Recruitment and Selection Strategies

Self Concept Paper

Self Concept Paper Free Online Research Papers There have been many things that I have learned about myself in the past few weeks. I have learned many things about myself that I would have never known if it was not for this course. I have learned about my self concept, attitudes and feelings and things that might be influenced by gender roles. I have also learned about social influence, group dynamics and relationships. In many ways I learned about myself and how to describe the way that I am and the way that I think. I have learned that I am a creative and compassionate. I belief that I am a kind person. I am a creative person because I love to put things together. I like to let my imagination run and make things looks more exciting. I use my hands to make arts and crafts which I usually give away to family and friends. I also think that I am a very good listener which makes me a very compassionate person. I try to support anyone that may need my help without expecting anything in return. Even though I do not have much, I like to extend my hand and try to help others when they are in need. I try to put myself in the shoes of the people who are suffering and try to support them in any way possible because if I were in their shoes, I would also want someone to help me. My heart is fill with kindness. I try to offer my help to people whenever I know they need it, without waiting to be asked for help. I am willing to sacrifice many things for my family, friends or anyone who I might be able to help. Self-Serving bias plays a big part in my life. I have learned that when something negative happens I usually blame someone else. It takes a significant amount of time before I realize that I could have changed the outcome of what happened if I would have invested more time in it. When something good or positive happens in my life, I give full credit to myself and sometimes fail to thanks those that helped me and guided me. People might think that I am self centered and selfish when I do not give credit to others that helped me. I also consider myself to be interdependent because I depend on my husband for a lot of things. For example, I know that he takes out the trash can every week to the curbside. I never take it out because I already know that he is going to do so. When he does forget and the trash can stays inside, I blame him for forgetting to do his task. Internal locus control is something that plays a major part in my self-concept. This course made me understand that I have very strong internal locus of control and a very low percentage of external locus of control. The Wilderdom.com, states that with external locus control an individual believes that his or her behavior is guided by fate, luck, or other external circumstances (2006). I am the type of person that believes the opposite; I believe that my behavior and any outcome are guided by my own personal decisions and efforts. For example, my husband and I have been trying to conceive for the past two years with no luck. Everyone would just tell us to just let fate take over and that we would eventually have a baby. I started having pelvic pain a couple of months ago and my gynecologist did some ultrasounds. He found what he thought were cysts in one of my ovaries and immediately scheduled me for surgery. During surgery he did not find any cysts but he found a tremendous amount of endometriosis. The gynecologist thinks that this might be the reason of infertility but thinks that it will eventually go away. I remembered all of the times that people would tell me not to worry and to leave everything to fate. I asked my doctor to refer me to a fertility doctor. He was not so sure he wanted to refer me just yet but saw that my mind was already made up and decided to do so. It turned out that the fertility doctor is also an endometriosis specialist and will start me on treatment for both things immediately. If I would have left everything up to fate, I would most likely still be waiting and would still not be on treatment. I think that it is better that I have internal locus of control rather than external. I do not wait around for people to help me or figure things out for me. I go and look and answer or a solution myself. According to Changing Minds Org., confirmation bias is when we have made a decision or build a hypothesis; we will actively seek things which will confirm our decision or hypothesis (2008). People have the tendency of making up things, then they start believing in it and at the end it can turn out to be a reality. Before I was diagnosed with endemetriosis, I started having some pelvis pain. I immediately made up my mine that something as wrong with me. I had already dignosed myself with a bunch of illnesses before even going to the doctor. I started reasearching on the internet a many side effect for all kinds of illneses. When I finally had my appointment with the doctor, he requested an ultrasound and indeed though he had found cysts on my ovaries which was the first thing I thought I had. I went in to surgery a week later and the doctor did not find any cysts but a condition called endemetriosis. Since first day I first started feeling pain, I knew something was wrong. My own dign ostics were not correct, but it was confirmed that there was something definnetly wrong with me. I need to know all of the facts and not just assumptions that have been put out in the open. I do have the tendency of making up my mind about things that have to do with me or about others and do not even give them the chance to redeemm themselves. I ususally try to avoid anything that will make me change my mind. Behaviour is something that has always influenced my attitudes. I start getting comfortable with a way of life and usually take it for grant it. For example, I have been at my present job for a little bit over a year. I got hired as a accounts receivable clerk, but little by little they have been giving me more responsibilities to take. I have been doing certain tasks that belong to four different departments. I got really comforatble, the more responsibilities they gave me the more I felt irreplaceable and full of knowledge. My attitude started changing, I felt more comfortable and as if I could get everything done. It got to the point to where I had to much work and could not even finish one task before starting another one. Everything was left unfinished. My attitude then started to show signs of worrieness and stress. I had to go ask for help and let them know that I was struggling. The manager decided to give some of my resposiblities to soemeone else ans now my attitude is onc e again positive. My mother was a single parent rasing my sister and myself. Although my mom was a signle parent she always tried to teach us that once we would get married we would need to do everything possible to take care of our husbands. She use to also tell us that the reason she was a single parent was beause she had pressured my father to much in to helping her with all kind of things. She wanted us to be able to succeed in our marriages and therefore was trying to incolcute ways of thinking. My mom would always tell me that men are always dominant over wome in a household and therefore we needed to always do what they would ask for. She use to tell us to avoid any conflict with our spouses but never to take any abuse from them. My husband and I both work, but when it comes to the household chores they all fall on me. I was taught by mom to not ask for his help and I never do. If he offers to help, which he usually does, I take his offer and let help around but always with my mother’s comments reinstating themselves in my mind. On a daily basis the degree of conform in my life is not very high. If I am in disagreement with someone over something that we need to discuss, I usally give them all the points to backup my stament. If I do not agree with someone, I let them know right away. This might make me look as a conflictual person but it is just a way if letting them know that I am not going to agree with them just to be in complete harmony with them. I tend to stick to my decisions and to my first instinct. For example, sometimes at work I am given assignments were I need to make decisions and work on them by myself. I usually try to go with what I think and not ask anyone else. The more I think about it, the more that it makes me nervous to think that someone might have a different opinion, that is why I just stick to my solutions and go with them. There are other times when a group needs to come up with a solution to a problem. In many of those occasions, some of my coworkers just want to finish work ass ignments and will just to throw in ideas that do not make sense. Sometimes I am the only one that does not agree with them and it creates a little bit of problems. I always make sure that my side of the story as to why I am not agreeing with them and why they need to listen to me is heard. Many times we will do something against our personal ethics simply because an authority has asked and we might be afraid of the consequences. We might feel that what the authority is asking is the right thing to do even if we do not agree. We might also feel insecure about making our own decisions so we simply go with what the authority says and obey any command. In the everyday life authority affects obedience in many ways. I used to work at a company where I was the bookkeeper. I knew that my boss was using the company’s money for his own personal expenses. He would always give me the receipts and asked me to put it in as a business expense. I knew that it was wrong but also felt that I needed to obey in order to not get fired. The foot-in-the-door technique was once used persuade me in to joining a committee. The committee was supposed to organize all employee events. I did no really want to join because I already had too many responsibilities at work and I was also going to school. The chairperson of the committee approached and asked me to join because she was really in need of someone that had a company credit card to make all of the necessary purchases. I agree to join the committee to help them whenever they needed to use my credit card. Later they asked me to go do all of the purchase on my own and a few weeks later they asked me to organize one event. A few months later the chairperson was leaving on maternity leave and without asking, appointed me to take over all of her responsibilities. A year later, I felt that it was too much work for me; I decided to use the same technique and followed the same steps to appoint someone to take my place. The presence of others produces changes in our level of performance and awareness in many ways. After I was diagnosed with endometriosis, I started researching the illness and in most sites it states that abstaining from alcohol will limit the illness from progressing any further. I am a social drinker and have found hard to limit myself when there are people that are drinking around me. I tend to change my behavior and usually give in and have a couple drinks with my friends. The Journal of Studies in Alcohol states that expecting people to behave appropriately when under the influence of alcohol may lead to significant behavioral changes. I have found it really difficult to stay around people who are drinking and when I am not, they usually get on my bad side faster. In this course I have learned about group dynamics. I have learned about social loafing and deindividuation. There are many ideas on how to deal with social loafing. In the same committee that was appointed to, there was a lot of social loafing going on. There were many members in the group but most of them were not active. They only time the non-active members would show up was when there was a free lunch. The non-active members would always take credit for things that they would never participate in. We, the active members, finally gave them an ultimatum, to either show up to all of the events or say goodbye to the group. Needless to say, we lost a major percentage of members. After the ultimatum, the members that did stay became more responsible and active in the group. There was never again and issue that had to do with social loafing within the group. Members of a group can also become deindividuated in the presence of other group members. There were may times when this particu lar group was not listed to if all members were not present. People become deindividuated when they loose their self esteem, when they are looking for something to make them feel better or for many other reasons. For example, when someone joins a cult, they become deindividuated. The presence of others exist in a cult and everyone is look at the same way expect for the people that are running the cult. In my opinion, the personality is what makes someone attractive. When someone treats others with respect they are attractive. Facial features also matter but the personality is definitely the most important thing to make someone attractive. Similarities in couples help sustain a relationship. People with similar interests are more attracted to each other because they find things to do together. They are able to do things that each other like with out feeling that they have to do it for the purpose of making someone else happy. Couples, who like similar things, find each other interesting and understand each other. Similar interests create lasting sustainability in a relationship and usually are free of conflict. Communication is a perfect method to be used to resolve conflict and for reconciling. For example, my two small nieces were misbehaving and fighting with each other. They had asked me earlier to take them to McDonalds. I sat down and talked to them, I told them that they had to behave for the next two hours in order for me to take them were they wanted to go. I had to bargain with them because there was no other way they were willing to listen. They decided to behave and I decided to take them to McDonalds. With my nieces I use arbitration frequently. They are about the same age and tend to fight with each other very frequently. They both seem to think that they are always right. When issues like this happen, I try to get involved for mediation. I am very neutral when it comes to them and try to help them resolve any issues so that they can stop fighting. Many of the times, they just need for me to listen to what they have to say in order for them to go about their day and keep on p laying with each other. These methods usually resolve many of the conflicts that might arise at my home. This course has helped me to understand and get to know myself better. It has also helped me use methods to resolve conflicts and to overcome them. It has helped me understand my attitudes and feelings. I learned that gender roles play a big part in my life. I learned about myself and how working with others can change my perspective in things. This course has helped in many ways. The best way to understand myself is by knowing myself. References (2008). Confirmation Bias. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from ChangingMinds.org Web site: http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/confirmation_bias.htm Neill, James (2006, 12, 6). What is Locus of Control?. Retrieved December 13, 2008 from wilderdom.com Web site: http://wilderdom.com/psychology/loc/LocusOfControlWhatIs.html Source Citation:Zack, M., and M. Vogel-Sprott. Drunk or sober? Learned conformity to a behavioral standard. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 58.n5 (Sept 1997): 495(7). General OneFile. Gale. Apollo Library. 13 Dec. 2008 . Gale Document Number:A19715245 Research Papers on Self Concept PaperStandardized TestingThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseLifes What IfsEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in Capital19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraQuebec and Canada

Traditional and Contemporary Architecture. Conflict, coexistence or Essay

Traditional and Contemporary Architecture. Conflict, coexistence or indignation - Essay Example Simard and Mercier studied the procedure of community building in Quebec City and found that ‘the city produced by post modernity (2) stands out at two different but interdependent levels: as regards changes to the urban form and in the area of planning practices and policies. Respecting the issue of urban form, the contemporary city is beset by a series of social, economic and geographical transformations’. As examples the following facts are referred: ‘the rise of information technologies, the increase in social divisions and the relocating of central activities’. Overall, ‘it appears that the post-modern city is undergoing a process of atomization which, in turn, leads to a crystallizing of differences and enclaves. Seen from a historical perspective, the city becomes a highly complex environment which is constantly being reconstituted’. (Simard, Mercier, 2001, 25). According to the Sear (1998) in ancient Rome the structure of the public authority the responsible for the state’s architecture was as follows: ‘Roman architects worked for the army, the civil service or were in private practice. We possess a good deal of background evidence about them as well as an entire treatise on the subject, written by Vitruvius in about 23 BC. Amongst other things it is explained how a Roman architect drew up plans, elevations and shaded perspective drawings of his buildings. A skilled draughtsman, he says, ought to be able to produce coloured drawings to convey an impression of the work which he proposes’. He also found that ‘Geometry is a great help in architecture. It teaches us the use of the rule and compasses, and facilitates the layout and planning of buildings by the use of the set-squares, the level and the plumbline. Moreover by means of optics the light in buildings can be correctly drawn from fixed quarters of the sky. Also it is by

Television is the most important source of news for young people Essay - 1

Television is the most important source of news for young people today.to what extent do you agree - Essay Example Therefore, it stands to logic that television continues to be one of not the most important news sources for young people today. According to the American Press Institute, the conventional wisdom that people only get their news reports from a single source is a thing of the past. With the advent of streaming media, free access to online newspapers, and the rise of social media as a real time news source, no single form of technological information dissemination should be considered to be the primary mode. Most specially since there is at least a one hour gap between social media and internet news updates (since people post the news they experience as it happens) and television. (The American Press Institute, n.d.). Young adults today do not have the kind of patience and attention span of previous generations that allowed them to wait till they got home to confirm the news that they had heard during the day either from conversations with others, or headlines of the newspapers they pass at the newsstands. Surveys done in 2008 indicate that young adults tend to consider traditional news to be far too boring, time consuming, and old fashioned in a world where they gotten used to having everything they need at their fingertips. In this case, a swipe of their mobile phones, tablets, or laptops (Lewis, 2008). Furthermore, when a 2004 survey delved into the types of news media sources that young adults preferred to use, the results showed that 44% of young adults preferred to use the internet for news over the 35% that opted for the newspapers. and the 25% and 22% that would still use local and cable TV respectively (Lewis, 2008). Therefore, it stands to reason that as the internet and social media continue to grow its influence over the current generation of young adults, we will, as a society, continue to see a decline in the use of television as a primary

American-Spanish War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American-Spanish War - Essay Example In the history of the United States, the Spanish-American War (SAW) is one of the most important foreign wars. The result of the war was the victory for the United States, and this victory became possible due to the hard work and efforts of far-sighted Americans, particularly known as â€Å"Navalists†. The contemporary world would have looked quite different today, if the United States had not won this war. The United States was able to defeat Spain so easily because some far-sighted Americans, such as Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge, were able to develop a strong American fleet. Creating a strong navy was one of the most important ways to protect the national interest and sovereignty of the United States. The navy was to be the backbone of the American power for years to come . The U.S. was able to defeat Spain at considerably low cost as it got prepared better both military and psychologically, to a large extent The background of the war actually propelled the United States to embark on the policy of revenge, and to take wide public opinion. On February 15, 1898, an explosion occurred in the USS Maine, in the Havana Harbor, which led to the war. Another reason was the idea of freeing Cuba from Spanish domination. However, the USA was able to rapidly gain control, and build an empire effectively. After it had drive Spain from Cuba, the United States was able to gain control of Puerto Rico, and eventually Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, Philippines, and then eventually Hawaii . The war only lasted around 3 months, and resulted in very few casualties, around 400 killed and wounded. In fact, the anti-Spanish press was able to raise the public against Spain, which led to mass support, which is essential in wars. Such anti-Spanish press included the â€Å"Yellow Journalism†. ... It was also because of the misrule by Spanish in Cuba, and the misery that it had caused, which led to huge nationalistic outburst.6 The fact that the United States was so strong militarily also paved the way for the swift and relatively easy victory. The U.S did not have to protect any colonies abroad. Additionally, the strong navy was built, which was encouraged by both business and government leaders. A modernization program had been started back in 1881, which had included innovations, which included new ships having steel hulls, large, rifled guns and steam engines. The strong U.S navy was able to defeat Spain easily, because Spain could not compete with the all-steel and steam navy, which had ranked one of the top five navies in the world at that particular period. The Spanish navy was easily defeated. 7 Additionally, the government policies, as well as the high quality of leadership also made Spanish defeat extremely easy. Theodore Roosevelt had a policy, which was summarized â€Å"Speak softly but carry a big stick† showed that there were masterminds behind the development of this plan. The building up of the navy, and the subsequent annexations that the U.S pursued ensured that Spain no longer stood a chance. 8 The Monroe Doctrine also stated that the New World would not be part of foreign colonization, which is why American leadership did not want Spanish presence in Cuba. The leadership eventually turned against Spain, and America’s policies and strength diverted to driving out Spain. Additionally, as historians have examined, Spain was an old and weak country, while the United States was vigorous, new and energetic. It had new strategies.9 As Barrett wrote: â€Å"When Dewey’s squadron sailed out from Mires

Financial Statement Analysis Of Marks And Spencers

Financial Statement Analysis Of Marks And Spencers This report will analyze Marks and Spencers financial statements for 2008 and 2009 using ratio analysis. Findings show that Marks and Spencer have not had a very good profitable year in comparison with 2008. The purpose of this report is to analyze the figures and to point out some of the reasons for the deprived performance. Table of Contents Aim of report 1 Ratio Analysis 1 Profitability ratios 1 Liquidity ratio 2 Performance ratio 3 Evaluation on profitability 5 Evaluation of the liquidity position 6 Information provided for the user groups 7 Conclusion 11 Recommendations 12 Bibliography 13 Evaluation of the assignment 14 Aim of Report This report will analyze Marks and Spencers financial statements for 2008 and 2009 using ratio analysis, explanations will be given on why the changes have occurred in the companies profitability, liquidity and what impact the changes have caused on the company. The companies annual report will be examined from the point of view of each set of its potential users. Ratio analysis An accounting ratio as suggested by Melville (1999) is the evaluation of a relationship which exists between two figures shown in a set of financial statements. In the following report mainly the profitability, liquidity and performance ratio will be discussed. Profitability Ratios The profitability ratios are used to evaluate whether the business was able to produce an acceptable level of profit. Gross profit % ratio This ratio shows the gross profit in comparison to sales. The higher the ratio percentage the better it is for the company. Gross profit/ sales x 100 2008 ( £M) 2009 ( £M)  £1,211.3/ £9,022.0100 =13.43%  £870.7/ £9,062.1100 =9.61% The gross profit margin has decreased from 2008 to 2009 by 3.82%. Pretax profit % ratio This ratio shows the net profit before tax in comparison to sales. The higher the ratio percentage the better it is for the company. Profit before taxation/ sales x 100 2008 ( £M) 2009 ( £M)  £1,129.1/ £9,022.0100 =12.51%  £706.2/ £9,062.1100 =7.79% The net profit before tax margin has decreased from 2008 to 2009 by 4.72%. After tax profit % ratio This ratio shows the net profit after tax in comparison to sales. The higher the ratio percentage the better it is for the company. Profit after tax/ sales x 100 2008 ( £M) 2009 ( £M)  £821.0/ £9,022.0100 =9.10%  £506.8/ £9,062.1100 =5.59% The net profit after tax margin has decreased from 2008 to 2009 by 3.51%. Liquidity ratios The liquidity ratios are an assessment so as to ensure whether the business is able to pay of its debts as they fall due. Current ratio This ratio shows how well the company can meet its short-term financial obligations from its current assets. Usually the optimum result is 1:1 or more, but this will vary with each company. Current assets/current liabilities 2008 ( £M) 2009 ( £M)  £1,181.7/ £1,988.9=0.594:1  £1,389.8/ £2,306.9=0.602:1 The current ratio has increased from 2008 to 2009 by 0.008. Quick ratio This ratio shows how well the company can meet its short-term financial obligations from its current assets, removing stock from the calculation. The ratio removes stock because it is the least liquid current asset. Usually the optimum result is 1:1 or more, but this will vary with each company. Quick Ratio = (Current assets- inventory)/current liabilities 2008 ( £M) 2009 ( £M) ( £1,181.7  £488.9)/  £1,988.9=0.348:1 ( £1,389.8  £536.0)/  £2,306.9=0.370:1 The quick ratio has increased from 2008 to 2009 by 0.022. Gearing ratio This ratio shows how much of the companys long-term funds are supported by lenders. Below 50% is seen as low geared and good. Above 50% is seen as a cause of concern. Gearing ratio = Total borrowings / equity * 100 2008 ( £M) 2009 ( £M)  £2815.1/ £1964.0 * 100 =143%  £3060.7/ £2,100.6 * 100 =146% The gearing ratio has increased from 143% to 146%. Debt ratio (Ward, 2010) This ratio shows how much the company is in debt. Usually the optimum result is 1:1 or less, but this will vary with each company. Debt ratio = Total liabilities / total assets 2008 ( £M) 2009 ( £M)  £5,197.0/ £7,161.0=0.726:1  £5,157.5/ £7,258.1=0.711:1 The debt ratio has decreased from 2008 to 2009 by 0.015. Performance Ratio This ratio helps in calculating the efficiency in the operation of the business through effective utilisation of its resources. After Tax Profit as % of Noncurrent Assets This ratio helps as to analyze the percentage of profit the business has made by utilising its noncurrent assets. After Tax Profit as % of Noncurrent Assets = Profit after tax / Noncurrent Assets 2009 ( £M) 2008 ( £M)  £506.8 /  £5868.3 = 8.63%  £821.0 /  £5979.3 = 13.73% From this ratio it is clear that M and S was not able to make much profit in 2009 as compared to 2008. In 2008 M and S was able to produce a profit of 13.73% by the utilization of its fixed assets but by reaching 2009 the profit made has decreased to 8.63% thus there was a decline in the profit by 5.1%. After Tax Profit as a % of shareholders Fund This ratio helps to analyze the amount of profit which the business was able to generate from the utilization of the shareholders fund. After Tax Profit as a % of shareholders Fund = Profit after tax / Total Equity 2009 ( £M) 2008 ( £M)  £506.8 / £ 2100.6 = 24.10%  £821.0 /  £1964.0 = 41.8% From the ratio it is again clear that the utilization of the shareholders fund so as to generate profit has also decreased in 2009 by 17.7%, i.e., in 2008 M and S was able to generate a profit of 41.8% which has reduced to 24.10% in 2009. Even though the company was not able to generate adequate profit from the shareholders fund, the company was able to increase the dividend of the shareholders from 20.3p to 22.5p (Pg: 78). Earnings per Share As suggested by McLaney and Atrill (1999), earnings per share is the amount of profit that has been earned from each ordinary share. 2009 ( £M) 2008 ( £M) 32.3 (Pg: 78) 49.2 (Pg: 78) From the figures listed above it is clear that the shares for 2009 where only providing an earning of 32.3p as compared to last year which was 49.2p thereby creating a difference of 16.9p. Dividend per Share As suggested by Melville (1999), dividend per share is the amount of dividend allotted for each share for the stock held by the shareholder. 2009 ( £M) 2008 ( £M) 22.5p (Pg: 90) 20.3p (Pg: 90) Even though the earnings per share and the after tax profit as a percentage of shareholders fund where all less M and S was able to provide a decent standard of dividend 22.5p to its shareholders as compared to 2008 which was only 20.3p. This shows that M and S are taking proper steps so as to keep their shareholders happy. Return on Capital Employed As suggested by Weaver and Lunt (2003), this ratio helps those who have invested in the business to analyze the amount of profit the business is making from the utilization of this capital. Return on capital employed = Profit after Tax/ (Total Assets Current Liabilities) * 100 2009 ( £M) 2008 ( £M) [ £506.8 / ( £7258.1  £2306.9)] * 100 [ £821 / ( £7161-  £1988.9)] * 100 = 10.24% =15.87% From this ratio it is obvious that M and S was not able to utilize its capital to the maximum level. In 2008 the company was able to provide a return on capital of 15.87% which reduced to 10.24% as it reached 2009. Evaluation of the profitability of Marks and Spencers Examining the results from the ratio results show each ratio has decreased in 2009 in comparison with 2008. The reasons behind the gross profit ratio decreasing were because the gross profit had decreased by  £340.6m in 2009 (p78). The gross profit had decreased because of the increase of the cost of sales by  £155m (p87). The increase in cost of sales maybe due to the increase in purchases over the year as MS increased their buying by 10 times a year (p28). The reasons behind the pretax profit ratio decreasing were because the pretax profit had decreased by  £422.9m in 2009 (p78). The pretax profit had decreased because of the increase in finance costs by  £67.9m (p78). The increase in the finance costs is due to the increase in interest payable and the increase in the unwinding on the discount of partnership liability to the MS UK pension scheme (p89). The reasons behind the after tax profit ratio decreasing were because the after tax profit had decreased by  £314.2m in 2009 (p78). The after tax profit had decreased because of the exceptional costs being stated (p78). The exceptional costs have occurred were not regular running costs and were due to property related costs, rationalisation of IT and logistic networks and redundancy costs (p88). Income tax was not a problem has it had decreased in 2009 (p78). Internal factors which had an impact on the profitability of MS were: Despite the economic recession sales revenue figures had gone up from the previous year (p78), giving a positive impact on the profitability. The finance costs of interest payable had increased to the previous year (p89), giving a negative impact on profitability. Exceptional costs and the exceptional pension credit during 2009 gave a negative impact on the profitability, as the Group had decided to make changes to the pension scheme (p88). Selling and marketing expenses had been decreased in 2009 (p87) to keep up with a tight budget (p14), this gave a positive impact on the profitability. Income tax paid this year was less compared to last year (p78), but as this was due to a lower pretax profit (p78), it still played a positive impact on the profitability. Finance income had decreased in comparison to 2008 (p78), this was due to the exceptional costs of  £135.9m and the decrease in franchised stores (p86). Profit before property disposals and exceptional items had decreased over the year (p78) and this created a negative impact on the profitability. External factors which had an impact on the profitability of MS were: The economic recession which MS along with other high street retailers had to face (p14), impacted the profitability of MS. Customers were not spending as freely as they would normally, resulting in lower sales figures in some areas and therefore lower profit levels. The pace of growth of MS and its services was slow due to the recession (p5). Due to the recession costs had to be lowered to lure customers (p14) this in result had a negative result on the profitability. The sterling currency rate had decreased in 2009 compared to 2008 (p104). Therefore any foreign business would have been affected by this change, resulting in a negative impact on the profitability. Evaluation of the liquidity position of Marks and Spencers Liquidity ratios are used to show the ability of the company to turn its assets into cash as quickly as possible and to measure the ability of the company to pay of its short-term debts and expenses within the expected time. One of the two main liquidity ratios are Current ratio and Quick ratio. It is always good to have a high liquidity ratio as it show the ability of the business to pay of its debt within the expected time. However if these ratios are too high this means that the business is having too much of current assets which are not used nor utilized as efficiently as required in order to deal with the day to day activities. Retail sector of M and S involves purchasing goods and trading cash on credit from its suppliers and for this reason cash flow statements are included. A cash flow statement is used in order to show the cash inflows and outflows of the business thereby providing a better liquidity assessment for M and S. This in fact helps outsiders to analyze the whether M and S is able to generate adequate cash from its day to day operations. The closing net cash has increased to a great extend from  £117.9m in 2008 to  £298.3m in 2009. Even though during these recession period M and S was able to show a good closing cash figure this in fact shows their ability to manage cash. Decrease in net cash outflow from operating activities from  £966.2m in 2008 to  £596.9m in 2009. (p80) This cash generated from the operating activities enabled them to spent on financial activities. Increase in net cash inflow from operation activities from  £1069.8m in 2008 to  £1290.6m in 2009. (p80) The main reason for such a good cash flow in 2009 as compared to 2008 is because of the cost reduction where ever possible(p1). By analyzing the liquidity ratios of M and S the following findings were found out: The current ratio of M and S operating in retail sector was 0.59: 1 in 2008 and 0.60:1 in 2009. This shows that M and S had 59p in current assets so as to pay of every  £1 worth of current liabilities in 2008 and 60p of current assets so as to pay of every  £1 current liability in 2009 The quick ratio in fact showed that the company had 37p worth of current assets to pay off every  £1 worth of current liability after deducting closing stock for 2009 and 35p for 2008. This in fact shows that the firm is under liquidity due to the fact that the company has fewer assets than liabilities. As already explained above the debt ratio shows how much the company is in liability over its assets. By looking at debt ratio for M and S it has decreased from 0.73:1 in 2008 to 71:1 in 2009 which is good as it suggests that the company was able to pay of its debts within the due date. The gearing ratio in fact measures the proportion of M and Ss long term funds provided by the lenders. By comparing the gearing ratio in 2009 which was 146% to the gearing ratio in 2008 which was 143%, it shows that M and S was able to increase their credit worthiness. Thus by increasing their credit worthiness they are able to gain further loans in ease. Information provided in the report for its users (Nyarko, 2009) Employees Employees provide labor for the company; they need financial information to ensure they have a secure job and are being made correctly. The report has the following information useful for employees: Closure of 26 mostly Simply food stores (p6) Reduce roles across head office by 15% (p15) Cap level of pay increase (p6) Early retirement reductions given (p6) Legal and safety performance improved from 80% to 92% (p14) Opened 75 stores (p15) Plan to open 10-15 stores within two years in the Indian subcontinent (p39) Introduced new development programs tailor made for growing tomorrows leaders (p46) Reinforced lines of communication between management and colleagues at every level (p46) One of the lowest UK turnover rates (p46) Training given across each field (p44) Communication improved using tools like In store listening groups (p47) 44 employees celebrated 40 years working for MS (p47) 40,000 great service awards for staff who have excelled in their role (p47) Over 3,500 elected employee representatives from every part of the business in the MS business involvement groups (BIG) (p47) Decrease of 83.3% on bonuses (p48) Pay for performance to be central for decisions (p62) Employees with disabilities given a full and fair consideration for all vacancies (p75) Increase in wage and salary cost by  £48m (p91) Shareholders Shareholders provide equity for the company; they need financial information to make economic decisions. The report has the following information useful for shareholders: Dividends cut by 20.9% (p1) Adjusted profits down 40% (p2) Largest clothes market share (p2) Clothes value market share decreased by 0.3% (p2) M S direct sales up 19.0% (p19) International growth up by 25.9% (p38) Growth by 15% of the Italian range in the food sector (p7) Kids wear increased market share by 0.6%pts and putting MS fourth in the market (p8) Earnings per share 28.0p down by 35.8% (p14) UK gross margin down 1.7% pts (p14) UK market share clothing and footwear down by 0.5% (p18) Carbon emission down by 18% (p19) Reduction in dividends payout by 33.3% (p49) After tax profit down by 314.2m (p78) Increase in retained earnings by  £20.2m (p79) Management The management is the executive and non executive directors of the company, they need financial information to determine if the company is making good progress or not and to make claims for performance related bonus issues. The report has the following information useful for management: Adjusted group profit before tax down by 40% (p2) 39 out of 100 rigorous commitments as part of plan A achieved (p9) New and old members in management team (p10) Group revenue up by 0.4% (p14) Group capital expenditure down by 38.2% (p15) UK sales down by 1.7% (p14) Operating cost up by 4.9% (p14) Adjusted operating profit down by 29.4% (p14) Profit before tax down by 40.0% (p14) 80% of portfolio into modernized format (p15) UK footfall down from  £21.8m to  £21.6m (p18) UKs fourth largest coffee shop chain (p25) Womens wear value market share down by 0.6%pts (p26) Womens wear volume market share down by 0.8%pts (p26) Lingerie value market share up by 0.4%pts (p29) Lingerie volume market share up by 1.2%pts (p29) Menswear value market share down by 0.4%pts (p30) Menswear volume marker share down by 0.2%pts (p30) Kids wear value market share up by 0.6%pts (p31) Kids wear volume market share up by 0.7%pts (p31) Food value market share down by 0.4%pts (p32) UK home sales up by 1.1% (p35) Customers Customers are those who buy from the company, they need financial information to compare financial information and product quality with other companies. The report has the following information useful for customers: New products and services introduced (p1) Building international portfolio (p1) Improve value without compromising quality (p57) Enticed an additional 200,000 under 35s into store for womens wear (p3) Four menswear brands ranging from  £4 to  £499 (p4) New promotions introduced e.g. dress for less (p6) Marketing cost 8.6% lower (p15) Opened 75 stores (p15) Womens wear and menswear divided up into different brands aimed at different customers (p26-30) Style magazines best shop for lingerie 2008 (p29) Top quality food by watchdog survey (p32) Added new products and ranges to home products (p35) Best new skincare product award (p35) Food to order catering service launched (p36) Remodeled 24 stores (p40) Leeds and Liverpool stores modernized upcoming year (p40) Reduced food carrier bag use by 83% (p43) Meet over 67% of the FSAs salt targets for 2010 (p44) The board supported by different committees to help its governance accountabilities (p50) MS core focus on quality, value, service, innovation and trust (p32-34) Suppliers Suppliers are those who sell to the company, they need financial information to check for credit worthiness of the company against others. The report has the following information useful for suppliers: Net debt down to  £2.5bn from  £3.1bn (p16) Increased buying from suppliers to 10 times a year (p28) Trained 1000 suppliers on ethical standards (p34) 2008 compassion in world farming compassionate supermarket of the year award (p34) Paying farmers a fixed and industry leading price for their milk (p34) Engaged in profitable partnerships (p51) Increase in cash flow levels by  £180.4m (p80) Improved net debt by  £586.9m (p80) Increase in current liabilities of trade by  £96.9m (p79) Continue as going concern (p76) Banks and other lenders Usually banks (or other lenders) provide financial help to businesses by providing money. The main concern of these banks and lenders when deciding to provide money to a business is to make sure the business is capable to keep up interest payments during the course of the loan and eventually repay the loan at the due date. Thus the banks require this financial information so as to analyze the financial position and prospects of the business in order to provide them their loans. The bankers and other lenders require the following information from the report: M and S creditors payment policies. (p75) The profit which has decreased by  £314.2m by comparing 2008 an 2009. This might increase the pressure among the lenders to make the company to return their money. (p78) Decreased noncurrent assets by  £111m, so as to seize the assets in case of non return of the loans. (p79) Current assets and Current liability which have both increased by  £208.1m and  £318m respectively. This would enable the lenders and banks to determine liquidity position of the company. (p79) Consolidated cash flow information, repayment of syndicate banks which has reduced to  £108.1m in 2009. This shows the company was able to deal in 2009 with fewer loans. (p80) The Governments The main reason for the governments to use the financial information of the company is to ensure whether the business is keeping up with their tax payments. The other reasons are to regulate the business and to provide national economic statistics. They are also responsible for preventing the business from any fraudulent acts. The report has the following information important for the government. External auditors report (p77) this enables the government to look at the fairness in the operation of M and S. Deferred tax decreased from  £372.1m to  £225.5m.(p79) Tax Authorities The taxation authorities are responsible for calculating the taxation liability from the accounting report provided by the company. Competitors Competitors may use the accounting information provided by their rivals so as to find ways to improve their own financial position. Due to this reason, usually businesses are keen in keeping their accounting information as private as possible. The General Public The businesses which are big and powerful are of interest to the general public. They usually require the policies of the organization so as to know how these policies would impact the community. The public would also want to know whether the business is running in profit or not. The general public would use the accounting information for the following reasons: Old people would like to know about the pension schemes. (p102) Whether the business operations are affecting climate change. (42) Conclusion Concluding the report the findings show Marks and Spencer have not had very good profitable year in comparison with 2008, with a deduction of after tax profit by 3.51%. This is vastly due to the economic recession which has been an external negative factor for all the High Street shops. Another reason for the deduction in profit levels was due to exceptional costs which incurred during the year. However MS have managed to increase their sales by  £40.1M by investing in their costs. They were able to gain growth in certain market sectors and make 80% of its portfolio into a modernized format. MS achieved several awards for their products and the services they provided during the year, which improved their brand image. MS were able to achieve 39 out of 100 of its commitments made to Plan A, which is a long term project to create an eco-friendly business. Examples of these are the reduction of carbon emissions by 18% and reducing food carrier bag usage by 83%.While MS closed down 26 u nderperforming stores, they managed to open 75 new stores. MS has one of UKs lowest turnover rates, as they were able to celebrate 40 years of working for MS by 44 of its employees. The employees wage and salary costs had been raised by  £48M in comparison with 2008, this shows MS was employing more people and paying their employees fairly. Although there had been a dividends cut of 20.9%, there had been an increase of retained earnings by  £20.2M; this maybe to due to MS retaining income for a rainy day, in the present times of the economic recession, or for further future investment. Recommendations To improve Marks and Spencers overall performance and to create a sustainable going concern business, it should: Continue to treat its employees well and award them for their performance to avoid losing any trained staff and maintain its good employer record. Increase its costs on selling and marketing to make customers aware of new products and services MS has to offer. This is return should compensate for the decrease in this years market share decreases. Research past data along with any future investment plans, to try to predict any exceptional costs which may occur. These can then be prepared for so the profit levels are not damaged to vastly. Continue to create innovative products and services which help to win awards for MS, as they will improve the brand image of the company as well as generate more sales. Think of ways to compensate the losses the shareholders have incurred this say year otherwise they may decide to sell them back. Continue to achieve more of Plan A commitments to try to help the society MS operates in, this in return will also create a stronger brand image for the company. Continue to improve on their cash flow levels, so they always have enough to counter any recession associated problems and do not run into liquidation. Look for niches in each of the market sectors by carrying out market research and create products and services in tune with the market needs, to attract more customers, generate more sales and improve the companys overall profit levels.

Hulk Smash Essay -- Art

Throughout history, the graphic form has been used as a means of conveying information of many forms such as story, words of warning, or even propaganda (Van Meter). In its more recent shape, the modern comic, the graphic work was often treated as a lowly form of art suitable primarily for adolescents and children seeking entertainment (Cengage). This mindset about comics continued until the mid 1980’s, at which point it was shattered by the arrival of â€Å"Maus†; a graphic novel that documented the experiences of a Holocaust survivor (Spiegelman). After winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1992, Spiegelman’s work opened the door to a whole world of possibilities for the graphic form in scholarly pursuits. Though this event brought about the birth of countless graphic narratives, each responsible for shedding light on modern historical travesties, it is my conviction that prior to the onset of â€Å"graphic reportage† comics held a more important socio-polit ical relevance. While less explicit with their messages, early comics such as â€Å"The Hulk† gave valuable insight into society by giving a direct look into pop-culture of the time, utilizing symbolism to convey public opinion, and spreading propaganda. When a work is created with the intent of being graphic reportage the author becomes painfully aware of the fact that they will be observed and scrutinized under this context, however when an entirely fictitious comic book is created its author is relieved from the constraints of this awareness of observation. Put more eloquently, comic book authors that create works of graphic reportage are vulnerable to a psychological phenomenon known as the Hawthorne Effect, which states that individuals that are aware that they are being observed will b... ... Works Cited Cengage, Gale. eNotes.com. 2004. 22 April 2012 . Conroy, Mike. "The True Origin of The Incredible Hulk." N/A: Marvel Comics, 2008. Gale, E.A.M. "The Hawthorne studies—a fable for our times? ." QJM (2004): 439-449. Lee, Stan-Writer Kirby, Jack -Penciller Reinman, Paul-Inker Simek,Art-Letters. "The Incredible Hulk." The Incredible Hulk #1. Marvel Comics, May 1962. Rocchi, James. X-Meta : An Outsider’s Guide to Symbolism in Superhero Cinema (wonder woman mention). May 2006. 22 April 2012 . Spiegelman, Art. " Maus: A Survivor's Tale." New York: Pantheon Books, 1986. Van Meter, Justine. "History Of Graphic Novels." Orange, CA, February 2012.

Martial Law Reflection Paper

Colleen Gatchalian September 17, 2012 II – Ilang-ilang Soc Sci 2 MARTIAL LAW REFLECTION PAPER During our humanities week in my high school, we commemorated the 40th anniversary of Martial Law as the Social Science activity. 1 There were exhibits, rituals, talks, and many experiences shared and throughout all this, I have come to realize how lucky I am, that I have the freedom all those heroes during martial law fought for, without breaking a sweat. 2 I realized how blessed I am, that I can do what I want to do, when I want to, because of heroes who sacrificed their lives for that. 3 I learned about the importance of freedom, love for country, sacrifice, and remembering all those who have done something worthwhile. 4 During the tribute to Pisay martyrs, I really took the time to remember and value everything they did for our country. 5 I still have those rice grains we were asked to keep in my desk drawer, and every day when I open the drawer to get paper or a pen, I always remember what the grains represented – the fruits of the labor that all the martyrs went through. During the talks in the gym and in the small group discussion, I learned about the blood and sweat that all the Filipinos wasted fighting martial law. 7 Honestly, I never think of martial law heroes when I see or hear the word â€Å"hero†, because I mostly think of the heroes from the Spanish era, but then I realized that this was just a modern version of what happened to our country during the Spanish era – the people made so many sacrifices and lived through horrible and torturous times. I learned about all the hardships Filipinos went through, and the many things they weren’t allowed to do, along with the very few things they were actually allowed to do. 9 I do realize that I am only supposed to cite one important thing I learned, but I feel it necessary to enumerate all these, because I feel that they are of equal importance. 10 Freedom is very important, because it is one of the things in life that people look forward too – making their own choices, and doing what they want, when they want. 11 Love for country is also important, because your country is the place where you were born and where you live, you grew up in its culture, and you act like someone who grew up in it; you can’t just throw it aside, rather, you have to fight for it, love it, and honor it, because it is yours. 12 I consider sacrifice as one of the most important things I have learned during the talk, because without sacrifice, there would be no heroes who gave us what we have today. 13 Sacrifice is a virtue we must all have, and something we must use when it comes to people whom we love. 14 Lastly, remembering all our heroes is important, because not all of us will just lay down our lives for our country, because it takes a great deal of love for our country, and of course courage, to sacrifice for one’s country. 15 Just like what Elias said in Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, we must â€Å"remember those who fell in the night without seeing the dawn. 16 We have to value all our heroes for what they did, and strive to become like them in serving our country. 17 Assuming I was a Pisay student during the martial law era, I would definitely join an activist group, because I feel that the power the people hold is without a doubt larger than whatever power any leader holds; therefore, if a lot of people revolt against martial law, the time will come when the leader will have to give up and do what the people want, just like what happened during the People Power Revolution. 18 However, inside school, I would start an activist group. 19 I don’t have the courage to start an activist group outside of school because I don’t have the authority and I am not comfortable doing so, but once inside my school, I will do what I want to go against Marcos and his ridiculous martial law declaration. 20 Likewise, I feel that fighting for a cause is more effective if more people unite and do it all together. 21 Being a Pisay student also means being an â€Å"Iskolar ng Bayan†; therefore, I have to fulfill the duties of being an â€Å"Iskolar ng Bayan†. 22 In doing so, I can show my appreciation of the deeds of the heroes and martyrs of Martial Law by always remembering them during National Heroes Day and valuing what they did whenever it’s September 21. 23 Also, I will try to find my own way to serve my country as they did, so to use my talents in a proper way, and to give back to the country that gave me my exceptional high school education. 24 Also, I will bring up the subject of martial law heroes whenever the subject of Filipino heroes comes up and most of all, I will reasure the freedom that I have with all my heart and treat it as the most precious thing I can ever possess to value everything that the heroes and martyrs did for all of us. 25 I can’t begin to imagine a life without freedom. 26 I salute to all the martial law heroes who laid down their lives to give me and every other Filipino the freedom each of us deserves. 27 And so to end my reflection paper, I’d like to say thank you to every hero who gave me my freedom, both named and unnamed. 28

How to Write a Character Analysis Easy Steps and Tips

How to Write a Character Analysis Easy Steps and Tips Below you will find a useful text with valuable tips on how to compose a cool character analysis essay. A paper like that can be divided into three sections in order not to get lost. Every part is observed in this article. Students of both high school and college might find this guide useful. There is no necessity to follow the guidelines step by step and answer all questions. At least every student has to analyze the chosen hero from these three sides. It will help with preparing a perfect character analysis. You may also use various examples available for download online. In general, the structure will remain the same as for other types of academic papers: Introduction (with thesis statement and reasons to choose this particular story) 3-5 body paragraphs Conclusion References page An A+ literary analysis essay should: Determine the type of person you introduce to the reader. One hero can belong to two or three types. There are many categories of the characters, in fact. Describe the person you’ve chosen. To do so, use various adjectives as his or her traits. Turn to the plot of the chosen story. Focus on the main conflict. What is the role of your object in this situation? How is he/she developing throughout the story? This article will help to define different types of characters as well. We’ll discuss the other steps in writing a literary analysis as well. Various Types of Characters You can prescribe your object to one of the following categories on the list: Protagonist. Such people tend to be heroes.   Despite the beliefs of many people, the main characters do not necessarily have to possess only positive traits. Moreover, sometimes they can be villains (murderers, thieves, etc.) It all depends on the author’s imagination and vision of this world. Antagonists.  The opposite of the protagonist means being against the main character. Except for the villain or several enemies, the antagonist may be portrayed by the force of nature, animal, or else. Once again, the antagonist may sometimes possess better human qualities than the protagonist. In addition, it is a more complex and interesting person for analysis, as a rule. Major.  Majors appear when several main heroes are involved. For instance, if there are three main roles like Remark usually includes. The number of majors is unlimited as there may be several stories united into one basic plot line. Minor.  These people either help the main heroes or prevent them from achieving the goal by implementing various obstacles. These objects are good for analysis as they are part of the story too. It would be less exciting without them. These elements of the story are usually static (unchanging), so they may be less interesting to be chosen for your analysis. Dynamic. Unlike the previous section, this category is made of changing characters. They are usually protagonists or antagonists especially. Stereotypical(stock). This category includes a brainy and dull nerd, a fat policeman who is eating donuts all the time, strict university professor, stupid blonde model, etc. Analysis is barely dedicated to such characters. Foils. To make it short, it’s a copycat of the main character in some ways. Round (3 dimensional). Characters with many different personalities and roles in the story. They are interesting to be included in your analysis. On the whole, you might write your personal analysis as well as add the reviews of other people (journalists, scientists, writers, reviewers, etc.) Keep in mind that you have to use at least one example when stating each idea. This example should come from the original text where your character was born. Reading free articles will help you to come up with the best analysis essay ever. Also, don’t forget to ask your teachers for extra tips. One more way to get the extra help with your course is through contacting professional writing team from the website like this one. They will prepare any literary character analysis very soon.

Free Essays on Death Penalty Stats

This report addresses the cost, availability and quality of defense representation in federal death penalty cases and recommends steps which should be taken in order to keep expenditures in these cases within reasonable limits. It has been prepared by the Subcommittee on Federal Death Penalty Cases of the Judicial Conference Committee on Defender Services. The report was prompted by judicial and congressional concerns about the costs involved in providing defense services in federal death penalty cases and is the product of extensive study and data collection. Federal death penalty prosecutions are large-scale cases that are costly to defend. They require more lawyers, working more hours, at a higher hourly rate than other federal criminal matters. The number of federal death penalty prosecutions has grown dramatically in the last several years, and their impact on the defender services appropriation cannot responsibly be ignored. The judiciary has a duty to ensure that its funds are spent wisely, and to identify the best ways to provide cost-effective representation in these challenging cases. To this end, the Subcommittee has thoroughly examined the nature of defense representation in federal death penalty cases. Part I of this report sets forth the Subcommittee's analysis and findings, which are based upon qualitative and quantitative information gathered from many sources. This part of the report describes the number of federal death penalty cases and the cost of defending them, and discusses the characteristics of federal death penalty cases and the special duties they impose on defense counsel. This information is essential to a full understanding of the recommendations set forth in Part II of the report. Also contained in Part I are data on the expense of prosecuting federal death penalty cases, which have been provided by the Department of Justice. In general, the Subcommittee on Federal Death Penalty Cases has concluded ... Free Essays on Death Penalty Stats Free Essays on Death Penalty Stats This report addresses the cost, availability and quality of defense representation in federal death penalty cases and recommends steps which should be taken in order to keep expenditures in these cases within reasonable limits. It has been prepared by the Subcommittee on Federal Death Penalty Cases of the Judicial Conference Committee on Defender Services. The report was prompted by judicial and congressional concerns about the costs involved in providing defense services in federal death penalty cases and is the product of extensive study and data collection. Federal death penalty prosecutions are large-scale cases that are costly to defend. They require more lawyers, working more hours, at a higher hourly rate than other federal criminal matters. The number of federal death penalty prosecutions has grown dramatically in the last several years, and their impact on the defender services appropriation cannot responsibly be ignored. The judiciary has a duty to ensure that its funds are spent wisely, and to identify the best ways to provide cost-effective representation in these challenging cases. To this end, the Subcommittee has thoroughly examined the nature of defense representation in federal death penalty cases. Part I of this report sets forth the Subcommittee's analysis and findings, which are based upon qualitative and quantitative information gathered from many sources. This part of the report describes the number of federal death penalty cases and the cost of defending them, and discusses the characteristics of federal death penalty cases and the special duties they impose on defense counsel. This information is essential to a full understanding of the recommendations set forth in Part II of the report. Also contained in Part I are data on the expense of prosecuting federal death penalty cases, which have been provided by the Department of Justice. In general, the Subcommittee on Federal Death Penalty Cases has concluded ...

Increase Productivity and Safety at Night Shift Research Proposal

Increase Productivity and Safety at Night Shift - Research Proposal Example Production department is the most important section for the successful operation of the business. Business organizations strive on the efficiency and capability of its production team who provide quality and quantity goods and services to the customers of organization. As the demands for the products grow in numbers, it has become necessary for the organizations to operate 24/7 and employ more number of people so that the market demand could be met easily. As Coleman (1995) pointed out that businesses can run 24 hours for various reasons which includes customers demand, can be considered as the most economical option or the process requires it. Even in organizations where the operations run on continuous basis without switching the process, the workload is balanced in every shift so as to increase the efficiency of processing during the night hours. Working on the night shifts is more difficult than the day shift. This is because there is the issue of fatigue and loss of concentratio n that affect quality. Aside this, there are also safety issues that relate to concerns about going to work, staying safe at work and going back home from work, if one is on the night shift. The present research proposes to conduct an intensive study into the measures and facilities that could be improved and developed to increase the safety and production capacity during night shifts Statement of the Problem Why there is a need to study the ill effects of working during night shifts; is a critical and serious question. ... Also, Thorpy & Billiard (2011, p412) identified that many motor accidents that occur before daybreak can be attributed to tired drivers who have worked through the night. In view of these risks associated with night shifts and it’s continuance in manufacturing industries in spite of so many tragic incidents, it is clear that maintaining a night shift enables a manufacturing company to do more and increase production volumes. It is therefore an important element of organizations and must be kept as productive as the daytime shift. The research therefore examines the issues with safety, security and productivity with the night shift and how these issues can be handled by management of a manufacturing entity. Problems with the Night Shift Demand for increased production due to global competition and just in time manufacturing methods have forced most of the companies to adopt 24 hours working schedule in order to stay economically active and meet the consumer demand. Operating in dustrial processes around the clock forces the employees to remain awake at night contrary to their normal biological rhythms resulting in increased fatigue and reduced alertness and productivity (Gupta, 2006). According to Sharman and Sharman (2008) working during night time upsets the body’s natural process and health effects go far beyond sleep deprivation, decreased concentration, creativity short term memory and decision making ability. According to Folkard and Tucker (2003) the number of people at work and nature of their work vary across shifts as long runs were often saved for night shift with reduced supervision of operations. It is further analyzed on the basis of three different studies on real job measures for 24 hour day operated organization

Are Marketers to Blame for Fat Kids Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Are Marketers to Blame for Fat Kids - Essay Example The researcher states that in accordance with the data of Australian health and fitness survey it identified that 11% of children’s are suffering from overweight problems. These children’s are subjected to more diseases and illness which may affect their quality of life in adulthood. Marketers cannot be blamed for fat children’s. There can be other aspects which can make a child fat one cannot blame just marketing such as parents influence, social factors etc. So parents should try to protect their children’s from having unhealthy food. Parents have vast influence on the diet of children. They are the one who shapes their diet because a child firstly learns to eat from home. Parents have more effect on the child’s diet rather than the marketers. It is believed that marketing of food contributes to the rising level of obesity in children’s, which is partly true. Obesity prevention mostly starts at school life of a child. First years of life th at is from a child age to adult age, requires continuous prevention from parents. These periods are most significant which involves rapid transactions and high plasticity and mainly parents are the one who controls child experiences and environment. The main tasks parents possess in early development points to their child potential are the key targets and likelihood of change in early preventive interventions. Mainly parent’s behavior and their feeding practices affect a Childs eating habits and risk related to obesity. They are the one who is responsible to take preventive measures in case a child becomes too fat. Social media, advertising, television etc cannot be considered as the basic reason for Childs fatness or eating unhealthy food. A report identified that 67.3% of parents are concerned about their children’s having unhealthy food. If a child is not subjected to eat unhealthy food and snacks in a home, he gets habitual of it outside in the society, school etc. because each child has different family patterns than the other. Influence of parents is also subjected to the economic status of the family, in case if the family has low income or parents are not educated, so they would be less concerned about weight-related behaviors. This means children would be watching more TV, consumption of fast food, and junk food every day. This will lead to unhealthy eating and weight problems.