Worrying Trends for the Global Outsourcing Industry Term Paper

Worrying Trends for the Global Outsourcing Industry - Term Paper Example However, it is a fact that a lot of organizations either multinational on national contract or outsource their jobs like electronic mail services, call center  services and  payroll. Additionally, these services are divided among different organizations that are well experienced in providing service facilities. In addition, these organizations are sometimes located overseas (Thompson, 2011; Turban, Leidner, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2005). In other words, outsourcing is an instance, where some government officials allow criminal persons to obtain license of driving. Since, it involves various security interests, economic effects on the country and political safety issues. That’s why analysis of those trends is necessary, which are affecting the outsourcing industry (Mintz, 2004; Chopra, 2010). Although majority of people has agreed that outsourcing results in creating more jobs at home since organizations are acquiring a lot of benefits from outsourcing aspect. Thus, this trend results in developing extra human resource power. Conversely, occupational dislocation factor along with collective costs survive that ought to be measured well earlier than the development. Hence outsourcing trend warns the long-term feasibility of our trade and industry system as well as the overall educational network (Mintz, 2004; Flecker, 2009; Yakhlef, 2009). Additionally outsourcing is not an ideal trend and trouble-free solution for a corporation. Thus, it is absolutely essential for a corporation to analyze each and every variable of outsourcing before they make choice to utilize this tool for rapid development. Moreover, there are numerous issues associated with outsourcing that could lead a business towards failure. Thus, there is need to assess the profiting margin that is expected from the outsourcing. There are various worrying trends or key issues that organizations can face in outsourcing. Following are some important issues: (Mintz, 2004; Chopra, 2010) Worrying Tren ds or Issues in Outsourcing When we talk about the issues that organizations can face in outsourcing, it is not single one to define. There are lots of issues which need to be discussed. However, one of the most important issues is barriers or basic difficulties that organizations face during outsourcing. Additionally, there are also some non financial issues that include differences in allocation of time regions (for instance, country trimming is different from other countries), variation in language spoken from one country to another is also a key factor, unpredicted civilizing variations in addition to the requirement for information safety are the most important issues that an organization face during outsourcing. According to a research, organizations in United States merely accumulate more than 15% that is equivalent to those funds that might be obtained through outsourcing locally to an economically depressed area (Mintz, 2004; Chopra, 2010). Expenditures and Cost The most im portant aspect that organizations must consider before outsourcing is that they have to be familiar with variations in a number of concealed costs related to outsourcing. Typically these costs may be forgotten by representatives, particularly when they are making a deal with any outside firm. Therefore they must adopt such trends which enforce to plan strategy about the legal expenses during signing deals (Mintz, 2004; Chopra, 2010). Quality Assurance Quality of product is a most adoptable step that most organizations think about before outsourcing. Additionally, organizational executives are always aware of fact that quality insurance is such a hotspot which will become a first priority of organization in

The African-American Odyssey Essay Example for Free

The African-American Odyssey Essay The emancipation of the African slave who was now disconnected from their traditions and way of life after nearly 300 years, is seemingly a great gush from the dam to the ebbs and flows of the struggle. The end of slavery as we know it, presented a ball of mixed emotions among the nation; North and SOUTH. Some slaves were grossly ecstatic to be free. For example, when a slave girl named Caddy, from Goodman, Mississippi found she was free, went to her mistress, flipped up her dress and told her Kiss my ass! On the contrary, some slaves were apprehensive of being free. For example, one elderly slave woman reportedly said, I ain no free nigger! I is got a marster and mistiss! Dee right dar in de great house. Ef you don believe me, you go dar an see. Though most slaves were detached from their families, many managed to regroup and find their love ones after their emancipation and constructed close knit families. Land was an viable means of survival in the minds of newly freedmen and the government was eager to deem lands to the ex-slaves . On January 16, 1865, General William T. Sherman told the freedmen that they will receive the land they were in search of. They were granted the head of each family would receive possessory title to forty acres of land. Sherman also gave the use of Army mules, thus giving rise to the slogan, Forty acres and a mule. Similarly in 1862 the Union military set aside land in Port Royal, South Carolina, which became known as the Port Royal experiment. The freedmen bureau was created to aid newly freed slaves in the transition from bondage to freedom in 1865. After Lincolns assassination the succession of his Vice president, Andrew Johnson, to the presidency meant that the white owners of the lands, that were given to the freedmen, would be returned. Sharecropping became a sort of ebb in the river of the African-American progression as far as freedom was concerned. Presented as labor contracts by white land owners, the institution of slavery was extended under a cloud of debt. In which, the black family, oft times became debtors due to the lack of honesty on the account of their white lender. Aside from family, among African-Americans, the black church became the most important institution. Not only did it fill deep spiritual and inspirational needs, it offered enriching music, provided charity and compassion to those in need, developed community and political leaders, and was free of white supervision. With the end of slavery, blacks who then had to attend services with white parishioners who treated them as second class Christians, could now organize and attend their own churches. The advent of the black church definitely brought about a flow in the river of struggle for African-Americans. Education was another flow in the river of struggle and a critical means of survival amongst people of color. It coincided alongside freedom. All who were versed in education of all sorts were summoned to teach the freedmen and their children. Teachers from all walks showed. Classes were held in churches, old slave markets, stables, taverns, homes, and former slave cabins. Funding came from various religious and political organizations and the Freedmens Bureau. Although white teachers helped a bit, black teachers were praised throughout the negro community because, as Rev. Richard H. Cain said , We must take into our own hands the education of our race Honest, dignified whites may teach ever so well, but it has not the effect to exalt the black mans opinion of his own race, because they have always been in the habit of seeing white men in honored positions, and respected. Most colleges and universities for blacks taught elementary and secondary level curriculum. The introduction of the historically black colleges and universities was formed from the idea of a higher education for people of color. In the midst of the newfound freedom, religious organization, and education of Negroes which was an obvious flow, a reoccurring ebb presented itself in the form of violence. Justice for the black man was never considered in those times. Thousands of innocent African-Americans were heinously murdered without a single conviction of a white perpetrator whom committed the acts. Atop the murders, black towns, businesses, churches, and schools were destroyed at the hands of the angry white southerners. The Failure of Reconstruction For the first time ever in history, a group of black men had concurrently became politicians. They were joined by the carpetbaggers of the north and the scalawags of the south in the Republican constituency. Of the 1,000 men elected as delegates to the ten state conventions, 265 were black. Collectively, they drafted new, striking constitutions that, unlike the previous constitutions, allowed all men to vote; even the ex-Confederates. Although, the Republicans displayed compassion upon their dealings with their opponents, the unruly Southern ego rose once more against the ratification of the new constitutions. In due course, the majority did manage to ratify and in each state, black men were elected to offices. As time progressed, nearly 1,500 black men were in office around the throughout the south. Among those were the likes of Blanche K. Bruce, Hiram R. Revels, Joseph Rainey, Jonathan J. Wright, Francis L. Cardozo, Robert Smalls, and Ferdinand Havis. This was a flow that led to inevitable ebb in the river of fight for African-Americans. That ebb presented itself in the form of the gradual failure of reconstruction. Issues such as education, social welfare, civil rights, land, and businesses plagued the Republican frame of thought daily. The black leaders efforts to facilitate education throughout the black and poor white communities failed overall. Lack of funds is the greatest blame for the inconsistency. At the time, there were no segregation laws, but whites refused to let their children go to school with blacks. Though a valid effort amongst African-Americans was given toward civil rights, they did not receive the respect that every other law abiding citizen received. For example, they were not accommodated at hotels and on public transportation, nor were they served as paying customers at various businesses. The blacks who worked for the white landowners were being cheated daily as if they were still in captivity. White employers would either fire the worker before the harvest or make up outlandish fees and debts. Some just didnt pay at all! Black leaders grew tired of the robbery and made laws to eliminate such happenings. The distribution of land amongst landless, yeomen, farmers didnt happen in any other state but South Carolina. Over fourteen thousand black families and a few white families, received land. Black businesses, unfortunately, did not and could not flourish due to the lack of funds during the expanding of the railroad. Other businesses made handsome amounts of profit but the African-American business owners could not cash in. Black politicians laid the foundation for public assistance, education, criminal justice reform but, could not do anything that directly dealt with their people. Reason being, was that they were the minority in the Republican party and in fact, were not allowed to ratify their own agenda. Besides, they couldnt agree on most things because they came from different walks of life. Bickering throughout the Republican party sparked a high turnover in political leadership and the loss of that very economic security? This made for inexperienced leadership and added to Republican woes. Opposition came to the party in various ways; Such as, the conservative Democrats who continued to heckle blacks who in any way participated in the political process and the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan, was founded in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1866, by ex-confederate soldiers who were hell-bent on eradicating and/ or terrorizing anyone who didnt submit to southern culture. They used any means necessary to remove blacks from politics. The Enforcement Act of 1870 was passed to prohibit Klansmen from wearing their regalia in public and protected the civil rights of black citizens. The following year the Ku Klux Klan Act was passed and it made the interference of a persons right to vote, hold office, jury duty and equal protection a federal offense. The fifteenth amendment was passed in 1869, and later ratified in 1870. It clearly expressed the right to vote to all citizens but failed to address the literacy tests, property possession rule, or the poll tax that continued to plague voters. Radical Republicans and northern whites alike grew exhausted with the dependency of blacks, (as they saw it) and looked upon them as unfit to be involved in the political system. They thought that reconstruction had been a mistake. The Freedmens Bank was founded in 1865 and done well until the white board of directors foolishly invested in Washington, D. C. real estate. The Panic of 1873 brought about a significant loss in unsecured railroad loans. As a result, the bank closed in 1874. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was an act of good intentions, yet it was ruled unconstitutional by U. S. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Bradley who, wrote that the Fourteenth Amendment protected black people from discrimination by states but not by private businesses. The end of Reconstruction was as brutal and contentious as the beginning. Blacks refused to vote in response to the terrorism inflicted upon them by the southern Democrats. The withdrawal of the federal troops that were to protect the rights of colored people left the black citizens with no means of defense and they therefore had to bow down to the numerous massacres that were to occur. The compromise of 1877, in which, Samuel J. Tilden and Rutherford B. Haynes, ran for the presidency, brought about more violence towards blacks and grew worse as time passed.

Individual and Society: The Womens Movement Essay -- Essays Papers

Individual and Society: The Women's Movement The role of women is like any other factor that determines the advancement of society as a whole; it is continually changing and affecting its surroundings at the same time. From beginning as unimportant citizens, to creating a strong feminist movement, to the "picture-perfect," subservient housewife, and finally to an opinionated, self-sufficient human being who has a variety of options, women have drastically changed their role in a male-dominated society. It is through these several stages of history that the significance of women's rights has progressed and presently placed them in positions with power. As a group, women have survived tremendous variations in lifestyles, showing their importance as individuals in society. Historically, women have moved from being one of the lowest statures in culture to a dignified class of people who are now nearly equivalent to men. It is the nature of human beings, though, to not always defend and follow the laws of society and thus discrimination against women still exists. However, the development of women's rights has come a long way since the limited views held by those in power in the Old Regime. The basic philosophy of earlier times showed no consideration for the female sex and little concern for their well-being. Not until the women's movement, which began around the mid-nineteenth century, did women start to progress as an individual group demanding rights and privileges. The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 met "to consider the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of women."(1) Beginnings of a stage of realization for the need for improvement were starting to appear and a willingness to attempt to better their st... ...le River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 493. 8. Betty Friedan, "The Feminine Mystique (1963)" in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization: Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 508. 9. Betty Friedan, "The Feminine Mystique (1963)" in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization: Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 509. 10. "United Nations Declaration of Women's Rights (1967)" in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization: Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 510. 11. "United Nations Declaration of Women's Rights (1967)" in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization: Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 511-512.

Organization Strategy and Structure Essay

By now, it should have been clear that there is no such thing as the one right organization. There are only organizations, each of which has distinct strengths, distinct limitations and specific applications. It has become clear that organization is not an absolute. It is a tool for making people productive in working together. As such, a given organizational structure fits certain tasks in certain conditions and at certain times. Given this perspective, as organizations tend toward more efficiency and effectiveness, so does the structure. For example, one hears a great deal today about â€Å"the end of hierarchy. † This is blatant non-sense. In any institution, there has to be a final authority say, the boss – someone who can make the final decision and who can then expect to be obeyed. But, what is the right organization to handle crisis is not the right organization for all tasks. Sometimes the team approach is the right answer. In fact, the pharmaceutical industry used this strategy long before â€Å"team† became a buzzword in the organization community.

Critical Essay †“By any other name” by John Lavin Essay

In the short story â€Å"By any other name† written by John Lavin, the theme of relationships is developed throughout the story by Lavin’s choice of language and descriptive writing. By looking at Lavin’s chosen setting and characterisation in the story, I will examine the theme of relationships. The story is set in the slums of Glasgow around the 1930’s is about a boy called Peter and his fight for survival with his parents in very poor conditions. To examine the theme of relationships it is important to examine the setting of the story. The setting Lavin created and how they get on with each other affect the characters. Due to a rapid growth in urbanisation, overcrowding and poor living conditions were very common. â€Å"Disease and death and want stalked through the sunless hovels† The use of personification here offers the reader an insight into the terrible conditions that many had to endure this period of time. It also shows how poor the family were. â€Å"Smell of cats and sickness and primitive drainage† This creates a very filthy image of the area they lived in. It also gives the reader the shock factor. I also feel that it puts a very hard strain of the family has they have to live in such horrible conditions. Peter does not get on very well with his father and they don’t have a very good relationship with each other. â€Å"He was always drunk just as I was always hungry† This shows that Peter’s father spent all the family’s money on drink and since they had no money they could not afford to put no food on the table. I also feel this shows that Peter had no respect for his father and also resented that his dad spent all the money. â€Å"I still fell pity I had for him, the only emotion he ever stirred in me† This gives the me the reader an insight into the feelings Peter had for his father. Peter I think felt sorry but had no real admiration for him, as he was always drunk and never really cared for him. â€Å"A mangled thing† Here Peter is talking about his father. This is a very impersonal thing to say about your father but this was true in Peter’s case. I also feel this shows that Peter lack any sort of emotion. Peter had a very good relationship with his mother. â€Å"My mother had the loveliest hair I ever saw† I feel this shows that Peter shows a lot of affection for his mother and that he loves her dearly. He also I think admires her for putting up with his father and the terrible living conditions that they had to endure. â€Å"Grey autumn day† I feel that his sets the tone for his mother’s death as she died from TB. I also think that his conveys very well how Peter feels, as he is now all alone as he does not get on with his father. Peter’s parents did not have a very good relationship. â€Å"They seldom spoke† They did not have any real conversations. The short sentence I feel sums up and emphasize how poor their relationship was. I think John Lavin has done a great job of convey the theme of relationships between family members.   

Buddhist Ethics Essays

Buddhist Ethics Essays Buddhist Ethics Essay Buddhist Ethics Essay To end suffering we must end desire, Release from suffering is possible through the noble eightfold path. The four noble truth is a like a doctor, you have the symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and the prescription The weakness of Buddhist Ethics, many Buddhist are opposed to any form Of violence, the Dali Lama prohibits the use of arms even In cases of self defense, another weakness of Buddhist Is there Is no Independent self and the last nakedness I think Buddhist Is there virtue of Impartiality seems rather naive In the view of our human nature. Buddhist has a couple of strengths, Buddhist Ethics shows the Importance of cultivating good character another strength In Buddhist Ethics Is that It cautions us against uncritically slipping In taking extreme action. Confucian Ethics The five great relationship examples are father-son, elder brother-younger brother, husband-wife, elder friend-younger friend, ruler-subject. The five virtues are Jean Is human heartiness, consideration and compassion. IL is that we act in a decent fashion with good manners, good judgment and discretion. Shush says to do not do unto others what you would not wish done to yourself, Again,its devotion to your offspring by doing what brings respect for family and also respect for parents and elder and cares for the children. Went, is about culture its the knowledge and skill in the arts and also appreciating beauty. The weakness in Confucian Ethics there are a few weakness but some are ruler -subject father-son and husband-wife Confucian Hough that the virtue lies in its social and interpersonal meaning with the husband and wife even though the spouses show deference for each other the wife is subordinate to the husband. Hindu Dharma It mean duty morality and righteousness, The caste system is a strong social class, you are born into caste there are 5 caste system which are Priest meaning spiritual leader and a counselor, Warrior gives protection of the society, Merchants is the producer and seller of goods, Peasants which handles manual labor and the untouchables which does he dirty work for the outcasts

Most Lopsided Presidential Elections

Most Lopsided Presidential Elections The most lopsided president election in U.S. history was Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelts 1936 victory against  Republican Alfred M. Landon. Roosevelt won 98.5 percent or 523 of the 538 electoral votes up for grabs that year. Such a lopsided president election is unheard of in modern history. But Roosevelts victory is by no means the only lopsided presidential election. Republican Ronald Reagan won the most electoral votes of any president in history, 525. But that was after seven more electoral votes were added to the prize. His 525 electoral votes represented 97.6 percent of all 538 electoral votes. Definition of a Lopsided President Election In presidential elections, a landslide election is generally agreed to be one in which the winning candidate secures at least 375 or 70 percent of the 538 electoral votes in the Electoral College. For purposes of this article, we are using electoral votes as a measure and not the popular vote. It is possible to win the popular vote and lose the presidential race, as happened in the 2000 and 2016 elections because of the way electoral votes are distributed by states.  A landslide presidential election, in other words, may not always result in a similarly wide margin in popular vote because many U.S. states award electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis to the candidate who wins the popular vote in their state. Using the standard definition of a landslide victory in presidential politics, when one candidate wins at least 375 electoral votes, heres list of contested presidential races that were among the most lopsided in American history. Note: President Donald Trumps 2016 electoral victory does not qualify as a lopsided victory as he won only 306 electoral votes. Democrat Hillary Clinton won 232 electoral votes but carried the popular vote. List of Landslide Presidential Elections Under that standard definition, the following presidential elections would qualify as Electoral College landslides: 1996: Democrat Bill Clinton won 379 electoral votes against Republican Bob Dole, who received only 159 electoral votes.1988: Republican George H.W. Bush won 426 electoral votes against Michael S. Dukakis, who received only 111.1984: Republican Ronald Reagan won 525 electoral votes against Democrat Walter Mondale, who got only 13 electoral votes.1980: Reagan won 489 electoral votes against Democrat Jimmy Carter, who got only 49 electoral votes.1972: Republican Richard Nixon won 520 electoral votes against Democrat George S. McGovern, who got only 17 electoral votes.1964: Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson got 486 electoral votes against Republican Barry M. Goldwater, who got only 52 electoral votes.1956: Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower got 457 electoral votes against Democrat Adlai Stevenson, who got only 73 electoral votes.1952: Eisenhower got 442 electoral votes against Stevenson, who got only 89 electoral votes.1944: Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt got 432 electoral votes against Republican Thomas E. Dewey, who got only 99 electoral votes. 1940: Roosevelt got 449 electoral votes against Republican Wendell L. Wilkie, who got only 82 electoral votes.1936: Roosevelt got 523 electoral votes against Republican Alfred M. Landon, who got only 8 electoral votes.1932: Roosevelt got 472 electoral votes against Republican Herbert C. Hoover, who got only 59 electoral votes.1928: Republican Herbert C. Hoover got 444 electoral votes against Democrat Alfred E. Smith, who got only 87 electoral votes.1924: Republican Calvin Coolidge got 382 electoral votes against Democrat John W. Davis, who got only 136 electoral votes.1920: Republican Warren G. Harding got 404 electoral votes against Democrat James M. Cox, who got only 127 electoral votes.1912: Democrat Woodrow Wilson got 435 electoral votes against Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, who got only 88 electoral votes.

What Exactly Is a Target School How to Find Yours

What Exactly Is a Target School How to Find Yours SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you have researched the college application process, you may have heard about the concept of a â€Å"target school.† What is a target school or college? Simply put, it's a college that you are likely- but not guaranteed- to be admitted to based on your qualifications. In this article, I'll define and explain the concept of a target school. Furthermore, I’ll discuss how to identify your target colleges and determine how many of these schools you should apply to. What Is a Target School? A target college is one in which your academic credentials make you competitive for admission.Your GPA, standardized test scores, and class rank fall within the average range for that particular school.You have a very reasonable chance of gaining admission to a target school, but there are no guarantees. Generally, you have about a 30%-80% chance of gaining admission to a target collegebased on your academic resume and the school’s acceptance rate. Schools to which you have less than a 30% chance of gaining admission are reach schools, and schools to which you have greater than an 80% chance of gaining admission are safetyschools. Because this range is relatively large, you can further divide your target collegesinto two categories: high target/borderline reach schools (30%-50% odds of admission) and low target/borderline safety schools (50%-80% odds of admission). Here are a couple of hypothetical examples to illustrate these concepts. Example #1 Claudia has a 3.9 weighted GPA, 610 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 690 Math SAT Scores, and she's interested in applying to the University of San Diego, a private Catholic college in San Diego, California. Claudia’s GPA is slightly higher than USD’s average GPA of 3.89, and her SAT score is also a bit higher than USD’s average of 630 Math score, although it's a little lower than its average 630 EBRW score. Furthermore, USD’s admission rate is 50%. Claudia would have a very reasonable chance of gaining admission to USD, but due to its relatively low acceptance rate, she shouldn’t be overly confident. USD would be a target school for Claudia. Example #2 Matt has a 3.5 weighted GPA and got a 23 on his ACT. Would the University of Oregon be a target collegefor Matt? Yes. The University of Oregon has an average GPA of 3.55 and an average ACT score of 25. Even though his GPA and ACT score are slightly below average for the University of Oregon, the University of Oregon’s acceptance rate is 83%.Matt’s credentials would make him a competitive applicant, and the University of Oregon would be a target school for Matt. For most public colleges, being an in-state or out-of-state student shouldn't have much impact on your odds of gaining admission. In recent years, though, there has been discussion that public universities have become more eager to admit out-of-state students. University of Oregon (Rick Obst/Flickr) Important Reminder Your GPA and standardized test scores are usually the two most important components of your application, but they’re not your only credentials that are considered when determining whether or not you gain admission. Colleges may also consider other factors like your recommendations, SAT Subject Test scores, the rigor of your course load, your personal essay, your extracurricular activities,anysubstantial obstacles you've had to overcome, and whether you’ll increase diversity on campus.Outside of your GPA and test scores, these other factors can strengthen your application. However, your GPA and standardized test scores are typically the most important factors, and they can help you easily determine your competitiveness for a particular school. How to Identify Your Target Schools Now that you understand the concept of a target college, I'll discuss how you should go about identifying your target colleges. Step 1: Create Your List of Dream Schools Initially, don’t worry too much about your odds of getting in when creating your list of dream schools. In my experience, most students are pretty realistic about where they stand. It's rare that a student with a 2.5 GPA will create a list of all Ivy League schools. If your initial list has too many reach schools, you can adjust it later. Learn how to choose a college, and research colleges extensively to determine the schools you want to go to.Use the best college search websites, college finders, and ranking lists to help you find the colleges that would be great for you. Seek advice from others. If possible, talk to your teachers, counselors, current college students and admissions representatives to help determine which colleges would be a good fit for you. After doing your research, I recommend having an initial list of 8-15 schools. You won’t necessarily be applying to all of these schools, but at this point, a list of fewer schools may not be giving you enough options, and if you have more schools, you probably haven’t done enough to narrow down your college search, and you may need to do more research. McmScience/Flickr Step 2: Determine Which of Schools From Your List Are on Target Use the PrepScholar database to help determine which of the schools from your list are target colleges.You can google â€Å"(name of school) prepscholar admissions requirements† to find a school profile for each college on your list.On the school profile, use the admissions calculator to get a rough idea of your chances of admission.The admissions calculator combines your GPA and standardized test scores with the admissions rate to approximate your chances of getting into the school. If, according to the admissions calculator, you have between a 30% and 80% chance of gaining admission, you should categorize the college as on target.If the school has less than a 15% acceptance rate, you should categorize the school as a reach regardless of your GPA and standardized test scores. The school is so selective that you can’t be confident that you’ll get in regardless of your academic credentials. What Should You Do If Your Dream Schools Are All Reach Schools? You should divide the list of schools you apply to between reach schools, target schools, and safety schools.You want to give yourself options and try to gain admission to competitive schools. Initially, some students, when they first identify their dream schools, select too many reach schools.Because your likelihood of gaining admission to reach schools is very low, you should identify less competitive schools that possess the attributes you like in your reach schools to apply to as well. For example, let’s assume that you have a 4.2 weighted GPA and got a 34 on your ACT. Your dream school is Harvard, primarily because you really want to go to a selective private college in the greater Boston area. Even though your GPA and ACT score would make you competitive for admission to Harvard, Harvard’s acceptance rate is only 4.6%. Therefore, regardless of your credentials, Harvard will be a reach for you. However, with your GPA and ACT score, some of your target colleges could be Tufts University and Boston College, both of which are selective private colleges in the greater Boston area.If you’re thorough in identifying why you like certain schools, that will be helpful for you if you need to find target schools. Pete Jelliffe/Flickr How Many Target Schools Should You Apply To? There’s no exact number of target collegesthat you should apply to.For most students, I recommend applying to about â…“ target schools,â…“reach schools, andâ…“safety schools. Generally, I think applying to 6-12 colleges is good to give yourself options without going overboard. Therefore, applying to about 2-5 target colleges is a reasonable number. Students who are extremely eager to go to selective colleges can apply to mostly reach and target schools. However, make sure you apply to at least a couple of safety schools to ensure you have choices given a worst-case scenario. If you're primarily interested in attending schools that qualify as safety schools for you, you don't have to apply to more than a couple of colleges. However, I do encourage you to at least consider more selective colleges before you finalize your list of schools. If you're deterred by the cost of private colleges or out-of-state public colleges, learn more about financial aid and scholarships that can enable you to afford any school that accepts you. Quick Review A target collegeis a school in which your credentials make you competitive for admission, and you have a decent chance of being accepted to that college (roughly 30%-80%). Identify target schools by doing extensive college research and knowing the traits that you like in your reach schools. Use the PrepScholar database to determine if a school is ontarget for you. What's Next? Even though Harvard is a reach school, learn how you can get into Harvard. Also, find out how to apply for college. When you apply to most colleges, you'll need to write a personal statement. Make sure you know how to write an exceptional college essay. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Lowering the Drinking Age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Lowering the Drinking Age - Essay Example "The argument goes like this: Our current drinking age forces young people to drink in private, so binge drinking of serious alcohol is on the rise and can be deadly. Lower the drinking age and kids will choose to drink low-alcohol beer openly--and safely. Teenagers want to drink because it's a 'forbidden fruit.'" (Drinking While Young, 11) According to the proponents of lowering the drinking age, it would not be such a big issue if drinking alcohol were legal at eighteen. On the contrary, to them, it would even help in the reduction of the number of teenage drinkers as those under twenty one would be less likely to drink. Following the debates on the minimum-age laws and policy change in the United States between 1970 and 1973, half of the states in the US lowered the legal age to eighteen. "The legislation was viewed as enlightened and forward-looking. It was believed that if consuming alcohol would lose the symbolic significance of being grown-up, young people might learn to drink moderately and more wisely than their elders. Furthermore, most teenagers had been drinking anyway, despite their inability to purchase alcoholic beverages." (Cohen, 33) Therefore, the arguments in favor of lowering the drinking age are influential and these are further supported by several research evidences. However, it is also important to comprehend that the opponents of such an argument also have crucial research evidences to prove their point. They point out that there has been reported rise in binge drinking as teenagers increasingly turn to hard liquor and prove that minors cannot be allowed to drink. Therefore, this exploratory essay aims at posing the two sides of the argument on the topic 'lowering the drinking age' and attempts to make a logical conclusion on the issue. One of the most thoroughly researched areas of social issues in the modern American society has been the controversial issue of lowering the drinking age and there have been vital researches on the Minimum Legal Drinking Age. "The Minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) is the most well-studied alcohol control policy in the United States. The intention of this policy is to lower alcohol use and its associated problems among youth As a result of research evidence indicating that traffic crashes among youth increased following lowering of the legal age, a citizens' effort began urging states to raise the MLDA back to age 21." (Wagenaar and Toomey, 206) It was during the early 1970s that a trend toward lowering the MLDA to age 18, 19 or 20 was most prominent in the United States. However, following a number of research evidences proving the pitfalls of lowering drinking age, all the states established an age-21 MLDA by the year 1988. This act of increasing the drinking age across several stat es provided researchers with different natural experiments to evaluate the effects of these policy changes on alcohol consumption and related problems among youth. However, the debate over the MLDA has become one of the most important discussions of the day and a significant issue in this debate has been if increasing the drinking age can in reality reduce alcohol-related problems in society. In order to determine the overall

Comparison Papper Malcom x vs William Shakespeare Essay

Comparison Papper Malcom x vs William Shakespeare - Essay Example Both assailed calumny or manipulation which in Shakespeare’s speech from Brutus justified his murder and villainy by alleging that he killed Caesar because he is ambitious and that Rome he is better off with Caesar dead. This was in the passage; In Malcom X’s speech however, this came from the gerrymandering of white (caucasian) politicians that when Negroes became concentrated in one area that is enough to become a political power, the political subdivisions are changed to disenfranchise the Negro. All sorts of effort were done to â€Å"con† and undermine the negro’s right to vote as exegete it saying as â€Å"senators and congressmen standing up filibustering and doing all other kinds of trickery to keep the Negro from being able to vote†. Both speakers were also addressing an undiscerning and unsophisticated crowd. In Malcolm X, the speech referred to the Negroes â€Å"dumb vote, your ignorant vote, your wasted vote put in an administration in Washington, D.C., that has seen fit to pass every kind of legislation imaginable† while in Shakespeare, both Brutus and Anthony were addressing a mob who would agree to whatever they will say until Anthony won them over with a speech that effectively refuted Brutus speech that Caesar has to be killed because of his ambition; Both also justified violence or murder as a political solution. Albeit Brutus was more brutal because he personally slew Caesar under a shady motive even if Caesar is his close friend. Worst, he made it appear as if Caesar deserved it and his death is good for Rome by saying â€Å"Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?† Malcolm X speech however was replete of justification why it has to come to ballots or bullets. He argues that the eyes of the negroes are already open and his consciousness is already alive and he will

Managing Financial Principles and Techniques Coursework

Managing Financial Principles and Techniques - Coursework Example Management of the institution is also recommended to reduce the amount of cash and cash equivalent assets outstanding to avoid investing in projects with negative net present value, and avoid pushing management into empire building. In all, Autonomy Plc has a good performance in its liquidity, profitability, efficiency and Long term financial stability as on average it out performed the industry performance. These interpret a favourable signal to the company horizontal trend. To suppliers, the quick payment system operated by the company is unique to the industry as such; suppliers should strife at strengthening their relationship. For applicants, the company is a going concern; applicant should not hesitate to seek a career with the company Globalisation, the new information technology, and deregulation of financial markets have eased the provision and search of finance. Millions of shares are traded every day on the world's stock markets. (Penman, 2003). Investors who trade on these stocks are often forced to ask themselves whether they are buying or selling at the right price. (Artril & Elliot , 2003). Artrill & Elliot (2003) argue that, they often attempt to provide answers to these questions by turning to various media including internet chat rooms, printed press, "talking heads" on television and financial networks, who often voice opinions on what they feel the stock prices should be. In addition, investors consult investment analysts who provide an almost endless stream of information and recommendations to sort out. There are often claims that some shares are undervalued and vice versa. (Penman, 2003). This information at times becomes confusing leaving the investor with no clear indication of what the true prices of stocks should be. (Penman, 2003). In the prevailing circumstances, Brealey & Myers (2005) state that the investor is forced to make the investment decision following his/her instinct or based on the information provided by the market. (Penman, 2003). Investors who make the decision based on instinct are referred to as intuitive investors while those who make investment decisions based on capital market efficiency are referred to as passive investors. (Penman, 2003). Passive investors carry out their investment decisions based on the assumption that the market price is a fair price for the risk taken, that is, that market forces have driven the price to the appropriate point. (Brealey & Myers 2005). These investment mechanisms appear to be very simple, as they do not require much effort. (Penman, 2003: pp 3). However, Berlin & Lexa (2003) caution that, both investors run risks that are even more than the risks of the firms they are investing in since they can either pay too much or sell for less and as a result suffer a decrease in returns on their investments. (Penman, 2003). Penman (2003) argument was supported by Brealey and Myers (2005) when they stated that, the intuitive investor has the problem of the intuitive bridge builder: "one may be pleased

MBTI Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

MBTI Analysis - Research Paper Example For instance, extraversion versus intraversion determines the level to which a person is predicted to be more social or withdrawn. Each of these traits have an opposite personality trait and the strength of each is determined by a higher score for each type on the MBTI. RESULTS OF MBTI The results of the MBTI indicated my personality type was ESFJ, with a moderate expression of extraversion, a moderate score in judging, a moderate expression of feeling, and a very slight expression of sensing as part of my personality dynamics. The highest scores were extraversion with 56 and judging also with 56. These were my most significant scores of the four types. I am currently studying nursing, a job role that requires direct intervention with diverse and culturally-different patients, therefore extraversion is a desired trait in the role of nurse practitioner. Nurses are considered the primary source of information for patients and must serve as an advocate based on a trusting foundation of sociability (Morrison, 4). Extraverts â€Å"are keenly interested in other people and external events, and venture forth with confidence into the unknown† (Ewen, 1998, p.127). This suggests a higher level of sociability than an intraverted personality type, meaning that it is a predictor of a well-adjusted ability to function well in group environments. The extravert enjoys social environments and often takes a leadership role when exploring discussion in the group concept. In the role of nurse practitioner, there must be the ability to work directly with patients in order to explore their needs and concerns. Especially when dealing with patients that are battling difficult illnesses, they rely on the competence and social knowledge of the nurse in order to find quality and dimension in effective treatment programs. An introverted individual would not be able to serve the patient needs effectively and it is likely that the quality of treatment would suffer in the long-term. T his is why the MBTI index results reinforced that nursing is a quality profession for my unique personality type. I also maintain a moderate judging personality versus the opposite, which is feeling. Judging is the tendency to prefer a structured and orderly environment that is based on factual data, rather than in feeling where intuition and hunches are preferred over logical information. It is â€Å"the preferred method of managing the outer world† (Lucas, 2007, p.14). This, too, is important in the role of a nurse where orderly scheduling and statistical information must be considered when developing an appropriate treatment plan. It serves the role of the nurse practitioner well to be able to use logical analyses rather than acting on instinctive information so that the quality of patient care is top-notch. When working directly with physicians, there must be structure both in management and in the management of data to ensure zero errors and be able to coordinate treatme nt-based activities effectively. This is a field that would not be served well with an instinctive philosophy as is associated with perceiving and does not afford much in terms of spontaneity. Feeling also maintained a moderate score of 44, based on the results of the MBTI. This is how a certain personality type prefers to make decisions, either based on empathy, such as with feeling or as associated with thinking methodology. Feeling is a more personal type

Positron Emission Tomography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Positron Emission Tomography - Essay Example The nucleus of an atom has nucleons and the protons collectively known as nucleon. The mass number is the total number of nucleons present in a nucleus. A nuclide has the following composition, Atomic number denoted by Z, the neutron number denoted by N and the mass number denoted by A. isotopes are atomic species having identical properties in chemical composition (Z) but different mass numbers (A). The atom’s outermost orbital electrons are involved in the chemical reactions and the chemical behavior will not change when the compound is labeled with radioactive isotope. In addition, the nuclear radioactive characteristics are not affected by the chemical composition of the atom. When a small volume of a system comprises of numerous particles that are confined together, then the system becomes unstable. An unstable nucleus then becomes stable by transforming itself through emission of particles and photons. This process is what is termed as radioactive decay, and when the nuc lides undergo through a similar process, it is called radionuclide. The radioactivity studies form the basis to understand the atomic nucleus. Initial unstable nucleus in the decay of radioactive nuclides is known as the parent and daughter is the final nucleus that is more

MBTI Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

MBTI Analysis - Research Paper Example For instance, extraversion versus intraversion determines the level to which a person is predicted to be more social or withdrawn. Each of these traits have an opposite personality trait and the strength of each is determined by a higher score for each type on the MBTI. RESULTS OF MBTI The results of the MBTI indicated my personality type was ESFJ, with a moderate expression of extraversion, a moderate score in judging, a moderate expression of feeling, and a very slight expression of sensing as part of my personality dynamics. The highest scores were extraversion with 56 and judging also with 56. These were my most significant scores of the four types. I am currently studying nursing, a job role that requires direct intervention with diverse and culturally-different patients, therefore extraversion is a desired trait in the role of nurse practitioner. Nurses are considered the primary source of information for patients and must serve as an advocate based on a trusting foundation of sociability (Morrison, 4). Extraverts â€Å"are keenly interested in other people and external events, and venture forth with confidence into the unknown† (Ewen, 1998, p.127). This suggests a higher level of sociability than an intraverted personality type, meaning that it is a predictor of a well-adjusted ability to function well in group environments. The extravert enjoys social environments and often takes a leadership role when exploring discussion in the group concept. In the role of nurse practitioner, there must be the ability to work directly with patients in order to explore their needs and concerns. Especially when dealing with patients that are battling difficult illnesses, they rely on the competence and social knowledge of the nurse in order to find quality and dimension in effective treatment programs. An introverted individual would not be able to serve the patient needs effectively and it is likely that the quality of treatment would suffer in the long-term. T his is why the MBTI index results reinforced that nursing is a quality profession for my unique personality type. I also maintain a moderate judging personality versus the opposite, which is feeling. Judging is the tendency to prefer a structured and orderly environment that is based on factual data, rather than in feeling where intuition and hunches are preferred over logical information. It is â€Å"the preferred method of managing the outer world† (Lucas, 2007, p.14). This, too, is important in the role of a nurse where orderly scheduling and statistical information must be considered when developing an appropriate treatment plan. It serves the role of the nurse practitioner well to be able to use logical analyses rather than acting on instinctive information so that the quality of patient care is top-notch. When working directly with physicians, there must be structure both in management and in the management of data to ensure zero errors and be able to coordinate treatme nt-based activities effectively. This is a field that would not be served well with an instinctive philosophy as is associated with perceiving and does not afford much in terms of spontaneity. Feeling also maintained a moderate score of 44, based on the results of the MBTI. This is how a certain personality type prefers to make decisions, either based on empathy, such as with feeling or as associated with thinking methodology. Feeling is a more personal type

How do you understand a functional approach to studying finance-growth Essay

How do you understand a functional approach to studying finance-growth nexus Explain facilitating risk management, exerting cor - Essay Example Joan Robinson however presents a complete perspective when he opines, â€Å"Where enterprise leads finance follows† (1952, 86), thus implicating that it is the nature of the country’s economic growth that creates demands for certain types of financial institutions, and the systems simply respond to these growing demands. Some economists also disregard the theory that places importance on the finance- growth. Robert Lucas in his papers contends that economists tend to â€Å"badly over-stress† the part played by the financial systems (1988, 6), while Chandavarkar (1992) in papers observes that development economists frequently overlook the role played by the financial systems in augmenting economic growth and simply ignore it (Meir and Seers, 1984). ... Financial development is the route through which nations can aim towards furthering the competencies of their present economic systems (comprising of markets and resources), banking sectors, supervising investment projects, and overall strengthening the position of the financial systems within a country. Thus, one can view financial development as a major aspect in affecting a country’s economic growth and welfare (Huang, 2006). Strong empirical evidences reaffirm the theory that finance is at the base of a state’s economic developmental curve. Modern academic scholars are increasingly putting their faith on the efficient, smoothly running financial systems, opining that these systems are essential for processing funds for use in various financial activities, and in apportioning the risks management arena to those who can bear it, thus fostering economic development, enhancing infrastructural growth chances, balanced income distribution, and alleviating poverty (World B ank 2001). While measuring the functional objectives of the financial structures and analysing the process of financial development in a country, focus must be on the financial services, like institutions and markets; understanding the factors that are causing certain sections of the market to remain underdeveloped; and segregating the potential and perceivable barriers within the financial services (Rajan and Zingales, 1998). The dimensions along with the provisions made for the financial developments of a country are assessed are the efficiency, size, and reach of the institutions, services, and markets, along with the quality and cost of the financial services availed for the economic growth of that country (ibid). Thus,

Spearmans Rank Correlation Essay Example for Free

Spearmans Rank Correlation Essay I can therefore predict that if a student that spends less than 20 hours in front of the TV can have a KS2 Total of 16. In addition, a student that has a KS2 Total of 17 could spend 40 hours in front of the television. HYPOTHESIS 3 This hypothesis is comparing the IQ of boys and girls against their KS2 Total. This means that I am trying to carry out an investigation that is based on the better performer at school and this is either boys or girls. My hypothesis states that boys perform better that girls at school but I will confirm that with the use of scatter diagrams and Spearmans Rank Correlation. This graph is comparing the IQ of females against their KS2 Total. From the above graph, I can see that there is a positive correlation and this therefore disproves my hypothesis because I did not expect girls to do very well in their KS2 exams. Nevertheless, to be very confident with my hypothesis, I will have to carry out a Spearmans Rank Correlation Test to check whether these two factors actually work with each other. I have drawn a line of best fit and this gives me a rather accurate correlation of the comparisons that I am carrying out. This is Spearmans Rank Number. Since my data was too much, I print-screened the important part, which was the actual calculations itself. When I carried out Spearmans Rank Correlation, I got a strong positive correlation, which meant that girls with a high IQ would also have a high KS2 Total. This also tells me that I interpreted my scatter graph rightly because I saw that there was a strong positive correlation. This graph is comparing the IQ of males against their KS2 Total. From the above graph, I can see that there is a strong positive correlation and this therefore proves my hypothesis because I did expect boys to do very well in their KS2 exams. Significantly, to be very confident with my hypothesis, I will have to carry out a Spearmans Rank Correlation Test to check whether these two factors actually work with each other. I have drawn a line of best fit and this gives me a rather accurate correlation of the comparisons that I am carrying out. This is Spearmans Rank Number. Since my data was too much, I print-screened the important part, which was the actual calculations itself. When I carried out Spearmans Rank Correlation, I got a strong positive correlation, which meant that boys who have a high IQ would also have a high KS2 Total. This also tells me that I have interpreted my scatter graph rightly because I saw that there was a strong positive correlation. After carrying out the last hypothesis, I can finally conclude that both boys and girls perform very well at school. Notably, I noticed that girls had a correlation of 0. 9 while boys had 0. 8. This also tells me that although they both perform well at school; girls have that slight advantage over the boys. STANDARD DEVIATION I will be using this formula to find the Standard Deviation of my data. This is because since my data is not in a grouped format, I will not be able to use the formula for grouped data but can use the formula for ungrouped data. I have decided to find the Standard Deviation of IQ because I feel that that has an effect on KS2 Totals. This is the Standard Deviation of my data for the IQ of females. As you can see from the print-screened data, I have carried out the steps to calculate the deviation of IQ in Mayfield High School. When calculating, I found out the average IQ of females in the school was 100. 275 and that is approximately 100. After more calculations, I found out that the Standard Deviation of IQ for females in the school is 10. This therefore meant that girls in the school have a high IQ and that they would have few students who are outside the outlier range (upper warning limit and lower warning limit). This is the Standard Deviation of my data for the IQ of females. As you can see from the print-screened data, I have carried out the steps to calculate the deviation of IQ in Mayfield High School. When calculating, I found out the average IQ of males in the school was 13726. 803 and that is approximately 13727. After more calculations, I found out that the Standard Deviation of IQ for males in the school is 19. This therefore meant that boys in the school have a high IQ and that they would have more students that the girls who are outside the outlier range (upper warning limit and lower warning limit). PLAN A I will draw a scatter graph to display my results. The reason why I have chosen this is that I expect it to show me the correlation between IQ, Average number of TV watched and KS2 Total. When I had completed my scatter graph, I noticed that there was a strong-positive correlation. I drew a line of best fit and noticed that it passed through the Upper Quartile IQ. In addition, I noticed a few outliers. This occurred when a student had a high IQ but had a low KS2 Total. PLAN B I will calculate the correlation by using Spearmans Rank Correlation. The reason why I am doing this is that it will enable me to see what type of correlation there is between IQ, KS2 Total and Average TV watched in a week. CONCLUSION I will say that this investigation does follow my hypothesis apart from me having a few outliers. Moreover, I will say that the outliers that I got did not make much difference to the results that I got. In addition, I think that I could have tried other methods such as using samples such as a simple random sample, Stem and Leaf Diagrams or cluster sampling that involves selecting the sample units in groups The limitations that I feel occurred during the process when I was carrying out this coursework is that there was not much time available to me so I just used two different ways to test out my hypothesis rather that using maybe three ways. In addition, I can say that if I had more time, I could have used more data and have varied the samples so that my results could be more accurate. I could also collect my own data because I can ensure reliability and have a varied source of data from different schools. This would help me because I can see if my hypothesis affects all the schools or some schools. If there were to be any more work that I would add to this work, I would use a variety of methods to test out my hypothesis.

Speed Up Construction IBS Systems

Speed Up Construction IBS Systems Introduction In this chapter, the author reviewed works done by others through journals, articles, newspaper cutting, and quotes from authors and online articles collected. IBS system is a process to speed up the construction work and to minimize the dependency of labour on site. The objective of this study is further discussed about the barriers of contractor in implementing IBS. Besides that, this chapter also will focus on the basic review of IBS such as definitions, background, types and characteristics in IBS and have a basic introduction about the detail of IBS. Industrialised building is the term given to building technology where modern systematized methods of design, production planning and control as well as mechanized and automated manufacture are applied (Ingemar Lofgren and Kent Gylltoft, 2000) While Building system mean a building system includes design rules and a product system whose parts have compatible interfaces, thus permitting the use of several alternative components and assemblies is assured by means of a dimensional and tolerance system as well as connection and joint (Ingemar Lofgren and Kent Gylltoft, 2000) Definition of IBS There was no commonly accepted or agreed definition of IBS. Several authors have defined IBS as process or a technique. Blimas et. al. (2006) and Pan et. al. (2008) defined that IBS is often referred by literatures as off -site construction, off-site production, industrialised and automated construction. Warszawski (1999) explain in detail that an industrialized process is and investment in equipment, facilities, and technology with the objective of maximizing production output, minimising labour resource, and improving quality while a building system is defined as a set of interconnected element joint together to enable the designated performance of a building. Another definition by Trikha (1999) claimed that IBS also may be defined in which all building components such as wall, floor slab, column and staircase are mass produced either n factory or at site under strict quality control and minimal on site activities Another definition that clarified by Junid (1986) where IBS as process by which components of building are conceived, planned and fabricated, transported and erected at site. The system includes balance combination between software and hardware component. The software elements include system design, which is complex process of studying the requirement of the end user, market analysis and the development of standardise component, establishment of manufacturing and assembly layout and process, allocation of resources and materials and definition of a building designer conceptual framework.The software elements provide a prerequisite to create the conducive environment for industrialised to expand. According to Juunid (1986), the hardware elements are categorised into three major groups. These include frame or post and beam system, panel system, and box system. The framed structures are defined as those structure that carry the loads through their beams and girders to columns and to the ground whilst in panel system load are distributed through large floor and wall panels. The box systems include those system that employ three-dimensional modules (or boxes) for fabrication of habitable units are capable of withstand load from various directions due to their internal stability. CIDB defined IBS as construction system whereby the components are manfactured in a factory, on-site or off-site, then positioned and assembled into structures with minimal addtional site work. Classifications of IBS This section will focus on the classification of the building system that are published internationally and in Malaysia There are four types of building system under IBS in Malaysia and there are namely conventional column-beam-slab frame systems with timber and plywood as formwork, cast in-situ system with steel or aluminium as formwork, prefabricated system and the composite building system is shown in figure 2.1. Each building system is represented by its construction technology, functional and geometrical configuration (Badir et al, 1998). (cited at Thanoon et. al., 2003) According to Majzub (1977) has different concept in classifying building system that is the relative weight of the components should be used as a basis for building classification shown in figure 2.2. The factor of weight has significant impact on the transportability of the components and also has influences on the production method of the components and their erection method on site. This classification method is found to be inadequate to incorporate other building system flourish recently. There are five types of IBS had being used in Malaysia: (IBS Road Maps 2003-2010) Type 1: Pre-Cast Concrete Framing, Panel and Box System The most common group of IBS products is pre-cast concrete of elements in construction industry. For example, there are including columns, beams, slabs, Three-Dimension (3D) components (balconies, staircase, toilet, lift chambers), permanent concrete formwork, and so on. (CIDB, 2005). Pre-cast concrete framing, panel and box system is under categories of prefabricated system. The advantage using this is because it cans minimum waste due to work environment in factory is easier to control. Panel system is use for the construction of interior walls and exterior walls offer speed of construction in many ways. For box system will achieve ultimate objective of industrialization that is a maximum saving of human labour on site. Type 2: Steel Formwork Systems This system considered as least prefabricated IBS, as they generally involve site casting and subject to offer high quality finishes and fast construction with less site labour can come in tunnel formwork, beams, columns, and slab moulding forms permanent steel formworks (metal decks) and so on. (CIDB, 2005) The steel formwork is prefabricated in the factory and then installed on site. Type 3: Steel Framing System This system always be the popular choice and used intensively in the fast-track construction of skyscrapers. Recent development in this types system included the increased usage of light steel trusses. Steel is non combustible material and improves fire safety and reduces amount of structural damages in the event of a fire happen. Example: Steel beam, columns, portal frames, roof trusses. (CIDB, 2005). Steel framing also consider as prefabricated system and it to be erected whereby welding at joints are conducted. This system cans faster the progress construction. Type 4: Prefabricate Timber Framing System While the latter are more popular, timber building frame offering interesting designs from dwelling units to buildings requiring high aesthetical values such as chalets for resorts Example: Timber frame, timber roof trusses (CIDB, 2005). The advantage of the system is mainly in the interior flexibility, as large space can be used for different functions and can be easily changed or modified according to the use. Type 5: Block Work System This system has revolutionizes by the development and usage of interlocking concrete masonry units (CMU) and lightweight concrete blocks. The tedious and time-consuming traditional brick-laying tasks are greatly simplified by the usage of there effective alternative solutions. Block work system also consider under prefabricated system. The benefits of block work system are faster construction and increase bricklayer longevity. Moreover, its also increased energy savings like lightweight concretes resistance to heat flow is twice of medium and heavy weight concrete, its mean that less heating/cooling energy is needed. Characteristics of IBS It is important to have the following characteristics only consider to be accepted as part of the IBS and ensure the achievement of proven benefits of IBS. Each of them will be discuss briefly at below (CIDB 2008): Industrial production of components though pre-fabrication; or highly mechanized in-situ processes. For example, permanent steel formwork Reduced labour during pre-fabrication of the components and site works. Modern design and manufacturing methods involving information Technology such as the usage of Computer Aided design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Systematic Quality control such as ISO 9000 principles Open Building Concept i.e permitting the hybrid applications, and adaptable to standardization and Modular Coordination (MC) Implementation Level of IBS in Malaysia The use of IBS have various advantages such as the reduction dependency of foreign workers, less wastage, less volume of building materials, increased environmental and construction site cleanliness and better quality control compare to conventional method. These advantages also promote a safer and more organised construction site, and reduce the completion time of construction. Many world-class Malaysian developers have chosen IBS over the conventional methods for important projects such as the Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya, KL Sentral, and KLIA. (IBS Roadmap, 2003 -2010) Even so, the usage level of IBS in building is still low. From a survey conducted by CIDB Malaysia, the usage level of IBS in the local construction industry stands at only 15% (IBS Survey 2003). The early efforts of the Government to encourage the use of IBS in the construction sector has yet to garner a good response, and this sector is still practicing conventional construction methods that have proven time and again to be wasteful, dangerous and messy. Relatively, the low labour cost in this country is the root cause of the industry failing to reform and being complacent with the current level of productivity, quality and safety. (IBS Roadmap, 2003 -2010) Moreover, according to the newspaper the star 2009 stated that Jamilus explained that IBS was a construction technique in which components were manufactured in a controlled environment (on-site, off-site), transported, positioned and assembled into a structure with minimal additional site work. Beside that, out of 1,400 contractors in Johor, there only 4% of it are using this systems. Moreover, he said that since year 2008, there only 51 contractors in the state have been reported to use the IBS system in their building projects and the number were expected improve in time. (The star, 2009) Malaysias Experiences in IBS The usage of IBS is not new in the Malaysia construction industry. The idea using IBS in Malaysia was first purpose during the early 60s when the Minister housing and Local Government visited several European countries and evaluated their building system performance. At the time, the government makes a big decision to give a try on a two pilot projects using IBS concept. The first project, Pekeliling Flat was constructed along Jalan Pekeliling with construction of 7 blocks of 17 storey flats, and 4 blocks of 4 storey flats comprising around 3,000 units of low cost flats and 40 storey shop lot and this project using large panel industrialized prefabricated systems. On the other hand, the second project was built in Penang with the construction of 6 blocks of 17 storey flats and 3 blocks of 18 storey flats comprising 3,699 units and 66 shop lots along the Jalan Rifle Range and this project was using the French Estiot System (Din, 1984). Even though the first implementation IBS was not successful due to the failure to keep within cost estimation but there are some successful adoption too. Among the significant projects that implement IBS are including KL Sentral. KL Convention Centre, KLIA, etc Following is the Successful implemented of IBS throughout Malaysia (CIDB Malaysia, 2003) Year 2007 Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART Tunnel), Kuala Lumpur The Spring Shopping Mall, Kuching, Sarawak Year 2006 Kuching International Airport, Kuching, Sarawak Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru Year 2005 Serdang Hospital, Serdang, Selangor The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, Selangor Year 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sentral ( KL Sentral), Kuala Lumpur Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Year 1998 Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang, Selangor Malawati Indoor Satdium, Bukit Jalil, Selangor Year 1997 Petronas Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur Bukit Jalil, Bukit Jalil, Salangor Year 1984 Daybumi Complex, Kuala Lumpur Year 1981 High end bungalows and low cost houses throughout Selangor The Advantages for IBS adoption in Construction Industry There are some several advantages using IBS (MCRJ, 2009) 1. Reduce Remittances by foreign worker: The Government aimed to achieve 100 percent usage of IBS and to reduce to 15 percent or approximately 50,000 of foreign workers in the construction industry by 2010. With the current foreign workers totaling 227,000, the remittances of the foreign workers amounted to about 7.5 billion. It is expected that the Government would be able to reduce the remittances with the full implementation of IBS. (Bernama.com, 2006) 2. Enhance Efficiency of Construction Process and Higher Productivity: IBS is a methodology whereby a local construction industry is driven towards the adoption of an integrated and encouraging key players in the construction industry to produce and utilize pre-fabricated and mass production of the building at their work sites. This will help to enhance the efficiency of construction process, allowing a higher productivity, quality, time and cost saving. (CIDB, 2004) 3. Produce Better Product: IBS promises elevated levels of expertise throughout the industry, from manufacturers, installers, engineers, planners, designers, and developers. The benefits of IBS will ultimately produce better products for the population (CIDB, 2003) 4. Reduce Wastage, Less Site Materials, Costs, Cleaner and Neater Environment: The IBS, which enables on-site prefabricated or pre-cast building components manufactured at factories offers minimal wastage, less site materials, cleaner and neater environment, controlled quality, and lower total construction cost (CIDB, 2003). For example, the repetitive use of system formwork made up of steel, aluminium, etc and scaffolding provides considerable cost savings (Bing et al. 2001). 5. Higher Quality of Component: An industrialised building system component produces higher quality of components attainable through careful selection of materials, use of advanced technology and strict quality assurance control (Din,1984) 6. Reduce Labour at Site: Prefabrication takes place at a centralised factory, thus reducing labour requirement at site. This is true especially when high degree of mechanisation is involved (Warszawski, 1999) 7. Faster Completion: An industrialised building system allows for faster construction time because casting of precast element at factory and foundation work at site can occur simultaneously. This provides earlier occupation of the building, thus reducing interest payment or capital outlays (Waleed et al., 2003) 8. Not Affected by Adverse Weather Condition: Construction operation is not affected by adverse weather condition because prefabricated component is done in a factory controlled environment (Waleed et al., 2003) 9. Flexible Design: An industrialised building system allows fexibility in architectural design in order to minimise the monotony of repetitive facades (Warszawski, 1999). An industrialised building system provides flexibility in the design of precast element as well as in construction so that different systems may produce their own unique prefabrication construction methods (Zaini, 2000) Barriers of Adoption in Malaysia Construction Industry IBS can replace the conventional building system which is labour oriented However, since the first project of IBS not well accepted by construction parties because of fail to deal with the risks such failure of keep within the cost estimate. For example, the first project incurred 8.1 % higher costs than a similar building that using conventional construction method, while the second project was 2.6% lower than the cost. Both projects also completed in 27 months in term of compare to the construction speed but are inclusive the time of set up the recasting factories too. When come to the quality, the conventional method seems have better quality than IBS. In conclusion, there is a competitive with conventional construction method. Even though IBS is good to implement due to its advantages but the implementation of usage level is still very low. According to Waleed et. al. (2003), the common consensus of all the stakeholders of construction in Malaysia is that, the IBS implementation in Malaysian building construction industry is still very low compared to the conventional methods. This is due to several reasons(MCRJ, 2009): 1. Costs and Return Investment: Wide swings in houses demand, high interest rate and cheap labour cost, make it difficult to justify large capital investment. At present there is an abundance of cheap foreign workers in Malaysia and contractors prefer to use labour intensive conventional building system because it is far easier to lay off workers during slack period. The economic benefits of IBS are not well documented in Malaysia and the past experiences indicated IBS is more expensive due to fierce competition from conventional building system. 2. Lack of skilled and knowledgeable manpower: Fully prefabricated construction system requires high construction precision. Malaysian labour force still lack of skilled workers in IBS implementation. 3. The Practices: The construction industry is very fragmented, diverse and involves many parties. Consensus is required in the use of IBS during planning stage. 4. Knowledge based: Lack of Research Development (RD) in the area of novel building system that uses local materials. Majorities of IBS in Malaysia are imported from developed countries, thus driving up the construction cost. Engineering degrees in local universities seldom teach about the design and construction of IBS. 5. Low Quality: The use of IBS in Japan and Sweden are so successful due to high quality  and high productivity but it sis the opposite in Malaysia. Previous projects constructed  with IBS concept were of low quality and high construction cost. 6. Lack of Incentive and Awareness: Due to the lack of incentive and promotion from government in the use of IBS, many many architects and engineers are still unaware of the basic elements of IBS such as modular co-ordination. 7. Lack of Scientific Information: An IBS system can only be acceptable to practitioners if its major advantages are valuable compared to the conventional system. However, up to date, there is inadequate corroborative evidence to substantiate the benefits of IBS system. It is therefore, arguable that the implementation of IBS is particularly hindered by lack of scientific information (Badir et al., 2002) 8. Wastage of Material: Standardization of building elements faces resistance from the construction industry due to aesthetic reservation and economic reason. One good example of this is when a 300mm thick modular standardized floor slab has to be used although a 260mm thick floor slab can achieve the similar structural performance. This results wastage of material (Waleed et al., 2003) Summary of the Chapter Nowadays in Malaysia, IBS still being developed and applied in new building. Mean while, the implementation level is still very low what has anticipate by the government. The purpose of IBS is very clear as an alternative for conventional method and also reduces the dependency of labour, and increase the performance in time, cost, and quality. The Government of Malaysia promote IBS component to the construction industrials. In the literature review have proved that there are many benefits of IBS but still is low usage among contractors and the implementation of using IBS level is still very low.

Comparing Brontes Wuthering Heights and Dickens Coketown Essay

Comparing Bronte's Wuthering Heights and Dickens Coketown      Ã‚   Throughout British Literature, compositions created by honored literary artists reflect current dominant lifestyles. The differences in prevailing environments are visible when comparing Emily Bronte's Withering Heights and Charles Dickens Coketown. Bronte reveals the wild unbinding freedom available though country living predominate in the late 17th and early 18th century, whereas Dickens explains the disheartening effects of industrialization, which caused massive urbanization and numerous negative consequences. Within both works, the authors portrayed the lifestyles their culture encouraged.    Rural households, spaced several miles apart, were common during Bronte's lifetime, therefore it is no surprise that she chose this enjoyable environment to set her scene for her novel which so closely mirrored her life. The moors surrounding Withering Heights remind each reader of the tranquil lifestyle enjoyed by the British at this juncture in their history. As pointed out in Seminar 1, "travel was not an easy chore" at this time, thus making frequent visiting among neighbors impossible (Seminar 1 J.H.). Therefore, it is understandable that women occupied their time knitting and gossiping (Seminar 1 K.T.). The women of Withering Heights portray this idol lifestyle. When Lockwood meets Cathy 2, she is idly setting in the apartment. Cathy 1 receives many tongue-lashings for her wild adventures in the moors as a girl. Later in her life, after her marriage to Edgar Linton, she realizes her position is to remain at the house and receive visitors there. These women represent the expecte d lifestyle of women during the romantic period.    Personal feelings an... ...hese terms infer the results of abandonment of faith and religion, vividly displaying the differences of the two periods.    Each author portrayed darkness of the soul in a separate way, just like the characteristics and origins of the darkness are separate. This turning from describing a revolting nature to a desecrated nature graphically describes the atmosphere in each period. Individual struggles dominated Bronte's time where societal hardships, resulting from technological and industrial advances, governed Dickens and his contemporaries.    Works Cited Damrosch, David, et al., ed.   The Longman Anthology of British Literature: Vol. B.   Compact ed.   New York: Longman - Addison Wesley Longman, 2000. Bronte, Emily.   Wuthering Heights. Norton Critical ed.   3rd ed.   Ed. William M. Sale, Jr., and Richard J. Dunn.   New York:   W. W. Norton, 1990.

Short Notes

â€Å"Two gentlemen of Verona† & â€Å"An Irish Rose† are the two heart touching stories written by A. J. Cronin. In an Irish Rose, the 14 year old Rose plays the central character of the story. She sacrifices her life to look after her baby brother who lost his mother when he was just one month old. In the â€Å"Two gentlemen of Verona † we find the touching story of Jacopo & Nicola ,two brothers aged 12 & 13 who do odd jobs and live a hard life themselves to sustain and treat their elder sister Lucia who is suffering from tuberculosis of spine.Both stories of A J Cronin are heart touching. In an analysis of the characters portrayed in both the works we can find certain similarities. As stated above we can see the characters themselves in a moral and sacrificial light wherein they are not thinking or living for themselves but for their respective siblings. If we go into the actual character portrayal too, we can find how the characters are dressed in rags to sav e even the smallest penny for their siblings comfort.They do not even eat or dress well lest they have to spend any money, which can be found to have a better use for their siblings. In the Irish Rose as well as the Two Gentlemen of Verona, we find that the author finds hope for a better future of the world after meeting Rose, Jacopo and Nicolo. Never thinking for themselves, all three of his characters have fought to better the lives of their loved ones in every way possible. In both the stories the plot is set in a rousing manner and giving a detailed and graphic expression till the climax.In the Irish Rose, the main character Rose Donegan has to earn for the family, buy milk for her youngest brother Michel. She had to cook, attend to the children and father. With a slum child’s elemental knowledge she had to do everything, even she would bargain the baker to extend her credit for an extra loaf. As in the case of the Two Gentlemen OF Verona, the writer himself becomes a cha racter in the plot of Irish Rose. Along with the writer the rest of the characters too play a significant role in the plot to finally bring out the actual sacrifice of the three children.In both the stories the importance given to the children’s attitude towards work, love and responsibility shows how important the said characters are in the view of the author too. Herein we find the hope for a better world when these children grow up rather than the war ravaged time frame in which the stories are set. It was W. B. Yeats who said that, â€Å"Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart†. But through these stories Cronin has endeavored to prove Yeats wrong, as nicely as possible. He was also able to teach us the value of not running away from our responsibilities.

My Philosophy of Leadership

MY PHILOSOPHY OF LEADERSHIP Christine Harris Byrd In my own definition, leadership is an attitude, not a position or routine, and not based on one certain formula or method. It is based on one’s experiences and personal values, and therefore no two leaders will never be the same. There are only a few characteristics that categorize them together. Leaders are those whose actions reflect their heart. They inspire themselves and others in a way that creates a chain reaction of positive events, thoughts, changes, and of course, attitudes.Whether their attitude affects a whole society or one single person, they are a leader because they genuinely care for the well-being of others and live according to their own principles. Most importantly, a leader is one who does not settle. They are always striving to grow as an individual, learn more, accomplish more, and challenge the norm. Based on my personal experiences it is prevalent that I will become more of a transformational leader ve rsus being a transactional leader. So much of my growth has been based on inner-challenges and the influence of other leaders.I agree with the concept that stresses the importance of â€Å"powerful personal characteristics† and using your talents and skills to help and influence others. I have a fiery personality, which means I become very passionate for what is important to me and let my emotions dictate how I think, feel, and act. Most distinctively I believe that the main purpose of our actions is to aspire for happiness. One cannot truthfully portray leadership if his actions do not make him happy. To put it simply, I believe that being a transformational leader is a lifestyle.Never does one reach an end point or master the skill. As they strive to transform others, they too continue to grow. There are five main components of my personal leadership philosophy. The first and foundational component on which it is built on is â€Å"hard work. † An important part of ha ving a leadership attitude is by illustrating your words through tangible actions. Rolling up your sleeves and diving in or â€Å"going the extra mile† establish both credibility and respect. In my experience, hard work can also come in the form of a weakness.I am most content when I can just put my head down and work, but I have learned that when working together with others, I have to be conscious of other’s opinions and pace. I believe that it also means that one has to be resilient because the harder you work and the more times that you put yourself out there, the higher the chances are that you are going to fail. The difference between someone who succeeds and someone who does not is how one reacts to the situation. The second component is to be a â€Å"forever student. † John F.Kennedy defined this perfectly when he said, â€Å"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. † Whether we are working in our area of expertise, teaching someon e else, or simply living there is always room for improvement. I believe that everyone has a story to tell and by listening we are exposed to a new perspective that changes the way we see things or strengthens our standing beliefs. This also ties in to the idea of not being an individual who settles. Being curious, asking questions, and purely just listening are some of the most essential habits a leader can have; they are the spark plug for creativity.Components three and four are closely connected. To â€Å"be happy† and â€Å"have passion,† as previously mentioned, are two characteristics that are naturally intertwined with our personalities and functional needs. Often time’s leaders struggle with their conscious over taking the path that they are expected to take and the one that makes them happy. In a society where â€Å"time is of the essence† we as leaders must prioritize. Happiness is the key to what makes each of us tick and passion is the specia l ingredient that creates determination, energy, focus, and a servant heart.I know that I am going to have more respect and admiration for an individual who is steadfast and passionate, regardless if their beliefs and priorities align with mine. The fifth and most personal component for me is to â€Å"take risks. † Every situation we approach in life involves some sort of risk. Every decision, experience, action, goal, and emotion has both a positive and negative outlook. The final lines of a quote that has become my personal motto can best define this component: Risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.The person, who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn feel, change, grow, love, or live. Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave, he has forfeited freedom. Only a person who risks is free. As individuals who continue to strive for that leadership attitude, we h ave to be able to throw all cards down on the table, and continue to do it over and over if we ever expect any gain or satisfaction. Of course as the most challenging component, it is also the most important.Ultimately is all boils down to the question of â€Å"did I give everything; do everything that I possibly could to make the outcome positive? † If so, then regardless of the outcome, you have shown positive leadership. The leadership theories that best describe my personal philosophy are servant and authentic leadership. The life-changing experiences and memories that have had the most significant impact on my life are the ones that challenged me to become a better person and that came from the kindness of others.I have seen firsthand how hard work, learning, happiness, passion, and taking risks can change one’s purpose in life and have learned that when we surround ourselves with those components and others who share them, it creates a positive chain reaction. I value the opportunity to live based on my personal values and firmly believe in leadership that is modeled to serve and benefit from each other. I have always believed that effective leadership encourages everyone to participate in the decision making process.The effective leader is one who can clearly articulate the vision of the organization to all stakeholders in a meaningful and accessible way. The simplest way to describe my personal belief about effective leadership is that , â€Å"the (leader) needs to model what management researcher Robert Greenleaf called servant leadership- a philosophy that encourages collaboration, trust, foresight, listening, and ethical use of power and empowerment. † (Krajewski, 2004). My mission is, as a leader and a follower, to empower those around me to use their natural alents to assist the organization as well as themselves. I believe that the foundation of effective leadership is personal integrity. My actions will serve as an example f or others and will be based upon honesty, respect and fairness. I will keep my word and will treat people fairly and with respect for diversity and the rights of each individual. I will trust the members of my team to make sound, ethical decisions and I will guide and support them. I also aim to develop, through example, a learning community among my co-workers. As a leader, my goal is to be a collaborator.Everyone has something unique to bring to the table. It is my hope that they environment that I co-create encourages awareness and cultivation of this authenticity. DePree (1989) defines leadership as follows: â€Å"The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. † References: . De Pree, Max. The Art of Leadership. New York: Doubleday, 1987. Leadership . Krajewski, Bob. . In Their Own Words. Learning From Urban Schools Pages 14-18. March 2005 | Volume 62 | Number 6

Analytical review of the financial position and reporting

This is what the University of Bradford policy on academic integrity says about plagiarism: â€Å"A dissertation, thesis, essay, project or any other work which is not undertaken in an examination room under supervision but which is submitted by a student for formal assessment must be written by the student and in the student's own words, except for quotations from published and unpublished source, which shall be clearly indicated and acknowledged as such†¦ † If you copy work for assessment, it defeats the whole purpose of the exercise.When work that you have copied is marked it is not your progress that is being evaluated but that of somebody else. And if it is someone else's work, the feedback you receive will not help you improve your own potential. Plagiarism is an issue that the University of Bradford takes very seriously and is treated as a form of Academic Misconduct (or cheating). There are four main forms of plagiarism: 1. Copying or using another person's work, including the work of another student (with or without their consent), and claiming or pretending it to be your own; 2.Presenting arguments that use a blend of your own and the directly copied words of the original author, with or without acknowledging the source; 3. Paraphrasing another person's work, but not giving due acknowledgement to the original writer or organization publishing the writing, including work on Internet sites; 4. Colluding with other students and submitting identical or near identical work. However it is very important that you are aware of Self-plagiarism. This is described in a document called â€Å"What is Academic Misconduct† which is available on the Legal and Governance website.You must not submit the same assignment, or the any part of that assignment, as the assessment for two modules, nor should you â€Å"cut and paste† large sections of work from one submission into another. You can refer to your own work (whether vomited for another mod ule or published elsewhere) but you must acknowledge this by citing the original work, Just like any other source that shapes your own work. How to avoid plagiarism: Applying, analyzing, criticizing or quoting other people's work is expected of you and is perfectly acceptable providing you always: 1.Attempt to summarize or restate in your own words another person's work, and give acknowledgement to that person. This is usually done by citing your sources in the text of the assignment and presenting a list of references at the back ; or 2. By always using quotation marks (or indenting lengthy quotations in your text) to distinguish between the actual words of the writer and your own words. Once again, you would cite all these sources in the text straight after the quote and present full details of these in your list of references.Using Turning: You must be very careful to ensure that your submission is free from Plagiarism before you submit it. All submissions are made electronically via Turning which is a piece of software that is able to identify â€Å"non-original† content within a submission. When you submit your work it is matched to previously submitted work both at the University of Bradford, on the web and work submitted to other Universities across the world. You will be presented with an Originality Report which will highlight any non-original content in your work.You are permitted to submit a draft version of your work to Turning before the final submission deadline. This will allow you to see the Originality Report for the draft and to address any issues that the report identifies. The report can take a few hours to generate, so give yourself sufficient time to receive and examine the report and to be able to work on your submission as necessary before the deadline passes. It is essential that you understand what is expected and how plagiarism can be avoided.The university provides a great deal of resources to help students understand their r esponsibilities. Information about these services is available at the LASS workshop site. If there are any specific issues relating to plagiarism and or Turning please contact the relevant Module Leader or your Personal Academic Tutor. Executive summary The purpose of this report is to prepare an analytical review of the financial position of BP Billion, using the ratio analysis as a financial instrument.This review is Sistine to the stakeholders (investors), based on the latest available annual financial statement, to identify and reconcile the group's profit position and identify trends in the business performance. The company's performance is analyzed more deeply using ratio analysis. In addition, we will compare the group main indicators with the respective figures of close competitors such as ROI Tint, Vale S. A. And Alcoa Inc. As well as Mining Industry and Energy Sector average coefficients (Scimitars 2014).Background Information BP Billion was set up in 2001 as a result of a Dual Listed Company (DEL) merger twine Broken Hill Proprietary Company known as BP Limited, an Australian-listed company, and Billion Pl, a I-J-Existed company (BP Billion 2013). Although the companies have preserved their separate ownership structures both are run by the almost identical committees of directors and one managing body. It is a leading global resource company and its major business units are: Copper; Iron Ore; Manganese and Nickel; Coal; and Aluminum, Petroleum and Potash.The aim of the group is to provide long-term shareholder value through the development, acquisition and marketing of natural resources. Despite the continuing recession the group has continued to retain its market position with capitalization US $147 billion at 30 June 2013, revenue US $66 billion and net profit US $11 billion for 2013 financial year and there are now 128 thousand employees and contractors working in 140 subdivisions in 26 countries (BP Billion 2013). This year the group announced t he appointment of Andrew Mackenzie as CEO who replaced Marcus Slippers.The company being a participant of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (2014) conducts the corporate procedures and policies in concordance with hose principles to provide security for its operations. The recent study suggested that the 90 fossil fuel marketers (Goldenberg 2013) are in charge of two-thirds of the greenhouse gas emissions produced in the industrial age and BP is in this list. According to the management's statement Just the tenth of the emissions are from direct operations, while the rest are from outsourced goods (Hannah 2013).In 2011 BP Billion initiated with University College London the foundation of two energy institutions aimed at teaching and research of sustainable use of the environment and resources (CUL 2011). Basis of preparation The financial information for the year ended 30 June 2013 has been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with Australian Accountin g Standards that is an Australian equivalent of International Financial Reporting Standards (FIRS) and FIRS and their interpretations as adopted by European Union effective as the reporting date.The principles of accounting for DEL merger were adopted under I-J and Australian Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAP) and the consolidated financial statement is compiled as follows: Assets and liabilities of the BP Billion PL and BP Billion Limited Group were consolidated at the date of the merger at their book value; Results for the period ended 30 June 2013 comprise the consolidated data of the both entities.A number of new standards and interpretations have not yet entered into force, and their demands are not taken into account in preparing the consolidated financial statements: FIRS 11 Ð’Â «Joint ArrangementsÐ’Â » modifications were not applied but will have an impact on financial years commencing from 1 July 2013. The company will recognize its share on a single line in entities where it does not meet with the revised definition of Joint control. AFRICA 20 Ð’Â «Striping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface MineÐ’Â » modifies the policies for production striping and applies to annual periods starting on 1 January 2013.The company disclosed the effect of adjustments at the transitional date of 1 July 2011. Ratio Analysis External factors and trends affecting to the group's financial outcomes The major external trends and factors have had a considerable impact on the company financial position and ratios and the next section disclosures them. Commodity prices. Metal commodity prices were decreased in comparison with the previous year as a result of apply growing faster than demand. For instance the average price of Iron Ore decreased 16% from IIS$1 51 /DMS to IIS$127/DMS, Aluminum decreased from IIS$334/ DMS to US$327/DMS according to the Note 3. . 1 of the Financial Statement (BP Billion 2013). Metal products share in aggregate reven ues exceeded 63% whereas crude oil and gas totaled 20%. Metallurgical coal price decreased 31% from IIS$239/t to IIS$1 59/t mostly driven by low growth rates of global pig iron production. Conversely energy commodities' price were affected positively namely crude oil price increased by 8% driven by Chinese demand growth in the first half of the year followed by moderate improvements in macroeconomics in the United States later. In whole the price effect reduced underlying BIT by IIS$8. Billion but partially offset by increased sales volumes. Exchange rate. Other substantial risk influencing profitability ratio is exchange rate as majority of sales are denominated in US dollars as well as this currency plays major part in the group financial activities. Operating costs are primordially influenced by changes in local currencies such as South African rand, Chilean peso and Australian dollar. Overall the Australian dollar, Brazilian real and South African rand ended the financial year w eaker against the US dollar, while the Chilean peso strengthened.Product demand and supply. Global demand and supply for the products is a crucial factor of market prices, and fluctuations in commodity supply and demand influence the group performances, including asset values and cash flow. The company forecast relatively balanced growth over the long term as large developed economies, such as the US, grow despite fiscal challenges and China also shows the development of its economy. Operating costs. As the product prices are regulated by the global commodity markets controlling production costs is a key task of the management.The company could reduce external services by IIS$2 billion and third party purchases by IIS$O. 7 billion, government royalties by IIS$O. 4 billion and exploration and evaluation expenses by IIS$O. 6 billion. But these reductions were offset by higher impairment charges of IIS$I . 9 billion, additional depreciation charges of IIS$O. 5 billion, decrease in fore ign exchange incomes of IIS$O. 2 billion as it was shown in Note 3. 4. 4 of the annual report (BP Billion 2013). Capital and exploration expenditures.This item increased almost 77% in the previous 2012 year from IIS$13 billion in 2011 to IIS$23 billion. It related to investments in project pipeline, especially in Petroleum, Iron Ore and Coal divisions. The management concentrated on monitoring capital and exploration expenses in the reporting year and it reduced by IIS$O. 7 billion. Interest rates. The company financial performances are sensitive to alterations of interest rates as the majority of company borrowings are based on floating interest rates (see the Note 29 of the financial statement).Based on the net debt position as at 30 June 2013, taking into account interest rate swaps, cross currency interest rate swaps and captions, it is estimated that a one percentage point increase in the US LABOR interest rate will decrease the company's equity and profit after taxation by US $136 million. Profitability ratio In this year Return of capital fell by 26% as against 2012 year and equaled 17% (see Appendix 3). Firstly, it associates with the reduction of Gross profit by 19% or almost IIS$4. Billion as the income fell by 9% (see Appendix 1), namely Coal unit's revenue reduced by IIS$2. Billion, Iron Ore income by IIS$2. 4 billion (see the section Ð’Â «Commodity pricesÐ’Â »). In any case it should be noted that this figure is considerably high than the close competitors' results: Vale S. E. (2014) showed 14%, ROI Tint (2014) 5% (see Appendix 3). The details of calculations are given in the Appendix 4. Gross profit margin ratio equaled 29% although that is less by 11% as compared to 2012 (see Appendix 3).This can be explained by disproportionate decrease of production costs by 4% billion (see the section Ð’Â «operating costsÐ’Â ») with respect to revenues (see the section Ð’Â «Commodity pricesÐ’Â »). But it corresponds with the respective average ratio of Metal Mining Industry (Scimitars 2014). Vale S. E. ‘s figure exceeded with 30% Gross margin (see Appendix 2) but its Net profit margin totaled Just 1% due to extremely high interest expenses (see Appendix 2) whereas BP Billion demonstrated consistent performances with 17% Net profit margin.Net profit margin for 2013 totaled 17% as against 22% for previous year chiefly due to decrease of the amount of Gross profit (see the previous paragraph) and increase of financial expenses by 60% (see the section Ð’Â «lintiest ratesÐ’Â »). In spite of this the company's result is outstanding in comparison with the industry index (2%) as well as immediate rivals (ROI Tint – 2%, Vale S. A. – 1%). Efficiency ratios Asset turnover ratio of the last year decreased by 17% and totaled 0. 6.This is due to the fact that the amount of total assets were increased as additional construction expenses were capitalized to the sum of IIS$20 billion, and decrease of t otal revenue of the group for reasons described earlier (see the section Ð’Â «Commodity pricesÐ’Â »). At the same time the group continues to use its assets efficiently in comparison with lose rivals 0. 5 for ROI Tint (2014) and Vale (2014) 0. 4 (see Appendix 3) as well as the average industry figure (0. 4). The details of calculations are given in the Appendix 5.With respect to Receivable turnover ratio it has not been changed and equaled 9 that is in the middle of ROI Tint and Vale's coefficients (10 and 7 respectively). The decrease in Trade and other receivables correlated with the same trend in the revenues of the last two years (see the section Ð’Â «Commodity pricesÐ’Â »). Interestingly, the industry average ratio did reach 12 (see Appendix 3). Inventory turnover has slightly en decreased by 6% and totaled 11 that is twice better than industry figure (5) and close rivals (8 and 10 respectively).The number of employees increased by 7% and totaled almost 50 thous and. It together with the revenue reduction resulted to Revenue per Employee ratio that decreased by 14% and equaled IIS$I ,332 thousand per employee. At the same time this performance significantly exceeded the industry average ratio (IIS$486 thousand) as well as close competitors (ROI Tint with IIS$775 thousand and Vale S. E. With IIS$583 thousand). It can be explained by diversified cuisines structure of the group as the average Energy sector Revenue per Employee totals US$1,896 thousand at the same period of time (see Appendix 3).Liquidity ratio The current ratio totals 1 that indicates that the group has enough short-term assets to cover its short-term debt. It is advisable to improve this performance further (0. 9 for previous 2012 year) as for instance the industry (1. 9) and major market players (ROI Tint 1. 4, Vale S. E. 2. 5) demonstrated better short-term financial health. The details of calculations are given in the Appendix 6. Quick ratio also remains worse Han competit ors. But it corresponded with the industry average figure 0. 6 and seemed enough (see Appendix 3).Financial gearing The Gearing ratio has slightly been changed and totaled 39% and it indicates relatively prudent attitude of the management and low degree of creditor's funds (see Appendix 1). For example the same coefficient for both of close rivals' equaled 44% whereas the industry average figure exceeded 150%. The details of calculations are given in the Appendix 7. The performance of interest cover ratio was felt by 56% due to impact of interest rates (see the section Ð’Â «lintiest ratesÐ’Â »). Even so it showed due to low gearing and high gross profit of the group (see the respective analyses).Investment ratio Price per earning for 2013 equaled as 12 and became worse as against 8. 8 for previous period. It associates with the reduction of earning per share by almost 30% (see Appendix 1). But dividend yield with 8% is positive as compared to rivals (ROI Tint 4%, Vale S. E. 1%) and average industry ratio (2%). Conclusion Based on the review above we can see that BP Billion is a highly profitable company that provided consistently strong operating performance during the analyzed period of time. The total dividend for 2013 was increased by 4% to IIS$116 cents per share (BP Billion 2013).The low gearing ratio in comparison with rivals indicates the group's financial strength and invulnerability to downturns in the business cycle that is important particularly in the last years. The high efficiency ratios witnessed how well the group used its assets and liabilities internally relative to the others. Also we saw its importance because an improvement in these ratios translated to improved profitability. Though the current ratio is relatively lower than he industry average likely the group will not experience any difficulty meeting current obligations.