Financial Statement Analysis of Microsoft - 2220 Words

â…   Introduction Microsoft is a company that is famous for its various products such as the Windows series. The firm is well known and is frequently cited as an example of good management. However, how good is it? As of December 1st, 2007, one share of Microsoft was approximately $33. Every investor would be curious if that price is reasonable. Also, it is too dangerous to rely completely on intuition or rumor when you buy stocks. Therefore, we decided to analyze Microsoft in a more rational, reasonable, fact-based way, and refer to that information in determining whether to buy Microsoft s stock or not. The 10-K financial statement from Microsoft is an enormous document, and it would take too much time to read the entire material. We†¦show more content†¦There are two exceptions, however; revenue related to Xbox console and hardware are recorded under the FOB shipping point, and revenue related to games published by Microsoft is recognized under the FOB destination. In short, most of Microsoft s products are sold under the FOB shipping point method. Therefore, we think Microsoft is adopting a rather aggressive revenue recognition policy. B)Inventories Three points in this section shows that Microsoft employs a conservative policy on inventories. First, inventories are stated at the Lower of cost or market(LCM), which is a conservative accounting policy. This policy is very important for high-technology companies like MS; it s products cost and selling price are declining. Second policy is employed to avoid overstating assets and income. Next, Microsoft regularly review inventories and their estimated utility. Finally, in case the inventory s utility decreases, the company reduces the inventory to a new cost basis. C)Property and Equipment Depreciation is inevitable once you purchase a fixed asset. Microsoft uses the straight-line method to calculate depreciation as most other companies do. The main point is that MS uses the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated lifeShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of Microsoft Financial Statements1924 Words   |  8 PagesAnalysis of Financial Statements Financial statements are frequently a key source of information for financial decisions and taking a look at Microsoft’s financial statements can help us decide certain things about the company. There are three different types of statements that will be discussed in this section. These include: the balance sheet, the income statement, and the statement of cash flows. They are discussed here in either the sense of quarterly or yearly statements and will be notedRead MoreIbm and Microsoft Financial Statement Analysis5499 Words   |  22 PagesPACE UNIVERSITY- ACC-615 DR. FINN Financial Statement Analysis IBM and Microsoft Bill Jacoby 4/20/2010 Financial Statement analysis for two comparable companies; IBM and Microsoft ACC-615 Dr. Finn; William Jacoby Microsoft Corporation is the world’s largest software company. Microsoft has five operating segments; client, server and tools, online business services, Microsoft business division and entertainment and devices division. They develop personal computing software including theRead MoreThe Competitive Forces Of Apple1739 Words   |  7 PagesApple, Google, and Microsoft each develop, design, and market a variety of software, services, and devices. In this technology market, these firms face aggressive competition in serving single customers and various small, medium, large companies. Within this segment, the competitive forces exert pressure, which influences strategy development and execution and a competitive advantage. As such, the competitive forces are the power of suppliers, power of buyers, threats of substitutes, threats ofRead MoreApple Inc. Review Essay1032 Words   |  5 Pagesis through three major financial business statements; The Income Statement, Balance She et, and Cash Flow Statement. All of these statements may seem to be redundant in what they portray but all of them are necessary in bringing to light the actual financial standing of any company. These statements are how a financial analyst can put together an honest analysis of the how the company is doing financially. Statements: The Income Statement for any company is a statement that shows the year-to-dateRead MoreMicrosoft : An American Multinational Corporation Company1542 Words   |  7 PagesI did my research on Microsoft of how they were formed and how the technology is always in competition with Apple, and Sony. I have always used Microsoft product to know about the real reason I enjoy using them. I actually believe that they are one of the most inspiring products on earth. I am starting to see more Microsoft items in stores and I haven’t really heard much about them. Whereas companies such as Apples are always being talked about and you often see people walking around with some typeRead MoreBusiness Analysis Part Ii: Apple, Inc.1450 Words   |  6 PagesBusiness Analysis Part II: Apple, Inc. MGT/Management 521 February 27, 2012 Apple, Inc. is appears to be a successful billion-dollar corporation, this analysis will focus on the financial health of this organization. In this analysis of Apple’s business environment focus will be placed on the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow. A comparative analysis will be conducted to that of its top competitors. Financial Health In any organization whether it is a large global corporationRead MoreFinancial Management in Microsoft Corporation1648 Words   |  7 PagesFinancial Management in Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Corporation Brief Company Profile Microsoft is a multinational IT company. It was primarily established in 1974. Later in years, the company developed further computer and software interest, leading to the establishment of its MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows interest. Its headquarters are based in the United States, specifically at Redmond, Washington D.C. Similarly, it diversified to involve with other industries, such as video game, electricalRead MoreMicrosoft Is The Nasdaq Market1399 Words   |  6 Pages Microsoft, a key figure in the technology industry, presents many key products and services that help the technology industry grow to where it has gotten. Microsoft is a corporation that is the NASDAQ market. The company provides products and services in the technology industry. The products highlighted for the 2015 fiscal year for Microsoft were the Surface family, Microsoft Office 365, and Xbox console to name a few. Microsoft has a retail sector that have both online and in store locations, withRead MoreThe Ba lance Sheet For Microsoft1127 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to Bruns (2004), the balance sheet is a financial document, which identifies a company’s assets and liabilities. By deducting asserts from liabilities, a company’s net worth can be calculated to show the value of the company. Further, it shows the financial of the company on a particular date and â€Å"it provides a snapshot of a business’ health at a point in time† (Bond, n.d. p. 4). However, the fact that the balance sheet is a snapshot denotes that it is only valid at the time it was createdRead MoreMicrosoft Accounting Strategy1073 Words   |  5 PagesMicrosoft’s Financial Reporting Strategy The case at hand is primarily to discuss the financial reporting strategy adopted by Microsoft Inc. for the period 1996-1999 and the subsequent litigation that arose out of the accounting practice followed by Microsoft. Microsoft’s primary operations has been developing and manufacturing of the software products. As a company, it has shown a very stable growth in terms of revenues and profits, thus enabling better than industry share price increase over

Case Study When Hackers Turn to Blackmail Essay - 1699 Words

Case Study: When Hackers Turn to Blackmail 1. The introduction of Sunnylake hospital case The use of information technology in business presents major security challenges, poses serious ethical question, and affects society in significant ways. Especially, the computer crime is a growing threat to society and is caused by the criminal or irresponsible actions of individuals who are taking advantage of the widespread use and vulnerability of computers and the Internet and other networks. It presents a major challenge to the integrity, safety, and survival of most business systems. Once Sunnylake Hospital was a backwater community care centre, while Paul, the CEO of Sunnylake had come to the hospital five years earlier, the situation of†¦show more content†¦Once negotiations are in play, everything turns into a chess game. The negotiator and the emergency team can work out terms and logistics. When an agreement has been reached, the money is dropped and the whole episode is over. 2.2 Providing full disclosure to his various constituents The CEO and the board are responsible for â€Å"good business judgment† in guarding against the threat. So Paul’s first mistake was to dismiss the original e-mail message. All IT threats should be taken seriously, and he would have let Jacob Dale know about no IT system is â€Å"bulletproof.† Sunnylake should have had a workable, fully tested backup system to ensure uninterrupted patient service and protect everyone affected. Doctors and nurses are trained to diagnose, problem solve, and dynamically treat their patients. IT systems facilitate, but are not substitutes for, patient treatment. The fact that the hospital did not have up-to-date security software installed, or a reliable security outsourcer and an emergency plan in place, is inexcusable. So what should Paul, the CEO, do? First, he had better get off that sofa and give up the vain hope that IT can restore the system and get the hospital running again. Paul should also be in high communication mode with all of his constituents. He should understand that in today’s networked environment there are absolutely no secrets. Any IT breach forces an organization to ask, How much should we disclose about this threat? InShow MoreRelated Technology and the Invasion of Privacy Essay706 Words   |  3 PagesTechnology and the Invasion of Privacy As citizens of America we are all entitled to our rights of privacy. When something threatens this guaranteed privacy we tend to take extra precautions to prohibit prolonged violation. As the advancing world of technology continues to grow and expand, so do the amount of cases involving privacy invasion. Technology drives these privacy-invading crimes; however, crime also drives technology, creating a vicious cycle. Without technology an invader couldRead MoreCybercrime : Cybercrime And Cybercrime2257 Words   |  10 Pagesclassification identifies with violations that are encouraged by PC systems or gadgets like cyber stalking, misrepresentation, fraud, blackmail, phishing (spam). BACKGROUND Bill Murray a representative for us Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, D.C., says in 2003 number of cybercrime incidents continued as before this year concerning 13 years ago. With one major special case. The 2003 Computer Security Institute (CSI) and FBI Computer Crime and Security Survey, distributed in April, demonstratesRead MoreProblems And Solutions Of Gambling Essay1190 Words   |  5 PagesAssociation), gambling has already been a big part of economy gains in America. They found that gambling generates nearly $240 billion annually in total economic impact. Additionally, gambling creates more than 1.7 million job opportunities in America.(â€Å"When Gaming grows†, 2014). On the other hand, gambling can bring many problems such as compulsive gambling and crime. In newspaper, tragedies like â€Å"corrupted official gambles for money laundry† or â€Å"company bankrupted because the boss was obsessed with gambling†Read MoreA Brief Note On Pr ivacy And The Privacy2459 Words   |  10 Pagesas national and international levels. Is it possible to sustain our privacy to levels that are deemed safe when you are on your cellphone, computer, or even in the safety of your own home due to these technology advancements? Because of advanced programs and technology, our privacy is at danger and isn’t always guaranteed safety. A very significant asset to most people is having privacy when we need it. We want to be able to have the freedom to access our personal items such as documents, onlineRead MoreNetworked Economies And Crime.3169 Words   |  13 Pagescommonly referred to as ‘the boss’. 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To study the impact of white collar crime from Indian perspectives. To study the impact of white collar crime on Indian economy and its its affect on development activities. Abstract White collar criminality has become a global phenomenonRead MoreCyber Security And Internet Security Essay7416 Words   |  30 Pagesmisfortune. At that point there are vulnerabilities without danger: for instance when the influenced resource has no quality. A powerlessness with one or more known cases of working and completely actualized assaults is delegated an exploitable weakness — a helplessness for which an adventure exists. The window of defencelessness is the time from when the security hole was exhibited or demonstrated in passed on programming, to when access was removed, a security fix was available/sent, or the assailant wasRead MoreCountry Risk Analysis of Nigeria8877 Words   |  36 Pagesdifferent perspective. Risk can be defined as â€Å"the chance of commercial or personal loss†. * There are basically invisible risks in a country, which are the risks that we do not think about explicitly. * There has been recently growth of the study of the country risk analysis due to the globalization of business and the push for higher return by shareholders. Subsequently if any foreign investor wants to start business in Nigeria, this is prerequisite to do a broad country risk analysisRead MoreMis Summary25465 Words   |  102 Pages(FIT): includes technologies that make the execution of stand-alone tasks more efficient. Assists with the execution of discrete tasks. Ex.: word processors, spreadsheets, CAD systems Characteristics: Can be adopted without complements; impact increases when complements are in place Capabilities: o Enhancing experimentation capacity o Increasing precision 2) Network IT (NIT): provides a means by which people can communicate with one another. Facilitates interactions without specifying their parameters

Enemy of the State Free Essays

In the movie Enemy of the State directed by Tony Scott, there is a political bias against having a powerful government. From the year 1998, which was when the movie was produced, technological development has exponentially increased at a rapid rate. The government has become more sophisticated within many administrations including the NSA or National Security Agency creating an elite system of gathering information, as well as upping security standards through surveillance. We will write a custom essay sample on Enemy of the State or any similar topic only for you Order Now This has aroused fear in many American’s point of views on what this new â€Å"powerful† government is becoming. This is the prevailing ideal promoted within this movie. Exploitation of this growing federal power is sparking fear in regards to people’s concerns for keeping their constitutional rights, and personal safety. Furthermore, the notion of corruption of power within the federal system compounds the fear of the â€Å"weak† individual. Technology not only changes the way markets and businesses develop the economy, but can alter human’s social enviornment and interactions. This altering of human’s social characteristics is what is concerning. The NSA has ramped up their attempts on keeping the nation safe through the use of technology and many refer to one major example of this called the â€Å"Big Brother Policy. † This, metaphorically representing an actual big brother overseeing a little brother, enables the government to do many things in which privacy can be breached. This can be from tapping phone calls, retaining all of your medical history, billing information, birth certificate, and social security number to name a few. The idea of electronic surveillance All films are on reserve at the Fine Arts Library. Your job is not to merely summarize the film or to comment on whether or not the actors gave a fine performance or if the director did a good job. Instead, you are to discuss the sociological content of the film. Taking popular culture as pedagogical, consider the lessons that popular culture offers about the role of surveillance in society. As well, you could comment on the limits of this medium (film) as means of theorizing surveillance. Introduction In the introduction of your film review you are expected to highlight the main themes of the film. Here, there is no need to describe or summarize the entire film. Instead, focus on those aspects of the film that will be most relevant to your analysis. You will also need to state your thesis in this section. What will you be attempting to say in this film review? Your review will be only 3-4 pages, so please be concise. Body of the review This is the most important section of the review. Offering your opinion, whether or not you agree with the film, is not the same and cannot substitute for critical analysis. Instead, choose clearly defined issues to explore (e. g. , panoptic power, the role of the gaze, gender, race, the body, counter-surveillance, resistance, the role of confession, social discrimination) Remember that each paragraph must have a topic sentence. Do not make sweeping, general statements that you cannot substantiate. Instead, develop two or three points clearly and in detail. Use this section to explain further the points that you raise in your introduction. You could provide analysis of particular scenes from the film to substantiate your argument. As well, you could provide pertinent background information regarding the setting (temporal or what was occurring in ‘real life’ when the film was made and/or during the time that it is set in). Remember, your analysis must discuss the relevance of the film to the themes of the course. To do so, you could start by asking how technology figures in the film. Is it seen as productive or enabling, repressive, or as the inevitable part of some future? Taking technology in its instrumental sense as having the aim of altering the human environment (a technology could be a pen). What characters are agential subjects? Meaning, who has agency in the film? Does the film present a certain political bias? What assumptions does the film make in regards to privacy, the state, or the future? These are suggestions. You do not need to follow them. Conclusion Use this section to demonstrate that you have succeeded in writing what you set out in the introduction. The film Enemy of the plead is a conspiracy-thriller film released in 1998 by Touchstone Pictures and was directed by Tony Scott and written by David Marconi. The film uses a variety of cultural assumptions, attitudes, values and beliefs end-to-end to manipulate the viewers of the film into accepting them. Enemy of the State is found around the US Governments discussion agencies and politicians and their huge amount of power, technology and the conspiracies involved with their intelligence departments much(prenominal) as the National Security Agency (NSA). Robert doyen (Will Smith) a labour lawyer, who unknowingly becomes involved in a establishment conspiracy when he receives a disc containing the characterisation of the writ of execution of Congressman Hammersly (Jason Robards). This is when Robert Deans life set downs to fall asunder; he loses his job, his family and all his money. Whilst on the run he meets a former government operative, Edward Lyle Brill (Gene Hackman) who then unwillingly befriends Dean and helps him to escape from the NSA. Brill becomes an antihero because of his unconventional methods, and because he is unlikeable, but is a protagonist in the end. In the film, Enemy of the State, there ar many cultural assumptions, values, beliefs stereotypes and attitudes presented throughout the film. One of the most essential values presented in this film is that of privacy, which conflicts with the governments want of safety. The film is based around the governments proposal to install video and audio devices throughout US households. This is for surveillance purposes, mainly to rule out terrorism, but is as well as a major invasion of privacy. This is also the reason for the murder of Congressman Philip Hammersly, as he was impertinent to the idea and his vote could mean the cancelation of the bill. Because of this the audience are positioned where they begin to dislike the authority figures in this film, which then promotes Dean as the protagonist throughout the film, and becomes a more†¦ How to cite Enemy of the State, Essay examples

Cuktural Imperialism And The Olympics Essay Research free essay sample

Cuktural Imperialism And The Olympics Essay, Research Paper Cultural Imperialism and the Olympic Games Virtually since their recommencement in 1896, every four old ages the imperativeness is filled with ailments about the invasion of power political relations into the Olympic games. David B. Kanin has commented that while we are told that international Olympic system idealizes and promotes just drama and sportsmanship and ameliorates battle, hatred, and petty jealously through structured competition and international good will, the realist is that # 8220 ; international athletics thrives on the really politics Olympic publicizers decry ( Kanin 1 ) . # 8221 ; Nevertheless, the games are more or less # 8216 ; political # 8217 ; , than anything else. Ninety-five per centum of the jobs faced by IOC # 8217 ; s president Killian involved national and international political relations ( Senn x ) . Further, it can be argued that what could be called # 8216 ; cultural imperialism # 8217 ; has influenced and even shaped the games. Cultural imperialism at times facilitates inclusion of fe aturing events reflecting a host states country of expertness or de-emphasizing athleticss that are popular with states non in political favour. The undermentioned study will research this issue up until the World War II games. The Olympic Games and the Olympic system have become, in some critical ways, histrions on the planetary political phase. Senn proves this point when he states, # 8220 ; Rather than being an independent establishment into which political relations creep uninvited, the Games and international athletics themselves play a important function in international political relations as they embody conflict and tenseness ( Senn xii ) . # 8221 ; However, others disagree saying that they view athletics as a # 8220 ; multinational # 8221 ; instead than # 8220 ; international # 8221 ; phenomenon. This suggests the competition brings together non-governmental groups and organisations independently of the authoritiess of the universe ( Senn xii ) . This leads to the inquiry of why Americans even got involved in the Olympic Games. Bob Fulton believes that when Pierre de Coubertan was foremost presenting the revived Games, American jocks and athletic associations were non peculiarly interested in engagement. They frequently felt that the Games were little more than an historical relic best left forgotten. Entreaties to sportsmanship and the potency of the Games to further understanding among diverse peoples ( taking to universe peace and harmoniousness ) were disregarded ( Fulton 52-58 ) . Merely when American jocks began to make good in the Olympics did a bulk of other jocks and organisations decide that engagement has some existent benefit. Therefore, it is suggested that political every bit good as competitory motivations fostered American engagement. American engagement in the Games, has had many long permanent effects on the Olympic system. It has been stated that Western athleticss and ideals have dominated many aspects of the Olympics. Ruud Stockvis, a Dutch sociologist, states the popularity of any given athletics in any given state depends upon the development of the places of economic and political power among the states of the universe system ( Guttmann 173 ) . The United States is one of the largest Hegemons in the universe, hence, cultural imperialism is dominant in many of their athleticss and other Western states. For illustration, baseball, hoops, American football, lacrosse, are some of the most popular athleticss all over the universe. However, many states have taken American athleticss and adopted them to accommodate their civilization ( Guttmann 174 ) . For case, Canadians have taken to a version of gridiron football and even imported American participants ( Guttmann 175 ) . On the contrary, the United States has taken athleticss from other states. Old ages after baseball became Cuba # 8217 ; s national game, jai-lai became popular among Americans ( Guttmann 175 ) . Last, there have been illustrations of utmost cultural imperialism in the past. British missionaries had forced peoples of Asia, Africa, and India to play cricket and association football football against their will. It was an attempt to Christianize these native peoples and force western values and civilization upon them ( Guttmann 177 ) . Proof that the games have become an attractive force for showcasing the accomplishments, expertness, and endowments of jocks from specific states ( either hosts allowed under the system to add events or powers influential in specifying the range of the games ) can be easy demonstrated. Besides, certain cultural values have been forced into the Games and its ceremonials. These types of actions are another signifier of cultural imperialism impacting the Olympics. For illustration, we can see the followers: ? In 1912, Christian worship was introduced and conducted in the bowl as portion of the gap ceremonial. It subsequently became peripheral in 1928 when the Dutch concluded that Protestant services were inappropriate at a festival to which jocks of every faith were invited ( Guttmann 126 ) . ? Archery has prehistoric beginnings on every continent, but the bows and pointers used in the Olympic competitions were deve loped by Western modern engineering ( Guttmann 137 ) . ? In 1936 at the Berlin Games, Germany added a athletics # 8211 ; 11 # 8211 ; a side handball- in which its ain squad excelled ( cyberspace ) . ? The Nordic states produced jocks who excelled in winter athleticss. A separate # 8220 ; Winter Games # 8221 ; was developed upon their insisting and this continued at four-year intervals ( Guttmann 39 ) . These few illustrations prove that the Olympic Games have been used by nation-states to present competitory chances in which their ain jocks excel. In add-on, the inclusion of adult females in the Olympic games spurted contention among the IOC. It seems that the enlargement of adult females # 8217 ; s featuring events prior to and after World War II, was driven by Western states such as Britain and France where adult females # 8217 ; s issues have achieved a topographic point on a national policy societal docket ( Senn 43 ) . These types of states could direct the greatest figure of skilled adult females athletes-increasing their opportunities of success. Members of the IOC argued that adult females # 8217 ; s organic structures were unfit for athletic competition and voted to extinguish their events wholly ( Senn 43 ) . Some womens rightists from the United States even argued that they should non be included in the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, adult females # 8217 ; s events inc reased greatly over the old ages and they make up a immense portion of the Olympic Games. Women being added to the Olympic Games is another illustration of cultural imperialism and its effects on spread outing the games. Decisions sing intensification and enlargement of the Games have besides been politically driven. One can reason, that Coubertin # 8217 ; s attempts to re-establish the games were dominated by desire to resuscitate France # 8217 ; s power and credibleness which had been damaged by the licking of France in the Franco-Prussian war of 1871 ( Senn 20 ) . If France was successful in the games and its organisation, it would look good for the state. Within France, Coubertin made an attempt to better instruction, particularly physical instruction. This could assist convey new life and strength to his state, chiefly Gallic young person who were the hope of the hereafter ( Senn 20 ) . Even though Coubertin was successful in forming the first games, it did non convey much acknowledgment to France or himself. Other states, particularly the Greeks, accused Coubertin of stealing their heritage and they refused to give him recognition for forming the first modern Olympic Games ( Senn 24 ) . Howev er, as the old ages progressed, Coubertin was given the recognition he deserved and has been called the male parent of the modern Olympics. Further, it can be argued that chauvinistic competition is present in the Games and states have used the Games to further their political involvements. A perfect illustration of a state utilizing the Olympics to legalize itself, can be traced back to the Berlin Games of 1936. Since the Germans were excluded from the Games of 1920 and 1924, they wanted to demo the athletics universe what they failed to appreciate ( Senn 50 ) . Adolf Hitler, who had merely come into power, was dying to utilize the Games to demo the universe the strength and energy of its new order ( Senn 50 ) . If the Germans were successful in presenting and winning the Games, this could turn out their high quality. After Germany was awarded the Games, racialist rhetoric towards Jews and Blacks began to come up from Germany. The Nazis were quoted as stating, # 8220 ; the Olympic Games are an ill-famed festival dominated by Jews ( Senn 50 ) . # 8221 ; Besides, in response to the success of Blacks in the Los Angeles G ames Germans said: Blacks have no topographic point in the Olympics. Today we witness the free white work forces have to vie with the unfree Negro. This is a adulteration of the Olympic thought beyond comparing? ( Senn 50 ) Germany didn # 8217 ; t want to allow Jews and inkinesss to vie in their Games. Kanin provinces, # 8220 ; Nazi readyings demonstrated the effectivity of an athletic entreaty to a opinion cultural group designed to bind together constructs of state, province, and race ( Kanin 53 ) . # 8221 ; It has even been rumored that Germany hired a film maker to bring forth a movie called Olympia. This movie depicted the Germans and other Aryans as superior human existences. However, after much argument, Germany allowed Jews and inkinesss to take part in the Berlin Games. However, merely two Jews, one a adult female who lived in the United States, competed on the German squad ( Senn 54 ) . All these illustrations prove that a host state has much power in ordering the regulations of the Games. Over the old ages, the Olympics have grown to be a international sporting competition, where states can set international tenseness aside and vie on the playing field. Athletes represent their state and when they do win, it raises national pride within that state. On the triumph stand a title-holder may experience he or she is stand foring merely himself or herself or may experience transformed as the representative of a state, society, or cause ( Senn xv ) . Nevertheless, Cultural imperialism has impacted the Games enormously and its effects can even be seen in today # 8217 ; s Games.

Social Services Structure And Function Social Work Essay Essay Example

Social Services Structure And Function Social Work Essay Essay There are many different constructions for different administrations. I am traveling to be explicating the current construction of societal services and am traveling to explicate the consequence of the direction construction whilst looking at the chief services that chief sectors have to offer. I will explicate the operation of one societal work scene and analyze the impact of societal work with respects to a peculiar group. I will utilize a recent instance for my chosen sector and measure the weaknesss of the societal services, who those weaknesss effected and what has been done since to guarantee it does non go on once more. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Services Structure And Function Social Work Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Social Services Structure And Function Social Work Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Social Services Structure And Function Social Work Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer hypertext transfer protocol: //www.nhssb.n-i.nhs.uk/structures/social_services.gif Above is an illustration of how the Social Services Hierarchical construction looks. It follows the layout of a pyramid and derives into the base of staff degree employees with normally the Chief executive officer or manager at the top. There are many pros to holding an administration construction like this. It allows employees to see clearly who it is they need study to and makes obvious their degrees of duty. This is critical to a societal service administration to safeguard non merely themselves but their service users. A priestly system, nevertheless, does besides hold its disadvantages. It promotes competition which could deflect some who are peculiarly competitory. Martin, J and Fellenz, M ( 2010 ) suggest Often Hierarchies are created non because they are functionally required but because they provide a locale for forcing unwanted people up in the administration or for supplying promotional avenue. These dysfunctional hierarchies are in fact the cause for decreased organizati onal effectivity Another common illustration of organizational constructions is Matrix. The matrix construction groups its employees by map and merchandise. The design of this construction is instead level in comparing to that of the hierarchy. They normally work under the caput of a undertaking director but besides have a functional caput who they would describe to. An advantage of this is that it allows employees to specialize in a specific field but can sometimes besides cause confusion as to who to describe to. Ealing societal services offer many different services: child care and early old ages, bluish badge strategy, kid protection and safe guarding, public assistance benefits low income, furthering and acceptance and attention places. Im traveling to look at Child protection and safe guarding. Below is the hierarchal construction that Ealing usage for their Children in demand squad: Again it is clear to see who is in charge and who each employee needs to describe to. At the top there are the squad directors ; below them is the deputy squad director. The deputy would be responsible for describing to the squad director. Below the deputy there the societal workers and senior societal workers who are both responsible for describing to the Deputy squad director. Below them there are societal worker helpers who report to the societal workers and senior societal workers. Ealing Social services kids in demand squad ( 2011 ) province on their web site: Children in Need squad offer a societal work service to households where kids are deemed to be in demand as defined by subdivision 17 of the Children Act 1989. They work preponderantly with: Children whose names are on the kid protection registry, kids deemed to be in demand of household support services due to an assessed degree of demand and kids with a disablement that is non deemed to be severe and profound the latter are referred to the Children with Disability Team. Social workers will measure household demands and pull up a household support bundle with parents to enable kids to be safely and efficaciously cared for within their households. The squad are seeking to better the lives of their service users by supplying a support which can be authorising. They have a duty to guarantee kids and immature people who may be marginalised are safeguarded whilst advancing their public assistance. They ha ve other squads who they work in partnership with such as the Youth Offending squad who try to forestall re piquing among young persons and supply support for victims of young person offense. These statutory administrations are funded by the authorities. Although these squads do the best they can to better the lives of marginalised kids and young persons, errors can and make go on. This can take to drastic effects on non merely the service user but the administration as a whole particularly if one has non followed the codification of behavior provided by the societal services. There was an question made intro the decease of Victoria Climbie Who died aged eight on the 25th February 2000. She died from multiple hurts. Marie-Therese Kouao was Victoria s Aunt and career she lived with her Boyfriend Carl Manning from whom Victoria received barbarous maltreatment from. In 1999 she was foremost taken to the infirmary by her child-minder who suspected the miss had non inadvertent hurts but the physician accepted Kouao s narrative that the lesions were self-inflicted by rubing at itchs sores. The kid protection governments were alerted as a safeguard. Social worker Lisa Arthurworrey and PC Karen Jones were assigned to the instance and conducted a place visit. Subsequently the same twelvemonth Victoria was admitted to hospital once more. This clip for scaulding to her caput and face. Immediately physicians suspected that these hurts were intentionally inflicted. Kouao told Arthurworrey and Jones that the hurts were due to her pouring hot H2O over Victoria s caput to halt her from rubing her scalp and that other hurts on her were caused by Victoria utilizing utensils. These accounts were accepted by the kid protection governments and Victoria was collected from infirmary by Kouao. Evidence reveals that Victoria was forced by Maning to kip in the bath with merely a bin line drive. In the same twelvemonth of 1999 Kouao advised societal workers that Victoria had been sexually assaulted by Maning but withdrew her statement the following twenty-four hours. Personal computer Jones was to look into this but after no answer to the missive she sent to Kouao she took no farther action. Early 2000 Victoria was once more admitted to the infirmary. This clip for a combination of malnutrition and hypothermia and she was transferred to an intensive attention ward. She died the following twenty-four hours. DR Nathaniel Carey, the place office diagnostician examined Victoria and found 128 different hurt s and scars many of which were coffin nail Burnss. He desc ribed what he saw as the worst instance of kid maltreatment I ve of all time encounter. Both Marie-Therese Kouao and Carl Manning were charged with the slaying of Victoria Climbie. When they were interviewed they both claimed that Victoria was possessed. They were sentence to life in prison for what Judge Howkins described as Victoria s lonely drawn out decease . The decease of Victoria could hold been avoided had the right determinations been made from those assigned to protect her. There were gross failures of the system. The inquiry study confirms that there were at least 13 occasions where relevant services could hold intervened and assist Victoria but they failed to make so. This intercession would non hold put heavy demands on staff, or required great accomplishment so it is flooring to all that no action was of all time taken. Another failure was adequateness of the system. Lord Lamming argued that had Ealing, in my position, done the occupation they should hold done on the 2nd twenty-four hours that Victoria was in this state, it is likely that all of the other bureaus would non hold needed to be involved. He besides pointed out that at the clip of Victoria s instance Ealing Social services were passing significantly below their Standard Spending Assessment ( SSA ) on services for kids. Child protection services besides failed Victo ria by failure to implement the Children Act 1989. This was described by Crippling as a fundamentally sound statute law . The chief purposes of the Act are: to convey together private and public jurisprudence in one model ; to accomplish a better balance between protecting kids and enabling parents to dispute province intercession ; to promote greater partnership between statutory governments and parents ; to advance the usage of voluntary agreements ; to reconstitute the model of the tribunals to ease direction of household proceedings. Had this act have been implemented it is about certain that Victoria s terminal would non hold been the calamity that it was. Not merely did these weaknesss have a profound consequence on the service user taking to her decease. It besides impacted the administration as a whole. An enquiry was called after the strong belief of Kouao and Manning. There were inquiries that had been raised about the engagement of societal workers which Carole Baptiste, the Senior societal worker for Victoria s instance, failed to go to. She was tried for intentionally transgressing an enquiry biddings and was fined ?500. Henry ( 2008 ) states the tragic decease of Victoria Climbie, in Haringey, at the custodies of her grandaunt and the adult female s fellow, sparked an independent enquiry by Lord Laming, a kids s measure and structural alterations to societal services sections across the state A database suggested by Crippling was to be introduced which will hold all the necessary inside informations of 11million kids including GP s, Schools and Social workers working with them. There was besides the assignment of a kids s co mmissioner, the meeting of council instruction and societal services sections and the constitution of local safeguarding kids boards, made up of senior council functionaries, societal workers, constabulary, instruction and wellness staff. The review of kids s services has besides been brought under Ofsted s remit. If a kid protection system has different constructions, systems and working in different countries, it has the possible to do serious complications. Because of this there were new local authorities constructions introduced. There was besides a suggestion for a national kid protection bureau but this was rejected. There was besides a recommendation for a new Social services construction which is below: Ministerial Children and Families board National Agency for Children and Families ( Children s Commissioner for England ) Regional Office Local Member Committee For Children and Families Management Board for Services To Children and Families Local Forum Director of kids and households Servicess Social Servicess Safeguarding Children Other Polices Health Servicess In decision the administration construction for the Social Services is critical to the smooth running of the services they offer and to the safe guarding of their service users. If statute laws and policies are non followed so the construction can neglect non merely the administration but the service users. The Hierarchy system is still in topographic point with the Social Services to day of the month and with the alterations that have been implicated to non merely the construction but the administration as whole should guarantee smooth running in the hereafter with right determinations being made by those who need to do them.

Cashless Society essays

Cashless Society essays One article that caught my attention recently was one presented in the November 21, 1998 issue of The Economist. The article was about a cashless society and how well alternative forms of tender were catching on. According to the article, some forms of the "smart card" haven't caught on as well as expected. Smart cards have information embedded in them, essentially allowing a consumer to purchase things quickly and conveniently. It was the hope that these cards would supplant paper and coin money forever. However, that has not been the case. Smart cards do exits, however. In the article, it is mentioned that smart cards with chips embedded in them allowed a customer to quickly swipe the card through the reader. Thirty-two cents is then deducted. Simple and easy, right? Well, it hasn't caught on. One of the main reasons that smart cards have struggled a bit is that it has competition in the form of current debit cards. People can purchase anything they desire with these cards already. Therefore, there wouldn't be any added value of having a debit card. A survey of 2,400 North Americans by Smart Card Forum gives some interesting results. According to the survey, more than three-quarters would have liked to have a card that stored vital medical and car-related information. Less than half wanted a card that they could use to purchase things with. Another problem facing smart cards is compatibility. Current smart cards utilize only on a small range of readers. For example, a smart card for parking meters in Boston would not work for ones in New York. And since local governments control those areas of jurisdiction, it has to take a national effort to make it work. This means that the U.S. government must implement and lead the way. When this happens, then we will truly see the fall of paper and coin money. ...

Apple iphone 5 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Apple iphone 5 - Research Paper Example In its early days of introduction unto the world market, the Apple iPhone 5 received so much patronage because of some feature qualities that the product had over other competitive products and other iPhones that had been introduced unto the market by the same company. But as it is now, there is decline in supply to meet increasing demand. Causes of the shift Basically, there is one running cause of the shift in supply of Apple iPhone 5 and this is directly linked with rate of production. Sources close to the company actually indicate that the Apple iPhone 5 is one of the most labor and skill intensive products that the company ever produces (Birks and Sinclair, 2010). To this end, it actually requires the company so much time, cost, skill and resources to produce a single brand of the Apple iPhone 5. But as a company that wants to hold up to its reputation of quality and standard production of phones, the company is not in any way ready to compromise on the quality of products in th e name of meeting its demand to produce as many pieces of the iPhone as the market pressure demands for. There are other causes that has to do with the presence of competition, that makes the company highly reserved on the need to keeping so much inventory when it cannot be perfectly guaranteed of the willingness of the market to opt for their product. Effects of this change on Apple iphone 5 According to the law of demand and supply, decrease in supply subsequently leads to an increase or a rise in prices. This principle is likely to be the effect of the Apple iPhone 5 especially from the perspective of retailers from who consumers make direct purchases. For example once retailers have access to limited products and they are aware that consumers would compete for these few products they will increase prices so that those with the highest bid of purchase can own the product. There could also be the negative effect whereby the increases in prices will make consumers opt for other com petitor products; especially if they can be guaranteed to have similar features from those products. In the worse case scenario, the Apple iPhone 5 will loss its popularity and market share because consumers who may be frustrated with its absence on the market will loss interest in it. Effects within the market Operational Operational marketing is basically centered on the consumer whereby the consumer is expected to receive maximum customer satisfaction by meeting their needs and demands within the shortest time frame (De Cenzo and Robbins, 2011). In a situation whereby there continue to be decline in supply for the Apple iPhone 5, it is very clear that the customer is not going to receive the needed satisfaction with prompt customer service. Subsequently, market operational is going to be affected negatively in the sense that there are going to be high levels of market dissatisfaction expressed among cunstomers. As it has been stressed already, this is likely to bring about the wo rse case scenario whereby the company may loss out on a number of customers. Financial Effects The financial effects of the prevailing situation whereby there is shortage in the supply of Apple iPhone 5 could be viewed from two major perspectives, which also answers the question of whether the effects are long term or transitory. Indeed, on the short term basis where the demand for the product continues to be

Analysis for Isle of Wight Food Show Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis for Isle of Wight Food Show - Essay Example Wiley Events has been the leading event organising company in the IOW. Micro-environment 1.1 The Isle of Wight (IOW) Food Show The IOW has organised the food show for the 3rd time, generally taking place in the first weekend of May. The IOW food show is jointly organised by Isle of Wight Tourism, Isle of White Chamber of Commerce, the Island Traders’ Association and Wiley Events. It is a two-day event taking place from 1pm to 6 pm. Entry to the festival is free as per the Needles Park pay per attraction policy. Exhibitors are charged ?200 for the services rendered to them. Venue of the food show is Needles Park, Alum Bay in the North West of the island. Various stakeholders to the food show include accommodation providers, event organisers, transporters, visitor attractions, the local council and DMO. 1.2 Wiley Events Wiley Events has been the leader in the line of bespoke event management since 2001. Teddy Toddington and Pippa Powell, the partners of Wiley Events carry 20 yea rs experience in event organising. Both are experts in their own right and divide job functions as per their acumen in different event management functions. Wiley is also into advisory role of offering consultancy services to other companies particularly in the areas of sales, operations and administration. 1.3 Isle of Wight Tourism There are 21 specific touring sites, as identified by tourism data. Caravan sites also organise touring and camping, capturing 8% visitors of the event market. Summer is the peak season of tourism in the IOW when occupancy rate is 80%, which reduces to 37% in the spring and 19% in the autumn season. There are 60 worth-seeing sites, as per the Attractions Mini-guide 2005 and places of interest could be 200, as taken from the Tourism Baseline Audit 2003. Macro-environment 1.4 The Isle of Wight – Tourism destination – economy, social, cultural trends, physical environment, business environment Measuring 23 miles by 13 miles, the Isle of Wight boasts of near about 2.6 million visitors each year with an approximate tourism spend of ?352 million a year, tourism being 24% of the Island’s GDP and the first tourism destination to encourage quality and supervised stay facility; Once reaching to the Isle of Wright, one finds the transport infrastructure fully customised for visitors’ comfort. Cultural trends include such events as Taste Festivals, which are held at various places to celebrate local culinary talent. Business environment is very competitive with the Isle of Wight remaining on the top by getting awards for organising festivals, just to name the winning of music festival as the ‘Best Major Festival’ while the award for ‘Best Medium Size Festival’ was cornered for the third year consecutively. Business on the island depends on the initiatives of the stakeholders to use tourism as a tool to re-energise the economy. Success in leveraging this tool can be doubtful if only the trad itional niche area of the tourism portfolio is given attention by focussing just on summer holiday customers and coach and school group market. To reap the benefit, investment on facility and quality staff provision is mandatory otherwise actual contribution of tourism in the local economy would slow down. Negative outcomes can appear in traffic snarls to the displeasure of local people and affecting environment and standard of living. Businesses won’t be able to expand to raise the quality benchmark. Public sector can withdraw support if any of the symptoms

Movie write-up Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Movie write-up - Essay Example It should be noted that the first movie entitled Ghana- Women in Politics is very inspiring to me. It is because the activist Helen Koranteng, being a political actor has spread awareness regarding women right in Ghana. The movie includes variations of facts regarding Ghana and the female population who are more likely to be a changing factor for the country. This is one of the reasons that the movie can be used as a guide for people who wants to know the role of women in Ghana or the policies that are available for the women to practice in case they want to gain social mobility in their society (Stromberg,P., 2011). The fact remains that there has been a gap of research conducted to understand the respective roles of women in the politics of Ghana. The ideology and methods that have been applied by the leader to reach out to the population of Ghana is another important factor that has been missing in other videos based upon the same subject of matter. I am very cynical when it comes to understanding the mandate of political leaders because not all of them are able to cater the basic needs of the nation. In this regarding, the political actor namely Helen Koranteng is quiet focused as she knows the targeted population. There are many insight facts that were also brought forward to allow people to understand the international forum of women. A comparative understanding has been presented in the movie which shows that a lot of efforts are still needed to be made (Council on Foreign Relations, 2011). The second movie that I watched was Liberia’s Sirleaf: Reform in Africa that I did not like. It was because I do not affirm with the ideology of the Liberian president named Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. She was continuously stressing on the point that there is an avid need of investment in the country. It should be noted that this is not the need of the people. It is an evident fact that

Is Use Of Language Restricted To Humans English Language Essay

Is Use Of Language Restricted To Humans English Language Essay Chomsky (1968) claimed that language in specific to humans as only humans possess a language acquisition device to acquire language the universal grammar. It is a hard matter to define what language really is. According to the layman definition by Cambridge University Press (2008), language is a system of communication that consists of sounds, words and grammar. In the past literature, there have been claims that non-human primates like chimpanzees and bonobos are capable of comprehending human language (Benson et al., 2002; Brakke and Savagerumbaugh, 1995). However it is doubtful whether comprehension constitutes a comprehensive use of language. In this essay, we would discuss whether non-human animals are capable of commanding the comprehensive use of language by critically evaluating whether they show some of the design-features of human spoken language in their speech documented in Hockett (1960) and whether they are able to acquire syntax and morphology (Laidrem, 2008). The first design-feature is the vocal-auditory channel, where communication occurs whenever the producer speaks and the receiver hears (Harley, 2001). There are communication systems using other channels, for instance gestures, bee dancing (De Marco, Gurevitz and Menzel, 2008) or the courtship ritual of sticklebacks. Having a vocal-auditory channel enables primates to free up much of their bodies to carry out activities other than communicating language simultaneously. Primate calls and the singing of a western meadowlark possess this design-feature. The second one is arbitrariness, where abstract symbols do not necessarily resemble what they stand for, for instance salt may neither mean salty nor granular (Hockett, 1960; Harley, 2001), except a few onomatopoeic exceptions. It has a shortcoming of being arbitrary, but advantageous in the way that what can be communicated about is limitless. In a semantic communicative system, ties between meaningful message-elements and their meanings can either be arbitrary or non-arbitrary (e.g. salt would mean salt instead of sugar or pepper) there are relatively fixed associations between elements in messages, like words, and recurrent features of our world. The western meadowlark song holds semantic arbitrariness whereas gibbon calls hold a general arbitrariness design-feature. The third one is discreteness, where vocabulary comprises of discrete units and contrasts with the use of sound effects by the vocal gestural way (Harley, 2001). Human vocal organs produce an array of sounds, but in all languages only a relatively small set of ranges of sound is sound, and differences between these ranges are functionally absolute, e.g. pin and bin are different to the ear only at one point. The hearer can either compensate based on context, or fails to understand. However, in some systems there may be effectively continuous scale of degrees to which one may raise his voice as in anger or lower it to signal confidentiality bee-dancing is continuous rather than discrete. Grylliade (e.g. crickets) and tettigoniidae (e.g. bush-crickets) and primate calls carry discreteness. There are a dozen or so distinct gibbon calls, each appropriate vocal response, or vocal part of the whole response, to a recurrent and biologically important type of situation, for instance discove ry of food, detection of predator, etc. The fourth one displacement design-feature is very evident in humans, where we are able to talk about things remote spatially and temporally from where the conversation begins. It seems lacking in vocal signaling of primates, however it does occur in bee-dancing bee dances convey information about how far the food source is (De Marco, Gurevitz and Menzel, 2008). A parrot is unable to demonstrate displacement (Pepperberg, 1987). Monkeys are also limited to chattering and squeaking about immediate threats like snakes in the grass and eagles overhead (Muncer, Malone and Ettlinger, 1982), therefore they also fail the displacement criterion. Concerning traditional transmission design-feature, it refers to the fact language can be taught and learned. In humans, imitation and teaching occur together smoothly. A chimpanzee mother could not teach her infant anything because, although the infant watches her problem-solving skills intentionally, she never returns the infants observation. Similarly, if a vervet monkey gives a leopard call and its recipient, say its offspring, takes countermeasures for python, there is no evidence that monkeys correct errant listeners or that their communication is intentional (Premark, 2004). It was noted that Washoe, another chimpanzee, adopted a younger chimpanzee Loulis as his son. He spontaneously acquired signs from Washoe and was also seen to be taught by Washoe. Although this is a clear indication of what is known as cultural transmission, it is unclear whether it is a language that has been transmitted, or just a sophisticated communication system (Premark, 2004). At first sight Washoe appears to have acquired the use of words and their meanings, and at least some rudimentary syntax-that is, being sensitive to word order in both production and comprehension. However, Washoe did not show learning of functional words like prepositions and inflections, neither was he able to differentiate between different parts of speech like conjunctions, nouns and verbs. Productivity is one of the most important design-features of human spoken language, which refers to the capacity to say things that have never been said or heard before and yet to be understood by other speakers of the same language (Hockett, 1960). One would be able to coin new utterances by incorporating pieces familiar from old utterances and assembling them by patterns of arrangement also familiar in old utterances. In human speech where blending exists, a speaker would hesitate between two words or phrases, both reasonably appropriate to context, a combination of parts of each. It is also involved in slips of tongue which would assist infants in switching from a closed to an open system productivity also known as openness, the ability to invent new messages, where syntax, the grammatical arrangement of sentences, plays an enormous rule (Shostak, 2009). It can be demonstrated using syntax, where in humans, there is a finite number of grammatical rules and a finite number of word s, but humans are able to combine them to produce an infinite number of sentences once they associate the words with particular meanings or concepts, and put them into different orders (Chomsky, 1957; Marshall, 1970). Primate calls constitute a small finite repertory of familiar calls, therefore they are considered having a closed call system and do not demonstrate productivity. According to Hockett (1960), bee dancing shows productivity. However, this is questionable as types of dancing bees do may barely be repertoires. There is a belief that whales and dolphins possess language. However, there is no current evidence suggesting that dolphins employ sequences of sub-units conveying particular messages, which is in the same way we combine words to form sentences to convey messages (Pearce, 2008). In early research by Evans and Bastian (1969), dolphins carried on making sounds even when other dolphins were absent, where communication with each other in carrying out cooperative tasks to obtain fish seems to be explicable by conditioning (Holder, Herman and Kuczaj, 1989). There is no evidence that dolphins can produce even the simplest sentence in language (Pearce, 2008). By now, there is no animal communication system that can satisfy the four properties of syntax identified by Kako (1999) and iteration and recursion properties of language (Hauser et al., 2002). Herman, Richards, and Wolz (1984) taught two bottle-nosed dolphins, Phoenix and Akeakamai, artificial languages. One artificial language was visually based using gestures of the trainers arms and legs, and the other was acoustically based using computer-generated sounds transmitted through underwater speakers. However, this research tested only the animals comprehension of the artificial language, not their ability to produce it. From the point of view of answering our questions on language and animals, it is clearly important to examine both comprehension and production. Even just testing their comprehension, the dolphins syntactic ability was limited, and they showed no evidence of being able to use function words (Kako, 1999). Although others have claimed that chimpanzees could comprehend spoken English, they have failed to present adequate data to substantiate such assertions (Pearce, 2008). In repeated tests since 1977, Sherman and Austin, two chimpanzees, consistently failed comprehension tests of spoken English though they have constantly been exposed to it from infancy. Kanzi, however, was displaying a remarkable comprehension of spoken English, where Kanzi was not being reinforced nor trained to do the experimental task (E. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, et al., 1985). Kanzi is a pygmy chimpanzee, and it is claimed he has made a vital step in spontaneously acquiring the understanding that symbols refer to things in the world. He first acquired symbols by observing the training of his mother on lexigrams devices that produce word sounds when pressed. He was sensitive to word order, and understood verb meanings- he could distinguish between get the rock and take the rock, and between put the hat on your ball and put the ball on your hat. He also formed spontaneous utterances. Petitto (1987, cited in Pearce, 2008) argued that Kanzis understanding of names is not like that of humans. Kako (1999) argued that Kanzi shows no signs of possessing any function words, nor any indication of being able to use morphology: he does not modify his language according to number, as we do when we form plurals. Pepperberg (1987) embarked on an elaborate formal programme of training of her African grey parrot called Alex. After 13 years of training, Alex developed a vocabulary of 80 words including object names, adjectives, and verbs. He could even produce and understand short sequences of words understand concepts of same and different. Alex showed evidence of being able to combine discrete categories and use syntactic categories appropriately, but was unable to relate objects to verbs, and knew very few function words (Kako, 1999). Therefore, Alex had limited linguistic abilities. The last design-feature to be mentioned, the duality of patterning, means that only combinations of meaningless units are meaningful, and this is applicable to both the sound and word level, and word and sentence level (Hockett, 1960). It provides much efficiency and flexibility to human language. When a vocal-auditory system carries a larger and larger number of distinct meaningful elements, they become more similar to one another in sound, where there is a limit for any species to how many distinct stimuli they are capable of distinguishing between, in particular they have to be made under noisy conditions. This design-feature is illustrated by English words tack, cat and act, which are composed of only three basic meaningless sounds in different permutations, yet totally distinct in meaning. Very few animal communicative systems share this design-feature of language none among other hominoids (e.g. apes, monkeys), or maybe humans are the only one (Harley, 2001). To conclude, none of the animals mentioned seemed to be capable of possessing the above mentioned design-features of human spoken language (Hockett, 1960). They were also unable to command the complicated syntax and lexical competences that humans possess. This may be due to humans having large and convoluted brains acting as better storage units for conventions of a complex communicative system as language (Pinker, 1994). Though many animals possess rich symbolic communication systems enabling them to convey messages to other members of the species which would influence behaviour and possess many of Hocketts (1960) design features, they all lack the richness of human language, which is manifested in our ability to limitlessly talk about anything and using syntax. The failure to teach apes to speak is partly due to the fact that their vocal tracts are incapable of producing all sounds of human speech, where according to Duchin (1990, cited in Pearce, 2008), a major constraint on the ability of the chimp to produce sounds of human speech is its tongue which is unable to move to correct positions for creating sounds that are necessary. It is possible that by reducing methodological flaws in language learning paradigms and more investigations of different animals, we would be more informed about whether animals are able to use language comprehensively in the humans do.

Current State Laws on Human Cloning :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

Current State Laws on Human Cloning California Cal. Health & Safety Code,  §Ã‚ §24185 to 24189. Bans efforts to create a human being by utilizing somatic cell nuclear transfer "for the purpose of, or to implant, the resulting product to initiate a pregnancy that could result in the birth of a human being." Ban is to expire January 1, 2003 unless extended by legislature. Louisiana La. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 40  §Ã‚ §1299.36 to 1299.36.6. Forbids any person to "clone or attempt to clone a human being," and forbids a health facility or agency to "allow any individual to clone or attempt to clone a human being in a facility owned or operated by the health facility or agency." "Clone" is defined as in California law, to involve an intent to initiate a pregnancy. However, a separate state law prohibits intentionally destroying a viable fertilized ovum, and requires that "[n]o in vitro fertilized human ovum will be farmed or cultured solely for research purposes or any other purposes." La. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 9,  §Ã‚ § 129, 122. Whether this prohibits use of cloned embryos for research depends on how courts will interpret the phrase "fertilized human ovum." Michigan Mich. Comp. Laws  §Ã‚ §333.16274, 333.16275, 750.430a. Forbids any individual to "engage in or attempt to engage in human cloning," applying civil penalties (up to a $10 million fine) and criminal penalties ($10 million fine and up to ten years in prison). "Human cloning" means "the use of human somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to produce a human embryo."  §333.16274(5). This law clearly forbids creating a cloned human embryo for any purpose, including research. A separate state law also forbids using a live human embryo "for nontherapeutic research if... the research substantially jeopardizes the life or health of the embryo..." Performing such research is a felony.  §Ã‚ §333.2685 (1), 333.2691. Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws  §23-16.4-2 to 23-16.4-4. Bans use of somatic cell nuclear transfer "for the purpose of initiating or attempting to initiate a human pregnancy," as well as the creation of "genetically identical human beings" by "dividing a blastocyst, zygote, or embryo." The law seems to ban cloning by nuclear transfer only if done to initiate a pregnancy. However, a separate law prohibits the use of "any live human fetus, whether before or after expulsion from its mother's womb, for scientific, laboratory research, or other kind of experimentation.

I.T. Project †Converting a Card Index System to a Database Essay

The present system is based on the manual card index system so most of the work is done by hand, however due to the ever increasing growth of technology, and the internet, a wide range of resources are now being made easily accessible. British Airways has recently introduced booking online, where customers can book a flight and accommodation all over the Internet. Being such a big company as British Airways, most of their bookings are made through travel agents who book the flights and pass the information on to them. Question 1 – Could you describe the current system being used by Question 2 – How are these cards stored? Question3 – What problems do you encounter at the moment? Software Available MICROSOFT OFFICE 2000 WORD PROCESSOR – MICROSOFT WORD 2000 A word processing package is a program or set of programs used to edit, format, store and print documents. Word processors have many important unique features: * Spelling and Grammar Checker Misspelt words, or grammatical errors can be identified and corrected by the words in the computers dictionary. Correct words, identified by the spell check as wrong can be added to the dictionary. * Automatic creation of index and table of contents Any word in the text can be marked for inclusion in an index. Headings and subheadings in a given style can be included automatically in a table of contents, which can be updated at any time. * Import Files Tables, photographs, graphics, video and sound files can be imported from other sources and inserted in a document. * Mail merge A document and a list of names and addresses can be merged to produce personalised letters. * Creation of templates with preset text styles. Margins, formatting, letterheading etc. * WYSIWYG This stands for ‘What You See Is What you Get’, and refers to the ability to display on the screen. And enables the user to see their work on the screen exactly as it will be printed. SPREADSHEET – MICROSOFT EXCEL 2000 Spreadsheet packages allow a user to create worksheets (spreadsheets) representing data in column and row form. Spreadsheets are used for any application that uses numerical data, such as budgets, cash flow forecasts, profit and loss statements, student marks or results of experiment. Spreadsheet features: * Format cells, rows and columns, specifying for example, the alignment of text, number of decimal points, height and width of cells. * Copy cell contents to other locations, with automatic adjustment of formulae from an area to another location. * Determine the effect of several different hypothetical changes of data; this facility is called ‘what-if’ calculation. * Insert, move or delete rows and columns. * Use functions such as sum, average, max, min in formulae * Create a simple database and sort or query the data to produce a report of, say for example, all males gaining over a ‘C’ grade, for a list of students. * Write macros to automate common procedures * Create templates – Spreadsheets with formats and formulae already entered, into which new figures may be inserted. * Create ‘multi dimensional’ spreadsheets using several sheets, and copy data from one sheet to another * Create many different types of chart and graphs DATABASE – MICROSOFT ACCESS 2000 A database is a collection of data. It may be something as simple as a list of names and addresses or details of the CDs in your personal collection, or it may contain details of all the customers, products, orders and payments in a large organisation. When made reference to, the word ‘database’ is assumed to be data held on a computer, but manual databases also exist. Some smaller business (a garage) may hold a card index file with details about a customer and their car. The main difference between a manual and computerised databases is the speed at which data can be accessed. PRESENTATION GRAPHICS – MICROSOFT POWERPOINT 2000 Presentation graphics software such as PowerPoint is useful for putting together a presentation which can be delivered using a computer attached to a projection device, using transparencies and an ordinary overhead projector or as a self-running presentation in, say a shopping centre or cinema. The software allows the user to quickly create ‘slides’ combining text, graphics and pictures and to create animation or sound effects and ‘transition’ effects between slides. OPERATING SYSTEM – MICROSOFT WINDOWS 98 Hardware Available These are the specifications of the PC I am using at Home: OPERATING SYSTEM WINDOWS(r) 98 PLUS! CPU INTEL(r) CELERONTM / 333MHZ RAM 64MB FOR WINDOWS(r) 98 SCREEN DISPLAY 800 BY 600 PIXELS TRUE COLOUR (32 BIT) CD-ROM SPEED 32-SPEED AVAILABLE SPACE ON HARD DRIVE 2.4GB AUDIO 16-BIT SOUND CARD OTHER LOUDSPEAKERS These are the system specifications for the systems at school: OPERATING SYSTEM WINDOWS(r) 98 CPU 433MHZ RAM 32MB FOR WINDOWS(r) 98 SCREEN DISPLAY 640 BY 480 PIXELS 256 COLOURS CD-ROM SPEED 24 SPEED AVAILABLE SPACE ON HARD DRIVE 10MB AUDIO 8-BIT SOUND CARD PRINTER HP LASERJET All systems should have Microsoft Office 97/2000. All systems must have Microsoft Excel 97/2000. End User’s IT Literacy The end user of my system will already have basic IT skills and will have already had experience with the Microsoft Office Package. As they are working for a big trans-national company, they would have already undergone training in the secretarial sector, of which IT skills are a key part. To even have the job, they would have to be able to type quickly, answer calls and transmit data efficiently. Therefore, training costs will be kept to a minimum. Final Choice Having looked at the current system and the software and hardware available, I have decided to use Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet program to design my booking system. Spreadsheet packages allow a user to create worksheets (spreadsheets) representing data in column and row form. Spreadsheets are used for any application that uses numerical data, such as budgets, cash flow forecasts, profit and loss statements, student marks or results of experiments. Spreadsheets offer a wide range of facilities making the task easier to perform. SKILLS: Current/To be acquired I have a good understanding of the Microsoft Excel package. I have done quite a few calculations and performed basic macros. Having looked through the coursework of former students, and reading through the coursework guide, I realise that I need to improve my knowledge of Excel. Excel is a powerful package and can carry out many tasks easily if instructed correctly. I have already started to go through sample projects showing me how to go about certain tasks with a book titled ‘Successful I.T. Projects in Excel’, written by P.M Heathcote. End User Requirements > Provide detailed reports showing customer booking for every working day. > Produce summary reports for flight bookings in order of popularity. > Allow data entry for new customers. > Provide easy access for amendments to customer details and flight details. > Automatic backup for all centralised records daily and weekly. > Provide an exception report for outstanding customer debts or extreme bank credit limits. > The system should record financial details concerning money in/outstanding. > Allow queries on the current flight availability. Quantitative Criteria > Printed tickets are to be generated within 15 minutes. > Accessing and amending customer/Fight/Airport details should be instantaneous. > Queries are processed promptly on customer request. > Backup should occur automatically every 24 hours. > Flight details processed every Friday (1 hour max) > Exception reports are produced quickly on demand within a minute. Qualitative Criteria > The system should provide a workable Human Computer Interface system according to different users, i.e. simple menu selections or buttons > The company logo is consistent on all forms and reports. > Amount of available screen data is kept to a minimum (increase usability) > Help systems are easily accessible.

McDonalds Essays

McDonalds Essays McDonalds Essay McDonalds Essay McDonalds is the largest corporation globally which deals with a chain of the fast food restaurants. The company has been steadily expanding thus leading to its large global market base. The company has a competitive advantage over its competitors and this is due to its strategic management choices which have been made in the recent past.SWOT analysisMcDonalds has a very strong market position since it is the largest food service and the fast food retailing chain globally that is strengthened by the strong all round growth that is witnessed by the company. It is also important to note that the there is a growing health consciousness among the consumers and this has however added to the adversities of the company are brought to the business by a market that is saturated. With the combination of the rising beef prices there could be pressure margins for the company.Strengths.McDonalds has a market leading position in the industry and it also has a vigorous all round growth together wit h very strong brand equity. The company is also known for its consistency in its food industry and it also has very successful items such as fries and the Big Mac promotions. (Aaker, David 1984)Weaknesses.McDonalds also has some weaknesses which includes the operating losses in the Latin America region as well as the non McDonalds brand businesses. Similarly the company also has some relatively low productivity from the employees. The company also has some increased expenses in Europe. The company is also experiencing a decline in the market share and it also has a weak product development.Opportunities.McDonalds has very many opportunities including the alliance with the Warner home video as well as the new innovations in the menus which will further attract more consumers to visit the company’s chain stores globally. Similarly there is a rising Hispanic population in the United States of America and they are known as the best customers to the McDonalds chain stores because of the Hispanic foods which are prepared by the company. (Rowley Tashiro 2006)Threats.McDonalds is also faced with some threats such as the rising prices of the raw materials which further leads to the price increment of the food products and this further lowers the company’s consumer’s consumption. Similarly there exists a threat since most of the consumers of the company’s food products are becoming more health conscious and thus if the company fails to upgrade its products with health consciousness in mind then it might loose out on most of its consumers. On the other hand the company is further faced with a threat of market saturation and this will stiffen the competition that is experienced in the industry especially from McDonald’s main competitor Wal-Mart.Strategic choices for McDonaldsThe company has a growth strategy that is based on three main elements which areAdding the restaurantsMaximizing the profits and the sales at the existing restauran tsImproving the company’s international profitabilityBy the company maximizing its profits and also sales at its existing restaurants it can accomplish this through better operations, product refinement and development, reinvestment, effective marketing and also lowering the development and operating costs. This will however lead to the realization of an improved profitability internationally and the achievement of the economies of scale in the individual markets. This will also make the company highly benefit from infrastructure globally. (Arndt 2007)At the functional level McDonalds has adapted strategies which will lead to the expansion of the production of a wide range of food products by the promotion of new menu items. The company is also focusing on maintaining its quality and consistency of its food products as well as launch higher end restaurants under the new brands which would not be saddled with the company’s fast food image.At the global level McDonalds h as a strategy which has a global perspective thus the company has strategies which effectively integrates the three global forces which are the global business, the regional pressures and also the worldwide functions. The company at the global level wants to add more restaurants globally and this will expand its market base. (Anthony 1998)Comparisons between growth strategies at McDonalds and Wal-MartMcDonaldsThe company has a unique growth strategy which allows it to strategically locate its new stores across the nation in a leapfrogging manner unlike the other stores.The company’s growth strategy is not homegrown but rather international since it has bought some of its existing retail chains so as to preserve its control over its corporate culture.The company has a new strategy of leveraging its brand equity.The company’s strategy of product development focuses on the core business and it also covers the quality and taste issues.Another strategy that has been adapted by the company is the joint ventures and McDonald has changed the methods of dealing with its franchisees.McDonalds has a market penetration and development strategy that will allow it to continue with its international expansion.Wal-MartThe company has a unique growth strategy which allows it to strategically locate its new stores near the smaller towns and the distribution hubs.The company has a continued expansion of the super center format as well as the market share gains that are in the food business.The company has a strategy which focuses on the international growth and acquisitions.The company has a growth strategy that focuses on the expansion and the upgrading of its units in the Sams club division.The company has a strategy that is an eventual roll out of the neighborhood drugs store and market food format.The company has a strategy that leverages its productivity of the declining base in the discount stores with the food additional.The company also has a strategy of th e methodical approach to the on-line retailing. McDonalds Essays McDonalds Essay McDonalds Essay McDonalds has been a family name for the last many decades. It operates on a franchise based model which has enabled it to spread all over the globe. Its operations have been largely profitable. In fact, it was only in 2003 that McDonalds reported its first ever quarterly loss. Since then a lot has changed in the way McDonalds reaches out to the customer. This is the focus of the discussion here. James R. Cantaloupe, Chairman and CEO, McDonalds said in 2003 The world has changed. Our customers have changed. We have to change too. This laid the foundation for the change which McDonalds went through. A key aspect of understanding what strategy to follow is to re-assess the needs of the market. Also the companys relationship with the internal stakeholders like the franchisees needed to be reviewed. During the process of evaluation, McDonalds used the latest technological tools like the internet to enable their brand managers to communicate with the franchisees and compare and improve their services. McDonalds studied demographics to identify which customer profiles visited there franchises and for what reasons. They realized that kids were their biggest customers but to get the kids to come in to the restaurants the parents had to be convinced also. During the study they also identified health consciousness as a major factor driving people away from McDonalds. Another factor affecting sales was the products offered as customers were looking for options other than the complete meals offered. Delivery times also came up as important determinants of customer satisfaction. Based on the studies, McDonalds conducted SWOT analysis and came up with a new marketing strategy based on the marketing mix consisting of 4Ps Product, Price, Promotion and Place. They decided to focus on expanding the product range to include healthy and low cost options. They also reviewed their promotion strategy to target kids who belonged to the biggest consumer category. They also streamlined their processes to reduce delivery times. 2) Using relevant examples, evaluate how successful the organisations environmental scanning strategy is. Suggest how this strategy can be improved. The steps taken by McDonalds to change their marketing mix have been highly successful in getting the customers and the profit back. In 2006, McDonaldss had its best sales performance for 15 years in Europe. McDonalds decided to go in for a health conscious image. They offered a range of healthy food selections on their menu. They also started to publish the nutritional content details of the food items on the packaging. New Saver products were offered which promised a quick bite for a low price. These changes in the product offerings were supported by promotional campaigns designed win back the lost customers. The processes required for getting the product to the customer were also reviewed. This resulted in tie-ups with local vendors to ensure freshness of the inputs. McCafes were introduced as exclusive coffee shops to attract the young crowd which needed a meeting point to get together with friends. The advertisements which addressed kids specifically helped bring the kids back. Availability of healthier food options and information about the nutritional value of the available products has helped them win a large number of health conscious consumers. To increase customer satisfaction they also focussed on the time taken to deliver their products. McDonalds can take a number of steps to get a better understanding of the environment theyre a part of. This, if followed by appropriate changes to the marketing mix, can help enhance the sales performance and profitability in the future. Some of these possible steps are discussed below. The internet can be a very effective tool to reach the masses. McDonalds can use the internet to run online promotion and research campaigns. Also the use of the social networking options like Twitter and Facebook can be beneficial to understand their customers and their requirements better. Improved analysis of the supply chain processes can help in increasing their efficiency. This can result in reduced costs and therefore reduced prices for the customers thus increasing sales. McDonalds can also analyse the franchise locations so that they can be spaced more evenly compared to the current situation where the distribution is not so even.

Breaking into the Lucrative Magazine Market with the Big R Game

Breaking into the Lucrative Magazine Market with the Big R Game Many people have a tremendous amount of baggage when it comes to one of the smallest words in the English language: no. Its mostly a learned behavior. As Ive watched my daughter growing up, the first few years she didnt seem to have a problem with rejection. For example, while learning to walk, balance rejected her countless times. Each time she fell, shed sit there for a few moments, then giggle and start all over. This is not the case for many fledgling writers. In fact, Ive talked to quite a few who have so much fear of being rejected they wont submit their material. While thats one way to avoid rejection, it will stop you from building a writing career. But what if you could turn the process of rejection to your favor? When I decided to write for magazines, I created a writing game. I call it the Big R Game. The rules are simple; in fact, theres only one, and its summarized in the object of the game: Collect as many rejections as you can, as fast as you can, while writing as well as you can. I set my target for 100. This might sound crazy. Why would anyone set a goal to collect a hundred rejection letters? Arent rejection letters to be avoided? Well, maybe in a perfect world, but the writing and publishing world is far from perfect. My rationale for such a game was simple. I knew that if I won at this game Id do at least two things right: Id write a lot, and Id submit what I wrote. These are the two most important activities a writer needs to do if he wants to succeed at the larger game of being a published and profitable writer. Playing the Big R Game also took the edge off of receiving rejection letters. Each time one arrived in the mail, I was winning the game, not only the Big R Game but also the much larger game of becoming a successful writer. Each rejection carried me one step closer to learning my craft. If you have a problem with rejection, try a game or two of the Big R. You may find it lifting your spirit and dissolving the resistance youve added to writing. The other big benefit of the game is that if you set out to collect 100 rejections, you’ll surprisingly receive a fair amount of acceptances. Since playing the Big R Game, Ive published over 350 magazine articles in such publications as Unity Magazine, AARP (then Modern Maturity), Body and Soul (then New Age Journal), Yoga Journal, and Better Homes and Gardens, to mention just a few. Many of them have been part of my pet writing project, Project Purpose: to write and publish articles about people whose lives are dedicated to a bold and inspiring purpose or vision. But more about that in a future article.

Monitor and control Project Work Speech or Presentation

Monitor and control Project Work - Speech or Presentation Example The reasons that justify proper control and monitoring of projects and the inputs and outputs of a project that are managed are to be discussed. The Project Control Cycle is also explained during the presentation which ends with concluding remarks on the when, where and how of project monitoring and control. Reasons For Project Monitoring and Control Because it is not realistic that things will at all time progress in accordance to the laid down plan, project monitoring and control becomes necessary for all projects (Watt 9). This is so especially for large projects which are likely to face more changes, recommendations and requests during the process of implementation. Even if there are a lot of preparation and planning for a project, it is necessary to prepare for twists within the initial plan because this is bound to be experienced. More importantly, the monitoring and controlling projects are necessary because it enables the project manager to detect any alterations, changes or deviations from the initial plan of the project. Through this detection, the project manager is allowed to react to the deviation of the plan through proper decision making. The changes which are to be expected to the plan of a project include the human resource, materials, equipment, time, tasks, money and space. The people or expertise that is responsible for implementation of a project is likely to change in terms of motivation, creativity and overall performance. Therefore project monitoring becomes important because project managers are able to detect such changes and as a result employ ways in which the human resource can be motivated to be more creative, communicative and interactive. Through the motivation of the human resource, the project manager will promote the efficiency at which the completion of the project is to be achieved. Changes in equipment or machines include technological changes which may affect the speed at which the project is to be completed. Additionally, new equipment may be required to execute specific aspects of a project. This reflects changes in cost which must be anticipated by the project manager and dealt with due consideration of the cost benefit factors of the project. The time at which the project is to be completed may be extended (Maheshwari and Howard 15). Therefore project motoring and control is necessary to detect the changes and constraints in time and ensure that the deadlines of implementing the project do not deviate significantly from the time that was allocated for the project in the initial plan. Tasks are also likely to change in the course of the project. This will lead to change requests from the stakeholders of the projects. The requests for change include extension of space, change of equipment and increased compensation. This is a justification of project monitoring and control. It is argued that â€Å"the change requests are evaluated and approved or rejected in the Perform Integrated Change Control p rocess† (Mulcahy 122). It is necessary to screen a project through a procedural process to aid decision making for possible abandonment, pursuance, acceptance or rejection of the project proposal idea (Olawale and Ming 513). This is another significant justification for monitoring and co

Marine Fisheries Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marine Fisheries - Research Paper Example Due to marine fishing, the number of stock that is available for the fish breed to ensure their sustainability for the next years has always reduced. Therefore, there is need to ascertain whether marine fishing has reached to a point where it threatens the extinction of some species of marine fish and relate these to environmental ethical issues. The main aim of the study is to ascertain the impact of marine fisheries and how it relates to some of the environmental ethical theories. The following research questions will assist in attaining these research objectives. Is the level of marine fisheries threatening the sustainability of some marine fish? How does these relate to the environmental ethical theories like utilitarianism? Any entity that is engaged in harvesting or rising of fish is referred to as a fishery. The terms that typically define a fishery are types of fish or species, individuals involved, the area of seabed or water, fishing method, the activities, purpose or the class of the boats. Fishers as well as fish are usually combined in the definition with the latter utilizing similar gear types to fish similar species. Aquatic culture, fish farming or capturing wild fish may be involved in a fishery. Fish stocks are continuously being reduced due to overfishing that has led to fish being taken beyond sustainable levels. (Jennings et al, 78)

International Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

International Economics - Essay Example Services sector as it contributes almost 78 percent in U.S economy. If U.S. or for that matter any of the developed countries such as UK, France, Germany, Japan has to increase the international trade, their contribution has to come through the services sector because they are dominant contributors in the GDP. The reasons that services cannot be traded as freely as goods can be are attributed to the following. 1. Many services are non-transportable; it requires geographic proximity between producer and consumer countries. 2. Many services cannot be mass produced; mostly they are tailored as per the geographical needs posing a difficulty in the international trade. 3. Many services go along with the supply of the goods and they cannot be separated to impart the benefits to the consumers. Example is cars imported from Japan or China into US with 3-4 years warranty. Servicing cost is included in the original price. 4. It is difficult to export the services from developed countries (U.S) to developing countries such as India. The reason is that the cost of producing the services in a developing country is much lower than the cost incurred in developed economies. The glaring example is IT (Information Technology) services outsourced to countries like India, China where the cost of production is much less. Answer 2. Difficulties in the Balance of Payment (B.O.P) of the U.S in the present time US is facing Balance of Payment problem since last many years and it is steadily increasing from 1 percent in 1995 to almost 8 percent of the GDP now. The reasons for such high deficits are many and varied and can be enumerated as per the following. (Riley, Geoff 2006) 1. It is an indication of high consumption with a weaker industrial sector. Consumers are spending beyond their means leading to higher household debt. 2. A trade deficit is also an indication of loss of employment and output. It is a net leakage between income and spending. 3. Currency value (read $) comes under pressure against other leading currencies and continue to depreciates as deficit continues or rises. This also necessitates an increase in interest rates by the central bank. Answer 3. Compare and contrast the structure of the E.U and the USA (NAFTA). NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) is a treaty between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. NAFTA has been operational since 1994. It governs the entire North American trade. NAFTA agreement has removed the tariffs between the member countries Mexico, Canada, and U.S for goods shipped between them. This has resulted into the purchase of goods by Mexico in large quantities from U.S. This results into savings for Mexican companies on imports and it saves American company considerably on shipping costs. In contrast, EU has large number of member countries in it fostering similar cooperation among them. The major difference between these two is that EU members trade in a common currency but NAFTA members do not have any common c urrency. Moreover, EU has its own political charter in contrast to NAFTA who does not have any. Answer 4. Explain Ricardo’s theory of trade and compare it to the H-O theory of trade? The theory of comparative advantage is behind the international trade in which both the countries benefit from the trade. Ricardo explained this in his book on the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation giving example of England and Portugal. Portugal produces wine and cloth with less labor compared to England for the