Marge Piercy: Barbie Doll Poem Essay

The poem â€Å"Barbie Doll† is a powerful poem written by Marge Piercy. The title carries a lot of meaning because a Barbie Doll has been an icon in society. Society has a hold on individual’s lives, especially on women. Since 1960, it started to be an issue on women to fit in and become what others want them to be. Women, who adapt to society’s dictate, have to stop being themselves and become somebody else in order to please everyone else. Society tells us how to dress and acting order to be acceptable. By using television, the internet, magazines, billboards and even toys we see a mold of what women are supposed to look like. The world in our eyes make us women think we should look like a Barbie Doll. It is sad to see that this poem was written in 1969 and forty three years later, we realize that nothing has changed and the same barriers still exist. Marge Piercy, a feminist activist as well as a poet, novelist, essayist, and playwright melds the personal and the political in her writing. She writes frequently about women’s issues, particularly the ways in which women have been made to feel inferior, both about their minds and their bodies. Piercy began writing both poetry and fiction when she was fifteen. Marge wrote Barbie Doll in 1969. She was aware of the need to reform on what females shouldn’t feel about themselves and go through. In Marge Piercy’s â€Å"Barbie Doll†, we find a young girl growing up through the adolescence stage and look through only her appearance. The girl struggles a lot during her teenage years and she shows us the effects that can happen when the world only looks on the outside of a human being. (Sigit) The girl in this poem is presented with lifelike dolls, toy household appliances, and makeup. The girl in Barbie Doll is similar to most other girls who are presented with toys to prepare her for the roles of mother, housewife, and feminine beauty. To make clear that obviously not all girls fit into this mold of female social roles. Piercy makes reference to puberty: a time in a girl life where hormones are out of control and peers become judgmental. If one is not skinny, beautiful hair, and smile then she will be made fun of an outcast. Although the girl was healthy, intelligent, and strong she was still insecure. Her attributes were noticed because she was not beautiful. She was unable to embrace her talents and accept herself for who she was because of her physical appearance. Piercy writes how the young girl was advised to play along with the roles of society. The young girl should diet and try to change herself to fit social norms. She should not embrace who she is but she should conform to who society believes she should be. In the third stanza this girl had had enough. Piercy wrote, â€Å"So she cut off her nose and her legs then offered them up.† Did the girl kill herself? Did she get plastic surgery? Did she cut the Barbie dolls nose and legs off? (Piercy) As the last stanza discusses her death and the placing on of a putty nose, it is safe to say she killed herself, literally cutting off her nose and legs. She wanted to belong and be accepted and when she realized no matter what she did, it was not enough. The fifth and final stanza is extremely ironic. She is viewed by others as pretty at last. Why is she pretty? She is pretty because she is covered in makeup with a new nose, â€Å"dressed in a pink and white nightie.† Pink symbolizing femininity and white purity she is finally accepted in death. This is ironic because in death she is made to appear like someone she was not in real life. She is made to appear like the perfect Barbie doll. (Piercy) This poem demonstrates the roles of women and how they are expected to look and act a certain way. The girl in the poem represents all girls. It represents all girls in that there is one time or another that we do not feel accepted or perfect. (M) Bibliography M, Stephanie. Female Social Roles. 20 October 2012 . Piercy, Marge. â€Å"Barbie Doll.† Henderson, Gloria Mason, et al. Literature and Ourselves. New York: Pearson Education, Inc, 2009. 323-324. Sigit, Asih. WOMAN’S VALUES IN SOCIETY AS REFLECTED IN MARGE PIERCY’S† BARBIE DOLL†. 1 January 2007. 21 October 2012 .

International Cooperation Essay

The paper â€Å"International Cooperation in Economic and Security Affairs, by Charles Lipson, published in the October 1984 issue of â€Å"World Politics† focuses on analyzing the different forms of strategic interaction that address issues pertaining to international cooperation in economic and security affairs. It analyzes the use of the Prisoner’s Dilemma theory to help clarify some basic features of international conflict and cooperation as well as some objections for its usage as a model of international interaction. It also discusses factors that affect the relationship between superpowers, the hegemonic system, the effect of recessions, the evolution of cooperation as well as detailed account of sustained economic cooperation among developed nations. The Prisoner’s Dilemma theory demonstrates both the possible benefits from cooperation and the factors that hinder it. The study of international political economy must address how relationships are corrected to make cooperation of exchange sensibly secure. The author emphasizes the main issue in international relations theory, which is the emergence and maintenance of cooperation among sovereign, self-interest states, performing in the absence of centralized authority. Every nation must readily commit to comply with economic agreements in order to facilitate trust and eliminate the risks of cooperating. Strategic cooperation is important in encouraging the creation of rules, norms, and political institutions in the international economy and in security affairs. It is also important to understand the pattern of rule construction in international cooperation.

Aaron Douglas. Bio Essay

† He made numerous contributions at Fisk University. ?On May 26, 1899, Aaron Douglas was born in Topeka, Kansas. During his time in the Harlem Renaissance, Douglas helped to guide the artistic and literary movement. He is sometime referred to as the ‘Father of Black American Art. Douglas developed an interest in art early on, finding some of his inspiration from his mother’s love for painting watercolors (Biography 1). † Proceeding graduation in 1917 from Topeka, Kansas, Douglas enrolled in the University of Nebraska, which is also known as Lincoln. â€Å"There he pursued his passion for creating art, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1922 (Biography 1). † At the same time, he connected with students of Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri to share his interest of art with them. After two years of bonding with his pupils, Douglas decided to migrate to New York City. New York’s Harlem neighborhood had a thriving art scene; therefore it would not take any time for Douglas to get use to New York.? Reaching New York in 1925, Douglas swiftly became familiar with the Harlem’s cultural life. He began his career in New York as an apprentice for Winold Reiss, a German artist whom he met through Charles S. Johnson. Being an apprentice for Reiss only lasted two years before he continued on to became the editor of Opportunity, the National Urban League’s magazine. Through his covers for Opportunity and The Crisis, Douglas set forth a new vision for the black artists. His strong, geometric forms and Egyptian profiles resulted in a style later described by cultural critic and educator Richard Powell as ‘Afro-Cubism (Aiga 1). † In 1926, Douglas finally stepped up to the plate and married Alta Sawyer. Mrs. Alta was a teacher as well. Their h ome became a social Mecca for the likes of Langton Hughes and W. E. B. Du Bois. â€Å"Around the same time, Douglas loaned his talents to the first and only issue of Wallace Thurman’s magazine FIRE!! nd later designed the cover of Thurman’s short-lived magazine Harlem (Aiga 1). † With Douglas reputation for creating compelling graphics, he became an in-demand illustrator for many writers (Biography 1). † A few of Douglas popular illustrations consist of James Weldon Johnson’s poetic work, God’s Trombone (1927), and Paul Morand’s Black Magic (1929). â€Å"In addition to Douglas illustration work, he explored educational opportunities; after receiving a fellowship from the Barnes Foundation in Pennsylvania, he took time to study African and modern art (Biography 1). This experience led him to creating some of his best-known paintings in the 1930s. Meanwhile, Douglas was hired to produce a mural for the library at Fisk University. Contin uing to broaden his horizon, Douglas spent time in Paris, where he studied with Charles Despiau and Othon Friesz. â€Å"Back in New York, in 1933, Douglas had his first solo art show. Soon after, he started one of his most legendary works – a series of murals entitled â€Å"Aspects of Negro Life† that featured four panels, each depicting a different part of the African-American experience. Each mural included a captivating mix of Douglas’s influences, from jazz music to abstract and geometric art (Biography 2). † ? Returning to Fisk University in the late 1930s, Douglas served as an assistant professor, and shortly after he founded the school’s art department. Because Douglas was valued his educational responsibilities, he attend Columbia University’s Teachers College in 1941, and completed three years earning a master’s degree in art education. â€Å"He also established the Carl Van Vechten Gallery at Fisk and helped secure vital works for it collection, including pieces by Winold Reiss and Alfred Steiglitz (Biography 2). Outside of his works in his classroom, Douglas remained committed to learning and growing as an artist. â€Å"He received a fellowship from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation in 1938, which funded his painting trip Haiti and several other Caribbean islands. He later won other grants to support his artistic endeavors ( Biography 2). † Douglas had several solo exhibits over the years from his continuation to produce new works. ?Douglas received countless honors during his later years. â€Å"In 1963, he was invited by President John F. Kennedy to attend a celebration of the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, held at the White House. Douglas also earned and honorary doctorate from Fisk University in 1973, seven years after his retirement from the school (Biography 2). † He still remained an active painter and lecturer until the end of his life. On September 2, 1979, Douglas passed away at the age of 79, in a Nashville hospital. According to some reporters, he died of a pulmonary embolism. â€Å"Pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. The blockage usually is caused by a blood clot that travels to the lung from a vein in the leg (NIH 1). ? After Douglas death, a special memorial service was held for him at Fisk University, where he taught for nearly 30 years. â€Å"At the service, Walter J. Leonard, the university’s president at the time, remembered Douglas with the following statement: ‘Aaron Douglas was one of the most accomplished of the interpreters of our instituti ons and cultural values. He captured the strength and quickness of the young; he translated the memories of the old; and projected the determination of the inspired and courageous (Biography 2). † Aaron Douglas. Bio Essay † He made numerous contributions at Fisk University. ?On May 26, 1899, Aaron Douglas was born in Topeka, Kansas. During his time in the Harlem Renaissance, Douglas helped to guide the artistic and literary movement. He is sometime referred to as the ‘Father of Black American Art. Douglas developed an interest in art early on, finding some of his inspiration from his mother’s love for painting watercolors (Biography 1). † Proceeding graduation in 1917 from Topeka, Kansas, Douglas enrolled in the University of Nebraska, which is also known as Lincoln. â€Å"There he pursued his passion for creating art, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1922 (Biography 1). † At the same time, he connected with students of Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri to share his interest of art with them. After two years of bonding with his pupils, Douglas decided to migrate to New York City. New York’s Harlem neighborhood had a thriving art scene; therefore it would not take any time for Douglas to get use to New York.? Reaching New York in 1925, Douglas swiftly became familiar with the Harlem’s cultural life. He began his career in New York as an apprentice for Winold Reiss, a German artist whom he met through Charles S. Johnson. Being an apprentice for Reiss only lasted two years before he continued on to became the editor of Opportunity, the National Urban League’s magazine. Through his covers for Opportunity and The Crisis, Douglas set forth a new vision for the black artists. His strong, geometric forms and Egyptian profiles resulted in a style later described by cultural critic and educator Richard Powell as ‘Afro-Cubism (Aiga 1). † In 1926, Douglas finally stepped up to the plate and married Alta Sawyer. Mrs. Alta was a teacher as well. Their h ome became a social Mecca for the likes of Langton Hughes and W. E. B. Du Bois. â€Å"Around the same time, Douglas loaned his talents to the first and only issue of Wallace Thurman’s magazine FIRE!! nd later designed the cover of Thurman’s short-lived magazine Harlem (Aiga 1). † With Douglas reputation for creating compelling graphics, he became an in-demand illustrator for many writers (Biography 1). † A few of Douglas popular illustrations consist of James Weldon Johnson’s poetic work, God’s Trombone (1927), and Paul Morand’s Black Magic (1929). â€Å"In addition to Douglas illustration work, he explored educational opportunities; after receiving a fellowship from the Barnes Foundation in Pennsylvania, he took time to study African and modern art (Biography 1). This experience led him to creating some of his best-known paintings in the 1930s. Meanwhile, Douglas was hired to produce a mural for the library at Fisk University. Contin uing to broaden his horizon, Douglas spent time in Paris, where he studied with Charles Despiau and Othon Friesz. â€Å"Back in New York, in 1933, Douglas had his first solo art show. Soon after, he started one of his most legendary works – a series of murals entitled â€Å"Aspects of Negro Life† that featured four panels, each depicting a different part of the African-American experience. Each mural included a captivating mix of Douglas’s influences, from jazz music to abstract and geometric art (Biography 2). † ? Returning to Fisk University in the late 1930s, Douglas served as an assistant professor, and shortly after he founded the school’s art department. Because Douglas was valued his educational responsibilities, he attend Columbia University’s Teachers College in 1941, and completed three years earning a master’s degree in art education. â€Å"He also established the Carl Van Vechten Gallery at Fisk and helped secure vital works for it collection, including pieces by Winold Reiss and Alfred Steiglitz (Biography 2). Outside of his works in his classroom, Douglas remained committed to learning and growing as an artist. â€Å"He received a fellowship from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation in 1938, which funded his painting trip Haiti and several other Caribbean islands. He later won other grants to support his artistic endeavors ( Biography 2). † Douglas had several solo exhibits over the years from his continuation to produce new works. ?Douglas received countless honors during his later years. â€Å"In 1963, he was invited by President John F. Kennedy to attend a celebration of the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, held at the White House. Douglas also earned and honorary doctorate from Fisk University in 1973, seven years after his retirement from the school (Biography 2). † He still remained an active painter and lecturer until the end of his life. On September 2, 1979, Douglas passed away at the age of 79, in a Nashville hospital. According to some reporters, he died of a pulmonary embolism. â€Å"Pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. The blockage usually is caused by a blood clot that travels to the lung from a vein in the leg (NIH 1). ? After Douglas death, a special memorial service was held for him at Fisk University, where he taught for nearly 30 years. â€Å"At the service, Walter J. Leonard, the university’s president at the time, remembered Douglas with the following statement: ‘Aaron Douglas was one of the most accomplished of the interpreters of our instituti ons and cultural values. He captured the strength and quickness of the young; he translated the memories of the old; and projected the determination of the inspired and courageous (Biography 2). †

Decidious Forest Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Decidious Forest - Research Paper Example They are also found in southwest eastern China, Japan, and Russia. Middle East coast of Paraguay and Chile have the largest areas of deciduous forests in South America (Archibold, 1995). (Picture showing location of deciduous forest around the globe) The most significant and common characteristic of these regions is that they all have seasonal changes in temperature and rainfall. The outcome of this is that the tree acquires a special shape so that they can adapt to endure these changes in the environment during the year. The mean temperature in this forest goes up to 50 degree Fahrenheit. The rainfall is also average and ranges between thirty and sixty inches in a year. With the transformation in season, the color of leaves of the deciduous forest also changes (Nagle, 2009). For example, during the month of winter, there is scarcity of water and therefore the leaves can not stay alive. Hence, the leaves start falling off from the plants. But with the advent of spring, the leaves sta rt growing back again. Some plants like evergreens retain their leaves during winter season also. They adapt to the winter and stay alive. There are several species of trees in a deciduous forest their variety depending upon the region they are located in. They generally include species like walnut, hickory, linden, sweet gum, oak, maple, beech, chestnut, and elm. The deciduous forests are further divided into five distinct zones. The Tree Stratum zone is the first zone. In this zone, one would find trees for example oak, beech, maple, chestnut hickory, and elm, basswood, linden, walnut, and sweet gum trees. The zone has a variable height that is from 60 to 100 feet. The second zone consists of sapling and small trees. As the name suggests, the trees here are young and smaller in size. The third zone is known as the shrub zone. Some of the popular shrubs found in this zone are rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurel, and huckleberries. The fourth zone is called the Herb zone. As the name indicates, it has very short plants like herbal plants. The fifth and final zone is called Ground zone. It consists of lichen, club mosses, and true mosses (MacMillan, 2003). The number of unlike seasons in the deciduous forests are four in all starting from spring, summer, autumn, and winter. While autumn seasons sees leaves changing their color, in the winter, the tress shed their leaves altogether. Dog Wood Leaves Fringe Leaf Ginkgo Leaves Deciduous forests can survive the extreme seasons of climatic change. They grow in those regions where you get plenty of rainfall, which is necessary for the growth of trees. The rainfall in the moderate deciduous forest is spread out around the whole year. But winter is the season of cold and therefore, everything freezes around and nothing is available to animals for feeding. Therefore, animals living in this region adapt themselves to the extreme cold winter and also hot season of summer (MacMillan, 2003). As leaves start falling in wi nter, there is not much of a cover available to the animals to save themselves from the vagaries of nature. The deciduous forests have animals whose pictures are shown below:- Black bear Fox Brown bear Animals use a special technique of adaptation by hibernating in the winter season and living off what ever is available in the other three seasons. The animals try out the plants and see if

Teaching Learning Approaches - Multimedia Essay

Teaching Learning Approaches - Multimedia - Essay Example type II diabetes, the humanist theory will be suitable since it considers that real learning is something that the patient discovers for him/herself, basing on the fundamental principle that learning must always be grounded on learner-centered objective identified by the learner him/herself (Aujoulat, 2007). Moreover, the paper will incorporate two multimedia materials that will be used in training the patients. The multimedia to be used will use interactive health websites and virtual communities since the patients to be educated are adults who are well exposed with the digital world of IT. The humanistic theory will incorporate both Maslow hierarchy of needs by Abraham Maslow and humanistic approach o psychology by Carl Rogers. Developed by Abraham Maslow, humanistic theory is based on the concept that experience is the key phenomenon in the study of human learning and behavior as well. Maslow based his emphasis on creativity, choice, values, all distinctively human qualities, self-actualization, and believed that subjectivity and meaningfulness were always important than objectivity. Maslow believed that full development of human potential, worth and dignity are the ultimate concerns. According to Maslow (1968), human motivation is based on a hierarchy of needs: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem and self-actualization. Tentatively, Maslow tried to prove that the drive to learn is intrinsic thus; the main purpose of learning is to bring about the highest level of the hierarchy of needs, which is self-actualization. In this regard, the objective and process of the educator should include this process (Frick, 1987). Maslow argued that learning contributes to the psychological health of the learne r and came up with learning goals: discovery of one’s vocation or destiny, realization of life as precious, sense of accomplishment, developing choice, satisfaction of physiological needs, grappling with the critical existential problems of life and impulse

Insulin Administration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Insulin Administration - Essay Example The methods and techniques utilized for insulin administration should be understood by the nurses at an appropriate level to avoid the unwanted consequences that may result due to improper drug usage. The nurses should be aware of the proper dosage techniques of insulin along with the appropriate ways of injecting the drug to the patients. The nurses should be actively involved in such cases and they should monitor these patients on regular basis to ensure that their blood glucose levels stay within the normal limits. The nurses also have important roles in the outpatient settings. Their proper understanding of insulin administration ways is essential owing to the fact that they have to impart this knowledge to the patients as well. The patients are to be guided in the best manner so that when they are at home, they know the best ways to take care of their health. This is done by explaining the ways of administering insulin in association with proper dosage and monitoring.The knowled ge with regard to insulin administration is very essential for my career as a registered nurse. This is because it is an important aspect of the work that a nurse has to perform. It is important for the nursing practice as they are actively involved in both the hospital settings as well as the outpatient departments. Proper information with this regard can assist the nurse to prevent many untoward medical results.The patients who are on insulin administration should be treated with the combined assistance and coordination of nurses.

Corporate Governance Master Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Corporate Governance Master - Assignment Example The Financial Services Authority has evolved a refurbished code on corporate governance replacing the1998 intending that the new Code will apply for reporting years beginning on or after 1 November 2003. This Code supersedes the earlier Combined Code issued by the Hampel Committee on Corporate Governance in June 1998.The highlight feature of the new code is the leveraging on the work of Derek Higgs on the role and effectiveness of non-executive directors and a review of the structure and functions of audit committees by a group led by Sir Robert Smith. The Code has substantial prescriptions on the Board, Chairman and chief executive, Board balance and independence etc (Combined, 2003). "At The Body Shape the Board meets formally six times a year and is responsible amongst other things for strategy, allocation of financial resources, annual and interim results, acquisitions and disposals and risk management. For each formal meeting, the Board reviews how the Company has performed agai nst its Values." Its share holders' surveys reveal that the Board needs to take leadership initiatives in resolving following important values' based corporate governance issues which seem to be affecting company's social and corporate image and competitive edge.(The Body Shop,2005) The Body Shop is in the business of selling personal care products. It has a rich retailing experience spanning well over 30 years. It also has a world wide market with operations in 54 countries. It shares stakeholders' relationship with its shareholders, customers, suppliers and retailers, employees and other non governmental organizations. In fact Body Shop is a unique organization that has pointedly sought to be a socially conscious organization that survives commercially. This is revealed by the following company profile in respect of company's beliefs," The Body Shop has been a leader in the trend towards greater corporate transparency, and has been a force for positive social and environmental change through its lobbying and campaigning programmes around five core principles: Support Community Trade, Defend Human Rights, Against Animal Testing, Activate Self-Esteem, and Protect Our Planet."(The Body Shop, 2006). While this is laudable belief menu; however stakeholder feedback distinctly shows that The Body Shop has taken its social accountability aspect a bit over the board. In fact some stakeholders even made comments such as," The Body Shop is not UN" and that "Campaigns should not be run on company funds" and "Do not over-stress ethical values and neglect the financial interests of your shareholder." etc. (The Body, 1999).In fact the values are laudable however here has been a strategic error of highlighting such incidental activities to the main business more than required. Such activities are

Crucial Years in Terms of Slavery Research Paper

Crucial Years in Terms of Slavery - Research Paper Example From this paper it is clear that antislavery Society that was formed in 1835 continued to support abolishment of slavery throughout the years 1840-1850, but the southerners continued the trading of slaves. From 1840 to 1850, the issue of slavery got so much fame as a number of events took place that took the attention of authorities. A number of legislations were passed in support of slaves.This discussion highlights that slave trade continued to exist and slaves were required to work for 17 to 18 hours per day with very less comfort hours. Slaves had no rights and were not allowed to vote. Slaves supported in the development of America as an industrial and capitalist state with no human living rights. Northerners felt that slavery can be regarded as a mockery on American values and beliefs. Voters in slave holding states regarded slavery as advantageous for the white population in terms of economy and liberty. However, efforts were made to prevent slavery from spreading to new state s. Nevertheless, slaves were traded and they did labor on plantations. The years from 1850 to 1860 are very crucial in terms of abolishing slavery as southerners were under great pressure to free their slaves under certain passed legislations. In 1850s, Kansas-Nebraska Act got passed in 1854 due to which, violence got erupted. This solution was unacceptable for the black slaves as whites had greater rights with continuity of slavery on many territories.... Voters in slave holding states regarded slavery as advantageous for the white population in terms of economy and liberty. However, efforts were made to prevent slavery from spreading to new states. Nevertheless, slaves were traded and they did labor on plantations. (1850-1860) The years from 1850 to 1860 are very crucial in terms of abolishing slavery as southerners were under great pressure to free their slaves under certain passed legislations. In 1850s, Kansas-Nebraska Act got passed in 1854 due to which, violence got erupted. This solution was unacceptable for the black slaves as whites had greater rights with continuity of slavery on many territories. Increased ratio of required slaves on cotton plantations increased slave trade and till 1860, there were 4 million slaves. Work on cotton plantations was severe and workers were required to put in extra effort due to which, the workers were punished harshly. Antislavery movements and incidents took place that supported the cause of abolition. The elections in 1860 resulting in the presidency of Abraham Lincoln supported the prevention of slavery in new states. Violence on Blacks got augmented that made Blacks more revolutionary and rebellious against their masters. Blacks were aware of the laws passed in their interest adding to their interest and right of independence. (1830-1840) The years 1830 to 1840 are crucial in terms of southerners as well as for northerners. In Boston, slavery banning newspaper such as Liberator got published and people starting feeling the adversity of slavery for their society. However, in the south, identifying the needs of the agricultural society, southerners starting getting involved in trading of slaves acquiring more than ever slaves for their cotton, tobacco and rice plantations.

Cyber Schooling in Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cyber Schooling in Education - Essay Example Because of these drawbacks, Boards of Education should place limitations on the extent of cyber schooling. One of the biggest problems with cyber schooling is that there are not many opportunities for students to interact with others on a daily basis. This interaction plays a large part in student completion of school, as those who feel that university is not offering them anything is likely to drop out. Students want a "sense of belonging to a larger university community, rather than simply being ... a statistic" (Lee & Chan, 2007). Several surveys have reinforced these suggestions, and have attributed the fact that "distance learners have the highest risk of dropping out ... to the isolation experienced by these students" (Lee & Chan, 2007). In addition to contact with other students, people who are enrolled in online courses miss another vital interaction: communication with their teachers. Because teachers cannot see their students, they cannot pick up on whether their students are interested in the class or losing interest. Since face-to-face interaction can reveal emotions related to learning in a traditional classroom setting, this gives distance students a disadvantage (Lee & Chan 2007). Especially in classes where some students are learning online and others in person, there can be "serious concerns of fairness and equity" (Lee & Chan, 2007). So it can be seen that cyber schooling does not give students equal footing with other students learning in person because they cannot be getting the same kinds of attention as those other students. This means cyber schooling is linked to dropout rates. Furthermore, there is mixed evidence that cyber schooling can be effective as a method of education, especially when compared to more traditional face-to-face methods of teaching students.  

Technical Advantages of a Cone Crusher Essay Example for Free

Technical Advantages of a Cone Crusher Essay Henan Daswell Machinery is a professional supplier for mining machinery. We can provided all kinds of stone crusher,like cone crusher,impact crusher,jaw crusher,hammer crusher ,diesel engine crusher.etc.and our stone crusher are widely used in road construction with top quality and best services. As we all know,ore is a kind of hard and unbreakable material in crushing raw material. It must adopt the special method to collect and use it. However, the most utility is to crush and grind it through the mechanical force. Stone crusher receives a good reputation relying on the high efficiency, low energy consumption and the stable operation. In addition, it is also used in hydro-dam construction, transportation, chemical industry and building materials. DHC hydraulic cone crusher, which is designed by Daswell Machinery engineers, absorbs the various features of international advanced cone crushers. It is obviously different from the traditional cone crusher in design of structure, and focuses on the major advantages of various cone crushers until now. Daswell Machinery new-design cone crusher is the new generation of products, which replaces the spring cone crusher and the common hydraulic cone crusher. It is an ideal equipment for the large stone processing factory and mining crushing. From the aggregate production to the ore reduction, it can supply the incomparable crushing performance in the work of secondary crushing, fine crushing and ultra-fine crushing. Daswell Machinery insists on the continuous innovation, and improves the performance and reliability of cone crusher constantly. What s more, it takes the road of typical development, so as to create a world-class brand in the crushing and screening industry relying on our innovative and professional skills.

Growth and expansion of Arcelik Home Appliances

Growth and expansion of Arcelik Home Appliances Introduction Arcelik Home Appliances is the leading manufacturer of home appliances in Turkey with a market share of 50% in the domestic market as at 2003 (Ghemawat, 2008). It supplies the market using two brands namely Arcelik and Beko. The company has adopted an international expansion strategy and has already been marketing its products to more than one hundred (100) countries mainly in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, and North Africa (Ghemawat, 2008). Arcelik was originally founded to produce metallic office furniture in 1955 but diversified into production of household appliances shortly after. It has been hailed as the first company to introduce appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators to the Turkish households. Arcelik would face further challenges when it became apparent that the Turkish government would be participating in the European Communitys tariff reduction which was meant to reduce to zero from 1992 to 1996 (Ghemawat, 2008). The challenge would be competition from other manufactures from the European Community who would be able to sell their products at more competitive process in the domestic market. Arcelik overcame this challenge by investing heavily in research and development thereby substantially improving the quality of their products. The company is currently the leading holder of patents in the Turkish market. This strategy cemented its market leadership in the domestic market as consumers preferred to spend a little more to obtain goods whose durability could be assured. This preference was also enhanced by Turkeys fluctuating market where inflationary forces were highly unpredictable with the greater odds being to the consumers disadvantage. Arcelik would later grow to establish its market dominance in Turkey for decades but would later face challenges that would trigger its focus on international expansion to ensure its survival and growth. Arceliks motives for international expansion The focus on international expansion by Arcelik was triggered by the economic crisis that hit Turkey in 2001. This crisis had led to soaring levels of unemployment and a significant reduction of market demand by an estimated figure of 35% (Ghemawat, 2008). This strategy mainly comprised increasing exports as well as engaging in international acquisitions. The economic crisis in Turkey must have proved to Arcelik the vulnerability of firms wholly dependent on domestic markets. Pressures from business cycles, inflation, interest rates, exchange rates and political forces are prevalent in domestic markets. On the other hand, international markets tend to be better insulated from such pressures since they will rarely apply across several countries. Economic crisis in one market would normally not be prevalent in the rest of the markets hence multinationals can ensure stability by marketing their products across many countries. Arcelik had to get a way to survive the economic crisis in 20 01 and as well ensure that future company performance was stabilized by reducing its level of vulnerability to domestic market fluctuations. Arcelik also sought to focus on international expansion in order to increase its level of production and increase its economies of scale (Ghemawat, 2008). This means that with additional production, the cost of producing each unit product becomes significantly lower hence allowing a company to make higher margins per unit or allowing them to charge lower per unit without incurring any losses. Economies of scale allow a company to remain competitive in the ever-evolving economies. To ensure that the economies of scale do not end up in accumulation of dead stock, or in the escalation of warehousing and storage costs, Arcelik would need to look to markets that would be able to support its intention of increasing the economies of scale through a larger demand. The national demand within Turkey would not be able to absorb these additional products h ence the rationale behind Turkey looking to expand international trade. The level of demand for home appliances in Europe alone is about 25% of world demand (Ghemawat, 2008). Arcelic sought to tap into this huge demand to support its competitiveness and the large levels of production occasioned by their strategy of maximizing on the economies of scale. International expansion can also be explored where a company seeks to lower its production costs by having a significant proportion of their production done from regions where the cost is lower than in the domestic market. One of the major factors of production that normally influence the decision of overseas production is labour. When considering labour, it is imperative that a company weighs between the benefits of the savings from paying the lower labour cost, the differences in the productivity of the workers between the higher wage and lower wage areas, and the transport and storage cost implications. It is also worth noting that in many cases, where the labour costs are low, other factors of production such as land would also be relatively lower. The labour cost in Western Europe is estimated to be five times that in Turkey. Labor cost in Turkey is three times that in Eastern Europe (Ghemawat, 2008). In China, it is four times lower than in Turkey. Labor productivity also varies and must be taken into account. For instance, in China, labour productivity is just half of that in Turkey. Additional transportation costs are determined by both the distance between the production facilities and the legal environments of the countries through which the products must cross to get to its intended markets. Access to international markets is crucial to any organization that seeks to expand itself. Domestic markets will often in many cases be found insufficient to support the growth targets that the companies set for themselves. They are also in many cases unable to enable an organization to recoup the investments the y may make in research and development in time. The complexity and the level of innovations in the global market is advanced and often leads to production of new and better fulfilling products. This significantly reduces the product life cycles and the companies engaging in research and development need to gain assurance that their investments can be recouped before the products lose demand. This assurance can only be found by marketing extensively in the international markets where the demand is much larger and can ably support the level of sales needed. Arcelik was motivated to focus on international markets since it had opted to distinguish itself as a research and development specialist who focused on the production of quality and durable products. These features would mean that it would need to charge relatively higher prices for the products. On the other side, the products from other European countries were finding their way into Turkey due to the zero tariff arrangement with the European countries. The entry of other products in Turkey meant that Arcelik would either have to lower their prices in order to maintain its domestic share market, or expand its operations to European and other markets in order to maintain or increase its level of sales to clients that focus more on quality, suitability and durability of the products they purchase. Arceliks options for expansion In order to realize its goal of expansion into the international markets, Arcelik has adopted a number of options to help them realize this goal. The international market entry options adopted by Arcelik include use of exports, international acquisitions, use of private label contracting, and product diversification. Organic domestic growth and use of exports Arcelik ensured growth domestically by ensuring reliable accessibility to the market using exclusive distributors and agencies who also served as centres for offering after sales services. This exclusive network also served as an entry barrier for any new market operators. Exporting entails maintaining the companys operations in the home market and selling the products in overseas markets (Giroud, Sinkovics, and Yamin, 2011). It is hailed as the least costly mode of foreign market entry but at the same time the most vulnerable to various entry barriers as government regulations. The cost effectiveness of this entry method is enhanced by the fact that it requires no involvement with the foreign governments or the companies operating in the target market. It is often seen as the best mode of entry for an organization operating on a lower scale. With subsequent growth of exports, the company may open sales agencies in the foreign markets to be the link with the companys clients overseas. By 2003, Arcelik had grown to be the leading player in Estonia and Lithuania with a market share of 25% in these two markets. It also had a commanding presence in the rest of Eastern Europe. The presence of Arceliks sales agencies helped grow significantly in Western Euro pe with a markets share of 15% in the United Kingdom. Arcelik also conducted a successful export strategy gaining a 70% market share in Romania with its Beko brand. The net effect of these exporting strategies was a significant increase in Arcetiks production capacity from 440,000 to 750,000 in 2003 and 2004 respectively (Ghemawat, 2008). International acquisitions This mode involves a company buying out another firm operating in the target market hence assuming full legal rights over it. This method is hailed as the best mode of expansion into other markets since it grants a company total control over the foreign subsidiary as well as full profits generated thereafter (Giroud, Sinkovics, and Yamin, 2011). The full control over the activities of a subsidiary is viewed as essential in ensuring they run in accordance with the philosophies of the parent company hence ensure the goals of the company are achieved as intended. The targets for acquisition would need to have the unquestionable ability to complement Arceliks growth strategies. Arcelik would also evaluate the foreign firms brands and take consideration on how these brands would help strengthen them as well as complement their capabilities. The target subsidiarys contribution to sustainable growth was also a key factor. Arceliks acquisitions in 2002 include Bloomberg, Electra, and Flavel and Leisure in Germany, Austria and the UK for the two latter brands (Ghemawat, 2008). They also acquired Arctic in Romania. The acquisitions of brands in the target markets was likely informed by the fact that many consumers tend to prefer purchasing brands that they can identify with: the brands they consider national brands. These acquisitions tremendously increased the product range offered by Arcelik and lead to its significant growth within the European markets. Use of license contracting Licensing involves the company transferring certain rights to another firm to enable it manufacture products using its brand. In licensing, the consideration that the licensor gets is only the royalty or the license fee (Giroud, Sinkovics, and Yamin, 2011). It does not take part in profit sharing or any other marketing processes of the licensee. Licensing offers the advantage of enabling a firm to avoid government regulations and other restrictive policies such as tariffs and quotas. It also enables market penetration without involving extensive capital expenditures. However, this method is highly restrictive in the level of control the company can have over the activities of the licensee. There is also the risk of the licensee gaining the technical expertise and becoming a competitor in the production of close substitutes after the expiry of the mutual arrangement. Arceliks production in 2004 comprised 40% from various licensing arrangements (Ghemawat, 2008). This complimentary effo rt helped ensure Arceliks brand presence in the Europeans markets. Diversification into other businesses within Turkey In order to enhance further growth in the domestic market, Arcelik sought to capitalize on its elaborate distribution network to provide consumers with additional products. By 2004, Arcelik was offered various types cellular phones and was already getting into arrangement with various Japanese firms to act as distributors of various electronic products. The diversification proved to be a great success and further cemented Arceliks leadership in the Turkish market. Additional Options for Expansion Arceliks ambitious goal of achieving revenues of three billion Euros in the next year may be difficult to realize unless additional methods were employed to ensure its continued growth in the international markets. Domestically, Arcelik could opt to but out local competitors in a bid to solidify its hold on the local market. This solidification would help reduce the downward pressure on its product prices by reducing the significance of competition locally. In addition, the additional channels of distribution gained through any such acquisition would act as an entry barrier to any foreign firms hence ensuring steady domestic growth. Internationally, Arcelik could embrace a number of methods to ensure its continued growth. These methods include engaging in Joint ventures, franchising and use of strategic alliances. Joint Ventures Joint ventures involve the formation of a partnership arrangement with a different company where the parent companies provide the resources to operate it, share responsibility on management, and share profits realized thereafter (Giroud, Sinkovics, and Yamin, 2011). This type of venture is especially popular where it comes to sharing the intelligence and technical knowhow required for research and development. With their determination to distinguish themselves as the masters of innovation and product development, this method can be used to ensure its rapid growth. Instead of engaging in competition with the already existing companies in the foreign market, Arcelik could identify a strategic partner who knows the market remarkably well. They could then research into the market needs in a bid to try and unveil any unsatisfied demands in the market. Having found the features lacking in the products found in the market, they could, through the joint venture develop new products that woul d suit this need and capture the unreached market. This method would be convenient to Arcelik since it would not involve many unnecessary government regulations that normally bar entry. In addition, such a venture, if well implemented would easily capture the market as it would be riding on the goodwill and distribution network of the strategic partner in the foreign market. Franchising Arcelik needs to consider franchising in order to minimize the risks involved with the licensing as it currently practices. Here, Arcelik would transfer some rights to the franchisee to produce the products under its brand but will reserve the right to provide some aspects of technical support (Giroud, Sinkovics, and Yamin, 2011). This way, Arcelik will be able to be abreast with the activities of the franchisee. In addition, in Franchising, the royalty is based on the amount of sales hence Arcelik will be able to generate higher revenues in the event the franchisor is able to realize significantly higher sales. Franchising is easy to start since the franchisor incurs minimal capital cost hence Arcelik can expand into more foreign markets with relative ease. Moreover, the franchisee assumes all the risks and foots for all costs of labour and facility establishment. The company will also be able to avoid any political risks associated with foreigners operating in national markets. Arc elik can therefore easily expand its scale of production without worrying about high capital expenditure hence edging closer to achieving the revenue targets Strategic alliances A strategic alliance differs from joint ventures in that it does not necessarily involve formation of a legal entity. Strategic alliances are formed to enable companies use each others distribution networks, technologies, production capacities, management experience and others (Giroud, Sinkovics, and Yamin, 2011). One very essential factor in ensuring product penetration in the market is the distribution network. This has been evident in the manner in which Arcelik has been able to capture the domestic market by using effective distribution networks in Turkey. Arcelik should also try to replicate this experience in the foreign markets. However, by virtue of the fact that its a foreign market, they may not have the resources to establish an effective distribution network in those markets. It would therefore be relatively more convenient to identify foreign companies with a distribution network that serves their target customers effectively, and then enter into a strategic alliance wit h them. This may be companies offering similar products or those making completely different products. When the products are easily available to the consumers, they more likely to buy these products and this would lead to an increase in the amount of sales realized by Arcelik. The strategic alliance could also involve sharing of certain technologies between the companies in question. Arcelik could choose to leave the production of a certain product components to a company with a comparative advantage in its production in exchange for providing a component which it can produce more efficiently. This exchange could lead to lowering the production cost which would be useful in helping the company become more price-competitive in the market. Conclusion Arceliks growth is mainly dependent on how the company can enter and prosper in the international markets. This is because it is already commanding the domestic market in Turkey and may have limited growth opportunities locally. Growth and diversification are often related as is evident from Arceliks company history. Arcelik has grown in the past by steadily improving on the product range that it offers to the market and this diversification should be continued to ensure continued growth.

Phillip K. Dicks Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Movie The Ma

Phillip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Movie The Matrix What role will computers play in the future? What happens when artificial intelligence gets to the point of actually allowing machines to give birth to original thoughts, or suppose artificial intelligence became identical or superior to human intelligence? While attempting to answer these thought-provoking questions deeper questions arise that are more pertinent in our lives such as what defines being human, or as Morpheous says, â€Å"What is†¦real?† The Matrix as well as the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, by Phillip K. Dick, attempt to answer these questions through different matrices. These matrices are implemented into stories to provoke thought and ask the question, what if? The actual â€Å"matrix† described in the movie The Matrix provides the best example of a matrix. The â€Å"matrix† in the movie is a virtual reality implemented and created by machines to use human beings as a power supply. Their minds are trapped and they are unaware of the reality that they are simply batteries for the machines. Matrices are situations or surrounding circumstances within which something else originates, develops, or is contained. For example, in the explanation of the matrix above, human beings are in the matrix and their minds are contained within that matrix. However, containment is not the only type of matrix. Many different matrices exist in our lives. The educational system at California State University, Northridge can be considered a matrix. When students attend the university they start as one person, and through education and social experiences a new person is developed. Dick’s novel and The Matrix contain in their stories m any mat... ...oids through his human-like experience with them; Deckard sleeps with Rachel Rosen who is an android, and then loses empathy for androids once again. Neo and Deckard may be a part of the social order they so strongly oppose. These matrices apparent in The Matrix and Dick’s novel are not much different then the matrices we encounter in our lives. Deckard and Neo represent you and me. Everyone is trapped in different matrices in their lives. By identifying those matrices and working through them we are able to grow as human beings. Every day we slowly recline into our chairs, the rods are jammed into the back of our skulls, and we plug into our reality. Within our own different matrices we struggle to define who we are or better yet, why we are here. Works Cited 1. Dick, Phillip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. New York: Balantine Books, 1968. Phillip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Movie The Ma Phillip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Movie The Matrix What role will computers play in the future? What happens when artificial intelligence gets to the point of actually allowing machines to give birth to original thoughts, or suppose artificial intelligence became identical or superior to human intelligence? While attempting to answer these thought-provoking questions deeper questions arise that are more pertinent in our lives such as what defines being human, or as Morpheous says, â€Å"What is†¦real?† The Matrix as well as the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, by Phillip K. Dick, attempt to answer these questions through different matrices. These matrices are implemented into stories to provoke thought and ask the question, what if? The actual â€Å"matrix† described in the movie The Matrix provides the best example of a matrix. The â€Å"matrix† in the movie is a virtual reality implemented and created by machines to use human beings as a power supply. Their minds are trapped and they are unaware of the reality that they are simply batteries for the machines. Matrices are situations or surrounding circumstances within which something else originates, develops, or is contained. For example, in the explanation of the matrix above, human beings are in the matrix and their minds are contained within that matrix. However, containment is not the only type of matrix. Many different matrices exist in our lives. The educational system at California State University, Northridge can be considered a matrix. When students attend the university they start as one person, and through education and social experiences a new person is developed. Dick’s novel and The Matrix contain in their stories m any mat... ...oids through his human-like experience with them; Deckard sleeps with Rachel Rosen who is an android, and then loses empathy for androids once again. Neo and Deckard may be a part of the social order they so strongly oppose. These matrices apparent in The Matrix and Dick’s novel are not much different then the matrices we encounter in our lives. Deckard and Neo represent you and me. Everyone is trapped in different matrices in their lives. By identifying those matrices and working through them we are able to grow as human beings. Every day we slowly recline into our chairs, the rods are jammed into the back of our skulls, and we plug into our reality. Within our own different matrices we struggle to define who we are or better yet, why we are here. Works Cited 1. Dick, Phillip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. New York: Balantine Books, 1968.

Financial Ratios for Dell Inc. Essay -- Finances Accounting Computer S

Financial Ratios for Dell Inc. Team D selected Dell Inc. as our company for the team project. Why was Dell chosen? Dell Inc. with annual revenue of $41.4 billion, is a premier provider of computing products and services. Because of its direct business model, Dell was the leading seller of computer systems worldwide and the number one seller in our customer segments in the United States during calendar year 2003. Michael Dell founded the company in 1984 on a simple concept of selling computer systems directly to customers. Using this technique, Dell could best understand customer needs and efficiently provide the most effective computing solutions to meet those needs. Dell’s climb to market leadership is the result of a relentless focus on delivering the best customer experience by selling computer system and services directly to customers. Dell, a Delaware corporation, is based in Round Rock, Texas and conducts operations worldwide through wholly owned subsidiaries. The company’s business strategy combines its direct customer model with a highly efficient manufacturing and supply chain management organization and an emphasis on standards-based technologies. This strategy enables Dell to provide customers with superior value high quality, relevant technology customized systems; superior service and support; and product and services that are easy to buy and sell. (Form 10K, 2004) A company with an annual revenue of $41.4 billion must be financially sound, right? The answer is†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"not necessarily!† However, there are tools available that will help determine if our selected company is financially sound. Ratio analyses are those tools used to evaluate the performance of a business and identify potential problems. Financial Ratios Financial ratio analysis can teach so much about Dell’s accounts and business. For example, using ratio analysis, we can conclude the profitability of Dell. We can also determine if Dell has enough money to pay its bills. Ratio analysis can check whether Dell is performing better this year than it was last year. Additionally, ratio analysis can alert us if Dell is doing better or worse than other businesses selling the same or similar products. http://www.bized.ac.uk/compfact/ratios/intro1.htm Table 1.1 lists the ratios we feel are important for our selected company. Dell Incorporated Profitability Ratios 01/30/2004 ... ...05 from http://www.133.americanexpress.com/osbn/tool/ratios/htm Financial Ratios-Formulas and Examples. (2004). Retrieved on March 3, 2005 http://beginersinvest.about.com/od/financial ratio/ Form 10-K, (2004). Dell Inc. Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Retrieved on March 5, 2005 from Mergent database. Net Profit Margin Ratio. (2005). Retrieved on March 4, 2005 http://beginersinvest.about.com/od/financial ratio/ Quick Ratio. (2005). Retrieved on March 5, 2005 from http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/biz/bizcalcs/ratioquick.asp University of Phoenix (ED.) (2001). Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. {University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-text}. New York: McGraw-Hill Custom Publishing. Retrieved on March 6, 2005 from the University of Phoenix, resource, FIN/544-Finance for Managerial Decision Making website: https://mycampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp. Welcome to Ratio Analysis! (2004). Retrieved on March 3, 2005 from http://www.bized.ac.uk/compfact/ratios/intro1.htm Working Capital Ratio. (2005). Retrieved on March 5, 2005 from http://www.investopedia.com/university/ratios/workingcapital.asp.

Origins of Slaves :: American America History

Origins of Slaves Treating humans as property led to unspeakable cruelties. Discuss in detail the origins and use of slaves in the Americas. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" (Thomas Jefferson). In my opinion the only problem with this passage from the Declaration of Independence is that it does not say, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men including their race, creed, religion, or color are created equal, that they...." Thomas Jefferson's words were hypocritical. Not all men were created equal and these men were slaves. Slavery has existed throughout the United States at the time and by 1760 there were about 325,800 African slaves in North America. This was the most inhumane treatment any man could endure. The following essay shall discuss the state of slavery in North America and its economic and social consequences. Slavery in America started when the New World was first discovered. It started off when the first colonists came to the Americas and in order to survive they needed to farm the land and grow crops. Since they were not accustomed for the hot sun and were too lazy for hard labor. In order to survive they needed a large labor force to farm the lands. They tried to capture the native Indians and failed, for many reasons one of them was from smallpox, and from various diseases, which killed them. Another reason that the Europeans could not capture them was because they had been in America all their lives and they were a majority. Therefore the Europeans set out to seize African slaves. Africans were the perfect choice of slaves to farm in colonial America, because slavery had already existed in Africa. Plus Africans could endure the heat of the raging sun, since Africa and America's weather were similar. Also both African and European colonist's bodies could resist many diseases, unlike native Indians. Africans were shipped from Africa by the Europeans in what was called the Triangular Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. This was an organized route where Europeans would travel to Africa bringing manufactured goods, capture Africans and take them to America. Eventually they would take the crops and goods and bring them back to Europe. However the Europeans had no humanity what so ever.

Ideological support for state independence Essay

Introduction In federal polity, there is a need to provide for regulations to balance federal and state authorities. The rights of the state and the federal government should be clearly defined so that there is no infringement of one by the other. There are many cases where states and local bodies feel that their rights are curbed such as usurping of environment related authority by the Federal Government in 1999. (Schoenbrod : 1999). While ideal conditions in a democratic polity cannot be assured, there is a general equilibrium which emerges. It is commonly believed that conservatives are in favor of greater independence to states from federal mandates while liberals are more inclined to give priority to the federal government. The universal applicability of this maxim may be limited by factors such as local interests, lobbies and other issues which may result in cross support by liberals and conservatives. But general veracity of this trend needs to be examined. The legislative collegiate comprises of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate. This aspect will have to be thus seen in relation to legislation carried out by both these bodies separately to establish it as a general rule rather than a house specific injunction. Ideological support for state independence from federal mandates receives greater support from conservatives than liberals as conservatives are inclined towards greater self government and prefer limited federal impositions on states as against liberals who generally seek limited state autonomy. The issue is being examined in detail in the light of legislative action in two cases as given below:- (a) Legislative action on H. R. 5 in the 104th Congress. (b) Legislative action on S. 640 in the 102nd Congress Legislative action on H. R. 5 in the 104th Congress Legislative action on H R 5 in the 104th Congress in 1995 resulted in the, â€Å"Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995†,(UMRA), the aim of which was to restrict the practice of inflicting unfunded Federal mandates on States and local governments and provide for Federal Government to pay the costs that are incurred by States while complying with the requirements of statutes and regulations of the central Government. This is also deemed to include costs incurred in providing information of Federal mandates to the private sector and for other purposes. The Act thus seeks compensation for states arising from matters concerning federal mandates. Support of this act would deem to indicate sustainment of the primary thesis of conservatives providing greater support for state independence and liberals being in favor of the federal government. Text of legislation There is a need to specifically study the text of the legislation including its purposes and exceptions. The purpose of the legislation has been indicated as manifold. The main aim, as is normal in cases of state versus federal jurisdictions is to strengthen the compact between the Federal Government and States, local governments, and tribal governments. Given this aspect there is no reason to believe that there should be any resistance to this legislation as it is the constitutional obligation of all elected representatives to support state – federal relationship. The other purpose stated is to end the burden imposed on states, local governments and tribal governments from Federal mandates which displace their priorities and which do not have the full consideration of the Congress. This is a significant purpose from the point of view of the hypothesis under examination for it seeks to end the imbalance which may be caused due to federal imposition on state and local government. Thus support of this legislation will imply that state is being favored vis a vis the federal government. The other stated purpose is also to assist the Congress, in considering proposed legislations for establishing or revising Federal programmes which comprise of Federal mandates affecting states, local government, tribal governments and the private sector by providing information about the nature and size of mandates in the proposed legislation and a mechanism to bring forth this information to the attention of the Senate and House of Representatives before, it votes on the proposed legislation. This too provides a very favorable outlook for protecting interests of states as full information of its impact on states is sought before a federal legislation affecting the state is brought into force. This is a binding feature which will enable legislators to seek full information on a large many acts if put forth before the Senate and the House of Representatives given the nature of legislations in a federal formation as that of the United States of America. The other stated purposes include promotion of informed and deliberate decisions by the Congress on the suitability of Federal mandates in any specific instance and to establish point of order vote on the considerations in the Senate and House of Representatives of legislation which has major Federal mandates. It is also designed to assist Federal agencies while considering proposed regulations which affect the states, local and tribal governments, to have a process to enable the elected and other officials of these bodies to provide inputs when Federal agencies are developing such regulations. Federal agencies are also required to prepare and consider the budgetary impact of the regulations of Federal mandates as these will affect the local and state governments. The agencies of the Federal government are to be enjoined to ensure that small governments are given special consideration in the process. This again is in favor of the local governments what ever their form be and imposes on federal agencies the burden of providing adequate information to these bodies before any legislation is moved especially affecting their fiscal powers or resources. There is strong support for small governments in particular. The final purpose is to establish a general rule that Congress does not impose any federal mandates on states, local governments and tribal governments without providing adequate funding for them to follow these mandates. Thus any support of this legislation can be considered in general as an ideological leaning towards states in the state-federal dyad. Perhaps the limitations given in the Act may provide a holistic projection of its impact. The Act is not to be applied to any provision in a Federal statute or a proposed or final federal regulation which impinges on the constitutional rights of an individual or it establishes or enforces any statutory rights that proscribe discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, or challenged or disability. It also requires for compliance procedures in terms of accounting and auditing procedures with respect to grants and other money or property which has been provided by the Federal government. The provision of emergency assistance is covered in the limitations which are quite natural considering the likely exceptional circumstances which should not restrict or limit its applicability. A final limitation is that of national security and the ratification for compliance of an international treaty as well as the emergency legislation of the President which has been included as a statute by the Congress. While these limitations have been included in the Act, these in no way can be construed to be providing the Federal government exceptional powers over state and other authorities in the normal course and are only applicable when individual liberties are likely to be infringed or an emergency arises. Thus despite the limitations, state authorities continue to find favor in the Act. There were 172 Co Sponsors to this Act which was led by Rep. William F. Clinger, Jr. , Rep. Rob Portman, Rep. Gary A. Condit, and Rep. Thomas M. Davis, who were all Republicans. 172 Co Sponsors in a house of 434 members represents strong legislative support of approximately 40 percent for the Act which could be considered as virtually apriori indication of its approval. This includes four Democrat sponsors for this legislation which suggests some division in the ranks of democrats which may not be purely on ideological grounds given the small percentage involved. While this strong support would have virtually guaranteed passing of this legislation in the Congress, the voting pattern will indicate that there was some resistance which was exclusively from the Democrats and one independent representing a total of 17 percent. This may establish that there are no doubt a percentage of liberals who are opposed to greater independence to states, though even within the liberal body their percentage is limited to approximately 35. 7 percent of the votes placed by Democrats. This decrees that this legislation has support by liberals as well and there may be grounds to believe that the support of liberals is issue based rather than based on ideologies. However there have been mixed reactions to the Bill which is considered by some as teeth less and difficult to implement. (Lund: 1995). A detailed quantitative analysis is being carried out with the help of tables below. The voting pattern as given in Table 1 clearly establishes the hypothesis wherein it would be seen that, Republicans have overwhelmingly voted in favor of this Act with 230 votes or a hundred percent going in for the legislation seeking compensation for the states. The liberal vote is split, with 130 Democrats voting in favor of the legislation and 73 against with one democrat having not voted. A percentage evaluation is being carried out of the votes polled in Ayes and Nays by the two parties in Table 2. It would be seen that 100 percent Republicans have voted for the legislation emphasizing the assumption of support of independence to the states. However the voting pattern of democrats can be seen to marginally challenge the assumption thus, as 63. 72 percent of the Democrats have voted in favor of the legislation, while 35. 7 percent have voted against it. This implies that there is substantial support amongst Democrats for providing compensation to states for Federal mandates which have been imposed against its interests. The issue thus may need consideration in a different light, to see if the pattern of voting by the Democrats has been on a general agreement of principle of fair compensation to the states when it is felt that these have been biased due to a Federal mandate or is it that Democrats too favor state rather than federal support in their approach to state – federal relationship. If the percentage of votes of conservatives and liberals in the percentage of votes polled in Ayes and Nays is seen as in Table 3, there may be some general conclusions which could be arrived at. The percentage of votes in Ayes is 63. 9, Republican and 36. 1 Democrats thus confirming the trend in Table 1 and 2. The overwhelming votes polled in Nays were that of Democrats, which if the single vote not polled is included will lead to conclude that while conservatives do not support federal authorities on issues of federal-state relationship, there may be some difference of ideology amongst the liberals, a percentage of whom may be supporting legislation on grounds which may not be related to specific ideological leanings but on local issues. A summation of the issues covered in the analysis above will reveal that a study of the legislation as enacted including its limitations reveals that there is an overwhelming consideration of the rights of states, local governments and tribal governments in relation to these being infringed upon by the Federal government. The Act specifically proscribes such an event from taking place unless there is an emergency. The Act also deems that adequate information has to be provided to the Congress before any enactment to the contrary is made. It provides for budgetary support to other bodies when any fiscal harm is caused. The overwhelming support as given out by the quantitative analysis will reveal that it has a total backing of the conservatives and a portion of liberals as well. Thus the liberal vote could be considered as divided yet in favor of the state authorities over the centre of up to two thirds of the legislation. Suffice to say passing of the bill was welcomed by even President Bill Clinton, a Democrat. (Remarks of President: 1995). Thus it would be evident that ideological support for state independence from federal mandates has greater patronage of the conservatives than liberals. For any definitive conclusions another legislation is proposed to be examined.

Child Sexual Abuse and Introduction Prostitution

SCOURGE OF CHILD PROSTITUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES A Research Paper Presented To Dr. Antonio R. Yango College of Arts and Sciences University of Perpetual Help System Laguna In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Course Communication Arts 2 By MARIA MAYBELLE F. GALANG March 2012 Introduction Prostitution is a performance of sexual acts solely for the purpose of material gain. Persons prostitute themselves when they grant sexual favors to others in exchange for money, gifts, or other payment and in so doing use their bodies as commodities.In legal terms, the word prostitute refers only to those who engage overtly in such sexual-economic transactions, usually for a specified sum of money. Prostitutes may be of either sex, but throughout history the majority have been women, who have usually entered prostitution through coercion or under economic stress. (http://www. free-researchpapers. com/dbs/b3/peh277. shtml) â€Å"Prostitution† to pay for school fees is just one of the many guises of children in the Philippine flesh trade.Nobody really knows how many Filipino children are in the sex trade, but they could number up to 100,000, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO). Many are recruited from the provinces, their appeal is the â€Å"freshness† factor. These children are exposed to the AIDS virus and sexually transmitted diseases, while many risk physical violence and failing health from long and unholy work hours.They suffer from harmful psychological stresses, development of distorted values, economic exploitation, lack of love and affection, breakdown of family ties, loss of self-worth and endangered lives if they decide to quit. Shocking it may be but there is more to child prostitution than meets the eye. It is just one facet of the horrors daily served to children working in what the ILO calls the worst form of labor, be it on the street or in the sea. (http://unionssaynotochildlabor. om/inthenews/the-world-of-rp%E2%8 0%99s-4-million-child-workers/) The Optional protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography in the Convention on the Rights of the child states that the prostitution of children or child prostitution is the practice whereby a child is used by others for sexual activities in return for remuneration or any other form of consideration (Article 2(b)). The remuneration or other consideration could be provided to the child or to another person.Most generally, the prostitution of children means that a party other than the child benefits from a commercial transaction in which the child is made available for sexual purposes – either an exploiter intermediary who controls or oversees the child's activities for profit, or any other person who negotiates an exchange directly with a child in order to receive sexual gratification. (http://allafrica. com/stories/200711051563. html) According to Dela Pena, et al. 2004) these are the causes why prostitution is happ ening, there are the reasons, desire to earn big sum of money, there is a demand, Connivance of police and other law enforcement agencies/authorities, poor education, runaways/homeless, and the victims of rape and other violence. If there are reasons there is also a consequence, First their families are not respected in their neighborhood, they are the center of gossip, they are treated with no morals or respect, suffering violence from the hands of the police and their clients and considered trash, suffering physical and psychological consequences and last they are considered as sinful.Every day we watch more and more news concerning child prostitution, one of the worst forms of child labour. It has unfortunately become a common phenomenon in today’s society but people are not yet fully aware of what it really means, how many people are indirectly affected, and what the main consequences are. Millions of children from poor families are the main victims of this phenomenon, be cause there is a proportional relationship between economical problems and the spread of child prostitution: The poorer the country is, the more prevalent the problem is.A worldwide net of criminals, seeking economic benefits, works to entrap children and young people (mainly girls), to make a profit by selling them like goods and using their bodies for sexual purposes. Their targets are young people under 18, who live in rural areas, where the educational conditions are insufficient. Although the prevention against child prostitution has increased, it is very difficult to eliminate this â€Å"black hole†. (http://www. albstudent. albstudent. net/punime/K_Topi2. df) The Paper talks about how these innocent and clueless children engaged in such immoral business. Violence is the direct impact to the children suffering from this kind of situation. These children has different reasons why they chose this kind of profession. Poverty is the majority reason why they get into it, now adays it is in demand, they are an orphan and homeless, in immoral nature, and the other one is jobless. Time after time, child exploitation getting worse to worst.To be left homeless and abandoned at 13 years old with a younger brother to provide for was too much for Angelina. Hungry and hopeless, begging food in a public park and nowhere to go, she found hope and happiness in the offer of two women job recruiters in Angeles City, Pampanga. Angelina arrived with the pimps in Angeles two years ago. It was teeming with fat foreigners walking the gaudy neon lit streets with beer bellies as big as a barrel dragging a young girl by the hand and heading to a cheap motel. Angelina was now being trained to provide ‘anything they wanted. Having been told that she would be serving drinks, she was put on the bar top with a dozen other young girls to dance in a bikini for the gawking lusting customers. The ‘Mamasan', her handler, saw that she got paid a small percentage for the dri nks sold when a customer called her down to sit on his lap and press her again his fat stomach and kiss her with an unshaved face smelling of beer and whiskey. It repelled Angelina but for this she would earn more than what she got for just gyrating around a pole to the throbbing rock music and flickering purple strobe lights.It was more money than she ever had in her entire life. Then she was offered an increase if she would go ‘bar-hopping' with a customer. She was promised that, that was the entire customer wanted, be seen with his trophy girl. (http://web. archive. org/web/20070927192510/http:/www. preda. org/archives/2005/ r05030201. html) In research conducted in  Cebu  in 2004, all the taxi drivers surveyed responded that they had had an encounter with a foreign tourist accompanied by a Filipino minor.Interviews conducted in a drop-in centre for victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) showed that 70 per cent of the girls assisted were aged between 11 and 17 years. Cebu  is a prime tourist destination in the Philippines, and is advertised on websites providing information on where sex services are available. Two years ago, an American national was arrested as he tried to leave the US for the Philippines for making arrangements to have sex with two Filipino girls aged 9 and 12. There are indications that this kind of pre-arranged child sex tourism takes place in the country, and is highly facilitated by the Internet.Nationals from Austria, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands and the United States have been arrested in the Philippines for sexual offences against children. (http://gvnet. com/childprostitution/Philippines. htm) In Batangas City, a Fifteen year old girl names Ana talks and dresses the way girls her age do. She wears trendy clothes imitated from models she sees in magazines and television shows. She also loves to have fun, and to sing. Beneath her smiles and bubbly personal ity, however, is a child in pain.A female recruiter, who promised Ana a job as a storekeeper in Cavite, flew her from her home province of Bukidnon to Manila in January 2006. From there, she was brought to Cavite and forced to work as a guest relations officer (GRO) in a bar and, eventually, as a prostitute. With three other girls? All minors? Ana was made to work from 4 p. m. till past midnight. If the girls refused to cooperate? Steve? A nephew of the bar owner, would beat them or douse them with water. Ana’s first customers were Coast Guard members who forced her to have sex with them for a fee.She took the experience with a grain of salt. It’s OK. I was raped by my father when I was 7 years old? Ana said, further revealing a darker part of her life. For 10 months, Ana’s life was controlled by the bar owners, who offered her like a merchandise to patrons. (Querubin, 2007) A Filipino Girl at the tender age of three  was forced to perform oral sex on  stran gers. What's worse is that her pimp is her own mother, a drug addict. The girl's plight is shocking but not unique, said Dr Jean D'Cunha from the United  Nations Development Fund for Women (Unifem).Children of increasingly young ages are being forced into prostitution to fuel the  billion-dollar tourism trade in child sex, said international experts on prostitution and human  trafficking at a conference here. Add the growing number of similarly victimised young women, and the experts  believe that ‘millions' are being trafficked worldwide for the sex trade. They are convinced the pool is  swelling, but could not offer definitive figures due to the clandestine nature of the trade. (http://web. archive. org/web/20080614060120/http:/www. childexploitation. org/prostitution6. tml) The researcher conducted this research and covered this research topic is they wanted to prioritize by the law-makers this kind of illegal business, to let the government officials realized tha t the country we belong is included at the ranking of this child flesh trade activity. To do an action to prevent this kind of illegal as well as socially proscribed. Make an organization in the community which includes rules and regulations that can avoid prostitution and especially the Laws will be tightened specially the penalties for those responsible, promoters and beneficiaries of child prostitution were increase drastically.Body Causes of Child Prostitution As mentioned by Jarapa, et al. (2000), poverty in a land laid waste by recurring typhoon which sends families running to their cities; Poverty of education and the lack of relevant training which brings humiliating unemployment to the poorest of the poor; Poverty of esteem and opportunity which prevents parents from being able to defend their youngster; Poverty of the Spirit which destroys the will of the family to stay together; Poverty of the mind which in the name of tourism and the mighty dollar forces children into pr ostitution. Ages range engage in Child ProstitutionStreet children are children who either live or work on the streets, spending a significant amount of time engaged in different occupations, with or without the care and protection of responsible adults. With ages ranging from 5 to 18 years old, these children ply the sidewalks in a desperate attempt to eke out whatever meager amount they can earn for their survival. An estimated 25% live on the streets. (http//www. childhope. com. ages of child prostitution. 2003) The  Philippines  is highly affected by all forms of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), which seem to be closely linked and greatly impact on one another.While tourism has been used to promote economic growth, it has also resulted in child sex tourism in the Philippines. In research conducted in  Cebu  in 2004, all the taxi drivers surveyed responded that they had had an encounter with a foreign tourist accompanied by a Filipino minor. Interviews c onducted in a drop-in centre for victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) showed that 70 per cent of the girls assisted were aged between 11 and 17 years. Cebu  is a prime tourist destination in the Philippines, and is advertised on websites providing information on where sex services are available.Two years ago, an American national was arrested as he tried to leave the US for the Philippines for making arrangements to have sex with two Filipino girls aged 9 and 12. There are indications that this kind of pre-arranged child sex tourism takes place in the country, and is highly facilitated by the Internet. Nationals from Austria, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands and the United States have been arrested in the Philippines for sexual offences against children. (http//www. ecpat. net. ages of child prostitution. ECPAT International. 006) No. of Child in Prostitution Filipinos mostly used women for Prostitution. The Philippi nes was ranked no. 4 in child Prostitution. Estimatedly 3,366 children still forced in this activity every year. Prostitution is not a business in the Philippines but an industry. (http//www. scribd. com. Prostitution. 2011) The  Virlanie  Foundation, a local child protection NGO, estimated that there were at least 20 thousand child prostitutes in the country, most in the Metro Manila area. Other NGOs estimated that as many as 100 thousand children were involved in the commercial sex industry.Most of these children were girls, and nearly all had dropped out of school. These children come from very poor families with unemployed or irregularly employed parents. The  Virlanie  Foundation offered housing, training, and counseling services to child prostitutes. An ILO program resulted in more than six thousand children being removed or prevented from engaging in the worst forms of child labor, including the commercial sex industry. (http//www. state. gov. com. no. of child in pro stitution. 2006) Prostitution in the Three Sociological PerspectivesAs discussed by Garcia, et al. (1986) Prostitution has Three Sociological Perspectives. Prostitution According to the Functionalists. Prostitution has certain functions in society. It meets the need of husbands who are not fully satisfied by their wives as well as the needs of single and widowed persons who have no available sex partners. The customers are sexually gratified without any responsibility or commitment; the prostitutes earn something for their everyday subsistence. It virtually becomes a matter of give-and-take relationship.Prostitution According to the Conflict Theorists. Prostitution is the offshoot of an unjust society in which the dominant group would always impress on the subordinate groups of their superiority not only in material possession but also in morality. They deliberately want the poor to remain poor or to become poorer so they will not be a threat to the top position they hold on in the social ladder. Prostitution According to the Interactionists. In the first place, the interactionists see a ganut of relationships that exist between prostitutes and their respective clients.If there are 1,001 encounters between them, expect different kinds of interactions and impressions. These are the different interpretations from four parties, namely: The married man himself: â€Å"I prefer staying with her than with my wife. She knows my needs and she is an expert in satisfying them. † The Prostitute: â€Å"Well, this is what we call luck. I might as well learn to love the old man. † The wife: â€Å"I cannot figure out why my husband goes for this whore. She is nothing compared to me. † A friend of the old man: â€Å"There’s nothing wrong with it. Anyway we live in a double-standard society. Usual places where Prostitution occurs As explained by Perez, et al. (2000) Child prostitution exists not only in Metro Manila (M. H. del Pilar, Mabini, Sta. Mo nica, and Flores streets in the tourists belt), but also in the provinces with the youngsters servicing both local and foreign clients of both sexes. The provincial areas are: Puerto Galera, Mindoro; Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union; Bacolod City, Buhi, Camarines Sur; Bulacan; Mactan International Airport, Cebu; Pagsanjan, Laguna; Boracay Island, Aklan; Angeles City; Bulusan Sorsogon; Cavite; Olongapo City; Legaspi City.Pedophiles and their sickness called â€Å"Pedophilia† Dr. Anthony Siracusa, a psychologist specializing in treating sexually abused children from Williamstown, Massachusetts, states that adults who have a thing for children are often stressed and anxious about relationships with other adults. According to Siracusa these people are called regressed offenders, because they are not dealing on the level of an adult but are going back to a former period in their life. Sometimes these people bounce back and forth form a relationship with another adult to crimin al relationships with children. Dr.Hord also agrees that insecurity is at the heart of the pedophile’s inability to relate to an adult intimate relationship. Pedophiles are not capable of having a normal healthy relationship sexually and often socially with other adults. The adult relationship is difficult or even daunting for them and therefore it easier to be attracted to a child. Insecurity translates to the need to control the sexual experience and of course it is very easy to do with a child. It is not so easy to do in a healthy adult relationship. (http://mental-personality-disorders. factoidz. com. pedophilia. roach. 2009) Diseases that can be acquired by ProstitutesVeneral disease has been recognize as a health hazard for centuries. Despite the supposedly new sexual awareness, a great number of people continue to catch and transmit it. It is an infection transmitted from person to person by intimate body contact, or other forms of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Syphilis and gonorrhoea are two venereal disease which have reached alarming proportions. Syphilis is caused by a corkscrew-shaped micro-organism called spirochete which enters the body mucous membranes or breaks in the skin. Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium gonococcus. Upon

Case Study Importance of Accounting Standards Essay

The importance of accounting standards A PricewaterhouseCoopers Case Study Introduction PricewaterhouseCoopers was created in July 1998 by the merger of two firms – Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand – each with historical roots going back some 150 years and originating in London. PricewaterhouseCoopers, the world’s largest professional services organization, helps its clients build value, manage risk and improve their performance. Drawing on the talents of more than 140,000 people in 152 countries, it provides a full range of business advisory services to leading global, national and local companies and to public institutions. These services include audit, accounting and tax advice; management, information technology and human resource consulting; financial advisory services including mergers & acquisitions, business recovery, project finance and litigation support; business process outsourcing services; and legal services through a global network of affiliated law firms. Five things you didn’t know about PricewaterhouseCoopers 1. To meet their growth targets they need to hire 1,000 people a week across the world. 2. They will be the largest professional services firm in critically important emerging markets: Russia and the Former Soviet Union, India, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Latin America. 3. The high technology practice will yield revenues in excess of $1 billion with over 2,500 technology clients. 4. Work with Financial Services clients will represent more than 20% of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ international revenues. 5. They are already investing $200 million a year in new technology. A global enterprise The new, combined organization is the result of the continuing growth in the international economy. Companies are seeking to re-define themselves to thrive in the market-place where mergers and acquisitions are increasingly important and many companies now operate without geographical boundaries. A large-scale global enterprise such as PricewaterhouseCoopers needs a solid infrastructure to meet its clients’ expectations. One element is a powerful  database developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers that shares ‘best practice’ information with all its offices around the world. PricewaterhouseCoopers is also harnessing all available technology to ensure any of their advisers can work with their clients anywhere in the world, allowing them to be fully effective in serving the clients’ needs immediately. They offer businesses around the world both a wider range of services and a more integrated service than has ever been possible. This service also provides a soluti on to business problems of a scale and complexity that are greater than ever before. An integrated team approach They provide a fully integrated team to tackle a company’s diverse problems. At PricewaterhouseCoopers, there are six service lines or departments which cover different areas of specialization. They are: Assurance & Business Advisory Services Management Consulting Services Tax & Legal Services Financial Advisory Services Global Human Resource Solutions Business Process Outsourcing. PricewaterhouseCoopers may work on one of these areas and find that the client requires help and solutions to issues in other areas. They are able to provide an integrated team of experts to give advice and offer a range of possible solutions. The first and largest of these service lines, the Assurance & Business Advisory Service is now considered in more depth. ABAS – Assurance & Business Advisory Services At PricewaterhouseCoopers the global practice they call ‘ABAS’ provides a broad range of services which fulfill three core business needs: 1. Assurance – They conduct audits and provide assurance to clients on the financial performance and operations of their businesses. 2. Global Risk Management Solutions – They help clients to manage their business risks and thereby improve financial performance. 3. Transaction Services – They offer advice to clients about their significant transactions such as mergers & acquisitions activity. Some of the most exciting organizations from the  world of banking, commerce and government come to them for advice. The client list is dominated by household names, with particular strengths in communications, financial services, retail, energy and manufacturing sectors. Assurance Assurance is the largest part of the UK practice for PricewaterhouseCoopers and generates income from a combination of audit and business advisory assignments. In addition to an audit, many clients require business advisory services. For example, they may provide advice on joint ventures or mergers, helping companies to ‘float’ their company on the Stock Exchange or assess whether the technology or systems in place provide an accurate means of reporting the financial data. Auditing In order that shareholders and other interested parties can make informed judgments as to the financial health of a company, it is a legal requirement that all companies have their financial facts and figures checked. This is known as an audit and must be performed by an independent registered firm of auditors. The auditors use guidance from the Accounting Standards Board to state whether in their opinion the financial information presented by the company is a ‘true and fair’ representation of that company’s financial health. The primary reporting responsibility of the auditors is, however, to the shareholders, not to the company’s directors. It is interesting to note the difference between ‘true and fair’ and 100% accurate. It is not the role of the auditors to check every individual transaction performed by a company and therefore the auditors cannot state that the figures are 100% correct, merely that, in their opinion, they are ‘true and fair’. Legislation and regulation of companies The accounts of a company are designed to show both the performance and its current financial position. All company accounts in this country need to be produced in accordance with: 1. The Companies Act, 1985 for UK, for Pakistan Companies ordinance 1984 and 2. Accounting Standards: Statement of Standard Accounting Practice (SSAPs) Financial Reporting Standards (FRSs). In essence these standards set out: What information should be included in a company’s accounts How this information should be presented. The Companies Act / Ordinance, decrees that companies must produce accounts for publication. The Accounting Standards Committee devised SSAPs. In 1991 the Committee was replaced by the Accounting Standards Board, which develops FRSs. The Board is gradually replacing SSAPs with FRSs, which are issued when the Board identifies a need. These two sets of standards encourage greater clarity so that the reader can fully understand the information represented. Accounting standards FRSs are expected as business becomes more complex. How these different standards are applied varies with the type of business conducted by a company. As for any company the shareholders’ interests must be protected. The following examples of SSAPs and FRSs demonstrate the consideration that must be given in drawing up financial accounts in order that interested individuals, such as financial analysts, can clearly judge a company’s performance and position. Key standards will be considered in this and the following section. SSAP 12 Accounting for depreciation Companies invest in assets (such as machinery) in order to produce goods or services to sell. These are known as fixed assets. In the case of the gas or oil industry, an oil rig is a fixed asset – the company must own an oil rig to supply oil or gas. All companies have some form of fixed assets although the dependence on these assets varies with the type of business. Another example could be machinery for manufacturing a car, or a building in which employees work. In this example, Global Oil has built an oil rig for  £50m. In its balance sheet, cash will be reduced by  £50m and fixed assets will increase by  £50m. In 20 years time (the ‘economic life’), the company knows that the oil rig will need to be replaced. By the 20th year, the value of the oil rig in the company’s balance sheet will be zero. Thus, the value of the oil rig will reduce each year by a set amount ( £2.5m in this example). This is known as depreciation and the annual depreciation figure is shown in the profit and loss account. SSAP 12 states that the economic life of a  fixed asset should be reviewed regularly and should be stated in the notes to the accounts, together with how the rate of depreciation was determined. FRS 11 Impairment of fixed assets and goodwill FRS 11 is a new standard and deals with any loss in value to a fixed asset, for example through damage or downturn in the economy. This is known as impairment. For example, if a pipeline from Global Oil’s oil rig is damaged, the supply of oil or gas is reduced or stopped until repairs are made. Thus the ability of the oil rig to produce oil or gas is less than expected and the fixed asset’s value is reduced. Global Oil must therefore make a general reduction in the value of the asset and charge the loss to the profit and loss account. FRS 11 states that all companies must reassess the value of their fixed assets on a regular basis to establish whether the figure in the balance sheet is a ‘fair value’. FRS 1 Cash flow statements There are three main statements in a company’s annual report and accounts – the profit and loss account, the balance sheet and the cash flow statement. For example, while Global Oil may be highly profitable, without any cash it will be unable to pay its employees or suppliers. Clearly, when Global Oil sells oil to its customers, it needs to ensure it receives prompt payment. Cash is the lifeblood of a business and it is therefore important for a company to issue a cash flow statement. FRS 1 sets out the format and contents of a company’s cash flow statement. Accounting standards continued†¦ FRS 3 Reporting financial performance This is a highly complicated standard. Essentially FRS 3 serves to make sure the information presented in a set of accounts is clear. Companies must issue a report stating the financial performance for review by its shareholders. Consistency and ease of understanding these reports allows the reader to compare the data for similar companies. This would allow a potential investor to compare competing oil or gas companies before deciding which company’s shares to buy. In this example of Global Oil, there are three subsidiaries: International Gas, International Oil and International Petrochemicals. Each of these different companies or subsidiaries must also produce their own set of accounts as should the parent company, Global Oil. FRS 3 states how a company must set out the financial reports and accounts, the type of information that should be provided and where it should be categorized in the company statement of accounts. FRS 3 Exceptional items FRS 3 consists of several other sections including a note on ‘exceptional items’. These are one-off situations and may result in either a profit or loss to the company. These are included in a separate section in the profit and loss account. The reasons for incurring an exceptional item are various. Examples include the general costs involved in splitting up or de-merging a utility company, such as telecommunications or gas, into their separate components. In this case study, Global Oil decided to move its head office to Edinburgh. As this move is not expected to happen regularly in the normal course of business, the cost is regarded as an exceptional cost. Although this cost is included in the profit and loss account, it is clearly marked as exceptional so that shareholders realize that a marginal reduction in profit is not a result of a reduction in revenues. FRS 3 also states that exceptional charges must be shown separately in the profit and loss account and detailed in the notes to financial statements. SSAP 25 Segmental reporting Segmental information gives a breakdown of the different industrial sectors in which a company is involved and allows the reader of the accounts a much better understanding of where the money is made within the different parts of the company. This information may also be provided on a geographical basis if this is relevant. This standard is mostly applicable to the biggest public limited companies or if the company has a banking or insurance division. So for Global Oil, the financial information should detail the amount of business generated in oil refining, gas and petrochemicals. It should also provide information on the different geographic areas in which it operates. SSAP 25 states that the annual report and accounts for a company needs to provide a geographical and industrial breakdown of the following information: Turnover Operating profit and loss Net assets. SSAP 9 Stocks and long-term contracts Stock is an asset on the balance sheet and is essentially the product that a company will sell. In the case of Global Oil, its stock is oil and gas. SSAP 9 deals with how to value this stock on the balance sheet. Typically the value on the balance sheet would be the cost to produce and refine the oil into a marketable state. However, if the price of oil drops to a value below these production costs, then Global Oil cannot sell the oil at a profit. In these circumstances, the value of the oil stocks on the balance sheet must be reduced to the sale price minus all transaction costs. This is known as the net realizable value. SSAP 9 states that a company must value its stock at whichever is the lower value – the cost to produce versus the net realizable value. Conclusion The example of Global Oil demonstrates the financial reporting standards that must be considered when preparing a company’s accounts. More standards are expected as the complexities of business transactions grow and accounting practice adapts to keep up with these changes. Such changes already observed in business are the use of derivatives and financial ‘instruments’. At PricewaterhouseCoopers, the ABAS teams are experts in their field of knowledge and exercise their judgment in interpreting how these standards apply to different companies. The implementation of the standards can vary according to the type of industry and even between companies in the same industrial sector. In order to ensure the best possible interpretation, the ABAS teams need to have a good understanding of the client’s business and industry sector.