Privacy On The Internet Essay - 1588 Words

Privacy on the Internet nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Ever feel like you are being watched? How about having the feeling like some one is following you home from school? Well that is what it will be like if users do not have the privacy on the Internet they deserve. EPIC (Electronic Privacy Information Center), a advocacy group that has been fighting the Clinton Administration for tougher online consumer protection laws, and other privacy protection agencies have formed to protect the rights and privileges of the Internet user. With the U.S. Government, EPIC has had to step in and help small companies and Internet users with their own privacy problems, hackers getting into their systems and ruining the networks, and crackers stealing†¦show more content†¦Yes, Intel had some very good reasons for this amp;#8220;security feature; but the public did not think so. They tried to argue that if a chip was ever to be stolen they could track them down when the thief accessed the Internet (PC Computing 105). But how often do you hear of computer chips being stolen? Not at all. So why did Intel want to fight for this feature so much? They say because of the security over the widely growing Internet (107), but what it seems like to me and the public is mostly an invasion of the users privacy when companies get to greedy and want to know every thing about you, and your life. If it werenamp;#8217;t for EPIC, and the government getting involved in privacy issues, Intel would have its way on what ever they want, and we would have internet sites looking us up every day breaking our personal privacy. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Almost every one that has been on the Internet or that uses e-mail has heard of hacking. Hacking is very serious in some cases. How would you like a hacker to intercept your credit card number and start using it to buy his or her own stuff? A lot of us would not like that, because the hacker is stealing from us. When the Internet first started to develop, hackers could get into anything and do anything. They could change what ever they wanted and do what ever they please on any network. Since thoseShow MoreRelatedInternet Privacy And The Internet1895 Words   |  8 PagesInternet privacy is an issue that has constantly taken up a portion of the world stage for many years. Legislators are even now trying to find the delicate balance between Internet privacy and Internet security. The medium of the Internet is simply too new to be completely understood by lawmakers, and it will take some time before there is a complete grasp. Online Privacy and Facebook Nowadays, the new generation life without Facebook is almost unthinkable. Since its inception in 2004, this popularRead MoreInternet Privacy.1148 Words   |  5 PagesSolutions for Violations of Internet Privacy. In the past thirty years computer technology has been developing very rapidly. Internet in last decade has revolutionized the way how we conduct our lives and businesses. Internet has become a daily necessity we cannot live without. Development of Internet and wireless technologies together with advancement in miniature technology has made it possible for us to have access the internet on the go. Every year we expect new and more advance modelsRead MoreThe Privacy Of The Internet1737 Words   |  7 PagesIf a casual user of the internet were to Google a search for the word â€Å"privacy† as of June 2015, there would be close to 2 billion hits. Discussions of privacy, piracy and internet breaches are everywhere. The numerous Google hits show there is nearly universal agreement that (1) we have less privacy and more information than we used to, and (2) this is bad.Information itself is, of course, not bad, but as we have witnessed recently, even personnel record maintained by the United States governmentRead MoreInternet Privacy And The Internet954 Words   |  4 Pagesunauthorized information by computer, but they actually make the internet a safer place. With the growth of the internet comes the growth of hackers and internet privacy. New laws that would increase internet privacy and, limit hackers would halt the internets growth and development. Since the year 2000, the internet has grown enormously we can all agree and with this growth comes a growth of internet users. With all the internet users, online comes people trying to accuse their information byRead More Essay on Internet Privacy - Invasion of Privacy on the Internet964 Words   |  4 PagesInvasion of Privacy on the Internet       Invasion of privacy is a serious issue concerning the Internet, as e-mails can be read if not encrypted, and cookies can track a user and store personal information. Lack of privacy policies and employee monitoring threatens security also. Individuals should have the right to protect themselves as much as possible from privacy invasion and shouldnt have to give in to lowered standards of safety being pursued by the government.    EncryptionRead MoreInternet Privacy1375 Words   |  6 PagesA Right to Privacy? What a Joke! It has become a sad and upsetting fact that in todays society the truth is that the right to ones privacy in the I.T (information technological) world has become, simply a joke. In an electronic media article No place to hide, written by James Norman, two interesting and debatable questions were raised: ‘Are we witnessing the erosion of the demarcation of public and private spaces brought on by the networked economy and new technology? Also, ‘What rolesRead MorePrivacy on the Internet1616 Words   |  7 PagesPrivacy on the Internet Ever feel like you are being watched? How about having the feeling like some one is following you home from school? Well that is what it will be like if users do not have the privacy on the Internet they deserve. EPIC (Electronic Privacy Information Center), a advocacy group that has been fighting the Clinton Administration for tougher online consumer protection laws, and other privacy protection agencies have formed to protect the rights and privileges of the InternetRead MoreInternet Privacy1946 Words   |  8 PagesInternet Privacy The concern about privacy on the Internet is increasingly becoming an issue of international dispute. ?Citizens are becoming concerned that the most intimate details of their daily lives are being monitored, searched and recorded.? (www.britannica.com) 81% of Net users are concerned about threats to their privacy while online. The greatest threat to privacy comes from the construction of e-commerce alone, and not from state agents. E-commerce is structured on the copy andRead More Essay on Internet Privacy - Cookies and Privacy on the Internet1385 Words   |  6 PagesCookies: Privacy on the Internet?      Ã‚   Today, many web sites on the internet can use cookies to keep track of passwords and usernames and track the sites a particular user visits (Cookiecentral.com). But, the use of cookies to track users browsing habits is becoming a concern of many internet users. These concerned people are beginning to think of cookies as an invasion of privacy. Companies with web sites can use cookies to track what sites you visit frequently and then select specificRead MoreInternet Privacy : An Analysis Of The Internet1380 Words   |  6 PagesInternet Privacy: An Analysis of â€Å"The Internet is a Surveillance State† Since its inception in the late 1960s, the internet has changed the expansion of communications to new levels. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and many others have provided the public with means of communication. The sharing of photos, thoughts and even ideas has become a more prevalent event for everyone as time has progressed. Computers, tablets, and phones are used widely each day for social media sites, as well as purchasing

Family And Living Situation Shaquille Godwin - 930 Words

Family/Living Situation – Shaquille Godwin is a 19 year old Black male without children. He is the product of the non-marital relationship between his mother and father, and the fifth oldest of 13 biological siblings. Shaquille was removed from his biological home around the age five. He was part of a three-sibling set removed at that time. His mother and father were accused of child neglect and physical abuse. Additionally, Shaquille was the victim of sexual assault by an older sibling in the home. Shaquille shares that his biological mother continues to use illegal drugs, and his father continues to be an active alcoholic. He was placed in general foster care and eventually was placed in a treatment foster care (TFC) home due to aggressive behaviors. His TFC parent, Charlyn Godwin, became an adoptive parent to Shaquille and his younger brother, Johnnie. Ms. Godwin describes Shaquille as â€Å"a nice person who’s had a hard life.† Ms. Godwin says that Shaquille’s biggest challenges were in the school setting. Shaquille says that Ms. Godwin routinely left him to his own devices and paid more attention to her needs than his. Eventually, she was unable to meet his educational an d behavioral needs, and returned him to the foster care system. Following his return to foster care, Shaquille says that he was placed with a foster family that left him at a Boys Girls Club. He does not know why he was left there and was eventually placed with Shelly Tucker. Mr. Tucker, also a TFC

Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee. Answer: Introduction: The client Howard Jones (Client) has requested to be advised on the aspect of crowdfunding with respect to his new venture for an idea that would double the life of batteries, instead of going for the traditional Corporate Funding management under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act 2001, he would like to opt for the crowdfunding source. The first thing that needs to be understood is the meaning of crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is new method of raising capital which is internet based, where small amount of money is pooled by individuals. This approach is quite attractive for entrepreneurs like the Client since it allows not only to raise the capital for a small business which have very limited options when it comes to financing, but it also helps as an essential tool in testing the marketability of the idea.[1] The possibility of contributing to an idea that they have faith in is enjoyed by the individuals, even if it is a small amount that they are able to invest. This effect also has a positive effect on the economy by way of creating new jobs, fostering recovery of the economy and innovations, due to which this approach is appreciated by the government. The benefit for crowdfunding can be explored by musicians, artists, not for profit organizations or businesses like the Client. Crowdfunding functions by possible fundraising through various small donations from a crowd or a large group of people. For the Clients business management crowdfunding can be used as a platform for raising funds at various stages. From the seed phase where the viability of the idea is being investigated to the capital seeking stage for expansion to support in manufacturing. The activities of crowdfunding take place through websites and there are various websites that can be accessed for this.[3] Particularly for the entrepreneurs like the Client and SMEs as discussed above crowdfunding can prove to be extremely attractive as apart from raising capital and acting as a market viability tool, unlike a debt financing traditionally, it does not require generally: detailed due diligence or credit assessment; a securable asset base that is underlying; or formal execution of documents for finance or negotiation with the financiers. There four types of crowdfunding which are accepted generally, first being the reward-based crowdfunding wherein the contributions are made financially with the expectation of benefit in the future or current good. Second being the donation based crowdfunding wherein for a social cause the contributions are pooled in. Third is equity based crowdfunding, wherein the contributions made are in anticipation that there would be a stake in the company growing. Finally there is the lending based crowdfunding where the financial contributions made are discrete which are collected and offered as a debt that is to be repaid with interest.[4] To reiterate, the Client via crowdfunding business platform will be able to raise finance from the people or the crowd. A platform is provided by the crowdfunding business online frown which the client will be able to showcase its product and idea to the audience online. In its simplest form the Client would be required to create the content which would be pitched as an idea on crowdfunding business platform and financial contribution be asked for the same (Arts Law, 2014; Gerber 2014). There have been various examples of successful crowdfunding, on a particular platform one of the division that is principal is regarding the project type. One of the most prominent platform for crowdfunding Kickstarter is dedicated to projects that are creative. On the other hand sites like Indiegogo is more general in nature and allows campaigns of any type. There are various crowdfunding which concentrate only on social causes and still others for scientific research, healthcare, startups, small businesses and research. A popular category on both gaming focused and general platforms is Gaming. Focus of crowdfunding commentary and activity has also been on Citizen Journalism, however this is not an exhaustive list. The crowdfunding world is diverse and there are various crowdfunding activities similar to that of the Client that have been successful. This model can be used by the Client for raising finances for his (legal) enterprise. The mode of cultural production can be circumvented and supplemented by way of crowdfunding management. For example the video game Double Fine Adventure the fundraising conducted provides an explicit and useful example. It was explained by the producer of the game as a part of the pitch for Kickstarter that: Big games cost big money ... To finance the production, promotion, and distribution of these massive undertakings, companies like Double Fine have to rely on external sources like publishers, investment firms, or loans. And while they fulfill an important role in the process, their involvement also comes with significant strings attached that can pull the game in the wrong directions or even cancel its production altogether This situation and pitch is important to understand for the Client as for a start-up it is important to be able to control the development and proceed without hindrance. Websites like Kickstarter which are for raising crowdfunding will prove to be essential for raising fund for the implementation of the idea and its development of the Client. Like the crowdfunding for the game, they help in democratizing the process by allowing the consumers to be able to support the project, they want to see the development and freedom is given to the developers for experimenting, design, taking of risk without their being a compromise by anyone else on the vision. This is the type of luxury that is not available with most of the established studios. It is also important to note the various relationship in this setting between the producer and the consumer. There were some 87,0000 backers for the Double Fine Adventure who were curious to see the ability of the producer of the game. A website Double Fine Adventure was established by the producers in which a detailed information about the project was given which included where the finance was spent and updates regarding the storyboard, character, programming and art. There was also access given to the backers on private where interaction could be made with producers and they could comment on the development of the game. This was a deliberate building of a community by the producer. Apart from commercial crowdfunding examples of which have been discussed above, there is another subset of crowdfunding which has emerged that is of civic crowdfunding which provides the community with public service. An element of public good is involved, though this concept in itself is heavily contested. There is a multi-billion dollar market of crowdfunding, there is already one major example that Australia has seen which may be described as civic crowdfunding.[5] The Climate Commission, which is an independent advisory body on change in climate, in 2013 was dismantled by the Australian government that was newly elected. The organization was re-launched not long after through an initiative of crowdfunding. Now it is called as the Climate Council and is said to be the largest initiative of crowdfunding in Austrlia and an operation budget of $1 million has been raised by it. It was remarked by the Commonwealth Environment Minister at the launch of the Council that: thats the great thing about democracy, its a free country and it proves our point that the [climate] commission didnt have to be a taxpayer funded body [6] Wherever there is public interest that is involved as in this case meaning thereby that they related to ethical, intellectual property, human rights, human health and ecology. Thus considering the nature of the initiative of the client it could principally fall under the category of civic funding as well, as it concerns the ecology as well as betterment of human health and thus there is involved public interest in the development of his idea.[7] The legislative framework that has been enacted for crowdsource funding is by way of amending the The Corporations Act, 2001 by The Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding) Act 2017 and also making minor amendments in the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001.[8] The CSG regime in general has reduced the regulatory requirement for fundraising by the public while at the same time it has maintained the protection measures with respect to appropriate investor. An Australian Financial Services (AFS) is required to be held by the CSF provider.[9] Royal Assent was received by this Act on 28 March 2017 and shall come into effect from 29th of September 2017. Once this comes into effect the ASIC will be able to accept: intermediary applications for AFS License with authority to provide services relating to CFS post this date; and application for registering new public companies or for the conversion of existing proprietary companies for being eligible for exemptions of corporate governance under the regime of CFS. The two bills which have come into effect and which need to be regarded for the CFS are as mentioned below: Corporations Amendment (Crowd-Sourced funding) Act [11], this Act has been introduced for establishing a regulatory framework for facilitation of CSF by unlisted small public companies. It includes, requirement of eligibility for company to be able to raise fund via CFS which include for CSF offers disclosure requirement (Chapter 2). Obligation of the CSF intermediaries for facilitation of offers of CSF (Chapter 3). the process on how the offer of CSF management is to be made (Chapter 4), rules with respect to defective disclosure as CSF offers part (Chapter 5) and provisions with respect to protection of investors. There are consequential amendment that have been made by Schedule I of the Act to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act) for including services related to crowdfunding as defined in the Act, in the various financial services that the ASIC Act covers. Schedule 2 provides for the new public companies which are eligible for crowdfunding with temporary relief from the requirement of corporate governance and reporting (Chapter 7). For supporting regime of CSF temporary relief is provided to these companies by way of concessions. This can prove beneficial for the Client for starting up his venture. There is also greater flexibility which is provided under the Schedule 3 for settlement and clearing facility of licenses. Corporations amendment (crowd-sourced funding for proprietary companies) Regulations 2017, this bill is introduced for the extension to proprietary companies the regime of CSF, making available for small businesses funding source, while maintaining the protection that is adequate for the investors through placing on companies additional obligations.[12] The guidance of ASIC as the regulator which is responsible for financial service and fundraising activity it is involved with the Government and the treasury for the development of a regime for CSF.[13] They are at the moment for being able to assist further with the development of industry of CSG in consultation on drafting a regulatory guidance for intermediaries that are seeking to provide services relating to CSF and drafting of regulatory guidance that will aid in the assistance of the companies which are seeking to raise funds on a intermediary CSF platform. The various developed markets across the globe such as Italy, New Zealand and United, have acknowledge the crowdfundings arrival as a source that is genuine for finance to complement the traditional equity and debt financing.[14] These jurisdictions have rather than attempting to reconcile crowdfunding with the regulatory requirements that are already in existence, been proactively discussing, developing and implementing laws for the regulation of the financing from crowd source. New Zealand introduced a comprehensive CSEF regime in the mid of 2014 and have proved to be particularly essential as a point of reference for the debate in Australia with respect to crowdfunding.[15] In the regime in New Zealand all the entities that are incorporated are allowed to raise capital via CSEF.[16] Though CSEF is capped at a period of 12 months for an amount of $2 million, which will not include contributions made by wholesale investors, however this amount may be raised.[17] It is required that the investors sing a risk acknowledgment statement[18] and that there are only recommended caps on investors[19]. There has been significant approval which has been received by this rather liberal regime by the Australian Governments members. A key feature in the legislation of Australia is that there is a restriction of CSF to only public unlisted companies which have been limited by shares and which have in annual revenue and gross assets less that A$25 million.[21] This criteria excludes by itself many public companies as well as proprietary companies. Approximately more than 99.7% of the companies will not be able to raise capital by way of CSF. Further foreign companies are also excluded by the legislation to be able raise in Australia CSF. Also companies and related parties excluded are those from CSF if the main objective is that of investment. This is in contrast with countries like New Zealand where every company is allowed to access CSF. There is only a small portion of companies in Canada, United Kingdom and United States who are excluded. There are already few required financial service license in Australia for Crowdsourcing platforms. The range of obligations that have been specified in the 2016 are required to be complied with by the platforms, such as the vetting of the companies which through CSF are seeking capital. Thus allowing the intermediary to act as a gatekeeper however making an onerous compliance. There will be ferocious competition due to the fact that there is only a small number of companies that will be able to access CSF, it would be quite challenging for these platforms to be able to generate profits. There were number intermediaries that were established in New Zealand who are retracting providing an excellent example of intermediaries in this sphere. There is no general cap that has been imposed in Australia as it has been done in other countries. The investment cap in US is within a 12-month period less than net worth to US$2,000 or US$100,000 of income or 5% of the net worth or annual income (whichever is more). Bibliography Belleflamme, Paul, Thomas Lambert and Armin Schwienbacher, "Crowdfunding: Tapping The Right Crowd" (2014) 29(5) Journal of Business Venturing Bull, James and Harry New, "New Equity Crowd-Sourced Funding (CSF) Legislation" (Lexis Nexis, 2015) Dresner, Steven, Crowdfunding: A Guide To Raising Capital (John Wiley Sons, Inc., 2014) Hamman, Evan, "Save The Reef! Civic Crowdfunding And Public Interest Environmental Litigation" (2015) 15(1) QUT Law Review Parliament of Australia Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee, "Crowd Sourced Equity Funding: Report" (2014) Powell, Rose, "Malcolm Turnbull Says Australia Could Follow New Zealand Crowdfunding Laws" [2015] The Australian Financial Review Productivity Commission, "Business Set-Up, Transfer And Closure Draft Report" (2015) Schulz, Leigh and Domenic Mollica, "ASK THE EXPERT The Regulation Of Crowdfunding In Australia: Where Are We And WhatS To Come?" [2015] Australian Banking Finance Law Bulletin Valan?ien?, Loreta and Sima Jegelevi?i?t?, "Valuation Of Crowdfunding: Benefits And Drawbacks" (2013) 18(1) Economics and Management Vitins, Matt, "Crowdfunding And Securities Laws: What The Americans Are Doing And The Case For An Australian Crowdfunding Exemption" (2013) 22(2) Journal of Law, Information and Science Corporations Amendment (Crowd-Sourced Funding For Proprietary Companies) Regulations2017 Corporations Amendment (Crowd-Sourced Funding) Act 2017 Borrello, Eliza, Scrapped Climate Commission Relaunched As Community-Funded Body (2017) ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-24/tim-flannery-to-relaunch-climate-commission/4976608 Crowdfunding Sourcing Financial Backing To Drive Digital Innovation (2014) Digital Innovation https://www.digitalinnovation.pwc.com.au Crowd-Sourced Funding | ASIC - Australian Securities And Investments Commission (2017) Asic.gov.au https://asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/financial-services/crowd-sourced-funding/ Heber, Alex, A Crowdfunding Revolution Is Coming To Australia: Here's What You Need To Know (2017) Business Insider Australia https://www.businessinsider.com.au/a-crowdfunding-revolution-is-coming-to-australia-heres-what-you-need-to-know-2015-4

Impact of Corporate Governance on Financial Performance of Companies

Question: Discuss about the Impact of Corporate Governance on Financial Performance of the Companies. Answer: Literature Review Corporate governance is the rules, regulations, practices and processes of the business organizations that direct and control different business operations of the companies. The main aim of corporate governance is to maintain a balance of the interests of the stakeholders of the companies like management of the companies, shareholders, investors, customers and others. With the help of corporate governance, the business organizations get the opportunity to obtain the competitive advantage (Eccles, Ioannou Serafeim, 2014). People over the decades have been connecting the financial performance of the business organizations with the aspect of corporate governance. In this regard, one of the major attempts is to determine the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the companies. Because of this, a massive amount of studies and researches have been developed to establish the relation between corporate governance and financial performance of the companies. A big amount of research papers and studies indicate that there is a positive relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the firms. It implies that with the help of effective implementation and maintenance of corporate governance in the business operations, management can obtain good financial performance of the companies. However, many theories oppose the fact that there is a positive relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the firms (Walls, Berrone Phan, 2012). According to these kinds of theories, the presence of effective corporate governance policies does not always lead to good financial performance of the firms. There are many instances in the companies where effective corporate governance policies of the companies failed to provide the companies with good financial performances. Thus, it can be seen that there is a contradiction about the effect of corporate governance on the financial performance of the business org anizations. There are many factors in the business organizations that help in the construction of effective corporate governance policies in the firms. The composition of board of the managing director board is considered as one such factor. It needs to be assured that the managing directors board is consisted of honest and qualified management personnel so that there is not any scope for fraud or scandals in the companies (Aebi, nSabato Schmid, 2012). Many important financial factors of the companies have positive relation with corporate governance of the companies. Some of these factors are return on the shareholders, payments of dividends, dividend yield, profitability of the companies and many others. Many accountants all over the world demand the presence of positive relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the companies. However, there is not any concrete evidence that proves the fact that positive relationship can be seen between corporate governance and fin ancial performance of the companies. Many researchers say that companies that have strong and effective structure of corporate governance have more chances to generate good financial performance. On the other hand, the business organizations having not so strong corporate governance structure have more chances for financial failures. While considering the major accounting and financial scandals of businesses all over the world, it can be observed that the weak maintenance and implementation of corporate governance is the major cause of most of those scandals. Business organizations that have strong level of corporate governance policies enjoy certain financial advantages and they are right of the shareholders, high level of value of the firms, high level of profitability, growth in sales and others (Peni Vhmaa, 2012). Thus, it can be said that there is an urgent need for concrete evidences that will be helpful to establish the fact that there is a positive relationship between corp orate governance and financial performance of the business firms. As per the above discussion, it can be seen that the business organizations with effective corporate governance policies enjoy good financial performance, high level of return on equity, high level of return on assets, high level of return on capital and many others. In addition, companies with high level of corporate governance policies are able to employ effective risk-adjustment policies in the organizations. Companies are able to manage the accounting and financial risks with the help of effective corporate governance policies. Thus, it can be said that there are many advantages of having effective corporate governance policies employed in the business organizations (Jo Harjoto, 2012). In spite of all these facts, many accountants all over the world believe the fact that there is not any positive relationship between corporate governance and good financial performance of the business organizations. There is another group of people all over the world and they believe the fact tha t there is a negative relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the businesses. Thus, the fact is clear that there is a deep contradiction all over the world regarding the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the companies. Some of the major studies all over the world suggest that positive relation can be seen between corporate governance and financial performance of the business organizations. On the other hand, another set of major studies suggest the non-presence of any positive relation between corporate governance and firms financial performance (Cheng, Ioannou Serafeim, 2014). However, based on the evidences of major accounting and financial corporate scandals, it has been seen that lack of corporate governance is the major reason behind all these corporate scandals. Hence, there is a need for more concrete evidences that will prove the presence of positive relationship between corporate governance and financial p erformance of the companies. As per the above discussion, it can be seen that many people all over the world believe that there is not any relation between corporate governance and financial performance of the companies. However, in case of the real world corporate scandals, it has been seen that ineffective corporate governance policies led to major accounting and financial scandals of the companies. For the smooth business operation of the companies, it is expected to have a well structures corporate governance policy as it has many benefits for the companies. The presence of corporate governance policies helps the organizations to improve its process of internal control. The effectiveness of corporate governance is a helpful process to enhance the effectiveness of control mechanism of the companies (Erkens, Hung Matos, 2012). On the contrary, the effective implementation of corporate governance policies will be helpful for the organizations to minimize various aspects like corporate scandals, frauds, failure s and others. In the risk minimization process of the companies, effective corporate governance policies play an importunate role as it helps to decrease the amount various business risks. Thus, from the above analysis, it can be seen that there are many advantages of corporate governance in the business organizations (Servaes Tamayo, 2013). It can be observed that all these aspects together lead the business organizations to the road of financial success. For the financial success of the companies, there are certain needs like strong and effective internal control, less amount of accounting and financial risks, the presence of strong control mechanisms and many others. For this reason, this research will be helpful to develop concrete evidences to prove the fact that there is a positive relation between corporate governance and financial performance of the firms. Research Aim To analyze and evaluate the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the companies is the major aim of this research. Thus, it is required to discuss various components of corporate governance. After that, another aim is to evaluate the importance of corporate governance for the financial performance of firms. These are the major aims and objectives of this research process. Research Questions According to the research aim, the following questions are developed. What are the important components of corporate governance in the business organizations? What is the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the companies? What are the benefits of having effective corporate governance policies for the financial performance of the firms? What are the ways to develop corporate governance in the business organizations? Research Plan The plan of this research process is discussed below: Research Philosophy: For this research, positivism research philosophy will be adopted. This philosophy will be selected as research aim is to establish the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of the companies (Tolman, 2012). Research Approach: Between inductive and deductive research approach, deductive research approach will be selected for this research. This research will analyze and evaluate various existing theories, journal articles and research papers and thus; deductive research approach will be selected (Pearl, 2014). Data Collection and Analysis: For this research program, the researcher will collect secondary data for analysis. The sources of secondary data are various existing theories, journal articles and research papers on the same field of study. These existing theories, journal articles and research papers will be collected from authentic sources and they must be relevant in the current situation. After the collection of secondary data, they will be analyzed on in-depth-basis to get the collations. Timeline: Research Activities 1-2 2-4 4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14 Topic of the Research Setting up of Aims and Objectives Development of Research Questions Review of Literatures Development of Research Design Collection of Secondary Data Analysis of Secondary Data Findings Conclusion References Aebi, V., Sabato, G., Schmid, M. (2012). Risk management, corporate governance, and bank performance in the financial crisis.Journal of Banking Finance,36(12), 3213-3226. Cheng, B., Ioannou, I., Serafeim, G. (2014). Corporate social responsibility and access to finance.Strategic Management Journal,35(1), 1-23. Eccles, R. G., Ioannou, I., Serafeim, G. (2014). The impact of corporate sustainability on organizational processes and performance.Management Science,60(11), 2835-2857. Erkens, D. H., Hung, M., Matos, P. (2012). Corporate governance in the 20072008 financial crisis: Evidence from financial institutions worldwide.Journal of Corporate Finance,18(2), 389-411. Jo, H., Harjoto, M. A. (2012). The causal effect of corporate governance on corporate social responsibility.Journal of business ethics,106(1), 53-72. Pearl, J. (2014). The deductive approach to causal inference.Journal of Causal Inference,2(2), 115-129. Peni, E., Vhmaa, S. (2012). Did good corporate governance improve bank performance during the financial crisis?.Journal of Financial Services Research,41(1-2), 19-35. Servaes, H., Tamayo, A. (2013). The impact of corporate social responsibility on firm value: The role of customer awareness.Management Science,59(5), 1045-1061. Tolman, C. W. (Ed.). (2012).Positivism in psychology: Historical and contemporary problems. Springer Science Business Media. Walls, J. L., Berrone, P., Phan, P. H. (2012). Corporate governance and environmental performance: Is there really a link?.Strategic Management Journal,33(8), 885-913.

Biological Concept of the Hungers Nature

Fluxgate Magnetometer essays

Fluxgate Magnetometer essays How do scientists know the location of a rocket after it is launched? They use an instrument known as a fluxgate magnetometer. They were first developed during World War II. They were used as a submarine detection device for low flying aircraft. Presently they are used in a variety of applications from space research to submarine detection. In general, magnetometers have the capability to provide a vector measurement, both the magnitude and direction. This is beneficial in the field of rocket science. In the field of rocket science, fluxgate magnetometers are used mainly in acquiring the rocket flight information. They give 3-axis attitude information through the comparison of the resulting dc magnetic vector field with the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (known as an IGRF). A type of induction magnetometer, fluxgate magnetometers use the Faraday ¡Ã‚ ¯s Law of Induction and are relatively simple, lightweight, and reliable. Two parallel bars of a ferromagnetic material are placed closely together. The ferromagnetic material are adjacent domains that produce magnetic intensities in opposite directions. The induced field is small and positive. These two parallel bars are wrapped in coils. The main directions of the coils are reversed. An alternating current passes through the coils which results in induced magnetic fields in the two cores that have the same strength but opposite orientations (Caruso). The secondary coil surrounds the primary coil and bars. The magnetic field induced in the cores by the primary coil produces a voltage potential in the secondary coil. If the external field was absent, the voltage induced in the sensing coil is symmetrical. It contains only odd harmonics of the fundamental of the driving current (Kim). In the presence of an external field, the sensing coil voltage becomes asymmetrical. The asymmetry is sensitively related to the external field and can be detecte d by phase sen...

Logistics Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 2

Logistics Management - Essay Example An organization can automate the workflow and management of the supply chain. There are different categories of logistic automation software that can help streamline the supply chain. Logistics management coordinates all logistics activities and integrates them with marketing, sales, finance, and information technology. Logistics also govern the complex information systems, communication, and control systems required in the business environment (Barnes, 2011). The success of a business depends on how fast it can manufacture, transport, get raw materials, improve the quality, and timely delivery to the customer. The transportation infrastructure of Multi-niche is poorly managed and organized. The supply chain heavily relies on transportation of raw materials and finished product. A well managed transportation system ensures products reach their customers at the right time and are distributed to the right destination. Constant communication and fleet tracking is necessary between the transportation department and fleet drivers. Multi-niche lacks the capacity to track the transportation process, which leads to the loss of products after they leave the warehouse. This will increase their accountability for customer products both in the warehouse and during transportation. The company also has to expand the capacity of their transport network in order to accommodate an increase in customer demands.

Internal Control in the Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Internal Control in the Business - Essay Example They include; orderly and efficient conduct of business, adherence to management policies, safeguarding of company assets, prevention and detection of fraud and error, accuracy and completeness of accounting records, and timely preparation of reliable financial information (Simkin, Rose & Norman, 2012). The world business network has encountered challenges involving the internal control systems in businesses; hence there has been deliberate monitoring of the area through legislation and authentic reports. These have provided guidelines on how to incorporate internal control systems in small and big businesses. For instance, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404 that requires public companies to operate with an internal control system (Simkin, Rose & Norman, 2012). In addition, it ought to be effective and audited by an external auditor regularly (Li, Peters, Richardson, & Weidenmier, 2012). Others include; the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) report whose focus is on enterprise risk management, COBIT, and SAS NO.112 just to mention a few (Simkin, Rose & Norman, 2012). The growth in information technology has prompted some business security measures. For instance, COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and related Technology) was formulated to put checks on the exposure of data through computers. The involvement of IT in business has resulted to benefits and risks in the internal control systems of the businesses (Simkin, Rose & Norman, 2012). On its establishment, COBIT came up with objectives that would govern the internal control of information and related technology which it has continued to improve over time. The control objectives include; strategic alignment, Realization of expected benefits of IT, Continual assessment of IT investment, Determine risk appetite, measure and assess performance of IT resources (Simkin, Rose & Norman, 2012). There are five components that constitute

Problem Solution for TerraTech Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Problem Solution for TerraTech - Case Study Example The company is now at a point where they need to determine how they will move forward to meet not only the current, but future demands of the clients. In order to do this it will be important for the company to carefully implement a strategy to accomplish their goals. There is always the alternative to do nothing, but if TeraTech wishes to survive this is not an option. The current issues that have been identified are poor customer satisfaction reviews, slowing growth, and staffing concerns. Moving forward, the company will have to decide how to best address these issues. TeraTech is a major player in the CRM solutions arena for the pharmaceutical industry. However, after receiving feedback from their customer base they have found that their customers are overall unhappy with the level of support provided for their current CRM technology, nor are they satisfied with the results that the software is producing for them. It has been identified that the current technology lacks the analytical capabilities that their customers need to realize a return on their investment in the technology. TeraTech has the opportunity to develop a new technology that would better meet the needs of their clients and help them to obtain a competitive advantage. Proper execution of a new product development and launch is imperative to the success of the product (Kerin, 2006, ch. 10, pp. 15-20). It is evident that in order for TeraTech to remain competitive they will need to implement a new technology that will meet the needs of their customer base. There is a major issue facing the company at the present time in the area of staffing. Management feels that they do not have the necessary talent and skills available in order to "develop and support an analytical product" (UOP, 2008, Scenario). In fact, with the resources available at the current time they are not able keep up an acceptable level of customer satisfaction and stand to lose business. Since the human resource department is insisting that the company does not recruit any new talent within the next year, TerraTech has an obvious staffing issue that must be addressed. Maximizing current human resources capital will prove to be quite a challenge. Perhaps the most important issue facing TerraTech is the fact that their customers are not satisfied and that they stand to lose the customer base that they have worked so hard to acquire. As mentioned above the first issue is that the current technology is not meeting their needs, but in addition to this a good percentage of customers are reporting that they are not happy with the level of support and customer service that they have received from the company since they have began using the CRM system. TeraTech must address this issue and they have a good opportunity to improve the level of service and support they are providing their customers. Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas Anytime that a company seeks to make changes or branch out into unknown territory, there will be doubt and conflict within the organization. A lot of this comes from the tendency of human nature to resist change coupled with the fear of failure. According to the UOP, Scenario One - TeraTech, research has revealed that most new products fail and this fact "increases anxiety amount the different groups who must

Engaging In Comparative Education Education Essay

Engaging In Comparative Education Education Essay Introduction It is in the very nature of logical activity to make comparisons. Comparing is a elementary part of thought process which enables us to make sense of the world and our experience of it. Indeed, it can be said that only by making comparisons can we properly defend our position on most questions of importance which requires the making of the judgments. Comparing causes us to make statements to the effect that one thing is intellectually or morally preferable to or more effective or better than the other, and this can be clearly exposed in the education field, where the quest for improvement for doing things better is always compelling. In a world which is mainly focused on intense global economic competition and growing beliefs in the key role of education as the source of potential advantage, governments have become increasingly obsessed with the international rankings of measured educational outcomes. Educational policy is increasingly driven by national attempts to copy the perceived advantage associated with the educational strategies and techniques of other countries. Margret Brown argues that documenting practices in high-scoring countries that give ideas for change are very important (as cited in Broadfoot 2000, p.361). It would be at least as important to find out why similar projects have not been successful in other countries. (Shorrocks-Taylor Jenkins 2000, p.16) It is crucial to assess any suggested practices from one country to another. Teachers and the general public need to be informed about the problems of putting something borrowed into practice and reform ideas from other countries to our own system. The increasing international importance of a policy discourse of learning in relation to conventional educational institutions such as schools and universities, reflects the contemporary understanding of the implication of the knowledge society (Broadfoot 2000, p.358); It is of great potential and inevitability for the whole population to be capable and disposed to take advantage of the new methods for accessing new knowledge that information and communications technology is making available. This also reflects the growing recognition that learning is not equivalent with teaching. Todays growing concern is lifelong learning which is powerfully described in a recent European Commission report: The Treasure Within. (Broadfoot 2000, p.358) Different perspective of comparative education by different scholars Antoine Jullien de Paris in 1817 saw comparative education as an analytical study of education in all countries with a view to perfect national schooling systems with adaptation and changes from which policymakers can borrow ideas to implement in their own-country (Bray 2007, p.1). In Hans view the utility of comparative education was that type of education which analyzes comparative law, comparative literature or comparative anatomy in order to highlights the differences in the forces and origins that create the differences in the educational systems (C.S. Oni 2005, p.244). Lewis approached the issue of comparative education in terms of an Island formation. Lewis asserted that, no country is an island; that each is a part of the world; therefore, no educational system anywhere in the world is worth anything unless it is comparable to some other systems in the world.(Quoted from C.S. Oni 2005, p.244). Comparative education for Blishen is the branch of educational theory that has to do with analyzing and interpreting the educational practices and policies in different countries and culture (C.S. Oni 2005, p. 244). Le Thanh Khoi believed that comparative education is a multidisciplinary area when he said that it is not strictly a discipline, but a field of study covering all the disciplines which serve to understand and explain education (quoted from Bray 2007, p. 35). In addition to learning about other people and cultures, comparative education also helps the researcher to know about oneself. As George Bereday puts it: It is self-knowledge born of the awareness of others that is the finest lesson comparative education can afford.(Quoted from Kubow Fossum 2003, p. 11). With the enhancement of nationalism and the increasing importance of the nation states in the beginning of the 19th century comparative education was pushed ahead. The objective was to learn useful lessons from foreign countries, especially concerning education systems. This contained a very colonialist view of the western societies on the foreign countries. School systems were seen as a resource of new educational ideas, which could be borrowed to improve the own school system. Comparative education transferred itself from highly pure description level to a more sophisticated analysis. With the rise of the social sciences in the 1950s the historical aspect became insignificant. Instead comparative education was introduced as a true science by using statistical techniques and more quantitative methods. The main approach was structural functionalism. The aims of comparative education: The aims of comparative education are to describe educational systems, processes, and ending products as well as to assist in the development of educational institutions and practices. It also highlights the relationships between education and society and establishes generalized statements about education that is valid in more than one country. Comparative education also deepens our understanding of our education and society; it can be of great aid to policy makers and administrators; and can be of great asset in the education of teachers (Bray 2007, p.15). Comparative research also helps us understand better our own past; locate ourselves more exactly in the present; and see more clearly what our educational future may be. Comparative education gives the researcher the ability to describe what might be the consequence of certain courses of political and economical action, by looking at experience in a range of countries. From the theories mentioned above extracted from different sch olars, we can see that comparative education facilitates the researchers to learn from the accomplishment and faults that other countries have made in the process of solving similar educational problems. The focal point of comparative study in education is the collection and categorization of information, both descriptive and quantitative. As Sadler stated in one of his lectures delivered in 1900: In studying foreign systems of education we should not forget that the things outside the schools matter even more than the things inside the school, and govern and interpret the things inside. We cannot wander at pleasure among the education systems of the world, like a child strolling through a garden, and picking flowers from one bush and some leaves from another, and then expect that if we stick what we have gathered into the soil at home, we shall have a living plant. A national education system of education is a living thing, the outcome of forgotten struggles and of battles long ago. It has in it some of the secret workings of national life. (Quoted from Philips in Alexander et. al 1999, p.19). On Comparing The comparative education researcher should go far from the familiar to see the unfamiliar to make the familiar strange, in order to broader the principles, geographical and epistemological view (Broadfoot 2000, p.363). When comparing in education researchers are producing a variety of descriptive and explanatory data which differ from micro to macro comparative data analysis, allowing us to see various practices and procedures in a very wide context that helps us to throw light upon them (Sultana as cited in Borg 2009, p.21). While less developed countries have a tendency to look at more developed countries to learn from them, more developed countries tent to look at countries that are on the same economic and educational level to make cross-national comparisons. Examples of this are number of countries that looked at USA as their model. Switzerland in mid-1990 apart from looking up to USA, it also hired American consultants to develop a reform package for schools (Steiner- Khamsi 2002, p.76 as cited in Bray 2007, p.18). On the other hand, America learned also from other countries (Levin 2010, p.96 in www.kappanmagazine.org) like East Asia, (Bray 2007, p.21-22) where the US department of education made an intensive study of Japanese education and came out with 12 principles of good practices. Educators and policy makers went to Finland, which is the top-performing country in the first three rounds of PISA, in order to find the key to education success to achieve high marks in PISA. Private companies like Cisco and McKinsey, are issuing reports on the quality of education around the world. Comparisons across time provide information about improvement or decline over the years like comparing the different periods in the history of education. These comparisons though are limited in the nature of the reference groups or criteria used: that is they are usually limited to school systems similar to those being evaluated. When policy makers look at the past to learn for the future as the British policy makers used to do in 1980s to make comparisons with their own past rather than with other countries. Sometimes the reason to compare with the predecessors is to see how the society has developed as well as to learn from the mistakes that were done in the past (Bray 2007, p.23, Bradburn Gilford 1990, p.2). Comparisons with other localities or between states, provincials and regions compare similar local educational systems within the same state, or with those in other states or the nation as a whole. Comparisons with other states or the nation as a whole have the advantage of comparing between educational systems that are broadly similar. They provide information on particular nations level of achievement in education to the much broader area of the worlds education system (Bradburn Gilford 1990, p.2).Example of such comparison is the comparison between the education systems of Hong Kong (Bray 2007, p.131) or the education systems of Macao (Bray 2007,p.134). When comparing the researcher has to identify the areas; countries or places, and cannot be generalised. As Le Than Khoi (in Sultana as cited in Borg 2009, p.16) gave the example of the Mediterranean. There are too many differences in the region that we call the Mediterranean to make it the object of comparative analyses. Culture is an important factor when comparing places. An example of this is the result that Finland got in the PISA in 2002 compared to other places which was based on the reading competences. Finland achieved well as it has centuries of cultural tradition that long promoted the reading ability (Bray 2007, p.167). A comparative education researcher must try not to be prejudiced either on political, national, religious, racial, gender or ideological aspects. It is crucial that the paradigms used are relevant to all geographic areas and nations that are included in the study. Differences between inter and intra-national research present challenges in comparative research that must be recognized. Such differences are often significant resource of cultural variation (Bradburn Gilford (1990), p.21). The contribution of developing countries in international studies adds information to the development of local research capacity and also widens the sample of participating countries. Third-world participation develops North South dialogues as well as East- West linkages as it serves as a good source for building trust and co-operation (Bradburn Gilford (1990), p.22). As the economic sector is increasing its value and the importance of having a sound education system, the business and industry sector may consult comparative educational studies in their international planning. Textbook publishers, developers of educational software and other educational traders use comparative education to categorize the needs and markets for new products. So the question raised is In whose interests do the education system and decisions taken, work? (My lecture notes). Though comparisons in education are of great benefit there are also who is sceptic and critic about it. There is the belief amongst these that comparative research will lead to a homogeneous-world approach to education that impede proper attention to each countrys unique history, culture, and people.(Bray 2007, p.178). This idea comes from experiences with international institutions that forced economic policies that had negative consequences in less-developed countries. It is vital for policy makers to keep in mind that not all the methods of any country can or should be put into practice in other countries. (Lavin 2010, p.96 in www.kappanmagazine.org, Stromquist 2002, p.87) It is important that insiders and outsiders work collaboratively in order to research and development work that is more sensitive to local, social constructions of reality. (Crossley 2002, p.82) Education research projects and organizations: As global economic competition increases, increases also the beliefs in the education as the source of marginal advantage, governments have become increasingly obsessed with the international rankings of measured educational outcomes. However the issue and impact of power on the educational institutions differentiate form in society to another. It is becoming important more than ever as the decision making in education is changing considerably. The main actors are no longer those most affected by education like the students, parents and the teachers but rather private agencies and international financial institutions (Stromquist 2002, p.87). International agencies compare patterns and results in different countries in order to improve the advice that they give to national governments and policy makers. The UNESCO, World Bank and OECD are amongst international agencies each emphasising their own aims varying from pedagogy, curriculum, economic and financial matters, which play an important part in the education arena. Their aim is to assist countries in designing and implementing successful policies to address the challenges that the educational systems are facing. They also create schemes for promoting lifelong learning in relation with other socio-economic policies (Bray 2007, p. 31). New ideas gained from international studies such as PISA, TIMMS and Survey -Lang can be tried to see if they will improve the education system and to understand why the performance of students in different countries differs (Shorrocks-Taylor Jenkins 2000). Since the late 1950s with the founding of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) such large scale comparative studies have taken on considerable significance in education. From the beginning the IEA has been committed to studying learning in the basic school subjects and to conducting on a regular basis survey of educational achievement. Over time, these outcome data have been increasingly linked to analyses of the effects of curriculum and school organization upon learning and the relationship between achievement and pupil attitudes (Shorrocks- Taylor 2000, p.14). There are different methods on how to measure the comparative aspect which differs from theoretical grounded studies intended to build or test complex models of educational systems to descriptive studies whose purpose is to monitor different features of educational systems, practices and outcomes. The purpose of theoretically oriented studies is mainly to examine relationships among variables and look for casual explanations. It is designed to examine links between school achievement and such characteristics as curricula, teaching methods, family expectations and funding levels. These highlight the level of differences between schools or classes as well as on differences between students as the unit of analysis. (Bradburn Gilford 1990, p.5) Belatedly, the intensification of international competition, spurred on by globalization, neo-liberalism and marketizing, has major implications for cross-national studies of educational achievement, for those engaged in or dealing with the powerful influence of national and international league tables, and for the theoretical frameworks that we employ in our analyses. If the funding of research is increasingly linked to commercial interests, for example, the potential for critical theory, or for alternative cultural perspectives to influence the construction of new knowledge, may be increasingly challenged. Questions of power and whose knowledge counts?, in the process of development arise, perhaps, more strongly than ever before ( reference from my lecture notes). As Sultana stated, comparative education should go further than the concern with comparing like with like (Sultana as cited in Borg 2009, p.9). It focuses more on finding a particular point from where educational and related social phenomenon can be seen from different perspectives; create a deeper understanding of the dynamics as well come up with new ideas. Comparative education provides insights on higher education, educational innovation, teacher education, power and education researches each bringing the experience of the researchers country, or the country or the countries that researcher has studied and came together in order to share these issues in debating sessions. Comparative education and globalization: In a globalise world, schools have come under greater national enquiry regarding the ways they can contribute to or delay a national progress. Claxton (1998) has described the rapidly-changing times we are living as the Age of Uncertainty in which it is impossible to predict the state and shape of the world in few years time (as cited in Broadfoot 2000, p. 358). The educational world today encounters systems which may eventually prove to be a revolution in what is to be taught, to whom and how, since, as Edmund King implies, all its established systems were developed for a world that no longer exists (quoted in Broadfoot p.267). Accountability and educational transformation rose questioning on the education process itself. The heightened interest in and concern over education has encouraged educators to re-evaluate in the light of new global realities, the purpose of schooling, the underlying theories about the relationship between education and development and questioning about educator professionalism. (Watson as cited in Crossley 2002, p.81) The ways in which educators in different countries view these issues and the strategies employed to address them must be understood in the light of different cultural, social and political context in each country. By viewing the educational issue from the perspective of two diverse countries the researcher can identify factor that might be missed when viewing the issue within the context of own country alone. If the research area is related to researchers own cultural environment, it is not always easy to perceive its special characteristics. The case may appear too understandable and non-problematic. A fish cannot see that it is living in water (quoted in http://www2.uiah.fi/projects/metodi/172.htm). Multiple cultural perspectives thinking and analytic frameworks from a multiplicity of disciple the research would provide an international context as well as tools for opening perspective to enhance the way of seeing education. Critical thinking on Comparative education: Comparative education and the critical perspective taking that comparative inquiry, help the researcher to go into a deeper analysis of the relationship among society, development, education and the role that citizens either directly or indirectly play in the education process. Through the development of comparative thinking skills researchers should be able to undertake analyses of their home cultures and systems with a more understanding of the various cultural factors at play. Comparative education encourages both researchers and educators to ask questions like: What kind of educational policies, planning and teaching are appropriate and for what kind of society? The field of comparative education focuses attention on what might be appropriate and inappropriate policy while encourage awareness of philosophies underlying educational policies and encourages interdisciplinary critique. (Klein 1990, 1996, Epstein 1983 as cited in Kubow Fossum 2003, p.7). Comparative education is beneficial and necessary not only for scholars and policy makers but for education practitioners as well. As Gutek said, teachers function in two dimensions: as citizens of particular nation-states, they foster students national identity; and second as citizens of a global society, they recognize that possibilities of humans growth and threats to human survival going beyond national boundaries (Gutek 1993 as cited in Kubow Fossum 2003, p.251). Teachers must learn to look at other equivalent classroom and school practices throughout the world. As Stake (1978) said we observe that people intrinsically pursue the general by looking at the specific. People make sense out of the new circumstances they encounter by comparing that particulars to the universe that includes their own frames of reference. We have named the process of performing cross-cultural investigation and then deriving insights from these investigations the skills of comparative perspective takin g (quoted in Kubow Fossum 2003, p.252). Schools are compared with arenas which constitute tension and combination of forces. In order to understand and control such condition, involves critical skills and the ability to understand the political underlining of societal and educational circumstances (Kaplan 1991 as cited in Kubow Fossum 2003, p. 252). These kinds of critical thinking can promote critical questions like: What is the intention of schooling? What are the equitable education and who decides? What is the appropriate balance between educator authority and accountability? What factors reinforce or hinder teacher professionalism? (Quoted from Kubow Fossum 2003, p. 252). The field of comparative education continues to define its identity and significance in the new thinking about education, society, colonialism and development. Ideas from post-foundational thinking, post-modernism, post-structuralism and post-colonialism, are of great importance in comparative research because they deal with common metanarratives of progress, modernity, dominance and subordination that there have been the fulcrum of the main ideas in comparative education.(Mehta Ninnes 2003, p.238), Crossley 2002, p.82). Examples of Case studies: Case study 1: Comparing literacy The usefulness of comparative education is seen in the number of different case studies. An example of a case study is Literacy skills in Maltese-English bilingual children by Rachael Xuereb (2009). The study examines the reading and phonological awareness skills in English and Maltese of children whose mother tongue is Maltese and second language English. A sample of 50 typically developing Maltese children aging between 8 years 0 months to 10 years 5 months was chosen to participate in this study. The children acquired Maltese as a first language within the family and later acquired English as a second language through Kindergarten and/or the early school years. The participants in this study attend a church school situated in the south-western part of the island. Since children star going to school at the age of 5 years, the children have been learning to read in Maltese and also in English. For the purpose of this study, Maltese reading and reading-related tests were created to parallel the UK and US standardised assessments. All the children sat for the novel tests and the standardised tests. According to the results found by Xuereb, Maltese children read better in Maltese than in English, which is the language of instruction in most of the subjects. Each child was tested on the following measures in both languages: word and non word reading, non word repetition, spelling, segmenting words and non words elision, rapid naming of letters, numbers and colours, forward memory for digits. Increasing research has addressed this issue for bilingual students, in relationship to whether phonological awareness in the first language predicts phonological awareness in the second language (Quiroga, Lemos-Britton, Mostafapour, Abbott Berninger, 2002). Studies comparing first language and second language decoding skills in readers of different orthographies suggest that these skills are positively correlated and that individual differences in the development of these skills can be predicted on the basis of underlying cognitive and linguistic abilities such as phonological skills, memory, orthographic knowledge and speed of processing (Geva Wade-Woolley, 1998 as cited in Xuereb 2009, p.331). This study aimed to find answer for how do Maltese-English bilingual children perform on reading and phonological tasks and to verify whether prior findings of cross-language transfer from first language phonological awareness to reading or to second language phonological awareness be replicated in this sample of Maltese-speaking students. Case study 2: Comparing the role of gender and age on students perceptions towards online education. This study conducted by Fahme Dabaj, and Havva BaÃ…Å ¸ak, was conducted in order to question and analyze the perceptions and attitudes of the students to online distance education by means of email and the World Wide Web as the method of delivering instruction through on-line diploma programs offered by Sakarya University in Turkey with respect to their age and gender. The research was based on a questionnaire as a mean of data collection method. The findings of the analysis explained that although the students registered to the online program by will, they preference was for the traditional face-to-face education due to the difficulty of the nonverbal communication, their lack of ability in using the technology required, and their belief in traditional face-to face learning more than online education. The research methodology of this study used the quantitative statistical methods and techniques such as significance differences, correlation and the cross-tabulation distribution to find out if there is a significant relationship between the independent and the dependent variable questions, measuring the role of age and gender of students towards their perceptions regarding distant education. The quantitative data was collected by survey questionnaire and was analyzed via quantitative statistical methods. All the students enrolled in the distance education programs and the online courses in the autumn term of the 2005/2006 Academic Year took part in the research. Regarding gender, the results proofed that the female students have a better awareness of the online education contrasting to the male students. Regarding age, the results showed that the older the students preference moves towards attending face-to face classes. Case study 3: Comparing different Art methodologies. I also attempted to make a small comparative study in which I compared Art methodology adopted in a state school compared with that adopted by the Verdala International School. The Verdala International is a co-ed international school in which foreign students resident in Malta can attend. The Art department in this school in based on two Art Programs; the IG which is equivalent to O level exam and the IB which is equivalent to the A level exam. My research was aimed at bringing out the difference in teachers and students approach towards the subject. The first difference which I pointed out was the level of organization in the state schools Art room in comparison with the organized chaos that ruled in the Verdala International. Both teachers response to my comments about the Art room environment was that it reflects the methodology they adopt towards the subject. Art lessons in the state school are more structured; students have to follow rules which hinder them from using their imagination freely. In both schools the lessons where introduced in the same manner there was a lot of teacher talk with the teacher orchestrating the whole thing. The children were only asked to participate when the teacher asked them for suggestions. The two lessons differed in the way they developed while in the state school, the students followed the traditional method by copying the teachers examples from the whiteboard and were very limited in experimentation, at Vedala international the students were much freer to experiment and be creative. The reason was that although the Art syllabi of both schools are very similar, the methodology adopted is different. The teacher at the state school believes that in order to break the rules in Art first the student has to learn them by using the traditional method by copying. While Art lessons at the state school are more exams oriented, although at Verdala International they do have an end of year test, the focus is more on helping students develop creative ideas. During my observation sessions at the state school, which were carried out in the beginning of November, the teacher consistently reminded the students about the exam. On the other hand at Verdala International the final test was never mentioned. At the Verdala International I also tried to compare Maltese students who have been to a state school and are now attending Verdala International with foreign students who had been attending to Art classes in their own countries are now at Verdala. The aim of such comparison was to identify students perspectives of the methodologies used for the teaching of Art in Malta and abroad. The foreign students interviewed were from Italy, USA, Sweden, Germany, Russia and England. From the response given it resulted that the conservative Art methodology used in Maltese state schools is very similar to that in Russia and in the early years of the middle school in Germany. Lessons at Verdala International are more similar to those in Italy where the students are active participants and able to take decisions on what they should do. While in state schools every lesson planned out by the teacher following the syllabus that is to be covered, at Verdala International the lesson is in the form of a group discussion. Each student decides on a theme that he/she would like work on and the teacher will facilitate his learning. This way, different students might be working on different projects unlike in state schools where everyone would be doing the same thing. Maltese students prefer more the methodology used at the Verdala International than the Art methodology used in the state school. The research methodology of this study consisted of observation sessions, interviews with students both on individual bases and in groups, and interviews with four teachers (one at Verdala International and 3 at state school). The number of students that took part in this study was 45 students (22 at Verdala International and 23 at state school). Conclusion The comparative education area is composed by what researchers declare about its nature, origins, purposes, futures, by the truths people support and by the struggle over what made true comparative education (Mehta Ninnes 2003, p.240). The significance in studying this area using intellectual accuracy, the working and foreign systems of education will result in our better fitted to study and understand our own w

Declaration Of Independence :: essays research papers fc

The Accomplishments of Harriet Tubman   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Harriet Tubman was a black woman born into slavery. Harriet was an abolitionist and strongly believed that all slaves should be free. Harriet learned that her master had died and that she would be sold if she did not run away. At the age of twenty-five, Harriet left her plantation and was on the run to a free state (Harriet par 1).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Harriet made her way ninety miles from Maryland to Philadelphia. There she began to work and make a living for herself. She decided that she was going to free other slaves so she began to make her journey back to the Southern states twice a year to free as many slaves as she could (Bentley 47-49).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Underground Railroad was how Harriet freed hundreds of slaves, including her aging parents. The Underground Railroad was a route that Harriet took to free the slaves. She would have covered wagons with fixed bottoms, which were filled with slaves. She would take them to various homes of other abolitionists for food and shelter throughout the night. Once day broke Harriet would continue her journey towards the free states (Smith par 1-2).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When the government enacted the Fugitive Slave Law Harriet could not bring the slaves to Philadelphia anymore. They were no longer safe in any of the states and had to be brought to Canada for their freedom. This meant that Harriet had to extend the route of the Underground Railroad (Petry 132-133).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Harriet was nicknamed Moses by her people. They believed that she was sent from God to free them. Throughout all her trips back and forth through the Underground Railroad, the reward for the capture of Harriet was up to $40,000. This made it even more difficult for Harriet to make it safely through the woods and trails, though she was never captured (Smith par 5-6).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman became very prominent. She became a nurse, a scout, and a spy for the Union forces. As a nurse, Harriet found a root that helped cure the dysentery. Once again the soldiers began to call her Moses because she had saved many of their lives (Petry 220-224). While being involved in the Civil War, Harriet freed another seven hundred slaves. Harriet was said to be a well respected throughout the war. She received official commendations from many Union Army officials. Even though Harriet contributed a lot of time and hard work in the war efforts, she never received veterans’ benefits for any of of her painstaking work (Harriet par 3).

A Picture is Worth a thousand…Parts?

It is presumed that adults can not recognize a face in parts as easily as the complete facial structure.   It is presumed to be as such because adults recognize the features of an individual’s face more easily than the context of the facial patterns in isolation (762).This gestalt-like facial processing theoretically begins in infancy and has a developmental milestone that is disrupted if something delays or obliterates this phenomenon.   On television shows and in magazines I recall partial viewings of celebrities’ faces and I almost never got it right.   Such is the finding of Young et al in 1987 study in which adults found it difficult to recognize the top half of a celebrities’ face when it was aligned   with bottom half of a different face (762).   Some theorists believe there is an intimate ability to recognize faces.   However, this research study invalidates that theory.   A controlled experiment was done with patients that were born with or suffered from visual impairments at infancy.These participants were all less than seven months when visual acuity was affected.   Vision was later corrected and the experiment for holistic facial identification had commenced (765).To test for the gestalt-like effect, participants were asked to move a joystick forward if the top halves were the same and back if the top halves were different.   Composites were created by splitting face images horizontally across the middle of the nose, and then recombining the faces using the top and bottom halves of different individuals.   In the aligned position, the top and bottom were properly aligned.In the misaligned condition the top half was shifted horizontally to the left (764).   The results were astounding.   The group that had visual imperfections at infancy actually performed better than their control counterparts on same trials when faces were aligned (766).This group was also more accurate on different trials than on same t rials and did not vary with alignment (766).   This supports the theory that this ability is not innate.   Holistic face processing or a composite face effect was not a sustained ability of those with visual impairments at a critical time period.   Such patients fail to integrate facial features into a Gestalt (767).This experiment shows that early visual input is very critical for the normal development of facial processing.   It also raises the question of whether early vision is necessary to preserve the neural substrate that would allow training to induce the later development of holistic processing of non-face objects (767),   I find it rather interesting and this bizarre phenomenon begs the question of when the critical time period begins and ends.The article states that by age six, adult-like processing takes place.   It does not state if visual perception is disrupted after age six, if this ability for gestalt-like processing is still apparent.   Thus this expe riment does not prove that infancy is the critical time period or developmental milestone for this ability.To be sufficient, it would have to include a group of participants that had visual impairments later in life and the length of the impairment would have to be similar.   What about visual impairments for one and two year olds? This only mentions infancy from 3 to 6 months.This experiment is partial, at best.   I would also like to know how the control group compares to those who have visual impairments that have not been corrected.   Are such people able to recognize faces aligned and misaligned with similar circumstances? These are critical points to validate and substantiate the findings of this experiment.

Eriksons Life Stages Essay Example

Eriksons Life Stages Essay Example Eriksons Life Stages Essay Eriksons Life Stages Essay Throughout this course I have become familiar with psychological concepts and theories that occur during all stages of life. Even though I have not lived long enough to discuss many of the topics, I have just made it through adolescence. Because I do not remember many of my younger infancy and early childhood I feel that it would be best to discuss my adolescence while it is fresh in my mind. Turning eighteen is a big step in one’s life and there are many changes that take place during this time, in this paper I will analyze these stages in my life. Going through identity crisis during high school, identity achievement, moral reasoning, and social relationships are all concepts that I can relate to during my adolescent years. In the text Erikson states that the central crisis of adolescence is that of identity versus role confusion [Bruce, 2004], which every high school student can relate to when they enter this new stage of their life. Through my years of high school I was interested in many different activities with many different groups of friends. I had my friends in softball, in cheerleading, in choir, and in band. Because I was involved with many different groups of friends I was pulled in different directions. I was no longer a child anymore but a teenager and therefore becoming a â€Å"new person,† obtaining a new identity. Confusion about all the role choices that are thrown at you leads to identity crisis, which is a period in which an adolescent is confused about the lack of identity [Erikson, 1968]. I myself went through this more than once throughout my years of high school. Each year you lose friends and you make new friends, you lose interest in one activity or sport and become interested in another I went through a different identity crisis each year while all of these events occurred to me. All throughout high school I feel like I did not truly know who I was. It was when I had to start thinking about growing up and moving past high school to the â€Å"real world† did I truly have a sense of who I was, who I would become. I then reached identity achievement which is when an identity status has been achieved after going through the crisis [Erikson, 1968]. I reached this stage when I realized where I wanted to go to college and what my occupation would be. I felt like I was growing up and now had a purpose in life. Erikson and Marcia stated that the process of identity development could happen at different points in a teenager’s life. [Marcia, 1980] Throughout my life I have usually hung out with people that are older than me and therefore I reached identity achievement at a sooner time than other people my age. I layout all my plans for the future such as where I will finish school, what my occupation will be, that I want to get married, how many kids I want, and much more; while other kids my age are only worried about the right now. Because I had all these plans for my future and knew exactly where I was headed in life did I feel that I reached the stage of identity achievement sooner than many other adolescents my age. Also throughout my adolescent years I â€Å"tested† my parents to see what I could get away with. In Kohlberg’s stages of moral development in the preconventional stage of punishment and obedience orientation it states that the teenager decides what is right or wrong on the basis of what is punished. [Crain, 1985] Every teenager wants to have more freedom, a later curfew, and for their parents to just get off their back. In wanting these things teenagers will test their parents as I did in my teen years. For example, if my mom would tell me to be home at midnight I would be a little late the first time and if I got away with that then the next time I would be even later. I would continue this until I got in trouble for being late which then in turn I knew how far I could go before being punished each time. In the text from the textbook it is suggested that the bond between a teenager and a parent fades during adolescence but will soon return. This statement is true in my experiences with my parents. When I went through the stage of wanting to be on my own and I am grown up so I can make my own decisions is when the conflicts between me and my parents began. During this time I was not as close with my parents like I had been in the past and in a way it was saddening but I was a selfish teenager and did not care. Even though I still live with my parents they treat me more as an adult now like I wanted years ago, when in fact I was not an adult then. Now that I am older and more mature realizing that I love my parents more than anything and there is a happy medium while living at home and having my own freedoms without the conflicts. Now me and my parents relationship I feel is better than ever because I have become more mature and fell into my new role or identity in life. During adolescent years your friends are the most important and there is that one who you call your best friend that knows absolutely everything about you. Throughout high school you make new friends and lose old ones but no matter what happens I feel that each and every friendship is very important in a teen’s life. It is said that with girls they prefer to hang out with other girls who obtain the same relationship status. This may be true but the main reason why friendships end is because of boys but in the adolescent years if the friendship is stable enough this will not be a factor. I can relate to this on many different occasions where boys could have been the end of a great friendship but because of the maturity of our friendship it only made it that much stronger. While in high school you tend to hand out with a certain clique or group of people. My best friend to this day was someone who shared the same interests as me in high school and as we grew and moved into early adulthood we still shared the same values in life, remaining the best of friends. Now we move on to the topic of romantic relationships. Through the adolescent years teens go through relationships that fail but in turn help them development and learn from the mistakes they make. Many romantic relationships in fact do start from heterosexual friendships as opposed to just sexual relations. Throughout my adolescent years I always dated people who had started out as friends but then the thing you had to worry about was ruining the great friendship that you had between the two of you but because of the mature person I was becoming in my teen years I realized that it didn’t always ruin the friendship just because you dated. Even though the end of each relationship may be hard it is a great part of the adolescent development of teens. In conclusion, now have I not only become familiar to but can relate to many of the concepts and theories discussed throughout the course. I have been through and am able to analyze identity crisis, identity achievement, moral reasoning, and social relationships as discussed in the paragraphs above. Now entering early adulthood I can continue to apply the theories learned in this course to my life and see just exactly how my life compares to the text and research. Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity Youth and Crisis. New York: Norton. Enhancing the Spiritual Development of Adolescent Girls (2004) Retrieved November 26th, 2008, from: http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_5_7/ai_n6121239/pg_1? tag=art Body;col1 W. C. Crain. (1985). Theories of Development. Prentice-Hall. pp. 118-136. Marcia, J. (1980). Identity in adolescence. In J. Adelson (Ed. ), Handbook of adolescent psychology (pp. 159-187). New York: Wiley.

media sex essays

media sex essays Sex and Manipulation by the Media Most people know that sex appeal is used on us every day, but few realize that they are also being manipulated through certain words and writing techniques. The number one method of selling many consumer goods is the use of sex appeal in advertisement. Of all the methods used in advertising, sex appeal catches the attention best, because it is our second strongest drive, next to our drive for survival. It is used to sell countless items such as cars, make up, clothes, cologne and alcohol. It is used everywhere, on billboards, in magazines, and on television. It was not difficult to find several examples of when and how it is used to persuade us to buy that certain product. Laws have been made to protect consumers from the lies that advertisers would feed to us, but advertisers are always finding a way around them. No advertisements are useful if they fail to catch our attention. Sex appeal is very versatile; it can be used to sell nearly every product. Charles A. O'Neill states, "The desire to be sexually attractive to others is an ancient instinct, and few drives are more powerful"(163). One ad for Hanes†° pantyhose has only the picture of a woman wearing nothing at all, or so it seems at first glance. It seems strange that the advertisers would put a nearly nude woman in the ad when they are trying to attract the attention of females not men who would most likely notice it. Women and men will see the ad and once you found out that it advertising pantyhose, you'd continue flipping but not before you sa...

Assignment for HS 110 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Assignment for HS 110 - Term Paper Example thrax as a bio-weapon affected not only the US Post Office, but medical centers that were burdened by the need to stock preventative medicine that had been rarely used before this time. The threat of anthrax coming through the mail became a terror that affected the whole nation and made real the idea that bacteria could be used as a weapon. The events were like something out of a movie. On October 5, 2001 a man in Florida died from what was thought to be an isolated incidence of anthrax. According to an article by PBS there was no need to think that this isolated incident could be tied to terrorist activity. Tommy Thompson, White House Health Services Secretary announced that â€Å"this is an isolated case and it’s not contagious† (PBS). This was not to be the case, however, as a new evidence of outbreaks lead to an investigation that found letters that contained a dog kibble like substance that was the source of the bacteria. Although letters were not found, evidence of the illness cropped up at the three major networks, ABS, CBS, NBC, and at the New York Post. There is a belief that at least five letters with anthrax bacterium was sent to those outlets. The first man to die, Robert Stevens, worked at a Florida based tabloid, the Sun. The National Enquirer was also targeted in Boca Raton (Security Info W atch). Letters were found to be sent to Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy, but the letter to Leahy had been sent to the wrong address and a postal worker contracted the illness as a result. When letters began to appear to the government, postal service to government offices was shut down and the procedures for testing for evidence of the bacteria in the mail began (FBI). On October 16, 2001 Attorney General John Ashcroft stated that â€Å"When people send anthrax through the mail to hurt people and invoke terror, it’s a terrorist act† (Army.mil). From this point on, the established framework for the investigation was that of a terrorist act. The FBI lists

Survey of Human Resource Management db 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Survey of Human Resource Management db 3 - Essay Example The following discussion focuses on employee retention and how organizations can enhance upward mobility. Organizations should be able to provide a well defined career path for all positions in their organizations. As stated by Shore (2013), organizations can increase their percentage of employee retention by helping their employees envision credible rewards such as salary increment, promotion, performance rewards, and bonuses. This should be available for the junior staff, supervisors, line managers and the top management of an organization. It is important to note that the line managers and top management are the most often affected and may be at risk of leaving because they may feel that their careers have stalled at the present organizations. Well defined career paths can be provided through effective performance management practices where you talk to your employees about their goals and aspirations. Employees inputs serves as a point of departure upon which human resource managers can brainstorm ways to structure job descriptions not only to accommodate employees’ goals and aspirations but also to advance them in a well structured career path. In this regard, attention should be given to alternative career paths that define a more personal employee aspiration since most career paths do not reflect employees’ personal goals. This is not only important in fostering career retention but also important in creating a work environment which promote growth and development (Chhabra & Mishra, 2008). The second strategy for enhancing upward mobility and promoting retention is by fostering skill building through education assistance and cross-training for all employees. Cross training is an important strategy since it helps employees acquire new skills, stay motivated and become more interested in their job. Employees often value opportunities that are available to them