ones own selfish well-being (F.C., 6). This family finds in the plan of God the Creator and Redeemer not only its identity, what it is, but also its mission, what it can be and should do. The role that God calls the family to perform in history derives from what the family is; its role represents the dynamic and existential development of what it is (F.C., 17). We are told by John Paul in Familiaris Consortio that families are to become what you are (F.C., 17). He also tells families that: the family must go back to the beginning of Gods creative act, if it is to attain self-knowledge and self-realization in accordance with the inner truth not only of what it is but also of what it does in historyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the family has the mission to become more and more what it is, that is to say, a community of life and love, in an effort that will find fulfilment, as will everything created and redeemed, in the Kingdom of Godà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. . Hence the family has the mission to guard, reveal and communicate love, and this is a living reflection of and a real sharing in Gods love for humanity and the love of Christ the Lord for the Church His bride. Every particular task of the family is an expressive and concrete actuation of that fundamental mission (F.C., 17). To gain an understanding of what marriage a look at its teleology is necessary. In his book, Haas says, One understands what a thing is by virtue of what it does, by virtue of the end to which it is ordered (Haas, 349). Marriage, as with any given thing, could possibly have other endings which what is needed then is to look at what is sufficient to delineate that ending. In looking at marriage, Haas again says, if one looks at the ends of marriage in terms of child, mutual support, and a remedy for concupiscence, it is not too difficult to identify the one which most adequately explains the institution of marriage (Haas, 349). Many relationship can uphold and deliver shared assistance and care, such as two siblings, whether they are brothers or sisters, two friends sharing accommodation at a university or college, even same-sex partners or any who choose to live together. So, marriage is not essential for care and support. The Catechism states that, By its very nature the institution of marriage and married love is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and it is in them that it finds its crowning glory (C.C.C., 1652). And, The fruitfulness of conjugal love extends to the fruits of the moral, spiritual, and supernatural life that parents hand on to their children by education. Parents are the principal and first educators of their children. In this sense the fundamental task of marriage and family is to be at the service of life (C.C.C., 1653). Haas also acquaints us with what Aquinas instructed: The child is the most essential good of marriage, second is faith, and third the sacrament (Haas, 350). In saying this he is not trying to minimise faith and sacrament but merely affirms that what is most essential to marriage among its goods is the child. It most adequately, in the final analysis, explains why people get married and what is unique about the institution of marriage (Haas, 350). People can be very muddled about what marriage is all about. Mostly they think of marriage as the framework for sexual activity to occur. but the Catholic philosophical and theological tradition teaches that sexual activity is hardly an end in itself. It is ordered toward an end beyond itself which is still intrinsic to it and ultimately makes sense of it (Haas, 350). A family can be made up by the variety of people it contains; husband and wife, parents and children, and of various family members. Every family has the task of living faithfully together the life of their family relationships constantly making the effort to cultivate a realistic community of persons. A family cannot live or grow or complete itself as a community of persons without love. Gods grace, given through the marriage sacrament and through baptism makes this self-giving achievable. All family members are called to love one another and to live with one another in that bond of family love. A family should not live closed in on itself, but remains open to community, moved by a sense of justice and concern for others as well as by a consciousness of its responsibilities towards the whole of society (F.C., 64). There is also the obligation on the family to serve life. First this is done by having children, and secondly in educating those children. A married couples love must be always open to having children, they have the responsibility to make sure their children are given a proper education especially in those things that are most important in living a happy and contented life. This is done by their teaching but more importantly by their example. In Redemptor Hominis Pope John Paul says: Man, cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it (R. H., 10). The aim and purpose of marriage is living in a close relationship with others which shares by Gods grace in the Perichoresis of the Trinity whose individuality of persons is upheld in the indwelling of each Person in the Others. In marriage, a couple become a spiritual union of persons by their relationships, by their intimacy and understanding, fully present to and fully known and loved by the other. This couples strong love will build a strong and loving family and a strong and loving community. Closeness, mutual affection and self-giving should be the aim of any family. As God lives in Perichoresis so should we on earth. My conclusion is that we now live in a contraceptive society, sex is now detached from producing children and has become a way of amusing yourself and having fun, it is no longer seen as the reserve of marriage. Today marriage, has lost its importance, its permanence and its exclusivity. Our modern society now accepts same-sex marriage and many other once unthinkable relationships as logical and acceptable additions. In a society that is predominantly pleasure seeking then all forms of living together would seem to be equal and valid. There is not much hope of turning this around until as a society, through our own personal fulfilment, we begin to put to rights what is best for all our citizens. These aims can bring with them conflict but opposition can be overcome. The only way to personal fulfilment is in conforming oneself to Christ. Sex is a God given gift, it lets human beings to take part in the work of creation and in the work of the new creation as a sacrament, our society ne eds to alter and refocus. Fundamentally, marriage is concerned with the producing and the nurturing of children, and this can only happen when the married couple are heterosexual. Having children and bringing them up brings a married couple joy and happiness, they become one and a biological bond is created in working together to create a new life. Same-sex couples cannot achieve this, they may well form an emotional and a spiritual union but it is not possible for them to reach a biological bond. As a couple, they can bring up children, but they cannot produce those children biologically. In trying to change the meaning of marriage, all that will be done is to confuse its meaning. So, it would become, instead of a complementary bond of the joining together of husband and wife to bring forth and raise new life, instead of a complementary bond of the joining together of husband and wife to bring forth and raise new life it a linking of friends which would easily break up once either parties emotional needs are not fulfilled. To change the essential meaning of marriage is a fundamental mistake because marriage is too important to allow changes to take place.

Essay --

This essay explores the mutually beneficial commercial collaborations between the tobacco companies and major motion picture studios from the late 1920s through the 1940s. Smoking in movies is associated with adolescent and young adult smoking initiation. Public health efforts to eliminate smoking from films accessible to youth have been countered by defenders of the status quo, who associate tobacco imagery in â€Å"classic† movies with artistry and nostalgia. Both the entertainment and tobacco industries recognised the high value of promotion of tobacco through entertainment media. Each company hired aggressive product placement firms to represent its interests in Hollywood. These firms placed products and tobacco signage in positive situations that would encourage viewers to use tobacco and kept brands from being used in negative situations. Efforts were also made to place favourable articles relating to product use by actors in national print media and to encourage professional photographers to take pictures of actors smoking specific brands. The cigar industry started developing connections with the entertainment industry beginning in the 1980s and paid product placements were made in both movies and on television. This effort did not always require money payments from the tobacco industry to the entertainment industry, suggesting that simply looking for cash payoffs may miss other important ties between the tobacco and entertainment industries. So, therefore the tobacco industry understood the value of placing and encouraging tobacco use in films, and how to do it. While the industry claims to have ended this practice, smoking in motion pictures increased throughout the 1990s and remains a public health problem. The tobacco i... ...y has a long history of working to influence Hollywood. The power of film to promote the â€Å"social acceptability† and desirability of tobacco use, particularly among young people, is a continuing inducement for the tobacco industry to utilise this medium. The increase in tobacco use and the continuing appearance of specific brands in movies since 1990 may reflect continuing activities by the tobacco industry, despite the industry's voluntary restrictions on such practices. It may be that, as with provisions of the industry's voluntary advertising code that nominally restricts print marketing to children, the industry finds ways around its own rules. Until something is done to reduce and eliminate pro-tobacco images on film, motion pictures will remain one of the most powerful forces in the world promoting tobacco and serving the tobacco industry's financial interests.

Impact of Globalisation on Africa Essay

This course will examine the critical and rapidly changing role of the state at the beginning of a new millennium as a result of internal and external factors, paying special attention to the state as a central player in ensuring the provision of public services, as well as facing the new challenges emerging around the world. It will enable students to: †¢ assess the impact of global economic liberalisation and information dissemination on governments and their constituents; †¢ engage in specific analyses of the changing role of the state, the different actors and stake-holders involved, the mechanisms of governance at different levels; and the emerging frustrations and violence. †¢ identify the capacities of and constraints facing governance processes; †¢ critique the manner in which reforms undertaken by governments impact social, cultural and economic development; and †¢ analyse the challenges faced by governance with regard to democratisation; To accomplish this, the course is divided into three thematic areas: 1. The State and the People – (internal factors): Under this first part of the course, students will identify the basic components of state-craft, the different actors who come into play in decision making, the relative importance of each over the course of history, the constants in different geographic contexts, etc. With the advent of fresh economic, social, and environmental challenges, there is a strong sense among governments that their scope for autonomous public action is being reduced by the forces of globalisation and the consequent growth of inter-dependence among states. Sound governance in the public sector is a critical factor for continued progress. A determined effort is thus required by governments in refocussing the capacities of the public sector to meet the emerging challenges, and to grasp the opportunities thrown up by the global trends in a new millennium. 2. The State and Globalization – (external factors): Under this second part, students will review the process of rapidly increasing globalization, and its impact on the role of the state, the process of increasing inter-connectedness between societies such that events in one part of the world have increasing effects on people and societies far away. Economically, transnational flows of commodities and production factors, such as capital and labour, are being accelerated. Politically, the sovereignty of nation states is being undermined, and certain kinds of supra-national authorities are being enhanced. Socio-culturally, contacts between peoples in different parts of the world have become easier, enhancing the advent of a global culture and cultural homogenisation. The effect of the integration of markets, new information technology, the erosion of sovereignty, the growing role of non-state actors, and sub-national groups, and an increasing inter-dependence among states, has resulted in the emergence of a global community, global issues, and global actions. Students will analyse the changes required in the functions of the state so that it can effectively mitigate the impact of globalization to ensure sustainable development, and national security. 3. Reconstructing the State – (mechanisms of reform): Under this third part, students will review the need for recasting the roles of the institutions of the state, as well as the normal interaction between the various stakeholders – the state, the private sector and the civil society. They will analyse and debate on how national governance institutions can be reconstructed and retooled in different contexts within a climate of privatisation, participation, and decentralisation, how local governance can be promoted, how rule of law and regulatory frameworks can be established through responsible governance, and how democratic space can be created and maintained. This includes engaging civil society and the private sector in a dynamic partnership to improve the quality of developmental services, enhance social responsibilities, and ensure the broadest participation of citizens in civic life. The task o f the state is to take advantage of the forces of globalisation in providing a secure and stable domestic environment. The course will also analyse the manner in which the state can promote the participation of citizens in decision-making, enforce impartial legal frameworks, build transparency and promote accountability and equity, design policies on consensus, and provide strategic vision to overcome the challenges of mitigating the negative impacts of the global economy, transnational bodies, international law, powers and power blocs, and sub-national fringe groups. READINGS While required readings will consist of the following texts which will be placed on reserve in the Library, additional articles for each lesson may also be made available either over email or in hard copy. Some of these articles are cited in the various lesson descriptions below. Recommended Texts: †¢ Globalisation, Human Development Report 1999, UNDP, available for free download at : http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/1999/en/ †¢ Reinventing Government, David Osborne, 1992. †¢ Reconceptualising Governance, Discussion Paper 2, UNDP, January 1997, available for free download at : http://magnet.undp.org/Docs/!UN98-21.PDF/Recon.htm †¢ The Third Wave, by Samuel Huntington, published by the University of Oklahoma Press. †¢ Development as Freedom, by Amartya Sen, published by Random House Anchor Books. †¢ The World Turned Upside Down? Globalization and the Future of the State, by Berry Jones, published by St. Martin’s Press. †¢ Globalisation and its Discontents, by Joseph Stiglitz, published by W W Norton and Company. †¢ The Lexus and the Olive Tree, by Thomas Friedman, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Other General Texts: †¢ Globalisation and the State, World Public Sector Report 2001, United Nations †¢ Civil Society and Political Theory, Arato and Cohen, MIT Press, Cambridge. †¢ Democratic Governance, March and Olsen, New York Free Press. †¢ Globalization and the Nation-State, Holton, London: MacMillan. 2 †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ The Retreat of the State: The Diffusion of Power in the World Economy, Strange, Cambridge University Press. Marc Williams (1996), â€Å"Rethinking Sovereignty†, Chapter 8, Elenore Kafman and Gillian Youngs (Eds.), Globalization: Theory and Practice, London: Pinter Globalization: Theory and Practice, edited by Youngs, London: Pinter The Twilight of Sovereignty: How the Information Revolution Is Transforming Our World. Wriston, New York: Charles Scribner. Governance in the Twenty-first Century , Rosenau in Global Governance, Vol. 1, No. I (Winter 1995) Globalisation, State Sovereignity, and the Endless Accumulation of Capital. Arrighi. A new version of a paper presented at the ‘States and Sovereignity in the World Economy’ conference, University of California, Irvine, 21-23 Feb. 1997. What Future for the State?, Strange, Daedalus Vol 124, (Spring 1995), 56. The Defective State, Strange, Daedalus Vol 124, Number 2, Spring 1995. The Retreat of the State: The Diffusion of Power in the World Economy, Strange, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1996 Governance and Politics in Africa, Goran and Bratton, Lynne Rienner Publishers Inc. Colorado, USA. Institutions , institutional change and economic performance. North, Cambridge University Press. Making democracy work, Putnam, Leonardi, and Nanette, Princeton: Princeton University Press. CLASS POLICIES Class Participation: Class participation is essential in this course, and therefore, timely and regular class attendance is mandatory. Class attendance will be marked at the very beginning of each class. Attendance will be graded. Except for serious emergencies, and medical reasons, which must be brought to notice immediately over email, absences or late arrival will not be â€Å"excused†. It should be clearly noted that almost one-third of the Final Grade is dependant on attendance and punctuality. Drafting: Particular emphasis will be placed in this class on building up an ability to draft assignments and papers in a grammatically correct and logical manner, in presentations that can carry weight and conviction with the reader. The same will hold true of oral presentations in class. Email: Because of the importance attached to email and web pages, all students must have proper email accounts, and must check them regularly every day. (All email addresses will be collected in the first class). Students should also maintain a group address (Listserv) of all classmates, including the Professor, so that messages of common interest can be circulated to all. Reference Formula: All email correspondence MUST contain the following four-part Reference Formula in FOUR places, namely, (a) as the only â€Å"subject† of the email; (b) as the only first line of the text of the email; (c) as part of the â€Å"header† of any attached assignment, and (d) as the â€Å"filename† of the attachment: (initials of university)-(course symbol)-(initials of student)-(assignment number) 3 Example of the four-part Reference Formula: NYU-G-XXX-A# (where NYU stands for New York University, G stands for Globalisation, XXX are the student’s initials in capital letters, and A# is the assignment number). Format of assignments: Assignments will normally be submitted in hard copies, and must be saved in Microsoft Word (or WordPerfect) format exclusively. They should be saved with the same filename as the â€Å"Reference Formula† above, so that no confusion is ever created. Web-Sites: Each student will be encouraged to maintain a personal web-page, which will be graded. (Some tips on the quickest means to establish student web-sites will be discussed in the first class). In addition, a Class Web-Page may also be maintained as a group project. Each student will have to provide a personal â€Å"thumbnail† picture and a few lines of descriptive text for this Class Web-Page. These thumbnails have to be provided within the first two weeks of class. Other material on the class web-page will include summaries of class notes, and links to the personal web pages of each student reflecting their respective assignments. Assignments: Assignments will include : (a) One Mid-Term Paper (4-6 pages, single space, Garamond 12 or 14 pt. font, or equivalent) to be prepared and submitted by the 7th week of class. (b) One Final Paper (14-16 pages, single space, Garamond 12-14 pt. font, or equivalent) to be prepared and submitted by the 12th week of class. (c) Class Notes to be prepared each week by designated students working separately or in couples for each of the class sessions. (d) Oral presentations, supported by Summaries, on some of the essential texts (note: The summary of the presentation MUST be circulated to all students and to the professor via email a full 24 hours before the presentation). Class Notes: The objective is to maintain a complete record of the notes from each class on the home-page. The assigned group (which will always be different from the group preparing the presentations) will be responsible for preparation of the class notes. Class notes MUST be written within 24 hours after the class, and then circulated immediately via email to all. Class notes should not be longer then one page and should contain the following 1. The gist of the topics discussed in class. 2. The lessons learned News: The daily reading of at least one leading American newspaper (New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, etc), one major foreign newspaper or weekly (London Guardian, Economist, etc), and one major American quarterly (Foreign Report) is required. All are available over the Internet. GRADING POLICY Grading Notes: In judging the quality of all assignments, the total grade for each of these will be divided into three portions, one-third for the quality and formatting of the presentation, one-third for the factual accuracy of research, and one-third for the strength and persuasiveness of the opinions expressed. Extra weight will be given for any visible improvement of work manifested over the semester. 4 Grading values: A+ (98-100) A (94-97) A-(90-93) B+ (88-89) B (84-87) B-(80-83) C+ (78-79) C (74-77) C-(70-73) D (60-69) F (59-less) Grading Break-up: Attendance and participation Web-page maintenance Assignments (oral and written) Final or Term Paper SCHEDULE OF LECTURES 30% 10 % 30 % 30 % SESSION 1 : INTRODUCTION Class policies and ground rules regarding, drafting techniques, web-sites, email addresses, oral book presentations, etc., and the road map of the semester will be discussed in detail. SESSION 2 : THE ROLE OF THE STATE : RIGHTS, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS This session reviews the definitions of the state, including the institutions of the legislature, the judiciary, electoral bodies as they have traditionally been conceptualised. What are the duties of the state to the public? What levels of government carry out what duties? How does legislature respond to the needs of the state, its duties and obligations? Governments are established to respond to the needs of their populations? What are these needs? How are they defined? What right do the people have to demand them? How do they make their concerns known? And in turn do they have duties to fulfill in their capacities as private citizens that contribute to the smooth functioning of their governments? What is the role of citizenry in good governance and in the effective functioning of the state? Book Presentation: Globalisation, Human Development Report 1999, UNDP Other discussion Papers: Public Sector Management, Governance and Sustainable Human Development. Discussion Paper 1. UNDP, BDP/MDGD. January 1995, Available at: http://magnet.undp.org/Docs/!UN9821.PDF/Psm.htm The Challenge to the South, The Report of the South Commission, 1992. Available through http://www.southcentre.org/ The Rise of the Brand State, Peter van Ham, Foreign Affairs, Sep-Oct 2001 SESSION 3 : UNDERSTANDING GLOBALISATION This session will attempt to define the parameters of the forces of globalisation in their historical and functional contexts. How does globalisation today differ from its earlier versions? What are the respective roles of the state and the private sector in using these  forces ? How do states, citizens, businesses, benefit from these forces ? Who gains and who loses out in the process. Book Presentation: Reinventing Government, David Osborne, 1992. Other dscussion papers: Selling Globalization The Myth of the Global Economy, by Michael Veseth Globalisation, Human Development Report 1999, UNDP, Available at: http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/1999/en/default.cfm The Clash of Globalisations, Stanley Hoffman, Foreign Affairs, Jul-Aug 2002 SESSION 4 : GOVERNANCE AS A BASIC PRE-CONDITION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Governance is a basic precondition for sustainable economic, social and political development. This lesson will look at the linkages between governance and development that is sustainable. It will review how systems of governance can effect development positively or negatively and the challenges posed to the state and society. It will also look at accountability and transparency in dealing especially with corruption, which is a major concern in most countries. Book Presentation: Reconceptualising Governance, Discussion Paper 2, UNDP, January 1997 Other discussion Papers: Governance for Sustainable Development, a UNDP Policy Document, 1997, Available at: http://magnet.undp.org/policy/default.htm Corruption and Good Governance. Discussion Paper 3. UNDP, BDP/MDGD. July 1997 Available at: http://magnet.undp.org/ under: Discussion Papers Series. SESSION 5 : THE INTEGRATION OF MARKETS, TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION This lesson reviews the impact of globalization on nations and countries all over the world. It examines the development of new technologies, and rapid information communications that are breaking down barriers of time and distance. It looks at the effect of unprecedented integration of trade and financial transactions through electronic means and the massive diffusion of information through Internet and satellites. It examines the effect of globalization on the sovereignty of the state and the need for a change in its role. Book Presentation: The Third Wave, by Samuel Huntington, published by the University of Oklahoma Press. Other discussion Papers: Globalization and the Nation-State, by Robert J. Holton, London: MacMillan, Philip G. Cerny (1996), â€Å"What Next for the State?†, Chapter 9, Elonore Kafman and Gillian Youngs (Eds.), Globalization: Theory and Practice, London: Pinter. The Knowledge Gap, Avinesh Persaud, Foreign Affairs, Mar-Apr 2001 SESSION 6 : THE EROSION OF SOVEREIGNTY The process of globalisation is undermining the sovereignty of nation states and will lead to the eventual disintegration of the sovereign states system in international politics. The sovereignty of nations is being undermined by multiple sources: technology, civil society, global consensus on issues such as human rights, democracy and governance. However, sovereign states are still the basic constituents of the international society. This lesson will look at the effect of globalization on the sovereignty of the state and review policies that need to be adopted to meet the requirements of the international community. Book Presentation: Development as Freedom, by Amartya Sen, published by Random House Anchor Books. Other discussion Papers: Philip G. Cerny (1996), â€Å"What Next for the State?†, Chapter 9, Elonore Kafman and Globalization: Theory and Practice, by Gillian Youngs (Eds.), London: Pinter, The Twilight of Sovereignty: How the Information Revolution Is Transforming Our World, by Wriston, Walter, New York: Charles Scribner, Will the Nation State survive Globalisation, Martin Wolf, Foreign Affairs, Jan-Feb 2001 SESSION 7 : THE GROWING ROLE OF NON-STATE ACTORS The modern state is witnessing civil society, NGOs and the private sector becoming more powerful at the expense of the state. In some countries, the influence of some transnational corporations (TNCs) has become greater than that of the state. These TNCs are the most important single force creating global shifts in economic activity, and their strategies and operations are much influenced by the forces of technological change. Moreover, private investment has become a major source of funding for development activities. How can the state interact with these non-state actors gradually gaining a more prominent role? This lesson explores the different experiences and responses of nations to answer this question. Book Presentation: The World Turned Upside Down? Globalization and the Future of the State, by Berry Jones, published by St. Martin’s Press. Other discussion Papers: Governance in the Twenty-first Century, by Rosenau, James N. in Global Governance Vol. 1, No. I (Winter 1995) Public Sector Management, Governance and Sustainable Human Development. Discussion Paper 1. UNDP, BDP/MDGD. January 1995, Available at: http://magnet.undp.org/Docs/!UN9821.PDF/Psm.htm Assignment submission deadline for one of the following topics: 1: How is globalization affecting the poor and other disadvantaged groups in developing and developed countries. Each student can either take one country or one aspect of globalization to prepare this summary. In other words the unit of analysis could either be one issue/aspect of globalization applied to different countries, or one country through which all aspects are brought together. or 2: Critically examine the problems of the civic and corporate responsibilities of multinational corporations. Students can either choose one company, or prepare a general note to examine how private sector companies can share social and economic responsibility for the communities and groups in which they work. Such responsibilities might include, among other possibilities, support to local economic development, increasing awareness of human rights, supporting the government to fight cross border corruption, etc.. SESSION 8 : THE INCREASING INTER-DEPENDENCE AMONG STATES There is visible evidence about the emergence of a global community, global issues and global actions. Examples lie in multi-lateral organisations as in the United Nations system, and in regional institutions, as in the European Union, NAFTA, ASEAN, etc. Increasing interaction among states in tackling political, economic and financial issues, has resulted in a growing awareness that interaction at regional and global levels is essential in this globalized world. There is a need to address issues of peace, security, economic stability, poverty and health as global concerns. There is an awareness that global actions are becoming essential in effectively tackling problems which are acquiring global dimensions, for example, drugs, terrorism, global warming, crime, poverty, illiteracy, AIDS, etc. There is growing awareness also about the concept of â€Å"global public goods†. How can nations deal with this new interdependence? What is the most effective role for the state? This lesson reviews the effect of rapidly increasing globalisation in the 21st Century and its impact on national governments of the North and South. It looks at the issue of global goods, effects on the growth, distribution of incomes, availability of public services, and increasing inequities within countries and across nations and reviews the need for increased collaboration in policy, with particular emphasis on global governance. Book Presentation: Globalisation and its Discontents, by Joseph Stiglitz, published by W W Norton and Company. Other discussion Papers: Governance in the Twenty-first Century by Rosenau, James in Global Governance, Vol. 1, No. I (Winter 1995) SESSION 9 : THE EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION AND LOCALISATION Globalization is forcing states to cede some sovereignty over global issues. The greater demand for decentralisation and citizen empowerment is also forcing states to devolve power, authority and finances to local levels. What is the role of decentralisation and how can this be distinguished from the process of devolution, and deconcentration? This lesson will look at institutional changes, experiences in decentralisation and democratic governance. Book Presentation: The Lexus and the Olive Tree, by Thomas Friedman, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Other discussion Papers: Institutions , institutional change and economic performance, by North, Douglass, Cambridge University Press, 1990. Making democracy work, Putnam, Robert D., Robert Leonardi, and Raffaella Y. Nanette. 1993. Reconceptualising Governance. Discussion Paper 2. UNDP, BDP/MDGD. January 1997, Available at: http://magnet.undp.org/Docs/!UN98-21.PDF/Recon.htm Globalisation, Human Development Report, UNDP, Available at: http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/1999/en/default.cfm Globalisation’s Democratic Defeat, Joseph Nye, Foreign Affairs, Jul-Aug, 2001 SESSION 10 : RETOOLING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS. Governments and international organisations are faced at all levels with increasing globalisation, population, and growing needs. New forms and ways of government functioning are emerging. The twenty first century is marked by a focus on democratisation, and an increased emphasis on global, national and local governance. The challenge is to restructure national governance institutions to deal with the impact of globalisation and the changing circumstances as well as providing efficient and effective public services with limited funds. Other discussion Papers: The new institutionalism: Organizational factors in political life. by March, James. G., and Hohan P. Olsen.. American Political Science Review 78 (3): 734-749. SESSION 11 REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS AT THE INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS The objectives are, ensuring society-based supremacy of laws, establishing regulatory systems to set up effective regulatory frameworks and a rights based system, ensuring equal treatment before laws protecting life, property and human dignity. How is law implemented in multijuridical states? What challenges does this present to governments? How does this affect the democratic representation of each citizen? The session will also look at overarching international juridical bodies: who designs them, who informs them, how is their mandate determined and implemented. Particular attention will be focussed on the World Bank, the IMF, and the WTO. Country cases are used to illustrate the needs of establishing policies, laws and resource priorities at the national levels to ensure equity and justice, and the upholding of rule of law, bringing security, and predictability to social, political and economic relations in the world. Other discussion Papers: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights; United Nations Available at: http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html SESSION 12: BUILDING NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR What constitutes civil society? What is the most effective role of civil society organisations at the local, regional and global level? Do they and should they have well defined mandates? How can they work collaboratively with government? In addition, beginning with a review of the traditional role of the private sector in the stability of a nation-state,what are the moral, financial and legal obligations that the private sector has both to governments and to its constituents, addressing the question of the appropriate tools for regulation, if any. It examines the vital role of the private sector in good governance and in mitigating the negative effects of globalisation. Other discussion Papers: Citizens, Strengthening Global Civil Society. CIVICUS. Good Governance and Trade Policy: Are they the Key to Africa’s Global Integration and Growth?. by Francis and Yates, Alexander; World Bank. 1999, Available at: http://wwwwds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000094946_99032505 585398 Taxes and Bribery: The Role of Wage Incentives. Besley, Timothy, and J. McLaren. Economic Journal, Vol. 103, January 1999. Final Paper submission deadline: What is the issue of the changing role and power of the nation-state in the face of globalisation. Some argue that invincible globalising forces will inevitably lead to the demise or fatal weakening of the nation-state in international politics. This kind of argument is explicitly presented in titles such as â€Å"The End of the Nation-State† (K. Ohmae, 1996) and â€Å"The Retreat of the State† (Susan Strange, 1996) Others refuse this argument and contend that nation-states will hold fast to their traditional powers and sovereignty. Examine the conflicting arguments on the relationship between globalisation and the sovereignty of the nation-state. In doing this, look into the conceptual aspects of globalisation and sovereignty first, present the different views on the subjects, and try to arrive at some conclusions as to what the conflicting arguments imply for human development. or A focused single-topic paper, either on one of the following topics, or on any other relevant topic which is cleared in advance with the Professor: (a) Corruption and Accountability. (b) Electoral Reform in Established Democracies. (c) Decentralisation and Democracy. (d) The Importance of Rule of Law and Access to Justice. (e) The Limits to the Capacity of the Public Sector. (f) The Uneven Impact of Globalisation. (g) The Erosion of Sovereignty. (h) The Role of Civil Society in the Future World. (i) The Role of Foreign Direct Investment. (j) Information Technology as a Driving Force. (k) Terrorism, causes and effects (l) Poverty and its Effects (m) New Doctrines in Law (n) Free Trade and Protectionism (o) Migration flows in a Globalised world. SESSION 13 : FINAL SUMMATION – CURRENT GOOD PRACTICES Several modules of good governance exist around the world. Students will identify different models of good governance and critically analyse its components establishing the reasons for the success of the models and identifying the circumstances where these models could be used as an example of â€Å"best practices†. What does capacity development for governance involve? How is the capacity of a national government assessed and what are the innovative approaches required to create an enabling environment and interrelationship of groups and organisations. Other discussion Papers: Governance for Sustainable Human Development. Discussion Paper 7. UNDP, BDP/MDGD. http://magnet.undp.org/policy/default.htm January 1997, Available at: Corruption and Good Governance. Discussion Paper 3. UNDP, BDP/MDGD. July 1997, Available at: http://magnet.undp.org/ under: Discussion Papers Series. The Capacity to Govern: Report to the Club of Rome. Yehezekiel, The Commonwealth Portfolio of Current Good Practices and New Development in Public Services Management, Commonwealth Secretariat. 1996, Emerging Issues in Capacity Development, Proceedings of a Workshop. Institute on Governance, Ottawa, 1994. Spreading the Wealth, Dollar and Kraay, Foreign Affairs, Jan-Feb 2002 Is Inequality Decreasing, Galbraith and Pitt, Foreign Affairs, Jul-Aug 2002 SESSION 14 : DISCUSSION ON FINAL PAPERS This session will review the Final Papers of students before the semester ends