Historical and Personal Background of the Divine Comedy Essay

This essay is to accompany Between Fortune and Providence: Astrology and the Universe in Dante’s Divine Comedy. What follows is the overview and timeline I wish I had when I first started reading the Divine Comedy. Many commentaries of the Divine Comedy give background historical information, usually consisting of a general introduction and brief explanations when specific characters and events come up within the poem. Here I will proceed sequentially, beginning centuries before Dante’s birth and concluding in the year of his death. When I first mention a historical person whose character appears in the Divine Comedy, the name will be in bold, followed by page references from Between Fortune and Providence. Because this section gives an overview specific to the Divine Comedy, Italy and the city-states of northern Italy, especially Florence, is our focus. This essay is partly organized according to the modern astrological practice that uses cycles of the modern planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. When relevant, we will look at outer planet configurations when they form conjunctions, opening squares, oppositions, and closing squares that correspond to New, First Quarter, and Full, and Third Quarter Moons. Since many readers of Between Fortune and Providence are astrologers or are interested in modern astrology, this will be useful for them. Those who are not astrologers can pass over this material. Here’s a preliminary summary of some the interacting themes of Church, politics, and economics that provide some background for the Divine Comedy. Religion: Understanding the medieval Church takes a special leap of the imagination. The Church had a dominant role in organizing and giving cohesiveness to Europe over a very long time. Yet the Church had its ups and downs, politically and spiritually. Because of its wealth and political power, the Church was also vulnerable to being abducted by strong secular rulers, and this is the case throughout the medieval era. In this essay we first encounter the Church as largely controlled by secular authorities, but reform movements were afoot that would help give it greater independence and spiritual authority over time. As the Church grew stronger, however, it would become more empire than religion and at times was unbelievably worldly. Over the centuries the papacy sometimes inaugurated some attempts to reform the Church. There were also reform movements from the monastic side. Other Church reform2 movements, like the orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans, began with charismatic leaders. There were also some failed attempts that have come down to us as â€Å"heresies.† Two centuries after Dante’s death, one heretical preacher, Martin Luther, would help launch the Protestant Reformation. Politics: In Dante’s lifetime, the Italian peninsula was comprised of many autonomous and economically diverse regions. In the south were the vulnerable but cosmopolitan kingdoms of Sicily and Naples. The central region was governed by the Pope. In the wealthier and more urbanized north, including Florence, there were many independent and prosperous city-states that were frequently at war with each other and with the larger political entities around them. Beginning around the time of Dante’s birth, the â€Å"Holy Roman Empire† was a loose confederation of warring German princes and their territories that were governed by an Emperor – at least in theory. In the centuries before Dante, the Holy Roman Empire was more dominant in Italian affairs. Just before and during the poet’s lifetime, however, the French monarchy had become a major player in European affairs. Dante resented this greatly. He was nostalgic for a renewed Roman Empire, but the reality was the perpetually disappointing contemporary â€Å"Holy Roman Empire.† Dante did not know that Europe’s future would favor not empires but nations like France, England, and Spain. Economics: The monetary and banking systems of Dante’s world would be more familiar to us than its religious and political institutions. Unlike the more rural and feudal Europe to its north and west, northern Italy contained commercial and banking institutions similar to ours. Italy benefited from its proximity to major trade routes and, with the Crusades, more traffic that moved back and forth across the Mediterranean. Toward Dante’s lifetime, Florence was a prosperous banking center and was also known for its textile industry. Dante loathed the commercialization of Florence and northern Italy in general. Yet this commercial activity would help bankroll Italy’s greatest eras in the centuries to come. In short, Dante’s conceptions of the flow of history into the future turned out to be completely wrong. He longed for a renewal of times that would never return.

Amtrack Case Study

In the given Amtrack case study provided, which involved a train in an accident that caused forty seven deaths can   be perceived as an ethical issue that is based on whom to blame on some situation which arise and uncertain.The ethical issue lie on who to blame among the main stakeholders, where the main stakeholders in this situation include the engineers, the national transportation safety board, conductor and assistant conductor CSX Transportation Inc and also WGN company.The main decision makers in the case include the media, the United States government and also the National Transportation Safety Board.The Amrack company had a cooperate social responsibility of ensuring that it promoted the social welfare of the community in which its operated a part from the benefits that it got from its operations.The company had a cooperate responsibility of following the legal procedures which are set by the relevant authorities in ensuring improved social welfare of the community (Loudon , 1986).For example the company was expected to adhere to the measures which were set by National Transportation Safety Board in improving the passengers safety when on board, but the company otherwise decided not to follow the rules by not   equipping the train with the sensor which was meant to detect the bridge damages.The company may have also perceived the equipping of the train with the sensor as a cost which was meant to make them loose economically, therefore decided to do without the device at the expense of endangering the passengers lives.The company also has a cooperate social responsibility in protecting the human lives on board, which it traded by not fixing the sensor to the train implying that they valued money more than human lives.Philanthropy is another social cooperate responsibility that involves the donating an aid to a charitable cause in improving the welfare of the community that a company is operating in, and this should depend on the wealth level of the donating company.Law provides a basis for an ethical decision on the legal, economic, ethical and philanthropic issues of cooperate social responsibility. Law provide that the companies should adhere to the set standards of operating which are intended to improve the welfare of the community and this include the rules for the protection of humanity and the environment.The companies are expected to observe some safety measure during their operation to ensure that the participates in their operation, both the workers and the users of their products are safe.The law also provide that companies are expected to instill the safety measures despite the cost of implementing the safety measures. Companies are likely to avoid taking some safety measures because of the costs involved in the implementation, therefore law is meant to ensure that the safety measures are in place.Companies are certain to value profits more than the human lives therefore posing an ethical problem (Bentham, 2007). L aw is needed in protecting humanity because it will ensure that companies are protecting humanity despite their much interest in profit maximization.Most cooperation are profit maximizing and for that reason they do not like spending in charitable activities toward the improvement of the community welfare as a cooperate social responsibility, otherwise they perceive the donations as a waste of resources.This situation call for the act of law to ensure that the companies provide for charitable activities aimed at improving the welfare of the community in which they operate in so as so make their operations reflective of the society in which they operate in (Hess and Bales, 2007).Law is therefore meant to make them contribute to charitable activities in proportion to the companies' wealth, hence the promotion of philanthropy.Conclusion and Recommendations.From the Amtrack case study, the main ethical issue is the conflicting interests in society which gave an opportunity for the occur rence of the accident. The Amtrack company is concern with lowering its operating costs at the expense of human safety who use the company train. The National transport safety board is also concerned with the safety of the passengers.Due to the conflicting interests in the society as portrayed in the case, there occurs the need for having set rules which are meant to cater for the interests of all persons in society.The rules which are part of the country of the country's law should be set in a manner in which all the parties' interest are considered and judgement made on   the basis of mutual benefits.The positive implication of the recommendation is that order will be restored in society as everybody will be expected to behave in a manner in which is expected to promote the general good of everybody. The negative implication of the recommendation is that some entities in societies will feel restrained in achieved their interest at the expense of the other entities' welfare.The p ossible criticism over the recommendation is that, it is difficult to exactly draws a balance over interests because the interest of individuals' are varied thus a unattainable.The best possible way to address the criticism is to make a judgement based on the premise that one is expected to behave in manner in which he   or she   may expect to be treated when in a situation like that of his or her neighbor in promoting the general happiness.ReferenceBentham J., 2007, An Introduction to the Principals of Moral and Legislation, Dover Pubns, pp 14 Loudon M., 1986,   Philanthropic Economy, E. Churton, pp 13 Hess A. and Bales J., 2007, Design Professional and Constarctive Manager Law, American Bar   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Association, pp 28   

Organizattional Structure Presentation Annotated Bibliography

Organizattional Structure Presentation - Annotated Bibliography Example The management of the organization needs to select financial experts to serve in the financial committee as a guide on finances. Financial experts prepare budget, financial statements and carry out audits of the organization. Harris, M. G., Society for Health and Administration Programs in Education., & Australian College of Health Services Executives. (2006). Managing health services: Concepts and practice. Marrickville, N.S.W: Elsevier Australia Development of quality improvement and clinical audit, experiences with other industries, consumers and funders has led to a keen interest to understand the nature of risk. Need to understand the potential benefit of risk, its management, and its influence to cause adverse effects. Lombardi & Schermerhorn (2007) shows the importance of a trustworthy form of communication in the healthcare organization. Examples are formal, informal, external and internal. Communication with stakeholders, patients, outside world and in the organization is essential. Miller (2007) puts into perspective the importance given to the human resource such as employee culture development of belonging and motivation for more productivity. There is the need to have a conducive work environment and maintenance of a balance between socio-technical system and effectiveness of the

Entrepreneurship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Entrepreneurship - Essay Example According to the task outline, the objective of this assignment is to develop an understanding of the experiences, motivation, and lessons acquired by individuals who have created successful enterprises. Consequently, this paper has focused on The Cambridge Satchel Company as a demonstration to help us understand to various dimensions that entrepreneurs face although till they create successful businesses. As such, the paper will analyse an interview conducted on the company’s co-founder Julie Deane (Faulkner, 2012). Julie Deane, Co-Founder, the Cambridge Satchel Company According to McGowan et al. (2012) entrepreneurs are always motivated by the desire to take control of their lives and self confidence in their abilities to run a business (McGowan, Redeker, Cooper, & Greenan, 2012). Similarly, the idea behind the creation of The Cambridge Satchel Company started from the need of Deane to transfer her eight years daughter from a school where she was being bullied. As such Dean e was faced with a situation that required more income/money. This made Deane to come up with many business ideas only to settle at an idea that involved the making of traditional leather satchels. Her target market was the school going children who were crazy about the Harry Potter kind of bag. Consequently, in 2007, with a saving of six hundred euros Deane set her business (Eccles, 2012). The first consignments were classical chestnut coloured bags, in addition to black and dark brown colours because these colours were readily available. This is a classical support of the need for entrepreneurs need to set their goals and objectives. Moreover, this business is a sole-proprietorship kind; as such the company had its share of hardships in borrowing. Another, back draw in this business form is it weak growth rate due to limited capital and exposure (staff, 2010).However, another important characteristics for any successful entrepreneurs is high risk tolerance, a feature that has enab led Deanne to be successful in her business, to date (Shah, Smith , & Reedy, 2011). The Cambridge Satchel Company initial operations were at home. Deane confesses that as a start-up business she was only able to sell one to three bags in a week. However, through her own advertising initiatives, she started distributing leaflets in the neighbourhood and in offices and clinics. In addition, the fact that Cambridge boasts of being a career town and hold a lot of traditions, many people were able to identify with the Satchels. This factor greatly helped in the growth of the Satchel demand. More so, Deane was able to make a name through fashion houses and celebrities many of whom fell for them. To make more sales she started producing the bags in more different colours so that they could match the requirements and demands of the customer. Though this, Deane has demonstrated very good entrepreneurship skills. For example, she has demonstrated the importance of relating with the customerâ €™s needs. In addition Deane confessed that even if the demand grew she has never compromised on the quality. From the interview, Deane admits that another success factor for her business is innovativeness and creativity. Notably, in diversifying her product, she realized the importance

Make green tech, not green legislation Research Paper

Make green tech, not green legislation - Research Paper Example Google has had a track record of getting into trouble over privacy issues. This article pertains to the most recent trouble that Google faces on this issue. Google faces investigation from regulators in the U.S.A and Europe over its bypassing of the user privacy settings on Apple’s Safari Web browser. Bypassing of the privacy settings by Google was through the use of enabling special codes that allowed Google to maintain a track of computer and mobile users. Google says it will cooperate with the investigation and has stopped the use of these special codes and the tracking of computer and mobile users. However, Google had earlier taken the stand that the advertisement cookies through which the security was bypassed, was to provide features that the users themselves had enabled. In addition, it was also earlier stated that personal information of the users was not collected by the generated advertisement cookies. (2).

Impact of Globalization in the Aviation Industry Essay - 1

Impact of Globalization in the Aviation Industry - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the deal saw Singapore airlines inject into the company capital worth 49 million pounds and virgin Atlantic investing capital to the amount of 51 million. These capital investments brought Virgin Atlantic’s total equity investment value to the tune of 1.225 billion pounds. Over the years, the company has become more suitably placed to be able to effectively compete with other well established International airlines such as the British Airways which happens to be the UK’s leading and biggest airline at the moment. Virgin Airways is a part of the Virgin Group Conglomerate that is owned by Sir Richard Branson. The Airways is currently regarded as a market leader in the aviation industry with its dedication to researching and implementing new innovations that have the innate potential of immensely improving the customer experience of all persons who use Virgin for their transportation. This is in line with the Virgin Group’s policy of givi ng the prefix Virgin to its various businesses to indicate that the business is exceptionally daring, innovative and daring. As a result of the Virgin group’s overall success, there are many businesses outside the Virgin Group that have recently been showing immense interest in their joining the group via the establishment of joint ventures. With the constant stream of innovations and a myriad of successful marketing strategies, the Richard Branson led virgin group conglomerate has grown in value to an excess of $3.5 billion and is one of the world’s most well recognized and powerful brands. The airline has come from humble beginnings since it launched its first flight flying from London all the way to New York on June 22, 1984. After this maiden voyage, the airline quickly expanded its operations to include flight services to other areas and regions such as Miami (1986), Tokyo (1989), Boston (1987), Los Angeles (1990) AND Orlando (1988). One of the major obstacles tha t the company has ever encountered was its inability to receive permission to be able to have its planes flying out of Britain’s busiest airport, the London Heathrow airport.

Crime Scene Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Crime Scene - Research Paper Example Even though they are the most common, they are also the most easily contaminated and therefore, must be handled literally with kid gloves. When a crime scene investigator is called upon to collect hair sample evidence, he can do this a number of ways. However, the most common method is to ; â€Å"use the fingers or tweezers to pick up hair, place in paper bundles or coin envelopes which should then be folded and sealed in larger envelopes. Label the outer sealed envelope.† In instances when the hair is found to be mixed with blood or other items at the crime scene, it is important to preserve all the types of evidence present. Therefore, in order to collect the hair sample while attached to say, a bloodstain, a CSI might find himself leaving the hair intact where it dried up or got mixed up in because of the method by which it is recovered and packed ; â€Å"If the object is small, mark it, wrap it, and seal it in an envelope. If the object is large, wrap the area containing the hair in paper to prevent loss of hairs during shipment. â€Å" (â€Å"†Evidence Collection Guidelines†) Tests that can be performed on a hair sample include Fresh Blood on the other hand, â€Å"... needs to be absorbed in a gauze pad or sterile cloth and allowed to dry thoroughly†. If whole pieces of clothing are retrieved, â€Å"label and roll in paper or place in a brown paper bag or box and seal and label container. Place only one item in each container. Do not use plastic containers., then allow it to dry at room temperature at the crime lab.† (â€Å"†Evidence Collection Guidelines†) These types of evidence cannot be exposed to sunlight as it will contaminate the blood. Dried blood on the other hand, requires that the clothing be wrapped in clean containers in the same manner as fresh blood. If the blood is found on small objects, the object should be wrapped, labeled, and sealed in a box before being shipped to the laboratory. (†Å"†Evidence Collection Guidelines†). It is important to not mix blood stains and instead place any stains retrieved from table or counter tops in separate envelopes. It is important to not retrieve the blood evidence with moistened cloth or tissue paper because its chemical composition will influence the freshly recovered evidence. One of the tests can be performed on both dry and liquid samples would be DNA matching and blood chemical analysis for those suspected of being poisoned. When recovering firearms, it is important to wear latex gloves in order to preserve any DNA, trace, or fingerprints on the gun. Remember to treat it as a loaded gun even though the visual evidence indicates the cartridge is empty. Remember that there may be unfired bullets in the chamber and therefore, the weapon should not be shipped by any method for safety reasons. Prior to sending the gun to the lab, it is of the utmost importance that the serial number, make and model, caliber and model markings are properly recorded because â€Å"Marking firearms is important since duplicate serial numbers are sometimes found on different guns of the same make and general type.† (â€Å"†Evidence Collection Guidelines†) When a gun is recovered at the crime scene, shell casings from the bullets won't be far behind. As with the gun itself, latex gloves are the order of the day when recovering the bullet casings. The bullets should be wrapped in paper or dropped into the small evidence bag that are properly labeled. Once a while, labeled pill boxes and envelopes may

Infosys in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Infosys in China - Essay Example It suggests measures for a better development in China and also other emerging countries. Â  Infosys was started by a group of seven members in the year 1981. It incorporated with the name Infosys Consultant Private Ltd. From the very beginning, Infosys was depended on the overseas business. The founder of Infosys, Narayana Murthy operated its business in India while the other seven went to the US and started working for their corporate clients. Reebok was Infosys first US based client. The company earned revenue of Rs 1.2 million in 1981. 1981 was a period when India did not experience the growth of computers, so licensing of computers would take a longer period. Infosys did not have the space needed to install a computer, thus it hired a premise of a customer where the new employees would be provided training. It also concentrated in the fields like retailing, distribution, finance and telecommunications. Infosys has entered into a joint venture with Kurt Salmon Associate (ICMR, 2006, p.2). Â  Infosys is the first company to get listed on NASDAQ stock exchange. It accounted a net profit of $US 152.1 million at the end of the quarterly result. The USA is its main source of revenue; it is planning to expand in Europe and Asia. Infosys in China is merely focusing on its local clients. It has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies (IBEF, n.d., p.1). Â  In the year 2000, 78% of revenue came from North America, 14.8% from Europe and only 1.4% from India. By 2005, Infosys mode of operation was proximity development, which consisted of 9 and offshore software development about 17, mainly operating in India. Infosys is also facing a tough competition from other It giants because of the liberalization that has affected India and its economy (ICMR, 2006, p.3). Â  

Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Finance - Essay Example Although, it is practically not possible to control some forces that operate outside a business, such as availability of the capital and the world economic conditions, management need to inspire and guide internal operations in helping ensure a secure competitive position within the marketplace. Moreover, both innovation and adaptability are essential in helping gain market share, and stay profitable in the event of fluctuating economic climates (Hill & Westbrook, 1997). Research show that for a business to remain being competitive in the market, it has to always impress innovative services and products, a market plan and a fair pricing (Hill & Westbrook, 1997). In meeting the high standards, there is need for an operation efficient to be implemented as it helps in keeping the price competitive. For a well-run business, a shared goal is often incorporated with a view to inspire a spirit of co-operation among its departments (Humphrey, 2005). In challenging times, dynamic leadership i s crucial for maintaining a profitable business. Excellent performance is credited to increased productivity to the main company. Increased or impressive productivity is the central core of many companies (Menon, et al. 1999). Therefore, the increase in the profitability capacities of a company is placed amongst the central targets of any company (Menon, et al. 1999). In the case of Berksire Threaded Fasteners Company, its profitability is challenged by several factors, amongst them internal policies and external market factors, amongst others. In this paper, an analysis of the impact that can be aroused upon deployment of various actions will be investigated. Body For a situation where the company could have dropped the 300 series as of January 1, 2000, there is an effect that action would have on the profit for the first six months of 2000. In this case, it is noted that consumers often expect value (Armstrong. 1996). These consumers demand an effective customer service given that they are accessible to data alongside product information. Given the internet services, it is possible to make comparison of features and prices. This helps consumer forces companies to change into transparent market machines. The profitability potential accorded to 300 series surpasses the potential exhibited by the other three products. This reflects on the aspects such as the cost of production, as well as the after production expense. Focusing on the initial, 300 series is the most economical in production. This reflects on both the input and the labor cost. The comparison from this dimension indicates that 300 series is the least expensive of the three. While evaluating on a summative angle, the cost of production associated to the three products amounts to $ 3433. A further analysis of this figure indicates that 300 series only accounts for approximately 26 percent, while the other two presumes the rest. 100 series has the highest share with about 40 percent. The only differe nce in terms of production of the products is the rent cost for 300 series. Over this regard, several aspects of the production line can be isolated. Amongst them is the productivity of the line, as well as the possible future dynamics. This is based on a possibility of equity in the production numbers (Armstrong,

Death Penalty Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Death Penalty - Term Paper Example It was mostly used in the ancient times, although many countries still use capital punishment. It has not yet been proved whether administering death penalty is effective in deterring crime (Beck et al 2007 p. 66). There are many reasons why death penalty needs to be abolished. This paper is a critical evaluation of these grounds. Capital punishment does not deter crime where it does not take time to plan it. This is because for a crime that does not take some time for the criminal to plan the offence, considerations about the consequences of committing it are usually absent. It is therefore not likely to prevent such a person from engaging in crime. According to Charlie (2007 p. 68), â€Å"the criminal will most probably act upon the prevailing circumstances†. Crimes such as murder committed under such situations should not be subjected to capital punishment if it is meant to prevent people from committing such crimes. Lack of certainty that an individual is actually the one who committed a crime is usually a problem in many criminal justice systems. More often than not, people are punished because of crimes that they never committed. A good example is the case of many death row suspects who have been freed after the realization of their innocence. This means that many innocent people have been executed because they can not proof their innocence. The irreversibility of punishment through death becomes very painful especially if it turns out to have been meted out on a person due to improper criminal justice systems. At times a person may be executed by mistake, which becomes problematic when the real offenders are known (Michael and Clarissa 2006 p. 85) The feelings of desertion, fear and regret cause a lot of trauma and can have dire consequences on the relatives of the convict. In a religious point of view, it is apparent that doing something wrong to counter a crime does not

Corporate social responsibility Essay Example for Free

Corporate social responsibility Essay Social responsibility is an ethical theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Social responsibility is a duty every individual has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and the ecosystems. Businesses can use ethical decision making to secure their businesses by making decisions that allow for government agencies to minimize their involvement with the corporation. Critics argue that Corporate social responsibility (CSR) distracts from the fundamental economic role of businesses; others argue that it is nothing more than superficial window-dressing; others argue that it is an attempt to pre-empt the role of governments as a watchdog over powerful corporations though there is no systematic evidence to support these criticisms. A significant number of studies have shown no negative influence on shareholder results from CSR but rather a slightly negative correlation with improved shareholder returns. Corporate social responsibility (CSR, also called corporate conscience, corporate citizenship, social performance, or sustainable responsible business/ Responsible Business) is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. CSR policy functions as a built-in, self-regulating mechanism whereby a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards, and international norms. In some models, a firms implementation of CSR goes beyond compliance and engages in actions that appear to further some social good, beyond the interests of the firm and that which is required by law. CSR is a process with the aim to embrace responsibility for the companys actions and encourage a positive impact through its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere who may also be considered as stakeholders. FUNCTIONS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The function of corporate social responsibility is for corporations to hold themselves accountable for the ethical, legal, societal and ecological impacts of their business practices. Corporate social responsibility practices are self-monitoring, meaning there arent laws requiring corporations to behave in a socially responsible manner. Rules regarding corporate responsibility practices are generally written into the corporate bylaws, mission statements and employee handbooks. Ethical Function Ethics are one of the most important aspects in corporate governance and therefore have an important function in corporate social responsibility. A company must have internal controls regarding the expected ethical behavior and consequences of unethical business practices of its top executives and employees. Behaving ethically makes the company as a whole accountable to its investors, shareholders and consumers. The ethical function of corporate social responsibility helps to prevent conflicts of interest between earning corporate profits and maintaining the integrity of the company and the goods and services it produces. Legal Function The legal function of corporate social responsibility is to encourage transparency in a companys business practices and financial reporting. Maintaining high levels of legal business practices, such as adhering to Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, regulations promotes goodwill toward employees. Maintaining high levels of legal financial practices maintains good will among investors, stakeholders and government financial-reporting regulatory agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Societal Function The societal function of corporate social responsibility is to respect and invest in the communities in which the company operates. Companies are aware of how the production of their products affects the local community. These companies take necessary actions to diminish the negative impacts of factors such as increased traffic, noise and pollution for the communities in which they operate. The societal function of corporate social responsibility also includes companies reinvesting in the communities in which they operate, such as donating money to local charities. Ecological Function The ecological function of corporate social responsibility is to not only respect the immediate environment in which the company operates but also to respect the companys effect on the global environment. Companies are aware of the environmental impact the production of their products have on their local communities. In corporate social responsibility, these companies adhere to strict standards in an effort to diminish the negative impact of the environmental byproducts such as air and water pollution from the production of their products. Having such standards impacts both the local and global environments. CHARACTERISTICS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The idea of Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, first appeared in the late 1960s in response to the need for businesses to address the effect of their pursuits on the environment and society, in addition to the interests of their shareholders. CSR attempts to portray corporations as responsible citizens who are concerned with issues of social and environmental welfare. The Public CSR argues that corporations bear responsibility for the effect they have on other sectors of society. The activities of corporations have an impact on individuals who dont work for them and dont buy their products, through, for example, secondary economic impacts and degradation of the natural environment. CSR acknowledges this, and attempts to make the interactions between corporations and society positive and productive. This can be done by consulting with neighbors and citizens who are affected by corporate activities and by striving for transparency in corporate pursuits so that the public knows what is going on. The Environment Increased knowledge on the part of the public about declining resources, toxic waste and global warming is compelling companies to make more efforts to be more environmentally benign. The traditional view that the natural world is merely a source of materials and an equally convenient dump for waste is being challenged from many quarters, and CSR is an attempt by corporations to respond to these concerns. The sincerity of changes being made on the part of corporations includes some serious efforts to achieve sustainability and other efforts that are essentially greenwashing, activities in which corporations put more effort into appearing green than into actually being green. Clients CSR challenges the traditional wisdom that the interests and needs of the clients of a corporation will be adequately protected by the market itself. Because the free market has been severely compromised by a combination of government subsidies and manipulative marketing practices, CSR attempts to remedy this situation by installing practices into corporate life that will monitor the interaction between corporations and their clients in an attempt to ensure that nobody is being exploited or cheated. Consumer protection can be enforced by the government or voluntarily pursued by companies, the latter course have clear advantages for the public relations of the company. Staff Staff and employees of corporations have a right to expect fair pay, safe working conditions and meaningful work. CSR is one aspect of a transformation in the corporate world that attempts to overcome archaic views of workers as mere means to an end on the part of shareholders. Particularly in less developed countries that are often the sites of intensive resource extraction, the treatment of labor is frequently substandard. CSR is intended to promote the rights of all workers and to ensure that corporations respect these rights and make whatever changes are required to prevent the exploitation and mistreatment of labor. FOUR TYPES OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY As large corporations begin to dominate the world economy, it raises questions about the importance of corporate social responsibility in business. A variety of types of corporate social responsibilities have emerged in public discussions, and understanding their implications is important. Environmental Responsibility People expect businesses to exhibit environmentally responsible behavior, as evidenced by a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey that found that the No. 1 issue for companies in the future, according to U. S. respondents, is carbon emissions reductions. Specific environmental issues that affect businesses include global warming, sustainable resources and pollution. Businesses are being urged by environmental groups and governments to reduce their carbon footprint, to obtain their materials from sustainable sources and to reduce their pollution. Human Rights Responsibility The 21st-century marketplace is highly global. This means that when a product is purchased in the United States, for example, it may have been produced in China, or have components from South America. The ethical issue for corporations is ensuring that human rights are respected throughout all levels of the supply chain. Major companies have received criticism for their use of sweat shops and for sourcing resources that are harvested by unfairly treated workers. This has lead to a push for the use of strict labor standards to be applied to suppliers, and a demand for fair trade products such as chocolate and coffee. Financial Responsibility Financial responsibility is an important issue in corporate social responsibility. In the wake of the accounting fraud perpetrated by Enron and Arthur Andersen and Ponzi schemes orchestrated by the likes of Bernie Madoff, businesses are questioned about the accuracy of their financial reporting by increasingly skeptical shareholders and government officials, as evidenced by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Employees are expected to act as whistle blowers in such situations, and white collar crime is seeing high-profile prosecutions like that of Martha Stewart or former Worldcom CEO Bernie Ebbers. Political Responsibility Trading with repressive regimes is a difficult issue in corporate social responsibility. Some businesses argue that working with these regimes will help to advance them and bring rights to the countries. People and governments have demanded that businesses stop trading with repressive regimes, which was most notably observed when several western governments launched an embargo against the Apartheid government in South Africa during the 1980s. Shell Oil received considerable consumer backlash during the 1990s for its complicit involvement with the Nigerian government that murdered anti-oil activists. These issues make doing business with certain governments an important consideration for corporate social responsibility. PROS CONS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Corporate social responsibility is generally perceived as a positive business ideology in the 21st century, despite some challenges. A significant expansion of basic business ethics, CSR establishes guidelines for ethical and socially responsible behavior. It addresses how companies that want to satisfy government and societal requirements should treat key stakeholder groups, including customers, suppliers, employees and the community. Pro 1: Social Responsibility and Customer Relationships One of the foundational elements of CSR is that it causes companies to reason beyond basic ethics to consider the benefits of active involvement in communities. In his article The 7 Principles of Business Integrity, business strategist Robert Moment argues that 21st-century companies must prove themselves to customers to build long-term, trusting relationships. They must also get involved in the community to give back. This community connection endears your company to the local markets in which you operate. Pro 2: Motivated Employees Employees are a companys most valued asset. This is the premise of a companys obligation to this key stakeholder group with regard to CSR compliance. This means treating employees with respect and offering fair working conditions. It also means establishing fair hiring practices and promoting a non-discriminatory workplace. This improves morale within the workplace and encourages teamwork. Additionally, a writer on the As You Sow website stresses the importance of managing a diverse workplace so that you can benefit from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. Con 1: Expenses The main reason any company would object to participating in CSR is the associated costs. With CSR, you pay for environmental programs, more employee training and efficient waste management programs. Proponents of CSR agree that any expenses to businesses are ultimately covered by stronger relationships with key customers. However, David Vogel indicates in his Forbes article CSR Doesnt Pay that investment in CSR programs may not necessary result in measurable financial results. Con 2: Shareholder Expectations Another challenge for companies when considering CSR is the possible negative perception of shareholders. Historically, publicly-owned companies had a primary focus of maximizing shareholder value. Now, they must balance the financial expectations of company owners with the social and environmental requirements of other stakeholder groups. Some shareholders are happy to invest in companies that operate with high integrity. Others may not approve of the aforementioned expenses of operating under CSR guidelines. IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Social responsibility is so important to current and long-term business success that corporate social responsibility, CSR, has become a widely recognized business process in the early 21st century. An entrepreneur point out that CSR is an evolution of corporate ethics because it involves balancing the social expectations of all stakeholders, including shareholders, citizens, providers and customers, along with environmental responsibility. Basic Integrity Most experts and CSR analysts agree that this broad business concept is an evolution of basic business ethics and integrity. Entrepreneur and business strategist Robert Moment The 7 Princes of Business Integrity agree that treating stakeholders with respect and earning trust of customers through ethical business operations is the CSR foundation. Leading advocate of corporate accountability, the As You Sow Foundation, also stresses the importance of internal business controls that mandated ethics from corporate leaders and employees. Community Relations The word social is key to understanding how CSR goes beyond basic integrity. Moment states in one of his seven principles that as a CSR adherent, you must remain involved in community-related issues and activities thereby demonstrating that your business is a responsible community contributor. This community involvement and participation shows your marketplace that you are interested in more than just taking money from their pockets. In the long run, this strategy leads to a stronger public reputation and more profitable business relationships. The Environment Another reason CSR is much broader than conventional business ethics is its necessary inclusion of environmental responsibility. Once an opportunity for companies to add value and enhance their brand image, green-friendly operations are now a societal requirement with CSR. As You Sow discusses the importance of preserving the environment, optimizing efficient use of natural resources, such as renew, reuse and recycle, and reduction of waste as important to the environmental component of CSR. Companies that do not consider these initiatives draw the ire of the government, public and consumer watch groups. Bottom Line The underlying question is whether CSR operations improve a companys bottom line performance. David Vogel argues in his 2008 Forbes article that CSR Doesnt Pay. Vogel argues that operating under CSR guidelines is not likely to produce higher tangible profits for a company throughout time. Now that socially responsible behavior is expected, it goes largely unnoticed, argues Vogel. He does agree, though, that companies that ignore CSR may experience public backlash and negative business consequences. Still, many advocates of CSR believe that companies can still profit in the long run through stronger business and customer relationships. PRINCIPLES OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The main principles involving corporate social responsibility involve economic, legal, ethical and discretionary aspects. A corporation needs to generate profits, while operating within the laws of the state. The corporation also needs to be ethical, but has the right to be discretional about the decisions it makes. Levels of corporate social responsiveness to an issue include being reactive, defensive, responsive and interactive. All terms are useful in issues management. Selecting when and how to act can make a difference in the outcome of the action taken. CSR has inspired national governments to include CSR issues into their national public policy agendas. The increased importance driven by CSR has prompted governments to promote socially and environmentally responsible corporate practices. Over the past decade governments have considered CSR as a public issue that requires national governmental involvement to address the very issues relevant to CSR. The heightened role of government in CSR has facilitated the development of numerous CSR programs and policies. Increasingly, corporations are motivated to become more socially responsible because their most important stakeholders expect them to understand and address the social and community issues that are relevant to them. Understanding what causes are important to employees is usually the first priority because of the many interrelated business benefits that can be derived from increased employee engagement (i. e. more loyalty, improved recruitment, increased retention, higher productivity, and so on). Key external stakeholders include customers, consumers, investors (particularly institutional investors), and communities in the areas where the corporation operates its facilities, regulators, academics, and the media. The debate, on whether responsibility of a business enterprise is only to its shareholders (owners) or to all stakeholders, including environment and the society at large, is an on going one and continues. In received literature â€Å"Stakeholder†, as an expression is fairly recent in origin, reportedly appearing first in an internal memorandum of the Stanford Research Institute in the year 1963. According to a definition given by Edward Freeman â€Å"A stakeholder is any group or individual who can effect, or is affected by the activities and achievements of an organization. † Friedrich Neubauer and Ada Demb in â€Å"The Legitimate Corporation† identify six groups of distinguishable stakeholders (not necessarily in this order) as follows a) Providers of funds b) Employees c) General public d) Government e) Customers and f) Suppliers An increasing number of companies are reporting publicly on their social, environmental and ethical performance, both as a communication to stakeholders, and as a management tool. However, as this practice has only become more widespread since the mid 1990s, there is as yet no standard format to address the type of information companies choose to report, or how that information is collected, analyzed and presented. At the same time, many stakeholders are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the type and quality of information they are demanding from companies. In an effort to meet these demands as well as to strengthen the credibility of their social and environmental reports some companies are choosing to have their reports externally verified. In doing so, companies recognize that verification by a third party can add value to the overall social and environmental reporting process by enhancing relationships with stakeholders, improving business performance and decision-making, aligning practice with organizational values, and strengthening reputation risk management. Social Responsibility Principles The Corporate Social Responsibility is based on the following principles: Legal Compliance Principle: The enterprise shall comply with and understand all applicable, local, international, written, declared, and effected laws and regulations, in accordance with fixed, specific procedures. Adherence to Customary International Laws Principle: The enterprise shall adhere to international and governmental agreements, executive regulations, declarations, covenants, decisions, and guidelines, when setting its policies and practices pertinent to Social Responsibility. Respecting Related Stakeholders lefts Principle: The enterprise shall acknowledge and accept the diversity of related stakeholders’ lefts and interests, and the diversity of the major and minor enterprises activities and products, among other elements, which may affect such related stakeholders. Transparency Principle: the enterprise shall clearly, accurately, and comprehensively declare its policy, decisions, and activities, including known and potential effects on environment and society. Moreover, such information shall be available to affected persons, or those who are likely to be affected materially by the enterprise. Respect for Human lefts Principle: the enterprise shall execute policies and practices which shall result in respecting existent human lefts in the Universal Declaration of Human lefts. Because CSR can influence economic, environmental and social factors in a variety of ways, there is no â€Å"one size fits all† approach. An effective CSR strategy must consider alignment with the organization’s business strategy, commercial added value, and sustainability of impact. The benefits of an effective CSR approach to an organization can include: Stronger performance and profitability Improved relations with the investment community and access to capital Enhanced employee relations and company culture Risk management and access to social opportunities Stronger relationships with communities and legal regulators CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AT RELIANCE POWER LTD Reliance Power Limited is part of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, one of India’s largest business houses. It was established to develop, construct and operate power projects in the Indian and international markets. Reliance Energy Limited, an Indian private sector power utility company and the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group promote Reliance Power. With its subsidiaries, it is developing 13 medium and large-sized power projects with a combined planned installed capacity of 33,480 MW. Reliance Natural Resources merged with Reliance Power in 2010, shortly after its initial public offering. The group operates across multiple sectors, including telecommunications, financial services, media and entertainment, infrastructure and energy. The energy sector companies include Reliance Infrastructure and Reliance Power. Reliance Power has been established to develop, construct and operate power projects both in India as well as internationally. The Company on its own and through its subsidiaries has a portfolio of over 35,000 MW of power generation capacity, both in operation as well as capacity under development. The power projects are going to be diverse in terms of geographic location, fuel type, fuel source and off-take, and each project is planned to be strategically located near an available fuel supply or load centre. The company has 1,540 MW of operational power generation assets. The projects under development include seven coal-fired projects to be fueled by reserves from captive mines and supplies from India and elsewhere; two gas-fired projects; and twelve hydroelectric projects, six of them in Arunachal Pradesh, five in Himachal Pradesh and one in Uttarakhand. Reliance Power has won three of the four Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) awarded by the Indian Government so far. These include UMPPs in Sasan( Madhya Pradesh),Krishnapatnam( Andhra Pradesh) Tilaiya(Jharkhand). UMPPs are a significant part of the Indian governments initiative to collaborate with power generation companies to set up 4,000 MW projects to ease the country’s power deficit situation. Besides these, Reliance Power is also developing coal bed methane (CBM) blocks to fuel gas based power generation. The company is registering projects with the Clean Development Mechanism executive board for issuance of Certified Emission Reduction (CER) certificates to augment its revenues. Reliance Power in its continuous efforts to positively impact the society, especially the areas around its sites and offices, has formulated policies for social development that are based on the following guiding principles: Adopt an approach that aims at achieving a greater balance between social development and economic development. Adopt new measures to accelerate and ensure the basic needs of all people. Work towards elimination of all barriers for the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups- such as the poor and the disabled Give unfailing attention to children for in their hands lies the countrys future. It is for their sake that health, education and environment get topmost priority in our programs and investments. In areas around its power plant sites in Sasan,Rosa,Krishnapatnam,Butibori,Chitrangi and others, Reliance Power has been actively involved in various social and environmental organizations to address the issue of sustainable development and social uplift. The Company in discharge of its responsibility as a corporate citizen actively contributes to community welfare measures and takes up several social initiatives every year. Reliance Power Ltd. has been closely working with institutions and social organizations and supporting their programs for social development, adult literacy, adoption of village, tree plantation schemes etc. HEALTH Health and safety are of universal concern across the spectrum of communities. As a company, we are not only committed to compliance with legal norms but its is our endeavour to voluntarily go beyond that and provide quality healthcare facilities in the regions around our site. We are committed to providing all possible support to create awareness on various health related issues impacting the local people. We believe in a multidimensional approach that considers the needs of the area leading to an effective plan to address all issues in consultation with the local administration, community workers and NGOs working in the area. At its various project sites, Reliance Power sites runs medical facility center, physiotherapy center, and mobile medical vans that dispenses free medicines and provide free health check-ups. Also periodically we come up with health camps like general health check up camps, gynecology camps, eye check up camps and corrective surgery camps for disabled children. EDUCATION Education is a basic tool to bring development to an area and its people. We aim to create an awareness pool of human resource both within and across our area of operations. We are committed to bridging the digital divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ in educational infrastructure and facilities. Exposure to technology along with a sustainable education model could be strengthened through partnership with government and quasi-government agencies. Reliance Power is involved in a surfeit of activities that have changed the lives of the people residing at the sites or the PAFs (Project Affected Families). Education is the main thrust of these activities. Major contributions made in the area include building of a DAV school at the site for the children of the PAFs and the children of the villages around the sites, free school bus facility for the students, stipend to every child who attends school (a boy child gets Rs. 250 per month while a girl child gets a stipend of Rs. 300 per month), free uniforms, study tours for children, teaching aids to the teachers, training of teachers, as well as night schools for uneducated adults etc. EMPLOYMENT Community is an integral part of the business environment and the basic commitment lies towards augmenting the overall economic and social development of local communities by discharging our social responsibilities in a sustainable manner. Reliance Power invests significantly in skill up gradation of people around the sites. The trained manpower available for construction will ensure quality and accident free working. CIDC, a Government of India initiative has been engaged and has trained about 300 project affected youths as electricians, welders, carpenters and masons and bar benders in batches of 40 each. To further encourage them we paid them, a monthly stipend of Rs. 1000 per month. In addition efforts are on to enroll the oustees in short term courses at the ITI operating in the region. Apart from these, training is also provided are: Computer coaching centre English speaking classes Personality development classes Physiotherapy training center Training by NAC (National Academy of Construction) and use them for future requirement of the construction. For the women folk of the villages, in an effort to empower them the company trains them in soft skills like tailoring and poultry farming etc. Reliance Power provides assistance to women keen on starting their own businesses. THE HUMAN TOUCH BEYOND POLICY IMPERATIVES Although the main thrust of Reliance Power’s CSR lies in providing quality education, health care and livelihood, we don’t restrict ourselves to it. In order to better lives around our areas of interest and business, we strive to provide basic amenities like electrification in the villages, augmentation and development of roads connecting the village to the main roads, old age support for senior citizens of the project affect families, development of the grazing lands for the cattle of the villagers, afforestation and veterinary camps for domestic cattle. Moral and financial support is extended during social occasions like marriages, community prayers, funerals and other such occasions.

The Father of Revolution Essay Example for Free

The Father of Revolution Essay I belong to the opposing group, who opposes Jose Rizal as the national hero, and affirms Andres Bonifacio, who truly owns the throne to the so-called title of National Hero which currently belongs to Jose Rizal. First of all, let me get some facts straight. His complete name is Andres Castro Bonifacio, and he was born on November 30, 1863 in Tondo, Manila and died on May 10, 1897 at a very young age of 33 in Maragondon, Cavite. Like Abraham Lincoln, his formal education was very limited because of his parents’ death when he was only 14. He was an avid reader too like Lincoln and has read numerous books like the French Revolution, Biographies of US Presidents and many others. As the eldest, he had to drop out from school in order to support his siblings. Bonifacio was able to experienced working several odd jobs such as messenger, salesman and, warehouseman. He was also a businessman selling fans and canes. He founded the revolutionary movement known as KKK and was its supreme leader which sought for independence from the Spaniards. Not known to many Filipinos, some historians regarded him as the â€Å"first president of the Philippines. Andres Bonifacio and Greogoria De Jesus were married at the historic Binondo Church in 1893. His wife, more popularly known as Aling Oriang, was the founder and the vice-president of the women’s chapter of KKK. As a member of the Katipunan, Gregoria was designated the code name â€Å"Lakambini† which is the equivalent of â€Å"goddess† or â€Å"muse† in Tagalog dialect. Andres and Gregoria had a son named Andres but died of smallpox. Bonifacio was executed in 1897 and after more than a year his wife Gregoria met Julio Nakpil, a commander of the Katipunan troops in northern Philippines. They got married in December 1898 and had 5 children. The primary objective of the establishment of KKK is to achieve independence from Spain through a revolution. On July 7, 1892, the day after Rizal’s deportation to Dapitan, Andres Bonifacio founded the KKK – Kataas-taasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Respected Children of the Society of the Country) As a Katipunero, a member of the secret society called KKK, Bonicafio used the pseudonym â€Å"May Pag-asa† (There’s hope). The first â€Å"Supremo† of the Katipunan, short of KKK, was Deodato Arellano, Bonicacio’s brother-in-law. The second KKK â€Å"Supremo† was Roman Basa. Although Bonifacio was the founder, he only took over as â€Å"Supremo† in 1895 and prior to holding the highest position he was the organization’s comptroller and then its fiscal. Bonifacio wrote the poem â€Å"Pag-ibig sa Lupang Tinubuan† (Love of Homeland) under the pseudonym Agapito Bagumbayan. With less than 300 KKK members in January 1896, memberships of the Katipunan soared high to more than 40,000 by August 1896 due to the publication of â€Å"Kalayaan† and membership spread out throughout Luzviminda.

Financial Control Through Strategic Planning In Organizations Accounting Essay

Financial Control Through Strategic Planning In Organizations Accounting Essay Organizations are striving in these days to stay competitive in turbulent business world. Strategic planning become very integral part of all successful organizations. If organizations dont care about strategic goals then this competitive business world just kick out from the rivals. Finance is life blood of every organization in the world if organization has insufficient finance to run their operations they couldnt survive long term. Enterprise resource planning consists of lots of information system within the organization, for instance management information system, human resource information system, accounting and finance information system, the size of ERP depend on the size of the organization which facilitate organization to run their operations effectively and efficiently. But our concern in this essay regarding finance information system and planning. How management of the organization plan to finance their operations and how they make check and balance on the finance function system with other information system. Financial system is main functioning of the orgainsaitons. This system control billions of regular transaction everyday. The main purpose of financial system within the orgainsation to manage the organisation cash flows. If financial system run properly then organization has confidence its safe and stable. In the first part of this essay my focus on the explore the relationship between financial system and other system in the organisation, how important and run with each other and well integrated. What are the system of accounts and financial statements organizations used to control its financial system. There are five financial statements for instance income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, statement of change in equity and notes to the accounts. These statements show the financial health of organisation. Second part of this essay is base on the numerical part and explanation for that I construct hypothetical example of budget data regarding pizza company. Compare the actual budget with planned budget and find how we know about the variance. Then how management take corrective actions on these variance and area of conflict in financial control and management steps to minimise these conflicts. In last part I identify the how organisation finance its operations I discuss some source of finance and how management allocate finance to achieve maximum efficiency and how management can control on financial distribution in organisation. 1.1 Assess the relationship(s) between a financial system or function and other systems or functions in an organisation Elbanna and Amany (2006) stated that there is a close connection between the finance function on the one hand and production, procurement, marketing, personnel function on the other. approximately all business activities in an organization engage the attainment and use of finances. The purpose of production, procurement and marketing strategies are the privilege of the head of production, purchase and marketing divisions correspondingly, but for implement their decisions funds are necessary. For instance, the production department might decide to swap an old machine with a new to boost the production capacity but it has financial allusions too. likewise, the buy and sales promotion policies are lay down by the purchase and marketing divisions correspondingly, but acquiring of materials, advertising and other sales advertising activities cannot be agreed out without finance. Likewise, the employment and promotion of personnel is the accountability of the personnel department but recru itment and promotion of employees require funds for the payment of wages, salaries and other remuneration. Many times, it may be difficult to separate where the one function trimmings and other starts. It might, though be noted that although the finance function of lifting and use funds has a important consequence on other functions, it need no boundary or hinder the common functions of the business. It is likely that firm face financial problems might provide more weight age to financial deliberation and plan its own manufacture and marketing policies to outfit the position. If we look other side of the picture a firm with a lot of funds might not have much inflexibility with observe to financial deliberations in relation to other management functions. In such a firm, financial strategies might be attuned to the requirements of the decisions describing to manufacture, procurement, marketing and other functions. 1.2 Describe the systems of accounts and financial statements used to control a financial system Although the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) put the rules by which the accounting occupation must stand, the warmth industry also sets actions and rules for its a variety of sections to make sure comparability, responsibility, and significant practice of accounting data. For new workers, those systems yet act as turnkey accounting systems. This way the system has all incorporated and is prepared to be used in operations. The three most used and renowned systems in the business are for the accommodation, foodservice, and association areas. There are at present one under progress for the food industry. Why are such industry-specific systems needed? If every industry follows the FASBs rules, couldnt every then have the right accounting information? In theory, yes. though, FASB rules are printed for the whole accounting career. Hospitality has accounts other industries do not, and vice versa. For example, a restaurant will not contain a reduction account for an oil rig, but a restaurant does need an accretion depreciation account for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Even within the hospitality industry there are differences. A hotel industry is different from a club industry, and a club is different from a theme park. Hotels have room revenues food, country clubs have membership dues, and theme parks have admissions fees. There are optional procedures to classify convinced charge or identification of accounts. The accounting information give is more helpful not just for the companies themselves but also for investors, creditors, and even employees (Bratton, 2004). The Uniform System of Accounts for Restaurants, first published in 1927, is currently in its seventh edition. It provides sample statements, analysis blueprints, classification of accounts, and an expense dictionary. The aim of this publication, like that of the lodging and club industries, is to assist operators to interpret financial results in a more meaningful manner.( Weygandt et all, 2005) 2.1 Construct a budget for an area of management responsibility 2.2 Develop  budgetary control  systems and compare actual with planned expenditure Setting standards, the impartiality of the quantity and the person who process and evaluate the performance are significant. Measuring and comparing be able to be proficient by the person performing the job, by the superior, or by a workers person; yet an automatic system can measure and compare. From a behavioural point of view, the most recent method is the slightest popular, followed by measurement by a staff person just. An employee considers an automatic system, a staff person, or still the manager does not be acquainted with sufficient about the conditions of the job to make a flaxen comparison between real and intended results. in addition, the employee frequently distrusts the staff person and from time to time even the manager. At the similar, the employee is typically not trustworthy enough by the organisation to carry out the measurement and comparison unaccompanied. The best solution is to have the measurement done by the person most trusted by the employee and to agree to the employee some input. Domino pizza make baked packed of pizzas which it sells for  £60. The standard variable costs of the product are as follows (there are no variable overhead). 3 units of product A category of pizzas @  £ 4 per unit 2 labour [emailprotected]  £11 per hours The fixed overhead per month are  £ 20000 It is budgeted that 1200 units will be produced and sold per month The actual data for July 2009 were as follows: Sales and production (units) 1300 Actual sales price  £58 Raw materials used were 4000 units bought in at  £ 4.20 per units. The labour hours incurred were 2800 hours at  £ 11 per hour whilst the fixed overhead incurred were  £ 18000. Items Budget Actual Sales 72000 75400 material 14400 16800 Labour 26400 30800 Fixed overhead 20000 18000 Profit 11200 9800 Budgeted profit 11200 Material usage variance -400 ((1300*3)-4000)*4 Material price variance -800 ((4-4.2)*4000 Labour efficiency variance -2200 ((1300*2)-2800)*11 Labour rate variance 0 (11-11)*5800 Overhead expenditure variance 2000 20000-18000 Sales volume variance 2600 (1300-1200)*(60-12-22) Sales price variance -2600 -1400 (58-60)*1300 Actual profit 9800 2.3 Discuss  corrective actions  to be taken in response to budgetary variations unfortunate forecasting of field situation; weather and occasion in the future ways thorough and idyllic surveys in the direction of the field condition and foregoing weather data scanty planning in degree of work exactly study the job items, sequence and methods of the job activities adverse material preparation get prepared a detailed materials plan planning in harmony with scope of work. pitiable judgment and budgeting of materials cost arrange a precise and thorough budgeting support on direct market surveys Poor expansion and function of the standard work procedure assess the obtainable standard method in accord with the scope of work, situation, condition and environment deprived market forecast conduct a pre survey in accordance with market to enable making the right price estimation poor data and information of activity and materials conduct data attainment to make a good and complete data information. Shortage of materials in the market use material substitution and correct price so based on the material particular. Alter of materials basis condition to the project location suggest material replacement. divergence of quality materials bought and ordered. All section concerning procurement must clearly describe the responsibilities, rights and fine. impediment of materials payment. Construct an outstanding payment agenda to avoid delay in material delivery. Modify of the company buying policy develop fixed process. Divergence of preparation, develop detailed and precise schedule to make easy easy and controlled scheduled implementation. Unfortunate buying strategy in choosing suppliers. Perform complete and cautious selection of suppliers, which believe supplier on a daily basis capacity and material quality (Henstock, 1988). Impediment of materials consignment to location procurement agenda must be regularly check transform of materials circumstance during shipment process. Must have material continuation procedure during delivery. Shipping cost variance Delivery cost is determined based on budget requirements. Poor accessibility during shipping process Must have proper temporary storage facilities. Materials quality variance from requirement carry out quality control test to before delivery to make sure material is up to requirement. for material storing. Poor supervision in warehouses Conduct periodic storage control. incompetent use of materials in location extend effective material use process and material usage control. High recurrent materials association develop precise material transfer method and sufficient impermanent facilities site regular rework due to error. Clear design with good material plan contents and according to scope of work Lack of understanding towards the characteristic of work location Environmental and site evaluation sequence Lack of transportation Provide accurate estimation for mobile equipment plan and placement schedule Inefficient utilization and cutting of materials Provide bar bending/ cutting schedule Wrong materials utilization Provide clear work method with available facilities Incomplete drawing design Develop evaluation during tender explanation meeting Frequent out-of-sequence job flow Provide accurate and detail execution schedule Schedule compression Perform work according to schedule and identify change of order and adjust accordingly to schedule. Owner intervention during process Clear and well defined clauses in contract regarding responsibilities and duties to prevent unnecessary disruption. Lack of coordination meeting in the field Operation that regulate Coordination meeting Poor report system Develop procedure and execute the procedure with discipline. Lack of Information System role (MIS-IT) Develop appropriate Information system with proper communication procedure. Poor companys administration and documentation system Provide Manual and procedure that govern administration and documentation. Poor evaluation and decision making system Conduct coordination meeting for project evaluation to reach effective and accurate decision making. Poor inventory control towards stock of materials Create a procedure and implement the procedure with discipline. High number of materials and equipment loss/stealing Well Implementation of Safety and security system and discipline in material utilization Frequent changes of economic condition Periodic evaluation of project. Create addendum to minimize losses and impact from planning if needed. Frequent changes of rules and regulations Make contract changes with binding condition and according to the applicable agreement. High frequent of unpredictable situations during construction (force majeure, natural disaster, politics, etc) Include force majeure clausal in contract to predict and anticipate unexpected conditions. Poor condition of weather and climate Apply accurate construction method High competition Improve effectiveness, efficiency and productivity by implementing SWOT analysis. ( VERONIKA et all, 2006) 2.4 Identify conflicts that can occur with  management control systems  and how these could be resolved or minimised According to Maciariello et al. (1994), management control is concerned with coordination, resource allocation, motivation, and performance measurement. The practice of management control and the design of management control systems draws upon a number of academic disciplines. Management control involves extensive measurement and it is therefore related to and requires contributions from accounting especially management accounting. Second, it involves resource allocation decisions and is therefore related to and requires contribution from economics especially managerial economics. Third, it involves communication, and motivation which means it is related to and must draw contributions from social psychology especially organizational behaviour. Management control systems use many techniques such as; Balanced scorecard, Total quality management  (TQM), Kaizen  (Continuous Improvement), Activity-based costing, Target costing, Benchmarking  and Benchtrending, JIT, Budgeting, Capital budgeting, Program management techniques, etc. 3.1 Identify the current and potential sources of finance that support organisational activities When a corporation is rising rapidly, for example when consider investment in capital equipment or an acquirement, its current financial resources might be insufficient. Few emergent corporations are capable to finance their growth plans from cash flow only. They will consequently require to believe raising finance from other outside sources.  In addition, managers who are seem to buy in to a business or buy out a business from its owners, might not have the capital to get the company. They will need to lift finance to attain their objectives. There are a lot of possible sources of finance to meet the requirements of a emergent business or to finance an MBI or MBO: Existing shareholders and directors funds, Family and friends Business angels, Clearing banks (overdrafts, short or medium term loans), Factoring and invoice discounting, Hire purchase and leasing, vendor banks (medium to longer term loans), business enterprise capital. A key deliberation in decide the source of new business finance is to hit a equilibrium between equity and debt to make sure the financial support structure ensemble the business. The main dissimilarity between borrowed money (debt) and equity are that bankers demand interest outflow and capital repayments, and the hired money is typically tenable on business assets or the private assets of shareholders and directors. A bank also has the authority to put a business into supervision or bankruptcy if it defaulting on debt interest or repayments or its projection turn down. (Quoan, 2002) In disparity, equity investors get the risk of breakdown like other shareholders, while they will advantage through contribution in rising levels of profits and on the ultimate sale of their wager.  However in most situations venture capitalists will also need more composite investments in additional to their equity part. In general purpose in lifting finance for a company is to keep away from revealing the business to extreme high borrowings, but without gratuitously weaken the share capital. This will make sure that the financial risk of the company is reserved at best possible level A concise explanation of the main characteristics of the main sources of business finance is provided below, venture capital is a universal term to explain a variety of ordinary and preference shares where the spending organization obtain a share in the business. Venture capital is planned for higher risks such as commence state and development capital for more grown-up investments. Substitute capital carry in an organization in place of one of the unique shareholders of a business that needs to understand their personal equity before the other shareholders. There are over 100 different venture capital funds in the UK and some have geographical or industry inclination. There are also sure large industrial companies which have finance obtainable to spend in rising businesses and this corporate venturing is an extra source of equity finance. Local development organization and the European Union are the major sources of funding and soft loans. contribution are usually made to make easy the buy of assets and also the creation of jobs or the training of employees. Soft loans are usually subsidised by a third party so that the conditions of interest and sanctuary levels are less than the market velocity. There are more than 350 proposals from the department of trade and industry unaccompanied so it is a substance of recognize which sources will be suitable in each case. Funds can be lift against debts outstanding from customers via invoice discounting or invoice factoring, thus recovering cash flows. Debtors are utilized as the main security for the lender and the borrower might get up to about 80% of endorsed debts. In addition, lot of these sources of finance will at present provide against stock and other assets and might be more appropriate then bank lending. Invoice discounting is usually secret, whereas factoring expand the simple discounting standard by also commerce with the administration of the sales ledger and debtor compilation. Hire purchase conformity and hire provide finance for the attainment of precise assets such as motor cars, equipment and machinery connecting a deposit and re-payments more, normally, three to ten years. Theoretically, possession of the asset stay with the lessor whereas label to the goods is ultimately relocate to the hirer in a hire purchase contract. Medium term loans and long term loans are granted for exact reason such as obtain an asset, business or shares. The loan is usually safe on the asset or assets and the interest rate might be changeable or fixed. The small firms loan guarantee scheme could give up to  £250,000 of borrowing maintain by a government guarantee where all other sources of funds have been tire out. This loan finance where there is small or no precautions gone after the leading debt had been protected. To replicate the privileged risk of mezzanine finance, the lender would indict a rate of interest of possibly four to eight % over bank base rate, might get an alternative to obtain some equity and might necessitate repayment over a shorter period. An overdraft is a decided amount by which a customer could excess withdraw from their current account. It is usually held on current assets, re-payable on stipulate and utilize for short period working capital variation. The interest cost is usually uneven and correlated to bank base rate. Increasing fund is frequently a intricate process. Business management require to consider numerous choices and then bargain conditions which are suitable to the finance supplier. The major bargaining points are repeatedly as follows: Whether equity investors get a seat on the management board. Votes credited to equity investors, level of guarantees and protection provided by the directors financiers fees and costs, who tolerate costs of due attentiveness. Throughout the finance acquiring process, accountants are frequently called to reassess the financial attribute of the arrangement. Their report might be official or unofficial, an indication or an widespread reconsider of the companys management information system, forecasting means and their exactness, re-examine of most recent management accounts counting working capital, pension funding and employee agreements etc. This due diligence process is utilized to emphasize any primary problems that might exist. 3.3 Discuss the monitoring and control of finance employed in support of organisational actvities All budgets are owed to budget managers on the endorsement of the Vice-Chancellor, under designation from council. Budget managers must have pass on authority, in accordance with the allocation policy to use their budgets. Budget managers must check, reconsider, and report on a usual basis to their exposure line manager, on the financial presentation for their areas of accountability. Reporting would comprise comments on material budget variances and financial risks telling to the budget allocation. Reporting should also take place via the Universitys Performance and Risk reporting tool in accordance with the Universitys reporting timeline. Where material variances are envisage the budget manager should get ready a reforecasting budget for the accounting year as soon as possible. Action plans to tackle budget variances need also be ready, as proper. These documents must be self-assured to their line manager and the director finance operations. According to Messy University, financial monitoring and control published in 2007,Also, either budget monitoring group (BMG) or commercial activities group (CAG) will take on self-governing monitor of budget management and control on behalf of the vice chancellor. Risk Rating reports will be ready by the pertinent accounting advisor and submitted to BMG or CAG, and after that to the Universitys Risk Management Committee. Risk Rating reports will have a provisional status pending they have been marked off by the related reporting line manager at which time the reports position will change to confirmed. Only Risk Rating reports with a confirmed status will be accepted. Unbudgeted functioning or capital spending must be permitted by either the budget managers level three reporting line manager if inside total yearly budget, or by the director, finance operations if in surplus of total budget. In case where the endorsement of the director, finance operations is required, approval must be acquire by compliance of a request for financial authority. Note that where the endorsement of the director finance operations is to be required, sign off by the suitable level three manager is also necessary. Budget managers must implement inner control systems that make sure separation of duties in the buying process, and ethical commercial exercise. Budget managers must make sure that all possible clash of interests arise from commercial dealings are recognized and minimised. The director finance operations must testimony the companys financial performance to the vice-chancellor and council frequently. In order to inclusive this job the director finance operations might need budget centres to give additional information or re forecasts. All external and internal financial reporting have to obey with generally accepted accounting practice as defined in the Financial Reporting Act 1993 and Amendments. Conclusion: we can conclude the planning and control of financial system within the organization is very sensitive and crucial part of management information system. Policy makers might take decisions sometimes quickly but that decision should be accurate regarding finance distribution. We found there is direct relationship between finance system and other system in organisation, they are interlinked with each others. Financial statements are used to control and keep check and balance on whole finance function in the organisation. Budget is planning and control process how organisation allocate their limited resources to gain maximum benefit. It is not always bet with planned budget some variances are exist. Then its management resposbility to identify variances and take some serious steps to avoid that. Sometimes conflicts arises within the departments and its responsibility of management to resolve those conflicts to maximize the output. We found lots of source of finance utilize by the organisation. Its depend on the management which source of finance is feasible to exploit. When organisation got the finance how to allocate this fund within the organisation to run firm operation efficiently. Continuously feedbac is needed for management to know how operations run in organisation. This feedback should be timely, accurate and authentic to take corrective actions if something going worse. Management in organisation is the most knowledgeable entity to know each and everything in organisation.

The Midwife :: essays research papers

The Midwife’s Apprentice is written by Karen Cushman. The setting takes place in the past nearly five hundred years ago from now. It is also a fiction book   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alyce formerly known as Beetle or Dung Beetle has found a home in a village with a Midwife who feeds her only morsels of what hard work she does. But before that the tale of how she was found must be told.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beetle found herself snug as a bug in a dung heap. She slept for warmth, completely dismissing the horrid smell of it. Then a sharp question asked â€Å"You girl. Are you alive or dead?† she promptly opened her eyes and was taken in after tell the woman she could do hard work and not eat much. So that’s how she ended up as where she is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Well the midwife didn’t really treat her as an apprentice for she spoke unkindly and forbid that Alyce would ever see what she was helping women do. But Alyce did! And how horrible it was, the Midwife would scream, curse and slap the poor women until they could take no more and push out the baby.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Once the midwife was not there and Alyce had to help the woman with the baby. She told the husband to brew whatever was needed to help her. Then she began talking to her softly and soothing her till the baby came out into the world when it was almost certain that it would not make it. When the midwife got there she was thoroughly mad. The husband of the wife said Alyce was more kind and efficient and that the midwife was no good.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the end she fled to a small inn near the village where she saved another baby. The Midwife :: essays research papers The Midwife’s Apprentice is written by Karen Cushman. The setting takes place in the past nearly five hundred years ago from now. It is also a fiction book   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alyce formerly known as Beetle or Dung Beetle has found a home in a village with a Midwife who feeds her only morsels of what hard work she does. But before that the tale of how she was found must be told.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beetle found herself snug as a bug in a dung heap. She slept for warmth, completely dismissing the horrid smell of it. Then a sharp question asked â€Å"You girl. Are you alive or dead?† she promptly opened her eyes and was taken in after tell the woman she could do hard work and not eat much. So that’s how she ended up as where she is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Well the midwife didn’t really treat her as an apprentice for she spoke unkindly and forbid that Alyce would ever see what she was helping women do. But Alyce did! And how horrible it was, the Midwife would scream, curse and slap the poor women until they could take no more and push out the baby.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Once the midwife was not there and Alyce had to help the woman with the baby. She told the husband to brew whatever was needed to help her. Then she began talking to her softly and soothing her till the baby came out into the world when it was almost certain that it would not make it. When the midwife got there she was thoroughly mad. The husband of the wife said Alyce was more kind and efficient and that the midwife was no good.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the end she fled to a small inn near the village where she saved another baby.

THESECRT GARDEN :: essays research papers

The Secret Garden The book was about a girl, a wealthy one, who lived in India. Her name was Mary. Mary always thought her parents never paid attention to her and was too busy with parties. Mary was always angry, but she never cried. She thought her mom didn’t care about her until one day, when her parents died. After her parents died she went with this lady named Mrs. Madlock. She was going to her uncle’s that Mary had never met before, Mrs. Madlock said. On the carriage-ride to her uncles, is when she found out exactly where she was going. Mary also found out that her mother had a twin sister, which was her uncle’s wife. But, she had died also. She was said that she had died from falling off a swing in her garden. She had reached her uncle’s house, but she didn’t get to meet him, just yet. Her orders were to get some rest and maybe she could see him in the morning. The next morning she met Martha, Mrs. Madlock’s servant. After she was told to stay in her room she found a passage-door where it led to a dusty old room. She thought it most have been her Aunt’s room because it had matching things as her mother. In that room she found a big key, an odd-looking key.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  That day she went outside to play. She wasn’t sure whom to play with; she didn't have any friends that didn't live in India. She found a robin, which led her to a door, a locked door. It had a keyhole that look as if the key in her aunt’s bedroom would fit. She got the key from the bedroom and it slides in perfect. She opened the big door and looked around, she saw how beautiful everything was and a wooden swing. Then she saw a boy. The boy’s name was Dickon; he was Martha’s brother. She and Dickon became friends and they planted many flowers together.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A couple of nights later when she was wandering around the house like she shouldn’t have she heard a boy. She went to go see who it was. It was her cousin, Colin. She has never met him either, she didn’t even know she had a cousin, nor an uncle. Colin has been in bed all his life, he was â€Å"sick†. Mary talked to him and became friends. THESECRT GARDEN :: essays research papers The Secret Garden The book was about a girl, a wealthy one, who lived in India. Her name was Mary. Mary always thought her parents never paid attention to her and was too busy with parties. Mary was always angry, but she never cried. She thought her mom didn’t care about her until one day, when her parents died. After her parents died she went with this lady named Mrs. Madlock. She was going to her uncle’s that Mary had never met before, Mrs. Madlock said. On the carriage-ride to her uncles, is when she found out exactly where she was going. Mary also found out that her mother had a twin sister, which was her uncle’s wife. But, she had died also. She was said that she had died from falling off a swing in her garden. She had reached her uncle’s house, but she didn’t get to meet him, just yet. Her orders were to get some rest and maybe she could see him in the morning. The next morning she met Martha, Mrs. Madlock’s servant. After she was told to stay in her room she found a passage-door where it led to a dusty old room. She thought it most have been her Aunt’s room because it had matching things as her mother. In that room she found a big key, an odd-looking key.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  That day she went outside to play. She wasn’t sure whom to play with; she didn't have any friends that didn't live in India. She found a robin, which led her to a door, a locked door. It had a keyhole that look as if the key in her aunt’s bedroom would fit. She got the key from the bedroom and it slides in perfect. She opened the big door and looked around, she saw how beautiful everything was and a wooden swing. Then she saw a boy. The boy’s name was Dickon; he was Martha’s brother. She and Dickon became friends and they planted many flowers together.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A couple of nights later when she was wandering around the house like she shouldn’t have she heard a boy. She went to go see who it was. It was her cousin, Colin. She has never met him either, she didn’t even know she had a cousin, nor an uncle. Colin has been in bed all his life, he was â€Å"sick†. Mary talked to him and became friends.

Conditional and Iterative Data Types :: Essays Papers

Conditional and Iterative Data Types Conditional and Iterative A programming language cannot be a programming language with out its conditional and iterative structures. Programming languages are built to accomplish the task of controlling computer input and output. A programmer must use every tool available to complete his/her given tasks, and conditional as well as iterative statements are the most basic items of programming which must be mastered. Many different programming languages can demonstrate conditional and iterative statements including C++, Java, Pascal, Qbasic, COBOL, and Scheme. Most of these languages implement conditional and iterative statements in a similar fashion; however, there are a few differences. The conditional structure is easy to understand and self-defining. The whole statement is base on a condition and its veracity. When the statement or "test" is found to be true, a statement is executed, and if it is false, another test is given or the program continues to the next block. Conditional structures include the simple, two-alternative, multi-alternative, and non-deterministic conditional. The simple conditional is the easiest to understand being the IF-THEN statement. if *Boolean expression* then *block of statements* IF a condition is met THEN execute a statement. The two-alternative conditional or IF-ELSE is also easy to understand. if *Boolean expression* then *block of statements* else *block of statements* IF a condition is met execute a statement; ELSE the condition was not met so execute a different statement. The multi-alternative conditional is very close to the two-alternative conditional. if *condition-1* then *statement-block-1* elseif *condition-2* then *statement-block-2* †¦ elseif *condition-n* then *statement-block-n* [else *statement-block-(n+1)*] end if The IF question is asked about a statement, and if it is not true, the next statement is examined. If statement number two is not true, the next statement is examined; then the next statement is examined and so forth until a condition is met, and the control is carried out of the multi-alternative conditional. The non-deterministic conditional is similar to the multi-alternative conditional, because it has multiple conditionals. if *condition-1*  *statement-sequence-1* when *condition-2*  *statement-sequence-2* †¦ when *condition-n*  *statement-sequence-n* end if The reason multi-alternative and non-deterministic conditionals are different, stems from the release of program's control or flow. The non-deterministic conditional tests each statement to see if its condition is met; whereas the multi-alternative conditional only tests statements until one of the conditions is met. After one of the conditions is met, the multi-alternative conditional releases the program control and fails to check anymore statements.