Monday, September 30, 2019
Twilight 23. THE ANGEL
23. THE ANGEL As I drifted, I dreamed. Where I floated, under the dark water, I heard the happiest sound my mind could conjure up ââ¬â as beautiful, as uplifting, as it was ghastly. It was another snarl; a deeper, wilder roar that rang with fury. I was brought back, almost to the surface, by a sharp pain slashing my upraised hand, but I couldn't find my way back far enough to open my eyes. And then I knew I was dead. Because, through the heavy water, I heard the sound of an angel calling my name, calling me to the only heaven I wanted. ââ¬Å"Oh no, Bella, no!â⬠the angel's voice cried in horror. Behind that longed-for sound was another noise ââ¬â an awful tumult that my mind shied away from. A vicious bass growling, a shocking snapping sound, and a high keening, suddenly breaking offâ⬠¦ I tried to concentrate on the angel's voice instead. ââ¬Å"Bella, please! Bella, listen to me, please, please, Bella, please!â⬠he begged. Yes, I wanted to say. Anything. But I couldn't find my lips. ââ¬Å"Carlisle!â⬠the angel called, agony in his perfect voice. ââ¬Å"Bella, Bella, no, oh please, no, no!â⬠And the angel was sobbing tearless, broken sobs. The angel shouldn't weep, it was wrong. I tried to find him, to tell him everything was fine, but the water was so deep, it was pressing on me, and I couldn't breathe. There was a point of pressure against my head. It hurt. Then, as that pain broke through the darkness to me, other pains came, stronger pains. I cried out, gasping, breaking through the dark pool. ââ¬Å"Bella!â⬠the angel cried. ââ¬Å"She's lost some blood, but the head wound isn't deep,â⬠a calm voice informed me. ââ¬Å"Watch out for her leg, it's broken.â⬠A howl of rage strangled on the angel's lips. I felt a sharp stab in my side. This couldn't be heaven, could it? There was too much pain for that. ââ¬Å"Some ribs, too, I think,â⬠the methodical voice continued. But the sharp pains were fading. There was a new pain, a scalding pain in my hand that was overshadowing everything else. Someone was burning me. ââ¬Å"Edward.â⬠I tried to tell him, but my voice was so heavy and slow. I couldn't understand myself. ââ¬Å"Bella, you're going to be fine. Can you hear me, Bella? I love you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Edward,â⬠I tried again. My voice was a little clearer. ââ¬Å"Yes, I'm here.â⬠ââ¬Å"It hurts,â⬠I whimpered. ââ¬Å"I know, Bella, I knowâ⬠ââ¬â and then, away from me, anguished ââ¬â ââ¬Å"can't you do anything?â⬠ââ¬Å"My bag, pleaseâ⬠¦ Hold your breath, Alice, it will help,â⬠Carlisle promised. ââ¬Å"Alice?â⬠I groaned. ââ¬Å"She's here, she knew where to find you.â⬠ââ¬Å"My hand hurts,â⬠I tried to tell him. ââ¬Å"I know, Bella. Carlisle will give you something, it will stop.â⬠ââ¬Å"My hand is burning!â⬠I screamed, finally breaking through the last of the darkness, my eyes fluttering open. I couldn't see his face, something dark and warm was clouding my eyes. Why couldn't they see the fire and put it out? His voice was frightened. ââ¬Å"Bella?â⬠ââ¬Å"The fire! Someone stop the fire!â⬠I screamed as it burned me. ââ¬Å"Carlisle! Her hand!â⬠ââ¬Å"He bit her.â⬠Carlisle's voice was no longer calm, it was appalled. I heard Edward catch his breath in horror. ââ¬Å"Edward, you have to do it.â⬠It was Alice's voice, close by my head. Cool fingers brushed at the wetness in my eyes. ââ¬Å"No!â⬠he bellowed. ââ¬Å"Alice,â⬠I moaned. ââ¬Å"There may be a chance,â⬠Carlisle said. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠Edward begged. ââ¬Å"See if you can suck the venom back out. The wound is fairly clean.â⬠As Carlisle spoke, I could feel more pressure on my head, something poking and pulling at my scalp. The pain of it was lost in the pain of the fire. ââ¬Å"Will that work?â⬠Alice's voice was strained. ââ¬Å"I don't know,â⬠Carlisle said. ââ¬Å"But we have to hurry.â⬠ââ¬Å"Carlisle, Iâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Edward hesitated. ââ¬Å"I don't know if I can do that.â⬠There was agony in his beautiful voice again. ââ¬Å"It's your decision, Edward, either way. I can't help you. I have to get this bleeding stopped here if you're going to be taking blood from her hand.â⬠I writhed in the grip of the fiery torture, the movement making the pain in my leg flare sickeningly. ââ¬Å"Edward!â⬠I screamed. I realized my eyes were closed again. I opened them, desperate to find his face. And I found him. Finally, I could see his perfect face, staring at me, twisted into a mask of indecision and pain. ââ¬Å"Alice, get me something to brace her leg!â⬠Carlisle was bent over me, working on my head. ââ¬Å"Edward, you must do it now, or it will be too late.â⬠Edward's face was drawn. I watched his eyes as the doubt was suddenly replaced with a blazing determination. His jaw tightened. I felt his cool, strong fingers on my burning hand, locking it in place. Then his head bent over it, and his cold lips pressed against my skin. At first the pain was worse. I screamed and thrashed against the cool hands that held me back. I heard Alice's voice, trying to calm me. Something heavy held my leg to the floor, and Carlisle had my head locked in the vise of his stone arms. Then, slowly, my writhing calmed as my hand grew more and more numb. The fire was dulling, focusing into an ever-smaller point. I felt my consciousness slipping as the pain subsided. I was afraid to fall into the black waters again, afraid I would lose him in the darkness. ââ¬Å"Edward,â⬠I tried to say, but I couldn't hear my voice. They could hear me. ââ¬Å"He's right here, Bella.â⬠ââ¬Å"Stay, Edward, stay with meâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"I will.â⬠His voice was strained, but somehow triumphant. I sighed contentedly. The fire was gone, the other pains dulled by a sleepiness seeping through my body. ââ¬Å"Is it all out?â⬠Carlisle asked from somewhere far away. ââ¬Å"Her blood tastes clean,â⬠Edward said quietly. ââ¬Å"I can taste the morphine.â⬠ââ¬Å"Bella?â⬠Carlisle called to me. I tried to answer. ââ¬Å"Mmmmm?â⬠ââ¬Å"Is the fire gone?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠I sighed. ââ¬Å"Thank you, Edward.â⬠ââ¬Å"I love you,â⬠he answered. ââ¬Å"I know,â⬠I breathed, so tired. I heard my favorite sound in the world: Edward's quiet laugh, weak with relief. ââ¬Å"Bella?â⬠Carlisle asked again. I frowned; I wanted to sleep. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"Where is your mother?â⬠ââ¬Å"In Florida,â⬠I sighed. ââ¬Å"He tricked me, Edward. He watched our videos.â⬠The outrage in my voice was pitifully frail. But that reminded me. ââ¬Å"Alice.â⬠I tried to open my eyes. ââ¬Å"Alice, the video ââ¬â he knew you, Alice, he knew where you came from.â⬠I meant to speak urgently, but my voice was feeble. ââ¬Å"I smell gasoline,â⬠I added, surprised through the haze in my brain. ââ¬Å"It's time to move her,â⬠Carlisle said. ââ¬Å"No, I want to sleep,â⬠I complained. ââ¬Å"You can sleep, sweetheart, I'll carry you,â⬠Edward soothed me. And I was in his arms, cradled against his chest ââ¬â floating, all the pain gone. ââ¬Å"Sleep now, Bellaâ⬠were the last words I heard.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Is China a Threat to Indian Industry Essay
Renewable energy has huge potential to provide solution to increase energy crisis and it is the key factor to the future of energy, food and economic security, said participants at a seminar organized by greentech and Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ââ¬Å"We are a growing economy. So our energy requirement is also growing. But we donââ¬â¢t produce enough energy to meet even our current needs. With depleting fossil fuel reserves and concerns about its environmental impact, renewable energy is the only long-term solution,â⬠said Bibek Bandhopadhyay, advisor at the ministry of new and renewable energy. At present, Indiaââ¬â¢s installed power capacity is 2,10,645 MW with renewable energy contributing 26,900 MW or 12.4%. From various energy technologies, a capacity addition of about 30,000 MW has been planned during the 12th Plan period 2012-2017. The focus is now on mainstreaming renewable energy technologies so that it becomes cost-effective. Of this, 69% is generation from wind and 4.5% from solar. Incidentally, India was the first country to set up a ministry of non-conventional energy resources in the early 1980s. India is densely populated and has high solar insolation, an ideal combination for using solar power in India. Much of the country does not have an electric grid, so one of the first applications of solar power has been for water pumping, to begin replacing Indiaââ¬â¢s 4-5 million diesel powered water pumps, each consuming about 3.5 kilowatts, and off-grid lighting. Some large projects have been proposed, and a 35,000 sq km area of the Thar desert has been set aside for solar power projects, sufficient to generate 700 to 2,100 GW. The Indian Solar Loan Programme, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme has won the prestigious Energy Globe World award for sustainability for helping to establish a consumer financing program for solar home power systems. Over the span of three years more than 16,000 solar home systems have been financed through 2,000 bank branches, particularly in rural areas of south India where there is no grid electricty. Launched in 2003, the Indian Solar Loan Programme was a four-year partnership between UNEP, the UNEP Risoe Centre, and the Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank. Announced in November 2009, the Government of India proposed to launch its Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change with plans to generate 1,000 MW of power by 2013 and up to 20,000 MW grid-based solar power, 2,000 MW of off-grid solar power and cover 20 million sq metres with collectors by the end of the final phase of the mission in 2020. Development of wind power in India began in the 1990s and has increased in recent years. Although a relative newcomer to the wind industry compared with Denmark or the US, domestic policy support for wind power has led India to become the country with the fifth largest installed wind power capacity in the world. As of December 2010, the installed capacity of wind power in India was 13,065.37 MW, mainly spread across Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal. Wind power accounts for 6% of Indiaââ¬â¢s total installed power capacity, and it generates 1.6% of the countryââ¬â¢s power. Every year, about 55 million tonnes of municipal solid waste and 38 billion litres of sewage are generated in the urban areas of India. In addition, large quantities of solid and liquid wastes are generated by industries. Waste generation in India is expected to increase rapidly in the future. As more people migrate to urban areas and as incomes increase, consumption levels are likely to rise, as are rates of waste generation. It is estimated that the amount of waste generated in India will increase at a per capita rate of approximately 1-1.33% annually. This has significant impacts on the amount of land that is and will be needed for disposal, economic costs of collecting and transporting waste, and the environmental consequences of increased MSW generation levels.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Cultures in Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Cultures in Organizations - Essay Example Among other tools used by managers to control behavior of employees, include working language, beliefs, symbols and acceptable habits at the organization. Such tools constitute an organizational culture and subcultures. Communication is an essential cultural aspect that influences the productivity of an organization. The management of the organization therefore invests most of its resources to manage the flow of information within the organization. Information for example is an equally important asset in an organization since the information influences the management, production and marketing among other important features of the organization. This explains the various policies that control the flow of information in the organization. Working language is a primary feature that manages the flow of information besides influencing the culture within the organization (Jex & Britt 77). Most organizations have an official operational language within the organization. Besides the use of a specific language, organizations also have specific channels of communication with certain media considered official. The use of video conferencing, telephones and emails have become official channels of communication th at expedites management operations. Deal and Kennedy define organizational culture liberally as the manner in which organizations operate. In their definition, they provide a number of organizational cultures defining the relationship among the employees and managers within the organization and the influence of such relationships in the productivity of the organization. Among the organizational cultures the two scholars propagate, include work hard play hard culture. The culture explains the operations of restaurants and fast food cafes. Such cultures have low risks and rapid results. Such cultures require cohesive organizations with the coordination between the management and the employees. Effective
In the instructins Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
In the instructins - Essay Example The cartoon above by Rick Enright has been used to criticize the words and actions of the employers who say what they do not mean. At the same time, it also shows how these employers try to sympathize with the employees who have no alternative than to keep working for their exploitative employers. Similar scenario relates to the case of Tashi and the company presented in Weinerââ¬â¢s book who did not have an alternative route to the capital of Bhutan. Enright has been creating cartoons that especially criticize on industries, motivation, work effort, enthusiasm, delegation and responsibility, weights and heavy lifting which are mostly published on the website: jantoo.com (Enright 1). Jantoo website uses similar keywords which are often searched by organizational employees and employers to ensure he drives the message to the right audience. In his cartoon above, there are two people with uniforms and helmet, representing workers. However, between the two workers, one is adding more load onto the other personââ¬â¢s already heavy load. At the same time, the one adding the load is giving out a caution that the one being loaded should not to ââ¬Å"over-do it.â⬠The writing, ââ¬Å"SAFETY FIRSTâ⬠is put here to show how people usually say what they do not actually mean. For example, if the people in the picture were practicing safety first, then there was not supposed to be any instance whereby someone is overloaded to the point that some boxes are falling over. The cartoon has been used to criticize what we often see at our work places, and it is an appropriate illustration to its readers as they can directly relate to it following what they often see at the workplace. If we take the loader to be the leader or supervisor, we can say that the cartoon depicts a situation whereby those who create rules pertaining to safety are usually the first ones to go against such rules. One might wonder
Thursday, September 26, 2019
5 Year E-Mini Bundle Futures of Eurodollar Contracts Essay - 1
5 Year E-Mini Bundle Futures of Eurodollar Contracts - Essay Example This pack allows transaction of the monetary equivalent of 20 quarterly Euro Dollar terminations in a single contract. Through Eurodollar contract, organizations can get the following benefits: à Limits of arbitrage are usually seen as one of two building blocks needed to clarify irregularities. The presence of price limits and margin necessities on a futures contract are usually disregarded in the assessment and arbitrage settings. There are several limitations in the price of futures contracts and it is ensured by future arbitrage. The existence of price limits helps to minimize the instability of prices by defending organizations against market overreaction. However, price limit can also make future contracts less liquid. Future arbitrage makes future contracts more valuable. Arbitrage generates a strong connection among the futures and commercial values (New York University, n.d.). à Limit of arbitrage is significant for behavioral descriptions of irregularities and wider revision of asset valuation. Limit of future arbitrage is a portion of finance plan to clarify variances based on investorsââ¬â¢ emotional prejudices. Arbitrageurs can face the following price limitations: à The interest rate swap is a derivative to interchange interest rate for accomplishing lesser borrowing rates. Swap players can change interest rate from static to floating and vice versa. Swapping is beneficial when one player desires to get an amount with a floating interest rate while other player wishes for preventing future risks by getting a static interest rate in its place. In swapping, both players have their own primaries.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
The Political Economy of Japan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
The Political Economy of Japan - Essay Example His paper highlighted the remarkable transformation of Japanese business practices. Japanese corporations have adapted the "Choose and Focus" strategy which "enabled Japan's leading corporations, previously diversified to an exceptionally high degree, to become leaner, more nimble, and more competitive at home and in the global economy" (Schaede 2008). They did this by shedding non-core businesses and by repositioning for leadership in targeted technologies. This strategy was said to be completely opposite to Japan's previous industrial architecture but it has surprisingly created fresh market opportunities both for start-up enterprise and for foreign investors (Schaede 2008). It has challenged existing companies out of mediocrity and complacency, through series of mergers, acquisition and hostile take-overs (Schaede 2008). More importantly, this transformation was observed to have been rooted in the component and material industries rather than in consumer products (Schaede 2008). G enerally, the more lean Japanese business has proven to be an effective and competitive strategy and this is the fundamental transformation that the author is talking about. Another social scientist, T.J Pempel mentioned about fundamental transformation in the Japanese economy. It is our goal in this paper to examine if what T.J Pempel refers as a fundamental transformation is the same as that of Schaede's. Pempel mentioned at least three changes in Japan, things with regard to its political system, to its economy and to its international relations. In the political arena, the noticeable internal fragmentation of the Liberal Democratic Party, its loss of a parliamentary majority and executive control, and the introduction of a new electoral system for the Lower House of the Diet has spelled the end of the party (Pempel, 1998). Second of these changes is the economic slowdown of the once forward-heading economy. These economic turnaround from an unrelenting success was brought by the collapse of both the stock and land prices, five years of almost zero growth, international downgrading of the Japanese bonds and the collapse of numerous financial institutions among others (Pempel 1998). He also mentioned the changes in international relation, with particular focus on an apparent sibling rivalry with the United States primarily triggered by the economic competition. This competition was sh own in series of trade and market disputes. Since the paper of T.J Pempel was written a decade before that of Schaede, we can say that they are talking about different scenarios and different type of transformation. But, it is analytically obvious that the Japanese transformation mentioned by Ulrike Schaede had its origin in the political, economic and international relations changes by Pempel. Therefore, they are not mutually incompatible arguments but are complimentary. In fact, the 2008 paper of Schaede is a support to the premises of Pempel, revealing that Japan was able to move forward from the transformation that it experienced a decade ago. The fundamental business transformation of Japan was a
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Life of Marcel Duchamp Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Life of Marcel Duchamp - Essay Example The paper "Rrose Sà ©lavy, Marcel Duchamp" focuses on the important figure of dada and surrealism, Marcel Duchamp. As a child Duchamp was really close to his sister Suzanne (his older brothers had left home to go to school), who was his accomplice in games and activities. She was also the object of his first serious attempts at drawing and painting, which showed her in a variety of poses. Also a painter, she moved to Paris after her divorce to be closer to her brother Marcel and as an attempt to further her career, since at that time it was extremely difficult for a female painter to obtain recognition. Indeed, it was her relationship with her brothers, three of them eminent artists, which facilitated her acceptance in the art world. The famous photographer Man Ray became Duchampââ¬â¢s friend and collaborator. Not only he helped Duchamp photograph and ââ¬Å"createâ⬠Rrose, he also was instrumental in the development of many other works. It was in collaboration with him and Marc Allà ©gret in the period 1925ââ¬â1926 that Duchamp filmed early versions of Rotoreliefs, a film that later became known as Anà ©mic Cinà ©ma. It is worth mentioning an earlier collaboration in 1920, as it almost finished with the decapitation of Man Ray. Duchamp had built the Rotative plaque de verre, a piece which involved the use of a motor to spin squares of glass on which segments of a circle were painted. The optical effect achieved is incredible: when the apparatus spins, the circle segments appear to be closed concentric circles. After a first successful attempt, Man Ray set up to photograph the experiment (Duchamp did not consider it art but it is held as one of the first examples of kinetic art) and, when the machine was turned on, a belt broke, caught a piece of the glass which flew off and hit Man Ray in the head. Readymades Marcel Duchamp coined the term "readymades", which was used to refer to ordinary manufactured objects that he selected, modified and signed. He maintained that by attributing a title to an object and signing it, the object becomes a work of art [smARThistory]. The term was commonly used in the United States to distinguish manufactured from handmade items. Marcel Duchamp conceived the readymades as an antidote to what he called "retinal art", this is, art that has only visual value. Duchamp selected his work according to their conceptual value and on the basis of visual indifference. In this manner, a common object would be elevated to the dignity of a work of art by the mere choice of the artist. In his lifetime, Duchamp-Selavy produced no more than 20 readymades. This decision arises from his awareness of the fact that, by limiting the production he could avoid the influence of his own taste (according to his words, "the enemy of art") in his work. Rrose Slavy From 1920, Marcel Duchamp decided to present some of his work using the pseudonym of Rrose Slavy. The choice of name is extravagant to say the least. Two potential explanations have been elaborated: the first one is that it reads as "Eros, c'est la vie", which can be translated as "Eros, that's life"; or, a second interpretation suggests that it really reads as "arroser la vie", i.e. to make a toast to life. Both meanings are equally
Monday, September 23, 2019
To what extent did Empire affect lives of continental Europeans Essay
To what extent did Empire affect lives of continental Europeans - Essay Example The resulting constitutional conflict was prevailed over by Otto Van Bismarck, the Minister President of Prussia in 1862 (Gooch, 1960, 58). Over the course of the latter part of the nineteenth century Bismarck involved Prussia in three wars, at some stage which the smaller German states were taken away from the presidency of Austria, the German Confederation was disbanded and Prussia developed to form a new and more entirely integrated Germany (ibid). France, on the other hand, became more centralized and liberal society during and after the Empire. The leaders in Paris confronted a few restrictions, and businessman took advantage of the freedom of commerce. Urban labourers and landless peasants, on the contrary, could stage only weak rebellions against their landowners. Even though the nobility had been dispossessed of its privileged and several of its owned land, the social hierarchy persisted; over the next five decades the nobility would unite with the upper bourgeoisie to form a new ruling class, which is known as the notables. The Church had lost its important role in society, yet it lingered on as a powerful force. A British blockade throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods had weakened the once flourishing Atlantic imperial economy. During these twenty-five years, England had surpassed the French economy in industrialization (ibid). The Empire in Germany symbolized success. Strengthened by the three victorious wars, she had replaced the nation of France as the first military power in continental Europe. The Prussian character was perceived to be equalled by remarkable progress in other directions. In almost all sectors of education and scientific innovations, the German Empire did not stand second to another. In manufacturing, German industry and commerce improved leaps and bounds. This success has been attributed by several of the historians and other scholars to the Prussian genius for organisation,
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Football salary Essay Example for Free
Football salary Essay Many people think that footballers are paid too much money for doing too little effort. However, this can be argues because they are people who have dedicated their entire life to this sport and therefore they should be rewarded. But in the end there is lots of people need that money to survive and get some food and clean water. The money which is given to players should be reduced because what they do isnt worth all the money they get. Because the average salary of a professional football player of February 2010 was listed at about $1.8 million year (Mandi R Hall, www.ehow.com). There are also other people that have worked harder throughout their lives by working and studying. Players perform a sport where they do not save anyones life unlike doctors who study for 6 consecutive years, work for several hours, and literally save peoples lives. But the problem is even doctors they donââ¬â¢t gut that high salary like the average in 2009 for doctors in the US was $226,000/ year (mdsalaries.blogspot.com). There are also other careers like police officers who devote their lives to provide a safe community. A single football player receives high amounts of money where half of this amount could be spent on medical supplies, help have a better education, and also help many needy people. Because billing school for example ââ¬Å"The Williamstown Public School in Williamstown, Massachusetts is an old school, so they are currently building a new one. It costs $14.5 million and it will house 650 students maximum. The Williamstown Public School is about three times bigger than Marks Meadow. Since our school is about 1/3 smaller, it would cost about 1/3 less money to build. $14.5 million divided by three equals about $4.8 millionâ⬠(arps.org).The players effort is insignificant and worthless compare to the amount of they get. The reasons why they should not be paid as much as they do, are: Children should be in better schools have a higher degree of education, people who work harder should get better salaries, the money people sent in football as a whole should be used better on investment or donations.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Descriptive Paragraph Essay Example for Free
Descriptive Paragraph Essay One of the things that I treasure in summertime is my weekends. I start my day early, getting ready to ride in my boyfriendââ¬â¢s car, to pick up the boat from a friend. The boat is a camouflaged, flat bottom, twelve feet long; spray painted on one side is the name for the boat ââ¬Å"Esox Luciusâ⬠. We get to the creek and Jake dismounts the boat, I help by bringing the fishing poles, tackle boxes and my bag down to the bank. The familiar creek where we go is not too wide, covered on both sides by green pasture hills. We drift around curves with the moderate sway of the water. The day is clear blue sky with bright rays of light coming from the sun, and refreshing soft breeze enveloping our skin. Not far from here, you can hear the mooing from a group of robust, spotted cattle nibbling the grass. There are farmers getting tractors ready for work in the fields. I am sitting in the front of the boat reading a book, while Jake is casting away his bait ready to catch another fish. He is standing at the back of the boat for a wide open cast. Yet his back is straight and at ease, because he is doing one of his favorite hobbies, facing me. His arms sway smoothly with every cast far away from the boat, enjoying the dynamic between the bait and the fish. In addition the water is so clear, which makes it simple to spot the fish leaping for the bait. After a while I put down the book, and decide to fish as well. The fishing pole is an Ugly Stik model, six and a half feet long, equipped with a cork handle. My bait is a half ounce swim jig head; about five inches long, camouflaged green, purple and orange skirt, with a black and white swimbait tail. With my distant cast, combined with a slow reeling, I eagerly anticipate a fish to make the mistake to fall for my trap.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Money Laundering Control in Nigeria
Money Laundering Control in Nigeria Money laundering INTRODUCTION This dissertation makes a contribution to the worrying issues of money laundering in Nigeria and the control mechanism within the economy. Money laundering is a global problem which warranted a declaration by the United Nations. The declaration strongly condemns money laundering because it aids the use of financial systems for illicit drug trafficking and other serious crimes such as terrorism. For example the work of Okogbule on (Official corruption and the dynamics of money laundering in Nigeria 2007), and the work Chukwumerie on (Nigerias Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2004: A tighter noose, 2004), and the work of Chibuike (Ethics in Nigerian Banking, 2004), all these scholars did not give a look at the banking sector in regard to money laundering compliance and if Nigeria, is really regulating according to international practicing. Therefore, that gives the researcher more effort in looking inwards to the banks, since that is where large transaction takes place. THE OVERVIEW OF MONEY LAUNDERING The research project is on Money laundering Control in Nigeria, and how it has been a very serious problem in that country especially in recent times during the civilian administration, (Chukwuemerie, 2006). But it is not only Nigeria, which its affecting, it is a menace in the whole world that even requested the United Nations making a declaration strongly condemning laundering of money through the illicit drug trafficking and other serious crime, as well as the use of the financial systems of the states for that purpose, (UN Resolution S- 20/4 D) Evidence from around the world proves this view. According to Walker, (1999), around $2.85bn is been laundered yearly around the globe. Again, for example the United Kingdom Government recently issue a cheque of One hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) pounds to the Attorney General of Nigeria, as part of the proceeds laundered by a former Governor in Nigeria (Joshua Dariye), also a cheque for $2 million belonging to former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was also returned to Nigeria by the British government and promised to returned the sum of Fourty Million (40,000,000) pounds recovered from some Nigerian Government Officials; (Oyedele, 2008) THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING Money laundering has been a global problem since the beginning of the 20th century. Uche (2007) relate that there were 12 multilateral drug treaties between 1912 and 1972. These treaties helped in regulating the manufacturing and trading of drugs worldwide (United Nations, 1987). For instance, Nadelemann (1988) reports the United Nations adoption of the ideals of Vienna Convention on illicit traffic of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The convention emphasises on tracking down the wealth of money launderers. Article 5(2) of the Vienna convention provides that each party must enact domestic laws to enable it to identify, trace, seize, freeze, and forfeit all manner of profit derived from or used in Money laundering offences. Further all member nations are required to assist other member within their territory in the fight against money laundering offences; (Article 5(4b)). In 1990, the Council of Europe convention on Laundering, search, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds from crime was adopted. And one of the notable differences is that it goes beyond drug related crimes. The wolfsberg, this are group of eleven banks that came together to fight money laundering. The group was formed in the year 2000, at Chateau Wolfsberg in north east of Switzerland; the group released their anti money laundering principles to their correspondence banks, all in order to fight money laundering. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body whose purpose is the development and promotion ofnational and international policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.The FATF is therefore a policy-making body created in 1989that works to generate the necessary political will to bring aboutlegislative and regulatory reforms in these areas. The FATF has published 40+9Recommendations in order to meet this objective. For example, the case of former Nigerian Head of State (Gen. Sani Abacha), $675.2m; 75.3m GBP; were all recovered by the government of Nigeria, with the assistance of the other countries were the money was laundered; (Shehu, 2004). MONEY LAUNDERING IN NIGERIA Okogbule (2007) argue that money laundering was relatively unknown in Nigeria up to the mid 1980s. Further, he relate that it is now being used as a means of corruption in every segment of Nigerian society. For this reason, the military government enacted a decree (which decree and when was it enacted) . Thereafter, the civilian administration that came in 1999 repealed the decree and came up with the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2004 which gave birth to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Pursuant to the Act, the commission is empowered to investigate and prosecute any person or corporate body who commit any act of money laundering. For instance, a former governor in Nigeria was charged with money laundering offence for bringing into the United Kingdom the sum of 3.2 Million Dollars in 2005 (Guardian Newspaper, 2005). Reiterating the laundering issue, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri mentioned that the Nigerian government lost over 285 Billion Naira in 10 years. These tend support the argument that there is a regulation gap in the regulation of money laundering in Nigeria. It is in context that this research intends to look at money laundering regulations in Nigeria, so as to contribute towards developing the country. THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY The scope of the study will focus on the effectiveness money laundering regulation in the Nigerian Banking sector, and whether the Nigerian authorities have anything to learn from, how Money laundering is dealt with in the world (International Standard)? AIMS OF THE STUDY The main focus of the dissertation is to find out the effectiveness of money-laundering regulations in regards to banks in Nigerian, and compare it with the international standard? The extent of money laundering in Nigeria The effectiveness of money laundering regulations in Nigeria The international standard on Money laundering Control What lessons Nigeria can learn from that Chapter Two: LITERATURE REVIEW CONCEPT OF MONEY LAUNDERING Money laundering can generally be defined as the process of converting or transferring Criminal proceeds with the intention of disguising their illicit origin (UN, 2000: Art. 3(a)(i)). The extent of the problem becomes clear, considering that, in 1996, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated the money laundering business at around 2-5 per cent of the worlds gross domestic product (Camdessus, 1998), which amounts to up to US$1.5 trillion (Financial Action Task Force FATF, 2007). Moreover, it is claimed that the money laundering business is the third biggest industry worldwide following the international oil trade and foreign exchange (Preller, 2007, pp 234). In one of the definitions it says conversion transfer of any property, knowing such property is gotten from drug related offense or even acting in the scheme to conceal the true information of the origin of such property in order to protect such person from facing the legal consequences of his/her action. FATF organization defines money laundering as a concise the processing of criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origin in order to legitimize the ill gotten gain of crime. Law Dictionary (1990) refers to it as an investment or other transfer of money flowing from racketeering, drug transactions, and other illegal sources into legitimate channels so that its original source cannot be traced. Money laundering has been defined as a way funds obtained from illegal sources, and put into an account that cannot be traced for possible action; Okogbule, (2007). It has also been described as the processing of funds derived from illegal or illegitimate sources, through legal financial channels with a view to legitimizing and concealing or disguising the source of such funds (Osinbajo and Ajayi, 1991, Okogbule, 2007). THE EXTENT OF MONEY LAUNDERING IN NIGERIA Money laundering was not a prominent crime in Nigeria until the late 1980s, during the period of an oil boom with a tremendous increase in the level of revenue and commercial activities in the country (Okogbule, 2007, pp 52). Therefore, the issue of money laundering in Nigeria it is now through the official corruption, which has been exploited by public officers in Nigeria, who incorporate companies and use as a conduit pipe by awarding some phoney contracts and lodge the money through the companies bank accounts, both in Nigeria and abroad, several millions or even billions of naira are transferred from the government treasuries (Okogbule 2007). The former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Nuhu Ribadu), told the BBC in 2006, that $380bn had been stolen or wasted in Nigeria since independence. That $140m had been recovered from one unnamed former Nigerian leader and that nearly $400m of illegally gained assets had been identified in the possession of a former governor of Bayelsa State. Last year, Nigeria recovered $458m found in Swiss bank accounts linked to the countrys late military ruler Sani Abacha. Mr Abacha was in power from 1993 to 1998 and is thought to have embezzled billions of dollars. Last year his son, Abba Sani Abacha, was charged with money laundering and fraud after being extradited to Switzerland. According to Chukwuemerie, (2006), rate of financial crimes in Nigeria project a bad image abroad. And how Nigerians are been treated with disdain in the foreign land, again he talks about the crimes related to opening of account by customers, because in Nigeria, before the Money laundering prohibition act 2004, anyone can go and open account without a proper identification. However, the main issue is corruption that wears many faces, which are nepotism, bribery, treasury looting, and inflation contract prices, money laundering and advance fee frauds and most of these crimes are destroying the economy of the country; (Ajayi and Ososami, 2007). The case of former Head of Sate Gen. Sani Abacha, he was accused with his cronies of embezzling over $5bn and which out of the money $2.3bn were stolen direct from the government treasury and the remaining were received as a bribes for contracts. The money was laundered in various foreign bank accounts in UK, USA, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Hong Kong; (Ige, 2002, Shehu, 2004). Investigation by the UK financial services authority (FSA), the London Metropolitan Police confirmed that over $1.3bn of Abacha money passed through London; (Chamberlin, 2002, Shehu, 2004, pp). Furthermore, according to a study conducted by the Nigerian Trade and Investment Center in UK, shows that about two million Nigerians living in United Kingdom have investments worth almost Ninety four Billion (94bn GBP) pounds. And out of these amounts of money 84bn is in real estate, 7bn in vehicles, while the remaining 3bn is in stocks and shares; (Adesina and Madunagu, 2004, Malgwi, 2004). Malgwi, (2004), in his paper gives an example of former Head of State Late Gen. Sani Abacha, fakes daughter who duped an American the sum of Seven Million ($7) dollars, with the pretence that her late father left the sum of $100m in the central bank of Nigeria, and the account is coded. Therefore, she need his assistance with some money to bribe the officials of the apex bank to get the money out and he will get thirty (30%) percent of the money. Quite recently, a serving chief of staff to the governor of Rivers State (Ezebunwo Nyeson Wike), was caught by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), laundering the sum of N4.670 Billion (Four Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy Million Naira), which the commission believes was public money that was diverted into his personal account (Babafemi, 2009). He has since been charged by a court to explain the sources of the money. This is the problem with the country people in position of authority are abusing the trust people repose on them, everyday it is happening even with the money laundering regulation in place. There is no exact statistics of the amount of money been laundered in Nigeria, but below are some of the high profile cases been prosecuted by the economic and financial crimes commission from 2007 to 2009; CHAPTER THREE: THE MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATION IN NIGERIA The phrase money-laundering was not in the Nigerian dictionary, until in the 1980s which was when it was recognised and efforts were made to deal with the problem by the government. Therefore, there were decrees set by the government of Generals Muhammad Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha as heads of state and military president respectively, prohibiting activities related to money-laundering (Exchange Control (Anti Sabotage) Decree No 7 of 1984, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Decree No 48 of 1989, now Caps No 29 Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004; Okogbule, 2007). 1995 decree corrected one of the defects of these laws which limited the activities to Drug traffickers in order to avoid loophole which gave way for the accused person to escape justice when the case is not drug trafficking; (Adekunle, 1999; Okogbule, 2007). It was in this recognition of the defect or inadequacy of the previous Decrees to cover all the aspects of money laundering that gave birth to the enactment of the money-laundering (prohibition) Act, 2003 which covers everything relating to the offence. And after One year of its enactment it was amended through the money-laundering prohibition (Amendment) Act 2004, in order to give the agencies more power to institute an investigation and prosecute offenders (Okogbule, 2007). However, the amendment was based on two philosophies. Firstly, it was on the need to control the practice of huge financial transactions in Nigeria, since the country is known as a cash society. In the amended Act, it states that no person or corporate body shall make or accept cash payment of sum exceeding N500, 000 or its equivalent in the case of individuals, while in the case of corporate bodies the amount is N2, 000,000, unless the transaction is done through a financial institution, the provision is design to enhance the monitoring capabilities of the regulatory institutions over huge financial transactions and encourage the use of financial institutions (Okogbule, 2007). However in the second philosophy in the act, it is a directive requiring disclosure of any financial transaction exceeding a certain sum of money. Section 2(1) of the Act, state that: A transfer to or from a foreign country funds or security exceeding the sum of $10,000 or its equivalent shall be reported to the central bank of Nigeria. And it further said that a report should be made pursuant to the above provision to indicate the nature and amount of transfer, the names and addresses of the sender and receiver of the funds or securities (Okogbule, 2007). MONEY LAUNDERING REFULATION IN RELATION TO INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA The money laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004, of Nigeria in section 1 states that no person or corporate body shall, except through transactional institutions, make or accept deposit of a sum exceeding, A, for an individual the sum of N500, 000 or its equivalent in other currency and B, the sum of 2,000,000 for a corporate body, that anything above this should be made through the financial institution likewise for the individual costumer. In section 2 of the prohibition of money laundering act states that any transaction from or to foreign country of funds or securities exceeding the sum of US $10,000 shall be reported to the central bank of Nigeria (in the act refer to Central Bank) or security and exchange commission. Again in section 2 sub section 1, states that the report should indicate the nature and the amount of the transfer, the names and addresses of the sender and receivers of the funds or securities. CUSTOMER DUE DILLIGENCE However, it is provided in section 5(1) of the Act that before opening an account for or issuing passbook or even entering into any business relationship with a potential customer, the financial institution shall verify the customers identity and address. For individual, he is required to provide proof of his identity by presenting to the financial institution a valid original copy of an official document bearing his names and photograph; Secondly, he is to show proof of his address, by presenting to the financial institution the originals of receipts his/her utilities issued within the last three months by public institution (example, electricity or water bill). In the case of a body corporate, its proof of identity shall be provided by the presentation of its certificate of incorporation and other valid official documents attesting to the existence of the body corporate. Where a manager, employee, or assignee is delegated by a body corporate to open or operate an account, such a person shall in addition to the requirements specified for private individuals also show proof of a power of attorney granted to him for that purpose. One important provision in the Act designed to facilitate the detection of money laundering activities is section 6(1). It provides as follows: When a financial institution is requested to carry out a transaction, whether or not it relates to the laundering of the proceeds of a crime or an act, the financial institution shall seek information from the customer as to the origin and the destination of the funds, the aim of the transaction and the identity of the beneficiary. In order to make this surveillance function more effective, financial institutions are required within seven days of the transaction to carry out the following actions: Draw up a written report containing all relevant information about the transaction as well as the identity of the principal and where applicable, those of the beneficiary. Take appropriate action to prevent the laundering of the proceeds of a crime or an illegal Act. Send a copy of the report and action taken to the Central Bank, the Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or such other appropriate regulatory authority, as the case may be. Significantly, any financial institution which fails to comply with the above provisions is guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine of N1, 000,000 each day for as long as the offence continues. In order to emphasize the importance of records of transactions, it is provided that these records are to be kept and preserved for at least a period of 10 years, and that the records shall be communicated to the Central Bank, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), judicial authorities, Customs Officers, and such other persons as the Central Bank may from time to time specify. However, the mandatory disclosure requirement concerning financial transactions is contained in section 10 of the Act. It is to the effect that a financial institution or casino shall report to the Agency in writing, lodgement or transfer of funds in excess of One million (N1, 000,000) Naira or its equivalent in the case of an individual and Five million (N5, 000,000) Naira or its equivalent in the case of a body corporate. This report is to be submitted within seven days of any single transaction. And even an ordinary citizen other than a financial institution may voluntarily give information on any transaction, lodgement, or transfer of funds involving the amounts set out above. This ensures that even when a financial institution fails to report as required, information about the transaction still gets to the Agency (See Chukuemerie, 2004, Okogbule, 2007b). The intent of the provisions is to enable the Agency ascertain the origin of the funds and determine whether to direct a stoppage of the transaction or not. This it can do when acknowledging receipt of such disclosure, report or information received in furtherance of the provisions. If the Agency is unable to ascertain the origin of the funds within a period of 72 hours, it may make a request to the Federal High Court for an order that the funds, accounts, or securities referred to in the report be blocked, and an order made by the Court in pursuance of this provision shall be enforced forthwith. Section 9(1) of the Act provides that every financial institution shall develop programmes to combat the laundering of proceeds of a crime or other illegal act. These shall include: The designation of compliance officers at management level at its headquarters and at every branch and local office; Regular training programmes for its employees; The centralization of the information collected; The establishment of an internal audit unit to ensure compliance with and ensure the effectiveness of the measures taken to enforce the provisions of the Act In order to ensure compliance with this provision, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria is empowered to impose a penalty of not less than one million Naira on any financial institution which fails to comply with the above provisions. And that makes it a very important provision since the threat of immediate sanction which could be suspension of the banks operating license can engender compliance with the statutory provision. THE MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCE IN NIGERIA The actual money laundering offences are provided for in sections 14 18 of the Act which also specify the penalties for such offences. Thus, section 14(1) provides as follows: Any person who converts or transfers resources or property derived directly or indirectly from illicit traffic c in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or any illegal act, with the aim of either concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the resources or property or aiding any person involved in the illicit traffic c in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or any other crime or illegal act to evade the legal consequences of his action; or collaborates in concealing or disguising the genuine nature, origin, location disposition, movement or ownership of the resources, property or rights thereto derived directly or indirectly from illicit traffic c in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or any other crime or illegal act, commits an offence under this section and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 2 years or more than 3 years. Significantly, a person who commits an offence under this subsection shall also be subject to the same penalty notwithstanding the fact that the various acts constituting the offence were committed in different countries or places. It is not difficult to ascertain the rationale behind this provision since, very often; money laundering entails the perpetration of some of the acts in one country and the others in other countries. This brings to the fore the transnational nature of money laundering which has given rise to international concern for its regulation. Section 16 of the Act provides that any person who: Whether by concealment, removal from jurisdiction, transfer to nominees or otherwise retains the proceeds of a crime or an illegal act on behalf of another person knowing or suspecting such other person to be engaged in a criminal conduct or has benefited from a criminal conduct; or Knowing that any property either in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents another persons proceeds of a criminal conduct, acquires or uses that property or has possession of it, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 years or to a fine equivalent to 5 times the value of the proceeds of the criminal conduct or to both such imprisonment and fine. It is difficult to fashion the rationale for this marked variation in the punishment specified under this section and that provided for in section 14 of the Act relating to the actual conversion or transfer of funds from such criminal or illegal activities which is stated to be not more than three years. Although it may be said that the opportunity created by a willing receptacle could have emboldened the suspect and thus facilitated the commission of the offence, it is nevertheless incongruous to have such marked disparity in the punishment for both kinds of offences, when the level of moral reprehensibility is more for the actual converter or transferor of such illegal funds than the receiver. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATION IN NIGERIA The government of former president Obasanjo, of Nigeria was able to start the fight against corruption and money laundering, by presenting the bill Money laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004, before the national assembly which was accented by the government and put into use immediately in order to fight the menace in the country. However, by the year 2006, the EFCC was able to secure the conviction of the former inspector general of police, Mr Tafa Balogun for several offence mostly on money laundering, by showing that ACT that no one is above the law in the country and it shows that it has the political will to tackle the canker worm of money laundering in all its ramifications (Okogbule, 2007, Chukwuemerie, 2006). Furthermore, within the first two years of creating the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Nigeria, they proved effective and were able to recovered [sic] more than $1.5bn (N203.5bn) of looted funds and arrested more than 200 people and out of the 200, 50 people were convicted and recovered $37.1M (N5bn) from import malpractices (Malgwi, 2004). Again the EFCC was able to secure a plea bargain with a former governor of Edo State of Nigeria, Mr Lucky Igbinedion, which in the agreement consented in refunding the sum of N500M stolen funds and forfeit some of his properties. It was not only Igbinedion that got the plea bargain, Mr Nwude, Mr DSP Alamieyeseigha former governor of Bayelsa State of Nigeria, also enjoy the gesture (Alli, 2008). However, recently the Chairman of the financial crimes commission in Nigeria, admit that they are not fully enforcing the money laundering regulation in the country while hosting stock broking firms in her office. Waziri said the anti-graft agency would start the immediate enforcement of the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004, and prosecute all stock broking firms that default in their obligation to the suspicious transactions reports and currency transaction reports (Akinsunyi, 2009). Under Section 23 of the Money Laundering Act, firms carry on the business of investment and securities (this includes stock broking firms) are designated as financial institutions and there is an obligation on them to file with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit all suspicious transactions, and file with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit all currency transactions above N500, 000 for individuals and the N2 million for companies. But all that is done by stock broking firms in the country. And up to extent a an investment firm took a loan of N90 Billion from a bank in order to manipulate the market, but that is between Bank and it is customer, but the utilization of the loan is different which is contrary to Section 20 of the BOFIA and the regulations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and carries a jail term of between two and three years. It is also a breach of the Investment and Securities Act (see Thisday Newspaper, August, 2009). However, this bring us to the issue of reporting system adopted by the Financial Action Task Force and was even part of the Nigerian Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004, which is in section 6 sub-section 1(a) that direct financial and non financial institutions to draw up a written report on any illegal transaction and submit within seven days to the relevant authorities. That means the Act, is not been followed by the Banks and stock broking firms. FACTORS FOR AND AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATION IN NIGERIA There is no doubt that with the enactment of the Money Laundering Act 2004 the Nigerian Government has taken a bold step in its efforts to fight against money laundering in the country. However, it is effort and resourcefulness may not bear the required results if the well-known problems of enforcement of law in the country are not adequately addressed in the provisions. It is a common feature in Nigeria that individuals and institutions prefer to subvert laid down rules rather than comply with them, for example the recent banks audit conducted by the new Central Bank Governor, it shows how reckless the banks are operating, given out a loan of N490 Billion without a collateral, which form part of analysis in given out to loan to any customer by a bank and is used to settle out the debt in case the loan goes bad, but they ignore that and give out the money without following the laid down rules. The assurance being that even when they fail to comply, officials from the regulatory institutions will always compromise their positions. This brings to the fore the popularity of corruption in the country as such officers are often settled to overlook noncompliance with statutory provisions (Okogbule, 2007). In such situation, there is usually an unethical alliance between regulatory officers on the hand and the defaulting financial institutions. Therefore, there will be inadequate or ineffective enforcement of the rules, to the detriment of the country. However, recently an upright officer (Barrister Abubakar Abba Umar) with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria lost his life in the course of his duty. He was involved in making the organisation a very good place that it suppose to be, because to get a company registered in Nigeria, it might take you two to three months, but his coming within a day after full verification you can get your company registered. While in course of investigation of certificate fraud in the organisation, he was forced to hand over some lawyers involve to EFCC for prosecution (see Leadership newspaper, 2009), seeing all this thing happening nobody will like to give himself up in order to do a good job in fighting money laundering in Nigeria. According to Andrew (2004, pp 173), he argues that the Act is faithfully implemented by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Minister of Commerce, this relevant authorities are the ones in positions to see the implementation of the Act to the later. However, if they did not enforce the implementation concurrently together, there is every chance that the Act, will not be effective as it suppose to be in checkmating the money laundering activities in the country. There is also problem of regular monitoring of the activities of these financial institutions. Inspectorate and Compliance Officers are known to be lax in their monitoring of the operations of these institutions, due to the fact that they are conniving together to subvert the law regulating the institutions (see Okogbule, 2007). <
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Aristotle: Above the Mean :: essays research papers fc
Aristotle: Above the Mean à à à à à With the strict oppression of thought by religion and government in the 2nd century B.C.E., itââ¬â¢s a surprise in itself that Aristotle, a man with such revolutionary thoughts and ideas was able to let his thinking be known to the entire world (as it was known back then). It is therefore even more surprising that his ideaââ¬â¢s have survived these many centuries though books, a medium of writing that has a notorious reputation of being burned when something in its contents doesnââ¬â¢t match the current beliefs of the established system of government or the church. We can certainly all be thankful that his ideaââ¬â¢s have survived thus far because of the tremendous impact that they have had on thought, government, and the way of life throughout the entire world in general. Aristotle was a revolutionary thinker whose ideas have no rival from anyone in his own school of thought. à à à à à In book Two of Aristotleââ¬â¢s Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle lets out arguably some of his best work. The idea that in life, people shouldnââ¬â¢t strive to be the best, but instead aim for the middle, or the mean as Aristotle calls it, was something new and innovative not only then, but even to some people today. He further backs his assumption up by supplying more than enough examples. To start out, Aristotle first defines what is ââ¬Å"goodâ⬠and what is ââ¬Å"badâ⬠. He does this by providing examples of several things that have both a good side along with a bad side. One example he gives is lawmakers. A lawmaker can have a positive effect on society or a negative one. Judging by the effect his laws have on the people, he is then determined to be either a bad lawmaker or a good one. Moreover, the lawmakers themselves have the power of making people into either good or bad citizens. This is done by instilling either good or bad habits into the citizens through the legislation that the lawmakers pass (Pg. 99). This once again, in turn, dictates whether the lawmakers themselves are good or bad lawmakers. Aristotleââ¬â¢s idea of this is (to use a clichà ©) is ââ¬Å"Right on the moneyâ⬠. Even in todayââ¬â¢s world, people are judged by their actions. That is to say, if someone does something good in their life, they are considered a good person, conversely, if a person is known for a failure, the people around them regard that person as a failure; or as Aristotle would simply put it, ââ¬Å"badâ⬠.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
The Gap Between ESL Programs and Mainstream Academics :: Education Academics China Language Essays
The Gap Between ESL Programs and Mainstream Academics The world of Academia is daunting even for one who speaks the language of the culture in which it is embedded. As I set about writing this paper, I must ââ¬â as I imagine Ryuko Kubota must also have done in her crusade against stereotypical theories ââ¬â make this subject real for me. This process of making sense of what has already been written, of my own and othersââ¬â¢ responses to them, of how it applies to what I have observed in the real life of a Japanese student grappling through the rhetorical and cultural jungles, and how to synthesis it all into a crisp-written thesis, feels very much like preparing to birth a perfect, unwieldy egg. I have a vague vision of how it might look, yet Iââ¬â¢ve no idea how it is supposed to come out of me. And, furthermore, what might hatch from it once it is in the world. This allows me a new appreciation for those going through this process without the advantage of their first language. This also stirs a sense of responsibility brought to my attention by Ruth Spack regarding the integrity of researchers ââ¬â or anyone actively utilizing the discourse of dominance ââ¬â who have in their hands not only the power of influencing individualsââ¬â¢ experiences learning a language, but swaying the course of social perception. In her criticism of the intellectual irresponsibility of colleagues such as Murphy, Carson & Nelson, whose poorly-supported generalizations about eastern cultures created a ââ¬Å"snowball effectâ⬠in succeeding literature, she warned of the danger of seemingly harmless assertions being ââ¬Å"treated as cultural truths and then applied inappropriately to other casesâ⬠(Spack, 769). It is with such particular acts that dangerous assumptions can debilitate core efforts toward clearer communication. It is therefore both with a sense of compassion for those having to situate themselves ââ¬â and succeed ââ¬â in a discourse not their own, and a sense of duty to contribute to a vaster understanding and acceptance of our worldââ¬â¢s multiple consciousnesses, that I approach the issue of contrastive rhetoric and L2 writing. With unabashed contempt for the tendencies toward mass stereotyping found in much of the literature on contrastive rhetoric (except for recent criticism from Spack, Kubota and the like), I wanted to narrow the scope of my thesis as much as possible ââ¬â to ground it in the directly-observable, and to strip away any supposition that my views are anything other than subjective.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Robert Borden
Robert Borden Robert Borden was the most successful Prime Minister because he led Canada through World War One, increased the war effort in World War One, and made the Wartime Business Profits Tax of 1917. First, Robert Borden was a successful Prime Minister because he led Canada through World War One. Robert Borden wanted Canada to participate in the war and got several troops for the Britain empire. He made the first GST tax, and gave women the right to vote. He led Canada to winning several incredibly successful battles, including the famous Paschendale.At the peace treaty of Versailles, he got a separate seat from Britain, which led to independence. Canada signed as an independent nation on the treaty and was a delegate for the World Nations. Robert Borden increased the war effort in World war One by sending out more troops into battle and by sending out more supplies for the soldiers. By doing so, Canada gained huge international recognition by proving that Canada was serious ab out the war. This was a very large step for the country because now Canada would have an impact in war.Robert Borden introduced the war measures act in World War 1. He did this to protect the citizens of Canada. The War Measures Act was an act that allowed any person of authority to arrest someone who had some sort of suspicion. This protected the citizens of Canada by eliminating anyone who could potentially do harm. In conclusion Robert Borden was the most successful prime minister because he led Canada through World War One, increased the war effort in World War One, and made the Wartime Business Profits Tax of 1917.
Monday, September 16, 2019
The Retail Inventory-Level Planning
Retail Inventory-Level Planning consists of retail inventory method (RIM) which is an accounting procedure whose objectives are to maintain a perpetual. It also can book inventory in retail dollars amounts and to maintain records that make it possible to determine the cost value of the inventory at any time without taking a physical inventory. Also known as book inventory system or perpetual book inventory. Retailers also have another important choice to make the stock to sales ratio. The stock to sales ratio is derived directly from the planned inventory to determine monthly additions to stock in the merchandise budget plan. Retailers generally think of their inventory at retail price levels rather than at cost. Retailers use their initial markups, additional markups, and markdowns, and so forth as percentages of retail. When retailers compare their prices to competitorsâ⬠, they use retail prices. The problem is that when retailers to design their financial plans, evaluate performance, and prepare financial statements, they need to know the cost value of their inventory. Retailers use physical inventories. This process is time consuming and costly. Retailers take physical inventories once or twice a year. Many retailers use point of sale terminals that keep track of every item sold its original cost, and its final selling price. The rest of the retailers face a problem of not knowing the cost value of their inventory at one time. These retailers with either computerized or manual systems can use retail inventory method. Their are five advantages for using RIM over a system of inventory at cost. The does not have to ââ¬Å"costâ⬠each time. When retailers have many SKUs, keeping track of each item becomes difficult and expensive. It is easier to determine the value of inventory with the retail prices marked on the merchandise than unmarked or at coded cost prices. The second advantage for using RIM is that it follows the accepted accounting principal of valuing assets at cost or market value, which is lower. This system lowers the value of inventory when markdowns are taken but does not allow inventoryâ⬠s value increase with additional markups. When using RIM, the amounts and percentages of initial markups, markdowns, and shrinkage can be identified. This information can then be compared with historical records or industry norms. RIM is useful for determining shrinkage. The difference between the book inventory and the physical inventory can be attributed to shrinkage. The book inventory determined by RIM can be used in an insurance claim in case of a loss. The disadvantages of RIM are system that uses average markup. When markup percentages change during a period or when the inventory on hand at a particular time is not representative of the total goods handled in terms of markup, the resulting cost may be distorted. The inventory turnover, merchandise budget planning, open to buy, all these should be applied to the RIM category basis to avoid the problem. There are four steps in when calculating RIM. Calculate total goods handled at cost and retail, calculate retail reductions, calculate the cumulative markup and cost multiplier, and determine ending book inventory. Calculating the total goods handled in at cost and retail to determine the total goods handled at cost and retail: 1. Record beginning inventory at cost and at retail. The initial markup is reflected in the retail inventory. 2. Calculate net purchases by recording gross purchases and adjusting for merchandise returned to vendor. 3. Calculate net additional markups by adjusting gross additional markup cancellations. Note: These are recorded only at retail because markups affect only the retail value of inventory. 4. Record transportation expenses. Here transportation is recorded at cost because it affects only the cost of the inventory. 5. Calculate net transfers by recording the transfers in and out. A transfer can be from one department to another or from one store to the next. Transfers are generally made to help adjust inventory to fit demand. A transfer is, in effect, just like a purchase (transfer in) or a return (transfer out). Thus, it is recorded at both cost and retail. 6. The sum is the total goods handled. Calculating retail reductions are the transactions that reduce the value inventory at retail (except additional markup cancellations, which were included as part of the total goods handled). Reductions are calculated as follows: 1. The largest reduction in inventory is sales. Gross sales are reduced to net sales by deducting customer returns and allowances. 2. Calculate markdowns, are derived by subtracting any markdowns from gross markdowns. 3. Record discounts to employees and customers. 4. Record estimated shrinkage is used to determine the ending book inventory if the buyer has prepared an interim financial statement. Estimate shrinkage would not be included if a physical inventory were taken at the same time. The difference between physical inventory and book inventory would be the amount due to loss. Next, a retailer has to calculate the cumulative markup and the cost multiplier. The cumulative markup is the average percentage markup for the period. It is calculated like this: Cumulative markup total retail The cumulative markup can be used as a measuring stick against the planned initial markup. If the cumulative markup is higher than the planned initial markup, then the Category is doing better than expected. Cost multiplier =($100-cumulative markup %) The cost multiplier is used in the next step to determine the ending book inventory at retail price. The final step in the process is determining the ending book inventory at cost and retail. Ending book inventory at retail = total goods handled at retail ââ¬â total reductions The ending book inventory at cost is determined the same way that retail has changed to cost. Ending book inventory at cost = ending book inventory at retail * cost multiplier When using the RIM retailers generally use the average beginning of month (BOM) stock to sales ratio. This is taken from the planned inventory which was taken from the RIM. This is used to determine monthly additions to stock in the merchandise budget plan. The BOM is broken down into three different methods weekâ⬠s supply method, basic stock method, and percentage variation method. The weekâ⬠s supply method is the inventory management method is the most similar to the stock to sales method. The difference between the two is that everything is expressed in weeks rather than months. The average BOM stock to sales ratio is equal to months in the period divided by the planned inventory for the period. ââ¬Å"If the plan is for 12 months and planned turnover is 6, the average BOM stock to sales ratio = 12/6=2. Using the weekâ⬠s supply method, 52 weeks are substituted for 12 months. Thus, 52 weeks 6 turns =8.66 weeks of supply. This means the buyer is planning to have 8.66 weeks of supply at the beginning of the month. (Of course, 8.66 weeks is equivalent to two months.)â⬠The basic stock method is the inventory management method used to determine the BOM inventory by considering both the sales forecast for the month and the back-up stock.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Indian two-wheeler industry Essay
Overview The Indian two-wheeler (2W) industry recorded sales volumes of 13. 4 million units in 2011-121, a growth of 14. 0% over the previous year. In a year wherein growth in other automobile segments particularly, passenger vehicle (PV) and medium & heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV), slowed down to single digits ââ¬â marred by demand slowdown due to northward movement of inflation, fuel prices and interest rates ââ¬â the 14% growth recorded by the 2W industry remained steady. However, the momentum in the 2W industryââ¬â¢s volume growth too has been losing steam lately as evident from the relatively lower volume growth of 11. 0% recorded in H2, 2011-12 (YoY) against a growth of 17. 1% recorded in H1, 2011-12 (YoY). The deceleration in growth is largely attributable to the motorcycles segment which grew at a much lower rate of 7. 8% (YoY) in H2, 2011-12 vis-a-vis 16. 4% in H1, 2011-12; even as the scooters segment continued to post 20%+ (YoY) expansion during both halves of the last fiscal. With this, the share of the scooters segment in the domestic 2W industry volumes increased to 19. 1% in 2011-12 from 17. 6% in 2010-11. Overall, ICRA expects the domestic 2W industry to report a volume growth of 8-9% in 2012-13 as base effect catches up with the industry that has demonstrated a strong volume expansion over the last three years at cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21. 8%. Over the medium term, the 2W industry is expected to report a volume CAGR of 9-11% to reach a size of 24-26 million units (domestic + exports) by 2016-17, as we believe the various structural positives associated with the domestic 2W industry including favourable demographic profile, moderate 2W penetration levels (in relation to several other emerging markets), under developed public transport system, growing urbanization, strong replacement demand and moderate share of financed purchases remain intact. Table 1: Trend in Sales Volumes of the Indian 2W Industry Volumes (Units, Nos.) Domestic Motorcycles Scooters Mopeds Total Domestic 2010-11 9,019,090 2,073,797 697,418 11,790,305 Exports 2010-11 Motorcycles Scooters Mopeds Total Exports Source: SIAM Q1 2011-12 2,464,143 532,867 190,672 3,187,682 Q1 2011-12 1,480,983 52,312 6,295 1,539,590 1 Refers to domestic sales volumes ICRA LIMITED 482,566 20,949 1,461 504,976 YoY Growth (%) Q2 2011-12 Q3 2011-12 Q4 2011-12 2,558,515 650,155 192,859 3,401,529 2,556,782 659,643 186,472 3,402,897 2,514,699 720,176 206,863 3,441,738 Q2 2011-12 Q3 2011-12 Q4 2011-12 492,408 24,696 3,478 520,582 448,090 23,950 2,796 474,836. 434,521 21,010 1,341 446,872 2010-11 22. 9% 41. 8% 23. 5% 25. 8% 2010-11 34. 3% 73. 6% -8. 8% 35. 0% Q1 2011-12 17. 5% 13. 3% 21. 0% 17. 0% Q1 2011-12 27. 1% 100. 4% -44. 0% 28. 6% Q2 2011-12 15. 4% 29. 0% 7. 0% 17. 3% Q2 2011-12 31. 7% 88. 5% 159. 2% 34. 0% Q3 2011-12 9. 2% 21. 6% 2. 6% 11. 0% Q3 2011-12 21. 8% 92. 0% 188. 0% 24. 5% Q4 2011-12 6. 3% 29. 4% 16. 4% 11. 1% Q4 2011-12 18. 1% 29. 0% -2. 3% 18. 5% Corporate Ratings Anjan Deb Ghosh +91 22 3047 0006 anjan@icraindia. com Analyst Contacts: Subrata Ray +91 22 3047 0027 subrata@icraindia. com Jitin Makkar +91 124 4545 368jitinm@icraindia. com. MEDIUM TERM DEMAND DRIVERS STAY PUT An analysis of the mix of Indian populace and the structure of the Indian 2W industry brings to the fore several key attributes namely, Indiaââ¬â¢s demographic advantage, moderate 2W penetration levels and shrinking of replacement cycle; factors that have combined to propel the industryââ¬â¢s volumes over the last 10 years from 4 million units in 2001 to 13 million units in 2011. In ICRAââ¬â¢s view, these growth drivers are likely to remain relevant over the medium term and continue to provide impetus to the industryââ¬â¢s volumes. Chart 1: Estimated population of Indiaââ¬â¢s Youth (20-40 years age) 250 Demographic Advantage 229 207 206 189 200 161 157 million 150 100 41 million youth estimated to be added to Indiaââ¬â¢s population mix over the next five years 50 0 2001 Male 2011E Female 2016E Source: Census 2001; Census 2011; ICRAââ¬â¢s Estimates In the age bracket of 20-40 years, which is the key target segment for 2W, around 77 million youth got added to the Indian population mix in the last decade, which has been the key contributor to the 2W industryââ¬â¢s volume growth over the last 10 years. Indiaââ¬â¢s demography continues to remain favourably on its side with average age of 25 years, which is 9 years younger than China, and more than 12 years and 19 years younger than the US and Japan, respectively. Over the next five years, the incremental addition in Indiaââ¬â¢s youth population is estimated to be ~41 million, a fairly large number that is likely to sustain the strong demand for 2W. The 20-40 years age group is characterized by a combination of earning power and high spending propensity, which should increase the likelihood of conversion of potential ownership into actual ownership. Chart 2: Trend in 2W Penetration in Indian Households 18 16 35% 13. 8 14 Underpenetrated Market 35% The 2W penetration level in Indian households was 12% in 2001. This low 2W penetration provided the structural thrust to the domestic industryââ¬â¢s volume growth over the last decade whose annualized volumes expanded by a factor of 3. 4x during this period. As of 2011, the 2W penetration levels in Indian households, while having increased to 21%, continue to remain moderate and much lower than in some of the other emerging markets such as Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan. Also, the penetration rates differ vastly between Indiaââ¬â¢s rural and urban areas, with rural areas being under-penetrated by a factor of 2. 5x as compared to urban areas. Additionally, the social trend in favour of nuclear families is expected to further increase the number of households which could be potential targets for the 2W industry. 30% 12 million 40% 16. 8 25% 25% 10 7. 9 8 5. 4 6 20% 14% 15% 10% 4 7% 2 5% 0 0% 2001 No. of Rural Households 2011 No. of Urban Households 2W Penetration ââ¬â Rural 2W Penetration ââ¬â Urban Source: Census 2011 ICRA LIMITED Chart 3: Trend in 2W Population in India. 30 25 million 20 Population of 22. 5 million units, equivalent to cumulative 2W sales volumes from 1995 to 2001 Population of 51. 8 million units, equivalent to cumulative 2W sales volumes from 2007 to 2011 24. 0 15 13. 3 10 9. 3 5 0 2001 2W Population ââ¬â Rural 2011 2W Population ââ¬â Urban Source: Census 2011, SIAM, ICRAââ¬â¢s Estimates Chart 4: Age Profile of 2W in India 100% 90% 30% 39% 80% 70% 53% 17% 60% 50% 21% 40% 30% 35% 52% 20% 10% 0% 40% 11% Motorcycle > 10 years Scooters 6-10 years Source: SIAM, ICRAââ¬â¢s Estimates ICRA LIMITED Shrinking Replacement Cycle 27. 8 Mopeds 0-5 years. While the 2W population in India has more than doubled over the last decade, the replacement cycle is estimated to have reduced from around 7 years (in 2001) to around 5 years (in 2011). The reduction in 2W replacement cycle implies that the average annual mileage covered per 2W has been on the rise, given that (distance run multiplied by age) of 2Ws is unlikely to have changed much over the years. As per industry estimates, around 50% of the total domestic sales of 2W are now made to first-time buyers, 30% to customers looking to upgrade from their existing vehicle, and 20% to buyers seeking a second vehicle for the household. The break-up suggests that currently around 50% of the sales in the domestic 2W market are made to replacement buyers. Considering that the industry has sold around 49 million 2W in the domestic market in the last five years, the total replacement demand works out to be a fairly large number. Add to this the healthy growth in sales to first-time buyers in recent years, driven in particular by sales to the rural market, the replacement opportunity could only increase in the future. From the consumer perspective, although replacement involves fresh capital spending, the inducement of upgrading to an improved technology 2W, having better performance, features and more attractive styling; complemented with increased spending propensity are expected to be the prime ingredients feeding replacement demand. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE 2W INDUSTRY The motorcycles segment accounts for a bulk of 2W industryââ¬â¢s sales volumes; however, the scooters segment has grown relatively faster over the last five years Chart 5: Trend in 2W Segment Volume Mix (Domestic) 100% 90%. 4. 5% 12. 0% Chart 6: Trend in segment-wise sales volume growth of 2W 5. 7% 5. 8% 6. 0% 5. 9% 5. 8% 45% 14. 5% 15. 5% 15. 6% 17. 6% 19. 1% 35% 80% 70% 25% 60% 50% 40% 83. 5% 15% 79. 8% 78. 7% 78. 4% 76. 5% 75. 1% 30% 5% 20% -5% 10% 0% 2006-07 Source: SIAM 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Motorcycles Scooters Mopeds 2011-12 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 -15% Motorcycles Scooters Mopeds Source: SIAM With sales volumes of 10. 1 million units, the motorcycles segment is the largest sub-segment of the domestic 2W industry accounting for a bulk of its volumes. However, over the last five years, the motorcycles segment has seen its volume share in the domestic 2W industry slide down to 75. 1% in 2011-12 from the highs of 83. 5% recorded in 2006-07. Although domestic motorcycle volumes grew at 9. 0% CAGR during the last five years, both the scooters segment as well as the mopeds segment grew at a much faster CAGR of 22. 2% and 17. 0%, respectively; contributing to reduction in the motorcycle segmentââ¬â¢s volume share. The three 2W sub-segments are targeted at distinct consumer categories. The motorcycles are targeted at the male population in both rural areas as well as urban areas (with further segmentation based on usage pattern ââ¬â family bike or individual bike, consumer profile ââ¬â commuter Vs performance seeker etc); the scooters are more of an urban phenomenon targeted at the female population (TVS Scooty, Hero Pleasure), male population (Hero Maestro) as well as unisex offerings (Honda Activa, TVS Wego); mopeds are targeted at the lower middle-class segment and derive a large part of their volume share from the rural sector where they are used as a utility vehicle bearing heavy loads on rough village roads. While each of the three sub-segments has distinctive growth drivers, we expect the scooters segment to maintain its pace of growth faster than that of the 2W industry as a whole. The faster volume growth of the scooters segment is expected to be driven by (a) growing acceptability of gearless scooters, particularly by women; (b) rising urbanization and increasing proportion of working women; (c) expanding product offerings in the scooters segment; and (d) comparatively lower base. Accordingly, ICRA expects the scooters segment to gradually increase its share in the domestic 2W market from 19. 1% in 2011-12 to ~27% by 2016-17E. With this, the volumes in the domestic scooters market are estimated to get doubled by 2016-17E over the current levels.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Animals in circus Essay
Is it normal for a bear to dance in a ball?, for an elephant to keep her weight in two legs?, or for a tiger jump through a ring of fire?, this is considered the worst feat that the animals have, actually we donââ¬â¢t realize it, circuses would quickly lose their appeal if more people knew about the cruel methods used to train the animals, instead, the circus makes us think that all of this methods are natural for them and they ââ¬Ëââ¬â¢no suffer at allââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢, at least this is what they said when theyââ¬â¢re accused of mistreating this animals. Circus like Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus all of them are so hypocrites because they deny about what is evident, the abuse and the mistreating of the animals that they trap. According to PETA, thousand of these animals are used to perform silly, confusing tricks under the threat of physical punishment; are carted across the country in cramped and stuffy boxcars or semi-truck trailers; are kept chained or caged in barren, boring and filthy enclosures and are separated from their families, and all this suffer, all this pain, itââ¬â¢s for the sake of human ââ¬Ëââ¬â¢entertainmentââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢, even many of these animals pay with their lives. The tricks that animals are forced to perform such as when bears balance on balls, apes ride motorcycles, and elephants stand on two legs are physically uncomfortable and behaviorally unnatural. The whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks, and other tools used during circus acts are reminders that the animals are being forced to perform. These ââ¬Å"performancesâ⬠teach audiences nothing about how animals behave under normal circumstances, they are being removed from their habitat, they donââ¬â¢t deserve that. Wild animals are meant to live free, they have every right to live their lives in freedom in their homeland, they havenââ¬â¢t committed any crime that justifies their imprisonment for life, their mistreatment, and their humiliation during the shows. Some circuses have chosen not to use animals: Australians ââ¬Å"the Flying Fruit,â⬠the Canadian ââ¬Å"Cirque du Soleilâ⬠, the French ââ¬Å"Les Colporteursâ⬠Americans ââ¬Å"Minimusâ⠬ , ââ¬Å"Nuageâ⬠, ââ¬Å"Hiccupâ⬠and many others, using the talent of the jugglers, trapeze artists, clowns, comedians, mimes, contortionists. This is the way to go, the only civilian.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Green Thinking and Green Product Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1
Green Thinking and Green Product Design - Essay Example In order to make this clear, the discussion will involve the study of America as the representatives of consumerism, while the developed Asian countries as the representatives of technology. The developed Asian countries in question will include China and Japan since their development has mainly relied on the advancement in technology. The discussion will take the economic downturn of West, represented by America, as a result of consumerism while considering the rise of Asian countries on technology. The West consumer culture is a culture which advocates for the satisfaction of the consumersââ¬â¢ desires rather than their actual needs meaning. The chapter will need further investigation on how consumerism has actually affected the West Economy, leading to the economic downturn; and how technological advancement in China has lead to a possibility of the country outcompeting USA in terms of economic development. The western countries, particularly America has heavily relied on consumption rather than technological advancement. The countries have not considered shifting to a service economy with the main fruit of consumerism being materialism and the ultimate individualism. This is a weak point in illustrating the economic downturn of the West countries. Schumacher asserts, ââ¬Å"Wisdom demands a new orientation of science and technology towards the organic, the gentle, the non-violent, the elegant and beautiful.(1973:20). It is true that the early technological development such as paper making, woodblock and movable type printing contributed to the growth of China implying that it rose as a scientific nation oriented with technology. Further, the chapter would also deal with the study of how the green thinking is reflected in the governmentââ¬â¢s activities. This is helpful to determine whether the government is in a position of accommodating the emerging technology in their everyday operation. Particularly, the government has been on the verge of improving its strategies of development. The discussion will look into the ways in which the government has tried putting up with the advancement in technology.Ã
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Managing capability of Ford Motor Company Coursework - 1
Managing capability of Ford Motor Company - Coursework Example The paper tells that capabilities of an organization can be segregated into two deliverables including threshold capabilities and capabilities for gaining competitive advantage. These capabilities are driven by tangible and intangible resources that constitute of threshold and unique resources. Moreover, competencies are also a critical aspect of capabilities which entail core and threshold competencies. A complete amalgamation of these aspects and a well-organized organizational outlook can facilitate companies to manage capability for gaining the sustainable competitive advantage. Ford Motor Company has emerged as one of the major sustainable companies in the automobile industry which make utmost use of its resources and capabilities to derive competitive advantages. The company has focused on providing exceptional values to its customers all over the world. It has a unique combination of power and technology that makes its every vehicle a special one. A few of the very well known brands of Ford are Fiesta, Focus, and Fusion. Mobility Muse started Ford Motor Company in the year of 1903 with the investment of US$28,000. It used to manufacture classic elegant vehicles but now with the advancement of technology and in keeping with evolving trends, it is presently manufacturing high-tech business class vehicles. It also helps newer drivers all over the world to become safer drivers. In terms of its distinct capabilities, from the handling of vehicles to the elegant exterior finish and superior luxury interior, in every single aspect, Ford has been mostly able to meet the expectations of the national as well as global markets. It also manufactures trucks and utility vehicles. It always focuses to create a strong business periphery to serve the world better. In this endeavor, it has been taking initiatives for the betterment of the society by way of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Globalisation , the World Economy and MNEs Essay - 2
Globalisation , the World Economy and MNEs - Essay Example The government of the will be left fighting to retain its power. The monopolizing effect and lack of local industries will eventually draw the economy into a foreign driven system where the country will depend on the decisions made by these foreign MNEs (Dicken 123). The other disadvantageous effect of foreign investments is felt on the countryââ¬â¢s Balance of Payment. As the MNE invest on the countryââ¬â¢s economy, they bring in initial capital that will boost the countryââ¬â¢s economy, but the earnings from these investments always go back to their parent country (Hill 240). Taxation is also mostly done on the parent country level, meaning that the country does not gain anything from these investments. Another effect is on the importation sector, the main offices of these MNEs are on the parent country and the foreign subsidiary receives their goods from the main office (Rojec 204). This means that the host country will end up being importers, which debits their current accounts of the balance of payment. National sovereignty of the host country and its autonomy also faces some challenges. The MNEs will be on the forefront on the decisions affecting the economy, basing that their major interest is to maximize profit, they would not have much concerns with the economy of the host country. They would make decisions on what is best for them leading to uneven development in the country (Saggi 54). The effort of the countryââ¬â¢s government to still retain the decision making control on its economy will not help because they have no control over the foreign
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Property Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1
Property Law - Essay Example â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ¦broadly, I think what must be shown as constituting factual possession is that the alleged possessor has been dealing with the land as an occupying owner might have been expected to deal with it and that no-one else has done so.â⬠6 Another condition that may invoke such possession right includes an intention to possess the land7 without the consent of the actual owner8. One of the salient points noted by Browne Wilkinson in allowing the judgment for the defendant was the issue of whether the defendant squatter had ââ¬Å"dispossessed the paper owner by going into ordinary possession of the land for the requisite period without the consent of the owner.â⬠9 Adverse possession will not be valid if the illegal occupant gives written notice of the true owners10 or if the actual owners physically occupy the land. After twelve years of occupation, the squatter on a land may apply for registration of title as proprietor of a new or registered estate11. Therefore, by w ay of these limitations, the granting of title to the squatter was provisional and the required time period had to elapse before a squatter could legally claim the title to the land. However, the issue of ownership did not rise in this case. But according to the provisions of the new Land registration Act12, which came into force on 13 Oct 2003, squatters may directly put in an application for ownership. The law relating to adverse possession has undergone several changes, whereby the issue at stake is not title to the land, so much as direct ownership of the land, either by the squatter or the paper owner. In a recent case, the Court suspended the possession order against a widowed mother who had enjoyed possession of land for thirteen years13. However the Land registration Act of 200214 clarifies that no matter how long the possession of the land, it will not bar the paper ownerââ¬â¢s title to the registered land. Adverse possession in itself will not give the
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
How Facilities and Resources in UK University Libraries Assist Essay
How Facilities and Resources in UK University Libraries Assist Students in Their Course of Work - Essay Example As the report declares there is a great deal of demand on students to be well armed with knowledge and relevant material for their course work and this relatively depends to the sources of material that they have access to. That is why libraries are of great importance to university students in the pursuit of academic excellence. The libraries stock all kinds of information through a wide variety of subjects. This assists university students in getting references for their various courses and it is compulsory for them to use these materials to understand the complexities of their curricula. Libraries have evolved with age and time in terms of their ways of preserving information. Initially, there were only books and other written material in the libraries but today, virtual libraries have emerged owing to the widespread use of internet in this digital age. This essay stresses that despite this transition in libraries, there are still misgivings on the capability of libraries to assist university students in their course work. The facilities and resources available in the libraries are the greatest concerns as far as the relevance of these libraries to the students is concerned. This is largely in connection to the rise in number of students pursuing university education and the effect of the internet as a key resource of preserving information. Digitizing of libraries has had a major impact in terms of financing for expansion so as to accommodate the computers for accessing information on the net.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Newspapers Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Newspapers - Assignment Example Although there are certain number of people, mainly of older age who still believe in reading newspaper for getting updated about what are happenings in and around the world the present generation of youth as well as people who remain busy in their respective jobs prefer internet or web to get updated about the news. The news brings about conflict, create difference of opinion among people which help them in a way to figure out what is right and what is wrong. The newspaper is a way by which people can gather information about what is happening all across the globe. In the era of technological advancement newspaper still have its importance as in the developing and developed countries people still have to rely on print media to get details about the happening across the world. But, in addition to that in the developed countries, print media have to come up with new innovative ideas to survive as the internet is more of a common thing in those countries, so dependency on the newspaper in now reducing in those countries. 2. PEST Analysis: Definition, Purpose and Business Benefit: Generally PEST analysis associated with the external factors that affect any companyââ¬â¢s overall performance. ... According to them, these four factors differ in different countries but a proper PEST analysis always helps an organization perform better in the competitive world (Analoui & Karami, 2003, 74). According to Kotler (1998), PEST analysis is a productive strategic tool for analyzing market growth or decline, business situation, potential and course for operations. According to his analysis, PEST analysis is helpful because there are continuous changes taking place in the society which creating an uncertain environment and also have its impact on the performance of the organization. The use of PEST analysis is helpful for the organization in strategic planning, developing its marketing strategies, for business development as well. 3. PEST analysis for the newspaper industry in the developed economies: With the continuously developing technologies and availability of internet facilities in almost every household of the economically developed countries, it is a crunch time for the print me dia to look closely to their marketing, promotional strategies and if needed have to make necessary changes. Political aspects: From the very beginning newspaper plays an important role in setting up the political mode of any civilization. By virtue of the reports published in newspapers regarding different political partyââ¬â¢s agenda, thought process people decide whom to choose or support. On the other hand, political situation of any country also help the newspaper industry to blossom. Stable political condition, freedom to express views, access to all political parties and leaders, support from them at the crunch time all help the newspaper industry to do its job effectively that is providing good and true
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)