Written Analysis Final Project

Getting along with same sex marriage by EYE written Analysts Ms. Bawd I have read a few articles. I have had many discussions with some of the very conservative religious students I work with. I have been trying to figure out if the main front of the opposition to same sex marriage has a logical argument or if it is just a knocker reaction because religious conservatives think everyone that participate or even allows it is going to hell. I had the chance to interview Mr.. James, a student of a local Baptist college on his viewpoint of the subject.He indicates he eels that it is a sin and against Gods will, but that God gave man free will and he can choose his own fate. And, while he feels the need to try to help and educate homosexuals, if they disagree with those ideas, forcing the issue will only drive them further away. In his words, â€Å"forcing the Bible down someone's' throat is no way to build a flock†. The impacted population of the opposition to same sex marriage is all of the gays and lesbians of our country, studies estimate around 3. % or roughly 9 million people. Monsoons) Studies suggest lower general health among same sex peoples, one theory is this is due to one partner who has health insurance from their employer that cannot cover the other because they are not married and therefore not legally related. (Miller) Why we have this issue is because many people, notably Christians, feel that homosexuality is a conscious decision rather than an emotional attraction, because God said it was a sin.Leviticus 20:13, states, â€Å"If a man also lie with mankind, as he elite with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death† (KAVA). This was reaffirmed by the Pope, leader of the arrest group of Christians, who ironically dresses like Liberace stunt double. The problem here is 79. 5% of the U. S. Is Christian. Or close to 247 million people. (Fairchild) This seriously outnumbers the numbers of homose xuals looking to marry. Some feel it as a personal attack on their beliefs; others feel the need to save the homosexuals from the impending doom of eternity in hell.Although they are probably taking things out of context, I feel the bible was written to speak to the people of the day, and customs were different; there was less understanding of the perversity of the world then. Conservative folks back off the legal tactics. Laws that target only one group are unconstitutional. Former President Bill Clinton recently made a statement, â€Å"When I signed the bill, I included a statement with the admonition that ‘enactment of this legislation should not, despite the fierce and at times divisive rhetoric surrounding it, be understood to provide an excuse for discrimination. Reading those words today, I know now that, even worse than providing an excuse for discrimination, the law is itself discriminatory. It should be overturned. (Weber) Our First Amendment protections on the free dom of speech and religion, apply to all. By all means speak your minds, tell others how you feel about the issue. This is what is so great about this country, you can do that. Realize though, that same law that gives you the right to speak your mind, also give others the right to not listen. Please, the same law that protects you also protects everyone else.While you have the right to speak your mind, most will agree your rights stop at interfering with others' rights. Christian conservatives, you are so intent on having our way, but the more you push your views upon everyone the more you push them away! Remember Mr.. James, the Baptist student ministers' statement about forcing the Bible down someone's throat is no way to gather a flock. Yes, convey your ideals, but you cannot educate someone if they do not want to listen. And, offending them is a good way to close their ears and minds.In the argument about everyone's rights there was a compromise offered of a â€Å"civil unionâ € . This gave same sex couples some of the rights they were looking for, becoming a family making health insurance extendable to the partner, child custody between partners, survivorship of property in the event of one partner's death. This was not upheld at the federal level, only a handful of states accommodated. Somehow this was not enough; you had to have â€Å"marriage† and not a â€Å"civil union†. (GLAD) Same but separate somehow. It is not so much the word as it is the idea.I was hung up on why â€Å"marriage† was so important; the civil unions were on the right track. But if you were to say to me that Which was not a real religion, I would very likely go off on the discrimination of conservatives. Like many things, though, it takes time. The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified December 1865 to abolish slavery. There are still pockets of racists who would chain up blacks if they could. â€Å"Only' two years ago, Which was recognized by the Veterans Adm inistration, then the rest of the government as a legitimate religion.Still there are evangelical types who still get in my face and try to save me from imaginary (to me) monsters. I was raised in a catholic household. Since the majority against this are Christians and I know what it means to be Christian, I want to know how you can UT this much energy into complaining about same sex marriage when there are still homeless people, starving children, all over our country and the planet to take care of. How can you put complaining about homosexuals on a higher priority than starving children?I think even Jesus would say homosexuality is wrong, but spend his time feeding the children, preach but not force. Homosexuals, Offer a compromise, take the unions and get your foot in the door. Even though one law wiped out slavery, the civil rights movement took a long time, and it came in stages. Even when other regress was made, interracial marriages still had to be overcome. Get the civil uni ons, push to get it to the federal level, get more equal footing, then when it is almost the same, push to call it marriage.I think you have to work on people a few at a time. Pushing against that many people all at once isn't going to get you far. Logically, why should same sex marriages be outlawed? How many religions are out there, and how many claim to be the one true way to God? There are a few that don't recognize only one god, then there are the atheists who believe there is no god. If we re not going to dictate a religion, we cannot endorse any religions views on marriage.If our laws state that government and religion must be separate, why then, are we even debating the notions that the marriage defined in the bible is the only acceptable definition, when marriage is a legal institution? Unfortunately humans are an emotional creature. Some people so believe there is going to be hell to pay for homosexuality, those people have that right. Others believe that first group is ou t of their minds, they are within their rights. People are beginning to realize the ideals of he past don't hold up to intellectual scrutiny.Some, well many, people are trying to hold on to a tradition, one that they have believed in since they can remember. Every step we move away from that as a society, chips away at the foundations of their beliefs. Change is hard for some; they may have to accept the changes reluctantly. We are getting there though, these same people who are trying to hold on to outdated ideas, which are thousands of years old, have accepted women are out of the kitchen and the colored are out of the fields and the earth is round and goes round the sun.

Negative Effects of Computer Usage on Eye Sight

Although the computer has crucial importance in our lives but still it has some negative effects upon our health. It effects the eyesight of an individual if there is maximum exposure to the computer screen. It might develop the long or the short sightedness if the frquency of the use is high. It may results in headache relatively for the larger time span and in turns effect the brain cells of the human being.It incorporates a wide variety of the knowledge in itself and when the viewer come across the new phrases and techniques,it definitely demands and requires time and thus in turn result in the stress condition which is not good for the health of the human being. Distance of the screen of the computer from the eye also have the negative symptoms as the particular level being defined by the doctor is not been followed.In children it is flourishing more day by day as they are more exposed to the entertainment side of the computer and that is games which are being installed in the co mputer. Eyes of the children gets affected when they put a load on their eyes while focussing on a particular task and it may effect their eye sight. It is necessary not to work constantly on the computer.It is important to take the short breaks so that the effect of continously looking at the screen could get minimized. It is quite important to preserve the vision by taking different eye exercises. Continous and the frequent use of the computer sometimes results in the vision that is blur and the things doesnot look as they are in real. In short while using the computer it is necessary to follow the instructions of the doctor and have regular check ups of the eyes.

LVMH’s company Essay

Strengths LVMH has a strong brand positioning meaning that the company strongly placed itself as a leader in the luxury sector. The company offers more than 60 brands of high value perception and identity to their customers. Due to high customer loyalty, image of their brands and value perception those brands are less affected by economic cycles. Most evidently, LVMH expressed resilience against the economic conditions specifically in 2009 and 2008. This is an indicator that the strength of their brands enables their revenues to sustain growth even through touch economic situations. This is due to their huge customer base across the globe accompanied by their loyalty; thus, making their penetration to new markets with quick. The associations of LVMH with celebrities and major events have enabled them to enhance their luxury positioning. For example, Charlize Theron represents the J’adore perfume by Dior, while Moet & Chandon positioned their communications platform to events like the Oscars and the Golden Globe. Those marketing strategies were aimed in order to increase their brand visibility and recall. Moreover, their customers are targeted successfully through enhancing their brands images. All in all, those associations would eventually augment the luxury and its value that LVMH aims at building. Weaknesses A shortcoming in LVMH’s company is their limited presence in the retail division. This means that the company is highly dependant on sales to retailers. This in turn has caused the company’s luxury goods vulnerable to destocking by their retailers in order to avoid losses. Most evidently, the wines, jewelry, and watches departments were highly affected negatively by the retailers destocking. Therefore, this has made LVMH’s revenues in danger of destocking made by retailers. There is also a weakness evident in the conflict of interest within the company, where LVMH would be categorized into two major segments: fashion vs. liquor markets. However, the company’s broad acquisition of the art  auction market Pury & Luxemborg has been questioned due to some criticism that it adds more burden to LVMH. This is yet another criteria to the conflict of interest believed to be internally dealt within the company. Opportunities The luxury market is believed to be a growing market in the emerging economies. The growing high net worth individuals (HNWI) in a lot of countries across the globe is an indicator that the sales of luxury products are estimated to increase. In effect, LVMH has been focusing in increasing their investment in emerging countries, such as the Middle East, in their hopes that higher growth rates will be evident. Moreover, LVMH was able to assess the trends in those markets specifically in Asia’s market in order to succesfully penetrate them. Hence, the growth of the HNWI’s wealth accompanied by the structure of investments to reach to a broader customer base would intensify and diversify LVMH’s revenue flow. LVMH owes a great deal of their market share to their products on women’s accessories. This would include their brands in handbags, jewelry, and watches amongst many others. Although the fashion accessories has seen a downfall during 2009; nevertheless, it is hinting that it is uprising to a recovery into growth since 2010. Most notably, women handbags were the most notable in the accessories market growth inversely reacting to the market’s decrease during the same time. Those leather goods have been a great indicator in both the men and women’s categories in the market share that there is a high growth of sales and revenue. Even if key markets have been experiencing low growth due to the economic collapse and recovery, the accessories market proves as an opportunity to LVMH for growth. Selective retailing provides an opportunity to LVMH in one of the most growing markets in the world: China. Even though selective retailing has seen a decline in growth due to restrictions in spending due to less amount of travelers; however, China tourism is predicted to show a robust expansion. The economic liberalization; as well as, the constant development and transformation in China boosted their tourism industry. Some indicators  have been predicting that China would be a leading tourism destination by 2020. Therefore, LVMH has been focused on launching its selective retailing in China in order to take an advantageous stance from this growing tourism in terms of revenue.

Technology and Jobs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Technology and Jobs - Essay Example In the article Roberts argues that Obama is mistaken to say that the loss of jobs is partly to be blamed on technology. With the era of globalization, outsourcing has been a necessary tool for several companies including American corporations. This is a major factor which contributed to the rise in unemployment in the United States. This, more than technology may be blamed for such economic woes. If a country stifles technological advancement because of the fear that it may result in job losses, then it just might come true. But it is true to the extent that it losses jobs to other countries only because it has refused technological change. The trend now is to go global and a country cannot achieve it without the latest technologies. In the case of Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy, they were not able to cope with technological innovations, which resulted in a slow growth in the economy. This then resulted to huge debts, low investments and therefore few jobs were created. There was no confidence in the government. Like Roberts, one agrees that technology does not impede the growth of jobs; rather, technology creates jobs and makes the economy more

Personel Recruitment and Selection Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Personel Recruitment and Selection - Assignment Example Most often the clarity in the job scope and the requirement visualized by the immediate Manager might not match with the final draft that goes for recruitment. It is critical that this is paid adequate attention. 'Recruitment is the process of identifying that the organisation needs to employ someone up to the point at which application forms for the post have arrived at the organisation' (MBA Publishing 2005). Defining the job requirements and the nature of person who will fit into it is the first level of work that has to be carried out. The date on which the resource is required and the nature of responsibilities that the person needs to take over are to be clearly defined. Based on the requirement specification detailed recruitment documentation is done. In the HR department similar requirements from various sources are pooled together and a common recruitment is done. Based on the recruitment documents an acceptable time scale is fixed for recruitment and selection. In line with the recruitment specifications, either the standard application form or a specific format that fits into the needs of the current situation is created along with the promotion. Once these documents are cleared a comprehensive document for advertising or any other media for recruitment is used. In response to the advertisement, applications are received from the respondents to the advertisement. These applications are then processed using the selection criterion. The important exercise in the recruitment is fixing the needs and the specifications for the job. If this is not in order, the entire process could lead to an unsatisfactory situation. The documentation will also specify the initial short listing criteria for the applications and other selection criteria that would help in filtering and identifying the candidates for the position required. Selection Process The selection process starts with the applications that are received. Initial short listing conditions as specified in the recruitment documentation are applied on the received applications. 'Selection then consists of the processes involved in choosing from applicants a suitable candidate to fill a post' (MBA Publishing 2003). In line with this process, the first level of filtering is done at the application level. Only those applicants who fit into the requirements and the initial screening conditions are then called for the interviews. The interviews are conducted as per the specifications already laid down in the recruitment document. This would ensure that the requirements of the job position are met. The interview will be conducted by forming the right kind of interviewing committee who would have to ensure that the requirements are met and the person selected has the right kind of technical and personnel skills. Interviews are used to check whether the candidate meets the requirements of the specifications document; to cross check whether the person is what he claims to be and the nature of the person and his attitude towards work. In addition to these, it is also important that if he does not match the requirements of the Recruitment document, then in what way and what are the additional training that has to be provided so that

Literary Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Literary Analysis - Essay Example The fact that everything is red is something Carson brings and uses. Everything about Geryon is red, as well as everything in Autobiography of Red. What does red mean? Is the book a personal history of the color red as composed by Anne Carson? Not likely. Red is a striking color, more striking than dark, or chestnut, or blue. Red is striking and peculiar and, accordingly, red is the ideal illustration for difference, which Carson uses throughout Autobiography of Red to convey Geryons part as an outsider, a test to the hetero-narrative. Geryon had, what most would say, a bad youth and, likely, a different one from his peers. His mother was well intentioned, however pointless, while his father was mostly absent. Geryons older sibling sexually abused him. Geryon was red even in his adolescence, as was every little thing about him, from the "red silk chalk" utilized by his instructors to the "dull pink air" that encompassed his home (Carson 26, 36). In Geryons personal history, he set down the facts believed about himself, above all else of which is that "Geryon was a monster whose every little thing about him was red" (Carson 37). Geryon was such a different individual, to the point that he would not take the conventional route to his classroom at school. He would stroll to the most distant end of the building and "stand still until somebody inside noticed and turned out to show him the way. He didnt move neither did he knock on the glass but little, red, and upright he held up† (Carson 25). When he was far fro m his peers, he stood and waited to be included in their games or activities. He was commonly known as the different one, the other. Having a contemporary hero who is actually red is, to a degree, a different thing from what people are used to. Yet, what difference is using red, as an analogy, if yellow or orange would work and are additionally striking shades? Geryon must be red or the analogy, primarily,

Intentional Torts to Property and Defenses of Intentional Torts Essay

Intentional Torts to Property and Defenses of Intentional Torts - Essay Example Intentional torts always refer to such wrongdoings intentionally directed to one party to inflict pain, cause harm or injuries to the other party. In connection to the above, it is important to acknowledge the fact that there are several types of intentional torts. These may comprise of battery, assault, false imprisonment as well as frauds. In addition, intentional torts may always take the form of trespassing, as well as invasion of privacy. Other than intentional torts, other types of torts include negligence and strict liability torts (Emanuel, 2009). Negligence torts always take the form of failure of a person to act in a manner that demonstrates careful attention to the affected party, thereby making the other party sustain injuries and harm that could have been provided if good care could have been observed in time (Okrent, 2010). Strict liability torts assume the nature of negligence torts. In strict liability torts, the offender may be responsible for the damages and injurie s sustained by the plaintiff even if the offender was not negligent. This paper is going to identify some of the intentional torts and possible defenses in the provided hypothetical scenario. In the hypothetical scenario, there are different types of intentional torts evident. Invasion of privacy is one of the types of intentional torts in the hypothetical scenario. This is evident when John grumbles at Leroy when Leroy ordered for a drink. In this instance, John warns Leroy to mind his own business yet Leroy had nothing to do with him. The second type of intentional tort evident in the scenario is the assault. This is evident when John shouts obscenities at Jane. In addition, he also grabs Jane’s wrist in a manner that shows he can inflict some pains on her. John also verbally assaults Leroy by telling meddling into his own privacy by telling him to mind his own businesses. Trespassing is also another type of intentional tort that is

What it Takes to Become an Oracle Database Administrator Research Paper

What it Takes to Become an Oracle Database Administrator - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that an Oracle database administrator needs to be a certified database administrator from some institute. A formal training course is the most suitable way for a database administrator to develop the knowledge of Oracle database administration. There are many oracle-training institutes present all over the world, which provide good training in data administration using Oracle. â€Å"An Oracle DBA is one who is professionally trained to work on several of Oracles software products, utilities, and tools†.  An Oracle database administrator needs to be experienced and proficient in handling large amounts of data. Oracle is one of the largest software companies, which designs software products that can be used to manage different business activities in an appropriate way. A database administrator must be skilled in using those software products. Another important skill that an Oracle database administrator must possess is the problem-solv ing skill. The administrator must be able to solve day-to-day problems related to management of different business processes. Apart from problem-solving skills, an Oracle database administrator must have a science and mathematics background because both of these subjects assist an administrator in using the Oracle software products in an effective way. The knowledge of science and mathematics is extremely important for the Oracle database administrators as it helps them deal with different software products effectively. A degree in computer science will also be very helpful for the people who want to become Oracle database administrators.

Why military leaders need Critical and Creative Thinking to be Essay

Why military leaders need Critical and Creative Thinking to be successful - Essay Example Todays military leaders are constantly compelled to act as "out of the box" thinkers. Such statements give the impression that the only comprehensive solutions are those that have never been conceived. However, what a professional military education system (PMES) as well as the military really endeavor to produce are leaders that have strongly critical as well as creative thinking skills (Hbr 1). Both indirectly avoid the idea that the box even exists. Todays organizations function in what the U.S War College describes as a VUCA setting. Volatility, complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity are continuous realities within the 21st century. The military tries to prepare for challenges it could probably face by creating realistic training scenarios as well as routinely adding such activities into its ongoing operations. The objective is not to teach them what to think, but to develop their ability to think creatively and critically about the number of contingencies posed by a dynamic environment—in essence to educate them how to think appropriately. The expression "professional military education"(PME) shows the duality of the system. It is intended to both increase the military’s professionalism as well as educate it. These are related as well as overlapping goals, but they are not similar. Professionalism means that the military leaders share both an amount of knowledge directly associated with their mission and ethics. While education implies a widening beyond the limitations of knowledge directly associated with the mission and the advancement of critical and creative thinking. Good decision making is one of the traits together with good leadership that is significant when it comes to command. Critical and creative thinking also has significant consequences for group dynamic skills as well as quality control. Critical and creative

Autism Spectrum Disorders Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Autism Spectrum Disorders - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Ð ¨n an ideal world, most families will have no stress no matter what situation gets in their way. However, most families with children with autism spectrum disorders become more stressed compared with families with typically developing children. Baron-Cohen and his colleague's article support that both parents of the children with ASD report significantly elevated stress levels compared to those with typically developing children. For one to understand the research content, it is significant to define the autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder refers to a term that describes autism and four other disabilities affecting individual’s ability to communicate, socialize, and respond to individual’s environment. The spectrum usually gets diagnosed before age three. Autism is a spectrum disorder since children can have diverse characteristics or symptoms that affect them from mild to severe range. Some of the chara cteristics include the delay in social interaction and communication, repetitive body movements, obsessions over certain objects and having specific rituals and routines. ASD tends to affect mostly the males compared to females. Currently, it is reported in Autismspeaks.org (2010) that in every 110 children, one is diagnosed with ASD and every 70 boys there is one with ASD. Additionally, there are no known ASD cures. However, there are several treatments that lessen the severity of the autism. Usually, people tend to think about the children diagnosed with ASD, and no one tends to think about the impact that the diagnosis has on parents. Often, parents with children diagnosed with ASD go through an emotional experience. The parents go through the thoughts of thinking that their child is perfect to think that their child has an incurable disorder that may affect every aspect of the child’s life. Hence, parents should learn how to cope with the situation after the initial diagn osis.

Fair Value Accounting Essay Example for Free

Fair Value Accounting Essay This paper attempts to answer the questions: Is Fair Value Fair? In so answering the question there is a need to determine whether the use of fair value accurately portray the value underlying financial and economic transactions; to determine whether there is basis to have one universal standard of valuing the assets and obligations of all firms; to find out whether accounting standards would allow for both historical and fair value and still produce meaningful information for decision making; and establish one is more important between relevancy and reliability and whether one’s the importance each depend upon the financial user. 2. Analysis and Discussion 2. 1 What is meant by being fair? To be fair means giving what is due to a person. If applied to an asset purchased or liability assumed in business, fair value would simply mean that said asset or liability is neither overpriced nor underpriced as a matter of perception. Under the law of economics, fair value would refer to that market price which is approximated by the equilibrium price of a thing or good, which is the value of the something from a seller that is not forced to sell or from a buyer that is not forced to buy. In a business transaction there are always are investors, creditors, and other persons who must get their due in transactions that they will enter into. An investor will know what is fair if the person or entity will earn just enough return above cost of capital and in exchange for the risk that such person or entity is taking. The same must be true with a creditor that the person must also get paid on time on his credit plus a sufficient return for the risk in form of interest and penalties. In terms of viewing the corporation as a business entity, what is fair to it is what will allow it to have a sufficient return for the risk that it is taking above its cost of doing business or cost of capital. To arrive at what is fair the investors and creditors who are called users of financial information, these users must know the true or accurate information about of the company so that they will know whether they are going to earn or lose and make the necessary decision whether they will sell, buy or hold to their investments. In other words, to have the chance of being treated fairly from a transaction, one must have the opportunity to have the true or accurate value of asset or liability being dealt with in a business transaction. The opportunity is thus normally supplied by financial reports prepared by companies and which are made public. It is in these financial reports where values whether fair or historical are reported in accordance with prescribed accounting standards that may come from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the case of US companies and IFRS in case of companies operating in the European Union and in other countries which have adopted the IAS or IFRS. Fair value accounting was made pursuant to FAS 157 as issued by US FASB for companies to reflect the accounting information on how much are the real values of assets, liabilities and equity in the balance sheet as contrasted with presenting the information using the historical cost accounting. The purpose of FAS 157 then was built on a framework whereby financial users are given the chance about the true state or fair value of assets, liabilities and equity for decision making under the impression that things will be fair to users of financial information about a company. Incidentally, FAS 157 defines fair value almost very closely to what was discussed and analyzed so far. It is the price that would be received â€Å"to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in a measurement date† (Sortur, 2007). 2. 2 Does the use of fair value accurately portray the value underlying financial and economic transactions? To the extent that fair value concept is discussed so far, there is the presumed proposition that the use of fair value will accurately portray the value underlying the financial economic transaction. As to whether this is true, this subsection will have to evaluate the subsequent result on what happened upon the application of 157. In the case of banks, there are those who have to write down the value of assets because of their perception that values have declined due to existing market conditions (Chasan, 2008: Rees-Mogg, 2007). The economic effects however were not favorable to affected interested parties since this action of the banks has produced a backlash. Investors of these banks have lost values of their investments. As a result, the banks have become more risky and depositors lost their trust too in the banking system. If indeed the banks were just reflecting the true values of the assets, how come the reaction of these banks as matter of complying with the requirements of the FAS I57 was not good for many of the affected parties? Would it proper then to deduce that the application of FAS 157 is not fair or that FAS 157 fair value is not fair? If the answers to both of these questions are in the affirmative, then this would have the connotation that what is unfavorable to others is not fair. But how if the values being reflected in the write down are indeed the true values, would the fact that users of financially information get adversely affected make the FAS 157 not fair any more? It would seem that it would be not correct to say fair value accounting or the use of fair value will not be fair if users get affected or have the perception of not getting what they feel or perceive to deserve even if the information is indeed accurate. Otherwise, fair value accounting would be equated with sure profits which could never be within the contemplation of the use of information in decision making. Being fair therefore must first and foremost be characterized to represent the true and accurate information and consequence would be justified by such quality of information. To answer squarely whether the use of fair value accurately portray the value underlying financial and economic transactions, this paper would have to answer in the affirmative. Based on foregoing analysis the FAS 157 aims to reflect the values what would approximate the market price since it is â€Å"the price to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in a measurement date† (Sortur, 2007). FAS 157 fair value is therefore the result of the business transaction using the exit price (Sortur, 2007) and is determined by the buyers and sellers in the market. It is therefore not the job of FAS 157 to create what is unfair but would have only to reflect the true values of assets or liabilities that would have to be reported. Therefore, fair value accounting or the use of fair value must be upheld to be fair if it would reflect or would cause the reflection of what are true values. Indeed, it must be the capital markets or the buyers and sellers who will determine the market value or fair value and not the accounting standard. The only role of the accounting standard is to cause its reflection in financial reports of companies because of the requirement to make public their financial statement to investors which would reflect the fair values of assets and liabilities. There is argument that the intention of 157 Accounting rule FAS 157 is good but one cannot prevent people from taking advantage of the new rule to what could further their interest. It is further argued that in whatever one would like to look at it, the generic thing about business is still the desire for profit by which people are motivated with their personal interest to get more wealth (Brigham and Houston, 2002). In response, the use of fair value does consent to allowing people to be taken advantage but cannot prevent those who would want to and those who do not know how to process information for decision making. If the banks which wrote down asset values are indeed taking advantage of the use of fair value accounting, it is still the transactions between the previous buyer or seller that have caused the reaction which started it and the role of accounting standard is just to reflect them (Meigs and Meigs, 1995). If the requirement to report what is happening is unfair, what will then be fair? Chasan (2008) narrated about some investors expressing their doubts on the effectiveness or fairness of fair value accounting method used especially in the context of evaporating markets caused by the financial crisis. The author however admitted that the use of FAS 157 as an accounting standard was made to improve transparency to investors. Citing big write-downs being made big companies like Citigroup and Merrill Lynch Co Inc. which has made multibillion-dollar reductions on subprime-related asset-backed securities and other assets described as hard-to-price assets, the issue of whether fair value is still fair has become a controversial question (Chasan, 2008). The argument being asserted is about the volatility of being caused the use of fair value. Rephrased simply, can fair value justify the volatility? Volatility is a term used in business which connotes changes in market prices and which causes risks to investors (Droms, 1990; Helfert, 1994). It is feared that with the desire to create transparency, increased risk from the use of fair value is coming out as a result. To resolve the issue, the previous answer to the question on whether the use of fair value could justify big losses if what is being reflected or reported about company values are still true, would in effect cover the issue of volatility being blamed on the use of fair value. Hence, this paper believes, that fair value which stands for what is true must be upheld as argued earlier. There are concerns that because of volatility caused by the use of fair value accounting, the money makers would just be benefiting hedge funds since they are those to profit from volatility (Chasan 2008). In answer, it could argued that such is the nature of fair value accounting, to allow the market forces to move freely without people being compelled to enter into buying and selling transactions. If there are losers, there are also losers and they are part of the process. It is also argued that those who are complaining about the effects of credits being blamed on the use of fair value accounting are investors or groups of them, who may have been instrumental in pushing for the shift to fair value accounting. One of these groups is called the CFA Centre for Financial Market Integrity, with analysts and portfolio managers composing the group (Chasan 2008). The group and other groups 2007 had their aggressive lobbying to use fair value more in financials. These investor groups could not be only be winners in a market transaction, they could also be losers sometimes; otherwise the market is not operating efficiently. 2. 3 Should there be one universal standard of valuing the assets and obligations of all firms? The issue of whether there should be universal standard for valuing the assets and obligation may be very ideal since when one now talks of universal fair value as a universal standard for example, one will have to consider macroeconomic conditions of the different companies in the world. Since not all nations are similarly situated, at least economically, there is the strong probability that universal value could not be implemented. The question is being propounded to help in setting what is the fair value in accounting like the universality of human rights. However its impracticality will prevent the attainment of the objective. Accounting values are not human rights. Another thing is the difficulty of measuring the risks in business in different countries which are factors in determining the cost of capital of doing business. The difference in risks depends upon many factors including macroeconomic conditions which are affected by political developments. In answer therefore to the question, it will have to plainly say that the vision of universal standard is laudatory and this could be a part of an approximate desire to the internationalization of accounting in many part of the world. There is the plan to harmonize all accounting standards in the world. The FAS 157 definition was actually made part of the plan of IASB which makes IFRS, to adopt the former for the use of those using the IAS or IFRS (Sortur, 2007). In other words, efforts are made to approximate universality of standard in valuing the assets and obligations of all firms but its realization could only possibly become when the time will come for a universal government. 2. 4 Can accounting standards allow for both historical and fair value and still produce meaningful information for decision making? Accounting standards are in effect guides to users to help users make informed decisions in business. Having both historical and fair value must strike the balance of getting to the extreme of having one and disregarding the other. In other words, one needs to know what is historical for comparison to what is fair value or market value to make an informed judgment. Accounting standards must then work for the attainment for the creation of balance between the two values. As to whether the accounting standards can allow for both historical and fair value and still produce meaningful information for decision making, is answered again in the affirmative. This can be tackled better by breaking the given statement into two propositions first and then combine them latter. The first proposition would be declared settled in the fact the accounting standards can allow both historical and fair value together. The second proposition is that the use of both will still produce meaningful information. This first proposition is accomplished since the practice have been done for a long time already since in the case of valuing of inventories, accounting standards allow the valuing them of lower of cost or market under the IAS 2. (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, 2008). The fact that inventories can be valued at cost means the historical cost is maintained but requirement of presenting the fair value of inventory if it has gone down in the market is also a part of the standard which in effect allows the working of fair value concept. There are other IAS concepts which allowed fair value accounting and historical value accounting. Thus this section is not much of a problem. The second proposition appears to also to have been fulfilled by the use of IAS as illustrated. More meaningful information is in fact reflected by allowing a combination of fair value and historical cost in the valuation of assets and liabilities of companies. By combining the validation done is confirming the application of two proposition, it could be sufficient to strongly answer the question in the affirmative. 5. Relevancy and Reliability: Is one more important than the other, depending upon the financial user? Both relevancy and reliability are requirements for qualitative characteristics of accounting information. Forcing one to be is more important than the other would be asking the wrong question if the objective is only to determine whether preparing financial information using their fair values is fair. In fact to say that an information must be relevant carries the presupposition that the information must also be reliable. This is on premise that reliability connotes objectivity of information which is very much akin to being truth or fair. Information is relevant or has is relevancy character if it influences one’s decision about a particular issue. On the other hand, reliability deals with the objectivity or accuracy of the information. How could a decision maker consider information as relevant when there is no reliability of the information? On the other hand having reliable information would be of no value if the same is not needed in the decision to be made. The two characteristics must therefore go together. 3. Conclusion The issue of whether fair value accounting or the use of fair in accounting for company assets and liabilities is fair must be answered in the affirmative. What is fair is not what has caused much damaged to a person or entity if such damage was a result of failure to follow the basic rules of making investment. The effect of fair value should not be used to allow one to just justify greed while disregarding the rights of others. A loser under a fair value accounting is comparable to a person who is taking too much risk thus the return could also be high but could be low because of the working of the market. As long as buyers and sellers are not being compelled to complete their transaction, fair value is still fair. Fair value accounting will lead to the truth but its value will also depend on the users of information after they have done their roles in the market. The user will still need to make a comparison with what is historical and what is the current fair value as caused by economic conditions. Present accounting standards have caused the reporting of both kind of information but users must also be intelligent in doing their part. Fair value as a concept in accounting standard was just made to correct the apparent failure of purely historical cost accounting. If fair value accounting is fair, it does not imply that the standard must go back to historical accounting but historical information must still be reported and allow the user to make a difference in how to process the information. Since fair value and historical cost could co-exist together, the same must be the better option as it will provide a balance between historical and fair value accounting. References: Brigham and Houston, Introduction to Financial Management, Thomson-South Western, USA, 2002 Chasan, Emily (2008), Is fair value accounting really fair? {www document} URL, http://www. reuters. com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN1546484120080226, Accessed October 20, 2008 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (2008), Summary of IFRS for IAS 2, {www document} URL http://www. iasplus. com/standard/ias02. htm , Accessed October 21, 2008. Droms (1990) Finance and Accounting for Non Financial Managers, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, England Helfert, Erich (1994), Techniques for Financial Analysis, IRWIN, Sydney, Australia Meigs and Meigs, 1995, Financial Accounting, McGraw-Hill, Inc, London, UK Rees-Mogg (2007), Why FAS 157 strikes dread into bankers, {www document} URL http://www. timesonline. co. uk/tol/comment/columnists/william_rees_mogg/article2852547. ece, Accessed October 21, 2008. Sortur (2007) Fair Value Measurement, The Chartered Accountant {www document} URL, http://icai. org/resource_file/96471564-1574. pdf, Accessed October 21, 2008. ]

Fire Protection Engineering in the 21st Century Essay Example for Free

Fire Protection Engineering in the 21st Century Essay Abstract Fire protection engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles to protect people, their property, and their environment from the destructive effects of fire. Fire protection engineers are involved in almost all aspects of fire safety and fire prevention. Among their function is the design, review and recommendation of fire prevention systems, which has two classifications: active and passive. Active fire protection systems react to conditions created by fire, such as increase in temperature or smoke, and act to extinguish the flame. Passive fire protection systems are incorporated in the structural design of the building to prevent spread of fire or smoke, and to prevent structural collapse. Fire protection engineers also adhere to building and fire safety codes. They also participate in the development of these codes, as well as review and enforce them. Fire protection engineers also predict fire behavior by simulating fire conditions through modeling. By this process, certain characteristics of the fire can be predicted. Models may simulate the development of a fire inside an enclosure, look at activation times of output systems such as thermal and smoke detectors, simulate egress situations, or measure the ability of a building to withstand fire. Risk assessments are also done by fire protection engineers and involve hazard analysis, consequence analysis and likelihood analysis. Fire investigation nowadays also involves fire protection engineers that can construct the scene before and during the fire. Fire Engineering 5 I. Introduction Fire protection engineering, the application of scientific and engineering principles to protect people, their property and their environment from fires, is used interchangeably with fire engineering and fire safety engineering. Although this paper uses â€Å"fire protection engineering† to simplify terminologies, it should also be understood that it likewise refers to the two latter terms, except in instances wherein there is a need for differentiation. Several centuries ago, the primary aim of fire protection engineering is to prevent fires, which in those days, has the possibility to devastate entire cities (Hurley 2006). In the 1900’s, the objective of fire protection engineering is to contain a fire in its building of origin. As technology advances, this objective has evolved to containing the fire in the room or object of origin. Towards the end of the twentieth century however, fire protection engineering has evolved to become a professional discipline having its own set of principles (Lucht 1989 cited in Hurley 2006). II. Professional Definition of Fire Protection Engineering Fire protection engineering is the employment of science and technology to protect people and their environment from destructive fires. Some of these principles include design of fire protection systems, analysis of fire hazards, carrying out of risk assessment, fire modeling and post-fire investigation and analysis. Fire protection engineers also review fire protection systems, participate in third-party review of fire protection designs, as well as participate in development of codes that would protect life and property from fire. Furthermore, they may also be called upon to interpret and enforce existing building and fire codes (Koffel 2003). During the design phase of a building, fire protection engineers may work with architects and other engineers to ensure a fire-safe structure. They make Fire Engineering 6 recommendations for cost-effective fire protection solutions to guarantee that the building and its occupants are adequately protected (Society of Fire Protection Engineers 2008). According to a roundtable discussion by fire protection engineers from all over the globe regarding the international practice of fire protection engineering, such a description is true of fire protection engineers in the United States wherein fire protection engineering and fire safety engineering is taken to be the same. According to Koffel (2003), who facilitated the discussion, such a broad definition is differentiated in Australia where fire protection engineers and fire safety engineers offer distinct services. Fire protection engineers are those that design active fire protection systems such as sprinklers, and fire detection and alarm systems according to the appropriate standards. This task is usually done by mechanical engineers who have specialized in active fire protection systems. The design of passive fire protection systems, which are usually incorporated as part of the structural design of a building, is specified by structural engineers and architects. Fire safety engineers, on the other hand, are those that develop fire safety strategies for a building or facility. The same is true in the United Kingdom where â€Å"fire protection engineering† is not a common term. That term is also generally used for those who design and install active fire protection systems. Fire safety engineers are those that assist in the design of buildings and structures in order to meet the life safety requirements of the law. Such requirements in the design include means of escape, structural fire resistance, internal and external fire spread, fire spread through cavities and internal openings, and access and facilities for fire service. Let it be reiterated, however, that for the rest of the paper, fire protection engineering refers to the broad description used in the United States. By training, education and experience, a fire protection engineer is expected to be familiar with the nature and characteristics of fire, analyze how fire starts, how it grows and Fire Engineering 7 affect people, buildings and property, and how it can be detected, controlled and extinguished (Hurley 2006; Society of Fire Protection Engineers 2008). Furthermore, they should be able to anticipate the behavior of buildings, structure and apparatus so as to better prevent life and property from fire. III. Fire Protection Systems In the event of a fire in a building, the protection of the occupants as well as of property is accomplished by a combination of active and passive means. Active fire protection systems are only used when fire is already present. Such systems are usually activated by a combination of sensors or mechanical means (Evans et al. 2005). A sprinkler system, a smoke alarm and a fire defence are just a few examples of active fire protection systems. Passive fire protection systems, on the other hand, insulate a structure by increasing its fire resistance. These systems become an integral part of the building layout and construction materials, and include (but not limited to) compartmentation and fire barriers, stairways for rapid evacuation, and spray-on fire proofing. Both systems are complimentary, not competitive (Cafco International 2007). The law recognises them as being able to (and should) work together to ensure safety in the event of fire. A. Active Fire Protection Systems The most common active fire protection systems used inside buildings are fire alarm systems, smoke control systems, water sprinklers, and portable fire extinguishers and hose reels. Each of these will be discussed in detail in the succeeding discussion. A. 1 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems The purpose fire alarm systems is to detect fires, alert the occupants, send for emergency rescue, and provide information that will facilitate emergency response (Evans et al. 2005). These systems have several main functions depending on the fire scenario, the type Fire Engineering 8 of building, the number of occupants and criticality of content and mission (Artim 2007). First, they provide a means to recognize a developing fire, either by manual or automatic means. Second, they notify building occupants to the fire condition and the necessity of evacuation. Third, they may also transmit signal to emergency responders such as the fire station to alert them of the building’s condition. They may also be used to shut down electrical and air handling equipment, and may be used to set off automatic suppression systems. The control panel is considered the fundamental component of any fire detection and alarm system. Its function is to monitor the â€Å"input† devices, such as the components that detect smoke and fire and then activates the alarm â€Å"outputs† such as horns, bells, warning lights, emergency telephone dialers, and building controls (Artim 2007). Although human beings are excellent fire detectors as they are normally equipped with senses that can detect smoke, heat, flame and odor, they can, in some cases, become an unreliable detection method. A person may not be present during the fire, may not raise an alarm effectively or may not be in perfect health to perceive fire signals. It is for these reasons that automatic fire detectors have been developed. There are many kinds of automatic fire detectors; the most commonly used are thermal detectors, smoke detectors and flame detectors.

Justify the methods and processes

Justify the methods and processes This chapter covers the research methodology and purpose of this chapter is to justify the methods and process which are examined while the research is carried out. It consists of process model, research approach, research design, research method, data collection etc. Data Collection Research Approach Research Design Literature Review Research Questions Formulation Research Undertaking Primary Secondary Inductive Deductive Explanatory Exploratory Descriptive Semi-Structured Open ended Interview Semi Structured Questionnaires Data Analysis Results/Conclusion Source: Authors Qualitative Approach The given figure outlines the research methodology which is being carried out during the research process. It shows how authors will continue their research process. The research undertaking is related to incorporation of CSR in two leading MNC, s in telecommunication sector. It will focus on three main areas of research named as describing CSR, integrating CSR and monitoring CSR. Several research questions will be prepared on the basis of knowledge and experience and the basic aim of these questions is to analyze the CSR activities in telecommunication sector. The literature review will be made by comparing different articles in the relevant field which will give a new insight. The research is presenting a framework for developing, collecting and analyzing the data. Different research strategies such as exploratory, descriptive and explanatory are used for research objectives and authors will go with descriptive research strategy which is connecting to inductive research approach fr om observations to theory. The data will collect on primary and secondary basis by semi structured open ended interview and questionnaires. The research design shows that the data will be analyzed and concluded through qualitative research approach. First, regarding the objectivity of the thesis the authors believe that the results may first be subjected to the personal judgment and may not be valid over a long period of time because industry is constantly changed over the time. These results may also not be applicable to other markets or other geographic regions except the Pakistani markets. As the authors have no specific knowledge about Pakistani market so they decided to carry the exploratory research. The research described in this thesis has been designed and carried out in context of master level education and rules, regulation, instruction and academic requirements set by the supervisor and the Karlstad University. The main objective of the research is to investigate the dimensions of the problems which are being analyzed in the previous chapter and to draw the valuable results from the research and to help the authors to build up a good understanding and to have a deep insight into the previous study. 2.1. Inductive and Deductive Research Approach: Inductive research approach works more specific to more general (Trochim, 2006). Sometimes it called bottom up approach. In this type of theory, researchers begin with observation, detect some patterns, formulate some hypothesis and finally end with developing a theory. While on the other hand, Deductive approach works in other way, it moves from broader generalization to more specifications. Informally it is called top-down approach. In this approach the researcher start with thinking up a theory about the topic and area of interest or area of research. Then researchers narrow down it and develop a hypothesis about particular topic which they want to test. After that they do the examination on the hypothesis. Finally and ultimately this leads to the confirmation of data, either it confirms the original theory or not Theory Hypothesis Pattern Observation INDUCTIVE DEDUCTIVE Observation Pattern Hypothesis Theory Source: Authors 2.2. Research approach used: In this study authors will use inductive approach as we start with the observation related to problem which is being analyzed in problem discussion session. Authors will use CSR dimensions which are describing, integrating and monitoring. In general, this study is not developing a model or any type of theory somewhat the theories are narrow down to tackle a specific problem. 2.2.1. Unit of Analysis: It is one of the most important ideas in the research project. Unit of analysis is a main entity that the researchers want to analyze in their study. It will be individual unit of analysis which will base on two leading organizations from telecommunication sectors of Pakistan and we will compare the results and variations between units. 2.3. Research Methods: In order to solve a problem, different researcher use systematic and orderly collected data for the purpose of getting information from them (Ghauri and Gronhaug, 2005). Yin (1994) and Zikmund (2000) proposed three different purposes of research labeled as exploratory, descriptive and explanatory. Exploratory studies are fantastic mean to find out what is happening, to ask for new imminent and to ask questions. Robson (1993) mentioned that in order to clarification and understanding the problem, exploratory studies are valuable mean. Descriptive studies describe inside the problem areas regarding to the literature and the purpose is to study the current events. It purpose is to find out the answers of what, who, how, when, where questions (Zikmund 2000). This theory usually correlates the previous knowledge and understanding the nature of research problems. Explanatory studies make the relationship between the variables. The purpose of this study is to emphasis on the events and problems in order to explain the relationship between the interrelated variables. 2.3.1 Quantitative Research: According to Cresswell (1998), the quantitative research can be defined as an inquiry into social and human problems based on testing a theory composed on the variable, measures with numbers and analyzed with statistical procedures, in order to determine whether the predictive generalization of the theory hold true. Above definition mentioned that this theory concern with the statistical data and the transformation of data into figures and graphs. The transformation of the data can be achieved by using SPSS software to get the result of correlation between two factors/variables. This type of research makes large number of units into small amount of information. 2.3.2 Qualitative Research: According to Cresswell (1998), the qualitative research can be defined as an inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem, based on building a complex, holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of the informants and conducting in natural setting Statistical tools are not used in such kind of research. It is difficult to draw conclusions from qualitative research because of it is more demonstrating than generalizing. It is in contrast as a large amount of information is collected from small number of units. This type of research mostly addresses the question Why and describes the phenomena. This type of research cannot and should not be transformed in the forms of numeric. The advantage of this research is flexibility. 2.3.3. Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Difference Qualitative Quantitative Underpinning Philosophy Empiricism: The only knowledge that human beings acquire is from sensory experiences (Bernard 1994: 2) Rationalism: That human beings achieve knowledge because of their capacity to reason (Bernard 1994:2) Approach to Inquiry Unstructured Structured Investigation Objective To define variation in an event, situation, issue, etc. To describe an extent of variation in an event situation, issue, etc. Variables Measurement Stressing on the description of variables Stressing on some structures of either measurement or classification of variables. Sample Size Limited Cases Emphasis on greater sample size. Focus of Inquiry Checks multiple problems but accumulate necessary information from fewer respondents. Narrows focus in expression of extent of inquiry, but accumulate necessary information from a greater number of respondents. Main Research Value Validity but does not state to be value-free. Value free in terms of Reliability and objectivity. Main Research Topic Investigate experiences, feelings, perceptions, expressions and meanings. Describes pervasiveness, occurrence, and extent nature of subjects, views and attitude; finds out regularities and prepares theories. Data Analysis Subjects answers, descriptions or study data to identification of themes and illustrates them. Subjects variables to frequency distributions, cross-tabulations or other statistical methods. Communication Organization more descriptive and narrative in nature. Organization more systematic in nature, drawing deductions and conclusions, and testing degree and potency of a relationship. Source: Ranjit K. (2005). 2.4. Researched Method used: The research study will base on two companies from telecommunication sectors that operate in Pakistan. Authors have employed qualitative research in order to analyze the incorporation of CSR because qualitative research aims is to deal with questions which are related to the developing and understanding of the meaning and experience dimensions of humans lives and social worlds. Qualitative research has its roots in social science and is concerned with the understanding and describing the world of human experiences such as their knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs, opinions, emotions etc (Mack, MacQueen, and Guest Namey). 2.5. Data Collection: The most important and essential part of the study is data collection. Williman (2001) explained that primary data and the secondary data are the main source of data collection. So it is very important for us even in the context of study to achieve its purpose, both and primary and secondary data have been used. 2.5.1. Primary Data: Primary data is information which is gathered first time in order to solve and justify the problem and to complete the study. In order to do primary research, the following prominent techniques have been used: Interviews Questionnaire Introspection The main objective of the primary data is that data collected is exclusively applicable to the particular study. While its main disadvantage is time consumption and less degree of control. 2.5.1a. Qualitative Interviews: Authors have been extensively used this approach in study. In qualitative interviews, discussion often made face to face. This type of interviews is unstructured which shows that interviewers follow the direction of interview takes. The interviewees are free to answer whatever he/she want to do. A positive result can be achieved by the proper training of the interviewers or on the experience and skills. Authors have done this job through email and telephonic interviews. 2.5.1a (i) Questionnaire: It is very effective when the researcher knows the requirement and procedures in order to measures the area of research. This process can be done either conducting by itself or doing it by electronically/post. 2.5.2. Secondary Data: Secondary data is a source of collecting data from literature review, articles, internet, papers and journals. Authors have used books, internet, research contribution, journals and have specific companies information.( Ghauri and Gronhaug 2005) explains the benefits of secondary data. It helps in following ways It helps to answer the research questions. It helps in problem formulation. It helps in selecting the suitable research method. Secondary data can be classified into internal and external data. The data which is provides by company is called internal data while the data which is gathered from literatures, articles, internet etc is known as external data. It is source outside the organization. 2.6. Data collection Method used: In this study, authors have employed qualitative research method. Authors have employed qualitative research in order to analyze the incorporation of CSR in leading telecommunication companies. Qualitative data is mainly including all the aspects of the research problem. External secondary data consisting of the books reviews of the library of university west and also related different articles on the cultural dimension. The other secondary data World Wide Web and Google was also used frequently. The secondary data was very helpful in order to formulate the questions. The internal secondary data is mainly consists of the websites of the organizations. The primary data consists of the interviews, telephonic information and electronic mail. 2.7. Research Criteria: In qualitative research, only a sample this is a subset of a population is chosen for any specified study and it impossible to get the data from everyone in a community in order to accumulate valid findings. The studys research purposes and the characters of the study population such as age, size and diversity decide which and how many people are being selected. In a nonprobability sampling, the researchers have more possibility of selecting some units to study than other units. The use of reliability and validity are common in quantitative research and but it can also be used in the qualitative research paradigm for assessing the findings. In quality analysis, it is certainly interpreting the results as for analyzing the data because it requires constructing codes and categories from the raw data. This means that the understanding aspect of this stage of the research process vary from this stage of quantitative research project where it can be treated for separate analysis and interpretation. 2.7.1. Credibility: In a qualitative study, it is not likely that the results would be the same in any case but the key points and findings should be moderately presented for the recognition of data. The questions force reflection on own interaction and influence with the system which is being searched. The researchers try to make best efforts for convincing the readers that the interpretation or explanation of the results is credible. The Thick Description (Geertz 1973) which arises from the practice of ethnographic research in anthropology and integrates how it is felt for doing research as well as what researchers observed. The objective of thick description is to make able the readers feel that he or she is actually present in the research setting, and possibly even as if he or she is making the research. (Maylor Blackmon) We have made interviewed through emails and telephonic conversation in our own language and later on translated into English. The answers show the results which moderately interpret the data. We believe that it will give positive impact on readers. 2.7.2. Transferability: The transferability of a working hypothesis to different situations depends upon other conditions between original situation and the situation to which it is transferred. The researchers are not able to specify the transferability of findings but they can provide only sufficient information that can be used by the readers to decide whether the findings are applicable to the new situation or not. In a qualitative research, it is considered in the generalization of findings that the results which have been investigated by the researchers have no relevance anywhere else. It is the readers choice what they perceive whether it is useful or not or some are not interested in replying of the results. We have found the results from the original situations. It will be decided by the readers what they think about the results or they are interested or not in replying whether they are applicable or not in the new situation. We believe that the results will provide a true picture of the prevailed situation. Dependability: Dependability shows the reliability, correctness, integrity and describes the availability performance of the findings. In a qualitative work, according to Lincoln and Guba (1985), since there can be no validity without reliability (and thus no credibility without dependability), a demonstration of the former is sufficient to establish the latter. It means dependability in the research process has a significant importance and it can vary over the time. The results show the reliability and correctness of our findings. Our findings are based on interviews and introspections. We have made best efforts make our results reliable and valid according to our research. 2.7.4. Conformability: According to Lincoln and Guba (1985), it is a degree to which the researchers can make an obvious neutrality of the research interpretations through a conformability audit. It is considered that each researcher will bring an exclusive perception to the study. The researchers can document the procedures for inspection and rechecking the data whether it is free from bias or not throughout the study. It mainly concerns that the research should not be influenced by personal and other people influences. Our research interprets the unbiased results. We have asked open questions and defined the answers accurately with good sense. Our research has not influenced any person or any organizations image. It gives a good impression about the research topic to the readers which will not be impacted by it.

Identifying the Enemy in a War Against Terrorism :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

Identifying the Enemy in a War Against Terrorism Abstract: In the good old days, it seemed like such an easy task to identify and give a face to who were your friends and foes at time of war, even at the risk of racial and cultural stereotyping. We are finding that it is very difficult to be at war with a concept like "international terrorism" because we also must give it a face. During World War II an article was published in the December 22, 1941 issue of Life magazine titled "A Handbook for Americans." A section of the handbook detailed ways that Americans could "tell a Jap from a Chinese." I found these stereotypes to be quite ridiculous – but the article underscores that there are some problems of mobilizing a society for war, whether it is against Japan in 1941 or against international terrorism in 2001. One problem that would seem the easiest to solve is: "How do you identify friend from foe?" Another problem is: "How not to lose friends and alienate bystanders who might get caught in the middle in the process of waging war on one's foes?" The nature of terrorism makes both tasks difficult. In a recent book on 21st century terrorism, Cindy Combs notes that terrorism is a synthesis of war and theatre: a dramatization of violence which is perpetrated on innocent victims and played before an audience in the hope of creating a mood of fear without apology or remorse for political purposes. Terrorism is therefore by its nature a clandestine activity carried out by actors operating in the shadows of societies. Who are the individuals and groups who practice this tactic? What would a profile look like of today's "typical" terrorist? We know that they are young - having in some cases been recruited in secondary schools. They are both men and women who have less formal education and family wealth than their counterparts in the 1960s. More importantly, in confronting them we know that they engage in dehumanizing their victims - victims do not have an individual face, nor are they parents or husbands or wives - they are simply the "enemy." Coupled with this tendency to engage in w hat one noted social psychologist calls "black and white thinking," today's terrorist commits to the abandonment of all restraints on the use of violence.

Delmar The Spy That Got Away Essay -- manhattan project, george coval,

INTRODUCTION This research paper is about the Soviet spy, George Koval, codename DELMAR who penetrated the Manhattan Project. The purpose of this research paper is to identify lessons learned based on George Koval’s activities with the Manhattan Project and not repeat the same Counterintelligence failures in the future. George Koval managed to elude capture and operate virtually unsuspected for the entire length of his espionage career against the U.S. and so little is known about him. Analysis of his activities should prove to be extremely valuable to the intelligence community. BACKGROUND On Christmas day in December 1913, in Sioux City, Iowa, George Koval was born to a family of Jewish immigrants from Belarus, then part of the Soviet Union. George Koval’s father, Abraham was a carpenter and his mother, Ethel Koval was a convert to Socialism. George Koval’s parents maintained correspondence with members of their extended family in the Soviet Union. In the 1920s, they got involved with an American society to help with the resettlement of Jews in the Soviet Union, a Communist organization. This organization was called Idishe Kolonizatzie in Sovetn Farband (IKOR). Since 1928, IKOR’s main focus had been Jewish resettlement in Birobidzhan, a city near the border of Manchuria that Stalin promoted as a secular Jewish homeland. Abraham Koval was the secretary of the Sioux City IKOR branch in the 1920s. The Koval family held strong Communist beliefs that were instilled in George Koval from an early age. While attending high school at Central High School, known locally as the castle on the hill in Sioux City, Iowa, George Koval joined the Young Communist League, and in August 1930 was its delegate to the Iowa co... ...ded over to the GRU (military intelligence) Museum the Gold Star medal and Hero of Russia certificate and document bestowed on Soviet intelligence officer George Koval". Kremlin.ru. President of Russia. Retrieved 2009-06-20. Srebrnik, Henry (2001). Gennady Estraikh; Mikhail Krutikov, â€Å"Yiddish and the Left Diaspora, Ethnicity and Dreams of Nationhood: North American Jewish Communists and the Soviet Birobidzhan Project† Oxford: Legenda Press. Walsh, Michael (May 2009). "George Koval: Atomic Spy Unmasked". Smithsonian. Nora Levin, 1988, vol. 1. â€Å"The Jews in the Soviet Union Since 1917†. Cited from George Koval FBI investigative file, in Andrey Shitov, Op. Cit. Vladimir Lota, Red Star, July 25, 2007 â€Å"His Name Was Delmar†. https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/cias-analysis-of-the-soviet-union-1947-1991/

A computer system consists of hardware and software. :: Computer Science

A computer system consists of hardware and software. A computer system consists of hardware and software. Hardwareis the equipment, which makes up the computer system. Hardware consists of: - Input devices such as keyboard, mouse, joystick - The Central Processing Unit (CPU) - Output devices such as a printer, monitor, graph plotter - Backing storage devices such as disc drive, hard drive - Media such as discs, tapes, paper etc There is hardware that I used is:  · Mouse  · Keyboard  · Printer  · Monitor A tracker ball mouse ==================== A tracker ball mouse is an input device and similar to a mouse but the ball is set into a cup on the top of the unit. A finger or, on larger tracker balls the palm of the hand, is used to roll the ball in any direction. The ball controls the movement of the pointer on the screen. Buttons on the tracker ball work in the same way as mouse butons to activate processes on the screen. My alternative of using a mouse with a tracker ball would be a mouse without a tracker ball. Benefit: ======== * A tracker ball does not require a large flat surface. Drawbacks: ========== * Most people find them a bit fiddly * Not accurate * Not quiet ALTERNATIVE: Mouse without a tracker ball ========================================= The pointer on the monitor screen mirrors the movement of the mouse by the user's hand. Under the mouse is a ball, which rolls as the mouse is moved. This movement of he ball causes two shafts to rotate inside the mouse; one shaft records the movement in the north-south direction and the other shaft records the east-west movement. When the screen pointer is over a0n icon or menu selection, the mouse button can be clicked, double clicked or dragged to activate a process. Some mice have a small wheel as well as the buttons. The function of the wheel depends on the software being used on the computer; in a document, it can allow the user to scroll up and down; in a desktop publishing package, it might enable the user to zoom in and out of the page. Over a period of time, the performance of the mouse can deteriorate as the ball and shafts collect dust and dirt. Some modern mice use a light beam and detector to register movements instead off the mouse ball. Many mice now use infrared or wireless links to the computer, which removes the need to have a connecting cable. Benefit: ======== * It is easy and convenient to use * It is inexpensive * Most modern software includes an option to use it. * It selects a position on the screen more quickly than is possible

CASE STUDY ON FINANCIAL ENGINEERING THE ENRON FRAUD

At one clip Enron was one of the universe ‘s largest manufacturers of natural gas, oil, and electricity. A It besides appeared to be one of the most profitable companies, taking stockholders from $ 19.10 in 1999 to $ 90.80 by the terminal of 2000. A Enron ‘s top direction answered to a Board of Directors whose duty was to inquiry and dispute new partnerships, ventures, and determinations within the company. A On several occasions, Andrew Fastow, the company ‘s Chief Financial Officer approached the board of managers with new investing partnerships which the board approved with really small oppugning. A Some of these partnerships created a struggle of involvement due to the fact that Fastow was non merely pull offing the partnerships, but he was besides an investor in an outside entity that took portion in purchasing and selling assets with Enron. A Fastow was able to make and pull off several of these partnerships while still keeping his function as CFO of Enron. A This was due to the regulation set in topographic point by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( FASB ) which states, â€Å" if an outside investor puts in 3 per centum or more of the capital in a partnership, the corporation, even if it provides the other 97 per centum, does non hold to declare the partnership as a subordinate. A Therefore, assets and debt in the partnership can be withheld from the corporation ‘s balance sheet. † A With this regulation and the many partnerships Fastow created, Enron did non hold to declare the assets and debts from these partnerships, hence concealing 100s of 1000000s of dollars in losingss and debt. A The board of managers nevertheless did non see Fastow ‘s interaction with the partnerships to be a serious job due to the fact that the fiscal addition potency to Enron was great. A In fact Enron had a 65 page codification of moralss that was given to all employees. Enron was a kid of the deregulated energy markets in the lat e eightiess. Before so, most public-service corporations were publically provided, and Enron realized it could turn a net income by selling and merchandising these public-service corporations. Sometime around 2000, Enron began merchandising through the cyberspace, a revolution in the industry. The job was that this scheme required a perpetually high portion monetary value. Thus, Enron ‘s scheme shifted from energy trading to portion monetary value as the company ‘s primary focal point. Most experts believe that it was around this clip that Enron began utilizing fiscal technology to maintain its portion monetary values high and keep a high net income on the books. To make this, Enron in kernel â€Å" leveraged itself through debt, which it used to turn its non-core sweeping energy operations and service concern by maintaining most of this debt from looking on the balance sheets with luxuriant fiscal technology. When the stock monetary value began to fall, though, these same off balance sheet entities ended up downgrading Enron ‘s recognition evaluation. Suddenly, Enron was in over its caput — it could non borrow money due to its low recognition evaluation, nor could it utilize its ain money to transact concern, because it did non really have any. In fact, Enron had kept such a monumental sum of debt off the books — plenty to restrain every plus Enron claimed and so some — that the company merely imploded under its ain weight.Enron: The Nigerian Barge DealEnron Corporation was an energy company based in Texas and created when InterNorth acquired Houston Natural Gas Company in 1985. Enron ‘s growing was fast, it was named America ‘s Most Advanced Company † for six back-to-back old ages and it shortly became the 7th largest company in the United States, until its bankruptcy was declared in 2001. Accounting fraud, money laundering and confederacy are some of the charges which Enron stood accused of in a series of dirts that eventually came to a caput in the largest bankruptcy in history. One of these dirts was named the Nigerian Barges instance ( [ Fleischer1, 2005 ] ) . Enron tried to sell an involvement in three power-generating flatboats in the seashore of Nigeria unsuccessfully. When Enron failed to sell it by December of 1999, Merrill Lynch, one of the universe ‘s taking fiscal direction and consultative companies, agreed to purchase that involvement. That dealing was closed at the terminal of December 1999, and hence Enron could book about 12 million dollars in net incomes that twelvemonth and meet gaining marks. But the dealing was a fraud ( [ Kirkendall, 2005 ] ) . The chief job with this trade was that Merrill Lynch acted merely as a temporal purchaser to assist Enron look more profitable than it truly was. Enron ‘s Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow promised verbally to Merrill Lynch that Enron would purchase back the flatboats at a determined net income within six months, or Enron would happen a 3rd company to make so. This fact turned the dealing to be a simple loan, and non a true sale, as Enron claimed. Enron ‘s nonsubjective with this dealing was non other than doing its fiscal statements look better so that it could better the income statement and so, for case, borrow money from Bankss and the populace at a lower involvement rate, or merely pay the executives in Enron indefensible fillips. The thought, announced in 1999, was that Enron would construct gas-fired power workss near Lagos. Estimated costs put the undertaking at about $ 500 million. Before the chief works was built, Enron would get down providing power from three 30-megawatt barge-mounted workss firing either oil or gas, harmonizing to a 1999 article in Global Power Report, mentioning an Enron spokesman. The flatboats were to get down operation every bit early as the autumn of 1999, though programs had non been finalized. The initial study was that Enron would get down building, likely in the first half of 2000, and finish the underta king in 22 months. For Nigerians, the undertaking was of import because, though Africa ‘s largest state is rich in energy resources, it faced relentless power crises and blackouts. By September, the cost estimation for the new power composite was up to $ 800 million. Enron was committed to financing it and to put ining an associated 175 mile-long, 24-inch diameter, offshore natural gas grapevine to provide the works. By February 2000, seemingly before any building, the trade was already confronting political jobs, harmonizing to Global Power Report. The contracts were called into inquiry by the World Bank, Nigeria ‘s national public-service corporation, the National Electric Power Authority and other Nigerian provinces. The World Bank reportedly said the trade should hold been competitively command and that the concluding contract was excessively favourable to Enron. Even before anything happened in the manner of providing energy, Enron was selling pieces of its trade to Merrill Lynch. That dealing and Merrill ‘s speedy sale of its involvement back to an Enron-related entity is at the bosom of the condemnable allegations. Industry deregulating besides caused new jobs for Enron which, for the first clip, needed to hold a strong competitory focal point. Enron knew that it could win in a deregulated environment merely if it were the lowest cost manufacturer or if it could separate its merchandise from the competition. The latter would look to be a frustrating end, when the merchandise is defined as a trade good like natural gas. Enron ‘s direction was fighting with how to explicate a scheme that would give clients what they wanted and develop a sustainable advantage in this new environment. They needed to happen a manner to â€Å" box † natural gas molecules, dependable bringing, and predictable monetary values such that it could specify a clear merchandise line and pass on the company ‘s alone accomplishments. Ques:1 What are the ethical issues involved in this instance? Ques: 2. What are the exposure profile for Enron ‘s clients with regard to natural gas monetary values? What are the exposure profiles for Enron? Ques: 3. What suggestions do you hold for Enron?Summary OF THE CASE:The Financial Engineering encompasses the design, analysis, and building of fiscal contracts to run into the demands of endeavors. † Thus we can state that Financial technology is the phenomenon which facilitates the process/ merchandise invention in the fiscal industries which will assist in heightening the stockholders ‘ wealth. The basic motivations in traveling for fiscal technology are as follows: Reducing liability on the balance sheet, or Reducing disbursal on income statement, or Increasing gross on income statement, or Increasing tax write-offs on revenue enhancement returns Companies normally go for fiscal technology to cut down their hazard liability and accretion of debt in the balance sheet. The range of fiscal technology includes the followers: Investing Banking Corporate Strategic Planning Hazard Management Primary and Derivatives Securities Evaluation Fiscal Information Systems Management Portfolio Management Security Trading The instance that we have chosen here will be explained from one facet out of the many countries covered under the range of fiscal technology that is â€Å" Corporate STRATEGIC Planning † . This construct shall be explained in the context of EnronaˆÂ ¦.which has been regarded as the biggest fraud in history. Under Corporate Strategic Planning Scope the company has used Financial Engineering to be-fool the the stakeholder of the company. In corporate strategic be aftering one really of import determination includes â€Å" Strategic ALLIANCE † which the companies follow for carry throughing their strategic every bit good as fiscal motivations. Enron has excessively did the same thing. Enron was created by a merge between Houston Natural Gas and Inter north. Houston ‘s Natural Gas ‘s CEO Kenneth Lay headed the amalgamation of the two companies. Kenneth Lay became the CEO of Enron. Enron was originally entirely involved with the distribution and transmittal of electricity and gas in the United States. In the amalgamation, Enron incurred a big sum of debt, and as a consequence of deregulating, no longer had sole rights to its grapevines. The company had to happen a manner to bring forth net incomes and hard currency flow. Kenneth Lay hired Jeffrey Skilling to work for Enron as an comptroller. Skilling suggested the pattern of purchasing gas from a web of providers and selling it to consumers at a fixed monetary value with a contract. Enron was interested in the enlargement, edifice, and operation of grapevines, power workss, and other substructure worldwide. After merely a twelvemonth of operation Enron merged with a company called Spectrum Seven, a compa ny whose president and CEO is the former president of the United States, George W. Bush. In 1999, Enron tried to spread out their company by making the Azurix Corporation, a H2O public-service corporation company. Enron was named â€Å" America ‘s Most Advanced Company † by Fortune magazine from 1996 to 2001. Enron was on Fortune ‘s â€Å" 100 Best Companies to work for In America † in 2000. The company ‘s hereafter appeared to be bright and assuring continued success. One of the really of import issue which led to the ruin of Enron was Nigerian Barge trade which was chiefly done to victimize the Govt and the stakeholders. Enron had promoted that it is come ining into a trade with the Nigerian Barge Fieldss of supplying energy human dynamos at that place. . For Nigerians, the undertaking was of import because, though Africa ‘s largest state is rich in energy resources, it faced relentless power crises and blackouts. The trade was a strategy to â€Å" park † Enron ‘s assets to bolster its net incomes and that no hazard was transferred to Merill Lynch in the trade because of an â€Å" unwritten ‘handshake ‘ side trade † by Enron to buy back the flatboats back from Merill or happen another suited purchaser. It was a fake that allowed Enron to illicitly book about $ 12 million in pretax net income, when in fact there was no existent sale and no existent net incomes. The function of Merill Lynch in this whole thing has been questionable since they have deviated from their basic responsibility and helped them in indulging into deceitful activities. Alongwith this instance and many others Enron had to atlast file for bankruptcy and it has been a affair of great concern for the US Govt. since one of its major investing bankers were involved in the instance.Question:Ques:1 What are the ethical issues involved in this instance?Autonomic nervous system: Enron showed a dainty image in forepart of the Nigerian Govt. Nigeria had abundant resources but lacked in expertness to use them expeditiously. Enron promised them to supply them expertise but it was merely a manner to â€Å" park † their assets. They wanted to conceal their earlier frauds and unethical manner of net incomes ( black money ) . The most unethical portion was that they were playing with their codification of behavior and puting a bad illustration for the remainder of the corporate. Butone of the board members of Merrill Lynch bl ew the whistling and the aureate image of Enron was tarnished.Ques: 2. What are the exposure profile for Enron ‘s clients with regard to natural gas monetary values?Ans. It has been identified that Enron ‘s jobs were non in its energy operations, but from â€Å" dot com † investings and in some foreign subordinates. Enron was originally entirely involved with the distribution and transmittal of electricity and gas in the United States. But after the amalgamation and the deregulating in the US, people could now entree gas at subsidised rate. This reduced its monopoly over the distribution of natural gas. But it had a strong political backup. The company ‘s connexion to George W. Bush, and Houston ‘s local political relations has received much attending in the recent yesteryear. In 1986, Enron was involved with Bush ‘s company in joint boring for oil. It has been said that George Bush and Kenneth Lay even shared good friendly relationship dealingss . That is why the company ever enjoyed some kind of shelter even after making unethical patterns. The clients did non hold any pick except for buying at the monetary values offered by Enron.Ques: 3. What suggestions do you hold for Enron?Ans. The lone suggestion that we have for Enron is that it should accept its error and apologise for its fraud. This can be one manner of recovering its image. Another option would be to counterbalance the Nigerian Barge Govt. so that it may experience that Enron is truly atoning on its error of working the abundant resources of Nigeria which remained unutilized.SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE CASEStrengthStrong political backup ( Bush & A ; Houston Govt. ) Good repute with fiscal establishments ( Merrill Lynch )FailingCertitude and extra dependance on its dependable resources Lack of support from top direction executives in strategic planning determinations ( window dressing of the histories at in-between degree )OpportunityRecover their lost energy because of clients assurance in them Promoting themselves in such a manner that the trade was fundamentally done to supply the client services at lower rates and non to conceal any corporate dirt.MenaceIt becomes hard to recover the lost image even if the company goes for â€Å" n † no of CSR as the expression goes â€Å" 1 dissatified client will state 30000 people whereas 1 satisfied client will state merely 3 † . So the company functionaries can good conceive of in what quantum their image or trade name equity has tarnished.CRITICAL APPRAISALThis is non the first cozenage or fraud for which Enron has been alleged. Previously it had been into spotlight when it created a bogus SPV ( SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE ) to pull strings their histories. They have created a false SPV ( Particular Purpose Vehicle ) to reassign all their losingss to that entity. It was fundamentally done to change over their ruddy balance sheet into a rose-colored one. Strong political backup and everlasting support from the taking fisca l establishments urged Enron to go on these frauds since they believed that Govt will come to its deliverance in instance it faces any job. Enron had non merely misused the options available through fiscal technology for their ain motivations but in a manner destroyed the state ‘s image besides because they were stand foring US Corporate civilization in Nigeria. So the state ‘s unity besides was at interest. The approaching companies can larn a lesson in two ways – 1. They may be encouraged to make such kind of frauds since Govt come for deliverance ( negative motive ) 2. It may put an illustration for them non to reiterate such an act in future. ( positive motive ) . In Indian context it is really of import to larn a lesson because we have been top ranked in Corporate cozenage this twelvemonth.

Industrial Relations Practices Essay

This chapter seeks to review the thoughts of other experts on industrial relations practices in state owned organisations. The purpose is to have a reference in terms of what others believe and perceive in relation to industrial relation and its practices in state owned organizations using Ghana as a case study. State-Business Relations and Economic Performance in Ghana by Charles Ackah, Ernest Aryeetey, Joseph Ayee & Ezekiel Clottey In their executive summary, Charles Ackah, Ernest Aryeetey, Joseph Ayee & Ezekiel Clottey, talked about the fact that relationship between the state and business community in Ghana had varied since independence. Though each government has had distinct relations with business and private sectors, civilian governments have generally promoted and enjoyed good rapport with the business community while military governments especially in the 1980s have tended to have confrontations with the private sector. Their study used a multi-disciplinary approach that included both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the disciplines of political science, economics, history, sociology and organizational management. They were seeking to understand what constitutes effective state-business relations, and to assess how state-business relations are related to economic performance, their study relied on historical institutionalist inductive theories- comparative historical analysis and path-dependence, among others. For their analysis, their study relied on both primary data, from interviews with selected formal and informal enterprises and regulatory agencies within Ghana, and their secondary data were derived from a review of statutory literature such as the Constitution of Ghana, Acts of Parliament, Statutes, Codes, Contracts, rules and procedures and conventions establishing institutions. Their purpose was to examine the characteristics of formal and informal rules and regulations governing the establishment and operation of foreign and indigenous businesses, how these have evolved over time and how they may have impacted economic performance. For their quantitative economic analysis, their study used a panel of 256 Ghanaian manufacturing firms over the period 1991-2002 to analyze the extent to which an effective state-business relationship is beneficial to economic performance. Focusing on total factor productivity, they found out that an effective State Business Relations (SBR) or a sound investment climate correlates positively with better firm performance, possibly channeled via a more optimal allocation of resources in the economy. Concerning the effect of the investment climate indicators, their results showed that an ‘unfriendly’ investment climate illustrated through firms’ perceptions about economic and regulatory policy uncertainty affecting their operations and growth are negatively correlated with productivity. With regards to the SBR measures, they found that social networks as indicated through the extent to which firms or their managers have close contacts within the government or bureaucracy had a statistically positive correlation with firm performance. Their results indicated that being well connected with those who make and implement government policy increases the chances of being able to lobby to overcome some of the difficulties confronting normal business enterprises, such as the number of procedures it takes to obtain licenses and permits and the number of days it takes to clear imported goods from the port. Narrative analysis of state agencies and Private Enterprises Foundation’s perceptions of SBRs in Ghana from 1992 to 2008 which also coincides and extends beyond the period of econometric analysis of SBRs on firm performance confirms the results discussed above. Both state and BAs agree on a shift from a predominantly ad hoc and informal clientelistic relationship to a more formal and synergistic SBRs in Ghana since 1992. Formal and regularized meetings between state agencies and businesses have positively impacted on firm productivity. They conclude for instance, PEF’s formal advocacy role and function resulted in the use of GCNET to expedite clearing of imported goods. Business concerns of firms are channeled more often through formal by BAs to state agencies. Firms through their BAs make inputs into budget and other policy on formalized basis. Moreover, strong formal relationship between the executive and BAs such as the investors advisory council have helped firms stay close to government and bureaucracy. Overall, their findings contribute to understanding that link between an effective state business relations and economic performance. Their paper adds to the work done by Qureshi and te Velde (2007) by investigating the key determinants of firm performance and also assessing the relationship between an effective SBR and firm productivity in Ghana. The results of their study stress the need for an enabling environment for the private sector. Experiences from East and Southeast Asian economies have also shown that investment and productivity growth critically hinges on an effective and vibrant private sector underpinned by a sound investment climate. Promoting a sound investment climate is one of the core responsibilities of the state in both developed and developing countries to achieve rapid capital accumulation and sustained growth and poverty reduction. Markets are good but are not without flaws. Thus, in order for inequalities in incomes and opportunities not to be exacerbated by the markets, it is important that the many constraints that inhibit the private sector from responding effectively to market incentives are removed, complemented with an increased effectiveness of government involvement in supporting private sector activities. Apart from the positive effect of SBRs on economic performance, the other lesson which can be drawn from their paper is that even though successive governments in Ghana have shown some commitment to supporting a viable private sector that commitment has, at the same time, been undermined by governments’ own fear of a strong private sector acting as a countervailing force and thereby weakening their monopoly over neo-patrimonialism. Consequently, the commitment may be seen as a public relations hoax. An effective SBR in Ghana requires sustained formalized political commitment to policies that sees the private sector as a catalyst and initiator of pro-poor growth and development. In their Introduction, they pointed out a number of theoretical models which provides many compelling reasons why effective SBRs would stimulate economic growth and poverty reduction. Economic growth has been an important topic of discussion in almost every economy for a very long time. Previous research has found steady increases in investment and productivity to be crucial to a country’s long-run economic growth and poverty reduction. Experiences from East and Southeast Asian economies have also shown that investment and productivity growth critically hinge on an effective and vibrant private sector underpinned by a sound investment climate. Promoting a sound investment climate is one of the core responsibilities of the state in both developed and developing countries to achieve rapid capital accumulation and sustained growth and poverty reduction. The economic reform programmes introduced in many developing countries during the 1980’s stressed the need for a propitious enabling environment for the private sector. Initially there were high expectations that a package of macroeconomic reforms (‘getting the prices right’) would give quick dividends in terms of economic growth. There has been growing disappointment with the growth record in many developing countries. Increased globalization and trade liberalization have led to a realization of the huge potential for the private sector but has also led to a considerable shift in the relationship between the public and private sector actors. Empirically, the size and role of the private sector is clearly evolving with globalization. Many high-growth nations have relied on markets to allocate resources. Markets, however, are not without flaws. And in order for inequalities in incomes and opportunities not to be exacerbated by the markets, it is important that the many constraints that inhibit the poor from responding effectively to market incentives are removed. A well-functioning market system, underpinned by strong institutions, with adequate protection of intellectual and physical property rights, and ‘smart’ interventions by the state, provides an enabling environment for businesses and individuals to innovate, compete and create value for all. This encapsulates the paramount importance of inclusive growth, i. e. , creating economic opportunities through sustainable growth and making the opportunities available to all including the poor. The relationship between the state and business in forging economic growth and development has been an enduring area of research for both economists and political scientists since the Industrial Revolution of the 17th Century. Literature and research findings have emphasized both the positive and negative roles of the state in promoting markets and economic developments. By the early 1980s, many interventionist states had been judged to have failed in their quest to directly promote economic development. The public sector in most states became big and excessive, while government control of economic activities was counterproductive as pricing and subsidies favoured the urban few. Among developing countries, Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) misallocated resources, discouraged exports and limited importation or transfer of much needed technology (Kohli, 2000). Quite contrary to the neo-liberal economic views held by most international development agencies that state interventions in economic growth and development was counterproductive, the role of states in development and the enhancement of pro-poor growth cannot be overstated (Amsden, 1989; Wade, 1990). Notable examples of states like Japan, South Korea in the 1980s and most recently China and India in the late 1990s show the positive role states can play in promoting development and poverty reduction among developing economies. Chalmers (1982) shows that in the case of Japan the state’s ability to prioritize areas for economic development, support private entrepreneurs and undertake direct and indirect interventions in economy promoted economic development. Such developmental states positively alter market incentive structures, manage conflicts, reduce risks and give direction to entrepreneurs (Kohli, 2000). Similarly, the World Bank Report of 1997 acknowledged the important roles of both the state and market, saying that â€Å"an effective state is vital for the provision of goods and services that allow markets to flourish and people to lead healthier, happier lives† (World Bank 1997:1). In short, the state also needs to establish and maintain the institutions that encourage or allow growth-related economic activity. While neoliberal growth theorists officially support a minimal role for government in economic affairs, it is still the case that economic growth generally depends upon a strong government and also relies on the state to construct and organize markets (MacEvan 1999:2-19). Since independence in 1957, Ghana has been making slow and unsteady progress in achieving structural change and economic transformation. Successive Ghanaian governments have undertaken a number of reforms targeted at improving the investment climate and promoting private sector participation in the economy. In 1992, when the Fourth Republican Constitution was promulgated to usher in multi-party democracy, several other development policies were introduced to augment market interventions for sustainable private sector development. The country adopted and implemented neoliberal structural adjustment programmes and market reforms. Apart from pursuing a vigorous free-market economic, industrial and trade policy, it also adopted a liberalized investment policy, with the goal of attracting foreign investment as well as promoting joint ventures between foreign and local investors. Certain social, political and economic patterns of change have emerged, such as, an expanding private sector and the establishment of legal and regulatory structures. Some improvements have also been attained in the provision of infrastructure, health and education, macroeconomic stability, and ongoing reforms in the financial sector. These changes, however, are unlikely to guarantee the needs of the private sector in today’s complex globalized world. Fundamental problems in the political and administrative system still persist despite many attempts at reform. Problems remain in relation to formalizing business operations in the country and corruption continues to be a problematic factor for doing business in Ghana. Many private companies encounter difficulties with regulations and continuing administrative inertia and corruption. A fairly high percentage of companies surveyed by the World Bank and IFC Enterprise Survey in 2007 report that they expect to pay informal payments to public officials to ‘get things done’ such as securing an operating license, meeting tax obligations and securing government contract. The survey also indicates that the burden of customs procedures in Ghana is quite cumbersome and constitutes a competitive disadvantage. Delays in customs procedures are sometimes deliberate as they create opportunities for officials to request unofficial payments. Against this backdrop, the purpose of their study was to examine the efficacy or otherwise of institutional arrangements put in place by various governments since to promote state business relations aimed at promoting economic growth and reducing poverty. The main objectives of their study were to: †¢? ssess the political and economic factors that have either promoted or undermined the effective functioning of private sector growth in Ghana; †¢? identify and discuss the influence of formal and informal institutions on pro-poor policy decision- making and implementation; and †¢? examine the key determinants of state-business relations (SBRs) and their effects on corporate performance in Ghana. Their study too k a multi-disciplinary approach that includes both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the disciplines of political science, economics, and organizational management. Primary data include interviews with selected formal and informal enterprises and regulatory agencies within Ghana. Secondary data included review of statutory literature such as the Constitution of Ghana, Acts of Parliament, Statutes, codes, contracts, rules and procedures and conventions establishing institutions. Their purpose here is to examine the characteristics of formal and informal rules and regulations governing the establishment and operation of businesses, how these have evolved over time, and how they may have impacted on economic performance. For the quantitative economic analysis, the study uses micro-econometric methods based on firm level data to investigate the linkages between measures of SBRs and firm performance. Cross-sectional and panel data regression analyses were employed to analyze how measures of effective SBRs relate to firm-level productivity. In their conceptualizing state-business relations, they highlighted that, most development theories that emerged in the early 19th century discussed economic and political relations among both developed and developing countries. Many theorists commented on the relations between the state and society which also comprised economic groups. While development remained the overarching focus of such studies, much of what was discussed had direct bearings on the relationship between emergent states in the developing world and how economic agents interacted. Then, the relationship between states and markets were conceived in ideological terms. Capitalists who wrote after Adam Smith emphasized the importance of markets in generating wealth. Most commentators claimed markets can self-regulate. Marxists writers on the other hand introduced class relations in how state and markets operate with claims that dominant classes who control wealth creation in most polities capture the state to pass laws and institutions that favour their cause. In between these two extreme positions on state and markets, many variant views were suggested to explain specific circumstances. Conventional economic theorists see the state as â€Å"an important initiator and catalyst of growth and development† (Martinussen, 1997:220). What still remains contentious is how states are conceptualised. Martinussen (1997:222) lists two major approaches and four dimensions of the state. A ‘society-centred’ approach attaches much importance to societal structures and social forces that exert greater impact on what become the state such that state power, apparatus and functions derive from economic agents and social forces of societies (Poulantzas, 1978). State-centred’ approaches give greater autonomy to state apparatuses and state personnel who act independently of economic agents, social classes or interest groups (Clark and Dear, 1984). Myrdal’s point about discretionary powers of political leaders is shared by dialectic modernization theorists like Jackson and Rosberg (1982) who noted that African rulers’ personality takes precedence ov er rules. State-business relations take place in such political environments where patron-client relationships exist throughout Africa (Sandbrook, 1985). In the absence of a legal framework that ensures security of property; impartial public services that directly facilitate production; and the regulation of foreign economic relations that maximises national interest, informal ties like blood relations, ethnic origins and personal access to political leadership dictate the pace of SBR in many parts of Africa. More recently since the early 1980s, following the monumental role played by states in Asia to transform third world economies into developed states, many theorists have offered explanations on the role of states and markets (Johnson, 1987, Evans, 1995). Conclusions made by such scholars indirectly places emphasis on the ‘magical’ blend between the developmental goals of the state and the profit maximization drive of private sector institutions in Asia. On macroeconomic impacts, the articles revealed the factors responsible for market failure are the existence of monopoly, public goods (goods which are non-rival and non-excludable) and externalities. Others include imperfect and asymmetric information and increasing returns to scale. These factors disturb the optimal allocation of resources in the economy necessitating government intervention. For example, firms in their activities generate an externality which may end up affecting other firms or individuals with the cost or benefit of doing so not reflected in the value of their transactions. Similarly, these firms in the absence of training and adequate knowledge on the importance of investing in transferable worker skills, may under- invest in the skills and capacity of its general workers. The government or public sector is also not exempt from failures. Government failure is said to occur when government action results in a less efficient allocation of resources. As such government intervention though necessary, may not be sufficient in addressing the failures in the market. This is because often, particularly in developing economies, governments lack the institutional and structural capabilities such as perfect information, practical and feasible development plans, essential logistics and structures that are required for addressing the failures which arise from the market. Also, government intervention in the market may result in crowding out which occurs when the government expands its borrowing more to finance increased expenditure or tax cuts in excess of revenue, crowding out private sector investment by way of higher interest rates. Similarly, government intervention activities may suffer intense lobbying and rent-seeking activities especially in countries with high records of corruption, eventually resulting in the misallocation of resources in the economy. With this background, it is obvious that a SBR is extremely essential. Such a relationship provides the solution to state, market and coordination failures. In principle, business associations play a significant role in facilitating the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of economic policies and provision of feedback to the government (Hisahiro, 2005). In addition, such a relationship between the state and the private sector plays a central role in providing a bridge between the business community and political circles. Further, these relations establish communication links between the government and businesses to exchange wide-range economic information, such as on industrial development, export markets and research and development (R;D). In short, by establishing networks between the state and the market, concrete and practical data on industries, markets and technologies are obtained and shared which may serve as an important information bureau for effective industrial and state policies. Harriss (2006) argues that a favorable collaboration between the state and business may have positive consequences for the growth of the economy as a whole, as long as certain mechanisms are in place which facilitate the following: transparency- the flow of accurate and reliable information, both ways, between the business and government; reciprocity between the business and the government; credibility- such that the market is able to believe what the state actors say and; high levels of trust through transparency, reciprocity and credibility. Hence, appropriate government policies, necessary for promoting economic growth in general and private sector development in particular are made possible by an efficient and fruitful state business relations and dialogues. On microeconomic impacts, the article suggested that, a well-structured, organized and effective relationship between the state and the market which satisfies the conditions of transparency, reciprocity, credibility and trust enhances the productivity of the firm in so many important ways. Firstly, an effective SBR helps to reduce policy uncertainties in the economy. Expectations play a major role in the activities of firms and investors particularly when it comes to savings decisions, the type of investment to undertake or the type of goods to produce, the period of production, the quantities to be produced, the technology to be used, how and where to market what has been produced and even how pricing of the commodities should be done. All these decisions are taken based on anticipated market conditions and expected profitability. As such any uncertainty in the economy tends to affect the activities of these firms, the level of investment and consequently the level of economic activity, which translates into economic growth. The absence of clear policies causes these firms to operate in uncertain environments, exposing their businesses to undue risks and resource shortages. Dixit and Pindyck (1994) argue that uncertainty tends to have significant negative effects on investment, especially when investment involves large sunk and irreversible costs. Against this backdrop, it is quite clear that businesses which have a better and effective relationship with the government may not be in the dark when it comes to policy decisions. Several studies confirm the negative effect that uncertainty has on investment. For instance, Bonds and Cummins (2004), in a survey of publicly-traded US companies, found that uncertainty has a negative effect on investment in both the short- and the long -run. Similarly, Ghosal (2003) was also able to show that periods of greater uncertainty have a crucial effect on industry dynamics and thus results in a decrease in the number of small firms and establishments and also a marginal increase in industrial concentration. In short, a greater correspondence and interaction between the state and the business enhances the free flow of information on prospective policies and reduce the level of uncertainty in the business environment, which is expected to result in a greater business confidence, quick firm-decision making and more accurate forecasting. Secondly, an effective liaison between the state and the market results in tailor-made, accurate and efficient government policies and institutions. In other words, an effective SBR will ensure that government policies towards businesses are appropriate and of good quality. This is because, in the presence of such an effective relationship between the state and the market, the design of government policies will be done, among other things, using the input of and in consultation with the private sector. Regular interactions and sharing of information will ensure that the private sector objectives coincide with public action and that local level issues are inputted into the centralized policy processes. The private sector through that will be able to identify opportunities and constraints, as well as possible policy options for creating incentives, lowering investment risks and reducing the cost of doing business. This result in more efficient and convenient government regulations and policies such as tax regimes, licensing requirements and propriety rights obtained through policy dialogues and advocacy which will go a long way to reduce the risks and costs faced by firms and eventually enhance their productivity. Finally, a good relationship between the state and businesses brings about an improvement in the quality, relevance and appropriateness of government taxing and spending plans. An effective relationship will help to ensure that certain facilities and mechanisms necessary for the survival of businesses are available and operational. This is because what motivates a firm to take risks, innovate and improve its performance depends crucially on the availability of certain services, much as it may depend on the private incentive facing the firm. Examples of these public services are good infrastructural system, information and communication technology, legal and judicial services, defense and security, availability of finance as well as the availability of human and physical capital. These facilities and systems affect the firms’ productivity both directly and indirectly. For example, the provision of basic amenities like water and electricity affect productivity directly by facilitating the smooth running of businesses. On the other hand, the provision of infrastructure though may not directly affect productivity will indirectly enhance the transportation of inputs and output to and from the production sites which will enhance the speed of production and also the quality of marketed products and eventually enhance their productivity. The efficient delivery of these public services require an active participation of the private sector which will be responsible for lobbying the government to increase its spending in those areas, creating a more favorable environment for investment. Again, a good SBR is also able to stimulate and sustain innovation. Schumpeter (1940) explains that innovation is one of main forces behind firm dynamics and economic growth. Also, sometimes such collaboration between the government and businesses may result in the government taking the lead to encourage and motivate the private sector to engage in research and development by providing incentives, venture capital for new enterprises and also appropriate property rights. All these activities by the government affect the productivity of the firms directly and encourage further investment. In effect, effective and sustained SBR can ameliorate both market and government failures, which are pervasive in most developing countries, and consequently bring about an increase in the growth of the economy. In conclusion and policy implications, they concluded that the relationship between states and businesses in forging economic growth and development has been an enduring area of research for economists and political scientists since the Industrial Revolution of the 17th Century. The relationship between the state and business community in Ghana has varied since independence. Though each government has had distinct relations with business and private sector, civilian governments have generally promoted and enjoyed good rapport with the business community while military governments especially in the 1980s have tended to have confrontations with the private sector. This study used a multi-disciplinary approach that included both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the disciplines of political science, economics, history, sociology and organizational management. To seek to understand what constitutes effective SBR, and to assess how SBR are related to economic performance, the study relied on historical institutionalist inductive theories- comparative historical analysis and path-dependence, among others. For this analysis, the study relied on both primary data, from interviews with selected formal and informal enterprises and regulatory agencies within Ghana, and secondary data derived from a review of statutory literature such as the Constitution of Ghana, Acts of Parliament, Statutes, Codes, Contracts, rules and procedures and conventions establishing institutions. The purpose here was to examine the characteristics of formal and informal rules and regulations governing the establishment and operation of foreign and indigenous businesses, how these have evolved over time and how they may have impacted conomic performance. For the quantitative economic analysis, the study used a panel of 256 Ghanaian manufacturing firms over the period 1991-2002 to analyze the extent to which an effective SBR is beneficial to economic performance. Focusing on total factor productivity, we have found that an effective SBR or a sound investment climate correlates positively with better firm performanc e, possibly channelled via a more optimal allocation of resources in the economy. Concerning the effect of the investment climate indicators, our results show that an ‘unfriendly’ investment climate illustrated through firms’ perceptions about economic and regulatory policy uncertainty affecting their operations and growth are negatively are negatively correlated with productivity, while social networks as indicated through the extent to which firms or their managers have close contacts within the government or bureaucracy have a statistically positive correlation with firm performance. These results indicate that being well connected with those who make and implement government policy increases the chances of being able to lobby to overcome some of the difficulties confronting normal business enterprises, such as the number of procedures it takes to obtain licenses and permits and the number of days it takes to clear imported goods from the port. Narrative analysis of state agencies and PEF’s perceptions of SBRs in Ghana from 1992 to 2008 which also coincides and extends beyond the period of econometric analysis of SBRs on firm performance confirms the results discussed above. Both state and BAs agree on a shift from a predominantly ad hoc and informal clientelistic relationship to a more formal and synergistic SBRs in Ghana since 1992. Formal and regularized meetings between state agencies and businesses have positively impacted on firm productivity. For instance, PEF’s formal advocacy role and function resulted in the use of GCNET to expedite clearing of imported goods. Business concerns of firms are channeled more often through formal by BAs to state agencies. Firms through their BAs make inputs into budget and other policy on formalized basis. Moreover, strong formal relationship between the executive and BAs such as the investors advisory council have helped firms stay close to government and bureaucracy. Overall, our findings contribute to understanding the link between an effective SBR and economic performance. This paper adds to the work done by Qureshi and te Velde (2007) by investigating the key determinants of firm performance and also assessing the relationship between an effective SBR and firm productivity in Ghana. The results of the study stress the need for an enabling environment for the private sector. Experiences from East and Southeast Asian economies have also shown that investment and productivity growth critically hinges on an effective and vibrant private sector underpinned by a sound investment climate. Promoting a sound investment climate is one of the core responsibilities of the state in both developed and developing countries to achieve rapid capital accumulation and sustained growth and poverty reduction. Markets are good but are not without flaws. Thus, in order for inequalities in incomes and opportunities not to be exacerbated by the markets, it is important that the many constraints that inhibit the private sector from responding effectively to market incentives are removed, complemented with an increased effectiveness of government involvement in supporting private sector activities. Apart from the positive effect of SBRs on economic performance, the other lesson which can be drawn from the paper is that even though successive governments in Ghana have shown some commitment to supporting a viable private sector that commitment has, at the same time, been undermined by governments’ own fear of a strong private sector acting as a countervailing force and thereby weakening their monopoly over neopatrimonialism. Consequently, the commitment may be seen as a public relations hoax. An effective SBR in Ghana requires sustained formalized political commitment to policies that sees the private sector as a catalyst and initiator of pro-poor growth and development.